Wendy Moore
- Professor, Entomology
- Curator, Insect Collection-Department of Entomology
- Professor, Entomology / Insect Science - GIDP
- Member of the Graduate Faculty
Contact
- (520) 626-5014
- Forbes, Rm. 420
- Tucson, AZ 85721
- wmoore@arizona.edu
Degrees
- Ph.D. Entomology; Ecology and Evolutionary Biology
- University of Arizona, Tucson
- M.S. Marine Biology
- College of Charleston, Charleston
- B.A. General Biology
- Vanderbilt Unversity, Nashville
Awards
- Editor's choice
- Diversity and Distributions, Summer 2019
- Promotion to Associate Professor
- University of Arizona, Summer 2017
- DRAC Research Enhancement Award
- University of Arizona's College of Agriculture and Life Sciences, Spring 2015
- Southwest Books of the Year
- Pima County Public Library, Spring 2014
- Honorable Mention for Poster Presentation
- Society for the Study of Evolution (SSE), Spring 2013
Interests
No activities entered.
Courses
2024-25 Courses
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Research
EIS 900 (Spring 2025) -
Thesis
EIS 910 (Spring 2025) -
Dissertation
EIS 920 (Fall 2024) -
Insect Biology
ECOL 415R (Fall 2024) -
Insect Biology
ECOL 515R (Fall 2024) -
Insect Biology
ENTO 415R (Fall 2024) -
Insect Systematics
EIS 517 (Fall 2024) -
Insect Systematics
ENTO 417 (Fall 2024) -
Research
EIS 900 (Fall 2024)
2023-24 Courses
-
Dissertation
EIS 920 (Spring 2024) -
Honors Independent Study
MCB 399H (Spring 2024) -
Independent Study
ECOL 199 (Spring 2024) -
Independent Study
EIS 699 (Spring 2024) -
Meth In Ento & Insect Science
EIS 792 (Spring 2024) -
Research
EIS 900 (Spring 2024) -
Senior Capstone
BIOC 498 (Spring 2024) -
Directed Research
ENTO 392 (Fall 2023) -
Directed Research
ENTO 492 (Fall 2023) -
Dissertation
EIS 920 (Fall 2023) -
Honors Independent Study
MCB 399H (Fall 2023) -
Honors Thesis
BIOC 498H (Fall 2023) -
Independent Study
ECOL 499 (Fall 2023) -
Independent Study
EIS 699 (Fall 2023) -
Insect Biology
ECOL 415R (Fall 2023) -
Insect Biology
EIS 515R (Fall 2023) -
Insect Biology
ENTO 415R (Fall 2023) -
Research
EIS 900 (Fall 2023)
2022-23 Courses
-
Research
EIS 900 (Summer I 2023) -
Directed Research
ECOL 492 (Spring 2023) -
Discovering Biodiversity
CALS 297E (Spring 2023) -
Dissertation
EIS 920 (Spring 2023) -
Independent Study
ECOL 399 (Spring 2023) -
Independent Study
ECOL 499 (Spring 2023) -
Research
EIS 900 (Spring 2023) -
Thesis
EIS 910 (Spring 2023) -
Dissertation
EIS 920 (Fall 2022) -
Independent Study
EIS 699 (Fall 2022) -
Insect Biology
ECOL 415R (Fall 2022) -
Insect Biology
EIS 515R (Fall 2022) -
Insect Biology
ENTO 415R (Fall 2022) -
Insect Systematics
EIS 517 (Fall 2022) -
Insect Systematics
ENTO 417 (Fall 2022) -
Meth In Ento & Insect Science
EIS 792 (Fall 2022) -
Thesis
EIS 910 (Fall 2022)
2021-22 Courses
-
Dissertation
EIS 920 (Spring 2022) -
Honors Thesis
ECOL 498H (Spring 2022) -
Independent Study
EIS 599 (Spring 2022) -
Meth In Ento & Insect Science
EIS 792 (Spring 2022) -
Dissertation
EIS 920 (Fall 2021) -
Honors Thesis
ECOL 498H (Fall 2021) -
Independent Study
ECOL 499 (Fall 2021) -
Independent Study
EIS 599 (Fall 2021) -
Insect Biology
ECOL 415R (Fall 2021) -
Insect Biology
ECOL 515R (Fall 2021) -
Insect Biology
ENTO 415R (Fall 2021) -
Research
EIS 900 (Fall 2021)
2020-21 Courses
-
Directed Research
ECOL 392 (Spring 2021) -
Discovering Biodiversity
CALS 297E (Spring 2021) -
Dissertation
EIS 920 (Spring 2021) -
Meth In Ento & Insect Science
EIS 792 (Spring 2021) -
Preceptorship
ENTO 491 (Spring 2021) -
Research
EIS 900 (Spring 2021) -
Senior Capstone
ECOL 498 (Spring 2021) -
Thesis
EIS 910 (Spring 2021) -
Directed Research
ECOL 392 (Fall 2020) -
Independent Study
EIS 699 (Fall 2020) -
Insect Biology
ECOL 415R (Fall 2020) -
Insect Biology
ENTO 415R (Fall 2020) -
Insect Systematics
EIS 517 (Fall 2020) -
Insect Systematics
ENTO 417 (Fall 2020) -
Research
EIS 900 (Fall 2020)
2019-20 Courses
-
Research
EIS 900 (Summer I 2020) -
Directed Research
ECOL 392 (Spring 2020) -
Dissertation
EIS 920 (Spring 2020) -
Entomology
EIS 596A (Spring 2020) -
Independent Study
ECOL 399 (Spring 2020) -
Research
EIS 900 (Spring 2020) -
Senior Capstone
BIOC 498 (Spring 2020) -
Dissertation
EIS 920 (Fall 2019) -
Insect Biology
ECOL 415R (Fall 2019) -
Insect Biology
ENTO 415R (Fall 2019) -
Meth In Insect Science
EIS 700 (Fall 2019) -
Senior Capstone
BIOC 498 (Fall 2019)
2018-19 Courses
-
Research
EIS 900 (Summer I 2019) -
Dissertation
EIS 920 (Spring 2019) -
Entomology
EIS 596A (Spring 2019) -
Research
EIS 900 (Spring 2019) -
Dissertation
EIS 920 (Fall 2018) -
Insect Systematics
ECOL 517 (Fall 2018) -
Insect Systematics
EIS 517 (Fall 2018) -
Insect Systematics
ENTO 417 (Fall 2018) -
Meth In Insect Science
EIS 700 (Fall 2018)
2017-18 Courses
-
Dissertation
EIS 920 (Spring 2018) -
Entomology
EIS 596A (Spring 2018) -
Dissertation
EIS 920 (Fall 2017)
2016-17 Courses
-
Thesis
EIS 910 (Summer I 2017) -
Dissertation
EIS 920 (Spring 2017) -
Entomology
EIS 596A (Spring 2017) -
Independent Study
EIS 599 (Spring 2017) -
Independent Study
ENTO 399 (Spring 2017) -
Research
EIS 900 (Spring 2017) -
Thesis
EIS 910 (Spring 2017) -
Dissertation
EIS 920 (Fall 2016) -
Insect Systematics
EIS 517 (Fall 2016) -
Insect Systematics
ENTO 417 (Fall 2016) -
Research
EIS 900 (Fall 2016) -
Thesis
EIS 910 (Fall 2016)
2015-16 Courses
-
Thesis
EIS 910 (Summer I 2016) -
Dissertation
EIS 920 (Spring 2016) -
Entomology
EIS 596A (Spring 2016) -
Research
EIS 900 (Spring 2016) -
Thesis
EIS 910 (Spring 2016)
Scholarly Contributions
Books
- Brusca, R. C., Moore, W., & Shuster, S. M. (2016). Invertebrates. Sunderland, MA.: Sinauer Associates.More infoDescriptionIn the 12 years since publication of Invertebrates, Second Edition, fundamental shifts have occurred in our understanding of the origins and evolutionary relationships among protists and animals. These changes are largely due to the explosion of molecular phylogenetics and evo-devo research, emergence of the new field of animal genomics, major fossil discoveries in China, Australia, and elsewhere, and important new embryological and ultrastructural studies. As a result:New phyla have been described (e.g., Micrognathozoa, Xenacoelomorpha).Old phyla have been collapsed into others (e.g., Sipuncula and Echiura are now placed within Annelida; acanthocephalans are now known to be highly modified, parasitic rotifers).Phyla once thought to be deuterostomes are now part of the protostome clade (e.g., Chaetognatha, Phoronida, Bryozoa, Brachiopoda).The Protostomia has been reorganized into two major clades known as Ecdysozoa and Spiralia.For each of the 32 currently recognized phyla, Invertebrates, Third Edition presents detailed classifications, revised taxonomic synopses, updated information on general biology and anatomy, and current phylogenetic hypotheses, organized with boxes and tables, and illustrated with abundant line drawings and new color photos. The chapters are organized around the “new animal phylogeny,” while introductory chapters provide basic background information on the general biology of invertebrates. Two new coauthors have been added to the writing team, and 22 additional invertebrate zoologists have contributed to chapter revisions. This benchmark volume on our modern views of invertebrate biology should be in every zoologist’s library.
- Moore Brusca, W. -., Moore, W., & Brusca, R. (2013). A Natural History of the Santa Catalina Mountains, with an Introduction to the Madrean Sky Islands. Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum Press.
Chapters
- Irwin, M., & Moore Brusca, W. (2019). Foundations of an IPM program: detection, identification, and quantification. In Integrated Management of Insect Pests: Current and Future Developments.. Cambridge: Burleigh Dodds Science Publishing.
- Nagel, P., Robertson, J., & Moore Brusca, W. (2017). Catalogue. Subfamily Paussinae Latreille, 1806.. In Catalogue of Palaearctic Coleoptera Archostemata-Myxophaga-Adephaga, Revised and Updated Edition, Vol.1.(pp 466-470). Leiden, Boston: Brill.
- Moore, W. (2016). Hexapoda. In Invertebrates, 3ed.(p. 55). Sunderland, MA: Sinauer Associates.
- Moore, W. (2015). Sky Islands.. In A Natural History of the Sonoran Desert. 2nd Edition. Berkeley: University of California Press.
Journals/Publications
- Kavanaugh, D. H., Maddison, D. R., Simison, W. B., Schoville, S. D., Schmidt, J., Faille, A., Moore Brusca, W., Pflug, J. M., Archambeault, S. L., Hoang, T., & Chen, J. (2021). Phylogeny of the supertribe Nebriitae (Coleoptera: Carabidae) based on analyses of DNA sequence data. Zookeys, 1044, 1001-1036. doi:https://doi.org/10.3897/zookeys.1044.68648
- Spence, J., Kavanaugh, D., Maddison, D. R., Boyd, O., Brandmayr, P., Garner, B., Maveety, S., Moore Brusca, W., Riley, K., Shorthouse, J., Sims, L., Steiner, W., Swing, K., Turin, H., Zamorano, L. S., & Penev, L. (2021). Memories of Terry Erwin. In: Spence J, Casale A, Assmann T, Liebherr JК, Penev L (Eds) Systematic Zoology and Biodiversity Science: A tribute to Terry Erwin (1940-2020). ZooKeys, 1044, 1001-1036. doi:https://doi.org/10.3897/zookeys.1044.68648
- Attygalle, A., Xu, S., Moore Brusca, W., McManus, R., Gill, A., & Will, K. (2020). Biosynthetic origin of benzoquinones in the explosive discharge of the bombardier beetle Brachinus elongatulus. The Science of Nature, 107(26). doi:https://doi.org/10.1007/s00114-020-01683-0
- Moore Brusca, W., & Di Giulio, A. (2019). Out of the burrow and into the nest: functional anatomy of three life history stages of Ozaena lemoulti (Coleoptera: Carabidae) reveals an obligate life with ants.. PLoS ONE.
- Muzzi, M., Moore Brusca, W., & Di Giulio, A. (2019). Morpho-functional analysis of the explosive defensive system of basal bombardier beetles (Carabidae: Paussinae: Metriini). Micron.More infoBombardier beetles, belonging to the carabid subfamilies Paussinae and Brachininae, are famous for their unique ability to explosively discharge a hot spray of quinones from their pygidial glands when threatened. The paussine tribe Metriini is broadly acknowledged as the most basal group of bombardiers. In order to complement the available information on the chemical substances and the primitive discharging mechanism of Metriini, we provide a detailed morpho-functional analysis of the explosive defensive system of Metrius contractus Eschscholtz, 1829 and Sinometrius turnai Wrase and J. Schmidt, 2006, representatives of the two genera in this tribe. We use dissections, histology, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and focused ion beam microscopy (FIB/SEM) to describe and illustrate various levels of anatomical complexity. FIB/SEM microscopy is used to analyse ultrastructural features of the cellular regions, replacing the classical transmission electron microscopy (TEM). Compared to other Paussinae tribes, Metriini lacks the typical flange of Coanda, the elytral fold used to direct the defensive secretions forward, but has a similar arrangement of internal components. We find that the internal components of the explosive defensive system, including the secretory lobes, collecting duct, reservoir chamber, valve, reaction chamber, accessory chamber and accessory glands, are only slightly different between Metrius Eschscholtz, 1829 and Sinometrius Wrase and J. Schmidt, 2006. The accessory chamber to the reaction chamber is a unique, derived character state common to all Paussinae examined and therefore represents a clear apomorphy of the Paussinae. We use the same microscopy techniques as used in a recent publication on the Brachininae, to compare the defensive systems of Metriini and Brachininae. We find a lack of morphological similarity at the ultrastructural level, suggesting that the bombarding mechanism may have evolved independently in the Paussinae and the Brachininae, perhaps in response to different ecological pressures.
- Yanahan, A., & Moore Brusca, W. (2019). Impacts of 21st century climate change on montane habitat in the Madrean Sky Island Archipelago.. Diversity and Distributions.More infoAim: The Madrean Sky Island Archipelago is a North American biodiversity hotspot comprised of ~60 isolated mountains that span the Cordilleran Gap between the Rocky Mountains and the Sierra Madre Occidental. Characterized by discrete patches of high-elevation montane habitat, these ‘sky islands’ serve as stepping stones across a ‘sea’ of desert scrub/grassland. Over this coming century, the region is expected to shift towards a warmer and drier climate. We used climate envelope modelling to predict how the spatial distribution of montane habitat will be affected by climate change.Location: Madrean Sky Island Archipelago, southwest United States and northwest Mexico (Latitude, 29-34°N; Longitude, 107-112°W).Methods: To approximate the current distribution of montane habitat, we built climate envelope models for five high-elevation species (Ceanothus fendleri, Pinus strobiformis, Quercus gambelii, Sciurus aberti, Synuchus dubius). The resulting models were projected under multiple climate change scenarios—four greenhouse gas concentration trajectories (RCP 2.6, 4.5, 6.0, 8.5) for each of three climate models (CCSM4, MPI-ESM-LR, NorESM1-M)—to generate predicted distributions for the years 2050 and 2070. We performed chi-squared tests to detect any future changes to total montane habitat area, and Conover-Iman tests to evaluate isolation among the discrete montane habitat patches.Results: While the climate models differ with respect to their predictions as to whether effects of future climate change will be mild (CCSM4), moderate (MPI-ESM-LR), or severe (NorESM1-M), they all agree that by as early as year 2050, under even the most conservative greenhouse gas concentration trajectory, there will be significant montane habitat loss and increased montane habitat patch isolation.Main conclusions: Our results suggest that under 21st century climate change, the Madrean Sky Islands will become increasingly isolated due to montane habitat loss. This may affect their ability to serve as stepping stones and have negative implications for the region’s biodiversity.
- Hughes, G. B., & Moore, W. (2018). Monophyly of the subfamily Neobisiinae (Pseudoscorpiones: Neobisiidae). JOURNAL OF ARACHNOLOGY, 46(3), 481-487.More infoMembers of the Neobisiidae are currently classified in two subfamilies, Neobisiinae and Microcreagrinae. Taxonomic assignment to subfamily is based upon two morphological characters, neither of which is consistently foundwithin either subfamily. The form of the galeae is elongate and hyaline in the Microcreagrinae, but reduced and sclerotic in the Neobisiinae. However, some members of the Microcreagrinae also have reduced galeae. The position oftrichobothrium ist located on the fixed finger of the pedipalp chelae is generally positioned subdistally and closer to trichobothrium est in Neobisiinae but sub-basally and closer to trichobothrium ib in Microcreagrinae. However, membersof the genus Parobisium, currently assigned to the subfamily Neobisiinae, have a microcreagrine-like subbasal trichobothrium ist. Since neither subfamily is defined by an undisputed apomorphy, the monophyly of both groups haslong been questioned. In this study, we tested whether or not the two subfamilies are monophyletic by inferring the phylogeny of the family using DNA sequence data from the mitochondrial protein-coding gene, COI, and the nuclearribosomal gene 28S. Results of the molecular phylogenetic analyses indicate that neither of the subfamilies is monophyletic as presently defined. We transfer the genus Parobisium to the Microcreagrinae in order to simultaneously obtain amonophyletic Neobisiinae and resolve character inconsistency for the position of trichobothrium ist, which is sub-distal in all Neobisiinae taxa included in our study. We also find that reduction of the galea is not a reliable character state at the subfamily level, and has occurred at least three times independently within the family.
- McManus, R., Ravenscraft, A., & Moore, W. (2018). Bacterial Associates of a Gregarious Riparian Beetle With Explosive Defensive Chemistry. FRONTIERS IN MICROBIOLOGY, 9.More infoBombardier beetles (Carabidae: Brachininae) are well known for their unique explosive defensive chemistry. These beetles are found in riparian corridors throughout the American Southwest, where they commonly form large diurnal multispecies aggregations in moist areas under rocks, in crevices, and in leaf litter. Using high throughput 16S amplicon sequencing, we provide the first microbiome survey of a bombardier beetle, Brachinus elongatulus, collected from two sites in Arizona. Two bacterial taxa were present in all individuals sampled: Enterococcus and Dysgonomonas. Enterococcus has been implicated in the production of fecal aggregation pheromone components, which have been shown to regulate aggregation in the German cockroach; it is possible that Enterococcus plays a similar role in Brachinus. Dysgonomonas was found in all the secretory cells of the defensive system and gut samples. Additional studies are needed to determine if these microbes play a role in these beetles’ unique chemical defense. Results also show that the majority of B. elongatulus individuals collected from both sites were infected with Spiroplasma. Many Spiroplasma are intracellular, vertically transmitted insect symbionts that may manipulate host reproduction (e.g., cause male-killing) or provide resistance to nematodes and/or parasitoid wasps. Defensive protection could be especially beneficial to B. elongatulus, which are frequently parasitized by horsehair worms (Nematomorpha). In sum, findings suggest several testable hypotheses on the effects bacteria may have on bombardier beetle behavior and physiology.
- Moore Brusca, W., Moore Brusca, W., Moore Brusca, W., Carriere, Y., Carriere, Y., Carriere, Y., Smith, R. L., Smith, R. L., Smith, R. L., Papaj, D. R., Papaj, D. R., Papaj, D. R., Davidowitz, G., Davidowitz, G., Davidowitz, G., Schaller, J., Schaller, J., & Schaller, J. (2018). Molecular phylogeny, ecology and multispecies aggregation behaviour of bombardier beetles in Arizona. PLoS ONE, 13(10), e0205192.
- Palting, J. D., Ferguson, D. C., & Moore, W. (2018). A new species of Hypoprepia from the mountains of central Arizona (Lepidoptera, Erebidae, Arctiinae, Lithosiini). ZOOKEYS, 19-38.More infoA new firefly-mimicking lichen moth of the genus Hypoprepia, H. lampyroides Palting & Ferguson, sp. n., is described from the mountains of east-central Arizona and the Sierra Madre Occidental of Mexico. Hypoprepia Hübner, 1831 is a North American genus of lithosiine tiger moths, previously consisting of five species: H. fucosa Hübner, 1831 and H. miniata (Kirby, 1837), both of eastern and central North America; H. cadaverosa Strecker, 1878 from the Rocky Mountains into New Mexico and west Texas; H. inculta H. Edwards, 1882, a widespread western USA species and H. muelleri Dyar, 1907 from the vicinity of Mexico City. The latter is herein synonymized under H. inculta (= H. muelleri syn. n.), resulting in the total number of taxa in the genus unchanged at five.
- Schaller, J. C., Davidowitz, G., Papaj, D. R., Smith, R. L., Carriere, Y., & Moore, W. (2018). Molecular phylogeny, ecology and multispecies aggregation behaviour of bombardier beetles in Arizona. PLOS ONE, 13(10).More infoAggregations of conspecific animals are common and have been documented in most phyla. Multispecies aggregations are less common and less well studied. Eight species of Brachinus beetles —famous for their unique, highly effective, chemical defense—regularly settle together form large diurnal multispecies aggregations in dark, moist areas in riparian habitats in the Sonoran Desert Region. Here, we document these multispecies aggregations and investigate the incidence and dynamics of aggregation behavior. Analysis of species composition of 59 field-collected aggregations revealed that 71% contained more than one species, eight species regularly co-occurred in aggregations, and no two species showed a preference to aggregate with one another. We provide the first phylogenetic analyses of participants in multispecies aggregations, and find that Brachinus species found together in aggregations are not each other’s closest relatives but rather are dispersed throughout the phylogeny of the genus. Further, we find no tendency for species to aggregate with close relatives more frequently than distant relatives. Laboratory experiments on B. elongatulus showed that it chose to settle in occupied shelters over empty shelters. Experiments with B. hirsutus and B. elongatulus showed that B. hirsutus prefers to settle under shelters housing heterospecifics over conspecifics. Our findings suggest that these multispecies aggregations do not form by chance, but rather are initiated by a genus-wide aggregation cue associated with the presence of individuals already in a shelter, which is likely to be chemical and potentially tactile in nature.
- Gomez, R. A., Reddell, J., Will, K. W., & Moore, W. (2016). Up high and down low: Molecular systematics and insight into the diversification of the ground beetle genus Rhadine LeConte. Molecular Phylogenetics and Evolution, 98, 161-175.More infoRhadine LeConte is a Nearctic genus of flightless ground beetles that is poorly studied despite its relevance to evolutionary studies of subterranean fauna. Adults are notable for their slender and leggy habitus and the wide variety of habitat preferences among species, with several known only from mountaintops while others are restricted to caves or more general subterranean habitats. In central Texas, USA there are several cave endemics relevant to conservation. Here we present the first phylogenetic hypothesis for the overall structure of the genus with an emphasis on the troglobites in central Texas. We infer the phylogeny of Rhadine from ∼2.4-kb of aligned nucleotide sites from the nuclear genes, 28S rDNA and CAD, and the mitochondrial gene COI. These data were obtained for 30 species of Rhadine as well as from members of their putative sister group, Tanystoma Motschulsky. Results reveal that Rhadine is polyphyletic, and morphological characters that have been traditionally used to classify the genus into species groups are shown to be convergent in many cases. Rhadine aside from two species of uncertain placement is composed of two major clades, Clades I and II that both include epigean and subterranean species in very unequal proportions. Clade I is primarily composed of subterranean species, and Clade II includes many epigean species and high altitude montane endemics.A clade of troglobitic, cave-restricted species in Texas includes several species of large-eyed cave Rhadine. The slender habitus typical of some species [e.g., R. exilis (Barr and Lawrence), R. subterranea (Van Dyke), R. austinica Barr] evolved independently at least three times. Major biogeographic and evolutionary patterns based on these results include: troglobitic species north of the Colorado River in Texas (that also lack lateral pronotal setae) are found to comprise a monophyletic group, beetles in caves south of the Colorado River likely form another monophyletic group, and the “species pairs” of troglobitic Rhadine known to occur in the same caves are not resolved as each other’s sister group, suggesting that these caves were colonized independently by more than one lineage of Rhadine. Our divergence time estimates support a Miocene age for the split between Clade I and II Rhadine and indicate that all subterranean Clade I Rhadine began diversifying in the late Miocene–early Pliocene, contemporary with cave formation in the Balcones Escarpment.**This publication is the result of Antonio Gomez's Masters thesis. He graduated from the Entomology and Insect Science graduate program in 2014.**
- Robertson, J. A., & Moore, W. (2016). Dissecting the species groups of Paussus L. (Carabidae: Paussinae): unraveling morphological convergence associated with myrmecophilous life histories.. Systematic Entomology. doi:DOI: 10.1111/syen.12205More infoAnt nest beetles (Paussus L.) are ecologically fascinating and phenotypically bizarre. Obligate myrmecophiles, Paussus have undergone extreme adaptations for life with ants and their profound range of phenotypic diversity has been difficult to reconcile in a systematic framework. We conducted a detailed morphological study of Paussus utilizing novel techniques and character systems in order to discover anatomical apomorphies diagnostic of the major clades of Paussus strongly supported by molecular data.
- Arndt, E., Moore, W. -., Lee, W., & Ortiz, C. (2015). Mechanistic origins of the bombardier beetle (Brachinini) explosive pulsed chemical defense.. Science, 348, 563-567.More infoBombardier beetles are unique in the animal kingdom for their defensive sprays of hot quinones which form explosively in their pygidial glands. Species in the tribe Brachinini are the most famous of all for their exceptionally high-velocity pulsed jets. However, the mechanism of brachinine discharge pulsation has thus far eluded experimental assessment, largely due to an inability to see inside the beetle as it discharges. We use high-speed synchrotron X-ray phase-contrast imaging to visualize the repetitive internal explosions which occur during defensive discharges from live Brachinus elongatulus. We find that discharge pulsation arises from the periodic injection of reactant droplets into the reaction chamber mediated by the inter-chamber valve.
- Marek, P. E., & Moore, W. (2015). Discovery of a glowing millipede in California and the gradual evolution of bioluminescence in Diplopoda.. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, U.S.A., 112, 6419–6424.
- Meyer III, M., Eble, J., Franklin, K., McManus, R., Brantley, S., Henkel, J., Marek, P., Hall, W. E., Olson, C., McInroy, R., Loaiza, E., Brusca, R. C., & Moore, W. (2015). Ground-Dwelling Arthropod Communities of a Sky Island Mountain Range in Southeastern Arizona, USA: Obtaining a Baseline for Assessing the Effects of Climate Change. PloS one, 10(9), 18 pp..
- Meyer, M., Eble, J., Franklin, K., McManus, R., Brantley, S., Henkle, J., Marek, P. E., Hall, W. E., Olson, C. A., McInroy, R., Bernal Loaiza, E. M., Brusca, R., & Moore, W. (2015). Ground-Dwelling Arthropod Communities of a Sky Island Mountain Range in Southeastern Arizona, USA: Obtaining a Baseline for Assessing the Effects of Climate Change.. PLoSONE, 10(9). doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0135210More infoDuring 2011, a team of collaborators, including postdocs, graduate students and undergraduates all based in my lab and/or the University of Arizona Insect Collection worked together to set 660 pitfall traps along two elevation gradients in the Santa Catalina Mountains, collecting arthropods for two weeks each in May and September (following monsoon rains). Samples have been curated, identified and deposited in the UA Insect Collection. This is the resulting paper from that study which provides a baseline for a long-term arthropod trapping program in the Catalinas, which will be used to predict future biological responses to climatic change and identify areas to focus conservation efforts.
- Moore, W., Oringanje, C., & Riehle, M. A. (2015). Highly evolvable vectors: the genomes of 16 Anopheles mosquitoes.. Science, 347(6217).More infoUA authors are listed above. All authors are listed here: Neafsey, D.E., R.M. Waterhouse, M.R. Abai, S.S. Aganezov, M.A. Alekseyev, J.E. Allen, J. Amon, B. Arcà, P. Arensburger, G. Artemov, L.A. Assour, H. Basseri, A. Berlin, B.W. Birren, S. A. Blandin, A.I. Brockman, T.R. Burkot, A. Burt, C.S. Chan, C. Chauve, J.C. Chiu, M. Christensen, C. Costantini, V.L.M. Davidson, E. Deligianni, T. Dottorini, V. Dritsou, S.B. Gabriel, W.M. Guelbeogo, A.B. Hall, M.V. Han, T. Hlaing, D.S.T. Hughes, A.M. Jenkins, X. Jiang, I. Jungreis, E.G. Kakani, M. Kamali, P. Kemppainen, R. C. Kennedy, I.K. Kirmitzoglou, L.L. Koekemoer, N. Laban, N. Langridge, M.K.N. Lawniczak, M. Lirakis, N.F. Lobo, E. Lowy, R.M. MacCallum, C. Mao, G. Maslen, C. Mbogo, J. McCarthy, K. Michel, S.N. Mitchell, W. Moore, K.A. Murphy, A.N. Naumenko, T. Nolan, E.M. Novoa, S. O'Loughlin, C. Oringanje, M.A. Oshaghi, N. Pakpour, P.A. Papathanos, A.N. Peery, M. Povelones, A. Prakash, D.P. Price, A. Rajaraman, L.J. Reimer, D.C. Rinker, A. Rokas, T.L. Russell, N. Sagnon, M.V. Sharakhova, T. Shea, F.A. Simão, F. Simard, M.A. Slotman, P. Somboon, V. Stegniy, C.J. Struchiner, G.W.C.Thomas, M.Tojo, P. Topalis, J. M.C. Tubio, M.F. Unger, J. Vontas, C. Walton, C.S. Wilding, J.H. Willis, Y. Wu, G. Yan, E.M. Zdobnov, X. Zhou, F. Catteruccia, G. K. Christophides, F.H. Collins, R.S. Cornman, A. Crisanti, M.J. Donnelly, S.J. Emrich, M. C. Fontaine, W. Gelbart, M.W. Hahn, I.A. Hansen, P.I. Howell, F.C. Kafatos, M. Kellis, D. Lawson, C. Louis, S.Luckhart, M.A.T. Muskavitch, J.M. Ribeiro, M.A. Riehle, I.V. Sharakhov, Z. Tu, L.J. Zwiebel, N.J. Besansky.
- Moore, W., & Robertson, J. A. (2014). Explosive Adaptive Radiation and Extreme Phenotypic Diversity within Ant-Nest Beetles. CURRENT BIOLOGY, 24(20), 2435-2439.More infoAnt-nest beetles (Paussus) are the quintessential Trojan horses of the insect world. They hack the complex communication system of ants, allowing them to blend into the ant society and be treated as royalty, all the while preying upon the ants and the ants' brood and duping the ants into rearing their young [1-3]. Here we present results of the first molecular-based phylogeny of ant-nest beetles, which reveals that this symbiosis has produced one of the most stunning examples of rapid adaptive radiation documented to date. The most recent ancestor of a Paussus clade endemic to Madagascar is only 2.6 million years old. This species gave rise to a remarkably phenotypically diverse clade of 86 extant species with a net diversification interval of 0.38-0.81 million years, a rate of radiation faster than classic textbook examples of large, recent, rapid radiations such as Anolis lizards on Caribbean islands, cichlids of the East African Great Lakes, finches on the Galapagos Islands, and Drosophila and tetragnathid spiders on the Hawaiian Islands [4-8]. In order for Paussus to adapt to a new host ant species, the beetle's ability to perceive, deceive, and communicate with the new host must evolve quickly and in synchrony in both the larval and adult life stages, resulting in unusually strong selective pressure levied by their host ants. Data on host associations suggest that the history of host shifts may help explain both the striking phenotypic diversity within the Malagasy radiation and the evolution of phenotypically similar yet distantly related species in Madagascar and Africa.
- Moore, W., Di Giulio, A., Fattorini, S., Robertson, J., & Maurizi, E. (2014). Form, function and evolutionary significance of stridulatory organs in ant nest beetles (Coleoptera: Carabidae: Paussini).. European Journal of Entomology, 111(5).More infoDi Giulio, A., S. Fattorini, W. Moore, J. A. Robertson, E. Maurizi.
- Brusca, R. C., Weins, J., Meyer, W., Eble, J., Franklin, K., Overpeck, J., & Moore, W. -. (2013). Dramatic Response to Climate Change in the Southwest: Robert Whittaker's 1963 Arizona Mountain Plant Transect Revisited.. Ecology and Evolution, 10(3), 3307–3319.
- Antonova, Y., Arik, A. J., Moore, W., Riehle, M. A., & Brown, M. R. (2012). Insulin-like Peptides: Structure, Signaling, and Function. Insect Endocrinology, 63-92.More infoAbstract: This chapter discusses the insulin-like peptides: structure, signaling, and function. Insulin-like peptides (ILPs) are paragons for the conservation of hormone structure and function among invertebrates and higher animals. They are encoded by multiple, distinct genes within each species and, upon secretion, serve as hormones, neurotransmitters, and growth factors during post-embryonic life stages. These diverse messages are transduced in target cells through an insulin receptor and a signaling network of activated proteins that directly affect biochemical pathways and gene expression. Of the diverse invertebrate groups, our accumulated knowledge of ILP endocrinology is the deepest and broadest for insects. This knowledge has revealed that essentially all of the proteins that make up the mechanisms for ILP processing, secretion, and signaling are remarkably similar to those of vertebrates, in effect conserving the pleiotropic effects of ILPs between insects and vertebrates. © 2012 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.
- Maurizi, E., Fattorini, S., Moore, W., & Giulio, A. D. (2012). Behavior of Paussus favieri (Coleoptera, Carabidae, Paussini): A myrmecophilous beetle associated with Pheidole pallidula (Hymenoptera, Formicidae). Psyche.More infoAbstract: Several specimens of the myrmecophilous beetle Paussus favieri were reared in ant nests of Pheidole pallidula. Their interactions were recorded and all behaviors observed are described. Duration and frequency of five behaviors of P. favieri were analyzed with ANOVA and post hoc Tukey tests; these comprised rewarding, antennal shaking, antennation, escape, and no contact. Significant differences both in duration and in frequency among behaviors were detected. The main result is that the rewarding behavior, during which the beetle provides attractive substances to the host, is performed significantly more frequently than all others. This result strongly supports the hypothesis that the chemicals provided by the beetles and licked by the ants are of great importance for the acceptance and the full integration of P. favieri in the ant society. This result also suggests that, contrary to previous findings and interpretations, the myrmecophilous strategy of P. favieri is very similar to the symphilous strategy described for P. turcicus. The occasional interactions of some beetle specimens with the P. pallidula queen were recorded, illustrated, and discussed, indicating the possibility of a more complex strategy of P. favieri involving a chemical mimicry with the queen. In addition, the courtship performed by the beetle is described for the first time, together with a peculiar cleaning behavior, which we hypothesize functions to spread antennal chemicals over the body surfaces. Copyright © 2012 Emanuela Maurizi et al.
- Moore Brusca, W. -., Maurizi, E., Fattorini, S., Moore, W., & Di, G. A. (2012). Behavior of Paussus favieri (Coleoptera, Carabidae, Paussini), a myrmecophilous beetle associated with Pheidole pallidula (Hymenoptera, Formicidae). Psyche.More info(Special issue: "Ants and Their Parasites.") doi:10.1155/2012/940315
- Giulio, A. d., Maurizi, E., Hlaváč, P., & Moore, W. (2011). The long-awaited first instar larva of Paussus favieri (Coleoptera: Carabidae: Paussini). European Journal of Entomology, 108(1), 127-138.More infoAbstract: Paussus favieri Fairmaire is one of only two species of the myrmecophilous carabid tribe Paussini known from Europe. Larvae are known from only 10 of the 580 paussine species. As in many beetles with considerably modified later instar larvae, the first instars represent a valuable source of informative characters for taxonomy and phylogenetic analyses (primary chaetotaxy, egg-bursters, etc.). Therefore, the discovery of the first instar larva of P. favieri is particularly important, as it represents only the second species for which this larval stage is known. In this paper we describe the behavior and morphology of the larval first instar of P. favieri (subtribe Paussina of Paussini) and compare it with that of Arthropterus sp. (subtribe Cerapterina), which is the only other 1st instar described in the Paussini. Most surprisingly, we found that the 1st instar of P. favieri lacks a prostheca, which was previously thought to be a synapomorphy of Paussina + Platyrhopalina. Rather, P. favieri has a unique mandibular structure that seems to be functionally analogous to the protheca. It is a long, broadly lanceolate, distinctly flattened structure apparently homologous to the medial mandibular seta (MN2*), which arises from an area behind the cutting edge of mandible. We predict that the function of the protheca and this similar structure in P. favieri are involved in a specialized feeding strategy that may include soliciting trophallaxis from their host ants. We also report some observations of the first instar hatching from the egg, feeding on liquid and a behaviour we interpret as a "calling behavior," all of which were videotaped and posted on the Tree of Life Web Project.
- Marek, P., Papaj, D., Yeager, J., Molina, S., & Moore, W. (2011). Bioluminescent aposematism in millipedes. Current Biology, 21, R680-R681.More infoPMID: 21959150;PMCID: PMC3221455;Abstract: Bioluminescence - the ability of organisms to emit light - has evolved about 40-50 times independently across the tree of life [1]. Many different functions for bioluminescence have been proposed, for example, mate recognition, prey attraction, camouflage, and warning coloration. Millipedes in the genus Motyxia produce a greenish-blue light at a wavelength of 495 nm that can be seen in darkness [2]. These detritivores defend themselves with cyanide, which they generate internally and discharge through lateral ozopores [3]. Motyxia are an ideal model system to investigate the ecological role of bioluminescence because they are blind, thus limiting their visual signalling to other organisms, for example predators. While the biochemical mechanisms underlying Motyxia bioluminescence have been studied in detail [2,4], its adaptive significance remained unknown [5,6]. We here show that bioluminescence has a single evolutionary origin in millipedes and it serves as an aposematic warning signal to deter nocturnal mammalian predators. Among the numerous examples of bioluminescence, this is the first field experiment in any organism to demonstrate that bioluminescence functions as a warning signal. Video Abstract: The editors of Current Biology welcome correspondence on any article in the journal, but reserve the right to reduce the length of any letter to be published. All Correspondence containing data or scientific argument will be refereed. Queries about articles for consideration in this format should be sent by e-mail to cbiol@current-biology.com © 2011 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.
- Marek, P., Papaj, D., Yeager, J., Molina, S., Moore, W., Marek, P., Papaj, D., Yeager, J., Molina, S., & Moore, W. (2011). Bioluminescent aposematism in millipedes. CURRENT BIOLOGY, 21, R680-R681.More infoPMID: 21959150;PMCID: PMC3221455;Abstract: Bioluminescence - the ability of organisms to emit light - has evolved about 40-50 times independently across the tree of life [1]. Many different functions for bioluminescence have been proposed, for example, mate recognition, prey attraction, camouflage, and warning coloration. Millipedes in the genus Motyxia produce a greenish-blue light at a wavelength of 495 nm that can be seen in darkness [2]. These detritivores defend themselves with cyanide, which they generate internally and discharge through lateral ozopores [3]. Motyxia are an ideal model system to investigate the ecological role of bioluminescence because they are blind, thus limiting their visual signalling to other organisms, for example predators. While the biochemical mechanisms underlying Motyxia bioluminescence have been studied in detail [2,4], its adaptive significance remained unknown [5,6]. We here show that bioluminescence has a single evolutionary origin in millipedes and it serves as an aposematic warning signal to deter nocturnal mammalian predators. Among the numerous examples of bioluminescence, this is the first field experiment in any organism to demonstrate that bioluminescence functions as a warning signal. Video Abstract: The editors of Current Biology welcome correspondence on any article in the journal, but reserve the right to reduce the length of any letter to be published. All Correspondence containing data or scientific argument will be refereed. Queries about articles for consideration in this format should be sent by e-mail to cbiol@current-biology.com © 2011 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.
- Moore Brusca, W. -., & Moore, W. (2011). Biology needs cyberinfrastructure to facilitate specimen-level data acquisition for insects and other hyperdiverse groups. ZooKeys, 147, 479-486.
- Moore Brusca, W. -., Di, G. A., Maurizi, E., Hlavac, P., & Moore, W. (2011). The long-awaited first instar larva of Paussus favieri (Coleoptera: Carabidae: Paussini). European Journal of Entomology, 108, 127-138.
- Moore Brusca, W. -., Hughes, G., & Moore, W. (2011). Identification Tool to the Pink Bollworm and its Look-Alikes. Identification Technology Program, CPHST, PPQ, APHIS, USDA.
- Moore Brusca, W. -., MarekP, ., Papaj, D., Yeager, J., Molina, S., & Moore, W. (2011). Bioluminescent aposematism in millipedes. Current Biology, 21(18), 680-681.
- Moore Brusca, W. -., Moore, W., Song, X., & Di, G. A. (2011). The larva of Eustra (Coleoptera, Paussinae, Ozaenini): a facultative associate of ants. ZooKeys, 90, 63-82.
- Moore Brusca, W. -., Yevgeniya, A., Arik, A., Moore, W., Riehle, M., & Brown, M. (2011). Insulin-Like Peptides: Structure, Signaling and Function. Insect Endocrinology.More infoIN: L.I. Gilbert (Ed.) . Academic Press, London
- Moore Brusca, W. -., Ziegler, R., Isoe, J., Moore, W., Riehle, M., & Wells, M. (2011). The putative AKH receptor of Manduca sexta and its expression in fat body during development. Journal of Insect Science, 11(40), 1-14.
- Moore, W. (2011). Biology needs cyber infrastructure to facilitate specimen-level data acquisition for insects and other hyperdiverse groups. ZooKeys, 147, 479-486.More infoPMID: 22371672;PMCID: PMC3286256;
- Moore, W., Song, X., & Giulio, A. d. (2011). The larva of Eustra (Coleoptera, Paussinae, Ozaenini): A facultative associate of ants. ZooKeys, 90, 63-82.More infoPMID: 21594107;PMCID: PMC3084492;Abstract: Larvae of the ground beetle genus Eustra Schmidt-Goebel are described and illustrated for the fi rst time and some biological notes are reported. One specimen of an unknown Eustra species was collected while excavating a nest of the ant Pachycondyla javana Mayr, in Taiwan, which is the first report of a paussine associated with a member of the ant subfamily Ponerinae. Several larvae and adults of a second species, E. chinensis Bänninger, were collected in Shanghai under bark with no association with ants. First instar larvae of the latter species were also reared in the lab. The occurrence of larvae of the genus Eustra both inside and outside ant nests, together with a report of adults collected inside a nest in Taiwan, suggests that members of this genus may be facultative predators or facultative symbionts of ants, an attribute that has never been reported for this genus. Th e larvae of Eustra show several unique features, including a peculiar bidentate mandibular apex, an extremely long galea, one of two tarsal claws greatly reduced, abdominal setae (including those of terminal disk) elongate and clavate at apex, urogomphi wide and flattened, and inflated sensilla S-I. Larvae were studied by both optical and scanning electron microscopy, their morphological features are compared with those of other described Paussinae larvae, and their potential phylogenetic and functional significance are discussed. © W Moore et al.
- Ziegler, R., Isoe, J., Moore, W., Riehle, M. A., & Wells, M. A. (2011). The putative AKH receptor of the tobacco hornworm, Manduca sexta, and its expression. Journal of Insect Science, 11.More infoPMID: 21529255;PMCID: PMC3281483;Abstract: Adipokinetic hormones are peptide hormones that mobilize lipids and/or carbohydrates for flight in adult insects and activate glycogen Phosphorylase in larvae during starvation and during molt. We previously examined the functional roles of adipokinetic hormone in Manduca sexta L. (Lepidoptera: Sphingidae). Here we report the cloning of the full-length cDNA encoding the putative adipokinetic hormone receptor from the fat body of M. sexta. The sequence analysis shows that the deduced amino acid sequence shares common motifs of G protein-coupled receptors, by having seven hydrophobic transmembrane segments. We examined the mRNA expression pattern of the adipokinetic hormone receptor by quantitative Real-Time PCR in fat body during development and in different tissues and found the strongest expression in fat body of larvae two days after molt to the fifth instar. We discuss these results in relation to some of our earlier results. We also compare the M. sexta adipokinetic hormone receptor with the known adipokinetic hormone receptors of other insects and with gonadotropin releasing hormone-like receptors of invertebrates.
- Fothergill, K., Moore, W., Losey, J., Allee, L. L., & Smyth, R. R. (2010). First Arizona records of the multicolored asian lady beetle, Harmonia axyridis (Pallas) (Coleoptera: Coccinellidae). Coleopterists Bulletin, 64(1), 51-52.
- Giulio, A. D., & Moore, W. (2009). The first known larva of the Australian genus Mystropomus Chaudoir (Coleoptera: Carabidae: Paussinae). Australian Journal of Entomology, 48(2), 140-148.More infoAbstract: The monogeneric subtribe Mystropomina Chaudoir (Carabidae: Paussinae: Ozaenini) contains two species endemic to Australia: Mystropomus subcostatus Chaudoir and Mystropomus regularis Bänninger. In this paper, we describe and illustrate the larva of M. subcostatus providing the first larval description in this subtribe, thereby filling an important gap in our knowledge of paussine larval morphology. We compare the structural features of this larva with the other known larvae in the subfamily and provide an identification key to larvae of Australian paussine genera. We find no external structural features that indicate that this larva lives with ants, as do many other members of the carabid beetle subfamily Paussinae. © 2009 Australian Entomological Society.
- Maddison, D. R., Moore, W., Baker, M. D., Ellis, T. M., Ober, K. A., Cannone, J. J., & Gutell, R. R. (2009). Monophyly of terrestrial adephagan beetles as indicated by three nuclear genes (Coleoptera: Carabidae and Trachypachidae). Zoologica Scripta, 38(1), 43-62.More infoAbstract: The beetle suborder Adephaga is traditionally divided into two sections on the basis of habitat, terrestrial Geadephaga and aquatic Hydradephaga. Monophyly of both groups is uncertain, and the relationship of the two groups has implications for inferring habitat transitions within Adephaga. Here we examine phylogenetic relationships of these groups using evidence provided by DNA sequences from all four suborders of beetles, including 60 species of Adephaga, 4 Archostemata, 3 Myxophaga, and 10 Polyphaga. We studied 18S ribosomal DNA and 28S ribosomal DNA, aligned with consideration of secondary structure, as well as the nuclear protein-coding gene wingless. Independent and combined Bayesian, likelihood, and parsimony analyses of all three genes supported placement of Trachypachidae in a monophyletic Geadephaga, although for analyses of 28S rDNA and some parsimony analyses only if Coleoptera is constrained to be monophyletic. Most analyses showed limited support for the monophyly of Hydradephaga. Outside of Adephaga, there is support from the ribosomal genes for a sister group relationship between Adephaga and Polyphaga. Within the small number of sampled Polyphaga, analyses of 18S rDNA, wingless, and the combined matrix supports monophyly of Polyphaga exclusive of Scirtoidea. Unconstrained analyses of the evolution of habitat suggest that Adephaga was ancestrally aquatic with one transition to terrestrial. However, in analyses constrained to disallow changes from aquatic to terrestrial habitat, the phylogenies imply two origins of aquatic habit within Adephaga. © 2008 The Authors.
- Moore, W. (2008). Phylogeny of the Western Hemisphere Ozaenini (Coleoptera: Carabidae: Paussinae) based on DNA sequence data. Annals of Carnegie Museum, 77(1), 79-92.More infoAbstract: Western Hemisphere species of bombardier beetles in the carabid tribe Ozaenini are distributed from southern Arizona and southern Texas to southern Chile, with more than 80% of described species being endemic to the tropics. Recent taxonomic works variously classify the 145 described species into six or 17 genera, indicating general disagreement on what constitutes natural lineages in the group. This study provides the first phylogenetic analysis of the Western Hemisphere Ozaenini using DNA sequence data from the mitochondrial and nuclear genomes. In the resulting trees, the following three suprageneric clades are supported by high bootstrap and posterior probability values: the Ozaena group (Ozaena Olivier + Platycerozaena Bänninger + Goniotropis Gray), the Tropopsis group (Tropopsis Solier + Entomoantyx Ball and McCleve), and the Pachyteles group (Pachyteles Perty + Physea Brullé + Tachypeles Deuve + Inflatozaena Deuve + Fificerozaena Deuve + Proozaena Deuve + Serratozaena Deuve). Close relationship among genera within the Ozaena group, and among genera within the Pachyteles group were not predicted and have not previously been hypothesized. Among the most surprising results is that Pachyteles (sensu lato) and Goniotropis are not sister groups, but rather represent well-defined and distantly related clades. The phylogeny inferred from molecular sequence data led to discovery of morphological characters unique to the Pachyteles group that clearly distinguish members of Pachyteles (sensu lato) from Goniotropis. These morphological characters are described and illustrated. Results provide evidence for polyphyly of the genera Pachyleles, Tachypeles and Goniotropis as they are currently defined. Adults of Tachypeles moretianus Deuve and Serratozaena Deuve are reported for the first time to be myrmecophilous.
- Moore, W., & Giulio, A. D. (2008). Metrius Eschscholtz (Carabidae: Paussinae) is not a millipede specialist. Pan-Pacific Entomologist, 84(1), 33-34.
- Erwin, T. L., & Moore, W. (2007). Taxonomic review of the Neotropical genus Moriosomus Motschulsky (Insecta: Coleoptera, Carabidae, Morionini) with notes on the way of life of the species. Zootaxa, 49-63.More infoAbstract: Moriosomus Motschulsky 1855 is a Neotropical genus containing three species in the carabid beetle tribe Morionini. Moriosomus adults are found under tree bark and in rotting logs in rainforests; larvae are unknown. This revision of Moriosomus includes diagnoses, descriptions, illustrations, and distributional data for all three known species, including Moriosomus motschulskyi Erwin & Moore, new species ("PERU, HuáN[UCO], Divisoria,́ Cordillera Azul, 1600m, 08° 54' 0 S, 075° 40' 0 W). We provide an identification key to the species based on adult external structure. We clarify the the date of the description of the genus Moriosomus, which is 1855, rather than 1864 as it is often incorrectly cited in the literature. In addition, we define the tribe Morionini and provide a key for identification of the two genera resident in the Western Hemisphere. Copyright © 2007 Magnolia Press.
- Thomas, M., Moore, W., Melchior, L., & Worebey, M. (2007). DNA extraction from dry museum beetles without conferring external morphological damage. PLoS ONE, 2(3).More infoPMID: 17342206;PMCID: PMC1803022;Abstract: Background. A large number of dry-preserved insect specimens exist in collections around the world that might be useful for genetic analyses. However, until now, the recovery of nucleic acids from such specimens has involved at least the partial destruction of the specimen. This is clearly undesirable when dealing with rare species or otherwise important specimens, such as type specimens. Methodology. We describe a method for the extraction of PCR-amplifiable mitochondrial and nuclear DNA from dry insects without causing external morphological damage. Using PCR to amplify ≈220 bp of the mitochondrial gene cytochrome c oxidase I, and 250-345 bp fragments of the multi-copy, nuclear 28s ribosomal DNA gene, we demonstrate the efficacy of this method on beetles collected up to 50 years ago. Conclusions. This method offers a means of obtaining useful genetic information from rare insects without conferring external morphological damage.
- Moore, W., & Giulio, A. D. (2006). Description and behaviour of Goniotropis kuntzeni larvae (Coleoptera: Carabidae: Paussinae: Ozaenini) and a key to genera of Paussinae larvae. Zootaxa, 1-19.More infoAbstract: Goniotropis species are large, parallel-sided paussine beetles common in the New World tropics and ranging from southern Arizona to northern Argentina. Specimens of Goniotropis kuntzeni Bänninger were collected in southern Arizona and larvae were reared under laboratory conditions. The egg, first instar larva and second instar larva are described and illustrated, providing the first larval description for this genus. Goniotropis larvae live in burrows that they construct and seal with their terminal disk (which is composed of modified urogomphi and dorsal plates). They feed by trapping live insect prey with the moveable components of their terminal disk, and then they bring the captured prey into their gallery to consume. Burrowing and feeding behaviours of Goniotropis kuntzeni larva closely resemble those previously described for Pachyteles species. A key to the genera of paussine larvae is provided. Copyright © 2006 Magnolia Press.
- Giulio, A. D., & Moore, W. (2004). The first-instar larva of the genus Arthropterus (Coleoptera:Carabidae: Paussinae): Implications for evolution of myrmecophily and phylogenetic relationships within the subfamily. Invertebrate Systematics, 18(2), 101-115.More infoAbstract: The first-instar larva of the genus Arthropterus W.S. MacLeay, 1838 is described and illustrated. This is the first description of a newly hatched (first-instar) larva in the myrmecophilous tribe Paussini and the first known larva from a basal paussine lineage. A phylogenetic analysis of the subfamily based on larval characters confirms the placement of the genus Arthropterus as a sister-group of the remaining Paussini and supports the hypothesis that Metriini is the sister-group of Ozaenini+Paussini, with 'Ozaenini' as a paraphyletic group. Within this phylogenetic framework, we reassess which larval characters are diagnostic of the tribes Paussini and Ozaenini. Several larval features of Arthropterus, such as the riddled sensilla S-VIII and the fused terminal disk, are interpreted as adaptations to myrmecophily. This interpretation supports the hypothesis that larvae have played an important role in the evolution of myrmecophily within the subfamily Paussinae.
- Moore, W. (2004). Description of a new Synidotea species (Crustacea: Isopoda: Valvifera: Idoteidae) from Hawaii. Proceedings of the Biological Society of Washington, 117(1), 76-87.More infoAbstract: This paper provides the first description of a Hawaiian isopod of the genus Synidotea, S. oahu n. sp. This species is most similar to S. laevidorsalis (Miers, 1881) and S. harfordi Benedict, 1897. A list of Synidotea species described to date with biogeographic information, and a list of all marine isopods described from the Hawaiian Islands, are provided.
- Moore, W., & Brusca, R. C. (2003). A monograph on the isopod genus Colopisthus (Crustacea: Isopoda: Cirolanidae) with the description of a new genus. Journal of Natural History, 37(11), 1329-1399.More infoAbstract: Colopisthus Richardson, 1902 is a rarely collected genus restricted in distribution to the tropical Atlantic Ocean with most species being known from the Caribbean region. Colopisthus species are highly endemic, none being known from more than a single island or a restricted mainland site. This monograph contains a redescription of the type species Colopisthus parvus Richardson, 1902, descriptions of four new species (Colopisthus canna, Colopisthus cavalier, Colopisthus ronrico, Colopisthus tresesquinas), a dichotomous key to the species, and a morphology-based phylogenetic analysis of the genus. Colopisthus parvus of Menzies and Glynn (1968) is shown to be a new species (C. ronrico), and C. parvus of Müller (1993) is also shown to be a new species (C. tresesquinas). As a result of the phylogenetic analysis, three species of Metacirolana Kussakin, 1979 (M. costaricensis, M. moortgati, M. sphaeromiformis) are assigned to a new genus, Aphantolana. Phylogenetic analysis indicates that Aphantolana and Colopisthus are sister groups. Within Colopisthus, C. cavalier and C. ronrico are a sister group to C. tresesquinas, C. parvus and C. canna. Biogeographic analysis suggests that Colopisthus and Aphantolana had their origins in the western Caribbean or pre-Pleistocene middle American seaway.
Proceedings Publications
- Moore Brusca, W. -. (2013, May 1-5). Introduction to the Arizona Sky Island Arthropod Project (ASAP): systematics, biogeography, ecology and population genetics of arthropods of the Madrean Sky Islands. In Merging science and management in a rapidly changing world: biodiversity and management of the Madrean Archipelago III. 2012 May 1-5, Tucson, AZ.
Presentations
- Bergamaschi, D., Di Giulio, A., & Moore Brusca, W. (2021, November). Biogeography and Cophylogeny of Paussus favieri (Carabidae, Paussinae) and Pheidole pallidula (Hymenoptera, Myrmicinae). Annual Meeting of the Entomological Society of America. Denver, Colorado: Entomological Society of America.
- Bradley, C., & Moore Brusca, W. (2021, November). The Parasitic and Microbial Communities Associated with the Cactus Bee Diadasia Patton. Annual Meeting of the Entomological Society of America. Denver, Colorado: Entomological Society of America.
- Ikagawa, R., & Moore Brusca, W. (2021, November). Rediscovering Neobrachinus Erwin: a molecular approach to investigate the evolution of morphology and examine biogeographical patterns.. Annual Meeting of the Entomological Society of America. Denver, Colorado: Entomological Society of America.
- Rork, A., Bocklund, K., Bergamaschi, D., Moore Brusca, W., & Renner, T. (2020, Fall). First draft genome assembly of the bombardier beetle, Brachinus elongatulus. The Entomological Society of America. Virtual Meeting: The Entomological Society of America.
- Bergamaschi, D. R., Di Giulio, A., & Moore Brusca, W. (2019, September). Biogeography and Cophylogeny of Paussus favieri (Carabidae, Paussinae) and Pheidole pallidula (Hymenoptera, Myrmicinae). 19th European Carabidologists' Meeting. Fiera di Primiero, Italy: Parco Naturale Paneveggio - Pale di San Martino.
- Harrington, K., Moore Brusca, W., & Mostafa, A. M. (2019, Fall). Be B.o.L.D., Make the First Step Count; Barcoding the COI Gene for the Alfalfa Weevil (Coleoptera: Curculionidae) Across Multiple States.. Entomological Society of America. St. Louis, MO: Entomological Society of America.
- Maddison, D., Moore Brusca, W., & Will, K. (2019, September). Phylogeny of carabid beetles based upon DNA sequences (Coleoptera: Carabidae). 19th European Carabidologists' Meeting. Fiera di Primiero, Italy: Parco Naturale Paneveggio - Pale di San Martino.
- Moore Brusca, W. (2019, April). Systematics and Evolution of Bombardier Beetle Explosive Defense. UCR Entomology Department Seminar. University of California at Riverside: UCR Department of Entomology.
- Moore Brusca, W. (2019, February). Systematics and Evolution of Bombardier Beetles: Explosive Defenses and Adaptive Radiations. Univ. of Idaho and WSU Bi-University Guest Seminar Series in Entomology (BUGSS). University of Idaho: Bi-University Guest Seminar Series in Entomology (BUGSS).
- Moore Brusca, W. (2019, March). Integrative Systematics Applied to Education, Agriculture and Regional Biodiversity. WSU Entomology Department Seminar. Washington State University: Washington State University Department of Entomology.
- Moore Brusca, W., & Maddison, D. R. (2019, September). Molecular Phylogeny and Tribal Classification of Flanged Bombardier Beetles (Carabidae: Paussinae). 19th European Carabidologists' Meeting. Fiera di Primiero, Italy: Parco Naturale Paneveggio - Pale di San Martino.
- Moore Brusca, W., Di Giulio, A., Nagel, P., & Robertson, J. (2019, September). Mediterranean Ant Nest Beetles (Carabidae: Paussus): Out of Africa and Asia. 19th European Carabidologists' Meeting. Fiera di Primiero, Italy: Parco Naturale Paneveggio - Pale di San Martino.
- Hall, G., & Moore Brusca, W. (2018, Fall 2018). Scarab Beetles and the University of Arizona Insect Collection: Donations and Digitization. Annual meeting of the Entomological Collections Network. Vancouver, B.C. Canada: Entomological Collections Network.
- Yanahan, A., & Moore Brusca, W. (2018, Fall 2018). Impacts of 21st Century Climate Change on Montane Habitat in the Madrean Sky Island Archipelago. Annual meeting of the Entomological Society of America. Vancouver, B.C. Canada: Entomological Society of America.More info**Alan Yanahan won the Presidents Prize for best student presentation in biodiversity for this talk at the Annual meeting of the Entomological Society of America.**
- Gill, A., Renner, T., Moore Brusca, W., McManus, R., Attygale, A., & Will, K. (2017, November). RNAi knockdown and evolutionary analysis of genes essential to the bombardier beetle’s explosive chemical weaponry (Brachinus elongatulus). Annual Meeting of the Entomological Society of America (ESA). Denver, CO: Entomological Society of America (ESA).
- Moore Brusca, W., & Hall, G. (2017, November). Natural History Collections greet the Age of Genomics: UA Insect Collection’s Ancient DNA Laboratory. Entomological Collections Network (ECN) Annual Meeting. Denver, CO: Entomological Collections Network.
- Moore Brusca, W., & Hall, G. (2017, Spring). University of Arizona Insect Collection & CALS Insect Diagnostics. 2017 CALS Poster Forum. UA Student Union Ballroom: UA College of Agriculture and Life Sciences.
- Moore, W., & Hall, W. E. (2016, September). The University of Arizona Insect Collection (UAIC): Renovation and revitalization. Entomological Collections Network Annual Meeting. Orlando, Florida.
- Renner, T., Gill, A., McManus, R., Attygale, A., Will, K., & Moore Brusca, W. (2017, November). Investigating bombardier beetle defensive chemistry with an explosive mixture of transcriptomics, phylogenetics, and chemical ecology. Annual Meeting of the Entomological Society of America (ESA). Denver, CO: Entomological Society of America (ESA).
- Yanahan, A. D., & Moore Brusca, W. (2017, November). Investigating the species distribution of Synuchus dubius (Coleoptera: Carabidae) within the Madrean Sky Island Archipelago under past, present, and future climates. Annual Meeting of the Entomological Society of America (ESA). Denver, Colorado: Entomological Society of America (ESA).
- Gill, A., Attylgalle, A., Renner, T., Moore, W., & Will, K. (2016, September 25-30). The evolution of Geadephagan chemical defense: Molecular evolution and functional validation of genes essential to quinone production in two bombardier beetle species using RNAi. 2016 XXV International Congress of Entomology. Orlando, Florida.
- Moore, W. (2016, March). Insights into the Evolution of Ant Nest Beetles (Coleoptera: Carabidae: Paussinae). Biology Department Seminar. Huntsville, TX: Sam Houston State University.
- Moore, W. (2016, October). Systematics, Phylogeography and Conservation of Arthropods in the Madrean Sky Island Region. 13th annual Research Insights in Semiarid Ecosystems (RISE) Symposium. University of Arizona Main Campus.
- Moore, W. (2016, September 25-30). Molecular phylogeny of the flanged bombardier beetles (Carabidae: Paussinae). 2016 XXV International Congress of Entomology. Orlando, Florida.
- Moore, W., Di Giulio, A., & Robertson, J. A. (2016, August). Molecular phylogeny, divergence time estimation, and biogeography of ant nest beetles (Carabidae: Paussinae: Paussus).. The 4th International Symposium of Carabidology. Athens, GA: University of Georgia.
- Renner, T., Gill, A., Attygale, A., Will, K., & Moore, W. (2016, June 17-21 2016). The evolution of Geadephagan chemical defense: Molecular evolution and functional validation of genes essential to quinone production in bombardier beetles. Annual Meeting of the Society for the Study of Evolution. Austin, TX: Society for the Study of Evolution.
- Robertson, J. A., & Moore, W. (2016, September 25-30). The Paussus L. (Carabidae: Paussinae) of Madagascar: An explosive adaptive radiation of myrmecophilous beetles. 2016 XXV International Congress of Entomology. Orlando, Florida.
- Will, K., Attygale, A., Gill, A., Renner, T., & Moore, W. (2016, September). The evolution of geadephagan chemical defense: A phylogenetic understanding of the diversity and stasis of compounds and gland structures in carabid beetles. 2016 XXV International Congress of Entomology. Orlando, Florida.
- Yanahan, A. D., & Moore Brusca, W. (2017, September). Preliminary phylogeography of Synuchus dubius (Coleoptera: Carabidae) in Arizona’s Madrean Sky Island Archipelago. XXV International Congress of Entomology. Orlando, Florida: Entomological Society of America.
- Yanahan, A., & Moore, W. (2016, September 25-30). Phylogeography of Synuchus dubius (Coleoptera: Carabidae) in Arizona's Madrean Sky Island Archipelago.. 2016 XXV International Congress of Entomology. Orlando, Florida.
- Hoover, A., & Moore, W. (2015, November). A review of the myrmecophilous South American carabid genus Homopterus, with insights into species’ ranges and host ant preferences.. Entomological Society of America Annual Meeting. Minneapolis, Minnesota: ESA.More infoAngela is an EIS Master's student in my lab. She presented on her Master's research at this meeting.
- Moore, W., & Robertson, J. (2015, September). Molecular Phylogeny of Ant Nest Beetles (Coleoptera: Carabidae: Paussinae). 7th Dresden Meeting on Insect Phylogeny. Dresden, Germany: German Research Foundation.
- Robertson, J., & Moore, W. (2015, November). Phylogenetic utility of morphology in an explosive adaptive radiation of beetles (Carabidae: Paussinae: Paussus).. Entomological Society of America Annual Meeting. Minneapolis, Minnesota: ESA.More infoJames is an NSF postdoc in my lab. He presented on his postdoctoral research at this meeting.
- Yanahan, A., & Moore, W. (2015, November). Preliminary phylogeography of Synuchus dubius (Coleoptera: Carabidae) in Arizona’s Madrean sky island archipelago.. Entomological Society of America Annual Meeting. Minneapolis, Minnesota: ESA.More infoAlan is an EIS PhD student in my lab. He presented on his dissertation research at this meeting.
- Brusca, R. C., & Moore, W. (2014, March 2014). Book Talk - A Natural History of the Santa Catalina Mountains. Tucson Festival of Books. Science City: College of Agricuture and Life Sciences.
- Gomez, A., & Moore, W. (2014, Fall). Islands up high and down low: Molecular phylogenetics and insight into the origins of the ground beetle genus Rhadine. ESA Annual Meeting. Portland, Oregon: Entomological Society of America.More infoI was not an official author of this talk, however Antonio presented research conducted in my lab for his Master's degree.
- Moore, W. (2014, April). Almost Anything is Paussible: Explosive Defenses, Radiations, and Convergences within Flanged Bombardier Beetles (Coleoptera: Carabidae: Paussinae). Lund Week: University of Georgia Entomology. Athens, GA: H.O. Lund Entomology Club/ University of Georgia.More infoI was invited by (and sponsored by) the University of Georgia Entomology graduate students to deliver the keynote talk during their annual Lund Week ceremony.
- Moore, W. (2014, Fall). Bombardier Beetles: Explosive Defenses and Adaptive Radiations. Hexapodium. UA Hillel Center: Center for Insect Science.
- Renner, T., Romaine, A., & Moore, W. (2014, November). Into the ant nest: Molecular evolution of chemoreception and host specialization in predatory paussine beetles. ESA Annual Meeting. Portland, Oregon: Entomological Society of America.
- Renner, T., Romaine, A., & Moore, W. (2014, Summer). Into the ant nest: molecular evolution of chemoreception and host specialization in predatory paussine beetles. Evolution Conference. Raleigh Convention Center, North Carolina: Society for the Study of Evolution.
- Gomez, A., & Moore Brusca, W. -. (2013, November). Up high and down low: phylogeny and zoogeography of the exclusively Nearctic ground beetle genus Rhadine LeConte (Coleoptera: Carabidae: Platynini). Entomological Society of America. Austin, TX: Entomological Society of America.
- Hughes, G. B., & Moore Brusca, W. -. (2013, November). New characters for defining North American genera of Microcreagrinae (Pseudoscorpiones: Neobisiidae). Entomological Society of America. Austin, TX: Entomological Society of America.
- Moore Brusca, W. -. (2013, November). Almost anything is paussible: explosive defenses, radiations and convergences within Flanged Bombardier Beetles (Coleoptera: Carabidae: Paussinae). Coleopterists' Society Meeting. Austin, TX: Coleopterists' Society Meeting and Entomological Society of America.
- Robertson, J., & Moore Brusca, W. -. (2013, November). Integrative work in Paussus evolution and ecology: getting the most out of your specimens. Entomological Society of America. Austin, TX: Entomological Society of America.
- Schaller, J., & Moore Brusca, W. -. (2013, November). Molecular phylogeny and multispecific aggregation behavior of North American Brachinus (Weber) (Coleoptera: Carabidae: Brachininae). Entomological Society of America. Austin, TX: Entomological Society of America.
- Moore Brusca, W. -. (2012). Explosive Radiation, Extreme Phenotypic Diversity, and Striking Convergent Evolution among Ant Nest Beetles (Carabidae: Paussinae: Paussini). Invited Departmental seminar at UC Riverside Department of Entomology. Riverside, CA.
- Moore Brusca, W. -. (2011). Integrative systematics of the Paussinae (Coleoptera: Carabidae). Biology Department Seminar. Universita Roma Tre. Rome, Italy.
- Moore Brusca, W. -. (2011). Molecular phylogenies reveal striking convergent evolution and explosive radiation of ant nest beetles in Madagascar. Department Seminar. University of Arizona. Department of Entomology. Tucson, AZ.
- Moore Brusca, W. -., & Robertson, J. (2011, November). Dissecting the species groups of Paussus (Carabidae: Paussinae): unraveling morphological convergence associated with myrmecophilous life histories. Annual meeting of the Entomological Society of America (ESA). Reno, Nevada: Entomological Society of America (ESA).
Poster Presentations
- Dunbar-Wallis, A., Moore Brusca, W., Ikagawa, R., Katcher, J., & Corwin, L. (2021, July). A Qualitative Case Study of A Cross-Institutional Near-Peer Mentoring Experience within a CURE Context. 11th Annual Society for the Advancement of Biology Education Research (SABER) Meeting. Virtual: Society for the Advancement of Biology Education Research (SABER).
- Yanahan, A. D., & Moore Brusca, W. (2017, January). Preliminary phylogeography of Synuchus dubius (Coleoptera: Carabidae) in Arizona’s Madrean Sky Island Archipelago. 8th Biennial Conference of the International Biogeography Society. Tucson, Arizona: International Biogeography Society.
- Moore, W., & Hall, G. (2015, October). University of Arizona Insect Collection: Department of Entomology. Research, Extension, Teaching, Outreach. Annual CALS Poster Forum. UA Student Union Ball Room: US College of Agriculture and Life Sciences.
- Romaine, A., Renner, T., & Moore, W. (2014, Spring). The implications of life history on the molecular evolution of chemoreception in predatory paussine beetles. Evolution 2014 Conference. Raleigh Convention Center, North Carolina: Society for the Study of Evolution.More infoAmanda Romaine is a UA undergraduate.
- Eskridge, C., Nagy, L., & Moore Brusca, W. -. (2013, Summer). A Notch in time saves nine: Notch signaling and the loss of paussine beetle antennal segmentation. Society for the Study of Evolution. Snowbird, Utah: Society for the Study of Evolution (SSE), the Society of Systematic Biologists (SSB), and the American Society of Naturalists (ASN).More infoCole won an honorable mention award for his poster.
Others
- Moore Brusca, W. -. (2010, Fall). Third year tenure review.
- Moore Brusca, W. -. (2010, Fall). University of Arizona Insect Collection (UAIC). http://cals.arizona.edu/ento/UAIC/