Gillespie Group

Research Interests

Systematics/Natural HIstory/Entomology/Evolutionary Biology

Research Description

My life now isn’t that much different than it was when I was 8 years old. I wander outside with a net chasing insects and putting them in jars. Except now I do it in…[read more]

Research Interests

Evolutionary ecology, systematics, spider biology, conservation

Research Description

My research focuses on understanding evolutionary patterns and processes among populations and species. My primary focus is on islands, particularly remote hotspot islands of the Pacific.

Hotspot archipelagoes – in which islands emanate from a single…[read more]

Research Interests

Codiversification of a plant-insect mutualism in the Pacific

Research Description

I am interested in the role of coevolution (reciprocal natural selection) in generating biological diversity. Although biodiversity (especially in the tropics) is often attributed to extreme ecological specialization and coevolution, we have a poor understanding…[read more]

Research Interests

Lepidoptera (moths); Island Biogeography; Systematics

Research Description

Most of my work revolves around Lepidoptera (moths and butterflies) on Pacific Islands. I am particularly interested in the evolutionary histories, biogeography, ecology, and conservation of “microlepidoptera” (small moths) in the Hawaiian Islands, Society Islands,…[read more]

Research Interests

Macroecology, ecological theory, evolution on islands

Research Description

My research focuses on understanding the limits and successes of statistical theories of biodiversity, such as the maximum entropy theory of ecology or the unified neutral theory of biodiversity. My ultimate goal is to use…[read more]

Research Interests

Phylogenetics, biogeography, arachnology