Margaret Thayer
Margaret Thayer is a retired curator in the Division of Insects in the Field Museum's Integrative Research Center (Life Sciences), where she conducts specimen-based research on rove beetles (Staphylinidae) and continues to work in the collection of over 12 million specimens and lots of insects and other arthropods. She is particularly interested in the evolution, biogeography, and biology of rove beetles of the Austral region: Australia, New Zealand, southern South America, and South Africa and has also worked extensively with the North American fauna. Her systematic research is based mainly on study of morphological features (including those of fossils), but she also collaborates with colleagues on research using molecular (DNA sequence) data to help understand the evolution of rove beetles and their relatives. Field work is an essential part of her research program that she enjoys tremendously, and she has done field work in the United States and nine other countries.
Publications are listed below
Field Experience Over three full years of total field experience in temperate and tropical regions, using a variety of collecting techniques (flight intercept, baited pitfall, and light traps; Berlese and other soil extraction methods; standard and non-standard hand-collecting techniques) in the following areas:
United States & Canada (ca. 69 weeks, 1974–present): New England, California, Pacific Northwest, Arizona, New Mexico, Smoky Mts., Ouachita Mts., Rocky Mts., Alaska, Hawaii, Florida, Illinois, Indiana, Texas. Includes directing and carrying out long-term sampling in Chicago area, 1996–2000 and leading 5-week western US expedition in 2006.
Australia (36 weeks): 1980, 1986–87, 1993, 2004 [expedition leader], 2013)
New Zealand (22 weeks): 1980, 1984–85; 2005 (expedition leader)
Chile (17 weeks): 1982–83, 1996–97; 2002 (expedition leader)
South Africa (5 weeks): 2004 (expedition leader)
Laos (4 weeks): 2008
Mexico (4 weeks): 1999
Peru (2 weeks): 1983
Costa Rica (8 weeks): 1974 (field assistant)
Germany, Italy, Denmark, Finland, Sweden, Switzerland (1-3 day excursions each, 2005–present)
Effectiveness of field work
At least 294 new species and at least five new genera of arthropods (in 2 classes, 7 orders, and 42 families) and 6 species of parasitic fungi have been described (published by over 80 authors) based on holotypes from material collected in nine countries in her field work listed above, most of it done jointly with A. F. Newton (plus far more species with just paratypes they collected). Over 60% of these taxa are known only from their collections. Many more new species and genera, as well as previously unknown larvae of at least 100 genera of Staphyliniformia, have been recognized among this material and are being described or await description by them or other workers. Their field work has also provided the first or only detailed locality, habitat, and/or ecological data for many already-described but poorly known taxa (e.g., Thayer 1985 [3 papers], 1987, 1997, 2003; Thayer et al. 2004; Newton et al. 2000; Navarrete-Heredia et al. 2002; Betz et al. 2003; Weide et al. 2010, 2014; countless papers by others); critical material for wide-ranging molecular and morphological studies (Lawrence et al. 2011; McKenna et al. 2015 [2 papers]) and has been critical to synthetic work as well (Newton 1984, 1985; Newton et al. 2000; Navarrete-Heredia et al. 2002; Thayer 2005, 2016). Collection data from over 625,000 specimens of Staphyliniformia adults and larvae from our 1984-2019 field work in New Zealand, Australia, Chile, South Africa, Mexico, Europe, and USA are entered in lot- or specimen-level databases so far, with thousands more to be added as material is further sorted and identified.
New taxa described One aspect of my research output is the new taxa I have described, which are listed chronologically below within each hierarchical level (oldest to newest, and not including replacement names) † marks fossil (presumed extinct) taxa
Family-group taxa
Empelinae Newton & Thayer, 1992 (Staphylinidae)
Austrorhysini Newton & Thayer, 1995 (Staphylinidae: Proteininae)
Silphotelini Newton & Thayer, 1995 (Staphylinidae: Proteininae)
†Vetuproteinini Cai, Newton & Thayer, 2016 (Staphylinidae: Proteininae)
Protopselaphinae Newton & Thayer, 1995 (Staphylinidae)
Genus-group taxa
Protopselaphus Newton & Thayer, 1995 (Staphylinidae: Protopselaphinae)
†Proglypholoma Thayer, 1997 (Staphylinidae: Glypholomatinae)
†Juroglypholoma Cai, Huang, Thayer & Newton, 2012 (Staphylinidae: Glypholomatinae)
†Prosolierius Thayer, Newton & Chatzimanolis, 2012 (Staphylinidae: Solieriinae)
†Protodeleaster Cai, Thayer, Huang, Wang & Newton, 2013 (Staphylinidae: Oxytelinae)
†Mesapatetica Cai, Huang, Newton & Thayer, 2014 (Staphylinidae)
†Duocalcar Peris & Thayer, 2015 (Staphylinidae: Omaliinae: Omaliini)
†Vetuproteinus Cai, Newton & Thayer, 2016 (Staphylinidae: Proteininae)
†Vetudasycerus Cai, Thayer, Newton, Yin & Huang, 2018 (Staphylinidae: Dasycerinae)
Species-group taxa
Glypholoma pecki Thayer & Newton, 1979 (Staphylinidae: Glypholomatinae)
Glypholoma rotundulum Thayer & Newton, 1979 (Staphylinidae: Glypholomatinae)
Glypholoma temporale Thayer & Newton, 1979 (Staphylinidae: Glypholomatinae)
Glypholoma tenuicorne Thayer & Newton, 1979 (Staphylinidae: Glypholomatinae)
Metacorneolabium alulatum Thayer, 1985 (Staphylinidae: Omaliinae: Corneolabiini)
Metacorneolabium batyle Thayer, 1985 (Staphylinidae: Omaliinae: Corneolabiini)
Metacorneolabium bipertica Thayer, 1985 (Staphylinidae: Omaliinae: Corneolabiini)
Metacorneolabium convexum Thayer, 1985 (Staphylinidae: Omaliinae: Corneolabiini)
Metacorneolabium dactylotum Thayer, 1985 (Staphylinidae: Omaliinae: Corneolabiini)
Metacorneolabium darlingtoni Thayer, 1985 (Staphylinidae: Omaliinae: Corneolabiini)
Metacorneolabium diffusum Thayer, 1985 (Staphylinidae: Omaliinae: Corneolabiini)
Metacorneolabium echidna Thayer, 1985 (Staphylinidae: Omaliinae: Corneolabiini)
Metacorneolabium exochlum Thayer, 1985 (Staphylinidae: Omaliinae: Corneolabiini)
Metacorneolabium exuberatum Thayer, 1985 (Staphylinidae: Omaliinae: Corneolabiini)
Metacorneolabium gigas Thayer, 1985 (Staphylinidae: Omaliinae: Corneolabiini)
Metacorneolabium hokitika Thayer, 1985 (Staphylinidae: Omaliinae: Corneolabiini)
Metacorneolabium logor Thayer, 1985 (Staphylinidae: Omaliinae: Corneolabiini)
Metacorneolabium pilatum Thayer, 1985 (Staphylinidae: Omaliinae: Corneolabiini)
Metacorneolabium pyriforme Thayer, 1985 (Staphylinidae: Omaliinae: Corneolabiini)
Metacorneolabium rangipo Thayer, 1985 (Staphylinidae: Omaliinae: Corneolabiini)
Metacorneolabium rivalis Thayer, 1985 (Staphylinidae: Omaliinae: Corneolabiini)
Metacorneolabium soror Thayer, 1985 (Staphylinidae: Omaliinae: Corneolabiini)
Metacorneolabium victas Thayer, 1985 (Staphylinidae: Omaliinae: Corneolabiini)
Metacorneolabium zanotium Thayer, 1985 (Staphylinidae: Omaliinae: Corneolabiini)
Protopselaphus burckhardti Newton & Thayer, 1995 (Staphylinidae: Protopselaphinae)
Protopselaphus crowsoni Newton & Thayer, 1995 (Staphylinidae: Protopselaphinae)
Protopselaphus frogneri Newton & Thayer, 1995 (Staphylinidae: Protopselaphinae)
Protopselaphus grandis Newton & Thayer, 1995 (Staphylinidae: Protopselaphinae)
Protopselaphus loebli Newton & Thayer, 1995 (Staphylinidae: Protopselaphinae)
Protopselaphus poringensis Newton & Thayer, 1995 (Staphylinidae: Protopselaphinae)
Protopselaphus taylori Newton & Thayer, 1995 (Staphylinidae: Protopselaphinae)
Protopselaphus watrousi Newton & Thayer, 1995 (Staphylinidae: Protopselaphinae)
Glypholoma chepuense Thayer, 1997 (Staphylinidae: Glypholomatinae)
Glypholoma germaini Thayer, 1997 (Staphylinidae: Glypholomatinae)
Proglypholoma aenigma Thayer, 1997 (Staphylinidae: Glypholomatinae)
Anthobium amicorum Thayer, 2003 (Staphylinidae: Omaliinae: Anthophagini)
Anthobium tapatio Thayer, 2003 (Staphylinidae: Omaliinae: Anthophagini)
Acrolocha newtoni Thayer, 2003 (Staphylinidae: Omaliinae: Omaliini)
Dropephylla loebli Thayer, 2003 (Staphylinidae: Omaliinae: Omaliini)
Omaliopsis ectopia Thayer, 2003 (Staphylinidae: Omaliinae: Omaliini)
Omalium meximontanum Thayer, 2003 (Staphylinidae: Omaliinae: Omaliini)
Xylodromus suteri Thayer, 2003 (Staphylinidae: Omaliinae: Omaliini)
†Juroglypholoma antiquum Cai, Huang, Thayer & Newton, 2012 (Staphylinidae: Glypholomatinae)
†Prosolierius crassicornis Thayer, Newton & Chatzimanolis, 2012 (Staphylinidae: Solieriinae)
†Prosolierius mixticornis Thayer, Newton & Chatzimanolis, 2012 (Staphylinidae: Solieriinae)
†Prosolierius tenuicornis Thayer, Newton & Chatzimanolis, 2012 (Staphylinidae: Solieriinae)
†Protodeleaster glaber Cai, Thayer, Huang, Wang & Newton, 2013 (Staphylinidae: Oxytelinae)
†Mesapatetica aenigmatica Cai, Huang, Newton & Thayer, 2014 (Staphylinidae)
†Duocalcar geminum Peris & Thayer, 2015 (Staphylinidae: Omaliinae: Omaliini)
†Vetuproteinus cretaceus Cai, Newton & Thayer, 2016 (Staphylinidae: Proteininae)
†Vetudasycerus burmiticus Cai, Thayer, Newton, Yin & Huang, 2018 (Staphylinidae: Dasycerinae)
Education and Work
Ph.D. (Biology), Harvard University, 1985. Thesis title: Revision of the austral genus Metacorneolabium and studies in the systematics and biogeography of omaliine Staphylinidae (Coleoptera). Sc.B. (Biology), Brown University, 1973
Curator Emerita (2013- ), Field Museum of Natural History
Lecturer, Committee on Evolutionary Biology, University of Chicago (2013– )
Associate Curator (2005–2013), Zoology - Division of Insects, Field Museum of Natural History; Assistant Curator (2000–2005); Head, Division of Insects (2001–2002, 2007–2013)
Visiting Scientist (June-Aug 2004), CSIRO Entomology, Australia
Adjunct Curator (1994–1999), Zoology, Field Museum of Natural History
Research Associate (1986–94), Field Museum of Natural History
Visiting Assistant Curator (1988–92), Division of Insects, Field Museum of Natural History (as PI of NSF research grant)
Instructor, Coleoptera Larvae Workshop (June 1991), University of Hawaii and Bishop Museum, Honolulu
Visiting Curator/contract curation: Canadian National Collection, Ottawa; Bohart Entomological Museum, University of California, Davis; California Academy of Sciences; Bishop Museum, Honolulu; Museum of Zoology, University of Michigan; National Museum of Natural History (Smithsonian Institution); Entomology Department, University of New Hampshire; American Museum of Natural History
Student Curator (1984), Museum of Comparative Zoology, Harvard University
Teaching Fellow, Harvard University (Biology of Insects; Intro. Evolutionary Biology)
Curatorial Associate (1976–80), Curatorial Assistant (1975–76), Preparator (1973–74), Entomology Department, Museum of Comparative Zoology, Harvard University
Accomplishments
See attached publication list
Research Sketch
Research Interests
Systematics, phylogeny, biology, and evolution of Staphylinidae of the world, especially Omaliinae and other relatively basal taxa
Long-term primary emphases on Omaliini of the world and various southern hemisphere temperate zone staphylinid groups
Fossil Staphylinidae and other Staphylinoidea (mainly Mesozoic)
Faunal surveys: southern hemisphere temperate Staphyliniformia
Historical biogeography, especially with regard to austral regions
Systematics, phylogeny, biology, and evolution of Staphylinidae of the world, especially Omaliinae and other relatively basal taxa
Long-term primary emphases on Omaliini of the world and various southern hemisphere temperate zone staphylinid groups
Fossil Staphylinidae and other Staphylinoidea (mainly Mesozoic)
Faunal surveys: southern hemisphere temperate Staphyliniformia
Historical biogeography, especially with regard to austral regions
For my papers, see "Publications" Field Experience Over three full years of total field experience in temperate and tropical regions, using a variety of collecting techniques (flight intercept, baited pitfall, and light traps; Berlese and other soil extraction methods; standard and non-standard hand-collecting techniques) in the following areas:
United States & Canada (ca. 69 weeks, 1974–present): New England, California, Pacific Northwest, Arizona, New Mexico, Smoky Mts., Ouachita Mts., Rocky Mts., Alaska, Hawaii, Florida, Illinois, Indiana, Texas. Includes directing and carrying out long-term sampling in Chicago area, 1996–2000 and leading 5-week western US expedition in 2006.
Australia (36 weeks): 1980, 1986–87, 1993, 2004 [expedition leader], 2013)
New Zealand (22 weeks): 1980, 1984–85; 2005 (expedition leader)
Chile (17 weeks): 1982–83, 1996–97; 2002 (expedition leader)
South Africa (5 weeks): 2004 (expedition leader)
Laos (4 weeks): 2008
Mexico (4 weeks): 1999
Peru (2 weeks): 1983
Costa Rica (8 weeks): 1974 (field assistant)
Germany, Italy, Denmark, Finland, Sweden, Switzerland (1-3 day excursions each, 2005–present)
Effectiveness of field work Over 280 new species and at least two new genera of arthropods (in 2 classes, 7 orders, and 42 families) and 6 species of parasitic fungi have been described (published by over 80 authors) based on holotypes from material collected in nine countries in my field work listed above, most of it done jointly with A. F. Newton (plus far more species with just paratypes of ours). Two-thirds of these taxa are known only from our collections. Many more new species and genera, as well as previously unknown larvae of at least 100 genera of Staphyliniformia, have been recognized among this material and are being described or await description by us or other workers. Our field work has also provided the first or only detailed locality, habitat, and/or ecological data for many already-described but poorly known taxa (e.g., Thayer 1985 [3 papers], 1987, 1997, 2003; Thayer et al. 2004; Newton et al. 2000; Navarrete-Heredia et al. 2002; Betz et al. 2003; Weide et al. 2010, 2014; countless papers by others); critical material for wide-ranging molecular and morphological studies (Lawrence et al. 2011; McKenna et al. 2015 [2 papers]) and has been critical to synthetic work as well (Newton 1984, 1985; Newton et al. 2000; Navarrete-Heredia et al. 2002; Thayer 2005, 2016).
South AmericaWorldwideMexicoGondwanaAfricaUSAIllinoisChicagoAustralia
