Marc A. Branham
Email: MABranham@ifas.ufl.edu
Lab Website: www.BranhamLab.com
Education
- Ph.D. Entomology - The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH. 2002
- M.S. Entomology - The University of Kansas, Lawrence, KS. 1995
- B.S. Organismal Biology - University of Kansas, Lawrence, KS. 1992
Employment
- Assistant Professor, University of Florida. Nov. 2003 - present
- Post Doctoral Fellow, The American Museum of Natural History,
- New York, NY. July 2002 - Nov. 2003
Statement of Research
I am broadly interested in the evolution of insect mating systems, but am specifically interested in the use of phylogenetic reconstructions to explore the evolution of sexual communication in fireflies (Lampyridae.) While my work includes the evolution of behavior (bioluminescent signals) I am also examining the evolution of the morphological structures that are associated with aspects of these mating systems. Some of my current research includes: a) elucidating the higher-level phylogenetic relationships within Lampyridae, b) incorporating fossil lampyrids into matrices with extant taxa to both place them and to study character evolution, and c) investigating the systematics and biogeography of the Caribbean firefly fauna (both fossil and extant.) My lab is oriented around research in insect phylogenetic systematics (both molecular and morphological) and the study and description of morphological variation as it relates to taxonomy and systematics.
Teaching
Behavioral Ecology and Systematics of Insects
Immature Insects
Insect Classification
Survey of Invertebrate Field Biology
Techniques in Insect Systematics
Honors and Awards
- 2003 Snodgrass Memorial Research Award, Entomological Society of America
- 2002 Theodore Roosevelt Post Doctoral Research Fellowship, American Museum of Natural History. New York, NY.
- 2002 W. Fred Hink Research Award, The Ohio State University.
- 2001 Presidential Fellowship, The Ohio State University.
- 2001 Hennig Award, Best Student Presentation, Willi Hennig Society Annual Meeting.
- 2001 Mary Ellen Clay Teaching Award, Entomology, The Ohio State University.
- 1998 The General Biology Teaching Excellence Award, The Ohio State University.
Selected Publications
Archangelsky, M. and M.A. Branham 2001. Description of the Last Larval Stage and Pupa of Pyropyga nigricans (Coleoptera: Lampyridae), and Comparison with Larvae of Other Known Photinini Genera. Can. Ent. 133:1-10.
Branham, M.A. 2003. A New Technique for Collecting Glowworm Fireflies (Lampyridae). Coleopt. Bull. 57(1):114-115.
Branham, M.A. and J.W. Wenzel 2003. The Origin of Photic Behavior and the Evolution of Sexual Communication in Fireflies (Coleoptera: Elateroidea). Cladistics 19(1):1-22.
Branham, M.A. and J.W. Wenzel 2001. The Evolution of Bioluminescence in Cantharoids (Coleoptera: Elateroidea). Florida Ent. 84(4): 565-586.
Branham, M.A. and M. Archangelsky 2000. Description of the Last Larval Instar and Pupa of Lucidota atra, (G.A. Oliver, 1790) (Coleoptera: Lampyridae), with a Discussion of Abdominal Segment Homology Across Life Stages. Proc. Wash. Ent. Soc. 102(4):869-877.
Branham, M.A. and M.D. Greenfield 1996. Flashing males win mate success. Nature 381 :745-746.
DeSalle, R., M.A. Branham, P. O’Grady and J. Gatesy 2003. The Evolution of HomC Homeoboxes in the Dipteran Family Drosophilidae. Insect Molecular Biology 12(4): 345-351.