Curator Emeritus, Insects
Negaunee Integrative Research Center
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...
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 Dep...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-...
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