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Systematics and taxonomy of geometrid moths

Pasi Sihvonen

Geometridae is one of the largest families of Lepidoptera, i.e. moths and butterflies, with over 20 000 described species. Recently, there has been a growing interest to use geometrid moths as indicators to monitor natural or man-induced environmental changes, as model organisms in biodiversity studies, and for applied ecological research. The Geometridae have been considered a suitable group for such studies given their relatively restricted mobility, but also as they have world wide distribution, they are species rich and considerable number of taxa are rather easy to identify.

Unfortunately the alpha level taxonomy of certain species rich groups and the phylogenetic relationships within Geometridae are poorly known thus preventing the full utilisation of these moths for the above mentioned purposes. The primary objectives of this research iniative are to deliver species level identification tools for selected species rich Geometridae taxa, especially of Sterrhinae genus Scopula and related genera, and to study the evolutionary relationships among Geometridae lineages. Other areas of interest of this iniative are tracing back of certain evolutionary novelties of Geometridae witin the phylogenetic framework, digital imaging of museum specimens and their associated label data, and utilisation of internet as a means to distribute this taxonomic and biodiversity data (e.g. ENHSIN).

I will use the historical information contained in geometrid moths’ morphology, anatomy, ecology and molecular sequence data to build phylogenetic hypothesis. Species level taxonomical work is based on comparative methods using the state-of-the-art equipment. I work in close co-operation with Dr Lauri Kaila of Finnish Museum of Natural History in the Systematics of Moths project.

A page demonstrating alpha level species taxonomy of genus Scopula (Sihvonen 2001, Can. Ent. 133: 467-486). © Entomological Society of Canada.

A cladogram depicting the phylogenetic relationships of Sterrhinae tribes (Sihvonen & Kaila 2004, Syst. Ent. 29: 324-358). © 2004 The Royal Entomological Society.

Contact information

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Phone: +358-9-191 28824
Fax: +358-9-191 28843