About KU Invertebrate Zoology

The division's current research, led by Kirsten Jensen, has centered on the documentation of macroevolutionary patterns of marine tapeworms as they relate to evolutionary history, host associations, biodiversity, and geographic distribution, and the potential cophylogenetic patterns with its hosts. The research of Research Affiliate D. Christopher Rogers focusses freshwater and marine crustaceans, with an emphasis on brachiopods, focusing on questions of diversity, systematics, and biogeography. In addition, he has extensive experience in the biomonitoring and bioassessment of aquatic systems and has more recently expanded his research to include investigations into the population dynamics of mosquitos and ticks.

Work is underway to expand the collection to include the as-of-yet unaccessioned portion of non-insect freshwater invertebrates (primarily crayfish, freshwater mussels, and gastropods) from Kansas and the Great Plains. Additional plans include capturing collection data in Specify.