Margaret Thayer

Curator Emeritus, Insects

Negaunee Integrative Research Center
Science Focus
Topic(S)
Administrative Area(s)

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.

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

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

Honorary Member, Coleopterists Society (2019–)

    Fossil Carrion Feeders (video). Imagine Science Film Festival (ISFF) video pick of the week, 29 Aug 2011 and one of 80 festival presentations in 2011 (out of 400 submissions); Science 360 video of the day 8 Sept 2011

    National Science Foundation Academic Research Infrastructure - Recovery and Reinvestment (ARI-R2) grant 2010-2013,“Infrastructure improvements to support invertebrate research at The Field Museum,” co-PI; R. Bieler, PI

    National Science Foundation AToL grant (2005-2010); Staphyliniformia TWiG leader (PI of subcontract from Harvard University), “COLLABORATIVE RESEARCH: Assembling the Beetle Tree of Life (BToL)” (Brian D. Farrell, Harvard University, Lead PI; David R. Maddison, Oregon State University, PI; Michael F. Whiting, Brigham Young University, PI

    National Science Foundation Systematics (PEET) grant 2001-2010, “Monography, phylogeny, and historical biogeography of austral Staphylinidae (Coleoptera)” PI; A. F. Newton, co-PI

    Bertha LeBus Charitable Trust grant 2000-2001 Support for completion of “Guía ilustrada para los géneros de Staphylinidae (Coleoptera) de México – Illustrated guide to the genera of Staphylinidae (Coleoptera) of México”

    National Science Foundation collection grant: 1996-1998, "Expansion and improvement of the Field Museum pinned insect collection", co-PI; A. F. Newton, PI; plus 1997 RAMHSS supplement with J. W. O. Ballard, A. F. Newton

    Conservation Foundation (for Chicago Wilderness) grants: 1996–1999, "Restoration Effects in an Oak-Woodland Community at Swallow Cliff Woods," G. Mueller, D. Stotz, M. Thayer, co-PIs (also P. Leacock, P. Parrillo, P. Sierwald in 1999)

    National Biological Service contract:  1995–1998, "Development of a taxonomic database on the Coleoptera of North America,"

    National Science Foundation research grant:  1988–1992, "Phylogeny and reclassification of Omaliini beetles of the World"

    National Geographic Society research grant, 1986–87, Field work in Australia, co-PI; A. F. Newton, PI

    National Science Foundation Doctoral Dissertation Improvement Grant, 1985, turned back because of earlier completion of degree

    Summer Research Grant, Dept. of Organismic and Evolutionary Biology, Harvard University, 1985, turned back because of earlier completion of degree

    National Geographic Society research grant, 1984–85, Field work in New Zealand, with A. F. Newton, PI

    Sigma Xi Grant‑in‑Aid‑of‑Research, 1982-83, Field work in Chile

    Anderson Fund, Harvard University 1982–83, Field work in Chile and 1984, SEM work for dissertation

    Australian Biological Resources Study research grant, 1980, Field work in Tasmania, museum studies in Adelaide; co-PI; A. F. Newton, PI

American Association for Zoological Nomenclature

    American Association of University Professors (Secretary of FMNH chapter, 2009–2011; President of FMNH chapter, 2011-2013)

    Asociación europea de coleopterología

    Cambridge Entomological Club (Secretary, 1982 83; President, 1983–84)

    Coleopterists Society (Treasurer, 1987–1991; President-Elect, President, Past President, 1993–98)

    Entomological Collections Network (Steering Committee member, 1991–1992; Automatic Data Processing Data Standards Committee 1990)

    Entomological Society of America (Annals Editorial Board, 1993–94; Section A officer, 1995–1997; symposium co-organizer, 1998; Thomas Say Publications Editorial Board 2005–2017)

    The Nature Conservancy

    Sigma Xi (elected 1973)

    Society for the Preservation of Natural History Collections

    Society of Systematic Biologists (formerly Society of Systematic Zoology; Councillor, 1990–1992)

    Willi Hennig Society

    World Wildlife Fund

    Xerces Society

Email me to request pdfs if you cannot get them from the links below or if no links are provided. *indicates items with entries under … press notices heading below

Refereed publications

  Cai, Chen-Yang, Yong-Li Wang, Lü Liang [should be Liang Lü], Zi-Wei Yin, M. K. Thayer, A. F. Newton & Yu-Lingzi Zhou. 2019. Congruence of morphological and molecular phylogenies of the rove beetle subfamily Staphylininae (Coleoptera: Staphylinidae). Scientific Reports 9: 15137 (11 pp.) + supplementary file. doi: 10.1038/s41598-019-51408-1  (Open access) *Fikáček, M., R. G. Beutel, C. Cai, J. F. Lawrence, A. F. Newton, A. Solodovnikov, A. Ślipiński, M. K. Thayer & S. Yamamoto. Reliable placement of beetle fossils via phylogenetic analysis – Triassic Leehermania as a case study (Staphylinidae or Myxophaga?). Systematic Entomology (13 pp. + supplementary file), Online early VoR 9 Sept 2019 DOI: 10.1111/syen.12386 or on  Wiley website Kim, Tae-Kyu, Jeong-HunSong, M. K. Thayer, & Kee-Jeong Ahn. Molecular phylogeny of Omaliinae (Coleoptera: Staphylinidae) and its implications for evolution of atypically long elytra in rove beetles. Systematic Entomology (13 pp.) Online early VoR 9 June 2019. DOI: 10.1111/syen.12372 Cai, Chen-Yang, M. K. Thayer, A. F. Newton, Zi-Wei Yin & Diying Huang. 2018. A new genus of dasycerine rove beetles from Upper Cretaceous Burmese amber and its phylogenetic implications (Coleoptera, Staphylinidae). Cretaceous Research 84: 431-436. Online 9 Dec 2017. doi: 10.1016/j.cretres.2017.12.004 Cai, Chen-Yang, Liang Lü, E. Caron, S. Bortoluzzi, A. F. Newton, M. K. Thayer & Di-Ying Huang. 2017. First piestine rove beetle in Eocene Baltic amber (Coleoptera, Staphylinidae, Piestinae). Journal of the Kansas Entomological Society 89 (4): 345-357. doi: 10.2317/0022-8567-89.4.345 Cai, Chenyang, A. F. Newton, M. K. Thayer, R. A. B. Leschen & Diying Huang. 2016. Specialized proteinine rove beetles shed light on insect-fungal associations in the Cretaceous. Proceedings of the Royal Society B 283: 20161439. (8 pp.) doi: 10.1098/rspb.2016.1439 Thayer, M. K. 2016. 14. Staphylinoidea. 14.7. Staphylinidae Latreille, 1802, pp. 394–442. In: Handbook of Zoology, Arthopoda: Insecta; Coleoptera, Beetles. Morphology and Systematics (Archostemata, Adephaga, Myxophaga, Polyphaga partim), 2nd ed., Beutel, R. G. & R. A. B. Leschen, eds., De Gruyter, Berlin, Boston. xvii + 684 pp. pdf available on request. Thayer, M. K. 2015. New nomenclatural and taxonomic acts, and comments: Staphylinidae: Omaliinae, pp. 18-19. In: Löbl, I. & D. Löbl (eds.). Catalogue of Palaearctic Coleoptera. Vol. 2. Revised and updated edition. Hydrophiloidea - Staphylinoidea. Brill, Leiden & Boston. Vol. 2/1, xiii, 1-900; 2/2, 901-1702.       McKenna, D. M., A. L. Wild, K. Kanda, C. L. Bellamy, R. G. Beutel, M. S. Caterino, C. W. Farnum, D. C. Hawks, M. A. Ivie, M. L. Jameson, R. A. B. Leschen, A. E. Marvaldi, J. V. McHugh, A. F. Newton, J. A. Robertson, M. K. Thayer, M. F. Whiting, J. F. Lawrence, S. A. Ślipiński, D. R. Maddison & B. D. Farrell. 2015. The beetle Tree of Life reveals Coleoptera survived End Permian mass extinction to diversify during the Cretaceous terrestrial revolution. Systematic Entomology 46 pp. doi: 10.1111/syen.12132 (open access) Supporting information McKenna, D. D., B. D. Farrell, M. S. Caterino, C. W. Farnum, D. C. Hawks, D. R. Maddison, A. E. Seago, A. E.Z. Short, A. F. Newton & M. K. Thayer. 2015. Phylogeny and evolution of Staphyliniformia and Scarabaeiformia: Forest litter as a stepping-stone for diversification of non-phytophagous beetles. Systematic Entomology 40: 35–60. doi: 10.1111/syen.12093  free pdf   Supporting information Cai, Chen-Yang, M. K. Thayer, M. S. Engel, A. F. Newton, J. Ortega-Blanco, Bo Wang, Xiang-Dong Wang & Di-Ying Huang. 2014. Early origin of parental care in Mesozoic carrion beetles. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences 111 (39): 14170-14174. http://dx.doi.org/10.1073/pnas.1412280111 *Peris, D., M. K. Thayer & D. Neraudeau. 2014. Oldest Omaliini (Coleoptera: Staphylinidae: Omaliinae) discovered in the opaque Cretaceous amber of Charentes. Annals of the Entomological Society of America 107 (5): 902-910. http://dx.doi.org/10.1603/AN14047 Cai, Chenyang, Diying Huang, A. F. Newton & M. K. Thayer. 2014. Mesapatetica aenigmatica, a primitive rove beetle (Coleoptera, Staphylinidae) from the Middle Jurassic of China. Journal of Kansas Entomological Society 87 (2): 219-224. http://dx.doi.org/10.2317/JKES130427.1 Weide, D., M. K. Thayer & O. Betz. 2014. Comparative morphology of the tentorium and hypopharyngeal-premental sclerites in sporophagous and non-sporophagous adult Aleocharinae (Coleoptera: Staphylinidae). Acta Zoologica  95 (1): 84-110. (with19 online animations). http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/azo.12011/abstract Klimaszewski, J., M.-J. Morency, P. Labrie, A. Séguin, D. Langor, T. Work, C. Bourdon, E. Thiffault, D. Paré, A. F. Newton & M. K. Thayer. 2013. Molecular and microscopic analysis of the gut contents of abundant rove beetle species (Coleoptera, Staphylinidae) in the boreal balsam fir forest of Quebec, Canada. ZooKeys 353: 1-24. http://dx.doi.org/10.3897/zookeys.353.5991 Cai, Chenyang, M. K. Thayer, Diying Huang, Xiangdong Wan & A. F. Newton. 2013. A basal oxyteline rove beetle (Coleoptera: Staphylinidae) from the Early Cretaceous of China: oldest record for the tribe Euphaniini. Comptes Rendus Palevol 12: 159-163. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.crpv.2013.02.002 Cai, Chen-yang, Di-ying Huang, M. K. Thayer & A. F. Newton. 2012. Glypholomatine rove beetles (Coleoptera, Staphylinidae): a southern hemisphere Recent group newly recorded from the Middle Jurassic of China. Journal of the Kansas Entomological Society 85 (3): 239-244. http://dx.doi.org/10.2317/JKES120531.1 Thayer, M. K., A. F. Newton & S. Chatzimanolis. 2012. Prosolierius, a new mid-Cretaceous genus of Solieriinae (Coleoptera: Staphylinidae) with three new species from Burmese amber. Cretaceous Research 34: 124-134. doi: 10.1016/j.cretres.2011.10.010 Thayer, M. K. & J. V. McHugh. 2011. Range extension and biological notes on Eudectus crassicornis LeConte, 1885 (Coleoptera: Staphylinidae: Omaliinae: Coryphiini). Coleopterists Bulletin 65 (3): 292-293. doi: 10.1649/072.065.0309 Pardo, F., M. K. Thayer & Chenyang Cai. 2011. Fossil Carrion Feeders (video). Lawrence, J, F., A. Ślipiński, A. E. Seago, M. K. Thayer, A. F. Newton & A. E. Marvaldi. 2011.  Phylogeny of the Coleoptera based on morphological characters of adults and larvae. Annales Zoologici 61 (1): 1-217. Lower-res pdf  (20 MB)   Request high-res pdf   Order hard copy Weide, D., M. K. Thayer, A. F. Newton & O. Betz. 2010. Comparative morphology of the head of selected sporophagous and non-sporophagous Aleocharinae (Coleoptera: Staphylinidae): Musculature and hypopharynx-prementum complex. Journal of Morphology 271 (8): 910-931.DOI: 10.1002/jmor.10841; pdf online supporting information. Chani-Posse, M. R. & M. K. Thayer.  2008. Staphylinidae, pp. 471-494. In: Biodiversidad de Artrópodos Argentinos, vol. 2, Claps, L., G. Debandi y S. Roig-Juñent, dirs. Sociedad Entomológica Argentina Ediciones, Mendoza, Argentina. ISBN 978-987-21319-2-0. Thayer, M. K., T. Jászay & P. Hlaváč. 2007. Clarifications of and corrections to “A revision of the Palaearctic species of the genus Dropephylla (Coleoptera: Staphylinidae: Omaliinae)”. Entomological Problems 37 (1-2): 59-62. Thayer, M. K.  2005. 11. Staphylinoidea. 11.7. Staphylinidae Latreille, 1802, pp. 296-344.  In: Coleoptera, Vol. 1. Morphology and Systematics (Archostemata, Adephaga, Myxophaga, Polyphaga partim), Beutel, R.G. & Leschen, R.A.B., eds., Handbook of Zoology, Vol. IV, Arthropoda: Insecta, Part 38,Kristensen, N.P. & Beutel, R.G., eds. De Gruyter, Berlin, New York. Thayer M. K., J. S. Ashe, & R. S. Hanley. 2004.  Discovery of the remarkable larvae of Hoplandriini (Coleoptera: Staphylinidae: Aleocharinae).  Annals of the Entomological Society of America 97: 624-634. pdf  Thayer, M. K. & F. F. Purrington.  2004. Bledius beattyi Blackwelder (Coleoptera: Staphylinidae:  Oxytelinae), new to the United States, and co-occurrences of some Bledius Leach and Dyschiriodes Jeannel (Coleoptera:  Carabidae:  Scaritinae) species in south Florida. Coleopterists Bulletin 58: 439-442.  pdf (bioone) or pdf (jstor) Thayer, M. K.  2003.  Omaliinae of México:  New species, combinations, and records (Coleoptera: Staphylinidae). In: Systematics of Coleoptera: Papers Celebrating the Retirement of Ivan Löbl, Cuccodoro, G. & R. A. B. Leschen, eds., Memoirs on Entomology, International 17: 311-358. Betz, O., M. K. Thayer, & A. F. Newton. 2003. Comparative morphology and evolutionary pathways of the mouthparts in spore‑feeding Staphylinoidea (Coleoptera). Acta Zoologica84: 179‑238.  pdf; supplemental figures. Peck, S. B. & M. K. Thayer. 2003. The cave‑inhabiting rove beetles of the United States (Coleoptera; Staphylinidae; excluding Aleocharinae and Pselaphinae): Diversity and distributions.  Journal of Cave and Karst Studies 65(1): 3-8, 12 pp. appendix.   pdf, appendix Thayer, M. K. & J. F. Lawrence.  2002. Family 98. Ciidae, Leach in Samouelle, 1819, pp. 403-412.  In: Arnett, R. H., Jr., M. C. Thomas, , P. E. Skelley, and J. H. Frank, eds., American Beetles,  Volume 2, Polyphaga: Scarabaeoidea through Curculionoidea.  CRC Press, Boca Raton, FL.  xiv + 861 pp. Navarrete‑Heredia, J. L., A. F. Newton, M. K. Thayer, J. S. Ashe, y D. S. Chandler. 2002. Guía ilustrada para los géneros de Staphylinidae (Coleoptera) de México. Illustrated guide to the genera of Staphylinidae (Coleoptera) of Mexico. Universidad de Guadalajara y CONABIO, México. 401 pp., 630 figs. Thayer, M. K. 2000.  Glypholoma larvae at last: phylogenetic implications for basal Staphylinidae? (Coleoptera: Staphylinidae: Glypholomatinae).  Invertebrate Taxonomy 14: 741-754.  pdf, Treebase entry.  Carlton, C., A. Newton, Jr., M. Thayer, G. Ball, E. Hall, A. Smith, M. L. Jameson, B. Ratcliffe, S. Peck, T. Seeno, S. Lingafelter, P. J. Johnson, W. Warner & P. Skelley. 2000. A comment on Coleoptera and Hymenoptera diversity. American Entomologist 46 (2): 69. Newton, A. F., M. K. Thayer, J. S. Ashe (Aleocharinae) & D. S. Chandler (Pselaphinae).  2000. Family 22. Staphylinidae Latreille, 1802, pp. 272‑418.  In: Arnett, R. H., Jr. and M. C. Thomas, eds., American Beetles,  Volume 1, Archostemata, Myxophaga, Adephaga, Polyphaga: Staphyliniformia. CRC Press, Boca Raton, FL.  xv + 443 pp. [2001] Ballard, J. W. O., M. K. Thayer, A. F. Newton & E. R. Grismer. 1998.  Data sets, partitions, and characters:  Philosophies and procedures for analyzing multiple data sets.  Systematic Biology 47: 367-396.  pdf Thayer, M. K.1997.  Proglypholoma aenigma gen. et sp. nov., Glypholoma spp. nov. and new records, and a phylogenetic analysis of Glypholomatinae (Coleoptera:  Staphylinidae).  Annales Zoologici 47: 157-174. Treebase entry Klimaszewski, J., A. F. Newton, Jr. & M. K. Thayer.  1996.  A review of the New Zealand rove beetles (Coleoptera:  Staphylinidae).  New Zealand Journal of Zoology 23: 143-160. Newton, A. F., Jr. & M. K. Thayer.  1995.  Protopselaphinae new subfamily for Protopselaphus new genus from Malaysia, with a phylogenetic analysis and review of the Omaliine Group of Staphylinidae including Pselaphidae.  pp. 219-320 in:  Pakaluk, J. and Ślipiński, S. A., eds., Biology, Phylogeny, and Classification of Coleoptera: Papers Celebrating the 80th Birthday of Roy A. Crowson.  Muzeum i Instytut Zoologii PAN, Warszawa. Thayer, M. K.  1993.  Osellia Zanetti a junior synonym of Orochares Kraatz, with a checklist of Orochares species.  (Coleoptera: Staphylinidae: Omaliinae).  Coleopterists Bulletin 47: 285-287.  pdf Thayer, M. K.  1992.  Discovery of sexual wing dimorphism in Staphylinidae (Coleoptera): "Omalium" flavidum, and a discussion of wing dimorphism in insects.  Journal of the New York Entomological Society 100: 540-573. pdf Newton, A. F., Jr. & M. K. Thayer.  1992.  Current classification and family-group names in Staphyliniformia (Coleoptera).  Fieldiana, Zoology, New Series, No. 67: iv + 92 pp.  pdf Johnson, S. A., R. W. Lundgren, A. F. Newton, Jr., M. K. Thayer, R. L. Wenzel & M. Wenzel.  1992 (1991).  Mazur's World Catalogue of Histeridae: emendations, replacement names for homonyms, and an index.  Polski Pismo Entomologiczne 61: 1-100. Newton, A. F., Jr. & M. K. Thayer.  1988.  Naomi's phylogeny and higher classification of Staphylinidae and allies (Coleoptera):  A critique.  Entomologia Generalis14:63-72. Thayer, M. K.  1987.  Biology and phylogenetic relationships of Neophonus bruchi, an anomalous south Andean staphylinid (Coleoptera).  Systematic Entomology 12:389-404. pdf Thayer, M. K.  1985.  The larva of Brathinus nitidus LeConte and the systematic position of the genus (Coleoptera: Staphylinidae).  Coleopterists Bulletin 39:174‑184. pdf Thayer, M. K.  1985.  Micralymma marinum (Stroem) in North America: biological notes and new distributional records (Coleoptera: Staphylinidae).  Psyche 92:49‑55. pdf Thayer, M. K.  1985.  Revision, phylogeny, and biogeography of the austral genus Metacor­neo­labium Steel (Coleoptera: Staphylinidae, Omaliinae). pp. 113‑179 in G. E. Ball, ed., Taxonomy, phylogeny, and zoogeography of beetles and ants.  A volume dedicated to the memory of Philip Jackson Darlington, Jr. 1904‑1983.  Series Entomologica 33, Dr. W. Junk Publishers, Dordrecht. Thayer, M. K. & A. F. Newton, Jr.  1979.  Revision of the south temperate genus Glypholoma Jeannel, with four new species (Coleoptera: Staphylinidae: Omaliinae).  Psyche 85: 25‑63. [1978] pdf Thayer, M. K.  1978.  Redescription of Xenicopoda Moore and Legner (Coleoptera: Staphylinidae, Omaliinae) with supplementary notes.  Psyche 84:142‑149. [1977] pdf  

Non-refereed publications and abstracts

Thayer, M. K. 2019. The Max Bernhauer collection of rove beetles: The World's largest group of animals you've never heard of, pp. 196–199. In: Mercurio, F. and C. Garland, eds., 125 Moments in the Natural History of the Field Museum. Field Museum, Chicago. 392 pp. Thayer, M. K. and A. F Newton. 2016. Nearly 500 genera and counting… An overview of Australian Staphylinidae (Coleoptera) and their distributions (with A. F. Newton). Proceedings XXV International Congress of Entomology, Orlando, FL, September 2016. (Published Abstract) Newton, A. F. and M. K. Thayer. 2008. Documenting Biodiversity: No End in Sight in Staphyliniformia (Coleoptera)? in: Names and Naming in Entomology symposium. Proceedings XXIII International Congress of Entomology, Durban, South Africa, July 2008. (Published Abstract) Macnamara. P. (paintings), text by J. H. Boone, P. Z. Goldstein, C. Grinter*, J. E. Louderman, A. F. Newton, P. P. Parrillo, M. B. Prondzinski, M. K. Thayer, P. Sierwald, D. A. Summers, and J. A. Wagner. 2005. Illinois Insects and Spiders. University of Chicago Press in association with The Field Museum, Chicago and London. xv + 118 pp. (incl. 28 color plates) [popular book] Sullivan, J. 2005. Scientists [series]: Margaret Thayer: The largest family in North America. Chicago Reader 35(16), 28 January 2005: 11 + my cover-page beetle photo. Thayer, M. K. and A. F. Newton. 2004. Southern Beetle Quest. In The Field, Summer 2004: 18-19. Clarke, D. J., M. K. Thayer & A. F. Newton. 2004 Creophilus (Staphylininae: Staphylinini): Phylogeny and Historical Biogeography. XXII International Congress of Entomology, Brisbane, Australia, August 2004. (Published Abstract) Thayer, M. K. 2004. Omaliopsis (Coleoptera: Staphylinidae) – Old Or New South-North Connections? (poster) XXII International Congress of Entomology, Brisbane, Australia, August 2004 (Published Abstract) Navarrete, J. L., A. F. Newton, M. K. Thayer, J. S. Ashe, and D. S. Chandler. 2000. An illustrated guide to the Staphylinidae (Coleoptera) of Mexico. Abstracts, XXI International Congress of Entomology, vol. II (Foz do Iguassu, Brazil, August 2000): 963.  (Published Abstract) Newton, A. F., Jr. and M. K. Thayer. 1995. Comment on the proposed conservation of Aspidiphorus Ziegler in Dejean, 1821 (Insecta, Coleoptera) as the correct original spelling, and the placement of Aspidiphoridae Kiesenwetter, 1877 (1859) on the Official List (Case 2918; see BZN 52: 44‑47). Bulletin of Zoological Nomenclature 52: 264‑266. Thayer, M. K. and A. F. Newton, Jr. 1994. New Product Review: Lawrence, J., A. Hastings, M. Dallwitz, T. Paine, Beetle Larvae of the World Interactive key on CD-ROM. Mola 3: 6-7. Thayer, M. K., A. F. Newton, Jr., and T. Pape. 1992. METOPIINAE Foerster, 1868 (Insecta: Hymenoptera), METOPIINI Raffray, 1904 (Insecta: Coleoptera), and METOPIINI Townsend, 1908 (Insecta: Diptera): proposed removal of homonymy. Case 2793. Bulletin of Zoological Nomenclature 49: 200-204. Thayer, M. K. and A. F. Newton, Jr. 1992. Specimen databases as research tools [Synopsis of ECN talk]. Insect Collection News 8: 6-7. Newton, A. F., Jr., M. K. Thayer, and C. W. Sabrosky. 1992. TACHINIDAE Fleming, 1821 (Insecta: Coleoptera) and TACHINIDAE Robineau-Desvoidy, 1830 (Insecta: Diptera): proposed removal of homonymy, and TACHYPORINAE MacLeay, 1825 (Insecta: Coleoptera): proposed conservation. Case 2786. Bulletin of Zoological Nomenclature 49: 122-126. Thayer, M. K. 1992. Acrolocha Thomson, 1858 (Insecta, Coleoptera): proposed conservation, and Coprophilus Latreille, 1829: proposed designation of Staphylinus striatulus Fabricius, 1792 as the type species. Case 2764. Bulletin of Zoological Nomenclature 49: 22-27. Thayer, M. K. 1991. How to gain strength from diversity [ECN Discussion Group Summary]. Insect Collection News 6: 2. Newton, A. F., Jr. and M. K. Thayer. 1990a. Book Review: A. Zanetti, 1987, Coleoptera: Staphylinidae: Omaliinae. Fauna d'Italia, Vol. XXV. Coleopterists Bulletin 44:93-94. Newton, A. F., Jr. and M. K. Thayer. 1990b. Comment on the proposed placement of hydrobiidae Troschel, 1857 (Mollusca, Gastropoda) on the Official List of Family-Group Names (Case 2699; see BZN 47: 104-109). Bulletin of Zoological Nomenclature 47: 286-287. Hellenthal, R. A., J. Louton, G. R. Noonan, R. T. Schuh, M. K. Thayer, & F. C. Thompson. 1990. Automatic data processing for systematic entomology: promises and problems. A report for the Entomological Collections Network. Entomological Collections Network, released at Baton Rouge meeting, December 1990. 49 pp. Thayer, M. K. 1989. Comment on the proposed conservation of Coryphium angusticolle Stephens, 1834 (Insecta, Coleoptera). Bulletin of Zoological Nomenclature 46:44. Newton, A. F., Jr. and M. K. Thayer. 1988. Pselaphidae and Staphylinidae (Coleoptera): the "missing link" discovered? Proceedings XVIII International Congress of Entomology (Vancouver, B.C., Canada, July 1988): 50. (Published Abstract) Thayer, M. K. 1988. The promise of larval chaetotaxy for phylogenetic studies of Omaliinae (Coleoptera: Staphylinidae). Proceedings XVIII International Congress of Entomology (Vancouver, B.C., Canada, July 1988): 50. (Published Abstract)  

Internet publications, resources, and press notices

Media coverage of Fikáček, Beutel, Cai, Lawrence, Newton, Solodovnikov, Ślipiński, Thayer & Yamamoto (2019) paper listed above

    https://www.fieldmuseum.org/about/press/identity-crisis-fossil-beetle-helps-rewrite-beetle-family-tree

    https://www.smithsonianmag.com/science-nature/fossil-mix-could-rewrite-history-largest-family-animals-earth-180973068/

    https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2019/09/190909113028.htm

    https://www.earth.com/news/oldest-known-rove-beetle/

    http://www.greenreport.it/news/aree-protette-e-biodiversita/i-fossili-che-potrebbero-riscrivere-la-storia-degli-scarabei/

*Ferro, M. L., M. K. Thayer, A. F. Newton, Jr. & Jong-Seok Park. 2015. Key to North American Staphylinidae subfamilies (in LucID). Highlighted 29 April 2015 on Entomological Society of America news site.  Media coverage of Peris, Thayer & Neraudeau (2014) paper listed above: 

    Entomological Society of America news site

    AAAS EurekAlert! website

Webbink, K. and J. Berent. 2012. What’s in a name? (video). Interviewed about holotypes. Guest on WBEZ/Worldview/Ecomyths program on insects for radio & web – aired early July 2012, Interview – Ecomyths: Why eating bugs is good for your health and the environment and Related story – Beetlemania: Why eating bugs is more happening than we think/ Group interview by Milt Rosenberg with several Field Museum curators, July 2012 on“WGN Extension 720,” about evolution and the Field Museum [offline] Pardo, F., M. K. Thayer, and Chenyang Cai. 2011. Fossil Carrion Feeders (video). Imagine Science Film Festival (ISFF) video pick of the week, 29 Aug 2011 and one of 80 festival presentations in 2011 (out of 400 submissions); Science 360 video of the day 8 Sept 2011; selected (January 2012) to be part of MemberCentral, an online video channel created by ISF Sponsor AAAS/Science. Thayer, M. K. 2011– Personal Field Museum web profile Thayer, M. K. 2008. Nicrophorus americanus Olivier (American burying beetle) – an exemplar launch page on Encyclopedia of Life, much changed and updated since 2008. Newton, A. F. and M. K. Thayer. 2003–2005 Catalog of higher taxa, genera, and subgenera of Staphyliniformia. Chicago: Field Museum of Natural History [last updated 3 November 2005]. This page provides background on the databases, but the databases are no longer available from there. The valid names are used as the hierarchy for Newton, A. F. 2019  StaphBase, searchable in Catalogue of Life. Newton, A. F. and M. K. Thayer. 2003–2005. Catalogue of austral species of Staphylinidae and other Staphylinoidea. Chicago: Field Museum of Natural History [last updated 3 November 2005]. This page provides background, but the database itself is no longer available from there. For later expanded (but less detailed) data, see Newton, A. F. 2019  StaphBase, searchable in Catalogue of Life. Newton, A. F. and M. K. Thayer. 2003–2005. Bibliography supporting catalogs of Staphyliniformia family‑, genus- and species-group names. Chicago: Field Museum of Natural History [last updated 3 November 2005].This page provides background, but the database itself is no longer available online. Thayer, M. K. and A. F. Newton. 2003–2005. Summary of distributions of austral species of Staphylinidae and other Staphylinoidea [downloadable pdf files]. Chicago: Field Museum of Natural History, 313 pp. [last generated 27 August 2005]. The 2005 files are still available, but have not been updated. Thayer, M. K., A. F. Newton, A. Yu. Solodovnikov, and D. J. Clarke. 2003–2006. Archived Austral Staphylinidae web site [StaphPEET], including Staphyliniformia databases  [last updated 23 March 2006] Navarrete-Heredia, J. L., A. F. Newton, M. K. Thayer, J. S. Ashe & D. S. Chandler. 2003. Catálogo de autoridad para los Staphylinidae (Coleoptera) de México. v + 163 pp. [offline] Thayer, M. K. 2001–2011. Personal research web pages on fmnh.org [offline] Thayer, M. K. 1997-8. Content specialist for Field Museum’s Butterfly web pages: http://archive.fieldmuseum.org/butterfly/butter_collect.htm

Research Sketch

DISCONTINUED IN 2014, MOVED UPDATED TEXT TO INTRO IN JAN 2018 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

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).

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