Thomas Simonsen Email & Phone Number

In a nutshell: I am a museum research scientist, and my research interests cover a wide range of subjects related to insect evolution and diversity, with a general focus on the order Lepidoptera (butterflies and moths). I am working on the higher-level phylogeny of the order, with a particular focus on morphological consequences of phylogenomic studies. I am also working on species and genus-level evolution and phylogeny with focus on species richness, zoogeography and eco-evolution. Taxonomically my main interests are the butterflies and the so-called micro-Lepidoptera. I also work on phylogeography and origins of European insects (particularly Lepidoptera), and species identification and delimitation in “problem groups”. I have a strong interest in comparative evolutionary and structural insect morphology, and in utilizing and developing techniques such as micro-CT scanning and laser-confocal microscopy for studies into and visualization of insect morphology. I am also working on comparative developmental morphology and forensics entomology.I have considerable experience in planning and executing field work in a wide range of habitats and environments in Europe, North America and Australia.I am an active member of a number of national and international professional and amateur natural history scicieties.

Listed skills include Entomology, Evolutionary Biology, Insect, Biodiversity, and 14 others.