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Caterpillar Tent Click photo to enlarge. |
Key tasks of the TWIGS include:
- assess the current state of knowledge about each taxonomic group (including preliminary checklists
and bibliographies, synonymy, and important holdings of voucher specimens);
- conduct field inventories (with voucher specimens, locality and ecological data);
- maintain working checklists and estimates of inventory completeness;
- produce checklists, including common names, synonymy, and status (for example, field-sighting
record, specimen-based record, extant taxon, believed-extirpated taxon, most-recent record, abundance);
- describe species new to science, when necessary;
- ensure accountability of the quality of the data collected;
- plan field work and determine collection methods;
- participate in the design of conventions for specimen label and observational data;
- enlist the participation of a network of taxonomists;
- write an annual report, research plan, and budget request;
- produce field guides, identification aids, drawings, and photographs;
- summarize current data and interesting aspects of the inventories for web communication.
Current Approved TWiGs
| Taxonomic Group (TWIG) | TWIG Leader(s)& Co-Leader |
| Lichens | ROBERT S. EGAN: Department of Biology, University of Nebraska |
| Aquatic Ecto-Parasites | * MICHAEL A. BARGER: Department of Natural Science, Peru
State College |
| Pseudoscorpions | * RICHARD E. CLOPTON, Department of Natural Science, Peru
State College JERRY L. COOK: Department of Biological Sciences, Sam Houston State University |
| Tardigrades | * HARRY A. MEYER: Department of Biological and Environmental
Sciences, McNeese State University |
| Macro Fungi | * DAVID P. LEWIS: Gulf States Mycological |
| Vascular Plants | STEPHAN L. HATCH: S. M. Tracy Herbarium,Texas A & M University
* DALE A. KRUSE: S. M. Tracy Herbarium,Texas A & M University |
| Bryophytes | PAUL G. DAVISON: Department of Biology, University of North Alabama |
| Slime Molds | * STEVEN L. STEPHENSON: Department of Biological Sciences,
University of Arkansas |
| Gyrinid Beetles | * JERRY L. COOK: Department of Biological Sciences, Sam Houston State University
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| Aquatic Oligochaetes | ELLEN COVER: Department of Biology, Lamar University |
| Orchids | * JOE LIGGIO: Private Consultant |
| Lepidoptera | * DAVID F. HENDERSON: Butterfly Enthusiasts of Southeast Texas |
| Freshwater Mussels | * MARSHA MAY: Texas Parks and Wildlife Department, Texas Mussel Watch |
| Terrestrial Arthropods | * JERRY L. COOK: Department of Biological Sciences, Sam Houston State University |
| Photography | MICHAEL J. BLACK: Private Consultant |
| Ants (Formicidae) | * SCOTT CHAMBERLAIN: Rice University |
| Rare, Threatened and Endangered Plants | * BOB BOENSCH: The Nature Conservancy of Texas |
- The Thicket of Diversity project is currently in the process of recruiting for
additional Taxonomic Working Groups and members to lead them.
- Additional information is available in the TWIG Leader Information Package.
- If you are interested please email:
- Jerry Cook, jcook@shsu.edu or
- Dale Kruse dakruse@ag.tamu.edu.
