Three parts

Research comprises three main goals:

(1) A phylogeny-based classification system of Apheloriini, with a focus on the relatedness of Brachoria thus providing the framework to subsequently revise natural (monophyletic) groups.

> Apheloriine millipedes:

(2) A systematic revision of the apheloriine genus Brachoria combining modern and classical taxonomic approaches that will include a reconstruction of evolutionary relationships, new species descriptions and redescriptions of existing taxa, documentation of geographical distributions and natural histories, and production of easy-to-use keys for identification.

> Sample plate from the revision:

(3) A hypothesis-driven test of alternative mimicry scenarios in Brachoria by combining coalescent, phylogenetic, and empirical natural history approaches. The study of mimicry will use a novel combination of retrospective and extant methods and will incorporate modern techniques (molecular evolution, gene coalescent processes, and quantifying spectral reflectance of mimetic color) with classical field-based observational techniques that were the first to describe widely held mimetic theories.

> Sample color reflectance and irradiance data:

Importance
Revisionary systematic studies provide the foundation to almost every biological question—for example they are the essential building blocks for subsequent evolutionary, ecological, behavioral, and conservation studies. A robust and accurate reconstruction of evolutionary relationships in apheloriine millipedes will function as a source for an updated classification, an evolutionary context for describing new species, and as a prelude to revising the genus Brachoria. With a taxonomic framework interesting biological questions—for example, those related to the evolution of warning coloration and mimicry in Brachoria—will have a meaningful evolutionary context. In addition to enhancing knowledge on apheloriine phylogeny and the evolution of mimicry in Brachoria, this project will make publicly accessible on-line species descriptions and keys usable by non-millipede specialists.

Websites
1. Marek, P.E. 2006. Myriapoda.org: An online resource for myriapodology. Online at http://www.myriapoda.org.

Publications
5. Marek, P.E. and J.E. Bond. 2006. Phylogenetic systematics of the colorful, cyanide-producing millipedes of Appalachia (Polydesmida, Xystodesmidae, Apheloriini) using a total evidence Bayesian approach. Molecular Phylogenetics and Evolution. 41, 704-729.

4. Marek, P.E. and J.E. Bond. 2006. Biodiversity hotspots: Rediscovery of the world's leggiest animal. Nature. 441, 707.

3. Marek, P.E. and D.H. Kavanaugh. 2005. The evolutionary relationships of North American Diplous Motschulsky (Coleoptera: Carabidae: Patrobini) inferred from morphological and molecular evidence. Invertebrate Systematics. 19, 145-168.

2. Bond, J.E. and P.E. Marek. 2003. Rhinocricidae Systematics I: The taxonomic placement of the species of Zipyge Chamberlin, 1925 and Oxypygides Chamberlin, 1922 (Diplopoda: Spirobolida: Rhinocricidae: Oxypyginae). Zootaxa. 292, 1-8.

1. Marek, P.E., J.E. Bond, and P. Sierwald. 2003. Rhinocricidae Systematics II: A species catalog of the Rhinocricidae (Diplopoda: Spirobolida) with synonymies. Zootaxa. 308, 1-108.