Research Associate
Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute
Unit 0948
APO AA 34002-0948
Email: fvencl at life.bio.sunysb.edu
http://life.bio.sunysb.edu/ee/people/venclindex.html
Research Interests
Evolution of dietary specialization in phytophagous insects and its relation to host plant and insect diversification. Also, processes of speciation outside of natural selection, sensu stricto, via sexual selection. Taxonomy and systematics of shining leaf beetles (Chrysomelidae: Criocerinae). Sexual selection and systematics in tropical fireflies (Coleoptera: Lampyridae). Duetting in topical babblers and wrens and its relation to sexual selection and the natural history of art
Current Research Projects
1) Maternal care and larval defenses in tortoise beetles.
2) Field assesment of maternal care and larval shield defense.
3) Chemical ecology of larval shield defenses.
Recent Publications
Aiello A and Vencl FV (2007) One plant, two herbivore strategies: Lema insularis (Chrysomelidae: Criocerinae) and Acorduloceridea compressicornis (Pergidae: Acordulocerinae) on Dioscorea mexicana (Dioscoreaceae), with observations on A Lema co-mimic. J. N.Y. Entomol Soc: in press
Fu XH, Vencl FV, Ohba N, Meyer-Rochow VB, Lei C, and Zhang Z (2007) Structure and function of the larval eversible glands of the aquatic firefly Luciola leii (Coleoptera:Lampyridae). Chemoecology: in press
Fu XH, Ohba N, Vencl FV, and Lei C (2006) Life cycle and behaviour of the aquatic firefly, Luciola leii (Coleoptera: Lampyridae), from Mainland China. Can. Entomol. 138 (6): 860-870.
Vencl FV and Allen BJ (2006) Failure-time analysis of the effectiveness of larval shield defenses and the evolution of dietary specialization in tortoise beetles (Chrysomelidae: Hispinae). Bonner zool. Beitraege 54: 287-295.
Vencl FV, Nogueira-de-Sa´ F, Allen BJ, Windsor DM and Futuyma DJ (2005) Dietary specialization influences the efficacy of larval tortoise beetle shield defenses. Oecologia 145(3): 409-414.
Fu XH, Ohba N, Vencl FV, and Lei C (2005) Structure, behavior, and the life cycle of an aquatic firefly, Luciola substriata, in China. Can. Entomol. 137: 83-90.
Vencl FV (2004) Allometry and proximate mechanisms of sexual selection in Photinus fireflies and some other beetles. Integr. Comp. Biol. 44: 242-249.
Vencl FV, Levy A, Geeta R, Keller G, and Windsor DM (2004) Observations on the natural history, systematics, and phylogeny of the Criocerinae of Costa
Rica and Panamá, pp 423-454, In Schmidt, M, Jolivet, P. and Snatiago-Blay, J. (eds.). SPB Academic Publishing, The Hague, The Netherlands.
Vencl FV and Morton TC (1999) Shield defenses of larval Chrysomelidae: Ecological and phylogenetic aspects, pp. 140-163, in M. L. Cox (ed.) Advances in Chrysomelidae Biology.Backhuys Publishers, Leiden, The Netherlands.
Vencl FV, Morton TC, Mumma RO, and Schultz JC (1999) The shield defense of a larval tortoise beetle. J. Chem. Ecol. 25: 549-566.
Vencl, FV and Morton, TC (1998) Did change in shield defenses promote diversification in shining leaf beetles?, pp. 205-218, in M. Biondi, M. Dacccordi, and D. G. Furth (eds.). Proceedings of the Fourth International Symposium on the Chrysomelidae. XX International Congress of Entomology. Museo Regionale di Scienze Naturali, Torino, Italy.
Vencl FV and Morton TC (1998) The fecal shield defense of the sumac flea beetle, Blepharida rhois (Chrysomelidae: Alticinae). Chemoecology 8: 25-32.
Morton TC. and Vencl FV (1998) Larval leaf beetles (form a defense from recycled host plant chemicals discharged in fecal wastes. J. Chem. Ecol. 24: 765-786.
Vencl FV and Aiello A (1997) A new species of leaf-mining Oulema from Panamá (Coleoptera: Chysomelidae: Criocerinae). J. N. Y. Entomol. Soc. 105: 40-44.
Vencl FV and Carlson AD (1998) Proximate mechanisms of sexual selection in the firefly Photinus pyralis (Coleoptera: Lampyridae). J. Insect Behav.: 11: 191-207.
Updated -11/09/07
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