Australian coelenterate biodiversity, started with funding by Fulbright,
currently funded by Australian Biological Resources Study (ABRS),
collaboratively with Wolfgang Zeidler, South Australian Museum. Aim
of Study: Document Australian jellyfishes, siphonophores, and ctenophores.
Progress to date: Approximately 300 new records, and about 30% undescribed.
California jellyfish biodiversity, continuing
since 1993. Aim of study: Document new species in the waters of
California. Progress to date: Approximately 20 new species.
Revision of the Cubozoa of the World. Aim
of study: To provide a phylogenetically-based classification of
the Cubozoa, with a complete taxonomic revision and descriptions
of numerous new species. Progress to date: Essentially completed.
Study of enigmatic taxa. Aim of study: To
reevaluate some historically difficult groups based on new insights
and modern techniques. Progress to date: Several papers submitted
or nearly so.
Jellyfish fossils and taphonomy. Aim of
study: To enhance our understanding of early jellyfish evolution
as it relates to early animal evolution, specifically by the study
of soft bodied preservation. Progress to date: A new genus and species
of jellyfish from the Late Cambrian, and experiments on fossilization
of different body types.
Sill in search of the Saber-toothed Cnidaria....
