Jakob Damgaard

Research interests

My main interest is to develop and use molecular markers to solve systematic and phylogenetic problems, so that evolutionary and zoogeographical theories can be tested. 

Below is a list of different projects that I am involved in.

1. Phylogeny of semi-aquatic bugs (Heteroptera: Gerromorpha) 

The semi-aquatic bugs comprise approximately 1.900 described species classified in eight families (the Mesoveliidae, Hebridae, Hydrometridae, Macroveliidae, Paraphrynoveliidae, Hermatobatidae, Veliidae, and Gerridae), and are found in all temperate, subtropical, and tropical regions.

In his 1982 monograph, N.M. Andersen was the first to use strict cladistic methodology establish phylogenetic relationships among all families and subfamilies of Gerromorpha, and to interpret evolutionary and zoogeographical trends and patterns upon the reconstructed phylogeny. With the invention of computer based phylogenetic analyses and the break-through of DNA sequencing it is now possible to test his hypotheses.

The first study using this approach is now published (see list of publications), and will be expanded with more taxa and more genes.

Of related subjects, I am working on the phylogenetic relationships of sea skaters (Gerridae: Halobates Eschscholtz) and taxonomy, phylogeny, phylogeography, and historical biogeography of the three principal Holarctic water strider genera Aquarius Schellenberg, Limnoporus Stål, and Gerris Fabricius.

2. Phylogeny of aquatic bugs (Heteroptera: Gerromorpha)

The aquatic bugs or true water bugs (Heteroptera: Nepomorpha) comprise approximately 2.000 described species classified in 11 families (the Nepidae, Belostomatidae, Corixidae, Ochteridae, Gelastocoridae, Potamocoridae, Aphelocheiridae, Naucoridae, Notonectidae, Pleidae, and Helotrephidae), and are found in all temperate, subtropical, and tropical regions.

Rieger (1976) and Mahner (1993) both introduced cladistic methodology to study the phylogenetic relationships of Nepomorpha. However, computer based phylogenetic analyses of molecular and morphological data have only recently been implemented for Nepomorpha (see list of publications). This study will be expanded with more taxa and more genes.

3. Taxonomy, distribution, and phylogeny of ”Heelwalkers” (Mantophasmatodea)

The insect order Mantophasmatodea was described in 2002 by Klass et al. on basis of one female collected in Namibia in 1909, and one male collected in Tanzania in 1950. The discovery started a ”bug-rush” in southern Africa and in insect collections all over the World. Today 12 extant and 3 extinct species are recognized, but additional species from South Africa are in the process of being described.

4. Faunistics and status of Danish Heteroptera.  

Schiødte (1869) published the first list of Danish Heteroptera with notes on record sites, and listed 314 species. Jensen-Haarup (1912) presented the first identification key and listed 382 species. Later the capsid bugs were treated in a separate volume (Gaun, 1974), and the most recent checklist (Andersen & Gaun, 1974) lists around 500 species. Among the Danish Heteroptera, the two best known groups are the water bugs (Nepomorpha and Gerromorpha) and the shieldbugs (Pentatomoidea), squashbugs (Coreoidea) and firebugs (Pyrrhocoroidea) due to recent atlas surveya, and all species are recorded in 20x20 km. UTM squares.

Our goal is to update the knowledge of the faunistics of all species of Danish Heteroptera based on their distribution in the 11 Danish entomological districts, and further to bring more detailed maps on species or groups of species of particular faunistic and/or ecological interests.

5. Faunistics, phenology and status for the larger Branchipoda (Crustacea: Anostraca, Notostraca and Conchostraca) in Denmark    

Five species of larger Branchipoda are known from Denmark , including two anostracans: Siphonophanes grubei (Dubowski, 1860) and Tanymastix stagnalis (Linnaeus, 1758), two notostracans: Lepidurus apus (Linnaeus, 1758) and Triops cancriformis (Bosc, 1801), and the conchostracan Lynceus brachyurus (Müller, 1776). All species are univoltine and inhabit small, temporary waterbodies. The distribution of all species is very restricted in Denmark, probably because of habitat destruction.

 Last update: 10 december 2004