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Investigator(s): Christopher E. Carlton, Director, Louisiana State Arthropod Museum, Louisiana State University, Baton Rouge, LA 70803
Beetles (Coleoptera) represent the largest order of insects, with well over 350,000 described species and many undescribed species. We will organize a network of experts of various families to begin the task of assembling a database of records for Coleoptera of Great Smoky Mountains National Park. We will initiate a search of identified beetle specimens already housed in museums, serve as a sorting center for current and future sampling efforts, and collect specimens using methods specifically targeted at poorly known families. Data will be recorded on our Biota databasing system and reported via our website and formal taxonomic publications.
Christopher E. Carlton, Director
Louisiana State Arthropod Museum
Louisiana State University
Baton Rouge, LA 70803
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