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Shaun Andrew Forgie University of Pretoria Graduate student, PhD |
Main topics of my CV:
- Contact information
- Date and place of birth
- Specialization with scarab beetles
- Scientific degrees
- Employment Profile: Scientific
- Employment Profile: Non-Scientific
- Miscellaneous
- Interests
- Publications
Contact information:
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Scarab Research Group, Department of Zoology and Entomology, Faculty
of Natural and Tel: 27 (012) 420-4618 Fax: 27 (012) 362-5242. E-mail: sforgie@zoology.up.ac.za
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Date and place of birth:
| 24th December 1968, Whitley Bay, England. |
Specialization with scarab beetles:
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Reproductive Biology. My first love was an Onthophagine! This romance was seeded whilst working on various areas of biological control for the Plant Protection of the New Zealand Pastoral Agriculture Research Institute (AgResearch). One of the requirements was to investigate new novel pastoral biocontrol opportunities; in this case, the control of the dung of livestock which is estimated to contaminate 745 hectares of pasture cumulatively per day (Dymock & Forgie, 1993). I turned to “dung-burying” scarabs currently established in the country. This work lead the completion of a masterate thesis on the reproductive biology of Onthophagus granulatus Boheman (Coleoptera: Scarabaeidae), one of two native Australian onthophagines accidentally introduced into New Zealand in the 1840’s. My work formed the basis to improving the productivity of New Zealand’s pastures with the future introduction of more effective species of dung beetles. Scarabaeine Phylogenetics. My romance reached new levels with an opportunity to undertake doctorate research at the University of Pretoria, under the wing of scarab guru, Professor Clarke Scholtz. The objective is to phylogenetically test whether feeding specialization within the “dung beetle” tribe, Scarabaeini, is mediated by evolution. To do so, a combined morphological and molecular techniques to provide a data set of approximately 2,500 characters, with c.900 of these being parsimoniously informative, is being used. Millipede Necrophagy!! I am also revising the enigmatic and most specialized
of the scarabaeine genera, Sceliages Westwood. Sceliages
feed and reproduce exclusively on millipedes (Diplopoda) and until now,
all hypotheses regarding the biology of this genus have been mere speculation.
This revision will include the description of a seventh species and the
larvae of Sceliages represented by S. hippias Westwood,
description of biology and nidification, diagnostic keys utilizing external
morphology and male genitalia, and distribution records of all seven species
in southern Africa. |
Scientific degrees:
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Enrolled, Doctor of Philosophy (Entomology), Department of Zoology and Entomology, University of Pretoria, Republic of South Africa. Thesis: Phylogeny of the tribe Scarabaeini: Evolution mediated by feeding specialization. Supervisor: Prof. C.H. Scholtz. Co-supervisor: Dr P. Bloomer (Department of Genetics). 1994, Master of Science (Honours), School of Biological Sciences, University of Auckland, New Zealand, Thesis: Reproductive Biology of the dung beetle, Onthophagus granulatus Boheman (Coleoptera: Scarabaeidae), Supervisor: Dr D. Cowley. Thesis includes: Geographical distributions of the dung burying scarabs in NZ; Reproductive development, nidification, seasonal activity, and multivariate study of the morphological variations of O. granulatus ; Competitive interactions between O. granulatus, O. posticus Erichson, and Copris incertus Say, in the utilization of cattle dung. 1991, Bachelor of Science, School of Biological Sciences, University
of Auckland, New Zealand. |
Employment Profile: Scientific.
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Diagnostic Entomologist. March 1998 to July 1999. Brief Description: I was employed as part of a team of entomologists whose work is based on diagnostic arthropod identification. This is incorporated in the maintenance and design of surveillance and monitoring programmes necessary for the prevention in the establishment of species that are considered detrimental to New Zealand’s people and its economy. Examples include surveillance and monitoring for vectoral-mosquito, fruit fly and Tussock moth, and quarantine status of arthropods intercepted at wharfs and airports. Commercially based work centers on pre-clearance of arthropods found on fruit consignments for export markets and also involves surveys which accumulate arthropod-host-association information for a nation-wide Plant Protection Information Network (PPIN) data base. Scientific Sales Consultant. October 1995 to February 1998 Brief Description: I managed a diverse and expanding customer base within the scientific and industrial communities of the Auckland and Waikato regions. During my employment I developed an in-depth knowledge and operation of capital equipment within the realms of microscopy, weighing, moisture, pH, protein and fat analysis, etc. Such a position enhanced not only my skills in the technical field but also in marketing, management and effective communicating. Applied Entomologist. January 1994 to July 1994 Brief Description: I was awarded a contract, which centred on a variety of applied entomological arenas. Most notable were: Western Flower Thrips monitoring on green house cash-crops; Biological control of Aphid, Whitefly and Two Spotted Mite; Insecticide Resistance Management of Two spotted Mites. Applied Entomologist. July 1992 to December 1993. Brief Description: My principle research area was in Biological Control of the vectors of Sheep flystrike, in particular Lucilia cuprina, the Australian sheep blowfly. Blowfly population refuges and larval parasitism were also embodied in this research. On one occasion, I was involved in the determination of the time of death of a murder victim by means of larval identification, rearing, and testing of dipteran life cycles within the temperatures recorded in and around the victim’s body. A second area of research was, in part, contractual with manaki whenua Landcare Research (a CRI) in the Biological Control of German and European wasps established in New Zealand. This toxic field of work involved live nest inoculation using wasp parasitoids, and live nest extraction of underground nests weighing up to a mammoth 189kg! This high profile research lead to TVNZ news coverage and subsequent filming of the BBC Natural History Unit’s ‘Alien Empire” series. Applied Entomologist. November 1990 to July 1992. Brief Description: As with AgResearch above prior to the
restructuring of DSIR into the various Crown Research Institutes. |
Employment Profile: Non-Scientific.
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South Pacific Co-ordinator. June 1997 to July 1999 Brief Description: World, Assistance, now known as Celta Assistance, is a travel insurance company based in Madrid, Spain, and affiliated to Universal Assistance in Buenos Aires, Argentina. It provides primarily medical, dental assistance and financial coverage to its clients. My “on-call” duty as co-ordinator required, efficient organization and communication skills, in both Spanish and English, in order to provide a quick and effective service to Spanish and Argentine traveling to the South Pacific region including Australia and New Zealand. I was required to develop and expand reliable medical and dental contacts throughout this region with all invoices coming directly to me and not the client. Profesor de ingles. July 1994 to August 1995 Brief Description: My position with these institutes was to teach
conversational and grammatical English to individuals or groups of up
to six people in large corporations active in English language training
programs for employees. These institutes relied on my ability to communicate
well, and in combination with a positive and professional approach, establish
client trust and ultimately ongoing and expanding corporate accounts.
Most of my work was carried out on location throughout the city. |
Miscellaneous:
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South America: Inca Trails and Amazonia! I have spent a year and a half experiencing parts of this tremendously diverse an intriguing continent. On two occasions I have trekked the Inca Trail to Machu Picchu and “ gone bush” in the Amazon; First was a month in the Napo Region of Ecuador with a guide, an Indian guide, maschettes, pack-away fly fishing rod with shooting-head reel, and a blowpipe! Guiding: Second occasion the tables had turned and I was the guide. From March to April I organized a group expedition that began in Buenos Aires, Arg. From there we visited the NW Province of Salta and then Uruguay. From Lima, Peru we centered on two main objectives; Cusco and the Inca Trail to Machu Picchu, then to Iquitos to venture far up river(-s) and “go bush” in the remote Reserva Nacional de Pacaya-Samiria, Amazonia. My duties included: Clothing and equipment recommendation; survival spanish
tuition; organization of group itinerary; vaccinations and insurance;
localized transport; local canoe, trail and jungle guides; accommodation;
daily activity and survival; food; general spokes-person and therefore
the one who’s head was on the chopping block when the sh#*t hit the
fan!!! |
Interests:
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Anything entailing outdoors action, adventure and endorphins between the sky and the Sea floor. Highlights: Wrestling Boa Constrictors (Peru), Surfing with Dolphins (New Zealand), Cage-diving with White Sharks (South Africa). |
Publications:
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list of publications:
projects for publications:
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