Conservation & Evolutionary Biology Lab
Department of Entomology,
National Taiwan University
About
林品萱 Lim Pin Xuan
Research assistant (2023-present)
My study focuses on how masked palm civets (Paguma larvata) adapt to urban environments, exploring their movements, diet, and use of infrastructure to meet their needs. Despite intense human activities in cities, we found that civets can thrive in urban areas. However, their close proximity to urban residents often leads to human-wildlife conflicts, sometimes resulting in civet fatalities and public reluctance to coexisting with them. Therefore, my study aims to uncover the hidden lives of these elusive animals and find ways to improve ecological connectivity in densely developed areas. Additionally, our lab is dedicated to sharing our findings with local communities in the hope of fostering a harmonious coexistence between humans and wildlife in urban areas.
About
陳釤珉 Shan-Min Chen/ Sammy Chen
Master student (2020-2022)/ Research assistant (2022-present)
I am interested in evolution biology, urban ecology and conservation. My master 's research focused on the color pattern diversity of Pachyrhynchus weevils and the mimetic relationship between these colorful weevils and Doliops longhorn beetles. After my MSc study, I have been conducting wildlife monitoring and investigating the environmental identity of different populations in Jinsan (金山). This project may provide a reference for promoting an eco-friendly environment and ecological conservation. Additionally, I am involved in research on the urban adaptation of masked palm civets (Paguma larvata). We hope these studies will enhance understanding of how and why these small carnivores are able to survive and thrive in urban environments.
About
張明陽 Megan M.Y. Chang
Research assistant (2022-2023)
My master's degree focused on honey bee's foraging behaviour changes under global warming, and I earned my bachelor's degree majoring in marine biology and resources. I have a keen interest in animal behaviour and ecology, both in terrestrial and marine environments. I aspire to pursuing advanced studies in cognitive ethology and animal emotions in the future.
About
林政瑋 Simon
Undergraduate student
Research on the Masked Palm Civet ( Paguma larvata ) in Taiwan mainly involves capturing wild individuals to collect parasites such as fleas for species identification, and testing for heavy metals and infectious diseases to assess their health. Finally, the study compares individuals from different regions to identify any differences.
About
侯亮宇 Liang-Yu Hou
LEDs have been widely used in modern times due to the energy saving and other advantages. Although the ultraviolet content is low, many studies have pointed out that LEDs may still interfere with insect behavior and development in other forms.
Since it is still unclear whether the large-scale replacement of lighting equipment with LED bulbs will have an impact, we will take the LED street lights used in Taiwan as an example to record whether there are changes in the behavior of different groups of insects, and try to find a way to set up street lights that can take into account insect ecology and road safety.
About
葉幼華 Yu-Hua Yeh
Undergraduate student
LEDs have been widely used in modern times due to the energy saving and other advantages. Although the ultraviolet content is low, many studies have pointed out that LEDs may still interfere with insect behavior and development in other forms.
Since it is still unclear whether the large-scale replacement of lighting equipment with LED bulbs will have an impact, we will take the LED street lights used in Taiwan as an example to record whether there are changes in the behavior of different groups of insects, and try to find a way to set up street lights that can take into account insect ecology and road safety.
About
陳瑾 Jin Chen
Undergraduate student
My research primarily focuses on the nesting behavior of eusocial wasps in Taiwan, with the aim of determining whether their nests vary between urban and suburban areas, and if these differences facilitate the wasps' adaptation to urban environments. Our study will examine the structure, materials, and size of the nests, as well as habitat preferences at both macro and micro levels. The macro level involves landscape-scale analysis, utilizing aerial imagery to assess factors such as impervious surface coverage and green space distribution, while the micro level focuses on specific habitat choices, such as preferences for nesting under eaves, on trees, or in tree hollows. Through this research, we aim to contribute to a better understanding of how urbanization impacts the ecological behavior of wasps, which may inform future urban planning and biodiversity conservation strategies.
About
莊博鈞 Chuang Po-Jun
Undergraduate student (2023-present)
I am currently conducting research on Paguma larvata (masked palm civets), with a particular focus on their adaptations to urban environments and the cooperative breeding behaviors observed among female individuals. By utilizing radio tracking and in-person observations of interactions between individuals within a civet family, I aim to uncover the intricate social bonds of these fascinating mammal neighbors.
About
Janus Olajuan Boediman
Master student (2024-present)
I am doing research on the color morphs and camouflage of Trachyzulpha formosana, a species of katydid which comes in two distinct morphs: the green moss morph and the white lichen morph. Through background-choice experiments, captive breeding, field observations, and analysis of photographs of katydids on their backgrounds, I hope to learn more about why these two color morphs exist, and how it relates to their camouflage.
About
洪嘉謙 Chia-Chien Hung
Master student (2023-present)
My study focuses on utilizing the soundscape—a collection of all environmental sounds—as a non-invasive tool for biodiversity assessment. While much of the previous research has concentrated on vertebrates, the acoustic contributions of Orthoptera insects, for example crickets and katydids, remain underexplored. Given the rapid pace of urbanization and the need to protect insect diversity in urban areas, my research aims to examine the variety of insect soundscapes within urban green spaces. We seek to evaluate how different park conditions and local environmental factors influence insect diversity. Hope the findings will inform recommendations for creating more biodiversity-friendly green spaces. Additionally, we aim to establish ecoacoustic method as a reliable, non-invasive ecological indicator of urban environmental quality.
About
葉柏江 Po-Chiang Ye
Master student (2023-present)
The mimetic relationship between Pachyrhynchus weevils and Doliops long-horned beetles is an interesting issue that could help us reveal the evolution of aposematic coloration and the interaction of predators and preys
Our team have studied the phylogeny of Pachyrhynchus and Doliops species, and investigated whether the potential predators could recognize the coloration of weevils and long-horned beetles by software
However, we still need to conduct behavioral tests with real predators to better confirm the mimetic similarity of Pachyrhynchus and Doliops species, so my research focus on two dimensions:
1.Testing the behavior of sympatric lizards (inhabit sympatrically with weevils and long horned beetles) toward intact and black-painted preys to test the efficiency of aposematic coloration
2. Providing allopatric lizards with weevils directly, making naive lizards learn the unpalatable experience. Then testing the preying behavior of lizards toward weevils and long-horned beetles
About
郭耘 Yun Kuo
Master student (2022-2024)
Research: Evaluation of Tomato Pollination Effectiveness Using Mechanical Simulation of Bumble bee Buzzing Behavior
I am conducting research related to bumble bee buzz pollination. This includes studying the physiological responses of bumblebees when facing stress (e.g. high temperature), including the formation of enzymes to combat stress, as well as behavioral changes in bumblebees caused by these stress conditions. I am also carrying out research on mechanical simulation of bumblebee buzz pollination. In my free time, I search for orchids in the mountains.
About
林昇鴻 Sheng-Hung Lin
Master student (2022-2024)
Undergraduate student (2019-2022)
Research: The effects of anthropogenic noise on the acoustic behavior of
Ornebius infuscatus (Orthoptera: Mogoplistidae)
The effects of anthropogenic noise on the acoustic behavior of
Ornebius infuscatus (Orthoptera: Mogoplistidae)
Taiwan is a country where urban and natural environments are highly interconnected. Insects, as indispensable members of the ecological system, are crucial to study in terms of how they adapt to anthropogenic disturbance. Past research has mostly focused on exploring the effects of noise on insect signal receivers, and how signalers modify sound characteristics to mitigate noise interference. My study investigates how Ornebius infuscatus - these orthopterans with simple calling mechanisms - avoid anthropogenic noise rapidly through temporal changes. It also supports the idea that this strategy may help them maintain calling effort to adapt to urban noise. In the future, we will continue to explore the effectiveness of this strategy in adapting to noise interference, as well as the actual conditions in the wild. I enjoy conducting experiments at night, drinking gin, and then crying.
About
黃冠瑋 Kuan-Wei Huang
Master student (2021-2023)
Research: Species distribution and thermal tolerance of bee pollinators in Taiwan
During my master's studies, I focused on developing species distribution models and conducting ecological surveys of Hymenoptera pollinators. I currently work as a research assistant in the Stored-Product Insect Research Laboratory at the Agricultural Research Institute. I also have a keen interest in cultivating plants, particularly begonias, staghorn ferns, and rare South American orchids.
About
陳奕臻 Yi-Chen Chen
Master student (2021-2023)
Research: Gene expression during scale development in Pachyrhynchus weevils
My study focuses on identifying regulated genes during the scale development of Pachyrhynchus weevils. Three species (P. sarcitis, P. nobilis, P. orbifer) were used to compare gene differences between emergence times (6 hours and 24 hours) and among species. The findings suggest that these particular genes might be involved in color regulation during scale development in Pachyrhynchus weevils, showing varying levels of expression at different post-emergence time points and among different species.
About
何芸 Yun Ho/ Amy Ho
Master student (2020-2023)
Research: Reproductive isolation of two sister species of Pachyrhynchus weevils (Coleoptera: Curculionidae)
My research interest is behavioral ecology, taxonomy and systematics. I have a deep passion for nurturing both animals and plants, which I have developed extensively during my research. Over the course of my work, I have successfully raised more than 500 Pachyrhynchus weevils. In addition to a diverse range of other species including mantises, stick insects, and Madagascar hissing cockroaches. My care for living beings also extends to a personal collection, where I currently keep six adorable snakes, four geckos, three button quail, one California quail, and a variety of begonias.
About
林育脩 Yu-Hsiu Hugh Lin
Master student (2020-2021)
Research: Taxonomic revision of Myrmeleontini (Neuroptera: Myrmeleontidae) of Taiwan
My research interest is taxonomy and systematics of antlions (Myrmeleontidae), particularly the pit-building tribe Myrmeleontini. I am currently a PhD student at Texas A&M University, continuing my research on taxonomy and systematics of Myrmeleontini in a global scale.
About
詹愷崴 Kai-Wei Chan
Undergraduate student (2019-2022)
Research: The survey and evolution of obligate trophobiosis between Acropyga ant and root mealybug in Taiwan
My research interest lies in myrmecology, particularly in the interspecific relationships between ants and other insects. I am currently a freelancer involved in insect education, wildlife guiding, and ecological survey, while continuing my ant research as a personal interest in my spare time.
About
孫誼 Yi Sun
Undergraduate student (2019-2022)
Sun Yi works on the coevolution arms race and color patterns of mimicry systems with Prof. Hui-Yun Tseng as he’s undergraduate project. In 2022, Sun Yi joined Prof. Po-Ju Ke’s lab as a master student where he’s research shifted to the theoretical aspects of mimicry systems, specifically exploring how predator foraging strategies and relationships between mimics and models influence system dynamics.
About
葉彥志 Yan-Jhih Ye
Master student (2019-2021)
Research: Comparative phylogeography of three Pachyrhynchus weevils in the Taiwan-Luzon volcanic belt
I studied population genetics of three Pachyrhynchus weevils, constructed their genetic structure and demogrphic history by ddRAD-seq data. Currently, I work as a sales representative in BIOTOOLS Co., Ltd, being responsible for business development of multiomics market.
