1980 Folwell Avenue
St Paul, MN 55108
United States
B.A. Biology, University of New Orleans, 1978
M.S. Biology, University of New Orleans, 1980
Ph.D. Entomology, Clemson University, 1985
Areas of Interest
Taxonomy, evolution, and natural history of caddisflies (Trichoptera), especially the fauna of Central and South America; museum curation; scientific illustration.
Research
The richness and diversity of insects fascinate me, particularly the diversity of caddisflies, or Trichoptera. As aquatic larvae, caddisflies build remarkable silken nets and portable cases of many different styles and materials. Adults, too, are very diverse in their size, color, and morphology. My curiosity for these insects is fueled by the many new species being discovered around the world and my desire to describe this diversity.
My specific area of expertise is in the systematics and taxonomy of Neotropical caddisflies. My research involves field work, descriptive and alpha taxonomy, and revisionary and phylogenetic studies. I am also interested in general systematic theory and methodology, historical biogeography, conservation, and museum management and administration.
Select Publications
Holzenthal, R.W., and K.M. Kjer. In press. Trichoptera W. Kirby 1813 [R.W. Holzenthal & K.M. Kjer], converted clade name. Companion to the Phylocode, K. de Quiroz et al., editors. 4 ms pages [invited]
Kjer, K.M., and R.W. Holzenthal. In press. Insecta Linnaeus 1758 [K.M. Kjer, R.W. Holzenthal], converted clade name. Companion to the Phylocode, K. de Quiroz et al., editors. 4 ms pages [invited]
Holzenthal, R.W., R.E. Thomson, and B. Ríos-Touma. 2015. Order Trichoptera. Pages 965-1002. In: Thorp, J., Rogers, D.C. (Eds.), Ecology and General Biology: Thorp and Covich'sFreshwater Invertebrates, Academic Press. [invited]
Blahnik, R.J., and R.W. Holzenthal. 2014. Review and redescription of species in the Oecetis avara group, with the description of 15 new species (Trichoptera, Leptoceridae). ZooKeys 376: 1-83.
Robertson, D.R., and R.W. Holzenthal. 2013. Revision and phylogeny of the caddisfly subfamily Protoptilinae (Trichoptera: Glossosomatidae) inferred from adult morphology and mitochondrial DNA. Zootaxa 3723: 1-99.
Holzenthal, R.W., and P.T. Tinerella. 2013. Donation of USGS NAWQA macroinvertebrate collection to University of Minnesota. 61st Annual Meeting, Society for Freshwater Science, Jacksonville, Florida.
Thomson, R.E., and R. W Holzenthal. 2013. Phylogeny of the microcaddisflies based on gene sequence data (Trichoptera: Hydroptilidae). 61st Annual Meeting, Society for Freshwater Science, Jacksonville, Florida.
Holzenthal, R.W. 2012. A primer on digital illustration. 58th Annual Meeting, Michigan Entomological Society, Luther, Michigan. [invited]
Holzenthal, R.W. 2012. Keynote address: Insect systematics in the digital age. 58th Annual Meeting, Michigan Entomological Society, Luther, Michigan. [invited]
Thomson, R.W., and R.W. Holzenthal 2012. Phylogeny of the microcaddisflies based on gene sequence data: a preliminary assessment (Trichoptera: Hydroptilidae). 14th International Symposium on Trichoptera, Vladivostok, Russia.
Holzenthal, R.W., C. Cressa, F. Muñoz-Quesada, L.E. Rázuri-Gonzales, and B. Ríos-Touma. 2012. Trichoptera of the tropical Andes: current state of knowledge and research priorities. 14th International Symposium on Trichoptera, Vladivostok, Russia.
Holzenthal, R. W. 2012. Sistemática e biogeografia de Trichoptera: Conhecimento atual e desafios. XXIX Congresso Brasileiro de Zoologia, Salvador, Bahia, Brazil. [invited]
Thomson, R.E., R.W. Holzenthal, and K.M. Kjer. 2011. Exploring the monophyly and placement of the caddisfly family Ptilocolepidae (Trichoptera). Annual Meeting, Society for the Study of Evolution, Norman, Oklahoma.
Thomson, R.E., and R.W. Holzenthal. 2010. Phylogeny of the microcaddisflies based on gene sequence data: a preliminary assessment (Trichoptera: Hydroptilidae). 58th Annual Meeting, North America Benthological Society, Santa Fe, New Mexico.
Holzenthal, R.W., P.K. Mendez, and J.W.H. Steiner. 2010. The Trichoptera Literature Database: a collaborative bibliographic resource for world caddisfly research. 58th Annual Meeting, North America Benthological Society, Santa Fe, New Mexico.
Robertson, D.R., and R.W. Holzenthal. 2010. Biogeography and divergence times in the caddisfly subfamily Protoptilinae (Trichoptera: Glossosomatidae). 58th Annual Meeting, North America Benthological Society, Santa Fe, New Mexico.
Mendez, P.K., and R.W. Holzenthal. 2009. Relationships of life history with geographical and environmental gradients using natural history museum collections for the caddisfly genus Oligophlebodes (Trichoptera: Uenoidae). 13th International Symposium on Trichoptera, Bialowieza, Poland.
Thomson, R.E., and R.W. Holzenthal. 2009. A review of the Neotropical caddisflies of the tribe Leucotrichiini (Trichoptera: Hydroptilidae). 13th International Symposium on Trichoptera, Bialowieza, Poland.
Holzenthal, R.W., P.K. Mendez, and J.W.H. Steiner. 2009. Trichoptera Literature Database: a collaborative Internet resource. 13th International Symposium on Trichoptera, Bialowieza, Poland.
Calor, A.R., and R.W. Holzenthal. 2008. Filogenia de Grumichellini Morse, 1981 (Trichoptera: Leptoceridae) com a descrição de um novo genero do sudeste do Peru. XXII Congresso Brasileiro de Entomologia, Uberlândia, Minas Gerais, Brazil.
Holzenthal, R.W. 2008. Interactive identification keys in (aquatic) insect taxonomy. Universidad de Antioquia, Medellín, Colombia.
Chamorro-Lacayo, and R.W. Holzenthal. 2008. Phylogenetic analysis of the family Polycentropodidae Ulmer, 1903 (Trichoptera: Annulipalpia: Psychomyioidea) inferred from immature and adult characters. 56th Annual Meeting, North America Benthological Society, Salt Lake City, Utah.
Mendez, P.K., and R.W. Holzenthal. 2008. Linking ecology and phylogeny: the influence of environmental features and phylogenetic history on body size in the caddisfly genus Oligophlebodes (Trichoptera: Uenoidae). 56th Annual Meeting, North America Benthological Society, Salt Lake City, Utah.
Holzenthal, R.W. 2008. Interactive identification keys in aquatic insect taxonomy: new developements and challenges. 56th Annual Meeting, North America Benthological Society, Salt Lake City, Utah.
Holzenthal, R.W. 2007. Digital illustration in insect taxonomy: application, versatility, and methods. 55th Annual meeting, Entomological Society of America, San Diego, California.
Robertson, D.R., and R.W. Holzenthal. 2007. A systematic assessment of the Neotropical caddisfly genus Itauara (Trichoptera: Glossosomatidae). 55th Annual Meeting, North America Benthological Society, Columbia, South Carolina.
Chamorro-Lacayo, and R.W. Holzenthal. 2007. Relationships among genera of Polycentropodidae (Trichoptera: Annulipalpia) inferred from morphology. PEET VI, Partnerships for Enhancing Expertise in Taxonomy, National Science Foundation, 6th Biennial Conference, Athens, Georgia.
Robertson, D.R., and R.W. Holzenthal. 2007. The Neotropical caddisfly genus Itauara (Trichoptera: Glossosomatidae). PEET VI, Partnerships for Enhancing Expertise in Taxonomy, National Science Foundation, 6th Biennial Conference, Athens, Georgia.
Holzenthal, R.W. 2007. Interactive key to the aquatic insects of North America. Department of Entomology, University of Minnesota.
Setliff, G.P., R.W. Holzenthal, P.J. Clausen, and S.W. Weller. 2007. Digital taxonomy in the 21st century: an example from the University of Minnesota Insect Collection. 22nd Annual Meeting, Society for the Preservation of Natural History Collections, St. Paul, Minnesota.
Holzenthal, R.W. 2006. Interactive key to the aquatic insects of North America. Department of Biology, St. Olaf College, invited seminar.
Holzenthal, R.W. 2006. The application of digital technology to Trichoptera taxonomy. 12th International Symposium on Trichoptera, Mexico City, Mexico.
Students Advised
Current
Past
M.S.
Heather Cummins, 2014
Gardner, Joel, 2013 (Co–Advisor with M. Spivak)
Wasmund, Anne M., 2006
Crane, Dianne M., 1994 (Co–Advisor with R.D. Moon)
Monson, Margot P., 1994
Blahnik, Roger J., 1991
Strand, Roger M., 1991
Ph.D.
Luis Ernesto Razuri Gonzales, 2020
Lucas Marques de Carmargos, 2020
Robin Thomson, 2014
Robertson, Desiree R., 2010
Chamorro, Maria Lourdes, 2009
Paprocki, Henrique, 2008
Muñoz Quesada, Fernando, 2003
Houghton, David, 2002
Prather, Aysha, 2002
Blahnik, Roger J., 1996
Contreras–Ramos, Atilano, 1996
Lazzari, Sonia M. N., 1990
Post-doctoral Associates (former)
Dr. Steffen Pauls, Ph.D., University of Essen, Germany, 2007
Dr. Patina Mendez, Ph.D., University of California, Berkeley, 2007