Wayne Maddison

Melissa Bodner

MSc Candidate

Department of Zoology
University of British Columbia
6270 University Blvd.
Vancouver, B.C. V6T 1Z4

mbodner9 [at] interchange.ubc.ca
+1-604-827-5249

B.A. in Biology with Honors, Lewis and Clark College (2004)

Research Interests

I have always been fascinated by the rich and varied diversity of life on Earth. Working closely with my advisor and colleagues, my current research focuses on expanding and clarifying the topology of the existing Jumping Spider (Salticidae) molecular phylogeny. I am also interested in understanding continental patterns in Jumping Spider body forms and how these patterns may relate to microhabitat use. My fieldwork has brought me to Ecuador and more recently to the tropical wet forests of Gabon in Central Africa.

Other Interests

I am also interested in creative writing. My favorite topics include the beauty and importance of biological diversity and the natural world, as well as the interaction between humans and the environment.

Publications

Maddison Wayne P., J.X. Zhang and Melissa R. Bodner. (2007). A basal phylogenetic placement for the salticid spider Eupoa with descriptions of two new species (Araneae: Salticidae). Zootaxa 1432: 23-33.
Bodner, M.R.. “Mangroves and Kenyan Coastal Communities.” Living Mosaic: Environmental Journal 2002-2003. Vol. 4. A Lewis and Clark College publication.
Bodner, M.R. “The Joshua Tree.” Living Mosaic: Environmental Journal 2003-2004. Vol. 5. A Lewis and Clark College publication.