Drs. F.R. (Frank) Stokvis

Research interests

After finishing my Msc thesis on Soft Corals in 2007, I turned to entomology. My main focus now is on the phylogeny and historical biogeography of Odonata. I also participate in several other research projects on different insect groups. My work in the projects includes DNA extraction, amplification, sequencing and phylogenetic analysis.  

Research Projects 

Phylogeny, biogeography and higher classification of the Zygoptera
Jan van Tol, KD Dijkstra, Dirk Gassmann, Vincent Kalkman, Frank Stokvis
This project aims to understand the phylogenetic relationships and the historical biogeography of the Zygoptera, based on both morphological and molecular characters. We also aim to understand morphological and behavioural character evolution using phylogenetic trees based on molecular charachters. Publications are in preparation, including one on the phylogenetic relationships and biogeography of the Platycnemididae from Africa and Southeast Asia.


 
Phylogeny and systematics of Nepticulidae (Lepidoptera)
Erik J. van Nieukerken, D. Groenenberg, Frank Stokvis, C. van den Berg, Camiel Doorenweerd
Subprojects are ‘barcoding species complexes in Nepticulidae’ and ‘Phylogeny of Ectoedemia’.

Adaptation of herbivorous insects to exotic plants (“Evolution after Invasion”)
M. Schilthuizen, K. Meijer, Frank Stokvis
The project aims to identify cases of normally oligophagous phytophagous insects that feed on woody plants without related native species (usually, trees and shrubs from other continents and/or genera with no European representatives). Once identified, the populations on the new host plant will be screened for morphometric or genetic differentiation from the population on the native host plant, to look for incipient sympatric speciation.  

Collection 

From 2006 to 2007 I completely reorganised the Naturalis collection of Hydrozoa and registered the samples. In 2009 I created a storage system for Odonate voucher specimens which I still maintain.

Expedition 

November 2007 to December 2007: LIPI & Naturalis Expedition Raja Ampat Islands, West Papua, Indonesia ‘Octocorallia and hydrozoans as host species for pygmy sea horses’ – Fieldwork period of 1 month. Specimens of host and symbionts were photographed in situ, voucher specimens of Octocorallia were collected. Voucher specimens are stored at the NNM, Naturalis.

Publications

In prep. Molecular phylogeny and barcoding of the leaf-mining moth subgenus Ectoedemia (Ectoedemia) (Lepidoptera: Nepticulidae) based on COI, EF1-alpha and 28S sequences
Doorenweerd, C., Nieukerken, E. J. van, Stokvis, F.R., Groenenberg, D. S. J

In prep. Phylogeny and biogeography of the featherleg damselflies in Eurasia, Africa and Madagascar (Odonata: Platycnemididae: Platycnemidinae)
Dijkstra, K.-D.B., & F.R. Stokvis

Article: Expedition: the 'hidden' marine fauna of the Raja Ampat island group: Almost Invisible Seahorses
F.R. Stokvis 

Article: New and redescribed encrusting species of Alcyonium from the Atlantic Ocean (Octocorallia: Alcyonacea: Alcyoniidae)
F.R. Stokvis, L.P. van Ofwegen, in: Zoologische Mededelingen, Vol. 80-4 (2006), p. 165-183 

Article: Onderwater voor de studiepunten : Vier Leidse biologiestudenten vormen op Curaçao mini-zeeteam van Naturalis
B.W. Hoeksema, in: Onderwatersport, Vol. 36 (2005), p. 18-21