Skip to main content
ARS Home » Pacific West Area » Logan, Utah » Pollinating Insect-Biology, Management, Systematics Research » People & Locations » Michael Branstetter
Michael G Branstetter
Pollinating Insect-Biology, Management, Systematics Research
Research Entomologist

Phone: (435) 797-2588
Fax:

(Employee information on this page comes from the REE Directory. Please contact your front office staff to update the REE Directory.)

Projects
Sustainable Crop Production and Wildland Preservation through the Management, Systematics, and Conservation of a Diversity of Bees
In-House Appropriated (D)
  Accession Number: 437810
New Methods for Exotic Bee Monitoring using DNA Barcoding and MinION Sequencing
Interagency Reimbursable Agreement (I)
  Accession Number: 444086
Automated Pollinator Identification: Next-Generation Sensors for Species and Behavior
Non-Funded Cooperative Agreement (N)
  Accession Number: 443929
Bees of the World – Phylogenomics, Biogeography, and Evolution of Host-Plant Associations
Reimbursable Cooperative Agreement (R)
  Accession Number: 441010
Bees of the World - Phylogenomics, Biogeography, and Evolution of Host-Plant Associations
Non-Assistance Cooperative Agreement (S)
  Accession Number: 442074
Curation, Digitization, and Databasing of Bee Specimens in the US National Pollinating Insects Collection
Non-Assistance Cooperative Agreement (S)
  Accession Number: 444883

Publications (Clicking on the reprint icon Reprint Icon will take you to the publication reprint.)
Population genetics of museum specimens indicate decreasing genetic diversity in Bombus occidentalis, a species of conservation concern - (Peer Reviewed Journal)
The evolutionary history of bees in time and space Reprint Icon - (Peer Reviewed Journal)
Almeida, E.A.B., Bossert, S., Danforth, B.N., Porto, D.S., Freitas, F.V., Davis, C.C., Murray, E.A., Blaimer, B.B., Spasojevic, T., Stroher, P.R., Orr, M.C., Packer, L., Brady, S.G., Kuhlmann, M., Branstetter, M.G., Pie, M.R. 2023. The evolutionary history of bees in time and space. Current Biology. 33:1-14. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cub.2023.07.005.
UCE phylogenomics, biogeography, and classification of long-horned bees (Hymenoptera: Apidae: Eucerini), with insights on using specimens with extremely degraded DNA Reprint Icon - (Review Article)
Freitas, F., Branstetter, M.G., Franceschini-Santos, V.H., Dorchin, A., Wright, K., Lopez-Uribe, M., Griswold, T.L., Silveira, F., Almeida, E. 2023. UCE phylogenomics, biogeography, and classification of long-horned bees (Hymenoptera: Apidae: Eucerini), with insights on using specimens with extremely degraded DNA. Insect Systematics and Diversity. 7(4). Article 3. https://doi.org/10.1093/isd/ixad012.
Phylogenomics reveals within species diversification but incongruence with color phenotypes in widespread orchid bees (Hymenoptera: Apidae: Euglossini) Reprint Icon - (Peer Reviewed Journal)
Sandoval-Arango, S., Branstetter, M.G., Cardoso, C.F., Lopez-Uribe, M.M. 2023. Phylogenomics reveals within species diversification but incongruence with color phenotypes in widespread orchid bees (Hymenoptera: Apidae: Euglossini). Insect Systematics and Diversity. 7(2). Article 1. https://doi.org/10.1093/isd/ixad005.
Novel microsatellite markers for Osmia lignaria (Hymenoptera: Megachilidae): A North American pollinator of agricultural crops and wildland plants Reprint Icon - (Peer Reviewed Journal)
Koch, J., Branstetter, M.G., Cox-Foster, D.L., Knoblett, J.N., Lindsay, T.T., Pitts Singer, T., Rohde, A.T., Strange, J.P., Tobin, K.B. 2023. Novel microsatellite markers for Osmia lignaria (Hymenoptera: Megachilidae): A North American pollinator of agricultural crops and wildland plants. Journal of Insect Science. 23(1). Article 1. https://doi.org/10.1093/jisesa/ieac077.
Integrative approach resolves the taxonomy of Eulaema cingulata (Hymenoptera, Apidae), an important pollinator in the Neotropics Reprint Icon - (Peer Reviewed Journal)
Andrade, T.E., Ramos, K.S., López-Uribe, M.M., Branstetter, M.G., Brandao, C.F. 2022. Integrative approach resolves the taxonomy of Eulaema cingulata (Hymenoptera, Apidae), an important pollinator in the Neotropics. Journal of Hymenoptera Research. 94:247-269. https://doi.org/10.3897/jhr.94.91001.
Out of the temperate zone: A phylogenomic test of the biogeographical conservatism hypothesis in a contrarian clade of ants Reprint Icon - (Peer Reviewed Journal)
Branstetter, M.G., Longino, J.T., Reyes-López, J., Brady, S., Schultz, T.R. 2022. Out of the temperate zone: A phylogenomic test of the biogeographical conservatism hypothesis in a contrarian clade of ants. Journal of Biogeography. https://doi.org/10.1111/jbi.14462.
Phylogenomic dating and Bayesian biogeography illuminate an antitropical pattern for eucerine bees Reprint Icon - (Peer Reviewed Journal)
Freitas, F.V., Branstetter, M.G., Casali, D.M., Aguiar, A.J., Griswold, T.L., Almeida, E.A. 2022. Phylogenomic dating and Bayesian biogeography illuminate an antitropical pattern for eucerine bees. Journal of Biogeography. 49(6):1034-1047. https://doi.org/10.1111/jbi.14359.
Phylogenomics and historical biogeography of the cleptoparasitic bee genus Nomada (Hymenoptera: Apidae) using ultraconserved elements Reprint Icon - (Peer Reviewed Journal)
Odanaka, K.A., Branstetter, M.G., Tobin, K.B., Rehan, S.M. 2022. Phylogenomics and historical biogeography of the cleptoparasitic bee genus Nomada (Hymenoptera: Apidae) using ultraconserved elements. Molecular Phylogenetics and Evolution. 170. Article 107453. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ympev.2022.107453.
UCE phylogenomics of New World Cryptopone (Hymenoptera: Formicidae) elucidates genus boundaries, species boundaries, and the vicariant history of a temperate-tropical disjunction Reprint Icon - (Peer Reviewed Journal)
Branstetter, M.G., Longino, J.T. 2022. UCE phylogenomics of New World Cryptopone (Hymenoptera: Formicidae) elucidates genus boundaries, species boundaries, and the vicariant history of a temperate-tropical disjunction. Insect Systematics and Diversity. 6(1):1-23. Article 6. https://doi.org/10.1093/isd/ixab031.
Species paraphyly and social parasitism: Phylogenomics, morphology, and geography clarify the evolution of the Pseudomyrmex elongatulus group (Hymenoptera: Formicidae), a Mesoamerican ant clade Reprint Icon - (Peer Reviewed Journal)
Ward, P.S., Branstetter, M.G. 2022. Species paraphyly and social parasitism: Phylogenomics, morphology, and geography clarify the evolution of the Pseudomyrmex elongatulus group (Hymenoptera: Formicidae), a Mesoamerican ant clade. Insect Systematics and Diversity. 6(1):1-31. Article 4. https://doi.org/10.1093/isd/ixab025.
UCE phylogenomics resolves major relationships among ectaheteromorph ants (Hymenoptera: Formicidae: Ectatomminae, Heteroponerinae): A new classification for the subfamilies and the description of a new genus Reprint Icon - (Peer Reviewed Journal)
Camacho, G.P., Franco, W., Branstetter, M.G., Pie, M.R., Longino, J.T., Schultz, T.J., Feitosa, R.M. 2022. UCE phylogenomics resolves major relationships among ectaheteromorph ants (Hymenoptera: Formicidae: Ectatomminae, Heteroponerinae): A new classification for the subfamilies and the description of a new genus. Insect Systematics and Diversity. 6(1):1-20. Article 5. https://doi.org/10.1093/isd/ixab026.
Phylogenetic relationships and the evolution of host preferences in the largest clade of brood parasitic bees (Apidae: Nomadinae) Reprint Icon - (Peer Reviewed Journal)
Sless, T.J., Branstetter, M.G., Gillung, J.P., Krichilsky, E., Tobin, K.B., Straka, J., Rozen, J.G., Freitas, F.V., Martins, A.C., Bossert, S., Searle, J.B., Danforth, B.N. 2021. Phylogenetic relationships and the evolution of host preferences in the largest clade of brood parasitic bees (Apidae: Nomadinae) . Molecular Phylogenetics and Evolution. 166. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ympev.2021.107326.
Ultraconserved element phylogenomics and biogeography of the agriculturally important mason bee subgenus Osmia (Osmia) Reprint Icon - (Peer Reviewed Journal)
Branstetter, M.G., Muller, A., Griswold, T.L., Orr, M.C., Zhu, C. 2021. Ultraconserved element phylogenomics and biogeography of the agriculturally important mason bee subgenus Osmia (Osmia). Systematic Entomology. 46(2):453-472. https://doi.org/10.1111/syen.12470.
Integrating UCE phylogenomics with traditional taxonomy reveals a trove of new world syscia species (Formicidae: Dorylinae) Reprint Icon - (Peer Reviewed Journal)
Longino, J.T., Branstetter, M.G. 2021. Integrating UCE phylogenomics with traditional taxonomy reveals a trove of new world syscia species (Formicidae: Dorylinae). Insect Systematics and Diversity. 5(2). Article ixab001. https://doi.org/10.1093/isd/ixab001.
Partitioned gene-tree analyses and gene-based topology testing help resolve incongruence in a phylogenomic study of host-specialist bees (Apidae: Eucerinae) Reprint Icon - (Peer Reviewed Journal)
Freitas, F.V., Branstetter, M.G., Griswold, T.L., Almeida, E.A. 2020. Partitioned gene-tree analyses and gene-based topology testing help resolve incongruence in a phylogenomic study of host-specialist bees (Apidae: Eucerinae). Molecular Biology and Evolution. 38(3):1090-1100. https://doi.org/10.1093/molbev/msaa277.
Toward a U.S. national program for monitoring native bees Reprint Icon - (Review Article)
Woodard, H.S., Federman, S., James, R.R., Danforth, B.N., Griswold, T.L., Inouye, D.W., Mcfrederick, Q.S., Morandin, L.A., Paul, D., Sellers, E., Strange, J.P., Vaughan, M., Williams, N.M., Branstetter, M.G., Burns, C., Cane, J.H., Cariveau, A., Cariveau, D., Childers, A.K., Childers, C., Cox-Foster, D.L., Evans, E., Graham, K., Hackett, K.J., Huntzinger, K., Irwin, R., Jha, S., Lawson, S., Lebuhn, G., Lopez-Uribe, M., Melathopoulos, A., Otto, C., Ponisio, L., Richardson, L., Rose, R., Singh, R., Steeger, T., Wehling, W. 2020. Toward a U.S. national program for monitoring native bees. Biological Conservation. 252. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.biocon.2020.108821.
Phylogenomic and morphological reevaluation of the bee tribes Biastini, Neolarrini, and Townsendiellini (Hymenoptera: Apidae) with description of three new species of Schwarzia Reprint Icon - (Peer Reviewed Journal)
Bossert, S., Copeland, R.S., Sless, T.J., Brady, S.G., Danforth, B.D., Branstetter, M.G., Gillung, J., Straka, J. 2020. Phylogenomic and morphological reevaluation of the bee tribes Biastini, Neolarrini, and Townsendiellini (Hymenoptera: Apidae) with description of three new species of Schwarzia. Insect Systematics and Diversity. 4(6). https://doi.org/10.1093/isd/ixaa013.
Phylogenomic species delimitation, taxonomy, and "bird guide" identification for the Neotropical ant genus Rasopone (Hymenoptera: Formicidae) Reprint Icon - (Peer Reviewed Journal)
Longino, J.T., Branstetter, M.G. 2020. Phylogenomic species delimitation, taxonomy, and "bird guide" identification for the Neotropical ant genus Rasopone (Hymenoptera: Formicidae). Insect Systematics and Diversity. 4(2). https://doi.org/10.1093/isd/ixaa004.
A subterranean ant (Acanthostichus (Mayr 1887)) revealed in Costa Rica Reprint Icon - (Peer Reviewed Journal)
Smith, A.M., Hallwachs, W., Janzen, D., Longino, M., Branstetter, M.G. 2020. A subterranean ant (Acanthostichus (Mayr 1887)) revealed in Costa Rica. Insectes Sociaux. 67:327–330. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00040-020-00754-9.
Agriculturally dominated landscapes reduce bee phylogenetic diversity and pollination services Reprint Icon - (Peer Reviewed Journal)
Grab, H., Branstetter, M.G., Amon, N., Blitzer, E.J., Gibbs, J., Park, M. 2019. Agriculturally dominated landscapes reduce bee phylogenetic diversity and pollination services. Science. 363(6424):282-284. https://doi.org/10.1126/science.aat6016.
The truncated bell: an enigmatic but pervasive elevational diversity pattern in Middle American ants Reprint Icon - (Peer Reviewed Journal)
Longino, J.T., Branstetter, M.G. 2018. The truncated bell: an enigmatic but pervasive elevational diversity pattern in Middle American ants. Ecography. 41:1-12. https://doi.org/10.1111/ecog.03871.
Aristotle's school in Eurogondwana?-The Peripatos did not walk through Europe - (Peer Reviewed Journal)
Extensive mitochondrial heteroplasmy in the neotropical ants of the Ectatomma ruidum complex (Formicidae: Ectatomminae) Reprint Icon - (Peer Reviewed Journal)
Meza-Lazaro, R.N., Poteaux, C., Bayona-Vásquez, N.J., Branstetter, M.G., Zaldívar-Riverón, A. 2018. Extensive mitochondrial heteroplasmy in the neotropical ants of the Ectatomma ruidum complex (Formicidae: Ectatomminae). Mitochondrial DNA, Part A. http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/24701394.2018.1431228.
Genomes of the Hymenoptera Reprint Icon - (Review Article)
Branstetter, M.G., Childers, A.K., Cox-Foster, D.L., Hopper, K.R., Kapheim, K.M., Toth, A.L., Worley, K.C. 2018. Genomes of the Hymenoptera. Current Opinion in Insect Science. 25:65-75. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cois.2017.11.008.
ARS News Articles