Brian Fisher (entomologist)

Brian L. Fisher (born 1964 or 1965)[1] is an American entomologist who works on the systematics of arthropods, with a particular focus on ants.[2] He has discovered over 1000 species, including 900 species of ants in Madagascar.[1] He mainly conducts field work in Madagascar and Africa.

Brian Fisher
Fisher in 2020
Born1964 (59–60) or 1965 (58–59)
Scientific career
FieldsEntomology

Career

edit

After working with the Smithsonian Institution in Panama, Fisher received a PhD on ant systematics at UC Davis.[1] He is the curator and chairman of the entomology department of the California Academy of Sciences. Fisher is also the present executive director of the Bibikely Biodiversity Institute and the Madagascar Biodiversity Center.

In 2002, Fisher created AntWeb, a database of ants. It costed US$30,000 to create.[3]

He is known for naming Proceratium google after Google Inc.[4][5]

The ant genus Fisheropone is named in his honour.

In 2016, Fisher launched IPSIO (Insects and People of the Southwest Indian Ocean). IPSIO was launched to develop a team approach to solving current conservation issues.

Personal life

edit

Fisher grew up in Normal, Illinois, and was inducted into the Pioneer Hall of Fame at Illinois State University Laboratory School.[6]

References

edit
  1. ^ a b c Whiting, Sam (10 October 2004). "Got Ants? / Entomologist revels in studying the critters' fascinating ways". San Francisco Chronicle. Retrieved 21 November 2010.
  2. ^ "Adventures of the ant man: a biologist risks life and limb searching for ants". Science World. 4 September 2006. Retrieved 21 November 2010.
  3. ^ Clarke, Tom (17 July 2003). "Seed bank raises hope of Iraqi crop comeback" (PDF). AntWeb. Retrieved 2024-06-04.
  4. ^ Fisher, B. L. 2005. A new species of Discothyrea Roger from Mauritius and a new species of Proceratium Roger from Madagascar (Hymenoptera: Formicidae). Proceedings of the California Academy of Sciences (4)56:657-667. [2005-12-30] PDF 131285
  5. ^ Fisher, Brian L. (30 September 2005). "Ants unearthed with Google Earth". Google Official Blog. Retrieved 30 September 2005.
  6. ^ "Alumni Award Winners, 2001". Archived from the original on 2016-03-04. Retrieved 2011-09-21.
edit