معرفی
Dr. Peter John Mayhew serves as a Senior Lecturer in the Department of Biology within the Faculty of Sciences at the University of York. His research program centers on evolutionary ecology with a specialized focus on insect biodiversity, integrating theoretical frameworks with field-based conservation applications. Mayhew directs the Mayhew Research Group, which maintains active collaborations across multiple continents and emphasizes community-oriented science through open data sharing.
His research spans three interconnected domains: (1) The evolutionary origins of insect diversity using phylogenetic, fossil, and trait datasets to identify macroevolutionary drivers; (2) Habitat determinants of parasitoid wasp communities in tropical rainforests (notably Brazil's Atlantic Forest) to develop conservation proxies for cryptic taxa; (3) Long-term conservation of England's rarest moth, the Dark Bordered Beauty, at Strensall Common near York. Mayhew employs comparative statistical approaches across spatial and temporal scales, frequently developing reusable datasets and analytical frameworks for the broader scientific community. His work bridges theoretical ecology with urgent conservation challenges, particularly regarding climate change impacts and habitat loss.
Mayhew's research portfolio includes significant funded projects such as the Automatic Acoustic Observatories initiative for non-invasive species monitoring (2016-2020), Drivers of Ichneumonid Wasp Richness in Tropical Biodiversity Hotspots (2014-2017), and BBSRC-funded sex ratio constraint studies (2007-2010). His 86+ publications demonstrate consistent contributions to entomology, macroecology, and conservation biology. The Mayhew Group actively mentors student researchers, with projects frequently leading to peer-reviewed publications, and maintains strong community engagement through public lectures at institutions like the Yorkshire Philosophical Society.
