Aaron Mboma
@mbomaaaron.bsky.social
Zoologist: Butterfly Systematics, Biodiversity, Molecular Phylogenetics, Speciation, Evolutionary Genetics. ❤️ Cats. Malawian.
Pinned
Aaron Mboma
@mbomaaaron.bsky.social
· Dec 18
I'm happy to announce that my paper, which makes a case for the enduring utility of taxonomy in biological research, has officially been published (open access). Gratitude to my mentor @oschwery.bsky.social who took time to read the initial drafts.
qubeshub.org/community/gr...
qubeshub.org/community/gr...
Reposted by Aaron Mboma
"Apatura ilia" 💜
Photography by Rita Barbie [FB] in Piedmont, Italy 🇮🇹
Apatura ilia, the lesser purple emperor, is a species of butterfly native to most of Europe and east across the Palearctic. It is named for its similarity to purple emperor butterflies
#butterflies #purple #nature #photography
Photography by Rita Barbie [FB] in Piedmont, Italy 🇮🇹
Apatura ilia, the lesser purple emperor, is a species of butterfly native to most of Europe and east across the Palearctic. It is named for its similarity to purple emperor butterflies
#butterflies #purple #nature #photography
January 24, 2026 at 8:55 AM
"Apatura ilia" 💜
Photography by Rita Barbie [FB] in Piedmont, Italy 🇮🇹
Apatura ilia, the lesser purple emperor, is a species of butterfly native to most of Europe and east across the Palearctic. It is named for its similarity to purple emperor butterflies
#butterflies #purple #nature #photography
Photography by Rita Barbie [FB] in Piedmont, Italy 🇮🇹
Apatura ilia, the lesser purple emperor, is a species of butterfly native to most of Europe and east across the Palearctic. It is named for its similarity to purple emperor butterflies
#butterflies #purple #nature #photography
Reposted by Aaron Mboma
MLK Jr. said America suffers not just from "the vitriolic words and actions of the bad people but for the appalling silence of the good people."
Remember this.
Remember this.
January 19, 2026 at 10:01 PM
MLK Jr. said America suffers not just from "the vitriolic words and actions of the bad people but for the appalling silence of the good people."
Remember this.
Remember this.
Reposted by Aaron Mboma
Do you study disinformation or want to start working in that area?
Come to the DSI June 15-18th with @cailinmeister.bsky.social, @katestarbird.bsky.social, @jevinwest.bsky.social, @rcalo.bsky.social, @naomioreskes.bsky.social, @emmaspiro.bsky.social, and many more.
disinfoinstitute.org
Come to the DSI June 15-18th with @cailinmeister.bsky.social, @katestarbird.bsky.social, @jevinwest.bsky.social, @rcalo.bsky.social, @naomioreskes.bsky.social, @emmaspiro.bsky.social, and many more.
disinfoinstitute.org
Disinformation Summer Institute (DSI) - Disinformation Summer Institute
Disinformation Disinformation is false or misleading information created and spread to advance policy, political, economic or ideological goals. It is sometimes used by industries, governments, and ot...
disinfoinstitute.org
January 17, 2026 at 11:47 AM
Do you study disinformation or want to start working in that area?
Come to the DSI June 15-18th with @cailinmeister.bsky.social, @katestarbird.bsky.social, @jevinwest.bsky.social, @rcalo.bsky.social, @naomioreskes.bsky.social, @emmaspiro.bsky.social, and many more.
disinfoinstitute.org
Come to the DSI June 15-18th with @cailinmeister.bsky.social, @katestarbird.bsky.social, @jevinwest.bsky.social, @rcalo.bsky.social, @naomioreskes.bsky.social, @emmaspiro.bsky.social, and many more.
disinfoinstitute.org
Reposted by Aaron Mboma
As we all settle back in at home after an amazing #ssb2026 in Baton Rouge, it seems fitting to share this recent pub from @mbomaaaron.bsky.social where he writes about the utility of taxonomic education. Aaron was a @systbiol.bsky.social mentee and so it is very exciting to see this work of his out!
I'm happy to announce that my paper, which makes a case for the enduring utility of taxonomy in biological research, has officially been published (open access). Gratitude to my mentor @oschwery.bsky.social who took time to read the initial drafts.
qubeshub.org/community/gr...
qubeshub.org/community/gr...
January 16, 2026 at 10:42 PM
As we all settle back in at home after an amazing #ssb2026 in Baton Rouge, it seems fitting to share this recent pub from @mbomaaaron.bsky.social where he writes about the utility of taxonomic education. Aaron was a @systbiol.bsky.social mentee and so it is very exciting to see this work of his out!
Reposted by Aaron Mboma
Finally got some photos of Australia’s “blue ant”, Diamma bicolor, which is not an ant at all but a shockingly large metallic blue thynnid wasp, wingless and solitary, that hunts mole crickets. Been meaning to shoot this thing for years.
December 22, 2025 at 7:36 PM
Finally got some photos of Australia’s “blue ant”, Diamma bicolor, which is not an ant at all but a shockingly large metallic blue thynnid wasp, wingless and solitary, that hunts mole crickets. Been meaning to shoot this thing for years.
I'm happy to announce that my paper, which makes a case for the enduring utility of taxonomy in biological research, has officially been published (open access). Gratitude to my mentor @oschwery.bsky.social who took time to read the initial drafts.
qubeshub.org/community/gr...
qubeshub.org/community/gr...
December 18, 2025 at 3:45 PM
I'm happy to announce that my paper, which makes a case for the enduring utility of taxonomy in biological research, has officially been published (open access). Gratitude to my mentor @oschwery.bsky.social who took time to read the initial drafts.
qubeshub.org/community/gr...
qubeshub.org/community/gr...
Reposted by Aaron Mboma
Most extinctions today are ‘dark extinctions’….species that vanish before they’re described, monitored, or counted.
No database can record what was never discovered.
Biology is not accounting, and absence of paperwork is not absence of extinction.
news.arizona.edu/news/extinct...
No database can record what was never discovered.
Biology is not accounting, and absence of paperwork is not absence of extinction.
news.arizona.edu/news/extinct...
Extinction rates have slowed across many plant and animal groups, study shows
The first analysis of recent extinctions across plants and animals finds that, contrary to previous studies, the rate at which many groups of organisms have gone extinct has declined over the last 100...
news.arizona.edu
December 7, 2025 at 4:27 AM
Most extinctions today are ‘dark extinctions’….species that vanish before they’re described, monitored, or counted.
No database can record what was never discovered.
Biology is not accounting, and absence of paperwork is not absence of extinction.
news.arizona.edu/news/extinct...
No database can record what was never discovered.
Biology is not accounting, and absence of paperwork is not absence of extinction.
news.arizona.edu/news/extinct...
Reposted by Aaron Mboma
😎🪴🌵 good morning
November 30, 2025 at 4:29 PM
😎🪴🌵 good morning
Reposted by Aaron Mboma
Almost a year now since I received this absolutely classic burn from the Canadian government.
November 21, 2025 at 9:10 PM
Almost a year now since I received this absolutely classic burn from the Canadian government.
Reposted by Aaron Mboma
If you're a #teacher interested in a great #openaccess write up on reading #phylogenetic trees, check out www.digitalatlasofancientlife.org/learn/system... created by @jonhendricks.bsky.social and Elizabeth Hermsen.
2.1 Reading Trees
Chapter contents: Systematics — 1. Taxonomy — 2. Phylogenetics —— 2.1 Reading trees ← —— 2.2 Building trees —— 2.3 Character mapping —— 2.4 Phylogenetic trees and classificationParts of a tree A phylo...
www.digitalatlasofancientlife.org
November 11, 2025 at 10:05 PM
If you're a #teacher interested in a great #openaccess write up on reading #phylogenetic trees, check out www.digitalatlasofancientlife.org/learn/system... created by @jonhendricks.bsky.social and Elizabeth Hermsen.
Reposted by Aaron Mboma
Reposted by Aaron Mboma
November 6, 2025 at 9:46 AM
Reposted by Aaron Mboma
My main PhD work @monteirolab.bsky.social is now in @natecoevo.nature.com! We found a Hox gene promoter that helps butterflies🦋adjust their wing eyespots in response to seasonal temperatures🍃🍂, shedding light on the evolutionary origin of phenotypic plasticity. 1/9 www.nature.com/articles/s41...
October 24, 2025 at 10:16 AM
My main PhD work @monteirolab.bsky.social is now in @natecoevo.nature.com! We found a Hox gene promoter that helps butterflies🦋adjust their wing eyespots in response to seasonal temperatures🍃🍂, shedding light on the evolutionary origin of phenotypic plasticity. 1/9 www.nature.com/articles/s41...
Reposted by Aaron Mboma
Tuileries Garden, Paris, France 🇫🇷
Once the royal gardens of the Louvre Palace, the Jardin des Tuileries is where Parisians have strolled for centuries beneath perfectly aligned trees 🍂🏛️
Photography by Julian Petrillo julianontheroute [IG]
#autumn #palace #garden #outdoor #photography
Once the royal gardens of the Louvre Palace, the Jardin des Tuileries is where Parisians have strolled for centuries beneath perfectly aligned trees 🍂🏛️
Photography by Julian Petrillo julianontheroute [IG]
#autumn #palace #garden #outdoor #photography
October 22, 2025 at 10:51 AM
Tuileries Garden, Paris, France 🇫🇷
Once the royal gardens of the Louvre Palace, the Jardin des Tuileries is where Parisians have strolled for centuries beneath perfectly aligned trees 🍂🏛️
Photography by Julian Petrillo julianontheroute [IG]
#autumn #palace #garden #outdoor #photography
Once the royal gardens of the Louvre Palace, the Jardin des Tuileries is where Parisians have strolled for centuries beneath perfectly aligned trees 🍂🏛️
Photography by Julian Petrillo julianontheroute [IG]
#autumn #palace #garden #outdoor #photography
Reposted by Aaron Mboma
Marry someone who says:
-I love you
-I support your dreams
-Of course we can go insect collecting
-No you haven’t taken too many bug photos
-No I don’t mind looking for bugs 24 hours a day
-Yes you can buy another tarantula
-I love you
-I support your dreams
-Of course we can go insect collecting
-No you haven’t taken too many bug photos
-No I don’t mind looking for bugs 24 hours a day
-Yes you can buy another tarantula
October 15, 2025 at 9:23 PM
Marry someone who says:
-I love you
-I support your dreams
-Of course we can go insect collecting
-No you haven’t taken too many bug photos
-No I don’t mind looking for bugs 24 hours a day
-Yes you can buy another tarantula
-I love you
-I support your dreams
-Of course we can go insect collecting
-No you haven’t taken too many bug photos
-No I don’t mind looking for bugs 24 hours a day
-Yes you can buy another tarantula
Reposted by Aaron Mboma
Master's degree position at Towson University with Daniel Caetano on macroevolutionary and phylogenetic comparative methods! Daniel is an awesome human and a great mentor, share with your students!
caetanods.weebly.com/join-the-lab...
caetanods.weebly.com/join-the-lab...
Join the lab
The Caetano lab at Towson University (Maryland, USA) is seeking a Master's degree student to start in Fall 2026. A Research Assistant (RA) position is available to the student during part (or all) of....
caetanods.weebly.com
October 2, 2025 at 8:50 PM
Master's degree position at Towson University with Daniel Caetano on macroevolutionary and phylogenetic comparative methods! Daniel is an awesome human and a great mentor, share with your students!
caetanods.weebly.com/join-the-lab...
caetanods.weebly.com/join-the-lab...
Reposted by Aaron Mboma
I'm looking for PhD students to join the lab starting August 2026. We study the evolution of insect chemical signals so if you're interested in evolutionary biology, chemical ecology, molecular biology, behavior, or genetics, this could be a good fit for you! More info here: tinyurl.com/mrxchwfm
September 11, 2025 at 1:45 PM
I'm looking for PhD students to join the lab starting August 2026. We study the evolution of insect chemical signals so if you're interested in evolutionary biology, chemical ecology, molecular biology, behavior, or genetics, this could be a good fit for you! More info here: tinyurl.com/mrxchwfm
Reposted by Aaron Mboma
I am recruiting graduate students to begin August 2026. Apply by Nov 15th!
August 21, 2025 at 3:40 PM
I am recruiting graduate students to begin August 2026. Apply by Nov 15th!
Reposted by Aaron Mboma
Know anyone looking for a funded MS thesis project focused on native fish conservation? Send them this ad. NDOW and U. of Nevada-Reno are going to be learning more about this newly described species. (Note that the application deadline is quickly approaching.)
August 20, 2025 at 5:19 PM
Know anyone looking for a funded MS thesis project focused on native fish conservation? Send them this ad. NDOW and U. of Nevada-Reno are going to be learning more about this newly described species. (Note that the application deadline is quickly approaching.)
Probably the swamp dotted border butterfly (Mylothris bernice rubricosta). Oddly, on my way back, 30+ found dead in the stream.
August 17, 2025 at 6:46 AM
Probably the swamp dotted border butterfly (Mylothris bernice rubricosta). Oddly, on my way back, 30+ found dead in the stream.
Reposted by Aaron Mboma
⏳ Just under a month to go! 🌱
BHL’s Call for Support soft closes 31 Aug. That’s when we begin reviewing offers. Hosting, funding, services – every contribution counts. Help shape BHL’s future: blog.biodiversitylibrary.org/2025/06/tran...
#BHLTransition #OpenScience 🧪
BHL’s Call for Support soft closes 31 Aug. That’s when we begin reviewing offers. Hosting, funding, services – every contribution counts. Help shape BHL’s future: blog.biodiversitylibrary.org/2025/06/tran...
#BHLTransition #OpenScience 🧪
BHL Transition Update #2
Help us shape the future of the Biodiversity Heritage Library The Biodiversity Heritage Library (BHL) is at a turning point. After nearly two decades of calling the Smithsonian Institution home, BH…
blog.biodiversitylibrary.org
August 4, 2025 at 12:27 AM
⏳ Just under a month to go! 🌱
BHL’s Call for Support soft closes 31 Aug. That’s when we begin reviewing offers. Hosting, funding, services – every contribution counts. Help shape BHL’s future: blog.biodiversitylibrary.org/2025/06/tran...
#BHLTransition #OpenScience 🧪
BHL’s Call for Support soft closes 31 Aug. That’s when we begin reviewing offers. Hosting, funding, services – every contribution counts. Help shape BHL’s future: blog.biodiversitylibrary.org/2025/06/tran...
#BHLTransition #OpenScience 🧪
Reposted by Aaron Mboma
✨ The Bernhardt Lab at the University of Guelph is recruiting graduate students for 2026! Join us! We have several fully funded grad positions available ✨
Please spread the word!
www.bernhardtlab.org/join-us
#CSEE2025
Please spread the word!
www.bernhardtlab.org/join-us
#CSEE2025
July 7, 2025 at 11:21 PM
✨ The Bernhardt Lab at the University of Guelph is recruiting graduate students for 2026! Join us! We have several fully funded grad positions available ✨
Please spread the word!
www.bernhardtlab.org/join-us
#CSEE2025
Please spread the word!
www.bernhardtlab.org/join-us
#CSEE2025
Reposted by Aaron Mboma
Reposted by Aaron Mboma
If you are interested in biodiversity in deep time, check out my new preprint with @rachelwarnock.bsky.social and @dralexdunhill.bsky.social! We review methods of quantifying diversity and diversification, using the fossil record and phylogenies with extinct tips 🐚🦕📊
doi.org/10.32942/X2D...
doi.org/10.32942/X2D...
“A history of the world imperfectly kept”: Will we ever know how biodiversity has changed over deep time?
doi.org
May 6, 2025 at 1:51 PM
If you are interested in biodiversity in deep time, check out my new preprint with @rachelwarnock.bsky.social and @dralexdunhill.bsky.social! We review methods of quantifying diversity and diversification, using the fossil record and phylogenies with extinct tips 🐚🦕📊
doi.org/10.32942/X2D...
doi.org/10.32942/X2D...