Field work is a vital part of the research on asiloid flies particularly when addressing phylogenetic research questions. By conducting field work specimens can be preserved appropriately for diverse projects such as (1) taxonomic and morphological studies (specimens preserved with ethyl-acetate), (2) study of the internal anatomy and microCT scanning of character complexes (specimens preserved in Kahle's fluid), (3) DNA extraction for PCR-based methods sequencing targeted mitochondrial and nuclear loci (specimens preserved in 95% ethanol), and (4) DNA extraction for next-generation sequencing methods to capture whole transcriptomes and genomes (specimens preserved with RNAlater and DNAgard).
Enjoy some impressions of recent field trips (2009–date).