Paula E. Cushing, Ph.D.
Curator of Invertebrate Zoology,
Department of Zoology, Denver Museum of Nature & Science, 2001
Denver, Colorado 80205 USA E-mail: Paula.Cushing@dmns.org;
Web: /science/museum-scientists/paula-cushing,
http://www.solpugid.com, http://spiders.dmns.org/default.aspx;
Phone: (303) 370-6442 Fax: (303) 331-6492
Publications
In Revision
Cushing, P.E., J.O. Brookhart, D. Laudier, E. Knowlton,
& L. Prendini. Sensory organs on the pedipalps of camel spiders
(Arachnida, Solifugae). Arthropod Structure and
Development.
In Review
Cushing, P.E. Solifugae: Introduction. In: Handbuch der
Zoologie. Vol. III. Arthropoda (excl. Hexapoda). Part 2:
Arachnida, Chelicerata (Ed. L. Prendini).
Cushing, P.E., L. Prendini, M.S. Harvey & A. Gromov.
Solifugae: Classification of Solifugae. In: Handbuch der
Zoologie. Vol. III. Arthropoda (excl. Hexapoda). Part 2:
Arachnida, Chelicerata (Ed. L. Prendini).
Cushing, P.E. Solifugae: External Morphology. In: Handbuch
der Zoologie. Vol. III. Arthropoda (excl. Hexapoda). Part 2:
Arachnida, Chelicerata (Ed. L. Prendini).
Published
Cushing, P.E. 2012. Spider-ant associations: an updated review
of myrmecomorphy, myrmecophily, and myrmecophagy in spiders.Psyche2012(2012),
Article ID 151989, 23pp. Doi:10.1155/2012/151989.
Cushing, P.E. & P. Casto. 2012. Preliminary survey of
the setal and sensory structures on the pedipalps of Camel Spiders
(Arachnida, Solifugae). Journal of Arachnology
40:123-127.
Kerzicnik, L.M., E.G. Chapman, J.D. Harwood, F.B. Peairs &
P.E. Cushing. 2012. Molecular characterization of Russian weat
aphid consumption. Journal of Arachnology,
40:71-77.
Conrad, K.R. & P.E. Cushing. 2011. Observations on hunting
behavior of juvenile Chanbria (Solifugae, Eremobatidae).
Journal of
Arachnology 39(1):183-184.
Slowik, J., & P.E. Cushing. 2009. Redescription and transfer
of Geolycosa grandis (Banks 1894) (Araneae, Lycosidae) to
the genus Hogna. Journal of Arachnology
37(3):261-265.
Catenazzi, A., J.O. Brookhart, P.E. Cushing. 2009. The natural
history of coastal Peruvian solifuges with a redescription of
Chinchippus peruvianus and an additional new species
(Arachnida, Solifugae, Ammotrechidae). Journal of
Arachnology 37(2):151-159.
Cushing, P.E. 2008. Spiders (Arachnida: Araneae). Pp. 3490 -
3508 In: (Capinera, J.L., ed.) Encyclopedia of
Entomology,2nd ed. vol. 4. Springer
Science+Business Media B.V.
Cushing, P.E. & J.A. Slowik. 2007 (published in 2008).
Re-curation of alcohol-preserved specimens: comparison of gradual
versus direct specimen transfer on specimen condition and
assessment of specimen value. Collection Forum
22(1-2):1-9.
Cushing, P.E., V. Pliler & C.S. Ware. 2007 (published in
2008). Potential effect of residual anti-parasitic compound in
muscle tissue on a museum dermestid beetle colony. Collection
Forum 22(1-2):45-52.
Klann, A.E., A.V. Gromov, P.E. Cushing, A.V. Peretti & G.
Alberti. 2008. The anatomy and ultrastructure of the suctorial
organ of Solifugae (Arachnida). Arthropod Structure and Development
37:3-12.
Brookhart, J.O. & P.E. Cushing. 2008. The Hemerotrecha
banksi group (Arachnida, Solifugae), a diurnal group of
solifuges from North America. Journal of Arachnology 36(1):
49-64.
Slowik, J. & P.E. Cushing. 2007(2008). A description of the
female wolf spider Captocosa texana (Araneae, Lycosidae).
Journal of Arachnology 35(3):543-545.
Roberts, A.K., D.M. Smith, R.P. Guralnick, P.E. Cushing, J.
Krieger. 2008. Outline morphometric approach to identifying fossil
spiders: a preliminary examination from the Florissant Formation.
Pp. 105-116 In: Special Paper 435: Paleontology of the Upper
Eocene Florissant Formation (eds. H.W. Meyer & D.M.
Smith). Geological Society of America.
Slowik, J.A. & P.E. Cushing. 2007. A redescription of
Hogna coloradensis (Banks) (Araneae, Lycosidae). Journal of
Arachnology 35(1):46-53.
Nadeau, L., P.E. Cushing, B.C. Kondratief. 2006. Effects
of fire disturbance on grasshopper (Orthoptera: Acrididae)
assemblages of the Comanche National Grasslands, Colorado.
Journal of the Kansas Entomological Society 79:2-12.
Ubick, D, P. Paquin, P.E. Cushing, & V. Roth (eds).
2005. Spiders of North America: an identification
manual. American Arachnological Society.
Cushing, P.E. 2005. Chapter 1. Introduction.
Pp. 1-17 In: Ubick, D, P. Paquin, P.E. Cushing, & V. Roth
(eds). 2005. Spiders of North America: an
identification manual. American Arachnological Society.
Cushing, P.E. J.O. Brookhart, H.-J. Kleebe, G. Zito, & P.
Payne. 2005. The suctorial organ of the Solifugidae
(Arachnida, Solifugae). Arthropod Structure & Development,
34(4):397-406.
Brookhart, J.O., & P.E. Cushing. 2005. Three new
species of Solifugae from North America and a description of the
female of Branchia brevis (Arachnida, Solifugae). Journal of
Arachnology, 33: 127-133.
Cushing, P.E. 2004. Spiders. pp. 2067 - 2082 in In
(Capinera, JL, ed): Encyclopedia of Entomology, vol.
3. Kluwer Academic Publishers.
Brookhart, J. O. & P. E. Cushing. 2004. The
systematics of the Eremobates scaber
species-group (Solifugae, Eremobatidae). Journal of
Arachnology, 32:284-312.
Vetter, R.S., P.E. Cushing, R.L. Crawford, L.A. Royce.
2003. Diagnoses of brown recluse spider bites
(loxoscelism) greatly outnumber actual verifications of the spider
in four western American states. Toxicon, 42:413-418.
Vetter, R. S., A. H. Roe, R. G. Bennett, C. R. Baird, L. A.
Royce, W. T. Lanier, A. L. Antonelli and P.E. Cushing. 2003.
Distribution of the medically-implicated hobo spider (Araneae:
Agelenidae) and its harmless congener, Tegenaria duellica
in the United States and Canada. Journal of Medical
Entomology, 40(2):159-164.
Brookhart, J.O. and P.E. Cushing. 2002. New species
of Eremobatidae (Arachnida, Solifugae) from North America. Journal
of Arachnology 30:84-97.
Cushing, P.E. and R.G. Santangelo. 2002. Natural
History of Zodarion rubidum (Araneae, Zodariidae).
Journal
of Arachnology 30:618-621.
Cushing, P.E. 1998. Population structure of the ant
nest symbiont, Masoncus pogonophilus (Araneae:
Linyphiidae). Annals of the Entomological Society of
America, 91(5):626-631.
Cushing, P.E. 1997. Myrmecomorphy and myrmecophily
in spiders: a review. Florida Entomologist,
80(2):165-193.
Reiskind, J. and P.E. Cushing. 1996. Study of a
narrow hybrid zone between two wolf spiders, Lycosa
ammophila and Lycosa ericeticola in North Florida
(Araneae, Lycosidae). Revue Suisse de Zoologia,
1(12):543-554.
Cushing, P.E. 1995. Natural History of the Myrmecophilic Spider,
Masoncus pogonophilus Cushing, and its Host Ant,
Pogonomyrmex badius (Latreille). Dissertation, University
of Florida, 142 pp. Available at: http://www.archive.org/details/naturalhistoryof00cush
Cushing, P.E. 1995. Description of the spider
Masoncus pogonophilus (Araneae, Linyphiidae), a harvester
ant myrmecophile. Journal of Arachnology, 23:55-59.
Cushing, P.E. , and B.D. Opell. 1990. Disturbance
behaviors in the spider Uloborus glomosus (Araneae,
Uloboridae): possible predator avoidance strategies.
Canadian Journal of Zoology, 68:1090-1097.
Cushing, P.E., and B.D. Opell. 1990. The effect of
time and temperature on disturbance behaviors shown by the
orb-weaving spider Uloborus glomosus (Uloboridae).
Journal
of Arachnology, 18:87-93.
Opell, B.D., G. Roth, and P.E. Cushing. 1990. The
effect of Hyptiotes cavatus (Uloboridae) web-manipulation
on the dimensions and stickiness of cribellar silk puffs.
Journal of Arachnology, 18:238-240.
Cushing, P.E. 1989. Eggsac defense in the spider
Uloborus glomosus (Uloboridae). Psyche,
96:269-277.
Opell, B.D. and P.E. Cushing. 1986. Visual fields of
orb web and single line web spiders of the family Uloboridae
(Arachnida, Araneida). Zoomorphology,
106:199-204.
Popular and Non-Peer Reviewed Publications
Cushing, P.E. & J.O. Brookhart. Camel Spiders. Grizmek
Animal Encyclopedia (in review).
Cushing, P.E. 2010. Spider Myths Answered. Catalyst,
October/November: 12.
Cushing, P.E. 2007. There's a Beetle in My Bread. Skipping
Stones Magazine (for children). Nov. - Dec.: 14-15.
Cushing, P.E. and M. Francis. 2005. Chapter 1.
Survey of spiders (Arachnida, Araneae) of Fort Sill, Comanche Co.,
Oklahoma. Pp. 10 - 69 In: Survey of Selected
Arthropod Taxa of Fort Sill, Comanche County, Oklahoma,
III. C.P. Gillette Museum of Arthropod Diversity,
Department of Bioagricultural Sciences and Pest Management,
Colorado State University.
Cushing, P.E. 2004. Hypothesis or theory? Letter to
the Editor. American Scientist, Sept/Oct 2004:
Cushing, P.E. 2004. Spinning a web of wonder.
Museum Monthly, June/July 2004: 4-5.
Cushing, P.E. 2003. Real-life spider men and women
come to the museum. Museum Monthly, DMNS, July
2003: 18-19.
Cushing, P.E. 2002. India: a Traveler's
Diary. Museum Monthly, DMNS, 3(5):18-20.
Peairs, F.B., W.S. Cranshaw and P.E. Cushing. 2002.
Spiders in the Home. Insect Series: Home &
Garden. no. 5.512 Colorado Cooperative Extension.
http://www.ext.colostate.edu/pubs/insect/05512.html.
Cushing, P.E. 1999. Spinning the Web: the
Past, Present, and Future of Arachnology at the Denver Museum of
Natural History. Museum Quarterly, DMNH,
8(2):2-7.
Cushing, P.E. 1999. Vials and Vials of
Spiders. Museum Quarterly, DMNH, 8(2):16-17.
Cushing, P.E. 1999. The Big World of Small
Creatures. Mountain, Plain and Garden: the Magazine
of Denver Botanic Gardens, 56(1):49-58.
Cushing, P.E. 1999. In Leaps and Bounds.
Wild Outdoor World. Sept./Oct. 1999.
Cushing, P.E. 1998. Insect farmers.
Highlights for Children. March: 12-13.
Cushing, P.E. 1997. Book review of Biology of
Spiders by R.F. Foelix. Quarterly Review of
Biology, 72(4):481.
Dissertation
Natural history of the myrmecophilic spider,
Masoncus pogonophilus Cushing, and
its host ant, Pogonomyrmex badius (Latreille) - Cushing, Paula Elizabeth
http://archive.org/details/naturalhistoryof00cush
Video Projects
- 2010: The Truth About Spiders, Science Bites (3 minute online
DMNS product): /science/science-bites/the-truth-about-spiders
- 2009: Mortal Lessons (70 minute film addressing
end-of-life issues). Produced by David Liban; Associate Producer,
Paula E. Cushing.
- 2006: Perspectives on Death & Dying video (1/2 hour video
presenting different religious and cultural perspectives about
end-of-life issues) produced by Paula E. Cushing
Teaching Experience
Workshops, Classes, and Outreach Lectures (1998 -
present)
- Spider fact and fancy: identification, biology, and management
(DMNS, area universities, University of Wyoming, Buffalo Bill
Museum various public groups)
- Spider Biology and Identification (DMNS, area universities and
schools, University of Wyoming, University of Northern Colorado,
various public groups)
- General Arachnology, Adult Programs short course (DMNS)
- Spider Biology, Adult Programs short course (DMNS)
- Colorado Spider Survey: a Citizen Science Project and How it
Works (DMNS)
- Spider Fact and Fancy (DMNS, CSU, Butterfly Pavilion)
- Travels Through Poland (DMNS for Volunteer Enrichment
Committee)
- Spider in Space and Update on Spider in Space lectures
(DMNS)
- Birders, Bigfoot and Bond, James Bond (DMNS, co-presenter with
Aaron Spriggs)
- Science in Action live broadcasts to school groups (DMNS)
- Camel Spiders: the Weirdest Spiders Ever? (DMNS, CSU)
- Insects in the Diet (Fort Collins main public library for
school children)
- An ant by any other name - could be a spider! (DMNS)
- Spiderman Demystified, adult programs evening program (DMNS,
with three other arachnologists)
- Spider biology short course (University of Wyoming)
- Colorado Spider Survey training workshops (DMNS, area State
Parks, area universities, Butterfly Pavilion, etc.)
- Teacher training workshops on various subjects (DMNS)
- Presentation about Perspectives on Death and Dying Video for
Children's Hospital "Good Grief at Noon" lecture series for hospice
workers and palliative care professionals
- Spiders of Medical Importance (DMNS, Wyoming for the public and
medical professionals, CSU, University of Wyoming, El Paso County
Extension, Parker County Water and Sanitation District)
- Spider lectures for various elementary schools regionally
- Presentations with school groups on entomology, arachnology,
and museum curation (primarily in DMNS but also offsite at
schools)
- Schoolyard Bugs and Creek Critters Teacher's Workshop
(DMNS)
- Halloween Spider Discovery program at the Butterfly
Pavilion
- Arthropod Identification Class (DMNS)
- Animal Architects, Adult Education short course (DMNS)
- Introduction to Evolutionary Biology, Adult Education short
course (DMNS)
College and University Teaching Experience
- Population and Community Ecology (College of Wooster,
1996-1997)
- Natural History of the Invertebrates (College of Wooster,
1996-1997)
- General Biology: ½ semester biology of plants and non-animals
unit (College of Wooster, team taught, 1996-1997)
- General Biology: ½ semester of biology of populations unit
(College of Wooster, team taught, 1996-1997)
- Integrated Principles of Biology I: ½ semester biology of
animals unit (postdoctoral teaching associate, University of
Florida, team taught, 1995-1996)
- Invertebrate Zoology (postdoctoral teaching associate,
University of Florida, team taught, 1995-1996)
- General Biology labs for majors (postdoctoral teaching
associate, University of Florida, team taught, 1995-1996)
- Evolution, Ecology, and Behavior, non-majors biology
(University of Florida, 1995)
- Guest lectures on osmoregulation, thermoregulation, and the
endocrine system for Cells, Organisms, and Genetics (University of
Florida, 1994)
- Teaching Assistant for Evolution, Ecology, and Behavior
(University of Florida, 1992)
- Teaching Assistant for Invertebrate Zoology (University of
Florida, 1991)
- Teaching Assistant for General Biology labs for majors
(University of Florida, 1990-1995)
- Teaching Assistant for General Biology labs for majors and
non-majors (Virginia Tech, 1985-1987)
Media
- 2010: Interviewed in California by NBC affiliate
television station about Solifugae research project
- 2010: Interviewed for Boomer Alley Radio in Los Angeles
about scientific discoveries
- 2010: Newspaper article in Modesto Bee, "Spider -hunter
seeks 'spawn of Satan': Arachnid research brings team to Del Puerto
Canyon (
http://www.modbee.com/2010/05/30/1188305/spider-hunter-seeks-spawn-of-satan.html
- 2010: Newspaper article in Patterson Irrigator, "Research
draws scientist to Del Puerto Canyon"
- 2009: Interviewed by Boulder Daily Camera for newspaper
article, "Facing Your Fears"
- 2008: Interviewed by Rocky Mountain News about case of
purported death from spider bite
- 2008: Interviewed for Rocky Mountain News article,
"Untangling the web"
- 2008: Interviewed for Wyoming Tribune-Eagle for article
"Spiders in the Backyard" (for Halloween)
- 2008: Interviewed by Denver Post for article about common
fears
- 2007: On Channel 9 television news to plug DMNS program,
"Spiderman Demystified"
- 2007: Interviewed for article in Wyoming
Tribune-Eagle
- 2006: Interviewed by Lucky Duck Productions about
Colorado Spider Survey for broadcast on The Animal Planet
- 2006: Interviewed by The Science Teacher for article,
"Career of the Month: Dcience in the Workplace. Apr/May 2006 in The
Science Teacher
- Interviewed by Pueblo Chieftain for article about the Colorado
Spider Survey
- 2006: Interviewed by SuperScience, Scholastic, Inc.
- 2005: Interviewed for article in Boulder paper on
spiders
- 2005: Interviewed by Caspar Journal about spiders of
medical importance
- 2005: Interviewed on Wyoming television and radio about
lecture on spiders of medical importance
- 2004: Interviewed for "Been There, Done That" radio
program from WHYY NPR station in Philadelphia
- 2004: Interviewed for article in Denver Post for article
about arachnid program (Betsy Lindorf)
- 2003: Interviewed for article in Denver Post
- 2002: Interviewed for KOA radio about Eight Legged
Freaks movie
- 2001: Interviewed for Colorado Public Radio show
"Colorado Matters" about the Colorado Spider Survey
- 2001: Interviewed for Utah Public Radio call-in show
about CSS
- 2000: Interviewed for eCHIC.com magazine article about my
career as a museum curator
- 2000: Interviewed for a Fort Collins Coloradoan article
about the Colorado Spider Survey
- 1999: Wrote an article for The Range Ledger (Cheyenne
Wells newspaper) about Spiders
- 1999: Interviewed at Channels 2, 4, and 9 to promote the
First Annual Infested Festival
- 1999: Interviewed by The Denver Post for an article about
the Colorado Spider Survey
- 1999: Interviewed by the Rocky Mountain News for an
article about the Colorado Spider Survey
- 1999: Interviewed for an article about the fear of
spiders in Women Outside magazine
- 1998: Interviewed by The Denver Post for an article
about insects in the movies
- 1998: Interviewed on radio show, Chiropractic Connections
about Entomophagy
Invited talks
Cushing, P.E. 2010. Colorado Spider Survey: a citizen science
project and how it works. Colorado Biology Teachers Association,
Denver, CO
Cushing, P.E. 2005.On a Silken Thread, Master Gardener
Conference, Casper, Wyoming.
Cushing, P.E. 2004. Spiders of Medical Importance, Zoonoses
Conference, Denver, Colorado.
Cushing, P.E. 2000. Colorado Spider Survey. Colorado State
University, Department of Biology.
Cushing, P.E. 1999. Myrmecophily in spiders. Colorado State
University, Department of Bioagricultural Sciences and Pest
Management.
Cushing, P.E. 1996. Adaptations of ant associates and ant
mimics. Florida Entomological Society, Gainesville, Florida.
Talks, Posters, and Published abstracts
Cushing, P.E. & K. Prestwich. 2010. Respiration in
locomotion and recovery from locomotion in Eremobates sp.
(Solifugae). International Congress of Arachnology, Siedlce,
Poland.
Cushing, P.E., R. Delph & A. Ladigo. 2009. Early instar
development in camel spiders (Arachnida, Solifugae). Annual meeting
of the American Arachnological Society, Arkansas Tech
University.
Stowe, M.K. & P.E. Cushing. 2009. Spiders in space:
launching orb weaving spiders to the International Space Station.
Annual meeting of the American Arachnological Society, Arkansas
Tech University.
Cushing, P.E., J.O. Brookhart & L. Prendini. 2008. Structure
of papillae on the pedipalps of solifuges - revisited. Annual
meeting of the American Arachnological Society, University of
California at Berkeley.
Cushing, P.E. & A. Spriggs. 2008. Colorado Spider Survey and
Denver Museum of Nature & Science arachnology collection - ten
years later. Annual meeting of the American Arachnological Society,
University of California at Berkeley.
Cushing, P.E., L. Prendini, W.E. Savary, J.O. Brookhart, R.A.
Wharton, T. Bird & A.V. Gromov. 2007. Global Survey and
Inventory of Solifugae. Annual meeting of the American
Arachnological Society, Susquehanna University, Pennsylvania.
Cushing, P.E., L. Prendini, W.E. Savary, J.O. Brookhart, R.A.
Wharton, T. Bird & A.V. Gromov. 2007. Global Survey and
Inventory of Solifugae. International Congress of Arachnology, São
Pedro, Brazil.
Cushing, P.E. & J. Slowik. 2006. Colorado Spider Survey
Update. Annual meeting of the American Arachnological Society,
Baltimore, Maryland.
Cushing, P.E., J.O. Brookhart, L. Prendini, G.W. Mierau, L.
Goin, H. Kleebe & P. Payne. 2006. Structure of papillae on the
pedipalps of Solifugae (Arachnida, Solifugae). Annual meeting of
the American Arachnological Society, Baltimore, Maryland.
Stephenson, J., P.E. Cushing, V. Pliler, C.S. Ware. 2006. Effect
of residual anti-parasitic compound in meat on museum dermestid
beetle colony. Society for the Preservation of Natural History
Collections, New Mexico.
Cushing, P.E. & J. Slowik. 2005. Re-curation of specimens
preserved in degraded alcohol: testing alternative techniques.
Society for the Preservation of Natural History Collections,
London, England.
Cushing, P.E. & J.O. Brookhart. 2005. The suctorial organ of
the Solifugae. Annual meeting of the American Arachnological
Society, Akron, Ohio.
Cushing, P.E., D. Ubick & P. Paquin. 2004. Spiders of North
America: an identification manual. Annual meeting of the American
Arachnological Society, Norman, Oklahoma.
Cushing, P.E., D. Ubick & P. Paquin. 2004. Spiders of North
America: an identification manual. Congress of the International
Society of Arachnology, Ghent, Belgium.
Cushing, P.E., P. Paquin & N. Dupérré. 2003. Spider Genera
of North America revision project update. Annual meeting of the
American Arachnological Society, Denver, Colorado.
Montoya, L., C. Tuell, & P.E. Cushing. 2003. A comparison of
the femoral gland of Zodarion rubidium (Araneae,
Zodariidae) with that of other species of Zodariidae. Annual
meeting of the American Arachnological Society, Denver,
Colorado.
Betzen, N. & P.E. Cushing. 2003. Tarantulas of Colorado.
Annual meeting of the American Arachnological Society, Denver,
Colorado.
Cushing, P.E. 2002. Spider Genera of North America revision
project. Annual meeting of the American Arachnological Society,
Riverside, California.
Cushing, P.E. 2001. Colorado Spider Survey update. Annual
meeting of the American Arachnological Society, Keene, New
Hampshire.
Cushing, P.E. 1994. Details of the natural history and ecology
of a spider ant-guest. Annual meeting of the American
Arachnological Society, Gainesville, Florida.
Cushing, P.E. 1994. Using molecular techniques to study a spider
ant-guest. Society for the Study of Evolution , Georgia Center for
Continuing Education, Athens, Georgia.
Cushing, P.E. 1989. Eggsac defense in the spider Uloborus
glomosus (Uloboridae). Annual meeting of the American
Arachnological Society, Cushing, P.E. 1987. A study of disturbance
behaviors in Uloborus glomosus as possible predator
avoidance strategies. Annual meeting of the American Arachnological
Society, Indianapolis, Indiana.
Opell, B.D. & P.E. Cushing. 1984. Visual field of orb-web
and single-line-web spiders of the family Uloboridae. Annual
meeting of the American Arachnological Society, New Orleans,
Louisiana.
Calendar 