Mark Harvey (arachnologist) explained

Mark S. Harvey
Birth Date:17 September 1958
Nationality:Australian
Workplaces:Western Australian Museum
Alma Mater:Monash University
Thesis Title:Contributions to the systematics of the Pseudoscorpionida (Arachnida) the genus Synsphyronus Chamberlin (Garypidae) and the family Sternophoridae
Other Names:Mark Stephen Harvey
Thesis Url:https://monash.hosted.exlibrisgroup.com/permalink/f/31uhmh/catau21134897160001751
Thesis Year:1983
Known For:Arachnology
Author Abbrev Zoo:Harvey

Mark Stephen Harvey (born 17 September 1958) is a museum scientist and biologist. Since 1989 he has been based at the Western Australian Museum as Curator of Arachnids and Myriapods.

Career

Harvey graduated from Monash University in 1983 with a PhD titled "Contributions to the systematics of the Pseudoscorpionida (Arachnida) : the genus Synsphyronus Chamberlin (Garypidae) and the family Sternophoridae".

His research interests include the systematics and evolution of arachnids and other terrestrial invertebrates. He has published 374 scientific papers or books, and was instrumental in the promotion of short-range endemism https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Short-range_endemic_invertebrates through a paper outlining the criteria for recognising taxa that could be considered short-range endemics. His primary research interests are with Pseudoscorpions.

As of 2024, he has described 888 new species, 93 new genera and four new families including the aquatic mite family Pezidae and the pseudoscorpion family Larcidae.

He is a member of the International Commission on Zoological Nomenclature and served as Vice-President from 2016–2022.

Achievements, awards and recognition

Harvey was presented with the 1991 Edgeworth David Medal by the Royal Society of New South Wales.

He was awarded the Bonnet Award by the International Society of Arachnology in 2013.

In 2017, he was awarded the Distinguished Career Award by the Society of Australian Systematic Biologists.

As part of the Australian Biological Resources Study 50th Anniversary Awards, Harvey was presented with the Distinguished Career in Taxonomy & Systematics Award.