 Gonzalo
Halffter
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Gonzalo Halffter had a long and
distinguished career in Mexican entomology as a world's leading specialists on the ecology, biology, and ethology
of dung beetles. He published two major works (one with
Eric Matthews and the other with David Edmunds) as well as a
host of book chapters and scientific papers on this subject. Dr. Halffter described numerous new taxa of Scarabaeinae,
and he provided (with Antonio Martinéz) a review of the American
Canthonini. Analyses of Mexican biogeography and biodiversity
were also strong areas of research. Dr. Halffter
wrote about biosphere reserves and their importance to
conservation of the native biota.
He founded the Instituto de Ecologia in Mexico City in 1974
and continued as its Director through its reorganization and
moved to Xalapa, Veracruz in 1988. He was also the Director of
the Museum of Natural History in Mexico City from 1974 to 1982
as well as the Adjunct Director for Scientific Development of
the National Council on Science and Technology (CONACYT) from
1982 to 1986. Gonzalo Halffter was honored by the Sistema Nacional
de Investigadores of Mexico with its highest lifetime distinction
as a National Researcher Emeritus. |
