This book is about my love of science, the scientific method and the very valuable realization of accomplishment which comes with the creation of new knowledge about a little-known topic through science. I have been fortunate enough to have had 55 years of research experience through two graduate degrees, two year-long research sabbaticals, employment at a major research university, at a private undergraduate college and a special sabbatical leave to Norway.

My research has brought me to 31 countries. Throughout this long period I have always employed an open-minded curiosity about the natural world and feel very strongly that facts especially difficult to obtain ones are far more important than unfounded opinions about the real world.

Throughout my research career I have centered investigation on closely related animals and complexes which were difficult to interpret taxonomically or for which there was some controversy about relationships. In so doing I have learned about the magnitude and importance of factors that influence diversity.

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