Section

Evolution of morphological diversity

Perhaps the most notably unifying feature among all the classes of molluscs is their differentness. The ability of the molluscan body plan to take on new form and new niches is what sets molluscs apart among the animals. Arthropods have greater numbers, but no phylum has greater disparity than Mollusca. The path to our current understanding of molluscan evolution is littered with bizarre creatures that defy the ‘typical’ boundaries of their clades – bivalved gastropods, chitons with no foot, vermiform bivalves, cephalopods and snails with dermal sclerites, and the relentless repeated evolution of both shell loss and supplementary armour. While such creatures are usually individually dismissed as one-off weirdoes, in fact they show us the absolute power of molluscs to test the limits of animal evolution. Recently derived living species with mosaic features defy our assumptions about the polarity of key morphological characters. Such innovations and recombinations have been a persistent feature of molluscan evolution for over 540 million years. The main focus of research by our group is to gain a comprehensive understanding of molluscan phylogeny through genomics, 3D tomographic reconstructions of anatomy, with living and fossil species. Our goal is a framework that not only accommodates, but also celebrates molluscan weirdness.

For more information, contact Julia Sigwart

Taxonomy and biodiversity of marine molluscs of the Arabian Seas

The Red Sea, Gulf of Aden, Persian Gulf and Soqotra Island each differ significantly in the diversity of their mollusc faunas, even with respect to species composition. Based on clarified taxonomy these differences shall be explained in their ecological, oceanographical and biogeographical contexts. Work is based on comprehensive materials collected by German research vessels (Sonne, Valdivia, Meteor) from the deep Red Sea and Gulf of Aden as well as own collections from shallower environments in the Red Sea, the Persian Gulf and of Soquotra Island.
In cooperation with M. Zuschin (Vienna) currently shallow water gastropods from Egypt are worked up taxonomically and actuo-paleontologically. Work is in progress on the Pectinidae of the deep Red Sea and Gulf of Aden (with H. Dijkstra, Amsterdam). In the frame of an Arabian-German cooperation project “Red Sea Biodiversity Survey” since 2011 several expeditions have supplied rich materials. For an international book project the “Physical and biological constraints on the deep sea benthic molluscs” of the Red Sea will be described (with M. Taviani, Bologna). Furthermore a large collection from Soqotra Island is under scrutiny.

For more information, contact Ronald Janssen

Deepwater molluscs, in particular those of chemosynthetic habitats

Since its discovery in the 1960s chemosynthetic communities are in the particular focus of marine research. Material collected by various German expeditions is deposited and worked up in the Senckenberg Research Institute. Several new species of bivalves of the families Mytilidae and Vesicomyidae have already been described (e.g. Cosel & Janssen 2008, Krylova & Janssen 2007). As new material arrives further studies will follow.

For more information, contact Ronald Janssen

Historical collections of marine organisms

– a window into the beginnings of Global Change in the North and Baltic Seas.

In the frame of the project MARSAMM, supported by BMBF, currently the holdings of molluscs from the North and Baltic Seas are worked up and entered in the resp. database. The focus is on the exhaustive ethanol preserved material collected by research cruises into the area. The cruises were conducted on a regular basis since the 1970ies by Prof. M. Türkay.

MARSAMM website and database

Taxonomy and evolution of the Clausiliidae

The door snails (Clausiliidae) are one of the best-known families of pulmonate land snails. They are relatively frequent in natural biotopes (wood and rocky areas) and are available for examination in collections by a high number of samples and individuals. The clausiliid collection of the Senckenberg Forschungsinstitut and Naturmuseum Frankfurt is one of the most important in the world; because of its wealth of types it is an unique comparison collection. 
The clausiliids are rich in morphological characters, in those of the shell, because they have a complex closing apparatus, and those of the genitalia, because they are simultaneous hermaphrodites. They exhibit a high diversity on species level (about 1300 living species known) as well as on higher taxonomic level (currently 10 subfamilies).
The research concerns extant European and extra-European groups (East Asia, South America) and fossil groups.
In the extant European groups diversity and evolution of the groups are in the focus of investigation. Of special interest are the groups of South Europe, rock-dwelling snails, which exhibit a high diversity on species level. This diversity is increased once more in certain groups by alternative types of closing apparatus, different coiling of the shell and interspecific hybridization.
In the extra-European groups the taxonomic work is still in the foreground. It is of special importance for conservation planning because many species are characteristic for natural biotopes.
In the fossil clausiliids, which occur mainly in the Tertiary and Quaternary, the shell rich in characters makes possible a certain classification of the species within higher taxonomic units. In general the species have a great biostratigraphical importance. From faunal changes of fossil clausiliids climate changes can be inferred. By an analysis of their characters the judgement on the character states (plesio/apomorphic) of extant groups can be tested.

The diversity of freshwater mussels in Nepal

Freshwater mussels are an important but often overlooked and little known part of the fauna of standing and flowing waters on all continents (except Antarctica). As “living sewage treatment plants” (filterers) and “biotope engineers” (digging locomotion) they improve the quality and diversity of their habitat. The largest number of species is found in South, Southeast and East Asia (320) and North America (302). In comparison, the 34 species of the Palaearctic (8 in Germany, including one invasive species) are only a rather insignificant part of a group of almost 1,000 species. While their species diversity has been intensively researched in North America for over 30 years using modern and standardised methods, it is only in the recent past that similar studies in the other diversity hot spots of biodiversity have begun. South Asia (India and neighbouring countries) is still largely unknown in this respect. Although there is no lack of species names and descriptions here either, it is unclear which of the numerous taxa are to be considered biological species, and whether various (cryptic) species are hidden under a known form.
In the malacological collection of the Senckenberg Research Institute there is suitable material to gain a first insight. This material was collected in Nepal in 2014 during a private research trip supported by the University of Kathmandu and handed over to the Research Institute. Molecular-genetic, anatomical and morphological analyses are planned to provide an insight into the diversity of freshwater mussels in central Nepal and thus into part of the fauna of the Ganges catchment area.

Project partners:

• Malacology Section of the Department of Marine Zoology, Senckenberg Research Institute, Frankfurt/M.
• Working Group Molecular Ecology of the Senckenberg Biodiversity and Climate Research Center, Frankfurt/M.
• Laboratory for Molecular Ecology & Phylogenetics, Northern Arctic Federal University, Arkhangelsk, Russia.

For more information, contact Karl-Otto Nagel

Digitalisation and taxonomic revision of the Unionida (Mollusca: Bivalvia) collection

The collection of large freshwater mussels (river mussels, order Unionida) has been digitised and completely revised through projects funded by the German Research Foundation (2012- 2015 and 2022- 2024) and the Erika-und-Walter-Datz Foundation (2019).

The river mussel collection of the Senckenberg Research Institute and Nature Museum Frankfurt is one of the most important of its kind in the world. It comprises (as of 2024) approx. 20,500 series (lots), each series ranging from one to (exceptionally) 250 shells. We estimate the total number of individual specimens to be around 80,000.

The collection contains, among other things, very comprehensive holdings of European species from almost all water systems dating back to the first half of the 19th century, as well as extensive type and specimen material from all continents. This makes the collection an internationally sought-after research tool and an invaluable data archive. In addition to the specimens from the Palaearctic region, which is traditionally the most extensive part of the collection, the specimens from South America (Hermann von Ihering collection) and South East Asia (Rolf A.M. Brandt collection) are particularly important.

These focal areas are also reflected in the geographical distribution of the type material, as the following list of the number of type series, including paralecto- and paratypes, by major region shows.

• North Eurasia:              498
• East Asia:                       77
• Australasia:                      3
• Afrotropics:                    62
• North America:              21
• Central America:            14
• South America:            117

All parts of the collection are accessible via the Internet in the object database AQUiLA. This makes it possible to use them for a variety of questions (changes of species ranges, modern revision of taxonomy, etc.).

• We look forward to hearing how you use the collection for your research.

For more information, contact Karl-Otto Nagel

Oligocene and Miocene molluscs of the North Sea Basin

Besides taxonomic work on selected genera the mollusc fauna of the Oligocene and Miocene of the North Sea Basin is worked up. This is mainly done in the form of critical taxonomic revisory catalogues in order to supply a basis for further work such as e.g. biostratigraphical applications. This work is based on the comprehensive evaluation of all relevant literature, large collections, and the examination and photographic documentation of available type material. Currently the revisions of late Oligocene Pyramidellidae and Pectinidae as well as of Miocene Turridae are a prioritary. A revision of the Early Miocene fauna of  Klintinghoved (Denmark) is going on in cooperation with Danish colleagues.

For more information, contact Ronald Janssen

Taxonomy, evolution and biostratigraphy of marine molluscs from the European Tertiary

Molluscs still play an important role in regional biostratigraphy and reconstruction of paleogeographic relations of Tertiary basins. However, knowledge of these faunas is often based on outdated monographs and the uncritical use of traditional identifications. Also evolutionary relations of many species have not yet been examined. It is evident that many identifications and conclusions as to stratigraphical and geographical distributions drawn from these identifications do not stand up to a critical revision. The treatment of such material usually focusses on local faunas or selected horizons. Instead, a taxonomic treatment of systematic entities across regional and stratigraphical boundaries will open new perspectives on systematic and evolutionary relationships as well as on stratigrapical ranges and geographical distributions. In particular cases even relationships to extant species from the European or West African regions may show up. Comparisons of fossil and recent distribution patterns allow conclusions about temperature tolerance and climatically induced range shifts. For this kind of analysis comprehensive comparative material from all Tertiary basins as well as recent samples are needed. By its nature this research topic dealing with regionally and stratigraphically different and diverse faunas is very time consuming and can only be carried on as a long-term project. At present Vetigastropoda, Turridae and taxodont bivalves are of main interest. 

For more information, contact Ronald Janssen

Women have played a pivotal role in the natural sciences, yet their contributions have often been overlooked, marginalized, or credited to male colleagues. Their impact on research, collections, and institutional developments has frequently gone undocumented.

The interdisciplinary research and outreach project Secret Service seeks to change that. By exploring both historical and contemporary contributions of women in the natural sciences, the project uncovers, documents, and shares their stories, ensuring that their achievements are recognized and accessible to a wider audience.

In collaboration with the Department of History of Science at Goethe University Frankfurt and key archives, Secret Service is compiling biographies that will be showcased in museum exhibitions in Frankfurt, Dresden, and Görlitz, as well as through digital platforms like Wikipedia.

By critically examining the historiography of science and promoting diversity and inclusion, the project challenges traditional narratives and fosters a more equitable representation of women in the field. Secret Service not only brings long-overlooked scientific contributions to light but also reconsiders institutional science history and advocates for gender equality—past, present, and future.

Our team

We are an interdisciplinary team of researchers consisting of:

Prof. Dr. Julia Sigwart (SGN Frankfurt), Dr. Luisa Kapp (SGN Frankfurt), Dr. Thorolf Müller (SGN Frankfurt), Dr. Joachim Scholz (SGN Frankfurt), Prof. Dr. Annette Warner (Goethe-Universität Frankfurt), Dr. Martin Päckert (SGN Dresden), Sinah Hoffmann (SGN Dresden), Kristin Baber (SGN Görlitz), Dr. Janet Voight (Field Museum Chicago)

The mollusc collections include both Recent and Tertiary fossil molluscs, and is one of the world’s major research collections. 

The collection includes about 33,000 species and subspecies of Recent molluscs and around 12,000 Tertiary fossil taxa. It comprises about 700,000 lots, including approximately 30,000 lots of type material, of which around 8,000 are holotypes or lectotypes. 

Approximately 18% of the collection (and growing) is digitally catalogued and can be accessed online through the Senckenberg collection management system AQUiLA. Records from the Senckenberg collectios are also contributed to GBIF.

Approximate number of species represented in the collections:

Terrestrial Molluscs

Terrestrial and limnic molluscs make up the scientifically most important part of the collection in Frankfurt with about 22.000 taxa and 340.000 lots. Landsnails in particular contribute to the wordwide recognition of this collection.

Most important portions are:

Europe: Outstanding are the collections of E. A. Rossmässler (1806-1867) with vouchers of his fundamental „Iconographie der Land- und Süßwasser-Mollusken“ (1835-1859) and of P. Ehrmann (1868-1937) with vouchers of  the “Tierwelt Mitteleuropas”. The collections of W. Kobelt (1840-1916), O. Boettger (1844-1910) and K. L. Pfeiffer (1874-1952) are rich of vouchers for many publications on Europe, in particular Southern Europe and the Caucasian region. The collection is even rich in material from the islands of Madeira, the Canaries and the  Capverdes. The Balcans and in particular Turkey have been the main research interest of the honorary collaborator H. Schütt (1923-2009) whose collection with ca. 3.000 species and appr. 17.000 lots went as a legacy to Senckenberg in 2010.

The Philippines: Thanks to the monographic works on the landsnails by O. F. v. Moellendorff (1848-1903) the Senckenberg institute possesses probably the largest and most complete collection from this archipelago. With regard to the acute threat by habitat destruction this collection is of particular importance.

Asia and the Pacific region: Numerous samples from China, Japan, Indochina, the Carolines, New Guinea and the Moluccas are housed in the collection. Of particular importance are the freshwater molluscs from Thailand which form the basis of the monograph of R. Brandt (1974).

Arabia: Still ongoing research of the honorary collaborator E. Neubert is making the collection of endemic landsnails from Soqotra the best of its kind.

Land and freshwater molluscs from Africa, North and South America and  Australia are represented in good numbers as well.

There are several parts of the collections that have outstanding importance for global systematics. One of them are freshwater mussels (Unionida) which were made one of the largest and most important collections worldwide by the works of F. Haas (custodian 1910-1936). The samples from Europe cover nearly all European river systems. Among the rich material from North America and Asia there are many extinct or endangered species.
A small insight into the collection of freshwater mussels is given by the Naiad Lot of the Month.

Our holdings of the family Clausiliidae represent the largest and most specious collection worldwide. This part is being permanently enlarged in a spectacular way thanks to the research and collection of the honorary collaborator H. Nordsieck (1940-2022).   

Other collections of outstanding importance include the Cyclophoroidea  (operculate prosobranch landsnails), Rissooidean freshwater snails, Helicoidea, African Achatinidae and South American Bulimulidae.

The section of terrestrial and freshwater molluscs also received the collections of the following eminent authors and collectors: C.R. Boettger,  H.G. Bronn,   H.V. Ihering, S. H. Jaeckel, H. Kaltenbach, G. Nägele, K. L. Pfeiffer, O. Reinhardt, W. R. Schlickum, H. Schütt, A. Zilch.

Marine Molluscs

Scientifically important are the molluscs from European and Arabian seas. The basic stock is formed by E. Rüppell’s shells from the Red Sea shells and the Mediterranean Sea. Here voucher material is contained for Kobelt’s „Iconographie der schalentragenden europäischen Meeresconchylien“ (1883-1908), several parts of the „Neues Systematisches Conchylien-Cabinet“. Another important part are samples from the Indopacific, especially from the Philippines, pertaining to various papers of O. Boettger. Since 1977 the collection is permanently enlarged with material collected by Senckenberg researchers and by German research vessels (Meteor, Sonne, Valdivia) as well as by the regularly conducted cruises of the FK Senckenberg to the North Sea. Important materials were brought together by two expeditions to Hainan Island (China) and several projects related to the Persian Gulf, the Red Sea and Soqotra Island. The collection of F. Nordsieck (1906-1984) contains many types of European molluscs.  In 1990 R. v. Cosel donated his very extensive worldwide collection (ca. 4.000 species, more than 25.000 lots) with its particular focus on Caribbean material, especially from Colombia. The collection of H. G. Bronn (1800-1862) contains among others the types of one of the first publications on Japanese marine molluscs by W. Dunker (1861). Since the 1990s molluscs from hydrothermal vents have enriched the collections. The collection of F. A. Schilder (1896-1970) ranges among the most important ones about cowries and related groups.

Alltogether,  marine molluscs are represented by approx. 11.000 species and 170.000 lots.

Additional important material of recent terrestrial as well as marine molluscs, among which many types, is present from:  C.B. Adams, C.M. Cooke, H. Cuming, W. Dunker, V. Gredler, F. Held, D.F. Heynemann, W. Hinz, F. Kinkelin, H.C. Küster, R. Lais, W. Lang, A. Liebegott, Th. Menke, A.T. Monterosato, K.-O. Nagel, H. Nesemann, P. Pallary, L. Pfeiffer, R.A. Philippi, O.V. Retowski, H. Rolle, P. & W. Schnell, Th. Verkrüzen, W. Wenz, C.A. Westerlund, W.K. Weyrauch.

Tertiary Molluscs

The collection of Tertiary molluscs with around 12.000 species and about 190.000 lots has its focus on the European Tertiary among which Oligocene and Neogene faunas are particularly well represented. With regard to geography and stratigraphy the most important parts are Oligocene and Miocene of the North Sea basin, the French basins (Aquitaine basin, Paris basin, Loire basin) and the Miocene of the Paratethys as well as the Neogene of the Mediterranean region. The historical stock is formed by objects which come from J. Chr. Senckenberg (1707-1772) and the rich materials from the neighbouring  Mainz basin. Extraordinarily precious is the collection from the Miocene of Romania from where O. Boettger described more than 400 new species. Very rich are the faunas from the Tertiary of the North Sea basin with many types and vouchers to publications of J. Görges, H.-J. Anderson, R. Janssen and others. Tertiary land and freshwater molluscs are well represented with many types by the collections of O. Boettger, K. Fischer, W. R. Schlickum and H. Schütt. Since 1977 systematically conducted collections in many European Tertiary basins and rich donations of important private collections (such as of H.-J. Anderson, D. Grüll, H. Krock, W. Lappann, H. Moths, A. Piehl, Th. Schellmann, F. Weinbrecht, G. Wienrich) make the Tertiary collection the largest and most species-rich stock in Germany and thus even one of the very important ones in Europe. 

Library & Catalogues

A large number of published historical catalogues summarise the important holdings of the collection, including type catalogues for different aspects of the collections.

Our collections include an important library comprising some 35,000 titles and over 100 specialist periodicals. The Malacology Library also holds collections of handwriting samples and portrait photographs of malacologists. It also houses

The division is the residence of the Deutsche Malakozoologische Gesellschaft and contributes to the editorial work of the world’s oldest continuously published specialist journal in malacology, “Archiv für Molluskenkunde”.

Collections and the library are open to scientific users upon prior arrangement with the Head of Section.