Biodiversity, Systematics and Evolution

Cnidaria

The research field comprises studies on different Cnidaria taxa with the main focus on Scyphozoa, Hydrozoa, and Staurozoa which are investigated in taxonomic and ecological studies.

Ecological Biodiversity Research

We study the interactions of meiofauna organisms with their environment. From the tidal range to the deep sea, these seafloor inhabitants, which are only 1 mm in size at most, play an important role in ecosystems. n Meeresbodenbewohner eine wichtige Rolle in den Ökosystemen.

In the Ecological Biodiversity Research we investigate the interaction of meiofauna organisms with their environment. From the intertidal down to the deep sea these 1 mm-sized inhabitants of the sea floor play a crucial part in food webs.

Epifauna

Evolution and Biogeography of Meiofauna

Biological evolution is the fundamental process in nature. By means of inheritance and modification of characters combined with an irreversible split of lineages, evolution created and still creates the stunning biodiversity on our planet.

Infauna

‚Infauna‘ includes all animals living in the sea bottom (sediment). Our department is mainly interested in marine habitats which also include brackish coastal waters or river outlets.

Marine Botany

In general the department for Marine Botany is engaged in work about photosynthetic eukaryotic unicellular organisms (protists), especially phytoplankton but also microphytobenthic taxa.

Marine Geology

Meiobenthic Arthropoda

In the research field Meiobenthic Arthropoda we investigate small arthropods like for instance isopods, amphipods, and copepods as representatives of meiobenthic Crustacea, as well as halacarids, and pycnogonids.

Zooplankton

Members of the DZMB work on projects worldwide. Special emphasis is placed on meio- and macrofaunal taxa constituting the benthic communities, plants and animals of the plankton, and ecological and evolutionary aspects.

Evolutionary Analyses and Biological Archives

We use a a wide range of disciplines to gain insights in the biodiversity of oomycetes and a deeper knowledge of the evolutionary processes that have shaped oomycete diversity and their biotic interaction. Furthermore a Junior research group studies the genomes of fungi.

Medical Biodiversity and Parasitology

We conduct research on medically relevant organisms, including parasites, disease vectors (e.g. mosquitoes, rodents, bats) and reservoir hosts. We focus on the population dynamics, ecology, life cycles and transmission mechanisms using a broad spectrum of methods, from specimen-based taxonomy using morphological and molecular approaches, to advanced approaches of phylogeography and niche modelling.

Molecular Ecology

We investigate phenotypic and genomic variation in and between ecological key species in order to reveal functional similarities and differences of climate tolerance across taxa and ecosystems.

Molecular Evolutionary Biology

Our research aims at understanding organism-environment interactions using molecular tools. We look into the genetic and genomic signatures (in populations, species and communities) as a result of environmental conditions, the influence of climatic factors on the interaction of organisms, and the of partners in a symbiosis and microbiomes in this regard.

Quantitative Biogeography

Our working group investigates interactions between biodiversity, ecosystem functioning, and climate on spatiotemporal scales ranging local studies to the globe and from the past to future scenarios. We develop process-based and statistical computer models for simulating the dynamics of species and ecosystems, in particular dynamic regional to global vegetation models.

Senckenberg Centre for Human Evolution and Palaeoenvironment

Tübingen, Schöningen

As of October 2009, the Senckenberg Centre for Human Evolution and Paleoenvironment (SHEP) was built and established at the Eberhard Karls University of Tübingen. In May of 2017, SHEP became an institute of the Leibniz Association.

Diptera Section

The SDEI Diptera Section represents the diversity of Diptera in its type-rich insect collection and conducts research on taxonomy and systematics.

Hemimetabola Section

The collection of the Hemimetabola Section of the SDEI contains type material.

Hymenoptera Section

The SDEI Hymenoptera section temporary curated by Dr. Stephan Blank has a large an well sortet Hymenoptera collection, rich in type specimen. Technical Assistant to the collection is Andrew Liston.

Lepidoptera Section

The SDEI Lepidoptera Section is temporarily curated by Dr. Martin Wiemers, preparator and technical assistant is Christian Kutzscher.

Molecular Lab

The SDEI Molecular Laboratory specializes in the genetic analysis of insect material for taxonomic systematic but also biogeographic biodiversity research.

Palaeozoology I – Amber Research

The Senckenberg Research Institute and Nature Museum has been active in palaeontological research for more than 150 years. There has been a Bernstein (Amber) Collection for over 100 years but little research has been done on this collection.

Arachnology

The arachnology section is founded on a long-standing tradition of the Senckenberg museum. Research of the arachnology section falls into the area "Biodiversity and Systematics".

Crustacea

In the Crustacea section we mainly study decapods. These are animals that the non-specialist will easily classify as crustaceans.

Cryptogams

The cryptogamic section curates the collections of algae, bryophytes, fungi, lichens and ferns of the Herbarium Senckenbergianum (FR).

Entomology I

Our research program lies at the interface of integrative taxonomic-systematics, ecological biogeography, and bioinformatic modeling, with a particular focus on probing macroecology and macroevolutionary questions. Particular emphasis is placed on unveiling evolutionary processes shaping the evolution of leaf beetles (Chrysomelidae), a superfamily of over 40,000 species.

Entomology II

The collections of Entomology II comprise the Hymenoptera and “Insecta Varia” (apterygote orders, Polyneoptera, Psocodea, Hemiptera, Neuropterida, Siphonaptera, and Mecoptera).

Entomology III  – Lepidoptera and Trichoptera

The Entomology III team conducts research into the evolution, speciation, ecological adaptation and distribution primarily of caddisflies and moths.

Herpetology

Our research activities focus on the study of the Neotropical herpetofauna (Central and South America). Currently, faunistic and zoogeographic studies are undertaken in the following countries: Mexico, Costa Rica, Panama, and Bolivia. Our studies are taxonomic, zoogeographic, and phylogenetic in nature.

Ichthyology

With more than 50,000 nominal and about 34,200 valid species, fishes are the largest group of vertebrates. There are more fish species than species of all other vertebrates combined. 

Mammalogy

The Section Mammalogy houses two extensive collections. Its research focusses on the morphology, ontogeny, evolution and systematics of recent mammals.

Marine Invertebrates I

Focus of our research in section Marine Invertebrates I is the phylum Porifera (sponges). Furthermore, the taxa Cnidaria (corals in particular), Tunicata (ascidians and salps) and Ctenophora (warty comb jellies) are part of our research collections.

Marine Invertebrates II

The section Marine Invertebrates II is responsible for the curation of a large part of Senckenberg's collections of recent marine invertebrates.

Marine Invertebrates III

Bryozoans, Polyzoa or Moss Animals represent a phylum of colonial aquatic suspension feeding animals. Currently, 6,500 living and 15,000 fossil species are known to science.

Messel Research

The section Messel Research manages and curates the collection of fossil vertebrates from the Messel pit fossil site.

Molecular Evolution of Plants and Fungi

On one hand the staff of the section is fully involved in the day-to-day routine of the the Grunelius-Möllgaard-Laboratory in order to secure optimal working conditions, provide logistic support by ordering consumables and troubleshooting expertise.

Ornithology

The research focus of the ornithological section lies on the higher-level phylogeny and early evolution of birds.

Palaeoanthropology

The Section Palaeoanthropology closely cooperates with the Research Centre ROCEEH of the Heidelberg Academy of Sciences and with New York University in the field of Human Paleobiomics.

Palaeoentomology

The section Palaeoentomology manages and curates the collection of fossil invertebrates, mostly fossil Insects, from the Messel pit fossil site. Due to excavations in the Messel pi, each year new finds get integrated into the collection.

Palaeoherpetology

In the section Palaeoherpetology, established in the Messel research department, we are chiefly concerned with lower vertebrates, particularly lizards and snakes.

Palaeomammalogy

The section Palaeomammalogy was created in 2008 as part of the Messel Research Division. The main topic of this research group is the study of “Mammalian Evolution and Biodiversity”.

Palaeozoology III

Devonian geology and palaeontology are the main working fields. Special focus is put on taxononomy, phylogeny and palaeobiogeography of Devonian brachiopods.

Phanerogams I + II

The two sections work closely together and curate the higher plant collections (seed plants) of the Herbarium Senckenbergianum Frankfurt/M. (FR).

Evolution of Sensory Systems

We examine the evolution of vertebrate sensory systems by employing the latest imaging techniques and a combination of fossil (extinct) and modern (extant) organisms.

Tertiary Mammals & Morphometrics

In the Section Tertiary Mammals and Morphometrics, palaeoanthropologists and palaeontologists are working on questions on the evolution of mammals and their adaptation to the environment.

Arachnida

The collection contains a large number of groups of arachnids. It is one of the most type-rich collections of the Senckenberg Museum Görlitz. The research focus is on predatory mites.

Lichenology and Bryology

The section of lichenology and bryology studies lichens and bryophytes. Focuses are on biodiversity dynamics in the previously heayily polluted Neiße Euroregion compared with the biodiversity hotspot Caucasus and on interactions between lichen and bryophyte vegetation and invertebrate animals. This gives often also impulses for taxonomic research.

Malacology

In Görlitz the focus of the mollusc collection and research is terrestrial snails and slugs, particularly slugs. We also house some small collections of other invertebrate taxa not covered by other divisions, for instance Crustacea.

Mycology

Myriapoda

The collection includes centipedes and millipedes, woodlice and earthworms. The main research focus is on taxonomic, zoogeographic and ecological studies of myriapods.

Nematoda

The section deals with nematodes and tardigrades, their ecology, diversity, their fascinating adaptability to extremes as well as their importance in the food web.

Oribatida

The research of the section focuses on the dispersal pathways and mechanisms of oribatid mites and the soil faunal communities at bog sites and their indicator value.

Phanerogams I

Phanerogams II

Our research focuses on systematics and evolution of Central European plants . One of our main subjects is the reticulate evolution in the genus Rosa.

Soil Food Webs

The section investigates the food webs in the soil in order to gain a holistic understanding of the biodiversity and functioning of the soil.

Pterygote Insects

Our main field of activity is Numeric-Morphology-Based-Alpha-Taxonomy (NUMOBAT) of the ant genera Camponotus, Cardiocondyla, Bothriomyrmex, Formica, Hypoponera, Lasius, Myrmica, Leptothorax, Tapinoma, Temnothorax and Tetramorium.

Coleoptera

Diptera

The research in the Diptera Division Dresden is focussed on faunistics, biosystematics and zoogeography of sciaroid flies, especially the families Bolitophilidae, Diadocidiidae, Ditomyiidae, Keroplatidae and Mycetophilidae.

Evertebrata Varia

The collections range from protozoans (Foraminifera) to more highly evolved worms (Annelids). Research activities contribute to the Senckenberg Research Field Biodiversity and Systematics.

Herpetology

Lepidoptera

Butterflies and Moths

In the entire realm of organisms the butterflies and moths are the largest community of descent of herbivorous species. So far about 160,000 species have been described, but it is estimated that 500,000 butterfly and moth species live on Earth. About 1,000 new species are described each year.

Malacology

Beside the molluscs the section in Dresden is in charge of the collections Chelicerata, Myriapoda, Crustacea, Echinodermata, and Tunicata.

Mammalogy

Our research is mainly embedded in the research area Biodiversity and Systematics. Other research includes morphological and ecological aspects of Rodents and Carnivora (eg.. Castor fiber, Lutra lutra, Felis silvestris).

Molecular Laboratory

The use of molecular biological methods in state of the art evolutionary research has two major advantages: the methodology can be implemented universally in all organisms and enables insight along a long time interval of many million years.

Ornithology

The Dresden collection of birds houses approximately 91.000 objects including whole skins, mounted specimens, skeletons, eggs, nests and feather mounts.

Palaeobotany

Palaeozoology

Erforschung der vorzeitlichen Tierwelt

Die Paläozoologie als wesentlicher Teilbereich der Paläontologie (der Lehre von den Lebewesen der erdgeschichtlichen Vergangenheit) befasst sich mit den Fossilien, die ehemaligen tierischen Lebewesen zugeordnet werden können. In der Sektion Paläozoologie der SNSD spielen neben dem Benennen und Zuordnen (Taxonomie und Systematik) auch Fragestellungen rund um die Evolution der Organismen und Lebensgemeinschaften sowie die Veränderung der Lebensräume in Zeit und Raum eine sehr wichtige Rolle.

Phylogeography

Population genetics

Im Fachgebiet Populationsgenetik werden molekulargenetische Methoden angewendet, um die genetische Konstitution von Populationen einer Tierart zu bestimmen. Auf der Grundlage der allgemeinen Gesetze der Genetik und unter Anwendung mathematischer Verfahren werden verschiedene Parameter bestimmt, z.B., um die genetische Vielfalt innerhalb von Populationen zu bestimmen (Diversitätsparameter) oder die genetischen Unterschiede zwischen Populationen zu beschreiben (Divergenzparameter).