Louse fly (Hippoboscidae), scanning electron micrograph.
Life stages of various Strepsiptera. Top row from left to right: embryos, primary larva, last larval stage, free-living female, male. Bottom row: stem group representatives.
Phylogeny and evolution of twisted-winged parasites (Strepsiptera)
This project deals with the morphology and evolution of Strepsiptera, especially the neoteny of the females. In addition, we also work on miniaturisation effects, mainly on the stemmata of primary larvae, the postembryonic development of selected taxa, and stem group representatives of the order.
People involved: PD Dr. Hans Pohl, Prof. Dr. Rolf G. Beutel, Daniel Tröger, Michael Weingardt
Cooperation partners: Dr. Stefan Fischer (University of Tübingen), Dr. Jörg U. Hammel (DESY Hamburg), Dr. Thomas van de Kamp (KIT Karlsruhe)
Tiraspirus tabulatus, scanning electron micrograph.
Phylogeny and evolution of Pselaphinae and other extant and extinct groups of staphylinoid beetles
The primary objective of this project is the documentation of the hitherto almost completely unknown anatomy of the structurally and biologically megadiverse Pselaphinae. Patterns of highly diverse and multiple structural transformations will be analysed. A DFG project planned under the leadership of Dr. Margarita I. Yavorskaya (University of Tübingen) will also include phylogenetic analyses based on molecular data and analyses of the genetic background of the morphological megadiversity.
People involved: Prof. Dr. Rolf G. Beutel, Xiaozhu Luo
Cooperation partners: Dr. Paweł Jałoszyński (Museum of Natural History, University of Wrocław, Poland), Dr. Margarita I. Yavorskaya (University of Tübingen)
3D-rendering of Aneuretus simoni of the monotypic ant subfamily Aneuretinae, representing a phylogenetic key taxon as the sister group of the speciose Dolichoderinae. Specimen of the California Academy of Sciences, Brian Fisher.
Evolution of cephalic, mesosomal, and metasomal structures of extant and extinct groups of ants
The study of the anatomy of Formicidae has a long yet sparse history, being used up until recently as primary evidence for the deeper relationships among living lineages. We have undertaken a series of projects focused on the fine-scale comparative anatomy of living and extinct ants, using recent phylogenomic insights to draw inferences about the early and recent evolution of these eusocial insects. Of special interest to us is the information that we can gain from fossils; our objectives here are to provide new and revised definitions of major fossil groups, integrate these fossils with genomic evidence for analysis, and to provide evidence for the social and functional evolution of the ants over their ~140 million year history.
People involved: Adrian Richter, Dr. Brendon E. Boudinot, Prof. Dr. Rolf G. Beutel
Cooperation partners: Dr. Jörg U. Hammel (DESY Hamburg), Dr. Thomas van de Kamp (KIT Karlsruhe), Dr. Evan Economo (OIST, Japan)
Funding: Evangelisches Studienwerk Villigst, Alexander von Humboldt-Foundation
In copula fixed Xenos vesparum.
Reproductive and mating strategies of Strepsiptera
This project will shed new light on the reproductive biology of Strepsiptera by applying an interdisciplinary approach. This includes a wide array of modern research methods, ranging from comparative anatomy and functional morphology to molecular biology and biomechanics.
People involved: PD Dr. Hans Pohl, Prof. Dr. Oliver Niehuis (University of Freiburg), Prof. Dr. Rolf G. Beutel
PhD student: Kenny Jandausch
Cooperation partners: Prof. Dr. Stanislav N. Gorb (Kiel University), Dr. Jakub Straka (Charles University, Prague, Czech Republic), Dr. Thomas van de Kamp (KIT Karlsruhe)
Funding: DFG, German Research Foundation
Primary larva of Xenos vesparum on its host Polistes dominula.
Physical interactions of adhesive devices of Strepsiptera with different surfaces
The following topics are dealt with in this project: The ultrastructure of adhesive hairs on the tarsi of strepsipteran males; the forces which are involved in attaching to differ surfaces; the ultrastructure of the tarsal adhesive pads of the primary larvae and attachment forces applied during attachment on the host.
People involved: PD Dr. Hans Pohl
Cooperation partner: Prof. Dr. Stanislav N. Gorb (Kiel University)
Workflow of integrative species descriptions.
Development of a workflow for modern integrative species descriptions of insects
The aim of this project is to develop a standardised and easily reproducible workflow for a rapid and detailed description of new insect species. To achieve this goal, integrative taxonomy, modern non-invasive methods and cybertaxonomy will be combined.
People involved: Daniel Tröger, PD Dr. Hans Pohl
Cooperation partner: Dr. Thomas van de Kamp (KIT Karlsruhe)
Funding: DBU, German Federal Environmental Foundation
This is linked to the PhD project of Daniel Tröger (see above). The developed workflow will be applied to presently undescribed species of Strepsiptera from different world regions. The material is mostly in the research collection of PD Dr. Hans Pohl.
People involved: Daniel Tröger, PD Dr. Hans Pohl
Cooperation partners: Daniel Benda, Dr. Jakub Straka (Charles University, Prague, Czech Republic)
Funding: DBU, German Federal Environmental Foundation