Research Departments
Research, explain, conserve - under this guiding principle, the Leibniz Institute for Biodiversity Change Analysis (LIB) has established an integrated research program dedicated to the study of biodiversity. In our 12 research departments, we investigate organisms and their habitats, from right here on the Elbe River to the species-rich tropics.
Biodiversität der Tiere
Department of Animal Diversity
Using primarily freshwater snails as models, this department is concerned with the theory and practice of systematic zoology—the act of describing, defining, and distinguishing between species. Relationships to geography, phylogeny, and evolution also play an important role in our research. Our researchers conduct their analyses using morphological methods, that is those that take into account external features, as well as modern techniques in molecular genetics ... [ more ]
Arachnologie
Department of Arachnology
Research in this department focuses on spiders, centipedes, velvet worms, and more. Its extensive collection contains roughly 1 million specimens and nearly 9,000 species, including more than 5,600 species of mites and spiders. Above all, its large number of recorded water bears, scorpions, spiders, and special mite groups, together with the historical significance of a few of the sub-collections established by renowned arachnologists and collectors have garnered international recognition ... [ more ]
Entomologie
Department of Entomology
Research in this department focuses on insect taxonomy, diversity, morphology, and ecology as well as issues relating to conservation. Work is conducted in Hamburg and northern Germany as well as abroad. Researchers investigate both the spread and ecological demands of various species as well as the consequences of change to their natural habitats as a result of human agency ... [ more ]
Herpetologie
Department of Herpetology
One of the Department’s key research areas is amphibian biodiversity in Southeast Asia. The rich diversity of frog species in the tropics has long been underestimated. On its expeditions the Department has tracked down new species, at the same time discovering and describing the corresponding tadpole types. A further key research area is the history of the evolution and distribution of amphibians and reptiles. .... [ more ]
Ichthyologie
Department of Ichthyology
The main study area is the Northeast Atlantic region including the North and Baltic Seas and selected tributaries. Research of the Department Ichthyology has the following main priorities: Systematics and biogeography of Chondrichthyes and Teleostei, Population and evolutionary ecology of diadromous, invasive and reef-associated fish species, and Mathematical habitat modeling and assessments of conservation status ... [ more ]
Wirbellose Tiere I
Department of Invertebrates
This department’s most important research topics include species diversity, the variety of external characteristics (morphology), and the ecology and evolution of organ systems among various animal groups more generally known as worms. Our researchers use morphological methods, including various microscopic procedures, as well as methods from molecular biology. As part of its research on the evolution of organs, the Department concentrates in particular on the evolution of the musculature and the central nervous system ... [ more ]
Crustacea
Department of Crustacea
Krebse (Crustacea) sind eine der formenreichsten und mit ca. 67.000 beschriebenen Arten eine der diversesten Tiergruppen der Welt. Sie umfassen nicht nur die allseits bekannten Garnelen, Krabben und Hummer, sondern auch Taxa die auf den ersten Blick an Würmer (Pentastomida) oder schwimmende Muscheln (Spinicaudata) erinnern. Krebse sind essentieller Bestandteil praktisch aller Ökosystem und stellen vermutlich die größte Biomasse des marinen Planktons dar .... [ more ]
Malakologie
Department of Malacology
The focus of the research of the malacological department is in the field of evolutionary systematics. We investigate evolutionary processes such as speciation, radiation and hybridization using a combination of morphological and molecular genetic methods. Depending on the project objectives, the systematic, phylogenetic and population genetic findings are combined with geographic and ecological data to improve our understanding of the processes that resulted in the observed biogeographical and macroeconomic patterns ... [ more ]
Mammalogie und Paläoanthropologie
Department of Mammalogy and Paleoanthropology
This department boasts one of Germany’s most significant research collections of mammals, including numerous collections of furs, organs, and embryos. The masticatory apparatus (i.e., chewing mechanism) forms a special focus of research, as the form and function of chewing surfaces in most mammals are closely linked to their evolution and modes of life. Furthermore, teeth remains are the most common mammalian fossils ... [ more ]
Arachnologie
Departement of Mineralogy
The main research area of the Department of Mineralogy is the study and description of rare and new minerals. Currently the focus is on oxidation zones of Chilean ore deposits. New minerals, such as for example the copper minerals haydeeite or tondiite from Chile, described within our research on geodiversity are playing an important role in current research of unusual states of matter at low temperatures ... [ more ]
Ornithologie
Departement of Ornithology
This collection contains skins, skeletons, exhibition models, eggs, nests, feathers, and specimens preserved in alcohol, which together constitute around 71,000 objects. Researchers worldwide use both these specimens and their corresponding data. The Department records, conserves, and maintains the collection in addition to supporting external research projects. Its own research focuses on developing the collection and reconstructing collecting activities in the past ... [ more ]
Arachnologie
Department of Paleontology
Research in this department focuses on developments to ecosystem and climate over the last 50 million or so years. Microfossils from core samples and geological profiles play a key role in this endeavor. As all organisms make characteristic demands on the environment, it is possible to reconstruct changes to ecosystems and climate by examining changes in the occurrence and frequency of microfossils. Following examination, samples are incorporated into the micropaleontological collection. The collection of animal and plant remains in amber play a special role in research ... [ more ]
