Teaching

Bachelor

Module Biodiversity of Animals (SS)

• Zoological identification exercises (B. Hausdorf and other lecturers, 1.5 credits, SS)

ABK Module Collecting and working with collection data (B. Hausdorf, 3 or 6 credits, SS + WS)

In this module the structure and function of a database for recording biological collections and general taxonomic basics of collection work are taught. In independent but guided work, collection data is recorded in the database and the necessary research is carried out in geographical and taxonomic databases on the Internet.

Module Diversity, Evolution and Ecology of Molluscs (B. Hausdorf, 3 credits, SS)

• Lecture Diversity, Evolution and Ecology of Molluscs
• Practical course Systematics and Ecology of Molluscs
• Seminar Evolution, Diversity and Ecology of Molluscs

Due to their site fidelity, molluscs are important bioindicators and model organisms for biogeographical studies. In the practical course an overview of the diversity of native terrestrial and freshwater molluscs is given. Malacological collecting techniques are learned on an excursion. The self-collected terrestrial and freshwater molluscs are preserved, prepared and identified. In the second part of the block practical course, the basics of molecular systematics and evolution at the DNA sequence level are discussed, database research is carried out and alignments and molecular phylogenetic trees are created using various programmes.

Master

Module Evolutionary Systematics (M. Glaubrecht, B. Hausdorf, M. Husemann, M. Neiber, 8 credits, WS)

• Lecture Evolutionary Systematics
• Exercises in molecular systematics
• Seminar Examples and Controversies of Molecular Systematic Studies

In the module the basics and methods of classical and molecular systematics are introduced. In exercises, the participants learn the steps from database research to phylogenetic analysis. Each participant works on a self-selected systematic question with the help of molecular data from databases in a project study. The own results are compared with published analyses and the quality of the underlying data and the resulting phylogenetic trees as well as evolutionary conclusions are critically discussed.