- Main research activities in this field are taxonomy and systematics, evolution and biogeography, morphology and function
- The Senckenberg working group “Molecular taxonomy of marine organisms” uses state-of-the-art methods for species identification and classification of marine metazoans, including DNA barcodes,in situ hybridisation and next-generation sequencing technologies (NGS) as well as mass spectrometry data (MALDI ToF), enabling rapid species assessments. The combination of such different techniques with morphological approaches is unique in Germany.
- In the international context, Senckenberg also plays a prominent role through its responsibility for the Fossil Pit (Grube Messel), a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and the related research focus on Eocene biodiversity.
- Further outstanding taxonomic and systematic research activities concern fungi, soil organisms, marine organisms (in particular from the deep sea) and fossil birds.
- Cutting-edge research under the heading “integrative taxonomy”, combining classical & modern methods, such as bio-acoustics, molecular genetics and ecological approaches to unravel and explain the evolution of the extant and extinct diversity of life.
|
