Current research focus
In my working group we deal with population genomics (whole genome analyses), ecology and morphology of freshwater fish, currently with a focus on minnows(Phoxinus spp.). To this end, we carry out standardised monitoring using point abundance fishing, record ecological parameters, collect fish and examine them morphologically (geometric morphometry) and trophologically (stomach content analyses, stable isotopes). Finally, the results of the trophic and morphological investigations are combined with the results of the whole genome analyses in order to be able to make statements about species/population boundaries, ecological preferences of individual species and the influence of hybridisation through stocking measures. All genetic resources obtained are deposited in our biobank and the resulting data sets and analysis code are made available on open source databases.
I offer the following topics for Master's theses (as of October 2024):
Determination of age and growth rates in minnows using scales
Histological work on gonadal development in minnows
Bioinformatics (knowledge of R and Unix, possibly HPC, is a prerequisite): Identification of structural differences in genomes of different minnow species
Current and former group members
Current working group members
Nils Sternberg, PhD student
Temitope Oriowo, PhD student
Alexander Keller, University of Bonn, Master thesis
Erika Cevallos Dupuis, Master thesis
Former working group members
Annabell Macphee, University of Glasgow, Visiting Master student, 2023-2024
Sebastian Scheumann, University of Cologne, Bachelor thesis, 2024
Fredrik Holz, University of Cologne, Bachelor thesis, 2023
Contact person
Dr. Madlen Stange
- Head of Junior Research Group "Minnow"
Phone: +49 228 9122 367
E-Mail: m.stange@leibniz-lib.de
Projects
BIGFOOT - BIodiversity decline's Genomic FOOTprint
Management: Dr. habil. Astrid Böhne
Provenance research at the Museum Koenig
Management: Dr. André Koch
Hybrid swarm evolution in minnows
Management: Dr. Madlen Stange
Publications
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2025/12
Pesticides have negative effects on non-target organisms
Nature communications, 1, 16
2024/12
The Field Automatic Insect Recognition‐Device—A Non‐Lethal Semi‐Automatic Malaise Trap for Insect Biodiversity Monitoring: Proof of Concept
Ecology and Evolution, 12, 14
2024/12
Comparing and Transect Methods for Aquatic Biodiversity Assessment in Lakes and Ponds
Molecular Ecology resources
2024/10
German Barcode of Life, Entdeckung und Beschreibung neuer Arten
2024/10
The ASV Registry: a place for ASVs to be
Metabarcoding and Metagenomics, 8
2024/8
Integrative characterisation of the Northwestern European species of Anacharis Dalman, 1823 (Hymenoptera, Cynipoidea, Figitidae) with the description of three new species
Journal of Hymenoptera Research, 97
2024/8
Exkursion in den Kaukasus: Der CaBOL BioBlitz 2022 in Armenien und Georgien
2024/7
Synchronised monitoring of plant and insect diversity: a case study using automated Malaise traps and DNA-based methods
Biodiversity Data Journal, 12
2024/6
Preserving morphology while extracting DNA: a non-destructive field-to-museum protocol for slide-mounted specimens
Biodiversity Data Journal, 12
2024/4
Joint environmental and social benefits from diversified agriculture
Science, 6691, 384
2024/3
The FAIR-Device-a non-lethal and generalist semi-automatic Malaise trap for insect biodiversity monitoring: Proof of concept
bioRxiv
2024/3
Leibniz Research Network Biodiversity. (2024). 10 Must Knows from Biodiversity Science 2024 (Version 1). Potsdam Institute for Climate Impact Research.
2024/0
Diversification mitigates pesticide but not microplastic effects on bees without compromising rapeseed yield in China
bioRxiv
2023/12
taxalogue: a toolkit to create comprehensive CO1 reference databases
11
2023/12
Species richness promotes plant productivity by suppressing plant antagonists
2023/11
Recommendations for effective insect conservation in nature protected areas based on a transdisciplinary project in Germany
1, 35
2023/11
Metabarcoding dietary analysis in the insectivorous bat Nyctalus leisleri and implications for conservation
Biodiversity Data Journal, 11
2023/7
Multispecies crop mixtures increase insect biodiversity in an intercropping experiment
3, 4
2023/6
Convergent patterns in multitrophic biodiversity effects on yield across ecosystems
11, 66
2023/5
Another crack in the Dark Taxa wall: a custom DNA barcoding protocol for the species-rich and common Eurytomidae (Hymenoptera, Chalcidoidea)
Biodiversity Data Journal, 11
2023/4
Microhabitat conditions remedy heat stress effects on insect activity
13, 29
2023/3
The impact of pesticides on non-target organisms
2023/1
Metabarcoding of trap nests reveals differential impact of urbanization on cavity‐nesting bee and wasp communities
23, 32
2023/0
Trophic interactions affecting biodiversity–ecosystem functioning relationships
2023/0
DNA-basierte Biodiversitätsanalysen im Natur-und Umweltschutz: Welche Optionen haben wir für eine Standardisierung?: eine Handlungsempfehlung aus Forschung und Praxis