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The junior research group "Adaptive Genomics of Sulawesi Ricefishes" was funded by the Leibniz Association from 2017 to 2022. Since 2022, it has been merged into the Evolutionary Genomics Section. Of particular interest in evolutionary biology are phenotypic changes that enable the utilisation of previously unavailable ecological resources (or niches). These traits, often referred to as evolutionary (key) innovations or adaptive breakthroughs, can be complex and result in fundamental changes in the life cycle.
Novel reproductive strategies are particularly interesting in this context, as these often complex adaptations are associated with changes in morphology, physiology and life cycle. The research group is focussing on a particular reproductive strategy, also known as ventral brooding or ventral fin brooding, which has evolved in at least two lineages of the rice fish (Actinopterygii: Adrianichthyidae) of Sulawesi.
In contrast to most other rice fish, which shed their fertilised eggs shortly after spawning, females of bellybrooders carry their eggs until the larvae hatch. The eggs are attached to the female by filaments and anchored in the female by a unique structure called a plug. The plug is a temporary tissue that forms after spawning, is supplied with blood and eventually dissolves after the young have hatched. Other obvious morphological adaptations are an indentation in the abdominal region and elongated pelvic fins, which are only present in breeding females. To investigate the morphological and genomic basis of ventral brooding and the evolution and adaptive value of this novel reproductive strategy, we use a holistic approach combining comparative morphology, gene expression data, genomic data and field data.
Contact person
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Projects
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Evolution and development of the plug, a transient novel tissue in ricefishes
Management: Dr. Julia Schwarzer
Publications
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2026/03
Pesticides but not microplastics affect pollination in rape seed production in China
Environmental Research Food Systems, 1, 3
2026/02
Insect declines: Challenges and solutions
Current Opinion in Insect Science
2026/01
Optimised light sources reduce nocturnal insect attraction at railway stations
2026/01
Global evidence that plant diversity suppresses pests and promotes plant performance and crop production
Nature Ecology & Evolution
2026/01
Mountains of diversity: a systematic revision of the Andean rodent genus Oreoryzomys (Cricetidae: Sigmodontinae)
PeerJ, 14
2025/12
Wooden or metal: live-trap type preferences of small mammals in relation to habitat, taxon, and sex
Mammalian Biology
2025/09
Edge computer vision produces microarthropod-based high-throughput biodiversity metrics
2025/09
Edge computer vision produces microarthropod-based high-throughput biodiversity metrics
bioRxiv
2025/03
Reduzierter Einsatz von Pflanzenschutzmitteln in der Agrarlandschaft: Strategien aus Sicht der Biodiversitätsforschung
2025/01
BioMonitor4CAP - Deliverable D2.1 - Methods and indicators ready for validation/demonstration
2024/10
Entwicklung eines nichtletalen Monitoringsystems zur Erfassung von Insektenbiodiversität in landwirtschaftlichen Produktionssystemen
2026
2025
2024
Employees
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Dr. Julia Schwarzer
zmb Evolutionary genomics ScientistPhone: +49 228 9122 426
E-mail: j.schwarzer@leibniz-lib.de/leibniz-lib.de/fileadmin/user_upload/home/Bilder/LIB/Ueber_das_LIB/Mitarbeitende/Bonn/01_20241120_MKB_Portraits_LowRes_SchuellerAlina_FKurceren_6N0A6724.jpg%3F1739272895)
MSc Alina Schüller
zmb ztm Animal husbandry Evolutionary genomics Doctoral candidatePhone: +49 228 9122 431
E-mail: a.schueller@leibniz-lib.de