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.
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
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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2025/10
The Bug‐Network (BugNet): A Global Experimental Network Testing the Effects of Invertebrate Herbivores and Fungal Pathogens on Plant Communities and Ecosystem Function in Open Ecosystems
Ecology and Evolution, 10, 15
2025/08
Pioneer habitats drive high plant beta diversity and conservation value of mineral extraction sites
Journal of applied ecology, n/a, n/a
2025/05
Leaving synthetic pesticides behind
Science, 6748, 388
2025/05
Understanding biodiversity effects on trophic interactions with a robust approach to path analysis
Cell Reports Sustainability, 5, 2
2025/04
Baers’s Wood Mouse - Hylomyscus baeri
2025/04
Wimmer’s Shrew - Crocidura wimmeri
2025/03
Identifying conservation hotspots and assessing species commonness and rarity: Baseline arthropod diversity in German nature reserves via national Malaise trap monitoring
Insect Conservation and Diversity
2025/02
Pesticides have negative effects on non-target organisms
Nature communications, 1, 16
2025/02
Large scale monitoring of terrestrial small mammals using noninvasive sampling and COI barcoding
Mammal Research
2025/02
Environmental supports importance of heterogeneous pond landscapes for arthropod diversity conservation
Ecosphere, 2, 16
2025/01
Maximizing Identification Precision of Hymenoptera and Brachycera (Diptera) With a Non‐Destructive Metabarcoding Approach
Ecology and Evolution, 1, 15
2025/01
The clockwork of insect activity: Advancing ecological understanding through automation
Journal of Animal Ecology
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, 3, 25
2024/09
Der Einfluss von Bewirtschaftung und organischer Düngung auf Bodenarthropoden in ackerbaulich genutzten Böden
0028-0615, 9-10, 99
2024/07
Synchronised monitoring of plant and insect diversity: a case study using automated Malaise traps and DNA-based methods
Biodiversity Data Journal, 12
2024/04
Joint environmental and social benefits from diversified agriculture
Science, 6691, 384
2024/03
The FAIR-Device-a non-lethal and generalist semi-automatic Malaise trap for insect biodiversity monitoring: Proof of concept
bioRxiv
2024/03
Leibniz Research Network Biodiversity. (2024). 10 Must Knows from Biodiversity Science 2024 (Version 1). Potsdam Institute for Climate Impact Research.
2024/02
Development of an automated Malaise trap multisampler
2024/02
Non-destructive DNA extraction and metabarcoding of arthropod bulk samples: a step-by-step protocol
2024/00
Diversification mitigates pesticide but not microplastic effects on bees without compromising rapeseed yield in China
bioRxiv
2023/12
Metabarcoding of trap nests reveals differential impact of urbanization on cavity‐nesting bee and wasp communities
Molecular Ecology, 23, 32
2023/12
taxalogue: a toolkit to create comprehensive CO1 reference databases
PeerJ, 11
2023/12
Species richness promotes plant productivity by suppressing plant antagonists