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Dynamics of ecosystems
The main focus of research in the malacological department is in the field of evolutionary systematics. We investigate evolutionary processes such as speciation, radiation and hybridisation using a combination of morphological and molecular genetic methods. Depending on the objective of the project, the systematic, phylogenetic and population genetic findings are linked with geographical and ecological data in order to better understand the processes that have led to the development of the observed biogeographical and macroecological patterns and thus the dynamics of ecosystems.
Land snails as model organisms
We use land snails as model organisms for our studies. Due to their low mobility, land snails are not only a suitable model group for analysing historical processes, but they are also suitable as indicators for the quality of habitats and are therefore relevant for nature conservation purposes.
Related collections
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Projects
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Ecuadorian-German Integrative Biodiversity Research Centre (EGiB)
Management: Prof. Dr. Bernhard Hausdorf
Publications
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2025/10
Four new species of Neischnocolus (Araneae: Mygalomorphae: Theraphosidae) from Western Ecuador
Zootaxa, 4, 5706
2025/08
A new distinctive lineage of Helix (Gastropoda, Stylommatophora, Helicidae), with a guide to Helix species from mainland Greece
ZooKeys, 1249
2025/08
Revision of the Ecuadorian Microstigmatidae (Araneae: Mygalomorphae), with the description of six new species
European Journal of Taxonomy, 1007
2025/08
Star‐Like Radiation of Leucostigma candidescens Populations (Gastropoda: Clausiliidae) and Repeated Changes in Chirality
Zoologica scripta
2025/07
ERGA-BGE genome of Anisus vorticulus (Troschel, 1834): the Lesser Ramshorn Snail, an endangered freshwater snail protected under the EU's Habitats and Species Directive
Open Research Europe, 5
2025/05
Caucasian/Pontic–Mediterranean disjunction and recolonization of Europe by Pomatias (Hyrcania) species (Caenogastropoda, Pomatiidae)
Zoologica scripta, 3, 54
2025/04
Species Delimitation Using Genomic Data: Options and Limitations
Molecular Ecology, 8, 34
2025/02
Phylogeny and species delimitation in Albinaria from western Crete (Gastropoda: Clausiliidae)
Zoological journal of the Linnean Society, 2, 203
2024/12
Three new species of Melychiopharis (Araneae, Araneidae) from Ecuador and Peru
Zootaxa, 1, 5555
2024/10
Two new species of the spider genus Loxosceles (Araneae, Sicariidae) from the Ecuadorian Andes
Evolutionary Systematics, 8
2024/09
Repeated colonization of the Northern Limestone Alps from the Southern Limestone Alps by the rock‐dwelling snail species Cochlostoma henricae
Zoologica scripta, 5, 53
2024/08
Accelerated mitochondrial evolution and asymmetric fitness of hybrids contribute to the persistence of Helix thessalica in the Helix pomatia range
Molecular ecology, 16, 33
2024/07
An Integrative Analysis of the Specific Distinctness of Valvata (Cincinna) ambigua Westerlund, 1873 and Valvata (Cincinna) piscinalis (Müller, 1774) (Gastropoda: Valvatidae)
Diversity, 7, 16
2024/01
First record of the family Hahniidae in Ecuador with description of thirteen new species and three new genera (Araneae: Hahniidae)
Taxonomy, 1, 4
2023/12
Description of eleven new species in the Scytodoidea group (Araneae: Drymusidae and Scytodidae) from mainland Ecuador
TheJournal of Arachnology, 3, 51
2023/12
Holding in the stream: convergent evolution of suckermouth structures in Loricariidae (Siluriformes)
Frontiers in Zoology, 1, 20
2023/12
Unravelling the double Helix escherichi, with description of Helix ankae sp. nov. and a discussion of Maltzanella and the subgenera of Helix (Gastropoda: Helicidae)
Archiv für Molluskenkunde International Journal of Malacology, 2, 152
2023/11
Diversity of Siphonaria Sowerby I, 1823 (Gastropoda, Siphonariidae) in the Seychelles Bank and beyond
Zoologica scripta, 1, 52
2023/11
The Caucasus is neither a cradle nor a museum of diversity of the land snail genus Helix (Gastropoda, Stylommatophora, Helicidae), while Crimea is home to an ancient lineage
Zoosystematics and Evolution, 2, 99
2023/09
Discovery of a new eye pattern in Araneoid spiders, with the description of two new species of Testudinaria from the Ecuadorian Amazon (Araneae: Araneidae)
Annales de la Société entomologique de France (N S ), 5, 59
2023/07
Speciation of rock-dwelling snail species: Disjunct ranges and mosaic patterns reveal the importance of long-distance dispersal in Chilostoma (Cingulifera) in the European Southern Alps
Molecular Phylogenetics and Evolution, 184
2023/07
How genomics can help biodiversity conservation
Trends in Genetics, 7, 39
2023/07
PUPINIDAE OF JAVA (GASTROPODA: CAENOGASTROPODA)
TREUBIA, 1, 50
2023/06
Review of the Spider Genus Linothele (Mygalomorphae, Dipluridae) from Ecuador—An Exceptional Case of Speciation in the Andes
Arthropoda, 3, 1
2023/04
Rapid increase in knowledge about the distribution of introduced predatory Testacella species (Gastropoda: Stylommatophora) in North America by community scientists
Biological invasions, 9, 25
2025
2024
2023
Employees
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Elisa Becher
ztm Mollusca Doctoral candidatePhone: +49 40 238317 674
E-mail: e.becher@leibniz-lib.de/leibniz-lib.de/fileadmin/user_upload/home/Bilder/LIB/Ueber_das_LIB/Mitarbeitende/Hamburg/Hausdorf__Bernhard__c_Tjorben_Meier_Portraits.JPG%3F1736151814)
Prof. Dr. Bernhard Hausdorf
ztm Mollusca ScientistPhone: +49 40 238317 617
E-mail: b.hausdorf@leibniz-lib.deAnna Hessmann
ztm Mollusca Doctoral candidatePhone: +49 40 238317 619
E-mail: a.hessmann@leibniz-lib.de/leibniz-lib.de/fileadmin/user_upload/home/Bilder/LIB/Ueber_das_LIB/Mitarbeitende/Hamburg/Tapia__Elicio-_c_Paran-Pour.jpg%3F1757583093)