3D functional morphology
We apply different techniques to understand the complex three-dimensional morphology of arthropods: allows non-invasive imaging of the internal morphology of small arthropods with a sub-micron resolution. Using such data, we can estimate Synchrotron x-ray tomography (SR-µCT) models to bio-mechanical. To digitize the external 3D-morphology of insects including their natural colors and surface textures we have developed understand processes of miniaturization, a novel system combining extended-depth-of-field with multi-view imaging. DISC3D is, in the meantime, also used for DISC3D (Darmstadt Insect Scanner) of insect 3D-digitization. museum collections
Forest ecology
The climate crisis also heavily affects our forests. Trees suffer from heat and increasing drought, and this also affects the soil microclimate and the . As a member of the soil-dwelling organisms, we are investigating the microclimatic changes in Lore-Steubing-Institute, with a special focus on the Hessian forest soils. We focus on the dynamics of soil temperature, soil moisture and soil animal communities. In the interdisciplinary FiF-project Darmstadt city forest we combine quantitative and qualitative aspects of canopy cover with chemical, microclimatic and faunistic parameters of the forest floor. ForestHealth
We also study the regeneration dynamics of a tropical rainforest in Ecuador. In the research unit we investigate leaf litter arthropod communities and the role of alkaloids in predator-prey interactions of poison-dart frogs and their arthropod prey REASSEMBLY. (SP2)
Chemical ecology
Chemical substances play a major role in species interactions. Allomones are (usually against predators), and affect chemicals that evolved for defense Some defensive substances may also be attractive to some predators, e.g., from predator-prey dynamics. or even deliver chemical protection to the consumer (e.g., cheese mites). poison frogs strongly influences biochemical processes of an organism, and affects not only chemical defensive substances but also life history and morphology. Nutritional quality
Why sex?
One of the major questions in biology is: Why do the vast majority of species reproduce by sexual processes (with mostly two sexes), accepting the costs of producing males? One group of animals, oribatid mites, has evolved several clades that abandoned sex and males – for , and even hundreds of millions of years. diversified into distinct genetical and morphological species