Systematic Zoology - AG Haszprunar
Head of the workgroup is Prof. Dr. Gerhard Haszprunar (chair of Systematic Zoology LMU Munich, director of Zoological State Collection ZSM, general director Scientific Collections of Bavaria SNSB). Team members are working partly at LMU Biocenter Martinsried and partly at ZSM.
The workgroup is involved in the instruction of young academics (BSc, MSc, Teacher and Dr.) and takes part in the "Munich Graduate School for Evolution, Ecology and Systematics" (EESLMU).
Permanent presence in the Biocenter and acting leader of the workgroup ("Haszi-Lab") since its establishment in 2004 is Prof. Dr. Martin Heß. In research, teaching and scientific advise he is supported by Dr. Timea Neusser. The trouble-free workflow in the office and the lab is ensured by TA Heidemarie Gensler.
Our Research Topics
Organismic Zoology, Malacology in particular
Comparative anatomy, ultrastructure, and phylogeny of molluscs
Methods:
- Computer-aided 3D-reconstruction of micro-molluscs (< 3mm)
- Histology and electron microscopy (SEM, TEM, CLSM)
Architecture of Sense Organs
Eye structures at the anatomical, histological, and subcellular level 'tell the story' of their function, evolution, and adaptation to habitat and habit. Currently we are investigating teleosts, cephalopods, bivalves, stomatopods and pycnogonids.
Methods:
- digital 3D-microscopy (LM, CLSM, SEM, TEM, FIB)
- n-dimensional image data analysis
Taxonomy 21
Molecular and IT-based approaches
Methods:
- DNA-Barcoding
- IT-based collections (GBIF Germany)