Topics

Evolutionary Ecology

The discipline of Evolutionary Ecology explores interactions of living organisms from an evolutionary point of view. The research program of the Department of Evolutionary Biology includes signal evolution, insect-flower interactions, and the evolution of form-function relationships. In sum, we study the selective forces that shape the evolution of morphological, physiological, behavioral and life-history traits. The methods employed comprise integrative approaches including behavioral, genetic and experimental designs.

• Behavioral Ecology (Hödl)
• Feeding Ecology in Insects (Krenn)
• Pollination (Paulus, Krenn)
• Sensory Ecology (Paulus, Spaethe)
• Signal Evolution (Hödl, Paulus)

Phylogeny & Evolutionary Morphology 

Evolutionary morphology is an integrative approach that deals with the evolutionary origin and transformation of structures and organs under functional and ecological aspects.

The phylogenetic research of the Department focuses on basic divergences in the metazoan tree. We explore the phylogenetic relationships among mollusks and arthropods using molecular and morphological methods.