The Leibniz Institute for the Analysis of Biodiversity Change

is a research museum of the Leibniz Association

Link to Leibniz Association

Research Museum

ZFMK, as Leibniz Institute for Animal Biodiversity, is an independent research institute.

The focal point of research is performing an inventory of the zoological species diversity on earth, the analysis of changes in biodiversity as a result of environmental factors and through evolutionary processes at the morphological and molecular level.

We furthermore explore  the context of structure and function of ecological systems, advanced scientific methods and the study of the history of science.

Publications

Biodiversity biobanks: a landscape analysis
Metabarcoding, Biobank
Biodiversity Biobanking – a Handbook on Protocols and Practices
Biobank
An elusive giant: A new species of Vitreorana Guayasamin et al., 2009 (Anura: Centrolenidae) from the northern Atlantic Forest with an osteological description and comments on integumentary spicules
Herpetology
[All publications]

Projects

Brain structure and activity patterns in birds
Ornithology, Morphology Laboratory
Biodiversity Genomics Europe (BGE) project
Comparative Vertebrate Genomics, Biobank, Metabarcoding, Lepidoptera, Hymenoptera, Diptera
Microcebus berthae survey
Conservation Ecology
[All projects]

Research: Events

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INVAXEN
Invasion Biology of Xenopus
The INVAXEN project investigates the African Clawed Frogs' ecology, physiology, invasive potential and dispersal patterns in South Africa, Belgium, France and Portugal.
More on INVAXEN
HPC Cluster
High-Performance Computing
Next generation sequencing techniques are generating unprecedented amounts of data which challenge concepts of data analyses and storage.
Our HPC Cluster
1KITE
Evolution of the insects
1000 Insect Transcriptome Evolution: This international research project covers the evolutionary history of insects in historically unprecedented extent.
More on 1KITE
GBoL
German Barcode of Life
GBoL aims at covering the biodiversity of all German animals, fungi and plants based on their genetic DNA barcodes, providing the data for applications.
More on GBOL
Heart of the museum
Our collections
Outstanding scientific collections are the basis of Museum Koenig's scientific research.
Our collections in detail
Pause

ztm -- CENTRE for Taxonomy and Morphology

The Centre for Taxonomy and Morphology (ztm) consists of multiple custodies, from arachnids to mammals. It also hosts the scientific collections.
More on >ztm<

zmb -- CENTRE for Molecular Biodiversity Research

Scientists of the Centre for Molecular Biodiversity Research (zmb) work on diverse aspects of molecular biodiversity research, bioinformatics, and curate the biobank.
Learn more about >zmb<

zbm -- CENTRE for Biodiversity Monitoring and Conservation Science

The Centre for Biodiversity Monitoring and Conservation Science (zbm) sonducts scientific monitoring of species diversity and habitats to protect a large proportion of local fauna and prevent extinction.
Continue to the >zbm<

Research News

Puku antelope on the front cover - reasons are worrying results of a study

[02.07.2021] The puku antelope (Kobus vardonii) has made it onto the front page twice. The background for this is the worrying study by Vera Rduch and Thalia Jentke with current data on the bovids, the antelopes and the African buffalo, from Kasanka National Park in Zambia. The results of the study, published in Early View in January 2021, show an 84% decline in the population of pukus compared to an earlier study in 2009-2010.
[more]

New representatives of the "ZFMK Student Club"

[02.03.2021] With their election they also take the positions as Ph.D. representatives of ZFMK within the Leibniz community.
[more]

Invasive species are a main threat to global biodiversity

[19.02.2021] Invasive species such as the African Clawed Frog, Xenopus laevis, are a main threat to global biodiversity. Xenopus is native to Southern Africa but was introduced to four other continents. In Europe, the species could establish populations in France, Italy and Portugal. In our recently published study, we provide a novel approach, which was used to reconstruct the invasion of this highly invasive frog for Portugal.Using satellite data, including data on elevation, vegetation and land cover, we found that this almost fully aquatic frog most likely used a terrestrial corridor with three golf course ponds next to Laje River to reach a second river.
[more]
[All news]