Forschung

Research projects in the Biodiversity and Animal Evolutionary Biology group aim at understanding mechanisms and consequences of dispersal behavior of marine organism.

ln long-term studies in the tropics we analyze the metapopulation structure of coral reef fish and the impact of disturbances e.g. of cyclones on connectivity and dispersal dynamics.

We are interested to understand whether and why species can cope with changing environmental conditions. Physiological studies determine performance and well-being of organisms. New genetic sequencing technologies open up an unprecedented opportunity to explore the evolutionary potential of species and species communities.

Dispersal and settlement success are also directly influenced by orientation mechanisms that enable marine larval organisms to find suitable habitat. We study the behavioral and sensory basis of orientation in coral reef fish in Australia, but also in migrating fish and crustaceans in the North Sea.