Research at our department is devoted to the analysis of patterns in biological diversity and to the ecological and evolutionary processes driving these patterns.

On the community level we are primarily interested in
(a) determinants of biodiversity along environmental gradients and
(b) consequences of anthropogenic habitats alteration on the composition of species assemblages.

The comparative approach is a backbone of our scientific interests. We contrast patterns and processes prevalent in species-rich animal assemblages of tropical forest ecosystems with those in far less diverse temperate-zone biomes. Thereby, we touch upon the dimensions of species, functional, and phylogenetic diversity. Much of our research in tropical ecology is centered around the field station La Gamba in Costa Rica.

On the population level we study requirements and dynamics of individual species, especially animals of conservation concern.

On the individual level, we address the significance of genetic variation and phenotypic plasticity for the evolutionary ecology of organisms (e.g. with regard to micro-evolution and speciation).

Using selected phytophagous insects as main examples, we study the evolution of animal diversity, from the population level (phylogeography) across species to higher systematic levels (phylogeny). These studies open new insights into radiation processes in relation to historical factors as well as in co-evolutionary interaction with host plants.

Focal organisms range from insects (butterflies, moths, ants, beetles, dragonflies, etc.) to vertebrates (especially birds).

Recent publications

Milakovic I, Fiedler K, Karrer G. Management of roadside populations of invasive Ambrosia artemisiifolia by mowing. Weed Research. 2014 Jun;54(3):256-264. Epub 2014 Feb 8. doi: 10.1111/wre.12074

Caneiro E, Mielke OHH, Casagrande MM, Fiedler K. Skipper Richness (Hesperiidae) Along Elevational Gradients in Brazilian Atlantic Forest. Neotropical Entomology. 2014 Feb;43(1):27-38. doi: 10.1007/s13744-013-0175-8

Zografou K, Vassiliki K, Grill A, Wilson RJ, Tzirkalli E, Pamperis LN et al. Signals of Climate Change in Butterfly Communities in a Mediterranean Protected Area. PLoS ONE. 2014 Jan 29;9(1): e87245. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0087245

Schütz C, Schulze C. Measuring the eye size of mist-netted birds: a comparison of two non-invasive methods. Journal of Ornithology. 2014;155(4):1077-1079. Epub 2013 Apr 22. doi: 10.1007/s10336-014-1078-0