ZSM molecular laboratory

ZSM lab features a complete setup for single tube or 96-well DNA purification, PCR / cycle sequencing and cleanup. A QIAGEN BioRobot 3000 may aid in liquid handling processes, from DNA extraction to PCR pipetting.

Sequencing

Currently, the lab features two ABI 377 Sequencers for quick standard jobs and quality control runs. In addition, new protocols are tested and established. Within the next months, we hope to have our own capillary sequencer, especially for doing high throuhput fragment analysis and testing new protocols. Most of the standard sequencing jobs are now run at the nearby sequencing unit of the Genetics Department of the Ludwig-Maximilians-University, on an ABI 3730 48 capillary sequencer.

Fragment analysis (Microsatellites, AFLPs)

Fragment analysis, especially Amplified Fragment Length Analysis (AFLP) is well established in our lab.

Computing

The lab is equipped with three G5s and two G4s, and has access to high-performance computers at the Leibniz Computing Centre, one of Germany's main universitary computing core facilites.

Current ZSM Lab Users

• Michael Balke (Curator)
• Lars Hendrich (Postdoctoral fellow)
• Oliver Hawlitschek (DFG PhD student)
• Rene Tänzler (DFG PhD student)
• Thomas Knebelsberger (Postdoctoral fellow)
• Michael Miller (PhD student)
• Dirk Neumann (Technician)
• Isabella Stoeger (Technical assistant)
• Ulrich Schliewen (Curator)
• Olga Schmidt (Research associate)
• Stefan Schmidt (Curator)

Top three papers

Herder, F., Nolte, A.W., Pfaender, J., Schwarzer, J., Hadiaty, R.K., Schliewen, U.K. 2006. Adaptive radiation and hybridization in Wallace's Dreamponds: evidence from sailfin silversides in the Malili Lakes of Sulawesi. Proceedings of the Royal Society, London (B) 273, 2209-2217. 

Balke, M., Ribera, I., Miller, M., Hendrich, L., Sagata, K., Posman, A., Vogler, A.P. & Meier, R. 2009. New Guinea highland origin of a widespread arthropod supertramp. Proceedings of the Royal Society London Ser. B, 276: 2359-2367. 

Balke, M., Gómez-Zurita, J., Ribera, I., Viloria, A., Zillikens, A., Steiner, J., García, M. & Vogler, A.P. 2008. Ancient associations of aquatic beetles and tank bromeliads in the Neotropical forest canopy. – Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the USA (PNAS) 105, 6356-6361. 

Molecular Biodiversity Assessment - MBA

Water beetles as a model. More...

Voucher images provided by Alexander Riedel, Karlsruhe

Projects

Evolution and adaptive radiation of dog-fish sharks (Chondrichthyes, Squaliformes).

(Pl Molecular Part U. Schliewen, PhD project of N. Straube)

The phylogeny of extant and fossil squaliforms is re-examined for the first time using a combination of dental, meristic, and molecular data. The radiation of selected speciose squaliform families (e.g., Etmopteridae, Squalidae) will be analysed for testing hypotheses about timing processes underlying adaptation and speciation. DFG SCHL567/3-1 (in cooperation J. Kriwet, Museum für Naturkunde, Berlin)

Biodiversity and speciation in telmatherinid fishes of the Malili-Lake-System (Indonesia)

(Pl U. Schliewen; currently postdoc-project of F. Herder, and extension of dipoma-project of I. Stöger - only molecular aspects mentionend).

We investigate diversity and speciation processes of fishes in a novel model system for speciose lacustrine radiations by using sequence and fragment (AFLP) analysis in combination with eco-morphological and behavioral data sets. DFG SCHL 567/2-1, 2-2, 2-3 (under SPP 1127)

Patterns and processes of a multiple cichlid diversification along a unique geographical gradient in the Lower Congo River: Are species complexes fluid genomic networks?

(Pls U. Schliewen in cooperation with B. Misof, Zoologisches Forschungsmuseum Alexander Koenig; PhD project J. Schwarzer)

After a pilot study, we requested funding from DFG for investigating the evolutionary history of five multiple cichlid (Pisces: Perciformes) lineages that have produced endemics with the confines of a stretch of rapids of the lower Congo River. A key question of this study is whether species have exchanged or still exchange genes during or after speciation events. Pilot Study was fundet by National Geographic Society; DFG SCHL567/4-1 (proposal under review)

Diversity of Bavarian fish populations in a pan-european context

(Pl U. Schliewen)

Since 2003 we are currently sampling all fish species on a resolution of all major river basins and lakes in Bavaria. Currently more than 6000 tissues are sampled, which are assignable to individual specimen vouchers in the ZSM ichthyological collection. Currently two smaller grants are being requested for studying population genetics and anthropogenic impact on natural diversity of populations of ruffe (Gymnocephalus ssp.) and charr (Salvelinus ssp.). Sample collection funded by Landesfischereiverband Bayern e.V.

Evolution of megadiverse faunas

(PI M. Balke)

We use diving beetles of the megadiverse genus Papuadytes to understand the evolution of diversity in Melanesia, focus New Guinea. To test biogeographical patterns, we will also study other groups of aquatic invertebrates. DFG BA2152/3-1, 3-2

A test of DNA Barcoding a.k.a. DNA Taxonomy

(PI M. Balke, Postdoc L. Hendrich)

We will sequence (almost) an entire continental fauna, the Australian diving beetles, including several endemic radiations. DFG BA2152/4-1

Do molecules bear the key to solving a complex taxonomic problem? The Western Palearctic jewel leaf beetles in the genus Cryptocephalus Müller (Coleoptera, Chrysomelidae)

(PIs M. Balke, J. Gomez-Zurita)

...where the title is self-explaining. DFG BA2152/5-1

PANCODING

(PI Joan Pons, University of the Baleares)

… test DNA based approaches to biodiversity inventorying in Panama and focuses on arachnids and water beetles. Fondación BBVA

Evolution of diving beetles in bromeliad water tanks

(PI M. Balke, with Ignacio Ribera and J. Gomez-Zurita)
...where the title is self-explaining, too.

Funded by: Linnean Society of London / Systematics Association; British Ecological Society; Natural History Museum Travel Enhancement Fund

Breaking host plant defence - did mandibular "oil presses" facilitate the radiation of Gondwanan pergid sawflies onto oil-rich myrtaceous hosts?

(PI S. Schmidt)

A group of sawflies made the enormous transition from Gondwanan rainforests to dry Australian woodland by adopting a eucalypt leaf diet. To avoid the toxic oils, the larvae evolved unique filters on their mandibles and oil storage structures. We use molecular phylogenetics for resolving evolutionary relationships and timeframes of divergence, and population genetics to test which selective pressures operate on larval feeding. (In cooperation with G.H. Walter, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Australia). DFG SCHM1281/3-1. More...