Oliver Schultz
Dipl. Biol.
Department of Animal Morphology and Systematics
Ruhr-University of Bochum
ND 05-578
D-44801 Bochum
GERMANY
Tel.: +49(0)234-32-22372
Fax.: +49(0)234-32-14114
Email: Oliver.Schultz-2@rub.de
AND
Zoologisches Forschungsmuseum
Alexander Koenig
Adenaueralle 160
D-53113 Bonn
Tel.:+49(0)228-9122-242
Fax: +49(0)228-9122-212
Dipl. Biol.
Department of Animal Morphology and Systematics
Ruhr-University of Bochum
ND 05-578
D-44801 Bochum
GERMANY
Tel.: +49(0)234-32-22372
Fax.: +49(0)234-32-14114
Email: Oliver.Schultz-2@rub.de
AND
Zoologisches Forschungsmuseum
Alexander Koenig
Adenaueralle 160
D-53113 Bonn
Tel.:+49(0)228-9122-242
Fax: +49(0)228-9122-212
Main
Research
Curriculum Vitae
From the African continent
several of the world´s most important hotspots of
biodiversity and endemism are known. One of these areas
are the
Eastern Arc Mountains in Eastafrica, extending from southeastern Kenya
through
most Tanzania. Due to the high accumulation of endemic species and the
isolated, island-like tropical
mountainforests, this region is called “the
Galápagos of Africa”.
To investigate dispersion- and radiationevents in this region, the phylogeny of selected grasshopper taxa were analysed. These animals are specially suitable for such purpose: The investigated animals are flightless endemics in the Eastern Arcs and extremely adapted to the humid montane forest habitats. They show an restricted geographic distribution and presence of closely related species on neighbouring but isolated mountain ranges. This leeds to the assumption that episodic migration and geographic isolation caused speciation and the evolution of endemics.
To investigate dispersion- and radiationevents in this region, the phylogeny of selected grasshopper taxa were analysed. These animals are specially suitable for such purpose: The investigated animals are flightless endemics in the Eastern Arcs and extremely adapted to the humid montane forest habitats. They show an restricted geographic distribution and presence of closely related species on neighbouring but isolated mountain ranges. This leeds to the assumption that episodic migration and geographic isolation caused speciation and the evolution of endemics.
By means of
molecular-genetic investigations the
phylogeny of these endemic grasshoppers will be analysed to gain more
knowledge
about the dispersal into this unique and sensitive tropical region and
to take a closer look at the origin of speciation and evolution !
