Analysis of biogeographic patterns in the Holarctic via comparative molecular phylogenetics of dispersal-limited harvestmen (Arachnida: Opiliones)

• Antragsteller: Dr. Axel L. Schönhofer
• Fachliche Zuordnung: Systematik und Morphologie der Tiere
• Förderung: Förderung von 2010 bis 2013
• Projektkennung: Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) - Projektnummer 165807578

Within the scope of the presented project is the comparison of the molecular evolu-tion of a group of animals with poor dispersal abilities with scenarios of the geological history of the northern hemisphere (Holarctic). My objective is to apply novel statistic-al methods to dated molecular phylogenies to explicitly test different hypotheses about causes of diversity and distribution within the largest zoogeographic realm on Earth. Terrestrial harvestmen (Arachnida: Opiliones) are featured as model taxa, which have already proved valuable in biogeographical studies of the southern he-misphere. Molecular phylogenies will be reconstructed using several markers to de-fine natural (monophyletic) groups for systematic-taxonomic purposes, and to outline them as discrete units for biogeographic purposes. Sequencing and systematic-taxonomic preparations will be distributed among several collaborations, for which the biogeographic project represents the central coordinating body. This project pro-motes the establishment of a stable, interdisciplinary and international network for the scientific development of the applicant.

• DFG-Verfahren: Forschungsstipendien
• Internationaler Bezug: USA
• Gastgeber: Professor Marshal Hedin