Exceptional animal-plant interactions provide new insights into late Paleozoic insect evolution and paleoecological networks

• Applicant: Michael Laaß
• Subject Area: Palaeontology
• Term: since 2026
• Project identifier: Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) - Project number 580148489

The first terrestrial ecosystems on Earth emerged with the colonization of the land in the Paleozoic. During this time, all ancestral groups of today's insects developed, including their adaptations to ecological niches in the ecosystems of that time. In addition, the late Paleozoic era saw a global shift from ever-wet to dry-arid conditions, with serious consequences for the organisms. However, little is known about the early evolution of insects, their relationships with plants, and the effects of climatic change on ecosystems. Animal-plant interactions can make a decisive contribution to closing these gaps in our knowledge. This project aims to examine previously overlooked animal-plant interactions from scientific collections and new material from excavations at sites ranging from Mississippian to Permian. The result should be the reconstruction of paleoecological networks and conclusive evidence of the influence of climatic changes on paleoecosystems. For the first time, finds of fossil insect eggs and embryos not only allow trace fossils to be assigned to their producers but also provide essential insights into the early evolution of insects.

• DFG Programme: Research Grants
• International Connection: France
• Cooperation Partners: Dr. Rebecca Bilon; Professor Dr.-Ing. Olivier Béthoux
• Co-Investigator: Professor Dr. Ronny Rößler