RESEARCH AT THE VERTEBRATE DEPARTMENT, 1993-1997

RESEARCH AT THE VERTEBRATE DEPARTMENT, 1993-1997

(published research is marked with an asterisk, see list of publications)

Research in the Vertebrate Department covers a broad spectrum both through the many links to other research areas and as a result of the very unequal level of existing knowledge about the individual vertebrate groups. Within fish and reptiles there are still many basic systematic and phylogenetic problems to be solved, and here the Department's research first and foremost is focused on taxonomic revision and phylogenetic studies. For mammals and birds, whose species are better known, disciplines such as ecology and ethology are brought in, and comprehensive speciation studies are made by linking distribution data to molecular data. Quaternary zoological research also to a large extent depends on the great knowledge about the species' biology in present time, and conversely, zoogeographic and faunistic interpretations have been inspired by findings of Quaternary vertebrate remains.

A number of research projects are designed to utilize the extensive contact with the public engendered by the very high level of public interest in vertebrates ("rare marine fishes", bat atlas, whales, bird ringing, Quaternary zoological material collected during archaeological excavations).

Part of the research of the department has a strong focus on the concentrations of biological diversity in the tropics - how it originated and is maintained. A few of the Department's scientists have thus taken part in developing the Zoological DNA Laboratory (Danish Natural Science Research Council, project grant), the Eastern Arc Biodiversity Programme (DNSRC project grant) and Centre for Tropical Biodiversity (DNSRC center grant with six involved institutions in two universities). The Department also participates in an interdisciplinary programme studying relationships between cultural and biological diversity in Andean humid forests (with four participation institutions in Denmark and six universities in the Andean states; funding from the Council for Development Research). Thus there is considerable collaboration in the field (by staff, and graduate students), and also through a project for mapping and analysing distribution patterns of African frogs, snakes, birds and mammals.

The Quaternary zoology subsection has a pollen analyst on its staff; hence palaeobotanical work is being done at the Zoological Museum.

The Department's staff, associates and students published a total of 247 papers during 1993-1997.

Research projects at the Vertebrate Department, 1993-1997.

Systematics of fishes

Reptile and amphibian faunistics

Snake morphology, taxonomy and phylogeny

Variations in species richness in tropical bird and other faunas

Diversification of tropical avifaunas

Resilience of tropical forest ecosystems

Methodologies for species richness sampling

Conservation priorities

Captive breeding as a tool for conservation