Priv.-Doz. Dr. H. Martin Schaefer
University Freiburg, Biology I
Hauptstrasse 1
D-79104 Freiburg
Phone: ++49 / 761 / 203 - 2531
E-Mail: martin.schaefer@biologie.uni-freiburg.de
Dr. H. Martin Schaefer lab - Home
 
Martin Schaefer Veronika Schaefer Julia Binkenstein Julius Braun Dr. Diego Santiago Alarcon Johanna Hurst
Martin Schaefer
Group leader
Veronika Schaefer
Postdoc
Julia Binkenstein
PhD-student
Julius Braun
Diploma Student
Dr. Diego Santiago Alarcon
Postdoc
Johanna Hurst
Diploma Student
           
Nadine Klauke Marie Lucas Gregor Rolshausen Tobias Mika Kalliope Stournaras Wang Zhen
Nadine Klauke
PhD student
Marie Lucas
Diploma Student
Gregor Rolshausen
PhD Student
Tobias Mika
Diploma Student
Kalliope Stournaras
Diploma Student
Wang Zhen
PhD student
Our research group studies two main research topics:
 the evolutionary ecology of visual communication in distinct signalling systems
 adaptation and rapid micro-evolution in different bird species
Communication
We are particularly interested in the evolution of the design and content communication. To this end, we study both parameters in distinct signalling systems, the mutualistic interactions between pollinators, seed dispersers and plants, as well as antagonistic interactions between prey and predators and herbivores and plants.
Adaptation and micro-evolution
We study rapid micro-evolution in sympatric populations of the blackcap that differ in migratory routes. Adaptation to distinct migratory routes may lead as a by-product to reproductive isolation of the sympatric populations. In a different project we focus on the variability of the breeding system of the endangered El Oro Parakeet in Ecuador in different populations.
Current projectstop

Visual signals in fruits
DFG

Signal diversity and pollinator behaviour
DFG

Fruit pigments as health stimulants
DAAD grant to Carlo Catoni in collaboration with Institute of Avian Research and Max-Planck Institute of Ornithology.

Plant-frugivore interactions –testing phenotypic integration of fruit traits
DAAD grant together with Pedro Jordano and Alfredo Valido at the Integrative Ecology group, Sevilla, Spain.

Plant-animal communication in the Atlantic forest
DAAD grant together with Mauro Galetti and Eliana Cazetta, Sao Paulo State University, Brazil.

Plant herbivore communication
Marsden Grant with Prof. Kevin Gould, Nigel Perry and others

Evolution of multiple signals in Gouldian Finch
DFG, PI Veronika Schaefer

Camouflage strategies in butterflies
Cusanuswerk grant to Nina Stobbe, Grant from Chinese Research Council to Wang Zhen.

Optimal investment in costly anti-predator defences in insects
Collaboration with Graeme Ruxton, Glasgow, UK; NERC grant.

Microevolution of the blackcap
Wissenschaftliche Gesellschaft Freiburg in cooperation with Gernot Segelbacher, University of Freiburg.

Reproductive biology of the endangered El Oro Parakeet
Loro Parque Foundation and Stihl Stiftung

Re-assessment of the Dispersal syndrome hypothesis
The effect of colour on seed disperser type, research done in Kenya in collaboration with Katrin Böhning-Gaese, University of Mainz, Germany. Theoretical work done in collaboration with Silvia Lomascolo, University of Florida, Gainesville, US.

Support organisationstop
Our research group has received five different grants from the DFG (German Science Foundation www.dfg.de/) in recent years for work on communication systems.
We are further supported by four DAAD exchange grants. The DAAD (www.daad.de/) is funding a current exchange programme with the research group of Prof. Rodrigo Medel (http://www.coevolucion.cl/), University of Chile and Prof. Pedro Jordano (http://ebd10.ebd.csic.es/) and Dr. Alfredo Valido at the Estación Biológica de Doñana, Sevilla, Spain). Our group has also received support in PhD programmes. Nina has received a PhD grant from the Cusanuswerk, Carlo from the DAAD, and WangZhen from the Chinese Research Council.
 
 
 
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