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News

Dates
Here you will find information about dates when I will be giving presentations and lectures.

16.01. 2026 Allwetterzoo Münster, DGHT: Evolution und Diversität der Chamäleons Madagaskars

23.05.2026 Internationale Geckotagung, Hameln: 15 Jahre Geckoforschung auf Madagaskar – Past, Present and Future

04.09.2026 DGHT LV Hamburg: Vom Meer bis in die Wolken – Streifzüge durch die Regenwälder Madagaskars

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December, 19th 2025

Weihnachtsgrüße aus dem Lichtschacht

Auf der Homepage von Frogs and Friends und auf Feuersalamander.net wird von dem Feuersalamander Projekt am Gymnasium am Waldhof berichtet.

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December, 12th 2025

In memory of Dr. Michael von Tschirnhaus (1939–2025)

I recently received the sad news that Michael von Tschirnhaus passed away on September 16, 2025, at the age of 86. Michael was head of the Biological Collection at Bielefeld University from 1981 to 2004 and a friend, mentor, and role model for me.

I had the good fortune to get to know Michael during my biology studies at Bielefeld University, when he taught us in the species identification courses. I was particularly impressed by his almost limitless expertise on virtually all living creatures on earth. But it wasn’t just his knowledge that fascinated me, it was also Michael’s unique, captivating manner, which drew us in even when discussing seemingly unimportant topics such as the anatomy of fly genitals.

In 2004 and 2006, Michael accompanied me on my first two trips to Madagascar. These expeditions were incredibly valuable to me, as I benefited not only from his deep experience and knowledge, but also from the many stories and experiences he had gathered in the most remote regions of the world. But even smaller excursions, such as those to the Bielefeld area or to the bird migrations on the North Sea coast, have remained vividly in my memory.

With tireless dedication and remarkable species knowledge, Michael von Tschirnhaus built up the biological collection at Bielefeld University and compiled its numerous exhibits. As one of the world’s leading dipterologists, he leaves behind a unique legacy. His extensive collection of insects, which is now managed by the Michael von Tschirnhaus Insect Collection at the Senckenberg German Entomological Institute (SDEI), is particularly valuable and of inestimable scientific value.

Dear Michael, thank you for accompanying me on my journey. Your passion for nature and your knowledge will always remain in my memories.

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October, 30th 2025

A great day… I am delighted that our latest study on the small chameleons from the Calumma nasutum and Calumma gallus group has been published today in the Salamandra Journal. It has now been 15 years since I began to study this group of chameleons intensively. One of the pictures shows the title slide of a lecture I gave in 2010. At that time, it was already clear that the taxonomic situation was completely confused and that there were a lot of cryptic species in this group. However, it was only through the use of the latest genetic methods to analyze DNA material from the type material that this Gordian knot could be untangled. Unfortunately, the results also mean that some old familiar identities have to be reassigned and two new species added: Calumma hofreiteri and Calumma pinocchio. Sorry for that!

You can find the entire study here:

https://salamandra-journal.com/index.php/new-contents