LIB
@leibnizlib.bsky.social
Leibniz-Institut zur Analyse des Biodiversitätswandels (Bonn & Hamburg)
Leibniz Institute for the Analysis of Biodiversity Change (Bonn & Hamburg)
#biodiversitychange #collections #naturalhistorymuseum #outreach #exhibitions #evolution #taxonomy #genomics
Leibniz Institute for the Analysis of Biodiversity Change (Bonn & Hamburg)
#biodiversitychange #collections #naturalhistorymuseum #outreach #exhibitions #evolution #taxonomy #genomics
We are concerned about recent developments affecting our partner, Ilia State University.
The strong reduction of academic fields runs counter to the principles of disciplinary diversity and international academic cooperation.
The strong reduction of academic fields runs counter to the principles of disciplinary diversity and international academic cooperation.
According to Nino Doborjginidze, Rector of Ilia State University from #Georgia, the university community was informed, without any justification whatsoever, that 97-98% of Ilia University has effectively been dismantled and destroyed.
1tv.ge/lang/en/news...
1tv.ge/lang/en/news...
Ilia State University Rector plans to defend "20 years of achievement through legal action and protest" - 1TV
According to Nino Doborjginidze, Rector of Ilia State University, the university community was informed today, without any justification whatsoever, that 97-98 per cent of Ilia University has effectiv...
1tv.ge
February 13, 2026 at 12:56 PM
We are concerned about recent developments affecting our partner, Ilia State University.
The strong reduction of academic fields runs counter to the principles of disciplinary diversity and international academic cooperation.
The strong reduction of academic fields runs counter to the principles of disciplinary diversity and international academic cooperation.
Scientific data infrastructures didn’t start digitally — they grew out of networks of collectors, dealers and institutions exchanging specimens and knowledge.
How has biodiversity knowledge been organised and shared?
© Bischoff et al., CC BY 4.0
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How has biodiversity knowledge been organised and shared?
© Bischoff et al., CC BY 4.0
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February 12, 2026 at 12:45 PM
Scientific data infrastructures didn’t start digitally — they grew out of networks of collectors, dealers and institutions exchanging specimens and knowledge.
How has biodiversity knowledge been organised and shared?
© Bischoff et al., CC BY 4.0
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How has biodiversity knowledge been organised and shared?
© Bischoff et al., CC BY 4.0
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Great to see LIB research supporting global dialogue on sustainable wildlife management.
Exchanges like this are vital for linking science, policy and practice.
Exchanges like this are vital for linking science, policy and practice.
A strong start to the CBD expert meeting on the draft global guidance for sustainable wildlife management! Day 1 featured rich, constructive discussions and valuable inputs from diverse perspectives, supported by #LIBResearch @leibnizlib.bsky.social Looking forward to continuing the review tomorrow.
February 10, 2026 at 10:57 AM
Great to see LIB research supporting global dialogue on sustainable wildlife management.
Exchanges like this are vital for linking science, policy and practice.
Exchanges like this are vital for linking science, policy and practice.
Great to see this work describing new species and revisiting known diversity — a reminder how much there is still to discover about insect–ant interactions. #LIBresearch
Fun Fact: Some beetles living with ants avoid detection by copying their hosts’ chemical signals.
Fun Fact: Some beetles living with ants avoid detection by copying their hosts’ chemical signals.
🔍 In this paper, two new species from Brazil are described, and a comparative morphological study of all available species in the Neotropical genus is provided: doi.org/10.3897/zookeys.1267.175767
@leibnizlib.bsky.social
@leibnizlib.bsky.social
Synopsis of the myrmecophilous genus Ecitonides Wasmann (Coleoptera, Staphylinidae, Paederinae), with description of two new species from Brazil
The Neotropical genus of myrmecophilous beetles, Ecitonides Wasmann, 1894 (Staphylinidae: Paederinae: Lathrobiini), currently includes nine valid species distributed in French Guiana, Suriname, Brazil...
doi.org
February 10, 2026 at 7:52 AM
Great to see this work describing new species and revisiting known diversity — a reminder how much there is still to discover about insect–ant interactions. #LIBresearch
Fun Fact: Some beetles living with ants avoid detection by copying their hosts’ chemical signals.
Fun Fact: Some beetles living with ants avoid detection by copying their hosts’ chemical signals.
Spannend zu sehen, wie LIB-Forschung auch außerhalb der Fachcommunity aufgegriffen wird — danke an RiffReporter für das Feature!
Ein gutes Beispiel dafür, wie Infrastruktur unbeabsichtigt Tierbewegungen beeinflussen kann. #LIBResearch
Ein gutes Beispiel dafür, wie Infrastruktur unbeabsichtigt Tierbewegungen beeinflussen kann. #LIBResearch
#Schlangen als blinde Passagiere? Laut einer Studie könnten giftige indische Königskobras womöglich gern mal unfreiwillig mit dem #Zug durch Indien reisen. Warum das sowohl für die gefährdeten Tiere selbst als auch für Mensch und #Umwelt ein Risiko wäre, weiß @susannewedlich.bsky.social.
Artenschutz: Reisen Indiens Königskobras mit der Bahn?
Nach einer Studie könnten die ohnehin gefährdeten Giftschlangen als blinde Passagiere an Bord von Zügen in ungeeignete Habitate verschleppt werden.
www.riffreporter.de
February 9, 2026 at 8:22 AM
Spannend zu sehen, wie LIB-Forschung auch außerhalb der Fachcommunity aufgegriffen wird — danke an RiffReporter für das Feature!
Ein gutes Beispiel dafür, wie Infrastruktur unbeabsichtigt Tierbewegungen beeinflussen kann. #LIBResearch
Ein gutes Beispiel dafür, wie Infrastruktur unbeabsichtigt Tierbewegungen beeinflussen kann. #LIBResearch
Fossil insects in amber can be preserved with lifelike detail.
Great to see these new elcanid species highlighted — offering rare insight into the deep evolutionary history of grasshoppers and their relatives. #LIBresearch
Great to see these new elcanid species highlighted — offering rare insight into the deep evolutionary history of grasshoppers and their relatives. #LIBresearch
Two new extinct species of 𝘌𝘭𝘤𝘢𝘯𝘪𝘥𝘢𝘦 have been found in Burmese amber dating back to the mid-Cretaceous period. These well-preserved specimens offer critical data on the features of ancient relatives to modern orthopterans. 🦗🔬
Read the full report: doi.org/10.3897/jor.35.154648
Read the full report: doi.org/10.3897/jor.35.154648
February 6, 2026 at 3:08 PM
Fossil insects in amber can be preserved with lifelike detail.
Great to see these new elcanid species highlighted — offering rare insight into the deep evolutionary history of grasshoppers and their relatives. #LIBresearch
Great to see these new elcanid species highlighted — offering rare insight into the deep evolutionary history of grasshoppers and their relatives. #LIBresearch
Gecko adhesion relies on microscopic toe structures rather than stickiness or suction.
Great to see this research featured — revealing how diversity within gecko lineages helps us understand the evolution of this remarkable trait.
Great to see this research featured — revealing how diversity within gecko lineages helps us understand the evolution of this remarkable trait.
@leibnizlib.bsky.social #LIBresearch From Tiny Spines to Sticky Toes: What Cyrtodactylus Geckos Can Tell Us about the Evolution of Stickiness in Lizards
Read more:
www.anoleannals.org/2026/02/03/f...
Read more:
www.anoleannals.org/2026/02/03/f...
From Tiny Spines to Sticky Toes: What Cyrtodactylus Geckos Can Tell Us about the Evolution of Stickiness in Lizards
Like anoles, geckos are famous for their adhesive toepads, enabling astonishing climbing abilities. Since adhesive toepads evolved independently in geckos and anoles, these two rather distantly rel…
www.anoleannals.org
February 6, 2026 at 3:03 PM
Gecko adhesion relies on microscopic toe structures rather than stickiness or suction.
Great to see this research featured — revealing how diversity within gecko lineages helps us understand the evolution of this remarkable trait.
Great to see this research featured — revealing how diversity within gecko lineages helps us understand the evolution of this remarkable trait.
Interested in insects, spiders and trait-based biodiversity research? This PhD project at LIB and the University of Hamburg might be for you — or someone you know!
I am looking for a PhD working on tracking trait changes in insects/spiders at the Leibniz Institute for the Analysis of Biodiversity change @leibnizlib.bsky.social and the University of Hamburg.
Apply here: www.uni-hamburg.de/en/stellenan...
Apply here: www.uni-hamburg.de/en/stellenan...
Job advertisement
www.uni-hamburg.de
February 3, 2026 at 10:30 AM
Interested in insects, spiders and trait-based biodiversity research? This PhD project at LIB and the University of Hamburg might be for you — or someone you know!
Trains may be more than transport for people & goods — they might also be inadvertently moving vulnerable king cobras into habitats where they struggle to survive. #LIBresearch
© Parmar et al., CC BY 4.0 @droedder.bsky.social
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© Parmar et al., CC BY 4.0 @droedder.bsky.social
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February 2, 2026 at 1:08 PM
Trains may be more than transport for people & goods — they might also be inadvertently moving vulnerable king cobras into habitats where they struggle to survive. #LIBresearch
© Parmar et al., CC BY 4.0 @droedder.bsky.social
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© Parmar et al., CC BY 4.0 @droedder.bsky.social
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Good research data management is key for biodiversity and genomics research — great to see NFDI highlighting data practices and communities behind them.
Love Data Week „Where's the Data?“ 2026 is coming!
From 9–13 Feb 2026, Love Data Week celebrates research data, good RDM practices, and the communities behind them.
NFDI is taking part with events and resources across disciplines.
🔗 forschungsdaten.info/fdm-im-deuts...
#LoveDataWeek #NFDI #RDM
From 9–13 Feb 2026, Love Data Week celebrates research data, good RDM practices, and the communities behind them.
NFDI is taking part with events and resources across disciplines.
🔗 forschungsdaten.info/fdm-im-deuts...
#LoveDataWeek #NFDI #RDM
January 30, 2026 at 12:27 PM
Good research data management is key for biodiversity and genomics research — great to see NFDI highlighting data practices and communities behind them.
Amber can preserve insects almost as if they died yesterday — making it a powerful window into deep-time biodiversity and evolution. #LIBresearch #paleontology
Did you know that #amber can perfectly preserves extinct #insects in lifelike detail?
Two new members of the Elcanidae family have been found within this ancient gemstone: Pseudopanorpidium inversa and Thagyaminana atawedeia.
Check out their fascinating features: doi.org/10.3897/jor.35.140770
Two new members of the Elcanidae family have been found within this ancient gemstone: Pseudopanorpidium inversa and Thagyaminana atawedeia.
Check out their fascinating features: doi.org/10.3897/jor.35.140770
January 29, 2026 at 2:07 PM
Amber can preserve insects almost as if they died yesterday — making it a powerful window into deep-time biodiversity and evolution. #LIBresearch #paleontology
Pesticide residues affect more than crops – they alter soil ecosystems and biodiversity.
In the study discussed here, Christoph Scherber (LIB) helps put the findings into context, highlighting the key role of healthy soils for resilient ecosystems.
In the study discussed here, Christoph Scherber (LIB) helps put the findings into context, highlighting the key role of healthy soils for resilient ecosystems.
Some comments on a recent Nature study on pesticide residues and soil biodiversity in Europe www.tagesschau.de/wissen/klima... see study here www.nature.com/articles/s41...
Wie Pestizide unsere Böden verändern
Während die EU-Kommission plant, Pestizide einfacher zuzulassen, zeigt eine neue Studie: Reste von Pflanzenschutzmitteln auf Äckern und Wiesen wirken sich auch auf Kleinstlebewesen im Boden aus. Von J...
www.tagesschau.de
January 29, 2026 at 8:45 AM
Pesticide residues affect more than crops – they alter soil ecosystems and biodiversity.
In the study discussed here, Christoph Scherber (LIB) helps put the findings into context, highlighting the key role of healthy soils for resilient ecosystems.
In the study discussed here, Christoph Scherber (LIB) helps put the findings into context, highlighting the key role of healthy soils for resilient ecosystems.
Without shared standards, robust data and dedicated infrastructure, biodiversity genomics in Europe will fall short of its potential. The new BGE policy roundtable report lays out why this matters — and what’s needed next. drive.google.com/file/d/1hc6p...
January 27, 2026 at 3:25 PM
Without shared standards, robust data and dedicated infrastructure, biodiversity genomics in Europe will fall short of its potential. The new BGE policy roundtable report lays out why this matters — and what’s needed next. drive.google.com/file/d/1hc6p...
More plant species not only enrich ecosystems — they can make agriculture more productive with less reliance on synthetic pesticides. #LIBresearch
© Adobe Stock, Sonja
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© Adobe Stock, Sonja
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January 27, 2026 at 10:31 AM
More plant species not only enrich ecosystems — they can make agriculture more productive with less reliance on synthetic pesticides. #LIBresearch
© Adobe Stock, Sonja
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© Adobe Stock, Sonja
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Railways don’t just carry goods and people — they can also unintentionally move wildlife.
What other species might be using our transport networks to spread? 🚆🐍
#LIBresearch
What other species might be using our transport networks to spread? 🚆🐍
#LIBresearch
📄 New paper @leibnizlib.bsky.social: Snakes on Trains!
Using 22 years of rescue data + SDMs, we show that railway infrastructure may facilitate accidental dispersal of Ophiophagus kaalinga into unsuitable habitats.
doi.org/10.1111/btp....
#Biogeography #ConservationBiology #Herpetology #LIBresearch
Using 22 years of rescue data + SDMs, we show that railway infrastructure may facilitate accidental dispersal of Ophiophagus kaalinga into unsuitable habitats.
doi.org/10.1111/btp....
#Biogeography #ConservationBiology #Herpetology #LIBresearch
Snakes on Trains: Railways May Sway Goa's King Cobra Distribution
Distribution of King Cobras (Ophiophagus kaalinga) across Goa, India, shows occurrence in climatically suitable forests and, notably, also along low-suitability railway corridors, suggesting that sna...
doi.org
January 26, 2026 at 11:28 PM
Railways don’t just carry goods and people — they can also unintentionally move wildlife.
What other species might be using our transport networks to spread? 🚆🐍
#LIBresearch
What other species might be using our transport networks to spread? 🚆🐍
#LIBresearch
What helps pollinators cope with human pressures? Supporting flower diversity in agricultural landscapes can benefit both pollinators and food production. #LIBresearch
© Adobe Stock, JuergenL
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© Adobe Stock, JuergenL
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January 23, 2026 at 2:01 PM
What helps pollinators cope with human pressures? Supporting flower diversity in agricultural landscapes can benefit both pollinators and food production. #LIBresearch
© Adobe Stock, JuergenL
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© Adobe Stock, JuergenL
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Reposted by LIB
#Seminar
Join our #MEEGene seminar at @leibnizlib.bsky.social on Zoom next Tuesday, Jan 27, 3PM CET. Listen to
Susanne Reier from @nhmwien.bsky.social, talking about
#Museomics of Alpine #Whitefish
Email [email protected] for login details.
Join our #MEEGene seminar at @leibnizlib.bsky.social on Zoom next Tuesday, Jan 27, 3PM CET. Listen to
Susanne Reier from @nhmwien.bsky.social, talking about
#Museomics of Alpine #Whitefish
Email [email protected] for login details.
January 21, 2026 at 12:28 PM
#Seminar
Join our #MEEGene seminar at @leibnizlib.bsky.social on Zoom next Tuesday, Jan 27, 3PM CET. Listen to
Susanne Reier from @nhmwien.bsky.social, talking about
#Museomics of Alpine #Whitefish
Email [email protected] for login details.
Join our #MEEGene seminar at @leibnizlib.bsky.social on Zoom next Tuesday, Jan 27, 3PM CET. Listen to
Susanne Reier from @nhmwien.bsky.social, talking about
#Museomics of Alpine #Whitefish
Email [email protected] for login details.
Tiny differences in scale patterns can be clues that crocodile populations have been isolated and evolving separately for a long time.
A great example of how fine-scale morphological data can reveal hidden diversity and inform conservation decisions.
A great example of how fine-scale morphological data can reveal hidden diversity and inform conservation decisions.
@leibnizlib.bsky.social #LIBresearch: Iranian marsh crocodiles show unique head & neck scale patterns compared to the rest of Crocodylus palustris range. Could this mean Iran hosts a separate conservation unit?
Find out more:
wildlife-biodiversity.com/index.php/jw...
Find out more:
wildlife-biodiversity.com/index.php/jw...
January 18, 2026 at 7:38 PM
Tiny differences in scale patterns can be clues that crocodile populations have been isolated and evolving separately for a long time.
A great example of how fine-scale morphological data can reveal hidden diversity and inform conservation decisions.
A great example of how fine-scale morphological data can reveal hidden diversity and inform conservation decisions.
Harbour seal teeth act like natural archives — microscopic wear patterns can record what and how an animal ate, even decades later.
leibniz-lib.de/de/news/1401...
© 2025 Lehnert, Bethune, Schulz-Kornas, Siebert & Kaiser. (CC BY).
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leibniz-lib.de/de/news/1401...
© 2025 Lehnert, Bethune, Schulz-Kornas, Siebert & Kaiser. (CC BY).
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January 14, 2026 at 1:49 PM
Harbour seal teeth act like natural archives — microscopic wear patterns can record what and how an animal ate, even decades later.
leibniz-lib.de/de/news/1401...
© 2025 Lehnert, Bethune, Schulz-Kornas, Siebert & Kaiser. (CC BY).
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leibniz-lib.de/de/news/1401...
© 2025 Lehnert, Bethune, Schulz-Kornas, Siebert & Kaiser. (CC BY).
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Sneaking in rapid biodiversity methods is always a good idea 😎 Collaboration at its best.
Strong connections within the @leibniz-gemeinschaft.de network – thanks for welcoming the LIB and sharing your expertise !
Strong connections within the @leibniz-gemeinschaft.de network – thanks for welcoming the LIB and sharing your expertise !
Delegation of @leibnizlib.bsky.social #Bonn visiting @mfnberlin.bsky.social the lab of @rudolf-meier.bsky.social sneaking in rapid #biodiversity methods... 😎
January 14, 2026 at 10:43 AM
Sneaking in rapid biodiversity methods is always a good idea 😎 Collaboration at its best.
Strong connections within the @leibniz-gemeinschaft.de network – thanks for welcoming the LIB and sharing your expertise !
Strong connections within the @leibniz-gemeinschaft.de network – thanks for welcoming the LIB and sharing your expertise !
Europe’s medicinal leech is not a single species — genomic work has revealed several distinct lineages.
A nice example of how reference genomes help clarify species identity, historical introductions, and biodiversity — even in well-known organisms like medicinal leeches. #LIBresearch
A nice example of how reference genomes help clarify species identity, historical introductions, and biodiversity — even in well-known organisms like medicinal leeches. #LIBresearch
After a long(ish) while, the reference genome for the #leech #Hirudo verbana is officially out!
doi.org/10.12688/ope...
w/@ergabiodiv.bsky.social, @biogeneurope.bsky.social, @leibnizlib.bsky.social, & @sangerinstitute.bsky.social
@dome-vienna.bsky.social, @cemess.bsky.social, @univie.ac.at
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doi.org/10.12688/ope...
w/@ergabiodiv.bsky.social, @biogeneurope.bsky.social, @leibnizlib.bsky.social, & @sangerinstitute.bsky.social
@dome-vienna.bsky.social, @cemess.bsky.social, @univie.ac.at
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January 14, 2026 at 7:46 AM
Europe’s medicinal leech is not a single species — genomic work has revealed several distinct lineages.
A nice example of how reference genomes help clarify species identity, historical introductions, and biodiversity — even in well-known organisms like medicinal leeches. #LIBresearch
A nice example of how reference genomes help clarify species identity, historical introductions, and biodiversity — even in well-known organisms like medicinal leeches. #LIBresearch
How do mountains shape biodiversity?
A new study on the Himalayan toad shows that rising mountains and deep valleys split populations long ago, sending them down separate evolutionary paths. Geography, more than ecology, shaped this hidden diversity. #LIBresearch
© Adobe Stock, RealityImages
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A new study on the Himalayan toad shows that rising mountains and deep valleys split populations long ago, sending them down separate evolutionary paths. Geography, more than ecology, shaped this hidden diversity. #LIBresearch
© Adobe Stock, RealityImages
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January 13, 2026 at 3:49 PM
How do mountains shape biodiversity?
A new study on the Himalayan toad shows that rising mountains and deep valleys split populations long ago, sending them down separate evolutionary paths. Geography, more than ecology, shaped this hidden diversity. #LIBresearch
© Adobe Stock, RealityImages
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A new study on the Himalayan toad shows that rising mountains and deep valleys split populations long ago, sending them down separate evolutionary paths. Geography, more than ecology, shaped this hidden diversity. #LIBresearch
© Adobe Stock, RealityImages
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Creating digital twins helps protect fragile museum specimens while opening new pathways for global biodiversity research. At LIB, we’re part of an international effort to sequence the genomes of type specimens — the ultimate reference points of biodiversity.
📣 #Forschungsnews: In Naturkundemuseen lagert ein Schatz: Typusexemplare, die Referenzobjekte jeder Art. Ihre DNA systematisch zu entschlüsseln und „digitale Zwillinge“ zu schaffen, würde die Biodiversitätsforschung revolutionieren. 🧬🌏
👉 https://sgn.one/dpu
📷 LIB; Naturhistorisches Museum Wien
👉 https://sgn.one/dpu
📷 LIB; Naturhistorisches Museum Wien
January 13, 2026 at 1:06 PM
Creating digital twins helps protect fragile museum specimens while opening new pathways for global biodiversity research. At LIB, we’re part of an international effort to sequence the genomes of type specimens — the ultimate reference points of biodiversity.
Great work — and a nice example of how Master’s thesis projects can feed directly into international science and discussion!
Poster at TIBS 2026 in Aarhus 🇩🇰🥶
Promoting the Master's thesis of Laura Steib, assessing the best modelling strategies for herps in Romania!
Thanks to everyone who stopped by for the discussions and feedback, and to the organizers for a great meeting.
#TIBS2026 #InternationalBiogeographySociety
Promoting the Master's thesis of Laura Steib, assessing the best modelling strategies for herps in Romania!
Thanks to everyone who stopped by for the discussions and feedback, and to the organizers for a great meeting.
#TIBS2026 #InternationalBiogeographySociety
January 9, 2026 at 8:20 AM
Great work — and a nice example of how Master’s thesis projects can feed directly into international science and discussion!
Walking on walls is impressive — but understanding how it evolved is even better. This new study adds an important piece to the gecko puzzle. #LIBresearch
Gecko Evolution Unveiled: How Adhesion Really Started!
Have you ever wondered how geckos developed their incredible ability to walk on walls or even upside down? Our brand-new study sheds new light on this mystery of natur. @leibnizlib.bsky.social
Read more: doi.org/10.3762/bjna...
Have you ever wondered how geckos developed their incredible ability to walk on walls or even upside down? Our brand-new study sheds new light on this mystery of natur. @leibnizlib.bsky.social
Read more: doi.org/10.3762/bjna...
January 8, 2026 at 10:18 AM
Walking on walls is impressive — but understanding how it evolved is even better. This new study adds an important piece to the gecko puzzle. #LIBresearch