Philip O.M. Steinhoff

Doctoral Researcher

Zoological Institute und Museum
General and Systematic Zoology

Loitzer Str. 26
17489 Greifswald
Building 3.3, Room 0.48

Phone: +49 (0)3834 420-4245
philipsteinhoff(at)gmail(dot)com

 

Looking for a thesis topic?

Here is a teaser for possible projects with me. Get in touch if you are interested!

Research interests

I am interested in how brains integrate sensory information to produce behavior, and how behavior in turn influences sensory perception. I approach this topic by comparatively studying spider species that differ strongly in their lifestyles and their sensory equipment.

Furthermore, I have a long-standing interest in the faunistics and taxonomy of dragonflies and damselflies (Odonata) in South-East Asia.

Currently I am working on:

Functional roles and plasticity of spider brain areas.

Taxonomy and distribution of Odonata in Borneo and Vietnam.


Publications
2021
Dow, R. A.; Ahmad, R.; Butler, S. G.; Choong, C. Y.; Grinang, J.; Ng, Y. F.; Ngiam, R. W. J.; Reels, G. T.; Steinhoff, P. O. M. & Unggang, J. 2021: Previously unpublished Odonata records from Sarawak, Borneo, part VI: Miri Division including checklists for Niah, Lambir Hills, Loagan Bunut and Pulong Tau National Parks. Faunistic Studies in Southeast Asian and Pacific Island Odonata 36: 1-94. PDF
2020
Steinhoff, P. O. M.; Warfen, B.; Voigt, S.; Uhl, G.; Dammhahn, M. 2020: Individual differences in risk‐taking affect foraging across different landscapes of fear. Oikos 129 (12): 1891-1902. PDF
Steinhoff, P. O. M.; Uhl, G.; Harzsch, S. & Sombke, A. 2020: Visual pathways in the brain of the jumping spider Marpissa muscosa. Journal of Comparative Neurology 528: 1883–1902. PDF
Kompier, T.; Dow, R. A. & Steinhoff, P. O. M. 2020: Five new species of Coeliccia Kirby, 1890 from Vietnam (Odonata: Platycnemididae), and information on several other species of the genus. ZooTaxa 4766: 501–538. Link
2019
Steinhoff, P. O. M.; Ahmad, R.; Butler, S. G.; Choong, C. Y.; Dow, R. A. & Reels, G. T. 2019: Odonata of Gunong Mulu National Park in Sarawak, Malaysian Borneo. International Dragonfly Fund Report 141: 1-50. PDF
Dow, R. A.; Butler, S. G.; Reels, G. T.; Steinhoff, P. O. M.; Stokvis, F. R. & Unggang, J. 2019: Previously unpublished Odonata records from Sarawak, Borneo, part IV: Bintulu Division including the Planted Forest Project and Similajau National Park. Faunistic Studies in Southeast Asian and Pacific Island Odonata 27: 1-66. PDF
Reim, E.; Eichhorn, D.; Roy, J. D.; Steinhoff, P. O. M. & Fischer, K. 2019: Nutritional stress reduces flight performance and exploratory behavior in a butterfly. Insect Science 26 (5): 897-910. Link
2018
Steinhoff, P. O. M.; Liedtke, J.; Sombke, A.; Schneider, J. M. & Uhl, G. 2018: Early environmental conditions affect the volume of higher-order brain centers in a jumping spider. Journal of Zoology 304(3): 182-192. Link
2017
Steinhoff, P. O. M.*; Sombke, A.*; Liedtke, J.; Schneider, J. M.; Harzsch, S. & Uhl, G. 2017: The synganglion of the jumping spider Marpissa muscosa (Arachnida: Salticidae): insights from histology, immunohistochemistry and microCT analysis. Arthropod Structure & Development 46: 156-170. *shared first authorship Link
2016
Böhm, F.; Brückner ,J.; Eichhorn, D.; Geiger, R.; Johl, B.; Kahl, S.; Kleudgen, I.; Köhler, K.; Kreifelts, V.; Metschke, K.; Meyer, M.; Richter, A.-C.; Schulze; B.; Stecker, R.-M.; Steinhoff P. O. M.; Winter, M. & Fischer, K. 2016: Cloud cover but not artificial light pollution affect the morning activity of wood pigeons. Ornis Fennica 93: 246–252. Link
Burner, R. C.; Chua, V. L.; Brady, M. L.; van Els, P.; Steinhoff P. O. M.; Rahman, M. A. & Sheldon, F. H. 2016: An ornithological survey of Gunung Mulu National Park, Sarawak, Malaysian Borneo. The Wilson Journal of Ornithology 128(2): 242–254 Link
Butler, S. G.; Steinhoff, P. O. M. & Dow, R. A. 2016: Description of the final instar larva of Acrogomphus jubilaris Lieftinck, 1964 (Odonata, Gomphidae), with information on the distribution of Acrogomphus in Borneo. ZooTaxa 4184(2): 367–375. Link
Steinhoff, P.O.M.; Butler, S. & Dow, R.A. 2016: Description of the final instar larva of Orthetrum borneense Kimmins 1936 (Odonata, Libellulidae), using rearing and molecular methods. ZooTaxa 4083 (1): 099-108. Link
2015
Steinhoff, P.O.M. & Uhl, G. 2015: Taxonomy and nomenclature of some mainland South-East Asian Coeliccia species (Odonata, Platycnemididae), using microCT analysis. ZooTaxa 4059: 257-276. PDF
Mouginot, P.; Prügel, J.; Thom, U.; Steinhoff, P.O.M.; Kupryjanovicz, J. & Uhl, G. 2015: Securing paternity by mutilating female genitalia. Current Biology 25(22): 2980-2984. Link
Steinhoff, P.O.M. 2015: Results of Odonata larval rearing in the Gunung Mulu National Park, Sarawak, Malaysia from April to August 2014. International Dragonfly Fund Report 78: 1-11. Link
2013
Steinhoff, P.O.M. & Do, M.C. 2013: Notes on some Coeliccia species from Vietnam. Odonatologica 42: 337-347. Link
2012
Steinhoff, P.O.M. 2012: Records of Odonata from Phong Nha-Ke Bang National Park and its Buffer Zone, central Vietnam. Entomologie Heute 24: 37-49. Link
Talks and Posters
2021
113th Annual Meeting of the German Zoological Society (DZG), Würzburg, Germany (fully virtual). Oral presentation “Analysis of the neural substrate for visual motion processing in cursorial and stationary hunting spiders”
32nd European Congress of Arachnology, Greifswald (fully virtual). Oral presentation “Comparative anatomy of the visual system for motion processing in the brains of cursorial and stationary hunting spiders”
2020
Evolution and Ecology Seminar, University of Tübingen, Germany. Invited talk "Lifestyle matters: Functional role and plasticity of brain areas in spiders"
2019
Neuroethology Satellite Meeting of the 112th Annual Meeting of the German Zoological Society (DZG), Jena, Germany. Oral presentation “Lifestyle matters: Brain morphology in cursorial and stationary hunting spiders”Animal Ecology Seminar, University of Potsdam, Germany. Invited talk "Function and plasticity of brain areas in spiders"
Perspectives in Invertebrate Morphology, Hiddensee Symposium, Hiddensee, Germany. Oral presentation "Function and plasticity of brain areas in spiders"
21st International Congress of Arachnology (ICA), Christchurch, New Zealand. Oral presentation “Complex integration of visual information: The secondary eye pathway of the jumping spider brain”
21st International Congress of Arachnology (ICA), Christchurch, New Zealand. Poster presentation “Lifestyle matters: Brain morphology in stationary and cursorial hunting spiders”
Workshop “Spider trait network” at the 21st International Congress of Arachnology (ICA), Christchurch, New Zealand. Oral presentation “Building a chelicerate brain database”
2018
Zoological Colloquium, University of Greifswald, Germany. Oral presentation on the occasion of the master thesis award ceremony "Anatomy and plasticity of higher integrating neuropils in a jumping spider"
6th GOEvol meeting “Biology of Sensation”, Göttingen, Germany. Poster presentation “Lifestyle matters: Brain morphology in cursorial and stationary hunting spiders”
111th Annual Meeting of the German Zoological Society (DZG), Greifswald, Germany. Oral presentation “Complex integration of visual information: The secondary eye pathway of the jumping spider brain”
Arthropod Neuro-Network (ANN) spring meeting, Altleiningen, Germany. Oral presentation "Anatomy and plasticity of higher-order neuropils in a jumping spider"
2017
110th Annual Meeting of the German Zoological Society (DZG), Bielefeld, Germany. Oral presentation “Living in caves: A comparative morphological analysis of the central nervous system in Pinelema spiders (Telemidae)”
30th European Congress of Arachnology, Nottingham. Oral presentation “Living in caves: A comparative morphological analysis of the central nervous system in Pinelema spiders (Telemidae)”
36th Annual Meeting of the Gesellschaft deutschsprachiger Odonatologen (Society of german speaking odonatologists; GdO), Berlin. Oral presentation “Chasing the Unknown: Die Rolle von Larven in der SO-Asiatischen Libellentaxonomie” (“The role of larvae in SE-Asian Odonata taxonomy“)
2016
109th Annual Meeting of the German Zoological Society (DZG), Kiel, Germany. Poster presentation “Neuroanatomy of the jumping spider Marpissa muscosa
20th International Congress of Arachnology (ICA), Golden, USA. Oral presentation “Neuroplasticity in a jumping spider”
20th International Congress of Arachnology (ICA), Golden, USA. Poster presentation “Neuroanatomy of the jumping spider Marpissa muscosa
17th Annual meeting of the Gesellschaft für Biologische Systematik (GfBS), München. Poster presentation “Micro-CT Analysis as a tool for taxonomic research on Odonata”.
17th Annual meeting of the Gesellschaft für Biologische Systematik (GfBS), München. Poster presentation “Chasing the Unknown: The role of larvae in SE-Asian Odonata taxonomy”.
2015
108th Annual meeting of the German Zoological Society (DZG), Graz. Poster presentation “Micro-CT Analysis as a tool for taxonomic research on Odonata”.
108th Annual meeting of the German Zoological Society (DZG), Graz. Oral presentation “Neuroplasticity in a jumping spider”.
29th European Congress of Arachnology, Brno. Oral presentation “Neuroplasticity in a jumping spider”.
Symposium of the Zoological Institute & Museum of the University of Greifswald. Oral presentation “Neuroplasticity in a jumping spider”.
34. Jahrestagung der Gesellschaft deutschsprachiger Odonatologen (GdO), Braunschweig. Oral presentation „Die MicroCT-Analyse als Werkzeug in der Libellentaxonomie”.
2013
ICO (International Conference on Odonatology), Freising. Poster presentation „Zygopteran genital structure: an insight“.
2011
Westdeutscher Entomologentag, Düsseldorf. Oral presentation „Libellen in Vietnam“.
Grants, Scholarships, Awards
2019 Award for the "Paper of the Year" 2018 in the Journal of Zoology
2019 Laudier Histology Travel Grant
2018 DZG-Award for an excellent master thesis with zoological focus at the University Greifswald (awarded by the German Zoological Society, DZG)
2018 Scholarship, Landesgraduiertenstipendium (LGF; German states scholarship for PhD students)
2017 Prize for the second best student talk at the European Congress of Arachnology in Nottingham
2017 Congress Travel Grant from the German Academic Scholarship Foundation (Studienstiftung des Deutschen Volkes)
2017 GdO Lopi-Award, best student talk (Jungreferentenpreis)
2016 Reasearch Travel Grant from the German Academic Scholarship Foundation (Studienstiftung des Deutschen Volkes)
2016 Laudier Histology Student Travel Grant
2015 Scholarship of the German Academic Scholarship Foundation (Studienstiftung des Deutschen Volkes)
2015 Student Grant of the Organising Committee of the 29th European Congress of Arachnology
2015 GdO Lopi-Award, best student talk (Jungreferentenpreis)
2014 Scholarship, German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD), PROMOS-Stipendium
Curriculum Vitae
Education
Since 04/2018 PhD Student, Zoological Institute and Museum, University of Greifswald, Germany.
2018 Master Thesis: "Anatomy and plasticity of higher integrating neuropils in a jumping spider (Salticidae, Arachnida)"
04/2015-01/2018 Study of Biodiversity and Ecology (M.Sc.) at the University of Greifswald
2015 Bachelor Thesis: "Morphological investigations of the brain of the jumping spider Marpissa muscosa (Salticidae, Arachnida)"
10/2011-04/2015 study of Landscape Ecology and Nature Conservation (B.Sc.) at the University of Greifswald
Fieldwork Experience
11/2016 - 12/2016 Odonatological fieldwork in the Pulong Tau National Park and the Gunung Mulu National Park in Borneo (Sarawak, Malaysia)
06/2014 - 08/2014 Taking part in an ornithological expedition of the Louisiana State University and Museum, carried out in the Gunung Mulu National Park in Borneo (Sarawak, Malaysia)
03/2014 - 09/2014 Odonatological fieldwork in the Kubah National Park, the Bintulu area and the Gunung Mulu National Park in Borneo (Sarawak, Malaysia)
09/2010 - 08/2011 Taxonomic research on Odonata of Central Vietnam
Professional Affiliations
Deutsche Zoologische Gesellschaft (DZG)
International Society for Neuroethology (ISN)
International Society of Arachnology (ISA)
European Society of Arachnology (ESA)
Societas Internationalis Odonatologica (SIO)
International Dragonfly Fund (IDF)
Gesellschaft deutschsprachiger Odonatologen (GdO)
Arbeitskreis zum Schutz und zur Kartierung der Libellen in Nordrhein-Westfalen (AK Libellen NRW)
Biologische Station im Rhein-Kreis Neus