Group photo September 2023


Dr. Jonas Wolff

Research Group Leader

Zoologisches Institut und Museum
Evolutionäre Biomechanik

Soldmannstraße 14
2. OG, Raum 2.09
17489 Greifswald
Tel.: +49 (0)3834 420-4243
j[dot]wolff[at]uni-greifswald[dot]de

Research Interests

My topic of research is phenotypic and functional biodiversity. With broad integrative comparative and phylogenetic approaches I aim to contribute to the understanding of why life on our planet is so diverse, the drivers of phenotypic and functional change, and how different components of the phenotype (morphology, behaviour and mechanical properties) evolve in concert and affect ecological functions. One focus of research is 'evolutionary biomechanics', i.e. I aim to clarify the evolutionary origins and effects of outstanding physical performance of biological materials, structures and organisms. This is crucial for the understanding of the biological roles of organisms (such as in predator prey interactions) and their change over time. Furthermore, my research helps to identify interesting model systems that can inform technological innovations in a process called 'biomimetics'. Besides, I am interested in the phylogenetics, systematics, biogeography and functional morphology of arthropods, especially arachnids.

Curriculum Vitae
Employment History
since 09/2022 Research Group Leader at the University of Greifswald, Germany. ERC-project SuPerSilk - Melding behavioural ecology and biomaterials research to track the evolution of mechanical super-performance of spider silk composites
since 02/2021 Project Leader at the University of Greifswald, Germany. DFG-project A window into key events of spider evolution: Tracking the phylogenetic history of a phenotypically dynamic clade of spiders - the Austral marronoids
since 02/2021 Honorary Postdoctoral Fellow at Macquarie University, Sydney. PhD supervisor and collaborative research projects
01/2019 – 01/2021 ARC Discovery Early Career Researcher Award Research Fellow at Macquarie University, Australia. DECRA-project Building your future: builder-building coevolution in animal architectures
01/2016 – 12/2018 Macquarie University Research Fellow at Macquarie University, Australia. MQRF-project Tough stickers: How are thread anchors of spiders structurally optimized and ecologically adjusted?
08/2015 – 12/2015 PostDoc at the University of Kiel, Germany. Research on surface effects in biological materials. Lecturing Grundlagen der Zoologie, Praktikum
01/2013 – 06/2013 Scientific Employee at the Zoological Institute, University of Kiel, Germany. Research on arthropod attachment organs
11/2009 – 12/2012 Scientific Student Employee at the Zoological Institute, University of Kiel, Germany. Research on spider attachment organs. Educational assistant
09/2006 – 08/2007 Volunteer (FöJ als Zivildienst-Ersatz) at the Species Conservation Department at the district exchange Treptow-Köpenick, Berlin. Field work and data processing (monitoring of bat, amphibian and reptile populations), practical species conservation measures, processing of applications for keeping internationally protected (WA) species
Academic Education
01/2013 – 08/2015 Dr. rer. nat. at the University of Kiel, Germany, as a Scholar of the German National Merit Foundation, graded Summa cum laude (with distinction). Project title: Comparative functional morphology of attachment devices in Arachnida. Supervisor: Prof. Stanislav Gorb. Referees: Prof. Hinrich Schulenburg (University of Kiel), PD Dirk Brandis (Zoological Museum Kiel), Prof. Rolf Beutel (Friedrich Schiller University Jena)
10/2010 – 02/2013 Master of Science in Biology at the University of Kiel, Germany. Majors: Biodiversity and Evolution; Ecology. Minors: Environmental Management and Conservation; Geography. Master’s Thesis: Phylogenetic analysis of hairy adhesive pads in spiders (Arachnida, Araneae); Supervisor: Prof. Stanislav Gorb
10/2007 – 09/2010 Bachelor of Science in Biology at University of Kiel, Germany
Grants and Awards
2022 – 2027 ERC Starting Grant (PI)
2021 – 2024 DFG Individual Research Grant (PI)
2020 Company of Biologists Scientific Meeting Grant
2019 – 2021 ARC Discovery Early Career Researcher Award (PI)
2017 Early Career Researcher Outstanding Paper Prize of the Journal of Experimental Biology
2017 Company of Biologists Travel Grant (PI)
2016 – 2018 Macquarie University Research Fellowship (PI)
2016 – 2017 DFG Research Fellowship (PI) [declined in favour of MQRF]
2016 KiNSIS PhD-Award for Nano Life Science of the core network Kiel Nano, Surface and Interface Science
2016 Annual Faculty-Award ‘Best PhD-Thesis’ of the Faculty of Mathematics and Science, University of Kiel
2013 – 2015 PhD Scholarship of the German National Merit Foundation (Studienstiftung des Deutschen Volkes) (PI)
2015 DAAD (German Academic Exchange Service) Travel Grant (PI)
2014 Biodiversity Award (Förderpreis Biodiversität) of the Academy of Sciences and Literature Mainz
2014 DAAD (German Academic Exchange Service) Travel Grant (PI)
2014 Society of Experimental Biology Student Travel Grant (PI)
2013 Student Grant of the 19th International Congress of Arachnology (PI)
2012 Annual Award of the ‘Förderverein der Mathematisch-Naturwissenschaftlichen Fakultät der Christian-Albrechts-Universität zu Kiel’
2011 Society of Experimental Biology Student Travel Grant (PI)
Teaching Experience

Teaching Experience

Lecturer University of Kiel biol-102 Grundlagen der Zoologie (2015): practical course for first semester undergraduates on animal anatomy
Guest lecturer University of Greifswald Tieranatomische Übungen and Großpraktikum Zoologie (since 2021)
Macquarie University BIOL316 Invertebrate Biology (2020)
University of Bern Arachnological Colloquium (2013)
Instructor Macquarie University BIOL711 Topics in Evolution (2017): writing skill course for graduates
University of Kiel biol-251 Biologie der Insekten (2015): practical course on insect biomechanics for graduates
University of Kiel biol-252 Biomechanik und Bionik (2015): practical course on insect biomechanics for graduates
University of Kiel biol-167 Grundlagen der Bionik (2014): practical course on insect biomechanics for undergraduates
University of Kiel biol-104 Exkursionen (2010-11): Zoological excursions for undergraduates
Teaching Assistant University of Kiel biol-104 Bestimmungsübungen, biol-102 Grundlagen der Zoologie, biol-151 Baupläne und deren Wandlungsfähigkeit im Tierreich (2009-12): Undergraduate courses on animal anatomy and species identification
Supervisor PhD thesis (Macquarie University, co-supervision, 2019-23)
PhD thesis (University of Greifswald, co-supervision, since 2022)
PhD thesis (University of Greifswald, co-supervision, since 2022)
Master’s thesis (University of Greifswald, 2022-23)
Master’s thesis (Macquarie University, co-supervision, 2017-18)
Master’s thesis (University of Bern, external co-supervision, 2014-15)
5 Bachelor’s theses (University of Kiel, 2013-16)
Publications
Refereed Journal Articles
Google Scholar
Research Gate
Names underlined were students or postdocs under my supervision.
* equal contribution
Kreuz J, Michalik P, Wolff JO (2024) Comparative anatomy of the spinneret musculature in cribellate and ecribellate spiders (Araneae). Journal of Morphology 285, e21670. doi.org/10.1002/jmor.21670
Beyer M, Uludag KÖ, Lailler M, Wolff JO, Eberhard MJB, Czaczkes TJ, Tuni C (2023) Testing presence of directionality information in female spider silk trails through male trail-following behavior. Behavioral Ecology and Sociobiology 77, 139. doi.org/10.1007/s00265-023-03386-8
Gajski D, Wolff JO, Melcher A, Weber S, Prost S, Krehenwinkel H, Kennedy S (2023) Facilitating taxonomy and phylogenetics: An informative and cost-effective protocol integrating long amplicon PCRs and third-generation sequencing. Molecular Phylogenetics and Evolution 192, 107988. doi.org/10.1016/j.ympev.2023.107988
Kelly MJB, Khan K, Wierucka K, Jones BR, Shofner R, Derkarabetian S, Wolff JO (2023) Dynamic evolution of locomotor performance independent of changes in extended phenotype use in spiders. Proceedings of the Royal Society: Biological Sciences 290, 20232035. doi.org/10.1098/rspb.2023.2035
Wolff JO, Cherry BR, Yarger JL, Adler L, Thomas DS, Hook JM, Blamires SJ (2023) Organic salt composition of pressure sensitive adhesives produced by spiders. Frontiers in Ecology and Evolution 11, 1123614. doi.org/10.3389/fevo.2023.1123614
Ramírez MJ, Wolff JO, Jäger P, Pavlek M, Pérez‐González A, Magalhaes I, Michalik P (2023) Geometric regularity in webs of non‐orb‐weaving spiders. Ecology and Evolution 13, e9839. doi.org/10.1002/ece3.9839
Aceves-Aparicio A, Narendra A, McLean DJ, Lowe EC, Christian M, Wolff JO, Schneider JM, Herberstein ME (2022) Fast acrobatic manoeuvres enable arboreal spiders to hunt dangerous prey. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences USA 119, e2205942119. doi.org/10.1073/pnas.2205942119
Wolff JO, Wierucka K, Paterno G, Coddington JA, Hormiga G, Kelly MBJ, Herberstein ME, Ramírez MJ (2022) Stabilized morphological evolution of spiders despite mosaic changes in foraging ecology. Systematic Biology 71, 1487–1503. (Journal Cover) doi.org/10.1093/sysbio/syac023
Herberstein ME, McLean DJ, Lowe E, Wolff JO, Khan MK, Smith K, Allen AP, Bulbert M, Buzatto BA, Eldridge MBD, Falster D, Winzer LF, Griffith SC, Madin JS, Narendra A, Westoby M, Whiting MJ, Ian Wright, Carthey A (2022) AnimalTraits: a curated animal database for body mass, metabolic rate and brain size. Scientific Data 9, 265. doi.org/10.1038/s41597-022-01364-9
Seiter M, Schwaha T, Prendini L, Gorb SN, Wolff JO (2022) Cerotegument microstructure of whip spiders (Amblypygi: Euamblypygi Weygoldt, 1996) reveals characters for systematics from family to species level. Journal of Morphology 283, 428-445. doi.org/10.1002/jmor.21452
Blamires S, Nobbs M, Wolff JO, Heu C (2022) Nutritionally induced nanoscale variations in spider silk structural and mechanical properties. Journal of the Mechanical Behavior of Biomedical Materials 125, 104873. doi.org/10.1016/j.jmbbm.2021.104873
Pekár S, Wolff JO, Černecká L, Birkhofer K, Mammola S, Lowe EC, Fukushima CS, … , Cardoso P (2021) The World Spider Trait database (WST): a centralised global open repository for curated data on spider traits. Database 2021, baab064. doi.org/10.1093/database/baab064
Wolff JO, Michalik P, Ravelo AM, Herberstein ME, Ramírez MJ (2021) Evolution of silk anchor structure as the joint effect of spinning behavior and spinneret morphology. Integrative and Comparative Biology 61, 1411-1431. doi.org/10.1093/icb/icab003
Wolff JO, Wierucka K, Uhl G, Herberstein ME (2021) Building behaviour does not affect rates of phenotypic evolution in spiders. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences USA 118, e2102693118. doi.org/10.1073/pnas.2102693118
Wolff JO, Liprandi D, Bosia F, Joel A-C, Pugno NM (2021) Robust substrate anchorages of silk lines with extensible nano-fibres. Soft Matter 17, 7903-7913. doi.org/10.1039/D1SM00552A
Seiter M, Schwaha T, Ferreira RL, Prendini L, Wolff JO (2021) Fine structure of the epicuticular secretion coat and associated glands of Pedipalpi and Palpigradi (Arachnida). Journal of Morphology 282, 1158-1169. doi.org/10.1002/jmor.21360
Wolff JO, von Byern J, Piorkowski D, Fang J, Wang X, Adler L, Thomas DS, Hook JM, Blamires S (2021) Adhesive droplets of glowworm snares (Keroplatidae: Arachnocampa spp.) are a complex mix of organic compounds. Frontiers in Mechanical Engineering 7, 27. (invited for Research Topic ‘Bioadhesion’). doi.org/10.3389/fmech.2021.661422
Wolff JO (2021) Locomotion and kinematics of arachnids. Journal of Comparative Physiology A 207, 99-103. (Editorial for themed issue) doi.org/10.1007/s00359-021-01478-2
Wolff JO (2020) Evolutionary kinematics of spinneret movements for rapid silk thread anchorage in spiders. Journal of Comparative Physiology A 207, 141-152. doi.org/10.1007/s00359-020-01453-3
Wolff JO, Little D, Herberstein MH (2020) Limits of piriform silk adhesion – similar effects of substrate surface polarity on silk anchor performance in two spider species with disparate microhabitat use. The Science of Nature – Naturwissenschaften 107, 1-10. doi.org/10.1007/s00114-020-01687-w
Lowe E*, Wolff JO*, Aceves-Aparicio A, Birkhofer K, Branco VV, Cardoso P, …, and Marie E. Herberstein (2020) Towards establishment of a centralized spider traits database. Journal of Arachnology 48, 103-109. doi.org/10.1636/0161-8202-48.2.103
Greco G, Wolff JO, Pugno NM (2020) Strong and tough silk for resilient attachment discs: the mechanical properties of piriform silk, in the spider Cupiennius salei (Keyserling, 1877). Frontiers in Materials 7, 138. (invited for Research Topic ‘Frontiers in Silk Science and Technology’). doi.org/10.3389/fmats.2020.00138
Wolff JO (2020) The Evolution of Dragline Initiation in Spiders: Multiple Transitions from Multi- to Single-Gland Usage. Diversity 12, 4. (invited for Special Issue ‘Systematics and Evolution of Spiders’ (ed. Goodacre S, Dimitrov D)) doi.org/10.3390/d12010004
Jeliazkov A, Mijatovic D, Chantepie S, Andrew N, Arlettaz R, Barbaro L, …, Wolff JO, …, Chase JM (2020) A global database for metacommunity ecology, integrating species, traits, environment and space. Scientific Data 7, 1-15. doi.org/10.1038/s41597-019-0344-7
Wolff JO, Paterno GB, Liprandi D, Ramírez MJ, Bosia F, van der Meijden A, Michalik P, Smith HM, Jones BR, Ravelo AM, Pugno N, Herberstein M (2019) Evolution of aerial spider webs coincided with repeated structural optimization of silk anchorages. Evolution 73, 2122-2134. (Journal Cover) doi.org/10.1111/evo.13834
Seiter M, Lemell P, Gredler R, Wolff JO (2019) Strike kinematics in the whip spider Charon sp. (Amblypygi: Charontidae). Journal of Arachnology 47, 260-5. doi.org/10.1636/JoA-S-18-089
Gibbons AT, Idnurm A, Seiter M, Dyer PS, Kokolski M, Goodacre SL, Gorb SN, Wolff JO (2019) Amblypygid-fungal interactions: The whip spider exoskeleton as a substrate for fungal growth. Fungal Biology 123, 497-506. doi.org/10.1016/j.funbio.2019.05.003
Wirth M, Wolff JO, Appel E, Gorb SN. (2019) Ultrastructure of spider thread anchorages. Journal of Morphology 280, 534-43. doi.org/10.1002/jmor.20962
Kruppert S, Deussen L, Weiss LC, Horstmann M, Wolff JO, Kleinteich T, Gorb SN, Tollrian R (2019) Zooplankters’ nightmare: The fast and efficient catching basket of larval phantom midges (Diptera: Chaoborus). PloS One 14, e0214013. doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0214013
Wolff JO, Wiegmann C, Wirkner CS, Koehnsen A, Gorb SN (2019) Traction reinforcement in prehensile feet of harvestmen (Arachnida, Opiliones). Journal of Experimental Biology 222, jeb192187. doi.org/10.1242/jeb.192187
Wolff JO, Jones B, Herberstein ME (2018) Plastic material investment in load-bearing silk attachments in spiders. Zoology 131, 45-7. doi.org/10.1016/j.zool.2018.05.002
Frost KF, Gorb SN, Wolff JO (2018) Adhesion and friction in hunting spiders: The effect of contact splitting on their attachment ability. Zoologischer Anzeiger – A Journal of Comparative Zoology 273, 231-239. doi.org/10.1016/j.jcz.2018.01.003
Wolff JO, van der Meijden A, Herberstein ME (2017) Distinct spinning patterns gain differentiated loading tolerance of silk thread anchorages in spiders with different ecology. Proceedings of the Royal Society: Biological Sciences 284, 20171124. doi.org/10.1098/rspb.2017.1124
Wolff JO, Wells D, Reid CR, Blamires SJ (2017) Clarity of objectives and working principles enhances the success of biomimetic programs. Bioinspiration & Biomimetics 12, 051001. doi.org/10.1088/1748-3190/aa86ff
Wolff JO, Řezáč M, Krejčí T, Gorb SN (2017) Hunting with sticky tape: functional shift in silk glands of araneophagous ground spiders (Gnaphosidae). Journal of Experimental Biology 220, 2250-2259. (Editor’s Choice) doi.org/10.1242/jeb.154682
Labarque FM, Wolff JO, Michalik P, Griswold CE, Ramírez MJ (2017). The evolution and function of spider feet (Araneae, Arachnida): Multiple acquisitions of distal articulations. Zoological Journal of the Linnean Society 181, 308–341. doi.org/10.1093/zoolinnean/zlw030
Filippov AÉ, Wolff JO, Seiter M, Gorb SN (2017). Numerical simulation of colloidal self-assembly of superhydrophobic arachnid cerotegument structures. Journal of Theoretical Biology 430, 1-8. doi.org/10.1016/j.jtbi.2017.07.001
Wolff JO, Lovtsova J, Gorb E, Dai Z, Ji A, Zhao Z, Jiang N, Gorb SN (2017). Strength of silk attachment to Ilex chinensis leaves in the tea bagworm Eumeta minuscula (Lepidoptera, Psychidae). Journal of The Royal Society Interface 14, 20170007. doi.org/10.1098/rsif.2017.0007
Wolff JO, Herberstein MH (2017) Three-dimensional printing spiders: back-and-forth glue application yields silk anchorages with high pull-off resistance under varying loading situations. Journal of The Royal Society Interface 14, 20160783. (Journal Cover) doi.org/10.1098/rsif.2016.0783
Heepe L, Petersen DS, Tölle L, Wolff JO, Gorb SN (2017) Sexual dimorphism in the attachment ability of the ladybird beetle Coccinella septempunctata on soft substrates. Applied Physics A: Materials Science and Processing 123, 34. doi.org/10.1007/s00339-016-0684-5
Seiter M, Wolff JO (2017) Stygophrynus orientalis sp. nov. (Amblypygi: Charontidae) from Indonesia with the description of a remarkable spermatophore. Zootaxa 4232, 397-408. doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.4232.3.8
Wolff JO, Seiter M, Gorb SN (2017) The water-repellent cerotegument of whip-spiders (Arachnida: Amblypygi). Arthropod Structure and Development 46, 116-129. (part of Special Issue ‘Arthropod Cuticle Function: from Molecules to Structures to Ecology’, ed. Fabritius H-O, Moussian B) doi.org/10.1016/j.asd.2016.10.010
Wolff JO, Schwaha T, Seiter M, Gorb SN (2016). Whip-spiders (Amblypygi) become water-repellent by a colloidal secretion that self-assembles into hierarchical microstructures. Zoological Letters 2, 23. doi.org/10.1186/s40851-016-0059-y
Heepe L, Wolff JO, Gorb SN (2016) Influence of ambient humidity on the attachment ability of ladybird beetles (Coccinella septempunctata). Beilstein Journal of Nanotechnology 7, 1322–1329. (invited) doi.org/10.3762/bjnano.7.123
Wolff JO, Martens J, Schönhofer AL, Gorb SN (2016) Evolution of hyperflexible joints in sticky prey capture appendages of harvestmen (Arachnida, Opiliones). Organisms Diversity & Evolution 16, 549-557. doi.org/10.1007/s13127-016-0278-2
Wolff JO, Schönhofer AL, Martens J, Wijnhoven H, Taylor C, Gorb SN (2016) The evolution of pedipalps and glandular hairs as predatory devices in harvestmen (Arachnida, Opiliones). Zoological Journal of the Linnean Society 177, 558-601. doi.org/10.1111/zoj.12375
Wolff JO, Seiter M, Gorb SN (2015) Functional anatomy of the pretarsus in whip spiders (Arachnida, Amblypygi). Arthropod Structure and Development 44, 524-540. doi.org/10.1016/j.asd.2015.08.014
Eggs B, Wolff JO, Kuhn-Nentwig L, Gorb SN, Nentwig W (2015) Hunting without a web: how lycosoid spiders subdue their prey. Ethology 121, 1166-1177. doi.org/10.1111/eth.12432
Seiter M, Wolff JO, Hoerweg C (2015) A new species of the South East Asian genus Sarax Simon, 1892 (Arachnida: Amblypygi: Charinidae) and synonymization of Sarax mediterraneus Delle Cave, 1986. Zootaxa 4012, 542-552. doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.4012.3.8
Wolff JO, Huber S, Gorb SN (2015) How to stay on mummy's back: Morphological and functional changes of the pretarsus in arachnid postembryonic stages. Arthropod Structure and Development 44, 301-312. doi.org/10.1016/j.asd.2015.04.004
Hüsken M, Hufnagel K, Mende K, Appel E, Meyer H, Peisker H, Tögel M, Wang S, Wolff J, Gorb SN, Paululat A (2015) Adhesive pad differentiation in Drosophila melanogaster depends on the Polycomb group gene Su(z)2. Journal of Experimental Biology 218, 1159-1165. doi.org/10.1242/jeb.108332
Wolff JO, Grawe I, Wirth M, Karstedt A, Gorb SN (2015) Spider’s super-glue: Thread anchors are composite adhesives with synergistic hierarchical organization. Soft Matter 11, 2394. doi.org/10.1039/C4SM02130D
Wolff JO, Gorb SN (2015) Adhesive foot pads: an adaptation to climbing? An ecological survey in hunting spiders. Zoology 118, 1-7. (Journal Cover) doi.org/10.1016/j.zool.2014.04.006
Wolff JO, Schönhofer A, Schaber C, Gorb SN (2014) Gluing the ‘un-wettable’: Soil-dwelling harvestmen use viscoelastic fluids for capturing springtails. Journal of Experimental Biology 217, 3535-3544. doi.org/10.1242/jeb.108852
Seiter M, Wolff JO (2014) Description of Sarax buxtoni (Gravely 1915) (Arachnida: Amblypygi: Charinidae) and a new case of parthenogenesis in Amblypygi from Singapore. Journal of Arachnology 42, 233-239. doi.org/10.1636/Ha14-13.1
Grawe I*, Wolff JO*, Gorb SN (2014) Composition and substrate-dependent strength of the silken attachment discs in spiders. Journal of the Royal Society Interface 11, 20140477. doi.org/10.1098/rsif.2014.0477
Wohlfart E, Wolff JO, Arzt E., Gorb SN (2014) The whole is more than the sum of all its parts: collective effect of spider attachment organs. Journal of Experimental Biology 217, 222-224. doi.org/10.1242/jeb.093468
Wolff JO, Nentwig W, Gorb SN (2013) The great silk alternative: Multiple coevolution of web loss and adhesive setae in spiders. PloS One 8, e62682. doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0062682
Wolff JO, Gorb SN (2013) Radial arrangement of Janus-like setae permits friction control in spiders. Scientific Reports 3, 1101. doi.org/10.1038/srep01101
Wolff JO, Gorb SN (2012) Comparative morphology of pretarsal scopulae in eleven spider families. Arthropod Structure and Development 41, 419-433. doi.org/10.1016/j.asd.2012.04.004
Wolff JO, Gorb SN (2012) Surface roughness effects on attachment ability of the spider Philodromus dispar (Araneae, Philodromidae). Journal of Experimental Biology 215, 179-184. doi.org/10.1242/jeb.061507
Wolff JO, Gorb SN (2011) The influence of humidity on the attachment ability of the spider Philodromus dispar (Araneae, Philodromidae). Proceedings of the Royal Society: Biological Sciences 279, 139-143. doi.org/10.1098/rspb.2011.0505
Authored Books
Wolff JO, Gorb SN (2016) Attachment structures and adhesive secretions in arachnids. Biologically-inspired systems, Vol. 7. Springer, Cham, Switzerland. 184 pp. doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-45713-0
Book Chapters
Wolff JO (2017) Structural effects of glue application in spiders – What can we learn from silk anchors? In: Heepe L, Xue L, Gorb SN (eds.) Bio-inspired structured adhesives. Springer, Cham, Switzerland. pp 63-80. (invited) doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-59114-8_5
Wolff JO, García-Hernández S, Gorb SN (2016) Adhesive Secretions in Harvestmen (Arachnida: Opiliones). In: Smith AM (ed.) Biological adhesives, 2nd edition. Springer, Cham, Switzerland. pp. 281-301. (invited) doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-46082-6_12
Wolff JO, Schneider J, Gorb SN (2014) How to pass the gap - Functional morphology and biomechanics of spider bridging threads. In: Miller T, Asakura T (eds.) Biotechnology of silk. Springer, Heidelberg. pp. 165-177. (invited) doi.org/10.1007/978-94-007-7119-2_9

Dr. Daniele Liprandi

Postdoctoral Researcher

Soldmannstraße 14
2. OG, Raum 2.07
17489 Greifswald
Tel.: +49 (0)3834 420-4265
daniele[dot]liprandi[at]uni-greifswald[dot]de

Research Interests

My preferred research topic is computational modelling of soft biological materials. By combining computational physics and the mechanics of elastic soft bodies, I aim to investigate the behaviour of complex composite materials, as spider silk threads and anchorages. One focus of this topic of research is understanding how different natural systems can have different response to external stimuli while using similar "building blocks", e.g. a small set of proteins. This is usually achieved by exploiting different geometries with peculiar degrees of freedom, which allows for a tunability of the physical properties of the system. This tunability is crucial, for example, in the vertical locomotion of the animals. During locomotion, arthropods and reptiles continuously alternate strong adhesion and easy detachment by tuning the angles formed by their pads and toes, or the direction of the applied force. The same principles can be extended to other biological bodies, e.g. human organs, and aid in the development of biomedical devices. Other topics I like to explore are soft tissue mechanics, bone mechanics, artificial and biological adhesive systems, extreme mechanics, molecular dynamics, C/C++/Python developing.

Publications

Liprandi D, Misseroni D, Bosia F, Fraldi M, Pugno NM (2022) A 3D Griffith peeling model to unify and generalize single and double peeling theories. Meccanica 57, 1125–1138. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11012-022-01480-1

Wolff JO, Liprandi D, Bosia F, Joel AC, Pugno NM (2021) Robust substrate anchorages of silk lines with extensible nano-fibres. Soft Matter 17, 7903–7913. https://doi.org/10.1039/D1SM00552A

Liprandi D, Bosia F, Pugno NM (2020) A theoretical-numerical model for the peeling of elastic membranes. Journal of the Mechanics and Physics of Solids 136, 103733. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jmps.2019.103733

Wolff JO, Paterno GB, Liprandi D, Ramírez MJ, Bosia F, van der Meijden A, Michalik P, Smith HM, Jones BR, Ravelo AM, Pugno N, Herberstein M (2019) Evolution of aerial spider webs coincided with repeated structural optimization of silk anchorages. Evolution 73, 2122–2134. doi.org/10.1111/evo.13834

Brely L, Liprandi D, Bosia F, Pugno NM (2017) Optimal adhesion control via cooperative Hierarchy, grading, geometries and non-linearity of anchorages and adhesive pads. In: Heepe L, Xue L, Gorb SN (eds.) Bio-inspired structured adhesives. Springer, Cham, Switzerland. pp. 81–93. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-59114-8_6


Dr. Michael Kelly

Postdoctoral Researcher

Soldmannstraße 14
2. OG, Raum 2.07
17489 Greifswald
Tel.: +49 (0)3834 420-4265
michael[dot]kelly[at]uni-greifswald[dot]de

Research Interests

My research interests include animal behaviour (especially predator-prey interactions), neuroanatomy, and evolutionary ecology. I aim to contribute to our understanding of the macro-scale dynamics involved in evolution and natural selection, including the limitations of trait evolution. For this purpose, I am combining diverse comparative trait measurements and imaging techniques with phylogenomic methods. My previous research was focused on mimicry, more specifically the paradox of inaccurate mimicry, using ant-mimicking (myrmecomorphic) spiders. With the production of a large phylogenetic dataset and the development of a new method to quantify mimicry accuracy, I uncovered the tempo and mode of mimicry evolution in myrmecomorphic spiders. Further, I studied the consequences of a myrmecomorphic habitus on anatomical features (central nervous system and venom glands) as an example for a potential trade-off between functional traits, driving the evolutionary dynamics of trait expression. During my research I have also obtained experience in behavioural assays. Specifically, I ran predator experiments in which I presented video simulations to predatory jumping spiders to test what the key traits are for predator decision making in relation to ant mimicry. My current work focuses on the evolutionary dynamics of the marronoid clade of spiders - a group of closely related spiders known for possessing an array of prey capture techniques including cursorial and snare-based hunting.

Publications

Kelly MJB, Khan K, Wierucka K, Jones BR, Shofner R, Derkarabetian S, Wolff JO (2023) Dynamic evolution of locomotor performance independent of changes in extended phenotype use in spiders. Proceedings of the Royal Society: Biological Sciences 290, 20232035. https://doi.org/10.1098/rspb.2023.2035

Wolff JO, Wierucka K, Paterno G, Coddington JA, Hormiga G, Kelly MJB, Herberstein ME, Ramírez MJ (2022) Stabilized morphological evolution of spiders despite mosaic changes in foraging ecology. Systematic Biology 71, 1487–1503. https://doi.org/10.1093/sysbio/syac023

Kelly MJB, McLean DJ, Wild ZK, Herberstein ME (2021) Measuring mimicry: methods for quantifying visual similarity. Animal Behaviour 178, 115-126. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.anbehav.2021.06.011

Umbers KD, Riley JL, Kelly MJB, Taylor‐Dalton G, Lawrence JP, Byrne PG (2020) Educating the enemy: Harnessing learned avoidance behavior in wild predators to increase survival of reintroduced southern corroboree frogs. Conservation Science and Practice 2, e139. https://doi.org/10.1111/csp2.139

Kelly MJB, Truscott H, Andersen TR, Shibuya A (2017) Amazon wildlife ecology. An introduction to wildlife conservation in the Brazilian Amazon: a view from northern Australia. Brazilian Amazon Field Intensive (BAFI). Charles Darwin University, Darwin, 13-24.


Maitry Jani

PhD candidate

Soldmannstraße 14
2. OG, Raum 2.07
17489 Greifswald
Tel.: +49 (0)3834 420-4265

Thesis topic

Comparative analysis of the behavioural use of different silk glands in spiders

Research Interests

I am interested in animal behavior and ecology. My past research experiences on reptiles, mammals, and arachnids in broad-spectrum have motivated me to appreciate and understand the complex systems of animal phylogeny and ecology. Invertebrates, especially arachnids have fascinated me since my college days. With passion, I strived to pursue my interest, especially in spiders by choosing it as a study model. My current research focuses on studying the biology of spiders and their silk glands. This will be achieved by combining field and behavioral studies in the lab. I aim to establish a detailed understanding of the functioning of spider silk glands through morphological studies and experiments in the lab. This will allow a comprehensive study on silk gland diversification, web architecture, and behavioral applications.

Publications

Jani M, Caleb JT, Kapoor V, Kulkarni S, Uma D (2023) Aliens in the society: foreign arthropods and small vertebrates associated with the social spider Stegodyphus sarasinorum Karsch, 1892 (Araneae: Eresidae). Journal of Arachnology 51, 57–62. https://doi.org/10.1636/JoA-S-22-004

Babu N, Caleb JT, Jani M, Uma D, Prasad G (2022) On the taxonomy and distribution of the orb-weaving spider Philoponella feroka (Bradoo, 1979) n. comb. from India (Araneae, Uloboridae). Zootaxa 5087, 497–500. https://doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5087.3.8

Jani M (2019) Indotyphlops braminus (Brahminy Blind Snake): Diet. Herpetological Review 50, 159–160.

Sharma V, Jani M (2015) Geographical Distribution: Lycodon travancoricus (Travancore wolf-snake). Herpetological Review 46, 574.


Siripanyo Promnil

PhD candidate

Soldmannstraße 14
2. OG, Raum 2.07
17489 Greifswald
Tel.: +49 (0)3834 420-4265

Thesis topic

Comparative tensile mechanics of spider silk bundles

Research Interests

I am passionate about polymeric materials, biomaterials, and tissue engineering. My previous research was on the topic of biomimetic meniscus scaffolds from electrospun Poly(lactic acid) / Silk fibroin. I have gained experience in biomaterials, electrospinning process, materials characterization (mechanical properties, thermal properties, morphology, degradation), and in vitro cell culture studies (such as cytotoxicity, cell viability, and histological studies). For my present study, I focus on the mechanical properties of the bundles of spider silk.

Publications

Publications

Promnil S, Ruksakulpiwat C, Numpaisal P-o, Ruksakulpiwat Y (2022) Electrospun poly(lactic acid) and silk fibroin based nanofibrous scaffold for meniscus tissue engineering. Polymers 14, 2435. https://doi.org/10.3390/polym14122435

Promnil S, Ruksakulpiwat Y, Ruksakulpiwat C, Numpaisal P-o (2022) Effect of silk fibroin content on physical and mechanical properties of electrospun poly(lactic acid)/silk fibroin nanofibers for meniscus tissue engineering scaffold. Journal of Physics: Conference Series 2175, 012016. https://doi.org/10.1088/1742-6596/2175/1/012016

Promnil S, Numpaisal P-o, Ruksakulpiwat Y (2021) Effect of molecular weight on mechanical properties of electrospun poly(lactic acid) fibers for meniscus tissue engineering scaffold. Materials Today: Proceedings 47, 3496–3499. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.matpr.2021.03.504


Josefine Kreuz

PhD candidate

Soldmannstraße 14
2. OG, Raum 2.07
17489 Greifswald
Tel.: +49 (0)3834 420-4265

Thesis topic

Evolution of silk flow control mechanisms in spiders

Research Interests

I am broadly interested in the morphology of athropods of all types, especially with regards to the reproductive system, the musculature and the structure of the nervous system. I find the comparative approach particularly interesting and like to work with imaging methods with a focus on 3D reconstruction.

Publications

Kreuz J, Michalik P, Wolff JO (2024) Comparative anatomy of the spinneret musculature in cribellate and ecribellate spiders (Araneae). Journal of Morphology 285, e21670. https://doi.org/10.1002/jmor.21670

Kreuz J, Monika JB Eberhard MJB (2022) Asymmetry of the male internal reproductive organs in Mantophasmatodea. BMC Zoology 7, 1-9. https://doi.org/10.1186/s40850-021-00105-6


Paula Heinz

B.Sc. candidate and student research assistant

Soldmannstraße 14
2. OG, Raum 2.07
17489 Greifswald
Tel.: +49 (0)3834 420-4265

Thesis topic

Comparative tensile mechanics of ecologically distinct silk threads in Pholcidae


Ronja Eilhardt

M.Sc. candidate

Soldmannstraße 14
2. OG, Raum 2.07
17489 Greifswald
Tel.: +49 (0)3834 420-4265

Thesis topic

Comparative kinematics and evolution of orthopteran jumping

Publications

Publications

Winkler L, Eilhardt R, Janicke T (2023) Population density affects sexual selection in an insect model. Functional Ecology 37, 2734-2747. https://doi.org/10.1111/1365-2435.14410


Vincent Jackel

B.Sc. candidate

Soldmannstraße 14
2. OG, Raum 2.07
17489 Greifswald
Tel.: +49 (0)3834 420-4265

Thesis topic

Kinematics of the rapid escape 'bungee'-jump of arboreal sac spiders (Clubionidae)


Interested in joining our lab?

You are fascinated by biodiversity and looking for an inspiring environment to develop your career in science? Join our creative, cross-disciplinary, international team! Contact the PI for opportunities - please describe your research interest, how it integrates with our research focus, and attach your CV.


Alumni

Milena Zerbe 2023 - Student Research Assistant    
Annika Schönfeld 2022/23 - External MSc. Candidate Thesis topic: 3D-kinematics of web construction in Pholcus phalangioides (Primary supervisor: Anna-Christin Joel, RWTH Aachen)  
Dr Kawsar Khan 2020 - Casual Research Assistant Currently Humboldt Fellow at Freie Universität Berlin: LINK / GoogleScholar  
Dr Kaja Wierucka 2019 - Casual Research Assistant Currently Postdoc at the Leibniz Institute for Primate Research: LINK / GoogleScholar  
Braxton Jones 2017/18 - Casual Student Research Assistent Currently PhD Student at the University of Sydney: LINK / GoogleScholar