News

Bavarian State Collection of Zoology, 2026-01-28 A genetic study is rewriting the evolutionary history of the saltwater crocodile and, at the same time, clarifying the species identity of the crocodiles that were exterminated on the Seychelles. The study was published in the journal Royal Society Open Science. Accounts from early expeditions to the Seychelles more […]

Bavarian State Collection of Zoology, 2026-01-26 A research team from Munich has identified a previously unknown communication mechanism in harvestmen. Five closely related species show species-specific, strongly fluorescent structures on their backs that become especially visible under ultraviolet light. The results suggest that these patterns serve for species recognition—particularly at dusk and in moonlight. The […]

Zoological Collection, 2026-01-22 The diversity of water strider species apparently developed as early as the Cretaceous period, much earlier than previously thought. SNSB researchers have succeeded in clarifying the phylogenetic history of this insect family, with molecular analyses providing comprehensive insights into their relationships and evolution. The study has now been published in the journal […]

Bavarian State Collection of Botany Munich, 16.12.2025 – A new carnivorous plant from Bavaria has now been officially named Drosera ×bavarica, the Bavarian sundew. SNSB botanist Andreas Fleischmann discovered specimens of the new plant—a natural hybrid—collected in a southern Bavarian bog in the heritage of a Munich plant collector. It is a fortunate coincidence: New […]

Bavarian State Collection of Zoology Munich, 2025-12-1 – The dental development of modern bears does not follow the typical pattern seen in most mammals. The reason lies millions of years ago in the history of bear evolution. SNSB zoologists have identified two phases in bear evolution that are responsible for the differences in bear dentition. […]

Bavarian State Collection of PalaeoanatomyMunich, 2025-27-11 – Genomic analyses of cat remains retrieved from almost 100 archaeological sites across Europe and Anatolia show that domestic cats apparently only arrived in Europe from North Africa around 2000 years ago, and not, as previously assumed, with Neolithic farmers and livestock breeders from the Near East in the […]

ZoologyMunich, 2025-11-17 Genetic and morphological studies revealed two new chameleon species. One of them with a very long nose finally receives the scientific name that suits it – Calumma pinocchio. An international research team led by SNSB zoologist Frank Glaw has published its findings in the zoological journal Salamandra – German Journal of Herpetology. Madagascar […]

Bavarian State Collection of Botany & Botanical Garden Munich-Nymphenburg Carnivorous plants of the genus Pinguicula (butterworts) from Mexico apparently use the same water-saving photosynthesis type as many succulent plants, such as cacti. Botanists from the SNSB and LMU Munich have now demonstrated CAM photosynthesis in carnivorous plants for the first time. The research team has […]

Bavarian State Collection of Palaeontology and Geology Munich, 2025-09-18 The giant bipedal spinosaurids from Africa apparently originated in Europe. This is shown by studies of newly discovered finds of the predatory dinosaur Camarillasaurus cirugedae from Spain. An international team led by SNSB paleontologist Oliver Rauhut has now published its findings in the journal Palaeontologia electronica. […]

Bavarian State Collection of Zoology Munich, 2025-09-17 Special 3D morphological analyses of mandibles show that the extinct bear Ursus minimus, one of Europe’s oldest bear species, had a broad diet without specializing in insects – contrary to previous assumptions. This made it particularly adaptable to shifting food availability. SNSB zoologist Anneke van Heteren has now […]