How does climate shape disease risk in wildlife? A new study shows that seasonal changes influence immune responses and infection risk in damselflies, linking environmental variability to host–parasite interactions. #LIBresearch © Paul et al., CC BY 4.0

How much diversity is hidden in well-known insect groups? New work on hoverflies revises the genus Asemosyrphus and describes a new Sphiximorpha species - highlighting how much remains to be uncovered even in studied taxa. #LIBresearch © Mengual et al., CC BY 4.0 1/2

How much insect diversity is still hidden? A new study describes insects that mimic stingless bees - revealing previously overlooked diversity and how resemblance helps them avoid predators. #LIBresearch © Reemer et al., CC BY 4.0 1/2

A new ERGA–Biodiversity Genomics Europe reference genome for the limpet Patella rustica provides a key resource to study how coastal species respond to global warming. #LIBresearch © Faria R et al., CC BY 4.0 1/3

Many “single species” actually turn out to be complexes of multiple, distinct species once studied in detail. A great example of how taxonomy continues to reveal hidden biodiversity. #LIBresearch

A new reference genome for the Azores bullfinch (Pyrrhula murina) provides a powerful tool to study and conserve one of Europe’s rarest birds. High-quality genomic data help track genetic diversity and support targeted conservation efforts. #LIBresearch © Lopes et al., CC BY 4. 1/3

A newly discovered “monkey hopper” from mid-Cretaceous amber adds to our picture of ancient insect diversity. Fossils like these help trace the deep evolutionary history of grasshopper-like insects. #LIBresearch Symbol picture: © Adobe Stock, Minakryn Ruslan 1/2

Turning individual experience into shared community standards is key for large-scale genomics. Great to see this collaborative effort highlighted! #LIBresearch

Science and museums have histories shaped by broader societal forces. Important #LIBresearch highlighting how political dynamics influenced the development of Museum Koenig — and why reflecting on this matters today.

High-quality genomes help us study evolutionary uniqueness, population history and conservation needs: A new ERGA–BGE reference genome for the Pyrenean “milky worm” sheds light on the evolution & conservation of little-known soil biodiversity. #LIBresearch © Novo et al., CC BY 4. 1/2

Closely related species living side by side — but using completely different ways to determine sex. A fascinating example of how evolutionary mechanisms can help maintain species boundaries even when hybridisation occurs. #LIBresearch

How do snails scrape algae off rocks — without destroying their own teeth? A new review explores the radula, the specialized feeding organ of mollusks, whose teeth are finely adapted to different diets and habitats. #LIBresearch © Adobe Stock, Macronatura. es 1/3

Why are insects declining — and what can we do about it? A new review synthesises current evidence: habitat loss, land-use change, climate change and pollutants are key drivers reshaping insect communities worldwide. #LIBresearch © Scherber et al., CC BY 4.0 @cscherber.bsky.social 1/2

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.

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 1/3

Great to see LIB research supporting global dialogue on sustainable wildlife management. 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.

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

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

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.

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 1/3

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

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.

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 1/3

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 helps pollinators cope with human pressures? Supporting flower diversity in agricultural landscapes can benefit both pollinators and food production. #LIBresearch © Adobe Stock, JuergenL 1/3

#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.

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.

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). 1/3

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 !

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

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 1/2

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!

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

Great opportunity for students interested in pollinators, fieldwork and applied biodiversity research — feel free to share! 🌼🐝

Chromosome-level genomes are opening new windows into biodiversity — even far beyond classic model species. Two new studies show why this matters across very different taxa. #LIBresearch © Adobe Stock, Colombe Delons 1/3

#Seminar Join our #MEEGene seminar at @leibnizlib.bsky.social on Zoom next Tuesday, Jan 13, 3PM CET and listen to: Sarah Schmid from @usyseth.bsky.social @ele-ethwsl.bsky.social talk about #museomics to improve #eDNA #monitoring of marine fishes! Email [email protected] for login details.

Ancient DNA sheds new light on Megaoryzomys curioi, a giant extinct rodent from the Galápagos. #LIBresearch → doi.org/10.1093/zool... © Geni, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons 1/3

Type specimens may sit quietly in collections, but they’re central to naming, comparing and protecting biodiversity. This update highlights how dynamic and valuable museum collections really are.

DNA-based methods like #metabarcoding can transform biodiversity monitoring — but without shared standards, their impact stays limited. Clear recommendations show why quality assurance and harmonised workflows are key for real-world conservation. #LIBresearch © Adobe Stock, taraki 1/3

A fantastic choice for #ECBB2026 plenary speaker: @mherberstein.bsky.social If you have ideas or topics you’d love to hear in a plenary, now is the time to share them — Mariella is taking suggestions!

Many European butterfly & moth records still lack precise location data — a surprising gap for such key biodiversity indicators. Missing coordinates limit how well we can analyse trends and plan conservation. #LIBresearch © Adobe Stock, Johanna Mühlbauer 1/3

#LIBresearch: A new study provides the first comprehensive list of fly species in #Armenia. This baseline helps us better understand insect diversity and how it may change over time. → doi.org/10.3897/zook... © Adobe Stock, Macronatura.es #InsectDiversity #Biodiversity

#LIBresearch: Project Psyche will produce genomes for ~11,000 European butterflies & moths—reshaping research on insect evolution, ecology, pests & biodiversity. @lepidochrysops.bsky.social → doi.org/10.1016/j.tr... © CC-BY, Trends Ecol Evol #BiodiversityGenomics #Lepidoptera

@leibnizlib.bsky.social #LIBresearch Exciting news from Himalayan toads providing insights into orogenesis: two genomic lineages split by the Thakkhola/Kali Gandaki since ~3.2 Mya. Climate differs, but topography drives divergence. Read more: authors.elsevier.com/a/1mEge73N%7...

@debbiemleigh.bsky.social and I are inviting abstracts for our symposium S05 showcasing research at the interface of molecular evolution, population genomics, and biodiversity monitoring.