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Arachnology

The collection for arachnids is one of the largest and oldest of its kind in Europe. With regards to some groups (scorpions, spiders and mites) it is one of the most important collections internationally and is constantly being expanded through current research projects. For example, the cabinets contain one of the world's largest collections of scorpions. It also holds the famous Godeffroy collection of spiders from Australia and the Pacific region, which was collected almost 160 years ago on behalf of the famous Hamburg merchant Johann Cesar Godeffroy and comprises several thousand species. There is also a complete collection of all spider species occurring in Germany, as well as an important reference collection of mites with more than 32,500 specimens. Currently, a collection of spiders in the Hamburg area is being established, as well as the expansion of existing collections from South America and Australia.

Photo: LIB Elicio Tapia

Pseudoscorpiones

Pseudoscorpions are a mesodiverse order of arachnids with more than 3300 described species all over the world. These litter- and soil-dwelling arthropods superficially resemble scorpions but are much smaller (< 1cm) and lack the tail with sting. Diversity of pseudoscorpions is highest in the tropics and subtropics but more than 50 species also occur in central Europe. The LIB collection comprises more than 150 species of which 66 are represented by type material. Most species were described by Swedish zoologist Albert Tullgren and the Austrian specialist Max Beier. This collection does not have a biogeographic focus and the specimens are from various parts of the world.

Photo: UHH/Harms

Scorpions / Scorpiones

This Hamburg collection of scorpions comprises over 450 species from all over the world and is therefore globally unique. Many of the existing species were collected on expeditions and trade journeys in the early days of zoological research and described by the forefathers of arachnological research, such as Ludwig Koch and Karl Kraepelin. Due to its richness and taxonomic diversity, it is therefore frequently visited and constantly expanded by zoologists from all over the world.

Photo: UHH/Harms

Camel spiders / Solifugae

The camel spiders are very unusual arachnids, which are easily recognisable by their huge mouthparts and the characteristic elongated body. The animals have no poison glands and kill their prey by the sheer biting power of their jaw claws. They are fast runners, which are especially at home in the Earth’s deserts and steppes. The collections contain valuable type-material for 38 species, mainly from Africa and South America. There are about 1100 species worldwide.

Photo: UHH/Harms

Whip spiders/ Amblypygi

The whip spiders are very similar to the real spiders, but they differ from them by an articulated hind body, the flagellate and very long first pairs of legs, and the presence of a "catching basket" of reshaped leg-switches, with whose help small insects are seized. Whip spiders are mainly found in the tropics and belong to the oldest animal groups of all. Of the approximately 200 species worldwide, 10 are represented in the collection by valuable type-material.

Photo: LIB/Harms,

Spiders / Araneae

Spiders are the most species-rich group of arachnids alongside mites. With more than 46,000 species they occur in all regions of the world, including more than 1000 in Germany. The spider collection is very valuable and includes several thousand species. Almost 900 of them are represented with type-material, i.e. the animals from which the species were originally described. In general, the collection has a strong focus on the Australian and South Pacific fauna, including the oldest large spider collection from Australia.

Photo: UHH/Harms

Harvestmen / Opiliones

Harvestmen differ from spiders by the fusion of the front and rear body into a simple, egg-shaped structure and the presence of only two eyes. Many species have very long legs, which is why they are also colloquially called " daddy longlegs”. Harvestmen are also common in Germany and can be found on almost every house wall. The Collections contain the type-material of about 200 species, i.e. the valuable animals of which the species were originally described.

Photo: UHH/Harms

Whip scorpions / Thelyphonida

Whip scorpions look very similar to the real scorpions but instead of a sting with a poison gland, they have a long, thin flagellate at the base of which are defensive glands. The animals squirt caustic liquids from these glands against predators, hence why they are sometimes called "Vinegaroons". With about 100 species, the animals are at home in tropical latitudes. The Collections contain type-material for 9 species.

Contact:

Herr Dr. Danilo Harms

Leibniz Institute for the Analysis of Biodiversity Change - Hamburg site

Center for Taxonomy and Morphology

Martin-Luther-King-Platz 3

20146 Hamburg

Phone: +49 40 238317-616

E-mail: D.Harms@leibniz-lib.de

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Arachnology

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