Collections

Stuttgart State Museum of Natural History

Identification
Original name(s)

  • Staatliches Museum für Naturkunde Stuttgart (de - German)
Institution Address

Rosenstein 1
70191 Stuttgart
DE
museum@smns.de

Topics of interests

  • reconstructing palaeoenvironment
  • phylogenetic research
  • Integrative taxonomy, DNA-Barcoding

Main areas of taxonomic expertise

  • Palaeontology: fossil amphibians and reptiles, mammals (focus insectivors), fossil insects (focus dragonflies), aquatic vertebrates, Cenozoic molluscs, Mesozoic ammonites and crustaceans,
  • Mesozoic and Cenozoic red algae (Corallinaceae), Palaeogene and Neogene phanerogams, plant physiology
  • Botany: cryptogams (mainly mosses), phanerogams
  • Zoology: mammals, birds, fish, molluscs, amphibians and reptiles
  • Entomology: Ephemeroptera, Diptera: Tachinidae, Hymenoptera: Chalcidoidea, Coleoptera:
  • Tenebrionidae, Lepidoptera: Bombycoidea, Geometridae, Sesiidae, Araneae: Salticidae

Type of organisation

Institution Address

Rosenstein 1
70191 Stuttgart
DE
museum@smns.de

Director Representative

Prof. Dr.Lars Krogmann

Contact


lars.krogmann@smns-bw.de

Structure Chart

url : https://collections.naturalsciences.be/cpb/nh-collections/countries/germany/de-smns/1-cetaf-passport-administration/@@download/structure_chart_file
file : structural_chart_stuttgart.pdf

Governing & Executive bodies

Four scientific departments: Botany, Entomology, Palaeontology, Zoology.

One department for education and public services, one for scenography and exhibition design, and one for administration and central services. All directly under the director.

 

 

 

Staff fields

staff_year of reference2017
staff total78.0
scientific staff (permanent)19.0
scientific staff (non permanent)9.0
scientific staff post doc (non permanent)4.0
scientific staff collections (non permanent)11.0
staff collection managers technicians (permanent)24.0
staff collection managers technicians (non permanent)2.0
staff exhibitions (permanent)9.0

General Description

  • Biological systematics and phylogeny

The collection-based description of species and higher taxa and their interpretation in an evolutionary context is one of our core areas of expertise and is the basis for all further research.

  • Biodiversity and biogeography

The diversity of life is examined at three hierarchical levels - biodiversity of genes, species and ecosystems. Long-term studies on biodiversity are combined with biogeographical analyses.

  • Ecology of fossil and modern ecosystems

The analysis of complex ecosystems from different time slices provides us with profound insights into biological communities and their relationships with habitat and climate. Our extensive expertise in botany, paleobotany, zoology, paleozoology, and ecophysiology facilitates a broad research approach.

Free research fields

Open research topics allow us to respond flexibly to current issues and societal demands.

  • Exhibition concepts and knowledge transfer

We are one of the main providers of cultural education in the natural science in the country. The exhibits are constantly evolving, as are new methods of knowledge transfer. Our particular strength is the close association between research and outreach.

  • Collection development and scientific preparation

The collections are archives of biodiversity, and are rigorously maintained and expanded. We are further developing the diverse methodological expertise in preparing specimens for research, collections and exhibits. Digital documentation and international integration of collections is driving new digital technologies.

  • Reconstruction of fossil ecosystems

Our diverse scientific (taxonomy, physiology, taphonomy) and preparation expertise is a prerequisite for the development and analysis of the numerous internationally important fossil localities in the state.

  • Phylogeny of arthropods – an integrative approach

The combination of biology and paleontology in the field of entomology is an approach that has already provided numerous spectacular insights into the evolution of insects.

  • Phylogeny and evolution of amphibians and reptiles

Our taxonomic and systematic expertise, the quality of our paleoherpetological collection and the importance of fossil localities in the state are internationally recognized, creating unique conditions for the development of this field of research.

  • Integrative taxonomy and biodiversity assessment

DNA barcoding is a new type of taxonomy that must be accompanied by the expansion of reference collections. The data are worthless without the expertise of taxonomists who can identify species correctly. This is particularly true for groups that are difficult to identify, such as the ecologically important parasitic hymenopterans. The project "Floristic Mapping of Baden-Württemberg" sets the standard for long-term studies and forms an important basis for conservation-related studies on ecosystem change, and has received recognition throughout Europe. DNA barcoding increases the efficiency of long-term monitoring efforts.

 

Link of the Research page : Research page

Link of the Annual report : 

Research Fields

  • Anthropology / Physical anthropology (46.20.00)

Research Initiative

Activities and outreach with Universities

We are contributing with teaching to: University of Hohenheim: Master Modul Systematic, Taxonomy, Evolution; Master Modul Evolution of plants University Bonn: Modul Biodiversity of early terrestrial plants University Heidelberg: Biodiversity Modul C: Evolution of plants University Jena: Lecture Bony fish and Tetrapods University of Tübingen: Lecture Carbonates; Lecture Biomimetic Guided tours and seminars for different universities at the museum.

 

Activities and outreach with other public

Yes, in further education for ongoing teachers together with the State Seminar for Didactics and Teacher Training.

 

Contact


Ulrich Schmid
+49 711-8936- 263

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