Accelerating Global Marine Annelid Biodiversity with Open Genomic Data (part of Leibniz Collaborative Excellence)

This project tackles key challenges in understanding the biodiversity and evolutionary history of marine annelids. We are conducting targeted sampling at six key type localities in Germany, France, and Portugal—covering more than 400 nominal marine species, about one third of all described European annelids.
Comprehensive morphological and genomic data from these species will be linked to digitized, well-preserved voucher specimens housed in the collections of the Museum of Nature Hamburg (Leibniz Institute for the Analysis of Biodiversity Change, LIB) and the Senckenberg Society of Nature Research (SGN). All data, including images, metadata, and DNA samples, will be openly accessible to the global research community, reinforcing the role of natural history museums as essential biodiversity data hubs.
Using cost-effective genome-skimming and chromosome-resolved reference genomes, we aim to generate a well-sampled phylogenetic framework for Annelida and resolve long-standing questions about the placement of rare, symbiotic, and morphologically derived lineages. Comparative genomic analyses will also explore how major evolutionary transitions, such as changes in body plans, reproductive modes, regeneration ability, and symbiotic lifestyles, have shaped annelid diversification.

Leibniz Collaborative Excellence

Leibniz Collaborative Excellence is a funding program by the Leibniz Association that supports highly innovative, interdisciplinary research projects. It fosters collaboration within and beyond the Leibniz community, encourages high-risk, high-impact research, and strengthens scientific institutions by developing new research areas and enhancing international visibility.