AG Biogeology

Research focus

Ongoing Projects

Diversity and palaeoecology of the latest Cretaceous vertebrates from Transylvania

Ökologische Entwicklung des ehemaligen Gipsbruchs Entringen/Breitenholz

Isotopenökologie des Wolfs in der Lausitz

Stable Isotope Analysis of Prehistoric Aquatic Resource Use at Hohle Fels

We are the Biogeology Research Group

Our group explores how organisms have adapted to and influenced their environments over time, with a particular focus on hominid-related periods in Earth’s history. We investigate the ecological roles of both extinct and extant species, using isotopic analyses of ancient remains to reconstruct diets, habitats, and ecological niches. Our research spans a wide temporal and taxonomic range, from the woolly mammoths of the Siberian steppes to the great dinosaurs of deep time.

By reconstructing past ecosystems and analyzing long-term ecological dynamics, we contribute to a deeper understanding of biodiversity and environmental change. Our guiding principle:

Learning from the Past to Preserve the Future.

Are you interested in working with us?

You can find the current Bachelor's and Master`s thesis opportunities here.

What's new in June 2026

New team members and guests:

We welcome our new PhD student Edward Masongo. He will work in the new DFG Project MUMBA.

New achievements:

Dorothée Drucker is now apl. Professor! Congratulations from the entire group!

Newest publications:

Baumann, C., Streif, S., Akarsu, A.S., Nowak, C., Drucker, D.G., 2026. Retrospective isotope monitoring reveals spatial and temporal effects of anthropogenic pressures on the trophic ecology of European wildcats (Felis silvestris) in Germany. PLOS ONE 21(2): e0343705. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0343705
Becker D., Mouhat Bourquard M., Maridet O., Vasilyan D., 2026. The Hipparionini horses (Equidae, Perissodactyla, Mammalia) from the Late Pliocene of Jradzor (Armenia). Swiss Journal of Palaeontology 145: 625-653. https://doi.org/10.3897/sjp.145.189856
Bergstrom, A., Furtwängler, A., Johnston, S., Rosengren, E., Breidenstrein, A., Booth, T., McCabe, J.B., Peto, J., Williams, M., Kelly, M., Tait, F., Baumann, C., Radzeviciute, R., Barrington, C., Anastasidou, K., Gilardet, A., Glocke, I., Sherman, M., Brativnyk, A., Herbig, A., Prüfer, K., Pfrengle, S., Gretzinger, J., Feu-erborn, T.R., Reiter, E., Linderholm, A., Carlton, S., Racimo, F., Mikkola, L., Anderson-Whymark, H., Baird, D., Gotfredsen, B., Bocherens, H., Bridault, A., Brocke, R., Drucker, D.G., Fairbairn, A.S., Frantz, L., Gasparyan, B., Giemsch, L., Germonpré, M., Janssens, L, Kande, A.W., Kjaer, K., Laznickova-Galetova, M., Loponte, D., Magnell, O., Martin, L., Münzel, S.C., Mustafaoglu, G., Mage, B., Perri, A., Pfenninger, F., Robilckova, M., Roman-Binois, A., Saritas, Ö, Schäppi, K., Sheridan, J.A., Sjögren, K.G., Stora, J,, Sørensen, L.V., Tafelmaier, Y., Ter-Nedden, F., Thalmann, O., Larson, G., Schuenemann, V.J., Krause, J., Skoglund, P., 2026. Genomic history of early dogs in Europe. Nature 651: 986-994. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41586-026-10112-7
Cruz, E.N. da Silva, Bocherens, H., Dantas, A.T., 2026. Investigation of the migratory behavior of Notiomastodon platensis (Gomphotheridae, Proboscidea) in northeastern Brazil during the Late Pleistocene based on stable isotope ratios (⁸⁷Sr/⁸⁶Sr, δ¹³C and δ¹⁸O). Quaternary Science Reviews 387: 110027. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.quascirev.2026.110027

Newest public outreach:

Dr. Chris Baumann gave an interview to SWR about the dietary behavior of modern wildcats (Felis silvestris)
Prehistoric Planet - Ice Age (Apple TV): Prof. Hervé Bocherens scientific advisor for the documentary series (released on 26^th November 2025)
Dr. Dorothée Drucker was interviewed by Valérie Gillet for Horizon, the EU Research & Innovation Magazine on her research on mammoth bones in the frame of the ERC-funded project MAMBA