1999–2006: University courses in Geology and Paleontology at Clausthal University of Technology (focus on paleontology, petroleum geology and economic geology).
2002: Paleontological excavation experience at UNESCO World Heritage Site Messel pit, near Darmstadt, Germany.
2005: Paleontological excavation experience at the Einhornhöhle near Scharzfeld/Harz, Germany.
2004: Mapping thesis on Triassic turbidites in central northern Mexico (co-work with the Universidad Autonoma de San Luis Potosí) [garde: 1.0 “very good”].
2006: Diploma thesis on the geobiology of (sub-)recent giant oncoids in Bavarian lakes and rivers [grade: 1.0 “very good”].
2006–2007: Research assistant at Institute of Geology and Paleontology, Department of Remote Sensing (Prof. Dr. Peter Kronberg): planetary research and mapping of Mars (Mars Express project of ESA and DLR) and Venus.
Since 2008: Research assistant at Institute of Geology and Paleontology, Department of Paleontology (Prof. Dr. Carsten Brauckmann): paleoentomology research and teaching in paleontology and historcal geology.
2011: Doctoral thesis (Dr. rer. nat.) on Pennsylvanian insects and the taphonomy of Hagen-Vorhalle [grade: “summa cum laude”, with distinction].
Since 2011: Concurrent operations as research assistant at Institute of Geology and Paleontology, Department of General Geology and Sedimentology (Prof. Dr. Hans-Jürgen Gursky): teaching in sedimentology and structural geology.
Abstract: Several new remains of fossil insects from the Late Carboniferous (Pennsylvanian: Namurian B or C) of the Fröndenberg/Ruhr Region (Unna District, Western Germany) are described. They comprise seven wing fragments of Homaloneura berenice Brauckmann and Gröning, 1998 (Palaeodictyoptera: Spilapteridae), a species which is better and more completely known from the Konservat-Lagerstätte Hagen-Vorhalle (Namurian B: Marsdenian) with at least three specimens. Two additional wing fragments belong to Bechala sommeri gen. et sp. nov. (Megasecoptera: Bechalidae fam. nov.). Together with Brodioptera stricklani Nelson and Tidwell, 1987 (Brodiopteridae; earliest Namurian, Kinderscoutian; Utah, USA), Sylvohymen peckae Brauckmann, 1988 and S. pintoi Brauckmann et al., 2003 (both: Bardohymenidae; Namurian B, Marsdenian, Hagen-Vorhalle, Germany), and Xenoptera iojaensis Pinto, 1986 (Xenopteridae; probably late Namurian or early Westphalian; Malanza´n, La Rioja, Argentina) they belong to the most ancient members of the Megasecoptera. Both of these species from Küchenberg have a striking specific color pattern. The holotype of B. sommeri gen. et sp. nov. exhibits both a very fine woven archedictyon and well-developed, cell-forming cross-veins. This combination is appraised to be very plesiomorphic. Additionally, one isolated wing fragment of Kochopteron hoffmannorum Brauckmann, 1984 (ââbasal Neopteraââ) is preserved. The Fro¨ndenberg wings were deposited in a mainly limnic/terrestrial environment and have been most probably transported by eolian and/or fluviatile processes.
Abstract: Taphonomic conditions of insects from the Late Carboniferous (Pennsylvanian) Konservat-Lagerstätte Hagen-Vorhalle (western Germany) are remarkably unique but have not been the focus of detailed work thus far. Their particular preservation is conspicuous and furthermore shows significant differences between âPalaeopteraâ and Neoptera. The first are almost always completely preserved while the latter invariably lack an abdomen. Furthermore all Neoptera bear tiny bivalve prodissoconchs (~ 0.8â1.2 mm) or few dissoconchs (~ 1.3â1.4 mm) exclusively on the dorsal wing membrane.
Taking into account geological, sedimentological, paleontological and paleo-oceanological data a novel taphonomic model is presented here. After a short period of drifting along the water/air contact layer âPalaeopteraâ sank directly to the bottom whereas the soft-tissued abdomens of Neoptera began to decay under these oxic conditions. After loosing their abdomen the corpses sank to a pycnocline in a strongly stratified water body where a second period of drifting took place. At this stage the wings were settled by attaching bivalve larvae derived from a river. When the weight of the shells increased the insect/bivalve association broke through the pycnocline and sank to the bottom where they were finally embedded and fossilized.
Abstract: With Baryshnyala occulta gen. et sp. n. (Baryshnyalidae fam. n.) we report a new small species from early Late Carboniferous (Pennsylvanian) deposits in Hagen-Vorhalle. It differs in its unique venation pattern and small size from all other Neoptera known from this Lagerstätte and other contemporaneous locations worldwide. With an estimated wing length of <10 mm it is by far the smallest species of Neoptera from Hagen-Vorhalle and is less than half as long as Heterologopsis ruhrensis Brauckmann & Koch, 1982 (~25 mm). The specimen shows some relations to the earliest Holometabola and may date back the first appearance of holometaboly to the Namurian B (early Bashkirian: Marsdenian). The new species increases the paleo-biodiversity and span of inter-specific variability within the early Neoptera. It shows that very small and tiny specimens and species can easily be overlooked.
Abstract: We retrace hydrogeochemical processes leading to the formation of MgâFeâCa carbonate concretions (first distinct carbonate population, FDCP) in Martian meteorite ALH84001 by generic hydrogeochemical equilibrium and mass transfer modeling. Our simple conceptual models assume isochemical equilibration of orthopyroxenite minerals with pure water at varying water-to-rock ratios, temperatures and CO2 partial pressures. Modeled scenarios include CO2 partial pressures ranging from 10.1325 to 0.0001 MPa at water-to-rock ratios between 4380 and 43.8 mol molâ1 and different temperatures (278, 303 and 348 K) and enable the precipitation of MgâFeâCa solid solution carbonate. Modeled range and trend of carbonate compositional variation from magnesio-siderite (core) to magnesite (rim), and the precipitation of amorphous SiO2 and magnetite coupled to magnesite-rich carbonate are similar to measured compositional variation. The results of this study suggest that the early Martian subsurface had been exposed to a dynamic gas pressure regime with decreasing CO2 partial pressure at low temperatures (approximately 1.0133 to 0.0001 MPa at 278 K or 6 to 0.0001 MPa at 303 K). Moderate water-to-rock ratios of ca. 438 mol molâ1 and isochemical weathering of orthopyroxenite are additional key prerequisites for the formation of secondary phase assemblages similar to ALH84001âs âFDCPâ. Outbursts of water and CO2(g) from confined ground water in fractured orthopyroxenite rocks below an unstable CO2 hydrate-containing cryosphere provide adequate environments on the early Martian surface.
Abstract: The present article is a compilation on the most ancient Hexapoda (Devonian, Carboniferous), with special reference to the Konservatlagerstätte of Hagen-Vorhalle (Ruhr area, Germany). Since its discovery in 1982, this locality has yielded 310 specimens of Pterygota, many of them nearly completely preserved. The insect fauna of Hagen-Vorhalle includes 18 species, distributed to 5 main groups: Palaeodictyoptera, Megasecoptera, Diaphanopterodea, Odonatoptera, and basal Neoptera. Several species of the Neoptera were infested with parasitic mites or their larval instars. The main importance of the locality is caused by (1) the high stratigraphical age (Namurian B, Marsdenian, early Late Carboniferous), (2) the great frequency of specimens, and (3) unusually complete preservation which permits more detailed reconstructions of several groups of the Pterygota.
Abstract: Late Middle Triassic to early Late Triassic insects from Argentina have been previously described from the Bermejo and Cuyana Basins where they have been recovered from the IschichucaâLos Rastros and PotrerillosâCacheuta Formations respectively. The insect fauna discussed herein was collected during field studies in 1986/87 from the Llantenes Section (Norian to Rhaetian?, Late Triassic), which is situated in the Malargüe Basin in southern Mendoza Province. The insect remains were found in the upper part of the Llantenes Section (Llantenes Formation), which is built up of two coarsening-upwards cycles reflecting a deltaic progradation of a fluvial into a lacustrine environment (lower part) succeeded by repeated progradations into a floodplain-dominated environment (upper part; with finds of insects, conchostracans, fish remains, plant fragments and drifted logs). The new finds represent the youngest Triassic insects record described from Argentina, and even from South America in its entirety. There is only one more contemporaneous fossil assemblage in Gondwana: in the Clarence/Moreton Basin (Aberdare Conglomerate; Late Norian) in Australia. The new Triassic insects include an impression of an isolated Mecopterida-like wing (Argentinochorista volkheimeri gen. et sp. nov.; Argentinochoristidae n. fam.), coleopteran elytra of the Permosynidae (Ademosyne rosenfeldi sp. nov. and Ademosyne llantenesensis sp. nov.) and other isolated body fragments. This new Late Triassic entomofauna from Argentina is of considerable importance in the reconstruction of the biotic recovery of continental environments in Gondwana after the catastrophic mass extintion at the P/T boundary.
Abstract: A single specimen of the early Late Carboniferous (Pennsylvanian: Namurian B: late Marsdenian) Kochopteron hoffmannorum Brauckmann, 1984 (Insecta: âbasal Neopteraâ) from the important Konservat-Lagerstaette Hagen-Vorhalle (Germany) shows parts of the head and a prothorax with preserved prothoracic winglets in situ. These have a relatively thin membrane, are oval in shape and are directed obliquely forward. Finer details, like for example the venation are not visible (perhaps due to poor preservation?).
Abstract: An original specimen of a Late Carboniferous Pennsylvanian) neopterous insect [family Paoliidae] and two plaster molds of an âancestral dragonflyâ of comparable age [family Eugeropteridae] were investigated, using a 3D laser scanner, a 3D x-ray tomograph, a 3D digital microscope and a high resolution photo-scanner. This work was a cooperation of Clausthal University of Technology (Lower Saxony), Universität Leipzig and Fraunhofer Institute for Non-Destructive Testing (IZFP) in Dresden (Saxony). Pictures taken by 3D laser scanner and photo-scanner furnished high-resolution photos but could not cope with the quality of classic analogue photograph techniques. Digital 3D microscopy produces images that reach the quality of conventional photography. Unlike them they can be illuminated from any angle. Pictures taken by the 3D x-ray tomograph did not reach the full possible resolution capacity because of the shape of the specimen and the thin-layer conservation of the insect.
Abstract: In the Bavarian Alpine foreland the occurence and sedimentary petrography of subrecent ans recent giant oncoids in two lacustrine-fluviatil freshwater systems was investigated.
Based on the occurence of two significant carbonate crusts, a new classification for scientific description of giant oncoids was elaborated and is presented in this paper. The original two-type classification by Ott (1980) was specified into a more detailed system wirth six categories for giant oncoids and one for corresponding algal carbonate crusts. Additionally, some types may be specified by sub-categories. In general, the investigated giant oncoids are composed of an inner core which also may lack. The core can be composed of organic or inorganic material with a central or marginal position within the oncoid. Some young oncoids also have cores of anthropogenic material. The introduced calssification allows a rapid and simple indentification in the field and the laboratory
Abstract: In den Jahren 1985-88 wurden vom Institut für Geologie und Paläontologie der TU Clausthal in Zusammenarbeit u.a. mit dem Niedersächsischen Landesmuseum in der Einhornhöhle bei Scharzfeld im Südharz interdisziplinäre Ausgrabungen durchgeführ). Aufgrund von erstmaligen Werkzeugfunden aus der Zeit des Neandertalers konzentrierten sich die Grabungstätigkeiten auf den sogenannten Jacob-Friesen-Gang (JFG). Dies ist ein ca. 40 m langer Nebengang der Höhle, der in den Jahren 1926/28 in eiszeitliche Höhlensedimente hinein gegraben wurde. Drei der offenen Grabungsstellen wurden Ende 2004 leider durch eine Raubgrabung heimgesucht. Der oder die Täter waren unberechtigterweise während der Winterruhe in das Höhlensystem eingedrungen.
In Absprache mit der Unteren Denkmalschutzbehörde wurde daraufhin 2005 das gestörte Sediment zur Sicherung noch enthaltener Funde entnommen. Diese Aktion wurde gemeinsam vom Höhlenbetreiber, der Gesellschaft Unicornu fossile e.V. und dem Institut für Geologie und Paläontologie durchgeführt.
Abstract: Die Konservat-Lagerstätte Hagen-Vorhalle (Ruhrgebiet; etwa bei N 51°23, E 007°27) lieferte in den letzen zwanzig Jahren tiefe Einblicke in die Evolution der frühen Pterygota und die Biodiversität von terrestrischen und marinen Ãkosystemen im Oberkarbon (Pennsylvanian: Marsdenium: spätes Namurium B). Die Fossilien sind ausgesprochen gut erhalten und zeigen selbst feinste Details sowie zum Teil die Erhaltung von Weichteilen.
Innerhalb der Pterygota sind zwei Hauptgruppen zu nennen, die sich auch in ihrem Erhaltungsmuster unterscheiden. Zum einen die (höchstwahrscheinlich paraphyletischen) âPalaeopteraâ (n â 100; nachgewiesen sind bislang Palaedictyoptera, Megasecoptera und Odonatoptera mit insgesamt fünfzehn Arten) und auf der anderen Seite die Neoptera (n â 210; mit insgesamt fünf Arten zum Teil unsicherer phylogenetischer Stellung). Während die Individuen der âPalaeopteraâ in der Regel nahezu vollständig erhalten sind, fehlt den Vertretern der Neoptera stets das gesamte Abdomen. Darüber hinaus finden sich auf den Dorsalseiten der Neoptera-Flügel in allen Fällen Prodissoconche (Durchmesser: ~0.8â1.2 mm) oder auch wenige Dissoconche (Durchmesser : ~1.3â1.4 mm) von Bivaliva. Dies führte zu einer Neuinterpretation der taphonomischen Prozesse, die zur Genese der Lagestätte geführt haben. Während die âPalaeopteraâ nach einer recht kurzen Driftzeit an der Wasser/Luft-Kontaktfläche zum Grund hin absanken, verharrten die Leichen der Neoptera, aufgrund ihres weichhäutigen Abdomens als Auftriebskörper, noch einige Zeit an einer Dichtesprungschicht. Innerhalb des stark stratifizierten Wasserkörpers wurden sie dann von zunächst planktischen Muschellarven besiedelt und sanken erst danach zum Grund hin ab.
Desweiteren lieferten die paläontologischen Untersuchungen des gesamten Pterygota-Materials von Hagen-Vorhalle neue Details zur Anatomie und Morphologie der frühen Fluginsekten. So wurden Details des wie eine feinde Beborstung, die Anzahl und Beschaffenheit der einzelnen Antennomere und der Tarsenglieder sichtbar. Erstmals konnten auch Prothoracalflügelchen bei basalen Neoptera nachgewiesen werden. Bislang wurde deren Existenz nur angenommen, ein direkter Nachweis fehlte jedoch. Eine Besonderheit ist der erste Nachweis eines schattenhaft erhaltenen Abdomens eines neopteren Individuums der Gattung Kochopteron, das sogar einen etwas stärker sklerotisierten Ovipositor trägt.
Abstract: Die Paoliidae sind eine bisher wenig bekannte oberkarbonische Neopteren-Familie. Sie sind durch ihren Flügelumriss mit einem meist deutlich konvexen Vorderrand gekennzeichnet. Die Vorderflügel sind in erster Näherung länglich-oval, die Hinterflügel durch ein gröÃeres Analfeld eher abgerundet-dreickig. Die Flügeladerung ist sehr ursprünglich und erinnert an die Palaeodictyoptera, jedoch mündet bei den Paoliidae die ScP- in die RA+ ein. Nahe des Flügelansatzes ist eine Basalzelle erkennbar, die durch einen Arculus (Querader zwischen MP und CuA) abgeschlossen wird.
Abstract: Schmetterlinge sind eine weltweit verbreitete Insektengruppe (Ordnung Lepidoptera LINNAEUS, 1758), die vor allem durch ihre formen- und farbenreichen Flügel auffallen. Die heimischen Arten, gehören fest zu unserer Vorstellung von einer sommerlichen Gartenlandschaft. In diesem Artikel soll die auf den ersten Blick wesentlich weniger spektakuläre Art Orgyia antiqua (LINNAEUS, 1758) portraitiert werden. Sie würde dem ungeübten Laien in der freien Natur kaum besonders auffallen â ein durchaus gewollter Umstand, denn das bedeutet, daà ihre Tarnung gut funktioniert. Die geringere Bekanntheit der Art stellt sich auch im etwas sperrigen deutschen Populärnamen dar: Schlehen-Bürstenspinner, Kleiner Bürstenspinner oder kurz Schlehenspinner.
Jedoch zeichnet sie sich durch eine besonders ausgeprägte Form des Sexualdimorphismus aus â also dem vollkommen unterschiedlichen Erscheinungsbild von Männchen und Weibchen: Während die männlichen Tiere als ânormalâ entwickelte, rostbraune Falter fliegen, sind die Weibchen nahezu flügellos, grau und verharren still an der Stelle, an der sie einst aus ihrer Puppe schlüpften.
Abstract: The Konservat-Lagerstätte Hagen-Vorhalle (western Germany; approx. N 51°23, E 007°27) has delivered one of the most important paleo-entomofaunas of the Late Carboniferous (Pennsylvanian: Marsdenian) and is of supra-regional importance. It allows a unique insight into an ecosystem during the Late Namurian B and has already provided remarkable data about the evolution of early Pterygota.
Since the last few years taphonomic settings have been in focus of paleontological work. It has crystallized that these conditions were remarkably unique in comparison to other localities. The particular preservation of Pterygota is conspicuous and shows significant differences between âPalaeopteraâ (n â 100) and Neoptera (n â 210). The first are almost always completely preserved while the latter invariably lack an abdomen. Furthermore all Neoptera bear tiny bivalve prodissoconchs (diameter: ~0.8â1.2 mm) or few dissoconchs (diameter: ~1.3â1.4 mm) exclusively on the dorsal wing membrane.
The assumed paleo-environment of Hagen-Vorhalle was a fluvial-dominated birdfoot delta the prograded into an epi-continental seaway (âSubvariszische Saumtiefeâ). Taking into account geological, sedimentological, paleontological and paleo-oceanological data a novel taphonomic model is presented hereby: After a short period of drifting along the water/air contact layer âPalaeopteraâ sank directly to the bottom of the sea whereas the soft-tissued abdomens of Neoptera began to decay under these oxic conditions. After loosing their abdomen the corpses sank to a pycnocline in a strongly stratified water body where a second period of drifting took place. At this stage the wings were settled by attaching bivalve larvae derived from a river. When the weight of the shells increased the insect/bivalve association broke through the pycnocline and sank to the bottom where they were finally embedded and fossilized.
Abstract: Rift-like extensional features on Mars have been identified on the basis of Mariner 9 and Viking Orbiter images, but little
detailed work has been done before accurate topographic data were obtained by the MOLA laser altimeter. Over the last years, we have investigated several rift-like structures with respect to their topography and structural geology and found that they can directly be compared to terrestrial analoga like the Kenya Rift.
Abstract: The fossil record of winged insects (Pterygota) begins slightly before the MississippianâPennsylvanian boundary (EarlyâLate Carboniferous) in the latest Mississippian. Usually there are only isolated wings or wing fragments known so that it is hardly possible to make conclu-sions about the paleo-ecosystems and the taphonomy of the Lagerstätten from this period.
Hagen-Vorhalle (Namurian B, late Marsdenian, zone R2c) stands out from all other Carbon-iferous Lagerstätten: More than 300 specimens of fossil insects have been found from Hagen-Vorhalle during the last three decades. Most of them are very well preserved and both positive and negative prints are known.
In this thesis the author presents conclusions on the development of the paleo-ecosystem of the Konservat-Lagerstätte and its complex multiechelon taphonomic processes arrived at by studying preservation patterns and the coexistence of different taxa.
A number of previously unrealized anatomical characters have been found during the revi-sion of the complete material. For example, the first evidence for prothoracic winglets in basal Neoptera was found in one specimen of Kochopteron hoffmannorum.
In Hagen-Vorhalle a very special pattern of preservation is common in the material: Virtu-ally all of the ~210 specimens of Neoptera lack an abdomen whereas it is always present in all palaeopterous specimens which also bear a number of appendages (e.g. genitalia). This work presents the first evidence for abdomens morphology in basal Neoptera. It can be found in three specimens of K. hoffmannorum and is associated with lacinial ovipositors. Furthermore details of the legs and a pentamerous tarsus are visible.
With Baryshnyala occulta gen. et sp. n. (basal Neoptera: Baryshnyalidae fam. n.) a new, so far overlooked very small Neoptera species is described. Due to its wing venation pattern it is dis-cussed in this work as a possible exemplar of the most ancient Endopterygota.
Special focus was on the reconstruction of the taphonomy of Hagen-Vorhalle. In this con-text the coexistence of Neoptera and attached prodissoconchs of the bivalve Naiadites vorhallen-sis (Myalinidae) was used to show that Neoptera corpses underwent a period of pycnoclinal drifting in contrast to âPalaeopteraâ. This presupposes a well-stratified water column as is plau-sible for a paleo-ecosystem related to a prograding birdfoot delta complex. A self-consistent model with six stages was conceptualized that takes in account all parameters.
Based on the findings from Hagen-Vorhalle a new Lagerstätte in the Ruhr area was explored. This led to the proof of some Pterygota from an outcrop at the Küchenberg near Frönden-berg/Ruhr. In addition to an already known isolated specimen of Kemperala hagenensis (Paoli-idae) exemplars of Homaloneura berenice (Spilapteridae) and Bechala sommeri gen. et. sp. n. (Be-chalidae fam. n.) were discovered. The locality shows strong parallels to Hagen-Vorhalle but is more terrestrially-dominated and most probably slightly younger (Namurian B/C, higher Ziegelschiefer Formation to Sprockhövel Formation).
