Welcome to the Department of Zoology

The Department of Zoology at the University of Kassel is a great place for students and researchers interested in zoology, especially the natural history and evolution of onychophorans (velvet worms) and tardigrades (water bears). But what is so special about these two animal groups? Arthropods (spiders, millipedes, insect and allies) are arguably the most diverse and specious animal group on Earth. However, it is still unclear how this enormous diversity arose. To answer this question, we look at the evolutionary history of Arthropods in the tree of life and study their closest relatives—onychophorans and tardigrades—by using a range of different methods.