Vertebrates
We study the biodiversity of tropical African vertebrates.
We focus on fresh and brackish water fishes:
- systematics (taxonomy, phylogeny, biogeography)
- ecology
- evolutionary history.
We mainly use morphometrics, and osteological and molecular techniques.
In this way, we try to get a better insight into the diversity of fishes in Africa and, as such, also contribute to its conservation and sustainable fisheries and aquaculture.
We are also involved in ornitological, mammological and herpetological research. More specifically, studies are being undertaken on brain structures in mammals (mainly primates), and the taxonomy and distribution of snakes.
- Staff
-
Scientific personnel
- Jos Snoeks, Head of service
Systematics and biodiversity of African fishes, ecological and evolutionary research, fisheries and conservation biology - Hugo Fernandes Gante, Ichthyologist
Systematics and biodiversity of African fishes, ecological and evolutionary research, genetics and genomics, conservation biology, and environmental DNA - Emmanuel Gilissen, Curator mammalogy
Functional and comparative anatomy of mammals, including African great apes - Heleen Maetens, PhD student ichthyology
- Nathan Vranken, PhD student ichthyology
- Emmanuel Vreven, Ichthyologist
Systematics and biodiversity of African fishes, west Central Africa, Congo basin
Technical and administrative staff
- Annelore Nackaerts, Administrative assistant & bird collection manager
Volunteers
- Gert Boden, Ichthyologist
FishBase, training in FishBase and fish taxonomy - Jimmy Boogaerts
- Viktoria de Ville de Goyet
- Tobias Musschoot, Ichthyologist
FishBase, training in FishBase and fish taxonomy - Raymonde Van Den Stock
- Annita Letizia Vignoli
Emeritus researchers
- Jos Snoeks, Head of service
- FishBase and workshops
-
FishBase
The Museum is a founding member of the FishBase consortium that curates the largest fish database in the world. We are responsible for the information on African fresh and brackish water species.
FishBase for Africa includes all available FishBase data on African fresh and brackish water fishes.
‘FishBase and fish taxonomy’ workshops
Each year, we organize a 3-month training course for 5 African researchers on fish taxonomy and the use of FishBase.
> Learn more about the ‘FishBase and fish taxonomy’ workshops
- Scientific tools
-
Ichthyology
- Identification system for Tanganyikan Cichlids (ISTC)
Program used to identify cichlid fishes in Lake Tanganyika.
Mammalogy
- Type specimen of bonobo (Pan paniscus)
3D model of the skull of the bonobo type specimen.
- Identification system for Tanganyikan Cichlids (ISTC)