Spaethe, Johannes
PD Dr. Johannes Spaethe
Research group leader
Zoology II / Spaethe lab
Universität Würzburg
Biozentrum
Am Hubland
Biozentrum
Am Hubland
97074
Würzburg
Building:
B1 (Biozentrum)
Room:
D111
Phone:
+49 931 31-83408
Link:
Spaethe lab

My research centers on the function, ecology and evolution of sensory and neuronal systems in insects. In particular, I focus on the visual system in bees. My approach combines the methods of molecular genetics, neurobiology and behavioural science.
Current research projects are:
- Psychophysics of color vision in insects
- Eye development & Molecular evolution of opsins in insects
- Visual learning and memory formation
- Sensory perception of taste in bees
-
Ruedenauer, F. A., Leonhardt, S. D., Lunau, K., & Spaethe, J. Bumblebees are able to perceive amino acids via chemotactile antennal stimulation. Journal of Comparative Physiology A, 205(3), 321-331. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00359-019-01321-9
- [ URL ]
-
Sommerlandt, F. M. J., Brockmann, A., Rössler, W., & Spaethe, J. Immediate early genes in social insects: a tool to identify brain regions involved in complex behaviors and molecular processes underlying neuroplasticity. Cellular and Molecular Life Sciences, 76(4), 637–651. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00018-018-2948-z
- [ URL ]
-
Yilmaz, A., Dyer, A. G., Rössler, W., & Spaethe, J. Innate colour preference, individual learning and memory retention in the ant <i>Camponotus blandus</i>. Journal of Experimental Biology, 220(18), 3315-3326. https://doi.org/10.1242/jeb.158501
- [ URL ]
-
Spaethe, J., & Briscoe, A. D. Early Duplication and Functional Diversification of the Opsin Gene Family in Insects. Molecular Biology and Evolution, 21(8), 1583-1594. https://doi.org/10.1093/molbev/msh162
- [ URL ]
-
Spaethe, J., Tautz, J., & Chittka, L. Visual constraints in foraging bumblebees: Flower size and color affect search time and flight behavior. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, 98(7), 3898-3903. https://doi.org/10.1073/pnas.071053098
- [ URL ]