During my research course I investigate the morphology and ontogeny of Mesothelae. Mesothelid spiders are considered as sister group to all other living web spiders. They are characterized by a segmented posterior body part (opisthosoma) with clearly visible sclerotised dorsal and ventral plates. All other spiders lack these plates on the opisthosoma.

My research focuses on the ontogeny of the prosomal sternum, which changes with each moult in a way unique among web spiders. Also the articulation of the spinnerets and sex differences of the chelicerae are part of my research.

Different developmental stages of the spiderlings will be analysed by fluorescence microscopy to get a deeper insight in the ontogeny of Mesothelae.

Fellowships and grants:

04/2015–03/2016: general study grant "Deutschlandstipendium" of the LMU Munich (3600 €)

07/2014: Lehre@LMU award for student research projects (1700 €)

04/2013–09/2014: general study grant "Deutschlandstipendium" of the LMU Munich (5400 €)

Conference contribution:

Huber, T. & Haug, C. 2016. New insight into the ontogeny of mesothelan spiders and its impact on character evolution in early araneaens. Jahrestagung der Gesellschaft für Biologische Systematik, München (Poster).