Integrative behavioral sciences: Neuroethology – Behavioral Ecology – Evolution

Understanding the foundations of behavior is the central focus of research at the chair of behavioral physiology and sociobiology (Zoology II).  Insects express a fascinating behavioral repertoire and are of outstanding ecological importance. Behavior determines interactions of organisms with their environment and is the “final product” of a complex interplay between endogenous and exogenous factors. Our goal is to understand the mechanisms underlying behavior by using an integrative approach – from the molecular, sensory and neuronal mechanisms to the function of ecological and social interactions up to their evolutionary foundations. Research groups at the chair focus on different aspects of the behavioral sciences, they apply state of the art techniques and strive for close interactions between research and teaching. Interactions with other groups in the collaborative research focus on insect sciences at the Biocenter and across the University of Würzburg create an innovative, interdisciplinary and highly productive research and training environment. In this context the chair partners with the Würzburg Insect Research (WIR) network.