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
  • Luis Moreira da Costa, Ichthyologist
    Systematics and biodiversity of African fishes, Central and Southern Africa, Congo basin
  • Nathan Vranken, PhD student ichthyology
  • Emmanuel Vreven, Ichthyologist
    Systematics and biodiversity of African fishes, west Central Africa, Congo basin

Technical and administrative staff

Volunteers

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

Mammalogy