From 2 to 16 February, fieldwork within the projects of the B-Cluster was carried out in the southern Angolan Namib. The trip was initiated to complement already existing data sets of projects B02 and B06, which were previously obtained in Namibia.
The main focus was to analyse the genetic patterns of Brinckia (Tenebrionidae) and Zygophyllum stapfi in this northernmost Namib region. In addition, we collected a number of endemic darkling beetles and silverfish in this hitherto poorly studied Angolan desert, which will expand our knowledge of the distribution and diversification of desert insects in general.
Our excursion ended successfully with valuable samples for our projects, including days full of adventure and experiences.
|
Better than five stars hotel. Photo: Alvaro Zúñiga |
The enigmatic Stylifera. Photo: Alvaro Zúñiga |
The elusive Brinckia. Photo: Reinhard Predel |