Selected publications

Combining expert knowledge with literature analysis, this study developed a conceptual classification scheme of invasion science that allows to organize publications and data sets, guide future research, and identify knowledge gaps. The scheme features 5 major themes of invasion science that are divided into 10 broader research questions and linked to 39 major hypotheses of the field.

Why do animals hunt in groups? The authors have shown in a field study in the ocean off Mexico: the faster the prey school moves, the higher the capture rate of the striped marlin. This is because if the prey school is moving fast, individual prey fish are more likely to become isolated. These isolated fish are then easily caught by the non-attacking marlins, an advantage of group hunting.

The authors investigated how density-trait feedback loops of two ciliate species differed along a temperature and salinity gradient. They found that stressful environments decouple the density-trait feedback loop of two ciliate species.

Insects undergo complete metamorphosis, rebuilding their bodies, such as the transition from caterpillar to chrysalis to butterfly. The authors wondered why this extreme lifestyle might have evolved. Combining growth data and mathematical modelling, they found that insects grow much faster if they can grow and build the adult body in two separate stages, rather than doing both continuously. 

In this study, the use of open access satellite data for estimating Secchi disk depths in 3 lakes in Chile was investigated. In the oligotrophic Lake Panguipulli, no relationship was observed between estimated and measured Secchi disk depths. This highlight the need for methodological advances in the processing of satellite-derived water quality products,s, especially for very clear waters.