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Volker Witte
Chemistry Unit, Columbia University's Biosphere 2 Center
P.O. Box: 689
32450 S. Biosphere Road
Oracle, AZ 85623 USA
Education
Ph.D.
J. W. Goethe - University Frankfurt am Main, Department of Zoology, 2001
Thesis title (translated): "Structure and Regulation of Army Ant Behavior in SE-Asian Ponerines of the Genus Leptogenys", grade: summa cum laude
M.S.
J. W. Goethe - University Frankfurt am Main, 05.1997
Major: Zoology; Minor: Botany, Organical Chemistry; grade: 1 (from 1 to 6)
Thesis title (translated): "Swarm-Coordination of SE-Asian Army Ants - Exemplary Examined in Leptogenys distinguenda", grade: 1
B.S.
J. W. Goethe - University Frankfurt am Main, 10.1993
Zoology, Botany, Chemistry, Physics, grade: 1
Grants
Deutsche Forschungsgesellschaft, research and travel grant, 08.1997 - 10.1998 and 04.1999 - 01.2000
Graduiertenfoerderung der J. W. Goethe - Universitaet, research support grant, 02.2000 - 04.2001
Alexander von Humboldt-Stiftung, Feodor Lynen grant for international exchange program, 02.2002 - 01.2004
Columbia University Biosphere 2 Center Research Grant, 02.2002 - 01.2004
Professional Experience
Biological Fieldwork:
In "Ulu Gombak Field Studies Center" of the University of Malaya, Kuala Lumpur, 7 times from 1996 - 1999, 18 months in total
Teaching :
"Physiology of Animals", experimental course for students of zoology, 04.95 - 07.95
"Ecology of Ants Exemplary Examined in the Genus Lasius", practical training for students of zoology in the field, 3 times for 2 weeks each in 1997 - 1999
"Trail Pheromones and Trailing Behavior of Leptogenys distinguenda" practical training for students of zoology in the field (Malaysia), 09.1999 - 10.1999
Other Skills
Languages: experienced in English, basic knowledge in Spanish
EDP: Good knowledge in Windows operating system and common computer applications like Microsoft Word, Excel, Access and digital graphic processing
Publications
Witte, V., H. Hänel, A. Weissflog, H. Rosli and U. Maschwitz, 1999. Social integration of the myrmecophilic spider Gamasomorpha maschwitzi (Araneae: Oonopidae) in colonies of the South East Asian army ant Leptogenys distinguenda (Formicidae: Ponerinae). Sociobiology 34: 145-159.
Witte, V. and U. Maschwitz, 2000. Raiding and emigration dynamics in the ponerine army ant Leptogenys distinguenda (Hymenoptera: Formicidae). Insectes Soc. 47: 76-83.
Witte, V. and U. Maschwitz, 2002. Coordination of raiding and emigration in the ponerine army ant Leptogenys distinguenda (Hymenoptera: Formicidae: Ponerinae), a signal analysis. J. Insect Behav. 15: 195-217.
Witte, V., 2002. Integration of myrmecophiles in colonies of migratory ants: the guest fauna of the ponerine Leptogenis distinguenda. XIV International Congress of IUSSI The Golden Jubilee Proceedings, Hokkaido University, Sapporo, Japan. p 191.
Witte, V., R. Janssen, A. Eppenstein and U. Maschwitz, 2002. Allopeas myrmekophilos (Gastropoda, Pulmonata), the first myrmecophilous mollusc living in colonies of the ponerine army ant Leptogenys distinguenda (Formicidae, Ponerinae). Insectes Soc. 49: 301-305.
Janssen, R and V. Witte, 2002. Allopeas myrmekophilos n. sp., the first snail reported as living in army ant colonies (Gastropoda: Pulmonata: Subulinidae). Arch. Molluskenkd. 131: 211-215.Kistner, D. H. and V. Witte, 2003: A new species of Trachydonia (Coleoptera: Staphylinidae, Aleocharinae) from Malaysia with some sotes on its behavior as a guest of Leptogenys (Hymenoptera: Formicidae). Sociobiology 42: 381-389.
Publications in review:
Witte, V., A. Attygalle and J. Meinwald. Advanced chemical communication in the invasive ant Paratrechina longicornis.
Witte, V., A. Attygalle and J. Meinwald. Advanced Chemical Communication in the crazy ant Paratrechina longicornis as a key to its ecological dominance.
Presentations:
Witte, V., 2002. Integration of myrmecophiles in colonies of migratory ants: the guest fauna of the ponerine Leptogenis distinguenda. XIV International Congress of IUSSI, 27.07.-03-08.2002, Hokkaido University, Sapporo, Japan.
Witte, V., 2003. The significance of an effective communication system for invasive ants: insights from Paratrechina longicornis at Columbia University’s Biosphere 2 Center. University of Arizona - Invited speaker
Related Interests
Structure and regulation of complex systems in nature, (e.g. ecosystems (esp. tropical rain forests) or social insects)
Interspecific relationships (e.g. myrmecophiles, mutualisms, ant-plant associations)
Theories of Evolution
Arthropods, amphibians and reptiles