Dipl.-Geol. Hans-Jörg Niederhöfer

Taxonomy of the marine snails of the genus Conus

Species descriptions, worldwide type database, speciation concepts.


Malakozoology database

Website of the malakozoology database


Biodiversity and distribution of molluscs

Biodiversity and distribution of molluscs of Baden-Württemberg, Germany, including aspects of population genetics and conservation.


NATURA 2000 mapping of species of threatened animals of Baden- Württemberg for the Landesanstalt für Umweltschutz Baden-Württemb

(NATURA 2000, conservation concept of the EU Habitats Directive). Mollusc species included in the directive are the Brook mussel Unio crassus, Geyer's whorl snail Vertigo geyeri, Narrow-mouthed whorl snail Vertigo angustior, Des Moulins' whorl snail Vertigo moulinsiana.

Briefmarke: The German Ministry of Finances issued a series of special postal stamps showing threatened animal species. The series includes the Des Moulins' whorl snail Vertigo moulinsiana. The specimen illustrated by the graphics Prof. Günter Jacki originated from the Goldersbach Valley near Tübingen, and was collected by the Stuttgart Natural History Museum during the NATURA2000 mapping.
Briefmarke: The German Ministry of Finances issued a series of special postal stamps showing threatened animal species. The series includes the Des Moulins' whorl snail Vertigo moulinsiana. The specimen illustrated by the graphics Prof. Günter Jacki originated from the Goldersbach Valley near Tübingen, and was collected by the Stuttgart Natural History Museum during the NATURA2000 mapping.

Revision of the red data book on the molluscs of Baden-Würtemberg

including an annotated checklist for the Landesanstalt für Umweltschutz Baden-Württemberg.

The checklist included a total of 262 species; 7 species were considered as extinct, 104 were threatened.

crassus: Brook mussel Unio crassus is listed as critically endangered for Baden- Württemberg. The species prefers an excellent water quality and suffers from river degradation. Photograph by G. Falkner, München.
crassus: Brook mussel Unio crassus is listed as critically endangered for Baden- Württemberg. The species prefers an excellent water quality and suffers from river degradation. Photograph by G. Falkner, München.

Population genetics of the door snail genera

Clausilia, Cochlodina, Balea and Macrogastra of Baden- Württemberg in collaboration with Prof. Dr. Seitz, Institute of Zoology and Population Ecology, Johannes Gutenberg Universität Mainz.

Elektrophorese: Allozyme electrophoresis: Sample application on cellulose acetate slides with an applicator set. Photograph by A. Schultheiss, Stuttgart.
Elektrophorese: Allozyme electrophoresis: Sample application on cellulose acetate slides with an applicator set. Photograph by A. Schultheiss, Stuttgart.

Description of new species of Conus from the Philippines and Madagascar.

Examination of protoconch and radula. Genetics of populations of Madagascan Conus in collaboration with the Institute of General and Special Zoology Justus Liebig Universität Gießen.

niederhofer_2ab_6a_tsara_ht.jpg: Holotype of Conus pennaceus tsara Korn, Niederhöfer & Blöcher 2000 from Taolanaro (Fort Dauphin), SE Madagascar (SMNS ZI30424).
niederhofer_2ab_6a_tsara_ht.jpg: Holotype of Conus pennaceus tsara Korn, Niederhöfer & Blöcher 2000 from Taolanaro (Fort Dauphin), SE Madagascar (SMNS ZI30424).
radula: Tip of the radula of Conus pennaceus vezoi Korn, Niederhöfer & Blöcher 2000 from Maromitiliky, SW Madagascar (SMNS ZI30438).
radula: Tip of the radula of Conus pennaceus vezoi Korn, Niederhöfer & Blöcher 2000 from Maromitiliky, SW Madagascar (SMNS ZI30438).
niederhofer_2ab_6c_sartii_ht.jpg: Holotype of Conus sartii Korn, Niederhöfer & Blöcher 2001 from Tulear, W Madagascar (SMNS ZI50268).
niederhofer_2ab_6c_sartii_ht.jpg: Holotype of Conus sartii Korn, Niederhöfer & Blöcher 2001 from Tulear, W Madagascar (SMNS ZI50268).

Type database of the genus Conus.

A worlwide total of 2000 nominal species of Conus has been described, about 1000 species are considered as valid. The database includes an illustration of each type specimen, its depository, the complete reference to the original description, and remarks on its current taxonomic status.

niederhofer_2ab_7_capitaneus_ht.jpg: Holotype of Conus centurio Born, 1778. Although Born stated the locality of the species to be unknown, the specimen is accompanied by a label that reads 'Antillen'. Collection Born, Naturhistorisches Museum Wien.
niederhofer_2ab_7_capitaneus_ht.jpg: Holotype of Conus centurio Born, 1778. Although Born stated the locality of the species to be unknown, the specimen is accompanied by a label that reads 'Antillen'. Collection Born, Naturhistorisches Museum Wien.