The Population Genetics group at the University of Rostock is a newly established chair led by Prof. Dr. Mathilde Cordellier, with a focus on evolutionary research, mainly with invertebrate species. Our work is at the interface of evolution and ecology. Our goal is to understand rapid adaptation through hybridization processes by studying the genomes of invertebrate species such as Daphnia. Working on these species offer the unique opportunity to look back in time by using resting stages, and planned projects include the genomic analysis of sediment cores. Further, the group is working on genome and sex chromosome evolution in spiders. We make use of a broad range of techniques: life history experiments, transcriptomics, genome sequencing, bioinformatics are contributing to our understanding of species’ evolution