The Arthropods Division is active in the Biodiversity research (Biogeography and Ecology, Phylogeny and Phylogeography) of the ground/soil and saproxylic groups of Coleoptera (Carabidae, Tenebrionidae, Cerambycidae, Scarabaeoidea, Buprestidae, etc.), Orthoptera, Coleoptera of Forensic interest (Histeridae, Dermestidae, Silphidae, κλπ.), Scorpions and Pseudoscorpions, ground Spiders (Gnaphosidae, etc.), Harvestmen, as well as Centipedes/Millipedes. Specimens from Crete and the southern Aegean (± 60%), mainland Greece (± 30%) and eastern Mediterranean countries comprise the main part in the above collections (> 2.5 million specimens).
The Arthropod Division also maintains Type material (± 200 Holotypes & Paratypes), complete collections and voucher specimens of isopods, ants, springtails, amphipods, diptera, lepidoptera and other groups of Arthropods that do not fall in the current research of the department. These collections are the subject of donations by various researchers or amateurs to the Museum, products of revisions of a Taxon or Fauna in the context of taxonomic dissertations that have been completed in the Museum, products of collaboration with scientific institutions that do not maintain collections, etc.
As a University Museum, taxonomic/biogeographical/phylogenetic research in the Arthropod Division is largely based on the academic contribution of undergraduate and postgraduate students, as well as PhD candidates completing their dissertation in one of the offered courses. The contribution of citizen scientists is also welcomed. Respectively, postdoctoral fellowships and other researchers from Greek or international institutions, cooperate with the department if their taxa of interest are available in the collections.
Arthropod collections include wet (70-96% alcohol) and dry specimens of most of the Insect orders, Isopods, Myriapods and Spiders of Greece and the Eastern Mediterranean. The total number of specimens today exceeds 2.5 million, while digital cataloguing* of most of the groups (except Coleoptera and Spiders) has been completed. Indicatively, Orthoptera (wet + dry) exceed 50,000 registered specimens, Myriapoda > 63,000, Opiliones > 16,000, Isopoda > 38,000, etc., according to the January 2022 census.
*All catalogued specimens include complete sampling data (location, date, numbers of individuals, researcher who collected them and/or identified them, etc.), divided into Classes, Families and/or Species, depending on the group and the availability of taxonomists. All entries are databased, so taxa of interest are traceable via simple procedures (PC).
| Catalogued specimens | > 600,000 |
| Estimated total number of specimens | >2,5 million |
| Holotypes | 25 |
| Paratypes | 164 |
| Taxonomic emphasis | Coleoptera 60%, Orthoptera 10%, Spiders 20%, Scorpions, Myriapoda, etc. |
| Geographic emphasis | Greece (95%), North Africa + Middle East (5%) |
| Specimen storage | 70-96% alcohol, mounted specimens in entomological boxes, refrigerated at -200 to -80o C |
| Other integrated Collections | Isopoda (S. Sfendourakis coll.), Gnats & Midges (M. Antoniou coll.), Spiders (M. Chatzaki coll.), Lepidoptera (Mrs Kritsotaki coll.), Coleoptera (S. Zakak coll.), etc. |
| Percentage of databased specimens | > 30% for beetles & spiders. For most other taxa cataloguing is complete. |
| Public availability of the Collections | After communication with the Curator/Conservator |
Holotypes – Paratypes
Curator
Museum technicians – Collection managers
PhD candidates
Associated Scientists
Εξωτερικοί συνεργάτες
Maria Alexiou Chatzaki
Associate Professor D.U.T. (Spiders)
mchatzak@mbg.duth.gr, maria.chatzaki@gmail.com
Previous Members
Amyntas Aggelos
Aggelos Amyntas (MSc Student) 
Kaltsas Dimitris
Dimitris Kaltsas (Phd Student)
Kollaros Dimitrios
Dimitrios Kollaros (Phd Student)
Kontos Panagiotis
Panagiotis Kontos (Undergraduate student)
Kotitsa Nefeli
Nefeli Kotitsa (MSc Student)
Simaiakis Stylianos M
Stylianos M Simaiakis (Phd Student)
Chatzimanolis Stylianos ‘Stelios’
Stylianos 'Stelios' Chatzimanolis (Undergraduate student)
Research papers
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2024 Two new species of Euscorpius (Scorpiones, Euscorpiidae) from Bulgaria and Greece.
Tropea, G., Fet, V., Parmakelis, A., Stathi, I. (2024) Two new species of Euscorpius (Scorpiones, Euscorpiidae) from Bulgaria and Greece. Zoodiversity (Kyiv), , 58(1):1–18 
2023 First record of Chlorophorus herbstii (Brahm, 1790) in Greece and new localities of Xylosteus bartoni Obenberger & Mařan, 1933 (Coleoptera, Cerambycidae)
Bolanakis, G., Trichas, A. (2023) First record of Chlorophorus herbstii (Brahm, 1790) in Greece and new localities of Xylosteus bartoni Obenberger & Mařan, 1933 (Coleoptera, Cerambycidae). Silva Balcanica, 24(3), 95-100
2023 A review of Eupholidoptera (Orthoptera, Tettigoniidae)
Willemse, L., Tilmans, J., Kotitsa, N., Trichas, A., Heller, K.G., Chobanov, D., Odé, B. (2023) A review of Eupholidoptera (Orthoptera, Tettigoniidae) from Crete, Gavdos, Gavdopoula, and Andikithira. ZooKeys, 1151, 67-158
2022 Two new species of Euscorpius (Scorpiones, Euscorpiidae) from Skyros and Andros islands, Greece.
Tropea, G., Fet, V., Parmakelis, A., Stathi, I. (2022) Two new species of Euscorpius (Scorpiones, Euscorpiidae) from Skyros and Andros islands, Greece. Zoodiversity, 56(4):307–322.
2022 The evolutionary history of the relict scorpion family Iuridae of the eastern Mediterranean.
Parmakelis, A., Dimitriadou, D., Gkigkiza, E., Karampatsou, L., Stathi, I., Fet, V., Yağmu, E. A., Kovařík, F. (2022) The evolutionary history of the relict scorpion family Iuridae of the eastern Mediterranean. Molecular Phylogenetics and Evolution, 177, 107622.
2022 Reconstruction of a massive defect of the neck after a scorpion sting: A case report.
Nikolaidou, E., Makarona, K., Fachouris, Z., Stathi, I., Papadopoulou, P. (2022) Reconstruction of a massive defect of the neck after a scorpion sting: A case report. Trauma Case Reports., 39, 100624.
2020 Review of ants (Hymenoptera: Formicidae) of Crete, with keys to species determination and zoogeographical remarks.
Salata, S., Borowiec, L., Trichas, A. (2020) Review of ants (Hymenoptera: Formicidae) of Crete, with keys to species determination and zoogeographical remarks. Monographs of the Upper Silesian Museum, 12, 5-96.
Books - Chapters in Books
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2018 The zoogeographic regions of the Aegean Sea: A multi-taxon approach.
Triantis, K.A., Kougioumoutzis, K., Legakis, A., Anastasiou, I., Andriopoulos, P., Georgiadis, C., Lymberakis, P., Oikonomou, A., Probonas, N., Proios, K., Spaneli, V., Simaiakis, S. M, Trichas, A., Trigas, P., Vardinoyannis, K., Sfenthourakis, S. (2018) The zoogeographic regions of the Aegean Sea: A multi-taxon approach. In S. Sfenthourakis, P. Pafilis, A. Parmakelis, N. Poulakakis & K. A Triantis (Eds.), Biogeography and Biodiversity of the Aegean. In honour of Prof. Moysis Mylonas. (pp. 279-290). Nicosia: Cyprus, Broken Hill Publishers Ltd2018 Tenebrionid beetles of the Aegean Archipelago: Historical review, current knowledge and future directions.
Anastasiou, I., Papadopoulou, A., Trichas, A. (2018) Tenebrionid beetles of the Aegean Archipelago: Historical review, current knowledge and future directions. In S. Sfenthourakis, P. Pafilis, A. Parmakelis, N. Poulakakis & K. A Triantis (Eds.), Biogeography and Biodiversity of the Aegean. In honour of Prof. Moysis Mylonas. (pp. 151-167). Nicosia: Cyprus, Broken Hill Publishers Ltd2018 Fauna and zoogeography of scorpions in Greece.
Fet, V., Parmakelis, A., Stathi, I., Tropea, G., Kotsakiozi, P., Kardaki, L., Nikolakakis, M. (2018) Fauna and zoogeography of scorpions in Greece. In S. Sfenthourakis, P. Pafilis, A. Parmakelis, N. Poulakakis & K. A Triantis (Eds.), Biogeography and Biodiversity of the Aegean. In honour of Prof. Moysis Mylonas. (pp. 123-134). Nicosia: Cyprus, Broken Hill Publishers Ltd2016 Chapter 19: Order Scorpiones (Scorpions).
Kaltsas, D., John, E. (2016) Chapter 19: Order Scorpiones (Scorpions). In D. J. Sparrow & J. Ediee (Eds.), An introduction to the wildlife of Cyprus (pp. 507-514.). Terra Cypria2016 Chapter 19: Myriapoda (Diplopoda and Chilopoda).
Simaiakis, S. M. (2016) Chapter 19: Myriapoda (Diplopoda and Chilopoda). In D. J. Sparrow & J. Ediee (Eds.), An introduction to the wildlife of Cyprus. (pp. 315–325.). Terra Cypria2015 Crete: a continent in an island (B. Petre, Trans. In engl.).
Tsantilis, D. (2015) Crete: a continent in an island (B. Petre, Trans. in engl.). In A. Trichas, & M. Mylonas (Eds.) (English editing K. Vardinoyannis), (pp.276.). Natural History Museum of Crete, University of Crete ISBN: 978-960-367-037-72014 Crete: a continent in an island (in greek).
Tsantilis, D. (2014) Crete: a continent in an island (in greek)., (pp.278.), Natural History Museum of Crete, University of Crete, ISBN: 978-960-367-036-02013 Ecotouristic guide of Sitia nature park (in greek and in english).
Fassoulas, C. (Coord.), Staridas, S., Perakis, N., Mavroudi, N., Trichas, A., Avramakis, M., Perakis, V., Mavrokosta, C. (2013) Ecotouristic guide of Sitia nature park (in greek and in english)., (pp.128.), Natural History Museum of Crete - University of Crete; Sitia Nature Park, ISBN: 978-ISBN:960-367-034-6, ISBN: 978-960-367-035-32011 Elements of Biogeography of Aegean islets (in greek).
Lymberakis, P., Trichas, A. (2011) Elements of Biogeography of Aegean islets (in greek). In K. Chatzimichalis (Eds.), Greekscapes (in greek). (pp. 254-256.). Melissa Publishing House2009 Chilopoda (in greek).
Simaiakis, S. (2009) Chilopoda (in greek). In A. Legakis & P. Maragou (Eds.), The Red Data Book of the Endangered Animals of Greece (in greek). (pp. 464-467.). Athens: Greek Zoological Society ISBN: 978-960-85298-8-5Announcements in Conferences
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Master's theses
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2021 The endemism of cretan arthropods (in greek).
Bolanakis, I. (2021) The endemism of cretan arthropods (in greek). M. Sc., Univ. of Crete pp.129. 
2020 The orthopteran fauna of Crete: new data and a preliminary biogeographical analysis (in greek).
Kotitsa, N. (2020) The orthopteran fauna of Crete: new data and a preliminary biogeographical analysis (in greek). M. Sc., Univ. of Crete pp.152.
2020 Phylogeny of saproxylic genus Dorcus (Coleoptera, Lucanidae) in Mediterranean region emphasizing on Greece (in greek).
Alexi, G. (2020) Phylogeny of saproxylic genus Dorcus (Coleoptera, Lucanidae) in Mediterranean region emphasizing on Greece (in greek). M. Sc., Univ. of Crete pp.77.
2019 The formation of Carabidae assemblages in wetland ecosystems of Crete with a focus on artificial wetlands (in greek).
Amyntas, A. (2019) The formation of Carabidae assemblages in wetland ecosystems of Crete with a focus on artificial wetlands (in greek). M. Sc., Univ. of Crete pp.62.
2016 Study of the biodiversity of Carabidae (Coleoptera, insects) communities in Cretan wetlands (in greek).
Pavlou, Ch. (2016) Study of the biodiversity of Carabidae (Coleoptera, insects) communities in Cretan wetlands (in greek). M. Sc., Univ. of Crete pp.148.
2013 Present knowledge of the millipede fauna of Crete: Systematic and biogeographical study (in greek).
Felesaki, I. (2013) Present knowledge of the millipede fauna of Crete: Systematic and biogeographical study (in greek). M. Sc., Univ. of Crete pp.138.
2011 Effects of urbanization on ground spiders (Araneae: Gnaphosidae) along an urban-rural gradient in Heraklion, Crete (in greek).
Panagiotou, E. (2011) Effects of urbanization on ground spiders (Araneae: Gnaphosidae) along an urban-rural gradient in Heraklion, Crete (in greek). M. Sc., Univ. of Crete pp.300.
2004 Ecology of the species Mesobuthus gibbosus (Brulle, 1832) (Arachnida: scorpiones) in coastal areas of the Aegean (in greek).
Kaltsas, D. (2004) Ecology of the species Mesobuthus gibbosus (Brulle, 1832) (Arachnida: scorpiones) in coastal areas of the Aegean (in greek). M. Sc., Univ. of Crete pp.288.
2001 Systematics distribution and phenology study of centipedes of the island of Crete with emphasis in the alpine ecosystems of the island (in greek).
Simaiakis, S. (2001) Systematics distribution and phenology study of centipedes of the island of Crete with emphasis in the alpine ecosystems of the island (in greek). M. Sc., Univ. of Crete pp.118.
1998 Systematics and phenology of ground living spiders of the island group Gavdos – Gavdopoula (in greek).
Chatzaki, M. (1998) Systematics and phenology of ground living spiders of the island group Gavdos - Gavdopoula (in greek). M. Sc., Univ. of Crete pp.150.
PhD theses
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2022 Molecular phylogeny, phylogeography and morphological analysis of Phlebotomus species (Diptera: Psychodidae) from Aegean islands (in greek).
Pavlou, Ch. (2022) Molecular phylogeny, phylogeography and morphological analysis of Phlebotomus species (Diptera: Psychodidae) from Aegean islands (in greek). Ph. D. Thesis, Univ. of Crete. Ph. D. Thesis, Univ. of Crete (Supervisor: Professor, N. Poulakakis) 
2011 Comparative study of the community structure of coleoptera in Mediterranean type ecosystems in the eastern Mediterranean (in greek).
Kaltsas, D. (2011) Comparative study of the community structure of coleoptera in Mediterranean type ecosystems in the eastern Mediterranean (in greek). Ph. D. Thesis, Univ. of Crete. pp.300. 
2009 Ecology and phylogeography of scorpions (Arachnida) of the south Aegean area (Greece) (in greek).
Stathi, I. (2009) Ecology and phylogeography of scorpions (Arachnida) of the south Aegean area (Greece) (in greek). Ph. D. Thesis, Univ. of Crete. pp.262.
2005 Systematics, biogeography and elements of ecology of centipedes of the south Aegean islands (in greek).
Simaiakis, S. (2005) Systematics, biogeography and elements of ecology of centipedes of the south Aegean islands (in greek). Ph. D. Thesis, Univ. of Crete. pp.421.
2003 Ground spiders of Crete (Araneae Gnaphosidae): taxonomy, ecology and biogeography (in greek).
Chatzaki, M. (2003) Ground spiders of Crete (Araneae Gnaphosidae): taxonomy, ecology and biogeography (in greek). Ph. D. Thesis, Univ. of Crete. pp.452.
1996 Ecology and biogeography of the ground coleoptera in the south Aegean area, with emphasis on composition, seasonal and biotopic differentiation and zoogeography of the families Carabidae and Tenebrionidae (in greek).
Trichas, A. (1996) Ecology and biogeography of the ground coleoptera in the south Aegean area, with emphasis on composition, seasonal and biotopic differentiation and zoogeography of the families Carabidae and Tenebrionidae (in greek). Ph. D. Thesis, Univ. of Crete. pp.510.
1993 Biology and ecology of the superfamily Acridoidea (Orthoptera) of the Giouchtas mountain, Crete (in greek).
Kollaros, D. (1993) Biology and ecology of the superfamily Acridoidea (Orthoptera) of the Giouchtas mountain, Crete (in greek). Ph. D. Thesis, Univ. of Crete. pp.117.
Programs
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2022 Υλοποίηση μέτρων του Σχεδίου Δράσης της Νήσου Χρυσή
Implementation of measures of the Action Plan of Chrysi Island
P.I.: Michalis Probonas
Duration: 1/7/2022 - 16/09/2023
Funding: Region of Crete (55,504.00 €)
P.I.: Michalis Probonas
Duration: 1/7/2022 - 16/09/2023
Funding: Region of Crete (55,504.00 €)
2022 DISSCo Prepare – Κατανεμημένο Συστημα Επιστημονικών Συλλογών – Πρόγραμμα Προπαρασκευαστικής Φάσης
DISSCo Prepare - Distributed System of Scientific Collections - Preparatory Phase Project
P.I.: Petros Lymberakis
Duration: 24/2/2020 - 28/2/2023
Funding: European Commission / DG Research & Innovation (12,890.63 €)
P.I.: Petros Lymberakis
Duration: 24/2/2020 - 28/2/2023
Funding: European Commission / DG Research & Innovation (12,890.63 €)
2022 Biodiversity Genomics Europe (BGE). HORIZON EUROPE, Type HORIZON-RIA. Coordinator: NATURALIS (Netherlands)
Biodiversity Genomics Europe (BGE). HORIZON EUROPE, Type HORIZON-RIA. Coordinator: NATURALIS (Netherlands)
P.I.: Nikos Poulakakis
Duration:18/10/2022 - 28/2/2026
Funding: HORIZON EUROPE, Type HORIZON-RIA (221,238.75€)
P.I.: Nikos Poulakakis
Duration:18/10/2022 - 28/2/2026
Funding: HORIZON EUROPE, Type HORIZON-RIA (221,238.75€)
2019 Δράσεις ενημέρωσης – ευαισθητοποίησης των πολιτών με σκοπό την ανάδειξη και προστασίατων οικοτόπων και της βιοποικιλότητας της Κρήτης στο ΜΦΙΚ 2017ΕΠ00210024
Public awareness activities for the promotion and conservation of habitats and biodiversity of Crete, in Natural History Museum of Crete 2017ΕΠ00210024
P.I.: Nikos Poulakakis
Duration: 2019-10/8/2022
Funding: Region of Crete (974,957.41 €)
P.I.: Nikos Poulakakis
Duration: 2019-10/8/2022
Funding: Region of Crete (974,957.41 €)
2012 Εμπεριστατωμένη εκτίμηση των περιβαλλοντικών επιπτώσεων για τον ηλιοθερμικό ενεργειακό σταθμό ισχύος 50MW στην τοποθεσία Ακρωτήρι-ΚΑΕ82596
Comprehensive environmental impact assessment for the 50MW solar thermal power station at Akrotiri-ΚΑΕ82596
P.I.: Moisis Mylonas
Duration: 15/2/2012 -
Funding: ()
P.I.: Moisis Mylonas
Duration: 15/2/2012 -
Funding: ()
2008 Δικτυακή πύλη Δήμου Μαλλίων
Web portal of the Municipality of Mallia
P.I.: Moisis Mylonas
Duration: 18/9/2008 -
Funding: Municipality of Mallia (39,461.50 €)
P.I.: Moisis Mylonas
Duration: 18/9/2008 -
Funding: Municipality of Mallia (39,461.50 €)
2004 ΠΥΘΑΓΟΡΑΣ (Πολυεπίπεδη προσέγγιση της βιοποικιλότητας σε δύο νησιώτικα συγκροτήματα του Αιγαίου)
Multilevel approach of the biodiversity in two island groups of the Aegean (PYTHAGORAS).
P.I.: Moisis Mylonas
Duration: 1/3/2004 - 31/12/2007
Funding: Operational Programme for Education and Initial Vocational Training (O.P. "Education")(84.770,53 €)
P.I.: Moisis Mylonas
Duration: 1/3/2004 - 31/12/2007
Funding: Operational Programme for Education and Initial Vocational Training (O.P. "Education")(84.770,53 €)
News
Below you will find the news about the Arthropod Division. For all the museum’s news, click here.
Natural History Museum of Crete
– University of Crete
Heraklion Campus, Knossos Avenue Buildings
P.C. 71409, Heraklion Crete
Phone No.: 2810 393276
E-mail: sec.nhmc@uoc.gr
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