EZ LAB
Evolutionary Zoology
ABOUT us
Since its official launch in 2011, EZ lab has expanded to include researchers from two institutions in Slovenia, the National Institute of Biology and the Jovan Hadži Institute of Biology ZRC SAZU, with partner and collaborating laboratories around the globe.
EZ stands for Evolutionary Zoology. Our research covers many topics that bear on animal evolution, with three core areas: Phylogenetic Systematics and Biogeography, Behavioral and Evolutionary Ecology, and Spider Web and Silk Evolution.
research
Phylogenetic Systematics and Biogeography
This research focuses on the evolution of spider traits, their phylogenetic relationships and taxonomic implications, as well as discovery. We seek those organismal traits that affect their species richness, and historic biogeographic patterns.
Matjaž Kuntner
Behavioral and Evolutionary Ecology
We are interested in the role of sexual selection shaping behavioral and morphological landscapes. Our research also focuses on global change biology, species invasiveness, and behavioral syndromes.
Simona Kralj Fišer
Spider Web and Silk
Research
We study the functional ecology and evolution of web architectures, web building behaviors, and material properties of silks. We pioneer the use of eDNA from spider webs as a novel tool in biodiversity monitoring.
Matjaž Gregorič