Maria Heikkilä
@mariaheikkila.bsky.social
Academy Research Fellow, Curator
Finnish Museum of Natural History LUOMUS
Systematics and evolutionary history of Lepidoptera and Trichoptera
Finnish Museum of Natural History LUOMUS
Systematics and evolutionary history of Lepidoptera and Trichoptera
Luonnontieteellinen keskusmuseo hakee luonnontieteellisen alan konservaattoria.
jobs.helsinki.fi/job/Helsinki...
jobs.helsinki.fi/job/Helsinki...
Konservaattori
Konservaattori
jobs.helsinki.fi
November 17, 2025 at 8:28 AM
Luonnontieteellinen keskusmuseo hakee luonnontieteellisen alan konservaattoria.
jobs.helsinki.fi/job/Helsinki...
jobs.helsinki.fi/job/Helsinki...
Reposted by Maria Heikkilä
It is so nice to finally see the first paper of my PhD published! It was possible thanks to invaluable contributions of Andrea Chiocchio, @mariaheikkila.bsky.social, @jadrankarota.bsky.social, Lauri Kaila, and @lepphylo.bsky.social.
Gelechioidea, that superdiverse superfamily of Lepidoptera that has been a super mess taxonomically, finally gets some structure at the family level with phylogenomics! Read all about it in our article led by PhD student @etkayapar.bsky.social !
resjournals.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/...
resjournals.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/...
Integrating Sanger and next‐generation sequencing data sheds light on phylogenetic relationships among gelechioid moths (Lepidoptera: Gelechioidea)
The maximum-likelihood analysis of a phylogenomic dataset of 1767 protein-coding genes from 57 ingroup taxa yields a robust family-level topology for Gelechioidea, revealing novel among-family relat...
resjournals.onlinelibrary.wiley.com
October 31, 2025 at 9:51 PM
It is so nice to finally see the first paper of my PhD published! It was possible thanks to invaluable contributions of Andrea Chiocchio, @mariaheikkila.bsky.social, @jadrankarota.bsky.social, Lauri Kaila, and @lepphylo.bsky.social.
Reposted by Maria Heikkilä
Really interesting and excellently executed taphonomic study alert!
The authours designed neat insect disarticualtion experiments to better understand preservational patterns of insect found in the Crato Formation, Brazil. 🪰🪳🦟
Very very cool work by Storari et al.
journals.plos.org/plosone/arti...
The authours designed neat insect disarticualtion experiments to better understand preservational patterns of insect found in the Crato Formation, Brazil. 🪰🪳🦟
Very very cool work by Storari et al.
journals.plos.org/plosone/arti...
Taphonomy of aquatic insects from the Crato Formation Lagerstätte (Aptian, Lower Cretaceous) under an actualistic look
The Crato Formation (Aptian, Lower Cretaceous) is a fossiliferous deposit of global significance, representing a lacustrine palaeoenvironment which offers insights into aquatic insect taphonomy. Despi...
journals.plos.org
September 16, 2025 at 12:40 PM
Really interesting and excellently executed taphonomic study alert!
The authours designed neat insect disarticualtion experiments to better understand preservational patterns of insect found in the Crato Formation, Brazil. 🪰🪳🦟
Very very cool work by Storari et al.
journals.plos.org/plosone/arti...
The authours designed neat insect disarticualtion experiments to better understand preservational patterns of insect found in the Crato Formation, Brazil. 🪰🪳🦟
Very very cool work by Storari et al.
journals.plos.org/plosone/arti...
Reposted by Maria Heikkilä
I am extremely happy to see that our review on fossil tip-dating is out in early view in Systematic Biology! A huge thanks to all the authors of this massive project (@heckeberg.bsky.social, @basantakhakurel.bsky.social, Gustavo Darlim, and @hoehna.bsky.social)! academic.oup.com/sysbio/advan...
September 25, 2025 at 12:40 PM
I am extremely happy to see that our review on fossil tip-dating is out in early view in Systematic Biology! A huge thanks to all the authors of this massive project (@heckeberg.bsky.social, @basantakhakurel.bsky.social, Gustavo Darlim, and @hoehna.bsky.social)! academic.oup.com/sysbio/advan...
Reposted by Maria Heikkilä
New updated preprint! Many thanks to reviewers for their suggestions and helpful advice for improving our manuscript. Check it out if you're interested in fossils, phylogenies, and modeling morphologic evolution! 🧪
Assessing the impact of character evolution models on phylogenetic and macroevolutionary inferences from fossil data
Understanding the evolution and phylogenetic distribution of morphologic traits is fundamental to macroevolutionary research. Despite decades of major advances and key insights from molecular systemat...
www.biorxiv.org
September 2, 2025 at 5:07 PM
New updated preprint! Many thanks to reviewers for their suggestions and helpful advice for improving our manuscript. Check it out if you're interested in fossils, phylogenies, and modeling morphologic evolution! 🧪
Reposted by Maria Heikkilä
Haluaisitko tehdä elämäntaparemontin luonnon hyväksi mutta et tiedä mistä aloittaa? Tässä selvityksessä listaamme 143 arjen tekoa, joista jokainen voi valita itselleen sopivimmat.
Suomalaisten luontojalanjälki - Sitra
Miten elämäntapamme vaikuttavat luontoon ja miten vaikutuksia voi pienentää?
www.sitra.fi
June 10, 2025 at 11:38 AM
Haluaisitko tehdä elämäntaparemontin luonnon hyväksi mutta et tiedä mistä aloittaa? Tässä selvityksessä listaamme 143 arjen tekoa, joista jokainen voi valita itselleen sopivimmat.
Reposted by Maria Heikkilä
An amazing review of the current state of knowledge of the systematics and classification of themoth family Erebidae, the most diverse family of Lepidoptera! This is a really necessary compilation of available information. 🥳 🙌
academic.oup.com/isd/article/...
academic.oup.com/isd/article/...
Erebidae systematics: past, present, and future—progress in understanding a diverse lepidopteran lineage
Abstract. Erebidae, the largest family of Lepidoptera with approximately 25,000 known species globally, forms the major clade of the superfamily Noctuoidea
academic.oup.com
June 9, 2025 at 6:38 AM
An amazing review of the current state of knowledge of the systematics and classification of themoth family Erebidae, the most diverse family of Lepidoptera! This is a really necessary compilation of available information. 🥳 🙌
academic.oup.com/isd/article/...
academic.oup.com/isd/article/...
Reposted by Maria Heikkilä
Registration for the upcoming SEL congress extended until Jun 15! If you experience problems with the registration form, please reach out to the congress organiser, Zdeněk Fric (fric@entu.cas.cz) and he'll happily sort it out.
Looking forward to seeing you in August!
sel.entu.cas.cz/registration...
Looking forward to seeing you in August!
sel.entu.cas.cz/registration...
Registration – Svatý Jan pod Skalou, August 18-23, 2025
sel.entu.cas.cz
June 9, 2025 at 8:21 AM
Registration for the upcoming SEL congress extended until Jun 15! If you experience problems with the registration form, please reach out to the congress organiser, Zdeněk Fric (fric@entu.cas.cz) and he'll happily sort it out.
Looking forward to seeing you in August!
sel.entu.cas.cz/registration...
Looking forward to seeing you in August!
sel.entu.cas.cz/registration...
Reposted by Maria Heikkilä
The #TETTRIsEU Taxonomy Recognition Day stroke Europe from Greece 🇬🇷 to Finland 🇫🇮, from Italy 🇮🇹 to Belgium🇧🇪 and in 10+Countries!
Hundreds of people joined their local Natural History Museums & Natural Gardens and learned about the importance of #Taxonomy for preserving #biodiversity!
#NameItToSaveIt
Hundreds of people joined their local Natural History Museums & Natural Gardens and learned about the importance of #Taxonomy for preserving #biodiversity!
#NameItToSaveIt
May 26, 2025 at 4:24 PM
The #TETTRIsEU Taxonomy Recognition Day stroke Europe from Greece 🇬🇷 to Finland 🇫🇮, from Italy 🇮🇹 to Belgium🇧🇪 and in 10+Countries!
Hundreds of people joined their local Natural History Museums & Natural Gardens and learned about the importance of #Taxonomy for preserving #biodiversity!
#NameItToSaveIt
Hundreds of people joined their local Natural History Museums & Natural Gardens and learned about the importance of #Taxonomy for preserving #biodiversity!
#NameItToSaveIt
Reposted by Maria Heikkilä
Womersleymeria bicornis (Womersley, H, 1940:137) Stach, J, 1949, an springtail endemic to Australia. #NAMEITTOSAVEIT
May 23, 2025 at 11:17 AM
Womersleymeria bicornis (Womersley, H, 1940:137) Stach, J, 1949, an springtail endemic to Australia. #NAMEITTOSAVEIT
Today is Taxonomy Recognition Day!
This small, elegant moth is Tinagma perdicella Zeller, 1839, a species listed as Near Threatened in Finland. Suitable habitats are diminishing due to the overgrowth of meadows and other open areas, as well as a reduction in burnt forest habitats. #NameItToSaveIt
This small, elegant moth is Tinagma perdicella Zeller, 1839, a species listed as Near Threatened in Finland. Suitable habitats are diminishing due to the overgrowth of meadows and other open areas, as well as a reduction in burnt forest habitats. #NameItToSaveIt
May 23, 2025 at 10:32 AM
Today is Taxonomy Recognition Day!
This small, elegant moth is Tinagma perdicella Zeller, 1839, a species listed as Near Threatened in Finland. Suitable habitats are diminishing due to the overgrowth of meadows and other open areas, as well as a reduction in burnt forest habitats. #NameItToSaveIt
This small, elegant moth is Tinagma perdicella Zeller, 1839, a species listed as Near Threatened in Finland. Suitable habitats are diminishing due to the overgrowth of meadows and other open areas, as well as a reduction in burnt forest habitats. #NameItToSaveIt
Reposted by Maria Heikkilä
It's Taxonomy Recognition Day! 🧡💙💚
Our partners are organising events all around Europe: 🇧🇪🇩🇪🇩🇰🇪🇸🇫🇮🇫🇷🇬🇷🇮🇹🇳🇱🇳🇴🇦🇹🇵🇹🇨🇿🇸🇪...
You can still help raise awareness about the importance of Taxonomy for Biodiversity and Natural Sciences by participating in the #NameItToSaveIt campaign! 👇
#tettriseu #taxonomy #biodiversity
Our partners are organising events all around Europe: 🇧🇪🇩🇪🇩🇰🇪🇸🇫🇮🇫🇷🇬🇷🇮🇹🇳🇱🇳🇴🇦🇹🇵🇹🇨🇿🇸🇪...
You can still help raise awareness about the importance of Taxonomy for Biodiversity and Natural Sciences by participating in the #NameItToSaveIt campaign! 👇
#tettriseu #taxonomy #biodiversity
May 23, 2025 at 7:59 AM
It's Taxonomy Recognition Day! 🧡💙💚
Our partners are organising events all around Europe: 🇧🇪🇩🇪🇩🇰🇪🇸🇫🇮🇫🇷🇬🇷🇮🇹🇳🇱🇳🇴🇦🇹🇵🇹🇨🇿🇸🇪...
You can still help raise awareness about the importance of Taxonomy for Biodiversity and Natural Sciences by participating in the #NameItToSaveIt campaign! 👇
#tettriseu #taxonomy #biodiversity
Our partners are organising events all around Europe: 🇧🇪🇩🇪🇩🇰🇪🇸🇫🇮🇫🇷🇬🇷🇮🇹🇳🇱🇳🇴🇦🇹🇵🇹🇨🇿🇸🇪...
You can still help raise awareness about the importance of Taxonomy for Biodiversity and Natural Sciences by participating in the #NameItToSaveIt campaign! 👇
#tettriseu #taxonomy #biodiversity
Reposted by Maria Heikkilä
Pelidnota cyanitarsis (Gory, 1833) - a splendid metallic scarab beetle from northeastern Brazil's unique arid, little-known and now threatened caatinga biome. #NameItToSaveIt
May 23, 2025 at 7:10 AM
Pelidnota cyanitarsis (Gory, 1833) - a splendid metallic scarab beetle from northeastern Brazil's unique arid, little-known and now threatened caatinga biome. #NameItToSaveIt
Reposted by Maria Heikkilä
Tomorrow is #TaxonomyRecognitionDay
Natural History Museums join forces to highlight taxonomy—the foundation of biodiversity research & conservation
Share your favourite species to take part in a fun way!
Take a photo of the species
Add its scientific name
Share it with the hashtag #NameItToSaveIt
Natural History Museums join forces to highlight taxonomy—the foundation of biodiversity research & conservation
Share your favourite species to take part in a fun way!
Take a photo of the species
Add its scientific name
Share it with the hashtag #NameItToSaveIt
May 22, 2025 at 10:48 AM
Tomorrow is #TaxonomyRecognitionDay
Natural History Museums join forces to highlight taxonomy—the foundation of biodiversity research & conservation
Share your favourite species to take part in a fun way!
Take a photo of the species
Add its scientific name
Share it with the hashtag #NameItToSaveIt
Natural History Museums join forces to highlight taxonomy—the foundation of biodiversity research & conservation
Share your favourite species to take part in a fun way!
Take a photo of the species
Add its scientific name
Share it with the hashtag #NameItToSaveIt
Reposted by Maria Heikkilä
The Museum für Naturkunde Berlin is offering a fully funded 3-year PhD position in evolutionary genomics starting Fall 2025. Applicants should have a background in biological sciences. More info: https://jobs.museumfuernaturkunde.berlin/jobposting/8154f5be04ad4a1a77e0c741dc24fc0e6bd163df0 #phd
14/2025 PhD student (f/m/d)
jobs.museumfuernaturkunde.berlin
May 21, 2025 at 1:22 PM
The Museum für Naturkunde Berlin is offering a fully funded 3-year PhD position in evolutionary genomics starting Fall 2025. Applicants should have a background in biological sciences. More info: https://jobs.museumfuernaturkunde.berlin/jobposting/8154f5be04ad4a1a77e0c741dc24fc0e6bd163df0 #phd
Reposted by Maria Heikkilä
The Natural History Museum, University of Oslo, is hiring a 3-year postdoctoral fellow for a self-developed project starting October 2025. Apply by June 23, 2025. More info: https://www.jobbnorge.no/en/available-jobs/job/280531/postdoctoral-fellow-self-developed-project #postdoc
Postdoctoral Fellow: Self-Developed Project (280531) | University of Oslo
Job title: Postdoctoral Fellow: Self-Developed Project (280531), Employer: University of Oslo, Deadline: Monday, June 23, 2025
www.jobbnorge.no
May 21, 2025 at 1:22 PM
The Natural History Museum, University of Oslo, is hiring a 3-year postdoctoral fellow for a self-developed project starting October 2025. Apply by June 23, 2025. More info: https://www.jobbnorge.no/en/available-jobs/job/280531/postdoctoral-fellow-self-developed-project #postdoc
Reposted by Maria Heikkilä
🦤🧬🧑🔬 Junior Group Leader in Conservation Genomics Wanted! 🪲🌿🔬
Help bridge gaps between evolutionary genetics & conservation with museum and monitoring collections.
🔗 Info: tinyurl.com/biodivgen
⏰ Deadline: June 15th
📩 Contact me!
🚀 Excited to explore new horizons!
Please share 🕊️
Help bridge gaps between evolutionary genetics & conservation with museum and monitoring collections.
🔗 Info: tinyurl.com/biodivgen
⏰ Deadline: June 15th
📩 Contact me!
🚀 Excited to explore new horizons!
Please share 🕊️
Jobs | Staatliches Museum für Naturkunde Stuttgart
Open positions
tinyurl.com
April 8, 2025 at 4:57 PM
🦤🧬🧑🔬 Junior Group Leader in Conservation Genomics Wanted! 🪲🌿🔬
Help bridge gaps between evolutionary genetics & conservation with museum and monitoring collections.
🔗 Info: tinyurl.com/biodivgen
⏰ Deadline: June 15th
📩 Contact me!
🚀 Excited to explore new horizons!
Please share 🕊️
Help bridge gaps between evolutionary genetics & conservation with museum and monitoring collections.
🔗 Info: tinyurl.com/biodivgen
⏰ Deadline: June 15th
📩 Contact me!
🚀 Excited to explore new horizons!
Please share 🕊️
Reposted by Maria Heikkilä
This 🦕 couldn't count on the NameItToSaveIt campaign!
Join the movement towards #Taxonomy Recognition Day (May 23) by sharing on Social Media a picture of your favourite animal/plant with the taxonomic name and #NameItToSaveIt
#TETTRIsEU #biodiversity #internationalbiodiversityday #peacewithnature
Join the movement towards #Taxonomy Recognition Day (May 23) by sharing on Social Media a picture of your favourite animal/plant with the taxonomic name and #NameItToSaveIt
#TETTRIsEU #biodiversity #internationalbiodiversityday #peacewithnature
May 21, 2025 at 2:18 PM
This 🦕 couldn't count on the NameItToSaveIt campaign!
Join the movement towards #Taxonomy Recognition Day (May 23) by sharing on Social Media a picture of your favourite animal/plant with the taxonomic name and #NameItToSaveIt
#TETTRIsEU #biodiversity #internationalbiodiversityday #peacewithnature
Join the movement towards #Taxonomy Recognition Day (May 23) by sharing on Social Media a picture of your favourite animal/plant with the taxonomic name and #NameItToSaveIt
#TETTRIsEU #biodiversity #internationalbiodiversityday #peacewithnature
Reposted by Maria Heikkilä
🟠 🟢 🔵
Use #nameittosaveit to raise awareness about #taxonomy to a new level:
📷 Picture your favourite animal or plant 🐯🍀🍄
🔤 Give it the correct taxonomic name
🤳 Share it on social media with the #NameItToSaveIt hashtag
... And remember: May 23 is Taxonomy Recognition Day!
tettris.eu/trd/
#tettriseu
Use #nameittosaveit to raise awareness about #taxonomy to a new level:
📷 Picture your favourite animal or plant 🐯🍀🍄
🔤 Give it the correct taxonomic name
🤳 Share it on social media with the #NameItToSaveIt hashtag
... And remember: May 23 is Taxonomy Recognition Day!
tettris.eu/trd/
#tettriseu
May 20, 2025 at 8:31 AM
🟠 🟢 🔵
Use #nameittosaveit to raise awareness about #taxonomy to a new level:
📷 Picture your favourite animal or plant 🐯🍀🍄
🔤 Give it the correct taxonomic name
🤳 Share it on social media with the #NameItToSaveIt hashtag
... And remember: May 23 is Taxonomy Recognition Day!
tettris.eu/trd/
#tettriseu
Use #nameittosaveit to raise awareness about #taxonomy to a new level:
📷 Picture your favourite animal or plant 🐯🍀🍄
🔤 Give it the correct taxonomic name
🤳 Share it on social media with the #NameItToSaveIt hashtag
... And remember: May 23 is Taxonomy Recognition Day!
tettris.eu/trd/
#tettriseu
Reposted by Maria Heikkilä
Ötökkäakatemia edustettuna HY:n Tiedekulman ja YLE:n Luonto-Suomen Pörriäisillassa - tulkaapa kuulolle!
www.helsinki.fi/fi/tiedekulm...
#pölyttäjäpäivä #mehiläispäivä #tiedekulma
www.helsinki.fi/fi/tiedekulm...
#pölyttäjäpäivä #mehiläispäivä #tiedekulma
Pörriäisilta | Tiedekulma | Helsingin yliopisto
Kevät ja pörriäiset ovat jo täällä. Tule Tiedekulmaan sukeltamaan kukkien ja pölyttäjien maailmaan ja tunnelmoimaan alkavaa hyönteiskesää tutkijoiden kanssa tiistaina 20.5. klo 17.50–20.00!
www.helsinki.fi
May 20, 2025 at 11:58 AM
Ötökkäakatemia edustettuna HY:n Tiedekulman ja YLE:n Luonto-Suomen Pörriäisillassa - tulkaapa kuulolle!
www.helsinki.fi/fi/tiedekulm...
#pölyttäjäpäivä #mehiläispäivä #tiedekulma
www.helsinki.fi/fi/tiedekulm...
#pölyttäjäpäivä #mehiläispäivä #tiedekulma
Reposted by Maria Heikkilä
New paper with Xiling, Deng, Jacqueline Heckenhauer and co. examining silk fibroin evolution in weird case-making caddisflies.
doi.org/10.1002/jez....
doi.org/10.1002/jez....
May 19, 2025 at 8:34 AM
New paper with Xiling, Deng, Jacqueline Heckenhauer and co. examining silk fibroin evolution in weird case-making caddisflies.
doi.org/10.1002/jez....
doi.org/10.1002/jez....
Reposted by Maria Heikkilä
Carboniferous insects
May 19, 2025 at 5:32 PM
Carboniferous insects
Reposted by Maria Heikkilä
(1/4) Exciting news 📣 Announcing the #COST10KLepGenomes initiative! 🦋🧬
We're leveraging genomic data to tackle biodiversity loss, disentangle Lepidoptera evolution and address climate change impacts on European butterflies and moths.
We're leveraging genomic data to tackle biodiversity loss, disentangle Lepidoptera evolution and address climate change impacts on European butterflies and moths.
May 14, 2025 at 10:20 AM
(1/4) Exciting news 📣 Announcing the #COST10KLepGenomes initiative! 🦋🧬
We're leveraging genomic data to tackle biodiversity loss, disentangle Lepidoptera evolution and address climate change impacts on European butterflies and moths.
We're leveraging genomic data to tackle biodiversity loss, disentangle Lepidoptera evolution and address climate change impacts on European butterflies and moths.
Reposted by Maria Heikkilä
When insect fossils are this intact, just looking at them makes you go WHOA. Plus, preserved body structures reveal how their group evolved! In my latest for @cnn.com, I wrote about how a truly stunning cicada fossil from Germany's Messel Pit places singing cicadas in Europe earlier than expected 🧪
47 million-year-old bug is the oldest singing cicada fossil from Europe | CNN
Two fossils of singing cicadas, one of which was remarkably well preserved, reveals that the insects dispersed in Europe millions of years earlier than once thought.
www.cnn.com
May 14, 2025 at 1:09 PM
When insect fossils are this intact, just looking at them makes you go WHOA. Plus, preserved body structures reveal how their group evolved! In my latest for @cnn.com, I wrote about how a truly stunning cicada fossil from Germany's Messel Pit places singing cicadas in Europe earlier than expected 🧪
Reposted by Maria Heikkilä
The top 10 flying insect clades rule the skies—but defy the rules. Weak or inverted latitudinal diversity gradients leave biogeographers puzzled. Entomologists? Mildly amused. www.biorxiv.org/content/10.1...
May 14, 2025 at 3:52 PM
The top 10 flying insect clades rule the skies—but defy the rules. Weak or inverted latitudinal diversity gradients leave biogeographers puzzled. Entomologists? Mildly amused. www.biorxiv.org/content/10.1...