Severin Korfhage
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severinkorfhage.bsky.social
Severin Korfhage
@severinkorfhage.bsky.social
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Deep-Sea Biology, PhD Student at the HIFMB
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Reposted by Severin Korfhage
dsbsoc.bsky.social
Happy new week, members!

Meet another 2025 conference awardee: Severin Korfhage (@severinkorfhage.bsky.social), PhD candidate @ U. of Oldenburg & #HIFMB working on the systematics & taxonomy of #DeepSea & cold-water #octocorals spanning from the #NorthAtlantic to the #Pacific.

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“I am Severin, a PhD candidate at the University of Oldenburg and the HIFMB, in cooperation with Senckenberg am Meer in Wilhelmshaven, Germany. My scientific work focuses on the integrative systematics and taxonomy of deep sea and cold water octocorals, particularly the North Atlantic and Pacific genera Duva, Drifa, Pseudodrifa, and Gersemia." Photo1: Photo of Severin during the CoralNewZ expedition in NZ waters. "I combine classical morphology with modern sequencing approaches to reassess the diversity, evolutionary history, and species boundaries of these groups. A central focus of my research lies in the analysis of historical type material from international museums, the redescription of old types, and the resolution of long-standing taxonomic uncertainties. Many of these historical specimens are remarkably old (some exceeding 200 years in age)." Photo2: Type material of Duva florida (Rathke, 1806). "Methodologically, I work extensively with SEM-based sclerite documentation and detangling morphological characters for phylogenetic analyses. In parallel, I apply protocols for recovering molecular data from highly degraded specimens and employ shallow genome sequencing. This approach becomes particularly challenging when working with centuries-old material." Photo3: Type material of Drifa islandica Danielssen, 1887, labeled by Wilhelm Georg Kükenthal (1861–1922). "My work also includes participation in research expeditions such as the CoralNewZ expedition in the Southwest Pacific, as well as projects in the North Atlantic and the Western Indian Ocean. The overarching goal of my research is to develop a modern, robust integrative system for cold-water octocorals, uncover new species, and establish a taxonomic and phylogenetic framework that supports future biodiversity and conservation research.” Photo4: Selection of corals collected during the CoralNewZ and the CoWIO expedition.
December 2, 2025 at 12:04 AM
severinkorfhage.bsky.social
We collected a beautiful #octocoral colony with substrate and associated fauna on our #CoralNewZ expedition off New Zealand. Isn't it a beauty?
January 23, 2025 at 3:56 AM
severinkorfhage.bsky.social
On January 16, we set off on the #RVSONNE for a deep-sea expedition around New Zealand. The focus of the expedition will be the geological and biological research of cold-water corals and coral mounds.

#coralmounds #cwc #coldwatercorals #deepsearesearch
January 19, 2025 at 10:23 PM
Reposted by Severin Korfhage
deepstewardship.bsky.social
⭐ DOSI Day 2025 ⭐

Thank you to everyone who joined us yesterday for a brilliant DOSI Day at Hong Kong University of Science and Technology!
January 13, 2025 at 4:38 AM