Antennae of mandibulate arthropods are equipped with numerous specialized epidermal sensilla, which are composed of two structural units: sensory cells with their dendritic processes and several sheath cells. However, they are complex in structure and function and play an essential role in shaping the nervous systems’ primary processing centers. The arthropod nervous system provides a wealth of information that can contribute to our understanding about arthropod phylogeny and evolutionary transformations of the arthropod brain. Here, the discipline of Neurophylogeny provides a synthesis of neurobiological questions and evolutionary aspects. In a set of experiments with representatives of Chelicerata, Myriapoda, Crustacea and Hexapoda, I analyze the anatomy and morphology of antennae and arthropodia (especially epidermal sensilla), primary visual, chemosensory, and mechanosensory pathways, as well as secondary processing neuropils in the nervous system.
The arthropodium has adapted many different shapes and is thus able to perform a vast of different functions. Among arthropods, trunk legs, primarily used for locomotion, were transformed many times independently into appendages of various functions and are thus considered excellent study models to understand pathways of adaptation and evolution. The aim of this project is to investigate the terminal (=ultimate) legs in centipedes, which do not participate in walking. Often correlated with sexual dimorphism, terminal legs may be extremely elongated and resemble antennae. We explore the sensory equipment, innervation patterns and functions of terminal legs of selected centipede species using multimodal microscopic (SEM, TEM, LM, cLSM, µCT) and electrophysiological techniques. Comparisons with antennae and walking legs will unravel potential constructional morphological constraints in the course of evolutionary transformation from former walking legs in what is assumed to be sensory appendages.
To investigate external morphology I use scanning electron microscopy, and to further explore the ultrastructure of organ systems transmission electron microscopy. On a larger scale, I use histological methods like paraffin histology and serial semi-thin sectioning in combination with light microscopy. On the level of organ systems and tissues, I use immunohistochemistry and neuronal backfilling in combination with fluorescence and confocal laserscan microscopy. With the aid of specific antibodies I detect a variety of epitopes like cytoskeleton, musculature or neuropeptides. Beyond that, non-destructive imaging by X-Ray micro-computertomography allows for an integrative analysis without dissection. Finally, to understand and transport histological and tomographic data, I use 3-dimensional visualization and reconstruction.
Myriapods are terrestrial arthropods comprising the taxa Chilopoda, Diplopoda, Pauropoda, and Symphyla. They are poorly known with respect to many organ systems. However, these data are needed as pivotal question on arthropod evolution fundamentally depend on the status and systematic position of this taxon.
Our group focuses on a comparative analysis of external morphology and internal anatomy with emphasis on sensory organs, glandular systems, transformed appendages, and the nervous system. Moreover, we investigate fossil taxa, developmental stages, as well as aspects on taxonomy, biodiversity, and general biology.
2018 Habilitation "Contributions to the morphology and evolution of arthropods with a focus on the peripheral and central nervous system"
2011 PhD thesis "Comparative studies on the nervous system of the Chilopoda with emphasis on the organization of deutocerebral neuropils, sensory structures and olfactory behavior"
Schendel V, Kenning M, Sombke A (accepted) A comparative analysis of the ventral nerve cord of Lithobius forficatus (Lithobiomorpha): morphology, neuroanatomy, and individually identifiable neurons. Arthropod Systematics & Phylogeny.
Sombke A, Rosenberg J (2016) Myriapoda. In: Schmidt-Rhaesa A, Harzsch S, Purschke G. (Eds.) Structure and Evolution of Invertebrate Nervous Systems. pp. 478-491. Oxford University Press.
Batelle BA, Sombke A, Harzsch S (2016) Xiphosura. In: Schmidt-Rhaesa A, Harzsch S, Purschke G. (Eds.) Structure and Evolution of Invertebrate Nervous Systems. pp 428-442. Oxford University Press.
Lehmann T, Melzer RR, Hörnig MK, Michalik P, Sombke A, Harzsch S (2016) Arachnida (excluding Scorpiones). In: Schmidt-Rhaesa A, Harzsch S, Purschke G. (Eds.) Structure and Evolution of Invertebrate Nervous Systems. pp. 453-477. Oxford University Press.
Hädicke CW, Blank SM, Sombke A (2015) Erstnachweis von Eosentomon pinetorum Szeptycki, 1984 (Protura: Eosentomidae) in Mecklenburg-Vorpommern. Virgo 18: 44-45.
Sombke A, Rosenberg J (2015) Diplopoda - Nervous and neuroendocrine system. In: Minelli A (Ed.) Treatise on Zoology - Anatomy, Taxonomy, Biology - The Myriapoda II. pp. 161-179. Brill, Leiden.
Müller CHG, Sombke A (2015) Diplopoda - Sense Organs. In: Minelli A (Ed.) Treatise on Zoology - Anatomy, Taxonomy, Biology - The Myriapoda II. pp. 181-235. Brill, Leiden.
Hilken G, Sombke A, Müller CHG, Rosenberg J (2015) Diplopoda - Tracheal system. In: Minelli A (Ed.) Treatise on Zoology - Anatomy, Taxonomy, Biology - The Myriapoda II. pp. 129-152. Brill, Leiden.
Sombke A (2012) Comparative studies on the nervous system of the Chilopoda with emphasis on the organization of deutocerebral neuropils, sensory structures and olfactory behavior. Inaugural-Dissertation Universität Greifswald. 231 pp.
Minelli A, Sombke A (2011) Chilopoda - Development. In: Minelli A (Ed.) Treatise on Zoology - Anatomy, Taxonomy, Biology - The Myriapoda I. pp. 295-308. Brill, Leiden.
Sombke A, Rosenberg J, Hilken G (2011) Chilopoda - The nervous system. In: Minelli A (Ed.) Treatise on Zoology - Anatomy, Taxonomy, Biology - The Myriapoda I. pp. 217-234. Brill, Leiden.
Müller CHG, Sombke A, Hilken G, Rosenberg J (2011) Chilopoda - Sense organs. In: Minelli A (Ed.) Treatise on Zoology - Anatomy, Taxonomy, Biology - The Myriapoda I. pp. 235-278. Brill, Leiden.
Hilken G, Müller CHG, Sombke A, Wirkner CS, Rosenberg J (2011) Chilopoda - Tracheal system. In: Minelli A (Ed.) Treatise on Zoology - Anatomy, Taxonomy, Biology - The Myriapoda I. pp. 137-155. Brill, Leiden.
Rosenberg J, Sombke A, Hilken G (2011) Chilopoda - Excretory system. In: Minelli A (Ed.) Treatise on Zoology - Anatomy, Taxonomy, Biology - The Myriapoda I. pp. 177-195. Brill, Leiden.
Hilken G, Minelli A, Müller CHG, Rosenberg J, Sombke A, Wirkner CS (2011) Chilopoda - History of research. In: Minelli A (Ed.) Treatise on Zoology - Anatomy, Taxonomy, Biology - The Myriapoda I. pp. 22-42. Brill, Leiden.
Sombke A (2011) Das Geruchssystem der Hundertfüßer. Greifswalder Universitätsreden 143: 29-39.
Sombke A, Schlegel M (2007) Orthoptera and Mantodea of Istria and the croatian island Šipan. Rostocker Meeresbiologische Beiträge 18: 131-137.
Sombke A (2004) Die Link'schen Typen. biologenheute - vdbiol Landesverbände Nord 3: 12-14.
Sombke A (2003) Sigismund Brauns (1839–1913) und seine Käfersammlung an der Universität Rostock (Insecta: Coleoptera). Arch. Freunde Naturg. Mecklenburg. 42: 5-43.
Sombke A (2000) Ein Neufund der Gewächshausschrecke (Tachycines asynamorus Adelung, 1902) in Rostock. Arch. Freunde Naturg. Mecklenb. 39: 39-44.