100 Years of the Society for Mammalogy: from field observation to genome analysis

How bats navigate using ultrasound or how wolves organise their packs – much of what is now considered basic knowledge in biology was largely unknown at the time the German Society for Mammalogy (DGS) was founded. Over the past 100 years, mammalogy has undergone a fundamental transformation: what was once a predominantly descriptive discipline has evolved into a state-of-the-art interdisciplinary field of research, the findings of which provide crucial impetus for nature conservation and species protection.

When the German Society for Mammalogy (DGS) was founded in March 1926 at the Museum für Naturalkunde (MfN), there was as yet no comprehensive research into wild mammals. Today, the DGS ranks among the oldest scientific societies in its field worldwide and looks back on a century that has fundamentally transformed our understanding of mammals. To mark the 100th anniversary of the Society’s foundation, this year’s annual DGS conference is taking place at its founding venue, jointly organised by the Berlin Museum für Naturalkunde and the Berlin Leibniz Institute for Zoo and Wildlife Research (IZW).

With over 140 registrations and more than 90 papers from mammal researchers representing over 20 nations, the anniversary conference is attracting extraordinary interest from around the world. It promises to be an outstanding event, culminating in a conference dinner in the museum’s famous Dinosaur Hall. 

„What began 100 years ago with individual observations and the description of individual species now ranges from morphology and behavioural research to genome analysis, encompassing everything from the tiniest shrew to the largest whale. This knowledge is indispensable for better understanding the evolution of mammals and their specific adaptations to their habitats, and thus for better addressing the challenges of modern species conservation,“ say MfN scientist Peter Giere, co-organiser of the anniversary conference and member of the DGS Executive Board, and his IZW colleague Jörns Fickel, also a co-organiser of the conference.

A century ago, mammals were still largely overshadowed scientifically by other groups of animals, such as insects or birds. Whilst ornithology was already represented by a society and the observation and systematic description of birds inspired many people, surprisingly little was known about the reproduction, behaviour and physiology of wild mammals: 

„It was difficult to study mammals in the wild; the rudimentary specialist knowledge available mostly came from descriptions by individual naturalists, hunters and foresters, and from the keeping of individual species in zoos. The situation was considerably better, however, when it came to anatomy, which has always been—and remains today—an important branch of mammalogy,“ said Ulla Lächele, a biologist and co-organiser of the conference.

The invention of a new science

Founded by Hermann Pohle, Kurt Ohnesorge, Max Hilzheimer and others in Berlin in 1926, the DGS aimed from the outset to promote mammalogy „in all directions and by all means“. The Society’s openness towards a wider audience was remarkable: Its early presidents included not only scientists, but also a bank director and the president of a regional court. Even the very first issues of the *Journal of Mammalogy* contained articles from Germany, other European countries and the USA, establishing the Society as an international forum for mammal research right from the start. 

The DGS chose the okapi as its symbol – a mammal from the jungles of Central Africa that had scarcely been studied at the time. Elisabeth Hempel, a biologist and DGS member, says of the okapi: „The okapi combines physical characteristics reminiscent of a giraffe, a zebra and a hind. As early as 1928, several specimens were kept at Berlin Zoo. Its striking appearance remains etched in the memory of many visitors.“

From binoculars to genome research

Over the past 100 years, mammalogy has evolved from a predominantly descriptive natural science into an interdisciplinary field of research. Satellite-linked transmitters, genetic analyses, electron microscopes, camera traps, bioacoustic sensors, drones and artificial intelligence now provide insights into the lives of wild mammals that would have been unthinkable 100 years ago, and even just a few decades ago. These insights go far beyond simply describing individual species. They help us to understand the evolution of species and their adaptations, to document and counteract the loss of biodiversity, to decipher migration patterns, and to identify and combat the effects of habitat fragmentation. In this way, mammal research provides vital insights for nature conservation and species protection: 

„The DGS aims to continue advancing mammal research and supporting researchers over the next 100 years. We welcome both established researchers and members at the start of their careers,“ say the organisers. Incidentally, since 2022, members at the start of their scientific careers have been organising themselves into a dedicated group, ‘youngDGS’, to foster networking.

The German Society for Mammalogy is the second-oldest scientific society for mammalogy in the world. It promotes scientific exchange on the biology, evolution, ecology, behaviour, health and conservation of wild mammals. Its members include researchers from universities, museums, research institutions, government bodies and nature conservation organisations.