Dr.Kristina von Rintelen

Scientist / (Senior) Scientist

Kristina.Rintelen@mfn.berlin+49 0 30 889 140 - 8864
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Department:
Centre for Integrative Biodiversity Discovery

My research focuses on the evolution, biogeography, systematics, and taxonomy of crustaceans. Using integrative approaches in biodiversity research, I study species diversity, phylogenetic relationships, and evolutionary processes, with a particular focus on endemic and endangered species in isolated habitats such as islands and caves. As the scientific head of the Crustacean collection (since October 2022), I respond to inquiries from around the world and facilitate active research on its specimens.

I work in the collections:
Crustacea

Vita

I studied Biology at the universities of Münster, Bonn, and Humboldt University of Berlin, Germany, with a focus on zoology, ecology, and biogeography. During my studies, I worked as a student research assistant in zoological research and scientific collections and completed internships at landscape planning offices in Leipzig and Berlin. After completing my studies, I obtained my PhD (Dr. rer. nat.) from the HU Berlin in 2008, with a dissertation on the evolution, systematics, and biogeography of freshwater shrimps (Crustacea: Decapoda: Atyidae) from Indonesia.

Following my doctorate, I worked from 2009–2013 as a postdoctoral researcher at the Museum für Naturkunde Berlin, including within the framework of my own research project funded by the German Research Foundation (DFG) on biogeography at the Sundaland-Wallacea interface. To improve the compatibility of professional and family responsibilities, I subsequently shifted part of my work towards science management. In several positions, I coordinated national and international third-party funded collaborative projects (DFG, BMBF) and was responsible for the scientific and administrative management of complex research collaborations. I was also able to continue my own research in parallel, which took me on numerous research trips across Europe, as well as to Indonesia, Singapore and Australia.

My professional career includes two periods of parental leave, which were integrated into my academic career path. Part-time employment models enabled me to combine research, project coordination, and family responsibilities.

Since September 2018, I have been working as a researcher at the Centre for Integrative Biodiversity Discovery, Museum für Naturkunde Berlin, and as the scientific head of the Crustacean collection since October 2022.

Further information

  • 2013 C. Häuser & K. von Rintelen, “Pilot study for a standardized biodiversity inventory, documentation and screening system in Indonesia for the fast and sustainable utilization of natural active compounds” (12-month pilot study, BMBF grant)
  • 2013 “FiNCA – Frauen in den Naturwissenschaftern am Campus Adlershof”, 12 months modular qualification program for female postdoctoral scientists
  • 2010 Dissertation Award for Zoological Systematics, Zoologische Staatssammlung München (5,000 €)
  • 2009–2013 DFG grant (DFG RI 1950)
  • 2009 Travel grant “Verein der Freunde und Förderer des Museums für Naturkunde e.V.” for field work in Indonesian caves
  • 2008/2009 Travel grants to participate in international conferences in Perth, Australia & London, UK (DAAD-funded)
  • 2008 Doctoral student grant from DAAD RISE to host an international undergraduate student (United States) for three months

Publications

Van Tu, Phan, T., von Rintelen, K., Anh, L., von Rintelen, T. (2025). Descriptions of four new species of atyid shrimp (Crustacea, Decapoda, Atyidae) in Vietnam. ZooKeys, 1247, 151-186. DOI: https://doi.org/10.3897/zookeys.1247.148607Open Access

von Rintelen, K., Rumpf, C.M.A., Wowor, D., Wessel, A., von Rintelen, T. (2024). A phylogeographic approach to Sulawesi’s Maros karst shrimp fauna (Decapoda, Atyidae) reveals several cave invasions and challenges current taxonomic hypotheses. Crustaceana, 97(5-9), 479-505. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1163/15685403-bja10383Open Access

Bernardes, S.C., Von Rintelen, T., Alexander, S., Lorenz, F., Von Rintelen, K. (2023). Assessing ‘non-destructive’ DNA extraction method in small crustaceans kept in wet collections. Research Ideas and Outcomes, 9, e113299. DOI: https://doi.org/10.3897/rio.9.e113299Open Access

Klotz, W., Von Rintelen, T., Von Rintelen, K. (2024). Three New Species of the Freshwater Shrimp Genus Caridina from Australia [Preprint]. Preprints.org. DOI: https://doi.org/10.20944/preprints202401.0897.v1

Klotz, W., von Rintelen, T., Annawaty, A., Wowor, D., von Rintelen, K. (2023). Caridina clandestina, new species, an unusual new freshwater shrimp (Crustacea: Decapoda: Atyidae) from the remote high elevation Napu Valley of Sulawesi, Indonesia. Raffles Bulletin of Zoology, 71, 1225. DOI: https://doi.org/10.26107/RBZ-2023-0002Open Access

De Mazancourt, V., Freitag, H., Von Rintelen, K., Manuel-Santos, M., Von Rintelen, T. (2023). Updated Checklist of the Freshwater Shrimps (Decapoda: Caridea: Atyidae) of Mindoro Island, the Philippines, with a Description of a New Species of Caridina. Arthropoda, 1(4), 374-397. DOI: https://doi.org/10.3390/arthropoda1040015Open Access