Dr. Hubert Höfer, Dipl.-Biol.

temporary: Scientific direction, Head of Department of Biosciences

Phone: +49 721 175 2826
E-Mail:
hubert.hoefer[at]smnk.de

Hubert Höfer is the curator-in-charge of the non-insect invertebrates, namely Araneae, Oribatida and other Arachnida and the large sample collections from soil zoological studies.

He studied biology at the University of Ulm and wrote his Diploma thesis on the assemblages of spiders in spruce forests. He spent 15 months in 1987/88 for his Ph.D. in the Amazon and continued studying spider assemblages in Amazonian forests until 1996.

He started at the SMNK in 1990 as a trainee (Volontär) and began to enlarge the spider collection with voucher specimens from his own studies in Germany and Brazil and expeditions in South America. After project based employments at the universities Göttingen and Bonn he became head of the department zoology at SMNK in 2001.

From 1996 to 2003 he coordinated two projects in the Brazilian-German SHIFT programme - 'Studies on Human Impact on Forests and Floodplains of the Tropics', applying basic knowledge on soil animals to meliorate Amazonian land use systems.

From 2002 to 2009 he managed the Brazilian-German project SOLOBIOMA studying soil fauna and functions in secondary forests of the Atlantic Forest in southern Brazil.In 2007 he funded together with Brazilian colleagues the Competence Center for the Conservation of Biodiversity in the Atlantic Forest of Brazil InBioVeritas.

In Germany he sampled and studied spider assemblages in forests, subalpine meadows and sandy areas in various projects.

Research interests are

  • Taxonomy and ecology of neotropical hunting spiders (Ctenidae, Gnaphosidae, Pisauridae, Trechaleidae)
  • Diversity of spiders in neotropical forest ecosystems (Amazonas, Mata Atlântica)
  • Faunistics and ecology of Central European spiders
  • Ecology of animal communities, i.e.
    • classification of sites and assessment of their ecological quality (ecosystem functions and services) through (soil) arthropod communities and indicator taxa
    • function of soil macrofauna in decomposition processes
    • responses of soil fauna to (experimental) management of resources (nutrients, litter, vegetation structure) and predators in forests and agricultural systems
    • test of monitoring measures and methods
  • Development and management of sustainable land use systems
  • Biodiversity informatics, i.e. data management for collections and ecological data (information systems)

Other tasks at SMNK

  • Research and project group management and representation of the museum as research institute
  • Coordination of third-party funded projects
  • Editor and referee for the museum journals „Carolinea” and „Andrias”
  • Scientific advice and coordination of exposition projects
  • External communication on ecological research and arachnids

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Selected Publications

Bach A., Raub F., Höfer H., Ottermanns R. & Roß-Nickoll M. (2024):
ARAapp: Filling gaps in the ecological knowledge of spiders using an automated and dynamic approach to analyze systematically collected community data. Database DOI: 10.1093/database/baae004: 1-7  
Bauer T., Höfer H. & Schirmel J. (2024):
Dry grasslands in urban areas can harbour arthropod species of local conservation concern and should be prioritised for biodiversity-friendly mowing regimes. Insect Conservation and Diversity DOI: 10.1111/icad.12746: 1-15 Available from: https://doi.org/10.1111/ icad.12746
Bauer T., Höfer H., Schirmel J. (2024):
Data Paper Spider assemblages (Arachnida: Araneae) in urban grassland patches in Karlsruhe (Baden-Württemberg, Germany). Arachnologische Mitteilungen 68: 1
Höfer H & Raub F (2024):
Data Paper. Spider assemblages (Arachnida: Araneae) in burned and intact mountain heathlands in the Northern Black Forest. Arachnologische Mitteilungen 67: 53  
Klesser R., Blick T., Fritze M.A., Marten A., Hemauer M., Kastner L., Höfer H., Jäger G. & Husemann M. (2024):
Ice cage: new records and cryptic , isolated lineages in wingless snow flies ( Diptera , Limoniidae: Chionea spp.) in German lower mountain ranges. The Science of Nature 111: 1-16  
Bach A., Roß-Nickoll M., Holstein J., Ottermanns R., Raub F., Triebel D., Weiss M., Wendt I. & Höfer H. (2023):
Improved access to arachnological data for ecological research through the ARAMOB data repository, supported by Diversity Workbench and NFDI data pipelines. Arachnologische Mitteilungen 66: 79-85  
Perger R., Metzner H., Höfer H. & Rubio G. D. (2023):
A new species of the jumping spider Flurica Perger & Rubio, 2022 from Southwest Amazon forest (Araneae: Salticidae: Simonellini). Arachnology 19: 798-801  
Raub F., Bach A., Bauer T. & Höfer H. (2023):
Editorial. Data paper publication in Arachnologische Mitteilungen – Goals, review criteria, editorial procedures, format, data management and mobilization. Arachnologische Mitteilungen 66: iii-iv  
Rubio G. D., Perger R., Baigorria J. E., Metzner H. & Höfer H. (2023):
Description of three new species of the jumping spider Chira Peckham & Peckham, 1896 (Araneae: Salticidae) from Argentina, Bolivia, and Brazil, with a provisional identification key to the species of the genus. Arachnology 19: 873-880  
Verhaagh M. & Höfer H. (2023):
Prof. Dr. Ludwig Beck † 9. August 1935 bis 1. Dezember 2022. Carolinea 81, Karlsruhe: 125-141
Buse J., Hadulla K., Hartmann V., Höfer H., Ludewig H.-H. & Wagner T. (2021):
Arthropodenfauna der Blockhalden im und um den Nationalpark Hunsrück-Hochwald. In: Die Dynamik im Fokus - 5 Jahre Nationalpark Hunsrück-Hochwald - ein wissenschaftlicher Streifzug durch die Forschungslandschaft , Nationalparkamt Hunsrück-Hochwald: 149-156  
Toschki A., Burkhardt U., Haase H., Höfer H., Jänsch S., Oellers J., Römbke J., Roß-Nickoll M., Salamon J., Schmelz R. M., Scholz-Starke B., Russell D. (2021):
Die Edaphobase-Länderstudien. Synökologische Untersuchungen von Bodenorganismen in einem Biotop- und Standortgradienten in Deutschland 2014 – 2018. Peckiana 14: 1-367 (PDF über https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Hubert-Hoefer/research)
Bayer S., Höfer H. & Metzner, H. (2020):
Revision of the genus Corythalia C.L. Koch, 1850, part 1: Diagnosis and new species from South America (Araneae: Salticidae: Salticinae: Euophryini). Zootaxa 4806: 1-144
Buse J., Daume N., Eckerter T., Friesdorf C., Höfer H., Kastner L., Kaus-Thiel A., Ludewig H.-H., Popa F., Schlör A., Dreiser C. (2020):
New records of Leistus montanus STEPHENS, 1827 (Coleoptera: Carabidae) in Germany and a first insight into its habitat preference at local and landscape scale. Angewandte Carabidologie 13: 67-74  
Raub, F.; Stierhof, T.; Höfer, H.; Hampp C. (2020):
Von Karteikarten zu integrierten Informationssystemen: Digitales Datenmanagement am Staatlichen Museum für Naturkunde Karlsruhe. Museumskunde 84 (2019) Online-Erweiterung: 1-11  
Bauer T., Bayer S., Derschmidt, E. & Höfer H. (2019):
Description of the egg sac of Paratrachelas maculatus, with notes on its establishment in urban regions of Germany and Austria (Araneae: Trachelidae). Arachnologische Mitteilungen 57: 26-30  
Bauer T., Warzecha D., Höfer H. & Verhaagh M. (2019):
Stadt.Wiesen.Mensch - Natur und Biodiversität vor der eigenen Haustür. Natur im Museum 9: 101-104  
Harry I., Höfer H., Schielzeth H. & Assmann T. (2019):
Protected habitats of Natura 2000 do not coincide with important diversity hotspots of arthropods in mountain grasslands. Insect Conservation and Diversity 12: 329-338
Höfer H., Meyer F., Bauer T., Bayer S., Harry I. & Kastner L. (2019):
Überraschende Erstnachweise und neue Daten zu seltenen Spinnenarten (Arachnida: Araneae) aus Blockhalden in Baden-Württemberg. Arachnologische Mitteilungen 58: 62-84  
Bauer T., Raub F., Höfer H. (2018):
Notes on the behavior and the pendulous egg-sacs of Viridasius sp. (Araneae: Viridasiidae). Journal of Arachnology 46: 155-158  
Bertlich I., Enk A., Haenssle H.A., Höfer H., Haus G. (2018):
Clinical Letter: Extensive local reaction after bite of the Mediterranean spider Zoropsis spinimana. JDDG (Journal der Deutschen Dermatologischen Gesellschaft) 1610-0379: 1-3
Höfer H., Manegold A., Riedel A., Trusch R., Verhaagh M. (2018):
The zoological collections of the State Museum of Natural History Karlsruhe. Zoological Collections of Germany The Animal Kingdom in its Amazing Plenty at Museums and Universities (Ed. Beck L.A. ) , Heidelberg, Springer: 683-706
Kastner L.; Meyer F.; Gebhardt U.; Ahrens M.; Buse J.; Höfer H. (2018):
Die Blockhalden-Stachelwolfspinne Acantholycosa norvegica sudetica (L. Koch) (Araneae: Lycosidae) im Nordschwarzwald. Carolinea 76, Karlsruhe: 163-188  
Penell A., Raub F. & Höfer H. (2018):
Estimating biomass from body size of European spiders based on regression models. Journal of Arachnology 46(3): 413-419  
Bauer T., Höfer H. (2017):
Erstnachweis von Oxyopes lineatus in Deutschland und faunistisch-taxonomische Anmerkungen zu weiteren besonderen Arten aus Baden-Württemberg (Araneae: Lycosidae, Oxyopidae, Salticidae, Thomisidae, Trachelidae). Arachnologische Mitteilungen 53: 29-37  
Raub F., Höfer H., Scheuermann L. (2017):
Data Papers: Spider (Arachnida, Araneae) diversity in secondary and old-growth southern Atlantic forests of Paraná state, Brazil. Ecology 98: DOI: 10.1002/ecy.1854
Astrin J. J., Höfer H., Spelda J., Holstein J., Bayer S., Hendrich L., Huber B. A., Kielhorn K.-H., Krammer H.-J., Lemke M., Monje J. C., Morinière J., Rulik B., Petersen M., Janssen H., Muster C. (2016):
Towards a DNA barcode reference database for spiders and harvestmen of Germany. PLOS ONE 11: e0162624  
Hudson LN, Newbold T, Contu S, Hill SLL, Lysenko I, De Palma A, ... Höfer H, ... Purvis A (2016):
The database of the PREDICTS (Projecting Responses of Ecological Diversity In Changing Terrestrial Systems) project. Ecology and Evolution doi: 10.1002/ECE3.2579: 1-44
Höfer H., Astrin J., Holstein J., Spelda J., Meyer F. & Zarte N. (2015):
Propylene glycol – a useful capture preservative for spiders for DNA barcoding. Arachnologische Mitteilungen 50: 30-36  
Muster C., Astrin J., Höfer H., Holstein J. & Spelda J. (2015):
GBOL offers a comprehensive perspective on spider mitochondrial diversity in Germany. Programme and Abstracts 29th European Congress of Arachnology – Brno 2015 , Brno: 123  
Raub F., Höfer H., Scheuermann L., de Britez R.M. & Brandl R. (2015):
Conserving landscape structure – conclusions from partitioning of spider diversity in southern Atlantic forests of Brazil. Studies of Neotropical Fauna and Environment 50: 158-174
Römbke J.,Collado R., Höfer H., Ottermanns R., Raub F., Roß-Nickoll M. & Schmelz R. (2015):
Species diversity of Enchytraeidae (Oligochaeta) in pastures, regenerating secondary forests, and old-growth forests in the southern Mata Atlântica (Brazil). Soil Organisms 87(2): 101-120  
Burkhardt U., Russell D.J., Decker P., Döhler M., Höfer H., Lesch S., Rick S., Römbke J., Trog C., Vorwald J., Wurst E., Xylander W.E.R. (2014):
The Edaphobase project of GBIF-Germany—A new online soil-zoological data warehouse. Applied Soil Ecology 83: 3-12
Köhler C., Grobe P., Holstein J., Lange J., Roth-Nebelsick A.R., Traiser C., Höfer H., Raub F., Güntsch A., Dröge G., Kelbert P., Triebel D., Link A., Weiss M., Neubacher D., Weibulat T. (2014):
BiNHum: powerful access to Natural History Collections. Conference Paper TDWG 2014 Annual Conference, Jönköping, Schweden DOI: 10.13140/2.1.1824.7366: 1-35
Raub F., Höfer H., Scheuermann L., Brandl R. (2014):
The conservation value of secondary forests in the southern Brazilian Mata Atlântica from a spider perspective. Journal of Arachnology 42: 52-73  
Raub F., Scheuermann L., Höfer H., Brandl R. (2014):
No bottom-up effects of food addition on predators in a tropical forest. Basic and Applied Ecology 15: 59-65
Réveillion F., Maquart P.O. & Höfer H. (2014):
Nota Científica: First record of Heterophrynus elaphus (Pocock, 1903) (Amblypygi: Phrynidae) for Bolivia. Revista Ibérica de Aracnología 25: 102  
Holstein J., Lange J., Roth-Nebelsick A., Traiser C., Höfer H., Raub F., Riede, K., Grobe P., Röder M., Köhler C., Güntsch A., Dröge G., Kelbert P., Triebel D., Link A., Weiss M., Neubacher D., Weibulat T. (2013):
Biodiversity Network of the Humboldt-Ring (BiNHum): Access to high-quality object data, extension of established database systems and set-up of a joint data portal. Poster Abstract, TDWG-Meeting, Florence 2013 
Jänsch S., Steffens L., Höfer H., Horak F., Roß-Nickoll M., Russell D., Toschki A., Römbke J. (2013):
State of knowledge of earthworm communities in German soils as a basis for biological soil quality. Soil Organisms 85(3), Görlitz: 215-233  
Römbke J., Burkhardt U., Höfer H., Horak F., Jänsch S., Roß-Nickoll M., Russell D., Schmitt H. & Toschki A. (2013):
Die Biodiversität als Instrument zur Beurteilung des Bodenzustands: Theoretischer Hintergrund, konzeptionelle Überlegungen und Empfehlungen. Bachmann G., König W. und Utermann J. Bodenschutz - Ergänzbares Handbuch der Maßnahmen und Empfehlungen für Schutz, Pflege und Sanierung von Böden, Landschaft und Grundwasser 1290, Berlin, Erich Schmidt Verlag: 1-76
Römbke J., Burkhardt U., Höfer H., Jänsch S., Roß-Nickoll M., Russell D., Schmitt H., Toschki A. (2013):
Die Beurteilung der Boden-Biodiversität: Ergebnisse eines UBA-Vorhabens. Bodenschutz 3: 100-105  
Römbke J., Jänsch S., Höfer H., Horak F., Roß-Nickoll M., Russell D., Toschki A. (2013):
State of knowledge of enchytraeid communities in German soils as a basis for biological soil quality assessment. Soil Organims 85(2), Görlitz: 123-146  
Dickow KMC., Marques R., Pinto CB., Höfer H. (2012):
Produção de serapilheira em diferentes fases sucessionais de uma floresta subtropical secundária, em Antonina, PR. Cerne 18: 75-86  
Förschler M., Bense U., Berthold P., Dietz C., Doczkal D., Dorka U., Ebel C., Hessner W., Höfer H., Hölzer A., Köppel C., Kolb A., Laufer H., Lieser M., Marx J., Meineke J-U., Münch W., Murmann-Kristen L., Rennwald E., Römpp I., Roth K., Schanowski A.et a (2012):
Ökologisches Potenzial eines möglichen Nationalparks im Nordschwarzwald. Chancen in Prozessschutz-, Entwicklungs- und Managementzonen aus naturschutzfachlicher Sicht. Naturschutz und Landschaftsplanung 44, Stuttgart, Eugen Ulmer: 273-281  
Hemm V., Höfer H. (2012):
Effects of grazing and habitat structure on the epigeic spider fauna in an open xerothermic area in southern Germany. Bulletin of the British Arachnological Society 15: 260-268  
Hemm V., Meyer F., Höfer H. (2012):
Die epigäische Spinnenfauna (Arachnida, Araneae) in Sandrasen, Borstgrasrasen und Ruderalfluren im Naturschutzgebiet „Alter Flugplatz Karlsruhe". Arachnologische Mitteilungen 44: 20-40  
Moser T., Förster B., Frankenbach S., Marques R., Römbke J., Schmidt P., Höfer H. (2012):
Nematode assemblages of banana (Musa acuminata) monocultures and banana plantations with Juçara palms (Euterpe edulis) in the southern Mata Atlântica, Brazil. Nematology 14: 371-384  
Raub F., Stierhof T., Höfer H. (2012):
Vom Karteikasten zu modernen Informationssystemen - die Entwicklung der zoologischen Datenbanken am Staatlichen Museum für Naturkunde Karlsruhe. Carolinea 70, Karlsruhe: 91-101  
Römbke J., Jänsch S., Roß-Nickoll M., Toschki A., Höfer H., Horak F., Russell D., Burkhardt, U., Schmitt H. (2012):
Anhang zu: Erfassung und Analyse des Bodenzustands im Hinblick auf die Umsetzung und Weiterentwicklung der Nationalen Biodiversitätsstrategie. UBA Texte 34/2012, Dessau-Roßlau: 1-165  
Römbke J., Jänsch S., Roß-Nickoll M., Toschki A., Höfer H., Horak F., Russell D., Burkhardt, U., Schmitt H. (2012):
Erfassung und Analyse des Bodenzustands im Hinblick auf die Umsetzung und Weiterentwicklung der Nationalen Biodiversitätsstrategie. UBA Texte 33/2012, Dessau-Roßlau: 1-386  
Roß-Nickoll M., Burkhardt U., Glante F., Höfer H., Horak F., Jänsch S., Russell D., Schmitt H., Toschki A., Römbke J. (2012):
Evaluation of soil biodiversity in Germany - Compilation and analysis of soil status with regard to the implementation and advancement of the national strategy on biological diversity. 6th SETAC World Congress 2012 : 1-2
Harry I., Drees C., Höfer H., Assmann T. (2011):
When to sample in an inaccessible landscape: a case study with carabids from the Allgäu (northern Alps) (Coleoptera, Carabidae). ZooKeys 100: 1255-271  
Höfer H., Bihn JH., Borges C., Britez RMd., Brandl R., Fabry R., Jetzkowitz J., Kahle HP., Marques R., Ottermanns R., Paulsch D., Römbke J., Roß-Nickoll M., Verhaagh M. (2011):
InBioVeritas – Valuating nature in the southern Mata Atlântica of Brazil. Procedia Environmental Sciences 9: 64-71  
Schade M., Höfer H., Wolf R. (2011):
Funde der Kleinäugigen Wühlmaus (Microtus subterraneus De Sélys-Longchamps) und der Erdmaus (M. agrestis L.) aus subalpinen Lebensräumen im Naturschutzgebiet Allgäuer Hochalpen. Säugetierkundliche Informationen 43: 222-223
Harry I., Höfer H. (2010):
Die Laufkäfer (Coleoptera: Carabidae) der Alpe Einödsberg und ausgewählter Vergleichsstandorte im Naturschutzgebiet Allgäuer Hochalpen. Andrias 18: 79-96  
Höfer H., Blick T., Muster C., Paulsch D. (2010):
Artenvielfalt und Diversität der Spinnen (Araneae) auf einem beweideten Allgäuer Grasberg (Alpe Einödsberg) und unbeweideten Vergleichsstandorten im Naturschutzgebiet Allgäuer Hochalpen. Andrias 18: 53-78  
Höfer H., Hanak A., Urban R., Harry I. (2010):
Biodiversität in der Kulturlandschaft. Das Projekt Einödsberg - Begleituntersuchungen zur geänderten Weidenutzung auf einer Allgäuer Alpe. Andrias 18: 9-28  
Höfer H., Verhaagh M. (2010):
Biodiversität in der Kulturlandschaft - Beiträge des Karlsruher Naturkundemuseums zum Internationalen Jahr der biologischen Vielfalt 2010. Andrias 18: 5-8  
Schade M., Wolf R., Höfer H. (2010):
Food-ecology of Eurasian Pygmy Shrews (Sorex minutus L.) in subalpine habitats. Mammalian Biology 75: 22-23
Stierhof T.; Kirchhauser J.; Höfer H. (2010):
Klima und Lebensräume. Karlsruher Naturhefte 3 , Karlsruhe, SMNK: 1-120
Vieira R.S., Höfer H. (2010):
Os pequenos mundos que formam a grande floresta: relações inter-específicas de formigas-de-correição. In: Entomologia na Amazônia : 83
Bonaldo AB., Brescovit AD., Höfer H., Gasnier TR., Lise AA. (2009):
A araneofauna (Arachnida, Araneae) da Reserva Florestal Ducke, Manaus, Amazonas, Brasil. In: A fauna de Artrópodes da Reserva Florestal Ducke, Editora INPA, Manaus : 201-222  
Gasnier T.R., Höfer H., Torres-Sanchez M.P., Azevedo C.S. (2009):
História natural de algumas espécies de aranhas das famílias Ctenidae, Pisauridae, e Lycosidae na Reserva Ducke: bases para um modelo integrado de coexistência. In: A fauna de Artrópodes da Reserva Florestal Ducke, Editora INPA, Manaus : 223-229  
Höfer H., Ott R. (2009):
Estimating biomass of Neotropical spiders and other arachnids (Araneae, Opiliones, Pseudoscorpiones, Ricinulei) by mass-length regressions. Journal of Arachnology 37: 160-169  
Römbke J., Schmidt P., Höfer H. (2009):
The earthworm fauna of regenerating forests and anthropogenic habitats in the coastal region of Paraná. PAB (Pesquisa Agropecuária Brasileira) 44: 1040-1049  
Verhaagh M., Trusch R., Höfer H. (2009):
Langfristige Strategien zur musealen Biodiversitätsforschung in Deutschland und in den Tropen. ZfB-Scriptum 2: 50-62
Höfer H., Harry I., Hanak A., Urban R., Kraft B. (2008):
Die Einödsberg-Alpe - Ein 'Brennpunkt' der Artenvielfalt. Natur und Museum 138: 224-231
Höfer H., Urban R., Kraft B. (2008):
Allgäuer Blumenberge. Biodiversität und nachhaltige Alpwirtschaft - Das LBV-Beweidungsprojekt Einödsberg. Vogelschutz : 17
Muster C., Blick T., Höfer H. (2008):
Chthonius (Ephippiochthonius) poeninus - ein 'Schweizer Endemit' in den Allgäuer Alpen (Pseudoscorpiones: Chthoniidae). Arachnologische Mitteilungen 36: 21-25  
Schmidt P., Dickow K., Rocha AA., Marques R., Scheuermann L., Römbke J., Förster B., Höfer H. (2008):
Soil macrofauna and decomposition rates in southern Brazilian Atlantic rainforests. Ecotropica 14: 89-100  
Höfer H. (2007):
In memoriam Prof. Dr. Joachim Adis, 1950 - 2007 (Nachruf). Arachnologische Mitteilungen 34: 43-46  
Höfer H., Blick T., Muster C. (2007):
Managing or abandoning alpine grasslands? First results of a spider survey. 17th International Congress of Arachnology, Sao Paulo 2007 : 168
Höfer H., Verhaagh M., Fabry R. (2007):
SOLOBIOMA - Bodenbiota und Biogeochemie in Küstenregenwäldern Südbrasiliens. Ein deutsch-brasilianisches Forschungsprojekt vor dem Hintergrund des Übereinkommens über die biologische Vielfalt. Zeitschrift für Umweltchemie und Ökotoxikologie 19: 128-131  
Rocha AA., Schmidt P., Dickow KMC., Marques R., Höfer H. (2007):
Decomposição foliar de Tibouchina pulchra Cogn. em tipologias da Floresta Ombrófila Densa no Paraná. XXXI Congresso Brasileiro de Ciência do Solo, Gramado, Brasilien : 1-4
Brown GG., Römbke J., Höfer H., Verhaagh M., Sautter KD., Santana DLQ. (2006):
Biodiversity and function of soil animals in Brazilian agroforestry systems. In: Sistemas Agroflorestais: Bases cientícias para o desenvolvimento sustentado, Campos dos Goytacazes, Brasilien : 217-242  
Martius C., Garcia MVB., Amelung W.;Höfer H., Verhaagh M. (2006):
Soil fauna management in Amazonia: Making use of ecological services in agroecosystems. 18 World Congress of Soil Science: Symposium: Amazonian Dark Earth Soils (Terra Preta and Terra Preta Nova): A Tribute to Wim Sombroek, WCSS, Phildadelphia : 1
Römbke J., Höfer H., Garcia MVB., Martius C. (2006):
Feeding activities of soil organisms at four different forest sites in Central Amazonia using the bait lamina method. Journal of Tropical Ecology 22: 313-320  
Hanagarth W., Höfer H., Martius C., Garica M.V.B., Römbke J. (2004):
Soil fauna densities and fluctuations in central Amazonian forests and polycultures as affected by the El Niño and La Niña events in the years 1997 - 1999. Environtropica 1: 1-18
Kurzatkowski D., Martius C., Höfer H., Garcia MVB, Förster B., Beck L., Vlek PLG (2004):
Litter decomposition, microbial biomass and activity of soil organisms in three agroforestry sites in central Amazonia. Nutrient Cycling in Agroecosystems 69: 257-267
Martius C., Höfer H., Garcia MVB., Römbke J., Förster B., Hanagarth W. (2004):
Microclimate in agroforestry systems in central Amazonia: does canopy closure matter to soil organisms?. Agroforestry System 60: 291-304
Martius C., Höfer H., Garcia MVB., Römbke J., Hanagarth W. (2004):
Litter fall, litter stocks and decomposition rates in rain forest and agroforestry sites in central Amazonia. Nutrient Cycling in Agroecosystems 68: 137-154
Ott R., Höfer H. (2003):
Envia garciai, a new genus and species of mygalomorph spiders (Araneae, Microstigmatidae) from Brazilian Amazonia. Iheringia 93: 373-379
Gasnier T.R., Azevedo C.S., Torres-Sanchez M.P., Höfer H. (2002):
Adult size of eight hunting spider species in central Amazonia: temporal variations and sexual dimorphisms. Journal of Arachnology 30: 146-154  
Gasnier T.R., Höfer H. (2001):
Patterns of abundance of four species of wandering spiders (Ctenidae, Ctenus) in a forest in Central Amazonia. Journal of Arachnology 29: 95-103  
Höfer H., Brescovit AD. (2001):
Species and guild structure of a Neotropical spider assemblage (Araneae; Reserva Ducke, Amazonas, Brazil). Andrias 15: 99-120  
Höfer H., Hanagarth W., Garcia MVB., Martius C., Franklin EN., Römbke J., Beck L. (2001):
Structure and function of soil fauna communities in Amazonian anthropogenic and natural ecosystems. European Journal of Soil Biology 37: 229-235
Martius C., Römbke J., Verhaagh M., Höfer H., Beck L. (2001):
Termiten, Regenwürmer und Ameisen - prägende Elemente der Bodenfauna tropischer Regenwälder. Andrias 15: 15-28  
Höfer H., Brescovit AD. (2000):
A revision of the Neotropical spider genus Ancylometes Bertkau (Araneae: Pisauridae). Insect Systematics & Evolution 31: 323-360
Brescovit A.D., Höfer H. (1999):
Four new species of litter inhabiting Scytodes spiders (Araneae, Scytodidae) from Amazonia. Studies on Neotropical Fauna and Environment 34: 105-113  
Römbke J., Höfer H., Martius C., Förster B., Franklin E.N., Garcia M.V.B., Beck L. (1999):
Die Rolle der Bodenfauna beim Streuabbau in Primär - und Sekundärwäldern und einer Polykulturplantage in Amazonien (SHIFT Projekt ENV 52): Methodische Überlegungen. Ökotoxikologie - Ökosystemare Ansätze und Methoden (Oehlmann J., Markert B. Hrsg.) , Landsberg, Ecomed: 268-275
Beck L., Gasparotto L., Förster B., Franklin EN., Garica MVB., Harada A., Höfer H., Luizao FJ., Luizao RCC., Martius C., De Morais JW., Römbke J. (1998):
The role of soil fauna in litter decomposition in primary forests, secondary forests and a polyculture plantation in Amazonia: methodological considerations. Liebrei,R., Voss,K., Bianchi,H. (Hrsg.): Proceedings of the 3rd SHIFT-Workshop Manaus , Bonn, BMBF: 471-481
Beck L., Höfer H., Martius C., Garica MVB., Franklin EN., Römbke J. (1998):
Soil fauna and litter decomposition in primary and secondary forests and a polyculture system in Amazonia - study design and methodology. Lieberei,R., Voss,K., Bianchi,H. (Hrsg.): Proceedings of the 3rd SHIFT-Workshop Manaus , Bonn, BMBF: 463-469
Vieira R.S., Höfer H. (1998):
Efeito do forrageamento de Eciton burchelli (Hymenoptera, Formicidae) sobre a araneofauna de liteira em uma floresta tropical de Terra Firme na Amazônia central. Acta Amazonica 28: 345-351
Beck L., Höfer H., Martius C., Römbke J., Verhaagh M. (1997):
Bodenbiologie tropischer Regenwälder. Geographische Rundschau 49: 24-31
Höfer H. (1997):
The spider communities. The central Amazonian river floodplains. Ecology of a pulsing system , Berlin, Springer: 373-383
Höfer H., Brescovit A.D. (1997):
On Ctenus maculisternis Strand (Araneae, Ctenidae). Mitteilungen aus dem Zoologischen Museum in Berlin 73: 89-93
Höfer H., Beck L. (1996):
Die Spinnentierfauna des Regenwaldreservats 'Reserva Ducke' in Zentralamazonien II. Natur und Museum 126: 69-85
Höfer H., Brescovit A.D. (1996):
On the Genus Xyccarph in central Amazonia (Araneae, Oonopidae). Bulletin of the British Arachnological Society 10: 149-155
Höfer H., Martius C., Beck L. (1996):
Decomposition in an Amazonian rain forest after experimental litter addition in small plots. Pedobiologia 40: 570-576
Höfer H., Wollscheid E., Gasnier T. (1996):
The relative abundance of Brotheas amazonicus (Chactidae, Scorpiones) in different habitat types of Central Amazon Rainforest. Journal of Arachnology 24: 34-38
Gasnier T., Höfer H., Brescovit A.D. (1995):
Factors affecting the "activity density" of spiders on tree trunks in an Amazonian rainforest. Ecotropica 1: 69-77
Höfer H., Beck L. (1995):
Die Spinnentierfauna des Regenwaldreservats 'Reserva Ducke' in Zentralamazonien I. Natur und Museum 125: 389-401
Brand C., Höfer H., Beck L. (1994):
Zur Biologie eines Buchenwaldbodens 16. Die Spinnenassoziation einer Windbruchfläche. Carolinea 52: 61-74
Brescovit A.D., Höfer H. (1994):
Amazoromus, a new genus of the spider family Gnaphosidae (Araneae) from central Amazonia, Brazil. Andrias 13: 65-70
Brescovit A.D., Höfer H. (1994):
Heidrunea, a new genus of the spider subfamily Rhoicininae (Araneae, Trechaleidae) from central Amazonia, Brazil. Andrias 13: 71-80
Höfer H., Brescovit A.D. (1994):
Ergebnisse der Bolivien-Expedition des Staatlichen Museums für Naturkunde Karlsruhe: Spinnen (Araneae). Andrias 13: 99-112
Höfer H., Brescovit A.D. (1994):
On the Spider Genus Rhoicinus (Araneae, Trechaleidae) in a central Amazonian Inundation forest. Journal of Arachnology 22: 54-59
Höfer H., Brescovit A.D., Adis J., Paarmann W. (1994):
The spider fauna of Neotropical tree canopies in Central Amazonia: First results. Studies on Neotropical Fauna and Environment 29: 23-32
Höfer H., Brescovit A.D., Gasnier T.R. (1994):
The wandering spiders of the genus Ctenus (Ctenidae, Araneae) of Reserva Ducke, a rainforest reserve in central Amazonia. Andrias 13: 81-98
Vieira R.S., Höfer H. (1994):
Prey spectrum of two army ant species in central Amazonia, with special attention on their effect on spider populations. Andrias 13: 189-198
Brescovit A.D., Höfer H. (1993):
Aranhas dos gêneros Lygromma e Eilica, da Amazônia central, Brasil (Araneae, Gnaphosoidea). Iheringia Sér. Zool. 74: 103-108
Höfer H. (1990):
The spider community (Araneae) of a Central Amazonian blackwater inundation forest (igapó). Acta Zoologica Fennica 190: 173-179
Platnick N.I., Höfer H. (1990):
Systematics and ecology of ground spiders (Araneae, Gnaphosidae) from Central Amazonian inundation forests. American Museum Novitates 2971: 1-17