Evolution and the Web of Life

Evolutionary processes have driven the diversity of life over different time scales: from a few generations to billions of years. This research theme investigates the evolutionary processes that have shaped biodiversity at various levels, from genes and genomes, over species to ecosystems, in the present and in the past.

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More about evolution

Permanent exhibition

Gallery of evolution

Follow the adventures of Life on Earth, from the very first primitive life forms to Man, including giant fish with formidable jaws, impressive predatory birds, legged whales... and even a little foray into the future.

Entomology Collections

Discover our largest collection: that of insects, spiders, mites and centipedes. They have been collected since the 19th century, both in Belgium and far beyond. The entomological collections bring to the fore a largely hidden but crucial animal group.

23/12/2021

Supergene turns spider into a ‘macho male’

Biologists from the Institute of Natural Sciences found in a spider species that 'macho males' have an extra set of genes that is lacking in feminized males.