DOHRN, ANTON. - Zoologist, b. at Stettino on 19 Dec. 1840, d. at Monaco di Baviera on 26 Sept. 1909. He attended the Universities of Bonn, Jena, Berlino, and Breslavia, where he graduated in natural sciences. He became friends with Gegenbaur and Haeckel, who encouraged him in scientific research.
He subsequently distanced himself from these scholars after reading the works of Darwin. He carried out important studies in the embryology of fishes, on the development of crustaceans and other marine animals. In 1870 he founded the Zoological Station of Napoli, which was, and still is, a major centre of biological research. His studies on the metamorphosis of the head are fundamental. His principal writings: Untersuchungen über Bau und Entwicklung der Arthropoden (1870); Der Ursprung der Wirbelthiere (1875); Studien zur Urgeschichte der Wirbelthiere (1882).