Alfred Nehring

Alfred Nehring (29 January 1845 in Gandersheim – 29 September 1904 in Berlin-Charlottenburg) was a German zoologist and paleontologist. He was a founding professor of zoology at the Royal agricultural university in Berlin.

Nehring was born in Gandersheim and was educated at Helmstedt and then in Braunschweig, passing his exams in 1863. He then joined the University of Göttingen and then received a doctorate from Halle in 1867. He passed the teachers exam and joined the Royal Gymnasium in Wesel (1867) , later moving to Wolfenbüttel (1871). His paleontology work attracted interest from Rudolf Virchow, and in 1881 he became a professor of zoology at the newly founded Royal Agricultural University / Landwirtschaftliche Hochschule in Berlin. He worked there until his death. His main interests were in the Pleistocene fossils from Thiede, Immendorf, Groß- and Klein-Vahlberg, Schöppenstedt, Hornburg and Osterode, Neinstedt, Suderode, Gernrode, Quedlinburg and Westeregeln. He also investigated the deposits in Köchingen and Vollstedt.^[1]

Nehring was a member of the Leopoldina Academy and in 1895 he received an Order of the Red Eagle, IVth Class.

Nehring's scientific investigations involved modern and prehistoric vertebrates, being particularly interested in the history and morphology of domesticated animals (horses, dogs, etc.).^[2][3] In his studies of the guinea pig,^[4] he asserted Cavia cutleri to be the direct ancestor of the domesticated guinea pig.^[5][6]