TY - THES A1 - Grauf, Coronula T1 - Brutaktivität und Verhalten der Kiwis (Apteryx mantelli) im Zoo Berlin T1 - Breeding activity and behaviour of kiwis (Apteryx mantelli) at Berlin Zoo N2 - Der Streifenkiwi (Apteryx mantelli) kommt im Freiland nur auf der Nordinsel Neuseelands vor. Aufgrund des gefährdeten Bestands ist eine sich selbst erhaltene Zoopopulation wichtig. Kenntnisse des Verhaltens helfen, die Ansprüche der Tiere zu verstehen. Zudem können sie darüber Auskunft geben, inwiefern das Wohlbefinden eines Tieres gegeben ist. Durch die Untersuchung der Brutaktivität sollte ein Überblick über den allgemeinen Verlauf der Brut gegeben und Aktivitätsmuster für den Berliner Hahn erarbeitet werden, um den Verlauf zukünftiger Bruten einschätzen und eventuell positiv beeinflussen zu können. Dazu kamen die Untersuchung der täglichen Aktivität einer Henne sowie Beobachtungen des Verhaltens der Tiere. Diese dienten der Bestandsaufnahme der gezeigten Verhaltensweisen und sollten zusammen mit der Aktivität die Grundlage zur Einschätzung bilden, ob die Ansprüche der Kiwis im Zoo Berlin erfüllt werden, und Hinweise zur Verbesserung der Haltung geben. Die Brutaktivität des Hahnes konnte über drei Brutperioden hinweg detailliert dargestellt werden und zeigte, dass nicht nur innerhalb der Art sondern bei einem einzigen Tier unter ähnlichen Bedingungen die Variabilität so groß sein kann, dass sie für Vorhersagen über den Erfolg einer Brut nicht geeignet ist. Im Zusammenhang mit der Aktivität der Henne ließen sich keine Auffälligkeiten erkennen, die auf eine allgemeine Störung der Tiere schließen lassen oder für eine Beeinträchtigung der Brut verantwortlich gemacht werden könnten. Soweit aus den Beobachtungen im Freiland geschlossen werden kann, scheinen die Kiwis im Zoo ein weitgehend natürliches Verhalten zu zeigen. Die Haltungsbedingungen scheinen den Ansprüchen der Tiere zu entsprechen. Es ließen sich nur bedingt Strategien entwickeln, um die Bedingungen für die Brut und damit für die Nachzucht zu verbessern, da sich die Aktivität des Hahnes während der Brut von Jahr zu Jahr als unerwartet variabel erwies. Für ein weiteres Verständnis des Brutverhaltens und eine mögliche Verbesserung der Bedingungen wäre eine Untersuchung zum Einfluss verschiedener Umweltfaktoren auf die Brutaktivität des Hahnes wünschenswert. N2 - The North Island brown kiwi (Apteryx mantelli) is an endemic inhabitant of New Zealand's North Island. A self-preserving population at the zoos is important because of endangerment in the wild. Knowledge about their behaviour can help to understand the animal's requirements. Additionally it can provide information on the extent to which their well-being is given in captivity. Observing the breeding activity should lead to an overview of the brood's characteristics and the male's activity pattern in order to assess future broods and possibly influence them in a positive way. Additional observations about the female's daily activity and the male's and female's behaviour were conducted. This led to an inventory of their behavioural patterns. Together with the activity data, this provided a basis for assessing the well-being of the kiwis at Berlin Zoo and to optimize the keeping conditions. The male's breeding activity was described in detail for three breeding periods. It was shown that the variability was very high under similar conditions, so predictions about the breeding success were feasible. In conjunction with the female's activity there were no indications implying an overall disturbance negatively influencing the animals or their breeding. As far as it is known from observations in the wild, kiwis at the zoo seem to widely display natural behavioural patterns. The keeping conditions appear to meet the animal's demands. There were only few strategies that could be developed for further optimization of the breeding conditions because of the high variability of the male's activity. For a deeper understanding of the breeding behaviour and possible improvement of the breeding and keeping conditions, additional research about the activity's dependency on environmental factors would be desirable. KW - Apteryx KW - Zoo KW - Aktivität KW - Brut KW - Verhalten KW - Apteryx KW - Zoo KW - Activity KW - Breeding KW - Behaviour Y1 - 2009 U6 - http://nbn-resolving.de/urn/resolver.pl?urn:nbn:de:kobv:517-opus-43709 ER - TY - THES A1 - Itonaga, Naomi T1 - White storks (Ciconia ciconia) of Eastern Germany: age-dependent breeding ability, and age- and density-dependent effects on dispersal behavior T1 - Der Weißstorch (Ciconia ciconia) aus dem östlichen Deutschland: altersabhängiges Reproduktionsvermögen und alters- und bestandsdichteabhängiges Ausbreitungsverhalten N2 - Dispersal behavior plays an important role for the geographical distribution and population structure of any given species. Individual’s fitness, reproductive and competitive ability, and dispersal behavior can be determined by the age of the individual. Age-dependent as well as density-dependent dispersal patterns are common in many bird species. In this thesis, I first present age-dependent breeding ability and natal site fidelity in white storks (Ciconia ciconia); migratory birds breeding in large parts of Europe. I predicted that both the proportion of breeding birds and natal site fidelity increase with the age. After the seventies of the last century, following a steep population decline, a recovery of the white stork population has been observed in many regions in Europe. Increasing population density in the white stork population in Eastern Germany especially after 1983 allowed examining density- as well as age-dependent breeding dispersal patterns. Therefore second, I present whether: young birds show more often and longer breeding dispersal than old birds, and frequency of dispersal events increase with the population density increase, especially in the young storks. Third, I present age- and density-dependent dispersal direction preferences in the give population. I asked whether and how the major spring migration direction interacts with dispersal directions of white storks: in different age, and under different population densities. The proportion of breeding individuals increased in the first 22 years of life and then decreased suggesting, the senescent decay in aging storks. Young storks were more faithful to their natal sites than old storks probably due to their innate migratory direction and distance. Young storks dispersed more frequently than old storks in general, but not for longer distance. Proportion of dispersing individuals increased significantly with increasing population densities indicating, density- dependent dispersal behavior in white storks. Moreover, the finding of a significant interaction effects between the age of dispersing birds and year (1980–2006) suggesting, older birds dispersed more from their previous nest sites over time due to increased competition. Both young and old storks dispersed along their spring migration direction; however, directional preferences were different in young storks and old storks. Young storks tended to settle down before reaching their previous nest sites (leading to the south-eastward dispersal) while old birds tended to keep migrating along the migration direction after reaching their previous nest sites (leading to the north-westward dispersal). Cues triggering dispersal events may be age-dependent. Changes in the dispersal direction over time were observed. Dispersal direction became obscured during the second half of the observation period (1993–2006). Increase in competition may affect dispersal behavior in storks. I discuss the potential role of: age for the observed age-dependent dispersal behavior, and competition for the density dependent dispersal behavior. This Ph.D. thesis contributes significantly to the understanding of population structure and geographical distribution of white storks. Moreover, presented age- and density (competition)-dependent dispersal behavior helps understanding underpinning mechanisms of dispersal behavior in bird species. N2 - Das Verständnis der Mechanismen, die dem Ausbreitungsverhalten und der Wahl des Neststandorts zugrunde liegen, gibt wichtige Einsichten in Strukturen und Dynamiken von Tierpopulationen. Der Gesundheitszustand, die Produktivität und Konkurrenzfähigkeit sowie das Ausbreitungsverhalten eines Individuums können über das Alter ermittelt werden. Alters- und dichteabhängige Veränderungen in Verbreitungsmustern kommen bei vielen Vogelarten vor. In der vorliegenden Studie untersuchten wir zunächst den Effekt des Alters auf die Reproduktivität, auf die Wahl des Neststandorts sowie auf die Geburtsorttreue des Weißstorchs (Ciconia ciconia). Wir fragten, ob sowohl der Anteil der brütenden Individuen als auch die Geburtsorttreue mit dem Alter zunimmt. Weißstörche sind Zugvögel, die während der Migration zumeist segelnd die Thermik nutzen und in weiten Teilen Europas brüten. Nach einem starken Bestandsrückgang konnte in vielen Regionen Europas ab den 1970er Jahren wieder ein positiver Trend in der Populationsentwicklung beobachtet werden. Die zunehmende Populationsdichte, besonders nach 1983 in der ostziehenden Subpopulation in den fünf Bundesländern der ehemaligen DDR, erlaubte die Analyse von dichte- und altersabhängigen Präferenzen in der Richtung der Brutstandorte sowie in der Verbreitungsfrequenz und -distanz. Wir untersuchten zudem die Alters- und Dichteabhängigkeit der Ausbreitungsrichtung einer Teilpopulation. Wir fragten, ob und wie die Hauptzugrichtung im Frühjahr mit der Verbreitungsrichtung interagiert: Beeinflussen Alter und Populationsdichte die Ausbreitungsrichtung? Der Anteil der brütenden Individuen, die älter als 22 Jahre sind, nahm innerhalb der beobachteten Teilpopulation ab, vermutlich aufgrund einer altersbedingten Abnahme des Gesundheitszustands. Junge Vögel zeigten eine starke Geburtsorttreue, was auf eine genetische Komponente in den Zugmustern junger Störche hinweist. Generell trat bei jungen Störchen häufiger Ausbreitungsverhalten auf als bei älteren Störchen. Eine signifikante Zunahme der Ausbreitungsdistanz von Individuen über die Zeit lässt auf eine dichteabhängige Komponente im Ausbreitungsverhalten der Weißstörche schließen. Weiterhin wurde eine signifikante Interaktion zwischen dem Alter sich ausbreitender Individuen und dem betrachteten Jahr gefunden. Demzufolge breiteten sich alte Vögel über die Zeit über größere Distanzen aus, vermutlich um der ansteigenden Konkurrenz, bedingt durch den wachsenden Bestandsdruck, zu entgehen. KW - Weißstorch KW - Altersabhängigkeit KW - Dichteabhängigkeit KW - Ausbreitungsverhalten KW - Reproduktivität KW - White stork KW - age-dependent KW - density-dependent KW - dispersal behavior KW - breeding ability Y1 - 2009 U6 - http://nbn-resolving.de/urn/resolver.pl?urn:nbn:de:kobv:517-opus-39052 ER - TY - THES A1 - Voss, Insa T1 - Die Bedeutung der Paarbindung für das Fortpflanzungspotential von Papageienvögeln (Psittaciformes) : vergleichende Untersuchung zu Hormonstatus und Verhalten T1 - The relevance of pair bonding for reproductive potential in parrots (Psittaciformes) : comparative study on hormonal state and behaviour N2 - Zum Erhalt vom Aussterben bedrohter Papageienvögel (Psittaciformes) ist die Nachzucht in Menschenobhut neben dem Erhalt freilebender Populationen von großer Bedeutung, die Reproduktion bestimmter Arten gelingt allerdings nur unzureichend. Als Hauptgrund dafür gilt die Zwangsverpaarung im Rahmen von Zuchtprogrammen (Beispiel: Europäisches Erhaltungszuchtprogramm, EEP), hier werden Brutpaare hauptsächlich nach genetischen Aspekten zusammengestellt. Der reproduktive Erfolg ist bei den meisten Papageienarten, die in dauerhaften Paarbindungen leben (perennial monogamy), eng der Paarbindung korreliert. Eine freie Partnerwahl ist demnach von großer Bedeutung für die Zucht in Menschenobhut, im Rahmen von Erhaltungszuchtprogrammen jedoch nur selten möglich. Das Ziel der Untersuchung war, eine wissenschaftlich begründete Methode zu entwickeln, durch die es möglich sein soll, das Fortpflanzungspotential von Brutpaaren der Gattung Ara anhand der Paarbindung zu bestimmen. Dafür wurde die Bedeutung der Qualität der Paarbindung der Brutpaare für den Lebens-Reproduktionserfolg (Lifetime-reproductive success, LRS) untersucht. Die Datenaufnahme erfolgte in dem Zuchtzentrum 'La Vera' der Loro Parque Fundación auf Teneriffa/ Spanien. Hier wurden in den Jahren 2006 und 2007 21 Brutpaare der Gattung Ara untersucht. Die Paarbindung wurde zum Einen durch typisches Paarbindungsverhalten und zum Anderen durch die physiologische Abstimmung der einzelnen Brutpaare anhand der Ausschüttung des Steroidhormons Testosteron dargestellt. Das Paarbindungsverhalten setzte sich aus der ‚Abstimmung der Tagesaktivität’, dem ‚Kontaktverhalten’ und den ‚sozialen Interaktionen’ zusammen. Zur Abstimmung der Tagesaktivität zählten die Verhaltensweisen Ruhen, Sitzen, Nahrungsaufnahme, Gefiederpflege, Beschäftigung und Lokomotion. Unter Kontaktverhalten wurden das Überschreiten der Individualdistanz bei bestimmten Verhaltensweisen und die Rollenverteilung der Geschlechter untersucht. Unter ‚sozialen Interaktionen’ wurden die Dauer und der Häufigkeit der sozialen Gefiederpflege und der Sozialen Index zusammengefasst. Bei der sozialen Gefiederpflege wurde die Dauer und die Häufigkeit der Phasen erhoben, sowie der jeweilige Initiator dieser Interaktion. Zusätzlich wurde untersucht, welches Geschlecht, wie häufig und mit welcher Dauer aktiv an der sozialen Gefiederpflege beteiligt war. Aus den Beobachtungen wurde der soziale Index berechnet, der angibt, wie das Verhältnis sozio-positiver zu agonistischen Interaktionen für jedes Individuum, sowie das Paar an sich ist. Zur Messung der Testosteron-Ausschüttung der Partnertiere wurden von September bis November 2007 über einen Zeitraum von 9 Wochen jede Woche einmal für jedes Individuum Kotproben gesammelt. Mit der Analyse der Proben wurde das Veterinär-Physiologisch-Chemische-Institut der Universität Leipzig unter der Leitung von Prof. Dr. Almuth Einspanier beauftragt. Zur Ermittlung des Hormongehalts in den gewonnenen Kotproben diente ein kompetitiver Doppelantikörper-Enzymimmunoassay (EIA). Das Fortpflanzungspotential wurde über die Anzahl der Eier, Gelege und Jungtiere, sowie über die Gelegegröße dargestellt. Diese Daten geben, bezogen auf die Dauer der Paarbindung, Auskunft über die Produktivität eines Brutpaares, anhand dessen zusätzlich ein Produktivitäts-Koeffizient berechnet wurde. Des weiteren sollte die Anzahl der von einem Brutpaar selbständig großgezogenen Jungtiere Auskunft über die Fähigkeit zur kooperativen Jungenaufzucht geben. Zur Untersuchung der Bedeutung der Paarbindungsqualität wurden Diskriminanzfunktionsanalysen und Regressionsanalysen durchgeführt, wozu die untersuchten Brutpaare anhand ihres Fortpflanzungspotentials in verschiedene Gruppen eingeteilt wurden. Anhand der Ergebnisse der Studie konnte gezeigt werden, dass das Fortpflanzungspotential von Brutpaaren von verschiedenen Kriterien, die die Paarbindungsqualität charakterisieren, abhängt. Dabei ist zwischen der Produktivität und der Fähigkeit zur kooperativen Jungenaufzucht zu unterscheiden. Die Produktivität eines Paares wurde hinsichtlich der abgestimmten Tagesaktivität positiv vom synchronen Ruhen mit dem Partner beeinflusst, sowie von der Häufigkeit und Dauer der vom Weibchen ausgehenden sozialen Gefiederpflege. Brutpaare mit hoher Produktivität waren zudem über eine hohe ‚intra-Paar Fluktuation’ des Steroidhormons Testosteron gekennzeichnet. Die Brutpaare, die in der Lage sind, ihre Jungtiere in Kooperation großzuziehen, zeigten ebenfalls einen hohen Anteil zeitlich mit dem Partner abgestimmter Ruhephasen, zudem häufiges Ruheverhalten in Körperkontakt zum Partner und ein hohes zeitliches Investment der Männchen bei der Initiierung und Durchführung sozialer Gefiederpflege. Darüber hinaus zeigten Männchen, die einen Beitrag zur kooperativen Jungenaufzucht leisten, eine wesentlich geringere durchschnittliche Testosteron-Konzentration – bezogen auf den Untersuchungszeitraum, als Männchen, die Brutpaaren angehören, die nicht zur selbständigen Jungenaufzucht fähig sind. Dieses Ergebnis spiegelt die Bedeutung von Testosteron bei der elterlichen Fürsorge wider und bietet einen Anhaltspunkt für weitere Untersuchungen. Die Untersuchung konnte zeigen, dass es möglich und sinnvoll ist, das individuelle Verhalten von Tieren in Menschenobhut für den Erhalt bedrohter Tierarten einzusetzen. Weitere, auf dieser Studie aufbauende Untersuchungen sollten zum Ziel haben, zuverlässig die Brutpaare erkennbar zu machen, die über ein gutes Fortpflanzungspotential verfügen. Auf diese Weise kann unzureichender Reproduktionserfolg bedrohter Papageienarten in Menschenobhut infolge von Zwangsverpaarung minimiert werden. N2 - In addition to preserve wild populations, captive breeding of certain species is important for the conservation of endangered parrots (Psittaciformes). However, captive breeding of parrot species is rarely successful. The main reason for this failure is that forced pairings are applied under the context of breeding programs such as European Endangered Species Program, EEP, in which breeding pairs are primarily selected under genetic aspects. Bond quality affects the reproductive success of most perennial monogamous parrot species significantly. A free mate selection is therefore important for successful breeding in captivity; however, it is hard to achieve as a part of conservation breeding programs. The aim of this study is to develop a scientific method to determine the reproductive potential of breeding pairs of the genus Ara based on the pair bond. Therefore, the relationship of the pair bond quality in breeding pairs for lifetime reproductive success (LRS) is investigated in this study. The data of 21 breeding pairs was collected in the breeding facility 'La Vera' of the Loro Parque Fundación in Tenerife, Spain between 2006 and 2007. The pair bond was characterized firstly by the typical pair bonding behaviour and secondly by the physiological adaptation of each breeding pair based on the steroid hormone testosterone releases. The pair bonding behaviour consisted in ‘daily activity', ‘contact behaviour' and 'social interactions'. The ‘daily activity' included the behaviours: resting, sitting, eating, preening, activity and movement. Certain individual behaviours and gender roles were examined for the ‘contact behaviour'. The duration and frequency of social preening and the social index were summarized as 'social interactions'. In the social preening the duration and frequency of the phases was recorded, and the respective initiator of this interaction. In addition, gender of the individual, frequency, and duration of the social preening was recorded. Furthermore the social index was calculated, which indicates the relationship between agonistic and socio-positive interactions. To measure the testosterone release in the pair members over 9 weeks (September to November 2007), faecal samples were collected from each individual once a week. The faecal samples were analyzed at the Institute for Physiological Chemistry at the University of Leipzig under supervision of Prof. Dr. Almuth Einspanier. Competitive double-Antibody Enzyme Immunoassay (EIA) was applied to determine the testosteronecontent of the faecal samples. Reproductive success was represented by number of eggs, nests and chicks, and the clutch size. These data provide, based on the duration of the pair bond, information about the productivity of breeding pairs. Furthermore, the number of chicks reared by one breeding pair independently should provide information about the capacity for cooperative breeding. Breeding pairs were classified into different groups depending on their reproductive potential. This classification was verified by discriminant analysis and regression analysis to investigate the importance of the quality of the pair bond for reproductive success. I found that the reproductive potential of breeding pairs is related to various criteria that characterize the quality of a pair bond, but it is essential to distinguish between the productivity itself and the ability to cooperative breeding. The synchronous resting with a partner according to the daily activity, as well as the frequency and duration of social preening initiated by the female positively influenced the productivity of a pair. Breeding pairs with high productivity also showed a high ‚intra-pair fluctuation' of the steroid hormone testosterone level. The breeding pairs which are able to raise their young in cooperation also showed a high percentage of time with coordinated phases of resting, also frequent resting behaviour in physical contact with the partner and a high investment of males in the initiation and implementation of social preening. In addition, males, which actively contribute to cooperative breeding, showed significantly lower testosterone concentrations than males, which were members of breeding pairs not capable of raising chicks on its own. This result emphasizes the importance of testosterone during the parental care, especially in males, and provides a starting point for further investigations. My investigation shows that it is possible and useful to apply the individual behaviour of animals in captivity for the conservation of endangered species. Based on this study, further research should be aimed to expose reliable breeding pairs with good reproductive potential, by behaviour and by measuring hormonal states. In this way, poor reproductive success of endangered parrot species in captivity as a result of forced parings can be minimized. KW - Papageien KW - Paarbindung KW - Erhaltungszucht KW - Reproduktionserfolg KW - Menschenobhut KW - Parrots KW - pair bonding KW - conservation breeding KW - reproductive success KW - captivity Y1 - 2009 U6 - http://nbn-resolving.de/urn/resolver.pl?urn:nbn:de:kobv:517-opus-41596 ER - TY - GEN A1 - Eccard, Jana A1 - Fey, Karen A1 - Caspers, Barbara A. A1 - Ylönen, Hannu T1 - Breeding state and season affect interspecific interaction types BT - indirect resource competition and direct interference T2 - Postprints der Universität Potsdam Mathematisch-Naturwissenschaftliche Reihe N2 - Indirect resource competition and interference are widely occurring mechanisms of interspecific interactions. We have studied the seasonal expression of these two interaction types within a two-species, boreal small mammal system. Seasons differ by resource availability, individual breeding state and intraspecific social system. Live-trapping methods were used to monitor space use and reproduction in 14 experimental populations of bank voles Myodes glareolus in large outdoor enclosures with and without a dominant competitor, the field vole Microtus agrestis. We further compared vole behaviour using staged dyadic encounters in neutral arenas in both seasons. Survival of the non-breeding overwintering bank voles was not affected by competition. In the spring, the numbers of male bank voles, but not of females, were reduced significantly in the competition populations. Bank vole home ranges expanded with vole density in the presence of competitors, indicating food limitation. A comparison of behaviour between seasons based on an analysis of similarity revealed an avoidance of costly aggression against opponents, independent of species. Interactions were more aggressive during the summer than during the winter, and heterospecific encounters were more aggressive than conspecific encounters. Based on these results, we suggest that interaction types and their respective mechanisms are not either–or categories and may change over the seasons. During the winter, energy constraints and thermoregulatory needs decrease direct aggression, but food constraints increase indirect resource competition. Direct interference appears in the summer, probably triggered by each individual’s reproductive and hormonal state and the defence of offspring against conspecific and heterospecific intruders. Both interaction forms overlap in the spring, possibly contributing to spring declines in the numbers of subordinate species. T3 - Zweitveröffentlichungen der Universität Potsdam : Mathematisch-Naturwissenschaftliche Reihe - 729 KW - rodents KW - aggression KW - seasonality KW - space use KW - winter biology Y1 - 2019 U6 - http://nbn-resolving.de/urn/resolver.pl?urn:nbn:de:kobv:517-opus4-429398 SN - 1866-8372 IS - 729 SP - 623 EP - 633 ER - TY - GEN A1 - Morris, Penelope J. A1 - Salt, Carina A1 - Raila, Jens A1 - Brenten, Thomas A1 - Kohn, Barbara A1 - Schweigert, Florian J. A1 - Zentek, Jürgen T1 - Safety evaluation of vitamin A in growing dogs T2 - Potsprints der Universität Potsdam : Mathematisch-Naturwissenschaftliche Reihe N2 - The safe upper limit for inclusion of vitamin A in complete diets for growing dogs is uncertain, with the result that current recommendations range from 5.24 to 104.80 mu mol retinol (5000 to 100 000 IU vitamin A)/4184 kJ (1000 kcal) metabolisable energy (ME). The aim of the present study was to determine the effect of feeding four concentrations of vitamin A to puppies from weaning until 1 year of age. A total of forty-nine puppies, of two breeds, Labrador Retriever and Miniature Schnauzer, were randomly assigned to one of four treatment groups. Following weaning at 8 weeks of age, puppies were fed a complete food supplemented with retinyl acetate diluted in vegetable oil and fed at 1ml oil/100 g diet to achieve an intake of 5.24, 13.10, 78.60 and 104.80 mu mol retinol (5000, 12 500, 75 000 and 100 000 IU vitamin A)/4184 kJ (1000 kcal) ME. Fasted blood and urine samples were collected at 8, 10, 12, 14, 16, 20, 26, 36 and 52 weeks of age and analysed for markers of vitamin A metabolism and markers of safety including haematological and biochemical variables, bone-specific alkaline phosphatase, cross-linked carboxyterminal telopeptides of type I collagen and dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry. Clinical examinations were conducted every 4 weeks. Data were analysed by means of a mixed model analysis with Bonferroni corrections for multiple endpoints. There was no effect of vitamin A concentration on any of the parameters, with the exception of total serum retinyl esters, and no effect of dose on the number, type and duration of adverse events. We therefore propose that 104.80 mu mol retinol (100 000 IU vitamin A)/4184 kJ (1000 kcal) is a suitable safe upper limit for use in the formulation of diets designed for puppy growth. T3 - Zweitveröffentlichungen der Universität Potsdam : Mathematisch-Naturwissenschaftliche Reihe - 686 KW - puppies KW - dogs KW - Retinol KW - Retinyl esters KW - vitamin A Y1 - 2019 U6 - http://nbn-resolving.de/urn/resolver.pl?urn:nbn:de:kobv:517-opus4-414929 IS - 686 ER - TY - GEN A1 - Pavesi, Laura A1 - Tiedemann, Ralph A1 - De Matthaeis, Elvira A1 - Ketmaier, Valerio T1 - Genetic connectivity between land and sea BT - the case of the beachflea Orchestia montagui (Crustacea, Amphipoda, Talitridae) in the Mediterranean Sea N2 - Introduction: We examined patterns of genetic divergence in 26 Mediterranean populations of the semi-terrestrial beachflea Orchestia montagui using mitochondrial (cytochrome oxidase subunit I), microsatellite (eight loci) and allozymic data. The species typically forms large populations within heaps of dead seagrass leaves stranded on beaches at the waterfront. We adopted a hierarchical geographic sampling to unravel population structure in a species living at the sea-land transition and, hence, likely subjected to dramatically contrasting forces. Results: Mitochondrial DNA showed historical phylogeographic breaks among Adriatic, Ionian and the remaining basins (Tyrrhenian, Western and Eastern Mediterranean Sea) likely caused by the geological and climatic changes of the Pleistocene. Microsatellites (and to a lesser extent allozymes) detected a further subdivision between and within the Western Mediterranean and the Tyrrhenian Sea due to present-day processes. A pattern of isolation by distance was not detected in any of the analyzed data set. Conclusions: We conclude that the population structure of O. montagui is the result of the interplay of two contrasting forces that act on the species population genetic structure. On one hand, the species semi-terrestrial life style would tend to determine the onset of local differences. On the other hand, these differences are partially counter-balanced by passive movements of migrants via rafting on heaps of dead seagrass leaves across sites by sea surface currents. Approximate Bayesian Computations support dispersal at sea as prevalent over terrestrial regionalism. T3 - Zweitveröffentlichungen der Universität Potsdam : Mathematisch-Naturwissenschaftliche Reihe - 399 KW - Orchestia montagui KW - Talitrids KW - Mediterranean Sea KW - Phylogeography KW - Mitochondrial DNA KW - Microsatellites KW - Allozymes KW - Approximate Bayesian Computation Y1 - 2017 U6 - http://nbn-resolving.de/urn/resolver.pl?urn:nbn:de:kobv:517-opus4-401110 ER - TY - THES A1 - Blankenburg, Stefanie T1 - Charakterisierung der GABAB-Rezeptor Subtypen 1 und 2 der Amerikanischen Großschabe Periplaneta americana T1 - Characterization of GABAB receptor subtypes 1 and 2 of the American Cockroach Periplaneta americana N2 - Die nichtproteinogene Aminosäure GABA (γ-Aminobuttersäure) gilt als der wichtigste inhibitorische Neurotransmitter im Zentralnervensystem von Vertebraten sowie Invertebraten und vermittelt ihre Wirkung u. a. über die metabotropen GABAB-Rezeptoren. Bisher sind diese Rezeptoren bei Insekten nur rudimentär untersucht. Für die Amerikanische Großschabe als etablierter Modellorganismus konnte pharmakologisch eine modulatorische Rolle der GABAB-Rezeptoren bei der Bildung von Primärspeichel nachgewiesen werden. Ziel dieser Arbeit war eine umfassende Charakterisierung der GABAB-Rezeptor-Subtypen 1 und 2 von Periplaneta americana. Unter Verwendung verschiedenster Klonierungsstrategien sowie der Kooperationsmöglichkeit mit der Arbeitsgruppe von Prof. Dr. T. Miura (Hokkaido, Japan) in Hinsicht auf eine dort etablierte P. americana EST-Datenbank gelang die Klonierung von zwei Rezeptor-cDNAs. Die Analyse der abgeleiteten Aminosäuresequenzen auf GB-spezifische Domänen und konservierte Aminosäure-Reste, sowie der Vergleich zu bekannten GB Sequenzen anderer Arten legen nahe, dass es sich bei den isolierten Sequenzen um die GABAB-Rezeptor-Subtypen 1 und 2 (PeaGB1 und PeaGB2) handelt. Für die funktionelle und pharmakologische Charakterisierung des Heteromers aus PeaGB1 und PeaGB2 wurden Expressionskonstrukte für die Transfektion in HEK-flpTM-Zellen hergestellt. Das Heteromer aus PeaGB1 und PeaGB2 hemmt bei steigenden GABA-Konzentrationen die cAMP-Produktion. Die Substanzen SKF97541 und 3-APPA konnten als Agonisten identifiziert werden. CGP55845 und CGP54626 wirken als vollwertige Antagonisten. Das in vitro ermittelte pharmakologische Profil im Vergleich zur Pharmakologie an der isolierten Drüse bestätigt, dass die GABA-Wirkung in der Speicheldrüse tatsächlich von GBs vermittelt wird. Für die immunhistochemische Charakterisierung konnte ein spezifischer polyklonaler Antikörper gegen die extrazelluläre Schleife 2 des PeaGB1 generiert werden. Ein weiterer Antikörper, welcher gegen den PeaGB2 gerichtet ist, erwies sich hingegen nicht als ausreichend spezifisch. Western-Blot-Analysen bestätigen das Vorkommen beider Subtypen im Zentralnervensystem von P. americana. Zudem wird der PeaGB1 in der Speicheldrüse und in den Geschlechtsdrüsen der Schabenmännchen exprimiert. Immunhistochemische Analysen zeigen eine PeaGB1-ähnliche Markierung in den GABAergen Fasern der Speicheldrüse auf. Demnach fungiert der PeaGB1 hier als Autorezeptor. Weiterhin konnte eine PeaGB1-ähnliche Markierung in nahezu allen Gehirnneuropilen festgestellt werden. Auch die akzessorischen Drüsen der Männchen, Pilzdrüse und Phallusdrüse, sind PeaGB1-immunreaktiv. N2 - The non-proteinogenic amino acid GABA (γ-aminobutyric acid) is the major inhibitory neurotransmitter in the central nervous system of vertebrates and invertebrates, and GABA mediates its action among others via metabotropic GABAB receptors (GBs). So far, these receptors are only rudimentary characterized in insects. In the American Cockroach, which is an established model organism, pharmacological studies have pointed out a modulatory role of GBs in the production of primary saliva in the salivary gland. Therefore, the aim of this study is the profound characterization of the GABAB receptor subtypes 1 and 2 of Periplaneta americana. Diverse cloning strategies and the access to a Periplaneta EST-database enabled the cloning of two receptor-cDNAs. The analysis of the deduced amino acid sequences for GB-specific domains and conserved amino acid-residues, and the comparison to known GB-sequences of other species revealed that the sequences correspond to GABAB receptor subtypes 1 and 2 (PeaGB1 and PeaGB2). Next, we functionally and pharmacologically characterized the receptor-heteromer of PeaGB1 and PeaGB2. Therefore, we established expression constructs for the transfection of HEK-flpTM-cells. The PeaGB1/PeaGB2 heteromer inhibits dose-dependently the production of cAMP. The substances SKF97541 and 3-APPA imitate the GABA effect. In contrast, CGP54626 and CGP55845 are considered to be proper antagonists. The comparison of the in vitro with the known pharmacology of isolated glands reveals that GBs indeed mediate the effect of GABA in the salivary gland. For immunohistochemical localization, a specific polyclonal antibody was raised against the extracellular loop 2 of PeaGB1. A second antibody, which was raised against the analogous region of the PeaGB2, must be considered to be non-specific. Western blot analyses demonstrate the localization of both subtypes in the central nervous system of P. americana. Additionally, PeaGB1 is expressed in the salivary gland and in male accessory glands. Immunohistochemical analyses reveal the expression of PeaGB1 in GABAergic nerve fibers of the salivary gland. As a consequence, PeaGB1 must act as an autoreceptor in this organ. A widespread distribution of PeaGB1 in almost all neuropiles was detected in the cockroach brain. In the male accessory glands mushroom gland and phallic (conglobate) gland, an intense PeaGB1-like immunoreactivity was measured. KW - GABA KW - Insekt KW - Pharmakologie KW - Gehirn KW - Speicheldrüse KW - GABA KW - insect KW - pharmacology KW - brain KW - salivary gland Y1 - 2013 U6 - http://nbn-resolving.de/urn/resolver.pl?urn:nbn:de:kobv:517-opus-69648 ER - TY - GEN A1 - Di Giacomo, Adrian S. A1 - Di Giacomo, Alejandro G. A1 - Kliger, Rafi A1 - Reboreda, Juan C. A1 - Tiedemann, Ralph A1 - Mahler, Bettina T1 - No evidence of genetic variation in microsatellite and mitochondrial DNA markers among remaining populations of the Strange-tailed Tyrant Alectrurus risora, an endangered grassland species T2 - Postprints der Universität Potsdam : Mathematisch Naturwissenschaftliche Reihe N2 - The Strange-tailed Tyrant Alectrurus risora (Aves: Tyrannidae) is an endemic species of southern South American grasslands that suffered a 90% reduction of its original distribution due to habitat transformation. This has led the species to be classified as globally Vulnerable. By the beginning of the last century, populations were partially migratory and moved south during the breeding season. Currently, the main breeding population inhabits the Ibera wetlands in the province of Corrientes, north-east Argentina, where it is resident all year round. There are two remaining small populations in the province of Formosa, north-east Argentina, and in southern Paraguay, which are separated from the main population by the Parana-Paraguay River and its continuous riverine forest habitat. The populations of Corrientes and Formosa are separated by 300 km and the grasslands between populations are non-continuous due to habitat transformation. We used mtDNA sequences and eight microsatellite loci to test if there were evidences of genetic isolation between Argentinean populations. We found no evidence of genetic structure between populations (Phi(ST) = 0.004, P = 0.32; Fst = 0.01, P = 0.06), which can be explained by either retained ancestral polymorphism or by dispersal between populations. We found no evidence for a recent demographic bottleneck in nuclear loci. Our results indicate that these populations could be managed as a single conservation unit on a regional scale. Conservation actions should be focused on preserving the remaining network of areas with natural grasslands to guarantee reproduction, dispersal and prevent further decline of populations. T3 - Zweitveröffentlichungen der Universität Potsdam : Mathematisch-Naturwissenschaftliche Reihe - 583 KW - conservation genetics KW - fragmentation KW - flycatchers KW - challenges KW - dispersal KW - software KW - networks KW - birds KW - units KW - bottlenecks Y1 - 2019 U6 - http://nbn-resolving.de/urn/resolver.pl?urn:nbn:de:kobv:517-opus4-414427 IS - 583 SP - 127 EP - 138 ER - TY - GEN A1 - Liesenjohann, Thilo A1 - Liesenjohann, Monique A1 - Trebaticka, Lenka A1 - Sundell, Janne A1 - Haapakoski, Marko A1 - Ylönen, Hannu A1 - Eccard, Jana T1 - State-dependent foraging BT - lactating voles adjust their foraging behavior according to the presence of a potential nest predator and season T2 - Postprints der Universität Potsdam : Mathematisch-Naturwissenschaftliche Reihe N2 - Parental care often produces a trade-off between meeting nutritional demands of offspring and the duties of offspring protection, especially in altricial species. Parents have to leave their young unattended for foraging trips, during which nestlings are exposed to predators. We investigated how rodent mothers of altricial young respond to risk of nest predation in their foraging decisions. We studied foraging behavior of lactating bank voles (Myodes glareolus) exposed to a nest predator, the common shrew (Sorex araneus). We conducted the experiment in summer (high resource provisioning for both species) and autumn (less food available) in 12 replicates with fully crossed factors “shrew presence” and “season.” We monitored use of feeding stations near and far from the nest as measurement of foraging activity and strategic foraging behavior. Vole mothers adapted their strategies to shrew presence and optimized their foraging behavior according to seasonal constraints, resulting in an interaction of treatment and season. In summer, shrew presence reduced food intake from feeding stations, while it enhanced intake in autumn. Shrew presence decreased the number of visited feeding stations in autumn and concentrated mother’s foraging efforts to fewer stations. Independent of shrew presence or season, mothers foraged more in patches further away from the nest than near the nest. Results indicate that females are not investing in nest guarding but try to avoid the accumulation of olfactory cues near the nest leading a predator to the young. Additionally, our study shows how foraging strategies and nest attendance are influenced by seasonal food provision. T3 - Zweitveröffentlichungen der Universität Potsdam : Mathematisch-Naturwissenschaftliche Reihe - 857 KW - Myodes glareolus KW - optimal foraging KW - Sorex araneus KW - nest protection KW - seasonality KW - interference Y1 - 2020 U6 - http://nbn-resolving.de/urn/resolver.pl?urn:nbn:de:kobv:517-opus4-432878 SN - 1866-8372 IS - 857 SP - 747 EP - 754 ER - TY - GEN A1 - Kuehnel, Susanne A1 - Kupfer, Alexander T1 - Sperm storage in caecilian amphibians N2 - Background: Female sperm storage has evolved independently multiple times among vertebrates to control reproduction in response to the environment. In internally fertilising amphibians, female salamanders store sperm in cloacal spermathecae, whereas among anurans sperm storage in oviducts is known only in tailed frogs. Facilitated through extensive field sampling following historical observations we tested for sperm storing structures in the female urogenital tract of fossorial, tropical caecilian amphibians. Findings: In the oviparous Ichthyophis cf. kohtaoensis, aggregated sperm were present in a distinct region of the posterior oviduct but not in the cloaca in six out of seven vitellogenic females prior to oviposition. Spermatozoa were found most abundantly between the mucosal folds. In relation to the reproductive status decreased amounts of sperm were present in gravid females compared to pre-ovulatory females. Sperm were absent in females past oviposition. Conclusions: Our findings indicate short-term oviductal sperm storage in the oviparous Ichthyophis cf. kohtaoensis. We assume that in female caecilians exhibiting high levels of parental investment sperm storage has evolved in order to optimally coordinate reproductive events and to increase fitness. T3 - Zweitveröffentlichungen der Universität Potsdam : Mathematisch-Naturwissenschaftliche Reihe - 375 KW - reproduction KW - sperm storage KW - amphibians KW - caecilians Y1 - 2017 U6 - http://nbn-resolving.de/urn/resolver.pl?urn:nbn:de:kobv:517-opus4-400987 ER - TY - GEN A1 - Klose, Sascha Peter A1 - Rolke, Daniel A1 - Baumann, Otto T1 - Morphogenesis of honeybee hypopharyngeal gland during pupal development N2 - Background The hypopharyngeal gland of worker bees contributes to the production of the royal jelly fed to queens and larvae. The gland consists of thousands of two-cell units that are composed of a secretory cell and a duct cell and that are arranged in sets of about 12 around a long collecting duct. Results By fluorescent staining, we have examined the morphogenesis of the hypopharyngeal gland during pupal life, from a saccule lined by a pseudostratified epithelium to the elaborate organ of adult worker bees. The hypopharyngeal gland develops as follows. (1) Cell proliferation occurs during the first day of pupal life in the hypopharyngeal gland primordium. (2) Subsequently, the epithelium becomes organized into rosette-like units of three cells. Two of these will become the secretory cell and the duct cell of the adult secretory units; the third cell contributes only temporarily to the development of the secretory units and is eliminated by apoptosis in the second half of pupal life. (3) The three-cell units of flask-shaped cells undergo complex changes in cell morphology. Thus, by mid-pupal stage, the gland is structurally similar to the adult hypopharyngeal gland. (4) Concomitantly, the prospective secretory cell attains its characteristic subcellular organization by the invagination of a small patch of apical membrane domain, its extension to a tube of about 100 μm in length (termed a canaliculus), and the expansion of the tube to a diameter of about 3 μm. (6) Finally, the canaliculus-associated F-actin system becomes reorganized into rings of bundled actin filaments that are positioned at regular distances along the membrane tube. Conclusions The morphogenesis of the secretory units in the hypopharyngeal gland of the worker bee seems to be based on a developmental program that is conserved, with slight modification, among insects for the production of dermal glands. Elaboration of the secretory cell as a unicellular seamless epithelial tube occurs by invagination of the apical membrane, its extension likely by targeted exocytosis and its expansion, and finally the reorganisation of the membrane-associated F-actin system. Our work is fundamental for future studies of environmental effects on hypopharyngeal gland morphology and development. T3 - Zweitveröffentlichungen der Universität Potsdam : Mathematisch-Naturwissenschaftliche Reihe - 337 KW - Exocrine gland KW - Insect KW - Epithelial tube KW - Organogenesis KW - Cell polarity KW - Actin cytoskeleton KW - Apoptosis KW - Invagination Y1 - 2017 U6 - http://nbn-resolving.de/urn/resolver.pl?urn:nbn:de:kobv:517-opus4-395712 ER - TY - GEN A1 - Beaumont, Robin N. A1 - Warrington, Nicole M. A1 - Cavadino, Alana A1 - Tyrrell, Jessica A1 - Nodzenski, Michael A1 - Horikoshi, Momoko A1 - Geller, Frank A1 - Myhre, Ronny A1 - Richmond, Rebecca C. A1 - Paternoster, Lavinia A1 - Bradfield, Jonathan P. A1 - Kreiner-Møller, Eskil A1 - Huikari, Ville A1 - Metrustry, Sarah A1 - Lunetta, Kathryn L. A1 - Painter, Jodie N. A1 - Hottenga, Jouke-Jan A1 - Allard, Catherine A1 - Barton, Sheila J. A1 - Espinosa, Ana A1 - Marsh, Julie A. A1 - Potter, Catherine A1 - Zhang, Ge A1 - Ang, Wei A1 - Berry, Diane J. A1 - Bouchard, Luigi A1 - Das, Shikta A1 - Hakonarson, Hakon A1 - Heikkinen, Jani A1 - Helgeland, Øyvind A1 - Hocher, Berthold A1 - Hofman, Albert A1 - Inskip, Hazel M. A1 - Jones, Samuel E. A1 - Kogevinas, Manolis A1 - Lind, Penelope A. A1 - Marullo, Letizia A1 - Medland, Sarah E. A1 - Murray, Anna A1 - Murray, Jeffrey C. A1 - Njølstad, Pa ̊l R. A1 - Nohr, Ellen A. A1 - Reichetzeder, Christoph A1 - Ring, Susan M. A1 - Ruth, Katherine S. A1 - Santa-Marina, Loreto A1 - Scholtens, Denise M. A1 - Sebert, Sylvain A1 - Sengpiel, Verena A1 - Tuke, Marcus A. A1 - Vaudel, Marc A1 - Weedon, Michael N. A1 - Willemsen, Gonneke A1 - Wood, Andrew R. A1 - Yaghootkar, Hanieh A1 - Muglia, Louis J. A1 - Bartels, Meike A1 - Relton, Caroline L. A1 - Pennell, Craig E. A1 - Chatzi, Leda A1 - Estivill, Xavier A1 - Holloway, John W. A1 - Boomsma, Dorret I. A1 - Montgomery, Grant W. A1 - Murabito, Joanne M. A1 - Spector, Tim D. A1 - Power, Christine A1 - Ja ̈rvelin, Marjo-Ritta A1 - Bisgaard, Hans A1 - Grant, Struan F.A. A1 - Sørensen, Thorkild I.A. A1 - Jaddoe, Vincent W. A1 - Jacobsson, Bo A1 - Melbye, Mads A1 - McCarthy, Mark I. A1 - Hattersley, Andrew T. A1 - Hayes, M. Geoffrey A1 - Frayling, Timothy M. A1 - Hivert, Marie-France A1 - Felix, Janine F. A1 - Hyppo ̈nen, Elina A1 - Lowe, William L. , Jr A1 - Evans, David M. A1 - Lawlor, Debbie A. A1 - Feenstra, Bjarke A1 - Freathy, Rachel M. T1 - Genome-wide association study of offspring birth weight in 86 577 women identifies five novel loci and highlights maternal genetic effects that are independent of fetal genetics T2 - Postprints der Universität Potsdam : Mathematisch-Naturwissenschaftliche Reihe N2 - Genome-wide association studies of birth weight have focused on fetal genetics, whereas relatively little is known about the role of maternal genetic variation. We aimed to identify maternal genetic variants associated with birth weight that could highlight potentially relevant maternal determinants of fetal growth. We meta-analysed data on up to 8.7 million SNPs in up to 86 577 women of European descent from the Early Growth Genetics (EGG) Consortium and the UK Biobank. We used structural equation modelling (SEM) and analyses of mother–child pairs to quantify the separate maternal and fetal genetic effects. Maternal SNPs at 10 loci (MTNR1B, HMGA2, SH2B3, KCNAB1, L3MBTL3, GCK, EBF1, TCF7L2, ACTL9, CYP3A7) were associated with offspring birth weight at P < 5 Â 10 À8 . In SEM analyses, at least 7 of the 10 associations were consistent with effects of the maternal genotype acting via the intrauterine environment, rather than via effects of shared alleles with the fetus. Variants, or correlated proxies, at many of the loci had been previously associated with adult traits, including fasting glucose (MTNR1B, GCK and TCF7L2) and sex hormone levels (CYP3A7), and one (EBF1) with gestational duration. The identified associations indicate that genetic effects on maternal glucose, cytochrome P450 activity and gestational duration, and potentially on maternal blood pressure and immune function, are relevant for fetal growth. Further characterization of these associations in mechanistic and causal analyses will enhance understanding of the potentially modifiable maternal determinants of fetal growth, with the goal of reducing the morbidity and mortality associated with low and high birth weights. T3 - Zweitveröffentlichungen der Universität Potsdam : Mathematisch-Naturwissenschaftliche Reihe - 628 KW - alleles KW - birth weight KW - fetus KW - genotype KW - mothers KW - single nucleotide polymorphism KW - genetics KW - duration of gestation KW - genome-wide association study KW - offspring KW - biobanks Y1 - 2019 U6 - http://nbn-resolving.de/urn/resolver.pl?urn:nbn:de:kobv:517-opus4-423100 SN - 1866-8372 IS - 628 ER - TY - GEN A1 - Sander, Martha Maria A1 - Eccard, Jana A1 - Heim, Wieland T1 - Flight range estimation of migrant Yellow-browed Warblers Phylloscopus inornatus on the East Asian flyway T2 - Bird Study N2 - Fat loads were quantified for 2125 Yellow-browed Warblers Phylloscopus inornatus trapped at a stop-over site in Far East Russia during autumn migration. Flight ranges of 660–820 km were estimated for the fattest individuals, suggesting that they would need to stop for refuelling at least six times to reach their wintering areas in South East Asia. T3 - Zweitveröffentlichungen der Universität Potsdam : Mathematisch-Naturwissenschaftliche Reihe - 464 KW - passerines KW - stopover KW - fuel KW - site KW - migration KW - Morocco KW - Russia KW - bird KW - fat Y1 - 2018 U6 - http://nbn-resolving.de/urn/resolver.pl?urn:nbn:de:kobv:517-opus4-412823 ER - TY - GEN A1 - Eccard, Jana A1 - Dammhahn, Melanie A1 - Ylönen, Hannu T1 - The Bruce effect revisited BT - is pregnancy termination in female rodents an adaptation to ensure breeding success after male turnover in low densities? T2 - Postprints der Universität Potsdam Mathematisch-Naturwissenschaftliche Reihe N2 - Pregnancy termination after encountering a strange male, the Bruce effect, is regarded as a counterstrategy of female mammals towards anticipated infanticide. While confirmed in caged rodent pairs, no verification for the Bruce effect existed from experimental field populations of small rodents. We suggest that the effect may be adaptive for breeding rodent females only under specific conditions related to populations with cyclically fluctuating densities. We investigated the occurrence of delay in birth date after experimental turnover of the breeding male under different population composition in bank voles (Myodes glareolus) in large outdoor enclosures: one-male–multiple-females (n = 6 populations/18 females), multiple-males–multiple-females (n = 15/45), and single-male–single-female (MF treatment, n = 74/74). Most delays were observed in the MF treatment after turnover. Parallel we showed in a laboratory experiment (n = 205 females) that overwintered and primiparous females, the most abundant cohort during population lows in the increase phase of cyclic rodent populations, were more likely to delay births after turnover of the male than year-born and multiparous females. Taken together, our results suggest that the Bruce effect may be an adaptive breeding strategy for rodent females in cyclic populations specifically at low densities in the increase phase, when isolated, overwintered animals associate in MF pairs. During population lows infanticide risk and inbreeding risk may then be higher than during population highs, while also the fitness value of a litter in an increasing population is higher. Therefore, the Bruce effect may be adaptive for females during annual population lows in the increase phases, even at the costs of delaying reproduction. T3 - Zweitveröffentlichungen der Universität Potsdam : Mathematisch-Naturwissenschaftliche Reihe - 734 KW - breeding strategies KW - dip test KW - infanticide KW - Myodes voles KW - sexual conflict KW - sexual selection Y1 - 2019 U6 - http://nbn-resolving.de/urn/resolver.pl?urn:nbn:de:kobv:517-opus4-432956 SN - 1866-8372 IS - 734 ER - TY - GEN A1 - Heim, Wieland A1 - Eccard, Jana A1 - Bairlein, Franz T1 - Migration phenology determines niche use of East Asian buntings (Emberizidae) during stopover T2 - Postprints der Universität Potsdam : Mathematisch-Naturwissenschaftliche Reihe N2 - Stopover niche utilization of birds during migration has not gained much attention so far, since the majority of the studies focuses on breeding or wintering areas. However, stopover sites are crucial for migratory birds. They are often used by a multitude of species, which could lead to increased competition. In this work, we investigated niche use of 8 migratory and closely related Emberiza bunting species at a stopover site in Far East Russia, situated on the poorly studied East Asian flyway. We used bird ringing data to evaluate morphological similarity as well as niche overlap on the trophic, spatial, and temporal dimension. Bill morphology was used as a proxy for their trophic niche. We were able to prove that a majority of the species occupies well-defined stopover niches on at least one of the dimensions. Niche breadth and niche overlap differ between spring and autumn season with higher overlap found during spring. Morphological differences are mostly related to overall size and wing pointedness. The temporal dimension is most important for segregation among the studied species. Furthermore, all species seem to exhibit a rather strict and consistent phenological pattern. Their occurrence at the study site is highly correlated with their geographic origin and the length of their migration route. We assume that buntings are able to use available resources opportunistically during stopover, while trying to follow a precise schedule in order to avoid competition and to ensure individual fitness. T3 - Zweitveröffentlichungen der Universität Potsdam : Mathematisch-Naturwissenschaftliche Reihe - 1038 KW - bird migration KW - Emberiza KW - habitat use KW - non-breeding KW - phenology KW - stopover Y1 - 2020 U6 - http://nbn-resolving.de/urn/resolver.pl?urn:nbn:de:kobv:517-opus4-470607 SN - 1866-8372 IS - 1038 SP - 681 EP - 692 ER - TY - GEN A1 - Kowalski, Gabriele Joanna A1 - Grimm, Volker A1 - Herde, Antje A1 - Guenther, Anja A1 - Eccard, Jana T1 - Does Animal Personality Affect Movement in Habitat Corridors? BT - Experiments with Common Voles (Microtus arvalis) Using Different Corridor Widths T2 - Postprints der Universität Potsdam Mathematisch-Naturwissenschaftliche Reihe N2 - Animal personality may affect an animal’s mobility in a given landscape, influencing its propensity to take risks in an unknown environment. We investigated the mobility of translocated common voles in two corridor systems 60 m in length and differing in width (1 m and 3 m). Voles were behaviorally phenotyped in repeated open field and barrier tests. Observed behavioral traits were highly repeatable and described by a continuous personality score. Subsequently, animals were tracked via an automated very high frequency (VHF) telemetry radio tracking system to monitor their movement patterns in the corridor system. Although personality did not explain movement patterns, corridor width determined the amount of time spent in the habitat corridor. Voles in the narrow corridor system entered the corridor faster and spent less time in the corridor than animals in the wide corridor. Thus, landscape features seem to affect movement patterns more strongly than personality. Meanwhile, site characteristics, such as corridor width, could prove to be highly important when designing corridors for conservation, with narrow corridors facilitating faster movement through landscapes than wider corridors. T3 - Zweitveröffentlichungen der Universität Potsdam : Mathematisch-Naturwissenschaftliche Reihe - 747 KW - activity KW - animal personality KW - wildlife corridors KW - habitat connectivity KW - individual differences KW - rodents Y1 - 2019 U6 - http://nbn-resolving.de/urn/resolver.pl?urn:nbn:de:kobv:517-opus4-435770 SN - 1866-8372 IS - 747 ER - TY - GEN A1 - Schedlbauer, Carola A1 - Blaue, Dominique A1 - Raila, Jens A1 - Vervuert, Ingrid T1 - Alterations of serum vitamin E and vitamin A concentrations of ponies and horses during experimentally induced obesity T2 - Zweitveröffentlichungen der Universität Potsdam : Mathematisch-Naturwissenschaftliche Reihe N2 - Vitamin A, vitamin E and retinol-binding protein 4 (RBP4) are a focus of current obesity research in humans. The impact of body weight (BW) gain on fat-soluble vitamins and its associated parameters in equines has not been previously reported. Ten Shetland ponies and 9 Warmblood horses, all adult geldings, non-obese and healthy, were fed an excessive energy diet for 20 months to induce BW gain. Serum alpha-tocopherol (vitamin E), retinol (vitamin A), retinol-binding protein 4 (RBP4) and retinol/RBP4 ratio were analysed before BW gain induction and at six timepoints during the BW gaining period. The mean (+/- SD) % BW gain achieved during two years of excess energy intake was 29.9 +/- 19.4% for ponies and 17 +/- 6.74% for horses. Serum alpha-tocopherol increased significantly in ponies and horses during excess energy intake and circulating alpha-tocopherol levels correlated positively with alpha-tocopherol intake (r = .6; p < .001). Serum retinol concentrations showed variations during the study but without relation to intake. Serum RBP4 decreased at the end of the study. The retinol/RBP4 ratio increased with BW gain without differences between ponies and horses. In comparison with human research, the increase in the retinol/RBP4 ratio was unexpected and needs further elucidation. T3 - Zweitveröffentlichungen der Universität Potsdam : Mathematisch-Naturwissenschaftliche Reihe - 1429 KW - body weight gain KW - equine KW - laminitis KW - retinol-binding protein 4 KW - α-tocophero Y1 - 2020 U6 - http://nbn-resolving.de/urn/resolver.pl?urn:nbn:de:kobv:517-opus4-519515 SN - 1866-8372 IS - 5 ER - TY - GEN A1 - Amen, Rahma A1 - Nagel, Rebecca A1 - Hedt, Maximilian A1 - Kirschbaum, Frank A1 - Tiedemann, Ralph T1 - Morphological differentiation in African weakly electric fish (genus Campylomormyrus) relates to substrate preferences T2 - Zweitveröffentlichungen der Universität Potsdam : Mathematisch-Naturwissenschaftliche Reihe N2 - Under an ecological speciation scenario, the radiation of African weakly electric fish (genus Campylomormyrus) is caused by an adaptation to different food sources, associated with diversification of the electric organ discharge (EOD). This study experimentally investigates a phenotype-environment correlation to further support this scenario. Our behavioural experiments showed that three sympatric Campylomormyrus species with significantly divergent snout morphology differentially react to variation in substrate structure. While the short snout species (C. tamandua) exhibits preference to sandy substrate, the long snout species (C. rhynchophorus) significantly prefers a stone substrate for feeding. A third species with intermediate snout size (C. compressirostris) does not exhibit any substrate preference. This preference is matched with the observation that long-snouted specimens probe deeper into the stone substrate, presumably enabling them to reach prey more distant to the substrate surface. These findings suggest that the diverse feeding apparatus in the genus Campylomormyrus may have evolved in adaptation to specific microhabitats, i.e., substrate structures where these fish forage. Whether the parallel divergence in EOD is functionally related to this adaptation or solely serves as a prezygotic isolation mechanism remains to be elucidated. T3 - Zweitveröffentlichungen der Universität Potsdam : Mathematisch-Naturwissenschaftliche Reihe - 1416 KW - ecological speciation KW - feeding behaviour KW - electric fish KW - trophic apparatus KW - evolutionary ecology Y1 - 2020 U6 - http://nbn-resolving.de/urn/resolver.pl?urn:nbn:de:kobv:517-opus4-518714 SN - 1866-8372 IS - 3 ER - TY - GEN A1 - Obbard, Darren J. A1 - Shi, Mang A1 - Roberts, Katherine E. A1 - Longdon, Ben A1 - Dennis, Alice B. T1 - A new lineage of segmented RNA viruses infecting animals T2 - Zweitveröffentlichungen der Universität Potsdam : Mathematisch-Naturwissenschaftliche Reihe N2 - Metagenomic sequencing has revolutionised our knowledge of virus diversity, with new virus sequences being reported faster than ever before. However, virus discovery from metagenomic sequencing usually depends on detectable homology: without a sufficiently close relative, so-called ‘dark’ virus sequences remain unrecognisable. An alternative approach is to use virus-identification methods that do not depend on detecting homology, such as virus recognition by host antiviral immunity. For example, virus-derived small RNAs have previously been used to propose ‘dark’ virus sequences associated with the Drosophilidae (Diptera). Here, we combine published Drosophila data with a comprehensive search of transcriptomic sequences and selected meta-transcriptomic datasets to identify a completely new lineage of segmented positive-sense single-stranded RNA viruses that we provisionally refer to as the Quenyaviruses. Each of the five segments contains a single open reading frame, with most encoding proteins showing no detectable similarity to characterised viruses, and one sharing a small number of residues with the RNA-dependent RNA polymerases of single- and double-stranded RNA viruses. Using these sequences, we identify close relatives in approximately 20 arthropods, including insects, crustaceans, spiders, and a myriapod. Using a more conserved sequence from the putative polymerase, we further identify relatives in meta-transcriptomic datasets from gut, gill, and lung tissues of vertebrates, reflecting infections of vertebrates or of their associated parasites. Our data illustrate the utility of small RNAs to detect viruses with limited sequence conservation, and provide robust evidence for a new deeply divergent and phylogenetically distinct RNA virus lineage. T3 - Zweitveröffentlichungen der Universität Potsdam : Mathematisch-Naturwissenschaftliche Reihe - 1411 KW - metagenome KW - RNA virus KW - dark virus KW - arthropod KW - RNA interference Y1 - 2020 U6 - http://nbn-resolving.de/urn/resolver.pl?urn:nbn:de:kobv:517-opus4-516040 SN - 1866-8372 IS - 1 ER - TY - GEN A1 - Weyrich, Alexandra A1 - Yasar, Selma A1 - Lenz, Dorina A1 - Fickel, Jörns T1 - Tissue-specific epigenetic inheritance after paternal heat exposure in male wild guinea pigs T2 - Zweitveröffentlichungen der Universität Potsdam : Mathematisch-Naturwissenschaftliche Reihe N2 - External temperature change has been shown to modify epigenetic patterns, such as DNA methylation, which regulates gene expression. DNA methylation is heritable, and as such provides a mechanism to convey environmental information to subsequent generations. Studies on epigenetic response to temperature increase are still scarce in wild mammals, even more so studies that compare tissue-specific epigenetic responses. Here, we aim to address differential epigenetic responses on a gene and gene pathway level in two organs, liver and testis. We chose these organs, because the liver is the main metabolic and thermoregulation organ, and epigenetic modifications in testis are potentially transmitted to the F2 generation. We focused on the transmission of DNA methylation changes to naive male offspring after paternal exposure to an ambient temperature increase of 10 degrees C, and investigated differential methylated regions of sons sired before and after the paternal exposure using Reduced Representation Bisulfite Sequencing. We detected both a highly tissue-specific epigenetic response, reflected in genes involved in organ-specific metabolic pathways, and a more general regulation of single genes epigenetically modified in both organs. We conclude that genomes are context-specifically differentially epigenetically regulated in response to temperature increase. These findings emphasize the epigenetic relevance in cell differentiation, which is essential for the specific function(s) of complex organs, and is represented in a diverse molecular regulation of genes and gene pathways. The results also emphasize the paternal contribution to adaptive processes. T3 - Zweitveröffentlichungen der Universität Potsdam : Mathematisch-Naturwissenschaftliche Reihe - 1431 KW - DNA methylation KW - gene-expression KW - CPG Islands KW - stress KW - hyperthermia KW - testis Y1 - 2020 U6 - http://nbn-resolving.de/urn/resolver.pl?urn:nbn:de:kobv:517-opus4-516525 SN - 1866-8372 IS - 5-6 ER -