@article{RieschSchluppTobleretal.2006, author = {Riesch, R{\"u}diger and Schlupp, Ingo and Tobler, Michael and Plath, Martin}, title = {Reduction of the association preference for conspecifics in cave-dwelling Atlantic mollies, Poecilia mexicana}, series = {Behavioral ecology and sociobiology}, volume = {60}, journal = {Behavioral ecology and sociobiology}, publisher = {Springer}, address = {New York}, issn = {0340-5443}, doi = {10.1007/s00265-006-0223-z}, pages = {794 -- 802}, year = {2006}, abstract = {Cave animals are widely recognised as model organisms to study regressive evolutionary processes like the reduction of eyes. In this paper, we report on the regressive evolution of species discrimination in the cave molly, Poecilia mexicana, which, unlike other cave fishes, still has functional eyes. This allowed us to examine the response to both visual and non-visual cues involved in species discrimination. When surface-dwelling females were given a chance to associate with either a conspecific or a swordtail (Xiphophorus hellerii) female, they strongly preferred the conspecific female both when multiple cues and when solely visual cues were available to the female. No association preference was observed when only non-visual cues were provided. In contrast, cave-dwelling females showed no preference under all testing conditions, suggesting that species recognition mechanisms have been reduced. We discuss the role of species discrimination in relation to habitat differences.}, language = {en} } @article{ApioPlathWronski2006, author = {Apio, Ann and Plath, Martin and Wronski, Torsten}, title = {Patterns of gastrointestinal parasitic infections in the bushbuck Tragelaphus scriptus from the Queen Elizabeth National Park, Uganda}, series = {Journal of helminthology}, volume = {80}, journal = {Journal of helminthology}, number = {3}, publisher = {Univ. Press}, address = {Cambridge}, issn = {0022-149X}, doi = {10.1076/JOH2006343}, pages = {213 -- 218}, year = {2006}, abstract = {Seasonal, host sex and age-related variations in helminth egg and coccidian oocyst counts were investigated in a naturally infected wild bushbuck (Tragelaphus scriptus) population in Queen Elizabeth National Park, western Uganda from April 2000 to February 2002. The prevalence and mean intensity quantified as the number of eggs and oocysts per gram of faeces were taken as a measure of parasite burdens. Host sex and age-related differences in prevalence values were not found but the overall prevalence of Eimeria sp. was significantly higher during the rainy season, and peak counts were recorded either during or soon after a peak rainfall. A similar trend was observed for Moniezia spp., although the results were marginally not significant. There were also no significant differences in mean intensity values, relative to host sex, age or season.}, language = {en} } @misc{BierbachSchulteHerrmannetal.2011, author = {Bierbach, David and Schulte, Matthias and Herrmann, Nina and Tobler, Michael and Stadler, Stefan and Jung, Christian T. and Kunkel, Benjamin and Riesch, R{\"u}diger and Klaus, Sebastian and Ziege, Madlen and Indy, Jeane Rimber and Arias-Rodriguez, Lenin and Plath, Martin}, title = {Predator-induced changes of female mating preferences}, series = {Postprints der Universit{\"a}t Potsdam : Mathematisch-Naturwissenschaftliche Reihe}, journal = {Postprints der Universit{\"a}t Potsdam : Mathematisch-Naturwissenschaftliche Reihe}, number = {984}, issn = {1866-8372}, doi = {10.25932/publishup-43109}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:kobv:517-opus4-431099}, pages = {12}, year = {2011}, abstract = {Background In many species males face a higher predation risk than females because males display elaborate traits that evolved under sexual selection, which may attract not only females but also predators. Females are, therefore, predicted to avoid such conspicuous males under predation risk. The present study was designed to investigate predator-induced changes of female mating preferences in Atlantic mollies (Poecilia mexicana). Males of this species show a pronounced polymorphism in body size and coloration, and females prefer large, colorful males in the absence of predators. Results In dichotomous choice tests predator-na{\"i}ve (lab-reared) females altered their initial preference for larger males in the presence of the cichlid Cichlasoma salvini, a natural predator of P. mexicana, and preferred small males instead. This effect was considerably weaker when females were confronted visually with the non-piscivorous cichlid Vieja bifasciata or the introduced non-piscivorous Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus). In contrast, predator experienced (wild-caught) females did not respond to the same extent to the presence of a predator, most likely due to a learned ability to evaluate their predators' motivation to prey. Conclusions Our study highlights that (a) predatory fish can have a profound influence on the expression of mating preferences of their prey (thus potentially affecting the strength of sexual selection), and females may alter their mate choice behavior strategically to reduce their own exposure to predators. (b) Prey species can evolve visual predator recognition mechanisms and alter their mate choice only when a natural predator is present. (c) Finally, experiential effects can play an important role, and prey species may learn to evaluate the motivational state of their predators.}, language = {en} } @article{WronskiWacherHammondetal.2010, author = {Wronski, Torsten and Wacher, Timothy and Hammond, Robert L. and Winney, Bruce and Hundertmark, Kris J. and Blacket, Mark J. and Mohammed, Osama B. and Flores, Benito and Omer, Sawsan A. and Macasero, William and Plath, Martin and Tiedemann, Ralph and Bleidorn, Christoph}, title = {Two reciprocally monophyletic mtDNA lineages elucidate the taxonomic status of Mountain gazelles (Gazella gazella)}, issn = {1477-2000}, doi = {10.1080/14772001003613192}, year = {2010}, abstract = {Mountain gazelles (Gazella gazella) rank among the most critically endangered mammals on the Arabian Peninsula. Past conservation efforts have been plagued by confusion about the phylogenetic relationship among various 'phenotypically discernable' populations, and even the question of species boundaries was far from being certain. This lack of knowledge has had a direct impact on conservation measures, especially ex situ breeding programmes, hampering the assignment of captive stocks to potential conservation units. Here, we provide a phylogenetic framework, based on the analysis of mtDNA sequences (360 bp cytochrome b and 213 bp Control Region) of 126 individuals collected from the wild throughout the Arabian Peninsula and from captive stocks. Our analyses revealed two reciprocally monophyletic genetic lineages within the presumed species Gazella gazella: one 'northern clade' on the Golan Heights (Israel/Syrian border) and one genetically diverse larger clade from the rest of the Arabian Peninsula including the Arava Valley (Negev, Israel). Applying the Strict Phylogenetic Species Concept (sensu Mishler \& Theriot, 2000) allows assigning species status to these two major clades.}, language = {en} } @article{PlathKromuszczynskiTiedemann2009, author = {Plath, Martin and Kromuszczynski, Katja and Tiedemann, Ralph}, title = {Audience effect alters male but not female mating preferences}, issn = {0340-5443}, doi = {10.1007/s00265-008-0672-7}, year = {2009}, abstract = {Males often face strong mating competition by neighboring males in their social environment. A recent study by Plath et al. (Anim Behav 75:21-29, 2008a) has demonstrated that the visual presence of a male competitor (i.e., an audience male) affects the expression of male mating preferences in a poeciliid fish (Poecilia mexicana) with a weaker expression of mating preferences when an audience male observed the focal male. This may be a tactic to reduce sperm competition, since surrounding males likely share intrinsic preferences for female traits or copy mate choice decisions. Here, we examined the hypothesis that a same-sex audience would affect female mate preferences less than male mating preferences. Our hypothesis was based on the assumptions that (1) competition for mates in a fashion that would be comparable in strength to sperm competition or overt male-male aggression is absent among Poecilia females, and (2) P. mexicana females typically form female-biased shoals, such that almost any female mate choice in nature occurs in front of a female audience. Poecilia females (P. mexicana, surface and cave form, and the closely related gynogenetic Poecilia formosa) were given a choice between a large and a small male, and the tests were repeated while a conspecific, a heterospecific, or no audience female (control) was presented. Females spent more time in the neutral zone and, thus, less time near the males during the second part of a trial when an audience was presented, but-consistent with predictions-females showed only slightly weaker expression of mate preferences during the second part of the tests. This decline was not specific to the treatment involving an audience and was significantly weaker than the effect seen in the male sex.}, language = {en} } @article{NahavandiKetmaierPlathetal.2013, author = {Nahavandi, Nahid and Ketmaier, Valerio and Plath, Martin and Tiedemann, Ralph}, title = {Diversification of Ponto-Caspian aquatic fauna - morphology and molecules retrieve congruent evolutionary relationships in Pontogammarus maeoticus (Amphipoda: Pontogammaridae)}, series = {Molecular phylogenetics and evolution}, volume = {69}, journal = {Molecular phylogenetics and evolution}, number = {3}, publisher = {Elsevier}, address = {San Diego}, issn = {1055-7903}, doi = {10.1016/j.ympev.2013.05.021}, pages = {1063 -- 1076}, year = {2013}, abstract = {The geological history of the Ponto-Caspian region, with alternating cycles of isolation and reconnection among the three main basins (Black and Azov Seas, and the more distant Caspian Sea) as well as between them and the Mediterranean Sea, profoundly affected the diversification of its aquatic fauna, leading to a high degree of endemism. Two alternative hypotheses on the origin of this amazing biodiversity have been proposed, corresponding to phases of allopatric separation of aquatic fauna among sea basins: a Late Miocene origin (10-6 MYA) vs. a more recent Pleistocene ancestry (<2 MYA). Both hypotheses support a vicariant origin of (1) Black + Azov Sea lineages on the one hand, and (2) Caspian Sea lineages on the other. Here, we present a study on the Ponto-Caspian endemic amphipod Pontogammarus maeoticus. We assessed patterns of divergence based on (a) two mitochondrial and one nuclear gene, and (b) a morphometric analysis of 23 morphological traits in 16 populations from South and West Caspian Sea, South Azov Sea and North-West Black Sea. Genetic data indicate a long and independent evolutionary history, dating back from the late Miocene to early Pleistocene (6.6-1.6 MYA), for an unexpected, major split between (i) a Black Sea clade and (ii) a well-supported clade grouping individuals from the Caspian and Azov Seas. Absence of shared haplotypes argues against either recent or human-mediated exchanges between Caspian and Azov Seas. A mismatch distribution analysis supports more stable population demography in the Caspian than in the Black Sea populations. Morphological divergence largely followed patterns of genetic divergence: our analyses grouped samples according to the basin of origin and corroborated the close phylogenetic affinity between Caspian and Azov Sea lineages. Altogether, our results highlight the necessity of careful (group-specific) evaluation of evolutionary trajectories in marine taxa that should certainly not be inferred from the current geographical proximity of sea basins alone. (C) 2013 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.}, language = {en} } @article{ApioKabasaKetmaieretal.2010, author = {Apio, Ann and Kabasa, John David and Ketmaier, Valerio and Schroeder, Christoph and Plath, Martin and Tiedemann, Ralph}, title = {Female philopatry and male dispersal in a cryptic, bush-dwelling antelope : a combined molecular and behavioural approach}, issn = {0952-8369}, doi = {10.1111/j.1469-7998.2009.00654.x}, year = {2010}, abstract = {In most mammals, females are philopatric while males disperse in order to avoid inbreeding. We investigated social structure in a solitary ungulate, the bushbuck Tragelaphus sylvaticus in Queen Elizabeth National Park, Uganda by combining behavioural and molecular data. We correlated spatial and social vicinity of individual females with a relatedness score obtained from mitochondrial DNA analysis. Presumed clan members shared the same haplotype, showed more socio-positive interactions and had a common home range. Males had a higher haplotype diversity than females. All this suggests the presence of a matrilineal structure in the study population. Moreover, we tested natal dispersal distances between male and female yearlings and used control region sequences to confirm that females remain in their natal breeding areas whereas males disperse. In microsatellite analysis, males showed a higher genetic variability than females. The impoverished genetic variability of females at both molecular marker sets is consistent with a philopatric and matrilineal structure, while the higher degree of genetic variability of males is congruent with a higher dispersal rate expected in this sex. Evidence even for male long-distance dispersal is brought about by one male carrying a haplotype of a different subspecies, previously not described to occur in this area.}, language = {en} } @article{GirndtRieschSchroederetal.2012, author = {Girndt, Antje and Riesch, R{\"u}diger and Schr{\"o}der, Christiane and Sehlupp, Ingo and Plath, Martin and Tiedemann, Ralph}, title = {Multiple paternity in different populations of the sailfin molly, Poecilia latipinna}, series = {Animal biology}, volume = {62}, journal = {Animal biology}, number = {3}, publisher = {Brill}, address = {Leiden}, issn = {1570-7555}, doi = {10.1163/157075611X618192}, pages = {245 -- 262}, year = {2012}, abstract = {Rates of multiple paternities were investigated in the sailfin molly (Poecilia latipinna), using eight microsatellite loci. Genotyping was performed for offspring and mothers in 40 broods from four allopatric populations from the south-eastern U.S.A. along a geographic stretch of 1200 km in west-east direction and approximately 200 km from north to south. No significant differences regarding rates of multiple paternities were found between populations despite sample populations stemming from ecologically divergent habitats. Even the most conservative statistical approach revealed a minimum of 70\% of the broods being sired by at least two males, with an average of 1.80-2.95 putative fathers per brood. Within broods, one male typically sired far more offspring than would be expected under an assumed equal probability of all detected males siring offspring.}, language = {en} } @article{WronskiTiedemannApioetal.2006, author = {Wronski, Torsten and Tiedemann, Ralph and Apio, Ann and Plath, Martin}, title = {Cover, food, competitors and individual densities within bushbuck Tragelaphus scriptus female clan home ranges}, year = {2006}, abstract = {We examined factors predicting female densities within the common home ranges of related females ("clans") in bushbuck Tragelaphus scriptus Pallas, 1776. In this species, each female forms an individual home range, but the home ranges of matrilineal clan members strongly overlap. We found female densities to increase in areas with high canopy cover. Moreover, individual home range sizes tended to decrease with increasing cover. Food plant availability and intruder pressure by two heterospecific competitors did not significantly affect female densities. Apparently, canopy cover is the major limited resource in this species. A possible explanation is that both adult bushbuck and - even more markedly - fawns hide from predators in dense vegetation, in particular in thicket clumps and coalescences. The study shows an effect of habitat properties (eg sufficient canopy cover) on a within-population level in bushbuck, where female densities differ even among proximate clan areas}, language = {en} } @article{TiedemannSchneiderHavensteinetal.2014, author = {Tiedemann, Ralph and Schneider, Anja R. R. and Havenstein, Katja and Blanck, Torsten and Meier, Elmar and Raffel, Martina and Zwartepoorte, Henk and Plath, Martin}, title = {New microsatellite markers allow high-resolution taxon delimitation in critically endangered Asian box turtles, genus Cuora}, series = {Salamandra : German journal of herpetology}, volume = {50}, journal = {Salamandra : German journal of herpetology}, number = {3}, publisher = {Deutsche Gesellschaft f{\"u}r Herpetologie und Terrarienkunde}, address = {Darmstadt}, issn = {0036-3375}, pages = {139 -- 146}, year = {2014}, abstract = {We isolated and characterized 16 new di- and tetranudeotide microsatellite markers for the critically endangered Asian box turtle genus Cuora, focusing on the "Cuora trifasciata" species complex. The new markers were then used to analyse genetic variability and divergence amongst five described species within this complex, namely C. aurocapitata (n = 18), C. cyclornata (n = 31), C. pani (n = 6), C. trifasciata (n = 58), and C. zhoui (n = 7). Our results support the view that all five species represent valid taxa. Within two species (C. trifasciata and C. cyclornata), two distinct morphotypes were corroborated by microsatellite divergence. For three individuals, morphologically identified as being of hybrid origin, the hybrid status was confirmed by our genetic analysis. Our results confirm the controversial species (Cuora aurocapitata, C. cyclornata) and subspecies/morphotypes (C. cyclornata meieri, C. trifasciata cf. trifasciata) to be genetically distinct, which has critical implications for conservation strategies.}, language = {en} } @article{NahavandiPlathTiedemannetal.2011, author = {Nahavandi, Nahid and Plath, Martin and Tiedemann, Ralph and Mirzajani, Ali R.}, title = {Sexual and natural selection on morphological traits in a marine amphipod, Pontogammarus maeoticus (Sowinsky, 1894)}, series = {Marine biology research}, volume = {7}, journal = {Marine biology research}, number = {2}, publisher = {Taylor \& Francis Group}, address = {Oslo}, issn = {1745-1000}, doi = {10.1080/17451001003713589}, pages = {135 -- 146}, year = {2011}, abstract = {Sexual selection often leads to sexual dimorphism, where secondary sexual traits are more expressed in the male sex. This may be due, for example, to increased fighting or mate-guarding abilities of males expressing those traits. We investigated sexually dimorphic traits in four populations of a marine amphipod, Pontogammarus maeoticus (Gammaridea: Pontogammaridae), the most abundant amphipod species in the sublittoral zone along the southern shoreline of the Caspian Sea. Male amphipods are typically larger in body size than females, and have relatively larger posterior gnathopods and antennae. However, it remains to be studied for most other body appendages whether or not, and to what extent, they are sexually dimorphic. Using Analysis of Covariance (ANCOVA), we compared the relationships between body size and trait expression for 35 metric characters between males and females, and among the four populations examined by performing three different Discriminant Function Analyses (DFA). We detected several thus far undescribed sexual dimorphic traits such as the seventh peraeopods or the epimeral plates. We also found that the size of the propodus of the first and second gnathopods increases with increasing body size, and this allometric increase was stronger in males than in females. Finally, we found that the degree of sexual dimorphism in the expression of the width of the third epimeral plate varies across sites, suggesting that differences in ecology might affect the strength of sexual selection in different populations.}, language = {en} } @article{MoodleyBrufordBleidornetal.2009, author = {Moodley, Yoshan and Bruford, Michael W. and Bleidorn, Christoph and Wronski, Torsten and Apio, Ann and Plath, Martin}, title = {Analysis of mitochondrial DNA data reveals non-monophyly in the bushbuck (Tragelaphus scriptus) complex}, issn = {1616-5047}, doi = {10.1016/j.mambio.2008.05.003}, year = {2009}, language = {en} } @article{WronskiApioWankeretal.2006, author = {Wronski, Torsten and Apio, Ann and Wanker, R and Plath, Martin}, title = {Behavioural repertoire of the bushbuck (Tragelaphus scriptus): agonistic interactions, mating behaviour and parent-offspring relations}, doi = {10.1007/s10164-005-0186-y}, year = {2006}, abstract = {A free-ranging bushbuck (Tragelaphus scriptus) population was observed over a period of 3 years, thereby enabling a detailed description of the behavioural repertoire of this widespread but barely investigated solitary African antelope species. Agonistic and submissive behaviour patterns are described, among them several hitherto un- described behaviour patterns - such as "escorting", where territorial males guide intruders to the periphery of their territory - and "push-up position", an extreme form of submissive behaviour. Furthermore, we report on behaviour patterns of males and females during mating as well as on behaviour patterns of parents directed towards their offspring. Again, we describe a hitherto unknown behaviour: the protection of calves by adult males, which may be a socio-positive behaviour directed towards their offspring led by kin selection}, language = {en} } @article{PlathSeggelBurmeisteretal.2006, author = {Plath, Martin and Seggel, Uta and Burmeister, Heike and Heubel, Katja U. and Schlupp, Ingo}, title = {Choosy males from the underground : male mating preferences in surface- and cave-dwelling Atlantic mollies (Poecilia mexicana)}, doi = {10.1007/s00114-005-0072-z}, year = {2006}, abstract = {Atlantic mollies (Poecilia mexicana) inhabit a variety of surface habitats, but they also occur in a sulfur cave in southern Mexico. We examined male mate choice relative to female body size in the cave population and in the most closely related surface-dwelling population from a nearby river. Males from both populations were either light- or dark-reared and could choose between two differently sized females either on the basis of visual cues in light or on the basis of solely nonvisual cues in darkness. Sexual preferences were estimated from the degree of association. Cave molly males always showed a preference for the larger female, both in light and in darkness. Among the surface males, only light-reared males showed a preference in the visual cues test, but not in darkness. In a control experiment, we demonstrated that male association preferences directly translate into actual mating preferences. Apparently, using visual cues for mate choice is the ancestral state in this system, and using nonvisual cues has evolved as a novel trait in the cave population. We discuss the evolution of nonvisual male mate choice in the context of changed environmental conditions, namely the absence of light, hypoxia, and toxic hydrogen sulfide in the cave}, language = {en} } @article{PoschadelMeyerLuchtPlath2006, author = {Poschadel, Jens R. and Meyer-Lucht, Yvonne and Plath, Martin}, title = {Response to chemical cues from conspecifics reflects male mating preference for large females and avoidance of large competitors in the European pond turtle, Emys orbicularis}, issn = {0005-7959}, doi = {10.1163/156853906776759510}, year = {2006}, abstract = {We examined chemical communication in male and female European pond turtles (Emys orbicularis). In simultaneous binary choice tests, a focal animal was given a choice between pheromones from a conspecific and a choice chamber containing untreated water. Females did not show a preference, both when male and when female stimuli were presented. On the contrary, males preferred the odor of a female over untreated water, suggesting that males actively search for females. The strength of preference was positively correlated with the body size difference between the female and the focal male, indicating that males prefer to mate with larger females. Female fecundity is positively correlated with female size in E. orbicularis, which may account for male choosiness. No overall preference for the stimulus animal was observed when males were presented cues from another male. However, the strength of preference was negatively correlated with the difference in body size. Males avoided large males, but oriented towards smaller stimulus males. This reflects that males form dominance hierarchies, where large males aggressively attack smaller ones. Far-range chemical communication probably enables males to minimize the risk of costly aggressive interactions. This is, to our knowledge, the first study on the role of chemical cues for inter-and intrasexual communication in the European pond turtle}, language = {en} } @article{WronskiApioPlath2006, author = {Wronski, Torsten and Apio, Ann and Plath, Martin}, title = {The communicatory significance of localised defecation sites in bushbuck (Tragelaphus scriptus)}, doi = {10.1007/s00265-006-0174-4}, year = {2006}, abstract = {Like several other mammals, bushbuck (Tragelaphus scriptus) deposit faeces in specific localised defecation sites (LDS). A previous study has ruled out a function of LDS in the context of parasite avoidance. In this study, we investigated the communicatory significance of LDS. In a free ranging population, we tested whether LDS serve to demarcate home ranges, and/or if LDS are used for communication in a non-territorial context. In both sexes, LDS increased significantly in number towards the periphery of individual home ranges. However, the distribution pattern of LDS, as revealed by a nearest-neighbour mapping technique (nearest distances between LDS), did not support the idea that LDS serve home range/territory-demarcation because LDS did not follow a pattern of minimal nearest-neighbour distances along the margins of home ranges. We found females to urinate more often in LDS than males. Notably, information transfer was most frequent between sending (urinating or defecating) females and receiving/responding males (urination or defecation at places where a female had previously signalled). Our results suggest that LDS mainly serve for inter- sexual communication in bushbuck}, language = {en} } @article{PlathRohdeSchroederetal.2006, author = {Plath, Martin and Rohde, Matthias and Schr{\"o}der, Thekla and Taebel-Hellwig, Angelika and Schlupp, Ingo}, title = {Female mating preferences in blind cave tetras Astyanax fasciatus (Characidae, Teleostei)}, issn = {0005-7959}, doi = {10.1163/156853906775133560}, year = {2006}, abstract = {The Mexican tetra Astyanax fasciatus has evolved a variety of more or less color- and eyeless cave populations. Here we examined the evolution of the female preference for large male body size within different populations of this species, either surface- or cave-dwelling. Given the choice between visual cues from a large and a small male, females from the surface form as well as females from an eyed cave form showed a strong preference for large males. When only non-visual cues were presented in darkness, the surface females did not prefer either males. Among the six cave populations studied, females of the eyed cave form and females of one of the five eyeless cave populations showed a preference for large males. Apparently, not all cave populations of Astyanax have evolved non-visual mating preferences. We discuss the role of selection by benefits of non-visual mate choice for the evolution of non-visual mating preferences}, language = {en} } @misc{PlathHermannSchroederetal.2010, author = {Plath, Martin and Hermann, Bernd and Schr{\"o}der, Christine and Riesch, R{\"u}diger and Tobler, Michael and Garc{\´i}a de Le{\´o}n, Francisco J. and Schlupp, Ingo and Tiedemann, Ralph}, title = {Locally adapted fish populations maintain small-scale genetic differentiation despite perturbation by a catastrophic flood event}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:kobv:517-opus-48599}, year = {2010}, abstract = {Background: Local adaptation to divergent environmental conditions can promote population genetic differentiation even in the absence of geographic barriers and hence, lead to speciation. Perturbations by catastrophic events, however, can distort such parapatric ecological speciation processes. Here, we asked whether an exceptionally strong flood led to homogenization of gene pools among locally adapted populations of the Atlantic molly (Poecilia mexicana, Poeciliidae) in the Cueva del Azufre system in southern Mexico, where two strong environmental selection factors (darkness within caves and/or presence of toxic H2S in sulfidic springs) drive the diversification of P. mexicana. Nine nuclear microsatellites as well as heritable female life history traits (both as a proxy for quantitative genetics and for trait divergence) were used as markers to compare genetic differentiation, genetic diversity, and especially population mixing (immigration and emigration) before and after the flood. Results: Habitat type (i.e., non-sulfidic surface, sulfidic surface, or sulfidic cave), but not geographic distance was the major predictor of genetic differentiation. Before and after the flood, each habitat type harbored a genetically distinct population. Only a weak signal of individual dislocation among ecologically divergent habitat types was uncovered (with the exception of slightly increased dislocation from the Cueva del Azufre into the sulfidic creek, El Azufre). By contrast, several lines of evidence are indicative of increased flood-induced dislocation within the same habitat type, e.g., between different cave chambers of the Cueva del Azufre. Conclusions: The virtual absence of individual dislocation among ecologically different habitat types indicates strong natural selection against migrants. Thus, our current study exemplifies that ecological speciation in this and other systems, in which extreme environmental factors drive speciation, may be little affected by temporary perturbations, as adaptations to physico-chemical stressors may directly affect the survival probability in divergent habitat types.}, language = {en} } @article{FeulnerPlathEngelmannetal.2009, author = {Feulner, Philine G. D. and Plath, Martin and Engelmann, Jacob and Kirschbaum, Frank and Tiedemann, Ralph}, title = {Electrifying love : electric fish use species-specific discharge for mate recognition}, issn = {1744-9561}, doi = {10.1098/rsbl.2008.0566}, year = {2009}, abstract = {Mate choice is mediated by a range of sensory cues, and assortative mating based on these cues can drive reproductive isolation among diverging populations. A specific feature of mormyrid fish, the electric organ discharge (EOD), is used for electrolocation and intraspecific communication. We hypothesized that the EOD also facilitates assortative mating and ultimately promotes prezygotic reproductive isolation in African weakly electric fishes. Our behavioural experiments using live males as well as EOD playback demonstrated that female mate recognition is influenced by EOD signals and that females are attracted to EOD characteristics of conspecific males. The dual function of the EOD for both foraging and social communication (including mate recognition leading to assortative mating) underlines the importance of electric signal differentiation for the divergence of African weakly electric fishes. Thus, the EOD provides an intriguing mechanism promoting trophic divergence and reproductive isolation between two closely related Campylomormyrus species occurring in sympatry in the lower Congo rapids.}, language = {en} } @misc{ZiegeTheodorouJuenglingetal.2020, author = {Ziege, Madlen and Theodorou, Panagiotis and J{\"u}ngling, Hannah and Merker, Stefan and Plath, Martin and Streit, Bruno and Lerp, Hannes}, title = {Population genetics of the European rabbit along a rural-to-urban gradient}, series = {Postprints der Universit{\"a}t Potsdam : Mathematisch Naturwissenschaftliche Reihe}, journal = {Postprints der Universit{\"a}t Potsdam : Mathematisch Naturwissenschaftliche Reihe}, number = {880}, issn = {1866-8372}, doi = {10.25932/publishup-46035}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:kobv:517-opus4-460354}, pages = {14}, year = {2020}, abstract = {The European rabbit (Oryctolagus cuniculus) is declining in large parts of Europe but populations in some German cities remained so far unaffected by this decline. The question arises of how urbanization affects patterns of population genetic variation and differentiation in German rabbit populations, as urban habitat fragmentation may result in altered meta-population dynamics. To address this question, we used microsatellite markers to genotype rabbit populations occurring along a rural-to-urban gradient in and around the city of Frankfurt, Germany. We found no effect of urbanization on allelic richness. However, the observed heterozygosity was significantly higher in urban than rural populations and also the inbreeding coefficients were lower, most likely reflecting the small population sizes and possibly on-going loss of genetic diversity in structurally impoverished rural areas. Global FST and G'ST-values suggest moderate but significant differentiation between populations. Multiple matrix regression with randomization ascribed this differentiation to isolation-by-environment rather than isolation-by-distance. Analyses of migration rates revealed asymmetrical gene flow, which was higher from rural into urban populations than vice versa and may again reflect intensified agricultural land-use practices in rural areas. We discuss that populations inhabiting urban areas will likely play an important role in the future distribution of European rabbits.}, language = {en} }