@article{Linsenmair1972, author = {Linsenmair, Karl Eduard}, title = {Anemomenotactic orientation in beetles and scorpions}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-78118}, year = {1972}, abstract = {Scorpions, living in North African semideserts are - in spite of disrupting experimental interferences - able to maintain a certain direction in their natural environment in the dark on a plane surface. Under comparable laboratory conditions, excluding the possibility of light or gravity orientation, they can orient themselves if a directed air current passes over the "arena." In most cases the scorpions do not run necessarily with or against the wind, but rather maintain constant angles to the air current for anywhere from minutes to many hours. They are running anemomenotactically (ref. 1). Under identical conditions many species of beetles also orient themselves to air currents (refs. 2 to 4). The main problems to be solved in the study of anemomenotactic orientation are: (1) Which physical qualities of the air current have an influence on the anemomenotaxis? (2) With which sense organs do beetles and scorpions perceive wind directions? (3) Which physiological mechanism is the basis of anemomenotactic orientation? (4) What is the biological significance of anemomenotaxis in beetles and scorpions? With respect to these problems, more study has been done on beetles than on scorpions. Therefore, due to lack of space, I shall discuss mainly some of the results obtained in experiments with dung beetles (Geotrupes silvaticus, G. ,Stercorarius, G. armifrons, G. niger, Scarabaeus variolosus) and tenebrionid beetles (Tenebrio molitor, Pimelia grossa, P. tenuicomis, Scaurus dubius).}, subject = {Biologie}, language = {en} } @article{Linsenmair1974, author = {Linsenmair, Karl Eduard}, title = {Some adaptations of the desert woodlouse Hemilepistus reaumuri (Isopoda, Oniscoidea) to desert environment}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-44483}, year = {1974}, abstract = {No abstract available}, language = {en} } @incollection{WarburgLinsenmairBercovitz1984, author = {Warburg, M. R. and Linsenmair, Karl Eduard and Bercovitz, K.}, title = {The effect of climate on the distribution and abundance of isopods}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-44473}, publisher = {Universit{\"a}t W{\"u}rzburg}, year = {1984}, abstract = {Climate affects both the distribution and abundance of isopods. Humidity and moisture affect their activity and distribution. Survival of juveniles is largely dependent on moisture. The reproductive pattern is affected by temperature and light. Food affects growth and thus, indirectly, also reproduction, as larger females tend to produce larger broods and more frequent broods than smaller ones. Generally in isopods there is little evidence to suggest that food is a very important factor affecting their abundance. Both semelparity and iteroparity are found in isopods and both reproductive strategies are apparently successful. Mortality factors affect the oocytes, the marsupial stages, and most of all the newly released individuals . Apart from climatic factors, predation and, to a lesser extent, parasitism are the main causes of mortality. Longevity of isopods ranges from one to five years. Occasional population explosions ofisopods are known to take place, their cause being unknown.}, language = {en} } @article{Linsenmair1984, author = {Linsenmair, Karl Eduard}, title = {Comparative studies on the social behaviour of the desert isopod Hemilepistus reaumuri and of a Porcellio species}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-30846}, year = {1984}, abstract = {Behavioural adaptations have made the desert isopod Hemilepistus reaumuri the most successful herbivore and detritivore of the macrofauna of many arid areas in North Africa and Asia Minor. For survival and reproduction Hemilepistus is dependent on burrows. New burrows can only be dug during spring. With the time-consuming digging of a burrow, Hemilepistus has only made the first step towards solving its ecological problems. The burrows are vital and have to be continuously defended against competitors. This requirement is met by co-operation of individuals within the framework of a highly developed social behaviour. In spring adults form monogamous pairs in which partners recognize each other individually and later form, with their progeny, strictly closed family communities. Hemilepistus is compared with a Porcellio' sp. which has developed, convergently, a social behaviour which resembles that of Hemilepistus in many respects, but differs essentially in some aspects, partly reflecting differences in ecological requirements. This and a few other Porcellio species demonstrate some possible steps in the evolution of the social behaviour of Hemilepistus. The female Hemilepistus is-in contrast to Porcellio sp. - semelparous and the selective advantages of monogamy in its environment are not difficult to recognize. This chapter discusses how this mating system could have evolved and especially why monogamous behaviour is also the best method for the Hemilepistus male to maximize its reproductive success. The cohesion of pairs and of family communities in Hemilepistus is based on a highly developed chemical communication system. Individual- and family-specific badges owe their specificity to genetically determined discriminating substances. The nature of the badges raises a series of questions: e.g. since alien badges release aggression, how do parents avoid cannibalizing their young? Similar problems arise from the fact that family badges are mixtures of chemical compounds of very low volatility with the consequence that they can only be transferred by direct contact and that during moulting all substances are lost which an individual does not produce itself. It is shown that in solving these problems inhibiting properties (presumably substances) and learning play a dominant role.}, language = {en} } @article{Linsenmair1985, author = {Linsenmair, Karl Eduard}, title = {Individual and family recognition in subsocial arthropods, in particular in the desert isopod Hemilepistus reaumuri}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-33957}, year = {1985}, abstract = {Individual recogmtlon in the non-eusocial arthropods is, according to our present knowledge, predominantly found in the frame of permanent or temporary monogamy. In some cases, e. g. in stomatopods and possibly other marine crustaceans too, individual recognition may serve to allow identification of (i) individuals within dominance hierarchies or (ii) neighbours in territorial species thus helping to avoid the repetition of unnecessary and costly fights. Kin recognition is experimentally proven only in some isopod species (genera Hemilepistus and Porcel/io) and in the primitive cockroach (termite?) Cryptocercus. The «signatures» or «discriminators» used in the arthropods are chemical. It is assumed that the identifying substances are mainly genetically determined and in this paper I shall discuss possible evolutionary origins. The main part of this account is devoted to the presentation of some aspects of the highly developed individual and kin identification and recognition system in the desert isopod Hemilepistus reaumuri - a pure monogamous species in which pairs together with their progeny form strictly exclusive family units. Amongst other things problems of (i) mate choice, (ii) learning to recognize a partner, (iii) avoiding the un adaptive familiarization with aliens are treated. Monogamy under present conditions is for both sexes the only suitable way of maximizing reproductive success; an extremely strong selection pressure must act against every attempt to abandon monogamy under the given ecological conditions. The family «badges» which are certainly always blends of different discriminator substances are extremely variable. This variability is mainly due to genetical differences and is not environmentally caused. It is to be expected that intra-family variabiliry exists in respect of the production of discriminator substances. Since the common badge of a family is the result of exchanging and mixing individual substances, and since the chemical nature of these discriminators requires direct body contacts in order to acquire those substances which an individual does not produce itself, problems must arise with molting. These difficulties do indeed exist and they are aggravated by the fact that individuals may produce substances which do not show up in the common family badge. An efficient learning capability on the one hand and the use of inhibiting properties of newly molted isopods help to solve these problems. In the final discussion three questions are posed and - partly at least - answered; (i) why are families so strictly exclusive, (ii) how many discriminator substances have to be produced to provide a variability allowing families to remain exclusive under extreme conditions of very high population densities, (iii) what is the structure of the family badge and what does an individual have to learn apart from the badge in order not to mistake a family member for an alien or vice versa.}, language = {en} } @article{KobeltLinsenmair1986, author = {Kobelt, Frank and Linsenmair, Karl Eduard}, title = {Adaptations of the reed frog Hyperolius viridiflavus to its arid environment. I. The skin of Hyperolius viridiflavus nitidulus in wet and dry season conditions.}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-30551}, year = {1986}, abstract = {Hyperolius viridiflavus nitidulus inhabits parts of the seasonally very hot and dry West African savanna. During the long lasting dry season, the small frog is sitting unhidden on mostly dry plants and has to deal with high solar radiation load (SRL), evaporative water loss (EWL) and small energy reserves. It seems to be very badly equipped to survive such harsh climatic conditions (unfavorable surface to volume ratio, very limited capacity to st{\"o}re energy and water). Therefore, it must have developed extraordinary efficient mechanisms to solve the mentioned Problems. Some of these mechanisms are to be looked for within the skin of the animal (e.g. protection against fast desiccation, deleterious effects of UV radiation and over-heating). The morphology of the wet season skin is, in most aspects, that of a "normal" anuran skin. It differs in the Organization of the processes of the melanophores and in the arrangement of the chromatophores in the Stratum spongiosum, forming no "Dermal Chromatophore Unit". During the adaptation to dry season conditions the number of iridophores in dorsal and ventral skin is increased 4-6 times compared to wet season skin. This increase is accompanied by a very conspicuous change of the wet season color pattern. Now, at air temperatures below 35° C the color becomes brownish white or grey and changes to a brilliant white at air temperatures near and over 40° C. Thus, in dry season State the frog retains its ability for rapid color change. In wet season State the platelets of the iridophores are irregularly distributed. In dry season State many platelets become arranged almost parallel to the surface. These purine crystals probably act as quarter-wave-length interference reflectors, reducing SRL by reflecting a considerable amount of the radiated energy input. EWL is as low as that of much larger xeric reptilians. The impermeability of the skin seems to be the result of several mechanisms (ground substance, iridophores, lipids, mucus) supplementing each other. The light red skin at the pelvic region and inner sides of the limbs is specialized for rapid uptake of water allowing the frog to replenish the unavoidable EWL by using single drops of dew or rain, available for only very short periods.}, language = {en} } @article{Linsenmair1986, author = {Linsenmair, Karl Eduard}, title = {Adaptations of the reed frog Hyperbolius viridiflavus to its arid environment: II. Some aspects of the water economy of H. viridiflavus nitidulus under wet and dry ...}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-78395}, year = {1986}, abstract = {Adaptations to aridity ofthe reedfrog Hyperolius viridiflavus nitidulus, living in different parts of the seasonally very dry and hot West African savanna, are investigated ...}, subject = {Zoologie}, language = {en} } @article{GeiseLinsenmair1988, author = {Geise, W. and Linsenmair, Karl Eduard}, title = {Adaptations of the reed frog Hyperbolius viridiflavus to its arid environment. IV. Ecological significance of water economy with comments on thermoregulation and energy allocation}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-30570}, year = {1988}, abstract = {No abstract available}, language = {en} } @article{LinsenmairSchmuck1988, author = {Linsenmair, Karl Eduard and Schmuck, R.}, title = {Adaptations of the reed frog Hyperbolius viridiflavus to its arid environment. III. Aspects of nitrogen metabolism and osmuregulation in the reed frog, H. viridiflavus taeniatus, with special reference to the role of iridophores}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-78108}, year = {1988}, abstract = {Reed frogs of the superspecies Hyperolius viridiflavus occur throughout the seasonally very dry and hot African savannas. Despite their small size (300-700 mg), estivating reed frogs do not avoid stressful conditions above ground by burrowing into the soil, but endure the inhospitable climate relatively unprotected, clinging to mostly dry grass sterns. They must have emcient mechanisms to enable them to survive e.g. very high temperatures, low relative hurnidities, and high solar radiation loads. Mechanisms must also have developed to prevent poisoning by the nitrogenous wastes that inevitably result from protein and nucleotide turnover. In contrast to fossorial amphibians, estivating reed frogs do not become torpid. Reduction in metabolism is therefore rather Iimited so that nitrogenous wastes accumulate faster in these frogs than in fossorial amphibians. This severely aggravates the osmotic problems caused by dehydration. During dry periods total plasma osmolarity greatly increases, mainly due to urea accumulation. Of the total urea accumulated over 42 days of experimental water deprivation, 30\% was produced during the first 7 days. In the next 7 days rise in plasma urea content was negligible. This strong initial increase of urea is seen as a byproduct of elevated amino acid catabolism following the onset of dry conditions. Tbe rise in total plasma osmolarity due to urea accumulation, however, is not totally disadvantageous, but enables fast rehydration when water is available for very short periods only. Voiding of urine and feces eeases once evaporative water loss exceeds 10\% of body weight. Tberefore, during continuous water deprivation, nitrogenous end products are not excreted. After 42 days of water deprivation, bladder fluid was substantially depleted, and urea coneentration in the remaining urine (up to 447 mM) was never greater than in plasma fluid. Feces voided at the end of the dry period after water uptake contained only small amounts of nitrogenous end products. DSF (dry season frogs) seemed not to be uricotelic. Instead, up to 35\% of the total nitrogenous wastes produced over 42 days of water deprivation were deposited in an osmotically inert and nontoxic form in iridophore crystals. The increase in skin purine content averaged 150 µg/mg dry weight. If urea had been the only nitrogenous waste product during an estivation period of 42 days, lethal limits of total osmolarity (about 700 mOsm) would have been reached 10-14 days earlier. Thus iridophores are not only involved in colour change and in reducing heat load by radiation remission, but are also important in osmoregulation during dry periods. The seIective advantages of deposition of guanine rather than uric acid are discussed.}, subject = {Biologie}, language = {en} } @article{SchmuckKobeltLinsenmair1988, author = {Schmuck, R. and Kobelt, F. and Linsenmair, Karl Eduard}, title = {Adaptations of the reed frog Hyperbolius viridiflavus (Anura, Hyperbolidae) to its arid environment: V. Iridophores and nitrogen metabolism}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-78094}, year = {1988}, abstract = {Ofall amphibians living in arid habitats, reed frogs (belonging to the super species Hyperolius viridiflavus) are the most peculiar. Froglets are able to tolerate dry periods of up to 35 days or longer immediately after metamorphosis, in climatically exposed positions. They face similar problems to estivating juveniles, i.e. enduranee of long periods of high temperature and low RH with rather limited energy and water reserves. In addition, they must have had to develop meehanisms to prevent poisoning by nitrogenous wastes that rapidly accumulate during dry periods as a metabolie consequenee of maintaining a non-torpid state. During dry periods, plasma osmolarity of H. v. taeniatus froglets strongly increased, mainly through urea accumulation. Urea accumulation was also observed during metamorphic climax. During postmetamorphic growth, chromatophores develop with the density and morphology typical of the adult pigmentary pattern. The dermal iridophore layer, which is still incomplete at this time, is fully developed within 4-8 days after metamorphosis, irrespective of maintenance conditions. These iridophores mainly contain the purines guanine and hypoxanthine. The ability of these purines to reflect light provides an excellent basis for the role of iridophores in temperature regulation. In individuals experiencing dehydration stress, the initial rate of purine synthesis is doubled in eomparison to specimens continuously maintained under wet season conditions. This increase in synthesis rate leads to a rapid increase in the thiekness of the iridophore layer, thereby effectively reducing radiation absorption. Thus, the danger of overheating is diminished during periods of water shortage when evaporative cooling must be avoided. After the development of an iridophore layer of sufficient thickness for effective radiation reflectance, synthesis of iridophore pigments does not cease. Rather, this pathway is further used during the remaining dry season for solving osmotic problems eaused by accumulation of nitrogenous wastes. During prolonged water deprivation, in spite of reduced metabolic rates, purine pigments are produced at the same rate as in wet season conditions. This leads to a higher relative proportion of nitrogen end products being stored in skin pigments under dry season conditions. At the end of an experimental dry season lasting 35 days, up to 38\% of the accrued nitrogen is stored in the form of osmotically inactive purines in thc skin. Thus the osmotic problems caused by evaporative water loss and urea production are greatly reduced.}, subject = {Biologie}, language = {en} }