@misc{Fiala1990, author = {Fiala, Brigitte}, title = {Extrafloral nectaries versus ant-Homoptera mutualisms : a comment on Becerra and Venable}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-32948}, year = {1990}, abstract = {No abstract available}, subject = {Nektarium}, language = {en} } @article{FialaMaschwitz1990, author = {Fiala, Brigitte and Maschwitz, Ulrich}, title = {Studies on the south east asian ant-plant association Crematogaster borneensis / Macaranga: adaptations of the ant partner.}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-32689}, year = {1990}, abstract = {C. borneensis (Myrmicinae) lives in dose association with several myrmecophytic species of the South East Asian pioneer tree genus Macaranga (Euphorbiaceae). The ants are adapted to the plants so dosely that they do not survive away from it. The only food they utilize is provided as food bodies by the plant and honeydew from specific scale insects kept inside the hollow internodes. The anatomy of the digestive tract is also adapted to life on the host plant: the crop is very sm all and can store only minute food quantities. C. borneensis exdusively colonizes certain Macaranga species. Queens as weIl as workers are able to recognize their host plant species, probably by chemical cues. Colony founding queens swarm throughout the year, mostly during darkness. There is strong competition among queens for host plants. Queens do not carry scale insects on their nuptial flight. Worker ants are active day and night. Most of them patrol and collect food bodies on the younger parts of the host plant. An important characteristic is their deaning behaviour, which results in removal of aIl foreign objects. Even though they are rather smalI, workers respond very aggressively to certain kinds of disturbance of the host plant. The ants attack most phytophagous insects and are especially effective in killing and removing smalI, softbodied herbivores (e.g. caterpillars). They do not possess a functional sting, but apply defensive secretion and-once biting an intruder-will not let go. Their effective alarm system results in a mass attack, which provides adequate defence for the colony and the host plant. A comparison with another Crematogaster species further illustrated the special adaptations of C. borneensis to its host plant.}, language = {en} } @article{WeisingFialaRamlochetal.1990, author = {Weising, K. and Fiala, Brigitte and Ramloch, K. and Kahl, K. and Epplen, J. T.}, title = {Olingonucleotide fingerprinting in angiosperms}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-42884}, year = {1990}, abstract = {No abstract available}, language = {en} } @inproceedings{Mahsberg1990, author = {Mahsberg, Dieter}, title = {Brood care and family cohesion in the tropical scorpion Pandinus imperator (Koch) (Scorpiones: Scorpionidae)}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-45776}, year = {1990}, abstract = {Pandinus imperator is a forest dweller of tropical West Africa. In the field, lobserved aggregations of up to 15 individuals. In the laboratory, mixed age groups of related and also unrelated animals lived jointly in terraria rarely showing within-group aggression or cannibalism. Brood-caring behavior of the mother influenced growth rate and survival probability of the young. With birth, mothers became very aggressive. To study family cohesion in Pandinus, experiments with family groups were conducted. Siblings aggregated around their mother. In choice experiments with two family groups, mothers were placed in enclosures that only the young were able to enter or to leave. Second instars significantly preferred the enclosure containing their own mother. Aggression among unrelated young of the same age was not observed. Feeding experiments studied the possible advantages of long-Iasting group living with regard to enhanced success in prey capture and its effect on growth of the young. Even groups of second instars were unable to subdue large prey on their own. Sibling groups with their mother removed suffered high mortality due to starvation and cannibalism compared to groups with mothers present. Here, young grew significantly faster: they shared the prey that only the mother was able to kill and dismember. Pandinus imperator has to be considered an intermediate subsocial scorpion.}, subject = {Skorpion}, language = {en} } @article{GrafeLinsenmair1989, author = {Grafe, U. and Linsenmair, Karl Eduard}, title = {Protogynous sex change in the Reed Frog: Hyperolius viridiflavus}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-30990}, year = {1989}, abstract = {Observations on captive reed frogs Hyperolius viridijlavus ommatostictus showed that seven out of 24 females changed into males. Sex change occurred without any hormone treatment and resulted in completely functional males. The adaptive value is discussed in terms of maximizing life-time reproductive success. Hyperolius r. ommatostictus is the first amphibian known to show functional sex reversal.}, 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} } @article{PeschkeMahsberggebKrapfFuldner1987, author = {Peschke, Klaus and Mahsberg [geb. Krapf], Dieter and Fuldner, Dietrich}, title = {Ecological separation, functional relationships, and limiting resources in a carrion insect community}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-86361}, year = {1987}, abstract = {1. Thr ecological separation of 19 carrion inscet species (adults and some of their larvae) was investigated at rabbit carcasses in North Bavaria (FRG) referring to 4 niche dimensions. In the (1.) macrohabitats (forest - clearing) the distribution of saprophageous beetle larvae was mainly considered, for (2.) seasonality the differential abundance of blow flies (Colliphoridae). (3.) The stages of decay were correlated with the temperature dependent development of blow fly maggots affecting the abundance of competing saprophageous beetles and of carnivors preying upon maggots of different size classes. By using ( 4.) microhabitats (spatial subdivision of a carcass) as further niche dimension, the dustering of speries using similar food resources was domonstrated in a niche overlap dendrogram. 2. The quantitative effect of predators on blow fly maggots was investigated both in field and laboratory experiments. Predation upon maggots rcduces their scramble competition, resulting in a higher pupal weight. Thus, the reproductive succcss of the blow flies seems to be buffered by the developmental flexibility of the calliphorids. The numerical effect of predators and parasitoids on the blow fly pupae was also quantified. 3. In a case study on the staphylinid beetle, Aleochara curtula, we investigated the diffenntial abundance of sexes. The ratio at which the males and females arrive at the carcass is balanced. Here the beetles feed and copulated. Females depart into the vicinity of the carrion much earlier than males, thus shifting the sex ratio to a maale bias. In the surroundings the females deposit their eggs, and the parasitoid first instar larvae search for scattered blow fly pupae. The temporal and spatial distribution of both sexes of A. curtula is thus not only affected by the food allocation of the adults, but a.lso by limiting resources of mating end egg laying sites as well as larval hosts.}, subject = {Aask{\"a}fer}, 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} }