TY - JOUR A1 - Fiala, Brigitte A1 - Grunsky, Harald A1 - Maschwitz, Ulrich A1 - Linsenmair, Karl Eduard T1 - Diversity of ant-plant interactions: Protective efficacy in Macaranga species with different degrees of ant-association. N2 - The pioneer tree Macaranga in SE Asia has developed manyfold associations with ants. The genus comprises all stages of interaction with ants, from facultative relationships to obligate myrmecophytes. Only myrmecophytic Macaranga offer nesting space for ants and are associated with a specific ant partner. The nonmyrmecophytic species are visited by a variety of different ant species which are attracted by extrafloral nectaries (EFN) and food bodies. Transitional Macaranga species like M. hosei are colonized later in their development due to their stem structure. Before the colonization by their specific Crematogaster partner the young plants are visited by different ant species attracted by EFN. These nectaries are reduced and food body production starts as soon as colonization becomes possible. We demonstrated earlier that obligate ant partners can protect their Macaranga plants against herbivore damage and vine cover. In this study we focused on nonspecific interactions and studied M. tanarius and M. hosei, representing a non-myrmecophyte and a transitional species respectively. In ant exclusion experiments both M. tanarius and M. hosei suffered significantly higher mean leaf damage than controls, 37% versus 6% in M. hosei, 16% versus 7% in M. tanarius. M. tanarius offers both EFN and food bodies so that tests for different effects of these two food rewards could be conducted. Plants with food bodies removed but with EFN remaining had the lowest mean increase of herbivore damage of all experimental groups. Main herbivores on M. hosei were mites and caterpillars. Many M. tanarius plants were infested by a shootborer. Both Macaranga species were visited by various ant species. Crematogaster spp. being the most abundant. We found no evidence for any specific relationships. The results of this study strongly support the hypothesis that non-specific, facultative associations with ants can be advantageous for Macaranga plants. Food bodies appear to have lower attractive value for opportunistic ants than EFN and may require a specific dietary adaptation. This is also indicated by the fact that food body production in the transitional M. hosei does not start before stem structure allows a colonization by the obligate Crematogaster species. M. hosei thus benefits from facultative association with a variety of ants until it produces its first domatia and can be colonized by its obligate mutualist. KW - Ant-plant interactions ; Herbivory Macaranga ; Mutualism ; Myrmecophytes Y1 - 1994 U6 - http://nbn-resolving.de/urn/resolver.pl?urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-32905 ER - TY - JOUR A1 - Linsenmair, Karl Eduard T1 - Biologische Vielfalt und ökologische Stabilität N2 - No abstract available Y1 - 1994 U6 - http://nbn-resolving.de/urn/resolver.pl?urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-31157 ER - TY - JOUR A1 - Schmuck, R. A1 - Geise, W. A1 - Linsenmair, Karl Eduard T1 - Life cycle strategies and physiological adjustments of Reedfrog Tadpoles (Amphibia, Anura, Hyperoliidae) in relation to environmental conditions. N2 - The relationship between different degrees of intraspecific crowding of reedfrog tadpoles and their physiological responses to a deterioration of the natal pond water quality was examined under laboratory conditions. Tadpoles that were reared at a lower density metamorphosed significantly earlier than those raised at a higher density. As density increases, the average body length at metamorphosis decreases. However, at low tadpole density, a significantly higher diversity of body size classes among freshly metamorphosed froglets was observed than under more crowded conditions. Mortality increased during metamorphic climax and was inversely correlated with the tadpole density. In ephemeral ponds, an accumulation of nitrogenous wastes from metabolic processes and/or a concentration by evaporation in prolonged rainless periods can pose a considerable chemical stress to reedfrog tadpoles. Hyperolius viridiflavus ommatostictus responded to an increasing ammonia concentration with an activity increase of the ornithine cycle (intensified urea synthesis). hi contrast, Hyperolius marmoratus taeniatus exhibited a strong tolerance against high ammonia levels. A deterioration of the natal pond water quality caused H. v. ommatostictus and H. v. nitidulus tadpoles to adjust to harsher climatic conditions at the time of metamorphosis. This physiological preadjustment enabled the froglets to start feeding and growing immediately after metamorphosis even at low air humidity and rare precipitation events. In contrast, froglets that were raised in daily refreshed water exhibited high mortality rates if subjected to identical conditions. As one possible indicator of the actual climatic conditions prevailing in the surrounding terrestrial habitat, fluctuations in the water ammonia level are discussed. Y1 - 1994 U6 - http://nbn-resolving.de/urn/resolver.pl?urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-31009 ER - TY - JOUR A1 - Röder, G. A1 - Steinlein, C. A1 - Schmid, M. A1 - Linsenmair, Karl Eduard T1 - Karyotype and chromosome banding in the Turkish desert woodlouse Desertellio elongatus (Crustacea, Isopoda, Oniscidea) N2 - The karyotype of D. elongatus was investigated by means of C-banding, silver staining, and mithramycinand quinacrine fluorescent staining. The diploid chromosome number is 2n = 50. C-banding shows pericentromerically localized constitutive heterochromatin in every chromosome. Two of the chromosome pairs carry two telomeric nucleolus organizer regions each. No heteromorphic sex chromosomes were found. KW - Karyotype; chromosome banding; Desertellio elongatus; Crustacea; Isopoda; Oniscidea Y1 - 1993 U6 - http://nbn-resolving.de/urn/resolver.pl?urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-30989 ER - TY - JOUR A1 - Fiala, Brigitte A1 - Maschwitz, Ulrich T1 - Food bodies and their significance for obligate ant-association in the tree genus Macaranga (Euphorbiaceae) N2 - The production of extrafloral nectar and food bodies plays an important role in many tropical ant-plant mutualisms. In Malaysia, a close association exists between ants and some species of the pioneer tree genus Macaranga (Euphorbiaccac). Macaranga is a very diverse genus which exhibits all stages ofintcraction with ants, from facultative to obligatory associations. The ants nest inside the hollow inlcrnodes and reed mainly on food budies provided by the plants. Food body production had previously been reported only in myrrnecophytic Macaranga species, where it is usually coneentrated on protected parts or the plants such as recurved stipules. We found that non-myrmecophytic Macaranga species also produce food bodies on leaves and stems, where they are collected by a variety or ants. Levels of food body production differ between facultatively and obligatorily ant-associated species but also among the various non-myrmecophytes. This may he rdated to the degree of interaction with ants. Food body production starts at a younger age in the myrmccophytic species than in the transitional or non-myrmcccophytic Macaranga. Although food bodies of the non-inhabited Macaranga species are collected by a variety of ants, there is nu evidence of association with specific ant species. Our observations suggest that food bodies enhance the evolution of ant-plant interactions. Production of food bodies alone, however, does not appear to be the most important factor for the development of obligate myrmccopllytism in Macaranga. KW - Ant-plant interactions KW - evolution KW - food bodies KW - Macaranga KW - Malaysia KW - myrmrcophytism Y1 - 1992 U6 - http://nbn-resolving.de/urn/resolver.pl?urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-32921 ER - TY - JOUR A1 - Grafe, T. Ulmar A1 - Schmuck, Richard A1 - Linsenmair, Karl Eduard T1 - Reproductive energetics of the African Reed Frogs, Hyperolius viridiflavus and Hyperolius marmoratus N2 - No abstract available Y1 - 1992 U6 - http://nbn-resolving.de/urn/resolver.pl?urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-31187 ER - TY - JOUR A1 - Kobelt, F. A1 - Linsenmair, Karl Eduard T1 - Adaptations of the reed frog Hyperolius viridiflavus (Hyperoliidae) to its arid environment. VI. The iridophores in the skin as radiation reflectors N2 - No abstract available Y1 - 1992 U6 - http://nbn-resolving.de/urn/resolver.pl?urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-30563 ER - TY - JOUR A1 - Fiala, Brigitte A1 - Maschwitz, Ulrich T1 - Domatia as most important adaptations in the evolution of myrmecophytes in the paleotropical tree genus Macaranga (Euphorbiacae) N2 - The paleotropical tree genus Macaranga (Euphorbiaceae) comprises all stages of interaction with ants, from facultative associations to obligate myrmecophytes. In SE.-Asia food availability does not seem to be the limiting factor for the development of a close relationship since all species provide food for ants in form of extrafloral nectar and/or food bodies. Only myrmecophytic Macaranga species offer nesting space for ants (domatia) inside intern odes which become hollow due to degeneration of the pith. Non-myrmecophytic species have a solid stem with a compact and wet pith and many resin ducts. The stem interior of some transitional species remains solid, but the soft pith can be excavated. The role of different ant-attracting attributes for the development of obligate ant-plant interactions is discussed. In the genus Macaranga, the provision of nesting space seems to be the most important factor for the evolution of obligate myrmecophytism. KW - Angiosperms ; Ant-plant interactions ; domatia ; Flora of Malaysia Y1 - 1992 U6 - http://nbn-resolving.de/urn/resolver.pl?urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-32935 ER - TY - JOUR A1 - Maschwitz, Ulrich A1 - Fiala, Brigitte A1 - Linsenmair, K. Eduard T1 - A new ant-tree from SE Asia: Zanthoxylum myriacanthum (Rutaceae), the Thorny Ivy-Rue N2 - Zanthoxylum myriacanthum, a small Rutaceous tree growing mainly in secondary hill forests in SE Asia, is a true myrmecophyte. It possesses stem domatia in the form of hollow branches with slitlike openings. Branch hollows and entrance slits are produced by the plant itself through pith degene~.tion ?u.d growth proceSses. If the entrance is not kept open by ants it closes again by growth ol the surrounding tissue after some time. The domatia are colonized opportunistic ally by different arboreous ants, e.g. Crematogaster and Campono tus. Additionally many small extrafloral nectaries are found on the leaflets of Zanthoxylum myriacanthum. Judging from herbarium studies and literature records at least four more true ant trees are found in the genus Zanthoxylum namely Z. rhetsa in SE Asia, Z. conspersipunctatum, Z. pluviatile and Z. vinkii in New Guinea. We could not confirm ant inhabitation in Drypetes pendula (Euphorbiaceae) on the Malay Peninsula, which has also been recorded to be an anttree. Y1 - 1992 U6 - http://nbn-resolving.de/urn/resolver.pl?urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-42967 SN - 0025-1291 ER - TY - JOUR A1 - Fiala, Brigitte A1 - Maschwitz, Ulrich T1 - Extrafloral nectaries in the genus Macaranga (Euphorbiaceae) in Malaysia: comparative studies of their possible significance as predispositions for myrmecophytism. N2 - So me species of the paleotropical tree genus Macaranga (Euphorbiaceae) live in elose association with ants. Thc genus comprises the full range of species from those not regularly inhabited by ants to obligate myrmecophytes. In Malaysia (peninsular and Borneo) 23 ofthe 52 species areknown to be ant-associated (44%). The simplest structural adaptation of plants to attract ants are extrafloral nectaries. We studied the distribution of extraflural nectaries in the genus Macaranga to assess the significance of this character as a possible predisposition for the evolution of obligate myrmecophytism. All species have marginal glands on the leaves. However, only the glands of nonmyrmecophytic species function as nectaries, whereas liquids secreted by these glands in myrmecophytic species did not contain sugar. Some non-myrmecophytic Macaranga and transitional Macaranga species in addition have extrafloral nectaries on the leaf blade near the petiole insertion. All obligatorily myrmecophytic Macaranga species, however, lack additional glands on the lamina. The non-myrmecophytic species are visited by a variety of different ant species, whereas myrmecophytic Macaranga are associated only with one specific ant-partner. Since these ants keep scale insects in the hollow sterns, reduction of nectary production in ant-inhabited Macaranga seems to be biologically significant. We interpret this as a means of (a) saving the assimilates and (b) stabilization of maintenance of the association's specificity. Competition with other ant species for food rewards is avoided and thereby danger ofweakening the protective function ofthe obligate antpartner for the plant is reduced. A comparison with other euphorb species living in the same habitats as Macaranga showed that in genera in which extrafloral nectaries are widespread, no myrmecophytes have evolved. Possession of extrafloral nectaries does not appear to be essential for the development of symbiotic ant-plant interactions. Other predispositions such as nesting space might have played a more important role. KW - Macaranga KW - extrafloral nectaries KW - ant-plant interactions KW - evolution of myrmecophytism KW - Malaysia Y1 - 1991 U6 - http://nbn-resolving.de/urn/resolver.pl?urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-42863 ER - TY - JOUR A1 - Fiala, Brigitte T1 - Extrafloral nectaries versus ant-Homoptera mutualisms : a comment on Becerra and Venable N2 - No abstract available KW - Nektarium KW - Ameise Y1 - 1990 U6 - http://nbn-resolving.de/urn/resolver.pl?urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-32948 ER - TY - JOUR A1 - Fiala, Brigitte A1 - Maschwitz, Ulrich T1 - Studies on the south east asian ant-plant association Crematogaster borneensis / Macaranga: adaptations of the ant partner. N2 - 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. N2 - Untersuchungen über die südostasiatische Ameisen·Pflanzen-Vergesellschaftung Cremattogaster borneensis Maoaranga : Anpassungen des Ameisenpartners 213 C. borneensis (Myrmicinae) lebt in enger Gemeinschaft mit myrmekophytischen Arten der südostasiatischen Pionierbaumgattung Macaranga (Euphorbiaceae) . Die Ameise ist so eng an die Pflanze adaptiert, daß sie getrennt von ihr nicht lebensfähig ist. Die Nahrung bezieht C. borneensis in Form von Nährkörperchen ausschließlich von der Pflanze. Im Sproßachseninnern gehaltene spezifische Schildläuse bieten eine weitere Nahrungsquelle. Die Adaptationen erstrecken sich bis auf die Anatomie des Verdauungstraktes : Der Kropf ist sehr klein und kann nur geringe Nahrungsmengen speichern. C. borneensis besiedelt spezifisch nur Macaranga-Pflanzen. Sowohl Königinnen als auch Arbeiterinnen sind in der Lage, die Wirtspflanze zu erkennen, wobei offenbar chemische Reize eine Rolle spielen. Die koloniegründenden Königinnen schwärmen das gesamte Jahr über, das Schwärmen erfolgt überwiegend während der Dunkelheit. Um die besiedlungsfähigen Macaranga-Pflanzen herrscht ein starker Konkurrenzdruck. Die beteiligten Schildlausarten sind spezifisch für die Assoziation. Sie werden nicht von der Königin beim Hochzeitsflug mitgenommen. Die Arbeiterinnen sind tag- und nachtaktiv. Die meisten Tiere halten sich im jüngsten Drittel der Pflanze auf, wo sie patrouillieren und Nährkörperchen sammeln. Mittels eines spezifischen Säuberungsverhaltens entfernen die Arbeiterinnen alle Fremdobjekte von der Pflanze. Trotz ihrer geringen Größe attackieren die Ameisen eine Vielzahl phytophager Insekten und sind dabei besonders effektiv in der Abwehr kleiner, wenig sklerotisierter Tiere wie z.B. Raupen. Sie verfügen zwar nicht ' über einen funktionsfähigen Stachel, setzen aber Wehrsekrete ein und beißen sich hartnäckig fest . Mit Hilfe eines effektiven Alarmierungssystems, das einen Massenangriff ermöglicht, gewährleisten sie eine Verteidigung ihrer Kolonien und damit gleichzeitig ihrer Wirtspflanze. Eine Vergleich mit einer anderen Crematogaster-Art demonstriert die besonderen Adaptationen von C. borneensis an ihre Wirtspflanze. Y1 - 1990 U6 - http://nbn-resolving.de/urn/resolver.pl?urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-32689 ER - TY - JOUR A1 - Weising, K. A1 - Fiala, Brigitte A1 - Ramloch, K. A1 - Kahl, K. A1 - Epplen, J. T. T1 - Olingonucleotide fingerprinting in angiosperms N2 - No abstract available Y1 - 1990 U6 - http://nbn-resolving.de/urn/resolver.pl?urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-42884 ER - TY - CHAP A1 - Mahsberg, Dieter T1 - Brood care and family cohesion in the tropical scorpion Pandinus imperator (Koch) (Scorpiones: Scorpionidae) N2 - 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. KW - Skorpion Y1 - 1990 U6 - http://nbn-resolving.de/urn/resolver.pl?urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-45776 ER - TY - JOUR A1 - Grafe, U. A1 - Linsenmair, Karl Eduard T1 - Protogynous sex change in the Reed Frog: Hyperolius viridiflavus N2 - 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. Y1 - 1989 U6 - http://nbn-resolving.de/urn/resolver.pl?urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-30990 ER - TY - JOUR A1 - Geise, W. A1 - Linsenmair, Karl Eduard T1 - Adaptations of the reed frog Hyperbolius viridiflavus to its arid environment. IV. Ecological significance of water economy with comments on thermoregulation and energy allocation N2 - No abstract available Y1 - 1988 U6 - http://nbn-resolving.de/urn/resolver.pl?urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-30570 ER - TY - JOUR A1 - Linsenmair, Karl Eduard A1 - Schmuck, R. T1 - 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 N2 - 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. KW - Biologie KW - Zoologie KW - Frosch KW - Hyperolius viridiflavus KW - Estivation KW - Osmoregulation KW - Nitrogen metabolism KW - lridophores Y1 - 1988 U6 - http://nbn-resolving.de/urn/resolver.pl?urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-78108 ER - TY - JOUR A1 - Schmuck, R. A1 - Kobelt, F. A1 - Linsenmair, Karl Eduard T1 - Adaptations of the reed frog Hyperbolius viridiflavus (Anura, Hyperbolidae) to its arid environment: V. Iridophores and nitrogen metabolism N2 - 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. KW - Biologie KW - Zoologie KW - Frosch Y1 - 1988 U6 - http://nbn-resolving.de/urn/resolver.pl?urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-78094 ER - TY - JOUR A1 - Peschke, Klaus A1 - Mahsberg [geb. Krapf], Dieter A1 - Fuldner, Dietrich T1 - Ecological separation, functional relationships, and limiting resources in a carrion insect community N2 - 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. KW - Aaskäfer Y1 - 1987 U6 - http://nbn-resolving.de/urn/resolver.pl?urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-86361 ER - TY - JOUR A1 - Kobelt, Frank A1 - Linsenmair, Karl Eduard T1 - Adaptations of the reed frog Hyperolius viridiflavus to its arid environment. I. The skin of Hyperolius viridiflavus nitidulus in wet and dry season conditions. N2 - 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 störe 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. Y1 - 1986 U6 - http://nbn-resolving.de/urn/resolver.pl?urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-30551 ER - TY - JOUR A1 - Mahsberg, Dieter T1 - Contact chemoreception of prey in hunting scorpions N2 - Scorpions commonly are assumed to hunt on living prey. But under laboratory conditions they also respond very sensitively to dead insects lying on the substrate. In many cases the motionless prey is seized and consumed. It was investigated how this behavior can be elicited. The buthid scorpions Androctonus australis (L.) and Buthus occitanus (Am.) not only find motionless prey again which was stung but managed to escape before dying: They also respond to extracts of the cuticle of prey insects. After touching prey marks' either with the tips of the chelae fingers or the tarsi of the walking legs or the pectine organs specific responses (searching, seizing, feeding) are released at a high rate. Behavioral experiments demonstrate for the first time the chemosensitivity of the pectine organs for which only mechanosensitivity had been proofed formerly. Mechanical as well as contact chemical stimulation of these organs cause scorpions to orient towards the stimulus source which is grasped, retained and consumed or rejected depending on its quality. The probably responsible chemosensitive receptors are already described in the literature. The possible adaptive value and the biological significance of contact chemoreception in prey catching and in other aspects of the life of scorpions is discussed. KW - Skorpion Y1 - 1986 U6 - http://nbn-resolving.de/urn/resolver.pl?urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-45784 ER - TY - JOUR A1 - Linsenmair, Karl Eduard T1 - Individual and family recognition in subsocial arthropods, in particular in the desert isopod Hemilepistus reaumuri N2 - 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. Y1 - 1985 U6 - http://nbn-resolving.de/urn/resolver.pl?urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-33957 ER - TY - CHAP A1 - Warburg, M. R. A1 - Linsenmair, Karl Eduard A1 - Bercovitz, K. T1 - The effect of climate on the distribution and abundance of isopods N2 - 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. Y1 - 1984 U6 - http://nbn-resolving.de/urn/resolver.pl?urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-44473 ER - TY - JOUR A1 - Linsenmair, Karl Eduard T1 - Comparative studies on the social behaviour of the desert isopod Hemilepistus reaumuri and of a Porcellio species N2 - 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. Y1 - 1984 U6 - http://nbn-resolving.de/urn/resolver.pl?urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-30846 ER - TY - JOUR A1 - Meyer, Manfred K. A1 - Schartl, Manfred T1 - Pseudotropheus (Maylandia) hajomaylandi n. sp., a new taxon from Lake Malawi T1 - Pseudotropheus (Maylandia) hajomaylandi n. sp. un nouveau taxon du Lac Malawi N2 - Pseudotropheus hajomaylandi (loc. typ. Isle of Chisumulu, Lake Malawi) is described as a new species. It is compared with Ps. aurora, Ps. greshakei, Ps. livingstonii, Ps. lombardoi, and Ps. zebra. All these taxa, including Ps. hajomaylandi and Ps. heteropictus, are classified in the subgenus Maylandia. KW - Buntbarsche KW - Njassasee Y1 - 1984 U6 - http://nbn-resolving.de/urn/resolver.pl?urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-70989 ER - TY - JOUR A1 - Linsenmair, Karl Eduard T1 - Some adaptations of the desert woodlouse Hemilepistus reaumuri (Isopoda, Oniscoidea) to desert environment N2 - No abstract available Y1 - 1974 U6 - http://nbn-resolving.de/urn/resolver.pl?urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-44483 ER - TY - JOUR A1 - Linsenmair, Karl Eduard T1 - Anemomenotactic orientation in beetles and scorpions N2 - 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). KW - Biologie KW - Skorpion KW - Käfer Y1 - 1972 U6 - http://nbn-resolving.de/urn/resolver.pl?urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-78118 ER -