Research

Funding: DFG, 299.200 EUR

Project Details:
Marked climatic oscillations between glacial and interglacial periods had worldwide consequences for vegetation as well as animal population dynamics. The importance of these shallow-time (on geological and evolutionary timescales) geographic dynamics for shaping current biodiversity and biogeography patterns is increasingly stressed, although rarely analyzed in an innovative integrated manner. One of the necessary steps in order to understand the drivers of biodiversity is to synergize the efforts from various research fields by, for example, reconstructing the interplay between the degree and frequency of historic forest cover changes and demographic changes of forest-dependent organisms. This study aims to integrate validated records of vegetation and climate dynamics with inferred population dynamics to reconstruct the dynamics of forest landscapes and of populations of forest dwelling species over space and time in a primate model endemic to Madagascar. Madagascar developed a unique biodiversity during its long isolated history. Despite the long-lasting interest in the natural history of the island, much is still unknown about the biodiversity dynamics and long-term ecology of this continental island. This multidisciplinary project aims to integrate demographic inferences based on molecular datasets of mouse lemurs with validated high resolution vegetation dynamics based on paleoecological reconstructions obtained from the same study sites reaching back to the Last Glacial Maximum (LGM). To reach these goals, study sites in northwestern and northern Madagascar were visited for the joint collection of (paleo)ecological and population datasets and samples of mouse lemurs in direct vicinity to each other. For the paleoecological part sediment cores from lakes were drilled and complemented with samples of modern pollen rain and vegetation data. The sediment cores are subjected to temporal high-resolution pollen and charcoal analyses, radiocarbon dating and multivariate modelling of the vegetation and climate dynamics over time and space. The lemur samples are analyzed by applying RADSeq and NextSeq sequencing techniques on various subsets of samples. This study will contribute substantially to a deeper understanding of the evolutionary history and future prospects of lemur populations in view of ongoing habitat fragmentation and future climate change.

Results:

Montade, V.; Bremond, L.; Teixeira, H.; Kasper, T.; Daut, G.; Rasoamanana, E.; Pamavovolona, P.; Favier, C.; Arnaud, F., Radespiel, U.; Behling, H. (2024): Montane rain forest dynamics under changes in climate and human impact during the past millennia in northern Madagascar. R. Soc. Open Science, 11, 230930. https://doi.org/10.1098/rsos.230930.

 

Teixeira, H; Salmona, J; Arredondo, A.; Mourato, B; Manzi, S.; Rakotondravony, R.; Mazet, O; Chikhi, L.; Metzger, J; Radespiel, U. (2021): Impact of model assumptions on demographic inferences - the case study of two sympatric mouse lemurs in northwestern Madagascar. BMC Ecol. Evol. 21, 197. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12862-021-01929-z.

 

Teixeira, H.; Montade, V.; Salmona, J.; Metzger, J.; Bremond, L.; Kasper, T.; Daut, G.; Rouland, S.; Ranarilalatiana, S.; Rakotondravony, R.; Chikhi, L.; Behling, H.; Radespiel, U. (2021): Past environmental changes affected lemur population dynamics prior to human impact in Madagascar. Comm. Biol. 4, 1084. https://doi.org/10.1038/s42003-021-02620-1.

Cooperation Partners:

Jun.prof. Helena Teixeira, PhD Universität Montpellier, Frankreich

Prof. Hermann Behling, Universität Göttingen

Dr. Vincent Montade, Universität Montpellier, Frankreich

Dr. Lounès Chikhi, Universität Toulouse, Frankreich

Dr. Jordi Salmona, Universität Toulouse, Frankreich

Prof. Solofonirina Rasoloharijaona, Universität Mahajanga, Madagaskar

Dr. Romule Rakotondravony, Universität Mahajanga, Madagaskar

Project Details:
-

Cooperation Partners:

Zentrum für systemische Neurowissenschaften (ZSN), Hannover

Institut für Neuroimmunologie und Multiple-Sklerose-Forschung (IMSF) der Universitätsmedizin Göttingen, Göttingen

Funding: Bundesministerium für Gesundheit, 909.181 EUR

Project Details:
Mit Schreiben vom 15. Dezember 2015 hat die WHO unter der Referenznummer DEU-134 das Institut für Biometrie, Epidemiologie und Informationsverarbeitung an der Tierärztlichen Hochschule Hannover als "WHO Collaborating Centre for Rese-arch and Training for Health at the Human-Animal-Environment Interface" (WHO CC HAEI) designiert. Das WHO-Zentrum unterstützt auch weiterhin die WHO und ihre Mitgliedsstaaten. Die neue Designationperiode läuft nun für weitere zwei Jahre bis zum 17. Dezember 2023.
Der Aufgabenbereich (Terms of Reference, ToR) für das WHO CC HAEI wurde auf-grund der Umstrukturierung der AMR-Division neu formuliert. Seit dem 18. De-zember 2021 bis zum Ende der Designationperiode finden die Aufgabenbereiche TOR (i) und TOR (II) wie folgt Anwendung:
TOR (i) Unterstützung der WHO und ihrer Mitgliedsstaaten bei der Entwicklung und Umsetzung von GLASS ("Global Antimicrobial Surveillance System") unter der Lei-tung der WHO.
TOR (ii) Ausweitung des Konzepts für das "Tricycle"-Projekt zur Schließung der Übertragungslücke zwischen Antibiotikaresistenzen beim Menschen und beim Tier unter der Leitung der WHO.

Cooperation Partners:

AMR Division, World Health Organization (WHO), Genf, Schweiz (weitere Informationen siehe https://www.who.int/health-topics/antimicrobial-resistance)

Project Details:
Gap junctions (Gj) are composed of two hemichannels called connexons, which are responsible for direct intercellular communication between adjoining cells. Each cell contains one connexon, composed of six connexin (cx) proteins. The so far discovered functions of Gj are mostly limited to the transport of molecules and ions (< 1 kDa). Nevertheless these junctions tend to be selective and specialize in cellular growth and differentiation (Bruzzone et al., 1996; Kumar and Gilula, 1996). As of today there are at least twenty different cx genes coding for Gj in humans and mice. One of the most researched Gj proteins is Cx43. In the testis, Cx43 is located between two Sertoli cells (SC) and between SC and germ cells (GC), it is involved in testicular development, GC and SC differentiation and spermatogenesis. SC nurture the developing GC and aid in their translocation and development from the basal to the adluminal compartment of the seminiferous tubule. Cx43 is further participating in blood-testis barrier formation and composition together with tight and adherens junctions as member of the "SC-SC junctional complexes" (Carrette et al., 2010).
A conditional SC-specific knockout (KO) of the Gja1 gene (SCCx43KO) revealed Cx43 expression in SC as an absolute requirement for normal testicular development and initiation of spermatogenesis (Brehm et al., 2007; Sridharan et al., 2007). Adult SCCx43KO mice showed normal testis descent, but testis size and weight was drastically lower when compared with heterozygous and WT littermates. Histological analysis revealed that SC specific deletion of Cx43 mostly results in an arrest of spermatogenesis at the level of spermatogonia or SC-only syndrome, intratubular cell clusters, abnormal SC cytoplasmic vacuoles, increased SC numbers and reduced number of spermatogonia per seminiferous tubule. Furthermore, as SCs were found to be still proliferating in adult mice (Sridharan et al., 2007), it was postulated that lack of Cx43 expression in SCs caused these somatic cells to remain in an apparently permanent proliferative state. These results emphasize the critical contribution of Cx43 to the normal maturational progression of SCs which normally results in the cessation of SC mitogenesis during the pubertal period.
Thus, as of today only one mouse stem with SCCx43KO-/- has been established in vivo (Brehm et al., 2007; Sridharan et al., 2007), yet no successful in vitro culturization of a &#61508;Cx43 SC line has been published. Although Carette et al. (2010) were successful in a partial inhibition of the Gj through siRNAs, a complete in vitro knockout may provide beneficial results in understanding the roles of Cx43 for normal spermatogenesis and may help to develop a mechanistic hypothesis in understanding the altered functions of Cx43 in SC leading to impaired spermatogenesis.

Project Details:
In diesem Projekt werden in einem transgenen Mausmodell die Folgen einer Sertoli Zell-spezifischen Deletion des Connexin43-Gens auf die Regulation der Spermatogenese u.a. mittels Microarray und qRT-PCR untersucht. Ausgewählte signifikant veränderte Kandidatengene aus den Mausversuchen werden zudem mit Hodenbiopsien von infertilen Männern verglichen.
Das Projekt bildet die Grundlage verschiedener Forschungsprojekte und Dissertationen sowie künftiger Drittmittelprojekte.
Geldgeber:
DFG, Klinische Forschergruppe KFO181, Male factor infertility due to impaired spermatogenesis
Volumen: 250000 €

Results:

https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1642431X17302371?via%3Dihub

Cooperation Partners:

Dr. Daniela Fietz, JLU Giessen

Klinische Forschergruppe Giessen + Marburg

http://www.uni-giessen.de/cms/fbz/fb11/forschung/forschergruppen/kfo_181/home

Project Details:
The project is aimed at the modelling and analysis of diverse veterinary epidemio-logic data arising from consultant work. The range of statistical modelling ap-proaches includes general models and special topics like logistic regression, zero inflation, non-linear regression (especially growth curves), cluster analysis, contin-gency table analysis and multi-block redundancy analysis (multi-factorial and multi-variate linear regression analysis).

Results:

Kreienbrock L, Pigeot I, Ahrens W.

Epidemiologische Methoden. Berlin: Springer Spektrum; 5. Auflage 2012.

ISBN: 978-3-8274-2333-7

 

Berke, O. Modified median polish kriging and its applica-tion to the Wolfcamp-Aquifer data.

Environmetrics. 2001;12(8):731-48.

 

Kreienbrock L, Broll S. Methodische Aspekte zur Qualitätssicherung veteri-närepidemiologischer Studien. [Methodologic aspects of quality assurance in veterinary epi-demiological studies].

Dtsch Tierarztl Wochenschr. 1999 Sep;106(9):381-5.

Cooperation Partners:

- Fachbereich Statistik, Universität Dortmund

- Leibniz-Institut für Epidemiologie, Bremen

- Hochschule Hannover

- Department of Population Medicine, University of Guelph

Funding: BMBF, DFG (Ra 502/7), DAAD, VolkswagenStiftung, Bundesamt für Naturschutz, BIOPAT e.V., private Spender, 292.450 EUR

Project Details:
The development of effective conservation measures for endangered species requires a detailed knowledge on the remaining individual numbers, the distribution of species and the factors causing potential threats to their survival. Moreover, it is important to understand the degree of intra-specific differentiation (e.g. phenotypic, ecological, genetic) that can be the result of rather recent (anthropogenic) or ancient evolutionary processes (barriers, landscape). The aim of this project is to understand the population structure of different lemur species across their distribution in view of drastic anthropogenic disturbances. Ancient and recent processes of genetic differentiation shall be identified in order to develop effective conservation measures. With this analysis, we will gain important insights into the evolutionarily significant units as well as and the management units of these threatened primates that will be needed to formulate long-term management plans.

Results:

e.g.

Phelps, L.N.; Razanatsoa, E.; Davis, D.S.; Hackel, J.; Rasolondrainy, T.; Tiley, G.P.; Cox, R.; Andermann, T.; Andriambololonera, S.; Andriamiarisoa, L.R.; Antonelli, A.; Burney, D.; Besnard, G.; Birkinshaw, C.; Bond, W.; Chikhi, L.; Fernández-García, V.; Gillson, L.; Godfrey, L.; Haberle, S.; Hansford, J.; Hempson, G.; Hixon, S.; Joseph, G.S.; Mangut, C.L.; Marchant, R.; Montade, V.; Pham, K.V.; Rabehevitra, D.; Radespiel, U.; Raharimampionona, J.; Rajaonah, M.T.; Rakotomalala, N.; Ramiadantsoa, T.; Ramiandrisoa, B.A.; Ranarijaona, H.L.T.; Randriamboavonjy, T.; Randrianarimanana, F.; Randriatsara, F.; Ratsirarson, J.; Razafimanantsoa, A.H.I.; Salmona, J.; Samonds, K.; Scroxton, N.; Seymour, C.; Steffens, T.; Teixeira, H.; Voarintsoa, N.R.G.; Waeber, P.O.; Wilmé, L.; Yoder, A.D.; Convery Fisher, E.; Solofondranohatra, C.; van Elst, T.; Crowley, B.; Douglass, K.; Vorontsova, M.S.; Lehmann, C. (2025). Advancing transdisciplinary research on Madagascar’s grassy biomes to support resilience in ecosystems and livelihoods. Ecological Monographs, 95:e70011. https://doi.org/10.1002/ecm.70011

 

Everson, K.M.; Pozzi, L.; Barrett, M.A.; Blair, M.E.; Donohue, M.E.; Kappeler, P.M.; Kitchener, A.C.; Lemmon, A.R.; Lemmon, E.M.; Pavón-Vásquez, C.J.; Radespiel, U.; Randrianambinina, B.; Rasoloarison, R.M.; Rasoloharijaona, S.; Roos, C.; Salmona, J.; Yoder, A.D.; Zenil-Ferguson, R.; Zinner, D.; Weisrock, D.W. (2025): Multiple bursts of speciation in Madagascar’s endangered lemurs. Nat. Commun., 16:7070. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41467-025-62310-y.

 

Van Elst, T.; Sgarlata, G.M.; Schüßler, D.; Tiley, G.P.; Poelstra, J.W.; Scheumann, M.; Blanco, M.B.; Aleixo-Pais, I.G.; Evasoa, M.R.; Ganzhorn, J.U.; Goodman, S.M.; Hasiniaina, H.F.; Hohenlohe, P.A.; Ibouroi, M.T.; Iribar-Poluzuelo, A.; Jan, F.; Kappeler, P.M.; Le Pors, B.; Manzi, S.; Olivieri, G.; Rakotonanahary, A.N.; Rakotondranary, S.J.; Rakotondravony, R.; Ranaivoarisoa, J.F.; Randrianambinina, B.; Rasoloarison, R.M.; Rasoloharijaona, S.; Rasolondraibe, E.; Teixeira, H.; Zaonarivelo, J.R.; Louis, E.E. Jr.; Yoder, A.D.; Chikhi, L.; Radespiel, U.; Salmona, J. (2025): Integrative taxonomy clarifies the evolution of a cryptic primate clade. Nature Ecol. Evol., 9, 57-72. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41559-024-02547-w

 

Schüßler, D., Rafmantanantsoa, S.M.; Ratsimbazafy, J.H.; Richter, T.; Radespiel, U. (2023): Documentation of commercial and subsistence hunting of Critically Endangered Black-and-white Ruffed Lemurs (Varecia variegata) in northeastern Madagascar. Biodiversity and Conservation. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10531-023-02744-2.

 

Ramilison, M.L.; Andriatsitohaina, B.; Chell, C.; Rakotondravony, R.; Radespiel, U.; Ramsay, M.S. (2021): Distribution of the critically endangered Coquerel’s Sifaka (Propithecus coquereli) in a fragmented landscape. Afr. J. of Ecology 59, 350-358. Doi:10.1111/aje.12844.

Cooperation Partners:

Tobias van Elst, PhD, Universität Zürich, Schweiz

Dr. Dominik Schüßler, Universität Hildesheim

Prof. B. Randrianambinina, University of Mahajanga, Madagaskar

Dr. R. Rakotondravony, University of Mahajanga, Madagaskar

Prof. S. Rasoloharijaona, University of Mahajanga, Madagaskar

Dr. L. Chikhi, Universität Toulouse, Frankreich

Prof. M.W. Bruford, Cardiff University, UK

Dr. D. Rakotondravony, University of Antananarivo, Madagaskar

Dr. F. Ratsoavina, University of Antananarivo, Madagascar

Prof. J. Ratsimbazafy, University of Antananarivo, Madagascar

Groupe d'Étude et de Recherche sur les Primates de Madagascar, Madagaskar

Project Details:
Ziel der Entwicklung von Leitlinien zur Guten Klinischen Praxis war die Gewährleistung international anerkannter ethischer und wissenschaftlicher Qualitätsanforderungen in zulassungsrelevanten Arzneimittelstudien. Da ein hoher Qualitätsstandard aber auch in anderen Bereichen wünschenswert ist, werden GCP Prinzipien zunehmend auch bei anderen Studien oder Untersuchungen angewandt.

Dieses Projekt verfolgt das Ziel, den Inhalt der Guideline dem betroffenen Personenkreis bekannt zu machen und darauf hinzuwirken, die Qualitätsanforderungen auch im Bereich der universitären Forschungsprojekte umzusetzen. Aus biometrischer Sicht wird dabei besonderes Gewicht auf die die Statistik und das Datenmanagement betreffenden Teile der Leitlinie gelegt.

Neben der Information werden dazu auch Dienstleistungen, etwa die Mitarbeit bei der Erstellung von Prüfplänen oder Review von Studienprotokollen angeboten. Insbesondere wird angestrebt, bei vom Institut betreuten und ausgewerteten Studien GCP-konform zu arbeiten und ggf. dazu notwendige "Standard Operating Procedures" (SOPs) zu erarbeiten.

Results:

Kreienbrock L, Pigeot I, Ahrens W. Epidemiologische Methoden. Berlin: Springer Spektrum; 5. Auflage 2012. ISBN: 978-3-8274-2333-7

 

Glaser S, Kreienbrock L. Stichprobenplanung bei veterinärmedizinischen Studien. Ein Leitfaden zur Bestimmung des Untersuchungsumfangs. Hannover: Schlüter-sche; 2011. ISBN-13: 978-389993-078-8 ISBN-10: 3-89993-078-9

 

Glaser S, Dahms S, Röhmel J, Weiß H, Kreienbrock L. Statistische Grundlagen von "Good Clinical Practice" in der Veterinärmedizin - ein Positionspapier zur Planung, Durchführung und Auswertung empirischer Untersuchungen. Dtsch Tierarztl Wo-chenschr. 2002 Feb;109(2):68-72.

Funding: DFG (RA 502/20-1 and others), Volkswagen-Stiftung, DAAD (PhD/reinvitation fellowship to BR, SR, RoR, RiR, AH), private donors, Biopat e.V.; Small Rufford Fund

Project Details:
A central question in evolutionary and conservation biology is how and to what extent species adapt to habitat fluctuations in their natural environment and to what extent environmental flexibility is linked to distribution and speciation. We address these questions in a longterm research programme by a comparative and integrative approach to nocturnal lemurs, a unique model for basal primates. Lemurs are endemic to Madagascar. Current research revealed a much higher species diversity in nocturnal lemurs than previously assumed. Lemurs underwent a broad-scale adaptive radiation after their initial colonization of Madagascar about 60 Mya. Extant lemurs consist of more than 100 species which inhabit the various forest habitats of the Island. Many species, in particular nocturnal species, have only been described recently, partly by our group. The underlying colonisation history and the factors driving this diversification are so far only poorly known. Here, we aim to understand the factors that promoted this radiation and shaped distribution, adaptation and genetic structures of lemurs. We are also addressing the question of the basis of reproductive isolation of species. These analyses are focused on the genera Microcebus spp., Lepilemur spp. and Avahi ssp. Whereas some species within a taxon show quite limited, others show broad distributions. Nocturnal lemurs belong to the endangered primates due to anthopogenically caused habitat degradation and poaching. We perform field studies, supplemented by experimental studies, particulary in north-western, northern and eastern Madagascar, using comparable methods, to study the ecology, behaviour, communication, parasite infections and the genetics of populations of lemurs of the same taxon showing contrasting distribution and to assess sensory, vocal, ecological and social determinants of species flexibility and its link to genetics. Our current research focus is on mouse lemurs, sportive lemurs and woolly lemurs. Results will deliver important tools to monitor and manage the biodiversity in tropical forests. Furthermore they will be a first step to understand the evolution of the unique species diversity of lemurs in Madagascar and the origin and evolution of our own primate ancestry.

Results:

e.g.

Ganzhorn, J.U.; Andriambeloson,J.B.; Atsalis, S.; Behrendt, L.M.; Blanco, M.B.; Bollen, A.; Carrière, S.M.; Chikhi, L.; Dammhahn, M.; Donati, F.; Eppley, T.M.; Ernest, R.; Giertz, P.; Goodman, S.M.; Hending, D.; Holst, F.; Irwin, M.T.; Lahann, P.; Louis Jr., E.E.; Radespiel, U.; Rakotondranary, S.F.; Ramanamanjato, J.-B.; Ramananjato, V.; Randriatafika, F.; Ratovonamana, Y.R.; Razafindratsima, O.; Roberts, S.-H.; Salmona, J.; Schwab, D.; Tsagnangara, C. (2024): Facilitated Forest Restoration by Pioneer Seed Dispersers in Madagascar: the Example of Microcebus spp. Land, 13:1971. https://doi.org/10.3390/land13121971

 

Ganzhorn, J.U.; Ratovonamana, Y.R.; Rother, M.; Giertz, P.; Andrews, C.A.; Baumann, S.; Bohr, Y.E.-M.B.; Kappeler, P.M.; Montero, K.B.; Pommerening-Roeser, A.; Radespiel, U.; Rakotondranary, J.S.; Schülke, O.; Steffens, K.J.E.; Thorén, S.; Timmermann, G.; Tomaschewski, I. (2023): Nutritional and possible pharmaceutical aspects of tree exudates eaten by lemurs of Madagascar’s dry forests. Separations, 10, 575. https:// doi.org/10.3390/separations10110575

 

Schüßler, D.; Blanco, M.B.; Guthrie, N.K.; Sgarlata, G.M.; Dammhahn, M.; Refaly, E.; Rina Evasoa, M.; Hasiniaina, A.; Hending, D.; Jan, F.; le Pors, B.; Miller, A.; Olivieri, G.; Rakotonanahary, A.N.; Rakotondranary, S.J.; Rakotondravony, R.; Ralantoharijaona, T.; Ramananjato, V.; Randrianambinina, B.; Raoelinjanakolona, N.N.; Rasoazanabary, E.; Rasoloarison, R.M.; Rasolofoson, D.W.; Rasoloharijaona, S.; Rasolondraibe, E.; Roberts, S.H.; Teixeira, H.; van Elst, T.; Johnson, S.E.; Ganzhor, J.U.; Chikhi, L.; Kappeler, P.M.; Louis Jr., E.E.; Salmona, J.; Radespiel, U. (2023): Morphological variability or inter-observer bias? A methodological toolkit to improve data quality of multi-researcher datasets for the analysis of morphological variation. Am. J. of Biol. Anthropol., 183, 60-78. https://doi.org/10.1002/ajpa.24836

 

Marquès Gomila, C.; Kiene, F.; Klein, A.; Kessler, S.E.; Zohdy, S.; Rakotondravony, R.; Durden, L.A.; Radespiel, U. (2023): Host-related and environmental factors influence long-term ectoparasite infestation dynamics of mouse lemurs in northwestern Madagascar. Am. J. Primatol., 85(6), e23494. https://doi.org/10.1002/ajp.23494

 

Springer, A.; Durden L.A.; Kiene F.; Klein, A.; Rakotondravony, R.; Ehlers, J.; Greiman, S.E.; Blanco, M.B.; Zohdy, S.; Kessler, S.E.; Strube, C.*; Radespiel, U.* (2023): Molecular phylogenetics of the sucking louse genus Lemurpediculus (Insecta: Phthiraptera), ectoparasites of lemurs, with descriptions of three new species. International Journal for Parasitology: Parasites and Wildlife, 20, 138-152. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijppaw.2023.02.002 (*: joint senior authors)

Cooperation Partners:

Prof. Dr. Blanchard Randrianbinina (BR), Université de Mahajanga, Madagascar

Prof. Dr. Solofonirina Rasoloharijaona (SR), Université de Mahajanga, Madagascar

Dr. Romule Rasoloarison (RoR), Université de Mahajanga, Madagascar

Dr. Rindra Ramanankirahina (RiR), Dr. Hanta Razafindraibe, Université de Antananarivo, Madagascar

Alida Hasinianina, PhD, Madagascar

Mamy R. Evasoa, PhD, University of Mahajanga, Madagascar

Dr. L. Chikhi, Toulouse University, France

Prof. B. Crowley, University of Cincinnati, USA

Groupe d'Étude et de Recherche sur les Primates de Madagascar

Prof. J. Ratsimbazafy, University of Antananarivo, Madagascar

Funding: BMBF, Conservation International, DFG, Operation Wallacea, Volkswagen-Stiftung, DAAD (PhD/reinvitation fellowship to BB, SR, RoR, AR RiR, AH) as well as to supervisors, Small Rufford Fund, private organisations

Project Details:
The Ankarafantsika National Park and the Mariarano forest contain different habitat types, including xerophytic forests, dry deciduous forests, semi-humid gallery forests along rivers or lake shores, coastal mangrove forests (Mariarano) and secondary vegetation formations that may develop after bushfires or selective wood extraction. This mosaic of habitat types offers many different ecological niches for lemurs and other forest dwelling organisms. Both forests are unique in northwestern Madagascar by harboring five endangered or critically endangered lemur species, one of which, the golden brown mouse lemur (Microcebus ravelobensis) was only recently described by our group in 1998. Moreover, the Ankarafantsika National Park comprises the largest remaining continuous patch of dry deciduous forest in northwestern Madagascar and is therefore of utmost importance for the longterm preservation of biodiversity in this biogeographic zone. Knowledge on the environmental flexibility of lemurs is still in its infancy, but urgently needed for conservation management. The aim of this longterm programme is to study the conservation biology of these lemur species, including their vulnerability towards diseases, at sites, for which we already have basic data. This knowledge will help to understand the environmental flexibility of species, how macrogeographic events such as climate change affect lemur’s life history and long-term survival and provide empirical data for long-term conservation management of lemurs in northwestern Madagascar.

Results:

e.g.

 

Klein, A.; Radespiel, U.; Springer, A.; Rakotondravony, R.; Strube, C. (2024): Temporal dynamics in gastrointestinal helminth infections of sympatric mouse lemur species (Microcebus murinus and Microcebus ravelobensis) in Northwestern Madagascar. International Journal for Parasitology: Parasites and Wildlife, 25, 100972. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijppaw.2024.100972.

 

Rasoloharijaona, S.; Randrianambinina, B.; Radespiel, U. (2024): Evidence for female dominance in the Milne-Edwards’ Sportive lemur (Lepilemur edwardsi). American Journal of Primatology, e23658. https://doi.org/10.1002/ajp.23658.

 

Steffens, T.S.; Ramsay, M.S.; Andriatsitohaina, B.; Cosby, A.E.; Lehman, S.M.; Rakotondravony, R.; Razafitsalama, M.; Teixeira, H.; Radespiel, U. (2022): Shifting biogeographic patterns of Microcebus ravelobensis and M. murinus. Int. J. Prim., 43, 636-656. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10764-022-00304-z.

 

Wuesthoff, E.; Fuller T.K.; Sutherland, C.; Kamilar, J.M.; Ramanankirahina, R.; Rakotondravony, R.; Rouse, S.; Radespiel, U. (2021): Spatial partitioning of sympatric species of mouse lemurs across a mangrove-dry forest habitat gradient. J. Mammal. 102(5), 1266-1278. https://doi.org/10.1093/jmammal/gyab082.

 

Durden, L.A.; Kessler, S.E.; Radespiel, U.; Hasiniaina, A.F.; Stekolnikov, A.A.; Chalkowski, K.; Zohdy, S. (2021): Host associations of ectoparasites of the gray mouse lemur, Microcebus murinus, in northwestern Madagascar. J. of Parasitol. 107(1), 108-114. https://doi.org/10.1645/20-145.

Cooperation Partners:

Prof. Solofonirina Rasoloharijaona, University of Mahajanga, Madagascar

Prof. Blanchard Randrianambinina, University of Mahajanga, Madagascar

Dr. Romule Rakotondravony, University of Mahajanga, Madagascar

Dr. Rindra Ramanankirahina, University of Antananarivo, Madagascar

Dr. Hanta Razafindraibe, University of Antananarivo, Madagascar

Prof. Shawn Lehman, Toronto University, Canada

Prof. Hermann Behling, Georg-August-Universität Göttingen

Prof. Travis Steffens, University of Guelph, Canada; Planet Madagascar