Research

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

Funding: QS-Wissenschaftsfonds, vertreten durch die Qualität und Sicherheit GmbH, Bonn, 39.000 EUR

Project Details:
Animal welfare and animal health are increasingly becoming the focus of research and consumer attention. As a result, there are calls in many areas for a central animal health database. Standardized data collection already exists in numerous areas, but there is no central database or comprehensive evaluation. For the first time, data from cattle farms that are members of Qualität und Sicherheit GmbH from 2023 and 2024 will be evaluated jointly. The data comes from the areas of biosecurity, animal husbandry, antibiotic use and slaughter findings. For joint evaluation, the data is first linked and evaluated descriptively.

Cooperation Partners:

Qualität und Sicherheit GmbH, Bonn

Funding: Aarhus University, Danish Centre for Environment and Energy (DCE), 27.329 EUR

Project Details:
The aim of the project is to process the survey data from the summer period and aggregate the quality-checked data for the Belt-Sea-Region in the period 2005-2024; or a period close to that depending on data and model checking. An extraction of relevant environmental covariates, describing the habitat of harbour porpoises, and a fit of a species distribution model (generalized additive model GAM) is planned. The final selected model enables the spatial prediction of the harbour porpoise summer density in the study area. Subsequently, a model validation, estimation of the model error and confidence intervals is planned. Finally, a short technical report will be written to describe the method and the results with a focus on Danish Belt-Sea-Region.

Funding: LKN, 5.885 EUR

Project Details:
Since 2002, ITAW has been conducting aerial surveys for harbour porpoises in the EEZ and the 12sm zone of the German North Sea. A dedicated monitoring of harbour porpoises in the North Sea and Baltic Sea has been carried out in projects of the Federal Agency for Nature Conservation (BfN) since 2008. Within the framework of this survey and monitoring, valuable data series on the spatio-temporal occurrence and density of harbour porpoises could be collected including the area of the whale sanctuary in the Schleswig-Holstein Wadden Sea National Park.
ITAW also has proven expertise in bioacoustics and acoustic monitoring of cetaceans. Porpoise click detectors (PODs) have already been used in numerous projects to study harbour porpoise habitat use. The LKN POD monitoring has been operated by ITAW since 2011 and data on acoustic harbour porpoise activity could also be collected in the area of the whale sanctuary in the Schleswig-Holstein Wadden Sea.
The aim of the project is to update a previous report on the importance of the small whale sanctuary as a habitat for harbour porpoises for feeding and as a calving and breeding area, using most recent data.

Funding: Ministerium für Landwirtschaft, ländliche Räume, Europa und Verbraucherschutz (MLLEV), 48.467 EUR

Project Details:
Title: Scientific investigation of seals released in accordance with animal welfare regulations, especially with regard to infectious diseases and zoonotic pathogens, as well as the scientifically based further training of personnel of the stranding network for the North and Baltic Seas of Schleswig-Holstein
The harbor seal is the most common marine mammal species in Schleswig-Holstein and causes the most call-outs for seal hunters. In the last three decades, seal populations have experienced several major epizootics, but have subsequently grown in size again. In recent years, however, it has been observed that this growth has stagnated and younger seals in particular are disappearing from the populations.
Seals can be carriers of infectious agents such as the Phocine distemper virus, influenza viruses, brucella and erysipelas, some of which can have fatal consequences for the individual animal or the population. These infectious agents are often zoonotic in nature and can promote secondary infections with other pathogens such as Bordetella bronchiseptica or toxoplasmosis.
In addition to comprehensive pathological examinations of the seals, microbiological, virological and parasitological examinations will also be carried out in this project.
Particular attention will be paid to the young animals in order to check whether there may be health related reasons for their decline. For this purpose, a representative number of all seals handed in by seal hunters from the North and Baltic Seas will be selected and subjected to complete post-mortems and further examinations.
The scientific findings will be directly incorporated into the work of the seal hunters, who will receive regular training in the detection of diseases and the handling of marine mammals. Hygiene measures and documentation materials will be developed and reviewed, and accident prevention training will be provided. To this end, a scientific exchange with the seal hunters will take place throughout the entire research project period.
The occurrence of infectious diseases such as brucellosis, erysipelas, bird flu and phocine distemper and the occurrence of the causative pathogens will be investigated. The focus is the assessment of the seals health status and the zoonotic potential of the infectious agents detected with regard to a possible risk of infection for the seal hunters and collectors involved in the stranding network. Seal hunters and collectors are therefore trained in the detection of infectious diseases, hygiene concepts, assessment of health conditions and accident prevention.

Funding: ALZCHEM, 20.725 EUR

Project Details:
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Funding: Ministerium für Energiewende, Klimaschutz, Umwelt und Natur (MEKUN), 23.177 EUR

Project Details:
Recently, there has been an increase in strandings of sea turtles on the Schleswig-Holstein coast. Between 2022 and 2024, a total of five animals have stranded so far. The loggerhead turtle, leatherback turtle and Atlantic bastard turtle were found.
The reasons for the current increased occurrence of sea turtles in the North Sea are not known. In general, the water temperatures here are too cold for the animals, especially in winter. As a result, the animals enter a state of rigidity, as reptiles are highly dependent on the ambient temperature. In this state, the animals can no longer move actively and drift with the current. The recent increase in the number of finds could indicate a new trend, but this will have to be confirmed over the next few years. However, due to the expected rise in temperature as a result of climate change, a more frequent occurrence of these sea creatures on our coasts seems likely in the long term.
The main aim of this pilot study is to collect data on the occurrence of sea turtles on the coasts of Schleswig-Holstein. Dead stranded sea turtles will be dissected at the Institute for Terrestrial and Aquatic Wildlife Research (ITAW) in order to uncover the causes of stranding and the incidence of disease.
The project is divided into the following five subsections.
1. data collection: Data on sea turtles stranded on the Schleswig-Holstein coast will be collected. To this end, contact is made with various stakeholders such as the LKN, the Wadden Sea Protection Station, the Jordsand e.V. association and local fishermen. The strandings that occur during the course of the project are also recorded.
2. genetic studies: Samples from dead and live stranded turtles will be genetically analyzed to determine the species and subpopulation.
3. dead body monitoring: Dead stranded sea turtles will be pathologically examined at the ITAW to obtain information on morphometrics, age, sex and disease incidence. In addition to recording biometric data, a macroscopic examination of the carcass is carried out. Depending on the state of preservation of the carcass and the presence of signs of disease, further examinations are carried out. These include histology, parasitology and microbiology.
4. participation in live strandings: The ITAW supports the country in the event of live strandings. This includes advice, contacting international experts, investigation and sampling.
5. establishment of international contacts: This project also aims to establish contacts with sea turtle experts in Europe and worldwide, firstly to become part of the global turtle network and secondly to be able to obtain expert advice on various topics.

Funding: Aarhus University, 76.538 EUR

Project Details:
The aim of the project is to process the survey data from the summer period and aggregate the quality-checked data for the North Sea in the period 2021-2024; or a period close to that depending on data and model checking. An extraction of relevant environmental covariates, describing the habitat of harbour porpoises, and a fit of a species distribution model (generalized additive model GAM) is planned. The final selected model enables the spatial prediction of the harbour porpoise summer density in the study area. Subsequently, a model validation, estimation of the model error and confidence intervals is planned. Finally, a short technical report will be written to describe the method and the results with a focus on Danish waters in the North Sea.

Funding: Grimminger-Stiftung, 20.000 EUR

Project Details:
The hepatitis E virus (HEV) is mainly transmitted to humans through meat and meat products from infected animals. The transmission route via the environment through contaminated soil, water and/or (arable) plants has long been discussed. Possible vectors include manure or waste water. Many studies show that a considerable proportion of meat and sausage products as well as many wastewater and even surface water samples can be tested positive for HEV RNA. All these studies are based on RT-PCR testing, i.e. the detection of the HEV genome. In order to carry out a better risk assessment, for example when consuming food, and to be able to identify the spread of the virus and chains of infection more precisely, it is necessary to determine the intactness and thus the infectivity of the virus in such samples. In this project, meat and sausage samples as well as environmental samples in the form of manure and wastewater will be analyzed for the presence of HEV RNA as well as for the infectivity of the virus. For this purpose, a stable and efficient cell culture system has been established in recent years, which has already been successfully used to isolate HEV capable of replication from wild and domestic pig organ samples.