Research

Project Details:
Erkrankungen der Beckenregion des Pferdes stellen u.a. aufgrund der starken Bemuskelung dieser Region und der Unzugänglichkeit einzelner Strukturen oft eine diagnostische Herausforderung dar. Zum Teil ist die Wertigkeit von klinischen und bildgebenden Befunden im Beckenbereich hinsichtlich ihrer Bedeutung als Lahmheitsursache unklar.
Pferde mit Erkrankungen der Beckenregion (d.h. des knöchernen Beckens, der Beckengürtelmuskulatur, des Hüftgelenks, des Kreuz-Darmbein-Gelenks, des Lumbosakral-Gelenks) werden klinisch, ggf. mittels diagnostischer Betäubungen, ultrasonographisch und röntgenologisch untersucht. Es erfolgt eine vergleichende Auswertung der bildgebenden Befunde hinsichtlich ihres diagnostischen Wertes, ggf. unter Einbeziehung von Sektionsbefunden. Die Erkrankungen werden falls möglich medikamentell oder anderweitig behandelt, und der Behandlungserfolg wird langfristig nachverfolgt.

Results:

Geburek, F., Wagels, R., Markus, R., Kampmann, C., Peters, M., Stadler, P. Ultrasonographische Panoramabild-Darstellung als Ergänzung der klinischen und röntgenologischen Diagnostik von Frakturen im Bereich des Beckens bei Pferden. Pferdeheilkunde 2005, 21 (6): 517-524.

 

Geburek, F., Rötting, A.K., Stadler, P.M. Comparison of the diagnostic value of ultrasonography and standing radiography for pelvic-femoral disorders in horses. Vet. Surg. 2009, 38 (3): 310-317.

 

Sauer, F.J., Hellige, M., Beineke, A., Geburek, F. Osteoarthritis of the coxofemoral joint in 24 horses: Evaluation of radiography, ultrasonography, intra-articular anaesthesia, treatment and outcome. Equine Vet J. First published online Jan 7 2024.

https://beva.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/evj.14053

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.; 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)

 

Kessler, S.; Tsangaras, K.; Rasoloharijaona, S.; Radespiel, U.; Greenwood, A.D. (2023): Long-term host-pathogen evolution of endogenous beta- and gammaretroviruses in mouse lemurs with little evidence of recent retroviral introgression. Virus Evolution, 9, 1-13. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1093/ve/veac117

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), Université de Antananrivo, Madagascar

Alida Hasinianina, PhD, Madagascar

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

Dr. L. Chikhi, Toulouse University, France and IGC, Portugal

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: Ministerium für Wissenschaft und Kultur (MWK) Niedersachsen, 250.000 EUR

Project Details:
The DILEAVET project aims to optimize the existing framework conditions at the University of Veterinary Medicine Hannover for the design of digital teaching, the examination system and for the teaching of clinical-practical skills, and thus at the same time to create conditions that support the "FERVET" project.

Results:

Im Projekt DILEAVET wurden u. a. folgende Ergebnisse in den 4 Arbeitspaketen (AP) erzielt:

Im AP 1 "Weiterentwicklung von digitalem Schulungsmaterial und -angeboten" wurde ein Vermittlungskonzept erarbeitet. Für die Themenfelder elektronische Prüfungen und digitales Lehren und Lernen wurden bereits bestehende Schulungsmaterialien aktualisiert, neue Anleitungen angefertigt sowie Online-Seminare durchgeführt.

Im AP 2 "Wissenstransfer" wurden Videos angefertigt, welche auf dem YouTube-Kanal der TiHo "TiHoVideos" oder intern zur Verfügung stehen; außerdem wurde u.a. ein virtuelles Mikroskop für das Fach Mikrobiologie für die Studierenden und als OER-Beitrag eine Sammlung zu Modellen erstellt.

Im AP 3 "Entwicklung und Etablierung von Modellen und Lernstationen im CSL" erfolgte eine Entwicklung von Escape-Room-Szenarien und deren Etablierung in Lehrveranstaltungen sowie die Entwicklung und Etablierung von Simulatoren und Lernstationen zum Thema Zier- und Wildvögel-Tierarten.

Im AP 4 "Digitalisierungskonzept zu kommunikativen Kompetenzen" wurden Best-Practice-Videos und Worst-Case-Videos zur Schulung kommunikativer Kompetenzen erstellt.

 

OER-Beitrag auf "twillo"

https://www.twillo.de/edu-sharing/components/render/9a067b21-c565-4894-a380-d2630c8f8fc8

 

TiHoVideos:

https://www.youtube.com/user/tihovideos

 

ENZIG-STROHM A, KNOLL M T, BETTERMANN V, CHODZINSKI A, HEINEMANN I, TIPOLD A, WISSING S, SCHAPER E: Tierschutzgerechte Vermittlung klinisch-praktischer Fertigkeiten. Tierschutztagung 2023, 16.03.2023 - 18.03.2023, München

Funding: Ministerium für Wissenschaft und Kultur Niedersachsen, 25.000 EUR

Project Details:
Im Rahmen des Projektes sollen wichtige, an niedersächsischen Hochschulen im Einsatz befindliche audiovisuelle Systeme zur Videoaufzeichnung und -kommunikation für die Digitale Lehre verbessert, mit Schnittstellen zur interaktiven Nutzung versehen, besser in vorhandene Lernplattformen integriert und ihre Bereitstellung über die Academic Cloud vorbereitet werden.

Results:

Im Rahmen des Verbundvorhabens "Audiovisuelle Systeme und Videoplattform (AVVP)" erfolgten an der Stiftung Tierärztliche Hochschule Hannover Maßnahmen zum langfristigen Einsatz von Opencast; außerdem wurden u.a. diverse Hörsäle bzw. Lehrveranstaltungsräume für die hybride Lehre und für die Aufzeichnung von Veranstaltungen technisch ausgestattet.

https://hochschuledigital-niedersachsen.de/home/audiovisuelle-systeme-und-videoplattform/

Cooperation Partners:

Universität Osnabrück (Projektleitung)

Hochschule für angewandte Wissenschaft und Kunst Hildesheim/Holzminden/Göttingen

Hochschule für Bildende Künste Braunschweig

Hochschule für Musik, Theater und Medien Hannover

Hochschule Hannover

Hochschule Osnabrück

Jade Hochschule

Ostfalia Hochschule für angewandte Wissenschaften

Technische Universität Braunschweig

Technische Universität Clausthal

Universität Vechta

Georg-August-Universität Göttingen

Funding: Ministerium für Wissenschaft und Kultur Niedersachsen, 100.630 EUR

Project Details:
Das beantragte Projekt ConnEx adressiert mit den Lehrenden und den technischen wie didaktischen Service- und Support-Einrichtungen an den niedersächsischen Hochschulen zwei für die Dachinitiative Hochschule.digital Niedersachsen strategisch relevante Akteursgruppen und zielt auf eine strategische Förderung der Vernetzung, des Austauschs und Transfers innerhalb dieser Gruppen. Die Projektleitung hat die Leuphana Universität Lüneburg.

Results:

https://hochschuledigital-niedersachsen.de/home/connex-vernetzung-von-expertinnen-und-services/

Cooperation Partners:

Hochschule für angewandte Wissenschaft und Kunst, Hochschule für Bildende

Künste Braunschweig; Hochschule Emden/Leer, Hochschule Hannover, Hochschule für Musik, Theater und Medien Hannover, Hochschule Osnabrück, Jade

Hochschule, Leuphana Universität Lüneburg, Leibniz Universität Hannover,

Medizinische Hochschule Hannover, Ostfalia Hochschule für angewandte Wissenschaften, Technische Universität Braunschweig, Technische Universität Clausthal, Georg-August-Universität Göttingen, Stiftung Universität Hildesheim, Carl von Ossietzky Universität Oldenburg, Universität Osnabrück, Universität Vechta, ELAN e.V.

Funding: Bundesamt für Seeschifffahrt und Hydrographie, BSH, 80.857 EUR

Project Details:
The aim of the research project is to answer scientific questions related to the effects of offshore wind farms on harbour porpoises in German waters. Therefore, both the sound-related effects on the population of harbour porpoises that occur during construction and the cumulative effects from the construction of offshore wind farms, for which an assessment concept will be developed (FP 2), will be investigated. The objective of this research project is to establish the cause-effect relationship between sound exposure and harbour porpoise occurrence as well as to evaluate the effectiveness of measures used to reduce effects on harbour porpoises (noise mitigation and deterrence). First, underwater noise recordings during the construction of offshore wind farms will be analysed with regard to the noise emission from the pile driving. Based on this data and considering physical area-specific parameters, the sound propagation will be modelled. The modelling enables to estimate noise emissions in the entire study area. A model will be used to determine whether the existing data are sufficient to explain effects on the occurrence of harbour porpoises. In a study, data will be identified, criteria established and, with a model, their applicability tested to investigate cumulative effects of offshore wind farm construction on the occurrence of harbour porpoises.
The work in this project will answer the following questions:
1)How can the effects of anthropogenic noise emissions during the construction of offshore wind turbines on harbor porpoises be assessed cumulatively?
2)Can the collected data on pile-driving noise, deterrence and porpoise detections as well as construction-related shipping sufficiently explain the effect of the construction work on the occurrence of harbour porpoises?
An evaluation that takes into account all constructed wind farms has not been carried out yet, but is imperative in the future, among other things to evaluate the success of the application and further developments of noise mitigation measures. The evaluation of the current noise mitigation concept and state of the art using data and findings from the previous projects make an important contribution to the planning of the upcoming further expansion of offshore wind energy.

Cooperation Partners:

JASCO Applied Sciences

Funding: Bundesamt für Seeschifffahrt und Hydrographie, BSH, 40.256 EUR

Project Details:
The aim of the research project is to answer scientific questions related to effects of offshore wind farms on harbour porpoises. Therefore, effects that occur during construction as well as cumulative effects from the construction of offshore wind farms will be investigated and an assessment concept will be developed. First, data from harbour porpoise click detectors are evaluated, which provide important information on the occurrence of harbour porpoises. The objective of this research project is to establish the cause-effect relationship between sound exposure and harbour porpoise occurrence as well as to evaluate the effectiveness of measures used to reduce effects on harbour porpoises (noise mitigation and deterrence).
The work in this project aims to answer the following question:
1)Are the applied noise mitigation measures during the construction of offshore wind farms sufficient to ensure the protection of the harbour porpoise?
An evaluation that takes into account all constructed wind farms has not been carried out yet, but is imperative in order to evaluate the success of the application and further developments of noise mitigation measures. The evaluation of the current noise mitigation concept and the state of the art using data and findings from previous projects make an important contribution to the planning of the upcoming further expansion of offshore wind energy.

Funding: Ministerium für Energie­wende, Klimaschutz, Umwelt und Natur, 71.822 EUR

Project Details:
As the most common marine mammal species in Schleswig-Holstein, sick or dead seals cause most of the seal hunters' missions. In close cooperation with them, the animals are transferred to the Institute for Terrestrial and Aquatic Wildlife Research (ITAW) in Büsum for further examinations. These examinations include the complete, standardised autopsy of selected animals, further examinations such as histology, bacteriology, virology, serology and parasitology, as well as the collection and preservation of samples for later analyses or other research projects. The final assessment of the causes of disease and death serves, among other things, to record risk factors for the seal populations in Schleswig-Holstein. In addition, possible human (anthropogenic) influences on the seals will be analysed. However, the investigations will also examine the possible significance of the growing seal populations as a reservoir of infectious diseases and whether viruses move back and forth between the wild animal populations and thus mutations of the pathogens are possible. Since the project is based on close cooperation with the seal hunters, the scientific knowledge gained will be incorporated into their work. The ITAW, among others, trains the seal hunters in the handling of marine mammals, but also in the recognition of infectious diseases. For them as first contact persons, the ongoing development and review of hygiene measures, infectious diseases and documentation materials play an important role. Microbiological examinations are important here, for example, because infectious agents such as seal distemper virus, influenza viruses, brucella and erysipelas have repeatedly been detected in seals in the past, which can be dangerous for seals and in some cases have zoonotic potential (infecting humans). In addition, the observations of the seal hunters are very valuable for the work at the institute. For example, if they report abnormalities in the animal or in the animal population, the investigations at ITAW can be adapted. Especially in view of the current bird flu epidemic along the coasts of Schleswig-Holstein, the detection of the H5N8 bird flu serotype on seals by the ITAW last year and the worldwide Corona pandemic, the virological investigations are to be intensified again in the current project year.

Results:

Bericht (PDF) Untersuchungen zum Gesundheitszustand von Seehunden in Schleswig-Holstein im Jahr 2022

https://www.schleswig-holstein.de/DE/fachinhalte/A/artenschutz/Downloads/seehundbericht2022.pdf?__blob=publicationFile&v=2

Funding: Ministerium für Energiewende, Klimaschutz, Umwelt und Natur des Landes Schleswig-Holstein, 64.600 EUR

Project Details:
Raccoon dogs and raccoons are neozoa, invasive species that are not originally situated in Germany. Both species are potential reservoirs for infectious diseases and as oppotunistic carnivores they can also influence our native fauna as predators and competitors.
In our project we investigated in total 140 animals over two years. We want to analyse the influence and the risk of these alien species on our native fauna. Therefore, we want to assess the health status, especially the occurance of zoonotic and infectious diseases and the nutrition of the animals.
The analysis of the samples and data is still ongoing. All animals underwent a full necropsy and the analysis of histopathological, bacteriological, virological, parasitological and toxicological samples is taking place. In addition, stomach content analysis and age determination is done.

Results:

https://www.mdpi.com/2076-0817/12/12/1379

Funding: Ministerium für Energiewende, Klimaschutz, Umwelt und Natur des Landes Schleswig-Holstein (MEKUN), 48.739 EUR

Project Details:
Harbor porpoises are the only native cetacean species in the waters of the North Sea and Baltic Sea of Schleswig-Holstein. Harbor porpoise habitat is under increasing pressure from growing human activities, which include, for example, shipping, offshore construction, military and seismic activities, fishing, changes in food availability, and exposure to environmental pollutants. Recent studies have now shown that the mean age at death of female harbor porpoises from the Baltic Sea is 3.67 (+/-0.30) years and from the North Sea is 5.7 (+/-0.27) years, and this is despite the fact that harbor porpoises can live over 20 years and do not reach sexual maturity until 3-5 years of age. Furthermore, counts of harbor porpoises in the German North Sea have shown that the number of animals in these waters is decreasing, including in the reproduction areas off Sylt. Studies conducted on 24 harbor porpoises from the Baltic Sea after blasts from British landmines showed that 10 of the animals had characteristic blast trauma. The dead detection monitoring funded by the Ministry for Energy Transition, Climate Protection, Environment and Nature, S.-H. (MEKUN) showed a very high number of dead harbor porpoises in the Baltic Sea also in 2021. The effects due to the pollution of environmental pollutants in waters of Schleswig-Holstein cannot be evaluated so far, because the required data is too limited. Chemical analyses for pollutants in the tissues of the animals have not yet been part of the regular investigations within the scope of the dead-find monitoring, but could be investigated in 2021 as part of a pilot study commissioned by MEKUN.
In order to gain new insights into the relationship between hearing damage and elevated levels of contaminants, this project will investigate specific contaminants in harbor porpoise tissues and examine the auditory apparatus of harbor porpoises found dead.

Results:

Bericht an das Ministerium für Energiewende, Klimaschutz, Umwelt und Natur des Landes Schleswig-Holstein

https://www.schleswig-holstein.de/DE/fachinhalte/A/artenschutz/Downloads/untersuchungSchweinswale2022.pdf?__blob=publicationFile&v=2