Research

Funding: UKSH, Institut für Toxikologie und Pharmakologie für Naturwissenschaftler, Kiel, 8.404 EUR

Project Details:
Samples of bycaught common eiders from the danish Baltic Sea, which undergo post-mortem examinations at the Institute for Terrestrial and Aquatic Wildlife Research, are provisioned for toxicological analysis at the Christian-Albrechts-University Kiel.
At the Institute for Toxicology and Pharmacology for Natural Scientists, organ samples of liver, kidneys, muscle, brain and fat as well as bile are analysed for residues of explosive compounds of dumped munition. These are 2,4,6-Trinitrotoluene (TNT) and its derivates, which have been detected in blue mussels (Mytilus edulis) in other studies. The examination of common eider tissues will allow to draw conclusions about possible accumulation in the trophic chain.

Results:

https://doi.org/10.3390/ani12152002

Funding: Ministerium für Energiewende,Landwirtschaft, Umwelt, Natur und Digitalisierung des Landes Schleswig-Holstein, 20.000 EUR

Project Details:
Especially during sensitive life stages, i. e. the upbringing of offspring, predators can have a negative influence on their prey. This pilot study therefore aims to record and compare the spatiotemporal behavior of predator and their prey species. One focus hereby is the relevance of permanent landscape structures such as hedges as well as additionally created elements such as wildflower strips or fallow land.
Predators like the red fox (Vulpes vulpes) and the non-indigenous racoon dog (Nyctereutes procyonoides) as well as the European hare (Lepus europaeus) as a prey species occur in Schleswig-Holstein. To conduct the pilot study, individuals of these species are equipped with tags automatically collecting GPS data. Furthermore, the tags record spatial movements of the individual on three axes. With the received data, individual home ranges, nightly activities, and daily resting areas can be analysed. Eventually, captured patterns can be compared to identify overlaps between predators and their prey as well as the influence of structural landscape elements.

Results:

Abschlußbericht

https://www.tiho-hannover.de/fileadmin/57_79_terr_aqua_Wildtierforschung/79_Buesum/downloads/Berichte/2021_Praedatorenbericht.pdf

Funding: Nationalparkstiftung Schleswig-Holstein, 22.500 EUR

Project Details:
The native harbor seal population has been severely depleted in the past, but rebounded after the end of hunting in the 1970s. Two seal distemper epidemics in 1988 and 2002 and an influenza epidemic drastically reduced the seal population in the Wadden Sea within a very short time. However, the population recovered each time, so that currently there are an estimated 40800 living in the Wadden Sea of the Netherlands, Germany and Denmark.
Despite the high profile of this species, some aspects of harbor seal ecology, such as precise movement patterns and habitat use in the Wadden Sea National Park and adjacent waters, as well as information on feeding ecology, are poorly studied. The few studies available suggest that harbor seals do make extended hunting excursions into the open North Sea. However, the ecological relevance of these excursions and the detailed, spatiotemporal resolution of foraging activity are based on purely theoretical approaches. Furthermore, it is not clear which prey organisms and prey size the seals prefer on their hunting trips and whether they show specific hunting tactics depending on prey size.
Therefore, this project aims to fill gaps in our knowledge about where, how often and what exactly seals feed on in the German North Sea.
A problem in this context is that seals spend most of their lives in the water, where it is very difficult to observe their movements. In this context, telemetry - i.e., the tagging of animals with small electronic devices - is an important method to obtain knowledge about habitat use and behavior of the animals. However, in terms of determining foraging and food acquisition, telemetry has a large element of uncertainty. While sensors can provide high-resolution movement data (geographic position, dive depth, dive length, dive distance, acceleration), a characterization of foraging behavior is usually based on a subjective assessment of theoretical assumptions. A direct observation of the feeding behavior can only be achieved by a camera directly on the animal. In the present project, seals will therefore be equipped with a special underwater camera ("CATS-Cam"). In the future, the knowledge gained can also serve as a basis for the optimization of management concepts, as well as for further studies, for example to validate data from conventionally used telemetry devices. Furthermore, the recorded videos can be used for public relations and environmental education.

Results:

In the present project, two seals were caught and equipped with special underwater cameras ("CATS-Cam"). As expected, the cameras detached from the animals after a few days and the stored video files could be read out and analysed. A first analysis showed that the concept was suitable for the study purposes. A total of 495 videos (total length of 21.8 hours) were recorded.

Further investigations will be carried out in the future to optimise the method, so that more data can be recorded and movement patterns that could be identified from the existing videos can be used as a template for further identifications in the movement data. Also, problems such as poor lighting conditions caused by high concentrations of suspended matter in the water are to be avoided through modifications to the device.

In the future, the further development of this method should also serve as a basis for optimising management concepts, for example to validate data from conventionally used telemetry devices.

https://www.tiho-hannover.de/universitaet/aktuelles-veroeffentlichungen/pressemitteilungen/detail/seehunden-ueber-die-schulter-schauen

Funding: Industry (Veterinary pharmaceuticals/Vaccines), 489.252 EUR

Project Details:
Die Impfstoffentwicklung gegen COVID-19 ist von höchster Dringlichkeit, wofür es jedoch zunächst einiger prä-klinischer Experimente bedarf, bevor Studien im Menschen angewandt werden können. MVA-SARS-CoV-2 Impfstoffe sollen hierfür im Tiermodell auf Sicherheit und Immunogenität getestet werden. Dabei soll das Hamstermodell im Vordergrund stehen, da Hamster ein ähnlich aufgebautes ACE-2 Protein exprimieren und sich darüber hinaus schon in der SARS-CoV-1 Forschung als Tiermodell bewährt haben.

Funding: Bundesamt für Gewässerkunde, Koblenz, 29.583 EUR

Project Details:
Dietary analysis of otters found dead are the subject of this study. Relevant otters where dissected as part of a previous project that aimed at investigating anticoagulant rodenticides (rat poison) in predators. During necropsies, all stomachs and the intestinal content of otters was sampled, if available. Continuing, all remains found in the gastrointestinal tracts of the otters were specially prepared to allow identification of prey species. Two methods will be used therein: hard part analysis, which targets visible bones, scales etc., and metabarcoding, which identifies prey species genetically. In combination, both methods together will create a realistic overview of the prey spectrum of otters from Lower Saxony. All results will be presented as a short report.

Results:

The results of the hard component analysis confirm fish as the most frequently eaten prey class of otters in Lower Saxony. Furthermore, components of amphibians, plants, arthropods, and very sporadically of birds, mammals and molluscs were detected in the stomachs. The Cyprinidae family was the most frequently identified fish family. That otters are opportunistic predators that feed on a variety of fish species depending on availability in their range (Kruuk, 2006; Buglione et al., 2020) was confirmed by the metabarcoding results. The study was able to show that the combination of hard component analysis and metabarcoding is suitable to break down and describe the feeding ecology of otters in Lower Saxony. While metabarcoding could identify fish species that would otherwise have been overlooked, hard component analysis could provide estimates of the number of prey eaten.

Funding: Common Wadden Sea Secretariat (CWSS), 4.994 EUR

Project Details:
The Quality Status Report (QSR) is commissioned by the Common Wadden Sea Secretariat (CWSS). The report is published at regular intervals and provides information on the current status of the Wadden Sea. In order to be able to present the human impact on this sensitive ecosystem, the latest results from science and research are compiled. The authors are experts from different research disciplines from the three countries over which the Wadden Sea extends - Denmark, Germany and the Netherlands. There are different reports on the various main topics. ITAW coordinated the report for the state of marine mammals.

Results:

https://qsr.waddensea-worldheritage.org/reports/marine-mammals

Funding: Niedersächsisches Ministerium für Wissenschaft und Kultur (MWK), 50.000 EUR

Project Details:
One of the key evolutionary events of life on earth is the emergence of organisms that use multiple cell types for the division of labour. How this occurred and how multicellular organisms (metazoans) establish and maintain an organized architecture is yet poorly understood. As a consequence, malfunctions of epithelial tissue organization and architecture, like cancer growth, are even more poorly understood. Modern technical innovations and the synergy of multiple scientific fields, including evolutionary biology, space research and cancer genetics have recently opened completely new opportunities to address the genetic control of tissue organisation in metazoans and to better understand regulatory malfunctions, including the origin of cancer cells in humans.
The key biological tool to generate normal epithelial architecture is through the control of asymmetry at the cell and organism level. This is coordinated by a highly conserved set of proteins known as cell polarity regulators. Importantly, the cell polarity complexes Scribble, Par and Crumbs complexes are considered to be a metazoan innovation with apicobasal polarity and adherens junctions believed to be present in all animals. As disorganisation of tissue architecture is a hallmark of epithelial cancer and its repair is critical for organ regeneration, a better understanding of the fundamental mechanisms regulating tissue architecture should provide key insights into human health.
We have been developing the simplest of all metazoan animals, the placozoan Trichoplax adhaerens,into a powerful model system to study the genetics behind cell polarity regulation in vivo and in full depth. In Trichoplax the genetics underlying cell polarity regulation is substantially less clouded than in humans, e.g. the number of to be tested regulatory gene interactions is more than 800 times smaller (although all principal gene families for building epithelial tissue polarity are already present in Trichoplax). Preliminary experiments have shown that we are able to experimentally disrupt polarity orientation in growing Trichoplax by removing gravity as the physical stimulus in a micro-gravity chamber. We have thus brought together an international team of experts for (i) the model system Trichoplax adehaerens, (ii) cell polarity genetics, (iii) microgravity space science, and (iv) cancer research. Our initial experiments indicate that as a team we will be able to experimentally introduce cell polarity loss in space flights, identify the genetic control of the off-set of cell polarity, experimentally test candidate regulatory gene interactions for polarity offset, rebuild protein effectors and test these in human cancer cell lines. Clearly the synergy of biological, physical and medical science approaches is more than the sum of the components. Here it can not only lead to a better understanding of the organisation of tissue architecture but it can also prepare the grounds for sensitive assays of cell malfunctions leading to cancer. As a long-shot even the development of vaccines against cancer in humans seems in range.

Cooperation Partners:

1) Deutsches Luft- und Raumfahrtzentrum (DLR);

2) LaTrobe University, Medical School, Melbourne, Australia

3) Yale University, Yale Genomics Center, New Haven, USA

4) Centre for Genomic Regulation, Barcelona, Spain

5) Université de Lyon, Centre de recherche en cancérologie, France

Funding: Ministerium für Energiewende,Landwirtschaft, Umwelt, Natur und Digitalisierung des Landes Schleswig-Holstein, 62.000 EUR

Project Details:
The project carried out for the Ministry for Energy Transition, Agriculture, Environment, Nature and Digitalisation (MELUND) aims to record the development of the health status of wild harbour seals in Schleswig-Holstein. A distinction is made between live and dead monitoring.
In the course of the live monitoring, the State Agency for Coastal Protection, National Park and Marine Conservation (LKN) finances seal captures on the Lorenzensplate. Here, the seals are caught alive, fixed in tube nets and measured lengthwise for an approximate size reference. In addition, blood and swab samples are taken from the seals for further examination. After the examination and sampling, the animals are released.
For the monitoring of dead seals, seals found dead or killed for animal welfare reasons are brought from the North Sea and the Baltic Sea to the ITAW in Büsum, where they are autopsied. The autopsies serve to record data on morphometry and population structure as well as to examine the health status of the individuals. In addition, the causes of disease and, if possible, the causes of death are recorded. After the macroscopic examination, organ samples are also examined histopathologically. In addition, samples are taken for further examinations, which include bacteriology and virology, but also toxicology and screening for microplastic particles.
Since ITAW has been monitoring both live and dead seals for several years, the investigations described above provide a good overview of the current health of the seal populations in the North Sea and Baltic Sea and how it compares to previous years. In addition, the studies serve to address a wide range of other questions. For example, human influences on the marine mammals can be investigated or the occurrence of important infectious and potentially dangerous zoonotic pathogens can be monitored.
The cooperation of the ITAW staff with the so-called seal hunters is fundamental to the existence of the project. These work on a voluntary basis for the state of Schleswig-Holstein and are often the first people to contact when sick seals are found on the beach. They are trained by the ITAW in cooperation with the administration of the Wadden Sea National Park and the Friedrichskoog Seal Station so that they can decide independently whether the seals need help. If there is no prospect of recovery and a further life in the wild for the seals due to serious illness or injury, the seal hunters can release the animals from their suffering.

Results:

Untersuchungen zum Gesundheitszustand von Seehunden

in Schleswig-Holstein im Jahr 2021

Bericht an das Ministerium für Energiewende, Landwirtschaft, Umwelt, Natur und Digitalisierung des Landes Schleswig-Holstein und den Landesbetrieb für Küstenschutz, Nationalpark und Meeresschutz Schleswig-Holstein

https://www.schleswig-holstein.de/DE/fachinhalte/A/artenschutz/Downloads/seehundbericht2021.pdf?__blob=publicationFile&v=2

Funding: Ministerium für Energiewende,Landwirtschaft, Umwelt, Natur und Digitalisierung des Landes Schleswig-Holstein, 53.000 EUR

Project Details:
Originally situated in east asia the racoon dog was introduced 1928 as a fur animal in the former soviet union. Since then the racoon dog spread continously west and inhabited new areas. In the late 1990 the first reproduction of racoon dogs in Schleswig- Holstein was recorded.

1927 racoons were released in the state of Hessen, in the following years other racoon dogs were set free or escaped form captivity in different parts of Germany. From this time on a free roaming population established. In 1975 the first reproduction of racoons was recorded in Schleswig- Holstein.

In our project we want to analyse the influence and the risk of these alien species on our native fauna. Therefore we want to asses the health status, especially the occurance of zoonotic and infectious diseases and the nutrition of the animals.

Shot animals or animals found dead are getting dissected at the institute for terrestrial and aquatic wildlife research of the TiHo Hannover. Samples for bacteriological, virological and parasitological diagnostics are taken and stomach content analysis and age determination is taking place. Based on the first results follow- up studies on the influence on native animal species and as a result of those a future long-term management can be developed

Results:

Malicious Mites—Sarcoptes scabiei in Raccoon Dogs (Nyctereutes procyonoides) in Schleswig-Holstein, Germany

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

Funding: Industry (Feed manifacturing) , 22.000 EUR