Willi E. R. Xylander

Transient fires useful for habitat-management do not affect soil microfauna (testate amoebae)—a study on an active military training area in eastern Germany

Abstract Military training areas may provide valuable habitats for endangered organisms highly specialized to open landscapes. On an active military installation in eastern Germany, small short fires caused by routine shooting exercises occurred frequently and were useful in clearing vegetation to create and preserve open habitats. In this study, testate amoebae, as representatives of the soil microfauna, were used as bioindicators to assess possible detrimental effects on soil function attributed to fire. Generally, all sites under investigation revealed high amoebal abundances and biomasses, reflecting their importance in the biotic function of these soils. Species inventory of testate amoebae is comparable to rehabilitated mining dumps and related to substrate and stocking, rather than fire regime, as demonstrated by cluster analysis. Immediate (a few days postfire) and long-term samples (9–12 months postfire) did not reveal any severe impacts on abundances or biomasses of testate amoebae. Furthermore, immediately after burning, representatives of all the important groups of the soil microfauna were found alive in the upper soil layers. The results from this study highlight the fact that transient fires in military firing ranges are useful in clearing vegetation for recolonization and habitat diversity. Soil microfauna, important for soil function, was relatively unaffected or recovered rapidly.

Ultrastructural characteristics of the protonephridial terminal organ and associated ducts of adult specimens of the Aspidogastrea, Digenea and Monogenea, with comments on the relationships between these groups

Transmission electron microscopical observations were made on the protonephridial terminal organ and associated ducts of three adult trematodes, the aspidogastrean Aspidogaster limacoides Diesing, 1835 and the digeneans Azygia lucii (Müller, 1776) and Phyllodistomum angulatum Linstow, 1907, and the monogenean Ancyrocephalus paradoxus Creplin, 1839. Previously unreported ultrastructural details of the terminal organ of adult trematodes include multiple contact sites (septate junctions and zonulae adherentes) between the membranes of the terminal and adjacent canal cells. Septate junctions traverse the epithelial cytoplasm of the canal wall, and the same type of septate junctions are observed within the cytoplasmic cord at the level of the tip of the flame tuft in both longitudinal and oblique sections of all three trematode species studied. In the monopisthocotylean Ancyrocephalus paradoxus, the absence of any junctions in the cytoplasmic cord and the presence of septate junction within all of the protonephridial ducts are reported. On the basis of the small number of monogenean species in which these features have been studied, in relation to the size of the group, there seems to be a high diversity in some characters of the protonephridial terminal organ. The study confirms that the Aspidogastrea and Digenea possess the same morphology of their protonephridial terminal organ and, although this differs slightly from that of most members of the Monogenea so far studied, it supports previous views on the close relationship of these groups.

Short-term effects of a nun moth suppression programme (Lymantria monacha), (Lepidoptera: Lymantriidae) on epigeic non-target arthropods

The short-term responses of non-target soil arthropods to insecticides (Nomolt: Teflubenzuron, Karate: lambda-Cyhalothrin) applied against the nun moth (Lymantria monacha L.) were investigated in 2003. This phytophagous pest infested 30–40-year-old monocultures of Scots pine (Pinus sylvestris L.) located at an active military training area in northeast Saxony (Germany). According to the non-target epigeic arthropods, extinction of a higher systematic taxon (family, order) was not observed. Activity densities of soil macroarthropods were lower on plots treated with Karate, while those of necrophagous ground beetles increased considerably. Nomolt revealed no distinct impact on soil invertebrate density. Statistical analysis did not prove any consistent insecticidal effects on non-target arthropods. Adjacent open-heathland arthropods were not affected by a possible drift of the agents.

Ultrastructure of the neodermal sclerites of Gyrocotyle urna Grube and Wagener, 1852 (Gyrocotylidea, Cestoda).

Body sclerites of Gyrocotyle urna Grube and Wagener, 1852, parasites of Chimaera monstrosa L., were studied by transmission electron microscopy. Each sclerite consists of ten to 15 concentric layers varying in electron density and thickness. The sclerites insert in pockets whose epithelia are continuous with the body neodermis but are 14 times thinner. The pocket neodermis bears surface projections with an inner electron-dense cylinder and a small electron-dense cap at their tip. It is surrounded by a well-elaborated basement lamina and bundles of musculature; the perikarya of this part of the neodermis lie underneath the basement membrane. The luminal plasma membrane of the pockets is covered by a coat originating from vesicles and dense bodies most probably discharged from the pocket neodermis, supporting the assumption that the deposition of this material builds up the sclerites. Therefore, sclerites are derivatives of the neodermis. With regard to their ultrastructure, sclerites resemble the calcareous corpuscles of other cestode taxa. They represent a useful phylogenetic character and are an autapomorphy of the Gyrocotylidea.

Spermatozoon cytoarchitecture of Amphilina foliacea (Platyhelminthes, Amphilinidea)

The mature spermatozoon of Amphilina foliacea Rudolphi, 1819 has been examined using transmission electron microscopy. The male gamete is filiform and tapered at both extremities. Its moderately electron-dense cytoplasm possesses two parallel axonemes of unequal lengths with the 9 + “1” trepaxonematan pattern, a mitochondrion, a nucleus, parallel cortical microtubules, four electron-dense attachment zones, and electron-dense glycogen granules. A crested body is absent. The anterior extremity of the cell exhibits a single axoneme. The anteriormost cortical microtubules have been observed with the appearance of the second axoneme. The number of cortical microtubules reaches a maximum (up to 25) in the nucleated region III of the spermatozoon. A single mitochondrion extends from the middle of region II to the end of region III of the cell. Both axonemes have become disorganized in a similar way: the axonemal doublets disappear first, followed by the central core. The nucleus is surrounded by a few cortical microtubules in the proximal part of region V. In the distal extremity of the mature spermatozoon, there is only the nucleus. Differences of spermatozoon ultrastructure within Amphilinidea and other Neodermata are discussed.

Offenhaltung durch Feuer

Das Brennen war in Mitteleuropa bis in die erste Halfte des 20. Jahrhunderts fester Bestandteil verschiedener Landnutzungssysteme (Abel 1962, Goldammer et al. 1997). Nach dem Ende dieser Formen der Landnutzung schwand das entsprechende Anwendungswissen. In der Kulturlandschaft, insbesondere in den stark waldbrandgefahrdeten trockenen Sandlandschaften Ostdeutschlands, wurden aufkommende Feuer stets unterdruckt. Auf Truppenubungsplatzen traten dennoch immer wieder nicht kontrollierte Brande infolge des Schiesbetriebes auf. Auf der anderen Seite wurde Feuer hier gezielt kontrolliert zur Offenhaltung eingesetzt. Noch heute gehort das Brennen zur Praxis der Offenhaltung auf aktiven Truppenubungsplatzen. Mit der Aufgabe der militarischen Landnutzung verschwindet das Verfahren jedoch schlagartig von den jeweiligen Standorten — so auch von den z.T. riesigen Ubungsplatzen russischer und NVA-Truppen in den neuen Bundeslandern. Daher werden verstarkt Uberlegungen angestellt und praktisch umgesetzt, das kontrollierte Brennen zielgerichtet fur naturschutzfachliche Anliegen zu nutzen (Goldammer et al. 1997, Landesamt fur Umweltschutz Sachsen-Anhalt 2002). Die Rahmenbedingungen sind jedoch unubersichtlich: Rechtliche Probleme gehen mit zum Teil erheblichen Akzeptanz- und Kenntnisdefiziten bei Anwohnern und zentralen Akteuren einher. Ein weiteres Problem auf ehemaligen Truppenubungsplatzen stellt die Munitionsbelastung dar. Durch liegen gebliebene Munition werden potenzielle Nachnutzer gefahrdet. Hinzu kommt, dass das Explosionsrisiko von Blindgangern durch Feuereinwirkung erhoht werden kann.

Boden – ein unterschätzter Lebensraum

Der Boden ist einer der individuen‐ und artenreichsten Lebensräume der Erde und Ort vielfältiger ökosystemarer Dienstleistungen. Aktuelle Forschungsprojekte zur Entstehung und Entwicklung von Bodentiergemeinschaften, zu den vielfältigen Wechselwirkungen innerhalb des Bodennahrungsnetzes und zur Verbreitung von Bodentieren geben unter anderem Einblick in die ökologischen Ansprüche und Anpassungsfähigkeit der Welt unter unseren Füßen und tragen so dazu bei, eine nachhaltige Nutzung der Ökoressource Boden zu gewährleisten.

Ultrastructure of the ovary of Amphilina japonica Goto & Ishii, 1936 (Cestoda) and its implications for phylogenetic studies

The ultrastructure of the ovary of the amphilinidean cestode Amphilina japonica Goto & Ishii, 1936 from the body-cavity of the American sturgeon Acipenser transmontanus Richardson is described using transmission electron microscopy. The characters of the ovary of Amphilinajaponica are different from those of all other cestodes. The most important difference is in the nature of the relationship between the germ and accessory cells within the ovary. In A. japonica the oocytes and accessory cells form numerous different intercellular contacts (desmosome-like junctions and zonulae adherentes). Gap junctions are present between the narrow cytoplasmic processes of the accessory cells. Numerous micropinocytotic vesicles and vacuoles from the accessory cells discharge their content into spaces between the oocytes and the accessory cells. The accessory cells are closely associated with the oocytes during the early and middle stages of oogenesis. As the volume of oocytes increases, the accessory cells gradually lose their association with the oocyte surfaces. Peripherally located individual accessory cells of A. japonica give rise to a cellular epithelial layer of irregular shape and thickness which breaks down via numerous invaginations of the basal membrane and underlying basal matrix. The different arrangements of the interconnection of cell components in the Amphilinidea compared with the Gyrocotylidea and Eucestoda (the absence of specialised cell contacts and the syncytial nature of the accessory ‘interstitial’ cells) are evidence suggesting the presence of unrelated groups within the Cestoda. The nature of the association of the accessory and germ cells in ovary of A. japonica more closely resembles the ovary of non-platyhelminth invertebrates rather than that of other neodermatans.

FRANKFURT, DRESDEN, GÖRLITZ, MÜNCHEBERG: Senckenberg: Its Zoological Collections and Their Histories

Today, Senckenberg’s collections, comprising some 38 million specimens, support a vast research enterprise. Although it is sometimes forgotten, these collections are crucial for day-to-day scientific work and facilitate Senckenberg’s mission to better understand biodiversity, evolution and mechanisms within the Earth system. The enormous collection infrastructure encompasses important herbaria, huge geological and paleontological collections and finally the zoological collections, which are introduced in the Senckenberg chapter of this book. The growth of the collections in any particular direction is often contingent on the research projects, special interests and/or current activities of scientists. Yet the collections are cumulative, and many specimens have their roots in the early history of the institution. Therefore, an overview of these collections should also encompass their origin. Facing the current and future challenges of biodiversity research, several German natural history institutes merged in 2009 to form a new Senckenberg. As each of these institutes of course has its own tradition, the individual institutes introduce themselves. Each has an impressive history and important collections in which every single specimen preserves information that, once unlocked, fosters a keen knowledge of nature. By the way, reading the history of the Senckenberg Institutes seems like a rendezvous with the who’s who of natural history research.

Aktiver Truppenübungsplatz Oberlausitz

Landschaftlicher Kontext. Der aktive Truppenubungsplatz Oberlausitz liegt im Nordosten Sachsens zwischen Weiswaser, Nochten und Rietschen und ist durch den Braunkohletagebau Nochten in zwei Ubungsgebiete unterteilt (Abb. 4.6.1). Seine Gesamtflache betragt 16.363 ha. Der Ostteil umfast 14.062 ha, 9.607 ha davon sind Forstbetriebsflache und 4.455 ha Offenland. Der Westteil ist 2.301 ha gros, die sich in 1.757 ha Forstbetriebsflache und 544 ha Offenland unterteilen. Weite Teile des Ubungsplatzes liegen in der grundwaserfernen Binnendunenlandschaft der Muskauer Heide (Abb. 4.6.2).