In my project I aim at a better understanding of the evolution of malacostracan crustaceans, which includes very different groups such as mantis shrimps, krill and lobsters. Previous studies on Malacostraca, on extant as well as on fossil representatives, focussed on adult morphology.In contrast to such approaches, I will apply a Palaeo-Evo-Devo approach to shed new light on the evolution of Malacostraca. Palaeo-Evo-Devo uses data of different developmental stages of fossil malacostracan crustaceans, such as larval and juvenile stages. With this approach I aim at bridging morphological gaps between the different diverse lineages of modern malacostracans by providing new insights into the character evolution in these lineages.An extensive number of larval and juvenile malacostracans is present in the fossil record, but which have only scarcely been studied. The backbone of this project will be on malacostracans from the Solnhofen Lithographic Limestones (ca. 150 million years old), which are especially well preserved and exhibit minute details. During previous studies, I developed new documentation methods for tiny fossils from these deposits, e.g., fluorescence composite microscopy, and also discovered the first fossil mantis shrimp larvae. For malcostracan groups that do not occur in Solnhofen, I will investigate fossils from other lagerstätten, e.g., Mazon Creek and Bear Gulch (USA), or Montceaules- Mines and La-Voulte-sur-Rhône (France). The main groups in focus are mantis shrimps and certain other shrimps (e.g., mysids, caridoids), as well as the bottom-living ten-footed crustaceans (reptantians). Examples for studied structures are leg details, including the feeding apparatus, but also eyes. The results will contribute to the reconstruction of 3D computer models.The data collected in this project will be used for evaluating the relationships within Malacostraca, but mainly for providing plausible evolutionary scenarios, how the modern malacostracan diversity evolved. With the Palaeo-Evo-Devo approach, I am also able to detect shifts in developmental timing, called heterochrony, which is interpreted as one of the major driving forces of evolution. Finally, the reconstructed evolutionary patterns can be compared between the different lineages for convergencies. These comparisons might help to explain the convergent adaptation to similar ecological niches in different malacostracan groups, e.g., life in the deep sea, life on the sea bottom, evolution of metamorphosis or of predatory larvae.As the project requires the investigation of a large number of specimens in different groups, I will assign distinct sub-projects to three doctoral researchers. The results of this project will not only be published in peer-reviewed journals, but will also be presented to the non-scientific public, e.g., during fossil fairs or museum exhibitions with 3D models engraved in glass blocks.
Im Jahr 1971 wurden die ersten Naturwaldzellen in Nordrhein-Westfalen ausgewiesen: Sie sollen "Urwälder" von morgen werden. Etwa 80 Prozent der vom Aussterben bedrohten Tier- und Pflanzenarten im Wald sind auf Tot- und Altholz angewiesen. In der sich selbst überlassenen Naturwaldzelle wo alles absterbende und abgestorbene Holz im Wald verbleibt, boomt ihre Populationsdichte. In Naturwaldzellen sind alle Handlungen verboten, die zu einer Zerstörung, Beschädigung oder Veränderung des geschützten Gebietes oder seiner Bestandteile oder zu einer nachhaltigen Störung führen können.
Introduction: In Malaysia, excessive nutrients from livestock waste management systems are currently released to the environment. Particularly, large amounts of manure from intensive pig production areas are being excreted daily and are not being fully utilised. Alternatively, the excess manure can be applied as an organic fertiliser source in neighbouring cropping systems on the small landholdings of the pig farms to improve soil fertility so that its nutrients will be available for crop uptake instead of being discharged into water streams. Thus, there is a need for better tools to analyse the present situation, to evaluate and monitor alternative livestock production systems and manure management scenarios, and to support farmers in the proper management of manure and fertiliser application. Such tools are essential to quantify, and assess nutrient fluxes, manure quality and content, manure storage and application rate to the land as well as its environmental effects. Several computer models of animal waste management systems to assist producers and authorities are now available. However, it is felt that more development is needed to adopt such models to the humid tropics and conditions of Malaysia and other developing countries in the region. Objectives: The aim is to develop a novel model to evaluate nutrient emission scenarios and the impact of livestock waste at the landscape or regional level in humid tropics. The study will link and improve existing models to evaluate emission of N to the atmosphere, and leaching of nutrients to groundwater and surface water. The simulation outputs of the models will be integrated with a GIS spatial analysis to model the distribution of nutrient emission, leaching and appropriate manure application on neighbouring crop lands and as an information and decision support tool for the relevant users.
Cydia pomonella granulovirus (CpGV, Baculoviridae) is one of the most important agents for the control of codling moth (CM, Cydia pomonella, L.) in both biological and integrated pest management. The rapid emergence of resistance against CpGV-M, which was observed in about 40 European CM field populations from 2003 on, could be traced back to a single, dominant, sex-linked gene. Since then, resistance management has been based on mixtures of new CpGV isolates (CpGV-I12, -S), which are able to overcome this resistance. Recently, resistance even to these novel isolates was observed in CM field populations. This resistance does not follow the described dominant, sex-linked inheritance trait. At the same time, another isolate CpGV-V15 was identified showing high virulence against these resistant populations. To elucidate this novel resistance mechanism and to identify the resistance gene(s) involved, we propose a comprehensive analysis of this resistance on the cellular and genomic level of codling moth. Because of the lack of previous knowledge of the molecular mechanisms of virus resistance in insects, several different and complementary approaches will be pursued. This study will not only give an in-depth insight into the genetic possibilities for development of baculovirus resistance in CM field populations and how the virus overcomes it, but can also serve as an important model for other baculovirus-host interaction systems.
Especially during the last decades, the natural forests of Ethiopia have been heavily disturbed by human activities. Some forests have been totally cleared and converted into fields for agricultural use, other suffered from different influences, such as heavy grazing and selective logging. The ongoing research in the Shashemane-Munessa-study area (Gu 406/8-1,2) showed clearly that, in spite of interdiction and control, forests continue to be cleared and degraded. However, it is not yet sufficiently known, how and why these processes are still going on. Growing population pressure and economic constraints for the people living in and around the forests contribute to the actual situation but allow no final answers to the complex situation. Concerning a sustainable management of the forests there is to no solid basis for recommendations from the socioeconomic and socio-cultural view. Therefore, a comprehensive analysis of the traditional needs and forms of forest use, including all forest products, is necessary. The objective of this project is, to achieve this basis by carrying out intensive field observations, the consultation of aerial photographs, satellite imagery and above all semi-structured interviews with the population in the study area in order to contribute to the recommendations for a sustainable use of the Munessa Shasemane forests.
Fusarium species of the Gibberella fujikuroi species complex cause serious diseases on different crops such as rice, wheat and maize. An important group of plant pathogens is the Gibberella fujikuroi species complex (GFC) of closely related Fusarium species which are associated with specific hosts; F. verticillioides and F. proliferatum are particularly associated with maize where they can cause serious ear-, root-, and stalk rot diseases. Two other closely related species of the GFC, F. mangiferae and F. fujikuroi, which share about 90Prozent sequence identity with F. verticillioides, are pathogens on mango and rice, respectively. All of these species produce a broad spectrum of secondary metabolites such as phytohormones (gibberellins, auxins, and cytokinins), and harmful mycotoxins, such as fumonisin, fusarin C, or fusaric acid in large quantities. However, the spectrum of those mycotoxins might differ between closely related species suggesting that secondary metabolites might be determinants for host specificity. In this project, we will study the potential impact of secondary metabolites (i.e. phytohormones and certain mycotoxins) and some other species-specific factors (e.g. species-specific transcription factors) on host specificity. The recently sequenced genomes of F. mangiferae and F. fujikuroi by our groups and the planned sequencing of F. proliferatum will help to identify such determinants by genetic manipulation of the appropriate metabolic pathway(s).
Die Asian Tropopause Aerosol Layer (ATAL), eine Schicht mit erhöhtem Aerosolgehalt, tritt jedes Jahr von Juni bis September in 14-18 km Höhe in einem Gebiet auf, das sich vom Mittelmeer bis zum westlichen Pazifik erstreckt. Hinsichtlich der Zusammensetzung der Partikel, sowie ihrer Bedeutung für die Strahlungsbilanz in dieser klimasensitiven Höhenregion bestehen große Unsicherheiten. Die bisher einzigen Flugzeugmessungen aus dem Zentrum der ATAL wurden 2017 im Rahmen der StratoClim Kampagne von Kathmandu aus gewonnen. Dabei entdeckten wir mit Hilfe des Infrarotspektrometers GLORIA auf dem Forschungsflugzeug Geophysica, dass feste Ammoniumnitrat (AN) â€Ì Partikel einen beträchtlichen Teil der Aerosolmasse ausmachen. Diese zählen zu den effizientesten Eiskeimen in der Atmosphäre. Zudem zeigte die gleichzeitige Messung von Ammoniakgas (NH3) durch GLORIA, dass dieses Vorläufergas durch starke Konvektion in die obere Troposphäre verfrachtet wird. Im Rahmen der PHILEAS-Kampagne schlagen wir eine gemeinsamen Betrachtung von atmosphärischen Modellsimulationen und Messungen vor, um die Zusammensetzung, Ursprung, Auswirkungen und Verbleib der ATAL-Partikel zu untersuchen â€Ì insbesondere im Hinblick auf ihre Prozessierung sowie ihren Einfluss auf die obere Troposphäre und die untere Stratosphäre der nördlichen Hemisphäre. Messungen von monsunbeeinflussten Luftmassen über dem östlichen Mittelmeer sowie über dem nördlichen Pazifik werden es uns erlauben, Luft mit gealtertem Aerosol- und Spurengasgehalt zu analysieren und damit die StratoClim-Beobachtungen aus dem Inneren des Monsuns zu komplementieren. Um dabei die wahrscheinlich geringeren Konzentrationen an Aerosol und Spurengasen zu quantifizieren, schlagen wir vor, die GLORIA-Datenerfassung von NH3 und AN u.a. durch die Verwendung neuartiger spektroskopischer Daten zu verbessern. Ferner werden wir die Analyse der GLORIA-Spektren auf Sulfataerosole sowie deren Vorläufergas SO2 auszudehnen. Auf der Modellseite werden wir das globale Wetter- und Klimamodellsystem ICON-ART weiterentwickeln, um die ATAL unter Einbeziehung verschiedener Aerosoltypen (Nitrat, Ammonium, Sulfat, organische Partikel, Staub) zu simulieren â€Ì unter Berücksichtigung der hohen Eiskeimfähigkeit von festem AN. Modellläufe werden durchgeführt, um einerseits einen globalen Überblick über die Entwicklung der ATAL 2023 zu gewinnen und zudem detaillierte, auf die relevanten Kampagnenperioden zugeschnittene, wolkenauflösende Informationen über die Aerosol-Wolken-Strahlungs-Wechselwirkungen zu erhalten. Über die direkte Analyse der PHILEAS-Kampagne hinausgehend wird diese Arbeit die Grundlage für eine verbesserte Analyse von Aerosolparametern aus GLORIA-Beobachtungen früherer und zukünftiger HALO-Kampagnen sowie aus Satellitenbeobachtungen legen. Darüber hinaus wird sie ICON-ART, einem der zentralen Klimamodellsysteme in Deutschland die Simulation von Aerosolprozessen sowie Aerosol/Wolken-Wechselwirkungen im Zusammenhang mit der ATAL ermöglichen.
In the Earth, the dynamo action is strongly linked to core freezing. There is a solid inner core, the growth of which provides a buoyancy flux that drives the dynamo. The buoyancy in this case derives from a difference in composition between the solid inner core and the fluid outer core. In planetary bodies smaller than the Earth, however, this core differentiation process may differ - Fe may precipitate at the core-mantle boundary (CMB) rather than in the center and may fall as iron snow and initially remelt with greater depth. A chemical stable sedimentation zone develops that comprises with time the entire core - at that time a solid inner core starts to grow. The dynamics of this system is not well understood and also whether it can generate a magnetic field or not. The Jovian moon Ganymede, which shows a present-day magnetic dipole field, is a candidate for which such a scenario has been suggested. We plan to study this Fe-snow regime with both a numerical and experimental approach. In the numerical study, we use a 2D/3D thermo-chemical convection model that considers crystallization and sinking of iron crystals together with the dynamics of the liquid core phase (for the 3D case the influence of the rotation of the Fe snow process is further studied).The numerical calculations will be complemented by two series of experiments: (1) investigations in metal alloys by means of X-ray radioscopy, and (2) measurements in transparent analogues by optical techniques. The experiments will examine typical features of the iron snow regime. On the one hand they will serve as a tool to validate the numerical approach and on the other hand they will yield important insight into sub-processes of the iron snow regime, which cannot be accessed within the numerical approach due to their complexity.
During microbial turnover of organic chemicals in soil, non-extractable residues (NER) are formed frequently. Studies on NER formation usually performed with radioisotope labelled tracer compounds are limited to localisation and quantitative analyses but their chemical composition is left unknown. Recently, we could show for 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid and ibuprofen that during microbial turnover in soil nearly all NER were derived from microbial biomass, since degrading bacteria use the pollutant carbon for their biomass synthesis. Their cell debris is subsequently stabilised within soil organic matter (SOM) forming biogenic NER (bioNER). It is still unknown whether bioNER are also formed during biodegradation of other, structurally different compound classes of organic contaminants. Therefore, agricultural soil will be incubated with labelled compounds of five classes of commonly used and emerging pesticides: organophosphate, phenylurea, triazinone, benzothiadiazine and aryloxyphenoxypropionic acid. The fate of the label will be monitored in both living and non-living SOM pools and the formation of bioNER will be quantified for each compound over extended periods of time. In addition, soil samples from long-term lysimeter studies with 14C-labelled pesticide residues (e.g. triazine, benzothiazole and phenoxypropionic acid group) will be also analysed for bioNER formation. The results will be summarised to identify the metabolic conditions of microorganisms needed for bioNER formation and to develop an extended concept of risk assessment including bioNER formation in soils.
Flowering time (FTi) genes play a key role as regulators of complex gene expression networks, and the influence of these networks on other complex systems means that FTi gene expression triggers a cascade of regulatory effects with a broad global effect on plant development. Hence, allelic and expression differences in FTi genes can play a central role in phenotypic variation throughput the plant lifecycle. A prime example for this is found in Brassica napus, a phenotypically and genetically diverse species with enormous variation in vernalisation requirement and flowering traits. The species includes oilseed rape (canola), one of the most important oilseed crops worldwide. Previously we have identified QTL clusters related to plant development, seed yield and heterosis in winter oilseed rape that seem to be conserved in diverse genetic backgrounds. We suspect that these QTL are controlled by global regulatory genes that influence numerous traits at different developmental stages. Interestingly, many of the QTL clusters for yield and biomass heterosis appear to correspond to the positions of meta-QTL for FTi in spring-type and/or winter-type B. napus. Based on the hypothesis that diversity in FTi genes has a key influence on plant development and yield, the aim of this study is a detailed analysis of DNA sequence variation in regulatory FTi genes in B. napus, combined with an investigation of associations between FTi gene haplotypes, developmental traits, yield components and seed yield.