A5075699666- Marine Biology and Ecology Research
- Nematode management and characterization studies
- Parasite Biology and Host Interactions
- Aquatic Invertebrate Ecology and Behavior
- Freshwater macroinvertebrate diversity and ecology
- Plant and animal studies
- Genetics, Aging, and Longevity in Model Organisms
- Mollusks and Parasites Studies
- Evolution and Genetic Dynamics
- Physiological and biochemical adaptations
- Fish Ecology and Management Studies
- Biocrusts and Microbial Ecology
- Animal Ecology and Behavior Studies
- Insects and Parasite Interactions
- Tardigrade Biology and Ecology
Bielefeld University
2018-2024
Wind-mediated transport is an important mechanism in the dispersal of small metazoans. Yet, concrete rates have hardly been examined. Here we present results one-year field experiment investigating composition and aeroplankton. To gain insights into dynamics at species level, focused on nematodes, worldwide most common metazoan taxon. Among six taxa collected this study (nematodes, rotifers, collembolans, tardigrades, mites, thrips), nematodes had highest (up to >3000 individuals m-2 4...
Abstract The metacommunity concept incorporates spatial dynamics into community ecology, shedding light on how local and regional processes interact in structuring ecological communities, to which measure they are deterministic or stochastic. We reviewed studies freshwater meiobenthos published since 2004, when the main principles of theory were conceptualized. (together 19) observational, focused mainly ostracods, rarely rotifers nematodes. In accordance with general expectations, prevalent...
Abstract Understanding the drivers of species distribution is an important topic in conservation biology and ecology, pertaining to traits like dispersal strategies species–environment interactions. Here we examined benthic at 20 sections a second-order stream network. Environmental spatial factors modes organisms were considered. We expected that with aerial capabilities insects would be less restrained by distance between sites thus mostly affected environmental factors. In contrast,...
Abstract Dispersal is a vital component of the life history nearly all organisms. The ability to disperse determines distribution and abundance species thus its community dynamic at different sites. scientific challenge design standardized laboratory experiments that not only record effects single factors but also include multicausal nature dispersal. Here we tested effect environmental density, food availability predation, combinations thereof on dispersal five free‐living nematode by...
Abstract The field of metacommunity studies is growing rapidly, including recent applications to river networks. Most these have targeted a single network but whether their findings are relevant other systems unknown. This study investigated the influence environmental, spatial and temporal parameters on community structure nematodes in networks Elbe Rhine. We asked variance was better explained by variables representing watercourse than overland distances. After determining patterns...
Dispersal reflects the trade-offs between cost of a change in habitat and fitness benefits conferred by that change. Many factors trigger dispersal animals, but field studies they are typically not controllable; consequently, mostly studied laboratory, where their single interactive effects on can be investigated. We tested whether three fundamental factors, population density as well bottom-up top-down control, influence emigration nematode Caenorhabditis elegans. Nematode movement was...
Abstract According to metacommunity theory and previous experiments, inter‐patch dispersal rates may alter species diversity at local regional scales. In this study, we tested the predictions of regarding effect on diversity, with a focus impact environmental heterogeneity. Experiments were conducted in which frequencies freshwater nematode communities heterogeneity conditions factorial manipulated by maintaining mesocosms under homogeneous or heterogeneous temperature regime. The...
Abstract Meiofauna play an important ecological role in benthic ecosystems. However, little is known about their small‐scale (<1 m 2 ) distribution. Yet, this knowledge has both theoretical implications, by improving our understanding of how processes generate patterns; and practical outcomes sampling designs. The goal study was to obtain insights into the distribution meiofaunal invertebrates dwelling sediment a lentic ecosystem (in study, artificial pond). We addressed aim at coarse...
Summary Nematodes are the most abundant multicellular animals on Earth and play an important role as intermediaries in energy fluxes. However, estimations of nematode biomass turnover secondary production have been poorly defined for decades it is difficult to reach a consensus about importance nematodes ecosystem functioning. Here we monitored monthly species composition, abundance over 3-10 years set artificial urban ponds, used different allometric models estimate production. During first...
Nematodes disperse passively and are amongst the smallest invertebrates on Earth. Free-living nematodes in mountain lakes highly tolerant of environmental variations thus excellent model organisms dispersal studies, since species-environment relationships unlikely to interfere. In this study, we investigated how population or organism traits influence stochastic physical nature passive a topologically complex environment. Specifically, analyzed female proportion body size geographical...
Summary With this tribute, we want to highlight Professor Walter Traunspurger’s achievements and contributions education research in the fields of nematology ecology. started teach 1998 Department Animal Ecology at Bielefeld University (Germany) completed his tenure September 2022, a milestone career for which he deserves appreciation, although is surely going stay as enthusiastic busy many years come. Over 30 an outstanding academic career, has supervised 22 Ph.D., 49 M.Sc. 139 B.Sc....