A5069179737- Plant and animal studies
- Ecology and Vegetation Dynamics Studies
- Lepidoptera: Biology and Taxonomy
- Animal Ecology and Behavior Studies
- Species Distribution and Climate Change
- Genetic diversity and population structure
- Plant Parasitism and Resistance
- Insect symbiosis and bacterial influences
- Insect and Arachnid Ecology and Behavior
- Entomological Studies and Ecology
- Botany and Plant Ecology Studies
- Plant and fungal interactions
- Mediterranean and Iberian flora and fauna
- Scarabaeidae Beetle Taxonomy and Biogeography
- Mollusks and Parasites Studies
- Insect-Plant Interactions and Control
- Yersinia bacterium, plague, ectoparasites research
- Wildlife Ecology and Conservation
- Evolution and Genetic Dynamics
- Sperm and Testicular Function
- Rabbits: Nutrition, Reproduction, Health
- Chromosomal and Genetic Variations
- Insect Pest Control Strategies
- Forensic Entomology and Diptera Studies
- Physiological and biochemical adaptations
University of Vienna
2009-2022
University of Bern
2020-2022
University of Salzburg
2003-2014
Institute for Biodiversity
2004-2012
Honey bee and Silkworm Research Unit
2009
University of Amsterdam
2002-2007
University of Neuchâtel
2006-2007
Amsterdam Museum
2004
The red squirrel (Sciurus vulgaris) is a well-known forest animal distributed all over Europe. Still, we are far from having firm knowledge of the species' phylogeography. This study investigates genetic differentiation S. vulgaris across Eurasian range, using sequence data mitochondrial DNA gene (D-loop, 252 base pairs, cytochrome b, 359 pairs), and eight variable autosomal microsatellite loci genotyped for 236 individuals. results reveal presence two main phylogroups. first clade comprises...
The European protected-area network will cease to be efficient for biodiversity conservation, particularly in the Mediterranean region, if species are driven out of protected areas by climate warming. Yet, no empirical evidence how change influences ecological communities nature reserves really exists. Here, we examine long-term (1998–2011/2012) and short-term (2011–2012) changes butterfly fauna Dadia National Park (Greece) revisiting 21 18 transects 2011 2012 respectively, that were...
Abstract. 1. Little is known about animal community response to severe El Niño Southern Oscillation (ENSO)‐induced fire events. Here the of butterflies 1997/98 ENSO‐induced event in East Kalimantan (Indonesian Borneo) assessed. In addition community‐wide study, a detailed assessment lycaenid Jamides celeno made. 2. Species richness declined significantly from 211 species pre‐ENSO 39 post‐ENSO and composition changed significantly. Along with decline there was marked increase dominance. , for...
This is the first mitochondrial phylogeography of common dormouse, Muscardinus avellanarius (Linnaeus, 1758), a hibernating rodent strictly protected in Europe (Habitat Directive, annex IV; Bern Convention, III). The 84 individuals M. avellanarius, sampled throughout distributional range species, have been sequenced at DNA gene (cytochrome b, 704 base pairs). results revealed two highly divergent lineages, with an ancient separation around 7.7 Mya and genetic divergence 7.7%. Lineage 1...
In butterflies, life span often increases only at the expense of fecundity. Prolonged span, on other hand, provides more opportunities for oviposition. Here, we studied association between and summer dormancy in two closely related species Palearctic Meadow Brown endemic Maniola nurag widespread M. jurtina, from climatic provenances, a Mediterranean Central European site, tested relationships longevity, body size We experimentally induced hence prolonged butterflies' order to study effects...
Abstract Inferring species' responses to climate change in the absence of long‐term time series data is a challenge, but can be achieved by substituting space for time. For example, thermal elevational gradients represent suitable proxies study phenological warming. We used butterfly from two Mediterranean mountain areas test whether mean dates appearance communities and individual species show delay with increasing altitude, an accompanying shortening duration flight periods. found 14‐day...
Maniola butterflies undergo summer dormancy in dry and hot habitats deposit their eggs only early autumn when conditions become more favourable for offspring. Female individuals of this genus are therefore relatively long-lived. For long-lived adult diet is particular importance. We tested if added amino acids nectar substitute fed to the affected timing oviposition, fecundity longevity. A hundred females were sampled from Mediterranean Central European populations made oviposit under...
Abstract Background Wolbachia is an endosymbiont common to most invertebrates, which can have significant evolutionary implications for its host species by acting as a barrier gene flow. Despite the importance of , still little known about prevalence and diversification pattern among closely related species. strains may phylogenetically coevolve with their hosts, unless horizontal host-switches are particularly common. We address these issues in genus Erebia, one diverse Palearctic butterfly...
The Palaearctic butterfly genus Pseudophilotes Beuret, 1958 (Lycaenidae: Polyommatinae), that today occurs in North Africa and Eurasia, includes ten described species with various distribution ranges, including endemics such as the Sardinian P. barbagiae. Phylogenetic relationships among these are largely unresolved. In present study, we analysed 158 specimens, representing seven out of genus, from widely distributed sites throughout western region, using nuclear markers (28S rRNA, wingless,...
1. Insects undergo phenological change at different rates, showing no consistent trend between habitats, time periods, species or groups. Understanding how and why this variability occurs is crucial. 2. Phenological patterns of butterflies O rthoptera were analysed using a novel approach s tandardised major axis ( SMA ) analysis. It was investigated whether: (i) phenology (the mean date duration flight) changed from one survey (1998 1999 respectively) to another (2011), (ii) the rate which...
Abstract The use of DNA sequence data often leads to the recognition cryptic species within putatively well‐known taxa. opposite case, detecting less diversity than originally described, has, however, far more rarely been documented. Maniola jurtina , Meadow Brown butterfly, occurs all over Europe, whereas other six in genus are restricted Mediterranean area. Among them, three island endemics on Sardinia, Cyprus, and Chios, respectively. almost indistinguishable morphologically,...
The Mediterranean island of Sardinia is known for its multitude unique genetic lineages. We view one them in a larger phylogeographic context. endemic Sardinian Meadow Brown butterfly, Maniola nurag, restricted to the mountainous areas island, whereas widespread close relative, jurtina, also occurs on coast. At intermediate altitudes species' distributions overlap. There, number individuals exhibit phenotypic characteristics between two species. examined patterns intra- and interpopulation...
We tracked the movements of adult Ringlet butterflies (Lepidoptera, Nymphalidae, Erebia Dalman, 1816) in high-elevation (> 1800 meters a.s.l.) grasslands Austrian Alps order to test if an anthropogenic boundary (= asphalt road) had a stronger effect on butterfly movement than natural habitat boundaries (trees, scree, or dwarf shrubs surrounding grassland sites). 373 individuals (136 females, 237 males) belonging 11 species were observed one flight season (July–August 2013) while...
We report on the probable horizontal transfer of a mitochondrial gene, cytb, between species Neotropical bruchid beetles, in zone where these are sympatric. The beetles Acanthoscelides obtectus, A. obvelatus, argillaceus and Zabrotes subfasciatus develop various bean Mexico. Whereas obtectus obvelatus Phaseolus vulgaris Mexican Altiplano, feeds P. lunatus Pacific coast. generalist Z. both species, is sympatric with In order to assess phylogenetic position four we amplified sequenced one...
Recently refined evolutionary theories have highlighted that ecological interactions and environmental gradients can play a major role in speciation. This paper reports on 3-year field study, which the ecology of two congeneric butterfly species was used to explore compare factors determining their spatial distribution. These data are discussed context possible speciation scenarios between Sardinian populations Maniola nurag M. jurtina. is endemic island Sardinia, while jurtina widespread...
Butterflies of the genus Maniola are known for their large morphological variation, at inter- as well intraspecific level. Given overlap in wing-patterns, habitat selection, and geographic distribution various species, genitalia morphology is sometimes only possibility to tell specimen apart. In this paper we describe diagnostic characters distinguish different species by means genitalia. Included also first detailed description illustration apparatus Sardinian endemic nurag . Further, two...