Snake fauna (Reptilia: Serpentes) from the Early/Middle Miocene of Sandelzhausen and Rothenstein 13 (Germany)

The Early/Middle Miocene (European Land Mammal Zone MN5) localities of Sandelzhausen and Rothenstein 13 in southern Germany have yielded remains of about 13 ophidian taxa: Eoanilius sp. (Aniliidae), Bavarioboa ultima (Boidae), “Coluber” sp., ?Telescopus sp., Natrix sp., cf. Natrix sp., cf. “Neonatrix” sp., unidentified “colubrines” and “natricines” (Colubridae), Naja sp., an unidentified elapid (Elapidae), Vipera sp. (“Oriental viper”), Vipera sp. (“aspis complex”) (Viperidae). Both faunas document a transitional phase from those reported from several late Early and Middle Miocene sites of Central and Western Europe. The climates of Sandelzhausen and Rothenstein 13, as indicated by ophidian fossils, were warm, although not tropical or subtropical.     

Methodologically induced differences in oak site classifications in a homogeneous tree-ring network

Spatiotemporal variations in tree growth are induced by varying environmental conditions. Different methods like variants of the principal component analysis and the hierarchical cluster analysis are commonly applied in dendroecology to separate subsets of growth patterns within large tree-ring datasets. To seek for methodological differences in classification techniques and their specific characteristics, we compared three standard methods using a homogeneous oak (Quercus spp.) network from temperate forests in Central-West Germany. Classifications of the original dataset consisting of 46 oak ring-width sites, carried out with the varimax rotated principle component analysis, Ward's method and the average linkage method, reveal differences in the classification of approximately 20% of the sites. Analyses with modified datasets are calculated to evaluate effects of dataset extension, different time periods and different tree-ring detrendings. The application of the principal component analysis generally leads to the most stable site classifications, whereas the most sensitive response to changes in the dataset is obtained by Ward's method. The average linkage method separates single sites in the classification and thus emphasises outliers within the tree-ring network.     

The invasive mosquito Aedes japonicus in Central Europe

Complaints about a biting pest led to the recognition of invasive Aedes (Finlaya) japonicus japonicus (Theobald) (Diptera: Culicidae) in Central Europe. Larval collections from cemetery vases revealed a colonized area of approximately 1400 km² in northern Switzerland spreading into bordering Germany, suggesting that the mosquito has been established in this region for several years. Within this range, larvae of Ae. japonicus were recovered from more containers than the most common resident culicid species Culex pipiens. Possible introduction sites (used tyre yards and international airports) revealed few or no larvae, and the mode of introduction remains unclear. Given the vector potential of this species for arboviruses, implementation of surveillance and control measures should be considered.     

Spatial aspects of trait homogenization within the German flora

Aim Biotic homogenization, the replacement of local biota by non‐indigenous and locally expanding species, is among the major effects of species invasions. Almost all studies related to this topic are focused on the species level, on taxonomic homogenization. Homogenization effects on trait diversity (functional homogenization) may be very important for ecosystem functioning, but they are rarely analysed, especially not at different spatial scales within a single study. This paper aims to examine how the presence of alien species (species introduced since 1500 ad ) affects the distribution of ploidy levels in the German flora at different spatial scales. Location Germany. Methods We used a resampling method and the Morisita–Horn dissimilarity index to calculate dissimilarities of ploidy level within and between alien and indigenous plants at three different spatial scales in Germany: (1) the entire country as one location, (2) between grid cells, and (3) within grid cells of a lattice covering Germany. Results We found a significant differentiation effect within grid cells of c. 130 km², with alien plants increasing the variability of ploidy levels. The differentiation effect varies according to the scale used. At the coarsest scale (entire Germany), ploidy levels of alien plants tend to be more homogeneous in composition compared with those of native plants. At the intermediate scale (between grid cells), and even more pronounced at a small scale (within grid cells), ploidy levels are more heterogeneously distributed across Germany than those of native plant species. Main conclusions Homogenization of ploidy levels at a large scale (entire Germany) and differentiation at a small scale (within grid cells) is comparable with the patterns found in taxonomic homogenization analyses. This analysis is a first step towards understanding the impacts of plant invasions on a trait level. Differentiation and homogenization of ploidy levels might mirror the distribution of related ecological traits and therefore might have an impact on ecosystem functioning.     

Morphological analysis of the neanderthal calotte from Ochtendung,Germany

In 1997 one of the authors (AvB) found three pieces of a calotte of a Neanderthal in a crater depression within the slag-cone volcanic-group called “Wannenköpfe” near the village of Ochtendung in the state of Rhineland-Palatinate, Germany. Three stone tools of the Mousterian culture were directly associated with the hominid fossil. The individual can be securely stratigraphically and absolutely chronologically placed within the early glacial phase of the second last glaciation, the Saale. A comparative-morphological analysis confirms earlier analyses that the remains were those of an adult male. The relatively old age establishes it as another important find of an early Neanderthal in Europe. In absolute years it dates roughly to the transitional time period of the latest EuropeanHomo erectus to the earliest Neanderthal. Morphological analysis confirms that the individual is close to a typical Neanderthal with also some additional erectoid characters. This observation supports the most widely accepted view that the Neanderthal of Europe evolved from an autochthonousHomo erectus group.     

Microbial origin of travertine fabrics—two examples from Southern Germany (Pleistocene stuttgart travertines and miocene riedöschingen Travertine)

Summary In Southern Germany, two examples of travertines of different age and depositional morphology were examined in detail. Travertines are laminated carbonate rocks formed by precipitation from mineral and/or thermal waters. They include characteristic facies types, such as bushy layers (‘shrubs’) referred to calcification of branching microbes (‘Dichothrix’-morphotype), laminar microbial mats, peloidal layers, and gas bubble layers formed within the sediment. In travertines, microbial activity is the most important factor for carbonate precipitation. Tufas differ from travertines by their abundance of molds of higher plants (leaves, reed, moss, green algae). They may be associated with travertines, but do not exhibit strict travertine facies types. Tufas are common in normal fresh water environments. Contrary to travertines and tufas, calcareous sinters usually occur in restricted areas like spring fissures, caves, or in pores, where microbial activity is not totally absent, but not of paramount importance for precipitation. Pedogenetic processes, which can alter travertine deposits, are responsible for large-scale features such as tepee-structures, and some intraclastic layers, and microscopic structures like endolithic borings andMicrocodium. Travertines may also grade into lacustrine limestones with Characeae, ostracods, and aquatic gastropods.     

Fungal succession on pine needles in Germany

The mycofloral succession on the needles ofPinus sylvestris was investigated in Tübingen, southwest Germany. Dead needles attached to the branches (D-type), those caught on branches (C-type) and three types of fallen needles, i.e., freshly fallen (L-type), slightly discolored (OL-type) and almost black needles (F-type) were examined for their fungal flora. Common primary saprophytes were rich on the dead needles on the tree, and on the L-type needles. They were replaced by successive species that contained the well-known species preferring pine needles as their substratum, such asVerticicladium trifidum orSympodiella acicola. Their ecological niches in pine leaf litter and their distribution patterns from a biogeographical viewpoint were discussed.     

Analysis of Dissolved Humic Substances in Eutrophic Waters Using the Fluorescence of Natural Samples: Calculations and Experiments

Theoretical analyses and experiments have been performed for rapid detection of dissolved humic substances in surface waters. The fluorescence has been generated by a nitrogen laser in a laboratory. An optical model has been developed, which has been applied to eutrophic waters around Berlin. The model is based on the assumption, that humic substances and phytoplankton dominate the fluorescence behaviour of the investigated waters. To verify the results of the model, regression analyses between fluorescence data of natural samples and the chemical oxygen demand of filtrates have been conducted. When green and red fluorescence values and the green fluorescence decay time were considered, a maximum squared correlation coefficient of typically 0.85 occurred.