46 research outputs found
Considerations and guidelines for import and export of ornithological samples from tropical countries
âBiodiversitĂ€tâ wird zunehmend als wichtige Ressource
erkannt. Schutz, Zugang und nachhaltige Nutzung der BiodiversitÀt
(genetische Ressourcen, Arten, Proben jeglicher
Couleur) werden inzwischen auf verschiedenen politischen
Ebenen verhandelt, was in international verbindlichen Rahmenwerken
verankert wird. VerstÀndnis von und Bewusstsein
ĂŒber Genehmigungen zum Import und Export biologischer
Proben ist von zunehmender Bedeutung fĂŒr Biologen,
um Forschungsprojekte legal und zeitnah durchfĂŒhren
zu können. Nichtsdestotrotz werden nach wie vor biologische
Proben fleiĂig im- und exportiert, oft genug auch unter
VernachlÀssigung der Genehmigungspflicht aufgrund lokaler,
nationaler und internationaler Ăbereinkommen, Gesetzen
und Verordnungen bzw. auch schlichtweg mit gesetzeswidrigem
Verhalten oder Verpackungen beim Transport.
Daraus entstehende Schwierigkeiten können ernsthafte Probleme
wÀhrend der Feldarbeit bedeuten, aber auch den
Export verzögern oder zum Verlust von Proben fĂŒhren.
Intensive rechtzeitige (Vorab-) Information bezĂŒglich gesetzlicher
Voraussetzungen zum Import, Export und Transport
biologischer Proben kann das Problempotenzial stark
vermindern oder ganz beseitigen. Wir haben vier wichtige
Faktoren identifiziert und fassen Informationen zu diesen
Bereichen zusammen, die bei Beachtung die Genehmigungen
und den Import in die EG vereinfachen können: (1) gute
persönliche (auf gegenseitigem Vertrauen beruhende) Kontakte
im Ursprungsland; (2) VerstÀndnis und Einhaltung von
allen relevanten Gesetzen und Verordnungen; (3) Zugang
zu Informationen bezĂŒglich Genehmigungen, Verordnungen
und Informationsverbreitung innerhalb der Forschergemeinschaft;
und (4) Zugang zu einheitlichen und aktuellen
Richtlinien zu Genehmigungen, Verordnungen und Gesetzen.
Ziel dieser Arbeit ist es, in Zukunft die Forschung von
einigen zentralen Problemen im Im- und Export zu befreien
und Probleme und MissverstĂ€ndnisse zu reduzieren.âBiodiversityâ is increasingly perceived as an important resource. Conservation, access and sustainable use of biodiversity
(genetic resources, species, samples) are negotiated at political levels, resulting in an internationally binding legal framework.
Understanding and awareness of export and import permits for biological samples is increasingly important for biologists to
perform research projects legally and timely. Nevertheless, some biologists still export and import biological samples in disregard
of or non-compliant with national and international legislation, conventions, and regulations. Resulting difficulties may
not only cause serious problems during field work, but may also delay the export, import or exchange of samples. Comprehensive
a priori information regarding legal requirements helps to avoid or at least diminish potential problems. We identified
four major factors facilitating export/import permits: (1) good personal (mutually trusted) contacts in the country of origin,
(2) understanding and compliance with all relevant laws and regulations; (3) access to information regarding knowledge on
permits, regulations and laws including their circulation within the researcher communities and (4) access to consistent and
up to date regulations and guidelines. We provide information on key issues to assist research teams trying to reduce problems
and misunderstandings
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Phenotyping in the era of genomics: MaTricsâa digital character matrix to document mammalian phenotypic traits
A new and uniquely structured matrix of mammalian phenotypes, MaTrics (Mammalian Traits for Comparative Genomics) in a digital form is presented. By focussing on mammalian species for which genome assemblies are available, MaTrics provides an interface between mammalogy and comparative genomics.
MaTrics was developed within a project aimed to find genetic causes of phenotypic traits of mammals using Forward Genomics. This approach requires genomes and comprehensive and recorded information on homologous phenotypes that are coded as discrete categories in a matrix. MaTrics is an evolving online resource providing information on phenotypic traits in numeric code; traits are coded either as absent/present or with several states as multistate. The state record for each species is linked to at least one reference (e.g., literature, photographs, histological sections, CT scans, or museum specimens) and so MaTrics contributes to digitalization of museum collections. Currently, MaTrics covers 147 mammalian species and includes 231 characters related to structure, morphology, physiology, ecology, and ethology and available in a machine actionable NEXUS-format*. Filling MaTrics revealed substantial knowledge gaps, highlighting the need for phenotyping efforts. Studies based on selected data from MaTrics and using Forward Genomics identified associations between genes and certain phenotypes ranging from lifestyles (e.g., aquatic) to dietary specializations (e.g., herbivory, carnivory). These findings motivate the expansion of phenotyping in MaTrics by filling research gaps and by adding taxa and traits. Only databases like MaTrics will provide machine actionable information on phenotypic traits, an important limitation to genomics. MaTrics is available within the data repository Morph·D·Base (www.morphdbase.de)
Microanatomy of the trophosome region of Paracatenula cf. polyhymnia (Catenulida, Platyhelminthes) and its intracellular symbionts
Marine catenulid platyhelminths of the genus Paracatenula lack mouth, pharynx and gut. They live in a symbiosis with intracellular bacteria which are restricted to the body region posterior to the brain. The symbiont-housing cells (bacteriocytes) collectively form the trophosome tissue, which functionally replaces the digestive tract. It constitutes the largest part of the body and is the most important synapomorphy of this group. While some other features of the Paracatenula anatomy have already been analyzed, an in-depth analysis of the trophosome region was missing. Here, we identify and characterize the composition of the trophosome and its surrounding tissue by analyzing series of ultra-thin cross-sections of the species Paracatenula cf. polyhymnia. For the first time, a protonephridium is detected in a Paracatenula species, but it is morphologically reduced and most likely not functional. Cells containing needle-like inclusions in the reference species Paracatenula polyhymnia Sterrer and Rieger, 1974 were thought to be sperm, and the inclusions interpreted as the sperm nucleus. Our analysis of similar cells and their inclusions by EDX and Raman microspectroscopy documents an inorganic spicule consisting of a unique magnesiumâphosphate compound. Furthermore, we identify the neoblast stem cells located underneath the epidermis. Except for the modifications due to the symbiotic lifestyle and the enigmatic spicule cells, the organization of Paracatenula cf. polyhymnia conforms to that of the Catenulida in all studied aspects. Therefore, this species represents an excellent model system for further studies of host adaptation to an obligate symbiotic lifestyle
Biodiversity of the Deep-Sea Continental Margin Bordering the Gulf of Maine (NW Atlantic): Relationships among Sub-Regions and to Shelf Systems
Background: In contrast to the well-studied continental shelf region of the Gulf of Maine, fundamental questions regarding
the diversity, distribution, and abundance of species living in deep-sea habitats along the adjacent continental margin
remain unanswered. Lack of such knowledge precludes a greater understanding of the Gulf of Maine ecosystem and limits
development of alternatives for conservation and management.
Methodology/Principal Findings: We use data from the published literature, unpublished studies, museum records and
online sources, to: (1) assess the current state of knowledge of species diversity in the deep-sea habitats adjacent to the Gulf
of Maine (39â43uN, 63â71uW, 150â3000 m depth); (2) compare patterns of taxonomic diversity and distribution of
megafaunal and macrofaunal species among six distinct sub-regions and to the continental shelf; and (3) estimate the
amount of unknown diversity in the region. Known diversity for the deep-sea region is 1,671 species; most are narrowly
distributed and known to occur within only one sub-region. The number of species varies by sub-region and is directly
related to sampling effort occurring within each. Fishes, corals, decapod crustaceans, molluscs, and echinoderms are
relatively well known, while most other taxonomic groups are poorly known. Taxonomic diversity decreases with increasing
distance from the continental shelf and with changes in benthic topography. Low similarity in faunal composition suggests
the deep-sea region harbours faunal communities distinct from those of the continental shelf. Non-parametric estimators of
species richness suggest a minimum of 50% of the deep-sea species inventory remains to be discovered.
Conclusions/Significance: The current state of knowledge of biodiversity in this deep-sea region is rudimentary. Our ability
to answer questions is hampered by a lack of sufficient data for many taxonomic groups, which is constrained by sampling
biases, life-history characteristics of target species, and the lack of trained taxonomists
Catching up with Archives â Disaster Preparedness and the Protection of Cultural Heritage in Berlin Museums
Cultural property can be lost in an instant - when disaster strikes, museum objects, archival material and other heritage items are in high danger of being damaged or lost in great numbers. To mitigate the effects of fire, flooding, earthquakes or even war, preparation for these incidents are needed during "times of peace", to use the terms of the Hague Convention. For museums and other institutions holding cultural property, this results in an obligation to run a risk assessment, to establish a disaster plan for their collections, and to link up with the local fire department or emergency services unit in preparation for the next emergency. Nevertheless, every hand is needed to recover objects from an institution after it was affected by a disaster in order to provide initial treatment as soon as possible. This necessity resulted, as in other countries, in the formation of networks of mutual assistance in Germany.
In 1997, following the Oder-River flooding in the state of Brandenburg, the archives of Berlin and Brandenburg came together to initiate such a network. This, however, is exclusive to archives and has not opened up to museums. Berlin museums, on the other hand, were slower in forming such a network. Being a city with more than 175 museums and a history full of smaller and larger disasters not only to cultural institutions, it is hard to conceive why this notion did not gain ground earlier. It was only after a working group under the heads of administration in the Berlin Museum Association had been established that a network for museums was initiated and a co-operation agreement was drafted. This agreement is the basis for a new network of museums of various sizes and types, with the Museum fĂŒr Naturkunde as one of the founding partners. This presentation explores disaster preparedness activities at the Museum fĂŒr Naturkunde, with its 30 million objects, as well as the work of the new museum network for disaster preparedness
Catching up with Archives â Disaster Preparedness and the Protection of Cultural Heritage in Berlin Museums
Cultural property can be lost in an instant - when disaster strikes, museum objects, archival material and other heritage items are in high danger of being damaged or lost in great numbers. To mitigate the effects of fire, flooding, earthquakes or even war, preparation for these incidents are needed during "times of peace", to use the terms of the Hague Convention. For museums and other institutions holding cultural property, this results in an obligation to run a risk assessment, to establish a disaster plan for their collections, and to link up with the local fire department or emergency services unit in preparation for the next emergency. Nevertheless, every hand is needed to recover objects from an institution after it was affected by a disaster in order to provide initial treatment as soon as possible. This necessity resulted, as in other countries, in the formation of networks of mutual assistance in Germany.
In 1997, following the Oder-River flooding in the state of Brandenburg, the archives of Berlin and Brandenburg came together to initiate such a network. This, however, is exclusive to archives and has not opened up to museums. Berlin museums, on the other hand, were slower in forming such a network. Being a city with more than 175 museums and a history full of smaller and larger disasters not only to cultural institutions, it is hard to conceive why this notion did not gain ground earlier. It was only after a working group under the heads of administration in the Berlin Museum Association had been established that a network for museums was initiated and a co-operation agreement was drafted. This agreement is the basis for a new network of museums of various sizes and types, with the Museum fĂŒr Naturkunde as one of the founding partners. This presentation explores disaster preparedness activities at the Museum fĂŒr Naturkunde, with its 30 million objects, as well as the work of the new museum network for disaster preparedness
The Role of Unification in Explanations of Facts
In the literature on scientific explanation, there is a classical distinction between explanations of facts and explanations of laws. This paper is about explanations of facts. Our aim is to analyse the role of unification in explanations of this kind. We discuss five positions with respect to this role, argue for two of them and refute the three others