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Research Groups (RG)
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Research Group 1 investigates the behavioural ecology
and life history of free-ranging wildlife, assesses
the Darwinian fitness consequences of reproductive strategies
(such as sperm competition and mate choice) and those
of anthropogenic or natural challenges ("stress") and
determines the value and use of biological recourses
by people. It uses a broad variety of modern techniques
of laboratory analysis and in the field. These include
satellite and storage telemetry for localisation and
simultaneous registration of activity rhythms, analytical
methods such as mobile gas chromatography , atomic absorption
spectroscopy, analysis of stable isotopes and standard
methods in nutritional physiology, modern methods of
behavioural observation and video analysis as well as
standardised questionnaires and other techniques of
social research.
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Research Group 2 combines the domains between ecology,
population and evolutionary biology and thus provides
the precondition for a scientifical basis of wildlife
conservation. In addition, Research Group 2 tackles
questions of the genetic basis and consequences of adaptive
processes of free-ranging animals. Besides standard
methods of molecular-genetics and biology (PCR, cloning,
sequencing and so on) microarray and laser micro- dissection
techniques are applied. Data are analysed by phylogenetic
and population genetic statistics as well as sophisticated
bio-mathematical models.
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Research Group 3 investigates the influence of diseases
and mortality factors on free-ranging wildlife populations
and captive animals. As an ecological factor, diseases
often contribute to the regulation of wildlife populations.
Consequently, the understanding of the reciprocal transmission
of pathogens between free-ranging animals and livestock
and between wildlife species is an important task. Furthermore,
the group has long-term experience in the domain of
zoo animal diseases. Methods include well established
methods of veterinary-medicine such as electron microscopy
and methods of molecular medicine.
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Research Group 4 dedicates investigates the biology
of gamete development as well as the endocrine regulation
of reproduction in animals with different reproduction
strategies and the influence of genetic, social and
ecological factors on the fertility of mammals. The
group works on the biological basis of reproduction
management and develops non-invasive and minimally-invasive
methods to monitor reproduction and "stress" in zoo
and wildlife species. The group uses modern methods
in the field of cell cultivation, cytology, biochemistry,
endocrinology and chemical analysis.
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Research Group 5 investigates reproductive strategies
and analyses the development of anthropogenic reproductive
diseases in free-ranging and captive wildlife species.
To
answer these fundamental questions both methods of evolutionary
morphology, comparative anatomy and modern imaging methods
such as ultrasonography, endoscopy and computertomography
are used. Based on these basic analyses, new methods
of assisted reproduction such as gamete extraction intra
vitam, artificial insemination and contraceptive programmes
are developed and applied to optimise of reproduction
management of endangered wildlife species.
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