Anwendung der Hasse-Diagrammtechnik

Using four dynamic criteria, the following environmental changes were evaluated: Global warming; destruction, of the stratospheric ozone layer; eutrophication and acidification of aquatic ecosystems; photochemical smog; reduction of the available area of agricultural soils; loss of species diversity; consumption of resources; reduction of crop yield; forest decline; noise, and smell. These ecosystem changes, or negative effects, were characterized by four dynamic criteria: 1) Regional importance, 2) extent of alteration, 3) resilience and 4) irreversibility. A multi-criteria assessment, accounting simultaneously for all four criteria, requires a generalized concept of order. Here, the concept of partially ordered sets, visualized by Hasse diagrams, was used to derive a priority list of environmental changes. Highest priority was equally assigned to the loss of species diversity, the consumption of resources and the destruction of the ozone layer. However, these ecosystem changes are incomparable to each other concerning the four criteria used and thus require different management strategies.     

Glycohistochemistry of a marine sponge, Chondrilla nucula (Porifera, Desmospongiae), with remarks on a possibly related antimicrobial defense strategy and a note on exopinacoderm function

Based on carbohydrate histochemistry, including the use of lectins, and TEM, the study describes the distribution of terminal sugars in different structures of the demosponge Chondrilla nucula. The results of the general and specific carbohydrate histochemical approaches confirmed the presence of acidic and neutral glycoconjugates in the cells, and, with declining amounts from the ectosome to the mesohyl, in the extracellular matrix (ECM). AB-PAS staining indicated acidic complex carbohydrates particularly in the exopinacoderm, and more neutral ones in the cells and the ECM of the mesohyl. The PO-lectins applied demonstrated a general spectrum of free saccharide residues (α-d-mannose, α-/β-d-N-acetylglucosamine, α-d-N-acetylgalactosamine, α-d-galactose, β-d-galactose) in both sponge parts; α-l-fucose was only distinct in the ectosome. Sialic acids [siaα(2,3)-galactose, siaα(2,6)-N-acetylgalactosamine] were dominant in the very thin exopinacoderm, indicating O-linked high molecular weight glycoproteins. In this way a glycophysiologically ‘rigid’ outer mucus cover is developed as protection against mechanical hazards. Some of the free sugars (α-d-mannose, N-acetylglucosamine, N-acetylgalactosamine β-d-galactose, α-l-fucose) are known to prevent the adherence of different bacteria and fungi to cellular surfaces. Thus a high concentration of such sugars, may impede massive attacks of micro-inhabitants on mobile sponge cells, pinacocytes, and the exopinacoderm layer.     

Einsatz der Hasse-Diagrammtechnik zur vergleichenden Bewertung von aquatischen Wirkungstests

An evaluation of pollutants depends on the ecotoxicological quality of the effect tests carried out. In this paper a compilation of aquatic tests is given independently on administration needs. The results are summarized in a table listing fields of application, importance for mathematical modelling and ecological relevance. The table includes 55 tests and 8 attributes characterizing each tests The interpretation of the results listed in this table is hardly feasible. An appropriate tool to rank the tests is the technique ofHasse-diagrams. Using this tool it can be deduced that no test fulfills all demands. There are six tests which are optimal with respect to applicability and mathematical modelling. However, they have no relevance for ecosystems. Only two tests are optimal with respect to ecotoxicology, There is still a gap between tests with a wide field of applications and those tests which are relevant with respect to ecotoxicology.     

Polyandrous female butterflies forage for matings

Butterfly mating systems exhibit great variation and range from strict monandry to strong polyandry. During mating males transfer ejaculates containing both sperm and accessory substances to females. In the polyandrous green-veined white butterfly, Pieris napi (Lepidoptera, Pieridae) these ejaculates average 15% of male body mass, but can represent up to 23% of body mass for individual males. Hence, mating is costly to males, and recently mated males increase copula duration but decrease ejaculate mass transferred to females. Substances transferred to females during mating are later incorporated into female soma and reproductive tissues, and multiply mated female butterflies have higher lifetime fecundity, lay proportionately larger eggs, and live longer compared to once mated females. Here we report that females of P. napi allowed to mate at liberty with recently mated males only (i.e. males that delivered a small ejaculate) increased their lifetime number of matings compared to females allowed to mate with virgin males only (i.e. males that delivered large ejaculates), the former group mating on average 5.1 times (range 2–10) and the latter group mating on average 2.8 times (range 1–4). The lifetime fecundity of the two groups of females did not differ significantly. Because nutrient donation from males is essential for females to realize their potential fecundity, we conclude that females of the polyandrous green-veined white actively forage for matings.