Dr. Martin Brändle - postdoc - Tel.: 06421 - 2826607 braendle [at] staff.uni-marburg.de population genetics, flatworms, macroecology, Virtual Institute, phylogeography, species diversity, Vimba

Dr. Martin Brändle

Macroecolgoy

Species richness and composition of phytophagous insects and parasitic fungi on trees. Phytophagous insects are the most diverse group of organisms on earth. Hence, understanding the interactions between phytophagous insects and plants is an important step towards an understanding of the general evolutionary and ecological background of biodiversity. We compiled a data bank of host records of phytophagous insects on 25 tree genera native to central Europe and used these records to analyse species richness and pairwise similarity of assemblages of insects. We found that distributional history of trees, present tree abundance and tree height were important variables to predict species richness of phytophagous insects. Relating the pairwise similarity of assemblages of insects to pairwise genetic distance, range overlap, niche overlap as well as habitat overlap of host trees, we found that the pairwise genetic distance was the most important factor to predict similarity of insect assemblages. In future analyses we will evaluate the importance of other tree characteristics like microclimatic preferences, secondary compounds, leaf form and phenology to predict similarity of insect assemblages.

Virtual Institute „Macroecology“. Subproject „Species diversity and species composition of soil fauna under global change”. In cooperation with the UFZ – Leipzig-Halle Ltd., Department of Community Ecology, University of Mainz, Zoological Institute, Department of Ecology, University of Göttingen, Department of Ecology and Ecological Research and the PIK-Potsdam. Supported by the BMBF ( VH-VI-153 Macroecology).

Soils harbour an overwhelming richness of species. For example 1m 2 of temperate woodland soil contains up to 1000 species of animals. On the same area, population size of nematodes and protists exceed 10 millions of individuals, springtails (Collembola) and soil mites (Acari) are found in abundances up to 100000 individuals. The other taxa reach numbers up to 50000 individuals. Hence, soil biotas have been labelled as “the poor mans rainforest”. Beside these diversity soils are important components of our ecosystem and contribute substantially to most of the ecosystem services. Soil organisms are important for nutrient-cycling in terrestrial ecosystems. Species are responsible for decomposition of litter, removal of dead bodies as well as the physical and chemical properties of soils. Thus, soil organisms are important for a functional understanding for below as well as above ground ecosystems.

In the present project we will analyse abundance, diversity, functional diversity and community composition of soil communities across 60 woodland sites distributed within Baden-Württemberg. Sites are evenly distributed across the country comprising an altitudinal and thus climate gradient from 100 m until 1200 m above see level. Sites were sampled across 15 years and for some taxa data sets from multiple years are available. Supplementary to the faunal data, the soil of the sites has been screened for their physical and chemical properties. This data set provides the unique opportunity to analyse the response of soil communities to environmental variation and thus may allow to infer the impact of climatic change on soil communities on a regional scale. We will concentrate on the following key questions:

(i) How do the diversity and composition of soil organisms vary across space and altitude? (ii) How do species specific traits (e.g. body size, trophic relationship) correlate to altitude and hence to climate? (iii) Are decomposers, herbivores or predators affected by environmental gradients in a different way?

The results of these analyses provide the baseline to estimate the impact of climatic change on diversity, composition as well as functional properties of soil communities. Furthermore, the estimation of climate envelopes of single species will allow us to predict range dynamics of certain species in correlation to predicted changes in climate.

 

Biodiversity

Das Invasionspotential fremdländischer Arten und die Bewertung ihrer ökologischen und sozioökonomischen Auswirkungen (INVASIONS). Subproject: Invasive trees and shrubs: interactions with higher trophic levels . Supported by the BMBF ( BMBF01 LM 0206) . In cooperation with UFZ-Centre for Environmental Research Leipzig-Halle Ltd., Department of Community Ecology.

This project aims to assess the invasion of woody plants in relation to potential consumers in the invaded area. The project is subdivided into a literature survey and in a field study. The literature survey focuses on the relationship between time of introduction and the load of phytophagous insects as well as parasitic fungi. First results show that the number of phytophagous insect species increases with increasing distributional range size of the woody host plants. Furthermore, exotic hosts introduced recently are colonized by a lower number of insects than hosts introduced in former times. Insect species richness on exotic hosts is higher when there is a native congener and therefore a pre-adapted insect fauna in the adventive area. The field study uses the alien shrub Mahonia aquifolium which invaded Central Europe form North America . We analyse experimentally the effect of herbivory on the invasion potential of this species in natural plant communities.

SOLOBIOMA: Soil biota and biogeochemistry in the Atlantic Rainforest of Brazil – Evaluation of diversity and soil function under anthropogenic influence (Mata Atlântica, Paraná). Subproject: The importance of soil organisms for restoration and ecosystem functioning in the Atlantic Forest of Brazil. In cooperation with the State Museum of Natural History, Karlsruhe . Supported by the BMBF ( 01 LB 0201, 01 LB 0201-C).

Coastal rainforests in South America are one most threatened ecosystem on earth. This project contributes to the protection of soil biota in these forests. In particular we analyse ant communities across secondary forests of different age to estimate the importance of secondary forests for the conservation of rainforest ant species. First results revealed an increase of abundance as well as species richness of ants from young to older secondary forests. In the second phase of the project we investigate (i) diversity and composition of microbiota as biological indicators for habitat quality of the Mata-Atlântic, (ii) microbiota diversity and composition across different successional stages and (iii) the relationship between microbiota diversity and decomposition rates of leaf litter. Furthermore, we study the importance of invertebrate decomposers for degradation of litter across successional stages and evaluate the importance of site-specific occurrence of decomposer communities.

Thaumatomyrmex atrox head © by J. Bihn

Population Genetics and Phylogeography

Testing for non-adaptive radiations in European spring snails. In cooperation with Thomas Wilke (Systematics and Biodiversity Group, Gießen) Supported by DFG grants BR 1967/6-1 and WI 1902/5-1within the SPP 1127 (Radiationen - Genese biologischer Diversität).

Recently, there has been an increased interest in the study of species radiations. However, whereas one form of radiation “adaptive radiations” has been studied extensively, another form “non-adaptive radiation” is discussed controversially and poorly understood. In fact, the concept of non-adaptive radiation (i.e., diversification not accompanied by adaptation into various niches and resulting in a group of allopatric species) is still rejected by some workers. Although specific and testable criteria have been proposed for this radiation, they have never been tested in a comprehensive and rigorous statistical fashion, partly because many radiations in continental animal groups (particularly in Europe ) have been largely affected by human impact. A possible exception is the European spring snail genus Bythinell a large monophyletic group with several proposed radiations that is distributed throughout the continent, yet not or little affected by human impact. Moreover, its presumed lack of morphological and niche differentiation makes it an ideal candidate for studying non-adaptive radiations. Based on extensive morphological, genetic, and ecological data, the goals of the current projects are to identify radiations, to test the previously proposed criteria for non-adaptive radiation and to test for potential gradual differences between adaptive-and non-adaptive radiations.

Genetic population structure of freshwater flatworms. We study genetic variation of freshwater flatworms in central European headwaters and lake Ohrid in Macedonia . Lake Ohrid is the only ancient lake in Europe and for a number of taxonomic groups like snails and flatworms species diversity is extraordinary high. In Central Europe , we showed that genetic diversity of three flatworms, Crenobia alpina , Polycelis felina and Dugesia gonocephala is highly underestimated. For instance, Crenobia alpina forms a species complex comprising a number, probably a larger number of cryptic taxa. These results highlight the important function of freshwater habitats as reservoirs for genetic diversity and therefore future speciation.

Phylogeography of the freshwater fish Vimba vimba L. In cooperation with Dr. Bernd Hänfling ( University of Hull , UK ).

Baltic vimba inhabits streams and lakes. The species distributional area ranges from Central- and Northern Europe up to the Caspian Sea . We used mitochondrial DNA sequences to reconstruct the phylogeography of this species across a large part of its geographical range. First results revealed only little population differentiation across its western range whereas differentiation among eastern and western Europe populations was fairly large. Currently, we analyse additional individuals from populations of the river Don and some Caspian rivers. In the future we will use these samples to reconstruct the phylogeography of this fish species.

 

Publikationen:

Internationale Journale ( peer-reviewed )

Benke, M., Brändle, M., Albrecht, C., Wilke, T. (2009). Pleistocene phylogeography and phylogenetic concordance in cold-adapted spring snails ( Bythinella spp. ). - Molecular Ecology , 18, 890-903.

Brändle, M., Kühn, I., Klotz, S., Belle, C. & Brandl, R. (2008): Species richness of herbivores on exotic host plants increases with time since introduction of the host . - Diversity & Distributions , 14, 905-912.

VAUPEL, A., LEHMANN, K., BRÄNDLE, M., WISSEMANN, V., TSCHARNTKE, T. BRANDL, R. (2006): Genetic differentiation between populations of the European rose hip fly Rhagoletis alternata . - Biological Journal of the Linnean Society (in press).

MARTEN, A., BRÄNDLE, M. & BRANDL, R. (2006): Habitat type predicts genetic population differentiation in freshwater invertebrates. - Molecular Ecology , 15, 2643-2651.

BRÄNDLE, M. & BRANDL, R. (2006): Is the change in the composition of phytophagous insects and parasitic fungi among trees predictable? – Oikos , 113, 296-304.

HOF , C., BRÄNDLE, M., BRANDL, R. (2006): Lentic odonates have larger and more northern ranges than lotic species. - Journal of Biogeography , 33, 63-70.

BRÄNDLE, M., WESTERMANN, I. & BRANDL, R. (2005): Gene flow between populations of two invertebrates in springs. - Freshwater Biology , 50, 1-9.

BRÄNDLE, M., KNOLL, S., EBER, S., STADLER, J. & BRANDL, R. (2005): Flies on thistles: is there support for synchronous speciation? - Biological Journal of the Linnean Society , 84, 775-783.

BRÄNDLE, M. & BRANDL, R. (2003): Species richness on trees: a comparison of parasitic fungi and insects. - Evolutionary Ecology Research , 5, 941-952.

BRÄNDLE, M., DURKA, W., KRUG, H. & BRANDL, R. (2003): The assembly of a local community: Plants and birds in non-reclaimed mining sites. - Ecography 26, 652-660.

BRÄNDLE, M., STADLER, J., KLOTZ, S. & BRANDL, R. (2003): Distributional range size of weedy plant species is correlated to germination patterns . - Ecology , 84, 136-144.

BRÄNDLE, M., ÖHLSCHLÄGER, S. & BRANDL, R. (2002): Range sizes in butterflies: correlation across scales. Evolutionary Ecology Research , 4, 993-1004.

BRÄNDLE, M., PRINZING, A., PFEIFER, R. & BRANDL, R. (2002): Dietary niche breadth for Central European birds: correlations with species specific traits. - Evolutionary Ecology Research , 4, 643-657.

PRINZING, A, BRÄNDLE, M., PFEIFER, R. & BRANDL, R. (2002): Does sexual selection influence population trends in European birds? - Evolutionary Ecology Research , 4, 49-60.

BRÄNDLE, M. & BRANDL, R. (2001): Species richness of insects and mites on trees: expanding Southwood. - Journal of Animal Ecology , 70, 491-504.

BRÄNDLE, M. & BRANDL, R. (2001): Distribution, abundance and niche breadth of birds: scale matters. - Global Ecology and Biogeography , 10, 173-177.

BRÄNDLE, M., AMARELL, U., AUGE, H., KLOTZ, S. & BRANDL, R. (2001): Plant and insect diversity along a pollution gradient: understanding species richness across trophic levels. - Biodiversity & Conservation , 10, 1497-1511.

BRÄNDLE, M., STADLER, J. & BRANDL, R. (2000): Body size and host range in European Heteroptera. - Ecography , 23, 139 -148.

BRÄNDLE, M., DURKA, W., & ALTMOOS, M. (2000): Diversity of surface dwelling beetles in open-cast brown coal mines in Central Germany . - Biodiversity & Conservation , 9, 1297-1311 .

FRENZEL, M., BRÄNDLE, M., & BRANDL, R. (2000): The colonization of alien plants by native phytophagous insects. - Proceedings of the 41th IAVS Symposium, Uppsala Sweden , 223-225.

Buchkapitel

BRÄNDLE, M. & NEUMANN, S. (1997): Der Einfluß von Immissionen auf die Diversität von Insekten verschiedener Trophiestufen. In: F ELDMANN, R., HENLE, K., AUGE, H., FLACHOWSKY, J., KLOTZ, S., & KRÖNERT, R. (Hrsg.): Regeneration und nachhaltige Landnutzung. Konzepte für belastete Regionen . - Springer, Berlin, 118-123.

Sonstige wissenschaftliche Publikationen

RUHNKE, H., BRÄNDLE, M., KLOTZ, S., BRANDL, R. & SCHÄDLER, M. (2004): Heterogeneity of palatability within and between trees. - Mitteilungen der Deutschen Gesellschaft für Allgemeine und Angewandte Entomologie , 14, 45-48.

HANAGARTH, W. & BRÄNDLE, M. (2001): Soil beetles (Coleoptera) of a primary forest, secondary forest and two mixed polyculture systems in central Amazonia . - Andrias , 15, 155-162.

BRÄNDLE, M. & RIEGER, C. (1999): Die Wanzenfauna (Insecta, Heteroptera) von Kiefernstandorten ( Pinus sylvestris L.) in Mitteleuropa. - Faunistische Abhandlungen des Museums für Tierkunde , Dresden, 21, 239-258.

BRÄNDLE, M. (1997): Tritrophische Untersuchungen in einem belasteten Ökosystem: Die Wanzen (Heteroptera) als Modellsystem. - Dissertation Universität Jena, Institut für Ökologie .

DURKA, W., BRÄNDLE, M. & ALTMOOS, M. (1997): Laufkäfersukzession und Habitatstruktur in Braunkohletagebauen. - Mitteilungen der Deutschen Gesellschaft für Allgemeine und Angewandte Entomologie , 11, 111-114.

NEUMANN, S. & BRÄNDLE, M. (1997): Zur Struktur von Insektengemeinschaften an der Waldkiefer ( Pinus sylvestris ). - Mitteilungen der Deutschen Gesellschaft für Allgemeine und Angewandte Entomologie , 11, 869-874.

BRÄNDLE, M. & BAMBERGER, H. (1995): Vegetation und Fauna des Natur- und Landschafts­schutzgebiets Ochsenberg/ Litzelstetten (Löffingen, Kreis Breisgau/ Hochschwarzwald). – Veröffentlichungen für Naturschutz Landschaftspflege Baden-Württemberg , 70, 339-392.

RÖDEL, M.-O. & BRÄNDLE, M. (1995): Massenansammlungen der Krummfühlerwanze Stenocoris elegans (Blöte 1937) im Comoé-Nationalpark, Elfenbeinküste (Heteroptera: Alydidae). - Entomologische Zeitschrift, Essen , 105: 468-474.

BRÄNDLE, M. & RÖDEL, M.-O. (1994): Beiträge zur Faunistik und Ökologie der Libellen der iberischen Halbinsel (Insecta, Odonata). - Entomologische Zeitschrift Essen , 104, 145-156.

BRÄNDLE, M. & RÖDEL, M.-O. (1994): Beiträge zur Kenntnis der iberischen Herpetofauna. - Herpetozoa , 7, 19-27.

BRÄNDLE, M. & RÖDEL, M.-O. (1994): Libellenfunde von Nordgriechenland und Kreta (Odonata). - Entomologische Zeitschrift Essen , 104, 85-104.

BRÄNDLE, M. (1994): Beitrag zur Ökologie und Faunistik der Heuschrecken im Süd­schwarzwald. – Mitteilungen des Internationalen Entomologischen Vereins, Frankfurt am Main , 19, 53-65.

Buchbesprechungen

BRÄNDLE, M. (2005): Macroecology: Concepts and consequences. - Basic and Applied Ecology , 10, 302.

Populärwissenschaftliche Publikationen

„Artenvielfalt im Blätterdach - Wie viele Insektenarten leben auf einem Baum?“ - UFZ-Reihe „Lebensräume“, Heft 3 , 22-23.

„Die Lieblingsbäume der Insekten“ - Deutsche Ausgabe des „National Geographic“, Heft 1 , 251.

 

weitere Publikationen der Arbeitsgruppe.