Clara Stefen

• PhD
• Curator of recent mammals at Senckenberg Naturhistorische Sammlungen Dresden

Terrestrial small mammals are important elements of the food chain, and like other species affected by climate change. Knowledge about their current distribution is of interest to model future developments and monitoring biodiversity loss. However, their monitoring is challenging due to legal restrictions. Here we document a pilot study testing the...

In this study, age determinations were carried out on the basis of growth lines in the teeth and bones of a total of 24 raccoons from wild populations in Saxony. Ten individuals either still had deciduous teeth and/or the apical foramen of the canines was still open, so that they were categorised as juvenile without a root incision. juvenile. Bone...

The phylogeographic structure of the endemic white-toothed shrews of Vietnam, which belong to the Crocidura kegoensis–C. zaitsevi group, was assessed using mitochondrial and nuclear data. Specimens from 12 localities across Vietnam, including the holotypes of C. kegoensis and C. zaitsevi, were evaluated according to the complete mitochondrial cytoc...

A new and uniquely structured matrix of mammalian phenotypes, MaTrics ( Ma mmalian Tr aits for Comparative Genom ics ) 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...

The inactivation of ancestral protein‐coding genes (gene loss) can be associated with phenotypic modifications. Within placental mammals, repeated losses of PNLIPRP1 (gene inhibiting fat digestion) occurred preferentially in strictly herbivorous species, while repeated NR1I3 losses (gene involved in detoxification) occurred preferentially in strict...

This manual has been developed in the framework of the project ‘Identifying genomic loci underlying mammalian phenotypic variability using Forward Genomics’ which was funded by the Leibniz Gemeinschaft (SAW-2016-SGN-2). The project brought together an interdisciplinary scientific network covering the fields of morphology (Work Modules M1/M2, ‘Pheno...

We studied the variability of non-metric cranial traits, mainly foramina, of European wildcats ( Felis silvestris silvestris ) and domestic cats ( Felis catus ) from Germany based on 28 non-metric traits in 211 skulls. The domestic cats were grouped together as a statistical population. The wildcats were divided into two populations: Harz and Hesse...

The pelage pattern of wildcats from six regions within the distribution range of the species is analysed to test the hypothesis that clear differences between different regions exist. In total, 98 furs were used, but with different distribution from the Eifel (Germany), Harz Mountains (Germany), Caucasus, Western Spain, Switzerland/France and Greec...

A new and uniquely structured matrix of mammalian phenotypes, MaTrics ( Ma mmalian Tr aits for Comparative Genom ics ) is presented in a digital form. By focussing on mammalian species for which genome assemblies are available, MaTrics provides an interface between mammalogy and comparative genomics. MaTrics was developed as part of a project to li...

This study addressed the question whether it is possible to clearly differentiate between wild and tabby domestic cats on the basis of hairs (guard hairs in particular). The colour banding pattern of individual hairs is studied in this context for the first time. Also, hair length and width, as well as parameters of the hair cuticle were checked fo...

A nearly complete, but heavily crushed skull of a juvenile Pleistocene Sarcophilus harrisii (Boitard, 1842) is described. The specimen of unknown provenance was sold on a fossil fair as a skull of the mustelid Ischyrictis from Wintershof-West, Germany, and as part of a 'McAlpin collection'. As this specimen obviously is not a eutherian mustelid, we...

Five castorid teeth from the (early) middle Miocene locality Gračanica in Bosnia-Herzegovina, probably originating from lower lacustrine lignite-rich deposits, were available for study. These teeth from the upper jaw are similar in preservation, wear stage, and size and may represent only one single individual. Due to their size and morphology (mai...

Here we report about the presence of fossils belonging to different beaver lineages from the late Miocene (MN 9, Vallesian) of Grytsiv (western Ukraine). Among them, nine isolated molars were assigned to Chalicomys jaegeri and described in detail here for the first time. Morphologically and metrically these specimens fit well into the range known f...

Previous morphological studies on Neomys fodiens and Neomys anomalus describe a pronounced ecological variance, mainly attributed to altitudinal and/or climatic conditions especially for Neomys fodiens. The major aim of this study was to find out whether there are intraspecific geographic variations related to cranial morphometry. Two different met...

The Eurasian beaver, Castor fiber, was nearly extirpated, and in Germany, the relict population at the Middle Elbe, was strictly protected. In the 1930s, the collection and analysis of carcasses of this then-endangered species began in Zerbst, Anhalt, and since 1957 was continued at the Zoological Institute of the University of Halle, Saxony-Anhalt...

Discovering the Genomic Basis of Morphological and Physiological Differences between Mammalian Species with Forward Genomics Michael Hiller1,2, Hermann Ansorge3, Triantafyllos Chavakis4, Jörns Fickel5, Peter Giere6, Peter Grobe7, Jochen Hampe8, Thomas Lehmann3, Sylvia Ortmann5, Irina Ruf3, Clara Stefen3, Elly Tanaka4, Lars Vogt9, Heiko Stuckas3 1...

Beavers are known for their gnawing performance, e.g., felling trees. Even though this is well known, the biomechanics of it are not, and so this is the focus of this study. The lower incisors work as main cutting tools so that their technical parameters were studied. There are 3 angles (adding to 90°) of importance in cutting: (1) the wedge angle,...

The question whether the European wildcat, adapted to cooler climate than other small to medium sized felids, shows changes in body mass or size in response to climate change as indicated for other animals is addressed. The literature yielded body mass data of individual specimens covering the time span from about 1860 to 1960 Also the records of c...

The two semi-aquatic shrew species Neomys fodiens and Neomys anomalus are very similar in their ecology and morphology. Thus, they tend to be strong competitors for resources when they occur syntopically in habitats. We analysed the microhabitat selection of both species based on 14 parameters at two study sites in western Saxony (Germany). At the...

Padian, K., and E.-T. Lamm (eds.). 2013. Bone Histology of Fossil Tetrapods: Advancing Methods, Analysis, and Interpretation. University of California Press, Berkeley, California, 285 pp. ISBN 978-0-520-27352-8, price (hardbound), $75.00.

Sonnendachse der Gattung Melogale sind in weiten Teilen Südost-Asiens heimisch. Bisher wurden vier Arten unterschieden. Nun wurden im Cuc Phuong Nationalpark (Nord-Vietnam) zwei Exemplare einer neuen Art (Melogale cucphuongensis) entdeckt und wissenschaftlich beschrieben [1].

The cranial morphology of the small Oligocene beaver Capacikala gradatus is described on the basis of a well preserved, nearly complete skull and partial mandibles from the John Day Formation, John Day Fossil Beds, Oregon, USA. The only nearly complete skull known so far from the same area as the type specimen is described here in detail. This is e...

Comparative descriptive statistics of the samples of the chromosomal races studied; measurements as in Table 2 and Fig. 1 and other abbreviations as in S1.

Comparative descriptive statistics for several samples studied ordered according to latitude. Measurements as in Table 2 and Fig. 1 loc – locality, n – sample size, MW – mean, St.e. MW – standard error of mean, St. dev – standard deviation, Kisb – Kisbalaton, Mont – Silbertal Montafon, Mi Ohe – Mitternacher Ohe, Ffm – Frankfurt, Habt – Habichtstal,...

The craniometric variability of skulls of the common hamster (Cricetus cricetus) from different countries (Belgium, the Netherlands, Austria, Germany) and different regions within Germany was studied. The aim was to study the variability in different regions and to see if differences between populations exist now and might have existed in former ti...

The postnatal changes of the skull of the male and the female European wildcat are described in detail using linear measurements and geometric morphometrics. Overall, the analysis of the linear measurements and of the geometric morphometrics of the landmark data indicate the same postnatal changes in the skull morphology, which are, however, descri...

A total of 440 skulls of common shrews, Sorex araneus, from Germany and Europe (Croatia, Hungary, Austria, and Norway) were studied. The material represented six chromosomal races (Ulm, Laska, Drnholec, Mooswald, Jütland, and Abisko) assignable to the Western European and Northern European karyotypic groups. The race of a few samples was not determ...

Ferret-badgers, genus Melogale, are distributed in the Indochinese region, Java, Bali and NE-Borneo. There are currently four species described each having very similar phenotypes. In March 2005, a living ferret-badger of a different phenotype was confiscated by rangers from Cuc Phuong National Park, Vietnam. This individual died and the carcass wa...

The hair cuticula structure of guard hairs of Laonastes aenigmamus is briefl y described. On average the hairs are 17.13 mm long and 42.63 μm wide below the shield. The cuticle scales show smooth free edges and are crenate only at the tip of the hairs. Some parameters including height, width and area of scale are measured.

The first biplanar X-ray motion analysis of mastication and food processing for Castor fiber is presented. While particles are chipped off interaction of incisors involves variable movements of the lower mandible and thus incisors. After jaw opening the tip of the lower incisors can reach different positions anteriorly of the upper incisors. Then t...

The craniometric variability of wildcats from the Harz Mountains in Germany is described for the first time on the basis of a sample from the zoological collection at the University Halle-Wittenberg. 59 linear measurements, 8 parameters derived from them, the body measurements, and 12 qualitative characters were used. Differences to domestic cats f...

Beavers are a well defined group of rodents that are known from the late Eocene to recent times. Today only one genus with two species, Castor fiber and Castor canadensis - both with several described subspecies - occur in Eurasia and North America respectively. During the Tertiary beavers were much more diverse in North America, Europe and Asia ra...

J. Sargis Eric, M. Dagosto 2008. Mammalian Evolutionary Morphology. A Tribute to Frederick S. Szalay. Vertebrate Paleobiology and Paleoanthropology Series I. Springer, Dordrecht, Netherlands, 439 pp. 978-1- 4020-6996-3, price (hardbound), $129.00, 101.60 Euro. The aim of the book is stated on the back cover: “This book acknowledges and celebrates...

A morphologic and morphometric study of teeth of some beavers of the group of Palaeocastorinae is presented in order to demonstrate that statistic analyses of tooth parameters could contribute to a better understanding of this group of beavers. The focus was laid on larger samples of Capacikala gradatus, Palaeocastor nebrascensis and "Capatanka" ca...

Craniodental remains of a medium-sized beaver from the early middle Miocene of Hambach (MN 5) in the Lower Rhine Basin of northwestern Germany are described and assigned to Steneofiber depereti. The relatively rich material (6 mandibles and 56 isolated teeth) was collected from a single locality, Hambach 6C, and comprises specimens representing juv...

The study describes and compares the hair cuticle structure of the three species of douc langurs, Pygathrix cinerea, P. nemaeus and P. nigripes in comparison to Rhinopithecus avunculus. In the latter the hair diameter and cuticle height is smaller than in the three species of Pygathrix. The cuticles in general have smooth to crenate edges and are v...

The metric variability of the teeth of Castor fiber Linné, 1758 and Castor canadensis Kuhl, 1820 with age are assessed. The ages of the studied specimens of C. fiber range from about 2 months to 16–17 years. Measurements of all teeth are given, and show a large range of size variation over all ages. The greatest size ranges can be observed for inci...

The Early/Middle Miocene boundary locality Sandelzhausen (MN5, southern Germany) yielded three beaver teeth: one lower incisor fragment and two strongly worn upper premolars, a right and a left one. The latter are so similar in wear, height, size, and enamel pattern that they probably represent one individual. Although the teeth have been referred...

From the Bavarian Early/Middle Miocene (MN5) site Sandelzhausen, nine species of carnivoran mammals are identified including the hemicyonine ursid Hemicyon stehlini, the amphicyonids Amphicyon cf. major and Pseudarctos bavaricus, the mustelids Ischyrictis zibethoides and Martes cf. munki, the mephitid Proputorius pusillus, the viverrid Leptoplesict...

New finds of teeth and mandibles of Anchitheriomys from the Hambach opencast lignite mine in Northwest Germany and the first detailed descriptions of other mandibles from South Germany and Switzerland allow a review of the Central European specimens of this rare beaver genus. The metric variation of cheek teeth and especially the great differences...

On the basis of literature research, observations and dead finds some small mammals of the Cuc Phuong and Phong Nha-Ke Bang Natural Parks and the Ke Go Nature Reserve are considered in comparison. Expectedly some species are restricted to reserves in central Vietnam. Depending on the local conditions and the state of research the knowledge of small...

The status of Niviventer confucianus and N. fulvescens as separate species or color variants of the same species has been debated for a long time. A detailed study of 157 specimens (119 N. confucianus and 34 N. fulvescens) collected 1937/1938 in Fukien, South East China, was conducted in order to shed more light on the taxonomic status of the two t...

The enamel microstructure in the upper fourth premolar of Crocuta crocuta differs regionally within the tooth in three areas which are functionally distinct. In the protocone and paracone of this tooth, which are blunted by bone cracking usage, the secondary vertical decussation planes are strongly developed around the cusps, as they are in the mor...

The cranial morphology of the Early Miocene beaver Steneofiber castorinus is described on the basis of the material from the type locality Saint-Gérand-le-Puy (MN 2) in France. The material of S. castorinus from this locality at the Musée National d'Histoire naturelle Paris comprises the most abundant cranial material of Steneofiber known so far. O...

The tamarao, Bubalus mindorensis HEUDE, 1888, is an endemic bovine species of Mindoro in the Philippine Island Archipelago. For 2002 the IUCN assumed 30–200 individuals still living on the island. In this paper postnatal changes of the skull and tooth wear are described. The observations are based on 7 skulls in the Museum für Tierkunde Dresden and...

A collection of small mammals from Fukien, Southeast China, in the Museum für Tier-kunde Dresden, Germany is described. 27 species are represented in 203 specimens in the form of skins, stuffed skins and skulls. All but few specimens represent one sample, collected in Kuatun, at an elevation of about 2000 m NN, and some in Shaowu in the late 1930s....

A skull and associated postcranial material of a small beaver species from the fissure filling Petersbuch 50 in Bavaria is described. The associated fauna indicates an age of MN 8. Systematically the beaver is close to Trogontherium due to the elongated upper M3, but differs substantially from it in lacking the striated enamel on the incisors. Thus...

Enamel of several fossil and recent arctoid carnivores was studied with light and scanning electron microscopy. As in other carnivorans, 3 types of Hunter-Schreger bands (HSB) were observed: undulating, acute-angled, and zigzag HSB, which differ in their 3-dimensional complexity. Data on arctoid carnivores were used to test the hypothesis that zigz...

The tooth enamel of living and fossil Canidae has been studied to test the hypothesis that a special type of Hunter-Schreger bands (HSB), termed zigzag HSB, is associated with bone consumption. It is shown that in the enamel of Canidae, as in other Carnivora, three types of HSB occur: (1) undulating, (2) acute-angled, and (3) zigzag HSB. Mapping th...

The tooth enamel structure of several specialized marsupial carnivores belonging to the Polyprotodonta and Diprotodonta were studied using scanning electron microscopy and are described in detail for the first time. Within the Polyprotodonta Dasyurus shows a simple schmelzmuster with radial and aprismatic enamel only, whereas the highly specialized...

The enamel structure of 16 creodont genera was examined by light microscopy and for 3 by scanning electron microscopy. All creodonts have prismatic enamel where prisms decussate in layers forming Hunter-Schreger-Bands (HSB). As only limited material was accessible to sectioning, the main emphasis is given to the appearance of HSB. As in other carni...

Monoclonal antibodies (MAB) were raised against whole sporozoites of Eimeria papillata and their organelle fractions. These fractions included rhoptries, dense granules, mitochondria and pellicle fragments. Twenty MAB recognized structures within the apical region of sporozoites as observed by indirect immunofluorescence antibody (IFA) test. Of the...

Transferrence of a collection of antlers and hors from the Institute of Forest Botany and Forest Zoology of the Technical University Dresden (Tharandt). The transfer of the collection of the Institute of Forest Botany and Forest Zoology of the Technical University Dresden (Tharandt) is documented and a list of the transferred objects is given. Kurz...

On the basis of literature research, observations and dead fi nds some small mammals of the Cuc Phuong and Phong Nha-Ke Bang Natural Parks and the Ke Go Nature Reserve are considered in comparison. Expectedly some species are restricted to reserves in central Vietnam. Depending on the local conditions and the state of research the knowledge of smal...

Einleitung Bedingt durch die Verfolgungen durch den Menschen sind die heimischen gro€en Raubtiere B • r und Wolf, (fast) ganz und die mittleren Raubtiere, Luchs und Wildkatze, in vielen Bereichen Deutschlands im 18. und 19. Jahrhundert verschwunden. Erst strenge Schutzma€nahmen haben letztendlich zur Wiedereinwanderung von W‚lfen in Ostdeutschland...

Bonn, Univ., Diss. : 1994 (Nicht für den Austausch).

Thesis (doctoral)--Rheinische Friedrich-Wilhelms-Universität in Bonn, 1994.