Lutzmann N’s research while affiliated with Research Museum Alexander Koenig and other places

We provide an overview and discussion of the methodology currently used to assess the acute and chronic (i.e. reproductive) risk posed by plant protection products to birds. The methodology follows guidance published by the European Food Safety Authority, EFSA (EFSA, 2009). Our overview begins with a short introduction including a brief discussion of recent changes to the regulations on which the EFSA Guidance is based. The standard risk assessment procedure is then explained using the example of a hypothetical fungicide. This is followed by a discussion of the basis, weighting and evaluation of the current risk assessment methodology for birds.

We describe a new species of chameleon, Trioceros kinangopensis sp. nov., from Kinangop Peak in the Aberdare moun-tains, central highlands of Kenya. The proposed new species is morphologically and genetically distinct from other mem-ber of the bitaeniatus-group. It is morphologically most similar to T. schubotzi but differs in the lack of sexual size dimorphism, smaller-sized females, smoother, less angular canthus rostrales, smaller scales on the temporal region and a bright orange gular crest in males. Mitochondrial DNA indicates that the proposed new taxon is a distinct lineage that is closely related to T. nyirit and T. schubotzi. The distribution of T. kinangopensis sp. nov. appears to be restricted to the afroalpine zone in vicintiy of Kinangop Peak and fires may pose a serious threat to the long-term survival of this species.

A new species of chameleon, Trioceros nyirit sp. nov., is described from the northwest highlands of Kenya. It is morphologically similar to T. hoehnelii and T. narraioca, possessing a short rostral appendage, but differs from them by having a straight or weakly curved parietal crest and forward-pointing rostral projection. A phylogeny based on mitochondrial DNA shows that the proposed new taxon is a distinct clade within the bitaeniatus-group and a sister lineage to T. schubotzi. Its distribution appears to be restricted to the Cherangani Hills and adjacent Mtelo massif to the north. It is associated with afromontane forest edge, afroalpine ericaceous vegetation and also occurs in agricultural landscapes.

A new species of chameleon, Trioceros nyirit sp. nov., is described from the northwest highlands of Kenya. It is morphologically similar to T. hoehnelii and T. narraioca, possessing a short rostral appendage, but differs from them by having a straight or weakly curved parietal crest and forward-pointing rostral projection. A phylogeny based on mitochondrial DNA shows that the proposed new taxon is a distinct clade within the bitaeniatus-group and a sister lineage to T. schubotzi. Its distribution appears to be restricted to the Cherangani Hills and adjacent Mtelo massif to the north. It is associated with afromontane forest edge, afroalpine ericaceous vegetation and also occurs in agricultural landscapes.

Burrows of semiadult to adult Uromastyx aegyptia microlepis at Mahazat as-Sayd Protected Area were between 300–530 cm long and 80–120 cm deep. Burrows are typically characterized by a perimeter wall around the burrow entrance, which consists of soil excavated by the animal occupying the burrow. These perimeter walls alter the thermal environment in the immediate vicinity of the burrow entrance and provide temporally and spatially different microhabitats to the lizard. Burrow entrance size is not linked to the size of the inhabitant. Uromastyx burrows lack passive wind-induced ventilation and diffusion is the main factor for the exchange of air in the burrow with atmospheric air. Therefore the burrows retain temperature as well as humidity very efficiently. Ambient humidity in the direct vicinity of the animal is between 4.0–98.4% rH in spring and 3.3–96.2% rH in summer. The ambient humidity fluctuates not only during the normal activity phases of the animals but also during the night, indicating movements within the burrow. Courtship behaviour, mating and signs of mating were observed in May. Hatchlings were observed in August and September, sitting in small bushes near burrow entrances of adult Uromastyx.

The habitat preferences and activity patterns of panther chameleons, Furcifer pardalis (CUVIER, 1829) living in the Masoala Rain Forest Hall of the Zurich Zoo were investigated by means of radiotelemetry. Twelve animals were monitored over periods of up to 32 days. The animals exhibited a significant preference for the upper third, or crown stratum, of the plants. The chameleons were furthermore mostly encountered in the peripheral areas of their trees. Migratory patterns of male specimens in particular followed a largely linear course from the starting point. Distinctions could be made between specimens with a high degree of home range fidelity and more explorative individuals, which differed clearly with regard to the distances they moved away from their respective starting points. © 2008 Deutsche Gesellschaft für Herpetologie und Terrarienkundee. V.(DGHT).

There have been numerous attempts to resolve the taxonomy of the two-horned chamaeleons of East Africa. However, the high levels of intraspecific variation and reported sympatry of morphologically distinct taxa indicate that their current classification is unsatisfactory. Tissue samples were collected from specimens from most mountain massifs (excluding the Nguu) where two-horned chamaeleons are known to occur and were used to sequence partial 12S and 16S rRNA, as well as ND2 mtDNA genes. These specimens and further museum material were used to review morphological variation and to define discriminating characters for each taxon. Phylogenetic analyses of gene sequences show clear genetic divergence between allopatric populations, although two lineages occur in sympatry in the East Usambara Mountains, and is supported by divergent morphology. In light of these results a formal revision of the taxonomy of all East African two-horned chamaeleons is proposed and seven species are recognized (Kinyongia boehmei, K. fischeri, K. matschiei, K. multituberculata, K. tavetana, K. uluguruensis and K. vosseleri). These taxa form a monophyletic group except for K. uluguruensis, which seems to be more closely related to one-horned species. Most of these taxa have been previously described and subsequently reduced to synonyms. Two other previously described two-horned taxa are not recognized as valid: Chamaeleo tornieri is considered species inquiriendae, and C. fischeri werneri is placed in synonymy with K. multituberculata. A dichotomous key is provided for the identification of these taxa and some aspects of their conservation, ecology and evolutionary origins are also discussed. © 2008 The Linnean Society of London, Zoological Journal of the Linnean Society, 2008, 152, 367–391.