Patrick Mausfeld’s research while affiliated with Research Museum Alexander Koenig and other places

The island of Madagascar harbors a highly endemic vertebrate fauna including a high diversity of lizards of the subfamily "Scincinae," with about 57 species in eight genera. Since limb reduction seems to have been a common phenomenon during the evolution of Malagasy "scincines," diagnosing evolutionary relationships based on morphology has been difficult. Phylogenetic analyses of multiple mitochondrial DNA sequences including the entire ND1, tRNA(LEU), tRNA(ILE), tRNA(GLN) genes, and fragments of the 12S and 16S rRNA and tRNA(MET) genes were conducted to test the monophyly of the largest genus Amphiglossus, and to evaluate the various formal and informal species groupings previously proposed for this species-rich group. A further objective was to determine the phylogenetic placements of the several greatly limb-reduced and limbless Malagasy "scincines" and ascertain whether any of these are derived from within the morphologically plesiomorphic Amphiglossus. As limb reduction in skinks is mostly associated with body elongation via an increase in the number of presacral vertebrae, we evaluate the pattern of evolution of the numbers of presacral vertebrae in the context of our phylogeny. We demonstrate that Amphiglossus as currently diagnosed is non-monophyletic, and the species fall into two major groups. One of these groups is a clade that contains the included species of the subgenus Amphiglossus (Madascincus) among other species and is a member of a larger clade containing Paracontias and Pseudoacontias. In the second group, the nominate subgenus Amphiglossus (Amphiglossus) forms several subclades within a larger clade that also contains Androngo crenni and Pygomeles braconnieri, and is sister to Voeltzkowia. All analyses provide strong support for the monophyly of Paracontias and Voeltzkowia. Based on the preferred phylogenetic hypothesis and weighted squared-change parsimony we show that the ancestor of the Malagasy clade was already elongated and had a moderately high number of presacral vertebrae (46-48), which is hypothesized to be the ancestral condition for the whole Malagasy "scincine" clade. We further demonstrate that both multiple increases and reductions of presacral vertebrae evolved in many clades of Malagasy "scincines" and that the use of presacral vertebrae as a major character to diagnose supraspecific units is dubious. Based on our results and published morphological evidence we consider Scelotes waterloti Angel, 1930 to be a junior synonym of Amphiglossus reticulatus (Kaudern, 1922).

Familial hypercholesterolemia (FH) not adequately responding to diet and drug therapy represents an indication for extracorporeal lipid-apheresis, which has become an highly effective and approved therapy for those patients in several countries. Based on different methodology, five treatment options of lipid-apheresis exist and are in widespread practical use covered by regular reimbursement in Germany. All methods are safe and demonstrate equivalent efficacy of reducing LDL cholesterol with respect to the single apheresis session as well as during long-term treatment. Therefore German reimbursement guidelines leave the choice of the method to the discretion of the apheresis center. Related to properties of the used technology all methods exhibit characteristic patterns of additional plasma protein elimination, which do not impair, but in part may increase the therapeutic benefit of lipid-apheresis. Fibrinogen reduction has to be mentioned as an example. The Lipidfiltration system is based on plasmafiltration previously referred to as membrane differential filtration (MDF), synonymous with double filtration plasmapheresis (DFPP). The new term Lipidfiltration was the result of technological progress in the manufacturing process of the plasmafilter resulting in enhanced sieving characteristics and capacity. The Lipidfiltration system is completed by a specifically designed therapy machine with optimised performance characteristics.

(with three text-figures) ABSTRACT.- After the taxonomic status of the genus Eumeces Wiegmann, 1834 had been neglected for more than half a century, a recent publication split Eumeces into four genera. Based on a molecular data set, we provide evidence suggesting that the recently named taxonomic units represent monophyletic radiations. Since some of the previously proposed names for the genera violate the rules of the International Code of Zoological Nomenclature (ICZN), the nomenclatural situation is clarified and new names are proposed. The genus Neoseps Stejneger, 1910 is synonymised with Pariocela Fitzinger, 1843.

The phylogeography, intraspecific variation and speciation processes of the South East Asian scincid lizard genus Eutropis Fitzinger are investigated, based on a combined analysis of 564 bp and 408 bp fragments, respectively, of the mitochondrial 16S rRNA and 12S rRNA genes. Our results show that the Middle East species definitely do not belong to Eutropis but instead to the African genus Euprepis Fitzinger, and that Euprepis auratus (L.) and E. septemtaeniatus Reuss represent distinct species. In addition, we clarify systematics of the genus Apterygodon Edeling, supposed to be derived from within Eutropis. We show that Apterygodon does not reflect a true genealogical unit, and consequently synonymize it with Dasia Gray.We found strong evidence for the monophyly of the South East Asian genus Eutropis. Within Eutropis we could substantiate the systematics of Eutropis multifasciata (Kuhl), and confirm that the distinction of a subspecies E. m. balinensis Mertens is not justified. Likewise, our results point out the necessity of further studies concerning the Eutropis macularia complex in which at least two different species are concealed under the name E. macularia (Blyth). We show that the Philippine-Palauan Eutropis species are part of a distinct radiation, probably representing an unrecognized taxonomic unit. We draw conclusions on zoogeographical aspects of dispersal routes in Eutropis, showing that the Philippines have been colonized from mainland Asia rather than via Borneo. Furthermore we outline a possible colonization scenario for the species on the Philippines and Palau.

The infrageneric phylogenetic position of the Brazilian skink Mabuya atlantica was inferred from 859 bp of the mitochondrial 16S and 12S rRNA genes. It could be shown that M. atlantica belongs to the Afro-Malagasy rather than to the South American Mabuya radiation. Mabuya atlantica probably represents an independent transmarine colonization directly from the coast of Southwest Africa, thus representing another example of the extraordinary dispersal abilities of members of this group. Moreover, the present analysis revealed that intercontinental relationships within the genus Mabuya are far more complex than previously thought. The molecular analysis suggests that Mabuya consists of several long-separated evolutionary lineages, representing distinct and well-supported monophyletic radiations. To reflect the independent origins of the South American, Asian, Afro-Malagasy and Cape Verdian groups we partition the genus Mabuya into four genera.

The geographically widespread Python reticulatus, the world's longest snake, has been largely neglected by taxonomists. Dwarfed individuals from Tanahjampea Island, Indonesia, differ strikingly in morphology. Phylogenetic relationships were analyzed using a 345-bp fragment of the cytochrome b gene for 12 specimens from different populations. Both genetic differences and morphological characters distinctly revealed two taxonomic subunits. The island populations of Tanahjampea and Selayar form two monophyletic lineages, supported by high bootstrap values, with distinct differences in color pattern and scalation. We consider these forms to represent two new subspecies. The Tanahjampea form is genetically related to populations of the Sunda Islands and mainland Southeast Asia, whereas the Selayar form is related to populations of Southwest Sulawesi. We conclude that, due to strong directional surface currents in this region, gene flow between Tanahjampea and Selayar is prevented. Sea-level changes during the Pleistocene probably contributed to the isolation of the two taxa described. Aspects of ecology and conservation status are briefly discussed. Electronic supplementary material to this paper can be obtained by using the Springer LINK server located at http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s00114-002-0320-4.

A combined analysis of 523 bp and 402 bp sequences of the mitochondrial 16S and 12S rRNA genes, respectively, suggests Mabuya frenata cochabambae being regarded a full species, M. cochabambae Dunn, 1935. It is phylogenetically closely related to M. dorsivittata rather than to M. frenata. Mabuya cochabambae is only known from inner-Andean dry valleys of central Bolivia, Departments Cochabamba and Santa Cruz, at elevations of 1300–3800m above sea level.