Poaching and illegal trade of Danube sturgeons.

A market study on sturgeon products in the Lower Danube countries (Bulgaria, Romania, Serbia and Ukraine) resulted in a total of 149 samples of caviar and meat, which we subjected to genetic-isotope analyses. The samples comprised 31 samples (21%) of illegal wild-caught origin, 17 samples (11.4%) sold in violation of CITES and EU regulations, and 47 cases (32%) of consumer deception.

The Irrawaddy dolphin, Orcaella brevirostris from the Mekong river Cambodia: Preliminary health and toxicological investigations.

The subpopulation of the Irrawaddy dolphin (Orcaella brevirostris) living in the Mekong River, Cambodia, is considered to be critically endangered. The aim of the investigation was to gain information about the genetic variation, health status and exposure to toxic compounds of these dolphins. Tissue samples from 27 Irrawaddy river dolphins found dead along the Mekong River between 2004 and 2009 were analysed with regards to genetics, pathology and ecotoxicology.

An Agouti-Signaling-Protein Mutation is Strongly Associated with Melanism in European Roe Deer ().

Although the European roe deer () population of North-West Germany has a remarkable number of melanistic specimens between 10% and 25%, the underlying genetic mutation-causing melanism is still unknown. We used a gene targeting approach focusing on and as important genes of coat coloration. Overall, 1384 bp of and 2039 bp of were sequenced in 24 specimens and several SNPs were detected.

The Value of Molecular vs. Morphometric and Acoustic Information for Species Identification Using Sympatric Molossid Bats.

A fundamental condition for any work with free-ranging animals is correct species identification. However, in case of bats, information on local species assemblies is frequently limited especially in regions with high biodiversity such as the Neotropics. The bat genus Molossus is a typical example of this, with morphologically similar species often occurring in sympatry.