In the latest edition of the Vetmed Magazine readers will find an interesting article about the work of the Konrad Lorenz Institute of Ethology (KLIVV) at Wilhelminenberg.  The article describes the most important milestones in the history of the research institute, starting with its foundation as a "biological station" by Otto and Lilli König in 1945.  In 2011 the KLIVV was integrated into the Vetmeduni.  The article also presents examples of some current research topics at the institute. 

See Vetmagazin 03/2018 (in German)

(Web editor, 13 December 2018)

After a break in 2017, the best scientific posters at the Vetmeduni Vienna and the winners of the new VetIdeas Poster Challenge were again awarded during this year's "That's Vet" show. The Poster Award in two categories was awarded follwing a selection by a jury of science journalists and the University Council. The winners of the VetIdeas Poster Challenge, supported by 'tecnet equity' and 'Accent Gründerservice', were pre-determined by jury decision.

Doris Nicolakis of the Konrad Lorenz Institute for Comparative Behavioral Research won 3rd place in the category "Science Journalism" for her poster: "Do ultrasonic vocalizations during courtship predict reproductive success in house mice?"

More info (in German)

(Web editor, 5 December 2018)

Hunting Common quails is a popular activity in the Mediterranean region. Experimental studies however showed that population re-stocking with farm-reared quails for hunting purposes is often done using Japanese quail or hybrids of domestic Japanese and Common quail. This could alter the gene pool of the native species and its migratory and reproductive behaviour, though direct evidence is lacking so far. Researchers from Vetmeduni Vienna have, for the first time, genetically screened a captive population of quails established from wild-caught birds to assess its genetic purity. Study leader was Valeria Marasco. The study revealed no evidence of genetic pollution by Japanese quail genes and confirmed that a common quails breeding programme using native species would be a feasible alternative.  This would minimise the risk of genetic pollution of native wild common quail populations.

The article „Lack of introgression of Japanese quail in a captive population of common quail“ by Steve Smith, Leonida Fusani, Balint Boglarka, Ines Sanchez-Donoso and Valeria Marasco was published in the European Journal of Wildlife Research.

More info

(Web editor, 18 September 2018)

Cannibalism, the eating of conspecifics, has a rational background in the animal kingdom.  It may serve as a source of energy-rich nutrition or to increase reproductive success. Some species do not even spare their own brood. Filipa Cunha-Saraiva of the Konrad Lorenz Institute of Ethology of the  Vetmeduni Vienna and other researchers have now been able to show the trigger of this peculiarity in African cichlids.  When their eggs were taken away for a prolonged period, the females of a cichlid fish species ate both their own eggs and foreign eggs.  They quickly switched between parental duties and ensuring their own energy supply.

The article "From cannibal to caregiver: tracking the transition in a cichlid fish" by Filipa Cunha-Saraiva, Sigal Balshine, Richard H. Wagner and Franziska C. Schaedelin was recently published in the journal Animal Behavior .

More info

(Web editor, 20 April 2018)

The field of biomimetics offers an innovative approach to solving human problems by imitating strategies found in nature. Medical research could also benefit from biomimetics, as a group of international experts from various fields, including a wildlife veterinarian and wildlife ecologists from the Department of Integrative Biology and Evolution of the Vetmeduni Vienna, point out using the example of chronic kidney disease. In future research, they intend to study the mechanisms that protect the muscles, organs and bones of certain animals during extreme conditions such as hibernation.

The article “Novel treatment strategies for chronic kidney disease: insights from the animal kingdom” by Peter Stenvinkel, Johanna Painer, Makoto Kuro-o, Miguel Lanaspa, Walter Arnold, Thomas Ruf, Paul G. Shiels and Richard J. Johnson was published in Nature Reviews.

<link en infoservice presseinformation presse-releases-2018 new-treatment-strategies-for-chronic-kidney-disease-from-the-animal-kingdom>More info

(Web editor, 19 February 2018)

Great guest lectures and numerous participants

On Saturday, January 27, 2018, the Austrian Ornithological Center (AOC) invited for the third time to the annual bird ringers conference. Over 40 bird ringers and interested people from all over Austria took part in the event in Vienna and enjoyed a varied program. A special highlight was the guest lecture by Prof. Franz Bairlein, director of the  Institute of Avian Research/Ornithological Station Helgoland (IAR) and experienced bird ringer, who opened the conference with an impressive lecture on the migration of the Wheatear. In addition to presentations of the Austrian Ornithological Institute about their activities, programs and concepts, some bird ringers also presented their current projects. The event also gave budding and experienced bird ringers plenty of time to network with national and international colleagues, representatives of various nature conservation departments and members of BirdLife Austria.

The team of the Austrian Ornithological Institute would like to thank the guest lecturers and especially the many participants for the successful event!

(Web editor, 6 February 2018)

On the evening of the 8th and the full day on Saturday, 9.6., The days of biodiversity will once again take place in Vienna. This event is co-organized by the Vienna Environmental Protection Department (MA 22) as a contribution to the "GEO Nature Day".

Under the auspices of the Wienerwald Biosphere Reserve you will have the opportunity to participate in guided nature walks or to visit one of the numerous information stands. Our Teams Habichtskauz and Stadtwildtiere will be back again.

The festival of biodiversity takes place in the area near the Lainzer Tor (Hermesstraße, 1130 Vienna). The Lainzer Tor is also the meeting place for the night tours on Friday, June 8th.  On Saturday, the 9th of June, the expert-led guided tours start from there as well. In addition, there is a festival of biodiversity in this area with information stands, the children's programme and culinary delights.

Public transport:
Lainzer Tor: Tram 60 to Hermesstraße, bus line 55A to Lainzer Tor

More info (Programme)

(Web editor, 7 June 2018)

As part of the "Wagramer Loess Spring", the Austrian Ornithological Center (AOC) will again open the doors of its branch office in Seebarn am Wagram.

On Saturday, 19 May 2018, visitors will be able to enjoy a varied program all day long under the motto "Exploring the diversity of birdlife". After an early bird excursion, there will be numerous lectures with interesting facts about our feathered friends. The palette ranges from scientific bird ringing of local bird species  to information about nesting aids and amazing facts about falcon, hawk owl and co.

Between the lectures there is of course also the opportunity to tour the field office and have a chat with the staff of the AOC.

Venue:

Branch office of the Austrian Ornithological Institute, Hauptstraße 68, 3484 Seebarn am Wagram

Contact:     Tel.: 01 25077-7349, Email: aoc@klivv.at

Programme of the AOC

General information about Lössfrühling

(Web editor, 24 April 2018)

In cooperation with the Biological Center Neusiedler See visitors have the opportunity to watch staff of the Austrian Ornithological Centre putting ID rings on wild birds and to take a close look at the birds. 

The public ringing event will take place from 12 pm to about 9 pm.

Where:  Biologischen Station Neusiedler See
             Seevorgelände 1
             7142 Illmitz

More information here.

(Web editor, 5 April 2018)

In a dangerous environment, people, but also other animals, such as fish show cooperative behavior. This includes the care of their offspring. The young scientist Filipa Cunha Saraiva (27) investigates the evolutionary basis of so-called cooperative breeding. In this type of social system, in addition to the parents, other group members look after the young. At the Konrad Lorenz Institute of Ethology the researcher investigates under what ecological circumstances two cichlid species from Lake Tanganyika breed cooperatively vs."traditionally" (only the parents care for the young). Different levels of the hormone oxytocin in the observed species could play a role here. The results of this research could also help to better understand the origin of cooperative systems in mammals.

Article on the subject in the Austrian paper Der Standard (in German)

(Web editor, 16 January 2018)