Dr. Georg B.O. Staaks

IGB, Dept.4,
Biology and Ecology of Fishes 
12587 Berlin, Müggelseedamm 310

Fields of Interests:

Individual Temperature- and Habitat- Preference of Fishes

as part of research topic no. 3.3:
Ecological factors in speciation of fishes

Tel: (030) 64 181 625
Fax: (030) 64 181 682

oki@igb-berlin.de

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Ecological factors in speciation of fishes

Within the research group of PD Dr. Thomas Mehner we try to uncover the principal ecological mechnisms of sympatric speciation exemplarely for the species pair Coregonus albula / Coregonus fontanae of Lake Stechlin. Therefore our research comprises investigations of distribution, dial vertical migrations, nutrition, physiology and life history. In close cooperation with Jan Ohlberger ecophysiological experiments on the metabolism of the different species related to temperature, light and food densities were conducted and analysed. Experimentally found behavioural preferences were compared with the analytically calculated physiological optima and species specific differences were determined. Investigations of the growth under different temperature regimes made by Susanne Schiller (diploma student) will help to get an idea of the backgrounds and reasons of the dial vertical migrations.

The investigations in total should help to explain if physiological and behavioural differences in traits are responsible for the stable co-existence of the sympatric species pair C. albula / C. fontanae under the conditions of food limirtation and high competition and wether these differences have possibly facilitated or are still driving the sympatric speciation in Lake Stechlin.

Further investigations concerning the possibility of hybridization zur and the physiological traits of hybrids as well as parallel investigations on the species pair C. albula / C. lucinensis should enable a testing and verification of our recently gained knowledge and of the developed hypotheses.

A wide spectrum of methods and experimental technologies from temperature gradients over automatic video analysis systems, swim tunnel respirometers up to functional response climate chambers is available to realise these ideas and experiments

Experimental behavioral investigations on circadian activity and temperature preference of fishes

Temperature is on the one hand acting as an ultimate factor which determines all internal metabolic processes. On the other hand it influences as a proximate guiding factor movements, migrations and habitat selection of many fish species. The temporal and local variations in temperature conditions in most waters of the temperate climate zone forced the organisms to adapt to sometimes drastic thermal changes, this way many of our endemic fishes developed an active thermoregulatory behavior.

The ongoing climate change and the expected developments in the temperature regimes of waters will confront the fishes with conditions that may impair the survival, distribution and even evolution of species and communities dramatically.

On the basis of these ideas we are investigating the temperature selection and temperature preferences of fishes. The research comprises as well basic experiments on preferred ranges and mechanisms of the thermoregulatory behavior as further investigations of metabolic changes, acclimation and adaptation processes up to evolutionary consequences.
As a small intersting example we found for 0+ Cyprinids rather high preferred temperatures (29 to 32 °C) supporting the hypothesis that growth of juvenile cyprinids under north european conditions is limited more by temperature than by food.

Recently some more complex questions on the variability of habitat choice and activity in relation to temperature, food availability and oxygen conditions are the main subjects of investigations.
We are especially interested in finding evidences and analysing the effectivity of ecology related and behavior mediated trade-off-mechanisms which enable the fish to manage situations of lowered energy availability or enhanced metabolic costs caused by changes in temperature or natural food conditions. Therefore our questions and investigations are part of the research on regulation of communities and will contribute to the understanding of ecological mechanisms in speciation of fishes. An exemplary experiment for instance prove the existence of a trade-off-mechanisms during longer starvation periods. The behavior of some species changes after a short rising of activity for a few days to a dramatic reduction of swimming movements and later to a shift towards lower preferred temperatures.

Integrated measurement and analysis of behavioural and physiological parameters in fish

One of our long term interest consists in the investigation of ecophysiological and ecobehavioral relations and functionalities in different fish species under most natural raising or living conditions as well as in an realistic evaluation of fish welfare. In doing this the aquisition of data on behaviour of fish schools or communities as well as on the individual behaviour and physiology and their interindividual variability is most important for creating and proving reasonable hypotheses.

Therefore we work long term oriented towards a methodic development and improvement of as well video- and computer aided automatic recognition and evaluation of different behaviours as the development of powerful miniturised physiological multiparametric telemetry systems under experimental, aquacultural up to open field conditions.
An online investigation of physiology and behaviour of free moving fish would furthermore allow to make reliable statements and forecasts of the health and fitness status of fish. The analysis of individual based measurements aims to detect correlations, relationships and complex patterns of parameters and physiological functions under the influence of different external and internal factors.

The "FischFIT-monitoring" project which started in July 2008, funded by the IBB under the ProFIT program opens new fundamental perspectives and possibilities for this research direction. Project leader is Dr. Daniela Baganz collaborating with me and PhD-student Oliver Jauernig participated are Thomas Mehner, Henrik Zwadlo and Karena Kuntze. The external project partners are the Fraunhofer IZM, the IASP at the HU-Berlin and the ELBAU GmbH Berlin company.

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Ref. Journals

Meinelt, T.; Stueber, A.; Staaks, G.: Die Praktikabilitaet eines Embryo-Brut-Testes mit dem Zebrabaerbling (Brachydanio rerio Hamilton-Buchanan), dargestellt am Beispiel fischereilich genutzter Therapeutika. Fortschr. Fischereiwiss. 1992. vol. 10, pp. 111-133.

Anwand, K.; Staaks, G.; Valentin, M.: Two populations of Coregonus albula (Linnaeus, 1758) in Lake Stechlin (Germany, Brandenburg). Fish Fish. Res. 1996, vol. 1, 10 pars. Available at: http://www.lsoft.com/FFResearch/works1/reports/repo9601.html

Staaks, G. Experimental studies on temperature preference behaviour of juvenile cyprinids. Limnologica 1996 vol. 26, no. 2, pp. 165-177

Anwand, K.; Staaks, G.; Valentin, M.: Zwei unterschiedliche Formen von Coregonus albula L. (Teleostei, Coregonidae) im nordbrandenburgischen Stechlinsee (Deutschland). Z. Fischkd. 1997 vol. 4, no. 1-2, pp. 3-14

Krause, J.; Staaks, G.; Mehner, T.: Habitat choice in shoals of roach as a function of water temperature and feeding rate. Journal of Fish Biology 1998 vol. 53, no. 2, pp. 377-386.

Baganz, D.; Staaks, G.; Steinberg, C.: Impact of the cyanobacteria toxin, microcystin-LR on behaviour of zebrafish, Danio rerio. Water Res. 1998 vol. 32, no. 3, pp. 948-952.

Staaks, G.; Kirschbaum, F.; Williot, P.: Experimental studies on thermal behaviour and diurnal activity rhythms of juvenile European sturgeons (Acipenser sturio). J. Appl. Ichthyol. 1999 vol. 15, 243-247.

Van Dijk,P., Staaks,G. & Hardewig,I. 2002. The effect of fasting and refeeding on temperature preference, activity and growth of roach, Rutilus rutilus. Oecologia 130, 496-504.

Baganz,D., Staaks,G., Pflugmacher,S. & Steinberg,C.E.W. 2004. Comparative study of microcystin-LR-induced behavioral changes of two fish species, Danio rerio and Leucaspius delineatus. Environmental Toxicology 19, 564-570.

Baganz,D., Staaks,G., Pflugmacher,S. & Steinberg,C.E.W. 2004. Analysis of temporal pattern in swimming activity of two fish species (Danio rerio and Leucaspius delineatus) under chemical stress conditions. Advances in Ethology 38, 32.

Schmidt,K., Steinberg,C.E.W., Pflugmacher,S. & Staaks,G. 2004. Xenobiotic substances such as PCB Mixtures (Aroclor 1254) and TBT CAn influence swimming behavior and biotransformation activity (GST) of carp (Cyprinus carpio). Environmental Toxicology 19, 460-470.

Schmidt,K., Pflugmacher,S., Staaks,G. & Steinberg,C.E.W. 2005. Wirkung subakuter PCB-Exposition (Aroclor 1254) auf Sauerstoffverbrauch, Schwimmbewegung und Biotransformation (GST-Aktivität) des Karpfens (Cyprinus carpio). Umweltwissenschaften und Schadstoff-Forschung 17, 133-145.

Baganz,D., Siegmund,R., Staaks,G., Pflugmacher,S. & Steinberg,C.E.W. 2005. Temporal pattern in swimming activity of two fish species (Danio rerio and Leucaspius delineatus) under chemical stress conditions. Biological Rhythm Research 36, 263-276.

Schmidt,K., Steinberg,C.E.W., Pflugmacher,S. & Staaks,G. 2005. Influence of a xenobiotic mixture (PCB and TBT) compared to single substances on swimming behaviour or reproduction of Daphnia magna. Acta Hydrochimica et Hydrobiologica 33, 287-300.

Schmidt,K., Staaks,G., Pflugmacher,S. & Steinberg,C.E.W. 2005. Impact of PCB mixture (Aroclor 1254) and TBT and a mixture of both on swimming behavior, body growth and enzymatic biotransformation activities (GST) of young carp (Cyprinus carpio). Aquatic Toxicology 71, 49-59.

Ohlberger,J., Staaks,G., Van Dijk,P. & Hölker,F. 2005. Modelling energetic costs of fish swimming. Journal of Experimental Zoology A 303, 657-664.

Ohlberger,J., Staaks,G. & Hölker,F. 2006. Swimming efficiency and the influence of morphology on swimming costs in fishes. Journal of Comparative Physiology B 176, 17-25.

Schmidt,K., Pflugmacher,S., Staaks,G. & Steinberg,C.E.W. 2006. The influence of tributyltin chloride and polychlorinated biphenyls on swimming behavior, body growth, reproduction, and activity of biotransformation enzymes in Daphnia magna. Journal of Freshwater Ecology 21, 109-120.

Baganz,D. & Staaks,G. 2007. Assessment of the Hazard Potential of Environmental Chemicals by Quantifying Fish Behaviour. In: Advanced Environmental Monitoring (Ed. by Y.J.Kim & U.Platt), pp. 376-389. Heidelberg, Springer.

Meinelt,T., Staaks,J., Staaks,G., Stüber,A. & Bräunig,I. 2007. Antiparasitäre Effekte von Peressigsäure (PES) gegen infektiöse Stadien (Theronten) der Weißpünktchenkrankheit, Ichthyophthirius multifiliis in vitro. Deutsche Tierärztliche Wochenschrift 114, 383-386.

Ohlberger,J., Staaks,G. & Hölker,F. 2007. Estimating the active metabolic rate (AMR) in fish based on tail beat frequency (TBF) and body mass. Journal of Experimental Zoology 307A, 296-300.

Ohlberger,J., Staaks,G. & Hölker,F. 2007. Effects of temperature, swimming speed and body mass on standard and active metabolic rate in vendace (Coregonus albula). Journal of Comparative Physiology B 177, 905-916.

Ohlberger, J., Mehner, T., Staaks, G., Hölker, F. 2008. Is ecological segregation in a sympatric species pair of coregonines supported by divergent feeding efficiencies? Canadian Journal of Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences, 65 (10): 2105–2113.

Ohlberger, J., Mehner, T., Staaks, G. & Hölker, F. 2008. Temperature-related physiological adaptations promote ecological divergence in a sympatric species pair of temperate freshwater fish, Coregonus spp. Functional Ecology, 22, 501-508.

Book Chapters

Baganz, D.; Staaks, G.; Steinberg, C.: Changes of fish behaviour affected by microcystin LR. Cyanotoxins Occurrence, Causes, Consequences Chorus, I. (ed.) Berlin FRG Umweltbundesamt Federal Environmental Agency 2001 pp. 261-280.

Baganz, D., Staaks, G., Spieser, O.H., Steinberg, C.E.W.: How to use fish behaviour analysis to sensitively assess the hazard potentials of environmental chemicals. In: Butterworth, F.M., Gunatilaka, A., Gonseblatt, M.E. (Eds.): Biomonitors and Biomarkers as Indicators of Environmental Change, 2001, Kluwer Publ., New York, 2, 113-122.

Van Dijk,P., Staaks,G. & Hardewig,I. Effects of fasting on the allocation of energy in roach, Rutilus rutilus. 15, 1-12. 2002. Berichte des IGB.

Ohlberger,J., Staaks,G. & Hölker,F. Influence of morphology on swimming costs in fishes . 23, 127-138. 2006. Berichte des IGB.

Non-peer reviewed publications

Lieder, U.; Ramm, P.; Staaks, G.: Ueber das Prinzip des Wärmehaushaltes in Warmwasseranlagen zur Fischproduktion mit offenem Kreislauf. Fortschr. Fischereiwiss. 1984. vol. 3, pp. 55-61.

Predel, G.; Staaks, G.: Erfahrungen beim Einsatz von Wärmepumpen in der Binnenfischerei der DDR. Fortschr. Fischereiwiss. 1984. vol. 3, pp. 47-54.

Anwand, K. und Staaks, G.: Über morphologische Untersuchungen am Amerikanischen Flußkrebs Orconectes limosus (RAF). Deutsche Gesellschaft für Limnologie, Jahrestagung 1994, Hamburg, Erweiterte Zusammenfassungen (1994), 759-763.

Meinelt, T.; Stueber, A.; Staaks, G.; Steinberg, C.: Wirkungen fischtoxischer Schadmetalle. Fischtoxizitaet von Kupfer. Fisch. Teichwirt 1995 vol. 46, no. 7, pp. 241-243.

Meinelt, T.; Stueber, A.; Staaks, G.; Pietrock, M.; Steinberg, C.: Wirkungen fischtoxischer Schadmetalle. Fischtoxizitaet von Zink. Fisch. Teichwirt 1995 vol. 46, no. 6, pp. 200-202.

Spieser, O.H., Scholz, W., Staaks, G., Baganz, D.: The influence of Cyanotoxins on the behaviour of Zebrafish (Brachydanio rerio): Methods and results. Measuring Behavior ‘96, International Workshop on Methods and Techniques in Behavioral Research, 16.-18. 10. 1996, Utrecht, Proceedings: http://www.noldus.com/events/mb96/abstract/spieser.htm

Oberemm, A., Welker, M., Baganz, D., Staaks, G., Pflugmacher, S.: Microcystine: Vorkommen und Persistenz in Gewässern und Wirkungen auf aquatische Makrophyten und auf Fische. Berichte des IGB 1997, Heft 4, Hrsg.: Inst. für Gewässerökologie und Binnenfischerei

Staaks, G., Baganz, D.: Assessment and ecological evaluation of behavioral responses of fish on natural and artificial stressors. Berichte des IGB 1998, Heft 5, 61-70. Hrsg.: Inst. für Gewässerökologie und Binnenfischerei

Staaks, G., Baganz, D., Schmidt, K.: Integrated measurement of motility and energy consumption in fish larvae and daphnia. Measuring Behavior 2000, International Workshop on Methods and Techniques in Behavioral Research, 15.-18. 08. 2000, Nijmegen, Proceedings: http://www.noldus.webaxxs.net/events/mb2000/program/abstracts/staaks.html

Meinelt,T., Staaks,G., Kuntze,K., Stüber,A. & Richert,I. 2005. Behandlung einer unspezifischen Mykose mit Peressigsäure (Wofasteril^® E400) bei der Aufzucht der kleinen Maräne (Coregonus albula). Fischer & Teichwirt 56, 411.

Baganz,D., Moldaenke,C. & Staaks,G. Robust, low cost fish biomonitor under development. Techneau Newsletter . 2006. Technologiezentrum Wasser (TZW), Karlsruhe. 2006.

Baganz,D., Staaks,G. & Moldaenke,C. Interim Report on real-time fish biomonitoring system. D 3.4.8, 1-21. 2007. Monitoring and Control of Drinking Water Quality, Techneau Report.

Moldaenke,C., Baganz,D. & Staaks,G. A finalised photoelectric barrier system for the fish biomonitor. D 3.4.5., 1-7. 2007. Monitoring and Control of Drinking Water Quality, Techneau Report.

Baganz,D. & Staaks,G. Application of power spectral analysis to indicate chemical stress in fish. East, Marion and Hofer, Heribert. Contributions to the 6th International Zoo and Wildlife Research Conference on Behaviour, Physiology & Genetics, Berlin 2007. 28. 2008. Berlin, Leibniz Institute for Zoo and Wildlife Research. 7-10-2008.

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