No description available.

No description available.

Striped trumpeter (Latris lineata) is a new candidate species for aquaculture in temperate Australia. Survival of larvae prior to flexion has proven a bottleneck in the production of this species for culture. In addition, almost all juveniles cultured to date exhibit malformations of the jaw that may impede larval feeding success. Body size and morphology impose constraints upon feeding success in larvae of broadcast spawning fishes. Furthermore, larvae have an absolute reliance upon sense organs for the detection and subsequent capture of prey. In this study, aspects of morphological development and feeding performance were described in larval striped trumpeter. Chemosensory and mechanosensory organs were present and presumed functional soon after hatching, while the eye was functional coincident with first-feeding on day 7 post-hatching. The structure of the photoreceptors in different regions of the retina of the larvae suggested the area specialised for the most acute image formation corresponded to a visual field in the fronto-ventral region. Analysis of videocinematography of feeding larvae in the horizontal plane confirmed a forward-directed functional visual field. The area of the visual field increased with larval ontogeny from day 13 to day 17 post-hatching, due to the wider range of reactive angles used by older larvae. Maximum reactive distances of larvae to rotifer prey (~5.1mm) were 97% of larval standard length, while the distance at which larvae initiated a strike at the prey was much lower (~0.45mm) at 8% of larval standard length. Visual angles determined from larval feeding behaviour were higher than the minimum separable angles predicted by histology, such that the functional acuity of the larvae was not as good as that predicted by retinal structure. Jaw malformation was only evident in post-flexion larvae greater than 10 mm standard length and was characterised by an open jaw in which cartilage and bone elements appeared structurally normal but were in abnormal positions. The effects of light intensity and microalgal cell density (turbidity) on larval feeding behaviour were assessed in short-term feeding trials. None of the pre-flexion larvae used to investigate optimal light conditions for feeding exhibited jaw malformations. Larvae fed equally well in clearwater (no microalgal cells present) in a light intensity range of 1-10 umol.s-1.m-2. An ontogenetic improvement in photopic visual sensitivity of larvae was indicated by improved feeding at 0.1 umol.s-1.m-2 between day 8 and day 23 post-hatching. Algae-induced turbidity had different effects on larval feeding response dependent upon the previous visual environment of the larvae. Young larvae, day 9 post-hatching, reared in clearwater showed decreased feeding capabilities with increasing turbidity, while older clearwater reared larvae fed well at all turbidities tested. Likewise, greenwater (with microalgal cells present) reared larvae had increased feeding capabilities in the highest algal cell densities tested compared with those in low algal cell density, and clearwater to which they were naive. This study demonstrated that striped trumpeter larvae are primarily visual feeders with a small visual field relative to larval body size, that jaw malformation is unlikely to impede feeding in pre-flexion larvae, and that greenwater may provide a benefit to larval feeding although the previous visual environment of larvae affected subsequent feeding responses.

In order to understand the ecology of species, it is important to know how animals use their environment. This information can be determined at a range of spatial and temporal scales, and results may vary accordingly. The habitats that animals use determine resources available to them for different purposes (e.g. feeding and resting), and risks of predation to which they are exposed. Consequently, patterns of behaviour in relation to the environment are likely to influence survival and fitness. In Tasmania, Australia, three common and widely distributed native marsupial herbivores are the red-necked or Bennett's wallaby (Macropus rufogriseus rufogriseus), the red-bellied pademelon (Thylogale billardierii) and the common brushtail possum (Trichosurus vulpecula). Information on the behaviour of these species in relation to their environment is largely unavailable. This thesis describes the abundance, spatial organisation and habitat selection patterns of these three species, within a patchy forestry landscape. The five major habitat types within this environment were: (1) a prepared site that was planted with commercial Eucalyptus nitens seedlings during the study (referred to as 'young plantation'); (2) 5-7 year old E. nitens plantation; (3) grassland; (4) native forest; and (5) harvested uncleared land. Patterns of habitat use and selection were examined at three sequential spatio-temporal scales, within a hierarchy of decisions. These were: (1) location of home-range within the landscape, (2) feeding area within the home-range, and (3) vegetation consumed within one habitat, the young plantation. A radio-telemetry study of Bennett's wallabies, pademelons and possums was used to examine Scales 1 and 2 at the individual animal level. Animal surveys were carried out to examine Scale 2 for the entire herbivore community at the population level. These data were also used to estimate herbivore densities for the overall area and individual habitats. Fenced and unfenced vegetation plots, located within the young plantation, a highly used habitat, were monitored over time to examine Scale 3. As part of this research, modifications to common line-transect sampling methods were made. These enabled methods that are usually applied to daytime surveys in open habitat, to be used in nocturnal surveys in densely vegetated habitats. Accuracy testing of the radiotelemetry system is also described, as the patchiness of the landscape required careful interpretation of results. Results showed that, at night, wallabies and pademelons used all habitats, but consistently selected for open habitats (young plantation and grassland) across spatio-temporal scales. The use of these open habitats for feeding was confirmed by the large biomass of grass and forbs consumed by herbivores in a detailed study of vegetation on the young plantation. These patterns are consistent with their feeding strategies of grazer or mixed-feeder. During the day, the two macropod species avoided open habitats and showed strong selection for closed habitats. Wallabies selected for older plantation, while pademelons selected for native forest. This difference reflects their respective predator avoidance strategy (crypsis for pademelons) or escape response (flight for wallabies). Although shelter habitat was important to the two macropod species, their lack of selection at the home-range scale was suggested to reflect the fact that resting animals require little space. Patterns of habitat use and selection were difficult to interpret for possums, because results varied between the spatio-temporal scales. Spotlighting data showed that at night, possums selected for native forest, young plantation and particularly grassland at the population level. Radio-collared animals selected only for native forest. Older E. nitens plantations were avoided by possums at every level, and appeared to represent a biological desert to this species. High overall densities of wallabies and pademelons (0.3 and 1.5 animals.ha-1, respectively), and small, round, home-ranges (61.6 ha and 22.3 ha, respectively) suggested that these species benefited from the patchiness of this environment. This is attributed to the highly heterogeneous habitats, providing complimentary resources in the absence of ecotones or transitional flora zones, existing side by side, over a small spatial scale. In contrast, extremely low possum population density (0.04 animals.ha-1) and very large home-ranges (39.1 ha) suggested that resources, presumably den sites and/or food, were limited within this forestry environment. Results on the ecological aspects of the three herbivore species, described above, are put in the context of the Tasmanian forestry industry, particularly in relation to management of herbivore browsing damage to planted seedlings. Based on this work, I suggest that future management strategies could involve: (1) reducing fragmentation of the natural environment, which supports small home-ranges and high macropod densities, by designing larger, rounder plantations; (2) considering the placement of plantations in relation to the proximity of open (feeding grounds) and closed (shelter) habitats; (3) reducing or removing windrows from newly established plantations to restrict pademelons to the plantation edge; (4) deliberately retaining groundcover or using cover crops to provision herbivores with an alternative food source, as grasses and herbaceous dicots are eaten in preference to Eucalyptus nirens seedlings; (5) recognising that wallabies and pademelons remove a large biomass of groundcover and therefore, could play a positive role in weed control, reducing the need to herbicide plantations; (6) monitoring newly planted plantations at short and regular time intervals so that damage caused by insects versus mammals can be differentiated; and (7) avoiding planting in winter when macropods may have little alternative food to eat on newly established plantations.

O Brasil tem cerca de 133 espécie s e subespécie de primatas, das quais cerca de 35% são endêmicas. A ocupação e destruição cada vez maior dos ambientes naturais somadas a caça e o comércio ilegal de animais silvestres deixou algumas espécies de primatas seriamente ameaçadas de extinção. O presente estudo trata da morfologia do aparelho reprodutor de fêmeas de bugio (Alouatta caraya e Alouatta guariba clamitans), cujos resultados podem subsidiar pesquisas de reprodução visando sua conservação. Dez aparelhos reprodutores foram estudados macro e microscopicamente pelas técnicas de microscopia de luz e microscopia eletrônica de varredura. As idades das fêmeas foram estimadas utilizando-se uma chave dental. Os resultados mostraram que a vulva em Alouatta assemelha-se a genitália externa dos machos. O útero é simples e piriforme, caracterizado por uma cérvix longa. A musculatura cervical mostra-se bem desenvolvida e a musculatura uterina está organizada de uma maneira peculiar. O epitélio vaginal não mostrou sofrer alterações cíclicas. A característica mais significativa foi a presença de grandes quantidades de tecido intersticial glandular nos compactos ovários. De uma maneira geral a morfologia do aparelho reprodutor das fêmeas de bugio mostram similaridades com outras espécies de Platyrrhinii e poucas diferenças interespecíficas (Alouatta caraya-Alouatta gurariba clamitans). / Brazil has about 133 primate?s species and subespecies among which 35% are endemic. The land occupation, the natural environments destruction, hunting and the illegal commerce of wild animals left some species seriously threatened of extinction. The present study deals with the morphology of the reproductive tract of howler monkeys (Alouatta guariba clamitans and Alouatta caraya), wich data can subdize further reproduction researches, aiming its conservation. Ten female reproductive tract were studied microscopically and macroscopically. The age of the animals was estimated using a dental-age key, most of them were sexually mature. Representative fragments of the uterus, ovary, uterine tube and vagina were cut and prepared for histology and scanning electron microscopy. Our data showed that the Alouatta female vulva resembles the external genitalia of the male. The uterus are pyriform and caracterized by a long cervix. The muscular layer of the cervix was well developed and the musculature of the body of the uterus showed a particular organization. The vaginal epitheliium showd no ciclic alterations. The most significant feature found seems to be the presence of abundant glandular interstitial tissue in the compact ovaries. The female reproductive tract morphology of the howler monkey showed similarities with other Platyrrhini and few interespecific (Alouatta guariba clamitans ?Alouatta caraya) differences.

O Brasil tem cerca de 133 espécie s e subespécie de primatas, das quais cerca de 35% são endêmicas. A ocupação e destruição cada vez maior dos ambientes naturais somadas a caça e o comércio ilegal de animais silvestres deixou algumas espécies de primatas seriamente ameaçadas de extinção. O presente estudo trata da morfologia do aparelho reprodutor de fêmeas de bugio (Alouatta caraya e Alouatta guariba clamitans), cujos resultados podem subsidiar pesquisas de reprodução visando sua conservação. Dez aparelhos reprodutores foram estudados macro e microscopicamente pelas técnicas de microscopia de luz e microscopia eletrônica de varredura. As idades das fêmeas foram estimadas utilizando-se uma chave dental. Os resultados mostraram que a vulva em Alouatta assemelha-se a genitália externa dos machos. O útero é simples e piriforme, caracterizado por uma cérvix longa. A musculatura cervical mostra-se bem desenvolvida e a musculatura uterina está organizada de uma maneira peculiar. O epitélio vaginal não mostrou sofrer alterações cíclicas. A característica mais significativa foi a presença de grandes quantidades de tecido intersticial glandular nos compactos ovários. De uma maneira geral a morfologia do aparelho reprodutor das fêmeas de bugio mostram similaridades com outras espécies de Platyrrhinii e poucas diferenças interespecíficas (Alouatta caraya-Alouatta gurariba clamitans). / Brazil has about 133 primate?s species and subespecies among which 35% are endemic. The land occupation, the natural environments destruction, hunting and the illegal commerce of wild animals left some species seriously threatened of extinction. The present study deals with the morphology of the reproductive tract of howler monkeys (Alouatta guariba clamitans and Alouatta caraya), wich data can subdize further reproduction researches, aiming its conservation. Ten female reproductive tract were studied microscopically and macroscopically. The age of the animals was estimated using a dental-age key, most of them were sexually mature. Representative fragments of the uterus, ovary, uterine tube and vagina were cut and prepared for histology and scanning electron microscopy. Our data showed that the Alouatta female vulva resembles the external genitalia of the male. The uterus are pyriform and caracterized by a long cervix. The muscular layer of the cervix was well developed and the musculature of the body of the uterus showed a particular organization. The vaginal epitheliium showd no ciclic alterations. The most significant feature found seems to be the presence of abundant glandular interstitial tissue in the compact ovaries. The female reproductive tract morphology of the howler monkey showed similarities with other Platyrrhini and few interespecific (Alouatta guariba clamitans ?Alouatta caraya) differences.

Os estudos que envolvem o sistema nervoso central (SNC) têm como premissa a necessidade do conhecimento das estruturas que o compõem e da maneira como elas estão organizadas. \"Um diagnóstico inteligente de uma doença do sistema nervoso é inteiramente dependente de um conhecimento sólido sobre anatomia, fisiologia e patologia desse sistema\" (DE LAHUNTA, 1983), e entre os métodos de auxílio na avaliação de problemas neurológicos, um dos mais utilizados é o de técnicas de imagem, entre eles a tomografia computadorizada que também faz parte de nosso estudo. Os objetivos desta pesquisa foram verificar se há diferença na sintopia e topografia do encéfalo nos três tipos de cabeça (dolicocefáicos, braquicefálicos e mesaticefálicos) de cães por meio de cortes transversais e sagitais e a realização também de secções transversais na tomografia para correlacionar a imagem tomográfica com a da peça anatômica com o intuito de se identificar as estruturas com maior precisão. Para este estudo utilizamos vinte e sete cães, sendo 7 dolicocefálicos (25,9%), 14 mesaticefálicos (51,9%) e 6 braquicefálicos (22,2%), destes 16 eram machos (59,2%) e 11 eram fêmeas (40,8%). As secções transversais nas peças e nas tomografias foram feitas com intervalos de aproximadamente 1 centímetro e foram fotografadas para identificação e análise. Os cortes sagitais foram únicos, no plano mediano, em sentido rostro caudal, e uma linha vermelha em direção vertical fora traçada no limite caudal do palato duro para registrarmos sobre qual estrutura encefálica ela passaria para assim verificarmos possíveis alterações na posição do encéfalo. Conclusão: Há diferenças na sintopia e topografia do encéfalo quando se compara a posição dele nos três tipos de cabeça existentes (dolicocefálicos, mesaticefálicos e braquicefálicos). A diferença encontrase mais exatamente na relação entre a posição do lobo frontal e sua proximidade com o bulbo do olho. / The studies that are related to the central nervous system (CNS) have premise, the knowledge of the structures that make part of it and the way that they are organized. \"A smart diagnoses of a nervous system disease is whole dependent of a solid knowledge about anatomy, physiology and pathology of this system\" (DE LAHUNTA, 1983), and between the auxiliary methods in the valuation of neurologic problems one of the most used is the image techniques, between them, the computed tomography, that is part of our study. The aims of this research were verify if there is or not difference in the sintopia and topography of the encephalon in the types of dog\'s heads (dolicocephalics, mesaticephalics and brachcephalics), using transversal and sagital sections and make too tomographic transversal sections to correlate the tomographic image with the anatomy with the objective in the identify the structures with more precision. To this study we used twenty seven dogs, 7 were dolicocefálicos (25,9%), 14 (51,9%) were mesaticephalics and 6 were brachcephalics (22,2%), of them, 16 were males (59,2%) and 11 were females (40,8%). The crosssections and the tomograms was make with about 1 centimeter and was photographic to label and analysis. We made only one sagital section in the median plane, in rostral - caudal course and a vertical red line was traced on the caudal margus of horizontal plate of the hard palate to record on what encephalic structure it will pass, to verify possible alterations on the encephalon position. Conclusion: there is difference in the sintopia and topography of the encephalon when his position is compared in the three types of heads (dolicocephalics, mesaticephalics and brachcephalics dogs). The difference is present more exactly in the relation between the position of the frontal lobe and his proximity with the eye bulb.

O uso da digitalização e da impressão tridimensional (3D) com a produção de biomodelos que possam ser usados em aulas práticas das disciplinas de anatomia veterinária no Brasil é uma ferramenta inovadora. O acesso dos alunos a essa material didático pode representar um aspecto importante no aprendizado da anatomia de animais domésticos. Neste estudo, foi utilizado um scanner que faz a captura tridimensional das imagens e uma impressora 3D que realiza a impressão por deposição de material fundido (FDM) para produzir modelos esqueléticos de do membro torácico do equino. Foram usados a escápula, o úmero, radio e ulna, ossos do carpo e falanges usada para produzir modelos digitais. Estes foram então usados para produzir modelos físicos através da impressão, realizada em várias escalas. As características anatômicas dos modelos impressos tridimensionais (3D) foram então comparadas com as dos ossos do esqueleto original. Os resultados deste estudo demonstraram que os biomodelos de animais podem ser rapidamente produzidos usando a tecnologia de impressão 3D. Em termos de precisão entre os biomodelos e as peças anatômicas originais não houve diferença significativa na estatística. Todas as características, exceto o forame nutrício, puderam ser identificadas nas cópias impressas em 3D. / The use of three-dimensional (3D) scanning and printing for the production of biomodels that can be used in practical classes of veterinary anatomy disciplines in Brazil is an innovative tool. The students ease of access to this teaching material can be an important aspect of learning the anatomy of domestic animals. In this study, a scanner was used to capture three-dimensional images and a 3D printer that performs die-cast printing (FDM) was used to produce skeletal models of equines thoracic limb. The scapula, humerus, radius and ulna, carpal bones and phalanges were used to produce digital models and physical models for 3D impressions. The anatomical characteristics of the three-dimensional printed models were then compared with those of the original skeletal bones. The results of this study demonstrated that animal biomodels can be rapidly produced using 3D printing technology. In terms of precision between the biomodels and the original anatomical parts, there was no significant statistical difference. All the characteristics, except for the foramen nutritium, were successfully identified in the 3D printed copies.

This thesis documents the annual profiles of the primary reproductive steroids testosterone (T), 17beta-oestradiol (E2) and progesterone (P4), in the reproductive cycles of male and female blue-tongued lizards, Tiliqua nigrolutea. Data collected from a large captive population over three consecutive reproductive seasons are included. Reproductive cycles are discussed in the context of other viviparous squamate reptiles, while a broader comparative approach is used to consider patterns of steroid biosynthesis and peripheral metabolism. The annual patterns of circulating concentrations of T, E2 and P4 have been characterised for both sexes. In males, peak plasma T (10.9 +/- 3.00 ng ml-1) and E2 (778.0 +/- 120.00 pg ml-1) concentrations occur coincident with late spermatogenesis and observations of mating, respectively. Plasma P4 concentrations remain basal (< 1.2 ng ml-1) throughout the annual reproductive cycle. In females, increasing plasma E2 concentrations (275.2 +/- 33.87 pg ml-1 - 715.1 +/- 106.68 pg ml-1) are associated with vitellogenesis and plasma T peaks (6.3 +/- 0.63 ng ml-1) in the mating and peri-ovulatory period. In pregnant females, plasma P4 concentrations are elevated for the first two thirds of gestation, peaking in the second trimester at 12.7 +/- 1.27 ng ml-1 and falling rapidly prior to parturition. Concurrently, plasma P4 concentrations in non-reproductively active adult females remain basal (1 - 2 ng ml-1) throughout the year. There is good circumstantial evidence for a multiennial reproductive cycle in females. Parturition occurs late in the active season, presumably leaving little time for females to store sufficient fat reserves to become vitellogenic in the following spring: reproductive opportunities are effectively missed in at least one year following a reproductive effort. Observed reproductive behaviours, including agonistic male - male interactions, mating, and parturition, are documented. An investigation of gonadal steroid biosynthetic pathways in this viviparous squamate is presented. This compares variation in the relative contributions of the delta-4 and delta-5 steroidogenic pathways according to sex and reproductive condition. The delta-4 pathway predominates in both sexes, aligning this species phylogenetically with other reptiles. However, there are clear differences between sexes and with changing reproductive condition in the patterns of production of pathway intermediates and end-products. Additionally, detection of a possibly novel polar steroid as a major end-product of steroid biosynthesis in both sexes is reported. Peripheral (extragonadal) metabolism of T and E2 in a number of reproductively relevant steroid target tissues is compared at times of year chosen to represent three clearly distinctive reproductive conditions in each sex. There are differences both between sexes, between tissue types and with changing reproductive condition in the relative proportions of steroid conjugates and non-conjugated derivatives produced. Biosynthetic pathway activity and peripheral steroid metabolism both appear to be plastic in response to changing reproductive condition in Tiliqua nigrolutea. With a comprehensive database of information about the reproductive endocrinology and physiology of Tiliqua nigrolutea, this species is now available as a model to further examine selected aspects of the steroid hormone control of reproductive physiology and behaviour in a cool temperate, viviparous reptile.

Thesis (M.A.)--Western Washington University, 2009. / Title from PDF title page (viewed on June 29, 2009). Includes bibliographical references.