A Dissertation submitted to the Faculty of Science, University of the Witwatersrand, in fulfilment of the requirements for the Degree of Master of Science Johannesburg, 2015 / The Chiniquodontidae is a family of Triassic carnivorous cynodonts well represented in the Middle-Upper Triassic of Argentina and Brazil. Chiniquodontids were more recently discovered in Madagascar and central Namibia, representing the only record of the family outside South America. The Namibian specimen was discovered in the Upper Omingonde Formation and is represented by the skull and a partial skeleton. The new chiniquodontid was identified as Chiniquodon and is diagnosed by the postcranial characteristics identified; a strong bend in the proximal portion of thoracic ribs, reduced curvature of the clavicle, although this may be due to deformation, robustness of the neck of the ilium, differences in the angulation between the edge of the posterior lamina of the ilium and the margin of the neck, and a large ischium, which is more than twice the size of the pubic plate. The postcranial material of the chiniquodontid from Namibia is described and compared with that of South American chiniquodontids. Chiniquodontids lack costal plates on ribs, show a tall and slender scapular blade, a large acromion process positioned well above the scapular neck and absence of disc-like phalanges in the autopodium. The Namibian Chiniquodon provides the first evidence of elements from the pes in chiniquodontids, and one of the few for non-mammaliaform cynodonts. Sedimentological studies confirm that the Upper Omingonde Formation of Namibia represents fluvial deposits of braided and meandering rivers formed in a predominately arid climatic regime during the Middle Triassic.

Fraturas dentárias são enfermidades de alta prevalência entre os carnívoros selvagens, principalmente em animais cativos. Esse tipo de afecção é comum em grandes felídeos, cujos hábitos e aspectos biológicos contribuem para o traumatismo dentário. A superfície dental é capaz de suportar certo limite fisiológico de atrito e, caso esse limite seja superado, há desgaste excessivo das estruturas dentárias que pode evoluir para fratura. O tratamento preconizado envolve endodontia (tratamento de canal) e prostodontia (restauração coronal). Próteses unitárias são aquelas que restauram a coroa de um dente cuja estrutura fora parcial ou totalmente perdida. Foram cimentadas 19 (N=19) restaurações metálicas fundidas (RMF) com auxílio de cimento resinoso dual, dentre as quais, 14 (73%) mantiveram-se fixas ao dente e 5 (27%) foram perdidas, por um ou mais motivos. Em relação ao sexo, um animal era macho (11%) e os 8 demais eram fêmeas (89%). Dentre as perdas protéticas (5 = 100%), uma (20%) ocorreu em período inferior a um mês e 4 (80%) entre 9 e 14 meses. Destas, uma (20%) ocorreu em função de fratura do remanescente dentário e 4 (80%) não se sabe a causa da perda protética. Dentre as próteses mantidas (14 = 100%), um (7%) dos animais morreu durante o estudo e 13 (93%) mantem-se vivos e com as peças protéticas fixas aos dentes. Quando se trata de animais selvagens, devolver a função é o objetivo mais importante da restauração, objetivo principal deste estudo / Dental fractures are highly prevalent among wild carnivores, mainly in captive animals. This type of condition is common in large felids, whose habits and biological aspects contribute to dental trauma. The tooth surface is capable of supporting certain physiological limit of friction, and if this limit is exceeded, there is excessive wear of the dental structures that can lead to fracture. The recommended treatment involves endodontics (root canal treatment) and prosthodontics (coronal restoration). Unitary prostheses are those that restore the crown of a tooth which structure had been partially or completely lost. Among the 19 (N = 19) cemented prostheses in this study with dual ciment, 14 (73%) remained fixed to the tooth and 5 (27%) were lost for one or more reasons. Regarding sex, an animal was male (11%) and 8 others were females (89%). Among the prosthetic losses (5 = 100%), one (20%) occurred in less than one month and 4 (80%) between 9 and 14 months. Of these, one (20%) occurred in the remaining tooth fracture function and 4 (80%) the cause of prosthetic loss was not known. Among the retained prosthesis (14 = 100%), one (7%) of the animals died during the study and 13 (93%) are still alive and the prosthetic pieces still fixed to the teeth. When it comes to wildlife, return the function is the most important goal of the restoration, the main objective of this study

Orientador: Vitor Fernandez Olivera de Miranda / Coorientador: Janete Apparecida Desidério / Banca: Marcos Túlio de Oliveira / Banca: Maurício Bacci Junior / Resumo: A planta carnívora Utricularia gibba (Lentibulariaceae) apresenta um genoma reduzido de aproximadamente 82 Mpb e foi empregada no presente estudo para se investigar a diversidade de cópias da região ITS (nrDNA). Uma das características do nrDNA é que suas cópias em tandem apresentam alto grau de similaridade pela ação homogeneizadora da evolução em concerto. Porém, neste estudo foram encontradas variações intragenômicas, intra e interpopulacionais nas regiões ITS em U. gibba. Com o objetivo de elucidar o impacto dos polimorfismos nos espaçadores ITS1, ITS2 e no gene 5,8S nas análises filogenéticas e filogeográficas, foi clonada a região ITS completa de 25 indivíduos de 5 populações, assim obtidos 292 cópias as quais foram analisadas isoladamente cada região (ITS1, 5,8S e ITS2) e em conjunto. Desta forma foram avaliados o comprimento e o conteúdo das regiões, as variações nucleotídicas e haplotípicas e realizadas análises filogenéticas e filogeográficas. Para determinar a funcionalidade das sequências obtidas foram identificados motifs conservados das regiões ITS1 e 5,8S e para os haplótipos da região ITS2 foi confirmada a sua estrutura secundária por transferibilidade das hélices em estruturas secundárias conhecidas de espécies filogeneticamente relacionadas. Assim, as três regiões apresentaram polimorfismos representados em haplótipos para cada sequência. Os resultados sugerem que todos os diferentes haplótipos presentes em U. gibba são cópias funcionais que podem ser usadas... (Resumo completo, clicar acesso eletrônico abaixo) / Abstract: The aquatic carnivorous plant, Utricularia gibba (Lentibulariaceae) has a small genome of with approximately 82 Mpb and was used in this work for the variance analysis of the copies diversity of the ribosomal DNA ITS region (nrDNA). One of the nrDNA features is that its its copies in tandem ys have present a high degree of similarity in intra individual and interspecies genomes due the homogenizing action of concerted evolution. However, in this study intragenomic, intra, and inter-populational variations were found in ITS1 + 5.8S + ITS2 ITS regions in individuals and populations evaluated. U. gibba. With the main objectiveaim of to elucidate the impact of polymorphisms of thein the intergenic spacers ITS1, ITS2, and gene 5.8S and ITS2 regions in phylogenetic and phylogeographic analyszes, we was cloned the complete ITS region of 25 individuals from 5 populations, thereby obtained 292 clones copies and internal spacers ITS1 and ITS2 and the 5.8S gene were identified, which were analyzed individually (ITS1, 5.8S, and ITS2) and togetherconcatenated. Thus we evaluate the length and GC concentration of the regions, the nucleotide and haplotype variations and achieved phylogenetic and phylogeographic analyzes were madedinferences. To determine test the functionality of the sequences obtained we were searched and compared conserved motifs in spacer ITS1 and 5.8S gene and the haplotypes of spacer ITS2 was evaluated the ITS2 its secondary structure by transferability of helices in known secondary structures known of closely phylogenetically related species. Thus, the three regions showed polymorphisms represented by generating haplotypes for each region. Thise results suggest that the all different haplotypes present in U. gibba are functional copies that can should be used as phylogenetic mark... (Complete abstract click electronic access below) / Mestre

Although the leopard (Panthera pardus) is one of the more successful large carnivores, challenges for leopard conservation emulate those of other more endangered carnivores, and they are a model species for investigating issues affecting carnivore persistence worldwide. This thesis represents a six year study of leopard on the Karongwe Game Reserve, South Africa, which provided a unique opportunity to observe various aspects of behavioural ecology in the absence of prey availability constraints or human persecution. Small, enclosed reserves such as Karongwe make up 16.8% of the total land in South Africa and undertaking sound ecological research in these areas provides valuable data for evidence-based conservation and management. The leopard is notoriously shy and difficult to study and I used free darting and habituation to enhance visual observation, in order to understand the ecological processes influencing leopard reproductive success and survival. My results show that leopard in the high prey area studied, consume almost double the number of ungulates as leopard in similar habitats elsewhere. This generalist predator improved its hunting success by selecting vulnerable prey and selectively hunted in habitats of intermediate density, where preferred prey were most abundant. Ample nutrition played a key role in reproductive health and reduced the duration of reproductive parameters below that previously recorded in the literature. Any additional nutritional input could not translate into increased population growth as females were already reproducing optimally. Female territorial size and habitat selection were determined by the availability of riparian habitat and resources of their preferred prey. Territoriality however was governed by prey biomass. Neighbouring leopards were territorial, sharing little space (average 11% territorial overlap) and hunting five times more often in the core than in the rest of their territory. During periods of prey richness, females became more territorial and there was a positive “bottom up” effect through subadult recruitment. Density-dependent intraspecific and interspecific competition for limited space regulated the population around carrying capacity, and constrained population growth. These results provide fundamental baseline data about leopard in the absence of human disturbance, or prey constraints. They highlight that, although the influence of optimal nutrition is important in the reproductive health and territoriality of leopard, habitat quality and quantity are ultimately what govern leopard carrying capacity and population size. I provide baseline reproductive, carrying capacity and territorial data for agencies developing policy, and for setting priorities in conservation and management, as well as habitat protection and restoration, for not only this species but other threatened species as well. / Thesis (Ph.D.)-University of KwaZulu-Natal, Westville, 2013.

Various aspects of the ecophysiology of rootless carnivorous Utricularia plants were assessed, with focus on nutrient acquisition and mutualistic interactions within trapping organs. The study includes extracellular enzyme measurements, the evaluation of commensal microbial community structure and function, stable isotope labelling to determine plant carbon allocation, and ion chromatography analyses of trap fluid composition

Fraturas dentárias são enfermidades de alta prevalência entre os carnívoros selvagens, principalmente em animais cativos. Esse tipo de afecção é comum em grandes felídeos, cujos hábitos e aspectos biológicos contribuem para o traumatismo dentário. A superfície dental é capaz de suportar certo limite fisiológico de atrito e, caso esse limite seja superado, há desgaste excessivo das estruturas dentárias que pode evoluir para fratura. O tratamento preconizado envolve endodontia (tratamento de canal) e prostodontia (restauração coronal). Próteses unitárias são aquelas que restauram a coroa de um dente cuja estrutura fora parcial ou totalmente perdida. Foram cimentadas 19 (N=19) restaurações metálicas fundidas (RMF) com auxílio de cimento resinoso dual, dentre as quais, 14 (73%) mantiveram-se fixas ao dente e 5 (27%) foram perdidas, por um ou mais motivos. Em relação ao sexo, um animal era macho (11%) e os 8 demais eram fêmeas (89%). Dentre as perdas protéticas (5 = 100%), uma (20%) ocorreu em período inferior a um mês e 4 (80%) entre 9 e 14 meses. Destas, uma (20%) ocorreu em função de fratura do remanescente dentário e 4 (80%) não se sabe a causa da perda protética. Dentre as próteses mantidas (14 = 100%), um (7%) dos animais morreu durante o estudo e 13 (93%) mantem-se vivos e com as peças protéticas fixas aos dentes. Quando se trata de animais selvagens, devolver a função é o objetivo mais importante da restauração, objetivo principal deste estudo / Dental fractures are highly prevalent among wild carnivores, mainly in captive animals. This type of condition is common in large felids, whose habits and biological aspects contribute to dental trauma. The tooth surface is capable of supporting certain physiological limit of friction, and if this limit is exceeded, there is excessive wear of the dental structures that can lead to fracture. The recommended treatment involves endodontics (root canal treatment) and prosthodontics (coronal restoration). Unitary prostheses are those that restore the crown of a tooth which structure had been partially or completely lost. Among the 19 (N = 19) cemented prostheses in this study with dual ciment, 14 (73%) remained fixed to the tooth and 5 (27%) were lost for one or more reasons. Regarding sex, an animal was male (11%) and 8 others were females (89%). Among the prosthetic losses (5 = 100%), one (20%) occurred in less than one month and 4 (80%) between 9 and 14 months. Of these, one (20%) occurred in the remaining tooth fracture function and 4 (80%) the cause of prosthetic loss was not known. Among the retained prosthesis (14 = 100%), one (7%) of the animals died during the study and 13 (93%) are still alive and the prosthetic pieces still fixed to the teeth. When it comes to wildlife, return the function is the most important goal of the restoration, the main objective of this study

Approximately 40% of the world’s flowering plants are categorized as rare and of conservation priority. Carnivorous plants in particular are threatened and sensitive to environmental changes and hence can play a key ecological role in ecosystems, however, remain largely understudied. Drosera rotundifolia is classified as rare throughout North America, particularly in Southern Appalachia with only four known populations in Tennessee. Surprisingly, information on this species’ life history, survival and reproductive strategies is lacking, which limits conservation action. This project aims to fill these knowledge gaps by evaluating spatial variation, and in particular the effect of population size, in determining D. rotundifolia’s survival and reproductive strategies. This information is urgently needed to aid in the preservation of this species. I evaluated variation in germination rate, plant size, prey capture rate, flowering phenology, and mating strategies of D. rotundifolia across eight populations in Southern Appalachia and how this may be affected by population size and elevation. We recorded flower production, prey capture per individual, and plant size for all individuals in up to12 plots per population. We evaluated the degree of selfing, outcrossing and autonomous self-pollination for each population under greenhouse conditions. Approximately 3050 individual plants were observed across all sites with an average size of 26.29 mm ± 9.71mm but with large differences across populations (6.2 mm – 45.84 mm). Average daily prey capture rate was 9.88 insects across all populations but range between 0 insects – 90 insects observed per visit. Elevation seems to have no effect on flowering phenology (time of peak flowering). We found a significant effect of population size on prey capture rate, but it did not affect peak flowering or plant size. Plant size did not affect prey capture rate. Evaluation of reproductive strategies is ongoing. It has been shown that population size plays a key role in mediating reproductive success and genetic diversity within plant populations. Our results however suggest that population size may also play a key role in nutrient acquisition in Carnivorous species, which is key for their survival. Population size and elevation however did not affect flowering phenology or plant size. Larger plants were also no more successful at obtaining prey compared to smaller plants suggesting other important mechanisms are at play. Our results, although preliminary, can have important practical applications for conservation and management efforts in this species.

The impact of nutrient addition on growth and nutrient accumulation in insectivorous plants was studied in field populations and greenhouse plantings. Drosera rotundifolia was studied in the field, and D. binata var. multifida and D. capensis were studied in long-established plantings in the greenhouse. In each case, experiments were performed by enclosing insects and/or adding phosphorus and/or nitrogen to the soil. None of the species significantly benefitted from insect capture nutritionally or energetically in nutrient-poor or rich soils. Added nutrients to the soil or by foliar insect feeding decreased phosphorus retention in hibernacula by 50% (D. rotundifolia). Nutrient additions reduced D. rotundifolia vegetative growth in both N and P addition treatments. In addition, reproductive output (inflorescences) decreased flowering by 98% when N was added to the soil. Nutrient addition to soil increased nutrient concentration significantly in D. rotundifolia (N and P), and to a greater extent in D. capensis (N and P) and D. binata (P), and increased growth in D. capensis (N and P). In natural settings, insectivory was not found to be a significant source of nutrients for the species of Drosera studied. Larger subtropical species such as D. capensis and D. binata var. multifida is found in relatively richer (nutrient) soil than cool temperate species (D. rotundifolia) and are better able to utilize available nutrients in a substrate by high absorption rates and luxury consumption. / Master of Science

O conhecimento da associação entre plantas carnívoras e a comunidade bacteriana pode mostrar uma diversidade ainda não conhecida, além de proporcionar um melhor entendimento dos mecanismos envolvidos na interação de ambas. O objetivo deste trabalho foi avaliar a diversidade microbiana presente em utrículos de Utricularia foliosa através da análise de bibliotecas do gene 16S rRNA obtida por pirosequenciamento. Os resultados indicam que no ponto 1, Proteobacteria (58%), Firmicutes (11%), Cyanobacteria (11%), Acidobacteria (7%), Verrucomicrobia (5%), Actinobacteria (3%) Chlamidiae (2%) e Bacteroidetes (1%) foram os grupos dominantes. Já no ponto 2 houve uma maior presença de Eukaryota (51%), sendo que os grupos mais presentes foram Streptophyta (88%), Bacillariophyta (7%) e Chlorophyta (2%). A grande presença de algas encontradas pode estar relacionada à disponibilidade de nutrientes nos utrículos e gerar um acréscimo de carbono e nitrogênio à cadeia alimentar no interior da armadilha. / Knowledge of the association between carnivorous plants and the bacterial community can show a diversity not yet known, and provide a better understanding of the mechanisms involved in the interaction of both.The aim of this study was to evaluate the microbial diversity present in utricles of Utricularia foliosa and evaluate the effect of plant growth site in this diversity. For this the 16S rRNA gene library was sequenced by pyrosequencing (454-Roche). The results indicate that in point 1, the dominants groups were composed by Proteobacteria (58%), Firmicutes (11%), Cyanobacteria (11%), Acidobacteria (7%), Verrucomicrobia (5% ) Actinobacteria (3%) Chlamidiae (2%) and Bacteroidetes (1%), while in the point 2, Eukaryota (51%), such as Streptophyta (88%), Bacillariophyta (7%) and Chlorophyta (2%) were dominant. The large presence of algae inside the utricles may be related to the availability of nutrients and increase the Carbon and nitrogen level inside the traps, allowing the growth of the plant and also the microbial community in this structures.

Human influence on the environment is becoming increasingly pervasive across the globe, and can drastically impact ecological patterns and processes. For many terrestrial wildlife species, human influence can fragment critical habitat, increase mortality, and threaten habitat connectivity and ultimately the persistence of wildlife populations. This dissertation aims to use multiple conservation ecology methods and tools to test the impact of human influence on the population dynamics of a large carnivore in a human-dominated landscape. To assess the impact of human activity on carnivore ecology, a series of empirical studies were conducted on a small population of American black bear (Ursus americanus) in the Western Great Basin, USA. A long-term dataset including geographic locations of animal habitat choices as well as mortality locations were used in multiple statistical models that tested the response of black bears to human activity. These analyses were conducted at multiple spatial and temporal resolutions to reveal nuances potentially overlooked if analyses were limited to a single resolution. Individual studies, presented as dissertation chapters, examine the relationships between human activity and carnivore ecology. Collectively, the results of these studies find black bear ecology to be highly sensitive to the magnitude and spatial composition of human activity in the Lake Tahoe Basin, observable at both coarse and fine spatial resolutions. The results presented in this study on the influence of human activity on large carnivore population dynamics allow for a more thorough understanding of the various ways common conservation ecology methods and tools can be used to evaluate human-wildlife relationships.