Thesis (M.Sc.)--Memorial University of Newfoundland, 2004. / Bibliography: leaves 52-63.

Orientador: José Maurício Barbanti Duarte / Banca: Eveline dos Santos Zanetti / Banca: Maria Emília Franco Oliveira / Resumo: O cervo-do-pantanal (Blastocerus dichotomus) é uma espécie emblemática dentro dos cervídeos neotropicais. Nas últimas décadas, suas populações têm sofrido declínio notório devido, principalmente, à destruição do seu habitat. Isto causa a perda da diversidade genética, que junto à depressão endogâmica (pelo isolamento de pequenas populações) pode levar à espécie a extinções locais. Nesse contexto, as técnicas de reprodução assistida podem auxiliar no processo de manutenção da diversidade genética nestas populações isoladas. Desta forma, o objetivo deste estudo foi elaborar um protocolo de superovulação para cervo-do-pantanal em cativeiro. Assim, foram testados protocolos sucessivamente (A, B, C) até que fossem obtidos resultados satisfatórios. Para que se pudesse chegar a um protocolo viável, foram testadas três combinações farmacológicas. Tratamento A: CIDR® durante sete dias, seguido de 0,5 mg de BE e 0,11 mg de GnRH no dia 0, 800UI de eCG no dia 5 após inserção do CIDR®, 530 µg de PGF2α no dia 7 e 0,11 mg de GnRH logo após a detecção do estro, para a indução da ovulação. Tratamento B: CIDR® durante oito dias, seguido de 0,5 mg de BE e 0,11 mg de GnRH no dia 0, 1200UI de eCG no dia 5 após inserção do CIDR®, 530 µg de PGF2α no dia 8 e 0,11 mg de GnRH logo após a detecção do estro, para a indução da ovulação. Tratamento C: CIDR® durante oito dias, seguido de 0,5 mg de BE e 0,11 mg de GnRH no dia 0, 1200UI de eCG no dia 5 após inserção do CIDR®, 530 µg de PGF2α no dia 8 e 2,5 m... (Resumo completo, clicar acesso eletrônico abaixo) / Abstract: The marsh deer (Blastocerus dichotomus) is an emblematic species within the neotropical deer. In the last decades, their populations have suffered a notable decline due, mainly, to the destruction of their habitat. This causes loss of genetic diversity, which together with inbreeding depression (by the isolation of many small populations) can lead this species to local extinctions. In this context, assisted reproduction techniques can help in the process of maintaining genetic diversity in these isolated populations. Thus, the aim of this study was to elaborate a superovulation protocol for captive marsh deer. Therefore, protocols were successively tested (A, B, C) until satisfactory results were obtained. To be able to achieve a viable protocol, three pharmacological combination were tested. Treatment A: CIDR® for 7 days, followed by 0.5 mg of EB and 0.11 mg of GnRH on D0, 800IU of eCG on day 5 after CIDR® insertion, 530 µg PGF2α on day 7, and 0.11 mg of GnRH soon after estrus detection, for ovulation induction. Treatment B: CIDR® for 8 days, followed by 0.5 mg of EB and 0.11 mg of GnRH on D0, 1200IU of eCG on day 5 after CIDR® insertion, 530 µg PGF2α on day 8, and 0.11 mg of GnRH soon after estrus detection, for ovulation induction. Treatment C: CIDR® for 8 days, followed by 0.5 mg of EB and 0.11 mg of GnRH on D0, 1200IU of eCG on day 5 after CIDR® insertion, 530 µg PGF2α on day 8, and 0.25 mg of LH, between 12-18 hours post estrus detection, for ovulation induction. Estrus detection was performed with the aid of a male, and copulation was allowed. Eight days after copulation, CL and anovulatory follicles were counted through median ventral laparotomy, as well as the collection of embryos. Treatment A resulted in 2 CL. Treatment B resul... (Complete abstract click electronic access below) / Mestre

By performing a comparative analysis and using phylogenetic relationships of the Cervidaefamily this study aimed to address whether or not sexual selection may play a role in the extinctionof species by making species more vulnerable to extinction. The role of sexual selection in makingspecies more vulnerable to extinction is largely unexplored, and several factors such as ecologicaland life history traits may increase the risk of extinction.In all species of the family Cervidae (Gilbert et al. 2006, Geist 1998,Groves and Grubb2011,Meijaardand Groves2004,Price et al. 2005, Goss 1983) sexually selected characters plays amain role in determining species status and thus potentially their probability of extinction. In thisstudy the intensity of sexual selection (measured as sexual size dimorphism, antler size and matingsystem) and the rate of extinction (IUCN classification and anthropogenic effect) were counted asfactors to determine the role of sexual selection intensity in both species-rich and species-poorclades.By using the programme MESQUITE and phylogenetic trees, the results show an associationbetween species with larger body size and dimorphism, living in open habitats and having largerantler size expanded to more than three tines; such species are mostly non-territorial and formharems during the rutting season. The small species are territorial, live in closed habitats, aremonomorphic and have small antler size limited to two tines or less. Moreover species that aremore subjected to habitat degradation and anthropogenic effects tend to become smaller in size.Extinction risk for the species-rich clades with small sized, territorial and small antler sizedspecies is lower than for those consisting of species with larger antler size, larger body size, livingin open habitats and using harems as mating system.To sum up, the intensity of sexual selection in larger species in deer family put them in risk ofextinction; but on the other site, small species are more adapted to the environment by choosingdifferent strategy in mating system, and reducing antler and body size thus diminishing theextinction risk.

Diss. (sammanfattning) Uppsala : Sveriges lantbruksuniversitet, 2004. / Härtill 5 uppsatser.

Preserving viability of frozen gametes and reproductive tissues is crucial to understand and overcome species-specificities in respect to the diversity in cryobiological properties and requirements among cell types and tissues. The use of different animal models to study ovarian tissue cryopreservation will help to uncover several important factors related to germ cells preservation. Horses (Equus ferus caballus) have been proven to be an excellent model for reproductive biology studies with implications for humans. White-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus) are one of the most abundant wild species in the United States, but little information about their reproductive features are known. Therefore, five studies were conducted in this Dissertation with the following general objectives: (i) to develop ovarian tissue cryopreservation techniques for horses and white-tailed deer species; and (ii) to determine the effects of ovarian tissue cryopreservation techniques on morphological and molecular mechanisms related to folliculogenesis in horse and white-tailed deer species. In study one, equine ovarian tissue was used to determine the ideal ovarian fragment size for better cooling resistance under storage at 4°C. In study two, equine ovarian tissues were used to determine the toxicity effect of cryoprotective agents on ovarian tissue pre- and post-cryopreservation. In study three, equine ovarian tissues were used to compare slow-freezing versus vitrification; and to determine the best cryoprotective agents for each cryopreservation method. In study four, white-tailed deer reproductive tracts were used to characterize the age effect on reproductive features. In study five, white-tailed deer ovarian tissue was used to compare slow-freezing versus vitrification methods to preserve preantral follicles under in vitro culture. The main findings of the horse studies were: (i) equine ovarian tissue can be stored at 4°C for up to 24 h when biopsy ovarian fragments are used; (ii) ethylene glycol seems to be a less harmful cryoprotectant agent to equine preantral follicles; and (iii) both slow-freezing and vitrification methods similarly preserved the follicle morphology after time of culture. The main findings of the white-tailed deer studies were: (i) aging caused quantitative and qualitative effects on the ovarian reserve of white-tailed deer; (ii) fresh ovarian tissue can be cultured for up to seven days preserving the tissue integrity; and (iii) fragments cryopreserved by vitrification had higher follicle viability during in vitro culture than by the slow-freezing method. In conclusion, this work demonstrated the viability to cryopreserve equine and white-tailed deer ovarian tissue. Furthermore, the frozen-thawed equine and white-tailed deer ovarian tissue can be cultured for up to seven days.

Made available in DSpace on 2016-08-12T18:48:50Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 0 Previous issue date: 2015-11-26. Added 1 bitstream(s) on 2016-08-12T18:51:09Z : No. of bitstreams: 1 000864603.pdf: 999765 bytes, checksum: 44addd5ee8876eb8b895c587d7d4a5a9 (MD5) / O veado-catingueiro (Mazama gouazoubira) e o veado-roxo (Mazama nemorivaga) possuem características morfológicas semelhantes e distribuição parapátrica, que colocaram em dúvida a classificação taxonômica de M. nemorivaga como espécie válida durante muitos anos. Estudos citogenéticos e morfológicos sugerem M. nemorivaga como espécie válida, porém, na maioria dos conceitos de espécie aceitos atualmente, está implícita a ideia de que duas espécies devem ser não apenas geneticamente distintas, mas reprodutivamente isoladas. Este estudo avaliou a presença de isolamento reprodutivo pós-zigótico entre M. gouazoubira e M. nemorivaga como forma de elucidar a classificação taxonômica deste último. Para tal, foram avaliadas as características seminais, histologia testicular e perfis de metabólitos fecais da testosterona de seis animais, frutos de cruzamentos intra e interespecíficos sendo três M. gouazoubira puros (PG), um M. nemorivaga puro (PN) e dois híbridos (H). Ao longo do estudo material seminal e testicular de mais dois animais puros, um M. gouazoubira e um M. nemorivaga foram acrescentados ás análises. Os resultados mostram que cinco dos seis animais puros analisados (PG1, PG2, PG4, PN1 e PN2) tiveram bom desempenho na análise reprodutiva, enquadrando-se nos parâmetros observados para suas respectivas espécies. O híbrido H1 provou-se completamente estéril enquanto que H2 apresentou severa subfertilidade, parâmetros relacionados diretamente com uma baixa secreção de testosterona e estrutura testicular hipoplásica. Acredita-se que a diferença de níveis reprodutivos entre híbridos esteja diretamente relacionada com o sexo de seus parentais. O animal PG3 apresentou péssimo potencial reprodutivo, provavelmente ligado a um defeito congênito não elucidado. Com base nos dados obtidos, é possível sugerir a existência de isolamento reprodutivo entre M. gouazoubira e M. nemorivaga, reforçando a... / The brown brocket deer (Mazamagouazoubira) and the amazonian brown brocket deer (Mazamanemorivaga) have similar morphological features and parapatric distribution, which questioned thetaxonomic classification of M. nemorivagaas a species for many years. Cytogenetic and morphometric studies suggest M. nemorivaga as a valid species but in most species concepts currently accepted is implicit the idea that two species should not only be genetically distinct, but reproductively isolated. This study evaluated the presence of post zygotic reproductive isolation between M. gouazoubira and M. nemorivaga to elucidate the taxonomic classification of the latter. To this end, seminal characteristics, testicular histology and profiles of testosterone of six animals, intra and interespecificbreeding products were evaluated: three pure M. gouazoubira (PG), a pure M. nemorivaga (PN) and two hybrids (H). Throughout the study testicular and seminal material of two pure animals (one M. gouazoubira and one M. nemorivaga) were added in the analyzes. The results show that five of the six purebreds analyzed (PG1, PG2, PG4, PN1 and PN2) performed well in reproductive analysis, fitting the parameters observed for their respective species. The hybrid H1 was completely sterile while H2 showed severe subfertility, parameters directlyrelated with a low secretion of testosterone and testicular hypoplasia. It is believed that the difference of reproductive parameters between the hybridswas directly related to the sex of their parents. The PG3 animal showed bad reproductive potential, probably linked to a birth defect not elucidated. Based on these data it is possible to suggest the existence of reproductive isolation between M. gouazoubira and M. nemorivaga reinforcing the need for revision of these groups to define their taxonomic position

Orientador: José Maurício Barbanti Duarte / Banca: Juan Carranza Almansa / Banca: Ricardo José Garcia Pereira / Resumo: O veado-catingueiro (Mazama gouazoubira) e o veado-roxo (Mazama nemorivaga) possuem características morfológicas semelhantes e distribuição parapátrica, que colocaram em dúvida a classificação taxonômica de M. nemorivaga como espécie válida durante muitos anos. Estudos citogenéticos e morfológicos sugerem M. nemorivaga como espécie válida, porém, na maioria dos conceitos de espécie aceitos atualmente, está implícita a ideia de que duas espécies devem ser não apenas geneticamente distintas, mas reprodutivamente isoladas. Este estudo avaliou a presença de isolamento reprodutivo pós-zigótico entre M. gouazoubira e M. nemorivaga como forma de elucidar a classificação taxonômica deste último. Para tal, foram avaliadas as características seminais, histologia testicular e perfis de metabólitos fecais da testosterona de seis animais, frutos de cruzamentos intra e interespecíficos sendo três M. gouazoubira puros (PG), um M. nemorivaga puro (PN) e dois híbridos (H). Ao longo do estudo material seminal e testicular de mais dois animais puros, um M. gouazoubira e um M. nemorivaga foram acrescentados ás análises. Os resultados mostram que cinco dos seis animais puros analisados (PG1, PG2, PG4, PN1 e PN2) tiveram bom desempenho na análise reprodutiva, enquadrando-se nos parâmetros observados para suas respectivas espécies. O híbrido H1 provou-se completamente estéril enquanto que H2 apresentou severa subfertilidade, parâmetros relacionados diretamente com uma baixa secreção de testosterona e estrutura testicular hipoplásica. Acredita-se que a diferença de níveis reprodutivos entre híbridos esteja diretamente relacionada com o sexo de seus parentais. O animal PG3 apresentou péssimo potencial reprodutivo, provavelmente ligado a um defeito congênito não elucidado. Com base nos dados obtidos, é possível sugerir a existência de isolamento reprodutivo entre M. gouazoubira e M. nemorivaga, reforçando a... / Abstract: The brown brocket deer (Mazamagouazoubira) and the amazonian brown brocket deer (Mazamanemorivaga) have similar morphological features and parapatric distribution, which questioned thetaxonomic classification of M. nemorivagaas a species for many years. Cytogenetic and morphometric studies suggest M. nemorivaga as a valid species but in most species concepts currently accepted is implicit the idea that two species should not only be genetically distinct, but reproductively isolated. This study evaluated the presence of post zygotic reproductive isolation between M. gouazoubira and M. nemorivaga to elucidate the taxonomic classification of the latter. To this end, seminal characteristics, testicular histology and profiles of testosterone of six animals, intra and interespecificbreeding products were evaluated: three pure M. gouazoubira (PG), a pure M. nemorivaga (PN) and two hybrids (H). Throughout the study testicular and seminal material of two pure animals (one M. gouazoubira and one M. nemorivaga) were added in the analyzes. The results show that five of the six purebreds analyzed (PG1, PG2, PG4, PN1 and PN2) performed well in reproductive analysis, fitting the parameters observed for their respective species. The hybrid H1 was completely sterile while H2 showed severe subfertility, parameters directlyrelated with a low secretion of testosterone and testicular hypoplasia. It is believed that the difference of reproductive parameters between the hybridswas directly related to the sex of their parents. The PG3 animal showed bad reproductive potential, probably linked to a birth defect not elucidated. Based on these data it is possible to suggest the existence of reproductive isolation between M. gouazoubira and M. nemorivaga reinforcing the need for revision of these groups to define their taxonomic position / Mestre

Årligen förlorar det svenska skogsbruket 1,25 miljarder kronor till följd avviltbetesskador. Betesskadorna orsakar även försämrad kvalitet på virket ochminskad tillväxt. Konflikten mellan jägare, skogsägare och skogsbolagen ärkopplad till deras olika intressen och värderingar. Syftet med studien var att undersöka skillnaden i toleransnivå gällandebetesskador på tall och gran, ur perspektivet skogsägande jägare och icke-jägare iKalmar län. Studien syftade också till att undersöka om skogsägare gör något föratt minska andelen betesskador på sina fastigheter. Studien genomfördes som en enkätundersökning där empiriska data samlades in.Urvalet i studien kännetecknas av privata skogsägare i Kalmar län som varmedlemmar i Södra Skogsägarna när studien genomfördes. Slutsats i studien bekräftar att skogsägande jägare har en högre toleransnivå motbetesskador. Vidare slutsats visar att båda grupperna gör något för att minskabetesskador.

Comprendre comment évoluent les écosystèmes lors de perturbations majeures de l'environnement nécessite de prendre en compte l'histoire évolutive des espèces, c'est-à-dire leur phylogénie. Dans ce Mémoire de thèse, j'utilise une approche modélisatrice afin d'étudier l'évolution phénotypique en lien avec l'environnement (écomorphologie), approche incluant des données actuelles et fossiles et visant in fine à comprendre comment les écosystèmes se diversifient et s'organisent structurellement et fonctionnellement à l'échelle des temps géologiques. Le cadre historique, fourni par la phylogénie, définit une trame analytique commune à l'étude de taxons actuels et fossiles. Différents outils dédiés, d'une part au traitement de données morphométriques souvent incomplètes, et d'autre part aux études écomorphologiques évolutives dans un contexte phylogénétique, sont développés et discutés. Cette thèse s'articule autour de deux ateliers consacrés à l'étude macroévolutive et macroécologique de grands mammifères « ongulés » : Bovidae, Cervidae, et Equidae. Le premier atelier concerne les ruminants actuels, clade très diversifié et à l'écologie des espèces constitutives connue. Les analyses révèlent des modes évolutifs contrastés entre Cervidae et Bovidae actuels, en fonction des niches écologiques et des caractères écomorphologiques considérés. La diversification moi pliocène des Bovidae africains apparaît corrélée à des évènements globaux, tandis que leur évolution phénotypique révèle des modes de diversification différents selon les habitats. Le second atelier est focalisé sur l'impact d'un événement majeur ayant affecté l'ensemble du pourtour méditerranéen à la limite Miocène- Pliocène, il y a 5,3 millions d'années : la Crise de Salinité Messinienne. Il repose sur l'étude d' « ongulés » fossiles et apporte des précisions sur l'aspect temporel de l'évolution de ces mammifères avant et après cet événement. Les principaux résultats illustrent des variations rapides de la structure phylogénétique des assemblages d'ongulés qu'il est possible de relier au contexte biogéographique et aux variations climatiques locales et régionales. Les renouvellements fauniques (acteurs) et fonctionnels (rôles), initiés dès la fin du Miocène moyen, apparaissent progressifs et non soudains. Les résultats obtenus offrent une meilleure caractérisation et compréhension des réponses évolutives de ces mammifères, grands consommateurs primaires souvent parmi les premiers menacés lors de perturbations climatiques et environnementales majeures / Understanding how ecosystems evolve when facing severe climatic perturbations of the environment requires an historic perspective provided by species phylogenies. In this thesis, I use a modelling framework to investigate the question of the phenotypic evolution of species as an adaptation to the environment (ecomorphology). I combine extant and fossil data to study how ecosystems are diversifying and organizing structurally and functionally on a geological time scale. The historical context provided by the phylogeny defines a unified analytical framework for the study of extant and fossil taxa. Several analytical tools dedicated, on the one hand to deal with missing cases in morphometric studies, and on the other hand to ecomorphological studies in a phylogenetic context, are developed and discussed. This PhD thesis is organized along two main research axes dedicated to the macroevolutionary and macroecological study of three large mammals “ungulate” families: Bovidae, Cervidae, and Equidae. First I focus on extant ruminants, a well diversified clade for which species ecological preferences are well known. The analyses show contrasted evolutionary modes between extant cervids and bovids, depending on the ecological niche and ecomorphological traits under scrutiny. The Mio-Pliocene diversification of African bovids appears to be correlated with global climatic events while their phenotypic evolution shows contrasted evolutionary patterns depending on the habitat. The second axis focuses on the circum Méditerranean impact of a major event that took place at the Miocene-Pliocene boundary, 5.3 million years ago: the Messinian Salinity Crisis. The comparative study of extinct “ungulates” living before and after this event provides some clues about the evolutionary rates and spatial patterns of phylogenetic diversity of these large mammals. The phylogenetic structure of the ungulate communities shows abrupt changes related to the local and regional biogeographic context as well as variations in climate conditions. Meanwhile, progressive faunal (actors) and functional (roles) turnovers are depicted from the beginning of the Late Miocene onward. These results provide a better characterization and understanding of the evolutionary responses to broad climatic and environmental perturbations of these often-threatened, large primary consumer “ungulate” mammals

The locomotor activity of the reindeer is separated into a diurnal and a nocturnal phase which, in turn, consists of a  number of short-term activity bursts. The onset and termination  of diurnal and nocturnal activity are largely in synchrony  with sunrise and sunset. Since the diurnal phase is  longer, total activity is dependent on the photoperiod. Total  activity as well as the number of activity bursts is greater  in Jùne with continuous daylight than in December with 6  hours daylight. In winter, reindeer spent less time feeding  but more time ruminating and resting *than in summer. Synchronization  between individuals was also greatest in winter. It  is concluded that the described changes in the activity  pattern are due to an endogenous component and that this component  further controls food consumption and energy balance  of the reindeer.  Seasonal variations in behavioural patterns are described.  Several specific rutting behavioürs, sexual and agonostic,  emerge in the male during the prerut and persist until after  the rut. The preorbital gland is enlarged and secretory activity  is evident. The rut is cha'tabterized by the sudden appearance  of an odour in the breath of mature males followed a few  later by a strong odour in the urine. These odours persist for  a short time during the most intense period of rut. The amount  of androgen rizes sharply and reaches peak concentrations in  late September - early October, decreasing thereafter. The  described behavioural cues occur with a certain constancy in  time in concecutive seasons.  A quantification of the amounts of secretory epithelia in preorbital,  interdigital, caudal and tarsal glands reveals that  only the preorbital gland is subjected to any seasonal and  sexual variation. The apocrine epithelium in this gland is  most developed in mature males during the rutting season and  seems to be dependent upon the presence of an elevated androgen  concentration. The tarsal gland is the least developed  gland while the interdigital and caudal glands are more welldeveloped  and structurally complex. Scattered apocrine glands  are only developed on the legs, the ventral body, oral angle  and in the rump patch. / digitalisering@umu