This thesis was focused on suitability of selected molecular markers for detection of genetic variability of four species from the family Calliphoridae important in the forensic entomology. A set of eight markers, both mitochondrial (COI, ND6, CytB, CR) and nuclear (RP S12, RP S13, RP L12, PB2), were applied on samples from natural populations of representative species (Calliphora vicina, Lucilia caesar, Lucilia sericata, Phormia regina) most common in the Czech Republic. Level of detected variability was evaluated and compared, both with respect to the particular species as well as their geographic origin.

Submitted by Bruna Rodrigues (bruna92rodrigues@yahoo.com.br) on 2016-09-27T14:16:35Z No. of bitstreams: 1 TeseJBT.pdf: 4183464 bytes, checksum: 396f197737f67452e4dcbb04ae000c10 (MD5) / Approved for entry into archive by Marina Freitas (marinapf@ufscar.br) on 2016-10-10T14:11:45Z (GMT) No. of bitstreams: 1 TeseJBT.pdf: 4183464 bytes, checksum: 396f197737f67452e4dcbb04ae000c10 (MD5) / Approved for entry into archive by Marina Freitas (marinapf@ufscar.br) on 2016-10-10T14:11:56Z (GMT) No. of bitstreams: 1 TeseJBT.pdf: 4183464 bytes, checksum: 396f197737f67452e4dcbb04ae000c10 (MD5) / Made available in DSpace on 2016-10-10T14:12:07Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 TeseJBT.pdf: 4183464 bytes, checksum: 396f197737f67452e4dcbb04ae000c10 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2015-11-27 / Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP) / Parodontidae comprises the genera Parodon, Apareiodon e Saccodon, including 32 valid species. Of these, 16 occur in Brazil, and only ten defined at species level and one at genus level possess available chromosomal data. Due to the lack of cytogenetic data of Parodontidae species from the Tocantins-Araguaia and Jaguaribe river basins, this study analyzed by cytogenetic (classical and molecular) and molecular (DNA Barcode) methods six populations from the Tocantins-Araguaia river basin (Apareiodon cavalcante, Apareiodon sp.1, Apareiodon sp. 2, Apareiodon machrisi, Apareiodon argenteus and Parodon cf. pongoensis) and one species from the Jaguaribe river basin (Apareiodon davisi), in order to contribute to the knowledge of the genetic diversity of the family and assist in the understanding of chromosome evolution of this fish group. For all of the Apareiodon analyzed species was identified conservation in diploid number, distribution pattern of heterochromatic blocks and dispersion pattern of repetitive fraction WAp. However, karyotype formula, active nucleolar organizer regions, location of ribosomal genes 45S and 5S and distribution of satellite DNA pPh2004 sites shown to be variable among the species. The (GATA)n and telomeric (TTAGGG)n sequences exhibited similar pattern in A. cavalcante, Apareiodon sp.1, Apareiodon sp. 2 and A. machrisi. In this work, we described the first reports of ribosomal genes co-location for Parodontidae, being observed in A. cavalcante, Apareiodon sp.1, Apareiodon sp. 2, A. machrisi and A. davisi, and also the polymorphism involving the two ribosomal sequences of A. davisi. Analysis of histones H1 and H4 localization represent the first study of histone genes in the family and showed that the seven collected species have co-location of these sequences in a chromosome pair, occuring one additional site of H1 in A. davisi, and dispersed sites of this sequence by the chromosomes of the species. Chromosomal analysis and DNA Barcode performed in A. cavalcante, Apareiodon sp.1, Apareiodon sp. 2 and A. machrisi showed recent divergence among these individual groups, suggesting that Apareiodon sp. 2 is a possible new species, and Apareiodon sp. 1 is a population of A. machrisi. This work contributed to the knowledge of the genetic diversity of viii Parodontidae, presenting unpublished chromosomal and molecular data of this family. General analysis of chromosomal data of this family revealed conservation of karyotype macrostructure, however, more detailed analyzes indicated the occurrence of a great variety of chromosomal microstructural level. The results presented in this study, along with that available in literature, indicated that this microstructure chromosome diversity is clearly linked to repetitive DNAs dynamics. / Parodontidae é composta pelos gêneros Parodon, Apareiodon e Saccodon, incluindo 32 espécies consideradas válidas. Destas, 16 ocorrem em território brasileiro e apenas 11 possuem dados cromossômicos disponíveis. Considerando a escassez de dados citogenéticos para espécies de Parodontidae das bacias dos rios Tocantins-Araguaia e Jaguaribe, o presente trabalho analisou através de metodologias citogenéticas (clássicas e moleculares) e moleculares (DNA Barcode) seis populações da bacia dos rios Tocantins-Araguaia (Apareiodon cavalcante, Apareiodon sp.1, Apareiodon sp. 2, Apareiodon machrisi, Apareiodon argenteus e Parodon cf. pongoensis) e uma espécie da bacia do rio Jaguaribe (Apareiodon davisi), com o intuito de contribuir para o conhecimento da diversidade genética da família e auxiliar na compreensão da taxonomia e evolução cromossômica desse grupo de peixes. Para todas as espécies de Apareiodon analisadas, foi identificada conservação no número diploide, padrão de distribuição de heterocromatina e padrão de dispersão da fração repetitiva WAp. Entretanto, a fórmula cariotípica, as regiões organizadoras de nucléolo ativas, a localização dos genes ribossomais 45S e 5S e a distribuição dos sítios do DNA satélite pPh2004 mostraram-se variáveis entre as espécies. As sequências (GATA)n e telomérica (TTAGGG)n exibiram padrão similar para A. cavalcante, Apareiodon sp.1, Apareiodon sp. 2, A. machrisi. No presente trabalho foram descritos os primeiros relatos de co-localização de genes ribossomais para Parodontidae, sendo observados em A. cavalcante, Apareiodon sp.1, Apareiodon sp. 2, A. machrisi e A. davisi, e também do polimorfismo envolvendo as duas sequências ribossomais verificado em A. davisi. As análises da localização das sequências das histonas H1 e H4 representam os primeiros dados de genes histônicos para a família e evidenciaram para as sete espécies coletadas a ocorrência de co-localização destas sequências em um par cromossômico, ocorrendo um sítio adicional de H1 em A. davisi, e sítios dispersos dessa sequência pelos cromossomos das espécies. Análises cromossômicas e de DNA Barcode realizadas para A. cavalcante, Apareiodon sp.1, Apareiodon sp. 2, A. machrisi evidenciaram divergência recente entre esses grupos de indivíduos, vi sugerindo que Apareiodon sp. 2 represente uma possível espécie que carece de descrição taxonômica e Apareiodon sp. 1 seja uma população de A. machrisi. O presente trabalho contribuiu para o conhecimento da diversidade genética de Parodontidae, apresentando dados cromossômicos e moleculares inéditos desta família. Análises gerais dos dados cromossômicos conhecidos para a família revelam conservação da macroestrutura cariotípica, entretanto, análises mais detalhadas evidenciam a ocorrência de uma grande diversidade cromossômica em nível microestrutural. Os resultados apresentados no presente trabalho, juntamente aos disponíveis em literatura, indicam que esta diversidade da microestrutura cromossômica encontra-se claramente associada à dinâmica dos DNAs repetitivos. / 2012/15258-0

Resumo: Os crisopídeos são insetos com grande potencial para uso em programas de controle biológico de pragas agrícolas. Populações de Chrysoperla externa apresentam ampla distribuição geográfica, abrangendo desde o sul dos Estados Unidos até o sul da América do Sul, ocorrendo em diferentes ambientes. Contudo, há relativamente poucos estudos buscando compreender a estrutura genética de agentes de controle biológico, especialmente insetos predadores. Desta forma, os principais objetivos deste trabalho foram caracterizar geneticamente as populações de C. externa por meio de sequências do gene mitocondrial COI e compreender sua estrutura populacional nos municípios amostrados no Estado de São Paulo. Para tanto, indivíduos adultos foram coletados em pomares de citros, e da região torácica foi extraído o DNA total. O gene COI foi amplificado por meio da técnica de PCR e as amostras foram purificadas e sequenciadas. As populações de C. externa analisadas apresentaram elevada diversidade genética, bem distribuída entre os municípios amostrados. Esta homogeneização pode ser decorrência de fluxo gênico, ação antrópica, correntes de ar, proximidade das fazendas com matas nativas e elevado potencial reprodutivo de C. externa. A partir dos resultados obtidos é possível inferir que o agroecossistema, por ser um ambiente homogêneo, esteja contribuindo para a perda de estruturação que havia entre estas populações quando elas viviam em ecossistemas nativos, sendo assim, é fundamental que as populações de C. externa sejam estudas neste ambiente, para que possam ser compreendidas em seu habitat de origem e sem a influência da ação antrópica / Abstract: The green lacewings are insects with great potential for use in programs of biological control of agricultural pests. Populations of Chrysoperla externa are widely distributed geographically, being found from the southern United States until the southern South America, occurring in different environments. However, there are relatively few studies trying to understand the genetic structure of biological control agents, especially predatory insects. Thus, the main objectives of this work were to characterize genetically the populations of C. externa through COI mitochondrial gene sequences and to understand its population structure in sampled municipalities in the State of São Paulo. For this purpose, adult individuals were collected in citrus orchards, and from its torax were extracted the total DNA. The COI gene was amplified by PCR and the samples were purified and sequenced. The populations showed high genetic diversity, well distributed among the municipalities. This homogenization may be due to gene flow, human action, action of winds, proximity of farms to native forests, and high reproductive potential of C. externa. From the results, is possible to infer that the agroecosystem, a homogeneous environment, may be contributing to the loss of structure that existed among the populations when they lived in native ecosystems, and therefore, the populations of C. externa must be studied in this environment, so they could be understood in its natural habitat and without the influence of the human action / Orientador: Sérgio de Freitas / Coorientador: Adriana Coletto Morales / Banca: Sergio Antonio de Bortoli / Banca: Fernando de Faria Franco / Mestre

The aim of this work is to critically review the anatomical and morphological characters being currently used in the determination of Central European species of the genus Anisus and to confront them with molecular characters. For the molecular analysis mitochondrial genes for 16S rRNA and cytochrome c oxidase - subunit I (COI) were used. DNA analysis showed that known species occuring in the Czech Republic form well distinguishable genetic lines. Subsequent revisions of the anatomical characters of these lines have proven that these characters are due to their variability not suitable for determination, especially for the differentiating of the species A. spirorbis and A. leucostoma. The conchological characters have proven more suitable, especially the ratio of the size of the last and penultimate whorl. With the help of this character, we can safely determine a population within which there are transitional forms in other morphological and anatomical characters.

Insect species complexes challenge entomologists in a variety of ways ranging from quarantine protection to pest management. Billbugs (Coleoptera: Curculionidae: <i>Sphenophorus</i> spp. Schönherr) represent one such species complex that has been problematic from a pest management perspective. These grass-feeding weevils reduce the aesthetic and functional qualities of turfgrass. Sixty-four species of billbugs are native to North America, and at least ten are associated with damage to turfgrass. Billbug species are sympatric in distribution and their species composition and seasonal biology varies regionally. Since their management relies heavily on proper choice of insecticide active ingredients and timing of insecticide applications that target specific life stages, understanding billbug seasonal biology underpins the development of efficient management programs. However, billbug seasonal biology investigations are currently hindered by our inability to identify the damaging larval stage to species level. DNA barcoding, which involves the use of short DNA sequences that are unique for each species, represents one potential tool that can aid these efforts. By combining DNA-based species identification with morphometric measures capable of serving as a proxy of larval development, it may be possible to gain a more holistic understanding of billbug seasonal biology. In this study, we developed a DNA barcoding reference library using cytochrome oxidase subunit 1 (COI) sequences from morphologically identified adult billbugs collected across Indiana, Missouri, Arizona, and Utah. Next, we applied our reference library for comparison and identification of unknown larval specimens collected across the growing season in Utah and Indiana. We then used a combination of DNA barcoding and larval head capsule diameters acquired from samples collected across a short span of the growing season to produce larval phenology maps. Adult billbug COI sequences varied within species, but the variation was not shaped by geography, indicating that this locus itself could resolve larval species identity. Overlaid with head capsule diameter data from specimens collected across the growing season, a better understanding of billbug species composition and seasonal biology emerged. This knowledge will provide researchers with the tools necessary to fill critical gaps in our understanding of billbug biology thereby improving turfgrass pest management. Using this approach researchers will be able to support efforts to provide growers with the information necessary to develop more prescriptive, location-based management programs and reduce the ecological footprint of turfgrass pest management.

The eight southern African King Cricket genera, namely Bochus, Borborothis, Henicus, Libanasa, Libanasidus, Nasidius, Onosandridus, and Onosandrus are redescribed from type and museum material and a key to the genera is provided. Additionally, the status of Libanasidus impicta is investigated and species characteristics confirmed. A key to the two Libanasidus species is also provided. No morphological support for these eight southern African anostostomatid genera was attained with cladistic analysis, despite the incorporation of taxonomically important characters. High levels of homoplasy and possible incorrect species placement, resulting in character ambiguity within genera, renders many of the diagnostic characters of this group ineffective for resolving generic relationships. Genetic data based on the large ribosomal subunit (16S) did provide phylogenetic resolution between six of the genera with good bootstrap support. This confirmed speculation by previous authors as to the ancestral nature of Bochus and Borborothis to other genera within the Anostostomatini tribe, as well as the placement of Libanasa within a separate tribe, the Lutosini. The recent merge of the genus Platysiagon with Libanasa is also provisionally supported. Close association was obtained between Libanasidus and Nasidius with Onosandrus being more related to Bochus and Borborothis, supported by the lack of sexual dimorphism in Onosandrus and Borborothis. The phylogenetic position of the genera Henicus and Onosandridus remains unresolved. It is suggested that the designation of the eight anostostomatid genera in southern Africa are valid, but that species placement within these genera need to be revised to resolve character conflict. Focusing on the genetic and morphometric structuring within the famous Parktown Prawn, Libanasidus vittatus from southern Africa consistently suggests two main population assemblages. These correspond to a large North-South ranging population including individuals west of the prominent escarpment, and a smaller population including individuals from the eastern side of the escarpment. COI sequence data recovers two clades representing these two populations with good bootstrap support in likelihood, parsimony, Bayesian and distance analyses. Genetic divergence between the two clades averaged 3.3%, while population parameters estimated using maximum likelihood methods show low migration rates corresponding to less that one female migration per generation. A priori morphometric analyses including PCA&clustering methods show no biologically meaningful variation, suggesting that the two clades recovered represent cryptic sibling species. Inferring a molecular clock of 2% divergence per million years used for sister taxa, signifies isolation of the eastern population at 1.65 mya. A posteriori morphometric analyses confirmed the genetic results, based on 11 size-related measurements. This study provides a starting point for further work on the taxonomy, behaviour and ecology of these fascinating insects. Cytogenetics, multiple genetic loci and geometric morphometrics will provide useful insight into the taxonomic status of the 51 anostostomatid species in southern Africa and is promoted for further studies. / Dissertation (MSc Entomology)--University of Pretoria, 2006. / Zoology and Entomology / unrestricted

In dieser Arbeit wurde die progenetische Evolution der Dinophilidae innerhalb der Eunicida („Polychaeta“, Annelida) sowie der Ursprung weiterer vermutlich progenetischer Arten des Euniciden-Taxons „Dorvilleidae“ (Parapodrilus psammophilus und Microdorvillea sp. n.) mit Hilfe molekularer Daten untersucht. Ein etwa 1800 bp langer Abschnitt der 18S-rDNA wurde erfolgreich von den in Tabelle 1 aufgeführten Arten (s. S. 5-7), mit Ausnahme von Ophryotrocha puerilis und Pusillotrocha akessoni, sequenziert. Von der 28S-rDNA wurde ein etwa 2250 bp langer Abschnitt von Trilobodrilus heideri, Protodorvillea kefersteinii, Eunice sp. und Hyalinoecia tubicola sequenziert. Von den folgenden Arten wurden 488 bzw. 482 bp der CO I bestimmt: Rheomorpha neiswestonovae, Trilobodrilus axi, Trilobodrilus heideri, Ophryotrocha gracilis, Ophryotrocha puerilis, Protodorvillea kefersteinii, Schistomeringos rudolphi, Eunice sp., Marphysa sanguinea, Lumbrineris funchalensis, Hyalinoecia tubicola, Potamodrilus fluviatilis und Sabella crassicornis. Zusätzliche Sequenzen der 18S-rDNA, der 28S-rDNA und der CO I wurden der Datenbank GenBank entnommen. Weitere Sequenzen der 28S-rDNA und der CO I wurden freundlicherweise von Frau Jördens zur Verfügung gestellt. Vor den phylogenetischen Analysen wurden Bereiche unterschiedlicher Variabilität definiert. Unterschiede zwischen den Substitutions-, Transitions-, Transversions- und allgemeinen Mutationsraten sowohl untereinander als auch zwischen den Variabilitätsbereichen sowie Sättigungen wurden ermittelt. Das phylogenetische Signal wurde mittels Likelihood Mapping verdeutlicht. Phylogenetische Analysen der einzelnen Gene sowie in Kombination der beiden nukleären ribosomalen Gene und aller drei Gene wurden durchgeführt. Dabei wurden die Parsimonie-, die ML- und die Bayes´sche Analyse parallel angewendet. Soweit möglich wurden Signifikanztests durchgeführt. Die zum einen die beiden Hypothesen der Monophylie der Eunicida mit und ohne Dinophilidae gegeneinander und zum anderen die beste Lösung gegen diese beiden Hypothesen und die Hypothese einer Monophylie der Taxa der ehemaligen „Archiannelida“ verglichen. Die Voruntersuchungen an den Datensätzen der einzelnen Gene zeigen bei den drei Genen deutliche Unterschiede der Substitutionsraten sowohl zwischen den einzelnen Variabilitätsbereichen als auch untereinander. Die Muster in den beiden Genen der 28S‑rDNA und der 18S-rDNA sind sich relativ ähnlich, allerdings ist die 28S‑rDNA variabler. Die CO I unterscheidet sich deutlich von den beiden anderen Genen in ihrem Muster und in ihrer Variabilität. Es wurde in allen drei Analysen Substitutionsmodelle gewählt die diese Unterschiede adäquat berücksichtigten. In der ML- und der Bayes´schen Analyse wurden die Modelle mittels dem Programm Modeltest bzw. MrModeltest bestimmt. In den Analysen der einzelnen Gene zeichnet sich die 18S-rDNA für diese Fragestellungen durch die beste Auflösung aus. Dieses ist auf die niedrige Variabilität sowie die große Anzahl an OTUs zurückzuführen. Die 28S-rDNA ist in der Auflösung wesentlich besser als die CO I und etwa so gut wie die 18S-rDNA. Die CO I alleine ist für Fragestellungen, die die Phylogenie der höheren taxonomischen Einheiten der Polychaeten betreffen, nicht geeignet. Die Kombination meherer Gene führte ebenfalls zu einer Verbesserung der Auflösung. Dabei wird die Auflösung mit steigender Zahl der Gene besser. Auch in diesen Analysen unterstützen die „posterior probabilities“ mehr Gruppen mit signifikanten Werten und sind immer höher als die BS-Werte. Es konnte gezeigt werden, dass die Verwendung der besten Phylogenie der ML-Analyse als Startbaum in der Bayes´schen Analyse schneller und sicherer ins stabile optimale Gleichgewicht führt. Es wird daher empfohlen, diese Option wenigstens als Test für die Etablierung des stabilen optimalen Gleichgewichtes in zukünftigen Analysen zu verwenden. Die molekularen Daten lehnen eine nähere Verwandtschaft der Dinophilidae zu den Eunicida sowie zu den Taxa der ehemaligen „Archiannelida“ mit hoher Wahrscheinlichkeit, allerdings nicht signifikant, ab. Eine mögliche Verwandtschaft zu einem in die Analysen nicht eingegangenem Taxon der Eunicida kann nicht ausgeschlossen werden, da die Monophylie der Eunicida nur in den Analysen aller drei Gene bestätigt wird. Ebenfalls kann eine nähere Verwandtschaft der Dinophilidae zu einem anderen Taxon der „Polychaeta“ nicht mit signifikanter Unterstützung nachgewiesen werden. Da weder die molekularen noch die morphologischen Daten zurzeit eine eindeutige systematische Einordnung der Dinophilidae innerhalb der „Polychaeta“ erlauben, sollten die Dinophilidae wieder als eigenständiges Taxon innerhalb der „Polychaeta“ geführt und keinem anderen Taxon zugeordnet werden. Der progenetische Urspung der Dinophilidae ist aufgrund morphologischer Untersuchungen gut belegt. Die enge Verwandtschaft sowohl von Parapodrilus psammophilus als auch Microdorvillea sp. n. zu großen kiefertragenden Dorvilleiden mit polytrochen Larven wird mit signifikanten Werten in allen Analysen unterstützt. Die molekularen Daten unterstützen somit die vermutete progenetische Evolution von wenigstens Parapodrilus psammophilus. Dadurch dass die Dinophilidae mit hoher Wahrscheinlichkeit nicht in die „Dorvilleidae“ oder Eunicida eingeordnet werden können, ist auch die systematische Einordnung der Gattungen ohne muskulöses Pharynx-Organ (Apodotrocha und Apharyngtus) in die „Dorvilleidae“ nicht mehr mit eindeutiger Sicherheit gegeben. Sie wurden aufgrund der gleichen morphologischen Merkmale wie die Dinophilidae den „Dorvilleidae“ zu geordnet. Die molekular-phylogenetischen Analysen unterstützen nur in den kombinierten Analysen aller drei Gene die Monophylie der Eunicida. Dieser ist wahrscheinlich auf die „explosive Radiation“ dieses Taxons sowie der Taxa der Polychaeten im Allgemeinen zurückzuführen. Die nahe Verwandtschaft von Eunicidae und Onuphidae wird in allen Analysen, außer in denen mit der CO I, signifikant unterstützt. Die molekularen Daten unterstützen eine Monophylie der „Dorvilleidae“ nicht. Da der ctenognathe Kieferapparat der „Dorvilleidae“ sehr wahrscheinlich ein plesiomorphes Merkmal innerhalb der Eunicida ist, wird das Taxon auch morphologisch durch kein autapomorphes Merkmal charakterisiert. Die „Dorvilleidae“ sollten deshalb als parapyhletisch innerhalb der Eunicida betrachtet werden und mit Anführungsstrichen geführt werden. Die systematische Position der Histriobdellidae innerhalb der Eunicida kann basierend auf den Analysen der 18S-rDNA nicht eindeutig geklärt werden. Allerdings legt die Analyse, die eine Monophylie der Eunicida ohne Dinophilidae erzwingt, eine Verwandtschaft mit Ophryotrocha gracilis nahe. Zukünftige molekular-phylogenetische Analysen sowohl die Phylogenie der Annelida und im Besonderen der Eunicida als auch die systematische Einordnung der Dinophilidae betreffend sollten vor allem bei den Genen der 28S-rDNA und CO I noch mehr Taxa und Arten umfassen, um der geringen Auflösung der basalen Verzweigungen in allen Analysen und Problemen wie der „long branch attraction“ in zwei der Analysen mit der 28S-rDNA besser zu begegnen. Ferner sollte der Datensatz noch um andere Gene, wie zum Beispiel dem Elongationsfaktor 1a oder den Histonen, mit einer möglichst großen Zahl an Taxa erweitert werden.

Using Learning Management Systems (LMSs) in educational environmentshas facilitated the communication between students and teachers, and raisednew challenges as well. The aim of this research is to investigate the role ofLMS in the learning and teaching processes from students and teachersperspectives. We adopted a social constructivist worldview. We used aninductive qualitative approach, a single case study design and hermeneuticalapproach for analyzing the interviews and observations. We used Garrison etal. (2000) community of inquiry framework as a theoretical guide for thestudy. The research took place at the School of Computer Science, Physicsand mathematics department at Linnaeus University, Växjö campus. Theparticipants of this research were students and teachers from two masterlevels within the program of Information Systems. The study results indicatedthat students and teachers were content with the usage of Blackboard inorganizing courses materials. Although, most teachers didn’t encourageinteractive and discussion activities on Blackboard, students expressed theneed for such activities to help them in constructing and building newmeanings.

The aim of my study was to sum up the data about genetic variability of freshwater gastropods living in temporary ponds. My model species were moss bladder snail (Aplexa hypnorum) and the critically endangered ramshorn snail (Anisus vorticulus). Genetic variability was investigated by two mtDNA and two nuclear markers. The differences in genetic variation at the COI gene follow the pattern of different catchments. However, these findings do not agree with the patterns derived from genetic markers ITS1 and 16S. The reasons for the differences between the different markers are discussed in several ways involving few possible historical scenarios, but also possible errors of laboratory methods. In this study, there was only little success in amplification and the most likely reason is the inhibitory effect of snail mucus on DNA amplification. Another problem that occurred when this work was to obtain the sequence of the parasite (fluke) instead Anisus gene using gastropod specific primers. In addition to genetic and related methodological part of this work is the third part concerning the evaluation of environmental factors periodic pools in the presence and absence of the species studied. The fourth part sis focused on the phylogenetical analyses of the european and american Aplexa linneages. Powered by TCPDF...

Orientador: Lílian Castiglioni-Ruiz / Banca: Fabiano Gazzi Taddei / Banca: Hermione Elly Melara de Campos Bicudo / Resumo: Os camarões do gênero Macrobrachium pertencem à família Palaemonidae. Habitam as proximidades do litoral e, também, ambientes de água doce. Com mais de cem espécies amplamente distribuídas pelas regiões tropicais e subtropicais do mundo, os palemonídeos possuem hábitos crípticos e noturnos. Particularmente na região noroeste do Estado de São Paulo, podemos encontrar várias espécies com importância econômica e ecológica consideráveis. Entretanto, existem poucos estudos na literatura relacionados ao conhecimento da biologia desses crustáceos. Assim, o presente trabalho objetivou analisar a variabilidade genética intra e interpopulacional, de amostras de duas espécies de camarões palemonídeos do gênero Macrobrachium (M. amazonicum e M. jelskii), coletadas em diferentes localidades, utilizando-se a análise das seqüências dos genes mitocondriais COI e rRNA 16S e, ainda, devido à problemática taxonômica existente entre essas duas espécies, também foi analisada a variabilidade genética interespecífica, utilizando-se os mesmos genes.. O cálculo dos índices de divergência genética intrapopulacionais apresentou valores baixos, refletindo uma provável estruturação genética destas populações. Apenas as populações de MjME e do CAUNESP apresentaram valores de divergência genética mais elevados, sugerindo um desequilíbrio na estruturação genética das mesmas, provavelmente causado por interferência antrópica e situação de cativeiro, respectivamente. Nas comparações interpopulacionais, envolvendo M. amazonicum, as taxas de divergência genética apresentaram uma ampla variação, também com média elevada. Os valores elevados nas comparações envolvendo a população do CAUNESP, permitiram descartar a hipótese da provável origem comum das populações de Macrobrachium, a partir de espécimes trazidos do Pará. Da mesma forma, as comparações... (Resumo completo, clicar acesso eletrônico abaixo) / Abstract: The genus Macrobrachium (Bate, 1868) belongs to the Palaemonidae family. Their species are widely distributed in lakes, floodplains and rivers in tropical and subtropical regions of South America, having cryptic and nights habits. This genus presents nearly 210 known species with ecological and economic importance. Particulary in the northwestern state of São Paulo, we can find several species with considerable importance. However, there are few studies related to knowledge of the biology of these crustaceans. The aim this work was to analyze the genetic variability interpopulation, and interspecific of two Macrobrachium species (M. amazonicum and M. jelskii), using the mitochondrial gene sequence COI and 16S rRNA. Also, due to taxonomic problems between these two species we analyzed interspecific genetic variability, using the same genes. The intrapopulation rates of genetic divergence values were low, reflecting a probable genetic structure of these populations. Only populations MjME and CAUNESP showed higher divergence values, suggesting changes in their genetic structure of the same, probably caused by human interference and situation of captivity, respectively. In comparisons inferences involving M. amazonicum, rates of genetic divergence showed a wide range, also with high average. High values in comparisons involving the population of CAUNESP, allowed to reject the hypothesis of a probable common origin of populations the Macrobrachium specimens brought from State of Para. Interpopulation comparisons involving M. jelskii also showed high values of divergence, especially for the population collected from the Mendonça dam, whose genetic alteration in population structure was attributed to the frequent introduction of exotic specimens. The values of interspecific genetic divergence in the samples collected in the same geographic location were low for populations Adolfo (0.3%) ...(Complete abstract click electronic access below) / Mestre