Thesis (M. Sc. (Ichthyology & Fisheries Science))--Rhodes University, 2005.

As comunidades da fauna de copépodes de águas intersticiais da zona hiporrêica de um igarapé da Amazônia Central e de um rio da mata atlântica da região Sudeste do Brasil são comparadas quanto à composição, diversidade, e distribuição dos organismos. A relação das espécies identificadas com os fatores abióticos é analisada, com o objetivo de se estabelecer quais são os fatores determinantes para a distribuição das mesmas. Os fatores abióticos mensurados são: temperatura, pH, oxigênio dissolvido e granulometria do sedimento. Na areia grossa, há dominância de copepoditos e do gênero Forficatocaris (uma espécie para a mata atlântica e duas novas para a Amazônia). Essas três espécies e os copepoditos exploram o mesmo tipo de micro-hábitat no substrato. Quando a areia média é o substrato predominante, há o aumento na presença dos outros gêneros, como Potamocaris (uma espécie para a mata atlântica e uma nova espécie para a Amazônia) e Parastenocaris (mata atlântica), além do declínio no número de copepoditos. Há uma relação direta entre a temperatura e a distribuição dos microcrustáceos, ocorrendo o predomínio destes animais em temperaturas mais baixas. Há diferenças significativas dos valores de pH quando comparadas localidades distintas (Amazônia e mata atlântica); no entanto, quando comparadas as estações seca e chuvosa de um mesmo local, essa diferença não aparece. Sugere-se que o pH influencie na composição das espécies, e não em sua distribuição. Há um número similar de espécies ocupando os dois ambientes e um padrão de distribuição da fauna hiporrêica. Estas semelhanças apontam para a existência de padrões na estrutura e funcionamento destas comunidades naturais de microcrustáceos intersticiais, moldadas por pressões seletivas parecidas. / The assemblages of the copepod fauna from interstitial waters in the hyporheic zones from a stream in Central Amazon and a stream in the Atlantic rainforest of southeastern Brazil were compared in terms of composition, diversity and organism distribution. The relation of the identified species with abiotic factors was analyzed, aiming at establishing which factors were determinant for their distribution. The abiotic factors analyzed were: temperature, pH, dissolved oxygen, and sediment granulometry. In thick sand, there is predominance of copepodites and of the genus Forficatocaris (one species found in the Atlantic rainforest and two new species in the Amazon). These three species of Forficatocaris and the copepodites explore the same kind of microhabitat in the sediment. When medium size of sand grains prevail, there is an increase in the presence of other genera, such as Potamocaris (one species for the Atlantic rainforest and one new species for the Amazon) and Parastenocaris (Atlantic rainforest), besides a decline in number of copepodites. There is a direct ratio between the temperature and the distribution of microcrustaceans, with a predominance of these invertebrates in lower temperatures. There are significant differences in pH values when both localities (Amazon and Atlantic rainforest) are compared; however, comparisons between seasons (lower rainfall versus rainy periods) in a same location did not yield differences. It is suggested that the pH influences species composition, but not species distribution. There is a similar number of species inhabiting both environments and a distribution pattern for the hyporheic fauna. These similarities point at the existence of patterns in the structure and behavior in these natural communities of interstitial microcrustaceans, molded by similar selective pressures.

Neste trabalho foi avaliado como caranguejos Ucides cordatus, provenientes de ambientes preservados e impactados pela ação antrópica, respondem a exposição ao cádmio através da regulação da expressão da HSP70 (Heat Shock Proteins). O caranguejo de manguezal Ucides cordatus é uma espécie típica de ambiente estuarino, amplamente utilizado como recurso pesqueiro pelas comunidades locais. Vários estudos já foram desenvolvidos, tratando a maioria deles da sua dinâmica populacional ou aspectos de manejo. Por isso, a avaliação do seu estado fisiológico se faz importante para a complementação destes estudos ecológicos bem como na identificação dos impactos causados à sobrevivência desses organismos pela ação antrópica. Para avaliar a influência dos poluentes foram escolhidas duas áreas para coleta no litoral de São Paulo. Uma área impactada, Cubatão, e outra bem preservada, Juréia. Os animais foram expostos a 5mg/L de cloreto de cádmio, diluído na água dos aquários por até 24 horas, em intervalos de tempo de 30 minutos, 1, 2, 6 e 12 horas. A expressão de HSP70 foi medida no hepatopâncreas e brânquias através de imunoensaios utilizando o método ELISA. Foi observado que a sobrevivência dos organismos é influenciada pela manutenção em laboratório durante aclimatização bem como pela exposição ao cádmio, entretanto, os organismos provenientes de áreas preservadas se mostram mais responsivos ao estresse. A regulação de HSP70 foi pouco alterada em ambos os grupos e nos diferentes órgãos, não sendo considerada como um bom biomarcador para este tipo de estresse no organismo modelo utilizado / This study evaluated how the crab Ucides cordatus from impacted and preserved environments responds to cadmium exposure through the expression of HSP70 (Heat Shock Proteins). The mangrove crab Ucides cordatus is an estuarine specimen, tipically used as fishing resource by local communities. Several studies have been developed, most of them dealing with population dynamics and management aspects. Therefore, it is important to comprehend their physiological status to complement these ecological studies and to understand the impact caused by human action in the survival of these organisms. The species was collected in two different areas of São Paulo coast, polluted and conserved areas, Cubatão and Juréia, respectively. These two sites were chosen to evaluate the influence of pollutants in the organism physiology. At the laboratory the animals were exposed to 5mg/L of cadmium chloride, diluted directly in the water. After an interval of 30 minutes, 1, 2, 6 and 12 hours, HSP70 expression was measured in the hepatopancreas and gills using immunoassays through ELISA method. It was observed that the survival of the organisms was influenced by laboratory management as well as by exposure to cadmium, however, the organism from preserved areas were more responsive to stress. The regulation of HSP70 was little changed in both groups and in different organs, so maybe it should not be considered as a good biomarker for this type of stress

M.Sc. / A general introduction provides the foremost morphological characteristics of the genus. A breeding colony of Argulus japonicus was kept under laboratory conditions in order to study sperm transfer. Pairs in copula were studied with histology and scanning electron microscopy. Sections of copulating pairs revealed sperm on the accessory copulatory structures of the male; and scanning electron microscopy showed that sperm transfer occurs in three phases which can be differentiated to ten different stages. Sperm transfer occurs via a spermatophore in A. japonicus. This is the first observation of a spermatophore in Argulus. For the second part of this study, seven specimens of an unknown freshwater ectoparasitic crustacean were collected from red tilapia fish, kept for consumption at the “Langat Fishing, Seafood and Beer Garden” Restaurant just off the Langat River in Selangor, Malaysia. Initial investigation showed that the specimens were of the genus Argulus. Light and scanning electron microscopical studies were subsequently used to identify the species. A comparison with all Argulus species formerly described from Asia and the surrounding islands was conducted. The species was identified as Argulus coregoni, due to the presence of the roughly triangular shaped anterior respiratory areas and the kidney bean shaped posterior respiratory areas. Additionally, the abdomen with sharply pointed terminal ends as well as the presence of characteristic accessory protrusions on the second ii swimming leg of the male specimens confirmed this identification. This species has not previously been described from Malaysia. The final chapter of this dissertation contains an overall summative discussion of the different parts of this study and highlights future possible research avenues.

No description available.

Ph.D. / The Branchiura is a group of ectoparasitic crustaceans which infect mostly fishes. The subclass contains four genera including Argulus, Chonopeltis, Dolops and Dipteropeltis. Despite their reputation as pests our understanding of their biology is meager. In the first part of the study the anatomy and physiology is described. The species studied include Argulus japonicus, Dolops ranarum and Chonopeltis australis. Live specimens of A. japonicus, D. ranarum and Chonopeltis australis were collected, fixed in Todd‟s fixative and processed for transmission electron microscopy. The results gleaned from A. japonicus and D. ranarum indicated that the ultrastructure and physiology of the cells were similar to the digestive epithelia of free-living copepods. The anterior midgut consists of Resorptive cells (R cells) and the enteral diverticula consist of two cell types including R and Fibril cells (F). The R cells contain lipid droplets and F cells contain rough endoplasmic reticulum indicating that the absorption of nutrients and digestion occurs in the anterior midgut and enteral diverticula. The lipid droplets in both species are large in size and number. Blister cells/B cells and R‟ (apostrophe) cells occur in the posterior midgut and are involved in the processing of digestive waste. The results from C. australis were different from A. japonicus and D. ranarum and reveal the possible presence of F/R cells with multiple functions of both absorption and enzyme secretion. The cells contain few lipid droplets and instead contain many hexagonal-shaped crystalline structures that are interpreted to be proteinaceous. The differences in diet are thought to be influenced by morphological differences in the feeding appendages. The second part of the study involved the supraoesophageal ganglion or brain of C. australis. This genus is unique among the Crustacea since the antennules are absent. This trait poses implications regarding the brain morphology since particular parts of the brain impart nerves that innervate certain appendages in arthropods. Specifically the deutocerebrum or midbrain innervates the antennules. A study was conducted to discover whether the antennular nerves were absent. Specimens of C. australis were fixed in AFA, sectioned and stained with Heidenhain‟s AZAN. Results showed that the antennular nerves were absent and the deutocerebrum was smaller in comparison to the other brain segments indicating degeneration. Moreover, C. australis possesses a reduced number of sensory sensilla on its external surface compared to related genera. The loss of antennules does not affect its sensory capabilities in host searching. However, the reduced numbers of sensilla and its feeble swimming capabilities are more likely to reduce its efficiency in host searching.

Orientador: Adilson Fransozo / Resumo: O camarão barba ruça Artemesia longinaris é um importante integrante da cadeia trófica marinha, porém o aumento da frota pesqueira e a consequente diminuição dos estoques de camarões considerados mais rentáveis comercialmente ocasionaram uma expansão na exploração de A. longinaris. Este camarão possui distribuição restrita ao Atlântico Ocidental, do Rio de Janeiro (Brasil) até a Argentina, podendo ser capturado a partir de águas rasas até 30 metros. O presente estudo tem como objetivo identificar a influência dos fatores ambientais na distribuição e os aspectos da biologia do camarão barba-ruça Artemesia longinaris , comparando com os resultados obtidos em um intervalo de 20 anos na enseada de Ubatuba. As coletas estão sendo realizadas mensalmente em 5 transectos, com o auxílio de um barco de pesca comercial, equipado com duas redes de arrasto do tipo "double-rig" (mexicana), cujas distancias entre-nós na panagem e no saco da rede são de, respectivamente, 12 e 10mm. Após cada arrasto os animais são acondicionados em caixas térmicas para posteriormente serem identificados, contados, medidos e classificados quanto ao estágio de desenvolvimento das gônadas, em laboratório. Em cada transecto, amostras de água estão sendo coletadas para mensurar a temperatura de fundo, temperatura de superfície, salinidade de fundo e de sedimento para verificar teor de matéria orgânica e phi. Os dados serão analisados para definir padrões de distribuição espaço-temporais, influências de fatores am... (Resumo completo, clicar acesso eletrônico abaixo) / Mestre

Graduation date: 1967

Investigations into the phylogeny, genome size, and karyotype of microsporidian Nadeispora canceri were initiated to further characterize the organism. Isolates of N. canceri spores were obtained from both Dungeness (Cancer magisrer) and red rock crabs (Cancer productus). Analysis of the ssu rDNA sequence from spore isolates of the two crab species showed 100% sequence identity among 1,081 nucleotide positions, indicating the same species of microsporidian is infecting both species of crabs. Phylogenetic studies based on the ssu rDNA sequences also showed N. canceri to be most closely related to another crustacean parasite, A meson michaelis. Sequence comparison between the two microsporidian species showed 93% sequence identity (1,001/1081 nucleotide positions). Pulsed field gel electrophoresis was used to estimate the genome size and karyotype of N. canceri isolates obtained from Dungeness and red rock crabs. Resolution of DNA bands on the pulsed field gels revealed both isolates to have a karyotype often chromosome-sized DNA bands. Estimation of the genome size revealed spore isolates from C. magister to have a total genome size of 7.44 Mb and spore isolates from C. productus to have a total genome size of 7.32 Mb. Variations detected in chromosome size culminated in a difference in the genome size between the two isolates. However, the variations in chromosome size were found not to be significant based on the Student's t-test. / Graduation date: 2004

No description available.