Theileria parva (T. parva) is transmitted from carrier buffalo to cattle causing Corridor disease in cattle. The 989/990 conventional Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) assay used for the detection of T. parva is labour-intensive and has the potential for contamination due to the need for post-amplification handling. Real-time PCR offers a way of addressing these limitations. This thesis describes the development of a TaqMan assay for the detection of T. parva and a comparison between this real-time assay with the real-time Hybridization probe assay and the conventional PCR assay for the diagnosis of T. parva. Theileria general forward and reverse primers and a T. parva TaqMan probe specific for the recognition of a conservative region of the T. parva 18S rRNA gene was designed. The TaqMan PCR assay could detect T. parva DNA at a 2x10-5% parasitaemia with a 93% certainty. The primer pairs and probe only cross-reacted with Theileria sp. (buffalo) and no amplification with other Theileria species, bacteria or related haemoparasites was observed. Theileria sp. (buffalo) is genetically closely related to T. parva. However, its biology and disease relations are not known. The TaqMan probe assay detected 87% of all positive samples for evidence of the diagnostic sensitivity and 100% of all negative samples tested negative for the diagnostic specificity assay. These results were compared with those obtained from 989/990 conventional PCR and BioPAD Hybridization probe PCR which targeted the same gene. The Hybridization probe PCR appeared to be more sensitive than the TaqMan probe PCR or conventional PCR assay. With the specificity test, the Hybridization probe PCR proved to be more specific than the other two assays. All three tests gave similar results for the diagnostic specificity. The TaqMan probe assay with its high sensitivity, wide range of detection ability and simplicity is particularly useful in the detection of T. parva. However, further studies are required to improve the specificity of the TaqMan PCR assay in order to eliminate the detection of Theileria sp. (buffalo).

The exactness of species descriptions in taxonomy, taking only morphology into account, has long been debated over. This is evident in the systematics of parasitic copepods that are mostly based on morphological characteristics. The gap in molecular information of the class Copepoda leaves a hole in the understanding of crustacean systematics and their ecological importance. Due to work done in China by a group of Chinese scientists on the genus Ergasilus (Family Ergasilidae). molecular studies on genera of this family from Africa were used to do the same analysis. Although only some representatives of the family is a threat to the fish populations of Africa, the availability of samples and information on morphological traits make this family a good starting point in the use of molecular work on the parasitic copepods of Africa. The focus of this study is the phylogeny of southern African ergasilids, based on the morphological characteristics coupled with the 28S rDNA sequences, with specifically designed primers (used in the Chinese study). The family Lernaeidae (using the genus Lernaea), closely related to the genus Ergasilus, was used as the out-group. Using the morphological analysis four new species of Ergasilus from southern Africa were found, i.e. Ergasilus sp. A from Synodontis leopardinus Pellegrin, 1914; Ergasilus sp. B from Rhabdalestes maunensis (Fowler, 1935); Ergasilus sp. C from Micropterus punctulatus Rafinesque, 1819 and Ergasilus sp. D from Petrotilapia tridentiger Trewavas, 1935. The molecular study proved to be a challenge and only results for Ergasilus sp. A could be obtained and were used in a tree-building analysis with the sequences from the Chinese study.

The Seekoeivlei Nature Reserve wetland is a designated Ramsar site, situated on the north-eastern boundary of the Free State Province. Field trips were made on three occasions between October 2011 and May 2012. A total of 43 genera belonging to 20 families and 7 orders were identified from the three localities. Of the three sites sampled, Bird Lookout point showed the highest species richness (S = 16) and species diversity in terms of the Shannon-Wiener diversity index (Hâ = 2.18) and Hills diversity index (Hills N1 = 8.78) during the summer survey. It was found that all localities were dominated by plant parasitic nematodes with the exception of Bird Lookout during the winter survey and Mamba Pool during the summer survey, which was dominated by predators and omnivores, respectively. The Maturity Index (MI) value was highest at the Hippo Pool during the preliminary collection (MI = 14.22) and lowest at the Mamba Pool on all three collections. Key genera found at the site included Tobrilus Andrássy, 1959, Eutobrilus Tsalolikhin, 1981; Brevitobrilus Andrássy, 1959 and Chronogaster Cobb, 1913. Tobrilus sp. 1 is characterised by a vulva at mid body (49%), the tail long and cylindrical (216-295 μm) with a spinneret present. Eutobrilus sp. 1 is characterised by labial sensillae papilli form, cephalic setae just over one third labial region diameter, vulva placement at midbody, tail elongate tapering, 6.5 anal body widths long. Brevitobrilus sp. 1 is characterised by body length (1019-1792 μm female; 1123-1526 μm male), labial sensillae papilliform, cephalic setae one third of labial region diameter, vulva at 46% body length, tail five anal body widths long and spinneret present. Males characterised by six supplements with largest distance between S5 and S6, spicule 21 μm, tail three anal body widths long and subterminal setae present. Chronogaster sp. 1. is recognised by female habitus being straight to completely ventrally curved and male habitus being ventrally curved, J-shaped, lip region not annulated, cephalic setae as long or longer than lip region diameter, cylindroid pharynx with denticulated valve in basal bulb, female reproductive system monodelphic-prodelphic, vulva at (45.3%) body lengths from anterior end, male tail conoid, spicule slender, with fifteen dissimilar supplements. Descriptions, measurements and illustrations including light microscope micrographs are provided for the four species.

Over 19 years chewing lice data from Canada geese and mallards were collected. From Canada geese (n=300) 48,669 lice were collected, including Anaticola anseris, Anatoecus dentatus, Anatoecus penicillatus, Ciconiphilus pectiniventris, Ornithobius goniopleurus, and Trinoton anserinum. The prevalence of all lice on Canada geese was 92.3% and the mean intensity was 175.6 lice per bird. From mallards (n=269) 6,986 lice were collected which included: Anaticola crassicornis, A. dentatus, Holomenopon leucoxanthum, Holomenopon maxbeieri and Trinoton querquedulae. The prevalence of lice on mallards was 55.4% and the mean intensity was 42.0 lice per bird. Based on CO1, A. dentatus and Anatoecus icterodes were synonymised as A. dentatus. Anatoecus was found exclusively on the head, Anaticola was found predominantly on the wings, Ciconiphilus, Holomenopon and Ornithobius were observed in several body regions and Trinoton was found most often on the wings of mallards.

Behavioural differences between individuals are often consistent over time (personality traits) and correlated across multiple behavioural contexts (behavioural syndromes). These individual differences are ubiquitous across taxa and have far-reaching implications for ecology and evolution: determining the mechanisms maintaining them is central to behavioural ecology. These individual differences vary along ecological gradients and can be affected by human-induced environmental changes. Agroecosystems vary considerably in their intensity and frequency of human disturbances and are suitable systems to study alteration and modification of behavioural responses by individuals. Many beneficial arthropods, such as spiders, can be negatively affected by different management practices, notably the use of insecticides. In this thesis, I explore the determinants of individual behavioural variation in the context of agroecosystems, using the jumping spider Eris militaris (Araneae: Salticidae) as a model organism. My focus on spiders is motivated by their importance in agroecosystems as generalist predators. In addition, spider personality traits and behavioural syndromes are well described in the literature. I tested whether behavioural syndromes varied between populations with different histories of insecticidal exposure, how consistent behavioural correlations were through ontogeny and how sublethal exposure to insecticides disrupted behavioural consistency and correlations. I found evidence for differing behavioural syndromes between spider populations from insecticide-free and insecticide-treated apple orchards. Individuals with highest activity and voracity had low aggression and boldness in the insecticide-free population while aggressive and voracious individuals behaved less boldly in the insecticide-treated population. These two populations had differing age-structure as more juvenile stages were collected in the insecticide-treated population leading to investigate further the role of development in the generation of behavioural syndromes and consistent behavioural tendencies. When taking development into account, I found that behavioural tendencies were not strongly maintained over the course of ontogeny and only activity showed evidence of heritability and repeatability. I found strong evidence for ontogenic shifts in behavioural syndrome during the transition from subadult to adult stages, mediated by rearing environment and sex. Behavioural correlations were mostly underpinned by within-individual variation indicating high behavioural plasticity through ontogeny. These results confirm that the differences in syndrome structure found between the two apple orchard populations may in part be generated by ontogenic shifts and lower abundance of adult stages in the insecticide-treated population.I performed direct insecticidal exposure tests to determine the effects of sublethal disruption on the consistency and correlation of behavioural traits. Exposure to the organophosphate phosmet at a sublethal dose had a stronger effect on the repeatability of activity than on its average value, indicating that individuals react differently to insecticide exposure. I found strong alterations on the correlations between activity and prey capture that were more pronounced in females. This research provides an opportunity to bridge the gaps between animal personality, agroecology and ecotoxicology by focusing on suites of related traits that affect spider performance in agroecosystems. / Les différences comportementales entre individus sont souvent stables au cours du temps (traits de personnalité) et en de multiples contextes (syndromes comportementaux). Ces différences sont communes à de nombreux taxons et ont de profondes implications pour l'écologie et l'évolution. Déterminer les mécanismes maintenant ces variations est un aspect central de l'écologie comportementale. Ces différences varient également le long de gradients écologiques et peuvent être affectées par les changements anthropiques.Les agroécosystèmes varient dans leur intensité et fréquence de perturbations humaines et sont des systèmes adéquats pour l'étude des altérations de la réponse comportementale des individus. De nombreux arthropodes, tels les araignées, sont affectés par les pratiques culturales, notamment par l'utilisation d'insecticides. Au cours de cette thèse, j'examine les facteurs déterminant la réponse comportementales des individus dans les agroécosystèmes à l'aide l'araignée sauteuse Eris militaris (Araneae : Salticidae). Mon intérêt pour les araignées en tant que système d'étude est motivé par leur rôle de prédateur généraliste en agroécosytèmes. De plus, les traits de personnalité et les syndromes comportementaux des araignées sont bien décrits dans la littérature. J'ai testé la présence de variations de syndromes comportementaux entre populations ayant différents niveaux d'exposition aux insecticides, la stabilité de ces corrélations au cours du développement ainsi que les effets d'une exposition sublétale sur la stabilité des traits comportementaux et leurs corrélations.J'ai mis en évidence la présence de syndromes comportementaux différents chez des populations non exposées et exposées aux insecticides en vergers de pommiers. Les individus les plus actifs et voraces ont fait preuve d'une agressivité et témérité réduite chez la population non-exposée tandis que les individus agressifs étaient également voraces dans le verger exposé mais avec une témérité diminuée. Ces deux populations ont montré des différences marquées dans leur structure démographique puisque seuls des stades juvéniles ont été collectés dans le vergers exposé aux insecticides. Ceci m'a conduit à étendre mon investigation au rôle joué par le développement dans la génération des syndromes comportementaux.En prenant en compte le développement, j'ai montré que les tendances comportementales étaient faiblement maintenues et seule l'activité a montré des preuves d'héritabilité et de répétabilité. J'ai également découvert la présence de changement ontogénique de syndromes comportementaux, variant selon l'environnement d'élevage et le sexe lors de la transition du stade subadulte à adulte. Les corrélations comportementales ont été majoritairement influencées par les variations intra-individuelles, suggérant une forte plasticité comportementale au cours du développement. Ces résultats confirment le fait que les différences de structure des syndromes comportementaux entre populations en vergers de pommiers sont en parti dues aux transitions ontogéniques et à une abondance réduite des stades adultes dans la population exposée aux insecticides.J'ai ensuite réalisé une expérience d'exposition directe aux insecticides afin de déterminer les effets d'une perturbation subléthale sur la stabilité des traits comportementaux et leurs corrélations. L'exposition à l'organophosphate phosmet a eu un plus grand effet sur la répétabilité de l'activité que sur sa moyenne, indiquant des réponses variables à l'exposition insecticide d'individus à individus. J'ai également observé une altération plus prononcée des corrélations comportementales entre traits relatifs à l'activité et la capture de proies chez les femelles.Ces recherches permettent de combiner les expertises relatives aux domaines de la personnalité animale, de l'agroécologie et de l'écotoxicologie en se focalisant sur des traits comportementaux affectant la performance des araignées dans les agroécosystèmes.

The diversity and community composition of birds and seven insect taxa: butterflies and skippers (Lepidoptera); Carabidae (Coleoptera); Dolichopodidae, Syrphidae, Sphaeroceridae, Chloropidae (Diptera); Apoidea (Hymenoptera) were studied in old field habitats surrounded by different intensities of urbanization in the Montreal region. A total of 386 breeding birds of 42 species as well as 2255 migrating birds of 31 species were surveyed. More than 7000 insect specimens of 264 species were identified. Results indicate that, in terms of studied taxa, old field biodiversity remains fairly constant despite different surrounding land use. The exceptions were that butterfly and skipper species richness and number of Syrphidae specimens collected were both higher in suburban than periurban sites, and breeding birds were more abundant in rural areas compared to suburban ones. Breeding bird communities in suburban areas were most similar to one another. Despite these findings, the overarching pattern was that the diversity and community composition of birds and insects did not differ between old fields in suburban, periurban, or rural areas. Chloropidae was the only taxon influenced by surrounding land use, particularly by amounts of residential, industrial/commercial/transportation areas, and green space. Because of the differences in responses, none of the taxa were reliable bioindicators of diversity patterns in all the other taxa, however, some significant correlations between individual taxa were established. / Cette étude visait à comprendre la diversité et la composition des communautés d'oiseaux et d'insectes présentes dans des champs abandonnés par rapport à l'intensité d'urbanisation des terres adjacentes dans la région de Montréal. Les sept taxons d'insectes choisis étaient: les papillons et les hespéries (Lepidoptera); Carabidae (Coleoptera); Dolichopodidae, Syrphidae, Sphaeroceridae, Chloropidae (Diptera); Apoidea (Hymenoptera). Au total, 386 oiseaux nicheurs représentant 42 espèces, ainsi que 2255 oiseaux migrateurs représentant 31 espèces ont été répertoriés. Plus de 7000 spécimens d'insectes comprenant 264 espèces ont été identifiés. Les résultats indiquent que la diversité des champs abandonnés reste stable, malgré des différences dans l'urbanisation des terres adjacentes, du moins dans les groupes étudiés. Toutefois, il y avait quelques exceptions : la diversité des papillons et des hespéries ainsi que l'abondance des syrphes étaient plus élevées dans les sites suburbains comparé aux sites periurbains; de plus, les oiseaux nicheurs étaient plus abondants dans les sites ruraux que les sites suburbains. Les assemblages d'oiseaux nicheurs dans les sites suburbains démontraient le plus grand degré de similitude les uns par rapport aux autres. Malgré ces résultats, le patron global indique que la diversité et les assemblages d'oiseaux et d'insectes dans les champs abandonnés diffèrent peu malgré des alentours suburbains, périurbains ou ruraux. Chloropidae serait le seul taxon influencé par l'urbanisation des terrains adjacents, particulièrement par la quantité de terrains résidentiels et industriels et d'espaces verts. Étant donné ces variations, aucun des taxons choisis n'a pu être utile en tant qu'espèce indicatrice des patrons de diversité des autres taxons; cependant, quelques corrélations significatives ont été établies entre certains taxons.

The phylogenetic relationships of the tribe Elachipterini were investigated based on the examination of 75 species from most zoogeographical realms except the Australasian realm. Sixty-eight exemplar species were included in a cladistic analysis based on 77 morphological characters of adult specimens. Nine genera are recognized in the Elachipterini: Allomedeia gen. nov., Alombus Becker, Anatrichus Loew, Ceratobarys, Coquillett, Disciphus Becker, Elachiptera Macquart, Goniaspis Duda, Melanochaeta Bezzi and Sepsidoscinis Hendel. Myrmecosepsis Kertesz is synonymised with Anatrichus, and Togeciphus Nishijima and Cyrtomomyia Becker are synonymised with Elachiptera. Twenty new combinations are established. A key to genera of the tribe Elachipterini is provided. Redescriptions of the genera are included. The new genus Allomedeia is described, including the description of the type species, Allomedeia xanthotes sp. nov. / Une étude phylogénétique de la tribut des Elachipterini, incluant 75 espèces provenant de la majorité des régions biogéographiques, ainsi qu'une analyse cladistique, basée sur 77 caractères morphologiques des adultes de 68 espèces examplaires, ont été réalisées. Neuf genres appartenant à cette tribut sont reconnus : Allomedeia gen. nov., Alombus Becker, Anatrichus Loew, Ceratobarys Coquillett, Disciphus Becker, Elachiptera Macquart, Goniaspis Duda, Melanochaeta Bezzi and Sepsidoscinis Hendel. De plus, 20 nouvelles combinaisons au niveau générique sont établies. Trois genres sont synonymizé : Myrmecosepsis Kertesz avec Anatrichus et Togeciphus Nishijima et Cyrtomomyia Becker avec Elachiptera. Une clé d'identification des genres est présenté. La révision de tous les genres sont inclus. Le nouveau genre Allomedeia est decris, inlcuant une description de l'espèce type, Allomedeia xanthotes sp. nov.

Examples from vertebrates as well as insects suggest that physiological and behavioral traits are coupled in reproductive development. In the first days of adulthood, oocyte development and sexual receptivity of Gryllus firmus females increase. I explored whether these are mechanistically linked by Juvenile Hormone (JH), which has been implicated in gonadal development and sexual behavior in other insects. Application of a JH analog, methoprene, accelerates oocyte maturation and triggers flight-muscle histolysis, but does not affect sexual receptivity. These results are consistent with those of other studies suggesting that physiological and behavioral components of sexual maturation in crickets are not under common hormonal control. Other factors may regulate the development of sexual receptivity. / Selon la littérature scientifique, les traits physiologiques et comportementaux de certaines espèces de vertébrés et d'insectes seraient intimement liés à leur développement reproductif. Dès les premiers jours de la vie adulte, le développement des ovocytes, ainsi que la réceptivité sexuelle de la Gryllus firmus femelle augmentent. Cette étude explore si ces deux processus sont liés avec le Juvenile Hormone (JH), qui semble être impliqué dans le développement gonadique et le comportement sexuel chez d'autres insectes. Les résultats suggèrent que l'application d'un analogue JH, methoprene, accélèrerait la maturation des ovocytes et déclencherait l'histolyse des muscles de vol, mais serait non-liée à leur réceptivité sexuelle. Les résultats sont en ligne avec ceux d'autres études qui suggèrent que les volets physiologiques et comportementaux de la maturation sexuelle chez les grillons ne sont pas sous le même contrôle hormonal. D'autres facteurs pouvant réguler le développement de la réceptivité sexuelle seront discutés.

No description available.

The patterns of community assembly of saprophagous arthropods in bird nest boxes are poorly understood. Saprophagous arthropods from nest boxes of House Sparrows (Passer domesticus L.) and Tree Swallows (Tachycineta bicolor (Vieillot)) in southern Quebec were collected over two sampling periods (immediately post-fledging, and 60 days post-fledging) in 2007. A total of 5366 specimens (10 families, 15 species) were collected at the first sampling period and 3794 specimens (seven families, 11 species) at the second sampling period. For both sampling periods, two different methods of null model analyses revealed different patterns of community structure; random in one case, and positive co-occurrence in the other. Stochastic colonization processes probably explain the apparent random patterns and deterministic processes, such as facilitation by early colonizing species explain some of the patterns of species co-occurrence. However, a larger spatial and temporal scale of study is necessary to understand them more fully. / Les modèles des communautés d'arthropodes saprophages dans les nids des maisons d'oiseaux sont faiblement compris. Les arthropodes saprophages retrouvés dans les nids des maisons habitées par les moineaux (Passer domesticus L.) et les hirondelles bicolores (Tachycineta bicolor (Vieillot)) dans le Sud de la province de Québec ont été collectés à travers deux périodes d'échantillonnage (immédiatement après maturation, et 60 jours après maturation) au cours de l'année 2007. Un total de 5 366 spécimens (10 familles, 15 espèces) ont été collectés durant la première phase d'échantillonnage et 3 794 spécimens (sept familles, 11 espèces) lors de la seconde phase. Pour les deux périodes d'échantillonnage, deux différentes méthodes d'analyses de modèles nul ont révélé des modèles de structure des communautés différents; la première aléatoire et la seconde de co-occurrence positive. Le processus de la colonisation stochastique explique probablement le modèle aléatoire apparent et le processus déterminant comme la colonisation hâtive des espèces pourrait expliquer certains modèles de co-occurrence des espèces. Toutefois, une étude plus étendue dans l'espace et le temps serait nécessaire pour les comprendre entièrement.