A pesca artesanal de pequena escala (ou subsistência) tem sido historicamente pouco estudada. Poucos estudos buscam compreender os fatores que influenciam a pesca nessa escala. Populações humanas que dependem dos recursos naturais apresentam bom conhecimento sobre o ambiente e os recursos explorados. Barramentos de rios são uns dos principais impactos na pesca de águas interiores, e pouco se sabe sobre esses impactos ao longo do tempo. Portanto, informações das populações locais e da pesca de subsistência podem melhorar e complementar o conhecimento científico sobre a pesca e os impactos causados por barramentos. O objetivo desse estudo é analisar as características da dinâmica da pesca artesanal de subsistência no Baixo Rio Tocantins (Amazônia brasileira) através de entrevistas e desembarques pesqueiros. Testamos a eficiência do conhecimento ecológico local de pescadores através de entrevistas no diagnóstico da dinâmica da pesca e de mudanças ambientais decorrentes de barragens em grandes rios (1º capítulo). Também analisamos o rendimento pesqueiro e as variáveis que influenciam na captura de peixes em cinco comunidades de pescadores artesanais do Baixo Rio Tocantins (2º capítulo). Foram realizadas 300 entrevistas com pescadores de nove comunidades ribeirinhas e registrados 606 desembarques pesqueiros em cinco destas comunidades, em 67 dias de amostragem. Através das entrevistas é possível identificar os peixes mais capturados, as artes de pesca e tamanhos de malhas de redes mais utilizadas pelos pescadores, além da sazonalidade da abundância dos peixes. Houve mudança na composição dos desembarques pesqueiros, 22 anos após o barramento. Através das entrevistas com os pescadores, foi possível identificar também quais espécies de pescado aumentaram (Plagioscion squamosissimus), quais diminuíram (Characidae, várias espécies de pacu), bem como quais desapareceram (Semaprochilodus brama) após o barramento. A produção anual e o rendimento financeiro da pesca foram reduzidos em cerca de 55% após o barramento do rio. A maior parte da variação da biomassa de peixes capturada é explicada pelas variáveis ligadas ao esforço e comportamento do pescador: tempo de pesca (35%), número de pescadores (30%) e a distância até local de pesca (20%). Entrevistas demonstraram ser um método rápido, confiável e de baixo custo para obter importantes informações sobre a pesca e os impactos à jusante de uma hidrelétrica em um grande rio amazônico. O conhecimento ecológico local pode complementar pesquisas ecológicas de longa duração de uma maneira rápida e eficiente. Considerar os pescadores, seu conhecimento e seu comportamento na elaboração de planos de manejo pesqueiro adequados com a realidade local, parece ser a maneira mais promissora de garantir a manutenção da biodiversidade, conservação dos recursos pesqueiros e manutenção da pesca artesanal como atividade econômica. / Small-scale artisanal (or subsistence) fisheries have been little studied. Few studies have attempted to understand the factors that influence the fisheries on this scale. Human populations that depend upon natural resources show good knowledge about the environment and the exploited resources. Dams are among the main impacts affecting inland fisheries and there is little knowledge about the impacts of dams on fisheries over time. Information from local populations and subsistence fishing may improve and complement the scientific knowledge on fisheries and dam’s impacts. The aim of this study is to analyze the dynamics of subsistence fishing in the Lower Tocantins River (Brazilian Amazon) through interviews and fish landings. We tested the efficiency of recording fishermen’s local ecological knowledge through interviews for assessment of the fisheries dynamics and environmental changes caused by dams in large rivers (1st chapter). We also analyzed the fishing income and the variables that influence the biomass of fish caught in five fishing communities of the Lower Tocantins River (2nd chapter). We conducted 300 interviews with fishermen in nine riverine communities and recorded 606 fish landings in five of these communities in 67 sampling days. Through interviews it is possible to identify the most caught fish species, the fishing gear and gillnet mesh sizes used by most of the fishermen, and the seasonal fish abundance patterns. The composition of fish landings changed 22 years after the dam’s closure. Through interviews with fishermen, also it was possible to identify the species of fish that increased (Plagioscion squamosissimus), decreased (Characidae, several species of pacu) and even disappeared (Semaprochilodus brama) after the dam’s closure. The annual production and financial income of fishing have been reduced by about 55% after the dam’s closure. Most of the variation in the biomass of fish caught is explained by variables related to the fishing effort and to the fisherman’s behavior , such as fishing time (35%), number of fishermen (30%) and distance to fishing grounds (20%). Interviews with fishermen showed to be fast, reliable and inexpensive methods to obtain important information about the fisheries and the impacts downstream from a dam in a large Amazonian river. The local ecological knowledge of resource users can complement long-term ecological research efficiently. The fishermen, their knowledge and their behavior should be considered when developing fisheries management plans appropriate to local realities. This seems to be the most promising way to ensure the maintenance of biodiversity, conservation of fishing resources, and maintenance of artisanal fisheries as an economic activity.

The main aim of the study is to assess the productivity and supply chain of aquaculture projects in Gauteng Province, South Africa. The research adopted the use of quantitative method; and collected data and information from the five regions that make up the province. Both primary and secondary data were collected. The study used correlation analyses to determine the perfect fit or negative fit of some variables to supply chain as well as the consumers‟ reactions to the questionnaires. Gross margin analysis as well as gross profit margin ratio was used to determine the profitability of aquaculture production in the province. Findings of the study revealed underutilization of production capacities of the established fish farms. The fish farmers in the study are currently using 36% of the capacities of the established aquaculture projects in the study area. The profit margin was in excess of 40% in all the projects surveyed. The study further revealed lack of proper, effective and efficient supply chain for aquaculture projects which adversely affect aquaculture growth and sustainability in Gauteng Province / Agriculture, Animal Health and Human Ecology / M. Sc. (Agriculture)

La description des gradients spatiaux ainsi que la documentation des dynamiques temporelles de la biodiversité sont des piliers centraux de l'écologie moderne, en particulier dans le contexte actuel des changements globaux auquel l'intérêt porté est croissant depuis les dernières décennies. Les communautés écologiques sont désormais reconnues comme des entités issues de la sélection d'espèces à partir d'un pool régional, sélection déterminée par différents processus appelés règles d'assemblage. Les deux règles d'assemblage principalement reconnues sont les filtres environnementaux, sélectionnant des espèces similaires adaptées à un milieu, et la limite à la ressemblance, sélectionnant des espèces dont les caractéristiques n'induisent pas de compétition trop forte et permettent la coexistence. Les objectifs de ma thèse ont été de (i) comprendre les patrons spatiaux de la diversité des communautés piscicoles à large échelle, (ii) comprendre la dynamique temporelle de cette diversité et (iii) d'appréhender la dynamique temporelle des processus sous-jacents à la structuration des communautés. Pour ce faire, des données de communautés piscicoles ont été analysées, d'une part à l'échelle continentale (i.e. européenne), et d'autre part à l'échelle nationale (i.e. France) pour laquelle la dimension temporelle est également disponible (i.e. séries temporelles depuis 1966 jusqu'à 2012). La description de la diversité piscicole européenne a permis de mettre en évidence la complémentarité des facettes phylogénétique, morphologique et écologique de la diversité. De plus, le climat, et en particulier la saisonnalité des conditions climatiques, est apparu comme un déterminant majeur de la distribution spatiale de la diversité. A une échelle plus locale et en tenant compte de la temporalité des communautés, il a été mis en évidence que les communautés piscicoles françaises connaissaient actuellement une réorganisation taxonomique due aux déclins de populations et menant à une homogénéisation taxonomique globale. Bien qu'une réorganisation fonctionnelle de ces mêmes communautés ait été observée, résultant des variations démographiques des espèces d'eau chaude et de bas niveau trophique, les conséquences à large échelle restent à explorer. De plus, depuis les années 90, les filtres environnementaux se sont renforcés dans leur rôle structurant des communautés. Finalement, les travaux de cette thèse ont permis de valider des hypothèses usuellement associées aux patrons spatiaux de la diversité, comme mécanismes en lien avec les variations temporelles de la diversité. L'hypothèse de prédominance du stress (au travers des changements de saisonnalités des températures) et de préadaptation des espèces non-natives ont notamment permis de comprendre les dynamiques temporelles de diversité ainsi que des règles d'assemblage sous-jacentes à la structuration des communautés. / The description of spatial patterns as well as temporal dynamics of diversity has been a major cornerstone in modern ecology, especially in the contemporary context of global changes for which a growing concern is notable during last decades. Ecological communities are now acknowledged as the result of species that are sorted by selection from the regional pool. This selection of species is determined by several processes, namely the assembly rules. The two main assembly rules are the habitat filtering, selecting species that are able to inhabit in a given set of abiotic conditions, and the limiting similarity, selecting species for which ecological features are dissimilar in order to avoid a too strong competition and to coexist. The goals of my thesis were to (i) understand spatial patterns of freshwater fish community diversity at large scale, (ii) understand temporal dynamic of this diversity and (iii) describe temporal dynamics of the processes underlying the structuration of communities. In order to do this, data of freshwater fish communities has been analyzed first at continental scale (i.e. European) and then at national scale (i.e. France) for which temporal dimension of the data was also available (time series from 1966 to 2012). Based on the European freshwater diversity, we highlighted that phylogenetic, morphological and ecological facets were complementary. Moreover, climatic conditions, and especially their seasonality, seem to be a major driver of the spatial distribution of diversity. At finer scale and by taking into account the temporality of communities, we found that French freshwater communities experienced taxonomic reorganization due to population declines that ultimately leads to taxonomic homogenization of freshwater diversity in France. Although functional homogenization has been observed due to demographic fluctuations of warm water-dweller and low trophic level species, consequences at large scale remained to be explored. Moreover, since the 90s, habitat filtering increased as structuring force for freshwater fish communities. Finally, this thesis allowed us to validate hypothesis usually associated to spatial patterns of diversity, as mechanisms related to temporal variations of diversity. The stress dominance hypothesis (through temporal trends in temperature seasonality) and preadaption hypothesis (related to non-native species) have been used to understand temporal dynamics of diversity as well as of the assembly rules underlying structuration of communities.

A pesca artesanal de pequena escala (ou subsistência) tem sido historicamente pouco estudada. Poucos estudos buscam compreender os fatores que influenciam a pesca nessa escala. Populações humanas que dependem dos recursos naturais apresentam bom conhecimento sobre o ambiente e os recursos explorados. Barramentos de rios são uns dos principais impactos na pesca de águas interiores, e pouco se sabe sobre esses impactos ao longo do tempo. Portanto, informações das populações locais e da pesca de subsistência podem melhorar e complementar o conhecimento científico sobre a pesca e os impactos causados por barramentos. O objetivo desse estudo é analisar as características da dinâmica da pesca artesanal de subsistência no Baixo Rio Tocantins (Amazônia brasileira) através de entrevistas e desembarques pesqueiros. Testamos a eficiência do conhecimento ecológico local de pescadores através de entrevistas no diagnóstico da dinâmica da pesca e de mudanças ambientais decorrentes de barragens em grandes rios (1º capítulo). Também analisamos o rendimento pesqueiro e as variáveis que influenciam na captura de peixes em cinco comunidades de pescadores artesanais do Baixo Rio Tocantins (2º capítulo). Foram realizadas 300 entrevistas com pescadores de nove comunidades ribeirinhas e registrados 606 desembarques pesqueiros em cinco destas comunidades, em 67 dias de amostragem. Através das entrevistas é possível identificar os peixes mais capturados, as artes de pesca e tamanhos de malhas de redes mais utilizadas pelos pescadores, além da sazonalidade da abundância dos peixes. Houve mudança na composição dos desembarques pesqueiros, 22 anos após o barramento. Através das entrevistas com os pescadores, foi possível identificar também quais espécies de pescado aumentaram (Plagioscion squamosissimus), quais diminuíram (Characidae, várias espécies de pacu), bem como quais desapareceram (Semaprochilodus brama) após o barramento. A produção anual e o rendimento financeiro da pesca foram reduzidos em cerca de 55% após o barramento do rio. A maior parte da variação da biomassa de peixes capturada é explicada pelas variáveis ligadas ao esforço e comportamento do pescador: tempo de pesca (35%), número de pescadores (30%) e a distância até local de pesca (20%). Entrevistas demonstraram ser um método rápido, confiável e de baixo custo para obter importantes informações sobre a pesca e os impactos à jusante de uma hidrelétrica em um grande rio amazônico. O conhecimento ecológico local pode complementar pesquisas ecológicas de longa duração de uma maneira rápida e eficiente. Considerar os pescadores, seu conhecimento e seu comportamento na elaboração de planos de manejo pesqueiro adequados com a realidade local, parece ser a maneira mais promissora de garantir a manutenção da biodiversidade, conservação dos recursos pesqueiros e manutenção da pesca artesanal como atividade econômica. / Small-scale artisanal (or subsistence) fisheries have been little studied. Few studies have attempted to understand the factors that influence the fisheries on this scale. Human populations that depend upon natural resources show good knowledge about the environment and the exploited resources. Dams are among the main impacts affecting inland fisheries and there is little knowledge about the impacts of dams on fisheries over time. Information from local populations and subsistence fishing may improve and complement the scientific knowledge on fisheries and dam’s impacts. The aim of this study is to analyze the dynamics of subsistence fishing in the Lower Tocantins River (Brazilian Amazon) through interviews and fish landings. We tested the efficiency of recording fishermen’s local ecological knowledge through interviews for assessment of the fisheries dynamics and environmental changes caused by dams in large rivers (1st chapter). We also analyzed the fishing income and the variables that influence the biomass of fish caught in five fishing communities of the Lower Tocantins River (2nd chapter). We conducted 300 interviews with fishermen in nine riverine communities and recorded 606 fish landings in five of these communities in 67 sampling days. Through interviews it is possible to identify the most caught fish species, the fishing gear and gillnet mesh sizes used by most of the fishermen, and the seasonal fish abundance patterns. The composition of fish landings changed 22 years after the dam’s closure. Through interviews with fishermen, also it was possible to identify the species of fish that increased (Plagioscion squamosissimus), decreased (Characidae, several species of pacu) and even disappeared (Semaprochilodus brama) after the dam’s closure. The annual production and financial income of fishing have been reduced by about 55% after the dam’s closure. Most of the variation in the biomass of fish caught is explained by variables related to the fishing effort and to the fisherman’s behavior , such as fishing time (35%), number of fishermen (30%) and distance to fishing grounds (20%). Interviews with fishermen showed to be fast, reliable and inexpensive methods to obtain important information about the fisheries and the impacts downstream from a dam in a large Amazonian river. The local ecological knowledge of resource users can complement long-term ecological research efficiently. The fishermen, their knowledge and their behavior should be considered when developing fisheries management plans appropriate to local realities. This seems to be the most promising way to ensure the maintenance of biodiversity, conservation of fishing resources, and maintenance of artisanal fisheries as an economic activity.

Made available in DSpace on 2016-06-02T19:29:26Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 3129.pdf: 1211425 bytes, checksum: fe662cd2f2192794e3ea63b146284d10 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2010-05-19 / Universidade Federal de Sao Carlos / The aim of this work was to evaluate the effects of the water-soluble fraction of gasolina (WSFG) to the Neotropical fish Prochilodus lineatus. The WSFG was prepared by adding gasoline to water (1:4) this mixture was then exposed to intense sunlight for 6h, simulating a gasoline spill in tropical conditions. After that the upper insoluble phase was discharged and the WSFG was collected. Fish were exposed for 6, 24 and 96h to the WSFG diluted to 5% (EXP group) or only to water (control group or CTR). The following parameters were analyzed: biochemical (antioxidants and EROD) of gills and liver, hematologic, osmo-ionic, metabolic, endocrine (cortisol) besides the density and distribution of chloride cells (CC) and the activity of gills Na+/K+-ATPase (NKA). The increased in ethoxyresorufin-O-deethylase (EROD) and glutathione-S-transferase (GST) activity indicated phase I and II biotransformation of the compounds present in the WSFG in both organs. The activation of CYP1A in the gills pointed out the importance of this organ in the biotransformation of xenobiotics. The liver showed an increase in reduced glutathione (GSH) content at 24 and 96 h exposure to WSFG and the increase in the activity of catalase (CAT) and glutathione peroxidase (GPx) after 96 h exposure. The gills showed an activation of the antioxidant defenses with an increased CAT activity soon after 6h exposure and an increase in GSH content after 24h exposure. However, for both organs the antioxidants defense was not enough to prevent oxidative damage, as shown by the occurrence of lipid peroxidation in liver and gills after 6 and 96h of exposure, respectively. The WSFG also promoted hemolysis, as indicated by the changes in the hematological parameters analyzed and an increase in plasma K+. Fish showed a secondary stress response, noted by the occurrence of hyperglycemia in all the periods of exposure, despite no significant increase in plasma cortisol. The WSFG also lead to an increase in the density of CC, in the activity of NKA, in plasma concentrations of Na+ and in the osmolarity in fish exposed to WSFG for 24h. Taken together these results showed that the compounds present in the WSFG interfere on the functioning of vital organs such as liver and gills of Prochilodus lineatus. / O objetivo deste trabalho foi avaliar os possíveis efeitos da fração solúvel da gasolina (FSG) em alguns parâmetros bioquímicos e fisiológicos do peixe neotropical Prochilodus lineatus. A FSG foi preparada misturando-se gasolina em água (1:4), essa mistura foi exposta à radiação solar intensa durante 6 h, simulando um derrame de gasolina em condições tropicais. Após, a FSG foi coletada e a fração insolúvel foi descartada. Os animais foram expostos por 6, 24 e 96 h à FSG diluída 5 % (grupo EXP) ou apenas à água (grupo controle ou CTR). Foram analisados parâmetros bioquímicos (antioxidantes e indução da CYP1A) em brânquia e fígado, hematológicos, osmo-iônicos, metabólicos, endócrino (cortisol) além da densidade e distribuição de células-cloreto (CC) e a atividade da enzima Na+/K+-ATPase (NKA) nas brânquias. O aumento na atividade da etoxiresorufina-O-desetilase (EROD) e da glutationa-S-transferase (GST) indicou a estimulação das vias de biotransformação de fase I e II dos compostos da FSG em ambos os órgãos. A ativação das enzimas de detoxificação nas brânquias ressaltou a importância deste órgão na biotransformação de xenobióticos. O fígado apresentou aumento na concentração de glutationa reduzida (GSH) após 24 h e 96 h de exposição à FSG e aumento na atividade catalase (CAT) e glutationa peroxidase (GPx) após 96 h de exposição. As brânquias mostraram uma ativação das vias antioxidantes com o aumento da CAT logo após 6 h de exposição, e da concentração de GSH após 24 h de exposição. No entanto, para ambos os órgãos estudados, a ativação das defesas antioxidantes não foi suficiente para impedir os danos oxidativo, como indicado pela ocorrência de peroxidação lipídica (LPO) no fígado e nas brânquias após 6 e 96 h de exposição, respectivamente. A FSG também provocou hemólise comprovada pela diminuição dos parâmetros hematológicos analisados, seguido pelo aumento do K+ plasmático. Os peixes mostraram uma resposta secundária de estresse visualizado pela ocorrência da hiperglicemia em todos os períodos de exposição, apesar da ausência de diferenças significativas na concentração plasmática do cortisol. A FSG também provocou aumento na densidade das CC, na atividade da NKA, nas concentrações plasmáticas do Na+ e osmolaridade nos animais expostos durante 24 h. Esses resultados em conjunto indicam que os compostos presentes na FSG afetaram de maneira significativa órgãos vitais como o fígado e as brânquias do Prochilodus lineatus.

A pesca artesanal de pequena escala (ou subsistência) tem sido historicamente pouco estudada. Poucos estudos buscam compreender os fatores que influenciam a pesca nessa escala. Populações humanas que dependem dos recursos naturais apresentam bom conhecimento sobre o ambiente e os recursos explorados. Barramentos de rios são uns dos principais impactos na pesca de águas interiores, e pouco se sabe sobre esses impactos ao longo do tempo. Portanto, informações das populações locais e da pesca de subsistência podem melhorar e complementar o conhecimento científico sobre a pesca e os impactos causados por barramentos. O objetivo desse estudo é analisar as características da dinâmica da pesca artesanal de subsistência no Baixo Rio Tocantins (Amazônia brasileira) através de entrevistas e desembarques pesqueiros. Testamos a eficiência do conhecimento ecológico local de pescadores através de entrevistas no diagnóstico da dinâmica da pesca e de mudanças ambientais decorrentes de barragens em grandes rios (1º capítulo). Também analisamos o rendimento pesqueiro e as variáveis que influenciam na captura de peixes em cinco comunidades de pescadores artesanais do Baixo Rio Tocantins (2º capítulo). Foram realizadas 300 entrevistas com pescadores de nove comunidades ribeirinhas e registrados 606 desembarques pesqueiros em cinco destas comunidades, em 67 dias de amostragem. Através das entrevistas é possível identificar os peixes mais capturados, as artes de pesca e tamanhos de malhas de redes mais utilizadas pelos pescadores, além da sazonalidade da abundância dos peixes. Houve mudança na composição dos desembarques pesqueiros, 22 anos após o barramento. Através das entrevistas com os pescadores, foi possível identificar também quais espécies de pescado aumentaram (Plagioscion squamosissimus), quais diminuíram (Characidae, várias espécies de pacu), bem como quais desapareceram (Semaprochilodus brama) após o barramento. A produção anual e o rendimento financeiro da pesca foram reduzidos em cerca de 55% após o barramento do rio. A maior parte da variação da biomassa de peixes capturada é explicada pelas variáveis ligadas ao esforço e comportamento do pescador: tempo de pesca (35%), número de pescadores (30%) e a distância até local de pesca (20%). Entrevistas demonstraram ser um método rápido, confiável e de baixo custo para obter importantes informações sobre a pesca e os impactos à jusante de uma hidrelétrica em um grande rio amazônico. O conhecimento ecológico local pode complementar pesquisas ecológicas de longa duração de uma maneira rápida e eficiente. Considerar os pescadores, seu conhecimento e seu comportamento na elaboração de planos de manejo pesqueiro adequados com a realidade local, parece ser a maneira mais promissora de garantir a manutenção da biodiversidade, conservação dos recursos pesqueiros e manutenção da pesca artesanal como atividade econômica. / Small-scale artisanal (or subsistence) fisheries have been little studied. Few studies have attempted to understand the factors that influence the fisheries on this scale. Human populations that depend upon natural resources show good knowledge about the environment and the exploited resources. Dams are among the main impacts affecting inland fisheries and there is little knowledge about the impacts of dams on fisheries over time. Information from local populations and subsistence fishing may improve and complement the scientific knowledge on fisheries and dam’s impacts. The aim of this study is to analyze the dynamics of subsistence fishing in the Lower Tocantins River (Brazilian Amazon) through interviews and fish landings. We tested the efficiency of recording fishermen’s local ecological knowledge through interviews for assessment of the fisheries dynamics and environmental changes caused by dams in large rivers (1st chapter). We also analyzed the fishing income and the variables that influence the biomass of fish caught in five fishing communities of the Lower Tocantins River (2nd chapter). We conducted 300 interviews with fishermen in nine riverine communities and recorded 606 fish landings in five of these communities in 67 sampling days. Through interviews it is possible to identify the most caught fish species, the fishing gear and gillnet mesh sizes used by most of the fishermen, and the seasonal fish abundance patterns. The composition of fish landings changed 22 years after the dam’s closure. Through interviews with fishermen, also it was possible to identify the species of fish that increased (Plagioscion squamosissimus), decreased (Characidae, several species of pacu) and even disappeared (Semaprochilodus brama) after the dam’s closure. The annual production and financial income of fishing have been reduced by about 55% after the dam’s closure. Most of the variation in the biomass of fish caught is explained by variables related to the fishing effort and to the fisherman’s behavior , such as fishing time (35%), number of fishermen (30%) and distance to fishing grounds (20%). Interviews with fishermen showed to be fast, reliable and inexpensive methods to obtain important information about the fisheries and the impacts downstream from a dam in a large Amazonian river. The local ecological knowledge of resource users can complement long-term ecological research efficiently. The fishermen, their knowledge and their behavior should be considered when developing fisheries management plans appropriate to local realities. This seems to be the most promising way to ensure the maintenance of biodiversity, conservation of fishing resources, and maintenance of artisanal fisheries as an economic activity.

O GnRH é um decapeptídeo que está envolvido na reprodução, estimulando a hipófise a liberar gonadotropinas (LH e FSH), as quais regulam a esteroidogênese e gametogênese. Ainda, o GnRH age como neuromodulador atuando no comportamento sexual. A distribuição de suas isoformas pode ajudar a revelar a função específica de cada GnRH. A principal ênfase deste estudo foi detectar a presença e distribuição por imuno-histoquímica, e a expressão gênica de diferentes formas de GnRH no encéfalo de Astyanax altiparanae e Danio rerio, os quais têm importância comercial, ecológica e acadêmica. Em Astyanax altiparanae foi encontrado GnRH3 em diversos corpos celulares, inclusive em corpos celulares ligados à função reprodutiva, juntamente com fibras que inervam a neuro-hipófise. O GnRH1 foi encontrado apenas em fibras. Em Danio rerio foi encontrado GnRH3 nos núcleos da região hipotalâmica e em um grande número de fibras, incluindo as que inervam a neuro-hipófise. A expressão gênica de GnRH2 e 3 foi observada em Danio rerio. / GnRH is a decapeptide involved in reproduction, stimulating the pituitary to release gonadotropins, which, in turn, regulate the steroidogenesis and gametogenesis. In addition to the reproductive function, the GnRH displays neuromodulatory roles with implications in the modulation of sexual behavior. Therefore, the main emphasis of this study is to detect the presence, distribution, and gene expression of different forms of GnRH in the brain of the freshwater teleosts Astyanax altiparanae and Danio rerio, which have commercial, ecological and academic importance. The immunohistochemical method of peroxidase was used to detect GnRHs in the brain and pituitary. In A. altiparanae immunoreactivity to anti-GnRH3 was found in various cell bodies, including those related to reproductive functions, and fibers which innervate the neurohypophysis. Immunoreactivity for GnRH1 was found only in fibers. In D. rerio immunoreactivity to anti-GnRH3 was found in hypothalamic nuclei and in a large number of fibers, including the ones which innervate the neurohypophysis.

Le parasitisme est omniprésent dans l’environnement et une attention croissante est récemment apportée sur son impact sur les communautés écologiques. En effet, les parasites peuvent affecter la valeur adaptative des animaux sauvages, en altérant leur physiologie et/ou leur comportement. Ainsi, le rôle des parasites dans le maintien ou l’érosion des différences persistantes comportementales et cognitives entre individus est le sujet de nombreux débats et recherches. La relation entre l’infection parasitaire et le comportement de l’hôte est souvent complexe. Le comportement des individus agit sur leur susceptibilité au parasitisme, mais l’infection parasitaire peut aussi modifier le comportement de l’hôte, favorisant parfois la transmission du parasite. En outre, l’inclusion d’un proxy de santé, tel que la condition corporelle est importante à considérer dans des populations naturellement infectées où la santé des individus peut varier. Dans cette étude, nous avons examiné la relation entre un gradient de densité parasitaire, la personnalité (exploration et témérité), la cognition (apprentissage par stimuli aversifs) et la condition corporelle (Indice K de Fulton) chez les crapets-soleil (Lepomis gibbosus) sauvages, naturellement infectés par des endoparasites, comme le trématode responsable de la maladie du point noir (Trematoda : Apophallus sp. et Uvulifer sp.) et le ver solitaire de l’achigan (Cestoda : Proteocephallus ambloplites). Nous avons trouvé que l’exploration, mais pas la témérité, était répétable ce qui suggère que ce trait reflète la personnalité. De plus, l’exploration a diminué avec l’augmentation de la densité de parasites et la diminution de la condition corporelle de l’hôte. Ainsi, étant donné que la relation entre le comportement explorateur et la densité de parasites variait avec la condition corporelle, il est possible que les parasites aient un effet indirect sur le comportement de l’hôte en impactant sa physiologie. L’exploration variait également selon la densité de points noirs et la densité de cestodes, suggérant un potentiel conflit entre ces deux parasites, leurs hôtes finaux étant différents. Les individus avec plus de cestodes ont moins bien exécuté la tâche d’apprentissage, ce qui laisse à penser que ces parasites imposeraient un coût énergétique qui réduit les performances cognitives de l’hôte. Nos résultats contribuent à démontrer que les parasites et la condition corporelle de l’hôte doivent être pris en considération dans les études écologiques, comportementales ou physiologiques afin de mieux comprendre le maintien des variations inter-individuelles au sein des populations sauvages. / Parasites are ubiquitous in nature and increasing attention is given to their impact on ecological communities. Indeed, parasites can affect host fitness through changes in physiology and/or behaviour. Thus, their role in maintaining or eroding persistent inter-individual differences in behaviour (i.e. personality) and cognitive abilities in hosts is the subject of increasing study and debate. The relationship between parasite infection and host behaviour can sometimes be complex. For instance, personality traits may affect an individuals’ susceptibility to parasites. Conversely, parasite infection can itself modify host behaviour, sometimes favouring the parasite’s own transmission. In addition, including a general fitness proxy, such as body condition, is important when studying naturally infected populations, where individual health can vary greatly among individuals. Here, we examine the relationships among host body condition (Fulton’s K index), personality (i.e. exploration, boldness), cognition (aversive learning) and parasite density in wild pumpkinseed sunfish (Lepomis gibbosus), naturally infected with endoparasites, including trematodes causing blackspot disease (Trematoda: Apophallus sp. and Uvulifer sp.) and bass tapeworms (Cestoda: Proteocephallus ambloplites). We found that exploration but not boldness was repeatable, which suggests that this trait reflects personality. Host exploration decreased with both increasing parasite density and decreasing host body condition. Because the relationship between exploration and parasite density varied with body condition, this suggests a possible indirect effect of parasites on host behaviour through effects on host physiology. Exploration varied depending on blackspot and bass tapeworm density suggesting a possible conflict between these two parasites, as their final hosts are different. Inhibitory avoidance learning decreased with increasing cestode density, suggesting that these parasites could impose an energetic cost which decreases host cognitive performances. Our results provide more evidence that including host body condition and parasite density in ecological, behavioural or physiological studies can help better understand the persistence of inter-individual differences in wild populations.

No description available.

Le réchauffement climatique cause plusieurs modifications abiotiques et biotiques dans les milieux naturels. La hausse de la température de l’eau cause une diminution de l’oxygène dissous dans les lacs et augmente la quantité de zone hypoxique observée. Une autre conséquence de la hausse de la température est l’augmentation du métabolisme et de la consommation d’oxygène des espèces ectothermes dont les poissons et les parasites. Le parasitisme est omniprésent dans les réseaux trophiques et a un effet néfaste sur l’hôte affecté. Les parasites et l’hypoxie peuvent limiter la portée aérobie (AS) des poissons pour la réalisation d’activités journalières. Ainsi, cette étude analyse l’effet dans le temps d’une infection de trématodes causant la maladie du point sur le métabolisme et sur la tolérance hypoxique de l’hôte puisque le développement de ces parasites suggère un effet sur le poisson qui varie selon le temps de résidence des parasites. Nous avons utilisé des crapets-soleil (Lepomis gibbosus) infectés par ces trématodes comme système modèle. Nous avons émis l'hypothèse que l'infection parasitaire réduirait la portée aérobie et la tolérance à l'hypoxie des poissons en fonction du temps du développement de l’infection. Afin d’étudier cette relation hôte-parasite, des tests de respirométrie et d’hypoxie critique ont été performés à cinq moments lors des deux premiers mois suivant l’infection. Les traits métaboliques aérobies (taux métabolique standard et maximal, AS), des indices de la tolérance hypoxique et du métabolisme anaérobiques (tension critique d’oxygène, pression partielle d’oxygène entraînant la perte d’équilibre, la concentration de lactate) et le taux d’hématocrite sont les variables analysées à l’aide de la respirométrie et de prélèvements sanguins. Nous démontrons ici que l’infection expérimental de ces trématodes n’affecte ni la portée aérobie ni la tolérance hypoxique et ce indépendamment du temps de développement du parasite. Un faible effet temporel, mais significatif, est observé entre les premiers jours d’expérimentations et les derniers, des différences principalement dues aux faibles différences non significatives des taux métaboliques standards et maximaux. Le stress induit par captivité et l’effet des changements saisonniers sur les taux métaboliques sont possiblement en cause. Pour l’instant, selon les conditions environnementales actuelles, le crapet-soleil démontre une résilience à l’infection parasitaire ainsi qu’à l’hypoxie. / Global warming is causing several abiotic and biotic changes in natural environments. The rise in water temperature causes a reduction in dissolved oxygen in lakes and increases the amount of hypoxic zone observed. Another consequence of rising temperatures is the increased metabolism and oxygen consumption of ectothermic species, including fish and parasites. Parasitism is ubiquitous in food webs and has a detrimental effect on the affected host. Parasites and hypoxia can limit the aerobic range (AS) of fish for daily activities. Thus, this study analyzes the effect over time of a trematode infection causing the blackspot disease on the metabolism and hypoxic tolerance of the host since the development of these parasites suggests an effect on the fish that varies according to the residence time of the parasites. We used sunfish (Lepomis gibbosus) infected with these trematodes as a model system. We hypothesized that parasite infection would reduce the aerobic range and hypoxia tolerance of fish as a function of the time of infection development. Respirometry and critical hypoxia tests were performed at five time points during the first two months post-infection to investigate this host-parasite relationship and its impact over time. Aerobic metabolic traits (standard and maximum metabolic rate, aerobic range), indices of hypoxic tolerance and anaerobic metabolism (critical oxygen tension, partial pressure of oxygen leading to loss of equilibrium, lactate concentration) and hematocrit levels were analyzed using respirometry and blood sampling. We demonstrate here that experimental infection with trematodes affects neither aerobic range nor hypoxic tolerance independently of parasite development time. A small but significant temporal effect is observed between the first and last days of experimentation, differences mainly due to small non-significant differences in standard and maximum metabolic rates. This may be due to stress induced by captivity and seasonal changes affecting metabolic rates. For now, considering actual environmental conditions, sunfish show high resiliency to parasitic infection and to hypoxia.