Mysid shrimps (Mysidacea, Crustacea) are efficient zooplanktivores in both marine and freshwater systems as well as lipid rich prey for many species of fish.  Although some efforts have been made to study the role of mysids in the Baltic Sea, very few studies have been carried out in recent time and there are still knowledge gaps regarding various aspects of mysid ecology. This thesis aims to explore some of these gaps by covering a mixture of topics. Using multifrequency hydroacoustics we explored the possibility to separate mysids from fish echoes and successfully established a promising and effective method for obtaining mysid abundance/biomass estimates (paper I). An investigation of the current mysid community in a coastal area of the northern Baltic proper (paper II) demonstrated that the formerly dominant, pelagic mysid Mysis mixta had decreased substantially (~50%) in favor for phytoplanktivorous, juvenile Neomysis integer and Mysis relicta sp. By examining different aspects of mysid behavior, we studied the vertical size distribution of mysids in the field and found that size increased with depth/declining light, irrespective of temperature; indicating that their vertical size distribution primarily is a response to predation (paper II). In paper III, a combination of ecological and genetic markers was used to investigate intraspecific differences in migratory tendency. Both marker types indicated that some part of the Mysis salemaai population is sedentary on the bottom and that this strategy is a phenotypically plastic but persistent trait, analogous to the partial migrations seen in many birds and fishes. In paper IV a temperature and weight specific respiration model was developed for the littoral Praunus flexuosus. Routine respiration was moreover elevated by post-prandial effects (specific dynamic action) for longer times than previously suggested. Consequently, ignoring such effects could significantly bias respiration measurements. / At the time of doctoral defence the following papers were unpublished and had a status as follows: Paper  2: Accepted; Paper 3: Submitted; Paper  4: Accepted

In this thesis, I examined variation in sex expression and mating patterns in the sexually polymorphic, wind-pollinated herb Plantago maritima. With a combination of field studies, greenhouse experiments, and genetic analyses, I (a) examined factors influencing sex ratio variation in gynodioecious plants (in which hermaphrodites and females coexist), (b) discovered variation in breeding system, (c) investigated density-dependence of seed production, and (d) documented genetic variation within and among populations close to the northern range margin in Europe. In a survey of 104 P. maritima populations, I documented considerable variation in sex ratio (range 0-70% females, median 6.3% females). As predicted, females were more frequently missing from small than from large populations, and the variance in sex ratio increased with decreasing population size. Among twelve populations sampled for seed production, the frequency of females was positively related to relative fecundity of females and negatively related to population size. The results suggest that the local sex ratio is influenced both by the relative fecundity of females and hermaphrodites, and by stochastic processes in small populations. A comparative field study showed that plant fecundity decreased with increasing distance to nearest pollen donor both within and among populations in an archipelago in southern Sweden, where self-incompatibility was confirmed in controlled crosses. In contrast, plant fecundity was overall higher and was not density-dependent in the Skeppsvik archipelago in northern Sweden, where controlled crosses showed that plants are self-compatible. The results were consistent with the prediction that evolution of self-fertility should reduce density-dependence of pollination success. I quantified the genetic structure within and among populations from eastern Sweden and western Finland based on variation at four polymorphic microsatellite loci. The genetic diversity was low in northern Sweden, which may be the result of a history of small population sizes and periods of frequent self-fertilization.

Genetic variation is essential for biological evolution, for maintaining viability of populations, and to ensure ecosystem resilience. Increased human exploitation and environmental change result in rapid loss of biological variation, including genetic diversity. Measures to halt this trend require that biological diversity is assessed and monitored. Assessment of biodiversity includes identifying patterns of distribution of genetic variation within individual species. This thesis focuses on spatial genetic structure and assessment of units for conservation in continuous environments without apparent migration barriers. Empirical data refer to Scandinavia and the model species are northern pike (Esox lucius), brown trout (Salmo trutta), and harbour porpoise (Phocoena phocoena). Questions regarding monitoring genetic diversity and releases of alien populations are also addressed.  The spatial genetic structure of the northern pike in the Baltic Sea is characterized by isolation by distance and continuous genetic change. Positive genetic correlation was found among pike within geographical distances of less than 150 km. This distance may be used to suggest management units in this area. For the brown trout, genetic monitoring identified two sympatric populations within a small mountain lake system. The situation is characterized by a clear genetic but no apparent phenotypic dichotomy. Scientific support for a genetically distinct Baltic harbour porpoise population is limited, and the spatial genetic structure of the harbour porpoise in Swedish waters needs to be clarified. Data for launching conservation genetic monitoring programs is available for only a few Swedish species. Millions of forest trees, fish, and birds are released annually in Sweden and the documentation on these releases is poor. To meet responsibilities of safeguarding biodiversity and surveying biological effects of releases, there is an urgent need for studies aimed at evaluating genetic diversity. / At the time of the doctoral defense, the following paper was unpublished and had a status as follows: Paper 2: Manuscript.

The objectives of this thesis relate to questions needed to be addressed in the context of genetic monitoring for implementing the Convention on Biological Diversity for the gene level. Genetic monitoring is quantifying temporal changes in population genetic metrics. Specific goals of this thesis include i) synthesizing existing information relevant to genetic monitoring of Swedish species, ii) providing a genetic baseline for the Swedish moose, iii) evaluating the relative performance of nuclear versus organelle genetic markers for detecting population divergence, iv) actually monitoring the genetic composition, structure, level of variation, and effective population size (Ne) and assessing the relation between Ne and the actual number of individuals for an unexploited brown trout population. The concept of conservation genetic monitoring is defined and Swedish priority species for such monitoring are identified; they include highly exploited organisms such as moose, salmonid fishes, Norway spruce, Atlantic cod, and Atlantic herring. Results indicate that the Swedish moose might be more genetically divergent than previously anticipated and appears to be divided into at least three different subpopulations, representing a southern, a central, and a northern population. The relative efficiency of nuclear and organelle markers depends on the relationship between the degree of genetic differentiation at the two types of markers. In turn, this relates to how far the divergence process has progressed. For the monitored brown trout population no indication of systematic change of population structure or allele frequencies was observed over 30 years. Significant genetic drift was found, though, translating into an overall Ne-estimate of ~75. The actual number of adult fish (NC) was assessed as ~600, corresponding to an Ne/NC ratio of 0.13. In spite of the relatively small effective population size monitoring did not reveal loss of genetic variation.

Thesis (Ph. D.)--Miami University, Dept. of Zoology, 2004. / Title from second page of PDF document. Document formatted into pages; contains [3], iii, 138 p. : ill. Includes bibliographical references (p.121-138).

Orientador: Rogério Caetano da Costa / Resumo: O camarão-rosa Farfantepenaeus paulensis é um dos mais importantes recursos pesqueiros da costa sul-sudeste do Brasil. Os fundos de pesca da espécie incluem dois estoques reprodutivos principais, localizados nas costas dos estados de Santa Catarina e São Paulo. A espécie apresenta ciclo de vida do tipo II, com uma fase reprodutiva no ambiente marinho e recrutamento juvenil em áreas estuarinas e baías. O conhecimento sobre o fluxo gênico entre estoques é a base de todo o ordenamento pesqueiro, uma vez que unidades genéticas podem apresentar características particulares e, normalmente, necessitam de estratégias específicas de manejo. Porém, há poucas informações que podem servir de subsídio para verificar se os diferentes estoques pesqueiros de F. paulensis também representam estoques genéticos distintos. O crescimento desordenado da frota industrial, o incremento da pesca artesanal nas áreas de criadouro, somado à pequena eficácia da legislação pesqueira, associados à ineficiência da fiscalização, levaram a um cenário de colapso da pescaria do camarão rosa no fim dos anos 90. Um melhor entendimento da estruturação genética das populações de F. paulensis é necessário, não somente pelo seu alto valor comercial e ecológico, mas também para permitir a implementação de medidas de manejo mais efetivas. Assim, o presente trabalho buscou avaliar a estruturação genética das populações do camarão rosa F. paulensis ao longo de sua distribuição no Atlântico Sul Ocidental, utilizando como ... (Resumo completo, clicar acesso eletrônico abaixo) / Abstract: The pink shrimp Farfantepenaeus paulensis is one of the most important fishing resources on the south-southeast coast of Brazil. The fishing zone of the species includes two main reproductive stocks, located on the coasts of Santa Catarina and São Paulo states. The species exhibits the type II life cycle, with an offshore reproductive stage and a juvenile recruitment in bays and estuarine areas. Knowledge on the amount of gene flow between stocks is the basis of all fisheries management, since genetic units may have particular characteristics and usually require specific management strategies. However, there is little information to verify whether F. paulensis's different fish stocks also represent different genetic stocks. The unrestricted growth of the industrial fleet, the increase in artisanal fishing in breeding areas, coupled with the low effectiveness of fisheries legislation and the inefficiency of inspection, led to a collapse of the pink shrimp fishery in the late 1990s. A better understanding of the genetic structuring of the populations of F. paulensis is necessary, not only for its high commercial and ecological value, but also to allow the implementation of more effective management measures. Thus, the present work aimed to assess the genetic structuring of the populations of the pink shrimp F. paulensis throughout its distribution in the Western South Atlantic, using as molecular marker the Control Region (D-loop) of the mitochondrial DNA (Chapter 1). In additi... (Complete abstract click electronic access below) / Doutor

Les rivières en tresses sont des grandes rivières alluviales de piémont montagneux à forte dynamique spatio-temporelle et à géomorphologie particulière. Leur cours traverse alternativement de vastes plaines et des rétrécissements de vallées ou canyons. Cette géomorphologie influence fortement les échanges d’eau entre la rivière avec sa nappe souterraine et sur l’épaisseur sédimentaire. Les échanges d’eau entre la rivière et sa nappe se produisent à différentes échelles allant de la vallée jusqu’à des bancs de graviers et peuvent créer des filtres biotiques et abiotiques qui influencent les communautés d’invertébrés. Les canyons créent des zones de moindre épaisseur sédimentaire voire d’absence de sédiments et peuvent représenter de fortes barrières à la dispersion pour des organismes inféodés au milieu sédimentaire souterrain. Ce travail de thèse a cherché à évaluer dans quelle mesure la géomorphologie pouvait donc structurer les communautés d’invertébrés de surface et souterraines et pouvait jouer sur la dispersion d’un organisme souterrain Proasellus walteri. Les différents résultats obtenus ont permis de montrer que la géomorphologie structurait les communautés d’invertébrés en mettant en évidence une forte réponse des communautés souterraines mais pas de surface et créait des zones de forte biodiversité à l’aval des plaines. Les résultats de cette étude ont également permis de conclure sur un effet positif de la géomorphologie des rivières en tresses sur la structuration génétique de P. walteri et de mettre en évidence de grandes tailles de populations ainsi que de fortes capacités de dispersion, permettant d’écarter certaines idées reçues sur le milieu souterrain / Braided rivers are large alluvial rivers found in piedmont mountainous areas. These rivers are very dynamic systems in space and time and exhibit particular geomorphology. The river flows alternatively into large alluvial plains or narrowing parts (also defined as canyons). This geomorphology impacts groundwater-surface water exchanges and sedimentary thickness. Groundwater-surface water exchanges occur at different scales, then interacting to shape biotic and abiotic filters for invertebrate communities. Canyons can reduce sedimentary continuity or interrupt it and may represent strong barriers to dispersal for sedimentary-dwelling organisms. This present work aimed at evaluating the effects of geomorphology in invertebrate community structure and as a potential barrier to dispersal in the subterranean organism Proasellus walteri. The different results obtained have shown that geomorphology structured invertebrate communities, highlighting a strong response in groundwater communities but not in surface communities and have shown that downstream parts of alluvial plains were hotspots of biodiversity. The results of this study also concluded on a positive effect of geomorphology in braided rivers on the genetic structure of P. walteri and underlined large effective population size and high dispersal ability, then removing some misconceptions about subterranean environment

Estudos em genética de paisagem, das espécies zootécnicas, podem impulsionar o entendimento dos processos adaptativos, bem como, a maneira que o ambiente afeta o sucesso destas populações. O objetivo principal do projeto foi identificar assinaturas de seleção no genoma populações de suínos naturalizados brasileiros. Procurando obter a maior representatividade da variabilidade genética e ambiental dos suínos dentro do território brasileiros, amostras de DNA de pelo menos um animal e de pelo menos um grupo genético foram obtidas dentro do Banco de Germopalsma da EMBRAPA, totalizando 191 animais de 18 grupos genéticos suínos brasileiras que foram genotipadas, e classificadas de acordo com sua origem dentro de raça ou grupo genético, estado bioma, bacia hidrográfica, tipo de solo, ecoregião e tipo de vegetação. Após um controle de qualidade os genótipos resultantes foram utilizados no calculo das estatísticas F de Wright, equilíbrio de Hardy-Weinberg. Análise de componentes principais, coeficiente de endogamia, analise da variância molecular, testes de Mantel, e a determinação do número ideal de populações. Os dados ambientais foram convertidos em layers através do Qgis e utilizados na detecção de assinaturas de seleção através do BayeScan v2.1 (Foll & Gaggiotti 2008) e do Samβada (Stucki et al. 2014) Os resultados obtidos mostram que as populações estudadas têm uma estrutura variada entre e dentre si. A maior parte da variabilidade genética esta presente nos indivíduos dentro de grupos genéticos, e indivíduos dentro de estados. Existe diferenciação genética dos suínos dentro das variáveis ambientais classificatórias. As raças Monteiro e Marajó foram as que mostraram maiores níveis de estruturação. Os componentes principais mostram proximidade entre as raças comerciais, assim como o elevado grau de variação na composição genéticas das demais raças, com marcante separação dos animais Monteiro e Marajó. Níveis elevados de endogamia foram encontrados. Foram encontrados pelo menos 8 assinaturas de seleção no genoma das raças suínas localmente adaptadas. A freqüência dos genótipos destes marcadores divide o território brasileiro em duas regiões latitudinais distintas. Os níveis de estruturação das populações demonstram uma grande variabilidade genética entre e dentre as raças. As marcas de seleção encontradas demonstram a influência do meio ambiente no sucesso adaptativo destes animais ao território brasileiro. / Study of landscape genetics in livestock species can help understand the adaptive processes and the way that the environment affects the success of these populations. The main objective was the identification of genetic signatures of selection in the Brazilian autochthone swine breeds. We aim the higher representation of genetic and environmental variability from Brazilian territory sampling at least one animal from one genetic group per sampling point. The samples were obtained on CENARGEN-EMBRAPA Germplasm Bank in a total of 191 DNA samples from 19 Brazilian locally adapted swine genetic groups, classified into state, region, biome, hydrological basins, soil type, ecoregion and vegetation type. These samples were genotyped and after a quality control, we calculated Wright’ F-statistics, individual inbreeding coefficient, Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium, Principal components, IBD, Mantel test, an ideal number of subpopulations and an analysis of molecular variance. Environmental data was converted in layers through Qgis and used to detect signatures of selection by BayeScan v2.1 (Foll & Gaggiotti 2008) and Samβada ((Stucki et al. 2014) Population studied had genetic structure among different subpopulations, in a same category. The biggest part of genetic variability is the individual within breed and in individual within state. We found different intensity of population structure in the categories studied, been the he Monteiro and Marajó breeds that ones with highest values from population genetic structure. Principal component analyses showed proximity between commercial breeds, as well as the high degree of genetic variation among other breeds, with great detachment of Monteiro and Marajó animals from others. High inbreeding levels were found. Signatures of selection were found on the genome of Brazilian locally adapted swine pig. The genotypic frequency of these signatures of selection divides the Brazilian territory into two distinct latitudinal regions. The population structure levels demonstrate a wide genetic variability inside and among races. The signatures of natural selection found demonstrate the influence of the environment to successful adaptation of swine in Brazil.

Made available in DSpace on 2016-06-02T20:21:23Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 2705.pdf: 4158508 bytes, checksum: e7be7fc76294b9361bf22b40ad1ada06 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2009-06-25 / Financiadora de Estudos e Projetos / The dynamics of use of land in urban and agricultural areas has led to destruction and fragmentation of ecosystems. It has been related to the increase of susceptibility of natural populations to extinction due to increase of isolation between populations and reduction of population size. To evaluate the effect of the recent habitat fragmentation on the genetic diversity of natural populations, we will analyze the diversity and genetic structure of populations of the wooly mouse opossum Micoureus paraguayanus (Marsupialia: Didelphimorphia) in the Parque Estadual Morro do Diabo (SP) and in bush fragments in its surroundings. For this purpose, we used the control region (D-Loop) to examine population structure and dynamics in fragmented forest habitats. We found low values of haplotypic and nucleotidic diversity when compared to values from previous works with marsupials in fragmented areas. We found values of diversity of 0.28 and 0.0022% respectively. Besides that, there was a correlation between continuous cultivated lands distance and number of exclusives haplotypes. The AMOVA test showed no genetic structure between fragments, however, Fst values indicated significant genetic differentiation to Santa Tereza and Ponte Branca when compared with all the others fragments. These are between the smallest areas evaluated in this study and the differentiation indicates that the recent fragmentation suffered by these patches could be responsible for the changes in the genetic composition of these populations. / A dinâmica de uso da terra em áreas urbanas e rurais tem levado à fragmentação de ecossistemas e suas conseqüências têm sido relacionadas ao aumento da susceptibilidade de populações naturais à extinção devido à redução do tamanho populacional e ao aumento do isolamento por distância entre populações. Para avaliar os efeitos que a fragmentação recente de habitat possui sobre a diversidade genética das populações naturais, nós analisamos a diversidade e estrutura genética do marsupial Micoureus paraguayanus em fragmentos remanescentes de Floresta Estacional Semi-Decidual na região do Pontal do Paranapanema (SP) através da análise da região controle (D-Loop) do DNA mitocondrial. Foram encontrados valores baixos para as diversidades haplotípica e nucleotídica quando comparados à outros valores citados na literatura para populações de outras espécies de marsupiais em declínio. Nós encontramos valores de diversidades haplotípica e nucleotídica de 0.28 e 0.0022% respectivamente. Além disso, foi encontrada uma correlação entre a distancia agropastoril contínua e o numero de haplótipos exclusivos nos fragmentos amostrados para este estudo. O teste AMOVA não detectou estruturação genética entre fragmentos, todavia, os valores de Fst mostram diferenciação significativa dos fragmentos Santa Tereza e Ponte Branca em relação aos demais. Estes estão entre os menores e mais alterados fragmentos avaliados e a sua diferenciação indica que o processo recente de fragmentação (cerca de 60 anos) já pode ter sido o responsável por mudanças na composição genética da população.

Submitted by Alison Vanceto (alison-vanceto@hotmail.com) on 2016-09-27T12:23:30Z No. of bitstreams: 1 TeseAGN.pdf: 2192797 bytes, checksum: e995724f0c22f92176dd1473070b69a6 (MD5) / Approved for entry into archive by Marina Freitas (marinapf@ufscar.br) on 2016-09-27T20:09:23Z (GMT) No. of bitstreams: 1 TeseAGN.pdf: 2192797 bytes, checksum: e995724f0c22f92176dd1473070b69a6 (MD5) / Approved for entry into archive by Marina Freitas (marinapf@ufscar.br) on 2016-09-27T20:09:29Z (GMT) No. of bitstreams: 1 TeseAGN.pdf: 2192797 bytes, checksum: e995724f0c22f92176dd1473070b69a6 (MD5) / Made available in DSpace on 2016-09-27T20:09:35Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 TeseAGN.pdf: 2192797 bytes, checksum: e995724f0c22f92176dd1473070b69a6 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2015-08-13 / Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES) / The Salminus genus is characterized by predatory fish medium to large, migratory and ichthyophagi, very appreciated in fisheries and gastronomy. Among these stands out the Salminus hilarii species, popularly known as tabarana and considered top of the food chain, due to its high degree of selectivity for environments with rich water oxygen which constitutes a good environmental indicator. This species occurs in the São Francisco basins, Paraná basins and Jaguaribe river, and depends on specific hydrological conditions to carry out their reproduction. In this context and because of intense anthropogenic interference that such river systems have suffered, population's study of tabaranas in the upper Paraná basin can contribute to a better understanding of aspects related to its population structure and conservation of their populations. Thus, the aim of this study was to characterize the population genetic structure of S. hilarii at different periods in rivers of the Upper Paraná basin, in order to better understand the population dynamics of fish and effectively contribute to their conservation. It was used for molecular analysis 15 polymorphic microsatellite loci and mtDNA (D-loop). The results revealed the existence of population differentiation among the rivers sampled. Nevertheless, individuals sampled in the Jacaré-pepira river and Cubatão showed no genetic difference, indicating the occurrence of gene flow between populations sufficient to maintain the genetic homogeneity. Moreover, it was possible to identify the temporal structure into the Turvo and Jacaré-pepira river. A high genetic diversity was found in populations of Upper Paraná basin sampled rivers. The D-loop analysis showed no population structure between samples, but indicated the occurrence of a high diversity. The contradictory results may be due to mutational rates of the markers used, since microsatellites have high mutational rate. These results are important for understanding the behavior and biology of these fish, and also to establish fisheries management programs and conservation S. hilarii in the upper Paraná basin. / O gênero Salminus é caracterizado por peixes predadores de médio à grande porte, migradores e ictiófagos, muito apreciados na pesca e na gastronomia. Dentre esses, destaca-se a espécie Salminus hilarii, conhecida popularmente como tabarana e considerada topo de cadeia alimentar, devido ao seu alto grau de seletividade por ambientes com águas ricas em oxigênio o que torna a espécie uma bom indicador ambiental. Essa espécie ocorre nas bacias do São Francisco, alto rio Paraná e do rio Jaguaribe e depende de condições hidrológicas específicas para realizar sua reprodução. Dentro desse contexto e devido à intensa interferência antrópica que tais sistemas hidrográficos vêm sofrendo, estudar populações de tabaranas na bacia do alto Paraná pode contribuir efetivamente para o melhor entendimento de aspectos relacionados à sua estrutura populacional e conservação da espécie. Assim, o objetivo geral deste trabalho foi caracterizar a estrutura genética de populações de S. hilarii em diferentes períodos em rios da bacia do alto Paraná, com o intuito de compreender melhor a dinâmica populacional desse peixe e contribuir efetivamente para sua conservação. Para as análises moleculares utilizou-se 15 locos polimórficos de microssatélites e o mtDNA (D-loop). Os resultados obtidos revelaram a existência de diferenciação populacional entre os rios amostrados. Apesar disso, os indivíduos amostrados no rio Jacaré-pepira e ribeirão do Cubatão não apresentaram diferença genética entre eles, indicando a ocorrência de fluxo gênico entre as populações suficiente para manter a homogeneidade genética. Além disso, foi possível identificar a estruturação temporal dentro do rio Turvo e do rio Jacaré-pepira. Uma alta diversidade genética foi encontrada nas populações dos rios amostrados da bacia do alto Paraná. As análises do D-loop não evidenciaram estruturação populacional entre as amostragens, mas indicou a ocorrência de uma alta diversidade. A contradição dos resultados deve-se as taxas mutacionais dos marcadores utilizados, uma vez que os microssatélites possuem taxas mutacionais elevadas. Esses resultados são importantes para o entendimento do comportamento e biologia desses peixes e, ainda, para estabelecer programas de manejo de pesca e conservação de S. hilarii na bacia do alto Paraná.