La diversité biologique du continent africain incite à explorer les sources multiples de la variation qui façonnent la morphologie humaine. La morphométrie, outil complémentaire à la génétique explore la diversité actuelle et passée. Cette recherche a donc pour objectif de réexaminer, en lien avec divers facteurs (phylogénie, géographie, climat, histoire), la variation morphologique en Afrique centrale, région clé pour comprendre l’histoire du continent. Jusqu’à présent, des études craniométriques ont été réalisées avec des méthodes bidimensionnelles sur des crânes complets en incluant rarement les collections archéologiques fragmentaires. L’objectif est aussi de palier à ce problème, en analysant le crâne dans son ensemble versus l’os temporal, qui a l’avantage de bien se conserver et contenir des informations surtout d’ordre phylogénétique. Un échantillon de 147 restes crâniens d’Afrique centrale a donc été sélectionné. Les individus récents (137 crânes complets) sont originaires de diverses localités réparties sur une zone géographique de 760 000 km2. Les individus archéologiques (11 os temporaux) proviennent de deux sites: Shum Laka, Cameroun (7 000 – 3 000 BP) (n=2); et Dépression de l’Upemba, D.R.C. (1 300 BP) (n=9). Après avoir créé une banque de modèles virtuels via la photogrammétrie, la morphométrie géométrique 3D a permis d’analyser séparément le crâne et l’os temporal. Après avoir vérifié la faible influence du dimorphisme sexuel, les résultats ont relevé quatre points : I) La morphologie crânienne actuelle, analysée dans sa globalité, reflète bien divers aspects phylogénétiques (appartenance ethnique) et environnementaux (géographie, climat) et possiblement d’ordre historique (mouvement de populations). II) La morphologie de l’os temporal, pris isolément, reflète aussi une variation inter-populationnelle élevée. Cependant, comme les distances entre groupes sont relativement courtes, cela pourrait être expliqué par le fait que l’os temporal reflète surtout la phylogénie. III) Une continuité de certains traits morphologiques de l’os temporal à travers le temps a été détectée, particulièrement au sein du groupe datant de l’âge du fer (Dépression de l’Upemba). IV) Finalement, une possible adaptation anatomique à des pressions environnementales (alimentation, économie) a été observée, notamment au niveau de la forme de la fosse mandibulaire de l’os temporal, passant d’une forme circulaire à une forme ellipsoïde depuis l’âge de pierre tardif à la période récente. / The biological diversity of the African continent impels us to explore the multiple sources of variation that shape human morphology. Morphometry, a complementary tool to genetics, explores current and past diversity. Therefore, by exploring various factors (phylogeny, geography, climate, history) this research aims to re-examine the morphological variation in Central Africa, a key geographical region for understanding the history of the continent. Thus far, craniometric studies have been carried out with two-dimensional methods on complete crania, and rarely included fragmentary archaeological collections. The aim of this research is also to overcome this problem, by analyzing the whole cranium versus the temporal bone. The latter has the advantage of an exceptional state of preservation and provides information of phylogenetic nature. Therefore, a sample of 147 crania from Central Africa was selected. Recent individuals (137 complete crania) originating from various localities spread over a geographical area of 760,000 km2. The archaeological sample (11 temporal bones) originates from two sites: Shum Laka, Cameroon (7,000 – 3,000 BP) (n=2); and Upemba Depression, R.D.C (1,3000 BP) (n=9). After creating a 3D models database using photogrammetry, 3D geometrics morphometrics was performed to analyze separately crania and temporal bones. Results demonstrate a weak influence of sexual dimorphism on morphology and raise four points: I) The analysis of current cranial morphology reflects various phylogenetic (ethnicity), environmental (geography, climate), and possibly histological (movement of populations) aspects. II) The morphology of the temporal bone also reflects a high inter-population variation. However, because distances between groups are relatively short, this could be explained by the fact that the temporal bone reflects mostly phylogeny. III) A continuity of some morphological traits of the temporal bone through time has been detected, particularly in the Iron Age group (Upemba Depression). IV) Finally, a possible anatomical adaptation to environmental pressures (diet, economy) was observed, especially in the shape of the mandibular fossa of the temporal bone, changing from a circular form during the LSA to an ellipsoid form in recent times.

The aim of this work is sexual dimorphism quantification of greater sciatic notch profile using 2D geometric morphometrics methods. The curvature was digitized by two different methods - manually with contact digitizer MicroScribe G2 and automatically with software Morphome3cs. Results from each method were comparised and advatages and disadvantages of boths methods were discussed. Target sample of 114 adult specimens of known sex was analyzed. This collection comes from Maxwell Museum of Anthropology, The University of New Mexico, Albuquerque and contains 57 male and 57 female hip bones. For the method verification the test smaple contains 112 adult specimens of known sex was used. This collection comes from Universidad Nacional Autonóma de México (UNAM). This collection contains 56 male and 56 female hip bones. The procrustes analysis, principal components analysis, thin plate spine and discriminant function analysis were used for analysis. We could make a detail description of morphologic differences in greater sciatic notch shape of men and women because of shape visualisation and difference of both group was confirmed by discriminant function analysis. Sex assesment achieves accuracy 92,11% - 98,25% in dependence on used methods and number of semilandmarks.

Many species are sensitive to a light in ultraviolet spectrum. Some species have surface patterns that reflect ultraviolet light. These markings have been observed in many animal taxa; butterflies (Lepidoptera) are no exception. UV-reflectance in butterflies has been primarily connected to sexual selection and in this respect it has been a subject of many studies. In my work I propose an alternative view to this phenomenon. The aim of my work is to reveal how a particular environmental factors influence the morphospace of UV- reflectant patterns and wing shape of the Gonepteryx rhamni (Pieridae). The effect of various environmental factors (latitude, longitude, altitude, mean annual temperature, mean annual precipitation, normalized difference vegetation index - NDVI or net primary productivity - NPP) on wing morphospace was tested using the methods of Geometric morphometrics. I have also studied shape variability among the males and females, specimens from different locations and differences in morphospace of several G. rhamni subspecies. The dataset used in this analysis includes 118 males and 67 females from the Palearctic ecozone. The effect of almost all environmental (except to NDVI and NPP) predictors on shape of the UV-pattern and wing margin was significant in the case of males. In the...

Presented thesis evaluates the risk of ongoing hybridization (antropohybridization) in highly endangered Prunus fruticosa in the Czech Republic and selected adjacent countries. Absolute genome size analysis (estimated by flow cytometry) combined with both numeric and geometric morphometrics were used for evaluation of hybridization. Prunus fruticosa frequently hybridize with naturalized Prunus cerasus (emerging tetraploid hybrid Prunus ×eminens) and native Prunus avium (forming triploid hybrid Prunus ×mohacsyana). Discrimination between P. ×eminens and P. ×mohacsyana is difficult, when using leaf morphology characters only, so the occurrence of triploid hybrids was strongly underestimated in the Czech Republic (only tetraploid hybrids were reported). Both hybrids are surely differentiated using flow cytometry analysis (based on different ploidy level). The majority of analyzed populations is formed by either individuals of pure P. fruticosa or one of the mentioned hybrids. Only four populations were mixed. Continuous variability in absolute genome size was found in two of them, which may indicate hybrid swarm forming (incl. primary hybrids and backcrosses). Our findings can be considered only as indirect evidence for introgression, which needs to be confirmed by molecular markers (for example...

Ce travail de thèse porte sur l'intégration des structures craniofaciales au sein de la famille des hominidés. Au cours de l'évolution, une réduction du prognathisme et une diminution de la longueur de la face sont observées chez les taxons appartenant au rameau humaine. Cette réduction des structures faciales est associée à une base du crâne plus fléchie et à une mandibule plus gracile. L'objectif de ce travail est de définir le rôle joué par les changements basicrâniens et mandibulaires dans la mise en place de la face courte et droite des humains modernes. Dans ce contexte, les schémas d'intégration liant la face et les autres structures crâniennes (basicrâne et mandibule) ont été décrits et quantifiés dans ce mémoire. Ce travail a été effectué sur la base d'un échantillon de crânes incluant l'ensemble des genres d'hominidés actuels : les humains modernes, les chimpanzés, les gorilles et les orangs-outans. Les crânes ont été préalablement numérisés à l'aide d'un scanner médical. Les schémas d'intégration craniofaciaux ont alors été étudiés à l'aide d'outils statistiques et de méthodes d'analyses en morphométrie géométrique. Ce travail a permis de mettre en avant plusieurs mécanismes d'intégration craniofaciale, propres aux humains modernes. Ces schémas d'intégration spécifiques permettent d'expliquer en grande partie la mise en place de la face réduite des humains modernes. Ces résultats permettent donc d'éclairer les mécanismes d'évolution et de mise en place des structures faciales chez les hominidés et dans le rameau humain. / This thesis dissertation is dedicated to the study of craniofacial structures within the hominid family. Throughout evolution, a reduction of facial prognathism and a diminution of the facial length are observed in the taxa which belong to the human lineage. This reduction of facial structures is associated to a more flexed cranial base and to a shorter mandible. The aim of this work is to define the role played by the basicranial and mandibular changes in the set up of the short and straight face of modern humans. In this context, the patterns of integration linking the face and the other cranial structures (basicranium and mandible) are decrypted and quantified in this thesis dissertation. This work has been done with a sample including all the extant hominid genera: modern humans, chimpanzees, gorillas, orang-utans. The skulls were first scanned using a medical scanner. Patterns of craniofacial integration were then studied using statistical tools and geometric morphometric analysis methods. This work underlined several mechanisms of craniofacial integration, unique to modern humans. These specific patterns of integration can explain an important part of the set up of modern humans reduced face. Thus, these results enlighten the evolution mechanisms and the set up of facial structures in hominids and in the human lineage.

The human face is characterized by a combination of morphological characters, which are unique for each individual. These characters are subject to change during ontogeny influenced by age, pathological conditions, injuries. The aim of this diploma thesis was an observation of age changes in the face of individuals in the age range from one to eighteen. Resource material were black and white photographs of girls and boys. Analysis of age changes in facial area was performed using methods of geometric morphometrics, specifically thin plate spine (TPS). The shape analysis confirmed, that between age and face shape exists significant relationship. It was found, that is mainly due to significant changes in height and width ratios. Face extends and narrows, forehead height is reduced and lower jaw grows to lenght. Facial changes are also influenced by the sex of individuals, while for girls the overall growth in the face stopps about age of fifteen, for boys continues to the age of eighteen years. Keywords Geometric morphometrics, thin plate spline, ontogenetic development of the face, age changes.

This doctoral thesis is submitted in the form of scientific publications together with theoretical introduction. The present state of knowledge of facial approximation methods is presented in the introduction. Areas of application, principles of the method and classification of the methods according to medium used are briefly described. Accuracy and limits of the method are further described as they form a base of the research of this thesis. Simultaneous existence of multiple prediction guidelines, of which the accuracy is not known or published, is typical characteristic of the facial approximation method. The aim of this thesis was to assess the accuracy of the particular prediction rules for estimation of position and size of facial parts (eyes, nose, lips), and based on the results to recommend the most accurate and suitable guidelines for middle European population. An assessment of the strength of the association between craniofacial shape and the shape of soft tissues in the profile using geometric morphometric methods, and determination of the extent to which it might be possible to predict the latter from the former were the purpose of the second part of the research. Material for this study consisted of 87 lateral head cephalograms of a recent adult Central European population (52 males...

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Les invasions biologiques sont reconnues comme un facteur évolutif important sur une échelle de temps courte. Elles affectent notamment la structure génétique des populations, les patrons d’évolution phénotypique et la richesse des faunes de parasites associées aux populations envahissantes. Cette étude se propose de quantifier les conséquences d’une invasion biologique suivant ces trois niveaux (génétique, phénotypique et parasitologique) en prenant pour exemple le cas du tilapia du Mozambique Oreochromis mossambicus. Ce cichlidé africain présente un statut remarquable en biologie de la conservation puisqu’il est à la fois (i) l’une des espèces les plus envahissantes au monde car dispersée à l’échelle globale au cours du XXème siècle et (ii) une espèce « quasi-menacée » (UICN) sur son aire native (partie du sud-est de l’Afrique) du fait de son hybridation massive avec d’autres Oreochromis sp. introduits. La démarche générale employée ici est de décrire l’histoire récente des populations à l’aide de marqueurs nucléaires (AFLP) et des séquences de l’ADN mitochondrial (ADNmt), puis de mettre en relation ces résultats génétiques avec la diversité morphologique et la parasitologie des populations. Deux systèmes différents ont été étudiés : Au sein de l’aire native, l’étude se focalise sur le Limpopo inférieur et le sous-bassin de la Changane (Mozambique). Des patrons d’introgression incluant trois espèces en présence sont détectés, mais les hybrides sont peu fréquents et leur expansion limitée. Ces résultats sont de plutôt bonne augure pour la conservation d’O. mossambicus et ils permettent d’identifier deux zones de conservation prioritaires. L’étude des parasites indique une plus grande diversité parasitaire mais de faibles prévalences dans les sites de moindre valeur en conservation, ce qui pourrait favoriser le succès des espèces introduites et de leurs hybrides. Parmi les territoires envahis, les AFLP et l’ADNmt soutiennent une homogénéité générale et une diversité génétique faible, qui sont interprétées comme le résultat d’un fort goulot d’étranglement précédant l’expansion à l’échelle mondiale. Une structure des populations en lien avec la géographie à large échelle (Nouvelle-Calédonie, Guadeloupe, Jamaïque) est cependant détectée. La variation de la forme du corps est également structurée à large échelle géographique, ce en dépit des fortes variations environnementales enregistrées à l’échelle locale. Cela suggère un effet des contraintes génétiques sur la diversification morphologique contemporaine. L’absence de parasites monogènes sur les populations introduites en Nouvelle-Calédonie peut être mise en relation avec un évènement fondateur, et est proposé comme l’un des facteurs ayant pu favoriser le succès de l’espèce. En conclusion, une faible diversité génétique ne contraint vraisemblablement pas un potentiel envahissant élevé et une diversification rapide chez les tilapias. / Biological invasions are recognized as a significant evolutionary factor over short time scales. In particular, their effect is well recorded on the genetic structure of populations, the patterns of phenotypic evolution and the richness of parasite fauna associated to invasive populations. This study aims at quantifying the consequences of a biological invasion according to these three levels (genetical, phenotypical and parasitological) taking as example the Mozambique tilapia Oreochromis mossambicus. This African cichlid is characterized by an unusual conservation status since it is both (i) ranked among the world’s worst invasive species due to its global dispersion during the 20th century and (ii) sorted as “near-threatened” (IUCN) over its native range (a part of south-east Africa) because of massive hybridization with alien introduced Oreochromis species. The approach used in this study imply to describe the recent history of populations using nuclear (AFLP) and mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) markers, and then to compare this genetic background to results describing the morphological and parasitological diversity of populations. Two different biological systems were studied: 1) Within the native range, the study focuses on the Lower Limpopo and the Changane sub-drainage (Mozambique). Introgression patterns involving the three co-occurring species were detected, but the frequency of hybrid is low and their geographic expansion is limited. These results provided rather good auspices for the conservation of O. mossambicus, and they allowed to identify two zones of high conservation priorities. The parasitological survey reveals high parasite richness and low prevalences among sites of low conservation values. This last pattern could favour the success of alien introduced species and their hybrids. 2) Among the invasive range of O. mossambicus, both AFLP and mtDNA support a strong genetic homogeneity and a low genetic diversity, a pattern interpreted as resulting from a strong population bottleneck preceding the events of global dispersion. A pattern of population structure related to large scale geography (New Caledonia, Guadeloupe, Jamaica) is nevertheless detected. Body shape variation is also primarily structured at large geographical scale, suggesting a role for genetic constrains on contemporary morphological diversification. The total absence of monogenean parasites in the populations of New Caledonia could result from a founding event and is suggested as a potential factor that could have favoured the O. mossambicus’ success. In conclusion, a low genetic diversity does not likely constraint a strong invasive potential and a rapid phenotypic diversification in tilapias.