The results of evolution can be inferred from comparative studies of related organisms. In this doctoral thesis, I use phylogenetic comparative methods along side geometric morphometrics to analyse shape variation in order to infer evolution of the caecilian skull. Caecilians are elongate, limbless amphibians that superficially resemble snakes or earthworms, and use their head as a locomotory organ. I characterise large-scale patterns of cranial morphological diversity and quantify variation across the main family-level clades by describing patterns relating to phylogeny, disparity and ecology. Then I examine the origins and evolution of morphological variation in the skull by describing patterns relating to morphological integration and modularity. This thesis demonstrates a variety of existing statistical techniques that can be used to infer processes from large-scale evolutionary patterns in morphological data using non model organisms. Throughout the thesis, I show that the evolution of the caecilian skull to be multifaceted. On the patterns of diversity, the most striking is a "starburst" arrangement in shape space, which suggests that early in caecilian evolution ancestral lineages traversed greater expanses of the shape space, while subsequent phylogenetic divergence within the main clades entailed less morphological diversification. This may be related to early diversification into different ecological-niches, yet more data are needed to test this. The clades differ considerably in their cranial disparity, but there appears to be no unified pattern across the whole order that indicates disparity is coupled with clade age or speciation events. I show that aquatic species are more diverse than their terrestrial relatives, and that there is convergence of cranial shape among dedicated burrowers with eyes covered by bone. On the patterns of morphological integration and modularity, another remarkable finding is the caecilian cranium is modular with respect to two functional regions, the snout and the back of the cranium. Modularity is important for understanding the evolution of this structure. The main elements of the caecilian anterior skeleton, the cranium, mandible and atlas vertebra, reveal different patterns of morphological integration, suggesting different developmental and evolutionary processes are involved in sorting and maintaining new variation of each structure. Allometry is an important component of integration in each of the structures. Covariation of the cranium-mandible after size correction is significant and follows the same direction of shape change across all levels and as shown for allometry. In contrast, covariation of the cranium-atlas follows different directions at each level. These results suggest the two main joint of the caecilian skull differ substantially in their origin and evolution. I discuss the contribution made in this thesis to caecilian and evolutionary biology and offer an outlook of how theses findings can be used to initiate future studies to better understand of the evolution of the caecilian skull.

Orientador: Ricardo Cardoso Benine / Resumo: Atualmente, os reservatórios artificiais de água causam grandes impactos e representam uma grande ameaça à biodiversidade de todo o mundo. Moenkhausia costae é uma espécie de peixe da Família Characidae, amplamente distribuída nos diversos ambientes da bacia do rio São Francisco, sendo presente no reservatório da UHE Três Marias. Observando populações coletadas na lagoa da represa e fora da mesma foram identificadas variações morfológicas notáveis. Trabalhos prévios com peixes demonstraram que populações alocadas em ambientes alterados por barramento de rios apresentavam variações morfológicas com relação à populações que permaneciam em ambiente natural. Neste trabalho avaliou-se a variação morfológica presente entre populações de M. costae que estão sob influência direta da lagoa da UHE Três Marias e populações sob condições naturais, fora da influência do reservatório. Para avaliar a variação morfológica existente entre populações de M. costae de ambos os ambientes, foram levantados caracteres morfológicos através das morfometrias linear e geométrica, sendo estas testadas posteriormente através de análises multivariadas. A morfometria linear demonstrou um padrão morfológico com formas mais limitadas nas populações da represa, concordando com os resultados exibidos pela morfometria geométrica, que também demonstrou formas corporais limitadas para as populações da represa. / Abstract: Currently, artificial water reservoirs are causing impacts and represent a major threat to biodiversity around the world. Moenkhausia costae is a fish species of the Characidae, and is widely distributed in the different environments of the rio São Francisco basin, being present in UHE Três Marias dam. Examining populations collected in and out of the dam influence area, remarkable morphological variations were identified. Previous works with fish showed that populations allocated in environments altered by dam’s construction presented morphological variations in relation to populations that remained in a natural environment. This work evaluated the morphological variation present among populations of M. costae that are under direct influence of UHE Três Marias lagoon and populations that are outside the influence of the dam. For this, morphological characters were collected through linear and geometric morphometry methodologies, which were later tested through multivariate analyzes. Linear morphometry demonstrated a morphological pattern with more limited patterns in dam populations, agreeing with the results exhibited by geometric morphometry, which also demonstrated limited body shapes for dam populations. / Mestre

Master of Science / Biology / Michael Tobler / Environmental variation can shape phenotypic variation in organisms. Most evidence for trait differentiation along environmental gradients comes from analyses of dichotomous habitat types that differ in only one or few environmental factors. In reality, however, environmental variation is often more subtle, gradual, and multifarious. I investigated geographic variation in body shape, trophic resource use, and individual diet specialization in two species of darters (Etheostoma spectabile and E. flabellare; Percidae) that occur along river gradients. I explicitly tested how abiotic and biotic environmental factors shape trait variation within and between species. Results indicated significant among population variation in the body shape of both species. Population differences in body shape were correlated with variation in substrate composition. Although body shape analyses revealed a small but significant signal of convergent evolution of body shape when both species occur in sympatry, E. spectabile and E. flabellare mostly exhibited unique responses to shared sources of selection. The analyses of darter trophic resource use uncovered significant resource partitioning between the two species and geographic variation in diets that is likely driven by differences in resource availability. Furthermore, the majority of populations exhibited significant individual specialization. Variation in individual specialization in populations of E. flabellare was related to invertebrate density and competitor richness, and in E. spectabile to the combined effects of invertebrate density and invertebrate diversity. My results indicate substantial variation in trophic resource use among individuals, populations, and species of small-bodied fishes that are typically assumed to be generalist insectivores. Variation in diet specialization may be more widespread than previously considered, and ecological opportunity is an important factor in shaping trophic resource use of individuals and populations. Overall, the results indicate that even subtle and gradual environmental variation can induce substantial variation in phenotypes on a relatively small spatial scale.

Les processus d’hybridation et d’introgression occupent une place importante dans l’étude du mécanisme de spéciation, car ils permettent d’analyser les conséquences évolutives des échanges génétiques entre espèces partiellement isolées. Ici, nous nous sommes intéressés à la zone d’hybridation entre les soles S. senegalensis et S. aegyptiaca au niveau des côtes nord-tunisiennes, pour comprendre l’origine de leur diversification. Nous avons premièrement caractérisé les conséquences phénotypiques de l’hybridation sur la variabilité morphologique. Nos résultats montrent que si l’introgression provoque la convergence de certains caractères morphologiques, elle est en revanche à l’origine de transgressions et de distorsions morphologiques sur d’autres traits, pouvant refléter une condition plus faible des génotypes recombinants. Les phénomènes d’incompatibilité génétique associés à une éventuelle contre-sélection des hybrides sont supposés créer une perméabilité différentielle du génome face au flux génique entre espèces. Pour étudier cette semi-perméabilité à l’échelle du génome, nous avons établi un jeu de données de polymorphisme par la méthode RAD-seq. Ceci nous a permis de génotyper 200 individus pour 10 756 marqueurs SNP, qui nous ont permis de caractériser les flux géniques entre ces deux espèces à travers trois approches complémentaires. La première est basée sur une reconstitution démographique de l’histoire des échanges génétiques qui intègre les effets de la semi-perméabilité des génomes. La seconde approche se focalise sur l’évolution spatiale des fréquences alléliques à travers la zone d’hybridation. La dernière méthode, dite des clines génomiques, compare le comportement de chaque locus au patron d’introgression moyen attendu sous l’hypothèse de neutralité. Nos résultats indiquent que S. senegalensis et S. aegyptiaca ont subi une divergence ancienne en allopatrie suivie d’un contact secondaire récent. Seule une faible proportion du génome parvient à introgresser de manière asymétrique dans la zone hybride qui en résulte, selon une grande diversité de patrons d’introgression dont nous discutons les origines possibles. / Hybridisation and introgression processes have an important place in the study of speciation as they allow to analyse the evolutionary consequences of genetic exchanges between partially isolated species. Here we are interested in the hybrid zone resulting from the contact between the soles S. aegyptiaca and S. senegalensis along the North Tunisian coast. First, we studied the consequences of hybridisation on phenotypic variation. This allowed us to evidence that phenotypic convergence in hybrids was accompanied by phenotypic transgression and morphological distortions for certain traits that seem to reflect a reduced condition of hybrids. Possible genetic incompatibilities between species should be responsible for the differential permeability of the genome to gene flow, thereby creating a semi-permeable barrier. To study this barrier at the genome scale, we have produced a polymorphism dataset using the RAD-seq method. This allowed us to genotype 200 individuals at 10,756 SNP markers and to characterise genomic patterns of gene flow between the two species through three complementary approaches. The first is based on a reconstruction of the demographic history of the genetic and exchanges that incorporates the effects of the semi-permeability to gene flow. The second approach focuses on the spatial evolution of allele frequencies across the hybrid zone. The last method, called genomic clines, compares the behaviour of each locus to the average introgression pattern expected under the hypothesis of neutrality. Our results indicate that S. aegyptiaca and S. senegalensis underwent ancient divergence in allopatry followed by a recent secondary contact. Only a small proportion of the genome can asymmetrically introgress across the hybrid zone, resulting in a variety of introgression patterns of which we discuss the possible origins.

Le premier objectif de ce travail de thèse était de développer la méthodologie d’étude des postures basée sur la morphométrie géométrique. Cela nécessitait un perfectionnement de la méthodologie déjà existante sur la ligne du dos du cheval afin d’obtenir une méthode précise, quantifiable, objective et reproductible, permettant de discriminer des populations. Pour cela, plusieurs améliorations méthodologiques (ajout de marqueurs pour dessiner le contour de laligne du dos du cheval, analyse de contour, annulation de la rotation de l’encolure) ont été testées sur un important jeu de données et finalement retenues. Cette méthodologie retenue a ensuite été utilisée afin de valider sa pertinence, et de rechercher des postures associées à des états de mal-être et à des conditions de travail différentes. Nos résultats ont tout d’abord mis en évidence l’existence d’une posture atypique, dans l’ensemble plate, voire creuse, associée à des marqueurs de mal-être parmi les chevaux de centre équestre. D’une part des chevaux issus de différentes disciplines équestres, et d’autre part des individus entrainés pour les courses de galop par plusieurs entraineurs, aux pratiques distinctes, ont permis d’observer un effet du type de travail sur la ligne du dessus notamment sur la forme de la croupe, del’encolure et du garrot. La méthodologie ainsi validée, il était possible de proposer un protocole de mesure de la posture par morphométrie géométrique chez l’humain, pour une application à l’étude de la communication non verbale, à la constitution d’un répertoire de postures « normales », ou encore pour le diagnostic de pathologies physiques (e.g. contextesportif) ou psychologiques. / The first goal of this thesis work was to develop the study methodology of the posture based on geometric morphometrics. This required an upgrading of the already existing methodology using the upper line of the horse in order to obtain a precise, quantifiable, unbiased and reproducible method which allows to discriminate populations. To achieve this, manymethodological improvements (addition of markers for the modelling of the contour of horse upper line, contour analyses, cancellation of the neck rotation) has been tested on a very large dataset and retained. Then this adopted methodology has been used to validate its relevance, and searching for postures associated with poor welfare and different working conditions. Our results has first brought to light the existence of an atypical posture, globally flat, even hollow, related to poor welfare indicators among the population of riding school horses. On one side horses from different equestrian disciplines, and on the other side individuals trained for horseracing by several trainers with distinct practices, has allowed to observe an impact of the type of work on the upper line, notably on the shape of the croup, neck and withers. This methodology thereby validated, it was possible to propose a protocol for the measure of the posture through geometric morphometrics on humans, for an application in the non-verbal communication research, the creation of a repertoire of « normal » postures, or for the diagnosis of psychological or physical pathologies (e.g. in the sport context).

Vários estudos sobre ontogenia e assimetria foram e vêm sendo realizados com cetáceos odontocetos através da utilização da morfometria convencional. Frequentemente compara-se o tamanho de estruturas do sistema respiratório de ambos os lados do crânio para avaliar a assimetria de tamanho e analisa-se o aumento de tamanho do corpo com a idade para avaliar ontogenia. Porém, através da morfometria convencional nem sempre é possível descrever ou representar a variabilidade de forma dos organismos, sendo que informações sobre a forma craniana dos odontocetos são bastante escassas. A morfometria geométrica é uma técnica que vem sendo amplamente utilizada em estudos de comparação da forma dos organismos, a qual leva em consideração o caráter geométrico das formas biológicas e analisa estatisticamente sua variação. Além disso, possibilita a realização de descrições independentes de forma e tamanho, o que permite que os mesmos sejam analisados separadamente. Sendo assim, este estudo se propôs a investigar as alterações ontogenéticas na forma e tamanho do crânio do boto-cinza, Sotalia guianensis, buscando alterações cranianas entre indivíduos de diferentes classes etárias, além de verificar a existência e analisar a assimetria direcional na forma e tamanho craniano para esta espécie. Para isso, os crânios foram digitalizados através de um braço digitalizador e depois de um tratamento geométrico as configurações geradas foram analisadas estatisticamente, a partir dos seus componentes de forma e tamanho. Foi observada assimetria de tamanho e forma para muitas das estruturas cranianas estudadas, notando-se diferenças com relação à assimetria entre as subunidades de desenvolvimento do crânio. Com relação à ontogenia, verificou-se um padrão semelhante para a alteração da forma e do tamanho com a idade, evidenciando que, tanto a forma como o tamanho craniano, se estabilizam por volta dos oito anos de idade. / Several studies exploring the ontogeny and asymmetry involving the skull and skeleton of the species of the Suborder Odontoceti have been performed using traditional morphometric techniques. Ontogenetic studies are usually based on the relationship between body size and age, while those focusing on the existence and degree of asymmetry compare the size of skull elements related to the respiratory tract. However, traditional morphometrics can not describe or represent adequately the variability of shape between organisms and therefore information about shape of dolphin skulls are very scarce. Geometric Morphometrics is a toolbox of techniques that is been widely applied in studies comparing the shape of organisms taking into consideration the biological shapes and analyzing their variation statistically. In addition, this technique allows to independently describe both shape and size separately, as well as exploring their relationship. The main objective of this study is to investigate the changes in skull shape and size during the ontogeny for the estuarine dolphin, Sotalia guianensis, characterizing the shape of the skull among different age groups. The second goal is to verify and analyze directional asymmetry in skull size and shape for this species. Dolphin skulls were scanned using a Microscribe-3D digitizer, statistically analyzing size and shape of the configurations created after translating, rotating and rescaling the original variables. Asymmetry in size and shape was detected for some cranial structures. There were also differences in asymmetry degree between the development subunits of the skull. For the ontogenetic trajectory it was detected a similar pattern of changes in shape and in size with age, in which both are stabilizing around eight years old for this species.

Submitted by Marlene Santos (marlene.bc.ufg@gmail.com) on 2016-07-28T16:40:34Z No. of bitstreams: 2 Tese - Núbia Carla Santos Marques - 2016.pdf: 2449653 bytes, checksum: 5c7b386d16140f146b1b891f400d91dc (MD5) license_rdf: 0 bytes, checksum: d41d8cd98f00b204e9800998ecf8427e (MD5) / Approved for entry into archive by Luciana Ferreira (lucgeral@gmail.com) on 2016-08-01T12:57:44Z (GMT) No. of bitstreams: 2 Tese - Núbia Carla Santos Marques - 2016.pdf: 2449653 bytes, checksum: 5c7b386d16140f146b1b891f400d91dc (MD5) license_rdf: 0 bytes, checksum: d41d8cd98f00b204e9800998ecf8427e (MD5) / Made available in DSpace on 2016-08-01T12:57:44Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 2 Tese - Núbia Carla Santos Marques - 2016.pdf: 2449653 bytes, checksum: 5c7b386d16140f146b1b891f400d91dc (MD5) license_rdf: 0 bytes, checksum: d41d8cd98f00b204e9800998ecf8427e (MD5) Previous issue date: 2016-03-18 / Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior - CAPES / Tadpoles of anuran species that occur in Cerrado can be found in several types of habitats. This habitat plasticity is possible because tadpoles have a high diversification in morphological adaptations that ensure an optimal performance in different ecological contexts. In this study, we were interested to investigate how environmental and spatial factors can explain the patterns of occurrence and distribution of tadpoles in Brazilian Cerrado and the interaction with tadpoles‘ morphological variation. We found that occurrence of tadpoles was explained by environmental variables and seven morphology-environment interactions. The most common tadpoles morphological change is related to body and tail size, and in eyes, nostril and mouth positions. Tadpoles‘ assemblage composition and morphological variation have significantly affected by spatial factors, but local environmental factors also play a major role defining morphological variation, although to a small degree. We discuss ecomorphological guilds of tadpoles and suggest that in larger guild (benthic tadpoles) can have morphology-environment interaction, while in the smaller ones (nektonic tadpoles) changes in feeding behavior and habitat selection is more common. There is a lack of knowledge about amphibian diversity, abundance and occurrence in Brazilian Cerrado and our study provide additional information about environmental and spatial factors that contribute to the patterns of occurrence and distribution of species. Abiotic factors (e.g. vegetation in ponds and land use) and spatial factors can contribute to individuals‘ phenotype changes and play a role in patterns of occurrence and tadpoles‘ assemblage composition. / Girinos de anuros que ocorrem no Cerrado podem ser encontrados em diversos tipos de habitats, sendo essa plasticidade de hábitats possível devido as adaptações morfológicas que asseguram uma boa performance em diferentes contextos ecológicos. Nesse presente estudo, nós investigamos como fatores ambientais e espaciais podem explicar os padrões de ocorrência e distribuição de girinos do Cerrado, além da interação com a variação morfológica dos indivíduos. A ocorrência dos girinos foi explicada por variáveis ambientais e sete interações morfologia-ambiente, sendo as mudanças morfológicas mais comuns: variação no tamanho do corpo e da cauda e mudanças nas posições dos olhos, narina e boca. A composição e a variação morfológica da assembleia de girinos são significativamente afetadas por fatores espaciais, mas fatores ambientais locais também desempenham um importante papel definindo a variação morfológica dos girinos, embora em um menor grau. Abordamos as guildas ecomorfológicas dos girinos e sugerimos que em guildas maiores pode haver variação morfológica atreladas as variáveis ambientais, enquanto nas menores mudanças no comportamento de forrageio e na seleção de hábitat são mais comuns. O presente estudo fornece informações adicionais sobre fatores ambientais e espaciais que contribuem para os padrões de ocorrência e distribuições das espécies de anuros. Fatores abióticos, por exemplo presença de vegetação e uso da terra ao redor da poça, também podem estar agindo mudando o fenótipo dos indivíduos e determinando a ocorrência e a composição das assembleias. Fatores espaciais também são determinantes em assembleias de girinos, sendo um grupo que possui baixa capacidade de dispersão. Girinos estão, em geral, limitados a poça que foi previamente escolhida pelo adulto, e processos neutros como nascimentos e mortes aleatórias na população podem operar nas assembleias.

As cobras são um grupo de vertebrados extremamente bem sucedido. Apesar da aparente simplicidade, elas conseguiram ocupar uma grande diversidade de habitats. O esqueleto axial das serpentes apresenta relação com vários aspectos da vida que puderam ter tido influência direta em seu sucesso evolutivo. Além disso, a forma dos elementos vertebrais possui valor taxonômico, fato que desperta particular interesse, visto que a maior parte do registro fóssil deste grupo é constituído por elementos vertebrais desarticulados. A morfometria geométrica utiliza informações sobre a posição de pontos em duas ou três dimensões, localizados sobre estruturas anatômicas para análise estatística da variação da forma. Esse conjunto de técnicas tem se mostrado eficaz em avaliar variações da forma que não seriam diagnosticadas por métodos tradicionais. O presente trabalho buscou avaliar as vértebras do esqueleto pré-cloacal de Serpentes no contexto da morfometria geométrica, considerando as influências ecológicas e filogenéticas sob estas estruturas, e investigando ainda a utilidade taxonômica da forma vertebral. Os resultados apresentados aqui sugerem a existência de uma padronização do esqueleto axial de serpentes que é conservada ao longo da história evolutiva desse grupo. Análises ecomorfológicas demonstram que a forma vertebral é fortemente influenciada por hábitos de vida como fossorialidade e constrição. A despeito da ausência de sinal filogenético, as análises de classificação de elementos vertebrais dissociados demonstram que a forma vertebral pode ser utilizada para a diagnose de vértebras isoladas. Esses resultados reforçam a necessidade de realização de análises de variação longitudinal para a identificação correta de material fóssil referente a este grupo. / Snakes are an extremely successful group of vertebrates. Despite their apparent morphological simplicity, they managed to occupy a great diversity of habitats. The axial skeleton of snakes has relationships with various aspects of their life history that could have had direct influence in the evolutionary success of these animals. Furthermore, the shape of the vertebrae is recognized as being of taxonomic value, a fact that elicits a special interest, since the majority of the fossil record of this group is composed of disarticulated vertebral elements. Geometric morphometrics methods use information about the position of landmarks in two or three dimensions, placed over anatomical structures for statistical analyses of shape variation. This group of techniques has been shown to identify shape variations that would not be diagnosed through traditional methods. The present work sought to evaluate the vertebrae of the pre-cloacal skeleton of Serpentes in the context of geometric morphometrics, evaluating the influences of ecology and phylogeny over the shape of these structures, and also investigating the taxonomic usefulness of vertebral shape. Results presented here suggest the existence of a patterning of the axial skeleton that is conserved throughout the evolutionary history of the group. An ecomorphological analysis demonstrates that the vertebral shape is highly influenced by life-history traits such as fossoriality and constriction. Despite the absence of phylogenetic signal, analyzes of classification of dissociated vertebral elements show that the vertebral shape can be used to diagnose isolated vertebrae. These results reiterate the necessity of performing studies of longitudinal variation in order to correctly identify fossil material associated with this group.

Os padrões de conformação craniana resultantes da seleção das raças durante o processo de domesticação do cão evidenciam as relações entre as diversas partes que compõe o crânio. As raças braquicefálicas apresentam as maiores variações na forma quando comparadas aos mesaticefálicos, padrão este já descrito de forma qualitativa na literatura. Neste estudo, por meio da morfometria geométrica, as diferentes regiões do crânio e mandíbula de exemplares pertencentes aos dois grupos foram analisadas quantitativamente. Foram selecionados 52 crânios e 57 pontos anatômicos, digitalizados em três dimensões representando a forma destes crânios. As coordenadas foram utilizadas em análises multivariadas, buscando a caracterização quantitativa das diferenças na forma entre os grupos. Para o estudo da assimetria, foram analisados o crânio e mandíbula separadamente: regiões de contato da dentição com o crânio e com a mandíbula; caixa craniana; fossa mandibular; processo condilar; arco zigomático e processo coronóide. Para a caracterização dos padrões de covariância, as regiões de interesse foram analisadas aos pares: contato da dentição com o crânio e a com a mandíbula; fossa mandibular e processo condilar; arco zigomático e processo coronóide; dentes 4o pré-molar superior e 1o molar inferior; crânio e mandíbula. As análises estatísticas mostraram diferenças significativas entre os dois grupos, braquicefálicos e mesaticefálicos, com assimetrias nas regiões do crânio e no contato da dentição com o crânio e com a mandíbula. Na análise do índice de covariância houve diferença estatisticamente significativa entre os dois grupos no contato da dentição com o crânio e com a mandíbula; crânio e mandíbula; relação dos dentes 4o pré-molar superior e 1o molar inferior. Concluiu-se que as principais diferenças estão concentradas na região rostral do crânio e mandíbula, nas regiões de contato da dentição nestas regiões e entre o 4o pré-molar superior e 1o molar inferior. Estes resultados sugerem que as maiores variações no crânio dos braquicefálicos estão concentradas nas regiões que participam conjuntamente da mastigação, sem diferenças na parte caudal do sincrânio. / The observed variation in skull conformation of the breeds of domestic dogs is the result of selection during domestication process and it provide information about the patters of interaction among the different parts that constitutes this structure. Qualitative studies published in the literature shown that brachycephalic breeds have the highest variability in skull shape when compared to mesaticephalics. In this study, different regions of the skull of specimens belonging to both groups were analyzed quantitatively, using geometric morphometric techniques. Fifty-two skulls and 57 landmarks were selected and digitalized to perform a 3-D reconstruction of the skulls. Multivariated analyses over the coordinates were used to analize and quantify shape differences between the two groups. Patterns of asymmetry were explored for both, the cranium and mandible, analyzing separately six regions of interest: teeth contact between upper and lower jaw; braincase; mandibular fossae; condilar processes; zygomatic arches and coronoid processes. To evaluate covariance patterns the regions were analyzed in pairs: teeth contact between upper and lower jaw; mandibular fossae and condilar process; zygomatic arch and coronoid process; upper fourth premolar and lower first molar; cranium and mandible. The statistical analyses indicated significant differences between the brachycephalic and mesaticephalic groups for asymmetry at the different regions of the skull and teeth contact between upper and lower jaw. For the covariance patterns there is statistical significant difference for teeth occlusion between upper and lower jaw; skull and jaw; upper fourth premolar and lower first molar relationship. In conclusion, the main differences are located in the rostrum contact between upper and lower rostral teeth and upper fourth premolar and lower first molar. These results suggest that the highest shape variability in the skull of braquicephalics dogs is concentrated in structures that are used in the mastication, without differences at the caudal region of the jaws.

Submitted by isabela.moljf@hotmail.com (isabela.moljf@hotmail.com) on 2017-05-10T15:15:37Z No. of bitstreams: 1 sarahdasilvamendes.pdf: 575630 bytes, checksum: ad12b2b2db4042c4e06195378407b834 (MD5) / Approved for entry into archive by Adriana Oliveira (adriana.oliveira@ufjf.edu.br) on 2017-05-17T15:09:28Z (GMT) No. of bitstreams: 1 sarahdasilvamendes.pdf: 575630 bytes, checksum: ad12b2b2db4042c4e06195378407b834 (MD5) / Approved for entry into archive by Adriana Oliveira (adriana.oliveira@ufjf.edu.br) on 2017-05-17T15:09:44Z (GMT) No. of bitstreams: 1 sarahdasilvamendes.pdf: 575630 bytes, checksum: ad12b2b2db4042c4e06195378407b834 (MD5) / Made available in DSpace on 2017-05-17T15:09:44Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 sarahdasilvamendes.pdf: 575630 bytes, checksum: ad12b2b2db4042c4e06195378407b834 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2013-02-26 / CAPES - Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior / Os filhotes e juvenis de quelônios não apresentam anatomicamente características sexuais secundárias visíveis, não sendo possível diferenciar o sexo através da observação da carapaça. Vários autores defendem a análise histológica como a melhor técnica para se realizar a sexagem de filhotes da espécie Caretta caretta. O objetivo do presente trabalho foi realizar a identificação sexual de filhotes de C. caretta através da morfometria geométrica e da histomorfologia. Foram utilizados 73 filhotes natimortos, coletados em diversos ninhos ao longo da Praia da Guanabara, Anchieta, Espírito Santo, Brasil. Para a análise morfométrica, cada animal teve a carapaça fotografada. Posicionado em decúbito dorsal foram retirados o plastrão, intestino grosso, fígado e bexiga para permitir a visualização das gônadas e rins, que após fotografados foram armazenados em formalina 10% tamponada. Foram utilizados os softwares TPSUtil, TPSDig2, CoordGen, PCAGen e CVAGen para as análises morfométricas. O processamento do material seguiu as etapas convencionais da técnica histológica. Com base na análise de componentes principais (PCA), PC1 explicou 19,83% da variação na carapaça dos filhotes, enquanto PC2 explicou 14,71%. Análise de variáveis canônicas revelou que há uma tendência de dimorfismo sexual entre os filhotes, através da carapaça e que essa pode estar relacionada com o sexo dos exemplares. As gônadas estavam localizadas próximas ao hilo renal, com formato filiforme. Nos ovários foi possível observar um córtex com epitélio cúbico e bem desenvolvido, associado a uma medula desorganizada e rica em matriz intersticial. O córtex dos testículos era composto por uma fina camada de epitélio pavimentoso simples, uma medula muito bem desenvolvida e com pouca matriz intersticial, observando-se vários túbulos seminíferos, nitidamente distinguíveis. Trabalhos realizados com filhotes de tartaruga cabeçuda e outras espécies de quelônios, utilizando a morfometria geométrica, também demonstraram haver diferenças na carapaça que distinguem o sexo de filhotes recém nascidos. As características histológicas identificadas foram semelhantes às encontradas por outros autores. Outros trabalhos defendem que a análise macroscópica é suficiente para identificar o sexo de filhotes de tartarugas, o que foi demonstrado efetivamente para Dermochelys coriacea e Chelonia mydas, mas não foi efetivo para C. caretta. A morfometria geométrica se mostrou uma ferramenta útil, tendo a histomorfometria das gônadas de filhotes de C. caretta, confirmado o dimorfismo sexual apontado pela morfometria geométrica. / The hatchlings and juvenile turtles have not anatomically visible secondary sex characteristics, it is not possible to differentiate sex by viewing the carapace. Several authors advocate histological analysis as the best technique for performing sexing chicks of the species Caretta caretta. The aim of this study was to identify sex of baby C. caretta by geometric morphometrics and histomorphology. 73 stillborn pups were used, collected in different nests along the Guanabara´s, Beach Anchieta, Espírito Santo, Brazil. For morphometric analysis each animal had photographed the shell. Were positioned supine removed the plastron, large intestine, liver and bladder to allow visualization of the kidneys and gonads, photographed after they were stored in 10% buffered formalin. We used the software TPSUtil, TPSDig2, CoordGen, PCAGen CVAGen for morphometrics analysis. The histological analysis followed the steps of conventional histological technique. Based on principal component analysis (PCA), PC1 explained 19.83% of the variation in the carapace of the puppies, while PC2 explained 14.71%. Canonical analysis revealed that there is a trend of sexual dimorphism between the pups through the carapace and that this may be related to the sex of the specimens. The gonads were located near the renal hilum, with threadlike format. Ovarian cortex was possible to observe a cuboidal epithelium with well developed, associated with a disorganized medulla and interstitial-rich matrix. The cortex of the testes was composed of a thin layer of simple squamous epithelium, a very well-developed marrow and low interstitial matrix, observing several seminiferous tubules clearly distinguishable. The macroscopic analysis of gonads alone does not allow the differentiation of the sexes, thus corroborating other work done with this species and other sea turtles. Work done with baby loggerhead turtles and other species also showed significant differences in the carapace that distinguish the sex of newly hatched chicks. The histological features were similar to those identified by other authors, some argue that the macroscopic analysis is sufficient to identify the sex of pups, which has been shown to effectively Dermochelys coriacea and Chelonia mydas, but was not effective in C. caretta. Hormonal measurements were also satisfactory to sex in order to cubs C. mydas, but authors disagree on this method to other species. The geometric morphometrics has the potential to Histology is an excellent tool for choosing to sex most used so far.