Les algues non-indigènes ont des impacts sur les communautés naturelles à une échelle mondiale: elles affectent la biodiversité et le fonctionnement des écosystèmes ainsi que les services écosystémiques, avec des conséquences économiques et sociales. Parmi les conséquences de ces introductions sont le déplacement d'espèces indigènes, des compétitions avec des espèces en danger et des effets sur les trajectoires éco-évolutives des espèces des communautés envahies. Bien que crucial pour anticiper le devenir des espèces non-indigènes, comprendre les mécanismes d'acclimatation et d'adaptation agissant post-introduction reste un challenge chez les algues. Au cours de cette thèse, nous avons étudié certains processus d'acclimatation, en particulier le rôle des bactéries associées, et leurs effets, en utilisant comme modèle d'étude Sargassum muticum. Cette algue brune originaire d'Asie, est une espèce emblématique parmi les algues introduites avec une présence du Mexique à l'Alaska en Amérique et du Maroc à la Norvège en Europe. Nous avons effectué une analyse bibliographique des traits et caractéristiques écologiques qui pourraient expliquer son succès. Nous avons ensuite montré que l'acidification n'a pas d'effets significatifs sur les bacteries associées, bien que des changements saisonniers du microbiome aient été observés. Enfin, nous avons utilisé un modèle de niche écologique, intégrant la phénologie, pour prédire la distribution de S. muticum sous deux scénarios de changement climatique. Selon nos résultats, d'ici 2100, la distribution de S. muticum devrait se déplacer vers le nord dans l'hémisphère nord avec des régressions dans certaines zones actuellement occupées. / Non-indigenous seaweeds impact natural communities worldwide, affecting biodiversity, ecosystem functioning, and ecosystem services, resulting in significant economic and social consequences. Among major impacts are the displacement of native species, a threat to endangered species, and effects on ecological and evolutionary processes within the invaded communities. While critical to predict the fate of introduced species, understanding the mechanisms of acclimation and adaptation following introduction represents a great challenge in seaweeds. In this thesis, we investigated some acclimation processes, with an emphasis on the role of associated microbiota, and examined their effects with Sargassum muticum as a model species. This brown seaweed native to Asia, is an emblematic invader among seaweeds, with a distribution now ranging from Mexico to Alaska in America and from Morocco to Norway in Europe. We first reviewed the competitive advantages and traits that may contribute to its invasiveness. We then showed that acidification has no significant effects on associated bacteria, although seasonal changes in the microbiome have been observed. Finally, we applied ecological niche modelling, but innovatively accounting for phenology, to project the distribution of S. muticum under two future climate change scenarios. According to our projections, by 2100 the distribution of S. muticum is expected to shift northwards along its European, North American and Asian distributions with partial retreat from the currently occupied areas.

Cette thèse CIFRE porte sur la biologie, le comportement et le biocontrôle du frelonasiatique Vespa velutina, un prédateur invasif d’abeilles. Depuis son introduction en France, ce frelonétend maintenant son aire de répartition en Europe, impactant à la fois l’environnement etl’apiculture. L’objectif de ces travaux sera d’enrichir le savoir sur cette espèce pour perturber ledéveloppement des colonies de V. velutina à différents niveaux afin d’en limiter la prolifération. Lepremier axe porte sur la biologie des reproducteurs de V. velutina, afin d’empêcher la fondation decolonies en amont. Ce travail précise les données concernant la maturation sexuelle des mâles de V.velutina, compare certains traits liés à la fertilité des fondatrices avec celles du frelon européen, etmet en évidence une plus grande précocité et fertilité de V. velutina. Le deuxième axe porte sur labiologie des colonies, de la collecte à la distribution des ressources dans le nid. A l’aide de pucesélectroniques marquant des ouvrières (technique RFID), nous avons mesuré le rayon d’action et seslimites chez les ouvrières V. velutina. En marquant de la nourriture avec des métaux lourds, nousavons pu suivre l’évolution de sa distribution dans les colonies suivant leur structure. Le troisièmeaxe porte sur le biocontrôle de V. velutina avec des champignons entomopathogènes. Nous avonsévalué l’efficacité de différents isolats et de leur mode d’application contre V. velutina, puis décrit unchampignon naturellement parasitant V. velutina. Ces travaux ont permis de faire avancer lesconnaissances sur la biologie et la physiologie des frelons, mais également de proposer des pistes decontrôle durable de l’invasion européenne de V. velutina. / This CIFRE thesis deals with the biology, the behavior and the biological control of aninvasive predator of bees, the hornet Vespa velutina. Since its introduction in France, this hornet isnow invading most countries in occidental Europe, dealing damages both to the environment and thebeekeeping activity. In order to limit its proliferation, a good strategy could consist in disrupting itscolony development at different levels, explored in this work. The first axis deals with V. velutinareproductive biology, exploring the different paths to prevent colonies creation. First we describedthe sexual maturation of males in V. velutina, and second we compared different traits linked tofertility between foundresses of V. velutina and the European hornet, thus highlighting V. velutinahigher precocity and fertility potential. The second axis explored the biology of colonies, fromresource collection to resource distribution in the nest. Using RFID technic, we assessed the actionrange and its boundaries in V. velutina workers. We also labelled food and observed its distribution inV. velutina colonies in function of the colony size and structure. The third axis deals with V. velutinabiocontrol, using entomopathogenic fungi. We evaluated the efficiency of different isolates anddifferent application methods on V. velutina, and described a wild fungus found naturally parasitizingV. velutina. This work brought knowledge on biology behavior and physiology of this invasive hornet,and also proposed options that could be assayed for a durable control of V. velutina.

Temperature preference, behavioral tolerance, and physiological tolerances were determined for locally captured, invasive juvenile lionfish at four different acclimation temperatures (13°C, 20°C, 25 °C and 32°C). Temperature preferences and avoidance temperatures were evaluated using an automated shuttlebox system that presents subject-driven temperature stimuli to subjects, who control the temperature with their movement throughout the tank for 12 hours. Subjects are tracked by a computer system, with data output approximately every second. Acute preference was calculated from the archived data as the mean temperature that the fish occupied during the first two hours of dynamic experimentation. Acute preference measurements were used to determine final temperature preferendum and avoidance temperatures were used to determine behavioral tolerance. Critical thermal methodology (CTM) determined the CTmin and CTmax of the lionfish with loss of equilibrium (LOE) as the endpoint. It is assumed that beyond this temperature, the fish would be unable to survive. Temperature was increased or decreased by 0.33°C per minute until the end point was reached. Thermal tolerance polygons provide a visual representation of the lower and upper thermal avoidance temperatures, delineating the thermal range of the species. Their CTmin and CTmax (acclimated to 25°C) were compared experimentally with two other Florida reef fish species (Cephalopholis cruentata and Lutjanus apodus). Acute preferences of juvenile invasive lionfish showed a final preferendum at 28.7 ± 1°C, but with no significant difference between acclimation temperatures. The thermal tolerance polygon of invasive lionfish shows a strong correlation between CTM and acclimation temperature, with the highest CTmax at 39.5°C and the lowest CTmin at 9.5°C. The thermal polygon, preference, and avoidance data describes the thermal niche of the lionfish. Lionfish CTM (24.61°C) is narrower than those of C. cruentata (25.25°C) and L. apodus (26.87°C).

Precise descriptions and comprehensive taxonomies of species and their ecology are essential in monitoring changes in marine biodiversity at multiple spatial scales. A currently undescribed species of commensal amphipod in the genus Leucothoe is reported from New Zealand, collected from the endemic tunicate Cnemidocarpa bicornuta. This species differs from others in the genus in having a one-articulate first maxilla palp and an apically produced tuberculate lobe on the inner margin of the outer plate of the maxilliped. Previous taxonomic surveys in New Zealand waters did not document this species, indicating that it may be a recent arrival. This research highlights the importance of biodiversity monitoring and taxonomic surveys to record occurrences of undescribed or recently-arrived taxa.

The subject of my thesis is the regulation of wild fauna and flora protection. Given that the planet's biodiversity is threatened and there is a significant decline of the number of wild flora and fauna species, I consider an adequate regulation in this area the precondition for slowing down or halting this decline and restoring the wild fauna and flora populations. I chose this topic with the aim to show how the legislation provides for the protection of wild fauna and flora species on different levels, and in order to show in how far the regulations are sufficient. Considering the significant negative impact of invasive alien fauna and flora species on native species and the whole ecosystem, I am focusing in every chapter on these invasive species with the aim of pointing out the shortcomings regarding the regulations in this area. The question of regulation of the protection of wild fauna and flora is examined from a general perspective, the perspective of international law, the perspective of European Union law, as well as from the perspective of Czech and French law, focusing on the sources of legislation, guidelines, organizations and subjects, tools and responsibilities. This thesis comprises six chapters. Chapter One is introductory and focuses on the loss of biodiversity and causes of this...

Fire is a natural component of, and serves as a tool for, the restoration of forested ecosystems worldwide; however, disturbance due to fire also has been implicated in the proliferation of invasive species. How these fires affect occupancy and use of the forest by wildlife is of great concern, in particular, the differential response of non-native and native species. In the North American Southwest, prior to European settlement, frequent wildfires helped to maintain forest structure. We examined the effect of a large wildfire on an introduced population of the Abert's squirrel (Sciurus aberti) that has invaded the high elevation forests inhabited by the critically endangered Mt. Graham red squirrel (Tamiasciurus fremonti grahamensis). We found that introduced Abert's squirrels were more common than native red squirrels in burned areas. Abert's squirrels did not abandon burned areas but nested, foraged, and did not adjust their home range size in burned areas. This suggests that invasive Abert's squirrels are better able to exploit burned areas than native red squirrels and that fire can favor non-native species. This interaction between non-native species, native species, and fire adds new insight into the complexities of conservation and restoration of ecosystems and helps to inform conservation activities worldwide.

The emerald ash borer (EAB, Agrilus planipennis Fairmaire) (Coleoptera: Buprestidae) is a non-native wood boring beetle that is causing extensive ash (Fraxinus spp.) mortality in eastern North America, affecting both urban and wildland forests and drastically altering forest structure and composition. As EAB-induced ash mortality progresses, native arthropod associates of ash forests are impacted by the effects of rapid and broad scale tree mortality. These include loss of food source, increased canopy gap formation, alterations in litter inputs causing shifting temperature and moisture regimes on the forest floor, and significant accumulation of coarse woody debris. I assessed the sub-canopy arthropod community in five forests, all in different stages of the invasion process, from introduction through impact. Additionally, I assessed the ground level arthropod community in a post EAB-invaded forest with 100% mature ash mortality. Arthropod communities were assessed at the ordinal level, and with a focus on coleopterans, they were further classified to families and trophic guilds to analyze abundance, richness, and diversity. Due to their overwhelming abundance, I identified scolytines collected in the post EAB-invaded forest to species to see if the EAB-invasion was part of a greater invasional meltdown. My results indicate that the EAB-invasion in North America is affecting the native coleopteran communities associated with these forests.

Doctor of Philosophy / Department of Biology / Theodore J. Morgan / Natural populations are highly complex and consist of genetically variable individuals that belong to continuously varying age classes. Genotype and age interact to determine how individuals respond to environmental stress, which ultimately determines the evolutionary trajectories and persistence of populations in variable environments. For small ectothermic species, seasonal and diurnal variation in temperature is an important source of environmental stress that impacts activity patterns and suites of phenotypes directly related to whole organism fitness. I used the genetic and ecological model Drosophila melanogaster to investigate the influence of seasonal and diurnal thermal variability on survival and reproduction in genetically diverse populations. First, I characterized changes in cold tolerance and phenotypic plasticity within a natural population as it responded to seasonal shifts in developmental and short-term acclimation and thermal selection. I found that seasonal variation in cold tolerance was significantly influenced by developmental acclimation that occurred in the field as well as in the lab, where flies that developed under warmer conditions had reduced cold tolerance relative to flies that developed under cooler conditions. Second, I characterized the effect of variation in age on stress response phenotypes in a genetically variable population. I measured genotype- and age-specific responses to multiple environmental stressors, and identified regions of the genome that were associated with age-specific stress tolerance. Genome-wide association mapping revealed that age-specific phenotypes were influenced by distinct sets of polymorphisms and genes, suggesting that the evolution of age-related decline in phenotypes is driven by mutation accumulation within phenotypes, but both mutation accumulation and antagonistic pleiotropy between phenotypes. Next, I characterized the costs and benefits of acclimation for survival and reproduction to understand how physiological and behavioral plasticity interact to determine fitness. I found that phenotypic plasticity and the capacity for acclimation significantly influenced behavioral reproductive success, but the thermal cues that led to adaptive acclimation response in survival also led to decreased reproductive success. However, genotypes with the capacity to acclimate were more likely to survive thermal variation and more likely to reproduce, suggesting that genetic capacity for phenotypic plasticity has important implications for whole organism fitness. Finally, I measured the effect of acclimation on the induction of diapause and ability to survive cold stress in the recently introduced invasive species Drosophila suzukii. D. suzukii is endemic to Asia and was first detected in California in 2008 and in Topeka, KS in 2013. Its recent invasion history thus provides an interesting model to understand the role of plasiticy in the response to a novel and variable environment. I found that diapause was induced through a plastic response to acclimation and short photoperiod, though diapause was more drastically induced by acclimation. Overall, my research provides critical insights into how organisms respond to thermal variation by intergrating quantitative genetics, ecology, evolution, and life history tradeoffs. Collectively, my research demonstrates that the ability of organisms to survive thermal stress is a function of genetic capacity to tolerate stress, genetic capacity for phenotypic plasticity, prior exposure to thermal variation, and the age of the individual.

Magister Scientiae - MSc (Biodiversity and Conservation Biology) / Arundo donax is an invasive species that mostly impacts on sensitive riparian ecosystems. Arundo is also invasive in South Africa, though less is known about its ecology, biology, and impacts. Since California and the Western Cape of South AFrica have similar Mediterranean-type climates, we could assume that the impacts of Arundo on ecosystems in California are likely to be similar in the Western Cape, and that control methods used could be extrapolated for use in South Africa. This thesis attempted to determine what impact Arundo has on biodiversity at the community-ecosystem level. / South Africa

Masters of Science / Invasive pneumococcal disease (IPD), which includes potentially fatal conditions such as meningitis, septicaemia and pneumonia poses a threat in children aged <5 years, pneumonia being the leading cause of child mortality worldwide. Even though capsular polysaccharides are the main antigens involved in the immunity to encapsulated bacteria, it was found that in children in that age group, the immune system was unresponsive. Conjugate vaccines however induce immunologic memory and provide long-term protective immunity. Therefore the aim of this project was to develop novel conjugation strategies towards a pneumococcal conjugate vaccines and focuses mainly on the serotypes that are a burden to the African continent. The chemistry involved in developing a conjugate vaccine is of importance beacuse while some polysaccharides contain chemical grouping which can be conveniently utilized for conjugation, many medically important ones require derivatization before they can be coupled to protein. Derivatization of which can be achieved through various strategies, important to note is through hypervalent iodine oxidants. Two hypervalent iodine reagents, O-Methyl substituted-1-hydroxy-1,2-benziodoxol-3(1H)-one 1-oxide (Me-IBX)and modified 1-hydroxy-1,2-benziodoxol-3(1H)-one 1-oxide (mIBX)were successfully synthesized in preparation for the use in polysaccharide, polyribitol phosphate, (PRP) oxidation. The polysaccharide to be oxidised was first size reduced by microfluidisation to allow maximum oxidation. However, the extent to which oxidisation was achieved was not enough to conjugate the polysaccharide to the protein of preference, Bovine Serum Albumin, (BSA).