The high-dose/refuge strategy is used globally to manage insect resistance development in genetically modified crops with insecticidal properties (Bt crops). The “refuge in a bag” (RIB) strategy is also being considered for deployment against several pest species. Busseola fusca, the target pest of Bt maize in South Africa, evolved resistance to Cry1Ab proteins. The objective of this study was to determine whether migrating B. fusca larvae are effectively controlled using the RIB strategy. A field study with a single-gene event (Cry1Ab) and a “pyramid” event (Cry1A.105 + Cry2Ab2) was conducted in which the migration patterns of B. fusca larvae in plots with different seed mixture treatments were studied. The experiment consisted of five seed mixture ratios (5%, 10%, 15%, 20% non-Bt seed and 100 % non-Bt seed as control). Natural infestation was augmented by artificial inoculation with neonate larvae into the central non-Bt maize plant of each plot. Rate of larval survival and migration, measured in terms of increase in number of plants per plot that exhibited borer damage was recorded at weekly intervals until flowering. A laboratory study was conducted to determine larval growth and survival when simulating migration between Bt and non-Bt maize plants. A feeding experiment in which larvae were reared on different types of maize (Bt and non-Bt) was conducted and larval survival and mass recorded after a 7-day feeding period. The incidence of damaged ears, stem damage and damaged internodes per stem were recorded and relationships between these variables determined by means of correlation analyses. A review was conducted in order to identify and discuss similarities and differences between the high-dose/refuge and seed mixture strategies. This was done to determine which strategy would be the most appropriate insect resistance management (IRM) strategy against B. fusca. The rate of survival and migration of B. fusca larvae was significantly higher in the plots with maize expressing Cry1Ab and control plots, than in plots with the pyramid Bt event. Older larvae exhibited improved growth and survival in the laboratory experiment when they were transferred from non-Bt to Bt plants. Positive correlations were found between early and late season damage, although some weaker than others. Plants of the “pyramid event” suffered less late-season damage than those of the single-gene event. Since the increase in number of damaged maize plants over time is associated with migration of older and larger larvae, the observed tendencies may indicate that the assumed high-dose does not kill larvae above a certain developmental stage. The high-dose refuge strategy seems to be the better option for delaying resistance development. / MSc (Environmental Sciences), North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2014

This thesis aims to assess the possibility of the usage of various biological fixatives for fish cell and tissues samples in order to extend its storage for later flow cytometric measurement of DNA content. The model species chosen were sterlet and tench, from which three types of samples were obtained: blood and fin tissue of subadult / adult individuals and tail tissue of hatched larvae. Altogether 13 fixation methods were tested for each type of sample of both model species. Methods were chosen based upon their easy feasibility and low time-consumption. The samples were measured on flow cytometer in native state immediately after sampling and placing in physiological saline and after 1, 5 and 10 days of fixation during which they were stored in a fridge or in a freezer at -80 ?C. Their analysis was carried out simultaneously with standards native cells from tench fin tissue when investigating sterlet samples, and commercially available fixed trout erythrocytes for tench samples. A fluorochrome used was 4',6-diamidine-2'-phenylindole dihydrochloride (DAPI; with excitation/emission maxima 358 / 461 nm). Based on the evaluation of coefficients of variation (CV) of fixed samples and the changes in their fluorescence levels in comparison with native state, optimal procedures for extended storage of all types of samples from both model species are suggested.

Introdução: Assentamentos rurais são recorrentes arranjos sociais em expansão na Região Amazônica, que geram perturbações no ambiente natural e na respectiva ecologia de mosquitos vetores envolvidos na transmissão de malária. Objetivos: Elaborar revisão das espécies do gênero Anopheles que foram registradas na Região Amazônica. Para a pesquisa quantitativa, estabelecer potenciais fatores dos ambientes e das características das águas de diversos habitats larvais que possam estar associadas com a presença de espécies de anofelíneos, através de coletas em criadouros de diferentes graus de perturbação ambiental. Métodos: para a revisão das espécies que foram registradas na Amazônia, foram empregados termos de busca, utilizando sete bases bibliográficas de referência. Para os estudos em campo, foram realizadas capturas de larvas juntamente com estimação e mensuração de algumas condições dos habitats larvais, para comparação dos parâmetros analisados entre ambientes naturais e artificiais. Resultados: a revisão mostrou maior quantidade de artigos que notificaram a ocorrência do subgênero Nyssorhynchus, seguido pelos subgêneros: Anopheles, Stethomyia, Kerteszia e Lophopodomyia. O Anopheles darlingi se mostrou a espécie com maior ocorrência nos artigos levantados, muito pelo seu caráter epidemiológico. Importantes vetores auxiliares pertencentes ao subgênero 6 Nyssorhynchus também foram registrados em grande quantidade. Os resultados das análises conduzidas com os dados das capturas em campo demonstraram que as forças de transformação do ambiente natural favorecem o desenvolvimento de habitats larvais de espécies do subgênero Nyssorhynchus, incluindo o An. darlingi, além de um importante vetor secundário, o An. triannulatus. Discussão e Conclusão: projetos de assentamentos na Amazônia brasileira registram índices significativos de casos de malária, devido à ocupação de áreas naturais pelo homem. Este estudo mostrou que o subgênero Nyssorhynchus possui amplo registro na literatura de inquéritos entomológicos do gênero na floresta tropical equatorial, indicando que o agrupamento pode ser considerado endêmico às fronteiras de transformação na região, tendo assim importante papel na manutenção da transmissão da malária. Os estudos de campo apresentaram evidências de que formação de habitats artificiais favorecem formas iniciais de vida dos mosquitos com histórico vetorial para a região. Esses habitats larvais podem ser respostas ao uso do solo e das consequentes alterações provocadas no ambiente natural pelas atividades humanas. As modificações do ambiente natural selecionam e propiciam a formação de habitats para as espécies do Nyssorhynchus. Este agrupamento taxonômico engloba espécies que são consideradas vetores para a malária na região Neotropical. / Introduction: Rural settlements are recurrent social arrangements expanding in the Amazon region, which generate disturbances in the natural environment, affecting the mosquitoes ecology involved in malaria transmission. Objective: A systematic review of Anopheles species were recorded in the Amazon region. For the qualitative research, were establish potential factors of the environment and the characteristics of the waters of several larval habitats that may be associated with the presence of species of Anopheles mosquitoes, by surveys of the samples presents in larval habitats within environmental disturbance gradient. Methods: for the review of the species, were used search terms, in seven bibliographic databases of reference. For studies in the field, larvae were trapped along estimation and measurement of some conditions of the larval habitats, to compare the parameters analyzed between natural and artificial environments. Results: The review showed greater amount of articles that reported the occurrence of Nyssorhynchus subgenre, followed by: Anopheles, Stethomyia, Kerteszia and Lophopodomyia. The Anopheles darlingi proved the species with the highest occurrence in the papers showed, due to its epidemiological importance. Important auxiliary vectors belonging to the subgenus Nyssorhynchus were also recorded in large scale. The results of the qualitative shown that the natural 8 environment transformation forces favor the development of larval habitats of the species of subgenus Nyssorhynchus, including An. darlingi and an important secondary vector, An. Triannulatus. Discussion and Conclusion: settlement projects in the Brazilian Amazon recorded significant rates of malaria cases. This study showed that, the Amazon basin an important determinant of this phenomenon is the formation of artificial habitats that are occupied by early forms of life of mosquito vectors. These larval habitats may be answers to land use and consequent changes in the natural environment caused by human activities. Modifications to the natural environment select and provide the formation of habitats for species in Nyssorhynchus. This taxonomic group includes species that are considered vectors for malaria in the Neotropics. Discussion and Conclusion: settlement projects in the brazilian Amazon recorded significant rates of malaria cases. This study showed that the review of the literature shows Nyssorhynchus subgenre ample record in entomological surveys in the equatorial rainforest, indicating that the group may be considered endemic to the borders of transformation in the region, and thus important role in the maintenance of malaria transmission. Field studies showed evidence that formation of artificial habitats favor early forms of the mosquito vector, with history for malaria in the region. These larval habitats may be answers to land use and consequent changes in the natural environment caused by human activities. Modifications to the natural environment select and provide the formation of habitats for species in Nyssorhynchus.

Made available in DSpace on 2014-12-17T14:02:04Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 AdrieleNBS.pdf: 991262 bytes, checksum: 88abd567586e81bf3d057a2e257bf611 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2006-12-15 / Coordena??o de Aperfei?oamento de Pessoal de N?vel Superior / The larval instars, seasonal occurrence and environmental factors influence on Psaroniocompsa incrustata (Lutz, 1910) (Diptera: Simuliidae) immature were studied according to its physical and chemical aspects of breeding water. Four collects were made at vegetal substrate from margin, middle and floating on the Pium river, city of N?sia Floresta, state of Rio Grande do Norte, Brazil at dry and wet season. Some of larval characters were used to determinate the larval instars number like lateral length of cephalic capsulae, antennae and the distance among cephalic apodema, as well as pH, water temperature, width, depth, stream velocity, discharge and pluviometric precipitation were used for physical factors. Seven larval instars were determined for this P. incrustata community being the lateral length of cephalic capsulae as the best structure with this meaning propose. The seasonality immature abundance of this species were found in dry season and a positive correlation with pH, stream velocity and precipitation / A esp?cie Psaroniocompsa incrustata (Lutz, 1910) (Diptera: Simuliidae) foi estudada quanto ao n?mero de est?dios larvais, ocorr?ncia sazonal e a influ?ncia dos fatores ambientais sobre os imaturos, com a caracteriza??o f?sica e qu?mica da ?gua do criadouro. A pesquisa em campo foi realizada no rio Pium, munic?pio de N?sia Floresta, estado do Rio Grande do Norte, Brasil. Para per?odos distintos (chuva / seca) ocorreram quatro coletas. As coletas dos imaturos de P. incrustata foram feitas diretamente do substrato vegetal localizados ?s margens, no leito e ? deriva do rio. Para a determina??o dos est?dios larvais foram mensurados o comprimento lateral da c?psula cef?lica, da antena e da dist?ncia entre os ap?demas cef?licos. Foram registrados: pH, temperatura da ?gua, largura, profundidade, velocidade, vaz?o e precipita??o pluviom?trica. Sete est?dios larvais foram determinados para esta popula??o de P. incrustata, sendo o comprimento lateral da c?psula cef?lica a estrutura que melhor delimitou os est?dios. A abund?ncia dos imaturos de P. incrustata variou sazonalmente, encontrando-se em maior quantidade no per?odo de seca, correlacionando-se de forma significativa com o pH, velocidade da ?gua e precipita??o pluviom?trica

Les nématodes gastrointestinaux (NGIs) représentent une contrainte majeure en élevage des ruminants. Jusqu’à présent, la maîtrise de ces parasitoses a reposé essentiellement sur l’emploi répété de traitements anthelminthiques (AH) de synthèse. Cependant, le développement constant de résistances aux AH dans les populations de nématodes chez les petits ruminants conduit à rechercher des méthodes alternatives ou complémentaires de lutte contre ces parasitoses. Au cours des deux dernières décennies, les données se sont accumulées montrant que certaines plantes étaient dotées de propriétés anthelminthiques, ce qui a été associé à la présence de tannins condensés (TCs) et de flavonoïdes. Ces ressources contenant des TCs, exploitées comme nutricaments, représentent donc une alternative attractive à la chimiothérapie, en combinant des effets bénéfique sur la santé et la nutrition des ruminants. Toutefois, une des difficultés à résoudre, pour un usage pertinent de ces nutricaments, est de comprendre l’origine de la variabilité des résultats observés dans l’activité AH. A côté de facteurs quantitatifs, la qualité (la structure) des TC semble également jouer un rôle dans les propriétés antiparasitaires mais ce facteur demeure peu exploré. En utilisant Haemonchus contortus comme modèle expérimental de nématode et le sainfoin (Onobrychis viciifolia) comme modèle de plantes contenant des tannins, l’objectif général de cette thèse a été de mieux comprendre les relations structure/activité des TCs. Les objectifs spécifiques des diverses études menées ont été 1) d’ examiner in vitro (par la méthode LEIA) l’activité AH de 36 fractions purifiées de TCs présentant une large diversité de caractéristiques structurelles [ex: la taille (mDP), les proportions prodelphinidols /procyanidols (PD/PC) et trans/cis ], et 2) le rôle possible d’interactions entre tannins et flavonoïdes, 3) d’ évaluer et comparer in vivo chez des agneaux, les conséquences sur les populations de vers et sur la résilience de l’hôte de la distribution de 2 ressources contenant des TCs de qualité contrastée pour les valeurs PD/PC [fort PD/PC, sainfoin (O. viciifolia); bas PD/PC, pellicules de noisettes (Corylus avellana)], 4) d’ examiner si les résultats varient en fonction de l’espèce et de la localisation des parasites (abomasum, H. contortus vs intestin grêle, Trichostrongylus colubriformis), 5) d’évaluer les concentrations, la qualité et la bio-disponibilité des TCs le long du tube digestif chez les ovins. Les résultats acquis ont montré: 1) des relations in vitro entre certaines caractéristiques des TCs et l’activité AH : un rapport élevé PD/PC pour les 2 espèces de nématodes auquel s’ajoute un rôle de la taille des tanins (mDP) pour H. contortus sont les facteurs identifiés. De manière générale, H. contortus s’est avéré plus sensible (valeurs EC50 plus faibles) aux effets des diverses ressources que T. colubriformis. Des synergies d’effets AH ont été observés entre tannins et flavonoides (quercétine et lutéoline), tout particulièrement dans le cas de TCs avec un faible rapport PD/PC. Dans l’étude in vivo, les agneaux consommant du sainfoin ont montré des effets AHs et une amélioration de la résilience de l’hôte alors que les effets de la noisette ont été beaucoup plus discrets. Les analyses menées sur les contenus des divers organes digestifs et les fèces, pour les deux types de ressources ont montré de fortes réductions de TCs détectés par rapport aux teneurs initiales dans la ration alors que les caractéristiques de structure étaient globalement préservées au long du tube digestif. En conclusion, le rôle de la qualité (structure) des TCs dans l’activité AH a été confirmé à la fois par les études in vitro et in vivo. Ces résultats suggèrent l’importance de prendre en compte ces facteurs dans la recherche de ressources pouvant être exploitées comme futurs nutricaments chez les ruminants. / Gastrointestinal nematodes (GINs) represent a major threat for the breeding and production of grazing ruminants. So far, their control has been based mainly on the repeated use of synthetic AH drugs. However, worm populations in small ruminants have consistently developed resistance against all AH drugs. In the search for alternative solutions to such drug treatments, the last two decades have provided evidence that some plants possess natural AH bioactivity. This has been related to the presence of condensed tannins (CTs) and flavonoids. Therefore, CT-containing resources represent a promising alternative to chemotherapy especially when used as nutraceuticals that combine beneficial effects on health and nutrition in small and large ruminants. However, one of the main constraint to use these nutraceuticals relates to the variations in AH results. The structural features (quality) that contribute to the AH activities of CTs remain elusive. By using the GIN Haemonchus contortus as a experimental model of nematode and Onobrychis viciifolia as a model of CT-containing plant, the general aim of this PhD was to better understand the structure/activity relationship of CT. The specific objectives were i) to examine in vitro (LEIA) the AH activity of 36 purified CT fractions with a wide range of structural features [i.e. size (mDP), prodelphinidin/procyanidin (PD/PC) and trans/cis ratios], and ii) the possible role of interactions between tannins and flavonoids, iii) to evaluate in vivo the AH activity and host resilience of two CT-resources with contrasting PD/PC ratios (i.e. high PD/PC, O. viciifolia; low PD/PC, Corylus avellana), iv) to examine whether these results vary depending on the parasites species (abomasal, H. contortus vs intestinal, Trichostrongylus colubriformis), v) to examine the CT availability (quantity and quality) along the digestive tract in sheep. In regard of CT features and AH activity, in vitro correlations were observed between AH activity and high PD/PC for both species. mDP was an additional criteria for H. contortus. Lower EC50 values were assessed for H. contortus. Synergistic AH effects were observed between CT and flavonoids (quercetin and lutein), and they were higher with fractions of low PD/PC ratios. In vivo, the lambs consuming sainfoin pellets showed consistently higher AH effects and improvement in the host’s resilience. Analyses of digesta samples and faeces, for both diets showed large reduction of detected CT related to the feed, whereas the CT structures seem preserved along the gut. In our studies, the role of CT structural features in the AH activity was observed both in vitro and in vivo. These results confirmed the influence of CT quality in the AH effects, and underline the relevance of taking these factors into account when screening CT resources as potential nutraceuticals in small ruminants.

Intégrer les connaissances sur la connectivité écologique dans la gestion des écosystèmes marins est essentiel, surtout dans un contexte d'appauvrissement des ressources marines et de dégradation des habitats côtiers à l'échelle mondiale. Des outils environnementaux, tels que les Aires Marines Protégées ont été mises en œuvre pour protéger la biodiversité, restaurer les écosystèmes endommagés, soutenir les pêcheries et reconstituer les stocks surexploités. Leur efficacité dépend en partie du maintien de la connectivité entre les populations marines, assurée à travers divers processus écologiques dont la dispersion larvaire. Dans le cadre de ce travail de thèse, un modèle biophysique intégrant des données de courants, issues de mesures d'altimétrie par satellite, a été utilisé pour évaluer la connectivité entre les récifs de l'océan Indien d'une part, et à travers le réseau d'AMP de Méditerranée d'autre part. Différentes méthodes d'analyse ont été utilisées, telles que la théorie des graphes et le clustering. Dans l'océan Indien occidental, l'analyse des connectivités marines montre que le nombre de connexions entre les récifs augmente avec la durée de vie larvaire des poissons. Elle met également en évidence une faible connectivité à l'échelle de la région, mais une forte inter-connectivité au sein de plusieurs sous-régions (Canal du Mozambique, Mascareignes). En Méditerranée, la connectance est globalement faible à l'échelle régionale, bien que plus importante dans le bassin occidental que le bassin oriental. L'analyse des connectivités marines montre également un taux de connectivité élevé à l'échelle d'un même pays. Selon le cas d'étude, une liste de récifs ou de sites prioritaires dans la mise en œuvre des AMP a été proposée. Enfin, les implications de ces résultats en termes de politiques transfrontalières et de coopération régionale sont discutées. / Integrating ecological connectivity into marine ecosystem management and planning is important, especially in a global context of severe fish stocks depletion and growing habitat degradation. Environmental tools such as Marine Protected Areas have been proposed to protect biodiversity, restore damaged ecosystems, sustain fisheries, and rebuild overexploited stocks. The effectiveness of marine protected areas depends in part on the maintenance of connectivity between marine populations, linked by ecological processes such as larval dispersal. In this thesis, we applied a biophysical model driven by ocean currents derived from satellite altimetry to evaluate connectivity between Western Indian Ocean reefs and across the current MPA system in the Mediterranean Sea. We applied different methods of analysis such as graph-theoretic and clustering. In the Western Indian Ocean, marine connectivity analyses show that the number of connections between reefs increases with fish pelagic larval duration. It also highlights a low connectivity across the region and a high interconnectivity within several regions (Mozambique Channel, Mascarene archipelago). In the Mediterranean Sea, connectance is globally low at the regional scale. This connectance is more important in Western than Eastern Mediterranean. Moreover, the marine connectivity analyses revealed high domestic connectivity rates. Depending on the study area, priority reefs or sites for MPA implementation are proposed. Finally, implications for transboundary marine policies and regional cooperation are discussed.

L'huître creuse du Pacifique constitue une part importante de la production aquacole mondiale, avec 555 913 tonnes produites en 2013. La France est le quatrième producteur mondial d'huîtres et Crassostrea gigas est la principale espèce cultivée dans le bassin d'Arcachon. Cependant, ces dernières années, des problèmes de recrutement et de captage des naissains de certaines cohortes d’huîtres sont survenus. L'augmentation de la fréquence de ces événements peut être révélatrice de changements dans la qualité du milieu. Dans ce contexte de crise, ces travaux se sont intéressés à l’impact de deux polluants, le cuivre et le S-métolachlore, majoritairement retrouvés dans les eaux du Bassin d’Arcachon sur le développement embryo-larvaire des larves D de l’huître creuse (24h post -fécondation). Dans un contexte de changement climatique, une approche multifactorielle a été adoptée afin d’étudier les effets combinés des polluants et de l’accroissement des températures ou des changements de salinité susceptibles d’altérer le développement et la survie des embryons et des larves en période estivale. Dans un premier temps, les effets embryo-toxiques d’une pollution par le cuivre ou le S-métolachlore couplés ou non à la salinité ou à différentes températures ont été étudiés sur des huîtres en provenance d’une écloserie. Pour cela le test embryo-larvaire a été utilisé, et ses limites d’application précisées. Dans un deuxième temps, les effets des polluants couplés ou non à des températures et salinités environnementales ont été analysés sur les embryons provenant d’huîtres sauvages ou cultivées prélevées directement dans le milieu en différents sites du Bassin d’Arcachon. Le pourcentage de malformations ainsi que l’expression différentielle de gènes cibles ont été déterminés chez les larves tandis que la bioaccumulation du cuivre et du S-métolachlore et le pourcentage d’occupation gonadique ont été analysés chez les géniteurs. Ces résultats ont ensuite été comparés afin de déterminer la capacité des huîtres d’écloserie à représenter un modèle alternatif aux huîtres autochtones. Dans l’objectif d’étudier les impacts liés au changement climatique, des conditions un peu plus extrêmes ont été testées, à savoir des températures supérieures de 26 °C, des salinités inférieures de 24 u.s.i et des concentrations en polluants supérieures aux conditions actuelles du bassin. La mise au point d’un logiciel d’analyse du comportement natatoire des larves D a également été réalisée. Nos résultats indiquent une bioaccumulation plus grande du Cu et S-métolachlore dans les huîtres cultivées par rapport aux huîtres sauvages. Par ailleurs cette étude indique clairement que les larves issues des huîtres autochtones (sauvages et cultivées) sont sensibles à des concentrations environnementales en cuivre et en S-métolachlore. Cependant, il a été montré que les gènes impliqués dans divers mécanismes de défense sont surexprimés, avec une plus grande capacité de défense des larves issues des huîtres sous l’influence des tributaires mais également des huîtres sauvages par rapport aux cultivées. En présence de concentrations environnementales de Cu comme de S-métolachlore, une augmentation des trajectoires erratiques circulaires a été constatée. De plus, les larves, bien que capables de se développer normalement dans une gamme de températures allant de 22 °C à 26 °C, sont sensibles à l’action combinées des hautes/basses températures et des polluants. De la même manière, elles sont sensibles aux effets combinés de la dessalure et de l’exposition aux polluants. Les huîtres d’écloserie se sont révélées être une bonne alternative à l’utilisation des huîtres autochtones. Finalement, au vu des prédictions concernant l’évolution du climat, nos résultats indiquent qu’il faut s’attendre à un accroissement des malformations larvaires et donc à une diminution du recrutement des naissains dans les années futures dans le Bassin d’Arcachon. / The Pacific oyster represents an important part of the aquaculture production, with 555 913 tons produced in 2013. France is the fourth world producer of oysters and Crassostrea gigas is the principal cultivated species in the Arcachon bay. However, in recent years, problems of recruitment, capture and mortality of juvenile or adult oysters occurred. The increased frequency of these events can be indicative of changes in the global quality of the Arcachon bay. In this context of crisis, this work has been focused on the impact of two pollutants, copper and S-metolachlor, mostly found in the waters of the Arcachon bay, on D-larvae embryo-larval development of the Pacific oyster (24h post -fecundation). In a context of global climate change, a multifactorial approach was adopted to study the combined effects of pollutants and increase temperature or salinity changes that could affect the development and survival of embryos and larvae during reproduction season. First, the embryo-toxic effects of copper or S-metolachlor coupled to salinity or different temperatures were studied with oysters from hatchery. For this, the embryo-larval test was used, and its application limits specified. Secondly, the effects of pollutants combined or not to environmental temperature and salinity were analyzed on embryos from wild or cultivated oysters harvested directly on different sites of the Arcachon bay. The percentage of abnormalities and the differential expression levels of target genes were determined in larvae while the Cu and S-metolachlor bioaccumulation and the percentage of gonadal occupation were measured in genitors. These results were then compared to determine the ability of oyster from hatchery to represent an interesting alternative model to indigenous oysters. With the objective to study the impacts of climate change, somewhat more extreme conditions were tested, namely temperatures of 26 ° C, lower salinity of 24 u.s.i and higher concentrations of pollutants compared to current conditions in the lagoon. A software able to analyze swimming behavior of D-larvae was also developed. Our results indicate higher bioaccumulation of Cu and S-metolachlor in cultivated oysters compared to wild oysters. Furthermore this study clearly indicates that larvae from indigenous oysters (wild and cultivated) are sensitive to environmental concentrations of copper and S-metolachlor. However, it has been demonstrated that genes involved in various defense mechanisms are overexpressed with higher larval defense capacity of oysters under the influence of the tributaries but also wild oysters in comparison to cultivated oysters. In the presence of environmental concentrations of Cu or S-metolachlor, an increased erratic circular trajectory was found. In addition, larvae, although able to grow normally in a temperature range of 22 ° C to 26 ° C, are sensitive to the action of the combined high / low temperatures and pollutants. Similarly, they are sensitive to the combined effect of low salinity and exposure to pollutants. Oyster’s hatchery have proved to be a good alternative to the use of indigenous oysters. Finally, given the predictions of climate change, our results indicate that one can expect an increase in larval abnormalities and thus a decrease in the recruitment of spat in future years in the Arcachon bay.

Les insectes phytophages forment un groupe d’organismes très diversifié et la plupart sont considérés comme spécialistes. Les patrons de spécialisation des insectes vis à vis de leurs plantes hôtes dépendent en partie de leur capacité à interagir avec les plantes (niche fondamentale) et aux facteurs environnementaux modulant ces interactions et aboutissant aux observations en milieu naturel (niche réalisée). La spécialisation fondamentale est déterminée par l'évolution conjointe de deux traits : la performance des larves et la préférence des femelles. Pour comprendre cette spécialisation, nous avons étudié une communauté de huit espèces de mouches des fruits (Diptera : Tephritidae) présentes à La Réunion. Dans un premier temps, nous avons déterminé la niche réalisée de chaque espèce et montré que ces niches étaient structurées par la phylogénie des plantes avec D. demmerezi, D. ciliatus et Z. cucurbitae spécialistes des Cucurbitaceae, N. cyanescensspécialiste des Solanaceae et C. catoirii, C. capitata et C. quilicii généralistes attaquant des plantes de différentes familles. Après l'invasion de B. zonata en 2000, C. capitata et C. quilicii ont subi une réduction de leur gamme d'hôtes. Dans un deuxième temps, nous avons déterminé la niche fondamentale de ces espèces (sauf D. ciliatus). Nous avons évalué les préférences des femelles en mesurant la fécondité de chacune d’entre elles sur une gamme de 29 fruits, puis nous avons testé l'existence d'une corrélation entre la préférence des femelles et la performance des larves (mother knows best hypothesis). Nous avons montré une corrélation positive chez spécialistes des Cucurbitaceae qui pondent sur les plantes pour lesquelles les larves survivent le mieux contrairement aux généralistes pondant et survivant sur une large gamme d'hôtes mais sans corrélation entre ces deux traits.Enfin, la sélection de l'hôte par les femelles se faisant principalement grâce aux composés organiques volatils (COVs) émis par les fruits, nous avons montré que les fruits infestés par les généralistes ont pour point commun l'émission de COVs responsables de la maturation des fruits. Au contraire, les fruits de plusieurs Solanaceae émettent des COVs spécifiques suggérant la détection de ceux-ci par les femelles de N. cyanescens. Les Cucurbitaceae émettent des COVs abondants peu présents dans les autres familles suggérant une détection d'un mélange spécifique de ces COVs par les Tephritidae spécialistes des Cucurbitaceae. / Phytophagous insects are a very diverse group of organisms and most of them are considered as specialized. Patterns of specialization regarding their host plants depend on their ability to interact with their hosts (fundamental niche) and on environmental factors which modulate these interactions leading to observed patterns in the field (realized niche). Fundamental specialization is determined by the joint evolution of two traits: larval performance and female preference. To understand this specialization, we studied a community of eight fruit fly species (Diptera: Tephritidae) present in La Réunion.First, we determined the realized niche of each species and showed that they were structured by plant phylogeny with D. demmerezi, D. ciliatus and Z. cucurbitae as Cucurbitaceae specialists, N. cyanescens as Solanaceae specialist and C. catoirii, C. capitata et C. quilicii as generalists feeding on plants belonging to different families. After the invasion of B. zonata in 2000, C. capitata et C. quilicii were subjected to a decrease of their host range.Then, we determined the fundamental niche of these species (except D. ciliatus). We assessed female preferences by measuring their fecundity on 29 fruits, then we tested the presence of a correlation between female preference and larval performance (mother knows best hypothesis). We showed a positive correlation for Cucurbitaceae specialists laying eggs on plants where larvae survive the best, at the opposite of generalist species laying eggs and surviving on many hosts without any correlation between these two traits.Finally, host selection by females being mostly done thanks to volatile organic compounds (VOCs) emitted by fruits, we showed that fruits infested by generalist species have common VOCs responsible for fruit maturation. On the contrary, the fruits of several Solanaceae emit specific VOCs suggesting their detection by N. cyanescens females. Cucurbitaceae species emit abundant VOCs rarely present in other families suggesting a detection of a specific blend of these VOCS by Cucurbitaceae specialists.

Les sédiments agissent comme de véritable puits pour certains polluants organiques persistants et métaux représentant ainsi une source de contamination secondaire pour les milieux aquatiques. Dans ce contexte, un test embryo-larvaire utilisant le Medaka japonais (Oryzias latipes) a été développé afin d’évaluer la toxicité des polluants fixés aux particules sédimentaires. Le bioessai consiste à maintenir les embryons de Medaka en contact direct avec le sédiment durant tout leur développement embryonnaire puis à évaluer les effets létaux et sublétaux induits au niveau phénotypique et moléculaire chez les embryons et larves exposés. Tout d’abord, le bioessai a été appliqué à la caractérisation de la toxicité et des modes d’action de substances organiques et métalliques pures. Le pyrène et son dérivé, le méthylpyrène, se sont avérés fortement tératogènes avec un spectre de malformations rappelant le syndrome de la maladie du sac bleu. L’étude du profil d’expression génique a révélé la perturbation de certains processus cellulaires notamment la voie AhR, le métabolisme mitochondrial et la voie de signalétique et de métabolisation des rétinoïdes. Le cuivre et le cadmium ont induit de nombreuses malformations squelettiques et cardio-vasculaires, des dommages à l’ADN ainsi que l’altération de l’expression de gènes impliqués dans le métabolisme mitochondrial, la régulation du cycle cellulaire et la réparation de l’ADN. Enfin, le bioessai a été appliqué à l’évaluation du potentiel toxique de sédiments naturels du système Lot-Garonne et du Bassin d’Arcachon. L’ensemble des sédiments testés a montré un large spectre d’effets tératogènes et seuls quelques-uns ont conduit à des effets létaux. Par ailleurs, l’expression plusieurs gènes impliqués dans le métabolisme mitochondrial, la voie AhR, le contrôle du cycle cellulaire, la réparation de l’ADN et la détoxication des métaux a été modifiée lors de l’exposition à certains sédiments contaminés de la zone d’étude. / Aquatic sediments act as real sink for numerous anthropogenic chemicals such as persistent organic pollutants and heavy metals as well as a secondary contamination source. In this context, a fish embryo-larval assay was developed using the Japanese Medaka (Oryzias latipes) as a test organism to evaluate de toxicity of particle-bound contaminants. In this aim, fish embryos are kept in direct contact to sediment during their whole embryonic development and induced lethal and sub-lethal effects are measured at the phenotypical and molecular levels. This test was first applied to the toxicity evaluation and modes of action characterization of organic and metallic single compounds. Pyrene and its alkylated derivative, methylpyrene, revealed a high teratogenic potency inducing developmental deformities similar to the blue sac disease syndrome. Gene expressions response pattern using RT-PCR method highlighted the alteration of several cellular process including AhR pathway, mitochondrial metabolism and retinoids signaling and metabolism pathways. Copper and cadmium mainly induced numerous skeletal and cardiovascular injuries, DNA damage as well as modifications of gene expression involved in mitochondrial metabolism, DNA damage repair and cell cycle regulation. Finally, the Medaka embryo-larval assay was applied to analyze the toxic potential of natural sediments form the Lot-Garonne system and the Arcachon bay. All tested sediments showed a wide range of teratogenic effects but only few of them revealed to be acutely toxic. Moreover, the expression of several genes involved in mitochondrial metabolism, AhR pathway, cell cycle arrest, DNA repair and heavy metals detoxication proved to be modified in the presence of some contaminated sediments from the studied area.

Cette étude a pour but de comparer la reproduction et le recrutement des coraux entre les récifs subtropicaux d'Afrique du Sud et les récifs tropicaux de la Réunion représentant des milieux contrastés. D'autres part, afin de simuler le réchauffement climatique, l'effet de l'augmentation de la température de l'eau en aquarium a été testé sur le développement des larves et les juvéniles de coraux. Les deux espèces étudiées, Acropora austera et Platygyra daedalea ont un mode de reproduction (hermaphrodite ‘pondeur’), un développement des gamètes (5-6 mois) et une période de reproduction (d'Octobre à Février) similaires en Afrique du Sud et à la Réunion. La fécondité de ces coraux est néanmoins supérieure en Afrique du Sud par rapport à la Réunion. Les deux espèces produisent 43-100% plus d'ovocytes en Afrique du Sud qu'à la Réunion. Le taux de recrutement des coraux est aussi supérieur sur les récifs subtropicaux d'Afrique du Sud (548 recrues m2 an-1) comparé à ceux de la Réunion (305 recrues m2 an-1). Le recrutement est dominé par les Pocilloporidae dans les deux régions, suivis par les Acroporidae en Afrique du Sud et les Poritidae à la Réunion. En Afrique du Sud, l'augmentation de la température de l'eau de 2°C a une influence négative sur le développement larvaire du sensible A. austera alors que P. daedalea est plus vigoureux et supporte des températures de 4°C supérieures à la normale (30°C). À la Réunion, le faible taux de fécondité et de recrutement semble être un indicateur de perturbation des récifs. Au contraire en Afrique du Sud, l'effort de reproduction des coraux et l'important approvisionnement en larves, associés à la faible anthropisation des récifs, pourraient favoriser l'adaptation des coraux aux changements climatiques dans une certaine limite. / Coral reproduction and recruitment in Scleractinia were compared between the subtropical reefs of South Africa and the tropical reefs of Reunion to assess variations between contrasting environments. In addition, coral larvae and juvenile polyps were exposed to elevated temperature in aquarium to simulate global warming. The two targeted species, Acropora austera and Platygyra daedalea, exhibited the same reproductive mode (hermaphroditic broadcast spawner), gamete development (5-6 months) and breeding seasonality (October to February) in South Africa and Reunion. Coral fecundity was nevertheless higher in South Africa than in Reunion. A. austera and P. certaine limite.AbstractCoral reproduction and recruitment in Scleractinia were compared between the subtropical reefs of South Africa and the tropical reefs of Reunion to assess variations between contrasting environments. In addition, coral larvae and juvenile polyps were exposed to elevated temperature in aquarium to simulate global warming. The two targeted species, Acropora austera and Platygyra daedalea, exhibited the same reproductive mode (hermaphroditic broadcast spawner), gamete development (5-6 months) and breeding seasonality (October to February) in South Africa and Reunion. Coral fecundity was nevertheless higher in South Africa than in Reunion. A. austera and P. daedalea produced respectively 43 and 100% more oocytes per polyp than their Reunion counterparts. The recruitment rate was also higher on the subtropical reefs of South Africa (548 recruits m2 year-1) compared to Reunion (305 recruits m2 year-1). Recruitment was dominated by Pocilloporidae at the two localities, followed by Acroporidae in South Africa and Poritidae in Reunion. In South Africa, an increase in sea temperature of 2°C strongly affected the larval development of the sensitive A. austera, while the more robust P. daedalea sustained temperatures up to 4°C (i.e. 30°C) above ambient. In Reunion, diminished fecundity and recruitment rate seemed to be an indicator of reef perturbation. In contrast in South Africa, the high reproductive effort and larval supply in corals associated with the low levels of disturbance on the reefs may favour coral adaptation, to some extent, under global change.