Made available in DSpace on 2017-07-10T17:47:51Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 Anelise_Carradore_Lutz.pdf: 653471 bytes, checksum: 13b467a27a78c3b2a37a5189e6c50cfe (MD5) Previous issue date: 2013-02-28 / The catfish (Rhamdia branneri) is a native fish endemic to the Iguaçu River that has potential to grow due to their husbandry characteristics, due to this the present work aims to describe its initial development, with a view to commercial exploitation and management for conservation species. The study was conducted at the Experimental Station of Ichthyological Studies in Plant Ney Braga, reservoir Segredo, between January and February 2012. Spawnings were conducted, collected and analyzed 438 eggs, 394 individuals in the larval stage-yolk, 35 in pre-flexion, flexion 15 in, 13 in post-flexion and 1 juvenile. The eggs are yellow, non-adhesive and spherical, have a double membrane, diameter 1.13 mm, the perivitelline space has an average size of 0.21 mm during this period, there were four steps: initial cleavage, early embryo, and embryo free tail end. The larvae hatch after 26:00 hours at a temperature of 23.3 ° C, with mean standard length of 2.60 mm, are slightly pigmented and have a large yolk sac, being poorly developed. The complete absorption of the yolk sac occurs with 5.52 mm and exogenous feeding began with 39:00 hours, and can observe the presence of food in the digestive tract. It can be concluded that the characteristics of eggs, embryonic and larval development are essential for an understanding of the biology of R. branneri. Furthermore, the data constitute an information base for intensive species, and is considered of commercial interest and high potential for fish farming / O jundiá (Rhamdia branneri) é um peixe nativo endêmico do rio Iguaçu que tem potencial para cultivo devido às suas características zootécnicas, devido a isto o presente trabalho tem como objetivo descrever seu desenvolvimento inicial, com vistas ao aproveitamento comercial e manejo para a conservação da espécie. O estudo foi realizado na Estação Experimental de Estudos Ictiológicos, na Usina de Ney Braga, reservatório de Segredo, no período entre janeiro e fevereiro de 2012. Foram realizadas desovas, coletados e analisados 438 ovos, 394 indivíduos no estágio larval-vitelino, 35 em pré-flexão, 15 em flexão, 13 em pós-flexão e 1 juvenil. Os ovos são amarelos, não adesivos e esféricos, apresentam membrana dupla, diâmetro médio de 1,13 mm, o espaço perivitelino tem tamanho médio de 0,21 mm, durante este período, observaram-se quatro etapas: clivagem inicial, embrião inicial, cauda livre e embrião final. As larvas eclodem após 26:00 horas, à uma temperatura de 23,3°C, com comprimento padrão médio de 2,60 mm, são pouco pigmentadas e possuem um saco vitelino grande, sendo pouco desenvolvidas. A completa absorção do saco vitelino ocorre com 5,52 mm e a alimentação exógena iniciou com 39:00 horas, sendo possível observar a presença do alimento no trato digestório. Pode-se concluir que às características de ovos, desenvolvimento embrionário e larval são essenciais para uma melhor compreensão da biologia do R. branneri. Além disso, os dados obtidos constituem uma base de informações para a criação intensiva da espécie, sendo que é considerada de interesse comercial e com alto potencial para a piscicultura

This thesis aims to explore the larval development of a bird fluke Trichobilharzia regenti in its intermediate hosts, as well as the processes of differentiation of its embryonal cells and the differentiation between sporocystogenesis and cercariogenesis in sporocysts, with the ultimate goal to find out whether it is possible to find multiple generations of daughter sporocysts throughout the development of avian schistosomes in the intermediate hosts, just like in the case of human schistosomes of genus Schistosoma. Five developmental stages of daughter sporocysts, and ten developmental stages of cercariae have been defined. The first developmental stage in both larvae is the germinal cell. It divides and gives rise to a cell agregate. Afterwards an envelope (primitive epithelium) is formed around the embryo and subsequently, the embryo elongates. At this stage, the development of the two larvae undergoes different pathways. We can distinguish daughter sporocyst from cercaria in the phase, when the tegument is completed. The daughter sporocyst acquires characteristic vermiform appearance, and its body cavity contains plenty of germinal cells. For cercariae with an developed tegument, presence of the penetration glands is characteristic. Key words: Trichobilharzia regenti, germinal cells, mother...

There are thousands of species of mosquitoes, but only a handful of these species carry pathogens that cause human diseases. Here, we study two species, Aedes albopictus and Aedes aegypti, which transmit infections such as dengue, Zika, Mayaro virus, and La Crosse virus. Curtailing these diseases is a good reason to consider control of mosquito populations. However, mosquitoes are quite hardy and spraying of pesticides is typically a short-term solution. Thus, more long-term solutions require careful thought about mosquito populations, including early juvenile aquatic stages: egg, larva, and pupa. In this dissertation, we examine the factors that affect the dynamics of aquatic stages by creating mathematical models. The goal is to assess what key biological features most impact the total population. Both Aedes albopictus and Aedes aegypti lay eggs in small containers, producing limitations on space and food. We investigate how restricting resources changes development time, survival to adulthood, and body mass at emergence. The interactions between these changes are complicated, so to disentangle their effects we create three different mathematical models. The first model is discrete in time and focuses on the best way to incorporate the influence of larval density. We compare the impact of larval density by inputting seven different functional forms altering survival and development time. Larval density used in the model is determined from the average of the population size over the past one to thirty-six days. The second model is also discrete in time but focuses on the interaction between survival, development time, and mass. This model considers three levels of mass. Here, we use the density-dependent function determined from our first model and fit the maximum value for development time from experimental data. Survival values are fit using constants and a density-dependent function. Finally, growth is built in as a function of food. Food decreases at each time point as a function of the total larvae in the environment. We compare between model formulations with Akaike information criterion. The third model examines the ramifications of constricting resources on growth verses death. We employ a partial differential equation that has three independent variables: time, age, and mass. We find that density dependence is highly influential in the maturation of mosquitoes, and it is more essential to include its impacts on development time than on survival. These findings can be incorporated into a larger framework of disease dynamics, and give insight into better control of mosquitoes and disease spread. / Doctor of Philosophy / There are thousands of species of mosquitoes, but only a handful of these species spread human diseases. We specifically study mosquitoes that transmit diseases such as dengue and Zika, which plague large portions of the world. One way to reduce disease spread by mosquitoes is to eliminate the mosquito population, but mosquitoes are becoming resistant to commonly used insecticides. Thus, additional ways to combat mosquitoes are needed. To do so requires a better understanding of how mosquito populations change. This necessitates incorporating information from all life stages of the mosquito, including the juvenile stages that live in the water. In this dissertation, we examine various factors that affect the population size and characteristics of young mosquitoes by creating mathematical models. The goal is to assess what key biological features most impact the population. As young mosquitoes live in aquatic environments, there are limitations on space and food. We investigate how restricting resources changes the time it takes for mosquitoes to develop into adults, how many survive to adulthood, and what their body mass is as new adults. These outcomes interact in complicated way. To disentangle this, we create three different mathematical models. The first model focuses on the best way to incorporate the influence of limiting space or density on population size. The second model focuses on the interaction between mosquito body mass, survival, and time spent as a juvenile. The third model examines how resources alter growth and death and the ensuing mass of mosquitoes. Models are fit to experimental data and validated based on how accurately they describe known patterns. We find that population density is highly influential in the maturation of juvenile mosquitoes and its most important effect is on time spent as a juvenile mosquito. By correlating growth of juvenile mosquitoes to density and resources, our second model is better able to reproduce data. These findings provide important understanding on mosquito populations, which provides insight into how to better control mosquitoes and the diseases they spread.

Advances in aquaculture technologies are being investigated to support the replenishment of local fisheries, develop marine food fish farming opportunities and to increase seafood production globally. In order to promote the expansion and development of aquaculture technologies required to raise new finfish species, a number of key bottlenecks restricting commercial-scale culture need to be addressed, including the ability to control fish reproduction in captivity and to produce high quality seeds. One candidate species for large-scale production, and the focus of this work, is common snook. Prized as a food fish in Mexico, Central and South America and as a popular game fish along the Gulf coast of the United States; common snook are economically important having both a high market value and recreational demand. Despite recent advances in captive spawning, a number of reproductive bottlenecks still need to be addressed such as lack of spontaneous spawning in captivity, poor fertilization rates and inconsistent production of high quality eggs and larvae. Therefore, the overall aim of this thesis was to better understand the reproductive biology of common snook in order to develop protocols to improve the reliability of captive spawning in closed recirculating aquaculture systems and the quality of eggs produced as a basis for commercial scale cultivation. First, this PhD project described oocyte development in common snook and validated a non-invasive method for assessing reproductive condition in wild and captive stocks (Chapter 2). This was done by using a tiered and adaptable staging scheme to compare the wet mount technique with histological preparations of ovarian biopsies. When compared with histology, the wet mount provided an immediate and precise method for determining whether female broodstock were candidates for hormonal induction. In fishery biology, an understanding of fish reproductive success and population reproductive potential is critical for designing and implementing effective fisheries management strategies. The wet mount technique provides a tool for non-lethal, low-cost determination of reproductive status in wild fish stocks. The next research chapter focused on spawning induction of captive snook populations. The first trial compared the effects of slow and regular release GnRHa implants whereas the second trial investigated the effects of GnRHa, alone or in combination with the dopamine antagonist, pimozide (PIM), on milt characteristics and plasma steroid levels in captive male common snook broodstock (Chapter 3). In an effort to better enable reliable control of reproduction under captive conditions, the annual plasma sex steroid profile of captive male and female broodstock maintained under natural photo-thermal conditions was also examined. When possible, milt samples were collected pre and post implantation; sperm density, sperm motility and spermatocrit were documented among individual males. The assigned treatments appeared to have no or little effects on milt production in male broodstock although plasma steroid levels were found to be significantly elevated in individuals treated with GnRHa in combination with the dopamine antagonist, pimozide. At the time this work was performed, no data on spawning dynamics, including individual spawning performance, had been reported for common snook in captivity. Mass spawning tanks are complex systems where fish are left to spawn naturally and fertilized eggs are collected with little or no control over the mating of the animals. Therefore, the third part of this thesis explored the potential of DNA profiling for monitoring mating outcomes in captive broodstock by employing eight microsatellite markers to detect and quantify individual parental contributions for 2,154 larvae obtained from the three broodstock tanks (Chapter 4). The panel of loci was generally robust and allowed unambiguous assignment of 89% of larvae to a single family. Overall, spawn contribution data 1) provided a confirmation of GnRHa treatment efficacy in female snook with a minimum stage of oogenesis (late secondary growth-SGl) required for successful spawning, 2) identified a potential impact of handling on maturation and spawning of captive broodstock and 3) confirmed that, through photothermal conditioning, captive broodstock can spawn over consecutive days and several times per year including outside of their natural spawning season. The exogenous cues that tropical species use to synchronize key life events like reproduction remain largely unstudied, therefore, my PhD project also investigated the influence of tidal cycle on reproductive activity in common snook (Chapter 5). Real-time quantitative RT-PCR assays were developed and validated to measure the temporal expression patterns of gonadotropin genes (fshβ and lhβ) during the reproductive cycle in males and females. These were evaluated in relation to sex steroid production, LH blood plasma levels, gonadal development and tidal cycle. The phylogenetic analysis of the deduced amino acid sequence of common snook for fshβ and lhβ revealed strong identity with other teleosts (75-90%). Additionally, the mRNA profiles of fshβ and lhβ in the pituitary of females displayed a clear pattern of expression concomitant with histological changes in oocyte development. Histological observations of gonads suggested a circa-tidal rhythm of follicular development. The findings, as a whole, provided new information supporting the role of tidal cycle on the entrainment of gametogenesis allowing for a better understanding of the environmental control of reproduction in common snook. Although the primary research emphasis in this PhD was on broodstock spawning and gamete quality, the final chapter focuses on larval ontogeny. The goal of this research was to gain improve understanding of the early life history characteristics of common snook in order to improve larval culture technologies. To do so, a combination of digital photography and histological techniques were used to document the embryonic and early larval development (0 to 14 days post hatch-DPH) of hatchery-reared individuals (Chapter 6). Larvae hatched 15 h after fertilization at 28°C, lacked pigmentation, had a rudimentary digestive tract and undeveloped visual system. Development was rapid and by 3 DPH larvae had almost doubled in length, the yolk sac was nearly exhausted, the mouth was open and eyes were pigmented with a well-structured retinal layer. The alimentary canal was differentiated into three distinct sections including the foregut, midgut and hindgut. Food was observed in the gut (rotifers) and structural epithelium organelles, such as the nucleus, mitochondria, and dark vesicles, were all present in high numbers. The swim bladder was formed and inflated. In summary, understanding early ontogenetic development in common snook can help provide information needed to address key bottlenecks seen in captive cultivation, such as the high incidence of larval mortality observed during the transition from endogenous to exogenous feeding. Overall, this doctoral work 1) validated molecular and endocrine analytical tools for future studies of common snook reproductive physiology, 2) provided a better understanding of both broodfish requirements in tank systems as well as the endocrine control of reproduction and spawning at the level of the brain-pituitary-gonadal axis, 3) increased our knowledge in genetic management of captive broodstock, in terms of parentage assignment and 4) offered new insight into wild population reproductive strategy as well as how reproduction is entrained through environmental cues and the pathways leading to oocyte recruitment and maturation. The new information presented here can be used to conserve wild snook stocks through production of farm raised individuals as a sustainable source of seafood and for fisheries enhancement.

Melipona scutellaris (Apidae: Meliponini) é uma espécie de abelha sem ferrão popularmente conhecida como abelha Uruçu. Como outros meliponíneos, forma colônias perenes e apresenta diferenciação de castas. É encontrada na zona litorânea do Sul da Bahia ao Ceará, e em regiões do interior da Bahia e Pernambuco. Os ninhos são construídos somente em troncos ocos de árvores e apresentam arquitetura elaborada. As células de cria são verticais, arranjadas em favos horizontais formando placas que se sobrepõe. Seus principais recursos alimentares são pólen e néctar. A quantidade de alimento estocada nos potes está relacionada com a manutenção e produção de operárias, rainhas virgens e machos. Por não apresentar células de cria diferenciadas para o desenvolvimento de rainhas e operárias, não é possível estabelecer seguramente os fatores responsáveis pela determinação das castas neste grupo de abelhas. Estudos indicam que mecanismos genéticos e tróficos, incluindo a qualidade do alimento larval, somados a fatores ambientais interferem na produção de rainhas. Este estudo avaliou a variação do teor proteico e composição polínica do alimento larval ao longo de um ano. Os resultados mostraram que o valor proteico do alimento larval variou de forma equivalente para todas as colônias em todos os meses, com elevação significativa no mês de julho. O valor proteico do alimento larval não apresentou correlação com o valor proteico dos tipos polínicos. O valor proteico dos tipos polínicos não apresentou relação significativa com sua ocorrência no alimento larval, o que indica hábitos generalistas para a coleta de recursos alimentares. Através de bioensaios, foi testada a interferência do volume e da suplementação proteica do alimento larval na determinação de rainhas, cujos resultados demonstraram uma ocorrência de rainhas significativamente maior nos tratamentos com suplementação proteica. Conclui-se que embora os tipos polínicos não influenciem diretamente o teor proteico do alimento larval, os resultados encontrados sugerem que a alteração do valor proteico do alimento larval depositado nas células seja um fator importante na determinação de castas nesta espécie / Melipona scutellaris (Apidae: Meliponini) is an indigenous stingless bee species. Like other Meliponine, colonies are perennial and have female caste differentiation. This species is found from the cost area of Bahia to Ceará states. The nests are built only in hollow trees and have an elaborate architecture. The brood cells are vertical, arranged in horizontal overlapping combs. Pollen and honey are the main food source. The quantity of food stored in the pots is associated with the maintenance and production of workers, queens and males. Since there are no differences between the cells that queens and workers are reared, the factors responsible for caste determination are still unknown. Studies suggest that both genetic and trophic mechanisms, including the larval food quality, combined with environmental factors, interfere in the production of queens. This study evaluated the variation protein content and the pollinic composition of larval food among colonies of M. scutellaris across a year. The results showed that the protein content of the larval food varied equivalently for all the colonies at all months, but presenting an elevation on the protein content in July. The protein content in the larval food had no correlation with the pollen types. The protein content of the pollen types showed no significant relation with the pollen types occurring in the larval food, indicating that the species M. scutellaris presents generalist habits for food gathering. The interference of volume and protein supplementation of larval food on queen rearing determination was tested via bioassays, which results showed a significantly higher occurrence of queens in the treatments with protein supplementation. We concluded that although the pollen types did not influence directly the protein content of the larval food, the results obtained suggest that the variation of protein content of the larval food deposited in the cells may be an important factor in caste determination in this species

The principle aim of the current research was to modify the larval development assay (LDA) for use with Cooperia from cattle. A series of experiments were conducted in order to modify the LDA protocol to determine the most appropriate culture media and incubation temperature. These initial experiments concluded that, of the protocols examined, a culture medium of 1/8th the concentration of E. coli (EC) + 1/4th the concentration of yeast extract (YE) as generally used to culture sheep nematodes, at a culture temperature of 18ºC, resulted in the optimum number of Cooperia larvae developed to the third larval stage (L3). However, the number of eggs that developed to L3 was still generally low. A comparison was then made using isolates from a farm with a history of resistance in Cooperia to ivermectin (IV) and benzimidazoles (BZ) and two farms with a history of no resistance in this parasite. These experiments were undertaken using 1/8EC + 1/4YE media protocol and 1/2EC + 1/2YE concentration of the standard culture media for sheep nematodes. These three isolates were cultured at temperature of 18ºC and 25 ºC in the commercially available DrenchRite® 96-well microtitre assay plates which contained BZ, levamisole (LV) and IV in doubling dilutions within an agar matrix. The LD50 values were determined from a dose response curve. The resulting LD50 values were very variable, especially for the IV analogues. There was no obvious difference between the resistant and susceptible farms for the LD50 values of BZ or IV. A secondary aim of this research was to investigate the potential usefulness of the larval feeding inhibition assay (LFIA). This was adopted as published and it was determined it could be used to distinguish between susceptible and resistant Teladorsagia circumcincta with a resistance ratio of at least six. This research concluded that further research is required to fully optimise the LDA for Cooperia in cattle but adequate dose response curves were determined to indicate it struggles to distinguish BZ and IV resistance. The LFIA deserves to be further investigated as it offers some scope to detect ivermectin resistance in cattle nematodes as the dose response curves demonstrated a good repeatability for T. circumcincta from sheep. Comparing LDA and LFIA, both assays seemed to be useful but the latter was considered to have greater potential.

Made available in DSpace on 2015-03-26T13:30:55Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 texto completo.pdf: 181037 bytes, checksum: 7b40b0a177d434ebdc88bcdbbbffaf49 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2007-07-31 / Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico / Thyrinteina arnobia (Lepidoptera: Geometridae) is found on native plants of the family Myrtaceae and also in sporadic outbreaks in eucalypt plantations, exotic Myrtaceae introduced in Brazil. The occurrence of outbreaks of this insect has been attributed to its migration from native plants to eucalypt, what may be favored by the abundance of resources and lower numbers and diversity of natural enemies. The objective of the first chapter was to study the biology of T. arnobia in the field and to compare its development during successive generations in the exotic plant, Eucalyptus cloeziana and two native ones, Psidium catteleianum sabine and Psidium guajava. The duration and the survival of the larva stage of T. arnobia were evaluated in the field and its reproduction in the laboratory. The larva stage of T. arnobia was not affected after successive generations on P. guajava and E. cloeziana plants but P. catteleianum sabine increased the duration and reduced the survival of this stage for this insect. In spite of the negative effects on the larval stage by P. catteleianum sabine, the reproductive parameters of T. arnobia were similar with these three plants. The change between plants during successive generations may be important for the biology of T. arnobia, what can guarantee a wide range of hosts for this insect. The objective the chapter 2 was to study the effect of feeding on honey solution on the fecundity and longevity of T. arnobia adults. Pairs of this insect were fed or not with 15% honey solution. The pre-oviposition, oviposition and pos-oviposition periods and the longevity, fertility, egg incubation period and numbers of egg and egg masses of T. arnobia were evaluated. The reproductive capacity and the longevity of females of this insect were similar with honey or not, but fed males of T. arnobia had longer longevity. This can be due to the fact that males are more active because they need to find females for mating. This increases its energy necessity what can be compensated by feeding. / Thyrinteina arnobia (Lepidoptera: Geometridae) é encontrada em plantas nativas dafamília Myrtacea e relatada causando danos em plantios de eucalipto, Myrtacea exótica introduzida no Brasil. A ocorrência de surtos desses insetos tem sido atribuída à sua migração de plantas nativas para o eucalipto, onde é favorecido pela abundância de recursos, menor população e diversidade de inimigos naturais. Os estudos realizados são divergentes em relação a biologia desse inseto em plantas exóticas e nativas. Em razão do exposto, o objetivo do capítulo 1 foi estudar a biologia em campo e comparar o desenvolvimento de T. arnobia com gerações sucessivas em planta exótica, Eucalyptus cloeziana e duas nativas, Psidium catteleianum sabine e Psidium guajava. A duração e a sobrevivência do período larval de T. arnobia foram avaliadas no campo e a fase reprodutiva desse inseto em laboratório. A fase larval de T. arnobia não foi afetada nas gerações sucessivas em plantas de P. guajava e E. cloeziana, mas teve maior duração e menor sobrevivência dessa fase em P. catteleianum sabine. Apesar dos efeitos negativos de P. catteleianum sabine na fase larval, os valores reprodutivos desse inseto foram semelhantes com as três espécies de planta. A mudança entre plantas nas sucessivas gerações é importante para a biologia de T. arnobia, o que pode garantir uma gama ampla de hospedeiros para esse inseto. No capítulo 2, o objetivo foi estudar o efeito da alimentação na fecundidade e longevidade de adultos de T. arnobia. Para isso foram montados dois tratamentos com casais não alimentados e alimentados com mel a 15%. Osperíodos de pré-oviposição, oviposição e pós-oviposição e a longevidade, fertilidade, período de incubação dos ovos e números de posturas se de ovos totais de T. arnobia foram avaliados. A capacidade reprodutiva e a longevidade de fêmeas desse inseto foi semelhante com mel ou não, mas a longevidade de machos alimentados foi maior. Isto pode ser devido ao fato dos machos serem mais ativos e buscarem a fêmea para acasalamento o que acarreta maior gasto de energia e pode ser compensado pela alimentação recebida.

Melipona scutellaris (Apidae: Meliponini) é uma espécie de abelha sem ferrão popularmente conhecida como abelha Uruçu. Como outros meliponíneos, forma colônias perenes e apresenta diferenciação de castas. É encontrada na zona litorânea do Sul da Bahia ao Ceará, e em regiões do interior da Bahia e Pernambuco. Os ninhos são construídos somente em troncos ocos de árvores e apresentam arquitetura elaborada. As células de cria são verticais, arranjadas em favos horizontais formando placas que se sobrepõe. Seus principais recursos alimentares são pólen e néctar. A quantidade de alimento estocada nos potes está relacionada com a manutenção e produção de operárias, rainhas virgens e machos. Por não apresentar células de cria diferenciadas para o desenvolvimento de rainhas e operárias, não é possível estabelecer seguramente os fatores responsáveis pela determinação das castas neste grupo de abelhas. Estudos indicam que mecanismos genéticos e tróficos, incluindo a qualidade do alimento larval, somados a fatores ambientais interferem na produção de rainhas. Este estudo avaliou a variação do teor proteico e composição polínica do alimento larval ao longo de um ano. Os resultados mostraram que o valor proteico do alimento larval variou de forma equivalente para todas as colônias em todos os meses, com elevação significativa no mês de julho. O valor proteico do alimento larval não apresentou correlação com o valor proteico dos tipos polínicos. O valor proteico dos tipos polínicos não apresentou relação significativa com sua ocorrência no alimento larval, o que indica hábitos generalistas para a coleta de recursos alimentares. Através de bioensaios, foi testada a interferência do volume e da suplementação proteica do alimento larval na determinação de rainhas, cujos resultados demonstraram uma ocorrência de rainhas significativamente maior nos tratamentos com suplementação proteica. Conclui-se que embora os tipos polínicos não influenciem diretamente o teor proteico do alimento larval, os resultados encontrados sugerem que a alteração do valor proteico do alimento larval depositado nas células seja um fator importante na determinação de castas nesta espécie / Melipona scutellaris (Apidae: Meliponini) is an indigenous stingless bee species. Like other Meliponine, colonies are perennial and have female caste differentiation. This species is found from the cost area of Bahia to Ceará states. The nests are built only in hollow trees and have an elaborate architecture. The brood cells are vertical, arranged in horizontal overlapping combs. Pollen and honey are the main food source. The quantity of food stored in the pots is associated with the maintenance and production of workers, queens and males. Since there are no differences between the cells that queens and workers are reared, the factors responsible for caste determination are still unknown. Studies suggest that both genetic and trophic mechanisms, including the larval food quality, combined with environmental factors, interfere in the production of queens. This study evaluated the variation protein content and the pollinic composition of larval food among colonies of M. scutellaris across a year. The results showed that the protein content of the larval food varied equivalently for all the colonies at all months, but presenting an elevation on the protein content in July. The protein content in the larval food had no correlation with the pollen types. The protein content of the pollen types showed no significant relation with the pollen types occurring in the larval food, indicating that the species M. scutellaris presents generalist habits for food gathering. The interference of volume and protein supplementation of larval food on queen rearing determination was tested via bioassays, which results showed a significantly higher occurrence of queens in the treatments with protein supplementation. We concluded that although the pollen types did not influence directly the protein content of the larval food, the results obtained suggest that the variation of protein content of the larval food deposited in the cells may be an important factor in caste determination in this species

Orientador: Angelo Pires do Prado / Dissertação (mestrado) - Universidade Estadual de Campinas, Instituto de Biologia / Made available in DSpace on 2018-08-04T02:53:48Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 Torres_MariaLuciaMarcucci_M.pdf: 977950 bytes, checksum: de705ba5de433867a9711cec63412641 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2005 / Resumo: A bioterapia ou terapia de desbridamento larval, é a utilização de larvas vivas de moscas varejeiras para tratamento de feridas de difícil cicatrização. Este tipo de tratamento foi descoberto acidentalmente em condições de campos de batalha, teve seu auge nas décadas de 1930 e 1940 e atualmente tem sido utilizado em muitos países. As larvas aplicadas na ferida promovem a cura por meio de vários mecanismos, como liquefação do tecido necrosado, remoção das bactérias, secreção de substâncias que auxiliam a cicatrização e estimulam o crescimento de tecido de granulação, entre outros. A aplicação é relativamente simples, sendo um tratamento não dispendioso que promove bons resultados onde algumas vezes as terapias convencionais não foram efetivas. Sendo assim, neste trabalho a espécie Chrysomya putoria (Wiedemann) (Diptera: Calliphoridae), foi selecionada e criada em condições de laboratório, para a posterior realização da terapia larval em animais. Não obstante, as feridas de pele que ocorrem nos animais são muito contaminadas e assim, no presente trabalho, foram testados os efeitos da Ampicilina, Amoxicilina, Cefalexina e Cefalotina sobre o crescimento e desenvolvimento das larvas de Chrysomya putoria, com a finalidade de selecionar um ou mais fármacos que poderão ser utilizados sistemicamente, concomitante a terapia de desbridamento larval em animais. Os antibióticos foram adicionados em várias concentrações em meio utilizado como substrato para as larvas de Chrysomya putoria, onde foram introduzidas larvas recém eclodidas e observado o crescimento e desenvolvimento das mesmas, bem como o número de pupas sobreviventes em cada meio ao final do estágio larval. Para cada antibiótico e concentração testados foram realizadas três replicatas e um controle. Foi observado ser a Amoxicilina o fármaco que apresentou menor efeito prejudicial sobre as larvas, sendo portanto o mais seguro a ser utilizado em conjunto com a terapia larval / Abstract: Biotherapy or maggot debridement therapy is the use of live blow-fly larvae for treating non-healing wounds. This kind of treatment was discovered accidentally in battle field conditions, was commonly practiced during 1930¿s and 1940¿s and presently has been used in several countries. Larvae applied in the wound promote healing by several mechanisms such as liquefing necrotic tissue, removing bacteria, and by secretion of substances that help healing and stimulate the growth of granulation tissue. Maggot therapy use is relatively simple, a non expensive therapy that promote good results where sometimes conventional therapies are not effective. In this work the species Chrysomya putoria (Wiedemann) (Diptera: Calliphoridae) was selected and raised under laboratory conditions for the future use of maggot therapy in animals. Since the animal skin wounds are usually infected, in this work the effects of Ampicilin, Amoxicilin, Cefalexin and Cefalotin were tested on growth and development of C. putoria larvae to compare with one or more of the tested drugs that will be utilized in association with larval debridement therapy in animals. Antibiotics were used in different concentrations and added to the medium used as growth substract for C. putoria. The growth and developmental rates as well the number of surviving pupae were recorded. Three replicates and one control were done for each antibiotic type and concentration tested. Amoxicilin was the drug with the least detrimental effect upon the larvae and, therefore, was considered the safest to be used in association with maggot therapy / Mestrado / Parasitologia / Mestre em Parasitologia

La variabilité phénotypique a tendance à augmenter lorsque l'environnement est variable dans le temps ou l'espace. Cette thèse traite plus précisément de la variabilité des traits d'histoire de vie dans le cadre de populations fragmentées. En région Méditerranéenne, le Pélodyte ponctué, Pelodytes punctatus, se reproduit à la fois au printemps et en automne, en réponse aux variations temporelles de l'environnement. J'ai cherché à comprendre l'origine et les conséquences évolutives de ces stratégies de reproduction. Les deux périodes de reproduction produisent efficacement des descendants (plus en automne) et les têtards de printemps semblent souffrir de la compétition avec les têtards d'automne. Ces derniers se métamorphosent plus tôt et à une plus grande taille. Ces différences de développement ne s'expliquent pas par des différences génétiques entre des populations saisonnières. Au contraire, elles sont liées à la plasticité phénotypique et répondent à des conditions environnementales drastiquement différentes. Il semble plus favorable de se reproduire en automne. Le maintien des deux stratégies correspond à du bet-hedging ou un simple opportunisme. Par ailleurs, la fragmentation, phénomène croissant lié à l'anthropisation des milieux, diminue la taille des populations et augmente l'hétérogénéité génétique au sein d'une population. Il n'y a cependant pas de consanguinité au sein des populations étudiées mais une forte structuration en familles qui induit des associations allèles/phénotypes.Ce travail éclaire les variations de traits d'histoire de vie du Pélodyte et indique une grande plasticité phénotypique face aux variations de l'environnement. / Phenotypic variability tends to increase in temporally and spatially variable environments. This thesis deals with the variability of life-history traits in fragmented populations. In Mediterranean regions, Parsley frog, Pelodytes punctatus, breeds both in spring and in autumn, in response to temporal variations of its environment. I studied the origin and evolutionary consequences of its breeding strategies.Both breeding periods produce offspring (much more in autumn, though) and spring tadpoles suffer from intraspecific competition with older autumn tadpoles. Autumn laid juveniles are bigger and emerged sooner from the ponds. These developmental differences are not due to genetic differences between seasonal populations. They are explained by phenotypic plasticity in response to drastically different conditions. Even if it seems more favourable to breed in autumn, both strategies are maintained either by bet-hedging or pure opportunism.Besides, fragmentation, which increases with global changes, tends to reduce population effective size and increase genetic heterogeneity within populations. However, no inbreeding was found in the studied populations but a high family structure induced alleles/fitness correlations.Together, these results enlighten the variability of breeding strategies and larval traits in Parsley frog and indicate a high phenotypic plasticity in response to environmental variations.