DEd / Department of Curriculum Studies and Educational Management

<p>  </p> <p>Evolution is the foundation for all of biology. However, our approaches and understanding of evolution—simply, the change of allele frequencies from one generation to the next—have themselves evolved over time. In this dissertation I explore multiple approaches to understand evolution and the consequences of evolution across variable scales and study organisms. First, I use meta-analytic techniques and Bayesian hierarchical models to investigate the phenotypic consequences of two forms of cryptic local adaptation, co- and countergradient variation, by leveraging a decades-old quantitative genetics approach (Chapter 1). I find large effects for both co- and countergradient variation, however they are obscured in natural settings by concurrent large environmental effects. I also show that these large effects are ubiquitous across phenotypic traits, organisms, and environmental gradients, suggesting that while similar phenotypes may be the evolutionary end point, the mechanisms to achieve those phenotypes likely vary. In the following chapter I explore the rapid evolution of a unique and understudied species introduction, pink salmon (<em>Oncorhynchus gorbuscha</em>) in the Great Lakes. Pink salmon were introduced into Lake Superior in a single introduction event and have broken two obligate life histories, anadromy (though they treat the Great Lakes like surrogate oceans) and their fixed two-year life cycle, making them ripe subjects for contemporary evolution. Using whole-genome sequence data, I first investigate the effects of a genetic drift in the form of a bottleneck at introduction and characterize the subsequent loss of genetic diversity (Chapter 2). I show that despite a large loss of genetic diversity, pink salmon also rapidly adapted to their novel environment based on signals of putative selection across numerous regions of the genome, particularly in a period gene associated with their daily circadian clock (<em>per2</em>). Next, I explore how genome structure likely aided adaptation by pink salmon to the Great Lakes, providing evidence that a supergene (~29 Mbp) containing an inversion on chromosome 10 swept to near fixation in the Great Lakes (Chapter 3) and likely aided in osmoregulatory adaptation to this novel environment. Finally, I end with a short perspective chapter (Chapter 4) where I highlight potential future research directions for each of the previous chapters. Together, this research investigates the drivers and consequences of evolution across multiple scales and shows the powerful effect of genetic drift and genetic adaptation in shaping the genomic and phenotypic attributes of populations.</p>

L'âge au sevrage est un trait d'histoire de vie qui affecte le succès reproductif des femelles. Sa détermination à partir d'observations de la tétée est limitée en raison de l'allaitement de confort ou de nuit. Le suivi de l'alimentation des nourrissons, à partir des isotopes stables de carbone et d'azote fécaux (δ13C, δ15N %N) est une alternative précise et non invasive aux méthodes comportementales. Les âges de sevrage chez le colobe magistrat (Colobus vellerosus) à BFMS, Ghana, ont été déterminés en utilisant les δ13C et δ15N fécaux, et ceux-ci ont été comparés aux évaluations comportementales du sevrage. Les différences d'âge au sevrage entre trois groupes de colobes différents ont également été comparées. Des échantillons fécaux ont été collectés auprès de 8 dyades de mères (N = 88 fèces) et de leurs enfants (N = 98 fèces). Les échantillons ont été homogénéisés et analysés dans un spectromètre de masse à rapport isotopique et un analyseur élémentaire. L'âge moyen du sevrage chez tous les nourrissons ayant utilisé des isotopes stables fécaux était de 15,75 mois, ce qui était supérieur à l'âge moyen du sevrage déterminé à partir des observations de l'allaitement (14,6 mois). Deux nourrissons ont été sevrés avant le début de la collecte des données fécales, deux avaient un âge isotopique au sevrage similaire à leur âge de sevrage comportemental, et deux avaient un âge isotopique au sevrage supérieur à leur âge comportemental. Deux nourrissons dont on a déterminé qu'ils n'étaient pas encore sevrés d'après les évaluations isotopiques n'ont pas été observés en train de téter et ont montré des différences δ15N nourrisson-mère alternativement plus grandes et plus petites entre 6 et 9 mois. Cela peut indiquer un processus de sevrage cyclique, les nourrissons devenant plus ou moins dépendants du lait au cours de la période de 4 mois. Il semblait y avoir des différences dans les âges moyens de sevrage isotopique entre les groupes. Mon étude a montré que les isotopes stables fécaux peuvent être utilisés avec succès pour surveiller le développement nutritionnel des nourrissons et les différences de niveau trophique entre le nourrisson et la mère chez les singes colobes arboricoles. / Age at weaning is a life-history trait that affects the reproductive success of females. Its determination from observations of suckling is limited due to comfort and night nursing. To monitor infant diets, fecal stable carbon, and nitrogen isotopes (δ13C, δ15N %N) provide an accurate and non-invasive alternative to behavioral methods. Weaning ages in ursine colobus (Colobus vellerosus) at BFMS, Ghana was determined using fecal δ13C and δ15N, and these were compared to behavioral weaning assessments. I also compared differences in weaning ages between three different colobus groups. Fecal samples were collected from 8 dyads of mothers (N = 88 feces) and their infants (N = 98 feces). The samples were homogenized and analyzed in an isotope ratio mass spectrometer and elemental analyzer. The mean weaning age among all infants using fecal stable isotopes was 15.75 months, which was older than the mean weaning age determined from observations of nursing (14.6 months). Two infants were weaned before fecal data collection began, two had an isotopic age at weaning similar to their behavioral weaning age, and two had an isotopic age at weaning that was older than their behavioral age. Two infants who were determined to be not yet weaned from isotopic assessments were not observed to nurse and showed alternately larger and smaller δ15N infant-mother differences between 6 and 9 months. This may indicate a cyclic weaning process, with infants becoming more or less dependent on milk over the 4-month period. There appeared to be differences in the average isotopic weaning ages between groups. My study showed that fecal stable isotopes can be successfully used to monitor infant nutritional development and infant-mother trophic level differences in arboreal colobus monkeys.

[pt] Esta pesquisa tem como objetivo favorecer o processo de inclusão no ensino superior das pessoas com deficiência a partir do reconhecimento de seus olhares e vozes no contexto do Núcleo de Apoio e Inclusão da Pessoa com Deficiência – NAIPD/PUC-Rio. A inclusão das pessoas com deficiência é uma conquista do movimento social e político desse grupo de pessoas que reivindicou seus direitos de participação plena e efetiva na sociedade. Na esfera do ensino-aprendizagem, a partir da década de 1990, o conceito de inclusão tem sido discutido com base numa mudança nos padrões hegemônicos, buscando reconhecer a diversidade humana e o respeito às diferenças. Nos últimos anos, como reflexo dos avanços, a inclusão é motivo de discussão e implantação de políticas públicas no ensino superior. Nesta pesquisa, sustenta-se ser necessária a revisão das práticas de ensino-aprendizagem e a definição de estratégias que permitam que estudantes com diferentes condições possam ter oportunidades, considerando o princípio da equidade. Entende-se também que o desenvolvimento de projetos de design com o uso de metodologias participativas pode ser uma ferramenta no processo de inclusão no ensino. Assim, para responder à questão: De que modos o design tem possibilidade de favorecer o processo de inclusão no ensino superior das pessoas com deficiência?, foram escolhidos como fundamento a abordagem metodológica Design em Parceria, como vem sendo desenvolvida no departamento de Artes e Design da PUC-Rio, e a abordagem de pesquisa Histórias de Vida. A escolha por um estudo exploratório de cunho qualitativo-interpretativo privilegia uma escuta sensível e atenta ao outro; constituída no acolhimento e reconhecimento das singularidades; no diálogo e interação entre sujeitos. As histórias de vida levam a conhecer as vivências, pensamentos e sentimentos pessoais, assim como, representam de algum modo, um contexto social e histórico. No encontro das vozes de estudantes e professores destaca-se: a importância da empatia e diálogo permanente; a relevância da atenção e respeito às condições pessoais de estudantes e professores; a necessidade de abertura para conhecer e rever conceitos e práticas, considerando que é observado o desconhecimento acerca dos assuntos específicos relativos à deficiência. Em suma, a partir de encontros entre um grupo de estudantes e a pesquisadora se dá o processo de projeto em design que reúne olhares e vozes de estudantes e professores e consolida a investigação com o desenvolvimento da plataforma digital de comunicação – PLURAIS. O ambiente interativo propõe a participação com a aproximação das pessoas para se conhecerem e compartilharem suas experiências. A experimentação em processo com o uso continuado por estudantes e professores poderá gerar modificações. Entende-se que o desenvolvimento de projetos de design com foco na singularidade dos sujeitos e construção de sentidos a partir da interação entre eles, contribui para mudanças de atitudes e comportamentos em prol de uma cultura inclusiva na universidade. / [en] This research aims to favor the inclusion process of people with disabilities in higher education by recognizing their voices and views in the context of the Nucleus of Support and Inclusion for People with Disabilities (Núcleo de Apoio e Inclusão da Pessoa com Deficiência – NAIPD/PUC-Rio) at PUC-Rio. The inclusion of people with disabilities is an achievement of the social and political movement led by this group to claim their rights of full and effective participation in society. In the scope of teaching-learning, starting in the 1990 s, the concept of inclusion has been discussed based on a shift in hegemonic standards, aiming to recognize human diversity and to respect the differences between people. In the last few years, as a result of those advances, inclusion has become a topic of discussion and implementation of public policies in higher education. In this research, the need for the current teaching-learning practices to be revised is sustained, as well as strategies that allow students with different means to have access to opportunities, considering the principle of equity. It is also understood that the development of design projects based on participatory methodologies can be a tool in the process of inclusion in education. Thus, to answer the question: In which ways does Design have the possibility to favor the process of inclusion in higher education for people with disabilities?, the theoretical frameworks chosen were the Design in Partnership methodology – as it has been developed in PUC-Rio s Department of Arts and Design – and the Life Histories research approach. The choice for an exploratory study of a qualitative-interpretative perspective privileges the attentive and sensible listening to other people s perspectives; constituted by welcoming people s singularities; by dialogue; and by the interaction between subjects. The life histories lead to knowing people s experiences, thoughts and personal sentiments, as well as represententing, in a way, a historical and social context. In the meeting of teachers and students discourses, what stands out is: the importance of empathy and permanent dialogue; the relevance of attention and respect to teachers and students individual conditions; and the need for openness to learn and review concepts and practices – considering the lack of knowledge in regards to the specific subjects that relate to people with disabilities, that has been observed so far. In essence, from the meeting between a group of students and the researcher, the design process starts, by gathering voices and views of students and teachers and consolidating this investigation with the development of a digital platform of communication – PLURAIS. The interactive environment encourages people to participate by getting to know each other and by exchanging their experiences. The experimentation process, with the continuous usage by teachers and students, may result in modifications. It is understood that the development of design projects with a focus on subjects singularities and sensemaking processes stemming from their interactions contributes to attitude and behavior changes in favor of an inclusive culture in Universities.

The Tasmanian lacewing (Micromus tasmaniae Walker) is one of the most common aphid predators occurring in lucerne crops in New Zealand. A comparison of sampling techniques, and the output from a simulation model, suggest that the abundance of this lacewing may have been significantly underestimated in the past. Although the occurrence of aphid predators was erratic M. tasmaniae occurred more often and in far greater numbers (up to 100 m⁻²) than any other predator species. A simulation model for lacewing development in the field indicated that the large adult populations which occurred could be accounted for on the basis of reproductive recruitment. Independent evidence that immigration was not involved in the occurrence of these large populations was gathered using directional flight traps around the field perimeter. The major factors influencing lacewing population dynamics were the availability of aphid prey and, in the autumn, parasitism. Otherwise, survival of all life-histoty stages was high with no evidence of egg or larval cannibalism. Several instances of high lacewing mortality were identified by the model and the lack of any obvious cause for these highlights inadequacies in the understanding of lacewing bionomics. The model, which used a linear relationship (day-degrees) between development and temperature, was incapable of accurately predicting lacewing emergence under field temperatures which fluctuated outside the linear region of the development rate curve. Temperature thresholds and thermal requirements estimated under fluctuating temperatures similar to those in the field produced almost identical model output to those estimated under constant temperatures in the laboratory. Prey species was capable of influencing the rate of lacewing development. M. tasmaniae has the attributes necessary to produce large populations in the short time available between lucerne harvests. The asymptote of the functional response curve is low but the efficiency at converting aphids to eggs is high. Therefore, the lacewing is able to attain maximun reproductive output at low prey densities. A low temperature threshold for development (4-5° C), rapid development and short preoviposition period results in a short generation time (49 days at 15° C). Long adult life, high fecundity and the absence of any form of estivation or diapause, results in complete overlap of generations and multiple generations per year. M. tasmaniae's role as an aphid predator is restricted by its low appetite for prey and by the lucerne management regime currently practiced in New Zealand. Because it consumes relatively few aphids per day the lacewing's ability to destroy large aphid populations is limited. However, this may be offset by its ability to attack aphids early in the aphid population growth phase, and by the large numbers of lacewings which may occur. Under the present lucerne management schemes the large lacewing populations which do occur are forced out of the fields, or die, following harvest. A number of management options for increasing the lacewings impact as an aphid predator are briefly discussed.

The effect of a free-living stage in host-parasite coevolution: a skink mite phylogenetic study in New Zealand. During the last decade, phylogenetic trees have even been used to compare ecologically related taxa such as parasites and their hosts, and are used to determine their level of coevolution or reciprocal adaptation in time. Diverse coevolutionary events have been detected for this ecological association, where generally the parasite has been regarded as one that feeds exclusively on the host and is likely to cospeciate with it. A different coevolutionary pattern might occur when the parasite has a free-living stage in its life cycle, in which the parasite may have the opportunity to abandon its host and successfully colonise a new species (host-switching) making cospeciation less likely. Many New Zealand skinks are infested with a parasitic mite, Odontacarus sp. (Prostigmata: Leeuwenhoekiidae), which becomes free-living as an adult. The genetic variation of these mites found on four hosts was analyzed for host- parasite coevolutionary events. The hosts were the McCann’s skink and the common skink in coastal Birdling Flat, Canterbury, plus these species and the Grand and Otago skinks in Macraes Flat, Central Otago, South Island, New Zealand. The genetic variation of fast evolving nuclear Internal Transcribed Spacers 2 and mitochondrial Cytochrome c Oxidase I in Odontacarus mites found on these hosts was determined by PCR and DNA sequencing and phylogenetic trees were built using the computer programs PAUP*4 and MrBayes 3. The results show that mite haplotypes only had a significant geographical division and no host-related differences. In Birdling Flat, the COI haplotypes were represented in two groups that infested both regional hosts and had 5.7 % divergence. The same individual mites belonged to a single ITS 2 haplotype, thus indicating a historical geographical division between two populations that now interbreed successfully. The Macraes Flat mites were divided into two COI haplotypes with 2.4% divergence and internal nodes, which showed greater genetic variability than the Birdling Flat populations. The Macraes Flat mites formed two ITS 2 haplotypes with 6% divergence. This greater geographical structure of the Otago mites is probably due to the older age of the mainland area compared to the recently exposed coastal locality of Birdling Flat. The COI haplotypes from the two different regions had a mean distance of 15.5%, with an earlier divergence time than that known for the hosts. For both genes, the haplotypes from different regions had 100% bootstrap support and the parasite showed no host specificity. Mites of the different COI and ITS haplotypes were found on most of the host species that were sampled in Canterbury and Otago. The results of this study suggest that a free-living stage in a parasite’s life cycle can favour coevolutionary events such as inertia (failure to speciate) and host-switching, probably as a result of resource-tracking of the parasite. NB: Electronic files contained on CD to accompany print copy are not included with this version of the thesis.

Among the species of Diomedea albatrosses, diverse foraging strategies during breeding have been described, indicating species differences in foraging ecology and behaviour. Foraging strategies of Southern Royal Albatrosses, Diomedea epomophora (SRA) breeding on Campbell Island were studied in January – early February 1999 during the latter half of incubation. Movements and activity of ten birds were monitored using satellite transmitters and wet-dry activity recorders. Three birds from a pilot tracking study in February 1997 were also included in some analyses. Foraging strategies, zones used, factors influencing the duration of foraging trips, and the influence of wind conditions were investigated. Foraging activity took place at sites with bathymetric characteristics associated with high productivity: outer shelf and shelf-break zones, with a concentration of activity on a shelf contour south of the Snares Islands. This is in contrast to Wandering (D. exulans) and Gibson’s (D. gibsoni) albatrosses, typically deep oceanic foragers, but is similar to Northern Royal Albatross (D. sanfordi). The maximum distance of foraging trips from the colony was 1250 kilometres (mean 584 +351(SD)). This was closer than for incubating Wandering and Gibson’s Albatrosses but more distant than for Northern Royal Albatross from the Otago Peninsula. The mean duration of 77 foraging trips from 52 nests was 10.11 days for females and 8.76 for males (ns). Foraging trips became shorter as incubation progressed. Foraging trips were shorter, but not significantly so, when the median wind speed throughout the foraging trip was higher. No significant relationship was found between bird mass and duration of foraging trips. The mean cumulative distance flown by the ten birds tracked in 1999 was 4262 km + 1318 (SD). Eight of the ten SRA employed a ‘commute, forage, commute’ foraging strategy, and the other two alternated short bouts of commuting and foraging. Commuting phases were characterised by rapid directional flight with a straight-line distance (range) of 180 km to 800 km between positions 24 hours apart. Foraging phases were characterised by a range of less than 180 km per 24 hour interval and frequent tight turns. Displacement rate between successive uplinks was significantly higher during commuting phases (28.6 kph + 1.93 SE) than foraging phases (15.1 kph + 1.4 SE). Wind strength and direction influenced the timing of the return commute to the colony. SRA covered greater distances at more favourable wind angles relative to flight track (broad reach and close reach) than in head, tail or direct side winds. Birds of low mass (< 8kg) made fewer landings in winds above 40 kph than in lighter winds, whereas heavier birds had a similar level of landing activity across all wind speed bands. One bird was delayed for several days by light winds, and another flew off course during strong winds. Two birds exploited the same window of wind conditions to return to the colony, each flying a similar course in both timing and route. These results define the foraging strategies of SRA during incubation, and demonstrate the influence of wind conditions and other factors on the overall duration of foraging trips and on the timing of commuting and foraging phases.

The discovery and taxonomic history of fluttering shearwater (Puffinus gavia (Forster) and Hutton's shearwater (Puffinus huttoni Mathews) are reviewed. Taxonomic theory, where appropriate to this thesis, is discussed. The external morphology of P. gavia and P. huttoni is compared. No single external measurement or plumage character separates more than 60% of birds examined. The best system of identification is to compare the ratio of different body parts within an individual bird. The distribution of P. gavia and P. huttoni is compared. Hutton's shearwater feeds further out to sea and it is believed to be a migrant species wintering in north west Australian waters. The fluttering shearwater is believed to be a semi-migrant species with only the juveniles spending time in south east Australia. The red cell enzymes of P. gavia, P. huttoni and P. griseus are compared. There are differences in two esterase loci between gavia and huttoni, while P. griseus is more distantly related. Nei's genetic identity values are calculated. The systematic value of electrophoretic data is discussed. The relationship of an undescribed subfossil shearwater to P. gavia and P. huttoni is discussed. An outgroup analysis to other shearwater species is carried out according to phylogenetic (cladistic) theory. The subfossil shearwater is most closely related to the fluttering shearwater, and these two form a sister group to Hutton's shearwater. These three species are a sister group of P. opisthomelas. The relationship between the many P. assimilis subspecies, the black-backed Manx shearwaters, and the gavia, huttoni and opisthomelas group was not resolved. Puffinus nativitatis is more closely related to the Manx and the little shearwaters than to the P. griseus, P. tenuirostris group.

There is anecdotal evidence that populations of the New Zealand endemic red admiral butterfly Bassaris gonerilla (F.) have declined since the early 1900s. This decline has been associated with the introduction of the generalist pupal parasitoids Pteromalus puparum (L.) and Echthromorpha intricatoria (F.). The former was deliberately introduced for the biological control of the cabbage white butterfly (Pieris rapae (L.)); the latter is an adventitious arrival from Australia. The objective of this thesis was to quantify, using population models, the effect that P. puparum is having on B. gonerilla abundance. Population monitoring and a phenology model (based on temperature-related development rates) indicated that B. gonerilla has two full generations and one partial generation per summer in the Banks Peninsula region of New Zealand. B. gonerilla abundance was greatly reduced in drought summers, which was probably due to the negative effects of drought on the quality and quantity of the larval host plant Urtica ferox Forst. A life table study showed that egg parasitism by the unidentified scelionid Telenomus sp. was the largest mortality factor for the pre-imaginal stages of B. gonerilla, followed by "disappearance" mortality (predation and dispersal) in the larval stages. Pupal mortality due to P. puparum was lower compared with that caused by E. intricatoria, with 1-19% and 20-30% of pupae being parasitised by P. puparum and E. intricatoria, respectively. Collection of B. gonerilla pupae from the Christchurch, Dunedin and Wellington areas confirmed higher rates of percentage parasitism by E. intricatoria. B. gonerilla collected from the Banks Peninsula had a 50: 50 sex ratio and lifetime fecundity was estimated in the laboratory as 312 eggs per female. There was no evidence of density-dependent parasitism of B. gonerilla pupae by P. puparum in the field, although there was a significant positive relationship between life table estimates of E. intricatoria parasitism and B. gonerilla pupal abundance. Larval dispersal from the host plant showed a positive relationship with larval instar but no relationship with larval density. Rates of change in B. gonerilla adult abundance between generations within a year showed evidence of density dependence, and this negative feedback was stronger in a drought year. A discrete-time model for B. gonerilla population dynamics was constructed which had two summer generations per year and a partial overwintering generation. The model showed that the presence of this overwintering generation provides a temporal refuge from high levels of E. intricatoria parasitism. Removal of parasitoid mortality from the model suggested that P. puparum was suppressing B. Gonerilla populations on the Banks Peninsula by 5% and E. intricatoria by 30%. An important assumption of the model was that parasitism rates were independent of B. gonerilla density. This assumption appears valid for P. puparum parasitism, but may not be valid for E. intricatoria; therefore the estimated suppression levels due to this adventive parasitoid should be viewed with some caution. It is too soon to generalise on what determines the magnitude of non-target effects by arthropod biocontrol agents, this being only the second study to quantify effects at a population level. However, in this case retrospective analysis has shown that the impact of non-target parasitism by P. puparum on B. gonerilla abundance has been small. There is anecdotal evidence that populations of the New Zealand endemic red admiral butterfly Bassaris gonerilla (F.) have declined since the early 1900s. This decline has been associated with the introduction of the generalist pupal parasitoids Pteromalus puparum (L.) and Echthromorpha intricatoria (F.). The former was deliberately introduced for the biological control of the cabbage white butterfly (Pieris rapae (L.)); the latter is an adventitious arrival from Australia. The objective of this thesis was to quantify, using population models, the effect that P. puparum is having on B. gonerilla abundance. Population monitoring and a phenology model (based on temperature-related development rates) indicated that B. gonerilla has two full generations and one partial generation per summer in the Banks Peninsula region of New Zealand. B. gonerilla abundance was greatly reduced in drought summers, which was probably due to the negative effects of drought on the quality and quantity of the larval host plant Urtica ferox Forst.. A life table study showed that egg parasitism by the unidentified scelionid Telenomus sp. was the largest mortality factor for the pre-imaginal stages of B. gonerilla, followed by "disappearance" mortality (predation and dispersal) in the larval stages. Pupal mortality due to P. puparum was lower compared with that caused by E. intricatoria, with 1-19% and 20-30% of pupae being parasitised by P. puparum and E. intricatoria, respectively. Collection of B. gonerilla pupae from the Christchurch, Dunedin and Wellington areas confirmed higher rates of percentage parasitism by E. intricatoria. B. gonerilla collected from the Banks Peninsula had a 50: 50 sex ratio and lifetime fecundity was estimated in the laboratory as 312 eggs per female. There was no evidence of density-dependent parasitism of B. gonerilla pupae by P. puparum in the field, although there was a significant positive relationship between life table estimates of E. intricatoria parasitism and B. gonerilla pupal abundance. Larval dispersal from the host plant showed a positive relationship with larval instar but no relationship with larval density. Rates of change in B. gonerilla adult abundance between generations within a year showed evidence of density dependence, and this negative feedback was stronger in a drought year. A discrete-time model for B. gonerilla population dynamics was constructed which had two summer generations per year and a partial overwintering generation. The model showed that the presence of this overwintering generation provides a temporal refuge from high levels of E. intricatoria parasitism. Removal of parasitoid mortality from the model suggested that P. puparum was suppressing B. Gonerilla populations on the Banks Peninsula by 5% and E. intricatoria by 30%. An important assumption of the model was that parasitism rates were independent of B. gonerilla density. This assumption appears valid for P. puparum parasitism, but may not be valid for E. intricatoria; therefore the estimated suppression levels due to this adventive parasitoid should be viewed with some caution. It is too soon to generalise on what determines the magnitude of non-target effects by arthropod biocontrol agents, this being only the second study to quantify effects at a population level. However, in this case retrospective analysis has shown that the impact of non-target parasitism by P. puparum on B. gonerilla abundance has been small.

This qualitative case study research endeavour is a direct result of limited research on female fraud research in South Africa. The research questions that guided this research are: What are the different pathways and lived experiences of the females incarcerated for fraud?; What are the causes, contributory factors and motives of the sample-specific female fraud offenders? and Can the criminal behaviour of each female offender be explained by means of criminological theories?. Seven adult female offenders voluntarily participated in this research project and their unique narratives, pathways and lived experiences were depicted and analysed to determine the causes, contributory factors and motives related to their offending behaviour. Criminological theories and the gendered theory of female offending were applied to explain their fraud-related behaviours. The findings suggest that overlapping causes (i.e. lack of self-control), contributory factors (i.e. rationalisation of behaviour) and motives (i.e. greed) played a prominent role in the female offenders’ fraud-related behaviours. / Lolu cwaningo lwe-case study yengqikithi ngumphumela oqonde ngqo wocwaningo olufishane lwenkwabaniso eyenziwa ngabesimame eNingizimu Afrika. Imibuzo yocwaningo eyaba ngumkhombandlela walolu cwaningo yilena elandelayo: Ngabe yini imigudu nezipiliyoni zempilo abahlangabezana nayo abesimame ababoshelwe inkwabaniso?; Ngabe yini izimbangela zenkwabaniso, yini izinto ezinomthelela kanye nezinto ezigqugquzele abesimame abenza amacala enkwabaniso kulabo ababeyisampuli yabesimame abenza inkwabaniso? kanti futhi, Ngabe ukuziphatha kobugebengu kwabesimame abanamacala kungachazwa ngamathiyori emfundo ngobubegengu? Abesimame abayisikhombisa abanamacala enkwabaniso bangenela ucwaningo ngokuzithandela kuleprojekthi yocwaningo, kanti izipiliyoni zempilo yabo kwachazwa futhi kwahlaziyiwa ukuthola izimbangela, izinto ezibe nomthelela kanye nezinto ezigqugquzele ukuziphatha kwabo kobugebengu. Amathiyori emfundo ngobugebengu kanye namathiyori ngabesimame abenza amacala nawo asetshenziswa ukuchaza ukuziphatha kwabo kwenkwabaniso. Imiphumela yocwaningo ithole ukuxhumana kwezimbangela (isib. ukwehluleka ukuzilawula, ezinye izinto ezibe nomthelela (ukuzichaza impatho yabo ngezindlela ezithile), okubagqugquzelile (isib. umhobholo) konke lokhu kwaba nendima enkulu kwabesimame abenze amacala enkwabaniso nokuziphatha kwabo. / Patlisiso eno e e lebelelang mabaka mo kgetseng e e rileng ke ditlamorago ka tlhamalalo tsa dipatlisiso tse di lekanyeditsweng tsa patlisiso ya boferefere jo bo dirwang ke basadi mo Aforikaborwa. Dipotsopatlisiso tse di kaetseng patlisiso eno ke: Dikgato tse di farologaneng gongwe maitemogelo a basadi ba ba tshwaretsweng boferefere ke afe?; Mabaka, dintlha tse di tshwaelang le maitlhomo a batlolamolao ba boferefere ba basadi ba ba dirisitsweng jaaka sampole ke eng? le A maitsholo a bosenyi a motlolamolao mongwe le mongwe wa mosadi a ka tlhalosiwa ka ditiori tsa bosenyi? Batlolamolao ba basadi ba le supa ba ithaopile go nna le seabe mo porojekeng eno ya patlisiso mme dikgang tsa bona tse di kgethegileng, dikgato le maitemogelo a ba a tshetseng di tlhagisitswe le go sekasekwa go swetsa gore mabaka, dintlha tse di tshwaelang le maitlhomo a a amanang le mokgwa wa bona wa tlolomolao ke afe. Ditiori tsa bosenyi le tiori e e amanang le bong ya tlolomolao ya basadi di dirisitswe go tlhalosa mekgwa ya bona e e amanang le boferefere. Diphitlhelelo di supa gore mabaka (go tewa go tlhoka go itaola), dintlha tse di tshwaelang (go tewa go leka go tlhalosa mabaka a maitsholo) le maitlhomo (go tewa bogagapa) a nnile le seabe se segolo mo maitsholong a amanang le boferefere a batlolamolao ba basadi. / Criminology and Security Science / M.A. (Criminology)