Resumo: O presente trabalho visou estudar o desempenho produtivo da rãtouro, Lithobates catesbeianus, alimentada com ração contendo diferentes níveis de carboidratos (35% e 40%) e lipídios (4,5% e 8,5%), com teor de proteína bruta de 31,0% e energia bruta entre 3888 a 4135 kcal/kg. Seiscentas rãs com peso médio inicial de 31,0g foram utilizadas para avaliação do desempenho zootécnico, glicemia, glicogênio hepático, lipídio do fígado, índice hepatossomático (IHS) e índice gordurassomático (IGOS), em cinco coletas mensais. Apesar dos parâmetros metabólicos não terem sido influenciados pelos diferentes níveis de carboidratos e lipídios utilizados nas rações, pode-se concluir que nas condições em que foi realizado o trabalho, não houve alterações no desempenho produtivo das rãs. O aumento do índice gordurassomático (IGOS) observado nas rãs alimentadas com a Ração R2(35/8,5) e Ração R4(40/8,5) nas duas últimas coletas, ocorreu porque o teor de lipídios nas rações era maior, e parte deste foi depositado nos corpos adiposos dos animais. A utilização da ração (R3) com 40% de carboidratos e 4,5% de lipídios reduziu os níveis de proteínas na dieta e diminuiu o índice gordurassomático, e conseqüentemente permitira a redução do custo da ração. / Abstract: The present work sought to study the productive acting of the bullfrog, Lithobates catesbeianus, fed with ration containing different carbohydrate levels (35% and 40%) and lipids (4,5% and 8,5%), with tenor of rude protein of 31,0% and rude energy among 3888 to 4135 kcal/kg. Six hundred frogs with weight medium initial of 31,0g were used for evaluation of growth, lipid of the liver, hepatossomatic index (IHS) and fatty somatic index (IGOS), in five monthly collections. In spite of the metabolic parameters they have not been influenced by the different carbohydrate levels and lipids used in the rations, it can be ended that in the conditions in that the work was accomplished, there were not alterations in the productive acting of the frogs. The increase of the index gordurassomático (IGOS) observed in the frogs fed with the ration R2(35/8,5) and ration R4(40/8,5) in the last two collections, it happened because the tenor of lipids in the rations was larger, and part of this was deposited in the bodies fatty of the animals. The use of the ration (R3) with 40% of carbohydrate and 4,5% of lipids it reduced the levels of proteins in the diet and it reduced the index gordurassomático, and consequently it had allowed the reduction of the cost of the ration. / Orientador: Carlos Alberto Vicentini / Coorientador: Marta Verardino de Stéfani / Banca: Margarida Maria Barros / Banca: Raquel Fantin Dmeniconi / Banca: Maíra Apararecida Stefanini / Banca: Marcos Lania de Araujo / Doutor

Host-pathogen investigations have conceptually evolved during the last two decades, from a basic and descriptive approach to a current hypothesis-driven and a more theoretical discipline shaped by evolutionary biology. Our deeper understanding of the elements influencing the mutual selective pressures that the host and the pathogens exert on each other, together with recent conceptual advances, currently position this field of research at the frontier between ecology and evolution. Recent theoretical considerations define hostpathogens systems as an evo-eco mosaic comprised of evolutionary and ecological attributes in turn underlying the context-dependent nature of the system dynamic. Therefore, investigations of host-pathogen interactions should integrate the diversity of the systems drivers by using an integrative approach in order to elucidate both coevolutionary trajectory and epidemiological dynamic of the system. In this thesis, such a framework is used to investigate Amphibian/ranavirus interactions. Ranaviruses are emerging pathogens known to have caused amphibian die-offs on five continents with the greatest number of reported mortality events documented in North America and Europe. Despite an increasing understanding of ranaviral disease properties, ranavirus disease dynamics in the environment remain poorly understood. For instance, the influence of potential abiotic and biotic mechanisms including temperature, local landscape features, larval developmental stages, host density and genetic variability as well as genotypic interactions between the host and the pathogen has on the prevalence and virulence of the virus remains to be elucidated. In order to improve our knowledge regarding these specific determinants of ranaviral disease, I designed a combination of manipulative laboratory experiments and a field mensurative survey using the ranid amphibian Lithobates (Rana) pipiens as the host model for this system. I observed that populations of amphibian hosts inhabiting urbanized landscapes suffered from significant decline in genetic diversity in turn promoting the accrued infection by the ranavirus (manuscript 1). Complementary analysis using two amphibian host species, L.pipiens and L.sylvaticus, and three ranavirus strains revealed significant variation among hosts for their susceptibility to ranavirus, and significant variation among ranavirus strains for infectivity. I also showed that specific amphibian/ranavirus interactions might have a tighter coevolutionary history than other combinations, resulting in sharper mutual coadaptations and the potential for frequency-dependent selection to operate in this system. However, the coevolutionary trajectories in this host-pathogen system are dependent on the temperature conditions in which the interaction takes place. Amphibian/ranavirus interactions outcomes iv are therefore temperature, host, and pathogen genotype-dependent suggesting that the range of infection outcomes in this system is potentially large (manuscript 2). Further, I observed that increasing animal holding density is detrimental for host fitness as mortality rate is higher, day of death earlier, development longer, and growth rate significantly lower when tadpoles are experimentally exposed to ranavirus in high holding density situations. These results paralleled a linear increase of detrimental effects when ranavirus doses increased in low density conditions, with control tadpoles having a significantly higher overall relative fitness. However, this pattern was not observed in high density conditions, where the effects of increasing ranavirus dose were limited, revealing non-trivial density-dependence of virulence expression (manuscript 3). Finally, ranavirus infection rate varied with the host developmental stage as the host immune system clears the infection over the course of individual host development. However the intensity of the clearing depends on both the timing and number of ranavirus exposures (manuscript 4). Overall the results described in my thesis suggest that ranavirus virulence depends on a diversity of ecological, epidemiological, and evolutionary determinants. The underlying complexity of ranavirus

Submitted by Marco Antônio de Ramos Chagas (mchagas@ufv.br) on 2018-02-20T14:17:42Z No. of bitstreams: 1 texto completo.pdf: 888183 bytes, checksum: a2e88459716ce3e0c006ae2ed7a79d60 (MD5) / Made available in DSpace on 2018-02-20T14:17:42Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 texto completo.pdf: 888183 bytes, checksum: a2e88459716ce3e0c006ae2ed7a79d60 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2017-09-29 / Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico / Os testículos de anuros são descritos como órgãos pares, arredondados, compactos, geralmente amarelados, esbranquiçados ou branco-leitosos. Em anuros a espermatogênese é cística, e nos cistos as células germinativas se encontram no mesmo estádio de desenvolvimento. A compreensão do ciclo reprodutivo de anuros torna-se necessário para definir as características da sazonalidade do desenvolvimento das células germinativas. O trabalho foi executado com o objetivo da avaliação quantitativa do desenvolvimento gonadal, bem como do processo espermatogênico e dos índices somáticos em rãs-touro mantidas em condições abióticas de temperatura, umidade e luminosidade controladas. Foram utilizadas 108 rãs machos com idade de 120 a 246 dias. Foram avaliados o desenvolvimento do peso e comprimento corporal, a morfologia gonadal e os índices somáticos durante um período de 124 dias. Foram também quantificados os parâmetros produtivos espermáticos, como: proporção dos diferentes tipos de células contidas nos lóbulos seminíferos e proporção intertubular. A partir da proporção volumétrica dos diferentes tipos de cistos foram definidos os estádios de desenvolvimento testicular, sendo considerado: No início da maturação os animais tinham 120 dias de idade. A média dos índices gonadossomáticos, adipossomático e hepatossomático foram de 0,018%, 3,836% e 4,464%, respectivamente. Os cistos continham em média, maior quantidade de espermatogônia B, seguido de espermatócitos primários e espermatogônia A. Na transição do início de maturação para a maturação intermediária, os animais tinham 148 dias de idade. A média dos índices gonadossomáticos, adipossomático e hepatossomático foram de 0,029%, 4,50% e 4,99%, respectivamente. Os cistos encontrados em maior proporção foram de espermatogônia B, seguido de espermatócito primário e espermatogônia A. Na transição da maturação intermediária para maturação avançada, os animais tinham 196 dias de idade. A média dos índices gonadossomáticos, adipossomático e hepatossomático foram de 0,041%, 4,48% e 4,41%, respectivamente. Os cistos encontrados em maior proporção foram de espermatogônia B, seguido de espermatócito primário e espermátide alongada. Na maturação avançada, os animais tinham 246 dias de idade. A média dos índices gonadossomáticos, adipossomático e hepatossomático foram de 0,062%, 7,28% e 6,29%, respectivamente. Os cistos encontrados em maior proporção foram de espermatócito primário, seguido de espermatogônia B e espermátide alongada. Os estádios de desenvolvimento testiculares ocorrem concomitantemente com o estágio dos animais. O desenvolvimento gonadal está relacionado com o estádio fisiológico reprodutivo. O ciclo espermatogênico de rãs-touro mantidas em ambiente controlado é cíclico e contínuo. / The anuric testicles are described as peer organs, rounded, compact, usually yellowish, whitish or milky white. In anurans the spermatogenesis is cystic, and in the cysts the germ cells are at the same stage of development. The comprehension of the reproductive cycle of anurans becomes necessary to define the seasonality characteristics of germ cell development. This work aimed the quantitative evaluation of the gonadal development, as well as the spermatogenic process and the somatic indices in bullfrogs maintained under abiotic conditions of controlled temperature, humidity and luminosity. Were used 108 male frogs, ranging from 120 to 246 days. The developments of body weight and length, gonadal morphology and somatic indices were evaluated during the time of 124 days. Sperm productive parameters were also quantified, such as: proportion of different types of cells contained in the seminiferous lobes and intertubular ratio. From the volumetric ratio of the different types of cysts the stages of testicular development were defined, being considered: At the beginning of maturation the animals were 120 days old. The mean gonadosomatic, adiposomal and hepatosomatic scores were 0.018%, 3.836% and 4.464%, respectively. The cysts contained, on average, a greater amount of spermatogonia B, followed by primary spermatocytes and spermatogonia A. At the transition from early maturation to intermediate maturation, the animals were 148 days old. The mean gonadosomatic, adiposomal and hepatosomatic scores were 0.029%, 4.50% and 4.99%, respectively. The cysts found in the highest proportion were spermatogonia B, followed by primary spermatocytes and spermatogonia A. At the transition from intermediate maturation to advanced maturation, the animals were 196 days old. The mean gonadosomatic, adiposomal and hepatosomatic rates were 0.041%, 4.48% and 4.41%, respectively. The cysts found in the highest proportion were spermatogonia B, followed by primary spermatocytes and elongated spermatids. At advanced maturation, the animals were 246 days old. The mean gonadosomatic, adiposomal and hepatosomatic scores were 0.062%, 7.28% and 6.29%, respectively. The cysts found in the highest proportion were primary spermatocytes, followed by spermatogonia B and elongated spermatids. Testicular development stages occur concurrently with the stage of the animals. Gonadal development is related to the reproductive physiological stage. The spermatogenic cycle of bullfrogs kept in a controlled environment is cyclical and continuous.

Made available in DSpace on 2014-06-11T19:22:22Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 0 Previous issue date: 2010-07-12Bitstream added on 2014-06-13T20:09:25Z : No. of bitstreams: 1 borges_ff_me_jabo.pdf: 2088766 bytes, checksum: 5403ba70f285528d3490e9444e9af9fd (MD5) / Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES) / Universidade Estadual Paulista (UNESP) / O estudo foi realizado no Setor de Ranicultura do Centro de Aquicultura da Universidade Estadual Paulista, Câmpus Jaboticabal/SP em dois períodos distintos, compreendendo uma fase de girinagem e uma fase de engorda no ciclo de criação de rã-touro. Os objetivos foram verificar as características físicas, químicas e microbiológicas da água de entrada e de saída dos tanques em cada fase do ciclo. Os resultados obtidos foram comparados com a legislação ambiental CONAMA 357 de 2005, para verificar se o manejo utilizado em cada fase causa alterações na qualidade da água. Foram analisadas as variáveis temperatura, pH, oxigênio dissolvido, condutividade elétrica, turbidez, nitrogênio amoniacal, nitrato, fósforo total, DBO5, DQO e Escherichia coli em cada etapa do ciclo. O delineamento experimental foi o Inteiramente Casualizado, com dois tratamentos, água de abastecimento e efluente e seis repetições (tanques) em um esquema de parcelas subdivididas, sendo as sub-parcelas as coletas no tempo. As coletas das amostras foram realizadas a cada quinze dias no período da manhã. Na fase de girino o experimento foi realizado entre novembro de 2008 e janeiro de 2009 e teve duração de 76 dias, até os animais completarem a metamorfose. Não foi observada diferença significativa (p>0,05) entre os tratamentos para temperatura, condutividade, turbidez, DQO e E. coli. Entretanto, esses parâmetros variaram nas diferentes coletas. As variáveis pH, oxigênio dissolvido, fósforo total, amônia, nitrato e DBO5 tiveram diferença significativa (p<0,05) entre os tratamentos. Porém, somente as concentrações de fósforo total e DBO5 encontraram-se acima da recomendada pela legislação. A fase de recria teve duração de 77 dias, compreendendo o período de novembro de 2009 a janeiro de 2010, até os animais atingirem o peso de abate. Todas as análises apresentaram diferença significativa... / The study was performed at the frog culture Sector, Aquaculture Center, Sao Paulo State University, Campus Jaboticabal, SP in two different periods, including a tadpole and growout phase in the cycle of creation of the bullfrog. The objectives were to verify the physical, chemical and microbiological water inlet and outlet of the tanks at each stage of the cycle. The results were compared with environmental legislation CONAMA 357, by 2005, to verify whether management used at each stage cause changes in water quality. The variables temperature, pH, dissolved oxygen, electrical conductivity, turbidity, ammonia nitrogen, nitrate, total phosphorus, BOD5, COD and E. coli at each stage of the cycle. The experimental design was completely random, with two treatments, water supply and sewage and six repetitions (tanks) in a split plot, and the sub-plots samples collected over time. The collections of samples were taken fortnightly during the morning. At tadpole phase, the experiment was conducted between November 2008 and January 2009 and lasted 76 days until the animals complete metamorphosis. There was no significant difference (p> 0.05) among treatments for temperature, conductivity, turbidity, COD and E. coli. However, these parameters varied in different samples. The pH, dissolved oxygen, total phosphorus, ammonia, nitrate and BOD5 were significantly different (p<0.05) among treatments. But, only the concentrations of total phosphorus and BOD5 were found above the recommended legislation. The growing phase lasted 77 days, including the period November 2009 to January 2010, until the animals reach slaughter weight. All analysis showed significant differences (p<0.05) among treatments and between collections. The variables, dissolved oxygen, total phosphorus, ammonia, BOD5 and E. coli had their values above those permitted by law... (Complete abstract click electronic access below)

Amphibians are particularly sensitive to environmental degradation and, therefore, serve as effective environmental quality indicators. Research has suggested that amphibian declines are exacerbated by manmade environmental toxicants, especially those found in high concentrations in urban areas. The NIH has pinpointed genotoxicity as a major route of cancer causation, and has since developed stringent testing procedures for potentially hazardous chemicals. One such method, recognized for its simplicity and economy, is the micronucleus assay. A study was conducted assessing the genotoxicity of the widely used antimicrobial agent Triclosan to American Bullfrog tadpoles. Lithobates catesbeianus tadpoles were reared in glass aquaria containing ultra-high purity water and were dosed with nominal concentrations of 2.3 µg/L, 23 µg/L, and 230 µg/L Triclosan, reflecting 1x, 10x, and 100x concentrations of the compound as found in US surface waters. Eight replicates of each of the three levels of Triclosan contamination were prepared, as well as eight replicates per control group. Each replicate contained three tadpoles in a glass aquarium, from which one tadpole per tank was sampled after 1, 8, or 15 days following initial exposure to test compounds. Erythrocytes were prepared on slides and scored for micronucleus presence under 1000x magnification. Triclosan induced significant micronucleus formation after only 24 hours in all treatments relative to the negative control and exhibited a maximum of 15 micronuclei per 2,000 erythrocytes scored. Modeling of MN induction dynamics by treatment suggested that the best predictor of micronucleus induction was the acute TCS exposure level, as described by a linear mixed effects model including a binomial term of time exposed. Micronucleus induction was TCS concentration dose-dependent. This study supports that Triclosan induces significant genetic damage at environmentally relevant concentrations. It is clear that the effects of genotoxic agents must be certified so proper regulatory protocols can be developed and enforced, in order to conserve wildlife and promote human health.

The genetic structuring of populations can be influenced by present processes and past events. One of the largest historical events to affect the distribution and genetic characteristics of present-day North American biota is the Pleistocene glaciation. Thus, the study of post-glacial colonization patterns of species in northern landscapes can relay important ecological information, as species had to expand their range extensively following the retreat of the glaciers and are often at the terminal end of their expansion. These species consequently exhibit the genetic fingerprints of sequential founder events, in turn decreasing the genetic variation available for adaptation. Using amphibians to investigate post-glacial range expansion is advantageous, as they have limited dispersal abilities revealing fine-scale patterns and they are thought to be one of the first vertebrates to colonize post-glacial habitat. Therefore, to model the phylogeography of a primary colonizer and the population structure of anurans in northern landscapes, population genetics analyses of wood frogs (Lithobates sylvaticus) were performed in the James Bay area. Wood frogs were sampled from 17 localities around James Bay and genetic analyses were conducted with seven microsatellite loci and mitochondrial DNA sequences of the ND2/tRNATRP genes. Results show that the post-glacial recolonization of the James Bay area by wood frogs originated from the putative refugium in western Wisconsin, an area known as the Driftless Area. Two routes were taken by founders to colonize the James Bay area: one north-west of Lake Superior, colonizing western Ontario, and one through the Upper Peninsula of Michigan, colonizing southern and eastern Ontario and western Québec. Interestingly, the meeting of the two lineages south-west of James Bay led to the establishment of a zone of higher genetic variation than expected under the founder effect hypothesis. Additionally, population structure analyses revealed the segregation of three genetic populations east, north-west, and south-west of the bay, the latter showing the highest genetic variation and likely representing a zone of secondary contact. This study shows that past events such as post-glacial range expansions can explain present patterns of genetic variation and population structure, and that studies in northern landscapes may be very useful in understanding genetic patterns throughout the range of a species.

Made available in DSpace on 2014-06-11T19:30:30Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 0 Previous issue date: 2008-07-10Bitstream added on 2014-06-13T19:40:12Z : No. of bitstreams: 1 fenerickjunior_j_dr_jabo.pdf: 816849 bytes, checksum: e1d00f465b38cda894de3a60dca4d262 (MD5) / Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq) / Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES) / O presente trabalho visou estudar o desempenho produtivo da rãtouro, Lithobates catesbeianus, alimentada com ração contendo diferentes níveis de carboidratos (35% e 40%) e lipídios (4,5% e 8,5%), com teor de proteína bruta de 31,0% e energia bruta entre 3888 a 4135 kcal/kg. Seiscentas rãs com peso médio inicial de 31,0g foram utilizadas para avaliação do desempenho zootécnico, glicemia, glicogênio hepático, lipídio do fígado, índice hepatossomático (IHS) e índice gordurassomático (IGOS), em cinco coletas mensais. Apesar dos parâmetros metabólicos não terem sido influenciados pelos diferentes níveis de carboidratos e lipídios utilizados nas rações, pode-se concluir que nas condições em que foi realizado o trabalho, não houve alterações no desempenho produtivo das rãs. O aumento do índice gordurassomático (IGOS) observado nas rãs alimentadas com a Ração R2(35/8,5) e Ração R4(40/8,5) nas duas últimas coletas, ocorreu porque o teor de lipídios nas rações era maior, e parte deste foi depositado nos corpos adiposos dos animais. A utilização da ração (R3) com 40% de carboidratos e 4,5% de lipídios reduziu os níveis de proteínas na dieta e diminuiu o índice gordurassomático, e conseqüentemente permitira a redução do custo da ração. / The present work sought to study the productive acting of the bullfrog, Lithobates catesbeianus, fed with ration containing different carbohydrate levels (35% and 40%) and lipids (4,5% and 8,5%), with tenor of rude protein of 31,0% and rude energy among 3888 to 4135 kcal/kg. Six hundred frogs with weight medium initial of 31,0g were used for evaluation of growth, lipid of the liver, hepatossomatic index (IHS) and fatty somatic index (IGOS), in five monthly collections. In spite of the metabolic parameters they have not been influenced by the different carbohydrate levels and lipids used in the rations, it can be ended that in the conditions in that the work was accomplished, there were not alterations in the productive acting of the frogs. The increase of the index gordurassomático (IGOS) observed in the frogs fed with the ration R2(35/8,5) and ration R4(40/8,5) in the last two collections, it happened because the tenor of lipids in the rations was larger, and part of this was deposited in the bodies fatty of the animals. The use of the ration (R3) with 40% of carbohydrate and 4,5% of lipids it reduced the levels of proteins in the diet and it reduced the index gordurassomático, and consequently it had allowed the reduction of the cost of the ration.

Agriculture ditch management (i.e. removal of vegetation and/or sediments) may disturb native wildlife, such as amphibian bioindicator species. The objective of this thesis was to determine whether ditch management affected northern leopard frogs (Lithobates pipiens). Twelve embryo and tadpole health endpoints were compared in vegetated and managed (treeless or dredged) ditches using in situ cages in 2018 and 2019, while water quality was monitored. The managed treatment did not negatively affect frog health compared to the vegetated treatment. The significantly faster development and larger body size due to warmer water temperatures at the managed treatment were likely advantageous. The water quality was typical of the region regardless of the ditch treatment and the pesticide mixture detected had limited toxicity. The main effects of the studied ditch managements on resident L. pipiens (and potentially other amphibians) appeared sub-lethal, likely beneficial, and mainly the result of temperature differences. Although poorer embryo health was observed at the vegetated treatment, it was likely unrelated to ditch management and possibly due to high specific conductivity causing premature hatching and mortality. Ditch management may be less important for frog health than the surrounding land use, and efforts should be directed at increasing suitable habitat for amphibians in agroecosystems. La gestion des fossés agricoles (plus spécifiquement l'élimination de la végétation des bandes riveraines et /ou le dragage des sédiments) peut perturber la faune indigène, comme les espèces bio-indicateurs d'amphibiens. L'objectif de cette thèse était de déterminer si la gestion des fossés affectait la grenouille léopard du Nord (Lithobates pipiens). Douze paramètres d'évaluation de la santé des embryons et des têtards ont été comparés dans des fossés végétalisés et gérés (sans arbres ou dragués) à l'aide de cages expérimentales in situ en 2018 et 2019, pendant que la qualité de l'eau a été suivie. Le traitement géré n'a pas eu d'effets négatifs sur la santé des grenouilles par rapport au traitement végétalisé. Le développement beaucoup plus rapide et la taille corporelle plus grande en raison des températures plus chaudes de l'eau lors du traitement géré étaient probablement avantageux. La qualité de l'eau était typique de la région quel que soit le traitement du fossé et le mélange de pesticides détecté avait une toxicité limitée. Les principaux effets de la gestion des fossés étudiés sur L. pipiens résidents (et potentiellement d'autres amphibiens) semblaient sublétaux, probablement bénéfiques, et résultaient principalement de différences de température. Bien que la santé des embryons ait été moins bonne lors du traitement végétalisé, elle n'était probablement pas liée à la gestion des fossés et pourrait être due à une conductivité spécifique élevée entraînant une éclosion prématurée et la mortalité. La gestion des fossés peut être moins importante pour la santé des grenouilles que l'utilisation des terres environnantes, et les efforts de protection devraient être dirigés vers une augmentation générale de l'habitat approprié pour les amphibiens dans les agroécosystèmes.

Mole salamanders (Ambystoma) and woodfrogs (Lithobates sylvaticus) are abundant in New England and depend on ephemeral wetlands for breeding. Their aquatic habitats have been well studied and are protected by several local and regional regulations. State endangered species laws also protect mabled salamanders (A. opacum), Jefferson salamanders (A. jeffersonianum), and blue-spotted salamanders (A. laterale). However, these amphbibians spend most of their adult lives in terrestrial habitats that remain poorly protected and elusive to researchers. In chapter 1, I developed a novel technique using passive integrated transponders for tracking small animals. I used this technique to track marbled salamanders walking up to 200 m from their breeding pond during post-breeding migrations. In Chapter 2, I examined the importance of multiple habitat variables for predicting the distributions of woodfrogs and spotted salamanders at 455 ponds in western Massachusetts. Based on a variable-comparison technique I developed, the best predictor for either species of amphibian was the amount of forest in the surrounding vii landscape. Both species were found more frequently in upland forests where the ponds are least protected by state and federal wetland regulations. In chapter 3, I used my data from chapter 2 and three other similar data sets to conduct an analysis of spatial scale and to parameterize a recently published resistant kernel model. The complex model parameterized by an expert panel did significantly worse than the null model. The distributions of both amphibians were best predicted by measuring the landscape at very large scales (over 1000 m). The most effective scales for conservation may be largest for organisms of intermediate dispersal capability. In chapter 4, I explored the evolution and genetics of the Jefferson/blue-spotted/unisexual salamander complex. I framed research into the fascinating unisexual reproductive system with a model that relates nuclear genome replacement, positive selection on hybrids, and biogeography of the species complex. I parameterized this model using genetic data taken from salamanders spanning Massachusetts and an individual-based breeding simulation. If paternal genomes are transmitted to offspring with the frequencies reported from laboratory experiments, then my model suggests that there must be strong selection favoring unisexuals with hybrid nuclei.

Made available in DSpace on 2015-04-17T14:49:20Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 arquivototal.pdf: 2273273 bytes, checksum: afe75a32141cc8b050636b76ca53f785 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2012-05-25 / Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior - CAPES / Frog meat show highlights because has the high value proteins biological and also low-fat because therefore has been considered as a dietary supplement and for treatment of various diseases and food allergy. It is necessary to obtain news products from frog meat to offer in the marked. Lyophilization of frog meat could be like an alternative for this problem because can add value in the innless parts noble, and we can have available and the excellent raw material for make some news products. The objectives of the present study were to: determine the composition of frog meat albino and pigmented normal; Post-mortem behavior from pH; and freeze-dry to study the meat from bullfrog aiming to offer it with high value protein and also the mineral value to obtain the specific food products. We used 150 bullfrogs (Lithobates catesbeianus). 75 were pigmented and 75 were albinos from the same spawn, males and females reared under Anfigraja separated into pens according to their own pigmentation. The animals were followed until it to obtain the weight of 230 ± 20 g, it happened in the February from to September 2011 (7 months). The method of killing was stunning electronarcosis with and without bleeding. Separation was performed and boning cuts according to the treatments. The sample were dry by until constant weight. The analyses were performed on fresh beef meat and lyophilized. We did in a 2x3 factorial (two cultivars x three cuts) with three replications in a completely randomized design. Manual boning was used to flank and thighbones and mechanics to the back. Frog albino had the higher initial pH for all sections except in the mechanically separated dorsal (DMS), the behavior was similar to the curves varieties, but not to the cuts, they were composed of muscles and different fiber composition that affect the pH value. Proximate food composition was similar for the two different frog albino and pigmented. The iron content was higher frog albino and show statistic difference from the normal pigmentation. Meat from bullfrog albino or pigmented in all courts had adopted the high protein content and mineral. For lyophilized samples range factor was only significant influence in determining the goal of color lyophilized meat. The cuts differ in composition, and the thigh and flank cuts more similar, with higher amounts of protein, and the back always different from the others with the highest percentage of lipids. The water solubility was determined not influenced by the factors studied, so the parameter to choice of which one treatment to use in developing a product with this raw material will depend on their physicochemical properties. The freeze-dried frog meat can be considered like an excellent ingredient to enrichment and the production the protein foods for specific purposes. / A carne de rã destaca-se nutricionalmente por suas proteínas de alto valor biológico e por seu baixo teor em gorduras, por esse motivo pode ser indicada como complemento alimentar no tratamento de diversas doenças e alergias alimentares. Neste sentido existe a necessidade de se criar produtos a partir da carne de rã, que sejam viáveis, e venham atender essa demanda. A liofilização pode ser uma alternativa para esse problema, pois além de agregar valor aos cortes menos nobres, pode disponibilizar uma matéria-prima de excelente qualidade para a elaboração de diversos produtos. Objetivou-se neste trabalho determinar a composição centesimal da carne de rã albina e de pigmentação normal, estudar o comportamento do pH pós morte, liofilizar e estudar a carne de rã-touro com a premissa de disponibilizar matéria-prima de alta qualidade proteica e mineral para a elaboração de produtos para fins específicos. Foram utilizadas 150 rãs-touro (Lithobates catesbeianus), sendo 75 pigmentadas e 75 albinas, provenientes de uma mesma desova, machos e fêmeas, criados em sistema Anfigranja separados em baias de acordo com sua pigmentação. Os animais foram acompanhados até atingirem o peso de 230 ± 20 g, isso ocorreu no período de fevereiro a setembro de 2011 (7 meses). O método de abate foi com insensibilização por eletronarcose e sem a sangria convencional. Foi realizada a separação dos cortes e a desossa. As amostras de carne foram liofilizadas até atingirem peso constante. As análises foram feitas na carne in natura e na carne liofilizada. O experimento foi instalado em esquema fatorial 2x3 (duas variedades x três cortes) com três repetições, em um delineamento inteiramente casualizado. Foi utilizada a desossa manual para a coxa e a fraldinha e a desossa mecânica para o dorso. A rã albina apresentou pH inicial maior para todos os cortes exceto o dorso mecanicamente separado (DMS), o comportamento das curvas foi semelhante para as variedades, mas não para os cortes, pois eram compostos por diferentes músculos, o que influenciou no valor do pH. A composição centesimal foi semelhante para albinos e pigmentados, apenas o teor de ferro foi maior na rã albina diferindo estatisticamente da rã de pigmentação normal. A carne de rã-touro albina ou pigmentada em todos os cortes adotados apresentou alto conteúdo protéico e mineral. Para as amostras liofilizadas o fator variedade teve influencia significativa somente na determinação da cor. Os cortes diferiram entre si na composição centesimal, sendo a coxa e a fraldinha os cortes mais semelhantes, apresentando maior quantidade de proteínas, e o dorso sempre diferente dos demais com maior percentual de lipídeos. A solubilidade em água não foi influenciada pelos fatores estudados, logo para definir qual corte utilizar na elaboração de algum produto, a escolha será em função das propriedades físico-químicas de cada um. A carne de rã liofilizada apresenta-se como um ingrediente de primeira linha para o enriquecimento e produção de alimentos proteicos para fins específicos.