Orientador: Eleonore Zulnara Freire Setz / Dissertação (mestrado) - Universidade Estadual de Campinas, Instituto de Biologia / Made available in DSpace on 2018-07-21T20:03:18Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 Palma_AlexandreRamloTorre_M.pdf: 6473737 bytes, checksum: b9a8ec7f5d9efdc84cb80b916be70c8b (MD5) Previous issue date: 1996 / Resumo: A separação de nicho entre espécies de pequenos mamíferos é baseada em diferenças na dieta, na distribuição vertical na distribuição horizontal (seleção de habitat e de microhabitat) e no período de atividade. Até o presente, poucos trabalhos foram feitos a respeito da separação de nicho entre roedores e marsupiais de Mata Atlântica. Conduzi este estudo na Reserva Florestal da Companhia Vale do Rio Doce, em Linhares - ES. Montei três grades incluindo três habitats da Mata Atlântica. Cada grade possuía armadilhas em dois estratos (chão e sub-bosque). Medi 18 variáveis de microhabitat para descrever a arquitetura da vegetação. Capturei nove espécies: Didelphis marsupialis, Marmosops incanus, Marmosa murina, Gracilinanus microtarsus, Monodelphis aff. americana, Oryzomys megacephalus, Proechimys iheringi, Boloys lasiurus e Rhipidomys sp.. As análises das fezes indicam a divisão destas espécies em duas guildas: os roedores trugívoros-onívoros e os marsupiais insetívoros-onívoros. Os roedores podem ser divididos em dois grupos com base na distribuição vertical: cursoriais e arboricolas. A maioria dos marsupiais foi classificada como semi-arboricola. A maioria das espécies foi seletiva a nível de habitat, mas oportunista a nível de microhabitat. A seleção de habitats diferentes provavelmente é um mecanismo de coexistência importante para os marmosídeos semi-arborícolas. Durante o período seco, os marmosídeos sintópicos convergiram quanto à distribuição horizontal e divergiram quanto à distribuição vertical. As maiores evidências de competição inter-específica ocorreram entre os marmosídeos semi-arboricolas e no habitat intermediário / Abstract: Niche segregation among small mammal species is based on differences in diet, in vertical distribution, in horizontal distribution (habitat and microhabitat selection) and in activity período Only a few studies on niche segregation among smalI mammal species were done in the Brazilian Atlantic Forest. This study was conducted at RFCVRD, at Linhares - ES. I set three trapping grids in three habitats in the Atlantic Forest. In alI grids I set live traps in two strata: on the ground and in the understory (1 to 2 m high). To deseríbe the vegetation architecture I measured 18 microhabitat variables in each grid. I trapped nine species: Dide/phis marsupia/is, Marmosops incanus, Marmosa murina, Graci/inanus microtarsus, Monode/phis aff. americana, Oryzomys megacepha/us, Proechimys iheringi, Bolomys lasiurus and Rhipidomys sp.. Analysis of fecal samples showed that these species can be divided in two guilds: the frugivore-omnivore rodents and the insectivore-omnivore marsupiais. Rodents may be subdivided in two groups based in their vertical distribution: terrestrial and arboreal ones. Most marsupiais were scansorial. Most small mammal species were selective in habitat scale, but opportunistic in microhabitat scale. Habitat selecpon played an important role in the ecological separation among the marmosid marsupiais. During the dry season, sintopic marmosid species diverged in relation to their vertical distribution, but converged in relation to their horizontal distribution. The strongest evidences for interspecific competition were found among the scansorial marmosids and at the intermediate habitat / Mestrado / Ecologia / Mestre em Ciências Biológicas

Submitted by Edisangela Bastos (edisangela@ufpa.br) on 2013-10-16T22:27:48Z No. of bitstreams: 2 license_rdf: 22974 bytes, checksum: 99c771d9f0b9c46790009b9874d49253 (MD5) Dissertacao_EstudoComunidadePequenos.pdf: 2272036 bytes, checksum: c340fe94bb4ee005e25bf86c117190f0 (MD5) / Approved for entry into archive by Ana Rosa Silva(arosa@ufpa.br) on 2013-10-18T12:43:13Z (GMT) No. of bitstreams: 2 license_rdf: 22974 bytes, checksum: 99c771d9f0b9c46790009b9874d49253 (MD5) Dissertacao_EstudoComunidadePequenos.pdf: 2272036 bytes, checksum: c340fe94bb4ee005e25bf86c117190f0 (MD5) / Made available in DSpace on 2013-10-18T12:43:13Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 2 license_rdf: 22974 bytes, checksum: 99c771d9f0b9c46790009b9874d49253 (MD5) Dissertacao_EstudoComunidadePequenos.pdf: 2272036 bytes, checksum: c340fe94bb4ee005e25bf86c117190f0 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2008 / O desmatamento da Amazônia, causado pelas atividades pecuárias e pela agroindústria no norte do Estado do Mato Grosso, tem comprometido as chamadas Florestas de Transição Amazônia-Cerrado, antes que a biodiversidade destas áreas seja conhecida pelos pesquisadores. A fauna de pequenos mamíferos não-voadores faz parte dos grupos pouco conhecidos na região, e podem estar sofrendo impactos das ações antrópicas, principalmente efeito do fogo, usado para limpeza dos pastos e desmatamento para plantios da soja. Este trabalho caracterizou a diversidade de pequenos mamíferos não voadores em uma área de floresta de transição Amazônia-Cerrado, no norte do Estado do Mato Grosso e investigou o efeito do fogo e o efeito de borda sobre este grupo da fauna. Duas áreas de 150 hectares foram amostradas, uma preservada e outra sob impacto do fogo, com 183 armadilhas do tipo live-trap durante três anos em duas estação (seca e chuvosa). O método utilizado foi de captura-marcação-recaptura. O esforço amostral foi 23.424 armadilhas-noite. Capturaram-se 390 indivíduos, portanto, com sucesso de captura de 1,66 %. No total foram capturados 11 espécies, sendo 6 roedores e 5 marsupiais. Hylaeamys megacephalus foi a espécie mais abundante. A diversidade de pequenos mamíferos da área estudada foi mais relacionada com o bioma Cerrado do que com a Amazônia. Em relação ao fogo, a riqueza de espécies não foi estatisticamente diferente, porém a abundância foi significativamente maior nas transecções localizadas em área sem fogo. Dois grupos distintos de transecções foram característicos em função da presença ou não do fogo basedo na composição de pequenos mamíferos. A abundância de Hylaeamys megacephalus foi significativamente maior nas transecções que não sofreram impacto do fogo. Em relação ao efeito de borda, na Área 2, apesar da riqueza de espécies não ter sido significativamente diferente, a abundância foi signicativamente maior em relação a distância da borda com maiores abundâncias no interior das florestas. Já na Área 1, nem riqueza nem abundância foi estatísticamente diferente em relação a distância da borda. Este fato pode estar sendo mascarado tanto pelo efeito direto quanto indireto (na vegetação) do fogo experimental sobre os pequenos mamíferos. Quando analisados em conjunto fogo e distância da borda, o relacionamento entre ambos ficou mais claro, visto que todas as transecções amostradas sob efeito do fogo tiveram menores abundâncias. O tamanho populacional de Hylaemys megacephalus foi calculado ao longo de cinco estações na área sem influencia do fogo experiental, sendo que a estação chuvosa de 2006 foi estatisticamente diferente as demais e o pico desse crescimento pode ser explicado pelo “Efeito de Alle”. Não houve diferenças estatísticas significativas na estrutura da comunidade de pequenos mamíferos não-voadores entre as estações secas e chuvosas. Este trabalho de pesquisa contribuiu para o conhecimento da mastofauna desta região bastante ameaçada por pressões antrópicas. / The deforestation of the Amazon, caused by farming and agribusiness activities in the northern state of Mato Grosso, has committed Transition Forests Amazon-Savanna, before the biodiversity of these areas is known by researchers. The fauna of small non-flying mammals is part of the little-known groups in the region, and may be suffering impacts of human activities, primarily effect of fire, used for cleaning of pastures and deforestation for the soybean plantations. This study characterized the diversity of small mammals not flying in an area of Amazon forest-savannah transition in the northern state of Mato Grosso and investigated the effect of fire and the effect of edge on this group of fauna. Two areas of 150 hectares were sampled, a preserved and another under impact of fire, with 183 traps of the type live-trap for three years in two season (dry and rainy seasons). The method used was the capture-mark-recapture. The sampling effort was 23,424-traps night. 390 individuals were captured with a successfully capture of 1.66%. A total of 11 species were caught, 6 rodents and 5 marsupials. Hylaeamys megacephalus was the most abundant species. The diversity of small mammals in the study area was more related to the Savanna than Amazon. In relation to fire, the species richness was not statistically different, but the abundance was significantly higher in transects located in an area without fire. Two distinct groups of transects were characteristic depending on the presence or absence of fire based on the composition of small mammals. The abundance of Hylaeamys megacephalus was significantly higher in transects that suffered no impact from fire. Regarding the effect of edge in Area 2, despite the richness of species was not significantly different, the abundance was significantly higher regarding distance from the border. Already in Area 1, nor richness nor abundance was statistically different regarding distance from the edge. This fact could be masked by both the direct and indirect effect of experimental fire on small mammals. When considered together fire and distance from the border, the relationship between them became clearer, since all transects sampled under effect of the fire had minor abundances. The population size of Hylaemys megacephalus was calculated over five seasons (dry and wet) in the area without influence of fire, and the rainy season of 2006 was statistically different peak and the other that growth can be explained by the “Alle effect”. There was no statistically significant differences in the structure of the community of small non-flying mammals between the dry and rainy seasons. This work contributed to the search of mammal knowledge at this region threatened by human pressures.

Submitted by Cleide Dantas (cleidedantas@ufpa.br) on 2014-02-10T15:34:24Z No. of bitstreams: 2 license_rdf: 23898 bytes, checksum: e363e809996cf46ada20da1accfcd9c7 (MD5) Dissertacao_DescricaoTaxonomicaCruzia.pdf: 2823268 bytes, checksum: 2a504904c9474b3d9d7131ab92ae0688 (MD5) / Approved for entry into archive by Ana Rosa Silva (arosa@ufpa.br) on 2014-04-10T14:53:13Z (GMT) No. of bitstreams: 2 Dissertacao_DescricaoTaxonomicaCruzia.pdf: 2823268 bytes, checksum: 2a504904c9474b3d9d7131ab92ae0688 (MD5) license_rdf: 23898 bytes, checksum: e363e809996cf46ada20da1accfcd9c7 (MD5) / Made available in DSpace on 2014-04-10T14:53:13Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 2 Dissertacao_DescricaoTaxonomicaCruzia.pdf: 2823268 bytes, checksum: 2a504904c9474b3d9d7131ab92ae0688 (MD5) license_rdf: 23898 bytes, checksum: e363e809996cf46ada20da1accfcd9c7 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2011 / O Brasil possui a maior biodiversidade do planeta, apresentando ecossistemas importantes como a Floresta Amazônica, Mata Atlântica, Cerrado, Pantanal e a Caatinga. A Região Amazônica por suas características geográficas e sócio-econômicas, propicia a ocorrência de várias doenças infecciosas e parasitárias emergentes e re-emergentes. O objetivo deste trabalho é realizar estudo taxonômico dos helmintos encontrados no sistema digestivo de marsupiais da espécie Philander opossum, oriundos da Floresta Nacional de Tapirapé-Aquiri – Serra dos Carajás. Este animal silvestre da ordem Didelphimorfia e Família Didelphidae apresenta hábitos noturnos, alimenta-se de frutos pequenos; importante para dispersão das sementes e é comum em ambientes urbanos. O P. opossum é um reservatório silvestre de protozoários (Trypanosoma cruzi e Nuttallia brasiliensis) e vários helmintos. Análises preliminares do intestino deste hospedeiro, mostraram numerosos nematódeos, que foram analisados por microscopia de luz e microscopia eletrônica de varredura para identificação de espécies. A colheita dos nematódeos foi realizada em PBS (Phosphate Buffer Saline) e os parasitos foram transferidos para solução fixadora de AFA (Álcool 70%, Formol P.A. e Ácido acético P.A.), posteriormente estes helmintos foram processados por desidratação em série etanólica crescente, clarificação com Lactofenol de Aman, montagem entre lâmina e lamínula. Realização de análises, desenhos e fotografias foram feitas no microscópio Olympus BX 41 com câmara clara e também processados para microscopia Eletrônica de Varredura (MEV). Os resultados indicaram a presença de parasitos do filo nematoda de intestino grosso de P. opossum de Carajás-PA, pertencentes às famílias Kathlaniidae e Aspidoderidae, sendo que pelos dados morfológicos estes parasitos são espécies novas dos gêneros Cruzia e Aspidodera, respectivamente. / The Brazil possesses the biggest biodiversity of the planet, presenting important ecosystems, such as the Amazonian Forest, Atlantic Forest, Cerrado, Pantanal and the Caatinga. The Amazon region for its geographic and partner-economic characteristics propitiates the occurrence of some „emerging‟ and „re-emerging‟ infectious and parasitic illnesses. The objective of this work is to carry taxonomic studies on the helminthes found in the digestive system of marsupials of the Philander opossum species, deriving from the National Forest of Tapirapé-Aquiri - Mountain range of the Carajás. This wild animal from the Didelphimorfia order and Didelphidae family presents nocturnal habits; it fed on small fruits; is important for dispersion of the seeds and it is common in urban environments. The Philander opossum is a wild reservoir of pathogenic protozoa, such as Trypanosoma cruzi, Nuttallia brasiliensis and many worms. Preliminary analyses of the intestine of this host, showed numerous nematodes that had been analyzed by light Scanning Electronic Microscopy for species identification. The capture of nematodes was made in PBS (Phosphate Buffer Saline) and the parasites were transferred to fixing solution (EAGERNESS) (Alcohol 70%, Formol P.A and ascetic acid P.A.), posteriormenty these helminthes were processed with: dehydration in increasing etanolic series, clarification with Lactophenol of Aman, mounting between blade and coverslip. Analyses, desingns and photographs were made in the microscope Olympus BX 41 with draying and also processed in Scanning Electronic microscopy (SEM). The results indicated the presence of parasites from the thick intestine of P. opossum from Carajás-Pará, belowging to Kathlaniidae and Aspidoderidae families, and according the morphologic data, these parasites are new species from the genus Cruzia and Aspidodera.

This thesis investigates the process of habitat fragmentation and the spatial and temporal scales at which it occurs. Fragmentation has become an important topic in biogeography and conservation biology because of the impacts it has upon species??? distributions and biodiversity. Various definitions of fragmentation are available but in this research it is considered to be the disruption of continuity, either natural or human-induced in its origins and operative at multiple spatial scales. Using the distribution of the southern brown bandicoot Isoodon obesulus as a case study, three spatial scales of fragmentation were analysed. At the continental scale, the Australian distribution of the subspecies I. o. obesulus was examined in relation to climate, geology and vegetation cover at the time of European settlement of Australia and two centuries later. Using archived wildlife records and Geographic Information Systems (GIS) analyses, habitat suitability models were created to assess natural and human-induced fragmentation of the distribution of I. obesulus in 1788 and 1988. At the regional scale, a study was made of the distribution of I. obesulus in the south-east of the State of South Australia. Again, natural and human-induced patterns of habitat fragmentation were modelled using GIS with climate, soil and vegetation data for the time of European settlement and at present. At the local scale, the distribution of I. obesulus was the subject of a detailed field survey of 372 sites within 29 remnant patches of native vegetation in south-eastern South Australia in order to understand the variables that cause habitat fragmentation. Geographic information systems were used again but in a different way to carefully stratify the field survey by overlaying maps of topography, vegetation and past fires. The large dataset collected from the surveys was described using six generalized linear models which identified the significant variables that fragment the distribution of I. obesulus at a local scale. From the results of the field surveys, a subset of four remnants was chosen for further GIS spatial modelling of the probability of I. obesulus occurring within remnants in response to fire via a controlled burning programme put in place to reduce accumulating fuel loads. These investigations show that habitat fragmentation can be caused by different factors at different spatial scales. At the continental scale, it was found that climate played a dominant role in influencing the fragmented distribution of I. obesulus but vegetation change during the past two centuries has also had a profound impact on the availability of habitat. Within south-eastern South Australia, the species??? regional scale distribution is constrained by climate and also by soil and vegetation patterns. Dramatic change to its regional distribution occurred in the 20th century as a result of the clearance of native vegetation for planting pastures, crops and pines. Fragmentation at the regional scale has resulted in the remaining habitat being reduced to small, isolated, remnant patches of native vegetation. At the local scale it was found that variables which disrupt the continuity of I. obesulus habitat within remnants include vegetation cover in the 0-1 m stratum, abundance of Xanthorrhoea australis and soil texture. For a subset of sites located in one landsystem of the study area, named Young, the age of vegetation since it was last burnt was also found to be a significant variable, with vegetation 10-14 years old since burning providing the most suitable habitat. Spatial modelling of two scenarios for prescribed burning over 15 years revealed that the use of fire as a habitat enhancement tool will be complicated and require a detailed understanding of the factors that cause natural fragmentation in the distribution of I. obesulus at the local scale. A further conclusion of the study was that ecological relationships between species and their habitats require careful interpretation of multi-scaled datasets and conservation plans for endangered species ought to be made at multiple spatial scales. Future research directions are identified including the linking of multi-scaled habitat fragmentation models to genetic studies of the species throughout its range.

This thesis investigates the process of habitat fragmentation and the spatial and temporal scales at which it occurs. Fragmentation has become an important topic in biogeography and conservation biology because of the impacts it has upon species??? distributions and biodiversity. Various definitions of fragmentation are available but in this research it is considered to be the disruption of continuity, either natural or human-induced in its origins and operative at multiple spatial scales. Using the distribution of the southern brown bandicoot Isoodon obesulus as a case study, three spatial scales of fragmentation were analysed. At the continental scale, the Australian distribution of the subspecies I. o. obesulus was examined in relation to climate, geology and vegetation cover at the time of European settlement of Australia and two centuries later. Using archived wildlife records and Geographic Information Systems (GIS) analyses, habitat suitability models were created to assess natural and human-induced fragmentation of the distribution of I. obesulus in 1788 and 1988. At the regional scale, a study was made of the distribution of I. obesulus in the south-east of the State of South Australia. Again, natural and human-induced patterns of habitat fragmentation were modelled using GIS with climate, soil and vegetation data for the time of European settlement and at present. At the local scale, the distribution of I. obesulus was the subject of a detailed field survey of 372 sites within 29 remnant patches of native vegetation in south-eastern South Australia in order to understand the variables that cause habitat fragmentation. Geographic information systems were used again but in a different way to carefully stratify the field survey by overlaying maps of topography, vegetation and past fires. The large dataset collected from the surveys was described using six generalized linear models which identified the significant variables that fragment the distribution of I. obesulus at a local scale. From the results of the field surveys, a subset of four remnants was chosen for further GIS spatial modelling of the probability of I. obesulus occurring within remnants in response to fire via a controlled burning programme put in place to reduce accumulating fuel loads. These investigations show that habitat fragmentation can be caused by different factors at different spatial scales. At the continental scale, it was found that climate played a dominant role in influencing the fragmented distribution of I. obesulus but vegetation change during the past two centuries has also had a profound impact on the availability of habitat. Within south-eastern South Australia, the species??? regional scale distribution is constrained by climate and also by soil and vegetation patterns. Dramatic change to its regional distribution occurred in the 20th century as a result of the clearance of native vegetation for planting pastures, crops and pines. Fragmentation at the regional scale has resulted in the remaining habitat being reduced to small, isolated, remnant patches of native vegetation. At the local scale it was found that variables which disrupt the continuity of I. obesulus habitat within remnants include vegetation cover in the 0-1 m stratum, abundance of Xanthorrhoea australis and soil texture. For a subset of sites located in one landsystem of the study area, named Young, the age of vegetation since it was last burnt was also found to be a significant variable, with vegetation 10-14 years old since burning providing the most suitable habitat. Spatial modelling of two scenarios for prescribed burning over 15 years revealed that the use of fire as a habitat enhancement tool will be complicated and require a detailed understanding of the factors that cause natural fragmentation in the distribution of I. obesulus at the local scale. A further conclusion of the study was that ecological relationships between species and their habitats require careful interpretation of multi-scaled datasets and conservation plans for endangered species ought to be made at multiple spatial scales. Future research directions are identified including the linking of multi-scaled habitat fragmentation models to genetic studies of the species throughout its range.

Les marsupiaux naissent très immatures, mais doivent atteindre une tétine, sans aide de la mère, à laquelle ils s’attachent pour poursuivre leur développement. Des informations sensorielles sont nécessaires pour s’orienter vers la tétine, la trouver, et s’y attacher. Le système vestibulaire, associé au sens de l’équilibre, a été proposé comme pouvant guider les petits marsupiaux vers la tétine en agissant sur les réseaux moteurs spinaux. Diverses études des marsupiaux suggèrent que le développement de ce système pourrait être suffisamment avancé pour influencer les comportements moteurs chez les nouveau-nés, mais son fonctionnement n’a jamais été testé. Pour le faire, nous avons soumis des opossums âgés de P0 (jour de la naissance; postnatal 0) à P21 à des stimulations vestibulaires et traité les tissus de la tête par immunohistochimie pour révéler c-Fos, utilisé comme indicateur d’activité neuronale. Du marquage dans les noyaux vestibulaires a été observé seulement à partir de P15. Pour confirmer ces résultats, nous avons effectué deux types d’expériences de stimulation sur des préparations in vitro d’opossums et enregistré les réponses motrices induites. Ainsi, des élévations de la tête n’ont pas permis de déceler de réponse suite aux stimulations aux âges étudiés (P4-P12). Par contraste, des pressions mécaniques directement appliquées sur le labyrinthe afin de stimuler les organes vestibulaires ont entrainé des réponses à tous les âges testés (P1-P9). Nos résultats suggèrent que la fonction du système vestibulaire est limitée par la maturité de ses organes sensoriels, et qu’il n’influence pas la motricité des nouveau-nés d’opossum en conditions physiologiques avant environ la fin de la 2e semaine de vie, même si les voies nerveuses entre les organes vestibulaires et la moelle épinière semblent déjà établies à la naissance. / Marsupials are born very immature, but must nevertheless find a teat, unaided by the mother, to which they attach to pursue their development. Sensory inputs are necessary to find the teat and attach to it, but the senses involved are still under discussion. The vestibular system, responsible for the sense of balance, was proposed as influencing motor behavior of newborns in various marsupial species by an action on spinal motor networks. Studies in the opossum Monodelphis domestica suggest that the development of the vestibular system could be advanced enough to influence locomotion at birth but its functionality has never been tested. To do that, we subjected intact opossums aged P0 (Postnatal day 0 ; day of birth) to P21 to vestibular stimulations and immunohistochemically processed their brain tissues to reveal c-Fos, used as a marker of neuronal activity. Immunoreactivity of neurons in the vestibular nuclei was observed only from P15 onwards. To confirm those results, we performed two series of experiments on in vitro preparations of newborn opossums, using stimulation of the vestibular apparatus and physiological recording of the induced motor responses Thus, vertical head tilts did not induce motor response at any of the ages studied (P4-P12). In contrast, mechanical pressure applied on the labyrinth to stimulate the vestibular organs induced motor responses at all ages studied (P1-P9). Our results suggest that the vestibular system’s function is limited by the maturity of its sensory organs and that it can’t influence motor activity in physiological condition before the end of the 2nd postnatal week, even if functional pathways from the labyrinth to the spinal cord seem to be already in place at birth.

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Submitted by Edisangela Bastos (edisangela@ufpa.br) on 2013-03-05T21:17:38Z No. of bitstreams: 1 Dissertacao_DiversidadeEspeciesComplexo.pdf: 1354054 bytes, checksum: 488a49ce72ef48a66321024a1866b930 (MD5) / Approved for entry into archive by Ana Rosa Silva(arosa@ufpa.br) on 2013-03-11T14:42:32Z (GMT) No. of bitstreams: 1 Dissertacao_DiversidadeEspeciesComplexo.pdf: 1354054 bytes, checksum: 488a49ce72ef48a66321024a1866b930 (MD5) / Made available in DSpace on 2013-03-11T14:42:32Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 Dissertacao_DiversidadeEspeciesComplexo.pdf: 1354054 bytes, checksum: 488a49ce72ef48a66321024a1866b930 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2009 / O complexo de espécies M. brevicaudata possui distribuição reconhecida para o Norte da América do sul e compreende três espécies descritas ‐ M. brevicaudata, M. glirina, e M. palliolata ‐ e duas não descritas, reconhecidas em estudos prévios. A delimitação de espécies baseada somente em caracteres morfológicos é complicada, de forma que diversos táxons nominais já foram associados ao grupo e diversos arranjos taxonômicos foram propostos. Os poucos estudos baseados em dados moleculares que incluíram espécimes do complexo brevicaudata revelaram altas taxas de divergência genética. Este trabalho buscou elucidar a sistemática do complexo de espécies M. brevicaudata através do estudo dos padrões de variação morfológica e genética. Para tal, desenvolvemos análises filogenéticas baseadas em dois genes mitocondriais: citocromo b e 16 S rDNA. Adicionalmente, estudamos a morfologia externa e craniana dos espécimes, investigando a existência de congruência entre a variação genética e morfológica. As análises morfológicas foram, em geral, congruentes com as moleculares, as quais indicaram os mesmos clados em todas as análises filogenéticas. Foram formalmente reconhecidas nove espécies para o complexo. Monodelphis brevicaudata, M. palliolata e M. glirina são consideradas espécies válidas; M. touan é revalidado da sinonímia de M. brevicaudata e duas espécies novas são descritas e nomeadas; a espécie M. domestica provou ser intimamente relacionada a espécimes do grupo brevicaudata, sendo aqui considerada como integrante do referido grupo; duas espécies reconhecidas como distintas permanecem sem uma descrição formal; M. maraxina é sinonimizada com M. glirina. Foi observado dimorfismo sexual para as espécies estudadas, sendo que para as duas espécies estatisticamente testadas (teste T de student), M. glirina e M. sp. nov. “Trombetas”, os machos apresentaram crânios significativamente maiores que as fêmeas. Rios de grande porte parecem ter participado na diferenciação genética e estruturação filogeográfica das espécies. O padrão filogeográfico encontrado sugere ao menos dois centros de diversificação para o grupo, um no escudo das Guianas, envolvendo as espécies ao norte do rio Amazonas, e outro no escudo brasileiro, envolvendo M. glirina e M. domestica. / Short‐tailed opossums of the Monodelphis revicaudata complex inhabit northern South America, and comprise three described species ‐ M. brevicaudata, M. glirina, and M. palliolata ‐ and two undescribed forms already recognized in prior studies. Species delimitation based solely on morphological features is difficult, and because of that many nominal taxa have been associated with this species complex, and several taxonomic arrangements have been proposed. Previous molecular phylogenetic studies using specimens of this species complex revealed substantial genetic divergence rates. The present study aims to elucidate the systematics of the M. brevicaudata species complex through the analyses of molecular and morphological characters. We performed phylogenetic analyses on two mitochondrial genes (cyt b and 16S), studied the external and cranial morphology, and investigated whether observed genetic variation is congruent with morphological differences. Our morphological results were generally concordant with the molecular results. We recognize nine species in the species complex. M. brevicaudata, M. palliolata, and M. glirina are considered valid species; M. touan is re‐established from the synonymy of M. brevicaudata and two new species are described and named; the species M. domestica proved to be closely related to specimens of the M. brevicaudata complex, and thus are considered as part of that group; we also recognized two new species without formallly naming them; M. maraxina is considered a synonym of M. glirina. Sexual dimorphism is observed in the species, and in two species males showed skulls significantly larger than females. Major rivers seem to have played an important role in generating genetic differentiation and phylogeographical structure of the species. The phylogeographical pattern suggests at least two diversification centers for the group, one in the Guiana shield, comprising species ranging north of the Amazon river, and another in the Brazilian shield, comprising M. glirina and M. domestica.

Thesis by publication -- 8 co-authored articles. / Thesis (PhD)--Macquarie University, Division of Environmental and Life Sciences, Department of Biological Sciences. / Includes bibliographical references. / Preface -- Management issues of urban common brushtail possums (Trichosurus vulpecula): a loved or hated neighbour -- Effects of deslorelin implants on reproduction in the common brushtail possum (Trichosurus vulpecula) -- Brushtail possums (Trichosurus vulpecula) in metropolotan Sydney: population biology and response to contraceptive implants -- Strategic survey for Toxoplasma gondii and Neospora caninum in the common brushtail possum (Trichosurus vulpecula) from urban Sydney, Australia -- Leptospirosis serology in the common brushtail possum (Trichosurus vulpecula) from urban Sydney, Australia -- Conclusions. / The common brushtail possum (Trichosurus vulpecula) is indeed a common inhabitant of many Australian citites, and one of the few marsupials that has adapted well to the urban environment. Their close proximity to people provides a great opportunity to experience native wildlife in the backyard, however, their utilization of house roofs, bold behaviour and appetite for garden plants often leads to conflict with householders. Population numbers are sufficiently high to require ongoing management to minimise negative impacts for humans and brushtail possums alike in a socially acceptable manner. The aim of this thesis was to identify current management issues and address the need for improved and novel management strategies. The potential of slow-release implants, containing the GnRH agonist deslorelin, as a contraceptive agent for brushtail possums was tested on a captive population. Males appeared resistant to treatment, but deslorelin was found to inhibit reproduction in female brushtail possums for at least one breeding season, making it a promising tool to control fertility in some wild populations. A further aim was to trial deslorelin implants on a wild urban population, to collect more information about the urban biology of this species and to point out issues which have previously not been addressed. Close proximity and interaction of urban brushtail possums with humans and their domestic animals can increase the risk of disease exposure and transmission and influence the health of wild populations. Serosurveys showed that animals were readily exposed to Leptospira spp. and Toxoplasma gondii. This thesis also provides the first data on brushtail possum dispersal in urban areas, knowledge which is highly relevant to the development of management strategies such as fertility control. The findings from this research broaden our knowledge about urban brushtail possums and should assist wildlife authorities in developing alternative or improved management procedures. / Mode of access: World Wide Web. / xxv, 287 p. ill., maps