Call number: LD2668 .T4 1979 P48 / Master of Science

Abstract Recently, there has been increasing interest in investigating the interrelationships among the component stochastic processes of a dynamical system. The applications of these studies are to be found in various fields such as Economics, Neuroscience, Engineering and Neurobiology. Also the determination of the direction of the information flow is one of the important subjects studied widely. These investigations have usually been implemented in the time and frequency domains. Consequently, several mathematical and statistical procedures have been developed to facilitate these analyses. The aim of this thesis is to discuss the relationships between stochastic processes of a relatively short time duration. Specifically, the research concerns the analysis of the electrical activity of the dysfunctional brain, where the available data belong to a right-handed focal epileptic patient. EEG signals are recorded directly from the scalp using numbered electrodes according to the International 10/20 system introduced by Jasper [1958]. The analysis is only performed for processes of the left hemisphere as they represent the dominant hemisphere. Moreover, since each region of the brain is responsible for a special function, we have chosen five processes to represent the five main lobes of the brain; the frontal lobe, the central region, the parietal lobe, the occipital lobe and the temporal lobe. The analyses of these signals are carried out using four spectral density estimation procedures, namely the multivariate autoregressive model of order 2; the average of periodograms of adjacent segments of the single record; the smoothed periodogram approach for the entire record; and the multi-taper method. Thereafter comparisons among the results of these methods are made. The strength of the correlation between signals is measured by coherence and partial coherence functions. Also, the Granger causality concept is implemented for these data in the form of determining the direction of the information flow between these signals using the partial directed coherence (PDC) proposed by Baccala and Sameshima [2001] using the statistical level of significance suggested by Schelter et al.[2005]. The structure of the causal influences produced by the PDC shows that there are statistically significant reciprocal causal effects between processes representing the brain's region, the frontal lobe, the central area, the parietal lobe and the temporal lobe. However, there are two uni-directed causal influence relations, one is between the central area and the occipital lobe and the second one is between the occipital and temporal lobes. The indirect causal influences are detected between these processes throughout the process representing the temporal lobe. Generally, the values of the PDC in the anterior-posterior direction are larger than the values of the PDC in the opposite direction. Also, the causal influences of each process on the temporal lobe process is larger than the causal influences in the opposite direction. The spectral analyses show that the estimated power spectra and coherences of these signals are approximately peak in the delta wave band of frequency [1, 4) Hz. The significant non-zero estimated coherences are captured between the brain's lobes except for the occipital lobe which is uncorrelated with any of the other lobes. The depth of non-zero significant estimated coherences is given by partial coherence, which measures the strength of the estimated coherence between any two processes after removing the linear influence of one or more other processes. For the current data, we found that the depth of correlations depends on the spectral estimation method adopted. For example, the depth of correlation is of order 2 for the method of averaging across periodograms of adjacent segments of the single record and the method of smoothed periodogram of the entire single record and is of order one for the multi-taper method. However, the depth of correlations is unknown for the multivariate autoregressive model of order 2. The comparisons made between the results of the four spectral estimation methods mentioned previously, indicated that MVAR is not sensitive to rapid changes occurring in the signal such as the effect of the notch filter at 60Hz and a calibration signal at 47Hz, while the other three methods exhibited good sensitivity to these changes with different strengths of responses. Furthermore, the smoothed periodogram and the multi-taper methods persistently detect the notch filter effect at 60Hz in the ordinary estimated coherence curves, while the method of averaging across periodograms of adjacent segments of the single record does not.

The banteng (Bos javanicus lowi) is an endangered wild bovid that is endemic to the island of Borneo. Within their last stronghold, the Malaysian state of Sabah, their population is believed to be less than 500 individuals, which are threatened with extinction by habitat loss and hunting. The banteng is highly elusive and rarely seen, and their preference for dense and remote tropical forest habitat makes them a highly challenging species to study. No extensive quantitative surveys have been undertaken in Sabah, and there is little information available to underpin their conservation and management. This thesis provides the first baseline data on the Bornean banteng in Sabah using ecological and molecular techniques. In Chapter 2, I created the first extensive natural history account of the banteng, which will help further the knowledge of this species. This compilation helped identify gaps in the knowledge, which were then addressed by this thesis. In Chapter 3, I test non-invasive survey techniques and individual identification, and estimate the population size in two forest reserves. In Chapter 4, I demonstrate that logged forests undergo dramatic changes in structure and ambient temperature, and that banteng mitigate these changes by altering their behaviour to avoid thermal-stress. Chapter 5 presents new information of the population genetic structure of banteng in four forest reserves in Sabah. Using mitochondrial markers I show that the ancestral lineage of the Bornean banteng reinforces the suggestion that they should be recognised as a separate subspecies to the Burmese and Javan banteng. I also show that the banteng experienced a population expansion following their colonisation of Borneo, and that the present genetic diversity indicates the population may be managed as two geographically-distinct units. Chapter 6 summarises the main findings of this thesis and the implications for the conservation of the Bornean banteng in Sabah.

The optimisation of biogas digesters is crucial for further development of sustainable energy sources. In this research, an integrative approach was taken to understanding how this problem can be addressed including: seeking a better understanding of protein – surface interactions on the molecular level; larger scale experiments to screen the best materials for use in laboratory scale anaerobic digesters to influence microbial growth and biofilm development as well as analysis of farm-scale data using the ADM1 multiparameter model. The laboratory-scale experiments were undertaken to develop surfaces suitable for studying microbial immobilization. This work, currently using tertiary amines, amine oxides and comparator oligoethylene glycol studies the adsorption of two classic model proteins: lysozyme and fibrinogen using quartz crystal microbalance methods and represents important steps for selecting and exploring surface – protein interactions. The data showed that tertiary amine oxides are more resistant to nonspecific protein adsorption than the corresponding tertiary amines. Heat modified polyurethane foam was used to explore biofilm and planktonic phase microbial populations in a fixed film biogas reactor. After four weeks the foam was analysed by ‘next generation’ 454-sequencing to identify the influence of the supporting materials on microbial population residing in anaerobic digesters. The results revealed that Spirochaetes, Methanobacterium and Methanocorpusculum associated themselves with heat modified polyurethane foams. Finally, data from a farm-scale anaerobic digester (volatile fatty acid concentration, temperature and pH) have been gathered and entered into the ADM1 model, developed by the mathematical modelling group from Lund University, to mimic the behaviour of a laboratory scale 1.5 l reactor and identify improved conditions for methanogens stability. The combination of approaches described above will allow the identification of which parameters will enhance the operation of anaerobic digesters and has identified surfaces that promote adhesion of particular Bacteria and Archaea in order to increase biogas production.

L’expérience d’Aimé Bonpland invite à réfléchir sur les conditions nécessaires au transfert d’une science et sur l’idéologie qui le porte. Partisan de l’indépendance du Río de la Plata, imprégné d’une culture politique mettant au premier plan la nécessité d’un Etat fort permettant la stabilité et le rayonnement d’une nation, Bonpland se heurte à l’instabilité qui caractérise la construction politique de cette région. En suivant son parcours on assiste à la rencontre manquée entre un naturaliste porteur d’un projet fondé sur le modèle universaliste du centre scientifique européen et des élites qui, à la périphérie, souhaitent mettre en place une politique spécifique basée sur l’utilisation des ressources naturelles à des fins de développement interne. Cette expérience permet de mettre en évidence différents moments de la construction des nations rioplatenses et de les insérer dans une grille de lecture américaniste. La notion d’américanisme, abordée comme un ensemble d’idéologies en action ayant comme propriété essentielle le développement d’interactions culturelles, soulève le problème de la convergence des idéologies et de leur adaptation transatlantique. En effet, il faut attendre la mise en place de projets politiques et scientifiques rioplatenses fondés sur la production externalisée des connaissances pour que l’action scientifique menée par Bonpland, elle-même basée sur la recherche appliquée, devienne opératoire. L’expérience de Bonpland est à replacer dans cette continuité, depuis l’inadéquation entre l’offre et la demande scientifique jusqu’à la convergence des projets américanistes. / Aimé Bonpland’s experience leads us to reflect about the necessary conditions for the transfer of a science and the ideology it bears. In favour of the independence of the Rio de la plata, imbued with a political culture putting forward the necessity of a strong state thus enabling a nation to be stable and to shine forth, Bonpland comes up against the instability that characterizes the political construction of this region. By following his path, we witness the wasted accounter between, on the one hand a naturalist bearing a project based on the universalist pattern of the European scientific center, and, on the other hand the elites who, at the periphery, want to settle a specific policy based on the use of natural resources aiming at international development. This experience enables to bring to the fore different moments of the construction of the Rioplatenses nations and to insert them from an americanist perspective. The notion of americanism tackled as a set of ideologies into action whose main property is the development of cultural interactions, arises the issue of the convergence of ideologies and of their transatlantic adaptation. Indeed, to become operating, it is necessary to wait for the setting up of political and scientific rioplatenses projects, based on the outsourced production of knowledge, for the scientific action led by Bonpland, itself based on applied research, to become operating. It is necessary to put Bonpland’s position back in this continuity, from the inadequacy between the scientific supply and demand, up to the convergence of americanist projects.

As matas secas representam um ambiente extremamente ameaçado, sendo considerado um dos mais ameaçados do mundo. Um fato que contribui para esta ameaça além da intensa pressão antrópica, é a falta de conhecimento, sem o qual é impossível se realizar ações para sua conservação. Na região do Rio Paranã as matas secas revelam espécies compartilhadas com a caatinga, concordando com a idéia de uma ocorrência mais ampla deste habitat no passado. Na região do Peruaçu, dentre as espécies que ocorrem nas matas secas e em suas outras fisionomias, como o carrasco, existem espécies compartilhadas com a Mata Atlântica (Enyalius pictus), e espécies aparentemente associadas à estes habitats secos e densos, na região do planalto dos gerais (Stenocercus quinarius). Na região do Peruaçu, estas espécies apresentaram uma estreita associação com estes habitats, assim como ocorre em outras localidades. Estas características de sua história natural, determinam ocorrências local e regionalmente, e permitem dispersão durante climas favoráveis à expansão de seu habitat e isolamento durante sua fragmentação. E. pictus, pode se dispersar entre as matas secas e úmidas, atingindo a região do Peruaçu, o que concorda com a idéia de uma maior abrangência das matas durante momentos do passado, mas aponta uma conexão com a Mata Atlântica e não Caatinga. Esta maior abrangência também é observado na distribuição de S. quinarius restrito hoje à fragmentos isolados de vegetação densa ao longo do Planalto dos Gerais. Os resultados obtidos demonstram extrema necessidade de levantamentos de espécies detalhados e registros de sua história natural nas áreas de mata seca, para melhorar nosso conhecimento sobre este bioma, ajudar no entendimento da história biogeográfica deste ecossistema, e a definir áreas prioritárias à conservação dentro de sua distribuição. / Dry Forests are environments extremely endangered, considered one of the most en-dangered ecosystems of the world. The lack of knowledge, together with intense anth-ropic pressure, contributes to this threat, and without this knowledge it is impossible to perform conservational actions to protect this habitat. At Paranã region dry forests revealed species shared with Caatinga, what is in agreement with the hypothesis of broader occurrence in the past. At Peruaçu region, among those species found at the dry forests and at its physiognomies, such as carrasco, there are species shared with the Atlantic Forest (Enyalius pictus) and those associated with this dry habitats from Planalto dos Gerais (Stenocercus quinarius). At Peruaçu region these species had a strong association with these habitats, as they show at other localities. These natural history features determine its occurrence locally as well as regionally, which results in dispersions during suitable climatic conditions for habitat expansion and isolation dur-ing habitat fragmentation. Therefore E. pictus could disperse between dry and wet forests, reaching Peruaçu region, also agreeing with the hypothesis of broader occur-rence of dry forests in the past, however indicated a connection with Atlantic Forest and not with Caatinga. This wider occurrence in the past is also observed in the distri-butional range of S. quinarius restricted today to small isolated fragments of denser vegetation along Planalto dos Gerais. These results indicate an extremely necessity for more species inventories, and records of their natural history associated with dry for-est, to improve our knowledge on it, to help the understanding of its biogeographical history and delineate priority areas for conservation within its distributional range.

No fim do século XVIII, ocorreu a Viagem Filosófica ao Rio Negro (Região Amazônica, Brasil) do naturalista Alexandre Rodrigues Ferreira. Realizada entre 1783 e 1792 foi a primeira expedição científica patrocinada pelo Império Português, naquele vasto território, a qual produziu um enorme volume documental, com registros de grande riqueza e diversidade, na área da agricultura, botânica,etnologia, economia, zoologia e antropologia. No presente estudo, realizou-se uma releitura analítica da obra de Alexandre Rodrigues Ferreira, ou seja, a Viagem Filosófica ao Rio Negro, enaltecendo contextos históricos que a antecederam, bem como comparando-a com obras de viajantes, como Gabriel Soares de Sousa (1587) e André João Antonil (1711).As obras desses três autores parecem ter um papel social e econômico em comum, podendo-se dizer que seus textos têm uma razão política. Todos eles parecem ser influenciados ou motivados pelo mercantilismo. A expedição realizada por Ferreira recebeu influências da modernidade e do iluminismo, bem como das peculiaridades da reforma pombalina de Portugal.A Viagem Filosófica ao Rio Negro de Alexandre Ferreira da Silva é uma obra de grande importância no mundo colonial português, sendo um verdadeiro tratado de história natural, agropecuária e economia do Brasil, mas que ainda é pouco divulgado nos circuitos acadêmicos. O trabalho de um homem, servidor fiel de Sua Majestade que, com poucos recursos e uma equipe reduzida, fez o primeiro grande levantamento socioeconômico e ambiental da Amazônia brasileira. / In the late XVIII century was the Viagem Filosófica ao Rio Negro (Amazon Region, Brazil) of the naturalist Alexandre Rodrigues Ferreira. Conducted between 1783 and 1792 was the first scientific expedition sponsored by the Portuguese Empire, that vast territory, which produced a huge volume documentary with records of great wealth and diversity, in agriculture, botany, anthropology, economics, zoology and anthropology. In the present study, there was na analytical rereading the work of Alexandre Rodrigues Ferreira, the Viagem Filosófica ao Rio Negro, highlighting historical contexts and comparing it to traveler works as Gabriel Soares de Sousa (1587) and André João Antonil (1711). The works of these three authors seem to have a social and economic role in common and could be said that his texts have a political reason. They all seem to be influenced or motivated by mercantilism. The expedition carried out by Ferreira received influences of modernity and the Enlightenment as well as the peculiarities of Pombal reform Portugal. The Viagem Filosófica ao Rio Negro of Alexandre Ferreira da Silva is a great work of importance in the Portuguese colonial world and is a true treatise of natural history, agriculture and Brazil\'s economy, but that is still not well known in academic circles. The work of one man, faithful servant of His Majesty that, with few resources and a reduced staff, made the first major socioeconomic and environmental survey of the Brazilian Amazon.

Esta tese apresenta uma reflexão acerca dos conhecimentos sobre a fauna e a flora do Novo Mundo produzidos pelas instituições vinculadas à Coroa espanhola entre os anos de 1570 e 1620. Para tanto, optou-se pela análise das crônicas oficiais e dos documentos expedidos pelo Consejo de Indias que demandavam informações sobre o mundo natural americano. As configurações e as funções que assumiam os saberes sobre os animais e as plantas nas estruturas burocráticas e no espaço discursivo das crônicas oficiais são elementos analisados ao longo dos quatro capítulos que compõem a tese. No primeiro apartado, além de discussões teóricas e historiográficas sobre as relações entre império, conhecimento e ciência, foram examinadas algumas das cédulas e instruções enviadas pelo Consejo de Indias a diferentes partes do continente no período anterior a 1570. O segundo capítulo foi dedicado à análise da reforma empreendida por Juan de Ovando no Consejo de Indias, sobretudo, em relação às leis e demandas relativas à coleta de dados e construção de conhecimentos sobre o continente americano, também foram discutidos aspectos relacionados à criação do cargo de cosmógrafo o cronista maior das Índias. O terceiro capítulo está dedicado ao exame das obras do primeiro cosmógrafo e cronista maior das Índias, Juan López de Velasco. O último capítulo está centrado no estudo dos dois cronistas oficiais das Índias que atuaram durante o reinado de Felipe III: Antonio de Herrera y Tordesillas e Pedro de Valencia. Com a análise desse conjunto documental, pretendemos evidenciar a configuração de uma cultura epistêmica no seio das instituições oficiais, a qual estava em diálogo com tradições letradas e científicas do período, bem como com os anseios de constituição de uma ideia de império para a Monarquia Hispânica. / This thesis presents a reflection about the knowledge of the New Worlds fauna and flora, generated by the institutions linked to the Spanish Crown between the years of 1570 and 1620. For this, it was opted for the analysis of the official chronicles and documents issued by Consejo de Indias that demanded information about the American natural world. The configurations and the functions that took on the knowledge about animals and plants in the bureaucratic structures and in the discursive space of the official chronicles are analyzed elements during the four chapters that compound the thesis. In the first part, beyond the theoretical and historiographical discussions about the relationships among the empire, knowledge and science, were examined some of the documents and instructions sent by Consejo de Indias to different parts of the continent in the period before 1570. The second chapter was dedicated to the analysis of the reform made by Juan de Ovando in Consejo de Indias, mainly with regard to laws and demands linked to data gathering and knowledge building about the American continent and also were discussed aspects related to the creation of the cosmographer-chronicler major of Indies position. The third chapter is dedicated to the examination of the first cosmographer-chronicler major of Indies Juan Lopez de Velascos work. The last chapter is focused on the analysis of two Indies official chroniclers that acted during Felipe IIIs reign: Antonio de Herrera y Tordesillas and Pedro de Valencia. With the analysis of this documentation, it is intended to emphasize the configuration of an epistemic culture within the official institutions, culture related to literate and scientific traditions of that period as well as to the desire to establish an idea of empire for the Hispanic monarchy.

INTRODUÇÃO: As mucopolissacaridoses (MPSs), consideradas doenças de depósito lisossomal, são classificadas, de acordo com a deficiência enzimática, em sete tipos de doenças metabólicas hereditárias de caráter crônico, progressivo e sistêmico. OBJETIVOS: Caracterizar os achados clínicos e avaliar a evolução dos pacientes com diferentes tipos de MPS. MÉTODOS: Trata-se de um estudo retro e prospectivo de 30 pacientes com diferentes tipos de MPSs atendidos na Unidade de Genética do Instituto da Criança do Hospital das Clínicas da Universidade de São Paulo. Para a realização do estudo foi elaborado um protocolo de pesquisa, que compreendeu de uma avaliação clínica e laboratorial. RESULTADOS: Foram estudados 30 pacientes, assim distribuídos: seis MPS I, dois MPS II, sete MPS III, sete MPS IV, seis MPS VI e dois MPS VII. Dezesseis pacientes eram femininos e 14 masculinos. A idade variou entre 2 anos e 22 anos e 4 meses, média de 12 anos e 1 mês. As complicações clínicas detectadas foram: cardiopatia (90%), opacidade de córneas (70%), infecções de repetição (63%), síndrome da apnéia noturna do sono (SAOS) (37%), diarréia (33%), convulsão (17%) e hipertensão artéria sistêmica (HAS) (10%). Cinqüenta por cento dos pacientes foram internados em enfermaria e 13% em UTI, sendo que a s infecções respiratórias foram os principais motivos para as internações hospitalares. O uso do CPAP foi necessário em quatro pacientes, a média de idade para iniciar o uso foi 9 anos e 3 meses. Vinte pacientes foram operados e submetidos a 37 procedimentos anestésicos e 46 procedimentos cirúrgicos (média de 2,3 cirurgia/paciente), sendo que quatro pacientes apresentaram intercorrências: dificuldade de intubação (3), HAS (1) e sangramento (1). A obstrução das vias aéreas superiores e a complicação cardíaca resultaram no óbito de dois pacientes: um MPS I, aos 8 anos e 9 meses, e um com MPS II, aos 12 anos. Quanto aos exames laboratoriais, o teste de toluidina apresentou resultados falsonegativos em 44%, a dosagem de glicosaminoglicanos (GAGs) urinários foi aumentada em todos os pacientes, a cromatografia de GAGs foi normal em quatro pacientes com MPS IV e dosagem enzimática definiu o diagnóstico e o tipo de MPS. Em relação aos outros exames, as alterações radiológicas, disostose múltipla, foram detectadas em 100% dos pacientes, 90% apresentaram achados ecocardigráficos, 27% SAOS de grau acentuado na polissonografia e 57% ventriculomegalia na tomografia computadorizada de crânio. CONCLUSÃO: Os pacientes necessitam de um acompanhamento periódico, por meio de uma equipe multidisciplinar, com o objetivo de se estabelecer um manejo adequado das freqüentes complicações clinicas / INTRODUCTION: mucopolysaccharidoses (MPSs) are a group of lysosomal storage disorders classified, according to specific enzyme deficiency, into seven types of hereditary metabolic diseases of chronic, progressive, and systemic character. OBJECTIVES: to characterize clinical findings and to evaluate the evolution of patients with different types of MPSs seen at the Genetics Division of the Children\'s Hospital of the University of Sao Paulo Clinical Hospital. For the present study, we devised a research protocol including clinical evaluation and laboratory tests. RESULTS: we studied 30 patients, including six MPS I, two MPS II, seven MPS III, seven MPS IV, six MPS VI, and two MPS VII. Sixteen patients were female, and 14 male. Age ranged between 2 years and 22 years and 4 months, mean 12 years and 1 month. Clinical complications detected included: cardiopathy (90%), corneal opacity (70%), recurrent infections (63%), sleep apnea syndrome (SAS) (37%), diarrhea (33%), seizures (17%), and systemic arterial hypertension (SAH) (10%). Fifty percent of patients were admitted to regular wards, and 13% to intensive care units, respiratory infections being the most frequent reason for hospital admission. CPAP was required for four patients; mean age for onset of CPAP use was 9 years and 3 months. Twenty patients underwent surgery, leading to a total 37 anesthetic procedures and 46 surgical procedures (mean 2.3 surgeries/patient); four patients had complications during surgery; these included intubation difficulties (3), SAH (1), and bleeding (1). Obstruction of the upper airways and cardiac complications led to the death of two patients, one MPS I (age 8 years and 9 months) and one MPS II (age 12 years). Regarding laboratory tests, toluidine blue staining showed false-negative results in 44% of patients, urine glycosaminoglycan (GAG) levels were increased in all patients, GAG chromatography was normal in four patients with MPS IV, and enzyme quantification defined the diagnosis and type of MPS. Radiological alterations (multiple dysostosis) were detected in all patients; 90% of patients showed echocardiographic alterations; polysomnography showed marked SAS in 27% of patients; and cranial CAT scans showed ventriculomegaly in 57% of patients. CONCLUSION: MPS patients require regular follow-up by a multidisciplinary team in order to achieve adequate management of frequent clinical complications

Os museus de história natural são instituições multifacetadas. Constituem-se como espaços privilegiados para discussão da teoria evolutiva, uma vez são instituições de pesquisa científica, repositórios de material comparativo e meios de comunicação, especialmente por meio de suas exposições. Neste trabalho, o animal é entendido como interface entre duas áreas: museologia e zoologia. Discute-se, então a musealização da zoologia, ou seja, os processos que tornam um animal objeto de museu (musealia) e o seu uso em narrativas evolutivas de exposições de museus de história natural. Para tanto, foram analisadas exposições de três museus de história natural latino-americanos: \"Las Aves\" - Museo de Ciencias Naturales Bernardino Rivadavia; \"Tiempo y materia. Laberintos de la evolución\" - Museo de La Plata; e \"Conchas, corais e borboletas\" - Museu Nacional do Rio de Janeiro. A heterogeneidade de acervos e recursos expográficos exigiu o desenvolvimento de uma metodologia objetiva e replicável para descrição das exposições, estruturada em: (i) fichas; (ii) matrizes conceituais; e (iii) planta baixa. A partir do detalhamento das exposições realizou-se a análise comparativa, considerando três aspectos: presença de conceitos evolutivas nas narrativas; (ii) abordagem da teoria evolutiva; e (iii) concepção de museologia. Tais análises demonstraram que \"Las Aves\" e \"Conchas, corais e borboletas\" são exposições mais semelhantes, tanto nos conceitos evolutivos presentes na narrativa, como na abordagem sistemática da teoria evolutiva na exposição. \"Tiempo y materia\" mostrou-se como uma exposição diferenciada, pois sua narrativa foi construída a partir do conceito de evolução e não de grupos zoológicos, acumulando o maior número de conceitos evolutivos presentes na narrativa e uma abordagem voltada aos mecanismos evolutivos. Contudo, quanto à concepção de museologia, nas três exposições há o distanciamento entre o visitante e o conteúdo proposto, sendo que a teoria evolutiva é apresentada como fato corroborado pelo acervo, textos e outros recursos expográficos. Quanto a comunicação da teoria evolutiva e o papel comunicacional dos animais em exposições, observou-se que a construção teórica das narrativas está restrita aos textos e que os animais emprestam suas estruturas para ilustração e demonstração de conceitos evolutivos apresentados textualmente, servindo como \"comprovação\" da realidade e materialidade da teoria. / Natural history museums are multifaceted institutions. They constituted a privilege venue for discussion of the Theory of Evolution, as they are institucions of scientific research, and also a commucation medium especially due to its exhibitions. For this study, animals are understood as an interface between two fields: museology and zoology. Submitted for discussion is the musealisation of zoology, that is, the processes that make animals a museum object (musealia) and its use on evolutionary narratives on natural historical museums exhibitions. For this purpose, exhibition in three Latin American natural history museums were analyzed: \"Las Aves\" - Museo de Ciencias Naturales Bernardino Rivadavia (Buenos Aires, Argentina); \"Tiempo y materia. Laberintos de la evolución\" - Museo de La Plata (La Plata, Argentina); e \"Conchas, corais e borboletas\" - Museu Nacional do Rio de Janeiro (Rio de Janeiro, Brazil). Heterogeneous collections and exhibitions resources demanded the development of an objective and replicable methodology for describing those exhibits, structured in (i) data sheets; (ii) conceptual matrixes; and (iii) ground plan of the facilities. Detailed description of the exhibitions led to a comparative analysis around three items: (a) the presence of evolutionary concepts in their narratives; (b) their approaches on evolutionay theory; and (c) their museological conceotualisation. Analyses demonstrated that \"Las Aves\" and \"Conchas, corais e borboletas\" were more similar to each other, both in the evolutionary concepsts presents and in their systematics-oriented approach on evolutionary theory. On the other hand, \"Tiempo y material\" had its own narrative built on the notion of evolution itself and not on animal taxonomic work. As for their museological conceptualization, in all three exhibitions there is a gap between the visitor and the proposed content, and evolutionary theory is presented as a corroborated fact by the objects, texts and others exhibitions resources. Upon reflecting on the one communication of the evolutionary theory and the communication role of animals in exhibition, one can notice the the theoretical construction of narratives is restrict to the associated texts, and the animal themselves lend their own structures for the illustration and demonstration of textually presented evolutionay concepts, serving as \"proof\" of the reality and materiality.