In most tropical river systems there has been a lack of integrated ecological research to investigate the dynamics and impacts of invasive species on recipient river systems. This is in sharp contrast to temperate river systems. This thesis investigated the nature, extent, and impact of Nile tilapia, Oreochromis niloticus (Linnaeus, 1758), on indigenous congenerics within the Limpopo River basin in northern South Africa. An integrated approach was adopted to gain a better understanding of factors that allow Nile tilapia to be a successful invader and also to gain an insight into its invasion rate and conservation implications within South Africa. Morphometric and genetic variation between Nile tilapia, indigenous congenerics and their associated hybrids were determined. Intermediate meristic characters obscured the identification of hybrid specimens from pure morpho-specimens and species identity was only confirmed through mtDNA analysis. Preliminary evidence points to unidirectional hybridization among Oreochromis congeners in the Limpopo River system. The hypothesis that bigger Nile tilapia males may have a competitive advantage over spawning grounds and in female mate choice is proposed. The trophic ecology of Nile tilapia was investigated using both stomach contents and stable isotope analysis. A high similarity in stomach contents was observed but interspecific differences were revealed in the isotopic composition of diets that suggest fine scale patterns of resource partitioning that could be achieved by the ability of fish to selectively feed on what is immediately available and the ability to perceive the dynamics that determine food resource availability. Ecological niche models were used to determine the potential invasive range of Nile tilapia and revealed broad invasive potential over most river systems in southern Africa that overlapped the natural range of endemic congenerics. It was noted that model performance and the degree of niche conservatism varied significantly with variable selection and spatial extent of study area. This implied that the spatial distribution of suitable and unsuitable environmental variables varied between the native and introduced ranges of Nile tilapia and also indicated the ability of Nile tilapia to survive in conditions incongruent with its native range. The extreme hardiness and adaptive life history characteristics of Nile tilapia have probably predisposed it to be a successful invader in novel systems within southern Africa. Lastly, a qualitative risk assessment method was developed as a potential application to determine the risk of establishment and spread of the invasive Nile tilapia. Results showed that in the absence of quantitative data on ecosystem structure and functioning, habitat suitability analysis in terms of known physiological tolerance limits to minimum water temperature, presence or absence of dams, seasonality of river flows and the presence of indigenous fish species of concern could be adequate for identifying vulnerable river systems. The model developed also provides an objective method that is easy to implement, modify and improve on as new data become available. Furthermore, the model can be applied to highlight areas of uncertainty where future research should be directed. / Thesis (PhD)--University of Pretoria, 2012. / Zoology and Entomology / Unrestricted

Submitted by (edna.saturno@ufrpe.br) on 2017-02-15T12:33:27Z No. of bitstreams: 1 Jose Mario Baracho de Franca.pdf: 1060458 bytes, checksum: 5843154b02f16dc4ab5f2c5eaf2e0798 (MD5) / Made available in DSpace on 2017-02-15T12:33:27Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 Jose Mario Baracho de Franca.pdf: 1060458 bytes, checksum: 5843154b02f16dc4ab5f2c5eaf2e0798 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2003-08-04 / The growth of tilapia, Oreochromis spp, were evaluated in a intensive culture, from march to June 2003, through the use of twelve 5 m3 cages located at Açude Poço da Cruz (Ibimirim-PE). The experiment was designed to contain three treatments, according to the strains (Nilotica, Vermelha and Chitralada) and four replicates. Tilapia juveniles averaging 58.28, 18.74 and 63.62g, respectively, for each strain were stocked in randomly cages in a density of 600 juveniles/cage. A extruded commercial ration with 36% crude protein was used during the first 19 days, another with 32% for the subsequent 63 days and another one with 28% for the last 14 days of growout phage. Fish growth was followed through fortnightly measurements with approximately 5% of fish population. The main water quality variables were measured during the culture (temperature = 28.25 ± 0.65ºC, pH = 7.63 ± 0.38 and dissolved oxygen = 5.48 ± 0.98 mg/L) maintained adequate to the fishculture. Growth and production data were differents (P≤0.05) among treatments. Nilotica strain grew better than Chitralada than Vermelha, with respectively growth daily of 5.72, 4.60 and 3.23g/day. The final weight and weight gain were higher (P≤0.05) forNilotica (607.71g and 549.43g) than for Chitralada (504.23g and 440.61g) and Vermelha (328.79g and 335.05g). In this culture system it was possible to maintain a reasonable biomass in the cages since the final biomass were 268.68, 271.62 and 177.38Kg/cage, respectively for Nilotica, Chiralada and Vermelha. This represent a biomass of 6.99, 7.63 and 2.25Kg/m3, respectively for each strain. The feed conversion ratio was 1.85 for Nilotica, 1.77 for Chitralada and 1.86 for Vermelha strains. In spite of the fast growth, Nilotica strain showed a lower survival (73.71%) in relation with Vermelha strain, which presented the highest survival (91.29%) and lowest yield. These results shows that the tilapia Chitralada and Nilotica have a good performance for this type of culture are recommended for cage culture in a commercial scale. / O crescimento de três linhagens de tilápias, Oreochromis spp, em cultivo intensivo, de março a junho de 2003, utilizando doze tanques-rede de 5 m3, instalados no Açude Poço da Cruz (Ibimirim-PE). O experimento foi delineado para conter três tratamentos, utilizando-se as tilápias Nilótica, Vermelha e Chitralada, com quatro repetições. Juvenis de tilápia com peso médio de 58,28, 18,74 e 63,62 g, respectivamente, para os tratamentos Nilótica, Vermelha e Chitralada foram estocados aleatoriamente nos tanques-rede numa densidade de 600 juvenis/tanque-rede. Uma ração comercial extrusada com 36% de proteína bruta foi usada durante os 19 dias iniciais, outra com 32% para os 63 dias subseqüentes e uma com 28% para os últimos 14 dias da fase de engorda. Foi acompanhado o crescimento dos peixes com amostragens quinzenais, de aproximadamente 5% de população. As principais variáveis de qualidade de água medidas durante o cultivo (temperatura = 28,25 ± 0,65ºC; pH = 7,63 ± 0,38 e oxigênio dissolvido = 5,48 ± 0,98mg/L) mantiveram-se adequadas para o cultivo de peixes. Os dados de crescimento e produção foram diferentes (P≤0,05) entre os tratamentos. A tilápia Nilótica apresentou maior crescimento (5,72 g/dia) em relação à Chitralada (4,60 g/dia) e a Vermelha (3,23 g/dia). O peso final e ganho de peso foram maiores (P≤0,05) para Nilótica (607,71g e 549,43g) que para Chitralada (504,23 e 440,61g) e a Vermelha (328,79g e 335,05g). Neste sistema de cultivo foi possível manter uma biomassa razoável, sendo registrada uma biomassa final de 268,68; 271,62 e 177,38 Kg/tanque-rede, respectivamente, para as tilápias Nilótica, Chitralada e Vermelha, o que correspondeu a 6,99, 7,63 e 2,25Kg/m3 para as respectivas linhagens. A conversão alimentar foi de 1,85 para Nilótica, 1,77 para Chitralada e 1,86 para a Vermelha. Apesar do melhor crescimento da Nilótica, constatou-se uma menor sobrevivência (73,71%) em relação à linhagem Vermelha (91,29%), que apresentou baixo rendimento de cultivo. Diante dos resultados constata-se um melhor desempenho para as tilápias Nilótica e Chitralada, sendo portanto recomendadas para o cultivo comercial em tanques-rede.

Made available in DSpace on 2014-06-11T19:22:24Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 0 Previous issue date: 2009-02-12Bitstream added on 2014-06-13T19:27:42Z : No. of bitstreams: 1 otani_fs_me_jabo.pdf: 297413 bytes, checksum: 56eab3cec2d3b86c444c71f545ccac0e (MD5) / Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES) / Universidade Estadual Paulista (UNESP) / Este trabalho objetivou avaliar a influência da vitamina E pela suplementação por meio da dieta, em peixes submetidos a dois métodos de abate (imersão em água gelada e sangria), nos atributos de qualidade de filés congelados de tilápia (Oreochromis spp.). Peixes, com peso médio inicial de 340 g, foram alimentados por um período de nove semanas com três dietas isocalóricas (3264,09 kcal ED/kg) e isoprotéicas (24,8% PD), diferindo na adição de 100 mg/kg de ração de α-tocoferol (grupo TO), 100 mg de princípio ativo/kg de ração de acetato de α- tocoferil (grupo AC), e sem adição de vitamina E (grupo controle – CO). Ao final do período de alimentação, os peixes foram abatidos pelos métodos citados anteriormente. Utilizou-se delineamento inteiramente casualizado, em esquema fatorial 3x2x5, caracterizado por três dietas, dois métodos de abate e cinco tempos de análises dos filés. Foram realizadas análises de desempenho e corporais, e de composição centesimal, oxidação lipídica pela formação de substâncias reativas ao ácido tiobarbitúrico (SRATB), e sensorial pelo método do Índice de Qualidade (MIQ) nos filés, nos tempos zero (antes do congelamento), 45, 90, 120 e 150 dias de estocagem. A suplementação da vitamina E não afetou os parâmetros de desempenho, entretanto influenciou na composição centesimal e na oxidação lipídica, protegendo os filés ao longo do período de estocagem. Foi elaborada tabela de avaliação dos filés congelados, pelo MIQ, instrumento útil para a análise de atributos de qualidade. / The aim of this investigation was to evaluate the influence of vitamin E dietary supplementation, and fish slaughtering methods (immersion in ice-water and exsanguination), on the fillets quality of tilapia, during frozen storage. Fish of 340 g mean initial body weight were fed for nine weeks with three isoenergetic (containing 3264,09 kcal DE/kg) and isonitrogenous (24,8% DP) diets. Two diets were supplemented with 100 mg/kg diet of α-tocopherol (TO group) and 100 mg of active source/kg diet of α-tocopheryl acetate (AC group), plus a nonsupplemented diet (control group – CO). At the termination of the 9-week feeding trial, fish were slaughtered by the summoned methods.A completely randomized design was used, in a 3x2x5 factorial scheme, characterized by the 3 vitamin E supplementation diets, 2 slaughter methods and 5 fillets analysis. The growth performance parameters, hepatosomatic and fat viscerosomatic index, centesimal composition, lipid oxidation determined by the thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS) and sensorial by Quality Index Method (QIM) analysis were analyzed in five times: before frozen storage, 45, 90, 120 and 150 days storage. The vitamin E supplementation did not influence the growth performance parameters, but centesimal composition were influenced, and vitamin E protected fillets from lipid oxidation in frozen storage. Fillets quality availability table were organized, by QIM, for to help in sensorial analysis.