La dispersion, caractérisée par les mouvements d’individus dans l’espace et dans le temps, conduit à la production d’un flux de gènes et permet la connectivité des populations. Comprendre les facteurs qui façonnent les flux de gènes et la structuration des populations est d’une importance capitale pour améliorer les pratiques de gestion et de conservation des espèces. Celles caractérisées par une anadromie facultative, telles que la truite commune (Salmo trutta L.), sont des modèles de choix pour étudier le rôle de la diversité écotypique et comportementale, sous l’effet des activités anthropiques, sur le fonctionnement des populations. En utilisant la génétique des populations cette thèse se propose donc d’analyser la structuration des populations de la truite commune dans le fond du Golfe de Gascogne mais également de déterminer l’influence combinée de la dispersion de la truite de mer, de son comportement reproducteur et des activités anthropiques (repeuplements, transport de reproducteur) sur leur fonctionnement. Cette thèse aborde également la contribution des populations de truites communes (via leur origine natale) au stock de truites de mer capturées par la pêche professionnelle, sur le même site d’étude, en couplant de la génétique des populations et de la microchimie des otolithes. Nos résultats montrent une structuration génétique forte des populations de truite commune avec la présence de sept populations distinctes dans le bassin de l’Adour. Ceci semble être en partie expliqué par un comportement marqué de fidélité au site de naissance des truites de mer, couplé à un mouvement directionnel de celles-ci du sud (Espagne) vers le nord qui ne semble pas résulter en une dispersion effective (i.e. mouvement suivi d’une reproduction). En outre, les repeuplements récents, semblent impacter faiblement la structuration génétique des populations sauvages. Certains flux de gènes détectés localement semblent être dus à d’autres activités anthropiques, telles que le transport de reproducteurs. Les truites de mer capturées par la pêche professionnelle proviennent majoritairement de la population du gave d’Oloron et peu des populations des Nives et du Gave de Pau. La raison pourrait se trouver en premier lieu dans le fait que le Gave de Pau est fortement impacté par la présence de barrières à la migration et en second lieu dans les différences phénotypiques (taille plus petite) présentées par les truites de mer des Nives, par rapport à celle des gaves. Ceci suggère donc une différenciation de cette population et peut expliquer que la pêche professionnelle les capture dans une moindre proportion. Cette thèse a d’autre part pu démontrer les difficultés dans l’assignation d’une origine natale via la génétique lorsque les signatures génétiques sont relativement proches. Elle confirme l’utilité d’un couplage génétique des populations - microchimie des otolithes pour assigner des individus à leur origine natale à une échelle plus fine que le bassin. Les résultats obtenus au cours des trois années de thèse ont permis la détermination de populations génétiquement distinctes dont l’une contribue très largement à l’activité de pêche professionnelle. Ces populations peuvent être considérées comme de potentielles unités de gestion qui pourront servir de base à l‘élaboration de plans de gestion et de conservation. La meilleure compréhension de la biologie et du fonctionnement de la truite commune, et de l’impact des activités anthropiques sur la structuration des populations, acquise lors de cette thèse, pourra également permettre d’améliorer la prise de décisions des gestionnaires locaux pour la conservation et la gestion des populations de truites communes. / Dispersal, characterized by the movements of individuals in space and time leading to gene flows, allows populations to connect. Understanding factors shaping gene flow and population structure is vital to improve management and conservation practices of species. Those characterized by a partial anadromy, such as brown trout (Salmo trutta L.), are models of choice to study the role of ecotypic and behavioral diversity, under anthropic activities on population functioning. By using population genetics, this theses proposes to analyse population structure of brown trout in the Bay of Biscay, but also to determine the combined influence of sea trout dispersal, its reproductive behavior, and anthropic activities (stocking, transport of spawners) on their functioning. This thesis also addresses the contribution of brown trout populations (natal origin) on sea trout stock captured by professional fisheries, on the same study site, by coupling population genetics and otolith microchemistry. Results show a strong hierarchical structure of Brown trout population with seven distinct population detected in Adour basin. This seems to be explained a high site fidelity movement of sea trout together with a directional movement of sea trout from South (Spain) to North. This directional movement did not result into effective dispersal (i.e. movement followed by reproduction). Furthermore, a limited contemporary impact of stocking on genetic structure of wild population is observed. A few cases of inter-population gene flow detected seems to be explained by wild population management, particularly transport of spawners. The majority of sea trout captured by professional fisheries come from Gave d’Oloron and few from Nives and Gave de Pau. The reason is that Gave de Pau is impacted by migration barriers. And also that sea trout from Nives have phenotypic differences (smaller length) from sea trout originated from gaves. This suggest a differentiation of this population and can explained that professional fisheries capture them in smaller proportion.On the other hand, this thesis have been shown the difficulties to assign natal origin by using genetics when population are closed genetically. This confirm the usefulness to coupling population genetics and otolith microchemistry together to assign individuals to their natal origin at a finer scale than basin.Results obtained during these three years of thesis have made it possible the determination of distinct populations one of which contribute in majority of professional fisheries activities. These populations can be considered like potential management units (MUs) which could serve as basis in the elaboration of conservation and management plans. The better understanding of brown trout biology and functioning, and the impact of anthropic activities on population structure, obtained in this thesis, can also improve the decision-making of local managers for brown trout population conservation and management.

The dusky grouper Epinephelus marginatus (Lowe 1834), is a protogynous sequential hermaphrodite and is considered to be one of the most important fish species in the Mediterranean Sea. It is a K-strategist, being slow growing and late maturing, and this, coupled with its reproductive biology and relatively sedentary behaviour, has made it extremely sensitive to overexploitation, leading it to be classified by the IUCN as an endangered fish species. Wild dusky grouper have suffered from disease outbreaks in the past decade, leading to mass mortalities across the Mediterranean Sea, including Libyan coastal waters. These mortalities have mostly been attributed to Nodavirus infections. In Europe and Brazil, efforts are in place to culture this fish for commercial grow-out and stock enhancement programmes. In Libya, the dusky grouper is consumed regularly and is considered a prime-eating fish. Its importance for the Libyan internal market, as well as its potential for export, makes it an ideal candidate for future Libyan aquaculture activities. Given the scarce literature regarding the dusky grouper in Libya, this study aimed first to assess dusky grouper fisheries, spawning seasons and to identify the main threats that the fishing sector poses for wild stocks. Second this study aimed to determine the health status of wild dusky grouper offered at a local fish market in the capital Tripoli, in order to identify pathogens, pathologies or other health issues that might pose a hazard to cultured populations but also to remaining wild dusky grouper stocks. To achieve these aims, twelve field surveys spanning the period of 2013-2015 were conducted. From these surveys, it was established that the dusky grouper is captured throughout the year, including the spawning season. Fish sizes offered for sale ranged between 20-92 cm total length (TL), with the fish being sold from local fishing grounds around Tripoli, but also from as far as Benghazi, 1300 km to the east of Tripoli. The dusky grouper is principally caught in artisanal fisheries and by spearfishing, with approximately 300 spear-fishermen serving one particular fish market in Tripoli that was a focus in this study, and with dusky grouper being one of their main targets. Over the period of the survey, 267 landed dusky grouper were inspected for visible lesions prior to sampling. A total of 50 dusky grouper with sizes ranging from 27- 66 cm TL including the gonads from a further five fish measuring 66-92 cm TL that were sampled separately and examined to assess the stage of sexual maturity and to look for the presence of parasitic infections mainly affecting the gills, skin and gonads. The spawning season was found to extend from May to early September, with females ranging between 39-68 cm TL, males measuring 57-92 cm TL, and transient fish measuring 58-68 cm TL. From otolith readings of 8 fish, the youngest fish was a 3 year old juvenile of 28 cm TL and the oldest was an 8-9 year old 56 cm TL female. Whilst the highest prevalence of parasitic infection was found to be monogenean infection of the gills, with 100% prevalence, followed by gnathiid isopods infecting the oral cavity with 92% prevalence, it was the nematode Philometra sp. infecting post-spawning ovaries at 52% prevalence, that gave the highest apparent pathological impact. Necrosis potentially attributed to Philometra sp. in one particular ovary, was at a level likely to have caused complete parasitic castration, while others showed varying levels of probable functional reduction. The pathologies described need further investigation, especially in relation to possible synergies between Philometra sp. and bacteria in causing the necrosis. From the 267 inspected dusky grouper, 55 fish ranging in size from 42-92 cm TL were observed to be affected by external skin lesions of unknown aetiology. Twenty-six of these fish were sampled, having lesions at various stages of severity, and 5 further unaffected fish were used for histological assessment of the skin as negative controls. Histopathologically, the lesions comprised a multifocal, unilateral or bilateral dermatitis, involving the epidermis, superficial dermis and scale pockets, and sometimes, in severe cases, the hypodermis. Severe lesions had marked epidermal spongiosis progressing to ulceration. Healing was observed in some fish. Bacteria and fungi could be isolated from severe lesions, although they were not seen histopathologically in early-stage lesions. By contrast, metazoan parasite eggs were observed in the dermis and epidermis of some fish with mild and moderate dermatitis. Unidentified gravid digenean trematodes, carrying similar eggs, were also seen within the blood vessels of the deep and superficial dermis. The newly described condition was termed dusky grouper dermatitis (DGD). DGD’s geographical distribution along the Libyan coastline was investigated using a novel application of the social media network Facebook. Using Facebook, it was possible to document skin lesions of dusky grouper in Libyan waters from images attached to the entries of spear-fishermen. Thirty two Facebook accounts and 8 Facebook groups posting from 23 Libyan coastal cities provided a retrospective observational dataset comprising a total of 382 images of dusky grouper caught by spearfishing from December 2011-December 2015. Skin lesions were observable on 57 / 362 fish, for which images were of sufficient quality for analysis, giving a minimal prevalence for lesions of 15.75%. Only dusky grouper exceeding an estimated 40 cm total length exhibited lesions. The ability to collect useful data about the occurrence and geographical distribution of pathological conditions affecting wild fish using social media networks, demonstrates their potential utility as a tool to support epidemiological studies and monitor the health of populations of aquatic animals. The gravid digenean trematode described from mild lesions of five fish was identified using reconstruction through histological sectioning as belonging to the Family Aporocotylidae Odhner, 1912. This is the first description of a blood fluke from the dusky grouper, as well as from dermal blood vessels. The parasite was relatively long; the longest section of the parasite that could be measured was 1500 µm and 20-80 µm in width, while the total length of the parasite was estimated at 1500-2000 µm. Minute tegumental spines, possibly covering only a few parts of the parasite, were seen from some cross-sections. The parasite had one post-testicular ovary, which might overlap the testis, a pre-ovarian ascending uterus, and a post-ovarian descending uterus. It also possessed an oesophagus surrounded by oesophageal glandular cells and a pre-ovarian and pre-testicular extension of the vitelline cells, mostly at the level of the ascending uterus. The parasite was observed to be intra-vascular, the uterine lumen varies in size to accommodate between 1-7 eggs. The uterine eggs were embryonated and observed to span several stages of maturation. Eggs were also found in the dermal blood vessels, in the dermis, and in the epidermis, with the latter appearing to provide a potential route of egress of eggs into the environment. The extra-uterine eggs were 23.5 to 37.52 µm long and contained a ciliated miracidium. The eggs seemed to elicit a mixed inflammatory reaction, with degranulation of eosinophilic granular cells attached to the external surface of some of the eggs within the blood vessels but also the dermis. From observations made in the current study, this parasite appears to be a new species, most closely allied to none of the currently described Aporocotylidae genera. / In summary, the present study has demonstrated that the dusky grouper is extensively fished in Libya without discrimination to sizes and season, by both artisanal and spearfishing, with the latter as one of the main fishing methods, posing treats to the spawning potential and conservation of dusky grouper in Libya. The philometrid infecting the ovaries has a potential to reduce fecundity or to result in parasitic castration of wild broodstock. Gill-infecting monogeneans might represent a hazard for all stages of dusky grouper production. Dusky grouper dermatitis is a skin lesion, although there are no indications that infections may result in mortalities. Under culture conditions, however, this might change due to increase bacterial loads, which might lead to secondary bacterial infection. The presence of skin lesions would undoubtedly reduce the market value of whole fish. These findings are important for existing wild stocks, and for future plans regarding the aquaculture of dusky grouper. Future studies need to focus on the pathology of DGD, describing the disease process and aetiology using laboratory techniques such as TEM and virology as well as using morphology and molecular-based tools to describe the blood fluke and to determine their potential role in the initiation the disease. The novel approach to disease surveillance using social media Facebook posts could be further expanded by attracting citizen scientists, for future research assessing disease in wild fish, for sightings of mortality events and/or the appearance of disease outbreaks, or, for mapping marine mammal stranding’s and/or turtle nesting activity.