The chevron skink (Oligosoma homalonotum) is one of the largest, yet least observed skink species in New Zealand. The species was thought to have once been widespread in Northern New Zealand, however currently it is only found on Great Barrier and Little Barrier Islands. Great Barrier Island is the apparent stronghold for the species although it appears to be in decline there, despite a net increase in habitat. Recent studies have increased the understanding of the general ecology of the species, however little is known about the threats to the survival of this species. This study had two main objectives; the first was to establish if rats are a threat to chevron skinks, and the second was to increase current knowledge of the species ecology. The research was undertaken in an area of extensive rodent control (Glenfern Sanctuary) and an adjacent unmanaged reserve in Port Fitzroy, on Great Barrier Island in 2008. The first objective of this study involved confirming that rat densities in the treatment (Glenfern Sanctuary) were sufficiently different to allow meaningful comparisons of chevron skink population characteristics between sites. This was achieved by determining absolute rat densities using Zippin’s removal method at four sites, and correlating these with a relative abundance measure (tracking rates) to give confidence in the observed trends. Rat densities were high (1.94 - 3.00 rats ha-1) in the control, and low (0.00 and 0.06 rats ha-1) in the treatment sites, and these correlated well with tracking rates. In light of these clear differences between the treatment and control, the population structure and condition of chevron skinks were compared between sites. The population structure showed erosion of juvenile and sub-adult size categories, which indicated differences in vulnerabilities between size categories. Physical evidence of failed rat predation was also observed in adult skinks in the unmanaged control, which confirmed that rats were interacting with chevron skinks. Although the adults survived the attacks they suffered injuries including eye damage, punctures, cuts and tail loss. Smaller skinks would be unlikely to survive such attacks due to the severity and scale of the injuries, supporting the assertions of the population structure that smaller skinks may be more vulnerable than adults. The extent of tail loss was converted to a condition index to determine if failed rat predation was more widespread in the population, than was observed by conspicuous injuries. This condition index (body-tail condition index) was stable through all size categories in the treatment, but significantly reduced in adults in the unmanaged sites. That there was no reduction in the condition of smaller skinks in the unmanaged control sites despite high rat densities suggests that interactions between rats and smaller skinks are fatal, and thus not represented in the data. Nine chevron skinks were radio-tracked to determine habitat use, home range and ranging behaviour. Habitat use of chevron skinks was similar to a previous study and demonstrated that trees, crevices and logs were important refuge sites. Chevron skinks were more likely to be found at sites with trees, crevices and debris dams. Chevron skink home ranges indicated that adults moved further away from streams than previously anticipated at this time of year, and skinks demonstrated site fidelity. There was also overlap in home ranges between individuals, and skinks with overlapping home ranges shared common refuges. During flooding events, chevron skinks exhibited an arboreal response that appears to be a behaviour specific to stream associated animals, which allows them to avoid being taken by floodwaters.

The main object of this study was to investigate the effects of predation by starlings (Sturnus vulgaris) on populations of the grass grub (Costelytra zealandica) in Canterbury, with the secondary objective of investigating the feasibility of life table studies of grass grub populations under Canterbury conditions. Study plots were established in four areas, two on non-irrigated pastureland at Lincoln and Weka Pass and two on irrigated pastureland at Winchmore. A third study plot was established at Winchmore in the second year of field work.

[Truncated abstract] In the crop growing areas of Western Australia, two economically important weed species, Lolium rigidum Gaud. (annual ryegrass) and Raphanus raphanistrum L. (wild radish), have evolved widespread herbicide resistance to multiple chemistry groups. Consequently, grain growers in the region have adopted an integrated approach to weed management that includes many non herbicide tools, however many more are needed as these weed species become increasingly more difficult to control. This thesis examines, in a series of field trials carried out in the Western Australian crop growing area, the potential for weed seed predation of annual ryegrass and wild radish by naturally occurring granivores as a new weed management tool for grain growers . . . The study discusses the implications of these results with the view to manipulating predation of weed seed through agricultural management practices. Ants were shown to be the dominant seed predator in this environment, especially in the centre of fields. The study has identified that the ant species Melophorus turneri (Forel), Monomorium rothsteini (Forel), Pheidole hartmeyeri (Forel) and Rhytidoponera metallica (Smith) are potential biological control agents for annual ryegrass seeds while P. hartmeyeri was identified as the only species suitable for biological control of wild radish seed pods. Ants were found to be sensitive to disturbance and some to crop residue type and these effects are discussed in relation to seed removal. This study of weed seed predation in agricultural fields is the most complete in this environment and can be used to inform further work in this area. It has identified that naturally occurring granivores can be used as a weed management tool.

Diss. (sammanfattning) Uppsala : Sveriges lantbruksuniv. / Härtill 5 uppsatser.

Diss. (sammanfattning) Uppsala : Sveriges lantbruksuniv., 2007. / Härtill 4 uppsatser.

Thesis (Ph.D.)--Mississippi State University. Department of Wildlife and Fisheries. / Title from title screen. Includes bibliographical references.

Made available in DSpace on 2014-06-11T19:35:44Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 0 Previous issue date: 2011-01-10Bitstream added on 2014-06-13T18:47:11Z : No. of bitstreams: 1 giocomini_hc_dr_rcla.pdf: 2415116 bytes, checksum: 60197822e40f54efd586b3c12529038a (MD5) / Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES) / Um modelo baseado no indivíduo para história de vida e interações tróficas de peixes é proposto nesta tese. Ele integra teorias sobre fisiologia, crescimento, reprodução e alimentação num mesmo arcabouço dinâmico. As comunidades são formadas por um processo seqüencial de assembleamento que seleciona espécies com melhor ajuste às condições locais. No capítulo 1, experimentos computacionais foram feitos para avaliar a resposta seletiva de 10 características bionômicas em gradientes de produtividade, taxas de ataque por predadores, distribuição do tamanho corporal no conjunto regional de espécies, e a presença/ausência de assimetrias nas habilidades dos peixes em consumir presas e em evitar predação. Este último fator inclui conflitos funcionais entre a eficiência de captura versus generalidade de dieta e intensidade de forrageamento versus defesa contra predadores. As comunidades resultantes foram fortemente afetadas pelos gradientes. Picos de riqueza ocorrem em produtividades moderadamente baixas, associadas a baixas taxas de ataque, o que pode estar relacionado ao efeito estabilizador de respostas funcionais menos saturadas e às características emergentes das espécies. Com alta disponibilidade de recursos, espécies de rápido crescimento e tamanhos variados dominaram, promovendo rápida depleção dos recursos durante a formação das comunidades e ocasionando fortes efeitos de prioridade. As assimetrias de consumo aumentaram a coexistência onde ela tende a ser mais difícil, mas a diminuíram em seus pontos de pico. Mas seu principal efeito foi o de modificar a composição ao longo dos gradientes, modulando o formato das associações emergentes entre as características biológicas das espécies bem sucedidas. No capítulo 2 foram realizados experimentos de invasão e exclusão, para avaliar como as características das espécies... / An individual-based model for fish life history and trophic interactions is here proposed. It integrates theories for individual physiology, growth, reproduction, and feeding in the same dynamical framework. Communities are formed by a sequential assembly process which selects for species best adjusted to local conditions. Simulation experiments were carried out to evaluate the distribution of diversity and selective response of 10 bionomic features along gradients of resource productivity, predators maximum attack rates, body size distribution in species pool, and the presence/absence of asymmetries in both the abilities of fish to consume prey and to avoid being consumed. This last factor includes tradeoffs concerning capture efficiency versus diet generality and foraging intensity (associated to growth rate) versus defense against predators. The resulting communities were strongly affected by the gradients. Richness peaks are localized at moderately low productivities associated to low maximum attack rates, which might be related to the stabilizing effect of less saturated functional responses and to the emergent features of selected species. At high resource availability, fast growing species with variable sizes dominated, promoting early fast resource depletion during assembly and leading to strong priority effects. The hierarchical consumption asymmetries increased coexistence where it tends to be more difficult, but diminished it at its points of peak. But its main effect was modifying species trait composition along other gradients, modulating the shape of emergent associations among biological features of successful species. Additional invasion and deletion experiments were carried out to evaluate how species and community features are related invasion success and native extinctions. Successful invaders tend to possess similar life-history features to invaded community, but low... (Complete abstract click electronic access below)

Made available in DSpace on 2015-03-26T13:30:33Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 texto completo.pdf: 1105883 bytes, checksum: a8693b1ab79fc07546f743be5cf8c49a (MD5) Previous issue date: 2011-07-29 / Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior / Prey may be more or less consumed by control biologic agents and presents three kinds of interspecific interactions, (1) synergism, increase of mortality of prey comparing to each natural enemy independently, when the foraging of one species facilitates the capture of pest by another natural enemies. (2) Total mortality of the pest to natural enemies equals to the sum of individual mortality by each natural enemy. This occurs on independent natural enemies, when they prey different phases of pest’s life or in different temporal moments. (3) The total mortality of the pest by predator is lower than the individual sum for each predator. The decrease of predation tax may occur by different mechanisms, including the intraguild predation and the interespecific competition. Podisus nigrispinus (Dallas) and Supputius cincticeps (Stål) (Heteroptera: Pentatomidae), generalists predators of Neotropical region of South America, consume and share high variety of prey, not being restricted to inferior trophic level, because many may prey each other, on intraguild predation and on cannibalism. The aim of this work was determinate if there is competition and intraguild predation between P. nigrispinus and S. cincticeps. Besides that, study the effect of these phenomena on biology of the natural enemies and contribute to the understanding of interaction between predators on biologic control. On chapter I, the experiment was realized with adult females of this bugs and pupae of Tenebrio molitor Linnaeus (Coleoptera: Tenebrionidae) during nine days, when we analyzed the effect of intra and interespecific interactions on alimentary consume and on predation tax and the occurrence on cannibalism and intraguild predation among adults. On chapter II, we used second instar nymphs of the predators and pupae of T. molitor ad libitum were given once each four days. When they reach adult stage, couple were formed and we kept same treatment. The survival, cycle of life (second instar until hatch of adults), weigh, sexual ratio, longevity and reproductive aspects of bugs adults and intraguild predation and cannibalism between its nymphs were evaluated. Nymphs and adults of P. nigrispinusand S. cincticeps presented intraguild predation and cannibalism, which favors the survival of some nymphs until localization of the prey. On adult phase, bidirectional intraguild predation and the cannibalism were more frequently to S. cincticeps and increased the longevity of this species. The interespecific competition did not affect the alimentary consume, the predation tax, the development nor the reproduction of P.nigrispinus. The development and reproduction of S. cincticeps were affected, with the nymphal development shorter, production of bigger females and less viability of eggs, showing that this species is less competitive than P. nigrispinus. On higher prey density, these predators presented synergism on predation tax, which is good when it comes to biologic control. It is better to use only P. nigrispinus on inundative and inoculative biologic control, since this species presents higher predation and reproduction taxes. Besides that, the use of this predator with S. cincticeps may be unfavorable, because this is an intraguild predator and may lower P. nigrispinus population on lower prey availability or causes its migration. The low egg viability of S. cincticeps, bred with P. nigrispinus, is an indicative that is better to invest financial resources on P. nigrispinus production. However, in conservative biologic control, the use of both species is interesting because they can coexist at the same environment. Besides that, the egg viability of S. cincticeps presents constant decrease with interspecific interaction with P. nigrispinus, which may lead to a decrease of intraguild predation by this predator. / Presas podem ser mais ou menos consumidas por agentes de controle biológico e predadores apresentam três tipos de interações interespecíficas, (1) sinergismo, aumento da mortalidade da presa em relação a cada inimigo natural de forma independente, quando o comportamento de forrageamento de uma espécie facilita a captura da praga por outros inimigos naturais, (2) mortalidade total da praga por inimigos naturais em conjunto equivale à soma da mortalidade individual por cada um, ocorrem para inimigos naturais independentes, quando predam fases distintas da vida da praga ou em diferentes momentos temporais e (3) mortalidade total da praga por predadores em conjunto é menor que a soma da individual por predador. A diminuição na taxa de predação pode ocorrer devido à predação intraguilda e a competição interespecífica. Podisus nigrispinus (Dallas) e Supputius cincticeps (Stål) (Heteroptera: Pentatomidae), predadores generalistas da região Neotropical da América do Sul, consomem e compartilham alta variedade de presas, não sendo restritos ao nível trófico inferior, pois muitos podem se alimentar uns dos outros, na “predação intraguilda” e no canibalismo. O objetivo deste trabalho foi determinar se existe competição e predação intraguilda entre P. nigrispinus e S. cincticeps. Além disso, estudar o efeito desses fenômenos na biologia desses inimigos naturais e contribuir para a compreensão de interações entre predadores no controle biológico. No capítulo I, fêmeas adultas desses percevejos e pupas de Tenebrio molitor Linnaeus (Coleoptera: Tenebrionidae) foram mantidas durante nove dias para a análise das interações intra e interespecíficas no consumo alimentar e na taxa de predação e a ocorrência de canibalismo e predação intraguilda entre adultos. No capítulo II, ninfas de segundo estádio desses predadores foram alimentadas com pupas de T. molitor ad libitum e a cada quatro dias. No estágio adulto, casais foram formados e mantidos nos mesmos tratamentos. A sobrevivência, o ciclo de vida (segundo estádio à emergência dos adultos), peso, razão sexual, longevidade e aspectos reprodutivos dos adultos e a predação intraguilda e canibalismo entre suas ninfas foram avaliados. Ninfas e adultos de P. nigrispinus e S. cincticeps apresentaram predação intraguilda e canibalismo, que favorece a sobrevivência de algumas ninfas, até a localização da presa. Na fase adulta, a predação intraguilda e o canibalismo foram mais frequentes para S. cincticeps e aumentaram a longevidade dessa espécie. A competição interespecífica não afetou o consumo alimentar, a taxa de predação, o desenvolvimento e a reprodução de P. nigrispinus. O desenvolvimento e a reprodução de S. cincticeps foram afetados, com desenvolvimento ninfal mais curto, produção de fêmeas maiores e menor viabilidade de ovos, mostrando ser essa espécie menos competitiva que P. nigrispinus. Em alta densidade de presa, esses predadores apresentaram sinergismo na taxa de predação, o que é benéfico ao controle biológico. É melhor utilizar, apenas, P. nigrispinus nos programas de controle biológico inundativo e inocultaivo, pois essa espécie possui maior taxa de predação e reprodução. Além disso, o uso desse predador, com S. cincticeps, pode ser desfavorável, pois este é o predador intraguilda e pode diminuir a população de P. nigrispinus em baixadisponibilidade de presas, ou causar sua migração. A menor viabilidade de ovos de S. cincticeps, criado com P. nigrispinus, indica ser melhor investir os recursos financeiros na produção de P. nigrispinus. Porém, em programas de controle biológico conservativo, o uso de ambas as espécies é interessante por poderem coexistir no mesmo ambiente. Além disso, a viabilidade dos ovos de S. cincticeps apresenta queda constante com interação interespecífica com P. nigrispinus, o que dimuiria a predação intraguilda por esse predador.

Made available in DSpace on 2015-04-17T14:55:29Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 arquivototal.pdf: 1643253 bytes, checksum: 663b93e288d71dbedb37bcae9e72b850 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2013-02-27 / Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior - CAPES / Damselfishes play key roles in reef environments and are widely used as models in ecological and behavioral studies.During the reproductive period, the damselfishes present strategies involving benthonic spawning. The parental care is performed by the male who, during the days of egg development, expelled all potential predators that try to attack their territory. It was studied here the behavioral ecology during spawning period and the reproductive success of Stegastes sanctipauli, a damselfish endemic to the remote St. Peter and St. Paul s Archipelago (Mid Atlantic Ridge, Brazil). Nest abundance was negatively influenced by depth and abundance of Caranx lugubris, an important damselfish predator. The number of clutches within male s nests was positively influenced by depth, nest area, and substrate inclination, with deeper, bigger and more inclined nests sheltering more clutches. Number of clutches within nests varied along the lunar cycle, peaking at two days before the new moon. Egg loss per clutch per day ranged from 3.5% to 50% and was positively influenced by the initial number of eggs laid by females and moon phase, with highest losses recorded also in the days before the new moon. Frequency of agonistic interactions increased with nest size. Bigger nests, that shelter more clutches, are possibly more attractive to potential egg predators. Species most frequently recorded attempting to predate S. sanctipauli eggs were the conspecifics, heterospecifics damselfishes (Chromis multillineata and Abudefduf saxatilis), Malacoctenus sp. and Halichoeres radiatus. Although, no successful predation events was witnessed, experimental offer of clutches and analysis of bite scars revealed Melichthys niger as the main potential predator of S. sanctipauli eggs. Filial cannibalism of eggs was frequently observed, and may be pointed as a major cause of S. sanctipauli embryo mortality. / Os peixes donzeladesempenham um importante papel nos ambientes recifais e são amplamente utilizados como modelo para estudos comportamentais. Durante o período reprodutivo, as donzelas apresentam estratégias que envolvem desova bentônica. O cuidado parental é realizado pelo macho que, durante o período de desenvolvimento dos ovos, expulsa todos os potenciais predadores que tentam invadir seu território.Neste estudo foi avaliada a ecologia comportamental durante a desova e o sucesso reprodutivo de Stegastes sanctipauli, donzela endêmica do remoto Arquipélago de São Pedro e de São Paulo. A abundância de ninhos foi influenciada negativamente pela profundidade e abundância de Caranx lugubris, um importante predador de donzelas. O número de desovas dentro dos ninhos de cada macho foi positivamente influenciado pela profundidade, área do ninho, e inclinação do substrato. Ninhos mais fundos, maiores e mais inclinados apresentaram um maior número de desovas. O número de desovas variou ao longo do ciclo lunar, atingindo um pico dois dias antes da lua nova. A perda de ovos por desova por dia variou de 3,5% a 50% e foi influenciado positivamente pelo número inicial de ovos desovados pelas fêmeas e pelas fases da lua, com as maiores perdas registradas também nos dias que antecedema lua nova. A frequência de interações agonísticas foi influenciada positivamente pelo tamanho do ninho. Ninhos maiores, que abrigam mais desovas, são possivelmente mais atraentes para potenciais predadores de ovos. As espécies registradas com maior frequência tentando invadir o território de S. sanctipauli foram os próprios coespecíficos, donzelas heteroespecíficas (Chromis multillineata e Abudefduf saxatilis), Malacoctenus sp e Halichoeres radiatus. Apesar de não ter sido registrado sucesso em tentativas de predação de ovos durante as observações comportamentais, a oferta experimental de desovas e análise de cicatrizes de mordidas revelou Melichthys niger como o principal potencial predador de ovos de S. sanctipauli. O canibalismo filial de ovos foi um comportamento frequentemente observado, e pode ser apontadotambém comouma das principais causas de mortalidade embrionária de S. sanctipauli.

This diploma thesis deals with non-native species of crustaceans, which are already present not only in Europe but also successfully inhabit the territory of the Czech Republic. The species that this work deals with is the signal crayfish (Pacifastacus leniusculus), marbled crayfish (Procambarus fallax f. virginalis) and the killer shrimp (Dikerogammarus villosus). The main goal of this study was to demonstrate the ability of killer shrimp to attack and prey on the crayfish eggs and hatchlings of above mentioned species, which were used not only for theuir presencein Czech Republic but also as model representatives of families Astacidae and Cambaridae. It was therefore the confirmation of high aggressiveness of killer shrimp and point out, that this species is capable of negatively influencing even the bigger invertebrates by direct predation on their early developmental stages. Another aim was to assess whether the killer shrimp can be a suitable prey for a crayfish. As the experiments have shown, killer shrimp is able to predate on crayfish eggs and hatchlings even directly on females abdomens wehre they are incubated and protected. The results confirmed the theory of killer shrimp hazards to aquatic ecosystems and its potential to directly influence the populations of larger organisms. At the same time, it has been found that killer shrimp may be a suitable prey for adult and subadult individuals of signal crayfish and adults of marbled crayfish.