Research Doctorate - Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) / In temperate New South Wales, most fish species in the family Labridae have not previously been investigated with available knowledge restricted primarily to photographic identification guides providing brief notes on species distribution, habitat preferences and identification. This information is inadequate for assessing the impact of labrid harvesting on rocky reef systems and for making informed management decisions for the protection of these fishes. Therefore, this study aimed to fill some of the significant gaps in the understanding of labrid assemblages associated with rocky reefs of temperate eastern Australia. This was accomplished by concentrating primarily on three species - Ophthalmolepis lineolatus, Notolabrus gymnogenis and Pictilabrus laticlavius - which are abundant and co-occur in shallow waters (less than 20 m depth) on the central coast of New South Wales. The methods used in this study included SCUBA surveys of labrid assemblages; in situ observations of labrid behaviour on SCUBA; and acquisition of labrid specimens for the extraction of intestines, gonads and otoliths, and for measurements of fish weight and length. <br /> Labrids were found to be the most species rich family in the study region and were the most abundant of all non-planktivorous fishes. Overall, a higher number of labrid species and a higher number of labrid individuals occurred in sponge garden habitat (15-22 m depth) compared to fringe (3-7 m) and barrens (8-15 m), owing to greater densities of O. lineolatus, Austrolabrus gymnogenis and Eupetrichthyes angustipes. The common labrids, N. gymnogenis, Achoerodus viridis and P. laticlavius, occurred at higher densities in fringe habitat due mostly to a higher representation of juveniles in this habitat. The effect of habitat on labrid assemblages was subject to small-scale variation between sites (separated by hundreds of metres) and experienced temporal changes due primarily to a substantial increase in the abundance of recruits coinciding with late summer and autumn (April-May). Behavioural observations revealed that the three focal species differed substantially in their spatial structure. O. lineolatus were found to be temporary reef residents using home ranges in excess of 2500 m2 for periods of up to 1 year before permanently emigrating outside these temporary home ranges. In contrast, N. gymnogenis exhibit strong site fidelity to reef patches of less than 600 m2 in which they remain for periods in excess of 2 years. Reef patches are shared by up to at least 10 juvenile and female individuals and a single, highly territorial male in a mating system suggestive of resource defence polygyny. An understanding of the spatial structure of P. laticlavius was constrained by its cryptic behaviour, but behavioural observations suggest this species is home ranging and establishes temporary territories for the purpose of feeding and/or reproduction. Intensive ethological observations allowed for the description and quantifying of several major behaviours in which all species typically engaged including encounters and interactions with other fishes, lying, use of shelter, side-swiping, bending, gaping, cleaning by clingfishes (Gobiesocidae) and colour change. The occurrence of these behaviours often demonstrated substantial differences among species (e.g. lying, shelter and bending) and/or experienced shifts with ontogeny (e.g. interactions and area usage). These trends generally remained consistent at different times of the day and periods of the year, and at both locations. Dietary analyses revealed O. lineolatus, N. gymnogenis and P. laticlavius are generalist carnivores feeding on a variety of benthic invertebrates including polychaetes, amphipods, decapods, gastropods, bivalves, polyplacophorans, echinoderms and cirripedes. Differences in the volumetric contribution of prey items in the guts of each species showed that food resources are partitioned among species and observations of foraging behaviour demonstrated a partitioning of microhabitats used for feeding. Ontogenetic shifts in diet and feeding microhabitats demonstrate that food resources are further partitioned within a species. However, overall morphological and behavioural similarities within a species results in greater competition occurring among individuals of the same species than among individuals of different species. This was reflected in higher rates of intra-specific interactions compared with interactions between labrid individuals of different species. Observations of feeding episodes revealed the bite rates of all species were typically unaffected by the time of day and period of year in which sampling occurred, but a location effect occurred for O. lineolatus and P. laticlavius. A reduction in bite rate with ontogeny occurred for N. gymnogenis. The population structure of the three species suggests each exhibits the typical labrid reproductive strategy of protogynous hermaphroditism. O. lineolatus and N. gymnogenis are both monandrous species, but the occurrence of some P. laticlavius males at small sizes and young ages suggests this species may be diandrous. Similarities occurred between O. lineolatus and N. gymnogenis in the size/age at which individuals sexually matured (c.a. 180 mm, 2 years) and changed sex (c.a. 280 mm, 4.6 years), but these events occurred at substantially smaller sizes (95 and 138 mm, respectively) and younger ages (les than 0.9 and 1.9 years, respectively) in P. laticlavius. Sectioned otoliths were used to determine that the longevity of O. lineolatus, N. gymnogenis and P. laticlavius was at least 13.4, 9.6 and 4.8 years, respectively. Ages were validated using marginal increment analysis. Timing of reproduction in each species was asynchronous with peaks in the reproductive activity occurring in late summer to early autumn (February-March) for O. lineolatus, mid winter (July) for N. gymnogenis and mid spring to early summer (October-December) in P. laticlavius.

Research Doctorate - Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) / In temperate New South Wales, most fish species in the family Labridae have not previously been investigated with available knowledge restricted primarily to photographic identification guides providing brief notes on species distribution, habitat preferences and identification. This information is inadequate for assessing the impact of labrid harvesting on rocky reef systems and for making informed management decisions for the protection of these fishes. Therefore, this study aimed to fill some of the significant gaps in the understanding of labrid assemblages associated with rocky reefs of temperate eastern Australia. This was accomplished by concentrating primarily on three species - Ophthalmolepis lineolatus, Notolabrus gymnogenis and Pictilabrus laticlavius - which are abundant and co-occur in shallow waters (less than 20 m depth) on the central coast of New South Wales. The methods used in this study included SCUBA surveys of labrid assemblages; in situ observations of labrid behaviour on SCUBA; and acquisition of labrid specimens for the extraction of intestines, gonads and otoliths, and for measurements of fish weight and length. <br /> Labrids were found to be the most species rich family in the study region and were the most abundant of all non-planktivorous fishes. Overall, a higher number of labrid species and a higher number of labrid individuals occurred in sponge garden habitat (15-22 m depth) compared to fringe (3-7 m) and barrens (8-15 m), owing to greater densities of O. lineolatus, Austrolabrus gymnogenis and Eupetrichthyes angustipes. The common labrids, N. gymnogenis, Achoerodus viridis and P. laticlavius, occurred at higher densities in fringe habitat due mostly to a higher representation of juveniles in this habitat. The effect of habitat on labrid assemblages was subject to small-scale variation between sites (separated by hundreds of metres) and experienced temporal changes due primarily to a substantial increase in the abundance of recruits coinciding with late summer and autumn (April-May). Behavioural observations revealed that the three focal species differed substantially in their spatial structure. O. lineolatus were found to be temporary reef residents using home ranges in excess of 2500 m2 for periods of up to 1 year before permanently emigrating outside these temporary home ranges. In contrast, N. gymnogenis exhibit strong site fidelity to reef patches of less than 600 m2 in which they remain for periods in excess of 2 years. Reef patches are shared by up to at least 10 juvenile and female individuals and a single, highly territorial male in a mating system suggestive of resource defence polygyny. An understanding of the spatial structure of P. laticlavius was constrained by its cryptic behaviour, but behavioural observations suggest this species is home ranging and establishes temporary territories for the purpose of feeding and/or reproduction. Intensive ethological observations allowed for the description and quantifying of several major behaviours in which all species typically engaged including encounters and interactions with other fishes, lying, use of shelter, side-swiping, bending, gaping, cleaning by clingfishes (Gobiesocidae) and colour change. The occurrence of these behaviours often demonstrated substantial differences among species (e.g. lying, shelter and bending) and/or experienced shifts with ontogeny (e.g. interactions and area usage). These trends generally remained consistent at different times of the day and periods of the year, and at both locations. Dietary analyses revealed O. lineolatus, N. gymnogenis and P. laticlavius are generalist carnivores feeding on a variety of benthic invertebrates including polychaetes, amphipods, decapods, gastropods, bivalves, polyplacophorans, echinoderms and cirripedes. Differences in the volumetric contribution of prey items in the guts of each species showed that food resources are partitioned among species and observations of foraging behaviour demonstrated a partitioning of microhabitats used for feeding. Ontogenetic shifts in diet and feeding microhabitats demonstrate that food resources are further partitioned within a species. However, overall morphological and behavioural similarities within a species results in greater competition occurring among individuals of the same species than among individuals of different species. This was reflected in higher rates of intra-specific interactions compared with interactions between labrid individuals of different species. Observations of feeding episodes revealed the bite rates of all species were typically unaffected by the time of day and period of year in which sampling occurred, but a location effect occurred for O. lineolatus and P. laticlavius. A reduction in bite rate with ontogeny occurred for N. gymnogenis. The population structure of the three species suggests each exhibits the typical labrid reproductive strategy of protogynous hermaphroditism. O. lineolatus and N. gymnogenis are both monandrous species, but the occurrence of some P. laticlavius males at small sizes and young ages suggests this species may be diandrous. Similarities occurred between O. lineolatus and N. gymnogenis in the size/age at which individuals sexually matured (c.a. 180 mm, 2 years) and changed sex (c.a. 280 mm, 4.6 years), but these events occurred at substantially smaller sizes (95 and 138 mm, respectively) and younger ages (les than 0.9 and 1.9 years, respectively) in P. laticlavius. Sectioned otoliths were used to determine that the longevity of O. lineolatus, N. gymnogenis and P. laticlavius was at least 13.4, 9.6 and 4.8 years, respectively. Ages were validated using marginal increment analysis. Timing of reproduction in each species was asynchronous with peaks in the reproductive activity occurring in late summer to early autumn (February-March) for O. lineolatus, mid winter (July) for N. gymnogenis and mid spring to early summer (October-December) in P. laticlavius.

Title from title page of PDF (University of Missouri--St. Louis, viewed February 15, 2010). Includes bibliographical references.

Thesis (Ph. D.)--University of Tennessee, Knoxville, 2008. / Title from title page screen (viewed on Sept. 10, 2009). Thesis advisor: Arthur C. Echternacht. Vita. Includes bibliographical references.

Thesis (Ph. D.)--Rhodes University, 2005. / Title from PDF t.p. (viewed on July 21, 2006). Includes bibliographical references (p. 251-270).

Thesis (M.Sc.)(Wildlife Management)--University of Pretoria, 2006. / Includes summary. Includes bibliographical references. Available on the Internet via the World Wide Web.

Thesis (Ph.D.)--Baylor University, 2009. / Includes bibliographical references (p. 104-117).

A busca por características de dependabilidade em aplicações distribuídas está cada vez maior. Para tanto, técnicas de tolerância a falhas são componentes importantes no processo de desenvolvimento de um software, e requerem a reprodução de cenários espe- cíficos de falhas para possibilitar uma avaliação adequada. Nestes casos, resta ao engenheiro de teste a integração de experimentos da aplicação- alvo com ferramentas auxiliares para emulação de um ambiente fiel para a execução de testes. Entretanto, tais ferramentas auxiliares, designadas injetores de falhas de comuni- cação, muitas vezes não estão disponíveis para a comunidade ou, na melhor das hipóteses, apresentam baixa funcionalidade, seja pela incompatibilidade com sistemas mais atuali- zados, seja pela implementação superficial de funções específicas (protótipos). Outro fator agravante para a realização de avaliações experimentais em aplicações distribuídas está no suporte a falhas distribuídas, ou seja, injetores de falhas de comunica- ção não, obrigatoriamente, estão aptos a reproduzir os comportamentos necessários para emulação de ambientes distribuídos adequados. Desta forma, este trabalho destina-se ao estudo e proposta de uma solução para injeção de falhas em ambientes distribuídos, em especial o particionamento de rede, e deu origem ao injetor de falhas PIE. PIE (Partitioning Injection Environment) é um injetor de falhas de comunicação vol- tado para injeção de particionamentos de rede. Sua arquitetura distribuída permite o con- trole centralizado do ambiente por parte do engenheiro de testes. Com isso, a criação de uma única carga de falhas pode ser facilmente replicada para os demais nodos componen- tes do ambiente experimental. Apesar de adotar um coordenador de experimentos, durante a execução de testes, cada nodo interpreta sua carga de falhas e processa-a localmente, ga- rantindo a baixa intrusividade da ferramenta e evitando a ocorrência de comportamentos inesperados pela aplicação-alvo. Como mecanismo de avaliação desta proposta foram realizados experimentos com diferentes aplicações-alvo, disponibilizadas pelo framework JGroups, com um conjunto de cenários de falha específico para cada aplicação. Desta forma, foi possível comprovar a viabilidade e utilidade do modelo e arquitetura do injetor de falhas PIE levando em consideração sua funcionalidade, intrusividade e corretude dos resultados experimentais. / Communication Fault Injection in Distributed Environments The search for dependability characteristics in distributed applications is increasing quickly. For these, fault tolerance techniques are important components in software de- velopment and requires the emulation of specific scenarios to allow a proper evaluation. In these cases, it remains to the test managers the integration of the target application with extra tools for a faithful emulation environment. However, such tools, named com- munication fault injectors, are not available to the community or, in other cases, presents a very poor functionality, incompatibility with current systems, either by superficial im- plementation of specific functions (prototypes). Another problem for achieving experimental evaluations in distributed applications is the support to distributed faults. Communication fault injectors not necessarily are able to reproduce the behaviors required for proper environment emulation. Thus, this work aims to study and propose a solution for fault injection in distributed environments in particular network partitioning, and led to PIE fault injector. PIE (Partitioning Injection Environment) is a communication fault injector aimed to network partitioning injection. Its distributed architecture allows centralized control by the test manager. Thus, a fault load can be easily replicated to other nodes. Despite adopting a experiment coordinator, each node interprets its fault load and processes it locally during testing, ensuring PIE low intrusiveness and avoiding the occurrence of unexpected behavior by the target application. As an assessment of this work, experiments were done with different target appli- cations, provided by JGroups framework, with a set of specific fault scenarios to each application. Thus, it was able to prove the feasibility and usefulness of the model and architecture of the PIE fault injector considering its functionality, intrusiveness and cor- rectness of the experimental results.

A busca por características de dependabilidade em aplicações distribuídas está cada vez maior. Para tanto, técnicas de tolerância a falhas são componentes importantes no processo de desenvolvimento de um software, e requerem a reprodução de cenários espe- cíficos de falhas para possibilitar uma avaliação adequada. Nestes casos, resta ao engenheiro de teste a integração de experimentos da aplicação- alvo com ferramentas auxiliares para emulação de um ambiente fiel para a execução de testes. Entretanto, tais ferramentas auxiliares, designadas injetores de falhas de comuni- cação, muitas vezes não estão disponíveis para a comunidade ou, na melhor das hipóteses, apresentam baixa funcionalidade, seja pela incompatibilidade com sistemas mais atuali- zados, seja pela implementação superficial de funções específicas (protótipos). Outro fator agravante para a realização de avaliações experimentais em aplicações distribuídas está no suporte a falhas distribuídas, ou seja, injetores de falhas de comunica- ção não, obrigatoriamente, estão aptos a reproduzir os comportamentos necessários para emulação de ambientes distribuídos adequados. Desta forma, este trabalho destina-se ao estudo e proposta de uma solução para injeção de falhas em ambientes distribuídos, em especial o particionamento de rede, e deu origem ao injetor de falhas PIE. PIE (Partitioning Injection Environment) é um injetor de falhas de comunicação vol- tado para injeção de particionamentos de rede. Sua arquitetura distribuída permite o con- trole centralizado do ambiente por parte do engenheiro de testes. Com isso, a criação de uma única carga de falhas pode ser facilmente replicada para os demais nodos componen- tes do ambiente experimental. Apesar de adotar um coordenador de experimentos, durante a execução de testes, cada nodo interpreta sua carga de falhas e processa-a localmente, ga- rantindo a baixa intrusividade da ferramenta e evitando a ocorrência de comportamentos inesperados pela aplicação-alvo. Como mecanismo de avaliação desta proposta foram realizados experimentos com diferentes aplicações-alvo, disponibilizadas pelo framework JGroups, com um conjunto de cenários de falha específico para cada aplicação. Desta forma, foi possível comprovar a viabilidade e utilidade do modelo e arquitetura do injetor de falhas PIE levando em consideração sua funcionalidade, intrusividade e corretude dos resultados experimentais. / Communication Fault Injection in Distributed Environments The search for dependability characteristics in distributed applications is increasing quickly. For these, fault tolerance techniques are important components in software de- velopment and requires the emulation of specific scenarios to allow a proper evaluation. In these cases, it remains to the test managers the integration of the target application with extra tools for a faithful emulation environment. However, such tools, named com- munication fault injectors, are not available to the community or, in other cases, presents a very poor functionality, incompatibility with current systems, either by superficial im- plementation of specific functions (prototypes). Another problem for achieving experimental evaluations in distributed applications is the support to distributed faults. Communication fault injectors not necessarily are able to reproduce the behaviors required for proper environment emulation. Thus, this work aims to study and propose a solution for fault injection in distributed environments in particular network partitioning, and led to PIE fault injector. PIE (Partitioning Injection Environment) is a communication fault injector aimed to network partitioning injection. Its distributed architecture allows centralized control by the test manager. Thus, a fault load can be easily replicated to other nodes. Despite adopting a experiment coordinator, each node interprets its fault load and processes it locally during testing, ensuring PIE low intrusiveness and avoiding the occurrence of unexpected behavior by the target application. As an assessment of this work, experiments were done with different target appli- cations, provided by JGroups framework, with a set of specific fault scenarios to each application. Thus, it was able to prove the feasibility and usefulness of the model and architecture of the PIE fault injector considering its functionality, intrusiveness and cor- rectness of the experimental results.

O problema de particionamento balanceado de grafos consiste em encontrar uma partição de tamanho k dos vértices de um grafo, minimizando o número de arestas que participam do corte tal que o tamanho de nenhuma parte exceda [en~k], para algum e e > [1, k). Essa dissertação estuda esse problema, apresentando uma revisão recente de heurísticas construtivas, heurísticas de refinamento e técnicas multinível. Também propomos um novo algoritmo híbrido para resolver esse problema de particionamento. Nós mostramos como diversas estratégias para construir e aprimorar partições, assim como algumas novas propostas, podem ser integradas para formar um GRASP com path-relinking. Reportamos experimentos computacionais que mostram que essa abordagem obtém soluções competitivas com particionadores no estado-da-arte. Em particular, o algoritmo híbrido é capaz de encontrar novos melhores valores conhecidos em algumas das menores instâncias, indicando que tem uma contribuição qualitativa comparado aos métodos existentes. / The balanced graph partitioning problem asks to find a k-partition of the vertex set of an undirected graph, which minimizes the total cut size and such that the size of no part exceeds en/k , for some ee > [1, k]. This dissertation studies this problem, providing a recent review of constructive heuristics, refinement heuristics and multilevel techniques. We also propose a new hybrid algorithm for solving this partitioning problem. We show how several good existing strategies for constructing and improving partitions, as well as some newly proposed ones, can be integrated to form a GRASP with path-relinking. We report computational experiments that show that this approach obtains solutions competitive with state-of-the-art partitioners. In particular, the hybrid algorithm is able to find new best known values in some of the smaller instances, indicating that it can make a qualitative contribution compared to existing methods.