Phylogeny of several fur characters has been studied in the family Felidae. Fur characters were compared with other morphological, ecological and behavioral characters based on basic phylogenetic parameters (L, CI, RI). I detected character states for ancestor of specific well-supported clades (lineages) and described characters evolution in Felidae. Some basic fur characters were statistically analyzed for possible correlations with some ecological and behavioral characters

Intracellular symbionts are widespread among arthropods, particularly within insects. Obligate symbiotic associations are known to have originated multiple times between the arthropods feeding on nutrient-poor diets and bacteria from various groups. However, exact phylogenetic positions and relationships among these symbiotic lineages are mostly unclear or vague. This thesis consists of an exemplary case study on the most symbiont-rich bacterial group, Enterobacteriaceae, already published in BMC Biology. It uses advanced phylogenetic tools and extended taxonomic sample to establish phylogenetic relationships among individual symbiotic lineages and their phylogenetic affinity to freeliving relatives. To provide it with broader background, the publication is accompanied by a review on general evolutionary forces influencing origin and maintenance of intracellular symbiosis in arthropods. Apart from overviewing the current known diversity of the symbiotic bacteria, it also points out specific drawbacks in inferring symbionts phylogeny and consequences that can phylogeny have on our understanding of intracellular symbiosis.

Made available in DSpace on 2014-06-11T19:23:00Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 0 Previous issue date: 2010-02-26Bitstream added on 2014-06-13T18:09:05Z : No. of bitstreams: 1 santana_jco_me_botib.pdf: 2326768 bytes, checksum: 09502ddce583670c04e291810733f52b (MD5) / Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq) / O gênero Moenkhausia é um dos mais especiosos em Characidae, com cerca de 65 espécies válidas, amplamente distribuídas nas bacias hidrográficas da América do Sul. Atualmente, este gênero é reconhecido como não monofilético e incertae sedis em Characidae. Os estudos taxonômicos e sistemáticos para o gênero são poucos e foram realizados com base em características morfológicas externa e interna e osteológicas. Sabe-se que as características reprodutivas podem conter sinais filogenéticos. Com o objetivo de contribuir para o entendimento das relações de parentesco do gênero Moenkhausia e outros tetragonopteríneos (sensu Géry, 1977), estudou-se o tipo de espermiogênese e os caracteres ultraestruturais dos espermatozóides de 21 espécies, sendo 17 pertencentes ao gênero Moenkhausia, e 1 espécie de Astyanax, Hasemania, Hemigrammus e Thayeria. Os dados obtidos das espécies de Moenkhausia foram comparados entre si e com a espécie-tipo, Moenkhausia xinguensis, na tentativa de se encontrar caracteres compartilhados que evidenciem uma maior relação destes. Além disso, os dados de M. xinguensis foram comparados com as espécies Hasemania nana, Hemigrammus bleheri, Thayeria boehlkei (este estudo), e Hemigrammus erythrozonus, Hyphessobrycon herbertaxelrodi, Tetratonopterus argenteus (dados da literatura) possivelmente relacionadas, de acordo com a literatura, com o intuito de identificar possíveis características compartilhadas entre os táxons estudados. Os espermatozóides das 21 espécies analisadas apresentam espermiogênese incompleta do tipo I. O processo de espermiogênese destas espécies apresenta variações com relação à rotação nuclear que permitem agrupar três grupos distintos dentro do gênero Moenkhausia: E1, o núcleo sofre uma rotação em relação ao eixo flagelar entre 70º e 80º e compreende as espécies M. chrysargyrea, M. collettii, M. comma... / The genus Moenkhausia is composed by 65 species and widely distributed in hydrographic basins of South America. Currenty, this genus cannot be recognized as a monophyletic unit. Taxonomic and phylogenetic studies that included the genus Moenkhausia are few and were realized based on morphological and osteological characters. Besides the traditional data, reproductive characters show potentially useful in the cladistics analysis. In attempt to contribute to knowledge of relationships of the genus Moenkhausia with others species of Tetragonopterinae (sensu Géry, 1977), the spermiogenesis and sperm ultrastructure from 17 species of Moenkhausia, 1 species of Astyanax, Hasemania, Hemigrammus, Thayeria (this study), and Hemigrammus erythrozonus, Hyphessobrycon herbertaxelrodi, Tetratonopterus argenteus (literature) were studied with the intention of diagnostic characters shared among them. Specimens were obtained from aquarious shop and mainly from zoological collections and were prepared and analyzed under Transmission Electron Microscopy. All species analyzed present spermiogenesis I with a variation on nuclear rotation. Based on nuclear rotation ranging the Moenkhausia species were grouped in three distinct patterns: E1, in which the nuclear rotation in relation to the flagellar axis is about 70º to 80º. This pattern is shared M. chrysargyrea, M. collettii, M. comma, M. cotinho, M. diktyota, M. doceana, M. cf. georgiae, M. latissima and M. sanctafilomenae. In the second pattern, herein termed E2, nuclear rotation is inferior to 50º. This pattern is subdivided in two subtypes E2-A and E2-B. In the subtype E2-A, as occurs in M. phaeonota and M. pyrophthalma, just after the accomplishment of the nuclear rotation, the nucleus slightly turns back and becomes strongly eccentric in relation to the flagellum. In subtype E2-B share by M. costae, M. grandisquamis, M. megalops, M. nigromarginata... (Complete abstract click electronic access below)

Made available in DSpace on 2014-06-11T19:23:01Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 0 Previous issue date: 2013-02-19Bitstream added on 2014-06-13T19:49:32Z : No. of bitstreams: 1 agostinho_dc_me_sjrp.pdf: 495600 bytes, checksum: dc2744471f2af5eee829ecb31eab7a6a (MD5) / Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP) / Três espécies da seção Virescentia do gênero Batrachospermum foram anteriormente reconhecidas para o Brasil com base em caracteres morfológicos: B. helminthosum Bory, B. sirodotii Reis e B. vogesiacum Schultz. No entanto, em um estudo posterior da seção com base em análises morfométricas de populações da América do Norte, B. sirodotii e B. vogesiacum foram tratadas como sinônimos de B. helminthosum. O presente estudo teve como objetivo inferir as relações filogenéticas, bem como os limites de variação intra e interespecífico das espécies da seção Virescentia no Brasil com base na análise morfológica e molecular, utilizando caracteres diagnósticos atualmente aceitos e dois marcadores moleculares: gene plastidial que codifica a subunidade grande da RUBISCO (rbcL – 1.282 pares de base, pb) e região de “barcode” do gene mitocondrial que codifica a subunidade 1 da citocromo c oxidase (cox1 – 664 pb). Foram analisadas 13 amostras provenientes das regiões sul e sudeste do Brasil, além dos espécimes-tipo da seção, provenientes do Herbário PC (Paris, França). Os espécimes foram coletados em águas com baixa concentração de nutrientes e bem oxigenadas (condições oligotróficas e oligossapróbicas) sugerindo serem bioindicadores de rios/riachos de boa qualidade. Não foi possível distinguir as três espécies anteriormente reconhecidas para o Brasil com base em caracteres morfológicos. As dimensões dos carpogônios, carposporófitos e carposporângios dos espécimes brasileiros foram consideravelmente superiores às dos espécimes-tipo, indicando que o material brasileiro representa uma espécie distinta. As análises moleculares geraram os seguintes dados: rbcL - 11 sequências novas e 19 do GenBank (1 do Brasil, 13 dos E.U.A. e 5 do Japão); cox1 - 12 sequências novas e 7 do GenBank (E.U.A.). Análises... / Three species of Batrachospermum section Virescentia were previously recognized for Brazil based on morphological characters: B. helminthosum Bory, B. sirodotii Reis and B. vogesiacum Schultz. A further revisionary study of the section based on morphometric analysis for populations from North America treated B. sirodotii and B. vogesiacum as synonyms of B. helminthosum. The goals of this study were to infer the phylogenetic relationships, as well as the limits of intra and interspecific variation among the species of Virescentia section in Brazil, based on morphological and molecular analyses, using the diagnostic characters currently accepted and two molecular markers: the plastidial gene that encodes the RUBISCO large subunit (rbcL) and the “barcode” region of the mitochondrial gene cox1 that encodes the cytochrome c oxidase sub-unity 1). We analyzed 13 samples from the south and southeast regions of Brazil and six dried archival samples (type specimens) from PC Herbarium (Paris, France). The specimens were collected in well oxygenated waters with low concentration of nutrients (oligotrophic and oligosaprobic conditions), suggesting to be bioindicators of good quality environments. It was not possible to distinguish the three species previously recognized in Brazil based on morphological characters. Carpogonium, carposporophyte and carposporangium dimensions among Brazilian specimens were considerably higher in comparison to type specimens, indicating that they probably represent distinct species. Molecular analysis yielded the following data: rbcL – 11 new sequences and 19 from GenBank (1 from Brazil, 13 from USA and 5 from Japan); cox1 – 12 new sequences and 7 from GenBank (USA). Analyses based on rbcL sequences (1,282 base pairs, bp) and cox1 (664 bp) were congruent and showed section Virescentia as a clear... (Complete abstract click electronic access below)

Orientadora: Eliana Gertrudes de Macedo Lemos / Banca: Maria José Valarini / Banca: Jaime Maia dos Santos / Resumo: A crescente demanda de alimentos causada pelo aumento populacional, aliado a alto custo de fertilizantes industrializados e impacto ambiental causado por eles leva, mundialmente, à utilização em grande escala de inoculantes de bactérias fixadoras de nitrogênio. Os inoculantes utilizados no Brasil (coleção SEMIA- IPAGRO) ainda não estão suficientemente caracterizados geneticamente. O objetivo deste trabalho foi avaliar e confrontar as seqüências parciais dos genes 16S rDNA e nifH de 26 estirpes padrões já classificadas, com 70 estirpes de rizóbios recomendadas e autorizadas para a produção de inoculantes no Brasil. Para esta finalidade, a partir das amostras de DNA extraídos destas bactérias foram realizadas reações de PCR com oligonucleotídeos iniciadores relativos à região codificadora do gene 16S rDNA e do nifH, sendo então seqüenciadas com o objetivo de detectar diferenças nucleotídicas entre as diferentes bactérias estudadas. Para a comparação dos resultados do seqüenciamento com a consulta de similaridade de nucleotídeos no BLASTn, foram geradas árvores filogenéticas através de ferramentas de bioinformática. Foi observado que a classificação taxonômica das estirpes SEMIA recomendadas para inoculação de leguminosas previamente disponível na FEPAGRO, com base em propriedades morfológicas e especificidade hospedeira, não foi confirmada em todas as estirpes pelos sequenciamentos parciais dos genes estudados. Sugerimos revisão da classificação destas estirpes. Concluímos também que a consulta de similaridade ao BLASTn pelo seqüenciamento parcial dos genes 16S rDNA e nifH é, na maioria dos casos, consistente com a classificação proposta pela construção de árvores filogenéticas destas sequências. Estas ferramentas apresentaram-se muito confiáveis para obtenção de classificação em nível de gênero das estirpes estudadas. / Abstract: The growing demand for food caused by population growth, combined with high cost of fertilizers and industrial environmental impacts caused by them leading, worldwide, the large scale use of inoculants different nitrogen-fixing bacteria. The inoculants used in Brazil (SEMIA-IPAGRO collection) are not yet sufficiently characterized genetically. The purpose of this study was to evaluate and compare the sequences of partial 16S rDNA and nifH of 26 strains already classified, with 70 strains of rhizobia recommended and authorized for the production of inoculants in Brazil. For this purpose, from DNA samples taken from these bacteria were performed with PCR reactions with primers on the coding region of the gene 16S rDNA and nifH, and sequencing with the aim of detecting nucleotide differences between different bacteria studied. To compare the results of the consultation of similarity of sequences of nucleotides in BLASTn, phylogenetic trees were generated through bioinformatics tools. It was observed that the taxonomic classification of strains SEMIA recommended for inoculation of legumes previously available in FEPAGRO, based on morphological properties and host specificity, it wasn't confirmed in all strains by partial sequencing of the genes studied. We suggest reviewing the classification of these strains. We concluded that the similarity of the consultation BLASTn by partial sequencing of 16S rDNA and nifH is, in most cases, consistent with the classification proposed by the construction of phylogenetic trees of these sequences. These tools were very reliable for obtaining classified in the genus level of strains studied. / Mestre

The thesis brings new phylogenetic data on the rapidly growing bacterial genus Arsenophonus, and summarizes the current evolutionary picture of its symbiotic association with insects and other hosts. The study is prepared in form of a regular publication and will be submitted in microbiological journal.

M.Sc. (Botany) / Rhynchosia is a genus within the tribe Phaseoleae, a group of papilionoid legumes that are economically important both for human and animal consumption because of their high protein content. The genus is pantropically distributed and comprises ca. 230 species. South African species were last studied by Baker in 1923. He identified five sections based on their morphological structures. No molecular studies have been carried out on the species to support the taxonomic classification. A systematic study of the relationship within the species was undertaken using five markers; matK, rbcL, trnH-psbA, rpl32-trnL and Internal Transcribed Spacer (ITS) as well as morphological characters, to investigate phylogenetic relationships in the genus Rhynchosia. Results obtained from a combined analysis produced four clades, two of which (clade three and four) received strong support from Bayesian Inference analyses, two of which received low BI support and therefore referred to as groups. Sections Chrysoscias, Polytropia, Arcyphyllum and Cyanospermum are embedded within a paraphyletic type section Rhynchosia. The results further suggest that sections Polytropia and Chrysoscias, which possess a high density of glands on the leaves, are very closely related forming a clade with species from section Rhynchosia. The morphologically distinct species R. monophylla came out as sister to all four clades.

Vestimentifera inhabit hydrothermal vents, cold-water seeps and other marine reducing habitats. The objectives of this study were to analyse phylogenetic relationships among the extant species and their affinities to perviate and moniliferan Pogonophora and Polychaeta. The phylogeny was reconstructed using morphological characters to test phylogenetic hypotheses based on molecular data. Morphological characters were partly extracted from the literature and partly gained throughout study of gross morphological and anatomical investigations and light, transmission and scanning electron microscopy. Three aspects of morphology were examined in detail in nine vestimentiferan species. The excretory system differs among the vestimentiferan species in the number of excretory pores, absence/presence of excretory papillae and grooves and shape of the excretory ducts. The anatomy of the excretory system resembles that shared by the polychaete families Serpulidae, Sabellidae and Sabellariidae. Chaetal ultrastructure and chaetogenesis show patterns similar to uncini in polychaetes. Contrary to published accounts, the septa dividing the opisthosomal segments only bear musculature on their posterior faces. A rudimentary gut and anus are present in opisthosomes of specimens up to adult size. The blood vascular system includes an intravasal body in the dorsal vessel with ultrastructural characteristics similar to intravasal tissue in Terebellidae, Ampharetidae, Flabelligeridae and Serpulidae, and is probably involved in hemoglobin production. Hemocytes were detected in many blood vessels, most of them attached to the vascular lamina. The sinus valvatus is a specialised region of the anterior ventral vessel, apparently unique to vestimentiferans. The wall of the dorsal vessel is formed by myoepithelial cells, representing a coelomyarian type of double obliquely striated musculature. Phylogenetic analyses including a total of 17 vestimentiferan species and three perviate species as outgroups support molecular interpretations that the vestimentiferan species inhabiting basalt-hosted vents of the Eastern Pacific represent a derived monophyletic clade. According to the reconstructed phylogeny, the ancestral habitat of Vestimentifera was deep-water sedimented vent sites in the Western Pacific. Analysis of the relationships among Pogonophora and six polychaete families placed Pogonophora at the base of a clade including Sabellidae, Serpulidae and Sabellariidae. The Oweniidae represent the sister group to this clade. / Graduate

The amphilinideans and gyrocotylideans are small groups of monozoic platyhelminths parasitizing fishes and occasionally turtles. They have traditionally been placed with the cestodes because they lack a gut. Systematic relationships of the two groups are poorly understood. Eight species of amphilinideans are considered valid. A phylogenetic analysis of 46 character states comprising 34 homologous series produced a single phylogenetic tree with a consistency index value of 89%, indicating a very low degree of homoplasy. The number of genera has been reduced from six to three, in an attempt to construct a classification which reflects the phylogenetic relationships of the group. The phylogenetic relationships exhibit a fairly high degree of congruence (70%) with a currently accepted hypothesis of phylogenetic relationship of the teleosts. This implies that coevolution has occurred, although with many parasite losses and extinctions. An analysis of the biogeographic distribution of the amphilinideans using the methods of vicariance biogeography produced complete or nearly complete congruence of the distribution of amphilinideans with hypotheses of area relationship, indicating that vicariance is the best explanation for the biogeographic distribution of the group. Ten species of gyrocotylideans are recognized, of which seven were examined in this study. A phylogenetic analysis of 24 character states comprising 13 homologous series produced two trees of equal length. The consistency index for each tree is 88%, indicating a very low degree of homoplasy. The phylogenetic analysis of the gyrocotylideans has provided a summary of the current knowledge of the gyrocotylideans which can serve as a framework for further investigations. Slightly more than half of the observed associations between gyrocotylideans and holocephalans can be attributed to coevolution. Remaining associations can be attributed to colonization, but these represent recolonizations of plesiomorphic hosts. The geographic distribution of gyrocotylideans remains enigmatic, as it does not appear to reflect plate movements. It is suggested that their distribution may be pfe-Pangaean in origin. The phylogenetic analyses of the amphilinideans and gyrocotylideans have provided corroboration for a hypothesis of relationship for the Subphylum Cercomeria. Seven new characters have been identified as autapomorphies for the amphilinideans and gyrocotylideans, while an additional seven new characters support the Subclass Cestodaria and the Infrasubclass Cestoidea. Amphilinideans and gyrocotylideans both appear to be relict groups, but of different types. The amphilinideans were probably more widespread and more numerous than they are at present (i.e. they are geographic and numerical relicts). The gyrocotylideans, on the other hand, appear to have never been diverse or widespread, and are therefore phylogenetic relicts. / Science, Faculty of / Zoology, Department of / Graduate

Charles University, Prague Diversity dynamics across scales Antonin Machac 2018 Abstract Diversity dynamics remain controversial. It has been suggested that the dynamics are expansionary, such that the number of species across regions and clades increases constantly. However, the opposite has also been suggested, namely that species numbers are relatively stable, following equilibrial dynamics. Both views (expansionary and equilibrial) have been supported by compelling phylogenetic, biogeographic, and fossil evidence and, currently, it remains largely unclear how the two seemingly conflicting views could be reconciled. My dissertation addresses this question, based on the premise that diversity dynamics change systematically with scale. Specifically, I hypothesize that expansionary dynamics typify regionally distributed, small, and young clades whose diversity tends to expand, driven by a variety of regionally relevant factors (e.g. habitat-level adaptation, biotic interactions, or montane shifts leading to ecological divergence and speciation). Conversely, equilibrial dynamics typify large, ancient, and globally distributed clades, whose diversity is environmentally limited (e.g. by the total amount of resources that can sustain only a limited number of populations and species). Consequently, it seems...