Biological and life history characteristics for a previously unstudied population of sailfish, Istiophorus platypterus, in the Arabian Gulf were investigated. Notable findings include temporal-spatial migration patterns for a genetically isolated population that is threatened by overexploitation. Conventional tagging resulted in 2053 releases and 114 recaptures (5.55%) inside the Gulf. Linear displacement ranged from 2.5 to 697 km, while days at liberty ranged from 17 to 818 days. Dead recoveries in Iranian gillnets account for 88.6% of recaptures. Modeling analyses produced a best estimate of annual survival probability (S) at 0.375 (slope = -0.101, SE = 0.324). Fifteen pop-up satellite archival tags were deployed on sailfish during 2001 - 2002 to track temporal and spatial movements. Extensive data from four tags showed 83.7% of time-at-depth was spent above 10 m with no significant difference (P &lt 0.05) in diel preference. Depth ranged from 0.0 m to 61.0 m, while temperature ranged from 19.7 ??C to 30.1 ??C. Small-scale movements of eight sailfish were measured using ultrasonic tracking for periods ranging from 3:33 to 53:06 hours. Track distances ranged from 5.5 to 78.5 km, while linear displacement ranged from 4.6 to 37.0 km. Average speed ranged from 0.29 to 0.75 m s-1. Vertical distributions showed 84.3% of time was spent above 10 m depth, even though water temperature showed negligible variation with depth. Mitochondrial DNA comparison of 147 sailfish produced 39 composite haplotypes using eight restriction enzymes. Significant differences occurred in the frequency between population groups inside and outside the Gulf (amova 34.8%, P &lt 0.01; FST = 0.356), along with evidence of restricted migration between them (average number of migrants, Nm = 0.903). Nine year classes (0-8) were determined from aging analysis of fin spines. Females (n = 50) ranged from 0 to 8 years, while males (n = 34) ranged from 0 to 6 years. Von Bertalanffy growth function indicated rapid growth during the first two years, after which males stabilized and females continued growing to a greater maximum mean length and weight. A comparison of allometric growth between sexes indicated no significant difference between length and other morphometric characters (P ranged 0.135 ??? 0.980).

For decades scientists believed that herbivory had minimal impact on freshwater ecosystems. We now know that herbivory in freshwater systems equals or exceeds herbivory in terrestrial and marine systems. In extreme cases, herbivores can change clear, macrophyte dominated ecosystems into turbid plankton dominated ecosystems. Even though research on plant-herbivore interactions in freshwater systems has increased, there is still much that is unknown. This thesis is comprised of four studies investigating freshwater plant-herbivore interactions across multiple spatial scales. The first study investigated how induced chemical defenses in Cabomba caroliniana suppress herbivore consumption and growth as well as how this herbivore-generated change in plant chemistry affects the growth of plant associated microbes. At the spatial scale of individual ponds or lakes, consumers that induce their host plants may also be indirectly affecting other consumers and microbial pathogens via changes in this shared resource. The second study moves to an ecosystem scale and investigates how exotic versus native apple snails may impact Everglades' habitats. We investigated plant preference, consumption, growth and conversion efficiencies in the singly native apple snail to occur in the U.S. (Pomacea paludosa) versus four introduced species (P. canaliculata, P. insularum, P. haustrum and P. diffusa). We found that even though plant preferences are similar, invasive snails tend to eat more, grow more rapidly, and sometimes more efficiently than natives. This suggests that invasive species could have a large impact on the environment, especially the abundance of submerged plants. The third study investigated how palatability of freshwater plants varies with latitude (i.e. geographic scale). Increased herbivory at lower latitudes is hypothesized to select for increased plant defenses, which has been shown to be true for tropical forests, salt marshes, and seaweeds. When we contrasted eight confamilial plants collected in Indiana versus Southern Florida, three of four herbivores significantly preferred northern plants. When we evaluated a second set of plants collected from Indiana versus Central Florida, only one of three herbivores preferred the northern plants. Overall, our results suggest a preference for northern plants, but the strength of this relationship was variable. We hypothesize that this variability may be driven by 1) local variance in herbivore pressure that creates variance in plant defenses, and/or 2) the effect of winter length on the survival and feeding rate of herbivores. The final study expanded to a world scale, and investigated herbivore preference for native vs exotic plants. We found that both N. American crayfish and S. American snails preferred exotic plants over confamilial natives, despite responding to different plant characteristics. The single species of apple snail that occurs in N. American showed no preference for native or exotic plants from a N. American perspective, but instead exhibited preferences that correlated with its history of evolution in S. America. As the N. American species is a sister species of the S. American snails, feeding by the N. American snail appears more affected by its S. American lineage than its recent history in N. America. This suggests that phylogenetic legacy will affect choices of the herbivore as well as resistance or susceptibility of plants.

Parasitism in plants is often accompanied by a suite of morphological and physiological changes resulting in a condition known as the ‘parasitic reduction syndrome’. With changes including extreme vegetative reduction, frequently beyond any resemblance to its photosynthetic relatives, accompanied by significant losses of genes linked to photosynthesis, the study of parasitic plants can be challenging. Conopholis (Orobanchaceae) is a small holoparasitic genus distributed across eastern and southwestern North America and Central America. This genus has never been the subject of a molecular phylogenetic or morphometric analyses. In addition, very little is known of the relationships among populations and of their post-glacial history. To investigate the species limits and phylogenetic relationships in Conopholis, we conducted a comprehensive molecular phylogenetic study of the genus as well as a fine-scale morphometric study. Based on plastid and nuclear sequences, Conopholis was found to contain three distinct and well-supported lineages which have varying degrees of overlap with previously proposed taxa. The clustering and ordination analyses of the morphometric study corroborated the molecular data, demonstrating the morphological differentiation between the three lineages detected within Conopholis. A taxonomic re-alignment is proposed for the genus that recognizes three species, C. americana, C. panamensis, and C. alpina. To address genetic diversity and phylogeographic structure of C. americana in eastern North America, microsatellite markers were developed and characterized for the first time in this species. Using these newly generated markers along with sequences from the plastid genome, the persistence of a minimum of two glacial refugia at the last glacial maximum were inferred, one in Florida and southern Alabama and another in the Appalachian Mountains near the southern tip of Blue Ridge Mountains. The diversity seen across the southern Appalachian Mountains supports the hypothesis that populations derived from the southern and northern refugia come together in this area.

Parasitism in plants is often accompanied by a suite of morphological and physiological changes resulting in a condition known as the ‘parasitic reduction syndrome’. With changes including extreme vegetative reduction, frequently beyond any resemblance to its photosynthetic relatives, accompanied by significant losses of genes linked to photosynthesis, the study of parasitic plants can be challenging. Conopholis (Orobanchaceae) is a small holoparasitic genus distributed across eastern and southwestern North America and Central America. This genus has never been the subject of a molecular phylogenetic or morphometric analyses. In addition, very little is known of the relationships among populations and of their post-glacial history. To investigate the species limits and phylogenetic relationships in Conopholis, we conducted a comprehensive molecular phylogenetic study of the genus as well as a fine-scale morphometric study. Based on plastid and nuclear sequences, Conopholis was found to contain three distinct and well-supported lineages which have varying degrees of overlap with previously proposed taxa. The clustering and ordination analyses of the morphometric study corroborated the molecular data, demonstrating the morphological differentiation between the three lineages detected within Conopholis. A taxonomic re-alignment is proposed for the genus that recognizes three species, C. americana, C. panamensis, and C. alpina. To address genetic diversity and phylogeographic structure of C. americana in eastern North America, microsatellite markers were developed and characterized for the first time in this species. Using these newly generated markers along with sequences from the plastid genome, the persistence of a minimum of two glacial refugia at the last glacial maximum were inferred, one in Florida and southern Alabama and another in the Appalachian Mountains near the southern tip of Blue Ridge Mountains. The diversity seen across the southern Appalachian Mountains supports the hypothesis that populations derived from the southern and northern refugia come together in this area.

The discipline of historical biogeography seeks to understand the contribution of earth history to the generation of biodiversity. Traditionally, the study of historical biogeography has been approached by examining the distribution of a biota at or above the species level. While this approach has provided important insights into the relationship between biological diversity and earth history, a significant amount of information recorded below the species level (intraspecific variation), regarding the biogeographical history of a region, may be lost. The application of phylogeography - which considers information recorded below the species level - goes some way to addressing this problem. Patterns of intraspecific molecular variation in wide-ranging taxa can be useful for inferring biogeography, and can also be used to test competing biogeographical hypotheses (often based on the dispersal-vicariance debate). Moreover, it is argued here that phylogeographical studies have recently begun to unite these two disparate views, in the recognition that both dispersal and vicariance have played fundamental roles in the generation of biodiversity. Freshwater dependent taxa are ideal model organisms for the current field of research, as they reflect well the underlying biogeographical history of a given region, due to limited dispersal abilities - their requirement for freshwater restricts them. To this end, this study documented the phylogeographical history of the giant freshwater prawn (Macrobrachium rosenbergii) utilising both mitochondrial (COI & 16S) and nuclear (microsatellite) markers. Samples (n = ~1000) were obtained from across most of the natural distribution of M. rosenbergii [Southern and South East (SE) Asia, New Guinea, northern Australia]. Initial phylogenetic analyses identified two highly divergent forms of this species restricted to either side of Huxley's extension of Wallace's Line; a pattern consistent with ancient vicariance across the Makassar Strait. Subsequent analyses of molecular variation within the two major clades specifically tested a number of biogeographical hypotheses, including that: 1.) a major biogeographical transition zone between the Sundaic and Indochinese biotas, located just north of the Isthmus of Kra in SE Asia, results from Neogene marine transgressions that breached the Isthmus in two locations for prolonged periods of time; 2.) Australia's Lake Carpentaria [circa 80 000 - 8 500 before present (BP)] facilitated genetic interchange among freshwater organisms during the Late Pleistocene; 3.) sea-level fluctuations during the Pleistocene constrained evolutionary diversification of M. rosenbergii within the Indo-Australian Archipelago (IAA); and 4.) New Guinea's Fly River changed course from its current easterly outflow to flow westwards into Lake Carpentaria during the Late Pleistocene. The results support hypotheses 1-3, but not 4. The potential for phylogeography to contribute significantly to the study of historical biogeography is also discussed.

Biological and life history characteristics for a previously unstudied population of sailfish, Istiophorus platypterus, in the Arabian Gulf were investigated. Notable findings include temporal-spatial migration patterns for a genetically isolated population that is threatened by overexploitation. Conventional tagging resulted in 2053 releases and 114 recaptures (5.55%) inside the Gulf. Linear displacement ranged from 2.5 to 697 km, while days at liberty ranged from 17 to 818 days. Dead recoveries in Iranian gillnets account for 88.6% of recaptures. Modeling analyses produced a best estimate of annual survival probability (S) at 0.375 (slope = -0.101, SE = 0.324). Fifteen pop-up satellite archival tags were deployed on sailfish during 2001 - 2002 to track temporal and spatial movements. Extensive data from four tags showed 83.7% of time-at-depth was spent above 10 m with no significant difference (P &lt 0.05) in diel preference. Depth ranged from 0.0 m to 61.0 m, while temperature ranged from 19.7 ??C to 30.1 ??C. Small-scale movements of eight sailfish were measured using ultrasonic tracking for periods ranging from 3:33 to 53:06 hours. Track distances ranged from 5.5 to 78.5 km, while linear displacement ranged from 4.6 to 37.0 km. Average speed ranged from 0.29 to 0.75 m s-1. Vertical distributions showed 84.3% of time was spent above 10 m depth, even though water temperature showed negligible variation with depth. Mitochondrial DNA comparison of 147 sailfish produced 39 composite haplotypes using eight restriction enzymes. Significant differences occurred in the frequency between population groups inside and outside the Gulf (amova 34.8%, P &lt 0.01; FST = 0.356), along with evidence of restricted migration between them (average number of migrants, Nm = 0.903). Nine year classes (0-8) were determined from aging analysis of fin spines. Females (n = 50) ranged from 0 to 8 years, while males (n = 34) ranged from 0 to 6 years. Von Bertalanffy growth function indicated rapid growth during the first two years, after which males stabilized and females continued growing to a greater maximum mean length and weight. A comparison of allometric growth between sexes indicated no significant difference between length and other morphometric characters (P ranged 0.135 ??? 0.980).

Η φυλογεωγραφία είναι η επιστημονική περιοχή που ασχολείται με τη μελέτη της γεωγραφικής εξάπλωσης των γενεαλογικών γραμμών εντός ενός είδους ή μεταξύ στενά συγγενικών ειδών. Περιλαμβάνει τον προσδιορισμό των φυλογενετικών συγγενειών και τη γεωγραφική τους αποτύπωση, ώστε να αναδειχθεί η εξελικτική προέλευση και η βιογεωγραφική ιστορία των μελετώμενων πληθυσμών, υποειδών ή ειδών. Στην παρούσα διατριβή εξετάζεται για πρώτη φορά η ενδοειδική γενεαλογία του μικρού εδαφόβιου φιδιού Typhlops vermicularis σε μια φυλογεωγραφική προσέγγιση. Το T. vermicularis είναι ο μοναδικός ευρωπαϊκός αντιπρόσωπος της υπεροικογένειας Solecophidia και εξαπλώνεται στην ανατολική Μεσόγειο. Αυτή η περιοχή χαρακτηρίζεται από μια πολύπλοκη γεωλογική και κλιματική ιστορία, η οποία έχει επηρεάσει ή διαμορφώσει τη φυλογένεση και τη βιογεωγραφία πολλών οργανισμών, και ιδιαίτερα των ερπετών και των αμφιβίων που είναι ευαίσθητοι δείκτες παλαιογεωγραφικών και παλαιοκλιματικών γεγονότων. Σκοπός της διατριβής ήταν να αποσαφηνιστούν οι φυλογενετικές σχέσεις μεταξύ των πληθυσμών του εξεταζόμενου είδους, με τη χρήση μοριακών δεικτών του μιτοχονδριακού και του πυρηνικού DNA, και να προσεγγιστούν βασικά ερωτήματα που αφορούν τόσο στη φυλογένεση και βιογεωγραφία του είδους, όσο και στις διεργασίες που καθόρισαν ή επηρέασαν την εξελικτική και βιογεωγραφική ιστορία των ζωικών οργανισμών της ανατολικής Μεσογείου. Συνολικά χρησιμοποιήθηκαν 130 δείγματα, ενώ ως μοριακοί δείκτες επιλέχθηκαν τα μιτοχονδριακά γονίδια 12S και ND2 και το πυρηνικό γονίδιο PRLR, τα οποία πολλαπλασιάστηκαν μέσω της αλυσσιδωτής αντίδρασης πολυμεράσης (PCR). Ακολουθήθηκαν βασικές μέθοδοι φυλογενετικής ανάλυσης (Σύνδεση Γειτόνων, Μέγιστη Πιθανοφάνεια και Μπεϊεσιανή Συμπερασματολογία), ενώ οι γενεαλογικές σχέσεις μεταξύ των μιτοχονδριακών και πυρηνικών απλοτύπων προσεγγίστηκαν μέσω δικτύων απλοτύπων που κατασκευάστηκαν με τον αλγόριθμο της στατιστικής φειδωλότητας. Η γενετική διαφοροποίηση μεταξύ των απλοτύπων του ίδιου δικτύου υπολογίστηκε με τη στατιστική παράμετρο Snn του Hudson. Εξάλλου, ελέγχθηκε η υπόθεση ταχείας επέκτασης με τις δοκιμασίες ουδετερότητας των παραμέτρων Fs του Fu και R2. Οι χρόνοι απόσχισης των φυλογενετικών κλάδων του μιτοχονδριακού DNA εκτιμήθηκαν με την προσέγγιση του αυστηρού μοριακού ρολογιού και με σημείο βαθμονόμησης την απομόνωση του κλάδου της Κύπρου μετά τη λήξη της Κρίσης Αλατότητας του Μεσσηνίου, πριν 5,3 εκατομύρια χρόνια. Τέλος, για την καλύτερη κατανόηση της βιογεωγραφικής ιστορίας του T. vermicularis εφαρμόστηκε η στατιστική προσέγγιση της Διασποράς-Βικαριανισμού. Σύμφωνα με τα αποτελέσματα της παρούσας διατριβής, παρατηρείται μια αδυναμία του πυρηνικού δείκτη να διακρίνει τις εξελικτικές γραμμές που αναδεικνύονται από τον μιτοχονδριακό δείκτη, εκτός από την περίπτωση του γενετικά πιο διαφοροποιημένου κλάδου Α (για το μιτοχονδριακό DNA) ή nA (για το πυρηνικό DNA) που κατανέμεται γεωγραφικά στην περιοχή της Ιορδανίας και της νότιας Συρίας. Σε αυτήν την ασυμφωνία μπορεί να συμβάλουν παράγοντες της αναπαραγωγής, της γενεαλογικής ιστορίας και του τρόπου διασποράς των ατόμων του είδους, καθώς επίσης και του τρόπου κληρονομικότητας του μιτοχονδριακού DNA και της πίεσης της φυσικής επιλογής. Το T. vermicularis περιλαμβάνει δέκα μιτοχονδριακούς κλάδους, οι οποίοι αντιστοιχούν σε ισάριθμες Εξελικτικά Σημαντικές Μονάδες. Η γενετική διαφοροποίηση στο εσωτερικό κάθε κλάδου είναι πολύ μικρή, ενώ είναι ιδιαίτερα μεγάλη μεταξύ των κλάδων, γεγονός που υποδηλώνει πιθανή ύπαρξη ενός ή περισσοτέρων φαινομένων γενετικής στενωπού ή ιδρύσεως. Το γενικό φυλογεωγραφικό πρότυπο αντιστοιχεί στην Κατηγορία Ι του Avise (2000), η οποία αφορά βαθιά γενεαλογικά δένδρα µε τις κύριες γενεαλογικές γραμμές σε αλλοπατρία και που παρατηρείται μεταξύ πληθυσμών που έχουν χωριστεί για μεγάλα χρονικά διαστήματα. Το γενικό αυτό πρότυπο συνοδεύεται, στην περίπτωση του T. vermicularis, από την παρουσία πολυτομιών, δηλαδή σχέσεων που δεν είναι αποσαφηνισμένες. Αυτές οι πολυτομίες μπορεί να είναι αποτέλεσμα ενός συνδυασμού έλλειψης δεδομένων και πιθανών παράλληλων κλαδογενετικών γεγονότων. Με βάση την εκτίμηση των χρόνων κατά τους οποίους συνέβησαν τα βασικά φυλογενετικά γεγονότα για το T. vermicularis, καθώς και τα παλαιογεωγραφικά και, κυρίως, τα παλαιοκλιματικά γεγονότα που πραγματοποιήθηκαν στην περιοχή μελέτης κατά τους χρόνους αυτούς, μπορεί να εξαχθεί το συμπέρασμα ότι κατά το Ύστερο Νεογενές η κατανομή του T. vermicularis ακολούθησε πολλούς κύκλους επέκτασης και συρρίκνωσης. Οι απότομες και έντονες μεταβάσεις από πιο υγρές σε πιο ξηρές συνθήκες σε αυτήν την περίοδο, είναι πολύ πιθανό να προκάλεσαν κατακερματισμό της γεωγραφικής κατανομής του ζώου και να έδρασαν ως βικαριανιστικός παράγοντας. Κατά τη διάρκεια των μη ευνοϊκών περιόδων (ξηρών και ψυχρών), πολλές περιοχές κυρίως στην Ανατολία, λειτούργησαν ως θύλακες βιοποικιλότητας για το T. vermicularis, λόγω των γεωμορφολογικών και οικολογικών χαρακτηριστικών τους. Για είδη, όπως το T. vermicularis, τα οποία έχουν μια ενιαία γεωγραφική κατανομή που καλύπτει ολόκληρη την Ανατολία, αποκαλύπτεται η ύπαρξη γενετικών «ποικιλιών», με τη βοήθεια μοριακών δεικτών, σε αυτές τις περιοχές που θεωρούνται καταφύγια. Σε άλλες περιπτώσεις ειδών ερπετών, οι γεωγραφικές εξαπλώσεις είναι πολύ πιο περιορισμένες ή κατακερματισμένες και συμπίπτουν σε μεγάλο βαθμό με τις περιοχές που λειτούργησαν ως καταφύγια για το T. vermicularis, λειτουργώντας και ως κέντρα ενδημισμού. Τόσο οι εξελικτικές γραμμές εντός του T. vermicularis, όσο και οι περιοχές οι οποίες διαδραμάτισαν στο παρελθόν σπουδαίο ρόλο στη διατήρηση της βιοποικιλότητας, είναι σημαντικές από διαχειριστικής απόψεως και χρήζουν ιδιαίτερης προστασίας. Μεταξύ των Εξελικτικά Σημαντικών Μονάδων του T. vermicularis, ο κλάδος A είναι γενετικά πολύ διαφοροποιημένος από τους υπόλοιπους κλάδους (μιτοχονδριακό και πυρηνικό DNA), ενώ ο χρόνος του φυλογενετικού διαχωρισμού του από τους άλλους κλάδους είναι πολύ μεγάλος (~ 10 εκατ. χρόνια πριν), συγκρινόμενος με χρόνους απόσχισης μεταξύ αναγνωρισμένων ειδών των οικογενειών Typhlopidae και Leptotyphlopidae. Με βάση τα αποτελέσματα της παρούσας διατριβής, ο κλάδος αυτός θα μπορούσε να θεωρηθεί ότι αποτελεί ένα ξεχωριστό είδος. / Phylogeography is the scientific field that studies the geographical distribution of genealogical lineages within a species or closely related ones. Phylogenies are reconstructed and plotted geographically to display their spatial relationships and deduce the evolutionary origins and biogeographic history of populations, subspecies and species. The current study represents a phylogeographical approach of the intraspecific genealogy of the small fossorial snake Typhlops vermicularis. Typhlops vermicularis is the only extant representative of the superfamily Solecophidia and it is distributed in the eastern Mediterranean region. This area is characterized by a complex geological and climatic history that has affected or formed the phylogeny and biogeography of several organisms, and especially reptiles and amphibians which are sensitive indicators of palaeogeographic and palaeoclimatic events. The scope of the current study was to assess the phylogenetic relationships among the populations of the studied species, with the use of mitochondrial and nuclear molecular markers, and to answer questions regarding the phylogeny and biogeography of this species and the processes that affected the evolutionary and biogeographic history of animal taxa in the eastern Mediterranean. In total, 130 specimens were used, while the mitochondrial genes 12S and ND2, and the nuclear gene PRLR were chosen as markers, and were amplified via the polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Basic methods of phylogenetic analysis were followed (Neighbour-Joining, Maximum Likelihood and Bayesian Inferrence), and the genealogical relationships among the mitochondrial and nuclear haplotypes were approached through haplotype-networks with the use of the statistical parsimony algorithm. Genetic differentiation among the haplotypes of the same network was calculated with the use of Hudson’s Snn parameter. Moreover, the rapid expansion hypothesis was tested with the neutrality tests of Fu’s Fs and R2. Divergence times for the mitochondrial clades were estimated with a strict molecular-clock approach and the use of the phylogenetic split of the Cypriot lineage at the end of the Messinian Salinity Crisis (5.3 Mya) as a calibration point. Finally, a Dispersal-Vicariance analysis was performed, in order to better understand the biogeographic history of T. vermicularis. According to the results of the present study, the nuclear-marker phylogeny does not distinguish the evolutionary lineages that resulted from the phylogenetic analysis of the mitochondrial marker, except for the strongly differentiated clade A (mitochondrial DNA) or nA (nuclear DNA), which is distributed in Jordan and south Syria. This incongruence could be a result of reproduction, genealogical and dispersal factors, but also the mitochondrial-DNA inheritance and natural selection. Typhlops vermicularis includes ten mitochondrial clades, which represent ten Evolutionary Significant Units. Genetic divergence within each clade is very small, while it is significantly higher among the clades, implying one or more genetic bottleneck or founder effects. The general phylogeographical pattern agrees with Avise’s (2000) Category I, which concerns deep phylogenetic trees with the genealogical lineages in allopatry, and is observed among populations that have been isolated for a long period. In T. vermicularis, this pattern is also combined with the presence of polytomies, i.e. unresolved relationship, s a result of lack in data and possible parallel cladogenetic events. Based on the estimated times of diversification events within T. vermicularis, and the palaeogeographic and, most importantly, the palaeoclimatic events that occurred during those times in the area, it seems that, during the Late Neogene, T. vermicularis’ distribution followed many circles of expansion and shrinkage. The sudden and intense transitions from wetter to more arid conditions during that period possibly induced fragmentations in the geographic distribution of this animal and acted as a vicariant agent. During the non-favourable periods (arid and cold), several regions, especially in Anatolia, acted as biodiversity pockets for T. vermicularis, due to their geomorphological and ecological characteristics. For species, such as T. vermicularis, that present a continuous distribution throughout Anatolia, the existence of genetic “varieties” is exposed with the use of molecular markers, in areas considered as refugia. For other reptile species, geographic distributions are more confined or patchy, and coincide with the areas that acted as refugia for T. vermicularis, also acting as endemism centers. The identified T. vermicularis evolutionary lineages and the areas that played an essential role in sustaining biodiversity in the past are important in terms of management and protection. Among the T. vermicularis Evolutionary significant Units, clade A is genetically differentiated from the others (mitochondrial and nuclear DNA), while its divergence time is very old (~ 10 mya), compared to that of other recognized Typhlopidae and Leptotyphlopidae species. According to these results, this clade could represent a separate species.

This thesis is focused on the dispersal, distribution, and genetic diversity of the taxonomically highly diverse Melampyrum subalpinum group. A complete revision of the localities of M. subalpinum in the Czech Republic and Slovakia is presented. The genetic variation and population structure of the M. subalpinum group across its distribution range is described based on allozymes, nuclear and chloroplast gene sequencing, and genome size. Signs of historical hybridization with M. nemorosum were found in some populations. A comparison of seed dispersal by ants between the co-occurring M. subalpinum and M. pratense and the influence of differences in this process are presented. A new mean of seed dispersal (endozoochory) is introduced for Melampyrum. Myrmecochorous dispersal distances are tested and Holocene migration possibilities are discussed taking into account endozoochory.

The Gulf of Guinea Highlands is a unique mountane range of volcanic origin, situated on the African mainland in the borther of Nigeria and Cameroon, and the Gulf of Guinea islands of Bioko, S?o Tomé and Príncipe. This area is highly unique as the only large mountains in central and western Africa. The high degree of isolation of these mountains generated high degree of endemism of many groups of organisms; the whole region is thus one of the world biodiversity hotspots (known as the West African Forests). Despite its tremnedous conservation importance, this mountain range is under strong anthropogenic influence, as one of the most densely populated areas in tropical Africa. Despite all these factors, the conservation efforts in West Africa focused mainly on lowland areas of rain forests, whilst only few conservation effort is focused to the mountain habitats. As the other result, the lack of comprehensive biogeographic and phytogeographical studies of mountain flora and fauna is obvious. In this work, I have summarized the results of all crucial studies of the biogeography of the Gulf of Guinea Highlands. I also obtained sequences of three mitochondrial genes (COI, COII, and ND1) of an endemic montane butterfly Bicyclus anisops. Variability in the studied genes was relatively low. Phylogenetic analyses separated haplotypes into 7 well-established groups (1st Mt. Cameroon, 2nd Nkogam I, 3rd Nkogam II, 4th Bakossi-Kupe-Manengouba-Bani, 5th Mbam, 7th Hosséré Enla Fabo 6th all others localities (tj. Bamenda-Banso Mts., Acha Tugi, Mbam, Ngel Nyaki, Gotel Mts.)) but did not significantly resolved relationships among them. Based on the hyplotype diversity of B. anisops as an umbrella species, Mt. Cameroon, Nkogam, Mbam Massif, Mbiame, Hosséré Enla Fabo, Mt. Manengouba, Mt. Kupe and Mt. Oku are considered as localities of the highest conservation importance.

Made available in DSpace on 2016-06-02T20:20:26Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 TeseIFL.pdf: 1653270 bytes, checksum: d6ff79040f7d64a51144d511521bb5f0 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2006-06-07 / Universidade Federal de Sao Carlos / This study evaluates the levels of variability, genetic structure, and phylogeographical patterns of wild populations of Jabiru Storks (Jabiru mycteria) and Wood Storks (Mycteria americana). These species belong to the family Ciconiidae and present similar morphology, distribution, and ecological requirements. However, the Jabiru Stork is resident and Wood Stork is migratory. Sequences of 549 base pairs (bp) of the first domain of the mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) control region (CRI) and 822 bp of ND2 gene (ND2), and four heterologous microsatellite loci were used in a survey covering the entire range of Jabiru Storks (72 specimens from Central America, northern and central South America). A lack of diversity was detected in both mtDNA fragments of Central American samples analyzed. The smaller population size of Central American Jabiru Storks population and its demographic decline were potentially responsible for the lower variability observed in this area. Significant genetic differentiation was detected among locations (CRI, Фst = 0.1767; ND2, Фst = 0.4442; microsatellites, Fst = 0.1044). The recent habitat fragmentation and the limited dispersal of Jabiru Storks were likely causes of the high level of differentiation that we detected. Samples of Wood Storks collected in eight Pantanal colonies (n = 48) and eight southeast United States (US) colonies (n = 40) were analyzed using CRI sequences (464bp). A lack of differentiation was detected among colonies in the Pantanal (Fst = -0.015) and also among those sampled in the US (Fst = -0.043), suggesting high levels of gene flow among colonies, or even recent colonization followed by expansion in those areas. A further comparison between Pantanal and US samples revealed significant genetic structure (Fst = 0.059), which indicates that gene flow is limited between these population units. The phylogeographical analysis suggested a historical relationship between Pantanal and US populations. We hypothesize that during the last glaciation maximum, birds moved to more climatically stable areas near the equatorial region, where higher levels of gene flow then occurred. Demographic expansions in the Pantanal region was evidenced in the mtDNA analysis of both species, and might be associated with the recent formation of this wetland areas following increased temperatures and humidity in the Holocene. / Este estudo estimou os níveis de variabilidade e estruturação genética e os padrões filogeográficos de populações naturais de tuiuiús (Jabiru mycteria) e de cabeças-secas (Mycteria americana), no continente americano. Ambas as espécies pertencem à família Ciconiidae, apresentam distribuição geográfica, morfologia e biologia similares, porém o tuiuiú é residente, enquanto que o cabeça-seca é migratório. Seqüências do DNA mitocondrial (DNAmit) do primeiro domínio da região controladora (CRI, 549 pb) e do gene ND2 (ND2, 822 pb) e quatro locos de microssatélites heterólogos foram utilizados nas análises das amostras de tuiuiús, coletadas nas áreas de reprodução na América Central, no norte e no centro da América do Sul (n = 72). Ausência de diversidade foi detectada nos fragmentos do DNAmit estudados nas amostras de tuiuiús coletadas na América Central. O tamanho populacional menor e o declínio demográfico ocorrido na América Central foram considerados para explicar o baixo nível de diversidade observado nessa população de tuiuiús. Foi observada diferenciação genética significativa entre as localidades amostradas (CRI, Фst = 0.1767; ND2, Фst = 0.4442; microssatélites, Fst = 0.1044). A recente fragmentação do habitat e a dispersão limitada dos tuiuiús entre as áreas amostradas foram discutidas como prováveis causas da alta diferenciação genética observada. Seqüências de 464 pb do CRI foram analisadas em amostras das colônias de cabeças-secas coletadas no Pantanal (n =48) e das colônias do sudeste dos Estados Unidos (EUA) (n = 40). Não foi observada diferenciação genética significativa entre as amostras regionais (Pantanal, Fst = -0.015; EUA, Fst = -0.043), sugerindo ocorrência de fluxo gênico intenso ou recente colonização com expansão dessas populações, no Pantanal e nos EUA. Subdivisão populacional significativa foi observada, entretanto, entre as amostras do Pantanal e a do sudeste dos EUA (Fst = 0.059), indicando que o fluxo contemporâneo entre essas populações é limitado. A análise filogeográfica sugeriu ocorrência níveis intensos de fluxo gênico histórico entre as populações do Pantanal e dos EUA. Esse fluxo pode ter sido favorecido quando mudanças climáticas ocorreram no último período glacial, forçando o deslocamento dessas aves para regiões climaticamente mais estáveis e aumentando a possibilidade de trocas gênicas entre elas. Resultados indicativos de expansão demográfica recente na região do Pantanal foram evidenciados pelas análises das seqüências de DNAmit em ambas espécies e podem estar associados à recente formação desta planície alagável.