<p>Analysis of genetic relatedness is of great importance in forensic casework such as immigration and identification cases. The conventional methods for relationship testing are not sufficient in the most complicated cases, because more genetic markers are required to obtain results with satisfactory statistical security. This study demonstrates that microarrays, which can be used to genotype thousands of single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs), could be a promising solution to this problem. The microarray technique used in this study performed very well on blood samples and also worked well in combination with whole genome amplification, but did not generate any results when used on severely degraded materials.</p><p>Markers suitable for relatedness analysis were selected from the microarray and were successfully tested on families with known genetic relations. Although a maximum of 64 autosomal markers were used, there is a great potential of selecting the hundreds or thousands of markers that may be required in some cases of relatedness investigation.</p>

<p>Genetic structuring is common in natural populations. It is important to identify and consider population structure when studying evolutionary processes. Recently, the discovery of genetic structuring in some lekking bird species has opened up new perspectives on our understanding of the evolution of lek mating systems.</p><p>This thesis uses molecular data to identify patterns of broad and fine scale genetic structuring in the lekking white-bearded manakin Manacus manacus. Additionally, data on male mating success, female visiting patterns and behavioural, morphological and territorial characteristics of individual males are used to identify variables that may influence the distribution of matings in this species.</p><p>Analysis of genetic divergence within the genus Manacus revealed genetic sub-structuring and limited gene flow between species/subspecies. There was no significant isolation by distance relationship. Factors such as physical barriers to gene flow may play a role in shaping the genetic structure of the bearded manakin genus.</p><p>White-bearded manakin leks on Trinidad were composed of groups of related males. More than one such kin group existed on each lek. That related males gather in groups suggests that genetic structuring is not simply a consequence of limited dispersal. Active choices must take place by both residential and newly arrived birds.</p><p>Female visits to, and matings with, males were non-random. Centrality of male display court was the only measured variable that consistently correlated with male mating success. More aggressive displays were made as the distance between courts decreased. There was no significant relationship between the number of aggressive displays made between males and relatedness levels. Males with high mating success spent more time in aggressive behaviours.</p><p>In conclusion, white-bearded manakin lek formation and display court acquisition is likely to be influenced by genetic relatedness levels and male-male interactions. Centrality of court seemed important in mating success and may be an indicator of male dominance. However, a variety of other factors may also influence mating success and may be variable over time.</p>

Genetic structuring is common in natural populations. It is important to identify and consider population structure when studying evolutionary processes. Recently, the discovery of genetic structuring in some lekking bird species has opened up new perspectives on our understanding of the evolution of lek mating systems. This thesis uses molecular data to identify patterns of broad and fine scale genetic structuring in the lekking white-bearded manakin Manacus manacus. Additionally, data on male mating success, female visiting patterns and behavioural, morphological and territorial characteristics of individual males are used to identify variables that may influence the distribution of matings in this species. Analysis of genetic divergence within the genus Manacus revealed genetic sub-structuring and limited gene flow between species/subspecies. There was no significant isolation by distance relationship. Factors such as physical barriers to gene flow may play a role in shaping the genetic structure of the bearded manakin genus. White-bearded manakin leks on Trinidad were composed of groups of related males. More than one such kin group existed on each lek. That related males gather in groups suggests that genetic structuring is not simply a consequence of limited dispersal. Active choices must take place by both residential and newly arrived birds. Female visits to, and matings with, males were non-random. Centrality of male display court was the only measured variable that consistently correlated with male mating success. More aggressive displays were made as the distance between courts decreased. There was no significant relationship between the number of aggressive displays made between males and relatedness levels. Males with high mating success spent more time in aggressive behaviours. In conclusion, white-bearded manakin lek formation and display court acquisition is likely to be influenced by genetic relatedness levels and male-male interactions. Centrality of court seemed important in mating success and may be an indicator of male dominance. However, a variety of other factors may also influence mating success and may be variable over time.

The dynamics of natural populations may be influenced by a variety of factors, ranging from feeding interference and territoriality to the risk of predation and climatic effects. The relative influence of these factors may be contingent upon the quality of the habitat in which individuals reside. A factor that can largely affect population dynamics and that often covaries with habitat structure is predation risk. However, the combined effect of habitat and predation risk can vary according to the social context and intrinsic characteristics that affect individual behavioural responses. This thesis investigates the effects of habitat quality at the level of the population and the individual, and examines how it relates to the above factors in Siberian jays (Perisoreus infaustus), a territorial, group-living species in which the main cause of mortality is predation. The results demonstrate a strong effect of habitat on survival, reproduction and behaviour. Mortality was generally higher in open areas and managed forests and reproductive success decreased after forest management. Breeding females were more sensitive to environmental factors than males, possibly because of higher reproductive costs. Estimates of spatial demography suggested that there were more sinks than sources, and that they were located in open, managed forests. Behavioural decisions confirmed that open forests were associated with higher predation risks. However, decisions depended on social context; immigrants took highest risks and were the recipients of most aggression, largely an effect of social subordination. Also, parents provide their offspring with benefits that are withheld from immigrants. As a result, first-year survival was higher in retained offspring. Investigating the effects of multi-scale habitat quality on individual behaviour and population dynamics has generated an increased understanding of the effects of forest management on the dynamics of this population. This approach should facilitate development of an effective conservation management policy for this species.

Analysis of genetic relatedness is of great importance in forensic casework such as immigration and identification cases. The conventional methods for relationship testing are not sufficient in the most complicated cases, because more genetic markers are required to obtain results with satisfactory statistical security. This study demonstrates that microarrays, which can be used to genotype thousands of single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs), could be a promising solution to this problem. The microarray technique used in this study performed very well on blood samples and also worked well in combination with whole genome amplification, but did not generate any results when used on severely degraded materials. Markers suitable for relatedness analysis were selected from the microarray and were successfully tested on families with known genetic relations. Although a maximum of 64 autosomal markers were used, there is a great potential of selecting the hundreds or thousands of markers that may be required in some cases of relatedness investigation.

The aim of the present study was to explore the associations between different types of orientations toward materialism, and to investigate the relationship between materialistic orientations and different self-construal types as suggested by the Balanced Integration and Differentiation (BID) Model (imamoglu, 1998, 2003). The sample was consisted of 335 Middle East Technical University students (168 females, 167 males) with a mean age of 21.34. The questionnaire consisted of eight scales that were used to measure materialism, self-construals, family environment, attachment, and self and family satisfaction. The scales were Material Values Scale (Richins &amp / Dawson, 1992), Aspiration Index (Kasser &amp / Ryan, 1996), the New Materialism Scale which was developed for the current study, Balanced Integration and Differentiation Scale (BIDS, Imamoglu, 1998), Perceived Family Atmosphere Scale (Imamoglu, 2001), Family Satisfaction Index, and Self Satisfaction Index (Imamoglu, 2001) as well as the Relationship Questionnaire (Bartholomew &amp / Horowitz, 1991). Through the analyses on the data from the New Materialism scale, that had acceptable psychometric qualities, four sub-constructs of materialism were found that are extrinsic orientations, acquisitiveness, attachment to possessions, and sharing. Both MANOVA and regression analyses were performed and it was seen that respondents with related-individuated and separated-patterned self-types, proposed by the BID Model to represent the most balanced and unbalanced self-types, respectively, significantly differed from each other in terms of materialism score ratings measured by Material Values Scale and New Materialism scale. The people with the unbalanced type seemed to be more oriented towards materialism compared to the ones with the balanced type. While lower levels of individuation predicted higher levels of materialism for all materialism measures except attachment to possessions, the lower levels of relatedness predicted higher levels of materialism in terms of happiness, the belief that happiness can be gained through possessions, and sharing, the degree of unwillingness to share one&rsquo / s possessions with other people. Considering gender, women are found to be more acquisitive, giving a central importance to possessions and more interested in image as an aspiration. Through the analysis of the relationship patterns using SEM, a model was proposed for the relationships between different types of materialism, self orientations, and gender. Three different types of materialism, i.e. existential materialism, relational materialism, and indulgent materialism, were generated. Low levels of individuation predicted all three types of materialism. Low levels of relatedness predicted only relational materialism, whereas being woman predicted indulgent materialism. Theoretical implications of these findings are discussed in the framework of the BID Model.

Studiens syfte är att ur ett symbolisk interaktionistiskt synsätt försöka förstå vad som motiverar vuxna amatörskådespelare, amatörsångare och amatörmusikalartister att delta i ideella konstnärliga projekt. Något annat som studien tar reda på är om konstutövandet och gruppen de deltar i har någon inverkan på individens identitet och identitetsskapande. Genom nio semistrukturerade intervjuer skapas en förståelse kring motivationen och identitetsskapandet. Detta förklaras sedan genom motivationsteorier samt teorier kring identiteten, där det visar sig att gemenskapen i gruppen, konstnärlig utmaning och utveckling, deltagandet i den konstnärliga processen, känslan av flow, själva utförandet och dess påverkan på välbefinnandet, viljan att uttrycka sig samt personlig utveckling var de huvudsakliga motivationsfaktorerna. Det visar sig även att både det konstnärliga utförandet och gruppen har en inverkan på individens identitet och identitetsskapande. / The purpose of this study is, from a symbolic interactionistic perspective, to try to understand what motivates adult amateur actors, amateur singers and amateur musical artists to participate in non-profit artistic projects. The study also determines whether art practice and the group attending have any impact on the individual's identity and identity formation. Nine semi-structured interviews have been done to get a deeper understanding about the motivation and identity creation. The data from the interviews shows that social belonging, artistic challenge and development, participation in the artistic process, the sense of flow, the desire to express oneself as well as personal development were the main motivation factors. It also shows that both the artistic performance as well as the group had an impact on the individual's identity and identity formation. The data are then explained by motivation theories and theories of identity.

O presente estudo investigou a relação entre as metas de socialização maternas e os estilos de interação mãe-bebê, no primeiro e segundo ano de vida da criança, bem como eventuais mudanças longitudinais neste período. Além disto, investigou-se a relação entre características maternas (ex. idade e escolaridade) e do bebê (ex. sexo e desenvolvimento infantil) e as metas de socialização e os estilos de interação mãe-bebê, durante o mesmo período. Participaram 25 mães (M=33,2 anos; DP=5,73) e seus filhos, que no início do estudo estavam no primeiro ano de vida (M=6,7 meses; DP=1,74). As mães responderam a uma entrevista sobre suas metas de socialização e as díades foram observadas durante interação livre visando examinar seus estilos de interação. O desenvolvimento dos bebês foi avaliado através das Escalas Bayley III. No segundo ano de vida dos bebês, esses procedimentos de coleta de dados foram repetidos. Os resultados apoiaram parcialmente a hipótese inicial de que, independente da idade do bebê, metas de socialização que enfatizam a autonomia estariam relacionadas a um estilo de interação focalizado na autonomia do bebê; e metas de socialização que enfatizam a “relação” estariam relacionadas a um estilo de interação focalizado no direcionamento materno. Somente no primeiro ano do bebê, correlações significativas entre metas de socialização e estilos de interação mãe-bebê foram na direção esperada. Por outro lado, os resultados corroboraram a hipótese de que características maternas e do bebê estariam mais relacionadas aos estilos de interação mãe-bebê do que às metas de socialização, tendo em vista que estas últimas representam valores culturais mais amplos, enquanto os estilos de interação são mais dependentes de fatores contextuais e individuais envolvendo a própria díade mãe-bebê. O sexo do bebê foi a única variável que se relacionou às metas de socialização, mas só no primeiro ano. Por sua vez, diversas características da mãe e do bebê relacionaram-se aos estilos de interação, tanto no primeiro quanto no segundo ano do bebê. Juntos, os resultados do presente estudo ressaltam as limitações de pressupostos lineares e unidirecionais sobre a relação entre metas e estilos de interação, que ainda são destacados na literatura, mas precisam ser superados. Como foi evidenciado, diversos fatores possivelmente permeiam esta relação, com destaque para características da díade mãe-bebê ao longo do processo de desenvolvimento. / The present study investigated the relationship between maternal socialization goals and mother-infant interaction styles in the first and second year of the child's life, as well as possible longitudinal changes in this period. Furthermore, I studied the relations among maternal (eg. age and education) and infant (eg. gender and child development) characteristics and socialization goals and mother-infant interaction styles during the same period. Twenty five mothers (M=33,2 anos; SD=5,73) and their children participated in the study; the latter, at the beginning of study, were in their first year of life (M=6,7 meses; DP=1,74). Mothers were interviewed about their socialization goals and the dyads were observed during free interaction with the aim of examining their interaction styles. The infants’ development was assessed by Bayley Scales III. In the second year of the infants’ life, these data collecting procedures were repeated. The results partially supported the initial hypothesis that, regardless of the infant’s age, socialization goals that emphasize autonomy would be related to an interaction style focused on his or her autonomy, and socialization goals that emphasize relatedness would be are related to an interaction style focused on maternal directives. In the infant’s first year (although not the second) significant correlations between socialization goals and mother-infant interaction styles were in the expected direction. Moreover, the results supported the hypothesis that maternal and infant characteristics would be more related to mother-infant interaction styles than to the socialization goals, considering that the latter represent broader cultural values, whereas interaction styles are more dependent on contextual and individual factors involving the mother-infant dyad. The infant's gender was the only variable that was related to the socialization goals, but only in the first year. By contrast, several characteristics of the mother and infant were related to interaction styles, either in the first or second year of the infant. Together, the results of the present study highlight the limitations of linear and unidirectional assumptions about the relationship between goals and interaction styles, which are still emphasized in the literature, but need to be overcome. As evidenced, several factors probably underlie this relationship, especially characteristics of the mother-infant dyad throughout the development process.

Made available in DSpace on 2016-06-02T20:20:36Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 5400.pdf: 5148342 bytes, checksum: 5a5a8ac10b59b757b8e585424f42bd9f (MD5) Previous issue date: 2013-08-23 / Financiadora de Estudos e Projetos / The genus Trypoxylon consists of solitary wasps that build mud nests or nest in preexisting cavities, which brood cells positioned linearly are stored with paralyzed spiders. The male in species of the subgenus Trypargilum presents a singular behavior among Hymenoptera, playing the role of guard in active nests, which guarantees repeated copulations with the partner that interacts, especially before oviposition. It is expected that this behavior increases the chances of reproductive success of the guarding male. However, the constant presence of satellite males in nesting areas, associated to reports obtained in behavioral studies that pointed the receptivity of females assisted by a guarding male to extra-pair copulations, lay doubts in the effectiveness of reproductive tactics adopted by the guard. The aim of this study was to contribute to the knowledge of natural history of Trypoxylon (Trypargilum) species, through behavioral records, genetic analyzes of intranidal relatedness and analyzes of diversity and population structure. The nesting behavior of Trypoxylon agamemnon, Trypoxylon aurifrons and Trypoxylon nitidum in trap nests was recorded, mainly focusing on the interaction between the guarding male and the nesting female, beyond the role of the satellite male, who was constantly positioned near active nests. Genetic analysis of intranidal relatedness using species-specific microsatellite loci for Trypoxylon albitarse indicated that this species has a predominantly monogamous mating system, although extra-pair copulations have been detected. Since little is known about the population genetics of this group of wasps, we also present data from the genetic diversity and structure of five populations of T. albitarse, sampled in four states in Brazil, which indicated high levels of genetic diversity and significantly population structure. / O gênero Trypoxylon e constituido de vespas solitárias que constroem ninhos de barro ou nidificam em cavidades preexistentes, onde células de cria dispostas linearmente são estocadas com aranhas paralisadas. O macho em especies do subgênero Trypargilum apresenta um comportamento singular entre os Hymenoptera, exercendo o papel de guarda em ninhos ativos, o que lhe garante copulas repetidas com a parceira que interage, especialmente antes da oviposição. E de se esperar que este comportamento aumente as chances de sucesso reprodutivo do macho guarda. No entanto, a presença constante de machos patrulheiros em áreas de nidificação, aliada a relatos de estudos comportamentais que apontaram a receptividade de fêmeas já assistidas por um macho guarda a copulas extrapar, coloca em duvida a efetividade da tática reprodutiva adotada pelo guarda. O objetivo deste estudo foi contribuir para o conhecimento da historia natural de especies de Trypoxylon (Trypargilum), através de registros comportamentais, analises genéticas de parentesco intranidal e analises de diversidade e estruturacao populacional. O comportamento de nidificacao de Trypoxylon agamemnon, Trypoxylon aurifrons e Trypoxylon nitidum foi registrado em ninhos-armadilha, focando principalmente a interação entre o macho guarda e a fêmea construtora, alem do papel do macho patrulheiro, que esteve constantemente posicionado próximo a ninhos ativos. Analises genéticas de parentesco intranidal utilizando locos microssatelites especie específicos de Trypoxylon albitarse indicaram que esta especie possui um sistema de acasalamento predominantemente monogâmico, apesar de copulas extrapar terem sido detectadas. Uma vez que pouco se conhece sobre a genética de populações desse grupo de vespas, apresentamos também dados referentes a diversidade e estrutura genéticas de cinco populações de T. albitarse, provenientes de quatro estados do Brasil, os quais indicaram altos índices de diversidade genética e estruturação populacional significativa.

O presente estudo investigou a relação entre as metas de socialização maternas e os estilos de interação mãe-bebê, no primeiro e segundo ano de vida da criança, bem como eventuais mudanças longitudinais neste período. Além disto, investigou-se a relação entre características maternas (ex. idade e escolaridade) e do bebê (ex. sexo e desenvolvimento infantil) e as metas de socialização e os estilos de interação mãe-bebê, durante o mesmo período. Participaram 25 mães (M=33,2 anos; DP=5,73) e seus filhos, que no início do estudo estavam no primeiro ano de vida (M=6,7 meses; DP=1,74). As mães responderam a uma entrevista sobre suas metas de socialização e as díades foram observadas durante interação livre visando examinar seus estilos de interação. O desenvolvimento dos bebês foi avaliado através das Escalas Bayley III. No segundo ano de vida dos bebês, esses procedimentos de coleta de dados foram repetidos. Os resultados apoiaram parcialmente a hipótese inicial de que, independente da idade do bebê, metas de socialização que enfatizam a autonomia estariam relacionadas a um estilo de interação focalizado na autonomia do bebê; e metas de socialização que enfatizam a “relação” estariam relacionadas a um estilo de interação focalizado no direcionamento materno. Somente no primeiro ano do bebê, correlações significativas entre metas de socialização e estilos de interação mãe-bebê foram na direção esperada. Por outro lado, os resultados corroboraram a hipótese de que características maternas e do bebê estariam mais relacionadas aos estilos de interação mãe-bebê do que às metas de socialização, tendo em vista que estas últimas representam valores culturais mais amplos, enquanto os estilos de interação são mais dependentes de fatores contextuais e individuais envolvendo a própria díade mãe-bebê. O sexo do bebê foi a única variável que se relacionou às metas de socialização, mas só no primeiro ano. Por sua vez, diversas características da mãe e do bebê relacionaram-se aos estilos de interação, tanto no primeiro quanto no segundo ano do bebê. Juntos, os resultados do presente estudo ressaltam as limitações de pressupostos lineares e unidirecionais sobre a relação entre metas e estilos de interação, que ainda são destacados na literatura, mas precisam ser superados. Como foi evidenciado, diversos fatores possivelmente permeiam esta relação, com destaque para características da díade mãe-bebê ao longo do processo de desenvolvimento. / The present study investigated the relationship between maternal socialization goals and mother-infant interaction styles in the first and second year of the child's life, as well as possible longitudinal changes in this period. Furthermore, I studied the relations among maternal (eg. age and education) and infant (eg. gender and child development) characteristics and socialization goals and mother-infant interaction styles during the same period. Twenty five mothers (M=33,2 anos; SD=5,73) and their children participated in the study; the latter, at the beginning of study, were in their first year of life (M=6,7 meses; DP=1,74). Mothers were interviewed about their socialization goals and the dyads were observed during free interaction with the aim of examining their interaction styles. The infants’ development was assessed by Bayley Scales III. In the second year of the infants’ life, these data collecting procedures were repeated. The results partially supported the initial hypothesis that, regardless of the infant’s age, socialization goals that emphasize autonomy would be related to an interaction style focused on his or her autonomy, and socialization goals that emphasize relatedness would be are related to an interaction style focused on maternal directives. In the infant’s first year (although not the second) significant correlations between socialization goals and mother-infant interaction styles were in the expected direction. Moreover, the results supported the hypothesis that maternal and infant characteristics would be more related to mother-infant interaction styles than to the socialization goals, considering that the latter represent broader cultural values, whereas interaction styles are more dependent on contextual and individual factors involving the mother-infant dyad. The infant's gender was the only variable that was related to the socialization goals, but only in the first year. By contrast, several characteristics of the mother and infant were related to interaction styles, either in the first or second year of the infant. Together, the results of the present study highlight the limitations of linear and unidirectional assumptions about the relationship between goals and interaction styles, which are still emphasized in the literature, but need to be overcome. As evidenced, several factors probably underlie this relationship, especially characteristics of the mother-infant dyad throughout the development process.