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O risco de extinção e o declínio populacional de muitas espécies animais na região neotropical estão fortemente relacionados aos processos antrópicos, como a conversão ambiental, mas também aos fatores intrínsecos aos próprios indivíduos, como os atributos. Os anuros correspondem ao grupo vertebrado mais ameaçado atualmente, sofrendo com sérios declínios populacionais. Este trabalho buscou avaliar quais os atributos dos anfíbios neotropicais podem predizer: i) as categorias de ameaça e tendências populacionais destas espécies e ii) a ocorrência de anuros em um ambiente modificado, de matriz agrícola. Para a predição de categorias de ameaça e tendências populacionais utilizamos um banco de dados com atributos de habitat e modos reprodutivos de 3196 espécies de anuros neotropicais. Verificamos que espécies com modos reprodutivos terrestres e desenvolvimento direto tem uma maior tendência a estarem em declínio. Além disso, verificamos que embora os atributos sejam filogeneticamente estruturados, o grau de ameaça parece ser independente de suas histórias evolutivas. Para identificar possíveis relações entre atributos ecológicos e morfológicos de anuros em uma paisagem agrícola no sul do Brasil, registramos a anurofauna com uso de armadilhas de interceptação e queda e procuras ativas em três diferentes distâncias da borda em um ambiente florestal e em uma matriz agrícola. Verificamos que principalmente os atributos ecológicos, como o modo reprodutivo (tanto terrestre como aquático) e o hábito estão relacionados com a ocorrência destas espécies no sistema agrícola, assim como encontramos diferenças entre os atributos morfológicos ao longo do gradiente de distância. Ambos os resultados podem auxiliar na tomada de decisões em planos e projetos de conservação de anuros neotropicais. / The extinction risk and population decline of many animal species in neotropical region are strongly related to anthropic processes, such as environmental conversion, but they are also related to intrinsic factors such as traits. Anurans correspond to the most endangered vertebrate group, suffering serious population declines. This work aimed to evaluate which neotropical anurans traits can predict: i) the categories of threat and population trends of species, and ii) the occurrence of anuran species in modified environments, such as the agricultural matrix. First, we compiled data to 3196 neotropical anuran species. We emphasized the importance of habitat and reproductive modes in threat classifications, as well as verified that species with terrestrial reproductive modes and direct development are more likely to be declining. We also found that although anurans traits being phylogenetically structured, the degree of threat seems to be independent from their evolutionary histories. In addition, to identify possible relation among ecological and morphological anuran traits with agricultural landscape in southern Brazil, we studied the anurofauna using pitfall traps and active searches at three different border distances in a forest environment and in an agricultural matrix. We verified that mostly of the ecological traits, such as the reproductive mode (both terrestrial and aquatic) and the habit, are related to the occurrence of determined species in the agricultural system. And we also found differences among the morphological traits observed through the distance gradient from the border. Therefore, both results present practical importance since it can help herpetologists to making decision about neotropical anurans conservation.

O risco de extinção e o declínio populacional de muitas espécies animais na região neotropical estão fortemente relacionados aos processos antrópicos, como a conversão ambiental, mas também aos fatores intrínsecos aos próprios indivíduos, como os atributos. Os anuros correspondem ao grupo vertebrado mais ameaçado atualmente, sofrendo com sérios declínios populacionais. Este trabalho buscou avaliar quais os atributos dos anfíbios neotropicais podem predizer: i) as categorias de ameaça e tendências populacionais destas espécies e ii) a ocorrência de anuros em um ambiente modificado, de matriz agrícola. Para a predição de categorias de ameaça e tendências populacionais utilizamos um banco de dados com atributos de habitat e modos reprodutivos de 3196 espécies de anuros neotropicais. Verificamos que espécies com modos reprodutivos terrestres e desenvolvimento direto tem uma maior tendência a estarem em declínio. Além disso, verificamos que embora os atributos sejam filogeneticamente estruturados, o grau de ameaça parece ser independente de suas histórias evolutivas. Para identificar possíveis relações entre atributos ecológicos e morfológicos de anuros em uma paisagem agrícola no sul do Brasil, registramos a anurofauna com uso de armadilhas de interceptação e queda e procuras ativas em três diferentes distâncias da borda em um ambiente florestal e em uma matriz agrícola. Verificamos que principalmente os atributos ecológicos, como o modo reprodutivo (tanto terrestre como aquático) e o hábito estão relacionados com a ocorrência destas espécies no sistema agrícola, assim como encontramos diferenças entre os atributos morfológicos ao longo do gradiente de distância. Ambos os resultados podem auxiliar na tomada de decisões em planos e projetos de conservação de anuros neotropicais. / The extinction risk and population decline of many animal species in neotropical region are strongly related to anthropic processes, such as environmental conversion, but they are also related to intrinsic factors such as traits. Anurans correspond to the most endangered vertebrate group, suffering serious population declines. This work aimed to evaluate which neotropical anurans traits can predict: i) the categories of threat and population trends of species, and ii) the occurrence of anuran species in modified environments, such as the agricultural matrix. First, we compiled data to 3196 neotropical anuran species. We emphasized the importance of habitat and reproductive modes in threat classifications, as well as verified that species with terrestrial reproductive modes and direct development are more likely to be declining. We also found that although anurans traits being phylogenetically structured, the degree of threat seems to be independent from their evolutionary histories. In addition, to identify possible relation among ecological and morphological anuran traits with agricultural landscape in southern Brazil, we studied the anurofauna using pitfall traps and active searches at three different border distances in a forest environment and in an agricultural matrix. We verified that mostly of the ecological traits, such as the reproductive mode (both terrestrial and aquatic) and the habit, are related to the occurrence of determined species in the agricultural system. And we also found differences among the morphological traits observed through the distance gradient from the border. Therefore, both results present practical importance since it can help herpetologists to making decision about neotropical anurans conservation.

Submitted by Luciana Ferreira (lucgeral@gmail.com) on 2015-10-20T14:29:33Z No. of bitstreams: 3 Dissertação - Elisa Barreto Pereira - 2014.pdf: 8780558 bytes, checksum: 5fadc3e589faf51ab9607a5a6db9a3d4 (MD5) Dissertação - Elisa Barreto Pereira - 2014 - Anexos.pdf: 5906578 bytes, checksum: 1ba8fbf89d407670555f01497afd353c (MD5) license_rdf: 23148 bytes, checksum: 9da0b6dfac957114c6a7714714b86306 (MD5) / Approved for entry into archive by Luciana Ferreira (lucgeral@gmail.com) on 2015-10-20T14:32:03Z (GMT) No. of bitstreams: 3 Dissertação - Elisa Barreto Pereira - 2014.pdf: 8780558 bytes, checksum: 5fadc3e589faf51ab9607a5a6db9a3d4 (MD5) Dissertação - Elisa Barreto Pereira - 2014 - Anexos.pdf: 5906578 bytes, checksum: 1ba8fbf89d407670555f01497afd353c (MD5) license_rdf: 23148 bytes, checksum: 9da0b6dfac957114c6a7714714b86306 (MD5) / Made available in DSpace on 2015-10-20T14:32:03Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 3 Dissertação - Elisa Barreto Pereira - 2014.pdf: 8780558 bytes, checksum: 5fadc3e589faf51ab9607a5a6db9a3d4 (MD5) Dissertação - Elisa Barreto Pereira - 2014 - Anexos.pdf: 5906578 bytes, checksum: 1ba8fbf89d407670555f01497afd353c (MD5) license_rdf: 23148 bytes, checksum: 9da0b6dfac957114c6a7714714b86306 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2014-03-14 / Conselho Nacional de Pesquisa e Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico - CNPq / Leptodactylinae frogs are a remarkable example of anurans outstanding diversity of reproductive features. The major distinctions among the four reproductive modes presented by this group are the relationship with water and the predicted gradual tendency towards terrestriality. To study the evolution of Leptodactylinae reproductive traits and recognize their patterns we used ancestral reconstruction methods. We also tested correlations among reproductive modes and other life-history traits by using stochastic inferences. First we reconstructed a phylogenetic hypothesis of Leptodactylinae lineages including Leptodactylus, Adenomera, and Lithodytes genera based on four DNA fragments. This hypothesis comprises the most complete phylogeny of Adenomera to date and confirm its monophyletism with Lithodytes as sister taxon. Our ancestral reconstruction analysis indicated that even though shifts from aquatic to terrestrial breeding occurred in the history of Leptodactylus and Adenomera, shifts from terrestrial to aquatic happened in almost the same frequency, indicating that Leptodactylinae frogs do not always evolve towards terrestriality and that reproductive modes with semi-terrestrial tadpoles is not necessarily an intermediate form between aquatic and terrestrial breed. Correlations among reproductive modes and other life-history traits suggest that tadpole environment, clutch size, nuptial spines, and egg pigmentation are coevolving driven by water dependence. / (Sem resumo)

Part I: Coral reefs are essential to coastal economies, protecting coastlines from storms, and harboring high biodiversity. However, reefs are declining due to local anthropogenic stressors and ocean warming. Sedimentation, a local stressor, aggravates the impacts of warming on corals and hinders their survival and growth. Therefore, it is important to investigate whether sedimentation and temperature have a synergistic effect on vulnerable coral species, especially during earlier stages of development. To quantify these effects, survival and growth of newly settled Acropora cervicornis corals were measured at two temperatures (29 and 31°C, representing current and predicted for 2050 Summer temperatures) and three sediment concentrations (30, 60 and 120 mg.cm-2, representing a range from natural sedimentation to dredging conditions). The intent of this study was to mix multiple genotypes to test temperature and sedimentation among genotypic unique individuals. However, only 20% of colonies spawned, and spawning was asynchronous by genotype. Therefore, individuals were produced from self-fertilization. The overall high mortality seen in this study suggests that self-fertilization in A. cervicornis does not produce viable juveniles. Although temperature did not have a significant effect on the survival of self-fertilized juveniles, sediment concentration did. The lowest sediment concentration led to the highest juvenile survival in both ambient and heated conditions. The growth of A. cervicornis selfed individuals was not significantly affected by temperature or sedimentation. These results suggest that reducing sedimentation in dredging and coastal construction areas around coral reefs facilitates the survival of Acropora cervicornis juveniles and may help to ensure their persistence in the future. Because self-fertilized larvae were used, these results need to be interpreted with caution, and this research needs to be repeated with outcrossed A. cervicornis. What is clear is that genotypic diversity is needed for A. cervicornis population growth and resilience. Part II: Chimeras occur when two or more genetically unique individuals of the same species fuse together. The presence of chimerism can aid in the survival and evolution of organisms. This study investigated whether the prevalence of chimerism differs between coral species of different reproduction modes and growth rates. To fulfill this goal, the surface area of egg and/or larvae of three coral species, Montastraea cavernosa, Acropora cervicornis, and Porites astreoides, were measured and compared with the respective surface areas of the newly settled juveniles. This comparison suggested that M. cavernosa displayed a greater tendency to form chimeras than A. cervicornis and P. astreoides. Observations during embryogenesis confirmed this prediction. Montastraea cavernosa is a slow grower and has the smallest eggs of all three study species. Chimerism during embryogenesis may increase this species’ tendency to start the sessile stage at a slightly bigger size and thus increases its competitive abilities for reef space. In contrast, A. cervicornis is a broadcast spawner, fast grower and has a relatively larger egg size, possibly explaining the reduced chimeric tendency during embryogenesis. It is possible that P. astreoides formed chimeras during embryogenesis within the polyp, but they did not form them in the swimming planulae stage. The lack of chimerism during P. astreoides planulae development may be attributed to its brooding reproductive mode, directly releasing large competent larvae that have large initial sizes at settlement. Therefore, the ability to form chimeras in an early developmental stage might provide an ecological advantage to M. cavernosa that contributes to its abundance in Broward County: the greater size at settlement caused by chimerism during embryogenesis may provide this species a competitive advantage for reef space.

O risco de extinção e o declínio populacional de muitas espécies animais na região neotropical estão fortemente relacionados aos processos antrópicos, como a conversão ambiental, mas também aos fatores intrínsecos aos próprios indivíduos, como os atributos. Os anuros correspondem ao grupo vertebrado mais ameaçado atualmente, sofrendo com sérios declínios populacionais. Este trabalho buscou avaliar quais os atributos dos anfíbios neotropicais podem predizer: i) as categorias de ameaça e tendências populacionais destas espécies e ii) a ocorrência de anuros em um ambiente modificado, de matriz agrícola. Para a predição de categorias de ameaça e tendências populacionais utilizamos um banco de dados com atributos de habitat e modos reprodutivos de 3196 espécies de anuros neotropicais. Verificamos que espécies com modos reprodutivos terrestres e desenvolvimento direto tem uma maior tendência a estarem em declínio. Além disso, verificamos que embora os atributos sejam filogeneticamente estruturados, o grau de ameaça parece ser independente de suas histórias evolutivas. Para identificar possíveis relações entre atributos ecológicos e morfológicos de anuros em uma paisagem agrícola no sul do Brasil, registramos a anurofauna com uso de armadilhas de interceptação e queda e procuras ativas em três diferentes distâncias da borda em um ambiente florestal e em uma matriz agrícola. Verificamos que principalmente os atributos ecológicos, como o modo reprodutivo (tanto terrestre como aquático) e o hábito estão relacionados com a ocorrência destas espécies no sistema agrícola, assim como encontramos diferenças entre os atributos morfológicos ao longo do gradiente de distância. Ambos os resultados podem auxiliar na tomada de decisões em planos e projetos de conservação de anuros neotropicais. / The extinction risk and population decline of many animal species in neotropical region are strongly related to anthropic processes, such as environmental conversion, but they are also related to intrinsic factors such as traits. Anurans correspond to the most endangered vertebrate group, suffering serious population declines. This work aimed to evaluate which neotropical anurans traits can predict: i) the categories of threat and population trends of species, and ii) the occurrence of anuran species in modified environments, such as the agricultural matrix. First, we compiled data to 3196 neotropical anuran species. We emphasized the importance of habitat and reproductive modes in threat classifications, as well as verified that species with terrestrial reproductive modes and direct development are more likely to be declining. We also found that although anurans traits being phylogenetically structured, the degree of threat seems to be independent from their evolutionary histories. In addition, to identify possible relation among ecological and morphological anuran traits with agricultural landscape in southern Brazil, we studied the anurofauna using pitfall traps and active searches at three different border distances in a forest environment and in an agricultural matrix. We verified that mostly of the ecological traits, such as the reproductive mode (both terrestrial and aquatic) and the habit, are related to the occurrence of determined species in the agricultural system. And we also found differences among the morphological traits observed through the distance gradient from the border. Therefore, both results present practical importance since it can help herpetologists to making decision about neotropical anurans conservation.

The major components of the tracheal system of insects are an extension of the exoskeleton, and the size of the exoskeleton is fixed in the adult stage, so any increase in metabolic demand that may accompany reproduction must be met by a relatively unaltered tracheal system that the female set in place at ecdysis, when entering adulthood. Acute hypoxia tends to elicit an increase in ventilation in insects, and here, I observe increased interburst VCO2 release, and a tendency towards a more continuous gas exchange pattern being preferred over discontinuous gas exchange when Blaptica dubia and Eublaberus posticus are exposed to a descending regime of hypoxia. Additionally, higher temperatures appear to increase sensitivity to hypoxia in these species, an expected result because both species, like most ectothermic animals, display a Q10 effect, increasing metabolic rates as temperature increases. The reproductive mode of B. dubia is considered to be lecithotrophic pseudoviviparity (or type A ovoviviparity), and by the time the embryos are born, they have more than doubles in volume from the time of oviposition. This gain is apparent in the wet mass of the embryo, with no change occurring in dry mass. The egg mass that can be attributed to water begins at 39% at oviposition and increased to nearly 82% at hatching. The metabolic rates of females and embryos increase as embryonic development progresses, but bomb calorimetry reveals that energy content of the embryos does not change. It is possible that these embryos gain some nutrition from the mother during embryonic development, but direct evidence remains to be demonstrated. Blaptica dubia and Eublaberus posticusare both blaberid species that display the same reproductive mode, pseudoviviparity, with incubation occurring in a brood sac. Comparisons between the reproductive traits of B. dubia and E. posticus reveal that the two species have similar reproductive periods, interbirth periods, and clutch sizes to one another, and that both have reproductive cycles and incubation times intermediate to oviparous species and the one species of cockroach that some consider to be truly viviparous (Diploptera punctata). However, whereas adult female E. posticus are larger than female B. dubia (E. posticus non-gravid female mass: 2.91 +/- 0.42 g, 20; B. dubia non-gravid female mass: 2.60 +/- 0.40 g, 20), the offspring of B. dubia are larger than those of E. posticus at the time of birth (B. dubia neonate mass: 24.70 +/- 4.01 mg, 19; E. posticus neonate mass: 22.40 +/- 1.36 mg, 19). Both gravid and non-gravid female B. dubia respond similarly to acute hypoxia exposure, increasing mean total VCO2. However, the reproductive state does not appear to exacerbate, nor dull, the acute response to hypoxia. Gravid and non-gravid female B. dubia were exposed to chronic hypoxia for 30 days and 45 days. Relatively high mortality was observed in nearly all chronic hypoxic treatment groups as compared to controls at 21 kPa O2. Comparing treatment groups to controls maintained at 21 kPa O2, embryo mass was not decreased, nor was embryo VCO2 at day 30. Adult female B. dubia metabolic rates did not show a consistent change in response to chronic hypoxia, but decreased metabolic rate was observed in the non-gravid B. dubia exposed to chronic 4 kPa O2, an observation that is consistent with past studies in insects. Survival rates were lower for both gravid and non-gravid females in 4, 8, and 12 kPa O2, as well as in 15 kPa O2 in gravid females, as compared to 21 kPa O2. Gravid females experiences a decreased survival rate compared with non-gravid females at 12 and 15 kPa O2, but gravid and non-gravid females had similarly low survival rates at 4 and 8 kPa O2. This difference in survival rates suggests there is a cost associated with carrying an ootheca in a brood sac, resulting in an increased sensitivity to hypoxia, at least over a long period of time.

Brachycaudus helichrysi est un puceron ravageur des cultures qui inflige de sérieux dégâts à ses hôtes primaires (arbres fruitiers du genre Prunus) ainsi qu'à plusieurs herbacées cultivées correspondant à ses hôtes secondaires (par exemple les tournesols et les chrysanthèmes).L'étude phylogéographique de l'espèce basée sur un échantillonnage mondial, montre que B. helichrysi rassemble deux taxa appelés B. helichrysi H1 et H2. Cette étude, basée sur plusieurs marqueurs génétiques (mitochondriaux, nucléaire et bactériens), révèle une divergence génétique de l'ordre de celle observée entre espèce du genre Brachycaudus. Ceci suggère que B. helichrysi H1 et H2 sont deux espèces sœurs. Comme H1 et H2 sont morphologiquement indistinguables, nous avons mis au point un test de discrimination génétique par PCR-RFLP.L'analyse des génotypes (14 loci microsatellites) combinés aux données écologiques suggère que ces deux espèces sœurs ont des histoires évolutives différentes. Le cycle de vie de B. helichrysi H1 correspondrait à la parthénogenèse cyclique, utilisant les pruniers comme hôte primaire. Nous avons montré qu'il existe chez H1 des clusters génétiques structurés géographiquement. Au contraire, B. helichrysi H2 rassemble principalement des lignées clonales polyphages, persistantes et largement distribuées dans le monde (i.e. superclones), ainsi qu'une lignée sexuée, probablement hétéroécique, qui a été trouvée sur pêchers en Inde. Les individus des deux espèces colonisent fréquemment une même plante herbacée, composant ainsi des colonies « mixtes ». Cette étude apportera un éclairage sur comment l'évolution des cycles de vie, en particulier la perte de la reproduction sexuée, a pu jouer un rôle dans les processus de spéciation au sein du complexe B. helichrysi / Brachycaudus helichrysi is a worldwide polyphagous aphid pest that seriously damages its primary hosts (Prunus spp.) and the various cultivated plants among its secondary hosts (e.g. sunflower, chrysanthemums).In a phylogeographic study based on a worldwide sampling, I have shown that this species is actually an amalgamation of two sibling taxa called B. helichrysi H1 and B. helichrysi H2. This study based on mitochondrial, nuclear and Buchnera aphidicola (the primary symbiont of aphids) DNA markers revealed that these two taxa display levels of genetic divergence as great as those generally found between sister species in the Brachycaudus genus, suggesting that they actually correspond to two distinct sibling species. As these two species are morphologically indistinguishable, we developed a PCR-RFLP test to genetically discriminate them.Further investigations, based on microsatellites data combined with ecological information suggest that these two species have two very different evolutionary histories. Brachycaudus helichrysi H1 exhibits a typical signature of cyclical parthenogenesis, using plum trees during the sexual phase, and we demonstrate the existence of distinct geographic genetic clusters within this species. By contrast B. helichrysi H2 comprises two types of lineages. First, it gathers several persistent obligate clonal lineages distributed worldwide (i.e. superclones) and highly polyphagous, and second, we reveal the existence of a cyclical parthenogenetic H2 lineage that uses peach trees as primary hosts and has so far only been found in India. All B. helichrysi lineages of H1 and H2 co-occurred in mixed colonies on herbaceous hosts all around the world.This study will shed light on how life cycle evolution, especially the loss of sexual reproduction, could explain the ongoing speciation process in the B. helichrysi species complex.

Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico / The objective was to use microsatellite DNA markers in simulations to study genetic, ecological and reproductive patterns that contributed to the genetic structure of five fragments of the forest tree species Luehea divaricata Mart. & Zucc, growing in the Pampa biome (Brazil). Various rates of selfing and migration were simulated. Selection criteria included observed and expected heterozygosity, whith values of 0,52 and 0,64, respectively (based on microsatellite markers). Reproductive mode was mixed, with a predominance of outcrosses (rate = 0,7), consistent with a self-incompatibility system in this species, which reduced but did not prevent self-fertilization. Migration at the rate of 0,02, implied existence of isolation by distance between fragments, which increased inbreeding coefficients. Based on Nei s gene diversity analysis, only 6% of genetic variability was distributed among fragments, with 94% inside them, due to the high outcrosses observed. Parameters for genetic conservation, namely, Minimum Viable Population and Minimum Viable Area, determined for conservation in the short and long terms, suggested that only the Inhatinhum fragment had the potential to maintain its genetic diversity in the short term. However, in the long term, none of the fragments proved feasible, thus requiring urgent intervention to prevent a decline, with creation of ecological corridors as a useful alternative to connect fragments through gene flow. The importance of computer programs for simulation of genetic, ecological and reproductive population parameters were clearly evident, demonstrating its potential for predicting future phenomena, thereby enabling identification of priority populations for conservation. / No presente trabalho foram utilizados dados de marcadores de DNA do tipo microssatélites em simulações para estudar padrões genéticos, ecológicos e reprodutivos que contribuíram para a estrutura genética de cinco fragmentos da espécie arbórea florestal Luehea divaricata Mart. & Zucc, em desenvolvimento em área brasileira do bioma Pampa. Várias taxas de autofecundação e de migração foram simuladas, tendo como critério de seleção a heterozigosidade observada e a heterozigosidade esperada, com valores de 0,52 e 0,64, respectivamente (com base em marcadores microssatélites). Os resultados permitiram caracterizar a população, quanto ao modo reprodutivo, como mista com predominância de cruzamentos (taxa = 0,7), sugerindo a presença de algum sistema de autoincompatibilidade nessa espécie, o qual reduz, mas não impede a autofecundação. A baixa migração (taxa = 0,02) sugere isolamento por distância entre os fragmentos, que aumentou os coeficientes de endogamia. Com base nos índices de diversidade genética de Nei, apenas 6% da variabilidade genética está distribuída entre os fragmentos e 94%, dentro, devido à elevada taxa de cruzamentos observada. Os parâmetros para conservação genética (População Mínima Viável e Área Mínima Viável), determinados para conservação em curto e longo prazo, sugerem que somente o fragmento da Fazenda Inhatinhum apresentou potencial para persistência em curto prazo. Porém, em longo prazo nenhum dos fragmentos se mostrou viável, necessitando assim de uma intervenção urgente de modo a evitar seu declínio, sendo a criação de corredores ecológicos uma alternativa útil para conectar os fragmentos através do fluxo gênico entre si. A importância dos aplicativos computacionais para a simulação de parâmetros genéticos, ecológicos e reprodutivos populacionais, foi claramente evidente no neste estudo, demonstrando seu potencial na antecipação de fenômenos futuros, permitindo, assim, a identificação de populações prioritárias para a conservação.

La plasticité phénotypique, i.e. la capacité d’un génotype à exprimer plusieurs phénotypes en fonction des conditions environnementales, représente une source de variabilité phénotypique, et tient donc un rôle majeur dans l’évolution. Dans un environnement variable, les stratégies généralistes, capables de maintenir une valeur d’aptitude phénotypique (fitness) stable sur une plus large gamme de conditions environnementales grâce à une plus grande plasticité de traits sous-jacents, devraient être favorisées. L’analyse de normes de réaction, au laboratoire et en conditions naturelles, de traits physiologiques et de traits liés à la fitness en fonction de la température, révèle chez le parasitoïde Venturia canescens, que (i) la variabilité thermique de l’habitat détermine la forme des normes de réaction selon le compromis entre stratégies généraliste et spécialiste, (ii) les différences entre individus généralistes et spécialistes se maintiennent face à des fluctuations de la température mimant les conditions naturelles et (iii) les individus subissant une plus grande variabilité thermique dans leur habitat possèdent une capacité d’acclimatation au froid plus importante. Ces résultats montrent l’existence de deux stratégies chez V. canescens et donc une différenciation de leur niche thermique, autorisant leur coexistence en environnement hétérogène / Phenotypic plasticity, i.e. the ability of a genotype to express several phenotypes depending on environmental conditions, represents an important source of phenotypic variability and so plays a major role in evolution. In a variable environment, generalist strategies, able to maintain a stable value of fitness over a wide range of environmental conditions, thanks to a greater plasticity of underlying traits, should be favored. The analysis of reaction norms of physiological traits and traits related to fitness as a function of temperature reveals in the parasitoid Venturia canescens that (i) thermal variability of the habitat determines the shape of reaction norms, according to the trade-off between generalist and specialist strategies, (ii) differences between generalist and specialist individuals are maintained face to rapid fluctuations in temperature that mimic natural conditions and (iii) individuals experiencing greater variability in their thermal habitat have a greater capacity for cold acclimation. These results indicate the existence of two different strategies in V. canescens and therefore a thermal niche differentiation, allowing their coexistence in a heterogeneous environment