MSc (Med), Epidemiology and Biostatistics, School of Public Health, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of the Witwatersrand, 2009 / Objective The study examined the relationship between socioeconomic status (SES) and risky sexual behaviour in young women living in the Limpopo Province of South Africa. Methods Quantitative data were drawn from the 2001–2005 Intervention with Microfinance and Gender Equity Study. The analyses were restricted to 705 sexually active young women aged 14–35 years. Logistic regression models were employed to assess the effect of socioeconomic status (estimated from household asset index and employment status, on risky sexual behaviours). Odds ratios (OR), adjusted odds ratios (AOR) and 95% confidence intervals (CI) are reported. Results After controlling for the potential confounding effects of wealth perception, age, level of education, marital status, birth control and HIV knowledge; there was no statistically significant association between asset index, or employment status and most of the risky sexual behaviours. However, students were significantly more likely to have experienced first sex at or before age 17 years (AOR: 3.80, 95% CI: 2.63, 6.11), and significantly less likely to have had more than three lifetime sex partners (AOR: 0.47, 95% CI: 0.29, 0.78). Discussion Given that age had emerged as a definite predictor of the sexual behaviours that were significantly associated with being a student, and that 75% of the students were aged 14-19 years, it is possible that the associations may be due to an age effect, or a cohort effect. That aside, the results suggest that women in general are equally at risk of HIV infection, hence further research is needed to determine other factors that enhance young rural women’s vulnerability to HIV/AIDS. Conclusion The study did not show any strong evidence to suggest that socio-economic status is associated with risky sexual behaviour. The findings underscore the need to re-examine the assumption that poverty drives risky sexual behaviour so that efforts to ensure that HIV prevention messages get across all strata of society. However, it is possible that SES as used in this study did not differentiate people well enough to be able to identify factors associated with risky sexual behaviour. It is recommended that more research be done to establish how other major factors besides wealth may enhance the vulnerability of women to HIV/AIDS. The current study however contributes to the growing evidence that the relationship between wealth and HIV/AIDS is either exaggerated or is very complex and should be considered when designing new policies, programs and interventions to alleviate the growing HIV incidence

A research report submitted to the Faculty of Health sciences, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Science in Medicine in Epidemiology and Biostatistics 30th May 2012 / Introduction The burden of HIV/AIDS is higher in the sub-Saharan region and multiple sexual partnerships are among the sexual behaviors that put people at risk of HIV transmission. The main aim of this study was to determine the prevalence and associated demographic, socio-economic and behavioral factors of multiple sexual partnerships among men in Zimbabwe. Materials and Methods This was an analytical cross-sectional study that used data from the Zimbabwe Demographic Health Survey 2005-06. Negative binomial regressions were fitted to identify factors associated with multiple sexual partnerships among men in Zimbabwe. Results The prevalence of multiple sexual partnerships was 13.5 %, 12.9%, and 11.2% among the formerly, never and currently married men respectively. Among the formerly married men, the risk factors significantly associated with multiple sexual partnerships included access to newspapers (RR= 1.28; 95% CI:1.02 , 1.60). Formerly married men aged 35-44 years had lower risk of engaging in multiple sex partnerships (RR = 0.59, 95%CI: 0.42, 0.83) than the other age groups. Relative to formerly married men in Manicaland, formerly married men in Mashonaland East region had lower risks of having more sexual partners. Age at first intercourse and sexual attitude were also significantly associated with multiple sexual partnerships among the formerly married men iv Among the never married men, the risk factors associated with multiple sexual partnerships included employment status (RR = 1.33%; 95%CI: 1.17, 1.52), Watching TV (RR = 1.33%; 95%CI: 1.05, 1.69) and sexual attitude (RR = 1.37%; 95% CI: 1.05, 1.79). Relative to never married men in Manicaland, the never married men in Mashonaland East and Mashonaland West had lower risks of having multiple sexual partners. Among the married men, the risk factors associated with multiple sexual partnerships included first intercourse at the age of 19 years or below (RR = 1.07%; 95% CI: 1.04, 1.11) and sexual attitude (RR = 1.16%; 95% CI: 1.09, 1.23). Protective factors included higher level of education (RR = 0.87%; 95% CI: 0.77, 0.98), being 35-44 (RR = 0.94%; 95% CI: 0.89, 0.99) or 45-54 years old (RR = 0.93%; 95% CI: 0.88, 0.99) and being from Mashonaland East (RR= 0.89%; 95%CI: 0.85, 0.93) region. Discussion and Conclusions The results show that after adjusting for potential confounders in the multivariate negative binomial regression analysis; age, geographical region, education, working status, frequency of reading newspapers/magazines/TV, age at first intercourse and sexual attitude remained significantly associated with MSP. However, the extent to which each of these factors was associated with multiple sex partnership varied among marital status groups, therefore HIV/AIDS intervention programs should be designed accordingly.

O objetivo desta tese é analisar se há associação entre atividade sexual e satisfação sexual, e as condições demográficas, socioeconômicas e de saúde, e também a importância dada à vida sexual no passado e no presente, para a população idosa residente no município de São Paulo. Foram considerados os dados do Estudo SABE - Saúde, Bem-Estar e Envelhecimento, relativos à amostra de 2006, composta por 1.078 sujeitos, correspondendo após ponderação a uma população de 854.724 idosos do município de São Paulo. Homens e mulheres foram analisados separadamente, e os dados comparados posteriormente. Os resultados mostraram que frente ao aumento da idade e determinadas condições socioeconômicas e de saúde, a satisfação sexual é cada vez menos associada à atividade sexual, sendo isso mais verificado entre as mulheres do que os homens. Em relação às condições de saúde, a ocorrência de doenças entre as mulheres mostrou mais interferência negativa para a satisfação sexual do que entre os homens. Entre os casados verificou-se maior relação entre a atividade sexual e a satisfação sexual. Como conclusão observou-se que, com o avanço da idade, a satisfação sexual está menos associada à realização de atividade sexual, independente do sexo, porém, isso se verifica mais entre as mulheres, o que não justifica dizer que as pessoas idosas são assexuadas. / The purpose of this thesis is to analyze whether there is an association between sexual activity and sexual satisfaction, and demographic, socioeconomic and health conditions, and the importance given to sexual life in the past and nowadays by the elderly population living in São Paulo. Data from the SABE Study - Health, Welfare and Aging were considered, relating to sample of 2006, consisting of 1078 individuals, corresponding to a population of 854.724 elderly, after weighting, in São Paulo. Men and women have been analyzed separately and then information has been compared. The results showed that against the increased age and specific socioeconomic and health conditions, sexual satisfaction is becoming less associated with sexual activity and it is more observed among women than men. Regarding health conditions, occurrences of diseases among women proved more negative interference for sexual satisfaction than men. Among those married there was a highest ratio between sexual activity and sexual satisfaction. As a conclusion, it was observed that, with increasing age, sexual satisfaction is less tied to the sexual activity, regardless of sex, but it occurs more among women, which is not right to say that older people are asexual.

El presente Proyecto de tesis tiene como principal objetivo determinar cuáles con las cusas y por qué no se da un adecuado tratamiento penitenciario a los internos por violación sexual para una eficiente resocialización e inserción a la sociedad. Las fuentes bibliográficas han sido recabadas vía internet y contrastada con el título del presente proyecto. El proyecto presenta cuatro capítulos en lo que se ha desarrollado en capítulos, pudiendo ser estos: el capítulo I está conformado por el planteamiento del problema, los objetivos, la justificación y la importancia de la investigación, el segundo capítulo los antecedentes, tercer capítulo enfoca los temas de hipótesis y variables y el último capítulo la metodología utilizada para la investigación.

The incidence of unplanned pregnancy has long been used as an indicator of sexual and reproductive health. However, because of dramatic social and demographic changes, existing measures have become outdated and no satisfactory contemporary measure of this status exists. The aim of this study was to develop a measure of unplanned pregnancy which is valid, reliable and appropriate in the context of contemporary demographic trends and social mores, and can be used to establish population estimates of unplanned pregnancy. To achieve this, a two-stage study design was employed: firstly, qualitative (inductive) methods in order to delineate the construct of pregnancy planning/intention, and secondly quantitative/psychometric methods to establish the means of measurement. At the qualitative stage, 67 depth interviews were carried out with pregnant (continuing pregnancy and abortion) and postnatal women. A conceptual model of pregnancy planning/intention was developed from these data and used as the basis for item development in the quantitative stage. Standard psychometric techniques were then employed to construct the measure and test its reliability and validity (the qualitative findings informing judgements about content and construct validity). Over 1000 women participated in the psychometric field testing. The result of the study is a six-item measure of unplanned pregnancy - the first psychometric measure of this construct. Psychometric testing demonstrated the measure's high reliability (Cronbach's alpha>0.90; test-retest reliability >0.90) and high face, content, and construct validity. Women may occupy a range of positions in relation to pregnancy planning, and these are represented in the measure by the spectrum of scores (zero to 12). These scores provide a more sophisticated level of information about pregnancy planning than was previously available. The measure is suitable for use with any pregnancy regardless of outcome (i. e. birth, abortion, miscarriage) and is highly acceptable to women.

A técnica do inseto estéril visa a indução de esterilidade em fêmeas selvagens por meio do acasalamento com machos estéreis liberados em grandes quantidades no ambiente. Os insetos liberados devem ser capazes de competir com os selvagens pela cópula com as fêmeas, fertilizar seus ovos e evitar que ela copule novamente. A recópula com machos selvagens pode interferir na eficiência da técnica por resultar em ovos férteis. Não é conhecido como a sequência de cópula-recópula com machos estéreis e/ou selvagens determina a fertilidade dos ovos na mosca-da-fruta, Ceratitis capitata (Wied., 1824) (Diptera: Tephritidae), nem as conseqüências deste comportamento, o que justificou o presente trabalho. Os experimentos foram realizados em laboratório, na Embrapa Semi-Árido, Petrolina-PE, sob condições ambientes de temperatura e umidade relativa, para determinar a influência do tipo e ordem das cópulas na indução de esterilidade, além de parâmetros do comportamento de recópula, como frequência recópula entre as fêmeas, número de cópulas for fêmea, tempo de cópula e recópula, período refratário e competitividade sexual dos machos. Foi também avaliada a interferência do tratamento aromático dos machos estéreis com óleo de gengibre sobre a recópula das fêmeas. A Biofábrica Moscamed Brasil, Juazeiro- BA forneceu os insetos estéreis, e os selvagens foram provenientes de pupas coletadas de frutos infestados em áreas frutícolas na região do Submédio do Vale do São Francisco. Na presença de machos estéreis e selvagens concorrendo pelas cópulas na proporção de 5 estéreis: 1 selvagem, 63% das fêmeas recopularam em média 3,37 vezes com curto período refratário entre a cópula e a primeira recópula. O tratamento dos machos com óleo de gengibre diminuiu significativamente a taxa de recópula. A aromaterapia dos machos não reduziu a fecundidade e nem conferiu aos machos vantagem da competição espermática, entretanto aumentou a indução de esterilidade em fêmeas selvagens que recopularam. O segundo macho a copular a fêmea apresentou maior vantagem reprodutiva em curto período refratário. Conclui-se que para que a técnica do inseto estéril seja eficiente, é necessário que haja sempre machos estéreis de boa qualidade no campo para recopularem as fêmeas em curto período refratário. / The sterile insect technique (SIT) aim at the induction of sterility in wild females by mating with sterile males released in great amounts in the field. These released males must compete with wild ones being able to attract and mate wild females, fertilize their eggs and avoid remating with a wild male that would lead to fertile eggs and consequently reduce the efficiency of the technique. The circumstances in which remating of Ceratitis capitata (Wied., 1824) (Diptera: Tephritidae) females interfere with the SIT, as well as the consequences of this behavior are not well known, what justified the present study. The experiments were carried out at the Embrapa Semi-Árido, Petrolina-PE, inside the laboratory under ambient conditions of temperature and relative humidity to determine the influence of the order of mating type in the induction of sterility. The parameters evaluated to better understand the remating behavior were remating frequency, number of matings per female, mating and remating time, refractory period, sexual competitiveness of males, and the interference of males aromatherapy with ginger root oil in the females remating. Moscamed facility, Juazeiro-BA, provided the sterile males and the wild ones were from pupae collected from infested fruits from commercial orchards in the São Francisco River Valley. In the presence of sterile and wild males in competition (5 sterile: 1wild), 63% of females remated in average 3.37 times in short refractory period between the mating and the first remating. The males aromatherapy with ginger root oil reduced significantly the remating rate, but did not reduce the fecundity, neither confer advantage to the males in the sperm competition, however increased the induction of sterility in wild females multiply mated. The second male to mate the female presented reproductive advantage if the refractory period was short. For the SIT be efficient the sterile males in the field must always have great quality to remate the females in a short refractory period and thus induce sterility in the wild population.

曾雪汶. / "2000年8月" / 論文 (哲學碩士)--香港中文大學, 2000. / 參考文獻 (200-221 leaves) / "2000 nian 8 yue" / Zeng Xuewen. / Lun wen (zhe xue shuo shi)--Xianggang Zhong wen da xue, 2000. / Can kao wen xian (200-221 leaves) / 致謝 --- p.I / 論文摘要 --- p.II / 英文摘要 --- p.III / 目錄 --- p.IV-VII / 圖標目錄 --- p.VIII / Chapter 第一章 --- 導論 / Chapter 1.1 --- 引言 --- p.1 / Chapter 1.2 --- 性騷擾的定義 --- p.4 / Chapter 1.3 --- 文獻回顧 --- p.6 / Chapter 1.3.1 --- 父權文化在香港 --- p.6 / Chapter 1.3.2 --- 性騷擾理論 --- p.15 / Chapter 1.3.2.1 --- 生物模式 --- p.16 / Chapter 1.3.2.2 --- 心理學理論 --- p.17 / Chapter 1.3.2.3 --- 父權社會理論 --- p.19 / Chapter 1.3.3 --- 公共問題建構理論 --- p.21 / Chapter 1.3.4 --- 結構化理論 --- p.24 / Chapter 1.4 --- 硏究方法 --- p.27 / Chapter 1.5 --- 硏究對象 --- p.31 / Chapter 1.5.1 --- 受訪者資料 --- p.31 / Chapter 1.5.2 --- 報章資料 --- p.34 / Chapter 1.6 --- 論文的組織 --- p.37 / Chapter 第二章 --- 香港文化隊性騷擾的詮釋 / Chapter 2.1 --- 香港的性騷擾現象 --- p.40 / Chapter 2.1.1 --- 歷時已久 --- p.41 / Chapter 2.1.2 --- 存在於不同職業層面 --- p.42 / Chapter 2.1.3 --- 沒有特定的時間地點，施者亦不一定是陌生人 --- p.43 / Chapter 2.1.4 --- 性別權力明顯 --- p.45 / Chapter 2.1.5 --- 在反性騷擾下，性騷擾形式卻趨多樣 --- p.47 / Chapter 2.1.6 --- 舉報意欲不強 --- p.48 / Chapter 2.2 --- 「性騷擾」一詞的出現 --- p.50 / Chapter 2.3 --- 香港法律上性騷擾的定義 --- p.51 / Chapter 2.4 --- 公眾的性騷擾定義 --- p.53 / Chapter 2.4.1 --- 公眾對法律定義的理解 --- p.53 / Chapter 2.4.2 --- 公眾對「性騷擾」一詞的理解 --- p.59 / Chapter 2.4.2.1 --- 「性」的理解 --- p.59 / Chapter 2.4.2.2 --- 「騷擾」的理解 --- p.61 / Chapter 2.4.3 --- 公眾判斷性騷擾的要求 --- p.63 / Chapter 2.4.3.1 --- 明確而不能質疑的動機 --- p.64 / Chapter 2.4.3.2 --- 誤會？ --- p.67 / Chapter 2.4.3.3 --- 要求女性爲絶對受害者 --- p.69 / Chapter 2.5 --- 總結 --- p.72 / Chapter 第三章 --- 公共論述中性騷擾意識的建構 / Chapter 3.1 --- 性騷擾現象的建構 --- p.75 / Chapter 3.1.1 --- 公共論述與公眾的實踐意 --- p.81 / Chapter 3.2 --- 公共論述中性騷擾現象的建構過程 --- p.85 / Chapter 3.2.1 --- 性罪行是心理變態或精神不健全人士的病態行爲 --- p.85 / Chapter 3.2.2 --- 性罪行是女性咎由自取的惡果 --- p.89 / Chapter 3.2.2.1 --- 報導突出女事主行爲不檢的元素 --- p.89 / Chapter 3.2.2.2 --- 把有違「循規蹈矩」規條的案件看成疑案 --- p.91 / Chapter 3.2.3 --- 男性是性慾旺盛的動物 --- p.96 / Chapter 3.2.4 --- 性罪行是道德問題 --- p.99 / Chapter 3.2.4.1 --- 報導突出貞操觀念 --- p.99 / Chapter 3.2.4.2 --- 女性要捍衛道德防線 --- p.101 / Chapter 3.3 --- 總結 --- p.103 / Chapter 第四章 --- 實踐意識的培育 / Chapter 4.1 --- 場景與實踐意識 --- p.106 / Chapter 4.1.1 --- 社會，一個漠視婦女經驗的空間 --- p.106 / Chapter 4.1.2 --- 公共空間的性別分割 --- p.107 / Chapter 4.2 --- 都市設計的陷阱 --- p.111 / Chapter 4.3 --- 性別身分角色與實踐意識 --- p.119 / Chapter 4.4 --- 人際互動與實踐意識 --- p.128 / Chapter 4.4.1 --- 聆聽者與受者的互動 --- p.129 / Chapter 4.4.2 --- 旁觀者與受者的互動 --- p.134 / Chapter 4.4.2.1 --- 製造不安全的空間 --- p.134 / Chapter 4.4.2.2 --- 旁觀者緘默的原因´ؤ´ؤ權力、尷尬、忽視弱勢地位 --- p.137 / Chapter 4.5 --- 前線人員與受者的互動 --- p.140 / Chapter 4.6 --- 資源與實踐意識 --- p.145 / Chapter 4.6.1 --- 申訴制度不健全 --- p.146 / Chapter 4.6.1.1 --- 沒有申訴機制 --- p.146 / Chapter 4.6.1.2 --- 前線工作機構並不積極協助求助者 --- p.149 / Chapter 4.6.1.3 --- 機制複雜繁瑣 --- p.152 / Chapter 4.6.2 --- 法律不健全 --- p.154 / Chapter 4.6.2.1 --- 性騷擾案件的受者並非警察服務的對象 --- p.154 / Chapter 4.6.2.2 --- 審訊過程 --- p.155 / Chapter 4.6.2.3 --- 法律保障範圃不足令受者難以起訴施者 --- p.156 / Chapter 4.6.2.4 --- 佐證規則歧視性罪行受者 --- p.158 / Chapter 4.7 --- 總結 --- p.160 / Chapter 第五章 --- 個人實踐與性騷擾現象的建構 / Chapter 5.1 --- 實踐的作用 --- p.162 / Chapter 5.2 --- 個人實踐與性騷擾現象建構 --- p.169 / Chapter 5.2.1 --- 施者的個人實踐與性騷擾現象建構的關係 --- p.169 / Chapter 5.2.2 --- 第三者的個人實踐與性騷擾現象建構的關係 --- p.170 / Chapter 5.2.3 --- 受者的實踐與性騷擾現象建構的關係 --- p.172 / Chapter 5.2.3.1 --- 投訴有用嗎？ --- p.174 / Chapter 5.2.3.2 --- 張聲/啞忍 --- p.183 / Chapter 5.2.3.3 --- 循規蹈矩 --- p.186 / Chapter 5.2.3.4 --- 其他處理方法 --- p.189 / Chapter 5.3 --- 總結 --- p.195 / Chapter 第六章 --- 結論 / 參考書目 --- p.200 / 英文部分 --- p.200 / 中文部分 --- p.207 / 報刊資料 --- p.214 / 戲劇漫畫 --- p.221

The aims of this project were to investigate the binding characteristics of the cytosolic oestrogen receptor in the uterus, brain and thymus of immature Wistar rats. The specificities of the receptor in the uterus are well established. The specificities of the cytosolic receptor in the uterus and thymus of immature female Wistar rats were tested against a range of steroids and the values found for the thymus compared with those for the uterus. The concentrations and dissociation constant (Kd) of the cytosolic oestrogen receptor were determined in uterus, brain and thymus of male and female rats at 5,18 and 30 days of age. Clomiphene citrate (CC), an oestrogen antagonist/partial agonist, oestradiol (E2), CC+E2 or 4-hydroxyandrostenedione (4-OHA), an aromatase inhibitor, were administered to animals at 15 days in order to study the effects of these compounds on receptor binding characteristics at 30 days. Significant differences in specificity were found between the thymus and uterus, the cytosolic oestrogen receptor in the thymus exhibited significantly higher affinity for corticosterone than it did in the uterus. Male animals were heavier than females at 30 days. Uterus and thymus weights increased exponentially between 5 and 30 days. The tissue-to-body weight ratio increased in uterus between 18 and 30 days and increased in the thymus in both sexes between 5 and 18 days. In males at 30 days, the tissue-to-body weight ratio of the thymus was significantly lower than in females of the same age. Cytosolic oestrogen receptor concentrations in the uterus, brain and thymus differed between some age and/or sex groups. Cytosolic oestrogen receptor concentrations increased exponentially in the uterus between the different age groups. Cytosolic oestrogen receptor concentrations in both thymus and hypothalamus at 5 days were significantly higher in females than in males of the same age group. No differences in cytosolic oestrogen receptor concentrations were found between the sexes in the cortex at 5 and 18 days but at 30 days, receptors were not detectable in this brain area. The Kd for moxestrol, a synthetic oestrogen agonist that is not bound by alphafetoprotein present in the blood of immature rats, was similar in all tissues. E2 and CC+E'-' treatmentsr esulted in decreasedb ody and thymus weight in both sexes,i ncreased uterus weight and decreased thymus weight in both sexes but led to increased uterus weight. CC treatment decreased the concentration of the receptors in the female thymus only-, E2 and CC+E2 treatments decreased the concentratIon of the receptor to levels that were undetectable in hypothalamus and thymus in both sexes, 4-OHA treatment increased thymus weight and cytosolic receptor concentrations in the hypothalamus and thymus of males only. These results suggest that cytosolic oestrogen receptors in uterus, brain and thymus are similar and that sex differences in these tissues are mediated by differential exposure to oestradiol during the early postnatal period. The thymus is crucial to the development of the immune response. The finding that the cytosolic oestrogen receptor differed from the uterus receptor in its affinity for corticosterone and that sex differences in cytosolic oestrogen receptor concentrations were present in the thymus at 5 days could be relevant to the sex dimorphisms that exist in autoirnmune disease manifestation.

Submitted by Gizele Lima (gizele.lima@inpa.gov.br) on 2016-08-25T13:36:33Z No. of bitstreams: 2 Tese_Camila_Fagundes_BADPI_INPA.pdf: 4530397 bytes, checksum: a7e7bdedfb0ee6c9dc2382cc56bdb3f4 (MD5) license_rdf: 0 bytes, checksum: d41d8cd98f00b204e9800998ecf8427e (MD5) / Made available in DSpace on 2016-08-25T13:36:33Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 2 Tese_Camila_Fagundes_BADPI_INPA.pdf: 4530397 bytes, checksum: a7e7bdedfb0ee6c9dc2382cc56bdb3f4 (MD5) license_rdf: 0 bytes, checksum: d41d8cd98f00b204e9800998ecf8427e (MD5) Previous issue date: 2015-06-03 / Conselho Nacional de Pesquisa e Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico - CNPq / This study aimed to evaluate some threats to freshwater turtles in Brazilian Amazon in order to propose strategies and priority areas to their conservation. In the first chapter, we used chelonian distribution data to generate species distribution model (SDM) that predict suitable areas for the occurrence of the group and to evaluate if turtles are protected by the current reserve networks (Gap Analysis). We identified only one gap species, Mesoclemmys nasuta. Other chelonian species had at least a portion of their distribution range included in protected areas. Considering Integral protected Areas (IPA), only Rhinoclemmys punctularia and Kinosternon scorpioides are protected. The insertion of Sustainable Use Areas (SUA) and Indigenous Territories Areas (ITA) was crucial to consider protected most of turtles. Chelonians may be overharvested in non-integral protected areas due their importance as a food resource. It is necessary to restructure the protected areas in Amazon in order to contemplate river catchment sites. In the second chapter we evaluated the exposition of the freshwater turtles to deforestation. We also identified priority areas to the group conservation based on the habitat requirements of the species, deforestation and the network of protected areas. The priority areas to freshwater chelonian conservation are located in northern Amazon and they do not encompass high deforestation areas. However, higher vulnerability of turtle richness to deforestation is located in central-northeastern Amazon, where the deforestation is currently progressing. Phrynops geoffroanus, Kinosternon scorpioides and Rhinoclemmys punctularia had higher percentage of their SDMs lost due to deforestation. Protected areas included large amount of sites required by chelonian conservation but they are not located in areas with higher turtle richness. Our results highlight the regions more important to invest in conservation of freshwater turtles in Brazilian Amazon. In the third chapter, we analized if the Ecological Niche Model (ENM) of a large distributed species, Podocnemis expansa, are transferable to other parts of its geographical range. All TSS values were low, indicating that the models cannot be transferred from one Amazon area to another. On the other hand, AUC showed excellent and good values, no matter the dataset and predictor selection. The predicted area in number of pixels showed strong relationship with the TSS and AUC values using both predictor selections. Our study demonstrates the importance of capture relevant drivers of change in the requirements of the species in each region. Given the lack of transferability, the sum of the suitable areas predicted to both regions of the dataset which produced the more accurate model may be used to represent species distribution. In the fourth chapter, we determined sex ratio of P. unifilis hatchlings based on the dependency of the embryo growth rate from a time series of incubation temperatures of natural nests in central Amazonia. Our study is the first one to show that temperature influences the embryo developmental rate and sex determination in a different way. Daily mean nest temperature was related to distance to vegetation, air temperature and area. Daily thermal variance is related to daily mean nest temperature and both are responsible to sex determination. The sand beach shows high feminization pattern, but the flooding site is still an important source of male production and it seems to be crucial to the maintenance of the population viability. / Este estudo teve como objetivo avaliar ameaças relacionadas a tartarugas de água doce na Amazônia brasileira, a fim de propor estratégias e áreas prioritárias para a sua conservação. No primeiro capítulo, foram utilizados dados de distribuição de quelônios para prever áreas ambientalmente adequadas para a ocorrência do grupo (modelos de distribuição de espécies - SDM) e avaliar se as tartarugas são protegidas pela rede de reservas atuais (Gap Analysis). Identificamos apenas uma espécie-lacuna, Mesoclemmys nasuta. Outras espécies de quelônios tiveram pelo menos uma parte de sua área de distribuição incluída em áreas protegidas. Considerando Áreas de Proteção Integral (IPA), apenas Rhinoclemmys punctularia e Kinosternon scorpioides estão protegidas. A inserção de Áreas de Uso Sustentável (SUA) e Áreas de Territórios Indígenas (ITA) foram cruciais para considerar protegida a maioria das espécies. Quelônios podem ser sobreexplorados em áreas que não são protegidas integralmente. É necessário reestruturar as áreas protegidas na Amazônia, a fim de contemplar locais de captação dos rios. No segundo capítulo foi avaliada a exposição das tartarugas de água doce ao desmatamento. Nós também identificamos áreas prioritárias para a conservação do grupo com base nas exigências do habitat das espécies, o desmatamento e a rede de áreas protegidas atuais. As áreas prioritárias para conservação estão localizadas no norte do Amazonas e elas não abrangem áreas de grande desmatamento. No entanto, o maoir número de espécies afetadadas pelo desmatamento está no centro-nordeste da Amazônia, onde o desmatamento está progredindo. Phrynops geoffroanus, Kinosternon scorpioides e Rhinoclemmys punctularia apresentaram maior porcentagem de SDMs perdidos devido ao desmatamento. As reservas incluíram grande quantidade de área exigida na conservação de quelônios, mas elas não estão localizadas em áreas de maior riqueza. Nossos resultados destacam as regiões mais importantes para investir na conservação das tartarugas de água doce na Amazônia brasileira. No terceiro capítulo, nós analisamos se os Modelos de Nicho Ecológico (ENM) de uma espécie amplamente distribuída, Podocnemis expansa, são transferíveis para outras partes de seu range geográfico. Todos os valores de TSS foram baixos, indicando que os modelos não podem ser transferidos de uma área da Amazônia para outra. Por outro lado, a AUC apresentaram excelentes e bons valores, não importa o conjunto de dados e a seleção de preditores. A área predita para a ocorrência da espécie em número de pixels mostrou forte relação com os valores de AUC e TSS. Nosso estudo demonstra a importância de capturar mudanças relevantes nas necessidades da espécie em cada região. Devido à falta de transferência, a soma das áreas adequadas prevista para ambas as regiões do conjunto de dados que produziram modelos mais acurados podem ser utilizados para representar a distribuição das espécies. No quarto capítulo, determinamos a razão sexual de filhotes de P. unifilis baseado na dependência da taxa de crescimento do embrião a partir de uma série histórica de temperaturas de incubação de ninhos naturais na Amazônia central. O nosso estudo é a primeiro a mostrar que a temperatura influencia a taxa de desenvolvimento do embrião e a determinação do sexo de um modo diferente. Temperatura média diária do ninho foi relacionada com a distância dele até a vegetação, temperatura do ar e da área. Variação termal diária está relacionada com a temperatura diária do ninho e ambas são responsáveis pela determinação do sexo. A praia de areia mostra alto padrão de feminização, mas a praia de Várzea ainda é um importante local de produção do sexo masculino e parece ser crucial para a manutenção da viabilidade populacional.

In many taxa, social structures are mediated by agonistic interactions and the formation of dominance hierarchies. In crayfish, dominance hierarchies may have evolved as a result sexual selection, allowing dominant males greater access to females, thereby increasing their reproductive success. This work tests the hypothesis that high male investment in dominance interactions may have evolved as a result of intra- and/or inter-sexual selection pressures by testing specific predictions in two parts: first, that reproductive males would invest more in agonistic interactions than reproductive females or non-reproductive members of both sexes; and second, that females would prefer odors of dominant males over subordinates, and that dominant males would be either more efficient at mating or be able to mate longer than subordinates. Investment in agonistic interactions was examined in intrasexual pairs of male and female crayfish in both the reproductive and non-reproductive season. As predicted, reproductive males invested more in agonistic interactions overall than reproductive females, while there was no significant difference in investment by non-reproductive males or females. However, no significant difference was found in agonistic investment between reproductive males and non-reproductive males. These data indicate that investment in agonism differs by sex and by reproductive status, and may indicate that dominance interactions are under sexual selection in males. Alternatively, this differential investment may be explained by seasonal changes in the individual costs and benefits of agonism, or by depressed investment by reproductive females. Female odor preference was tested using a y-maze containing control and male treated water. For tests of male mating, time spent in each of three stages of mating was recorded for male-female pairs. Of these tests, the only significant trend produced was that dominant males spent more time associated with the female during and after copulation than subordinates. This may indicate an advantage in fertilization success for males through decreased sperm competition. A pilot study was also conducted testing the predictions that females mated to dominant males invest more in offspring than those mated to subordinates and that such offspring have greater survivability, but no significant conclusions could be drawn from these data.