O tubarão-martelo, Sphyrna lewini é um dos mais valiosos recursos marinhos, e o preço pago por suas barbatanas no mercado Asiático pode atingir acima dos U$ 100,00/kg. A análise da composição de tamanhos e idades nas capturas, o estudo do crescimento desta espécie de grande porte e a evolução temporal dos desembarques, indicaram que este recurso se encontra sobreexplotado no sudeste e sul do Brasil, como reflexo de diferentes modalidades pesqueiras atuando ao longo de todo o seu ciclo de vida e à baixa resiliência desta espécie à pesca, por apresentar um crescimento lento (L&#8734 = 329,12 cm; K = 0,071 ano-1; to = -2,37 ano; sexos combinados), longevidade acima dos 40 anos e mortalidade natural baixa (M = 0,1 ano-1 na fase adulta), padrões estes típicos de uma espécie K-estrategista . A sobrepesca de recrutamento, ocorre nas áreas costeiras, principalmente pela pesca de arrasto e emalhe costeiro, não havendo a proteção das áreas de parto na primavera-verão. Neste caso há grandes capturas de neonatos e juvenis até 8 anos de idade. A tração adulta por sua vez é reduzida pela pesca de espinheI e de emalhe de superfície principalmente na zona de talude. Modelos de análise de covariância indicaram maiores capturas desta espécie na pesca de espinheI de monofilamento de superfície durante os meses de primavera-verão, na zona de talude (200 e 3000 m) e a existência de uma relação linear positiva entre a captura em peso e o esforço em número de anzóis. Medidas de manejo e conservação para esta espécie são sugeridas. / The scalloped hammerhead shark Sphyrna lewini is one of the most valuable marine resources, due to its high-priced fins in the Asian market, which can reach U$ 100,00/kg. The analysis of the length and age composition in the catches, growth studies, and the annual development of its landings in southern Brazil, showed signs of overexploitation for the species. This effect was mainly caused by different fishing gears exploiting all the phases of its life-cycle and its low resilience to fishing pressure due to its slow-growing strategy (L&#8734 = 329,12 cm; K = 0,071 yr-1; to = -2,37 ano; both sexes), longevity (> 40 yrs.) and low natural mortality (M = 0,1 yr-1, during adult phase), which means a K\'strategic typical pattern. Recruitment overfishing use to happen in coastal areas by trawls and anchored gillnets activities which destroy the nurseries and juvenile grounds for the species, mainly in spring-summer months when the parturition occurs. On the other hand, the adult fraction of the stock is reduced by surface longline and driftnets activities along the continental slope. For the surface monofilament longline fisheries, covariance models detected the highest catches of scalloped hammerhead sharks along the slope (between 200 - 3000 m depth), during spring-summer months. There was also a positive linear relationship between catch (in weight) and effort (hook number). Management and conservation measures are recommended for this species.

Tubarões e Raias pertencem à classe dos Chondrichthyes, por serem animais que possuem esqueleto cartilaginoso. O Tubarão-azul (Prionace glauca), popularmente conhecido como \"cação-azul\" dentre todas as espécies de tubarão é a mais abundante no ambiente marinho, podendo ser encontrado em toda a parte do mundo. O estudo teve como objetivo estudar a morfologia das nadadeiras do tubarão-azul (Prionace glauca) e os efeitos sobre células tumorais \"in vitro . Os resultados foram obtidos através da microscopia de luz e Citometria de fluxo. Com os caracteres encontrados na analise macroscópica foi possível identificar as nadadeiras obtidas como sendo do Tubarão-azul (Prionace glauca). A histologia da cartilagem da nadadeira do Tubarãoazul, demonstrou que é formada de cartilagem hialina, apresentando três regiões distintas, sendo no seu interior formado por condrócitos, na periferia de cartilagem calcificada e nas bordas formada por pericôndrio com a presença de colágeno tipo I,II e III. Os resultados obtidos das amostras do Elemento Radial não evidenciam alterações funcionais, quanto ao armazenamento, transporte e obtenção do suprimento celular, estes são viáveis e satisfatórios. O composto da cartilagem de tubarão para o tratamento de tumor \"in vitro\" neste estudo sugeriu que o mesmo apresenta uma atividade anti-tumoral significativa. Mostrou efeito tóxico sobre os tumores de mama murina (TAE) e tumor de mama canino (TMC) em baixas concentrações, não apresentando efeito tóxico nas células de fibroblasto nas mesmas concentrações. / Sharks and rays belong to the Chondrichthyes Class, once they have cartilaginous skeleton. The blue shark (Prionaceglauca), popularly known as \"blue-cation\", among all shark species is the most abundant in the marine environment and can be found everywhere in the world. This study aimed to study the fin morphology in the blue shark (Prionaceglauca) and its effects on \"in vitro\" tumor cells. The results were obtained using light microscopy and flow cytometry. Using the gross morphology we confirm that the fins belonged to the blue shark (Prionaceglauca). The fin cartilage of the blue shark was formed of hyaline cartilage. It showed three distinct regions with chondrocytes inside, calcified cartilage in the periphery, and perichondrium with collagen type I, II and III in the margins. The results obtained from the Radial Element not showed functional changes as storage, transport and cellular supplies obtaining, they were feasible and satisfactory. The use of shark cartilage compound for the treatment of \"in vitro\" tumor cells suggested that it showed a significant anti-tumor activity. It showed a toxic effect on murine breast tumors (MBT) and canine breast tumor (CBT) at low concentrations, with no significant toxic effect on fibroblast cells using the same concentrations.

Sharks are among the most threatened taxonomic groups worldwide. Shark tourism is viewed as a potential means of protecting threatened species, while also providing a sustainable livelihood for local communities. Whale sharks are one such species. Whale shark tourism has grown rapidly in the last twenty years. It is worth an estimated US$66 million and is available in over 15 countries worldwide. However, the management of this industry varies greatly from site to site, from little to no regulations in Thailand to license caps and interaction guidelines in Australia. Further, the long-term sustainability of whale shark tourism is dependent not only on local scale management, but also global scale issues affecting the targeted species. This study assesses the current status and future sustainability of the whale shark tourism industry on Isla Holbox, Mexico. Specific areas of focus include: (1) tourist motivations and satisfaction with the environmental and tour features offered, (2) shark tourist specialization, (3) a comprehensive assessment of the site’s sustainability using Duffus & Dearden’s (1990) Wildlife Tourism Model, and (4) an assessment of the whale sharks’ vulnerability to global scale threats (e.g. marine pollution; global climate change). Methods included a questionnaire provided to whale shark tour participants on Isla Holbox from June to September, 2008 (n=392, response rate=90%), in-water observation of human-whale shark interactions, and the application of a semi-quantitative climate change vulnerability framework. Results suggest that the industry on Holbox is reaching its tipping point if changes are not made to improve its management policies and design. Industry issues include: (1) crowding due to poor control of the industry’s growth (visitation and number of operators), (2) significant impacts on the whale shark population due to poor compliance with interaction guidelines, and (3) the inequitable distribution of benefits within the community, including significant economic leakages. The results of the vulnerability assessment to large-scale threats suggest that global climate change could have a significant impact on the size and distribution of whale shark aggregations in the future. Thus, the majority of whale shark tourism activities, which are based on whale sharks aggregating in vulnerable habitats, may be unsustainable in the long-term regardless of management approach. The type of users and format of tours on Holbox further supports an increased vulnerability to climate change. This study provides a significant contribution to understanding the sustainability of marine wildlife tourism activities targeting threatened species within critical habitats through the assessment of whale shark tourism sustainability using an integrated, multidisciplinary model that addresses both the social and biological dimensions of sustainability. It also includes the first comprehensive assessment of whale shark vulnerability to global climate change based on habitat type and its implications for whale shark tourism activities targeting this species at seasonal aggregation sites. In addition, this study also provides a greater understanding of tourist motivation and satisfaction within marine wildlife tourism, and shark tourism in particular and a first look at shark tourist specialization and its links to environmental impacts and management preferences.

Submitted by (edna.saturno@ufrpe.br) on 2017-02-17T14:32:33Z No. of bitstreams: 1 Natalia Priscila Alves Bezerra.pdf: 2116155 bytes, checksum: 25ac05e8bfcb1edeee75fcfaf93d7ec7 (MD5) / Made available in DSpace on 2017-02-17T14:32:33Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 Natalia Priscila Alves Bezerra.pdf: 2116155 bytes, checksum: 25ac05e8bfcb1edeee75fcfaf93d7ec7 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2013-02-15 / Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior - CAPES / The hammerhead shark (Sphyrna lewini) has a circuntropical distribution, ranging from coastal and semi-oceanic tropical and temperate regions to and island ecosystems. Located near the equator, the Saint Peter and Saint Paul Archipelago (SPSPA) is a group of small islands where hammerhead sharks are frequently observed. For that reason, the SPSPA was selected for the study of hammerhead shark movements, through satellite tagging, using PSAT (Pop up satellite archival transmitting tag).Three females were tagged, two in October 2010 (TM 1: 250 cm TL e TM 2: 260 cm TL), and one in March 2012 (TM 3: 200 cm TL). Although all tags were programmed to remain attached to the animals, collecting data, for 70 days, TM 1 and TM 2 tags were released prematurely, on the 7th and 5th day of monitoring, respectively. TM3 tag was released at the programmed date. According to the deploy and pop-up information (TM 1 e TM 2) and geolocation (TM 3), all sharks remained in SPSPA surroundings during the monitoring period, diving at great depths, mainly during the night, with the deepest dive of 728 m being recorded for TM 3. TM 1 and TM 2 had a depth preference between the surface and 150 m, while TM3 had a more restricted depth preference (surface to 75 m) during both periods, day and night. The temperature profile indicated that the three tagged hammerhead sharks preferred to be in temperatures between 24° C and above 26°C. Despite the great amount of time spent by all sharks in depths attributed to thermocline in SPSPA, the specimens moved from the mixing layer to the mesopelagic zone. In spite of the relevance of the obtained information for the understanding of the species movement patterns, complimentary studies are yet necessary to elucidate its migratory behavior. / O tubarão martelo (Sphyrna lewini) apresenta distribuição circuntropical, abrangendo desde as áreas costeiras e semi-oceânicas das regiões tropicais e temperadas até aos ecossistemas insulares. Localizado próximo à região equatorial, o arquipélago de São Pedro e São Paulo (ASPSP) é um conjunto de pequenas ilhas onde existe a ocorrência do tubarão martelo. Por essa razão, o ASPSP foi o local escolhido para o monitoramento via satélite da espécie através da utilização do transmissor eletrônico PSAT (Pop up satellite archival transmitting tag). Foram marcadas três fêmeas, duas em outubro de 2010 (TM 1 e TM 2) medindo 250 cm e 260 cm (CT), respectivamente, e uma última em março de 2012 (TM 3) com 200 cm de CT. Embora os três transmissores os três transmissores tenham sido programados para coletarem dados por 70 dias, ocorreu o desprendimento prematuro das marcas do TM 1 e TM 2, após um período de fixação aos tubarões de apenas 7 e 5 dias, respectivamente. De acordo com os dados de marcação e soltura dos transmissores (TM 1 e TM 2) e de geolocalização (TM 3), os três tubarões permaneceram no entorno do ASPSP durante o período em que foram monitorados. Os três espécimes foram capazes de realizar incursões frequentes a grandes profundidades principalmente durante a noite, com o mergulho mais profundo registrado a 728 m, atribuído ao TM 3. Os tubarões TM 1 e TM 2 frequentaram preferencialmente as profundidades entre a superfície e 150 m tanto de dia quanto à noite. Já o TM 3 passou a maior parte do tempo em uma faixa que variou entre a superfície e 75 m de profundidade em ambos os períodos. Os perfis de temperatura indicaram que os três espécimes permaneceram com maior frequência em águas aquecidas, entre 24 °C e acima de 26 °C, no período diurno e noturno. A despeito do elevado tempo de permanência dos três tubarões em profundidades atribuídas à termoclina nas proximidades do ASPSP, os espécimes se deslocaram desde a camada de mistura até a zona mesopelágica. Apesar da relevância das informações obtidas para a compreensão dos padrões de deslocamento da espécie, são necessários ainda estudos complementares para elucidar o seu comportamento migratório.

Orientador: Fausto Forest / Coorientador: Rui Coelho / Banca: Alberto Ferreira de Amorim / Banca: Fernando Fernandes Mendonça / Resumo: Para o setor pesqueiro, a identificação e manutenção de estoques diferenciados são fundamentais, pela sua relação direta com a produtividade total e uso sustentável dos recursos, sendo um dos objetivos básicos para programas de controle e conservação de espécies em perigo, a conservação da variabilidade genética. Entre os tubarões mais explorados, as espécies pelágicas apresentam uma maior complexidade na avaliação e monitoramento de suas populações devido às suas distribuições em vastas áreas geográficas. Entre essas espécies, Pseudocarcharias kamoharai, popularmente conhecida como tubarão-crocodilo ou tubarão-cachorro, atinge tamanhos máximos em torno de 140 cm de comprimento total, habita profundidades máximas em torno de 600 metros e ocorre em todos os oceanos tropicais, sendo registrada no Brasil principalmente nas áreas oceânicas do Nordeste. A análise genética molecular realizada utilizando sequências da região controladora do DNA mitocondrial (D-loop) de 125 indivíduos capturados em quatro regiões distintas no Oceano Atlântico (Equatorial Oeste, Noroeste Africano, Golfo da Guiné e Sudoeste Africano) Permitiu identificar 22 haplótipos com diversidade haplotípica h=0.627 e diversidade nucleotídica π=0.00167. Estes índices são similares aos encontrados em outras espécies de tubarões pelágicos também do Atlântico e podem ser considerados dentro dos níveis médios de diversidade genética entre os tubarões. O índice de FST=0.00125 obtido nas comparações pode sugerir ausência de estruturação populacional entre os quatro grupos amostrados. Tendo em vista a contínua inclusão de espécies de tubarões na Lista Vermelha da União Internacional para a Conservação da Natureza e dos Recursos Naturais (IUCN), os resultados obtidos neste estudo podem auxiliar na gestão adequada da pesca e na conservação desta espécie no Oceano Atlântico / Abstract: For the fishing sector, the identification and delimitation of the fishing stocks constitute fundamental information due to their direct relationship to the overall productivity and sustainable utilization of the resources. This constitutes a basic objective in terms of population management and conservation of endangered species that can be represented by the conservation of the genetic variability. Among the most exploited sharks, pelagic species have a greater complexity in terms of evaluation and monitoring due to their distributions along large geographical areas. One of these species is the crocodile shark, Pseudocarcharias kamoharai, which reaches maximum sizes of around 140 cm in total length, inhabits maximum depths of around 600 meters, and occurs in all tropical oceans including in Brazil, mainly in the Northeast region. The molecular genetic analysis using sequences of the mitochondrial DNA control region (D-loop) of 125 individuals captured in four distinct regions in the Atlantic Ocean (Western Equatorial, Northwest Africa, Gulf of Guinea and Southwest Africa), allowed the identification of 22 haplotypes which revealed a haplotype diversity of h=0627 and a nucleotide diversity of π=0.00167. These indices showed to be similar to those found in other species of pelagic sharks, also from the Atlantic sites and can be considered inside of the average levels of genetic diversity among the sharks. The value of FST=0.00125 index found in the comparisons may suggest the absence of population subdivision among the four sampled regions analyzed. Given the continued inclusion of shark species in the Red List of the International Union for Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources (IUCN), the results obtained in this study may be used to help a more sustainable management of fisheries and conservation programs of this species in the Atlantic Ocean / Mestre

Orientador: Fausto Foresti / Banca:Diogo Teruo Hashimoto / Banca: Renato Hajenius Ache de Freitas / Banca: Maria Rita de Cássia Barretto Neto / Banca: Vanessa Paes da Cruz / Resumo: Tubarões e raias estão atualmente entre os vertebrados mais ameaçados de extinção. Tal fato se deve principalmente à exploração pesqueira que permanece sem medidas eficientes de controle em quase todo o planeta, inclusive no Brasil. Considerando-se que cada espécie responde de forma independente às pressões ambientais e principalmente às ações humanas, é de fundamental importância para o desenvolvimento de planos de manejo adequado das suas populações e o ordenamento da exploração sustentável destes recursos que se proceda à caracterização da biodiversidade local, a avaliação das espécies mais capturadas e identificação dos táxons e populações mais suscetíveis à pesca. Contudo, especialmente para os elasmobrânquios, tais parâmetros são de difícil acesso, sobretudo devido às similaridades morfológicas entre as espécies e ainda, devido à prática pesqueira de remoção de partes dos animais como a cabeça e nadadeiras antes dos desembarques, inviabilizando a identificação da maioria das espécies. Segundo os registros de captura de elasmobrânquios elaborados pelo IBAMA nos últimos anos, apenas cerca de 20% dos indivíduos recebem alguma menção quanto à espécie, muitas vezes um nome popular que pode estar relacionado a mais de uma espécie biológica em diversos casos, sendo o restante do produto classificado apenas como cações. A utilização de ferramentas moleculares nos estudos da composição da biodiversidade tem proporcionado sua aplicação em diversas áreas, incluindo na identificação das espécies, no estudo de suas relações evolutivas e no auxílio de programas para a sua conservação. A identificação molecular com a utilização de técnicas do tipo PCR-multiplex e sequências barcode, que identificam características genéticas particulares de cada táxon estão atualmente sendo desenvolvidos e utilizados no reconhecimento das espécies, possibilitando a identificação... / Abstract: Sharks and rays are currently among the most threatened vertebrate to extinction. This is due mainly to the fact that overfishing remains without effective control measures in almost the entire planet, including Brazil. Considering that each species responds independently to environmental pressures, and mainly to human actions, it is of fundamental importance for the development of appropriate management plans and programming the sustainable exploitation of these resources, to proceed to the characterization of local biodiversity, in the assessment of the species caught, in the correct identification of taxa and the most susceptible populations to fishing activities. However, especially for elasmobranches, such parameters are difficult to access, especially due to morphological similarities between species and also because of the fishing practice of removing parts such as the head and fins before landings, making it impossible to identify the most species. According elasmobranches capture records prepared by IBAMA in recent years, only about 20% of individuals receiving some identification indication, often only a popular name that can be related to more than one biological species, with the remainder fishing product classified just as sharks. The use of molecular tools in studies of the composition of biodiversity has provided its application in various areas, including in the identification of the species, in the study of their evolutionary relationships, and in assisting programs for their conservation. The use of molecular identification techniques as the PCR-multiplex type, and barcode sequences using part of the mitochondrial gene sequence Cytochrome Oxidase subunit I that permit to identify particular genetic characteristics of each taxon, are currently being used in the species recognition allowing simultaneous identification of different samples. In the present work, the objective of the study was to identify the species occurring... / Doutor

acase@tulane.edu

Elasmobranchs (sharks, skates and rays) possess a sophisticated array of sensory systems that are, undoubtedly, of great importance to their survival. Representing the earliest group of extant jawed vertebrates, detailed study of elasmobranch sensory biology can provide much-needed information on the evolution of vertebrate sensory systems. Some sensory modalities have been studied in detail in several species, but few studies have examined and compared multiple sensory systems within a particular genus. By examining the morphology and physiology of the different sensory systems, correlations can be made within both an ecological and a phylogenetic context. The primary advantage of studying the sensory systems of closely related species is that any differences between them are more likely to reflect functional ecological adaptations rather than the effects of phylogenetic separation. Wobbegongs sharks (Orectolobidae) are a distinctive group of benthic sharks that are characterised by a highly patterned, dorso-ventrally compressed body. Wobbegongs are ambush predators that employ a unique ‘sit and wait’ strategy. Their morphologically distinct body shape, sedentary lifestyle and mode of predation suggest that wobbegong sharks may differ from other elasmobranchs in how they employ their different sensory systems. In this study, four wobbegong species that vary in life-history and/or habitat were examined: the Western wobbegong, Orectolobus hutchinsi, the spotted wobbegong, O. maculatus, the ornate wobbegong, O. ornatus and the dwarf spotted wobbegong, O. parvimaculatus. Vision and olfaction were assessed in all four species. Detailed assessment of electroreception and mechanoreception (lateral line) was conducted only for O. maculatus and O. ornatus. Morphology, physiology and molecular genetics were examined in the visual system, and morphological assessment was conducted for the olfactory, electroreceptive and mechanosensory lateral line systems. The retinae of all four wobbegong species are duplex; rod and cone photoreceptors can be distinguished easily on the basis of morphology. The wavelength of maximum absorbance (λmax) of the rod visual pigment is 496 nm in O. hutchinsi, 484 nm in O. maculatus, 498 nm in O. ornatus and 494 nm in O. parvimaculatus. Absorbance spectra of cone visual pigments were only obtained from O. maculatus and O. ornatus. Only one spectral type of cone was measured in each species, with max values at 553 nm and 560 nm, respectively. Partial sequences were obtained for the rh1 opsin gene in all four species, and for the lws opsin gene in every species except O. parvimaculatus. The apparent presence of only one cone pigment raises the possibility that wobbegongs do not have colour vision. The topographic distribution of cells within the ganglion cell layer of Orectolobus hutchinsi show a weakly elongated central visual streak of increased cell density, mediating a higher spatial resolving power of 2.06 cycles deg-1 in the frontal visual field. Retinal topography of O. maculatus and O. parvimaculatus are similar, with both possessing a dorsal horizontal streak facilitating increased spatial resolving power in the lower visual field. Orectolobus parvimaculatus also possesses an area of increased cell density in the naso-ventral region of the retina mediating acute vision in the upper caudal region of the visual field. Spatial resolving power reaches 3.51 cycles deg-1 and 3.91 cycles deg-1 in O. maculatus and O. parvimaculatus, respectively. The topographical variation in retinal sampling indicates that different regions of the visual field are relatively more important and may reflect interspecific differences in behaviour and habitat. The mean number of lamellae in the olfactory rosette is 47.0 for Orectolobus hutchinsi, 48.7 for O. maculatus, 40.7 for O. ornatus and 55.7 for O. parvimaculatus. Olfactory sensory epithelial surface area is comparable in O. hutchinsi, O. maculatus and O. ornatus, while O. parvimaculatus has a significantly larger surface area, relative to body size, compared to the other three species. Olfaction appears to be relatively more important in O. parvimaculatus, especially during low light conditions, when vision is limited. The distribution of ampullary electroreceptive pores and mechanosensory lateral line pores (pored and non-pored canals) is almost entirely concentrated on the dorsal region of the head in both O. maculatus and O. ornatus. This suggests that both sensory systems are well-adapted and specialised to detect prey swimming overhead when the wobbegong is sitting motionless, thereby facilitating its unique, predatory, “lie-in-wait’ ambush strategy. Orectolobus hutchinsi and O. ornatus appear to be well-suited to both diurnal and nocturnal activities, whereas O. maculatus and O. parvimaculatus are probably most active under low light conditions. Sensory system information inferred from this study correlates well with what is known of the diet and habitat of the four wobbegong species examined. Therefore, in the absence of other biological data, sensory neurobiological approaches can be used to predict such bio-ecological factors as predatory strategy, habitat preference, and behaviour. Electrophysiology and behavioural approaches will provide major advances in future studies in order to understand how each of the different senses is integrated at both peripheral and central levels and how such studies are vital to our understanding of evolutionary and ecological processes.

In the shark rectal gland (SRG), apical Cl[superscript]- secretion through CFTR channels is tightly coupled to a basolateral K[superscript]+ conductance. The identity of this K[superscript]+ conductive pathway is unknown. Studies were performed in the isolated perfused SRG with 16 K[superscript]+ channel inhibitors at their IC50 and with acidic perfusate. During maximal chloride secretion stimulated by forskolin and IBMX, secretion was inhibited >90% by barium chloride, a non-selective inhibitor of K[superscript]+ channels. Specific inhibitors of calcium sensitive, voltage sensitive, ATP sensitive, and inward rectifying K[superscript]+ channels had no effect on chloride secretion. The inhibitors quinidine, quinine, bupivicaine, anandamide, and low perfusate pH (6.0) abruptly and reversibly inhibited secretion by >90%, consistent with the presence of the Two-Pore-Domain (4TM 2P/KCNK/K2P) family of K+ channels. Degenerate primers were designed to regions of high amino acid homology in known mammal and teleost 4TM 2P K[superscript]+ channel subtypes: TWIK, THIK, TASK, TREK, and TRAAK. PCR with cDNA from several shark tissues identified a putative TASK-1 fragment (394 bp) in shark rectal gland, brain, gill, and kidney. 5and 3 RACE PCR was used to obtain the entire 3 sequence and partial 5 sequence of the shark gene. Genome walking was then used to obtain the remaining 5sequence, including 335 bp of untranslated region sequence upstream of the start codon. The full length clone (1282bp) had an open reading frame encoding a protein of 375 amino acids. This isoform was 80% identical at the amino acid level to the human TASK-1 protein (394 amino acids). Major structural features of the human protein were conserved in the shark ortholog, including the four transmembrane segments (M1-M4), the 2P domains (P1 and P2), short NH2- and long COOH-termini, and an extended extracellular loop between M1 and P1. Shark and human TASK-1 full-length clones were expressed in Xenopus oocytes and studied with two electrode voltage clamp (TEVC) techniques. Both the shark and human TASK-1 channel showed identical current voltage relationships (outward rectifying) with a reversal potential near -90 mV compared to water injected controls. The responses to the inhibitor quinine, and the TASK-1 inhibitor bupivacaine, were identical in shark and human TASK-1. However, shark TASK-1 differed from the human ortholog in two critical responses: response to pH and the metal zinc. The pKa for shark TASK-1 was 7.75 vs. 7.37 for human TASK-1, values that are exceedingly close to the arterial pH for each species, suggesting that TASK-1 channels are regulated closely by the ambient pH. An antibody specific to shark TASK-1 was generated and expression of TASK-1 protein in the rectal gland was confirmed by confocal immuno-fluorescent microscopy which revealed localization to the basolateral membrane, with some apical staining. Shark rectal gland TASK-1 appears to be the major K[superscript]+ channel coupled to secretion in the SRG, is the oldest 4TM 2P family member identified to date, and is the first TASK-1 channel identified to play an essential role in chloride secreting epithelia.

In dieser Diplomarbeit wird eine Möglichkeit für die Abarbeitung von verteilten Workflows konzeptuell erarbeitet und prototypisch implementiert. Dabei werden als Grundlage des Konzepts die Standards der Workflow Management Coalition zur Beschreibung von Workflows und Workflow Management Systemen verwendet. Für die verteilte Abarbeitung von Prozessen wurde eine RMI-basierte Abwandlung des ASAP-Protokolls implementiert. Die Implementierung nutzt Enhydra Shark als Laufzeitumgebung und die Schnittstellen für die verteilte Abarbeitung sind für dieses System angepasst. Anhand von Beispielen und Testfällen wird die Funktionsweise des erstellten Konzepts und seiner Realisierung verdeutlicht.