Foi estudada a atividade ovariana de fêmeas de onça-pintada (Panthera onca; adultas n=2 e pré-púberes n=3) mantidas em cativeiro, pela extração e quantificação de estrógenos e progestinas fecais. Foram colhidas amostras fecais de 2-7 vezes por semana durante 16-18 meses. Foi realizada a validação dos radioimunoensaios em fase sólida, progesterona e 17β-estradiol, para uso em extratos fecais em onça-pintada. A duração média (±EPM) do ciclo ovariano (n=7) definido por dois picos consecutivos de estrógenos fecais foi de 38,28 ±2,52dias (variando de 25 a 44 dias). A fase de estro teve duração média de 10,42 ±1,15dias (variando de 7 a 15dias) e a fase de inter-estro durou em média 28,00 ±1,43dias (variando de 28 a 31 dias). O nível basal médio de estrógenos fecais no período de inter-estro foram de 31,26 ±1,34ng/g de fezes secas. No período de estro, os valores médios encontrados foram de 115,91 ±8,82ng/g de fezes secas, foi observado um pico entre o D-5 e o D-2, com valores médios de 164,45 ±3,49ng/g de fezes secas. As progestinas fecais apresentaram valores médios de 0,44 ±0,05µg/g de fezes secas, não apresentando variações significantes durante todo o ciclo. Os dados obtidos durante a avaliação do perfil longitudinal das concentrações de estrógenos fecais, no grupo dos animais pré-púberes, permitem indicar um possível início da atividade ovariana a partir do bimestre agosto-setembro, onde os valores médios dos picos detectados para estrógenos fecais, foram de 135,31 ±3,16ng/g de fezes secas. Todos os animais entraram na fase peripuberal com idade aproximada de 20 meses. / Ovarian function of captive jaguars (Panthera onca; adults n=2 and pre-pubertal n=3) was assessed by extraction and quantification of fecal estrogens and progestins. Fecal samples were obtained 2-7 times per week during 16-18 months. Validation of solid phase radioimmunoassay for progesterone and 17β-estradiol was performed for jaguar fecal extracts. Ovarian cycle mean duration (±SEM), defined by two consecutive peaks of fecal estrogens, was 38.28 ±2.52days (range, 25 - 44days; n=7). Mean estrous phase duration was 10.42 ± 1.15days (range, 7 - 15days), and inter-estrous phase mean duration was 28.00 ±1.43days (range, 28 - 31days). Basal fecal estrogen mean concentration in inter-estrous period was 31.26 ± 1.34ng/g of dry feces. During estrous period mean value was 115.91 ±8.82ng/ g of dry feces, and was observed a mean peak (164.45 ±3.49 ng/g of dry feces) between D-5 and D-2. Fecal progestins had a mean concentration of 0,44 ± 0.05µg/g of dry feces, with no significant variations during the cycles. Data obtained during the evaluation of fecal estrogen longitudinal profiles in the pre-pubertal group, allow to indicate the beginning of ovarian activity in August-September bimester with fecal estrogen mean peaks of 135.31 ± 3.16ng/ g of dry feces. AlI animaIs started pre-pubertal phase around 20 months of age.

O nitrito pode ser reduzido a NO de forma dependente do pH ácido do estômago ou por enzimas com atividade nitrito-redutase. O tratamento com omeprazol, previne parte dos efeitos anti-hipertensivos do nitrito administrado por via oral por aumentar o pH gástrico. Contudo, nenhum estudo até o momento avaliou se, assim como o omeprazol, a ranitidina também é capaz de atenuar os efeitos anti-hipertensivos do nitrito de sódio por aumentar o pH gástrico. Nesse estudo, examinamos se a administração oral de ranitidina poderia prejudicar os efeitos anti-hipertensivos do nitrito de sódio administrados por via oral, por interferir na formação de NO e espécies nitrosiladas a partir do nitrito. A fim de verificar a influência da ranitidina no efeito hipotensor do nitrito de sódio, utilizamos animais tratados agudamente com LNAME pré-tratados com ranitidina, omeprazol e veículo e, posteriormente, com nitrito de sódio 15mg/kg. Como esperado, o tratamento com L-NAME resultou em aumento na pressão arterial média (PAM). O pH gástrico foi diferente entre os grupos, tendo um aumento no pH dos animais tratados com ranitidina e omeprazol, quando comparado ao veículo, e os tampões tinham o mesmo pH do veículo e das drogas. O nitrito de sódio exerceu efeitos anti-hipertensivos significativos nos grupos estudados. No entanto, foram observadas menores diminuições na PAM em ratos tratados com omeprazol e ranitidina em comparação aos ratos que receberam veículo. Esses achados foram associados a diminuições nas concentrações gástricas de NO e diminuições nos níveis plasmáticos de espécies nitrosiladas. Além disso, houve aumento nas concentrações de nitrito no estômago. Não foram observadas diferenças nas concentrações de nitrito no plasma. Além disso, não foram observadas diferenças nos níveis de NOx no plasma e estômago entre os grupos do estudo. Os animais tratados com tampão apresentaram resultados similares aos tratados com as drogas. Nossos resultados sugerem que a ranitidina, ao aumentar o pH gástrico, afeta as respostas anti-hipertensivas ao nitrito de sódio oral por diminuir a formação de NO e espécies nitrosiladas. Este fato é reforçado pelo aumento do nitrito no estômago, sugerindo uma diminuição na conversão de nitrito a NO e espécies nitrosiladas no ambiente gástrico. / Nitrite can be reduced to NO depending on acidic pH of the stomach or by enzymes with nitrite reductase activity. Treatment with omeprazole attenuates the antihypertensive effects of oral nitrite by increasing of gastric pH. However, studies are still necessary to further evaluate wheter ranitidine is also able to attenuate the antihypertensive effects of sodium nitrite by increasing gastric pH. In this study, we examined whether oral administration of ranitidine could impair oral antihypertensive effects of sodium nitrite by interfering with the formation of NO and nitrosylated species from nitrite. In order to analyze the influence of ranitidine under hypotensive effect of sodium nitrite, rats were treated with L-NAME and pretreated with ranitidine, omeprazole, vehicle or buffer, subsequently all the groups were treated with sodium nitrite 15 mg/kg. The L-NAME treatment increase mean arterial pressure (MAP). The gastric pH was different among the groups, there was an increased in rats gastric pH treated with ranitidine and omeprazole compared to the vehicle. The buffer group had the same pH of vehicle and drugs treatment. Sodium nitrite exerted significant antihypertensive effects in the groups studied. However, lesser decreases in MAP were observed in rats treated with omeprazole and ranitidine compared to rats that received vehicle. These findings were associated with a lower NO gastric concentrations as well as nitrosylated species plasma levels. In addition, there was an increased in nitrite concentrations in the stomach. No differences were observed in plasma nitrite levels. Moreover, there was not any significant difference in plasma and stomach NOx levels among the studied groups. The rats treated with buffer showed similar results to those treated with the drugs. Together these data demonstrated that ranitidine, through increased gastric pH, affects antihypertensive responses to oral sodium nitrite by reducing the formation of NO and nitrosylated species. This fact is reinforced by higher levels in nitrite concentrations in the stomach, thereby it suggests a lower conversion of nitrite to NO and nitrosylated species in the gastric environment.

Nitric oxide (NO) as well as reactive oxygen species (ROS) play an important role in defence signalling in plants. After successful recognition of an invading pathogen, an increase in ROS occurs, the ’oxidative burst’; and a ’nitrosative burst’ is also observed. This leads to the induction of defence responses, including the ’hypersensitive response’ (HR), a form of programmed cell death. A balanced production of hydrogen peroxide and NO is crucial for HR induction. In a process called S-nitrosylation, NO can react with cysteine thiols to form S-nitrosothiols, or react with glutathione to form S-nitrosoglutathione (GSNO). The enzyme GNSO reductase (GSNOR) indirectly regulates SNO levels by turning over GNSO. The Arabidopsis thaliana T-DNA insertion mutant atgsnor1-3 shows a complete loss of GNSOR activity and has drastically increased SNO levels, resulting in stunted growth, loss of apical dominance, increased HR, loss of salicylic acid (SA) accumulation and increased susceptibility to avirulent, virulent and non-host pathogens. Two recessive and allelic EMS suppressor mutants in the atgsnor1-3 background were isolated, which showed mostly wild type growth. The mutations were identified by map-based cloning as two different point mutations in At1g20620 or CAT3, one of three catalase genes in Arabidopsis. Catalases break down hydrogen peroxide, with CAT2 being the major catalase in Arabidopsis. All three catalases are structurally very similar, but show temporal and spatial differences in their expression patterns. The suppressor mutants recovered apical dominance, and partially recovered disease resistance to avirulent pathogens, but were still susceptible to virulent pathogens and showed decreased SA levels. The suppressor mutants showed wild type HR in response to different avirulent bacteria. Interestingly, loss-of-function of the other catalase genes as well as loss-of-function of other redox-related genes did not restore apical dominance of atgnsor1-3 plants. This effect seems to be highly specific to CAT3, possibly because of its expression pattern or its expression levels. Further research is needed to fully understand the mechanisms at work here, but these results certainly seem to show a direct connection between redox signalling and S-nitrosylation.

I highlight two squamate lineages endemic to Southeast Asia, the Asian water monitors (Varanus salvator Complex) and the Angle-headed lizards (Agamidae: Gonocephalus), and elucidate their systematic affinities and historical biogeography. My results represent novel phylogenetic inferences, with biogeographic histories and diversification events corresponding to major climatic fluctuations over the past 30 million years. Additionally, I solidify the taxonomy and systematics of the Varanus salvator Complex, and enumerate more than a dozen Gonocephalus lineages as candidate species in need of taxonomic scrutiny. Lastly, I investigate contemporary and historical patterns of dispersal throughout Sundaland, and between Sundaland and the Philippines.

No description available.

Florida scrub is a xeromorphic upland shrub community dominated by evergreen oaks that resprout after fire, occurring on moderately to excessively well-drained nutrient-poor sand. Scrub is home to several threatened and endangered animal species (e.g., Florida scrub-jay, gopher tortoise, and indigo snake) and rare and endemic plants. Urban development and agriculture has greatly reduced and fragmented scrub habitat, and because of this Florida scrub is considered one of the most endangered ecosystems in the United States. Climate change is a further threat to Florida scrub. Under a warmer and drier climate, scrub species will be exposed to more frequent and more severe droughts. In order to understand how scrub will respond to a changing climate, we must first have a better understanding of how scrub species respond to climate and water availability. In this dissertation, I use a combination of dendrochronology and plant physiological techniques to examine species responses to climate and water availability. In chapter two, I use dendrochronology to examine the importance of seasonal climate on growth of three co-occurring species in Florida scrub, myrtle oak (Quercus myrtifolia Willd.), Chapman oak (Quercus chapmanii Sarg.), and south Florida slash pine (Pinus elliottii Engelmann var. densa Little & K.W. Dorman). This is the first dendrochronology study on co-occurring scrub species. Therefore, my first goal was to ask whether Chapman oak and myrtle oak put on distinct annual rings with year to year variability that would enable successful crossdating. Because I found that each species does have annual rings that can be crossdated, my second goal was to ask how growth in each species responds to climate and its extremes, drought and extreme precipitation. Growth in both oaks was positively correlated with spring precipitation, while slash pine total and latewood growth was positively correlated with April and September precipitation. Slash pine earlywood growth was positively correlated associated with increased winter precipitation. In all three species, growth was sensitive to both annual and spring droughts. However, only slash pine exhibited increased growth with precipitation associated with tropical weather during July-September. Earlywood growth of slash pine was positively correlated with the Ni[ntilde]o 3.4 index: colder, wetter winters tended to be associated with increased earlywood growth. The between-species differences in response to seasonal climate may be due to differences in growth phenology. For both oaks, the climatic limiting factor was water availability in the spring, which is when the majority of radial growth occurs. By contrast, for slash pine, growth was limited by precipitation in the spring and late summer, its peak growth period. During the period for which we have a dendrochronological record (1920 to present), precipitation in April has become increasingly correlated with growth for all three species; as it has become the driest spring month during this period. In chapter three, I use dendrochronology to determine the climate-growth relationships of the dominant oak in Florida scrub, myrtle oak, for five sites occurring on three different scrub ridges in central Florida. My goals were twofold: 1) to ask whether the climate-growth responses of myrtle oak were robust across sites and 2) to ask how myrtle oak growth was affected by droughts (determined on both seasonal and annual basis). Myrtle oak growth increased with increased spring precipitation; temperature had little effect on myrtle oak growth. The growth response of myrtle oak to moisture availability (measured by the standardized precipitation index (SPI)) in March, April, May, and June, was robust across sites, with the exception of Malabar West. Myrtle oaks at Malabar West grew on poorly drained soils and were less responsive to precipitation and drought than were oaks growing on the other sites. March, April, May, and June SPI explained between 21.5 to 58.3% of the variation in myrtle oak growth for each site. Seasonal droughts explained more of the variation in growth than annual droughts. Spring droughts decreased myrtle oak growth at all sites, and drought during the previous summer decreased growth at Malabar West. Drought impacted growth for a single year; growth was normal or greater than normal during the year after drought. These results suggest that the timing of drought is important for myrtle oak growth, and that seasonal measures of drought are more important than annual measures of drought for determining growth impacts. In chapter four, I examine how the distribution and physiological functioning of scrub species vary along the ridge-swale topography at the Kennedy Space Center. Climatic factors often limit species distributions and plant physiological functions over large elevation gradients. However, on small elevation gradients, hydrologic variation may have strong effects on the distribution of species and the physiological function within a species. I used point-intercept sampling along a ridge-swale gradient at Kennedy Space Center on Merritt Island, Florida, to study how species distribution varied over a 1.2 m elevation gradient. Data from water monitoring wells along the elevation gradient were used to ask whether elevation may serve as a proxy for depth to water table. Elevation served as a good proxy for depth to water table; water table depth increased with elevation. I focused especially on understanding how the distribution and physiological functioning of three co-occurring Florida scrub oak species (Chapman oak, sand live oak (Quercus geminata) and myrtle oak) varied along the elevation gradient. Cover of all three scrub oaks increased with increasing elevation. Only sand live oak exhibited differences in physiological functioning along the elevation gradient; individuals at lower elevations were more sensitive to drought than individuals on the ridge. All three oaks exhibited stomatal regulation of water use efficiency drought. Chapman oak did not exhibit decreased photosynthetic activity during drought. Leaf phenology may play a role in the different responses to drought exhibited.

This dissertation addresses issues pertinent to the control of an invasive species, issues that pertain both to a species’ introduction at a country’s international border and its spread within the country’s border. In the first essay, tariffs and inspections are examined as a joint border control mechanism. In a deterministic setting, where the invasive species level is functionally related to a foreign (i.e., exporting) country’s shipment size, a traditional tariff can be optimal for the home (i.e., importing) country in the short run, but distorts the entry condition for foreign firms and results in a suboptimal industry size in the foreign country in the long run. When the foreign country’s abatement effort determines the invasive species level, an additional home-country tariff on the invasive-species level (which I call an “invasive-species tariff”) is necessary to motivate the foreign firms to abate the invasive species at socially optimal level. In the second essay I consider the case where the invasive species contamination level is jointly determined by the foreign countries’ abating efforts and random environmental factors. The home country may use standard contracts to mitigate imperfect observability caused by the random factors. However, I show that the home country must provide risk-averse foreign countries with higher subsidy rates than the first-best rates with perfect information as compensation for partially bearing the risk. When risk-averse foreign countries face both individualistic and common random environmental factors, a standard tournament scheme is capable of attaining the home country’s first-best invasive-species solution. The third essay addresses the control of an established invasive species outbreak in the home country with multiple spatially-connected individuals. The optimal response to invasion (eradicating, stopping, or ignoring invasion) is determined by the incremental damage of invasion and the marginal control cost. Different spatial scales lead to a divergence between the control incentives of society and individuals, and result in a deficiency of individualistic control, which in turn results in a larger steady-state invasion area. Numerical analysis also demonstrates that the number, size, and spatial configuration of small and large individual land parcels influence the severity of the externality and the insufficiency of privately supplied control. I introduce a dynamic multiple-source-subsidy scheme to internalize the externalities, which prompts individuals to coordinate and follow the social optimal control path without a budget burden on the government.

Sub-Saharan Africa is home to nine described species of Dignomus Wollaston, 1862. Study and dissection of specimens has led me to the hypothesis that there are nine undocumented species in this region. Descriptions and images of the new species are presented and discussed, along with a compiled list of all described species from the Sub- Saharan region. The probable biology as geographic distributions for members of the genus are also given. Additionally, a phylogenetic analysis of 95 species of bostrichoids using CO1 molecular data was done with a focus on the origins of Dignomus and Pseudomezium. parsimony and bayesian analyses were run, the later providing evidence that Pseudomezium derived genus of Dignomus. Support was also found for a monophyletic Ptininae (i.e., the spider beetles) but not for the bostrichids, and anobiids. More data will be needed to clarify the relationships among the taxa of Bostrichoidea.

Proposals for the internal relationships and classification of the bostrichoids are currently poorly supported, and almost all are based on morphology alone. This study improves upon on previous phylogenetic analyses of the group by including more taxa using the standard genes for many phylogenetic analyses. Cytochrome C oxidase subunit 1 (CO1), 28S small subunit rRNA, and 16S small subunit rRNA mitochondrial genes were sequenced or obtained from Genbank, then analyzed using parsimony and Bayesian analyses. Topologies differed depending on genes used. A three gene tree and a two gene (28S and CO1) tree both supported relationships in which a basal bostrichid clade was sister to Ptinidae s. s. + anobiids, with another bostrichid clade within the ptinids. Current bostrichid and anobiid subfamilies tested were not supported as monophyletic in any of the trees obtained. Additionally, five new species of spider beetles in the genus Meziomorphum Pic from South Africa are described including M. endrödyi, M. boroveci, and M. nama from the Richtersveld, M. bulla from south-central Namaqualand, and M. cederbergensis from the Cederberg. Genitalia are illustrated for the genus for the first time for six of the 10 species now known. A brief discussion of the evolution of generic morphology and biology as well as the relationships of the genus to other spider beetle groups are also provided. Finally, a revision of the genus Eutaphroptinus is presented. Eutaphroptinus pseudonatalensis is considered a synonym of Eutaphroptinus natalensis. New species records of E. natalensis are also provided, as well as illustrations of the genus.

This research investigates land use change and the area of occurrence of an introduced primate species, Chlorocebus sabaeus, from 1940 until the present. Research into the importation and subsequent release of these monkeys has revealed that they were released from a failed tourist attraction in 1947. The attraction was located southeast of the Hollywood International Airport in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. Remote sensing techniques were utilized to examine land use change over time, create a land classification map, and create a canopy model. These data were used to better understand the area of occurrence of an introduced primate species by examining anthropogenic changes through time and measuring changes in available forest habitat. Corridors, and their transformation through the decades, were evaluated to better understand potential dispersal routes and connectivity to natural areas for colonization. / Includes bibliography. / Thesis (M.S.)--Florida Atlantic University, 2019. / FAU Electronic Theses and Dissertations Collection