The main aim of this thesis was to prove the hypothesis that the intake of blood with specific antibodies against sand fly saliva affects sand fly fecundity and mortality. Phlebotomus argentipes and Mesocricetus auratus were used for most experiments. ELISA revealed high levels of specific antibodies in repeatedly exposed hosts. However, a five-day study of mortality and fecundity of bloodfed females demonstrated that feeding on repeatedly bitten hamsters has no effect on number of eggs or survival of females. Salivary antigens of P. argentipes recognized by sera of repeatedly bitten hamsters were characterized by immunoblotting and mass spectrometry. Immunoblotting showed that antibodies in the hamster sera recognize salivary proteins with molecular weight from 25 to 60 kDa. Mass spectrometry revealed that the antigens correspond to D7, apyrases, antigen 5-related proteins and yellow-related proteins. In addition, Phlebotomus females were fed through a chicken membrane on rabbit blood with high concentrations of histamine, serotonin or prostaglandin E2 to find out if they influence fecundity or mortality of sandfly females. While the approximate number of eggs layed by one female did not significantly differ from controls in any experimental group studied, the total mortality of females was lower...

Cavity-nesting communities are structured by the creation of and competition for cavities as nest-sites. Viewing these communities as interconnected webs can help identify species interactions that influence community structure. This study examines cavity-nesting bird community interactions within the fire-maintained longleaf pine (Pinus palustris) ecosystem at Eglin Air Force Base, Florida. In chapter 1, I provide a background review of the ecology of my study system. In chapter 2, I use nest webs to depict the flow of cavity-creation and use at Eglin. I identified 2 webs into which most species could be placed. One web contained 6 species associated with pines. The second web contained 5 species associated with hardwoods. Red-cockaded woodpeckers (Picoides borealis) and northern flickers (Colaptes auratus) created most cavities used by other species within this community. In chapter 3, I describe snag densities and nest-site selection of the cavity-nesting bird community at Eglin. Large, mature pine snags were abundant, exceeding other reported densities for southern pine forests. Pine snags were heavily-used, despite the abundance of available red-cockaded woodpecker cavities in living pine. Hardwood snags accounted for 10% of nests found, and were used by 12 of 14 species. Diameters of nest-trees and available snags were below the range of optimal nest-snag diameters reported in other studies, indicating the need for site-specific snag management guidelines. In chapter 4, I combine a study of basic ecological principles with endangered species management to examine interactions within the cavity-nesting bird community at Eglin. I used a nest web to identify a potential indirect interaction between the red-cockaded woodpecker and large secondary cavity-nesters, mediated by the northern flicker. I used structural equation modeling to test a path model of this interaction. By experimentally manipulating cavity availability, I blocked links described in the model, confirming cavity creation and enlargement as mechanisms that influence this indirect relationship. I demonstrated that a red-cockaded woodpecker cavity-management technique could disrupt this indirect relationship by affecting northern flicker behavior, and provided an empirical example of how, in interactive ecological communities, single-species management can have indirect effects on non-target species. / Ph. D.

Made available in DSpace on 2017-07-10T18:13:29Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 Juliana Mara Costa.pdf: 556873 bytes, checksum: b4d6f1321099600920caa72a0df212c3 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2012-07-09 / Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico / Nutrition has a fundamental importance for the success of fish farming, considering that it represents the majority costs of production. Considering that the fish absorb various nutrients in the water, although the amount of phosphorus absorbed is not sufficient for its proper development, having the need to supply it in diet. Therefore, the present work aimed to evaluate the performance, chemical composition and plasmatic phosphorus response of the different levels of phosphorus inclusion on goldfish (Carassius auratus) diets. Were used 200 fry with weight, standard and total initial length of 3,11±0,50g; 3,68±0,23cm and 5,11±0,31cm, respectively. The fish were distributed in a completely randomized design with five treatments and four replicates in 20 cages of 0,15 m3 of useful volume, made of mesh shade and installed in a circular tank. The experimental lasted for 8 months, being divided into three phases. The diets were formulated with 30% of crude protein and 2900 kcal.kg-1 of digestible energy, isoproteic and isocaloric, with 0,65, 0,80, 0,95, 1,10 e 1,25% of phosphorus concentration. The fed was realized four times a day until the fish apparent satiation. The physical and chemical water variables such as pH, electrical conductivity and dissolved oxygen were measured weekly and the temperature was monitored four times a day. At the end of the experiment, the fish were fasted for 24 h, to empty the gastrointestinal tract. After this procedure, were collected and anesthetized with solution of benzocaine (75 mg.L-1) during 15 minutes, and after that the fish were weighed and measured. Was carried out the collection of 1,0 mL of fish blood via caudal vein using disposable syringes containing EDTA (10%). For determination of phosphorus in the blood, the phosphomolybdate colorimetric method was used. It is concluded that, for the first phase, on experimental conditions, the best results of weight gain were obtained for the phosphorus inclusion levels of 0,95 and 1,10%, (P<0,05) does not influence this parameter in the other phases. For feed conversion, the best index was obtained for the phosphorus inclusion levels of 1,25%, when evaluated the complete experimental period. There was no difference in phosphorus concentration in the fish plasm. The highest value of mineral matter in the chemical composition of the animals was observed for 1,25% of phosphorus supplement (P<0,05). / A alimentação balanceada é de fundamental importância para o sucesso da piscicultura, tendo em vista que representa a maior parte dos custos de produção. Considerando que os peixes possuem a capacidade de absorver certos minerais presentes na água, a quantidade de fósforo absorvida não é suficiente para o adequado desenvolvimento dos animais, quando cultivados, havendo a necessidade de seu fornecimento pela dieta. Assim, este trabalho teve como objetivo avaliar a resposta em parâmetros zootécnicos, de composição bromatológica e de fósforo plasmático à inclusão de diferentes níveis de fósforo em dietas para kinguio (Carassius auratus). Foram utilizados 200 alevinos com peso, comprimento padrão e total inicial médio de 3,11±0,50g, 3,68±0,23cm e 5,11±0,31cm, respectivamente. Os indivíduos foram distribuídos em delineamento inteiramente casualizado, com cinco tratamentos e quatro repetições, em 20 tanques-rede de 0,15 m3 de volume útil cada, confeccionados em malha sombrite e instalados em um tanque circular de alvenaria. O período experimental teve duração de 8 meses, sendo subdividido em 3 fases, utilizando a mesma dieta mas com variação da temperatura. As dietas foram formuladas com 30% de proteína bruta e 2900 kcal.kg-1 de energia digestível, isoproteicas e isoenergéticas, com concentrações de: 0,65, 0,80, 0,95, 1,10 e 1,25% de fósforo. O arraçoamento foi realizado quatro vezes ao dia, ad libitum, até a saciedade aparente dos peixes. As variáveis físicas e químicas da água, pH, condutividade elétrica e oxigênio dissolvido, foram mensuradas semanalmente e a temperatura monitorada diariamente, quatro vezes ao dia. Ao final do experimento, os peixes foram mantidos em jejum por 24 h, para esvaziamento do trato gastrointestinal. Após este procedimento, foram coletados e anestesiados com solução de benzocaína (75 mg.L-1) durante 15 minutos e, posteriormente, pesados e medidos. Realizou-se a coleta de 1,0 mL sangue por peixe via punção da veia caudal utilizando-se seringas descartáveis contendo solução de EDTA (10%). Para determinação do fósforo no sangue, utilizou-se o método fosfomolibdato colorimétrico. Concluiu-se que, para a fase I, nas condições experimentais, obteve-se o melhor resultado para ganho em peso para os níveis de 0,95 e 1,10% de fósforo (P<0,05), não influenciando este parâmetro nas demais fases. Para conversão alimentar aparente, o melhor índice foi obtido para o nível de 1,25% de fósforo na dieta, quando avaliado o período experimental completo. Não houve diferença na concentração de fósforo plasmático dos peixes. O maior valor de matéria mineral na composição bromatológica dos animais foi verificado para 1,25% de suplementação de fósforo (P<0,05).

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