Salmonella spp. foi isolada em 20% (18) amostras de água de regiões portuárias (Portos de Belém/PA, Fortaleza/CE, Itaguaí/RJ, Paranaguá/PR, Recife/PE, Rio Grande/RS e Santos/SP) e em 19% (04) amostras de moluscos bivalves. Dentre os 214 isolados de Salmonella spp. em amostras de água (206) e bivalves (8), o sorotipo S. Saintpaul O:4 [B] foi o mais freqüente (53/214). Na avaliação dos isolados quanto à suscetibilidade a 14 antimicrobianos, 204 (95,3%) apresentaram resistência até a dez agentes antimicrobianos. O método de PCR foi utilizado para caracterizar os sorogrupos de Salmonella spp. (A-D1, B, e C2-C3), sendo eficiente em 93,6% dos isolados. A presença de Salmonella spp., inclusive multiresistentes, em áreas portuárias reflete em risco para saúde pública. Programas de vigilância ambiental, epidemiológica e sanitária poderiam ser contempladas nas áreas portuárias, evitando o transporte de Salmonella spp., através da água de lastro de navios e que podem atingir áreas de balneabilidade ou aqüicultura. / Salmonella spp. was isolated in 20% (18) samples of port regions water (Ports of Belém/PA, Fortaleza/CE, Itaguaí/RJ, Paranaguá/PR, Recife/PE, Rio Grande/RS and Santos/SP) and in 19% (04) samples of mollusk bivalves. Amongst the 214 isolated of Salmonella spp. in water samples (206) and bivalves (8), serotype S. Saintpaul O: 4 [B] was most frequent (53/214). In the evaluation of these isolated to the susceptibility for the 14 antimicrobial agents profile, 204 (95.3%) had presented resistance until ten agents. The PCR method was used to characterize the serogroups of Salmonella spp. (A-D1, B, and C2-C3), being efficient in 96,3% of the isolated ones. The presence of Salmonella spp., also multiresistant, in port areas reflects at risk for public health. Programs of environment survey, epidemiological and sanitary could be contemplated in the port areas, preventing the transport of Salmonella spp. through at the ballast water of ships and that they can reaching recreational or aquaculture areas.

Microplastic pollution (particles < 5mm) is one of the most widespread impacts from modern society. Here, microplastic impacts were investigated through experimental assessments considering different exposure scenarios using mussels and micro-PVC as models. These aimed to investigate mussels\' physiological signs of stress under acute and chronic exposures and microplastics transference, assimilation and retention along food chains. In acute exposures, PVC intake affected mussels\' physiology over time, also influenced by plastics additives and particle concentration. Interactions among exposure factors (time, presence of additives and concentration) were more relevant than their individual effect, indicating the singularity of each contamination scenario. Long-term contact did not affect mussels, indicating the influence of time to acclimation. Microplastics were not assimilated and retained along food chains, but only biotransferred from prey tissues to predators\' tract, showing the influence of prey contamination on the effectiveness of microplastics biotransference. To evaluate risks in nature, microplastic ingestion was investigated in mussels from the Santos Estuary. Santos Estuary contained microplastics in 75% of sampled mussels, an issue of environmental and human concern. This study illustrated that microplastics impacts on mussels vary with microplastics characteristics, exposure scenario and species vulnerability, highlighting the need for more toxicological and risk evaluation studies. / Os microplásticos (< 5mm) são um dos impactos mais difundidos da sociedade moderna. Aqui, eles foram estudados em ensaios experimentais, considerando diferentes composições de exposição de mexilhões à micro-PVCs. O objetivo foi investigar: sinais fisiológicos de estresse sob exposições aguda e crônica; e transferência, assimilação e retenção de microplásticos em cadeias tróficas. Para avaliar seus potenciais riscos na natureza, a ingestão por mexilhões também foi investigada no Estuário de Santos. As exposições agudas afetaram a fisiologia dos mexilhões, sendo influenciadas pelo tempo e concentração de exposição, e pela presença de aditivos plásticos. Interações entre esses fatores (tempo, concentração e aditivos) foram mais relevantes do que eles individualmente, sugerindo a singularidade dos cenários de poluição. A exposição de longo prazo não afetou os mexilhões, indicando a influência do tempo na aclimatação ao microplástico. O PVC não foi assimilado e retido nas cadeias tróficas, mas biotransferido do tecido das presas para o trato dos predadores, mostrando a influência do estado da presa na efetividade da biotransferência dos microplásticos. Dentre os mexilhões coletados, 75% estavam contaminados, revelando uma importante questão socioambiental. Esse trabalho ilustrou a complexidade dos impactos dos microplásticos para a biota marinha, ressaltando a necessidade de mais estudos sobre seus riscos.

Les populations de bivalves exploités subissent régulièrement des épizooties qui affaiblissent voire déciment les stocks, et qui peuvent avoir des conséquences majeures pour l’aquaculture. Ces maladies, dues à des virus, bactéries, ou parasites, se développent particulièrement au printemps et en été. Ces périodes de l’année offrent également des conditions propices aux efflorescences de micro-algues toxiques, dont des dinoflagellés du genre Alexandrium. Ainsi, le risque de co-occurrence d’efflorescences d’Alexandrium sp. et de maladies infectieuses chez les bivalves est élevé. Or, ces micro-algues synthétisent et excrètent des neurotoxines et des composés cytotoxiques responsables d’altérations physiologiques chez les bivalves. L’objectif de cette thèse est d’évaluer les effets combinés d’une exposition à Alexandrium sp. et d’une infection par des agents pathogènes sur la physiologie des bivalves, à travers l’étude de différentes interactions tripartites bivalve – pathogène – Alexandrium sp. Les résultats de ce travail indiquent que différents profils de réponse existent en fonction des espèces impliquées dans ces interactions. Ainsi, une exposition à Alexandrium sp. peut augmenter le taux d’infection par des agents pathogènes chez des bivalves ou au contraire le diminuer. Les réponses hémocytaires associées peuvent traduire l’implication des défenses immunitaires dans ces modulations hôte-pathogène. De plus, l’exposition à des agents pathogènes peut interférer avec le processus d’accumulation de toxines algales dans les tissus des bivalves, illustrant la complexité de ces interactions. Ces résultats, associés à l’observation de lésions tissulaires chez les bivalves peuvent traduire l’altération des activités de nutrition (filtration, digestion…). Ce travail de thèse apporte une meilleure compréhension de l’implication des efflorescences toxiques dans le développement des maladies touchant les bivalves d’intérêt commercial, mais également de l’implication de l’environnement biotique des bivalves sur l’accumulation de phycotoxines réglementées. / Bivalve populations undergo regular epidemics that weaken or decimate exploited stocks and thus limit aquaculture. These diseases are caused mainly by viruses, bacteria or parasites, and occur primarily during spring and summer. This period of the year also provides favorable conditions for toxic dinoflagellate blooms, including species of the genus Alexandrium. Thus, the risk of Alexandrium sp. blooms and infectious diseases co-occurring in bivalves is high. However, these micro-algae synthesize and excrete toxins and cytotoxic compounds responsible for physiological changes in bivalves and could lead to an immuno-compromised status.The objective of this thesis is to evaluate the combined effects on bivalve physiology of exposure to the toxic dinoflagellate, Alexandrium sp., and infection by pathogens, through the study of different bivalve - pathogen - Alexandrium sp. tripartite interactions. The results of this work highlight the species-specific nature of these impacts.Thus, exposure to Alexandrium catenella reduces the herpesviruses infection in oyster Crassostrea gigas, whereas the dinoflagellate A. fundyense increases the susceptibility of C. virginica oyster to the parasite Perkinsus marinus, probably via immuno-suppression, as suggested by the partial inhibition of hemocyte responses. Additionally, the effect of a toxic algal bloom on oyster susceptibility to opportunistic diseases when exposed to a new microbial environment (simulating a transfer) was evaluated. Hemocyte responses to a changing microbial environment were suppressed by exposure to A. catenella, although no new bacterial infection was detected.Finally, exposure to pathogens or to a new microbial environment interferes with the processes by which oysters exposed to A. catenella accumulate algal toxins, illustrating the complexity of these interactions. These results provide a better understanding of the involvement of toxic algal blooms in the development of diseases affecting commercial bivalve species, but also of the involvement of the bivalve biotic environment in the accumulation of regulated toxins.

Moluscos bivalves são organismos filtradores capazes de concentrar susbtâncias produzidas por microalgas tóxicas. No estado de Santa Catarina, líder na produção nacional, os cultivos têm sido oficialmente monitorados para a detecção de ficotoxinas causadoras dos Envenenamentos Diarreico (DSP), Amnésico (ASP) e Paralisante (PSP) por Consumo de Moluscos nas partes comestíveis. Amostras de água também são coletadas para a quantificação de algas nocivas. O objetivo deste trabalho foi sugerir o uso de áreas amostrais para coletas semanais, bem como calcular o tamanho das amostras agrupadas e analisar os dados de ocorrência. Diferentes cenários foram desenvolvidos para simular a variação dos tamanhos amostrais, utilizando-se o EpiTools&reg;. Considerando-se uma alta prevalência e altas sensibilidades dos testes, é possível sugerir dois pools amostrais para a detecção de Toxinas Lipofíficas (2x30), duas para detectar PSP (2x15) e uma para detectar ASP (1x20) em cada uma das 24 áreas amostrais sugeridas. Se o teste de Cromatografia Líquida com Espectrometria de Massa (LC-MS/MS) for validado para todas as biotoxinas, apenas um pool amostral seria suficiente (1x15). Informações espaçotemporais de ocorrência também foram analisadas e apenas ficotoxinas causadoras de DSP foram encontradas. Utilizando-se os softwares SaTScan&reg; e QGIS 2.12.2- Lyon&reg;, foram desenvolvidos mapas de calor com os dois clusters espaciais encontrados para as detecções de DSP em moluscos e os quatro para Dinophysis acuminata (&ge;100cels/L) em amostras de água. Os resultados com maiores riscos relativos corresponderam ao cluster temporal do segundo semestre de 2014, os clusters espaciais das áreas 7 a 11 para DSP e áreas de 7 a 9 para D. acuminata. Esses resultados poderão contribuir para o planejamento de estratégias a serem incorporadas num futuro sistema de vigilância de moluscos bivalves do estado. / Bivalve molluscs are filtering organisms capable to concentrate substances produced by toxic microalgae. In Santa Catarina state, main Brazilian producer, the crops have been officially monitored for the detection of phycotoxins that cause Diarrheic (DSP), Amnesic (ASP), and Paralyzing (PSP) Shellfish Poisonings in edible parts. Water samples are also collected for harmful algae quantification. The goal of this study was to suggest the use of areas to be weekly sampled, as well as to calculate pooled sample sizes and to analyze the occurrence data. Different scenarios were developed to simulate the variation of sample sizes in EpiTools&reg;. Considering a high prevalence and high tests sensitivities, we can suggest two pools to detect Lipophilic Toxins (2x30), two to detect PSP (2x15), and one to detect ASP (1x20) in each of the 24 suggested sampling areas. If the test of Liquid Chromatography with Mass Spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) becomes validated for all biotoxins, only one pool would be enough (1x15). Space-time occurence information was also analyzed and only phycotoxins causing DSP were found. Using SaTScan&reg; and QGIS 2.12.2-Lyon&reg; softwares, we developed heatmaps with two clusters found for DSP detection in shellfish and the four found for Dinophysis acuminate (&ge;100cels/L) in water samples. The results with higher relative risk values corresponded to the time cluster of the second semester of 2014, spatial cluster of the areas 7 to 11 for DSP, and areas 7 to 9 for D. acuminate. These results can contribute for the strategic plans to be incorporated in a future bivalve molluscs surveillance system of the state.

If we want to understand how meroplankton utilize the water column and how their vertical distribution may influence horizontal advection, it is important to study their behavior in the various environments where they exist. In a well-mixed system with physical cues dampened, and no vertical layering, these organisms will have to depend on environmental cues such as light, tidal current, and tide cycle, as well as their own swimming ability to migrate vertically. Plankton and water samples were collected at three depths (near surface, midwater, near bottom) during the summers of 2013 and 2014 from sites within the main channel of the Intracoastal Waterway. Six taxonomic groups were collected including polychaetes, bivalves, gastropods, barnacles, tunicates, and crabs, and fell into one of three categories of vertical distribution. Certain preferences for vertical distribution, and habitat, of sessile invertebrates can increase, or provide refuge from, competition. To assess the potential competition for spatial resources between native and nonnative bivalves in the Guana Tolomato Matanzas estuary, settlement collectors with settlement plates at different depths were deployed for one month periods during the summers of 2013 and 2014 at two main channel sites and two feeder creek sites. Competition would likely be highest subtidally and within the main channel due to all species occurring in that habitat in higher numbers than the feeder creek.

El principal objetivo de esta tesis doctoral consiste en el estudio de virus patógenos emergentes de interés en seguridad alimentaria, mediante la evaluación de su prevalencia y diseminación ambiental, y la caracterización del riesgo asociado a la presencia de virus patógenos en la reutilización de agua residual y en el consumo de moluscos bivalvos. Para ello se ha estudiado la presencia del virus de la hepatitis E (HEV), hepatitis A (HAV), norovirus (NoV), nuevos poliomavirus (KIPyV, WUPyV y MCPyV) y adenovirus humanos (HAdV), como indicador de la contaminación fecal. Las muestras analizadas han sido agua residual cruda, agua regenerada, agua de río y moluscos bivalvos, caracterizando así las principales fuentes de contaminación fecal ambiental y alimentaria, y constatando el riesgo microbiológico asociado al consumo de marisco. Además, se ha tratado de mejorar la metodología disponible para la concentración de partículas víricas en agua residual, así como aportar información acerca de la eficiencia de eliminación de patógenos humanos a través de tratamientos de depuración en estaciones depuradoras de agua residual y en empresas productoras de marisco. Por último, se decidió profundizar en el ámbito de los análisis cuantitativos de riesgo microbiológico, estableciendo un modelo matemático para evaluar el riesgo de infección y enfermedad asociado al consumo de moluscos bivalvos contaminados por NoV. De esta manera, el trabajo se ha dividido en siete estudios comprendidos en cinco capítulos, obteniendo las conclusiones que se describen a continuación. La prevalencia de HEV en muestras de agua residual se ha establecido en un 30%, demostrando que HEV está circulando entre la población española y que el agua residual representa un foco de infección para este patógeno. Además, la presencia esporádica del genotipo 1 de HEV reafirma la hipótesis de la amplia distribución de los diferentes genotipos descritos. En cuanto al patrón de excreción de HAV, no se observan diferencias significativas al comparar las aguas residuales de dos áreas geográficas limítrofes dónde existen planes de vacunación distintos y niveles de saneamiento equivalentes, así se presume que la reducción drástica observada durante la última década no se debe exclusivamente a la aplicación de un programa de vacunación de amplia cobertura sino a la implementación de tratamientos de agua residual y estaciones depuradoras, así como a las mejoras en sanidad. Nuevos poliomavirus han sido detectados en agua residual, y MCPyV también en agua de río, indicando que pueden ser diseminados a través de contaminación por heces/orina de agua y potencialmente transmitidos por la ruta fecal-oral. Este trabajo representa la primera descripción de virus en agua residual y de río asociado con cáncer. Por otro lado, las estaciones depuradoras de agua residual estudiadas aquí reducen significativamente la presencia de indicadores de la contaminación fecal de elevada resistencia (HAdV, Cryptosporidium y Giardia). Tres nuevos métodos para concentrar partículas víricas en agua residual mediante diferentes aproximaciones técnicas (ultrafiltración, floculación orgánica y liofilización) se han desarrollado aquí. Así mismo, se ha reafirmando la presencia de patógenos víricos en muestras que cumplen las normativas europeas vigentes mediante la detección de NoV GGII y HAV en muestras de moluscos bivalvos de mercado y muestras vinculadas a un brote de hepatitis A, respectivamente. La eficiencia de tres tratamientos de depuración de moluscos bivalvos (UV, venturi y Ozono-UV), utilizando a HAdV como indicador de la contaminación fecal, esta limitada a la hora de reducir la presencia de partículas víricas. Además, se ha descrito una correlación significativa entre la identificación de muestras de moluscos bivalvos positivos para HAdV y para NoV GGII, mostrándose valores elevados de sensibilidad (100%) y especificidad (74%). Por ultimo, utilizando modelos de dosis-respuesta se ha modelizado matemáticamente el riesgo de infección y enfermedad por NoV asociado al consumo de ostras crudas. Los resultados muestran elevadas probabilidades de infección (8–54%) y enfermedad (1–36%) en función del número de ostras ingeridas (1–20). / The main objectives of this thesis are the study of emerging viral pathogens of interest in food safety, by assessing their prevalence and environmental dissemination, and the characterization of the microbiological risk associated with the presence of pathogenic viruses in sewage reuse and consumption of bivalve molluscs. Thus, we studied the presence of hepatitis E virus (HEV), hepatitis A (HAV), norovirus (NoV), new polyomaviruses (KIPyV, WUPyV and MCPyV) and human adenovirus (HAdV) as an indicator of fecal contamination. The samples analyzed were raw sewage, reclaimed water (secondary and tertiary), river water and bivalve molluscs. Furthermore, it has sought to improve the methodology for concentration of viral particles from sewage, as well as provide information about the viral removal efficiency through sewage depuration treatments and shellfish production companies. Finally, a mathematical model has been established for a quantitative microbial risk assessment. Thus, the conclusions of these studies are described below. The HEV prevalence observed in sewage demonstrate that HEV is circulating among the Spanish population and that sewage is a source of infection. Moreover, the sporadic presence of HEV genotype 1 confirms the wide distribution of different genotypes. Regarding the pattern of HAV excretion, no significant differences emerged when comparing sewage from two adjacent areas with different vaccination programs and equivalent levels of sanitation; hence, it is presumed that the drastic reduction observed during lately is mainly due to improvements in healthcare. New polyomaviruses have been detected in sewage and river water, indicating their potential involvement in the fecal-oral route through contaminated water and representing the first description of cancer-associated virus in sewage and river. On the other hand, sewage treatment plants significantly reduce the presence of high-resistance fecal contamination indicators and three new methods to concentrate virus particles from sewage have been developed. Also, it has reaffirmed the presence of NoV GGII and HAV in samples that meet the European regulations through the detection of bivalve molluscs collected at market and samples linked to a hepatitis A outbreak, respectively. The efficiency of three treatments for bivalve molluscs depuration was found limited at reducing the presence of HAdV. In addition, a significant correlation between the identification of positive bivalve shellfish samples for HAdV and NoV GGII has been described, showing high sensitivity and specificity. Finally, using dose-response models we have mathematically modeled the risk of NoV infection and disease associated with raw oyster consumption.

L'objectif de ce travail de thèse vise à analyser les effets de quelques pesticides et d'un adjuvant sur des organismes marins, représentatifs de quatre niveaux trophiques, à savoir des micro-algues, un échinoderme, des bivalves et un poisson. L'analyse de la pollu-sensibilité est basée sur l'utilisation de différents bio-essais existants ou adaptés au contexte de cette étude.Les tests de toxicité ont permis d'évaluer la sensibilité de trois espèces phytoplanctoniques (Chaetoceros calcitrans, Isochrysis aff. Galbana et Tetraselmis suecica) vis-à-vis d'un fongicide l'époxiconazole (pur et en formulation commerciale Opus) et de l'adjuvant nonylphénol. D'une manière générale, la croissance de C. calcitrans et I. aff. Galbana s'avère plus sensible à l'action des contaminants étudiés. Ainsi, en utilisant pour C. calcitrans un milieu reproduisant les conditions naturelles du Golfe de Gabès, des valeurs de CE50 de 2 ,31 mg/L et 2,9 μg/l sont obtenues respectivement avec la substance active époxiconazole, et le produit formulé. Ces résultats montrent l'importance des adjuvants dans la toxicité et que les micro-algues peuvent être sensibles aux effets non-cibles d'un fongicide triazole.En outre, l'âge des cellules, les conditions d'éclairement et de composition des milieux de culture induisent des changements de sensibilité au fongicide, suggérant que la densité cellulaire est un paramètre important dans les tests de toxicité.L'analyse de quelques paramètres physiologiques montre que les contaminants utilisés induisent une augmentation du volume cellulaire, des échanges gazeux, de la teneur en pigments et en ATP. Il apparaît ainsi que les toxiques utilisés réduisent la vitesse de croissance, prolongeant le cycle cellulaire, sans affecter la production de nouveaux matériaux, nécessaires à la construction de nouvelles cellules.Par ailleurs, une étude réalisée en microcosmes lors d'un bloom de l'algue toxique Karenia selliformis dans le golfe de Gabès, montre que les différents contaminants chimiques (époxiconazole, chlorpyriphos-éthyl, nonylphénol) produisent des modifications drastiques de la structure des communautés phytoplanctoniques, fonction de la nature et de la concentration du contaminant.La toxicité des différents contaminants a été étudiée sur des animaux marins, aux stades embryo-larvaire (oursin, huître, palourde), métamorphose des larves (palourde) et survie des larves (turbot). Les résultats montrent que les larves du turbot sont les plus sensibles à l'action des contaminants avec des CE50 allant de 2,78 à 492 μg/L selon le toxique et que chez la palourde, la métamorphose est le stade le plus sensible parmi les trois stades de développement étudiés. Les contaminants utilisés produisent des anomalies du développement et des malformations embryonnaires qui peuvent induire une réduction de la production naturelle en agissant i) directement sur le développement embryo-larvaire et ii) indirectement sur la qualité et la biodisponibilité de l'aliment à travers la variation de la biomasse phytoplanctonique. Ces résultats soulignent la nécessité d'appliquer les toxiques à différents organismes marins présentant des organisations différentes pour apprécier pleinement leur impact.

The St Lucia estuarine system, Africa’s largest estuarine lake, is characterised by cyclic changes from hypersaline to oligo/mesohaline conditions in response to alternations between drought and wetter than average years. In addition, St Lucia also experiences stochastic disturbances, such as flooding events that rapidly decrease salinity levels. Due to their sessile and slow moving nature, bivalves are particularly vulnerable to rapid or prolonged changes in the physico-chemical environment. The recent freshwater deprivation crisis that prevailed for the last decade resulted in a significant loss in bivalve species richness within the system. An annotated and illustrated bivalve census revealed the occurrence of twenty-four species within St Lucia between the years 1925 and 2011. However, only six species were recorded during the most recent survey in March 2011. The infaunal razor clam, Solen cylindraceus, and the epifaunal brackwater mussel, Brachidontes virgiliae, are currently the dominant bivalve species within St Lucia. This study, therefore, aimed to record the species richness of bivalves found in Lake St Lucia and to investigate key biological aspects of the two dominant bivalve taxa within the system, under different salinity regimes. Experiments revealed that S. cylindraceus can tolerate salinities between 15 and 65, while B. virgiliae prefers salinity levels ranging from freshwater to 20. The varying tolerance limits, therefore, dictate the distribution of these species during different climatic conditions within the estuarine lake. During wet periods, S. cylindraceus is restricted to the northern reaches, unable to tolerate the oligohaline conditions present in the rest of the system. Conversely, B. virgiliae, often restricted to the Narrows, becomes ubiquitous throughout the system under such conditions. Solen cylindraceus can reach a maximum length of 95 mm. However, in the St Lucia estuarine system, specimens seldom exceed a length of 55 mm, probably because prevailing/re-occurring harsh conditions prevent them from reaching maximum size. In situ measurements of this species also revealed less growth during the first year of life than for the same species in different systems. While B. virgiliae is substantially smaller than S. cylindraceus, the high densities that this species is able to attain makes it an important grazer with the potential to have significant feeding impacts on the local phytoplankton biomass. Results showed that in localised areas, B. virgiliae populations may consume up to eight times the available phytoplankton biomass. These key bivalve species are strongly influenced by the fluctuation in climatic conditions from wet to dry phases. Thus, understanding the effects that climatic shifts have on key estuarine species is essential, as flood and drought events are predicted to increase in frequency, intensity and duration as a result of global climate change. / Thesis (Ph.D.)-University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban, 2014.

A l'âge de la 6° extinction, il y a un besoin urgent pour les acteurs de la conservation et pour les biologistes de terrain de pouvoir s'appuyer sur une taxonomie qui soit opérationnelle, à la fois dans les méthodes (expertise taxonomique) et dans les concepts (listes de références). Dans ce travail, je teste l'hypothèse selon laquelle le contexte d'insularité continentale produit par la structure des aquifères, quelqu'en soit l'échelle, favoriserait l'émergence d'unités évolutives distinctes. Cette hypothèse est testée en étudiant deux modèles, les bivalves à l'échelle de la France métropolitaine et les gastéropodes stygobies à l'échelle des systèmes karstiques du nord-montpelliérain. Pour cela, une approche de taxonomie opérationnelle est développée pour les deux modèles, dans l'optique de permettre leur prise en compte effective dans les mesures de conservation. Pour ces deux groupes à la taxonomie instable, des approches morphométriques, génétiques et biogéographiques sont développées, dans un cadre de taxonomie intégrative. Les données génétiques inédites permettent de clarifier la taxonomie et apportent un nouveau regard sur les unités de gestion existantes. Les résultats pour les naïades indiquent que la diversité est surévaluée et que les barrières géographiques jouent un faible rôle dans la distribution des taxons, laquelle semble essentiellement liée aux variables environnementales. Pour les gastéropodes stygobies au contraire, la diversité est largement sousestimée et les unités évolutives sont liées aux unités hydrogéologiques. Les variables environnementales ne semblent pas influencer la répartition des taxons. Ces résultats contrastés montrent que la diversité se structure différemment selon le groupe taxonomique et l'échelle géographique considérés, et posent la question de l'impact qu'auraient pu avoir les activités humaines sur la distribution des naïades. Les politiques de conservations doivent donc intégrer ces approches de taxonomie intégrative pour (i) définir correctement les unités biologiques qui doivent bénéficier d'efforts de conservation et (ii) mettre en place ces mesures à une échelle géographique adaptée.

ix, 73 leaves : ill. ; 28 cm Typescript Thesis (M.S.)--University of Oregon Includes vita and abstract Bibliography: leaves 71-73 Another copy on microfilm is located in Archives University of Oregon theses, Dept. of Biology, M.S., 1982