Made available in DSpace on 2014-07-29T14:52:07Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 Agnelo Jose Vitti.pdf: 640233 bytes, checksum: ecfaee175905565f39d3d5a461af0b91 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2009-06-06 / Despite its presence in many soybean production regions in Brazil and its high damage potential, soybean cyst nematode (Heterodera glycines), has been efficiently controlled by crop rotation and the use of soybean cultivars resistant to the main nematode races in the country. However, the continuous use of those cultivars can change the nematode populations leading to resistance break down. Few resistance genes availability, associated to the difficulties of inserting multiple races resitance to high productivity cultivares without yield drag tends to worsen the long-term perspectives of nematode anagement. Thus, auxiliary control measures, aiming at minimizing the selection pressure effects, exercised by the resistant varieties on nematode of detection frequency in number of areas and populational density of root-lesion nematode (Pratylenchus brachyurus), has been related in soybean main growing regions in Brazil. Although its potential of damage to soybean crop is still controversial, its poliphagous behavior leaves few options for crop rotation with soybean, and can increase their populations to the economic damage levels in the near future. With the objective of testing the nematicide effect of abamectin as seed treatment, and its interaction with other products on population management of these nematode species, it was carried out greenhouse and field trials, testing three doses of abamectin with or without thiabendazol or acibenzolar-S-methyl addition, for H. glycines and P. brachyurus control, respectively. Although not showing effect on soybean yield, in field tests, the dose of 50 g of abamectin.ha-¹ reduced significantly the number of eggs produced by H. glycines at 30 days after planting, the number of females in the plants roots at 45 days, with reduction in the number of females and cysts recovered from the soil at root zone at 60 days, in the susceptible cultivar. Thiabendazole addition reduced the number of eggs per female at 60 days, but not in other assessments carried out 30 and 45 days after planting. However, the same was not observed for the soybean cultivar resistant to race 14. In all assessment date, that cultivar produced a number of females significantly smaller in the roots and soil and higher yield than the susceptible cultivar. In pot tests under greenhouse conditions, it was observed significant differences between cultivars, besides the treatments made in the seeds, in assessments carried out 30 days after planting. It was not observed significant differences to seed treatments with abamectin or acibenzolar-S-methyl on P. brachyurus populations recovered from soybean roots, neither among the cultivars tested in field nor in greenhouse conditions. It was concluded that seed treatment with abamectin at 50 g. ha-¹ as seed treatment is effective at reducing the H. glycines population and can be used as one more option against the directional selection imposed by the use of soybean resistant cultivars. / O nematóide de cisto da soja (Heterodera glycines), apesar de sua presença em solos das principais regiões produtoras de soja do Brasil e de seu potencial de dano, tem sido eficientemente controlado com a rotação de culturas e utilização de cultivares resistentes às principais raças presentes no país. Entretanto, a utilização contínua destas cultivares, pode levar a mudanças populacionais que venham quebrar estas resistências. A pouca disponibilidade de gens de resistência, vinculado à dificuldade de inserção de resistência a múltiplas raças às cultivares elite de soja, sem decréscimo de produtividade, tende a agravar as perspectivas a longo prazo. Assim, medidas de controle auxiliares, visando minimizar os efeitos da pressão de seleção exercida pelas cultivares resistentes são recomendadas para o manejo populacional de H. glycines. O aumento das detecções do nematóide das lesões radiculares (Pratylenchus brachyurus), tanto em número de áreas, como na densidade populacional por área, tem sido relatado nas principais regiões de cultivo de soja no Brasil. Apesar do seu potencial de dano à cultura ainda ser controverso, seu comportamento polífago, deixa poucas opções para rotação de cultivos com a soja, podendo elevar as suas populações a níveis de dano econômico em futuro próximo. Visando testar o efeito do nematicida abamectina, via tratamento de sementes, e sua interação com outros produtos, no manejo populacional destes nematóides, foram conduzidos experimentos de campo e casa de vegetação, sendo testadas três doses de abamectina com ou sem a adição de tiabendazol ou acibenzolar-S-metil, para o controle de H. glycines, ou P. brachyurus, respectivamente. Apesar de não ter demonstrado efeito sobre a produtividade da cultura nos testes de campo a dose de 50 g de abamectina.ha-¹ reduziu significativamente o número de ovos produzidos por fêmea de H. glycines aos 30 dias após a semeadura (DAS), o número de fêmeas nas raízes das plantas aos 45 DAS, com consequente redução no número de cistos recuperados no solo aos 60 DAS, na cultivar suscetível à raça 14, BRSGO Luziânia. A adição de tiabendazol, reduziu o número de ovos por fêmea aos 60 DAS, mas não nas demais avaliações. Entretanto, estas diferenças não foram observadas para a cultivar resistente, BRSGO Ipameri. Em todas as avaliações, esta cultivar apresentou número significativamente menor de fêmeas nas raízes e no solo, e produtividade de grãos superior ao observado em BRSGO Luziânia. Em testes em vasos, conduzidos em casa de vegetação, houve diferença significativa entre cultivares, mas não entre os tratamentos com fungicidas efetuados nas sementes, nas avaliações conduzidas ao 30 DAS. Não foram observadas diferenças significativas dos tratamentos com abamectina ou acibenzolar-S-metil nas populações de P. brachyurus, recuperados das raízes de plantas de soja, nem entre as cultivares testadas em campo ou casa de vegetação. Frente aos resultados obtidos conclui-se que o tratamento com abamectina a 50 g.ha-¹, via tratamento de sementes, é efetivo na redução populacional de H. glycines e pode ser utilizado como mais uma ferramenta contra a seleção direcional imposta pelo uso de cultivares de soja resistentes.

Soja (Glycine max (L.) Merrill) é uma das mais importantes oleaginosas no mundo e sua relevância pode ser também mensurada pela extensão da sua produção no Brasil, onde representa quase a metade do total da área plantada com grãos. A importância da soja está também associada à multiplicidade de utilização do grão, como por exemplo, na alimentação humana e animal, na indústria química e na geração de energia como biodiesel. A produtividade da soja tem sido frequentemente impactada devido ao ataque de pragas e doenças. Dentre as espécies de fitonematoides, o nematoide-das-lesões-radiculares (Pratylenchus brachyurus Godfrey), tem gerado significativas perdas econômicas aos produtores, variando entre 30 a 50%, dependendo da infestação da cultura. Este trabalho teve como objetivo identificar QTLs (Quantitative Trait Loci), a partir de um conjunto de fenótipos associados à resistência ao nematoide-das-lesões-radiculares utilizando a abordagem de mapeamento multivariado. Uma população de 174 indivíduos F2, obtidos a partir do cruzamento entre duas linhagens de soja FTPG06A e FTPG12X (com baixo fator de reprodução do nematoide), foi utilizada para a obtenção dos valores genéticos preditos (BLUPs - Best Linear Unbiased Predictions) de cinco características estudadas e também para a genotipagem com o SoySNP6k Bead Chip. As características avaliadas foram: fator de reprodução (FR), peso fresco (PA) e comprimento (CA) da parte aérea, peso fresco (PR) e comprimento (CR) da raiz. Um total de 1.240 marcadores SNP (Single Nucleotide Polymorphism) foram mapeados nos 20 grupos de ligação (GLs) da soja. O comprimento total do mapa foi de 3.084,46 centiMorgans (cM), com intervalo médio de 2,54 cM entre marcadores adjacentes. A identificação de QTLs (Quantitative Trait Loci) para os caracteres fenotípicos foi realizada utilizando-se o mapeamento de intervalos múltiplos univariado (MIM) e multivariado (MT-MIM), com estimativa dos efeitos principais dos QTLs e análises de epistasia envolvendo pares de QTLs. Na abordagem MIM foram identificados três QTLs associados à variável CR, nos GLs (Grupos de Ligação) A2 e E (2 QTLs), explicando um total de 34,22% da variação fenotípica dessa variável para a população em estudo. Na abordagem MT-MIM, foram selecionados dois conjuntos de variáveis, de acordo com a correlação entre as mesmas. Três regiões genômicas foram reveladas, sendo estatisticamente significativas para as variáveis CR, FR e CA. A comparação dos seis QTLs identificados no presente estudo com o banco de dados de QTLs do Soybase forneceu evidências de que cinco QTLs, ainda não foram descritos na literatura. Uma busca por sequências candidatas em duas regiões de interesse, associadas à variável FR, foi realizada, com base na plataforma de dados genômicos PlantGDB. Várias sequências candidatas indicam relação com mecanismos importantes na resposta das plantas a estresses bióticos. Dessa forma, os resultados obtidos no presente estudo forneceram informações para auxiliar na melhor compreensão da arquitetura genética dos caracteres quantitativos analisados. / Soybean (Glycine max (L.) Merrill) is one of the most important oil crop worldwide and its relevance can also be measured by the extension of soybean grain production in Brazil, where it represents almost half of the total planting area with grains crops. Importance of soybean is also related to a multiplicity of usage of the grain, for example, in human consumption, animal feed, chemical industry and for energy generation as biofuel. Soybean yield has been frequently reduced by occurrence of pest and diseases. Among phytonematodes species, root lesion nematode (Pratylenchus brachyurus Godfrey) has caused significant economic losses to farmers, ranging from 30 to 50%, depending on crop infestation. This research aimed to identify QTLs (Quantitative Trait Loci), from a set of phenotypes associated with resistance to root lesion nematode, using the multivariate multiple interval mapping. A mapping population of 174 F2 plants derived from a by-parental cross between two soybean breeding lines FTPG06A and FTPG12X (with low nematode reproduction factor), was used for prediction of genetic values (BLUPs - Best Linear Unbiased Predictions) for five traits studied and also for genotyping with SoySNP6k Bead Chip. Traits evaluated were reproduction factor (FR), shoot weight (PA), shoot length (CA), root weight (PR) and root length (CR). A total of 1,240 SNP (Single Nucleotide Polymorphism) markers were mapped into 20 soybean linkage groups (LG). A total map length was 3,084.46 centiMorgans (cM) with an average of 2.54 cM between flanking markers. QTL mapping for those traits was performed using univariate (MIM) and multivariate (MT-MIM) multiple-interval mapping, with main QTL effects estimates and epistasis analysis between QTL pairs. MIM analysis identified three QTLs associated to CR trait at LG A2 and LG E (2 QTL), explaining 34,22% of phenotypic variation estimated for this mapping population. For MT-MIM analysis, two sets of traits were selected, according to the correlation among them. Three genomic regions statistically significant for CR, FR and CA traits were identified. Comparison between six identified QTL and QTL database at Soybase provided evidence that five QTL have not been published yet. Search for candidate sequences located in two regions associated with FR trait were further performed on the PlantGDB genomic data platform. Several candidate sequences indicate relationships with important plant response mechanisms to biotic stresses. Thus, results obtained in the present study provided information to improve knowledge of the genetic architecture of the analyzed quantitative traits.

Submitted by isabela.moljf@hotmail.com (isabela.moljf@hotmail.com) on 2016-08-09T13:30:05Z No. of bitstreams: 1 pedrocostafernandes.pdf: 2564986 bytes, checksum: e19dee0b92fa76c2344ef1e417d0f6ff (MD5) / Approved for entry into archive by Adriana Oliveira (adriana.oliveira@ufjf.edu.br) on 2016-08-09T14:41:18Z (GMT) No. of bitstreams: 1 pedrocostafernandes.pdf: 2564986 bytes, checksum: e19dee0b92fa76c2344ef1e417d0f6ff (MD5) / Made available in DSpace on 2016-08-09T14:41:18Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 pedrocostafernandes.pdf: 2564986 bytes, checksum: e19dee0b92fa76c2344ef1e417d0f6ff (MD5) Previous issue date: 2016-04-28 / CAPES - Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior / O Lobo-Guará (Chrysocyon brachyurus, Illiger, 1815) é o maior representante dos canídeos da América do Sul, ocupando áreas da Argentina, Bolívia, Paraguai e Brasil, com ampla distribuição por biomas variados, tais como o Cerrado, Pampas, regiões do Pantanal, da Floresta Atlântica e áreas de transição entre Cerrado e Caatinga, mas vem sofrendo grandes reduções na porção sul de sua distribuição, ameaçado pelo avanço de áreas antropizadas que o colocam em risco, constando pela IUCN como quase ameaçado, e na classificação nacional como ameaçado de extinção na categoria vulnerável. A região do Santuário do Caraça abriga uma população de lobos-guará apresentando uma peculiaridade comportamental no contato com seres humanos, a habituação à presença antrópica, especialmente em se comparando com o trabalho de James Dietz, que registra as reações típicas da espécie em relação ao ser humano. Também Bekoff e Biben categorizam funcionalmente o desenvolvimento ontogenético do comportamento do C. brachyurus, criando uma base que serve de parâmetro de comparação para estudos posteriores. Para levantamento e notação de comportamentos, bem como levantamento de hipóteses, foi utilizado o método de notação de Fagundes, que se apoia no modelo de comportamento como entendido por Skinner, para compreender a aprendizagem e habituação de espécimes por meio de análise de seu repertório comportamental. Com base nesses autores, fez-se o registro audiovisual do comportamento dos espécimes que se encontram na Reserva Particular do Patrimônio Natural Santuário do Caraça, criando uma base de dados passível de análise tanto em termos quantitativos quanto qualitativos, observando o comportamento apresentado pelos indivíduos locais e comparando-o com os dados produzidos sobre a espécie tanto no meio selvagem quanto em cativeiro. / The maned wolf (Chrysocyon brachyurus, Illiger, 1815) is the biggest representative of Canidae in South America, occupying areas of Argentina, Bolivia, Paraguay and Brazil, with large distribution through many different biomes such as Cerrado (hilly savannah), Pampas (southern plains), some regions of Pantanal floodlands, Atlantic Forest and transition areas between Cerrado and Caatinga (semi-arid landscape), but has suffered great reductions in the southern portion of its distribution through the advance of anthropized areas that puts the species in risk, being classified by IUCN as near threatened, and by local environmental authorities as vulnerable. The region of Santuário do Caraça encompasses a maned wolf population that presents a behavioral peculiarity in its contact with humans, habituation to anthropic presence, especially when compared with James Dietz’s work, which registers the animal’s typical reactions towards human beings. Bekoff and Biben also categorize C. Brachyurus’s ontogenetic behavior development functionally, creating a database that serves as means of comparison for further research. For indexing and writing detailed behavior, as well as proposing hypotheses, we have used Fagundes' notation method, which uses Skinner's understanding of behavior and habituation as basis, as means of understanding specimen learning through the analysis of behavioral repertoire. With these authors as a standpoint, an audiovisual register of local specimens’ behavior was made in Reserva Particular do Patrimônio Natural Santuário do Caraça, creating a database that can be analyzed both qualitatively and quantitatively, observing said behavior and comparing it with literature available of specimens both in the wild as well as in captivity.

Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico / The soybean crop (Glycine max) has great importance to the Brazilian economy. However, the production suffers various risks, especially to weed interference and deleterious effects of pests, diseases and recently nematodes. Among the main species found in soybean fields, the most important are Pratylenchus brachyurus, Heterodera glycines and Meloydogyne javanica. Due the lack of alternatives to nematodes control in soybean, more studies are required to evaluate technologies that enable to reduce yield loss from nematodes. Therefore, this study aimed to evaluate the effect of different application systems and chemical treatments for P. brachyurus and M. javanica control in soybean. For that, three experiments were carried out, one in field condition and two in controlled condition (greenhouses), during the growing season 2011/2012. The experimental design was a randomized block with split plot, where the main plots were allocated three application systems: 1 - seed treatment (ST), 2 in-furrow application + seed treatment (twice the rate) and 3 in-furrow application. The subplots were composed of different chemical treatments: 1 - Check, 2 Avicta Completo (abamectin + thiamethoxam + fludioxonil + metalaxyl-M + thiabendazole - 30 + 42 + 1.5 + 1.2 + 9 g a.i. ha-1); 3 - Cropstar + Derosal Plus (imidacloprido + carbendazim + thiram thiodicarb - 63 + 189 + 18 + 42 g a.i. ha-1); 4 - Top Standak (fipronil + thiophanate-methyl + pyraclostrobin - 30 + 27 + 3 g a.i. ha-1); 5 - Furadan 350 + FS Derosal Plus (carbofurano + carbendazim + thiram - 420 + 18 + 42 g a.i. ha-1). It was analyzed in the field experiment number of emerged plants, plant height and population of nematodes in the roots. In the experiments conducted inside the greenhouses were assessed plant height, leaf area, fresh and dry weight of shoot, fresh weight of roots, plant height, population of nematodes in the plants roots. The results showed that the combination ST + furrow application provided higher control of P. brachyurus and M. javanica. The association of ST + Furrow resulted in higher efficacy and residual period, especially to abamectin + thiamethoxam + fludioxonil + metalaxyl-M + thiabendazole and thiodicarb imidacloprid + carbendazim + thiram. The furrow application was more effective when compared to ST for abamectin + thiamethoxam + fludioxonil + metalaxyl-M + thiabendazole, considering the control of M. javanica. The treatment with abamectin + thiamethoxam + fludioxonil + metalaxyl-M + thiabendazole resulted in higher levels of control, with consistent benefits in plant development. The response of spray technology was dependent of the product characteristics and nematodes. / O cultivo da soja (Glycine max) possui grande importância no cenário econômico brasileiro. Contudo, a produção sofre diversos riscos fitossanitários, com destaque à interferência de plantas daninhas e ação deletéria de pragas, doenças e mais recentemente dos fitonematóides. Dentre as principais espécies de nematóides ocorrentes em campos de produção de soja, destacam-se o Pratylenchus brachyurus, Heterodera glycines e Meloydogyne javanica. Dada à escassez de alternativas de controle dos nematóides em soja, fazem-se necessários trabalhos que avaliem novas tecnologias e que possibilitem a mitigação dos danos à cultura. Com isso, este trabalho buscou avaliar o efeito de sistemas de aplicação e diferentes tratamentos químicos no controle de P. brachyurus e M. javanica na cultura da soja. Para tal, foram conduzidos três experimentos, sendo um deles em condição de campo e dois em ambiente controlado, durante a safra agrícola 2011/2012. O delineamento utilizado foi de blocos ao acaso, com parcelas subdivididas, onde nas parcelas principais foram alocados três sistemas de aplicação: 1 - tratamento de sementes, 2 - aplicação no sulco + tratamento de sementes (duas vezes a dose) e 3 aplicação no sulco. As subparcelas foram constituídas de diferentes tratamentos químicos: 1 Testemunha; 2 Avicta Completo (abamectina + tiametoxam + fludioxonil + metalaxil-M + tiabendazol - 30 + 42 + 1,5 + 1,2 + 9 g i.a. ha-1); 3 Cropstar + Derosal Plus (imidacloprido + tiodicarbe + carbendazim + tiram - 63 + 189 + 18 + 42 g i.a. ha-1); 4 - Standak Top (fipronil + tiofanato-metílico + piraclostrobina - 30 + 27 + 3 g i.a. ha-1); 5 - Furadan 350 FS + Derosal Plus (carbofurano + carbendazim + tiram - 420 + 18 + 42 g i.a. ha-1). As variáveis analisadas no experimento de campo foram: número de plantas emergidas, altura de plantas e população de fitonematóides no sistema radicular. Nos experimentos conduzidos em ambiente controlado os parâmetros avaliados foram altura de plantas, área foliar, massa fresca e massa seca de parte aérea, massa fresca de raízes, altura de plantas, população de fitonematóides no sistema radicular das plantas. Os resultados mostraram que a associação TS + Sulco promoveu maior controle de Pratylenchus brachyurus e Meloidogyne javanica. A associação de TS + Sulco resultou em maior eficácia e efeito residual dos produtos, especialmente aos tratamentos abamectina + tiametoxam + fludioxonil + metalaxil-M + tiabendazol e imidacloprido + tiodicarbe + carbendazim + tiram. A tecnologia de aplicação via sulco foi mais efetiva quando comparada ao TS para o tratamento abamectina + tiametoxam + fludioxonil + metalaxil-M + tiabendazol no controle de Meloidogyne javanica. O tratamento com abamectina + tiametoxam + fludioxonil + metalaxil-M + tiabendazol promoveu maiores níveis de controle, com benefícios expressivos no desenvolvimento das plantas. A resposta da tecnologia de aplicação dependeu das características dos produtos e do nematóide analisado.

O gênero Eucalyptus possui diversas espécies que apresentam grande valor comercial, sendo utilizado principalmente para produção de energia (carvão e lenha) e celulose-papel. Na literatura, entretanto, existem poucas informações acerca de nematoses nessa cultura. Além dessa carência e de sua importância econômica, o eucalipto é comumente cultivado em locais de alta incidência de Pratylenchus brachyurus e Meloidogyne incognita, além de ser consorciado com diversas outras culturas intolerantes, como por exemplo a soja. Dessa forma há uma necessidade de conhecer a reação das espécies de eucalipto a estes nematoides. Dito isso, o presente trabalho teve por objetivo testar a reação de algumas espécies de eucalipto a P. brachyurus e M.incognita. Foram realizados 6 experimentos, 5 envolvendo o nematoide das lesões e 1 com o nematoide de galhas. Os tratamentos foram inoculados com uma população inicial de nematoides e, após 90 dias, estimava-se o fator de reprodução (FR) e nematoides por grama de raiz (Nem/g). Adotou-se o critério baseado em Oostenbrink (1966), onde a espécie foi considerada suscetível quando apresenta FR >= 1 e resistente quando FR < 1. Dos eucaliptos testados, 6 apresentaram reação suscetível e 4 reação resistente para P. brachyurus. As espécies com maiores FR estão entre as mais utilizadas no Brasil, exceto E. saligna. Ressalta-se que estas não necessariamente são resistentes, necessitando apenas de um período maior para o estabelecimento do patógeno. Observou-se indícios de que E. saligna e E. camaldulensis sejam intolerantes a P.brachyurus. Para M. incognita raça 3 todas as espécies testadas foram resistentes. Aconselha-se a realização de experimentos com períodos superiores a 100 dias para uma correta classificação da reação de hospedeiro. O eucalipto é uma opção para aproveitamento de áreas infestadas com M. incognita raça 3, porém seu uso mostra-se um risco em áreas infestadas com P. brachyurus. / The Eucalyptus has several species with high commercial value and is used mainly for energy purpose (Charcoal and firewood) and paper. In the literature, however, there is little information about plant parasitic nematodes in this woody specie. In addition to this lack and its economic importance, eucalypts is also commonly cultivated in areas with high incidence of Pratylenchus brachyurus and Meloidogyne incognita, and consorted with several intolerant crops, such as soybean. Thus, there is a need to know the host status of the eucalypts species to these nematodes. With that, this work aimed to test the reaction of some Eucalyptus species to P.brachyurus and M. incognita. For this purpose six experiments were performed, five to test the lesion nematode and one to test the root-knot nematode. The treatments were inoculated and, after 90 days, it was estimated the reproduction factor (FR) and nematodes per gram of root (Nem/g). The present work adopted the criteria based on Oostenbrink (1966), where the species was considered susceptible when presenting FR >= 1 and resistant when FR < 1. Of species tested, six were susceptible hosts and four resistant host to P. brachyurus. The species with highest FR are among the most used eucalypts in Brazil, except E. saligna. It is emphasized that those species with FR < 1 are not necessarily resistant, requiring only a longer period for the pathogen establishment. There was some evidence that E. saligna and E. camaldulensis are intolerant hosts to P. brachyurus. To M. incognita Race 3 all tested species were resistant. It is advisable to perform experiments for periods longer than 100 days to a correct classification of host status. Eucalyptus is an option for utilization of areas infested with M. incognita race 3, but its use appears to be a risk in Pratylenchus brachyurus infested areas.

The Pasteuria genus comprises gram-positive bacteria that are obligate parasites of arthropods and nematodes. Species of this genus are ubiquitous, being present in both aquatic and terrestrial environments all around the world. Pasteuria was first described as a genus at the end of the 19th century and has undergone considerable reclassification regarding its member species. Starting in the 1980s, a more meticulous classification effort regarding the identification of Pasteuria spp., and its parasitic habits began. These studies were strongly motivated by the ability of individuals of this genus to parasitize phytopathogenic nematodes of several plant species. Each species of the genus Pasteuria establishes a strict parasitic relationship with a specific genus of phytonematode. As an example of this interaction, Pasteuria thornei is a parasite restricted to the genus Pratylenchus, which comprises the nematodes popularly known as root-lesion-nematodes, a pest of several agronomically important crops. Considering the current relevance of studies involving the biological control of phytonematodes, in the present work three experiments were carried out, each one containing a replicate, totaling, therefore, six experiments. Two experiments were intended to verify the efficacy of P. thornei as a biological control agent (BCA) of Pratylenchus brachyurus in soybean. The remaining four experiments had a similar objective in the scope of the Pratylenchus zeae - maize pathosystem. Two experiments were carried out to verify the efficacy of P. thornei as a biological control agent for P. zeae in maize, and afterwards, two additional experiments were performed in order to verify the capacity of the BCA to reduce productivity losses in corn plants due to the parasitism of this nematode. For the soybean experiments, the following treatments were added to the seeds of the cultivar SYN1080: three different concentrations of P. thornei endospores per seed (5x106, 107 e 1,5x107), a commercial control group for comparison containing abamectin (0.58mg/seed) and a mixed treatment containing abamectin (0.58 mg / seed) and 107 P. thornei endospores. Untreated seeds were used as a control group. The treatments were sown in 500 cm3 plastic cups containing soil inoculated with 1000 nematodes (experiment 1) and 600 nematodes (experiment 2). Fresh root mass and nematodes extracted from the roots of each plant were used as parameters of evaluation, taking place 60 and 90 days after inoculation (DAI). Only the treatment with the highest concentration of P. thornei (1.5x107) reduced the final population of nematodes significantly, reaching 30-50% of reduction compared to the untreated seeds. However, treatments containing the commercial control abamectin were superior in reducing the final population of nematodes in all experiments evaluated. Regarding the maize efficacy experiments, CELERON hybrid seeds were treated as described: four concentrations of P. thornei endospores per seed (5x106, 107, 1,5x107, 2x107), a commercial control group for comparison containing abamectin (0.58 mg / seed) and a mixed treatment containing abamectin (0.58 mg / seed) and 107 P. thornei endospores. Untreated seeds were used as a control group. The treated maize seeds were planted in 500 cm3 plastic cups containing soil inoculated with 4000 and 1000 individuals for the efficacy experiments 1 and 2, respectively. Evaluations occurred at 60 and 90 DAI. For the productivity assays, the experiments 3 and 4 were carried out under a screened greenhouse, with experimental plots consisting of 9L pots filled with artificially infested soil. Seeds of the CELERON hybrid received the following treatments: abamectin (0.58mg / seed), P. thornei (107 endospores / seed) and mixed treatment containing both abamectin (0.58mg / seed) and P. thornei (107 endospores / seed). Two additional treatments containing untreated seeds served as controls, with and without the presence of Pratylenchus zeae. The evaluation measured several agronomic traits, such as dry weight of the aerial parts, fresh mass of roots at harvest and total weight of grains. In addition, the nematode population was measured in fresh roots at 45, 90 days and at the time of harvest. Efficacy trials showed that the highest concentrations of P. thornei (1.5x107 and 2x107) have a considerable potential of P. zeae control. The nematode population reduction was 54 and 47% in experiments 1 and 2, respectively, for the highest P. thornei concentration treatment. The commercial formulation containing abamectin showed a reduction of P. zeae population above 90% in both experiments. Regarding the maize productivity experiments, control potential of nematodes by P. thornei was similar to that observed in the efficacy study. The treatments containing abamectin had an effect on the mitigation of yield losses caused by P. zeae in both experiments. The mixed treatment (abamectin and P. thornei) and the one containing exclusively P. thornei presented a positive performance in both replicates. In none of the experiments synergistic or additive effects were observed between P. thornei and abamectin. With the data obtained in these experiments, the control potential of P. thornei on P. brachyurus and P. zeae in soybean and corn, respectively, is evident. Additionally, P. thornei and abamectin in the form of seed treatment, show potential in mitigating yield losses caused by P. zeae in maize. This highlights the importance of P. thornei as an additional tool for the management of root lesion nematodes in soybean and maize, and should encourage subsequent work. / O gênero Pasteuria compreende bactérias gram-positivas parasitas obrigatórias de artrópodes e nematoides. A distribuição das espécies deste gênero pelo mundo é ubíqua, podendo ser encontradas em ambientes aquáticos e terrestres. Este gênero foi descrito no final do século XIX e sofreu consideráveis reclassificações em relação às espécies nele compreendidos. A partir da década de 80, deu-se início a um esforço de classificação mais minucioso com relação à identificação de Pasteuria spp. e seus hábitos parasitários. Estes estudos foram motivados, principalmente, pela capacidade dos indivíduos deste gênero em parasitar nematoides fitoparasitas de diversas culturas. Cada espécie do gênero Pasteuria estabelece relações parasitárias com um gênero específico de fitonematoide. A exemplo desta interação, Pasteuria thornei é um parasita restrito ao gênero Pratylenchus, que compreende os nematoides causadores das lesões radiculares, daninhos a diversas culturas de importância agronômica. Considerando a relevância atual de estudos envolvendo o controle biológico de fitonematoides, no presente trabalho foram realizados três experimentos, cada um contendo uma réplica em época distinta, totalizando, portanto, seis experimentos. Dois experimentos tiveram por objetivo verificar a eficácia de P. thornei como agente de controle biológico (ACB) de Pratylenchus brachyurus na cultura da soja. E os demais quatro experimentos abordaram o patossistema Pratylenchus zeae-milho. Para esse objetivo, foram realizados dois experimentos com o intuito de verificar a eficácia de P. thornei como agente de controle biológico de P. zeae em milho, e outros dois experimentos para testar a capacidade do ACB em reduzir a perda de produtividade em plantas de milho decorrente do parasitismo do nematoide. Para os experimentos de soja, às sementes da cultivar SYN1080 foram adicionados os tratamentos como se segue: três concentrações de endósporos de P. thornei por semente (5x106, 107 e 1,5x107), um grupo de controle químico comercial para comparação contendo abamectina (0,58 mg / semente) e um tratamento misto contendo abamectina (0,58 mg / semente) e 107 endósporos de P. thornei. Sementes não tratadas foram utilizadas como testemunha. As sementes tratadas foram semeadas em copos de plástico de 500 cm3 contendo solo inoculado com 1000 nematoides (experimento 1) e 600 nematoides (experimento 2). A massa de raiz fresca e os nematoides extraídos das raízes de cada planta foram utilizados como critério de avaliação dos experimentos, a qual foi realizada aos 60 e 90 dias após a inoculação (DAI). Apenas o tratamento com a maior concentração de P. thornei (1,5x107) reduziu a população final de nematoides de maneira significativa atingindo 30-50% de redução, comparado àquele contendo sementes não tratadas. No entanto, os tratamentos que contém abamectina foram superiores na redução da população final de nematoides em todos os experimentos avaliados. Em relação aos experimentos de eficácia em milho, sementes do híbrido CELERON foram tratadas como explicitado: quatro concentrações de endósporos de P. thornei por semente (5x106, 107, 1,5x107 e 2x107), um grupo de controle comercial para comparação contendo abamectina (0,58 mg / semente) e um tratamento misto contendo abamectina (0,58 mg / semente) e 107 endósporos de P. thornei. As sementes tratadas de milho foram semeadas em copos de plástico de 500cm3 contendo solo inoculado com 4000 e 1000 indivíduos para os experimentos de eficácia 1 e 2, respectivamente. As avaliações ocorreram aos 60 e 90 DAI. Para os estudos de produtividade, foram realizados os experimentos 3 e 4 sob um telado com parcelas experimentais constituídas por vasos de 9L preenchidos de solo infestado artificialmente. Sementes do híbrido CELERON foram utilizadas contendo os seguintes tratamentos: abamectina (0,58mg / semente), P. thornei (107 endósporos/semente) e um tratamento misto contendo abamectina (0,58mg / semente) e P. thornei (107 endósporos/semente). Dois tratamentos adicionais contendo sementes não tratadas serviram de testemunhas, com e sem Pratylenchus zeae. A avaliação consistiu na medição de várias características agronômicas, como peso seco da parte aérea, massa fresca de raízes no momento da colheita e peso total dos grãos. Adicionalmente, foi mensurada a população de nematoides em raízes frescas aos 45, 90 dias e no momento da colheita. Os ensaios de eficácia mostraram que as concentrações mais elevadas de P. thornei (1,5x107 e 2x107) possuem um potencial mensurável de controle de P. zeae. A redução da população de nematoides foi de 54 e 47% nos experimentos 1 e 2, respectivamente. A formulação comercial de abamectina mostrou uma redução da população de nematoides superior a 90% em ambos os experimentos. No que diz respeito aos experimentos de produtividade de milho, o potencial de controle de nematoides por P. thornei foi semelhante ao observado no estudo de eficácia. O tratamento com abamectina teve efeito na redução das perdas de rendimento causadas por P. zeae em ambos os experimentos; assim como os tratamentos misto (abamectina e P. thornei) e aquele contendo apenas P. thornei que apresentaram desempenho positivo em ambas as repetições. Em nenhum dos experimentos foi observado efeito sinérgico ou aditivo entre P. thornei e abamectina. Com os dados obtidos nestes experimentos, fica evidente o potencial de controle de P. thornei sobre P. brachyurus e P. zeae em soja e milho, respectivamente. Ainda, tanto P. thornei quanto abamectina apresentam o potencial de mitigar as perdas de rendimento causadas por P. zeae em milho através do tratamento de sementes. Isso evidencia a importância de P. thornei como uma ferramenta adicional para o manejo desses nematoides, e deve encorajar trabalhos subsequentes.

The quokka (Setonix brachyurus Quoy & Gaimard 1830) is a medium-sized, macropodid marsupial that is endemic to the mesic, south-western corner of Australia. While being a tourist icon on Rottnest Island, the species is threatened with extinction. It has been intensively studied on Rottnest Island in the 1960s and 1970s, however very little is known of its ecology on the mainland. Additionally the insular and mainland environments are extremely different suggesting that ecological differences between the two populations are likely. Consequently, this study sought to determine the basic autecology of the quokka and identify what factors have attributed to its threatened conservation status. The northern jarrah forest of Western Australia was selected as the study region due to it being at the northern limit of extant quokka distribution and because it was thought that the factors threatening the quokka would be exacerbated there. Fossil deposits suggest that the quokka originally occupied an area of approximately 49,000 km2 in the south-western corner of Australia. Historical literature show that they were widespread and abundant when Europeans colonised the region in 1829 but a noticeable and dramatic decline occurred a century later. The arrival of the red fox to the region coincided almost exactly with this decline and so it was probably ultimately responsible. Continued predation by both it and the feral cat are likely to have continued the decline, along with habitat destruction and modification through altered fire regimes. Specific surveys and literature searches show that since the 1950s, the area occupied by the quokka has declined by 45% and since 1990 by 29%. Based on the criteria of the IUCN (Hilton-Taylor 2000), the conservation status of the quokka should remain as vulnerable. An endangered status may be more applicable if the quokkas restriction to patches through its existence as a metapopulation is considered. Trapping of eight sites supporting quokka populations in the mid-1990s revealed three sites now locally extinct despite the ongoing, six year old, fox control programme. Another three are at serious risk of extinction. Extant population sizes ranged from one to 36 and population density ranged from 0.07 to 4.3 individuals per hectare. This is considered to be below the carrying capacity of each site. The overall quokka population size in the northern jarrah forest may be as low as 150 adult individuals, of which half are likely to be female. Even the largest extant populations are highly susceptible to stochastic extinction events. This small size was surprising considering the six year old, introduced predator control programme. Historically, the restriction to discrete habitat patches, the occasional inter-patch movement, the lack of correlation between the dynamics of each population and reports of frequent localised extinctions and colonisations suggest that the quokka population once existed as part of a classic metapopulation. The massive decline of the quokka in the 1930s pushed the metapopulation structure into a non-equilibrium state such that today, the extant populations are the terminal remnants of the original classic metapopulation. Wild mainland quokkas breed throughout the year. A significant reduction in the number of births occurs over summer and this coincides with a decline in female body weight. Despite this, the mainland quokka is relatively fecund and is able to wean two offspring per year. The level of recruitment from pouch young to independence was low and this may explain the apparent lack of population increase following the initiation of fox control. A total of 56 trapped quokkas were fitted with a radio collar. Mean home range size for quokkas was 6.39 ha with a core range of 1.21 ha and this was negatively related to population density. Male home ranges were larger than females but not significantly when the sexual size dimorphism was considered. Nocturnal ranges were larger than diurnal ranges reflecting nocturnal departures from the swamp refugia. Home range sizes varied seasonally, probably due to changes in the distance required to move to obtain sufficient nutrients and water over the dry summer compared to the wet winter and spring. Telemetry confirmed trapping results that showed no movement between swamps or populations. Home range centres shifted to the periphery of the swamp following the winter inundation and this may increase the species susceptibility to predation. The lack of dispersal is probably caused by quokka populations existing below carrying capacity and following selection for philopatry under the threat of predation for dispersing individuals. Without dispersal to recolonise or rescue unpopulated patches, the collapse of the original quokka metapopulation appears to have occurred. On a macrohabitat scale, the quokka in the northern jarrah forest is restricted to Agonis swamp shrubland habitats that form in the open, upper reaches of creek systems on the western side of the forest. This restriction was probably initially due to the high water requirements of the quokka but is likely to have been exacerbated by increased predation pressure since the arrival of the fox. On a microhabitat scale, the quokka is a habitat specialist, preferring early seral stage swamp habitats, probably for foraging, as part of a mosaic of old age swamp that provides refuge. Despite the six year old, introduced predator control programme, foxes and cats are still the major cause of mortality to quokkas. Road kills was the other identifiable cause. Individuals alive at the start of the study had an 81% chance of staying alive until the end. The likelihood of dying was minimised by grouping together with conspecifics, maximising home range size and maximising the time spent within the swampy refuge. Current rates of adult and juvenile survivorship should allow population recovery and so it seems pouch young mortality, reflected by low recruitment, has inhibited the anticipated population increase following predator control. The confounding effect of inadequate unbaited controls meant that little statistical evidence was available on the impact of introduced predators on the quokka, however the models provided support for earlier hypotheses of these. The presence of a quokka population at a site was related to the amount of poison baits delivered ??? reflecting predation pressure, the average age of the swamp and a mosaic of early and late seral stages within the swamp habitat. Recently burnt habitat is thought to provide food for quokkas and long unburnt habitat provides refuge from predation.

The quokka (Setonix brachyurus Quoy & Gaimard 1830) is a medium-sized, macropodid marsupial that is endemic to the mesic, south-western corner of Australia. While being a tourist icon on Rottnest Island, the species is threatened with extinction. It has been intensively studied on Rottnest Island in the 1960s and 1970s, however very little is known of its ecology on the mainland. Additionally the insular and mainland environments are extremely different suggesting that ecological differences between the two populations are likely. Consequently, this study sought to determine the basic autecology of the quokka and identify what factors have attributed to its threatened conservation status. The northern jarrah forest of Western Australia was selected as the study region due to it being at the northern limit of extant quokka distribution and because it was thought that the factors threatening the quokka would be exacerbated there. Fossil deposits suggest that the quokka originally occupied an area of approximately 49,000 km2 in the south-western corner of Australia. Historical literature show that they were widespread and abundant when Europeans colonised the region in 1829 but a noticeable and dramatic decline occurred a century later. The arrival of the red fox to the region coincided almost exactly with this decline and so it was probably ultimately responsible. Continued predation by both it and the feral cat are likely to have continued the decline, along with habitat destruction and modification through altered fire regimes. Specific surveys and literature searches show that since the 1950s, the area occupied by the quokka has declined by 45% and since 1990 by 29%. Based on the criteria of the IUCN (Hilton-Taylor 2000), the conservation status of the quokka should remain as vulnerable. An endangered status may be more applicable if the quokkas restriction to patches through its existence as a metapopulation is considered. Trapping of eight sites supporting quokka populations in the mid-1990s revealed three sites now locally extinct despite the ongoing, six year old, fox control programme. Another three are at serious risk of extinction. Extant population sizes ranged from one to 36 and population density ranged from 0.07 to 4.3 individuals per hectare. This is considered to be below the carrying capacity of each site. The overall quokka population size in the northern jarrah forest may be as low as 150 adult individuals, of which half are likely to be female. Even the largest extant populations are highly susceptible to stochastic extinction events. This small size was surprising considering the six year old, introduced predator control programme. Historically, the restriction to discrete habitat patches, the occasional inter-patch movement, the lack of correlation between the dynamics of each population and reports of frequent localised extinctions and colonisations suggest that the quokka population once existed as part of a classic metapopulation. The massive decline of the quokka in the 1930s pushed the metapopulation structure into a non-equilibrium state such that today, the extant populations are the terminal remnants of the original classic metapopulation. Wild mainland quokkas breed throughout the year. A significant reduction in the number of births occurs over summer and this coincides with a decline in female body weight. Despite this, the mainland quokka is relatively fecund and is able to wean two offspring per year. The level of recruitment from pouch young to independence was low and this may explain the apparent lack of population increase following the initiation of fox control. A total of 56 trapped quokkas were fitted with a radio collar. Mean home range size for quokkas was 6.39 ha with a core range of 1.21 ha and this was negatively related to population density. Male home ranges were larger than females but not significantly when the sexual size dimorphism was considered. Nocturnal ranges were larger than diurnal ranges reflecting nocturnal departures from the swamp refugia. Home range sizes varied seasonally, probably due to changes in the distance required to move to obtain sufficient nutrients and water over the dry summer compared to the wet winter and spring. Telemetry confirmed trapping results that showed no movement between swamps or populations. Home range centres shifted to the periphery of the swamp following the winter inundation and this may increase the species susceptibility to predation. The lack of dispersal is probably caused by quokka populations existing below carrying capacity and following selection for philopatry under the threat of predation for dispersing individuals. Without dispersal to recolonise or rescue unpopulated patches, the collapse of the original quokka metapopulation appears to have occurred. On a macrohabitat scale, the quokka in the northern jarrah forest is restricted to Agonis swamp shrubland habitats that form in the open, upper reaches of creek systems on the western side of the forest. This restriction was probably initially due to the high water requirements of the quokka but is likely to have been exacerbated by increased predation pressure since the arrival of the fox. On a microhabitat scale, the quokka is a habitat specialist, preferring early seral stage swamp habitats, probably for foraging, as part of a mosaic of old age swamp that provides refuge. Despite the six year old, introduced predator control programme, foxes and cats are still the major cause of mortality to quokkas. Road kills was the other identifiable cause. Individuals alive at the start of the study had an 81% chance of staying alive until the end. The likelihood of dying was minimised by grouping together with conspecifics, maximising home range size and maximising the time spent within the swampy refuge. Current rates of adult and juvenile survivorship should allow population recovery and so it seems pouch young mortality, reflected by low recruitment, has inhibited the anticipated population increase following predator control. The confounding effect of inadequate unbaited controls meant that little statistical evidence was available on the impact of introduced predators on the quokka, however the models provided support for earlier hypotheses of these. The presence of a quokka population at a site was related to the amount of poison baits delivered ??? reflecting predation pressure, the average age of the swamp and a mosaic of early and late seral stages within the swamp habitat. Recently burnt habitat is thought to provide food for quokkas and long unburnt habitat provides refuge from predation.

The quokka (Setonix brachyurus Quoy & Gaimard 1830) is a medium-sized, macropodid marsupial that is endemic to the mesic, south-western corner of Australia. While being a tourist icon on Rottnest Island, the species is threatened with extinction. It has been intensively studied on Rottnest Island in the 1960s and 1970s, however very little is known of its ecology on the mainland. Additionally the insular and mainland environments are extremely different suggesting that ecological differences between the two populations are likely. Consequently, this study sought to determine the basic autecology of the quokka and identify what factors have attributed to its threatened conservation status. The northern jarrah forest of Western Australia was selected as the study region due to it being at the northern limit of extant quokka distribution and because it was thought that the factors threatening the quokka would be exacerbated there. Fossil deposits suggest that the quokka originally occupied an area of approximately 49,000 km2 in the south-western corner of Australia. Historical literature show that they were widespread and abundant when Europeans colonised the region in 1829 but a noticeable and dramatic decline occurred a century later. The arrival of the red fox to the region coincided almost exactly with this decline and so it was probably ultimately responsible. Continued predation by both it and the feral cat are likely to have continued the decline, along with habitat destruction and modification through altered fire regimes. Specific surveys and literature searches show that since the 1950s, the area occupied by the quokka has declined by 45% and since 1990 by 29%. Based on the criteria of the IUCN (Hilton-Taylor 2000), the conservation status of the quokka should remain as vulnerable. An endangered status may be more applicable if the quokkas restriction to patches through its existence as a metapopulation is considered. Trapping of eight sites supporting quokka populations in the mid-1990s revealed three sites now locally extinct despite the ongoing, six year old, fox control programme. Another three are at serious risk of extinction. Extant population sizes ranged from one to 36 and population density ranged from 0.07 to 4.3 individuals per hectare. This is considered to be below the carrying capacity of each site. The overall quokka population size in the northern jarrah forest may be as low as 150 adult individuals, of which half are likely to be female. Even the largest extant populations are highly susceptible to stochastic extinction events. This small size was surprising considering the six year old, introduced predator control programme. Historically, the restriction to discrete habitat patches, the occasional inter-patch movement, the lack of correlation between the dynamics of each population and reports of frequent localised extinctions and colonisations suggest that the quokka population once existed as part of a classic metapopulation. The massive decline of the quokka in the 1930s pushed the metapopulation structure into a non-equilibrium state such that today, the extant populations are the terminal remnants of the original classic metapopulation. Wild mainland quokkas breed throughout the year. A significant reduction in the number of births occurs over summer and this coincides with a decline in female body weight. Despite this, the mainland quokka is relatively fecund and is able to wean two offspring per year. The level of recruitment from pouch young to independence was low and this may explain the apparent lack of population increase following the initiation of fox control. A total of 56 trapped quokkas were fitted with a radio collar. Mean home range size for quokkas was 6.39 ha with a core range of 1.21 ha and this was negatively related to population density. Male home ranges were larger than females but not significantly when the sexual size dimorphism was considered. Nocturnal ranges were larger than diurnal ranges reflecting nocturnal departures from the swamp refugia. Home range sizes varied seasonally, probably due to changes in the distance required to move to obtain sufficient nutrients and water over the dry summer compared to the wet winter and spring. Telemetry confirmed trapping results that showed no movement between swamps or populations. Home range centres shifted to the periphery of the swamp following the winter inundation and this may increase the species susceptibility to predation. The lack of dispersal is probably caused by quokka populations existing below carrying capacity and following selection for philopatry under the threat of predation for dispersing individuals. Without dispersal to recolonise or rescue unpopulated patches, the collapse of the original quokka metapopulation appears to have occurred. On a macrohabitat scale, the quokka in the northern jarrah forest is restricted to Agonis swamp shrubland habitats that form in the open, upper reaches of creek systems on the western side of the forest. This restriction was probably initially due to the high water requirements of the quokka but is likely to have been exacerbated by increased predation pressure since the arrival of the fox. On a microhabitat scale, the quokka is a habitat specialist, preferring early seral stage swamp habitats, probably for foraging, as part of a mosaic of old age swamp that provides refuge. Despite the six year old, introduced predator control programme, foxes and cats are still the major cause of mortality to quokkas. Road kills was the other identifiable cause. Individuals alive at the start of the study had an 81% chance of staying alive until the end. The likelihood of dying was minimised by grouping together with conspecifics, maximising home range size and maximising the time spent within the swampy refuge. Current rates of adult and juvenile survivorship should allow population recovery and so it seems pouch young mortality, reflected by low recruitment, has inhibited the anticipated population increase following predator control. The confounding effect of inadequate unbaited controls meant that little statistical evidence was available on the impact of introduced predators on the quokka, however the models provided support for earlier hypotheses of these. The presence of a quokka population at a site was related to the amount of poison baits delivered ??? reflecting predation pressure, the average age of the swamp and a mosaic of early and late seral stages within the swamp habitat. Recently burnt habitat is thought to provide food for quokkas and long unburnt habitat provides refuge from predation.

The quokka (Setonix brachyurus Quoy & Gaimard 1830) is a medium-sized, macropodid marsupial that is endemic to the mesic, south-western corner of Australia. While being a tourist icon on Rottnest Island, the species is threatened with extinction. It has been intensively studied on Rottnest Island in the 1960s and 1970s, however very little is known of its ecology on the mainland. Additionally the insular and mainland environments are extremely different suggesting that ecological differences between the two populations are likely. Consequently, this study sought to determine the basic autecology of the quokka and identify what factors have attributed to its threatened conservation status. The northern jarrah forest of Western Australia was selected as the study region due to it being at the northern limit of extant quokka distribution and because it was thought that the factors threatening the quokka would be exacerbated there. Fossil deposits suggest that the quokka originally occupied an area of approximately 49,000 km2 in the south-western corner of Australia. Historical literature show that they were widespread and abundant when Europeans colonised the region in 1829 but a noticeable and dramatic decline occurred a century later. The arrival of the red fox to the region coincided almost exactly with this decline and so it was probably ultimately responsible. Continued predation by both it and the feral cat are likely to have continued the decline, along with habitat destruction and modification through altered fire regimes. Specific surveys and literature searches show that since the 1950s, the area occupied by the quokka has declined by 45% and since 1990 by 29%. Based on the criteria of the IUCN (Hilton-Taylor 2000), the conservation status of the quokka should remain as vulnerable. An endangered status may be more applicable if the quokkas restriction to patches through its existence as a metapopulation is considered. Trapping of eight sites supporting quokka populations in the mid-1990s revealed three sites now locally extinct despite the ongoing, six year old, fox control programme. Another three are at serious risk of extinction. Extant population sizes ranged from one to 36 and population density ranged from 0.07 to 4.3 individuals per hectare. This is considered to be below the carrying capacity of each site. The overall quokka population size in the northern jarrah forest may be as low as 150 adult individuals, of which half are likely to be female. Even the largest extant populations are highly susceptible to stochastic extinction events. This small size was surprising considering the six year old, introduced predator control programme. Historically, the restriction to discrete habitat patches, the occasional inter-patch movement, the lack of correlation between the dynamics of each population and reports of frequent localised extinctions and colonisations suggest that the quokka population once existed as part of a classic metapopulation. The massive decline of the quokka in the 1930s pushed the metapopulation structure into a non-equilibrium state such that today, the extant populations are the terminal remnants of the original classic metapopulation. Wild mainland quokkas breed throughout the year. A significant reduction in the number of births occurs over summer and this coincides with a decline in female body weight. Despite this, the mainland quokka is relatively fecund and is able to wean two offspring per year. The level of recruitment from pouch young to independence was low and this may explain the apparent lack of population increase following the initiation of fox control. A total of 56 trapped quokkas were fitted with a radio collar. Mean home range size for quokkas was 6.39 ha with a core range of 1.21 ha and this was negatively related to population density. Male home ranges were larger than females but not significantly when the sexual size dimorphism was considered. Nocturnal ranges were larger than diurnal ranges reflecting nocturnal departures from the swamp refugia. Home range sizes varied seasonally, probably due to changes in the distance required to move to obtain sufficient nutrients and water over the dry summer compared to the wet winter and spring. Telemetry confirmed trapping results that showed no movement between swamps or populations. Home range centres shifted to the periphery of the swamp following the winter inundation and this may increase the species susceptibility to predation. The lack of dispersal is probably caused by quokka populations existing below carrying capacity and following selection for philopatry under the threat of predation for dispersing individuals. Without dispersal to recolonise or rescue unpopulated patches, the collapse of the original quokka metapopulation appears to have occurred. On a macrohabitat scale, the quokka in the northern jarrah forest is restricted to Agonis swamp shrubland habitats that form in the open, upper reaches of creek systems on the western side of the forest. This restriction was probably initially due to the high water requirements of the quokka but is likely to have been exacerbated by increased predation pressure since the arrival of the fox. On a microhabitat scale, the quokka is a habitat specialist, preferring early seral stage swamp habitats, probably for foraging, as part of a mosaic of old age swamp that provides refuge. Despite the six year old, introduced predator control programme, foxes and cats are still the major cause of mortality to quokkas. Road kills was the other identifiable cause. Individuals alive at the start of the study had an 81% chance of staying alive until the end. The likelihood of dying was minimised by grouping together with conspecifics, maximising home range size and maximising the time spent within the swampy refuge. Current rates of adult and juvenile survivorship should allow population recovery and so it seems pouch young mortality, reflected by low recruitment, has inhibited the anticipated population increase following predator control. The confounding effect of inadequate unbaited controls meant that little statistical evidence was available on the impact of introduced predators on the quokka, however the models provided support for earlier hypotheses of these. The presence of a quokka population at a site was related to the amount of poison baits delivered ??? reflecting predation pressure, the average age of the swamp and a mosaic of early and late seral stages within the swamp habitat. Recently burnt habitat is thought to provide food for quokkas and long unburnt habitat provides refuge from predation.