A lesão pulmonar é a principal causa de morte da Esclerose Sistêmica (ES), e as alterações principais são: o acometimento intersticial e o vascular. No presente estudo analisamos através do microscópio confocal a laser 40 artérias pulmonares de pequeno e médio calibre de pacientes com ES e 16 controles. Medimos a área do lúmen, a área total do vaso e fizemos a subtração da área total do vaso menos a do lúmen, e a porcentagem da área do lúmen em relação à área total do vaso. Observou-se que a área do lúmen e a porcentagem da área do lúmen em relação a área total do vaso são significativamente menores na ES em relação ao controle, e que a diferença entre a área total do vaso e a área do lúmen foi maior no grupo ES. Os achados confirmaram a hipótese inicial de acometimento das artérias pulmonares na ES, que se encontram espessadas devido à inflamação, infiltração celular em suas camadas e ativação endotelial / Lung injury is the leading cause of death in Systemic Sclerosis (SSc), and the main changes are: the vascular and interstitial involvement. In this study we analyzed through the confocal laser microscope 40 lung arteries of small and medium-sized of patients with SSc and 16 arteries of control group. We measured the lumen area, the total vessel area, made the subtracting the total vessel area minus the lumen area and the percentage between the lumen area and total vessel area. It was observed that the lumen area and the percentage between the lumen area and total vessel area were significantly lower in SSc group compared to control group, and the difference between the total vessel and the lumen area was higher in SSc. The findings confirmed the initial hypothesis of pulmonary arterial injury in SSc, wich are thickened due to inflammation, cellular infiltration into its layers and endothelial activation

A lesão pulmonar é a principal causa de morte da Esclerose Sistêmica (ES), e as alterações principais são: o acometimento intersticial e o vascular. No presente estudo analisamos através do microscópio confocal a laser 40 artérias pulmonares de pequeno e médio calibre de pacientes com ES e 16 controles. Medimos a área do lúmen, a área total do vaso e fizemos a subtração da área total do vaso menos a do lúmen, e a porcentagem da área do lúmen em relação à área total do vaso. Observou-se que a área do lúmen e a porcentagem da área do lúmen em relação a área total do vaso são significativamente menores na ES em relação ao controle, e que a diferença entre a área total do vaso e a área do lúmen foi maior no grupo ES. Os achados confirmaram a hipótese inicial de acometimento das artérias pulmonares na ES, que se encontram espessadas devido à inflamação, infiltração celular em suas camadas e ativação endotelial / Lung injury is the leading cause of death in Systemic Sclerosis (SSc), and the main changes are: the vascular and interstitial involvement. In this study we analyzed through the confocal laser microscope 40 lung arteries of small and medium-sized of patients with SSc and 16 arteries of control group. We measured the lumen area, the total vessel area, made the subtracting the total vessel area minus the lumen area and the percentage between the lumen area and total vessel area. It was observed that the lumen area and the percentage between the lumen area and total vessel area were significantly lower in SSc group compared to control group, and the difference between the total vessel and the lumen area was higher in SSc. The findings confirmed the initial hypothesis of pulmonary arterial injury in SSc, wich are thickened due to inflammation, cellular infiltration into its layers and endothelial activation

Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior / Estudos em animais experimentais evidenciaram associações significativas entre esquistossomose mansoni e hipercolesterolemia. Estudos in vitro e in vivo já demonstraram que o colesterol é essencial para Schistosoma mansoni, embora este não tenha capacidade de sintetizá-lo. A captação é realizada a partir do ambiente (cultivo ou hospedeiro) através do tegumento. O colesterol está envolvido nos mecanismos de evasão do helminto contra a resposta imunológica, além de poder participar na modulação da sinalização celular e reprodução, estimulando os órgãos reprodutores dos helmintos adultos como observado na fase aguda da infecção experimental. Este trabalho tem como objetivo avaliar se o mesmo fenômeno ocorre na fase crônica. Os helmintos foram recuperados de dez camundongos submetidos à dieta hiperlipídica ou padrão (controle) foram corados pelo carmin cloridrico e montados, individualmente, em lâmina histológica com bálsamo do Canadá. A preparação foi analisada por microscopia de campo claro nos seguintes caracteres: tegumento e o sistema reprodutor nos vermes machos (lobos testiculares, vesícula seminal, lobos testiculares supranumerários e canal ginecóforo) e, nas fêmeas (ovário, oótipo, útero, ovo, glândulas vitelínicas e espermateca). Posteriormente, algumas lâminas foram separadas para visualização pela microscopia confocal dos órgãos do sistema reprodutores acima descritos. Apesar de ter sido observado uma maior quantidade de espermatozoides, uma maior quantidade de oócitos sendo liberados no grupo da dieta, não houve diferença estatística significativa (p>0,05) entre os grupos analisados. Houve um aumento na oogênese como observado na fase aguda. Dessa forma, o colesterol pode estar relacionado com a estimulação na atividade dos órgãos reprodutores dos helmintos adultos na fase crônica da infecção. / Studies in experimental animals showed significant associations between with schistosomiasis and hypercholesterolemia. In vitro and in vivo studies have demonstrated that cholesterol is essential for Schistosoma mansoni, although this is not able to synthesize it. The capture is carried out from the environment (cultivation or host) through the tegument. The capture is carried out from the middle (cultivation or host) through the tegument. Cholesterol is involved in the helminth evasion mechanisms against the immune response, and can participate in the modulation of cell signaling and reproduction of worms by stimulating the reproductive organs of adult worms as observed in the acute phase of experimental infection. This study aims to evaluate whether the same phenomenon occurs in the chronic phase. Helminthes recovered from ten mice subjected to high fat diet or standard (control) were stained with hydrochloric carmine and mounted individually on histological slide with Canada balsam. The preparation was analyzed by bright field microscopy the following characteristics: oral sucker and ventral sucker, tubercles on tegument and the reproductive system in male worms (lobes testicular, seminal vesicles, supernumerary testicular lobes and gynaecophoric canal), and in females (ovary, ootype, uterus, egg, vitelline glands and spermatheca). Subsequently, some slides were separated for confocal microscopy for visualization of the organs of the reproductive system described above. Despite having been observed a higher amount of sperm, a larger number of oocytes are released in the diet group, there was no statistically significant difference (p> 0.05) between the groups. There was an increase in oogenesis as observed in the acute phase. Thus, cholesterol may be related to the stimulation of the activity of the reproductive organs of adult helminths in the chronic phase of infection.

Este estudo se propôs a analisar os efeitos das diferentes larguras temporais de pulso do laser de Er:YAG na rugosidade superficial, na perda de volume do material e na altura do degrau formado em uma Y-TZP (Yttrium-stabilized Tetragonal Zirconia Polycrystal) pré-sinterizada. Foram utilizados 5 blocos de Y-TZP pré-sinterizados destinados ao uso CAD/CAM que foram seccionados, obtendo-se 63 espécimes padronizados. Em seguida, esses espécimes foram lixados com uma sequência decrescente de lixas para padronização da superfície. Os grupos experimentais foram compostos a partir de 1 fator de variação - o tratamento de superfície. Os espécimes foram irradiados com o laser de Er:YAG (Fidelis III Fotona, Eslovênia) - 2,94 ?m, 100 mJ, 15,87J/cm2, 10 Hz, 1W, 7 mm, 60% água/40% ar. Assim formaram-se 7 grupos experimentais (n=9): G1 (50 ?s); G2 (100 ?s); G3 (300 ?s); G4 (600 ?s); G5 (1000 ?s); G6 (Abrasão triboquímica com partículas de 30 ?m); G7 (Sem tratamento). Após os tratamentos de superfície, os espécimes foram sinterizados em forno específico, de acordo com as recomendações do fabricante. Foram capturadas imagens em Microscópio Confocal a Laser 3D de cada espécime e avaliadas por meio de um software. A análise dos grupos irradiados revelou um aumento da rugosidade nos grupos G1, G2, G3 e G4 quando comparados aos grupos G6 e G7. O grupo G5 apresentou superfície totalmente plana e desfavorável para retenção. No que se refere à perda de volume e formação de degrau, os grupos G1, G2 e G3 demonstraram grande perda de volume e grande altura de degrau formado, o que pode levar a uma desadaptação da peça protética. No grupo G4 foram observados valores de rugosidade satisfatórios com pouca perda de volume e pequena altura de degrau formado, semelhante ao que foi notado para a abrasão trioboquímica (G6), podendo ser indicada para tratamento de superfície de Y-TZP pré-sinterizada. A irradiação com o laser de Er:YAG promoveu um padrão morfológico com muitas irregularidades, característico de ablação para os grupos G1, G2, G3 e G4 e, para todos os protocolos utilizados, não foi observada a presença de trincas ou carbonização. Sugere-se que a largura temporal de 600 ?s (G4) seja a mais indicada como alternativa para tratamento de superfície, objetivando a criação de micro-retenções superficiais, com pouca perda de volume de material e que, ao mesmo tempo, não provoque danos à estrutura da cerâmica policristalina. / This study evaluated the effects of different Er:YAG laser pulse width protocols on surface roughness, loss of volume of the material and the step height formed of pre-sintered Yttrium-stabilized tetragonal Zirconia Polycrystal (Y-TZP) by three-dimensional profilometric assessment. Blocks of pre-sintered Y-TZP were cut providing 63 standard 5mm thick samples which were divided by surface treatment, as follows (n=9): G1 (50?s); G2 (100?s); G3 (300?s); G4 (600?s); G5 (1000?s); G6 (tribochemical silica coating); G7 (Untreated). Laser settings: The Er:YAG laser (Fidelis III; Fotona, Ljubljana, Slovenia) 100mJ, 15,87J/cm2, 10Hz, 1W, (60%) and air (40%) cooling. After treated or not, samples were sintered according to the manufacturer\'s recommendations. Roughness, volume loss and step and were analyzed by 3D profilometric assessment with confocal laser microscopy. Irradiated groups showed an increased roughness in the groups G1, G2, G3 and G4 when compared to G6 and G7 groups. The G5 group showed a completely flat and unfavorable surface for retention. The groups G1, G2 and G3 shown great loss of volume and the step height formed, which can lead to a gap on the crowns. In G4 were observed satisfactory roughness with little loss of volume and the step height formed similar to G6. Irrespective of laser protocol, any of the specimens showed presence of cracks and carbonization. It is suggested that the pulse width 600?s (G4) is the most suitable pulse width protocol as an alternative surface treatment, promoting micro-retention, with little loss of volume of material, comparable to gold standard treatment.

Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior / Estudos em animais experimentais evidenciaram associações significativas entre esquistossomose mansoni e hipercolesterolemia. Estudos in vitro e in vivo já demonstraram que o colesterol é essencial para Schistosoma mansoni, embora este não tenha capacidade de sintetizá-lo. A captação é realizada a partir do ambiente (cultivo ou hospedeiro) através do tegumento. O colesterol está envolvido nos mecanismos de evasão do helminto contra a resposta imunológica, além de poder participar na modulação da sinalização celular e reprodução, estimulando os órgãos reprodutores dos helmintos adultos como observado na fase aguda da infecção experimental. Este trabalho tem como objetivo avaliar se o mesmo fenômeno ocorre na fase crônica. Os helmintos foram recuperados de dez camundongos submetidos à dieta hiperlipídica ou padrão (controle) foram corados pelo carmin cloridrico e montados, individualmente, em lâmina histológica com bálsamo do Canadá. A preparação foi analisada por microscopia de campo claro nos seguintes caracteres: tegumento e o sistema reprodutor nos vermes machos (lobos testiculares, vesícula seminal, lobos testiculares supranumerários e canal ginecóforo) e, nas fêmeas (ovário, oótipo, útero, ovo, glândulas vitelínicas e espermateca). Posteriormente, algumas lâminas foram separadas para visualização pela microscopia confocal dos órgãos do sistema reprodutores acima descritos. Apesar de ter sido observado uma maior quantidade de espermatozoides, uma maior quantidade de oócitos sendo liberados no grupo da dieta, não houve diferença estatística significativa (p>0,05) entre os grupos analisados. Houve um aumento na oogênese como observado na fase aguda. Dessa forma, o colesterol pode estar relacionado com a estimulação na atividade dos órgãos reprodutores dos helmintos adultos na fase crônica da infecção. / Studies in experimental animals showed significant associations between with schistosomiasis and hypercholesterolemia. In vitro and in vivo studies have demonstrated that cholesterol is essential for Schistosoma mansoni, although this is not able to synthesize it. The capture is carried out from the environment (cultivation or host) through the tegument. The capture is carried out from the middle (cultivation or host) through the tegument. Cholesterol is involved in the helminth evasion mechanisms against the immune response, and can participate in the modulation of cell signaling and reproduction of worms by stimulating the reproductive organs of adult worms as observed in the acute phase of experimental infection. This study aims to evaluate whether the same phenomenon occurs in the chronic phase. Helminthes recovered from ten mice subjected to high fat diet or standard (control) were stained with hydrochloric carmine and mounted individually on histological slide with Canada balsam. The preparation was analyzed by bright field microscopy the following characteristics: oral sucker and ventral sucker, tubercles on tegument and the reproductive system in male worms (lobes testicular, seminal vesicles, supernumerary testicular lobes and gynaecophoric canal), and in females (ovary, ootype, uterus, egg, vitelline glands and spermatheca). Subsequently, some slides were separated for confocal microscopy for visualization of the organs of the reproductive system described above. Despite having been observed a higher amount of sperm, a larger number of oocytes are released in the diet group, there was no statistically significant difference (p> 0.05) between the groups. There was an increase in oogenesis as observed in the acute phase. Thus, cholesterol may be related to the stimulation of the activity of the reproductive organs of adult helminths in the chronic phase of infection.

Este estudo se propôs a analisar os efeitos das diferentes larguras temporais de pulso do laser de Er:YAG na rugosidade superficial, na perda de volume do material e na altura do degrau formado em uma Y-TZP (Yttrium-stabilized Tetragonal Zirconia Polycrystal) pré-sinterizada. Foram utilizados 5 blocos de Y-TZP pré-sinterizados destinados ao uso CAD/CAM que foram seccionados, obtendo-se 63 espécimes padronizados. Em seguida, esses espécimes foram lixados com uma sequência decrescente de lixas para padronização da superfície. Os grupos experimentais foram compostos a partir de 1 fator de variação - o tratamento de superfície. Os espécimes foram irradiados com o laser de Er:YAG (Fidelis III Fotona, Eslovênia) - 2,94 ?m, 100 mJ, 15,87J/cm2, 10 Hz, 1W, 7 mm, 60% água/40% ar. Assim formaram-se 7 grupos experimentais (n=9): G1 (50 ?s); G2 (100 ?s); G3 (300 ?s); G4 (600 ?s); G5 (1000 ?s); G6 (Abrasão triboquímica com partículas de 30 ?m); G7 (Sem tratamento). Após os tratamentos de superfície, os espécimes foram sinterizados em forno específico, de acordo com as recomendações do fabricante. Foram capturadas imagens em Microscópio Confocal a Laser 3D de cada espécime e avaliadas por meio de um software. A análise dos grupos irradiados revelou um aumento da rugosidade nos grupos G1, G2, G3 e G4 quando comparados aos grupos G6 e G7. O grupo G5 apresentou superfície totalmente plana e desfavorável para retenção. No que se refere à perda de volume e formação de degrau, os grupos G1, G2 e G3 demonstraram grande perda de volume e grande altura de degrau formado, o que pode levar a uma desadaptação da peça protética. No grupo G4 foram observados valores de rugosidade satisfatórios com pouca perda de volume e pequena altura de degrau formado, semelhante ao que foi notado para a abrasão trioboquímica (G6), podendo ser indicada para tratamento de superfície de Y-TZP pré-sinterizada. A irradiação com o laser de Er:YAG promoveu um padrão morfológico com muitas irregularidades, característico de ablação para os grupos G1, G2, G3 e G4 e, para todos os protocolos utilizados, não foi observada a presença de trincas ou carbonização. Sugere-se que a largura temporal de 600 ?s (G4) seja a mais indicada como alternativa para tratamento de superfície, objetivando a criação de micro-retenções superficiais, com pouca perda de volume de material e que, ao mesmo tempo, não provoque danos à estrutura da cerâmica policristalina. / This study evaluated the effects of different Er:YAG laser pulse width protocols on surface roughness, loss of volume of the material and the step height formed of pre-sintered Yttrium-stabilized tetragonal Zirconia Polycrystal (Y-TZP) by three-dimensional profilometric assessment. Blocks of pre-sintered Y-TZP were cut providing 63 standard 5mm thick samples which were divided by surface treatment, as follows (n=9): G1 (50?s); G2 (100?s); G3 (300?s); G4 (600?s); G5 (1000?s); G6 (tribochemical silica coating); G7 (Untreated). Laser settings: The Er:YAG laser (Fidelis III; Fotona, Ljubljana, Slovenia) 100mJ, 15,87J/cm2, 10Hz, 1W, (60%) and air (40%) cooling. After treated or not, samples were sintered according to the manufacturer\'s recommendations. Roughness, volume loss and step and were analyzed by 3D profilometric assessment with confocal laser microscopy. Irradiated groups showed an increased roughness in the groups G1, G2, G3 and G4 when compared to G6 and G7 groups. The G5 group showed a completely flat and unfavorable surface for retention. The groups G1, G2 and G3 shown great loss of volume and the step height formed, which can lead to a gap on the crowns. In G4 were observed satisfactory roughness with little loss of volume and the step height formed similar to G6. Irrespective of laser protocol, any of the specimens showed presence of cracks and carbonization. It is suggested that the pulse width 600?s (G4) is the most suitable pulse width protocol as an alternative surface treatment, promoting micro-retention, with little loss of volume of material, comparable to gold standard treatment.

This master’s thesis deals with the design of methodology for measurement of refractive index and thickness of living cells by coherence-controlled holographic microscope. The theoretical part summarises the holographic microscopy and its development at IPE FME BUT in Brno. The thesis focuses on the multimodal holographic microscope, its description, the principle, the procedure of work and data processing. Confocal microscopy is also described, which serves to compare the acquired values with the proposed methodology. The last part of the theoretical part deals with the testing of statistical hypotheses, which is needed for the processing of measured data. Experiments were designed for the verification of methodology for determination of the refractive index and cell thickness. The experimental part of the thesis deals with the sample preparation and measurement. The procedure and results of the proposed experiments and their evaluation follows.

Supramolecular structure of eight commercial types of iPP, its blends with poly(L-lactide) (PP-PLLA) and copolymers with ethylene-propylene rubber (PP-EPR) together with four types of polyethylene (LDPE, HDPE) was uncovered and observed in this work. The spherulitic structure of iPP and PE homopolymers and PP copolymers was uncovered by etching of six different solutions of mineral acids with KMnO4 and by dissolution in four selected solvents. The latter was found to be ineffective. The structure of PP-PLLA blends was uncovered only after recrystallization (the change of structure by annealing and cooling rate). The uncovered crystalline structure was observed directly by confocal laser scanning microscope (CLSM) and SEM. Crystallinity together with a size distribution of crystallites was determined by DSC. It was proved that spherulitic supramolecular structure was easy to uncover by chemical etching only for molded samples and for fracture surfaces of injected samples. The efficiency of etchants varied but, generally, the samples with high degree of crystallinity were etched earlier. The etchants containing nitric acid and high content of sulphuric acid uncovered fine details of shperulites with respect to mixtures containing orthophosporic acid. It was also observed that not only the etchant (especially with nitric acid) itself but also its vapors were effective. The structure was revealed later but the appearance was plastic (3D) and the structure was very fine. The supramolecular structure of PP-PLLA blends differed with amount of each component. The ethylene-rubber phase came forth with increasing time of etching while PP spherulites disappeared in PP-EPR samples. CLSM was shown to be very good tool for observing supramolecular structure of studied samples with respect to SEM, which was proved to be entirely unsuitable for polyolefines. DSC is recommended to be performe before uncovering supramolecular structure for basic information about proportion of amorphous/crystalline phase and size of crystallites.

Background: Syllids are a species rich annelid family possessing remarkable regenerative ability, which is not only the response after traumatic injury, but also a key step during the life cycle of several syllid taxa. In these animals the posterior part of the body becomes an epitoke and is later detached as a distinct unit named stolon. Such a sexual reproductive mode is named schizogamy or stolonization. The prostomium and the proventricle, a modified foregut structure, have been proposed to have a control function during this process, though the concrete mechanisms behind it have never been elucidated. Results: By using different experimental set-ups, histology and immunohistochemistry combined with subsequent cLSM analyzes, we investigate and document the regeneration and stolonization in specimens of Typosyllis antoni that were amputated at different levels throughout the antero-posterior body axis. The removal of the anterior end including the proventricle implies an incomplete anterior regeneration as well as severe deviations from the usual reproductive pattern, i.e. accelerated stolonization, masculinization and the occurrence of aberrant stolons. The detailed anatomy of aberrant stolons is described. A histological study of the proventricle revealed no signs of glandular or secretory structures. The ventricle and the caeca are composed of glandular tissue but they are not involved in the reproductive and regenerative processes. Conclusions: As in other investigated syllids, the proventricle region has a significant role during stolonization and reproduction processes in Typosyllis antoni. When the proventricle region is absent, anterior and posterior regeneration are considerably deviated from the general patterns. However, proventricle ultrastructure does not show any glandular component, thereby questioning a direct involvement of this organ itself in the control of reproduction and regeneration. Our findings offer a comprehensive starting point for further studies of regeneration and reproductive control in syllids as well as annelids in general.

Soils represent an essential habitat for a wide diversity of invertebrates. Among these organisms, termites are considered ecosystem engineers for their impact on nutrient cycling and soil functioning, stemming from their wide feeding habits. For instance, soil/litter-feeding termites are one of the groups that incorporate the most organic matter from the soil. Thus, the high abundance and diversity of this group of termites does not only indicate its ecological success, but also its high value for the ecosystem. TheApicotermitinae subfamily (family Termitidae) is a highly diverse group of soil-feeding termites widespread in Afro- and Neotropical regions. However, due to taxonomic difficulties in soldierless groups and poor sampling of species living deep in the soil, it is also one of the most understudied subfamilies. In this thesis, I addressed phylogenetic, anatomical, and ecological aspects of the Apicotermitinae, with the ultimate goal of explaining their high diversity and ecological success. In the first axis, we investigated the phylogenetic relationships of Apicotermitinae species by using de novo mitochondrial genomes. African taxa with soldiers form several basal branches. We confirmed the monophyly of Asian and neotropical lineages, resulting from two independent dispersal events from tropical Africa, and established the relationships of the main lineages in the subfamily. The relationships among and within some genera remain unresolved, probably revealing an explosive radiation. Some genera appear as polyphyletic, showing the need for further taxonomic revision. In the second axis, we described for the first time in detail the anatomical structures of the gizzard. Thepulvillar belt bears a highly diverse, sclerotized and autofluorescent structures. These structures and the ornamentation patterns remain limited to African species since the Neotropical species do not present such specialized structures. Consequently, these ornamentations are proposed as a new complementary taxonomic tool, which can prove useful in the future revisions of genera with phylogenetic incongruences. In the third axis, we characterized the content of crop-gizzard and inferred the isotopic niche of species. Slight variations in the food content suggested that Apicotermitinae can be considered as a single feeding group, with mineralized soil as a primary source. Variations in the crop-gizzard volume can be related to food-collecting behavior. The neotropical species exhibited the broadest isotopic spaces, indicating flexibility to explore large organic matter humification gradients. The broad overlap of isotopic niches and co-occurrence with other termites suggests that this group could be affected by spatial segregation. Finally, in an evolutionary context, it was inferred that the Neotropical soldierless taxa underwent an explosive radiation during the early-middle Miocene. While the reduction of sclerotized structures in the gizzard is associated with the dispersal towards the Neotropics, the African soldierless species developed a pulvillar armature. All of these results provide an overview of the understanding of Apicotermitinae and open up new perspectives on the evolutionary and functional aspects of associations in favor of diet as an agent of their success. / Les sols représentent un habitat essentiel pour une grande diversité d'invertébrés. Parmi ceux-ci, les termitessont considérés comme des ingénieurs de l'écosystème, pour leur impact sur le cycle des nutriments ainsique sur le fonctionnement du sol. Ce rôle écologique majeur est du fait entre autres de la grande diversitéde leur régime alimentaire. Les termites qui se nourrissent de sol et/ou de litière constituent l'un des groupesqui incorpore le plus de matière organique depuis le sol. Ainsi, l'abondance et la diversité élevées de cegroupe de termites indiquent non seulement leur succès écologique, mais aussi leur forte valeur pour lesécosystèmes. La sous-famille des Apicotermitinae (Termitidae) constitue un groupe de termites humivorestrès abondant et diversifié dans les régions afrotropicale et néotropicale. Cette sous-famille est pourtant peuétudiée, du fait des difficultés taxonomiques rencontrées pour les termites sans soldats, mais aussi desdifficultés d’échantillonnage associées aux espèces propres aux sols plus profonds. Le présent travail dethèse se veut être une étude de la diversité des Apicotermitinae selon trois axes, à savoir phylogénétique,anatomique et écologique, dans le but d'expliquer les tenants et aboutissants de la grande diversité desApicotermitinae, ainsi que les raisons de leur succès écologique.Dans le premier axe de la thèse, nous avons étudié les relations phylogénétiques entres les différentesespèces d’Apicotermitinae à l’aide de génome mitochondriaux assemblé de novo. Les taxa africains avecsoldats forment plusieurs branches basales. Nous avons confirmé la monophylie des lignées asiatique etnéotropicale, qui résultent de deux colonisations indépendantes au départ de l'Afrique, et établi les relationsentre les principales lignées de la sous-famille. Les relations, entre ou au sein, de certains genres sont malrésolues et correspondraient à une explosion radiative. Plusieurs genres apparaissent commepolyphylétiques, montrant le besoin d’une révision taxonomique future.Dans la deuxième partie de la thèse, nous avons décrit pour la première fois en détail les différentesstructures anatomiques du gésier. La ceinture pulvillaire porte des structures très diverses, sclérifiées etauto-fluorescentes. Ces ornementations sont proposées comme un nouvel outil taxonomiquecomplémentaire, qui serait utile pour les révisions requises dans les genres problématiques susmentionnés.Ces structures et les motifs d'ornementation restent toutefois limités aux espèces africaines, les espècesnéotropicales ne présentant pas de structures spécialisées.Concernant le troisième axe de la thèse, nous avons caractérisé le contenu du jabot-gésier et estimé la nicheisotopique de différentes espèces. Les légères variations du contenu suggèrent que les Apicotermitinaepartagent sensiblement le même régime alimentaire, en ingérant une quantité importante de sol minéralisé.Les variations du volume du jabot-gésier peuvent être liées au comportement de collecte des aliments. Lesespèces néotropicales montrent une étendue des niches isotopiques plus large, ce qui indique la possibilitéd'exploiter plusieurs niveaux d’humification de la matière organique. Le large chevauchement des nichesisotopiques et la co-occurrence avec d'autres termites suggèrent que les espèces de ce groupe tendraient àse ségréger spatialement.Enfin, dans un contexte évolutif, il a été estimé que le groupe des espèces néotropicales sans soldats a subiune explosion radiative au début du Miocène moyen. Alors que la réduction des structures fortementsclérifiées dans le gésier est associée à la dispersion vers les Néo-tropiques, les espèces africaines sanssoldats ont développé une armature pulvillaire. L'ensemble de ces résultats donne un aperçu de lacompréhension des Apicotermitinae et ouvre de nouvelles perspectives quant à des aspects évolutifs etfonctionnels des associations en faveur du régime alimentaire en tant qu'agent de leur succès. / Doctorat en Sciences / info:eu-repo/semantics/nonPublished