No description available.

M.Sc. / Representatives of the genus Argulus (Crustacea: Branchiura) are ectoparasites of marine, brackish and freshwater fish. A survey of the literature revealed that more than 20 species of the genus are endemic to the African continent. Information on some of the species is extremely meager. Because of a need for a single reference that would present the basic data on the African argulids in a concise and systematic manner, a compendium was compiled of the taxonomic characteristics of all the endemic as well as one alien Argulus species which occur in Africa. The occurrence and distribution of these species are also given. Some discrepancy in terminology was found e.g. in the designation of cephalic appendages, the armature of the carapace, the thoracopods and, in the accessory appendages that are used in copulation. Subsequently, a glossary of technical terms were compiled for the genus Argulus in order that uniform descriptions of morphological structures can be given. Argulid ectoparasites were collected in various impoundments in the Transvaal. All the specimens collected were identified as Argulus japonicus Thiele, 1900. Argulus japonicus affected a broad spectrum of fish hosts. A survey was carried out in Lake Barberspan and Bloemhof Dam in which site selection on hosts was studied and infestation statistics were compiled. The fishlouse A. japonicus is an opportunistic ectoparasite which was probably introduced by introductions of exotic fish. This alien fish parasite was associated with mortalities of rainbow trout, Salmo gairdneri, in an aquaculture system in the Transvaal. A morphological study was carried out on adult, male and female, specimens collected from the Transvaal. This study, the first scanning electron microscopy investigation on any argulid specie as yet, elucidated morphological structures as well as ultrastructures not previously reported.

No description available.

No description available.

As comunidades da fauna de copépodes de águas intersticiais da zona hiporrêica de um igarapé da Amazônia Central e de um rio da mata atlântica da região Sudeste do Brasil são comparadas quanto à composição, diversidade, e distribuição dos organismos. A relação das espécies identificadas com os fatores abióticos é analisada, com o objetivo de se estabelecer quais são os fatores determinantes para a distribuição das mesmas. Os fatores abióticos mensurados são: temperatura, pH, oxigênio dissolvido e granulometria do sedimento. Na areia grossa, há dominância de copepoditos e do gênero Forficatocaris (uma espécie para a mata atlântica e duas novas para a Amazônia). Essas três espécies e os copepoditos exploram o mesmo tipo de micro-hábitat no substrato. Quando a areia média é o substrato predominante, há o aumento na presença dos outros gêneros, como Potamocaris (uma espécie para a mata atlântica e uma nova espécie para a Amazônia) e Parastenocaris (mata atlântica), além do declínio no número de copepoditos. Há uma relação direta entre a temperatura e a distribuição dos microcrustáceos, ocorrendo o predomínio destes animais em temperaturas mais baixas. Há diferenças significativas dos valores de pH quando comparadas localidades distintas (Amazônia e mata atlântica); no entanto, quando comparadas as estações seca e chuvosa de um mesmo local, essa diferença não aparece. Sugere-se que o pH influencie na composição das espécies, e não em sua distribuição. Há um número similar de espécies ocupando os dois ambientes e um padrão de distribuição da fauna hiporrêica. Estas semelhanças apontam para a existência de padrões na estrutura e funcionamento destas comunidades naturais de microcrustáceos intersticiais, moldadas por pressões seletivas parecidas. / The assemblages of the copepod fauna from interstitial waters in the hyporheic zones from a stream in Central Amazon and a stream in the Atlantic rainforest of southeastern Brazil were compared in terms of composition, diversity and organism distribution. The relation of the identified species with abiotic factors was analyzed, aiming at establishing which factors were determinant for their distribution. The abiotic factors analyzed were: temperature, pH, dissolved oxygen, and sediment granulometry. In thick sand, there is predominance of copepodites and of the genus Forficatocaris (one species found in the Atlantic rainforest and two new species in the Amazon). These three species of Forficatocaris and the copepodites explore the same kind of microhabitat in the sediment. When medium size of sand grains prevail, there is an increase in the presence of other genera, such as Potamocaris (one species for the Atlantic rainforest and one new species for the Amazon) and Parastenocaris (Atlantic rainforest), besides a decline in number of copepodites. There is a direct ratio between the temperature and the distribution of microcrustaceans, with a predominance of these invertebrates in lower temperatures. There are significant differences in pH values when both localities (Amazon and Atlantic rainforest) are compared; however, comparisons between seasons (lower rainfall versus rainy periods) in a same location did not yield differences. It is suggested that the pH influences species composition, but not species distribution. There is a similar number of species inhabiting both environments and a distribution pattern for the hyporheic fauna. These similarities point at the existence of patterns in the structure and behavior in these natural communities of interstitial microcrustaceans, molded by similar selective pressures.

Neste trabalho foi avaliado como caranguejos Ucides cordatus, provenientes de ambientes preservados e impactados pela ação antrópica, respondem a exposição ao cádmio através da regulação da expressão da HSP70 (Heat Shock Proteins). O caranguejo de manguezal Ucides cordatus é uma espécie típica de ambiente estuarino, amplamente utilizado como recurso pesqueiro pelas comunidades locais. Vários estudos já foram desenvolvidos, tratando a maioria deles da sua dinâmica populacional ou aspectos de manejo. Por isso, a avaliação do seu estado fisiológico se faz importante para a complementação destes estudos ecológicos bem como na identificação dos impactos causados à sobrevivência desses organismos pela ação antrópica. Para avaliar a influência dos poluentes foram escolhidas duas áreas para coleta no litoral de São Paulo. Uma área impactada, Cubatão, e outra bem preservada, Juréia. Os animais foram expostos a 5mg/L de cloreto de cádmio, diluído na água dos aquários por até 24 horas, em intervalos de tempo de 30 minutos, 1, 2, 6 e 12 horas. A expressão de HSP70 foi medida no hepatopâncreas e brânquias através de imunoensaios utilizando o método ELISA. Foi observado que a sobrevivência dos organismos é influenciada pela manutenção em laboratório durante aclimatização bem como pela exposição ao cádmio, entretanto, os organismos provenientes de áreas preservadas se mostram mais responsivos ao estresse. A regulação de HSP70 foi pouco alterada em ambos os grupos e nos diferentes órgãos, não sendo considerada como um bom biomarcador para este tipo de estresse no organismo modelo utilizado / This study evaluated how the crab Ucides cordatus from impacted and preserved environments responds to cadmium exposure through the expression of HSP70 (Heat Shock Proteins). The mangrove crab Ucides cordatus is an estuarine specimen, tipically used as fishing resource by local communities. Several studies have been developed, most of them dealing with population dynamics and management aspects. Therefore, it is important to comprehend their physiological status to complement these ecological studies and to understand the impact caused by human action in the survival of these organisms. The species was collected in two different areas of São Paulo coast, polluted and conserved areas, Cubatão and Juréia, respectively. These two sites were chosen to evaluate the influence of pollutants in the organism physiology. At the laboratory the animals were exposed to 5mg/L of cadmium chloride, diluted directly in the water. After an interval of 30 minutes, 1, 2, 6 and 12 hours, HSP70 expression was measured in the hepatopancreas and gills using immunoassays through ELISA method. It was observed that the survival of the organisms was influenced by laboratory management as well as by exposure to cadmium, however, the organism from preserved areas were more responsive to stress. The regulation of HSP70 was little changed in both groups and in different organs, so maybe it should not be considered as a good biomarker for this type of stress

Finally, the gene tree of the true crabs, Brachyura, confirms that the basal "Podotremata" is paraphyletic, with the Raninoidea and Cyclodorippoidea more closely related to Eubrachyura than to the other podotremes. Within the monophyletic Eubrachyura, the analysis supports the reciprical monophyly of the two subsections, Heterotremata and Thoracotremata. All of the Old World freshwater crabs cluster together, representing an early diverged lineage in the Heterotremata. / From the inferred phylogeny, we have obtained new insights on the evolution of decapods. First, the spiny lobster from the family Palinuridae is found to be paraphyletic with the polyphyletic Synaxidae nested within it. The Stridentes forms a monophyletic assemblage, indicating that the stridulating sound producing organ evolved only once in the spiny lobsters. Moreover, the spiny lobsters originated in the shallower water rocky reefs of the Southern Hemisphere and then invaded deep sea habitats and diversified. / In sum, I demonstrate the utility of the nuclear protein-coding gene markers in decapod phylogeny and they are informative across a wide range of taxonomic levels. I propose that nuclear protein-coding genes should constitute core markers for future phylogenetic studies of decapods, especially for higher systematics. / Second, we show that hermit crabs have a single origin, but surprisingly, that almost all other major clades and body forms within the Anomura, are derived from within the hermit crabs. The crab-like form and squat lobster form have each evolved at least twice from separate symmetrical hermit crab ancestors. These remarkable cases of multiple parallelism suggest considerable phenotypic flexibility within the hermit crab ground plan, with a general tendency towards carcinization. Rather than having a separate origin from other major clades, hermit crabs have given rise to most other major anomuran body types. / The high diversity of decapods has attracted the interest of carcinologists but there is no consensus on decapod phylogeny in spite of the endeavors using both morphological and molecular approaches. New sources of information are necessary to elucidate the phylogenetic relationships among decapods. In the present study, I attempted to develop and apply the nuclear protein-coding gene markers on decapod phylogeny. Using only two protein-coding genes, we have successfully resolved most of the infraordinal relationships with good statistical support, indicating the superior efficiency of these markers compared to nuclear ribosomal RNA and mitochondrial genes commonly used in phylogenetic reconstruction of decapods. Apparently these two types of markers suffer from the problems of alignment ambiguities and rapid saturation, respectively. Subsequently, I tried to apply the nuclear protein-coding genes in revealing interfamilial and intergeneric evolutionary history in three selected decapod groups, the spiny lobster (family Palinuridae), the infraorder Anomura and the true crabs of the infraorder Brachyura to further evaluate the utility of these markers and reconstruct the evolutionary history the groups. Trees with robust support can be obtained using sequences of three to five genes for the infraorders and families tested including the most speciose Brachyura. The genes are shown to be informative in elucidating interspecific phylogeny as well. / Tsang, Ling Ming. / Adviser: Ka Hou Chu. / Source: Dissertation Abstracts International, Volume: 73-02, Section: B, page: . / Thesis (Ph.D.)--Chinese University of Hong Kong, 2010. / Includes bibliographical references (leaves 127-153). / Electronic reproduction. Hong Kong : Chinese University of Hong Kong, [2012] System requirements: Adobe Acrobat Reader. Available via World Wide Web. / Electronic reproduction. [Ann Arbor, MI] : ProQuest Information and Learning, [201-] System requirements: Adobe Acrobat Reader. Available via World Wide Web. / Abstract also in Chinese.

Li, Chi Pang. / Thesis (M.Phil.)--Chinese University of Hong Kong, 2010. / Includes bibliographical references (leaves 127-141). / Abstracts in English and Chinese. / Abstract --- p.i / Abstract (Chinese) --- p.iii / Acknowledgements --- p.v / Contents --- p.vi / List of Tables --- p.ix / List of Figures --- p.x / Chapter Chapter 1 --- General Introduction --- p.1 / Chapter Chapter 2 --- Literature Review --- p.3 / Chapter 2.1 --- Caridean phylogeny --- p.3 / Chapter 2.1.1 --- Informative morphological characters in Caridean shrimps --- p.3 / Chapter 2.1.2 --- Brief history of Caridean classifications --- p.4 / Chapter 2.1.3 --- Natantia/Reptantia scheme vs. Dendrobranchiata/Pleocyemata scheme --- p.8 / Chapter 2.2 --- Phylogney of the family Hippolytidae --- p.10 / Chapter 2.3 --- Molecular approach to phylogeny --- p.11 / Chapter 2.3.1 --- Use of molecular data --- p.11 / Chapter 2.3.2 --- Use of mitochondrial gene markers in crustaceans --- p.12 / Chapter 2.3.3 --- Use of nuclear gene markers in crustaceans --- p.14 / Chapter Chapter 3 --- Phylogeny of the Infraorder Caridea Based on five Nuclear Genes --- p.27 / Chapter 3.1 --- Introduction --- p.27 / Chapter 3.2 --- Materials and Methods --- p.28 / Chapter 3.2.1 --- Sample Collection --- p.28 / Chapter 3.2.2 --- DNA extraction and PCR amplification --- p.28 / Chapter 3.2.3 --- DNA sequencing --- p.29 / Chapter 3.2.4 --- Phylogenetic analysis --- p.30 / Chapter 3.3 --- Results --- p.34 / Chapter 3.3.1 --- Enolase --- p.34 / Chapter 3.3.2 --- NaK --- p.35 / Chapter 3.3.3 --- PEPCK --- p.37 / Chapter 3.3.4 --- Histone --- p.38 / Chapter 3.3.5 --- 18S rRNA --- p.39 / Chapter 3.3.6 --- Combined dataset --- p.41 / Chapter 3.3.7 --- Substitution saturation analysis --- p.43 / Chapter 3.4 --- Discussion --- p.44 / Chapter 3.4.1 --- Evaluation of the five nuclear gene markers --- p.44 / Chapter 3.4.1.1 --- Nuclear protein coding genes --- p.44 / Chapter 3.4.1.2 --- 18S rRNA --- p.81 / Chapter 3.4.2 --- Superfamilies and families --- p.82 / Chapter 3.4.2.1 --- Superfamilies --- p.82 / Chapter 3.4.2.2 --- Families --- p.86 / Chapter 3.4.3 --- Basal groups --- p.86 / Chapter 3.4.4 --- Procarididae --- p.88 / Chapter Chapter 4 --- Phylogeny of the family Hippolytidae --- p.90 / Chapter 4.1 --- Introduction --- p.90 / Chapter 4.2 --- Materials and Methods --- p.91 / Chapter 4.2.1 --- Sample Collection --- p.91 / Chapter 4.2.2 --- DNA extraction and PCR amplification --- p.91 / Chapter 4.2.3 --- DNA sequencing --- p.95 / Chapter 4.2.4 --- Phylogenetic analysis --- p.95 / Chapter 4.3 --- Results --- p.95 / Chapter 4.3.1 --- Enolase --- p.95 / Chapter 4.3.2 --- NaK --- p.98 / Chapter 4.3.3 --- 16S rRNA --- p.99 / Chapter 4.3.4 --- Combined dataset --- p.100 / Chapter 4.4 --- Discussion --- p.118 / Chapter 4.4.1 --- "Resurrection of family Lysmatidae Dana,1852" --- p.118 / Chapter 4.4.2 --- Other hippolytid clades --- p.120 / Chapter 4.4.2.1 --- """Hippolytidae""" --- p.120 / Chapter 4.4.2.2 --- Bythocarididae --- p.121 / Chapter 4.4.3 --- Superfamily Alpheoidea --- p.122 / Chapter Chapter 5 --- General Conclusion --- p.125 / References --- p.127

Entomolepididae é uma família de sifonostomatóides com distribuição cosmopolita. Até o momento, é composta por 9 gêneros e 19 species, com maior diversidade no Indo-Pacífico. Entomolepididade encontra-se dividida em duas subfamílias que diferem, basicamente, pelo número de segmentos pedígeros entre o cefalotórax e o escudo terminal - Parmulodinae apresenta apenas um segmento enquanto que Entomolepinae possui dois segmentos. Assim como nas subfamílias, é comum encontrar sobreposições nas diagnoses do gênero. Apesar de ser um grupo relativamente antigo, não há na literatura dados acerca das relações entre as espécies de Entomolepididae. Assim, esta tese teve por objetivo realizar uma revisão taxonômica e um estudo filogenético da família Entomolepididae. Ao estudar os espécimes tipos de Parmulodes verrucosus, e Entomopsyllus stocki, foi possível identificar inconsistências que levaram à redescrição da primeira e a adição de notas na descrição da segunda espécie. O estudo da fauna associada à esponjas do gênero Aplysina permitiu a identificação de 4 novas espécies de Spongiopsyllus: S. atypicus, S. stocki, S. boxshalli e S. hoi. O estudo filogenético incluiu as 23 espécies de Entomolepididade, conhecidas até então, além de 3 espécies de Asterocheridae como grupos-externos, e como resultado, foi obtida apenas 1 árvore maximamente parcimoniosa. Apenas a subfamília Entomolepinae foi recuperada como grupo monofilético. Dentre os gêneros de Entomolepididae, apenas Entomopsyllus não é monofilético. Spongiopsyllus mostrou-se um clado próximo à Entomopsyllus. A evolução de Entomolepididae envolveu muitos caracteres homoplásticos, tornado difícil o reconhecimento de padrões / Entomolepididae is a cosmopolitan siphonostomatoid family. Until now, the family is composed by 9 genera and 19 species with major diversity on Indo-Pacific Ocean. Entomolepididade has two subfamilies which differs basically by the number of pedigerous segments between the cephalotorax and the terminal shield - Parmulodinae show one segment instead Entomolepinae has two segments. As in the subfamilies, is common to find overlaps in genera diagnosis. Despite its ancient characteristics, do not have in the literature data concerning the relationships among Entomolepididae species. Thus, this thesis aimed to make a taxonomic revision and a phylogenetic study of Entomolepididae. The analyze of Parmulodes verrucosus, and Entomopsyllus stocki type specimens allowed the identification of incongruences that led to the redescription of the first and to the descriptional notes of the second species. The study of associated fauna of Aplysina sponges allow the idenification of 4 new Spongiopsyllus species: S. atypicus, S. stocki, S. boxshalli and S. hoi. The phylogenetic study include all 23 known Entomolepididae species, in addition to 3 Asterocheridae species as outgroups, resulting in 1 most parsimonious tree. Only the subfamily Entomolepinae was recovered as monophyletic. Among the genera, just Entomopsyllus was non-monophyletic. Spongiopsyllus is a clade close to Entomopsyllus. The Entomolepididae evolution involved many homoplastic characters which become difficult the identification of patterns

Thesis (Ph.D.)--University of Melbourne, Dept. of Zoology, 2010. / Typescript. Includes journal articles co-written by the author. Includes bibliographical references (leaves: 93-107)