Background. The phylum Tardigrada consists of over 1,300 species that inhabit terrestrial, freshwater and marine environments throughout the world. In terrestrial habitats they live primarily in mosses, lichens, leaf litter and soil, whereas tardigrades in freshwater and marine environments are mainly found in sediments and on aquatic plants. More than 65 species have been previously reported in the state of Tennessee, USA. Methods. Tardigrades present in moss cushions (Grimmia sp.) collected from a xerothermic habitat on the East Tennessee State University campus, Johnson City, TN, USA, were extracted, mounted on slides, identified, and counted. Additional samples of fresh dried moss were used for integrative analyses, including morphological analysis with phase contrast (PCM) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM), as well as molecular analyses of COI, 18S rRNA, 28S rRNA, and ITS-2 of the Macrobiotus and Milnesium species. Results. Five species were found, including two species new to science: Viridiscus miraviridis sp. nov. and Macrobiotus basiatus sp. nov. Viridiscus miraviridis sp. nov. differs from other members of the genus mainly by having a different type of dorsal cuticle and some other, more subtle, morphometric characters. In addition to the two new species, Viridiscus perviridis and Viridiscus viridissimus were present, and males of Vir. viridissimus were found for the first time, the first record of males in the genus Viridiscus. Macrobiotus basiatus sp. nov. is most similar to Macrobiotus nelsonae, but it differs from Mac. nelsonae mainly by the stylet supports being situated in a more anterior position, shorter and narrower egg processes, and a smaller number of areoles around the egg processes. Moreover, the identification of Milnesium inceptum was confirmed as the first record for the USA by analysis of COI.

The distribution of male and female plants was examined in five dioecious, wind pollinated species representing five plant families and two classes (gymnosperms and angiosperms). The arid to semiarid habitats occupied by these species in northern Utah were stratified for sampling into two categories: chronically xeric and seasonally moist. Results show that for all species, males prevail on xeric microsites, while females dominate the more moist parts of each local environment. Habitat partitioning between the sexes is a strategy that maximizes seedset of females and pollen dispersal of males; it also tends to minimize intraspecific competition between the sexes.

In dioecious plants, selection due to sex function differences has produced sex-specific life histories, morphologies, and physiologies. In many dioecious seed plants, dimorphisms and population sex ratios have been plausibly linked, but similar links are not yet apparent in dioecious bryophytes. Population sex ratio bias is often expected to favor the sex with lower investment in sexual reproduction, especially in resource-poor environments. Unlike in seed plants, bryophyte males may have higher average reproductive investment than females, which typically have low offspring production rates due to sperm limitation. However, traits aside from reproductive investment such as shoot and leaf arrangement may be differentially selected and could influence life history and sex ratio, but these are rarely tested. My questions concentrated on the dimorphic traits responsible for sex ratio bias and their links to sex function. My studies, using the moss Bryum argenteum, included field and greenhouse experiments investigating sex ratio bias and morphological plasticity along a light/canopy openness (exposure) gradient, a greenhouse comparison of clump morphology and water-holding capacity, and a field and growth chamber study on sex-specific responses to stress (high temperature and desiccation). The sex ratio of urban Lexington, KY was highly female-biased, did not correlate with exposure, and was not linked with pre-zygotic reproductive investment. Leaf characteristics of B. argenteum plastically responded to exposure but were not sex-specific. However, juvenile females produced shoots at a faster rate and grew taller in high light. Juvenile male shoots held more external water than female shoots, but this did not predict mature clump water-holding capacity. Male clumps were shorter, denser, and held less water than females likely to shed sperm-laden water for sexual reproduction. Clump height did not trade off with reproductive investment, adding evidence that sex-specific size is linked with other aspects of sex function. Although chlorophyll fluorescence data (a measure of the status of photosystem II) from both field and growth chamber experiments indicated subtle sex-specific stress recovery responses among sexually immature and mature plants, differences were weaker than predicted and sexually mature shoots did not fare worse than vegetative shoots. The sex differences in size, clump morphology, and clump water-holding capacity very likely affect survival, growth, competitive ability, and ultimately adult sex ratio bias.

Orientador: Mario Luiz Teixeira de Moraes / Resumo: A aroeira (Myracrodruon urundeuva) é uma espécie dioica e se encontra na lista de espécies ameaçadas de extinção, devido ao seu alto valor econômico e à destruição do seu habitat. Dessa forma, se faz necessária a adoção de estratégias para a conservação ex situ dessa espécie arbórea nativa, de tal modo que a variabilidade genética das populações seja mantida. O objetivo deste trabalho foi quantificar a proporção sexual, a sobrevivência e a variação genética do diâmetro à altura do peito (DAP), em seis testes de progênies de M. urundeuva provenientes de seis populações distintas originárias de três biomas (Caatinga, Cerrado e Mata Atlântica). O delineamento utilizado, em cada teste de progênies, foi o de bloco casualizado. As estimativas de componentes de variância e parâmetros genéticos, para os caracteres quantitativos para os caracteres quantitativos, DAP e sobrevivência, foram realizadas pelo método REML/BLUP (máxima verossimilhança restrita / melhor predição linear não viciada). O tamanho efetivo da população foi calculado com base no número de indivíduos com flores masculinas e femininas, em um modelo que não há controle de gametas (RS). Verificou-se com base nas estimativas dos parâmetros genéticos que as procedências de Itarumã e Seridó expressam maior variação genética para o caráter DAP, o que possibilita sua utilização na conservação e no melhoramento genético. Foram encontrados altos percentuais de sobrevivência o que caracteriza uma ótima adaptação da espécie no l... (Resumo completo, clicar acesso eletrônico abaixo) / Abstract: The aroeira (Myracrodruon urundeuva) is a dioecious species and is on the list of endangered species due to its high economic value and the destruction of its habitat. That way, becomes necessary the adoption of strategies for the ex situ conservation of native tree species, such that the genetic variability of populations is maintained. The objective of this work was to quantify the sex ratio, the survival and the genetic variation of the diameter at breast height (DBH), on six test progenies of Myracrodruon urundeuva from six distinct populations originating three biomes (Caatinga, Cerrado and Atlantic Forest). The design used, in each progeny test, was a randomized block design. Estimates of variance components and genetic parameters, for quantitative traits DBH and survival, were obtained by REML / BLUP method (restricted maximum likelihood / best linear prediction untainted). The effective population size was calculated based on the number of individuals with male and female flowers in the population, in a model that there is no control of gametes (RS). It was verified based on the estimates of the genetic parameters that the Itarumã and Seridó provenances express greater genetic variation for the DBH character, which allows their use in conservation and genetic improvement. High survival percentages were found, which characterizes an optimal adaptation of the species at the planting site. The sex ratio was biased, with predominance of male flowering plants (3♂:1♀), but ... (Complete abstract click electronic access below) / Mestre

Submitted by Vanessa Zaffani Sant'Ana null (vanessazsbio@gmail.com) on 2017-10-10T19:00:01Z No. of bitstreams: 1 Vanessa Zaffani Sant'Ana..pdf: 1913553 bytes, checksum: a1dccd2bae0ad9102e270554ce3d6aee (MD5) / Approved for entry into archive by Luiz Galeffi (luizgaleffi@gmail.com) on 2017-10-11T18:12:04Z (GMT) No. of bitstreams: 1 santana_vz_me_ilha.pdf: 1913553 bytes, checksum: a1dccd2bae0ad9102e270554ce3d6aee (MD5) / Made available in DSpace on 2017-10-11T18:12:04Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 santana_vz_me_ilha.pdf: 1913553 bytes, checksum: a1dccd2bae0ad9102e270554ce3d6aee (MD5) Previous issue date: 2017-08-14 / Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES) / Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP) / A aroeira (Myracrodruon urundeuva) é uma espécie dioica e se encontra na lista de espécies ameaçadas de extinção, devido ao seu alto valor econômico e à destruição do seu habitat. Dessa forma, se faz necessária a adoção de estratégias para a conservação ex situ dessa espécie arbórea nativa, de tal modo que a variabilidade genética das populações seja mantida. O objetivo deste trabalho foi quantificar a proporção sexual, a sobrevivência e a variação genética do diâmetro à altura do peito (DAP), em seis testes de progênies de M. urundeuva provenientes de seis populações distintas originárias de três biomas (Caatinga, Cerrado e Mata Atlântica). O delineamento utilizado, em cada teste de progênies, foi o de bloco casualizado. As estimativas de componentes de variância e parâmetros genéticos, para os caracteres quantitativos para os caracteres quantitativos, DAP e sobrevivência, foram realizadas pelo método REML/BLUP (máxima verossimilhança restrita / melhor predição linear não viciada). O tamanho efetivo da população foi calculado com base no número de indivíduos com flores masculinas e femininas, em um modelo que não há controle de gametas (RS). Verificou-se com base nas estimativas dos parâmetros genéticos que as procedências de Itarumã e Seridó expressam maior variação genética para o caráter DAP, o que possibilita sua utilização na conservação e no melhoramento genético. Foram encontrados altos percentuais de sobrevivência o que caracteriza uma ótima adaptação da espécie no local de plantio. A proporção sexual foi tendenciosa, com predominância de plantas com florescimento masculino (3♂:1♀), porém a maior parte dos indivíduos de M. urundeuva, procedentes dos diferentes biomas, não floresceram em Selvíria-MS. O tamanho efetivo populacional variou conforme a razão sexual, sendo que os testes de progênies que se aproximaram mais do valor real de indivíduos reprodutivos foram aqueles originários de Seridó (RN), Itarumã (GO) e Petrolina (PE). As subpopulações dos testes de progênies de Itarumã e Selvíria são as mais próximas geneticamente da população de referência (T), ou seja, possuem a mesma representatividade genética. Portanto, a seleção dos indivíduos dentro dos testes de progênies não deve considerar apenas o caráter de crescimento (DAP), mas também basear-se na razão sexual e no tamanho efetivo populacional, para a sua futura transformação em um pomar de sementes por mudas. / The aroeira (Myracrodruon urundeuva) is a dioecious species and is on the list of endangered species due to its high economic value and the destruction of its habitat. That way, becomes necessary the adoption of strategies for the ex situ conservation of native tree species, such that the genetic variability of populations is maintained. The objective of this work was to quantify the sex ratio, the survival and the genetic variation of the diameter at breast height (DBH), on six test progenies of Myracrodruon urundeuva from six distinct populations originating three biomes (Caatinga, Cerrado and Atlantic Forest). The design used, in each progeny test, was a randomized block design. Estimates of variance components and genetic parameters, for quantitative traits DBH and survival, were obtained by REML / BLUP method (restricted maximum likelihood / best linear prediction untainted). The effective population size was calculated based on the number of individuals with male and female flowers in the population, in a model that there is no control of gametes (RS). It was verified based on the estimates of the genetic parameters that the Itarumã and Seridó provenances express greater genetic variation for the DBH character, which allows their use in conservation and genetic improvement. High survival percentages were found, which characterizes an optimal adaptation of the species at the planting site. The sex ratio was biased, with predominance of male flowering plants (3♂:1♀), but most of M. urundeuva individuals, from the different biomes, did not flower in Selvíria-MS. The effective population size varied according to the sex ratio, being that the progeny tests that approached more of the real value of reproductive individuals were those originating from Seridó (RN), Itarumã (GO) and Petrolina (PE). The subpopulations of the tests progenies of Itarumã and Selvíria are the closest genetically of the reference population (T), that is, they have the same genetic representativeness. Therefore, the selection of individuals within the progeny tests should not only consider the growth trait (DBH), but also be based on sex ratio and effective population size for its future transformation into a Seed Orchard. / FAPESP: 2015/15693-7

Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior / Diante de pressões ambientais as plantas podem apresentar variação em seus compostos secundários para conferir uma melhor adaptação e proteção. Portanto é esperado que ao longo de um gradiente ambiental as plantas exibam variação no seu fenótipo químico. Estas variações devem representar diferentes estratégias de alocação de recursos em respostas às diferentes pressões ambientais sofridas pelas plantas. No presente estudo, descreveu-se o perfil químico da casca de uma espécie arbórea dióica, Chaetocarpus schomburgkianus (Kuntze) Pax & Hoffmann (Peraceae), ao longo de um gradiente de textura e fertilidade do solo variando de 16% a 58% de argila.. O estudo foi realizado em seis parcelas permanentes do Programa de Pesquisas em Biodiversidade (PPBio), localizadas no Parque Nacional do Viruá (Caracaraí, RR). Para construção do perfil químico, foram coletadas amostras de casca de 18 indivíduos, sendo 9 masculinos e 9 femininos. De cada indivíduo selecionado, foi coletada uma amostra da casca no, período vegetativo do indivíduo, sendo o sexo identificado através da observação das estruturas florais durante o período reprodutivo. Para caracterização do ambiente, foram coletadas quatro amostras de solo, na área de projeção da copa dos indivíduos selecionados, nas profundidades de 0-10 cm e 10-20 cm. As amostras de cada profundidade foram misturadas resultando em uma amostra composta por profundidade. As amostras de solo foram analisadas para caraterização da textura e composição química, sendo os dados sumarizados através de uma Análise de Componentes Principais. O extrato etanólico da casca de C. schomburgkianus indicou a presença em quantidade detectável pelos testes, dos compostos flavonóides, saponinas e taninos, não sendo detectadas as classes esteróides e triterpenóides. A presença dos compostos secundários não apresentou relação com o sexo dos indivíduos nem com as características do solo. Foi observada variação intra-específica somente quanto a presença e intensidade de flavonóides, mas a variação não foi relacionada às características do solo (pH, textura e fertilidade) nem ao sexo do indivíduo. / In the face of environmental pressures, plants can change their secondary compounds to provide a better adaptation and protection. Therefore, it is expected that plants exhibit variation in their chemical phenotype along an environmental gradient. This variation should represent different strategies of resource allocation in response to the different environmental and biotic pressures faced by plants. The present study describes the bark chemical profile of a dioecious tree Chaetocarpus schomburgkianus (Kuntze) Pax & Hoffmann (Peraceae) along a soil texture gradient ranging from 16 to 58% of clay. The study was conducted in six Biodiversity Research Program (PPBio) permanent plots located in Viruá National Park (Caracaraí RR). To construct the chemical profile, we collected bark samples of 18 individuals, 9 males and 9 females. From each individual selected, outside the fertile period, we collected a sample of bark. Sex was defined through the observation of floral structures during the reproductive period. To characterize the environment around each individual, four soil samples at the canopy projection area were collected at 0-10 cm and 10-20 cm of depth. Samples were mixed forming a composite one for each depth. Soil samples were analyzed for texture and fertility, and the data were summarized by a Principal Component Analysis. The extract of the bark of C. schomburgkianus indicated the presence of flavonoids, saponins and tannins, but did not detect steroids and triterpenoids. The presences of secondary compounds were not related to sex, or to soil characteristics. We found intra-specific variation in the intensity of flavonoids, but this variation was also not related to soil characteristics (pH, texture and fertility) or the sex of the individual.

Cannabis sativa L. (hemp) develops plants with either male or female flowers, and growers of hemp greatly prefer female flowers which bear the glandular trichomes that contain cannabinoids. Feminized (all female) seeds are highly desired, which are produced by crossing a female plant with a masculinized female plant. Masculinization is achieved through the inhibition of ethylene and/or addition of gibberellins before flower initiation in female plants. The hemp industry uses silver thiosulfate (STS) to masculinize hemp, but spraying silver poses environmental concerns. This study compared STS to three other ethylene-inhibiting agents: aminoethoxyvinylglycine (AVG), cobalt nitrate (CBN), and 1-methylcyclopropene (1-MCP). Treatments of STS and CBN also included gibberellic acid as a synergist. Plants treated with STS exhibited superior masculinization and pollen dispersal compared to plants treated with AVG, CBN or 1-MCP. Only plants treated with STS or AVG produced pollen in sufficient quantities for collection. This pollen was assayed for germination potential initially and after storage for up to five weeks at 22.2, 7.2, or 1.1°C. Pollen from plants treated with AVG remained viable for four weeks at 1.1°C, whereas STS-treated plants produced pollen that was viable for three weeks at 1.1°C. Due to phytotoxicity problems with AVG, STS remains the best treatment to masculinize female hemp plants when breeding for feminized seeds. In a separate study, flower tissues of hemp had considerably higher total cannabinoid concentrations compared to leaf tissues but significantly lower ratios of cannabidivarin (CBDV) to cannabidiol (CBD). To reduce variability, at least 1 g samples of fresh leaf or flower tissue should be extracted with 10 mL of methanol. Rapid throughput testing of cannabinoids as part of a breeding program should use flower tissue, preferably at the time typical of harvest.

Selection and genetic drift are often competing forces in shaping genetic structure in populations. Genetic drift will often effectively cancel out the effect of selection when population sizes are small, such as in colonizing island populations. On a small island in the Skeppsvik Archipelago in northern Sweden, a newly founded population of Silene dioica has been monitored since it first established around 1993. Though inhabiting an area of merely 173 m2, the population has been shown to exhibit a genetically differentiated patch structure where closely related individuals are tightly grouped, distanced from other family groups. In this study, the effect of selection was evaluated as compared to that of genetic drift. Variation in phenotypic traits in flowers, leaves and stalks were compared to that of neutral markers, in the form of PST and FST measures, to assess a measure of what proportion of differentiation among patches in phenotypic traits could not be attributed to genetic drift. Males and females were analysed separately to obtain measures of sex specific selection. Signs of divergent and stabilizing selection were found in several traits in both males and females despite the small spatial scale and short time since colonization. Further analysis is needed to assess explanations for trait divergence among patches and direction of selection.