Bibliography: leaves 126-144. / 144 leaves : ill., maps ; 30 cm. / Title page, contents and abstract only. The complete thesis in print form is available from the University Library. / Thesis (Ph.D.)--University of Adelaide, Dept. of Environmental Biology, 2000

Dissertation (Ph.D.)--Auburn University, 2006. / Abstract. Vita. Includes bibliographic references.

Assignment (MPhil)--University of Stellenbosch, 2007. / Bibliography. Also available via the Internet.

Mémoire (M.Sc.A.)--Université du Québec à Chicoutimi, 1985. / Document électronique également accessible en format PDF. CaQCU

Thesis (Ph. D.)--Ohio State University, 2004. / Title from first page of PDF file. Document formatted into pages; contains xvii, 275 p.; also includes graphics (some col.) Includes bibliographical references (p. 239-275). Available online via OhioLINK's ETD Center

Thesis (Ph. D.)--University of North Texas, Dec., 2009. / Title from title page display. Includes bibliographical references.

Thesis (Ph. D.)--University of Wisconsin--Madison, 1974. / Typescript. Vita. eContent provider-neutral record in process. Description based on print version record. Includes bibliographical references.

Resumo: A Formação Adamantina do Grupo Bauru, Cretáceo Superior, é muito rica em fósseis de vertebrados. Dentre estes fósseis, destacam-se os restos de crocodilomorfos, em especial os do gênero Baurusuchus. Neste trabalho, é relatado pela primeira vez um grande conjunto de associações de ovos e cascas de ovos de crocodilomorfos fósseis restrito em uma área relativamente pequena nesta unidade litológica na região de Jales - SP. Este conjunto de associações revela informações inéditas sobre a provável biologia reprodutiva de Baurusuchus sp que não puderam ser obtidas, até então, através da análise de materiais osteológicos. A análise da morfologia e da histoestrutura dos ovos revelou que a espessura da casca, as unidades básicas e o padrão e formato dos poros são diferentes de todos os outros ovos de crocodilomorfos fósseis já descritos na literatura. O estudo das associações de ovos sugere que: estas não foram construídas em nível de lençol freático e não sofreram transporte; que alguns ovos eclodiram; o gênero Baurusuchus provavelmente nidificava em grupo, construía ninhos principais e secundários e retornava ao mesmo local de nidificação periodicamente. / Abstract: The Adamantina Formation of the Bauru Group, Upper Cretaceous, is very rich in fossils of vertebrates. Amongst these fossils, remains of crocodilomorphs are highlighted, in special of the genus Baurusuchus. In this work, it is reported for the first time, a great set of egg clutches and eggshells of fossils crocodylomorphs, restricted to a relatively small area in this lithologic unit, in the region of Jales - SP. This set of clutches discloses new information on the probably reproductive biology of Baurusuchus sp which could not have been obtained, until now, through the analysis of osteological materials. The analysis of the morphology and the histostructure of eggs unearthed that the basic thickness of the eggshells, basic units and the pattern and shape of the pores are different of all other fossil crocodylomorph eggs previously described in the literature. The study of egg clutches suggest that: these clusters were not constructed above the water table and did not suffer transport; some eggs hatched; the Baurusuchus genus probably nested in group, constructed main and secondary nests and returned to the same nesting site periodically. / Orientador: Paulo Milton Barbosa Landim / Coorientador: Rodrigo Miloni Santucci / Banca: Alexander Wilhelm Armin Kellner / Banca: Max Cardoso Langer / Banca: Luciano Martins Verdade / Banca: Mário Lincoln de Carlos Etchebehere / Doutor

The family Siphonariidae is considered primitive amongst the basommatophorans although the ancestry and evolutionary relationships of these marine pulmonates are far from settled. This thesis investigates and compares different aspects of egg development and the female reproductive system in two sympatric species of Siphonaria with different developmental mode (S. capensis, a planktonic developer and S. serrata, a direct developer). The study on the seasonality of gametogenesis and spawning shows that they are both spring/summer spawners with continuous sperm production. The egg production is highest in spring and summer with a brief interruption in winter months. The gametogenic cycle when examinated, reveals that both species are simultaneous hermaphrodites once sexually mature. Amongst various factors that are investigated, density of animals has a positive effect on the number of spawn only during peak spawning. Larger individuals of S. capensis and S. serrata contains more mature oocytes in the gonad indicating that the shell length and fecundity of these two limpets are positively correlated. By contrast, parasitism by trematodes has a drastic effect on the reproductive output of these limpets leaving them completely castrated. Egg development in S. capensis and S. serrata shows that both produce yolk auto synthetically (with the help of organelles like RER, Golgi bodies) but S. serrata also incorporates some high molecular weight precursors via endocytotis. The structure as well as the biochemical composition of the egg ribbons is also different between these two species with higher carbohydrate and protein content of collar shaped spawn of S. serrata. S. capensis produces egg ribbons of less fibrous nature containing thinner egg capsules compared to the direct developer. A comparison of both the glandular complex and spermatheca between these two limpets shows no inter specific difference in the structure although the glandular complex of the siphonariids shows fine structural and histochemical similarities with the albumen gland and membrane gland of the opisthobranchs. The structure of the spermatheca suggests that in both species the organ most possibly receives sperm (for degradation only?) and may transport them via the spermathecal duct (for fertilization?). Finally, it is suggested that S. capensis and S. serrata exhibit primitive features (e.g., an autosynthetic mode of vitellogenesis in S. capensis and a single glandular complex composed of an albumen and a mucous gland) compared to other basommatophorans, which should be considered in future phylogenetic investigations.

The relationship between egg size and larval viability, as inferred from size at hatching, resistance to starvation, and growth, was studied in the Medaka, Oryzias latipes (Temminck and Schlegel) , and the Surf Smelt, Hypomesus pretious pretiosus (Girard). Medaka larvae which hatched from heavier eggs were larger at hatching, but did not survive longer during starvation. When the larvae were fed a small and varied food, neither relative growth rate nor relative body depth was correlated with original egg weight. However, when larvae were fed a large mobile prey, Paramecia multimicronucleatum, the larger the egg they came from the faster they grew. Thus, the advantage of large size at hatching is partially a function of the feeding conditions at hatching. In Surf Smelt, egg weight was correlated with maternal age. Two-year-old females produced eggs that were 50% heavier than those of one-year-old females, and hatchlings that were heavier and almost 1 mm longer. Smelt larvae with the most yolk reserve (yolk vol/length) at hatching survived longer, and the amount of reserve was correlated with egg dry weight. The larvae failed to feed in the laboratory. The effect of egg size on larval growth suggests that uncontrolled variation in egg size would affect experimental results, and may be important in commercial fishery management. / Science, Faculty of / Zoology, Department of / Graduate