One of the major environmental concerns in the world is the loss of biological diversity due to anthropogenic activities. Of special concern is the conservation of endemic species that are particularly vulnerable to extinction. The Mearns's squirrel (Tamiasciurus mearnsi) is endemic to the Sierra de San Pedro Mártir, Baja California. Federally listed as threatened in Mexico and as endangered by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), little is known about the ecology of this southernmost Tamiasciurus. Interestingly, Mearns's squirrels exhibit deviations from common behaviors observed in other congeners such as lack of leaf nests (dreys) and larderhoards (middens), suggesting potentially unique adaptations. Herein, I reviewed the diversity and conservation status of the arboreal squirrels of Mexico. Using radio-telemetry and satellite imagery, I examined if the lack of dreys and middens may be associated with differences observed in nesting behavior, home-range dynamics, and life-history and behavioral tactics between Mearns's squirrels and other arboreal squirrels.Mexico harbors 14 species of arboreal squirrels, of which four are endemic, with the states of Chiapas and San Luis Potosí possessing the greatest diversity. Unfortunately, high deforestation rates in Mexico, and a dearth of information on their ecology, pose serious threats to the persistence of this squirrel diversity. Mearns's squirrels apparently are obligate secondary cavity-nesters with specific nesting requirements and their population possibly limited by the low occurrence of tree cavities in their habitat. The species seems to have lost the territorial behavior that is characteristic of the genus Tamiasciurus. Home-range dynamics of Mearns's squirrels are similar to nonterritorial Sciurus squirrels. Although reproduction and survival are similar to other Tamiasciurus, the species is heavier and apparently larger while exhibiting important variations in their behavior compared to other congeners. The lack of dreys and middens appears to be associated with the unique tactics adopted by Mearns's squirrels to persist in the Sierra de San Pedro Mártir. The species provides an important opportunity to learn more about geographic variation in nesting behavior and the evolution of territoriality. Large trees and snags that facilitate cavity formation are critical for the conservation of this species.

Mini-dissertation submitted in partial compliance with the requirements of the Master's Degree in Technology: Homoeopathy, Durban Institute of Technology, 2003. / The aim of this study was to establish the efficacy of Withania somnifera in tincture, 1X and 6X homoeopathic dilutions (in 62% v/v ethanol) as an antimicrobial agent against the in vitro growth of Bacillus cereus, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Klebsiella pneumonia, Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus, as compared to 62% v/v ethanol only. The disc diffusion method was employed. W somnifera is indigenous to southern Africa and its use is well established amongst the traditional healers for many varied complaints. Infusions, decoctions and tinctures of the fresh and dry whole root are used. (Gericke and Van Wyk, 2000:150.) For this study 20 plates of Mueller-Hinton agar were inoculated with each bacteria, resulting in a total of 100 plates. Four dry discs previously impregnated with the test substances and two antibiotic discs were equidistantly placed on each plate and incubated at 3rC. The vancomycin and gentamycin discs were included to account for plate-to-plate variations in the sensitivity of the bacteria to the antimicrobial substances. The plates were observed at 18, 24 and 48-hour intervals. ' Statistical analysis was performed using the Friedman test to compare test and control substances at each observation interval. The Mann-Whitney-U test was used to compare the mean inhibition zones between test and control substances / M

Mini-dissertation submitted in partial compliance with the requirements for the Master's Degree in Technology: Homoeopathy, Durban Institute of Technology, 2003. / The purpose of this study was to determine the efficacy of Alepidea amatymbica tincture and homoeopathic dilutions to the 1st and 6th decimal potency as compared to ethanol (negative control) in the in vitro inhibition of Escherichea coli, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Staphylococcus aureus and Bacillus cereus in terms of the disc diffusion test. Vancomycin and gentamicin were included in the study as positive controls in order to account for plate-ta-plate variations in the sensitivity of the bacterial strains to antimicrobial substances. Antimicrobial activity was expressed as the ratio of the inhibition zone (mm) produced by the test substance and the inhibition zone (mm) produced by the two combined antibiotic discs. For this study 20 Mueller-Hinton agar plates were assigned to each bacterial species and were inoculated with their respective bacteria. Four dry filter paper discs and two antibiotic discs were placed equidistantly on each agar plate. The filter paper discs had been previously impregnated with one of the test substances or the negative control using a triple impregnation technique utilizing a micro-pipette. The plates were then incubated at 37\xB0 C. The diameters of the zones of inhibition were measured at 18 hours, 24 hours and 48 hours. Data was analysed by means of the Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS). Statistical methods utilized were Friedmans' test, Mann-Whitney U test, and Kruskall - Wallis Non-Parametric Analysis of Variance by Rank test. / M

Chronic infection with P. aeruginosa is expected in patients with cystic fibrosis (CF), but the ability to delay, prevent, or better manage infection with multiply-resistant P. aeruginosa (MRPA) can potentially increase quality of life and extend survival. The Texas Children’s Hospital CF Care Center has identified an endemic MRPA strain (dominant clone), and this study aimed to identify risk factors for acquisition of the clone as well as determine differences in patient outcome associated with subsequent infection with the clone. The study included 71 patients with CF with documented MRPA infection. Designation of patients as members of the dominant clone or a non-dominant clone group was based on molecular typing by rep-PCR of MRPA isolates from respiratory cultures. Patient data was collected from Port CF, the national patient registry of the CF Foundation. Patient demographic information and clinical parameters prior to MRPA infection were analyzed by logistic regression as potential risk factors. Differences in patient outcome including change in BMI, change in FEV1, and hospitalization rate were evaluated by MANOVA. Recent hospitalization (< 90 days) was a statistically significant (p = 0.035) risk factor for acquisition of the dominant clone. Patients hospitalized < 90 days prior to MRPA diagnosis were four times more likely to be infected with the dominant clone, and patients hospitalized 91-180 days prior were almost three times more likely. Increased hospitalization rates were seen in the dominant clone group both pre- (11 more days/year) and post-infection (14 more days/year) as compared to the non-dominant clone group. Patients infected with the endemic strain exhibited poorer outcomes in terms of nutritional status (3.73% decrease/year in BMI %ile) and lung function (3.7% decrease/year in FEV1 %ile). Significant overlap in hospitalization episodes of patients known to be infected with the dominant clone and patients subsequently infected with the dominant clone was observed. Recent hospitalization was a significant risk factor for infection with the dominant MRPA clone, and following infection, patients infected with the endemic strain exhibited declines in nutritional status and lung function and increased hospitalization rates. The results suggest potentially increased virulence and transmissibility of the endemic MRPA strain.

Los bosques del Sur del Ecuador tienen un alto valor para la conservación puesto que están muy amenazados pero también poseen altos niveles de biodiversidad y endemismo. Sin embargo, como el proceso de conservación es inherentemente espacial, la baja disponibilidad de información espacial acerca de los factores que promueven la vulnerabilidad de estos bosques y acerca de la distribución espacial de los objetivos de conservación ha provocado varios obstáculos para la conservación de los mismos. El objetivo principal de esta tesis fue generar información espacial acerca de las amenazas y los valores biológicos que ocurren en esta región para priorizar áreas de conservación. El segundo capítulo analizó los patrones de deforestación y fragmentación en la región desde 1976 usando fotografías aéreas e imágenes satelitales para identificar las áreas de bosque remanente, los frentes de deforestación, las tasas anuales de deforestación y las dinámicas de la composición y configuración del paisaje del Sur del Ecuador. Se registraron tasas anuales de deforestación de 0.75% (1976 – 1989) y 2.86% para dos periodos consecutivos. Se encontró también que el Sur del Ecuador está bajo un creciente proceso de fragmentación debido al incremento en el número de parches, el decremento en el tamaño promedio de los parches y el incremento en el aislamiento de los parches. Este estudió también contribuyó al mejor entendimiento de las dinámicas de cambio de los bosques tropicales. Se registró que la mayor superficie de bosque natural fue degradado o convertido a pastizales y que los principales frentes de deforestación están localizados en las zonas de bajas altitudes en los bosques siempreverdes premontanos. El tercer capítulo describe los patrones espaciales y temporales de la presión humana, debido a que este es uno de los principales factores que influencian la efectividad de las estrategias de conservación. Para esto se adaptó el Índice de Impacto Humano (HF) generado por Sanderson et al. (2002) y así evaluar los cambios espaciales en el HF durante 26 años a nivel de paisaje y de ecosistema. Esta información permitió identificar algunos “hotspots de cambio” y las áreas con menor influencia para de esta forma evaluar como los diferentes factores humanos contribuyen al HF y demostrar cuan efectiva ha sido el área protegida más importante de la región para reducir la presión humana al interior y exterior de sus límites. Los resultados muestran un notable incremento en los niveles de presión humana en el Sur del Ecuador y un decremento en el número de áreas sin influencia. Se identificó también que uno de los más importantes “hotspots de cambio” está localizado en la región occidental del área de estudio y en la cuenca baja del Río Zamora. Los tipos de vegetación con mayor influencia humana fueron los bosques secos estacionales y los matorrales en donde la densidad de la población fue el principal factor humano que contribuyó a los niveles de presión humana observados. Finalmente, se encontró que el Parque Nacional Podocarpus ha sido parcialmente efectivo para reducir la presión humana en su interior y exterior, puesto que los niveles de HF se incrementaron al interior del área protegida y en el área buffer pero fueron menores a los observados en las áreas circundantes. El cuarto capítulo analizó los patrones de diversidad alfa y beta de plantas endémicas para evaluar la congruencia entre ambos patrones e identificar áreas con prioridad para ser conservadas. Se encontró que el “hotspot” de diversidad alfa para las plantas endémicas está localizado en los Andes y que es poco congruente con las zonas que muestran los más altos niveles de diversidad beta, los cuales están concentrados mayormente en las estribaciones orientales y occidentales de los Andes y en las cordilleras costeras y amazónicas. También se encontró que aproximadamente 40% de la superficie con altos niveles de diversidad alfa y beta ha desaparecido debido a la deforestación y que solo el 30% remanente está bajo alguna categoría de conservación. De esta forma se proponen 12 áreas potenciales con alta prioridad para la conservación, las cuales mayormente esta localizadas en el Sur del Ecuador, para de esta forma mejorar la representatividad y complementariedad de la actual red de reservas. Finalmente, el quinto capítulo analiza los principales hallazgos de esta investigación remarcando las implicaciones para la conservación y sugiriendo áreas potenciales para ser conservadas con base a los niveles de presión humana, vegetación remanente y patrones de diversidad alfa y beta de plantas endémicas en la región Sur del Ecuador.

A research report submitted to the Faculty of Science, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the Degree of Masters of Science by Coursework and Research Report. Johannesburg November 2017. / Mountains are complex environments owing to their varying topography and geographic range, and as a result are havens for a variety of eco-systems and biodiversity. Mountain systems around the globe are potentially transforming due to increasing pressure from human-driven climate change. The possible effects of these pressures and overall consequences of the changes are difficult to predict due to the complexity of mountain habitats. Previous studies have recorded increasing temperatures in mountain systems as one of the consequences of climatic change. As a consequence of this warming trend, plant species that typically grow in lower altitudes may migrate to higher altitudes as those habitats become suitable. There are many different effects this may have on the local eco-system, such as the possibility of the migrating species outcompeting the local species or even hybridization occurring, resulting in a new species. Regardless, the movement of species from low to high elevations will have a direct effect on plant community dynamics in the area. South Africa is experiencing warming temperatures and has experienced a reported increase in mean annual temperature by 0.96 ºC over the last five decades. This research aims to understand the implications of inter-annual temperature and precipitation trends in the alpine, upper and lower montane thermal zones in the Drakensberg on two endemic plant genera, Rhodohypoxis (Hypoxidaceae) and Glumicalyx (Scrophulariaceae). A thermal zone refers to a temperature gradient at a specific altitude in a mountain system. Temperature and precipitation data from 1994 to 2014 were collected from four weather stations: Sani Pass (2874 m), Shaleburn (1614 m) and Giants Castle (1759 m) in South Africa, and Mokhotlong (2209 m) in Lesotho. These sites represent three thermal zones; Sani Pass is in the alpine zone, Mokhotlong is in the upper montane zone, and Shaleburn and Giants Castle are in the lower montane zone. The objectives of this research are to analyse and compare the temperature and precipitation trends, inter-annual variability, and annual number of frost days at each data collection site from 1994 to 2014, as well as infer the potential impact these changes may have on the local endemic plant genera. Results show a more pronounced increase in temperature in the lower thermal zones and a larger decrease in precipitation in higher thermal zones. The lower montane zone experienced the highest increase in temperature of up to 0.6 ºC over two decades. The alpine zone showed the largest decrease in precipitation of on average 27.5 mm of rainfall per annum over 20 years, while the lower montane zone displayed the largest inter-annual variability in both temperature and precipitation variables. The upper montane zone had a larger decrease in frost days over the 20 year period relative to the lower montane zone. Interestingly this work showed an increased warming pattern in the lower thermal zones relative to upper zones, which contrasts with work in other mountain ecosystems. This warming may create larger intermediate regions which could encourage the movement of endemic flora into neighbouring thermal zones. Movement between thermal zones may increase hybridization within plant genera which could change the structure of the plant communities and possibly result in altered floral populations. Keywords: Climatic change, Drakensberg, endemic flora, thermal zones, temperature and precipitation trends, inter-annual variability / LG2018

Introdução: A OMS recomendou às Américas, em 2004, implementar e aperfeiçoar sistemas específicos de vigilância epidemiológica das rickettsioses, caracterizando as áreas de transmissão dos diferentes agravos, investindo em vigilância epidemiológica e ambiental ativas. Estas são zoonoses relacionadas aos fatores fundamentais da expansão urbana, bem como ao aumento populacional de vetores e hospedeiros em contato com a população humana. Nas regiões do Vale do Paraíba paulista não há situação de endemia reconhecida, porém esta apresenta semelhanças ambientais e socioeconômicas com outras regiões ditas endêmicas, do Estado de São Paulo, não rara é a ocorrência de carrapatos das espécies descritas como vetores de doenças e ocorre importante intercâmbio de pessoas com objetivos de trabalho e lazer ao longo desta região, inclusive com freqüente fluxo internacional. Método: Avaliação do potencial de risco de transmissão de zoonoses por carrapatos em áreas selecionadas. Através de informações ambientais, prevalência de carrapatos transmissores de zoonoses e acessibilidade da população humana a áreas infestadas, criou-se uma escala para caracterização do risco. Resultados: Em 252 áreas das 6 microrregiões do Vale do Paraíba Paulista, no período de mai./2008 a mar./ 2009, foram encontrados 7.800 carrapatos adultos, além de ninfas e larvas, muitas das quais em criações familiares de coelhos e galinheiros. A classificação final apontou 42,5% das áreas inspecionadas em situação de risco iminente de transmissão de zoonoses por carrapatos. Outros 33% correspondeu ao risco limitado ou moderado. Nos restantes 24% da área estudada a classificação foi risco potencial para transmissão rickettsioses. Recomendações: Às áreas sob risco iminente, de situação de risco de transmissão de zoonoses por carrapatos, recomenda-se que os serviços de saúde locais mantenham uma vigilância acarológica programada e orientações à população. Às áreas sob risco limitado ou moderado, recomenda-se a manutenção de rotina de vigilância acarológica e inclusão da vigilância ambiental, com envolvimento da população. Às áreas sob risco potencial para transmissão de zoonoses, recomenda-se imediata elaboração de estratégias controle para as espécies encontradas, envolvendo os setores de saúde e a população. O aprimoramento da articulação com os serviços regionais e profissionais veterinários é de fundamental importância. Além disso, a estruturação dos serviços de saúde da região, adequação da área física, recursos humanos e materiais, são indispensáveis. / Introduction: OMS recommended America, in the year of 2004, implement and to improve specific systems of epidemic surveillance of the rickettsiasis, characterizing the areas of transmission of the different offences and investing in active epidemic and environmental surveillance. Those zoonosis are related to the fundamental factors of the urban expansion, as well as to the population increase of vectors and hosts in contact with the human population. In the areas called Vale do Paraíba from State of São Paulo there is no situation of recognized endemy, however this presents environmental and socioeconomic similarities with other recognized endemic areas of the State of São Paulo, no rare it is the occurrence of ticks described as vectors of diseases and it happens important exchange of people with work and leisure purposes there, besides with frequent international flow. Method: Evaluation of potential risk of zoonosis transmission by ticks in selected categorized areas. Through environmental information, the prevalence of vector ticks and accessibility of the human population to infested areas, a scale for characterization of the risk was build. Results: In 252 areas of the 6 districts of the Vale do Paraíba, in the Estado de São Paulo, on period between may/2008 and march/ 2009, they were found 7.800 adult ticks, also nymphs and larvas, many of which in family nurturing of rabbits and hen houses. The final classification pointed 42,5% of the inspected areas corresponding to the situation of imminent risk of transmission of zoonosis by ticks. Other 33% correspond to limited risk in the scale. In the remaining 24% of the studied area the classification went potential risk for transmission of tick related rickettsiasis. Recommendations: For the imminent risk areas, it is recommended that the local health services maintain proper vector surveillance and educational programmes for its populations. For the limited risk areas, it is recommended the maintenance of a proper vector surveillance routine and also the inclusion of an environmental surveillance. For the areas under potential transmission risk of those illnesses, priority elaboration of vectors control strategies is strongly recommended with proper engagement of all local health services, as well as the population. The enhancement of the articulation with the regional services and professional veterinarians is fundamental. Besides, an adequate structuring for the local health services administration, with rational and efficient managing of material and human resources, is indispensable.

Neste trabalho, é apresentada a revisão taxonômica dos Pyrgotidae pertencentes à fauna do Novo Mundo, atualmente composta por 66 nomes válidos de espécies distribuídas em 15 gêneros. A revisão taxonômica resultou na descrição de dois novos gêneros e de duas novas espécies e na sinonímia de quatro gêneros e 18 espécies e uma espécie foi revalidada. De acordo com esses resultados a fauna de Pyrgotidae do Novo Mundo possui 51 espécies válidas dispostas em 12 gêneros. Análises filogenéticas foram processadas com o intuito de testar o monofiletismo dos gêneros e estabelecer o relacionamento entre suas espécies, além de testar o desempenho dos caracteres contínuos na filogenia de Pyrgotidae. Com este propósito foram levantados 54 caracteres morfológicos dos adultos, sendo 14 contínuos e 40 discretos. Os caracteres contínuos e discretos foram analisados separadamente e em evidência total. As análises em que se utilizaram apenas caracteres discretos e as que utilizaram os caracteres em evidência total, resultaram em topologias muito semelhantes entre si, divergindo apenas nas posições entre três terminais. Na topologia obtida em evidência total, o suporte dos ramos aumentou na maioria dos ramos o que demonstra que os caracteres contínuos são filogeneticamente informativos para serem utilizados em Pyrgotidae. / This work presents a taxonomic revision of New World Pyrgotidae, currently composed of 66 valid species names distributed in 15 genera. The taxonomic revision resulted in the description of two new genera and two species, synonymy of four genera and 18 species and revalidation of 1 species. According to these results, the Pyrgotidae of the New World contains 51 valid species arranged in 12 genera. Phylogenetic analyses were conducted to test the monophyly of the genera, establish the relationships among their species, and test the performance of continuous characters in the phylogeny of Pyrgotidae. Fifty-four morphological characters of adults were coded and divided as: 14 continuous and 40 discrete. Continuous and discrete characters were analyzed separately and under total evidence. The analyses using only discrete characters and in total evidence each resulted in one tree, which were very similar, diverging only in the positions of three terminals. In the tree obtained using total evidence, the branch support increased in more branches, which demonstrates that continuous characters are phylogenetically informative for use in analyses of the Pyrgotidae.

Submitted by Angela Maria de Oliveira (amolivei@uepg.br) on 2018-07-24T18:20:09Z No. of bitstreams: 2 license_rdf: 811 bytes, checksum: e39d27027a6cc9cb039ad269a5db8e34 (MD5) Fabiane Paulitsch.pdf: 1288582 bytes, checksum: c019c172d12983ecb197493b2d5df4d8 (MD5) / Made available in DSpace on 2018-07-24T18:20:09Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 2 license_rdf: 811 bytes, checksum: e39d27027a6cc9cb039ad269a5db8e34 (MD5) Fabiane Paulitsch.pdf: 1288582 bytes, checksum: c019c172d12983ecb197493b2d5df4d8 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2017-02-22 / Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior / Levantamentos florísticos realizados nos “Campos Gerais” (Paraná, Brasil) indicam que Fabaceae é uma das famílias com maior riqueza e abundância da região. Esses estudos também apontam a elevada diversidade e endemismo de Mimosa spp. Nosso estudo relata a diversidade de rizóbios isolados de nódulos radiculares de plantas nativas de Mimosa gymnas Barneby. Vinte e nove estirpes foram obtidas de M. gymnast nodulíferas em três áreas do Parque Estadual do Guartelá, uma das mais importantes unidades de conservação dos Campos Gerais; os solos dessas áreas foram caracterizados como arenosos, ácidos, pobre em nutrientes e matéria orgânica e com elevados teores de alumínio. A árvore filogenética construída com sequencias parciais do gene 16S rDNA agrupou as estirpes em um grande clado sendo que algumas estipes foram mais relacionados com a espécie Paraburkholderia nodosa enquanto outras foram mais relacionadas com P. bannensi. A análise de perfil genômico baseada em BOX-PCR revelou um elevado grau de variabilidade intraespecífica entre os isolados. Resultados baseados na filogenia de sequencias concatenadas dos genes recA-gyrB dividiram os isolados em dois grandes grupos. O clado II não agrupou nenhuma estirpe tipo e os isolados apresentaram uma identidade nucleotídica de no máximo 97% com P. nodosa. A filogenia do gene nodC agrupou todos os isolados em um grupo único com elevado suporte estatístico, não agrupando com a sequencia correspondente de nenhuma estirpe tipo do gênero Paraburkholderia. Nossos resultados reforçam a constatação de que rizóbios do gênero Paraburkholderia são os preferenciais simbiontes de Mimosa na América do Sul e a associação de estirpes nodulíferas do gênero com condições edáficas particulares. Ainda, os resultados das análises filogenéticas sugerem que os isolados agrupados no clado II na árvore filogenética dos genes recA-gyrB podem representar uma nova espécie de Paraburkholderia, reinterando a importância de estudos de diversidade com plantas leguminosas nativas e endêmicas. . / Floristic surveys performed in the “Campos Gerais” (Paraná, Brazil) indicate that Fabaceae is one of the most species-rich and abundant families. These studies also pointed out the high diversity and endemism of Mimosa spp. Our study report the diversity of rhizobia isolated from root nodules of native Mimosa gymnas Barneby. Twenty-nine strains were obtained from from nodulating M. gymnas in three areas of Guartelá State Park, one of the most important conservation unities of the “Campos Gerais”; soils of these areas were characterized as sandy, acid, poor in nutrients and organic matter and with high aluminum contents. The phylogenetic tree constructed with partial 16S rDNA sequences grouped the strains in a larger cluster and some strains were more related with Paraburkholderia nodosa, although some strains were more related to P. bannensi. The analysis of the genomic profile by BOX-PCR revelead a high degree of intraspecific variability among the isolates. Results based on phylogeny of concatened genes recA-gyrB divided the strains in two large clusters. The cluster II didn’t grouped with any type strain and the isolates showed a nucleotide identity of 16S rDNA of at most 97% with P. nodosa. The nodC phylogeny grouped all the strains into a well-supported clade, not grouping with any know strain of Paraburkholderia genus. Our results support that Paraburkholderia are the main symbionts of Mimosa in South America and the association of nodulating strains of this genera with particular edaphic conditions. Also, the results of the phylogenetic analysis suggest that the isolates grouped in cluster II in the recA-gyrB phylogenetic tree may represent a new species of Paraburkolderia, highlighting the importance of diversity studies with native and endemic leguminous plants.

Thesis (M.A. (African Languages)) --University of Limpopo, 2007 / Refer to the document