Cette thèse aborde plusieurs questions relatives à l’évolution biologique au moyen de modèles mathématiques et d’algorithmes de calcul les utilisant. Elle se trouve donc à l’intersection des mathématiques, de l’informatique et de la biologie. La question principale étudiée dans la thèse est la mise en évidence de signatures moléculaires de la convergence évolutive qui est le phénomène par lequel des espèces éloignées développent indépendamment des caractères similaires. Nous proposons une approche originale permettant de détecter les positions des protéines potentiellement impliquées dans la convergence d’un caractère binaire donné. Celle-ci repose sur une mesure du “niveau de convergence” des positions, qui est une espérance déterminée sous des modèles Markoviens d’évolution protéique. Nous donnons un algorithme de calcul polynomial de cet indice et montrons (i) qu’il discrimine mieux que les méthodes précédentes, les positions convergentes des “neutres” sur des simulations et (ii) que notre approche donne des résultats qui font sens biologiquement sur un exemple réel.Dans le but de pouvoir traiter à terme de la convergence de caractères continus, comme le poids ou la taille, nous nous sommes ensuite intéressés à la détection de changements de tendance évolutive le long d’un arbre représentant l’évolution des espèces. Nous proposons une nouvelle méthode qui, à notre connaissance, est la première à être basée sur un principe de parcimonie où l’on cherche à déterminer la position du changement permettant de minimiser un certain coût évolutif sur l’arbre. / In this thesis, we studied questions about biological evolution by using mathematical models and bio-informatic algorithms. This work is at the intersection of mathematics, computer science and biology.The major question addressed in this thesis is the detection molecular basisof phenotypic convergence. Evolutionary convergence is the process by which independent species develop similar traits. This evolutionary process is strongly related to fundamental questions such as the role of adaptation .After pointing out different biological concepts linked to evolutionary convergence, we proposed a novel approach combining an original measure of the extent to which a site supports a phenotypic convergence to a binary trait. Thismeasure is based on the “convergence level” of a site which is a mathematical expectation under Markov evolutionary model. We proposed a polynomial time algorithm to compute this index. Our algorithm outperformed two previous algorithms in distinguishing simulated convergent sites from non-convergent ones. With the aim to study the evolutionary convergence of continuous traits, like weight and size, we tried to detect change in evolutionary trends of continuous characters along the tree of life. We proposed a novel method based on anasymmetric version of the linear parsimony, for determining the position of the change in trend which minimizes the total evolutionary cost of the tree. By using the approach on two biological datasets, we obtained results consistentwith those given by previous stochastic approaches.

Foi avaliado o potencial de Halomonas sp. HG01, uma bactéria halófila, isolada de uma lagoa salina no Peru, com relação à produção de polihidroxialcanoatos (PHA). Halomonas sp. HG01 foi capaz de utilizar eficientemente sacarose, glicose e frutose como fontes de carbono. Os melhores desempenhos foram obtidos com glicose ou sacarose. 3-Hidroxibutirato (3HB) foi o único monômero detectado a partir de carboidratos. Precursores de outros monômeros foram avaliados. Monômeros de 3-hidroxivalerato (3HV) foram incorporados ao polímero quando os ácidos propiônico ou valérico foram supridos. 4-Hidroxibutirato (4HB) também foi utilizado como monômero pela PHA sintase de Halomonas sp. HG01. Engenharia evolutiva permitiu aumentar a eficiência de consumo de xilose e glicerol. Cultivos em biorreator permitiram atingir produtividades volumétricas de 0,13; 0,07 e 0,06 g/L.h, quando glicose, xilose e glicerol, respectivamente, foram supridas. Maiores produtividades deverão ser atingidas com aumento na densidade celular dos cultivos. / The potential of Halomonas sp. HG01, a halophilic bacteria isolated from a saline lagoon in Peru, was evaluated regarding the production of polyhydroxyalkanoates (PHA). Halomonas sp. HG01 was able to use efficiently sucrose, glucose and fructose as carbon sources. The best performance was obtained with glucose or sucrose. 3-hydroxybutyrate (3HB) was the only monomer detected from carbohydrates. Precursors of other monomers were evaluated. 3-Hydroxyvalerate (3HV) was inserted in the polymer when propionic or valeric acids were supplied. 4-Hydroxybutirate (4HB) was also used as a monomer for the PHA synthase from Halomonas sp. HG01. Evolutive engineering allowed to increase the uptake efficiency of xylose and glycerol. Cultures in bioreactor allowed achieving volumetric productivities of 0.13; 0.07 and 0.06 g /L.h when glucose, xylose, and glycerol, respectively, were supplied. Higher productivities should be achieved with increased cell density of cultures.

Submitted by Aline Batista (alinehb.ufpel@gmail.com) on 2018-04-18T14:49:00Z No. of bitstreams: 2 license_rdf: 0 bytes, checksum: d41d8cd98f00b204e9800998ecf8427e (MD5) Dissertacao_Augusto_Schmidt.pdf: 1380825 bytes, checksum: 43661cd55f67f8a90201f1208716e6c9 (MD5) / Approved for entry into archive by Aline Batista (alinehb.ufpel@gmail.com) on 2018-04-19T14:43:09Z (GMT) No. of bitstreams: 2 Dissertacao_Augusto_Schmidt.pdf: 1380825 bytes, checksum: 43661cd55f67f8a90201f1208716e6c9 (MD5) license_rdf: 0 bytes, checksum: d41d8cd98f00b204e9800998ecf8427e (MD5) / Made available in DSpace on 2018-04-19T14:43:17Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 2 Dissertacao_Augusto_Schmidt.pdf: 1380825 bytes, checksum: 43661cd55f67f8a90201f1208716e6c9 (MD5) license_rdf: 0 bytes, checksum: d41d8cd98f00b204e9800998ecf8427e (MD5) Previous issue date: 2017-07-18 / Sem bolsa / Motivos não são entidades aleatórias encontradas em cadeias de DNA, podendo ser definidos como um fenômeno não único dentro de uma sequência genética. Os motivos, além de ter padrões recorrentes nas sequências analisadas, também possuem uma função biológica. Os algoritmos evolutivos são amplamente utilizados para encontrar soluções para otimização e padrões de pesquisa na área de ciência da computação. Encontrar motivos em sequências de genes é um dos problemas mais importantes na bioinformática e pertence à classe NP-Difícil. Portanto, é plausível investigar a hibridação de ferramentas consolidadas, mas limitadas em seu desempenho, em combinação com técnicas de algoritmos evolutivos. Este trabalho tem a premissa de mostrar uma pesquisa das principais técnicas e conceitos de algoritmos evolutivos utilizados na descoberta de padrões (motivos) na em moléculas e também um estudo aprofundado dos principais algoritmos de bioinformática que são utilizados para esta função em recentes anos por pesquisadores. Entende-se que tais técnicas em combinação, podem obter resultados interessantes para pesquisa em bioinformática. Assim, propondo uma arquitetura otimizada para descoberta de motivos em moléculas de regiões promotoras da bactéria. Usando tanto algoritmos evolutivos, como algoritmos de bioinformática e técnicas de refinação de seus principais dados fornecidos pelos algoritmos utilizados. Assim, formando uma arquitetura com melhor desempenho devido à hibridização de ferramentas consolidadas para buscar padrões em expressões genéticas. / Motifs are not random entities found in DNA strands, and can be defined as a nonunique phenomenon within a genetic sequence. Motifs, besides having recurrent patterns in the analyzed sequences, also have a biological function. Evolutionary algorithms are widely used to find solutions for optimization and research standards in the area of computer science. Finding motifs in gene sequences is one of the most important problems in bioinformatics and belongs to the NP-Difficult class. Therefore, it is plausible to investigate the hybridization of consolidated but limited tools in their performance, in combination with evolutionary algorithm techniques. This work has the premise of showing a research of the main techniques and concepts of evolutionary algorithms used in the discovery of patterns in molecules and also an in depth study of the main bioinformatics algorithms that have been used for this function in recent years by researchers. It is understood that such techniques in combination may yield interesting results for research in bioinformatics. Thus, proposing an architecture optimized for the discovery of motifs in molecules of promoter regions of the bacterium. Using both evolutionary algorithms, bioinformatics algorithms and refining techniques of its main data provided by the algorithms used. Thus, forming an architecture with better performance due to the hybridization of consolidated tools to look for patterns in genetic expressions.

A exposição da comunidade escolar às novas tecnologias de informação e comunicação tem impacto positivo na apropriação tecnológica. Nosso objetivo é analisar o uso dos laboratórios de informática em três escolas públicas de Diamantina. Utilizamos como parâmetros os estágios evolutivos do Projeto ACOT (Apple Classroom of Tomorrow - Salas de Aula do Futuro da Apple). O referencial teórico trabalha a partir de cinco estágios evolutivos: (1) exposição; (2) adoção; (3) adaptação; (4) apropriação e; (5) inovação. Estas categorias derivam de registros de observação nos 10 anos de duração do projeto da Apple. Cada estágio expõe comportamentos e atitudes que gradativamente incorporam as novas tecnologias. A fonte dos dados está (a) nas entrevistas com professores, alunos, diretores de escola, mães e (b) nos registros de observações em campo realizadas no período de 2004 e 2005. O procedimento analítico busca as unidades significativas do discurso. Os estágios do projeto ACOT podem ser usados como parâmetros para mostrar a apropriação tecnológica nas escolas. Nas três escolas analisadas percebe-se que há uma apropriação significativa do uso das novas tecnologias em sala de aula, propiciando mudanças no ambiente escolar e mudança de postura na relação professor-aluno. Este trabalho foi produzido no Programa de Pós-Graduação em Educação (FACED/UFRGS), insere-se na linha de pesquisa Informática na Educação e vincula-se ao Núcleo de Educação Digital. / The exposure of school communities to new information and communication technologies has positive impact on technological appropriation. Our objective was to analyze the use of computer laboratories in three public schools in Diamantina. We have used the evolutive stages of the ACOT Project (Apple Classroom of Tomorrow) as parameters. The theoretical reference works from five evolutive stages: (1) exposure; (2) adoption; (3) adaptation; (4) appropriation and (5) innovation. These categories have derived from observations recorded during the 10-year period of the Apple Project. Each stage shows behaviors and attitudes which have gradually incorporated the new technologies. The source of data consists of (a) interviews with teachers, students, principals and mothers, and (b) field observations recorded between 2004 and 2005. The analytical procedure has searcherd for meaningful units of discourse. The stages of the ACOT Project may be used as parameters to show the technological appropriation in schools. In the three schools analyzed, there has been a significant appropriation of the use of new technologies in the classroom, thus allowing for innovation in the school environment and change of position in the teacher-student relashionship. This work has been carried out in Programa de Pós-Graduação em Educação (FACED/UFRGS) as part of the research area related to the use of computers in education and is associated with the Núcleo de Educação Digital.

L'inférence phylogénomique cherche à combiner le signal évolutif induit par un ensemble de gènes dans le but de construire un unique arbre phylogénétique.<br />Elle peut être décomposée en trois grandes familles méthodologiques: la combinaison basse, qui s'appuie sur la concaténation des différents gènes, la combinaison haute, qui considère l'ensemble des arbres inférés à partir de chaque gène, et la combinaison moyenne, qui encode les différents signaux phylogénétiques puis combine ces différents encodages.<br />Une méthode d'inférence d'arbre est ensuite appliquée sur le résultat de la combinaison.<br /><br />Cette thèse développe de nouveaux scénarios d'inférence phylogénomique, principalement basés sur l'estimation de distances évolutives entre chaque paire de taxons.<br />Elle propose une nouvelle méthode de combinaison moyenne, nommée SDM, qui considère les matrices de distance estimées à partir de chaque gène et qui les combine en une unique supermatrice de distance.<br />Cette dernière pouvant parfois contenir des distances manquantes, cette thèse décrit également de nouveaux algorithmes, nommés NJ*, UNJ*, BioNJ* et MVR*, permettant d'inférer très rapidement un arbre à partir d'une matrice de distance complète ou incomplète.<br />De nombreuses simulations ont permis d'observer les bonnes performances de ces nouvelles méthodes de distance.<br />Initialement développées pour la combinaison moyenne, elles permettent toutefois d'améliorer significativement les résultats de certaines approches standards en combinaison basse, et représentent une alternative efficace à MRP, la plus utilisée des techniques de combinaison haute, en termes de fiabilité et de rapidité.<br />La taille des jeux de données phylogénomiques étant de plus en plus importante, les méthodes développées dans cette thèse constituent ainsi des outils de choix pour construire l'Arbre de la Vie.

A exposição da comunidade escolar às novas tecnologias de informação e comunicação tem impacto positivo na apropriação tecnológica. Nosso objetivo é analisar o uso dos laboratórios de informática em três escolas públicas de Diamantina. Utilizamos como parâmetros os estágios evolutivos do Projeto ACOT (Apple Classroom of Tomorrow - Salas de Aula do Futuro da Apple). O referencial teórico trabalha a partir de cinco estágios evolutivos: (1) exposição; (2) adoção; (3) adaptação; (4) apropriação e; (5) inovação. Estas categorias derivam de registros de observação nos 10 anos de duração do projeto da Apple. Cada estágio expõe comportamentos e atitudes que gradativamente incorporam as novas tecnologias. A fonte dos dados está (a) nas entrevistas com professores, alunos, diretores de escola, mães e (b) nos registros de observações em campo realizadas no período de 2004 e 2005. O procedimento analítico busca as unidades significativas do discurso. Os estágios do projeto ACOT podem ser usados como parâmetros para mostrar a apropriação tecnológica nas escolas. Nas três escolas analisadas percebe-se que há uma apropriação significativa do uso das novas tecnologias em sala de aula, propiciando mudanças no ambiente escolar e mudança de postura na relação professor-aluno. Este trabalho foi produzido no Programa de Pós-Graduação em Educação (FACED/UFRGS), insere-se na linha de pesquisa Informática na Educação e vincula-se ao Núcleo de Educação Digital. / The exposure of school communities to new information and communication technologies has positive impact on technological appropriation. Our objective was to analyze the use of computer laboratories in three public schools in Diamantina. We have used the evolutive stages of the ACOT Project (Apple Classroom of Tomorrow) as parameters. The theoretical reference works from five evolutive stages: (1) exposure; (2) adoption; (3) adaptation; (4) appropriation and (5) innovation. These categories have derived from observations recorded during the 10-year period of the Apple Project. Each stage shows behaviors and attitudes which have gradually incorporated the new technologies. The source of data consists of (a) interviews with teachers, students, principals and mothers, and (b) field observations recorded between 2004 and 2005. The analytical procedure has searcherd for meaningful units of discourse. The stages of the ACOT Project may be used as parameters to show the technological appropriation in schools. In the three schools analyzed, there has been a significant appropriation of the use of new technologies in the classroom, thus allowing for innovation in the school environment and change of position in the teacher-student relashionship. This work has been carried out in Programa de Pós-Graduação em Educação (FACED/UFRGS) as part of the research area related to the use of computers in education and is associated with the Núcleo de Educação Digital.

A exposição da comunidade escolar às novas tecnologias de informação e comunicação tem impacto positivo na apropriação tecnológica. Nosso objetivo é analisar o uso dos laboratórios de informática em três escolas públicas de Diamantina. Utilizamos como parâmetros os estágios evolutivos do Projeto ACOT (Apple Classroom of Tomorrow - Salas de Aula do Futuro da Apple). O referencial teórico trabalha a partir de cinco estágios evolutivos: (1) exposição; (2) adoção; (3) adaptação; (4) apropriação e; (5) inovação. Estas categorias derivam de registros de observação nos 10 anos de duração do projeto da Apple. Cada estágio expõe comportamentos e atitudes que gradativamente incorporam as novas tecnologias. A fonte dos dados está (a) nas entrevistas com professores, alunos, diretores de escola, mães e (b) nos registros de observações em campo realizadas no período de 2004 e 2005. O procedimento analítico busca as unidades significativas do discurso. Os estágios do projeto ACOT podem ser usados como parâmetros para mostrar a apropriação tecnológica nas escolas. Nas três escolas analisadas percebe-se que há uma apropriação significativa do uso das novas tecnologias em sala de aula, propiciando mudanças no ambiente escolar e mudança de postura na relação professor-aluno. Este trabalho foi produzido no Programa de Pós-Graduação em Educação (FACED/UFRGS), insere-se na linha de pesquisa Informática na Educação e vincula-se ao Núcleo de Educação Digital. / The exposure of school communities to new information and communication technologies has positive impact on technological appropriation. Our objective was to analyze the use of computer laboratories in three public schools in Diamantina. We have used the evolutive stages of the ACOT Project (Apple Classroom of Tomorrow) as parameters. The theoretical reference works from five evolutive stages: (1) exposure; (2) adoption; (3) adaptation; (4) appropriation and (5) innovation. These categories have derived from observations recorded during the 10-year period of the Apple Project. Each stage shows behaviors and attitudes which have gradually incorporated the new technologies. The source of data consists of (a) interviews with teachers, students, principals and mothers, and (b) field observations recorded between 2004 and 2005. The analytical procedure has searcherd for meaningful units of discourse. The stages of the ACOT Project may be used as parameters to show the technological appropriation in schools. In the three schools analyzed, there has been a significant appropriation of the use of new technologies in the classroom, thus allowing for innovation in the school environment and change of position in the teacher-student relashionship. This work has been carried out in Programa de Pós-Graduação em Educação (FACED/UFRGS) as part of the research area related to the use of computers in education and is associated with the Núcleo de Educação Digital.

Les glioblastomes sont les tumeurs primitives cérébrales les plus agressives de l’adulte. Elles sont caractérisées par une importante néo-angiogenèse, conduisant au développement des anti-VEGF chez ces patients. L’objectif de cette thèse était d’identifier de potentiels marqueurs prédictifs de l’activité du bevacizumab et d’analyser le profil évolutif des facteurs de l’angiogenèse. En situation de récidive d’un gliome de haut grade, si aucun facteur clinique ne semble permettre d’identifier un sous-groupe de patients bénéficiant particulièrement du bevacizumab, les taux plasmatiques avant traitement de MMP2 et MMP9, inversement corrélés entre eux suggérant un rôle biologique distinct mais relié, semblent associés à la réponse, la survie sans progression et la survie globale de patients porteurs de gliome de haut grade traités à la récidive par bevacizumab. Le rôle potentiel de ces marqueurs est renforcé par la cinétique de leurs taux plasmatiques observé sous traitement, Nous avons mis en évidence des résultats superposables chez des patientes porteuses de cancers du sein inflammatoires traités par bevacizumab en situation néo-adjuvante, renforçant l’intérêt de ces marqueurs. Par ailleurs, l’analyse de la signature angiogénique tissulaire des glioblastomes nouvellement diagnostiqués et récidivants nous a permis d’observer une modification de l’expression des facteurs de l’angiogenèse avec un possible switch de la voie VEGFR2-HIF1α en faveur de la voie CXCL12-CXCR4 à la récidive. Ces différents résultats permettent d’ouvrir de nouvelles perspectives dans le ciblage de l’angiogenèse et dans l’approche thérapeutique de patients porteurs de gliome de haut grade. / Glioblastomas are the most frequent and aggressive primary brain tumors for adult. They are characterized by a high angiogenesis leading to the evaluation of the bevacizumab. Our aim was to identify potential predictive biomarkers of bevacizumab activity and to analyze the evolutive profile of the angiogenic factors during the disease. If no clinical factor allows the identification of patient subgroup benefiting of bevacizumab, MMP2 and MMP9 plasma level at baseline were correlated to response, progression-free survival and overall survival of patients with recurrent high grade glioma treated by bevacizumab. Moreover, plasma levels of these markers change during treatment and significantly varied at the time of progression. We observed similar results for patients with inflammatory breast cancer treated with neoadjuvant bevacizumab, reinforcing the potential value of these prebiomarkers. In tumor tissue, while we did not observed changes in MMP2/MMP9 expression between the initial diagnosis and the recurrence post radio-chemotherapy, we observed a modification of the expression of angiogenic factors with a potential switch from the VEGFR2-HIF1α to the CXCL12-CXCR4 pathway. These results lead to new perspectives in angiogenic modulation and glioblastoma treatment.

La capacité de persistance d’une population face à un changement environnemental stressant est une question complexe à l’interface entre l’écologie et l’évolution. Le processus par lequel une population échappe à l’extinction en s’adaptant aux nouvelles conditions environnementales stressantes est nommé sauvetage évolutif. Ce cas particulier de dynamique éco-évolutive est de plus en plus étudié autant théoriquement, qu’expérimentalement, entre autres dans le contexte des changements environnementaux d’origines anthropiques. Cependant, les études modélisant ce processus négligent les interactions entre génotypes et environnements impactant le potentiel évolutif des populations faisant aux changements environnementaux. Dans le cadre de cette thèse, j’ai développé des modèles intégrant ces interactions. Pour cela, j’ai modélisé le processus de sauvetage évolutif de populations à reproduction asexuée, face à des changements environnementaux abruptes, en utilisant le paysage adaptatif de Fisher (modèle géométrique de Fisher (1930)). Ce paysage nous a permis de modéliser ces interactions génotypes-environnement et leur impact sur la proportion de mutations pouvant sauver une population. A travers deux modèles, considérant soit le sauvetage d’une population par une mutation d’effet fort, soit par un grand nombre de mutations d’effets faibles, nous avons pu dégager des prédictions pour la probabilité de sauvetage évolutif en fonction des conditions environnementales et des caractéristiques de l’organisme étudié. Ces modèles peuvent être paramétrés sur des données d’évolution expérimentale et leurs prédictions comparées à des données de traitement antibiotiques visant des pathogènes asexués. Au-delà du sauvetage évolutif, les modèles développés nous ont également permis d’établir des outils permettant de modéliser d’autres dynamiques éco-évolutives, intégrant des interactions génotype-environnement et leurs effets sur la distribution d’effets des mutations. / The persistence ability of a population facing a stressing environmental change is a complex question at the connection between ecology and evolution. The process by which a population avoid extinction by adapting to the new stressing environmental conditions is termed evolutionary rescue. This particular case of eco-evolutionary dynamic is increasingly investigated both theoretically and experimentally, among other things in the context of the environmental changes from human activity. However, the studies modelling this process neglect the interactions between genotypes and environments impacting the evolutionary potential of the populations facing environmental changes. In the context of this thesis, I developed models integrating these interactions. To this end, I modelled the process of evolutionary rescue in asexual populations, facing abrupt environmental changes, using the adaptive landscape of Fisher (Fisher’s geometric model (1930)). This landscape allowed us to model the genotypes-environments interactions and their impact on the proportion of mutations able to save a population. Using two models, considering either the rescue of a population by a mutation of strong effect, either by a large number of mutation of small effect, we derived predictions for the probability of evolutionary rescue, which depends on the environmental conditions and the characteristics of the studied organism. These models can be parametrized on data from evolutionary experiments and their predictions compared to data of antibiotic treatments aiming on asexual pathogens. Beyond evolutionary rescue, the models developed in this thesis also gave tools to model other eco-evolutionary dynamics, integrating genotype-environment interactions and their effects on the distribution of mutations effects.

La fonction des caroténoïdes chez les hirondelles de cheminée (Hirundo rustica) Un signal, pour pouvoir évoluer et se répandre doit être honnête car son coût empêche l'apparition de tricheurs. Dans cette thèse, je m'intéresse aux signaux caroténoïde-dépendants qui influencent la valeur reproductive des hirondelles de cheminée. Les caroténoïdes sont des molécules colorées que les animaux doivent nécessairement ingérer avec la nourriture. Outre la reproduction, ils conditionnent de nombreuses activités physiologiques liées à la défense immunitaire et à la neutralisation des radicaux libres. Seuls les individus de meilleure qualité sont susceptibles d'accéder à une quantité suffisante de caroténoïdes pour l'investir dans des signaux sexuels, tout en conservant un bon état de santé. J'ai considéré tout d'abord la disponibilité des caroténoïdes dans la nourriture des hirondelles, pour vérifier s'il existe une variabilité dans la capacité des individus à obtenir ces pigments. Mon étude suggère que si les hirondelles ont accès aux caroténoïdes, certains individus ne se procurent ces pigment que de façon limité. Puis j'e me suis intéressée à deux activités qui semblent être particulièrement sensibles à la présence des caroténoïdes. La date d'arrivée au site de reproduction chez les hirondelles influence la valeur reproductive tout en étant assujettie au stress oxydatif dû aux radicaux libres. La concentration et la variation de caroténoïdes dans le sang des males semblent déterminer la variabilité observée dans la date d'arrivée. Les individus de moins bonne qualité ne peuvent pas avancer leur arrivée, à cause de besoins plus importants en caroténoïdes. Dans un troisième temps j'ai analysé la quantité et la variation des caroténoïdes dans le sang des femelles pendant la reproduction, considérant que les caroténoïdes représentent une ressource, importante pour le développement de l'embryon et le poussin à l'éclosion, mais aussi particulièrement nécessaire à la femelle pour conserver un bon état de santé pendant la reproduction. On observe une diminution de la concentration en caroténoïdes dans le sang pendant la production des œufs et une différence entre les sexes lors de la saison de reproduction qui témoignent d'une utilisation importante de ces pigments par les femelles. Je me suis intéressée enfin a l'éventuel dimorphisme sexuel dans la couleur des plumes rouges de la gorge, partiellement déterminée par les caroténoïdes. Les males développent une couleur plus intense que les femelles et investissent davantage en proportion de plumes pigmentées. Les males qui développent une couleur plus intense obtiennent d'ailleurs un bénéfice en terme de possibilité de trouver un partenaire pour se reproduire. En conclusion, je rapporte plusieurs résultats empiriques qui, dans leur ensemble, suggèrent un rôle des caroténoïdes dans l'évolution des signaux honnêtes.