The impact of invasive predators on native prey may depend on the availability and distribution of invader-free refugia across landscapes, if predators create demographic ‘sink’ populations in invaded patches, giving rise to source-sink dynamics in prey populations. Propagule pressure of immigrants dispersing from refugia (or sources) may consequently drive persistence in sink habitat, affecting predator-prey co-existence across the landscape. I studied whether introduced brown (Salmo trutta) and rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) create source-sink structuring in two native galaxiid fish species (Galaxias vulgaris and G. paucispondylus) in the rivers of the central South Island, New Zealand, and whether such dynamics affected the distributions of either species across river networks or “riverscapes”. Young-of-the-year (YOY) G. vulgaris recruitment was rare in trout-invaded streams and consistently high in trout-free streams. Thus, trout-free reaches appeared to act as sources in a river network, while the majority of the trout-invaded riverscape was a demographic sink (i.e., no local recruitment occurred). Surveys of YOY G. paucispondylus did not reveal trout-induced source-sink dynamics, although mesocosm predation experiments suggested both species were highly vulnerable to predation by large trout. Galaxias paucispondylus recruitment was highest in intermittently flowing streams that were marginal habitats for trout, suggesting indirect interactions between trout and habitat affect G. paucispondylus distribution. Network configuration of trout-free source populations affected the distribution of G. vulgaris, as galaxiids were excluded from small streams with high bed stability that were far from sources. The interaction between propagule pressure and habitat gradients in mediating effects of trout on G. vulgaris distributions indicates habitat characteristics affect predator-prey interactions in a spatially explicit manner. Furthermore, the outcome of predator-prey interactions should be able to be modelled using habitat data alone if habitat consistently mediates predator impacts. I developed a GIS-based spatial model to predict where trout would exclude G. vulgaris in river networks, based on stream size and distance to galaxiid source populations. The model was tested in three different riverscapes using fish occurrence patterns obtained from electrofishing surveys, and successfully predicted G. vulgaris exclusion by trout. This further demonstrates the importance of habitat configuration in driving interspecific interactions at the landscape scale. These findings suggest removing trout from small, stable tributaries to create new demographic sources could improve overall persistence of G. vulgaris across trout-invaded riverscapes. The galaxiid exclusion model should also be used to detect undiscovered trout-free source populations, and to aid in selecting streams for restoration of galaxiid populations through trout eradication.

[Truncated abstract] This study investigated the organisational role of environmental stability on the fish communities that inhabit the Fortescue River, an intermittent and variable system in north-Western Australia. It did so by examining the relationships between pool stability (measured by persistence of water through time, and variation in maximum pool depth through time) and the number and type of species within pools, temporal fluctuations in total fish abundance and intra-specific abundance, population size frequency distributions, and growth rate. It also examined the association between life history traits and the stability of the environments occupied within the river, and the stability of the river at large. The results indicated that environmental stability was the major factor structuring the fish communities. Among-pool comparisons revealed that unstable pools contained fewer species, a greater fraction of juvenile size classes, and underwent greater fluctuations in total and intra-specific numerical abundance through time, than stable pools . . . Stability affected community structure by determining (or describing) the probability that a pool would undergo periods of extreme shrinkage, that is, the likelihood that fish will be exposed to extreme physico-chemical fluctuations and complete eradication. While the physical environment (acting through stability) primarily structured the fish communities of the Fortescue River there was indirect evidence that even within this variable river system, biological interactions played a role, albeit minor. Future investigations into the role of environmental stability will benefit from the use of accepted and quantitative methods by all stream ecologists.

Made available in DSpace on 2016-06-02T19:28:57Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 TeseEMM.pdf: 3928574 bytes, checksum: 41bb88a5eda2258e27b0841b94f15cb6 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2006-05-26 / From sixties, the fish species introduction has been being a constant event in the reservoir system located on middle and low Tietê River - SP, which resulted the success introduction of Plagiosicon squamosissimus and Cichla cf. ocellaris in all these reservoirs. According to this context, the present work objectified characterize the fish community, with focus on the introduction analysis of Geophagus surinamensis, a not-native specie, and its probable progressive occupation in the system, like that already had occurred with Plagioscion squamosissimus. The results showed the occurrence of Geophagus surinamensis is confirmed in these reservoir system, indicating that its fast occupation in the Três Irmãos reservoir is made possible by the free connection that Pereira Barreto provides between Três Irmãos reservoir and Ilha Solteira reservoir, on the Paraná River. This way, it is evident the great possibility that the Geophagus surinamensis comes to be disperse for the whole reservoir system of middle and low Tietê River, like that already had occurred for the Plagioscion squamosissimus. Then, it is important to consider the Geophagus surinamensis in management programs for the Três Irmãos reservoir, so as to control and to reduce its density and of avoiding its effective spread for the others reservoirs of Tietê River. / A partir da década de 60, a introdução de espécies não-nativas de peixes tornou-se um evento constante no sistema de reservatórios dos trechos médio e baixo do rio Tietê - SP, resultando no pleno sucesso de introdução das espécies Plagiosicon squamosissimus e Cichla cf. ocellaris, as quais passaram a ocupar todos os reservatórios do sistema. Neste contexto, o presente trabalho objetivou caracterizar a comunidade de peixes, de modo a avaliar o processo de introdução recente da espécie não-nativa Geophagus surinamensis e sua provável ocupação progressiva no sistema, a exemplo do que já ocorrera com Plagioscion squamosissimus. A partir dos métodos empregados, confirmou-se a ocorrência da espécie não-nativa Geophagus surinamensis no sistema em estudo, indicando que sua rápida ocupação no reservatório de Três Irmãos, onde se encontra efetivamente estabelecida, é viabilizada pela livre conexão que canal de Pereira Barreto proporciona entre o reservatório de Três Irmãos com o de Ilha Solteira, no rio Paraná. Assim, fica evidente a grande possibilidade de que a espécie Geophagus surinamensis venha a se dispersar por todo o sistema de reservatórios dos trechos médio e baixo do rio Tietê, a exemplo do que já ocorrera para a espécie não nativa Plagioscion squamosissimus. É válido considerar, portanto, a espécie Geophagus surinamensis em programas de manejo para o reservatório de Três Irmãos, de modo a controlar e reduzir a sua abudância e evitar sua dispersão efetiva para todo o sistema de reservatórios do rio Tietê.

A Represa Billings apresenta águas eutrofizadas em decorrência da grande quantidade de esgoto proveniente da área urbana próxima, e como conseqüência, os peixes podem representar um problema de saúde pública. As brânquias e o fígado tornam-se órgãos alvo para a ação dos poluentes existentes no meio aquático podendo se manifestar em vários níveis de organização biológica. Estas respostas biológicas ao estresse provocado pelos poluentes podem ser utilizadas para identificar sinais iniciais de danos aos peixes e podem ser denominadas biomarcadores. Desse modo, o presente projeto teve como objetivo a análise histológica de brânquias e fígado de Tilápias do Nilo, por meio de mensurações, Índice de Alterações Histológicas e Valor Médio de Avaliação; também foi realizada a análise da freqüência de micronúcleo. Verficou-se que as Tilápias do Nilo apresentam alterações histológicas das brânquias e do fígado classificadas como moderada a grave, além da presença de micronúcleo. Os resultados permitem um melhor monitoramento ambiental e o controle da qualidade dessa espécie. / The Billings dam shows eutrophic waters due to the large amount of sewage from urban occupation neaby, and consequently, the fish can be a public health problem. The gills and liver become target organs for the action of pollutants in the aquatic environment and may present several levels of biological organization. These biological responses to stress caused by pollutants can be used to identify early signs of damage to fish and can be called biomarkers. Thus, this project aimed to analyze the histological gills and liver of Nile Tilapia, by means of measurements, Histological Alterations Index and Assessment Medium Value; the frequency of micronuclei was done. We observed histological alterations in gills and livers of Nile Tilapia classified as mild to severe, and the presence of micronucleus. The results enable better environmental monitoring and quality control of this species.

O teleósteo Astyanax altiparanae, popularmente conhecido como lambari importância econômica e ecológica. Poucos são os trabalhos que visam demonstrar a morfologia dos testículos de brasileiros. O objetivo deste estudo foi classificar e demonstrar as alterações morfológicas do testículo de Astyanax altiparanae ao longo do ciclo gonadal e quantificar tais alterações. Foram encontrados os estádios: regredido, maturação inicial, maturação média, maturação final e regressão. O estudo ultraestrutural revelou que as células secretoras que revestem os ductos possuem organelas relacionadas à síntese de macromoléculas e gotículas de lipídio. O estudo imuno-histoquímico revelou detalhes da distribuição de receptor de andrógeno, claudina-1, citoqueratina, actina, colágeno do tipo I, laminina e fibronectina neste órgão. O presente trabalho revelou que os machos de Astyanax altiparanae são capazes de desenvolver o intersexo, já que foram encontrados oócitos no interior dos testículos de alguns indivíduos. / The Astyanax altiparanae (Characiformes, Characidae), popularly known as lambari, is a fish that has ecologic and economic importance. Morphological studies on testis of South American teleost species are not frequently found in the appropriated literature. The aim of this work was to show the changes in the morphology of the testis of Astyanax altiparanae occurred through the gonadal cycle. It was found five stages of the gonadal cycle: regressed, early maturation, mid maturation, late maturation and regression. Ultrastructural study, reveals that secretory cells showed a great amount of organelles responsible for macromolecules synthesis, and lipids droplets. Immunohistochemical studies reveal details of the distribution of androgen receptor, claudin-1, actin, cytokeratin, type I collagen fibers, laminin and fibronectin in this organ. This work demonstrated that males of Astyanax altiparanae were able to develop the intersex, once oocytes were found in the testis of some individuals.

Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior / Seawater teleost fish are hyposmotic to their environment and as a consequence must deal with a constant diffusive loss of water and a net gain of salts. In contrast to living in seawater, teleosts fish in a freshwater environment are faced with the opposite dilemma, a constant osmotic influx of water and depletion of salts. Between these environments there are estuarine regions, which are habitats of several species. The purpose of this study was to investigate Na+, Cl-, K+, Ca2+, and Mg2+ levels in the fluid phase and total amount of the contents of the segments of the gastrointestinal tract and plasma of freshwater and estuarine teleosts collected in different salinities (0 to 34 ) in the São Gonçalo channel in Pelotas, southern Brazil. Moreover, a possible relationship between the ion levels and salinity was investigated. After capture of the fishes, blood was collected and specimens were sacrificed for removal gastrointestinal tract segments: stomach, pyloric ceca/anterior intestine, mid- and posterior intestine. The results showed that there was no relationship between ion levels in the plasma, in the fluid phase and in the total amount of the segments of the gastrointestinal tract with salinity when considering all species together, but species (Micropogonias furnieri and Netuma barba) collected in three or more salinities demonstrated significant relationship of these parameters with salinity. The ion levels in the fluid phase and total amount of the most species showed significantly higher values in the anterior intestine than stomach. Moreover, ion levels showed a variation throughout the gastrointestinal tract suggesting possible ion absorption. These results suggest that the change of salinity affected ion levels in the plasma and in the content of the gastrointestinal tract of Micropogonias furnieri and Netuma barba, indicating that this system might be related with osmoregulation of these species. / Peixes teleósteos adaptados à água do mar são hiposmóticos em relação ao meio em que vivem e como conseqüência disso convivem com uma constante perda de água por osmose e ganho de sais por difusão. Ao contrário dos teleósteos que vivem na água salgada, peixes teleósteos adaptados à água doce convivem com o dilema oposto, uma constante entrada de água por osmose e perda de íons por difusão. Além disso, entre esses ambientes existem as regiões estuarinas, as quais são habitats de várias espécies. A proposta desse estudo foi investigar os níveis de Na+, Cl-, K+, Ca2+ e Mg2+ na fase fluida e quantidade total do conteúdo dos segmentos do trato gastrintestinal e do plasma de teleósteos estuarinos e de água doce coletados em diferentes salinidades (0-34 ) no Canal São Gonçalo em Pelotas, sul do Brasil. Além disso, uma possível relação entre os níveis iônicos e a salinidade foi investigada. Após a captura dos peixes, coletou-se sangue e os espécimes foram submetidos a eutanásia para remoção dos segmentos do trato gastrintestinal: estômago, cecos pilóricos/intestino anterior, intestino médio e posterior. Os resultados mostraram que não houve relação entre os íons no plasma, na fase fluida e na quantidade total dos segmentos do trato gastrintestinal com a salinidade quando se considerou todas as espécies juntas, porém duas espécies (Micropogonias furnieri e Netuma barba) coletadas em três ou mais salinidades demonstraram relação significativa entre esses parâmetros e a salinidade. Os níveis iônicos na fase fluida e quantidade total da maioria das espécies mostraram valores significativamente maiores no intestino anterior em relação ao estômago. Além disso, os níveis iônicos mostraram variação ao longo do trato gastrintestinal sugerindo uma possível absorção de íons. Estes resultados sugerem que a mudança de salinidade afetou os níveis iônicos do plasma e dos conteúdos do trato gastrintestinal de Micropogonias furnieri e Netuma barba, indicando que este sistema pode estar relacionado com a osmorregulação destas espécies.

Un des moyens de développer durablement l’aquaculture européenne est la domestication d’espèces locales. Etant donné les coûts liés à la domestication d’une espèce, la mise en œuvre d’une démarche générique semble pertinente. Ainsi, l’analyse de 29 traits reproducteurs a généré une classification en 10 groupes structurés par la période de ponte et la température d’incubation des œufs. L’objet de cette thèse est de tester la pertinence de ces regroupements en étudiant l’effet d’une photophase constante longue PC et naturelle PN sur l’induction du cycle de reproduction chez des pondeurs printaniers précoces PPP (perche, sandre, gardon et brochet) et un pondeur printanier tardif PPT (rotengle). Au cours de ce travail, nous avons analysé des paramètres morpho-anatomiques, histologiques et physiologiques pour étudier les effets des traitements photopériodiques. De fortes similarités de réponse au traitement photopériodique entre les PPP ont été observées avec une inhibition du cycle de reproduction sous PC et une induction du cycle de reproduction sous PN. Si le développement gonadique et les teneurs en E2 et vitellogénine chez les femelles semblent être affectés de la même manière chez les espèces du même groupe, les teneurs en androgènes chez les deux sexes présentent des réponses espèce-spécifiques. Ceci suggère l’existence de mécanismes de régulation spécifiques qui semblent avoir peu de conséquences zootechniques. En conclusion, les similarités entre les PPP apportent des éléments de réponse sur la pertinence des regroupements surtout au niveau des paramètres les plus intégrateurs et sur la pertinence de la démarche générique qui s’appuie sur la biologie comparée / A way for the development of a sustainable inland aquaculture is the domestication of local species. As domestication usually results from a long, costly and empirical zootechnical process, the use of classifications could be a relevant strategy. In our laboratory, a generic method was developed based on grouping species sharing similar reproductive traits (29) and resulted in 10 clusters structured by spawning period and temperature of egg incubation. The aim of this work is to assess the relevance of this clustering by testing the effect of constant long (CP) and natural photoperiod (NP) on the onset of the reproductive cycle in “early spring” ESS (Eurasian perch, pikeperch, roach and pike) and a “late spring” spawner LSS (rudd). This work is based on a morpho-anatomic, histological and physiological analysis of the broodstock to study the effect of photoperiod treatments. Strong similarities were shown in the response of the ESS with inhibition of the reproductive cycle under CP and induction under NP. The gonadal development and the plasma levels of E2 and vitellogenin showed similar responses to the photoperiodic treatment between ESS, while, the androgens levels showed different responses even in species belonging to the same group and the same family. The observed similarities allow us to provide an evidence about the relevance of clusters especially for the most integrative parameters. However, even if extrapolation of current knowledge may be possible from Eurasian perch to other ESS especially for zootechnical purposes, the mechanisms of gonadogenesis regulation and especially androgenesis may be different between the studied species

O presente estudo teve como objetivo avaliar a ocorrência de anticorpos anti-Toxoplasma gondii e anti-Leptospira spp. em peixes-bois (Trichechus inunguis) da Amazônia Brasileira. Amostras sanguineas de 74 peixes-bois foram colhidas. Para a pesquisa de anticorpos anti-T. gondii, os soros foram diluídos a 1:25, 1:50 e 1:500 e a presença de anticorpos foi determinada pela técnica de aglutinação modificada (MAT). Para Leptospira spp. a presença de anticorpos foi determinada pela técnica de soroaglutinação microscópica (SAM), com ponto de corte na diluição de 1:100. Dos 74 peixes-bois 29 (39,2%) foram positivos para T. gondii apresentando título de 25. Para Leptospira spp. 23 (31,1%) foram reagentes para quatro sorovares com títulos variando de 100 a 1600. Os sorovares foram: Patoc, Castellonis, Icterohaemorrhagiae e Butembo. Houve coaglutinação entre os sorovares Patoc, Castellonis e Icterohaemorrhagiae (títulos 100 e 200) em um animal (n°51). Este foi o primeiro relato da ocorrência de T. gondii e Leptospira spp. em peixes-bois da Amazônia brasileira. / This study aimed to evaluate the occurrence of anti-T. gondii and Leptospira spp. in manatees (Trichechus inunguis) from two preservation centers located in the Brazilian Amazon. Blood samples from 74 manatees were taken. For detecting antibodies to T. gondii, sera were diluted 1:25, 1:50 and 1:500 and precense of antibodies was determined by the modified agglutination test (MAT). To Leptospira spp. sera were diluted 1:100 and tested against a collection of 24 antigenic serovars and presence of antibodies was determined by microscopic agglutination test (MAT). Of the 74 manatees 29 (39.2%) were positive to T. gondii with titre at 25. For Leptospira spp. 23 (31.1%) samples were kacted with four serotypes with titers ranging from 100 to 1600. The serovars reagents were Patoc, Castellonis, Icterohaemorrhagiae and Butembo. In one sample, coaglutination of serovars Patoc, Castellonis and Icterohaemorrhagiae (titres 100 and 200) was observed. This is the first report of the occurrence of T. gondii and Leptospira spp. in manatees in the Brazilian Amazon.

O GnRH é um decapeptídeo que está envolvido na reprodução, estimulando a hipófise a liberar gonadotropinas (LH e FSH), as quais regulam a esteroidogênese e gametogênese. Ainda, o GnRH age como neuromodulador atuando no comportamento sexual. A distribuição de suas isoformas pode ajudar a revelar a função específica de cada GnRH. A principal ênfase deste estudo foi detectar a presença e distribuição por imuno-histoquímica, e a expressão gênica de diferentes formas de GnRH no encéfalo de Astyanax altiparanae e Danio rerio, os quais têm importância comercial, ecológica e acadêmica. Em Astyanax altiparanae foi encontrado GnRH3 em diversos corpos celulares, inclusive em corpos celulares ligados à função reprodutiva, juntamente com fibras que inervam a neuro-hipófise. O GnRH1 foi encontrado apenas em fibras. Em Danio rerio foi encontrado GnRH3 nos núcleos da região hipotalâmica e em um grande número de fibras, incluindo as que inervam a neuro-hipófise. A expressão gênica de GnRH2 e 3 foi observada em Danio rerio. / GnRH is a decapeptide involved in reproduction, stimulating the pituitary to release gonadotropins, which, in turn, regulate the steroidogenesis and gametogenesis. In addition to the reproductive function, the GnRH displays neuromodulatory roles with implications in the modulation of sexual behavior. Therefore, the main emphasis of this study is to detect the presence, distribution, and gene expression of different forms of GnRH in the brain of the freshwater teleosts Astyanax altiparanae and Danio rerio, which have commercial, ecological and academic importance. The immunohistochemical method of peroxidase was used to detect GnRHs in the brain and pituitary. In A. altiparanae immunoreactivity to anti-GnRH3 was found in various cell bodies, including those related to reproductive functions, and fibers which innervate the neurohypophysis. Immunoreactivity for GnRH1 was found only in fibers. In D. rerio immunoreactivity to anti-GnRH3 was found in hypothalamic nuclei and in a large number of fibers, including the ones which innervate the neurohypophysis.

The freshwater fish fauna of southern Australia is characterised by low species richness and high endemism in groups displaying southern temperate, temperate-subtropical or temperate-tropical distributions. Comparatively few studies in Australia have incorporated modern molecular techniques to delineate species boundaries and define within-species conservation units. This is problematic because freshwater fishes are likely to show high levels of cryptic speciation and marked spatial sub-structure, and is information which is needed to conserve biological diversity and maintain the integrity of ecological communities and processes. The current study uses a ‘combined evidence’ approach, led principally by a set of nuclear genetic markers (allozymes), to assess species boundaries, spatial sub-structure and conservation units in obligate freshwater fishes from southern Australia. A literature review (Chapter 2) concerns the nature and effects of fragmentation in freshwater environments. It considers the implications for freshwater fishes and the types of extrinsic and intrinsic characteristics, both natural and human accelerated, that might drive population fragmentation and divergence. This theoretical framework is then applied to a suite of six largely co-occurring species groups with contrasting biological characteristics, and derive hypotheses about expected levels of genetic divergence across and within different drainages. Major findings Species of Retropinna (Chapter 3) are widespread and generally regarded as ‘common’ and mobile. Allozyme analyses revealed species-level and population-level sub-divisions, including five distinct species with contiguous ranges and no evidence of genetic exchange. Three occur along the eastern seaboard (including three instances of sympatry), another in coastal and inland southeastern Australia and Tasmania, and a fifth in the Lake Eyre Basin. There is no indication of a simple ‘tasmanica’ versus ‘semoni’ dichotomy, but instead a complex pattern involving discrete clusters for the Upper Murray plus Darling rivers, Lower Murray, Glenelg River and Tasmanian regions. These findings have implications for biodiversity, conservation and ecology. This chapter has been published in modified form (Marine and Freshwater Research 58, 327- 341). Nannoperca obscura (Chapter 4) is a small demersal fish with specialised habitat requirements. It is under threat of extinction, particularly in the western section of its range. Combined nuclear and matrilineal genetic data identified congruent within-species sub-structure, divided by patternsof distribution and biogeography. Four monophyletic mtDNA lineages, each distinct at multiple nuclear loci, indicate four Evolutionarily Significant Units (ESUs), namely (1) Lake Alexandrina in the Murray-Darling Basin (MDB), (2) Glenelg River, Millicent Coast River Basin and the outlying Mt Emu Creek, (3) Merri River and associated coastal streams, and (4) the eastern range section. Additional genetic and ecological data support multiple Management Units (MUs) within ESUs for individual or groups of river basins separated by marine barriers. Nannoperca australis (Chapter 5) has a similar character to its aforementioned congener, except that it occurs across a much wider area. Although generally common, particular populations are threatened, especially in the MDB. Allozyme analyses of 57 populations confirm the presence of two divergent species, with an eastern species containing two ESUs: (1) Gippsland and Flinders Island, and (2) Ansons River in northeastern Tasmania. The western species shows sub-structure across its range, including a separation of MDB and coastal populations as two heterogenous ESUs. The Lower Murray region (Mount Lofty Range streams and the Lower Lakes) harbours a remarkable level of between- and within-population diversity, underscoring its importance for conserving evolutionary potential. Mogurnda adspersa (Chapter 6) has been presumed extinct in South Australia since the early 1970s and has also been assumed lost from the southern MDB. This chapter reports on the rediscovery of M. adspersa from a wetland near the terminus of the Lower Murray, some 2500 river kilometres from the nearest known population. The nature and basic ecology of this population is documented, but the combined effects of drought and water abstraction recently have led to the probable extirpation of the wild population. A combined allozyme and mtDNA dataset confirmed the ‘nativeness’ of the population as a distinct sub-population (and MU), with a moderate level of allele heterogeneity. This information provides a platform for captive breeding as a conservation measure. The endemic genus Philypnodon (Chapter 7) contains two nominal species: P. grandiceps and the long recognised but only recently described P. macrostomus. The former is considered widespread and common (near ubiquitous), whereas the latter is more patchily distributed. Some tolerance to marine conditions is indicated, suggesting that there may be less sub-structure, but allozyme analyses of 269 individuals indicate the presence of multiple, species-level taxa within both described species. This obscures interpretations of existing ecological data. Although the presence of genetically-similar populations within and across some drainage divides indicates higher levels of gene flow, the pattern is complex and suggests historic genetic exchange between some but not other geographically-adjacent taxa. The freshwater blackfish genus Gadopsis (Chapter 8) has been a problem group for taxonomists, and it is unclear where the group is placed phylogenetically and how many species occur. Northern and southern forms on respective sides of the Great Dividing Range have been proposed, but with limited supporting evidence. Its dispersal ability (hence predicted genetic structure) is obscured by opposing life-history traits, including large body size (i.e. good swimming ability) versus habitat specialisation, demersal larvae and restricted home ranges. This chapter provides a genetic overview incorporating 61 locations across the range, and demonstrates unequivocally the presence of distinct northern and southern species of G. ‘marmoratus’. Moreover, distinct genetic discontinuities involving geographically abutting lineages indicate the likely presence of multiple ESUs within each species. A comparison of the allozyme data with previous mtDNA studies also identified two ESUs within G. bispinosus. Overall, considerable complexity is demonstrated signalling the need for a review of how the southern Australian fish fauna should be viewed, studied and protected. The genetic data also provide insight into the interplay of intrinsic biological characters (e.g. dispersal ability, population ecology) with historic and contemporary extrinsic environmental factors (e.g. fragmentation, biogeographic processes). Comparisons between and within traditionally-defined species are problematic, however, owing to multiple species-level splits and other genetic divisions that may have matching biological counterparts. Together with other reports in the literature, the findings presented herein have significant conservation implications, particularly given the rapid pace of human-mediated change in some regions that house high species and genetic diversity and unique evolutionary components, notably southeastern Queensland (especially the Mary River) and the lower River Murray in South Australia. Other regions displaying high genetic substructure or divergent populations include the Clarence River and Lachlan River in New South Wales; Gippsland, Goulburn River, Glenelg River and Mt Emu Creek in Victoria, and the Macquarie River and Ansons River in Tasmania. / http://proxy.library.adelaide.edu.au/login?url= http://library.adelaide.edu.au/cgi-bin/Pwebrecon.cgi?BBID=1339749 / Thesis (Ph.D.) - University of Adelaide, School of Earth and Environmental Sciences, 2008