A ordem Opiliones contém cerca de 6000 espécies divididas em quatro subordens e 45 famílias. Dentre essas famílias, os Gonyleptidae se destacam por sua enorme diversidade e por concentrarem a maioria dos estudos sobre biologia de opiliões. Este estudo, valeu-se dessa grande disponibilidade de informações ecológicas, comportamentais e químicas para reconstruir as relações de parentesco entre as subfamílias de Gonyleptidae. Posteriormente, com base nas topologias obtidas, discutimos os padrões de evolução dessas características dentro da família. A listagem de terminais compreende 31 espécies, sendo 27 representantes do grupo-interno e quatro do grupo-externo (Stygnidae, Manosbiidae e Cosmetidae). O grupo-interno é composto por representantes de 14 das 16 subfamílias de Gonyleptidae, exceto Ampycinae e Gonyassamiinae. Realizamos a análise filogenética utilizando caracteres igualmente pesados e os algoritmos de pesagem sucessiva e implícita. Levantamos 48 caracteres e 72 estados derivados, o que faz deste trabalho a maior matriz de caracteres ecológico-comportamentais já publicada até o momento. A análise com pesos iguais gerou uma árvore de consenso menos resolvida, porém compatível com a única topologia obtida com pesagem sucessiva e uma de duas topologias estáveis obtidas utilizando a pesagem implícita. Considerando apenas as análises com pesagem sucessiva e implícita, Gonyleptidae aparece como um grupo monofilético, irmão de Cosmetidae e definido por uma sinapomorfia inequívoca (brigas entre machos usando as pernas IV). Dentre as subfamílias já revisadas e que aqui contaram com mais de um terminal, recuperamos o monofiletismo de cinco delas: Hernandariinae, Goniosomatinae, Mitobatinae, Tricommatinae e Heteropachylinae. Não obtivemos apoio ao monofiletismo de Gonyleptinae, Sodreaninae e Progonyleptoidellinae. Dentre os grandes grupos tradicionalmente reconhecidos dentro de Gonyleptidae, obtivemos apoio ao clado formado por Hernandariinae + Gonyleptinae + Sodreaninae + Progonyleptoidellinae + Caelopyginae. Os altos valores dos índices de consistência das árvores, associado aos altos valores de suporte obtidos para vários clados (especialmente subfamílias), indicam que comportamento e ecologia são fontes de caracteres filogeneticamente informativos e que devem ser considerados em estudos futuros com a família. Embora caracteres ecológico-comportamentais já tenham sido utilizados em estudos cladísticos anteriores, esta é a primeira vez que o monofiletismo de uma família de Arthropoda é formalmente definido exclusivamente com base em caracteres de natureza não morfológica ou molecular. / The order Opiliones has almost 6000 species divided in four suborders and 45 families. Among these families, Gonyleptidae is well-known by its high diversity and because it concentrates the majority of the publications on harvestman ecology and behavior. We took advantage of this information to reconstruct the phylogeny of the gonyleptid subfamilies and discuss evolutionary patterns within the family based on the resulting topologies. The terminal species include 31 taxa, four belonging to the external-group (Stygnidae, Manosbiidae, and Cosmetidae), and 27 to the internal-group, which contains representatives of 14 of the 16 gonyleptid subfamilies (except Ampycinae and Gonyassamiinae). We performed the analyses using three distinct weighting schemes: equally weighted characters, successive weighting, and implied weighting. We coded 48 characters comprising 72 derived states, which makes the present study the largest ecological and behavioral phylogenetic data matrix published so far. The equal weighted analysis resulted in a single poorly resolved consensus tree, but this tree was compatible with the single most parsimonious successive weighted tree and with one of the two most stable trees obtained with implied weighting. Considering only the non-linear weighting schemes, Gonyleptidae is a monophyletic group, sister to Cosmetidae, based on a single non-homoplastic behavioral synapomorphy (male fights using the fourth pair of legs). We recovered the monophyly of five subfamilies that have already been revised using morphological characters: Hernandariinae, Goniosomatinae, Mitobatinae, Tricommatinae, and Heteropachylinae. We also obtained support for a well-recognized clade composed of the subfamilies Hernandariinae, Gonyleptinae, Sodreaninae, Progonyleptoidellinae, and Caelopyginae. However, we did not find support for the monophyly of Gonyleptinae, Sodreaninae, and Progonyleptoidellinae. High consistence indexes, in association with high Bremer and bootstrap support values for several clades (mainly subfamilies), clearly indicate that behavior and ecology provide phylogenetically informative characters. For that reason, they should be considered in future phylogenetic studies within Opiliones. Even though behavioral and ecological characters have already been used in other cladistic studies, this is the first time that the monophily of an arthropod family is formally demonstrated using exclusively non-morphological or non-molecular characters.

Made available in DSpace on 2015-03-05T16:19:36Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 0 Previous issue date: 26 / UNISINOS - Universidade do Vale do Rio do Sinos / A constante degradação ambiental, em especial a fragmentação de hábitat, tem levado a alterações nas populações de mamíferos em todo o mundo. No Campo de Instrução de Santa Maria (CISM), Santa Maria, Estado do Rio Grande do Sul/Brasil, isto não é diferente, onde a colonização humana trouxe tanto a perda quanto a fragmentação. Na região, os Campos Sulinos e da Mata Atlântica formam uma paisagem onde fragmentos de Floresta Estacional Decidual são circundados por áreas de campos, atualmente usados para pecuária, agricultura e manobras militares. Neste estudo avaliei o uso de fragmentos florestais e áreas de campo por mamíferos, abordando freqüência de ocorrência, riqueza, diversidade e abundância de registros em três tipos de hábitats grandes fragmentos (FG) > 193 ha, pequenos fragmentos (PE) entre 18 e 47 ha e áreas de campos (CA). Estabeleci grades de armadilhas com seis armadilhas de pegadas, iscadas com banana, bacon e "gland lure". Em cada série bimestral de amostragens revisei as armadilhas a cada quatro dias, registrando as pegadas encontradas em cada armadilha. Houve um total de seis séries de amostragens entre ago/04 e jul/05, onde obtive um total de 364 registros de grupos de mamíferos (formado por um ou mais espécies da mesma família). Mazama sp. usa grandes fragmentos mais frequentemente que canídeos (Pseudalopex gymnocercus e Cerdocyon thous) que são mais generalistas no uso de hábitat. Os grandes fragmentos mostraram maior riqueza (FG = 9, PE = 7 e CA = 3), diversidade e abundância de registros que os outros tipos de hábitats. Entretanto, há diferenças significativas apenas nas amostragens de Nov-Dez/2004 e Jan-Fev/05, os quais os valores de P foram 0,031 e 0,022 para riqueza e abundância. Para diversidade os valores de P foram 0,042 e 0,010 nos mesmos meses. Estas diferenças ocorreram apenas entre grandes fragmentos de áreas de campo. Os resultados indicaram que grandes áreas de florestas têm uma elevada riqueza, principalmente quando comparada a áreas de campos. Além da importância das grandes áreas de florestas para os mamíferos, ficou evidente também o valor que as áreas de campos possuem, por abrigar espécies mais associadas a áreas campestres. No CISM, mesmo com a alteração das áreas de campo e dos fragmentos de Floresta Estacional Decidual, os resultados mostram o peso de diferentes hábitats no conceito de diversidade beta (dissimilaridade entre hábitats). Um manejo apropriado das áreas de campo seria importante para a conservação de mamíferos em ambos biomas, Floresta Atlântica e Pampas. / The constant environmental degradation, in special the habitat fragmentation, has leading to alterations in mammal populations around de world. Into the Campos de Instrução de Santa Maria (CISM), Santa Maria, State of Rio Grande do Sul/Brazil, it is not different, since the human colonization has led to habitat loss and fragmentation. In this region the Campos Sulinos (southern grasslands) and Atlantic forest, form a landscape where fragments of Deciduous Seasonal Forests are surrounded by grasslands now used for cattle-raising, agriculture, and military activities. In this study I evaluated utilization of forest fragments and grassland by mammals, focusing on their frequency of occurrence, richness, diversity, and abundance in three types of habitats (large forest fragments (FG) - > 193 ha, small forest fragments (PE) between 18 and 47 ha, and open areas (CA). I established "trapping" grids with six footprint traps, baited with banana, bacon and "gland lure". For each bi-monthly trapping session I revised the traps every four days after setting them, recording all footprints found. For a total of six trapping sessions between Aug/04 and Jul/05, where I obtained 364 records of mammal groups (formed for one or more species of the same family). Mazama sp. deers use large fragments more frequently whereas the canids (Pseudalopex gymnocercus and Cerdocyon thous) were more generalist in habitat use. The larger fragments showed higher richness (FG=9; PE=7 and CA=3), diversity and abundance of records than the other areas. However, there are significant differences only in the samplings of Nov-Dez/2004 and Jan-Feb/05, which the P values were 0,031 and 0,022 for richness and abundance. For the diversity the values of P were 0,042 and 0,010 in the same months. These differences occurred only between large fragments (FG) and grasslands (CA). Results indicated that large forested areas harbour a higher richness, mainly when compared to the grasslands. Larger forest fragments are important for mammals, but in our study grasslands shelter characteristic species of such areas, increasing beta diversity. In the CISM, even with the relatively high disturbance of the grasslands and Deciduous Seasonal Forest, the results showed the importance of different habitats into the idea of beta diversity (dissimilarity between habitats). A proper management of these areas would be important for mammal conservation of both Atlantic Forest and Campos Sulinos.

Submitted by Maicon Juliano Schmidt (maicons) on 2015-03-24T19:11:22Z No. of bitstreams: 1 Carlos Hiroshi Nitta.pdf: 684742 bytes, checksum: 0857f27947f3270ae0fa6aba1e59c2da (MD5) / Made available in DSpace on 2015-03-24T19:11:22Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 Carlos Hiroshi Nitta.pdf: 684742 bytes, checksum: 0857f27947f3270ae0fa6aba1e59c2da (MD5) Previous issue date: 2008-01-31 / Nenhuma / Os tatus (Cingulata: Dasypodidae), apesar da diversidade de espécies, 21 espécies, e ampla distribuição, da Argentina até a metade sul dos EUA, passando pela América Central, as informações sobre a utilização dos ambientes por estes animais é escassa. A escavação e utilização de buracos no solo é uma característica ecológica relevante para o grupo, podendo estas estruturas serem consideradas indicadores conspícuos da presença desses animais. No presente estudo investiguei a densidade, direção, morfometria e microhabitat das tocas, em diferentes tipos de formação vegetal. O trabalho foi desenvolvido durante 13 meses (Out/06 a Nov/07) no Parque Estadual de Itapuã, na Grande Porto Alegre, RS, Brasil. O tatu-galinha (Dasypus novemcinctus) parece ser a espécie mais abundante neste local, onde ainda ocorre ao menos uma outra espécie, tatu-de-rabo-mole-grande (Cabassous tatouay). As características físicas e ambientais de 72 tocas, no campo (n = 31), mata (n = 22) e Restinga (n = 19), encontradas foram analisadas. A densidade de tocas não variou significativamente entre estes ambientes. Embora o tatu-galinha seja apontado como uma espécie de áreas florestadas no presente estudo, as áreas abertas foram utilizadas com a mesma intensidade que mata e restinga. Dentre as variáveis ambientais o número de árvores e porcentagem de cobertura de solo por arbustos tiveram influência no número de tocas encontradas em mata. A direção das tocas foram predominantemente sul nas áreas de floresta (mata e restinga) e significativamente diferentes das áreas de campo (campoXmata p = 0,002; campoXrestinga p = 0,001). Sugerindo que esta espécie possa mudar o comportamento e aumentar o nicho na ausência ou relaxamento de predadores e competidores. / Armadillos ( Cingulata : Dasypodidae ), despite the diversity of species , 21 species , and wide distribution , from Argentina to the southern half of the United States through Central America, information on the use of animals in these environments is scarce. The excavation and using holes in the ground is an important ecological nature of the group, these structures may be considered conspicuous indicators of the presence of these animals. In the present study I have investigated the density, direction, morphometric and microhabitat of the burrows in different types of plant formation. The study was conducted during 13 months (Oct/06 to Nov/07) in Itapuã State Park, in Porto Alegre , RS , Brazil . The nine-banded armadillo (Dasypus novemcinctus) seems to be the most abundant species at this site, which is still at least one other species, the greater naked-tailed armadillo (Cabassous tatouay). The physical and environmental characteristics of 72 holes, fields (n = 31), forest (n = 22) and Restinga (n = 19), found were analyzed. The density of burrows did not vary significantly between these environments. Although the nine-banded is touted as a kind of wooded areas in the present study, the open areas were used with the same intensity that forest and dunes. Among the environmental variables the number of trees and percentage of ground cover shrubs influenced the number of burrows found in the woods. The direction of the burrows were predominantly southern areas of forest (forest and Restinga) and significantly different from field areas (fieldXforest p = 0.002; fieldXrestinga p = 0.001). Suggesting that this species can change behavior and increase the niche or relaxation in the absence of predators and competitors.

Dasyatis guttata é a espécie de raia mais abundante na Baía de Todos os Santos (BTS, Nordeste do Brasil), com um descarregamento pesqueiro atingindo a ordem de 900 t ao ano. A espécie também representa um dos principais componentes do nécton da BTS. Apesar dessa importância econômica e ecológica, não há informações sobre a dinâmica temporal e espacial, ecologia e biologia da espécie e a importância do uso dessa baía para a espécie. O objetivo do presente estudo foi descrever a utilização da BTS pela raia D. guttata, durante seu ciclo de vida (isto é, se a área é utilizada pela espécie para a reprodução, crescimento e alimentação), além de investigar a relação entre os conhecimentos tradicionais dos pescadores, com as informações biológicas e ecológicas das espécies obtidas nesse estudo e as informações da literatura. Para isso, foram acompanhados, mensalmente, descarregamentos de D. guttata em duas localidades da BTS, entre janeiro de 2012 e janeiro de 2013. Dos descarregamentos pesqueiros, foi registrada a biomassa total descarregada, local de captura do pescado e esforço pesqueiro. Informações temporais e espaciais foram obtidas para verificar o padrão de distribuição e abundância dessa espécie com esses fatores. De alguns exemplares, para análise dos dados biológicos, foram obtidos dados biométricos, órgão reprodutor e digestório e um conjunto de cinco vértebras. Questionário etnobiológico foi aplicado para descrever o conhecimento tradicional do pescador sobre percepções ambientais e ecológicas sobre BTS e D. guttata. Os resultados indicaram associação entre a abundância de D. guttata e a área de captura, a maré e a estações do ano. As fêmeas (31 e 105 cm de largura de disco, LD) foram significativamente maiores que os machos (16,5 - 78 cm LD). Tomando os dois sexos juntos, da moda ocorreu entre 43,5 e 52,5 cm de LD. Houve diferença significativa na proporção de macho e fêmea, sendo superior para fêmea. Verificou-se variação espacial por classe de tamanho, com maior proporção de exemplares jovens na porção noroeste da BTS, sugerindo uma provável área de berçário. As fêmeas (L50=60,4) atingem a primeira maturidade reprodutiva com valores superiores aos machos (L50=41,9). Detectou-se que essa espécie se reproduz ao longo do ano. A maior proporção de fêmeas grávidas, a presença dos maiores embriões, e dos maiores valores médios da relação gonadossomática e hepatossomática, no verão e primavera, indicam dois pico de cópula e o parto nesse período. Há indícios que a vitelogênese ocorra simultaneamente à gestação. A fecundidade uterina foi registrada de 3,5 embriões/gestação e a fecundidade ovariana de 2,7 ovócitos/gestação. Dasyatis guttata é um mesopredador generalista, consumindo uma ampla variedade de presas e, principalmente, os crustáceos Thalassinidea e Alpheidae. A ordem de importância desses itens principais é alterada significativamente com a estação do ano e a classe de tamanho. Houve alometria significativamente negativa entre a relação do peso do indivíduo com a LD, que indica um ganho de massa proporcionalmente menor com o aumento de LD. As fêmeas apresentaram maior tamanho máximo estimado e crescimento mais lento, comparado aos machos (fêmeas: LD∞=169,8, k=0,03; machos: LD∞=80,3, k=0,07). O conhecimento etnoecológico dos pescadores foi consistente os dados de literatura e aos aqui obtidos. As informações geradas neste trabalho podem contribuir para uma melhor compreensão do papel de D. guttata na BTS e podem ser utilizadas em modelagens ecológicas e pesqueiras. Tais informações estão disponíveis para o uso às diferentes instituições ligadas à pesca local para elaboração de planos de ordenamento pesqueiro e de conservação da espécie. / Dasyatis guttata is the most abundant stingray in Todos os Santos Bay (TSB, Northeast of Brazil), with fisheries landings up to 900t per year. It is also one of the most important nekton components of the TSB. Despite such an economic and ecological importance, there is no information about spatiotemporal dynamic, ecology and biology of the species, and information about the importance of this bay for this species. The aim of the present study was to describe the use of this bay by Dasyatis guttata in its life cycle, that is, if this bay is used for reproduction, growth and feeding, and to investigate the relation of the fisherman\'s biological and ecological traditional knowledge on this stingray with those obtained in this study and available in the literature. Landings survey of D. guttata was carried out monthly in two localities of TSB, between January 2012 and January 2013. The total landed weight and the site of the captures in the TBS were registered in each survey. Biometric data, reproductive and digestive organs and about five vertebras centrum were obtained during the landings. Ethnobiological questionaries were applied for describe the environmental and biological perception of the fisherman in relation of TSB and D. guttata. Several temporal and spatial data were taken and used as predictor variables to verify the species distribution and abundance pattern. Results indicated a relationship between the D. guttata abundance and the local capture, tide and season. The females (31 - 105 cm Disc Width, DW) was significantly bigger than males (16.5 - 78 cm DW). Taken both sexes together, one fashion was verified between 43.5 e 52.5 cm DW. There were significant differences in proportion between male and female, being the females more numerous than males. Spatial variation of DW class was verified, with greater proportions of small-sized individuals in Northwest of TSB, suggesting a nursery area there. The females (L50=60.4) reached the first maturity with a size larger than that for males (L50=41.9). Reproduction is continuous throughout the year. Summer and spring are the most important mating and breeding season, as revealed by the higher proportion of gravid females, the biggest embryos, and highest median values of gonadosomatic and hepatossomatic relations. Uterine fecundity was 3.5 embryos/birth and the ovarian fecundity was 2.7 oocyte/birth. Dasyatis guttata is a generalist mesopredator, feeding upon a wide range of prey items, and mostly on the crustaceans Thalassinidea and Alpheidae. The ranking importance of these food items changed significantly with season and ray size. There are negative allometry between the weight and DW, indicating that, in TBS, the species gains proportionally smaller mass with increasing in DW. Females attained sizes larger than males and exhibited lower growth coefficients than those of males (females: DW∞=169.8, k=0.03; males: DW∞=80.3, k=0.07). The fishermen\'s ethnobiological knowledge was consistent with that from literature and obtained here. The information generated in this study contributes to a better understanding of the role of D. guttata in BTS and could be used in ecological and fisheries modeling. They are available for the use in fisheries-related institutions for the development of fishery management plans and conservation of the species in BTS.

Like life-history theory, wildlife management decisions are typically predicated on trade-offs between benefits associated with investing resources to achieve higher reproductive or survival rates versus costs or risks of achieving those goals. On the Canadian prairies, most waterfowl conservation resources are directed to policies and programs that seek to increase duck nesting success. Limited attention has focused on post-hatching life-cycle stages, yet, despite considerable recent work on duckling survival rates, many uncertainties remain concerning how abiotic and biotic factors affect duckling survival rates. The role of upland habitat characteristics may be important but has received limited attention. I evaluated hypothesized sources of variation in duckling survival for 617 mallard (Anas platyrhynchos) broods on 27 Canadian prairie-parkland sites, with emphasis on assessing effects of managed and remnant natural upland habitats. I contrasted suites of a priori and post hoc exploratory models that incorporated effects of landscape, weather, female and brood-related variables to explain variation in duckling survival rates. Survival was lower for ducklings that used areas with high proportions of semi-permanent wetlands, as well as for broods that travelled farther overland. Exploratory analyses revealed further that survival of ducklings was negatively related to the amount of managed hayland. In contrast, duckling survival was positively associated with the amount managed grassland. There was no evidence of trade-offs between benefits of managing habitat to enhance duck nesting success versus costs in terms of lower subsequent duckling survival.<p> I also addressed unresolved questions about how birds balance costs and benefits of selecting habitats by determining the survival consequences of habitat choices made during brood-rearing. In theory, fitness should be higher in preferred habitats, but this assumption is rarely tested. Fitness consequences (i.e., duckling survival) of habitat selection patterns were determined at landscape and local scales using logistic regression and information-theoretic model selection techniques. Best-approximating landscape-level models indicated that mallard females selected brood-rearing areas with a high proportion of wetland and perennial upland habitats, but duckling survival was not related to habitat selection patterns at this scale. At finer spatial scales, females selected brood-rearing areas with high proportions of wetland habitats, but, contrary to expectation, duckling survival was lower when females raised their broods in these areas. Females avoided areas with abundant perennial cover and wetlands with little vegetative cover and, consistent with prediction, duckling survival was higher when females selected areas with low perennial cover. Thus, females did not consistently select brood-rearing habitats that conferred the highest fitness benefits. Rather, the relationship between habitat selection and duckling survival depended on spatial scale and habitats considered.

Like life-history theory, wildlife management decisions are typically predicated on trade-offs between benefits associated with investing resources to achieve higher reproductive or survival rates versus costs or risks of achieving those goals. On the Canadian prairies, most waterfowl conservation resources are directed to policies and programs that seek to increase duck nesting success. Limited attention has focused on post-hatching life-cycle stages, yet, despite considerable recent work on duckling survival rates, many uncertainties remain concerning how abiotic and biotic factors affect duckling survival rates. The role of upland habitat characteristics may be important but has received limited attention. I evaluated hypothesized sources of variation in duckling survival for 617 mallard (Anas platyrhynchos) broods on 27 Canadian prairie-parkland sites, with emphasis on assessing effects of managed and remnant natural upland habitats. I contrasted suites of a priori and post hoc exploratory models that incorporated effects of landscape, weather, female and brood-related variables to explain variation in duckling survival rates. Survival was lower for ducklings that used areas with high proportions of semi-permanent wetlands, as well as for broods that travelled farther overland. Exploratory analyses revealed further that survival of ducklings was negatively related to the amount of managed hayland. In contrast, duckling survival was positively associated with the amount managed grassland. There was no evidence of trade-offs between benefits of managing habitat to enhance duck nesting success versus costs in terms of lower subsequent duckling survival.<p> I also addressed unresolved questions about how birds balance costs and benefits of selecting habitats by determining the survival consequences of habitat choices made during brood-rearing. In theory, fitness should be higher in preferred habitats, but this assumption is rarely tested. Fitness consequences (i.e., duckling survival) of habitat selection patterns were determined at landscape and local scales using logistic regression and information-theoretic model selection techniques. Best-approximating landscape-level models indicated that mallard females selected brood-rearing areas with a high proportion of wetland and perennial upland habitats, but duckling survival was not related to habitat selection patterns at this scale. At finer spatial scales, females selected brood-rearing areas with high proportions of wetland habitats, but, contrary to expectation, duckling survival was lower when females raised their broods in these areas. Females avoided areas with abundant perennial cover and wetlands with little vegetative cover and, consistent with prediction, duckling survival was higher when females selected areas with low perennial cover. Thus, females did not consistently select brood-rearing habitats that conferred the highest fitness benefits. Rather, the relationship between habitat selection and duckling survival depended on spatial scale and habitats considered.

The common snook, Centropomus undecimalis, is an estuarine dependent sport fish that relies upon subtidal wetlands as nursery habitat. Despite the economic and recreational significance of this species, there are portions of its life history and biology that are poorly understood, particularly its early life history. Understanding juvenile snook use of wetland habitats is crucial given the rapid loss and degradation of these areas to anthropogenic impacts. Young-of-the-year snook were collected in pond and creek habitats of a single wetland system to assess early life ecology and habitat use. Proxies of habitat quality were used to determine which habitats within a small spatial scale were optimal for young-of-the-year snook recruitment. Results indicated that even on a very small spatial scale, differences in habitat use were apparent, whereby smaller snook initially recruited to pond habitats and dedicated all energy into growth. Upon reaching a size of at least 40 mm SL snook began an ontogenetic habitat shift and moved to the tidal creek habitat. There, snook began to store energy, thus becoming more robust. Stable carbon and nitrogen isotopic analyses confirmed the ontogenetic habitat shift and revealed that snook have high site fidelity within the pond and creek habitats. Stable isotopic analysis also indicated that YOY snook appear to feed at the third trophic level consuming neonatal poecilliids and shrimp, and ultimately rely on benthic microalgae and particulate organic matter as basal resources. Results of this study advance the knowledge of juvenile snook ecology and will likely have implications for resource managers who are responsible for preserving and restoring wetland habitats upon which juvenile snook rely.

The propensity for animals to migrate can vary markedly among species, populations within species, and individuals within populations. Many taxa displaying variation in migratory behaviour and life history are attracting conservation concern as migratory populations decline in abundance. I developed a conceptual framework for delineating the nature of the broad phenotypic variation observed among and within migratory populations and apply this to Lake Superior brook trout (Salvelinus fontinalis). My literature review of variation in the migratory behaviour of fishes revealed that subsets of the predictions outlined in my framework have been tested for most study systems, but few systems had tested all five predictions. My field studies of Lake Superior brook trout (i) compared isotopic signatures of brook trout sampled from Lake Superior and tributary streams to demonstrate that the fish sampled from the lake and stream differ consistently in habitat use and trophic ecology, (ii) applied age and growth analyses to demonstrate that fish sampled from the lake live longer and grow faster than fish sampled from the streams, with the differences in growth apparent by the end of the first year of life, (iii) used histological measures to demonstrate that fish residing in streams, and exhibiting a stream growth history, reach sexual maturity, and (iv) provided no evidence based on growth histories to suggest that individuals change migratory behaviours later in life. Together, these field studies suggest that partial migration is the best hypothesis to describe the variation observed in the migratory behaviour of brook trout in the Nipigon Bay area of Lake Superior. Although the possibility remains that some individuals could complete their life cycle in the lake. My review and field studies demonstrate that the conceptual framework can be used to help delineate variation in the migratory behaviour exhibited by fishes whose lifetime movements can be difficult to track. / Funding was provided by the Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources through the Canada-Ontario Agreement Respecting the Great Lakes Basin Ecosystem, Great Lakes Fishery Commission Fishery Research Program, a Natural Science and Engineering Research Council (NSERC) Postgraduate Scholarship, and a NSERC Discovery Grant.

Vital rates and movement patterns of eastern wild turkeys (Meleagris gallopavo silvestris) have never been studied at the northern extent of their North American range in Manitoba, Canada. Using radio telemetry during 2011 and 2012, this study collected estimates of female spring/summer survival, reproductive success, dispersal, home range size, and habitat use. Females had a 53% survival probability, 82% nesting frequency, 29% nesting success, 35% hen success, 11.3 eggs/clutch, 89% hatching success, and a natality rate of 2.3. Winter weather and relatively high predator numbers appear to have caused annual variation in survival and hen success. Spring dispersal distances and home ranges averaged 8.2 km and 554.4 ha, respectively. Home ranges were selected in relation to forests, cattle feedlots, and grasslands; while within home ranges, individuals selected areas close to grasslands, forests, and intermittent streams. These results can be used when modeling current populations, managing harvest, and structuring future releases.

The release of 260 kg of polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) by a military radar station into Saglek Bay (Labrador) in the eastern Canadian Arctic contaminated adjacent marine sediments, and some fish, seabirds, and ringed seals. However, attributing the PCBs found in high trophic level and highly mobile marine mammals to any point source is, in most cases, impossible. This thesis demonstrated the extent to which a local PCB source at Saglek Bay led to the contamination and health effects in ringed seals. The dominance of PCBs at this contaminated marine site afforded a unique opportunity to evaluate the effects of this single class of industrial chemical in a manner that has not been previously possible in marine mammals. We used a variety of tools to characterize the contribution of local PCB contamination in the Labrador ringed seal food web. These tools included: 1) univariate and multivariate statistical exploration of contaminant patterns; 2) stable isotope ratios and fatty acid signatures to describe feeding ecology; and 3) satellite telemetry to track the movements of seals on the coast. Divergent PCB congener profiles and contaminant ratios enabled an assignment of seals into either ‘local’ or ‘long-range’ categories, with up to 60% of ringed seals sampled exhibiting patterns consistent with the local source. PCB concentrations in locally-contaminated adult males were 2-fold higher than in those exposed only to long-range PCB sources. Seals with smaller home ranges had an increased likelihood of feeding on prey contaminated by the local PCB source. Similar fatty acid profiles between those seals with ‘local’ PCB profiles and those with ‘long-range’ or background profiles indicate little support for the possibility that differential feeding ecologies explained the divergent PCB profiles. Ringed seals fed predominantly on zooplankton (Mysis oculata and Themisto libellula), dusky snailfish (Liparis gibbus) and arctic cod (Boreogadus saida). Heavier PCB profiles in the Saglek food web, compared to the same species exposed to only background contaminants, provided additional insight into the mechanisms of localized PCB contamination of some Labrador ringed seals. In addition to ascertaining the importance of a point source to contamination in ringed seals, we assessed the effects of PCBs on their health through quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) assay. Levels of mRNA transcripts for five gene targets, including aryl hydrocarbon receptor (Ahr), interleukin-1 beta (Il1b), estrogen receptor alpha (Esr1), insulin-like growth factor receptor 1 (Igf1) and glucocorticoid receptor alpha (Nr3c1), correlated with increasing levels of PCBs, indicating an effect of this persistent organic pollutant (POP) in these seals. Threshold values were calculated for these five genes, with the most conservative value being 1,380 ng/g lipid weight (lw). Approximately 14% of the seals sampled exceeded this threshold, suggesting a risk of adverse effects in a proportion of the local population attributed to PCBs. While the implications for these sublethal molecular changes at the individual or population level are unclear, contaminant-related changes in endocrine, immune, and molecular endpoints have been observed in ringed seals from the Baltic Sea exhibiting reproductive and developments abnormalities, and virus epizootics. Results of this study improve our understanding of the effects of PCBs in free-ranging marine mammals and provide new information needed to inform mitigation and monitoring efforts, both for ringed seals in the north and other seals around the world. / Graduate / 0306 / 0768 / 0383 / tanya@raincoast.org