Sea turtles face many threats to their populations globally. Loggerhead sea turtles (Caretta caretta) and green sea turtles (Chelonia mydas) are listed by the International Union for the Conservation of Nature Red List as Endangered. In Florida, loggerhead and green sea turtles nest along the coastline during April-September. Mechanical beach cleaning is an aesthetic service performed daily on some beaches in Florida to clean the wrack line and/or the entire beach of debris. Alterations made to beaches by methods such as mechanical beach cleaning have the potential to impact sea turtle nesting, hatching, and emergence success. Generalized linear mixed models were performed to investigate the impacts of mechanical beach cleaning on nesting, hatching and emergence success of loggerhead and green turtles from 1997-2015 in Broward County, Florida. The results showed mechanical beach cleaning had an effect on nesting success, however, hatching and emergence success were not affected by mechanical beach cleaning. These results indicate that mechanical beach cleaning cannot solely be used to determine sea turtle management or conservation guidelines in Broward County.

Die derzeit angewendete Formalinbegasung von Bruteiern zur Keimreduktion stellt ein wichtiges Mittel zum Schutz des Verbrauchers vor dem Eintrag der Salmonellose aus der Geflügelindustrie in die Lebensmittelkette dar. Jedoch verlangt sein kanzerogenes Potenzial die Suche nach einer ebenso effektiven und einfach zu praktizierenden, aber weniger gesundheitlich bedenklichen alternativen Methode. In dieser Arbeit wurde die Eignung einer in ovo-Ozonbegasung zur Bruteidesinfektion hinsichtlich ihrer Auswirkung auf die Embryonalentwicklung untersucht. Dafür wurden befruchtete Eier vor ihrem Einsatz in den Brüter mit unterschiedlichen Ozonkonzentrationen zwischen 0,5% bis >5,0% (wt/ wt O3 in O2) bei einer relativen Luftfeuchte von 70% in einer Laborkammer begast. Die verwendeten Ozonkonzentrationen wurden dabei in drei Konzentrationsgruppen eingeteilt: hoch (2,8% bis 5,0%), mittel (1,1% bis 2,5%) und niedrig (0,5% bis 1,0%). Nach Erreichen der Zielkonzentration blieben die Eier für eine definierte Einwirkzeit (EWZ) zwischen 0 bis 24 h in der Kammer. Am Bruttag (BT) 18, 19 oder 20 wurden die Überlebensrate (ÜLR), Gewicht und Länge erhoben sowie histologische Untersuchungen der Organe Herz, Leber, Milz und Niere vorgenommen. Bei vier Versuchen erfolgte zusätzlich die Untersuchung am BT 6 und BT 12. Insgesamt wurden 13 Versuchsreihen mit Begasungen in der Laborkammer in den drei genannten Konzentrationsgruppen durchgeführt. Des Weiteren sollte die Übertragbarkeit der ermittelten Ergebnisse auf eine großtechnische Lösung, durch die Anwendung in einer projektintern entwickelten Prototyp-Kammer überprüft werden. Die Konzipierung dieses Prototyps folgte den technischen Gegebenheiten unter Einbeziehung der ermittelten Ergebnisse zur Embryotoxizität, zur Effektivität der Keimreduktion sowie der Veränderung der Eiinhaltsstoffe. Im Prototyp wurde daher die Begasungskonzentration von 0,7% Ozon bei einer EWZ von 2 h angewendet und in 2 Versuchsreihen hinsichtlich ihrer Auswirkungen auf die Lebensfähigkeit und die morphologische Entwicklung getestet. Um zusätzlich eine Aussage treffen zu können, welche Wirkung eine hohe Ozonkonzentration bei der Applikation während der Bebrütung zur Folge hat, wurde in zwei weiteren Versuchsreihen jeweils am BT 3, 4 und 5 eine Ozondosis von 5,0% in Kombination mit 1 h EWZ appliziert. Nach der Entnahme der Embryonen am BT 6 bzw. BT 8 erfolgte die morphologische Untersuchung. Aus der vorliegenden Arbeit wird zusammenfassend geschlussfolgert:  Ozon besitzt einen dosisabhängigen Effekt auf die ÜLR: je höher die Dosis, desto geringer die Überlebensrate. Bei niedrigen Ozonkonzentrationen zwischen 0,5% und 1,0% kommt es zu ÜLR von 90% und 100%.  Die Einwirkzeit stellt einen wichtigen Einflussfaktor auf die Überlebensrate dar. Eine Kombination einer hohen Ozondosis mit langer EWZ hat eine höhere Embryomortalität zur Folge, als eine hohe Ozondosis ohne EWZ. Eine erhöhte Mortalitätsrate zeigt sich auch bei der Kombination einer mittleren Ozondosis mit einer langen EWZ. Keinen Einfluss zeigt sie bei der Kombination mit einer niedrigen Ozonkonzentration.  Ozonierte Embryonen zeigen dosisabhängig eine geringere Längen- oder Gewichtsentwicklung im Vergleich zur Kontrollgruppe. Signifikante Gewichts- und Längenunterschiede lagen nur vereinzelt bei der Begasung mit hoher Ozonkonzentration vor.  Pathohistologische Befunde an Organen, die mit einer Ozonbegasung in Zusammenhang gebracht werden können, konnten nicht erhoben werden.  Die Versuche zur Begasung während der Organogenese wiesen nicht auf ein teratogenes Potenzial von Ozon hin. Korrespondierend mit den Ergebnissen der Begasung am BT 0 zeigte sich ebenfalls eine deutliche Embryotoxizität.  Die Wirkung von Ozon folgt einem Alles-oder-Nichts-Prinzip: entweder die Schädigung ist so stark, dass es zu keiner Entwicklung mehr kommt, oder aber der überlebende Embryo bzw. Fetus zeigt ein phänotypisch normales Aussehen.  Mit den vorgestellten Untersuchungen konnte bewiesen werden, dass bei einer in ovo-Begasung von befruchteten Hühnereiern am Bruttag 0 mit einer niedrigen Ozonkonzentration von 0,5% bis 1,0% in Kombination mit einer mittleren und geringen EWZ keine teratogenen oder embryotoxischen Veränderungen zu erwarten sind.  Aus diesen Befunden ergibt sich ein unbedenklicher Einsatze von Ozon als alternative Methode zur Bruteidesinfektion. Die Voraussetzung dafür ist, dass die großtechnische Lösung die Anwendung von 1,0% Ozonkonzentration in Kombination mit 2 h EWZ ermöglicht, um eine sehr gute ÜLR, Entwicklung und eine 100%ige Inaktivierung des in Legehennenbeständen vorherrschenden Serovars Salmonella Enteritidis zu gewährleisten.

Populations of many European bird species have decreased in recent years. Of seabird species, roughly 25 % are classified as threatened or as species of future concern. In the Baltic Sea, an entire ecosystem faces the aftermath of anthropogenic changes, which might be one of the reasons behind the decreasing population of Caspian terns (Hydroprogne caspia). In this paper, an attempt was made to shed light upon nestling survival in Caspian terns in breeding colonies on islets outside of Gotland, Sweden, by using bird ringing data as well as re-sightings of post-fledged terns. Based upon literature from other species, I expected a higher survival probability with earliness of breeding time, and improved survival probability with higher nestling body condition. Significant study results showed that re-sighted Caspian terns had slightly earlier hatching day (150 ± 6.55) compared to never-again seen Caspian terns (153 ± 8.08), implying that early breeding time might be of benefit in the species. However, no significant result could confirm that high body condition in nestling terns was correlated with general survival probability, indicating that a myriad of other factors is likely at play. / Många fågelarter har under de senaste åren minskat drastiskt i Europa. Inom gruppen havsfåglar har konstaterats att omkring 25 % av alla arter tilldelats hotstatus eller bedömts vara av framtida mål för bevarande. I Östersjön hotas idag ett helt ekosystem av de effekter som genererats genom antropogena processer. Av populationer som påverkats i området med en kritisk tillbakagång under 2000-talet, inräknas den kolonihäckande arten skräntärna (Hydroprogne caspia). I denna studie användes ringmärkningsdata och återfyndsinformation från gotländska skräntärnor, i syfte att undersöka artens generella överlevnadschans i relation till födelseperiod och kroppskondition som ungfågel. Till resultatet förväntades att ungar födda tidigt under säsongen hade högre överlevnadschans än ungar födda sent.  En längre livslängd i dagar antogs höra ihop med högre kroppskondition hos ungfåglar på häckplatsen. Mitt resultat visade med signifikans att återsedda tärnor från Gotland hade lite tidigare födelsedatum i genomsnitt (dag 150 ± 6.55) än ej återsedda skräntärnor (dag 153 ± 8.08). Samband mellan tärnornas överlevnad och kroppskondition kunde ej påvisas, vilket indikerar att en mängd andra faktorer med all förmodan inverkar på skräntärnors överlevnadschanser.

<p dir="ltr">The Leatherback Sea Turtle (<i>Dermochelys coriacea</i>) is a globally vulnerable species suffering from declining populations due to anthropogenic pressures. There are seven recognized Leatherback Sea Turtle regional management units; however, the Southeast Atlantic unit is considered data deficient. Bioko Island, Equatorial Guinea, is a primary nesting rookery for the Southeast Atlantic regional management unit and has some of the world’s highest numbers of nesting Leatherback Sea Turtles. Despite Bioko Island’s importance to the species, little is known about the nesting ecology or post-nesting migratory movement and behaviors of its nesting Leatherback Sea Turtles. Here, I present the findings of two individual research projects on the nesting ecology of Leatherback Sea Turtles on Bioko Island. First, I explored the long-term clutch success rates (i.e., hatching success and emergence success) of <i>in situ</i> Leatherback Sea Turtle nests on Bioko and searched for associated variables. I found significant spatiotemporal variation over nine nesting seasons, likely driven by individual beach characteristics rather than regional climate patterns. Secondly, I described a novel effort to use solar-reliant towable transmitters to track the post-nesting migratory movements and behaviors of Leatherback Sea Turtles nesting on Bioko Island. With the results from each project, I make recommendations to further the current conservation and research initiatives of Leatherback Sea Turtles.</p>

The Wilson’s Plover (Charadrius wilsonia) is a species of concern in most southeastern U.S. coastal states, where it breeds and winters. The U.S. Shorebird Conservation Plan listed this species as a Species of High Concern (Prioritization Category 4), and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service has designated it as a Bird of Conservation Concern (BCC). Despite its conservation status, Wilson’s Plover population trends are poorly understood and little research has been conducted examining habitat factors affecting this species’ breeding and foraging ecology. I collected Wilson’s Plover demographic data and explored which habitat characteristics influenced breeding success and foraging site selection among three coastal habitat types (i.e. fiddler crab (Uca spp.) mud flats, beach front, and interdune sand flats) at Onslow Beach, Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune, North Carolina, 2008-2009. I observed little difference between years in nest success (≥ 1 egg hatched), failure, and overall nest survival. The majority of nest failures were caused by mammalian predators. For those nests that hatched successfully, greater proportions were located in clumped vegetation than on bare ground or sparsely vegetated areas. In-season chick survival for both years was higher for nests that hatched earlier in the season, and for nests farthest from the broods’ final foraging territory. Productivity estimates (chicks fledged per breeding pair) were not significantly different between years (0.88 ± 0.26 fledged/pair in 2008, 1.00 ± 0.25 fledged/pair in 2009) despite a shift in foraging behavior, possibly related to habitat alterations and availability in 2009. My findings indicate that Wilson’s Plover adults and broods were flexible in establishing final foraging territories; in 2008 all final brood foraging territories were on fiddler flats while in 2009, final foraging territories were sometimes split between fiddler flats, beach front, and interdune sand flats. For those Wilson’s Plovers establishing territories on fiddler flats, area of the flat was the most important feature explaining use versus non-use of a particular flat; area ≥ 1250 m² was preferred. Close proximity to water and vegetative cover were also important habitat features in foraging site selection on fiddler crab mud flats, and in all habitat types combined. My findings will directly contribute to population and habitat research goals outlined in the U.S. Shorebird Plan and will supplement limited data about foraging and habitat use related to Wilson’s Plover breeding ecology. / Master of Science

A chronic hyperglycemic state often results in neuropathological complications such as peripheral diabetic neuropathy (PDN). PDN is a debilitating medical condition that impacts over half of the US population with diabetes. In this study, we used the model organism Caenorhabditis elegans to determine that glucose-supplemented diet leads to an increased rate of intrauterine egg hatching (IUEH) and the reduction of dopamine and serotonin is sufficient to suppress the glucose-induced IUEH. Moreover, in this research demonstrates that a glucose-supplemented diet impacts serotonin and dopamine-associated behaviors. Additionally, we demonstrate that a diet rich in glucose impacts the structure of the serotonergic neurons HSN and NSM. These findings highlight the utility of the model organism C. elegans in elucidating the impact of a glucose-supplemented diet on the nervous system. Finally, these studies show that a glucose-supplemented diet impacts transgenerational and intergenerational phenotypes as well as changes in the transcriptional profile of subsequent generations.

O presente estudo avalia como a estrutura e a produção da comunidade de copépodes pelágicos da plataforma interna ao largo de Ubatuba (SP, Brasil) responderam às variações ambientais durante o período de julho de 2005 a junho de 2008. Durante estes três anos, a produção secundária dos copépodes foi estudada por meio da aplicação de modelos empíricos de crescimento e de estimativas de crescimento peso-específico obtidas através de experimentos de produção de ovos. Aspectos reprodutivos de 16 espécies de copépodes (9 calanóides, 3 ciclopóides e 4 harpacticóides) foram analisados neste período, através de experimentos de incubação e de métodos indiretos de obtenção de taxas de produção e viabilidade dos ovos. A comunidade de copépodes esteve representada por 70 espécies e foi caracterizada por altos valores de riqueza, diversidade e eqüitabilidade. Os copépodes apresentaram grande variabilidade nos valores médios de densidade (4726 ± 3711 ind. m-3) e de biomassa (7,42 ± 5,64 mg C m-3) e foram dominados por espécies de pequeno porte (< 1000 µm), destacando-se as fêmeas adultas de Oncaea waldemari e os copepoditos imaturos de paracalanídeos e clausocalanídeos. Quando comparada com outros ambientes tropicais e subtropicais, a região estudada apresentou valores elevados de densidade e biomassa. Da mesma maneira, a produção secundária média apresentou variabilidade temporal elevada (1,13 ± 1,11 mg C m-3 dia-1), com uma importante contribuição dos copepoditos imaturos de espécies dispersoras de ovos. No geral, os valores médios registrados foram considerados altos quando comparado com outros ambientes tropicais e subtropicais, embora a razão Produção/Biomassa média tenha sido similar às registradas nestes locais. A intrusão periódica da ACAS parece ter sido a principal responsável pelas alterações observadas na estrutura e produção da comunidade. A maioria dos meses não influenciados pela ACAS apresentou valores de densidade, biomassa e produção inferiores às respectivas médias. Entretanto, os resultados observados sugerem que as flutuações da comunidade de copépodes podem responder não apenas à intrusão da ACAS, mas também a uma complexa conjunção de fatores, incluindo as próprias relações inter e intra-específicas. Com relação à reprodução, as espécies dispersoras de ovos apresentaram taxas médias de produção de ovos similares às obtidas em outras regiões tropicais e subtropicais, enquanto que as retentoras apresentaram valores levemente inferiores. Entretanto, foram registrados picos ocasionais de produção destas últimas espécies, sugerindo que estes copépodes possuem estratégias que compensam os meses de baixa produtividade. A reprodução de algumas espécies analisadas parece ser associada a fatores intra-específicos, tais como o tamanho dos ovos e a razão entre machos e fêmeas. Além disso, as espécies dispersoras analisadas são provavelmente influenciadas pela temperatura e pelo alimento. A relação entre os tamanhos e pesos de fêmeas e ovos de 32 espécies de copépodes pelágicos mostrou que a variabilidade interespecífica observada nessas proporções é similar à tendência observada para espécies de altas latitudes. Comparando as taxas de produção estimadas a partir das equações empíricas com as obtidas experimentalmente, observa-se diferenças expressivas nas estimativas de produção secundária, o que sugere a influência de outras variáveis além daquelas consideradas pelos modelos. / The present study evaluates how the pelagic copepod community structure and production from the inner shelf off Ubatuba (SP, Brazil) responded to environmental variability from July 2005 to June 2008. During these three years copepod secondary production was studied by the application of growth empirical models and weight-specific growth estimates obtained through egg production experiments. Reproductive aspects of 17 copepod species (10 calanoid, 3 cyclopoid and 4 harpacticoid) were analyzed through incubation experiments and indirect methods to obtain production and egg hatching success rates. Copepod community was represented by 70 species and was characterized by high values of richness, diversity and evenness. Copepods had great variability in mean abundance values (4,726 ± 3,711 ind. m-3) and biomass (7.42 ± 5.64 mg C m-3) and were dominated by small size species (< 1,000 µm), especially Oncaea waldemari adult females and immature copepodites of paracalanids and clausocalanids. When compared to other tropical and subtropical environments, the copepod community in the study area had high average abundance and biomass. Mean secondary production rates had high temporal variability (1.13 ± 1.11 mg C m-3 day-1), with an important contribution from immature copepodites of broadcast spawner species. Production values were also high but mean Production/Biomass ratios were similar when compared to other tropical and subtropical environments. The periodic SACW (South Atlantic Central Water) intrusions seem to be the main responsible for the variability in community structure and production. Most months non-influenced by SACW had abundance, biomass and production values lower than the annual average. However, copepod community fluctuations may not have responded only to SACW intrusions, but also to inter- and intra-specific relations. Broadcast spawner species had mean egg production rates similar to the ones obtained in other tropical and subtropical regions, while sac spawners showed slightly lower values. Nevertheless, occasional production peaks were recorded for the latter, suggesting that these copepods have reproductive strategies to compensate for low productivity periods. Some species reproduction traits seem to be related to intra-specific factors, such as egg size and the male/female ratio. Besides, broadcast spawners were probably influenced by temperature and food. The relationship between female and egg size and weight from 32 pelagic copepod species showed that inter-specific variability observed in these proportions was similar to those observed for high-latitude species. When reproduction rates estimated from empirical equations with those obtained experimentally are compared, expressive differences in secondary production estimates emerge, which suggests the influence of other variables in addition to those accounted for by empirical models.

O presente estudo avalia como a estrutura e a produção da comunidade de copépodes pelágicos da plataforma interna ao largo de Ubatuba (SP, Brasil) responderam às variações ambientais durante o período de julho de 2005 a junho de 2008. Durante estes três anos, a produção secundária dos copépodes foi estudada por meio da aplicação de modelos empíricos de crescimento e de estimativas de crescimento peso-específico obtidas através de experimentos de produção de ovos. Aspectos reprodutivos de 16 espécies de copépodes (9 calanóides, 3 ciclopóides e 4 harpacticóides) foram analisados neste período, através de experimentos de incubação e de métodos indiretos de obtenção de taxas de produção e viabilidade dos ovos. A comunidade de copépodes esteve representada por 70 espécies e foi caracterizada por altos valores de riqueza, diversidade e eqüitabilidade. Os copépodes apresentaram grande variabilidade nos valores médios de densidade (4726 ± 3711 ind. m-3) e de biomassa (7,42 ± 5,64 mg C m-3) e foram dominados por espécies de pequeno porte (< 1000 µm), destacando-se as fêmeas adultas de Oncaea waldemari e os copepoditos imaturos de paracalanídeos e clausocalanídeos. Quando comparada com outros ambientes tropicais e subtropicais, a região estudada apresentou valores elevados de densidade e biomassa. Da mesma maneira, a produção secundária média apresentou variabilidade temporal elevada (1,13 ± 1,11 mg C m-3 dia-1), com uma importante contribuição dos copepoditos imaturos de espécies dispersoras de ovos. No geral, os valores médios registrados foram considerados altos quando comparado com outros ambientes tropicais e subtropicais, embora a razão Produção/Biomassa média tenha sido similar às registradas nestes locais. A intrusão periódica da ACAS parece ter sido a principal responsável pelas alterações observadas na estrutura e produção da comunidade. A maioria dos meses não influenciados pela ACAS apresentou valores de densidade, biomassa e produção inferiores às respectivas médias. Entretanto, os resultados observados sugerem que as flutuações da comunidade de copépodes podem responder não apenas à intrusão da ACAS, mas também a uma complexa conjunção de fatores, incluindo as próprias relações inter e intra-específicas. Com relação à reprodução, as espécies dispersoras de ovos apresentaram taxas médias de produção de ovos similares às obtidas em outras regiões tropicais e subtropicais, enquanto que as retentoras apresentaram valores levemente inferiores. Entretanto, foram registrados picos ocasionais de produção destas últimas espécies, sugerindo que estes copépodes possuem estratégias que compensam os meses de baixa produtividade. A reprodução de algumas espécies analisadas parece ser associada a fatores intra-específicos, tais como o tamanho dos ovos e a razão entre machos e fêmeas. Além disso, as espécies dispersoras analisadas são provavelmente influenciadas pela temperatura e pelo alimento. A relação entre os tamanhos e pesos de fêmeas e ovos de 32 espécies de copépodes pelágicos mostrou que a variabilidade interespecífica observada nessas proporções é similar à tendência observada para espécies de altas latitudes. Comparando as taxas de produção estimadas a partir das equações empíricas com as obtidas experimentalmente, observa-se diferenças expressivas nas estimativas de produção secundária, o que sugere a influência de outras variáveis além daquelas consideradas pelos modelos. / The present study evaluates how the pelagic copepod community structure and production from the inner shelf off Ubatuba (SP, Brazil) responded to environmental variability from July 2005 to June 2008. During these three years copepod secondary production was studied by the application of growth empirical models and weight-specific growth estimates obtained through egg production experiments. Reproductive aspects of 17 copepod species (10 calanoid, 3 cyclopoid and 4 harpacticoid) were analyzed through incubation experiments and indirect methods to obtain production and egg hatching success rates. Copepod community was represented by 70 species and was characterized by high values of richness, diversity and evenness. Copepods had great variability in mean abundance values (4,726 ± 3,711 ind. m-3) and biomass (7.42 ± 5.64 mg C m-3) and were dominated by small size species (< 1,000 µm), especially Oncaea waldemari adult females and immature copepodites of paracalanids and clausocalanids. When compared to other tropical and subtropical environments, the copepod community in the study area had high average abundance and biomass. Mean secondary production rates had high temporal variability (1.13 ± 1.11 mg C m-3 day-1), with an important contribution from immature copepodites of broadcast spawner species. Production values were also high but mean Production/Biomass ratios were similar when compared to other tropical and subtropical environments. The periodic SACW (South Atlantic Central Water) intrusions seem to be the main responsible for the variability in community structure and production. Most months non-influenced by SACW had abundance, biomass and production values lower than the annual average. However, copepod community fluctuations may not have responded only to SACW intrusions, but also to inter- and intra-specific relations. Broadcast spawner species had mean egg production rates similar to the ones obtained in other tropical and subtropical regions, while sac spawners showed slightly lower values. Nevertheless, occasional production peaks were recorded for the latter, suggesting that these copepods have reproductive strategies to compensate for low productivity periods. Some species reproduction traits seem to be related to intra-specific factors, such as egg size and the male/female ratio. Besides, broadcast spawners were probably influenced by temperature and food. The relationship between female and egg size and weight from 32 pelagic copepod species showed that inter-specific variability observed in these proportions was similar to those observed for high-latitude species. When reproduction rates estimated from empirical equations with those obtained experimentally are compared, expressive differences in secondary production estimates emerge, which suggests the influence of other variables in addition to those accounted for by empirical models.

Trygonorrhina fasciata (Rhinobatidae) specimens naturally infected by three monogenean species were captured and maintained in marine aquaria to promote a continuous parasite load. Monogenean eggs recovered from aquaria provided larvae for descriptions and life history experiments. I describe the adult, larva and post-larval development of a new species of hexabothriid, Branchotenthes octohamatus, from the gills. This is the first monogenean larva described with only eight hooklets. This character may be useful to help resolve problematic relationships within the Hexabothriidae and offers insight into more general hypotheses about relationships within the Monogenea. I also redescribe the adult of Calicotyle australis (Monocotylidae) from the cloaca and describe the larva. The number and arrangement of larval ciliated epidermal cells and sensilla was revealed using silver nitrate. I redescribe Pseudoleptobothrium aptychotremae (Microbothriidae) adults from the skin of T. fasciata, representing a new host and locality record. Larval anatomy and post-larval development are also documented. The presence of six needle-like spicules in the larval haptor is confirmed, supporting an earlier theory that spicules are ancestral vestiges. My studies revealed three different egg hatching, host finding strategies and larval ‘types’. Branchotenthes octohamatus has a ‘sit-and-wait’ strategy, entirely dependent on mechanical disturbance to stimulate eggs to hatch. Larvae are unciliated, cannot swim, lack pigmented eyespots and show no photo-response but may survive for more than two days after hatching at 22ºC. In contrast, eggs of C. australis hatch spontaneously with a strong diurnal rhythm in the first few hours of daylight when exposed to a LD12:12 illumination regime. Larvae are ciliated and can swim, have pigmented eyespots, are photo-positive and can remain active and survive for up to 24 h after hatching at 22ºC. Eggs of P. aptychotremae may have a ‘bet-hedging’ strategy. Some eggs hatch spontaneously and rhythmically in an LD12:12 regime during the last few hours of daylight but their low hatching success rate suggests that other eggs may require a different cue provided by the host. Larvae are ciliated, can swim, lack pigmented eyespots, show no photo-response and remain active for only a few hours at 22ºC. Experiments using the fluorescent dye, 5(6)-carboxyfluorescein diacetate N-succinimidyl ester (CFSE) revealed B. octohamatus on gills of T. fasciata within 30 min of exposure to the host. This provides strong evidence that larvae invade the gills directly via the host’s inhalant respiratory current and do not migrate after initial attachment elsewhere. Five rhinobatid species (Aptychotrema vincentiana, T. fasciata, Trygonorrhina sp. A, A. rostrata and Rhinobatos typus), with overlapping distributions spanning west, south and east Australian coastal waters were surveyed for monogeneans at four locations between Fremantle, Western Australia and Stradbroke Island, Queensland. Genetic homogeneity, using the mitochrondrial gene Cytochrome b (cytb) and the nuclear marker, Elongation factor-1 alpha (EF1a), was observed for all Branchotenthes and Calicotyle specimens irrespective of collection locality or rhinobatid species. Genetic homogeneity was observed for Pseudoleptobothrium specimens collected in western and southern Australia. However, local genetic heterogeneity was apparent among Pseudoleptobothrium specimens collected from two sympatric host species in New South Wales. Analyses revealed a highly divergent clade, indicating a morphologically cryptic, ancestral species. / http://proxy.library.adelaide.edu.au/login?url= http://library.adelaide.edu.au/cgi-bin/Pwebrecon.cgi?BBID=1323070 / Thesis (Ph.D.) -- University of Adelaide, School of Earth and Environmental Sciences, 2008

Trygonorrhina fasciata (Rhinobatidae) specimens naturally infected by three monogenean species were captured and maintained in marine aquaria to promote a continuous parasite load. Monogenean eggs recovered from aquaria provided larvae for descriptions and life history experiments. I describe the adult, larva and post-larval development of a new species of hexabothriid, Branchotenthes octohamatus, from the gills. This is the first monogenean larva described with only eight hooklets. This character may be useful to help resolve problematic relationships within the Hexabothriidae and offers insight into more general hypotheses about relationships within the Monogenea. I also redescribe the adult of Calicotyle australis (Monocotylidae) from the cloaca and describe the larva. The number and arrangement of larval ciliated epidermal cells and sensilla was revealed using silver nitrate. I redescribe Pseudoleptobothrium aptychotremae (Microbothriidae) adults from the skin of T. fasciata, representing a new host and locality record. Larval anatomy and post-larval development are also documented. The presence of six needle-like spicules in the larval haptor is confirmed, supporting an earlier theory that spicules are ancestral vestiges. My studies revealed three different egg hatching, host finding strategies and larval ‘types’. Branchotenthes octohamatus has a ‘sit-and-wait’ strategy, entirely dependent on mechanical disturbance to stimulate eggs to hatch. Larvae are unciliated, cannot swim, lack pigmented eyespots and show no photo-response but may survive for more than two days after hatching at 22ºC. In contrast, eggs of C. australis hatch spontaneously with a strong diurnal rhythm in the first few hours of daylight when exposed to a LD12:12 illumination regime. Larvae are ciliated and can swim, have pigmented eyespots, are photo-positive and can remain active and survive for up to 24 h after hatching at 22ºC. Eggs of P. aptychotremae may have a ‘bet-hedging’ strategy. Some eggs hatch spontaneously and rhythmically in an LD12:12 regime during the last few hours of daylight but their low hatching success rate suggests that other eggs may require a different cue provided by the host. Larvae are ciliated, can swim, lack pigmented eyespots, show no photo-response and remain active for only a few hours at 22ºC. Experiments using the fluorescent dye, 5(6)-carboxyfluorescein diacetate N-succinimidyl ester (CFSE) revealed B. octohamatus on gills of T. fasciata within 30 min of exposure to the host. This provides strong evidence that larvae invade the gills directly via the host’s inhalant respiratory current and do not migrate after initial attachment elsewhere. Five rhinobatid species (Aptychotrema vincentiana, T. fasciata, Trygonorrhina sp. A, A. rostrata and Rhinobatos typus), with overlapping distributions spanning west, south and east Australian coastal waters were surveyed for monogeneans at four locations between Fremantle, Western Australia and Stradbroke Island, Queensland. Genetic homogeneity, using the mitochrondrial gene Cytochrome b (cytb) and the nuclear marker, Elongation factor-1 alpha (EF1a), was observed for all Branchotenthes and Calicotyle specimens irrespective of collection locality or rhinobatid species. Genetic homogeneity was observed for Pseudoleptobothrium specimens collected in western and southern Australia. However, local genetic heterogeneity was apparent among Pseudoleptobothrium specimens collected from two sympatric host species in New South Wales. Analyses revealed a highly divergent clade, indicating a morphologically cryptic, ancestral species. / http://proxy.library.adelaide.edu.au/login?url= http://library.adelaide.edu.au/cgi-bin/Pwebrecon.cgi?BBID=1323070 / Thesis (Ph.D.) -- University of Adelaide, School of Earth and Environmental Sciences, 2008