Graduation date: 2006 / Structure-forming invertebrates belong to a polyphyletic group of primarily sessile and sedentary megafauna that can significantly enhance the complexity of physical habitats. A number of these organisms, including cold-water corals and sponges, are known to be slow growing and vulnerable to physical disturbance. In addition, as filter feeders, these invertebrates can indicate areas of consistently favorable conditions for feeding and growth. This study provides the first quantitative analysis of structure-forming invertebrate communities in many areas along the continental margin of Oregon and Washington. Geological surveys during 1992-95, using the occupied submersible, Delta, sampled an extensive area in this region, primarily on and around rock outcrops. The videos from these surveys were analyzed to inventory and catalog sessile structure-forming invertebrates and to document their associations with geological habitat types. Detailed data on geological substrate, invertebrate diversity, abundance, and density were compiled and analyzed. It was found that geological substrate and depth were reliable indicators of suitable habitat for most species included in the study. Gorgonian corals tended to concentrate in high densities in depths between 200-250m, at the southern edges of submerged rocky banks, and where hard rocky substrate was covered with a thick layer of sediment. Because of recent fishery regulation changes, this information can be used as baseline data for future studies on the effectiveness of closed areas on the recovery of structure-forming invertebrates from disturbance, particularly bottom trawling.

Thesis (M.E.S.)--The Evergreen State College, 2007. / Title from title screen viewed (4/7/2008). Includes bibliographical references (leaves 49-56).

published_or_final_version / Ecology and Biodiversity / Doctoral / Doctor of Philosophy

A principal ecological role proposed for the hyporheic zone is as a refugium that promotes benthic invertebrate survival during adverse conditions in the surface stream. Whilst a growing body of work has examined use of this hyporheic refugium during hydrological extremes (spates, streambed drying), little research has considered variation in refugium use over prolonged periods including contrasting conditions of surface flow. In this thesis, benthic invertebrate use of the hyporheic refugium is considered at monthly intervals over a five-month period of variable surface flow, at nine sites in two groundwater-dominated streams, the River Lathkill (Derbyshire) and the River Glen (Lincolnshire). Conditions identified as potential triggers of refugium use included a flow recession and a high-magnitude spate on the Lathkill, and small spates and a decline in flow preceding localised streambed drying on the Glen. During flow recession, reductions in submerged habitat availability and concurrent increases in benthic population densities were dependent on channel morphology. An unusual paired benthic-hyporheic sampling strategy allowed the type of refugium use (active migration, passive inhabitation) to be inferred from changes in hyporheic abundance and the hyporheic proportion of the total population. Using this approach, evidence of active migrations into the hyporheic zone use was restricted to two instances: firstly, Gammarus pulex (Amphipoda: Crustacea) migrated in response to habitat contraction and increased benthic population densities; secondly, migrations of Simuliidae (Diptera) were associated with low-magnitude spates. Refugium use was site-specific, with refugial potential being highest at sites with downwelling water and coarse sediments. A conceptual model describing this spatial variability in the refugial capacity of the hyporheic zone is developed for low flow conditions. In some cases, hyporheic refugium use was apparently prevented by disturbance-related factors (rapid onset, high magnitude) regardless of the refugial potential of the sediments. The extension of the hyporheic zone's refugial role to include low flows highlights the need to explicitly protect the integrity of hydrologic exchange in river rehabilitation schemes. However, the limited capacity of the hyporheic refugium emphasizes the additional importance of maintaining habitat heterogeneity including multiple instream refugia.

With over half the world's population now living in cities, urban areas represent one of earth's few ecosystems that are increasing in extent, and are sites of altered biogeochemical cycles, habitat fragmentation, and changes in biodiversity. However, urban green spaces, including green roofs, can also provide important pools of biodiversity and contribute to regional gamma diversity, while novel species assemblages can enhance some ecosystem services. Green roofs may also mitigate species loss in urban areas and have been shown to support a surprising diversity of invertebrates, including rare and endangered species. In the first part of this study I reviewed the literature on urban invertebrate communities and diversity to better understand the role of green roofs in providing habitat in the context of the larger urban mosaic. My review concluded that, while other factors such as surrounding land use and connectivity are also important to specific invertebrate taxa, local habitat variables contribute substantially to the structure and diversity of urban invertebrate communities. The importance of local habitat variables in urban green spaces and strong support for the habitat complexity hypothesis in a number of other ecosystems has led to proposals that "biodiverse" roofs--those intentionally designed with varied substrate depth, greater plant diversity, or added elements such as logs or stones--would support greater invertebrate diversity, but there is currently limited peer reviewed data to support this. In order to address the habitat complexity hypothesis in the context of green roofs, in the second part of this study I surveyed three roofs designed primarily for stormwater management, three biodiverse roofs, and five ground-level green spaces, from March until September of 2014 in the Portland metropolitan area. Beetles (Coleoptera) were sampled bi-weekly as representatives of total species diversity. Biodiverse roofs had greater richness, abundance, and diversity of beetle species compared to stormwater roofs, but were not more diverse than ground sites. Both biodiverse roofs and ground sites had approximately 20% native beetle species while stormwater roofs had only 5%. Functional diversity was also higher on biodiverse roofs with an average of seven trophic groups represented, while stormwater roofs averaged only three. Ground sites, biodiverse roofs, and stormwater roofs each grouped distinctively in terms of beetle community composition and biodiverse roof communities were found to be positively correlated with roof age, percent plant cover, average plant height, and plant species richness. These results support the findings of previous studies on the importance of local variables in structuring urban invertebrate communities and suggest that biodiverse design can reliably increase greenroof diversity, with the caution that they remain no replacement for ground level conservation.

A micologia marinha é uma ciência relativamente recente e pouco se conhece sobre a diversidade das suas comunidades. Assim, o isolamento, triagem e preservação de fungos derivados do mar podem levar à descoberta de novas tecnologias. O objetivo deste estudo foi conhecer a diversidade de fungos filamentosos derivados marinhos e selecionar isolados capazes de produzir enzimas celulolíticas. Para tanto, foram isolados seletivamente fungos filamentosos a partir de amostras de macro-organismos marinhos coletados em 2007 e 2008. Os resultados demonstraram uma ampla diversidade de fungos potencialmente celulolíticos, pertencentes ao filo Basidiomycota e Ascomycota. Nos experimentos de produção de celulases, 17 apresentaram resultados satisfatórios de CMCase e FPase e foram selecionados para a avaliação da Celobiase. Os experimentos de cinética enzimática apresentaram os melhores resultados de produção de celulases em meio contendo farelo de trigo. O trabalho demonstra o potencial para aplicação biotecnológica dos fungos e estimula novos estudos com as celulases. / The Marine mycology is a relatively recent and little is known about the diversity of its communities. Thus, the isolation, separation and preservation of fungi derived from the sea can lead to the discovery of new technologies. The aim of this study was the diversity of filamentous fungi isolates derived marine and select capable of producing cellulolytic enzymes. It had been selectively isolated filamentous fungi from samples of marine macro-organisms collected in 2007 and 2008. The results showed a wide range of potential cellulolytic fungi, belonging to the phylum Basidiomycota and Ascomycota. In the experiments to produce cellulases, 17 had satisfactory results of CMCase and FPase and were selected for evaluation of cellobiase. The enzyme kinetics experiments showed better results for the production of cellulases in a medium containing wheat bran. The work demonstrates the potential for biotechnological application of fungi and stimulate further research with cellulases.

As concentrações de HPAs foram analisadas em invertebrados (Laternula elliptica, Nacella concinna, Yoldia eightsi, Glyptonotus antarcticus, Serolis polita, Euphausia superba, Bovalia gigantea, Sterechinus neumayeri, Odontaster validus e Ophionotus victoriae), peixes (Notothenia rossii), e aves (Pygoscelis Adélia, P. papua, P. antarcticus, Macronectes giganteus, Catharacta sp. e Larus dominicanus) da Baía do Almirantado. As análises de HPAs foram realizadas através de GC/MS. A ocorrência de HPAs nas amostras indicou a biodisponibilidade destes compostos para os organismos da região. As concentrações de HPAs totais para os invertebrados (3,09-174,4 ng g -1 pu) foram maiores que em peixes (0,97-58,9 ng g -1 pu) e menores que em aves (60,1-6861,0 ng g-1 pu), porém apresentaram similaridade entre si. As aves voadoras adultas apresentaram maiores concentrações que os pinguins. Compostos leves e alquilados predominaram em quase todas as amostras, principalmente os alquilnaftalenos. A principal fonte de HPAs para os organismos foi o DFA utilizado na EACF. Espécies predadoras/necrófagas apresentaram HPAs individuais diferentes das espécies suspensívoras/depositívoras. Não ocorreu relação entre o aumento da concentração de HPAs e o aumento do nível trófico dos grupos, e a absorção de HPAs pelas espécies sofreu a influência de fatores como metabolismo, fisiologia, hábito alimentar e teor de lipídio das espécies analisadas. / The concentrations of PAHs had been analyzed in invertebrates (Laternula elliptica, Nacella concinna, Yoldia eightsi, Glyptonotus antarcticus, Serolis polita, Euphausia superba, Bovalia gigantea, Sterechinus neumayeri, Odontaster validus and Ophionotus victoriae), fish (Notothenia rossii) and birds (Pygoscelis adélia, P. papua, P. antarcticus, Macronectes giganteus, Catharacta sp. and Larus dominicanus) Admiralty Bay. The analyses of HPAs had been carried through GC/MS. The occurrence of PAHs in the samples indicated the bioavailability of these compounds for the organisms of the region. The concentration of total PAHs for the invertebrates (3,09 to 174,4 ng g-1 pu) were higher than fish (0,97 to 58,9 ng g-1 pu) and lower than in birds (60,1- 6861,0 ng g-1 pu) however, they had presented similarity between themselves. The adult flying birds had presented higher concentrations than penguins. Light and alkylated compounds had predominated in almost all samples, mainly the alkylnaphthalenes. The main source of PAHs for the organism was the DFA used in the EACF. Predators/necrophagous species had presented different individual PAHs from the feeder/deposit species. There was no relation between the increase of concentrations of PAHs and the increase of the trophic level of the groups, and the absorption of PAHs for the species had the influence of factors such as metabolism, physiology, alimentary habits and lipid content of the analyzed species.

Orientador: Carmem Silvia Fontanetti Christofoletti / Banca: Elaine Cristina Mathias da Silva Zacarin / Banca: Carminda da Cruz Landim / Resumo: Embora os invertebrados sejam conhecidos pela grande facilidade de acúmulo de poluentes presentes em seu ambiente, e muitos serem utilizados como espécies sentinelas em estudos de biomonitoramento, pouco ainda é conhecido sobre o impacto de toxicantes sobre o sistema imune desses animais. Nesse sentido, os hemócitos desempenham um papel fundamental: estas células circulam livremente através da hemolinfa dos invertebrados e atuam no reconhecimento de materiais estranhos ao organismo, mediando e efetuando reações de defesa celular. Diferentes tipos morfológicos podem ser reconhecidos, mas ainda há controvérsia entre os pesquisadores sobre a exata classificação dos hemócitos, devido à diversidade de técnicas para preservação e observação dessas células. A classificação mais aceita atualmente agrupa os hemócitos em sete tipos principais: pró-hemócitos, plasmatócitos, granulócitos, esferulócitos, adipohemócitos, oenocitóides e coagulócitos. Por meio da utilização de técnicas histológica, histoquímica e ultra-estrutural, o presente trabalho objetivou caracterizar morfofisiologicamente os hemócitos circulantes na hemolinfa do diplópodo Rhinocricus padbergi, bem como aqueles encontrados por entre as células da camada de corpo gorduroso no intestino médio de animais expostos a substratos contendo diferentes amostras de lodo de esgoto, resíduo gerado nas Estações de Tratamento de Esgoto (ETEs). Este resíduo tem sido cogitado como um bom condicionador de solo em áreas degradadas e como um potencial fertilizante agrícola, apesar do risco de estar contaminado com patógenos e/ou metais pesados. A partir das análises realizadas, foram identificados três tipos morfológicos distintos de hemócitos circulantes na hemolinfa dessa espécie: pró-hemócitos, plasmatócitos e granulócitos (subtipos I e II). Também foram observadas células com características... (Resumo completo, clicar acesso eletrônico abaixo) / Abstract: Although invertebrates are known for ease accumulation of pollutants present in their environment and several are used as sentinel species in biomonitoring studies, little is known about the impact of toxicants on the immune system of these animals. In this sense, hemocytes play an important role: these cells circulate freely through the hemolymph of invertebrates and act in the recognition of foreign materials to the organism, mediating and performing cellular defence reactions. Different morphological types are recognized, but there is still controversy among the researchers about the exact classification of the hemocytes due to the diversity of techniques for preservation and observation of these cells. Currently, the most accepted classification groups the hemocytes into seven main types: pro-hemocytes, plasmatocytes, granulocytes, spherulocytes, adipohemocytes, oenocytoids and coagulocytes. By histological, histochemical and ultra-structural techniques, the present study aimed to characterize morpho-physiologically the hemocytes circulating in the hemolymph of the diplopod Rhinocricus padbergi, as well as those found among the cells of the fat body layer of the midgut of animals exposed to substrates containing samples of sewage sludge, residue generated in the Sewage Treatment Plants (STPs). This residue has been considered as a good soil conditioner on degraded areas and as a potential agricultural fertilizer, despite the risk of being contaminated with pathogens and/or heavy metals. From the analyses carried out, it was identified three distinct morphological types of hemocytes circulating in the hemolymph of this species: pro-hemocytes, plasmatocytes and granulocytes (subtypes I and II). It was also observed cells with intermediate characteristics between pro-hemocytes and plasmatocytes, suggesting a probable cellular differentiation in the hemolymph... (Complete abstract click electronic access below) / Mestre

Nas últimas décadas, tem-se observado uma expressiva queda da qualidade ambiental e perda de biodiversidade nos ecossistemas aquáticos em função de múltiplos impactos advindos de atividades antrópicas. Dessa forma, considerando-se que a estrutura das comunidades pode ser alterada por tais perturbações, diversos métodos têm sido propostos para avaliações da qualidade nesses ecossistemas, destacando-se, entre eles, o uso dos macroinvertebrados bentônicos. Alguns estudos empregando estes indicadores defendem a sua identificação ao nível genérico por fornecer maior número de informações, resultar em classificações ambientais mais confiáveis e apresentar melhor capacidade de distinção entre os pontos, quando comparado aos níveis de resolução mais abrangentes. Entretanto, na maioria dos trabalhos a identificação desse grupo restringe-se ao nível de família, principalmente em função da economia nos recursos despendidos durante a identificação o que não se justifica caso este nível não retenha informações suficientes para que os objetivos sejam alcançados. Neste trabalho, esse conflito foi avaliado através da comparação de avaliações biológicas decorrentes da aplicação de índices estruturais baseados na identificação de Chironomidae, ao nível genérico com o de sub-família/tribo. Foram utilizadas amostras de organismos bentônicos, bem como os dados físicos, químicos e microbiológicos coletados em sete pontos de amostragem que fizeram parte de vários projetos da CETESB (Companhia de Tecnologia de Saneamento Ambiental), conduzidos ao longo de diferentes anos e classificados, de acordo com o ICBRIO (Índice da Comunidade Bentônica para rios) em ambientes de qualidade péssima, ruim, regular, boa e ótima. As coletas foram padronizadas em relação ao período (inverno) e ao tipo de hábitat amostrado (margem deposicional). As amostras foram obtidas em triplicata com o auxílio de pegadores (Ponar e Petersen modificado) e o material selecionado em rede com abertura de malha 0,5 mm. A contagem e identificação dos organismos foram feitas com o auxílio de estereomicroscópio, microscópio óptico e bibliografia especializada. Para definir o gradiente de qualidade, as variáveis ambientais foram submetidas a uma Análise de Agrupamento pelo método de Ward, empregando-se a Distância Euclidiana Simples. Já os valores de densidade foram reunidos em uma matriz de distância de Bray-Curtis agrupada pelo método de média de grupo não ponderada a fim de verificar o grau de similaridade entre os pontos e se o nível de identificação taxonômica interfere nas associações formadas. Com o intuito de verificar a sensibilidade do nível taxonômico do dado ao gradiente de qualidade ambiental, bem como testar a possível influência do refinamento taxonômico na sensibilidade do ICBRIO foram empregadas as métricas Riqueza, Diversidade de Shannon-Wiener, Índice de Comparação Seqüencial, Dominância de Grupos Tolerantes e Riqueza de Táxons Sensíveis. Tendo por objetivo o diagnóstico das condições ambientais, com redução de custos e tempo de manipulação das amostras, mas com informações relevantes que subsidiem os tomadores de decisão, o presente trabalho vem descartar o emprego do nível de resolução genérico na identificação das larvas de Chironomidae. Os resultados expostos confirmaram a aplicabilidade do ICBRIO com a identificação deste grupo aos níveis de sub-família/tribo na avaliação da qualidade ambiental, demonstrando não serem necessárias eventuais alterações nos seus moldes. / In the last decades, it has been observed an expressive deterioration of the environmental quality and biodiversity loss in the aquatic ecosystems as function of anthropogenic activities. Considering that communities' structure can be altered by such disturbances, several methods have been proposed for quality assessment in those ecosystems, standing out, among them, the use of the benthic macroinvertebrates. Some studies using these indicators defend the generic level identification as they supply more information, result in more reliable environmental classifications and present better distinction capacity among sites, when compared to broader levels. However, in most of the works the identification of this group is limited to the family level, mainly due to resources saving during the identification, which is not justified in the case this level misses information to classification aims. In this work, comparison of current biological evaluations through Chironomidae identification structural indexes at the generic level with the one at sub-family/tribe was evaluated. Benthic organisms samples, as well as physical, chemical and microbiological data were collected in seven sampling sites, from several projects taken along different years by CETESB (Company of Technology of Environmental Sanitation), which classified the environment as, according to ICBRIO (Benthic Community Index for rivers), worst, bad, regular, good and excellent quality. The collections were standardized to winter period and to type of sample habitat (depositional river margin). Triplicates were obtained with modified Ponar and Petersen grabs on retained material by 0.5mm-mesh sieve. Counting and identification based on specialized literature were done with the stereomicroscope, and optical microscope. To define the quality gradient, the environmental variables were submitted to a Cluster Analysis by the Ward method, using the simple Euclidean Distance. Density values were lumped on a Bray-Curtis distance matrix by the Unweighted Pair Group method in order to verify the similarity degree among the points and the interferences of taxonomic identification level on the formed associations. Aiming to check the sensibility of the data taxonomic level to the environmental quality gradient, as well as to test the possible influence of taxonomic refinement in the ICBRIO's sensibility, several metrics (Richness, Shannon-Wiener Diversity Index, Sequential Comparison Index, Dominance of Tolerant Groups and Richness of Sensitive Taxa) were used. Seeking the diagnosis of the environmental conditions, reducing costs and manipulation time of the samples, but keeping relevant information to subsidize the policy managers, the present work discards the need of the generic resolution level in the Chironomidae larvae identification. The exposed results confirmed the applicability of ICBRIO with the identification of this group at sub-family/tribe levels on the environmental quality assessment, demonstrating no need of eventual modification in the method.

Submitted by Marlene Santos (marlene.bc.ufg@gmail.com) on 2014-10-01T15:50:01Z No. of bitstreams: 2 Tese - Allan Valle Toledo da Silveira - 2013.pdf: 1647435 bytes, checksum: 49a815f9117230a88dd9f9443c919f33 (MD5) license_rdf: 23148 bytes, checksum: 9da0b6dfac957114c6a7714714b86306 (MD5) / Approved for entry into archive by Jaqueline Silva (jtas29@gmail.com) on 2014-10-01T16:46:58Z (GMT) No. of bitstreams: 2 Tese - Allan Valle Toledo da Silveira - 2013.pdf: 1647435 bytes, checksum: 49a815f9117230a88dd9f9443c919f33 (MD5) license_rdf: 23148 bytes, checksum: 9da0b6dfac957114c6a7714714b86306 (MD5) / Made available in DSpace on 2014-10-01T16:46:58Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 2 Tese - Allan Valle Toledo da Silveira - 2013.pdf: 1647435 bytes, checksum: 49a815f9117230a88dd9f9443c919f33 (MD5) license_rdf: 23148 bytes, checksum: 9da0b6dfac957114c6a7714714b86306 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2013-04-05 / Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior - CAPES / This thesis evaluated the variables that influence the distribution of aquatic insects, along different spatial scales, aiming to establish a biologic index of water quality based on these organisms. The study area was the Rio dos Bois watershed, one of the most important from Goiás State, due to its vocation for agricultural and cattle production. Thus, the community of aquatic insects occurring in forty two streams was sampled, as well as a series of water physicochemical variables. Surrounding the streams (up to a distance of 200 m), and along the watershed above the sampling units, percentages of land use (agriculture, pasture and native vegetation) were estimated based on LandSat 5/TM satellite images from July 2012. The main results showed that (1) smaller spatial scales seem to provide better estimates of water quality and aquatic insects community than the watershed level scale, being recommended to use habitat integrity indexes (HII); (2) the variance partition held to define the contribution of the spatial processes and environmental variables on the community structure of aquatic insects did not present statistically significant values to corroborate none of the two sets of predictors and (3) only four from the 26 biodiversity metrics studied were enough to compose a multimetric index for the watershed, (% Plecoptera, Ephemeroptera richness, EPT richness and the BMWP/ASPT index). (4) Based on this index, it was possible to classify the streams from the study area as very disturbed (41%), with intermediate impacts (46%) and minimally disturbed (13%). This study may contribute to future studies of biomonitoring and conservation of water resources in the Goiás State and Brazil. / escalas espaciais, na tentativa de estabelecer um índice biológico de qualidade de água baseado nesses organismos. A área de estudo adotada foi a Bacia Hidrográfica do Rio dos Bois, uma das mais importantes do estado de Goiás, devido a sua vocação agropecuária. Desta forma, a comunidade de insetos aquáticos pertencentes a quarenta e dois córregos foi amostrada, bem como uma série de variáveis físico químicas da água . Nos arredores dos córregos (até 200 m de distância), bem como em toda a bacia à montante do local amostrado, porcentagens de classes de uso de solo (agricultura, pecuária e vegetação) foram estimadas a partir de imagens de satélite LandSat 5/TM datadas de julho de 2012. Os principais resultados evidenciam que (1) escalas espaciais menores parecem ser melhores preditores da qualidade da água e das comunidades de insetos aquáticos do que a escala ao nível de bacia, sendo recomendada a utilização de índices de integridade ambiental (IIA); (2) a partição de variância realizada para determinar as contribuições dos processos espaciais e variáveis ambientais na estruturação da comunidade de insetos aquáticos não apresentou valores estatisticamente significativos para corroborar nenhum dos dois conjuntos de preditores e (3) apenas quatro de 26 métricas de biodiversidade estudadas foram satisfatórias para compor um índice multimétrico para a bacia, (% Plecoptera, riqueza de Ephemeroptera, riqueza de EPT e o índice BMWP/ASPT). (4) Baseado neste índice, pôde-se classificar os córregos da área estudada como: muito impactadas (41%), com impactos intermediários (46%) e minimamente impactadas (13%). Acredita-se que este estudo possa contribuir para futuros estudos de biomonitoramento e conservação de recursos hídricos no estado de Goiás e no Brasil.