Freshwater ecosystems face unprecedented levels of human-induced stresses and it is expected that the invasion of non-indigenous species will cause the greatest loss of biodiversity in lakes and rivers worldwide. Bythotrephes longimanus is a predatory invertebrate that invaded North America in the early 1980s, first being detected in the Great Lakes, and then moving to a number of inland lakes in Ontario and the northern United States. Using experimental and survey-based approaches, I tested several hypotheses concerning the effects of Bythotrephes on native zooplankton community structure and function. My results indicate that Bythotrephes reduces total abundance, biomass, and richness of zooplankton, especially cladoceran taxa, throughout the ice-free season. As a result of high predation pressure by the invader, total seasonal and epilimnetic zooplankton production was also substantially reduced in invaded lakes, which may have important consequences for the transfer of energy to fish and other taxa that feed on zooplankton. Interestingly, there was some evidence that zooplankton shifted their reproduction in time and space to avoid Bythotrephes, which may buffer the effects of the invader on food web functioning. Other measures of ecosystem function were relatively unaffected by the invasion of Bythotrephes. In addition, Bythotrephes may interact in unexpected ways with other anthropogenic stressors, and act to slow down the process of recovery by preying on species that maintain community abundance during acidification, but also affecting species attempting to recolonize historically acidified lakes. Although dispersal of zooplankton may maintain some of the ecosystem functions provided by zooplankton communities, loss of biodiversity may be a permanent result of invasion. The effects of the continued spread of invasive species across the landscape may be profound, as the invader Bythotrephes has demonstrably altered zooplankton communities and may reduce the ability of freshwater ecosystems to respond to future environmental change and maintain ecosystem functioning. / Thesis (Ph.D, Biology) -- Queen's University, 2007-07-19 14:56:57.102

Bythotrephes longimanus is an invasive, macroinvertebrate from Eurasia that was introduced into the Great Lakes region in the mid 1980s. Bythotrephes introductions into lake ecosystems have resulted in substantial changes in zooplankton communities, including declines in species richness, abundance, biomass and production. Changes in zooplankton communities may alter the quantity and quality of prey to other predators such as cisco (Coregonus artedii), a pelagic forage fish. Here, I conduct a current day comparison of cisco populations to determine if prey consumption by cisco differs in the presence of Bythotrephes, and whether changes in diet result in energetic consequences (changes in growth and condition) for cisco. Effects of Bythotrephes on native zooplankton communities have resulted in substantial changes in the variety and proportion biomass of zooplankton and macroinvertebrate prey types in cisco stomachs, which have in turn modified growth of cisco. Cisco taken from invaded lakes achieve greater total lengths but changes in condition were not detected. This effect may be driven by improved growth in the second and subsequent growing seasons, suggesting that growth consequences for young fish (that do not feed on Bythotrephes) are different than for older individuals. Length-at-structure age data indicate that by the end of the first growing season (age 1) cisco achieve comparable total body lengths in invaded and reference lakes, suggesting that food consumption by young cisco remains unchanged by Bythotrephes. Alternatively, young cisco forage may be reduced in the presence of Bythotrephes, resulting in decreased survival and similar growth among individuals that survive to age 1. In contrast, despite changes in the zooplankton community; growth of older fish (≥ age 2) was enhanced in lakes that have Bythotrephes. Improved growth among older cisco (≥ age 2) in invaded lakes may be related to the presence of a newly attainable, high energy prey source (Bythotrephes). Alternatively, enhanced growth may be explained by lower competition due to reduced recruitment of young cisco (≤ age 1) in invaded lakes. Increased knowledge regarding the effects of Bythotrephes on growth of cisco is important in furthering our understanding of its impact on lake ecosystems. / Thesis (Master, Biology) -- Queen's University, 2010-04-28 22:46:07.756

Submitted by (edna.saturno@ufrpe.br) on 2017-02-17T13:31:07Z No. of bitstreams: 1 Mirna Regina dos Santos Tambourgi.pdf: 973009 bytes, checksum: e1b23c1d9979ea2656cba5d134038e44 (MD5) / Made available in DSpace on 2017-02-17T13:31:07Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 Mirna Regina dos Santos Tambourgi.pdf: 973009 bytes, checksum: e1b23c1d9979ea2656cba5d134038e44 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2010-02-17 / In the period from December 2003 to December 2009, the reproductive tract were collected from 201 individuals of Carcharhinus longimanus, caught by of commercial tuna boats in the fleet, who were pelagic longline fisheries and hand line in the area located between latitudes 06 º 45'N and 23 ° 36'S and longitudes 018 ° 44'W and 053 º 13'W. Among the 201 individuals captured, 98 were females (74.5 – 227 cm TL) and 103 were males (72 – 242 cm TL) with a sexual proportion males to females of 1:1. Females were categorized as immature (N = 78; 74.5 – 170 cm TL), matures (N = 13; 165 – 223 cm TL), pré-ovulatory (N = 2; 181 – 187 cm CT) and pregnant (N = 5; 169 – 227 cm TL). The uterine fecundity ranged from 1 to 10 embryos. The cycle of pregnancy is annual with birth occurring at the end / beginning of the year. The size at first maturity of females was estimated at 170 cm TL. Of the 103 males captured, 75 were immature (72 to 160 cm TL), 8 maturing (170 - 196) and 20 were mature (160 - 242 cm TL). The size of sexual maturity was between 160 and 170 cm. / No período de dezembro de 2003 a dezembro de 2009, foram coletados os aparelhos reprodutores de 201 espécimes de Carcharhinus longimanus, capturados por meio de barcos da frota comercial atuneira, que realizaram pescarias com espinhel pelágico e linha de mão, na área localizada entre as latitudes 06º45’N e 23º36’S e as longitudes de 018º44’W e 053º13’W. Deste total, 98 eram fêmeas (74,5 a 170 cm CT), maduras (N= 13; 165 a 223 cm CT), pré-ovulatórias (N= 2; 181 e 187 cm CT) e prenhes (N= 5; 169 a 227 cm CT). A fecundidade ovariana variou de 1 a 10 folículos vitelogênicos e a uterina, de 1 a 10 embriões. O ciclo de gestação é anual com nascimento ocorrendo ao final/início do ano. O tamanho de primeira maturação das fêmeas desta espécie é de 170 cm CT. Dos 103 machos capturados, 75 eram imaturos (72 – 160 cm CT), 8 em maturação (170 - 196) e 20 eram maduros (160 – 242 cm CT). O tamanho de primeira maturação sexual entre 160 e 170 cm.

The oceanic whitetip shark, Carcharhinus longimanus, is a circumtropical pelagic shark of high conservation concern (IUCN Red List: “Critically Endangered” in the Western North and Western Central Atlantic and “Vulnerable” globally). I present the first, population genetic assessment of the oceanic whitetip shark on a global scale, based on analysis of two mitochondrial genome regions (entire 1066-1067 bp control region and 784 bp partial ND4 gene), and nine nuclear microsatellite loci. No population structure was detected within the Western Atlantic. However, highly significant population structure was detected between Western Atlantic and Indo-Pacific Ocean sharks across all markers. Additionally, a nominally significant signal of matrilineal structure between the Indian and Pacific Ocean sharks was detected by AMOVA and pairwise tests of the ND4 gene only (pairwise ΦST = 0.051, P = 0.046; pairwise Jost’s D = 0.311, 95% CI = 0.020, 0.0614). Although significant inter-basin population structure was evident, it was associated with deep phylogeographic mixing of mitochondrial haplotypes and evidence of contemporary migration between the Western Atlantic and Indo-Pacific Oceans. I theorize that semi-permeable thermal barriers are responsible for the differentiation between the Western Atlantic and Indo-Pacific set in a framework of global phylogeographic mixing. Relatively low mtDNA genetic diversity (concatenated mtCR-ND4 nucleotide diversity π = 0.32% ± 0.17%) compared to other circumtropical elasmobranch species raises potential concern for the future genetic health of this species. Overall, significant population structure exists, at a minimum, between the Western Atlantic and Indo-Pacific Ocean, and effective management strategies must take this into consideration.

Submitted by Edisangela Bastos (edisangela@ufpa.br) on 2013-10-24T22:25:46Z No. of bitstreams: 2 license_rdf: 22974 bytes, checksum: 99c771d9f0b9c46790009b9874d49253 (MD5) Dissertacao_AspectosEcologicosCachorro.pdf: 1972053 bytes, checksum: 43724198a1526a2221691d3e34029c51 (MD5) / Approved for entry into archive by Ana Rosa Silva(arosa@ufpa.br) on 2013-10-25T15:28:09Z (GMT) No. of bitstreams: 2 license_rdf: 22974 bytes, checksum: 99c771d9f0b9c46790009b9874d49253 (MD5) Dissertacao_AspectosEcologicosCachorro.pdf: 1972053 bytes, checksum: 43724198a1526a2221691d3e34029c51 (MD5) / Made available in DSpace on 2013-10-25T15:28:09Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 2 license_rdf: 22974 bytes, checksum: 99c771d9f0b9c46790009b9874d49253 (MD5) Dissertacao_AspectosEcologicosCachorro.pdf: 1972053 bytes, checksum: 43724198a1526a2221691d3e34029c51 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2010 / O objetivo deste trabalho foi verificar aspectos ecológicos referentes ao crescimento relativo, tamanho de primeira maturação, reprodução, investimento energético, proporção sexual e dieta do cachorro-de-padre Auchenipterichthys longimanus (Siluriformes: Auchenipteridae) proveniente de igarapés da Floresta Nacional de Caxiuanã. As coletas de dados foram realizadas bimestralmente no período de julho de 2008 e julho de 2009, totalizando a captura de 625 exemplares de A. longimanus, sendo 338 fêmeas, 251 machos e 36 indivíduos que não tiveram seus sexos definidos macroscopicamente. Foi verificado um padrão de crescimento polifásico para ambos os sexos da espécie, sendo que o ponto de mudança de fase dessa alteração foi aproximadamente 11,5 cm para machos e 12,5 cm para fêmeas, valores estes próximos ao estimado para o tamanho de primeira maturação (L50). Por meio do Índice Gonadossomático (IGS%) foi observado uma assincronia reprodutiva entre os sexos, onde os machos obtiveram maiores valores de IGS% em janeiro e as fêmeas apresentaram seu pico em março. Ressalta-se ainda, diferenças nos padrões de investimento energético entre os sexos e maturidade, de acordo com o Fator de Condição (K). Em relação à proporção sexual, foi observada uma maior freqüência de captura de fêmeas no período reprodutivo, sugerindo um padrão de segregação sexual a fins reprodutivos, onde possivelmente haveria formação de haréns ou deslocamentos reprodutivos. Quanto a dieta, A. longimanus foi considerado de hábito onívoro, com tendência a insetivoria. Entretanto foi considerado especialista no mês de março de 2009 devido ao elevado consumo de frutos de ucuúba Virola surinamensis (Myristicaceae). Em vista da maior ocorrência de itens alóctones na dieta, ressalta-se a importância das florestas ripárias como fonte de alimento para uma das espécies mais abundantes dos sistemas aquáticos da região de Caxiuanã. Pelo fato das sementes permaneceram intactas no estômago de A. logimanus, foi analisado o potencial ecológico do peixe como dispersor de sementes de V. surinamensis, verificando viabilidade das mesmas após o semeio. Assim, esperamos ter contribuído de forma significativa para o conhecimento acerca da ecologia de A. longimanus no baixo Amazonas, bem como para tomadas de decisão político-ambientais relacionadas à avaliação, preservação e manejo do estoque natural das populações de peixes nos sistemas hídricos de umas das maiores Unidades de Conservação do Estado do Pará. / The aim of this study was evaluate the ecological aspects related to relative growth, size at first maturity, reproduction, energy investment, sex ratio and diet of the driftwood catfish Auchenipterichthys longimanus (Siluriformes: Auchenipteridae) from the rivers of Caxiuanã National Forest, State of Pará, Brazil. The samplings were carried out bimonthly from July 2008 to July 2009. In this period, 625 specimens of A. longimanus were captured, which 338 were females, 251 males and 36 macroscopically undefined individuals. The results indicated a polyphasic growth pattern for both sexes, and the stanza changing point was about 11.5 cm for males and 12.5 cm for females, values close to the estimated size at first maturity (L50). Through the gonadosomatic index (GSI%) was observed reproductive asynchrony between the sexes, where males had higher values of GSI% in January and the females showed a peak in March. We also emphasize the differences in the energy investment patterns between the sexes and maturity, according to Condition Factor (K). In relation to sex ratio, we observed a higher frequency of females at the reproductive period, suggesting a sexual segregation pattern for reproductive purposes, with the possibility of harems formation or reproductive migration. About the diet, A. longimanus was considered omnivorous, tending to insectivorous. However, in March 2009 the catfish A. longimanus was considered frugivorous due to the high consumption of fuits of Virola surinamensis (Myristicaceae). Because of the high occurrence of allochthonous items, this research highlights the importance of the riparian forest as food source for one of the most abundant fish species in the Caxiuanã region. Since the seeds of V. surinamensis remain intact in the stomach, we evaluate the ecological potential of A. longimanus as a seed disperser, checking the seed feasibility after sowing. Thus, we expect to contribute with the ecological knowledge about A. longimanus, the ecology of the Auchenipteridae family, and also the decision-making concerning politic-environmental questions related to the conservation and management of natural fish populations stocks in one of the largest units of conservation in the State of Pará.

Human-mediated introductions of non-indigenous species now threaten to homogenize the biota of the Globe, causing huge economic and ecological damage. This thesis studies the ecological role of 3 invasive planktonic crustaceans, the omnivorous copepod Acartia tonsa (western Atlantic and Indo-Pacific) and the predatory cladocerans, Cercopagis pengoi (Ponto-Caspian) and Bythotrephes longimanus (Eurasian). B. longimanus invaded the North American Great Lakes in 1982, C. pengoi the Baltic in 1992 and the Great Lakes in 1999, while A. tonsa has an extensive invasion history that includes the Baltic. We review current knowledge on feeding biology of the predatory cladocerans. A study of stable C and N isotope ratios indicated mesozooplankton as the main food source of C. pengoi in the northern Baltic Sea proper, with young C. pengoi also eating microzooplankton, such as rotifers. Young-of-the-year herring did eat C. pengoi and herring trophic position shifted from 2.6 before the invasion to 3.4 after, indicating that C. pengoi had been “sandwiched” into the modified food web between mesozooplankton and fish. Salinity tolerance experiments on Acartia tonsa and co-occurring Acartia clausi showed the formers euryhaline character and high grazing potential. Energy partitioning between ingestion, production and respiration was rather constant over the tested salinity range of 2 to 33, with small differences in gross growth efficiency and cost of growth, but maximum ingestion at 10-20. Egg hatching in A. tonsa was only reduced at the lowest salinity. Extreme changes in salinity were needed to cause significant mortality of A. tonsa in the field, but its feeding activity could be severely reduced by salinity changes likely to occur in estuaries. A study of a hypertrophic estuary showed that A. tonsa can sustain a population despite very high mortality rates, caused by predation, high pH and low oxygen, helping explain the success of A. tonsa as an invader of estuaries.

When we develop and use species distribution models to predict species' current or potential distributions, we are faced with the trade-offs between model generality, precision, and realism. It is important to know how to improve and validate model generality while maintaining good model precision and realism. However, it is difficult for ecologists to evaluate species distribution models using field-sampled data alone because the true species response function to environmental or ecological factors is unknown. Species distribution models should be able to approximate the true characteristics and distributions of species if ecologists want to use them as reliable tools. Simulated data provide the advantage of being able to know the true species-environment relationships and control the causal factors of interest to obtain insights into the effects of these factors on model performance. I used a case study on Bythotrephes longimanus distributions from several hundred Ontario lakes and a simulation study to explore the effects on model performance caused by several factors: the choice of predictor variables, the model evaluation methods, the quantity and quality of the data used for developing models, and the strengths and weaknesses of different species distribution models. Linear discriminant analysis, multiple logistic regression, random forests, and artificial neural networks were compared in both studies. Results based on field data sampled from lakes indicated that the predictive performance of the four models was more variable when developed on abiotic (physical and chemical) conditions alone, whereas the generality of these models improved when including biotic (relevant species) information. When using simulated data, although the overall performance of random forests and artificial neural networks was better than linear discriminant analysis and multiple logistic regression, linear discriminant analysis and multiple logistic regression had relatively good and stable model sensitivity at different sample size and detection limit levels, which may be useful for predicting species presences when data are limited. Random forests performed consistently well at different sample size levels, but was more sensitive to high detection limit. The performance of artificial neural networks was affected by both sample size and detection limit, and it was more sensitive to small sample size.

When we develop and use species distribution models to predict species' current or potential distributions, we are faced with the trade-offs between model generality, precision, and realism. It is important to know how to improve and validate model generality while maintaining good model precision and realism. However, it is difficult for ecologists to evaluate species distribution models using field-sampled data alone because the true species response function to environmental or ecological factors is unknown. Species distribution models should be able to approximate the true characteristics and distributions of species if ecologists want to use them as reliable tools. Simulated data provide the advantage of being able to know the true species-environment relationships and control the causal factors of interest to obtain insights into the effects of these factors on model performance. I used a case study on Bythotrephes longimanus distributions from several hundred Ontario lakes and a simulation study to explore the effects on model performance caused by several factors: the choice of predictor variables, the model evaluation methods, the quantity and quality of the data used for developing models, and the strengths and weaknesses of different species distribution models. Linear discriminant analysis, multiple logistic regression, random forests, and artificial neural networks were compared in both studies. Results based on field data sampled from lakes indicated that the predictive performance of the four models was more variable when developed on abiotic (physical and chemical) conditions alone, whereas the generality of these models improved when including biotic (relevant species) information. When using simulated data, although the overall performance of random forests and artificial neural networks was better than linear discriminant analysis and multiple logistic regression, linear discriminant analysis and multiple logistic regression had relatively good and stable model sensitivity at different sample size and detection limit levels, which may be useful for predicting species presences when data are limited. Random forests performed consistently well at different sample size levels, but was more sensitive to high detection limit. The performance of artificial neural networks was affected by both sample size and detection limit, and it was more sensitive to small sample size.