Knowledge of biodiversity within an ecosystem is essential when trying to understand the function and importance of that ecosystem. A challenge when assessing biodiversity of reef habitats is cryptobenthic fishes, which encompass many groups that have close associations with the substrate. These fishes can be behaviorally cryptic, by seeking refuge within the reef matrix, or visually cryptic, using cryptic coloration to match the surrounding habitat. These factors make visual surveys inadequate for sampling these fishes. One such group of cryptobenthic fishes are the gobies, family Gobiidae, which currently represent over 1600 species, although new species are continually being discovered. Gobies are often small (less than 5 cm), and many species will be associated with a very specific microhabitat type. Due to the understudied nature of the Red Sea, little is known about habitat preferences of gobies within the region. In order to determine the differences in goby community structure within the central Red Sea, fishes were sampled at one reef using 1 m² enclosed rotenone stations from three distinct microhabitats: hard coral, rubble, and sand. Following collection, specimens were photographed and sequenced using COI, to aid in species identification. 232 individuals were collected representing 31 species of goby. Rubble microhabitats were found to host the majority of collected gobies (69%), followed by hard coral (20.6%), then sand (9.9%). Goby assemblages in the three microhabitats were significantly different from each other, and evidence of habitat-specialists was found. These results provide essential baseline information about the ecology of understudied cryptobenthic fishes that can be used in future large-scale studies in the Red Sea region.

No description available.

Similarities between golden mice (Ochrotomys nuttalli) and white-footed mice (Peromyscus leucopus) have been well-studied in both field and laboratory settings. Often sympatric, these species share similar habitat, as well as other resources, yet previous researchers have found little evidence for interspecific competition. Niche partitioning may reduce direct competition through specialization of resource use. Although the golden mouse is considered a resource specialist, it is likely that the degree of habitat specialization differs by locality, and thus, the degree of interspecific competition with similar species is variable. To determine the extent to which microhabitat use differs between golden mice and white-footed mice, I measured 16 and 15 microhabitat variables during the leaf-on and leaf-off seasons, respectively, in Jackson County, Illinois. Trapping took place on 3 grids from March 2010 to September 2011. The ratio of individual golden mice (n = 74) to white-footed mice (n = 85) was unusually high during this study. Microhabitat use models were constructed for both species during both seasons using logistic regression by comparing microhabitat at trapping stations where each species was captured vs. stations without captures. Few variables described habitat occupied by golden mice. Overall, dense vegetation up to 2.0 m was most important for golden mice and ground-level structures such as logs were most important for white-footed mice. Captures and noncaptures were predicted with a high degree of accuracy by logistic regression (81.5-90.3%). Discriminant function analysis was used to identify which microhabitat variables optimally discriminated between habitat used by golden mice, white-footed mice, and neither species. More variables discriminated between species during the leaf-on season than the leaf-off season although discriminating variables during leaf-off were more important overall. Habitat where either species was captured was combined and compared against habitat where no mice were captured; microhabitat used by mice was statistically distinct within the study area. Captures and noncaptures were classified correctly more than would be expected by chance by discriminant function analysis but moderate classification success values indicated microhabitat differences between species were subtle. Microhabitat and elevated trap use varied between seasons for both species, but neither species used ground or elevated traps more than expected during the leaf-on season. Spatial segregation was more apparent during the leaf-off season when golden mice used elevated traps more than expected and white-footed mice used ground traps more than expected. Overall results suggest that golden mice exhibited a great deal of plasticity in microhabitat use seasonally, and are more habitat generalists than previous literature would suggest. Although some spatial segregation was apparent between golden mice and white-footed mice, there was no evidence for avoidance between species, which implies a lack of interference competition. It is likely that other life-history factors (such as metabolic rate, nest building, or sociality) in combination with microhabitat and vertical partitioning allow coexistence between these species rather than microhabitat segregation alone.

The golden mouse (Ochrotomys nuttalli), a state-threatened species in Illinois, is sympatric throughout most of its geographic range with the ubiquitous white-footed mouse (Peromyscus leucopus). The degree of interspecific competitive interaction between these species has been investigated by previous researchers, with often conflicting results. I live trapped and marked both species on two grids from 21 May 2008 through 8 May 2009. One grid was the control area; from the second grid I removed white-footed mice. Habitat on the grids was very similar for six measured habitat variables. My objectives were to document the extent of competition between the two species as indicated by a population density or behavioral response of golden mice to removal of white-footed mice on the experimental grid, and to determine if white-footed mouse presence or habitat variables affected the capture of golden mice. During 6,528 trap nights per grid, I captured a total of 22 individual O. nuttalli and 66 P. leucopus on the control grid, and 48 O. nuttalli and 202 P. leucopus on the removal grid. Compared to previous studies (Rose, 2008), the number of individual golden mice captured on my two sites (n = 70) was very large. Whereas I expected an increase in numbers and space use of golden mice upon removal of Peromyscus, the only statistically significant change was an apparent decrease in space use--there was no population density change. These results, which may indicate a lack of interspecific competition, are more likely the result of experimental design flaws, especially considering the following results. The likelihood of trapping a golden mouse at any given station on the control site was unaffected by any of the six habitat variables. White-footed mouse presence significantly decreased the likelihood of capturing golden mice on both sites. These results were the same for both elevated and ground traps. On the experimental site, golden mice changed from predominantly arboreal space use before Peromyscus removal to equal space use between arboreal and ground habitat after Peromyscusremoval. These results illustrate a spatially segregated habitat with competitively superior white-footed mice dominating the ground level microhabitat and golden mice staying predominantly in elevated microhabitat. My study, and others, demonstrate that golden mice in southern Illinois are likely habitat generalists (Morzillo et al., 2003), competitively inferior to Peromyscus(Feldhamer and Maycroft, 1992), and excluded from certain microhabitat; although it may be they actually prefer different microhabitats.

Submitted by (edna.saturno@ufrpe.br) on 2016-06-16T13:36:46Z No. of bitstreams: 1 Elifabia Neves de Lima (1).pdf: 683840 bytes, checksum: 7486ae089ed313a1586e1186c0343cca (MD5) / Made available in DSpace on 2016-06-16T13:36:46Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 Elifabia Neves de Lima (1).pdf: 683840 bytes, checksum: 7486ae089ed313a1586e1186c0343cca (MD5) Previous issue date: 2007-02-08 / Conselho Nacional de Pesquisa e Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico - CNPq / Caatinga is a semiarid formation that occupies greater has left northeast of Brazil. Some studies come demonstrating that in arid and semi-arid habitats the species density and the productivity of herbaceous biomass is influenced by the climatic seasonality and inter-annual precipitation variations, but as the precipitation variations they affect the dynamics of the populations still had not been clarified. In this study, the population dynamic of four herbaceous species had been described, in an area of caatinga, in Pernambuco, Brazil, considering its season variations and its forms of life. All the individuais of the species Gomphrena vaga Mart. (Amaranthaceae) Bidens bipinnata L. (Asteraceae), Dorstenia asaroides Hook(Moraceae) and Pseuderanthemum detruncatum (Nees) Radlk. (Acanthaceae), in 105 parcels of 1 m2, being 35 parceils in level microhabitat, 35 in stony microhabitat and 35 in niparian microhabitat, had been marked and rnonitored monthly. The number of the births, deaths and flowering individual was counted. The terophytas Gomphrena vaga and Bidens bipinnata were common, to all three microhabitats. Already O. asaroides and P. detruncatum had occurred oniy in the riparian. lt had significant differences in the densities of the populations between the climatic stations, being more raised in the rainy station of 2005, except for P. detruncatum. The rate increment population was positive in the majority of the months during the rany stations, indicating that the populations had increased of size. The populations howed fall of density at the beginning of the dry station, being relatively bigger in G. and B. bipinnata. The birth in the four populations was intense in the rainy period, varying between the months, but with a peak in the dry period (december) which had to an eventual rain. With exception of the riparian microhabitat, differences the birth of rate in G. vaga had 8 bipinnata and P. detruncatum occurred between rainy stations of 2005 and 2006, being bigger in 2006. Already O. asaroides did not present differences in the birth rate between the rainy stations of 2005 and 2006. Mortality in all the populations occurred as in the rainy peniod as in the dry period, beiing more elevated in the dry station significantly. Gomphrena vaga flowered in all habitats while B. bipinnata did not flowered in the riparian microhabitat. The two poulations had presented intent flowery individuais in the end of the rainy station and beginning of the dry station, but the amount of individuais that had flowered different between the rainy stations, being bigger in 2005. Dorstenia asaraides practically flowered in the rain stations. while P. detrucatum in almost every month. This study sample that the climatic seasonality and the conditions of establishment exert influence on the distribution and the dynamics of the populations. / A caatinga é uma formação semi-ária que ocupa maior parte do nordeste do Brasil. Vários estudos vêm demonstrando que em ambientes áridos e semi-áridos a densidade de espécies e a produtividade de biomassa herbácea são influenciadas pela sazonalidade climática e variações interanuais de precipitação, mas como as variações de precipitação afetam a dinâmica das populações não foram ainda esclarecidas. Neste estudo, as dinâmicas populacionais de quatro espécies herbáceas foram descritas, em uma área de caatinga, em Pernambuco, Brasil, considerando suas variações sazonais e suas formas de vida. Todos os indivíduos das espécies Gomphrena vaga Mart. (Amaranthaceae), Bidens bipinnata L. (Asteraceae), Dorstenia asaroides Hook. (Moraceae) e Pseuderanthemum detruncatum (Nees) Radlk. (Acanthaceae), presentes em 105 parcelas de 1m2, sendo 35 parcelas em microhabitat plano, 35 em micohabitat rochoso e 35 em microhabitat cíliar, foram marcados e monitorados mensalmente, quanto aos nascimentos, mortes e floração. As terófitas Gomphrena vaga e Bidens bipinnata foram generalistas, ocorrendo nos três microhabitats. Já D. asaroides e P. detruncatum ocorreram apenas no ciliar. Houve diferenças significativas nas densidades das populações entre as estações climáticas, sendo mais elevadas na estação chuvosa de 2005, exceto para P. detruncatum. A taxa de incremento populacional foi positiva na maioria dos meses durante as estações chuvosas, indicando que as populações aumentaram de tamanho. As populações apresentaram queda de densidade no início da estação seca, sendo relativamente maior em G. vaga e B. bipinnata. A natalidade nas quatro populações foi intensa no período chuvoso, variando entre os meses, mas com um pico no período seco (dezembro) devido a uma chuva eventual. Com exceção do microhabitat ciliar, ocorreram diferenças nas taxas de natalidade de G. vaga, B. bipínnata e P. detruncatum entre as estações chuvosas de 2005 e 2006, sendo maiores em 2006. Já D. asaroides não apresentou diferenças nas taxas de natalidade entre as estações chuvosas de 2005 e 2006. Mortalidade em todas as populações ocorreu tanto no período chuvoso quanto no período seco, sendo as taxas significativamente mais elevadas na estação seca. Gomphrena vaga floresceu em todos os microhabitats enquanto B bipinnata não floresceu no microhabitat ciliar As duas populações apresentaram individuos floridos concentrados no final da estação diferiu entre as estações chuvosas, sendo maior em 2005. Dorstenia asaroides floresceu praticamente nas estações chuvosas, enquanto P. defruncatum em quase todos os meses. Este estudo mostra que a sazonalidade climática e as condições de estabelecimento exercem influência sobre a distribuição e a dinâmica das populações

京都大学 / 0048 / 新制・課程博士 / 博士(理学) / 甲第21603号 / 理博第4510号 / 新制||理||1647(附属図書館) / 京都大学大学院理学研究科生物科学専攻 / (主査)准教授 森 哲, 教授 沼田 英治, 教授 中務 真人 / 学位規則第4条第1項該当 / Doctor of Science / Kyoto University / DFAM

Greater sage-grouse (Centrocercus urophasianus) populations have declined throughout the western United States over the past 3 decades. Habitat loss within the sagebrush steppe ecosystem is a major factor leading to sage-grouse population decline. Hen sage-grouse were captured, marked, and tracked during the summer of 2012 in southwestern and south-central Wyoming. I performed vegetation surveys, and avian point counts were performed at 1 early-season brood location, 1 late-season brood location, and an accompanying random location for each marked hen regardless of reproductive status. Multinomial models were run to determine what habitat variables were most informative in predicting site selection by hen sage-grouse. During early-brood season, hen sage-grouse with chicks selected sites that had high total shrub cover density; these areas also exhibited high densities of American kestrels (Falco sparverius). They did not avoid areas with common ravens (Corvus corax). Hen sage-grouse not accompanied by a brood selected sites with high total shrub cover and low densities of common ravens and American kestrels. During late-brood season, hen sage-grouse that were accompanied by a brood selected sites with high shrub cover and low densities of small avian predators, such as black-billed magpies (Pica hudsonia) and American kestrels as well as medium-sized predators, such as common ravens, buteo hawks (Buteo spp.), and northern harriers (Circus cyaneus). Hens that were not accompanied by broods were more often found in sites with high total shrub cover and low densities of small avian predators, but selected sites with higher densities of medium-sized predators. Hen sage-grouse select areas with high total shrub cover during early and late-brood season regardless of their reproductive status. By avoiding predators and selecting areas with cover, hens with broods can reduce the risk of their chicks being depredated.

No description available.

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.

O lagarto Tropidurus torquatus (Wied, 1820) possui ampla distribuição geográfica e é encontrado em abundância nas áreas onde ocorre, sendo considerada uma espécie apropriada para estudos ecológicos. No presente estudo nós analisamos o período de atividade, o uso do microhabitat, a intensidade de forrageamento, a dieta e a ecologia térmica de uma população de T. torquatus do Costão de Itacoatiara, no Parque Estadual da Serra da Tiririca, situado nos municípios de Niterói e Maricá, RJ. Os dados foram coletados em dois períodos: entre julho de 2004 e janeiro de 2008 para estudo do período de atividade, uso do microhabitat e intensidade de forrageamento, e entre julho e agosto de 2010 para estudo da ecologia térmica e dieta. Todos os indivíduos coletados eram adultos, com comprimento rostro-cloacal médio de 66,2 12,0mm para machos (n = 11) e 64,1 8,0mm para fêmeas (n = 03). O período de atividade de T. torquatus no Costão de Itacoatiara durou de 12 a 14 horas. Teve um padrão unimodal na estação seca, com pico de atividade entre 09:00h e 13:00h, durante as horas mais quentes do dia. Na estação chuvosa o padrão de atividade foi bimodal, com um pico entre 8:00h e 9:00h e outro entre 16:00h e 17:00h, ambos associados aos horários de temperaturas ambientais mais amenas. O período de atividade não diferiu entre as estações, o que pode ser explicado pelo extenso pico de atividade dos lagartos na estação seca. Os microhabitats mais utilizados foram o substrato rochoso do Costão e a bromélia, refletindo a disponibilidade destes na área. A intensidade de forrageamento não diferiu sazonalmente e o tempo médio que os lagartos ficaram parados foi maior do que o tempo médio em deslocamento. A dieta foi onívora e esteve composta por artrópodes, principalmente insetos, e material vegetal, principalmente frutos. Os principais insetos consumidos foram Formicidae, Coleoptera e Hymenoptera não-Formicidae como pequenas vespas e abelhas. Os frutos, as sementes e as flores consumidos pertenciam às cactáceas Rhipsalis cereoides e Coleocephalocereus fluminensis, para as quais T. torquatus pode ser um potencial agente dispersor de sementes na área. Lagartos maiores consumiram itens maiores, mas em menor número, indicando um balanço energético positivo. O consumo de material vegetal variou de acordo com o tamanho dos lagartos, aumentando sua proporção nos indivíduos mais velhos. A temperatura média em atividade de T. torquatus foi de 34,3 2,5C, estando na faixa de temperatura corpórea média encontrada para outras populações e para outros Tropidurus. O substrato foi a fonte de calor ambiental com maior importância relativa para a termorregulação dos lagartos durante a estação seca, explicando cerca de 48% da variação na temperatura corpórea da população. Os lagartos termorregularam de forma passiva, principalmente em relação à temperatura do substrato. / The lizard Tropidurus torquatus (Wied, 1820) has a wide geographical distribution and is abundant within its area of occurrence, thus making it a suitable species for ecological studies. In the present study we analysed the activity period, microhabitat use, foraging intensity, diet and thermal ecology of a T. torquatus population in Costão de Itacoatiara, State Park of Serra da Tiririca, situated in the municipalities of Niterói and Maricá, RJ. Data were collected in two steps: between July 2004 and January 2008 for the activity period, microhabitat use and foraging intensity studies and between July and August 2010 for diet and thermal ecology studies. All specimens collected were adults, with snout-vent length = 66,2 12,0mm for males (n = 11) and 64,1 8,0mm for females (n = 3). The activity period of T. torquatus in Costão de Itacoatiara was between 12 and 14 hours. In the dry season it had a unimodal pattern, with a peak between 09:00 and 13:00h, during the hottest hours of the day. In the rainy season the pattern was bimodal, with a peak between 8:00 and 9:00h and another between 16:00 and 17:00h. Both periods were associated with lower temperatures. There was no significant difference in activity period between seasons, which can be explained by the intense lizard activity period in dry season. The most used microhabitats were rock and bromeliads, which reflects the wide availability of these microhabitats in the study area. Foraging intensity showed no seasonal differences and the mean time that lizards were stationary was higher than the mean time lizards were moving. Diet was omnivorous and composed of arthropods, mainly insects, and vegetable matter, mainly fruits. The most consumed insects were Formicidae, Coleoptera, and other Hymenoptera such as small wasps and bees. Fruits, seeds and flowers consumed belonged to the Cactaceae Rhipsalis cereoides and Coleocephalocereus fluminensis, for which T. torquatus seems to be a potential seed dispersor. Larger lizards consumed larger items, but in smaller numbers, indicating a positive energetic balance. The consumption of vegetable matter varied with lizard size, increasing its proportion in older individuals. The mean activity temperature was 34.3 2.5C, which was inside the range of mean temperature registered for other populations and Tropidurus species. Substrate was the most important environmental heat source for lizard thermoregulation along the dry season, explaining about 48% of the variation in lizard body temperature. The T. torquatus population was predominantly thermoconformer, mainly in relation to the substrate temperature.