Submitted by BRUNA CRISTINA JERONIMO null (bruna.jer@gmail.com) on 2016-09-27T23:44:59Z No. of bitstreams: 1 Dissertação Bruna - Correções Adriane versão final para imprimir.pdf: 2531830 bytes, checksum: 468a11d8d93e4d6cdb8212717e577790 (MD5) / Approved for entry into archive by Juliano Benedito Ferreira (julianoferreira@reitoria.unesp.br) on 2016-09-29T18:29:14Z (GMT) No. of bitstreams: 1 jeronimo_bc_me_bot.pdf: 2531830 bytes, checksum: 468a11d8d93e4d6cdb8212717e577790 (MD5) / Made available in DSpace on 2016-09-29T18:29:14Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 jeronimo_bc_me_bot.pdf: 2531830 bytes, checksum: 468a11d8d93e4d6cdb8212717e577790 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2016-06-21 / Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq) / Em contraste ao padrão de cromossomos sexuais de mamíferos (XX/XY), as aves apresentam um sistema de determinação sexual em que os machos representam o sexo homogamético (ZZ) e as fêmeas constituem o sexo heterogamético (ZW). Adicionalmente, embora mamíferos apresentem um mecanismo de compensação de dose, a inativação completa de um dos cromossomos Z não é observada em machos de aves e, portanto, estes possuem um maior nível de expressão de vários genes presentes nesse cromossomo. A despeito disso, um mecanismo ainda não completamente esclarecido de compensação de dose parcial em aves resulta em expressão equivalente entre os sexos para alguns genes do cromossomo Z. A região MHM (Male Hypermethylated), localizada no cromossomo Z de Galliformes, está associada a um padrão de hipermetilação em machos e hipometilação em fêmeas, levando à síntese de um RNA não-codificante longo (lncRNA) somente em fêmeas. A presença deste lncRNA é associada ao aumento da expressão de genes próximos à região MHM em fêmeas, o que parece resultar em uma compensação de dose local entre os sexos. Dado que, até o momento, segmentos MHM foram somente identificados em Galiformes e Anseriformes, o presente estudo visou isolar e caracterizar esta região em Galliformes (galinha doméstica, codorna européia, peru) e também em Struthioniformes (avestruz), Strigiformes (coruja-orelhuda, corujinha-do-mato, coruja-da-igreja, coruja-buraqueira), Piciformes (tucanuçu), Psittaciformes (arara-azul-grande) e Apodiformes (beija-flor-da-banda-branca, beija-flor-tesoura, beija-flor-preto). Indivíduos adultos e embriões com seis dias de desenvolvimento foram sexados com base em caracteres morfológicos e moleculares - por meio de PCR (Polymerase Chain Reaction) para amplificação de uma região intrônica dos genes CHD1-Z e CHD1-W, seguida de eletroforese em gel de agarose e poliacrilamida, análise SSCP e análise automatizada de fragmentos de DNA. Métodos de sexagem molecular mostraram-se adequados para identificação de machos e fêmeas de galinha doméstica, codorna européia, peru, tucanuçu, arara-azul-grande, coruja-orelhuda, corujinha-do-mato, coruja-buraqueira, beija-flor-da-banda-branca, beija-flor-tesoura e beija-flor-preto. Entretanto, as técnicas moleculares utilizadas não permitiram identificar diferenças entre machos e fêmeas de avestruz. Análises in silico da região MHM de galinha doméstica mostraram que esta se encontra localizada no braço curto do cromossomo Z, sendo constituída por 260Kb (chrZ:27,000,000-27,260,000) e alto conteúdo de CG. Esta região é delimitada por duas LINES (Long Interspersed Nuclear Elements) e possui múltiplos elementos repetitivos da classe LTR (Long Terminal Repeat), especialmente os pertencentes à família EVRL (Endogenous Retrovirus), denominados GGLTR5A. Com base em sua composição genômica, a região MHM de galinha doméstica foi subdividida em sub-regiões - denominadas de 1 (chrZ:27,176,712-27,260,282), 2 (chrZ:27,132,044-27,174,901), 3a (chrZ:27,094,512-27,132,043), 4 (chrZ:27,036,950-27,094,511) e 3b (chrZ:27,000,000-27,036,949) - que apresentam-se compostas por três unidades de repetições diferentes (denominadas de repeats 1, 2 e 3) flanqueadas por LTRs específicas. PCR multiplex em amostras de galinha doméstica levou à amplificação de dois fragmentos de DNA de aproximadamente 240 e 750 pares de bases, sendo o fragmento maior correspondente à repeat 1 da região MHM. Assim como observado para galinha doméstica, também foram gerados, via PCR, dois fragmentos de DNA de diferentes tamanhos associados à região MHM para as outras espécies de aves estudadas. Um maior nível de identidade (80-97%) foi observado entre a região MHM de galinha doméstica e as sequências nucleotídicas obtidas de codorna européia, peru e avestruz, o que demonstra que a presença de segmentos MHM não se restringe ao genoma de Galliformes e Anseriformes. Ensaios de digestão enzimática em DNA genômico de galinha doméstica, codorna européia e peru, por meio do uso de endonucleases de restrição sensíveis à metilação e dependentes de metilação (MspI, HpaII e McrBC), seguidos de amplificação de um fragmento de DNA associado à sub-região 1 MHM, evidenciaram padrões diferenciais de metilação dessa região entre os sexos, sendo hipometilada em fêmeas e hipermetilada em machos. Tais padrões diferenciais mostram-se potencialmente adequados para aplicação em testes de sexagem molecular em espécies de aves. / In contrast to the sexual chromosomes pattern found in mammals (XX/XY), birds present a sex determination system in which males represent the homogametic sex (ZZ) and females correspond to the heterogametic sex (ZW). Furthermore, although mammals present a dosage compensation mechanism, the complete inactivation of one Z chromosome is not observed in male birds and, therefore, they have a higher expression level of several genes that are found in this chromosome. Despite this, a mechanism of partial dosage compensation that was not clearly explained so far for birds results on an equivalent expression between sexes for some of the genes found at the Z chromosome. The MHM region (Male Hypermethylated), localized at the Z chromosome of Galliformes, is associated to a hypermethylation pattern in males and hypomethylation in females, which leads to the synthesis of a long non-coding RNA (lncRNA) only in females. The presence of this lncRNA is associated with a higher expression of genes that are located near to the MHM region in females, which seems to result in a local dosage compensation between sexes. As MHM segments were so far identified only in Galliformes and Anseriformes, the present study aimed to isolate and characterize this region on Galliformes (chicken, European quail, turkey) and also on Struthioniformes (ostrich), Strigiformes (striped owl, tropical screech-owl, barn owl, burrowing owl), Piciformes (toco toucan), Psittaciformes (hyacinth macaw), and Apodiformes (versicolored emerald, swallow-tailed hummingbird, black jacobin). Adult individuals and six-day embryos were sexed based on morphological and molecular characters - throughout PCR (Polymerase Chain Reaction) to amplify an intronic region of the CHD1-Z e CHD1-W genes, followed by agarose and polyacrylamide electrophoresis, SSCP analysis and automated fragment DNA analysis. Molecular sexing methodologies were useful for the identification of males and females of chicken, European quail, turkey, toco toucan, hyacinth macaw, striped owl, tropical screech-owl, burrowing owl, versicolored emerald, swallow-tailed hummingbird, and black jacobin. However, the applied techniques were not effective to identify differences between male and female ostriches. In silico analyses of the chicken MHM region showed that it is localized at the short arm of the Z chromosome and is constituted by 260Kb (chrZ:27,000,000-27,260,000) and a high CG content. This region is delimited by two LINES (Long Interspersed Nuclear Elements) and presents multiple repetitive elements of the LTR (Long Terminal Repeat) class, especially those of the EVRL (Endogenous Retrovirus) family, denominated GGLTR5A. Based on its genomic composition, the MHM region was subdivided into sub regions – denominated as 1 (chrZ:27,176,712-27,260,282), 2 (chrZ:27,132,044-27,174,901), 3a (chrZ:27,094,512-27,132,043), 4 (chrZ:27,036,950-27,094,511), and 3b (chrZ:27,000,000-27,036,949) - that are composed by three different repeat units (denominated as repeats 1, 2 e 3) flanked by specific LTRs. Multiplex PCR on chicken samples resulted in the amplification of two different size DNA fragments of around 240 and 750 base pairs, and the larger fragment corresponds to the repeat 1 of the MHM region. As observed for chicken, two different DNA fragments associated to the MHM region were also generated, by PCR, for the other studied species. A higher identity index (80-97%) was recognized between the chicken MHM region and the obtained nucleotide sequences of European quail, turkey and ostrich, which evidences that the presence of MHM segments is not restricted to the Galliformes and Anseriformes genomes. Enzymatic digestion assays in genomic DNA samples of chicken, European quail and turkey, through the use of methylation sensitive and methylation dependent restriction endonucleases (MspI, HpaII e McrBC), followed by the amplification of a DNA fragment associated to the sub region 1 MHM, showed differential methylation patterns between sexes - hypomethylated in females and hypermethylated in males. These differential patterns are potentially applicable for molecular sexing tests in bird species. / CNPq: 131152/2014-9

<p>The white-tailed eagle is a formerly threatened raptor that is commonly used as a flagship and indicator species in conservation work. This thesis uses molecular genetic methods to study sex determination of nestlings, genetic variability, population structure and phylogeography of the white-tailed eagle.</p><p>Fourteen microsatellite markers were developed and tested for the white-tailed eagle.</p><p>A method to sex white-tailed eagle nestlings in the field is presented. The method is based on just one tarsus measure, and is suitable for situations where a single person is handling the nestlings alone in a treetop.</p><p>Most European white-tailed eagle populations underwent extreme declines during the 20th century. The results presented here show that bottlenecked populations have maintained significant levels of genetic diversity. Gene flow between regions is not a main explanation for this, as indicated by both genetic and ringing data. Instead, the long generation time of white-tailed eagles has acted as an intrinsic buffer against rapid loss of genetic diversity. Additionally, local conservation led to protection of more genetic diversity than if conservation had focused on the large remnant population in Norway.</p><p>Mitochondrial DNA of white-tailed eagles is structured in two main clades with a predominantly eastern and western Eurasian distribution. The clades likely correspond to separate Ice Age refugia but do not grant classification as evolutionary significant units given their current extensive overlap across large parts of Eurasia.</p><p>Microsatellite variation was studied in populations across Eurasia. Variability was rather constant across the continent, but clearly lower on Iceland and Greenland. This is best explained by founder effects during their colonisation, but only weak bottlenecks during colonisation of and persistence on the continent. Current population differentiation between Europe and eastern Eurasia is not compatible with a zero gene flow model but requires some amount of gene flow over evolutionary time scales.</p>

The white-tailed eagle is a formerly threatened raptor that is commonly used as a flagship and indicator species in conservation work. This thesis uses molecular genetic methods to study sex determination of nestlings, genetic variability, population structure and phylogeography of the white-tailed eagle. Fourteen microsatellite markers were developed and tested for the white-tailed eagle. A method to sex white-tailed eagle nestlings in the field is presented. The method is based on just one tarsus measure, and is suitable for situations where a single person is handling the nestlings alone in a treetop. Most European white-tailed eagle populations underwent extreme declines during the 20th century. The results presented here show that bottlenecked populations have maintained significant levels of genetic diversity. Gene flow between regions is not a main explanation for this, as indicated by both genetic and ringing data. Instead, the long generation time of white-tailed eagles has acted as an intrinsic buffer against rapid loss of genetic diversity. Additionally, local conservation led to protection of more genetic diversity than if conservation had focused on the large remnant population in Norway. Mitochondrial DNA of white-tailed eagles is structured in two main clades with a predominantly eastern and western Eurasian distribution. The clades likely correspond to separate Ice Age refugia but do not grant classification as evolutionary significant units given their current extensive overlap across large parts of Eurasia. Microsatellite variation was studied in populations across Eurasia. Variability was rather constant across the continent, but clearly lower on Iceland and Greenland. This is best explained by founder effects during their colonisation, but only weak bottlenecks during colonisation of and persistence on the continent. Current population differentiation between Europe and eastern Eurasia is not compatible with a zero gene flow model but requires some amount of gene flow over evolutionary time scales.

Master of Science / Department of Biology / Brett K. Sandercock / Samantha Wisely / In birds, the offspring of females in socially monogamous species can be sired not only by their social partner (within-pair mating) but also by other males (extra-pair mating), resulting in broods of mixed paternity. Several hypotheses have been proposed which attempt to explain the adaptive significance of this behavior, including the genetic diversity hypothesis, the good genes hypothesis, the genetic compatibility hypothesis and the fertility insurance hypothesis. I report results of a 5 year population study of the Upland Sandpiper (Bartramia longicauda) at Konza Prairie Biological Station in northeast Kansas. My objective was to determine the genetic mating system of this socially monogamous shorebird, and determine which of the genetic hypotheses best explains the patterns of extra-pair paternity (EPP) in the population. As part of the analysis, I optimized laboratory protocols for genetic sexing of our monomorphic study species. Potential errors in molecular sexing have been previously described but usually result in females being misidentified as males. Here, I report evidence that events in PCR reactions can lead to the opposite error, with males misidentified as females. I recommend the use of multiple primer sets and large samples of known-sex birds for validation when designing protocols for molecular sex analysis. I genotyped birds and tested for the existence of EPP in 58 family groups of Upland Sandpipers. I found 15% of chicks and 30% of broods were the result of extra-pair paternity in this population, which is high in comparison to other socially monogamous shorebirds. Only 2% of chicks and 2% of broods were attended by females unrelated to the young. I tested ecological covariates known to influence EPP in other birds including relatedness of mated pairs, morphology of the within-pair male, and nest initiation date, as well as variables which signify genetic benefits, including morphology of the offspring and offspring heterozygosity, but found no significant relationships. None of the prevailing genetic hypotheses can fully explain the high rates of EPP in this population of Upland Sandpipers. However, the discovery of fine-scale genetic structure in female birds, but not in males, suggests female natal philopatry or male-biased dispersal. This sex-specific genetic structure could be a mechanism of inbreeding avoidance, thereby eliminating the need for females to choose mates based on relatedness. This study provides the first estimates of EPP for the socially monogamous Upland Sandpiper, and provides evidence that the inbreeding avoidance mechanism of engaging in extra-pair copulations does not seem to be as important in Upland Sandpipers as in other socially monogamous shorebirds. Future research should include the identification of extra-pair males and the determination of offspring fitness after departure from the nest.

<p>In this thesis, genetic methods for individual identification and sex determination of wolverines from non-invasive samples were developed and applied in genetic monitoring of Scandinavian wolverine populations. Paternity and mating system of wolverines were studied by combining genetic analysis with telemetry data. Moreover, the possibility to obtain DNA from claws left on tanned carnivore hides was investigated.</p><p>Non-invasive genetic sampling was effective in revealing important population parameters. For the subpopulation in southern Norway, a population size of approximately 90 individuals, an equal sex ratio and similar levels of genetic diversity as in the main Scandinavian population were revealed. Genetic erosion in this small population has likely been counteracted by immigration of individuals from the main population since its re-establishment around 1970.</p><p>During the 1990s, two areas in east-central Sweden were colonised by wolverines. In a survey comprising 400 non-invasive samples collected during five winters, a total of 22 wolverines were detected. Genetic data suggest that inbreeding has occurred in both areas and that the two populations were founded by as few as 2-4 individuals. These findings suggest that gene flow from the main population is crucial for their survival even in a short time perspective. The detection of occasional stray individuals from the main population shows that this is indeed feasible. </p><p>Paternity analysis of 145 wolverine offspring in northern Sweden and southern Norway confirmed a polygamous mating system in wolverines. Breeding pair formation was generally consistent with the territories held by males and females, i.e. breeding pairs had overlapping territories. In the majority of litters, siblings were assigned the same father, thus indicating that multiple paternity is rare. </p><p>Tanning is a common form of preservation of mammalian specimens that normally precludes genetic analysis. Nevertheless, I demonstrate the possibility to successfully extract and amplify DNA from claws left on tanned carnivore hides.</p>

In this thesis, genetic methods for individual identification and sex determination of wolverines from non-invasive samples were developed and applied in genetic monitoring of Scandinavian wolverine populations. Paternity and mating system of wolverines were studied by combining genetic analysis with telemetry data. Moreover, the possibility to obtain DNA from claws left on tanned carnivore hides was investigated. Non-invasive genetic sampling was effective in revealing important population parameters. For the subpopulation in southern Norway, a population size of approximately 90 individuals, an equal sex ratio and similar levels of genetic diversity as in the main Scandinavian population were revealed. Genetic erosion in this small population has likely been counteracted by immigration of individuals from the main population since its re-establishment around 1970. During the 1990s, two areas in east-central Sweden were colonised by wolverines. In a survey comprising 400 non-invasive samples collected during five winters, a total of 22 wolverines were detected. Genetic data suggest that inbreeding has occurred in both areas and that the two populations were founded by as few as 2-4 individuals. These findings suggest that gene flow from the main population is crucial for their survival even in a short time perspective. The detection of occasional stray individuals from the main population shows that this is indeed feasible. Paternity analysis of 145 wolverine offspring in northern Sweden and southern Norway confirmed a polygamous mating system in wolverines. Breeding pair formation was generally consistent with the territories held by males and females, i.e. breeding pairs had overlapping territories. In the majority of litters, siblings were assigned the same father, thus indicating that multiple paternity is rare. Tanning is a common form of preservation of mammalian specimens that normally precludes genetic analysis. Nevertheless, I demonstrate the possibility to successfully extract and amplify DNA from claws left on tanned carnivore hides.

Ο Ευρωπαϊκός Θαλασσοκόρακας (Phalacrocorax aristotelis) περιλαμβάνει τρία υποείδη που διαχωρίζονται με βάση μορφολογικές και συμπεριφορικές διαφορές και εξαπλώνονται σε διαφορετικές γεωγραφικές περιοχές. Το ατλαντικό υποείδος, P. a. aristotelis, κατά την αναπαραγωγική του περίοδο, εξαπλώνεται στον Ατλαντικό από τη Β. Ρωσσία μέχρι τις ατλαντικές ακτές της Ιβηρικής χερσονήσου, το υποείδος P. a. riggenbachi διαβιεί στις ακτές της Β. Αφρικής και το μεσογειακό (Phalacrocorax aristotelis desmarestii) θεωρείται ενδημικό υποείδος της Μεσογείου και της Μαύρης Θάλασσας. Η βιολογία και η οικολογία του μεσογειακού θαλασσοκόρακα δεν είναι μελετημένη, ιδιαίτερα στις ανατολικές περιοχές της εξάπλωσής του, παρότι η περιοχή του βόρειου Αιγαίου περιλαμβάνεται στις σημαντικότερες περιοχές αναπαραγωγής του είδους. Η παρούσα διδακτορική διατριβή, αποτελεί την πρώτη μελέτη σχετικά με την οικολογία της αναπαραγωγής και την ανάλυση της γενετικής δομής του μεσογειακού θαλασσοκόρακα σε αποικίες του Αιγαίου. Συγκεκριμένα, μελετώνται τέσσερα θέματα της βιολογίας του υποείδους: (1) η αναπαραγωγική επιτυχία και οι πιθανοί περιβαλλοντικοί παράγοντες που ενδέχεται να την επηρεάζουν, (2) η αναλογία του φύλου των νεοσσών, (3) οι διατροφικές συνήθειες κατά την αναπαραγωγική περίοδο, και (4) η γενετική δομή αναπαραγωγικών πληθυσμών του Αιγαίου, καθώς και οι φυλογεωγραφικές σχέσεις μεταξύ τους και με άλλους μη ελληνικούς πληθυσμούς. / The European Shag (Phalacrocorax aristotelis) is currently divided in three subspecies based on plumage differences, non-overlapping distributions and phenology. The nominate subspecies, P. a. aristotelis, has a breeding distribution from northern Russia to the Atlantic coast of Iberia, P. a. riggenbachi is found along the northern African coasts and the Mediterranean Shag (Phalacrocorax aristotelis desmarestii) is considered an endemic subspecies of the Mediterranean and the Black Seas. The Mediterranean subspecies’ biology and ecology are poorly studied, especially in the eastern part of its distribution, despite the fact that North Aegean Sea (Greece) is considered one of the most important regions for its reproduction. This study presents the first results regarding the study of its reproduction ecology and genetic structure in colonies from the Aegean Sea region. Specifically, four aspects of the its biology are addressed here: (1) breeding success and the possible ecological factors that may affect it, (2) the sex ratio of fledglings, (3) feeding habits during reproduction, and (4) the genetic structure of breeding populations in the Aegean and their phylogeographic relationships with other non-Greek populations.

Submitted by Silvana Teresinha Dornelles Studzinski (sstudzinski) on 2015-11-30T11:09:24Z No. of bitstreams: 1 Jaqueline Brummelhaus_.pdf: 909672 bytes, checksum: a67cf8e4fb697cea521fe93f204b4187 (MD5) / Made available in DSpace on 2015-11-30T11:09:24Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 Jaqueline Brummelhaus_.pdf: 909672 bytes, checksum: a67cf8e4fb697cea521fe93f204b4187 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2013-11-21 / UNISINOS - Universidade do Vale do Rio dos Sinos / O pinguim-antártico (Pygoscelis antarcticus) tem suas populações distribuídas principalmente nas Ilhas Sandwich do Sul, Georgia do Sul e Shetlands do Sul e na região da Península Antártica. Algumas de suas características são o baixo dimorfismo sexual, a monogamia e o comportamento filopátrico. Esta tese tem como objetivos: 1) quantificar o dimorfismo sexual através de medidas morfológicas, testar uma função discriminante e avaliar o dimorfismo sexual entre duas áreas de reprodução distantes (Ilhas Rei George e Elefante, Shetlands do Sul); 2) caracterizar a distribuição espacial da variabilidade genética populacional entre colônias de reprodução nas Ilhas Rei George e Elefante, através de marcador mitocondrial. Na avaliação do dimorfismo sexual de tamanho, através de caracteres morfológicos, foi encontrado que machos são 6 a 9,4% maiores que as fêmeas e a equação discriminante formulada classifica corretamente 80,6% das aves. Não foi encontrada diferença no dimorfismo sexual entre as colônias de reprodução das Ilhas Rei George e Elefante. Mesmo sendo uma alternativa na determinação sexual, as equações discriminantes devem ser usadas com cautela em locais diferentes do que foram produzidas por causa dos erros de classificação. Quando equações discriminantes das Ilhas Deception e Rei George foram testadas para os dados da Ilha Elefante, obteve-se apenas 67,7% e 71% de acerto. Desta forma, a abordagem molecular é uma opção eficiente na resolução de dúvidas relacionadas à sexagem. Quanto à variabilidade genética com uso de marcador mitocondrial, foram encontrados 38 haplótipos para 61 indivíduos analisados, sendo apenas dois compartilhados nas colônias e todos os demais são exclusivos. Os valores de FST e da AMOVA revelam que a divergência entre as populações é baixa e que a maioria da variação genética (98,3%) ocorreu dentro das populações. Isso poderia ser justificado por um alto fluxo gênico entre as populações, mas não corrobora com o comportamento filopátrico da espécie. Os testes de neutralidade e de expansão demográfica apontam para uma evolução neutra e possibilidade de expansão, que ocorreu há mais de dois milhões de anos atrás e no último um milhão de anos o tamanho efetivo populacional manteve-se constante. Os resultados ressaltam a ocorrência de uma expansão populacional a partir de uma população geneticamente homogênea e a manutenção do tamanho efetivo em longa escala de tempo pode ter amplamente contribuído para a falta de estruturação genética entre as colônias recentes de pinguim-antártico. / Chinstrap penguin (Pygoscelis antarcticus) has their populations distributed mainly in South Sandwich, South Georgia and South Shetlands Islands, and the Antarctic Peninsula. This specie presents low sexual dimorphism, monogamy and philopatric behavior. This thesis aims to: 1) to evaluate sexual dimorphism among males and females and among two breeding areas (King George and Elephant Islands) using morphological characters and to obtain a discriminant function based on the characters that best identify the sex of Chinstrap penguins; 2) to determine the spatial structuring of population genetic variation among breeding colonies at King George and Elephant Islands, using mitochondrial control region. In the assessment of sexual dimorphism using morphological characters, were found that males were 6 to 9.4% larger than females and discriminant equation formulated correctly classifies 80.6% of the birds. There was no difference in sexual dimorphism between the breeding colonies of King George and Elephant Islands. However, the discriminant function should be used with caution in different locations than are produced because penguins may be misclassified. When discriminant equations from Deception and King George Islands were tested for Elephant Island data, we obtained only 67.7% and 71% accuracy. Where there is doubt in the field, it would be interesting to apply molecular sexing technique. For genetic variability using mitochondrial control region, were found 38 haplotypes for 61 individuals analyzed, only two were shared in the colonies and all others are exclusive. FST and AMOVA values revealed that the divergence between populations is low and that most of genetic variation (98.3%) occurred within populations. This could be explained by a high gene flow among populations, but does not corroborate with the philopatric behavior of this specie. The neutrality tests and Mismatch distribution point to a neutral evolution and possibility of expansion, which occurred more 2 Mya and the last 1 Mya, the effective population size remained constant. The results show the occurrence of a population expansion from a genetically homogeneous population and maintenance of effective size in long time scale can have widely contributed to the lack of genetic structuring among the current colonies of Chinstrap penguin.

A forma e o tamanho de um determinado organismo devem caracterizar aspectos ecológicos, uma vez que a morfometria é resultado da evolução. Diferenças nos caracteres morfológicos podem ter sido causadas por isolamento geográfico, mesmo em períodos de tempo relativamente curtos. O estudo da morfologia ecológica é uma tentativa de compreender a relação funcional entre variação morfológica e a ecologia dos animais. A variação nos atributos morfométricos de tamanho corpóreo entre os sexos pode ser um resultado da ação da seleção sexual. O presente estudo aborda uma comparação intrasexual e entre área continental e insular da morfologia de Conopophaga melanops (Vieillot, 1818), tendo sido realizado em uma área na Ilha Grande e em outra área na Reserva Ecológica Rio das Pedras (ReRP), RJ. A espécie, endêmica de Mata Atlântica e estritamente florestal, apresenta dimorfismo sexual, contudo indivíduos jovens possuem plumagem similar a de fêmeas. As aves foram capturadas com redes neblina, e doze medidas morfométricas foram obtidas de 51 indivíduos. A confirmação do sexo foi realizada por métodos moleculares baseados no DNA em 69 amostras. O percentual de erro na identificação do sexo em campo, pela plumagem, foi de 9,7%. A confirmação molecular do sexo é uma importante ferramenta que têm potencial de revelar padrões demográficos em estudos comportamentais e reprodutivos desta espécie. Na ReRP o comprimento da asa e a variável distância da cabeça até a ponta do bico apresentaram uma diferença significativa, sendo maior para machos do que para fêmeas. Já na Ilha Grande, as únicas variáveis que apresentaram diferença significativa foram comprimento da cauda (maior em machos) e altura do bico na base (maior em fêmeas). As diferenças de tamanho da asa entre os sexos corroboram com padrões de diversas outras espécies Neotropicais. A diferença morfométrica do bico pode estar associada à ecologia alimentar desta espécie. Tanto fêmeas quanto machos foram maiores na ilha do que no continente com relação ao comprimento total e comprimento da asa, além de comprimento da cauda maior para os machos. / Size and shape of a certain organism must characterize ecological aspects, once morphometrics is a result of evolution. Differences on the morphological traits could have been caused by geographical isolation even within short periods of time. Ecological morphology survey is an attempt to understand the relationship between morphological variation and ecology of the animals. Variation in morphometric traits of body size between sexes can be a result of sexual selection. The present study approach intrasexual and mainland-island environment in the morphology of Conopophaga melanops (Vieillot, 1818), been accomplished in an area of Ilha Grande and another in the Rio das Pedras Ecological Reserve (ReRP), RJ State. This species is endemic to the Atlantic Forest and depends to the forest. It has sexual dimorphism, but young individuals have female like plumage. Birds were captured with mist nets and 12 morphometrics traits were measured for 51 individuals. DNA molecular sexing was conducted in 69 blood samples. The percentage of error in field identification of sex by plumage was 9.7%. The molecular sexing is an important tool with potential to reveal demographic patterns in behavior and in reproductive studies of this species. In ReRP Reserve wing length and head and bill variable showed significant difference, being larger in males than in females. Yet in Ilha Grande, the unique variables which showed significant difference were tail length (larger in males) and bill depth at the base (larger in females). The differences in wing length between sexes corroborate with patterns of others Neotropical species. The difference associated to the bill could be related to the feeding ecology of this species. Both females and males were larger on island than in mainland in relation to total body and wing length, the same as tail length in males.

A forma e o tamanho de um determinado organismo devem caracterizar aspectos ecológicos, uma vez que a morfometria é resultado da evolução. Diferenças nos caracteres morfológicos podem ter sido causadas por isolamento geográfico, mesmo em períodos de tempo relativamente curtos. O estudo da morfologia ecológica é uma tentativa de compreender a relação funcional entre variação morfológica e a ecologia dos animais. A variação nos atributos morfométricos de tamanho corpóreo entre os sexos pode ser um resultado da ação da seleção sexual. O presente estudo aborda uma comparação intrasexual e entre área continental e insular da morfologia de Conopophaga melanops (Vieillot, 1818), tendo sido realizado em uma área na Ilha Grande e em outra área na Reserva Ecológica Rio das Pedras (ReRP), RJ. A espécie, endêmica de Mata Atlântica e estritamente florestal, apresenta dimorfismo sexual, contudo indivíduos jovens possuem plumagem similar a de fêmeas. As aves foram capturadas com redes neblina, e doze medidas morfométricas foram obtidas de 51 indivíduos. A confirmação do sexo foi realizada por métodos moleculares baseados no DNA em 69 amostras. O percentual de erro na identificação do sexo em campo, pela plumagem, foi de 9,7%. A confirmação molecular do sexo é uma importante ferramenta que têm potencial de revelar padrões demográficos em estudos comportamentais e reprodutivos desta espécie. Na ReRP o comprimento da asa e a variável distância da cabeça até a ponta do bico apresentaram uma diferença significativa, sendo maior para machos do que para fêmeas. Já na Ilha Grande, as únicas variáveis que apresentaram diferença significativa foram comprimento da cauda (maior em machos) e altura do bico na base (maior em fêmeas). As diferenças de tamanho da asa entre os sexos corroboram com padrões de diversas outras espécies Neotropicais. A diferença morfométrica do bico pode estar associada à ecologia alimentar desta espécie. Tanto fêmeas quanto machos foram maiores na ilha do que no continente com relação ao comprimento total e comprimento da asa, além de comprimento da cauda maior para os machos. / Size and shape of a certain organism must characterize ecological aspects, once morphometrics is a result of evolution. Differences on the morphological traits could have been caused by geographical isolation even within short periods of time. Ecological morphology survey is an attempt to understand the relationship between morphological variation and ecology of the animals. Variation in morphometric traits of body size between sexes can be a result of sexual selection. The present study approach intrasexual and mainland-island environment in the morphology of Conopophaga melanops (Vieillot, 1818), been accomplished in an area of Ilha Grande and another in the Rio das Pedras Ecological Reserve (ReRP), RJ State. This species is endemic to the Atlantic Forest and depends to the forest. It has sexual dimorphism, but young individuals have female like plumage. Birds were captured with mist nets and 12 morphometrics traits were measured for 51 individuals. DNA molecular sexing was conducted in 69 blood samples. The percentage of error in field identification of sex by plumage was 9.7%. The molecular sexing is an important tool with potential to reveal demographic patterns in behavior and in reproductive studies of this species. In ReRP Reserve wing length and head and bill variable showed significant difference, being larger in males than in females. Yet in Ilha Grande, the unique variables which showed significant difference were tail length (larger in males) and bill depth at the base (larger in females). The differences in wing length between sexes corroborate with patterns of others Neotropical species. The difference associated to the bill could be related to the feeding ecology of this species. Both females and males were larger on island than in mainland in relation to total body and wing length, the same as tail length in males.