Cefalópodes coleóides (lulas, sépias e polvos) produzem espermatóforos muito elaborados, os quais são transferidos à fêmea durante a cópula por meio de um apêndice modificado nos machos. Durante a transferência à fêmea, os espermatóforos sofrem, de forma autônoma, drásticas modificações na chamada \"reação espermatofórica\", complexo processo de evaginação do aparato ejaculatório, que conduz à exteriorização da massa espermática e corpo cimentante. Poucos trabalhos abordam com detalhes a morfologia e anatomia funcional dos espermatóforos dos cefalópodes, grande parte do conhecimento acerca da estrutura do espermatóforo tendo sido gerada por trabalhos clássicos do século XIX e início do século XX. Investigações acerca do funcionamento dos espermatóforos são consideravelmente mais raras, estando o conhecimento básico sobre a reação espermatofórica restrito a apenas 20 espécies de coleóides. Como o funcionamento extracorpóreo dos espermatóforos depende exclusivamente da intrincada estrutura e organização de seus componentes (e.g., membranas e túnicas), somente investigações detalhadas dessas estruturas proverão as bases para a compreensão do funcionamento e da exata função do complexo espermatóforo dos coleóides. Nesse contexto, a presente Tese, organizada em cinco capítulos, teve como objetivo principal investigar a estrutura e o funcionamento dos espermatóforos da lula Doryteuthis plei (Blainville, 1823). No primeiro capítulo, com o objetivo de se estudar a fundo a organização estrutural dos espermatóforos da espécie, diversas técnicas de microscopia foram testadas e empregadas. Como resultado da combinação de diferentes ferramentas de análise, a estrutura do espermatóforo revelou-se ainda mais complexa, sendo as principais descobertas referentes à: 1) elaborada estrutura da membrana mediana, organizada em camadas e apresentando um segmento aboral quimicamente distinto, que envolve parte do corpo cimentante; 2) presença de um material reticulado preenchendo o espaço entre a túnica interna e a membrana mediana (discute-se a possibilidade do mesmo consistir em um fluido viscoso em espermatóforos intactos); 3) presença de espículas intimamente associadas à membrana interna na região do corpo cimentante (além das espículas embebidas no filamento espiral); 4) presença de extensões membranosas que delimitam uma câmara pré-oral na região do capuz; e 5) complexa organização estrutural do corpo cimentante, delimitado por duas camadas e contendo substâncias de distintas propriedades químicas. Uma avaliação cuidadosa da literatura permite sugerir que pelo menos parte dessas características deva ser comum aos espermatóforos de outros loliginídeos, e, em alguns casos, de outros grupos de coleóides. Como parte da investigação acerca da reação espermatofórica e dos mecanismos envolvidos na fixação da massa espermática no corpo da fêmea, constatou-se que, sob condições artificiais, espermatóforos em evaginação são capazes de penetrar musculatura exposta, de forma similar ao fenômeno de \"implante profundo\" observado naturalmente em algumas lulas oceânicas. Esse resultado foi descrito no segundo capítulo, no qual foi levantada a hipótese de que um mecanismo de perfuração seria inerente à estrutura dos espermatóforos dos coleóides. Dando continuidade ao estudo da morfologia funcional dos espermatóforos de D. plei, o terceiro capítulo apresenta os resultados obtidos a partir da investigação do funcionamento do espermatóforo e da morfologia dos espermatângios (i.e, espermatóforos evertidos) obtidos in vitro, bem como daqueles naturalmente fixados na fêmea. As evidências reunidas permitem afirmar que o processo de fixação compreende distintas fases desempenhadas por diversos componentes do espermatóforo, contrariamente a um conceito anterior de que a fixação seria realizada somente por substâncias adesivas do corpo cimentante. Durante a reação espermatofórica, o aparato ejaculatório e respectivo filamento espiral são capazes de perfurar superficialmente ou escarificar o tecido-alvo. Subseqüentemente, o corpo cimentante sofre drástica modificação estrutural, resultando na extrusão de parte do conteúdo cimentante, o qual é injetado diretamente sobre o tecido perfurado. Além disso, o corpo cimentante é exteriorizado com uma extremidade afilada que, em alguns casos, foi encontrada firmemente implantada no tecido da fêmea, juntamente com as substâncias cimentantes. Concomitantemente ao processo de reconfiguração do corpo cimentante, a região da membrana interna que contém as espículas no espermatóforo intacto é evertida e estirada sobre a base do espermatângio, sugerindo um papel auxiliar no processo de fixação. Com base em evidências da literatura, bem como nas obtidas no âmbito da presente Tese, no quarto capítulo propõe-se um modelo teórico para explicar como o aparato ejaculatório em evaginação seria capaz de perfurar e implantar-se no corpo da fêmea durante a reação espermatofórica. Sugere-se que a perfuração seria mecânica e resultado da ação conjunta do aumento gradual do diâmetro dos anéis do filamento espiral e da distância entre os mesmos, bem como do poder de ancoragem proporcionado pelas respectivas espículas. Finalmente, o quinto capítulo apresenta uma revisão da literatura acerca do fenômeno de implante de espermatóforos em Decapodiformes, e reúne evidências que corroboram o modelo teórico proposto. Neste capítulo, é apresentada também uma reinterpretação da função da reação espermatofórica em Octopodiformes. Com base no levantamento de diversos caracteres reprodutivos, foi possível testar hipóteses de evolução da estrutura do espermatóforo e do sistema de implante dos espermatângios, bem como hipóteses de co-evolução de estruturas envolvidas no processo de transferência e armazenamento de espermatozóides. Duas hipóteses principais acerca da evolução do sistema de implante dos espermatângios são propostas. / Male coleoid cephalopods produce elaborate spermatophores, which are transferred to the female during mating. These spermatophores are capable of functioning autonomously and extracorporeally, undergoing complicated changes during the so-called spermatophoric reaction, i.e., a complex process of evagination of the spermatophoric tunics and membranes that, ultimately, leads to the extrusion and attachment of the sperm mass on the females body. Few detailed morphological studies regarding this structure have yet been conducted, and much of the knowledge on the coleoid spermatophore was generated by classical studies of the 19th and early 20th centuries; furthermore, investigations on the functioning of this structure are even rarer. Since the extracorporeal functioning of coleoid spermatophores must rely entirely on the intricate structure and organization of the tunics, membranes, and other structures composing the spermatophore, only detailed investigations of these components would provide the basis for comprehending its mechanics. On these grounds, the present five-chapter Thesis aimed to provide solid evidence that could allow for postulating hypothesis on the functioning and evolution of this unique structure. In the first chapter, an investigation of the morphology of the spermatophore of Doryteuthis plei (Blainville, 1823) applying several microscopy techniques was carried on. A much more complex structural arrangement was revealed for the loliginid spermatophore, the most striking findings being: 1) the complex, layered structure of the middle membrane, which bears an additional, chemically distinct segment surrounding part of the cement body; 2) the presence of a space between the inner tunic and middle membrane filled with a fine reticulated material, presumably a viscous fluid in the fresh state; 3) the presence of stellate particles not only embedded in the spiral filament, but also closely applied to the inner membrane at the level of the cement body; 4) the presence of a pre-oral chamber in the cap region; and 5) the complex organization of the cement body, formed by two distinct layers encompassing contents of different chemical and textural properties. Careful literature reassessment suggests several of these features are common to loliginids, and to some extent to other squids. Their possible functional implications are discussed in light of our knowledge on the spermatophoric reaction mechanics. As part of the investigation on the spermatophoric reaction, and the mechanisms involved in the attachment of the sperm mass on the females body, it was found that the everting spermatophore, when directed towards the incised region of an experimental tissue sample, was able to readily penetrate the artificially exposed musculature, almost resembling natural deep implantation observed in some oceanic and deep-sea squids; this finding is reported in the second chapter, where it was hypothesized that the mechanism involved in deep implantation could be inherent to the 215 spermatophore structure of all squids. The third chapter investigated the functional morphology of the spermatophore of the squid D. plei applying in vitro analysis of the reaction, as well as light and electron microscopy investigation of spermatangia (everted spermatophores containing the sperm mass) obtained either in vitro or naturally attached on the female. Hitherto unnoticed functional features of the loliginid spermatophore revealed herein required a reappraisal of some important processes involved in the spermatophoric reaction, as well as the proposal of new hypotheses to explain their mechanics. The most striking findings concern to the attachment mechanism, which is not carried out solely by cement adhesive material, as previously believed, but rather by a complex process performed by multiple structures that lead to the implantation of the base of the spermatangium into the female body. Firstly, the everting ejaculatory apparatus is presumably able to superficially puncture the female tissue. Subsequently to this process, the cement body passes through a complex structural rearrangement, which leads to the injection of both its viscid cement contents and pointed oral region through the puncture into the female tissue. When the inner membrane at the oral region of the cement body is everted, its sharp stellate particles are exposed, presumptively adhering to the scarified tissue and augmenting attachment by assuring the injection of the cement material inside the superficial hole. The functioning of the loliginid spermatophore is revisited in light of these findings. The forth chapter, building upon evidence from the literature along with evidence from these experiments, proposes a theoretical model to explain how the everting ejaculatory apparatus would be able to mechanically perforate, and concomitantly implant the spermatophore into the female body during the spermatophoric reaction. It is proposed that this process is achieved chiefly through the combination of 1) an \"evaginating-helix\" mechanism performed by the everting ejaculatory apparatus\' spiral filament, and 2) the anchorage provided by its numerous, minute sharp stellate particles. Finally, the fifth chapter reviews the literature concerning the phenomenon of implantation of spermatophores in decapodiforms, and presents evidence corroborating the proposed theoretical model ascribing the role of implantation to the mechanical perforation performed by the spiral filament. The mechanisms of spermatophore transfer are also reviewed for octopodiforms, and a reinterpretation of the function of the spermatophoric reaction in this case is provided. In light of parsimonious character optimizations performed onto recently published phylogenetic trees, a complete ejaculatory apparatus with a spiral filament, as well as the spermatophoric reaction, apparently emerged once and early in the evolution of the Coleoidea. This novelty possibly provided an efficient attachment mechanism and presumably countered the changes associated with the adoption of an active mode of life by coleoids, augmenting fertilization success. Two main hypotheses for the evolution of the complex spermatophore within Coleoidea and Decapodiformes are proposed.

Os bivalves marinhos sÃo muitos apreciados como alimento e no aproveitamento de suas conchas para vÃrias utilidades especialmente como enfeites. A presente pesquisa teve como objetivo estudar o bivalve marinho venerÃdeo Anomalocardia brasiliana, quanto a densidade populacional e ciclo de reproduÃÃo, correlacionando este Ãltimo aos parÃmetros ambientais (salinidade, temperatura e precipitaÃÃo pluviomÃtrica). As amostragens foram realizadas mensalmente durante o perÃodo de maio/02 a abril/03, na praia do Canto da Barra, municÃpio de Fortim â CE, no estuÃrio do Rio Jaguaribe. Os indivÃduos Anomalocardia brasiliana apresentaram um padrÃo de distribuiÃÃo bem caracterÃstico, com os juvenis concentrados em Ãrea com sedimento fino e mais Ãmido e os adultos em banco arenosos com sedimento mais grosseiro. A diferenciaÃÃo sexual ocorreu provavelmente entre 12,6mm e 17,9mm de comprimento de conchas. A identificaÃÃo dos sexos foi realizada utilizando-se tÃcnicas histolÃgicas de rotina. Durante a gametogÃnese, foram reconhecidas em fÃmeas, ovogÃnias, ovÃcitos prÃ-vitelogÃnicos, ovÃcitos vitelogÃnicos e ovÃcitos maduros, e, em machos, espermatogÃnias, espermatÃcitos I, espematÃcitos II, espermÃtides e espermatozÃides. A reproduÃÃo da espÃcie à contÃnua, entretanto foram observados perÃodos de maior liberaÃÃo de gametas de julho a outubro/2002 e de fevereiro a abril/2003. O ciclo reprodutivo caracterizou-se pelas seguintes as fases do desenvolvimento gonadal: âem MaturaÃÃoâ, âMaduroâ, âem EliminaÃÃoâ, âEliminadoâ, para ambos os sexos. Dentre os fatores ambientais observados neste estudo, a precipitaÃÃo pluviomÃtrica e a salinidade foram as que apresentaram as maiores amplitudes de variaÃÃo. Entretanto, uma influÃncia significativa do efeito da diminuiÃÃo da salinidade foi observada somente em machos, provavelmente causada pela alta precipitaÃÃo pluviomÃtrica verificada em abril/03. Durante este estudo, observou-se a ocorrÃncia de parasitas do gÃnero Bucephalus sp. em 6,5% dos indivÃduos analisados. Apesar da baixa incidÃncia de organismos parasitados, a ocorrÃncia de parasitismo na populaÃÃo de Anomalocardia brasiliana, no estuÃrio do Rio Jaguaribe, alerta para necessidade de estudo sobre as condiÃÃes fisiolÃgicas desta espÃcie na regiÃo. / Marine bivalves are very appreciated as food and its shell is used for several purposes, especially for ornament. The present research aims to study the marine bivalve Anomalocardia brasiliana in relation to its population density and reproductive cycle, correlating them with environmental parameters (salinity, temperature and precipitation). Monthly samplings were realized from May 2002 to April 2003 at Canto da Barra Beach, in the Jaguaribe River Estuary, Fortim, CearÃ. The Anomalocardia brasiliana individuals presented a quite characteristic distribution pattern, with the juvenile ones concentrated in areas with fine and moist sediment (fine sand) and the adult ones concentrated in sandy beds with coarse sediment (medium sand). Sexual differentiation probably occurred when the shell length was between 12,6mm and 17,9mm. Sex determination was realized using custom histological techniques. During gametogenesis, oogonia, previtellogenic oocytes, vitellogenic oocytes and mature oocytes were recognized in females, and spermatogonia, spermatocytes I, spermatocytes II, spermatids and spermatozoa were recognized in males. The reproductive cycle is continuous. Nevertheless, periods of intense gamete liberation were observed from July to October 2002 and form February to April 2003. For both sexes the reproduction cycle was characterized by the following stages in the development: âin Ripeningâ, âRipeâ, âin Spawningâ, âSpawnedâ. Among the environmental agents observed in this study, precipitation and salinity were the ones that presented the largest fluctuation in amplitude. However, a major influence by the salinity reduction effect was only observed in males, probably caused by the high precipitation registered in April 2003. During this study, the occurrence of parasites from the genus Bucephalus sp. was observed in 6,5% of the analyzed individuals. Despite the low influence of organisms infected with parasites, the occurrence of parasitism in the Anomalocardia brasiliana population at the Jaguaribe River Estuary alerts the necessity for further studies on the physiological conditions of this species in that area.

The aim of this diploma thesis is to compare natural and human-influenced malacocenoses in the vicinity of the villages Krasíkov and Domaslav in the district of Tachov, Czech Republic. Inventory research was conducted between 2012 and 2013. A total of 36 gastropod species were found, and a total of 1088 snail shells were collected. On some of the surveyed sites (the farm Krasíkov, Domaslav, the pond near Ovčí vrch) the influence of anthropic stress is evident. Four species found during this study are also listed in the Red List of Threatened Species of the Czech Republic (Aegopinella nitidula, Balea perversa, Ena montana, Vertigo pusilla). Based on the results of the research, two variants of the didactic use of a such malacological research were created in the teaching of natural science and biology. Keywords: Mollusca, Gastropoda, malacocenosis, species diversity, ecology of mollusk assemblages, Krasíkov.

Rich mollusc assemblages preserved in two profiles of fossiliferous sediment in the Blanský les area, provided the evidence about the Late Glacial and Holocene in this region, which is one of the most faunistically known areas of Central Europe. Findings of Quaternary faunas are very rare in Southern Bohemia, so these two soil profiles near Český Krumlov are so important for understanding the postglacial succession of Central Europe. The fossil mollusc assemblages showed an early appearance of forest species, which dominated both sites from the Boreal till Subboreal. Forest development in the Holocene Climatic Optimum reached a maximum, due to the absence of Neolithic man. Steppe species almost completely disappeared during this period. The development of the Young Holocene was linked to a decrease of the forest on the first site and the deforestation of the second site, due to a combination of a humidity decrease and human impact. In addition, some southern elements involved in the postglacial colonization of Central Europe, were found there. A few of them were found in a much older deposit than expected.

Developmental modularity may facilitate morphological evolution by allowing phenotypic change of a developing body component without negatively impacting other components. I examined foregut development in Amphissa columbiana, a predatory neogastropod with a highly derived foregut and in Crepidula fornicata, a phytoplankton-feeder with a less derived foregut, for evidence of developmental modules. Histological sections revealed that the post-metamorphic buccal cavity and radula of both species form as a ventral outpocketing (ventral module) from the larval esophagus (dorsal module). However, in Amphissa columbiana the ventral outpocketing is semi-isolated from the larval esophagus and also produces an “anterior esophagus” that is not developmentally homologous to the “anterior esophagus” of herbivorous caenogastropods. Semi-isolation of the ventral and dorsal modules of the developing neogastropod foregut allows precocious development of the post-metamorphic foregut during the larval stage without compromising larval feeding. Therefore, development of diverse variants of the post-metamorphic foregut are freed from larval constraints. / Graduate / 2020-08-03

Benthic mobile invertebrates are important components of coral-reef diversity and community structure, though, in most cases, their ecological contributions are poorly known. Baseline information on their diversity, prevalence, assemblages, and ecological roles is needed to aid in the conservation of coral-reef habitats. The objectives of this study are to 1) describe diversity and assemblages of epibenthic, mobile invertebrates in shallow water coral-reef communities in Florida, 2) evaluate their ecological roles by reviewing published literature on diet, and 3) measure the degree of linear dependence between mobile invertebrates and scleractinian corals. Underwater surveys were conducted in the summer of 2013 at 40 sites distributed along the Florida Reef Tract from Broward County to the Dry Tortugas. The presence/absence of all mobile, epibenthic invertebrate fauna observed were recorded and identified to the lowest level possible. The survey data include 618 records of 116 unique taxa, 83 species, 61 genera, 46 families, 19 orders, seven classes, and four phyla of mobile invertebrates, comprising herbivores, detritivores, carnivores, omnivores, and suspension feeders. These taxa represent 22% of the comparable taxa in a historical dataset that spans 60 years, plus an additional 18 taxa. The survey data also show that the percent composition of major phyla is similar to the historical dataset, despite taxonomic bias evident in the historical dataset. During the survey, novel unique taxa were encountered frequently, but were seldom recurrent, which highlights their cryptic nature. While regional patterns were not identified in the study, assemblages of dominant taxa were characteristic of reef type: echinoderms were the most diverse on patch reefs and southeast Florida reef complexes, mollusks were most diverse on shallow bank reefs, and arthropods were diverse on deep bank reefs, Southeast Florida reef complexes, and shallow bank reefs. Herbivorous mobile invertebrate diversity was negatively correlated with scleractinian coral diversity, underlining competition between corals and macroalgae, and association of herbivores with macroalgae. All of these results suggest that reef types are distinct, but interrelated communities of fauna having specific habitat requirements and important roles. This study also reinforces the challenges in assessing the diverse and often cryptic mobile invertebrate fauna and emphasizes the need for further research and monitoring to detect changes in their communities for the conservation of Florida reef systems.

Στην παρούσα διπλωματική εργασία θα παρουσιαστούν τα αποτελέσματα από τα μάκρο- απολιθώματα που βρέθηκαν και συλλέχθηκαν στην ευρύτερη περιοχή του Καστριτσίου. Η περιοχή του Καστριτσίου ανήκει στην υπο-λεκάνη του Ρίου που αυτή με την σειρά της ανήκει στην λεκάνη του Κορινθιακού (Kontopoulos, N. Zelilidis, A 1997 ). Η Ιζηματολογική ανάλυση της περιοχής μα έχει δείξει ότι έχουν αποτεθεί εναλλαγές λιμνοθαλάσσιων ιζημάτων και αλουβιακών ριπιδίων από το Ανώτερο Πλειόκαινο έως το Ανώτερο Πλειστόκαινο. Τα δείγματα εφόσον εντοπίσθηκαν, μεταφέρθηκαν στο εργαστήριο αρχικά για καθαρισμό και έπειτα μελετήθηκαν για να ταξινομηθούν με βάση τα χαρακτηριστικά τους. Τα δείγματα μας ανήκουν στην συνομοταξία των Μαλάκιων και διαχωρίστηκαν σε τρείς κύριες ομοταξίες των Διθύρων, των Γαστερόποδων και των Σκαφόποδων. Η λεπτομερής μελέτη των δειγμάτων μας έδειξε τα γένη τα οποία βρήκαμε και αναφέρουμε εν συνεχεία ονομαστικά: Cerastoderma edule, Ostrea edulis, Bittium reticulatum, Turritella communis, Nassarius reticulates, Antalis inaequicostata, Antalis vulgaris, Chama gryphoides, Aporrhais pespelecani. Τα Μαλάκια μας έδωσαν πληροφορίες για την θερμοκρασία, την αλατότητα, για το βάθος της περιοχής καθώς και για τα ιζήματα στα οποία αναπτύχθηκαν οι οργανισμοί κατά το Πλειστόκαινο. / -

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Ph.D. thesis "The complex chacterisation of the nematode Phasmarhabditis hermpahrodita" is focused on the study of ecology of slug parasitic nematode P. hermaphrodita, its general characterisation in the context of all nowadays knowledge. The thesis consists the general introduction, that introduces the whole nowadays research of P. hermaphrodita, and four original works, that follow the introductory chapter. The first work deals with the orientation of P. hermaphrodita in 2D and 3D space and reaction on the presence of different hosts or nutritive substrates. The other study deals with the reaction of P. hermaphrodita on various animal and plant nutritive substrates and in the first place the influence of these substrates on the development of nematodes and quality and quantity of progeny. The third scope of this thesis is the influence of intraspecific competition on development, quality and quantity of nematodes and the last part of this text comprises a short study of the persistence of P. hermaphrodita in different substrates, from mineral to organic.

Submitted by Alberto Vieira (martins_vieira@ibest.com.br) on 2017-08-19T01:07:35Z No. of bitstreams: 1 838418.pdf: 7216722 bytes, checksum: 170975f9f59924496a0f0dd411f715da (MD5) / Made available in DSpace on 2017-08-19T01:07:35Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 838418.pdf: 7216722 bytes, checksum: 170975f9f59924496a0f0dd411f715da (MD5) Previous issue date: 1978 / São estudadas nesse trabalho onze espécies de quitões distribuídas em cinco gêneros pertencentes às famílias Lepidopleuridae, Ischnochitonidae e Chaetopleuridae, todos da costa do Estado do Rio de Janeiro, Brasil. Enfatiza-se o aspecto taxonômico e morfológico juntamente com observações sobre distribuição geográfica e habitat. / Contribution to the knowledge of the Polyplacophora of the state of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. (Mollusca: Polyplacophora). Eleven species of chitones distributed by five genera belonging to the families Lepidopleuridae, Ischnochitonidae and Chaetopleuridae, all from the coast of the state of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, are studied in this work. The taxonomic and morphological aspects are emphazised, aside from observations on geographic distribution and habitat.