Doctor of Philosophy / Department of Chemistry / Duy H. Hua / Our research work is divided into three chapters. In the first chapter, synthesis of substituted phenolic compounds including halogenated di- and trihydroxybenzenes, aminophenols, and substituted di-tert-butylphenols, their redox potential, laccase oxidation, and mosquito anti-larval activities are discussed. The synthesized substituted phenols were found to be the substrates but not the inhibitors of laccase. An inverse correlation between the oxidation potential and the laccase oxidation efficiency of halogenated hydroxybenzenes and aminophenols was established. However, substituted di-tert-butylphenols were found to have anti-larval activities in mosquitoes resulting in the death of the larvae just before reaching pupation. Among the di-tert-butyl phenols studied, water insoluble, 2,4-di-tert-butyl-6-(3-methyl-2-butenyl)phenol (16), 2-(3,5-di-tert-butyl-4-hydroxyphenyl)-2-methylpropanal oxime (14), and 6,8-di-tert-butyl-2,2-dimethyl-3,4-dihydro-2H-chromene (17) caused the mortility of 98%, 93%, and 92% of Anopheles gambiae larvae in the concentration of 182 nM, 3.4 µM, and 3.7 µM, respectively. In particular, compound 16 had similar anti-larval activities as compared to MON-0585, an anti-larval agent reported by Monsanto in the 70’s. In the second chapter, inhibition of protein kinase C (PKC) phosphorylation by substituted quinolines (PQs) is inverstigated. PQ compounds such as N-(3-aminopropyl)-6-methoxy-4-methyl-5-(3-(trifluormethyl)phenoxy)quinolin-8-amine (PQ1), N-(furan-2-ylmethyl)-6-methoxy-4-methyl)-5-(3-(trifluoromethyl)phenoxy)quinolin-8-amine (PQ11), and 6-methoxy-4-methyl-N-(quinolin-4-ylmethyl)-5-(3-(trifluoromethyl)phenoxy)quinolin-8-amine (PQ15) were found to inhibit PKC phosphorylation with IC50 values of 35 nM, 42.3 nM, and 216.3 nM respectively, among which PQ1 and PQ11 were found to be potent PKC inhibitors as comparable to that of staurosporine (IC50 = 33 nM). In chapter three, the tissue distribution of PQ1 and PQ11 in normal C57BL/6J mice and the effect of PQ1 on the normal tissues of mice were investigated. Substituted quinolines, PQ1 and PQ11 were distributed in the tissues in concentrations that were more than 40 folds of their effective dose. PQ1 and PQ11 were also found to penetrate the blood brain barrier and collect in the tissue in significant amounts. The administration of PQ1 and PQ11 had no effect in the normal behavior of the animals indicating no short term adverse effects. PQ1 was found to increase the expression of survivin, an anti-apoptotic factor and decrease the expression of cleaved caspase-3 and caspase-8, pro-apoptotic proteins. These studies suggests that PQ1 might have anti-apoptotic activities in normal cells, in contrast to the role of PQ1 in cancer cells where it has demonstrated to induce apoptosis. The study also indicated that PQ11 was better metabolized from the tissues over time as compared to PQ1.

A Área de Proteção Ambiental (APA) Capivari-Monos no sul do município de São Paulo, sub-distrito de Parelheiros, é uma área de Mata Atlântica que abriga importantes mananciais. Devido à urbanização desorganizada, alterações das condições ecológicas naturais dessa área propiciam o contato entre humanos, patógenos e culicídeos. Pouco se sabe sobre a ecologia de mosquitos vetores de patógenos nessa localidade, o que instigou a pesquisa na região. Nesse sentido, o presente estudo investigou a fauna culicídeos presentes em ambiente silvestre e antrópico na APA Capivari-Monos, determinando-se indicadores de biodiversidade e relacionando-os a fatores ambientais. Para tal, por 12 meses foram capturados mensalmente culicídeos adultos e imaturos de ambiente silvestre e antrópico usando-se diferentes técnicas de captura. Foram utilizados indicadores de diversidade para avaliar a riqueza, dominância, abundância e equabilidade dos diferentes ambientes. Um total de 9.403 mosquitos adultos foram capturados de maio de 2009 a junho de 2010. As espécies prevalentes entre as coletadas no ambiente silvestre foram Anopheles (Kerteszia) cruzii, Culex (Melanoconion) seção Melanoconion e Aedes serratus, enquanto as mais comuns no ambiente antrópico foram Coquillettidia chrysonotum / albifera, Culex (Culex) grupo coronator e An. (Kerteszia) cruzii. A riqueza de mosquitos adultos foi semelhante entre os ambientes, e a abundância variou entre as espécies. Ao comparar os padrões de diversidade entre os ambientes, a região antrópica apresentou maior riqueza e uniformidade, o que sugere que o estresse ambiental aumentou o número de nichos favoráveis para culicídeos e promoveu maior diversidade. A espécie An. cruzii apresentou correlação positiva com pluviosidade e temperatura no ambiente antrópico, mas no ambiente silvestre essa espécie não esteve associada aos fatores climáticos. Dos 2443 mosquitos imaturos coletados, 1507 (61,7 por cento ) foram encontrados no ambiente antrópico e 936 (38,3 por cento ) no ambiente silvestre. Os mosquitos imaturos foram distribuídos em 62 categorias taxonômicas, e sua riqueza e abundância foram maiores no ambiente antrópico que no silvestre. Os indivíduos Culex (Microculex) grupo Imitator foram os que apresentaram maior abundância e foram encontrados com maior frequência no ambiente antrópico e silvestre. / The Environmental Protection Area (APA) Capivari-Monos in the Parelheiros sub-district, in South São Paulo, is an Atlantic Forest area that comprises important springs. Owing to the disorganized urbanization, changes in the natural ecological conditions of the APA promoted human-Culicidae-pathogen contact. The lack of information on the ecology of mosquito vectors in the APA motivated the present study, which investigated the Culicidae fauna wild and anthropic zones of the Capivari-Monos APA, determining biodiversity indicators and relating them to environmental factors. To that end, adult and immature Culicidae were monthly collected from the wild and from the anthropic zones for 12 months and using different capture techniques. Diversity indicators were used to assess richness, dominance, evenness and abundance in the different environments. A number of 9,403 adult mosquitoes were collected from May 2009 to June 2010. The main species collected in the wild environment were Anopheles (Kerteszia) cruzii, the Melanoconion section of Culex (Melanoconion) and Aedes serratus, whereas the most common species in the anthropic zone were Coquillettidia chrysonotum/albifera, Culex (Culex) Coronator group and An. (Ker.) cruzii. Mosquito richness was similar between the zones, and their abundance varied according to the species. Compared to the wild zone, the anthropic zone exhibited higher richness and evenness, suggesting that environmental stress increased the number of favorable niches for culicids, promoting diversity. An. cruzii occurrence was positively correlated with rainfall and temperature in the anthropic zone, but in the wild zone it was not associated with climatic factors. From the 2,443 immature mosquitoes collected, 1,507 (61.7 per cent ) were found int the anthropic zone and 936 (38.3 per cent ) in the wild zone. The immature mosquitoes were distributed into 62 taxonomic categories, and their richness and abundance were higher in the anthropic than in the wild zone. Culex (Microculex) Imitator group was the prevailing species in both environments.

Submitted by Edisangela Bastos (edisangela@ufpa.br) on 2013-09-04T13:11:35Z No. of bitstreams: 2 license_rdf: 23898 bytes, checksum: e363e809996cf46ada20da1accfcd9c7 (MD5) Dissertacao_ContribuicaoConhecimentoFauna.pdf: 48204466 bytes, checksum: c4773cd0cda85abc5d2bea05b66ea099 (MD5) / Approved for entry into archive by Ana Rosa Silva(arosa@ufpa.br) on 2013-09-05T12:54:04Z (GMT) No. of bitstreams: 2 license_rdf: 23898 bytes, checksum: e363e809996cf46ada20da1accfcd9c7 (MD5) Dissertacao_ContribuicaoConhecimentoFauna.pdf: 48204466 bytes, checksum: c4773cd0cda85abc5d2bea05b66ea099 (MD5) / Made available in DSpace on 2013-09-05T12:54:04Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 2 license_rdf: 23898 bytes, checksum: e363e809996cf46ada20da1accfcd9c7 (MD5) Dissertacao_ContribuicaoConhecimentoFauna.pdf: 48204466 bytes, checksum: c4773cd0cda85abc5d2bea05b66ea099 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2004-07 / Apesar da sua localização perto de Belém, Pará, a Ilha de Cotijuba tem sido assolada por surtos de malária durante os últimos anos, principalmente nos meses de abril a maio. A ilha faz parte de um arquipélago situado às margens da baía do Marajó, a 29 km de Belém, constituindo uma parte insular dessa cidade, e possui uma área de cerca de 60 km² e uma costa com 20 km de praias, que corresponde a 66% da área total da ilha. Por causa da epidemia, tomou-se necessário conhecer as espécies de anofelinos vetores de malária na ilha. Nos anos de 2002 a 2004 foram realizadas coletas periódicas de larvas e adultos de mosquitos e os seus criatórios foram localizados e caracterizados. Os imaturos foram coletados com auxílio de conchas e em bandejas plásticas. Para os adultos utilizou-se o método de captura manual com isca humana. Duas coletas de adultos na floresta foram realizadas, uma no período seco e outra no período chuvoso, com duração de 24 horas ininterruptas. Seis coletas bimensais no peridomicílio foram feitas, com duração de 6 horas. Tanto na floresta como no peridomicilio foram registradas apenas duas espécies em atividade atacando o homem, Anopheles (Nyssorhynchus) aquasalis e Anopheles (Anopheles) intermedius. A. aquasalis foi mais freqüente no peridomicílio, enquanto A. intermedius teve maior freqüência na floresta. Verificou-se que o maior número de casos de malária na ilha ocorre dois meses depois do início das chuvas, no mês de maio. Na i, como um todo, existem quatro lagos que são os possíveis criatórios de anofelinos da ilha e o lago da Gabriela é o principal criatório da ilha de Cotijuba, sendo responslha de Cotijubaável por 42% dos casos de malária na ilha no ano de 2003. As condições climáticas, o comportamento dos residentes e a falta de recursos para o efetivo controle dos vetores da doença, entre outros fatores, favorecem a persistência de malária na Ilha de Cotijuba. / In spite of its localization near the city of Belém, Pará, Cotijuba Island has been the site of outbreaks of malaria during recent years, especially in the months of April and May. The island is part of an archipelago at the southern margin of Marajó Bay, located 29 km from Belém, as an island portion of the municipality of Belém. The island has a total area of about 60 km² and 20 km of beaches that correspond to about 66% of the total area. Because of the epidemic, it tias become necessary to identify the anopheline species that are the malaria vectors on the island. From 2002 to 2004 periodic collections were made of mosquito larvae and adults, and their breeding sites were located and characterized. Larvae were collected with dippers, while adults were collected manually in individual tubes from human volunteers. Two collections were made of adults in forested areas, one collection during the dry season and the other during the rainy season. Each collection was made during a continuous 24 hour period. Six bi-monthly collections were made near residents' houses, each lasting 6 hours. Both in the forest and near houses, only two species of anophelines were found to bite people, Anopheles (Nyssorhynchus) aquasalis and Anopheles (Anopheles) intennedius. A. aquasalis was more common near houses, whereas A. intermedius was more common in the forest. Most of the island's malaria cases were found to occur two months after the beginning of the rainy season, in the month of May. On all of Cotijuba Island there are four lakes that are possible anopheline breeding sites, and Gabriela Lake is the principal breeding site, responding for 42% of the malaria cases on the island during 2003. Climatic conditions, the resident population's behavior and housing, and the lack of resources for effective vector control, among other factors, favor the continual presence of malaria on Cotijuba Island.

Orientador: Lin Chau Ming / Banca: Ari de Freitas Hidalgo / Banca: Maria Christina de Mello Amorozo / Resumo: A malária persiste como uma das principais doenças negligenciadas em todo o mundo. Anualmente três milhões de pessoas a contraem e cerca de um milhão morrem por causa dela. A região do mundo mais afetada é a África Subsariana e, no Brasil, a região amazônica é a mais afetada. As populações locais aprenderam a retirar do meio ambiente os recursos necessários para sobreviver e são atualmente a principal esperança na descoberta de novos medicamentos antimaláricos frente ao parasita da malária que apresenta resistência aos fármacos existentes. Neste trabalho estudou-se o manejo das plantas antimaláricas utilizadas por populações locais de Barcelos, Amazonas. Durante o primeiro semestre de 2013 foram entrevistadas 52 pessoas de sete comunidades rurais e da zona urbana de Barcelos, reconhecidas localmente por seu conhecimento sobre o uso de plantas medicinais. Foram indicadas 118 plantas, seis animais e dois minerais para o tratamento da malária e para outros oito sintomas reconhecidos pelos entrevistados. Foram indicadas 58 espécies para o tratamento da malária, 70% dessas são nativas da região amazônica e 15 plantas não possuem nenhuma referência na literatura com esta indicação de uso. Também foram indicadas 27 plantas para febre, 51 plantas para o tratamento do fígado, 17 plantas para o tratamento da anemia e 15 plantas para dores de cabeça. Foram descritas 12 diferentes formas de preparo das partes utilizadas. 47% das plantas indicadas têm suas folhas utilizadas e 24% sua casca e entrecasca. Das 118 plantas indicadas 46% são arbóreas, 30% herbáceas, 15% arbustivas e 9% trepadeiras. 65% têm origem amazônica, 26% são exóticas do Brasil e as demais são nativas do Brasil, mas não ocorrem naturalmente na região amazônica. De todas estas plantas 45% são cultivadas, 8% podem ser cultivadas ou favorecidas, 17% são favorecidas e as demais não têm nenhum tipo de ... / Abstract: Malaria remains one of the major diseases around the world. Every year three million people contract it and about a million died because of it. The most affected region of the world is sub-Saharan Africa and in Brazil the Amazon region is the most affected. Local people have learned how to survive just with the enviroment and are currently the main hope in the discovery of new antimalarial drugs against the malaria. This work studied the management of antimalarial plants used by local populations of Barcelos, Amazonas. During the first half of 2013 52 people from 7 rural communities and the urban area of Barcelos, locally recognized for their knowledge on the use of medicinal plants were interviewed. 118 plants , six animals and two minerals are used to treat malaria and eight other symptoms. 57 species are used for the treatment of malaria, 70 % of these are native from the Amazon region and 11 of them don't have any reference in the literature. 27 plants are used for fever, 51 plants for the treatment of liver, 17 plants for the treatment of anemia and 15 plants for headaches are also indicated. 12 different preparation of the plants were described. 47 % of listed plants have their leaves used and 24 % used their bark. Of the 118 plants indicated 46 % are woody herbaceous 30 % , shrub 15 % and 9 % climbing plants. 65 % have Amazonian origin , 26 % are exotic in Brazil and the rest are native to Brazil , but do not occur naturally in the Amazon region. 45 % are grown, 8 % can be grown or favored, 17 % are favored and the other does not have any kind of conscious management. 4 % of the plants are only acquired in trade. 26 % of plants are propagated by seeds directly, 17 % by vegetative parts of plants and 12% of seedlings that are transplanted. The use of antimalarial plants is important in the study region even with the use of allelochemicals medicine, but preventive methods , and plants used ... / Mestre

Submitted by Hellen Luz (hellencrisluz@gmail.com) on 2017-07-19T15:08:15Z No. of bitstreams: 2 license_rdf: 0 bytes, checksum: d41d8cd98f00b204e9800998ecf8427e (MD5) Dissertacao_CaracterizacaoAntigenicaFisico.pdf: 2287602 bytes, checksum: 6ff5a42c9828655cb42af31bca8866f2 (MD5) / Approved for entry into archive by Irvana Coutinho (irvana@ufpa.br) on 2017-07-21T14:35:16Z (GMT) No. of bitstreams: 2 license_rdf: 0 bytes, checksum: d41d8cd98f00b204e9800998ecf8427e (MD5) Dissertacao_CaracterizacaoAntigenicaFisico.pdf: 2287602 bytes, checksum: 6ff5a42c9828655cb42af31bca8866f2 (MD5) / Made available in DSpace on 2017-07-21T14:35:16Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 2 license_rdf: 0 bytes, checksum: d41d8cd98f00b204e9800998ecf8427e (MD5) Dissertacao_CaracterizacaoAntigenicaFisico.pdf: 2287602 bytes, checksum: 6ff5a42c9828655cb42af31bca8866f2 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2014-03-26 / CAPES - Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior / O vírus BE AR 701405 foi obtido de um lote de mosquitos da espécie Psorophora (Jan.) ferox, capturados em Altamira, estado do Pará, no ano de 2006. O objetivo deste estudo foi caracterizar físico-química, biológica e antigenicamente o vírus BE AR 701405, com o objetivo de obter dados que auxiliassem sua classificação taxonômica. Camundongos recém-nascidos manifestaram alterações neurológicas, como tremores e ausência de coordenação motora, após a infecção pelo vírus BE AR 701405. O vírus praticamente não determinou efeito citopático (ECP) nas células de Aedes albopictus, clone C6/36, entretanto, causou ECP em células Vero com aproximadamente 48 horas pós- infecção. O título do vírus obtido foi de 10-4,1 DL50/ 0,02 mL e o título após a ação do DCA foi de 10−2,6 DL50/0,02 mL. O vírus BE AR 701405 reagiu antigenicamente com o soro hiperimune do Virus Pixuna. Portanto, o vírus BE AR 701405 é sensível ao DCA o que indica que é um vírus envelopado. Ele é um membro do grupo antigênico A, do gênero Alphavirus, família Togaviridae, relacionado ao Virus Pixuna. Camundongos recém-nascidos e células Vero e C6/36 são suscetíveis à infecção pelo vírus BE AR 701405. Estudos posteriores são necessários para esclarecer o relacionamento antigênico do vírus BE AR 701405 com o Virus Pixuna. / The BE AR 701405 virus was isolated from a pool of Psorophora (Jan.) ferox mosquitoes captured in the municipality of Altamira, Para state, Northern Brazil, in 2006. The objective of this study was the physicochemical, biological and antigenic characterization of the BE AR 701405 virus in order to provide data for it taxonomic classification. Newborn mice inoculated by intracerebral route showed evidences of neurological manifestations, such as chill and motor disorders after the infection with the virus BE AR 701405. Cytophatic effect (CPE) was in infected Aedes albopictus C6/36 cells was not clearly observed, however in VERO cells CPE was observed after 48 hors post infection. The virus load was determined in 10-4,1 LD50/ 0.02 mL and the titer after DCE analysis was calculated in 10−2,6 LD50/0,02 mL. The BE AR 701405 virus reacted antigenically with Pixuna virus hiperimmune serum. In conclusion, the studied vírus was sensible to the DCA solvent suggesting that it is an enveloped virus. Furthermore, by serology this virus was identified as a member of the group A, genus Alphavirus, family Togaviridae, more closely related to Pixuna virus. In addition, newborn mice, as well as C6/36 and VERO cells demonstrated to be sensible to the infection by the BE AR 701405 vírus. Further studies are needed to better understand the antigenic relationship between the BE AR 701405 virus and Pixuna virus.

Submitted by Edisangela Bastos (edisangela@ufpa.br) on 2015-02-25T19:59:19Z No. of bitstreams: 2 license_rdf: 22974 bytes, checksum: 99c771d9f0b9c46790009b9874d49253 (MD5) Dissertacao_PaleoambienteFormacaoMosquito.pdf: 13799158 bytes, checksum: 38a3b51635afe5f69182c1642be440c6 (MD5) / Approved for entry into archive by Ana Rosa Silva (arosa@ufpa.br) on 2015-02-27T13:03:07Z (GMT) No. of bitstreams: 2 license_rdf: 22974 bytes, checksum: 99c771d9f0b9c46790009b9874d49253 (MD5) Dissertacao_PaleoambienteFormacaoMosquito.pdf: 13799158 bytes, checksum: 38a3b51635afe5f69182c1642be440c6 (MD5) / Made available in DSpace on 2015-02-27T13:03:07Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 2 license_rdf: 22974 bytes, checksum: 99c771d9f0b9c46790009b9874d49253 (MD5) Dissertacao_PaleoambienteFormacaoMosquito.pdf: 13799158 bytes, checksum: 38a3b51635afe5f69182c1642be440c6 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2013 / CAPES - Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior / O Mesozóico foi marcado por mudanças geológicas significativas, decorrentes de soerguimentos resultante da orogenia Gonduanide, que possibilitou a implantação de sistemas desérticos concomitantemente com expressivos eventos magmáticos. Na Bacia do Parnaíba, Nordeste do Brasil, estes eventos estão registrados nas unidades siliciclásticas do Triássico, os arenitos da Formação Sambaíba, representadas pelos derrames basálticos e arenitos fluviais e eólicos subordinados da Formação Mosquito e pelos arenitos flúvio-eólicos da Formação Corda. O estudo de fácies e estratigráfico realizado em afloramentos e testemunhos de sondagem na região entre Formosa da Serra Negra e Montes Altos, Estado do Maranhão, possibilitou reconstituir o paleoambiente do topo da Formação Mosquito e da Formação Corda, e inferir condições paleoclimáticas para a porção centro-oeste da Bacia do Parnaíba durante o Jurássico. Foram identificadas vinte fácies sedimentares agrupadas em cinco associações de fácies (AF) representativas de uma planície vulcânica com depósitos fluviais esporádicos e arenitos eólicos subordinados (AF1-Formação Mosquito), sucedida pela instalação de um sistema desértico úmido (AF2-AF5; Formação Corda). A planície vulcânica (AF1) constitui derrames basálticos intercalados com arenitos finos a grossos (arenitos intertrap) compostos por grãos arredondados a subangulosos de quartzo, feldspatos e fragmentos de vidro vulcânico. Os arenitos apresentam estratificações plano-paralela e cruzada de baixo ângulo, preenchendo geometria de canal ou em corpos tabulares. Depósitos de canal fluvial entrelaçado (AF2) consistem em conglomerados polimíticos, com grânulos e seixos subarredondados a angulosos de basalto, e arenitos grossos com estratificação cruzada acanalada e acamamento maciço. Os lençóis arenosos (AF3) foram divididos em dois elementos arquiteturais (EA), o primeiro (EA1) consistem em arenitos finos a muitos com geometria tabular e estruturas de deformação, o segundo (EA2) é composto por arenito fino a grosso com estratificação cruzada acanalada e laminação cruzada cavalgante, gutter cast de pequeno porte. O campo de dunas (AF4) foi subdividido em dois conjuntos de fácies (C), o primeiro (CI) é caracterizado por arenitos com estratificações cruzadas tabular e tangencial de pequeno a médio porte, estratificação planoparalela e laminação cruzada cavalgante transladante subcrítica. O segundo (CII) consiste de arenitos finos a médios, moderadamente selecionados, laminação ondulada e estruturas de adesão e gretas de contração com rip-up clast, curled mud flakes, forma ciclos de raseamento centimétricos, com topo marcado por horizontes mosqueados, ricos em óxido/hidróxido de ferro, bioturbações e gretas de contração, interpretados como depósitos de interdunas úmidas. Os lobos de suspensão (AF5) consistem em arenitos finos intercalados com pelitos e arenito/pelito com estratificação cruzada complexa. A abundância de esmectita na AF4 aponta para condições de clima semiárido. No Jurássico, a região centro-oeste da Bacia do Parnaíba, foi submetida a movimentos distensivos com recorrência de derrames básicos advindos de fissuras na crosta. Durante os intervalos de aquiescência sedimentos de rios efêmeros preenchiam depressões ou espraiavam-se na planície vulcânica. O final da atividade magmática foi sucedido pela implantação do desérto Corda com campo de dunas e canais fluviais efêmeros (wadi) que retrabalharam parte da planície vulcânica e esporadicamente invadiam os lençóis arenosos. Comparado aos ergs do Permo-Triássico (Formação Sambaíba), o deserto Jurássico da Formação Corda foi mais úmido e menos extenso precedendo os sistemas fluviais e costeiros de clima mais ameno do Cretáceo da Bacia do Parnaíba. / The Mesozoic was marked by significant geological changes, resulting of the Gondwana Orogeny uplifts, which propitiated the implantations of desertic systems concomitantly with expressive magmatic events. In the Parnaíba Basin, northeastern Brazil, these events are recorded in the Triassic Sambaiba Formation, and the Jurassic units, represented by basaltic flows, subordinated fluvial and eolian sandstones of Mosquito Formation and by fluvioaeolian deposits of Corda Formation. Outcrop- and core-based stratigraphic and facies analysis carried out in the Formosa da Serra Negra and Montes Altos regions, State of Maranhão, allowed the paleoenvironmental reconstitution of the Upper Mosquito and Corda formations. Additionally, we infer paleoclimate conditions for the westen-central portion of the Parnaíba Basin during the Jurassic. Were identified twenty sedimentary facies were grouped into five facies associations (FA) representing a volcanic plain deposits with sporadic fluvial and eolian sandstones (FA1- Mosquito Formation), succeeded by the installation of a wet desert system (AF2-AF5; Corda Formation). The volcanic plain (FA1) consists of basaltic flows interbedded with fine to coarse-grained sandstones (intertrap sandstones) composed of subangular to rounded grains of quartz, feldspars and volcanic glass fragments. The sandstones exhibit even parallel and low-angle cross stratifications, filling channel geometry or in tabular beds. Braided channel deposits (FA2) consist of polymictic conglomerates, with subrounded to angular pebbles and granules of basalt, and sandstone with massive bedding and trough cross-bedding. The sandy sheets (FA3) were divided into two architectural elements (AE), the first (AE1) is composed by thin and coarse grained sandstone whit adhesion lamination, adhesion warts, wind and water ripples marks, small-scale gutter cast and load cast structures. The dune field (FA4) is characterized by fine to medium-grained sandstone, with rounded grains, displaying small to medium-scale planar and tangential cross stratification of small to medium size, even parallel and cross laminations, even parallel stratification and subcritically climbing translatent strata. Fine to medium sandstone, moderately selected, beds with rip-up clast, curled mud flakes, flaser bedding and locally massive bedding, are organized in centimetric shallowing upward cycles. In the upper portion of cycles occur iron oxide/hydroxide mottled horizon, bioturbações, root marks and mud cracks interpreted as wet interdune deposits. Suspension lobes deposites (FA5) consist of fine grained sandstones and massive mudstones forming complex cross stratification with low angle and even parallel lamination, wavy and flaser beddings. Kaolinite and iron oxide hydroxide are abundant in FA1 and FA2, and characterize the subaqueous environments, while the abundance of smectite in paleosoils of FA4 indicates semi-arid climate. In the Jurassic, the central western region the Parnaíba Basin, was affected by extensional tectonics with recurrent eruptions of basic lava flow along of fissures system. During the intervals without magmatic activity, sediments supplied of ephemeral rivers were distributed in sheet flow or filled depressions on the volcanic plain. The end of magmatic event was succeeded by implantation of the Corda desert formed by dune field and ephemeral fluvial channels (wadi) that reworked partly the volcanic plain deposits and sandy sheet setting. The Jurassic desent of Corda Formation was wetter and smaller than to the Perm-Triassic ergs (Sambaíba Formation), preceding the extensive and warmer and coastal systems in the Cretaceous of the Parnaíba Basin.

Actualment una de les principals amenaces a la biodiversitat és la introducció d'espècies. Revisant 26 variables de les 69 espècies de peixos continental de la Península Ibèrica concloem que la filogènia, variabilitat i els usos de l'home són necessaris per entendre millor les diferències entres les espècies natives i invasores.Entre les especies més afectades per la introducció de peixos es troben els ciprinodontiformes endèmics del Mediterrani. Aportem les primers dades sobre l'ús d'hàbitats ocasionalment inundats i la selecció de preses del fartet (Aphanius iberus), observant un canvi ontogenètic, clarament relacionat amb el microhàbitat.També demostrem que la salinitat influeix en l'èxit invasor de la gamúsia, afectant la seva densitat i biologia reproductiva. Per altra banda, demostrem experimentalment que amb l'increment de salinitat la gambúsia disminueix la seva agressivitat i captura menys preses, reduint la seva eficàcia competitiva respecte dels ciprinodonts natius. / One of the main current threats to biodiversity is the introduction of invasive species. By reviewing 26 life-history and ecological variables of the 69 inland fish species of the Iberian Peninsula we conclude that phylogeny, variability and human use are needed to a better understanding of the differences between native and invasive species.Among the most threatened species by invasive fish are the Mediterranean endemic cyprinodontiform fish. We report the first data on the use of occasionally-inundated habitats ad prey electivity by the Spanish toothcarp (Aphanius iberus). We observed an ontogenetic diet shift clearly linked to a microhabitat change.We also demonstrate that salinity limits the invasive success of mosquitofish (Gambusia holbrooki), affecting density and life history traits. ON the ohter hand, we experimentally demonstrate that mosquitofish decreases its aggresive behavior and capture less prey, reducing its competitive efficiency with salinity increases regarding to native ciprinodonts.

The evolution of elaborate male ornaments via sexual selection is well-understood while the selective pressures acting on female ornaments remains unresolved. Female ornaments in species with strong sexual selection on the male homologue of the ornament were originally thought to result from an intersexual genetic correlation. My thesis explores the evolution of ornaments in females due to direct selection by developing theoretical models and examining the biology of a neotropical mosquito (Sabethes cyaneus) with sexually homologous ornaments coinciding with male-male competition. I began by exploring the morphology of the ornaments in both sexes of S. cyaneus. Sexual dimorphism in the size and shape of the ornaments was slight and both male and female ornaments showed classic hallmarks of sexually selected traits. I then tested for direct selection on S. cyaneus male and female ornaments via mutual mate choice. I found evidence of male, but surprisingly not female, preferences for ornaments. I then further considered the evolution of male mate choice in polygynous species. First, I investigated whether male investment in courtship by S. cyaneus may result in a lower operational sex ratio and thereby reduce the costs associated with male mate choice. Male courtship did pose a significant longevity cost to male S. cyaneus. Second, I explored the possibility that a female preference for male courtship effort may contribute to the benefits of male mate choice in a series of population genetic models. The spread of a male preference gene can be driven by female preferences for male courtship when males court preferred females more. Finally, I found that female S. cyaneus are not benefitting from signalling to increase their mating rate as they are monandrous. My thesis therefore challenges standing sexual selection theory and suggests that sexual selection on females may be more widespread than previously thought. / Felaktigt tryckt som Digital Comprehensive Summaries of Uppsala Dissertations from the Faculty of Science and Technology 729

To achieve economic development, regional authorities have to address issues that relate to climate change, efficient information flow in the market place, and health care. This dissertation presents three essays on current issues of concern to economic development in Africa. Climate change is examined in terms of its effects on the Egyptian agricultural sector; transmission of world price to small scale growers is examined in Uganda; and the benefits of insecticide-treated bed nets use is examined in Africa. In essay I, to address the impact of climate change on the Egyptian agricultural sector under alternative population growth rates, water use and crop yield assumption; the Egyptian Agricultural Sector Model (EASM) is updated and expanded to improve hydrological modeling and used to portray agricultural activity and hydrological flow. The results indicate that climate change will cause damages (costs) to the Egyptian agricultural sector and these will increase over time. Egypt may reduce these future damages by controlling its population growth rate and using water conservation strategies. In essay II, I use vector autoregressive analysis to examine the transmissions of price information to Uganda coffee growers; using monthly coffee price data on retail, futures, farmgate and world prices from 1994 to 2010. Improved transmission of world prices to farmers may increase their decision making to obtain a better market price. Directed acyclic graphs reveal that there is a causal flow of information from the indicator price to the London futures price to the Uganda grower?s price in contemporaneous time. Forecast error variance decomposition indicates that at moving ahead 12 months, the uncertainty in Uganda grower price is attributable to the indicator price (world spot price), own price (farmgate), London future and Spain retail price in rank order. In essay III, the cost of malaria in children under five years and the use of insecticide treated bed nets is examined in the context of 18 countries in Africa. I examine the direct and indirect cost of malaria in children under five years and the benefit of investing in insecticide treated mosquito nets as a preventative strategy in 18 African countries. The results indicate that the use of mosquito treated nets reduces the number of malaria cases in children; and this can induce 0.5% reduction in outpatient treatment costs, 11% reduction in inpatient treatment costs, 11% reduction in productivity loss, and 15% reduction in disability adjusted life years (DALY) annually.

Haematophagous parasites and disease vectors such as leeches, ticks, mites, lice, bed bugs, mosquitoes, and myiasis-causing fly larvae are common health problems in Lao Peoples Democratic Republic (Lao PDR). A main aim of my field work in Lao PDR in 2006-2010 was to document traditional knowledge among different ethnic groups about plants that people use to repel or to kill blood-feeding invertebrates. We carried out structured interviews in 66 villages comprising 17 ethnic groups, covering a range of ethnic group, throughout Lao PDR and recorded a total of 92 plant species - in 123 different plant-ectoparasite combinations - that are used as traditional repellents and/or as “pesticides” to kill "pest" invertebrates. Traditional use was confirmed in the scientific literature for 74 of these plant species, and for an additional 13 species based on literature on closely related species. We concluded that repellents and pesticides from many plant species are commonly used in the Lao countryside. We also investigated traditionally used Lao plants for their activity to repel or to kill certain disease vectors and parasites. Target organisms were mosquitoes (Diptera, Culicidae), fly larvae (Diptera, Cyclorrhapha) in fermented fish production, and terrestrial blood-sucking leeches (Hirudinea, Haemadipsidae). The potential mosquito repellent activities of essential oils of Croton roxburghii (Euphorbiaceae), Hyptis suaveolens (Lamiaceae), and Litsea cubeba (Lauraceae) were evaluated in the field near Vientiane. Oils at concentrations of 1.7-6.7 µg/cm2 were significantly repellent to Aedes, Armigeres and Culex attracted to human baits. The activities against fly larvae, infesting fermenting fish, of three plant species, Tadehagi triquetrum (Fabaceae), Uraria crinita (Fabaceae) and Bambusa multiplex (Poaceae) were investigated: When fresh material of the plants was added on top of fermenting fish infested with fly larvae significant proportions of the larvae were repelled or killed. The total protective effect, i.e., repellent and killing effect combined, of T. triquetrum, U. crinita, and B. multiplex was 60-83 %, 77-90 %, and 60-93 %, respectively. Field evaluation of the potential leech repellent activities of water extracts of Sapindus rarak (Sapindaceae), Catunaregam spathulifolia (Rubiaceae) and Vernonia elaeagnifolia, (Asteraceae) impregnated on stockings and worn by persons in two leech-infested biotopes revealed leech repellent activities of 82.6%, 62.6% and 63.0%, respectively. The corresponding repellencies of deltamethrin and diethyl-3-methyl-benzamide (DEET) were 73.1% and 88.4%, respectively. Identification of the active components in certain of the plants with the ultimate aim to develop more optimal, less costly repellents, insecticides, acaricides, and anti-leech compounds as alternatives to synthetic repellents and pesticides against blood-feeding insects, ticks, mites, and leeches is in progress.