Diss. (sammanfattning) Linköping : Univ., 2004. / Härtill 4 uppsatser.

Diss. (sammanfattning) Uppsala : Sveriges lantbruksuniv., 2007. / Härtill 4 uppsatser.

Diss. (sammanfattning) Umeå : Sveriges lantbruksuniv., 2007. / Härtill 4 uppsatser.

Apis mellifera é uma espécie de abelha bastante estudada sob diferentes perspectivas, tanto em pesquisas básicas como aplicadas. Possui uma natureza singular associada não só a interesses econômicos como produção de cera, mel, própolis, geléia real, pólen, mas também, por seu potencial agrícola como polinizador. Esta espécie tem sido alvo de muitos estudos morfométricos, principalmente pela sua importância ecológica, pela sua grande capacidade de adaptação, sua ampla distribuição e por serem capazes de se estabelecer eficientemente em diversos ambientes. A morfometria geométrica permite uma análise rigorosa da variação da forma de uma determinada estrutura em organismos de diversos tamanhos, principalmente utilizando métodos de estatística multivariada, além de ser capaz de avaliar a instabilidade no desenvolvimento de um organismo. O presente trabalho teve como objetivo estudar as variações da forma e tamanho em asas e corbículas de operárias de Apis mellifera, provenientes das 5 regiões geográficas do Brasil, utilizando análises morfogeométricas. A existência de padrões de variação de forma e tamanho das abelhas africanizadas no Brasil obtidos há 16 anos em estudo clássico realizado por Diniz-Filho e Malaspina, possibilitou uma análise espaço-temporal comparativa com os resultados obtidos utilizando recursos tecnológicos atuais para a avaliação de dados morfométricos, bem como, verificar por meio das análises de assimetria flutuante a plasticidade fenotípica no tamanho e forma da asa e corbícula dessa espécie, possibilitou ainda, avaliar se condições adversas relacionadas às ações antrópicas influenciam no aumento de desvios na simetria bilateral desses caracteres morfológicos. Foi realizada uma amostragem abrangendo as 5 regiões geográficas do Brasil, pela forma das asa e análises multivariadas verificou-se que existe um padrão geográfico entre as populações de Apis mellifera no Brasil (P < 0,001). Essas variações geográficas podem ser devidas à grande extensão territorial, além da possível associação das diferenças entre ecorregiões. Verificou-se, também, a presença de assimetria flutuante na forma das asas e das corbículas de Apis mellifera em todas as populações estudadas, porém, na análise multivariada e assimetria do tamanho não obteve significância em algumas populações, constatando-se que para estudo de assimetria e distribuição populacional a forma da asa e das corbículas é a análise mais indicada e que apresenta maior precisão. / Apis mellifera is bee specie very studied under different perspectives, as for basic studies to applied ones. They have a singular nature, not only associated to economic issues as wax, honey, propolis, royal jelly and pollen production, but also for their agricultural potential as pollinators. This specie has been long aimed for morphometric studies, because of its ecological importance, easy capacity of adaptation, large distribution and for being able of efficient establishment in diverse environments. The geometric morphometric allows rigorous analyses in shape variation of a given structure in organism of diverse sizes, especially when using multivariate statistics methods, enabling the evaluation of instability in the development of an organism. The present study aim the variations of shape and size in wings and pollen basket from workers of Apis mellifera, acquired at 5 geographic regions of Brazil, using morphogeometric analyses. The existence of variation patters in shape and size of Africanized bees in Brazil, obtained 16 years ago in classic study made by Diniz-Filho and Malaspina, made possible a comparative spatialtemporal analyses with the results obtained in this study, using updated technology resources for evaluation of morphometric data, as well as the phenotypic plasticity exam of size and shape in wings and pollen basket of this specie, using fluctuating asymmetric analysis, and evaluate if diverse conditions made by anthropomorphic actions has influence on the deviation increase among bilateral symmetry of this morphological characters. The sample was made including 5 geographic regions of Brazil. By the wings size shape and multivariate analyses, it was verified the existence of a geographic pattern among Brazilian Apis mellifera populations (P< 0,001). Those geographical variations may be caused due to the big territorial expansion, alongside with the possible association of different ecoregions. It was also verified floating asymmetric in the shape of wings and pollen basket from Apis mellifera in all studied populations, however, in the multivariate analyses the asymmetry in shape was not significant in some populations, showing that, for studies of asymmetry and populational distribution, the shape of wings and pollen basket is the most indicated and precise analyses.

In order to prevent species extinctions, conservation strategies need to incorporate the identification and mitigation of the root causes of population decline with an assessment of vulnerability to genetic and stochastic factors affecting small populations. Species or populations with small ranges, such as those on islands, are particularly vulnerable to extinction, and deficient knowledge of these species often impedes conservation efforts. The Bahama Swallow (Tachycineta cyaneoviridis) is an endangered secondary cavity-nester that only breeds on three islands in the northern Bahamas: Abaco, Grand Bahama, and Andros. I investigated questions related to population size and distribution, genetic diversity and population structure, breeding biology, and ecological interactions of the swallow, with the goal of informing the conservation and management of the species. Using several population survey methods on Abaco, I found that swallow site occupancy and density is higher in southern Abaco, especially near roads and pine snags. Future research should prioritize identifying the causes of variable and low population densities in parts of the swallow's range. I used microsatellite markers and morphometrics to assess differences between populations on Abaco and Andros. We found a lack of genetic differentiation (G'ST = 0.03) between populations, but differences in morphology suggest that gene flow might be low enough to enable traits under selection to diverge. By locating and monitoring nests, I found that swallows rely on woodpecker-excavated cavities in pine snags and utility poles, and that swallows nesting in pine snags had higher fledging success (92%) than those nesting in utility poles (50-62%). Using a cavity nest-web approach, I assessed how swallows interact with cavity-nesting birds and resources on Abaco. Hairy Woodpeckers (Dryobates villosus) primarily excavated pine snags, while West Indian Woodpeckers (Melanerpes superciliaris) excavated utility poles in non-pine habitat. Only swallows and La Sagra's Flycatchers (Myiarchus sagrae) used nest sites in the pine forest. Swallows in non-pine habitat face competition for cavities with American Kestrels (Falco sparverius), and non-native House Sparrows (Passer domesticus) and European Starlings (Sturnus vulgaris). These results highlight the importance of pine forest and the Hairy Woodpecker for the persistence of the swallow. / Doctor of Philosophy / In order to prevent species extinctions, conservation strategies need to identify and resolve the problems that cause species to decline, as well as address issues characteristic of small populations. Species or populations with small ranges, such as those on islands, are particularly vulnerable to extinction, and lack of knowledge of these species often impedes conservation efforts. The Bahama Swallow is an endangered species that only breeds on three "pine islands" in the northern Bahamas. The swallow is a secondary cavity-nester, which means that it nests in a cavity, usually either a natural tree hole or a hole created by another bird species. In this study, I investigated where swallows are found on the islands, the genetics and body sizes of populations, nesting biology, and connections with other species, with the goal of providing information for the conservation and management of the species. On Abaco, I found that there are more swallows in the southern part of the island, especially near roads and the dead standing pine trees (pine snags) used for nesting. Future research should assess why there are fewer birds in other parts of the swallow's range. I tested whether the genetics and body sizes of populations on Abaco and Andros are different from each other. Populations were genetically similar, but may be separated enough to result in body size differences. I located swallow nests on Abaco, and found that swallows rely on cavities made by woodpeckers in pine snags and utility poles. By visiting some nests repeatedly, I found that swallows nesting in pine snags were more successful than those nesting in utility poles. I also assessed how swallows interact with the other bird species that create and use nesting cavities. Hairy Woodpeckers usually create cavities in pine snags, while West Indian Woodpeckers use utility poles outside of the pine forest. Swallows nesting in the pine forest compete with fewer bird species for cavities than swallows nesting in other habitats. These results show that managing the forest to retain pine snags and Hairy Woodpeckers is important for the conservation of the swallow.

京都大学 / 新制・課程博士 / 博士(経済学) / 甲第25480号 / 経博第692号 / 新制||経||306(附属図書館) / 京都大学大学院経済学研究科経済学専攻 / (主査)教授 西山 慶彦, 教授 江上 雅彦, 准教授 柳 貴英 / 学位規則第4条第1項該当 / Doctor of Economics / Kyoto University / DGAM

Diss. (sammanfattning) Uppsala : Sveriges lantbruksuniv., 2007. / Härtill 4 uppsatser.

Diss. (sammanfattning) Uppsala : Sveriges lantbruksuniv. / Härtill 5 uppsatser.

Since the earliest reported cases of HIV/AIDS probably in 1959 in Africa, there has been a consistent progression in the new HIV/AIDS infection cases. In South Africa, Gauteng, records one of the highest HIV/AIDS prevalence rates in the country. The Department of Health (DOH) South Africa conducts ongoing studies on HIV/AIDS at provincial levels; these studies monitor the prevalence of HIV/AIDS amongst pregnant women attending antenatal clinics, as a tool for determining and monitoring the prevalence, trends, patterns and spread of the disease in the general population. This study analyses sentinel and spatial data collected from the (DOH) and Statistics South Africa (StatsSA) respectively, and depicts them in the form of spatial maps, and then critically analyses the spatial patterns that occur. The research findings would hopefully contribute to the overall knowledge of HIV/AIDS and provide framework and relevant literature for further investigation. / Geography / M.Sc. (Geography)

Since the earliest reported cases of HIV/AIDS probably in 1959 in Africa, there has been a consistent progression in the new HIV/AIDS infection cases. In South Africa, Gauteng, records one of the highest HIV/AIDS prevalence rates in the country. The Department of Health (DOH) South Africa conducts ongoing studies on HIV/AIDS at provincial levels; these studies monitor the prevalence of HIV/AIDS amongst pregnant women attending antenatal clinics, as a tool for determining and monitoring the prevalence, trends, patterns and spread of the disease in the general population. This study analyses sentinel and spatial data collected from the (DOH) and Statistics South Africa (StatsSA) respectively, and depicts them in the form of spatial maps, and then critically analyses the spatial patterns that occur. The research findings would hopefully contribute to the overall knowledge of HIV/AIDS and provide framework and relevant literature for further investigation. / Geography / M.Sc. (Geography)