Widespread species that occupy continents and oceanic islands provide an excellent opportunity to study evolutionary forces responsible for population divergence. Here, I use multilocus coalescent based population genetic and phylogenetic methods to infer the evolutionary history of the common chaffinch (Fringilla coelebs), a widespread Palearctic passerine species. My results showed strong population structure between Atlantic islands. However, the two European subspecies can be considered one panmictic population based on gene flow estimates. My investigation of effects of sampling on concatenated and Bayesian estimation of species tree (BEST) methods demonstrated that concatenation is more sensitive to sampling than BEST. Furthermore, concatenation can provide incorrect evolutionary relationships with high confidence when sample size is small. In conclusion, my results suggest European ancestry for the common chaffinch and Atlantic islands appear to have been colonized sequentially from north to south via Azores.

Widespread species that occupy continents and oceanic islands provide an excellent opportunity to study evolutionary forces responsible for population divergence. Here, I use multilocus coalescent based population genetic and phylogenetic methods to infer the evolutionary history of the common chaffinch (Fringilla coelebs), a widespread Palearctic passerine species. My results showed strong population structure between Atlantic islands. However, the two European subspecies can be considered one panmictic population based on gene flow estimates. My investigation of effects of sampling on concatenated and Bayesian estimation of species tree (BEST) methods demonstrated that concatenation is more sensitive to sampling than BEST. Furthermore, concatenation can provide incorrect evolutionary relationships with high confidence when sample size is small. In conclusion, my results suggest European ancestry for the common chaffinch and Atlantic islands appear to have been colonized sequentially from north to south via Azores.

Broad whitefish, Coregonus nasus, is an important subsistence fish species in Arctic North America, yet virtually nothing is known regarding the genetic population structure of Nearctic populations of this species. In this thesis, microsatellite DNA variation was assayed among 1213 broad whitefish from 47 localities throughout North America, with emphasis on the Mackenzie River system, Northwest Territories. Specifically, I examined geographic variation in allele frequencies to assess how historical factors (Pleistocene glaciations) have shaped the current structuring of genetic variability and population differentiation. Microsatellite data was also used to resolve the relative contributions of broad whitefish populations to subsistence fisheries in the Mackenzie River system. Overall, broad whitefish exhibit relatively high intrapopulation microsatellite variation (average 12.29 alleles/locus, average HE = 0.58) and there were declines in these measures of genetic diversity with distance from putative refugia suggesting historical factors, namely post-glacial dispersal, have influenced current microsatellite variation. Interpopulation divergence was low (overall FST = 0.07), but the main regions assayed in this study (Russia, Alaska, Mackenzie River and Travaillant Lake systems) are genetically differentiated. Strong isolation-by-distance among samples was resolved when including only those populations occupying former Beringia, but not when assaying those at the periphery of the range in the Mackenzie River system, suggesting that broad whitefish in the Mackenzie system have not occupied the region long enough since their invasion post-glacially to have approached equilibrium between gene flow and drift. Mixture analysis indicated that most fish from the lower Mackenzie River subsistence fishery originated from the Peel River, highlighting the importance of this tributary. Additionally the mixture analysis provides evidence for a putative riverine life history form in the Mackenzie River. My results indicate that glaciation and post-glacial colonization have been important in shaping the current genetic population structure of North American broad whitefish. They also illustrate the utility of microsatellite DNA to delineate population structure and patterns of genetic diversity in recently founded populations in addition to resolving contributions to fisheries. My data also support the hypothesis that there are several designatable units of conservation among broad whitefish populations and that management strategies should be implemented accordingly.

Many sedentary marine invertebrates have a fine-scale (100s m) population structure that complicates their conservation and management. This is a consequence of the limited information on the boundaries between component populations and the biological variability among them. Blacklip abalone (Haliotis rubra) form discrete populations many of which are ‘stunted’ with individuals reaching a maximum length less than those in adjacent areas. A range of morphological measurements from samples of stunted and ‘non-stunted’ H. rubra collected from sites spread across broad (10s km) and fine (100s m) spatial scales in southern South Australia. In addition, information on the growth, size at maturity and fecundity of H. rubra was obtained from these same sites. The ratio between shell length and shell height showed clear and significant differences among samples from stunted and non-stunted sites. The fine-scale morphometric collections suggested that stunted populations existed at smaller spatial scales compared to those for non-stunted populations. Spatial variation in these key life history parameters could primarily be attributed to differences between stunted and non-stunted sites. Relationships between each of these parameters and the ratio between shell length and shell height were also examined. The spatial patterns in morphology and biology were highly correlated suggesting that shell length:shell height ratio can be used as a simple ‘morphometric marker’ to distinguish among populations of abalone and identify their biological characteristics. The detection of differences H. rubra morphology among variable environments cannot determine whether these differences represent a plastic response to the local environment, or whether morphology is genetically fixed. A reciprocal transplant experiment was used to test whether stunted H. rubra are the result of a plastic response to the environment or fixed genetic trait. Furthermore, environmental factors that affect food availability were related to differences in morphology. Morphological plasticity was confirmed as the mechanism causing morphological variation in H. rubra. Individuals transplanted to sites with non-stunted H. rubra grew significantly faster when compared to stunted controls, while individuals transplanted to stunted sites grew significantly slower compared to non-stunted controls. It is suggested that these differences are related to resource availability with areas limited in food supply resulting in stunted populations and areas with abundant food resulting in non-stunted populations. To reduce the risks of over-fishing and localised depletion of H. rubra, management units (MUs) that encompass individual populations need to be determined and then managed according to their life-history characteristics. Potential MUs in the South Australian abalone fishery were identified from the broad-scale, spatial distribution of stunted and non-stunted populations of H. rubra, by applying the morphometric marker to commercial shell samples. Key life-history parameters of the H. rubra populations within the potential MUs were estimated using relationships between this marker and H. rubra biology. Data from fine-scale systematic sampling by commercial fishers were used to validate spatial patterns observed from the more broadly distributed commercial catch samples. The location, distribution and size of potential MUs were largely inconsistent with that of current management. The locations of two MUs were consistent across the broad- and fine-scale datasets with the fine-scale samples being more informative for identifying a potential boundary between these. These results suggest that this morphometric marker can used as a tool for the spatial management of abalone fisheries by simply and inexpensively inferring key biological parameters for individual populations and identify the boundaries among these based on these differences. This approach is among the first to provide a practical means of more closely aligning the scales of assessment and management with biological reality for sedentary marine invertebrates. / Thesis (Ph.D.) -- University of Adelaide, School of Earth and Environmental Sciences, 2009

Many sedentary marine invertebrates have a fine-scale (100s m) population structure that complicates their conservation and management. This is a consequence of the limited information on the boundaries between component populations and the biological variability among them. Blacklip abalone (Haliotis rubra) form discrete populations many of which are ‘stunted’ with individuals reaching a maximum length less than those in adjacent areas. A range of morphological measurements from samples of stunted and ‘non-stunted’ H. rubra collected from sites spread across broad (10s km) and fine (100s m) spatial scales in southern South Australia. In addition, information on the growth, size at maturity and fecundity of H. rubra was obtained from these same sites. The ratio between shell length and shell height showed clear and significant differences among samples from stunted and non-stunted sites. The fine-scale morphometric collections suggested that stunted populations existed at smaller spatial scales compared to those for non-stunted populations. Spatial variation in these key life history parameters could primarily be attributed to differences between stunted and non-stunted sites. Relationships between each of these parameters and the ratio between shell length and shell height were also examined. The spatial patterns in morphology and biology were highly correlated suggesting that shell length:shell height ratio can be used as a simple ‘morphometric marker’ to distinguish among populations of abalone and identify their biological characteristics. The detection of differences H. rubra morphology among variable environments cannot determine whether these differences represent a plastic response to the local environment, or whether morphology is genetically fixed. A reciprocal transplant experiment was used to test whether stunted H. rubra are the result of a plastic response to the environment or fixed genetic trait. Furthermore, environmental factors that affect food availability were related to differences in morphology. Morphological plasticity was confirmed as the mechanism causing morphological variation in H. rubra. Individuals transplanted to sites with non-stunted H. rubra grew significantly faster when compared to stunted controls, while individuals transplanted to stunted sites grew significantly slower compared to non-stunted controls. It is suggested that these differences are related to resource availability with areas limited in food supply resulting in stunted populations and areas with abundant food resulting in non-stunted populations. To reduce the risks of over-fishing and localised depletion of H. rubra, management units (MUs) that encompass individual populations need to be determined and then managed according to their life-history characteristics. Potential MUs in the South Australian abalone fishery were identified from the broad-scale, spatial distribution of stunted and non-stunted populations of H. rubra, by applying the morphometric marker to commercial shell samples. Key life-history parameters of the H. rubra populations within the potential MUs were estimated using relationships between this marker and H. rubra biology. Data from fine-scale systematic sampling by commercial fishers were used to validate spatial patterns observed from the more broadly distributed commercial catch samples. The location, distribution and size of potential MUs were largely inconsistent with that of current management. The locations of two MUs were consistent across the broad- and fine-scale datasets with the fine-scale samples being more informative for identifying a potential boundary between these. These results suggest that this morphometric marker can used as a tool for the spatial management of abalone fisheries by simply and inexpensively inferring key biological parameters for individual populations and identify the boundaries among these based on these differences. This approach is among the first to provide a practical means of more closely aligning the scales of assessment and management with biological reality for sedentary marine invertebrates. / Thesis (Ph.D.) -- University of Adelaide, School of Earth and Environmental Sciences, 2009

Diss. (sammanfattning). Uppsala : Sveriges lantbruksuniversitet, 2004. / Härtill 4 uppsatser.

Diss. (sammanfattning). Uppsala : Sveriges lantbruksuniversitet, 2005. / Härtill 5 uppsatser.

Diss. (sammanfattning) Uppsala : Sveriges lantbruksuniv., 2006. / Härtill 5 uppsatser.

Orientador: Rogério Caetano Costa / Resumo: O caranguejo Hepatus pudibundus possui ampla distribuição no litoral brasileiro, é intensamente capturado como fauna acompanhante (bycatch) na pesca dos camarões peneídeos, mas não apresenta valor comercial. No entanto, está sujeito aos mesmos impactos causados à espécie alvo. Em vista disso, a dinâmica populacional foi investigada no presente estudo, com enfoque nos seguintes aspectos: proporção sexual, maturidade sexual morfológica e gonadal, período reprodutivo, recrutamento juvenil, crescimento e longevidade dos indivíduos. Foram realizadas coletas mensais na região de Cananéia/SP entre julho/2012 e junho/2014 em sete estações de coleta, por meio de um barco camaroeiro equipado com duas redes de arrasto do tipo “otter trawl”. Temperatura e salinidade da água de fundo, o teor de matéria orgânica, granulometria do sedimento e a pluviosidade foram averiguados. Foram amostrados 1.650 espécimes. Os machos apresentaram-se maiores que as fêmeas. A proporção sexual foi desviada em favor das fêmeas. O tamanho estimado para a maturidade sexual morfológica e gonadal, respectivamente (LC50) foram 42,26 mm e 48,97 mm para machos e 43,09 mm e 47,15 mm para as fêmeas. As fêmeas reprodutivas ocorreram em todo o período e os juvenis foram amostrados na maioria dos meses. Ambas as categorias demográficas correlacionaram-se positivamente com a temperatura. Os parâmetros de crescimento apresentaram diferenças entre os sexos sendo: LC∞ = 78,91 mm, k = 0,0066/dia, t0 = 0,0965 para os machos e ... (Resumo completo, clicar acesso eletrônico abaixo) / Abstract: The crab Hepatus pudibundus is wide distributed in the Brazilian coast. The species has no commercial value but is intensely captured as bycatch of penaeid shrimp fishery, so it suffers the same impacts of the target species. In this view, the present study investigates the population dynamics, focusing on the following aspects: sex ratio, morphological sexual maturity and gonads, reproductive period, juvenile recruitment, growth and longevity of individuals. Sampling was performed monthly in the region of Cananéia/SP, from July/2012 to June/2014 in seven stations, with a shrimping boat equipped with otter trawl nets. Temperature and salinity of the bottom water, the organic matter content, sediment granulometry and rainfall were investigated. A total of 1,650 specimens were captured. Males were larger than females. The sex ratio skewed towards females. The estimated sizes for morphological and gonadal sexual maturity (CW50) were 42.26 mm and 48.97 mm for males, and 43.09 mm and 47.15 mm for females, respectively. Reproductive females occurred throughout the studied period and juveniles were captured in most months. Such demographic categories were positively correlated with temperature. Growth parameters showed differences between sexes: CW∞ = 78.91 mm, k = 0.0066/day, t0 = 0.0965 for males and CW∞ = 67.68 mm, k = 0.0064/day, t0 = 0.0032 for females. Longevity was estimated at 1.91 years and 1.98 years for males and females, respectively. The sexual dimorphism found in this ... (Complete abstract click electronic access below) / Mestre

A subordem Oniscidea abriga os isópodos terrestres, os quais apresentam uma grande riqueza de espécies em diferentes ambientes com características completamente diversas, desde a zona litorânea até ambientes desérticos. No Brasil há uma diversidade de espécies ainda pouco estudada, sendo que a família Philosciidae representa uma grande parte da fauna de isópodos da América do Sul. O presente estudo tem como objetivos descrever uma nova espécie no gênero Benthana para o estado do Rio Grande do Sul, descrever seus estágios de manca e juvenil, assim como caracterizar sua estrutura populacional com respeito aos aspectos reprodutivos e crescimento. Benthana cairensis foi descrita como uma nova espécie de Philosciidae e tem como caracteres diagnósticos a presença de 17 estetascos na antênula, exópodo do pleópodo 1 do macho alongado apresentando um lobo na margem lateral interna. Essa espécie é semelhante a três outras do gênero em relação a presença do lobo, no entanto diferencia-se de todas elas devido às diferenças no número de omatídeos, inserção dos ramos do urópodo e dimorfismo sexual nos pereiópodos dos machos. A fase imatura e indiferenciada sexualmente apresenta três estágios, chamados de mancas. O estágio de Manca I é caracterizado pela simplicidade de suas estruturas e pela sua rápida duração, de aproximadamente 4 horas; apresenta 6 pares de pereiópodos, esses ainda glabros e o aparelho bucal fracamente desenvolvido ainda sem a presença dos dentes pectinados na maxilula, característicos de Benthana. O estágio seguinte, de Manca II, já apresenta o aparelho bucal mais desenvolvido com os dentes pectinados da maxilula e pereiópodos já com o padrão de setas semelhante ao adulto, inclusive a seta “hand-like” do carpo 1, uma autapomorfia do gênero. O último estágio de manca (Manca III) caracteriza-se pela presença do sétimo par de pereiópodos presente dobrado ventralmente sob o corpo do animal. Os estágios de juvenis caracterizam-se pela diferenciação sexual, mas ainda são imaturos sexualmente. Os três primeiros estágios foram descritos para os machos com destaque para o desenvolvimento da protusão do exópodo do pleópodo 1, outra autapomorfia do gênero, o qual só começa a ficar evidente no segundo estágio (JUII) e somente apresenta-se completamente desenvolvido quando o animal atinge aproximadamente 1.0 mm de largura de cefalotórax (LC). O dimorfismo sexual presente nos quatro primeiros pares de pereiópodos dos machos começa a aparecer após os três primeiros estágios de juvenil e está completamente evidente em machos de aproximadamente 1.2 mm de LC. A população de Benthana cairensis do Sítio Cairé caracteriza-se por apresentar uma reprodução contínua durante o ano. As fêmeas investem menos em uma única prole, no entanto são capazes de se reproduzir mais de uma vez ao longo de sua vida. A proporção sexual operacional da população é de 1:1, mostrando que há um equilíbrio no que se refere ao número de machos e fêmeas aptos para reprodução. Os machos vivem menos que as fêmeas e são menores. As fêmeas possuem o corpo maior, o que aumenta a superfície para abrigar a prole o que foi demonstrado pela correlação positiva do tamanho da fêmea com o número de ovos. As características de desenvolvimento de B. cairensis são semelhantes a outras espécies de Philosciidae, apresentando três estágios de mancas. Suas características populacionais, no que se referem a estação reprodutiva e investimento reprodutivo, são semelhantes a outras espécies subtropicais e, como esperado, diferentes de espécies de isópodos que vivem em regiões temperadas. / Terrestrial isopods are included in the suborder Oniscidea which shows a great species richness living at different places showing diverse environmental conditions, occurring from the littoral zone through desert regions. In Brazil there is a diversity that is still poorly studied in which the family Philosciidae represents a great part of South America’s woodlice fauna. The present study aims to describe a new species of the genus Benthana to the state of Rio Grande do Sul, to describe its manca and juvenile stages as well as to characterize its population structure concerning reproductive aspects and growth. Benthana cairensis was described as a new species of Philosciidae and presents the following diagnostic characters: 17 aesthetascs on the antennula and male pleopod 1 exopod elongated with a lobe on the inner lateral margin. This species resembles other three species of the genus concerning the presence of pleopod lobe; however it is differentiated by the number of omatidia, insertion of uropod endopod and exopod and sexual dimorphism on male’s pereiopods. The immature and undifferentiated phase has three stages, called mancas. The Manca I is marked by the simplicity of its appendages and by its queek duration, of about 4 hours; it presents 6 pairs of pereiopods still glabrous and mouth parts weekly developed still without the presence of the pectinate teeth of maxillula, characteristic of Benthana. The next stage, Manca II, already shows the mouth parts a little more complete, presenting the pectinate teeth of maxillula and the pereiopods showing the setae pattern of the adult, including the hand-like seta on carpus 1, an autapomorphy of the genus. The last manca stage (Manca III) is characterized by the presence of the 7th pair of pereiopods folded ventrally on the pereion. The juvenile stages are sexually differentiated, but still immature. The first three stages were described for males, enphatizing the development of dentiform protusion of pleopod exopod 1, another autapomorphy of the genus which begins to be evident only at the second stage (JUII) and it is completely formed when the animal reaches 1.0 mm of cephalothorax width (CW). Sexual dimorphism at the first four male pereiopods beggins to develop after the three juvenile stages and it is completely formed on males of approximatly 1.2 mm of CW. The population of Benthana cairensis at Sítio Cairé is characterized by showing a continnuous reproduction during the year. Females invest less in a single brood, but are able to reproduce more than once in its lifetime. The operational sex ratio of population is 1:1, which shows that there is an equillibrium concerning the number of males and females that are able to reproduce. Males live less than females and are smaller. Females have a bigger body which increases the surface where the brood develops; this was demonstrated by the positive correlation of female body size with the offspring number. The developmental characteristics of B. cairensis are similar to those of the other species of Philosciidae presenting three manca stages. Its population features concerning reproductive season and reproductive effort resembles those of other subtropical species and as expected, is different from species that occur at temperate regions.