Freshwater burrowing mussels (unionids) play a vital role in freshwater ecosystems through nutrient cycling and promoting biodiversity. They have unique life histories directly related to aquatic vertebrates during an obligate parasitic larval stage, known as glochidia. Human interference has largely impacted mussel populations causing them to become the most endangered group of animals in North America. Genetic data has revealed taxonomic issues related to valve morphology, such as valve plasticity and cryptic speciation, that has caused identification issues in the field. Using both genetic and morphometric methods, I determined the phylogenetic placement of an isolated population of mussels within the tribe Lampsilini. I also investigated whether this population was a morph of a previously known Lampsilin species or if they were worthy of being treated as an evolutionarily significant unit (ESU) or an undescribed species. In addition, I expanded the known phylogeny of Lampsilin by including three species (Lampsilis fasciola, Lampsilis hydiana, Ligumia subrostrata) not included in previous phylogenies. Genetic analysis involved sequencing cytochrome c oxidase subunit 1 (COI) and 16s ribosomal RNA (rrnL) genes and producing maximum likelihood trees with bootstrap values for each gene individually and combined. Genetic results showed that an population from an isolated pond (named Junk Pond in this study) were closely related to members of the genus Ligumia (pondmussels), with Ligumia subrostrata being their closest relative. Morphologically, these Junk Pond mussels were noticeably different from other Ligumia species, so genetic and morphometric data was used to try and characterize this population of mussels from Junk Pond. The genetic distance between these two groups, measured using K2P distance method, were like the distances of other known sister species within Lampsilini. Morphometric analysis involved landmark and semi-landmark analyses to quantify the differences of the internal and external shapes of the shell, respectively, and determine differences that could be species defining characteristics. Landmark analysis results showed that Ligumia subrostrata and the Junk Pond mussels had similar internal valve structures though semi-landmark results showed differences among all groups including L. subrostrata and the Junk Pond mussels. I determined that this isolated population, due to its geographic isolation, genetic differences, variant shell morphology, and limited population size, should be treated as an ESU. The expanded Lampsilin tree showed a few differences involving Ligumia nasuta that did not support a previously published tree. Many other relationships within this phylogeny agreed with previously published works. The isolated population of the Junk Pond mussels are worthy of future research using more genetic data, such as COI, and morphometric work involving other Lampsilin members in order to conclude whether this group are worthy of being recognized as an undescribed species.

The genus Chrysopsis (Asteraceae) contains eleven species native to Florida, including the newly described species, Chrysopsis delaneyi. Populations of this endemic plant species inhabit the Lake Wales Ridge (LWR) and the Atlantic Ridge (AR) of the Florida peninsula. Differences in morphology have been demonstrated within C. delaneyi, based on their locations. My objective was to determine the relationships between the LWR and the AR populations by analysis of chloroplast sequence and nuclear sequence variation. Approximately 160 samples of C. delaneyi and its sister species C. scabrella have been collected from fifteen sites throughout Florida. Six single base differences were detected, one insertion, and one variable short duplication. A total of four haplotypes (i.e.: groups that have different combinations of polymorphisms) have been found. For the most part, one haplotype is found in LWR populations and is indistinguishable from that found in C. scabrella. Another haplotype is found primarily in AR populations and is more similar to haplotypes found in the more distantly related C. highlandsensis and C. floridana. One haplotype is found within populations of C. scabrella. The last haplotype in one AR population contains two polymorphic loci, one site is representative of the AR populations, and the other site is that of the LWR populations. Only one mixed population has been found, at the northern end of the AR range. These results are not consistent with taxonomic relationships inferred from morphological characteristics; hence the results suggest that chloroplast DNA (cpDNA) relationships may be the consequence of one or more instances of chloroplast capture.

Made available in DSpace on 2016-07-27T14:20:27Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 Hinayana Leao Motta Gomes.pdf: 444018 bytes, checksum: f2f479e70035dbc15fba26c0e533ef46 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2005-06-16 / The crimes of sexual violence in their various modalities have increased in outraging proportion in societies all over the world. This fact has motivated a great number of theoretical and empirical studies within the field of Human Sciences: Sociology, Law and Psychology. This study aims a phenomenological exploitation of the meanings lived with the parents, woman, other and of own sexuality, that could support the conduct of three imprisoned men from the prison system in Rio Verde-Go (Agência do Sistema Prisional de Rio Verde-GO ) sentenced for rape. The verbalization of such significances wisely silenced (neglected) in referred to sexual violence was stimulated by the thematic use of projective techniques. The analyses of the unveiled significances point to the importance of those who are related to the father`s authority and have sexuality issues. The results confirm the freudian thesis about the role on the explored and their influence on the sexually deviated conduct. / Os crimes de violência sexual, nas suas diversas modalidades, têm aumentado em proporções alarmantes nas sociedades de todas as partes do mundo. Esse fato tem motivado numerosos estudos empíricos e teóricos no campo das Ciências Humanas: Sociologia, Direito e, sobretudo, Psicologia. O presente estudo tem como objetivo uma exploração fenomenológica dos significados vivenciados com as figuras parentais, feminina, do outro e da sexualidade, que poderiam estar subjacentes à conduta de três detentos da Agência do Sistema Prisional de Rio Verde Go, condenados por estupro. As verbalizações de tais significados, sabidamente silenciados (neglect), quando se trata de delito sexual, foi estimulada através de técnicas projetivas e uso temático das mesmas. A análise dos significados desvelados aponta a importância dos que estão relacionados com a figura paterna e com dificuldades na área sexual. Os resultados confirmam as teses freudianas sobre o papel das figuras exploradas e sua influência na conduta sexual desviada.

The freshwater fish fauna of southern Australia is characterised by low species richness and high endemism in groups displaying southern temperate, temperate-subtropical or temperate-tropical distributions. Comparatively few studies in Australia have incorporated modern molecular techniques to delineate species boundaries and define within-species conservation units. This is problematic because freshwater fishes are likely to show high levels of cryptic speciation and marked spatial sub-structure, and is information which is needed to conserve biological diversity and maintain the integrity of ecological communities and processes. The current study uses a ‘combined evidence’ approach, led principally by a set of nuclear genetic markers (allozymes), to assess species boundaries, spatial sub-structure and conservation units in obligate freshwater fishes from southern Australia. A literature review (Chapter 2) concerns the nature and effects of fragmentation in freshwater environments. It considers the implications for freshwater fishes and the types of extrinsic and intrinsic characteristics, both natural and human accelerated, that might drive population fragmentation and divergence. This theoretical framework is then applied to a suite of six largely co-occurring species groups with contrasting biological characteristics, and derive hypotheses about expected levels of genetic divergence across and within different drainages. Major findings Species of Retropinna (Chapter 3) are widespread and generally regarded as ‘common’ and mobile. Allozyme analyses revealed species-level and population-level sub-divisions, including five distinct species with contiguous ranges and no evidence of genetic exchange. Three occur along the eastern seaboard (including three instances of sympatry), another in coastal and inland southeastern Australia and Tasmania, and a fifth in the Lake Eyre Basin. There is no indication of a simple ‘tasmanica’ versus ‘semoni’ dichotomy, but instead a complex pattern involving discrete clusters for the Upper Murray plus Darling rivers, Lower Murray, Glenelg River and Tasmanian regions. These findings have implications for biodiversity, conservation and ecology. This chapter has been published in modified form (Marine and Freshwater Research 58, 327- 341). Nannoperca obscura (Chapter 4) is a small demersal fish with specialised habitat requirements. It is under threat of extinction, particularly in the western section of its range. Combined nuclear and matrilineal genetic data identified congruent within-species sub-structure, divided by patternsof distribution and biogeography. Four monophyletic mtDNA lineages, each distinct at multiple nuclear loci, indicate four Evolutionarily Significant Units (ESUs), namely (1) Lake Alexandrina in the Murray-Darling Basin (MDB), (2) Glenelg River, Millicent Coast River Basin and the outlying Mt Emu Creek, (3) Merri River and associated coastal streams, and (4) the eastern range section. Additional genetic and ecological data support multiple Management Units (MUs) within ESUs for individual or groups of river basins separated by marine barriers. Nannoperca australis (Chapter 5) has a similar character to its aforementioned congener, except that it occurs across a much wider area. Although generally common, particular populations are threatened, especially in the MDB. Allozyme analyses of 57 populations confirm the presence of two divergent species, with an eastern species containing two ESUs: (1) Gippsland and Flinders Island, and (2) Ansons River in northeastern Tasmania. The western species shows sub-structure across its range, including a separation of MDB and coastal populations as two heterogenous ESUs. The Lower Murray region (Mount Lofty Range streams and the Lower Lakes) harbours a remarkable level of between- and within-population diversity, underscoring its importance for conserving evolutionary potential. Mogurnda adspersa (Chapter 6) has been presumed extinct in South Australia since the early 1970s and has also been assumed lost from the southern MDB. This chapter reports on the rediscovery of M. adspersa from a wetland near the terminus of the Lower Murray, some 2500 river kilometres from the nearest known population. The nature and basic ecology of this population is documented, but the combined effects of drought and water abstraction recently have led to the probable extirpation of the wild population. A combined allozyme and mtDNA dataset confirmed the ‘nativeness’ of the population as a distinct sub-population (and MU), with a moderate level of allele heterogeneity. This information provides a platform for captive breeding as a conservation measure. The endemic genus Philypnodon (Chapter 7) contains two nominal species: P. grandiceps and the long recognised but only recently described P. macrostomus. The former is considered widespread and common (near ubiquitous), whereas the latter is more patchily distributed. Some tolerance to marine conditions is indicated, suggesting that there may be less sub-structure, but allozyme analyses of 269 individuals indicate the presence of multiple, species-level taxa within both described species. This obscures interpretations of existing ecological data. Although the presence of genetically-similar populations within and across some drainage divides indicates higher levels of gene flow, the pattern is complex and suggests historic genetic exchange between some but not other geographically-adjacent taxa. The freshwater blackfish genus Gadopsis (Chapter 8) has been a problem group for taxonomists, and it is unclear where the group is placed phylogenetically and how many species occur. Northern and southern forms on respective sides of the Great Dividing Range have been proposed, but with limited supporting evidence. Its dispersal ability (hence predicted genetic structure) is obscured by opposing life-history traits, including large body size (i.e. good swimming ability) versus habitat specialisation, demersal larvae and restricted home ranges. This chapter provides a genetic overview incorporating 61 locations across the range, and demonstrates unequivocally the presence of distinct northern and southern species of G. ‘marmoratus’. Moreover, distinct genetic discontinuities involving geographically abutting lineages indicate the likely presence of multiple ESUs within each species. A comparison of the allozyme data with previous mtDNA studies also identified two ESUs within G. bispinosus. Overall, considerable complexity is demonstrated signalling the need for a review of how the southern Australian fish fauna should be viewed, studied and protected. The genetic data also provide insight into the interplay of intrinsic biological characters (e.g. dispersal ability, population ecology) with historic and contemporary extrinsic environmental factors (e.g. fragmentation, biogeographic processes). Comparisons between and within traditionally-defined species are problematic, however, owing to multiple species-level splits and other genetic divisions that may have matching biological counterparts. Together with other reports in the literature, the findings presented herein have significant conservation implications, particularly given the rapid pace of human-mediated change in some regions that house high species and genetic diversity and unique evolutionary components, notably southeastern Queensland (especially the Mary River) and the lower River Murray in South Australia. Other regions displaying high genetic substructure or divergent populations include the Clarence River and Lachlan River in New South Wales; Gippsland, Goulburn River, Glenelg River and Mt Emu Creek in Victoria, and the Macquarie River and Ansons River in Tasmania. / http://proxy.library.adelaide.edu.au/login?url= http://library.adelaide.edu.au/cgi-bin/Pwebrecon.cgi?BBID=1339749 / Thesis (Ph.D.) - University of Adelaide, School of Earth and Environmental Sciences, 2008