The first part of my thesis is focused on observation of the leaf damage by invertebrate herbivores during season. I examined how the selected traits affect the palatability of plant species. In the next project, I investigated the effect of herbivory and gaps on seedling establishment. And finally, in the last part, I studied the effect of herbivory of terrestrial gastropods on competitive relationships among selected species.

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Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior / Os moluscos pateliformes de água doce da região Neotropical são comumente atribuídos a família Ancylidae sensu latum, abrangendo sete gêneros com pelo menos 13 espécies válidas e sete com identificação duvidosa. Os ancilídeos possuem pequenas dimensões, alcançam no máximo 15 mm de comprimento. Sua concha é frágil, composta por duas regiões, a protoconcha e a teleoconcha, as quais apresentam caracteres relevantes para a sistemática. Na parte mole as impressões musculares, a pigmentação do manto, o sistema reprodutor e a rádula são importantes para o estudo da família. Apesar de existirem vários registros de ocorrência para ancílideos no Estado do Rio de Janeiro (ERJ), existem poucos dados morfológicos. O principal objetivo deste estudo foi fornecer e ampliar as informações sobre a morfologia e distribuição geográfica das espécies de Ancylidae encontradas no ERJ. Os materiais utilizados foram procedentes de coletas próprias, material depositado em Coleções Científicas e dados de revisão bibliográfica. O estudo da morfologia comparada das conchas foi realizado com o auxílio de imagens de microscópio óptico e de varredura. Para a comparação das partes moles, os espécimes foram corados e dissecados sob lupa. Através da conquiliometria analisamos as diferenças inter e intrapopulacionais. Com este trabalho, a riqueza conhecida para Ancylidae no ERJ, aumentou de cinco para sete espécies: Burnupia sp., Ferrissia sp., Gundlachia radiata (Guilding, 1828),G. ticaga (Marcus & Marcus, 1962), Gundlachia sp., Hebetancylus moricandi (d`Orbigny, 1837) e Uncancylus concentricus (d`Orbigny, 1837). Gundlachia radiata e U. concentricus constituem novos registros para o ERJ, e G. radiata para a Região Sudeste. As três espécies com o maior número de registros de ocorrência no ERJ foram: G. ticaga (66%), Ferrissia sp. (37%) e Gundlachia sp. (18%). A ampla distribuição de G. ticaga pode ser devido à capacidade de suportar ambientes impactados. Em relação à morfologia, Burnupia sp. difere de Burnupia ingae Lanzer, 1991, única espécie deste gênero descrita para o Brasil, por apresentar diferenças na microescultura da concha e também na forma das impressões musculares. Ferrissia sp. difere de F. gentilis Lanzer, 1991, devido a diferenças na microescultura apical e número de cúspides no dente central da rádula. Gundlachia sp. é diferente de G. ticaga e G. radiata, por apresentar a abertura da concha mais arredondada, ápice mais recurvado, ultrapassando a borda da concha, pontuações irregulares em toda a protoconcha e forma dos músculos adutores anterior direito e posterior mais elíptica. A morfologia interna também mostra diferenças entre Gundlachia sp. e G. ticaga, como o apêndice terminal do útero e o número de folículos do ovoteste. Através das análises conquiliométricas, constatamos para os gêneros Burnupia, Ferrrissia e Gundlachia, que os índices morfométricos se mostraram melhores que as medidas lineares para a discriminação das espécies, provavelmente porque esses índices diminuem o efeito da amplitude de tamanho das conchas, que são fortemente influenciadas pelas variações ecofenotípicas. Contudo, os caracteres diagnósticos das conchas e das partes moles (impressões musculares) são indispensáveis para a identificação dos gêneros e espécies de Ancylidae. Palavras-chave: Mollusca. Moluscos de água doce. Morfologia. Distribuição geográfica. Estado do Rio de Janeiro.uscos. / The pateliform freshwater molluscs of the Neotropical region are commonly attributed to Ancylidae sensu latum, comprising seven genera with at least 13 valid species and seven with dubious identification. Ancylids are small, reaching up to 15 mm length. The shell is fragile, composed of two regions: protoconch and teleoconch, which microsculpture, which is relevant to systematic. In the soft part mantle scars, pigmentation of mantle, radula and reproductive system are important for the study of the family. There are several records of occurrence of ancylids in the State of Rio de Janeiro (SRJ) but few morphological data. The main objective of this study was to provide and expand morphological and geographical information about Ancylidae species found in the SRJ. The materials were come from own collections, material deposited in scientific collections and data for review. A comparative study of shell morphology was carried out by light and scanning microscope images. To compare the soft parts, specimens were stained and dissected under a research stereomicroscope. Interpopulation and intrapopulation variation were studied by shell morphometric analysis. The richness of Ancylidae in SRJ were increased from five to seven species: Burnupia sp., Ferrissia sp., Gundlachia radiata (Guilding, 1828), Gundlachia ticaga (Marcus & Marcus, 1962), Gundlachia sp., Hebetancylus moricandi (d`Orbigny, 1837) e Uncancylus concentricus (d`Orbigny, 1837). Gundlachia radiata and U. concentricus are new records for SRJ, and G. radiata to Southeast Brazil. The most frequent three species in SRJ were: G. ticaga (66%), Ferrissia sp. (37%) and Gundlachia sp. (18%). The wide distribution of G. ticaga may be due to the ability to survive in impacted environments. With respect to morphology, the single Burnupia species described from Brazil, Burnupia ingae Lanzer, 1991, differs from Burnupia sp. in shell microsculpture and also in the shape of muscle scars. Ferrissia sp. differs from F. gentilis Lanzer, 1991, due to differences in apical microsculpture and number of cusps on radula central tooth. Gundlachia sp. is different from G. ticaga and G. radiata, by presenting the shell opening rounder, more curved apex surpassing the edge of the shell, irregular punctuations across whole protoconch and the more elliptic right anterior and posterior adductor muscle scars. The morphology also shows differences between Gundlachia sp. and G. ticaga, as the terminal appendix of the uterus and the number of follicles of ovotestis. Shell morphometric analysis found that the indices provided better discrimination of species than the linear measurements to Burnupia, Ferrrissia and Gundlachia, probably because these indices decrease the effect of the shells size range that are strongly influenced by ecophenotipics variations. However, the diagnostic characters of the shells (microesculpture apical) and soft tissue (muscle scars and mantle pigmentation) are essential to identify genera and species of Ancylidae. Keywords: Mollusca. Freshwater snails. Morphology. Geographic distribution. Rio de Janeiro State. LISTAe pateliform.

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The aim of this work is to critically review the anatomical and morphological characters being currently used in the determination of Central European species of the genus Anisus and to confront them with molecular characters. For the molecular analysis mitochondrial genes for 16S rRNA and cytochrome c oxidase - subunit I (COI) were used. DNA analysis showed that known species occuring in the Czech Republic form well distinguishable genetic lines. Subsequent revisions of the anatomical characters of these lines have proven that these characters are due to their variability not suitable for determination, especially for the differentiating of the species A. spirorbis and A. leucostoma. The conchological characters have proven more suitable, especially the ratio of the size of the last and penultimate whorl. With the help of this character, we can safely determine a population within which there are transitional forms in other morphological and anatomical characters.

Les oeufs d’escargot terrestre de l’espèce petit-gris Helix aspersa (syn. Cantareusaspersus) peuvent être utilisés pour évaluer l’écotoxicité de substances chimiques pures ou enmélange. La mesure des effets embryotoxiques classiquement réalisée est le succès d’éclosionaprès 15 à 20 jours d’exposition (Druart et al., 2012). Cependant, les mécanismes impliquésdans la mise en place des effets toxiques à différents niveaux d’organisation biologique chezl’embryon ne sont pas connus. Des oeufs d’escargots ont été exposés à des solutions decontaminants métallique (Cd) ou organiques (pesticides: le Round Up® flash, le Corail® et laBouillie Bordelaise) selon deux modalités différentes (en continu sur la totalité dudéveloppement embryonnaire ou sur une période de 24 heures) afin de 1/ déterminer denouveaux paramètres de mesure au cours du développement embryonnaire pouvant rendrecompte d’un effet toxique, 2/ détecter des effets génotoxiques de divers contaminants(solution métallique de Cd ou de formulations commerciales de pesticides) par la méthodeRandom Amplified Polymorphic DNA (RAPD) et 3/ d’étudier des systèmes de défense métalspécifiques(métallothionéines).Les paramètres morphologiques et physiologiques suivis au cours d’expositionscontinues au Cd ont montré des effets néfastes sur le rythme cardiaque, la durée del’incubation, la taille et le poids à l’éclosion chez les exposés à la plus forte concentrationtestée. Chez ces derniers des signes de fragmentation de l’ADN ont également été détectés enfin d’exposition. Le couplage de la méthode RAPD avec un système d’électrophorèse hauterésolution (SHR) a permis de détecter des effets génotoxiques suite à des expositionscontinues au Cd, au Round Up® et au Corail®. L’étude par PCR quantitative de l’expressiondes gènes des métallothionéines (MTs) a mis en évidence une expression constitutive des MTsainsi qu’un haut niveau d’expression du gène mixte CdCuMT chez les embryons non exposés.Chez les embryons exposés au Cd durant 24 heures, une surexpression du gène spécifiqueCdMT a été mise en évidence alors qu’aucune augmentation significative des taux detranscrits des 2 autres isogènes étudiés (CuMT et CdCuMT) n’a été démontrée.Les résultats de toxicité du Cd basés sur le taux d’éclosion et l’expression des gènes desMTs ont démontré que des facteurs comme le régime d’exposition (24 heures ou en continu)ou le stade de développement (âge des embryons lors de l’exposition) peuvent modulerl’embryotoxicité des substances chimiques.206Les données obtenues durant cette étude intégrative permettent de proposer un largepanel de paramètres de mesure des effets toxiques des substances chimiques chez l’embryond’escargot terrestre H. aspersa au niveau individuel (rythme cardiaque, taille, durée dedéveloppement et succès d’éclosion) et au niveau moléculaire (expression de gènes dessystèmes de défense, détection des signes de génotoxicité et de la fragmentation de l’ADN)pour l’évaluation de la toxicité des substances chimiques. L’approche RAPD-SHR, bien quenécessitant une certaine expertise pour l’analyse des profils d’amplifications obtenus, apparaîtadaptée pour une détection rapide et efficace du potentiel embryogénotoxiques de substancesvariées (métaux, pesticides. / The land snail species Helix aspersa (syn. Cantareus aspersus) eggs can be used to assess theecotoxicity of chemicals. Measurement of embryotoxic effect is classically based on hatching successafter 15-20 days of exposure (Druart et al., 2012). However, the mechanisms involved in toxic effectsin embryos at different levels of biological organization are not known. Eggs of snails were exposedto solutions metallic contaminants (Cd) or organic (pesticides: Round Up® Flash, Corail® andBordeaux Mixture) in two different regimes (continuous over the entire embryonic development orduring a period of 24 hours), in order to 1 / identify of new endpoints of toxic effect measurementsduring embryonic development, 2 / detect of genotoxic effects of metal solution (Cd) or threepesticides commercial formulations by Random Amplified Polymorphic DNA method (RAPD) and 3 /study metal-specific defense systems (metallothionein).Morphological and physiological parameters monitored during Cd continuous exposures showedadverse effects on heart rate, duration of incubation, size and weight of new hatchlings exposed to thehighest concentration tested. In the latter, signs of DNA fragmentation were detected at the end ofexposure. Coupling the RAPD with a high-resolution electrophoresis system (SHR) has enabled todetect genotoxic effects of Cd, Round Up® and Corail® after continuous exposures. Quantitative PCRstudy of metallothioneins (MTs) gene expression has showed constitutive expression of MTs genesand a high level of mRNA for the mixed gene CdCuMT in unexposed embryos. In embryos exposedto Cd for 24 hours, an overexpression of the specific gene CdMT has been demonstrated whereas thetwo other isogenes (CuMT and CdCuMT) didn’t show significant induction of expression rates.The toxicity results based on the hatching rate and MTs genes expression obtained with Cd haveshowed that factors such as the exposure regime (24 hours or continuous) or the stage of development(age of embryos upon exposure) can modulate embryotoxicity of chemicals. This thesis provides awide range of endpoints usable at the individual level (heart rate, height, hatching monitoring) and atthe molecular level (gene expression of defense systems, detection of genotoxicity signs and DNAladdering) for the assessment of the ecotoxicity of chemical substances. The RAPD-SHR, althoughrequiring some expertise to analyze profiles obtained, appears suitable for rapid and efficientdetection of potential embryogenotoxic effects of various substances (metals, pesticides).

The molluscs are very suitable model of invertebrate group for ecological and palaeoecological studies for their specific traits. In the first part of the thesis, we showed based on available fossil mollusc successions that development of the floodplain mollusc fauna took place quite different way in various river floodplains, depending on their specifics and geographical location, because especially the ones situated in the chernozem area of the Czech Republic had very different history. Detailed processing of five fossil mollusc successions in the lower Ohře River floodplain confirmed the impoverishment of recent forest malacofauna does not relate to natural processes only (chapters 3 and 10), but it arises from historical development of this area which was under permanent stress of the human settlement and agricultural utilization (chapter 1) since the coming of the Neolithic people. We made similar conclusions in case of another 11 fossil mollusc successions in the neighbouring České Středohoří Mts. (chapter 2). In the second part of the thesis (chapter 3), we investigated the ecological patterns responsible for species richness and composition of the floodplain mollusc fauna are especially the elevation and humidity gradient, and then vegetation type and its biomass, light conditions of the...

Major constituents of the venom of various animals are peptidogenic in nature. Marine snails belonging to the species Conus are venomous predators that use small, structurally constrained peptides present in their venom for prey capture and defense. It is known that ~500 Conus species are present in nature and the venom of each of these Conus species is a complex mixture of nearly 100 peptides accounting for > 50,000 peptides with little overlap among the different species. The peptides isolated from the venom of Conus species are commonly known as conotoxins or conopeptides. Some of the common targets of these peptides include the different ion channels like Na+, K+, and Ca2+, and receptor subtypes such as nicotinic acetylcholine and NMDA receptors. The ion channels and receptor subtypes were targeted by conopeptides with high degree of specificity and selectivity. The structural information on the peptides from cone snails can prove to be a valuable starting tool for the understanding of the function of different ion channels and hence in the design of neuropharmacologically active drugs. Conotoxins are disulfide-rich peptides and the number of disulfide generally ranges from two to five. Based on the arrangement of cysteines in their primary sequence, they are classified into different superfamilies. The signal sequences of the precursors belonging to a particular superfamily are highly conserved and hence the members within the same family have, in common, the unique disulfide arrangement and pharmacological activity. Conotoxins are classified into eleven superfamilies till date. In order to understand the underlying the principles involved in the action of these peptides on different ion channels, one needs to know the three-dimensional structures which, in potential, will help in the identification of the pharmacophores responsible for the observed pharmacological activity. With the aim of studying the structure-activity relationships found among the conotoxins, we have initiated a study on the peptides isolated from the marine snails found in the Indian coastal waters. This thesis is focused in the structural studies of the peptide toxins from marine cone snails and a terrestrial scorpion. The tool used for the structural studies of these peptide toxins is Nuclear Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy. Chapter 1 provides an overview of the peptide toxins found among various animal species with more emphasis on conotoxins and scorpion toxins. In addition, the rationale behind the present study has also been explained. Chapter 2 describes the structure determination of two conopeptides isolated from Conus amadis, δ-Am2766 and Am2735, which are active on mammalian sodium channels. The structural aspects and comparison with other known conopeptides belonging to the same superfamily as that of these two peptides have also been described. Solution NMR studies of Ar1446 and Ar1248, two conopeptides isolated from the species Conus araneosus have also been studied using Homonuclear NMR methods. Ar1446 is a three disulfide-bonded peptide. Our studies have revealed that this peptide has a novel disulfide connectivity not previously observed in the M superfamily or any other superfamily of conotoxins. The structural features of Ar1446 will be described along with the NMR studies on two-disulfide bonded peptide, Ar1248, belonging to the A-superfamily of conotoxins. The main problem faced in the kind of study of peptides isolated from natural sources is the amount that can be isolated and purified to homogeneity. In order to obtain large quantities of peptides, we have successfully used Cytochrome b5 as fusion host to clone, over express and purify these peptides using recombinant methods. The use of recombinant methods has aided in the preparation of isotopically enriched peptides. The use of cyt b5 as fusion host for the large scale production of some of the peptides from Indian marine snails is described in Chapter 4. A novel pharmacologically active linear peptide, Mo1659 isolated from Conus monile, have been studied using Heteronuclear NMR methods. This peptide was cloned, over expressed and purified using Cytochrome b5 as a fusion host. Another linear peptide, Mo1692 (also from Conus monile), has been prepared using the same method and was studied using Homonuclear NMR methods. Both these peptides were liberated from the fusion host using cyanogen bromide cleavage and were subsequently purified using RP-HPLC. The results of the biosynthetic preparation and NMR studies of these two peptides have been described in Chapter 5. Chapter 6 describes the solution structure determination of a novel scorpion toxin characterized in the venom of the Indian red scorpion Buthus tamulus. The cloning, over expression, folding and purification of BTK-2 is described here. The structure and the function of this recombinantly produced BTK-2 will also be described.

Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado do Rio de Janeiro / Melanoides tuberculatus (Müller, 1774) é um gastrópode dulceaquícola de origem afroasiática, atualmente com uma distribuição cosmopolita, devido a seu comportamento invasivo. Utilizamos em nosso trabalho o nome Melanoides tuberculatus por acreditar ser o mais correto para a espécie, pois também é encontrado na literatura o nome Melanoides tuberculata (Müller, 1774), combinação que não atende os preceitos do ICZN. Recuperamos registros em 52 países, sendo 25 na área nativa e 27 na área exótica de distribuição da espécie. Esta espécie foi recentemente introduzida em um riacho na Vila do Abraão (Ilha Grande), possivelmente através do despejo de água de aquário. O objetivo do trabalho foi avaliar a dinâmica populacional deste caramujo neste novo ambiente, assim como seus efeitos sobre a fauna acompanhante, durante dois anos, de julho/2006 até maio/2008, com coletas bimensais. O riacho foi dividido em oito pontos de coleta (P1, o mais a montante até P8, mais a jusante). As coletas foram realizadas através de duas metodologias, coleta direta e Surber. Os animais coletados foram triados, contados e identificados na menor categoria taxonômica possível.Fatores ambientais foram mensurados em cada ponto de coleta. Os testes parasitológicos e identificação do sexo foram realizados com os animais provenientes da coleta direta. Os exemplares de M. tuberculatus foram divididos em quatro classes de tamanho (CL) de acordo com a largura do animal (CL1 0,01 até 2,99 mm; CL2 3,00 até 5,99 mm; CL3 6,00 até 8,99 mm e CL4 >9,00 mm). Os dados foram analisados usando planilha Excel e o pacote estatístico SYSTAT 12. A população de M. tuberculatus apresentou um crescimento em quatro fases: lag, crescimento exponencial, queda e estabilização, diferindo do encontrado nos demais moluscos deste riacho, que apresentaram flutuações populacionais irregulares. O pico populacional foi em novembro/2007 com 3156 exemplares. A espécie se reproduz o ano todo, porém com um pico entre maio/2007 e novembro/2007, quando os indivíduos da CL1 representaram mais de 50% do total. A mortalidade se concentra nos indivíduos maiores (CL3 e CL4), a CL4 sempre representando menos de 5% dos animais coletados. Os testes parasitológicos foram todos negativos, não sendo encontradas interações com a helmintofauna. Observamos apenas fêmeas na população, tratando-se possivelmente de uma população inteiramente partenogenética. A espécie formou grandes agregados populacionais, com uma densidade máxima estimada de 47555 ind./m2, sendo o trecho onde a espécie foi primariamente detectada (P6-P8) o que apresentou as maiores densidades. A biomassa retirada foi de 4,578 kg e foram observados dois picos de biomassa, em março/2007 e novembro/2007. A dispersão de M. tuberculatus neste riacho foi predominantemente ativa, em um processo contra a corrente: em julho/2006 a espécie só ocorria entre o P6 e o P8, em setembro/2006 a identificamos no P5 e em maio/2007 no P4. As médias de tamanho nos pontos de coleta recém colonizados eram sempre maiores que nos pontos colonizados há mais tempo. O agrupamento obtido na Análise Discriminante com os dados da comunidade de macroinvertebrados reflete a alteração da comunidade provocada por M. tuberculatus, juntando os pontos de coleta onde não há a presença da espécie exótica e em outro grupo os pontos onde a espécie já ocorre, entre estes dois extremos ficaram os pontos colonizados durante o estudo. Foi observado o efeito negativo de M. tuberculatus sobre Chironomidae, Odonata e Pisidium punctiferum (Guppy, 1867) (regressões com tendência negativa e p<0,05). Estas espécies também foram menos abundantes nos pontos de coleta nos quais a espécie exótica ocorria. Efeitos não conclusivos foram observados sobre outros grupos. Concluímos que M. tuberculatus apresentou um crescimento populacional em quatro fases, como o demonstrado para outras espécies exóticas invasoras; sua dispersão ao longo do riacho ocorre de forma ativa e, alterou a estrutura da comunidade afetando negativamente outras espécies. / Melanoides tuberculatus (Müller, 1774) is an afro-asiatic freshwater gastropod but nowadays with a cosmopolitan distribution, due his invasive behavior. In this study are used the name Melanoides tuberculatus, it is also found in literature the name Melanoides tuberculata (Müller, 1774), this last name is not in accordance with ICZN rules. We found reports of this species in 52 countries, 25 in native area of distribution and 27 in exotic area. This species was recently introduced in a stream in Vila do Abraão (Ilha Grande), possibly by an aquarist. The aim of this work was to evaluate M. tuberculatus population dynamics in the new habitat, as also the effects of this snail over the fauna. The study was conducted between July/2006 and May/2008 with collections every two months. The stream was divided in eight collecting stations, being P1 the most upstream and P8 the most upstream. In each collecting station were performed two collecting methodologies, timed search and Surber. Collected animals were screened, counted, measured and identified to the lowest possible taxonomic level. Environmental factors were measured in each collection station. Melanoides tuberculatus specimens were divided in four size classes (CL) according to the animal width(CL1 0.01 to 2,99 mm; CL2 3.00 to 5.99 mm; CL3 6.00 to 8.99 mm e CL4 >9.00 mm). Data analysis was done in Excel and SYSTAT 12. The M. tuberculatus population showed a four stages growth: lag, exponential growth, falling and stabilization, a pattern different from others freshwater snails in this stream. Population maximum size was reached in November/2007, when was collected 3156 snails. This species reproduced along the year but with a reproduction peak from May/2007 to September/2007, when CL1 represented more than 50% of collected snails. Mortality was concentrated in biggest specimens (CL3 e CL4), CL4 represented less than 5% of collected snails. All parasitological tests were negative, so interactions with helminthes in the study period are nonexistent. Males are not observed in this population, being a entire partenogenetic population. Melanoides tuberculatus reached a dense population in this stream; maximum estimated density was 47555 snails/m2 on the place that this snail was first observed (P6-P8). Estimated removed biomass was 4,578 kg and was observed two biomass peaks in March/2007 and November/2007. Melanoides tuberculatus dispersal in this stream was active going upstream, reaching P5 in September/2006 and P4 in May/2007. The average size in recently colonized collection stations was bigger than in the other collection stations at the same time. Community composition groups obtained in Discriminant Analysis was influenced by distribution of M. tuberculatus in the stream, in one group was joined the collection stations without M. tuberculatus, in other group the stations with M. tuberculatus. The negative effect of this species was observed over Chironomidae, Odonata and Pisidium punctiferum (Guppy, 1867) (regression with negative tendencies and p<0,05). This species were less abundant in collect stations where M. tubercuatus occurs. Finally, we conclude that M. tuberculatus had a population growth in four stages, as described for other exotic invasive species; dispersion in this stream was active and changed community structure with negative effects over other species.

Globalization has seen an unprecedented dispersal of exotic and alien species worldwide resulting in worldwide homogenization and sometimes extinction of indigenous or endemic taxa. When an exotic species becomes established in a new habitat the invasive organisms are capable of having an impact on indigenous community dynamics and the overall structure and function of ecosystems. Furthermore, the impact of invasion is determined by the geographical range, abundance and the per-capita or per-biomass effect of the invader. However, the success of the introduced organisms is reliant on their ability to acclimate to the physiochemical conditions of the newly invaded environment.Freshwater ecosystems are especially vulnerable to invasions because there are numerous potential routes of introduction including intentional pathways such as stocking, and unintentional pathways such as the release of ballast water and aquarium releases. Efforts to limit the introduction of invasive species or to manage established exotic populations are often hindered by insufficient understanding of the natural history of problematic species. Relatively little is known regarding the physiological tolerances of many taxa. Knowledge about specific species ecophysiological constraints allows for the prediction of future patterns of invasion more accurately, including where an introduced organism would probably survive, thrive and disperse. Furthermore, data on the physiological tolerances of an introduced exotic organism may provide data necessary for effective management and control. This studyinvestigated three invasive species in the Nseleni River system in a protected area in KwaZulu-Natal. The species studied were, Tarebia granifera (Quilted melania – Lamarck, 1822), Pterygoplichthys disjunctivus (Suckermouth armoured catfish - Weber, 1991) and Eichhornia crassipes (water hyacinth – (Martius) Solms-Laubach,). The Nseleni River flows into Lake Nsezi which is responsible for providing potable water to the surrounding towns and industry, as well as the surrounding rural communities. The Enseleni Nature reserve has become the centre for biodiversity dispersal in the immediate area, due to the change in landscape surrounding the protected area.An important step in developing alien invasive species management strategies in protected areas is determining their extent and invasive traits. Tarebia granifera is a prosobranch gastropod originally from South-East Asia that has become invasive in several countries around the world including South Africa. Snail populations were sampled at nine sites throughout the Nseleni/Mposa river system every six weeks over a twelve month period. The snail was abundant throughout the system, especially in shallow waters of less than 1m in depth.The first positive identification the loricariid catfish Pterygoplichthys disjunctivus for the Nseleni River was in 2006. The original introduction is believed to have been via the aquarium trade. The aim of the study was to assess the usefulness of the unified framework with regard to management of fish invasions by assessing the invasion stage of the loricariid population and identifying appropriate management actions using the Blackburn et al. (2011) framework. The fish were sampled at nine different sites and three different depths over a period of twelve months, as well as when two ichthyological surveys were carried out on the Nseleni River system. This invasive fish has been located throughout the system and both male and female fish were collected. The smallest fish sampled was a fingerling of a day or two old and the smallest pregnant female was a mere 270mm TL. This is a clear indication that this fish is breeding in the river system.Although T. granifera and P. disjunctivus were abundant in the Nseleni/Mposa river system, it was not clear what their role in the system was, and in particular if they were competing with any of the indigenous species. Therefore, isotope samples were collected from numerous taxa over a two week period, with the exception of Pterygoplichthys disjunctivus samples, which were collected over 12 months. The δ13C and δ15N signatures of all samples were determined. The niche overlap between the invasive and indigenous snails was effectively zero (1.02E-13%), indicating no shared food resources. The medium ranges of dNRb (7.14) and dCRb (9.07) for the invasive fish indicate that it utilizes a wider range of food resources and trophic levels than the majority of indigenous fish. A medium CDb value (2.34) for the invasive fish species, P. disjunctivus, describes medium trophic diversity, with three indigenous species possessing higher diversity and three possessing lower diversity. Furtherresults indicated that there was no direct dietary competition between P. disjunctivus and indigenous species. Eichhornia crassipes was first recorded on the Nseleni River in 1978, and has been shown to have a significant negative impact on the biodiversity of the Nseleni/Mposa River system and therefore required a control intervention. Although biological control using the two weevil species Neochetina eichhornia (Warner) and N. bruchi (Hustache) has been credited with affecting a good level of control, the lack of a manipulated post-release evaluation experiments has undermined this statement. Five experimental plots of water hyacinth of 20m2 were sprayed with an insecticide to control weevils. After ten months the plants in the sprayed plots were significantly bigger and heavier than those in the control plots that had natural populations of the biological control agents. This study has shown unequivocally that biological control has contributed significantly to the control of water hyacinth on the Nseleni/Mposa River system.The management plan for the Enseleni Nature Reserve identifies the need to control invasive and/or exotic organisms within the boundary of the protected area. In addition, set guidelines have been implemented on how to control these organisms, so that indigenous organisms are least affected. Lack of control of exotic organisms can have serious consequences for indigenous species. It is therefore of utmost importance that the population dynamics of the invading organism be understood, what the potential impact could be and how to control them. Furthermore, it has also acknowledged the threat of possible exotic species invasions from outside of the protected area that might result in threats to the protected area and that these must be investigated, researched and managed.This thesis has identified Tarebia granifera, Pterygoplichthys disjunctivus and Eichhornia crassipes as being a threat to indigenous biodiversity within the protected area, as well as in adjacent areas to the protected area. The thesis will therefore investigate the hypothesis that both Tarebia granifera and Pterygoplichthys disjunctivus are having a direct negative effect on available food resources for indigenous species of organisms. In addition, this thesis will investigate if theNeochetina species that have previously been introduced onto E. crassipes are having any negative effect on this invasive alien aquatic plant.