No description available.

A large proportion of the earth's surface is dedicated to food production, and agriculture is widely acknowledged to influence local biodiversity via habitat loss and degradation. Landscape genetics is an emerging field which can provide detailed understanding of how wildlife populations are influenced by landscape configuration and composition but the approach is yet to be fully integrated with agroecology. When addressing landscape genetics questions, small mammals may provide insight; they may act as model organisms, they are abundant, they are relatively easy to sample and they may have important ecological roles within arable ecosystems. This thesis merged the study of arable landscapes, landscape genetics and small mammals, to develop what is known about the landscape genetics of wild species in this dynamic habitat type. To decide upon a study organism, small mammals were surveyed at an example arable field site. Wood mice (Apodemus sylvaticus) were found to be the most abundant species and a microsatellite marker multiplex was developed for genotyping individuals. Two aspects of their landscape genetics in arable habitat were investigated. First, the possibility of temporal patterns in fine scale genetic structure of arable populations was explored, since this had not been investigated previously. Next, inter-population genetic differentiation was examined to determine whether arable habitat acted as a barrier to gene flow for this species. At the fine scale, three genetically distinct clusters of wood mice were identified and temporal variation in the spatial pattern was confirmed. There was no evidence that arable habitat acted as a barrier to gene flow for this species in comparison to populations in urban habitat, which showed significant differentiation. It is hoped that the landscape genetic insights provided by this thesis will encourage greater momentum for conducting landscape genetics studies in agricultural habitat.

The genetic structuring of populations can be influenced by present processes and past events. One of the largest historical events to affect the distribution and genetic characteristics of present-day North American biota is the Pleistocene glaciation. Thus, the study of post-glacial colonization patterns of species in northern landscapes can relay important ecological information, as species had to expand their range extensively following the retreat of the glaciers and are often at the terminal end of their expansion. These species consequently exhibit the genetic fingerprints of sequential founder events, in turn decreasing the genetic variation available for adaptation. Using amphibians to investigate post-glacial range expansion is advantageous, as they have limited dispersal abilities revealing fine-scale patterns and they are thought to be one of the first vertebrates to colonize post-glacial habitat. Therefore, to model the phylogeography of a primary colonizer and the population structure of anurans in northern landscapes, population genetics analyses of wood frogs (Lithobates sylvaticus) were performed in the James Bay area. Wood frogs were sampled from 17 localities around James Bay and genetic analyses were conducted with seven microsatellite loci and mitochondrial DNA sequences of the ND2/tRNATRP genes. Results show that the post-glacial recolonization of the James Bay area by wood frogs originated from the putative refugium in western Wisconsin, an area known as the Driftless Area. Two routes were taken by founders to colonize the James Bay area: one north-west of Lake Superior, colonizing western Ontario, and one through the Upper Peninsula of Michigan, colonizing southern and eastern Ontario and western Québec. Interestingly, the meeting of the two lineages south-west of James Bay led to the establishment of a zone of higher genetic variation than expected under the founder effect hypothesis. Additionally, population structure analyses revealed the segregation of three genetic populations east, north-west, and south-west of the bay, the latter showing the highest genetic variation and likely representing a zone of secondary contact. This study shows that past events such as post-glacial range expansions can explain present patterns of genetic variation and population structure, and that studies in northern landscapes may be very useful in understanding genetic patterns throughout the range of a species.

Tese (doutorado)—Universidade de Brasília, Faculdade de Ciências da Saúde, 2011. / Submitted by Shayane Marques Zica (marquacizh@uol.com.br) on 2011-10-17T11:14:19Z No. of bitstreams: 1 2011_RenataCostaFortes.pdf: 13798098 bytes, checksum: 9550f0bbf4b1614756f7401b9755c59c (MD5) / Approved for entry into archive by Leila Fernandes (leilabiblio@yahoo.com.br) on 2011-10-17T13:46:16Z (GMT) No. of bitstreams: 1 2011_RenataCostaFortes.pdf: 13798098 bytes, checksum: 9550f0bbf4b1614756f7401b9755c59c (MD5) / Made available in DSpace on 2011-10-17T13:46:16Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 2011_RenataCostaFortes.pdf: 13798098 bytes, checksum: 9550f0bbf4b1614756f7401b9755c59c (MD5) / O câncer colorretal é um dos mais comuns tipos de neoplasias malignas. Pacientes com câncer apresentam diversas anormalidades metabólicas e nos parâmetros bioquímicos e enzimáticos, com repercussões significativas sobre a qualidade de vida. Os fungos Agaricus sylvaticus têm sido utilizados como suplementos dietéticos devido às suas propriedades nutricionais, farmacológicas e organolépticas. O objetivo deste estudo foi avaliar os efeitos metabólicos da suplementação dietética com fungos Agaricus sylvaticus em pacientes com câncer colorretal em fase pós-operatória. Trata-se de um ensaio clínico randomizado, duplo-cego e placebo-controlado realizado em um hospital público do Distrito Federal - Brasil. A amostra foi constituída de 56 pacientes com câncer colorretal, de ambos os sexos, separados em dois grupos: suplementado com Agaricus sylvaticus (30mg/kg/dia) e placebo (amido). Foram realizadas três avaliações séricas de glicose; colesterol total; lipoproteína de alta densidade; lipoproteína de baixa densidade; lipoproteína de muito baixa densidade; triglicérides; ácido úrico; uréia; creatinina; fosfatase alcalina; bilirrubinas total, direta e indireta; aspartato-aminotransferase e alanina-aminotransferase; imunoglobulinas A, G e M; proteínas totais e frações, além de aferidos os níveis pressóricos ao longo do tratamento e avaliados alguns indicadores de qualidade de vida. Os resultados foram avaliados de forma analítica e descritiva por meio dos programas Microsoft Excel 2003, Epi Info 2004 e SPSS 14.0, utilizando os testes T-student e F, com significância para p ≤ 0,05. O estudo foi aprovado pelo Comitê de Ética em Pesquisa em Seres Humanos da Secretaria de Estado de Saúde do Distrito Federal. Observou-se, no grupo Agaricus sylvaticus, redução significativa de glicemia de jejum, colesterol total, lipoproteína de baixa densidade, creatinina, aspartato-aminotransferase, alanina-aminotransferase, imunoglobulina A, imunoglobulina M, pressão arterial sistólica e pressão arterial diastólica. Em relação aos indicadores de qualidade de vida, averiguou-se aumento da prática de atividade física, melhora da disposição e do humor, redução de queixas de dores, alterações do sono e anormalidades gastrintestinais, além de o aumento do apetite. Essas alterações não foram observadas no grupo placebo. Os resultados apontam que a suplementação dietética com fungos Agaricus sylvaticus é capaz de promover efeitos benéficos no metabolismo energético, na pressão arterial, nos parâmetros bioquímicos e enzimáticos e na qualidade de vida de pacientes com câncer colorretal em fase pós-operatória, constituindo-se uma promissora terapia coadjuvante do câncer. _______________________________________________________________________________ ABSTRACT / Colorectal cancer is one of the most prevalent malignancies. Cancer patients present various metabolic abnormalities as well as in biochemical parameters and enzyme activities, with significant metabolic backlash on the quality of life. The fungus Agaricus sylvaticus has been used as a dietary supplement owing to its nutritional and pharmacological properties. The aim of this study was to evaluate the metabolic effects of a dietary supplementation with Agaricus sylvaticus in patients with colorectal cancer in post-surgery phase. This is a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study in a public hospital in the Federal District, Brazil. Samples consisted of 56 colorectal cancer patients of both sexes divided into two groups: group supplemented with Agaricus sylvaticus (30mg/kg/day) and group placebo (starch). Three evaluations were performed in serum glucose, total cholesterol, high density lipoprotein, low density lipoprotein, very low density lipoprotein, triglycerides, uric acid, urea, creatinine, alkaline phosphatase, total bilirubin, direct and indirect; aspartate aminotransferase and alanine aminotransferase, immunoglobulin A, G and M, total protein and fractions, further to blood pressure levels measured during treatment. Some quality of life indicators were also evaluated. The results were validated analytically and descriptively through Microsoft Excel 2003, Epi Info 2004 and SPSS 14.0, using tests T-student and F, with significance of ≤ 0.05. The study was approved by the Human Research Ethics Committee of the State Secretariat of Health of the Federal District. In the Agaricus sylvaticus group, observation noted significant reduction of fasting glucose, total cholesterol, low density lipoprotein, creatinine, aspartate-aminotransferase, alanine aminotransferase, immunoglobulin A, immunoglobulin M, systolic and diastolic blood pressure. In relation to indicators of quality of life results observed increased physical activity, improved disposition and mood; less complaints of pain, sleep disorders and gastrointestinal abnormalities, along with increased appetite. These changes were not observed in the placebo group. Results suggest that a dietary supplementation with Agaricus sylvaticus fungus is able to promote beneficial effects on energy metabolism, blood pressure, biochemical parameters and enzyme activities resulting in better quality of life of colorectal cancer patients in post-surgery phase, thus comprising a promising adjuvant therapy for cancer bearers. _______________________________________________________________________________ RESUMEN

Mole salamanders (Ambystoma) and woodfrogs (Lithobates sylvaticus) are abundant in New England and depend on ephemeral wetlands for breeding. Their aquatic habitats have been well studied and are protected by several local and regional regulations. State endangered species laws also protect mabled salamanders (A. opacum), Jefferson salamanders (A. jeffersonianum), and blue-spotted salamanders (A. laterale). However, these amphbibians spend most of their adult lives in terrestrial habitats that remain poorly protected and elusive to researchers. In chapter 1, I developed a novel technique using passive integrated transponders for tracking small animals. I used this technique to track marbled salamanders walking up to 200 m from their breeding pond during post-breeding migrations. In Chapter 2, I examined the importance of multiple habitat variables for predicting the distributions of woodfrogs and spotted salamanders at 455 ponds in western Massachusetts. Based on a variable-comparison technique I developed, the best predictor for either species of amphibian was the amount of forest in the surrounding vii landscape. Both species were found more frequently in upland forests where the ponds are least protected by state and federal wetland regulations. In chapter 3, I used my data from chapter 2 and three other similar data sets to conduct an analysis of spatial scale and to parameterize a recently published resistant kernel model. The complex model parameterized by an expert panel did significantly worse than the null model. The distributions of both amphibians were best predicted by measuring the landscape at very large scales (over 1000 m). The most effective scales for conservation may be largest for organisms of intermediate dispersal capability. In chapter 4, I explored the evolution and genetics of the Jefferson/blue-spotted/unisexual salamander complex. I framed research into the fascinating unisexual reproductive system with a model that relates nuclear genome replacement, positive selection on hybrids, and biogeography of the species complex. I parameterized this model using genetic data taken from salamanders spanning Massachusetts and an individual-based breeding simulation. If paternal genomes are transmitted to offspring with the frequencies reported from laboratory experiments, then my model suggests that there must be strong selection favoring unisexuals with hybrid nuclei.

No description available.

No description available.

No description available.

No description available.

Habitat fragmentation during 50s of 20th century caused decrease in food resource availibility for many small mammalian forest species. Despite all of the changes, those species managed to adapt to it - one of the adaptation mechanics has been migrating into agricultural areas. The main aim of this study was to describe the spatial activity of Apodemus sylvaticus and Myodes glaerolus inside two forst patches and compare it. My next aim was evaluate the significance of agricultural areas nearby the researched forest patches. One part of this was even the comparison of different marking techniques used for rodents in field. Data describing movement activity of researched species were collected using capture-mark-recapture (CMR) As expected the data differ - Greater mobility was found in A. sylvaticus, the M. glaerolus preffered to stay inside patches with larger vegetation cover. The raids into surrounding patches differed even in those two researched forest sites. In site "Samota" A. sylvaticus showed greater movement distance, however in "Hejtman" it were M. glaerolus expressing greater movement ability. Theirs movement were directed inside clover field. Both species of Samota site ventured into patches with dense plant cover, perhaps to minimise the risk of predation. The best method of marking proved to be the clipping the rodents ears with tags. As the next more efficient I would choose the ear-clipping.