Parasitism is one of the most common ways of living and it has arised in many taxa. Parasites feed and live inside or on their hosts resulting in both long and short term consequences for the host. This thesis is exploring the phenotypic and genotypic effects of animals living with parasitic infections. I have been studying three different parasite groups and their associated host species: the great snipe, a lekking freshwater wader bird that migrates between Africa and Northern Europe; the tree sparrow, a stationary passerine found close to human settlements and lastly the water vole, a large rodent living in riparian habitats. Avian malaria is one of the most commonly studied parasites affecting birds. Atoxoplasma, an intestinal protozoan parasite is less studied but is thought to be endemic in free-ranging birds. Given the freshwater habitat great snipes inhabit, a prevalence of 30% avian malaria infections is not high and that the prevalence fluctuated among years. Sequencing of the avian malaria cytochrome b gene revealed that parasites are similar to avian malaria parasites found in African birds suggesting that they were infected on the wintering grounds in Africa. Tree sparrows had few malaria infected individuals, a result that is consistent with other studies of stationary birds at high latitudes. Atoxoplasma infections were common in tree sparrows and capture-recapture analyses show decreased survival in infected compared to uninfected birds and signs of lower mating success among infected. Genetic analyses comparing the transcriptome between mated and unmated great snipe males revealed that the genotype is important for mating success and health status for some of the expressed genes. That variations in some of these genes are involved in maintaining a good health status and mating success supports handicap models for sexual selection in this lek mating system. The major histocompatibility complex (MHC) is a part of the immune system and it contains genes involved in immune response. In water voles, a number of new MHC alleles were identified. Based on their in silico phenotype they were grouped into supertypes to facilitate studies on how helminth infections affect the MHC diversity in the water voles. Some of these MHC supertypes provided resistance to one helminth species, but the same supertype caused the opposite effect for other helminth parasites. Overall, parasites are a driving force for maintaining genetic diversity and parasite infections lowers survival rate, which would lead to a lower lifetime breeding success.

Tesis entregada a la Universidad de Chile en cumplimiento parcial de los requisitos para optar al grado de Magíster en Ciencias Biológicas. / La medida en que los caracteres florales evolucionan bajo selección mediada por polinizadores ha sido ampliamente estudiada en la literatura. Sin embargo, la relación entre selección y efectividad de los polinizadores es un tema poco estudiado. El presente trabajo busca identificar y cuantificar las fuerzas selectivas ejercidas por abejas y colibríes sobre Erythranthe lutea, una planta herbácea altoandina de Chile central. Una de las principales preguntas en este estudio es evaluar si la selección mediada por polinizador sigue el principio del polinizador más eficiente de Stebbins. Para hacerlo, examinamos la selección putativa sobre tres rasgos florales de E. lutea durante dos años consecutivos a través de la función sexual femenina. Para examinar posibles efectos aditivos y no aditivos de los polinizadores, implementamos cuatro tratamientos en un diseño factorial de 2 x 2 usando Picaflores (P) y Abejas (A) como factores principales. De esta forma, probamos la selección mediada por polinizadores en los siguientes tratamientos: P+A+, P+A-, P-A+, P-A-. Nuestros resultados indican que el polinizador más eficiente fue el abejorro exótico Bombus terrestris, una de las especies responsables de la mayor fuerza selectiva impuesta por abejas. En particular, las abejas promueven la reproducción de flores con corolas más grandes en el período 2016. Sin embargo, durante el período 2017 se detectaron efectos no aditivos, lo que indica que el efecto de las abejas estaba supeditado a la presencia de picaflores y viceversa, lo que impide la evaluación de los efectos independientes. Si bien E. lutea parece estar evolucionando según el principio de Stebbins, es necesario demostrar que el fitness ganado después de la especialización de los rasgos florales excede al costo en fitness asociado a la pérdida de otros polinizadores menos eficientes. La observación de que B. terrestris fue el polinizador más eficiente en el ensamble de polinizadores sugiere que los polinizadores introducidos pueden impulsar nuevos y rápidos procesos de adaptación floral. En consecuencia, comprender el impacto evolutivo de los polinizadores exóticos puede ayudar al diseño de políticas de conservación frente al intercambio biótico y a la homogeneización a gran escala. / The extent to which floral characters evolve under pollinator-mediated selection has been extensively studied in the literature. However, the relationship between selection and pollinator effectiveness is a less understood subject. The present study aims to identify and quantify the selective force imposed by bees and hummingbirds upon Erythranthe lutea, a high Andean herbaceous plant from central Chile. A major question in this study is to evaluate whether pollinatormediated selection follows the Stebbins` principle of the most efficient pollinator. In doing so, we examined putative selection upon three flower traits of E. lutea during two consecutive years through the female sex function. To examine potential additive or nonadditive pollinator effects, we set four treatments in a 2 x 2 factorial design using hummingbirds (H) and bees (B) as main factors. In this way, we tested for pollinator mediated selection in the following treatments: H+B+, H+B-, H-B+, H-B-. Our results indicate that the most efficient pollinator was the exotic bumblebee Bombus terrestris, one of the responsible species of the higher selective force imposed by bees. In particular, bees promoted the reproduction of flowers with large-sized corollas in the 2016 period. However, during the 2017 nonadditive effects were detected, indicating that the effect of bees were contingent to the presence of bees and viceversa, which prevented the assessment of independent effects. While E. lutea seems to be evolving under Stebbins’ principle, it is necessary to demonstrate that the gained fitness after floral traits specialization exceeds the fitness cost associated to the loss of other less efficient pollinators. The observation that B. terrestris was the most efficient pollinator in the pollinator assemblage suggests that introduced pollinators can drive new and rapid floral adaptation processes. In consequence, understanding the evolutionary impact of exotic pollinators can help to the design of conservation policies in the face of biotic exchange and broad scale homogenization. / Proyecto FONDECYT 1150112.

Bees and wasps perform learning flights when departing their nest for the first few times or a newly discovered food source. Several studies have described the occurances and structure of these flights in several species, but few have examined how the insects systematically vary the characteristics of their learning flights in various conditions in order to aid the acquisition of visual information. This is best done in a species where individuals and nests can be easily manipulated and tested repeatedly. The aim of this thesis was therefore to investigate learning flights in bumblebees, where we have a good understanding of the structure and variability of flights from previous work and can design controlled experiments. I explored the similarities and differences of learning flights of workers and male bumblebees, observing their departures from the nest or an artificial flower. A second objective was to examine how differences in the learning flights affect the bumblebees’ ability to return the learnt location. The experiments were conducted inside a large greenhouse, under natural light regimes, with two large tables placed far apart, one for simulating the ground from which bees emerged when departing their nest, and the other representing a feeding site with an artificial flower. Female bumblebees performed shorter learning flights when leaving a flower than when leaving their nest, although both locations displayed similar visual scenes. At both locations, the duration and trajectory length of learning flights decreased over successive visits, but the decrease was faster at the flower location than at the nest. Bumblebees fixated both their nest and the flower during their learning flights as well as the landmarks available around the two locations, which suggests that they learned the position of the goal relative to these landmarks. When the nest and the flower were hidden and only three cylinders were shown as landmarks in tests, bees searched as accurately for the nest as for the flower. However, they were more persistent when searching for the nest than for the flower, which was not predicted from the variation of learning flights at the nest and flower locations. Another situation in which bumblebees varied the characteristics of their learning flights, but without an impact on their performance when recalling the learnt information, was after visiting flowers filled with low and high sucrose rewards. The bees performed longer learning flights after drinking at a highly rewarded flower. When departing a poorly rewarded flower, bumblebees did not fixate the flower during their learning flights. Nevertheless, the bees were able to return to both the poorly rewarded flower and the highly rewarded flower equally fast. Given the above findings, it is not evident how different durations or trajectory lengths of bumblebee learning flights might be linked to variations in learning of goal locations. Finally, I show that bumblebees of either sex decide to perform learning flights at locations that are of importance to them. Whilst the female workers always performed learning flights when departing their natal nest, the males did not and simply flew away in a straight line. However, when leaving a flower, the males did perform learning flights with characteristics similar to those of the females’ learning flights. They were also able to return to the flower, showing similar approach trajectories as workers. The thesis discusses these findings in the light of ideas and hypotheses that are linked to differential investment in learning which were observed in the various conditions here. It is also discussed why bumblebees used fixations in different ways when learning about the visual environment surrounding goals that are important to them. Whilst many results are parsimonious with the requirements for learning and active flight control to aid the acquisition of visual information, motivation also seems to play a role in varying the occurances and features of learning flights, such as seen in the bees’ greater persistence to search for their nest than for a flower.

Genomic imprinting, the parent-of-origin specific silencing of alleles, plays an important role in phenotypic plasticity and consequently evolution. The leading explanation for genomic imprinting is Haig's conflict theory, which suggests that alleles from each parent have evolved under different selectional pressures, resulting in the differential expression of patrigenes and matrigenes. Previous studies have mainly used mammals and flowering plants to test Haig’s theory. However, there is a lack of independent evidence to support the theory. My PhD thesis attempts to conduct an independent test of Haig’s conflict theory using buff tailed bumblebee Bombus terrestris. A methylation system to facilitate genomic imprinting has not been found in this species. Therefore the first aim of the study was to establish the presence of a functional methylation system in B. terrestris before testing Haig's conflict theory using worker reproduction in queen-less colonies. The initial finding is that a methylation system exists in B. terrestris. The next study, investigating the presence of methylated genes, revealed differential methylation patterns in caste and life stages. Finally, genes involved with worker reproduction in a range of social insects were identified, but distinguishing the matrigene and the patrigene for each gene was unsuccessful. Therefore the final study investigating the presence of imprinted genes in B. terrestris and whether they conform to the expression patterns hypothesised by Haig’s conflict theory could not be analysed. Although this study did not provide conclusive evidence to support Haig’s conflict theory, the presence of methylation in genes involved with worker reproduction in reproducing and non-reproducing B. terrestris workers suggests that further analysis is needed. With adequate evidence, proving Haig’s conflict theory will not only expand our knowledge of invertebrate methylation, but also our understanding of conflict within social insect societies and our knowledge of how genomic imprinting affects phenotypic plasticity.

No description available.

MORPHOMETRIC AND GENETIC DIFFERENTIATION BETWEEN ANATOLIA AND CYPRUS BOMBUS (BOMBUS) TERRESTRIS (L. 1758) POPULATIONS BETON, Damla M. Sc., Department of Biology Supervisor: Prof. Dr. Aykut Kence September 2004, 86 pages Four microsatellite loci were used to investigate differentiation in Bombus terrestris, a bumblebee of interest for its high value crops pollination. Two bumblebee populations, one from Ankara (the capital of Turkey) and one from North Cyprus were analyzed. In these populations, the total number of alleles detected per polymorphic locus ranged from 7 to 12. FST genetic distance between Ankara and North Cyprus B. terrestris populations based on four microsatellite loci was calculated as 0,09351. This applies that there is significant (P&lt / 0,001) differentiation between Anatolian and Cypriot populations. Moreover, statistically significant differences between two populations were found in wing characters studied. According to the potential for local adaptation and individual fitness of bumblebees, microsatellite data calls for protection of Bombus terrestris populations against importation of bumblebees of foreign origin which are used as crop pollinator.

Maior mamífero terrestre neotropical, a anta (Tapirus terrestris) possui hábitos solitários. É classificada como herbívora-frugívora, ingerindo grande quantidade de frutos com sementes de diversas espécies. Potencialmente, a anta é considerada um dispersor de sementes. Nesse trabalho, estudamos aspectos comportamentais da formação de latrinas por antas e sua efetividade na dispersão de sementes. No primeiro capítulo, abordamos aspectos comportamentais da formação de latrinas, que foi realizado através de marcadores plásticos adicionados no alimento. No segundo capítulo avaliamos a efetividade de dispersão de sementes, através dos locais de deposição de fezes e o potencial germinativo de duas espécies que compõe a sua dieta: Psidium guajava e Syagrus romanzoffiana. O estudo foi realizado no Centro de Visitantes do Parque Estadual da Serra do Tabuleiro, em Santa Catarina, que compreende uma área de 160 ha. Lá seis indivíduos de T. terrestris vivem em regime de cativeiro extensivo com alimentação suplementar, o que permite a realização de estudos com disponibilidade de habitat e densidade controladas. Observamos que 78% das fezes estavam agrupadas em latrinas e 22% isoladas. Oito unidades fecais (10%) continham marcadores, desde o primeiro até 18 dias após a ingestão. Em uma latrina evidenciamos o uso repetido pelo mesmo indivíduo. Não é possível afirmar se as latrinas são de uso individual ou coletivo, porém a taxa de defecação que encontramos em latrinas é superior a de um único indivíduo. Os locais de defecação estão associados à altura do dossel, refletindo a seleção de T. terrestris pela vegetação arbórea. As taxas médias de germinação de sementes de P. guajava que passaram pelo trato digestivo das antas não foram diferentes (p>0,41) das sementes despolpadas. Já a taxa de germinação das sementes de Syagrus romanzoffiana, fruto importante na dieta de antas, foi maior (p=0,05) quando ingeridas pelos animais, pois esses selecionam frutos sadios. Os resultados demonstram que T. terrestris é eficiente na dispersão de sementes, tanto por depositar suas fezes em locais seguros para a germinação, como por apresentar efeito neutro ou positivo na germinação de espécies após a passagem pelo trato digestivo. / Largest neotropical terrestrial mammal, the tapir (Tapirus terrestris) is a solitary animal. Regarding its food-habit type is classified as frugivore-herbivore, thus ingesting great amount of seedy fruits of diverse species. The tapir is considered to be a seed dispersor. In the present work, aspects related to tapir’s latrine behavior and its effectiveness on seed dispersal were studied. In the first chapter, tapir’s latrine behavior was studied through plastic markers added in the food. In the second chapter the aim was to evaluate the effectiveness of seed dispersal by tapirs, through the places of feces’ deposition and the germination potential of two species composing its diet: Psidium guajava and Syagrus romanzoffiana. The study was carried out in the Visitors Center of Serra do Tabuleiro State Park, in Santa Catarina state, a 160 ha area. There, six T. terrestris individuals live in extensive captivity regime with supplemental feeding, allowing the development of studies with controlled habitat availability and density. We observed that 78% of excrements were grouped in latrines and 22% were isolated. Eight fecal units (10%) were found with markers one to 18 days after marker’s ingestion. In a latrine we found evidence of repeated use by the same individual. Although it is not possible to state whether latrines are of individual or collective use, the defecation rate found is bigger of that of a single individual. The defecation places are associates with higher canopy, reflecting the T. terrestris election for forest vegetation. The germination rate of P. guajava seeds passing through the digestive tract of tapirs weren’t different (p>0,41) from those with pulp manually extracted. On the other hand, germination rate of Syagrus romanzoffiana, an important fruit on tapirs’ diet, was greater (p=0,05) when ingested by the animals, because they select healthy fruits. The results demonstrate tapir to be efficient in seed dispersal, not only for deposing their excrements in safe places for seed germination, as for presenting neutral or positive effect in the germination of seeds after passing their digestive tract.

Submitted by Elizabete Silva (elizabete.silva@ufes.br) on 2015-06-01T17:29:24Z No. of bitstreams: 2 license_rdf: 23148 bytes, checksum: 9da0b6dfac957114c6a7714714b86306 (MD5) Padrão de frugivoria de Tapirus terrestris na.pdf: 1757579 bytes, checksum: 49d61086b73060760ee9ee7de9826851 (MD5) / Approved for entry into archive by Elizabete Silva (elizabete.silva@ufes.br) on 2015-07-31T18:27:22Z (GMT) No. of bitstreams: 2 license_rdf: 23148 bytes, checksum: 9da0b6dfac957114c6a7714714b86306 (MD5) Padrão de frugivoria de Tapirus terrestris na.pdf: 1757579 bytes, checksum: 49d61086b73060760ee9ee7de9826851 (MD5) / Made available in DSpace on 2015-07-31T18:27:22Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 2 license_rdf: 23148 bytes, checksum: 9da0b6dfac957114c6a7714714b86306 (MD5) Padrão de frugivoria de Tapirus terrestris na.pdf: 1757579 bytes, checksum: 49d61086b73060760ee9ee7de9826851 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2015 / A anta Tapirus terrestris (Linnaeus, 1758), último representante da megafauna Pleistocênica na região Neotropical, representa um importante grupo funcional, pois dispersam uma grande variedade de espécies vegetais, especialmente frutos. No entanto, o padrão de frugivoria da espécie pode variar entre diferentes áreas. Dessa forma, nosso interesse foi investigar o grau de frugivoria da espécie em duas diferentes áreas no estado do Espírito Santo e a sua importância para a dinâmica florestal. Para isso, foram coletadas amostras fecais, através de busca ativa em diferentes ambientes na Reserva Biológica do Córrego do Veado (Rebio Córrego do Veado) e na Reserva Particular do Patrimônio Natural Recanto das Antas (RPPN Recanto das Antas), durante o período de janeiro de 2011 a novembro de 2013. Após a triagem do material biológico, as sementes foram individualizadas, classificadas quanto às características e grupos ecológicos e identificadas até o menor nível taxonômico possível. Foi obtido um esforço amostral de 130 dias, resultando em 325 amostras fecais coletadas, sendo 53,2% da Rebio Córrego do Veado e 46,8% da RPPN Recanto das Antas. Do total de amostras, 41,8% estavam depositadas dentro ou próximas a corpos d’água e 58,2% na serrapilheira/substrato seco. A dieta da anta foi composta por 94,1% de fibras e 5,9% de frutos. Foram encontradas duas vezes mais amostras contendo sementes na RPPN Recanto das Antas do que na Rebio Córrego do Veado. Das 30 morfoespécies encontradas nas amostras, 15 foram identificadas em nível específico, as quais estão distribuídas em oito famílias. As famílias mais representativas foram Anacardiaceae, Fabaceae e Myrtaceae. As espécies mais freqüentemente encontradas nas amostras foram Spondias macrocarpa Engl. e S. venulosa (Engl.) Engl. Do total de sementes encontradas 60% apresentam dispersão zoocórica e 46,7% são sementes grandes e muito grandes e 50% possuem fruto do tipo carnoso. Das morfoespécies encontradas, sete foram registradas em ambas as unidades de conservação, 21 foram encontradas apenas na RPPN Recanto das Antas e duas foram encontradas na Rebio Córrego do Veado. Isso pode indicar que o ambiente na RPPN Recanto das Antas pode fornecer mais frutos que na Rebio Córrego do Veado, o que pode ser um resultado do histórico de perturbações da última reserva. Na década de 1980, 80% da Rebio Córrego do Veado foi queimada em um incêndio e, atualmente, o entorno da reserva é composto principalmente por pastagens. Ao contrário, a RPPN Recanto das Antas, apesar de sua área ter sofrido extração seletiva na década de 50, está inserida no maior remanescente de Mata Atlântica do Espírito Santo. Ainda que a anta possua uma dieta composta por uma variedade de frutos nas áreas de estudo, ela aparenta ser menos frugívora do que em outras áreas da Mata Atlântica. Contudo, é evidente a importância de T. terrestris na dispersão de um grande número de espécies vegetais, especialmente as espécies com sementes grandes, aumentando o recrutamento de espécies de plantas que não são dispersadas por outras espécies animais. / The lowland tapir Tapirus terrestris (Linnaeus, 1758) the last representative of the Pleistocene megafauna in the Neotropical region, represents an important functional group, dispersing a variety of vegetables, especially fruits. However, pattern in frugivory can vary among different areas. Here we investigated the degree of frugivory of this specie in two different areas in the state of Espírito Santo, and its importance for forest dynamics. We collected fecal samples, through active search at different environments, in the Private Natural Heritage Reserve Recanto das Antas (RPNN Recanto das Antas), and in the Córrego do Veado Biological Reserve (Rebio Córrego do Veado), between January 2011 and December 2013. After triage of biological material, the seeds were individualized, classified and identified to the lowest possible taxonomic level. Was had a sampling effort of 130 days, resulting in 325 fecal samples, which 53.2% were collected in the Rebio Córrego do Veado, and 46.8% in the RPPN Recanto das Antas. From the samples, 41.8% were deposited in or near water bodies and 58.2% were collected from the litter or dry substrate. The diet of the lowland tapir was composed of 94.1% fiber and 5.9% of fruit. We found twice as much samples containing seeds in the RPPN Recanto das Antas than in Rebio Córrego do Veado. From the 30 morphospecies found in the samples, we identified 15 at species level, belonging to eight families. The most representative families were Anacardiaceae, Fabaceae and Myrtaceae. The most frequent species were Spondias macrocarpa Engl. and S. venulosa (Engl.) Engl. From the seeds found, 60% with zoochoric dispersion syndrome, 46.7% had the seed size varying from large to very large and 50% had dry fruits types. From the morphospecies found, seven were recorded in both protected areas, 21 were found only in the RPPN Recanto das Antas and two were only found in the Rebio Córrego do Veado. This may indicate that the RPPN Recanto das Antas can provide more fruits than the Rebio Córrego do Veado, which may be a result of anthropogenic disturbances occurred in the last protect area. In the 1980s, a fire burned 80% of the Rebio Córrego do Veado, and today, the reserve completely isolated, surrounded mainly by pastures. In the contrary, the RPPN Recanto das Antas had its area extensively explored in the 1950s, but it is still inserted within the largest remaining of Atlantic Forest in the Espírito Santo. Although the lowland tapir has a diet composed of a variety of fruits, in our study areas it appears to be less frugivorous than in other areas of the Atlantic Forest. However, it is evident the importance of T. terrestris to the dispersion of a large number of plants, especially of those with large seeds, increasing the recruitment of plants that are not dispersed by small animals.

Maior mamífero terrestre neotropical, a anta (Tapirus terrestris) possui hábitos solitários. É classificada como herbívora-frugívora, ingerindo grande quantidade de frutos com sementes de diversas espécies. Potencialmente, a anta é considerada um dispersor de sementes. Nesse trabalho, estudamos aspectos comportamentais da formação de latrinas por antas e sua efetividade na dispersão de sementes. No primeiro capítulo, abordamos aspectos comportamentais da formação de latrinas, que foi realizado através de marcadores plásticos adicionados no alimento. No segundo capítulo avaliamos a efetividade de dispersão de sementes, através dos locais de deposição de fezes e o potencial germinativo de duas espécies que compõe a sua dieta: Psidium guajava e Syagrus romanzoffiana. O estudo foi realizado no Centro de Visitantes do Parque Estadual da Serra do Tabuleiro, em Santa Catarina, que compreende uma área de 160 ha. Lá seis indivíduos de T. terrestris vivem em regime de cativeiro extensivo com alimentação suplementar, o que permite a realização de estudos com disponibilidade de habitat e densidade controladas. Observamos que 78% das fezes estavam agrupadas em latrinas e 22% isoladas. Oito unidades fecais (10%) continham marcadores, desde o primeiro até 18 dias após a ingestão. Em uma latrina evidenciamos o uso repetido pelo mesmo indivíduo. Não é possível afirmar se as latrinas são de uso individual ou coletivo, porém a taxa de defecação que encontramos em latrinas é superior a de um único indivíduo. Os locais de defecação estão associados à altura do dossel, refletindo a seleção de T. terrestris pela vegetação arbórea. As taxas médias de germinação de sementes de P. guajava que passaram pelo trato digestivo das antas não foram diferentes (p>0,41) das sementes despolpadas. Já a taxa de germinação das sementes de Syagrus romanzoffiana, fruto importante na dieta de antas, foi maior (p=0,05) quando ingeridas pelos animais, pois esses selecionam frutos sadios. Os resultados demonstram que T. terrestris é eficiente na dispersão de sementes, tanto por depositar suas fezes em locais seguros para a germinação, como por apresentar efeito neutro ou positivo na germinação de espécies após a passagem pelo trato digestivo. / Largest neotropical terrestrial mammal, the tapir (Tapirus terrestris) is a solitary animal. Regarding its food-habit type is classified as frugivore-herbivore, thus ingesting great amount of seedy fruits of diverse species. The tapir is considered to be a seed dispersor. In the present work, aspects related to tapir’s latrine behavior and its effectiveness on seed dispersal were studied. In the first chapter, tapir’s latrine behavior was studied through plastic markers added in the food. In the second chapter the aim was to evaluate the effectiveness of seed dispersal by tapirs, through the places of feces’ deposition and the germination potential of two species composing its diet: Psidium guajava and Syagrus romanzoffiana. The study was carried out in the Visitors Center of Serra do Tabuleiro State Park, in Santa Catarina state, a 160 ha area. There, six T. terrestris individuals live in extensive captivity regime with supplemental feeding, allowing the development of studies with controlled habitat availability and density. We observed that 78% of excrements were grouped in latrines and 22% were isolated. Eight fecal units (10%) were found with markers one to 18 days after marker’s ingestion. In a latrine we found evidence of repeated use by the same individual. Although it is not possible to state whether latrines are of individual or collective use, the defecation rate found is bigger of that of a single individual. The defecation places are associates with higher canopy, reflecting the T. terrestris election for forest vegetation. The germination rate of P. guajava seeds passing through the digestive tract of tapirs weren’t different (p>0,41) from those with pulp manually extracted. On the other hand, germination rate of Syagrus romanzoffiana, an important fruit on tapirs’ diet, was greater (p=0,05) when ingested by the animals, because they select healthy fruits. The results demonstrate tapir to be efficient in seed dispersal, not only for deposing their excrements in safe places for seed germination, as for presenting neutral or positive effect in the germination of seeds after passing their digestive tract.

Maior mamífero terrestre neotropical, a anta (Tapirus terrestris) possui hábitos solitários. É classificada como herbívora-frugívora, ingerindo grande quantidade de frutos com sementes de diversas espécies. Potencialmente, a anta é considerada um dispersor de sementes. Nesse trabalho, estudamos aspectos comportamentais da formação de latrinas por antas e sua efetividade na dispersão de sementes. No primeiro capítulo, abordamos aspectos comportamentais da formação de latrinas, que foi realizado através de marcadores plásticos adicionados no alimento. No segundo capítulo avaliamos a efetividade de dispersão de sementes, através dos locais de deposição de fezes e o potencial germinativo de duas espécies que compõe a sua dieta: Psidium guajava e Syagrus romanzoffiana. O estudo foi realizado no Centro de Visitantes do Parque Estadual da Serra do Tabuleiro, em Santa Catarina, que compreende uma área de 160 ha. Lá seis indivíduos de T. terrestris vivem em regime de cativeiro extensivo com alimentação suplementar, o que permite a realização de estudos com disponibilidade de habitat e densidade controladas. Observamos que 78% das fezes estavam agrupadas em latrinas e 22% isoladas. Oito unidades fecais (10%) continham marcadores, desde o primeiro até 18 dias após a ingestão. Em uma latrina evidenciamos o uso repetido pelo mesmo indivíduo. Não é possível afirmar se as latrinas são de uso individual ou coletivo, porém a taxa de defecação que encontramos em latrinas é superior a de um único indivíduo. Os locais de defecação estão associados à altura do dossel, refletindo a seleção de T. terrestris pela vegetação arbórea. As taxas médias de germinação de sementes de P. guajava que passaram pelo trato digestivo das antas não foram diferentes (p>0,41) das sementes despolpadas. Já a taxa de germinação das sementes de Syagrus romanzoffiana, fruto importante na dieta de antas, foi maior (p=0,05) quando ingeridas pelos animais, pois esses selecionam frutos sadios. Os resultados demonstram que T. terrestris é eficiente na dispersão de sementes, tanto por depositar suas fezes em locais seguros para a germinação, como por apresentar efeito neutro ou positivo na germinação de espécies após a passagem pelo trato digestivo. / Largest neotropical terrestrial mammal, the tapir (Tapirus terrestris) is a solitary animal. Regarding its food-habit type is classified as frugivore-herbivore, thus ingesting great amount of seedy fruits of diverse species. The tapir is considered to be a seed dispersor. In the present work, aspects related to tapir’s latrine behavior and its effectiveness on seed dispersal were studied. In the first chapter, tapir’s latrine behavior was studied through plastic markers added in the food. In the second chapter the aim was to evaluate the effectiveness of seed dispersal by tapirs, through the places of feces’ deposition and the germination potential of two species composing its diet: Psidium guajava and Syagrus romanzoffiana. The study was carried out in the Visitors Center of Serra do Tabuleiro State Park, in Santa Catarina state, a 160 ha area. There, six T. terrestris individuals live in extensive captivity regime with supplemental feeding, allowing the development of studies with controlled habitat availability and density. We observed that 78% of excrements were grouped in latrines and 22% were isolated. Eight fecal units (10%) were found with markers one to 18 days after marker’s ingestion. In a latrine we found evidence of repeated use by the same individual. Although it is not possible to state whether latrines are of individual or collective use, the defecation rate found is bigger of that of a single individual. The defecation places are associates with higher canopy, reflecting the T. terrestris election for forest vegetation. The germination rate of P. guajava seeds passing through the digestive tract of tapirs weren’t different (p>0,41) from those with pulp manually extracted. On the other hand, germination rate of Syagrus romanzoffiana, an important fruit on tapirs’ diet, was greater (p=0,05) when ingested by the animals, because they select healthy fruits. The results demonstrate tapir to be efficient in seed dispersal, not only for deposing their excrements in safe places for seed germination, as for presenting neutral or positive effect in the germination of seeds after passing their digestive tract.