Dissertations / Theses on the topic 'Mammal - marsupials'

This thesis is involved with changes that have occurred to small mammal populations following a major disturbance in the Anglesea region as a result of the 1983 Ash Wednesday fires. Fire, with its effects on spatial and temporal heterogeneity, was found to be an important factor in the maintenance of vegetation and small mammal community structure and diversity in the region. Successional changes in vegetation and small mammal communities were described by multivariate analyses, using data collected annually from 22 study sites. The use of factor analysis techniques, in reducing the annual capture data content, enabled long-term changes in the structure of mammal communities to be interpreted. The small mammal communities in the coastal heath and forest vegetation in the Anglesea region show evidence of a general resilience, (the degree and speed of recovery), to disturbance. Two phases of successional response to fire by mammal species have been proposed; a ‘re-establishment’ phase which occurs in the initial 5-6 years post-fire and is accompanied by rapid increase in species’ abundance, and a subsequent ‘maintenance’ phase accompanied by relatively minor changes in abundance. Habitat Suitability Indices were produced relating to these phases. Vertical density measures of understorey shrubs and herb layers showed significant relationships with small mammal species abundance at the study sites. Long term studies following major disturbances are needed to distinguish between short term recovery of plant and animal species and long term changes in these species. Studies extending over a number of years enable a better directional view of changes in small mammal communities than can be determined from . observations made over a short period. As a part of the investigation into temporal change, it was proposed to undertake trial reintroductions of the Swamp antechinus, Ant echinus minimus, a marsupial dasyurid species which was trapped in the area prior to the 1983 fire, but rarely subsequently. Other more commonly observed native small mammal species (e.g. Rattus fuscipes,R. lutreolus, Antechinus stuartii, Sminthopsis leucopus) had re-invaded the proposed reintroduction site after this fire. Failure of A. minimus to re-establish may have been due to spatial separation of the pre-fire populations coupled with the extensive area burnt in 1983, A source population of the species was located about 100km to the west and habitat utilization and interspecific and niche relationships between the species making the small mammal community explored. Discriminant analysis revealed some spatial separation of species within a habitat based on structural vegetation factors rather than floristic factors. Temporal separation of species was observed, asA. minimus were more active than Rattus species during daylight periods. There was evidence of micro-habitat selection by species, and structural vegetation factors were most commonly identified in statistical analyses as contributing towards selection by small mammal species. Following a theoretical modelling study three reintroduction trials were carried out near Anglesea during 1992-94. Individuals were subsequently radio tracked, and habitat relationships between the species in the small mammal community investigated. Although successful breeding of A, minimus occurred during the latter two trials, the subsequent fate of offspring was not determined. Invasive techniques required to adequately monitor young animals were considered potentially too damaging. Telemetry studies indicated a preference of A. minimus for short, wet heath vegetation. Structural vegetation factors were identified as being significant in discriminating between capture locations of species. Small scale and inexpensive trial reintroductions have yielded valuable additional data on this species and may be viewed as a useful tool in the conservation of other small native mammals.

Made available in DSpace on 2016-12-23T13:47:35Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 Dissertacao de Simone Loss de Freitas.pdf: 2778831 bytes, checksum: f273846469d08eec6a2e5aafffe5602f (MD5) Previous issue date: 2007-03-27<br>A catita Gracilinanus microtarsus ocorre principalmente ao longo da Mata Atlântica do leste e sul do Brasil. Estudos prévios relevaram altos níveis de divergência genética entre amostras ao longo de sua distribuição. Nesse trabalho nós analisamos a congruência da variação geográfica entre caracteres moleculares e morfológicos para avaliar se populações identificadas como Gracilinanus microtarsus representam mais de uma espécie, como sugerido anteriormente. Nós examinamos 195 espécimes de G. microtarsus, 94 de G. agilis e 12 de Cryptonanus sp., e inferimos a filogenia com base em 25 caracteres morfológicos discretos. Nós comparamos os resultados com uma filogenia baseada em seqüências parciais de citocromo b de 27 espécimes. A monofilia do gênero e das duas espécies G. microtarsus e G. agilis foram corroboradas pelas análises de dados morfológicos e moleculares. A filogenia molecular mostrou três clados e a filogenia com base em dados morfológicos apresentou três linhagens em G. microtarsus, as quais também se segregaram no espaço morfométrico, indicando a possibilidade de existirem três espécies em G. microtarsus. No entanto, as filogenias morfológicas e moleculares não se apresentaram completamente congruentes ao serem comparadas e a análise morfológica resultou como parafilética na filogenia molecular. Portanto, nossos resultados sugerem que G. microtarsus representa apenas uma espécie, diagnosticável por caracteres morfológicos e moleculares, mostrando forte variação morfológica ao longo de sua distribuição<br>The gracile mouse opossum Gracilinanus microtarsus occurs mainly along the Atlantic forest of eastern and southern Brazil. Earlier studies revealed high levels of genetic divergence among samples across its range. Here, we analyzed the congruence of geographic variation between molecular and morphological characters to evaluate whether the populations that have been segregated by molecular divergence represent more than one species, as previously suggested. We examined 195 specimens of G. microtarsus, 94 of G. agilis, and 12 of Cryptonanus sp., and inferred a phylogeny based on 25 discrete morphological characters. We compared this result with a phylogeny based on partial cytochrome b sequences of 27 specimens. The monophyly of the genus, and of both G. microtarsus and G. agilis were corroborated by morphological and molecular analyses. The molecular phylogeny recovered three clades, and the morphological data indicated three distinct lineages, which also segregated in morphometric space, indicating the possibility of occurrence of three cryptic species within what is currently identified as G. microtarsus. However, morphological and molecular phylogenies were not completely congruent, and the morphological classification of the specimens included in the molecular analysis resulted in a paraphyletic group in the molecular phylogeny. Hence, our results suggest that G. microtarsus represents one species, diagnosable by morphological and molecular characters, showing strong morphological and molecular variation throughout its distributional range

Marsupial moles (genus Notoryctes) are the most highly specialised burrowing marsupials. The specialisations of the appendicular musculo-skeletal system of the marsupial moles are extensive and widespread; the major alterations are concentrated in, but not restricted to, the forelimb. Many of the derived features of the muscular system appear to be adaptations for improving the mechanical advantage of the limbs for burrowing. A number of the specialisations of the muscular system of the marsupial moles are convergent with those previously documented in other fossorial mammals, including golden moles, rodents and armadillos. There are, however, a number of unique specialisations of the musculo-skeletal system of Notoryctes. The functional morphology of the locomotor apparatus of marsupial moles is interpreted on the basis of the descriptions of the anatomy of the skeletal and muscular systems. The burrowing technique of the marsupial moles is a modified form of the parasagittal digging method that is used by other fossorial mammals, such as golden moles, armadillos and some rodents including pocket gophers. Differences in the functional morphology of the hindlimb between marsupial moles and other fossorial mammals are a reflection of the fact that marsupial moles do not construct permanent open burrow systems, but instead constantly dig through loose soil, backfilling as they progress. The functional morphology of the tail is uniquely specialised in the marsupial moles to function as the fifth limb during the pentapedal burrowing locomotion of marsupial moles. The remains of Miocene fossil marsupial mole, while clearly pleisiomorphic with respect to the appendicular skeletal morphology of modern notoryctids, demonstrate a high degree of specialisation for digging. It is hypothesised that the Miocene marsupial mole was already substantially specialised for a fossorial lifestyle, and thus pre-adapted for a subterranean lifestyle developed in correlation with the desertification of the Australian continent. Phylogenetic affinities of marsupial moles within the Marsupialia have long been enigmatic. While specialisation of the musculo-skeletal system have been so widespread as to obscure almost any phylogenetically relevant patterns, there is some evidence to support an association between notoryctids and peramelid bandicoots. Interspecific differences between the two species of marsupial moles, Notoryctes typhlops and N. caurinus, are minor but do support the separation of the two species.

Orientador: Marlene Tiduko Ueta<br>Tese ( doutorado) - Universidade Estadual de Campinas, Instituto de Biologia<br>Made available in DSpace on 2018-08-17T12:24:47Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 Rondon_MichelleVivianeSadosSantos_D.pdf: 5998356 bytes, checksum: 92f7ee4c29f1458fa4d49e970a955c26 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2010<br>Resumo: Os parasitas ocorrem praticamente em todos os níveis tróficos e sua transmissão pode depender da presença de uma variedade de hospedeiros intermediários, paratênicos e definitivos dentro do ecossistema. Exercem importantes efeitos sobre as populações de seus hospedeiros, alterando o comportamento, sucesso reprodutivo e a mortalidade. Por esse motivo, alguns autores os consideram importantes indicadores ambientais. O presente trabalho teve como objetivo estudar a epidemiologia e a biodiversidade de parasitas intestinais em mamíferos silvestres do reservatório do Jaguari, situado na cidade de Vargem/SP e do Parque Ecológico Prof. Hermógenes de Freitas Leitão Filho em Campinas/SP, e relacionar com os hábitos dos hospedeiros. Os espécimes de mamíferos foram capturados por armadilhas, posteriormente foram medidos, pesados, marcados, e após a coleta de fezes, os animais foram soltos. Para a pesquisa dos parasitas intestinais utilizaram-se os métodos de sedimentação, flutuação, e necrópsias foram realizadas em alguns casos. No reservatório de Jaguari foram realizadas 23 coletas entre os meses de agosto de 2005 a agosto de 2007. Os pequenos mamíferos capturados (N= 235) foram: Akodon montensis (71,5%), Calomys sp. (6,8%), Oligoryzomys nigripes (14%), Didelphis aurita (3,4%), Gracilinanus sp. (0,4%), Lutreolina crassicaudata (0,4%), Monodelphis sp. (2,1%) e Sylvilagus brasiliensis (1,3%). Também fora recolhidas amostras fecais (N=44), encontradas nas margens do reservatório de: Hydrochoerus hydrochaeris (56,8%), Lontra longicaudis (38,6%) e Puma concolor (4,5%). Das 303 amostras, 205 apresentaram-se positivas para parasitas, representando 67,6%. Foram encontrados: adultos de Cruzia tentaculata (0,5%), larvas de Nematoda (18,5%), ovos de Ascarididae (2,9%), Cruzia tentaculata (1,5%), Oxyuridae (0,9%), semelhantes à Dioctophyma sp. (0,5%), Syphacia sp. (0,5%), Toxocaridae sp. (0,5%), Trichostrongylidae (79%), Trichuridae (17%), Hymenolepis diminuta (0,9%), Hymenolepis nana (5,4%), Pseudophyllidea (0,9%), Taeniidae (0,5%), Trematoda (6,3%) e Acanthocephala (3,4%). Cistos de Amoebidae (1,9%), Giardia sp. (0,9%), semelhantes à Balantidium sp. (0,5%), oocistos de Coccidiida (10,2%), Eimeria sp. (0,9%) e trofozoitos de Amoebidae (2,4%), também foram encontrados. No Parque Ecológico, foram realizadas 16 coletas entre os meses de novembro de 2006 a fevereiro de 2008. Os pequenos mamíferos capturados (N= 103) correspondem aos roedores Myocastor coypus (6,8%), Nectomys squamipes (1,0%), Rattus rattus (20,4%), e o marsupial Didelphis albiventris (71,8%). O total de amostras fecais coletadas foi de 279, e 207 apresentaram-se positivas para parasitas, representando 74,2%. Foram encontrados adultos de Cruzia tentaculata (1,4%), larvas de Nematoda (24,1%), ovos de Ascarididae (3,4%), Capillaridae (2,9%), Cruzia tentaculata (67,6%), Oxyuridae (3,4%), semelhantes à Dioctophyma sp. (1,0%); semelhante à Syngamus sp. (6,3%), Spiruroidea (1,0%), Trichostrongylidae (21,2%), Trichuridae (19,8%), Hymenolepis diminuta (0,5%), Trematoda (8,2%), e Acanthocephala (1,9%). Oocistos de Coccidiida (39,6%), Eimeria sp. (4,3%) e Isospora sp. (1,0%) também estiveram presentes. Akodon montensis foi o animal mais frequente e com maior número de morfotipos de parasitas do reservatório de Jaguari, o mesmo ocorreu com o marsupial Didelphis albiventris no Parque Ecológico. Os parasitas mais frequentes foram os de ciclo monoxênico, que estão intimamente ligados aos hábitos dos animais estudados.<br>Abstract: The parasites occur practically in all trophic levels and their transmission can depend by the presence of a variety of intermediate, parathenic and definitive hosts within the ecosystem. They have important effects over their host populations as, behaviour changing, reproductive success and mortality. By these reasons, some authors consider then important environmental indicators. The objective of this studying was the epidemiology and the intestinals parasites biodiversity in wild mammals from the reservoir of Jaguari, located at the City of Vargem, São Paulo state, and relates with the hosts habits. The specimens were captured by traps, than measured, checked the weight, marked, the faeces were collected and the animals were released. For the intestinals parasites research, the sedimentation and fluctuation methods were used, and autopsies were performed in some cases. In the Jaguari reservoir 23 collects were performed between august 2005 to august 2007. The smalls captured mammals (N= 235) were: Akodon montensis (71.5%), Calomys sp. (6.8%), Oligoryzomys nigripes (14%), Didelphis aurita (3.4%), Gracilinanus sp. (0.4%), Lutreolina crassicaudata (0.4%), Monodelphis sp. (2.1%) and Sylvilagus brasiliensis (1.3%). Also faeces samples were collected (N=44) from the margins of the reservoir as: Hydrochoerus hydrochaeris (56.8%), Lontra longicaudis (38.6%) and Puma concolor (4.5%). From the 303 samples, 205 showed positive for parasites, representing 67.6%. Were found: adults of Cruzia tentaculata (0.5%), larvae of Nematoda (18.5%), Ascarididae eggs (2.9%), Cruzia tentaculata (1.5%), Oxyuridae (0.9%), similars to Dioctophyma sp. (0.5%), Syphacia sp. (0.5%), Toxocaridae sp. (0.5%), Trichostrongylidae (79%), Trichuridae (17%), Hymenolepis diminuta (0.9%), Hymenolepis nana (5.4%), Pseudophyllidea (0.9%), Taeniidae (0.5%), Trematoda (6.3%) and Acanthocephala (3.4%). Cysts of Amoebidae (1.9%), Giardia sp. (0.9%), similars to Balantidium sp. (0.5%), oocysts of Coccidiida (10.2%), Eimeria sp. (0.9%) and trophozoites of Amoebidae (2.4%), also were found. In the Ecological Park, were done 16 collects between November 2006 to February 2008. The small mammals captured (N= 103) were the rodents Myocastor coypus (6.8%), Nectomys squamipes (1.0%), Rattus rattus (20.4%), and the marsupial Didelphis albiventris (71.8%). The total faeces samples collected was 279, and 207 showed positive for parasites, representing 74.2%. Were found adults of Cruzia tentaculata (1.4%), Nematoda larvae (24.1%), Ascarididae eggs (3.4%), Capillaridae (2.9%), Cruzia tentaculata (67.6%), Oxyuridae (3.4%), similars to Dioctophyma sp. (1.0%); similar to Syngamus sp. (6.3%), Spiruroidea (1.0%), Trichostrongylidae (21.2%), Trichuridae (19.8%), Hymenolepis diminuta (0.5%), Trematoda (8.2%), and Acanthocephala (1.9%). Oocysts of Coccidiida (39.6%), Eimeria sp. (4.3%) and Isospora sp. (1.0%) were present as well. Akodon montensis was the most frequent animal and with the highest number of parasites morphotypes from the Jaguari reservoir, the same happened with the marsupial Didelphis albiventris in the Ecological Park. The most frequent parasites were those which have monoxenic cycle, which are intimately connected to the feed habits from the studied animals.<br>Doutorado<br>Parasitologia<br>Doutor em Parasitologia

Orientadores: Sérgio Furtado dos Reis, Eduardo Guimarães Martins<br>Dissertação (mestrado) - Universidade Estadual de Campinas, Instituto de Biologia<br>Made available in DSpace on 2018-08-25T08:14:09Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 Almeida_MarcosViniciusde_M.pdf: 7387765 bytes, checksum: dbae53054702be911926e036e367711a (MD5) Previous issue date: 2014<br>Resumo: O objetivo do presente trabalho foi investigar diversos parâmetros de interesse para a ecologia populacional de Gracilinanus microtarsus. Em particular os objetivos foram estimar probabilidade sobrevivência e verificar como a população de G. microtarsus do Cerrado de Mogi Guaçu no estado de São Paulo se comporta com relação ao contínuo de estratégias reprodutivas; estimar taxas de captura e recaptura e verificar se os indivíduos na população do Cerrado de Mogi Guaçu se comportam com relação a chance de ser mais ou menos capturados; estimar o tamanho populacional e verificar se existe variação temporal nesse parâmetro. As estimativas de sobrevivência obtidas para G. microtarsus nesse estudo no Cerrado da Fazenda Campininha no município de Mogi Guaçu em São Paulo variaram entre um mínimo de 0,484 e um máximo de 0,815. A população de G. microtarsus no Cerrado da Fazenda Campininha se comporta do ponto de vista demográfico como semalpara parcial. O tamanho populacional de G. microtarsus na área de cerrado da Fazenda Campininha mostrou-se mais elevado estatisticamente nos meses de maior pluviosidade. As estimativas nesses meses, novembro, dezembro (2005), janeiro e março (2006), variaram de 20 a 30. As estimativas nos meses de dezembro (2005) e janeiro (2006) foram as mais altas com 24 e 31, respectivamente. Nossos dados para o maior tamanho populacional estimado para os meses mais quentes descritos no trabalho, sugerem uma forte influência da estação quente e úmida, onde a oferta de alimentos, principalmente insetos, é maior na região de estudo e é aquela que parece melhor favorecer a reprodução e o desenvolvimento de filhotes da cuíca G. microtarsus<br>Abstract: The purpose of this study was to investigate aspects of the population ecology of Gracilinanus microtarsus. Specifically, the primary objectives were to estimate the probability of survival and to assess the behavior of the population of G. microtarsus from the Cerrado de Mogi Guaçu in the state of São Paulo with respect the semelparity-iteroparity continuum; to estimate probabilities of capture and recapture; and to estimate population size and temporal variation in this parameter. Estimates of survival varied between 0.484 and 0.815. The population of G. microtarsus in the Cerrado de Mogi Guaçu behaves as partial semelparous. Population size was higher in the months of higher pluviosity<br>Mestrado<br>Biodiversidade Animal<br>Mestre em Biologia Animal

The aim of this project was to study the nature and relative proportion of the volatile components in the sternal-gland secretions obtained from a wide range of Australian marsupials.The results obtained were then used to investigate the evolution of semiochemicals in Australian marsupials by using the current phylogenetic tree as a template.The initial part of the study was dedicated to the investigation of some of the techniques available for the sampling and analysis of gland secretions. Individuals from 8 families within the Marsupialia and 1 family from the Monotremata were sampled over an 18 month period.The obtained results were then subjected to multivariate statistical analysis followed by cladistic analysis.In several species the secretion composition was found to be affected by the breeding status of individuals for both genders.Many other factors such as animal-age, hierarchical status, diet,and lifestyle were also observed to affect the secretion composition. Finally, cladistic analysis demonstrated the differences in the levels of divergence at the species, familial and ordinal levels and highlighted secretion components that could be used to differentiate between super families, species and even sexual status of individuals.<br>Master of Science (Hons)

Studies in agricultural landscapes have shown that anthropogenic environments may be relevant to wildlife species. Given the extent of these areas efficient research methods are needed to assess its ecological value in terms of local diversity, such as the use of biological indicators. The main goal here was to evaluate the possible relationship between the native vegetation biomass and diversity of small mammals in a silvicultural landscape of São Paulo. The study was developed at Fazenda Três Lagoas, which is part of the \"Programa de Pesquisa em Biodiversidade\" (PPBio), at Angatuba municipality, State of São Paulo, and lasted nine months. From May 2015 to March 2016 nine sampling campaigns were carried over a grid of 15 pitfall traps, five in Eucalyptus plantations, five in native vegetation and five in abandoned pastures. In the Chapter 1 the distribution and abundance patterns of small mammals on a silvicultural landcape during the early second cycle of Eucalyptus plantation in Southeastern Brazil was evaluated. A total of 672 individuals from 15 species of the orders Rodentia (9 spp.) and Didelphimorphia (6 spp.) were captured and five new species were detected in the study area in comparison to the first cycle. Although these species are predominantly generalists, there were differences in the abundance of small mammals in the three environments. The presence of native vegetation patches associated with riparian areas and abandoned pastures and the role of small mammals as a food resource for predators on a trophic structure, gives a certain conservation value to silvicultural landscapes in southeastern Brazil. In the Chapter 2 the relationship between landscape metrics and patterns of diversity, distribution and abundance of small mammals in a silvicultural landscape were evaluated. The species richness and family diversity of small mammals have been predominantly determined by the percentage of native vegetation. However, the abundance of small mammals can be determined by an indirect estimate of the native vegetation biomass (i.e., NDVI), which can be considered a 3D landscape metric as it is related to volume. Therefore, to succeed in assessing the value of agricultural landscape, future studies should consider landscape context, as well as the landscape metrics associated with geospatial data analysis and the distinct responses of species.<br>Estudos em paisagens agrícolas têm mostrado que ambientes antrópicos podem ser relevantes para muitas espécies selvagens. Dada a extensão destas áreas, são necessários métodos eficientes de pesquisa para avaliar seu valor ecológico em termos de diversidade local, tais como o uso de indicadores biológicos. O presente estudo teve como objetivo geral avaliar a possível relação entre a biomassa de vegetação nativa e a diversidade de mamíferos de pequeno porte em uma paisagem silvicultural do estado de São Paulo. O estudo foi desenvolvido na Fazenda Três Lagoas, que é parte do Núcleo Angatuba do Programa de Pesquisa em Biodiversidade (PPBio), no município de Angatuba, Estado de São Paulo e teve a duração de nove meses. De maio de 2015 a março de 2016, foram realizadas campanhas mensais de amostragem em uma grade amostral com 15 conjuntos de armadilhas de interceptação e queda (pitfall), sendo cinco nas plantações de Eucalyptus spp., cinco em vegetação nativa e cinco em pasto abandonado. No Capítulo 1 foram avaliados os padrões de distribuição e abundância de pequenos mamíferos em uma paisagem silvicultural ao início do segundo ciclo de plantações de Eucalyptus no Sudeste do Brasil. Um total de 672 indivíduos de 15 espécies das ordens Rodentia (9 spp.) e Didelphimorphia (6 spp.) foram capturados e cinco novas espécies foram detectadas na área de estudo em relação ao primeiro ciclo. Embora as espécies presentes sejam predominantemente generalistas, houve diferença na abundância de pequenos mamíferos nos três ambientes. A presença de fragmentos de vegetação nativa associados a áreas ripícolas e pasto abandonado e o papel dos pequenos mamíferos como recurso alimentar para predadores em uma estrutura trófica, atribui um valor de conservação às paisagens silviculturais no sudeste do Brasil. No Capítulo 2, o objetivo foi avaliar a relação entre métricas da paisagem e padrões de diversidade, distribuição e abundância de pequenos mamíferos em uma paisagem silvícultural. A riqueza de espécies e a diversidade de famílias dos pequenos mamíferos tem sido predominantemente determinada pela área porcentual de vegetação nativa. No entanto, a abundância de pequenos mamíferos pode ser determinada por uma estimativa indireta da biomassa da vegetação nativa (e.g., NDVI), que pode ser considerada uma métrica de paisagem 3D, pois está relacionada ao volume. Portanto, para ter sucesso na avaliação do valor da paisagem agrícola, os estudos futuros devem considerar o contexto da paisagem, bem como as métricas da paisagem associadas à análise dos dados geoespaciais e as distintas respostas das espécies.

The Gilbert’s potoroo (Potorous gilbertii) is a small marsupial endemic to the Two Peoples Bay Nature Reserve in the south-west of Western Australia. The Gilbert’s potoroo is classified as Australia’s most critically endangered mammal (IUCN 2006) with an estimated population of only 35 individuals. This thesis examines the health and disease status of the Gilbert’s potoroo, presenting a strong case for the relatively new concept of disease as a potential threatening factor and modifier of population decline. Specific diseases, including Cryptococcus, ectoparasitism, endoparasitism, haemoparasitism, Toxoplasma and a novel Treponema organism are extensively studied. An assessment of the clinical significance of these diseases is made, and management strategies are recommended to minimise the impact of these diseases on both the wild and captive population. The novel Treponema organism which clinically presents with tenacious, green discharge and an associated balanoposthitis in males is molecularly characterized. Epidemiological studies show the effects of this agent on reproductive function and a penicillin-based treatment regime is trialled in the analogous long-nosed potoroo (Potorous tridactylus) with a recommendation to then trial this treatment regime in the critically endangered Gilbert’s potoroo. Standard haematological and urinalysis findings are tabulated to form reference ranges for this species. A treatment regime for Cryptococcus in the analogous long-nosed potoroo is reported and parasitological findings, including the identification of a novel tick species are discussed. This thesis addresses key health issues, which have subsequently been incorporated into the Recovery Plan of the Gilbert’s potoroo. A document encompassing multiple disciplines and expertise to support the recovery of this critically endangered marsupial in its current environment. In addition, this thesis outlines a recommended health monitoring and treatment protocol for future translocation procedures and provides a working example of the emerging importance of health monitoring in threatened species recovery programs.

Made available in DSpace on 2016-04-27T12:30:59Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 2 cintia_souza_ioc_mest_2015.pdf: 2439155 bytes, checksum: 4de1f395c16fd6ae40c81e24947a6232 (MD5) license.txt: 1748 bytes, checksum: 8a4605be74aa9ea9d79846c1fba20a33 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2015<br>Fundação Oswaldo Cruz. Instituto Oswaldo Cruz. Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brasil<br>Thylamys é um gênero de marsupial sulamericano que a taxonomia ainda não esta bem estabelecida, e o número de espécies reconhecidas variam de nove a 13, segundo diferentes autores. Pelo menos três espécies ocorrem no Brasil, Thylamys karimii no Cerrado e Caatinga, T.velutinus no Cerrado e áreas de transição, e T.macrurus no Cerrado. Esse trabalho teve como objetivo analisar características morfológicas diagnósticas paras identificar T. karimii, T. macrurus e T. pusillus, realizar análises filogenéticas e biogeográficas com o marcador mitocondrial Citocromo b e filogenéticas com o marcador nuclear éxon 28 do fator de von Willebrand. Foram montados cariótipos de T. karimii e T. venustus, que foram comparados com os cariótipos conhecidos para as espécies de Thylamys. Este estudo mostrou que T.karimii, T.macrurus e T.pusillus possuem caracteristicas morfológicas diagnósticas como: bula e forame palatal postero-lateral grandes em T. karimii e pequenos em T.macrurus e T.pusillus; fenestra palatina pequena em T.karimii e robusta em T.macrurus e T.pusillus; canal da carótida mais aberto na vista ventral em T.karimii, e menos aberto em T.macrurus e T.pusillus; cauda longa em T.macrurus e T.pusillus, e cauda curta em T. karimii; garras que ultrapassam o limite das pontas dos dedos em T. karimii, e não ultrapassam nas outras duas espécies O cariótipo de T.karimii e T.venustus é 2n=14 e NF=20. O 2n é similar em todas as espécies, mas o número fundamental dos cariótipos publicados para T. elegans, T.pusillus e T. velutinus diferem devido à interpretação da morfologia dos cromossomos. A morfologia do cromossomo sexual X também pode variar entre as diferentes espécies. As análises de Máxima Verossimilhança e Inferência Bayesiana mostram T. karimii e T. velutinus em um clado à parte do restante das espécies. A análise de datação mostrou duas radições quase concomitantes, uma com T. karimii e T. velutinus no Cerrado e Caatinga, e a outra com o restante das espécies. Essas radiações concomitantes podem ter ocorrido no Mioceno Médio, quando houve a formação de mares epicontinetais formados após introgressão marinha e esses mares podem ter influenciado a dispersão de indivíduos do gênero Thylamys<br>Thylamys is a marsupial genus without a well stablished taxonomy, with the number of recognized species varying from nine to 13 by different authors. Three of these species occur in Brazil, T. karimii in the Cerrado and Caatinga, T.velutinus in the Cerrado and transition areas, and T. macrurus in the Cerrado. Thylamys karimii, T. macrurus, and T. pusillus have diagnostic features for identification, such as bull and palatal posterior-lateral foramen large in T. karimii and smaller in T. macrurus and T. pusillus; small palatine fenestra in T. karimii and more robust in T. macrurus and T. pusillus; carotid duct more open in ventral view in T. karimii, in T. macrurus and T. pusillus is less open; the last species, the tail is longer than the tail T. karimii, shorter; T. karimii has claws that go beyond the limit of the fingertips and in the other two species do not exceed. The karyotype of T. karimii and T. venustus is 2n = 14 and NF = 20. The 2n is similar to all other Thylamys species, whereas variation in fundamental autosome number in T. elegans, T.pusillus and T. velutinus are due to different interpretation of chromosome morphology. The morphology of sexual chromosome X can also vary between differents species. Phylogenetic analyzes of maximum likelihood and Bayesian inference with Citochrome b gene showed the clade T. karimii and T. velutinus in Cerrado and Caatinga separated of all other species. The analyses with exon 28 of von Willebrand factor were less informative due to lower sample size. The date showed two radiations, one with T. karimii in Cerrado and Caatinga, and another with the remaining species. These radiations can be occur in Miocene when there was introgresion marine and the formation of epicontinental sea that can be influenced dispersion of Thylamys specimens.<br>2016-10-06

Genomic imprinting is responsible for monoallelic gene expression that depends on the sex of the parent from which the alleles (one active, one silent) were inherited. X-chromosome inactivation is also a form of monoallelic gene expression. One of the two X chromosomes is transcriptionally silenced in the somatic cells of females, effectively equalising gene dosage with males who have only one X chromosome that is not complemented by a gene poor Y chromosome. X chromosome inactivation is random in eutherian mammals, but imprinted in marsupials, and in the extraembryonic membranes of some placentals. Imprinting and X inactivation have been studied in great detail in placental mammals (particularly humans and mice), and appear to occur also in marsupial mammals. However, both phenomena appear to have evolved specifically in mammals, since there is no evidence of imprinting or X inactivation in non-mammalian vertebrates, which do not show parent of origin effects and possess different sex chromosomes and dosage compensation mechanisms to mammals.¶ In order to understand how imprinting and X inactivation evolved, I have focused on the mammals most distantly related to human and mouse. I compared the sequence, location and expression of genes from major imprinted domains, and genes that regulate genomic imprinting and X-chromosome inactivation in the three extant mammalian groups and other vertebrates. Specifically, I studied the evolution of an autosomal region that is imprinted in humans and mouse, the evolution of the X-linked region thought to control X inactivation, and the evolution of the genes thought to establish and control differential expression of various imprinted loci. This thesis is presented as a collection of research papers that examines each of these topics, and a review and discussion that synthesizes my findings.¶ The first paper reports a study of the imprinted locus responsible for the human Prader-Willi and Angelman syndromes (PWS and AS). A search for kangaroo and platypus orthologues of PWS-AS genes identified only the putative AS gene UBE3A, and showed it was in a completely different genomic context to that of humans and mice. The only PWS gene found in marsupials (SNRPN) was located in tandem with its ancient paralogue SNRPB, on a different chromosome to UBE3A. Monotremes apparently have no orthologue of SNRPN. The several intronless genes of the PWS-AS domain also have no orthologues in marsupials or monotremes or non-mammal vertebrates, but all have close paralogues scattered about the genome from which they evidently retrotransposed. UBE3A in marsupials and monotremes, and SNRPN in marsupials were found to be expressed from both alleles, so are not imprinted. Thus, the PWA-AS imprinted domain was assembled from many non-imprinted components relatively recently, demonstrating that the evolution of imprinting has been an ongoing process during mammalian radiation.¶ In the second paper, I examine the evolution of the X-inactivation centre, the key regulatory region responsible for X-chromosome inactivation in humans and mice, which is imprinted in mouse extraembryonic membranes. By sequencing and aligning flanking regions across the three mammal groups and non-mammal vertebrates, I discovered that the region homologous to the X-inactivation centre, though intact in birds and frogs, was disrupted independently in marsupial and monotreme mammals. I showed that the key regulatory RNA of this locus (X-inactive specific transcript or XIST) is absent, explaining why a decade-long search for marsupial XIST was unsuccessful. Thus, XIST is eutherian-specific and is therefore not a basic requirement for X-chromosome inactivation in all mammals.¶ The broader significance of the findings reported in these two papers is explored with respect to other current work regarding the evolution and construction of imprinted loci in mammals in the form of a review. This comparison enabled me to conclude that like the PWS-AS domain and the X-inactivation centre, many domains show unexpected construction from disparate genomic elements that correlate with their acquisition of imprinting.¶ The fourth and last paper examines the evolution of CCCTC-binding Factor (CTCF) and its parologue Brother Of Regulator of Imprinted Sites (BORIS) which contribute to the establishment and interpretation of genomic imprinting at the Insulin-Like Growth Factor 2/H19 locus. In this paper I show that the duplication of CTCF giving rise to BORIS occurred much earlier than previously recognised, and demonstrate that a major change in BORIS expression (restriction to the germline) occurred in concert with the evolution of genomic imprinting. The papers that form the bulk of this thesis show that the evolution of epigenetic traits such as genomic imprinting and X-chromosome inactivation is labile and has apparently responded rapidly to different selective pressures during the independent evolution of the three mammal groups. I have introduced these papers, and discussed them generally in terms of current theories of how and why these forms of monoallelic expression have evolved in mammals.

Orientador : Augusto Shinya Abe<br>Dissertação (mestrado) - Universidade Estadual de Campinas, Instituto de Biologia<br>Made available in DSpace on 2018-07-14T16:14:12Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 MonteiroFilho_EmygdiodeAraujo_M.pdf: 5212417 bytes, checksum: 7661df8919a79b34dfa0934750e16f7e (MD5) Previous issue date: 1987<br>Resumo: O estudo de uma população de gambás de orelha branca (V. albivenrtis), foi desenvolvido em uma área perturbada com cerca de 516000m2 (área A), localizada entre pastos pertencentes à duas fazendas do município de Campinas (Lat. aproximada de 23ºS, Long. aproximada de 47ºW) no estado de são Paulo. A área em questão apresenta-se em nítido processo de sucessão vegetal. Ao longo de um período de 18 meses (19/junho/1984 a 6/novembro/1985) gaiolas de captura iscadas com banana madura foram armadas na área A e em algumas áreas circundantes, num raio de 1500 m, com um total de 2471 armadilhas montadas. De 956 capturas de 11 espécies, cerca de 10%(95 capturas) foram de Videlphis albiventris, tendo sido marcados 48 diferentes indivíduos, onde 30 foram das áreas estudadas e os restantes, de outros locais. Sempre que um animal foi capturado pela primeira vez, vez, foi feita a biometria sendo tomada as medidas de comprimento e largura da cabeça, comprimentos do corpo, pata posterior, orelha e cauda, além da pesagem e da contagem do número de dentes, num total de 25 amostras. Através das medidas obtidas das cabeças, constatou-se não haver dimorfismo sexual quando considerado a relação da largura pelo comprimento. Não houve diferença entre o crescimento corporal (comprimento e peso) de machos e fêmeas, considerando-se jovens e adultos, sendo estes padrões de crescimento semelhantes aos de (V. albivenrtis). Foi também verificado um aumento do peso corporal durante o inverno, com uma conseqüente diminuição ao longo da primavera e verão. Quanto à dentição, foi possível estabelecer uma boa correlação com o peso e, conseqüentemente, com o crescimento corporal. ... Observação: O resumo, na íntegra, poderá ser visualizado no texto completo da tese digital<br>Abstract: Not informed.<br>Mestrado<br>Ecologia<br>Mestre em Ciências Biológicas

Os eucaliptais correspondem a cerca de 4,5 milhões de hectares de todo o território brasileiro. Esta silvicultura vem sendo implantada principalmente em áreas de pastagens de baixa produtividade. Os efeitos da substituição de áreas agrícolas por eucaliptais sobre a distribuição de pequenos mamíferos ainda são desconhecidos. Sendo assim, este trabalho buscou identificar um padrão de distribuição e abundância de mamíferos de pequeno porte em uma área de pastagens que foi convertida em eucaliptais. O estudo foi realizado nas fazendas Três Lagoas e Arca, localizadas no município de Angatuba, região do Alto Paranapanema, entre agosto de 2007 e julho de 2009. O levantamento da mastofauna foi realizado por meio de armadilhas de interceptação e queda, distribuídas em trinta unidades amostrais. Foram identificadas catorze espécies de pequenos mamíferos pertencentes as ordens Didelphimorphia e Rodentia. O pasto abandonado e a vegetação nativa apresentaram maior abundância e riqueza de indivíduos do que os eucaliptais. A taxocenose de pequenos mamíferos presente nesta paisagem silvicultural assemelha-se à encontrada em outras paisagens agrícolas. Os resultados obtidos, aliados ao atual contexto de mudança do uso da terra no estado de São Paulo sugerem que os eucaliptais atuam como uma matriz permeável para os pequenos mamíferos. No entanto, os remanescentes de vegetação nativa presentes em paisagens silviculturais são fundamentais para a conservação de tais espécies.<br>Eucalyptus plantations currently cover 4.5 million hectares of Brazilian territory. This forestry is expanding mainly over areas of extensive livestock production. The effects of the replacement of pastures by eucalyptus plantations on the distribution of small mammals are still unknown. In this context, this study aimed at to identify the distribution pattern and abundance of small mammals in an area where recently cattle pastures were converted into eucalyptus plantations. This study was carried out at Fazenda Três Lagoas and Fazenda Arca in the municipality of Angatuba, located in the Upper Paranapanema river basin, between August 2007 and July 2009. The small mammals survey was carried out with pitfall traps distributed in 30 sampling units. Fourteen species of orders Didelphimorphia and Rodentia were captured. The abandoned pasture and the native vegetation presented a higher abundance and species richness in relation to the eucalyptus plantations. The taxocenosis of small mammals in this silvicultural landscape resembles those found in other agricultural landscapes. These results together and the current land use trend suggest that eucalyptus plantations can be relatively to small mammals. However, the remnants of native vegetation in silvicultural landscapes are essential to the conservation of these species.

Die Dissertation beschäftigt sich mit den möglichen Gründen für die divergente evolutionäre Entwicklung von Beuteltieren und plazentalen Säugetieren nach der Kreide/Tertiär-Grenze. Eine Erklärung könnten ihre unterschiedlichen Reproduktionsstrategien sein. Während die Beuteltiere sehr embryonale Jungtiere nach einer kurzen Tragzeit gebären, bringen Plazentalier deutlich weiter entwickelte Jungtiere nach einer relativ langen Tragzeit zur Welt. Die Aufrechterhaltung eines stabilen Metabolismus und thermoregulatorische Fähigkeiten der Jungtiere bieten einen großen Vorteil für die Anpassungsfähigkeit an ungünstige Umweltbedingungen, wie sie für die K/T-Grenze vermutet werden. Aus diesem Grund untersucht diese Studie den strukturelle Entwicklungsgrad der Lunge und die metabolischen Fähigkeiten von neonaten Marsupialia und Plazentalia. Histologische, ultrastrukturelle und kalorimetrische Untersuchungen erfolgten in einer integrativen Studie. Basierend auf den Ergebnissen wurde eine Grundplanrekonstruktionen der Neonaten von Marsupialia und Plazentalia durchgeführt. Als Vertreter für nesthockende Plazentalia wurde der Goldhamster (Mesocricetus auratus), die Moschusspitzmaus (Suncus murinus) und das Belangeri Spitzhörnchen (Tupaia belangeri) untersucht. Das Wildmeerschweinchen (Cavia aperea) und die Kurzohr-Elefantenspitzmaus (Macroscelides proboscideus) repräsentieren die nestflüchtenden Plazentalia. Als Marsupialia wurden die Hausspitzmaus-Beutelratte (Monodelphis domestica) und das Tammar-Wallaby (Macropus eugenii) untersucht. Die Ergebnisse bestätigen die starken Unterschiede im Entwicklungsgrad der Neonaten und in der postnatalen Entwicklung zwischen Marsupialia und Plazentalia. Die neonatalen Lungen von M. auratus und S. murinus befinden sich im späten “terminal air sac”-Stadium und weisen viele kleine Atemkammern von 50-80 µm Durchmesser auf. Die Alveolenbildung erfolgt bei M. auratus und S. murinus bereits im Alter von zwei beziehungsweise vier Tagen. Bei T. belangeri, C. aperea und M. proboscideus sind Alveolen bereits zum Zeitpunkt der Geburt vorhanden. Im Gegensatz dazu, befinden sich die Lungen der neonaten Beuteltiere M. domestica und M. eugenii im frühen “terminal air sac”-Stadium mit wenigen großen Atemkammern von 300-400 µm im Durchmesser. Die postnatale Lungenentwicklung erfolgt sehr langsam und die Alveolenbildung startet mit 28 Tagen bei M. domestica und mit 65 Tagen bei M. eugenii. Die Metabolismusmessungen ergaben, daß Marsupialia mit einer niedrigen Metabolismusrate geboren werden und den Adultmetabolismus erst spät in der postnatalen Entwicklung erreichen. Einhergehend mit der weit entwickelten Lungenstruktur weisen die Plazentalia hohe Metabolismusraten zur Geburt auf und erreichen den Adultmetabolismus innerhalb der ersten Lebenswoche. Die Ergebnisse zeigen, dass Jungtiere der Plazentalia, im Vergleich zu jungen Marsupialia, eine höhere Widerstandskraft gegen Umweltschwankungen haben, was als ein evolutiver Vorteil der Reproduktionsstrategie der Plazentalia unter ungünstigen Klimabedingungen interpretiert werden kann.<br>This project deals with the possible reasons for the evolutionary differentiation between marsupial and placental mammals after the K/T-event. One explanation could be their different reproductive patterns. Marsupialia bear virtually embryonic young after a brief gestation period. In contrast, many eutherians bear anatomically advanced, highly precocious young after a relatively long gestation period. A stable metabolism and thermoregulatory abilities of the young are considered to offer a large adaptive advantage in a changing environment, how it is presumed for the K/T-boundary. Therefore this study determines the developmental stage and the respiratory efficiency of the lungs of marsupial and placental young. Histological, ultrastructural and calorimetric investigations were carried out in an integrated study and from the results morphotype reconstructions of the marsupial and placental neonates were carried out. As representatives for altricial Placentalia, the Golden hamster (Mesocricetus auratus), the Musk shrew (Suncus murinus), and the Belanger’s tree shrew (Tupaia belangeri) were examined. Furthermore the Guinea pig (Cavia aperea) and Short-eared elephant shrew (Macroscelides proboscideus) as typical precocial Placentalia were included. The Marsupialia were represented by the Grey short-tailed opossum (Monodelphis domestica) and the Tammar wallaby (Macropus eugenii). The results confirm clear differences in the developmental degree of the neonates and the postnatal development between marsupial and placental mammals. The newborn lungs of the altricially born placentals M. auratus and S. murinus are at the late terminal air sac stage with numerous small air sacs of 50 - 80 µm in diameter. Alveoli are formed shortly after birth at the age of 2 days in M. auratus and at the age of 4 days in S. murinus. In T. belangeri and in the precocially born C. aperea alveoli are already present at birth. In contrast, the lungs of the newborn marsupials M. domestica and M. eugenii are at the early terminal air sac stage with few large air sacs of 300 – 400 µm in diameter. The postnatal lung development proceeds very slowly in marsupials and alveoli are not present before the age of 28 days in M. domestica and 65 days in M. eugenii. The metabolic investigations demonstrate that Marsupialia have a low metabolism at birth and achieve the adult metabolism late in the postnatal development. All examined Placentalia showed the same pattern of oxygen consumption. Corresponding to their advanced differentiation of the lungs they also exhibit high metabolic abilities at birth and reach the adult metabolism during the first week of life. During this critical period placental young have a higher resistance against certain environmental stresses than marsupial young and this could mean an evolutionary advantage of the placental “reproductive strategy” under suboptimal climatic conditions.

Made available in DSpace on 2014-06-11T19:30:16Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 0 Previous issue date: 2013-06-14Bitstream added on 2014-06-13T19:39:37Z : No. of bitstreams: 1 rodarte_rrp_me_rcla.pdf: 985150 bytes, checksum: cf9b6a3beccee748ed0b1ab7f2e24360 (MD5)<br>Ao longo de décadas ecólogos tentam entender quais são os mecanismos que promovem coexistência de espécies. Florestas tropicais abrigam a maior diversidade de pequenos mamíferos do planeta, portanto espécies dentro deste grupo podem compartilhar recursos similares. Nesse trabalho buscamos entender as relações tróficas entre roedores e marsupiais através da análise de isótopos estáveis de carbono e nitrogênio em três áreas contínuas de Mata Atlântica brasileira. Nosso principal objetivo foi compreender como diferentes espécies são capazes de coexistir em uma rica comunidade de pequenos mamíferos em relação a recursos alimentares. Nós verificamos se o tamanho corporal está relacionado às razões isotópicas de carbono e nitrogênio para cada espécie e testamos a hipótese de que espécies de tamanho corpóreo similar apresentam nichos tróficos distintos. Para isso, coletamos amostras de pelos de 57 indivíduos de marsupiais e 204 indivíduos de roedores. Encontramos que roedores apresentam nicho trófico mais amplo com espécies distribuídas em três níveis tróficos (granívoras, onívoras e insetívoras) enquanto os marsupiais estão inseridos em um único nível trófico, alimentando-se exclusivamente de invertebrados. Observamos também alta sobreposição de dieta entre marsupiais e alguns roedores onívoros, provavelmente devido ao consumo de invertebrados e fungos. Em geral, não houve correlação entre o tamanho corporal e os valores isotópicos dos marsupiais, mas para três espécies de roedores (Euryoryzomys russatus, Thaptomys nigrita e Trinomys iheringi) houve correlação significativa entre o tamanho do corpo e um dos isótopos. Para os marsupiais, a dieta por si só não explica a coexistência entre espécies, que parece estar mais relacionada à separação de uso do espaço vertical. Por outro lado, para os...<br>For many decades ecologists try to understand what the mechanisms that promote species coexistence are. Tropical rainforests support the greatest diversity of small mammals in the world, therefore species within that group may share similar resources. In this paper we seek to understand the trophic relationship between rodents and marsupials through the analysis of stable carbon and nitrogen isotopes within three continuous areas of the Atlantic forest of Brazil. We were particularly interested in understanding how different species are able to coexist in a rich small-mammal community with respect to sharing food resources. We verified if body size is related to carbon and nitrogen stable isotope ratios for each of the species and tested the hypothesis that species with similar body size have distinct trophic niches. We collected hair samples for isotopic analysis from 57 individuals of marsupials and 204 individuals of rodents. We found that rodents have a broad trophic niche with species distributed in three trophic levels (granivores, omnivores and insectivores) while marsupials are mainly within one trophic level, feeding exclusively on invertebrates. We found a strong diet overlap among marsupials and some omnivorous rodents, probably due to consumption of invertebrates and fungi. In general, there was no correlation between body size and isotopic values for marsupials, but for three species of rodents (Euryoryzomys russatus, Thaptomys nigrita and Trinomys iheringi) there was significant correlation between body size and one of the isotopes. For marsupials, diet by itself does not seem to explain species coexistence. Marsupials seem to be more related to different vertical use of space. On the other hand, for rodents diet together with body size was sufficient to elucidate the high number of coexisting species because we could... (Complete abstract click electronic access below)

Orientador: Mauro Galetti Rodrigues<br>Banca: Marcelo Zacharias Moreira<br>Banca: Emerson Monteiro Vieira<br>Resumo: Ao longo de décadas ecólogos tentam entender quais são os mecanismos que promovem coexistência de espécies. Florestas tropicais abrigam a maior diversidade de pequenos mamíferos do planeta, portanto espécies dentro deste grupo podem compartilhar recursos similares. Nesse trabalho buscamos entender as relações tróficas entre roedores e marsupiais através da análise de isótopos estáveis de carbono e nitrogênio em três áreas contínuas de Mata Atlântica brasileira. Nosso principal objetivo foi compreender como diferentes espécies são capazes de coexistir em uma rica comunidade de pequenos mamíferos em relação a recursos alimentares. Nós verificamos se o tamanho corporal está relacionado às razões isotópicas de carbono e nitrogênio para cada espécie e testamos a hipótese de que espécies de tamanho corpóreo similar apresentam nichos tróficos distintos. Para isso, coletamos amostras de pelos de 57 indivíduos de marsupiais e 204 indivíduos de roedores. Encontramos que roedores apresentam nicho trófico mais amplo com espécies distribuídas em três níveis tróficos (granívoras, onívoras e insetívoras) enquanto os marsupiais estão inseridos em um único nível trófico, alimentando-se exclusivamente de invertebrados. Observamos também alta sobreposição de dieta entre marsupiais e alguns roedores onívoros, provavelmente devido ao consumo de invertebrados e fungos. Em geral, não houve correlação entre o tamanho corporal e os valores isotópicos dos marsupiais, mas para três espécies de roedores (Euryoryzomys russatus, Thaptomys nigrita e Trinomys iheringi) houve correlação significativa entre o tamanho do corpo e um dos isótopos. Para os marsupiais, a dieta por si só não explica a coexistência entre espécies, que parece estar mais relacionada à separação de uso do espaço vertical. Por outro lado, para os... (Resumo completo, clicar acesso eletrônico abaixo)<br>Abstract: For many decades ecologists try to understand what the mechanisms that promote species coexistence are. Tropical rainforests support the greatest diversity of small mammals in the world, therefore species within that group may share similar resources. In this paper we seek to understand the trophic relationship between rodents and marsupials through the analysis of stable carbon and nitrogen isotopes within three continuous areas of the Atlantic forest of Brazil. We were particularly interested in understanding how different species are able to coexist in a rich small-mammal community with respect to sharing food resources. We verified if body size is related to carbon and nitrogen stable isotope ratios for each of the species and tested the hypothesis that species with similar body size have distinct trophic niches. We collected hair samples for isotopic analysis from 57 individuals of marsupials and 204 individuals of rodents. We found that rodents have a broad trophic niche with species distributed in three trophic levels (granivores, omnivores and insectivores) while marsupials are mainly within one trophic level, feeding exclusively on invertebrates. We found a strong diet overlap among marsupials and some omnivorous rodents, probably due to consumption of invertebrates and fungi. In general, there was no correlation between body size and isotopic values for marsupials, but for three species of rodents (Euryoryzomys russatus, Thaptomys nigrita and Trinomys iheringi) there was significant correlation between body size and one of the isotopes. For marsupials, diet by itself does not seem to explain species coexistence. Marsupials seem to be more related to different vertical use of space. On the other hand, for rodents diet together with body size was sufficient to elucidate the high number of coexisting species because we could... (Complete abstract click electronic access below)<br>Mestre

Les gisements paléocènes de Tiupampa (Bolivie) et Itaboraí (Brésil) sont d'une importance majeure dans la compréhension de l'histoire évolutive des Notometatheria car ils représentent les plus anciens assemblages de métathériens sud-américains. Ils ont délivré de nombreux restes dentaires ainsi que des crânes et des périotiques isolés qui sont ici décrits. Des études morphométriques montrent une corrélation des proportions des molaires et du périotique, cependant l'attribution d'un périotique à un taxon défini par des dents demeure difficile. Des analyses de parcimonie menées sur des caractères dentaires, crâniens et de la région auditive concluent à deux scenarii : (i) les Notometatheria auraient divergé de taxons laurasiatiques vers la fin du Crétacé; (ii) les "Notometatheria" seraient polyphylétiques, et une différentiation précoce du groupe paraphylétique des "borhyaenoïdes" serait survenue avant la divergence des métathériens du Crétacé laurasiatique des autres "notométathériens"<br>Paleocene layers from Tiupampa (Bolivia) and Itaboraí (Brazil) are of a main importance in the understanding of the Notometatheria evolutionary history, since they provide the most abundant and the oldest metatherian assemblage of South America. They have yielded many dental remains as well as skulls and isolated petrosals, which are here described. Morphometric studies show that molars proportions are correlated with that of petrosals; however, the assignation of a petrosal to a dental-based taxon remains difficult. Parsimony analyses were conducted on dental, cranial and petrosal characters. Two hypotheses clash: (i) Notometatheria would have diverged from North American and Asiatic taxa towards the late Cretaceous; (ii) "Notometatheria" would be polyphyletic, and an early differentiation of the paraphyletic "borhyaenoids" would have occurred before the divergence of cretaceous laurasiatic metatherians and the other "notometatherians"

Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior - CAPES<br>Studies on communities of small mammals (rodents and marsupials) show different patterns on both selection and use of space in relation to diet, age, and seasonality, among others. To evaluate these standards, spool-and-line technique can provide information about the movement, vertical stratification and the use of shelters and nests by animals. The aim of this study was to evaluate the usage area and selection of microhabitat by Gracilinanus agilis (Didelphimorphia) and Wiedomys pyrrhorhinus (Rodentia) in Monumento Natural Grota do Angico (MNGA), between the cities of Canindé de São Francisco and Poço Redondo, both in Sergipe state. The study was conducted by using Sherman traps to capture the animals, and spool-and-line technique to characterize the movement of these animals in two areas of shrub caatinga vegetation of MNGA, between December/2014 and September/2015. For each individual, data were obtained on the daily home range (AUD), tortuosity of the movement (TORT), index of vertical use (VU) and ground use (%SOLO). The sample for microhabitat selection and availability was performed with ground and canopy cover data and vertical foliar obstruction only to dry period. We evaluated 44 routes (27 G. agilis and 17 W. pyrrhorhinus) representing 2451.42 m of traced line. No differences were found in the movement variables between the dry and rainy seasons for both species (p> 0.0919). Males and females of G. agilis and W. pyrrhorhinus also did not show difference for these variables (p> 0.0643). Comparing the two species, the only difference was on the vertical use (p = 0.0050). Only W. pyrrhorhinus females showed microhabitat selection during daily movement (p <0.0001). Regarding the daily home range (AUD), G. agilis presented, in general, a larger area than W. pyrrhorhinus. Low values of tortuosity (TORT) could be associated with the low population density of these species in the area. The difference in the vertical use (VU) was expected since G. agilis is reported as a scansorial species while W. pyrrhorhinus is preferably arboreal. In general, the absence of habitat selection by sampled environmental variables suggests that G. agilis and W. pyrrhorhinus may be performing this selection on the mesohabitat scale.<br>Estudos sobre comunidades de pequenos mamíferos (roedores e marsupiais) demonstram diferentes padrões na utilização e seleção do espaço em relação à dieta, idade e sazonalidade, entre outros. Para avaliar estes padrões, a utilização de carretéis de rastreamento pode fornecer informações sobre a movimentação, estratificação vertical e o uso de abrigos e ninhos pelos animais. O presente trabalho teve por objetivo avaliar a área de uso e seleção de microhabitat por Gracilinanus agilis (Didelphimorphia) e Wiedomys pyrrhorhinus (Rodentia) no Monumento Natural Grota do Angico (MNGA), entre os municípios de Canindé de São Francisco e Poço Redondo em Sergipe. O estudo foi conduzido através da utilização de armadilhas Sherman, para a captura dos indivíduos, e de carretéis de rastreamento para a caracterização do movimento desses animais em duas áreas de caatinga arbustiva arbórea do MNGA entre dezembro/2014 e setembro/2015. Foram obtidos dados sobre a área de uso diário (AUD), tortuosidade do movimento (TORT), uso do estrato vertical (VU) e uso do solo (%SOLO) para cada indivíduo. A amostragem da seleção e disponibilidade de microhabitat foi realizada com dados de cobertura do solo e de copa e obstrução foliar vertical apenas para a seca. Foram avaliados 44 trajetos (27 de G. agilis e 17 de W. pyrrhorhinus), totalizando 2.451,42 m de linha rastreada. Não foram encontradas diferenças nas variáveis de movimento entre as estações seca e chuvosa para as duas espécies (p>0,0919). Machos e fêmeas de G. agilis e de W. pyrrhorhinus também não apresentaram diferenciação nessas variáveis (p>0,0643). Comparando-se as duas espécies, houve diferença apenas no uso do estrato vertical (p=0,0050). Apenas as fêmeas de W. pyrrhorhinus evidenciaram selecionar o microhabitat durante o movimento diário (p<0,0001). Em relação ao tamanho da área de uso (AUD), G. agilis apresentou, no geral, uma área maior que W. pyrrhorhinus. Baixos valores de tortuosidade (TORT) encontrados podem ser associados à baixa densidade populacional dessas espécies na área. A diferença na utilização do estrato vertical (VU) era esperada, uma vez que G. agilis é reportado como uma espécie escansorial enquanto W. pyrrhorhinus é preferencialmente arborícola. A ausência, no geral, de seleção do habitat pelas variáveis ambientais amostradas sugere que G. agilis e W. pyrrhorhinus podem estar realizando essa seleção na escala de mesohabitat.

This thesis describes a comprehensive study of the cellular responses of a number of endangered marsupial species with a principal focus on the tammar wallaby (Macropus eugenii) as a model macropod species. The development of in vitro experimental assays for the assessment of immune responses in this model species are described, which provided a set of benchmarks for comparisons with other members of the Macropodidae and with eutherian mammals. Once this data was collected and protocols were established, the study was extended to include investigations of the immune responses in opportunistic samples obtained from the Rufous Hare-wallaby (Lagorchestes hirsutus), the Long-footed potoroo ( Potorous longipes) and the more common, but nonetheless still vulnerable, Long-nosed potoroo (Potorous tridactylus) with a view to investigating their apparent susceptibility to infection with intracellular pathogens, particularly mycobacterial species. The findings from the application of these assays suggest that the cellular immune responses of these species are relatively complex and involve a level of sophistication that rivals their eutherian counterparts. Specifically peripheral blood and tissue leukocytes were morphologically similar to those of other mammals, with the exception of tammar wallaby monocytes that appeared to contain few lysosomal granules, and the basophils of the Rufous Hare-wallaby that contained very large atypical granules. The overall findings of this study suggest that the immune systems of macropod species possess most of the sophistication associated with that of eutherian mammals. Whilst some differences were apparent in cells and their products in the test species, no single factor common to all macropods was identified as a cause for immune dysfunction. It appears likely that as yet undefined factors related to their confinement rather than an inherent defect in their immunocapacity is responsible for the apparent disease susceptibility of these animals.<br>Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)

Marsupials have complex and interesting socioecology and life history strategies that differ quite markedly to much - studied eutherian mammals. However, the socioecology and life history strategies of a number of Australian marsupials are most often observed only within the context of a much larger study on their ecology. My aim was to study, using a combination of behavioural observations and molecular DNA techniques, aspects of the socioecology of a population of yellow - bellied gliders ( Petaurus australis ) in Rennick State Forest, south - western Victoria. Petaurid gliders feed on plant and insect exudates, pollen / nectar and arthropods. Yellow - bellied gliders are arboreal, rare, nocturnal and cryptic, have persistent pair bonds, are territorial and exist in low population densities. In particular, I sought to confirm that the Rennick population of yellow - bellied gliders maintained a predominantly monogamous mating system. I also sought to confirm that the timing of reproduction in this population of yellow - bellied gliders would be seasonal, and timed to coincide with peaks in the abundances of two indices of protein food resources ( i.e. flowering and bark shed ). In a more broadscale study, I sought to examine the geographic distribution of mitochondrial haplotyes and morphological variation of the yellowbellied glider throughout its range. Polymorphic microsatellite loci are the choice of genetic marker for fine - scale studies, such as relatedness and paternity. Microsatellite loci had previously only been characterised and optimised for Petaurus norfolcensis ( squirrel gliders ). However, close inspection of the GenBank sequences revealed the presence of replicates differing only by sequencing errors. A panel of seven polymorphic tetranucleotide loci in Petaurus breviceps ( sugar gliders ) and three polymorphic trinucleotide loci in P. australis were isolated and optimised. Five P. breviceps loci were polymorphic in P. norfolcensis and two were polymorphic in P. australis. Only one P. australis locus was variable in P. breviceps and P. norfolcensis. No locus showed a deficit in heterozygotes according to Hardy - Weinberg expectations, and the large number of alleles for some of the loci confirmed their usefulness for studies in relatedness and paternity. A number of Australian arboreal marsupials have been reported to show monogamous and polygynous mating systems in different populations, but previous studies have not included genetic analyses to confirm the observations. My aim was to test the hypothesis that monogamy was the predominant mating system in a population of yellow - bellied gliders ( Petaurus australis ) in south - western Victoria. Home range overlap, cohesiveness of pairs, rates of den site co - occupancy and location of den trees within the home ranges of 13 gliders were determined via radio - tracking. A monogamous social system predominated, demonstrated by extensive home range overlap between cohabiting adult males and females ( 40 - 100 % ) and little home range overlap between adjacent territories ( < 7 % ). Males spent approximately 55 % of their active time within 25m of their female partners and 55 - 85 % of their sleeping time in dens with their female partner. The paternity of all juveniles within the population was analysed using five microsatellite DNA markers. Of 37 individuals genotyped, 12 of 13 juveniles could be attributed to the resident adult male. My results suggest that social monogamy equates with genetic monogamy in this population of yellow - bellied gliders. Mammalian taxa living in seasonal environments usually coincide energy - demanding reproductive activities with the seasonal availability of food resources. However, few studies on arboreal marsupial taxa in Australia have focussed upon the interplay of forest phenology and the timing of breeding. This study examined forest phenology in a temperate environment, and the timing of reproduction the yellow - bellied glider. I captured adult females once per month between August 2001 and August 2003 to determine reproductive condition, and monitored indicators for two key food resources over the same period. Flowering phenology ( as an index of pollen availability ) was assessed in 170 manna gum ( Eucalyptus viminalis ) and brown stringybark ( E. baxteri ) trees, while bark shed ( as an index of arthropod availability ) was assessed in 45 manna gum, the only eucalypt species at this site that sheds it bark. Aseasonal reproduction was indicated within this population of gliders, as distributions of births were not statistically different from random. However, yellow - bellied gliders did exhibit distinct birth peaks in spring, summer and winter, when data were combined for both years. The temporal distributions of flowering for both eucalypt species were statistically different from random, indicating seasonal availability of nectar and pollen. Peak flowering occurred in summer for brown stringybark, and autumn for manna gum in both years, although for manna gum peak abundance of flowers was one month earlier in the second year. While the temporal distribution of bark shed on the trunks of trees did not differ from random, it did show seasonality on the main and outer branches, peaking in summer and declining thereafter. Thus, it appears that yellow - bellied gliders breed aseasonally in a predictable, seasonal environment. However, yellow - bellied gliders have a reliance on the complex temporal interplay of different seasonal food resources. Subspecific status has often been used as a surrogate for conservation unit, but does not always reflect intra - specific lineages with different evolutionary histories. One contentious case of subspecific classification occurs in the yellow - bellied glider, a marsupial species showing considerable decline in population size and requiring conservation management. Our aim was to assess the current subspecific status of populations and define units of conservation using a combination of phylogeographical analyses of mitochondrial DNA and morphological analyses. Analyses of the mitochondrial ND4 gene provided evidence for significant phylogeographic structure within yellow - bellied gliders. Isolated populations in north Queensland ( NQ ) and Victoria / South Australia were genetically distinct from populations in New South Wales and southern Queensland. Morphological analyses provided little evidence for discrimination of populations, although NQ specimens were generally smaller in size compared to southern forms. My analyses do not support the classification of subspecies, P. a. reginae, for the original type specimen from southern Queensland. Taking into account other behavioural and ecological data, and the disjunct distribution of NQ populations from southern populations, I propose that the NQ population represents a distinct Evolutionarily Significant Unit, a lineage showing highly restricted gene flow with the rest of the species.<br>http://library.adelaide.edu.au/cgi-bin/Pwebrecon.cgi?BBID=1281000<br>Thesis (Ph.D.)--School of Earth and Environmental Sciences, 2006.