Dissertations / Theses on the topic 'History of zoology'
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Trevelyan, R. J. "Life history variation in birds." Thesis, University of Oxford, 1991. http://ethos.bl.uk/OrderDetails.do?uin=uk.bl.ethos.315861.
Bryant, Andrew D. "The life history patterns of brachyuran crabs." Thesis, University of Liverpool, 1991. http://ethos.bl.uk/OrderDetails.do?uin=uk.bl.ethos.316604.
Covas-Monteiro, Rita. "Life-history evolution and cooperative breeding in the sociable weaver." Doctoral thesis, University of Cape Town, 2002. http://hdl.handle.net/11427/6944.
When compared to northern temperate counterparts, birds in the tropics and Southern Hemisphere regions, are characterised by low fecundity, long developmental periods and high Survival. This pattern has been attributed to hypotheses relating to food limitation, nest predation, and reduced seasonality leading to high adult survival. Still, to date few studies have investigated this issue. In particular, detailed studies from southern regions are scarce and as a result our understanding of this question remains weak. Another characteristic of 'southern' birds is a higher frequency of cooperatively-breeding species. It has previously been shown that cooperative breeding is most frequent amongst species with high survival and low fecundity. An explanation for this could be that long occupancy of territories by long-lived breeders leads to reduced opportunities of independent breeding by young birds. However, the biology of some species is such, that they do not experience shortage of breeding territories or other constraints, while still showing delayed dispersal and cooperative breeding. This study investigates what factors drive life-history evolution in a cooperatively breeding southern African passerine, the sociable weaver Philetairus socius. This species departs from the traditional cooperative breeding model in being a non-territorial colonial nester that inhabits an unpredictable semi-arid environment. Sociable weavers face no obvious constraints on independent reproduction, yet cooperative breeding is common. Therefore, I also aimed at determining what factors prompt delayed reproduction in this species, since this life history trait is the first step leading to cooperative breeding.
Van, Wyk Johannes H. "Life history and physiological ecology of the lizard, Cordylus Giganteus." Doctoral thesis, University of Cape Town, 1992. http://hdl.handle.net/11427/16002.
Cordylus giganteus is a large, terrestrial, viviparous lizard, endemic to the Highveld grasslands of South Africa. Its distribution is limited and its conservation status is vulnerable. Autopsy and mark-recapture methods were used to study the seasonal aspects of its reproductive cycle, diet, energy reserves, growth, population dynamics, daily activity and thermoregulation. Reproduction is distinctly seasonal in both sexes. Females may reproduce biennially. Vitellogenesis commenced in autumn (March), and continued through hibernation with ovulation in spring (October). Two or three young are born in autumn. A functional placenta is implicated. Seasonal steroid hormone profiles are presented. Males exhibit a postnuptial spermatogenetic cycle. Spermatogenesis commences in spring with peak spermiogenesis in autumn and testicular regression following in late autumn. Spermatozoa are stored in the epididymis and ductus deferens for seven to eight months. A bimodal plasma testosterone profile is reported, consistent with spermiogenesis in autumn and mating behaviour in spring. C. giganteus feeds during 8 months of the year and prefer Coleoptera as prey. Fat bodies are utilized for winter maintenance and reproduction. Hatchlings grow 20-30mm during the first year and maximum growth rates occur in summer. Males and females attain sexual maturity at about 165 mm SVL in the fourth year. Seasonal affects on growth rate resulted in poor fit by either logistic-by-length or von Bertalanffy models and a seasonal oscillating model was introduced. Adult males are smaller than females; head sizes are the same but allometric slopes differed significantly. Population size and structure remained stable in the study area. Densities ranged from 9 - 11 lizards/ha. The age structure is marked by the low relative abundance of juveniles. Survivorship during the first year varied among years. Mortality was highest during summer months rather than winter months. Average annual survival of adults 'was high, but varied with sex and years (ranged from 58%-80%). A life table yielded a net reproductive rate (Ro= 1) sufficient to sustain the population, if the reproductive life of an adult female is at least 12 years. Lizards remain in their burrows during winter. In summer, activity was bimodal on sunshine days but unimodal on cool overcast days. Body temperature is regulated by behavioural means (postural and orientation changes) and by shuttling to the cool burrow microclimate. The life history strategy corresponds partially to that of K-selection.
Razi, Norhisham. "Insect life history responses to global change." Thesis, Cardiff University, 2016. http://orca.cf.ac.uk/99676/.
Blackburn, T. M. "Comparative and experimental studies of animal life history variation." Thesis, University of Oxford, 1990. http://ethos.bl.uk/OrderDetails.do?uin=uk.bl.ethos.257652.
Edgehouse, Michael J. "Garter Snake (Thamnophis) Natural History: Food Habits and Interspecific Aggression." DigitalCommons@USU, 2008. https://digitalcommons.usu.edu/etd/81.
Van, Zyl Megan Elizabeth. "Life history study of red stumpnose (Chrysoblephus gibbiceps), a South African endemic seabream." Master's thesis, University of Cape Town, 2013. http://hdl.handle.net/11427/9800.
Seabreams are an important family of fishes in the southern African recreational and commercial linefisheries. This family is known for its extreme longevity, slow growth and wide variety of reproductive styles. Red stumpnose are one of the most iconic species within this family, yet biological information is lacking on this species. Six hundred and seventy-eight specimens were collected from 1986 to 2012, ranging in size from 165 to 600 mm fork length. All specimens were dissected and morphological measurements taken. Gonads, stomachs and otoliths were removed from 237 individuals and presented. Otoliths were sectioned and independently aged by three readers, age agreement was reached on 183 fish.
Chamberlain, Jeremy David. "Life-history and energetics of the diamond-backed watersnake." Thesis, University of Arkansas at Little Rock, 2017. http://pqdtopen.proquest.com/#viewpdf?dispub=10195147.
Life-history research explores how environmental variation and physiological constraints shift the energy allocation decisions to competing functions of the body among individuals and populations. Variation in the energy available across the environmental landscape is of particular interest as it dictates the amount energy available for organisms to acquire and allocate to their life-history. Additionally, individuals vary in their ability to capture and assimilate energy from the environment. This dissertation seeks to understand how environmental variation in energy availability and physiological constraints of attaining this energy shape allocation decisions among individuals and populations. I examined diamond-backed watersnakes (Nerodia rhombifer) from five populations that differed in their access to energy resources of prey. I compared measures of reproduction and growth to detect the presence of differential allocation decisions. I tested whether differences in allocation among individuals and populations arose as a constraint of their ability to assimilate energy resources in the environment, or as a function of the variation in prey characteristics across the landscape. Lastly, I measured how variation in reproductive investment may limit energy acquisition among individuals.
Davies, Richard Glyn. "Patterns of termite functional diversity : from local ecology to continental history." Thesis, University College London (University of London), 2001. http://ethos.bl.uk/OrderDetails.do?uin=uk.bl.ethos.248787.
Tonn, Jenna Alexandra. "Museum, Laboratory, and Field Site: Graduate Training in Zoology at Harvard and Radcliffe Colleges, 1873-1934." Thesis, Harvard University, 2015. http://nrs.harvard.edu/urn-3:HUL.InstRepos:23845445.
History of Science
Armstrong, Michael P. "Life History of the Goosefish, Lophius americanus." W&M ScholarWorks, 1987. https://scholarworks.wm.edu/etd/1539617580.
Shoji, Akiko. "At-sea behaviour in marine birds : a life-history perspective." Thesis, University of Oxford, 2014. http://ora.ox.ac.uk/objects/uuid:01c92d20-9059-4c47-ba2a-cb313d6f05e7.
Telfer, Mark G. "The life history of the grasshopper Chorthippus brunneus : geographical variation and climatic effects." Thesis, University of East Anglia, 1996. http://ethos.bl.uk/OrderDetails.do?uin=uk.bl.ethos.338222.
Fowlie, Martin Kenneth. "Colour polymorphism in the common buzzard : evolution and life history consequences." Thesis, University of Glasgow, 2003. http://theses.gla.ac.uk/6195/.
McLennan, Darryl. "Life history & environmental effects on telomere dynamics in Atlantic salmon." Thesis, University of Glasgow, 2016. http://theses.gla.ac.uk/7833/.
Bichy, John Brooke. "A Life History Assessment on the Reproduction and Growth of Striped Mullet, Mugil cephalus, in North Carolina." NCSU, 2004. http://www.lib.ncsu.edu/theses/available/etd-04012004-095956/.
Cid, Maria Rosa Lopez. "Miranda Ribeiro: um zoólogo evolucionista nos primeiros anos da República (1894-1938)." reponame:Repositório Institucional da FIOCRUZ, 2009. http://www.arca.fiocruz.br/handle/icict/15963.
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Fundação Oswaldo Cruz. Casa de Oswaldo Cruz. Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brasil.
Miranda Ribeiro construiu, a partir de seu trabalho, a reputação de grande zoólogo e especialista em peixes. Aprendeu a fazer ciência na prática com aqueles pesquisadores que foi conhecendo desde o momento em que iniciou suas atividades no Museu. Alguns desses pesquisadores foram, muito provavelmente, responsáveis pela orientação metodológica que deu aos seus trabalhos. E, além de sua grande capacidade de aprendizado, de sua organização e capacidade de trabalho, e, também como conseqüência dessas qualidades, Miranda Ribeiro estabeleceu relações com os cientistas mais importantes que trabalhavam no Brasil e muitos cientistas estrangeiros, renomados em suas áreas de pesquisa. O zoólogo do Museu Nacional tinha grande interesse em conhecer a fauna (principalmente a vertebrada) brasileira e se destacou no campo da taxionomia identificando e classificando muitos animais brasileiros. Seu método para classificá-los tinha como referência a origem comum dos seres vivos, que era uma das teorias que integrava o darwinismo. Embora, em seus trabalhos, abuse das descrições morfológicas e anatômicas, partindo do princípio de que os grupos de organismos tiveram uma origem comum, a morfologia, a anatomia, a fisiologia, a embriologia semelhantes entre certos 12 grupos podem ser explicadas a partir de ancestrais comuns que sofreram processos de especiação. É isso que Miranda Ribeiro tenta mostrar em seus trabalhos, mesmo durante um período em que o darwinismo já não era tão popular. Assumindo a opinião, comum a muitos de seus contemporâneos, de que produzir ciência de qualidade em instituições bem organizadas era a única maneira de contribuir para o progresso econômico e social do país, que se achava em dificuldades pela mudança de regime político, pelos problemas com a população miscigenada, que era considerada incapaz, com as epidemias que assolavam o país, com as pragas que atacavam a agricultura, principal fonte econômica na época, Miranda Ribeiro, sempre que tinha oportunidade, discursava a favor da ciência, dos cientistas e das instituições científicas. Realizou, através de seus trabalhos, tudo o que lhe foi possível para valorizar e especializar as ciências biológicas, defendendo referenciais teóricos que estavam ligados ao evolucionismo, tomando como modelos de cientistas, Darwin e Müller, principalmente.
Because of his work, Miranda Ribeiro has built the reputation of being a great zoologist and fish specialist. He learned science by practicing it with those researchers who he met while developing his activities in the Museum. It is highly likely that some of these researchers were responsible for the methodological orientation with which Miranda Ribeiro developed his works. Besides his great learning and working ability as well as his organization, and also as a consequence of these skills, Miranda Ribeiro established contact with the most important scientists in Brazil at the time and many foreign scientists who were all renowned in their fields of expertise. The zoologist of the National Museum had great interest in knowing the Brazilian fauna (specially the vertebrate ones) and had distinguished himself in the field of taxonomy by identifying and classifying many Brazilian animals. His method to classify these animals had, as a reference, the common origin of living beings, which was one of the theories that integrated Darwinism. Miranda Ribeiro tends to be very descriptive concerning morphological and anatomical aspects. Even though, if we consider that groups of organisms had a common origin, morphology, anatomy, physiology and embryology that are similar among certain groups can be explained by their common ancestors that suffered 12 processes of speciation. That is exactly what Miranda Ribeiro tries to demonstrate through his works, although it was a period of time when Darwinism was not so popular. Holding the opinion, common to many of his contemporaries, that producing quality science in well organized institutions was the only way to contribute to the economical and social development of the country (which had difficulties due to the change of the political regime, the problems concerning multiethnic population who was considered incapable, the different kinds of epidemy that afflicted the country and the plagues that attacked agriculture, which was the main economical source at the time) – Miranda Ribeiro, whenever he had the opportunity, provided speeches defending science, scientists and scientific institutions. He realized, throughout his works, everything that was possible to attribute value and specialize biological sciences, defending theoretical references that were linked to volutionism, using mainly Darwin and Muller as role models.
Koesters, Nils B. "Investigating life-history polymorphism : modelling mites." Thesis, University of Stirling, 2005. http://hdl.handle.net/1893/21630.
Bowman, Jacqueline Elizabeth. "Life history, growth and dental development in young primates : a study using captive rhesus macaques." Thesis, University of Cambridge, 1991. https://www.repository.cam.ac.uk/handle/1810/251499.
Miller, David Charles Moorcroft. "An individual-based modelling approach to examine life history strategies of sardine Sardinops sagax in the southern Benguela ecosystem." Doctoral thesis, University of Cape Town, 2006. http://hdl.handle.net/11427/8917.
Hypotheses regarding the spawning strategy and recruitment of sardine (Sardinops sagax) in the southern Benguela ecosystem are tested using an individual-based Lagrangian particle tracking model linked with a 3-D hydrodynamic model of the region. Experiments focus on the dispersion of eggs and larvae among possible spawning and nursery areas. The two main areas of interest were the west coast upwelling region and the south coast shelf region (Agulhas Bank). A stage-based temperature-dependent development model is incorporated and vertical positioning schemes are tested. The spatial distribution and size structure of the sardine spawning stock for the period 1991-1999 are presented and a simple size-based fecundity model, combined with modelled recruitment, is used to determine the relative importance of each spawning and nursery area. The area of spawning plays a fundamental role in determining the destination of spawned eggs, and recruitment of sardine in the southern Benguela ecosystem appears to be divided into three recruitment systems by the circulation of the region: eggs spawned west of Cape Agulhas recruiting on the west coast (the WAB/WC-WC system), eggs spawned east of Cape Agulhas recruiting on the west coast (the CAB-WC system), and eggs spawned east of Cape Agulhas recruiting to the south coast (the SC-SC system). There is a slight increase in retention in the two nursery areas during winter, but the transport of eggs and larvae from the Agulhas Bank to the west coast is optimal during spring to early summer. Slow development arising from cold temperatures on the west coast could negatively impact recruitment by increasing offshore loss of individuals before they develop to a stage when they are able to actively avoid offshore currents and through its effect on mortality rate. This could explain the spatial separation of spawning and nursery areas in this system. The vertical position of individuals has an effect on the level of modelled recruitment and mortality rate, but observed vertical distributions of sardine egg and larvae do not significantly increase the level of modelled recruitment to optimal nursery areas. This suggests that efficient transport and retention are traded-off against other factors such as predator avoidance or prey abundance. Observed size structure and spatial distribution of the sardine spawning stock for 1991-1999 fluctuated greatly with most spawning centred on the western Agulhas Bank. When spawning was centred east of Cape Agulhas, recruitment was poor. No significant relationship could be established between potential reproductive output reaching the west coast and estimated recruitment, but positive recruitment anomalies required good transport to, and retention on, the west coast. A conceptual model of the early life history of sardine is proposed in light of limitations imposed by transport and retention of individuals. Lower primary production and the possibility of higher predation on the Agulhas Bank suggest that the south coast supports less recruitment than the west coast. The hypotheses tested using available data and model results could improve the understanding of recruitment of sardine in this complex ecosystem. These need to be validated by field observations. Additionally, further avenues for research that could help in developing a better understanding of the sardine life history in the southern Benguela ecosystem are suggested.
Wisniewski, Christopher D. "Conserving Connecticut's Natural History| Bat Communities and Habitat Use Post-White-Nose Syndrome." Thesis, Southern Connecticut State University, 2018. http://pqdtopen.proquest.com/#viewpdf?dispub=10807785.
Community ecology investigates questions related to the density, growth/decline and movements of species over time in given geographical regions. This study investigated similar questions regarding communities of endemic bat species in Connecticut. White-nose syndrome (WNS) has recently killed millions of bats in New England, yet few large-scale conservation efforts have occurred in Connecticut and few data have been published on the status of Connecticut bats post-WNS. This study aimed to: 1) survey bats persisting in WNS regions to document whether changes have occurred in species biodiversity, richness, distribution and habitat use; and 2) measure seasonality effects from summer through pre-hibernal months. Bat presence and activity were recorded using bat detectors set in grassland and forested habitats, near bodies of water and near anthropormorphic and geologic structures across Connecticut. Bioacoustics data have been analyzed by using Sonobat© software. Combined, these data show that bat activity varies significantly across habitat type (p = 0.02) and over seasons (p = 0.05). Additionally, these data provide insight regarding relationships between individual species, and clumped species groups, with habitat types and across seasons. Ultimately, these data show how bat communities have changed over time in a post-WNS environment. Combined, these data can help drive future wildlife conservation, outreach, education and management practices.
Atkinson, Rachel Judith. "The genetic analysis of natural history, reproductive strategy and population structure in European oak gallwasps (Hymenoptera: Cynipidae)." Thesis, University of Oxford, 2000. http://ethos.bl.uk/OrderDetails.do?uin=uk.bl.ethos.343288.
Haupt, Tanya M. "History and status of oyster exploitation and culture in South Africa, and the role of oysters as vectors for marine alien species." Master's thesis, University of Cape Town, 2009. http://hdl.handle.net/11427/8934.
In South Africa, both wild and cultivated oysters are consumed. Edible wild oysters include Striostrea margaritacea, Saccostrea cucullata, Ostrea atherstonei and 0. algoensis and all occur along the South and East coasts. These oysters were, or are, exploited commercially, recreationally and via subsistence fishers with S. margaritacea being the most targeted species. The commercial harvesting areas are along the Southern Cape coast and in KwaZulu-Natal. The Southern Cape coast is the largest harvesting area with 102 of the 145 pickers employed in the region. Commercial and recreational harvesting is managed by the Marine and Coastal Management Branch of the Department of Environmental Affairs and Tourism. Data on the total annual catch of oysters in these provinces are minimum estimates, as collectors do not always comply with the harvesting regulations. Subsistence harvesting is largely unmanaged, except in KZN, and is particularly rife in the Eastern Cape Province. The culture of oysters is dependent on importing Crassostrea gigas spat mostly from Chile. Oyster production statistics are only available since 1985, but approximately two million Crassostrea gigas oysters were produced annually throughout the seventies and early eighties. Since then, production has fluctuated over the years with an approximate increase of six million between 1985 and 1991, a decrease of five million between 1991 and 1998, and is presently stable. The establishment and closure of a highly productive farm in the late eighties and early nineties respectively, as well as improved production in recent years, has resulted in these trends. Although the market for oysters has grown, production has not kept up with demand, due to a lack of suitable locations for mariculture purposes. Finding suitable sites for oyster cultivation along the Northern Cape coast and establishing local oyster hatcheries for C. gigas oysters is suggested as the way forward. The latter would also prevent associated marine alien species from being imported with spat. Globally, oysters are well known vectors of marine alien species and despite oyster imports as early as 1894 into South Africa, this topic has been afforded little or no local attention. A visit to various oyster farms in South Africa resulted in the discovery of four newly-recorded alien species: the black sea urchin Tetrapygus niger, from Chile, the European flat oyster Ostrea edulis, thought to be locally extinct following its intentional introduction into South Africa in 1946, Montagu's crab Xantho incisus, from Europe, and the brachiopod Discinisca tenuis, from neighbouring Namibia. Oyster imports are suggested as their most likely vector into South Africa and the biological attributes of some emphasizes the possible threat and the need to limit or prevent their spread. Local or intraregional translocation of C. gigas and associated species, including aliens colonizing the area, may aid in this spread. Oysters host a diverse community of epi-and infaunal fouling taxa, which can be accidentally translocated along with their hosts in the course of commercial oyster trade. Thus, the types and quantities of fouling taxa occurring on farmed Crassostrea gigas were examined. How effectively these taxa are removed by standard cleansing techniques and whether those that persist after washing, survived intraregional translocation, were also examined. Cleaning and translocating oysters significantly reduced both the quantity (by more than 30 and 40 times respectively) and variety of fouling taxa. Although the mean abundance (A) or biomass (B) of taxa in uncleansed oysters (A: 79.48±233.10 (SD), B: 0.034±0.314 (SD)) were greatly reduced in cleansed oysters (A: 2.30±7.65 (SD), B: 0.0003±0.002 (SD)), small quantities still managed to survive translocation (A: 1.87± 7.43 (SD), B: 0.006±0.020 (SD)). Thus, the effectiveness of exposing oysters to freshwater or heated seawater as a more thorough cleansing regimen, to prevent the translocation of such taxa, were examined. Results indicated that oysters were able to survive for a longer time in freshwater (0% mortalities after 18 h) than in heated seawater (26.7% mortalities after 40 sec), but most taxa were eliminated more effectively by the latter treatment (e.g. 88.5% of the mudworm Polydora hoplura died after 20 sec compared to 97.5% after 18 h in freshwater). However, only a single reproductive individual of an alien species may be required for a successful introduction, and soaking for 20 sec in heated seawater would still be ineffective. An alternative treatment of 18 h in freshwater and 20 sec in heated seawater or freshwater, is suggested as a more effective treatment.
Sechi, Pierfrancesco. "An evolutionary history of the peregrine epigeic earthworm Lumbricus rubellus." Thesis, Cardiff University, 2013. http://orca.cf.ac.uk/55213/.
Diaz-Palacios, Sylvia Anaid. "Environmental variation and life-history evolution : experiments on Caenorhabditis remanei." Thesis, University of Glasgow, 2009. http://theses.gla.ac.uk/744/.
Mack, John Joseph. "At the Tip of the Prairie Peninsula: Flora and Natural History of Prairie Remnants in the Sandusky Plains of Crawford, Marion and Wyandot Counties, Ohio." The Ohio State University, 2002. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=osu1396352347.
Wijeratne, P. M. "Variation in life history traits of cowpea weevil (Callosobruchus maculatus (F.) and Callosobruchus chinensis (L.)) : with particular reference to oviposition behaviour." Thesis, University of Reading, 1991. http://ethos.bl.uk/OrderDetails.do?uin=uk.bl.ethos.304070.
Osman, Eslam O. M. M. "The role of thermal history in shaping the microbiome of Red Sea corals." Thesis, University of Essex, 2016. http://repository.essex.ac.uk/19091/.
Hughes, Martin Robert. "What makes a ferox? : the drivers & consequences of alternative life history strategies in S. trutta." Thesis, University of Glasgow, 2017. http://theses.gla.ac.uk/8280/.
Goodchild, Shawn Christopher. "Life history and interspecific co-persistence of native imperiled fishes in single species and multi-species ex situ refuges." Thesis, North Dakota State University, 2016. http://pqdtopen.proquest.com/#viewpdf?dispub=10117158.
Like many imperiled fishes, the endangered Pahrump Poolfish ( Empetrichthys latos latos) is managed in ex situ refuges. I investigated life history characteristics of females from two such populations at Lake Harriet and Shoshone Stock Pond. Lake Harriet is a relatively large lake with low fish densities located at relatively low elevation and low latitude, while Shoshone Stock is a small pond with high fish densities at a higher elevation and latitude. Females from the Lake Harriet population were larger, and had greater fat content, reproductive allocation, and ‘clutch’ size than females from the Shoshone Pond population. This divergence, which occurred in three decades, may result in a phenotypic mismatch if the fish are used as a source for restocking their native habitat or stocking new refuges.
Poolfish conservation may require establishing new populations; however, many sites are inhabited by non-native fish and/or other protected fish species. Thus, managers may wish to consider establishing multi-species refuges that may even already include undesirable species. I established experimental communities that included allopatric and sympatric communities of Poolfish, Amargosa Pupfish (Cyprinodon nevadensis), and invasive Western Mosquitofish (Gambusia affinis). Pupfish persisted in sympatry with both poolfish and mosquitofish, but had higher juvenile production when maintained in allopatry. By contrast, poolfish juvenile production was high in allopatry, but virtually absent in the presence of other species.
To evaluate the generality of these findings, I established experimental allopatric and sympatric communities of poolfish or pupfish with mosquitofish from two populations that differed in body size: Garrett mosquitofish were approximately twice the mass of Wabuska mosquitofish. Poolfish juveniles had high survival in allopatry, but produced virtually no juveniles when sympatric with either of the two mosquitofish populations. Pupfish juvenile survival was higher in allopatry than sympatric with Garrett mosquitofish, which in turn was higher than sympatric with Wabuska mosquitofish. These results were consistent with the earlier experiment suggesting that poolfish were functionally extirpated but pupfish maintained substantial production in the presence of mosquitofish. These findings suggest that poolfish should be maintained in single species refuges, but that multi-species refuges may protect imperiled pupfish species.
Arendse, Clement J. "Aspects of the early life history and a per-recruit assessment of white stumpnose Rhabdosargus globiceps (Pisces: Sparidae) in Saldanha Bay with recommendations for future research and monitoring." Master's thesis, University of Cape Town, 2011. http://hdl.handle.net/11427/10069.
Nelson, Bethany Faith. "Early warnings of environmental change on ecosystems : hormonally-mediated life-history decisions in seabirds." Thesis, University of Glasgow, 2014. http://theses.gla.ac.uk/5011/.
Danielson-Francois, Anne. "Variation in Tetragnathid spermathecal structures and sperm competition with descriptions of natural history." Diss., The University of Arizona, 2002. http://hdl.handle.net/10150/279954.
Campbell-Staton, Shane C. "Phylogeographic History and Temperature-Mediated Evolution of the Green Anole, Anolis Carolinensis." Thesis, Harvard University, 2015. http://nrs.harvard.edu/urn-3:HUL.InstRepos:17467389.
Biology, Organismic and Evolutionary
Dornburg, Alex. "Night of the Holocentrids| A Phylogenetic Perspective on the Evolutionary History of an Enigmatic Clade of Nocturnal Reef Fishes." Thesis, Yale University, 2014. http://pqdtopen.proquest.com/#viewpdf?dispub=3580668.
The integration of advances in computing technology with major innovations in sequence data collection and phylogenetic inference has revolutionized evolutionary biology in the 21st century. In particular, the continual development of both theory and software that allow for more flexibility in utilizing molecular clock methods has radically transformed our understanding of the mode and tempo of diversification across the Tree of Life. Over the course of five chapters, this dissertation explores methodological challenges to phylogenetic inference with the aim of better understanding the evolutionary history of the Holocentridae (squirrelfishes and soldierfishes).
Chapter 1 begins by focusing on the problem of accommodating clade specific rate heterogeneity in molecular clock analyses. While various nucleotide substitution models have been developed to accommodate among lineage rate heterogeneity, recently developed "uncorrelated relaxed clock" and "random local clock" models are predicted to perform better in the presence of lineage specific rate heterogeneity as these models relax assumptions of inheritance of nucleotide substitution rates between descendant lineages. Using simulations and two cetacean (whale and dolphin) datasets as a case study, we demonstrate abrupt changes in rate isolated to one or a few lineages in the phylogeny can mislead rate and age estimation, even when the node of interest is calibrated; and provide suggestions for diagnosing extreme clade specific rate heterogeneity.
Homoplasy is another important, yet often overlooked, source of error in phylogenetic studies. Chapters 2 and 3 utilize phylogenetic informative approaches to screen nucleotide sequence data for homoplasious site patterns. Using phylogenetic informativeness profiles, chapter 2 reconciles two competing hypotheses of ray-finned fish divergence times by highlighting that mitogenomic based Jurassic and Triassic divergence time estimates for most major lineages of spiny-rayed (acanthomorph) fishes were an artifact of tree extension. Evolutionary relationships of early diverging acanthomorph fishes are also contentious, with molecular data supporting either holocentrids or a clade comprised of holocentrids and primarily deep-sea fishes as the sister lineage to the species-rich percomorpha. Chapter 3 reveals this conflict to also be largely driven by homoplasy and reconciles results based on previously published data with a 132 gene next-generation sequence dataset to identify the sister lineage of percomorph and the phylogenetic placement of holocentrid fishes.
Chapter 4 continues to explore holocentrid evolutionary relationships. Using a multi-locus dataset that includes all but one holocentrid genus, this chapter provides the first molecular phylogeny of the group. The systematics of holocentrid fishes has unstable for over 100 years. We demonstrate several of the key synapomorphies for holocentrid genera are in fact homoplasious. Likewise, several genera of holocentrine (squirrelfish) are rendered consistently paraphyletic by a series of maximum-likelihood and Bayesian analyses and we propose taxonomic revisions to reflect shared ancestry.
Chapter 5 further investigates the temporal history of holocentrid evolution. Contemporary holocentrid species richness is concentrated in the Indo-Australian Archipelago (IAA), yet these fishes also represent some of the most numerous fossil taxa in deposits of the Eocene West Tethyan biodiversity hotspot. Using likelihood-based methods integrated with a molecular timetree that incorporates fossils as tip taxa, we reconstruct the history of range evolution for these fishes. Following the collapse of the West Tethys, holocentrids exhibit a signature of increased range fragmentation, becoming isolated between the Atlantic and Indo-Pacific Ocean basins. However, rather than originating within the emerging IAA hotspot, the IAA appears to have acted as a reservoir for holocentrid diversity that originated in adjacent regions over deep evolutionary timescales. By integrating extinct lineages, these results provide a necessary historic perspective on the formation and maintenance of global marine biodiversity.
Reynolds, Alan. "Applied evolution : an integrated approach to studying life history traits in response to drug selection." Thesis, University of Glasgow, 2016. http://theses.gla.ac.uk/7673/.
Barthold, Julia A. "A demographic perspective on trait heritability and sex differences in life history." Thesis, University of Oxford, 2015. http://ora.ox.ac.uk/objects/uuid:94f04aac-182f-466b-a267-179d68db398f.
Olivier, Tyler J. "Amphidromous Life History of the Caridean Shrimp Macrobrachium ohione (Decapoda| Palaemonidae) from the Mississippi River System." Thesis, University of Louisiana at Lafayette, 2013. http://pqdtopen.proquest.com/#viewpdf?dispub=3590041.
Amphidromous species migrate between fresh water and the sea for larval development. Many caridean shrimps, especially Macrobrachium spp., are amphidromous, and some populations are found far-upstream within continental river systems. This project tested the hypothesis that populations of Macrobrachium ohione from the Atchafalaya and Mississippi Rivers are amphidromous.
In the laboratory, I tested the hypothesis that upstream populations of M. ohione have freshwater larval development. My results indicated that saline habitats are essential for M. ohione development, and larval mortality increased after 3-4 days of freshwater drifting. This provides indirect evidence that upstream populations have extended marine larval development.
Due to their limited freshwater survival, M. ohione must deliver larvae to the sea. Spatial-temporal analysis in the Atchafalaya and Mississippi Rivers reported an influx of reproductive-sized shrimps and females with near-hatching broods into coastal sites. This suggests that females are migrating downstream to hatch larvae in downstream habitats.
Stable isotope analysis indicated that the upstream juvenile migration originates from saline habitats. Video surveillance revealed that juveniles migrate throughout the night at an average speed of ∼ 0.56 km hr -1, and swimming speeds were related to the water velocity they swam against. From these results, I estimated that juveniles are capable of migrating to far-upstream habitats within their life span (1-2 years).
Lastly, I investigated how dams affect the juvenile migration, and tested juvenile migrant climbing abilities. This study reported greater densities of juveniles downstream of dams than upstream of dams, indicating the dams impede the juvenile migration downstream of Old River Control. Shrimp climbing studies revealed that at various inclinations and water velocities, ~ 52% of the shrimps were climbing the shrimp ramp and ~ 12% completed the climb. These results demonstrated juveniles can climb bypass structures with detectable water flows.
My findings suggest that M. ohione populations within the Mississippi River System are amphidromous, because they require marine larval development and long-distance migrations are conducted to and from the sea. This study may serve as a general model for migrations of amphidromous shrimps in comparable large rivers, and potentially contribute to freshwater shrimp conservation.
Gopal, Keshni. "Genetic population structure of spiny lobster Palinurus delagoae in the south-western Indian Ocean, and the evolutionary history of Palinurus." Thesis, Stellenbosch : Stellenbosch University, 2007. http://hdl.handle.net/10019.1/21777.
ENGLISH ABSTRACT: This study investigated the evolution of the genus Palinurus at the higher and lower taxonomic levels. The population genetics of the spiny lobster, Palinurus delagoae, was investigated by making use of a portion of the mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) control region (547 base pairs) that was sequenced for 285 lobsters from the southeastern coast of Africa (six sites) and 49 lobsters from Walters Shoals (one site), a submerged seamount on the Madagascar Ridge. Lobsters from these two areas shared no haplotypes and differed by at least 27 mutational steps. An analysis of molecular variance showed significant genetic partitioning, and pairwise comparisons suggested that lobsters from Walters Shoals are distinct from those of other sampling areas. Along the south east African coastline there was shallow genetic partitioning between four southern sites (South Africa) and two northern (Mozambique) sites, suggesting two Management Units along the African coast. Female gene flow along the African coast may be propagated by larval dispersal in the Mozambique and Agulhas Currents and counter-current migrations by benthic juveniles along the shelf, but the mtDNA data strongly suggest that larvae at Walters Shoals have been, or are currently still retained by other oceanographic processes. The magnitude of mtDNA divergence among lobsters from the southeastern coast of Africa and those at Walters Shoals, together with the absence of any shared haplotypes between these regions, strongly suggested that these two taxa represent distinct species. The molecular data of the large subunit ribosomal RNA, 16S rRNA (481 bp), and cytochrome oxidase subunit I, COI (520 bp) were then used for a higher level phylogenetic analysis of the genus. A total of 33 individuals (five representatives from each of the six species), and two outgroups (Projasus parkeri and Palinustus unicornutus), were subjected to maximum parsimony, maximum likelihood and Bayesian inference analyses. All analyses were conducted on both the separate data sets as well as a combination of the two genes. Bootstrap analyses of the 16S rRNA data resulted in >70% support for the monophyly of all six Palinurus species but no support could be obtained for any of the interspecific associations. Likewise, individual analyses of the COI gene resulted in strong support for the monophyly of the species. The combined data (parsimony analyses) increased the resolution considerably and apart from the monophyly of all six species, good bootstrap support was also obtained for associations among species. The topology for the maximum likelihood analyses displayed a more resolved and well supported tree when the basal ingroup taxon P. elephas was used to root the tree. The combined Bayesian analyses did not result in a well resolved topology and no significant posterior probabilities could be obtained reflecting the associations among species.
AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Hierdie studie het die evolusie van die genus Palinurus by hoë en laer taksonomiese vlakke ondersoek. Die bevolkingsgenetika studie op die kreef, Palinurus delagoae, is ondersoek deur gebruik te maak van 'n gedeelte van die mitokondriale (mtDNA) kontrole-area (547 basispare) waarvan die volgorde bepaal is vir 285 krewe van die suidoos-kus van Afrika (afkomstig van ses verskillende gebiede) en 49 krewe afkomstig van Walters Shoals (een gebied), 'n ondersese berg op die Madagaskar Rand. Krewe van hierdie twee areas deel geen haplotipes nie en verskil met ten minste 27 mutasiestappe. 'n Analise van die molekulêre variansie toon dat daar 'n beduidende genetiese verdeling tussen die twee groepe is en 'n gepaarde vergelyking toon dat krewe afkomstig van Walters Shoals verskil beduidend van krewe uit ander gebiede. Volgens die vlak genetiese verdeling tussen die vier suidelike (Suid-Afrika) en twee noordelike (Mosambiek) gebiede van die suidoos-kus van Afrika wil dit voorkom of daar twee bestuurseenhede langs die kuslyn van Afrika is. Vroulike geenvloei langs hierdie kuslyn kan dalk bevarder word deur larwale verspreiding in die Mosambiek- en Agulhas- Seestrome en teenstroom migrasie van jong bodemwonende krefies op die kontinentale plaat. Die mtDNA data stel egter voor dat kreeflarwes by Walters Shoals deur ander oseanografiese prosesse steeds (of tot onlangs toe) behou word. Die grootte van mtDNA divergering tussen krewe van die suidoos-kus van Afrika en die by Walters Shoals, sowel as die afwesigheid van enige gemeenskaplike haplotipes tussen die twee gebiede, toon met beduidende sekerheid aan dat hierdie twee taksa twee unieke spesies verteenwoordig. Die molekulêre data van die 16S-rRNA (481bp) van die groot ribosomale-subeenheid en die sitochroom oksidase subeenheid, COI (520bp) is gebruik om 'n hoër resolusie filogenetiese analise van die genus te bepaal. Data van 33 individue (vyf individue uit elk van die ses spesies) en twee buitegroepe (Projasnus parkeri en Palinustus uniconutus) is geanaliseer deur gebruik te maak van die maksimum-parsimonie, die maksimum-waarskynlikheid en die Bayes-inferensie metodes. Alle analises is uitgevoer op beide die afsonderlike datastelle sowel as op die gekombineerde data van die twee gene. Analise van die 16S-rRNA data deur die skoenlusmetode (steekproefhersteekproef- metode) toon meer as 70% steun vir die monofilie van al ses Palinurus spesies maar dit toon geen steun vir enige van die interspesifieke assosiasies nie. Net so toon individuele analise van die COI geen beduidende steun vir die monofilie van die spesies. Die gekombineerde data (parsimonie) het 'n aansienlike verhoging in die resolusie teweeg gebring en behalwe vir die monofilie van al ses die spesies was daar ook goeie steun deur die skoenlusmetode vir die assosiasie tussen spesies verkry. Die topologie vir die maksimum-parsimonie het 'n goed gesteunde en hoër resolusie boom vir die gekombineerde datastel (sonder die buitegroepe) getoon. Die gekombineerde Bayesanalise het nie 'n soortgelyke boom opgelewer nie en die assosiasie tussen die spesies is nie ondersteun nie aangesien geen beduidende a posteriori-waarskynlikheid verkry kon word nie.
Rodger, Jessica Ruth. "Intraspecific genetic, morphological and life history structuring of brown trout (Salmo trutta) in a single complex catchment, the Foyle catchment." Thesis, University of Glasgow, 2017. http://theses.gla.ac.uk/8522/.
Holmquist, Richard K. "Life History Attributes of Mid-Atlantic Menidia menidia (Pisces: Atherinidae) and a Comparison with Northern (Massachusetts) and Southern (South Carolina) Populations." W&M ScholarWorks, 2001. https://scholarworks.wm.edu/etd/1539617782.
Grusha, Donna S. "Investigation of the Life History of the Cownose Ray, Rhinoptera bonasus (Mitchill 1815)." W&M ScholarWorks, 2005. http://www.vims.edu/library/Theses/Grusha/Grusha05.pdf.
Webber, Simone Leigh. "The role of food availability in determining the energetic and life history costs of reproduction in short-lived birds." Thesis, University of Birmingham, 2012. http://etheses.bham.ac.uk//id/eprint/3784/.
Whitworth, Andrew William. "Conservation value, biodiversity value and methods of assessment in regenerating and human disturbed tropical forest." Thesis, University of Glasgow, 2016. http://theses.gla.ac.uk/7426/.
Bibi, Shakila. "Fabrication and use of D-serine biosensors for characterising D-serine signalling in rat brain." Thesis, University of Warwick, 2010. http://wrap.warwick.ac.uk/3897/.
Humphries, Stuart. "Competitive interactions in social foragers." Thesis, University of Glasgow, 1999. http://theses.gla.ac.uk/2492/.
Shand, Peter. "Biological control of marine sediment stability by the mussels Mytilus edulis L. and Modiolus modiolus (L.)." Thesis, University of Glasgow, 1987. http://theses.gla.ac.uk/2320/.
Morrell, Lesley J. "Ownership conflicts and their resolution." Thesis, University of Glasgow, 2004. http://theses.gla.ac.uk/1168/.
Ahmed, Salma. "An evaluation of protected area management planning and policy in Bangladesh." Thesis, University of Greenwich, 2014. http://gala.gre.ac.uk/21537/.