Browsing University of Galway Theses by Subject "Zoology"
Now showing items 1-20 of 30
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Bamboozled! Systematic studies of the Keratoisididae (Octocorallia: Scleralcyonacea)
(NUI Galway, 2023-11-15)Deep-sea corals are globally distributed and form a three-dimensional habitat on the benthos which hosts a diverse invertebrate community. Despite this importance, a global lack of taxonomic expertise and low resolution ... -
The bile pigments and genetics of ballan wrasse morphotypes
(NUI Galway, 2020-12-10)All fish have the pigment bilirubin in their blood which results from the breakdown of haemoglobin, however, some Labridae and other species also have an alternative pigment known as biliverdin which results in blue-green ... -
Conservation biology of the European eel (Anguilla anguilla) on a hydropower-regulated Irish river
(2012-07-31)The European eel (Anguilla anguilla) has a complex lifecycle, involving catadromous migration between marine spawning grounds and continental growth habitat. European eel stocks have undergone a serious population collapse, ... -
Developing optimal strategies for limiting the spread of grey squirrels (Sciurus carolinensis) and conservation of reds (Sciurus vulgaris) in Ireland
(2016-05-05)Ireland has two species of squirrel, the native red squirrel (Sciurus vulgaris) and the non-native and invasive grey squirrel (Sciurus carolinensis). Since the initial introduction of the grey squirrel to a single site in ... -
Development and performance of a serological enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) for ruminant liver fluke disease
(NUI Galway, 2024-02-02)Fasciola hepatica, also known as the liver fluke, is the causative agent of fasciolosis. It is classified by the World Health Organisation as a neglected tropical disease, affecting both humans and livestock globally. ... -
Discovery and characterization of novel poriferan biosynthetic pathways via next-generation sequencing
(NUI Galway, 2023-01-10)Sponges of the phylum Porifera are benthic, filter feeding animals which can be found in waters throughout the world. Because of these qualities, consistent challenges they face include exposure to ... -
Dissecting the pan-placodal gene regulatory network reveals novel interactions driving sense organ development in vertebrates
(2016-02-17)The genes encoding the transcription factor Six1, and its co-factor Eya1 together mark the embryonic territory - the pan-placodal ectoderm (PPE) - that gives rise to most cranial sense organs in vertebrates. Mutation of ... -
Evolutionary progression in cephalopods using molecular techniques and new approaches to morphology
(NUI Galway, 2021-05)Cephalopods evolved during the Cambrian and were once the dominant lifeforms in the world’s oceans. Several groups of the 800 living cephalopod species have diversified due to their rapid response to drivers of ... -
Insights into the evolution and development of Haliclona indistincta (Porifera, Haplosclerida)
(2013-03-12)Abstract: Haliclona indistincta (order Haplosclerida, family Chalinidae) is an intertidal, and shallow sub-tidal, dwelling sponge found in Ireland, Britain and elsewhere that possesses a highly variable morphology. It ... -
Integrative taxonomy of sponges and cnidarians at "El Pelado" marine protected area (Santa Elena), Ecuador: Assessing the potential of metabolomics
(NUI Galway, 2020-01-23)In the course of the XXI century, the explorations of our oceans have moved towards the extremes with several highly funded projects to inspect remote places like the poles or the deep-sea. Does it mean that inventories ... -
The interannual variability of gelatinous zooplankton abundance and diversity in North East Atlantic shelf seas
(NUI Galway, 2020-09-30)Gelatinous zooplankton are a natural and globally important group of marine organisms, as they provide regulating, provisioning and supporting services to ecosystems. However, gelatinous zooplankton are still a major issue ... -
Investigation of biological factors that may contribute to bioactivity in Haliclona (Porifera, Haplosclerida)
(NUI Galway, 2019-09-06)Sponges (phylum Porifera) are considered the most prolific source of bioactive compounds of marine origin. These molecules have varied chemical nature and have been shown to possess several properties, e.g. antibacterial, ... -
An investigation of harmful jellyfish mitigation measures: From sting management to jellyfish forecasting
(NUI Galway, 2020-07-10)Even though they provide many beneficial services to their ecosystem, jellyfish are infamous for their direct negative impact on human activities such as fishing, power generation, tourism and aquaculture. To address the ... -
Investigations of spicules and spicule formation in Haplosclerida (Porifera, Demospongiae) using a multidisciplinary approach
(NUI Galway, 2019-01-09)Sponges are simple animals and their body is formed by different cell types and a dense skeleton either of collagen, chitin or spicules made of amorphous silica or calcium carbonate that they secrete. The phylum Porifera ... -
Larval transport dynamics in Nephrops norvegicus
(NUI Galway, 2020-11-13)Transport of meroplankton larvae in the ocean is a crucial process as it enables connectivity between populations and determines larval supply for species with narrow habitat requirements and sedentary adult stages. The ... -
Molecular ecology of the honey bee Apis mellifera L. in Ireland
(NUI Galway, 2021-12-10)The honey bee sub-species native to Ireland is Apis mellifera mellifera, referred to locally as the Black bee. It is the same sub-species that has undergone widespread extinction across the rest of its native range in ... -
Morphology as a predictor of venom potency in scorpions
(NUI Galway, 2023-08-16)Scorpionism is a global health concern with estimates of over 1 million annual envenomation cases, resulting in over 3,000 deaths each year, mostly amongst children below the age of 15 years old from rural communities ... -
The natural adhesive of the goose barnacle Lepas anatifera: The functional morphology and chemistry of the adhesive gland and an investigation of the adhesive proteins
(2013-12-25)The adhesive and adhesive glands of the stalked barnacle Lepas anatifera were investigated using a wide range of techniques to characterise them and compare them to distantly related acorn barnacles, as well as other ... -
The noble false widow Steatoda nobilis: Ecology, venom and potential medical importance
(NUI Galway, 2020-08-21)The noble false widow spider Steatoda nobilis (Thorell, 1875) has expanded its range globally in recent years and may represent a potential threat to native ecosystems and public health. Our data shows that S. nobilis is ... -
Novel methods of benthic habitat assessment in designated waterbodies around Ireland
(2017-01-06)The European Union has implemented some of the most progressive conservation Directives in the world. These Directives are implemented in different ways, have different reporting cycles and use unique terminologies. The ...