Browsing NUI Galway Theses (PhD Theses) by Subject "Zoology"
Now showing items 1-20 of 20
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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 ... -
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 ... -
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 ... -
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 ... -
Regulation of Six1 and Eya1 during the formation of the preplacodal ectoderm in xenopus - towards a gene regulatory network of the developing neural plate border
(2017-01-06)Cranial placodes are ectodermal thickenings in vertebrate embryos that give rise to many sense organs and ganglia. All placodes arise from a common precursor, the pre-placodal ectoderm (PPE). The latter develops during ... -
Reproductive biology and growth of Ballan Wrasse Labrus Bergylta in west of Ireland waters
(2015-08-15)The research undertaken is very relevant to the aquaculture industry and fisheries management as it addresses natural cycle of the reproductive parameters including sex hormones, gonads development and nutritional background. ... -
Spawning migration of Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar) in a regulated river
(NUI Galway, 2018-04-24)Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar) are an iconic species that undertake arduous migrations between marine and freshwater habitats to complete their life-cycle. Populations of Atlantic salmon are in decline across their range ... -
Studies on downstream migrating silver-phase European eels (Anguilla anguilla) in hydropower-regulated rivers
(NUI Galway, 2020-09-29)Within the last 50 years, the European eel has gone from one of the largest freshwater fisheries resources throughout its range to being listed as critically endangered. A variety of factors have been implicated in this ... -
An unexpected role for Nanos in cnidarian neural stem cell fate determination
(2012-09)The mechanisms of lineage commitment and acquiring specific cell fate remain obscure and require investigating the role of particular genes involved in these complex processes. To address this issue, I studied the role of ... -
The Wnt gene family in evolution and development: insights from Chilopoda
(2012-12-20)The importance of a relatively small number of highly conserved genes and signalling systems, which can be co-opted to many developmental functions over evolutionary time, is a central finding in the field of evolutionary ... -
Wnt signalling in the hydrozoan Hydractinia echinata
(2013-09-11)Canonical Wnt signalling controls many developmental processes in metazoans including primary axis formation in embryonic development and stem cell decision making. The evolutionary history of Wnt signalling and its ancestral ...