Acoustic behaviour, ecology and social structure of bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops truncatus, Montagu 1821) in the North Atlantic

Communication is important for social and other behavioural interactions in most marine mammal species. The bottlenose dolphin (Tursiops truncatus, Montagu, 1821) is a highly social species that use whistles as communication calls to express identity and to initiate and maintain contact between socially interactive individuals. In this thesis, the degree of variability in whistle behaviour and whistle characteristics was examined between different habitats on a range of spatial scales. The whistle characteristics that best discriminated between different communities were investigated, along with exploration of whistle variation in relation to habitat type, levels of social interaction and relatedness. Finally, the use and variability of individually distinctive calls (signature whistles) within and between Irish and US waters were also examined. Relatively high levels of whistle variation were found within a genetically and socially isolated population of dolphins in the Shannon Estuary, reflecting the need for individual identification and distinctive whistles in a population with long term site fidelity and high levels of social cohesion. Variation between reproductively separate communities in Irish waters was relatively small except between animals in inshore compared with continental shelf waters. The greatest differences in whistle structure overall were evident between dolphins using inshore and offshore US waters, likely reflecting social isolation of the two distinct ecotypes that occur in these waters but also variation in behaviour or habitat conditions. Variation found among inshore communities in US waters reflected similarities in habitat use and levels of social interaction. These findings suggest that vocal variation is socially mediated, behaviourally maintained and dependent on levels of social contact between individuals. The findings contribute to our understanding of the interaction of factors influencing vocalisation behaviour in this behaviourally complex and ecologically plastic species.

Reproduction and fecundity of the Irish pollan (Coregonus autumnalis Pallas, 1776), a threatened lake coregonid

The sex ratio, age at maturation, fecundity, and seasonal development of gonads of pollan (Coregonus autumnalis) in Lough Neagh are described from samples collected between November 1997 and December 1999. Pollan reproductive ecology in the 1990s was similar to that found in the 1970s. Pollan egg size and fecundity differed between years but there were no long-term trends in fecundity despite considerable subsequent eutrophication of the lough and changes in the fish community.

Cultura política, actores e discursos nos alvores do Liberalismo : revisitar a revolução de 1821 nos Açores

O presente estudo consiste numa análise da cultura política no início do Liberalismo em Portugal, centrada sobre os deputados micaelenses nas Cortes Portuguesas que emergiram da revolução liberal de 1820 e, por outro lado, numa revisitação da revolução de 1821 em Ponta Delgada. Nesse contexto, a proposta de projecto apresentada por um dos deputados que visava a abolição dos vínculos na ilha de São Miguel e nos Açores foi o mote para esta dissertação. Visitamos a conjuntura de outro espaço atlântico na mesma época, a Madeira, de modo a conduzirmos uma avaliação comparativa, mantendo o quadro atlântico em perspectiva. Recorremos, por fim, à biografia de um deputado para obtermos uma escala de observação mais próxima da dinâmica política.

Virtuosismo para instrumentário de sopro em Lisboa (1821-1870)

Dissertação apresentada para cumprimento dos requisitos necessários à obtenção do grau de Mestre em Ciências Musicais

Garland, since 1776- a unique ownership structure

The case is based on Garland, a 240 years old Portuguese family business, now owned by the Dawson family. It focuses on a decision made 50 years ago, aligned with what had been the company’s history, about the ownership rules for family members, which influences the ownership structure of the firm. It addresses the main issues about ownership in family businesses, and tackles the problem of succession planning and fair process. It contains a teaching note to support the utilization of the case in a classroom context, with learning objectives, target audience, a teaching plan, questions and proposed answers, and theory that relates to the case. It is also complemented with an epilogue and an overview of the case.

(Arrêt du grand conseil qui déclare nul l'arrêt du parlement de Nancy, du 27 mars 1776, touchant l'enregistrement dans les bailliages des édits, déclarations et arrêts.)

[Acte. 1776-04-25. Paris]

(Arrêt du grand conseil qui déclare nul un arrêt du parlement de Metz, du 16 juin 1776, touchant la juridiction des présidiaux.)

[Acte. 1776-07-13. Paris]

Arrêt du grand conseil qui déclare nul un arrêt du parlement de Nancy, du 5 juillet 1776 (rendu contre les officiers du présidial de Dieuze.)

[Acte. 1776-08-07. Paris]