Assessing the morphological identification of guard hairs from Brazilian deer

ABSTRACT Given the difficulty of collecting biological samples from rare and elusive species, the collection and analysis of hair is a good alternative for the identification and differentiation of mammal species. Our study aimed to test the reliability of the morphological identification of guard hairs from cervids that inhabit Brazil. We collected guard hairs from five body regions (head, neck, side of the thorax, back, and buttocks) of one male and one female of eight Brazilian cervid species, and we analyzed hair cuticular and medullar patterns. We carried out qualitative and quantitative analyses on the morphology of the medullar (total thickness and thickness of the medulla) and cuticular patterns (area and perimeter of the scales) of the guard hairs. Based on the obtained data, we found no notable morphological differences in the cuticular and medullar patterns in the guard hairs. Furthermore, our quantitative analysis demonstrated that the guard hairs are not a useful material for differentiating the Brazilian deer species.

Assessing the morphological identification of guard hairs from Brazilian deer

Given the difficulty of collecting biological samples from rare and elusive species, the collection and analysis of hair is a good alternative for the identification and differentiation of mammal species. Our study aimed to test the reliability of the morphological identification of guard hairs from cervids that inhabit Brazil. We collected guard hairs from five body regions (head, neck, side of the thorax, back, and buttocks) of one male and one female of eight Brazilian cervid species, and we analyzed hair cuticular and medullar patterns. We carried out qualitative and quantitative analyses on the morphology of the medullar (total thickness and thickness of the medulla) and cuticular patterns (area and perimeter of the scales) of the guard hairs. Based on the obtained data, we found no notable morphological differences in the cuticular and medullar patterns in the guard hairs. Furthermore, our quantitative analysis demonstrated that the guard hairs are not a useful material for differentiating the Brazilian deer species.(AU)

Assessing the morphological identification of guard hairs from Brazilian deer

Given the difficulty of collecting biological samples from rare and elusive species, the collection and analysis of hair is a good alternative for the identification and differentiation of mammal species. Our study aimed to test the reliability of the morphological identification of guard hairs from cervids that inhabit Brazil. We collected guard hairs from five body regions (head, neck, side of the thorax, back, and buttocks) of one male and one female of eight Brazilian cervid species, and we analyzed hair cuticular and medullar patterns. We carried out qualitative and quantitative analyses on the morphology of the medullar (total thickness and thickness of the medulla) and cuticular patterns (area and perimeter of the scales) of the guard hairs. Based on the obtained data, we found no notable morphological differences in the cuticular and medullar patterns in the guard hairs. Furthermore, our quantitative analysis demonstrated that the guard hairs are not a useful material for differentiating the Brazilian deer species.

Diversidade, biogeografia, caracterização cariotípica e tricológica dos pequenos mamíferos não voadores do parque estadual rio da onça, litoral sul do paraná

ABSTRACT The Atlantic forest possess 1,361 vertebrate species of which 567 are endemic. Rodentia and Didelphimorphia comprise 71% of the endemic mammals observed in this biome. In Brazil, these animals still lack basic information about their biology, distribution, and even total wealth. This study aimed to identify the species of marsupials and rodents present in Rio da Onça State Park and to characterize the morphology of guard hairs and chromosomal set thereof, besides verify the composition of small non-flying mammals in different environments and vegetation strata. Thirteen field campaigns were conducted and as an additional effort, three lines of pitfall traps were installed. The total sampling effort was 6.633 traps and 1.181 buckets spread over 69 nights of sampling, which resulted in 196 captures of 166 individuals of 12 species. Seven species of Rodentia Order were recorded: Akodon montensis, Delomys sublineatus, Euryoryzomys russatus, Juliomys pictipes, Nectomys squamipes, Oligoryzomys nigripes and Thaptomys nigrita and five species of marsupials (Didelphimorphia Order): Didelphis aurita, Gracilinanus microtarsus, Metachirus nudicaudatus, Marmosa paraguayana and Monodelphis iheringi. Trichological and cytogenetic results were consistent with those available in the literature. Regarding the vertical stratification, only seven captures were made in trees. Four of the species Marmosa paraguayana, two Didelphis aurita, and one Akodon montensis. Therefore, in the environment of the lowlands of the study area, sampling carried out on tree and shrub extract of the understory did not contribute to the increase of the species list.

RESUMO Das 1.361 espécies de vertebrados que a Mata Atlântica abriga, 567 são endêmicas. Rodentia e Didelphimorphia somam 71% dos endemismos observados para mamíferos nesse bioma. No Brasil, esses animais ainda carecem de informações básicas a cerca de sua biologia, distribuição, e mesmo riqueza total. Esse trabalho objetivou identificar as espécies de marsupiais e roedores do Parque Estadual Rio da Onça e caracterizar a morfologia dos pelos-guarda e do conjunto cromossômico das mesmas, além de verificar a composição de pequenos mamíferos não voadores em diferentes ambientes e estratos vegetais. Foram realizadas treze campanhas de campo e como esforço adicional, três linhas de armadilhas de queda foram instaladas. O esforço amostral total foi de 6.633 armadilhas e 1.181 baldes distribuídos ao longo de 69 noites de amostragem, que resultaram em 196 capturas de 166 indivíduos de 12 espécies. Foram registradas sete espécies da Ordem Rodentia: Akodon montensis, Delomys sublineatus, Euryoryzomys russatus, Juliomys pictipes, Nectomys squamipes, Oligoryzomys nigripes e Thaptomys nigrita, além de cinco espécies de marsupiais da Ordem Didelphimorphia: Didelphis aurita, Gracilinanus microtarsus, Metachirus nudicaudatus, Marmosa paraguayana e Monodelphis iheringi. Os resultados tricológicos e citogenéticos foram condizentes com os disponíveis na literatura. Quanto à estratificação vertical, somente sete capturas foram feitas em árvore: quatro da espécie Marmosa paraguayana, duas de Didelphis aurita e uma de Akodon montensis. Portanto, para o ambiente de Terras Baixas da área de estudo, a amostragem realizada no extrato arbóreo e arbustivo do sub-bosque não contribuiu para o incremento da lista de espécies.

DIVERSIDADE, BIOGEOGRAFIA, CARACTERIZAÇÃO CARIOTÍPICA E TRICOLÓGICA DOS PEQUENOS MAMÍFEROS NÃO VOADORES DO PARQUE ESTADUAL RIO DA ONÇA, LITORAL SUL DO PARANÁ

ABSTRACT The Atlantic forest possess 1,361 vertebrate species of which 567 are endemic. Rodentia and Didelphimorphia comprise 71% of the endemic mammals observed in this biome. In Brazil, these animals still lack basic information about their biology, distribution, and even total wealth. This study aimed to identify the species of marsupials and rodents present in Rio da Onça State Park and to characterize the morphology of guard hairs and chromosomal set thereof, besides verify the composition of small non-flying mammals in different environments and vegetation strata. Thirteen field campaigns were conducted and as an additional effort, three lines of pitfall traps were installed. The total sampling effort was 6.633 traps and 1.181 buckets spread over 69 nights of sampling, which resulted in 196 captures of 166 individuals of 12 species. Seven species of Rodentia Order were recorded: Akodon montensis, Delomys sublineatus, Euryoryzomys russatus, Juliomys pictipes, Nectomys squamipes, Oligoryzomys nigripes and Thaptomys nigrita and five species of marsupials (Didelphimorphia Order): Didelphis aurita, Gracilinanus microtarsus, Metachirus nudicaudatus, Marmosa paraguayana and Monodelphis iheringi. Trichological and cytogenetic results were consistent with those available in the literature. Regarding the vertical stratification, only seven captures were made in trees. Four of the species Marmosa paraguayana, two Didelphis aurita, and one Akodon montensis. Therefore, in the environment of the lowlands of the study area, sampling carried out on tree and shrub extract of the understory did not contribute to the increase of the species list.

RESUMO Das 1.361 espécies de vertebrados que a Mata Atlântica abriga, 567 são endêmicas. Rodentia e Didelphimorphia somam 71% dos endemismos observados para mamíferos nesse bioma. No Brasil, esses animais ainda carecem de informações básicas a cerca de sua biologia, distribuição, e mesmo riqueza total. Esse trabalho objetivou identificar as espécies de marsupiais e roedores do Parque Estadual Rio da Onça e caracterizar a morfologia dos pelos-guarda e do conjunto cromossômico das mesmas, além de verificar a composição de pequenos mamíferos não voadores em diferentes ambientes e estratos vegetais. Foram realizadas treze campanhas de campo e como esforço adicional, três linhas de armadilhas de queda foram instaladas. O esforço amostral total foi de 6.633 armadilhas e 1.181 baldes distribuídos ao longo de 69 noites de amostragem, que resultaram em 196 capturas de 166 indivíduos de 12 espécies. Foram registradas sete espécies da Ordem Rodentia: Akodon montensis, Delomys sublineatus, Euryoryzomys russatus, Juliomys pictipes, Nectomys squamipes, Oligoryzomys nigripes e Thaptomys nigrita, além de cinco espécies de marsupiais da Ordem Didelphimorphia: Didelphis aurita, Gracilinanus microtarsus, Metachirus nudicaudatus, Marmosa paraguayana e Monodelphis iheringi. Os resultados tricológicos e citogenéticos foram condizentes com os disponíveis na literatura. Quanto à estratificação vertical, somente sete capturas foram feitas em árvore: quatro da espécie Marmosa paraguayana, duas de Didelphis aurita e uma de Akodon montensis. Portanto, para o ambiente de Terras Baixas da área de estudo, a amostragem realizada no extrato arbóreo e arbustivo do sub-bosque não contribuiu para o incremento da lista de espécies.

Diversidade, biogeografia, caracterização cariotípica e tricológica dos pequenos mamíferos não voadores do Parque Estadual Rio da Onça, Litoral Sul do Paraná

The Atlantic forest possess 1,361 vertebrate species of which 567 are endemic. Rodentia and Didelphimorphia comprise 71% of the endemic mammals observed in this biome. In Brazil, these animals still lack basic information about their biology, distribution, and even total wealth. This study aimed to identify the species of marsupials and rodents present in Rio da Onça State Park and to characterize the morphology of guard hairs and chromosomal set thereof, besides verify the composition of small non-flying mammals in different environments and vegetation strata. Thirteen field campaigns were conducted and as an additional effort, three lines of pitfall traps were installed. The total sampling effort was 6.633 traps and 1.181 buckets spread over 69 nights of sampling, which resulted in 196 captures of 166 individuals of 12 species. Seven species of Rodentia Order were recorded: Akodon montensis, Delomys sublineatus, Euryoryzomys russatus, Juliomys pictipes, Nectomys squamipes, Oligoryzomys nigripes and Thaptomys nigrita and five species of marsupials (Didelphimorphia Order): Didelphis aurita, Gracilinanus microtarsus, Metachirus nudicaudatus, Marmosa paraguayana and Monodelphis iheringi. Trichological and cytogenetic results were consistent with those available in the literature. Regarding the vertical stratification, only seven captures were made in trees. Four of the species Marmosa paraguayana, two Didelphis aurita, and one Akodon montensis. Therefore, in the environment of the lowlands of the study area, sampling carried out on tree and shrub extract of the understory did not contribute to the increase of the species list.

Das 1.361 espécies de vertebrados que a Mata Atlântica abriga, 567 são endêmicas. Rodentia e Didelphimorphia somam 71% dos endemismos observados para mamíferos nesse bioma. No Brasil, esses animais ainda carecem de informações básicas a cerca de sua biologia, distribuição, e mesmo riqueza total. Esse trabalho objetivou identificar as espécies de marsupiais e roedores do Parque Estadual Rio da Onça e caracterizar a morfologia dos pelos-guarda e do conjunto cromossômico das mesmas, além de verificar a composição de pequenos mamíferos não voadores em diferentes ambientes e estratos vegetais. Foram realizadas treze campanhas de campo e como esforço adicional, três linhas de armadilhas de queda foram instaladas. O esforço amostral total foi de 6.633 armadilhas e 1.181 baldes distribuídos ao longo de 69 noites de amostragem, que resultaram em 196 capturas de 166 indivíduos de 12 espécies. Foram registradas sete espécies da Ordem Rodentia: Akodon montensis, Delomys sublineatus, Euryoryzomys russatus, Juliomys pictipes, Nectomys squamipes, Oligoryzomys nigripes e Thaptomys nigrita, além de cinco espécies de marsupiais da Ordem Didelphimorphia: Didelphis aurita, Gracilinanus microtarsus, Metachirus nudicaudatus, Marmosa paraguayana e Monodelphis iheringi. Os resultados tricológicos e citogenéticos foram condizentes com os disponíveis na literatura. Quanto à estratificação vertical, somente sete capturas foram feitas em árvore: quatro da espécie Marmosa paraguayana, duas de Didelphis aurita e uma de Akodon montensis. Portanto, para o ambiente de Terras Baixas da área de estudo, a amostragem realizada no extrato arbóreo e arbustivo do sub-bosque não contribuiu para o incremento da lista de espécies.

Diversidade, biogeografia, caracterização cariotípica e tricológica dos pequenos mamíferos não voadores do Parque Estadual Rio da Onça, Litoral Sul do Paraná

The Atlantic forest possess 1,361 vertebrate species of which 567 are endemic. Rodentia and Didelphimorphia comprise 71% of the endemic mammals observed in this biome. In Brazil, these animals still lack basic information about their biology, distribution, and even total wealth. This study aimed to identify the species of marsupials and rodents present in Rio da Onça State Park and to characterize the morphology of guard hairs and chromosomal set thereof, besides verify the composition of small non-flying mammals in different environments and vegetation strata. Thirteen field campaigns were conducted and as an additional effort, three lines of pitfall traps were installed. The total sampling effort was 6.633 traps and 1.181 buckets spread over 69 nights of sampling, which resulted in 196 captures of 166 individuals of 12 species. Seven species of Rodentia Order were recorded: Akodon montensis, Delomys sublineatus, Euryoryzomys russatus, Juliomys pictipes, Nectomys squamipes, Oligoryzomys nigripes and Thaptomys nigrita and five species of marsupials (Didelphimorphia Order): Didelphis aurita, Gracilinanus microtarsus, Metachirus nudicaudatus, Marmosa paraguayana and Monodelphis iheringi. Trichological and cytogenetic results were consistent with those available in the literature. Regarding the vertical stratification, only seven captures were made in trees. Four of the species Marmosa paraguayana, two Didelphis aurita, and one Akodon montensis. Therefore, in the environment of the lowlands of the study area, sampling carried out on tree and shrub extract of the understory did not contribute to the increase of the species list.(AU)

Das 1.361 espécies de vertebrados que a Mata Atlântica abriga, 567 são endêmicas. Rodentia e Didelphimorphia somam 71% dos endemismos observados para mamíferos nesse bioma. No Brasil, esses animais ainda carecem de informações básicas a cerca de sua biologia, distribuição, e mesmo riqueza total. Esse trabalho objetivou identificar as espécies de marsupiais e roedores do Parque Estadual Rio da Onça e caracterizar a morfologia dos pelos-guarda e do conjunto cromossômico das mesmas, além de verificar a composição de pequenos mamíferos não voadores em diferentes ambientes e estratos vegetais. Foram realizadas treze campanhas de campo e como esforço adicional, três linhas de armadilhas de queda foram instaladas. O esforço amostral total foi de 6.633 armadilhas e 1.181 baldes distribuídos ao longo de 69 noites de amostragem, que resultaram em 196 capturas de 166 indivíduos de 12 espécies. Foram registradas sete espécies da Ordem Rodentia: Akodon montensis, Delomys sublineatus, Euryoryzomys russatus, Juliomys pictipes, Nectomys squamipes, Oligoryzomys nigripes e Thaptomys nigrita, além de cinco espécies de marsupiais da Ordem Didelphimorphia: Didelphis aurita, Gracilinanus microtarsus, Metachirus nudicaudatus, Marmosa paraguayana e Monodelphis iheringi. Os resultados tricológicos e citogenéticos foram condizentes com os disponíveis na literatura. Quanto à estratificação vertical, somente sete capturas foram feitas em árvore: quatro da espécie Marmosa paraguayana, duas de Didelphis aurita e uma de Akodon montensis. Portanto, para o ambiente de Terras Baixas da área de estudo, a amostragem realizada no extrato arbóreo e arbustivo do sub-bosque não contribuiu para o incremento da lista de espécies.(AU)

Is it possible to identify four small Neotropical felids (Carnivora: Felidae) based on hair microstructure?

The microscopic characters of the hair can be used to indirectly identify species that are either uncommon or are difficult to see, for instance small Neotropical felids of the southern Brazilian Atlantic Forests. This widely used technique, which has not yet been standardized, involves the identification of hairs collected from feces. We tested the hypothesis that this tool is effective to identify four species of small Neotropical felids: Leopardus guttulus, Puma yagouaroundi, L. wiedii and L. pardalis. To accomplish that, we used measurements of the length, width and area of the cuticular scales in the guard hairs and calculated the relationship between width and length (quotient) for each species. A multiple discriminant analysis was conducted on the measurements and the percentage of correct identification was obtained. We found a high overlap in the quotients of these species, which indicates that this technique does not identify Neotropical felids accurately. This inefficiency was also confirmed by the multiple discriminant analysis, where only 74% correct identifications were obtained. Therefore we recommend that hair analysis is used only in combination with other sources of evidence, for instance molecular tools.(AU)

Is it possible to identify four small Neotropical felids (Carnivora: Felidae) based on hair microstructure?

The microscopic characters of the hair can be used to indirectly identify species that are either uncommon or are difficult to see, for instance small Neotropical felids of the southern Brazilian Atlantic Forests. This widely used technique, which has not yet been standardized, involves the identification of hairs collected from feces. We tested the hypothesis that this tool is effective to identify four species of small Neotropical felids: Leopardus guttulus, Puma yagouaroundi, L. wiedii and L. pardalis. To accomplish that, we used measurements of the length, width and area of the cuticular scales in the guard hairs and calculated the relationship between width and length (quotient) for each species. A multiple discriminant analysis was conducted on the measurements and the percentage of correct identification was obtained. We found a high overlap in the quotients of these species, which indicates that this technique does not identify Neotropical felids accurately. This inefficiency was also confirmed by the multiple discriminant analysis, where only 74% correct identifications were obtained. Therefore we recommend that hair analysis is used only in combination with other sources of evidence, for instance molecular tools.