Comparative analysis of the diet of Arctocephalus gazella (Pinnipedia), at two localities of the South Shetland Islands, with emphasis on the fish component / Análisis comparativo de la dieta de Arctocephalus gazella (Pinnipedia), en dos localidades de las Islas Shetland del Sur, con énfasis en su componente íctico

We studied the diet of non-breeding male Antarctic fur Seals Arctocephalus gazella (Peters, 1875) at two different localities of the South Shetland Islands: Stranger Point, King George Island/Isla 25 de Mayo and Duthoit Point, Nelson Island, by the analysis of 65 faecal samples collected in February 2012. Overall, Antarctic krill Euphausia superba (Dana, 1850) and fish were the main prey taxa followed by penguins and cephalopods. Myctophids were dominant among fish; Gymnoscopelus nicholsi (Gilbert, 1911) was the most important prey species at both sampling sites, followed by Electrona antarctica (Gunther, 1878) at Stranger Point and by the nototheniid Pleuragramma antarctica (Boulenger, 1902) at Duthoit Point. The relative similarity found in the dietary composition of fur seals from both locations suggest they might have been sharing common feeding areas. Our results were compared with those reported in the literature for different localities of the South Shetland Islands and the Scotia Sea region. The absence of formerly harvested demersal notothenioid species in the diet of fur seals may reflect the negative impact that commercial fisheries had on some fish populations and supports the importance of implementing long-term monitoring studies on the feeding habits of A. gazella in the area.(AU)

Se estudió la dieta de ejemplares macho no reproductivos de lobo fino antártico, Arctocephalus gazella (Peters, 1875) en dos localidades de las Islas Shetland del Sur: Cabo Funes/Punta Stranger, Isla 25 de Mayo / Isla Rey Jorge y Punta Duthoit, Isla Nelson; por medio del análisis de 65 muestras de materia fecal colectadas en Febrero de 2012. En general, el krill antártico Euphausia superba (Dana, 1850) y los peces fueron los taxa presa más consumidos, seguidos por pingüinos y cefalópodos. Entre los peces, los mictófidos fueron dominantes; Gymnoscopelus nicholsi (Gilbert, 1911) fue la especie más importante en ambos apostaderos, seguido por Electrona antarctica (Gunther, 1878) en Punta Stranger y por el nototénido Pleuragramma antarctica (Boulenger, 1902) en Punta Duthoit. La similitud hallada en la composición dietaria de los agrupamientos de lobo estudiados sugiere áreas de alimentación en común. Nuestros resultados fueron comparados con aquellos reportados en la literatura para diferentes localidades de las Islas Shetland del Sur y la región del Mar de Scotia. La ausencia de especies de nototenoideos demersales históricamente diezmadas en la dieta del lobo fino podría estar reflejando el impacto negativo que las pesquerías comerciales han tenido sobre algunas poblaciones de peces y enfatizar la necesidad de realizar un monitoreo a largo plazo de los hábitos alimentarios de A. gazella en el archipiélago de las Islas Shetland del Sur.(AU)

Comparative analysis of the diet of Arctocephalus gazella (Pinnipedia), at two localities of the South Shetland Islands, with emphasis on the fish component / Análisis comparativo de la dieta de Arctocephalus gazella (Pinnipedia), en dos localidades de las Islas Shetland del Sur, con énfasis en su componente íctico

We studied the diet of non-breeding male Antarctic fur Seals Arctocephalus gazella (Peters, 1875) at two different localities of the South Shetland Islands: Stranger Point, King George Island/Isla 25 de Mayo and Duthoit Point, Nelson Island, by the analysis of 65 faecal samples collected in February 2012. Overall, Antarctic krill Euphausia superba (Dana, 1850) and fish were the main prey taxa followed by penguins and cephalopods. Myctophids were dominant among fish; Gymnoscopelus nicholsi (Gilbert, 1911) was the most important prey species at both sampling sites, followed by Electrona antarctica (Gunther, 1878) at Stranger Point and by the nototheniid Pleuragramma antarctica (Boulenger, 1902) at Duthoit Point. The relative similarity found in the dietary composition of fur seals from both locations suggest they might have been sharing common feeding areas. Our results were compared with those reported in the literature for different localities of the South Shetland Islands and the Scotia Sea region. The absence of formerly harvested demersal notothenioid species in the diet of fur seals may reflect the negative impact that commercial fisheries had on some fish populations and supports the importance of implementing long-term monitoring studies on the feeding habits of A. gazella in the area.

Se estudió la dieta de ejemplares macho no reproductivos de lobo fino antártico, Arctocephalus gazella (Peters, 1875) en dos localidades de las Islas Shetland del Sur: Cabo Funes/Punta Stranger, Isla 25 de Mayo / Isla Rey Jorge y Punta Duthoit, Isla Nelson; por medio del análisis de 65 muestras de materia fecal colectadas en Febrero de 2012. En general, el krill antártico Euphausia superba (Dana, 1850) y los peces fueron los taxa presa más consumidos, seguidos por pingüinos y cefalópodos. Entre los peces, los mictófidos fueron dominantes; Gymnoscopelus nicholsi (Gilbert, 1911) fue la especie más importante en ambos apostaderos, seguido por Electrona antarctica (Gunther, 1878) en Punta Stranger y por el nototénido Pleuragramma antarctica (Boulenger, 1902) en Punta Duthoit. La similitud hallada en la composición dietaria de los agrupamientos de lobo estudiados sugiere áreas de alimentación en común. Nuestros resultados fueron comparados con aquellos reportados en la literatura para diferentes localidades de las Islas Shetland del Sur y la región del Mar de Scotia. La ausencia de especies de nototenoideos demersales históricamente diezmadas en la dieta del lobo fino podría estar reflejando el impacto negativo que las pesquerías comerciales han tenido sobre algunas poblaciones de peces y enfatizar la necesidad de realizar un monitoreo a largo plazo de los hábitos alimentarios de A. gazella en el archipiélago de las Islas Shetland del Sur.

Occurrence and morphometrics of the brachioradialis muscle in wild carnivorans (Carnivora: Caniformia, Feliformia)

The brachioradialis is an important muscle that acts in the external rotation of the forearm (supination). However, its occurrence is controversial and little studied in the order Carnivora. Thus, this study investigates the occurrence and anatomo-functional arrangement of this muscle in wild carnivorans species. Fifty-eight thoracic limbs of specimens from species of Canidae, Procyonidae, Mustelidae and Felidae were dissected. Measurements of the length of the muscle (ML), the length of the forearm (FL), latero-medial width of the muscle (MW) and the lateral-medial diameter of the forearm (FD) were obtained to establish the ratios MW/FD and ML/FL in order to investigate the relative proportion of the muscle in relation to the forearm of each species. The brachioradialis muscle was identified in all species, although it was unilaterally or bilaterally absent in some canid individuals. The ratios demonstrated significant differences in the anatomical proportions among the families, with greater functional importance in the mustelids, procyonids, and felids because of a set of elaborate movements in the thoracic limb of representatives of these families when compared to canids.

Occurrence and morphometrics of the brachioradialis muscle in wild carnivorans (Carnivora: Caniformia, Feliformia)

The brachioradialis is an important muscle that acts in the external rotation of the forearm (supination). However, its occurrence is controversial and little studied in the order Carnivora. Thus, this study investigates the occurrence and anatomo-functional arrangement of this muscle in wild carnivorans species. Fifty-eight thoracic limbs of specimens from species of Canidae, Procyonidae, Mustelidae and Felidae were dissected. Measurements of the length of the muscle (ML), the length of the forearm (FL), latero-medial width of the muscle (MW) and the lateral-medial diameter of the forearm (FD) were obtained to establish the ratios MW/FD and ML/FL in order to investigate the relative proportion of the muscle in relation to the forearm of each species. The brachioradialis muscle was identified in all species, although it was unilaterally or bilaterally absent in some canid individuals. The ratios demonstrated significant differences in the anatomical proportions among the families, with greater functional importance in the mustelids, procyonids, and felids because of a set of elaborate movements in the thoracic limb of representatives of these families when compared to canids.(AU)

Alopecia por Malassezia pachydermatis em um lobo-marinhosubantártico(Arctocephalus tropicalis) - relato de caso / Alopecia due to Malassezia pachydermatis in a sub-antartic fur seal(Arctocephalus tropicalis) - case report / Alopecia por Malassezia pachydermatis en un lobo marino subantártico(Arctocephalus tropicalis) - relato de caso

Mamíferos marinhos em cativeiro são particularmente suscetíveis a infecções virais, bacterianas, fúngicas ou parasitárias que causam dermatite focal ou difusa, e que podem causar alopecias em pinípedes. Diversos tipos de lesões dermatológicas ocasionadas por fungos, incluindo lesão por Malassezia, já foram descritas nesses animais. Um lobo-marinho-subantártico (Arctocephalus tropicalis) mantido em cativeiro apresentou alopecia bilateral na região da nadadeira caudal e em região abaixo da nadadeira peitoral. Para diagnosticar a possível causa da alopecia foram realizados etograma (para avaliação do comportamento do animal), culturas bacteriana e micológica. Após confirmação da presença de Malassezia pachydermatis, foi estabelecido protocolo de tratamento, o qual se mostrou bastante eficaz para a resolução do quadro. O objetivo do presente trabalho é relatar um caso de alopecia em um lobo-marinho, abordando o diagnóstico e a terapêutica utilizados.

Marine mammals in captivity are particularly susceptible to viral, bacterial, fungal or parasitic infections that can cause focal or diffuse dermatitis, and may cause alopecia in pinnipeds. Various types of skin lesions caused by fungi have been described in these animals, including lesions due to Malassezia. A subantartic fur seal (Arctocephalus tropicalis) kept in captivity presented bilateral alopecia on the caudal flipper and on the region below the pectoral flipper. To diagnose the possible cause of alopecia, bacterial and mycological cultures were performed, as well as an ethogram to assess the behavior of the animal. After confirmation of the presence of Malassezia pachydermatis in the affected regions, a treatment protocol was established, which proved to be effective for the resolution of the clinical case. The objective of this study is to report a case of alopecia in a fur seal, addressing the diagnosis and treatment that were performed.

Los mamíferos marinos en cautiverio son particularmente susceptibles a infecciones virales, bacterianas, fúngicas o parasitarias que provocan una dermatitis focal o difusa, y pueden causar alopecia en los pinnípedos. Varios tipos de lesiones de piel causadas por hongos, incluyendo lesiones por Malassezia, han sido descriptas en estos animales. Un lobo marino subantártico (Arctocephalus tropicalis) mantenido en cautiverio presentó una alopecia bilateral en la región de la aleta caudal y de la región por debajo de la aleta pectoral. Para diagnosticar la posible causa de la alopecia se realizó un etograma (para evaluar el comportamiento del animal), y cultivos bacterianos y micológicos. Después de confirmada la presencia de Malassezia pachydermatis, se estableció un protocolo de tratamiento que resultó muy eficaz para la resolución del cuadro. El objetivo de este trabajo es presentar un caso de alopecia en un lobo marino, abordando el diagnóstico y la conducta terapéutica utilizada.

Alopecia por Malassezia pachydermatis em um lobo-marinhosubantártico(Arctocephalus tropicalis) - relato de caso / Alopecia due to Malassezia pachydermatis in a sub-antartic fur seal(Arctocephalus tropicalis) - case report / Alopecia por Malassezia pachydermatis en un lobo marino subantártico(Arctocephalus tropicalis) - relato de caso

Mamíferos marinhos em cativeiro são particularmente suscetíveis a infecções virais, bacterianas, fúngicas ou parasitárias que causam dermatite focal ou difusa, e que podem causar alopecias em pinípedes. Diversos tipos de lesões dermatológicas ocasionadas por fungos, incluindo lesão por Malassezia, já foram descritas nesses animais. Um lobo-marinho-subantártico (Arctocephalus tropicalis) mantido em cativeiro apresentou alopecia bilateral na região da nadadeira caudal e em região abaixo da nadadeira peitoral. Para diagnosticar a possível causa da alopecia foram realizados etograma (para avaliação do comportamento do animal), culturas bacteriana e micológica. Após confirmação da presença de Malassezia pachydermatis, foi estabelecido protocolo de tratamento, o qual se mostrou bastante eficaz para a resolução do quadro. O objetivo do presente trabalho é relatar um caso de alopecia em um lobo-marinho, abordando o diagnóstico e a terapêutica utilizados.(AU)

Marine mammals in captivity are particularly susceptible to viral, bacterial, fungal or parasitic infections that can cause focal or diffuse dermatitis, and may cause alopecia in pinnipeds. Various types of skin lesions caused by fungi have been described in these animals, including lesions due to Malassezia. A subantartic fur seal (Arctocephalus tropicalis) kept in captivity presented bilateral alopecia on the caudal flipper and on the region below the pectoral flipper. To diagnose the possible cause of alopecia, bacterial and mycological cultures were performed, as well as an ethogram to assess the behavior of the animal. After confirmation of the presence of Malassezia pachydermatis in the affected regions, a treatment protocol was established, which proved to be effective for the resolution of the clinical case. The objective of this study is to report a case of alopecia in a fur seal, addressing the diagnosis and treatment that were performed.(AU)

Los mamíferos marinos en cautiverio son particularmente susceptibles a infecciones virales, bacterianas, fúngicas o parasitarias que provocan una dermatitis focal o difusa, y pueden causar alopecia en los pinnípedos. Varios tipos de lesiones de piel causadas por hongos, incluyendo lesiones por Malassezia, han sido descriptas en estos animales. Un lobo marino subantártico (Arctocephalus tropicalis) mantenido en cautiverio presentó una alopecia bilateral en la región de la aleta caudal y de la región por debajo de la aleta pectoral. Para diagnosticar la posible causa de la alopecia se realizó un etograma (para evaluar el comportamiento del animal), y cultivos bacterianos y micológicos. Después de confirmada la presencia de Malassezia pachydermatis, se estableció un protocolo de tratamiento que resultó muy eficaz para la resolución del cuadro. El objetivo de este trabajo es presentar un caso de alopecia en un lobo marino, abordando el diagnóstico y la conducta terapéutica utilizada.(AU)