Metagenomic analysis reveals novel dietary-related viruses in the gut virome of marmosets hybrids (Callithrix jacchus x Callithrix penicillata), Brazil.

Viral metagenomics has contributed enormously to the characterization of a wide range of viruses infecting animals of all phyla in the last decades. Among Neotropical primates, especially those introduced, knowledge about viral diversity remains poorly studied. Therefore, using metagenomics based on virus enrichment, we explored the viral microbiota present in the feces of introduced common marmosets (Callithrix sp.) in three locations from the Silva Jardim region in the State of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. Fecal samples were collected from nine marmosets, pooled into three sample pools, and sequenced on Illumina MiSeq platform. Sequence reads were analyzed using a viral metagenomic analysis pipeline and two novel insect viruses belonging to the Parvoviridae and Baculoviridae families were identified. The complete genome of a densovirus (Parvoviridae family) of 5,309 nucleotides (nt) was obtained. The NS1 and VP1 proteins share lower than 32% sequence identity with the corresponding proteins of known members of the subfamily Densovirinae. Phylogenetic analysis suggests that this virus represents a new genus, provisionally named Afoambidensovirus due to its discovery in the Brazilian Atlantic Forest. The novel species received the name Afoambidensovirus incertum 1. The complete circular genome of a baculovirus of 107,191 nt was also obtained, showing 60.8% sequence identity with the most closely related member of the Baculoviridae family. Phylogenetic analysis suggests that this virus represents a new species in the Betabaculovirus genus, provisionally named Betabaculovirus incertum 1. In addition, sequences from several families of arthropods in the three pools evaluated were characterized (contigs ranging from 244 to 6,750 nt), corroborating the presence of possible insect hosts with which these new viruses may be associated. Our study expands the knowledge about two viral families known to infect insects, an important component of the marmosets' diet. This identification in hosts' feces samples demonstrates one of the many uses of this type of data and could serve as a basis for future research characterizing viruses in wildlife using noninvasive samples.

Feeding habits of marmosets: A case study of bark anatomy and chemical composition of Anadenanthera peregrina gum.

Primates of the genus Callithrix often obtain exudates from plants of the family Fabaceae. This study characterizes the chemical composition of exudates, and the anatomy and hystochemistry of the secretory ducts in the bark of Anadenanthera peregrina (L.) Speg. var. peregrina (Fabaceae). Exudates from this tree species represent an important component of the diet of hybrid marmosets, Callithrix spp. (Primates: Cebidae). A. peregrina was selected as the focal study tree because it is the only gum tree species exploited by Callithrix groups present within five urban forest fragments in the municipality of Viçosa, Minas Gerais State, Brazil. Gum samples were obtained directly from gouges made by the marmosets, while bark samples were obtained from A. peregrina plants, whether or not they were damaged by the marmosets. Constitutive secretory ducts were present in the bark of ungouged A. peregrina, whereas, marmoset damage caused induced secretory duct formation and an increase in the size of these ducts. The gum produced in the gouges made by the marmosets and in ungouged plants reacted positively to tests for polysaccharides, pectin, mucilage, and proteins. The gum from the gouges exhibited high water (41.0%), carbohydrate (38.2%), protein (19.0%), and mineral (Ca 0.4% and K 0.3%) content. We argue that the relatively high calcium content of A. peregrina gum plays an important nutritional role in, balancing a diet that is otherwise rich in phosphorous and poor in calcium.

Vascular epiphytes in seasonal semideciduous forest in the State of Espírito Santo and the similarity with other seasonal forests in Eastern Brazil / Epífitas vasculares em floresta estacional semidecidual no estado do Espírito Santo e similaridade com outras florestas estacionais no Leste do Brasil

In this study, we evaluated the floristic composition of vascular epiphytes in seasonal semideciduous forest fragments of the Itapemirim River basin, Southern State of Espírito Santo, in order to verify its similarity to other semideciduous forests studied in Brazil. Excursions were conducted every fortnight between June 2008 and May 2009, and epiphytes were collected and recorded (55 species, 34 genera and six families). Orchidaceae (21 species) was the richest family, whereas the genera presenting the greatest richness were Tillandsia (seven), Rhipsalis (four), Aechmea, Epidendrum and Peperomia (three species each). The category the most representative was characteristics holoepiphytes (84%). The riparian forests were the most important environments for the epiphytic flora. Similarity analysis and PCA supported four groups, where the study area appears disjointed from the others, supporting the hypothesis that geographical proximity, elevation and climate have a strong effect on the floristic composition, conditioning the formation of distinct floras. Detailed surveys on the floristic composition and structure of this community are important for the elaboration of studies on coherent environmental impacts, since epiphytes are typical in tropical rainforests, and they are an important floristic, structural and functional component of these ecosystems.

Neste estudo, avaliamos a composição florística de epífitos vasculares em remanescentes de Floresta Estacional Semidecidual na bacia hidrográfica do rio Itapemirim, sul do estado do Espírito Santo, com o intuito de analisar sua similaridade com outras florestas semideciduais estudadas no Brasil. Excursões quinzenais foram realizadas entre junho de 2008 e maio de 2009, e os epífitos foram coletados e registrados (55 espécies, 34 gêneros e seis famílias). Orchidaceae, com 21 espécies, foi a mais rica, enquanto os gêneros com a maior riqueza foram Tillandsia (7 spp.), Rhipsalis (4), Aechmea, Epidendrum e Peperomia, com três espécies cada. A categoria ecológica mais representativa foi holoepífita característica com 84% das espécies. O ambiente mais importante para a flora epifítica foram as matas ciliares. Análise de similaridade e PCA sustentaram quatro grupos, em que a área estudada aparece disjunta das demais, corroborando a hipótese de que a proximidade geográfica, a altitude e o clima têm forte efeito sobre a composição florística, condicionando a formação de floras distintas. Estudos detalhados sobre a composição florística e a estrutura dessa comunidade são importantes para a elaboração de estudos de impactos ambientais coerentes, porque epífitas são típicas de florestas tropicais, constituindo importante componente florístico, estrutural e funcional desses ecossistemas.

Vegetable exudates as food for Callithrix spp. (Callitrichidae): exploratory patterns.

Marmosets of the genus Callithrix are specialized in the consumption of tree exudates to obtain essential nutritional resource by boring holes into bark with teeth. However, marmoset preferences for particular tree species, location, type, and other suitable factors that aid in exudate acquisition need further research. In the current study, the intensity of exudate use from Anadenanthera peregrina var. peregrina trees by hybrid marmosets Callithrix spp. groups was studied in five forest fragments in Viçosa, in the state of Minas, Brazil. Thirty-nine A. peregrina var. peregrina trees were examined and 8,765 active and non-active holes were analyzed. The trunk of A. peregrina var. peregrina had a lower number of holes than the canopy: 11% were found on the trunk and 89% were found on the canopy. The upper canopy was the preferred area by Callithrix spp. for obtaining exudates. The intensity of tree exploitation by marmosets showed a moderate-to-weak correlation with diameter at breast height (DBH) and total tree height. The overall results indicate that Anadenanthera peregrina var. peregrina provides food resources for hybrid marmosets (Callithrix spp.) and these animals prefer to explore this resource on the apical parts of the plant, where the thickness, location, and age of the branches are the main features involved in the acquisition of exudates.