RESUMEN
O conhecimento do repertório comportamental de cutias cativas e livres é fundamental para o melhoramento de técnicas de manejo. Observações em cativeiro foram realizadas no criadouro científico de animais silvestres pertencente ao Museu de História Natural do Capão da Imbuia (MHNCI) e no Parque Municipal Passeio Público, enquanto observações em semicativeiro foram realizadas na área livre no MHNCI e no Parque Jardim Botânico. O etograma de Dasyprocta azarae (Lichtenstein, 1923) e Dasyprocta leporina (Linnaeus, 1758) foi realizado em 120 horas, caracterizando 78 atos comportamentais, quantificados em 96 horas através dos métodos animal focal e scan. As frequências foram analisadas através do teste do qui-quadrado, que revelou diferenças entre os ambientes. Nos semicativeiros, as frequências de alimentação, interações agonísticas, interações reprodutivas e comportamentos de cuidados parentais foram mais elevadas, indicando a disputa pelos recursos, reflexo na reprodução e cuidados com a prole. Em cativeiro, as frequências elevadas com comportamentos autodirigidos, atos exploratórios e relações entre coespecíficos sugerem a falta de estimulação, bem como a proximidade forçada entre os indivíduos. Portanto, existe uma diferenciação na frequência dos comportamentos exibidos, possivelmente devido às diferenças entre os ambientes, que podem estar relacionadas com as condições de manutenção dessas espécies.
The knowledge of the behavioral repertoire of captive and free-ranging agoutis is essential for the improvement of management techniques. Observations were made in the field of reproduction of the Museu de História Natural do Capão da Imbuia (MHNCI) and in the Passeio Público, while observations in semi-captivity were held in the MHNCI and the Jardim Botânico. The ethogram of Dasyprocta azarae (Lichtenstein, 1923) and Dasyprocta leporina (Linnaeus, 1758) was carried out through in 120h, characterizing 78 behavioral acts, quantified in 96h by the methods focal animal and scan. The frequencies were analyzed using the chi-square test which revealed differences between the environments. In the semi-captivity the frequencies of feeding, agonistics interactions, reproductive interactions and parental care were higher indicating the resources competition and reflection on the reproduction and care for their offspring. In captivity the high incidence of self-directed behaviors, exploratory acts and coespecifics relations emphasize the lack of stimulation and the forced proximity among the animals. Therefore, there are differences in the frequency of behaviors exhibited, possibly due to differences between environments, which may be related to the maintenance conditions of these species.
Asunto(s)
Animales , Roedores/psicología , Manejo PsicológicoRESUMEN
OBJECTIVE: To describe the normal bony orbital structure of the large fruit-eating bat (Artibeus lituratus) with emphasis on a unique intraorbital bony structure previously not described in the literature. PROCEDURES: The bony anatomy of the orbital cavity was studied on dissected skulls of large fruit-eating bats. The anatomic description of a unique intraorbital spine was made while studying the bony orbit of macerated skulls. Additional observations were made on dissected formalin-fixed whole heads. Both procedures were performed under a stereo dissecting microscope, using x2-4-magnification. A histologic analysis of soft tissues surrounding this cylindrical bony structure was performed using cross and longitudinal oblique sections from decalcified whole heads, which had been fixed in formalin. Additionally, biometric measurements and a histomorphometric analysis were performed. RESULTS AND CONCLUSIONS: An intraorbital cylindrical osseous structure measuring 3.96 +/- 0.68 mm in length and 155.62 +/- 14.03 microm in diameter was observed in the large fruit-eating bat (A. lituratus), creating a unique orbital structural design among mammals. We suggest the name optic spine of the alisphenoid bone. The anatomic, biometric and histologic characterization of this element might contribute to a further understanding of the dynamics of bat vision and the sort of factors that influenced evolution of the visual system of microbats. The authors hope that the documentation of this distinctive anatomic feature will also expand the debate about the phylogenetic analysis of the relationship among bat species in the near future.
