Medium to large-sized mammals of an urban protected area and its ecological corridor in Rio de Janeiro City, Brazil / Mamíferos de médio a grande porte de uma Unidade de Conservação urbana e seu corredor ecológico na cidade do Rio de Janeiro, Brasil

Abstract Protected areas play a fundamental role in the preservation of species, environmental education, and ecosystem services maintenance. Most of the world population live in urban areas, which highlight the importance of preserved areas in urban centers. However, many urban protected areas in Brazil lack species surveys, which limits biodiversity conservation and implementation of management plans. In this study, we surveyed the species of medium and large mammals of Chico Mendes Municipal Natural Park (MNP) and Canal das Taxas corridor through camera traps, thus providing the first comprehensive in situ survey of terrestrial mammals for the area. We also verified whether there was mammalian fauna exchange between the Chico Mendes and Marapendi MNPs through the vegetation corridor formed by the Canal das Taxas. Between November 2020 and July 2021, with a sampling effort of 1,334 trap-days, we recorded five native and five exotic species in the studied areas, including one Vulnerable species in the Municipality and State of Rio de Janeiro (Cuniculus paca). We also confirmed that Canal das Taxas works as a wildlife corridor for native species. Finally, we highlight that species checklists based on secondary information for the region are of limited usefulness and recommend in situ surveys even in small, urban protected areas of Rio de Janeiro city.

Resumo As áreas protegidas têm papel fundamental na preservação das espécies, na educação ambiental e na manutenção dos serviços ecossistêmicos. A maior parte da população mundial vive em áreas urbanas, o que evidencia a importância das áreas preservadas nos centros urbanos. No entanto, muitas áreas protegidas urbanas no Brasil carecem de levantamentos de espécies, o que limita a conservação da biodiversidade e a implementação de planos de manejo. Neste estudo, inventariamos as espécies de mamíferos de médio e grande porte do Parque Natural Municipal Chico Mendes e do corredor do Canal das Taxas por meio de armadilhas fotográficas, fornecendo assim o primeiro levantamento in situ abrangente de mamíferos terrestres para a área. Também verificamos se houve intercâmbio de fauna de mamíferos entre os parques Chico Mendes e Marapendi através do Canal das Taxas. Entre novembro de 2020 e julho de 2021, com um esforço amostral de 1.334 armadilhas-dia, registramos cinco espécies nativas e cinco espécies exóticas nas áreas de estudo, incluindo uma espécie Vulnerável no município e estado do Rio de Janeiro (Cuniculus paca). Confirmamos que o Canal das Taxas funciona como um corredor de fauna para espécies nativas. Por fim, ressaltamos que listas de espécies baseadas em informações secundárias para a região são de utilidade limitada e recomendamos levantamentos in situ, mesmo em pequenas Unidades de Conservação urbanas da cidade do Rio de Janeiro.

New species of Delicata (Molineidae: Anoplostrongylinae) parasite of Cabassous tatouay (Desmarest, 1804) from the Atlantic Forest, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.

A new species of nematode parasite of the genus Delicata (Molineidae: Anoplostrongylinae) is described from the small intestine of a road-killed Greater Naked-tailed Armadillo Cabassous tatouay (Cingulata: Chlamyphoridae) on the BR-040 highway in Rio de Janeiro state, Brazil. The genus Delicata includes 13 species of parasitizing armadillos and anteaters distributed in Brazil, Argentina, and Trinidad and Tobago. The present species is distinguished from almost all species of Delicata by the longest length of the body, except for D. khalili and D. appendiculata. However, these can be distinguished from each other by the length of the spicules. The species that closely resembles, Delicata tatouay n. sp. is D. speciosa, but it can be distinguished by a robust branch from rays 2 and 3, rays 4 larger, and rays 8 longer compared to those of the new species. The new species is the only one with a tail, characterized by a terminal spine with rattlesnake tail-like transversal striations.

Molecular phylogenetic study in Spirocercidae (Nematoda) with description of a new species Spirobakerus sagittalis sp. nov. in wild canid Cerdocyon thous from Brazil.

The nematode family Spirocercidae Chitwood and Wehr, 1932, comprises three subfamilies, Spirocercinae Chitwood and Wehr, 1932; Ascaropsinae Alicata and McIntosh, 1933; and Mastophorinae Quentin, 1970, which occur worldwide. Spirocercids infect canids and can cause severe illness. The crab-eating fox, Cerdocyon thous (Linnaeus, 1766), is a canid that inhabits most of South America, including Brazil and is a host for several parasitic worms, in particular, nematodes. However, few reports or genetic data are available on the spirocercids found in this host. In the present study, we describe a new species of Spirobakerus Chabaud and Bain 1981, from the intestine of two crab-eating foxes from two different biomes in Brazil. Spirobakerus sagittalis sp. nov. presents a) unequal spicules, with a long, thin left spicule with a lanceolated shape at the tip; b) a pair of sessile papillae and a median unpaired papillae located anteriorly of the cloaca, and c) a tuft without spines at the tip of the tail in females. The molecular phylogenetic analysis indicated that S. sagittalis sp. nov. is basal to the other species of the subfamily Ascaropsinae, which was not recovered as monophyletic. Our phylogenies also indicated that Spirocercidae is paraphyletic, given that Mastophorinae did not group with Ascaropsinae and Spirocercinae. We provide the first molecular data on the genus Spirobakerus and expand the molecular database of the spirocercids. However, further studies, including the sequences of other spirocercid taxa, are still needed to infer the relationships within this family more accurately.

New morphological and genetic data of Gigantorhynchus echinodiscus (Diesing, 1851) (Acanthocephala: Archiacanthocephala) in the giant anteater Myrmecophaga tridactyla Linnaeus, 1758 (Pilosa: Myrmecophagidae).

Gigantorhynchus echinodiscus (Diesing, 1851) is a parasite of anteaters in South America. Although described by Diesing in 1851, there is still a lack of taxonomic and phylogenetic information regarding this species. In the present study, we redescribe G. echinodiscus collected from a giant anteater, Myrmecophaga tridactyla Linnaeus, 1758, from the Brazilian Cerrado (Savannah) in the State of São Paulo by light and scanning electron microscopy. In addition, phylogenies were inferred from partial DNA gene sequence of the nuclear large subunit ribosomal RNA gene (28S rRNA). We provide for the first time details of the proboscis with a crown having 18 large hooks and numerous small hooks, a lateral papilla at the base of the proboscis, a ringed pseudo-segmented body, large testes, cemented glands in pairs, and a non-segmented region in the posterior end of the body, which contributed to the diagnosis of the species. Molecular phylogenetic analyses recovered G. echinodiscus forming a well-supported monophyletic group with Mediorhynchus sp., which was congruent with morphological studies that allocate both genera within the family Gigantorhynchidae. In conclusion, the present work adds new morphological and molecular information, emphasizing the importance of adopting integrative taxonomic approaches in studies of Acanthocephala.

A New Species of Pachysentis Meyer, 1931 (Acanthocephala: Oligacanthorhynchidae) in the Brown-Nosed Coati Nasua nasua (Carnivora: Procyonidae) from Brazil, with Notes on the Genus and a Key to Species.

INTRODUCTION: Pachysentis comprises 10 species, which have been reported parasitizing mammals in Africa and the American continent. However, species of Pachysentis have not been described in brow-nosed coatis. Pachysentis lauroi n. sp. (Oligacanthorhynchidae: Acanthocephala) is described from the brown-nosed coati Nasua nasua (Linnaeus, 1766) Storr, 1780 (Procyonidae: Carnivora) in the Brazilian Pantanal wetlands of the Mato Grosso do Sul State, Brazil. METHODS: Specimens were studied using light and scanning electron microscopy. RESULT: The new species is distinguished from other species of Pachysentis by the number of hooks in each longitudinal row (12 rows of 4 hooks, total of 48 hooks), presence of barbs on all hooks, and the organization of the cement glands. Notes on the genus Pachysentis [14] and a key to its species are provided. Critical comments on some species with a dubious diagnosis and questionable or missed key taxonomic characteristics are also reviewed. We also discuss the zoogeography of the members of the genus.

The importance of protected areas for conservation of bare-faced curassow (Crax fasciolata spix, 1825) (Galliformes: Cracidae) in the São Paulo State, Brazil / A importância das áreas protegidas na conservação do mutum-de-penacho (Crax fasciolata spix, 1825) (Galliformes: Cracidae) no estado de São Paulo, Brasil

Abstract The Bare-faced Curassow Crax fasciolata (Cracidae:Cracinae) is a vulnerable species that was classified as critically endangered by the São Paulo State -Brazil, in 2008. Specialists recommended "searches for areas where there may be a few remaining populations and protection of the last remaining semideciduous forest in the State". Protected areas were investigated in the Cerrado and semideciduous forest in São Paulo State by camera trapping to evaluate the presence of the Bare-faced Curassow. Eight protected areas in Cerrado biome were investigated, but the Bare-faced Curassows was recorded only at Furnas do Bom Jesus State Park (2,069 ha), São Paulo State despite the large sampling effort in larger protected areas such as the Santa Bárbara Ecological Station (2,712 ha) and Jataí Ecological Station (9,074 ha); the largest protected area of Cerrado biome in São Paulo State. This record of C. fasciolata is important for the Conservation Action Plan for the Cracid family and shows the importance of monitoring biodiversity and conserving even relatively small remnants of native vegetation for the conservation of this species.

Resumo O mutum-de-penacho Crax fasciolata (Cracidae:Cracinae) é uma espécie ameaçada de extinção e foi considerada criticamente em perigo em 2008 no estado de São Paulo. As recomendações dos especialistas para a conservação da espécie no estado foram "a pesquisa por áreas onde poderia existir populações remanescentes e a proteção de remanescentes de floresta semidecidual". Neste trabalho, oito Unidades de Conservação foram investigadas em áreas com vegetação de Cerrado e de floresta semidecidual por meio de armadilhas fotográficas digitais para verificar a presença do mutum-de-penacho (Crax fasciolata). Entretanto, o mutum-de-penacho foi registrado apenas no Parque Estadual Furnas do Bom Jesus, que possui 2.069 ha, apesar do maior esforço amostral em áreas maiores, como a Estação Ecológica de Santa Bárbara (2.712 ha) e Estação Ecológica de Jataí (9.074),- a maior Unidade de Conservação do bioma Cerrado no estado de São Paulo. O registro do mutum-de-penacho no Parque Estadual Furnas do Bom Jesus é muito importante para o Plano de Ação e Conservação da família Cracidae e mostra a importância do monitoramento da biodiversidade e a conservação de remanescentes de vegetação nativa, mesmo pequenos, para a conservação dessa espécie.

Niche Partitioning among Mesocarnivores in a Brazilian Wetland.

We investigated the home range size, habitat selection, as well as the spatial and activity overlap, of four mid-sized carnivore species in the Central Pantanal, Mato Grosso do Sul, Brazil. From December 2005 to September 2008, seven crab-eating foxes Cerdocyon thous, seven brown-nosed coatis Nasua nasua, and six ocelots Leopardus pardalis were radio-collared and monitored. Camera trap data on these species were also collected for the crab-eating raccoon Procyon cancrivorus. We hypothesized that there would be large niche differentiation in preferred habitat-type or active period between generalist species with similar diet, and higher similarity in habitat-type or activity time between the generalist species (crab-eating foxes and coatis) and the more specialized ocelot. Individual home ranges were estimated using the utilization distribution index (UD- 95% fixed Kernel). With data obtained from radio-collared individuals, we evaluated habitat selection using compositional analysis. Median home range size of ocelots was 8 km2. The proportion of habitats within the home ranges of ocelots did not differ from the overall habitat proportion in the study area, but ocelots preferentially used forest within their home range. The median home range size of crab-eating foxes was 1.4 km2. Foxes showed second-order habitat selection and selected savanna over shrub-savanna vegetation. The median home range size for coati was 1.5 km2. Coati home ranges were located randomly in the study area. However, within their home range, coatis occurred more frequently in savanna than in other vegetation types. Among the four species, the overlap in activity period was the highest (87%) between ocelots and raccoons, with the least overlap occurring between the ocelot and coati (25%). We suggest that temporal segregation of carnivores was more important than spatial segregation, notably between the generalist coati, crab-eating fox and crab-eating raccoon.

Co-Infection and Wild Animal Health: Effects of Trypanosomatids and Gastrointestinal Parasites on Coatis of the Brazilian Pantanal.

Wild animals are infected by diverse parasites, but how they influence host health is poorly understood. We examined the relationship of trypanosomatids and gastrointestinal parasites with health of wild brown-nosed coatis (Nasua nasua) from the Brazilian Pantanal. We used coati body condition and hematological parameters as response variables in linear models that were compared using an information theoretic approach. Predictors were high/low parasitemias by Trypanosoma cruzi and T. evansi, and indices representing the abundance of distinct groups of gastrointestinal parasites. We also analyzed how host health changed with host sex and reproductive seasonality. Hemoparasites was best related to coati body condition and hematological indices, whereas abundance of gastrointestinal parasites was relatively less associated with coati health. Additionally, some associations were best predicted by models that incorporated reproductive seasonality and host sex. Overall, we observed a lower health condition during the breeding season, when coatis are under reproductive stress and may be less able to handle infection. In addition, females seem to handle infection better than males. Body condition was lower in coatis with high parasitemias of T. evansi, especially during the reproductive season. Total red blood cell counts, packed cell volume, platelets and eosinophils were also lower in animals with high T. evansi parasitemias. Total white blood cell counts and mature neutrophils were lower in animals with high parasitemias for both Trypanosoma species, with neutrophils decreasing mainly during the reproductive season. Overall, decreases in hematological parameters of females with T. evansi high parasitemias were less evident. For T. cruzi, monocytes decreased in individuals with high parasitemias. High abundances of microfilariae in the bloodstream, and cestode eggs and coccidian oocysts in feces were also associated with coati blood parameters. This study shows the potential value of examining hematological parameters as an approach to better understand the ecological relevance of parasite-host interactions.

New records of three species of nematodes in Cerdocyon thous from the Brazilian Pantanal wetlands.

We report the occurrence of nematodes collected from the gut of roadkilled crab-eating foxes (two adult males and one juvenile female), Cerdocyon thous (Linnaeus, 1766), found on the BR 262 highway in Mato Grosso do Sul state, Brazil in 2011. Three helminth species were identified: Ancylostoma buckleyi, Pterygodermatites (Multipectines) pluripectinata, and Ascaridia galli. These nematodes are reported for the first time to infect C. thous from the Brazilian Pantanal wetlands, thereby expanding their geographical distribution.

New records of three species of nematodes in Cerdocyon thous from the Brazilian Pantanal wetlands / Novos registros de três espécies de nematoides em Cerdocyon thous do Pantanal brasileiro

We report the occurrence of nematodes collected from the gut of roadkilled crab-eating foxes (two adult males and one juvenile female), Cerdocyon thous (Linnaeus, 1766), found on the BR 262 highway in Mato Grosso do Sul state, Brazil in 2011. Three helminth species were identified: Ancylostoma buckleyi, Pterygodermatites (Multipectines) pluripectinata, and Ascaridia galli. These nematodes are reported for the first time to infect C. thous from the Brazilian Pantanal wetlands, thereby expanding their geographical distribution.

Este estudo relata a ocorrência de nematoides coletados no sistema digestório de cachorros-do-mato Cerdocyon thous (Linnaeus, 1766) encontrados atropelados na rodovia BR 262, no Estado do Mato Grosso do Sul, Brasil, em 2011. Três espécies foram identificadas: Ancylostoma buckleyi, Pterygodermatites (Multipectines) pluripectinata e Ascaridia galli. A ocorrência destes nematoides foi registrada pela primeira vez em C. thous no bioma Pantanal, ampliando a distribuição geográfica destes helmintos parasitos em C. thous.

A new acanthocephalan species (Archiacanthocephala: Oligacanthorhynchidae) from the crab-eating fox (Cerdocyon thous ) in the Brazilian pantanal wetlands.

A new species of Oligacanthorhynchidae (Acanthocephala) Prosthenorchis cerdocyonis n. sp. is described from 17 specimens collected from the small intestine of the crab-eating fox Cerdocyon thous Linnaeus, 1766 (Canidae: Carnivora) found in the Brazilian Pantanal wetlands. Specimens were studied using light and scanning electron microscopy. Characteristic features distinguishing the new species from others already described are presented, such as size of the body, the position of lemnisci, size of the eggs, host, and geographical distribution. Details of the body surface obtained by scanning electron microscopy, such as the presence of 2 lateral papillae in the proximal region of the proboscis, the presence of barbs in hooks, and a robust and festooned collar, helped to identify the species. Until now, specimens belonging to Prosthenorchis reported from Cerdocyon thous were not identified to species. Furthermore, the new species is the first to be recorded in C. thous found in the Pantanal wetlands.

A longitudinal study of Angiostrongylus cantonensis in an urban population of Rattus norvegicus in Brazil: the influences of seasonality and host features on the pattern of infection.

BACKGROUND: The nematode Angiostrongylus cantonensis is a zoonotic parasite and the most important cause of eosinophilic meningitis worldwide in humans. In Brazil, this disease has been reported in the states of Espírito Santo and Pernambuco. The parasite has been detected in the naturally infected intermediate host, in the states of Rio de Janeiro, Pernambuco and Santa Catarina. The murid Rattus norvegicus R. rattus were recently reported to be naturally infected in Brazil. In this study, we conducted a two-year investigation of the dissemination pattern of A. cantonensis in R. norvegicus in an urban area of Rio de Janeiro state, Brazil, and examined the influence of seasonality, year, host weight and host gender on parasitological parameters of A. cantonensis in rats. METHODS: The study was conducted in an area of Trindade, São Gonçalo municipality, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. Prevalence of infected rats, intensity and abundance of A. cantonensis were calculated, and generalized linear models were created and compared to verify the contribution of host gender, host weight, year and seasonality to the variations in A. cantonensis abundance and prevalence in rats. RESULTS: The prevalence of A. cantonensis infection was stable during the rainy (71%, CI 58.9- 81.6) and dry seasons (71%, CI 57.9-80.8) and was higher in older rats and in females. Seasonality, host weight (used as a proxy of animal age) and gender were all contributing factors to variation in parasite abundance, with females and heavier (older) animals showing larger abundance of parasites, and extreme values of parasite abundance being more frequent in the dry season. CONCLUSIONS: The high prevalence of this parasite throughout the study suggests that its transmission is stable and that conditions are adequate for the spread of the parasite to previously unaffected areas. Dispersion of the parasite to new areas may be mediated by males that tend to have larger dispersal ability, while females may be more important for maintaining the parasite on a local scale due to their higher prevalence and abundance of infection. A multidisciplinary approach considering the ecological distribution of the rats and intermediate hosts, as well as environmental features is required to further understand the dynamics of angiostrongyliasis.

Modulating variables of Trypanosoma cruzi and Trypanosoma evansi transmission in free-ranging Coati (Nasua nasua) from the Brazilian Pantanal region.

This is a long-term follow-up of infection by Trypanosoma cruzi (TC) and Trypanosoma evansi (TE) in the free-ranging coatis (Procyonidae: Nasua nasua) from Pantanal region (Mato Grosso do Sul, Brazil). We evaluated TC and TE infection by immunofluorescence assay, hemoculture (HC), and microhematocrit centrifuge techniques (MHCT). We also examined coatis health by quantifying hematological parameters including packed cell volume (PCV), white blood cell (WBC) count, and differential leukocyte count. TC isolates thought HC were typed by miniexon gene. Mixed infections by both parasites and the two main lineages of TC (76% TCI, 3% TCII, and 14% TCI/TCII) were observed. Trypanosoma rangeli was also isolated (7%). Overall, seroprevalence of TC and TE infection were 53.5% and 42.0%, respectively. Positive HC (indicating high TC parasitemia) occurred in 34% of seropositive coatis for TC, and positive MHCT (high TE parasitemia) were observed in 36.4% of seropositive coatis for TE. We detected higher prevalence of positive HC in females (72%) than males (43%), and also during the dry season, indicating a seasonal potential of this host species on TC transmission. These features did not occur for TE infection. However, prevalence of TE based on serology and MHCT was higher among adults than subadults. Coatis with positive HC or MHCT displayed a slight decrease in their WBC. In contrast to the animals with positive HC, coatis with positive MHCT displayed a decrease on their PCV. Moreover, concurrent high TC and TE parasitemia caused a larger decrease of PCV values. This study corroborates the importance of coatis in the maintenance of TC and TE transmission cycles in the southern Pantanal and shows a seasonal character of TC transmissibility to its vector by the coati population from the study area.