Olfactory Enrichment in Hoary Foxes (Lycalopex vetulus LUND 1842): A Case Study.

We have tested a method of olfactory environmental enrichment in hoary foxes used in other wild canids in captivity. The individuals were exposed to four olfactory stimuli (meat, mouse urine, cheese, and egg) that were wrapped in cotton bags outside the enclosures at the zoo for five minutes. Behavioral observations were performed using the focal animal method, and all occurrences were recorded. The pre-exposure phase (Basal), exposure phase (Exp), and post-exposure phase and Basal phase (Pos) were analyzed for a period of five minutes. Behavioral responses were categorized as positive, negative, or other. Positive behavior tended to increase (p = 0.07) from the Basal phase to the Exp phase, but there was no statistical difference (p = 0.31) between the phases. Negative and other behavior did not differ statistically from the Basal phase to the Exp phase (N-, p = 0.32; Ot, p = 0.35) or Basal to the Pos phase (N-, p = 0.18; Ot, p = 0.92). The odors used seemed to elicit positive behavior weakly. Negative behavior was stable for the hoary foxes. The method failed to improve the hoary foxes' welfare. Because their natural diet is based on insects and fruits, it is suggested that the stimuli used in this study have no appetitive value for hoary foxes. The method used with the same olfactory stimuli that were successful in other canid species is unsuitable for hoary foxes.

Tecnologias interativas aplicadas ao projeto "Produção de vidas no contexto de Covid-19" / Technologies of information and communication in the "Lives Generating in a Covid-19 context" / Las tecnologías de la información y la comunicación en la "Producción de Vidas en el contexto de la Covid-19"

A pandemia de Covid-19 estimula a produção de tecnologias inovadoras viáveis à realidade nacional e expressam-se pela necessidade de reorganização dos serviços para a assistência. A teleconsultoria de gestão, rede de apoio interdisciplinar, interprofissional e transversal, desenvolveu um conjunto intervenções de apoio aos municípios. Objetivou-se com este artigo compartilhar uma análise crítica e reflexiva a partir de uma experiência de ensino-extensão-serviço e comunidade, no contexto da pandemia de Covid-19. Trata-se de um relato de experiência de um estudo multiterritorial, de construção teórico-prático de uma experiência no campo da Extensão, Ensino e Pesquisa. Conclui-se que os elementos da teleconsultoria de gestão devem ser incorporados à prática cotidiana dos profissionais de saúde e da gestão.(AU)

The Covid-19 pandemic stimulates the production of innovative Technologies that are viable for the national reality and are expressed by the need to reorganize care services. The management teleconsulting, an interdisciplinary, interprofessional and transversal support network, developed a set of interventions to support municipalities.The objective of this manuscript was to share a reflective critical analysis, based on a teachingextension-service and community experience, in the context of the Covid-19 pandemic. This is an experience report of a multi-territorial study, of theoreticalpractical construction of an experience in the field of Extension, Teaching and Research. It is concluded that the elements of management teleconsultation should be incorporated into the daily practice of health and management professionals.(AU)

La pandemia Covid-19 estimula la producción de tecnologías innovadoras que son viables para la realidad nacional y se expresan en la necesidad de reorganizar los servicios de atención. La teleconsulta de gestión, una red de apoyo interdisciplinar, interprofesional y transversal, desarrolló un conjunto de intervenciones de apoyo a los municipios. El objetivo de este manuscrito fue compartir un análisis crítico reflexivo, basado en uma experiencia de enseñanza-extensión-servicio y comunidad, en el contexto de la pandemia Covid-19. Se trata de un relato de experiencia de un estúdio multiterritorial, de construcción teórico-práctica de una experiencia en el ámbito de la Extensión, la Docencia y la Investigación. Se concluye que los elementos de la teleconsulta de gestión deben incorporarse a la práctica diaria de los profesionales de la salud y la gestión.(AU)

Hematology and serum biochemistry of free-range brown-throated sloths in two urban areas in Brazil.

BACKGROUND AND AIM: The brown-throated sloth (Bradypus variegatus) is widely distributed in three biomes: The Amazon, Atlantic Forest, and Caatinga. Some subpopulations are isolated in urban areas in Brazil, usually in squares and small woods. Due to the scarcity of reference values, an investigation was carried out on the hematology and blood biochemistry of brown-throated sloths from urban areas. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Blood was collected by venipuncture in the femoral vein from 19 brown-throated sloths for hematological and biochemical analyses, living in two municipalities; Teófilo Otoni (TO) (Minas Gerais State) and Rio Tinto (RT) (Paraíba state), in the Atlantic Forest biome, Brazil. The samples were analyzed in specialized veterinary laboratories using automatic cell counters and slide fixation staining methods. RESULTS: The two subpopulations of brown-throated sloths had no significant differences in most hematological values, with the exception of a higher leukocyte concentration (p<0.01) in the RT sub-population. The difference in leukocyte concentration suggests an idiosyncratic effect, as the animals were healthy and the stress of the capture was acute, not chronic. The concentrations of urea, creatinine, and alkaline phosphatase (ALP) were similar (p<0.05) in brown-throated sloths from TO and RT. Likewise, the liver enzyme concentrations (ALP, alanine transaminase [ALT], and aspartate transaminase [AST]) did not differ between the two subpopulations (p<0.05). CONCLUSION: Compared to another study, brown-throated sloths from TO and RT have higher plasma concentrations of ALT and ALP, suggestive of a hepatic overload. Hematological and blood biochemical findings of TO and RT can be used as clinical reference values for brown-throated sloths living in an urban environment.

Urban Sloths: Public Knowledge, Opinions, and Interactions.

Free-range sloths living in an urban environment are rare. In this study, the opinions, attitudes, and interactions with a population of Bradypus variegatus were investigated through short, structured interviews of people in the pubic square where the sloths live, in addition to informal, opportunistic observations of human-sloth interactions. A questionnaire was applied to people in the square where the sloths reside, and informal, opportunistic observations of human-sloth interactions were made. 95% of respondents knew of the sloths’ existence in the square and 87.8% liked their presence. Opinions about population size differed greatly and younger people were concerned as to whether the square was an appropriate place for them. Some human-sloth interactions showed the consequences of a lack of biological knowledge. People initiated all sloth-human interactions. The fact that sloths are strictly folivorous has avoided interactions with humans and, consequently, mitigated any negative impacts of the human-animal interaction on their wellbeing. These results demonstrate that, while there is a harmonious relationship between people and sloths, actions in environmental education of the square’s public could be beneficial for the sloths.

Correction: Validation of qPCR Methods for the Detection of Mycobacterium in New World Animal Reservoirs.

[This corrects the article DOI: 10.1371/journal.pntd.0004198.].

Occurrence of Ehrlichia canis in free-living primates of the genus Callithrix / Ocorrência de Ehrlichia canis em primatas de vida livre pertencentes ao gênero Callithrix

Bacteria of the genus Ehrlichia are Gram-negative and coccoid-shaped microorganisms that cause ehrlichiosis a serious infectious disease that often leads to death. These bacteria present a strong zoonotic potential and primates may act as reservoir hosts. This study involved a molecular analysis to detect these microorganisms in blood samples collected from nineteen primates of the genus Callithrix living free in an Atlantic Forest fragment in the municipality of Viçosa, state of Minas Gerais, Brazil. One of the 19 primates was found to be infected with Ehrlichia canis. This finding points to a new wild host of E. canis with a strong potential for transmission to humans because of its increasing contact with people. This is the first report of Ehrlichia spp. in primate of the genus Callithrix.

Bactérias do gênero Ehrlichia são gram-negativas em forma de cocos. Provocam uma doença infecciosa grave denominada erliquiose que, muitas vezes, causa morte. Essas bactérias apresentam grande potencial zoonótico, e os primatas podem agir como reservatórios. Este estudo objetivou a detecção molecular desse microorganismo em amostras de sangue coletadas de dezenove primatas de vida livre num fragmento de Mata Atlântica pertencentes ao gênero Callithrix, no município de Viçosa, Minas Gerais, Brasil. Entre os 19 espécimes de sagui, um estava infectado com Ehrlichia canis. Esse achado aponta para um novo hospedeiro selvagem para E. canis com grande potencial de transmissão ao homem, devido ao seu crescente contato com pessoas. Este é o primeiro relato de primata do gênero Callithrix infectado com Ehrlichia spp.

Hematology and blood biochemistry in wild hybrid marmosets from the Atlantic Forest, Brazil / Hematologia e bioquímica sanguínea de saguis selvagens híbridos da Mata Atlântica, Brasil

This paper aims to describe the hematological and biochemical values of wild hybrid marmoset (Callithrix penicillata and C. geoffroyi) found in a forest zone of Southeastern Brazil. The marmosets were anaesthetized using ketamine and xylazine hydrochloride. Blood samples (0.5-1mL) were collected through the venipuncture of the femoral vein. Hematological and biochemical analyses were performed using automated counters and biochemical kits. The comparison for sex (adult males vs. adult females) and age class (juvenile vs. adult) physiological data and weight were analyzed through Student's t-test for independent samples. Significant differences between sex were observed in erythrocytes (P<0.01) and hemoglobin (P<0.05). The present study provides essential baseline information on the normal blood values of wild hybrid marmosets, the data of which are not readily accessible from the existing body of scientific literature on nonhuman primates.

Este artigo objetiva descrever os valores hematológicos e bioquímicos de saguis híbridos selvagens (Callithrix penicillata e C. geoffroyi) encontrados em uma zona florestal do Sudeste do Brasil. Os saguis foram anestesiados usando cetamina e hidrocloridrato de xilazina. As amostras de sangue (0,5-1mL) foram coletadas por punção da veia femoral. As análises hematológicas e bioquímicas foram realizadas por meio de contadores automáticos e kits bioquímicos. A comparação dos dados fisiológicos e pesos para o gênero (machos vs. fêmeas) e a classe de idade (juvenil vs. adulto) foram analisados através do teste t de Student para amostras independentes. Observaram-se diferenças significativas de gênero para eritrócitos (P<0,01) e hemoglobina (P<0,05). O presente estudo fornece informação básica essencial sobre os valores hematológicos normais de saguis híbridos selvagens, dados que não são prontamente disponíveis na literatura científica atual sobre primatas não humanos.

Domestic dogs in rural area of fragmented Atlantic Forest: potential threats to wild animals / Cães domésticos em uma área rural fragmentada da Mata Atlântica: ameaça potencial para os animais selvagens

Domestic dogs' skills such as hunting and herding shifted as man migrated from rural areas to developing urban centers and led to a change in human-dog relationship and in the purpose of these animals in the properties. The countryside of Viçosa is characterized by small coffee farms surrounded by borders with fragments from the Brazilian Atlantic Forest. The close proximity of these environments favors the encounter between domestic and wild animals which may lead to dog attacks to wild animals and, consequently, disease transmission. The aim of this study was to understand the role of dogs in the rural environment and assess the possible risks they offer to native fauna. The data were obtained from structured questionnaires answered by dogs' owners from rural Viçosa. Results regarding the socioeconomic status of the owners revealed that the majority belonged to either the middle class or low educational level categories. In addition, it was observed that there is a preference for male dogs due to its guard activity and that most dogs live unconstrained. Even though most dogs are provided with good food management, 58% of them prey on wildlife. However, more than half of the dogs do not consume their prey which can be explained by the inherited ability of artificial selection but 36.5% of them have scavenger diet. Most of the dogs were immunized against rabies, whereas, only 28.8% were immunized against infectious diseases such as leptospirosis, distemper and parvovirus. In conclusion, the management of dogs by rural owners, mainly unrestrained living, and allied to inadequate vaccination coverage suggest that dogs are predators of Viçosa's rural wildlife and potential disseminators of disease.

As habilidades dos cães domésticos como caçadores e pastores modificaram com a mudança do homem das áreas rurais para os centros urbanos em desenvolvimento, levando para uma mudança nas relações humanos-cães e o propósito desses animais nas propriedades. O município de Viçosa é caracterizado por pequenas fazendas com cafeicultura, cercadas nas bordas por fragmentos de Mata Atlântica. A proximidade desses ambientes favorece o encontro entre animais domésticos e selvagens, que pode resultar em ataques de cães sobre a fauna e, consequentemente, levar à transmissão de doenças. O objetivo do presente estudo foi compreender o papel de cães no ambiente rural e avaliar os possíveis riscos que eles oferecem para a fauna nativa. Os dados foram obtidos aplicando-se questionários estruturados respondidos pelos proprietários de cães rurais de Viçosa. Os resultados a respeito do status socioeconômico dos proprietários revelaram que a maioria pertence à classe média e baixo nível educacional formal. Há uma preferência por cães machos, devido à atividade de guarda e a maior parte vive sem contenção. Apesar de que a maioria tenha um bom manejo alimentar, 58% dos cães predam animais selvagens. Entretanto, mais da metade dos cães não consome suas presas. A maioria dos cães foi imunizada contra a raiva, mas somente 28,8% foram vacinados contra doenças infecciosas como leptospirose, cinomose e parvovirose. Conclui-se que o manejo dos proprietários, principalmente a falta de contenção, aliada à cobertura imunoprofilática, sugere que os cães são potenciais predadores e disseminadores de doenças sobre a fauna selvagem de Viçosa.