Encalhe de peixe-boi-marinho-das-Antilhas (Trichechus manatus manatus Linnaeus, 1758) na praia de Panaquatira, Maranhão, Brasil / Record of a stranded Antillean manatee (Trichechus manatus manatus Linnaeus, 1758) at Panaquatira Beach, Maranhão, Brazil

O peixe-boi-marinho-das-Antilhas (Trichechus manatus manatus) apresenta distribuição geográfica que se estende por todo o Caribe e Américas Central e do Sul. No Brasil, a espécie é considerada ameaçada de extinção devido, sobretudo, a fatores antrópicos, como emalhes em rede de pesca, perda de habitat devido à ocupação desordenada do litoral e uso inadequado das áreas marinhas e estuarinas. Neste artigo, relatamos o encalhe e morte de um espécime de peixe-boi-marinho-das-Antilhas no litoral maranhense. Por meio de procedimentos morfométricos, constatou-se ser um animal do sexo masculino medindo 3,14 m de comprimento por 2,30 m de circunferência em sua região corporal de maior largura. Em seu corpo não foi encontrado nenhum corte, perfuração ou marcas de emalhamento em redes de pesca, sugerindo inicialmente a não ocorrência de uma interação antrópica direta. A realização de inventários que possam estimar a abundância e a densidade de suas populações, bem como o monitoramento dos encalhes de animais vivos ou mortos são fundamentais para subsidiar ações de manejo e garantir a preservação da espécie no litoral maranhense.

The Antillean manatee (Trichechus manatus manatus Linnaeus, 1758) is distributed throughout the Caribbean, Central and South America. In Brazil, it is considered threatened of extinction mainly due to anthropogenic factors such as incidental captures in fishing net, habitat loss due to disordered occupation of the coast and inappropriate use of marine and estuarine areas. In this article we report the stranding of a specimen of Antillean manatee in the coast of Maranhão. Through morphometric procedures it was found to be a male animal measuring 3.14 m in length and 2.30 m in circumference in its widest body region. No injury, perforation or entanglement marks were found in his body, initially suggesting that no direct anthropic interaction occurred. The carrying out of inventories that can estimate the abundance and density of their populations, as well as the monitoring of stranding of live or dead animals are fundamental to support management actions and ensure the preservation of the species along the coast of Maranhão.

Encalhe de peixe-boi-marinho-das-Antilhas (Trichechus manatus manatus Linnaeus, 1758) na praia de Panaquatira, Maranhão, Brasil / Record of a stranded Antillean manatee (Trichechus manatus manatus Linnaeus, 1758) at Panaquatira Beach, Maranhão, Brazil

O peixe-boi-marinho-das-Antilhas (Trichechus manatus manatus) apresenta distribuição geográfica que se estende por todo o Caribe e Américas Central e do Sul. No Brasil, a espécie é considerada ameaçada de extinção devido, sobretudo, a fatores antrópicos, como emalhes em rede de pesca, perda de habitat devido à ocupação desordenada do litoral e uso inadequado das áreas marinhas e estuarinas. Neste artigo, relatamos o encalhe e morte de um espécime de peixe-boi-marinho-das-Antilhas no litoral maranhense. Por meio de procedimentos morfométricos, constatou-se ser um animal do sexo masculino medindo 3,14 m de comprimento por 2,30 m de circunferência em sua região corporal de maior largura. Em seu corpo não foi encontrado nenhum corte, perfuração ou marcas de emalhamento em redes de pesca, sugerindo inicialmente a não ocorrência de uma interação antrópica direta. A realização de inventários que possam estimar a abundância e a densidade de suas populações, bem como o monitoramento dos encalhes de animais vivos ou mortos são fundamentais para subsidiar ações de manejo e garantir a preservação da espécie no litoral maranhense.(AU)

The Antillean manatee (Trichechus manatus manatus Linnaeus, 1758) is distributed throughout the Caribbean, Central and South America. In Brazil, it is considered threatened of extinction mainly due to anthropogenic factors such as incidental captures in fishing net, habitat loss due to disordered occupation of the coast and inappropriate use of marine and estuarine areas. In this article we report the stranding of a specimen of Antillean manatee in the coast of Maranhão. Through morphometric procedures it was found to be a male animal measuring 3.14 m in length and 2.30 m in circumference in its widest body region. No injury, perforation or entanglement marks were found in his body, initially suggesting that no direct anthropic interaction occurred. The carrying out of inventories that can estimate the abundance and density of their populations, as well as the monitoring of stranding of live or dead animals are fundamental to support management actions and ensure the preservation of the species along the coast of Maranhão.(AU)

Tempo de passagem de duas dietas no trato gastrointestinal do peixe-boi da Amazônia Trichechus inunguis (Natterer, 1883) em cativeiro / Transit time of two diets in the gastrointestinal tract of the Amazonian manatee Trichechus inunguis (Natterer, 1883) in captivity

The objective of this study was to determine the transit time of two diets in the digestive tract of the Amazonian manatee in captivity. We tested separately two different diets: one composed exclusively of grass of the genus Brachiaria (experimental diet - ED- A 1) and the other composed of grass Brachiaria added with small portions of extruded pellets for horses (experimental diet ED- A 2). Two healthy adult manatees were selected and isolated from the rest and underwent a period of food acclimation with the experimental diets for 15 days. After this period, the experimental diet was marked with a plastic colored tape of 10-cm length and given to the animals. The manatees were monitored at intervals of 1 hour and all fecal material was collected until recovery of the markers. The mean transit time of ED - A1 was 123h57min , about 5.16 days and ED - A 2 was 125h04min or 5.21 days. There was no statistical difference (P <0.05) between the transit time of the two diets provided. The transit time observed (approximately 5 days) has also been reported by other authors for this species and is considered a strategy to increase the absorption time of food nutrients. Despite the small sample size, the results suggest that the use of pellets in the diet of the Amazonian manatee did not affect the transit time of the grass. Therefore, it is reasonable to believe that the introduction of concentrated food (pellets) does not affect the efficiency of the animal to digest and absorb food properly.

Com o objetivo de testar o tempo de passagem do alimento no trato digestório de peixes-bois da Amazônia em cativeiro, foram testadas separadamente duas dietas distintas. Uma composta exclusivamente de capim do gênero Brachiaria (dieta experimental - DE 1) e outra de capim do gênero Brachiaria acrescentado de pequenas porções de ração extrusada para eqüinos (dieta experimental - DE 2). Foram selecionados do plantel do INPA dois animais adultos machos sadios, os quais foram isolados dos demais e submetidos a um período de aclimatação às dietas experimentais por 15 dias. Após este período, as dietas foram marcadas com uma fita plástica de 10 cm e fornecidas aos animais que foram monitorados em intervalos de uma hora. Todo material fecal foi coletado até a recuperação dos marcadores plásticos. A média do tempo de passagem da DE 1 foi de 123h57min, cerca de 5,15 dias e da DE 2 foi de 125h04min ou 5,21 dias. Não houve diferença estatística (P<0,05) entre as dietas fornecidas. O tempo de passagem observado (aproximadamente 5 dias) coincide com o relatado por outros autores para a espécie, sendo esse tempo considerado uma estratégia para aumentar o tempo de absorção nutricional dos alimentos. Apesar do número reduzido de amostras, os resultados sugerem que o uso da ração na alimentação não interfere no tempo de passagem do capim pelo trato digestório do peixe-boi. Com isso, sugere-se que a introdução de alimento concentrado (ração) não afeta a eficiência na digestão e absorção correta do alimento.

Tempo de passagem de duas dietas no trato gastrointestinal do peixe-boi da Amazônia Trichechus inunguis (Natterer, 1883) em cativeiro / Transit time of two diets in the gastrointestinal tract of the Amazonian manatee Trichechus inunguis (Natterer, 1883) in captivity

The objective of this study was to determine the transit time of two diets in the digestive tract of the Amazonian manatee in captivity. We tested separately two different diets: one composed exclusively of grass of the genus Brachiaria (experimental diet - ED- A 1) and the other composed of grass Brachiaria added with small portions of extruded pellets for horses (experimental diet ED- A 2). Two healthy adult manatees were selected and isolated from the rest and underwent a period of food acclimation with the experimental diets for 15 days. After this period, the experimental diet was marked with a plastic colored tape of 10-cm length and given to the animals. The manatees were monitored at intervals of 1 hour and all fecal material was collected until recovery of the markers. The mean transit time of ED - A1 was 123h57min , about 5.16 days and ED - A 2 was 125h04min or 5.21 days. There was no statistical difference (P <0.05) between the transit time of the two diets provided. The transit time observed (approximately 5 days) has also been reported by other authors for this species and is considered a strategy to increase the absorption time of food nutrients. Despite the small sample size, the results suggest that the use of pellets in the diet of the Amazonian manatee did not affect the transit time of the grass. Therefore, it is reasonable to believe that the introduction of concentrated food (pellets) does not affect the efficiency of the animal to digest and absorb food properly.(AU)

Com o objetivo de testar o tempo de passagem do alimento no trato digestório de peixes-bois da Amazônia em cativeiro, foram testadas separadamente duas dietas distintas. Uma composta exclusivamente de capim do gênero Brachiaria (dieta experimental - DE 1) e outra de capim do gênero Brachiaria acrescentado de pequenas porções de ração extrusada para eqüinos (dieta experimental - DE 2). Foram selecionados do plantel do INPA dois animais adultos machos sadios, os quais foram isolados dos demais e submetidos a um período de aclimatação às dietas experimentais por 15 dias. Após este período, as dietas foram marcadas com uma fita plástica de 10 cm e fornecidas aos animais que foram monitorados em intervalos de uma hora. Todo material fecal foi coletado até a recuperação dos marcadores plásticos. A média do tempo de passagem da DE 1 foi de 123h57min, cerca de 5,15 dias e da DE 2 foi de 125h04min ou 5,21 dias. Não houve diferença estatística (P<0,05) entre as dietas fornecidas. O tempo de passagem observado (aproximadamente 5 dias) coincide com o relatado por outros autores para a espécie, sendo esse tempo considerado uma estratégia para aumentar o tempo de absorção nutricional dos alimentos. Apesar do número reduzido de amostras, os resultados sugerem que o uso da ração na alimentação não interfere no tempo de passagem do capim pelo trato digestório do peixe-boi. Com isso, sugere-se que a introdução de alimento concentrado (ração) não afeta a eficiência na digestão e absorção correta do alimento.(AU)

Feeding habits of giant otters Pteronura brasiliensis (Carnivora: Mustelidae) in the Balbina hydroelectric reservoir, Central Brazilian Amazon

This study aimed to identify the diet of giant otters, Pteronura brasiliensis (Zimmermann, 1780) in the Balbina reservoir (01º55'S, 59º29'W), to compare it with literature data on the diet of giant otters from non-dammed areas, and to verify the effects of the seasonal changes in water levels on the feeding habits of Balbina otters. A total of 254 feces samples were collected and identified according to the lowest possible taxonomic level. Teleostei fish were present in 100% of the samples; two samples also presented monkey fur (n = 1) and sloth fur (n = 1), suggesting that the diet of P. brasiliensis, in the reservoir, is almost exclusively based on fish. Ten fish families were identified in our samples, six of which were exclusive to the Balbina Lake (not present in the diet of giant otters from non-dammed areas). These six fish families, however, were present in less than 3% of the samples. The fish families with highest representation in the diet of giant otters from non-dammed areas also appeared with higher frequencies in the Balbina Lake, suggesting that the otters have not changed their diet substantially after the implementation of the reservoir. During the high-water period, when the fish are dispersed into the flooded forest and are not very easy to catch, the otters seem to have an opportunistic feeding habit. By contrast, during the low-water period, when prey items are widely available and easier to catch in the reservoir, their feeding habits are more selective.

Feeding habits of giant otters Pteronura brasiliensis (Carnivora: Mustelidae) in the Balbina hydroelectric reservoir, Central Brazilian Amazon

This study aimed to identify the diet of giant otters, Pteronura brasiliensis (Zimmermann, 1780) in the Balbina reservoir (01º55'S, 59º29'W), to compare it with literature data on the diet of giant otters from non-dammed areas, and to verify the effects of the seasonal changes in water levels on the feeding habits of Balbina otters. A total of 254 feces samples were collected and identified according to the lowest possible taxonomic level. Teleostei fish were present in 100% of the samples; two samples also presented monkey fur (n = 1) and sloth fur (n = 1), suggesting that the diet of P. brasiliensis, in the reservoir, is almost exclusively based on fish. Ten fish families were identified in our samples, six of which were exclusive to the Balbina Lake (not present in the diet of giant otters from non-dammed areas). These six fish families, however, were present in less than 3% of the samples. The fish families with highest representation in the diet of giant otters from non-dammed areas also appeared with higher frequencies in the Balbina Lake, suggesting that the otters have not changed their diet substantially after the implementation of the reservoir. During the high-water period, when the fish are dispersed into the flooded forest and are not very easy to catch, the otters seem to have an opportunistic feeding habit. By contrast, during the low-water period, when prey items are widely available and easier to catch in the reservoir, their feeding habits are more selective.

Feeding habits of giant otters Pteronura brasiliensis (Carnivora: Mustelidae) in the Balbina hydroelectric reservoir, Central Brazilian Amazon

This study aimed to identify the diet of giant otters, Pteronura brasiliensis (Zimmermann, 1780) in the Balbina reservoir (01º55'S, 59º29'W), to compare it with literature data on the diet of giant otters from non-dammed areas, and to verify the effects of the seasonal changes in water levels on the feeding habits of Balbina otters. A total of 254 feces samples were collected and identified according to the lowest possible taxonomic level. Teleostei fish were present in 100% of the samples; two samples also presented monkey fur (n = 1) and sloth fur (n = 1), suggesting that the diet of P. brasiliensis, in the reservoir, is almost exclusively based on fish. Ten fish families were identified in our samples, six of which were exclusive to the Balbina Lake (not present in the diet of giant otters from non-dammed areas). These six fish families, however, were present in less than 3% of the samples. The fish families with highest representation in the diet of giant otters from non-dammed areas also appeared with higher frequencies in the Balbina Lake, suggesting that the otters have not changed their diet substantially after the implementation of the reservoir. During the high-water period, when the fish are dispersed into the flooded forest and are not very easy to catch, the otters seem to have an opportunistic feeding habit. By contrast, during the low-water period, when prey items are widely available and easier to catch in the reservoir, their feeding habits are more selective.