Functional traits shape small mammal-helminth network: patterns and processes in species interactions.

Understanding the role of species traits in mediating ecological interactions and shaping community structure is a key question in ecology. In this sense, parasite population parameters allow us to estimate the functional importance of traits in shaping the strength of interactions among hosts and parasites in a network. The aim of this study was to survey and analyse the small mammal-helminth network in a forest reserve of the Brazilian Atlantic Forest in order to understand (i) how functional traits (type of parasite life cycle, site of infection in their host, host and parasite body length, host diet, host locomotor habit and host activity period) and abundance influence host­parasite interactions, (ii) whether these traits explain species roles, and (iii) if this relationship is consistent across different parasite population parameters (presence and absence, mean abundance and prevalence). Networks were modular and their structural patterns did not vary among the population parameters. Functional traits and abundance shaped the interactions observed between parasites and hosts. Host species abundance, host diet and locomotor habit affected their centrality and/or vulnerability to parasites. For helminths, infection niche was the main trait determining their central roles in the networks.

Hematological values for free-living great fruit-eating bats, Artibeus lituratus (Chiroptera: Phyllostomidae) / Perfil hematológico de morcegos frugívoros, Artibeus lituratus (Chiroptera: Phyllostomidae)

It was provide a hematological profile of Artibeus lituratus (Phyllostomidae: Stenodermatinae). Animals were collected from October 2017 to February 2018 in an urban forest in the city of Rio de Janeiro, Southeastern Brazil. Males and females showed similar overall mean values for the parameters analyzed. Males had higher values for erythrocytes (RBC), hematocrit and basophils. Females had higher levels of eosinophils than males. The hematological values reported here will serve as reference for future research on health conditions of free-living and captive populations of Artibeus lituratus, as well as for research on pathogens associated with these bats.(AU)

O presente trabalho estabeleceu o perfil hematológico de morcegos frugívoros de vida livre, A. lituratus (Phyllostomidae: Stenodermatinae). As amostragens foram realizadas de outubro de 2017 a fevereiro de 2018 em uma floresta urbana na cidade do Rio de Janeiro, Sudeste do Brasil. Machos e fêmeas apresentaram valores médios gerais semelhantes para os parâmetros analisados. Os machos apresentaram valores de eritrócitos (RBC), hematócrito e basófilos mais altos. As fêmeas apresentaram níveis mais elevados de eosinófilos que os machos. Os valores hematológicos aqui reportados servirão de referência para pesquisas sobre condições de saúde de populações de Artibeus lituratus em vida livre e de cativeiro, assim como para pesquisas sobre patógenos associados a esses morcegos.(AU)