Hematology and blood chemistry parameters differ in free-ranging maned wolves (Chrysocyon brachyurus) living in the Serra da Canastra National Park versus adjacent farmlands, Brazil.

There has been growing interest in the specific impacts of anthropogenic factors on the health of wildlife. This study examined hematology and serum chemistry status of a prominent carnivore, the maned wolf (Chrysocyon brachyurus), living in, on the boundaries to, or on adjacent farmlands to the Serra da Canastra National Park, Brazil. Twenty-eighty wolves were captured, and values were compared 1) between subadults (n=8 animals) and adults (n=20 animals), 2) males (n=12 animals) and females (n=16 animals), and 3) among wolves living inside the park (n=11), near the park border (n=11 animals), and in neighboring farming areas (n=6 animals). Age, gender, and wolf locations influenced (P<0.05) hematology and serum biochemistry values. Specifically, adults had lower (P<0.05) circulating phosphorus than subadults. Males had lower (P<0.05) serum glucose, creatinine phosphokinase, and cholesterol and higher (P<0.05) potassium than females. Erythrocyte count and serum cholinesterase were lower (P<0.05) in wolves living within the park compared with near the park border or on farmlands. Mean corpuscular volume was lower (P<0.05) in wolves living near the park border than those ranging within the park and on farmlands. Aspartate transaminase and chloride were higher (P<0.05) in wolves living inside the park compared with those ranging near the park border. Creatinine phosphokinase was lower (P<0.05) in wolves living on farmland compared with the other two locations. These results clearly reveal a relationship between age and gender on hematology and serum biochemistry values in free-living maned wolves. More importantly, certain traits indicative of health are potentially compromised in wolves living in areas under anthropogenic pressure. These data lay a foundation for examining the influence of farming and local domestic species on disease susceptibility and fitness in the maned wolf.

Fruit consumption and seed dispersal of Dimorphandra mollis Benth. (Leguminosae) by the lowland tapir in the cerrado of Central Brazil.

Fruit phenology observations and consumption of Dimorphandra mollis (Leguminosae) were analyzed during seven months in an area of cerrado stricto sensu. We analysed 81 fecal samples collected at six different places of lowland tapirs (Tapirus terrestris) in central Brazilian cerrado. In addition, from the feces of five tapirs at the Brasília Zoo to which fruit had been offered, seeds were collected and used in germination tests. The results suggest that the tapir is an important fruit consumer and a potential seed disperser of D. mollis. In the field, however, fruit consumption was found to be very low, probably because of both fruit palatability and the low density of frugivores, especially tapirs. The possibility that the original dispersal agents of D. mollis seeds belonged to the South American Pleistocene megafauna is discussed.

Fruit consumption and seed ispersal of Dimorphandra mollis Benth. (Leguminosae) by the lowland tapir in the Cerrado of Central Brazil

A frutificação de Dimorphandra mollis e o destino dos frutos foram analisados por 7 meses em uma área de cerrado stricto sensu no Distrito Federal. Analisamos 81 amostras de fezes de anta (Tapirus terrestris) coletadas em 6 áreas de cerrado no Brasil Central e oferecemos frutos a 5 antas no zoológico de Brasília. As fezes foram coletadas e as sementes usadas em testes de germinação. A anta é importante consumidor dos frutos e potencial dispersor das sementes. Contudo, o consumo de frutos no campo foi reduzido provavelmente em razão da palatabilidade dos frutos e da baixa densidade de frugívoros, especialmente antas. Discutimos a possibilidade de os dispersores originais pertencerem à megafauna extinta de mamíferos da América do Sul.

Ichthyofauna from the Emas National Park region: composition and structure.

The relationship between habitats and the ichthyofauna composition in the Parque Nacional das Emas (PNE) and adjacent areas (the Araguaia and Sucuriú rivers) are provided and could be applied in determining the Park's future zoning. Samples of the ichthyofauna and limnological parameters were obtained during both dry (September 1999) and wet (December 1999) seasons. Ichthyofauna collections resulted in the capture of 4,740 specimens of 22 species. The most abundant species in the Araguaia River during the two sampling seasons were Astyanax sp. 2 and Hasemania sp. In the Sucuriú River and PNE, Astyanax scabripinnis cf. paranae and Hoplias aff. malabaricus were the most frequent species. The largest number of species and diversity index were recorded for the Araguaia River. However, sound management policies require more detailed studies on the fish communities of the Cerrado biome.

Ichthyofauna from the Emas National Park region: composition and structure

Com o objetivo de obter informações básicas para o futuro zoneamento do Parque Nacional das Emas (PNE), foram realizadas amostragens ictiofaunísticas e de parâmetros limnólógicos durante o período de seca (setembro/1999) e de chuvas (dezembro/1999) em estações de coletas localizadas no interior do Parque e em áreas adjacentes (rios Araguaia e Sucuriú). Foram capturados 4.740 indivíduos, distribuídos em 22 espécies. Entre as espécies mais abundantes destacam-se Astyanax sp. 2 e Hasemania sp. no rio Araguaia e Astyanax scabripinnis cf. paranae e Hoplias aff. malabaricus no rio Sucuriú e PNE. A maior diversidade de espécies foi constatada para o rio Araguaia. Entretanto, para que medidas de manejo possam ser tomadas de forma criteriosa, estudos ecológicos mais detalhados das comunidades de peixes do cerrado devem ser conduzidos.