Endoparasites of marsupials in fragments of the Atlantic rainforest, western Paraná State, Brazil.

Knowledge of taxonomy and biodiversity of parasites is fundamental to better understand ecosystem dynamics. The objective of this study was to describe the helminth fauna of two species of marsupials in five fragments of the Atlantic rainforest in the western region of Paraná State, Brazil. In a total of 4050 trap-nights, the animals were captured using Sherman, Tomahawk, and Pitfall traps, euthanized, necropsied, and their organs inspected for helminths. After identification of the parasites, descriptors of infection, such as prevalence, mean abundance, mean intensity, and range of intensity, were calculated. Collectively, six helminth species were observed in 18 animals. The following five species were observed in Marmosa paraguayana: Viannaia hamata (58.8%), Gracilioxyuris agilisis (52.9%), Travassostrongylus sextus (17.6%), Oncicola luehei (5.9%), and Pritchardia boliviensis (5.9%). Whereas the following two species were observed in Monodelphis dimidiata: Trichohelix tuberculata (100%) and Travassostrongylus sextus (100%). This study represents a new locality record for all helminths described herein, and a new host for four helminth species. This is the first report on the helminth fauna of Monodelphis dimidiata, expanding knowledge about marsupials in the Brazilian Atlantic Forest.

Rickettsia communities and their relationship with tick species within and around the national park of Iguaçu, Brazil.

We report Rickettsia species from 2,334 ticks collected from environment (1,939 ticks) and animals (395 ticks) in the largest inland fragment of the Atlantic rainforest of southern Brazil and its fragments. Additionally, the DNA infection rates of Amblyomma ovale tick populations in the Neotropics with Rickettsia bellii and Rickettsia parkeri strain Atlantic rainforest were calculated using data from scientific publications, and their correlation was evaluated. From 11 tick species Rickettsia DNA was detected in seven (Amblyomma brasiliense, Amblyomma coelebs, Amblyomma incisum, Amblyomma longirostre, A. ovale, Haemaphysalis juxtakochi, Ixodes fuscipes) and was not detected in four species (Amblyomma dubitatum, Ixodes loricatus, Rhipicephalus microplus and Rhipicephalus sanguineus sensu lato). DNA of five Rickettsia species was detected (R. bellii, Rickettsia amblyommatis, Rickettsia rhipicephali, Rickettsia felis and Rickettsia sp. Aragaoi). To determine the prevalence of Rickettsia DNA positivity according to vector species, ticks were processed individually or in pools of 2-10 individuals (samples). The most prevalent Rickettsia species was R. bellii, found in 112 samples, followed by R. amblyommatis, R. rhipicephali, R. felis and Rickettsia sp. Aragaoi, found in 16, five, two and one sample, respectively. Rickettsia bellii DNA was found in five tick species with the highest infection rate in A. ovale and A. brasiliense. Absence of R. parkeri strain Atlantic rainforest in A. ovale ticks was an unexpected result. Furthermore, a negative correlation was identified between the infection rates (DNA) of R. bellii and/or R. parkeri strain Atlantic rainforest within A. ovale tick populations in the Neotropics. Putting together current knowledge, it can be proposed that, within natural settings, the diversity of rickettsiae and ticks creates a buffering effect on the overgrowth of rickettsiae and episodes of bacteremia in the hosts.

Endoparasites of marsupials in fragments of the Atlantic rainforest, western Paraná State, Brazil / Endoparasitas de marsupiais em fragmentos de Mata Atlântica no oeste do Estado do Paraná, Brasil

Abstract Knowledge of taxonomy and biodiversity of parasites is fundamental to better understand ecosystem dynamics. The objective of this study was to describe the helminth fauna of two species of marsupials in five fragments of the Atlantic rainforest in the western region of Paraná State, Brazil. In a total of 4050 trap-nights, the animals were captured using Sherman, Tomahawk, and Pitfall traps, euthanized, necropsied, and their organs inspected for helminths. After identification of the parasites, descriptors of infection, such as prevalence, mean abundance, mean intensity, and range of intensity, were calculated. Collectively, six helminth species were observed in 18 animals. The following five species were observed in Marmosa paraguayana: Viannaia hamata (58.8%), Gracilioxyuris agilisis (52.9%), Travassostrongylus sextus (17.6%), Oncicola luehei (5.9%), and Pritchardia boliviensis (5.9%). Whereas the following two species were observed in Monodelphis dimidiata: Trichohelix tuberculata (100%) and Travassostrongylus sextus (100%). This study represents a new locality record for all helminths described herein, and a new host for four helminth species. This is the first report on the helminth fauna of Monodelphis dimidiata, expanding knowledge about marsupials in the Brazilian Atlantic Forest.

Resumo Conhecimentos taxonômicos e da biodiversidade parasitária são fundamentais para uma melhor compreensão da dinâmica do ecossistema. O objetivo do estudo foi descrever a helmintofauna de marsupiais em cinco fragmentos de Mata Atlântica, na região Oeste do Estado do Paraná, Brasil. Em um total de 4.050 armadilhas/noite, os animais foram capturados com as do tipo Sherman, Tomahawk e Pitfall, eutanasiados, necropsiados e seus órgãos inspecionados em busca de helmintos. Após a identificação do parasita, foram calculados os indicadores de infecção (prevalência, abundância média, intensidade média e variação de intensidade). Seis espécies de helmintos foram observadas em dezoito animais; cinco em Marmosa paraguayana: Viannaia hamata (58,8%), Gracilioxyuris agilisis (52,9%), Travassostrongylus sextus (17,6%), Oncicola luehei (5,9%) e Pritchardia boliviensis (5,9%), e duas em Monodelphis dimidiata: Trichohelix tuberculata (100%) e Travassostrongylus sextus (100%). Este estudo representa um novo registro de localidade para todos os helmintos descritos e um novo hospedeiro para quatro deles. Trata-se do primeiro relato da helmintofauna de Monodelphis dimidiata, expandindo-se os conhecimentos sobre marsupiais na mata Atlântica brasileira.

Ticks on humans in an Atlantic rainforest preserved ecosystem in Brazil: Species, life stages, attachment sites, and temporal pattern of infestation.

We herein describe exposure and tick attachment to researchers and field staff within the greatest preserved inland Atlantic rainforest, located in Brazil, over a non-consecutive period of five years. Overall, 433 ticks from five species were collected, Amblyomma coelebs (n = 281), Amblyomma brasiliense (n = 79), Amblyomma incisum (n = 43), Amblyomma ovale (n = 4), Haemaphysalis juxtakochi (n = 4). Clusters of larvae belonged to the genus Amblyomma (n = 21) and Haemaphysalis (n = 1). Both Haemaphysalis and Amblyomma species were observed crawling on humans but only ticks from the latter genus were found attached. Most recovered ticks (59%) were found attached and, whereas A. brasiliense was the main host-seeking tick species in the forest, A. coelebs nymphs were the ones that overwhelmingly attached to humans (70% of all attachments). At the same time only 0.4% of human bites were of A. ovale, the Rickettsia parkeri strain Atlantic rainforest vector tick in Brazil. Tick attachment sites were recorded for 132 ticks and lower/upper limbs and the trunk were more parasitized than the head/neck. Tick bites were recorded throughout the year; while larvae did not show an evident seasonal pattern, nymphs attached to humans mainly in autumn and winter and the few adult bites were recorded in spring. Our results highlighted A. coelebs nymphs as major human-biters and evidenced the necessity of studies that discern human tick bites that occur after exposure to host-seeking ticks from those that occur after tick displacement from hosts that carry ticks to human dwellings.

Environmental and anthropogenic factors synergistically affect space use of jaguars.

Large terrestrial carnivores have undergone some of the largest population declines and range reductions of any species, which is of concern as they can have large effects on ecosystem dynamics and function.1-4 The jaguar (Panthera onca) is the apex predator throughout the majority of the Neotropics; however, its distribution has been reduced by >50% and it survives in increasingly isolated populations.5 Consequently, the range-wide management of the jaguar depends upon maintaining core populations connected through multi-national, transboundary cooperation, which requires understanding the movement ecology and space use of jaguars throughout their range.6-8 Using GPS telemetry data for 111 jaguars from 13 ecoregions within the four biomes that constitute the majority of jaguar habitat, we examined the landscape-level environmental and anthropogenic factors related to jaguar home range size and movement parameters. Home range size decreased with increasing net productivity and forest cover and increased with increasing road density. Speed decreased with increasing forest cover with no sexual differences, while males had more directional movements, but tortuosity in movements was not related to any landscape factors. We demonstrated a synergistic relationship between landscape-scale environmental and anthropogenic factors and jaguars' spatial needs, which has applications to the conservation strategy for the species throughout the Neotropics. Using large-scale collaboration, we overcame limitations from small sample sizes typical in large carnivore research to provide a mechanism to evaluate habitat quality for jaguars and an inferential modeling framework adaptable to the conservation of other large terrestrial carnivores.

Rodent helminths in fragmented Atlantic Forest areas in the western region of the state of Paraná.

Rodents are small mammals that can be parasitized by various helminths. This study aimed to identify and describe the ecological indicators of infection in rodents captured in fragments of the Atlantic Forest in the western region of Paraná State, Brazil. Sixty-eight specimens of five rodent species were collected, necropsied, and inspected in search of helminths. The parasites were stored in 70% ethanol, morphologically identified, and counted for calculation of infection indicators. Fourteen species of helminths and one species of Crustacea were recorded: ten in Akodon montensis, four in Mus musculus, two in Thaptomys nigrita, two in Oligoryzomys nigripes, and one in Euryoryzomys russatus. The registered species of parasites were: Rodentolepis akodontis, Angiostrongylus sp., Protospirura numidica criceticola, Trichuris navonae, Syphacia alata, Syphacia criceti, Syphacia evaginata, Trichofreitasia lenti, Stilestrongylus aculeata, Stilestrongylus eta, Stilestrongylus gracielae, Stilestrongylus franciscanus, Stilestrongylus moreli, Stilestrongylus sp., and Pentastomida gen. sp. A positive correlation between the intensity of infection of T. navonae and T. lenti was observed with the body condition index of the host A. montensis. For all species, this study represents a new register of locality, and for eight of them a new host.

Rodent helminths in fragmented Atlantic Forest areas in the western region of the state of Paraná / Helmintos de roedores em áreas fragmentadas de Mata Atlântica na região Oeste do Estado do Paraná

Abstract Rodents are small mammals that can be parasitized by various helminths. This study aimed to identify and describe the ecological indicators of infection in rodents captured in fragments of the Atlantic Forest in the western region of Paraná State, Brazil. Sixty-eight specimens of five rodent species were collected, necropsied, and inspected in search of helminths. The parasites were stored in 70% ethanol, morphologically identified, and counted for calculation of infection indicators. Fourteen species of helminths and one species of Crustacea were recorded: ten in Akodon montensis, four in Mus musculus, two in Thaptomys nigrita, two in Oligoryzomys nigripes, and one in Euryoryzomys russatus. The registered species of parasites were: Rodentolepis akodontis, Angiostrongylus sp., Protospirura numidica criceticola, Trichuris navonae, Syphacia alata, Syphacia criceti, Syphacia evaginata, Trichofreitasia lenti, Stilestrongylus aculeata, Stilestrongylus eta, Stilestrongylus gracielae, Stilestrongylus franciscanus, Stilestrongylus moreli, Stilestrongylus sp., and Pentastomida gen. sp. A positive correlation between the intensity of infection of T. navonae and T. lenti was observed with the body condition index of the host A. montensis. For all species, this study represents a new register of locality, and for eight of them a new host.

Resumo Roedores são pequenos mamíferos que podem ser parasitados por uma diversidade de helmintos. Este estudo teve como objetivo identificar e descrever os indicadores ecológicos de infecção por helmintos, em roedores capturados em fragmentos de Mata Atlântica, na região Oeste do Estado do Paraná, Brasil. Sessenta e oito animais foram coletados, necropsiados e inspecionados em busca de helmintos. Os parasitas foram armazenados em etanol 70%, identificados morfologicamente e contados para o cálculo dos indicadores de infecção. Quatorze espécies de helmintos e uma espécie de crustáceo foram registradas: dez em Akodon montensis, quatro em Mus musculus, duas em Thaptomys nigrita, duas em Oligoryzomys nigripes e uma em Euryoryzomys russatus. As espécies de parasitas registradas foram: Rodentolepis akodontis, Angiostrongylus sp., Protospirura numidica criceticola, Trichuris navonae, Syphacia alata, Syphacia criceti, Syphacia evaginata, Trichofreitasia lenti, Stilestrongylus aculeata, Stilestrongylus eta, Stilestrongylus gracielae, Stilestrongylus franciscanus, Stilestrongylus moreli, Stilestrongylus sp., e Pentastomida gen. sp. Uma correlação positiva entre a intensidade parasitária de T. navonae e T. lenti foi observada com o índice de condição corporal do hospedeiro A. montensis. Para todas as espécies, este estudo representa um novo registro de localidade, e para oito delas um novo hospedeiro.

Molecular detection of a Borrelia sp. in nymphs of Amblyomma brasiliense ticks (Acari: Ixodidae) from Iguaçu National Park, Brazil, genetically related to Borrelia from Ethiopia and Côte d'Ivoire.

Gram-negative spirochetes of the genus Borrelia are transmitted to vertebrate hosts through the tick bite during blood intake. Pathogenic Borrelia species may cause relapsing fever or Lyme borreliosis in humans. Our study aimed to molecularly detect and characterize bacteria of this genus in ticks collected in the Iguaçu National Park, located in southern Brazil. Ticks were collected from the environment (free living) and from hosts from May 2015 to July 2017. In total, 829 ticks were tested, being 741 from the environment and 88 from hosts; 128 ticks were larvae, 523 were nymphs, and 178 were adults (80 males and 98 females). The species identified were: Amblyomma brasiliense (42.9 %), Amblyomma coelebs (16.8 %), Amblyomma sp. (15.0 %), Amblyomma incisum (10.3 %), Amblyomma ovale (8.7 %), Haemaphysalis juxtakochi (5.5 %), Rhipicephalus microplus (0.5 %), Amblyomma longirostre (0.2 %), and Rhipicephalus sanguineus sensu lato (0.1 %). DNA extraction was performed with pools of larvae or nymphs, or individually with adults, for a total of 394 samples. The PCR technique used to detect Borrelia DNA was performed with two rounds of amplification reactions targeting a segment of the flagellin B gene (flaB). Amplification occurred in only one DNA sample, which was obtained from nymphs of A. brasiliense collected from the vegetation of a trail. The nucleotide sequence analysis revealed 90.8 % identity to a sequence of Borrelia sp. from Côte d'Ivoire, and 89.1 % identity to a sequence from Ethiopia. Phylogenetic analysis revealed that the Borrelia sequence from A. brasiliense was distinct from the Borrelia species of the groups belonging to Lyme borreliosis, relapsing fever and the one associated with reptile and echidna as hosts. The sequence is likely from a putative new species of Borrelia and was detected for the first time in A. brasiliense ticks.

NEOTROPICAL CARNIVORES: a data set on carnivore distribution in the Neotropics.

Mammalian carnivores are considered a key group in maintaining ecological health and can indicate potential ecological integrity in landscapes where they occur. Carnivores also hold high conservation value and their habitat requirements can guide management and conservation plans. The order Carnivora has 84 species from 8 families in the Neotropical region: Canidae; Felidae; Mephitidae; Mustelidae; Otariidae; Phocidae; Procyonidae; and Ursidae. Herein, we include published and unpublished data on native terrestrial Neotropical carnivores (Canidae; Felidae; Mephitidae; Mustelidae; Procyonidae; and Ursidae). NEOTROPICAL CARNIVORES is a publicly available data set that includes 99,605 data entries from 35,511 unique georeferenced coordinates. Detection/non-detection and quantitative data were obtained from 1818 to 2018 by researchers, governmental agencies, non-governmental organizations, and private consultants. Data were collected using several methods including camera trapping, museum collections, roadkill, line transect, and opportunistic records. Literature (peer-reviewed and grey literature) from Portuguese, Spanish and English were incorporated in this compilation. Most of the data set consists of detection data entries (n = 79,343; 79.7%) but also includes non-detection data (n = 20,262; 20.3%). Of those, 43.3% also include count data (n = 43,151). The information available in NEOTROPICAL CARNIVORES will contribute to macroecological, ecological, and conservation questions in multiple spatio-temporal perspectives. As carnivores play key roles in trophic interactions, a better understanding of their distribution and habitat requirements are essential to establish conservation management plans and safeguard the future ecological health of Neotropical ecosystems. Our data paper, combined with other large-scale data sets, has great potential to clarify species distribution and related ecological processes within the Neotropics. There are no copyright restrictions and no restriction for using data from this data paper, as long as the data paper is cited as the source of the information used. We also request that users inform us of how they intend to use the data.

Free-living ticks (Acari: Ixodidae) in the Iguaçu National Park, Brazil: Temporal dynamics and questing behavior on vegetation.

Basic knowledge of species, ecological preferences and behavior of ticks in preserved rainforests are scanty. We herein describe species richness, seasonal activity, altitude influence and questing height of ticks along 3375 m of animal trails within the largest remain of inland Atlantic rainforest in Brazil, the Iguaçu National Park (INP). Altogether, 2954 ticks from nine tick species were collected; Amblyomma brasiliense Aragão (49.09% of the specimens), Amblyomma coelebs Neumann (29.08%), Amblyomma incisum Neumann (12.49%), Haemaphysalis juxtakochi Cooley (5.21%), Amblyomma ovale Koch (2.64%), Amblyomma longirostre Koch (0.20%), Ixodes fuscipes Fonseca (0.17%), Ixodes loricatus Neumann (0.07%) and Amblyomma dubitatum Neumann (0.03%) (Ixodida: Ixodidae). There was an evident seasonal influence on tick host-questing activity, with each tick stage prevailing in a season before the following one, and a general trend of one tick generation per year. Adult tick questing height mode on vegetation showed a correspondence between tick species and preferred host size and height. Adult ticks quested higher than immatures, but several larval clusters were found high enough to seek for large-sized hosts as well. Nymphal and adult tick questing height increased significantly at higher altitudes within the park. Amblyomma incisum and A. coelebs were more abundant at higher and lower altitudes, respectively. The knowledge on tick species richness, ecological preferences and behavior herein obtained provides baseline information to understand tick-borne disease epidemiology occurring at landscapes under a strong anthropogenic impact.

NEOTROPICAL ALIEN MAMMALS: a data set of occurrence and abundance of alien mammals in the Neotropics.

Biological invasion is one of the main threats to native biodiversity. For a species to become invasive, it must be voluntarily or involuntarily introduced by humans into a nonnative habitat. Mammals were among first taxa to be introduced worldwide for game, meat, and labor, yet the number of species introduced in the Neotropics remains unknown. In this data set, we make available occurrence and abundance data on mammal species that (1) transposed a geographical barrier and (2) were voluntarily or involuntarily introduced by humans into the Neotropics. Our data set is composed of 73,738 historical and current georeferenced records on alien mammal species of which around 96% correspond to occurrence data on 77 species belonging to eight orders and 26 families. Data cover 26 continental countries in the Neotropics, ranging from Mexico and its frontier regions (southern Florida and coastal-central Florida in the southeast United States) to Argentina, Paraguay, Chile, and Uruguay, and the 13 countries of Caribbean islands. Our data set also includes neotropical species (e.g., Callithrix sp., Myocastor coypus, Nasua nasua) considered alien in particular areas of Neotropics. The most numerous species in terms of records are from Bos sp. (n = 37,782), Sus scrofa (n = 6,730), and Canis familiaris (n = 10,084); 17 species were represented by only one record (e.g., Syncerus caffer, Cervus timorensis, Cervus unicolor, Canis latrans). Primates have the highest number of species in the data set (n = 20 species), partly because of uncertainties regarding taxonomic identification of the genera Callithrix, which includes the species Callithrix aurita, Callithrix flaviceps, Callithrix geoffroyi, Callithrix jacchus, Callithrix kuhlii, Callithrix penicillata, and their hybrids. This unique data set will be a valuable source of information on invasion risk assessments, biodiversity redistribution and conservation-related research. There are no copyright restrictions. Please cite this data paper when using the data in publications. We also request that researchers and teachers inform us on how they are using the data.

NEOTROPICAL XENARTHRANS: a data set of occurrence of xenarthran species in the Neotropics.

Xenarthrans-anteaters, sloths, and armadillos-have essential functions for ecosystem maintenance, such as insect control and nutrient cycling, playing key roles as ecosystem engineers. Because of habitat loss and fragmentation, hunting pressure, and conflicts with domestic dogs, these species have been threatened locally, regionally, or even across their full distribution ranges. The Neotropics harbor 21 species of armadillos, 10 anteaters, and 6 sloths. Our data set includes the families Chlamyphoridae (13), Dasypodidae (7), Myrmecophagidae (3), Bradypodidae (4), and Megalonychidae (2). We have no occurrence data on Dasypus pilosus (Dasypodidae). Regarding Cyclopedidae, until recently, only one species was recognized, but new genetic studies have revealed that the group is represented by seven species. In this data paper, we compiled a total of 42,528 records of 31 species, represented by occurrence and quantitative data, totaling 24,847 unique georeferenced records. The geographic range is from the southern United States, Mexico, and Caribbean countries at the northern portion of the Neotropics, to the austral distribution in Argentina, Paraguay, Chile, and Uruguay. Regarding anteaters, Myrmecophaga tridactyla has the most records (n = 5,941), and Cyclopes sp. have the fewest (n = 240). The armadillo species with the most data is Dasypus novemcinctus (n = 11,588), and the fewest data are recorded for Calyptophractus retusus (n = 33). With regard to sloth species, Bradypus variegatus has the most records (n = 962), and Bradypus pygmaeus has the fewest (n = 12). Our main objective with Neotropical Xenarthrans is to make occurrence and quantitative data available to facilitate more ecological research, particularly if we integrate the xenarthran data with other data sets of Neotropical Series that will become available very soon (i.e., Neotropical Carnivores, Neotropical Invasive Mammals, and Neotropical Hunters and Dogs). Therefore, studies on trophic cascades, hunting pressure, habitat loss, fragmentation effects, species invasion, and climate change effects will be possible with the Neotropical Xenarthrans data set. Please cite this data paper when using its data in publications. We also request that researchers and teachers inform us of how they are using these data.

Jaguar movement database: a GPS-based movement dataset of an apex predator in the Neotropics.

The field of movement ecology has rapidly grown during the last decade, with important advancements in tracking devices and analytical tools that have provided unprecedented insights into where, when, and why species move across a landscape. Although there has been an increasing emphasis on making animal movement data publicly available, there has also been a conspicuous dearth in the availability of such data on large carnivores. Globally, large predators are of conservation concern. However, due to their secretive behavior and low densities, obtaining movement data on apex predators is expensive and logistically challenging. Consequently, the relatively small sample sizes typical of large carnivore movement studies may limit insights into the ecology and behavior of these elusive predators. The aim of this initiative is to make available to the conservation-scientific community a dataset of 134,690 locations of jaguars (Panthera onca) collected from 117 individuals (54 males and 63 females) tracked by GPS technology. Individual jaguars were monitored in five different range countries representing a large portion of the species' distribution. This dataset may be used to answer a variety of ecological questions including but not limited to: improved models of connectivity from local to continental scales; the use of natural or human-modified landscapes by jaguars; movement behavior of jaguars in regions not represented in this dataset; intraspecific interactions; and predator-prey interactions. In making our dataset publicly available, we hope to motivate other research groups to do the same in the near future. Specifically, we aim to help inform a better understanding of jaguar movement ecology with applications towards effective decision making and maximizing long-term conservation efforts for this ecologically important species. There are no costs, copyright, or proprietary restrictions associated with this data set. When using this data set, please cite this article to recognize the effort involved in gathering and collating the data and the willingness of the authors to make it publicly available.

Space Use and Movement of a Neotropical Top Predator: The Endangered Jaguar.

Accurately estimating home range and understanding movement behavior can provide important information on ecological processes. Advances in data collection and analysis have improved our ability to estimate home range and movement parameters, both of which have the potential to impact species conservation. Fitting continuous-time movement model to data and incorporating the autocorrelated kernel density estimator (AKDE), we investigated range residency of forty-four jaguars fit with GPS collars across five biomes in Brazil and Argentina. We assessed home range and movement parameters of range resident animals and compared AKDE estimates with kernel density estimates (KDE). We accounted for differential space use and movement among individuals, sex, region, and habitat quality. Thirty-three (80%) of collared jaguars were range resident. Home range estimates using AKDE were 1.02 to 4.80 times larger than KDE estimates that did not consider autocorrelation. Males exhibited larger home ranges, more directional movement paths, and a trend towards larger distances traveled per day. Jaguars with the largest home ranges occupied the Atlantic Forest, a biome with high levels of deforestation and high human population density. Our results fill a gap in the knowledge of the species' ecology with an aim towards better conservation of this endangered/critically endangered carnivore-the top predator in the Neotropics.

Ocorrência de Atelocynus microtis (Sclater, 1882) na Floresta Nacional do Jamari, estado de Rondônia / Occurrence of Atelocynus microtis (Sclater, 1882) in the Jamari National Forest, Rondonia state

O cachorro-de-orelhas-curtas Atelocynus microtis é uma das espécies mais raras de Canídeos Sul-americanos. Os relatos são muito raros e a inexistência de animais cativos também sugere distribuição limitada e densidades baixas. No período de 16 de agosto a 12 de outubro de 2006, foi realizado um monitoramento fotográfico na Floresta Nacional do Jamari, que é uma Unidade de Conservação de Uso Sustentável e possui plano de manejo com seu zoneamento ambiental definido. Os registros fotográficos de Atelocynus microtis foram obtidos nas regiões centro-oeste e noroeste da unidade, áreas formadas por Floresta Ombrófila Densa, com pontos de Floresta Ombrófila Aberta. As áreas onde foram capturadas as imagens fotográficas de Atelocynus microtis, estão em Zona de Manejo Florestal e em Zona de Mineração, por enquanto sem exploração. A partir destes fatos, a sugestão seria que o zoneamento ambiental desta Unidade de Conservação levasse em consideração este achado e fosse alterado para que a espécie fosse mais bem estudada na região antes da exploração das áreas. Como estudos relacionados a esta espécie são praticamente inexistentes, esta nota se torna importante, contribuindo com dados sobre a ecologia do A. microtis.

The Short-eared dog Atelocynus microtis is one of the most rare species of South America Canids. It is rarely reported in inventories or faunal surveys and the absence of captive animals also suggest a restrict distribution and low densities. Between August 16th 2006 and October 12th 2006, a photographic monitoring using camera traps (infrared-triggered), was carried out at the Jamari National Forest. This is a sustainable use conservation unity and has a management plan with its defined environmental zones. The Atelocynus microtis photos were captured in the Central-west and North-west areas of the Jamari National Forest, areas constituted by Dense Evergreen Forest with Open Evergreen Forest spots. The areas where the images of A. microtis were captured are in forest management zone and in mining zone, which still not exploited. Based on these facts, we suggest the management plan of this Conservation Unity took this finding into consideration and altered it, so this species could be better studied in the region, before its exploitation. As there are hardly any studies related to this species, this note becomes important, contributing to data about the A. microtis ecology.

Ticks (Acari: Ixodidae) parasitizing humans in an Atlantic rainforest reserve of Southeastern Brazil with notes on host suitability.

While conducting projects on ticks from deer and on tick ecology in animal trails in an Atlantic rainforest reserve in Southeastern Brazil, researchers of our group were bitten by ticks several times. Some of these episodes were recorded. Three species of adult ticks attached to humans: Amblyomma brasiliense Aragão, Amblyomma incisum Neumann, and Amblyomma ovale Koch. Eight nymphal attachments with engorgement on humans were recorded. From these, six molted to adults of A. incisum, one to an adult of A. brasiliense, and one had an anomalous molting, therefore the adult tick could not be properly identified. Local reactions to tick attachment varied among individual hosts from almost imperceptible to intense. Especially itching, but hyperemia and swelling as well, were prominent features of the reaction. Overall it can be affirmed that human beings can be a physiologically suitable host species for ticks in the Atlantic rainforest and that itching was an important if not the major component of the resistance to tick bite.