Neotropical mammal responses to megafires in the Brazilian Pantanal.

The increasing frequency and severity of human-caused fires likely have deleterious effects on species distribution and persistence. In 2020, megafires in the Brazilian Pantanal burned 43% of the biome's unburned area and resulted in mass mortality of wildlife. We investigated changes in habitat use or occupancy for an assemblage of eight mammal species in Serra do Amolar, Brazil, following the 2020 fires using a pre- and post-fire camera trap dataset. Additionally, we estimated the density for two naturally marked species, jaguars Panthera onca and ocelots Leopardus pardalis. Of the eight species, six (ocelots, collared peccaries Dicotyles tajacu, giant armadillos Priodontes maximus, Azara's agouti Dasyprocta azarae, red brocket deer Mazama americana, and tapirs Tapirus terrestris) had declining occupancy following fires, and one had stable habitat use (pumas Puma concolor). Giant armadillo experienced the most precipitous decline in occupancy from 0.431 ± 0.171 to 0.077 ± 0.044 after the fires. Jaguars were the only species with increasing habitat use, from 0.393 ± 0.127 to 0.753 ± 0.085. Jaguar density remained stable across years (2.8 ± 1.3, 3.7 ± 1.3, 2.6 ± 0.85/100 km2), while ocelot density increased from 13.9 ± 3.2 to 16.1 ± 5.2/100 km2. However, the low number of both jaguars and ocelots recaptured after the fire period suggests that immigration may have sustained the population. Our results indicate that the megafires will have significant consequences for species occupancy and fitness in fire-affected areas. The scale of megafires may inhibit successful recolonization, thus wider studies are needed to investigate population trends.

A crescente frequência e gravidade dos incêndios causados pelo homem provavelmente terão efeitos deletérios na distribuição e persistência das espécies. Em 2020, mega incêndios no Pantanal brasileiro queimaram 43% do bioma e resultaram na mortalidade em massa da vida selvagem. Nós investigamos mudanças no uso ou ocupação do habitat para uma comunidade de oito espécies de mamíferos na Serra do Amolar, Brasil, após os incêndios de 2020, usando um conjunto de dados de armadilhas fotográficas instaladas no período pré e pós­fogo. Além disso, estimamos a densidade de duas espécies naturalmente marcadas, a onça­pintada Panthera onca e a jaguatirica Leopardus pardalis. Das oito espécies, seis (a jaguatirica, o cateto Dicotyles tajacu, o tatu­canastra Priodontes maximus, a cutia Dasyprocta azarae, o veado mateiro Mazama americana e a anta Tapirus terrestris) tiveram ocupação reduzida após os incêndios, e uma teve uso de habitat estável (a onça­parda, Puma concolor). O tatu­canastra apresentou o declínio mais acentuado na ocupação após os incêndios de 0,431 ± 0,171 para 0,077 ± 0,044. A onça­pintada foi a única espécie com uso crescente de habitat, de 0,393 ± 0,127 para 0,753 ± 0,085. A densidade da onça­pintada permaneceu estável ao longo dos anos (2,8 ± 1,3, 3,7 ± 1,3, 2,6 ± 0,85/100 km2), enquanto a densidade da jaguatirica aumentou de 13,9 ± 3,2 para 16,1 ± 5,2/100 km2. No entanto, o baixo número de onças­pintadas e jaguatiricas recapturadas após o período do fogo sugere que a imigração pode ter sustentado as populações. Nossos resultados indicam que os mega incêndios terão consequências significativas para a ocupação e resiliência das espécies nas áreas afetadas pelo fogo. A escala dos mega incêndios pode inibir uma recolonização bem­sucedida, pelo que são necessários estudos mais amplos para investigar as tendências populacionais.

Characterization of the bacterial microbiome of Amblyomma scalpturatum and Amblyomma ovale collected from Tapirus terrestris and Amblyomma sabanerae collected from Chelonoidis denticulata, Madre de Dios- Peru.

BACKGROUND: Ticks are arthropods that can host and transmit pathogens to wild animals, domestic animals, and even humans. The microbiome in ticks is an endosymbiotic, pathogenic and is yet to be fully understood. RESULTS: Adult male Amblyomma scalpturatum (A. scalpturatum) and Amblyomma ovale (A. ovale) ticks were collected from Tapirus terrestris (T. terrestris) captured in the rural area of San Lorenzo Village, and males Amblyomma sabanerae were collected from Chelonoidis denticulate (C. denticulate) of the Gamita Farm in the Amazon region of Madre de Dios, Peru. The Chao1 and Shannon-Weaver analyses indicated a greater bacterial richness and diversity in male A. sabanerae (Amblyomma sabanerae; 613.65-2.03) compared to male A. scalpturatum and A. ovale (A. scalpturatum and A. ovale; 102.17-0.40). Taxonomic analyses identified 478 operational taxonomic units representing 220 bacterial genera in A. sabanerae and 86 operational taxonomic units representing 28 bacterial genera in A. scalpturatum and A. ovale. Of the most prevalent genera was Francisella (73.2%) in A. sabanerae, and Acinetobacter (96.8%) in A. scalpturatum and A. ovale to be considered as the core microbiome of A. sabanerae and A. scalpturatum/A. ovale respectively. CONCLUSIONS: We found a high bacterial diversity in male of A. sabanerae collected from C. denticulata showed prevalence of Francisella and prevalence of Acinetobacter in male A. scalpturatum and A. ovale collected from T. terrestris. The greatest bacterial diversity and richness was found in males A. sabanerae. This is the first bacterial metagenomic study performed in A. scalpturatum/A. ovale and A. sabanerae collected from T. terrestris and C. denticulata in the Peruvian jungle.

Amblyomma ticks in animal carcasses hunted in Mapinguari National Park, Western Amazon, Brazil: New records on species and host-parasite relationships.

Ticks are obligatory parasites and transmit several pathogens to animals and humans. This study aimed to report the parasitism of ticks on carcasses of animals hunted by hunters from communities near Mapinguari National Park, at the shared border of Amazonas and Rondonia states, northern Brazil. The ticks were collected from heads of carcasses of the following animals: South American tapir (Tapirus terrestris), collared peccary (Pecari tajacu) and long-nosed armadillo (Dasypus beniensis). Six Amblyomma tick species were identified: Amblyomma coelebs, Amblyomma naponense, Amblyomma latepunctatum, Amblyomma oblongoguttatum, Amblyomma scalpturatum, Amblyomma triste and Amblyomma spp. The most abundant tick species were A. oblongoguttatum and A. scalpturatum. DNA extraction and polymerase chain reaction (PCR) were performed on all ticks to test for the presence of rickettsial gltA gene fragments, but no amplification was observed. This study reports, for the first time, the parasitism of A. coelebs in the armadillo D. beniensis and the presence of A. triste in the states of Amazonas and Rondonia, updating the tick fauna to 24 and 39 species for these states, respectively.

Spatial and Temporal Adaptations of Lowland Tapirs (Tapirus terrestris) to Environmental and Anthropogenic Impacts.

The Pantanal is one of the most conserved wetland ecosystems in Brazil and a hotspot for biodiversity. Over the last decades intensification of human activities has become a major threat to the stability of the unique landscape. To establish effective conservation actions, it is essential to understand how species respond to anthropogenic and environmental regional factors. Here, data from two multiannual camera trap studies, one in the northern Pantanal and one in the southern Pantanal, were used to investigate the effects of habitat characteristics, seasons, and human interactions on the spatial and temporal patterns of lowland tapirs (Tapirus terrestris). Between 2010 and 2017, camera traps were repeatedly placed in consistent grids covering protected areas and areas with cattle-ranching and tourism. Data were analyzed using generalized linear mixed models and circular statistics. Activity patterns were similar and predominantly nocturnal in both areas, but tapirs indicated avoidance toward settlements and cattle and indicated habitat preferences only in the northern study area with less anthropogenic activities. The present study suggests that both environmental and anthropogenic factors can affect the species' spatial and temporal behavior, but tapirs show varying responses across regions and gradients of disturbance. The results indicate that adapting avoidance strategies might be more likely and effective in areas with low human pressure and sufficient protected areas as alternatives.

Clinical outcome and diagnostic methods of atypical mycobacteriosis due to Mycobacterium avium ssp. hominissuis in a group of captive lowland tapirs (Tapirus terrestris).

Tapirs seem particularly susceptible to mycobacterial infections, especially to tuberculosis caused by M. tuberculosis or M. bovis. In this case series, we report an infection with the non-tuberculous mycobacteria (NTM) species M. avium ssp. hominissuis (MAH) in a group of four (2.2) captive lowland tapirs (Tapirus terrestris). Two female tapirs showed mild respiratory signs such as coughing and mucous sputum production for several years, one juvenile male tapir had to be euthanized due to severe dyspnoea, and the adult male only showed mild respiratory signs in 2010. Post-mortem histopathology of the euthanized animal revealed a chronic bronchopneumonia, and MAH was detected via culture. Subsequently, the three remaining tapirs were tested further: serologically, the tapirs had high antibody titres against M. avium, but they showed no reaction in the comparative skin test (TST). At several time points, the animals were tested for the presence of mycobacteria in different sample matrices including sputum samples, pooled faecal samples as well as swabs from the tapir enclosure to identify potential environmental niches of the pathogen. Moreover, animals were directly sampled using nasal swabs, endoscopic broncho-alveolar (BAL) and gastric lavages. MAH was detected by culture in the sputum samples, in the BAL of the breeding pair, as well as in the swimming pool water and walls, and in swabs taken from the tapir's sleeping beds. We conclude that the TST is not a useful diagnostic tool to detect MAC infections in tapirs, whereas antibody ELISA and culture from BAL appear more sensitive.

Microstructure of the Surface of the Tongue and Histochemical Study of the Lingual Glands of the Lowland Tapir (Tapirus terrestris Linnaeus, 1758) (Perissodactyla: Tapiridae).

Although the anatomy of the gastrointestinal tract has been characterized in the lowland tapir (Tapirus terrestris), the exact anatomy of its tongue has not been studied. Samples of the lingual papillae and lingual glands were collected from the tongue of an adult female lowland tapir. The microscopic analysis of the structure of the lingual papillae and the histochemical analysis of the secretion of the lingual glands were analyzed. The tongue of the tapir is divided into the apex, body with a distinct lingual prominence, and the root. Its ventral surface is smooth. The most numerous of the mechanical papillae were the filiform papillae, while numerous conical papillae with a sharp apex or more rounded papillae were present in the root of the tongue. There were also nine vallate papillae and pair of foliate papillae. The foliate papillae contained several folds parted by 12-14 grooves. The mucous secretion produced by the lingual glands was more obvious than the serous secretion. The features of the dorsal surface of the tongue as well as the shape and number of the lingual papillae on the surface of the tongue of the examined female tapir differ compared to Equidae or Rhinocerotidae, the other two representatives of Perissodactyla. However, further study is necessary for the synapomorpy of the tapir's tongue.

Natural Theileria equi infection in captive Tapirus terrestris (Perissodactyla: Tapiridae) in the Brazilian Amazon.

The objective of this study was to detect natural Theileria equi infection in captive tapirs (Tapirus terrestris) in the Brazilian Amazon. Samples from 19 captive tapirs were collected from zoological and botanical gardens and conservation parks in the Pará (n = 18) and Amazonas (n = 1) states. Whole-blood samples were collected for subsequent screening of T. equi DNA by PCR using the BEC-UF2 and EQUI-R primer set. Microscopic analyses of blood smears revealed T. equi trophozoites in 37% (7/19) of the animals examined, and T. equi DNA was detected in 58% (11/19) of the blood samples analyzed. Sequencing of amplified PCR products revealed an identity with T. equi isolates obtained from horses and waterbuck available in GenBank. In conclusion, T. equi infection occurs in captive tapirs in the Brazilian Amazon, and these mammals could potentially act as reservoirs.

Phylogenetics, patterns of genetic variation and population dynamics of Trypanosoma terrestris support both coevolution and ecological host-fitting as processes driving trypanosome evolution.

BACKGROUND: A considerable amount of evidence has favored ecological host-fitting, rather than coevolution, as the main mechanism responsible for trypanosome divergence. Nevertheless, beyond the study of human pathogenic trypanosomes, the genetic basis of host specificity among trypanosomes isolated from forest-inhabiting hosts remains largely unknown. METHODS: To test possible scenarios on ecological host-fitting and coevolution, we combined a host capture recapture strategy with parasite genetic data and studied the genetic variation, population dynamics and phylogenetic relationships of Trypanosoma terrestris, a recently described trypanosome species isolated from lowland tapirs in the Brazilian Pantanal and Atlantic Forest biomes. RESULTS: We made inferences of T. terrestris population structure at three possible sources of genetic variation: geography, tapir hosts and 'putative' vectors. We found evidence of a bottleneck affecting the contemporary patterns of parasite genetic structure, resulting in little genetic diversity and no evidence of genetic structure among hosts or biomes. Despite this, a strongly divergent haplotype was recorded at a microgeographical scale in the landscape of Nhecolândia in the Pantanal. However, although tapirs are promoting the dispersion of the parasites through the landscape, neither geographical barriers nor tapir hosts were involved in the isolation of this haplotype. Taken together, these findings suggest that either host-switching promoted by putative vectors or declining tapir population densities are influencing the current parasite population dynamics and genetic structure. Similarly, phylogenetic analyses revealed that T. terrestris is strongly linked to the evolutionary history of its perissodactyl hosts, suggesting a coevolving scenario between Perissodactyla and their trypanosomes. Additionally, T. terrestris and T. grayi are closely related, further indicating that host-switching is a common feature promoting trypanosome evolution. CONCLUSIONS: This study provides two lines of evidence, both micro- and macroevolutionary, suggesting that both host-switching by ecological fitting and coevolution are two important and non-mutually-exclusive processes driving the evolution of trypanosomes. In line with other parasite systems, our results support that even in the face of host specialization and coevolution, host-switching may be common and is an important determinant of parasite diversification.

Comparative cranial ontogeny of Tapirus (Mammalia: Perissodactyla: Tapiridae).

Skull morphology in tapirs is particularly interesting due to the presence of a proboscis with important trophic, sensory and behavioral functions. Several studies have dealt with tapir skull osteology but chiefly in a comparative framework between fossil and recent species of tapirs. Only one study examined an aspect of cranial ontogeny, development of the sagittal crest (Holbrook. J Zool Soc Lond 2002; 256; 215). Our goal is to describe in detail the morphological changes that occur during the postnatal ontogeny of the skull in two representative tapir species, Tapirus terrestris and Tapirus indicus, and to explore possible functional consequences of their developmental trajectories. We compared qualitative features of the skull on a growth series of 46 specimens of T. terrestris ordered on the basis of the sequence of eruption and tooth wear, dividing the sample into three age classes: class Y (very young juvenile), class J (from young juvenile to young adult) and class A (full and old adult). The qualitative morphological analysis consisted of describing changes in the series in each skull bone and major skull structure, including the type and degree of transformation (e.g. appearance, fusion) of cranial features (e.g. processes, foramina) and articulations (sutures, synchondroses, and synovial joints). We then measured 23 cranial variables in 46 specimens of T. terrestris that included the entire ontogenetic series from newborn to old adults. We applied statistical multivariate techniques to describe allometric growth, and compared the results with the allometric trends calculated for a sample of 25 specimens of T. indicus. Results show that the skull structure was largely conserved throughout the postnatal ontogeny in T. terrestris, so class Y was remarkably similar to class A in overall shape, with the most significant changes localized in the masticatory apparatus, specifically the maxillary tuber as a support of the large-sized permanent postcanine dentition, and correlated changes in diastemata, mandibular body, and sagittal and nuchal crests. In the nasal region, ontogenetic remodeling affected the space for the meatal diverticulum and the surfaces for the origin of the proboscis musculature. Overall, ontogenetic trajectories exhibited more negative allometric components in T. indicus than in T. terrestris, and they shared 47.83% of allometric trends. Tapirus indicus differed most significantly from T. terrestris in the allometry of postcanine toothrows, diastemata and mandibular body. Thus, some allometric trends seem to be highly conserved among the species studied, and the changes observed showed a strong functional and likely adaptive basis in this lineage of ungulates.

Does Plan B work? Home range estimations from stored on board and transmitted data sets produced by GPS-telemetry in the Colombian Amazon / ¿Funciona el plan B? Estimación de rango de hogar a partir de datos almacenados en instrumentos a bordo de animales y los obtenidos a partir de telemetría satelital de GPS en el Amazonas colombiano

Abstract:Telemetry based on Global Positioning Systems (GPS) makes possible to gather large quantities of information in a very fine scale and work with species that were impossible to study in the past. When working with GPS telemetry, the option of storing data on board could be more desirable than the sole satellite transmitted data, due to the increase in the amount of locations available for analysis. Nonetheless, the uncertainty in the retrieving of the collar unit makes satellite-transmitted technologies something to take into account. Therefore, differences between store-on-board (SoB) and satellite-transmitted (IT) data sets need to be considered. Differences between SoB and IT data collected from two lowland tapirs (Tapirus terrestris), were explored by means of the calculation of home range areas by three different methods: the Minimum Convex Polygon (MCP), the Fixed Kernel Density Estimator (KDE) and the Brownian Bridges (BB). Results showed that SoB and IT data sets for the same individual were similar, with fix ranging from 63 % to 85 % respectively, and 16 m to 17 m horizontal errors. Depending on the total number of locations available for each individual, the home ranges estimated showed differences between 2.7 % and 79.3 %, for the 50 % probability contour and between 9.9 % and 61.8 % for the 95 % probability contour. These differences imply variations in the spatial coincidence of the estimated home ranges. We concluded that the use of IT data is not a good option for the estimation of home range areas if the collar settings have not been designed specifically for this use. Nonetheless, geographical representations of the IT based estimators could be of great help to identify areas of use, besides its assistance to locate the collar for its retrieval at the end of the field season and as a proximate backup when collars disappear. Rev. Biol. Trop. 64 (4): 1441-1450. Epub 2016 December 01.

Resumen:La telemetría basada en los sistemas de geopocisionamiento global (GPS) hace posible recopilar gran cantidad de información a escalas muy finas, y trabajar con especies imposibles de estudiar en el pasado. Al trabajar con telemetría de GPS, la opción de guardar información en la memoria interna del instrumento puede ser más deseable que sólo tener acceso a la información enviada vía satélite, debido a la mayor cantidad de localizaciones disponibles para analizar. No obstante, la incertidumbre de recuperar el collar hace que las tecnología de trasmisión vía satélite deba ser tenida en cuenta. Diferencias entre las bases de datos almacenadas en el collar (SoB) y las trasmitidas vía satélite (IT), recolectadas de dos individuos de Tapir de tierras bajas (Tapirus terrestris), son consideradas, en términos de las áreas de los rangos de hogar calculados con cada uno y mediante el uso de tres metodologías diferentes: Mínimo Polígono Convexo (MCP), Estimador de Densidad de Kernel Fijo (KDE) y los Puentes Brownianos (BB). Las bases de datos SoB e IT son similares, con tasas de acierto de localizaciones que oscilan entre 63 % to 85 % y errores horizontales de 16 m y 17 m respectivamente. Dependiendo del número total de localizaciones disponibles para cada individuo, los rangos de hogar estimados muestran diferencias entre 2.7 % y 79.3 %, para el contorno del 50 % de probabilidades, y entre 9.9 % y 61.8 % para el contorno del 95 % de probabilidades. Estas diferencias implican variaciones en la coincidencia espacial de los rangos de hogar estimados. Concluimos que el uso de la información trasmitida vía satélite no es una buena opción para la estimación de rangos de hogar, si la programción de los collares no ha sido diseñada específicamente para tal fin. Sin embargo, las representaciones geográficas de los estimados a partir de las bases de datos IT pueden ser de gran ayuda para la identificación de áreas de uso, además de su utilidad para la localización y recuperación de collares tras su liberación de los individuos monitoreados y como una base de datos de soporte en caso de pérdida del collar.

Lowland tapir distribution and habitat loss in South America.

The development of species distribution models (SDMs) can help conservation efforts by generating potential distributions and identifying areas of high environmental suitability for protection. Our study presents a distribution and habitat map for lowland tapir in South America. We also describe the potential habitat suitability of various geographical regions and habitat loss, inside and outside of protected areas network. Two different SDM approaches, MAXENT and ENFA, produced relative different Habitat Suitability Maps for the lowland tapir. While MAXENT was efficient at identifying areas as suitable or unsuitable, it was less efficient (when compared to the results by ENFA) at identifying the gradient of habitat suitability. MAXENT is a more multifaceted technique that establishes more complex relationships between dependent and independent variables. Our results demonstrate that for at least one species, the lowland tapir, the use of a simple consensual approach (average of ENFA and MAXENT models outputs) better reflected its current distribution patterns. The Brazilian ecoregions have the highest habitat loss for the tapir. Cerrado and Atlantic Forest account for nearly half (48.19%) of the total area lost. The Amazon region contains the largest area under protection, and the most extensive remaining habitat for the tapir, but also showed high levels of habitat loss outside protected areas, which increases the importance of support for proper management.

Puma (Puma concolor) predation on tapir (Tapirus terrestris) / Predação de anta (Tapirus terrestris) por onça-parda (Puma concolor)

The process of forest fragmentation affects mostly top predators, which are more prone to first disappear. Pumas, Puma concolor, are known to have a generalist diet that includes a wide variety of wild and domestic prey species. The capacity of adapting their diet to consuming prey in anthropogenic habitats may be the reason for this species' success in incorporating anthropogenic areas with different levels of fragmentation as part of its habitat. Here we report a case of puma consumption of a large wild prey species, the tapir, Tapirus terrestris. From March 2012 to October 2013 we collected 85 puma's scats opportunistically inside fragments of the Atlantic Forest in the Parana state, Brazil. In one of the scats we found hairs and some hooves of a tapir, as well as puma hairs. We propose two hypotheses that may explain the occurrence of tapir in a pumás scat: (1) an event of scavenging or (2) an event of predation on a juvenile tapir. The most likely explanation for this event may be the predation of a juvenile in response to a possible abundant presence of tapirs in the study area. This event adds to our understanding of the great plasticity of this species to adapt to an altered landscape. To our knowledge, this is the first report of a puma scavenging or predation event on a tapir.

O processo de fragmentação florestal afeta principalmente predadores de topo que são mais propensos a desaparecer. Onças-pardas, Puma concolor, são conhecidas por terem uma dieta generalistas que inclui uma grande variedade de presas silvestres e domésticas. A capacidade das onças de adaptar sua dieta ao consumo de presas presentes em habitats antropizados pode ser a razão do sucesso desta espécie em incorporar áreas antropizadas com diferentes níveis de fragmentação como parte de seu hábitat. Neste trabalho, nós apresentamos um caso de consumo de uma grande presa, a anta, Tapirus terrestres, por uma onça-parda. De março de 2012 a outubro de 2013 nós coletamos 85 fezes de onças-pardas de forma oportunista dentro de fragmentos de floresta Atlântica do estado do Paraná, Brasil. Em uma das amostras nós encontramos pelos e alguns pedaços de cascos de uma anta. Nós propomos duas hipóteses que podem explicar a ocorrência de uma anta nas fezes de onça-parda: (1) um evento de aproveitamento de carcaça ou (2) um evento de predação de uma anta jovem. A explicação mais provável para este evento de consumo é que se as antas ainda são comuns na região de estudo, um evento de predação pela onça sobre uma anta jovem pode ter ocorrido. Este caso acrescenta informações ao conhecimento da grande plasticidade das onças-pardas em se adaptar a paisagens alteradas. Este é provavelmente o primeiro registro de uma onça-parda consumindo uma carcaça de anta ou predando uma anta.

Phylogeography and spatial structure of the lowland tapir (Tapirus terrestris, Perissodactyla: Tapiridae) in South America.

We sequenced the mitochondrial cytochrome b gene of 141 lowland tapirs (Tapirus terrestris) - representing the largest geographical distribution sample of this species studied across of South America to date. We compare our new data regard to two previous works on population structure and molecular systematics of T. terrestris. Our data agree with the Thoisy et al.'s work in (1) the Northern Western Amazon basin was the area with the highest gene diversity levels in T. terrestris, being probably the area of initial diversification; (2) there was no clear association between haplogroups and specific geographical areas; (3) there were clear population decreases during the last glacial maximum for the different haplogroups detected, followed by population expansions during the Holocene; and (4) our temporal splits among different T. terrestris haplogroups coincided with the first molecular clock approach carried out by these authors (fossil calibration). Nevertheless, our study disagreed regard to other aspects of the Thoisy et al.'s claims: (1) meanwhile, they detected four relevant clades in their data, we put forward six different relevant clades; (2) the Amazon River was not a strong barrier for haplotype dispersion in T. terrestris; and (3) we found reciprocal monophyly between T. terrestris and T. pinchaque. Additionally, we sequenced 42 individuals (T. terrestris, T. pinchaque, T. bairdii, and the alleged "new species", T. kabomani) for three concatenated mitochondrial genes (Cyt-b, COI, and COII) agreeing quite well with the view of Voss et al., and against of the claims of Cozzuol et al. Tapirus kabomani should be not considered as a full species with the results obtained throughout the mitochondrial sequences.

DENTAL LESIONS IN THE LOWLAND TAPIR (TAPIRUS TERRESTRIS).

Dental ailments, mandibular swelling, and dentoalveolar abscesses are common in tapirs, but knowledge about prevalence or etiology of these lesions in the Tapiridae family in general, and in lowland tapirs (Tapirus terrestris) in particular, is scarce. A recent study identified resorptive lesions of unknown etiology as a common problem in the Malayan tapir (Tapirus indicus). In order to investigate the type and prevalence of dental lesions occurring in lowland tapirs, and to compare these with findings with the Malayan tapir, skulls and teeth from 46 deceased lowland tapirs were visually and radiographically examined. The specimens were divided into subpopulations according to age (juveniles, young adults, adults) and origin (free-range or captive). Dental lesions were identified in 24% (11/46) of the study population. The most common pathologic findings were complicated dental fractures with associated periapical reaction (15%) and periapical reactions of various degrees without associated detectable dental pathology (13%). All these lesions likely originated from dental trauma. As in Malayan tapirs, juveniles had significantly fewer lesions than adults. This study shows that dental lesions present frequent problems for lowland tapirs, occurring both in captive and in free-ranging individuals, and indicates that increasing age should be considered a risk factor for the development of these lesions. Notably, the predominant dental problems in lowland tapirs and Malayan tapirs are not the same.

Can enrichment make Brazilian tapir spend more time on view to the public?

One common visitor complaint in zoos is that the nonhuman animals are not visible. This problem needs to be resolved without compromising the animals' welfare; environmental enrichment could solve the problem. This study investigated whether enrichment would increase public exposure time of lowland tapir (Tapirus terrestris) in the Belo Horizonte Zoo in Minas Gerais, Brazil. Observations were made before (62 hr) and during (62 hr) the introduction of enrichment using focal animal sampling with instantaneous recording of behavior. The 5 enrichment items were a bamboo fence covered in vines, logs, a sandbox, dry leaves, and bamboo bushes. Before the enrichments were applied, the tapir was not visible to the public for more than 85% of the time. In addition, during the analysis of the enrichment treatment, other variables were considered--such as weekday, time of day, and weather conditions--which could influence the animals' interaction with the enrichments. The enrichments increased and decreased the expression of some behaviors; however, public viewing time of the animals did not increase. Thus, the enrichment applied was not strong enough to overcome the animals' crepuscular behavior.

Health assessment of wild lowland tapir (Tapirus terrestris) populations in the Atlantic Forest and Pantanal biomes, Brazil (1996-2012).

Abstract The lowland tapir (Tapirus terrestris) is found in South America and is listed as Vulnerable to Extinction by the International Union for Conservation of Nature, Red List of Threatened Species. Health issues, particularly infectious diseases, are potential threats for the species. Health information from 65 wild tapirs from two Brazilian biomes, Atlantic Forest (AF) and Pantanal (PA), were collected during a long-term study (1996-2012). The study included physic, hematologic and biochemical evaluations, microbiologic cultures, urinalysis, and serologic analyses for antibodies against 13 infectious agents (viral and bacterial). The AF and PA tapirs were significantly different for several hematologic and biochemical parameters. Ten bacteria taxa were identified in the AF and 26 in the PA. Antibodies against five viruses were detected: Bluetongue virus, eastern equine encephalitis virus, western equine encephalitis virus, infectious bovine rhinotracheitis virus, and porcine parvovirus. A high prevalence of exposure to Leptospira interrogans (10 serovars: Autumnalis, Bratislava, Canicola, Copenhageni, Grippotyphosa, Hardjo, Hebdomadis, Icterohaemorrhagiae, Pomona, and Pyrogenes) was detected in both the AF and PA sites. A greater diversity of serovars and higher antibody titers were found in the PA. Statistically significant differences between sites were found for L. interrogans, equine encephalitis virus, and porcine parvovirus. Based on physical evaluations, both AF and PA populations were healthy. The differences in the overall health profile of the AF and PA tapir populations appear to be associated with environmental factors and infectious diseases ecology. The extensive datasets on hematology, biochemistry, urinalysis, and microbiology results from this paper can be used as reference values for wild tapirs.

Use of filter papers to determine seroprevalence of Toxoplasma gondii among hunted ungulates in remote Peruvian Amazon.

Toxoplasmosis is a zoonosis caused by the protozoan Toxoplasma gondii, and it is found worldwide. To determine whether ungulates are reservoirs of T. gondii in an isolated and remote region of the northeastern Peruvian Amazon, antibodies to T. gondii were determined in 5 species of ungulates by the modified agglutination test (MAT). These animals were hunted by subsistence hunters along the Yavarí-Mirín River, in the northeastern Peruvian Amazon. Blood samples were collected by hunters on filter papers. For determination of T. gondii antibodies, blood was eluted from filter papers, and a titer of 1:25 was considered indicative of exposure to T. gondii. Antibodies to T. gondii were found in 26 (31.0%) peccaries (Pecari tajacu, Tayassu pecari), six (17.1%) brocket deer (Mazama americana, Mazama gouazoubira), and four (40.0%) lowland tapir (Tapirus terrestris). We also introduced a modification to the MAT protocol that allows the extraction of fluid samples from several types of laboratory-grade filter paper, thus enabling researchers to easily adapt their approaches to the materials presented to them.

Dispersão e predação de sementes de araticum no Cerrado de Mato Grosso, Brasil / Dispersal and predation of araticum seeds in the Cerrado of Mato Grosso, Brazil

Este estudo objetivou caracterizar plantas e frutos de araticum (Annona crassiflora), avaliar a frequência de consumo, predação e dispersão de suas sementes por animais e seus efeitos na germinação, em área de Cerrado, entre fevereiro de 2007 a junho de 2008. Baseado em armadilhas de pegadas, registrou-se a frequência de visitação (FV) e o consumo de frutos por animais, além da ação de insetos em frutos caídos no solo, sob as plantas. Estrumes de antas, Tapirus terrestris, foram amostrados para verificar a frequência de ocorrência (FO) e os danos causados por elas e por insetos. Para analisar a dispersão por antas, foram inseridas miçangas coloridas em frutos maduros caídos sob plantas-mãe. Posteriormente, foi medida a distância entre o local das fezes com miçanga até a planta-mãe da cor específica da miçanga. Realizou-se teste de germinação com sementes de amostras fecais e de frutos intactos. Dentre os animais que se alimentaram dos frutos, antas contribuíram com maior frequência de visitação e consumo de frutos de araticum, o qual representou 54 por cento de frequência de ocorrência nas amostras fecais e as sementes não foram significativamente danificadas. Besouros (Scarabaeidae) se alimentaram da polpa de frutos e enterraram sementes de araticum próximo da planta-mãe. Insetos curculionídeos e euritomídeos predaram as sementes de araticum nos frutos. Os danos causados nas sementes por esses insetos foram significativamente maiores que aqueles provocados pelas antas. Foram encontradas duas fezes com miçangas distantes 1,7km e 1,8km das plantas-mãe, respectivamente. A germinação das sementes foi baixa neste período de estudo, no entanto, as antas podem proteger as sementes de insetos predadores, defecando-as intactas para longas distâncias. Assim, T. terrestris é um possível dispersor, enquanto que curculionídeos e euritomídeos são possíveis predadores de sementes de araticum. Essas relações provavelmente contribuem para o controle da população de araticum no Cerrado brasileiro.

This study aimed to characterize araticum (Annona crassiflora) plants and fruits, and evaluate the frequency of consumption, predation and dispersal of the seeds by animals and its effect on germination, in Cerrado vegetation area, between February 2007 and June 2008. Using track traps installed on araticum plants, the frequency of visitation (FV) and the fruit consumption by the animals was assessed, as well as, the action of insects in fallen fruits under the trees was registered. Sample of tapirs excrement Tapirus terrestris were analyzed to verify the occurrence frequency (FO) and the damage caused on the seeds by tapirs and insects. To analyze the dispersal by tapirs, colored beads were inserted in fallen mature fruits under the parent trees. Then, the distance between the location of the excrements with beads to the parent tree in the specific color of the bead was measured. Germination test was performed with excrement samples and unbroken fruit seeds. Among the animals that fed on fruits, tapirs contributed with the largest frequency of visitation and consumption of araticum fruits, representing 54 percent of the frequency occurrence in excrement samples, and the seeds were not damaged significantly. Dung beetles (Scarabaeidae) fed the pulp of the fruit and buried araticum seeds next to the parent tree. Curculionid and eurytomid insects predated the araticum seeds on the fruits. The damage caused by these insects in the seeds was significantly higher than those caused by tapirs. Two excrements with beads were found at 1,7 and 1,8km distant from the parent trees, respectively. The seeds had low germinability in this period of study, however the tapirs can protect the seeds of predator insects, defecating the intact seeds for long distances. Thus, T. terrestris is a possible disperser of seeds, whereas curculionids and eurytomids can be considered predators of araticum seeds. These relations probably contribute with the control of araticum population in the Brazilian Cerrado.

Enfermidades observadas em Tapirus terrestris (anta brasileira) mantidas em cativeiro em Foz do Iguaçu, Paraná / Diseases in captivity Tapirus terrestris (Brazilian tapir) in Foz do Iguaçu, Paraná

O objetivo do presente estudo foi revisar a casuística médica observada em antas (Tapirus terrestris) mantidas no Criadouro de Animais Silvestres da ITAIPU Binacional, acrescentando informações sobre as diferentes enfermidades que podem acometer essa espécie em cativeiro. O período de estudo foi de março de 1986 a março de 1999. Os prontuários analisados foram referentes a quatro pacientes de sexo feminino e quatro de sexo masculino. As alterações notificadas foram classificadas como: 1) lesões cutâneas; 2) observações parasitárias; 3) alterações no sistema músculo esquelético e 4) outras alterações. O percentual de manifestações em cada categoria foi calculado com base na totalidade de situações médicas observadas na população em estudo. A taxa de incidência (I) das enfermidades observadas foi calculada considerando o número de indivíduos em risco por ano. Em 101 observações médicas, contidas nos prontuários, 51 foram relativas a lesões cutâneas (50,49 por cento; I=1,21), 37 a observações parasitárias (36,63 por cento; I=0,88), sete a alterações no sistema músculo esquelético (6,94 por cento; I=0,16) e duas foram classificadas como outras observações (1,98 por cento; I=0,05). A taxa de incidência e o percentual das alterações clínicas observadas revelam que a grande maioria das situações observadas foi decorrente da falta de adaptação dos animais ao cativeiro. As observações parasitárias representaram o segundo maior percentual de anotações nos prontuários médicos. Apesar de não representarem alterações clínicas aos pacientes avaliados, as infestações parasitárias podem tornar-se o fator mais importante de prejuízo a saúde de um plantel de antas em cativeiro, se não forem tomadas medidas profiláticas apropriadas.