Identifying Priority Giant Anteater (Myrmecophaga tridactyla) Populations for Conservation in São Paulo State, Brazil.

Habitat loss is the main threat to biodiversity conservation worldwide. Some species may be particularly susceptible to the effects of fragmentation and the isolation of populations. The impacts of human activity on wild animal populations may be understood through relationships between individual genetic data and spatial landscape variables, particularly when considering local population dynamics influenced by fragmented habitats. Thus, the objective of this study was to analyze the population structure and genetic diversity of the giant anteater (Myrmecophaga tridactyla) using an individual sampling scheme (ISS) on a regional geographic scale. Data were collected from 41 specimens from twenty different locations in São Paulo State, Brazil, and six polymorphic microsatellite loci were genotyped. Our results indicate that barriers to gene flow exist and have segregated individuals of the farther away areas into two spatially structured clusters. The populations were also found to have high genetic diversity. The experimental sampling approach used herein enabled an analysis of the population dynamics of the giant anteater on a regional scale, as well as the identification of priority populations for genetic resource conservation for this species. The results reflect the need for adequate management plans. The efficacy of the sampling scheme may vary based on the study model used, but we argue that the use of an ISS combined with suitable molecular markers and statistical methods may serve as an important tool for initial analyses of threatened or vulnerable species, particularly in anthropized regions where populations are small or hard to characterize.

Detection of anti-Toxoplasma gondiiantibodies in wild free-living birds and mammals from the northwest region of São Paulo state, Brazil / Detecção de anticorpos anti-Toxoplasma gondiiem aves e mamíferos silvestres de vida livre da região noroeste do estado de São Paulo, Brasil

Toxoplasmosis is a protozoonosis caused by an obligate intracellular parasite named Toxoplasma gondii, which can infect humans and a large number of homeothermic animal species with worldwide distribution. The present study aimed to detect anti-T. gondii antibodies from serological samples of free-living wild animals from the northwest region of São Paulo state, Brazil. Thirty-two samples (eight from birds and 24 from mammals) were analyzed by the modified agglutination test (MAT) using 5 cut-off points for birds and 25 for mammals. Seropositivity was observed in 25% (2/8) of birds, including the species Rupornis magnirostris (roadside hawk) and Caracara plancus (southern caracara), and 29.2% (7/24) animals were seropositive among mammals, including one hoary fox (Lycalopex vetulus), two maned wolves (Chrysocyon brachyurus), one black howler monkey (Alouatta caraya), two crab-eating foxes (Cerdocyon thous) and one gray brocket deer (Mazama gouazoubira). The results obtained with the present study indicate the exposure to T. gondiiof free-living wild animals from the northwest region of São Paulo state and, therefore, that they probably play a role in the transmission and maintenance of T. gondii in the environment they inhabit. Thus, identification of the infection in several animal species in the region indicates the environmental contamination of the area. Studies of this nature may help to understand the importance of the prevention and control of this disease in Brazil.(AU)

A toxoplasmose é uma protozoonose causada por um parasita intracelular obrigatório denominado Toxoplasma gondii, que pode infectar os humanos e um vasto número de espécies animais homeotérmicas, apresentando distribuição mundial. O presente estudo objetivou a detecção de anticorpos anti-T. gondii a partir de amostras sorológicas de animais silvestres de vida livre da região noroeste do estado de São Paulo. Foram analisadas 32 amostras (oito de aves e 24 de mamíferos) por meio do teste de aglutinação modificado (MAT), utilizando ponto de corte 5 para as aves e 25 para os mamíferos. Soropositividade foi observada em 25% (2/8) das aves, incluindo as espécies Rupornis magnirostris (gavião-carijó) e Caracara plancus (carcará); entre os mamíferos, 29,2% (7/24) foram soropositivos incluindo uma raposa-do-campo (Lycalopex vetulus), dois lobos-guará (Chrysocyon brachyurus), um bugio-preto (Alouatta caraya), dois cachorros-do-mato (Cerdocyon thous) e um veado-catingueiro (Mazama gouazoubira). Os resultados obtidos com o presente estudo indicam a exposição dos animais selvagens de vida livre a T. gondii na região noroeste do estado de São Paulo e, portanto, que provavelmente apresentam papel na transmissão e manutenção de T. gondii no meio ambiente em que vivem. Assim, a identificação da infecção em várias espécies de animais na região indica a contaminação ambiental da área. Estudos dessa natureza podem ajudar no entendimento sobre a prevenção e o controle dessa importante doença no Brasil.(AU)

Revisiting the genetic variability of Brazilian peridomestic populations of the Chagas disease vector Triatoma sordida () (Hemiptera, Triatominae).

Triatoma sordida is an endemic species to South America, currently considered the species most frequently found in the peridomestic environment in Brazil. This triatomine has a wide ecological tolerability that allows it to inhabit several ecotopes and use different food sources. Although the species is considered predominantly peridomestic, it is also capable of colonizing households and forming numerous intra-household colonies, leading to its inclusion among the priorities for triatomine control campaigns in Brazil. All Brazilian populations of T. sordida are considered as T. sordida sensu stricto by chromosomal analyses (which highlights their epidemiological importance), although molecular studies that characterize the genetic diversity of these populations are scarce, being restricted only to the region of Minas Gerais. Thus, several populations of this vector distributed in the states of Bahia, Goiás, Mato Grosso do Sul, and Minas Gerais were analyzed using mitochondrial markers (cyt b and nd1). Low nucleotide diversity, high haplotypic diversity, low genetic distance, and high FST value were observed, as well as the formation of a monophyletic clade of the Brazilian populations of T. sordida, which confirms that this species has low genetic variability, with all specimens in Brazil grouped in T. sordida sensu stricto. In addition to the genetic and evolutionary importance for the knowledge of the biology of these vectors, these results are important from an epidemiological point of view, thus being able to direct vector control programs.