Assessing the Taxonomic Status of the Gray Brocket Mazama simplicicornis argentina Lönnberg, 1919 (Artiodactyla: Cervidae).

Mazama simplicicornis argentina is the name that was given to describe a gray brocket collected by Lönberg in 1919 in the central Chaco region of Argentina. Subsequent authors, based on morphological similarities, considered this name to be a synonym for the species Subulo gouazoubira Fischer, 1814 from Paraguay. In the absence of genetic analyses to compare the Argentinian and Paraguayan gray brockets, we aimed to clarify the taxonomy of M. simplicicornis argentina through an integrative assessment using morphological, cytogenetical, and molecular data from its holotype and a current topotype. Qualitative skull features and cranio-morphometric results of M. simplicicornis argentina showed a great similarity with the S. gouazoubira neotype characters. The diploid chromosome number of M. simplicicornis argentina topotype corresponded with the karyotypical pattern of S. gouazoubira with 2n = 70 and FN = 70, showing a great similarity in all classic and molecular cytogenetic results and revealing the homologies between karyotypes. The phylogenetic analysis of mitochondrial genes used in this study (concatenated partial ND5 and Cytb gene) allocated the M. simplicicornis argentina specimens in the monophyletic clade of S. gouazoubira with a branch value of 100%. These results show that there is no discontinuity between the Argentinian and Paraguayan gray brockets. Therefore, the individuals originally described as M. simplicicornis argentina should be recognized as S. gouazoubira.

Revalidation of Passalites Gloger, 1841 for the Amazon brown brocket deer P.nemorivagus (Cuvier, 1817) (Mammalia, Artiodactyla, Cervidae).

Mazamanemorivaga (Cuvier, 1817) is a gray brocket deer that inhabits the Amazon region. An assessment of previous studies revealed inconsistencies in its current taxonomic classification, suggesting the need for an update in its genus classification. A taxonomic repositioning of this species is proposed through the collection of a specimen from its type locality (French Guiana) with subsequent morphological (coloring pattern, body measurements, and craniometry), cytogenetics (G Band, C Band, conventional Giemsa, Ag-NOR staining, and BAC probe mapping), and molecular phylogenetic analysis (mitochondrial genes Cyt B of 920 bp, COI I of 658 bp, D-loop 610 bp), and comparisons with other specimens of the same taxon, as well as other Neotropical deer species. The morphological and cytogenetic differences between this and other Neotropical Cervidae confirm the taxon as a unique and valid species. The phylogenetic analysis evidenced the basal position of the M.nemorivaga specimens within the Blastocerina clade. This shows early diversification and wide divergence from the other species, suggesting that the taxon should be transferred to a different genus. A taxonomic update of the genus name is proposed through the validation of Passalites Gloger, 1841, with Passalitesnemorivagus (Cuvier, 1817) as the type species. Future research should focus on evaluating the potential existence of other species within the genus Passalites, as suggested in the literature.

Assessment of transplacental transmission of Neospora caninum and Toxoplasma gondii in Neotropical deer: An estimative based on serology.

Transplacental transmission of Neospora caninum and Toxoplasma gondii is well known in some domestic species and despite both parasites having been proved to infect deer fetuses during gestation, the congenital transmission rate in South-American deer species is still unknown. This study aimed to estimate the congenital transmission rate of neosporosis and toxoplasmosis in captive deer populations from Brazil, through serological techniques (IFAT and ELISA). Serum samples from 82 deer were tested by both techniques 20.73 % (IFAT) to 25.60 % (ELISA) were seropositive for T. gondii; the kappa test showed an index of 0.277 of agreement between both techniques. For N. caninum, 40.24 % (IFAT) to 39.02 % (ELISA) were seropositive, with an index of 0.833 of agreement between techniques. Family trees for each species were drawn and we estimated the congenital transmission rate of the diseases. We found a rate of 81.25 % congenital transmission of N. caninum and no evidence of congenital transmission of T. gondii. Vertical transmission appears to be the main route of introduction and maintenance of N. caninum in these captive deer populations, while T. gondii seems to be favored by the horizontal route.

Revalidation of Mazama rufa (Illiger 1815) (Artiodactyla: Cervidae) as a Distinct Species out of the Complex Mazama americana (Erxleben 1777).

The red brocket deer Mazama americana Erxleben, 1777 is considered a polyphyletic complex of cryptic species with wide chromosomal divergence. Evidence indicates that the observed chromosomal divergences result in reproductive isolation. The description of a neotype for M. americana allowed its genetic characterization and represented a comparative basis to resolve the taxonomic uncertainties of the group. Thus, we designated a neotype for the synonym Mazama rufa Illiger, 1815 and tested its recognition as a distinct species from the M. americana complex with the analysis of morphological, cytogenetic and molecular data. We also evaluated its distribution by sampling fecal DNA in the wild. Morphological data from craniometry and body biometry indicated an overlap of quantitative measurements between M. rufa and the entire M. americana complex. The phylogenetic hypothesis obtained through mtDNA confirmed the reciprocal monophyly relationship between M. americana and M. rufa, and both were identified as distinct molecular operational taxonomic units by the General Mixed Yule Coalescent species delimitation analysis. Finally, classic cytogenetic data and fluorescence in situ hybridization with whole chromosome painting probes showed M. rufa with a karyotype of 2n = 52, FN = 56. Comparative analysis indicate that at least fifteen rearrangements separate M. rufa and M. americana (sensu stricto) karyotypes, which confirmed their substantial chromosomal divergence. This divergence should represent an important reproductive barrier and allow its characterization as a distinct and valid species. Genetic analysis of fecal samples demonstrated a wide distribution of M. rufa in the South American continent through the Atlantic Forest, Cerrado and south region of Amazon. Thus, we conclude for the revalidation of M. rufa as a distinct species under the concept of biological isolation, with its karyotype as the main diagnostic character. The present work serves as a basis for the taxonomic review of the M. americana complex, which should be mainly based on cytogenetic characterization and directed towards a better sampling of the Amazon region, the evaluation of available names in the species synonymy and a multi-locus phylogenetic analysis.

Designation of a neotype for Mazama americana (Artiodactyla, Cervidae) reveals a cryptic new complex of brocket deer species.

Mazama americana (red brocket deer) is the genus-type species (first species described for this genus) and the basis for the identity of other Mazama species. Mazama americana is one of the most abundant and widely distributed deer species in the neotropical forest. However, recent studies suggest that this taxon belongs to a species complex. Our goal was to collect an animal at the type locality (topotype) in French Guiana with the aim of characterizing the morphological (biometric, craniometric), cytogenetic (Giemsa, C-banding, G-banding and NOR) and molecular (mitochondrial DNA) features. The comparisons showed that the collected specimen was very similar morphologically to specimens from other South American populations, but it was cytogenetically and molecularly very different from any of the cytotypes already described for this species, corroborating the existence of a complex of cryptic species. The data suggest that the M. americana topotype is a different species from all the cytotypes already described in the literature and which occupy the southern region of the Amazon River. The characterization and designation of the M. americana neotype is the first step toward a taxonomic reorganization of the genus Mazama, with the potential identification of new species.

Non-homogeneous distribution of steroids in fecal pellets: An example in brown brocket deer (Mazama gouazoubira) with progesterone metabolites.

Measuring reproductive hormones in feces has become an important tool in the endocrine characterization of wild animals' reproduction. However, several factors may influence its success, such as fecal collection and storage techniques, knowledge of steroid hormone metabolism, the extraction procedure, immunoassay selection, inherent factors, and the distribution of steroid hormones in the feces. It is known that the distribution of these hormones in the feces is not homogeneous, and prior to the extraction of the steroidal metabolites, homogenization of the feces is recommended. Hormonal analysis is based on only a small fraction of the feces, which in theory should be representative of the total. In the case of cervids and other ruminants, feces consist of pellets. Here, the concentration of the steroid metabolites of each pellet was measured in order to evaluate the distribution of the fecal progesterone metabolites concentration in 10 pellets/fecal mass from five female Mazama gouazoubira. There were large variations in fecal progesterone metabolites concentrations between the pellets of the same feces/female, showing the following amplitude variations: Animal A: 112%; Animal B: 164%; Animal C: 115%; Animal D: 62%; Animal E: 108%. These results show the importance of adequate homogenization prior to steroid metabolite extraction.