Insights for policy-based conservation strategies for the Rio de la Plata Grasslands through the IPBES framework / Insights para estratégias de conservação baseadas em políticas para as pradarias do Rio da Prata através da estrutura do IPBES

Abstract The Río de la Plata Grasslands (RPG) are one of the most modified biomes in the world. Changes in land use and cover affect the RPG's rich biodiversity. In particular, the expansion of crops, overgrazing, afforestation, and the introduction of exotic species pose a major threat to the conservation of biodiversity and ecosystem services (BES). In this study, we applied the Intergovernmental Platform on Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services (IPBES) conceptual framework as a new lens to approach biodiversity conservation enactments in the RPG. First, we systematically reviewed published scientific literature to identify direct and indirect drivers that affect the RPG's BES. Further, we conducted an extensive analysis of management policies affecting the BES directly in the region, at a national and international level. We conclude by offering recommendations for policy and praxis under the umbrella of the IPBES framework.

Resumo As pradarias do Rio da Prata são um dos biomas mais modificados no mundo. Alterações nos usos do solo afetam a rica biodiversidade deste ecossistema. A expansão da agricultura, sobrepastoreio, arborização e a introdução de espécies exóticas, principalmente, representam uma grande ameaça para a conservação da biodiversidade e dos serviços ecossistêmicos (BES). Neste estudo, aplicamos a estrutura conceptual da Plataforma Intergovernamental sobre Biodiversidade e Serviços Ecossistêmicos (IPBES) como uma nova forma de abordar as políticas de conservação da biodiversidade neste bioma. Primeiro, revisamos sistematicamente artigos científicos publicados de forma a identificar fatores diretos e indiretos que afetam os BES nas pradarias do Rio da Prata. Adicionalmente, realizamos uma extensa análise das políticas de gestão que afetam diretamente os BES na região, quer a nível nacional, quer internacional. Concluímos com propostas e recomendações de políticas e práticas sob a égide do quadro do IPBES.

Natural infection in Pampas fox (Lycalopex gymnocercus) by Lagochilascaris major Leiper, 1910 (Nematoda: Ascarididae) in Buenos Aires, Argentina.

Lagochilascariosis is an emerging parasitic disease limited to the American continent, caused by nematodes of the genus Lagochilascaris. Its life cycle is heteroxenous, involving natural definitive hosts (wild carnivores), accidental hosts (domestic carnivores and humans), and intermediate hosts (rodents). Here we report, for the first time, the occurrence of Lagochilascaris major in female of a Pampas fox (Lycalopex gymnocercus) which was found in the Mar Chiquita basin, Buenos Aires province, Argentina. At necropsy, multiple Lagochilascaris larvae and several adults (1 female and 5 male) were observed inserted in the mucosa of the trachea and a male was also collected in the stomach. The diagnosis was made by observing the different stages with optical microscopy, by scanning electron microscopy of adult males and coproparasitological analysis. Although cases of lagochilascariosis have been reported in wildlife in different countries of the American continent, in Argentina, cases are really rare and were only found in domestic cats. Graphical abstract ᅟLagochilascariosis is an emerging parasitic disease limited to the American continent. In Argentina, sporadic cases of Lagochilascariosis were reported in domestic cats but this work represents the first record in a wild carnivore (L. gymnocercus) naturally infected with L. major.

Pampas fox (Lycalopex gymnocercus) new intermediate host of Sarcocystis svanai (Apicomplexa: Sarcocystidae).

Several Sarcocystis spp. have carnivores as definitive host and sarcocysts are common in muscles of herbivores (intermediate host). However, sarcocysts have been found in muscles of wild and domestic carnivores suggesting they are intermediate host for some Sarcocystis spp. Here, we report mature sarcocysts in the muscles of Pampas fox (Lycalopex gymnocercus). A total of 36 free-living foxes were analyzed. Different skeletal muscles were assessed by microscopic and molecular methods. Cysts and/or DNA of Sarcocystis sp. were detected in 61.1% (22/36) foxes. Histopathology revealed the presence of sarcocysts in 52.8% (19/36) foxes. The tongue and masseter were the muscles more frequently infected. Of all the samples processed by homogenization of pooled muscles of each animal, 45.4% (10/22) evidenced muscle cysts and 68.2% (15/22) resulted positives by PCR. Individual cysts obtained from the ten positive samples in direct microscopic examination were all positive by PCR. Five amplicons from individual cysts from different samples were selected for sequencing together with four PCR products obtained from the pooled muscles. All nine sequences shared a high identity among them (99.8-100%) and showed the highest identity by BLAST (99%) with a S. svanai sequence (KM362428) from a North American dog. By transmission electron microscopy, the sarcocyst wall was thin (<1µm), had minute undulations, with tiny evaginations and without evident villar protrusions. The cyst wall type is referred as "type 1". Sarcocystis svanai infects L. gymnocercus with a high prevalence and the presence of mature sarcocysts suggests the role of the Pampas fox as natural intermediate host. The definitive host of S. svanai remains unknown.