Leishmania (V.) braziliensis infecting bats from Pantanal wetland, Brazil: First records for Platyrrhinus lineatus and Artibeus planirostris.

In the New World genus Leishmania parasites are etiological agents of neglected zoonoses known as leishmaniasis. Its epidemiology is very complex due to the participation of several species of sand fly vectors and mammalian hosts, and man is an accidental host. Control is very difficult because of the different epidemiological patterns of transmission observed. Studies about Leishmania spp. infection in bats are so scarce, which represents a large gap in knowledge about the role of these animals in the transmission cycle of these pathogens, especially when considering that Chiroptera is one of the most abundant and diverse orders among mammals. Leishmaniasis in Mato Grosso do Sul, Brazil are remarkably frequent, probably due to the abundance of its regional mastofauna. The recent record of L. braziliensis in bats from this state indicates the need to clarify the role of these mammals in the transmission cycle. In this study we evaluated the presence of Leishmania parasites in the skin of different species of bats, using PCR directed to Leishmania spp. kDNA for screening followed by PCR/RFLP analysis of the hsp70 gene for the identification of parasite species. Leishmania species identification was confirmed by PCR directed to the G6PD gene of L. braziliensis, followed by sequencing of the PCR product. Samples from 47 bats were processed, of which in three specimens (6.38%) was detected the presence of Leishmania sp. kDNA. PCR/RFLP and sequencing identified the species involved in the infection as L. braziliensis in all of them. This is the first report of Leishmania braziliensis in bats from Pantanal ecosystem and the first record of this species in Platyrrhinus lineatus and Artibeus planirostris, bats with a wide distribution in South America. These results reinforce the need to deepen the knowledge about the possibility of bats act as reservoirs of Leishmania spp. especially considering their ability of dispersion and occupation of anthropic environments.

Bat fauna of Mato Grosso do Sul, southwestern Brazil / Fauna de morcegos de Mato Grosso do Sul, sudoeste do Brasil

Bats have been increasingly studied in the last 15 years in Mato Grosso do Sul, and several records were not yet considered in reviews of South American bat distributions. Here, we present the bat species and their distributions in Mato Grosso do Sul based mainly on data compilation from literature, but also on complementary information from zoological collections, and our and colleagues’ unpublished records. We found 74 species of bats within 42 genera and seven families already reported in Mato Grosso do Sul. Bat species in this state represent 44% of the Brazilian’s bat species (≅ 169) and 7% of the world’s bat richness (≅ 1120). Phyllostomidae (42) and Molossidae (17) were the richest families. Four species formerly cited for Mato Grosso do Sul are not supported by our compilation, and other 15 species recorded in the vicinity are listed as potential occurrences in this state. We additionally found controversial traits for specimens of Platyrrhinus helleri, and report Eumops dabbenei for the first time in Brazil. Most species were recorded in the regions of Cerrado (60) or Pantanal (57) in Mato Grosso do Sul, but only 16 in the Atlantic Forest. Records of Phyllostomidae species were mostly found in Cerrado and those of Molossidae, in Pantanal. Records in Mato Grosso do Sul determine edges of distribution for at least 22 species of South American bats. The overall known chiropteran fauna of Mato Grosso do Sul is highly diverse and new findings are expected through additional surveys.

Morcegos têm sido estudados intensivamente em Mato Grosso do Sul nos últimos 15 anos, e vários registros ainda não foram considerados em revisões sobre a distribuição de morcegos sul-americanos. Apresentamos aqui as espécies de morcegos e suas distribuições em Mato Grosso do Sul principalmente com base em dados compilados da literatura, mas também com base em dados complementares de coleção zoológica, e de registros inéditos nossos e de colegas. Encontramos 74 espécies de morcegos pertencentes a 42 gêneros e sete famílias em Mato Grosso do Sul. A riqueza de morcegos nesse estado representa 44% das espécies brasileiras de morcegos (≅ 169) e 7% da riqueza mundial de morcegos (≅ 1120). Phyllostomidae (42) e Molossidae (17) foram as famílias mais ricas. Quatro espécies reportadas anteriormente para Mato Grosso do Sul não são sustentadas com base em nossa compilação, e outras 15 espécies registradas na vizinhança são listadas como ocorrências potenciais no estado. Adicionalmente, encontramos características controversas em espécimes de Platyrrhinus helleri, e reportamos Eumops dabbenei pela primeira vez no Brasil. A maioria das espécies foi registrada nas regiões de Cerrado (60) ou Pantanal (57) em Mato Grosso do Sul, e apenas 16 em Mata Atlântica. Registros de Phyllostomidae foram encontrados principalmente em Cerrado e de Molossidae, no Pantanal. Sítios em Mato Grosso do Sul determinam limites de distribuição para pelo menos 22 espécies de morcegos sul americanos. A fauna de morcegos conhecida em Mato Grosso do Sul é bastante diversa, e novos registros são esperados por meio de inventários adicionais.

Sweet trap: Boa constrictor (Serpentes: Boidae) preying on passerines on Cecropia pachystachya (Urticales: Cecropiaceae) in fruiting period / Doce armadilha: Boa constrictor (Serpentes: Boidae) predando passeriformes sobre Cecropia pachystachya (Urticales: Cecropiaceae) em período de frutificação

Fruits of trumpet tree (Cecropia spp.) attract different species of birds and mammals. Boas (Boa constrictor) are sit-and-wait strategists, able to choose to ambush in microhabitats that are frequently visited by prey. We have seen two events of predation of passerines (Pitangus sulphuratus, Turdus rufiventris) by boas on the same trumpet tree (Cecropia pachystachya) in a remnant of Cerrado, in the city of Campo Grande/MS. These reports may be evidence of strategic association of boas to trumpet trees, considering the density of snakes recorded on the tree and the constant visits by potential prey during fruiting periods. Besides encouraging a more detailed investigation on the strategies of predation by boas, our records constitute relevant information about the snake natural history.

Frutos de embaúba (Cecropia spp.) atraem diversas espécies de aves e mamíferos. Jiboias (Boa constrictor) são estrategistas senta-espera, capazes de selecionar micro-habitats que são frequentemente visitados por presas. Nós presenciamos dois eventos de predação de passeriformes (Pitangus sulphuratus, Turdus rufiventris) por jiboias sobre uma mesma embaúba (Cecropia pachystachya) em um remanescente de Cerrado, localizado na cidade de Campo Grande/MS. Esses relatos podem ser indícios de associações estratégicas das jiboias ès embaúbas, considerando a densidade de serpentes na árvore e a constante visitação de presas potenciais durante os períodos de frutificação. Além de estimular uma investigação mais detalhada sobre as estratégias de predação das jiboias, esses registros constituem informações relevantes sobre sua história natural.

First record of Leishmania braziliensis presence detected in bats, Mato Grosso do Sul, southwest Brazil.

Leishmaniasis, a zoonotic disease caused by parasites of the genus Leishmania, has expanded beyond its natural range and is becoming increasingly urban. Using PCR and PCR-RFLP, we detected Leishmania (Viannia) braziliensis in two bats (Chiroptera) in Mato Grosso do Sul, Brazil, an endemic area. This is the first record of L. (V.) braziliensis in bats. It is also the first record of any Leishmania sp. in bats in the state. The animals testing positive were found in both a rural site and an urban site. These results indicate the need for further research into the viability of Leishmania in bats and could potentially have implications for public health in Mato Grosso do Sul, given the large populations of urban bats, their mobility, and their ability to roost at close proximity to humans within residences and other buildings.

Reproduction of the greater bulldog bat Noctilio leporinus (Chiroptera: Noctilionidae) in a mangrove area in southern Brazil / Reprodução do morcego-pescador Noctilio leporinus (Chiroptera: Noctilionidae) em uma área de manguezal no Sul do Brasil

The reproductive pattern of the greater bulldog bat (Noctilio leporinus) was studied in southern Brazil from January to December 1999. The morphological characteristics of their reproductive organs were recorded monthly, through histological analysis of testes and ovaries. Those data were correlated with forearm size and body mass, as well as with external reproductive characteristics. The diameter of the seminiferous tubule increased proportionately to testis mass and body weight, and larger males had greater testis mass. Sexually mature males were recorded throughout the year. Ovary histology revealed that females ovulate between July and December. Lactating females were recorded in nearly every month of the year. Noctilio leporinus has a bimodal polyestrous pattern, with an increase in the recruitment of juveniles between January and May.

Entre janeiro e dezembro de 1999 foi estudado o padrão reprodutivo do morcego-pescador (Noctilio leporinus) no sul do Brasil. Foram registradas mensalmente as características morfológicas de seus órgãos reprodutivos, através da análise histológica de testículos e ovários. Estes dados foram correlacionados com o tamanho do antebraço e a massa corporal, bem como as características reprodutivas externas. O diâmetro dos túbulos seminíferos dos machos aumentou proporcionalmente à massa dos testículos e à massa corporal, e machos maiores também apresentaram maior massa de testículos. Machos sexualmente maduros foram registrados ao longo de todo o ano. A histologia dos ovários revelou que as fêmeas ovulam entre julho e dezembro. Fêmeas em lactação foram registradas em quase todos os meses do ano. Este estudo revelou que Noctilio leporinus tem um padrão reprodutivo poliestral bimodal, com um maior recrutamento de jovens entre janeiro e maio.

The distribution of the spectral bat, Vampyrum spectrum, reaches the Southern Pantanal / A distribuição do morcego espectral, Vampyrum spectrum, atinge o Pantanal sul

The largest New World bat, Vampyrum spectrum, is a locally rare top predator, which occurs from Mexico to South America. Here, we report for the first time its occurrence in the southern Pantanal floodplain, basing our records on specimens that are also the first to be reported for the State of Mato Grosso do Sul, Brazil. We conducted bat surveys in two sites 120 km apart, in the Aquidauana and Nhecolândia regions. Among 2,498 bat captures, two individuals of V. spectrum were mist-netted, one at each site. These records expand southward the distribution range of V. spectrum, and in addition to other records in the Northern Pantanal border and Bolivia support that V. spectrum is widely distributed in the upper Paraguay basin.

O maior morcego do Novo Mundo, Vampyrum spectrum, é um predador de topo localmente raro que ocorre do México à América do Sul. Reportamos aqui pela primeira vez sua ocorrência na região sul da planície inundável do Pantanal, tomando como base espécimes que também são os primeiros registrados para o Estado de Mato Grosso do Sul, Brasil. Realizamos inventários em dois sítios distantes 120 km, nas regiões de Aquidauana e Nhecolândia. Dentre 2498 capturas de morcegos, dois indivíduos de V. spectrum foram registrados, um em cada sítio. Esses registros expandem a distribuição de V. spectrum para o sul, e somados a outros registros na borda Norte do Pantanal e na Bolívia sustentam que V. spectrum é amplamente distribuída na bacia do alto Paraguai.