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The global emergence of antimicrobial resistance (AMR) has become a serious threat to human and animal health. Recent studies have shown that synanthropic animals can act as reservoirs and disseminators of pathogens and resistant bacteria. The aim of this study was to evaluate the frequency, distribution, and antimicrobial susceptibility of staphylococcal species and Clostridioides difficile isolated from the feces of free-living rodents and marsupials from two urban parks in Belo Horizonte, Brazil. During a 12-month period, fecal samples from 159 free-living animals, including 136 rodents and 23 marsupials, were collected from two urban parks in Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais, Brazil. Staphylococcus spp. were more likely to be isolated from rodents than marsupials (p = 0.0164). Eight different staphylococcal species were isolated from 36 (26.5%) rodents and one marsupial (4.3%). S. saprophyticus (48.6%) was the most frequently isolated species, and almost a quarter of the isolates (24.3%) were resistant to at least one antimicrobial agent, four (10.8%) of which were multi-drug resistant (MDR). Two (5.4%) strains were resistant to cefoxitin and were then classified as methicillin-resistant staphylococci, and one also tested positive for the mecA gene. C. difficile was isolated from two rodents (1.5%), and one strain was toxigenic and classified as ribotype 064. One isolate was resistant to rifampicin, but both strains were susceptible to all other antimicrobials tested, including metronidazole and vancomycin. All C. difficile isolates and all staphylococcal strains resistant to antimicrobials were recovered from the same park. The present study suggests that free-living rodents in Belo Horizonte (Brazil) are mainly colonized by S. saprophyticus and may act as reservoirs of antimicrobial-resistant Staphylococcus spp. and C. difficile strains. This is the first study to evaluate the presence of staphylococci and C. difficile from free-living opossums and suggest a low fecal shedding of these organisms by these mammals. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s42770-021-00640-x.

Incluye contenido parcial de los autores Biological invasion is one of the main threats to native biodiversity. For a speciesto become invasive, it must be voluntarily or involuntarily introduced by humans into a nonna-tive habitat. Mammals were among first taxa to be introduced worldwide for game, meat, and labor, yet the number of species introduced in the Neotropics remains unknown. In this dataset, we make available occurrence and abundance data on mammal species that (1) transposeda geographical barrier and (2) were voluntarily or involuntarily introduced by humans into theNeotropics. Our data set is composed of 73,738 historical and current georeferenced recordson alien mammal species of which around 96% correspond to occurrence data on 77 speciesbelonging to eight orders and 26 families. Data cover 26 continental countries in the Neotrop-ics, ranging from Mexico and its frontier regions (southern Florida and coastal-central Floridain the southeast United States) to Argentina, Paraguay, Chile, and Uruguay, and the 13 coun-tries of Caribbean islands. Our data set also includes neotropical species (e.g.,Callithrixsp.,Myocastor coypus,Nasua nasua)considered alien in particular areas of Neotropics. The mostnumerous species in terms of records are fromBossp. (n=37,782),Sus scrofa(n=6,730), andCanis familiaris(n=10,084); 17 species were represented by only one record (e.g., Syncerus caf-fer, Cervus timorensis, Cervus unicolor, Canis latrans). Primates have the highest number of spe-cies in the data set (n=20 species), partly because of uncertainties regarding taxonomicidentification of the generaCallithrix,which includes the speciesCallithrix aurita, Callithrixflaviceps, Callithrix geoffroyi, Callithrix jacchus, Callithrix kuhlii, Callithrix penicillata, andtheir hybrids. This unique data set will be a valuable source of information on invasion riskassessments, biodiversity redistribution and conservation-related research. There are no copy-right restrictions. Please cite this data paper when using the data in publications. We alsorequest that researchers and teachers inform us on how they are using the data

Land-use changes are a main driver of modifications in tropical ecosystems, leading to the loss of species and ecological traits and affecting key ecological functions. Although much attention has been given to predict the effects of species loss on ecological processes, information on the large-scale effects of land-use changes over ecological functions is scarce. Here, we detected erosion in the prevalence of ecological functions performed by mammals in response to land-use changes in the Atlantic Forest of Brazil. By analyzing the loss of different ecological functions (vertebrate and invertebrate predation, seed dispersal, seed depredation, herbivory) performed by mammal assemblages in a deforestation gradient, we observed that vulnerable functions (performed by sensitive species, such as browsing, seed depredation, medium and large vertebrate predation) were positively related to patch size and forest cover and negatively related to anthropogenic cover. These relationships were reversed for persistent functions (performed by resilient species, such as grazing, small seed dispersal, small vertebrate and invertebrate predation). Vulnerable functions were virtually restricted to large forest remnants, while persistent functions were prevalent in human-modified landscapes. Disturbed forests are not necessarily empty of mammal species, but there is a substantial loss of ecological functions across most of the Atlantic Forest. Five out of ten ecological functions lose prevalence in small forest remnants. Nonetheless, these small remnants serve as refuges for the remaining biodiversity and are on the verge of the functional extinction of important processes. The erosion of ecological functions provided by mammals compromise the persistence of Atlantic Forest's biodiversity. (C) 2021 Associacao Brasileira de Ciencia Ecologica e Conservacao. Published by Elsevier B.V.

New World orthohantaviruses are emerging RNA viruses that cause hantavirus cardiopulmonary syndrome (HCPS). These viruses are a burden to public health around the world with a lethality rate of around 60%. In South America, rodents of Sigmodontinae subfamily are the main reservoirs of orthohantaviruses. We described a serosurvey for orthohantaviruses circulation in an apparently healthy human population and small mammals from rural areas in Central Minas Gerais State, Brazil. A total of 240 individuals and 50 small mammals (26 rodents belonging to 10 different species and 24 marsupials from 4 different species) were sampled during 2012-2013. The seroprevalence rates of IgG/IgM antibodies in humans were 7.1 and 1.6%, respectively. Only one rodent, an Oligoryzomys nigripes captured in peridomestic area, tested positive for IgG antibodies and viral RNA. Our findings suggest a silent circulation of orthohantaviruses in a region of intensive agriculture production. The detection of seropositive humans in an area with a lack of previous HCPS reports highlights potential oligosymptomatic cases and the need for surveillance strategies that could reduce the risk of future outbreaks.

Reports of albinism are available for several groups of mammals, including the secondmost diverse family of Rodentia, Cricetidae. Nonetheless, in South America, where cricetid rodents are the most representative of the small mammals, both in richness and abundance, few records of albinism exist. Here, we document the first case of albinism for the cricetid Oxymicterus dasytrichus, and compare the skin, hair and skull morphology of the albino with specimens of the regular coat color pattern of O. dasytrichus collected in the state of Minas Gerais, where the albino specimen was collected. Despite the marked external morphological differences observed in the hair and skin colors, cranial measurements indicate that no salient differences can be observed when comparing particular measures for the skulls of albino and non-albino specimens, neither through a multivariate statistical analysis. We also briefly discuss the relative rarity of complete albinism in Neotropical rodents.

Xenarthrans -anteaters, sloths, and armadillos- have essential functions for ecosystem maintenance, such as insect control and nutrient cycling, playing key roles as ecosystem engineers. Because of habitat loss and fragmentation, hunting pressure, and conflicts with domestic dogs, these species have been threatened locally, regionally, or even across their full distribution ranges. The Neotropics harbor 21 species of armadillos, 10 anteaters, and 6 sloths. Our data set includes the families Chlamyphoridae (13), Dasypodidae (7), Myrmecophagidae (3), Bradypodidae (4), and Megalonychidae (2). We have no occurrence data on Dasypus pilosus (Dasypodidae). Regarding Cyclopedidae, until recently, only one species was recognized, but new genetic studies have revealed that the group is represented by seven species. In this data paper, we compiled a total of 42,528 records of 31 species, represented by occurrence and quantitative data, totaling 24,847 unique georeferenced records. The geographic range is from the southern United States, Mexico, and Caribbean countries at the northern portion of the Neotropics, to the austral distribution in Argentina, Paraguay, Chile, and Uruguay. Regarding anteaters, Myrmecophaga tridactyla has the most records (n = 5,941), and Cyclopes sp. Have the fewest (n = 240). The armadillo species with the most data is Dasypus novemcinctus (n = 11,588), and the fewest data are recorded for Calyptophractus retusus (n = 33). With regard to sloth species, Bradypus variegatus has the most records (n = 962), and Bradypus pygmaeus has the fewest (n = 12). Our main objective with Neotropical Xenarthrans is to make occurrence and quantitative data available to facilitate more ecological research, particularly if we integrate the xenarthran data with other data sets of Neotropical Series that will become. Fil: Marques Santos, Paloma. Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais. Instituto de Ciências Biológicas; Brasil Fil: Bocchiglieri, Adriana. Universidade Federal de Sergipe; Brasil Fil: Garcia Chiarello, Adriano. Universidade de Sao Paulo; Brasil Fil: Pereira Paglia, Adriano. Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais. Instituto de Ciências Biológicas; Brasil Fil: Moreira, Adryelle. Amplo Engenharia e Gestão de Projetos ; Brasil Fil: Abba, Agustin Manuel. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - La Plata. Centro de Estudios Parasitológicos y de Vectores. Universidad Nacional de La Plata. Facultad de Ciencias Naturales y Museo. Centro de Estudios Parasitológicos y de Vectores; Argentina Fil: Paviolo, Agustin Javier. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Nordeste. Instituto de Biología Subtropical. Universidad Nacional de Misiones. Instituto de Biología Subtropical; Argentina Fil: Gatica, Ailin. Universidad Nacional de San Luis; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - San Luis. Instituto Multidisciplinario de Investigaciones Biológicas de San Luis. Universidad Nacional de San Luis. Facultad de Ciencias Físico Matemáticas y Naturales. Instituto Multidisciplinario de Investigaciones Biológicas de San Luis; Argentina Fil: Ochoa, Ana Cecilia. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - San Luis. Instituto Multidisciplinario de Investigaciones Biológicas de San Luis. Universidad Nacional de San Luis. Facultad de Ciencias Físico Matemáticas y Naturales. Instituto Multidisciplinario de Investigaciones Biológicas de San Luis; Argentina Fil: de Angelo, Carlos Daniel. Universidad Nacional de Rio Cuarto. Facultad de Cs.exactas Fisicoquimicas y Naturales. Instituto de Ciencias de la Tierra, Biodiversidad y Ambiente. - Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Cientificas y Tecnicas. Centro Cientifico Tecnologico Conicet - Cordoba. Instituto de Ciencias de la Tierra, Biodiversidad y Ambiente.; Argentina Fil: Tellaeche, Cintia Gisele. Universidad Nacional de Jujuy. Facultad de Ciencias Agrarias. Centro de Estudios Ambientales Territoriales y Sociales; Argentina. Universidad Nacional de Jujuy. Instituto de Ecorregiones Andinas. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Salta. Instituto de Ecorregiones Andinas; Argentina Fil: Varela, Diego Martin. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Nordeste. Instituto de Biología Subtropical. Instituto de Biología Subtropical - Nodo Puerto Iguazú | Universidad Nacional de Misiones. Instituto de Biología Subtropical. Instituto de Biología Subtropical - Nodo Puerto Iguazú; Argentina Fil: Vanderhoeven, Ezequiel Andres. Ministerio de Salud. Instituto Nacional de Medicina Tropical; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; Argentina Fil: Caruso, María Flavia. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; Argentina. Administración de Parques Nacionales. Delegación Regional del Noroeste; Argentina Fil: Arrabal, Juan Pablo. Secretaria de Gobierno de Salud. Instituto Nacional de Medicina Tropical - Sede Puerto Iguazú Misiones; Argentina. Centro de Investigaciones del Bosque Atlántico; Argentina Fil: Iezzi, María Eugenia. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Nordeste. Instituto de Biología Subtropical. Instituto de Biología Subtropical - Nodo Puerto Iguazú | Universidad Nacional de Misiones. Instituto de Biología Subtropical. Instituto de Biología Subtropical - Nodo Puerto Iguazú; Argentina Fil: Di Bitetti, Mario Santiago. Centro de Investigaciones del Bosque Atlántico; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Nordeste. Instituto de Biología Subtropical. Instituto de Biología Subtropical - Nodo Puerto Iguazú | Universidad Nacional de Misiones. Instituto de Biología Subtropical. Instituto de Biología Subtropical - Nodo Puerto Iguazú; Argentina Fil: Cruz, Paula Andrea. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Nordeste. Instituto de Biología Subtropical. Instituto de Biología Subtropical - Nodo Puerto Iguazú | Universidad Nacional de Misiones. Instituto de Biología Subtropical. Instituto de Biología Subtropical - Nodo Puerto Iguazú; Argentina. Centro de Investigaciones del Bosque Atlántico; Argentina Fil: Reppucci, Juan Ignacio. Administración de Parques Nacionales. Delegación Regional del Noroeste; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; Argentina Fil: Benito Santamaria, Silvia. Centro de Investigaciones del Bosque Atlántico; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Nordeste. Instituto de Biología Subtropical. Instituto de Biología Subtropical - Nodo Puerto Iguazú | Universidad Nacional de Misiones. Instituto de Biología Subtropical. Instituto de Biología Subtropical - Nodo Puerto Iguazú; Argentina Fil: Quiroga, Verónica Andrea. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Córdoba. Instituto de Diversidad y Ecología Animal. Universidad Nacional de Córdoba. Facultad de Ciencias Exactas Físicas y Naturales. Instituto de Diversidad y Ecología Animal; Argentina Fil: Di Blanco, Yamil Edgardo. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Nordeste. Instituto de Biología Subtropical. Instituto de Biología Subtropical - Nodo Puerto Iguazú | Universidad Nacional de Misiones. Instituto de Biología Subtropical. Instituto de Biología Subtropical - Nodo Puerto Iguazú; Argentina Fil: Marás, Gustavo Arnaldo. Administración de Parques Nacionales. Delegación Regional del Noroeste; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; Argentina Fil: Camino, Micaela. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Nordeste. Centro de Ecología Aplicada del Litoral. Universidad Nacional del Nordeste. Centro de Ecología Aplicada del Litoral; Argentina Fil: Perovic, Pablo Gastón. Administración de Parques Nacionales. Delegación Regional del Noroeste; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; Argentina Fil: Martínez Pardo, Julia. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Nordeste. Instituto de Biología Subtropical. Instituto de Biología Subtropical - Nodo Puerto Iguazú | Universidad Nacional de Misiones. Instituto de Biología Subtropical. Instituto de Biología Subtropical - Nodo Puerto Iguazú; Argentina Fil: Costa, Sebastián Andrés. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Nordeste. Instituto de Biología Subtropical. Instituto de Biología Subtropical - Nodo Puerto Iguazú | Universidad Nacional de Misiones. Instituto de Biología Subtropical. Instituto de Biología Subtropical - Nodo Puerto Iguazú; Argentina Fil: Pinheiro, Fabiana. Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul; Brasil Fil: Volkmer de Castilho, Pedro. Universidade Federal de Santa Catarina; Brasil Fil: Bercê, William. Universidade Estadual Paulista Julio de Mesquita Filho; Brasil Fil: Camara Assis, Julia. Universidade Estadual Paulista Julio de Mesquita Filho. Faculdade de Engenharia.; Brasil Fil: Rodrigues Tonetti, Vinicius. Universidade Estadual Paulista Julio de Mesquita Filho; Brasil Fil: Alves Eigenheer, Milene. Universidade Estadual Paulista Julio de Mesquita Filho; Brasil Fil: Chinem, Simonne. Universidade de Sao Paulo; Brasil Fil: Honda, Laura K.. Universidade Estadual Paulista Julio de Mesquita Filho; Brasil Fil: Bergallo, Helena de Godoy. Universidade do Estado de Rio do Janeiro; Brasil Fil: Alberici, Vinicius. Universidade de Sao Paulo; Brasil Fil: Wallace, Robert. Wildlife Conservation Society; Estados Unidos Fil: Ribeiro, Milton Cezar. Universidade de Sao Paulo; Brasil Fil: Galetti, Mauro. Universidade Estadual Paulista Julio de Mesquita Filho; Brasil

Integration between ecology and biogeography provides insights into how niche specialization affects the geographical distribution of species. Given that rivers are not effective barriers to dispersal in three parapatric species of squirrel monkeys (Saimiri vanzolinii, S. cassiquiarensis and S. macrodon) inhabiting floodplain forests of Central Amazonia, we tested whether forest structure and tree diversity may explain species differences in niche specialization and spatial segregation. We sampled 6617 trees of 326 species in three habitats (high várzea, low várzea and chavascal) used by three Saimiri species, and estimated tree species richness in each of them. For each tree, we measured variables known to influence habitat use in primates, such as crown area and presence of lianas, epiphytes and hemi-epiphytes. We used ANOVA to compare these variables and performed multivariate analyses (NMDS, ANOSIM and SIMPER) to evaluate dissimilarities in forest structure among each habitat inhabited by the three Saimiri species. We identified differences in the tree species richness, crown area and presence of lianas, epiphytes and hemi-epiphytes between the three habitats for all Saimiri species. NMDS demonstrated that areas of high and low várzeas occupied by S. vanzolinii were clearly separated from the other species. We also found that different plant species contributed to dissimilarity among Saimiri ranges. Our findings support the hypothesis that tree community structure may promote niche specialization and spatial segregation among primates. We discuss how these patterns could have been favored by historical changes in forest flood patterns, the evolutionary history of Saimiri spp., and past competition.

The intense harvesting of inflorescences prior to seed setting and the persistent use of fire to boost flowering are considered to be the main factors driving starflower species to extinction along the Espinhaco mountain range, in eastern Brazil. In this study we experimentally reproduced these traditional management practices upon a natural population of the starflower Comanthera elegantula (Ruhland) L.R. Parra & Giul. (Eriocaulacece) using eight distinct treatments consisting of ‘fire', “harvest” and the combined absence of these interventions over two years, in order to assess their effects on seedling recruitment. The study was conducted at the central Espinhaco range region, in Minas Gerais State, Brazil. Our results show that the extractive management practices interfere with the recruitment dynamics of C. elegantula, with fire significantly reducing the competing herbaceous cover and stimulating seedling recruitment. An intermittent fire regime seem to favor seedling establishment and growth, while sequential fire episodes seem to negatively impact the progression of seedling cohorts and the regrowth of the herbaceous cover. Additional seed input took place at local scale, probably through dispersion from outer sources and/or from seed banks. Seed pool depletion isto be expected under a persistent and efficient inflorescence collection regime and may ultimately contribute to population senescence.

Worldwide, increasing human activity, such as agriculture and mining, and decreased landscape complexity, are negatively affecting numerous mammal species. For example, bat communities are becoming threatened in many locations mostly due to the loss of their preferred roosting and foraging habitats. Brazilian landscapes and their associated bat communities are no exception, with the situation being further exacerbated by recently adopted permissive environmental laws that have resulted in reduced biodiversity protection and conservation. Therefore, there is an urgent need to understand how landscape and environmental variables relate to bat activities in Brazil in order to support efforts for their conservation. We used acoustic monitoring data to investigate differences in foraging and social activity of insectivorous bats among four habitat types in a heterogeneous landscape in the Cerrado-Atlantic forest ecotone in southeastern Brazil. We also sampled insect availability and measured temperature at the same sites. Our results showed increased social activity and a greater number of species emitting social calls in karst, and increased feeding activity with a greater number of species emitting feeding buzzes in gallery forest. We also found a positive influence of both temperature and insect abundance on foraging and social activity. Our study provides new insights regarding habitat use by bats in a heterogeneous landscape, and demonstrates the importance of preserving different habitats in heterogeneous landscapes for the conservation of bat species and the ecological functions they perform.

Niche conservatism, i.e. the retention of a species' fundamental niche through evolutionary time, is cornerstone for biological invasion assessments. The fact that species tend to maintain their original climate niche allows predictive maps of invasion risk to anticipate potential invadable areas. Unravelling the mechanisms driving niche shifts can shed light on the management of invasive species. Here, we assessed niche shifts in one of the world's worst invasive species: the wild boar Sus scrofa. We also predicted potential invadable areas based on an ensemble of three ecological niche modelling methods, and evaluated the performance of models calibrated with native vs. pooled (native plus invaded) species records. By disentangling the drivers of change on the exotic wild boar population's niches, we found strong evidence for niche conservatism during biological invasion. Ecological niche models calibrated with both native and pooled range records predicted convergent areas. Also, observed niche shifts are mostly explained by niche unfilling, i.e. there are unoccupied areas in the exotic range where climate is analogous to the native range. Niche unfilling is expected as result of recent colonization and ongoing dispersal, and was potentially stronger for the Neotropics, where a recent wave of introductions for pig-farming and game-hunting has led to high wild boar population growth rates. The invasive potential of wild boar in the Neotropics is probably higher than in other regions, which has profound management implications if we are to prevent their invasion into species-rich areas, such as Amazonia, coupled with expansion of African swine fever and possibly great economic losses. Although the originally Eurasian-wide distribution suggests a pre-adaptation to a wide array of climates, the wild boar world-wide invasion does not exhibit evidence of niche evolution. The invasive potential of the wild boar therefore probably lies on the reproductive, dietary and morphological characteristics of this species, coupled with behavioural thermoregulation.

Seasonal changes in food availability influence the behavior and diet of primates, and an understanding of dietary changes is important for the development of informed conservation plans. Saimiri vanzolinii is a small-bodied, omnivorous squirrel monkey endemic to the floodplain forests in Central Amazonia. It has a restricted distribution of only ca. 870 km2 and is classified as Vulnerable. We examined seasonal variation in this species’ diet. We collected phenological (presence and absence of ripe fruits from 205 tree species) and dietary and behavioral data for unhabituated groups of S. vanzolinii on nine 2-km transects in the floodplain forests of Central Amazonia for 2 years, encompassing the high-water and low-water periods. Fruit availability was higher, and the monkeys traveled less and fed more during the high-water than the low-water period. There were no seasonal differences between the high-water and low-water periods in the time spent feeding on fruits, flowers, or arthropods. S. vanzolinii spent more time consuming fruit than arthropods in the high-water period, but this was not the case in the low-water period. These findings suggest that food selection changed between seasons, and S. vanzolinii focused more on fruit in the low-water period, when fruit was less available, than in the high-water period, when fruit was more available. These results support the predictions of the ecological constraints model.

The objectives of this study were to determine the richness of medium and large mammal species in two protected areas of the Espinhaço Mountain Range, state of Minas Gerais, Brazil; and to investigate the factors affecting the occurrence of those species. To accomplish that we placed 49 camera traps activated by heat and motion at Rio Preto State Park (RPSP) and 48 at Sempre Vivas National Park (SVNP). We also collected data on three environmental variables: vegetation physiognomy, elevation and wildfire frequency, to evaluate the influence of these factors on species richness and use intensity (inferred from camera trap detection rate) by large mammals. We recorded 23 large mammal species in the two parks combined. The lowest species richness was found at the rupestrian habitat of RPSP, and in the open grasslands of SVNP. The forest and savannah physiognomies were used more intensively by large mammals. Species richness was higher and use was greater at lower elevations of RPSP. In SVNP, fire frequency did not affect species richness or use intensity. The savannah habitat had very similar richness compared to the forests of the two protected areas. The high species richness and use intensity observed in these forest habitats highlights the importance of riparian environments in the Cerrado biome. The highest species richness and use intensity observed at low elevation follows patterns found in the literature, probably due to variation in the vegetation, which results in greater resource availability. Although rupestrian habitats at high elevations of the Espinhaço Range are known to have a high degree of endemism for some taxa, large mammal richness and use were not high in this habitat. These results indicate that the protection of native vegetation at lower elevations is crucial for the long-term conservation of large mammals in the Espinhaço Range.

Incluye contenido parcial de los autores Abstract.Mammalian carnivores are considered a key group in maintaining ecologicalhealth and can indicate potential ecological integrity in landscapes where they occur. Carni-vores also hold high conservation value and their habitat requirements can guide managementand conservation plans. The order Carnivora has 84 species from 8 families in the Neotropicalregion: Canidae; Felidae; Mephitidae; Mustelidae; Otariidae; Phocidae; Procyonidae; andUrsidae. Herein, we include published and unpublished data on native terrestrial Neotropicalcarnivores (Canidae; Felidae; Mephitidae; Mustelidae; Procyonidae; and Ursidae). NEOTRO-PICAL CARNIVORES is a publicly available data set that includes 99,605 data entries from35,511 unique georeferenced coordinates. Detection/non-detection and quantitative data wereobtained from 1818 to 2018 by researchers, governmental agencies, non-governmental organi-zations, and private consultants. Data were collected using several methods including cameratrapping, museum collections, roadkill, line transect, and opportunistic records. Literature(peer-reviewed and grey literature) from Portuguese, Spanish and English were incorporated inthis compilation. Most of the data set consists of detection data entries (n=79,343; 79.7%) butalso includes non-detection data (n=20,262; 20.3%). Of those, 43.3% also include count data(n=43,151). The information available in NEOTROPICAL CARNIVORES will contribute tomacroecological, ecological, and conservation questions in multiple spatio-temporal perspec-tives. As carnivores play key roles in trophic interactions, a better understanding of their distri-bution and habitat requirements are essential to establish conservation management plans andsafeguard the future ecological health of Neotropical ecosystems. Our data paper, combinedwith other large-scale data sets, has great potential to clarify species distribution and relatedecological processes within the Neotropics. There are no copyright restrictions and no restric-tion for using data from this data paper, as long as the data paper is cited as the source of theinformation used. We also request that users inform us of how they intend to use the data.

Defaunation is considered one of the main drivers of modifications in tropical ecosystems, extirpating many large-sized vertebrates, which in turn compromises key ecological functions. Although much attention has been given to predict the effects of species loss on ecological processes, there is a lack of information on the large-scale effects of defaunation. Knowledge gaps such as at which spatial scales biodiversity loss affects ecosystem functioning and ecological functions, and what is the relationship between species loss and preservation of ecological functions, remain poorly understood. Mammals perform important ecological functions, but are widely affected by habitat loss and modification, being considered as priority for conservation worldwide. Thus, determining the impact of land use changes on ecological patterns and process performed or influenced by mammals is of critical importance. Here, we detected erosion in the prevalence of ecological functions performed by mammals mediated by changes in the landscape structure of a tropical biodiversity hotspot in Brazil. By analyzing the loss of different ecological functions (vertebrate and invertebrate predation, seed dispersal, seed depredation, herbivory) in a defaunation gradient, we observed that vulnerable functions (performed by sensitive species) were positively related to patch size and forest cover and negatively related to anthropogenic cover. These relationships were reversed for persistent functions (performed by resilient species). Vulnerable functions were virtually restricted to large forest remnants, while persistent functions were prevalent in human-modified landscapes. Our study adds knowledge on how large-scale defaunation mediated by changes in landscape structure affects ecological functions.

Made available in DSpace on 2020-12-10T19:52:02Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 0 Previous issue date: 2020-01-01 Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES) Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP) Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de Minas Gerais (FAPEMIG) Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq) Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado do Rio de Janeiro (FAPERJ) PDA/MMA Institute BioAdantica, PROBIO I [MCT/MMA/GEF] Institute BioAdantica, PROBIO II [MCT/MMA/GEF] FAPESB NERC UESC/PROPP Universidade Estadual de Santa Cruz Fundacao Grupo Boticario de Protecao a Natureza FAPESB Bol PROBIO I/MMA/GEF PROBIO II/MCT/MMA/GEF Recent studies suggest that habitat amount is the main determinant of species richness, whereas habitat fragmentation has weak and mostly positive effects. Here, we challenge these ideas using a multi-taxa database including 2230 estimates of forest-dependent species richness from 1097 sampling sites across the Brazilian Atlantic Forest biodiversity hotspot. We used a structural equation modeling approach, accounting not only for direct effects of habitat loss, but also for its indirect effects (via habitat fragmentation), on the richness of forest-dependent species. We reveal that in addition to the effects of habitat loss, habitat fragmentation has negative impacts on animal species richness at intermediate (30-60%) levels of habitat amount, and on richness of plants at high ( > 60%) levels of habitat amount, both of which are mediated by edge effects. Based on these results, we argue that dismissing habitat fragmentation as a powerful force driving species extinction in tropical forest landscapes is premature and unsafe. Univ Fed Sao Paulo, Dept Ciencias Ambientais, Rua Sao Nicolau 210, BR-09913030 Diadema, SP, Brazil Int Inst Sustainabil, Rio De Janeiro, RJ, Brazil Univ Fed Mato Grosso do Sul, Inst Biociencias, Campo Grande, MS, Brazil Univ Fed Rio de Janeiro, Posgrad Ecol, Rio De Janeiro, RJ, Brazil Univ Fed Rio de Janeiro, Dept Ecol, Rio De Janeiro, RJ, Brazil Univ Sao Paulo, Dept Zool, Sao Paulo, SP, Brazil Imperial Coll London, Dept Life Sci, Silwood Pk Campus, Ascot SL5 7PY, Berks, England Univ Fed Rio Grande do Norte, Dept Ecol, Natal, RN, Brazil Univ Sao Paulo, Dept Ecol, Sao Paulo, SP, Brazil Univ Sao Paulo, Dept Ciencias Florestais, Escola Super Agr Luiz de Queiroz, Piracicaba, SP, Brazil Univ Fed Santa Catarina, Dept Ecol & Zool, Florianopolis, SC, Brazil Univ Sao Paulo, Fac Filosofia Ciencias & Letras Ribeirao Preto, Ribeirao Preto, SP, Brazil Univ Fed Bahia, Posgrad Ecol Aplicada Gestao Ambiental, Salvador, BA, Brazil Univ Fed Mato Grosso, Inst Ciencias Nat Humanas & Sociais, Sinop, MT, Brazil Univ Estadual Campinas, Posgrad Biol Vegetal, Campinas, SP, Brazil Univ Estadual Santa Cruz, Lab Ecol & Conservacao Biodiversidade, Ilheus, BA, Brazil Univ Estado Rio de Janeiro, Programa Posgrad Ecol & Evolucao, Rio De Janeiro, RJ, Brazil Univ Fed Bahia, Inst Biol, Salvador, BA, Brazil Inst Pro Carnivoros, Atibaia, SP, Brazil Univ Sao Paulo, Dept Engn Florestal, Escola Super Agr Luiz de Queiroz, Piracicaba, SP, Brazil Univ Fed Sao Carlos, Dept Ciencias Ambientais, Sao Carlos, SP, Brazil Inst Florestal Estado Sao Paulo, Secao Ecol Florestal, Sao Paulo, SP, Brazil Univ Fed Pernambuco, Dept Bot, Recife, PE, Brazil Univ Estadual Sudoeste Bahia, Dept Ciencias Biol, Jequie, BA, Brazil Univ Fed Bahia, Ctr Formacao Ciencias Agroflorestais, Ilheus, BA, Brazil Univ Sao Paulo, Dept Ciencias Biol, Escola Super Agr Luiz de Queiroz, Piracicaba, SP, Brazil Univ Fed Parana, Dept Bot, Curitiba, Parana, Brazil Univ Fed Vicosa, Dept Engn Florestal, Vicosa, MG, Brazil Univ Fed Espirito Santo, Dept Ciencias Biol, Sao Mateus, ES, Brazil Prefeitura Municipal Paulinia, Paulinia, SP, Brazil Univ Estadual Feira de Santana, Dept Ciencias Biol, Feira De Santana, BA, Brazil Univ Veiga Almeida, Rio De Janeiro, RJ, Brazil Univ Paulista, Nucl Estudos Biodiversidade, Herbario UNIP, Sao Paulo, SP, Brazil Univ Fed Minas Gerais, Dept Biol Geral, Belo Horizonte, MG, Brazil Univ Fed Lavras, Dept Biol, Lavras, MG, Brazil Univ East Anglia, Sch Environm Sci, Norwich NR4 7TJ, Norfolk, England Univ Estadual Paulista, Dept Biol & Zootecnia, Ilha Solteira, SP, Brazil Univ Fed Goias, Lab Genet & Biodiversidade, Goiania, Go, Brazil Univ Veiga Almeida, Ciencias Meio Ambiente, Rio De Janeiro, Brazil Univ Fed Sergipe, Dept Ecol, Sao Cristovao, SE, Brazil Inst Fed Espirito Santo, Vitoria, ES, Brazil Univ Estadual Feira de Santana, Posgrad Modelagem Ciencias Terra & Ambiente, Feira De Santana, BA, Brazil Univ Brasilia, Dept Ecol, Brasilia, DF, Brazil Univ Estado Rio de Janeiro, Dept Ecol, Rio De Janeiro, RJ, Brazil Inst Nacl Mata Atlantica, Santa Teresa, ES, Brazil Univ Estadual Paulista, Dept Biol & Zootecnia, Ilha Solteira, SP, Brazil CAPES: 88881.064976/2014-01 CAPES: 02488/09-4 CAPES: 405693/2013-3 CAPES: 88881.118819/2016-01 CAPES: 01 FAPESP: 2004/04820-3 FAPESP: 2008/01866-3 FAPESP: 2008/03724-1 FAPESP: 05/56555-4 FAPESP: 2014/14503-7 FAPESP: 2011/19767-4 FAPESP: 2013/22679-5 FAPESP: 2014/10192-7 FAPESP: 2011/040460 FAPESP: 2014/09300-0 FAPESP: 134 97/07075-1 FAPESP: 97/07075-1 FAPESP: 2013/50718-5 FAPESP: 2005/00405-4 FAPESP: 2006/04878-7 FAPESP: 2008/03500-6 FAPESP: 2011/06782-5 FAPESP: 2010/053435 FAPESP: 2014/14925-9 CNPq: 305470/2013-2 CNPq: 550077/2010-3 CNPq: 561897/2010-7 CNPq: PNX0016/2009 CNPq: 304817/2015-5 CNPq: 303897/2016-3 CNPq: 473529/2007-6 CNPq: 302574/2010-7 CNPq: 304598/2011-9 CNPq: 479203/2010-5 CNPq: 146790/2010-3 CNPq: 304242/2009-8 CNPq: 307221/2012-1 CNPq: 310901/2015-4 CNPq: 308992/2013-0 CNPq: 69014416 FAPERJ: E -26/202.174/2015 FAPESB: BOL1661/2011 FAPESB: 462/2012 NERC: NE/1(016393/1 UESC/PROPP: 135 00220-1100.1171 CAPES: 8952/2014 Universidade Estadual de Santa Cruz: 002011001171 FAPESP: 1999/09635-0 CNPq: P2 308503/2014-7 Fundacao Grupo Boticario de Protecao a Natureza: 201410014 CNPq: 309030/2013-7 CNPq: 308205/2014-6 CNPq: 70/2009 CNPq: 142205/2010-9 FAPESB Bol: 0104/09 CAPES: BEX 8495/11-4 CNPq: 690144/01-6 CAPES: 2923/2011 : CAPES/FAPERJ-PAPD-E-26/202.144/2015 : MCTIC/CNPq/FAPEG/465610/2014-5

Made available in DSpace on 2020-12-12T02:29:01Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 0 Previous issue date: 2019-12-01 Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP) Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq) Rufford Foundation Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES) Habitat loss and the isolation of remaining habitats are undoubtedly the two greatest threats to biodiversity conservation, especially for the maned sloth, due to its ecological restrictions. In this study, we identified a critical threshold of forest cover for maned sloth occurrence and explored the effects of other local and landscape variables. We sampled 68 sites, where we searched for the maned sloth and collected local habitat variables. We calculated the percentage of forest cover and open areas, assessing the appropriated scale through model selection. We used occupancy models and model selection methods to identify the threshold and assess occupancy and detection probabilities. The occupancy probability of the maned sloth is 0.97, but it decreases abruptly at 35% of forest cover, reaching zero in areas with less than 20% of forest cover. The two landscape variables are the most important predictors of sloth occupancy, based on the cumulative weight of evidence, were: Forest cover (78%) and Open areas cover (46%); the latter influencing negatively maned sloth occupancy. This is the first attempt to identify the habitat requirements of the threatened maned sloth in a fragmented area using landscape and local variables. Our results imply that conservation of maned sloth will benefit from an increase in the amount of native forest at the landscape scale. Given difficulties in the creation of new public protected areas, this improvement could be achieved via the recovery of areas located in private properties that are protected by the Brazilian Forest Code. Laboratório de Ecologia e Conservação Departamento de Biologia Geral Instituto de Ciências Biológicas Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Av. Presidente Antônio Carlos, 6627 Laboratório de Ecologia Espacial e Conservação (LEEC) Departamento de Ecologia Universidade Estadual Paulista - UNESP, Av. 24 A, 1515 Instituto de Pesquisa e Conservação de Tamanduás no Brazil Conjunto Porto das Barcas, sala 130 Colorado State University Department of Fish Wildlife and Conservation Biology Departamento de Biologia Faculdade de Filosofia Ciências e Letras de Ribeirão Preto Universidade de São Paulo, Av. Bandeirantes, 3900 Laboratório de Ecologia Espacial e Conservação (LEEC) Departamento de Ecologia Universidade Estadual Paulista - UNESP, Av. 24 A, 1515 FAPESP: # 312045/2013-1 FAPESP: #2013/50421-2 FAPESP: #312292/2016-3 CNPq: 141571/2017-9 Rufford Foundation: 21498-1 CAPES: 88881.188493/2018-01

Caves, though seemingly inhospitable due to the lack of light in areas furthest from the cave entrance and the low availability and variety of resources, can harbor many species of vertebrates and invertebrates, including phlebotomine sand flies, the vectors of species of parasites of the genus Leishmania that cause leishmaniasis. This study aimed to evaluate the species composition of sand flies in located caves at Moeda Sul (MS) and Parque Estadual Serra do Rola Moça (PESRM), in southeastern Brazil at region of the Quadrilátero Ferrífero, state of Minas Gerais. The collections of sand flies were performed with automatic light traps. Were used the Non-Metric Multidimensional Scaling based on dissimilarity matrix calculated with the Jaccard índex and Multivariate Analysis of Permutation to evaluate similarity of the species composition of sand flies among entrance, interior, and surroundings environments of each sampled cave at MS and PESRM, and thus to infer biological mechanisms from the patterns of distribution of sand flies among these different cave environments. A total of 375 phlebotomine sand flies were collected from six genera and 14 species. The most abundant species were Evandromyia tupynambai (54.7%), Brumptomyia troglodytes (25.6%), Evandromyia edwardsi, (6.1%) Psathyromyia brasiliensis (4.8%) and Lutzomyia longipalpis (4.3%). In place MS, 30 individuals were collected, 16 inside the MS cave and 14 its surroundings. In place PESRM, five individuals were collected in surroundings of RM38 cave; a total of 190 individuals at RM39 cave (48 in the cave and 142 its surroundings) and 150 individuals at RM40 cave, 42 in the cave and 108 its surroundings. Our results showed rich fauna of sand flies with a species composition of sand flies similar among the entrance, interior, and surroundings environments of each sampled cave, suggesting that both caves and their surroundings are important for the maintenance of sand fly communities.

Rapid Morphological Changes (RMCs) in rodents has been frequently documented. However, relation between RMCs and potential environmental drivers has been understudied. Here, we utilized a museum collection of four rodent species, collected in the same Atlantic Forest fragment, to investigate variation in the skull morphology over time, and test the influence of environmental and diversity drivers in RMC. We tested differences in size and shape of the skull between specimens collected in two temporal series, 1992–1997 and 2009–2010. For size, we tested differences over time in 20 cranial measurements within each species with independent-samples t-tests. To test shape variation, we performed a PERMANOVA with data generated by 13 landmarks on the dorsal view and another 13 on the ventral view throughout two-dimensional geometric morphometrics. We also explored the best relationships between cranial changes and five drivers of climate and two of rodent diversity by Akaike model selection. Our analysis showed RMCs in all studied species and theses changes were strongly influenced by tested drivers. The best model included only maximum temperature showing a negative association with size. Other tested models that presented similar fit showed that precipitation, humidity, richness of rodents, and minimum temperature had a positive association with size. Additionally, abundance also was negatively associated with morphological changes in the most abundant and the largest of the sampled species. The results indicated these species seem to quickly respond to environmental changes. Understanding which species have the potential to adapt to changes is central for the future of biodiversity conservation.

AimThe knowledge of biodiversity facets such as species composition, distribu-tion and ecological niche is fundamental for the construction of biogeographichypotheses and conservation strategies. However, the knowledge on these facetsis affected by major shortfalls, which are even more pronounced in the tropics.This study aims to evaluate the effect of sampling bias and variation in collec-tion effort on Linnean, Wallacean and Hutchinsonian shortfalls and diversitymeasures as species richness, endemism and beta-diversity.LocationBrazil.MethodsWe have built a database with over 1.5 million records of arthro-pods, vertebrates and angiosperms of Brazil, based on specimens deposited inscientific collections and on the taxonomic literature. We used null models totest the collection bias regarding the proximity to access routes. We also testedthe influence of sampling effort on diversity measures by regression models. Toinvestigate the Wallacean shortfall, we modelled the geographic distribution ofover 4000 species and compared their observed distribution with models. Toquantify the Hutchinsonian shortfall, we used environmental Euclidean distanceof the records to identify regions with poorly sampled environmental condi-tions. To estimate the Linnean shortfall, we measured the similarity of speciescomposition between regions close to and far from access routes.ResultsWe demonstrated that despite the differences in sampling effort, thestrong collection bias affects all taxonomic groups equally, generating a patternof spatially biased sampling effort. This collection pattern contributes greatly tothe biodiversity knowledge shortfalls, which directly affects the knowledge onthe distribution patterns of diversity.Main conclusionsThe knowledge on species richness, species composition andendemism in the Brazilian biodiversity is strongly biased spatially. Despite dif-ferences in sampling effort for each taxonomic group, roadside bias affectedthem equally. Species composition similarity decreased with the distance fromaccess routes, suggesting collection surveys at sites far from roads couldincrease the probability of sampling new geographic records or new species. ObjetivoO conhecimento das facetas da biodiversidade como composição, distribuição e nicho ecológico das espécies é fundamental para a construção de hipóteses biogeográficas e estratégias de conservação. No entanto, o conhecimento sobre essas facetas é afetado por grandes déficits, que são ainda mais pronunciados nos trópicos. Este estudo visa avaliar o efeito do viés de amostragem e variação no esforço de coleta sobre os déficits e medidas de diversidade de Linnean, Wallacean e Hutchinsonian como riqueza de espécies , endemismo e beta-diversidade.LocalizaçãoBrasil.MétodosConstruímos um banco de dados com mais de 1,5 milhão de registros de artrópodes, vertebrados e angiospermas do Brasil, com base em espécimes depositados em coleções científicas e na literatura taxonômica. Utilizamos modelos nulos para testar o viés de coleta quanto à proximidade das vias de acesso. Também testamos a influência do esforço amostral nas medidas de diversidade por meio de modelos de regressão. Para investigar o déficit Wallaceano, modelamos a distribuição geográfica de mais de 4.000 espécies e comparamos sua distribuição observada com modelos. Para quantificar o déficit hutchinsoniano, utilizamos a distância euclidiana ambiental dos registros para identificar regiões com condições ambientais pouco amostradas. Para estimar o déficit de Linne, medimos a similaridade da composição de espécies entre regiões próximas e distantes das vias de acesso. Resultados Demonstramos que apesar das diferenças no esforço amostral, o forte viés de coleta afeta igualmente todos os grupos taxonômicos, gerando um padrão de esforço amostral enviesado espacialmente. Esse padrão de coleta contribui muito para as deficiências de conhecimento da biodiversidade, o que afeta diretamente o conhecimento sobre os padrões de distribuição da diversidade.Principais conclusõesO conhecimento sobre riqueza de espécies, composição de espécies e endemismo na biodiversidade brasileira é fortemente enviesado espacialmente. Apesar das diferenças no esforço amostral para cada grupo taxonômico, o viés de beira de estrada os afetou igualmente. A similaridade da composição de espécies diminuiu com a distância das vias de acesso, sugerindo que levantamentos de coleta em locais distantes de estradas podem aumentar a probabilidade de amostragem de novos registros geográficos ou novas espécies.

Made available in DSpace on 2018-11-26T17:04:30Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 0 Previous issue date: 2016-09-01 Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq) Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES) PRPq/UFMG Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de Minas Gerais (FAPEMIG) Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP) The transformation of natural landscapes in extensive anthropogenic areas has significantly affected ecological processes, and studies that evaluate such changes are essential for the definition of conservation strategies. In this study, we sought to identify the variables influencing the occupancy of Atlantic forest fragments by the endemic and endangered maned sloth. We selected 33 sampling stations, distributed at least 500 m apart throughout the municipality of Santa Maria de Jetiba-ES, Brazil. We sampled each station five times to verify the presence or absence of the species and to collect local variables. Using GIS tools, we defined a buffer of 200 m around each fragment and calculated the landscape metrics. After analysis of collinearity, we selected six variables - three local variables, two at patch level and one at landscape level - to assess their effect on the occupancy and detection probabilities. We selected models using AICc and calculated the weight of evidence and ratio of the models as well as the cumulative weight of each predictor variable. We detected the sloth in 48% of the stations. Its occupation was positively correlated to two variables on the local scale: Important Feeding Trees and Canopy height. Our results show that the maned sloth respond to fine local scale variables, but not to landscape structure. This is probably associated with the relatively high proportion of forest cover in the study area, but it also indicates the maned sloth flexibility to occupy fragmented landscape. Based on our results, we reinforce the unquestionable importance of local variables for species occupancy within fragmented landscapes, such as those related with the forest structure, and it is particularly important for strictly arboreal species. (C) 2016 Deutsche Gesellschaft fur Saugetierkunde. Published by Elsevier GmbH. All rights reserved. Univ Fed Minas Gerais, Inst Ciencias Biol, Dept Biol Geral, Lab Ecol & Conservacao, Ave Presidente Antonio Carlos 6627, BR-31270901 Belo Horizonte, MG, Brazil Univ Sao Paulo, Fac Filosofia Ciencias & Letras Ribeirao Preto, Dept Biol, Ave Bandeirantes 3900, BR-14040901 Ribeirao Preto, SP, Brazil Univ Estadual Paulista, Dept Ecol, LEEC, Ave 24 A,1515, BR-13506900 Rio Clare, SP, Brazil Univ Estadual Paulista, Dept Ecol, LEEC, Ave 24 A,1515, BR-13506900 Rio Clare, SP, Brazil CNPq: 306579/2015-4 CNPq: 312045/2013-1 CNPq: 305902/2014-8 FAPESP: 2013/50421-2

Background From the end of 2016 until the beginning of 2019, Brazil faced a massive sylvatic yellow fever (YF) outbreak. The 2016–2019 YF epidemics affected densely populated areas, especially the Southeast region, causing thousands of deaths of humans and non-human primates (NHP). Methodology/Principal findings We conducted a molecular investigation of yellow fever virus (YFV) RNA in 781 NHP carcasses collected in the urban, urban-rural interface, and rural areas of Minas Gerais state, from January 2017 to December 2018. Samples were analyzed according to the period of sampling, NHP genera, sampling areas, and sampling areas/NHP genera to compare the proportions of YFV-positive carcasses and the estimated YFV genomic loads. YFV infection was confirmed in 38.1% of NHP carcasses (including specimens of the genera Alouatta, Callicebus, Callithrix, and Sapajus), from the urban, urban-rural interface, and rural areas. YFV RNA detection was positively associated with epidemic periods (especially from December to March) and the rural environment. Higher median viral genomic loads (one million times) were estimated in carcasses collected in rural areas compared to urban ones. Conclusions/Significance The results showed the wide occurrence of YF in Minas Gerais in epidemic and non-epidemic periods. According to the sylvatic pattern of YF, a gradient of viral dissemination from rural towards urban areas was observed. A high YF positivity was observed for NHP carcasses collected in urban areas with a widespread occurrence in 67 municipalities of Minas Gerais, including large urban centers. Although there was no documented case of urban/Aedes YFV transmission to humans in Brazil during the 2016–2019 outbreaks, YFV-infected NHP in urban areas with high infestation by Aedes aegypti poses risks for YFV urban/Aedes transmission and urbanization., Author summary Brazil faced the most massive sylvatic yellow fever (YF) outbreak in 2016–2019. The outbreak affected highly densely populated areas, and Minas Gerais was the most affected state with thousands of deaths of human and non-human primates (NHP). We investigated the yellow fever virus (YFV) RNA in NHP carcasses collected throughout Minas Gerais in 2017 and 2018. We demonstrated the wide occurrence of YFV-infected NHP, including the viral persistence during the non-epidemic dry season of 2017. YFV RNA was detected in NHP carcasses in the urban, urban-rural interface and rural areas. We have also detected new YF cases in 49 municipalities where YF cases have not been previously detected during the outbreaks. Estimates of YFV genomic load in naturally infected NHP carcasses showed high and similar loads in specimens (Alouatta, Callithrix, and Callicebus) collected in rural areas and lower genomic loads in the urban-rural interface and urban Callithrix specimens. The presence of YFV inside urban areas poses an imminent risk, although no human case was epidemiologically linked to urban/Aedes transmission during the last outbreaks in Brazil.

Made available in DSpace on 2019-10-06T16:55:11Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 0 Previous issue date: 2019-01-01 Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES) Primates play an important role in ecosystem functioning and offer critical insights into human evolution, biology, behavior, and emerging infectious diseases. There are 26 primate species in the Atlantic Forests of South America, 19 of them endemic. We compiled a dataset of 5,472 georeferenced locations of 26 native and 1 introduced primate species, as hybrids in the genera Callithrix and Alouatta. The dataset includes 700 primate communities, 8,121 single species occurrences and 714 estimates of primate population sizes, covering most natural forest types of the tropical and subtropical Atlantic Forest of Brazil, Paraguay and Argentina and some other biomes. On average, primate communities of the Atlantic Forest harbor 2 ± 1 species (range = 1–6). However, about 40% of primate communities contain only one species. Alouatta guariba (N = 2,188 records) and Sapajus nigritus (N = 1,127) were the species with the most records. Callicebus barbarabrownae (N = 35), Leontopithecus caissara (N = 38), and Sapajus libidinosus (N = 41) were the species with the least records. Recorded primate densities varied from 0.004 individuals/km 2 (Alouatta guariba at Fragmento do Bugre, Paraná, Brazil) to 400 individuals/km 2 (Alouatta caraya in Santiago, Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil). Our dataset reflects disparity between the numerous primate census conducted in the Atlantic Forest, in contrast to the scarcity of estimates of population sizes and densities. With these data, researchers can develop different macroecological and regional level studies, focusing on communities, populations, species co-occurrence and distribution patterns. Moreover, the data can also be used to assess the consequences of fragmentation, defaunation, and disease outbreaks on different ecological processes, such as trophic cascades, species invasion or extinction, and community dynamics. There are no copyright restrictions. Please cite this Data Paper when the data are used in publications. We also request that researchers and teachers inform us of how they are using the data. Departamento de Zoologia Instituto de Biociências Universidade Estadual Paulista (UNESP), CP. 199 Instituto de Biología Subtropical (IBS) Universidad Nacional de Misiones (UNaM) - Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CONICET), sede Iguazú, Bertoni 85 Asociación Civil Centro de Investigaciones del Bosque Atlántico (CeIBA) Secretaria da Saúde do Estado do Rio Grande do Sul Centro Estadual de Vigilância em Saúde Divisão de Vigilância Ambiental em Saúde. R., Domingos Crescêncio 132 Pontifícia Universidade Católica do Rio Grande do Sul (PUCRS), Escola de Ciências, Av. Ipiranga, 6681 Pd. 12A Departamento de Ecologia Instituto de Biociências Universidade Estadual Paulista (UNESP), CP. 199 Instituto de Pesquisas Jardim Botânico do Rio de Janeiro Programa de Pós-Graduação em Botânica Escola Nacional de Botânica Tropical Centro Brasileiro de Estudos em Ecologia de Estradas (CBEE) Universidade Federal de Lavras Mammal Ecology and Behavior Lab Department of Animal Biology Institute of Biology University of Campinas (UNICAMP) Núcleo em Ecologia e Desenvolvimento Socioambiental de Macaé (NUPEM) Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro (UFRJ), Campus Macaé, Av. São José do Barreto 764 Núcleo de Ciências Ambientais (NCA) Laboratório de Mapeamento e Análise da Paisagem (LabMAP) Universidade de Mogi das Cruzes (UMC) Núcleo de Estudos da Biodiversidade da Amazônia Meridional Instituto de Ciências Naturais Humanas e Sociais Universidade Federal de Mato Grosso (UFMT), Av. Alexandre Ferronato, 1200 Laboratório de Ecologia e Conservação Curso de Ciências Biológicas Pontifícia Universidade Católica do Paraná (PUCPR), Rua Imaculada Conceição 1155 Casa da Floresta Ambiental SS, Av. Joaninha Morganti, Monte Alegre 289 Laboratório de Ecologia Aplicada à Conservação Universidade Estadual de Santa Cruz (UESC), Km. 16 Rodovia Jorge Amado Caipora Cooperativa para a Conservação da Natureza Departamento de Biologia Faculdade de Filosofia Ciências e Letras de Ribeirão Preto Universidade de São Paulo (USP), Av. Bandeirantes 3900 Universidade do Estado de Minas Gerais (UEMG), Praça dos Estudantes, 23 Programa de Pós-Graduação em Ecologia Instituto Nacional de Pesquisas da Amazônia (INPA), Av. André Araújo, 2936 Petrópolis Laboratório de Evolução e Genética Animal Universidade Federal do Amazonas (UFAM), Av. Gal. Rodrigo Otávio J. Ramos 3000, Setor Sul, ICB 02, Sala 09 Laboratório de Ecologia e Conservação de Mamíferos Universidade Federal de Lavras Facultad de Ciencias Forestales Universidad Nacional de Misiones (UNaM) Programa de Pós-Graduação em Genética Biodiversidade e Conservação Universidade Estadual do Sudoeste da Bahia (UESB), Av. José Moreira Sobrinho, s/n Centro Nacional de Pesquisa e Conservação de Aves Silvestres (CEMAVE/ICMBIO), BR 230 - KM 10, Floresta Nacional da Restinga de Cabedelo Departamento de Zoologia Programa de Pós Graduação em Zoologia Instituto de Ciências Biológicas Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais (UFMG) Instituto Itapoty: Desenvolvimento Humano e Conservação Ambiental, 18.690-000 Centro de Ciências Biológicas e da Saúde Universidade Federal de São Carlos(UFSCar) Departamento de Ciências Biológicas Programa de Pós-Graduação em Ciências Biológicas (Biologia Animal) Universidade Federal do Espírito Santo (UFES), Av. Fernando Ferrari, 514, Goiabeiras Departamento de Ecologia e Zoologia Centro de Ciências Biológicas Universidade Federal de Santa Catarina (UFSC) Instituto Chico Mendes de Conservação da Biodiversidade (ICMBio), EQSW 103/104, Bloco C, Complexo Administrativo Departamento de Recursos Ambientais (DPRA) Divisão de Meio Ambiente (DVMA) Instituto de Tecnologia para o Desenvolvimento - Institutos Lactec, Rodovia BR-116, km 98, 8813, Jardim das Américas Laboratório de Ecologia Universidade Federal do Amapá (Unifap), Rod. JK, Km 2, Jardim Marco Zero Departamento de Ciências Agrárias Universidade Federal de São João del Rei (UFSJ), Campus Sete Lagoas, Rod. MG-424, km 48 Instituto de Bio y Geociencias del Noroeste Argentino (IBIGEO) CONICET Laboratório de Ecologia e Conservação de Biodiversidade Programa de Pós-Graduação em Ecologia de Ecossistemas Universidade Vila Velha (UVV) R. Comissário José Dantas de Melo, 21, Boa Vista Centre for Virology Research Ribeirão Preto Medical School University of São Paulo (USP) Centro Universitário Norte do Espírito Santo (CEUNES) Programa de Pós-graduação em Biodiversidade Tropical Universidade Federal do Espírito Santo (UFES), Rodovia BR 101 Norte, km 60, Litorâneo R. Esmeralda, 43, CP142 Instituto de Pesquisas Ecológicas (IPÊ), CP 47 Centro de Biociências Departamento de Ecologia Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Norte (UFRN) Instituto de Pesquisa e Conservação de Tamanduás no Brasil Programa de Pós-Graduação em Biodiversidade e Uso de Recursos Naturais (PPG-BURN) Campus Universitário Darcy Ribeiro Universidade Estadual de Montes Claros (UNIMONTES), CP. 126, Vila Mauricéia Departamento de Engenharia Florestal Universidade Federal de Viçosa (UFV), Av. Purdue, s/n°, Campus Universitário, Edif. Reinaldo de Jesus Araújo Unidade Acadêmica Especial (UAE) de Ciências Biológicas Universidade Federal de Goiás (UFG) Regional Jataí, Br364, km 192, n. 3800, Parque Industrial Parque Nacional Iguazú Administracion de Parques Nacionales de Argentina Departamento de Zoologia Setor de Ciências Biológicas Universidade Federal do Paraná (UFPR), CP 19020, Jardim das Américas Laboratório de Biodiversidade de Mamíferos do Sul do Brasil Departamento de Biologia Universidade Estadual do Centro-Oeste do Paraná, Campus CEDETEG, R. Simeão Camargo Varela de Sá, 03, Vila Carli Department of Biological Sciences University of Alberta, 116 St. and 85 Ave Fundación de História Natural Félix de Azara Departamento de Ciências Faculdade de Formação de es Universidade do Estado do Rio de Janeiro (UERJ) Bicho do Mato Instituto de Pesquisa Departamento de Biologia Geral Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais (UFMG), Av. Antonio Carlos Centre for Ecology Evolution and Conservation School of Environmental Sciences University of East Anglia Instituto Nacional de Pesquisas da Amazônia (INPA) Núcleo de Pesquisas de Roraima (NPRR), 69.301-150 Instituto Florestal, Rua do Horto 931 Amazonian Mammals Research Group (AMRG) Instituto Nacional de Pesquisas da Amazônia (INPA) Laboratório de Ecologia Universidade Estadual do Sudoeste da Bahia, Av. José Moreira Sobrinho, s/n Programa de Pós-Graduação em Ecologia e Evolução Universidade Federal de Goiás Programa de Pós-Graduação em Ecologia (PNPD/CAPES) Universidade Estadual de Campinas Programa de Pós Graduação em Ciências Ambientais Universidade Estadual de Mato Grosso (UNEMAT), Av. Santos Dumont, s/n, Cidade Universitária (Bloco II) Instituto de Biociências Universidade Federal de Mato Grosso do Sul (UFMS) Fundación Para La Tierra Centro IDEAL School of Biological Sciences University of Aberdeen Instituto SerraDiCal de Pesquisa e Conservação R. José Hemetério de Andrade, 570, 30.493-180 Museu Paraense Emílio Goeldi Programa de Pós-graduação em Zoologia Universidade Federal do Pará (UFPA) Faculdade Guairacá, R. XV de novembro, 7050, Centro, 85.010-000 Centro Nacional de Pesquisa e Conservação de Primatas Brasileiros (CPB), Praça Antenor Navarro, 5, Varadouro Centro Histórico Departamento de Ecologia Universidade Federal de Sergipe, Av. Marechal Rondon, s/n. Rosa Elze RUMO S.A Licenciamento Ambiental, Rua Emílio Bertolini, 100, Vila Oficinas Departamento de Zoologia Universidade Federal de Pernambuco Programa de Pós-graduação em Ciências Biológicas João Pessoa Universidade Federal da Paraíba Programa de Pós-Graduação em Ciências Ambientais Universidade Federal de Alfenas Institut universitaire et technologique d'Avignon Université d'Avignon et des Pays du Vaucluse, 337 chemin des Meinajaries, BP 1207 Departamento de Zoologia Instituto de Biociências Universidade Estadual Paulista (UNESP), CP. 199 Departamento de Ecologia Instituto de Biociências Universidade Estadual Paulista (UNESP), CP. 199

We show in the present study that variations in the rates of survival and recruitment of the agile gracile opossum (Gracilinanus agilis) are predominantly influenced by its life history instead of the variation in primary productivity that is common in the Brazilian Cerrado. For 5 years we monitored a population of G. agilis in a riparian forest running through the Cerrado and assessed the relationship between survival and breeding season, as well as the relationship between recruitment and seasons (dry and rainy). We also tested for a relationship between these rates and variations in primary productivity. The survival of males was better predicted by reproductive season than primary productivity and survival decreased after the reproductive season. Females showed a similar pattern. Our data show the reproduction of G. agilis is seasonal, with recruitment in the rainy season. The demographic analysis made in the present study suggests the adoption of a semelparous strategy in this species.

Limnoperna fortunei (Dunker 1857) is a freshwater mussel with physiological tolerance to different environmental conditions, which may explain its success as an invasive species. The role of abiotic factors in its establishment, abundance and projections of risk of further spread into several areas has been studied. These mussels may respond to multiple environmental stressors, such as temperature, through physiological mechanisms, behavioral responses, mortality or some combination of these. The aim of this study was to investigate the behavioral responses (valve closing), glycogen concentrations and mortality of L. fortunei under four different temperatures (5°C, 10°C, 20°C and 30°C) during a chronic test (30 days). Two-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) was used to compare glycogen concentrations across days of the experiment and at the different temperatures. Differences in valve-closing behavior and mortality among temperatures were tested using repeated-measures ANOVA. We observed that most of the mussels maintained at 5°C closed their valves (74.7±15.3%), indicating that they remain inactive at low temperatures. The glycogen levels significantly differed among the temperatures tested. These differences occurred mainly due to the high glycogen values observed in mussels exposed to 10°C. Stability in glycogen concentrations was observed within each particular temperature. The cumulative mortality was higher at extreme temperatures (5°C and 30°C). The ideal temperature for laboratory maintenance and tests is approximately 20°C. Our data also show that L. fortunei can survive and maintain their energy reserves (glycogen) for several days at 5°C, an important feature related to its invasion success.

Vaccinia virus (VACV) is a zoonotic agent that causes a disease called bovine vaccinia, which is detected mainly in milking cattle and humans in close contact with these animals. Even though many aspects of VACV infection have been described, much is still unknown about its circulation in the environment and its natural hosts/reservoirs. To investigate the presence of Orthopoxvirus antibodies or VACV DNA, we captured small rodents and marsupials in 3 areas of Minas Gerais state, Brazil, and tested their samples in a laboratory. A total of 336 animals were tested; positivity ranged from 18.1% to 25.5% in the 3 studied regions located in different biomes, including the Atlantic Forest and the Cerrado. Analysis of nucleotide sequences indicated co-circulation of VACV groups I and II. Our findings reinforce the possible role played by rodents and marsupials in VACV maintenance and its transmission chain.

Fil: Lima, Fernando. Universidade Estadual Paulista. Instituto de Biociências. Departamento de Ecología; Brasil. Fil: Lima, Fernando. Instituto de Pesquisas Ecológicas; Brasil. Fil: Beca, Gabrielle. Universidade Estadual Paulista. Instituto de Biociências. Departamento de Ecología; Brasil. Fil: Lara Muylaert, Renata de. Universidade Estadual Paulista. Instituto de Biociências. Departamento de Ecología; Brasil. Fil: Jenkins, Clinton N. Instituto de Pesquisas Ecológicas; Brasil. Fil: Lages Perilli, Miriam Lucia. Instituto para Conservação dos Carnívoros Neotropicais; Brasil. Fil: Paschoal, Ana Maria de Oliveira. Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais. Departamento de Biologia Geral; Brasil. Fil: Lima Massara, Rodrigo. Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais. Departamento de Biologia Geral; Brasil. Fil: Pereira Paglia, Adriano. Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais. Departamento de Biologia Geral; Brasil. Fil: Garcia Chiarello, Adriano. Universidade de São Paulo. Faculdade de Filosofia, Ciências e Letras de Ribeirão Preto. Departamento de Biologia; Brasil. Fil: Graipel, Maurício Eduardo. Universidade Federal de Santa Catarina. Departamento de Ecologia e Zoologia; Brasil. Fil: Cherem, Jorge José. Caipora Cooperativa para a Conservação da Natureza; Brasil. Fil: Regolin, André Luis. Universidade Estadual Paulista. Instituto de Biociências. Departamento de Ecología; Brasil. Fil: Rodrigues Oliveira Santos, Luiz Gustavo. Universidade Federal de Mato Grosso do Sul. Instituto de Biologia. Departamento de Ecologia; Brasil. Fil: Brocardo, Carlos Rodrigo. Universidade Estadual Paulista. Instituto de Biociências. Departamento de Ecología; Brasil. Fil: Brocardo, Carlos Rodrigo. Instituto Neotropical Pesquisa e Conservação; Brasil. Fil: Paviolo, Agustín Javier. Universidad Nacional de Misiones. Instituto de Biología Subtropical. Nodo Puerto Iguazú; Argentina. Fil: Paviolo, Agustín Javier. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Instituto de Biología Subtropical. Nodo Puerto Iguazú; Argentina. Fil: Paviolo, Agustín Javier. Asociación Civil Centro de Investigaciones del Bosque Atlántico; Argentina. Fil: Di Bitetti, Mario Santiago. Universidad Nacional de Misiones. Instituto de Biologia Subtropical. Nodo Puerto Iguazú; Argentina. Fil: Di Bitetti, Mario Santiago. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Instituto de Biologia Subtropical. Nodo Puerto Iguazú; Argentina. Fil: Di Bitetti, Mario Santiago. Asociación Civil Centro de Investigaciones del Bosque Atlántico; Argentina. Fil: Di Bitetti, Mario Santiago. Universidad Nacional de Misiones. Facultad de Ciencias Forestales; Argentina. Fil: Moraes Scoss, Leandro. Tropical Ecology Assessment and Monitoring Network. Terrestrial Vertebrate. Bicho do Mato Instituto de Pesquisa; Brasil. Fil: Lopes Rocha, Fabiana. Universidade Federal da Paraíba, Programa de Pós-Graduação em Ecologia e Monitoramento Ambiental; Brasil. Fil: Fusco-Costa, Roberto. Instituto de Pesquisas Cananéia; Brasil. Fil: Fusco-Costa, Roberto. Universidade Federal do Paraná. Programa de Pós-Doutorado em Ecologia e Conservação; Brasil. Fil: Alves da Rosa, Clarissa. Instituto Alto Montana da Serra; Brasil. Fil: Hufnagel, Ludmila. Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais. Departamento de Biologia Geral; Brasil. Fil: Marques Santos, Paloma. Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais. Departamento de Biologia Geral; Brasil. Fil: Teixeira Duarte, Gabriela. Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais. Departamento de Biologia Geral; Brasil. Fil: Neves Guimarães, Luiza. Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais. Departamento de Biologia Geral; Brasil. Fil: Bailey, Larissa Lynn. Colorado State University. Department of Fish, Wildlife, and Conservation Biology; Estados Unidos. Fil: Guimarães Rodrigues, Flávio Henrique. Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais. Departamento de Biologia Geral; Brasil. Fil: Morais Cunha, Heito. Sete Soluções e Tecnologia Ambiental; Brasil. Fil: Moreli Fantacini, Felipe. Instituto Ambiental Brüderthal; Brasil. Fil: Oliveira Batista, Graziele. Instituto Brasileiro do Meio Ambiente e dos Recursos Naturais Renováveis; Brasil. Fil: Bogoni. Juliano André. Universidade Federal de Santa Catarina. Programa de Pós-Graduação em Ecologia; Brasil. Fil: Tortato, Marco Adriano. Universidade Federal de Mato Grosso do Sul. Programa de Pós-Graduação em Ecologia e Conservação; Brasil. Fil: Micheli Ribeiro Luiz. Instituto Felinos do Aguaí; Brasil. Fil: Peroni, Nivaldo. Universidade Federal de Santa Catarina. Departamento de Ecologia e Zoologia; Brasil. Fil: Volkmer de Castilho, Pedro. Universidade do Estado de Santa Catarina. Departamento de Engenharia de Pesca; Brasil. Fil: Bernardes Maccarini, Thiago. Rua Martim Stahl; Brasil. Fil: Picinatto Filho, Vilmar. Instituto Nacional de Pesquisas da Amazônia. Programa de Pós-Graduação em Genética, Conservação e Biologia Evolutiva; Brasil. Fil: De Ángelo, Carlos. Universidad Nacional de Misiones. Instituto de Biología Subtropical. Nodo Puerto Iguazú; Argentina. Fil: De Ángelo, Carlos. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Instituto de Biología Subtropical. Nodo Puerto Iguazú; Argentina. Fil: De Ángelo, Carlos. Asociación Civil Centro de Investigaciones del Bosque Atlántico; Argentina. Fil: Cruz, Paula. Universidad Nacional de Misiones. Instituto de Biología Subtropical. Nodo Puerto Iguazú; Argentina. Fil: Cruz, Paula. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Instituto de Biología Subtropical. Nodo Puerto Iguazú; Argentina. Fil: Cruz, Paula. Asociación Civil Centro de Investigaciones del Bosque Atlántico; Argentina. Fil: Quiroga, Verónica. Universidad Nacional de Misiones. Instituto de Biología Subtropical. Nodo Puerto Iguazú; Argentina. Fil: Quiroga, Verónica. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Instituto de Biología Subtropical. Nodo Puerto Iguazú; Argentina. Fil: Quiroga, Verónica. Asociación Civil Centro de Investigaciones del Bosque Atlántico; Argentina. Fil: Iezzi, María Eugenia. Universidad Nacional de Misiones. Instituto de Biología Subtropical. Nodo Puerto Iguazú; Argentina. Fil: Iezzi, María Eugenia. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Instituto de Biología Subtropical. Nodo Puerto Iguazú; Argentina. Fil: Iezzi, María Eugenia. Asociación Civil Centro de Investigaciones del Bosque Atlántico; Argentina. Fil: Varela, Diego. Universidad Nacional de Misiones. Instituto de Biología Subtropical. Nodo Puerto Iguazú; Argentina. Fil: Varela, Diego. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Instituto de Biología Subtropical. Nodo Puerto Iguazú; Argentina. Fil: Varela, Diego. Asociación Civil Centro de Investigaciones del Bosque Atlántico; Argentina. Fil: Cintra Cavalcanti, Sandra Maria. Instituto para Conservação dos Carnívoros Neotropicais; Brasil. Fil: Camargo Martensen, Alexandre. Instituto Nacional de Pesquisas da Amazônia. Programa de Pós-Graduação em Genética, Conservação e Biologia Evolutiva; Brasil. Fil: Maggiorini, Erica Vanessa. Prefeitura da Estância Turística de Salto. Secretaria de Meio Ambiente; Brasil. Fil: Ferreira Keesen, Fabíola. Universidade Federal de Ouro Preto. Programa de Pós-Graduação em Ecologia de Biomas Tropicais, Brasil. Fil: Valle Nunes, André. Universidade Federal de Mato Grosso do Sul, Programa de Pós-Graduação em Ecologia e Conservação; Brasil. Fil: Mendes Lessa, Gisele. Universidade Federal de Viçosa. Departamento de Biologia Animal, Laboratório de Mastozoologia; Brasil. Fil: Cordeiro-Estrela, Pedro. Universidade Federal da Paraíba. Departamento de Sistemática e Ecologia. Laboratório de Mamíferos; Brasil. Fil: Guimarães Beltrão, Mayara. Universidade Federal da Paraíba. Departamento de Sistemática e Ecologia. Laboratório de Mamíferos; Brasil. Fil: Guimarães Beltrão, Mayara. Universidade Federal da Paraíba. Programa de Pós-Graduação em Ciências Biológicas; Brasil. Fil: Figueiredo de Albuquerque, Anna Carolina. Universidade Federal da Paraíba. Departamento de Sistemática e Ecologia. Laboratório de Mamíferos; Brasil. Fil: Figueiredo de Albuquerque, Anna Carolina. Universidade Federal da Paraíba. Programa de Pós-Graduação em Ciências Biológicas; Brasil. Fil: Ingberman, Bianca. Instituto de Pesquisas Cananéia; Brasil. Fil: Righetto Cassano, Camila. Universidade Estadual de Santa Cruz. Laboratório de Ecologia Aplicada à Conservação; Brasil. Fil: Cullen Junior, Laury. Instituto de Pesquisas Ecológicas; Brasil. Fil: Ribeiro, Milton Cezar. Universidade Estadual Paulista. Instituto de Biociências. Departamento de Ecología; Brasil. Fil: Galetti, Mauro. Universidade Estadual Paulista. Instituto de Biociências. Departamento de Ecología; Brasil. Our understanding of mammal ecology has always been hindered by the difficulties of observing species in closed tropical forests. Camera trapping has become a major advance for monitoring terrestrial mammals in biodiversity rich ecosystems. Here we compiled one of the largest datasets of inventories of terrestrial mammal communities for the Neotropical region based on camera trapping studies. The dataset comprises 170 surveys of medium to large terrestrial mammals using camera traps conducted in 144 areas by 74 studies, covering six vegetation types of tropical and subtropical Atlantic Forest of South America (Brazil and Argentina), and present data on species composition and richness. The complete dataset comprises 53,438 independent records of 83 species of mammals, includes 10 species of marsupials, 15 rodents, 20 carnivores, eight ungulates and six armadillos. Species richness averaged 13 species (±6.07 SD) per site. Only six species occurred in more than 50% of the sites: the domestic dog Canis familiaris, crab-eating fox Cerdocyon thous, tayra Eira barbara, south American coati Nasua nasua, crab-eating raccoon Procyon cancrivorus and the nine-banded armadillo Dasypus novemcinctus. The information contained in this dataset can be used to understand macroecological patterns of biodiversity, community, and population structure, but also to evaluate the ecological consequences of fragmentation, defaunation, and trophic interactions.

Caves are extreme and inhospitable environments that can harbor several species of vertebrate and invertebrate animals. Among these animals are phlebotomine sand flies, vectors of parasites of the genus Leishmania that cause leishmaniasis. This study aimed to evaluate the species composition of sand flies of four caves, a cave located at Moeda Sul (MS) and three at Parque Estadual Serra do Rola Moça (PESRM), in the region of the Quadrilátero Ferrífero in the state of Minas Gerais, southeastern Brazil. Sand flies were collected with automatic light traps. Non-Metric Multidimensional Scaling, using a dissimilarity matrix calculated with the Jaccard index, and Multivariate Permutation Analysis were used to evaluate sand fly species composition among entrance, interior, and the surrounding environments of each sampled cave and to infer biological mechanisms from patterns of distribution among these different cave environments. A total of 375 phlebotomine sand flies representing 14 species and six genera were collected. The most abundant species were Evandromyia tupynambai (54.7%), Brumptomyia troglodytes (25.6%), Evandromyia edwardsi (6.1%), Psathyromyia brasiliensis (4.8%) and Lutzomyia longipalpis (4.3%). Thirty individuals were collected at MS, 16 inside the cave and 14 from its surroundings. At PESRM, five individuals were collected from the surroundings of cave RM38, 190 individuals from cave RM39 (48 in the cave and 142 from its surroundings) and 150 individuals from cave RM40 (42 in the cave and 108 from its surroundings). The results revealed a rich sand fly fauna with similar species compositions among the entrance, interior, and surrounding environments of each sampled cave, suggesting that both caves and their surroundings are important for maintaining sand fly communities.

Pseudoviviparous species are considered to rely almost entirely on vegetative propagation, because flowers are replaced by sprouts, and seedling recruitment is rare. We compared reproductive allocation (inflorescence and seed production) in three propagation modes presented by sympatric species of Leiothrix (Eriocaulaceae): rhizomatous and seminiferous (RS—L. crassifolia); rhizomatous, seminiferous, and pseudoviviparous (RSP—L. spiralis); and seminiferous and pseudoviviparous, in which seed production is considered rare due to reduced inflorescence size and small number of pistillate flowers (SP—L. arrecta and L. propinqua). We hypothesize that such propagation modes constitute a continuum of reproductive investment, that is: RS > RSP > SP. We harvested 154 Leiothrix spp. individuals at the Serra do Cipo, SE Brazil, from which we recorded the number of capitula and seeds, mean seed weight, and dry biomass allocated to plant structures. We then compared distinct propagation modes in relation to reproductive allocation, inflorescence-based and seed-based reproductive effort, and biomass partitioning. Contrary to expectations, the reproductive investment hierarchy found was SP ≥ RS > RSP. Our results do not fully concur with the current view that pseudoviviparous plants allocate few resources to reproduction. We suggest that the larger reproductive investment observed in SP helps to wait for better recruitment conditions in crowded and highly competitive mature populations (temporal escape), and to cope with destructive disturbances such as fire, since SP species lacks rhizomes.

South American Akodontini rodents are characterized by a large number of chromosome rearrangements. Among them, the genusAkodonhas been extensively analyzed with classical and molecular cytogenetics, which allowed the identification of a large number of intra- and interspecific chromosomal variation due to Robertsonian rearrangements, pericentric inversions, and heterochromatin additions/deletions. In order to shed some light on the cause of these rearrangements, we comparatively analyzed the karyotypes of three Akodontini species,Akodon cursor(2n = 14, FN = 19),A. montensis(2n = 24, FN = 42), andNecromys lasiurus(2n = 34, FN = 34), after GTG- and CBG-banding. The karyotypes differed by Robertsonian rearrangements, pericentric inversions, centromere repositioning, and heterochromatin variation. Genome comparisons were performed through interspecific fluorescent in situ hybridization (FISH) with total genomic DNAs of each species as probes (GISH). Our results revealed considerable conservation of the euchromatic portions among the three karyotypes suggesting that they mostly differ in their heterochromatic regions. FISH was also performed to assess the distribution of telomeric sequences, long and short interspersed repetitive elements (LINE-1 and B1 SINE) and of the endogenous retrovirus mysTR in the genomes of the three species. The results led us to infer that transposable elements have played an important role in the enormous chromosome variation found in Akodontini.

Knowledge of potential reservoirs of Leishmania spp. in an anthropic environment is important so that surveillance and control measures can be implemented. The aim of this study was to investigate the infection by Leishmania in small mammals in an area located in Minas Gerais, Brazil, that undergoes changes in its natural environment and presents autochthonous human cases of cutaneous leishmaniasis (CL) and visceral leishmaniasis (VL). For the capture of the animals, Sherman and Tomahawk traps were used and distributed in the peridomicile of houses with reports of autochthonous cases of CL or VL. Six catches were carried out on two consecutive nights with intervals of two months during one year and samples of spleen, liver, tail skin, ear skin and bone marrow of the animals were obtained. Parasitological and molecular methods were used to detect the infection. Identification of the Leishmania species was performed by PCR RFLPhsp70. Twenty five animals of four species were captured: ten Rattus rattus, nine Didelphis albiventris, five Cerradomys subflavus and one Marmosops incanus. In the PCR-hsp70, five animals were positive (20%). The Leishmania species identified in PCR-RFLPhsp70 were: Leishmania braziliensis in D. albiventris (2), C. subflavus (1) and R. rattus (1) and Leishmania infantum in R. rattus (1). The highest positivity rate for L. braziliensis was obtained in the liver samples. The spleen was the only tissue positive for L. infantum. It was isolated in culture medium L. braziliensis from two samples (liver and spleen) of R. rattus. This is the first record of isolation of L. braziliensis from R. rattus in the southeastern region of Brazil. These results are relevant to the knowledge of the epidemiology of leishmaniasis in the region, mainly in the investigation of the presence of hosts and possible reservoirs of the parasite.

Caves are unique habitats that are inhabited by a diverse and singular biota. Among these inhabitants are sand flies, which are of great epidemiological interest in the Neotropical region because they are vectors of Leishmania The period of activity of these insects is usually crepuscular and nocturnal, but there are reports of diurnal activity of sand flies in caves. Thus, the aim of this study was to evaluate the periodicity of daily activity of sand flies in cave environments in the municipality of Pains, Minas Gerais. Sand flies were collected with light traps, which were operated for 5 consecutive days in the rainy season and in the dry season. Samples were collected every 12 h and separated between photophase and scotophase periods. In total, 1,777 sand flies of 23 species were collected. The most abundant species was Lutzomyia renei (Martins, Falcao, and Silva) (44%), followed by Lutzomyia longipalpis (Lutz and Neiva) (15%), Evandromyia edwardsi (Mangabeira) (11%), and Micropygomyia quinquefer (Costa Lima) (6%). The richness and abundance of total sand flies and the abundance of male and female sand flies in the aphotic zone of the caves did not differ between the photophase and scotophase, but differed between photoperiods at the entrance and at sites surrounding the caves. From our study of the daily activity of these insects in this ecotope, it will be possible to know which period of the day is of greatest risk of exposure of vertebrates who visit or live in these environments, including the human population.

Bats are an excellent taxonomic group for research on elevational gradients and functional diversity, as they present a large number of species and functional traits. In general, elevation has a negative influence on bat diversity, but the effect is not necessarily linear. Often the effect of elevation on diversity may have a hump-shaped pattern, in which diversity metrics peak in intermediate elevations before decreasing at the highest parts of the elevational gradient. In this study, we investigated the effect of elevation on bat species richness, abundance, and functional diversity in Rio Preto State Park (RPSP), a protected area located in the Espinhaco mountain range, a region globally recognized for its high rates of biodiversity. We found that RPSP harbours 22 bat species, which represent 69% of the species occurring in the Espinhaco range and include species of conservation concern. Bat species richness and abundance was linearly and inversely correlated to elevation, whereas functional diversity had a hump-shaped pattern, with higher values found in the intermediate portion of the elevational gradient. Our findings agree with other studies showing the overall negative effect of elevation on bat diversity and contribute to the still sparse knowledge about the effect of elevation on bats in Brazil and in the Espinhaco range. Furthermore, our results suggest that natural environments in lower and intermediate elevations (< 1,100 m a.s.l.) in this mountain range may have high biodiversity value for bats, and actions aiming at their protection would complement the conservation efforts focusing on endemic species associated with higher habitats in the Espinhaco.

Threatened species assessments are one of the tools used to evaluate the degree of human impact on biodiversity, particularly in the assignment of extinction probabilities to individual species. Heavily altered habitats or biomes harbor a high proportion of the threatened species that have been assessed globally—80% of all of threatened species in IUCN’s Red List owe their poor status at least partly to the loss of habitat. Some taxonomic groups, however, may be well represented in the Red Lists either because they are naturally more sensitive to the most pervasive threats, or simply because they have been better studied. Here we look at the threat patterns on a temporal scale of Brazilian animal species included in the IUCN Red List, evaluating the hypotheses that directions of changes in red list status can be explained by the increase in scientific knowledge or by actual changes in threat factors. We analyzed changes in patterns of threatened vertebrates in IUCN’s list between 2002 and 2006. During that period, 120 species changed their status. 42 of these changes referred to inclusions and 78 to changes of threat category. For the latter group, 23 had their status upgraded to categories of higher threat, and 55 downgraded to others of lower threat. Most of the downgrades were caused by increase in scientific knowledge, while most of the upgrades resulted from the deterioration of the environmental conditions.

Worldwide, domestic dogs (Canis familiaris) are one of the most common carnivoran species in natural areas and their populations are still increasing. Dogs have been shown to impact wildlife populations negatively, and their occurrence can alter the abundance, behavior, and activity patterns of native species. However, little is known about abundance and density of the free-ranging dogs that use protected areas. Here, we used camera trap data with an open-robust design mark–recapture model to estimate the number of dogs that used protected areas in Brazilian Atlantic Forest. We estimated the time period these dogs used the protected areas, and explored factors that influenced the probability of continued use (e.g., season, mammal richness, proportion of forest), while accounting for variation in detection probability. Dogs in the studied system were categorized as rural free-ranging, and their abundance varied widely across protected areas (0–73 individuals). Dogs used protected areas near human houses for longer periods (e.g., >50% of sampling occasions) compared to more distant areas. We found no evidence that their probability of continued use varied with season or mammal richness. Dog detection probability decreased linearly among occasions, possibly due to the owners confining their dogs after becoming aware of our presence. Comparing our estimates to those for native carnivoran, we found that dogs were three to 85 times more abundant than ocelots (Leopardus pardalis), two to 25 times more abundant than puma (Puma concolor), and approximately five times more abundant than the crab-eating fox (Cerdocyon thous). Combining camera trapping data with modern mark–recapture methods provides important demographic information on free-ranging dogs that can guide management strategies to directly control dogs' abundance and ranging behavior.

BACKGROUND: In Brazil Leishmania braziliensis and L. infantum are the principal species responsible for cutaneous and visceral leishmaniases, respectively. Domestic dogs are the main reservoirs of visceral leishmaniasis, while rodents and marsupials are the main reservoirs for cutaneous leishmaniasis. It has also been suggested that dogs could play a role in transmission of cutaneous leishmaniasis. The identification of the species of Leishmania, the reservoirs, and the vectors involved in each particular transmission cycle is critical for the establishment of control activities. Belo Horizonte has emerged as an endemic region for leishmaniases, however, epidemiological studies assessing the contribution of wild reservoirs to transmission are scarce in the area. The aim of this study was to investigate Leishmania spp. infection in possible reservoirs of an urbanized area. RESULTS: A high rate of infection was found in small mammals (64.9%) and dogs (DG1 30.4% and DG2 48.6%). The presence of L. infantum and L. braziliensis was detected in small mammals and dogs, and mixed infections by both species were detected in rodents which, to the best of our knowledge, is the first description of this phenomenon in an urban area. Additionally, L. amazonensis was detected in the canine samples. CONCLUSION: The possible role of these animals as a source of infection of the vector of each species of Leishmania identified should not be overlooked and should be taken into account in future control activities. The results of mixed infection by L. braziliensis and L. infantum in cosmopolitan rodents as M. musculus and R. rattus, may have important implications in the context of the control of leishmaniasis in urban areas, especially when considering that these rodents live in close relationship with human dwellings, especially those in more precarious conditions. The authors wish to thank the Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de Minas Gerais (FAPEMIG), the Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq), the Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (Capes), the Fundação Oswaldo Cruz (FIOCRUZ) and European Community (EC - LeishEpiNetSA Consortium) for financially supporting the study. We are also grateful to the Centro de Controle de Zoonoses da Prefeitura de Belo Horizonte for assistance and logistic support, and to Zoraida del Carmen Fernandez Grillo for assistance in revising the text in English. Sí

Acoustic signals are assumed to form the basis of manatee communication. Empirical evidence of individual vocal recognition has been reported. If manatees can recognize one another by acoustical means, it should be possible to identify individual vocal patterns. We recorded vocalizations of 14 individually housed Amazonian manatees and then digitized selected vocalizations, allowing seven variables to be measured and subjected to multivariate statistical treatment. Discriminant function analysis indicated that individuals can be separated on the basis of variables related to the fundamental frequency and signal duration. We observed significant differences in the vocal patterns between sexes and age classes. Females tended to have greater fundamental frequency and shorter note duration than males. Calves had shorter note durations and greater values for the fundamental frequency range than subadults and adults. An inverse relationship between total body length and fundamental frequency range suggests that the fundamental frequency becomes more defined as the animal ages. The similar individual patterns in the vocalizations of a mother and calf pair are discussed. Individual recognition by Amazonian manatees according to their vocal patterns is suggested through a preliminary playback experiment.

The life histories of succineids have received relatively little attention. To evaluate life history char- acteristics of Omalonyx matheroni, we studied a Brazilian population (Reserva Particular do Patrimonio Natural Feliciano Miguel Abdala, in Caratinga, Minas Gerais, Brazil) under laboratory conditions. The aims of the present study were (1) to describe in detail an appropriate rearing method; (2) to investigate the effects of different temperature and photoperiod conditions; and (3) to assess the effects of self and cross-fertilization on the repro- ductive biology of these mollusks. We studied the oviposition site, the time to sexual maturity and the influences of photoperiod and temperature on reproductive parameters of O. matheroni reared under laboratory conditions. We tested three combinations of temperature and photoperiod, designated A, B and C (A: 25oC, 24 hours of light; B: environmental conditions of temperature and photoperiod, characterized as follows: average maximum temperature=27.1oC, average minimum temperature=18.3oC, average day length=12.06 hours; and C: 25oC, zero hours of light) and two rearing densities (I: isolated and G: grouped) on reproductive parameters (number of eggs per egg mass, number of unviable eggs per mass, egg mass incubation period, and duration of the hatching period). A total of 186 individuals and 565 egg masses were studied. Data were analyzed by Student’s t-test, two-way ANOVA and Chi-Square test. Eight generations were produced (March/2004-March/2006), from 35 field specimens, 91% of 3 197 eggs hatched. The time to sexual maturity was approximately three months for individuals reared in groups or in isolation (Student’s t-test: t=1.41, df=31, p=0.16); however, they dif- fered significantly in weight (Student’s t-test: t=3.6, df=31, p

Domestic, synanthropic and wild hosts of Leishmania spp. parasites were studied in an area endemic for American tegumentary leishmaniasis (ATL), specifically in northern Minas Gerais State, Brazil. Domestic dogs and small forest mammals are reservoir hosts for L. (Leishmania) infantum. However, the role that these animals play in the transmission cycle of the Leishmania spp. that cause cutaneous leishmaniasis is not well known. This study evaluated 72 rodents, 25 marsupials and 98 domestic dogs found in two villages of the Xakriaba Indigenous Territory, an area of intense ATL transmission. A total of 23 dogs (23.47%) were shown to be positive according to at least one test; 8 dogs (8.16%) tested positive in a single serological test and 15 dogs (15.31%) tested positive by IFAT and ELISA. Eleven dogs were euthanised to allow for molecular diagnosis, of which nine (81.8%) tested positive by PCR for Leishmania in at least one tissue. Seven animals were infected only with L. (L.) infantum, whilst two displayed a mixed infection of L. (L.) infantum and L. (V.) braziliensis. Isoenzymatic characterisation identified L. (L.) infantum parasites isolated from the bone marrow of two dogs. Of the 97 small mammals captured, 24 tested positive for Leishmania by PCR. The results showed that L. (V.) braziliensis, L. (L.) infantum and L. (V.) guyanensis are circulating among wild and synanthropic mammals present in the Xakriaba Reserve, highlighting the epidemiological diversity of ATL in this region.

The aim is to determine the relationship between the diversity of small mammals and the structural heterogeneity and/or secondary successional stages in an Atlantic forest fragment at Viçosa (Minas Gerais). We used Sherman and hook live traps to sample this fauna, monthly from may 1992 to april 1993 in three areas: an abandoned plantation of Melinis minutiflora (campo) and two distinct forest areas (capoeira and mata). The structural heterogeneity was determined as a function of the presence of dead trees, pioneer species, epiphytes, the distances between trees, the tree height and basal area measured by a modified quadrant sample method (Cottam & Curtis 1945). lt was sampled a total of 340 individuals belonging to 17 species. The homogeneous plantations had the highest diversity (H' = 1,67). Among the two forests stands the less heterogeneous capoeira had similar diversity (H' = 1,19) than the more heterogeneous stand, the mata (H' = 1,13). The unexpected higher diversity and species richness in the more homogeneous habitat may be explained by some hidden factor which decrease the competition for resources in this community.