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Cuniculus paca (Mammalia: Cuniculidae), or ‘paca’ is a rodent species in great demand for its meat, which has led to domestication and development of paca farms in the Brazilian Amazon region, as well as in other states. Despite the growing consumption of paca meat, knowledge on muscle anatomy is still scarce. An anatomical description of paca forelimbs will form the basis for future zootechnical and veterinary studies, enabling the development of sustainable production in the Amazon region, as well as the preservation of the species. We studied forelimb anatomy in four (04) adult pacas from the Caboclinho Project of Catuaba Experimental Farm (UFAC) under IBAMA authorization n°509309. Specimens were fixed in 10% formalin and thoracic limbs were dissected, after which anatomical descriptions and photographic records were generated. We found that paca forelimb musculature is similar to that of other groups of domestic animals with regard to the origin and muscle insertion. A paca (Cuniculus paca) é um animal que pertence ao Filo Chordata, Classe Mammalia e Família Cuniculidae. A grande demanda pela carne desse animal levou à sua domesticação e ao desenvolvimento de criatórios na região Amazônica e em outros estados do país. Apesar do crescente consumo da carne de paca, o conhecimento sobre a musculatura ainda é escasso. A descrição anatômica dos membros torácicos da paca dará subsidio para futuros estudos zootécnicos e veterinários, possibilitando o desenvolvimento amazônico concomitante à preservação da espécie. Para o presente estudo, foram utilizadas quatro pacas adultas, provenientes do Projeto Caboclinho da Fazenda Experimental Catuaba/UFAC, sob a autorização IBAMA n°509309, fixadas em solução de formol a 10%. Após dissecação do membro torácico dos animais, foi realizada a descrição anatômica com o subsequente registro fotográfico. Os músculos descritos do membro torácico são semelhantes a outros grupos de animais domésticos, quanto à origem e à inserção muscular.

Foi realizado estudo de abundância e distribuicao de ninhos de abelhas sem ferrao (Apidae: Meliponini) e especies vegetais utilizadas para nidificacao em um fragmento de floresta secundaria em Rio Branco-Acre. Os levantamentos de campo ocorreram no mes de agosto de 2015, em uma area de floresta medindo 137 ha. Os substratos de nidificacao (arvores) foram identificados e sua localizacao registrada por GPS, sendo tambem verificadas as medidas de CAP (circunferencia a altura do peito) e altura da entrada dos ninhos em relacao ao solo. No total, foram encontrados 25 ninhos de abelhas sem ferrao distribuidos em tres generos, sendo Melipona eburnea Friese a especie mais abundante (n=14), seguida por Scaptotrigona sp. (n=7), Melipona crinita Moure & Kerr (n=2)e Tetragona sp. (n=2). As especies botânicas que mais forneceram cavidades para fundacao dos ninhos foram Eugenia jambolana Lam. (Myrtaceae) com sete ninhos (28%) em um unico individuo, seguida por Spondias lutea L. (Anacardiaceae) e Castilla ulei Warb. (Moraceae), ambas com tres ninhos (12%). A densidade de ninhos foi consideravelmente baixa (0,18 ha) quando comparada com outros estudos realizados na regiao neotropical, o que pode estar relacionado com tamanho do fragmento e o grau de perturbacao ja que se caracteriza por ser uma floresta em processo de regeneracao. Abundance and Spatial Distribution of Nests of Stingless Bees (Apidae: Meliponini) and Plant Species Used in the Nesting in Secondary Forest Fragment in Rio Branco-Acre Abstract. Was conducted a study of the abundance, distribution of bee nests stingless (Apidae: Meliponini) and plant species used for nesting in a fragment of secondary forest in Rio Branco-Acre. The field surveys took place in August 2015 in a forest area measuring 137 ha. The nesting substrates (trees) were identified and their location recorded by GPS, and also checked the CAP measures (circumference at breast height) and height of entry of the nests from the ground. In total, we found 25 nests of stingless bees distributed in three genera, with Melipona eburnea Friese the most abundant species (n=14), followed by Scaptotrigona sp. (n=7), Melipona crinita Moure & Kerr (n=2) and Tetragona sp. (n=2). The botanical species most provided cavities for foundation of the nests were Eugenia jambolana Lam. (Myrtaceae) with seven nests (28%) in an only individual, followed by Spondias lutea L. (Anacardiaceae) and Castilla ulei Warb. (Moraceae), both with three nests (12%). The density of nests was significantly lower (0.18/ha) when compared to other studies in the Neotropics, which may be related to fragment size and the degree of disturbance since it is characterized by being in a forest regeneration process.

The capybara (Hydrochoerus hydrochaeris) is the largest rodent in the world. In the state of Acre, Brazil, populations of capybaras have been increasing significantly. The role of capybaras in the transmission of certain bacterial zoonotic infections is not well understood, including bacteria of the genus Salmonella. Salmonella spp. generally cause enteritis or septicemia in mammals, however many mammalian species can carry the bacteria asymptomatically and shed it in their feces. To better understand the possible role of capybaras as reservoirs of Salmonella spp., we conducted a study of Salmonella within fecal samples from capybara in Acre. In a convenience sample, 54 capybaras from two urban and two rural areas of Acre were captured and kept for three to four days for sampling. None of the animals were symptomatic of any intestinal illness. Three separate fecal samples were collected from each animal, during their stays in captivity. Each sample was cultured for the presence of Salmonella spp. at the bacteriology laboratory of the Veterinary College of the Federal University of Acre. Samples were seeded in tetrationate pre-enrichment broth and in pre-enrichment broth peptone. After a 24 hour of incubation all samples were streaked on MacConkey Agar (MC) and Salmonella-Shigella Agar (SS). Suggestive colonies were submitted to biochemical analysis. Salmonella compatible colonies according to biochemical profile were submitted to serotyping (Sorokit for Salmonella - Probac do Brasil). In addition, the first sample from each of the 54 capybara was tested for Salmonella spp. using PCR targeting gene hilA. Eight (5%) of the 162 samples examined by bacterial culture were positive for Salmonella spp., while four (7%) of the 54 examined by PCR were positive. From the eight positive animals on culture, five were from urban area and three from rural area. On PCR, only one positive animal was from urban area and four were from rural area. Overall, by either test, one of the 54 animals was positive. All samples were collected in free - living animals with no apparent clinical signs of salmonellosis, indicating the potential of capybara as reservoir on this ecosystem. RESUMO: A capivara (Hydrochoerus hydrochaeris) é o maior roedor do mundo. No estado do Acre, Brasil, as populações de capivaras têm aumentado significativamente. O papel das capivaras na transmissão de certas infecções zoonóticas bacterianas não é bem compreendido, incluindo as bactérias do gênero Salmonella. Salmonella spp. geralmente causam enterite ou septicemia em mamíferos, porém muitas espécies de mamíferos podem carregar a bactéria de forma assintomática e eliminá-la em suas fezes. Para entender melhor o possível papel das capivaras como reservatórios de Salmonellaspp., realizamos um estudo para identificação de Salmonella spp. em amostras fecais de capivaras no Acre. Em uma amostra de conveniência, 54 capivaras de duas áreas urbanas e duas áreas rurais do Acre foram capturadas e mantidas por três a quatro dias para amostragem. Nenhum dos animais era sintomático de qualquer doença intestinal. Três amostras fecais foram coletadas de cada animal, durante sua permanência em cativeiro. Cada amostra foi cultivada para a presença de Salmonella spp. no Laboratório de Bacteriologia Veterinária da Universidade Federal do Acre. As amostras foram semeadas em caldo de pré-enriquecimento tetrationato e em peptona de caldo de pré-enriquecimento. Após 24 horas de incubação, todas as amostras foram semeadas em ágar MacConkey (MC) e ágar Salmonella-Shigella (SS). Colônias sugestivas foram submetidas a análises bioquímicas. Colônias compatíveis com Salmonella de acordo com o perfil bioquímico foram submetidas à sorotipagem (Sorokit para Salmonella - Probac do Brasil). Além disso, a primeira amostra de cada uma das 54 capivaras foi testada para Salmonella spp. usando PCR, visando gene hilA. Oito (5%) das 162 amostras examinadas por cultura bacteriana foram positivas para Salmonella spp. Enquanto quatro (7%) das 54 examinadas pela PCR foram positivas. Dos oito animais positivos em cultura, cinco eram de área urbana e três de área rural. Na PCR, apenas um animal positivo era de área urbana e quatro de área rural. Considerando o diagnóstico conjunto por ambos os testes, PCR e cultura, um animal foi considerado positivo. Todas as amostras foram coletadas em animais livres, sem sinais clínicos aparentes de salmonelose, indicando o potencial da capivara como reservatório nesse ecossistema.

SUMMARY: Natural anatomical pieces of wild animals are rare and teachers seek alternatives in satisfactory quantity and quality to inform their students. This article aims to describe the use of multiplanar reconstructions and 3D volume rendering computed tomography (CT) images, rapid prototyping and 3D printing of opossum head to create a biomodel to veterinary education in descriptive anatomy of wild animals. A six-step method study was conducted to construct the biomodel: (1) selection of opossum head from museum; (2) CT scanning of bones structures in veterinary hospital; (3) DICOM visualization medical images in multiplanar reconstructions and 3D volume rendering; (4) .dicom file conversion to .stl; (5) 3D printing of opossum head by rapid prototyping; (6) comparison of 3D model printed with the original anatomical piece. The use of CT images with their different forms of reconstruction can provide a more comprehensive 3D view of opossum craniofacial region and allow a better understanding of head anatomy of this species. The 3D printed biomodel can be a viable alternative to original bone specimens when used in anatomy education. However, further studies must be continued to validate the method in Veterinary Medicine courses.

Resumo: Em diversos países, a tuberculose bovina, causada por Mycobacterium bovis, é tanto um problema econômico quanto de saúde pública. Mundialmente, são implementados programas de erradicação da enfermidade com políticas baseadas em testes tuberculínicos e abate dos animais reativos, porém pouco se sabe sobre os custos e a efetividade das políticas de erradicação. O presente estudo avaliou a relação de custo-efetividade dos protocolos de diagnóstico da tuberculose bovina, em uma abordagem multidisciplinar, empregados em um rebanho naturalmente infectado. Após realização da análise de custo-efetividade (C/Ef) dos protocolos diagnósticos ante-mortem observou-se que o Teste Cervical Comparativo (C/Ef=4,68), quando utilizado isoladamente, é a escolha diagnóstica mais custo-efetiva para um rebanho naturalmente infectado. Para os protocolos confirmatórios de diagnóstico post-mortem a histopatologia (C/Ef=17,47) associada ao Teste Cervical Simples e Teste Cervical Comparativo foi a escolha mais custo-efetiva para os animais do rebanho estudado. Entretanto, o único protocolo eficaz em diagnosticar 100% dos animais infectados foi o uso em conjunto do teste humoral ELISA associado ao teste celular IFN. Abstract: In several countries, bovine tuberculosis, caused by Mycobacterium bovis, is an economic and public health problem. Worldwide disease eradication programs are implemented with policies based on tuberculin testing and slaughter of reactive animals. However, little is known about the costs and the effectiveness of the eradication policies. We evaluated the cost-effectiveness of bovine tuberculosis diagnostic protocols on a multidisciplinary approach, applied in a naturally infected herd. Regarding the cost-effectiveness analysis (C/Ef) of ante-mortem diagnostic protocols, the Cervical Comparative Test (C/Ep=4.68), when used alone, is the diagnostic protocol most cost-effective for a naturally infected herd. For post-mortem confirmatory diagnostic, the histopathology (C/Ep=17.47) associated with the Cervical Simple Test and Cervical Comparative Test was the most cost-effective choice for the animals studied in this herd. However, the only diagnostic protocol that was able to identify 100% of the infected animals was the ELISA associated with the IFN test.

SUMMARY: This study aimed to characterize the structures of the posterior respiratory system of two species of river dolphins: Inia geoffrensis and Sotalia fluviatilis. The respiratory tract of both species was evaluated using macro and microscopic techniques. Four macroscopic anatomical structures were identified: Trachea, main bronchus, tracheal bronchus and lung. The presence of the exuberant tracheal bronchus suggested ease of gas exchanges. Histological analysis revealed the presence of alveolar ducts and myoelastic sphincter in these Amazonian cetaceans. The posterior respiratory portion of the Amazonian dolphins presents similarity with other odontocetes and the knowledge of this structure can also help contribute to the understanding of the physiology of diving and how these species are adapted to their habitat.

Resumo: Os quelônios são importantes como fonte alimentar e econômica para as comunidades da região amazônica. Sendo assim, a caça, a pesca e a procura por ovos destes animais tem ocorrido frequentemente. Podocnemis expansa (Tartaruga da Amazônia) é o maior quelônio de água doce da América do Sul. É uma espécie largamente distribuída, porém, nota-se que aspectos anatômicos da espécie são insuficientemente descritos. O objetivo desse estudo foi descrever a cavidade orofaríngea desses quelônios. Foram utilizadas 12 cabeças de P. expansa adultas, de ambos os sexos, com idade entre 3 a 8 anos, com peso corpóreo de 5 a 22kg (média de 7,5kg). P. expansa conta com a presença de rafontecas afiadas e bem desenvolvidas que, associadas à musculatura potente da mandíbula e à língua volumosa e bem distribuída no assoalho da orofaringe, atuam na apreensão e deglutição do alimento, garantindo uma maior adaptação em diversos ambientes. Abstract: Turtles are important as food and economic resources for the Amazon communities and there is a large demand on its meat and eggs. Podocnemis expansa (Giant South American turtle) is the largest freshwater chelonian of South America. This turtle is a widely distributed specie, however its anatomical features are poorly described. The objective of this study was to describe the oropharyngeal cavity of the turtle. Twelve heads of 3 to 8-year-old female and male P. expansa turtles with an average body weight of 7.5kg were used. P. expansa has a sharp and well developed rhamphotheca, which together with a powerful jaw muscles and a large tongue uniformly distributed on the oropharynx floor works for the apprehension and swallowing of food, what ensures good adaptation in different environments.

Because the Wild Animals Screening Center (CETAS) focuses intensely on restoration and maintenance of primate health and diversity in the Amazon region, detection of potential threats to animal health is crucial. In this view, neglected infections such as leptospirosis are of particular interest. In this report, we have studied the seroreactivity of anti-Leptospira antibodies from primate blood samples collected at CETAS between September 2011 and September 2012. Of the 14 animals investigated by the microscopic agglutination test using live antigens, five (35.7%) were reactive against serovars Celledoni (1), Hebdomadis (1), Icterohaemorrhagiae (2), and Sejroe (1). The results indicate that it is important to identify the contact of these animals with possible pathogens in order to ensure reintroduction of healthy animals into the wild and further understand the disease epidemiology in animals under captivity, gathering, and voluntary surrender of domestic captivity in Acre, Brazil.

Photodynamic therapy (PDT) using a haematoporphyrin derivative (Photogem, General Physics Institute and clustes Ltda) as photosensitizer and light emitting diodes (LEDs) as the light source was evaluated in 12 cats with cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma. Lesions were illuminated with LEDs, (300 J/cm for 30 min) 24 h after the administration of the photosensitizer. Clinical responses were classified as complete disappearance of the tumour with total re-epithelialization; partial response (a reduction greater than 50%); and no response (less than 50% reduction). Tumours localized to the pinna treated with one (n = 3) or two (n = 4) applications of PDT yielded no response. Highly invasive tumours of the nose and nasal planum also showed no response, after two treatments (n = 2). A combination of PDT and surgery was performed in three cases. Two cats showed partial response and one complete response with one application of therapy 30 days after nasal surgery. Small and noninfiltrative lesions (n = 3) of the nasal planum showed a PR with one application (n = 2) and a CR with two applications (n = 1). This study shows that PDT using Photogem and LEDs can provide local control of low-grade feline squamous cell carcinoma. The addition of PDT to surgery in more invasive cases may help prevent recurrence.