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The Brazilian Porcupine, Coendou prehensilis (Linnaeus, 1758), is the most widespread species of Coendou Lacépède, 1799 in South America, but little is known on its natural history, ecology and distribution. In Colombia, it has been reported in the lowlands and inter-Andean valleys of 18 continental departments, but there are still gaps on its distribution, natural history and ecology. We present new distribution records and add information of the presence of C. prehensilis in 10 additional departments of Colombia located at the Amazonia, Orinoco, Peri-Caribbean Arid Belt, and North Andean Biogeographic provinces. We suggest that C. prehensilis is the most widespread species in the lowlands of Colombia, although it does not occur in the Biogeographic Chocó and in the inter-Andean medium and high valleys of the Cauca and Magdalena rivers.

We obtained the complete sequence of a novel poxvirus, tentatively named Brazilian porcupinepox virus, from a wild porcupine (Coendou prehensilis) in Brazil that had skin and internal lesions characteristic of poxvirus infection. The impact of this lethal poxvirus on the survival of this species and its potential zoonotic importance remain to be investigated.

Coendou prehensilis (Linnaeus, 1758) Brazilian Porcupine, Puercoespín Examined material. BOLIVIA; Province of Ñuflo de Chávez of Santa Cruz Department; Centro “Chiquitos”; 16.3695°S, 062.0052°W; first capture on 12 May 2017; secondary forest patch in pastureland. Identification. This is a medium-sized, arboreal rodent (2–5 kg). Thick spines, 2–6 cm long, cover the entire body except for the muzzle. The general color appears gray or yellowish from a distance, but each spine is whitish at its base and tip and with a dark-brown band in the middle. This is the only porcupine species known in the area., Published as part of Jansen, Martin, Engler, Marc, Blumer, Luka Moritz, Rumiz, Damián I., Aramayo, José Luis & Krone, Oliver, 2020, A camera trapping survey of mammals in the mixed landscape of Bolivia's Chiquitano region with a special focus on the Jaguar, pp. 323-335 in Check List 16 (2) on page 331, DOI: 10.15560/16.2.323

Despite its biogeographic importance, the mammals of Maracaibo lake basin have been poorly studied. The objectives of this study were to: 1) provide a list of the mammal species detected by combining information from camera traps and other sources, and 2) describe diurnal and annual activity patterns for some of the species detected. Camera-trapping was carried out for one year in five localities within the Burro Negro Protection Zone (Spanish acronym ZPBN). Records of terrestrial mammals (excluding Chiroptera) were compiled from: 1) direct and indirect opportunistic records during field visits, 2) informal interviews with local inhabitants, 3) three national natural history collections, and 4) scientific literature. The complementarity between sources, similarity with other localities within the region, and temporal changes in composition were evaluated with the Sorensen Similarity Index (RS), and annual differences in the number of detections per sampling effort were evaluated using a X 2 test. Sampling effort was 1,799 camera days, resulting in 569 events of mammal detection recorded and 20 species from 17 families in 9 orders identified. Four species ( Dasypus novemcinctus, Dasyprocta leporina, Cerdocyon thous and Leopardus pardalis ) were captured all year round. Camera traps detected half of the non-flying mammal species in the area , including five that had not been previously reported by other sources ( Cuniculus paca, Coendou prehensilis, Sylvilagus floridanus, Procyon cancrivorus and Puma yagouaroundi ). At least three species ( Panthera onca , Odocoileus virginianus , and Hydrochoerus hydrochaeris ) had been reported as historically abundant, but were not detected during the year of camera trapping, which could be due to recent declines in their populations. Camera trapping provides reliable records on the presence of four species with data gaps in their distribution ranges ( Myrmecophaga tetradactyla, Coendou prehensilis, Cerdocyon thous and Procyon cancrivorus ), as well as baseline data for evaluating the distribution overlap between pairs of species, such as Tamandua mexicana and T. tetradactyla , and Dasyprocta leporina and D. punctata . A higher species richness was observed between June and August, in the rainy season.

The Brazilian porcupine Coendou prehensilis is distributed from northwestern South America to northeastern Paraguay and northwestern Argentina. In Colombia, it is present mainly in the Caribbean, the eastern Llanos and the Andean regions, which correspond to six of the biogeographical provinces of the country. Its presence in the Colombian Amazon region has been suggested based on records from neighboring countries such as Ecuador, Venezuela and Brazil. However, no voucher specimens or additional evidence that corroborates the presence of the species in that region of Colombia is known. Based on the review of specimens deposited in Colombian collections, analyses of photographic records, and the literature, the presence of the species in the Colombian Amazon is confirmed, and its distribution in the country updated. Overall, we found 36 records of C. prehensilis in Colombia, of which seven correspond to the Colombian Amazon (four photographic records and three specimens). A genetic analysis based on cytochrome-b suggests that this species is genetically uniform throughout its distributional range. These new records make C. prehensilis the most widespread species of the genus among natural regions and biogeographic provinces of Colombia. Other species are restricted to one or two provinces.

In Brazil, although a large number of animals are used in traditional medicine (at least 354 species), information about their biological activities is scarce. In this context, the objective of this study was to evaluate the bactericidal potential of zootherapeutic by-products from animals used in Brazilian traditional medicine and discuss the ecological and cultural consequences of such practices. The species analyzed were: Tupinambis merianae (skin), Iguana iguana (skin and body fat), Crotalus durissus (skin and body fat), Boa constrictor (skin), Euphractus sexcinctus (body fat) and Coendou prehensilis (quills). Experiments were performed with standard clinical strains of Escherichia coli (EC-ATCC10536) and Staphylococcus aureus (SA-ATCC 25923). For the microbiological assay, the zootherapeutics were evaluated using serial microdilutions. The results indicate that none of the samples possess inhibitory activity against standard bacterial strains. The in vitro ineffectiveness of the analyzed products demonstrate a necessity for new pharmacological research that encompass a large number of species of medicinal animals as well as highlight the importance of zootherapy in the context of plans for animal conservation.

A hand-raised, 5-mo-old, intact male Brazilian porcupine (Coendou prehensilis) was evaluated for chronic diarrhea, failure to thrive, and anorexia. On presentation the porcupette was dull, dehydrated, and passing yellow, malodourous, watery diarrhea. Cytologic examination of feces revealed a large number of organisms, morphologically consistent with Blastocystis. Blastocystis polymerase chain reaction (PCR) performed on feces was positive. Direct sequencing on two sequential samples confirmed the presence of Blastocystis ratti and a novel Blastocystis sequence. The porcupette was treated supportively, which included a 4-wk metronidazole course. Diarrhea resolved within 2 wk of treatment, and the animal's growth rate dramatically improved. Recheck PCR was negative for Blastocystis. Although an important and controversial cause of diarrhea in immunocompromised humans, this organism is not well recognized as a potential pathogen and zoonosis in zoo animals. Clinicians should be aware of the potential for disease associated with this organism, especially in immunocompromised animals.

Resumo O Bioma Cerrado possui por volta de 320 mil espécies de animais e ocupa aproximadamente 25% do território brasileiro. Por sua grande diversidade de espécies, excita o tráfico ilegal de animais silvestres. O Instituto Brasileiro do Meio Ambiente e dos Recursos Naturais Renováveis (IBAMA) apreende animais traficados e encaminha-os para o Centro de Triagem de Animais Silvestres (CETAS), onde passam por triagem, são identificados e submetidos a testes diagnósticos e à quarentena, antes de serem encaminhados a uma destinação final. A identificação de ectoparasitas, possíveis vetores de zoonoses, está entre um dos procedimentos preconizados. Foi realizada, durante o ano de 2013, a colheita e identificação de carrapatos encontrados em animais silvestres encaminhados ao CETAS. As respectivas espécies foram identificadas: Amblyomma longirostre em ouriço-caxeiro (Coendou prehensilis); Amblyomma rotundatum em jiboia (Boa constrictor); Amblyomma sculptum e Rhipicephalus microplus em veado-mateiro (Mazama americana); Amblyomma sculptum em lobo-guará (Chrysocyon brachyurus); Amblyomma sculptum e Amblyomma dubitatum em capivara (Hydrochoerus hydrochaeris); Amblyomma nodosum em tamanduá-mirim (Tamandua tetradactyla); Amblyomma sculptum em bugio (Alouatta guariba). Amblyomma foi o principal gênero encontrado. Este é o gênero mais disperso entre os animais silvestres da América. Animais silvestres frutos de apreensão apresentaram baixo número de carrapatos. Isto pode ter acontecido pela forma como são manejados nos criatórios. Abstract Cerrado biome has around 320,000 species of animals and it occupies approximately 25% of the Brazilian territory. This great number of species stimulates the illegal trafficking of wild animals. The Instituto Brasileiro do Meio Ambiente e dos Recursos Naturais Renováveis (IBAMA) is responsible for rescuing trafficked animals and forwards them to the Centro de Triagem de Animais Silvestres (CETAS), where they are screened, identified, and subjected to diagnostic tests and quarantine before being sent to a final destination. Ectoparasites identification is one of the recommended procedures. During 2013, the tick species were identified in wild animals kept in CETAS: Amblyomma longirostre in porcupine (Coendou prehensilis); Amblyomma rotundatum in common boa (Boa constrictor); Amblyomma sculptum and Riphicephalus microplus in Red brocket deer (Mazama americana); Amblyomma sculptum in maned wolf (Chrysocyon brachyurus); Amblyomma sculptum and Amblyomma dubitatum in capybara (Hydrochoerus hydrochaeris); Amblyomma nodosum in collared anteater (Tamandua tetradactyla); Amblyomma sculptum in brown howler (Alouatta guariba). Amblyomma was the main genre found dispersed among wild animals of South America. Captivity animals showed low number of ticks.

Many herbivorous and frugivorous Amazonian species, including several arboreal animals, feed on earth and water at mineral licks in the Amazon region to supplement their diet with micronutrients and clays. These species are vulnerable to predation during this activity. We recorded an adult Brazilian porcupine (Coendou prehensilis) being predated by an adult male ocelot (Leopardus pardalis) while drinking water at a mineral lick in the Maijuna-Kichwa Regional Conservation Area (MKRCA) in northeastern Loreto, Peru. This observation provides direct evidence arboreal species like the porcupine, which move slowly on the ground, are particularly vulnerable to terrestrial predators while visiting mineral licks. Mineral licks are important in the diets and ecology of Amazonian mammals, but arboreal prey must balance the trade-off between using the resource and being hunted. We suggest that mineral licks may be hotspots of risk in Amazonian prey species' landscape of fear.

CAPES - Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior O ouriço-cacheiro (Coendou prehensilis) é um roedor neotropical que tem seu corpo recoberto por espinhos e necessita ser contido por meios farmacológicos para a realização de certos procedimentos médicos e de manejo, em função de características comportamentais de defesa. Foram realizados dois protocolos (tiletamina, zolazepam, atropina e xilazina; tiletamina, zolazepam, atropina e detomidina) para contenção química, no intuito de possibilitar a realização de procedimentos que incluíam marcação, exame físico, colheita de amostras de sangue e outros procedimentos pouco invasivos de moderada duração em Coendou prehensilis de cativeiro. Após a verificação dos pesos de cada ouriço-cacheiro, a dose individual foi calculada por meio de extrapolação alométrica interespecífica. Foram avaliados a frequência dos batimentos cardíacos e respiratório, a temperatura retal, a pressão arterial não invasiva, além de saturação parcial de oxigênio no sangue. Os métodos propostos mostraram-se plenamente adequado à contenção farmacológica de exemplares de Coendou preensilis que necessitem ser submetidos a procedimentos moderadamente dolorosos ou incômodos, como exame físico e colheita de sangue, não sendo indicado para procedimentos cirúrgicos. The prehensile-tailed porcupine (Coendou prehensilis) is a neotropical rodent that has your body covered by thorns, needs to be restraint by pharmacological means for performing certain medical procedures and management, due to defensive behavioral characteristics. Two protocols were performed (tiletamine and zolazepam, atropine, xylazine and tiletamine and zolazepam, atropine and detomidine) for chemical restraint, in order to allow the accomplishment of procedures of which included physical examination, marking, blood sampling, bone marrow harvest and other minimally invasive procedures of moderate duration in Coendou prehensilis of captivity. After verification of the weights of each animal, the individual dose of each of the associations was calculated through interspecific allometric scaling. We evaluated the frequency of heart and respiratory rate, rectal temperature, systolic blood pressure, diastolic blood pressure and the noninvasive mean pressure, and partial oxygen saturation in the blood. The proposed methods proved to be fully adequate for the pharmacological restraint of Coendou preensilis that need to be submitted to medically painful or uncomfortable procedures, such as physical examination and collection of blood and bone marrow, not being indicated for surgical procedures. Tese (Doutorado)

Prehensile-tailed porcupines (Coendou prehensilis), like other rodents, lack external sexual traits, making it difficult to non-invasively determine their gender. By exploiting genetic differences between the X and the Y chromosome, we developed a simple genetic test to determine the gender of Coendous from shed quills. We Sanger sequenced a short portion (195 bp) of the zinc finger protein gene of known male (XY) Coendous to identify positions that are polymorphic between the X and Y chromosomes at this locus. By directly sequencing this fragment, we were able to correctly determine (confirmed via anatomical sexing) the gender of male and female Coendous by the presences or absence of polymorphisms in the resulting chromatograms. This assay is simple, quick and is applicable to other porcupine species. Zoo Biol. 32:463–466, 2013. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals Inc.

3. Brazilian Porcupine Coendou prehensilis French: Coendou du Brésil / German: Eigentlicher Greifstachler / Spanish: Puercoespin arboricola Other common names: Prehensile-tailed Porcupine Taxonomy. Hystrix prehensilis Linnaeus, 1758, “Habitat in Asia, America.” Restricted by Y. L. R. Leite and colleagues in 2011 to “Mata Xangua, Usina Trapiche, municipality of Sirthaém, state of Pernambuco, Brazil, 8°38’50” S, 35°10°15” W, elevation 100 m” by neotype selection. Coendou prehensilis appears to be most closely related to a clade of trans-Andean and Andean species including C. mexicanus, C. quichua, and C. rufescens. Several publications on molecular phylogenetics used sequence data from a C. prehensilis specimen misidentified as a C. bicolor, calling earlier results into question. Coendou prehensilis is monotypic, has a very large geographical distribution, and although there is very little genetic variation among specimens from northern South America, Amazonia, and the “cerrado” (bush savanna) biome, genetic divergence was apparent in samples from Pernambuco. Further molecular data are required to help discern whether or not the newly discovered C. baturitensis actually belongs to C. prehensilis, given that phenotypes overlap. Monotypic. Distribution. From most of Colombia (except W), Venezuela, and the Guianas, S throughout most of the forested cis-Andean lowlands of Ecuador, Peru, and Brazil to E Bolivia, N & E Paraguay, and NW Argentina, also on Trinidad [; it may also be found in Uruguay. Descriptive notes. Head-body 444-560 mm, tail 330-578 mm, ear 20-29 mm, hindfoot 80-95 mm; weight 3.2-5.3 kg. The Brazilian Porcupine is large,salt-and-pepper in appearance, and has a long tail. It lacks emergent fur and thus appears spiny. Dorsum, including rump, is covered in bicolored and tricolored barbed defensive spines. Longest dorsal spines (60-110 mm) are tricolored white or pale yellow at bases and tips, with black or dark brown centers, and colors are of about equal length on each spine. Head is round, and face usually white. Pink nose and lips are large, soft, and bulbous; nasal aperture is very wide. Small ears are inconspicuous among sharp, short spines on head. Mystacial vibrissae are stout and long, reaching shoulders. Eyes are small and black, with faint dull red-eye shines. Frontal sinuses of the Brazilian Porcupine are highly inflated, external auditory meatus is weakly keeled, and upperincisors are distinctly procumbent. Tail is long; tail length is 100% of head-body length. Robust tail is dorsally prehensile, distal one-third of dorsalside is naked, remainderis covered in short spines, and it is whitish at the base. Tail is often held curled around branches in an up-curling coil. Venter is covered with short, pale gray-brown or whitish soft spines. Short spines cover legs. Feet are broad with large pads opposing four long, strong claws and appear gray-brown above. Young Brazilian Porcupines are born with long, soft red-brown or brown hair that partially covers spines. Individuals from the Peruvian Basin may appear darker, with small white tips on their spines. Habitat. Old second growth or particularly vine-covered areas of lowland rainforest or tropical dry forests and riparian woodlands in savanna landscapes. Brazilian Porcupines are usually found in midto upper canopies. Food and Feeding. The Brazilian Porcupine eats fruit, immature seeds, buds, bark, green or ripe fruits, and some leaves, butit is less folivorous than smaller New World porcupines. Breeding. In captivity, female Brazilian Porcupines give birth aseasonally to a single precocial young after 195-200 days of gestation. Periods ofrainfall can cause peaksin births. Young weigh 360-450 g at birth and are nutritionally independent at c.15 weeks after birth. During the day, young are left alone in a sheltered place but are nursed at least once per day. Age offirst reproduction of females is ¢.19 months, and individuals can reproduce for more than twelve years. Activity patterns. Brazilian Porcupines are arboreal and nocturnal. They are often immobile and difficult to spot. They rest diurnally in retreats in hollow trees or in shady locations in the forest subcanopy. They are surprisingly agile and climb quickly. Movements, Home range and Social organization. Brazilian Porcupines occur at relatively high densities as indicated by large numbers rescued during construction of a hydroelectric dam. In the Venezuelan Llanos, individuals have been reported to range over 15-20 ha. In one study, home ranges were 8 ha and 38 ha for two radio-tracked males and 10 ha for one female. Home ranges of males overlapped with female’s home range. Brazilian Porcupines used different sleeping sites each day. Distance between trees required some nocturnal travel on the ground. Brazilian Porcupines are solitary but socially tolerant and communicate vocally and by scent marking. Social calls include whistles and a long, low-amplitude moaning cry. Males and females rub, and males mark females with urine. Diurnal restsites include large hollow tree trunks or other cavities, and females are occasionally found with their young. Status and Conservation. Classified as Least Concern (as C. prehensilis) and as Data Deficient (as C. sanctamartae) on The IUCN Red List. Feral dogs regularly eat Brazilian Porcupines in summerin Brazil. Presence of azole-resistant yeast fungus, Candida albicans, could indicate exposure to agricultural azole antifungals in the wild or in captivity, or exposure to environmental contaminants or chemical compounds. Bibliography. Arita et al. (1990), Bonvicino, Penna-Firme & Braggio (2002), Campos et al. (2007), Castelo-Branco et al. (2013), Dobson & Yu Jinping (1993), Eisenberg & Redford (1999), Emmons (1997a), Feijé6 & Langguth (2013), Leite et al. (2011), Miles et al. (1981), Montgomery & Lubin (1978), Vilela et al. (2009), Voss (2011, 2015)., Published as part of Don E. Wilson, Thomas E. Lacher, Jr & Russell A. Mittermeier, 2016, Erethizontidae, pp. 372-397 in Handbook of the Mammals of the World – Volume 6 Lagomorphs and Rodents I, Barcelona :Lynx Edicions on pages 375-376, DOI: 10.5281/zenodo.6603219

In spite of previous reviews, there is still no consensus on the information associated to the richness of the genus Coendou in Colombia. To clarify some issues concerning the distribution and the taxonomic identity of the species of Coendou in the country, we reviewed specimens from five natural history collections. We introduce the first record of Coendou ichillus from the Orinoco river basin of the country, extending the distribution of the species by more than 600 km to the north from previous known localities in Ecuador and Peru. Additionally, we present new records of C. pruinosus and C. quichua from the Amazonia and inter-Andean valleys, respectively. Only one skull presents the diagnostic characters of C. bicolor; thus, previous records of this species for the country were based on misidentifications. Coendou is distributed in seven of the nine geographic provinces of Colombia. Coendou prehensilis was found in five provinces and is expected to be present in the Amazonia, whereas C. pruinosus was documented in three provinces (North Andean, Orinoco and Guyana). The rest of the species of Coendou were distributed in one or two provinces. The richest provinces were North Andean and Orinoco with six and four Coendou species, respectively. The elevational ranges of C. prehensilis and C. pruinosus are revised to 0-1975 and 90-2200 m, respectively.

From 2005 to 2009, 147 ticks found on 32 wild animals from or referred to two zoobotanical parks (Parque Zoobotânico Arruda Câmara and Parque Estadual Dois Irmãos) located in northeastern Brazil were identified. Ticks found on two veterinarians working in one of the parks (i.e., Parque Estadual Dois Irmãos), after return from forested areas within the park's territory, were also identified. The following tick-host associations were recorded: Amblyomma fuscum Neumann on Boa constrictor L.; Amblyomma longirostre Koch on Ramphastos vitellinus ariel Vigors and Coendou prehensilis (L.); Amblyomma varium Koch on Bradypus variegates Schinz; Amblyomma rotundatum Koch on Chelonoidis carbonaria (Spix), Chelonoidis denticulata (L.), Micrurus ibiboboca (Merrem), Python molurus bivittatus Kuhl, Iguana iguana (L.) and B. variegatus; Amblyomma nodosum Neumann on Myrmecophaga tridactyla L. and Tamandua tetradactyla (L.); and Rhipicephalus sanguineus (Latreille) on Nasua nasua (L.). The ticks found on the veterinarians were identified as nine Amblyomma larvae. The presence of Am. nodosum in Pernambuco and Am. rotundatum and Am. varium in Paraíba is recorded for the first time and the occurrence of Am. longirostre in Pernambuco is confirmed. Ramphastos vitellinus ariel is a new host record for Am. longirostre whereas M. ibiboboca and B. variegatus are new host records for Am. rotundatum. Finally, the human parasitism by Amblyomma ticks is reported for the first time in Pernambuco, highlighting the potential of tick-borne pathogen transmission in this state.

A 14-yr-old male, prehensile-tailed porcupine (Coendou prehensilis) presented for an ulcerated, bleeding lesion of the right flank. The wound presented similar to a bite wound and was treated with antibiotics. After 2 mo, the lesion had increased in size and was nonhealing, so surgical excision was elected. Histopathology diagnosed this lesion as a malignant melanoma with incomplete margins. Radiographs showed no evidence of pulmonary metastasis. At 6 mo, another skin lesion was removed and was diagnosed as malignant melanoma with clean surgical margins. At 8 mo, another four dermal masses were surgically excised and, again, these were melanomas that were completely excised. The animal was euthanized approximately 15 mo after initial presentation due to continued growth of dermal masses, dyspnea, and decreased appetite. Necropsy and histopathology revealed metastatic melanoma present in skin, kidneys, and lung.

Gastrolithiasis was diagnosed in nine prehensile-tailed (PT) porcupines (Coendou prehensilis) housed at six zoologic institutions in the United States and Canada. Affected animals were either asymptomatic or had clinical signs, including weight loss, diarrhea, and depression. Abdominal palpation was adequate for diagnosis in all six antemortem cases, and radiographs confirmed a soft tissue density mass effect produced by the concretion. These gastroliths were all successfully surgically removed. Recurrence of gastrolith formation was common and occurred in four of the cases. Three cases were diagnosed postmortem, with the gastrolith causing gastric perforation in one case. Gastroliths from four cases were identified by mass spectrometry as bile acid precipitates consisting of the insoluble acid form of endogenous glycine-conjugated bile acids.

Blood smears of 1,353 free-ranging mammals (35 species) and 112 reptiles (31 species) from French Guiana were examined for hemoparasites. Parasites from 3 major groups were recorded: Apicomplexa (including hemogregarines, piroplasms, and Plasmodium spp.), Trypanosomatidae, and Filaroidea. Fifty percent of the individuals (86% of the species) were infected by parasites from at least 1 group. Hemogregarines, identified as Hepatozoon sp., infected numerous snakes with high prevalences (30-100%); infection is reported for the first time in 5 host genera of snakes: Clelia, Oxybelis, Pseustes, Rhinobotryum, and Bothriopsis. Infections were also observed in 4 marsupial species and 1 rodent. Hepatozoon spp. recorded in Didelphis albiventris (Marsupialia) and Coendou prehensilis (Rodentia) may be new species. Plasmodium sp. were observed in 2 snake species, Dipsas indica (Colubridae) and Bothrops atrox (Viperidae). Plasmodium brasilianum was recorded in all 5 primate species examined. Piroplasms were observed in all mammal orders except primates. Large terrestrial rodents were the main hosts of members of the Babesidae; 42% of Myoprocta acouchy, 36% of Dasyprocta agouti, and 44% of Agouti paca were infected. Trypanosomes were common in mammals and were recorded in 70% of the examined genera. Trypanosoma cruzi-like infections were reported in 21 mammal species, including sloths, rodents, carnivores, and primates. Microfilariae were also widespread, with higher prevalences in sloths, anteaters, and porcupines (40% of the individuals infected) and in tamarins (95% infected). This survey highlights some potential anthropozoonotic risks due to the recent further evidence of Plasmodium brasilianum and P. malariae as a single species and to the increased diversity of hosts for Trypanosoma cruzi.

While travelling as part of the protected area management activities undertaken by the Instituto Chico Mendes de Conservação da Biodiversidade (ICMBio) in the state of Acre, four records of porcupines (Coendou spp.) were gathered: two for Coendou bicolor and two for Coendou prehensilis. The records for Coendou bicolor are the first for Brazil while the records for Coendou prehensilis present the state of Acre as a potential region of sympatry between C. bicolor and C. prehensilis.

Predation is inherently risky, and Cougars (Puma concolor) are occasionally injured while hunting prey. Between 2001 and 2015, we documented the cause of death of 59 Cougars (22 subadults and 37 adults) in the Southern Yellowstone Ecosystem, Wyoming. Here we report on 2 animals (9% of subadult mortalities) killed as a result of complications after hunting North American Porcupines (Erethizon dorsatum). We also report an observation of a Cougar killed in Venezuela by quills of a Prehensile-tailed Porcupine (Coendou prehensilis). Porcupines may kill and wound more Cougars than previously suspected and may be an important cause of mortality, at least for subadult animals.

Coendou prehensilis (Linnaeus 1758) Figs. 2, 3. Neotype. Flat skin, skull of an adult male housed at Museu Nacional, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Brazil (MN 73383), collected by Antonio Rossano Mendes Pontes (field number ARMP 63) on 12 May 2009. Tissue sample fixed in ethanol is housed in the Animal Tissue Collection at Universidade Federal do Esp��rito Santo, Vit��ria, Brazil (UFES-CTA 1797). Type locality. Mata Xangu��, Usina Trapiche, municipality of Sirinha��m, state of Pernambuco, Brazil, 8 �� 38 ' 50 "S 35 �� 10 ' 15 "W, elevation 100 m (Fig. 4). This area is in the Pernambuco Endemism Center (herein CEPE), the biogeographical unit of the Brazilian Atlantic forest located north of the S��o Francisco River in northeastern Brazil, which encompasses the states of Rio Grande do Norte, Para��ba, Pernambuco and Alagoas. The CEPE comprises an important endemism center in South America, housing numerous endemic species (sensu Prance 1982, 1987; Silva & Casteletti 2003), suggesting it is a hotspot within a hotspot, the Pernambuco refugium (Punde et al. 2008; Carnaval & Moritz 2009), a world priority for biodiversity conservation, and one of the most important hotspot on the planet (Myers et al. 2000). Usina Trapiche mill is one of the various scenarios of the 2 % of what was left of the entire CEPE. It comprises an isolated archipelago of 5,202 ha of hundreds of small, irregular, impacted and isolated Atlantic forest fragments surrounded by a sugar-cane matrix. Mata Xangu�� is the largest forest fragment (469.76 ha) of Usina Trapiche mill and is highly irregular shaped (shape index = 2.88; calculated following Laurance & Yensen 1991), and formed by lowland evergreen tropical rainforest (Oliveira & Fontes 2000). Distribution. According to Cabrera (1961), the distribution of the nominotypical subspecies is eastern Venezuela, the Guianas, and eastern Brazil. Given that specimens from Surinam described by Husson (1978) match our description of the neotype (see below), we believe this is a good approximation of the geographic range of C. prehensilis. Woods & Kilpatrick (2005) extended the distribution of C. prehensilis westward to central Brazil, northern Argentina, eastern Paraguay, and Bolivia, but current data do not allow us to establish the western limits of its distribution, especially given that similar species probably occur in west-central Brazil (see below). Only a comprehensive taxonomic revision of the genus will shed light on the geographic range of C. prehensilis and congeners. Description of the neotype. External ���Body measurements: HB = 460 mm, TL = 400 mm, HF = 76 mm, EL = 28 mm. Weight = 2,720 grams. Tricolored quills on the top of head yellowish white basally, black in the middle, and white or whitish yellow distally. Thin, black and sparse hairs concealed under 5���20 mm long quills. Quills short (2���12 mm) around the eyes and muzzle, slightly longer (19 mm) on cheeks, whitish basally and distally, and black in the middle (Fig. 3 C). Coarse hairs around nose short and brownish; slightly longer pelage on the chin. Mystacial vibrissae long and black, some extending well beyond the shoulder (120 mm). Subocular and supraorbital vibrissae 48���95 mm; genal vibrissae 44���82 mm; shorter submental vibrissae present. Bulbous muzzle very large (ca. 50 x 50 x 30 mm), soft and pinkish in the live animal. Conspicuously rounded ears nearly naked, covered with minute hairs; very short (10 mm) quills (either completely white, or black basally and white distally) around the tragus. Dorsal body surface densely covered with long quills (37���83 mm), gradually longer from shoulder to rump; with thin and sparse black hairs concealed underneath. Three patterns of quill bands on the shoulders: bicolored quills (white or whitish yellow base and black tip); tricolored quills (white or whitish yellow base, blackish middle, and whitish tip); and four-banded quills (same as previous, with an additional brownish tip). Quills on mid-dorsum bright yellow basally, black in the middle, and white to pale yellow distally, with different color proportions on each quill. Quills on rump tend to be dirty yellow distally. Quills gradually shorter and thinner from mid-dorsum towards the ventral surface. Basal bright yellow quill band gradually paler and finally white toward the venter; black middle band also gradually wider toward the venter. Transition between dorsal and ventral surface with three-banded bristles: white basally, brownish black in the middle, and white distally. Dense, 17 mm-long spinous hairs on ventral surface, white basally, brownish black in the middle, and white distally. Soft, long (ca. 20 mm) hairs on the lower venter, anterior to the hindlimbs, white basally and brownish distally. Conspicuous white line from mid-venter to the genitals (Fig. 3 A). Sparse, 50 mm black-and-white vibrissae on the belly. Fore- and hindlimbs densely covered with coarse hairs, black or brown basally and whitish distally; hairs become progressively stiffer toward the dorsal surface. Small (Skull ���Frontal and nasal sinuses inflated dorsally (Fig. 1), from mid-nasals to fronto-parietal suture; parietals slightly inflated. Postorbital ridge well developed and slightly inflated; left and right temporalis scars are closely approximated for about 16 mm along the dorsal midline of the posterior braincase, but do not form a definitive sagittal crest; supraoccipital ridge well developed. Rostrum short and tall; nasal aperture heart-shaped in frontal view. Nasals short, anterior margins convex and longer medially. Naso-frontal suture U-shaped and anterior to the postorbital ridge. Gnathic process well developed; zygomatic arches curved and widest across the jugals in dorsal view. Lacrimal-sphenoid suture nearly touches sphenofrontal foramen. Jugal tall, tapering posteriorly in lateral view. Incisive foramina oval, contained completely by the premaxillae and adjacent to premaxillary suture. Longitudinal maxillary ridge extending from anteromedian edge of upper premolar to premaxillary suture. Anterior margin of mesopterygoid fossa extends to the middle of the third molars; bony roof of the fossa perforated by sphenopalatine fenestrae. Auditory bullae large and bean-shaped, constricted posteriorly and contacting paroccipital processes. Basoccipital width subequal to auditory bulla width. Distinct, inward-extending ridge on roof of external auditory meatus. Depression between occipital condyle and paroccipital process U-shaped. Cranial measurements in millimeters: CIL = 86.27; LD = 23.31; LIF = 5.11; BIF = 3.11; MTR = 19.11; LM = 14.50; BP 4 = 4.86; BM 1 = 5.09; APB = 6.46; PPB = 8.82; PZB = 49.78; HIF = 12.92; ZL = 31.27; LN = 28.53; BNA = 21.98; BB = 35.29; DI = 4.18; BIT = 7.42. Dentition ���Dental formula: I 1 / 1, C 0/0, P 1 / 1, M 3 / 3. Anterior surface of incisors orange-yellow and remaining surfaces whitish. Maxillary toothrows nearly parallel and showing typical erethizontid occlusal surface (Fig. 1). Ancestral pentalophodont morphology (Vucetich & Verzi 1994) on maxillary teeth, where anteroloph, protoloph, mesoloph and metaloph link to posteroloph. Comparisons. There is no other large porcupine with tricolored quills within the range of C. prehensilis. This taxon and C. bicolor Tschudi are the two largest species of Neotropical porcupines, measuring from about 380 to 560 mm of head-and-body length and weighting from to 3 to 5 kg (Emmons & Feer 1997). The neotype of C. prehensilis is on the lower range of these values, measuring 460 mm (HB) and weighing 2.7 kg. Despite its overall small size, this specimen has heavily worn molars, indicative of an old adult individual according to Voss & Angermann (1997). Coendou bicolor has typically bicolored spines, yellow-white basally and black distally (Emmons & Feer 1997). The pelage of the neotype matches Marcgrave���s overall description (Appendix 1): the dorsal surface is covered with yellowish-based quills that are blackish medially and whitish distally. The tail is slightly longer than headand-body in Marcgrave���s description, but the neotype has slightly longer head-and-body. Among the specimens from Surinam, housed at the Rijksmuseum van Natuurlijke Historie, Leiden (RMNH), and described by Husson (1978), one had longer head-and-body (RMNH 18299: HB = 487 mm, TL = 471 mm) and another had longer tail (RMNH 21902: HB = 460 mm, TL = 480 mm). In general, the pelage of the neotype agrees with Husson���s (1978) description of Surinamese material, albeit the dorsal quills are shorter (20 mm on the head and 83 mm on the rump) on the former than the latter (40 mm on the head and 100 mm on the rump). The detailed description of the tail given by Husson (1978) matches very well the pattern we found on the neotype (Fig. 3 B). The cranial morphology of the neotype is also very similar to Husson���s (1978) description of Surinamese material. The two main distinctions are: the posterior margin of the incisive foramen is anterior to the suture between the premaxillary and the maxillary in the neotype, and at this suture on Surinamese specimens; anterior margin of mesopterygoid fossa reaches mid-M 3 on the neotype and between M 2 and M 3 on Surinamese specimens. Phylogenetic analyses of DNA sequences. The strict consensus of the six most-parsimonious trees recovered by our analyses (length = 361 steps) showed a topology very similar to the ML tree (-Ln = 2654.6), but higher bootstrap support for nodes in general (Fig. 5). Only MP confirmed the monophyly of the three ��� C. prehensilis ��� sequences from Bonvicino et al. (2002), but with no bootstrap support. These sequences grouped with specimens identified as ��� C. bicolor��� in Genbank, diverging only 0.6 % from them (Fig. 5). Together, they formed a well supported clade (100 % MP and 90 % ML bootstrap) that probably represents a single species, considering that up to 2,000 km separate some of them (Fig. 4). The sequence from the neotype of C. prehensilis diverged 4.9 % on average from a sister-group comprising haplotypes from specimens identified as ��� C. bicolor ��� and ��� C. prehensilis ��� by Bonvicino et al. (2002). Coendou and Sphiggurus formed two reciprocally monophyletic groups, well supported in MP analysis (99 % and 92 %, respectively), showing 10.9 % genetic divergence between them (Fig. 5). The reciprocal monophyly of Coendou and Sphiggurus had low support in the ML analysis (76 % and 66 %, respectively)., Published as part of Leite, Yuri L. R., J��nior, Vilacio Caldara, Loss, Ana Carolina, Costa, Leonora Pires, Melo, ��verton R. A., Gadelha, Jos�� Ramon & Pontes, Antonio Rossano M., 2011, Designation of a neotype for the Brazilian porcupine, Coendou prehensilis (Linnaeus, 1758), pp. 30-40 in Zootaxa 2791 on pages 33-36, DOI: 10.5281/zenodo.201871, {"references":["Linnaeus, C. (1758) Systema naturae per regna tria naturae, secundum classes, ordines, genera, species, cum characteribus, differentiis, synonymis, locis. Tomus I. Editio decima, reformata. Laurentii Salvii, Holmiae [= Stockholm], ii + 824 pp. Available from: http: // gdz. sub. uni-goettingen. de / dms / load / img /? 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Revista del Museo Argentino de Ciencias Naturales Bernardino Rivadavia, 4, 309 - 732.","Husson, A. M. (1978) The mammals of Suriname. E. J. Brill, Leiden, 569 pp., 160 pls.","Woods, C. A. & Kilpatrick, C. W. (2005) Suborder Hystricognathi. In: Wilson, D. E. & Reeder, D. M. (Eds), Mammal species of the world: a taxonomic and geographic reference. 3 rd ed., Johns Hopkins University Press, Baltimore, pp. 1538 - 1600.","Vucetich, M. G. & Verzi, D. H. (1994) Las homologias en los disenos oclusales de los roedores Caviomorpha: un modelo alternativo. Mastozoologia Neotropical, 1 (1), 61 - 72.","Emmons, L. H. & Feer, F. (1997) Neotropical rainforest mammals: a field guide. 2 nd ed., University of Chicago Press, Chicago.","Voss, R. S. & Angermann, R. (1997) Revisionary notes on Neotropical porcupines (Rodentia: Erethizontidae). 1. Type material described by Olfers (1818) and Kuhl (1820) in the Berlin Zoological Museum. American Museum Novitates, 3214, 1 - 42.","Bonvicino, C. R., Penna-Firme, V. & Braggio, E. (2002) Molecular and karyotypic evidence of the taxonomic status of Coendou and Sphiggurus (Rodentia: Hystricognathi). Journal of Mammalogy, 83 (4), 1071 - 1076."]}

The Brazilian porcupine was one of several species described and illustrated by the 17 th -century naturalist Georg Marcgrave, whose text was among the primary references upon which Linnaeus based his Hystrix prehensilis. As currently understood, Coendou prehensilis is a wide-ranging polytypic taxon that has never been revised and may represent a complex of closely related species. Given that no name-bearing type specimen of C. prehensilis is believed to be extant, and in order to avoid ambiguous application of this name, we designate a specimen collected at the type locality in Pernambuco, northeastern Brazil, as the neotype for Hystrix prehensilis Linnaeus. The geographic distribution of mitochondrial DNA haplotypes suggests that specimens from west-central Brazil previously identified as “Coendou prehensilis” belong to a different species, but only a comprehensive taxonomic revision of the genus will shed light on species limits and the geographic ranges of C. prehensilis and other congeneric forms.

The current study describes the clinical, gross, histopathologic, and immunohistochemical findings of a T-cell lymphoma in a captive porcupine ( Coendou prehensilis), a species typically seen in the tropical forests of Brazil. At necropsy, extensive neoplastic involvement was observed in the cervical lymph nodes, with extension into the salivary gland. The spleen was mildly enlarged, and neoplastic nodules were grossly evident in the liver and right kidney. Histologically, sheets of large and markedly pleomorphic round cells were observed in the cervical lymph nodes, lung, liver, spleen, and kidney. The neoplastic cells were positive for cluster of differentiation (CD)3 and negative for CD79a by immunohistochemistry.

Two Amblyomma longirostre adult male ticks were collected from a Brazilian porcupine Coendou prehensilis L. in the state of Rondonia, Western Amazon, Brazil. The two ticks were pooled for DNA extraction and tested for the presence of rickettsial DNA by amplifying portions of the gltA, 17-kDa, ompA, and ompB rickettsial genes by polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Portions of the four genes were amplified from the sample and subsequently sequenced. These results indicated the presence of a Rickettsia strain infecting A. longirostre, which was designated as strain Aranha. Compared with homologous ompA rickettsial sequences, "Rickettsia amblyommii" ompA seemed to be the closest relative to Aranha (similarity values: 99.0-99.3%). Phylogenetic analyses of more conserved genes including 17-kDa and gtlA partial sequences indicated that this Rickettsia sp. is a spotted fever group rickettsia. The partial ompB sequence of strain Aranha was distinct from all homologous sequences available in GenBank. Although our ompA analysis suggested a very close molecular phylogenetic relationship of Aranha with "R. amblyommii," we cannot at this time determine if Aranha is a new strain of "R. amblyommii" or a new Rickettsia species in South America.

Individuals of two porcupine species (Coendou prehensilis and Coendou melanurus) were translocated during the flooding of a forest at a hydroelectric dam site in French Guiana. Blood samples were collected for 11 mo to determine hematologic and serum chemistry reference mean values and ranges and to look for blood parasites. Male C. prehensilis had significantly higher hemoglobin levels, packed cell volumes, and creatinine and potassium values than did females of the same species. Coendou prehensilis had significantly lower amylase levels but higher creatinine, calcium, lactate dehydrogenase, and gamma glutamyl transferase levels than C. melanurus.

Coendou prehensilis (Linnaeus, 1758). Syst. Nat., 10th ed., 1:57. TYPE LOCALITY: Brazil, Pernambuco. DISTRIBUTION: E Venezuela, Guyanas, C and E Brazil, Bolivia, Trinidad (see Goodwin and Greenhall, 1961:202). Lives up to 1,500 m in elevation. SYNONYMS: boliviensis, brandtii, centralis, cuandu, longicatus, platycentrotus., Published as part of Charles A. Woods, 1993, Order Rodentia - Suborder Hystricognathi, pp. 771-806 in Mammal Species of the World (2 nd Edition), Washington and London :Smithsonian Institution Press on page 775, DOI: 10.5281/zenodo.7353083, {"references":["Goodwin, G. G., and A. M. Greenhall. 1961. A review of the bats of Trinidad and Tobago. Bulletin of the American Museum of Natural History, 122: 189 - 301.","Helgen, K. M., and D. E. Wilson. in press. A systematic and zoogeographic overview of the raccoons of Mexico and Central America. Instituto de Biologia, UNAM, Mexico."]}

Minist?rio da Sa?de. Funda??o Servi?os de Sa?de P?blica. Instituto Evandro Chagas. Bel?m, PA, Brasil. Minist?rio da Sa?de. Funda??o Servi?os de Sa?de P?blica. Instituto Evandro Chagas. Bel?m, PA, Brasil. A leishmanial parasite was isolated from 11 of 18 porcupines from the general area of Ponta de Pedras, Island of Maraj?, Par? State, north Brazil. Two of the infected animaIs were identified as Coendou prehensilis (Linnaeus), and the other 9 are considered as a hitherto undescribed species of Coendou. The organism is clearly related to L. hertigi Herrer, of the Panamanian porcupine C. rothschildi Thomas, but morphological, serological and biochemical differences necessitate taxonomic distinction. The Brazilian parasite is therefore named Leishmania hertigi deanei novo subsp., in Honour of Dr. Leonidas Deane who first recorded it in porcupines from Piau?, Brazil. Like L. h. hertlgl, L. h. deanei produces no visible pathological effects in its natural host. Scanty amastigotes are scattered, often singly, throughout the skin and the viscera; usually they can be detected only after the in vitro culture of tissues in blood-agar medium, in which L. h. deanei grows readily. Attempts to infect hamsters and a guibea-pig with amastigote and promastigote forms were unsuccessful. The sandfly vector of the parasite is unknown. Isolamento de Leishmania foi obtido de 11 em 18 porcos-espinhos da ?rea geral de Ponta de Pedras, ilha do Maraj?, Estado do Par?, Norte do Brasil. Dois dos animais infectados eram Coendou prehensilis (Linnaeus) , e os outros 9 foram considerados como sendo uma esp?cie ainda n?o descrita de Coendou. O parasita est? claramente relacionado ? L. hertigi Herrer, do porco-espinho do Panam?, C. rothschlldi Thomas, por?m existem diferen?as morfol?gicas, sorol?gicas e bioqu?micas, que tornam necess?ria a distin??o taxonomica desse organismo. Desta maneira, o novo parasita encontrado no Brasil foi chamado Leishmania hertigi deanei nov. subsp., em homenagem ao Dr. Leonidas Deane, que foi o primeiro a registr?-Io em porco-espinhos do Estado do Piau?, Brasil. Da mesma maneira que a L. hertigi hertigi, a L. hertigi deanei n?o produz efeitos patol?g?cos vis?veis em seu hospedeiro natural. Raros amastigotos, freq?entemente isolados, s?o encontrados na pele e nas v?sceras. Usualmente s?o detectados apenas in vitro, por cultivo de tecidos em meio de agar-sangue, nos quais a L. h. deanei apresenta crescimento r?pido. Tentativas para infectar hamsters e cobaias com forma de amastigotos e de promastigotos n?o tiveram ?xito. O fleb?tomo vetar do parasita ainda ? desconhecido.

Tracking mammals to their nests or refuges, microhabitat dissection, light traps and surveillance of human dwellings were employed to identify sylvatic triatomine species and their natural ecotopes in the vicinity of Belem, Para State, Brazil. Ten species were found: Rhodnius pictipes, R. robustus, R. paraensis, Panstrongylus lignarius, P. geniculatus, P. rufotuberculatus, Eratyrus timeronatus, Microtriatoma trinidadensis, Belminus herreri and Triatoma rubrofasciata . All species except P. rufotuberculatus (only 1 specimen examined), B. herreri and T. rurofasciata were infected with Trypanosoma cruzi; Triatoma rubrofasciata was infected with Trypanosoma conorrhini . Natural ecotopes were defined principally in terms of specific habitats, such as burrows and hollow logs ( P. geniculatus ), palm crowns ( R. pictipes, R. robustus ), large hollow trees ( E. mucronatus, P. lignarius nymphs), small arboreal cavities ( P. lignarius, R. paraensis ), folded leaves within nests ( M. trinidadensis ), beneath loose tree bark ( B. herreri ), and inside buildings ( T. rubrofasciata ). Only species showed signs of obligate dependence on particular hosts. E. mucronatus was extraordinary in that nymphs fed on invertebrates in nature, as well as on the porcupine Coendou prehensilis . All species except P. geniculatus and M. trinidadensis could be maintained experimentally. R. pictipes and T. rubrofasciata commonly invaded houses, while P. geniculatus and P. lignarius occasionally did so. R. pictipes bugs entering houses were usually heavily infected with T. cruzi . Light-attracted sylvatic R. pictipes , originating from heavily infested mucaja palms ( Acrocomia sclerocarpa ), were considered the primary source locally sporadic and acute suburban cases of Chagas' disease. The incursion of domestic vectors into the Amazon basin from known endemic areas is considered to threaten the region with endemic Chagas' disease. Specific suggestions are given for measures to prevent both new sporadic cases of sylvatic origin and emergent endemic foci.

Reproduction, growth and development, activity cycles, and communication mechanisms were studied in a captive colony of Coendou prehensilis over an eight year period. This species has a single precocious young, a gestation period of approximately 203 days, prolonged maternal care and well-developed sound, scent and visual communication systems. Coendou prehensilis differs from the closely related Erethizon dorsatum in having smaller young, a longer developmental period and non-seasonal reproduction. It is suggested that differences in diet, arboreality, and adaptations to different environmental regimes may be responsible for these differences.

RESUMO: Coendou prehensilis é um mamífero da ordem Rodentia, que é composta por cinco subordens: Sciuromorfos, a qual pertencem os esquilos; Castorimorfos, onde encontramos os castores; Myomorfos, a qual encontramos os ratos; Anomaluromorfos, Lebre-saltadora, e os Histricomorfos, onde observamos a capivara. Utilizamos nesta pesquisa o ouriço-cacheiro (Coendou prehensilis) sendo um macho e uma fêmea, ambos adultos. Estes animais foram encontrados em óbito por atropelamento nas rodovias da região de Pirassununga-SP e cedidos para o Laboratório de Anatomia do Departamento de Medicina Veterinária da Faculdade de Zootecnia e Engenharia de Alimentos da Universidade de São Paulo FZEA/USP devido a permissão do Ibama para estudar os animais (Registro SISBIO no. 43274-1), os quais foram fixados com formaldeído a 10% e dissecados na região do períneo. Os resultados mostraram que a única característica que nos permite diferenciar machos de fêmeas, é o espaço entre o ânus e as genitais dos animais, sendo que o macho apresenta essa distância maior que a fêmea. O períneo é uma região extra cavitária de delimitação losangular, sendo essa delimitação feita pelos ossos interpubiano, púbico e pelos processos do púbis e ísquio. O períneo do Coendou prehensílis macho é composto por cinco principais músculos, sendo três encontrados dispostos no diafragma urogenital superficial, (Músculos isquiocavernosos, M. bulbocavernoso e Mm. Bulboesponjosos) e dois no diafragma pélvico (M. levantador do ânus e M. retrator do pênis). O períneo da fêmea é composto pelos músculos (isquiocavernoso, o bulboesponjoso, levantador do ânus e esfíncter anal externo). Conclui-se que ambos os sexos possuem os músculos isquiocavernosos, Mm. Bulboesponjosos, M. levantador do ânus e esfíncter anal externo, além de que o estudo da região perineal dos animais é de grande importância, pois através do entendimento da função e localização de cada músculo, podemos contribuir para futuras pesquisas sobre reprodução e comportamento animal durante a cópula auxiliando para um melhor entendimento do potencial reprodutivo de roedores da família Erethizontidae, além de contribuir na base do desenvolvimento da biotecnologia aplicada à reprodução visando até mesmo à reprodução desses animais em cativeiro além do meio ambiente livre. ABSTRACT: Coendou prehensilis is a mammal that belongs to the Rodentia order, which consists of five suborders: Sciuromorfos, to which the squirrels belongs; Castorimorfos where we have the beavers; Myomorfos, which include the mice; Anomaluromorfos, Hare jumper, and Hystricomorfos, where we have the capybara. We used the porcupine clerk in the research (Coendou prehensilis), one male and one female, both adults. These animals were transferred to the Laboratory of Anatomy, Department of Veterinary Medicine, Faculty of Animal Science and Food Engineering, University of São Paulo (FZEA/USP), originating from roadaccidents in Pirassununga, SP (Registration n. 43274-1 SISBIO). The animals were fixed with 10% formaldehyde and dissected in the perineum region. The results showed that the only feature which allows us to differentiate males from females is the space between anus and the genitals of the animals; the male has a larger space than the female. The perineum is an extra cavity region with lozenge definition, and this definition is formed by interpubic bones, the pubic and processes of the pubic and ischium. The male Coendou prehensilis perineum consists of five major muscles, three arranged on the urogenital diaphragm surface (ischiocavernosus muscles, M. bulbocavernosus and Mm. bulboesponjosos) and two in the pelvic diaphragm (M. levator ani and M. penis retractor). The female’s perineum is composed by ischiocavernosus, bulbospongiosus, levator ani and external anal sphincter muscles. We conclude that both sexes have the ischiocavernosus muscles, Mm. bulboesponjosos, M. levator ani and external anal sphincter, and it is very important to study the perineal region of the animals, because understanding the function and location of each muscle we can contribute to future research on reproduction and animal behavior during copulation, helping to a better knowledge about reproductive potential of Erethizontidae rodents, and to contribute in the applied biotechnology development of reproduction, what can be helpful even in captivity reproduction of these animals besides the ones in free environment.

30 Brazilian stocks of Leishmania mexicana amazonensis and 13 stocks of subspecies of Leishmania hertigi were characterized by starch-gel electrophoresis, using 18 enzymes selected from a total of 36 investigated. L. m. amazonensis was separable from subspecies of L. hertigi by enzymic profiles of 11 enzymes. The L. m. amazonensis stocks, which were from a wide range of hosts in a large geographical area, were enzymically extremely homogeneous, and could only be subdivided on two enzymes; sub-groups did not relate to each other or to any differences in epidemiological characters, including the clinical form of the human disease. 12 stocks regarded as L. hertigi deanei, that were isolated from Coendou prehensilis prehensilis and Coendou sp. in Para State, Brazil, were separable into two sub-groups by three enzymes. A single stock of L. hertigi hertigi from Panama was separable from both enzymic sub-groups of L. h. deanei, in each case by three enzymes. The significance of these and other characters of diversity is discussed, together with the use of enzymes for the identification of the leishmaniae.

Coendou prehensilis (Linnaeus, 1758). Syst. Nat., 10th ed., 1:57. TYPE LOCALITY: Brazil, Pernambuco. DISTRIBUTION: E. Venezuela; Guyanas; C. and E. Brazil; Bolivia; Trinidad. COMMENT: Trinidad record from Goodwin and Greenhall, 1961, Bull. Am. Mus. Nat. Hist., 122:202. ISIS NUMBER: 5301410018002005001., Published as part of James H. Honacki, Kenneth E. Kinman & James W. Koeppl, 1982, Order Rodentia (Part 6), pp. 560-594 in Mammal Species of the World (1 st Edition), Lawrence, Kansas, USA :Alien Press, Inc. & The Association of Systematics Collections on page 571, DOI: 10.5281/zenodo.7353039, {"references":["Goodwin, G. G., and A. M. Greenhall. 1961. A review of the bats of Trinidad and Tobago. Bulletin of the American Museum of Natural History, 122: 189 - 301."]}