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Arterial medial calcification observed in animals is equivalent to Mönckeberg’s sclerosis in human beings. This lesion is rarely reported in domestic animals. In addition, little information is available concerning the occurrence of arterial medial calcification in zoo animals. The aim of the current work was to report arterial medial calcification incidentally encountered in a Southern tamandua (Tamandua tetradactyla). This paper described the clinical findings, haematological and serum biochemical profiles, and histopathological results. Haematological examinations showed decreases in white blood cell counts, erythrocytic parameters and platelets. In serum biochemical examinations, both of the creatinine and blood urea nitrogen levels markedly increased in this study. Glucose concentrations dramatically declined from the normal levels to the critical conditions. There was electrolytic imbalance which was not accompanied by increases in calcium and inorganic phosphorus concentrations. Enzyme activities (ALP, AST, ALP, γ-GT, LDH and CK) remarkably increased just before the animal died. Histopathological examinations revealed that this marked and thickened calcification extended linearly around the circumference of the vessels. The calcified deposits were located entirely within the medial layer of the arterial wall. The lesions showed involvement of the internal elastic lamina with calcification. Severe calcification was observed in the glomerular capsules, indicating serious chronic kidney disease. We concluded that arterial medial calcification in the Southern tamandua arose with progressing chronic kidney failure.

The species within Xenarthra (sloths, anteaters, and armadillos) are quintessential South American mammals. Of the three groups, Vermilingua (anteaters) contains the fewest extant and paleontological species. Here, we sampled and sequenced the entire mitochondrial genomes (mitogenomes) of two Tamandua species (Tamandua tetradactyla and T. mexicana) (n=74) from Central and South America, as well as Myrmecophaga tridactyla (n=41) from South America. Within Tamandua, we detected three different haplogroups. The oldest (THI) contained many specimens with the T. tetradactyla morphotype (but also several with the T. mexicana morphotype) and originated in southeastern South America (currently Uruguay) before moving towards northern South America, where the THII haplogroup originated. THII primarily contained specimens with the T. mexicana morphotype (but also several with the T. tetradactyla morphotype) and was distributed in Central America, Colombia, and Ecuador. THI and THII yielded a genetic distance of 4%. THII originated in either northern South America or “in situ” in Central America with haplogroup THIII, which consisted of ~50% T. mexicana and 50% T. tetradactyla phenotypes. THIII was mostly located in the same areas as THII, i.e., Central America, Ecuador, and Colombia, though mainly in the latter. The three haplogroups overlapped in Colombia and Ecuador. Thus, T. tetradactyla and T. mexicana were not reciprocally monophyletic. For this reason, we considered that a unique species of Tamandua likely exists, i.e., T. tetradactyla. In contrast to Tamandua, M. tridactyla did not show different morphotypes throughout its geographical range in the Neotropics. However, two very divergent genetic haplogroups (MHI and MHII), with a genetic distance of ~10%, were detected. The basal haplogroup, MHI, originated in northwestern South America, whereas the more geographically derived haplogroup, MHII, overlapped with MHI, but also expanded into central and southern South America. Thus, Tamandua migrated from south to north whereas Myrmecophaga migrated from north to south. Our results also showed that temporal mitochondrial diversification for Tamandua began during the Late Pliocene and Upper Pleistocene, but for Myrmecophaga began during the Late Miocene. Furthermore, both taxa showed elevated levels of mitochondrial genetic diversity. Tamandua showed more evidence of female population expansion than Myrmecophaga. Tamandua experienced population expansion ~0.6–0.17 million years ago (Mya), whereas Myrmecophaga showed possible population expansion ~0.3–0.2 Mya. However, both taxa experienced a conspicuous female decline in the last 10 000–20 000 years. Our results also showed little spatial genetic structure for both taxa. However, several analyses revealed higher spatial structure in Tamandua than in Myrmecophaga. Therefore, Tamandua and Myrmecophaga were not subjected to the same biogeographical, geological, or climatological events in shaping their genetic structures.

There is a growing ethical concern in modern society about animals' quality of life. We hypothesize that zoo visitors' perception of zoo animal welfare, particularly in the case of lesser anteaters, changes positively after listening to scientific information. Visitors observing active lesser anteaters in their enclosures at Córdoba Zoo (Argentina) were asked to respond to a questionnaire about animal welfare. The treatment group (T) answered the questionnaire after listening to a brief informative talk based on local scientific studies on lesser anteaters. The control group (C) answered the questionnaire without hearing the informative talk. Visitors (87.2%) considered biological, sanitary, and sociocultural aspects to be necessary conditions for optimum wild zoo-housed animal welfare. The majority of visitors considered that natural surroundings provide the highest level of welfare for wild animals. Visitors in the T group ranked the zoo as providing a higher level of animal welfare than those in group C. In reference to management measurements, the T group agreed on the positive effect of the application of environmental enrichment (Likert Medians: C = 4 and T = 5; p =.0443). On the basis of their perception, most visitors in both groups stated that the lesser anteaters at Córdoba Zoo appeared to be in a good state of welfare. We interpret this as meaning that, what these Córdoba zoo visitors personally perceived while observing the lesser anteaters carried greater weight than what they learned from the informative talk, though the talk did slightly affect their opinion., Fil: Chiapero, Florencia. Universidad Nacional de Córdoba. Facultad de Ciencias Exactas, Físicas y Naturales. CONICET. Instituto de Investigaciones Biológicas y Tecnológicas; Argentina, Fil: Chiapero, Florencia. Jardín Zoológico Córdoba. CONICET. Laboratorio de Técnicas no Invasivas; Argentina, Fil: Ferrari, Ricardo H. Universidad Nacional de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Ciencias Veterinarias; Argentina, Fil: Guglielmetti, Agustín. Universidad Católica de Córdoba. Facultad de Ciencias Agropecuarias; Argentina, Fil: García Capocasa, María C. Jardín Zoológico Córdoba; Argentina, Fil: Busso, Juan M. Universidad Nacional de Córdoba. Facultad de Ciencias Exactas, Físicas y Naturales. CONICET. Instituto de Investigaciones Biológicas y Tecnológicas; Argentina, Fil: Busso, Juan M. Jardín Zoológico Córdoba. CONICET. Laboratorio de Técnicas no Invasivas; Argentina, Fil: Busso, Juan M. Universidad Nacional de Córdoba. Facultad de Ciencias Exactas, Físicas y Naturales. Instituto de Ciencia y Tecnología de los Alimentos; Argentina

The human factor is one of the major determinants of animal welfare in zoos. Assessing changes in activity patterns, behavior and space use due to human presence might help understanding visitors’ influence on these animal welfare indicators. In Córdoba (Argentina), we assessed the activity pattern and behavior of Tamandua tetradactyla (lesser anteaters; n = 5) during natural light/dark phases and the animals’ use of space. We analyzed responses of lesser anteaters to humans in days open to the public (Sundays and Tuesdays) and days closed to the public (Mondays), collecting data at 5-minute intervals during 12 days, for each animal. Data were analyzed at two temporal scales: a 24 h period and visiting hours. Multivariate analyses showed no differences in activity pattern, behavior and space use among days, exhibiting a consistent response of each individual over the studied days. Principal Component Analysis showed differences between female and male behaviors. Based on these results, the visitor effect on these lesser anteaters would appear to be neutral, indicating that the presence of visitors is at most, a minor concern in the housing and management of these individuals in Córdoba Zoo., Fil: Chiapero, Florencia. Universidad Nacional de Córdoba. Facultad de Ciencias Exactas, Físicas y Naturales. CONICET. Instituto de Investigaciones Biológicas y Tecnológicas; Argentina, Fil: Ferrari, Héctor Ricardo. Universidad Nacional de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Ciencias Veterinarias. Cátedra de Bienestar Animal; Argentina, Fil: Prieto, María Valentina. Universidad Católica de Córdoba. Facultad de Ciencias Agropecuarias. Carrera de Veterinaria; Argentina, Fil: García Capocasa, María Constanza. Jardín Zoológico Córdoba; Argentina, Fil: Busso, Juan Manuel. Universidad Nacional de Córdoba. Facultad de Ciencias Exactas, Físicas y Naturales. CONICET. Instituto de Investigaciones Biológicas y Tecnológicas; Argentina, Fil: Busso, Juan Manuel. CONICET-Jardín Zoológico Córdoba. Laboratorio de Técnicas No Invasivas; Argentina

Reproductive management of the southern tamandua (Tamandua tetradactyla) should include timed introductions for breeding to minimize aggression and pregnancy monitoring. Since serial blood sampling could cause unnecessary stress, and urinary progesterone metabolites are found in very low concentrations, this study sought to validate progesterone and estradiol enzyme immunoassays for measuring fecal progesterone metabolite (FPM) and fecal estrogen metabolite (FEM) concentrations in two females. Peaks in FEM concentrations coincided with breeding and conception, were 5-6 times higher than baseline concentrations, and were followed by clear luteal phases distinguished by FPM concentrations 5-6 times higher than baseline concentrations. FPM concentrations during the first 30-53 days of gestation overlapped with luteal phase concentrations, thereafter increasing to 8-25 times higher than baseline concentrations. FEM concentrations during the first 41-44 days of gestation remained near basal values for one female, whereas concentrations were 1.8 times higher than baseline for the second. FEM concentrations became elevated for the former by 44 days of gestation and increased further for the latter after 53 days, ultimately averaging four times higher than baseline for both females. The biphasic increase in FPM and FEM concentrations, follicular and luteal phase durations (follicular: 7 ± 1 days, luteal: 25 ± 1 days), total cycle length (41 ± 1 days), and gestation (161-165 days) documented in this study were consistent with previous reports from serum and urine analyses. Monitoring FPM and FEM is a reliable noninvasive method for tracking reproductive cycles and pregnancy in southern tamandua that overcomes the challenges associated with serum or urinary hormone analysis.

The Collared Anteater, Tamandua tetradactyla (Linnaeus, 1758), is a small mammal predator of ants. There are few studies describing which species are in fact consumed by them. This study was aimed to investigate the diversity and abundance of local species of ants preyed by the T. tetradactyla. Eight samples of stomach contents collected in the period from 2009 to 2014 were analyzed and identified at the lowest possible taxonomic level. We found 5,906 ants distributed in 16 species. The most abundant samples were number 2 and 4 with almost 2,000 individuals and the highest richness and abundance was Myrmicinae subfamily with eight species and 3,721 individuals. The ant richness found in this research demonstrates that the anteaters are generalists and opportunistic about their diet, not having a preference for a particular species, but rather for those insects that are available in their habitat.

portuguesA existencia de individuos melânicos do tamandua-mirim, Tamandua tetradactyla Linnaeus (1758) e reconhecida no Equador. No entanto, nao existe ate o momento um registro formal das observacoes e dos especimes depositados nas colecoes cientificas. Neste trabalho recopilamos e discutimos os registros fotograficos de individuos melânicos do tamandua-mirim registrados em vida silvestre e dos especimes depositados nas colecoes. Apresentamos seis registros de melanismo em Tamandua tetradactyla, com uma variacao de coloracao completamente escura, a partir do Sul do Equador. Metade dos registros e composta por fotografias recentes (2018) e os outros tres sao especimes coletados e depositados entre 2009 ate 2016. Nossas observacoes sugerem que a coloracao escura pode ser frequente na regiao. Este trabalho promove as iniciativas de conservacao com base em individuos melânicos do tamandua-mirim como uma potencial especie emblematica. EnglishIn Ecuador, the presence of melanistic individuals of Southern Tamandua Tamandua tetradactyla Linnaeus (1758) has been recognized but there has not been a formal report written about it. Neither has there been one on the observations or the collected specimens in museums. We present six records of melanism in Tamandua tetradactyla from southern Ecuador and discuss other records in wildlife and from museum collections. Half of the records are recent photographic ones (2018), and the other three are museum specimens collected between 2009 and 2016. Our report of melanistic individuals suggests that dark coloration varieties are frequent mutations in the region. This report can be useful to promote conservation initiatives, based on the Southern Tamandua as a potential flagship-species.

Collared anteater is present throughout the Brazilian territory, but its morphology is little known. This study aimed to trace its external biometric profile and its digestive system. Six cadavers (4 ± 0.16 kg) from Paraíba, Brazil, were used. The thoracic limbs were more robust when compared to pelvic. The length of the tail is below that described in specimens from south-eastern Brazil, probably due to the greater use of the tail suspension function in the leafier forests in this region. The tongue had no papillae and had keratinized squamous epithelium. The oesophagus was tubular with keratinized squamous epithelium. The stomach was single-chambered with simple prismatic epithelium and presence of tubular glands in the lamina propria. The pyloric region was thicker and had larger folds of mucosa; the greater curvature was approximately three times greater than the smaller. The small intestine was larger than that found in other Xernathra species such as sloth, an herbivore animal; in the large intestine, the caecum was small. The colon was subdivided ascending, transverse and descending, with simple prismatic epithelium. This study is the first to bring the description of the external and digestive system morphometrics of collared anteater adult and pup. The anatomical characteristics of the digestive system show that the digestion of the anteaters, although not using the fermentation, is not as rapid as in other Xenarthras, probably due to the material of the exoskeleton of the insects by them consumed. The data generate subsidies for the clinic, surgery, preservation and nutrition of this species.

Monitoring biological communities through time helps reveal the state of habitat conservation. We performed a new inventory of the medium and large-sized mammals in the Augusto Ruschi Biological Reserve, southeastern Brazil. Our assessment was based on a new camera-trapping sampling design that incorporates a one-year Enhanced Vegetation Index (EVI) to characterize environmental heterogeneity across the study area. We selected sampling locations in different microhabitats to conduct a 90-day camera trap monitoring. Our sampling effort was 28,704 hours, resulting in 755 photographic records, from which we identified 15 native medium and large-sized mammals, one small-sized mammal ( Guerlinguetus brasiliensis ), and one exotic species ( Canis familiaris ). The native mammals included four species not listed in the last inventory carried out in the study area: Dasypus novemcinctus (nine-banded armadillo), Tamandua tetradactyla (collared anteater), Herpailurus yagouaroundi (jaguarundi), and Cerdocyon thous (crab-eating fox). This outcome may indicate the efficiency of our sampling design, which represents an innovative approach to characterizing local mammal communities across an environmental gradient, ensuring broad representation of different resources and habitat characteristics. Consequently, our approach may ensure the recording of the local mammal assemblage and is an appropriate option for inventorying and monitoring medium to large-sized mammals.

The name of the species tetradactyla means "four digits." In the literature, the hand of the lesser anteater (Tamandua tetradactyla) is described as having four digits (I, II, III and IV) with the absence of a fifth digit. The purpose of this study was to carry out an update adequately proposing an anatomical description of the T. tetradactyla hand. The present findings were analysed on the validation of Morse's law for this species. In total, seven male cadavers were radiographed and dissected. We observed that the hand of the T. tetradactyla was formed by a carpus containing four bones in the proximal row, which in the medium lateral direction was the radial, intermediate, ulnar and accessory bones of the carpus, and the distal row was formed by carpal bones I, II, III and IV. There were five metacarpal bones (I, II, III, IV and V). The presence of five digits was verified but not confirmed with the literature. Digit I had two phalanges, the proximal and distal; digits II, III and IV had three phalanges: proximal, middle and distal. Digit five had only one phalanx, the proximal, but it was not externally visible. According to the findings of this study, the presence of the fifth digit raises the question of whether the term tetradactyla is the most appropriate to describe this species. This rudimentary fifth digit and the presence of a functional first digit show that the Morse's law does not applies for the T. tetradactyla species.

A 1-y-old female southern tamandua (Tamandua tetradactyla) presented with vomiting, hyporexia, and neurologic signs. Magnetic resonance imaging revealed contrast-enhancing material within the lateral and fourth ventricles and a T2 hyperintense cerebellar lesion, consistent with meningoencephalitis. The tamandua rapidly declined and was euthanatized. On gross postmortem exam, the tamandua had diffusely injected leptomeninges, opaque fluid in the fourth ventricle, and subdural brainstem and spinal cord hemorrhage. Histologically, there was regionally hemorrhagic and multifocal fibrinosuppurative meningoencephalomyelitis, ventriculitis, choroid plexitis, cerebellar folia necrosis, ependymitis, radiculoneuritis, and abundant intralesional gram-positive cocci. Streptococcus equi ssp. zooepidemicus was cultured from brain, cardiac blood clot, and multiple samples of horsemeat collected from the animal's diet. This is the first report of streptococcal meningoencephalomyelitis in a southern tamandua. The route of infection was likely gastrointestinal inoculation, which may have implications for the routine practice of feeding diets containing raw meat to insectivores.

Wild animals infected with Paracoccidioides brasiliensis represent important indicators of this fungal agent presence in the environment. The detection of this pathogen in road-killed wild animals has shown to be a key strategy for eco-epidemiological surveillance of paracoccidioidomycosis (PCM), helping to map hot spots for human infection. Molecular detection of P. brasiliensis in wild animals from PCM outbreak areas has not been performed so far. The authors investigated the presence of P. brasiliensis through nested-PCR in tissue samples obtained from road-killed animals collected nearby a human PCM outbreak spot, Rio de Janeiro state, Brazil and border areas. Eighteen species of mammals were analyzed: Dasypus novemcinctus (nine-banded armadillo, n = 6), Cerdocyon thous (crab-eating fox, n = 4), Coendou spinosus (hairy dwarf porcupine, n = 2), Lontra longicaudis (Neotropical river otter, n = 1), Procyon cancrivorus (crab-eating raccoon, n = 1), Galactis cuja (lesser grison, n = 1), Tamandua tetradactyla (collared anteater, n = 1), Cuniculus paca (paca, n = 1), and Bradypus variegatus (brown-throated three-toed sloth, n = 1). Specific P. brasiliensis sequences were detected in the liver, spleen, and lymph node samples from 4/6 (66.7%) D. novemcinctus, reinforcing the importance of these animals on Paracoccidioides ecology. Moreover, lymph nodes samples from two C. thous, as well as lung samples from the C. paca were also positive. A literature review of Paracoccidioides spp. in vertebrates in Brazil indicates C. thous and C. paca as new hosts for the fungal pathogen P. brasiliensis.

The present study aimed to evaluate a methodology for active surveillance of visceral leishmaniasis by detecting Leishmania DNA in organs of wild road-killed animals from November 2016 to October 2018 in the North of Paraná, Brazil. The collection points of road-killed wild animals were georeferenced. The animals were autopsied and samples of bone marrow, lymph node, liver, spleen, and ear skin were collected. Genomic DNA was extracted and subjected to PCR for amplification of Leishmania spp. 18S, kinetoplastic DNA (kDNA), HSP70, and ITS1 genes, and DNA sequencing was performed. The primers used for the amplification of kDNA, ITS1, and HSP70 genes presented non-specific results. Of the 66 mammals collected from 24 different municipalities, one Southern Tamandua (Tamandua tetradactyla) presented DNA of Leishmania spp. in lymph nodes by 18S PCR. DNA sequencing confirmed the results of the subgenus, Viannia, identification. We suggest using the methodology showed in the present study in the active and early surveillance of visceral leishmaniasis in a non-endemic area.

Made available in DSpace on 2021-06-25T12:23:20Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 0 Previous issue date: 2020-10-01 Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq) Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de Minas Gerais (FAPEMIG) Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES) There is little information on the anatomical pathology of Brazilian anteaters. Considering the relevance of knowledge of diseases of these species for their conservation, the aim of this study was to describe pathological changes in 99 captive and free-ranging anteaters from the Brazilian states of sao Paulo, Minas Gerais, Bahia, Mato Grosso do Sul and Amazonas. Forty-two animals were killed on roads and 10 died from burns injuries. Other significant conditions included the metabolic diseases of iron storage disease, tissue mineralization and taurine deficiency, protozoan and metazoan infections, candidiasis, sporotrichosis, clostridiosis and proliferative disorders including squamous cell carcinoma. (C) 2020 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved. Univ Fed Minas Gerais, Escola Vet, Belo Horizonte, MG, Brazil Vet Pathol Serv Joint Pathol Ctr, Silver Spring, MD USA Univ Estadual Santa Cruz, Ilheus, BA, Brazil Fundacao Parques Municipais & Zoobot Belo Horizon, Belo Horizonte, MG, Brazil Univ Fed Minas Gerais, Inst Ciencias Biol, Dept Parasitol, Belo Horizonte, MG, Brazil Univ Estadual Paulista, Fac Ciencias Agr & Vet, Dept Med Vet Prevent & Reprod Anim, Jaboticabal, SP, Brazil Univ Estadual Paulista, Fac Ciencias Agr & Vet, Dept Patol Vet, Jaboticabal, SP, Brazil Univ Estadual Paulista, Fac Ciencias Agr & Vet, Dept Med Vet Prevent & Reprod Anim, Jaboticabal, SP, Brazil Univ Estadual Paulista, Fac Ciencias Agr & Vet, Dept Patol Vet, Jaboticabal, SP, Brazil

BackgroundEcological adaptations of mammals are reflected in the morphological diversity of their feeding apparatus, which includes differences in tooth crown morphologies, variation in snout size, or changes in muscles of the feeding apparatus. The adaptability of their feeding apparatus allowed them to optimize resource exploitation in a wide range of habitats. The combination of computer-assisted X-ray microtomography (µ-CT) with contrast-enhancing staining protocols has bolstered the reconstruction of three-dimensional (3D) models of muscles. This new approach allows for accurate descriptions of muscular anatomy, as well as the quick measurement of muscle volumes and fiber orientation. Ant- and termite-eating (myrmecophagy) represents a case of extreme feeding specialization, which is usually accompanied by tooth reduction or complete tooth loss, snout elongation, acquisition of a long vermiform tongue, and loss of the zygomatic arch. Many of these traits evolved independently in distantly-related mammalian lineages. Previous reports on South American anteaters (Vermilingua) have shown major changes in the masticatory, intermandibular, and lingual muscular apparatus. These changes have been related to a functional shift in the role of upper and lower jaws in the evolutionary context of their complete loss of teeth and masticatory ability.MethodsWe used an iodine staining solution (I2KI) to perform contrast-enhanced µ-CT scanning on heads of the pygmy (Cyclopes didactylus), collared (Tamandua tetradactyla) and giant (Myrmecophaga tridactyla) anteaters. We reconstructed the musculature of the feeding apparatus of the three extant anteater genera using 3D reconstructions complemented with classical dissections of the specimens. We performed a description of the musculature of the feeding apparatus in the two morphologically divergent vermilinguan families (Myrmecophagidae and Cyclopedidae) and compared it to the association of morphological features found in other myrmecophagous placentals.ResultsWe found that pygmy anteaters (Cyclopes) present a relatively larger and architecturally complex temporal musculature than that of collared (Tamandua) and giant (Myrmecophaga) anteaters, but shows a reduced masseter musculature, including the loss of the deep masseter. The loss of this muscle concurs with the loss of the jugal bone in Cyclopedidae. We show that anteaters, pangolins, and aardvarks present distinct anatomies despite morphological and ecological convergences.

Species tend to be less abundant at the limits of their geographic distribution. Giant and lesser anteaters have their southernmost limits in Argentina and Paraguay, where scarce information exists regarding their ecology and conservation. We present a study carried out in the Paraguay River floodplain, in an area dedicated to cattle rearing using native grasses in a subtropical flooded savanna associated with naturally occurring forest islets, wetlands and palm groves. Using camera-traps within three different forest types, we estimated parameters related to habitat preference, social behavior and activity patterns of both species. Results show that capture success was greater in the Floodable sub-humid forest islets (FSF), compared to other types of forests: Riparian forests associated with wetlands (W-RF) and Mesoxerophytic semi-deciduous forests dominated by Schinopsis balansae (MXF). Most detections corresponded to solitary anteaters, although mother-young pairs were occasionally observed during summer. Both species showed a nocturnal and crepuscular activity pattern with a peak of records around midnight. Myrmecophaga tridactyla was detected between 11°C and 26°C, while Tamandua tetradactyla occurred between 15°C and 23°C. Future research that incorporates systematically taken data in other different habitats, including grasslands and shrublands, during all seasons of the year is recommended. RESUMEN Las especies tienden a ser menos abundantes en los límites de su distribución geográfica. El oso hormiguero y el oso melero tienen su límite de distribución al Sur en Argentina y Paraguay, donde existe escasa información sobre su ecología y conservación. Presentamos un estudio realizado en la planicie de inundación del Río Paraguay, en un área dedicada a la ganadería sobre pasturas nativas en sabanas subtropicales inundables asociadas con isletas de bosques naturales, humedales y palmares. Estimamos parámetros referentes a preferencia de hábitat, comportamiento social y patrones de actividad de ambas especies a través del uso de cámaras trampa en tres tipos de bosques. Los resultados indican que el éxito de captura fue mayor en las islas de bosques subhúmedos inundables, comparado con los otros tipos de boques: bosques riparios asociados a humedales y bosques semicaducifolios mesoxerofíticos dominados por Schinopsis balansae. La mayoría de las capturas corresponde a osos solitarios, aunque ocasionalmente fueron observadas hembras cargando a sus crías durante el verano. Ambas especies mostraron un patrón de actividad nocturno y crepuscular con un pico de registros alrededor de la medianoche. Myrmecophaga tridactyla fue detectado entre 11°C y 26°C, mientras que Tamandua tetradactyla apareció entre 15°C y 23°C. Se recomiendan futuras investigaciones que incorporen datos tomados sistemáticamente en otros tipos de hábitats, incluyendo pasturas y matorrales, durante todas las estaciones del año.

Made available in DSpace on 2020-12-10T17:40:40Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 0 Previous issue date: 2020-03-06 Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq) Coordination for the Improvement of Higher Education Personnel Leptospirosis is a zoonotic disease of global importance caused by an obligate aerobic spirochaete that infects a wide variety of domestic and wild animals. Natural hosts are asymptomatic or show moderate signs of the disease. Accidental hosts develop a severe, often lethal, form of the disease. All young southern tamanduas died suddenly at the zoo in the city of Joao Pessoa, Brazil. The animals were found dead without any noticeable clinical signs. Necropsy revealed extensive haemorrhage in the subcutaneous tissues, kidneys, lungs in addition to the presence of red fluid in the thoracic, abdominal and pericardial cavities. Histopathology of kidneys exhibited acute interstitial nephritis and tubular necrosis. Immunohistochemical staining revealed typical leptospiral wavy forms and aggregates in the lumen of several kidney tubules and lungs. Pathological and molecular investigations confirmedLeptospira interrogansinfection. The adult tamanduas did not present with clinical alterations. To our knowledge, this investigation is the first study to report that leptospirosis should be considered as a possible cause of death in tamanduas. This article warns of the risks of anthropization with respect to Leptospira transmission to tamanduas, other animals and humans. Univ Fed Paraiba, Areia, Paraiba, Brazil Univ Fed Campina Grande, Patos de Minas, Paraiba, Brazil Univ Estadual Paulista, Botucatu, SP, Brazil Univ Fed Santa Maria, Santa Maria, RS, Brazil Parque Zoobot Arruda Camara, Joao Pessoa, Paraiba, Brazil Univ Estadual Paulista, Botucatu, SP, Brazil CNPq: 429862/2016-4

Amblyomma nodosum is a Neotropical tick species distributed from Mexico to Argentina, with adult individuals infesting different mammal species, including anteaters (Pilosa: Myrmecophagidae). Few reports in Colombia have recorded this species in departments such as Meta, Tolima and Valle del Cauca. In this paper we describe this species using taxonomic, morphometric and molecular methods after collecting individuals parasitizing collared anteaters (Tamandua tetradactyla) in the departments of Cundinamarca and Tolima. Adult specimens were identified based on current taxonomic keys and different morphometric variables were documented in nonengorged individuals. Also, DNA was extracted for PCR amplification and sequencing of 16S rDNA, COI and ITS2 genes. Phylogenetic trees were built. One hundred and thirty-four adult ticks were collected and identified as Amblyomma nodosum, based on morphological, morphometric, molecular and phylogenetic analyses. This is the first study to report the presence of this tick species in the department of Cundinamarca, using multiple identification approaches, thus expanding its geographical records in Colombia. Resumo Amblyomma nodosum é uma espécie de carrapato Neotropical distribuída do México à Argentina com indivíduos adultos, infestando diversas espécies de mamíferos, incluindo tamanduás (Pilosa: Myrmecophagidae). Na Colômbia, limitados relatos têm registrado essa espécie em alguns departamentos como Meta, Tolima e Valle del Cauca. Neste trabalho, espécimes foram identificados por meio de métodos taxonômicos, morfométricos e moleculares após serem coletados parasitando indivíduos de tamanduá-mirim (Tamandua tetradactyla) dos departamentos de Cundinamarca e Tolima. Espécimes adultos foram identificados por meio de chaves taxonômicas e diversas variáveis morfométricas foram ristradas em indivíduos não ingurgitados. Além disso, o DNA foi extraído para amplificação pela PCR e por sequenciamento dos genes 16S rDNA, COI e ITS2. Árvores filogenéticas foram construídas. No total, 134 carrapatos adultos foram coletados e identificados como Amblyomma nodosum por meio de análises morfológicas, morfométricas, moleculares e de filogenia. Este é o primeiro estudo que relata, por meio de múltiplas ferramentas de identificação, esta espécie no departamento de Cundinamarca ampliando assim seus registros geográficos na Colômbia.

Paso Centurión is one of the most diverse areas of Uruguay. It is legally protected at local and national level, however, there are different interests competing for its land use and management. With the aim to document the biodiversity of the area together with the local people, the NGO JULANA has been conducting a participatory monitoring process with camera traps since 2013. Here, we present a list of 23 medium and large-size mammal species documented in the area and a standardised dataset of occurrence records. Top observations include the last Chrysocyon brachyurus seen in Uruguay, the first record of Herpailurus yagouaroundi in the country and the second report of Leopardus munoai in the area. We also highlight the frequent observation of numerous rare species such as Tamandua tetradactyla, Leopardus wiedii, Cabassous tatouay, Coendou spinosus and Cuniculus paca. Although the cameras were located within only a few metres of the houses of the local people, some of the rarest and most elusive species in the country were reported. This suggests a possible coexistence between people – their socio-economic practices – and nature in the area. Our work underlines the importance of the recent inclusion of Paso Centurión and Sierra de Ríos to the National System of Protected Areas under the proposed category of ‘Protected Landscape’. Collectively, in a context of global change and lack of biodiversity data on species distribution, we emphasise the value of these records for the knowledge of mammals in Uruguay and the need to extend and continue monitoring this area.

Habitat fragmentation due to transport infrastructure, such as highways, is receiving growing concern due to deleterious consequences of roadkill, a consequence of animal--vehicle collisions. This study was conducted on a 115 km section of the highway BR-242 between the Peixe Angical Hydroelectric Power Plant and Gurupi town, Tocantins state, Brazil. During twelve months, records of medium and large-sized mammals' roadkilled by vehicle collisions were weekly acquired. Photographic records, date and place of occurrence were obtained for each roadkilled animal. We also propose new indexes to evaluate roadkill rates. In total, 18 species, 17 genera, 10 families, and six orders were recorded. The species with the highest number of registers were: Cerdocyon thous , Myrmecophaga tridactyla , Tamandua tetradactyla , Procyon cancrivorus , Nasua nasua and Dasyprocta leporina , corresponding to 73.5% of roadkills. The curve of species accumulation showed no tendency for stabilization. The results showed that the roadkill indices were 0.003 species/km; 0.009 individuals/km; 0.375 species/sampling; 1,021 individuals/sampling; 306,667 kilometers traveled/hit species, and 115,00 kilometers traveled/animal. Seven species recorded are considered threatened: Chrysocyon brachyurus , Leopardus pardalis , Leopardus wiedii , Lycalopex vetulus , Myrmecophaga tridactyla , Puma concolor , and Puma yagouaroundi .

A recurrent aspect of the fossil record is the observation of a disproportionate number of specimens or individuals of a single taxon in some deposits, which is stated as dominance. Commonly, the dominance is explained as the result of catastrophic or short-term mass death events or are proxies for palaeoecological inferences regarding gregariousness. However, taphonomic, stratigraphic and chronologic analyses of fossiliferous deposits have shown that this is not always true. To contribute to the study of dominance in fossil assemblages, we describe a probable Quaternary skeletal accumulation dominated by the extant gregarious rock-dwelling rodent Kerodon rupestris recovered from Sumidouro do Sansao, a 65 m deep pitfall cave in northeast Brazil, and discuss the palaeoecological implications of our findings. We provide taxonomic identification, taphonomic analyses, and chronological assessment. Besides K. rupestris (minimum number of individuals, MNI = 35), we recorded three taxonomic groups, that are the ground sloth Catonyx cuvieri (MNI = 1), the anteater Tamandua tetradactyla (MNI = 1), and the cougar Puma concolor (MNI = 1). The taphonomic analysis of the K. rupestris remains supports the idea that entrapment of individuals was the main process of bone accumulation and that the death of cave inhabitants followed by short transport to the main hall possibly occurred. Kerodon rupestris remains persisted on the surface of the cave deposit for different time spans and were exposed to fragmentation, weathering, invertebrate boring and encrustation inside the cave environment. Direct dating suggests differences in the ages obtained and intermittent deposition of the individuals inside the cave. It highlights the influence of taphonomic controls on gregarious taxa, such as K. rupestris, towards dominating attritional time-averaged assemblages. Furthermore, it demonstrates that such assemblages do not necessarily support inferences about single event mortality and gregariousness of the dominant taxon.

Canine distemper virus (CDV) is a highly contagious disease pathogen which causes disease in the domestic dog and species classified in the Canidae, Procyonidae, Mustelidae, Hyaenidae, Ursidae, Viveridae, Felidae, Tayassuidae, and Cercopithecidae families. A combined strategy that involved the direct sequencing of amplicons from genes coding for nucleocapsid, large polymerase, and hemagglutinin proteins of CDV, as well as the pathological findings and the immunohistochemical detection of viral nucleocapsid protein in diverse tissues, confirmed the participation of CDV in the development of a neurological disease in a southern tamandua ( Tamandua tetradactyla ) from Midwestern Brazil. Phylogenetic analysis based on the hemagglutinin gene sequences revealed that the strain from this study grouped with isolates from the Europe 1/South America 1 lineage. The specific polymorphisms at the SLAM receptor-binding site of the hemagglutinin gene, previously linked to disease emergence in novel hosts, were not detected in this genome. These findings represent the first description of CDV-induced infection in the Tamandua tetradactyla and extend the distribution of this infection to include members of the family Myrmecophagidae, order Pilosa.

Xenarthra is one of the most peculiar mammalian groups to have originated in South America, where most of its evolutionary history has taken place. Xenarthrans have experienced significant climatic changes and also geographical isolation for most of the Cenozoic. Thus, the cranial morphology of xenarthrans may reflect the different pressures that the group is currently undergoing. Our objective is to identify the drivers of phenotypic variation of the skull (both shape and size) in widespread representatives of the superorder Xenarthra throughout South America. We tested the influence of allometry and neutral and niche processes on three extant species, using a geometric morphometric approach: the three-toed sloth Bradypus variegatus, the lesser anteater Tamandua tetradactyla, and the armadillo Dasypus novemcinctus. Our results show that allometry is present, but has a weak effect on shape variation. Geography has a greater impact than allometry in explaining the size variation of T. tetradactyla and the shape of B. variegatus which is, interestingly, the only studied species that follows Bergmann’s rule. Most importantly, the environment drives most of the variation in the shape and size of the three species studied. The responses of B. variegatus and T. tetradactyla to geographical space are congruent with their low mobility and more limited dispersal. The environment mainly affected B. variegatus (e.g., following Bergmann’s rule), probably because of its particularly low metabolism, and D. novemcinctus, due to its high dispersal capacity.

Xenarthra is a superorder of placental mammals constituted by extant armadillos, sloths, anteaters and their fossil relatives. Considering the biogeographic abundance, the two species included in the Tamandua genus are the most expressive among the anteaters, being found of the north of Central America to the south of South America. Tamandua tetradactyla stand out as the most expressive species of anteater, with often records in Brazilian biological collections. However, the absence of sexual dimorphism in the external morphology of T. tetradactyla and other anteaters contributes to that sexing mistakes are frequently observed in museum specimens. Thus, evolutionary, anatomical, ecological and pathological issues related to the sex of T. tetradactyla remain mostly unknown. Here, we investigate the use of PCR amplification of the SRY gene obtained from muscular tissues of T. tetradactyla in the sexual identification of museum specimens. In addition, we used the molecular data to reveal possible intraspecific sexual variations in the skeleton of the analyzed samples. The results indicate that the anatomical data are concordant with the molecular analysis in this study, with the appendicular bones of the specimens of T. tetradactyla presented marked patterns of sexual distinctions. The molecular-morphological integration is probably a useful tool in the recognition of intraspecific variation still unknown in museum specimens of Xenarthra.

Cutaneous Leishmaniasis (CL) is a disease caused by Leishmania species and transmitted by the bites of infected female sand fly species. The diversity of these insects in Rondonia State (where CL is the predominant form) is large but unexplored, and consequently the vector species are unknown. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the sand fly fauna in two environments (forest fragment and peridomicile) in rural areas of four municipalities of the state, DNA amplification of Leishmania species and the presence of blood meal sources for these insects. After identifying the species, sample coverage was applied to estimate the fauna coverage in each environment. Females were used to amplify and detect Leishmania DNA and blood meal sources, then posteriorly identified by sequencing. A total of 1706 individuals were included in 61 species, which was a sample coverage of 97% for the forest fragments (56 species), whereas 98% was observed (32 species) in peridomiciles. Next, 41 pools were prepared from 1227 females, and none were positive for Leishmania DNA. We observed 160 engorged females (forest fragments: 21, peridomiciles: 139) belonging to females of the Antunesi complex and another eight species. Two of these females were positive for Leishmania braziliensis-DNA: one in the Antunesi complex and one in Psychodopygus hirsutus. Seven blood meal sources were identified by sequencing analysis: Bos taurus and Sus scrofa from the peridomiciles, and Dasypus novemcinctus, Pecari tajacu, Philander canus, Plecturocebus bernhardi, and Tamandua tetradactyla from the forest fragments. Our data confirmed the feeding behavior of field-caught sand flies and could contribute to our understanding about local vectors and possible reservoirs in the transmission of Leishmania spp.