Potentially harmful materials in the feces of wild ring-tailed coatis (Nasua nasua) and health implications

ABSTRACT: In ecological parks, the proximity to tourist activities facilitates the exploration of garbage by coatis, with possible serious consequences for the animals health . We described the contents of wild coatis feces from three ecological parks. After analyzing 62 samples, fragments of plants and animals were identified in all feces. In the feces of two parks, seeds were present between 36.4% and 48.6% of the samples. Arthropod fragments were identified in 100% of the samples from two parks, but only 87.3% in a third park. Scales, bones or bird feathers were present in some samples. Undigested material of industrial origin was detected in 34.3% to 54.5% of the samples, such as fragments of paper, string, plastic, aluminum, latex and glass. Results are in line with other studies on the diet of wild coatis, but the intake of foreign bodies, potentially harmful to health, is described for the first time. Clinical problems resulting from ingesting waste can be dental fractures, mucosal erosions, intestinal perforation, peritonitis, impaction, diarrhea, weight loss, intoxication and infections. Coatis in the three parks are at risk of health, and actions are needed to avoid clinical and potentially fatal problems. Four actions are recommended to avoid ingesting foreign bodies: increasing the environmental education of visitors; improving the storage of waste generated in parks; periodically monitor the health of coatis, in order to make interventions when possible; make a permanent program to study the ecology of species in the three parks.

Revisiting rustrela virus - new cases of encephalitis and a solution to the capsid enigma

Rustrela virus (RusV, species Rubivirus strelense) is a recently discovered relative of rubella virus (RuV) that has been detected in cases of encephalitis across a wide spectrum of mammals, including placental and marsupial animals. Here we diagnosed two additional cases of fatal RusV-associated meningoencephalitis in a South American coati (Nasua nasua) and a Eurasian otter (Lutra lutra) that were detected in a zoological garden with history of prior RusV infections. Both animals showed abnormal movement or unusual behaviour and their brains tested positive for RusV using specific RT-qPCR and RNA in situ hybridization. As previous sequencing of RusV proved to be very challenging, we employed a sophisticated target-specific capture enrichment with specifically designed RNA baits to generate complete RusV genome sequences from both detected encephalitic animals and apparently healthy wild yellow-necked field mice (Apodemus flavicollis). Furthermore, the technique was used to revise three previously published RusV genomes from two encephalitic animals and a wild yellow-necked field mouse. Virus-to-host sequence ratio and thereby sequence coverage improved markedly using the enrichment method as compared to standard procedures. When comparing the newly generated RusV sequences to the previously published RusV genomes, we identified a previously undetected stretch of 309 nucleotides predicted to represent the intergenic region and the sequence encoding the N-terminus of the capsid protein. This indicated that the original RusV sequence was likely incomplete due to misassembly of the genome at a region with an exceptionally high G+C content of >80 mol%, which could not be resolved even by enormous sequencing efforts with standard methods. The updated capsid protein amino acid sequence now resembles those of RuV and ruhugu virus in size and harbours a predicted RNA binding domain that was not encoded in the original RusV genome version. The new sequence data indicate that RusV has the largest overall genome (9,631 nucleotides), intergenic region (290 nucleotides) and capsid protein-encoding sequence (331 codons) within the genus Rubivirus.

Morphological diagnosis and successful treatment of chorioptic mange in 2 South American coatis (Nasua nasua)

Two female South American coatis (Nasua nasua) kept in a zoo in Southern Germany presented with pruritus and moderate hair loss at the dorsal trunk, thigh areas and alongside the tail. Otherwise the animals showed no clinical signs. While the clinical general examination as well as cytology of dermatologic samples showed no pathologic changes, Chorioptes sp. mites could be identified in a superficial skin scraping. Two consecutive topical applications of a selamectin/sarolaner spot-on formulation 4 weeks apart lead to a complete resolution. No side effects were observed.

Trypanosoma rangeli Genetic, Mammalian Hosts, and Geographical Diversity from Five Brazilian Biomes

Trypanosoma rangeli is a generalist hemoflagellate that infects mammals and is transmitted by triatomines around Latin America. Due to its high genetic diversity, it can be classified into two to five lineages. In Brazil, its distribution outside the Amazon region is virtually unknown, and knowledge on the ecology of its lineages and on host species diversity requires further investigation. Here, we analyzed 57 T. rangeli samples obtained from hemocultures and blood clots of 1392 mammals captured in different Brazilian biomes. The samples were subjected to small subunit (SSU) rDNA amplification and sequencing to confirm T. rangeli infection. Phylogenetic inferences and haplotype networks were reconstructed to classify T. rangeli lineages and to infer the genetic diversity of the samples. The results obtained in our study highlighted both the mammalian host range and distribution of T. rangeli in Brazil: infection was observed in five new species (Procyon cancrivorous, Priodontes maximum, Alouatta belzebul, Sapajus libidinosus, and Trinomys dimidiatus), and transmission was observed in the Caatinga biome. The coati (Nasua nasua) and capuchin monkey (S. libidinosus) are the key hosts of T. rangeli. We identified all four T. rangeli lineages previously reported in Brazil (A, B, D, and E) and possibly two new genotypes.

Braquial Plexus Block and Lumbosacral Epidural in a South American Coati (Nasua nasua)

Background: The South American coatis (Nasua nasua) are capable of adapting to different habitats, which allowed them to exchange between domestic and wild areas, increasing the occurrence of traumas. Procedures performed in this species demand anesthetic protocols that take comorbidities into account and cause minimal cardiorespiratory depression as well as rapid recovery. It is in such context that locoregional anesthesia has become an essential tool. Thus, we aim to report the use of two techniques of locoreginal block: brachial plexus block and lumbosacral epidural block, in a Nasua nasua submitted to osteosynthesis of the radius and caudectomy due to trauma.Case: A adult male coati weighing 2.3 kg was referred to the Veterinary Medical Teaching Hospital of the Universidade Federal do Paraná (UFPR) - Setor Palotina with a history of trauma. Physical examination showed crackling in the radius and ulnar region, and also abnormal angulation in the distal portion of the tail. After taking x-rays, fractures were confirmed in the distal radius and in the distal portion of the tail. The patient was referred for surgery. After 8 h of water and food withdrawal, the animal was premedicated with a combination of ketamine (10 mg/kg), midazolam (0.3 mg/kg) and methadone (0.2 mg/kg), intramuscularly (IM). Induction of anesthesia was performed with propofol titrated to effect (total dose 4 mg/kg) and anesthesia was maintained with isoflurane in spontaneous ventilation using a non-rebreathing circuit (Baraka). It was evaluated heart rate (HR), respiratory rate (RF), end-tidal CO2 (EtCO2), expired isoflurane fraction (FE´Iso), oxyhemoglobin saturation (SpO2), electrocardiography (ECG), systolic blood pressure (SBP) and core temperature (CT) using a multiparametric monitor. After the stabilization period, the animal was positioned in lateral recumbence. A subscapular brachial plexus block was performed with bupivacaine (0.2 mL/kg) using a peripheral nerve stimulator to ensure the correct perineural deposition of the local anesthetic. During anesthesia, rescue analgesia was administered when there was a 20% increase in HR, RR or SBP compared to baseline values. Thus, in this case, two rescues with fentanyl (2 µg/kg) were necessary. The animal remained stable and, at the end of the first procedure, he was placed in ventral recumbence, with the hindlimbs pulled cranially in order to locate the lumbosacral space. Epidural injection was performed with lidocaine (0.18 mL/kg). Rescue analgesia was not necessary during the caudectomy procedure. The procedure had a total duration of 3 h and extubation occurred 3 min after inhalation anesthesia withdrawal. At the end of the surgery, the animal was medicated with meloxicam (0.1 mg/kg) and methadone (0.2 mg/kg). Two h after the end of the surgery, the animal was able to feed again.Discussion: The literature is scarce regarding anesthetic techniques in the Nasua nasua species, especially in the context of locoregional anesthesia. In this report, the protocol used as pre-anesthetic medication was considered satisfactory. Brachial plexus block is a safe technique for desensitizing the forelimb for surgical procedures distal to the scapulohumeral joint. Despite some morphological differences in the spinal anatomy of coatis, there was no difficulty in identifying the epidural space or inserting the needle. The absence of complications, and the hemodynamic stability during the anesthesia period, combined with the satisfactory recovery of the patient points to the success of the techniques used in the present report.

LEVANTAMENTO PRELIMINAR DA MASTOFAUNA TERRESTRE EM ÁREA DE ECÓTONO PAMPA/MATA ATLÂNTICA NA REGIÃO DAS MISSÕES, RS, BRASIL

Introdução: No Rio Grande do Sul, os biomas Pampa e Mata Atlântica abrigam mais de 90 espécies de mamíferos terrestres. Embora ambos sustentem grande diversidade, levantamentos mastofaunísticos nos ecótonos são limitados e pouco se conhece sobre sua ecologia. Esta falta de informações somada à intensa alteração antrópica que esses biomas enfrentam há décadas, abre lacunas importantes na busca pela conservação da biodiversidade desses locais. Objetivo: Realizar um levantamento preliminar de mamíferos terrestres de médio e grande porte em São João das Missões/São Miguel das Missões, RS, Brasil. Materiais e Métodos: Em uma área rural de 155 ha, composta de campo nativo, lavoura cultivada e fragmentos de mata, aplicou-se três métodos de coleta: procura visual ativa, em busca de observações diretas e vestígios de mamíferos; captura viva em armadilhas Tomahawk e coleta de depoimentos de moradores locais. Um esforço amostral de 32 horas foi atingido em oito campanhas de campo, entre agosto e novembro de 2020. Resultados: Obteve-se o registro de 18 espécies de mamíferos distribuídas em sete ordens, quatorze famílias e dezessete gêneros, representando aproximadamente 18,4% das espécies terrestres listadas atualmente para o RS. A ordem mais diversa foi Carnivora (4 famílias; 6 espécies), seguido de Rodentia (4 famílias; 5 espécies). Foram amostradas seis espécies ameaçadas de extinção: Cuniculus paca, Leopardus guttulus, Leopardus pardalis, Mazama gouazoubira, Nasua nasua e Tamandua tetradactyla; duas espécies exóticas, Sus scrofa e Lepus sp., além de Cavia aperea; Coendou spinosus; Conepatus chinga; Dasypus novemcinctus; Didelphis albiventris; Euphractus sexcinctus; Hydrochoerus hydrochaeris; Lycalopex gymnocercus; Myocastor coypus e Procyon cancrivorus. H. hydrochaeris (LC), M. gouazoubira (VU) e N. nasua (VU) estiveram presentes em todas as campanhas. Conclusão: Os resultados demonstraram uma considerável riqueza de mamíferos, dado o curto período de amostragem. Grupos generalistas e de médio porte predominaram, incluindo espécies ameaçadas e de importância ecológica. Os carnívoros representaram um terço dos registros, reforçando a relevância do monitoramento e conservação ambiental local, já que são exigentes quanto à qualidade do habitat. Pesquisas adicionais com métodos de coleta aprimorados e em um período anual podem melhorar o perfil da riqueza e diversidade da mastofauna loco-regional.