Medium and large-sized mammals of a private protected wetland in the Cerrado-Amazon biological corridor, Brazil

Brazil is the world's richest country in biodiversity, including mammal species. In the Brazilian Cerrado biome, mammalian diversity is vast, with about 251 species, 32 of them are endemic and 22 listed as threatened species. In this work, we investigated species diversity of medium- and large-sized mammals in the private protected area RPPN Pontal do Jaburu (RPPN-PJ) and its surroundings, which is a flooded area located in an important biological corridor in the Cerrado-Amazon ecotone zone, a priority area for biodiversity conservation in Brazil. We used camera-trapping, active search (night and day), and track survey during dry season (Apr – Aug 2016). We recorded 29 mammal species, being the Carnivora order the most representative with 11 species. Regarding threat status, 35.7% of the recorded species were listed as threatened in Brazil and 32.1% worldwide. We highlight the high relative frequency of threatened species records such as Tapirus terrestris, Panthera onca, Blastocerus dichotomus, Pteronura brasiliensis, Priodontes maximus, and other, as well as the presence of the newly described aquatic mammal species Inia araguaiaensis. We stress the importance of RPPN-PJ and its surroundings for mammal conservation, which include complex habitats (wetlands) located in an important ecotone zone.

Nuevos análisis zooarqueológicos y tafonómicos del sitio Cerro Tapera Vázquez (Parque Nacional Pre-Delta, Argentina)

El sitio arqueológico Cerro Tapera Vázquez (CTV) se encuentra dentro del Parque Nacional Pre-Delta, en el ambiente insular del río Paraná. Dos dataciones radiocarbónicas sobre restos de carbón vegetal ubican la ocupación humana en torno a los 600 años radiocarbónicos AP. En este artículo se presentan nuevos resultados obtenidos a partir del reanálisis del conjunto faunístico de este sitio arqueológico. Se identificaron diferentes especies de mamíferos, las cuales incluyen cérvidos (Blastocerus dichotomus, Ozotoceros bezoarticus), carnívoros (Leopardus geoffroyi, Lycalopex gymnocercus) y roedores (Myocastor coypus, Cavia aperea, Hydrochoerus hydrochaeris). Además, en menor medida, se identificaron algunos restos de aves (Podiceps major), peces (Pimelodus sp., Doradidae) y moluscos de agua dulce. La principal presa explotada fue el coipo (Myocastor coypus). Por otra parte, la presencia de otros recursos acuáticos y terrestres probablemente se deba a la caza ocasional (e.g. Leopardus geoffroyi) o a su incorporación natural al depósito (e.g. Cavia aperea).

Satellite DNA in Neotropical Deer Species

The taxonomy and phylogenetics of Neotropical deer have been mostly based on morphological criteria and needs a critical revision on the basis of new molecular and cytogenetic markers. In this study, we used the variation in the sequence, copy number, and chromosome localization of satellite I-IV DNA to evaluate evolutionary relationships among eight Neotropical deer species. Using FISH with satI-IV probes derived from Mazama gouazoubira, we proved the presence of satellite DNA blocks in peri/centromeric regions of all analyzed deer. Satellite DNA was also detected in the interstitial chromosome regions of species of the genus Mazama with highly reduced chromosome numbers. In contrast to Blastocerus dichotomus, Ozotoceros bezoarticus, and Odocoileus virginianus, Mazama species showed high abundance of satIV DNA by FISH. The phylogenetic analysis of the satellite DNA showed close relationships between O. bezoarticus and B. dichotomus. Furthermore, the Neotropical and Nearctic populations of O. virginianus formed a single clade. However, the satellite DNA phylogeny did not allow resolving the relationships within the genus Mazama. The high abundance of the satellite DNA in centromeres probably contributes to the formation of chromosomal rearrangements, thus leading to a fast and ongoing speciation in this genus, which has not yet been reflected in the satellite DNA sequence diversification.

A participatory surveillance of marsh deer (Blastocerus dichotomus) morbidity and mortality in Argentina: first results.

Background: In an era of unprecedented socio-ecological changes, managing wildlife health demands high-quality data collection and the engagement of local communities. Blastocerus dichotomus, the largest South American deer, is Vulnerable to extinction mainly due to habitat loss. Diseases have been recognised as a potential threat, and winter mortality has been historically described in marsh deer populations from Argentina. Field difficulties have, however, prevented in-depth studies of their health status.Results: Between May 2014 and April 2017, we investigated marsh deer morbidity and mortality in the two largest populations in Argentina. We collected data by means of a passive surveillance system that involved a network of researchers, field partners (veterinarians, park rangers, and local community), and decision makers. We sampled dead deer during as well as outside mortality events. A total of 44 marsh deer with different body condition scores were evaluated. We obtained haematology and biochemistry values from animals with good body condition score. Marsh deer with poor body condition had a high burden of the ticks Amblyomma triste and Rhipicephalus microplus. Vector-borne agents such as Theileria cervi, Trypanosoma theileri, Trypanosoma evansi, Ehrlichia chaffeensis, Anaplasma platys, Anaplasma odocoilei, Anaplasma marginale, and Candidatus Anaplasma boleense were also found. Haemonchus spp., Ostertagia spp., and Trichostrongylus spp. were the most frequent gastrointestinal parasites in deer with poor body condition. A Multiple Correspondence Analysis reinforced a possible association of winter period with lower body score condition, high tick loads, infection with E. chaffeensis, and presence of harmful gastrointestinal parasites. Conclusions: Our approach allowed the establishment of a participatory surveillance network of marsh deer morbidity and mortality in Argentina. We report and analyse the first data obtained opportunistically within the framework of this network, providing information on the infectious and parasitic agents in marsh deer populations. The occurrence of Fasciola hepatica and Leptospira interrogans serovar pyrogenes is reported for the first time in wild marsh deer from Argentina. Our data will be useful to improve the interpretation of future mortality events. The field implementation of a surveillance network is key to a holistic approach to wildlife diseases.

A participatory approach to marsh deer (Blastocerus dichotomus) morbidity and mortality passive surveillance in Argentina: first results.

Background: The comprehensive approach to diseases in broad ecological contexts appears as a new challenge for global health. Winter mortality of marsh deer ( Blastocerus dichotomus ) was historically described in Argentina even though field difficulties prevented their in-depth study. Results: Between May 2014 and April 2017, we investigated marsh deer morbidity and mortality through passive surveillance in the two largest populations in Argentina using a participatory approach. The latter spanned a network of researchers, field partners (veterinarians, park rangers, and local community), and decision makers. We sampled dead deer during as well as outside mortality events. A total of 44 marsh deer with different body condition scores were evaluated. We obtained reference haematology and biochemistry values from animals with good body condition score. Marsh deer with poor body condition had a high burden of the ticks Amblyomma triste and Rhipicephalus microplus . Vector-borne agents (VBAs), such as Theileria cervi , Trypanosoma theileri, Trypanosoma evansi, Ehrlichia chaffeensis, Anaplasma platys, Anaplasma odocoilei, Anaplasma marginale , and Candidatus Anaplasma boolense were also found. Haemonchus spp., Ostertagia spp., and Trichostrongylus spp. were the most frequent gastrointestinal parasites in deer with poor body condition. A Multiple Correspondence Analysis reinforced a possible association of winter period with lower body score condition, high tick loads, infection with E. chaffeensis , and presence of harmful gastrointestinal parasites. Conclusions: Our approach allowed the establishment of a participatory surveillance network of marsh deer morbidity and mortality in Argentina. We report and analyse the first data obtained opportunistically within the framework of this network, providing information on the infectious and parasitic agents in marsh deer populations. The occurrence of Fasciola hepatica and Leptospira interrogans serovar pyrogenes is reported for the first time in wild marsh deer from Argentina. The histopathological findings in succumbed animals allowed us to distinguish lesions associated with their body condition from those that were unrelated. Our data will be useful to improve the interpretation of future mortality events. The field implementation of a surveillance network is key to a holistic approach to wildlife diseases.

Cervídeos como fonte de matéria-prima para produção de artefatos: Estudos de caso em três sítios arqueológicos associados a grupos caçadores-coletores do sudeste e sul do Brasil

Dentre as inúmeras informações possíveis de se obter a partir da análise de artefatos ósseos, uma delas é a identificação das espécies e partes anatômicas utilizadas para a confecção desses artefatos. No território brasileiro, quatro espécies de cervídeos são comumente encontradas nas regiões sul e sudeste: Mazama americana, Mazama gouazoubira, Ozotoceros bezoarticus e Blastocerus dichotomus. Ao longo do Holoceno, ossos e galhadas dessas espécies de cervídeos foram utilizados no lascamento lítico, na produção de pontas ósseas e espátulas, entre outros artefatos. Estudos preliminares dos artefatos ósseos recuperados de três sítios arqueológicos de grupos caçadores-coletores do sudeste e sul do Brasil - sítio Lapa do Santo (MG), sítio Tunas (PR), e sítio Garivaldino (RS) - demonstram uma preferência por ossos de cervídeos para a confecção desses artefatos.

Baseline studies on the health of marsh deer (Blastocerus dichotomus) populations from Argentina: laying the grounds for an improved interpretation of mortality episodes

Background: The comprehensive approach to diseases in broad ecological contexts appears as a new challenge for global health and draws on baseline studies to detect changes in the occurrence of pathogens over time. Marsh deer (Blastocerus dichotomus) mortality episodes were described in Argentina and several pathogens associated with environmental and eco-epidemiological factors were indicated as risk factors. To date, the lack of basic health information on these populations has hampered interpretation of findings. This study aimed to provide baseline data on health parameters in marsh deer populations from Argentina. Results: Between May 2014 and December 2016 we determined health parameters in 44 marsh deer with different body condition scores, and studied the pathological lesions in dead animals. Marsh deer with poor body condition had a high burden of the ticks Amblyomma triste and Rhipicephalus microplus. Vector borne agents (VBAs), such as Theileria cervi. Trypanosoma theileri, Trypanosoma evansi, Ehrlichia chaffeensis, Anaplasma platys, Anaplasma odocoilei, Anaplasma marginale, and Candidatus Anaplasma boolense were also found. Haemonchus spp, Ostertagia spp., Trichostrongylus spp. showed the highest infection prevalence. A Multiple Correspondence Analysis suggested a possible association of i) lower body score condition with high tick loads and infection with VBAs and, ii) the impoverished body score with high loads of nemathelminths and well-known harmful gastrointestinal parasites. Conclusions: Our results contribute with knowledge on the life history and health aspects of marsh deer in the study areas. We provide data on the prevalent infectious and parasitic agents in their populations. A range of haematology and serum chemistryvalues, and the occurrence of Fasciola hepatica and Leptospira interrogans serovar pyrogenes were reported for the first time in wild marsh deer from Argentina. The histopathological findings in succumbed animals allowed us to recognize injuries associated or not with their body condition. Our results are the first step in the creation of a baseline on marsh deer health in Argentina. In the future, these data added to new contributions could help improve the interpretation of the findings during mortality events.