Integrating indigenous knowledge, ontology, and molecular barcoding to characterize spider monkey (Ateles paniscus) filariasis

Zoonotic disease risk is greatly influenced by cultural practices and belief systems. Yet, few studies have integrated traditional ecological knowledge and ontology with western ways of knowing to better understand potential zoonoses. Here, we integrate molecular phylogenetics, histopathology, and ethnography to characterize a filarial nematode found within the abdominal cavity of spider monkeys (Ateles paniscus). The filarid is recognized as ‘spider monkey cotton’ by indigenous Waiwai in the Konashen Community Owned Conservation Area, Guyana. Ethnographic data revealed that the Waiwai perceive of ‘spider monkey cotton’ as a normal characteristic within the ‘spider monkey person.’ Further, the Waiwai indicated that ‘cotton’ was ubiquitous with spider monkeys and is not understood to be infectious nor zoonotic. This distinction is in contrast to other internal parasites found within spider monkeys that the Waiwai know to cause disease in both monkeys and humans. Our morphological and molecular characterization support the classification of the filarid as Dipetalonema caudispina, a minimally studied and seemingly non-zoonotic parasite, consistent with Waiwai beliefs. Thus, our findings allow us to establish commensurability between scientific knowledge and indigenous ontology. More broadly, this work highlights the importance of integrating multiple knowledge systems and leveraging advanced genomics to better understand and prevent emerging zoonotic diseases.

Influence of environmental enrichment on the behavior of captive Ateles paniscus (Primates: Atelidae) in the Parque Zoobotânico Getúlio Vargas, Salvador, Bahia, Brazil

Técnicas de enriquecimento ambiental tornam o ambiente cativo mais interessante e agradável para os animais, aumentando o bem-estar e prevenindo o desenvolvimento de comportamentos anormais. Nesta pesquisa, avaliamos a influência de diferentes técnicas de enriquecimento no comportamento de dois indivíduos de Ateles paniscus mantidos cativos no Parque Zoobotânico Getúlio Vargas, Salvador, Brasil. O estudo foi dividido em cinco fases: controle; enriquecimento sensorial; enriquecimento social; enriquecimento alimentar e pós-enriquecimento. O método animal-focal com registro instantâneo foi utilizado para registrar os atos comportamentais exibidos nas diferentes fases de enriquecimento e estes foram comparados, quanto à sua frequência, com os exibidos na fase controle. Também foi comparada a frequência de uso dos artefatos introduzidos no recinto durante as fases sensorial e alimentar. De modo geral, não houve diferenças entre os atos comportamentais exibidos nas diferentes fases de enriquecimento, exceto durante a fase de enriquecimento alimentar do macho. Também não houve diferenças quanto ao uso dos artefatos. Contudo, os resultados evidenciam a influência de um ambiente enriquecido sobre a frequência de ocorrência dos comportamentos dos indivíduos. É possível que as condições do recinto e a presença dos visitantes exerçam influências negativas no comportamento dos indivíduos, de modo a não favorecer a redução efetiva dos comportamentos anormais observado.

Cryptosporidium parvum in captive primates of Parque Municipal Danilo Galafassi, Paraná, Brazil

Uma grande variedade de espécies de animais terrestres e aquáticos foi identificada como hospedeira de espécies e genótipos de Cryptosporidium spp., Que são importantes patógenos, no entanto, pouco se sabe sobre sua distribuição em populações selvagens. Estudos recentes que associaram achados parasitológicos e técnicas moleculares forneceram uma nova visão sobre a especificidade do hospedeiro e sua potencial transmissão para humanos. O objetivo deste estudo foi investigar a presença de Cryptosporidium spp. nas fezes de Callithrix sp. e Ateles paniscus, identificar as espécies e avaliar suas relações filogenéticas com outros representantes do gênero. Quatro amostras de fezes foram coletadas de um recinto onde vivem três Callithrix jacchus e um Callithrix penicillate; além do que, além do mais, Foram coletadas cinco amostras de um recinto de um Ateles paniscus do Parque Municipal Danilo Galafassi, localizado na cidade de Cascavel-PR. Essas amostras foram enviadas para o Laboratório de Biotecnologia da UFPR, onde a técnica de coloração de Ziehl-Neelsen modificada foi realizada em lâminas de microscopia com esfregaço fecal. Amostras positivas foram submetidas à purificação do DNA, extração, PCR e sequenciamento da região nuclear do SSU rRNA. Análises filogenéticas baseadas em Parcimônia Máxima e Inferência Bayesiana foram realizadas. Cinqüenta por cento (2: 4) das amostras de fezes do recinto do Callithrix spp. e 60% (3: 5) das amostras do recinto de Ateles paniscus foram positivas para Cryptosporidium spp. A análise filogenética mostrou que o parasito encontrado em ambas as espécies de primatas foi recuperado aninhado com outros genótipos de C. parvum, e o genótipo encontrado em Callithrix spp. tem alta semelhança com aquela fundada em vários animais domésticos. Este é o primeiro relato de C. parvum em A. paniscus. Por se tratar de uma importante zoonose que não possui tratamento, medidas preventivas devem ser adotadas para evitar a disseminação da doença.

Habitat heterogeneity as a local and regional-scale driver of primate assemblage structure in northernmost Brazilian Amazonia

We performed line transect surveys in two fishbone human settlements (defined as clearings cut through forests in a fishbone pattern, extending along secondary roads from a main road) in different vegetation types, as well as in one protected area. A total of 410 sightings of eight primate species were recorded in the three study areas. The mean total primate abundance was 3.28 groups/10 km walked, and there were significant differences between areas with different plant physiognomies. The abundance of the larger primate speciesAlouatta macconnelliandAteles paniscus(Atelidae) was higher in the dense ombrophilous forests of the Entre Rios human settlement, whereas those of all the other species were higher in the forest mosaics of the Novo Paraíso human settlement and Viruá National Park. The habitat generalistSapajus apellapresented the highest abundances in all the areas. No significant differences were detected in relative biomass between study areas. Additionally, no significant differences were detected in the overall abundances or relative biomasses of the hunted species (Sapajus apella,Alouatta macconnelli,Ateles paniscus, andChiropotes chiropotes) between study areas. Human impact has been recognized as shaping primate assemblages. However, in this study, primates were not part of the dietary repertoire of the non-Amazonian immigrants inhabiting the fishbone human settlements. Thus, although the primate assemblages varied considerably at the regional and local level, they were shaped by habitat heterogeneity, which allowed the competing species to coexist through habitat segregation.

Effects of reduced-impact logging on medium and large-bodied forest vertebrates in eastern Amazonia

Standard line-transect census techniques were deployed to generate a checklist and quantify the abundance of medium and large-bodied vertebrate species in forest areas of eastern Amazonia with and without a history of reduced-impact logging (RIL). Three areas were allocated a total of 1,196.9 km of line-transect census effort. Sampling was conducted from April to June 2012 and from April to August 2013, and detected 29 forest vertebrate species considered in this study belonging to 15 orders, 20 families and 28 genera. Additionally, eight species were recorded outside census walks through direct and indirect observations. Of this total, six species are considered vulnerable according to IUCN (Ateles paniscus, Myrmecophaga tridactyla, Priodontes maximus, Tapirus terrestris, Tayassu peccary, Chelonoidis denticulata). Observed species richness ranged from 21 to 24 species in logged and unlogged areas, and encounter rates along transects were highly variable between treatments. However, the relative abundance of species per transect did not differ between transects in logged and unlogged forests. Of the species detected during censuses, only three showed different relative abundance between the two treatments (Saguinus midas, Tinamus spp. and Dasyprocta leporina). Our results show that the effect of RIL forest management was a relatively unimportant determinant of population abundance for most medium and large vertebrates over the time period of the survey.