Confirmation of the current occurrence of Nasua narica (Procyonidae) in the Caribbean region of Colombia

The White-nosed Coati, Nasua narica is a small carnivore distributed from the United States to Ecuador, and whose occurrence in Colombia had only been confirmed from the biogeographic Chocó. Although it was previously erroneously considered widespread in the country, a recent revision identified inconsistencies with some supporting records there. Here we present a new distribution record for the species, which confirms previously alleged information about the presence of this procyonid in the Department of Magdalena, also confirming its current occurrence for the Caribbean region, and solving a long-due geographical distribution uncertainty in the country.

First description of sarcoptic mange in a wild coati (Nasua narica), in Ecuador, and cooccurrence of canine distemper virus

We present a case of Sarcoptes and canine distemper virus (CDV) infection in a white-nosed coati (Nasua narica) that was trapped in the dry tropical forest of Cerro Blanco reserve, located in the coastal region of Ecuador. Sarcoptic mange is a highly contagious and zoonotic disease with worldwide distribution that causes epidemics. Mange is produced by Sarcoptes mites that causes severe epidermal damage. Secondary infections and physiological constrictions without treatment can lead to death of the host. In addition, cooccurrence of canine distemper virus was detected via iiRT-PCR from serum samples. Physical analyses showed that 90% of the skin was affected by severe alopecia due to the sarcoptic mange infection. The presence of mites and histopathological analyses confirmed the diagnosis of infection. This coati was taken to a veterinary clinic and was fed every day, but it died after four days. This is the first report of sarcoptic mange and the first report of CDV in white-nosed coatis in South America. Further studies are needed in this region, to seek out other suspected cases, given the high capacity for disease transmission. Preventive actions to avoid epidemic and zoonotic episodes are needed.

Report of white-nosed coati (Nasua narica) rubbing itself with feces of tayra (Eira barbara) in Costa Rica

Se sabe que los coatis cautivos (Nasua sp.) frotan su pelaje con diversos materiales antropogénicos, como productos químicos manufacturados como jabones y plantas no nativas. Sin embargo, poco se sabe de su comportamiento de unción o de los materiales de unción que utilizan en la naturaleza. Registramos las actividades de los mamíferos en libertad en un claro del bosque en Costa Rica utilizando una cámara automática ScoutGuard SG565F equipada con un flash blanco incandescente de largo alcance para grabar imágenes nocturnas. Obtuvimos un registro de un macho de tayra (Eira barbara), un mustélido omnívoro, que defecó en un árbol caído en un claro del bosque. Posteriormente, 4.3 días después, un coatí de nariz blanca (Nasua narica) macho adulto se acercó y tocó las heces de tayra con su hocico y sus patas delanteras. Luego mordió un bolo fecal, lo llevó en su boca a la base de su cola y lo frotó en su cola usando rápidos movimientos alternos de sus patas delanteras. Ésta es una documentación poco común del frotamiento del pelaje por un prociónido con materiales naturales y del uso de heces para la unción por parte de un mamífero.

Inventory of medium-sized and large mammals in La Encrucijada Biosphere Reserve and Puerto Arista Estuarine System, Chiapas, Mexico

La Encrucijada Biosphere Reserve (REBIEN) and Puerto Arista Estuarine System (SEPA) are natural protected areas and Ramsar sites in Chiapas, Mexico. In this study, we conducted an inventory of medium-sized and large mammals using camera trapping. We recorded 23 species in the REBIEN and 13 species in the SEPA. In addition, 35% of the species recorded in the two sites are at some category of risk of extinction at the national or international level. The most abundant species in the REBIEN were Northern Raccoon (Procyon lotor (Linnaeus, 1758)) and White-Nosed Coati (Nasua narica (Linnaeus, 1766)). In the SEPA, White-tailed Deer (Odocoileus virginianus (Zimmermann, 1780)), Collared Peccary (Dicotyles crassus (Merrian, 1901)), and White-Nosed Coati (Nasua narica). Our results highlight the importance of both study sites in the conservation of medium-sized and large mammals and underline the urgent need to develop conservation strategies for these areas.

FRECUENCIA DE ANTICUERPOS CONTRA TOXOPLASMA GONDII EN CARNIVOROS Y MARSUPIALES SILVESTRES EN EL NORESTE DE MEXICO

Existe poca información acerca del ciclo silvestre de Toxoplasma gondii en carnívoros y marsupiales silvestres en México. El objetivo de este estudio fue determinar la presencia de anticuerpos contra T. gondii en carnívoros y marsupiales silvestres en el noreste de México. La frecuencia de T. gondii en los especímenes capturados fue: margay (Leopardus wiedii; n=3; 33%), jaguarundi (Puma yagouaroundi; n=2; 0%), lince (Lynx rufus; n= 1; 100%), coatí (Nasua narica; n=7; 42%), coyote (Canis latrans; n=4; 25%), zorra gris (Urocyon cinereoargenteus; n=3; 66%), zorrillo (Conepatus leuconotus; n=1; 0%), y tlacuache (Didelphis sp.; n=5; 20%). Se comprueba la infección natural con T. gondii en carnívoros y marsupiales silvestres en el noreste de México.

Histopathological findings of infections caused by canine distemper virus, Trypanosoma cruzi, and other parasites in two free-ranging White-nosed Coatis Nasua narica (Carnivora: Procyonidae) from Costa Rica

Canine distemper virus (CDV) causes systemic infections and immunosuppression in carnivores, which subsequently makes animals highly susceptible to opportunistic infections. Although Trypanosoma cruzi infects procyonids, chagasic myocarditis in Coatis has not been reported in Central America. The aim of this study was to report the histopathological findings caused by canine distemper virus, T. cruzi, and other parasites in two free-ranging White-nosed Coatis Nasua narica found dead in a national park on the Pacific coast of Costa Rica. Heart, lung, tongue, liver, brain and spleen samples were subjected to macroscopic and microscopic examination. A mononuclear meningoencephalitis associated with intra-nuclear eosinophilic inclusion bodies consistent with canine distemper virus was observed in nervous tissue. Myocarditis and associated nests of amastigotes of T. cruzi were observed during microscopic examination in cardiac tissue, and in muscle from the tongue of both animals. Molecular analysis confirmed T. cruzi in formalin-fixed paraffin embedded cardiac tissues. The myocardial damage caused by the opportunistic infection due to T. cruzi in these individuals could be the result of a severe compromised immunological status associated to the CDV infection, and subsequent opportunistic polyparasitism described herein. To the authors knowledge this is the first report of chagasic myocarditis in free-ranging coatis from Central America.

Arthropods Associated with Mammals. Their Importance as Part of the Richness in a Biosphere Reserve in Mexico

The Chamela Biological Station (ChBS) is located in the Pacific Coast of Mexico in the State of Jalisco. This represents one of the core areas of the Chamela-Cuixmala Biosphere Reserve, characterized by one of the most threatened ecosystems, the tropical dry forest. Although accumulated knowledge of biological diversity, only few studies have been focused on ectoparasites or ectodytes associated with mammals, only 23 arthropod taxa had been recorded. In order to increase knowledge about arthropods associated with Mexican mammals, the objective of this work was to record the richness of arthropods (mites, ticks, lice, and fleas) associated with small and medium-sized mammals in the ChBS. A total of 81 hosts belonging to four orders, six families and nine species were captured. From these hosts, 4,946 arthropods were recovered: 4,007 mites, 673 ticks, 230 lice, and 36 fleas. Among medium-sized mammals, Nasua narica (L.) and Didelphis virginiana Kerr showed the highest levels of richness, with six arthropod taxa; among rodents, Heteromys pictus (Thomas) had the highest number of associated species (five). Within the 22 arthropod taxa registered in the present work, 12 represent new records for the reserve, and 3 represent new records for Mexico. With this study, the arthropod fauna associated with mammals in the ChBS has been raised to 38 taxa. In terms of biological conservation, knowledge of the species that inhabit natural reserves must be a priority, since this represents the baseline for species protected, not only in Mexico but around the world.

A resident-nepotistic-tolerant dominance style in wild white-nosed coatis (Nasua narica)?

Dominance relationships imply consistent asymmetries in social relationships. Socioecological models predict that resource distribution determines the mode of competition that animals will face and, ultimately, the nature of their social relationships. Here, we provide the first systematic investigation of dominance style in white-nosed coatis (Nasua narica). Coatis live in cohesive female-resident groups, and have a diet based on clumped (fruits) and dispersed (insects) food items, which are predicted to favour despotic and egalitarian social styles, respectively. Our results revealed moderate linearity and steepness in dominance relationships over time, with variations attributed to stages of reproductive season, rather than presumed variations in food resources. Primary social bonds and coalitions were found to mediate dominance rank. Overall, our results suggest some similarities between coatis and despotic-tolerant primate species, at least under particular ecological circumstances, and we discuss their potential for affording a deeper understanding on the sources of variation in mammal social systems.