Abstract
To optimize the health evaluation of Giant and Neotropical otters in the wild and under human care and to guarantee the quality of the information collected and maximize efforts in research projects, Brazilian veterinarians developed two protocols: 1) Protocol for collection, processing and storage of biological samples from live Giant and Neotropical otters, 2) Protocol for collection of biological material during necropsy.
Highlights
Giant (Pteronura brasiliensis) and Neotropical (Lontra longicaudis) otters are semi-aquatic mustelids of the Brazilian fauna
The giant otter is globally classified as Endangered (Rodrigues et al, 2013; Groenendijk et al, 2015), whereas the Neotropical otter is considered Near Threatened (Rheingantz and Trinca, 2015)
Developed by veterinarians with experience in wildlife, members of the Technical Advisory Group of the National Action Plan for Conservation of Giant Otters (TAG/NAP Giant Otter) coordinated by the Centro Nacional de Pesquisa e Conservação dos Mamíferos Carnívoros (ICMBio/CENAP) and reviewed by other otter specialist members of the Group, these protocols are intended for biologists, field veterinarians and other professionals involved in conservation who are working with these species
Summary
Guidelines for collection of biological samples for giant otters (Pteronura brasiliensis Gmelin, 1788) and Neotropical otters (Lontra longicaudis Olfers, 1818). Giant (Pteronura brasiliensis) and Neotropical (Lontra longicaudis) otters are semi-aquatic mustelids of the Brazilian fauna. The giant otter is globally classified as Endangered (Rodrigues et al, 2013; Groenendijk et al, 2015), whereas the Neotropical otter is considered Near Threatened (Rheingantz and Trinca, 2015). In Brazil, both species occur currently in the Amazon, Cerrado and Pantanal biomes; the Neotropical otter occurs in the Atlantic Forest and Pampas. The main anthropic threats to the species are hunting, habitat fragmentation, human conflicts, and contamination of water bodies (Groenendijk et al, 2015; Rheingantz and Trinca, 2015).
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