Mammal Collection of the Laboratory of Biology and Parasitology of Reservoir Wild Mammals – Oswaldo Cruz Foundation

Abstract

Since 1984, the Laboratory of Biology and Parasitology of Reservoir Wild Mammals (LABPMR) has been establishing a scientific collection, intending to carry out studies on taxonomy, biogeography, and ecology of mammals in Brazil, aiming to understand their role in zoonotic agents transmission cycles. In this context, the LABPMR also acts as a reference laboratory for the Ministry of Health, providing taxonomic reports of species involved in transmission cycles, based on integrative taxonomy (morphological/morphometric, karyotypic, and molecular analyses). The objective of this work was to offer an overview of the LABPMR Mammal Collection, including its taxonomic and geographic scope, and an account of the research carried out. Over the years, we have collected approximately 18 thousand specimens in all biomes and regions of Brazil, with a large part being deposited in the LABPMR collection. The collection consists mainly of the orders Rodentia and Didelphimorphia, but Carnivora, Chiroptera, Cingulata, Lagomorpha, and Primates are also represented. The collection consists of dry skins and skeletons and fluid-preserved specimens (11,818 specimens), tissues (12 thousand samples), and cell suspensions (four thousand samples). Our database also contains information on zoonotic agents associated with these specimens. Based on taxonomic, biogeographic, and host-parasite relationships, the collection was established and fostered studies on mammalian hosts of Trypanosoma cruzi, Leishmania spp., Orthohantavirus, Mammarenavirus, Schistosoma mansoni, and multi-host bacteria. Data generated enabled the solution of complex issues in the study of zoonoses and served as a subsidy for public health policies and eco-epidemiological surveillance of zoonoses in different regions of Brazil.