Eira Barbara Research Articles

Estudo anatômico do circuito arterial do encéfalo em Eira barbara – relato de dois casos.

Anatomical study of encephalic arterial circuit in Eira barbara. Eira barbara is a mustelid with a wide distribution in Latin America, and it is commonly known as the grey-headed tayra. In view of the lack of information regarding the anatomy of mustelids, as well the importance of a vascular model for the understanding of neurological lesions in the central nervous system, this study aimed to determine the morphology and composition of the encephalic arterial circuit of E. barbara, to provide data for future studies. Accordingly, we used two young male specimens, obtained from the area of the Paragominas Bauxite Mine, PA, Brazil, donated to LaPMA after their death. The arterial system was filled with red-colored neoprene latex, and the specimens were then fixed in 10% formaldehyde and dissected for systematization of the blood vessels. The specimens

Evaluación estacional de la riqueza y abundancia de especies de mamíferos en la Reserva Biológica Municipal “Mário Viana”, Mato Grosso, Brasil

We evaluated seasonal species presence and richness, and abundance of medium and large sized mammalian terrestrial fauna in the "Mário Viana" Municipal Biological Reserve, Nova Xavantina, Mato Grosso, Brazil. During 2001, two monthly visits were made to an established transect, 2,820 m in length. Records of 22 mammal species were obtained and individual footprint sequences quantified for seasonal calculation of species richness and relative abundance index (x footprints/km traveled). All 22 species occurred during the rainy season, but only 18 during the dry season. Pseudalopex vetulus (Lund, 1842) (hoary fox), Eira barbara (Linnaeus, 1758) (tayra), Puma concolor (Linnaeus, 1771) (cougar) and Hydrochaeris hydrochaeris (Linnaeus, 1766) (capybara) were only registered during the rainy season. The species diversity estimated using the Jackknife procedure in the dry season (19.83, CI = 2.73) was smaller than in the rainy season (25.67, CI = 3.43). Among the 18 species common in the two seasons, only four presented significantly different abundance indexes: Dasypus novemcinctus Linnaeus, 1758 (nine-banded armadillo), Euphractus sexcinctus (Linnaeus, 1758) (six-banded armadillo), Dasyprocta azarae Lichtenstein, 1823 (Azara's Agouti) and Tapirus terrestris (Linnaeus, 1758) (tapir). On the other hand, Priodontes maximus (Kerr, 1792) (giant armadillo) and Leopardus pardalis (Linnaeus, 1758) (ocelot) had identical abundance index over the two seasons. Distribution of species abundance in the sampled area followed the expected pattern for communities in equilibrium, especially in the rainy season, suggesting that the environment still maintains good characteristics for mammal conservation. The present study shows that the reserve, although only 470 ha in size, plays an important role for conservation of mastofauna of the area as a refuge in an environment full of anthropic influence (mainly cattle breeding in exotic pasture).

Diversidad de los mamíferos silvestres de Misantla, Veracruz, México

Mammal diversity was studied in the municipality of Misantla, Veracruz; April 2010 to April 2011. Forty-two native mammalian species, pertaining to 7 orders, 17 families and 33 genera were detected, Oryzomys chapmani is endemic. Potos flavus, Sphiggurus mexicanus, Leopardus wiedii and Eira barbara are protected species. The orders with the greatest species contribution were Chiroptera with 38.1%, Rodentia with 26.19% and Carnivora with 21.43%. The greatest richness and diversity (H´) was found during the dry season (Chiroptera H´=2.310; H´ non-flying mammals=0.858), and per vegetation type, in the rainforest for Chiroptera (H´=2.24) and in the Quercus-Liquidambar forest for the non-flying mammals (H´=1.03). The most abundant species were Sturnira ludovici and Peromyscus mexicanus.

Anticorpos anti-Leptospira spp. em animais mantidos em cativeiro na Paraíba

The aim of this survey was to verify the occurrence of anti-Leptospira spp. antibodies in captive animals in the Parque Zoobotânico Arruda Câmara, João Pessoa, Paraíba State, Northeastern Brazil. Blood samples were collected from 49 animals: 26 mammals of the species Sapajus libidinosus, Cebus flavius, Saimiri sciureu, Coendu sp., Pseudalopex vetulus, Leopardus pardalis, Leopardus tigrinus, Galactitis vitata, Eira barbara, Nasua nasua, Tayassu tajacu and Ratus norvegicus; 10 birds of the species Penelope jacucaca, Pavo cristatus, Anodorhynchus hyacinthinus, Ara chlorothpterus, Pionites leucogaster, Polyborus plancus, Geranoaetus melanoleucus and Urubitinga urubitinga; and 13 reptiles of the species Caiman latirostris, Paleosuchus trigonatus, Caiman crocodilus, Tupinabis merinae, Tupinambis teguixin, Boa constrictor, Corallus hortulanus, Python molurus, Bufocephala vanderhaegei, Geochelone denticulata and Geochelone carboraria. Sera were examined by the microscopic agglutination teste (MAT) using 24 serovars as antigens and cut-off point of 1:100. One ocelot (Leopardo pardalis) presented positive reaction for the Icterohaemorrhagiae serovar with titer of 100, however, it did not show any clinical sign of the infection. Sinantropic rodents are the main reservoirs of this serovar, which suggests the need of maintenance and continuous evaluation of rodent control programs.

Risk factors and presence of antibodies to Brucella canis and smooth Brucella in dogs from the municipality of Araguaína, Tocantins, Brazil

The aim of this survey was to verify the occurrence of anti-Leptospira spp. antibodies in captive animals in the Parque Zoobotânico Arruda Câmara, João Pessoa, Paraíba State, Northeastern Brazil. Blood samples were collected from 49 animals: 26 mammals of the species Sapajus libidinosus, Cebus flavius, Saimiri sciureu, Coendu sp., Pseudalopex vetulus, Leopardus pardalis, Leopardus tigrinus, Galactitis vitata, Eira barbara, Nasua nasua, Tayassu tajacu and Ratus norvegicus; 10 birds of the species Penelope jacucaca, Pavo cristatus, Anodorhynchus hyacinthinus, Ara chlorothpterus, Pionites leucogaster, Polyborus plancus, Geranoaetus melanoleucus and Urubitinga urubitinga; and 13 reptiles of the species Caiman latirostris, Paleosuchus trigonatus, Caiman crocodilus, Tupinabis merinae, Tupinambis teguixin, Boa constrictor, Corallus hortulanus, Python molurus, Bufocephala vanderhaegei, Geochelone denticulata and Geochelone carboraria. Sera were examined by the microscopic agglutination teste (MAT) using 24 serovars as antigens and cut-off point of 1:100. One ocelot (Leopardo pardalis) presented positive reaction for the Icterohaemorrhagiae serovar with titer of 100, however, it did not show any clinical sign of the infection. Sinantropic rodents are the main reservoirs of this serovar, which suggests the need of maintenance and continuous evaluation of rodent control programs.

Bird and mammal frugivores of Euterpe edulis at Santa Catarina island monitored by camera traps

From July to October 2009, the frugivorous fauna associated with palmito palms (Euterpe edulis) was studied to identify possible seed dispersers in Atlantic forest remnants on Santa Catarina Island, southern Brazil. The animals approaching or feeding on fruits were recorded by camera traps directed towards infructescences bearing ripe fruits and towards fruit patches on the ground. In a total sampling effort of 165 trap-days, 48 feeding events were recorded. Three birds, the Channel-billed Toucan (Ramphastos vitellinus), Speckled Chachalaca (Ortalis guttata) and White-necked Thrush (Turdus albicollis), and four mammal species, the coati (Nasua nasua), russet rice rat (Euryoryzomys russatus), South American water rat (Nectomys squamipes) and the tayra (Eira barbara) were identified. The highest number of feeding events was recorded for O. guttata, followed by R. vitellinus and E. russatus. Although the number of detected species was low, seed dispersal of E. edulis fruits on Santa Catarina Island is likely still performed by birds and small mammals.

SEROLOGIC SURVEY OF BRUCELLOSIS IN CAPTIVE NEOTROPICAL WILD CARNIVORES IN NORTHEAST BRAZIL

Abstract. This study reports the detection of antibodies against Brucella abortus and B. canis in wild neotropical carnivores kept in captivity in three zoos in northeastern Brazil. A total of 42 serum samples were examined, 17 from coatis (Nasua nasua), eight from crab-eating raccoons (Procyon cancrivorus), three from crab-eating foxes (Cerdocyon thous), three from hoary foxes (Lycalopex vetulus), two from little spotted cats (Leopardus tigrinus), five from tayras (Eira barbara), two from greater grisons (Galictis vittata), and two from neotropical river otters (Lontra longicaudis). The Rose-Bengal test and complement fixation test (CFT) were performed to detect anti-Brucella spp. antibodies, whereas the agar gel immunodiffusion test (AGID) was employed to detect anti-B. canis antibodies. The overall seroprevalence varied by species and by test; in addition, CFT and AGID seemed better able to detect antibodies against B. abortus and B. canis, respectively. This is the first study on the presence of anti-Brucella spp. antibodies in captive carnivores from Brazil, as well as the first report of antibodies to Brucella spp. in coatis, crab-eating raccoons, hoary foxes, little spotted cats, tayras, and greater grisons.

New records of tayra (eira barbara linnaeus 1758) in Puebla, Central Mexico

En la siguiente nota se presentan dos nuevos reportes de tayra (Eira barbara) obtenidos en la Sierra Norte de Puebla.

Prospective thinking in a mustelid? Eira barbara (Carnivora) cache unripe fruits to consume them once ripened

The ability of nonhuman animals to project individual actions into the future is a hotly debated topic. We describe the caching behaviour of tayras (Eira barbara) based on direct observations in the field, pictures from camera traps and radio telemetry, providing evidence that these mustelids pick and cache unripe fruit for future consumption. This is the first reported case of harvesting of unripe fruits by a nonhuman animal. Ripe fruits are readily taken by a variety of animals, and tayras might benefit by securing a food source before strong competition takes place. Unripe climacteric fruits need to be harvested when mature to ensure that they continue their ripening process, and tayras accurately choose mature stages of these fruits for caching. Tayras cache both native (sapote) and non-native (plantain) fruits that differ in morphology and developmental timeframes, showing sophisticated cognitive ability that might involve highly developed learning abilities and/or prospective thinking.

Polymorphic microsatellite loci from the endangered Giant Otter (Pteronura brasiliensis)

We describe the first microsatellite loci isolated from the giant otter (Pteronura brasiliensis), an endangered mustelid endemic to South America. Fourteen di- and trinucleotide polymorphic loci were characterised in fourteen individuals from the Pantanal wetlands, Central Brazil. Number of alleles per locus ranged from 2 to 5, and average observed heterozygosity was 0.577. Two loci were in linkage disequilibrium, and one further locus deviated from Hardy–Weinberg equilibrium, probably due to the presence of null alleles. The transferability of these markers to two other mustelids (Lontra longicaudis and Eira barbara) and to the mephitid Conepatus semistriatus was also evaluated. These loci are useful to study the ecology and evolution of these species.

Hair-Snares: A Non-Invasive Method for Monitoring Felid Populations in the Selva Lacandona, Mexico

Non-invasive techniques such as hair snares have been used in conjunction with molecular methods to study species that occur at low densities and have elusive behavior, as an alternative to invasive methods such as trapping and hunting. This study was designed to evaluate the use of hair snares as a non-invasive method for the collection of felid and other mammalian samples in the tropical rainforest of the Selva Lacandona, Chiapas, Mexico. Hair snares were placed along transects in Montes Azules Biosphere Reserve for four months a year in 2005 and 2006. Hairs were selected based on morphological characteristics and identification of species was done based on a diagnostic portion of mtDNA cytochrome b region. A total of 389 hits on 888 hair-snare checks were recorded, representing a capture rate of 43%. The species identified included margay ( Leopardus wiedii, n=2), ocelot ( Leopardus pardalis, n=1), jaguarundi ( Puma yagouaroundi, n=1), gray fox ( Urocyon cinereoargenteus, n=1), tayra ( Eira barbara, n=3), coati ( Nasua narica, n=1), four-eyed opossum ( Metachirus nudicaudatus, n=6), and common opossum ( Didelphis marsupialis, n=16). The present study is the first to report the successful collection of hair samples from jaguarundi and margay in the wild and hair samples from ocelots in tropical areas. The deficit of information on carnivore populations in tropical rainforests is due mainly to the lack of appropriate methodologies that are reliable and cost-effective. This study supports the assumption that hair-snaring is viable and cost-effective in ecosystems such as the Selva Lacandona, particularly when monitoring carnivore populations that have wide geographic distributions and low densities.

Predation and Predation Attempts on Red Titi Monkeys (Callicebus discolor) and Equatorial Sakis (Pithecia aequatorialis) in Amazonian Ecuador

Anecdotal reports of predation as well as observed predation attempts and rates of animal disappearance provide some of the most relevant data for evaluating the influence that predation risk may have on primate behavioural ecology. Here, we report rates of disappearance from six groups of red titi monkeys (Callicebus discolor) and two groups of equatorial sakis (Pithecia aequatorialis) followed over a period of four and a half years at a lowland site in Amazonian Ecuador. We also describe the first direct observation of a harpy eagle (Harpia harpyja) preying upon a titi monkey, as well as 3 unsuccessful attacks by tayras (Eira barbara) on titi monkeys and 4 unsuccessful attacks by various raptors on sakis. Our data indicate that pitheciid primates may face a wider array of possible predators than previously recognized, and that titi monkeys and sakis are susceptible to different major classes of predators. Our observations also suggest differences in the sex role during predator defence that could be related to the evolution and maintenance of monogamous systems.

Inquérito sorológico para toxoplasmose e leptospirose em mamíferos selvagens neotropicais do Zoológico de Aracaju, Sergipe

Os zoológicos modernos são instituições destinadas à manutenção da fauna selvagem com o objetivo de promover a conservação, pesquisa científica, lazer, recreação e educação ambiental. A ampla variedade de espécies selvagens, vivendo em condições diferentes do seu habitat natural, representa um ambiente propício à disseminação de doenças, muitas delas zoonóticas. Devido à escassez de dados e à relevância dos mamíferos selvagens neste contexto epidemiológico, tanto na toxoplasmose, quanto na leptospirose, foi efetuado o inquérito sorológico para toxoplasmose e leptospirose em mamíferos selvagens neotropicais do Zoológico de Aracaju, Sergipe, Brasil. Para tanto foram colhidas amostras sanguíneas de 32 animais, adultos, de ambos os sexos incluindo: 14 macacos-prego (Cebus libidinosus), quatro macacos-prego-do-peito-amarelo (Cebus xanthosternus), três onças-suçuaranas (Puma concolor), uma onça-pintada (Pantheraonca), uma raposa (Cerdocyon thous), seis guaxinins (Procyon cancrivorus), dois quatis (Nasua nasua) e um papa-mel (Eira barbara). Para a pesquisa de anticorpos anti-Toxoplasma gondii foi utilizado o Teste de Aglutinação Modificada (MAT ³"1:25) e para pesquisa de anticorpos anti-Leptospira spp. foi utilizado o teste de Soroaglutinação Microscópica (ponto de corte ³1:100) com uma coleção de antígenos vivos que incluiu 24 variantes sorológicas de leptospiras patogênicas e duas leptospiras saprófitas. Dentre os 32 mamíferos, 17 (53,1%) apresentaram anticorpos anti-T. gondii e quatro (12,5%) foram positivos para anticorpos anti-Leptospira spp. De acordo com o sexo, 60% (9/15) dos machos e 47,1% (8/17) das fêmeas foram soropositivos para T. gondii e 26,7% (4/15) dos machos apresentaram anticorpos anti-Leptospira spp. Dos mamíferos que apresentaram anticorpos anti-T. gondii, 47% (8/17) nasceram no zoológico, 41,2% (7/17) foram oriundos de outras instituições e dois (11,8%) foram provenientes da natureza. Em relação aos quatro mamíferos soropositivos para Leptospira spp., três (75%) foram procedentes da natureza e um (25%) nasceu no zoológico. Este foi o primeiro inquérito sorológico de anticorpos anti-Leptospira spp. em primatas e carnívoros neotropicais em um zoológico do Nordeste do Brasil e descreveu pela primeira vez a ocorrência de anticorpos anti-T. gondii e anti-Leptospira spp. com sorovar mais provável Copenhageni no primata ameaçado de extinção macaco-prego-de-peito-amarelo (C. xanthosternus) em Aracaju, SE.

Habitat selection by large mammals in a southern Brazilian Atlantic Forest

Habitat selection, which is mainly a consequence of competition and predation, allows species to coexist. The present study was conducted in two reserves in an Atlantic Forest area in Santa Catarina State, southern Brazil, and provided information on several large mammal species through photographic records. Records were related to certain environmental parameters, such as width of passages (trails and roads), vegetation density and proximity to water, in order to assess the relationship between each mammal species and its microhabitat. Thirty-two camera trap stations were placed during 17 months for 150.8 (±62.2) days on average. Terrestrial mammals tended to use different habitats: Puma concolor used mainly dirt roads and open areas; Leopardus pardalis, Cerdocyon thous and Nasua nasua used more large trails and intermediate-forested sites; and Cuniculus paca, Dasypus novemcinctus, Leopardus tigrinus, Eira barbara and Leopardus wiedii were recorded more often on narrow trails and in densely forested sites. Some of these forest species, such as D. novemcinctus, C. paca and L. pardalis, also showed relationships with watercourses. Information on habitat selection allows more effort to be addressed to the habitat associated with focal species, and indicates the significance of environmental heterogeneity, which makes it possible for species to coexist.

Atropelamentos de vertebrados na Floresta Nacional de Carajás, Pará, Brasil

Vários pesquisadores têm avaliado impactos de estradas. Estes podem envolver aspectos paisagísticos, degradação do solo, poluição do ar e impactos sobre a fauna, como atropelamentos. Na estrada Raimundo Mascarenhas, que atravessa a Floresta Nacional de Carajás (ca. 400 mil hectares), há intenso tráfego de veículos automotores. O objetivo deste trabalho foi testar se há diferenças entre trechos da estrada, em três escalas espaciais; se há alteração ao longo dos anos; se alguns táxons são mais freqüentemente atropelados, e se a freqüência de atropelamentos aumenta com a precipitação mensal. Analisamos a freqüência de atropelamentos de vertebrados de abril/2003 até outubro/2006 ao longo dos 25 km iniciais da estrada. Registramos 155 atropelamentos. O número de atropelamentos diminui ao longo dos anos (P=0,01), e com a distância do início da estrada (P=0,0002). Serpentes (Ophidia) e gambás Didelphis marsupialis foram mais atropelados (7,5/ano), seguidos de aves, raposas Cerdocyon thous, quatis Nasua nasua, roedores (Rodentia), e não identificados (4,9/ano); cuíca Marmosops sp., tapeti Sylvilagus brasiliensis, guariba Alouatta sp., irara Eira barbara, jabuti Geochelone sp., lagartos (Lacertilia) e macaco prego Cebus apella (1/ano). Não houve relação significativa entre o número mensal de atropelamentos e a precipitação mensal.

Nesting Ecology of Podocnemis erythrocephala (Testudines, Podocnemididae) of the Rio Negro, Amazonas, Brazil

ABSTRACT We studied reproductive ecology and egg survivorship of Podocnemis erythrocephala (Spix 1824) in 4 campina habitats on the Ayuana River, Santa Isabel do Rio Negro, Amazonas, Brazil. There were 2 nesting periods, the first in early October and the other in the beginning of December, separated by a period of flash floods. A total of 117 nests were recorded, with a nest density of 19.9 nests/ha, a mean clutch size of 8.7 eggs, and a mean egg volume of 14 cm3. Females chose to nest in the most open sites, with plant cover of up to 50%. Nest loss reached 100% for the season: 70% was from flash floods, 12% was from predation by the weasel Eira barbara (Mustelidae), 9% was by the lizard Ameiva ameiva (Teiidae), 5% by humans, 2% by Crocodilurus lacertinus (Teiidae), and 1% by Daptrius ater (Falconidae).

Predation by the tayra on the common marmoset and the pale-throated three-toed sloth

Predation on arboreal mammals is rarely observed in the wild. Here we describe the first confirmed observations of predation on a juvenile wild common marmoset (Callithrix jacchus) and on a neonate wild pale-throated three-toed sloth (Bradypus tridactylus) by the mustelid carnivore Eira barbara, the tayra. We discuss predation on both of the prey species and review the nature of predation by the tayra.

Associations between primates and other mammals in a central Amazonian forest landscape

Little information exists on mixed-species groups between primates and other mammals in Neotropical forests. In this paper, we describe three such associations observed during an extensive large-vertebrate survey in central Amazonia, Brazil. Mixed-species groups between a primate species and another mammal were observed on seven occasions between squirrel monkeys (Saimiri cf. ustus) and either South American coatis (Nasua nasua) or tayras (Eira barbara) and between brown capuchins (Cebus apella) and coatis. All associations were restricted to floodplain forest during its dry stage. We suggest that the associations involving the coatis are connected to foraging and vigilance but may be induced by a common alternative food resource at a time of food shortage.

Molecular detection ofParacoccidioides brasiliensisin road-killed wild animals

Paracoccidioides brasiliensis infections have been little studied in wild and/or domestic animals, which may represent an important indicator of the presence of the pathogen in nature. Road-killed wild animals have been used for surveillance of vectors of zoonotic pathogens and may offer new opportunities for eco-epidemiological studies of paracoccidiodomycosis (PCM). The presence of P. brasiliensis infection was evaluated by Nested-PCR in tissue samples collected from 19 road-killed animals; 3 Cavia aperea (guinea pig), 5 Cerdocyon thous (crab-eating-fox), 1 Dasypus novemcinctus (nine-banded armadillo), 1 Dasypus septemcinctus (seven-banded armadillo), 2 Didelphis albiventris (white-eared opossum), 1 Eira barbara (tayra), 2 Gallictis vittata (grison), 2 Procyon cancrivorus (raccoon) and 2 Sphiggurus spinosus (porcupine). Specific P. brasiliensis amplicons were detected in (a) several organs of the two armadillos and one guinea pig, (b) the lung and liver of the porcupine, and (c) the lungs of raccoons and grisons. P. brasiliensis infection in wild animals from endemic areas might be more common than initially postulated. Molecular techniques can be used for detecting new hosts and mapping 'hot spot' areas of PCM.

Techniques and Trap Models for Capturing Wild Tufted Capuchins

The difficulty of capturing capuchins(genus Cebus)via anesthetic projectiles, as well as the scarcity of methodological descriptions of operational trapping programs, are widely known. The limitations hamper studies focusing on the conservation and evaluation of the health of capuchins that depend on their capture. We report on techniques and trap models used for capturing black tufted capuchins(Cebus nigritus)in Londrina, Telemaco Borba, and Porto Rico, municipalities of the State of Parana, Southern Brazil. Captures occurred in forest fragments, continuous forests, and gallery forests belonging to several vegetational formations. The trap model we developed was a 2×2×3 m cage equipped with a 2×1 m door that we operated manually from a distance. We used live traps measuring 0.5×0.5×0.5 m simultaneously with large traps. We provided weekly bait stations using ca. 20 kg of food 1–2 mo before capture, during which we developed a whistle emulating a type of vocalization emitted by the primates that we used to habituate and attract the group to the bait station. The technique was very useful to find groups and to attract them more easily to the traps. We physically contained the captured individuals with nets, followed by manual restraining. For chemical restraining, we applied an anesthetic protocol based on the use of Zoletil ®.We kept the subjects in smaller cages until they recovered from anesthesia, and maintained them in the cages thereafter, facilitating the attraction of other individuals to the larger cage.Wecaptured 85 capuchins in the State of Parana. Of the individuals that could be sexed, 65.1% were males and 34.8% were females. In addition to the capture of primates, we showed that the type of cage described here was versatile enough to capture other mammals such as tayra(Eira barbara), peccary(Pecari tajacu), and coatis(Nasua nasua). Because of the similarity in the foraging behavior and diet among capuchin species, we suggest that the program described here could be extended to the capture of other species in thegenus Cebusthroughout its geographical range. We also describe a list of steps that need to be taken, based on our satisfactory results in several different localities, to conduct a capture program that is both efficient for researchers and safe for the subjects.