Mazama Gouazoubira Research Articles

Hunters´ landscape accessibility and daily activity of ungulates in Yasuní Biosphere Reserve, Ecuador

Ungulates are one of the most important groups in terrestrial ecosystems across the tropics. Also, ungulates are an important source of protein for people who inhabit tropical forests, and numerous studies have been conducted to evaluate the impact of hunting on the size of ungulate populations. However, little is known about other potential effects of hunting on these species. This study aims to analyze the effect of landscape accessibility to hunters on the daily activities of ungulates in Yasuni Biosphere Reserve, a protected area located in the Amazon region of Ecuador. We compared activity patterns (i. e., distribution of hours of activity along the day) and activity levels (i. e., proportion of hours of the day that an animal is active) for five ungulate species (white-lipped peccary Tayassu pecari, collared peccary Pecari tajacu, red brocket deer Mazama americana, brown brocket deer M. nemorivaga, and tapir Tapirus terrestris) in four sites differing in the degree of access to hunters. To this end, in each of the four study areas, a grid of camera traps was placed within a polygon of approximately 100 km2; traps operated continuously for three to four consecutive months. We recorded the date and time of detection for each species. Daily activity patterns and activity levels were estimated with kernel density analysis for circular data. Our work included a total of 9,506 effective trapping days for the four study sites, resulting in 1,063 separate records of the five ungulate species. In the four study areas, the brown brocket deer and the two species of peccaries concentrated their activity in daytime hours. The red brocket deer was most active in twilight hours, and the tapir was primarily nocturnal. At sites most accessible to hunters, the activity patterns of the collared peccary included a higher proportion of nighttime hours. The red brocket deer also seemed to increase the proportion of nighttime hours of its daily activity. The overall daily activity level was higher in the site with higher accessibility, but was statistically significant only for the collared peccary and the red brocket deer. Our findings include moderate statistically significant evidence suggesting that the access of hunters to the landscape influences the daily activity of ungulates in Yasuni. One species that is clearly affected by the access of hunters is the collared peccary, which becomes more nocturnal and increases its nighttime hours of activity when accessibility to hunters is higher. When our results are compared with other studies, it is evident that the species may display different behavioral responses to hunting, and that these responses may vary with the scale of analysis. This study was limited by sample sizes, which did not allow performing comprehensive analyses for all five species. To further understand the effects of hunting and other human activities on animal behavior, additional studies specifically designed for this purpose should be conducted.

Are Brazilian cervids at risk of prion diseases?

ABSTRACTPrion diseases are neurodegenerative fatal disorders that affect human and non-human mammals. Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD) is a prion disease of cervids regarded as a public health problem in North America, and polymorphisms at specific codons in the PRNP gene are associated with this disease. To assess the potential CWD susceptibility of South American free-ranging deer, the presence of these polymorphisms was examined in Mazama gouazoubira, Ozotoceros bezoarticus and Blastocerus dichotomus. Despite the lack of CWD reports in Brazil, the examined codons (95, 96, 116, 132, 225, and 226) of the PRNP gene showed potential CWD susceptibility in Brazilian deer. Low abundancy of deer in Brazil possibly difficult both CWD proliferation and detection, however, CWD surveillance may not be neglected.

Identifying Mazama gouazoubira (Artiodactyla; Cervidae) chromosomes involved in rearrangements induced by doxorubicin.

The process of karyotype evolution in Cervidae from a common ancestor (2n = 70, FN = 70) has been marked by complex chromosomal rearrangements. This ancestral karyotype has been retained by the current species Mazama gouazoubira (Fischer 1814), for which a chromosomal polymorphism (Robertsonian translocations and the presence of B chromosomes) has been described, presumably caused by a chromosome fragility. Thus, this study has identified doxorubicin-induced chromosome aberrations and mapped the regions involved in breaks, which may be related to the chromosome evolution process. G-banding pattern showed that 21 pairs of chromosomes presented chromosomal aberrations, 60% of the total chromosome number of the species M. gouazoubira. Among chromosomes that carry aberrations, the region where they were most frequently concentrated was distal relative to the centromere. These data suggest that certain chromosomal regions may be more susceptible to chromosome fragility and consequently could be involved in karyotype differentiation in species of the family Cervidae.

Living in extreme environments: modeling habitat suitability for jaguars, pumas, and their prey in a semiarid habitat

Carnivores and their prey occurring at the extremes of their ecological niches face particular constraints in terms of habitat suitability (HS). We combined the use of camera traps and Ecological Niche Factor Analysis (ENFA) to calculate HS for jaguars (Panthera onca), pumas (Puma concolor), and 4 prey species (3-banded armadillos, Tolypeutes tricinctus; 9-banded armadillos, Dasypus novemcinctus; collared peccaries, Pecari tajacu; and gray brocket deer, Mazama gouazoubira) in Serra da Capivara National Park (SCNP), located in the semiarid Caatinga biome of Brazil. We also evaluated HS in relation to water management applied in the Park since 1994. Considering the physiological limitations of the Caatinga's species, we used an “edge of niche” habitat-suitability algorithm. For all species examined, distance to waterholes was the ecogeographical variable with the greatest contribution for the ENFA. Water management implemented in SCNP helps to ensure the persistence of predators and prey species, since the combination of topographic characteristics and location of waterholes explained most of HS for the analyzed species.

Molecular Characterization of Anaplasma sp. in Free-Living Gray Brockets (Mazama gouazoubira).

Bacteria in the genus Anaplasma are responsible for diseases in animals and humans. Studies carried out in Brazil have demonstrated that Brazilian deer are able to act as hosts of agents in the family Anaplasmataceae and are possibly potential reservoirs of these pathogens. Molecular and phylogenetic studies have been carried out on samples of two gray brocket specimens (Mazama gouazoubira) from the city of Guarapuava, state of Paraná, Brazil, for the detection of Anaplasma sp. in these animals. Partial nucleotide sequences of the genes 16S rRNA and groESL were used for phylogenetic analyses and compared with other 13 and 17 partial sequences of the respective genes obtained in GenBank. These assessments showed topological incongruence among the trees generated in the phylogenetic analyses. Phylogenetic analysis based on the gene 16S rRNA of the genotypes amplified in the samples of this study was similar to those of A. bovis detected in dogs and wild deer in Japan, whereas studies carried out on gene groESL indicated proximity with sequences of Anaplasma sp. that were also isolated in deer in Japan and allocated in the same clade of partial sequences of A. phagocytophilum. As the 16S rRNA gene is highly conserved, with few polymorphic positions, it may show low reliability for studies on phylogenetic positioning. The present study detected an Anaplasma sp. genotype in two specimens of M. gouazoubira in southern Brazil, which may mean that this agent possibly circulates in deer populations, and demonstrated the need for studies related to the possible role of deer in enzootic cycles of Anaplasmataceae in Brazil.

Use of next-generation molecular tools in archaeological neotropical deer sample analysis

Taxonomic identity and genetic variation of three bone samples from a late Holocene earth mound in the eastern Uruguayan lowlands were analyzed. Samples were initially identified by morphology as being from pampas deer (Ozotoceros bezoarticus), a middle-sized cervid that occupies open environments forming herds of up to 50 animals. Prehistoric human communities may have developed herd management systems for this species. The aim of this study was to evaluate usefulness of a Next Generation Sequencing (NGS) strategy using pooled samples to explore genetic relationships between specimens. Two mitochondrial D-loop haplotypes were found which surprisingly identifies another deer species (Mazama gouazoubira). Our findings confirm that NGS is a powerful tool for taxonomic identification of ancient Uruguayan samples, also indicating that M. gouazoubira may be underrepresented in the zooarchaeological record of eastern Uruguay. Finally, since both species have different niches and behaviors it is necessary to formulate new questions in order to understand prehistoric management of Neotropical deer involving larger sample sizes and analysis of other genetic markers.

Fauna used by rural communities surrounding the protected area of Chapada do Araripe, Brazil.

BackgroundStudies on the inter-relations between people and animals have been considered essential to better understand the dynamics of socio-ecological systems. This study aimed to register the animal species known by the communities adjacent to National Forest of Araripe, their uses and if the close relationship affects the knowledge of useful species.MethodsData collection was conducted through a semi-structured inquiry form, free listings and guided tour. The study included 246 people from two community groups: group 1 (n = 113; <2 km from FLONA) and group 2 (n = 133; ≥ 2 km).ResultsAccording to the free listing, group 1 communities know more animal species (11.50 ± 5.81) than group 2 (9.41 ± 3.70), with a significant difference in knowledge between the groups. Men and women showed no significant difference in knowledge about animal species. The men from group 1 know, significantly, more species than men from group 2; but this difference was not observed in women from both groups. In the analysis of the Use Value (UV), Mazama gouazoubira showed a higher UV, both in group 1 (1.15) and group 2 (1.49). The guided tour identified the presence of 11 species, common in the vegetation of Forested Savannah (Cerradão) and in the transition Rainforest/Savannah (Cerrado).ConclusionThe results indicate M. gouazoubira as the most known and used species in this Protected Area, showing that species of interest to the local communities are worthy of conservation attention.

Isolation and attempted cultivation of an Anaplasma marginale strain from Brazilian brown brocket deer (Mazama gouazoubira, Fisher, 1814) in the tick cell line IDE8

The aim of the study was to isolate and establish an Anaplasma marginale strain from Brazilian brown brocket deer, Mazama gouazoubira, in the Ixodes scapularis cell line IDE8. Blood from a free-living adult female M. gouazoubira naturally infected with A. marginale (MGI5) was inoculated intravenously into a splenectomized calf. When A. marginale rickettsemia was 2.5%, blood was collected and cryopreserved in liquid nitrogen with dimethylsulfoxide (DMSO). IDE8 cell cultures were infected with calf blood inoculated with the A. marginale (MG15) isolate. The cultures were monitored by examination of Giemsa-stained cytocentrifuge smears. Light microscopy of stained IDE8 samples revealed the first inclusions of A. marginale (MGI5) at 48days post-inoculation (d.p.i). The IDE8-infected cells contained parasitophorous vacuoles with amorphous material and a few cocci-like organisms. A sample from IDE8-infected cells from the 16th subculture (336 d.p.i.) was analyzed by nPCR, nucleotide sequencing, electron microscopy, and an indirect fluorescent antibody test (IFAT). The IFAT highlighted some IDE8-infected cells with intense fluorescence in the parasitophorous vacuole, while in other cells, fluorescence was observed only at the periphery. DNA from a culture of the MG15 isolate was amplified with A. marginale msp4 gene primers, and nucleotide sequencing of the PCR product and BLAST software analysis further confirmed 100% identity with the MGI5 blood isolate (GenBank no. JN022558.1). Electron microscopy revealed increased numbers of lysosomes in the cytoplasm of IDE8 cells. Several cells exhibited large vacuoles containing cellular debris and amorphous material. After the 29th subculture, it was not possible to detect compatible Anaplasma structures by light microscopy, and subculture samples tested negative in nPCR. Despite the failure of the attempt to establish A. marginale (MGI5) in IDE8 cells, the results demonstrated the isolate's ability to infect, survive and multiply, although in limited numbers, in IDE8 cells.

First live offspring of Amazonian brown brocket deer (Mazama nemorivaga) born by artificial insemination

The Amazonian brown brocket deer (Mazama nemorivaga) is an endemic species of the Amazon rainforest region, which has suffered constant threats due to hunting and increasing deforestation. Artificial insemination (AI), combined with genomic banks, is considered an important tool for maintaining conservation programs of endangered species; however, the number of live offspring born from AI in non-domesticated cervids is extremely low. Thus, studies designed to develop, adapt, or enhance AI techniques are of fundamental importance. This report describes a successful transposition of the cervix with semen deposition in the uterine lumen of a M. nemorivaga female, based on the transcervical AI technique used in sheep, as well as using specific tools develop for IA in small ruminants, which have resulted in the birth of a healthy male fawn.

Contrasting origin of B chromosomes in two cervids (Siberian roe deer and grey brocket deer) unravelled by chromosome-specific DNA sequencing.

BackgroundB chromosomes are dispensable and variable karyotypic elements found in some species of animals, plants and fungi. They often originate from duplications and translocations of host genomic regions or result from hybridization. In most species, little is known about their DNA content. Here we perform high-throughput sequencing and analysis of B chromosomes of roe deer and brocket deer, the only representatives of Cetartiodactyla known to have B chromosomes.ResultsIn this study we developed an approach to identify genomic regions present on chromosomes by high-throughput sequencing of DNA generated from flow-sorted chromosomes using degenerate-oligonucleotide-primed PCR. Application of this method on small cattle autosomes revealed a previously described KIT gene region translocation associated with colour sidedness. Implementing this approach to B chromosomes from two cervid species, Siberian roe deer (Capreolus pygargus) and grey brocket deer (Mazama gouazoubira), revealed dramatically different genetic content: roe deer B chromosomes consisted of two duplicated genomic regions (a total of 1.42-1.98 Mbp) involving three genes, while grey brocket deer B chromosomes contained 26 duplicated regions (a total of 8.28-9.31 Mbp) with 34 complete and 21 partial genes, including KIT and RET protooncogenes, previously found on supernumerary chromosomes in canids. Sequence variation analysis of roe deer B chromosomes revealed a high frequency of mutations and increased heterozygosity due to either amplification within B chromosomes or divergence between different Bs. In contrast, grey brocket deer B chromosomes were found to be more homogeneous and resembled autosomes in patterns of sequence variation. Similar tendencies were observed in repetitive DNA composition.ConclusionsOur data demonstrate independent origins of B chromosomes in the grey brocket and roe deer. We hypothesize that the B chromosomes of these two cervid species represent different stages of B chromosome sequences evolution: probably nascent and similar to autosomal copies in brocket deer, highly derived in roe deer. Based on the presence of the same orthologous protooncogenes in canids and brocket deer Bs we argue that genomic regions involved in B chromosome formation are not random. In addition, our approach is also applicable to the characterization of other evolutionary and clinical rearrangements.Electronic supplementary materialThe online version of this article (doi:10.1186/s12864-016-2933-6) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

Cultural keystone species of fauna as a method for assessing conservation priorities in a Protected Area of the Brazilian semiarid

The Cultural Keystone Species (CKS) method of identification has been used to define culturally important species. The objective of this study was to identify and characterize CKS vertebrates in the communities surrounding the Environmental Protection Area of Chapada do Araripe and define conservation priorities using semi-structured interviews and free listings. Interviews were conducted with 246 people; 53 species were identified and then included in categories of use: food, medicinal, handicraft and symbolic. Food preference was identified for Mazama gouazoubira, Penelope superciliaris, Dasyprocta prymnolopha and Dasypus novencimctus. As medicinal resources, Salvator merianae and M. gouazoubira represented 51.85% of treatment recommendations. For use in handicrafts, M. gouazoubira, which is also the only species recorded for symbolic use, stands out. Use values (UV) varied from 0.03 to 1.34, and M. gouazoubira had the highest UV (1.34) and a 0.74 projection. Regarding cultural importance, M. gouazoubira was the species with the highest UV and projection, and was indicated as a CKS to be prioritized in research and conservation studies.

Is urban bushmeat trade in Colombia really insignificant?

AbstractThe bushmeat trade in ecosystems in South America other than those within the Amazon basin is presumed to be insignificant, as alternative sources of protein (e.g. beef, chicken, fish) are considered to be more readily available in non-moist forests. However, studies and confiscation reports from countries such as Colombia suggest that bushmeat is consumed in a variety of ecosystems, although the nature of market chains, particularly in urban areas, is still unknown. We studied the urban bushmeat trade in markets in the five main ecoregions in Colombia. We recorded a total of 85 species, the most frequently traded being the paca Cuniculus paca, red brocket deer Mazama americana, grey brocket deer Mazama gouazoubira, capybara Hydrochoerus hydrochaeris, armadillo Dasypus spp. and black agouti Dasyprocta fuliginosa. Most sales of wild meat occur through clandestine channels and involve a limited number of stakeholders. Bushmeat is a luxury product in urban areas of the Caribbean, the Pacific and the Andean regions. Further work is needed to quantify and monitor the volumes of bushmeat traded, comprehend motivations, explore ways of reducing threats, and engage with stakeholders to organize legal and sustainable use of bushmeat.

First phylogenetic analysis of Mesoamerican brocket deer Mazama pandora and Mazama temama (Cetartiodactyla: Cervidae) based on mitochondrial sequences: Implications for Neotropical deer evolution

Several recent studies have tried to unravel the complex evolutionary history of Neotropical cervids. However, the two Mesoamerican brocket deer Mazama pandora and M. temama have not been included in these studies and their relationship to other Neotropical cervids remains unclear. Here, we present analyses that included concatenated sequences from the mitochondrial genes ND2, Cytb, and tRNA-Pro-Control region. Our results suggest that both Mesoamerican brocket deer fall within the “red” clade, more closely related to genus Odocoileus and red brocket deer species, such as South American Mazama americana, M. bororo, M. nana, and M. rufina. We estimated that M. temama diverged from other red brocket deer ca. two MYA. Two hypothesis emerge regarding the relationship of the Yucatan brocket deer M. pandora with respect to the other Neotropical deer. The first one, based on analyses of concatenated sequences from all three genes, implies an early split from a larger clade that includes Odocoileus and other red Mazama species, with an estimated divergence time dating back to 2.7 MYA. This would suggest isolation on the Yucatan peninsula, limiting the crossing of this species into South America. The second one, based only on Cytb, places M. pandora more closely related to Odocoileus and with an estimated divergence time of ca. 1.9 MYA. This would suggest that the humid tropical forests of Mexico and Central America could have been the most likely place of origin of members of the red brocket deer clade. Deer colonization into South America occurred after the complete formation of the Panamanian land bridge in the late Pliocene, more than one ancestor of the gray brocket deer clade crossed into South America, as well as a red brocket deer ancestor and Odocoileus dispersed southward. A posterior event probably occurred when divergent ancestors of M. temama and M. pandora respectively moved northward after the split with South American red brocket deer. Our results add to the growing body of evidence calling for an extensive taxonomic revision of this group, and we concur with previous recommendations that the generic taxonomic designation of Mazama should be applied not only to the red brocket deer but also to all of the species currently recognized under the genus Odocoileus.

Medium- and large-sized mammals in a steppic savanna area of the Brazilian Pampa: survey and conservation issues of a poorly known fauna.

The wildlife of the Brazilian Pampa is threatened by large-scale habitat loss, due in particular to the expansion of soybean cultivation and the conversion of grasslands areas into extensive areas of silviculture. It is essential to study how the mammal fauna copes with the highly fragmented, human-influenced, non-protected landscape. Our study presents the results of a survey of the large- and medium-sized mammals of a typical human-influenced steppic savanna area of the Pampa biome. The survey was conducted exclusively with the use of camera traps over a period of 16 months. The relative frequencies of species in the area were evaluated. We recorded 18 species, some of them locally threatened (Tamandua tetradactyla, Alouatta caraya, Leopardus colocolo, Leopardus geoffroyi, Leopardus wiedii, Puma yagouaroundi, Mazama gouazoubira and Cuniculus paca). Several species were found to thrive in the area; however, many species were considered rare, and undoubtedly new species could be recorded if we continued the sampling. Our results contribute to the knowledge of faunal diversity in the Pampa biome and associated habitats, warn about threats and provide support for conservation measures.

255 SEMINAL PLASMA PROTEINS: FUNCTIONAL ATTRIBUTES AND POTENTIAL MARKERS OF FERTILITY

Mammalian seminal plasma is a complex milieu containing, mostly, secretions of the epididymides and accessory sex glands. After ejaculation, proteins of the seminal fluid interact with sperm and participate in several events, including sperm motility, protection against immune reactions, oxidative processes and microorganisms, interaction with the oviduct epithelium, capacitation, acrosome reaction, and fertilization. Given these aspects, the present talk is focused on seminal plasma proteins and cross-species comparisons of their functional attributes. Experiments that will be presented used gel-based and shotgun proteomics. Binder of sperm proteins are major components of ruminant seminal plasma, while spermadhesins are predominant in the boar and deer (Mazama gouazoubira; Mazama nemorivag) seminal fluid. Annexins (rabbits), clusterin (peccaries: Pecari tajacu), and arginine esterase (coatis: Nasua nasua; dogs) are the most abundant proteins in seminal fluid of other species. Such diversity may reflect differences in how paternal factors modulate fertility. Studies have also reported empirical associations between seminal proteins, sperm freezability, and fertility indexes in ruminants and other domestic species. As evidenced by experiments using IVF, mainly in the bovine, specific seminal proteins influence the fertilizing capacity of both epididymal and ejaculated sperm, as well as early embryo development. In summary, fundamental knowledge gathered by studies of seminal plasma proteome can be used to identify molecular markers of fertility. Availability of such markers will potentially improve the outcome of artificial reproductive technologies. Diversity of seminal plasma composition, however, represents challenges for discovery of fertility markers in unique species. Seminal plasma proteins may also be related to new phenotypes, such as bull differences in sperm survival after sexation. This research was funded in part by the Brazilian Research Councils (CAPES and CNPq) and Ceara State Foundation for Scientific and Technological Development (FUNCAP).

Ixodids in wild animals of the mountainous plateau Region of Santa Catarina State, Brazil

&lt;p class="Pa7"&gt;&lt;span lang="EN-US"&gt;Knowledge of ixodids (hard ticks), as of well as their ability to transmit pathogens to their hosts, and in some cases to humans, is significantly important for the establishment of epidemiological public health programs and surveillance. With the purpose of identifying ixodids from wild mammals in the mountainous plateau of Santa Catarina, we examined ticks collected or received in the Laboratory of Parasitology and Parasitic Diseases of the Centre of Agroveterinary Sciences (CAV/UDESC) from 2001 to 2011. The ixodids were collected from wild animals that were subjected to the screening process of the Veterinary Clinic Hospital (HCV) of CAV and from dead animals found on state highways. Using specific dichotomous keys, we identified &lt;em&gt;Amblyomma aureolatum &lt;/em&gt;collected from &lt;em&gt;Pseudalopex gymnocercus&lt;/em&gt;, &lt;em&gt;Lycalopex gymnocercus&lt;/em&gt;, &lt;em&gt;Leoparduspardalis&lt;/em&gt;, &lt;em&gt;Cerdocyon thous&lt;/em&gt;, &lt;em&gt;Leopardus tigrinus&lt;/em&gt;, &lt;em&gt;Puma concolor, &lt;/em&gt;and &lt;em&gt;Bufo &lt;/em&gt;sp.; &lt;em&gt;A. dubitatum &lt;/em&gt;collected from &lt;em&gt;Hydrochoerus hydrochoeris&lt;/em&gt;; &lt;em&gt;A. rotundatum &lt;/em&gt;from &lt;em&gt;Puma concolor &lt;/em&gt;and &lt;em&gt;Bohtrops &lt;/em&gt;sp.; &lt;em&gt;A. ovale &lt;/em&gt;from &lt;em&gt;Bufo &lt;/em&gt;sp.; and &lt;em&gt;Rhipicephalus microplus &lt;/em&gt;from &lt;em&gt;Mazama gouazoubira&lt;/em&gt;. A specimen of &lt;em&gt;A. longirostre &lt;/em&gt;was identified in an urban area house at the municipality of Lages. &lt;em&gt;A. rotundatum &lt;/em&gt;that was collected from &lt;em&gt;Bohtrops &lt;/em&gt;sp. and &lt;em&gt;Puma concolor&lt;/em&gt;, and &lt;em&gt;A. longirostre &lt;/em&gt;that was found in the environment, are reported for the first time in the state of Santa Catarina, Brazil. &lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

Density, occupancy, and activity pattern of two sympatric deer (Mazama) in the Atlantic Forest, Brazil

The red brocket (Mazama americana) and gray brocket deer (Mazama gouazoubira) are sympatric in the Atlantic Forest and present a number of ecological similarities in their diet and habitat use, although interspecific competition in these species is poorly understood. This study aimed to compare abundance and produce evidence of niche partitioning between these species. We estimated population density, activity patterns, habitat occupancy, and detection probabilities for the 2 species in a large remnant of the Atlantic Forest of Espirito Santo, Brazil. Abundance was estimated using the distance sampling technique, and occupancy, detectability, and activity patterns were assessed using camera-trap monitoring at 39 sample sites over a 1-year period. During surveys, we obtained 44 sightings of M. americana and 74 of M. gouazoubira, with 199 records in which the species was not discriminated. We applied a correction for the unidentified sightings to avoid underestimating density. The corrected population size ...

Dissimilar responses of the Gray brocket deer (Mazama gouazoubira), Crab-eating fox (Cerdocyon thous) and Pampas fox (Lycalopex gymnocercus) to livestock frequency in subtropical forests of NW Argentina

This study represents the first analysis of livestock influence over individual mammal species in NW Argentina forests. Through camera-trapping, I found a negative correlation between frequencies of occurrence of livestock (sheep, goats and cattle) and Gray brocket deer Mazama gouazoubira, and a modification of the daily activities patterns of the latter according to changes in density of the former. However, no evident associations between Crab-eating fox Cerdocyon thous and Pampas fox Lycalopex gymnocercus frequencies and livestock were found. This study provides insights on the effects of extensive ranching over mammal species in NW forests of Argentina, where this activity is of major importance among forests inhabitants.

Índices de utilidad económica de corzuela parda (mazama gouazoubira)

We present results of a butchery experiment of a brown brocket deer (Mazama gouazoubira) individual, which was employed to calculate several utility indexes for this species: MUI (Meat Utility Index), GUI (General Utility Index), y FUI (Food Utility Index). Results are compared with those of larger cervids like caribou, huemul and white-tailed deer, indicating a strong and positive correlation.

Characterization of the complete mitochondrial genome and a set of polymorphic microsatellite markers through next-generation sequencing for the brown brocket deer Mazama gouazoubira.

The complete mitochondrial genome of the brown brocket deer Mazama gouazoubira and a set of polymorphic microsatellite markers were identified by 454-pyrosequencing. De novo genome assembly recovered 98% of the mitochondrial genome with a mean coverage of 9-fold. The mitogenome consisted of 16,356 base pairs that included 13 protein-coding genes, two ribosomal subunit genes, 22 transfer RNAs and the control region, as found in other deer. The genetic divergence between the mitogenome described here and a previously published report was ∼0.5%, with the control region and ND5 gene showing the highest intraspecific variation. Seven polymorphic loci were characterized using 15 unrelated individuals; there was moderate genetic variation across most loci (mean of 5.6 alleles/locus, mean expected heterozygosity = 0.70), with only one locus deviating significantly from Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium, probably because of null alleles. Marker independence was confirmed with tests for linkage disequilibrium. The genetic variation of the mitogenome and characterization of microsatellite markers will provide useful tools for assessing the phylogeography and population genetic patterns in M. gouazoubira, particularly in the context of habitat fragmentation in South America.