Maned Wolf Chrysocyon Brachyurus Research Articles

Updating the distribution range of the maned wolf Chrysocyon brachyurus in Argentina

AbstractThe maned wolf Chrysocyon brachyurus, the fourth largest canid, is categorized as Near Threatened on the IUCN Red List. The objectives of this study were to update information on the occurrence of this species in Argentina, compare the current distribution to that previously described for 1988–2008, and indicate the areas in which the species is exposed to particular hazards. We created a database that included 1,051 new records of C. brachyurus for 2009-2021, in addition to records for 1988–2008 that had not been reported previously. We calculated the area of occupancy of the species in Argentina to be 500,000 km2. Most of the new records of C. brachyurus are in the Chaco Seco, Espinal and Pampas ecoregions. Our findings indicate a current area of occupancy 61% higher than that calculated from records for 1988–2008. However the location and frequency of reported threats and the intense environmental transformation that characterizes the areas for which we obtained new records suggest counterintuitive implications for the conservation of the species because of increased human–wildlife interactions. Our study reveals the need for systematic research to improve the understanding of the ecological processes that affect the maned wolf in Argentina, and will aid in the development of conservation strategies for the species.

Seed germination of a myrmecochorous plant endemic to the Brazilian semiarid region: the wolf is not so bad

Studies about seed dispersal and germination are important to understand patterns of plant distribution and abundance, and help establish strategies for environmental conservation. We evaluated the role of two different dispersers, the ant Atta laevigata and the maned wolf Chrysocyon brachyurus, in the germination of Copaifera arenicola seeds, a characteristically myrmecochorous plant species. Germination was evaluated for seeds subjected to four treatments: (1) seeds manipulated by the ant, (2) seeds ingested by the maned wolf, (3) seeds that had the elaiosome removed manually, and (4) seeds with elaiosome (unmanipulated seeds). Seeds manipulated by the ant and seeds that had the elaiosome removed manually required less time to germinate and had higher germination percentages (98.6% and 95.8%, respectively) than the other treatments. However, seeds ingested by the maned wolf also had a high germination percentage (87.7%), above that of unmanipulated seeds (34.7%). Probably, elaiosomes of unmanipulated seeds and small remnants of this structure that resist digestion by maned wolf can decrease to some extent seed germination. We argue that dispersal of C. arenicola seeds by the ant and by the maned wolf result in different patterns of seed distribution in the environment and that they have complementary roles in structuring plant populations.

The value of a small urban green area to the medium and large-sized mammals conservation

Brazil presents the biggest mammal diversity in the world, 755 species, of which 110 are classified under some degree of threat. In the São Paulo State is an estimated 350 taxa richness, however, this number can be even higher due to the gap of sampling over large extensions. In addition, many urban green areas are not studied because their value is underestimated for biodiversity conservation. In this way, the present study aimed to survey the medium and large-sized terrestrial mammals in a Municipal Conservation Unit located in the urban area of Franca, SP. Using cameras trap, sand plots, and active search, in the period between May and July 2019, 16 mammals were sampled. The highest number of species was identified through sand plots (12), followed by active search (7) and cameras trap (4). The sampled community is mostly composed of opportunistic and generalist species with few predators. Among species found, the maned wolf (Chrysocyon brachyurus) is classified nationally as vulnerable to extinction. Despite the significant number of sampled species, the species accumulation curve obtained did not reach its asymptote. Thus, it is concluded that Zoobotanic Garden, despite suffering strong anthropic pressure, develop an important role in the regional medium and large-sized terrestrial mammals conservation, acting as a refuge area for these species.

Using eigen decomposition and sequence-based representation to extract movement patterns from contextualized tracking data

Abstract. State sequences are a new paradigm to encode and represent contextualised movement data. A state sequence is a temporal succession of characters representing categorical states of the moving entity or its surrounding environment. Eigen decomposition, a principal components analysis method, is an option to reduce and find patterns in such multi-dimensional categorical data through dimensionality reduction. Recurrent patterns can be found by identifying the most relevant eigenbehaviours, which are a set of vectors that characterize the variation in the behaviour of an entity during a time period. Dimensionality reduction techniques have so far not been widely used in movement analytics and in this paper we demonstrate how they could help analyse responses of a moving entity to the dynamic environmental conditions. Specifically, we use sequence-based representation and eigen decomposition to investigate movement patterns of maned wolves (Chrysocyon brachyurus) in relation to vegetation vigour in their habitat. We use a set of GPS-trajectories from a group of maned wolves to which we link multi-source NDVI data as a proxy for the state of vegetation. We find that eigenbehaviours can identify patterns in the wolves’ responses to dynamic environmental conditions that align with the current literature on the species. Our research highlights the potential for dimensionality reduction and sequence-based methods to identify patterns in large tracking databases linked to contextual data.

Helminth infracommunity in a maned wolf, Chrysocyon brachyurus, from the humid Chaco, Argentina

Parasitism is an important factor in conservation worldwide, especially for endangered species, as it can affect host populations by reducing growth rates, fecundity and affecting nutritional status. The maned wolf Chrysocyon brachyurus, a near-threatened species, is distributed across different habitats from the south Amazonian forest in Brazil to northern Argentina, Paraguay and eastern Bolivia. Most studies on gastrointestinal parasites in wild maned wolves are based on coprological findings, and there is little information about adult parasites and parasite species richness. Therefore, this study aims to expand the knowledge about the helminth infracommunity of a maned wolf, describe adult parasites, and explore parasitic coinfections. We performed a necropsy of an adult individual found road killed in Chaco province, Argentina. We collected adult worms from subcutaneous tissues, from the right ventricle, kidneys, and intestine. The parasites were morphologically identified as Dirofilaria immitis, Dioctophyma renale and Spirometra sp. respectively. To our knowledge, this is the first record for adults of Dirofilaria immitis in maned wolves. Filarioids were located within the heart as well as in subcutaneous tissues with mature females containing uterine microfilariae; this study also adds C. brachyurus as a new host for Spirometra sp. in Argentina. Considering that the three helminths found herein are zoonotic and that the maned wolf is an endangered canid, it is essential provide baseline information to determine the risk factors involved in the transmission and extend the studies to sympatric wild and domestic canids in the area.

Dioctophymosis in a free-ranging maned wolf (Chrysocyon brachyurus): clinical-therapeutic, ultrasonographic and pathological aspects ˗ case report

ABSTRACT Dioctophymosis is the disease caused by Dioctophyma renale, a large nematode, popularly known as giant kidney worm, and whose definitive hosts are the domestic dog and many wild mammal species. There are some reports of maned wolf parasitism by D. renale, however, in most cases the reports are restricted to the finding of the parasite during necropsy, without clinical assessment. The present report aimed to describe the clinical-therapeutic, ultrasonographic and pathological aspects of D. renale parasitism in a free-ranging maned wolf, emphasizing the treatment with an association of doramectin, praziquantel, pyrantel pamoate, and febantel that resulted in complete elimination of the parasite.

Survey of ticks and tick-borne agents in maned wolves (Chrysocyon brachyurus) from a natural landscape in Brazil

This study evaluated ticks and tick-borne agents in 104 captures of the maned wolf Chrysocyon brachyurus (50 different individuals and 54 recaptures) in the Serra da Canastra National Park (SCNP), a Cerrado preserved area in southeastern Brazil, from 2005 to 2012. From the 104 capture events, a total of 1,206 ticks were collected on 94 occasions (90.4 %), and identified into five species: Amblyomma tigrinum (77.3 % of all collected ticks), Amblyomma sculptum (16.6 %), Amblyomma ovale (0.1 %), Amblyomma brasiliense (0.1 %), Rhipicephalus microplus (0.1 %), and Amblyomma spp. larvae (5.8 %). Molecular analyses of A. tigrinum adult ticks revealed the presence of ‘Candidatus Rickettsia andeanae’, Rickettsia parkeri sensu stricto, two different haplotypes of ‘Ca. Midichloria sp.’, and a Hepatozoon canis haplotype. Molecular analyses of maned wolf blood samples revealed two distinct haplotypes of Hepatozoon spp., one identical to the H. canis genotype that was detected in the A. tigrinum ticks, and a Hepatozoon americanum-like haplotype. None tick or blood samples yielded amplicons through PCR assays targeting the genera Ehrlichia, Anaplasma, Babesia, Rangelia, Cytauxzoon, and Theileria. Maned wolf serum samples were tested by immunofluorescence assay against antigens of five Rickettsia species (R. parkeri, R. rickettsii, R. amblyommatis, R. rhipicephali, and R. bellii) and Ehrlichia canis. Among 78 serum samples (45 captures plus 33 recaptures), 74 (95 %) were reactive to at least one Rickettsia species, with R. parkeri eliciting the highest endpoint titers. Some maned wolves that were recaptured during the study were shown to seroconvert to R. parkeri. Serum-reactiveness to E. canis was detected in 36 % (16/45) maned wolves. During the study, general clinical signs of tick-borne diseases were not found in any of the captured animals, indicating that they were under a good health status in the SCNP, despite of been exposed to ticks (mostly A. tigrinum) and some tick-borne agents (Rickettsia, Hepatozoon, Ehrlichia). The results of the present study might represent baseline data for the conservation of the maned wolf in its natural habitat, which should be used to interpret further studies about ticks and tick-borne diseases in maned wolves within human-modified landscapes.

Anesthetic Management of a Maned Wolf (Chrysocyon brachyurus) for Pelvic Limb Amputation

Background: The maned wolf (Chrysocyon brachyurus) is the largest south american canid and deemed a near threatened species according to the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN). Typically found in Brazilian Cerrado, it is often a victim of animal trappings and vehicular accidents, where it may get deeply injured or end up fractured, demanding orthopedic procedures. Even though maned wolves are similar to the domestic dog, little is described regarding general anesthesia and its complications for major procedures in ill patients in the scientific database. This case report describes a successful blood transfusion and anesthetic management of a critically ill C. brachyurus.Case: An adult female maned wolf was rescued after getting steel-jaw trapped. After chemical restraint with intramuscular (IM) ketamine (12 mg/kg), midazolam (0.3 mg/kg) and methadone (0.3 mg/kg), physical examination showed exposed bones to the distal end of the right hind limb, pronounced dehydration and moderate anemia and thrombocytopenia according to blood count. Radiographic images enlightened multiple right tarsus fractures. As the wound was highly infected, which made the osteosynthesis procedure impossible, it was decided to amputate the limb on the following day. Subcutaneous (SC) lactated Ringer’s solution (250 mL), IM meloxicam (0.2 mg/kg) and IM enrofloxacin (10 mg/kg) were also administered at first. On the following day, after aforementioned chemical immobilization, anesthesia was induced with dose-effect intravenous (IV) propofol (2 mg/kg) until orotracheal intubation was possible, and general anesthesia was maintained with isoflurane diluted in oxygen. Lumbosacral epidural anesthesia was obtained with 0.5% bupivacaine (0.25 mL/kg) and morphine (0.1 mg/kg) to provide analgesia and to reduce inhalant agent requirement. During surgery, hypotension was unresponsive to IV fluid challenges (5 mL/kg of third generation hydroxyethyl starch solution [6% tetrastarch] twice and 10 mL/kg of lactated Ringer’s solution, both over 15 minutes) and enduring blood loss led to life-threatening hypovolemic anemia. Dopamine (7.5-12.5 µg/kg/min) and norepinephrine (0.1-0.6 µg/kg/min) IV infusions were not able to fully restore normotension, thus whole blood transfusion (300 mL) was carried out after blood collection from a healthy maned wolf. Several premature ventricular contractions (PVC) that promptly evolved to sustained ventricular tachycardia (VT) were observed and treated with 2% lidocaine (bolus of 2 mg/kg followed by continuous rate infusion set at 50 µg/kg/min). By extubation, electrocardiogram displayed sparse PVC and normotension could be achieved. Discussion: Even though there was no cardiovascular instability by the time epidural anesthesia was carried out, it could have contributed to the hypotensive crisis (mean arterial pressure < 40 mmHg) observed during general anesthesia. The decreasing MAP was also probably influenced by intense blood loss and previous dehydration and hypovolemia, as packed cell volume (PCV) dropped to as low as 15% during transanesthetic period. As whole-blood transfusion might be accompanied by adverse effects, it is usually held back as long as oxygen delivery is not compromised. However, the declining MAP, fluid therapy-related hemodilution, and an actual PCV potentially lower owing to dehydration led to blood transfusion. The procedure was not ideally approached as no blood type and cross-match were previously performed, although no other feasible options were available. Besides, tachyarrhythmias are known to increase oxygen consumption, so that VT could have resulted in negative cardiovascular consequences (including cardiac arrest). Since it is a vulnerable animal, this report may aid recognize and treat clinical conditions for the purpose of preservation of the species.

TITLE: COMPARATIVE ANALYSIS OF THE BEHAVIOR OF THE LOBO-GUARÁ (CHRYSOCYON BRACHYURUS) IN CAPTIVEIRO: A PROPOSAL FOR ENVIRONMENTAL ENRICHMENT


 Conhecido como a savana brasileira, o Cerrado é considerado o mais rico do mundo em biodiversidade, por não possuir uma fisionomia única e uniforme. Este bioma apresenta extrema abundância de espécies nativas, contudo inúmeras espécies de plantas e animais correm risco de extinção, como no caso do lobo-guará (Chrysocyon brachyurus), maior canídeo da América do Sul. Segundo a The IUCN Red List, o lobo-guará está classificado como quase ameaçada (Near Threatened), tendo como principais ameaças a fragmentação de seu habitat natural, atropelamentos, perda de variabilidade genética e introdução de espécies exóticas no seu habitat. A espécie fica alarmada à aproximação humana apresentando reações típicas de animal territorialista. Para que não entre em extinção, é necessário ampliar o conhecimento sobre o lobo-guará, permitindo sua preservação na natureza e manutenção em cativeiro, visando o bem-estar desse animal. O enriquecimento ambiental é uma das soluções para combater o stress de animais em cativeiro, assegurando um ambiente que lhes proporcionem tranquilidade e segurança. Este trabalho teve o objetivo de analisar os comportamentos da espécie Chrysocyon brachyurus em parques zoológicos, considerando seus recintos com o intuito de uma proposta de enriquecimento ambiental. Foram realizadas observações em quatro zoológicos da região do Estado de São Paulo com ênfase na relação entre comportamento e recinto. Foram observados dez lobos, havendo diferenças nas frequências comportamentais com comportamentos territorialistas em taxas mais altas. Os dados foram analisados e comparados segundo a literatura. Para o tratamento dos dados, foi utilizada estatística descritiva como média, desvio padrão, erro padrão e coeficiente de variação. Para mostrar o efeito que o recinto exerce sobre o comportamento dos animais, foi utilizado o tamanho de efeito do Cohen’s (effect size, Cohen’s D). A partir dos dados analisados, é possível observar que os recintos podem afetar alguns comportamentos dos lobos-guará. Logo, esse trabalho sugeriu um recinto adequado para os lobos, possuindo características de enriquecimento social, alimentar, cognitivo, físico, sensorial, além da fundação estrutural. De forma que garanta a preservação e o bem-estar da espécie.

Human perceptions of and interactions with wild canids on cattle ranches in central Brazil

AbstractLocal attitudes towards carnivores often reflect the degree of damage they are perceived to cause. Consequently, understanding the interactions between people and these species is essential to conservation efforts. This study investigated local perceptions of three Cerrado canid species and current chicken management practices, to identify the potential damage they cause and how this relates to peoples’ attitudes towards these species. Results from structured interviews at 50 ranches in Goiás, Brazil, highlighted that general knowledge about Cerrado canids differed significantly by species, with interviewees unable to correctly answer questions about the hoary fox Lycalopex vetulus and crab-eating fox Cerdocyon thous in comparison to the maned wolf Chrysocyon brachyurus. Chicken coops were identified as the most effective method for preventing predation, yet only 44% of respondents employed this method. Using a perceived predation measure, interviewees reported chicken predation by all three Cerrado canids even though most of these events were stated to occur during the day, outside the species’ active periods. Reported predation events were a strong predictor of attitude. Participants who experienced predation events reported they did not like having a Cerrado canid on their property. However, 86% of the respondents agreed that Cerrado canids should nevertheless be protected. Our findings support the need to incorporate the human dimension in canid and broader carnivore conservation issues.

Medullary Conus Topography in White-Tufted-Ear-Marmoset (Callithrix jacchus)

Background: The common marmoset (Callithrix jacchus) belongs to the family Cebidae and Subfamily Callitrichinae, a group formed by the smallest anthropoid primates. It is a very common species and adapts easily to captivity, an aspect that encourages the clandestine capture of these animals and makes them susceptible to wounds resulting from clandestine rearing and inadequate management, so that studies to understand the species are extremely important. With the objective of supplying anatomic bases for the practice of epidural anesthetic, data were studied regarding the topography of the common marmoset (Callithrix jacchus).Materials, Methods & Results: The study was carried out at the Laboratory of Veterinary Anatomy at the Federal University of Campina Grande (UFCG), PA, Brazil. Ten adult common marmosets (Callithrix jacchus) were used, 5 males and 5 females, with different causes of death. A round workbench magnifying lamp was used to better visualize the dissecation field. Number 15 scalpel blades, surgical pincers and scissors were used to dissect. After fixing in 10% formaldehyde aqueous solution, dissecation was made along the mid dorsal line, from the cranial thoracic region to the tail base to expose the vertebral arches and measure the intervertebral spaces. The vertebral arches were removed, and consequently the spinal dura mater was exposed, that was sectioned longitudinally to expose the spinal chord and identify the lumbar intumescence, the conus medullaris and the cauda equina. The length of the conus medullaris was measured and its skeletopy was established. The body and tail length data were submitted to analysis of variance and the means were compared by the Tukey test at 5% probability. The mean value of the conus medullaris length was 1.4 cm, while the anatomic location of the conus medullaris varied slightly among the animals, but did not pass the limit between L3 for the base and L6 for the apex. On average, the lumbosacral space measured 3.03 mm, that is sufficient to introduce a needle similar to that used in syringes for insulin injection. The results of this study suggest the lumbarsacral space as location for epidural anesthetic application in Callithrix jacchus, at a safe point situated in the center of an isosceles triangle, the base of which is found when a line is drawn from one side of the pelvis to the other, and the apex corresponds the spinal process of the first sacral vertebra.Discussion: The anatomic location of the conus medullaris is different compared to two other primate species, the red handed tamarin (Saguinus midas), in which the cone base was registered at L4 and the apex at S2, and the common squirrel monkey (Saimiri sciureus) where the conus medullaris base occurs at L7-8 and the apex at S3 or Cc1. However, some similarities with other mammal groups were observed in the conus medullaris topography, such as the black-striped capuchin (Sapajus libidinosus). The mean conus medullaris length of the species Callithrix jacchus of 1.4 cm was close to that observed in the coypu, capuchin monkey and sloth, and significantly smaller than the means obtained for the red handed tamarin and common squirrel monkey and other non-primate mammals reported in the literature. The lumbosacral space is the location indicated for epidural anesthesia in Callithrix jacchus, that has also been indicated for other wild mammals such as the black-striped capuchin monkey (Sapajus libidinosus), the maned wolf (Chrysocyon brachyurus), the tayra (Eira barbara), the giant otter (Pteronura brasiliensis), the crab-eating racoon (Procyon cancrivorus) and the coypu (Myocastor coypus).

Dermatófitos isolados do pelame de animais selvagens

Dermatophytes are keratinophilic fungi that can cause zoonosis. However, the role wild animals play in the transmission of these infections is yet to be determined. The aim of this study was to determine the presence of dermatophytes on the haircoat of Brazilian wild mammals. Thirty-two healthy wild mammals from several taxa were studied: 17 were captive and 15 were free-living individuals. Samples were obtained by rubbing the haircoat with sterile carpets. Samples were cultured on Mycobiotic agar, and the plates were incubated at 25 ºC. Identification of the isolates was carried out on the basis of macro- and micromorphology. Dermatophytes were isolated from 9.5% of the animals: Microsporum gypseum from one maned wolf (Chrysocyon brachyurus), Microsporum cookie from one coati (Nasua nasua), and Trichophyton ajelloi from one bush dog (Speothos venaticus). These animals represent therefore sources of infection for both humans and other animals and are important for public health policies.

COMPOSITION OF MEDIUM AND LARGE MAMMALS IN FOREST RESERVE IN THE CERRADO OF BRAZIL CENTRAL

ABSTRACT Knowledge about fauna location and distribution is very important for animal biology understanding. Conservation Units are relevant to biodiversity when considering factors such as hunting, agricultural expansion and forest fires. The conservation of native vegetation fragments under more suitable management plans, recovery areas and surveys are essential to the mammals preservation. This study aimed to survey the mammals of medium and large size of the Brasilia National Forest Area 1. To carry out this study it was performed weekly rounds in search for direct and indirect mammals traces existing at forest reserve. It is reported the presence of 27 species in the study area. According to the IUCN Red List, four species are vulnerable to extinction: tapir (Tapirus terrestris), giant anteater (Myrmecophaga tridactyla), giant armadillo (Priodontes maximus) and oncilla (Leopardus guttulus). Two species were recorded nearly threatened species: maned wolf (Chrysocyon brachyurus) and pampas deer (Ozotocerus bezoarticus). Also according to the same list, 48% (n=13) of species are declining in population trend and 26% (n=7) for this data is unknown. Differences in the area were observed, with mammal species presence associated to Cerrado vegetation types and in distribution of records over the period.

Environmental Enrichment Effect on Fecal Glucocorticoid Metabolites and Captive Maned Wolf (Chrysocyon brachyurus) Behavior

Environmental enrichment is a technique that may reduce the stress of nonhuman animals in captivity. Stress may interfere with normal behavioral expression and affect cognitive decision making. Noninvasive hormonal studies can provide important information about the stress statuses of animals. This study evaluated the effectiveness of different environmental enrichment treatments in the diminution of fecal glucocorticoid metabolites (stress indicators) of three captive maned wolves (Chrysocyon brachyurus). Correlations of the fecal glucocorticoid metabolite levels with expressed behaviors were also determined. Results showed that environmental enrichment reduced fecal glucocorticoid metabolite levels. Furthermore, interspecific and foraging enrichment items were most effective in reducing stress in two of the three wolves. No definite pattern was found between behavioral and physiological responses to stress. In conclusion, these behavioral and physiological data showed that maned wolves responded positively from an animal well being perspective to the enrichment items presented.

Avaliação do perfil eletrocardiográfico pré e trans-anestesia em lobos-guará

O presente estudo tem como objetivo avaliar o efeito da administração do Zolazepam/Tiletamina nas funções cardiorrespiratórias e eletrocardiográficas em lobos-guará (Chrysocyon brachyurus) mantidos em cativeiro. Foram utilizados dez lobos-guará clinicamente saudáveis (seis machos e quatro fêmeas), com média de peso 23,5±3,5kg, e idade de 6,5±2,8 anos. Os lobos eram mantidos em cativeiro e foram capturados pelos tratadores, proporcionando o mínimo de estresse possível para avaliação dos parâmetros pré-anestésicos. Foram avaliadas frequência cardíaca e respiratória, temperatura retal, pressão arterial média e eletrocardiografia. Após coleta dos parâmetros fisiológicos e eletrocardiográficos pré-anestesia, foi administrada a dose de 5,1±0,7mg/kg de Zolazepam/Tiletamina intramuscular. Depois da anestesia, colocaram-se os eletrodos do eletrocardiograma nos membros torácicos e pélvicos. Os animais eram monitorados durante uma hora, sendo que, a cada 10 minutos, era realizado o registro dos valores eletrocardiográficos, assim como os valores dos parâmetros fisiológicos e cardiorrespiratórios. Os resultados mostraram alteração significativa na amplitude da onda P entre 10 a 50 minutos pós-anestesia. Frequência cardíaca (153±20bmp), frequência respiratória (29±6mpm), temperatura corporal (38,4±1oC), pressão arterial média (114±20mmHg) e as outras variáveis eletrocardiográficas não apresentaram alterações. O aumento da amplitude da onda P nos animais deste trabalho sugeriu um aumento atrial, oriundo de doenças cardíacas ou simplesmente pelo aumento da frequência cardíaca durante a contenção.

An evaluation of manual and automated methods for detecting sounds of maned wolves (Chrysocyon brachyurus Illiger 1815)

Although bioacoustics is increasingly used to study species and environments for their monitoring and conservation, detecting calls produced by species of interest is prohibitively time consuming when done manually. Here we compared four methods for detecting and identifying roar-barks of maned wolves (Chrysocyon brachyurus) within long sound recordings: (1) a manual method, (2) an automated detector method using Raven Pro 1.4, (3) an automated detector method using XBAT and (4) a mixed method using XBAT's detector followed by manual verification. Recordings were done using a song meter installed at the Serra da Canastra National Park (Minas Gerais, Brazil). For each method we evaluated the following variables in a 24-h recording: (1) total time required analysing files, (2) number of false positives identified and (3) number of true positives identified compared to total number of target sounds. Automated methods required less time to analyse the recordings (77–93 min) when compared to manual method (189 min), but consistently presented more false positives and were less efficient in identifying true positives (manual = 91.89%, Raven = 32.43% and XBAT = 84.86%). Adding a manual verification after XBAT detection dramatically increased efficiency in identifying target sounds (XBAT+manual = 100% true positives). Manual verification of XBAT detections seems to be the best way out of the proposed methods to collect target sound data for studies where large amounts of audio data need to be analysed in a reasonable time (111 min, 58.73% of the time required to find calls manually).

Blood values diverge between two populations of a Neotropical wild canid

The evaluation of the health status of wild populations has received much attention in conservation projects, as it is considered an important but neglected component of species’ ecological fitness. Considering the increasing interest in the conservation and health of Neotropical wildlife species, the aim of this study was to improve the knowledge on blood parameters of maned wolf (Chrysocyon brachyurus) populations from two different protected areas. We performed comparisons of hematological and serum biochemistry data (urea and creatinine dosage) from a total of 17 healthy adult maned wolves cage-trapped and chemically restrained in Serra do Cipo National Park (four females and three males) and Galheiro Private Natural Reserve (four females and six males), both located in Southeast Brazil. Lymphocyte counts were significantly higher in males from the smallest and non-buffered area, the private reserve, which most likely reflects differences in pathogen exposure. Serum creatinine and urea concentrations were higher in females and in animals of both genders from the largest and buffered area, the national park, the latter of which we hypothesized to be an effect of greater protein intake due to higher prey availability. The results highlight that there are slight differences in physiological parameters between populations of wild mammal species, which must be taken into account in health evaluations or assessments of the effects of anthropogenic disturbance on wildlife health.

The complete mitochondrial genome sequence of the maned wolf (Chrysocyon brachyurus)

In this study, the complete mitochondrial genome of the maned wolf (Chrysocyon brachyurus), the unique species in Chrysocyon, was sequenced and reported for the first time using blood samples obtained from a female individual in Shanghai Zoo, China. Sequence analysis showed that the genome structure was in accordance with other Canidae species and it contained 12 S rRNA gene, 16 S rRNA gene, 22 tRNA genes, 13 protein-coding genes and 1 control region.

HOW LANDSCAPE PATTERNS INFLUENCE ROAD-KILL OF THREE SPECIES OF MAMMALS IN THE BRAZILIAN SAVANNA

Roads are one of the main threats to mammal species conservation. Identifying relationships between landscape and road-kill patterns is necessary to build predictive models and to propose mitigation measures, particularly in heterogeneous landscapes. We choose three species of medium-sized mammals with high dispersal capacity and opportunistic habitat use as representatives to understand which landscape features affect road-kills: the crab-eating fox Cerdocyon thous , the maned-wolf Chrysocyon brachyurus , and the hare Lepus europaeus. The study was done over two consecutive years on the SP-225 highway in the State of Sao Paulo, southeastern Brazil. Road-kill data were collected on a daily basis, every three hours, by car travelling at 50-60 km/h. We used a logistic regression considering, as dependent variable, the occurrence of road-kills for each species, and as independent variables, the following landscape features: sugarcane fields cover, pasture cover, native vegetation cover, forestry cover, orange groves cover, urban area, and distance to the nearest river. Three buffer sizes were created around each road-kill occurrence to evaluate the effect of spatial scale. Model selection using Akaike Information Criterion with correction for small samples (AICc) showed that the road-kill incidence of Chrysocyon brachyurus was positive associated to urban area at larger scale, and for Cerdocyon thous and Lepus europaeus was found a positive association to forestry cover at different scales. For C. thous and L. europaeus , some models worth interpreting included water bodies area, distance to the nearest river and sugarcane fields cover. Matrix permeability and river proximity could be used to indicate sites to apply mitigation measures to road-kill for these mammal species in the Brazilian Savanna.

Heavy Metals in Hair of Wild Canids from the Brazilian Cerrado

In this study, we aimed to assess whether free-ranging wild canids are exposed to heavy metals in one of the most developed and populated regions of Brazil. Hair of 26 wild canids (maned wolves Chrysocyon brachyurus, crab-eating foxes Cerdocyon thous, and hoary foxes Lycalopex vetulus) from the Cerrado biome in Southeast Brazil were analyzed by spectrophotometry to detect cadmium, chromium, and lead, and also the essential copper, iron, manganese, and zinc traces. All samples showed traces of copper, iron, manganese, and zinc. Non-essential lead was detected in 57% (2.35 ± 0.99 mg/kg), and chromium in 88% (2.98 ± 1.56 mg/kg) of samples. Cadmium traces (detection limit 0.8 mg/kg) were not found. Crab-eating foxes had more copper, iron, and manganese in hair than maned wolves. Correlations among element levels differed between maned wolves and crab-eating foxes. Concentrations of chromium and lead were outstandingly higher than in wild canids from other areas. Addressing the causes of such levels and the impacts of the heavy metal pollution in Neotropical ecosystems is urgent for animal health and conservation purposes. We argue that heavy metal pollution should be considered as dangerous threats to wildlife health in Brazil and recommend hair sampling as a biomonitoring tool for heavy metals in Neotropical terrestrial mammals.