Oncifelis Geoffroyi Research Articles

Serosurvey of Small Carnivores in the Bolivian Chaco

Five species of Bolivian carnivores, including nine Geoffroy's cats (Oncifelis geoffroyi), ten ocelots (Leopardus pardalis), one jaguarundi (Herpailurus yaguarondi), nine pampas foxes (Pseudalopex gymnocercus), and five crab-eating foxes (Cerdocyon thous) were sampled between March 2001 and April 2005 and tested for antibodies to common pathogens of domestic carnivores. Carnivores were trapped in three areas: a village, the region between human settlements and a protected area, and within Kaa-Iya National Park, Bolivia. Antibodies to canine distemper virus were detected in ocelots and pampas foxes. Antibodies to canine parvovirus were detected in pampas foxes and crab-eating foxes. Geoffroy's cats and all of the ocelots tested positive for antibodies to feline calicivirus (FCV), while fewer than half of Geoffroy's cats and no ocelots had antibodies to feline panleukopenia (FPV). These results confirm that these species of Bolivian carnivores are not naïve to common pathogens of domestic carnivores, and seropositive animals were found in villages as well as in the national park.

MEASUREMENT OF THYROID HORMONES (THYROXINE, T4; TRIIODOTHYRONINE, T3) IN CAPTIVE NONDOMESTIC FELIDS

The aim of this research was to obtain basic values for the evaluation of thyroid function in nondomestic felids. Serum thyroid hormone concentrations (thyroxine, T4; triiodothyronine, T3) were measured by radioimmunoassay in 145 cats, representing nine species of captive nondomestic felids: jaguar (Panthera onca), n = 49; puma (Puma concolor), n = 10; ocelot (Leopardus pardalis), n = 22; oncilla (Leopardus tigrinus), n = 12; geoffroy (Oncifelis geoffroyi), n = 4; jaguarundi (Herpailurus yaguarondi), n = 8; margay (Leopardus wiedii), n = 7; lion (Panthera leo), n = 26; and tiger (Panthera tigris), n = 7. For each species, mean +/- SEM of T3 and T4, respectively, were as follows: jaguar, 0.56 +/- 0.03 and 9.7 +/- 0.8 ng/ml; puma, 0.67 +/- 0.04 and 11.2 +/- 1.2 ng/ml; ocelot, 0.48 +/- 0.03 and 13.8 +/- 1.5 ng/ml; oncilla, 0.43 +/- 0.03 and 10.0 +/- 1.6 ng/ml; geoffroy, 0.44 +/- 0.04 and 8.0 +/- 0.16 ng/ml; jaguarundi, 0.7 +/- 0.03 and 5.0 +/- 1.0 ng/ml; margay, 0.48 +/- 0.04 and 12.2 +/- 2.3 ng/ml; lion, 0.43 +/- 0.02 and 5.7 +/- 2.6 ng/ml; and tiger, 0.66 +/- 0.03 and 12.6 +/- 0.9 ng/ml. Within species, T3 and T4 concentrations did not differ (P > 0.05) between males and females.

NUMERICAL AND SPATIAL RESPONSES OF GEOFFROY'S CAT (ONCIFELIS GEOFFROYI) TO PREY DECLINE IN ARGENTINA

Abstract We examined the numerical and spatial responses of Geoffroy's cats (Oncifelis geoffroyi) to a prey decline in central Argentina between April 2002 and November 2003. The 2nd year of the study coincided with a severe drought. Relative abundance of brown hares (Lepus europaeus) declined from 5.6 individuals/10 km during the predrought period to about 0.6 individuals/10 km during the drought. Small-rodent biomass also showed the lowest level for the study area during the drought of 2002–2003 (134.5 g/ha). During the predrought and drought periods, 3 male and 1 female, and 1 male and 9 female Geoffroy's cats, respectively, were radiotagged and monitored. Home ranges for males of the predrought period averaged 202.8 ha ± 156.8 SD and that of the single female was 27.3 ha. During the drought period, 4 females occupied an average home range of 254.9 ± 254.1 ha, and the home-range size of the single predrought female increased by a factor of 2. No obvious change in mean daily distance traveled between th...

Geoffroy's cats at the northern limit of their range: activity patterns and density estimates from camera trapping in Bolivian dry forests

We used camera traps to survey Geoffroy's cats, Oncifelis geoffroyi, at six dry forest sites in Bolivia. Cumulative activity patterns across all sites are principally nocturnal though the species is active by day in both summer and winter. At two sites the number of captures and recaptures was sufficient to estimate abundance using the software Capture, and in turn a population density of 9–40 per 100 km2 for the two sites. Geoffroy's cats are present in all dry forest types surveyed: Chaco savannas, Chaco dry forest, Chaco transitional forest, Chaco‐Chiquitano transitional forest, Chaco‐Cerrado transitional forest and Chiquitano dry forest. They are most abundant at the driest site, the only one with grassland formations and where ocelots are absent. Camera trapping records tend to be more numerous in the dry season, suggesting seasonal changes in behavior and habitat use. Resumen Empleamos trampas‐cámara para muestrear Oncifelis geoffroyi en seis sitios ubicados en bosques secos de Bolivia. El patrón de actividad en todos los sitios es principalmente nocturno, pero la especie puede estar activa de día en verano como en invierno. En dos sitios tuvimos suficiente capturas y recapturas para estimar abundancia usando el programa Capture, y luego una densidad poblacional de 9–40/100 km2 para los dos sitios. Oncifelis geoffroyi está presente en todas los tipos de bosques secos muestreados: sabanas chaqueñas, bosque seco chaqueño, bosque transicional chaqueño, bosque transicional Chaco‐Chiquitano, bosque transitional Chaco‐Cerrado, y bosque seco Chiquitano. Es más abundante en el sitio con menor precipitación, el único sitio con formaciones de pampas y donde es ausente Leopardus pardalis. Se tiene más registros con trampas‐cámara en la época seca, sugiriendo cambios estacionales en comportamiento y uso de hábitat.

Selection of waterbirds by Geoffroy's cat: Effects of prey abundance, size, and distance

In spite of its wide distribution, Geoffroy's cat ( Oncifelis geoffroyi) has been recently upgraded from Least Concern IUCN category to Near Threatened because of lack of knowledge. In this study, we examine at the Mar Chiquita Biosphere Reserve (37° 46`S, 57° 27`W; Argentina) their seasonal diet, and their feeding preference in relation to waterbird abundance, size, and distance of waterbird prey before attack. The diet, evaluated by feces analysis, was comprised of 42% waterbirds and 40% small mammals. The relative importance of waterbirds in the diet changed throughout the year associated with seasonal fluctuations in their availability. Predation on waterbirds increased from autumn to summer, while predation on small mammals decreased during this period. Trophic-niche breadth for prey occurrence was higher in autumn and lower in spring. We found that abundance, distance of waterbird prey before attack, and prey size were significant predictors of waterbird consumption by the Geoffroy's cat. This small cat appears to change its kill rate in relation to waterbird abundance changes. The overconsumption of prey close to vegetation and big prey indicates selective predatory behavior by this cat.

PARASITES OF FREE-RANGING SMALL CANIDS AND FELIDS IN THE BOLIVIAN CHACO

Parasite surveys of free-ranging wildlife provide important information for monitoring population health. Between March 2001 and March 2003, we sampled 10 ocelots (Leopardus pardalis), eight Geoffroy's cats (Oncifelis geoffroyi), a jaguarundi (Herpailurus yaguarondi), five pampas foxes (Pseudalopex gymnocercus), and three crab-eating foxes (Cerdocyon thous) at three sites in the Bolivian Chaco. The objective of the study was to survey the parasite fauna of these carnivores and compare prevalence of parasites among the sites. The parasite community of these carnivores was diverse, with representatives from eight genera of nematodes, two families of cestodes, two protozoan species, and six arthropod species. Fecal parasites identified from 12 of the 13 felids and five of the six canids examined included Aelurostrongylus abstrusus, Ancylostoma tubaeforme, Uncinaria sp., Crenosoma sp., Toxocara cati, Spirurida, Capillaria aerophila, Spirometra sp., Taeniidae, and Cystoisospora sp. Four tick species, Amblyomma parvum, A. tigrinum, A. ovale, and A. cajennense, and two flea species, Pulex irritans and Delostichus phyllotis, were identified. Two crab-eating foxes had serologic evidence of heartworm disease (HWD). Antibodies against Toxoplasma gondii were found in 15 of 26 animals. Although HWD was found only in canids inside the national park, parasite prevalence did not appear to differ among sites, and no evidence was found of parasite spillover from domestic to wild carnivores.

Home range and habitat use by Geoffroy's cat (Oncifelis geoffroyi) in a wet grassland in Argentina

AbstractGeoffroy's cat Oncifelis geoffroyi is a little‐known South American small felid. We report data on the spatial ecology of four adults (two males and two females) that were radiotracked in an area of wet grassland of the Argentine Pampas from February 2000 to April 2001. The mean home range size varied from 248 ha [90% minimum convex polygon (MCP)] to 342 ha (100% MCP), with male home ranges c. 2.5 larger than those of females. Home range overlap averaged 44.7%, and was more extensive between males than between females but it decreased markedly when outliers were excluded. Forest patches were used more than expected by their availability within home ranges. These patches hosted many large defecation sites, possibly acting as ‘communication centres’ where information was exchanged among individuals in the form of scent marks. Despite the lack of a clear preference for tall grasslands, this was the most frequently used habitat. We argue that natural grasslands in the Pampas ecoregion are important for O. geoffroyi and that their alteration can affect the conservation status of this cat. The comparison of our data with those reported previously suggests that Geoffroy's cat can show a certain degree of flexibility in its spatial behaviour.

Ticks (Acari: Ixodida) on wild carnivores in Brazil

The present study reports field data of ticks infesting wild carnivores captured from July 1998 to September 2004 in Brazil. Additional data were obtained from one tick collection and from previous published data of ticks on carnivores in Brazil. During field work, a total of 3437 ticks were collected from 89 Cerdocyon thous (crab-eating fox), 58 Chrysocyon brachyurus (maned wolf), 30 Puma concolor (puma), 26 Panthera onca (jaguar), 12 Procyon cancrivorus (crab-eating raccoon), 4 Speothos venaticus (bush dog), 6 Pseudalopex vetulus (hoary fox), 6 Nasua nasua (coati), 6 Leopardus pardalis (ocelot), 2 Leopardus tigrinus (oncilla), 1 Leopardus wiedii (margay), 1 Herpailurus yagouaroundi (jaguarundi), 1 Oncifelis colocolo (pampas cat), 1 Eira barbara (tayara), 1 Galictis vittata (grison), 1 Lontra longicaudis (neotropical otter), and 1 Potus flavus (kinkajou). Data obtained from the Acari Collection IBSP included a total of 381 tick specimens collected on 13 C. thous, 8 C. brachyurus, 3 P. concolor, 10 P. onca, 3 P. cancrivorus, 4 N. nasua, 1 L. pardalis, 1 L. wiedii, 4 H. yagouaroundi, 1 Galictis cuja (lesser grison), and 1 L. longicaudis. The only tick-infested carnivore species previously reported in Brazil, for which we do not present any field data are Pseudalopex gymnocercus (pampas fox), Conepatus chinga (Molina's hog-nosed skunk), and Conepatus semistriatus (striped hog-nosed skunk). We report the first tick records in Brazil on two Felidae species (O. colocolo, H. yagouaroundi), two Canidae species (P. vetulus, S. venaticus), one Procyonidae species (P. flavus) and one Mustelidae (E. barbara). Tick infestation remains unreported for 5 of the 26 Carnivora species native in Brazil: Oncifelis geoffroyi (Geoffroy's cat), Atelocynus microtis (short-eared dog), Pteronura brasiliensis (giant otter), Mustela africana (Amazon weasel), and Bassaricyon gabbii (olingo). Our field data comprise 16 tick species represented by the genera Amblyomma (12 species), Ixodes (1 species), Dermacentor (1 species), Rhipicephalus (1 species), and Boophilus (1 species). Additional 5 tick species (3 Amblyomma species and 1 species from each of the genera Ixodes and Ornithodoros) were reported in the literature. The most common ticks on Carnivora hosts were Amblyomma ovale (found on 14 host species), Amblyomma cajennense (10 species), Amblyomma aureolatum (10 species), Amblyomma tigrinum (7 species), Amblyomma parvum (7 species), and Boophilus microplus (7 species).

GEOGRAPHICAL VARIATION IN THE DIET OF GEOFFROY'S CAT (ONCIFELIS GEOFFROYI) IN PAMPAS GRASSLAND OF ARGENTINA

Geoffroy's cat (Oncifelis geoffroyi) is a little-known South American felid. We report here the first detailed data on its food habits and variations among 3 areas of the Argentine Pampas grassland. Analysis of 421 scat samples showed a relatively narrow trophic niche, dominated by vertebrates, especially small rodents. Despite a wide overlap in diet composition, geographical variation was found in frequency of occurrence of primary food categories, presence of secondary food items, and mean weight of vertebrate prey. These differences seem to be related to variation in food availability and suggest that Geoffroy's cats are able to show a certain degree of adaptability in foraging behavior.

Serosurvey for feline leukemia virus and lentiviruses in captive small neotropic felids in São Paulo state, Brazil.

Feline leukemia virus (FeLV), Gammaretrovirus, and feline immunodeficiency virus, a Lentivirus, are members of the family Retroviridae, and may establish persistent infections in the domestic cat (Felis catus). Cytoproliferative and cytosuppressive disorders may result from infection with these viruses. Morbidity and mortality rates are high in domestic cats worldwide. Infection of endangered neotropic small felids with these viruses could be devastating. To investigate the prevalence of FeLV and feline lentiviruses in neotropic small felids kept in captivity in São Paulo state. Brazil, serum samples from 104 animals belonging to the species Leopardus pardalis, Leopardus tigrinus, Leopardus wiedii, Herpailurus yaguarondi, and Oncifelis geoffroyi were tested for FeLV and feline lentiviruses by commercially available immunoassays. All results were negative, suggesting that retrovirus infection is not an important clinical problem in these populations. Because domestic cats in São Paulo city are naturally infected with these pathogens, and feral cats are commonly found in zoologic facilities in Brazil, preventive measures should be taken to avoid transmission of retroviruses to naive populations of wild and captive neotropic felids in Brazil.

Ecological extinction of native prey of a carnivore assemblage in Argentine Patagonia

The Patagonia region of South America has been severely modified by the introduction of livestock and wild exotic species. We studied diets of culpeo foxes ( Pseudalopex culpaeus), chilla foxes ( P. griseus), hog-nosed skunks ( Conepatus chinga), Geoffroy's cats ( Oncifelis geoffroyi), and pumas ( Puma concolor) between 1989 and 1994, and evaluated prey biomass on rangelands in Neuquén, Argentina. The carnivores consumed primarily (and selected) introduced hares ( Lepus europaeus), red deer ( Cervus elaphus), or carrion of introduced species. Native species represented 6% of the potential-prey biomass, and similar percentages of carnivore diets. We conclude that native large-bodied species (guanacos, Lama guanicoe, and rheas, Pterocnemia pennata) are ecologically extinct as prey and sources of carrion in our study area, and likely throughout Argentine Patagonia. Other ecological implications of their currently low biomass are unknown. Measures to control introduced species, prevent new introductions, and create protected areas are urgently needed.

Shedding of Toxoplasma gondii oocysts by Felidae in zoos in the Czech Republic

In 1995 and 1996, the shedding of Toxoplasma gondii oocysts was monitored in the faeces of Felidae in six zoos in the Czech Republic. In all, 2287 samples of faeces from 19 species of Felidae were examined. In Ostrava Zoo, four episodes of shedding of Toxoplasma-like oocysts were identified, using a flotation examination, in a pair of wild cats (Felis silvestris), six episodes in a wild cat held separately, and three episodes in a pair of Amur leopard cats (F. euptilurus). After the passage of sporulated oocysts through laboratory mice, T. gondii was confirmed in the pair of wild cats (three episodes), in the wild cat held separately (three episodes) and in the pair of Amur leopard cats (one episode). In Jihlava Zoo, one episode of shedding of T. gondii oocyst was identified in Geoffroy's cat (Oncifelis geoffroyi) using flotation and isolation examination. The possible sources of toxoplasmosis of the Felidae in zoos are discussed.

Breeding and maternal behaviour in Geoffroy's cats Oncifelis geoffroyi

Over a 3 year period ten Geoffroy's cat Oncifelis geoffroyi at four zoos were videotaped, producing 4278 hours of behavioural data including 15 oestrous periods, five gestation periods, five births and four post‐partum periods. One‐hundred‐and‐one separate behaviours were described and analysed, providing a behavioural profile of the species which enabled the construction of time budgets and an analysis of enclosure usage. Geoffroy's cats were found to be crepuscular. Most activity occurred on the ground and ledges were only used for resting and trees were used as pathways from the ground to the ledges. The Geoffroy's cats were found to be mostly sedentary with much social grooming between ♂♂ and ♀♀ Stereotypic and aggressive behaviours were rare. Females were more gregarious than ♂♂ Several interesting behaviours with ecological implications are discussed. Captive cats exhibited oestrus all year round, with a peak between February and August, and were polyoestrus. Mean age of sexual maturity reported by ISIS was 50 months for ♂♂ and 47 months for ♀♀ and breeding could continue until 16 years of age or older. A pre‐oestrous period could be predicted from behaviour up to 14 days before oestrus. The length of oestrus (1–12 days) showed some relationship to the age of the ♀. The predominance of social behaviour and the lack of courtship behaviours indicated a possible pair‐bond in the species. Frequency and duration of mounting and intromission during mating showed some relationship with age of the ♂ and the length of time the pair had been housed together. Birth peaks were between April and October and the gestation period ranged from 66 to 72 days. Parturition could be predicted from behaviour up to 14 days before birth. Interbirth period, mean litter size, total infant mortality and ♂ infant mortality showed some relationship to the age and parity of the ♀ Behavioural development of infants is documented and the data are used to make recommendations for the successful management and breeding of this species.

Resolution of recent radiations within three evolutionary lineages of felidae using mitochondrial restriction fragment length polymorphism variation

Patterns of mitochondrial restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) variation were used to resolve more recent relationships among the species of the Felidae ocelot lineage, domestic cat lineage, and pantherine lineage. Twenty-five of 28 restriction enzymes revealed site variation in at least 1 of 21 cat species. The ocelot lineage was resolved into three separate sistertaxa groups: Geoffroy's cat (Oncifelis geoffroyi) and kodkod (O. guigna), ocelot (Leopardus pardalis) and margay (L. wiedii), and pampas cat (Lynchailurus colocolo) and most of the tigrina samples (Leopardus tigrina). Within the domestic cat lineage, domestic cat (Felis catus), European wild cat (F. silvestris), and African wild cat (F. libyca) formed a monophyletic trichotomy, which was joined with sand cat (F. margarita) to a common ancestor. Jungle cat (F. chaus) and black-footed cat (F. nigripes) mtDNAs diverged earlier than those of the other domestic cat lineage species and are less closely related. Within the pantherine lineage, phylogenetic analysis identified two distinct groups, uniting lion (P. leo) with leopard (P. pardus) and tiger (P. tigris) with snow leopard (P. uncia).