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This article aims to use QR Code technology and other digital resources in the construction of knowledge in invertebrate studies. With a didactic sequence, available on a web page, the project will provide an investigative focus on the study of this zoological group. The idea for this project arose from the need to produce a didactic resource that could insert the content of invertebrate studies using the information and communication technologies (ICTs), extremelly present in the students' daily lives. The teacher, through a dinamic class, will lead students to activities and research, which will be presented through the QR Code and website links, with the objective to promote students' reading skills, text construction and motivation for studying the zoology of invertebrates. Using the smartphone as a teaching resource will be a differential for students, since it is a constant presence in their daily lives. In the current scenario of Covid 19, in which face-to-face classes have been suspended, the use of online didactic sequence may help teachers as a useful methodology. This didactic sequence will also be available on posters with QR codes, requiring only the cell phone with internet access and with code reader to be used. As suggestions for future work, this methodology could be used for any Biology content or any other discipline. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The mara Dolichotis patagonum (Caviomorpha, Caviidae) is probably the extant rodent with the most pronounced postcranial specializations for fast locomotion. When running the species can reach a speed of ~40 km/h. It has been suggested that its body posture and limb bones show evolutionary parallelism regarding small-sized artiodactyl species. Due to its elongated limbs and relatively large body mass (average 8 kg) compared to other rodents, its limb bones may experience large loads at high speeds. Using kinematic data from high speed video films and skeletal dimensions of museum specimens, ground reaction forces and stresses acting on the humerus and tibia during different gaits were estimated. Values of bending stress obtained for the tibia were greater than those for the humerus during walking, gallop and "pronk". The stress experienced by the tibia when running doubled the value obtained when walking (54.5 vs. 26.1 MPa, respectively). Estimated bone safety factors were less than half during fast locomotion (3.1) compared to walking (6.4). It is discussed how maras' body posture and skeletal dimensions affect bone stress experienced during locomotion. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The stance of pterosaurs on land is traditionally a controversial question. Here, we show that pterosaurs likeAnhanguera piscatorwere quadrupeds. An osteological model ofA. piscatorwas three-dimensionally built in digital space. The reconstructed muscles of its pelvic girdle were then placed on their points of origin and insertion to allow the biomechanical calculations to find the most efficient stance on land to be performed. The hindlimb readjustment (i.e. the repositioning of the hindlimb according to the achieved results) led to a pelvic counterclockwise displacement at 10°, which means that the ilium previously placed at 0° regarding an axis parallel to the ground was moved (and so the whole pelvis) 10° up from the preacetabular process. This new position preventsA. piscatorfrom having a fully upright stance. A 10° displacement of the pelvic girdle would compel the forelimbs to be highly sprawled. Therefore, this study affordsA. piscatorhaving a quadrupedal gait and demonstrates that a bipedal stance is not viable once the lever arm values decrease abruptly both for extensor and flexor muscles during the femoral extension. This is the first time this approach is used to shed light on this question. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Abstract: The present study compares the forefoot and hindfoot musculature of five representative species of Cavioidea rodents. In all species, the musculature of both forefeet and hindfeet have the same array regardless of the absence of digit I in the manus of Hydrochaeris hydrochaeris and Cavia porcellus. Our results suggest a tendency in these species towards a three-digit system, with a functional loss of digit V and a predominance of digit III in their forefeet. In the same way, the muscular reduction of digit I in the other rodents analyzed indicates a four-digit system with predominance of digit II in Myoprocta acouchy and Dasyprocta leporina and of digit V in Agouti paca. There seems to be an association between the muscular arrangement and functional axis of the foot, raising the general question why this axis runs between the third and forth digit, or along the third digit. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

The reasons Lutreolina crassicaudata is always captured in close proximity to water are not clear. We investigated locomotory behavior and performance in swimming, running, climbing, and jumping of L. crassicaudata. One adult male was videotaped in the laboratory while swimming, walking on the ground and on a horizontal tube 1.2 m from the ground, climbing a tree trunk angled 45°, and jumping gaps between supports. The locomotor cycles in these different activities were described by speed, stride length, stroke or stride frequency, time of power and recovery phases or stance and swing phases, and by displacement of points on the animal. L. crossicaudata employed a quadruped paddling gait in swimming. Swimming speed was similar to that of terrestrial didelphids, but stroke frequency and buoyancy ability were more similar to those of the water opossum. Different gaits were used for locomotion in each habitat type and we conclude that L. crassicaudata cannot be considered a specialized species for aquatic locomotion. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

With the growing population in the large urban centres, environmental problems caused by it are increasingly common, with more serious consequences. Manaus CITY is also suffering with the problems presented by the lack of preservation of their gallery forests, which are being amended and modified by anthropic. However, this work has as main objective, to study the environmental impacts occurring in a riparian Forest existing in the urban area of this city, because of the construction of a complex of a private property, and as a result of such valuation economic impacts. The compilation was done in three stages, the first one being the identification of the area through images of location of the area of permanent preservation, surveying and handling of technical reports; the second was the bibliographic survey to sustain the discussions from surveys performed in results acquired, referring to the valuation of environmental compensation executed in the affected area, and the third part was the development and implementation of the project of recovering area degradas to restore the losses identified and promote regeneration of this area. Through the tools employed, could be reached to the conclusion that the anthropic exerted by the enterprise to negatively affect the area addressed, such as improving the rate of sedimentation to the amount, change in the concentration of solids and increase in turbidity and the emergence of voçorocas over much of the bed of igarapé, thus bringing harm to local fauna and flora. With the use of mathematical tools, could be performed to calculate the economic valuation of environmental compensation, which indicates a theoretical value that corresponds to the costs to compensate for what has been degraded in the area. Depending on the situation presented, drafted up the Plan of recovery of degraded area, in order to mitigate the negative effects suffered, where the actions taken were very efficient, according to the results obtained in the medium and long term in the area impacted. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Semiaquatic habits evolved in several Sigmodontinae rodent species, but this issue remains poorly studied. The marsh rat Holochilus vulpinus (Brants, 1827) has been associated with palustrine wetland environments and exhibits several morphological traits related to the semiaquatic habit. However, its swimming behavior and the way its morphological specializations contribute to it have not been evaluated so far in this species. This note focuses on describing and quantifying the swimming behavior and swimming performance of H. vulpinus. In order to address these issues, five individuals of H. vulpinus, four adults and one subadult, were filmed while swimming and their performance was quantified. The obtained results indicate that the swimming mode is bipedal paddling, alternating the stroke of the hind feet. The quantitative indicators also qualify H. vulpinus as a good swimmer compared to other terrestrial and semiaquatic mammals. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

La vegetacióntiene uma estrecharelación con losprocesos del ciclohidrológico, modificando los em función de las condicionesen las que se encuentre. La vegetaciónregulaelciclohidrológico, permitiendo que El água pasepor las distintasetapas del ciclo de maneraadecuada para asegurar la estabilidad del proceso. La vegetaciónretiene gran parte del água precipitada, liberando lapaulatinamente a cursos de agua y embalsessuperficiales y subterráneos. Enestetrabajo se analizóelimpacto de la deforestación em elrégimenhídrico de la Ciudad de Petrópolis. Los resultadosmuestran que la reducción del área de cobertura vegetal provoco aumentos em loscaudalesanuales. La reducción del 58% de la cobertura vegetal al 39% provocó un aumento del caudal medio del 60%. Estoimplicó un aumento em elíndice de escorrentía de 0,29 a 0,50. También se verifican câmbios em relación a loscauda lês médios anualesmínimos y máximos. Enel primer caso, hubo un aumento del 86,3% y, em elsegundocaso, el caudal máximo medio anual se incrementóen un 49,9%. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Environmental problems currently constitute one of the biggest concerns of the global scientific ambient. In this sense, this work had as objective the analysis of the environmental impacts arising from mineral extraction and changes in physical and biotic environment. The results through the method of "check-list" showed that although such projects bring radical environmental effects is possible to minimize the negative effects of mining, at all stages of the project, with solutions based on the analysis of monitoring and correction, for satisfactory results and the re-composition of the striking scenery. The main conclusion is that this study can be used as a theoretical framework to support the process of environmental licensing of this type of venture. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Urban expansion in Petropolis region is due to massive deforestation for housing and other human activities. Deforestation is the main cause ecological imbalances, resulting in: flooding, decrease in porosity and desertification of soil. By AIA semi-qualitative technique analysis it studied possible losses and benefits of urban expansion in the locality, if changes were likely or not of occurrence and their level of impaction. It was observed that the probability of occurrence of damage was much higher than that of benefits. The result corroborates the literature, therefore, has been seen that vegetation plays an important role in water control of the town, and also in the physical and chemical soil. The probability of catastrophic consequences, due to deforestation, is extremely high, and even mid-sized consequences have capacity of environmental impacts that are likely to be irreversible. Deforestation intensifies the consequences of major frequent rainfall in the summer of the State of Rio de Janeiro, so the higher the deforestation, the greater the likelihood of recurrent and intense rainfall events resulting from large. Therefore, it is necessary to control urban sprawl in the region to reduce water environmental impact in the region. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Due to the speedy process of urban and population growth the Aracaju Region has grown quickly, which has generated serious impacts due to irregular occupations, but also mainly by domestic sewage dump, garbage and lack of environmental awareness about the importance of preserving ecosystems. So this study aims to assess the urban growth with the events the degradation of ecosystems of mangroves, being a delicate ecosystem that has suffered from the excessive urban expansion of Aracaju Region. Can be confirm with data collected that much of the sewage network is precarious, situation that comes to repeat even in the capital, leading to the conclusion the need to implement preventive actions and environmental awareness to improve the quality of life of the population and try to minimize environmental damage. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The regions of Caravelas and Mucuri are located in the extreme south of Bahia state, they are characterized by coastal regions with diverse ecosystems that have great importance in the life of many species cycle. They are regions that stand out as the two main cellulose producing municipalities in the country. In Caravelas region it is situated one of the leading marine parks in South America, the Abrolhos Marine National Park which has great importance in the conservation of many species and unfortunately has suffered environmental damage due to the large growth of tourism and fishing. In recent years these two regions has been the subject of great activities such as eucalyptus monoculture, cellulose and paper industries, among other activities that have generated employment for local residents and source of income. It was conducted a literature review of the two regions over the last few years in order to update the information that was previously granted such as population growth, basic sanitation data, among others, to analyze the changes in the two regions and to assess the intensity of environmental impacts in both regions. Through this study it could be observed that the two regions has shown growth in recent years and they are areas with high feasibility of implementing major industries and increased tourism, implementation of resorts and hotels, which has caused changes across the landscape and generating part environmental impacts that must be assessed and studied. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

With the rising and intensification of production's activities, as industries, the deforestation taxes show to be on an alarming level. It is wide spread known the consequences that deforestation might cause in metropolitan areas. In order to evalue the consequences of this growing phenomenon, is possible to use a role of ambiental impacts evaluations techniques. One of them is the Preliminary Analysis of Danger (PAD), which is based on qualitative and statistics analysis and might be used in association with other ambiental impacts evaluations techniques. It's goal is to analyze dangers in potential, it's causes and consequences, in which is also done an associated risk analysis, which the last is the association between the classifications of frequency and severity, and, in the end, it gives suggestions of measures to avoid these dangers (undesired events). In this study, six dangers have been identified, in which none of them present despicable or low risk (0%), 16% present medium or high risk and 66% present critic risk. These datas point out that the deforestation situation might cause dangers with great consequences to Petropolis' metropolitan area, just as floodings and earth slidings, which higthlights the urgency of management of the area. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article explores the microornamentation of snake scales and its significance. Topics include the use of microornamentation in taxonomy and its historical context, the functional adaptations of microornamentation related to various environmental factors, and the dual influence of phylogenetic history and environmental preferences on the patterns observed in snake scale microstructures.

Tamandua Gray, 1825 contains two species of anteaters: Tamandua mexicana (Saussure, 1860), which occurs in southern Mexico, throughout Central America and south to the west of the Andes in South America, and Tamandua tetradactyla (Linnaeus, 1758), widely distributed in South America, from Venezuela to northern Argentina, as well as Trinidad and Tobago. Historically, different coloration patterns have been attributed to the coat of Tamandua, with T. mexicana typically showing a partial or complete dark "vest" on the dorsal portion of the body, whereas T. tetradactyla can show a complete, partial, or absent vest and a coat varying from golden, pale yellow and pale gray to brown or black. These different coat colors are sometimes treated as inherent characteristics of subspecies of Tamandua. Here, we review color variation in Tamandua and describe six chromatic disorders for the genus: albinism, leucism, "brown" variation, melanism (partial and total), xanthochromism (partial and total) and, for the first time for anteaters, erythrism. In addition, we detail the morphological expression and geographic distribution of these anomalies in populations of Tamandua from Central and South America. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The functioning of ecosystems can be modeled through knowledge of the processes that are critical to their own controls, as well as through the validation of each modeling equation through field observation and experimentation. It was adopted as a hypothesis that the mass flow in the studied forest fragment was in a state of homeorhetic equilibrium. For sampling evaluation, the approach chosen was that of random processes. The choice was for the two-stage sampling process, where the second stage of sampling is restricted or dependent on the first stage. The main advantage is the reduction of costs resulting from the concentration of sub-sampling within the primary units. Two main pathway sequences were observed in the analyzed model: C1-C3-C7-C4-C5-C2-C1 and C1-C8-C9. The first represents the flow through vegetation - which represents about 90% - and, the second, the flow through animal populations - which presents about 10%. When comparing the transfer coefficients, it is possible to notice that the most significant are between the litter exit (C3) for detritivores (3.7) and for the soil (3.4) entrances (2.1) in the leaves (C1) from the stems (c2 ) and entry into herbivores (C8) from leaves (1.8) and fruits (6.3). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The origin and distribution of the femoral nerves in both antimeres were studied in 30 New Zealand rabbits (15 males and 15 females). The specimens were collected after natural death and fixed with 10% formaldehyde solution. In males, the femoral nerve originated from the ventral branches of the fourth, sixth and seventh lumbar spinal nerves in seven animals (46.67%), in two animals (13.33%) from the ventral branches of the fifth and sixth lumbar spinal nerves, in one animal (6.67%) from the ventral branch of the fifth lumbar spinal nerve, in three animals (20%) from the ventral branches of the fifth, sixth and seventh lumbar spinal nerves, in one animal (6.67%) from the ventral branches of the fourth and fifth lumbar spinal nerves, and in one animal (6.67%) from the ventral branches of the fifth and seventh lumbar spinal nerves. In females, the femoral nerve originated from the ventral branches of the fourth, sixth and seventh lumbar spinal nerves in four animals (26.67%), in two cases (13.33%) from the ventral branches of the fifth and sixth lumbar spinal nerves, in one animal (6.67%) from the ventral branch of the fifth lumbar spinal nerve, in three animals (20%) from the ventral branches of the sixth and seventh lumbar spinal nerves, in four animals (26.67%) from the ventral branches of the fifth, sixth and seventh lumbar spinal nerves and in one animal (6.67%) from the ventral branches of the fourth and seventhlumbar spinal nerves. In all animals the femoral nerves were distributed in different branches to the major and minor psoas, femoral quadriceps, sartorius and pectinius muscles. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We investigated the occurrence of congenital dental abnormalities in 94 wild boars Sus scrofa scrofa, and 20 Iberian pigs Sus scrofa domesticus from Doñana (DNP) and Sierra de Andújar Natural Park (ANP) southern Spain. The only dental variation found was agenesis of the lower first premolar, either deciduous (Dp1) or permanent (P1). We analyzed prevalence variations using: odds ratios, Fisher's exact test and logistic-regression models. The lower first premolar has often been reported to be absent in modern domestic breeds of pigs, but it is usually reported as present in wild boar. However, we found a similar occurrence of agenesis in wild boar as in Iberian pigs. A common genotypic background between wild boar and Iberian pig populations of ANP sharing the same ecosystems may explain this result. When considering only wild boar, unexpected differences between populations were detected. The wild boar from ANP showed higher estimated probabilities of agenesis than those from DNP. Environmental conditions can also represent influencing factors for changes within subspecies. Our findings reinforce the idea that in suids the congenital absence of premolars probably has an evolutionary relevance, which could represent a generalized trend towards the reduction of the dental formula from the plesiomorphic placental dentition. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Locomotion in land and water requires different adaptations, hence semiaquatic mammals must deal with conflicting demands of the 2 environments. Semiaquatic rodents of the tribe Oryzomyini are considered semiaquatic mostly based on habitat use and morphology, but locomotory specializations were not yet determined for most species of the group. We compared water absorption of the fur and swimming behavior between 2 species of oryzomyine water rats (Nectomys) and 2 terrestrial species of Cerradomys. We used adult rodents captured in the wild but acclimated to laboratory conditions. Water absorption rate was determined by the relative increase in body mass after a 5-min swimming session. Animals were videotaped swimming in an aquarium to determine gaits, body posture, maneuverability, and speed. Water absorption rate was significantly lower in semiaquatic species, with no significant difference between sexes. Bipedal paddling was the more frequently used gait by all 4 species, but semiaquatic species were faster and maintained a more hydrodynamic body posture, with a short gliding phase during the gait cycle. Only semiaquatic species were capable of floating effortlessly, and used the swimming bound, a gait similar to the half bound of terrestrial locomotion. Submerged swimming was the fastest swimming gait, used by 1 terrestrial and 1 semiaquatic species. The better performance during bipedal swimming of semiaquatic water rats was related to the improved buoyancy provided by reduced water absorption of the fur, which seemed to represent an important adaptation to move in the water without compromising locomotion on land. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The intestines of Sturnira lilium, Phyllostomus hastatus, Carolliaperspicillata, GlossophagasoricinaíindDesmodus rotundus were analized through macroscopic, morphometric and light microscopy studies. The species studied presented some common charactenstics generally found in bats, such as the absence of a caecum and an appendix. The frugivorous bat S. lilium has a longer intestine than the other species. The intestinal epithelium is of the simple columnar type, constituted of absorptive cells characterized by microvilli and goblet cells, which in all the species proved to be PAS + and AB +. These cells presented some differences in quantity and in distribution among the species. The intestinal mucosa presented morphologic and morphometric differences, such as the shape and size of villi as well as the length of the crypts of Lieberkühn. Histologically the different intestinal portions could be distinguished: in the middle portion we found few goblet cells and long villi; in the distal portion we found an increase in goblet cells and a decrease in villi height; and in the large intestine no villi were found, but rather abundant intestinal glands with numerous goblet cells. In C. perspicillata, P. hastatus and G. soricina we could observe Peyeras patches in the distal portion near the large intestine, whereas in D. rotundus and S. lilium we found aggregations of lymphoid nodulous tissue distributed along the tube. In all species we observed the presence of Paneth cells at the base of the crypts of Lieberkühn. We could observe differences among the species in the distribution of collagen in the small intestine submucosa and serosa. The outer muscular layer has one circular layer and a longitudinal layer, the circular layer increasing in thickness along the tube. Large intestine charactenstics are uniform among the species. Sfractures such as the taenia coli and the appendices epiploicae were absent. These results should contribute not only to improve understanding of bat morphology, but also to provide grounds for the evaluation of evolutionary models on the adaptive radiation of phyllostomid feeding habits. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The altitudinal gradient found in the Atlantic Forest may play a role in establishing sympatry areas between congeneric species of sigmodontine rodents. For some genera with cryptic species, the elucidation of spatial patterns of distribution may be useful to understand reproductive isolation and speciation patterns, as well as spatial and temporal factors determining the boundaries of species' geographical distributions. Here we evaluated the occurrence of sympatry between Juliomys species along an altitudinal gradient in the Serra da Bocaina National Park (SBNP). Additionally, we review the occurrence of J. rimofrons and add new records of species occurrence in the SBNP, aided by karyological and molecular data. The study was carried out at four sites in the SBNP, which ranged between 770 and 1,200 m a.s.l. We captured 24 Juliomys specimens. Six out of 24 specimens were collected and karyotyped. For J. pictipes, the karyotype had a 2n of 36 and a FN of 34, and for J. ossitenuis 2n of 20 and FN of 36. Seventeen out of 24 Juliomys specimens were used in the cytochrome b phylogeny: 12 specimens grouped with J. pictipes and five with J. ossitenuis. Additionally, a specimen previously identified as J. rimofrons (MN 77793) clustered together with J. pictipes. Juliomys pictipes and J. ossitenuis were found in sympatry in two out of four sites in altitudes higher than 1,000 m a.s.l.. Our karyological and molecular data provided the detection of two Juliomys species in the SBNP for the first time (J. pictipes and J. ossitenuis) and disregarded the previous record of J. rimofrons. Our record of sympatry between J. pictipes and J. ossitenuis represents the fifth known record of sympatry between these species up to date. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Mandibles from separate populations of free-living mouflons (Ovis aries musimon) from Southern Spain, submitted to different ecological conditions, were studied. Searching for ontogenetic shape variations we used geometric morphometrics tools and we explored the use of several mathematical models for describing growth rate variations between populations and sexes. A strong allometry was detected with variations in shape mainly matching with molar and premolar eruption. Mandible shape did not vary significantly with sex nor was sexual size dimorphism detected in adults, whatever the population. By modeling growth we detected differences between populations in all parameters such as the maturity rate describing precocity, and the time it took to reach asymptotic size (varying from 9 up to 18 months). A longer period of growth did not result in a larger asymptotic size, but it led to smaller mandibles. Mouflons with relatively late teeth replacement, lower maturation rate and smaller adult size were those of the population submitted to extreme environmental conditions, like epizootic disease, droughts and ungulate overpopulations. We discuss how a delay in reaching mature size has probably an important subsequent impact on reproductive and life-history traits in this species. Being able to record the effects of density-dependent and densityindependent factors, mandibles become a target of interest for ecological and management studies also on mouflons. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Although rodents can move fast, they are in general considered non-cursorial mammals, with the notable exception of some species within the suborder Caviomorpha which are convergent with small-sized artiodactyls. The mara, Dolichotis patagonum (average body mass: 8 kg), is a member of the family Caviidae which occupies relatively open habitats in southern South America, and shows remarkable anatomical traits associated to fast locomotion. These include elongated limbs, especially their distal segments, a digitigrade foot posture, and muscles attached near limb joints. However, its locomotor behavior is not yet well understood. Here we focus on the mara's locomotor kinematics, especially on the gaits performed at different speeds, and provide new data and analyses. By means of high-speed video-recordings, it was observed that maras use lateral walk at low speeds and pace at moderate speeds. By implementing half bound maras reached their maximum speed at 36 km/h, i.e. 14.3 body length/s. It was also confirmed that maras are able to perform pronking, a probable alarm or fitness signal. Kinematic parameters (e.g. duty factor; stride frequency), and comparisons of running speed with other caviomorph and artiodactyl species are also provided. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Armadillos comprise a particular group of armoured animals whose functional morphology of locomotion remains unclear. For the first time, the kinematic patterns of Dasypus novemcinctus are analysed. Eight specimens of nine‐banded armadillos were studied at a research institute in São Paulo State, Brazil. The individuals were induced to cross a horizontal corridor and each gait performed during the time each of them was kept inside this structure was recorded to a detailed analysis posteriorly performed in a computer program. Four parameters regarding speed range were considered: stride frequency (Hz) (1/stride period), stride length (m), speed (ms−1) and duty factor (%). A total of 89 strides have been analysed among symmetrical (60.6%) and asymmetrical gaits (39.4%), and six footfall patterns were here reported as follows: lateral sequences (symmetrical), transverse gallop, canter, bound, half‐bound and crutch walk (asymmetrical). This kind of analysis implements our knowledge on the locomotory aspects of these animals, hence contributing to the improvement of our knowledge on this still poorly known group. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Serra da Bocaina National Park (SBNP) is a large remnant of Atlantic Forest located within an endangered biodiversity hotspot, which contributes to the connectivity among protected areas in the region. Despite the ecological importance of the SBNP, its bat fauna is poorly-known, and no comprehensive inventory is available. The present study provides an updated list of the bat species found in the SBNP. The four-year study was based on a capture-mark-recapture approach at four sites within the park, in the municipality of Paraty, Rio de Janeiro state, Brazil. A total of 22 bat species were recorded, representing two families, Phyllostomidae (n = 19 species) and Vespertillionidae (n = 3). This added 14 species to the known bat fauna of the SBNP, which is hereby updated to 24 species, including Dermanura cinerea Gervais, 1856, Platyrrhinus recifinus (Thomas, 1901), and Myotis ruber (É. Geoffroy, 1806), which are listed as endangered in Rio de Janeiro state. The specimen of Trinycteris nicefori (Sanborn, 1949) captured in the present study is the first record of the occurrence of this species in Rio de Janeiro state. This record extends the geographic range of the species by approximately 650 km to the southeast. Additional inventories, in particular at poorly-studied Atlantic Forest sites, combined with environmental suitability analyses, and taxonomic and biogeographic data, are urgently required to elucidate the distribution of many Brazilian bat species, such as T. nicefori. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The echimyid rodents of the genus Phyllomys are medium-sized arboreal spiny rats endemic to the Atlantic Forest of Brazil. The genus is currently composed of 13 species, although there are at least four other undescribed species. The ecology, zoogeography and diversity of the genus are still poorly understood. Here, we provide the first record of Phyllomys sulinus from the Brazilian state of Rio de Janeiro, based on a specimen collected in the Serra da Bocaina National Park, which extends the known geographic range of the species approximately 130 km to the northeast. At this site, P. sulinus occurred in syntopy with the cryptic Phyllomys nigrispinus. We describe the karyotype of P. nigrispinus for the first time and identify two different diploid numbers (2n=84 and 85). We also conducted a molecular analysis of the cytochrome b gene of five specimens, which we identified by phylogenetic reconstruction. Our findings reinforce the importance of molecular data, such as DNA sequences, and karyotypes for the differentiation of cryptic, syntopic species. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The highways are essential for the maintenance and growth of the economy of a country, unfortunately, several studies have shown a list of the highways with significant environmental impacts, before it means the great importance of the deepening of the environmental management issue of knowledge in highways, especially the legal question. The conclusion of the article is that the environmental licensing is an important process in environmental management of highways, however lack seriousness in the post construction monitoring, as required for an evaluation of the effectiveness of mitigation measures taken. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Here we report the first record of Drymoreomys albimaculatus Percequillo, Weksler & Costa, 2011 (Cricetidae, Sigmodontinae) in Rio de Janeiro state, Brazil. One specimen was captured at Serra da Bocaina National Park, municipality of Paraty. The specimen was captured in a pitfall trap, in a mixed habitat of forest and bamboo. The karyotype showed 2n = 62 and FN = 62, which is similar to the previously described for the species. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Morphological variation of the ramus mandibulae of wild Sus scrofa was described and correlated to sex and age differences. Young forms (n=27, 15 males, 12 females) and adults (n=23, 13 males, 10 females) were analyzed through Geometric Morphometrics (2-D) to assess differences between groups. We found significant differences between age- and sex-related shape variations at ramus mandibulae level. Young wild boars present bulky angular process with backward oriented coronoid process, while adults show slender jaw vertical ramus, and orthogonally oriented coronoid process. The ramus mandibulae in female wild boars is more robust and bulky than in males. The morphological changes between young and adult forms are related to alterations in the osteo-muscular jaw complex along wild boars ontogeny. The jaw morphological variations observed in adult wild boars could also be related to dietary differences between sexes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Semiaquatic and terrestrial mammals frequently have to cross or move along water bodies, both trying to remain on the water surface using one or two pairs of limbs, combining different gaits and stride lengths and frequencies. This is the case of the semiaquatic water rats Nectomys and the cursorial Cerradomys, sister genera of the Oryzomyini tribe, capable of swimming using similar gaits. They provide an opportunity to investigate performance specializations involving the semiaquatic habitat, our objective in this study. Rodents were filmed at 30framess−1 in lateral view, swimming in a glass aquarium. Video sequences were analyzed dividing the swimming cycle into power and recovery phases. Differences in swimming performance were detected between species of Nectomys and Cerradomys, but not between species of the same genus. Absolute mean speed did not differ between the semiaquatic and terrestrial groups, but the semiaquatic Nectomys had longer stride lengths with lower stride frequency, whereas the terrestrial Cerradomys had higher stride frequency and relative swimming speed. The widest behavior repertoire of Nectomys allowed more efficient, but not necessarily faster swimming than the terrestrial Cerradomys. Efficient aquatic locomotion in Nectomys is ultimately a result of improved buoyancy by hydrophobic fur and subtle morphological specializations, which allow this genus to perform more efficiently in water than the terrestrial Cerradomys without compromising locomotion in the terrestrial environment. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Here we present a commented list of mammals registered in the Serra da Bocaina National Park. Three field trips (February, 2010, and May and July, 2011) were accomplished along the RJ-165 highway in the Municipality of Paraty, State of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. Forty-eight species belonging to nine orders were recorded. The local mammal fauna could be considered diverse and rich, with some species regarded as biological indicators of habitat quality. Endangered and rare rodent species like Blarinomys breviceps, Juliomys rimofrons, and Thaptomys nigrita were captured. Road and hunting impacts on mammals are discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The anaconda Eunectes murinus (Linnaeus, 1758) inhabits large hydrographic basins in tropical America and figures among the world's largest snakes, attaining a length of 12 m. This study analyzed the growth of three female anaconda siblings, with records from their birth in captivity up to around 14 months of age. The snakes were kept in a controlled environment with constant temperature and data related to biometry, feeding and skin shedding were recorded. At the end of these 445 days, the siblings had grown on average 2.6 times their initial length and increased their initial weight by 3830.10g, incorporating about 43.5% of total food ingested to their body mass. They showed a total of 0.69 skin sheddings per month in that period, and did not exhibit significant differences in shedding intervals, nor in body growth (weight and length), when compared among themselves. Food was refused at times, coinciding with the days that preceded the ecdyses. Sheddings do not seem to be explained by feeding or growth, which suggests a relation to other endogenous factors. A more detailed study of this species is needed to better understand its growth to the adult phase and its hormonal levels during growth. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Until now, Juliomys rimofrons Oliveira and Bonvicino, 2002 has been known only from the type locality, the county of Itamonte, State of Minas Gerais, Brazil. Based on morphological and karyological examinations, in this study we identified two new records for this species. Both records correspond to individuals collected at Serra da Bocaina National Park, in the states of Rio de Janeiro and São Paulo, Brazil. These records increase the species' geographic range southwards, approximately 100 km from the type locality. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]