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Landscape transformation favors the spread of new pathogens that can be shared between domestic and wild animals. Certain adenoviruses (e.g., canine adenovirus 1 and 2, family Adenoviridae) can infect domestic and wild carnivores. In domestic canids, these viruses are associated with hepatic and respiratory diseases (among others). Nevertheless, information regarding adenovirus pathogenicity and molecular features in wild carnivores is still limited. Herein we surveyed adenovirus in free-ranging carnivores from Brazil. Total DNA was extracted from and subsequently tested by a nested panPCR in spleen and/or lung of 52 carnivores, representing species of the following families: Canidae (n = 4), Felidae (n = 3), Mustelidae (n = 2) and Procyonidae (n = 2). The obtained sequences were compared to others available at GenBank. Available tissue samples from the positive cases were evaluated histopathologically. One out of 52 (1.9%, CI 95%, 0.0–5.7%) carnivores was positive; a roadkilled ocelot (Leopardus pardalis). The obtained sequence presented a low deduced amino acid (78.1%) similarity with the closest adenovirus, identified in a pinniped from the United States of America. This fact and its detection in a novel host suggest it may be representative of a novel species and denominated ocelot adenovirus 1. None of the gross and microscopic findings of the positive case were associated with adenovirus. To the authors' knowledge, this is the first report of adenovirus in wild felids of South America and the second worldwide. Further studies are necessary to assess the epidemiology and potential pathogenicity of this agent in wild carnivores. [Display omitted] • Landscape transformation favors the spread of new pathogens • Adenovirus surveillance in Canidae, Felidae, Mustelidae and Procyonidae carnivores • Detection of a novel adenovirus in an ocelot, denominated ocelot adenovirus 1 • First report of adenovirus in wild felids of South America and the second worldwide [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Protocyon troglodytes was a hypercarnivorous South American canid that died out during the Late Pleistocene-early Holocene extinction, an event that eliminated most large mammals on the continent. The precise timing of these extinctions is poorly understood in South America, primarily due to a lack of radiometric dates on taxa. Of the extinct South American canids, P. troglodytes have the most extensive fossil record and widest distribution. However, the age of these specimens is based on relatively coarse association with other dated taxa or sediments. This paper describes an unpublished specimen of P. troglodytes and present the first 14C date and stable isotopes (δ13C and δ15N) for the species. This is the first taxon date for the genus and species, with an age of 17,338 ± 85 BP, and represents the youngest specimen dated by any means. The isotopes indicate that P. troglodytes was a hypercarnivore, in agreement with morphological studies, and that Equus neogeus, Hippidion principale, Stegomastodon platensis, Toxodon, and Megatherium americanum may have been part of its diet. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: A mass extinction affected South America during the late Pleistocene and early Holocene, when megamammals and large mammals disappeared. Several carnivores became extinct, including the sabretooth (Smilodon), the short-faced bear (Arctotherium), and some large canids (i.e., Protocyon, Canis dirus). After this mass event, virtually no carnivores became extinct in South America. The only exception is the fox Dusicyon avus, a medium-sized canid (estimated body mass between 10 and 15 kg) with a more carnivorous diet than the living South American foxes (Lycalopex culpaeus). The last record of the species comes from middle-late Holocene archaeological sites in the Pampean Region (Argentina) and Patagonia (Argentina and Chile). During the late Pleistocene, D. avus had a wide distribution, which covered part of Uruguay, Argentina (Buenos Aires province) and southern Patagonia. Although some remains from late Holocene sites have been published, these remains are still lacking numerical dating to determine the approximate date of extinction of this fox. This paper presents several new records from the Pampean and Patagonia regions, and several taxon dates. The new records indicate that D. avus survived in the late Holocene at least until ≈ 3000 BP in the Isla Grande de Tierra del Fuego (Patagonia) and the continent. Since at this time humans were occupying most of the Pampas and Patagonia, a revision of the causes behind the extinction of this fox is needed. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: The fossil record of large canids is reviewed in order to improve the current South American biostratigraphic chart. This analysis is based on the recent systematic revision of those taxa performed by one of the authors and new field and paleomagnetic works. The first occurrences of large canids are limited to the Early–Middle Pleistocene (Ensenadan stage/age). Theriodictis platensis, “Canis”gezi, and Protocyon scagliorum are restricted to the Ensenadan. Most T. platensis specimens came from late Ensenadan levels (0.78–≈0.5Ma), but the oldest one is between 0.78Ma and 1Ma old. The biochron of Protocyon troglodytes spans the Ensenadan–Lujanian interval, and its youngest remains are associated with 14C dates of 25–27/20–10ka BP. Most individuals of Protocyon tarijensis could be between 1Ma and 10ka, but one specimen comes from a level surely younger than 0.78Ma, and probably younger than 28ka. The oldest records of the living species Chrysocyon brachyurus are between ca. 0.3Ma–9ka BP. The first record of Canis dirus (and Canis by extension) in South America is limited to the latest Pleistocene (<25–27ka). [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Protocyon Giebel is a genus of strongly carnivorous canids adapted to open environments that inhabited South America during the Pleistocene. It is represented by four species: Protocyon orcesi Hoffstetter from Ecuador; Protocyon troglodytes Lund from Bolivia, Ecuador, and Brazil; Protocyon scagliarum Kraglievich, the oldest record of the genus (Ensenadan); and a new unpublished species from the Late Pleistocene. These two latter species are exclusive to Argentina. A new record of P. cf. P. troglodytes (the first of Argentina) from the Late Pleistocene of Formosa province is reported, and the main records of the genus are listed, with comments on their paleoecological and paleozoogeographic aspects. The oldest record of the genus is younger than 0.78Ma BP, whereas the biochron of P. scagliarum is between 0.78 and 0.5Ma BP. The first records of P. troglodytes are probably older than 0.5Ma BP, reaching the late Pleistocene; P. orcesi lived between 0.3Ma and 10Ka BP and Protocyon sp. nov. between 0.5Ma and 10Ka BP. This finding in northern Argentina partially fills in the geographic distribution of P. troglodytes. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]