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Copyright of Revista Foco (Interdisciplinary Studies Journal) is the property of Revista Foco and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

The house mouse is a commensal species that invades natural ecosystems and threatens both native rodents and ecosystems. Therefore, it is important to describe the population of Mus musculus in native ecosystems to develop effective management plans for eradicating or controlling this species. In this study, we assessed the abundance and habitat preferences of M. musculus in Reserva Nacional de Illescas (RNI) and Manglares de San Pedro de Vice (MSPV) using capture-recapture methods during 2021 and 2022. We recorded only a few captures (N = 3) of M. musculus in the RNI, whereas numerous captures and recaptures (N = 195 and N = 41, respectively) were recorded at the MSPV. Our analysis suggests that M. musculus prefers complex habitats. We discuss the implications of the presence of house mice in mangrove ecosystems and emphasize the population dynamics of this species for its control and management in legally protected areas. In conclusion, the population size of the house mouse varies among different habitats, with a preference for complex environments. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Andes are known to be one of the most species-rich regions on Earth, with their origination promoting formation of new habitats and acting as climatic barriers. This orogenic event was structured latitudinally with 3 major segments having different formation times and with different environmental and historical conditions. The Andean region has been historically important in the evolutionary history of small mammals and is considered the region of Earth with the highest values of rodent species richness and turnover. Therefore, the region provides an excellent opportunity to evaluate mechanisms involved in structuring rodent assemblages and beta diversity patterns. Here, we assessed spatial patterns of rodent beta diversity along the Andes Mountains, with specific goals of examining patterns of turnover and nestedness as 2 recognized processes that drive species composition. We explored the role of spatial, climate, and historical factors on beta diversity patterns using geographic range maps for 432 rodent species to construct a species presence–absence matrix. We used piecewise regressions to identify latitudinal breakpoints in turnover and nestedness, and conducted multiple regressions and variation-partitioning approaches to assess the contribution of each set of postulated drivers in shaping beta diversity patterns. Beta diversity decreases from north to south. The highest turnover was located at the Northern Andes (5°N and 10°S) and western-central Andes (20°S and 35°S). Nestedness was higher below 40°S and in some areas of the western-central Andes between 15° and 20°S. Turnover and nestedness registered breakpoints coincident with the Central and Southern Andes limit. Turnover explained most of the beta diversity for all segments, although within the Southern Andes there was also some contribution of nestedness. In all segments, beta diversity was mainly explained by spatial factors with minor contributions from spatially structured climate (Northern Andes), interaction of all factors (Central Andes), and the interaction between current climate and history (Southern Andes). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Natural processes and patterns are altered by human activity at different spatial and temporal scales, affecting species assemblages and population traits, modifying mechanisms or regulating dynamics at different scales. However, little is known about the influence of landscape structure on small mammal assemblages and populations on farms. Thus, in this work, we aimed to study the effect of landscape and environmental characteristics at the farm scale on the assemblage and populations of native and introduced small mammals in pig and dairy farms located in Buenos Aires province, Argentina. Our results showed that farms in contexts of higher environmental diversity at the landscape scale have higher species richness. Our results also showed that variations in assemblage composition were associated with the quantity of water body surfaces, cattle food, small mammal refugia, and impervious surfaces at the farm scale—and with woodland, grassland, and natural vegetation cover at the landscape scale. The abundance of commensal murids was higher on farms near towns, with higher vegetation cover at the farm scale and/or in landscape contexts with fewer crops. The abundance of Akodon azarae was higher on farms with a lower amount of cattle food at the farm scale and crop patches in the landscape. The abundance of Didelphis albiventris was higher during spring on farms with a low proportion of bare ground, while that of Lutreolina crassicaudata was higher on farms with high vegetation cover and a lower number of water body surfaces. These results show the relevance of multiscale determinants in the development of ecologically based management strategies to control pest small mammals. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Clearing and staining techniques have been present since 1897, However, their use in anatomical studies of adult micromammals has been limited. When using such techniques in combination with allometric method, it is possible to study articulated skeletons of micromammals, instead of relying only on the skulls, which is important in morphologically complicated groups as the rodents. Research involving multivariate allometric analysis of postcranial skeleton of rodents has been limited and confined to specific items. In this study, we analyzed and compared the morphometry of the skeleton of Neotomodon alstoni with that of Meriones unguiculatus, Phodopus campbelli and Rattus norvegicus. We applied the double staining and clearing technique in order to determine the morphometric relation between these rodents using sixty skeletal characters. We found that three species share two common correlations and one isometric, with apparent similarities between the morphometry patterns of P campbelli with the ossification pattern described for the related species Mesocricetus auratus. The differences in allometric growth could represent differences in the development stages according to the type of life history for each species. In this analysis we confirmed that both the preparation technique and morphometric analysis method, are simple yet verifiable tools for anatomical and morphological studies. Our results reflect the conditions of ontogenetic development derived from the heterochrony pattern for each species, representing the evolutionary history for this group. Therefore, as this approach continues to be discussed, ongoing research is warranted. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Wildlife is a potential source for emerging and re-emerging zoonotic diseases. Trichinella spiralis is the major etiological agent that causes Trichinella spp. infection in humans and domestic pigs, but other Trichinella species are also involved. Pigs are the most important source of Trichinella spp. infection worldwide, being their outdoor breeding, waste feeding, their exposure to wildlife and carcasses, the documented risk factors for pig production, food security, and health. Early Trichinella spp. detection and the study of their reservoir’s competence are needed to prevent and control Trichinella spp. infection. The aims of this study were to analyze the occurrence of Trichinella spp. infection in in synanthropic and non-synanthropic wild and domestic animals in rural areas and compare Trichinella spp. infection in synanthropic and non-synanthropic wild small mammals on intensive and extensive piggeries. This is a two-year study in an endemic area of the disease. To evaluate parasite infection, we included samples from animals captured in 18 intensive and extensive piggeries and from road-killed vertebrates collected lengthwise 882 km within 13 counties along eight consecutive seasons. Trichinella spp. infection association to small mammals’ infestation levels and community composition and structure was analyzed. From a total of 697 wild and domestic animals analyzed, infected Rattus norvegicus and Didelphis albiventris individuals were found in two extensive piggeries. The parasite was not found outside piggeries. Infections were identified as T. spiralis by a Nested-Multiplex PCR. These findings showed some evidence that supports the idea that extensive farming has a higher risk of transmission of T. spiralis than intensive farming. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Small mammals, including those inhabiting human-modified habitats, transmit zoonotic diseases such as cysticercosis. This disease is caused by Cysticercus fasciolaris, the larval form of species within the Hydatigera taeniaeformis s.l. group. While the life cycle of these flatworms is well understood, certain aspects of their phylogeny remain unknown. Studies in Europe, Asia, and Africa suggest that the species Hydatigera taeniaeformis s.s. exclusively infects small mammals of the family Muridae. However, no studies have been conducted in the Americas until now. In this study, small mammals were captured on 18 pig farms in the province of Buenos Aires throughout a year. Necropsies of captured individuals were performed, and the presence of cysts was recorded. The prevalence of cysticercosis was analyzed for the entire assemblage, with species as the explanatory variables. Species-specific prevalence was also modeled, considering season and type of farm as the explanatory variables. Cysts were collected from Akodon azarae, Oligoryzomys flavescens, Rattus novergicus, and Rattus rattus identified through molecular techniques, comparing their DNA sequences with those stored in GenBank for phylogenetic hypothesis. A total of 460 small mammals were analyzed, including the introduced species R. novergicus, R. rattus, and M. musculus and the native species A. azarae, O. flavescens, Oxymycterus rufus, Didelphis albiventris, and Lutreolina crassicaudata. The prevalence of cysticercosis was similar between species, and it showed a seasonal association in R. norvegicus and A. azarae. Phylogenetic analysis confirmed the presence of Hydatigera taeniaeformis s.s. in cricetids, suggesting a recent spillover event associated with European colonization in the Americas. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Rats and mice are the most used experimental models in research. Globally, animal houses are subjected to parasite outbreaks. In Brazil, the parasitological profile is used to reflect the sanitary condition of laboratory animals and must be monitored frequently. The present study developed an integrative review of scientific studies on the parasitological profile of rats and mice in animal facilities in Brazil. It identified the most prevalent parasite species reported in animal facilities from different geographic regions of the country, as well as factors contributing to the perpetuation of these parasites, and proposed measures to help prevent such infections. Based on the guiding question “which endoparasites and ectoparasites have already been identified in rat and mouse colonies in animal facilities in Brazil?” and considering inclusion and exclusion criteria, 28 studies published between 1974 and 2021 were selected in four scientific bases. These studies covered facilities in 12 Brazilian States, describing 16 genera of parasites in mice and 18 in rats. Most of the facilities in the selected studies were of the conventional type and with few sanitary barriers, and these conditions may favor the recurrence of parasites. Efforts are, therefore,necessary for institutions to have animal facilities in accordance with the legislation and practice optimal methodologies. The measures proposed in this article can contribute to change the panorama of parasites in the national animal facilities, aiming to safeguard the quality of scientific data and animal welfare. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A citogenética é uma ferramenta eficaz na identificação de espécies e resolução de problemas taxonômicos de pequenos mamíferos. Os protocolos in vivo são úteis devido ao seu baixo custo, mas apresentam divergência metodológica, precisando ser frequentemente ajustados. Neste estudo, apresentamos um método padronizado para a análise citogenética de pequenos mamíferos a partir da extração de medula óssea femoral, e demonstramos a importância dessa padronização em contraste com outras abordagens. Aplicamos a técnica de Ford e Hamerton (1956) com as seguintes atualizações: 1) adequação das quantidades e concentrações de soluções utilizadas (colchicina e solução hipotônica); 2) descrição detalhada das etapas; 3) utilização de centrífuga como método de separação; 4) adição de procedimento de montagem de lâminas, o qual melhora a visualização de metáfases. Seis protocolos citogenéticos que utilizam medula óssea foram comparados em etapas importantes da fase de preparação da amostra. Houve diferenças na concentração de soluções de colchicina entre todos os métodos. O tempo de ação da solução também variou (de 15 minutos a 6 horas). O tempo e a concentração das soluções de colchicina são etapas cruciais para a condensação dos cromossomos e geração de boas metáfases. Deste modo, destacamos que a metodologia apresentada em nosso estudo contribui com a padronização de um protocolo citogenético in vivo indicado para pequenos mamíferos, que possibilita o aproveitamento do material e redução no número de animais sacrificados para ajustes de metodologia, gerando amostras viáveis desde as primeiras tentativas.

Leptospirosis, una enfermedad zoonótica de distribución mundial, es causada por espiroquetas del género Leptospira. Se presenta en algunas zonas en forma endémica y se asocia a factores ambientales, precipitaciones, temperatura, exposición a animales infectados e inundaciones. Esta enfermedad puede manifestarse con una amplia variedad de signos clínicos, desde formas leves a cuadros graves y potencialmente fatales. Los síntomas tanto en el hombre como en caninos pueden confundirse con diferentes patologías multisistémicas y enfermedades hemorrágicas de origen viral. Es importante un correcto diagnóstico (clínico y de laboratorio) al inicio de los síntomas para evitar casos graves y muertes en situaciones de brotes. Las vacunas comerciales pueden prevenir casos en caninos, pero la protección está limitada a los serovares presentes en el lugar. Esfuerzos y colaboración de varios sectores, bajo el concepto de “Una Salud”, son fundamentales para garantizar una salud óptima ambiental, animal y especialmente humana, tanto a nivel local, nacional como global.

As capivaras (Hydrochoerus hydrochaeris) de vida livre podem ser consideradas reservatórios de vários agentes, principalmente de parasitos gastrointestinais. Com a proximidade desses animais aos humanos, reforça mais a importância da investigação da população parasitária. Objetivou-se, com o presente trabalho, realizar exames coproparasitológicos de capivaras que habitam o Lago Municipal do Município de Jaboticabal-SP. Foram avaliadas 25 amostras de fezes, utilizando as técnicas de flutuação de Faust modificada e sedimentação de Foreyt. Foi possível estimar que 72% das amostras correspondiam a animais adultos e 28% de jovens com menos de um ano. Foi encontrado, em permeio às síbalas de fezes, o parasito correspondente a Protozoophaga obesa em 71,42% das amostras de capivaras jovens. Ademais, foram encontrados em maior prevalência os ovos da Superfamília Trichostrongyloidea. Além de Strongyloides chapini, Protozoophaga obesa, Capillaria hydrochoeri, Monoecoestus spp. e Eimeria spp. não esporulada. Não foram encontrados parasitos com potencial zoonótico, porém um maior monitoramento desses animais é benéfico tanto para a saúde dos humanos, quanto dos animais, visto que as capivaras podem ser reservatórios para algumas doenças.

O presente trabalho apresenta uma revisão sobre o hipercrescimento dentário e má oclusão em coelhos da espécie Oryctolagus cuniculus, visto que as doenças odontológicas representam 60% dos atendimentos na clínica de roedores e lagomorfos e há uma expansão de atendimentos nesta especialidade. O crescimento constante dos dentes do coelho pode ser prejudicado por diferentes fatores como processo infeccioso ou inflamatório, doenças metabólicas, traumas, teratogenia ou, a causa mais comum, que está relacionado ao manejo alimentar, quando não há ingestão de fibras suficientes para realização do desgaste dentário ou de movimentos mastigatórios errôneos provenientes da má oclusão. O diagnóstico deve ocorrer com base na anamnese e história clínica, associado aos exames complementares, preferencialmente de imagem. O tratamento ocorre com base na clínica, sendo recomendado o desgaste dentário ou exodontia. Nesse sentido, o conhecimento sobre as principais causas e fatores determinantes, bem como a evolução clínica e as abordagens terapêuticas do hipercrescimento dentário é de suma importância na prevenção e prognóstico, e assim, bem-estar desses animais.

Um animal é considerado saudável quando se encontra em um estado de bem-estar biopsicossocial. A domesticação e a forma de criação influenciam de maneira significativa na vida dos animais, determinando aspectos comportamentais e fisiológicos. Hamsters costumam ser criados em gaiolas, que são ambientes muito reduzidos em relação ao que esses roedores costumam viver quando livres na natureza. O objetivo do presente trabalho foi avaliar as mudanças que ocorreram em hamsters devido a domesticação e, conforme isso, determinar qual é a melhor condição de criação para que esses animais vivam em bem-estar.

Cytogenetics is an effective tool for identifying species of mammals, especially rodents, and for understanding evolutionary relationships and conserving several taxa of the group. In vivo protocols are useful due to their low cost, but they present methodological divergence and need to be frequently adjusted. In this study, we present a method for the cytogenetic analysis of small mammals from femoral bone marrow, demonstrating the importance of this standardization compared to other approaches. We applied the technique of Ford and Hamerton (1956) with updates: 1) adjustment of the quantities and concentrations of solutions used (colchicine and hypotonic solution); 2) detailed description of the steps; 3) use of centrifugation as a separation method; 4) addition of a slide mounting procedure, which improves visualization of metaphases. Six cytogenetic protocols were compared in important stages of sample preparation. There was a difference in the concentration of the colchicine solutions between all the methods, and between the solution's action time (from 15 minutes to 6 hours), crucial stages for condensing the chromosomes and generating good metaphases. In this way, we highlight that the methodology presented in our study contributes to the standardization of an in vivo cytogenetic protocol suitable for small mammals, which makes it possible to take advantage of the material and reduce the number of animals sacrificed for methodology adjustments, generating viable samples from the very first attempts. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The genus Graomys contains four species and presents significant karyological diversity. Graomys griseoflavus, inhabiting mainly the Monte Desert ecoregion, shows variations in diploid number (2n) from 33 to 38 due to Robertsonian translocations and in fundamental number of autosomal arms (FNa) from 44 to 48 due to inversions. Graomys chacoensis, which occurs in the ecoregions of the Chaco and the Espinal, has 2n=42 and FNa=44-46 due to a pericentric inversion. Graomys domorum, which inhabits the Yungas ecoregion and the Yungas-Chaco transitional zones and exhibits 2n=28 and FNa=46, but its karyotype is known only by a schematic representation for two specimens from Bolivia. The karyotype of G. edithae has not yet been described. In this report, we studied 29 individuals of the three former species from different localities of their distribution, using conventional and differential cytogenetic techniques and chromosome measurements. In G. griseoflavus, we have identified the pairs involved in the three Robertsonian translocations, supporting an independent, not sequential origin of this polymorphism. The nearby area of Mendoza City showed the greatest chromosomal diversity for G. griseoflavus. The banding pattern associated with the chromosomal measurements allowed us to suggest the possible pairs involved in the pericentric inversions of G. griseoflavus and G. chacoensis. The presence of heterochromatin indicates more significant chromosomal variability and complexity than previously recognized. The chromosome complements of G. chacoensis and G. griseoflavus are more similar to each other. The karyotype of G. domorum from Argentina differs from the previously reported from Bolivia, and is the most divergent within the genus. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Brazilian Journal of Biology is the property of Instituto Internacional de Ecologia and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Copyright of Cuaternario y Geomorfología is the property of Cuaternario y Geomorfologia and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

A leptospirose é uma zoonose de grande importância social e econômica de distribuição mundial. Foi realizado um questionário online, no qual participaram 1.978 pessoas, com o objetivo de realizar levantamento e análise do conhecimento da população brasileira sobre a leptospirose e suas principais características. A população participante mostrou-se, de forma geral, informada quanto à zoonose e suas principais formas de transmissão e profilaxia, apesar de a maioria negar acometimento prévio ou ciência de indivíduos conhecidos diagnosticados com leptospirose. No entanto, apenas parcelas menores responderam com exatidão todas as questões, enquanto outros indivíduos responderam-nas equivocadamente, confundindo com outras enfermidades como dengue, raiva e Salmonelose. Observa-se, assim, a importância da educação sanitária para esclarecer tais pontos. A maioria afirmou ter acesso a saneamento básico, limitando o levantamento de dados para investigar os conhecimentos sobre leptospirose da população sem acesso ao recurso, sendo recomendada a realização de pesquisas com maiores enfoques nessa parcela da população.

Continuando a revisão dos mamíferos existentes no Estado de São Paulo, tratamos aqui da ordem dos Roedores, em sua maioria constituída de ratos silvestres, e dos Lagomorfos, com uma única forma de lebre selvagem. Sendo a ordem dos Roedores a mais rica da região Neotropica, pois só no Brasil foram descritas para mais de 250 formas, sem estudo oferece grandes dificuldades, tornando-se necessário dispor de enorme material para a identificação segura das formas realmente validas. Tratando-se porem de animais geralmente de pequeno porte, quase exclusivamente noturnos e extremamente ariscos, o que torna a sua captura das mais difíceis, não e de admirar que o numero de exemplares existentes nas cole§6es ao nosso dispor deixe bastante a desejar. Em consequência, esta revisão e forçosamente incompleta, e apenas aproximativo o numero de formas nela descritas. Como nos trabalhos anteriores (1), tomamos por base a coleção de peles e crânios atualmente existentes no Departamento de Zoologia e coletados em localidades situadas dentro dos limites do Estado de São Paulo.

Objective. To search Hantavirus and Arenavirus in small rodents and establish their spatial distribution in disturbed ecosystems in the municipality of Villavicencio, Meta, Colombia. Materials and method. A descriptive cross-sectional study was carried out from October 2018 to October 2019 in periurban and rural areas of the municipality of Villavicencio. Rodents were captured using Sherman-type traps and molecular detection of Hantavirus and Arenavirus was carried out by Polymerase chain Reaction technique. Results. A total of 50 rodents were captured belonged to 3 families and six species, the Muridae (76%) with the highest number of captured individuals, Cricetidae (22%) and Echimydae (2%). All samples were negative for the molecular markers of Hantavirus and Arenavirus. Conclusions. The study of mammalian hosts, particularly small rodents contribute to monitor diseases transmitted by these small mammals that act as reservoirs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Estudios bajo condiciones de laboratorio sobre la historia natural de roedores silvestres permiten detallar ciertos atributos difíciles de estudiar en sus ambientes, como es el caso del desarrollo de las camadas. Siendo así, se describen algunos aspectos del crecimiento de tres crías del roedor Nephelomys meridensis en un entorno controlado. Durante el seguimiento se obtuvieron registros fotográficos y de pesaje, así como los cambios evidenciados en el transcurrir de las observaciones. Se reportan datos sobre las características del pelaje, apertura de los ojos y movilidad de las crías.

Objetivo. Realizar una búsqueda de Hantavirus y Arenavirus en pequeños roedores y establecer su distribución espacial en diferentes ecosistemas del municipio de Villavicencio, departamento del Meta, Colombia. Materiales y método. Se realizó un estudio descriptivo de corte transversal, entre octubre de 2018 octubre de 2019 en zonas periurbanas y rurales del municipio de Villavicencio. Se capturaron roedores empleando trampas tipo Sherman. La detección molecular de Hantavirus se llevó a cabo usando cebadores forward SAHN-S y reverse SAHN-C y para Arenavirus cebadores forward GP878+ y reverse GP1126. Resultados. Un total de 50 roedores fueron capturados, el éxito de captura fue del 1.7%. Los roedores capturados pertenecían a 3 familias y 6 especies, las familias más frecuentes fueron Muridae (76%) Cricetidae (22%) y Echimydae (2%). Todas las muestras resultaron negativas para Hantavirus y Arenavirus. Conclusión. El estudio de pequeños roedores contribuye con la vigilancia de enfermedades transmitidas por estos mamíferos que actúan como reservorios.

Caves are natural underground cavities eroded by water, where vertebrates remains accumulated. Toca da Boa Vista (TBV) in the State of Bahia has importance as the largest cave in the country and is located in Boqueirão da Onça, a region covered by seasonal forest, rocky fields, and anthropized areas. We conducted an analysis of craniomandibular and dental material of small mammals collected on the surface of this cave, deposited for the most part, by the owl Tyto furcata. Thirty-one species of small mammals were recorded, including seven Didelphimorphia (Didelphidae), 14 Rodentia (Caviidae, Echimyidae, Cricetidae, and Muridae), and 10 Chiroptera (Furipteridae, Natalidae, Phyllostomidae, and Vespertilionidae). All these species are known from the Caatinga. The distribution of Holochilus oxe is confirmed for Bahia. The sample includes threatened species (e.g., Thylamys karimii, Kerodon rupestris, and Furipterus horrens), restricted to bioma limits or to transitional areas (Marmosops incanus and Pseudoryzomys simplex), and ones of forest habits (e.g., Marmosa demerarae and Rhipidomys cariri). These species reflect the environments conserved within Boqueirão da Onça. On the other hand, the presence of Mus musculus and Rattus rattus is related to anthropized areas near TBV. These data support the importance of caves as a source of material for small mammals studies and increase the knowledge of the fauna of Boqueirão da Onça, one of the most representative areas of the Caatinga. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Rodents are common pets in people's homes, among which the guinea pig, twister rat and domestic guinea pig stand out as popular pets today. Among the diseases that can affect these animals are the different categories of neoplasms, on which there are few studies and published reports. With this in mind, there is a need to encourage research on the subject, since the study of neoplasms in rodents can provide information about the causes and forms of cancer treatment not only for these animals, but also for other species, including humans. In view of the above scenario, this article aims to report a case of tubulopapillary carcinoma in a guinea pig (Cavia porcellus) treated at the Veterinary Hospital of the University of Sorocaba (HOVET / UNISO). After surgical removal of the neoplasm, the patient recovered well and was discharged from the veterinary hospital. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Diabetes mellitus, smoking, and dyslipidemia are more prevalent in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), the fourth leading cause of mortality worldwide. This study employed a model of lung disease in Wistar rats that incorporated these three risk factors, and investigated the effects of Baccharis trimera, a widely used medicinal plant, since no previous studies have evaluated its pulmonary effects. The diabetic and dyslipidemic rats were exposed to smoke for 4 weeks and treated with vehicle (C-group), an extract of B. trimera (HEBT), or simvastatin+insulin, for 2 weeks. The bronchoalveolar lavage was performed to evaluate inflammation. The lungs were collected for histopathological and redox state analyses. A decrease in body weight, an increase in oxidative stress, inflammation, and histopathological changes were observed in C-group. HEBT reversed these alterations and had a moderate antiinflammatory effect. Treatment with HEBT present promising effects for COPD. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

En el presente trabajo se exponen los resultados de la revisión del registro arqueofaunístico correspondiente a carpincho (Hydrochoerus hydrochaeris) de los sitios Cerro Aguará y Barrancas del Paranacito, localizados en el sector septentrional de la llanura aluvial del Paraná medio en su margen santafesina. El objetivo es examinar la relación entre las poblaciones humanas que habitaron dichos espacios y este roedor de gran tamaño, durante el Holoceno tardío. A pesar de su amplia disponibilidad y distribución, su representación en los sitios arqueológicos vinculados a los humedales del río Paraná es escasa y, particularmente en el tramo medio, los sitios aquí considerados se encuentran entre los que tienen una mayor frecuencia. Para esta revisión, se estimó la abundancia taxonómica y anatómica de este taxón y se realizó un relevamiento de las modificaciones de origen antrópico con el fin de inferir las actividades humanas que estarían involucradas en el procesamiento de este recurso. Además, se registró macroscópicamente la incidencia de perturbaciones post-depositacionales, evaluando la meteorización, la acción de raíces, de roedores y carnívoros, y alteraciones químicas. Asimismo, se utilizaron fuentes documentales, etnográficas y etnohistóricas, como marcos de referencia para la interpretación de la información obtenida. Los resultados muestran que, en los casos aquí analizados, esta especie habría sido aprovechada de manera integral, tanto como recurso alimenticio como para la confección de instrumentos. Este aprovechamiento cobra relevancia en la llanura aluvial del Paraná medio, donde son pocos los sitios en los cuales el carpincho representa un porcentaje del NISP mayor a 1.

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RESUMO Devido à ausência de estudos sobre capivaras na região Nordeste do Brasil, o objetivo deste estudo foi avaliar a sanidade desses roedores de vida livre em três áreas dos biomas Mata Atlântica (2) e Caatinga (1) do estado de Pernambuco, por meio da determinação de parâmetros da hematologia e bioquímica sérica. De novembro de 2016 a dezembro de 2017, foram capturados 21 animais, dos quais foram coletadas amostras de sangue para avaliação hematológica (eritrograma, leucograma e plaquetometria) e bioquímica sérica (atividade enzimática, perfil proteico, energético e mineral). A maioria dos parâmetros esteve dentro dos valores de normalidade para a espécie, embora alguns apresentassem diferenças estatisticamente significativas de acordo com a área de estudo (hemoglobina, hematócrito, VCM, CHCM, eosinófilos, fosfatase alcalina, proteína total, albumina, ácido úrico, creatinina, lactato, sódio e magnésio) e o sexo dos animais (ácido úrico). Os parâmetros obtidos são apresentados como referência e atestam a sanidade e o bom estado nutricional de populações de capivaras nos biomas Mata Atlântica e Caatinga da região Nordeste do Brasil. As informações aportadas neste estudo pioneiro na região Nordeste contribuem para aumentar o conhecimento sobre a ecofisiologia e a conservação in situ de capivaras.

RESUMO O objetivo deste trabalho foi mapear e descrever a ocorrência de roedores e seus ectoparasitas nas regiões norte do departamento de La Paz, Bolívia. De abril a maio e julho a agosto de 2017, 80 indivíduos da espécie Oligoryzomys microtis foram capturados em armadilhas vivas. Uma amostra aleatória de 36 indivíduos foi analisada quanto à presença de ectoparasitas, encontrando um total de 458 ectoparasitas. Os roedores foram capturados em dois tipos de ambientes: floresta secundária e áreas cultivadas, sendo a área cultivada a área com maior captação de roedores. Dos ectoparasitas, Laelaps sp. foi o gênero com maior abundância e Mysolaelaps sp. o mais prevalente; o gênero Polygenis sp. é aparentemente descrito pela primeira vez na selva amazônica, exigindo estudos adicionais para entender melhor os patógenos que são transmitidos no parasitismo desta pulga em roedores devido à sua importância no ecossistema e para a saúde pública.

El cuidado parental en pequeños roedores silvestres ha sido documentado principalmente bajo condiciones de laboratorio, existiendo un vacío de conocimiento sobre este aspecto en su medio natural para la mayoría de las especies. Al ser un rasgo comportamental importante para la supervivencia de las especies, se describe un caso de cuidado parental in situ en el roedor Rhipidomys fulviventer. Se observó un comportamiento natural de cuidado por parte de la madre hacia sus crías justo después del parto al interior de una trampa Sherman. Este es el primer reporte de cuidado parental postnatal inmediato de esta especie.

En este trabajo realizamos una revisión exhaustiva de bases de datos de colecciones científicas y literatura especializada con el objetivo de actualizar la lista de los mamíferos menores no voladores (

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Objetivou-se verificar a influência do enriquecimento ambiental sobre o desempenho reprodutivo de ratos Wistar mantidos em biotério. Doze casais de ratos da linhagem Wistar provenientes do Biotério do Centro Universitário de Patos de Minas foram divididos em quatro grupos com três casais cada: grupo controle (GC) e os grupos com enriquecimento ambiental GEA-1: rolinho de papel, GEA-2: chumaço de algodão e GEA-3: rolinho de papel e chumaço de algodão. Avaliou-se os parâmetros reprodutivos das fêmeas e os índices produtivos das ninhadas. Não foi observado efeito (p>0,05) do enriquecimento ambiental sobre a reprodução dos ratos estudados. Porém, houve uma melhora nas variáveis idade ao primeiro parto, intervalo entre partos, peso ao nascer, taxa de prolificidade e uma diminuição na mortalidade pré-desmame nos grupos enriquecidos. Conclui-se que a utilização de enriquecimento ambiental não influenciou estatisticamente os parâmetros reprodutivos, porém, biologicamente, observou-se aumento da performance nestes parâmetros. O algodão demonstrou superioridade quando comparado aos demais grupos devido à maior facilidade de manuseio do material.

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A Teníase causada pelo cestoda Taenia taeniaeformis, é uma enfermidade cosmopolita que acomete o intestino delgado dos felinos, sendo considerados hospedeiros definitivos. Os hospedeiros intermediários são diversos roedores, causando-lhes alterações estruturais acompanhadas de disfunção das células do fígado. Em geral, as infecções são consideradas assintomáticas, no entanto já foi relatado obstrução intestinal por esse parasito. Um caso de infecção humana já foi relatado. O presente relato descreve um caso de T. taeniaeformis diagnosticado em um gato atendido em uma clínica veterinária em Pelotas, RS, Brasil. É o primeiro caso relatado com sinais clínicos na região, além disso, não há relatos recentes sobre sua ocorrência no país. Utilizou-se a associação comercial dos princípios ativos Pamoato de pirantel (20mg/Kg) e Praziquantel (5mg/Kg). Este trabalho deve servir como alerta para Médicos Veterinários de toda a região, pois existe a possibilidade de risco clínico da teníase em gatos e a possível ocorrência em humanos.

A pesar de la alta diversidad de mamíferos conocidos para el Perú, son pocos los estudios en las yungas centrales, lo que no permite un adecuado conocimiento de su diversidad. Aquí se da a conocer los resultados de una evaluación de la diversidad de mamíferos de Carpish, Huánuco, un bosque montano en estado crítico de conservación. El estudio se realizó entre 2001 y 2002 con cinco expediciones en las localidades de Carpish de Mayobamba (2730 – 3080 m) y San Pedro de Carpish (1780 – 2400 m). Se emplearon métodos de captura, avistamientos y entrevistas, los que representan un esfuerzo de 28500 trampas noche y 190 redes noche. Registramos 35 especies de mamíferos en el área de estudio. Los órdenes más diversos fueron los murciélagos y roedores (74.3 %), estos incluyen cuatro especies endémicas para el país, cuatro especies en alguna categoría de conservación y el primer registro de la marmosita grácil Gracilinanus aceramarcae para Huánuco. La riqueza y los índices de diversidad (H' y Simpson) para roedores no muestran correlación significativa con respecto a la elevación. El roedor Thomasomys ischyrus y el murciélago Anoura aequatoris fueron las especies con mayor abundancia relativa. Nuestros registros, más los de la literatura y la revisión de colecciones científicas, sustentan la ocurrencia de 45 especies de mamíferos en el bosque de Carpish. Esta riqueza de especies, los endemismos y la acelerada pérdida de bosque son base para recomendar el establecimiento de un área de conservación que garantice la protección de los bosques montanos de Carpish.

O presente trabalho tem como objetivo relatar um caso sugestivo de infecção por Mycoplasma spp. em ratão-do-banhado no município de Pelotas, Rio Grande do Sul, Brasil, atendido no Núcleo de Reabilitação da Fauna Silvestre e Centro de Triagem de Animais Silvestres da Universidade Federal de Pelotas (NURFS/CETAS - UFPel). Foi encaminhado ao NURFS/CETAS – UFPel um ratão-do-banhado (Myocastor coypus), macho, adulto, com peso aproximado de 4,8 kg, resgatado na Praia do Laranjal, município de Pelotas, Rio Grande do Sul, Brasil. Durante o atendimento clínico do animal foi observado que o mesmo apresentava incoordenação motora e prostração, além de dificuldade de ingestão alimentar. Foram coletadas amostras sanguíneas do animal, acondicionadas em tubo contendo anticoagulante ácido etilenodiamino tetra-acético (EDTA), para a realização de hemograma. O hemograma foi realizada através de contagem celular, utilizando automação veterinária pocH-100iV Diff - Sysmex®; avaliação de esfregaço sanguíneo, previamente corado com Panotico Rápido®, através de microscopia óptica; e mensuração de proteínas plasmáticas totais (PPT) e fibrinogênio plasmático através de refratometria. Através da contagem celular e mensuração de PPT e fibrinogênio plasmático foi possível observar que o animal apresentava anemia, leucocitose e uma possível hiperfibrinogenemia. Na observação do esfregaço sanguíneo foram observadas estruturas basofílicas extracelulares ligadas à membrana das hemácias, compatíveis com a descrição morfológica de Mycoplasma spp., sugerindo um quadro de hemoplasmose aguda. Diante do quadro clínico, foi instituída antibioticoterapia com enrofloxacina 2,5% (7 mg/kg). Após 15 dias de protocolo terapêutico foi possível observar melhora clínica e dos parâmetros eritrocitários do animal, sugerindo que o sucesso do protocolo terapêutico corrobora com o provável quadro infeccioso.

Los vertebrados plaga afectan los intereses de las personas en ambientes urbanos y agropecuarios, lo cual ha ocurrido desde tiempos remotos. En Costa Rica, la información documentada sobre este tema data de más de un siglo. Desde el año 1911, con la aparición del Boletín de Fomento, se comienza a hacer referencia al tema. En una primera etapa definida entre los años 1910-1980, se publica en diferentes fuentes, acerca de los problemas generados por algunos vertebrados, entre los que resalta por su frecuencia las taltuzas. De estos roedores, se hace mención a los daños que ocasionan, y se ofrecen algunas opciones para su control, basados en el uso de venenos, trampas, alteraciones de su hábitat y el control biológico. Una segunda etapa, que abarca el período de 1980 al presente, se caracteriza por una mayor producción académica sobre el tema, con más diversidad de vertebrados involucrados. En esta etapa se da especial importancia a aspectos biológico-ecológicos, así como la caracterización del daño. Durante este periodo sobresale el aporte de la Universidad Nacional y posteriormente, el de la Universidad de Costa Rica, con la integración de la investigación, la extensión o la acción social y la docencia del tema de los vertebrados plaga. Como perspectiva futura de este campo se considera conveniente la continuación de estudios enfocados a aspectos biológico-ecológicos, ya que estos fundamentan las acciones de manejo. A su vez, se evidencia la necesidad de hacer mayores esfuerzos dirigidos al manejo de las situaciones problemáticas en donde participan vertebrados plaga.

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Copyright of Animal Technology & Welfare is the property of Institute of Animal Technology of Great Britain and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Copyright of Animal Technology & Welfare is the property of Institute of Animal Technology of Great Britain and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Este trabajo presenta los resultados del análisis zooarqueológico del sitio Acevedo 1, ubicado en el ecotono bosque-estepa del centro-oeste de Chubut, un área poco conocida en términos de la subsistencia humana del pasado. A este respecto, las evidencias en el sitio son escasas. En los vertebrados grandes, una huella de corte y otra de percusión en dos huesos de mamífero indeterminado. Los daños de carnívoros (mascado y corrosión digestiva) muestran que la mayor parte del conjunto faunístico es resultado de la actividad de aves rapaces y principalmente zorros que utilizaron el alero.

Araucaria Forest is one of the most threatened tropical forests in the world. Wild pig (Sus scrofa) are invasive pig that is expanding through these forests and seed removing that would be available to native fauna. Our aim was to evaluate the rates of seed Araucaria (Araucaria angustifolia) removal by both small, medium, and large mammals in areas with and without wild pig. We conducted a seed-removal experiment with three treatments differing in mammals' access to seeds, in areas with and without the occurrence of wild pig. Similar numbers of seeds Araucaria were removed by small, medium and large mammals, even in areas with wild pig. However, we verified that seed removal by small mammals is graduate over time, while large mammals, especially wild pig, remove in one event. So, we recommend long-term studies to investigate competition between wild pig and native biota and the effects of wild pig on seed dispersal and seed survival. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study provides an integral analysis of the taxonomic and paleoenvironmental evidence of the micromammal assemblages recovered from the archaeological sites located in the middle valley of the Negro river and neighboring southern areas (Northeastern Patagonia). As current parameter, several samples (mostly novel) of micromammals derived from pellets of raptors collected in the area were also included. The general matrix of the micromammal assemblages of the middle valley of the Negro river reflects the arid conditions of Monte during the last 1 000 years BP. However, the presence of Holochilus vulpinus in the Negro and Limay rivers probably responds to its advance during Holocene warm and humid episodes, with the subsequent retraction during the Little Ice Age. On the other hand, the micromammal assemblages of the Sierras de Pailemán indicate arid and semi-arid conditions of the ecotone Monte and Patagonian steppes between 3 500 and 1 800 years BP. Recent pellet samples point out the regional retraction of some species (the aforementioned H. vulpinus in the river courses, and the marsupial Lestodelphys halli and the caviomorph Tympanoctomys kirchnerorum in Pailemán), the marked decrease in abundance of grassland-associated species such as the sigmodontine Reithrodon auritus, and the dominance of opportunistic sigmodontines (Graomys griseoflavus, Oligoryzomys longicaudatus, Calomys musculinus and Eligmodontia sp.), these latter more flexible to anthropization processes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The analysis of raptor pellets, in particular Tyto furcata, is an important sampling technique for small mammals, but it is still little exploited in Brazil. In this work we carried out a survey of the small mammals present in pellets of T. furcata collected in an area of Mixed Ombrophilous Forest in the state of Santa Catarina, southern Brazil. A total of 364 individuals from 14 taxa of the families Didelphidae, Cricetidae, Muridae and Caviidae were registered. Oligoryzomys sp. was the most frequent taxon, corresponding to 53.30% of the total of individuals, followed by Mus musculus (22.80%) and Calomys tener (14.84%), which indicates the predominance of rodents of open and disturbed environments. Species poorly sampled with standard capture techniques, such as Calomys tener, and forest species, such as Sooretamys angouya and Thaptomys nigrita, were also represented in the sample. The obtained results corroborate the usefulness of the method for the knowledge of Neotropical small mammals. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Systematic knowledge about modern small mammal communities is necessary to interpret paleoenvironmental variations in the Late Quaternary. In this work, implications and information of modern small-mammal assemblages derived from raptor pellets from Mendoza province are reviewed and discussed as current taxonomic parameter. In this sense, all modern (n=31) and archaeological samples (n=40) were studied using familiar (multivariate and diversity analyses) and novel (Taxonomic Habitat Index [THI] and Geographic Information Systems) tools for the province. In addition to the loss of small mammal species in the present from possible extinctions (e.g., Holochilus lagigliai) and regional extirpations (e.g., Cavia aperea, Lestodelphys halli, Octomys mimax, Reithrodon auritus), differences between past and present communities from northern and southern Mendoza also were detected. Thus for example, through the application of THI a slightly higher proportion of species associated with open areas of low vegetation coverage, was observed in modern assemblages than in those of the late Holocene. We identified areas lacking modern raptor pellet samples as well as other areas with inadequate information due to sample sizes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]