Prevalence of Echinococcus infections in wild carnivores based on copro - DNA tests in Serthar County of Sichuan Province / 中国血吸虫病防治杂志

Objective To investigate the prevalence of Echinococcus infections in wild carnivores in Serthar County, Sichuan Province, so as to provide insights into echinococcosis control in local areas. Methods Stool samples were collected from wild carnivores in Serthar County, Sichuan Province in May 2021, and the host sources of stool samples and Echinococcus infections were identified using PCR assays. The prevalence of E. multilocularis, E. granulosus and E. shiquicus infections was estimated in different hosts. Results A total of 583 stool samples were collected from wild carnivores, including 147 stool samples from fox, 154 from wolf, 227 from wild dogs and 11 from lynx. The overall prevalence of E. multilocularis, E. granulosus and E. shiquicus infections was 5.68%, 0.19% and 14.20% in canine stool samples, and no E. granulosus infection was detected in fox stool samples, while the prevalence of E. multilocularis and E. shiquicus infections was 0.68% and 47.62% in fox stool samples (χ2 = 88.41, P < 0.001). No E. granulosus or E. shiquicus infection was detected in wolf stool samples, and the prevalence of E. multilocularis infection was 10.39% in wolf stool samples. The prevalence of E. multilocularis, E. granulosus and E. shiquicus infections was 5.73%, 0.44% and 2.20% in canine stool samples (χ2 = 12.13, P < 0.01). In addition, the prevalence of E. multilocularis infections was significantly higher in wolf stool samples than in canine and fox stool samples (χ2 = 13.23, P < 0.01), and the prevalence of E. shiquicus infections was significantly higher in fox stool samples than in canine and wolf stool samples (χ2 = 187.01, P < 0.001). No Echinococcus infection was identified in 11 lynx stool samples. Conclusions The prevalence of Echinococcus infections is high in wild canines in Serthar County, Sichuan Province. Wolf, wild dog and fox all participate in the wild life cycle of E. multilocularis in Serthar County, and wolf and wild dogs may play a more important role.

Cómo perciben los niños el jaguar, Panthera onca (Carnivora: Felidae) en Jalisco, México

Los estudios sobre percepción humana hacia depredadores, generalmente se realizan con adultos. Sin embargo, es importante entender las percepciones de los niños, para diseñar estrategias de conservación y educación ambiental efectivas a largo plazo, ya que muchos de ellos serán los futuros manejadores de los recursos naturales. Analizamos las percepciones sobre el jaguar en niños de 8-12 años (n = 89) en comunidades dentro de la Reserva de la Biosfera Sierra de Manantlán (RBSM) y en su zona de influencia (ZI). Para conocer la percepción del jaguar, organizamos talleres con los niños, guiándolos con preguntas abiertas que respondieron con dibujos: ¿Qué animales viven en el monte/bosque? ¿Qué animales peligrosos viven en el monte/bosque? ¿Cómo es el jaguar y qué come? En todas las preguntas se especificó que nos referíamos a los animales presentes en los alrededores de su comunidad. Aparentemente el miedo colectivo hacia los animales influye en que animales se perciben en el entorno, ya que casi nadie dibujó al jaguar como parte del paisaje, pero si como animal peligroso. Las serpientes fueron las que más se relacionan como parte del entorno, y a la vez fueron las que más se mencionaron como animales peligrosos en ambas zonas. En el dibujo de animales peligrosos, hubo 72 menciones de animales no nativos. En ambas áreas, poco más de la mitad de los niños reconoce la forma básica del jaguar. Sobre todo, en la RBSM, la mayoría dibujó ganado vacuno en la dieta del jaguar, representando uno de los conflictos jaguar-humanos. Casi la mitad de los niños dibujó a los venados como parte de la dieta del jaguar en la RBSM y un tercio en la ZI. Un número considerable de niños incluyeron humanos en la dieta en ambas zonas. Concluimos que con el fin de mejorar la percepción es deseable desarrollar estrategias para cambiar las percepciones negativas del jaguar. Por ende, es importante generar material educativo y llevar a cabo campañas de educación ambiental resaltando la importancia ecológica del jaguar, enfatizando que el buen manejo del ganado reduce la depredación y que los humanos no son elementos de la dieta del jaguar. En resumen, es importante generar mayor empatía con el jaguar, y aclarar creencias erradas que puedan afectar la supervivencia del jaguar a largo plazo en estas áreas.

Predator perception studies generally only regard adults. However, it is necessary to also understand children perceptions in order to achieve more effective long term conservation and environmental educational strategies, since many of them will be the future resource managers. We analyze perceptions of the jaguar amongst children (n = 89) between 8 and 12 years old, in the Sierra de Manantlán Biosphere Reserve (SMBR) and its influence zone (ZI). To understand their perceptions, we organized workshops, using open-ended questions, to be answered with drawings: What animals live in the forest? Which dangerous animals live in the forest? What do jaguars look like and what do they eat? In all questions, we specified that we referred to animals close to their community. Apparently collective apprehension influences, which animals are perceived as part of the environment. Our results suggest that the jaguar is not conceived as part of the (direct) environment, but is conceived as dangerous animal in the area. Snakes are most mentioned as part of the environment; at the same time, they are perceived as the most dangerous. In the dangerous animal drawings, there were 72 mentions of no native animals. In all cases, more than half of the children knew the basic shape of a jaguar. Overall in the SMBR, most children drew cattle as the main food staple for the jaguar, representing one of the human-jaguar conflicts. Half of children drew deer as jaguar diet in the SMBR and one third in the ZI. A considerable number of children included humans in the jaguar diet in both zones. We conclude that it is necessary to develop strategies to change the negative perceptions of the jaguar. As such, it is important to generate educational material and carry out educational campaigns that highlight the ecological importance of the jaguar, and emphasizing those livestock management actions to reduce predation and the disappearance of false beliefs; which include jaguar as a people eater. In summary, is important to generate greater empathy with the jaguar, and clarify misconceptions that may affect the long-term survival of the jaguar in these areas.

Infections of Two Isthmiophora Species (Digenea: Echinostomatidae) in Wild Mammals from Republic of Korea with Their Morphological Descriptions

Isthmiophora hortensis (Digenea: Echinostomatidae) is a dominant echinostome in animal reservoir hosts and humans in the Republic of Korea (Korea). We intended to investigate the infection status with this echinostome species in the several species of wild animals and describe the morphological characteristics in the faunistic view point. A total of 175 animal carcasses belonging to 3 families, i.e., Canidae, Felidae and Mustelidae, were collected from the southern regions of Korea from March 2010 to July 2017. Isthmiophora spp. worms were recovered from the small intestines of each animal under a stereomicroscope after washing of intestinal contents. Isthmiophora hortensis was recovered from 4 species of wild carnivores, i.e., Nyctereutes procyonoides (3/107: 2.8%), Mustela sibirica (11/31: 35.5%), Meles lucurus (2/3: 33.3%) and Martes flavigula (1/2: 50%). The other 3 carnivores comprising stray dogs, cat and leopard cat were negative for I. hortensis infection (0/2, 0/10 and 0/12, respectively). Specimens obtained from the Lutra lutra (6/8: 75%) were identified as a distinct species, I. inermis, by morphological comparison. Isthmiophora inermis has thinner body, elongate testes and different anterior limits of vitelline fields. Detailed morphological descriptions and comparisons with the morphological characteristics are provided. Conclusively, it was confirmed for the first time that 3 species of mustelid mammals, i.e., M. sibirica, M. lucurus, and M. flavigula, are to be the new definitive hosts of I. hortensis in Korea. Additionally, I. inermis is to be newly added in the Korean echinostome fauna.

É possível integrar pecuária à conservação da biodiversidade? Estudo de casos de depredação de ovinos por onça-parda (Puma concolor) / Is it possible to integrate livestock into biodiversity conservation? Case study of sheep depredation by puma (Puma concolor)

Em diversas partes da América Latina, a perda e diminuição do habitat natural de animais silvestres ocorre em função do aumento das atividades agropecuárias. Nos últimos anos o número de mortes de animais de criação por depredação tem aumentado, bem como a consequente retaliação aos predadores. Como resultado destas ações, ocorre à extinção ou redução das populações destes predadores de topo, provocando perdas ecológicas. Esse estudo teve como objetivo apontar medidas preventivas e mitigatórias da depredação de ovinos por onça-parda (Puma concolor). Através da análise de dois estudos de casos de depredação no Centro-Oeste brasileiro e na região dos Andes Colombianos, levantamos soluções alternativas sustentáveis para que profissionais e criadores possam se prevenir desta ameaça ao rebanho ovino. Um estudo de caso foi realizado em fazenda no município de Alto Paraguai, Mato Grosso. Entre os anos 2005 e 2014 houve visitas na propriedade para diagnóstico de doenças e realizou-se estudo comparativo da quantidade de mortes por doenças com as mortes por depredação. No ano de 2010 ocorreu um ataque depredatório que resultou em morte de seis ovinos. Em 2014, realizou-se um estudo na região central do Departamento del Valle del Cauca, há 2814m de altitude nos Andes colombianos, para diagnosticar a depredação de gado na região e implementar medidas para prevenir sua ocorrência e avaliar sua eficácia. No total, foram implementadas medidas anti-depredação sobre oito propriedades, e entre elas, um curral com cerca elétrica para ovelhas foi implementada em uma fazenda no município de Tuluá. Os resultados mostram que as perdas econômicas por depredação são graves nas duas regiões estudadas e se equiparam a perdas por doenças no estudo de caso em Mato Grosso, Brasil. Portanto recomenda-se a combinação entre o manejo sanitário, métodos de prevenção e, se necessário, mitigação de ataques depredatório. Além disso, legisladores devem se associar a pesquisadores para traçar estratégias efetivas para esse sério problema na América Latina.(AU)

In several parts of Latin America, the expansion of agriculture over the years has caused loss and reduction of wild fauna natural habitat. Recently, deaths of sheep and cattle have increased due to predation by large carnivores and the resulting retaliation by farmers on predators. Consequently, populations of these top predators have been reduced or have got even locally extinct, leading to imbalances on ecosystems, altered because of the carnivore effects on prey dinamics. The objective of this study is to analyse sheep depredation by puma (Puma concolor), in Central Brazil and in the Colombian Andes and point out preventive and mitigating measures that can be implemented in rural areas. From 2005 to 2014, we visited a ranch in Alto Paraguai, Mato Grosso, Brazil for diagnostic purposes and we compared the death of sheep from diseases and depredation attacks. In 2014, we visited a rural area in the central region of Departamento del Valle del Cauca, at 2814m of altitude in the Colombian Andes, to diagnose sheep predation, implement preventive measures, and evaluate their effectiveness. The results reveal that economic losses due to predation are critical on both studied regions and similar to losses by diseases in Mato Grosso state, Brazil. Thus, we recommend the integration of health management, preventive measures as well as mitigation of depredatory attacks at the local scale and we discuss potential sustainable measures that can be locally implemented by farmers. Furthermore, we recommend that public policies should incorporate scientific results on human-wildlife conflicts to be effective, considering both livestock management and biodiversity conservation.(AU)

Anatomical variations of the caudomedial antebrachial muscles in the crab-eating fox (Cerdocyon thous) / Variaciones anatómicas de los músculos caudo-mediales del antebrazo del zorro perruno (Cerdocyon thous)

The crab-eating fox (Cerdocyon thous) is a wild canid distributed in South America, which is susceptible to traumas caused by captors, accidents on roads, and traps. Due to these events their thoracic limbs can be involved at the level of the forearm, therefore, knowledge of the gross anatomy of its muscles is important in order to develop clinical and surgical procedures at this level compared with the domestic dog. The main objective of this investigation was report the intra and interspecific anatomical variations of the caudomedial forearm muscles in Cerdocyon thous in comparison mainly with the domestic dog. Six dead specimens from wildlife care centres of CORPOCALDAS were used. These were fixed with a solution of formaldehyde, mineral oil and phenic acid. Both thoracic limbs of each specimen were dissected from superficial to deep, emphasizing the caudomedial part of the forearm in order to review the anatomical characteristics of each muscle. These muscles were similar to those reported in the domestic dog, but some variations were observed such as the innervation of the pronator teres muscle by the musculocutaneous nerve in a specimen unilaterally; the formation of an accessory muscle from the ulnar head of the flexor carpi ulnaris muscle in most specimens; and the vestigial presence of the anconeus epitrochlearis muscle in a specimen bilaterally.

El zorro perruno (Cerdocyon thous) es un cánido silvestre distribuido en Sudamérica, el cual es susceptible a traumas causados por captores, accidentes en carreteras y trampas, donde pueden verse involucrados sus miembros torácicos a nivel del antebrazo, por lo tanto, conocer la anatomía de sus músculos es importante, ya que ésta servirá como base en la realización de procedimientos clínicos y quirúrgicos a este nivel en comparación con el perro doméstico. El objetivo principal de esta investigación fue reportar las variaciones anatómicas intra e interespecíficas de los músculos caudo-mediales del antebrazo de C. thous en comparación principalmente con el perro doméstico. Se utilizaron seis especímenes muertos bajo la jurisdicción de CORPOCALDAS. Estos se fijaron con una solución en mezcla de formaldehído, aceite mineral y ácido fénico. Se diseccionaron de superficial a profundo los dos miembros torácicos de cada espécimen, haciendo énfasis en la parte caudo-medial del antebrazo para revisar las características anatómicas de cada músculo, las cuales fueron similares a las reportadas al perro doméstico, pero se observó en un espécimen de manera unilateral la inervación al músculo pronador teres por parte del nervio musculocutáneo; en la mayoría de especímenes se observó la formación de un músculo accesorio a partir de la cabeza ulnar del músculo flexor ulnar del carpo; y en un espécimen la presencia vestigial del músculo ancóneoepitroclear.

Coatis (Nasua nasua) semen cryopreservation / Criopreservação do sêmen de quatis (Nasua nasua)

Carnivore semen cryopreservation procedures started with semen washing and centrifuging in culture media for seminal plasma removal and microorganisms elimination. The objective of this study was to perform coatis semen cryopreservation comparing the effects between two extenders Hams F-10 and M199 for washing and centrifugation before cryopreservation using Dilutris medium. Semen samples (n = 36) were collected by electroejaculation from six adult male coatis (Nasua nasua) between May and October of 2008 at the Universidade Federal de Mato Grosso Zoo. Sperm total motility (%), progressive sperm motility (0-5), plasma membrane integrity spermatozoa rates (%), and acrosome integrity (%) were analyzed. These fresh semen samples were divided in two fractions, diluted in 1 ml of Hams F-10 (Hams F-10, Nutricel S.A., Brazil) or M199 (M199, Nutricel S.A., Brazil) and centrifuged at 300 g for 10 min. The supernatant was discarded and pellets resuspended in 1 ml of Dilutris (Dilutris, Minitube®, Brazil), stored at 5ºC for 3 hours, transferred to 0.25 ml straws, placed in liquid nitrogen vapor for 20 min, and immersed in liquid nitrogen. The means/SD for fresh semen and cryopreserved semen using Hams F-10/Dilutris and M199/Dilutris were, respectively: 84.28 ± 11.57, 45.38 ± 27.26, and 44.61 ± 25.03 for total motility; 3.64 ± 1.44, 2.15 ± 1.14, and 2.07 ± 1.03 for progressive sperm motility; 92.76 ± 3.46, 84.69 ± 15.77, and 89.76 ± 13.97 for live spermatozoa rate; and 94.76 ± 2.89, 92.35 ± 4.73, and 90.58 ± 7.17 for acrosome integrity. No significant difference (P 0.05) were observed between the values obtained from the Hams F-10/Dilutris or M199/Dilutris treatments. Both treatments demonstrated to be suitable for freezing semen from this species.

Os procedimentos de criopreservação do sêmen em carnívoros devem ser iniciados após a lavagem e centrifugação em meios de cultura para retirada do plasma seminal e eliminação de microrganismos. O objetivo deste estudo foi realizar a criopreservação do sêmen de quatis comparando os efeitos entre dois extensores Hams F-10 e M199 para lavagem e centrifugação do sêmen antes do congelamento com o meio Dilutris. Amostras de sêmen (n = 36) foram coletadas por eletroejaculação em seis quatis (Nasua nasua) machos adultos entre maio e outubro de 2008, no Zoológico da Universidade Federal de Mato Grosso. Motilidade total (%), motilidade espermática progressiva (0-5), integridade da membrana plasmática (%) e integridade do acrossoma (%) foram analisados. Amostras de sêmen a fresco foram divididas em duas frações, diluídas em 1 mL de Hams F-10 (Hams F-10, Nutricel S.A., Brasil) ou M199 (M199, Nutricel S.A., Brazil) e centrifugado a 300 g por 10 min. O sobrenadante foi descartado e pellets ressuspendidos em 1 mL de Dilutris (Dilutris, Minitube®, Brasil), armazenados a 5ºC durante 3 horas, transferidos para palhetas de 0,25 mL, colocadas em vapor de nitrogênio líquido por 20 min e imersos em nitrogênio líquido. Os resultados para sêmen a fresco e sêmen congelado utilizando Hams F-10/Dilutris e M199/Dilutris foram, respectivamente: 84,28 ± 11,57, 45,38 ± 27,26 e 44,61 ± 25,03 para motilidade total; 3,64 ± 1,44, 2,15 ± 1,14 e 2,07 ± 1,03 para a motilidade progressiva; 92,76 ± 3,46, 84,69 ± 15,77 e 89,76 ± 13,97 para integridade da membrana plasmática; e 94,76 ± 2,89, 92,35 ± 4,73 e 90,58 ± 7,17 para integridade do acrossoma. Não houve diferença significativa (P 0,05) entre os valores obtidos nos tratamentos Hams F-10/Dilutris ou M199/Dilutris. Ambos os tratamentos demonstraram ser adequados para a congelação de sêmen desta espécie.

Aspectos anatômicos dos músculos mediais da coxa do Quati (Nasua nasua, Linnaeus 1766) / Anatomical aspects of the medial thigh muscles of coati (Nasua nasua, Linnaeus 1766)

Quatis (Nasua Spp.) são animais pertencentes à família Procyonidae da ordem Carnivora. Presentes em todos os biomas brasileiros, o Nasua nasua está distribuído na América do Sul, desde o norte da Colômbia até o norte da Argentina, sendo comuns na maioria das florestas neotropicais desta região. Onívoros, alimentam-se principalmente de frutos, tanto no solo quanto em árvores, o que os tornam importantes dispersores de sementes. Seus hábitos arbóreos exigem mais força e mobilidade de seus membros pélvicos do que nos canídeos, dos quais divergiram evolutivamente, mas ainda compartilham a mesma subordem. Neste sentido, este estudo analisou os aspectos anatômicos dos músculos que integram o grupo medial da coxa dos quatis, os quais tiveram seus aspectos gerais, localização, forma, origem, inserção, sintopia e ações avaliados. Para a realização desta pesquisa foram utilizados cinco animais adultos (duas fêmeas e três machos) cedidos pelo IBAMA-GO (Licença: 98/2011), os quais foram fixados com solução de formaldeído a 10% e dissecados depois de um período mínimo de 72 horas. Os músculos que compõem o grupo medial da coxa dos quatis são o m. grácil, m. pectíneo, m. adutor magno, m. adutor curto, m. adutor longo e o m. obturador externo. Todos os músculos apresentam particularidades quanto à origem e/ou inserção. O músculo grácil é bem largo e não contribui para a formação do tendão calcanear comum. O músculo pectíneo insere-se na metade da face caudal do fêmur. Os três músculos adutores encontram-se presentes e dispostos como três lâminas sucessivas e crescentes, no sentido craniocaudal, estando o músculo adutor curto interposto entre o m. adutor longo cranialmente e o m. adutor magno caudalmente. Suas inserções dispõem-se longitudinalmente e paralelas na face caudal do fêmur, crescendo em extensão, da medial (m. adutor longo) para a lateral (m. adutor magno). As habilidades adquiridas pelos quatis na medida em que se afastaram evolutivamente dos canídeos, passando a ter hábitos também arbóreos, foram acompanhadas por adaptações anatômicas no grupo muscular em questão, com várias delas assemelhando-se mais ao padrão verificado nos gatos do que propriamente nos cães. As adaptações caracterizaram-se principalmente por alterações nas origens e/ou inserções, tamanho e, no caso dos músculos adutores, também na quantidade e arranjo dos mesmos.

The coati (Nasua nasua) is a mammal of the Carnivora order and Procyonidae family. This species is present in all Brazilian biomes and is distributed throughout South America, from northern Colombia to northern Argentina, being most common in neotropical forests of this region. Omnivores, they feed mostly on fruits, both on the ground as in trees, which make them important seed dispersers. Their arboreal habits require more strength and mobility of their pelvic limbs than in canids, which they evolutionarily diverged from, but still share the same Suborder. Thus, this study examined the anatomical aspects of the muscles that integrate the medial group of the thigh of coatis, which had its general aspects, location, shape, origin, insertion, syntopy and actions evaluated. Five adult animals (two females and three males) provided by IBAMA-GO (License: 98/2011) were used in this research. They were fixed with 10% formaldehyde solution and dissected after a minimum period of 72 hours. The muscles which comprise the medial group of the thigh of coatis are the gracilis, pectineus, magnus, brevis and longus adductors and external obturator. All muscles show particularities regarding the origin and/or insertion. The gracilis muscle is very broad and does not contribute to the formation of the common calcaneal tendon. The pectineus muscle is inserted on the half of the caudal surface of the femur. The three individual adductors are arranged like three layers that increase craniocaudally, being the adductor brevis positioned between the longus cranially and the magnus caudally. Their insertions are arranged longitudinally and parallel throughout the caudal surface of the femur, increasing in extension from the medial (adductor longus) toward the lateral (adductor magnus). The abilities acquired by coatis in that diverged from canids, such as the arboreal habits, have been accompanied by anatomical adaptations in this muscle group, with several of them resembling more the pattern found in cats than in dogs. The adaptations are mainly characterized by changes in the origins and/or insertions, size, and in the case of adductor muscles, also in their pattern of individualization and arrangement.

A Study for Comparison of Dietary Quality and Vitamin K Intake of Vegetarians with Carnivores

The prevalence of chronic diseases have been rising in the developing countries because of their increased animal foods consumption and Western lifestyle. Lately, vegetarian diet that exclude animal products get public attention. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the nutritional status and dietary quality of vegetarians, and their consumption of vitamin K and was also assessed. Vegetarians including strict vegan and lacto-ovo-vegetarian consumed their diet at least over 6 months. Carnivores were gender and age matched with vegetarians and they consumed over 50% of protein and fat from animal sources. Current nutrient intakes and dietary quality were assessed using 3-day food records and intake of vitamin K was calculated from the data base of "Provisional Table on the vitamin K contents of foods, USA". Blood sample were collected and biochemical parameters and plasma phylloquinone concentrations were analyzed. Anthropometric data from vegetarian and carnivore were not significantly different. The intake of calories, protein, vitamin B2, Ca and Zn of the vegetarians were remarkably lower than RDA for each nutrient. Moreover, index of nutritional quality and nutrient adequacy ratio of vegetarians were lower than those of carnivore. Vegetarian consumed less fat and the ratio of n-6/n-3 fatty acid was lower in vegetarian. The intake of essential amino acids in vegetarian was significantly lower than that of carnivore. The vitamin K consumption and plasma phylloquinone concentration of vegetarian were significantly higher than those of carnivore (p < 0.05). The dietary vitamin K consumption was positively correlated with plasma phylloquinone levels in vegetarian (p < 0.01).