Caiman's fat enriched with n-3 fatty acids: potential food supplement.

Broad-snouted caiman (Caiman latirostris) products (meat, fat and oil) are currently beginning to be valued as a food of special interest due to its high content of n-3 fatty acids. Thus, the objective of this study was to characterize the fats of caiman fed with diets enriched with flaxseeds (Linus usitatissimun) rich in n-3 fatty acids, lignans and antioxidants. Caimans were fed six days a week with: a control diet (C), and a diet enriched with ground flaxseed = 90% C + 10% flaxseed ground (FS), during 30 (FS30) and 60 (FS60) days. Animals fed the flaxseed-enriched diets increased linolenic acid content and reduced the n-6/n-3 ratio of fats relative to controls, and this improvement increased over time. The proportion of eicosapentaenoic acid also increased, but there was no difference at the time the enriched diets were offered. Caiman fat of the FS30 and FS60, showed a decrease in lipoperoxidation (24% and 40%) and reactive oxygen species (44% and 76%) accompanied by an increase in antioxidant systems. Consumption of a flax-enriched diet by caimans increases the content of essential fatty acids and improves the lipoperoxidative status of fat. This provides an enriched fat with potential for the development products for human consumption.

Body Condition of Reproductive and Non-Reproductive Broad-Snouted Caiman Females.

In this work, we calculated the body condition indices, K-Fulton and scaled mass index (SMI), of reproductive and non-reproductive Caiman latirostris adult females as an indication of stored energy. We considered 87 adult females captured from 2001 to 2018, both reproductive and non-reproductive. The body condition was calculated considering two scenarios: (a) only the weight of the female, and (b) the sum of the weight of the female and the average dry weight of her nest. We tested the difference in body condition between reproductive and non-reproductive females. We also evaluated the minimal body condition required to guarantee that females above it are reproductive by drawing a line that separated the body condition of strictly reproductive individuals from those that may or may not be reproductive. Reproductive females had better body condition than non-reproductive ones. Our SMI.S line separated almost 70% of the reproductive females. Based on our results, we can guarantee that a female whose body condition is above the line will reproduce, although not all those females below the line are non-reproductive, as a few of those under the line will nest. With this information, we have one more biological indicator to take into account when making management and conservation decisions.

Effect of flaxseed and flaxseed oil supplemented in caiman diet on meat fatty acids.

Increasing polyunsaturated or long-chain fatty acids in meat for human consumption improves both nutritional quality and consumer perception. The increase could occur through the addition of rich sources of omega-3 fatty acids (such as flaxseed or flaxseed oil) to the animal diet. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of dietary supplement with two presentations of flax (crushed seeds or oil) on the change of FA content in two cuts of caiman meat (tail and neck). We measured fatty profile in two different caiman meat cuts (neck and tail) from 30 animals (total length 96.7 ± 4.9 cm, snout-vent length 47.8 ± 3 cm, weight 4.2 ± 0.6 kg), raised in individual enclosures, fed three a week for 50 days with crushed chicken head and a dry food formulated for these reptiles in a 70/30 ratio (C, n = 10), control diet with 10% crushed flaxseed (FS, n = 10), and control diet with 10% flaxseed oil (FO, n = 10), while the remaining days animals were fed the control diet. Meats from animals fed both enrichment diet (FS and FO) showed an increase of C18:3n-3 and ΣUFA with respect to control diet. Although both enriched diets raised the levels of C18:3n-3, the neck showed higher values than the tail. We observed that the neck is more susceptible than the tail to be improved by FO, which could suggest that it is more beneficial to consume neck meat. In order to be implemented in caiman farms, flaxseed oil is more expensive than seed, but more effective, easier to manage, and is practical for application on caiman farms.

Effects of agricultural pesticides on the reproductive system of aquatic wildlife species, with crocodilians as sentinel species.

Agricultural pesticides represent a significant class of endocrine-disrupting chemicals (EDCs) to which non-target organisms around the world are constantly exposed. Laboratory studies have found strong evidence showing the endocrine-disruptive potential of these pesticides at environmentally relevant exposure levels. Since the field of endocrine disruption continues to grow in richness and complexity, this review aims to provide an update on the effects of two agricultural pesticides that act as EDCs: atrazine and endosulfan. We will focus mainly on the effects on crocodilians due to their worldwide occurrence in tropical and sub-tropical wetland ecosystems and their ecological and physiological features, which render them vulnerable to exposure to pesticides with endocrine-disrupting action at all life stages. The results here reviewed provide important insights into the effects of hormonally active agricultural pesticides at cellular, tissue, and organ levels in the reproductive system of crocodiles. A better understanding of the effects of exposure to environmentally relevant doses of EDCs on the reproductive system of crocodilians will contribute to protect and improve the health of both wildlife species and humans.

Tick infestation on caimans: a casual tick-host association in the Atlantic rainforest biome?

Ticks are parasites of birds, mammals, amphibians, and reptiles, but information about tick communities that parasitize reptiles in the Neotropical region is still fragmentary. In the present study, we assessed the presence of ticks on broad-snouted caimans (Caiman latirostris) and Cuvier's dwarf caimans (Paleosuchus palpebrosus) trapped in the Atlantic rainforest biome in Pernambuco state, north-eastern Brazil, to determine which tick species feed on these animals and how frequent or rare this parasite-wildlife association is. We also report an occasional finding of Amblyomma rotundatum on a smooth-fronted caiman (Paleosuchus trigonatus) in the Amazon biome in Pará state, northern Brazil. Out of 490 animals trapped in the Atlantic rainforest biome, four (0.82%) broad-snouted caimans were infested by ticks. Ticks belonged to two Amblyomma species: A. rotundatum (three females) and A. fuscum (one male). Our findings indicate that ticks are infrequent parasites of caimans in the Atlantic rainforest biome. Tick infestation on broad-snouted caimans is probably of minor clinical significance and probably a casual finding due to habitat sharing with the common tick hosts.

Total and differential white blood cell counts in Caiman latirostris after in ovo and in vivo exposure to insecticides.

Agricultural activities associated mainly with soybean crops affect the natural environment and wildlife by habitat destruction and the extensive use of agrochemicals. The aim of this study was to evaluate immunotoxic effects of the insecticides cypermethrin (CYP) and endosulfan (END) in Caiman latirostris analyzing total blood cell count (TWBC) and differential white blood cell count (DWBC) after in ovo and in vivo exposure. Eggs (in ovo) and hatchlings (in vivo) from nests harvested in natural habitats were artificially incubated and reared under controlled conditions in the Proyecto Yacaré (Gob.Santa Fe/MUPCN) facilities. Exposure of embryos was performed by topication on the eggshell during the first stage of development. The treatments were distilled water (negative control; NC), ethanol (vehicle control; VC), four groups treated with different concentrations of CYP and four groups with END. In vivo exposure was performed by immersion; treatments were NC, VC, two groups exposed to CYP and two to END. After embryonic exposure to the insecticides, no differences were found in TWBC or DWBC among the neonates exposed to pesticides versus controls. In the in vivo scenario, similar results were obtained for TWBC, but DWBC data showed differences between NC hatchlings and CYP-1 hosts for heterophil, lymphocyte and monocyte levels, and between NC and END-1 hosts for lymphocyte and monocyte levels. Research on the effects of pesticide exposure on this species is of special interest not only to assess the impact on caiman populations, but also to further characterize the species as a potential sentinel of ecosystem health.

Comparação da contenção farmacológica com cetamina e xilazina, administradas pela via intramuscular no membro torácico ou pélvico, em jacarés-do-papo-amarelo juvenis / Comparison of pharmacological restraint with ketamine and xylazine, administered intramuscularly in the forelimb or hindlimb, in broad-snouted caiman juveniles

Os répteis possuem um sistema porta-renal, o qual pode desviar parte do sangue proveniente das porções caudais do corpo aos rins antes que a mesma atinja a circulação sistêmica. Em vista disto, vem sendo aconselhada a administração de medicamentos injetáveis nos membros torácicos, para que se evite a filtração imediata pelo parênquima renal, causando redução do efeito esperado. O objetivo do presente estudo foi comparar aspectos qualitativos e quantitativos da associação de cetamina (30 mg/kg) e xilazina (1 mg/kg), injetada no membro torácico ou pélvico, em jacarés-do-papo-amarelo (Caiman latirostris) juvenis. Oito animais machos com peso médio (±DP) de 1,3 (±0,3) kg e, aproximadamente, dois anos de idade foram anestesiados em duas ocasiões distintas com intervalo de sete dias. Em cada ocasião, os animais receberam, de forma aleatória, a associação anestésica por via intramuscular em membro torácico (tratamento MT) ou pélvico (tratamento MP). Foram avaliados os intervalos de tempo entre a administração do tratamento e a perda do reflexo de endireitamento (período de indução), entre a perda e o retorno desse reflexo (duração do efeito clínico importante) e entre o retorno do reflexo de endireitamento e os primeiros movimentos de deambulação (duração do efeito residual), as frequências cardíaca e respiratória e as temperaturas ambiental e cloacal. Os escores de sedação/anestesia foram avaliados através de uma escala com variação de 0 (alerta/consciente) a 10 (anestesia profunda/sobredosagem). No tratamento MP, dois animais não apresentaram perda de reflexo de endireitamento. Considerando somente aqueles que apresentaram a perda desse reflexo, o tempo de indução (21±9 e 17±5 minutos) e a duração do efeito clínico importante (35±19 e 43±21 minutos) e residual (28±31 e 12±11 minutos) foram similares entre os tratamentos MT e MP (média±desvio padrão). O escore de sedação foi significativamente maior que o basal de 20 a 50 minutos nos dois tratamentos e, aos 30 minutos (pico de efeito), o escore mediano (interquartil) foi 3,5(2,3-4,0) no tratamento MT e 3,0(2,0-4,0) no tratamento MP. Assim como nos escores de sedação, diferenças entre tratamentos nas variáveis fisiológicas não foram observadas. Em ambos os tratamentos, o reflexo de retirada de membro ao pinçamento digital não foi abolido. A administração da associação de xilazina e cetamina em membro pélvico ou torácico de jacarés-do-papo-amarelo juvenis promove efeitos similares, sugerindo que a influência do sistema porta-renal não é clinicamente relevante. Nas doses empregadas, tal protocolo não promove anestesia cirúrgica e a imobilidade/contenção farmacológica é imprevisível e de curta duração.(AU)

Reptiles possess a renal portal system which can divert part of the blood from the caudal portions of the body to the kidney before it reaches the systemic circulation. In view of this, it has been recommended the administration of injectable medications in the forelimbs, in order to avoid immediate glomerular filtration, which might result in a reduction of the expected effect. The aim of this study was to compare qualitative and quantitative aspects of the pharmacological restraint provided by the combination of ketamine (30mg/kg) and xylazine (1mg/kg), injected into the forelimb or hindlimb, in broad-snouted caiman juveniles (Caiman latirostris). Eight male animals, with a mean weight (±SD) of 1.3 (±0.3) kg, and aged about 2 years old, were anesthetized on two separate occasions with an interval of 7 days. On each occasion, the animals were randomly assigned to receive the anesthetic combination intramuscularly into the forelimb (FL treatment) or hindlimb (HL treatment). The time intervals between administration of treatment and loss of the righting reflex (induction time), between the loss and return of this reflex (duration of important clinical effect), and between the return of the righting reflex and first movements of ambulation (duration of residual effect) were measured as well as heart and respiratory rates and cloacal and environmental temperatures. Sedation/anesthesia scores were evaluated using a scale ranging from 0 (alert/conscious) to 10 (deep anesthesia/overdose). In the HL treatment, loss of righting reflex was not observed in two animals. Considering only those animals whose loss of righting reflex was observed, the induction time (21±9 and 17±5 minutes), the duration of important clinical effect (35±19 and 43±21 minutes), and the duration of residual effect (28±31 and 12±11 minutes) were similar between the FL and HL treatments, respectively (mean±SD). Sedation/anesthesia scores were significantly higher than at baseline from 20 to 50 minutes in both treatments and, at 30 minutes (peak sedative effect), the median score (interquartile range) was 3.5(2.3-4.0) in the FL treatment and 3.0(2.0-4.0) in the HL treatment. Differences between treatments in physiological variables were not observed. In both treatments, withdrawal reflex in response to digital clamping was not absent at any timepoint. The administration of xylazine-ketamine combination in the forelimb or hindlimb of broad-snouted caiman juveniles provides similar effects, suggesting that the influence of the renal portal system is not clinically relevant. At the doses used, such combination does not induce surgical anesthesia and the immobility/pharmacological restraint is unpredictable and of short duration.(AU)

Comparação da contenção farmacológica com cetamina e xilazina, administradas pela via intramuscular no membro torácico ou pélvico, em jacarés-do-papo-amarelo juvenis / Comparison of pharmacological restraint with ketamine and xylazine, administered intramuscularly in the forelimb or hindlimb, in broad-snouted caiman juveniles

Os répteis possuem um sistema porta-renal, o qual pode desviar parte do sangue proveniente das porções caudais do corpo aos rins antes que a mesma atinja a circulação sistêmica. Em vista disto, vem sendo aconselhada a administração de medicamentos injetáveis nos membros torácicos, para que se evite a filtração imediata pelo parênquima renal, causando redução do efeito esperado. O objetivo do presente estudo foi comparar aspectos qualitativos e quantitativos da associação de cetamina (30 mg/kg) e xilazina (1 mg/kg), injetada no membro torácico ou pélvico, em jacarés-do-papo-amarelo (Caiman latirostris) juvenis. Oito animais machos com peso médio (±DP) de 1,3 (±0,3) kg e, aproximadamente, dois anos de idade foram anestesiados em duas ocasiões distintas com intervalo de sete dias. Em cada ocasião, os animais receberam, de forma aleatória, a associação anestésica por via intramuscular em membro torácico (tratamento MT) ou pélvico (tratamento MP). Foram avaliados os intervalos de tempo entre a administração do tratamento e a perda do reflexo de endireitamento (período de indução), entre a perda e o retorno desse reflexo (duração do efeito clínico importante) e entre o retorno do reflexo de endireitamento e os primeiros movimentos de deambulação (duração do efeito residual), as frequências cardíaca e respiratória e as temperaturas ambiental e cloacal. Os escores de sedação/anestesia foram avaliados através de uma escala com variação de 0 (alerta/consciente) a 10 (anestesia profunda/sobredosagem). No tratamento MP, dois animais não apresentaram perda de reflexo de endireitamento. Considerando somente aqueles que apresentaram a perda desse reflexo, o tempo de indução (21±9 e 17±5 minutos) e a duração do efeito clínico importante (35±19 e 43±21 minutos) e residual (28±31 e 12±11 minutos) foram similares entre os tratamentos MT e MP (média±desvio padrão)...

Reptiles possess a renal portal system which can divert part of the blood from the caudal portions of the body to the kidney before it reaches the systemic circulation. In view of this, it has been recommended the administration of injectable medications in the forelimbs, in order to avoid immediate glomerular filtration, which might result in a reduction of the expected effect. The aim of this study was to compare qualitative and quantitative aspects of the pharmacological restraint provided by the combination of ketamine (30mg/kg) and xylazine (1mg/kg), injected into the forelimb or hindlimb, in broad-snouted caiman juveniles (Caiman latirostris). Eight male animals, with a mean weight (±SD) of 1.3 (±0.3) kg, and aged about 2 years old, were anesthetized on two separate occasions with an interval of 7 days. On each occasion, the animals were randomly assigned to receive the anesthetic combination intramuscularly into the forelimb (FL treatment) or hindlimb (HL treatment). The time intervals between administration of treatment and loss of the righting reflex (induction time), between the loss and return of this reflex (duration of important clinical effect), and between the return of the righting reflex and first movements of ambulation (duration of residual effect) were measured as well as heart and respiratory rates and cloacal and environmental temperatures. Sedation/anesthesia scores were evaluated using a scale ranging from 0 (alert/conscious) to 10 (deep anesthesia/overdose). In the HL treatment, loss of righting reflex was not observed in two animals. Considering only those animals whose loss of righting reflex was observed, the induction time (21±9 and 17±5 minutes), the duration of important clinical effect (35±19 and 43±21 minutes), and the duration of residual effect (28±31 and 12±11 minutes) were similar between the FL and HL treatments, respectively (mean±SD). Sedation/anesthesia scores were significantly higher than at baseline...

Anatomia descritiva aplicada à cinesiologia e biomecânica básica dos músculos da cintura peitoral, estilopódio e zeugopódio do jacaré do papo amarelo / Descriptive anatomy applied to the kinesiology and basic biomechanics of the pectoral girdle, stylopodium and zeugopodium muscles of broad snouted caiman

Objetivou-se identificar os parâmetros de origem e inserção musculares da cintura peitoral e membro torácico de Caiman latirostris, mediante abordagem anatômica, cinesiológica e biomecânica básica. Foram utilizados dois exemplares de C. latirostris, machos, medindo, em média, 1,50cm de comprimento, adultos, pertencentes ao acervo do Laboratório de Ensino e Pesquisa em Animais Silvestres, Universidade Federal de Uberlândia/MG, Brasil. Foi notada postura isométrica entremeando movimentos rotativos, além de grande área de secção transversa, na maioria dos músculos extensores e estabilizadores, conferindo-lhes, maior força, denotando inferências funcionais e organizacionais. Foi possível reconhecer e predefinir o comportamento da espécie investigada, relacionando duração, direção e dimensão dos níveis de ação.

The parameters of muscle origin and insertion points in the pectoral girdle and forelimbs of Caiman latirostris were identified by basic anatomical, kinesiological and biomechanical approach. This identification was made with two adults males specimens of C. latirostris, on average, 1.50cm in length, belonging to the collection of the Wild Animal Research Laboratory of the Federal University of Uberlândia/MG, Brazil. In this study, isometric postures intercalated with rotary movements were found, as well as a large cross-sectional area in most of the extensor and stabilizer muscles, giving them greater strength and denoting functional and organizational inferences. Based on the findings, it was possible to recognize and predefine the behavior of the species under investigation, correlating the duration, direction and dimension of the activity levels.

Anatomia descritiva aplicada à cinesiologia e biomecânica básica dos músculos da cintura peitoral, estilopódio e zeugopódio do jacaré do papo amarelo

The parameters of muscle origin and insertion points in the pectoral girdle and forelimbs of Caiman latirostris were identified by basic anatomical, kinesiological and biomechanical approach. This identification was made with two adults males specimens of C. latirostris, on average, 1.50cm in length, belonging to the collection of the Wild Animal Research Laboratory of the Federal University of Uberlândia/MG, Brazil. In this study, isometric postures intercalated with rotary movements were found, as well as a large cross-sectional area in most of the extensor and stabilizer muscles, giving them greater strength and denoting functional and organizational inferences. Based on the findings, it was possible to recognize and predefine the behavior of the species under investigation, correlating the duration, direction and dimension of the activity levels.

Objetivou-se identificar os parâmetros de origem e inserção musculares da cintura peitoral e membro torácico de Caiman latirostris, mediante abordagem anatômica, cinesiológica e biomecânica básica. Foram utilizados dois exemplares de C. latirostris, machos, medindo, em média, 1,50cm de comprimento, adultos, pertencentes ao acervo do Laboratório de Ensino e Pesquisa em Animais Silvestres, Universidade Federal de Uberlândia/MG, Brasil. Foi notada postura isométrica entremeando movimentos rotativos, além de grande área de secção transversa, na maioria dos músculos extensores e estabilizadores, conferindo-lhes, maior força, denotando inferências funcionais e organizacionais. Foi possível reconhecer e predefinir o comportamento da espécie investigada, relacionando duração, direção e dimensão dos níveis de ação.

Anatomia descritiva aplicada à cinesiologia e biomecânica básica dos músculos da cintura peitoral, estilopódio e zeugopódio do jacaré do papo amarelo

The parameters of muscle origin and insertion points in the pectoral girdle and forelimbs of Caiman latirostris were identified by basic anatomical, kinesiological and biomechanical approach. This identification was made with two adults males specimens of C. latirostris, on average, 1.50cm in length, belonging to the collection of the Wild Animal Research Laboratory of the Federal University of Uberlândia/MG, Brazil. In this study, isometric postures intercalated with rotary movements were found, as well as a large cross-sectional area in most of the extensor and stabilizer muscles, giving them greater strength and denoting functional and organizational inferences. Based on the findings, it was possible to recognize and predefine the behavior of the species under investigation, correlating the duration, direction and dimension of the activity levels.

Objetivou-se identificar os parâmetros de origem e inserção musculares da cintura peitoral e membro torácico de Caiman latirostris, mediante abordagem anatômica, cinesiológica e biomecânica básica. Foram utilizados dois exemplares de C. latirostris, machos, medindo, em média, 1,50cm de comprimento, adultos, pertencentes ao acervo do Laboratório de Ensino e Pesquisa em Animais Silvestres, Universidade Federal de Uberlândia/MG, Brasil. Foi notada postura isométrica entremeando movimentos rotativos, além de grande área de secção transversa, na maioria dos músculos extensores e estabilizadores, conferindo-lhes, maior força, denotando inferências funcionais e organizacionais. Foi possível reconhecer e predefinir o comportamento da espécie investigada, relacionando duração, direção e dimensão dos níveis de ação.

Anatomia descritiva aplicada à cinesiologia e biomecânica básica dos músculos da cintura peitoral, estilopódio e zeugopódio do jacaré do papo amarelo

The parameters of muscle origin and insertion points in the pectoral girdle and forelimbs of Caiman latirostris were identified by basic anatomical, kinesiological and biomechanical approach. This identification was made with two adults males specimens of C. latirostris, on average, 1.50cm in length, belonging to the collection of the Wild Animal Research Laboratory of the Federal University of Uberlândia/MG, Brazil. In this study, isometric postures intercalated with rotary movements were found, as well as a large cross-sectional area in most of the extensor and stabilizer muscles, giving them greater strength and denoting functional and organizational inferences. Based on the findings, it was possible to recognize and predefine the behavior of the species under investigation, correlating the duration, direction and dimension of the activity levels.

Objetivou-se identificar os parâmetros de origem e inserção musculares da cintura peitoral e membro torácico de Caiman latirostris, mediante abordagem anatômica, cinesiológica e biomecânica básica. Foram utilizados dois exemplares de C. latirostris, machos, medindo, em média, 1,50cm de comprimento, adultos, pertencentes ao acervo do Laboratório de Ensino e Pesquisa em Animais Silvestres, Universidade Federal de Uberlândia/MG, Brasil. Foi notada postura isométrica entremeando movimentos rotativos, além de grande área de secção transversa, na maioria dos músculos extensores e estabilizadores, conferindo-lhes, maior força, denotando inferências funcionais e organizacionais. Foi possível reconhecer e predefinir o comportamento da espécie investigada, relacionando duração, direção e dimensão dos níveis de ação.

A systematic study of the brain base arteries inbroad-snouted caiman (Caiman latirostris)

The objective of this study was to describe and systematize the encephalic arterial vascularization of this reptile,by providing a standard irrigation model with its major variations. Thirty broad-snouted caiman heads andtwo whole specimens were used. The arterial system was filled with red-colored latex. Only a single source ofblood supply was observed in caimans and it originated from the left aortic arch. This vessel is called the azygoscarotid artery. At the caudal base of the skull, ventral to the first cervical vertebrae, it divided into two internalcarotid arteries. The internal carotid arteries divided into a rostral branch and a short caudal branch at thehypophysis level, which continued naturally as the caudal cerebral artery. The short caudal branch gave off itsmedium-caliber portion which, gave off the mesencephalic and the ventral rostral cerebellar arteries. Then thiscaudal branch anastomosed with its contralateral counterpart, forming the basilar artery. This artery followedthe ventral median fissure of the medulla oblongata, giving off the ventral caudal cerebellar and dorsal spinalarteries, and abandoning the cranial cavity through the foramen magnum as the ventral spinal artery. Therostral branch gave off the middle cerebral, rostral cerebral and rostral communicating arteries. The middlecerebral artery arose from a network originated from one to five collateral branches of the rostral branch of theinternal carotid artery. It was observed that the cerebral arterial circle was rostrally and caudally closed and,therefore, the cerebral blood supply was exclusively made by the carotid system.

Distribution of populations of broad-snouted caiman (Caiman latirostris, Daudin 1802, Alligatoridae) in the São Francisco River basin, Brazil / Distribuição das populações de jacaré-do-papo-amarelo (Caiman latirostris, Daudin 1802, Alligatoridae) na bacia do Rio São Francisco, Brasil

We surveyed populations of the broad-snouted caiman, Caiman latirostris, throughout the São Francisco River basin, from Três Marias reservoir, State of Minas Gerais, to the river delta, at the boarder of Sergipe and Alagoas states. We registered the occurrence of crocodilians in 61 percent of all surveyed localities (n = 64), in which the presence of C. latirostris was confirmed in 44 percent of the surveyed sites. Caimans occurred in both lentic and lotic habitats, although there was a preference for small dams, oxbow lakes and wetlands. Despite the hunting pressure and human impact on natural habitats, our results indicate that the populations of C. latirostris in the São Francisco basin are not fragmented.

Fizemos o levantamento de populações do jacaré-de-papo-amarelo, Caiman latirostris, ao longo da bacia do rio São Francisco, a partir do reservatório de Três Marias, no Estado de Minas Gerais, até a foz do rio, na divisa entre os Estados de Sergipe e Alagoas. Registramos a ocorrência de jacarés em 61 por cento das localidades visitadas (n = 64), nas quais a presença de C. latirostris foi confirmada em 44 por cento dos casos. Os jacarés ocorreram em ambientes lênticos e lóticos, muito embora tenhamos observado uma preferência por pequenas represas, lagoas marginais e áreas alagáveis. Apesar da pressão de caça e da modificação dos hábitats naturais, nossos resultados são evidências de que as populações de C. latirostris ao longo da bacia do São Francisco não estão fragmentadas.

Systematization, Description and Territory of The Middle and Rostral Cerebral Arteries in Broad-Snouted Caimans (Caiman latirostris)

Background: Information on the arterial vascularization of the broad-snouted caimans brain (Caiman latirostris), a specie from the Brazilian fauna, is inexistent and the literature consulted yielded only one description about the development of embryonic circulation and post-birth cerebrovascular alterations in the brain of three caymans. The objective of this study was to describe and systematize the cerebral arterial vascularization of this reptile, by providing a standard irrigation model with its major variations, in addition to determining its territorial vascular areas. Materials, Methods & Results: Thirty heads of male broad-snouted caimans (Caiman latirostris), with the neck segment, were used in the study. Additionally, two whole female and male specimens, with approximately 3 years of age and weighing between 8 to 10 Kg were also used. The animals were sacrificed according to routine slaughterhouse norms. The heads were sectioned at the third cervical vertebra level and the azygos carotid artery was cannulated. The arterial system was washed with 0.9% saline solution and filled with red-colored latex. The pieces were fixed in formaldehyde and the encephalon removed through a window made in the cranial vault, which was followed by removal of the dura mater and dissection of the arteries. The internal carotid arteries displayed an intercarotic anastomosis in the samples examined, continuing rostrally in 100% of the cases, exiting from the skull as the internal ophthalmic artery. The internal carotid arteries divided into a rostral branch and a short caudal branch at the hypophysis level, which continued naturally as the caudal cerebral artery. The rostral branch from both right and left antimeres was shown as a single branch in 86.7% and as double branch in 13.3% of the samples, and it formed the middle cerebral artery network(...)(AU)

Distribution of populations of broad-snouted caiman (Caiman latirostris, Daudin 1802, Alligatoridae) in the São Francisco River basin, Brazil

We surveyed populations of the broad-snouted caiman, Caiman latirostris, throughout the São Francisco River basin, from Três Marias reservoir, State of Minas Gerais, to the river delta, at the boarder of Sergipe and Alagoas states. We registered the occurrence of crocodilians in 61% of all surveyed localities (n = 64), in which the presence of C. latirostris was confirmed in 44% of the surveyed sites. Caimans occurred in both lentic and lotic habitats, although there was a preference for small dams, oxbow lakes and wetlands. Despite the hunting pressure and human impact on natural habitats, our results indicate that the populations of C. latirostris in the São Francisco basin are not fragmented.

Fizemos o levantamento de populações do jacaré-de-papo-amarelo, Caiman latirostris, ao longo da bacia do rio São Francisco, a partir do reservatório de Três Marias, no Estado de Minas Gerais, até a foz do rio, na divisa entre os Estados de Sergipe e Alagoas. Registramos a ocorrência de jacarés em 61% das localidades visitadas (n = 64), nas quais a presença de C. latirostris foi confirmada em 44% dos casos. Os jacarés ocorreram em ambientes lênticos e lóticos, muito embora tenhamos observado uma preferência por pequenas represas, lagoas marginais e áreas alagáveis. Apesar da pressão de caça e da modificação dos hábitats naturais, nossos resultados são evidências de que as populações de C. latirostris ao longo da bacia do São Francisco não estão fragmentadas.

Systematization, Description and Territory of The Middle and Rostral Cerebral Arteries in Broad-Snouted Caimans (Caiman latirostris)

Background:  : : Information on the arterial vascularization of the broad-snouted caimans brain (Caiman latirostris), a specie from the Brazilian fauna, is inexistent and the literature consulted yielded only one description about the development of embryonic circulation and post-birth cerebrovascular alterations in the brain of three caymans. The objective of this study was to describe and systematize the cerebral arterial vascularization of this reptile, by providing a standard irrigation model with its major variations, in addition to determining its territorial vascular areas. Materials, Methods & Results: Thirty heads of male broad-snouted caimans (Caiman latirostris), with the neck segment, were used in the study. Additionally, two whole female and male specimens, with approximately 3 years of age and weighing between 8 to 10 Kg were also used. The animals were sacrificed according to routine slaughterhouse norms. The heads were sectioned at the third cervical vertebra level and the azygos carotid artery was cannulated. The arterial system was washed with 0.9% saline solution and filled with red-colored latex. The pieces were fixed in formaldehyde and the encephalon removed through a window made in the cranial vault, which was followed by removal of the dura mater and dissection of the arteries. The internal carotid arteries displayed an intercarotic anastomosis in t

Systematization, Description and Territory of The Middle and Rostral Cerebral Arteries in Broad-Snouted Caimans (Caiman latirostris)

Background:  : : Information on the arterial vascularization of the broad-snouted caimans brain (Caiman latirostris), a specie from the Brazilian fauna, is inexistent and the literature consulted yielded only one description about the development of embryonic circulation and post-birth cerebrovascular alterations in the brain of three caymans. The objective of this study was to describe and systematize the cerebral arterial vascularization of this reptile, by providing a standard irrigation model with its major variations, in addition to determining its territorial vascular areas. Materials, Methods & Results: Thirty heads of male broad-snouted caimans (Caiman latirostris), with the neck segment, were used in the study. Additionally, two whole female and male specimens, with approximately 3 years of age and weighing between 8 to 10 Kg were also used. The animals were sacrificed according to routine slaughterhouse norms. The heads were sectioned at the third cervical vertebra level and the azygos carotid artery was cannulated. The arterial system was washed with 0.9% saline solution and filled with red-colored latex. The pieces were fixed in formaldehyde and the encephalon removed through a window made in the cranial vault, which was followed by removal of the dura mater and dissection of the arteries. The internal carotid arteries displayed an intercarotic anastomosis in t

Systematization, Description and Territory of The Middle and Rostral Cerebral Arteries in Broad-Snouted Caimans (Caiman latirostris)

Background: Information on the arterial vascularization of the broad-snouted caimans’ brain (Caiman latirostris), a specie from the Brazilian fauna, is inexistent and the literature consulted yielded only one description about the development of embryonic circulation and post-birth cerebrovascular alterations in the brain of three caymans. The objective of this study was to describe and systematize the cerebral arterial vascularization of this reptile, by providing a standard irrigation model with its major variations, in addition to determining its territorial vascular areas. Materials, Methods & Results: Thirty heads of male broad-snouted caimans (Caiman latirostris), with the neck segment, were used in the study. Additionally, two whole female and male specimens, with approximately 3 years of age and weighing between 8 to 10 Kg were also used. The animals were sacrificed according to routine slaughterhouse norms. The heads were sectioned at the third cervical vertebra level and the azygos carotid artery was cannulated. The arterial system was washed with 0.9% saline solution and filled with red-colored latex. The pieces were fixed in formaldehyde and the encephalon removed through a window made in the cranial vault, which was followed by removal of the dura mater and dissection of the arteries. The internal carotid arteries displayed an intercarotic anastomosis in the samples examined, continuing rostrally in 100% of the cases, exiting from the skull as the internal ophthalmic artery. The internal carotid arteries divided into a rostral branch and a short caudal branch at the hypophysis level, which continued naturally as the caudal cerebral artery. The rostral branch from both right and left antimeres was shown as a single branch in 86.7% and as double branch in 13.3% of the samples, and it formed the middle cerebral artery network(...)

Aerobic bacterial microflora of Broad-snouted caiman (Caiman latirostris) oral cavity and cloaca, originating from Parque Zoológico Arruda Câmara, Paraíba, Brazil / Microflora bacteriana aeróbica da cavidade oral e cloaca de jacaré-de-papo-amarelo (Caiman latirostris) procedentes do Zoológico de João Pessoa, PB, Brasil

The objective of this study was to isolate and identify the aerobic bacterial microflora from the oral cavity mucosa and cloaca's samples, collected from Broad-snouted caiman (Caiman latirostris), born and bred in captivity at Parque Zoológico Arruda Câmara, João Pessoa, Paraíba, Brazil. The most common bacteria were Staphylococcus sp. (14.74%), Corynebacterium sp. (13.68%), Escherichia coli (13.68%) and Shigella sp. (11.58%), and the less common were Citrobacter sp. (1.05%), Klebsiella pneumoniae (1.05%) and Salmonella sp. (1.05%).This emphasizes the importance of these microorganisms' participation in infectious processes (sepsis) and injuries caused by crocodilians.

O presente estudo teve como objetivo isolar e identificar a microflora bacteriana aeróbica presente na mucosa da cavidade oral e da cloaca de exemplares de jacarés-de-papo-amarelo(Caiman latirostris) nascidos e criados em cativeiro no Parque Zoológico Arruda Câmara, localizado na cidade de João Pessoa - PB. As bactérias mais freqüentes foram Staphylococcus sp.(14,74%), Corynebacterium sp. (13,68%), Escherichia coli (13,68%) e Shigella sp. (11,58%), e as menos prevalentes foram Citrobacter sp.(1,05%), Klebsiella pneumoniae (1,05%) e Salmonella sp. (1,05%). Ressalta-se a importância da participação desses microrganismos em processos infecciosos (septicemias) e em feridas provocadas por crocodilianos.