Small Felids Coexist in Mixed-Use Landscape in the Bolivian Amazon.

In the face of global species loss, it is paramount to understand the effects of human activity on vulnerable species, particularly in highly diverse, complex systems. The Greater Madidi Landscape in the Bolivian Amazon includes several biodiverse protected areas that were created with the goal of sustaining healthy and diverse ecosystems while not impeding the livelihoods of local indigenous peoples. In this study, we sought to use camera trap data and single-species occupancy analysis to assess the impacts of different forms of human activity on four species of small felids: ocelots (Leopardus pardalis), margays (Leopardus wiedii), jaguarundi (Herpailurus yagouaroundi), and oncilla (Leopardus tigrinus). We modeled both human variables (proximity to indigenous communities, roads, and tourist camps) and non-human variables (terrain ruggedness, proximity to rivers, canopy height, prey availability, and large cat abundance). Margay occupancy was unaffected by any of these human variables and ocelots showed only weak evidence of being affected by tourism. Ocelots were particularly pervasive throughout the study area and were consistently estimated to have high occupancy probability. We did not obtain sufficient data on jaguarundi or oncilla to reliably model these effects. Our results indicate that small cats successfully coexist both with each other and with the surrounding human activity in this unique landscape, which serves as a model for global protected area management.

Experimental Release of Orphaned Wild Felids into a Tropical Rainforest in Southwestern Costa Rica.

A 3- to 4-mo-old male ocelot (Leopardus pardalis) and a 6- to 8-mo-old female margay (Leopardus weidii) were brought in from the wild, held in captivity, and rehabilitated for 906 and 709 days, respectively, at the Rescate Wildlife Rescue Center in Costa Rica. During captivity, both cats were kept as isolated as possible from humans and fed appropriate live wild prey. After maturing and demonstrating the ability to capture and feed on live prey, the cats were radio-collared, released at a national wildlife refuge previously assessed for predator and prey occurrence, and monitored. After 54 days, the ocelot was trapped while preying on chickens in a nearby community, and after 20 days, the margay was found dead, likely due to ocelot predation. Avoiding habituation to humans, assuring hunting abilities, and assessing release sites likely is not sufficient to assure successful release of these species, and more experimental releases with innovative and detailed protocols and monitoring are needed.

Infection by Aelurostrongylus abstrusus in a wild Leopardus wiedii (Carnivora: Felidae): case report / Infecção por Aelurostrongylus abstrusus em Leopardus wiedii(Carnivora: Felidae) de vida livre: Relato de caso

Aelurostrongylus abstrusus, popularly known as "feline pulmonary worm", it is a nematode that affects the respiratory system of felines causing aelurostrongylosis. This parasite can be found in the host's bronchi and pulmonary arteries. The clinical signs presented vary according to the animal's immune response and severity of the infection, the host might present apathy, dyspnea, syncope, wheezing, sneezing, among others. This report aims to describe a case of aelurostrostrilylosis in a feline of wildlife threatened of extinction. The animal, Leopardus wiedii (Schinz, 1821), popularly known as Margay, was found in an urban perimeter in the municipality of Anchieta, state of Santa Catarina (SC) in Brazil and attended at the Veterinary Clinic CLINIVET, of the University of the West of Santa Catarina - UNOESC, campus of São Miguel do Oeste (SC). In the initial clinical evaluation, the patient presented with deambulatory difficulties, biological samples were collected for further investigation. In the coproparasitological exam, parasitism was diagnosed by A. abstrusus, however the animal did not present any clinical signs related to the respiratory system. The results of this report indicate that the species L. wiedii, diagnosed with subclinical infection, can act as a wild reservoir for A. abstrusus, serving as a source of infection for other species of wild felids and also for domestic ones. This highlights the importance of effective public policies for the conservation, management and study of diseases that affect wild cats, especially species that need more urgent attention, that is, those threatened of extinction.(AU)

Aelurostrongylus abstrusus, popularmente conhecido como "verme pulmonar felino", é um nematoide que aco-mete o sistema respiratório dos felinos causando aelurostrongilose. Este parasita pode ser encontrado nos brônquios e arté-rias pulmonares do hospedeiro. Os sinais clínicos apresentados variam de acordo com a resposta imune do animal e gravi-dade da infecção, podendo o hospedeiro apresentar apatia, dispneia, síncope, sibilos, espirros, entre outros. Este relato tem como objetivo descrever um caso de aelurostrongilose em um felino silvestres ameaçado de extinção. O animal, Leopardus wiedii (Schinz, 1821), popularmente conhecido como gato maracajá, foi encontrado no perímetro urbano do município de Anchieta, estado de Santa Catarina (SC), Brasil e atendido na Clínica Veterinária CLINIVET, da Universidade do Oeste de Santa Catarina - UNOESC, campus de São Miguel do Oeste (SC). Na avaliação clínica inicial o paciente apresentava dificuldade de locomoção, foram coletadas amostras biológicas para posterior investigação. No exame coproparasitológico foi diagnosticado parasitismo por A. abstrusus, porém o animal não apresentou nenhum sinal clínico relacionado ao sis-tema respiratório. Os resultados deste relato indicam que a espécie L. wiedii, diagnosticada com infecção subclínica, pode atuar como reservatório silvestre para A. abstrusus, servindo como fonte de infecção para outras espécies de felinos silves-tres e também para os domésticos. Isso destaca a importância de políticas públicas efetivas para a conservação, manejo e estudo das doenças que acometem os felinos selvagens, principalmente as espécies que necessitam de atenção mais urgente, ou seja, aquelas ameaçadas de extinção.(AU)

Cutaneous myofibroblastic fibrosarcoma in a margay (Leopardus wiedii): a case report

A routine check-up was performed on a captive 14-year-old female margay (Leopardus wiedii), a cutaneous mass was detected on the ventral thorax. The mass was surgically removed and sent for histopathological analysis. Histologically, the mass was a poorly-demarcated, highly cellular, infiltrative and unencapsulated mesenchymal neoplasm. Immunohistochemical labeling for smooth muscle actin and vimentin were positive, while desmin and cytokeratin were negative which is consistent with a myofibroblastic fibrosarcoma. This type of tumor has been diagnosed in wild felines, however this seems to be the first report of its occurrence in this L. wiedii. Wildlife oncology studies should be performed to promote our understanding of cancer in a species.

Cutaneous myofibroblastic fibrosarcoma in a margay (Leopardus wiedii): a case report

A routine check-up was performed on a captive 14-year-old female margay (Leopardus wiedii), a cutaneous mass was detected on the ventral thorax. The mass was surgically removed and sent for histopathological analysis. Histologically, the mass was a poorly-demarcated, highly cellular, infiltrative and unencapsulated mesenchymal neoplasm. Immunohistochemical labeling for smooth muscle actin and vimentin were positive, while desmin and cytokeratin were negative which is consistent with a myofibroblastic fibrosarcoma. This type of tumor has been diagnosed in wild felines, however this seems to be the first report of its occurrence in this L. wiedii. Wildlife oncology studies should be performed to promote our understanding of cancer in a species.(AU)

Leopardus wiedii Papillomavirus type 1, a novel papillomavirus species in the tree ocelot, suggests Felidae Lambdapapillomavirus polyphyletic origin and host-independent evolution.

The limited knowledge on Papillomavirus diversity (particularly in wild animal species) influences the accuracy of PVs phylogeny and their evolutionary history, and hinders the comprehension of PVs pathogenicity, especially the mechanism of virus - related cancer progression. This study reports the identification of Leopardus wiedii Papillomavirus type 1 (LwiePV1), the first PV type within Lambdapapillomavirus in a Leopardus host. LwiePV1 full genome sequencing allowed the investigation of its taxonomic position and phylogeny. Based on results, LwiePV1 should be assigned to a novel PV species providing evidence for a polyphyletic origin of feline lambda PVs, and representing an exception to codivergence between feline lambda PVs and their hosts. Results improve our knowledge on PV diversity and pave the way to future studies investigating biological and evolutionary features of animal PVs.

Amblyomma aureolatum (Acari: Ixodidae) parasitizing margay (Leopardus wiedii) in Rio Grande do Sul / Amblyomma aureolatum (Acari: Ixodidae) parasitando Gato-Maracajá (Leopardus wiedii) no Rio Grande do Sul

We report the finding of Amblyomma aureolatum (Acari: Ixodidae) parasitizing margay (Leopardus wiedii) in the locality of Gravataí (29º 47' 12.9'' S and 50º 53' 44.1'' W; 241 m alt.), State of Rio Grande do Sul, Southern Brazil. This is the first report of this species of Ixodidae on margay in Southern Brazil. This finding indicates an increased number of hosts for this tick species.

Foi registrado o encontro de Amblyomma aureolatum (Acari: Ixodidae) em gato-maracajá (Leopardus wiedii), na localidade de Gravataí (29º 47' 12,9'' S and 50º 53' 44,1'' O; 241 m alt.), região metropolitana de Porto Alegre, Rio Grande do Sul. Esse é o primeiro registro desse ixodídeo parasitando essa espécie de felídeo e amplia a distribuição de hospedeiros no estado.

Amblyomma aureolatum (Acari: Ixodidae) parasitizing margay (Leopardus wiedii) in Rio Grande do Sul

We report the finding of Amblyomma aureolatum (Acari: Ixodidae) parasitizing margay (Leopardus wiedii) in the locality of Gravataí (29º 47' 12.9'' S and 50º 53' 44.1'' W; 241 m alt.), State of Rio Grande do Sul, Southern Brazil. This is the first report of this species of Ixodidae on margay in Southern Brazil. This finding indicates an increased number of hosts for this tick species.

Foi registrado o encontro de Amblyomma aureolatum (Acari: Ixodidae) em gato-maracajá (Leopardus wiedii), na localidade de Gravataí (29º 47' 12,9'' S and 50º 53' 44,1'' O; 241 m alt.), região metropolitana de Porto Alegre, Rio Grande do Sul. Esse é o primeiro registro desse ixodídeo parasitando essa espécie de felídeo e amplia a distribuição de hospedeiros no estado.