Erythema multiforme in a Central American tapir (Tapirus bairdii) calf, clinical case report.

A 7-month-old male Central American tapir with a history of recurrent respiratory diseases and repeated prolonged administration of amoxicillin with clavulanic acid presented with lethargy, severe hyperalgesia, and interscapular ulcerating vesicular lesions with serosanguineous content, as well as dorsal skin peeling, oral ulcers, and thoracic limb, abdominal, and submandibular pustules with surrounding erythema and alopecia. The histopathological analysis and clinical manifestations were compatible with erythema multiforme, which was treated with daily wound cleaning and silver sulfadiazine cream application, as well as oral prednisolone for 15 days, with five daily tapering doses, achieving clinical improvement and an adequate cure of the disease. Vesicular dermatitis syndrome of tapirs is a disease complex including erythema multiforme, a condition rarely diagnosed, since the analyses required for a definitive diagnosis are almost never performed; therefore, it is important to carry out the necessary tests that allow the differentiation of the dermatopathies included in this complex of vesicular skin diseases.

Hemochromatosis-like disease in Brazilian tapirs (Tapirus terrestris) in Pará state, Brazil / Hemocromatose símile em antas brasileiras (Tapirus terrestris) no estado do Pará, Brasil

We report two cases of hemochromatosis-like disease in captive Brazilian tapirs, Tapirus terrestris in Pará state, Brazil. Both animals presented symptoms of chronic hepatopathy associated with marked accumulation of hemosiderin. The coloration of Perls demonstrated pronounced iron accumulation in macrophages in the portal space, Kupffer cells, and, to a lesser extent, in the hepatocytes of the periportal region. Marked portal fibrosis was evidenced by Masson's trichrome. The pathological mechanisms of this disease in tapirs are not yet well established. It has been suggested that the species may have different mechanisms of iron absorption and elimination, rendering them sensitive to elevation in dietary levels of this metal. Two previous reports of this disease in T. terrestris exist from zoos in Australia and Scotland. This is the first report of this disease in tapirs in Brazil based on histopathological and histochemical findings.(AU)

Relatamos dois casos de hemocromatose símile em antas brasileiras, Tapirus terrestris mantidas em cativeiro no estado do Pará, Brasil. Ambas apresentavam lesões de hepatopatia crônica e acentuada, associadas a acúmulo acentuado de hemossiderina. A coloração de Perls demonstrou acúmulo acentuado de ferro nos macrófagos do espaço porta, células de Kupffer e, em menor extensão, hepatócitos na região periportal. Havia, ainda, fibrose portal marcada evidenciada por tricrômico de Masson. Os mecanismos patológicos da doença em antas ainda não estão bem estabelecidos e tem sido sugerido que a espécie apresenta diferentes mecanismos de absorção e eliminação de ferro, sendo sensíveis à elevação dos níveis dietéticos desse metal. Existem dois relatos anteriores da doença em T. terrestres em zoológicos na Austrália e na Escócia. Este é o primeiro relato da doença em antas no Brasil.(AU)

Ticks and rickettsial exposure in lowland tapirs (Tapirus terrestris) of three Brazilian biomes.

This study evaluated ticks and rickettsial exposure in 220 free-ranging lowland tapirs, Tapirus terrestris, from 2006 to 2018 in selected areas of three major biomes of Brazil - Atlantic Forest, Pantanal, and Cerrado. Overall, a total of 5970 tick specimens representing the following nine species were collected from tapirs: Amblyomma brasiliense, Amblyomma coelebs, Amblyomma dubitatum, Amblyomma ovale, Amblyomma parvum, Amblyomma sculptum, Amblyomma triste, Haemaphysalis juxtakochi, and Rhipicephalus microplus. Amblyomma sculptum was the most prevalent and abundant tick species in all three biomes; however, mean intensity values for A. sculptum were significantly lower in Atlantic Forest than in the Pantanal or Cerrado, and at the same time, statistically similar among tapirs from Pantanal and Cerrado. Contrastingly, mean intensity values for A. coelebs were significantly higher in the Atlantic Forest than in the other biomes. The remaining tick species were collected in lower numbers, or were exclusive for one biome, e.g., A. brasiliense and H. juxtakochi only in the Atlantic Forest. A total of 177 blood sera (123 individuals plus 54 recaptures) were collected from tapirs and tested for the presence of reactive antibodies to six Rickettsia species by immunofluorescence assay. Overall, 69% (9/13), 49% (62/126), and 66% (25/38) tapir sera from Atlantic Forest, Pantanal and Cerrado, respectively, were seroreactive to at least one Rickettsia species, with no significant difference between the three areas. Although many tapir sera reacted simultaneously to ≥2 Rickettsia species, Rickettsia parkeri elicited highest % seroprevalence and endpoint titers, and was incriminated as the possible agent involved in a homologous reaction in tapirs from the three biomes, where A. ovale was previously found infected by R. parkeri. In fact, seroconversion to R. parkeri was demonstrated in five tapirs that were captured at least twice during the study. This study demonstrated that tapirs were found to be constantly infested by several tick species in the Atlantic Forest, Pantanal and Cerrado biomes; however, the richness of tick infestations was concordant to the tick species known to be established in each biome. Under natural conditions, lowland tapirs were shown to be exposed to tick-borne spotted fever group rickettsiae.

Hemangioma cutâneo em anta (Tapirus terrestris linnaeus 1758): Relato de caso / Cutaneous haemangioma in a lowland tapir (Tapirus terrestris linnaeus 1758): Case report

Hemangiomas são neoplasias de classificação benigna e origem mesenquimal do endotélio vascular. Um espécime de anta-brasileira (Tapirus terrestris), macho, com três anos de idade, procedente de Sorocaba-SP apresentou nódulo em região prepucial de aspecto pedunculado, não-pigmentado e de consistência firme. A neoformação foi acompanhada durante 28 dias, observando-se aumento de quatro vezes do diâmetro durante este intervalo de tempo. No 28° dia, procedeu-se a exérese do nódulo para processamento e realização da análise histopatológica, deste modo, chegou-se ao diagnóstico de hemangioma cutâneo. Este caso trata-se do primeiro relato do mundo de hemangioma na espécie.(AU)

Haemangiomas are neoplasms of benign mesenchymal origin in the vascular endothelium. A male lowland tapir (Tapirus terrestris) specimen, male, three years old, from Sorocaba-SP presented a prepucial nodule with a pedunculated aspect, non-pigmented and firm consistency. The neoformation was followed up for 28 days and a diameter increase of four times was observed during this time interval. On the 28th day, the nodule was excised for processing and histopathological analysis, thus reaching a diagnosis of cutaneous haemangioma. This case is the worlds first report of haemangioma in this species.(AU)

Hemangioma cutâneo em anta (Tapirus terrestris linnaeus 1758): Relato de caso / Cutaneous haemangioma in a lowland tapir (Tapirus terrestris linnaeus 1758): Case report

Hemangiomas são neoplasias de classificação benigna e origem mesenquimal do endotélio vascular. Um espécime de anta-brasileira (Tapirus terrestris), macho, com três anos de idade, procedente de Sorocaba-SP apresentou nódulo em região prepucial de aspecto pedunculado, não-pigmentado e de consistência firme. A neoformação foi acompanhada durante 28 dias, observando-se aumento de quatro vezes do diâmetro durante este intervalo de tempo. No 28° dia, procedeu-se a exérese do nódulo para processamento e realização da análise histopatológica, deste modo, chegou-se ao diagnóstico de hemangioma cutâneo. Este caso trata-se do primeiro relato do mundo de hemangioma na espécie.

Haemangiomas are neoplasms of benign mesenchymal origin in the vascular endothelium. A male lowland tapir (Tapirus terrestris) specimen, male, three years old, from Sorocaba-SP presented a prepucial nodule with a pedunculated aspect, non-pigmented and firm consistency. The neoformation was followed up for 28 days and a diameter increase of four times was observed during this time interval. On the 28th day, the nodule was excised for processing and histopathological analysis, thus reaching a diagnosis of cutaneous haemangioma. This case is the world’s first report of haemangioma in this species.

HEALTH ASSESSMENT OF WILD LOWLAND TAPIRS (TAPIRUS TERRESTRIS) IN THE HIGHLY THREATENED CERRADO BIOME, BRAZIL.

Over 2 yr, we assessed the health of 35 lowland tapirs (Tapirus terrestris) in the Brazilian Cerrado (CE) biome, an area that is highly affected by human activities. This involved physical examinations, hematology and blood biochemistry, urinalysis, fecal parasitologic evaluation, microbial profiling of anatomic cavities and lesions, and serologic surveys for evidence of infectious agents. Research methods closely resembled those used in previous tapir health assessments in the Atlantic Forest (AF) and Pantanal (PA) biomes, allowing for a comparison among the three populations. Although not reaching statistical significance (P>0.05), tapirs from the CE exhibited poorer body and skin condition as compared to animals from the AF and PA. Furthermore, there were higher prevalences of dental problems and traumatic lesions as compared to those from the AF and PA. Eight of the 12 hematologic parameters evaluated and 17 of the 30 biochemical parameters differed significantly (P<0.05) between the tapirs from CE and those from the AF and PA. We isolated 24 different microbiologic strains from swabs of anatomic cavities and dermal lesions, of which five taxa had not previously been found in the AF or PA. We detected serum antibodies to Leptospira interrogans, bluetongue virus, and porcine parvovirus. Overall, our results suggested that tapirs from the CE exhibited more health abnormalities than tapirs in the AF and PA, possibly due to a greater exposure to environmental disturbances in the area.

Phylogenetics, patterns of genetic variation and population dynamics of Trypanosoma terrestris support both coevolution and ecological host-fitting as processes driving trypanosome evolution.

BACKGROUND: A considerable amount of evidence has favored ecological host-fitting, rather than coevolution, as the main mechanism responsible for trypanosome divergence. Nevertheless, beyond the study of human pathogenic trypanosomes, the genetic basis of host specificity among trypanosomes isolated from forest-inhabiting hosts remains largely unknown. METHODS: To test possible scenarios on ecological host-fitting and coevolution, we combined a host capture recapture strategy with parasite genetic data and studied the genetic variation, population dynamics and phylogenetic relationships of Trypanosoma terrestris, a recently described trypanosome species isolated from lowland tapirs in the Brazilian Pantanal and Atlantic Forest biomes. RESULTS: We made inferences of T. terrestris population structure at three possible sources of genetic variation: geography, tapir hosts and 'putative' vectors. We found evidence of a bottleneck affecting the contemporary patterns of parasite genetic structure, resulting in little genetic diversity and no evidence of genetic structure among hosts or biomes. Despite this, a strongly divergent haplotype was recorded at a microgeographical scale in the landscape of Nhecolândia in the Pantanal. However, although tapirs are promoting the dispersion of the parasites through the landscape, neither geographical barriers nor tapir hosts were involved in the isolation of this haplotype. Taken together, these findings suggest that either host-switching promoted by putative vectors or declining tapir population densities are influencing the current parasite population dynamics and genetic structure. Similarly, phylogenetic analyses revealed that T. terrestris is strongly linked to the evolutionary history of its perissodactyl hosts, suggesting a coevolving scenario between Perissodactyla and their trypanosomes. Additionally, T. terrestris and T. grayi are closely related, further indicating that host-switching is a common feature promoting trypanosome evolution. CONCLUSIONS: This study provides two lines of evidence, both micro- and macroevolutionary, suggesting that both host-switching by ecological fitting and coevolution are two important and non-mutually-exclusive processes driving the evolution of trypanosomes. In line with other parasite systems, our results support that even in the face of host specialization and coevolution, host-switching may be common and is an important determinant of parasite diversification.

Comparative cranial ontogeny of Tapirus (Mammalia: Perissodactyla: Tapiridae).

Skull morphology in tapirs is particularly interesting due to the presence of a proboscis with important trophic, sensory and behavioral functions. Several studies have dealt with tapir skull osteology but chiefly in a comparative framework between fossil and recent species of tapirs. Only one study examined an aspect of cranial ontogeny, development of the sagittal crest (Holbrook. J Zool Soc Lond 2002; 256; 215). Our goal is to describe in detail the morphological changes that occur during the postnatal ontogeny of the skull in two representative tapir species, Tapirus terrestris and Tapirus indicus, and to explore possible functional consequences of their developmental trajectories. We compared qualitative features of the skull on a growth series of 46 specimens of T. terrestris ordered on the basis of the sequence of eruption and tooth wear, dividing the sample into three age classes: class Y (very young juvenile), class J (from young juvenile to young adult) and class A (full and old adult). The qualitative morphological analysis consisted of describing changes in the series in each skull bone and major skull structure, including the type and degree of transformation (e.g. appearance, fusion) of cranial features (e.g. processes, foramina) and articulations (sutures, synchondroses, and synovial joints). We then measured 23 cranial variables in 46 specimens of T. terrestris that included the entire ontogenetic series from newborn to old adults. We applied statistical multivariate techniques to describe allometric growth, and compared the results with the allometric trends calculated for a sample of 25 specimens of T. indicus. Results show that the skull structure was largely conserved throughout the postnatal ontogeny in T. terrestris, so class Y was remarkably similar to class A in overall shape, with the most significant changes localized in the masticatory apparatus, specifically the maxillary tuber as a support of the large-sized permanent postcanine dentition, and correlated changes in diastemata, mandibular body, and sagittal and nuchal crests. In the nasal region, ontogenetic remodeling affected the space for the meatal diverticulum and the surfaces for the origin of the proboscis musculature. Overall, ontogenetic trajectories exhibited more negative allometric components in T. indicus than in T. terrestris, and they shared 47.83% of allometric trends. Tapirus indicus differed most significantly from T. terrestris in the allometry of postcanine toothrows, diastemata and mandibular body. Thus, some allometric trends seem to be highly conserved among the species studied, and the changes observed showed a strong functional and likely adaptive basis in this lineage of ungulates.

The evolution of fetal membranes and placentation in carnivores and ungulates (Ferungulata)

Molecular phylogenetics has made a substantialcontribution to our understanding of the relationships between mammalian orders and has generated trees that can be used to examine the evolution of anatomical and physiological traits. We here summarize findings on fetal membranes and placen tation in Ferungulata, a clade comprising carnivores, pangolins, and even and odd-toed ungulates. Their Early ontogeny shows several conserve traits such as superficial attachment of the blastocyst, amnion formation by folding, a large allantoic sac and a temporary yolk sac placenta. In contrast, Several characters of the chorioallantoic placenta are derived, including the diffuse and cotyledonary placental types in ungulate sand zonary placenta in carnivores specializations of the interhaemal barrier, the presence of areolae or haemophagous regions and lack of stromal decidual cells. Ungulates Produce large amounts of placental proteins including placental lactogens and pregnancy-associated glycoproteins. Evolutionary in novations of the placental system may contribute to the high diversity of lifestyles within Ferungulata And be linked to the evolution of highly precocial offspring in ungulates.(AU)

The evolution of fetal membranes and placentation in carnivores and ungulates (Ferungulata)

Molecular phylogenetics has made a substantialcontribution to our understanding of the relationships between mammalian orders and has generated trees that can be used to examine the evolution of anatomical and physiological traits. We here summarize findings on fetal membranes and placen tation in Ferungulata, a clade comprising carnivores, pangolins, and even and odd-toed ungulates. Their Early ontogeny shows several conserve traits such as superficial attachment of the blastocyst, amnion formation by folding, a large allantoic sac and a temporary yolk sac placenta. In contrast, Several characters of the chorioallantoic placenta are derived, including the diffuse and cotyledonary placental types in ungulate sand zonary placenta in carnivores specializations of the interhaemal barrier, the presence of areolae or haemophagous regions and lack of stromal decidual cells. Ungulates Produce large amounts of placental proteins including placental lactogens and pregnancy-associated glycoproteins. Evolutionary in novations of the placental system may contribute to the high diversity of lifestyles within Ferungulata And be linked to the evolution of highly precocial offspring in ungulates.

Enterolitíase obstrutiva em anta (Tapirus terrestris) / Obstructive enterolithiasis in brasilian tapir (Tapirus terrestris)

A Anta brasileira é um mamífero da família Tapiridae que pertence à ordem Perissodactyla, a qual também pertence às famílias Rhinocerotidae e Equidae. A manutenção de tapirídeos em criadouros e zoológicos é comum em toda a América do Sul, mas apesar desse fato, informações a respeito de sua criação, reprodução e doenças em cativeiro não estão facilmente disponíveis. O presente artigo relata a ocorrência de enterolitíase obstrutiva em um exemplar macho de dez anos de idade, devido a ingestão acidental de uma corda vegetal, diagnosticado no Laboratório de Patologia Veterinária da FMVZ-UNESP/Boptucatu-SP.

The Brazilian tapir is a mammal of the Tapiridae family that belongs to the order Perissodactyla, which also includes the families Rhinocerotidae and Equidae. The presence of tapirines in zoo is common in all South America, but information regarding management conditions, reproduction and diseases in captivity are not available. This article reports the occurrence of obstructive enterolithiasis in a male with ten years old due to accidental consumption of a vegetal rope, diagnosed in Laboratório de Patologia Veterinária of the FMVZ-UNESP/ Botucatu-SP.