Pathological findings associated with Dipetalonema spp. (Spirurida, Onchocercidae) infection in two species of Neotropical monkeys from Brazil.

Among vector-borne helminths, filarioids of the genus Dipetalonema (Spirurida: Onchocercidae) localize in several tissues and body cavities of several animal species, causing mild to moderate lesions. The pathological findings associated with Dipetalonema spp. infection in Neotropical monkeys from southern Brazil are herein described, along with a fatal case due to filarial polyserositis and entrapment of an intestinal segment. At necropsy, nematodes were observed in abdominal and thoracic cavities, or in the pericardium of 37 (31.3%) out of the 118 individuals examined (i.e., 35 Alouatta guariba clamitans and two Sapajus nigritus). In addition, at histology, 27.0% of positive animals presented microfilarie (inside blood vessels of lung, spleen, liver, and brain) and 8.1% presented adult nematodes in the heart, lung, and liver. In two cases, cross-sections of filarioids were associated with areas of epicardial thickening with intense fibrosis and pyogranulomatous inflammation in the brain, heart, liver, lungs, or spleen. The DNA fragment was amplify using the cox1 gene, sequenced and analyzed to identify the nematode species collected; presence of Wolbachia was assessed in the filarioids using the 16S rRNA gene. At BLAST analysis of the cox1 gene, 10 sequences showed 91.7% nucleotide identity with Dipetalonema gracile, and two with D. gracile (98.5%) and Dipetalonema graciliformis (98.3%). Phylogenetic analyses clustered sequences of the cox1 obtained in this study in two clades corresponding with the host species. Wolbachia sp. endosymbiont was detected in four samples. Data herein reported provide a description of pathological lesions associated with the infection by Dipetalonema spp., suggesting that they may cause disease in Neotropical monkeys. In addition, a better understanding of diversity and biology of Dipetalonema spp. in South America is needed to assess the impact they may cause in native non-human primates from Brazil.

Grooming site preferences in black capuchin monkeys: Hygienic vs. social functions revisited.

When primates groom each other, they tend to concentrate on those parts of the body they cannot efficiently self-groom (i.e., not visually accessible), and prefer to intensify grooming in areas with high hair density, thus suggesting a hygienic function. However, preferences for some body sites over others during social grooming may also result from different degrees of social bonding and relative dominance. To assess the relative importance of physical (hygienic) and social factors, we examined grooming interactions in two groups of wild black capuchin monkeys (Sapajus nigritus) during 15 nonconsecutive months. We evaluated the distribution of social grooming across body sites according to their accessibility by self-grooming and hair density. At the same time, we assessed whether the degree of dyadic social bonding affects the relative body orientation between groomer and groomee and the access to vulnerable body sites (e.g., face, throat, groin) during grooming. As expected, capuchins preferentially groomed inaccessible body sites (e.g., back and head), with a disproportionate effort directed to the tufts of their partners. We found that dyadic social bond strength, together with rank distance, significantly affected the proportion of grooming in ventro-ventral body relative orientation only in dominant-subordinate groomer-groomee dyads. This may indicate that, when two individuals differ in rank but are strongly bonded, the level of uncertainty related to the social context is already resolved and thus grooming per se is no longer perceived by the subordinate as an uncertain/risky situation. We found no effect of social bonding on grooming vulnerable body sites for any type of dyad. Our findings suggest that grooming site preferences in black capuchin monkeys simultaneously reflect hygienic and social functions.

Black capuchin monkeys dynamically adjust group spread throughout the day.

Variation in group spread can affect communication between individuals, synchrony of activity and collective decision-making. Most studies have measured this variation in large time scales, but the variables that influence group spread change as the social unit ranges over different areas throughout the day. Thus, our aim was to analyze the diurnal variation in group spread of a group of black capuchin monkeys (Sapajus nigritus) inhabiting an area within the southeastern Brazilian Atlantic Forest, the Carlos Botelho State Park. We measured group spread as the distance between the coordinates of the location of the two most distant group members every 5 min during entire days. Using time series analysis, we found that the group spread varied within short periods of time (15 min) throughout the day, revolving around the average group spread distance of 36 m. Group members tended to decrease the interindividual distance over time when they were more than 36 m apart, and to increase the distance when they were at a distance of less than 36 m. In addition, group spread was higher when monkeys were eating fruit than during other activities. We conclude that the variation in group spread may reflect competition for discrete food resources and that increasing cohesion several times throughout the day can be a way of resuming social contact between individuals.

Against all odds: Numerical assessment by tufted capuchin monkeys.

When competitors are able to assess the asymmetry in the resource holding potential before interacting, individuals or groups should avoid interacting with stronger opponents, thereby avoiding the energy costs and risk of injury associated with aggressive intergroup encounters. Thus, escalated aggression is expected only between closely matched competitors. Among Argentine tufted capuchin monkeys (Sapajus nigritus), intergroup dominance is decided by the asymmetry in male group size. Using playback experiments, I simulated intergroup encounters with neighboring groups, manipulating both the apparent numerical asymmetry and the resource context. During experimental trials, I recorded the approach behavior of the focal individual, as well as changes in neighbor density and individual travel speed following the presentation of the playback stimulus, to assess whether individual willingness to participate in resource defense was affected by the probability of winning the encounter. In spite of the competitive disadvantage, neither males nor females showed a decreased probability of approach when the numerical odds strongly favored the opposing group. Instead decisions regarding whether to participate appear to be driven primarily by the resource context. Nevertheless, changes in individual behavior during approaches suggest that tufted capuchin monkeys are sensitive to the relative odds. Individuals accelerated less when approaching a larger group, although no changes in neighbor density were apparent. The absence of an effect of the numerical asymmetry on willingness to approach the playback speaker suggests that subordinate groups benefit from engaging in intergroup aggression with larger neighbors, despite the high probability of losing. These encounters may serve to assess the current subjective resource valuation of the neighboring group or limit territorial expansion by large groups by decreasing the marginal value of home range exclusivity. Because these encounters are riskier, however, individuals appear to alter their approaches, becoming more tentative as the numerical odds increasingly favor the opposing group.

The impact of food provisioning on parasite infection in wild black capuchin monkeys: a network approach.

Nonhuman primates host a variety of gastrointestinal parasites that infect individuals through different transmission routes. Social contact among group members (e.g., body contact, grooming) brings the risk of parasite infection, especially when the pathogen infection is directly transmitted. Along with this, accidental provisioning (i.e., food provisioning occurring during close tourist-wildlife interactions) is also considered to increase the risk of infection, as aggregation during feeding can cause higher exposure to parasite infective stages. However, while some attention has been paid to the relationship between social behavior and parasites, the link between accidental food provisioning and characteristics of parasite infection in primates has thus far received less attention. This study examines the potential effect of accidental provisioning on patterns of inter-individual spatial association, and in turn on parasite infection risk in a wild group of black capuchin monkeys (Sapajus nigritus) in Iguazú National Park, Argentina. To do so, we simulated events of accidental provisioning via researcher-managed provisioning experiments and tested whether experimental provisioning affects the inter-individual spatial distribution within groups. In addition, we determined whether patterns of parasite infection were better predicted by naturally occurring spatial networks (i.e., spatial association during natural observations) or by provisioning spatial networks (i.e., spatial interactions during experimental provisioning). We found a significant increase in network centrality that was potentially associated with an overall increase in individual connections with other group members during experimental trials. However, when assessing the effects of natural and provisioning network metrics on parasite characteristics, we did not observe a significant effect of centrality measures (i.e., closeness and betweenness) on parasite richness and single infection by Filariopsis sp. Taken together, our findings suggest that alterations of within-group spatial networks due to accidental provisioning may have a limited influence in determining the characteristics of parasite infections in black capuchin monkeys.

Antimicrobial Resistance Profiles in Enterococcus spp. Isolates From Fecal Samples of Wild and Captive Black Capuchin Monkeys (Sapajus nigritus) in South Brazil.

The environment, human, and animals play an important role in the spread of antibiotic-resistant bacteria. Enterococci are members of the gastrointestinal tracts of humans and animals and represent important reservoirs of antibiotic resistance genes. Until today, few studies have examined antibiotic susceptibility in enterococci isolated from primates. Therefore, the present study investigated species distribution, antibiotic susceptibility, and resistance genes in enterococci isolated from wild and captive black capuchins monkeys (Sapajus nigritus) in Rio Grande do Sul, South Brazil. A total of 24 swabs/fecal samples were collected, including 19 from wild monkeys living in two forest fragments [São Sebastião do Caí (SSC) and Santa Cruz do Sul (SCS)], and five in captive [Parque Zoológico da Fundação Zoobotânica (ZOO)], between August 2016 and November 2017. Fifteen colonies were randomly selected from each sample. Enterococci were identified by MALDI-TOF, tested for susceptibility to 12 antibiotics; and screened for tet(S), tet(M), tet(L), msrC, and erm(B) genes by PCR. Two-hundred ninety-six enterococci were isolated (SSC n = 137; SCS n = 86; ZOO n = 73) and differences in Enterococcus species distribution were detected on three monkey groups, with low abundance in SCS (1 - D = 0.2), followed by ZOO (1 - D = 0.68), and SSC (1 - D = 0.73). The enterococci frequently recovered include the following: Enterococcus faecalis (42.6%), E. hirae (29.1%), and E. faecium (15.9%). Antibiotic-nonsusceptible was observed in 202 (67.9%) strains. The rate of non-susceptibility to rifampicin, tetracycline, erythromycin, nitrofurantoin, chloramphenicol, and ampicillin was 46%, 26%, 22% and 19%, 13%, 0.3%, and 0.3%, respectively. All strains were susceptible to vancomycin, streptomycin, gentamycin, and linezolid. Forty-three (14.52%) isolates were identified as multidrug resistant (MDR), and the highest number of MDR enterococci were E. faecium recovered from wild monkeys living close to a hospital and water treatment plant. Elevated rates of antibiotic resistance genes msrC and tet(L) were isolates from ZOO. In conclusion, differences in the frequency of enterococci species, antibiotic-nonsusceptible and antibiotic resistance genes in all groups of monkeys were identified. These data suggest that anthropogenic activities could have an impact in the resistome of primate gut enterococci communities.

Do sexual calls in female black capuchin monkeys (Sapajus nigritus) vary with fertility? An acoustic analysis.

Females across a range of animal taxa produce vocalizations and signals uniquely associated with periods of mating. While such signals may ultimately function to increase female attractivity to males, conflicting findings challenge the extent to which these signals co-vary in accordance with the probability of conception. Female black capuchin monkeys (Sapajus nigritus) display an elaborate repertoire of both vocal and visual components as part of their socio-sexual behavior, and previous analyses have shown that the rates of production of visual, but not vocal, components provide graded information on female ovulation. It remains possible, however, that the acoustic parameters of these sexual calls, rather than their rate of productions, co-vary with female fertility. To test this, we analyzed structural and temporal call parameters from estrous calls and post-copulatory calls recorded over five consecutive mating seasons in 12 sexually mature females at Iguazú National Park, Argentina. Calls given during the fertile phase of the female ovarian cycle were compared with those given during the non-fertile phase, as determined by profiles of female reproductive hormones. Similarly, within the fertile phase, we tested whether temporal or spectral acoustic parameters of calls gradually change with the approach of ovulation. We did not find any significant relationship between call parameters and the two measures of female fertility in either female estrous calls or post-copulatory calls. However, some differences between pre- and post-copulatory calls were apparent. Overall, our results indicate that sexual calls in black capuchin females do not provide precise information about the timing of ovulation, but may allow listeners to make probabilistic inferences about whether copulations have taken place. This, combined with previous findings, suggests that females in our study may use signals in different modalities to convey information about their fertility and sexual behavior with varying degrees of precision.

Identification of enterobacteria in free-living nonhuman primates in an urban park in the northern Region of the State of Paraná, Brazil / Identificação de enterobactérias em primatas não-humanos de vida livre em um parque urbano na Região Norte do Estado do Paraná, Brasil

Populations of nonhuman primates are often considered to be a link in the chain of emerging infectious diseases, as they are reservoirs for different zoonotic pathogens. The objective of this study was to identify the presence of bacteria from the family Enterobacteriaceae in free-living nonhuman primates. The research was carried out in an urban park located in a city in the northern region of the State of Paraná, Brazil. The animals were captured in Tomahawk-type traps and chemically restrained, being oral and rectal samples collected with sterile swabs. For bacterial isolation, the samples were seededon MacConkey agar plates and grown under anaerobic conditions. The subsequent identification was conducted using a commercial biochemical kit. Sixteen primates identified as black-capuchin-monkeys (Sapajus nigritus) were captured. Seven different enterobacterial species were identified from the oral cavity swabs: six Escherichia coli (42.9%), three Kluyvera species (21.40%), one Serratia rubidaea(7.14%), one Enterobacter aerogenes (7.14%), one Enterobacter cloacae (7.14%), one Hafnia alvei (7.14%), and one Erwinia herbicola (7.14%). Seven different species were identified from the rectal swabs: six Escherichia coli (40%), three Kluyvera species (20%), two Enterobacter aerogenes (13.32%),one Erwinia herbicola (6.67%), one Serratia rubidaea (6.67%), one Pragia fontium (6.67%), and one Edwardsiella tarda (6.67%). The results indicate that the isolated bacteria belong mainly to the human microbiota and had crossed the interspecific barrier, contaminating the nonhuman primates.(AU)

As populações de primatas não humanos frequentemente são consideradas um elo na cadeia de doenças infecciosas emergentes, por constituírem reservatórios que propiciam o surgimento de diferentes patógenos zoonóticos. O objetivo deste trabalho foi identificar a presença de bactérias da família Enterobacteriaceae em primatas não humanos de vida livre. O estudo foi realizado em um parque urbano localizado em uma cidade da região norte do Estado do Paraná. Os animais foram capturados em armadilhas do tipo Tomahawk e submetidos a contenção farmacológica para colheita de amostras da microbiota oral e retal com zaragatoas estéreis. Para o isolamento bacteriano as amostras foram semeadas pela técnica de esgotamento em placas contendo ágar MacConkey, com posterior identificação por testes bioquímicos utilizando kit comercial. Foram capturados 16 primatas não humanos identificados como Sapajus nigritus (macaco-prego). Na cavidade oral foi possível identificar sete diferentes espécies de bactérias, sendo seis (42,9%) Escherichia coli, três espécies de Kluyvera (21,40%), uma (7,14%) Serratia rubidae, uma (7,14%) Enterobacter aerogenes, uma (7,14%) Enterobacter cloacae, uma (7,14) Hafnia alvei e uma (7,14%) Erwinia herbicola. No reto foi possível identificar sete diferentes espécies de bactérias, sendo seis (40%) Escherichia coli, três espécies de Kluyvera (20%), duas (13,32%) Enterobacter aerogenes, uma (6,67%) Erwinia herbicola, uma (6,67%) Serratia rubidae, uma (6,67%) Pragla fotiun e uma (6,67%) Edwardsiella tarda. Os resultados indicam que as bactérias isoladas são pertencentes principalmente à microbiota humana, e estão ultrapassando a barreira interespecífica e contaminando os primatas.(AU)

Environmental enrichment for captive capuchin monkeys (Sapajus spp) using natural material / Enriquecimento ambiental para macacos-prego (Sapajus spp) usando materiais naturais

Captive environments are always less complex than natural places, and consequently contain less stimuli for any animals within them, which may be stressful. One approach to reducing stress in captive animals is the application of environmental enrichment techniques. Capuchin monkeys are among the most common primates in captivity, therefore, evaluating the efficacy of environmental enrichment techniques for these species is important. In this study, we evaluated the effects of natural material as environmental enrichment for Sapajus spp. To do so, we compared the behavior of seven individuals when their enclosure was non-enriched and enriched with bamboo, leaf-litter and bromeliads. We found that capuchins reduced the frequency of body care activities and of affiliative interactions when environmentally enriching objects were placed in their enclosure. They also increased time spent in object manipulation and reduced observation of the environment during these periods. Of the three materials used, we consider bamboo the most efficient enrichment material, since it remained intact longer and so attracted capuchin attention for a more extended period, and significantly modified their behavior.(AU)

Enriquecimento ambiental para macacos-prego (Sapajus spp.) usando materiais naturais. Ambientes de cativeiro podem ser estressantes aos animais uma vez que são relativamente menos complexos que ambientes naturais e contém menos estímulos. Uma das abordagens para reduzir o estresse de animais em cativeiro é a aplicação de técnicas de enriquecimento ambiental. Macacos-prego estão entre os primatas mais comumente encontrados em cativeiro. Portanto, é importante avaliar a efetividade de técnicas de enriquecimento ambiental para essas espécies. Neste estudo tivemos como objetivo estimar a eficiência de materiais naturais como enriquecimento ambiental para espécies do gênero Sapajus. Para tanto, comparamos o comportamento de sete indivíduos quando submetidos à adição de bambu, folhiço e bromélias em seus recintos. Diante dos enriquecimentos ambientais, os macacos-prego reduziram a frequência de atividades de cuidado corporal e interações afiliativas. Eles também aumentaram a frequência de manipulação de objetos e reduziram a frequência de monitoramento do ambiente durante os períodos com enriquecimento. Concluímos que o bambu foi a ferramenta mais eficaz de enriquecimento, pois permaneceu mais tempo intacto no recinto e com isso atraiu a atenção dos macacos-prego por mais tempo, modificando de forma significativa seu comportamento.(AU)

Environmental enrichment for captive capuchin monkeys (Sapajus spp) using natural material / Enriquecimento ambiental para macacos-prego (Sapajus spp) usando materiais naturais

Captive environments are always less complex than natural places, and consequently contain less stimuli for any animals within them, which may be stressful. One approach to reducing stress in captive animals is the application of environmental enrichment techniques. Capuchin monkeys are among the most common primates in captivity, therefore, evaluating the efficacy of environmental enrichment techniques for these species is important. In this study, we evaluated the effects of natural material as environmental enrichment for Sapajus spp. To do so, we compared the behavior of seven individuals when their enclosure was non-enriched and enriched with bamboo, leaf-litter and bromeliads. We found that capuchins reduced the frequency of body care activities and of affiliative interactions when environmentally enriching objects were placed in their enclosure. They also increased time spent in object manipulation and reduced observation of the environment during these periods. Of the three materials used, we consider bamboo the most efficient enrichment material, since it remained intact longer and so attracted capuchin attention for a more extended period, and significantly modified their behavior.

Enriquecimento ambiental para macacos-prego (Sapajus spp.) usando materiais naturais. Ambientes de cativeiro podem ser estressantes aos animais uma vez que são relativamente menos complexos que ambientes naturais e contém menos estímulos. Uma das abordagens para reduzir o estresse de animais em cativeiro é a aplicação de técnicas de enriquecimento ambiental. Macacos-prego estão entre os primatas mais comumente encontrados em cativeiro. Portanto, é importante avaliar a efetividade de técnicas de enriquecimento ambiental para essas espécies. Neste estudo tivemos como objetivo estimar a eficiência de materiais naturais como enriquecimento ambiental para espécies do gênero Sapajus. Para tanto, comparamos o comportamento de sete indivíduos quando submetidos à adição de bambu, folhiço e bromélias em seus recintos. Diante dos enriquecimentos ambientais, os macacos-prego reduziram a frequência de atividades de cuidado corporal e interações afiliativas. Eles também aumentaram a frequência de manipulação de objetos e reduziram a frequência de monitoramento do ambiente durante os períodos com enriquecimento. Concluímos que o bambu foi a ferramenta mais eficaz de enriquecimento, pois permaneceu mais tempo intacto no recinto e com isso atraiu a atenção dos macacos-prego por mais tempo, modificando de forma significativa seu comportamento.

Identification of enterobacteria in free-living nonhuman primates in an urban park in the northern Region of the State of Paraná, Brazil / Identificação de enterobactérias em primatas não-humanos de vida livre em um parque urbano na Região Norte do Estado do Paraná, Brasil

Populations of nonhuman primates are often considered to be a link in the chain of emerging infectious diseases, as they are reservoirs for different zoonotic pathogens. The objective of this study was to identify the presence of bacteria from the family Enterobacteriaceae in free-living nonhuman primates. The research was carried out in an urban park located in a city in the northern region of the State of Paraná, Brazil. The animals were captured in Tomahawk-type traps and chemically restrained, being oral and rectal samples collected with sterile swabs. For bacterial isolation, the samples were seededon MacConkey agar plates and grown under anaerobic conditions. The subsequent identification was conducted using a commercial biochemical kit. Sixteen primates identified as black-capuchin-monkeys (Sapajus nigritus) were captured. Seven different enterobacterial species were identified from the oral cavity swabs: six Escherichia coli (42.9%), three Kluyvera species (21.40%), one Serratia rubidaea(7.14%), one Enterobacter aerogenes (7.14%), one Enterobacter cloacae (7.14%), one Hafnia alvei (7.14%), and one Erwinia herbicola (7.14%). Seven different species were identified from the rectal swabs: six Escherichia coli (40%), three Kluyvera species (20%), two Enterobacter aerogenes (13.32%),one Erwinia herbicola (6.67%), one Serratia rubidaea (6.67%), one Pragia fontium (6.67%), and one Edwardsiella tarda (6.67%). The results indicate that the isolated bacteria belong mainly to the human microbiota and had crossed the interspecific barrier, contaminating the nonhuman primates.

As populações de primatas não humanos frequentemente são consideradas um elo na cadeia de doenças infecciosas emergentes, por constituírem reservatórios que propiciam o surgimento de diferentes patógenos zoonóticos. O objetivo deste trabalho foi identificar a presença de bactérias da família Enterobacteriaceae em primatas não humanos de vida livre. O estudo foi realizado em um parque urbano localizado em uma cidade da região norte do Estado do Paraná. Os animais foram capturados em armadilhas do tipo Tomahawk e submetidos a contenção farmacológica para colheita de amostras da microbiota oral e retal com zaragatoas estéreis. Para o isolamento bacteriano as amostras foram semeadas pela técnica de esgotamento em placas contendo ágar MacConkey, com posterior identificação por testes bioquímicos utilizando kit comercial. Foram capturados 16 primatas não humanos identificados como Sapajus nigritus (macaco-prego). Na cavidade oral foi possível identificar sete diferentes espécies de bactérias, sendo seis (42,9%) Escherichia coli, três espécies de Kluyvera (21,40%), uma (7,14%) Serratia rubidae, uma (7,14%) Enterobacter aerogenes, uma (7,14%) Enterobacter cloacae, uma (7,14) Hafnia alvei e uma (7,14%) Erwinia herbicola. No reto foi possível identificar sete diferentes espécies de bactérias, sendo seis (40%) Escherichia coli, três espécies de Kluyvera (20%), duas (13,32%) Enterobacter aerogenes, uma (6,67%) Erwinia herbicola, uma (6,67%) Serratia rubidae, uma (6,67%) Pragla fotiun e uma (6,67%) Edwardsiella tarda. Os resultados indicam que as bactérias isoladas são pertencentes principalmente à microbiota humana, e estão ultrapassando a barreira interespecífica e contaminando os primatas.

Wild capuchin monkeys anticipate the amount of ripe fruit in natural trees.

Tropical forests have a high diversity of tree species which have very low densities and vary across time in their seasons of peak fruiting and maturation rates. As evidence of the ability of primates to track or anticipate changes in fruit production at individual trees, researchers have used the increased speed of primate groups toward more rewarding food patches. We analyzed the speed of approach to natural trees of wild capuchin monkeys under the effect of scramble competition, after excluding any plausible visual, olfactory and auditory cues. We conducted all-day group follows of three habituated capuchin groups at Iguazú National Park, Argentina, collecting data on ranging behavior and patterns of visits to fruit trees in relation with their location and fruit availability. Travel speed varied according to the expected reward at a feeding tree, increasing as rewards increased from low values, but decreasing again at very high values. Also, travel speed varied with time of day, decreasing from the time of first activity as the monkeys became less hungry, and increasing again toward late afternoon. Measures of unripe fruit cover did not explain variation in travel speed at any distance from a focal tree. Our data imply that, after excluding sensory cues, capuchins appear to anticipate time-varying ripe fruit quantity of natural resources, suggesting that they use memory of tree location and anticipation of fruit maturation. We also confirm that speed is a good measure about expectations of resources, as has been shown in previous studies.

High consumption of primates by pumas and ocelots in a remnant of the Brazilian Atlantic Forest / Alto consumo de primatas por onças-pardas e jaguatiricas em um fragmento na Mata Atlântica no Brasil

We studied the diet of the ocelot and puma during the years 2007 and 2008 at the Feliciano Miguel Abdala Reserve, in Minas Gerais, south-eastern Brazil. We collected 49 faecal samples (scats) from cats, and identified the species of cat from 23 of them by the analysis of the microstructure patterns of hairs found in their faeces: 17 scats of the puma (Puma concolor) and six of the ocelot (Leopardus pardalis). In the puma scats, we identified three species of primates (Brachyteles hypoxanthus, Alouatta guariba and Sapajus nigritus), the remains of which were found in eight of 17 collected (47.1%), representing 26.7% of items consumed. For the ocelot, we detected capuchin monkey (S. nigritus) remains in three of the six scats (50%), accounting for 18.7% of items consumed by ocelot. We were unable to identify the cat species in the remaining 26 faecal samples, but we were able to analyse the food items present. Primates were found in five of these 26 faeces (19.2%) and represented 10.2% of the items found. Although the sample size is limited, our results indicate a relatively high consumption of primates by felines. We believe that this high predation may be the result of the high local density of primates as well as the greater exposure to the risks of predation in fragmented landscapes, which tends to increase the incidence of the primates using the ground.(AU)

Nós estudamos a dieta de jaguatiricas e onças-pardas entre os anos de 2007 e 2008 na Reserva Feliciano Miguel Abdala, em Minas Gerais, sudeste do Brasil. Nós coletamos 49 amostras fecais de felinos, em 23 das quais foi possível a identificação do predador através da análise do padrão microestrutural dos seus pelos encontrados nas fezes, sendo 17 fezes de onça-parda (Puma concolor) e seis de jaguatirica (Leopardus pardalis). Nas amostras de onça-parda nós identificamos três espécies de primatas (Brachyteles hypoxanthus, Alouatta guariba e Sapajus nigritus), cujas partes não digeridas foram encontradas em oito das 17 fezes coletadas, representando 26,7% dos itens consumidos por onças-pardas. Para jaguatirica, nós detectamos macacos-prego (S. nigritus) em três de seis fezes, o que correspondeu a 18,7% dos itens consumidos. Para as 26 amostras fecais restantes, cuja identificação do predador não foi possível, nós analisamos os itens alimentares presentes. Restos de primatas foram identificados em cinco dessas fezes (19,3%), representando 10,2% dos itens encontrados. Apesar do tamanho da amostra ser limitado, nossos resultados indicam uma taxa relativamente alta de consumo de primatas por felinos. Nós acreditamos que essa alta taxa de predação pode ser resultado da grande densidade local de primatas, bem como do aumento do risco de predação em paisagens fragmentadas, o que tende a aumentar a incidência do uso do chão por parte dos primatas.(AU)

High consumption of primates by pumas and ocelots in a remnant of the Brazilian Atlantic Forest / Alto consumo de primatas por onças-pardas e jaguatiricas em um fragmento na Mata Atlântica no Brasil

We studied the diet of the ocelot and puma during the years 2007 and 2008 at the Feliciano Miguel Abdala Reserve, in Minas Gerais, south-eastern Brazil. We collected 49 faecal samples (scats) from cats, and identified the species of cat from 23 of them by the analysis of the microstructure patterns of hairs found in their faeces: 17 scats of the puma (Puma concolor) and six of the ocelot (Leopardus pardalis). In the puma scats, we identified three species of primates (Brachyteles hypoxanthus, Alouatta guariba and Sapajus nigritus), the remains of which were found in eight of 17 collected (47.1%), representing 26.7% of items consumed. For the ocelot, we detected capuchin monkey (S. nigritus) remains in three of the six scats (50%), accounting for 18.7% of items consumed by ocelot. We were unable to identify the cat species in the remaining 26 faecal samples, but we were able to analyse the food items present. Primates were found in five of these 26 faeces (19.2%) and represented 10.2% of the items found. Although the sample size is limited, our results indicate a relatively high consumption of primates by felines. We believe that this high predation may be the result of the high local density of primates as well as the greater exposure to the risks of predation in fragmented landscapes, which tends to increase the incidence of the primates using the ground.

Nós estudamos a dieta de jaguatiricas e onças-pardas entre os anos de 2007 e 2008 na Reserva Feliciano Miguel Abdala, em Minas Gerais, sudeste do Brasil. Nós coletamos 49 amostras fecais de felinos, em 23 das quais foi possível a identificação do predador através da análise do padrão microestrutural dos seus pelos encontrados nas fezes, sendo 17 fezes de onça-parda (Puma concolor) e seis de jaguatirica (Leopardus pardalis). Nas amostras de onça-parda nós identificamos três espécies de primatas (Brachyteles hypoxanthus, Alouatta guariba e Sapajus nigritus), cujas partes não digeridas foram encontradas em oito das 17 fezes coletadas, representando 26,7% dos itens consumidos por onças-pardas. Para jaguatirica, nós detectamos macacos-prego (S. nigritus) em três de seis fezes, o que correspondeu a 18,7% dos itens consumidos. Para as 26 amostras fecais restantes, cuja identificação do predador não foi possível, nós analisamos os itens alimentares presentes. Restos de primatas foram identificados em cinco dessas fezes (19,3%), representando 10,2% dos itens encontrados. Apesar do tamanho da amostra ser limitado, nossos resultados indicam uma taxa relativamente alta de consumo de primatas por felinos. Nós acreditamos que essa alta taxa de predação pode ser resultado da grande densidade local de primatas, bem como do aumento do risco de predação em paisagens fragmentadas, o que tende a aumentar a incidência do uso do chão por parte dos primatas.