Domestic chicken predation and prey sharing by urban capuchin monkeys (Sapajus sp.).

Capuchin monkeys are omnivorous platyrrhines with a high frequency of faunivory and can survive in urban forest fragments. Predation of wild vertebrates (high-quality foods) by capuchin monkeys has been frequently reported in many species of Cebus and Sapajus. However, predation of domestic animals is unknown. We describe a rare episode of predation, consumption, and sharing of an adult domestic chicken (Gallus gallus domesticus) by individuals from a social group of robust capuchin monkeys (Sapajus sp.) living in a small urban park in the city of Foz do Iguaçu, southern Brazil. This relatively large prey is freely farmed at the study site. The capture, slaughter, preparation (removal of feathers from the body), and consumption of the prey by the capuchins lasted 22 min. The dominant adult male ate the chicken's head and tolerated the approach of two juveniles. The juveniles shared the remainder of the prey after the adult abandoned it. These juveniles scared other group members that approached the carcass. We recorded an opportunistic hunt for easily accessible domestic prey, a case of human resource use by urban primates that shared passively the atypical and valuable food. Though a rare event, the predation on a domestic animal indicates a potential source of conflict with humans that can have negative impacts on urban primates.

New pseudoscorpion species (Pseudoscorpiones: Hesperolpiidae) from Lima City, Peru

This study describes and illustrates a new species of arachnid, the pseudoscorpion Stenolpium sayrii sp. nov., collected at Pucllana, an archaeological site in the city of Lima, Peru. With this description, the total number of known Stenolpium species worldwide reaches eight, and in Peru specifically, it increases to seven. The discovery of this new species in Peru's most populous city serves as an exemplar highlighting the extensive scope for further research on Peruvian fauna in general, particularly on its arachnids.

En este trabajo, una nueva especie de arácnido, el pseudoscorpión Stenolpium sayrii sp. nov., colectada en Pucllana, sitio arqueológico de la ciudad de Lima, Perú, es descrita e ilustrada. Con esta descripción, el número de especies conocidas de Stenolpium en el mundo asciende a ocho en total y para el Perú a siete. El descubrimiento de esta nueva especie en la ciudad más poblada del Perú es un ejemplo de lo mucho que falta investigar sobre la fauna peruana en general y sobre sus arácnidos en particular.

Genomic analysis of fluoroquinolone-resistant Leclercia adecarboxylata carrying the ISKpn19-orf-qnrS1-ΔIS3-blaLAP-2 module in a synanthropic pigeon, Brazil.

OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to perform a genomic investigation of a multiple fluoroquinolone-resistant Leclercia adecarboxylata strain isolated from a synanthropic pigeon in São Paulo, Brazil. METHODS: Whole-genome sequencing was performed using an Illumina platform, and in silico deep analyses of the resistome were performed. Comparative phylogenomics was conducted using a global collection of publicly available genomes of L. adecarboxylata strains isolated from human and animal hosts. RESULTS: L. adecarboxylata strain P62P1 displayed resistance to human (norfloxacin, ofloxacin, ciprofloxacin, and levofloxacin) and veterinary (enrofloxacin) fluoroquinolones. This multiple quinolone-resistant profile was associated with mutations in the gyrA (S83I) and parC (S80I) genes and the presence of the qnrS gene within an ISKpn19-orf-qnrS1-ΔIS3-blaLAP-2 module, previously identified in L. adecarboxylata strains isolated from pig feed and faeces in China. Genes associated with arsenic, silver, copper, and mercury resistance were also predicted. Phylogenomic analysis revealed clustering (378-496 single nucleotide polymorphism differences) with two L. adecarboxylata strains isolated from human and fish sources in China and Portugal, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: L. adecarboxylata is a Gram-negative bacterium of the Enterobacterales order and is considered an emergent opportunistic pathogen. Since L. adecarboxylata has adapted to human and animal hosts, genomic surveillance is highly recommended, in order to identify the emergence and spread of resistant lineages and high-risk clones. In this regard, this study provides genomic data that can help clarify the role of synanthropic animals in the dissemination of clinically relevant L. adecarboxylata within a One Health context.

One health clones of multidrug-resistant Escherichia coli carried by synanthropic animals in Brazil.

WHO priority pathogens have disseminated beyond hospital settings and are now being detected in urban and wild animals worldwide. In this regard, synanthropic animals such as urban pigeons (Columba livia) and rodents (Rattus rattus, Rattus norvegicus and Mus musculus) are of interest to public health due to their role as reservoirs of pathogens that can cause severe diseases. These animals usually live in highly contaminated environments and have frequent interactions with humans, domestic animals, and food chain, becoming sentinels of anthropogenic activities. In this study, we report genomic data of Escherichia coli strains selected for ceftriaxone and ciprofloxacin resistance, isolated from pigeons and black rats. Genomic analysis revealed the occurrence of international clones belonging to ST10, ST155, ST224 and ST457, carrying a broad resistome to beta-lactams, aminoglycosides, trimethoprim/sulfamethoxazole, fluoroquinolones, tetracyclines and/or phenicols. SNP-based phylogenomic investigation confirmed clonal relatedness with high-risk lineages circulating at the human-animal-environmental interface globally. Our results confirm the dissemination of WHO priority CTX-M-positive E. coli in urban rodents and pigeons in Brazil, highlighting potential of these animals as infection sources and hotspot for dissemination of clinically relevant pathogens and their resistance genes, which is a critical issue within a One Health perspective.

Experimental protocol to repel opossums (Didelphis marsupialis) through an artisanal odor repellent device / Protocolo experimental para ahuyentar zarigüeyas (Didelphis marsupialis) mediante un dispositivo artesanal de olor repelente / Protocolo experimental para repelir gambás (Didelphis marsupialis) por meio de um dispositivo artesanal de odor repelente

Abstract Background: The human-opossum (Didelphis marsupialis) conflict has increased during the last decades mainly due to natural habitat loss, and mediated by generalist and opportunistic habits of opossums. A potential solution to reduce this conflict is to discourage the presence of opossums in human settlements without affecting the welfare of either part. Objective: To develop an artisanal odor device and test three chemical substances (citronella, ammonia, and creolin) for their separate effectiveness to drive away opossums. Methods: We first attracted local opossums using fruits or canned sardines as bait in an urban natural park (n=2 sites) and a peri-urban forest reserve (n=4 sites), both located in the Municipality of Envigado, Province of Antioquia, Colombia. Then we installed odor devices containing one of the three chemicals on each site and let them there during two weeks. The test was repeated with each of the chemicals in all sites. The number of opossum visits per night was recorded daily using camera-traps with bait and bait+chemical. Results: We found that ammonia and creolin were associated to fewer opossum visits per night. Citronella did not reduce the presence of opossums. In addition, the number of opossums/per night was higher in the urban park compared with the forest reserve. Conclusion: We suggest to further test the repellent effect of ammonia and creolin on real human-opossum conflict scenarios; however, caution is warranted given their irritant, flammable, and corrosive properties.

Resumen Antecedentes: El conflicto entre humanos y zarigüeyas (Didelphis marsupialis) se ha acrecentado en las últimas décadas debido, principalmente, a la pérdida de hábitats naturales y mediado por los hábitos generalistas y oportunistas de las zarigüeyas. Una posible alternativa de solución a este conflicto es desalentar la presencia de zarigüeyas en áreas habitadas por humanos, sin afectar el bienestar de ninguna de las dos partes. Objetivo: Desarrollar un dispositivo artesanal de olor y probarlo con tres sustancias químicas de manera separada (citronela, amoniaco, y creolina) probando su efectividad para ahuyentar a las zarigüeyas. Métodos: Inicialmente cebamos con frutas o sardinas enlatadas para atraer las zarigüeyas locales en un parque natural urbano (n=2 sitios) y una reserva forestal peri-urbana (n=4 sitios), ambas en el Municipio de Envigado, Departamento de Antioquia, Colombia. Posteriormente, instalamos el dispositivo con uno de los tres químicos en cada sitio durante dos semanas. El test se repitió con los tres químicos en todos los sitios. El número de zarigüeyas/noche se registró diariamente usando cámaras-trampa con cebo, y con cebo+químico. Resultados: El amoníaco y la creolina se asociaron con un menor número de visitas de zarigüeya/noche. Por otro lado, cuando se adicionó citronela, el número de visitas no disminuyó. Adicionalmente, el número de zarigüeyas/noche registradas en el parque urbano fue mayor con respecto a la reserva forestal peri-urbana. Conclusión: El amoniaco y la creolina tienen efecto ahuyentador de zarigüeyas. Sugerimos evaluar su efecto en ambientes de conflicto real humanos-zarigüeyas, tomando precauciones durante su manipulación dadas sus propiedades irritantes, corrosivas e inflamables.

Resumo Antecedentes: O conflito humano-gambá (Didelphis marsupialis) tem aumentado durante as últimas décadas devido principalmente à perda do habitat natural e tem sido mediado pelos hábitos generalistas e oportunistas do gambá. uma solução potencial para reduzir esse conflito é desencorajar a presença de gambás em assentamentos humanos sem afetar o bem-estar de ambas as partes. Objetivo: Desenvolver um dispositivo artesanal de odor com três diferentes produtos químicos: citronela, amônia e creolina, e testamos sua eficácia para afastar gambás. Métodos: Inicialmente atraímos gambás locais usando frutas ou sardinhas em lata como isca em duas áreas, um parque natural urbano (n=2 locais) e uma reserva florestal periurbana (n=4 locais), ambos em Envigado, Antioquia, Colômbia. Posteriormente, instalamos o dispositivo de odor usando um dos três produtos químicos em cada local durante duas semanas. O ciclo foi repetido com todos os três produtos químicos em todos os locais. O número de gambás/noite foi registrado diariamente usando câmera-armadilhas com isca e isca+produto químico. Resultados: Verificamos que a amônia e a creolina estiveram associadas ao menor número de gambás/noite, mesmo quando os locais ainda estavam iscados, e que a citronela não diminuiu a presença de gambás/noite quando adicionada aos locais iscados. Além disso, o número de gambás/noite foi maior no parque urbano em relação à reserva florestal. Conclusão: Sugerimos avaliar o efeito repelente da amônia e da creolina em cenários reais de conflito entre humanos e gambás; no entanto, deve-se ter cuidado devido às suas propriedades irritantes, inflamáveis e corrosivas.

Diet diversity and seasonality of robust capuchins (Sapajus sp.) in a tiny urban forest.

Capuchins are omnivorous neotropical primates that can survive in urban forests by supplementing their diet with human foods. However, few studies have analyzed the impact of these resources on their diet diversity and feeding seasonality. We aimed to assess the patterns of foraging, feeding, and diet diversity of urban capuchins (Sapajus sp.) that live in a tiny urban forest in Foz do Iguaçu, Brazil, where humans frequently feed them. We predicted that forest degradation and human foods could decrease diet diversity, though capuchins may, conversely, reduce their selectivity and expand their food repertoire. We followed the animals from dawn to dusk between May 2018 and April 2019 to list and quantify the species and items consumed. We used diversity indexes and cluster analysis to understand similarities and differences in the diet composition over the study period. We recorded 58 plant species (being 14 exotics) consumed by the monkeys, and nonconventional items, with low diet diversity overall. The diet consisted mainly of plants (69.8%), animal matter (20.6%), and processed foods (9.5%). Capuchins consumed more food from the anthropic environment (57.5%) than from the forest (42.4%), while their food from the forest included more invertebrates (47.8%) than fruits (40%). The cluster analysis showed two main groups of feeding months, in accordance with the seasons of high and low food production in local forests. Monkeys did not vary the frequencies of foraging or feeding between seasons, probably due to the omnipresent availability of human foods. Despite the high consumption of human foods, capuchins responded to the seasonality of the forest, expanding their feeding diversity in the drier period. Future studies should analyze the correspondence between food consumption and local phenology, as well as the potential role of capuchins as seed dispersers in this depauperate community.

Urine washing in urban robust capuchin monkeys (Sapajus sp.): The relation with visitors.

In primates, urine washing (UW) is a behavior in which individuals intentionally deposit urine on their bodies. Social and nonsocial hypotheses have been proposed to explain the adaptive function of this behavior. For capuchins, different functions have been assigned for UW, suggesting it as a flexible behavior, but studies have been mainly in captivity. However, no investigations have been performed in urban environments, where these animals can modify their behavior. Our goal was to study UW in a semi-provisioned group of an introduced unknown robust capuchin species (Sapajus sp.) living in a tiny urban fragment in Foz do Iguaçu, Brazil, where they have contact with humans. We assessed the influence of social (sexual, agonistic, and anointing behaviors) and environmental (temperature, relative air humidity, height of the monkeys in the trees, number of people present in the fragment, and human-monkey interactions) variables, the influence of behavior before and after UW, and the influence of sex-age classes, on the frequency of UW. We observed 75 records of UW in 300 h of observations, where urine was mostly deposited on hands and passed on to feet (95%). There were no significant differences in the frequency of the behavior between sex-age classes nor in the behaviors before and after UW. Around 50% of UW took place in the late morning and we found no correlation between UW and temperature, relative air humidity, nor the heights of the monkeys in the trees. However, we found a significant association between UW and the daily number of people in the fragment, but not between UW and human-monkey interactions, anointing, agonisms, and sexual behavior. Our study increases the scope of UW flexibility by identifying the presence of visitors affecting the occurrence of this behavior. We discussed different possibilities through which people could influence the capuchins to display UW.

Bats from the Pedra Branca Forest, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.

The Pedra Branca Forest is located in a highly-urbanised region of the central portion of Rio de Janeiro City, comprises the largest urban forest on the continent and is isolated from other Atlantic Forest remnants. The local flora and fauna are protected by three conservation units (Pedra Branca State Park, Prainha Municipal Natural Park and Guaratiba State Biological Reserve) and one biological station (Fiocruz Atlantic Forest Biological Station-EFMA). Here, we provide an updated list of the bat fauna for the remnant. The results are based on samplings at EFMA and literature data from Pedra Branca State Park and Prainha Natural Park. The three sampling sites combined resulted in 31 species, 23 genera and four families. Phyllostomidae was the richest family with 24 species, followed by Vespertilionidae with five species (3%) and Molossidae and Noctilionidae with one species. The local bat fauna was predominantly composed of species with a broad geographic distribution.

Urban wildlife in times of COVID-19: What can we infer from novel carnivore records in urban areas?

The onset of the COVID-19 pandemic brought an unusual decrease in human activity associated with partial and total lockdowns. Simultaneously, a series of wildlife sightings-mainly in urban areas-have been brought to public attention and often attributed to lockdown measures. Here we report on a series of wild carnivore records, including threatened species, obtained through camera traps set in urban forests, campuses, suburbs, and peri-urban areas of two cities in Chile, during partial lockdown measures. Our records are novel for Chile, a country where urban carnivore ecology is mostly unknown, and include the detection of four native carnivores, including the vulnerable güiña (Leopardus guigna) and the endangered southern river otter (Lontra provocax). These records also constitute a valuable baseline collected during partial lockdown measures in two cities of the Global South. We emphasize, however, that these findings cannot be used to argue for or against an effect of lockdown measures on wildlife. More generally, we call for caution in the interpretation of seemingly novel carnivore records during periods of lockdown and stress the value of international collaboration in evaluating the effects of the Anthropause on wildlife.

Response of Bolivian gray titi monkeys (Plecturocebus donacophilus) to an anthropogenic noise gradient: behavioral and hormonal correlates.

Worldwide urban expansion and deforestation have caused a rapid decline of non-human primates in recent decades. Yet, little is known to what extent these animals can tolerate anthropogenic noise arising from roadway traffic and human presence in their habitat. We studied six family groups of titis residing at increasing distances from a busy highway, in a park promoting ecotourism near Santa Cruz de la Sierra, Bolivia. We mapped group movements, sampled the titis' behavior, collected fecal samples from each study group and conducted experiments in which we used a mannequin simulating a human intrusion in their home range. We hypothesized that groups of titi monkeys exposed to higher levels of anthropogenic noise and human presence would react weakly to the mannequin and show higher concentrations of fecal cortisol compared with groups in least perturbed areas. Sound pressure measurements and systematic monitoring of soundscape inside the titis' home ranges confirmed the presence of a noise gradient, best characterized by the root-mean-square (RMS) and median amplitude (M) acoustic indices; importantly, both anthropogenic noise and human presence co-varied. Study groups resided in small, overlapping home ranges and they spent most of their time resting and preferentially used the lower forest stratum for traveling and the higher levels for foraging. Focal sampling analysis revealed that the time spent moving by adult pairs was inversely correlated with noise, the behavioral change occurring within a gradient of minimum sound pressures ranging from 44 dB(A) to 52 dB(A). Validated enzyme-immunoassays of fecal samples however detected surprisingly low cortisol concentrations, unrelated to the changes observed in the RMS and M indices. Finally, titis' response to the mannequin varied according to our expectation, with alarm calling being greater in distant groups relative to highway. Our study thus indicates reduced alarm calling through habituation to human presence and suggests a titis' resilience to anthropogenic noise with little evidence of physiological stress.

Parasites in feces of the endemic rattlesnake, Crotalus triseriatus (Serpentes: Viperidae), from Mexican highlands

There are few studies about parasitic infections in Crotalus triseriatus (Wagler, 1830), an endemic rattlesnake from the highlands of central Mexico. This species occupies several habitats, from conserved forested regions to heavily impacted landscapes. To increase the parasitological knowledge of this reptile species without impacting populations, we obtained fecal samples of 16 rattlesnakes between 2012 and 2014 from Toluca Valley, Mexico. By using flotation technique, we found oocysts of Eimeria sp. and eggs of Capillariidae sp. The most frequent parasite was Eimeria sp. (62.5%). This study provides the first records of occurrence of parasites in reptilian feces from Mexico. Our results may be important for wildlife conservation purposes, for example, they could indicate of the population health of this species during processes of translocation.(AU)

Large Terrestrial Bird Adapting Behavior in an Urbanized Zone.

Wildlife living within urban ecosystems have to adapt or perish. Red-legged Seriema, a large terrestrial bird, are rare in urban ecosystems, however, they have been reported in a medium-sized Brazilian city. We investigated the reasons for this occurrence as well as their behavior. We assessed the distribution of Seriemas (including fledglings), free-ranging cats, and cat-feeding points provided by humans, and past records of Seriemas in the study area. We discovered that Seriemas are sharing spatial resources with cats without apparent conflicts, and intraspecific competition was important to define the spatial distribution of Seriemas. This species is able to use human-made structures to improve territory defense and opportunistic foraging. Direct and indirect human food provisioning is helping them to survive in the studied area, but is also facilitating the domestication process, which may cause future conflicts with humans and cats. Although Seriemas have inhabited the studied urban area for years, they are still adapting their behaviors for urban life, as they have not yet perceived the dangers of automotive traffic. Our study corroborates that wild species may adapt to urban areas driven by human contact, but it also acts as a trap for the adaptive process.

Activity budget and social behavior of urban capuchin monkeys, Sapajus sp. (Primates: Cebidae)

Constant changes in natural environments impose challenges to wild animal populations, especially those that depend on social life. We gathered data on the activity budget and social interactions of a capuchin monkey (Sapajus sp.) group of 17 individuals confined to an urban green area receiving human food supplementation. We observed the capuchins between 7:00 am and 5:00 pm, three days a month, between January 2012 and June 2013 (total of 530 hours of direct observations). We collected 15,208 behavioral records through instantaneous scan sampling and 2,538 events of social interaction in an adapted version of the “all occurrences” method. Activity budget of capuchins was dominated by traveling (42%) and foraging (38%), followed by feeding (10%), social interactions (5%), resting (4%), and others (2%). Except for feeding, the time spent on other activities varied across sex-age classes. Social interactions of capuchins were dominated by affiliative interactions (80%), mainly social play, followed by agonistic (11%) and cooperative (10%) interactions. Sexual interactions were rare (0.4%) and often involved juveniles (45% of the events). Juveniles performed most of the social interactions, followed by the alpha male, and were the main receptors of grooming, food sharing, and agonism. On the other hand, they were the main group involved in allocarrying of infants. Grooming between females and from them to alpha male was infrequent. However, grooming of the alpha male towards the adult females was frequent. We interpreted the deviations in the activity budget and social interactions of the urban capuchins as effects of human food supplementation and restriction on dispersal, illustrating the behavioral ability of capuchin monkeys to adjust their activity in human-altered environments.(AU)

Activity budget and social behavior of urban capuchin monkeys, Sapajus sp. (Primates: Cebidae)

Constant changes in natural environments impose challenges to wild animal populations, especially those that depend on social life. We gathered data on the activity budget and social interactions of a capuchin monkey (Sapajus sp.) group of 17 individuals confined to an urban green area receiving human food supplementation. We observed the capuchins between 7:00 am and 5:00 pm, three days a month, between January 2012 and June 2013 (total of 530 hours of direct observations). We collected 15,208 behavioral records through instantaneous scan sampling and 2,538 events of social interaction in an adapted version of the “all occurrences” method. Activity budget of capuchins was dominated by traveling (42%) and foraging (38%), followed by feeding (10%), social interactions (5%), resting (4%), and others (2%). Except for feeding, the time spent on other activities varied across sex-age classes. Social interactions of capuchins were dominated by affiliative interactions (80%), mainly social play, followed by agonistic (11%) and cooperative (10%) interactions. Sexual interactions were rare (0.4%) and often involved juveniles (45% of the events). Juveniles performed most of the social interactions, followed by the alpha male, and were the main receptors of grooming, food sharing, and agonism. On the other hand, they were the main group involved in allocarrying of infants. Grooming between females and from them to alpha male was infrequent. However, grooming of the alpha male towards the adult females was frequent. We interpreted the deviations in the activity budget and social interactions of the urban capuchins as effects of human food supplementation and restriction on dispersal, illustrating the behavioral ability of capuchin monkeys to adjust their activity in human-altered environments.

Parasites in feces of the endemic rattlesnake, Crotalus triseriatus (Serpentes: Viperidae), from Mexican highlands

There are few studies about parasitic infections in Crotalus triseriatus (Wagler, 1830), an endemic rattlesnake from the highlands of central Mexico. This species occupies several habitats, from conserved forested regions to heavily impacted landscapes. To increase the parasitological knowledge of this reptile species without impacting populations, we obtained fecal samples of 16 rattlesnakes between 2012 and 2014 from Toluca Valley, Mexico. By using flotation technique, we found oocysts of Eimeria sp. and eggs of Capillariidae sp. The most frequent parasite was Eimeria sp. (62.5%). This study provides the first records of occurrence of parasites in reptilian feces from Mexico. Our results may be important for wildlife conservation purposes, for example, they could indicate of the population health of this species during processes of translocation.

Urban Sloths: Public Knowledge, Opinions, and Interactions.

Free-range sloths living in an urban environment are rare. In this study, the opinions, attitudes, and interactions with a population of Bradypus variegatus were investigated through short, structured interviews of people in the pubic square where the sloths live, in addition to informal, opportunistic observations of human-sloth interactions. A questionnaire was applied to people in the square where the sloths reside, and informal, opportunistic observations of human-sloth interactions were made. 95% of respondents knew of the sloths’ existence in the square and 87.8% liked their presence. Opinions about population size differed greatly and younger people were concerned as to whether the square was an appropriate place for them. Some human-sloth interactions showed the consequences of a lack of biological knowledge. People initiated all sloth-human interactions. The fact that sloths are strictly folivorous has avoided interactions with humans and, consequently, mitigated any negative impacts of the human-animal interaction on their wellbeing. These results demonstrate that, while there is a harmonious relationship between people and sloths, actions in environmental education of the square’s public could be beneficial for the sloths.

Atropelamento de serpente Boa constrictor: ameaça à manutenção do ambiente selvagem no campus do Itaperi / Snake Boa constrictor running over: Threat to the maintenance of the wild environment in Campus of Itaperi

Os atropelamentos são causas frequentes de óbito da fauna silvestre em refúgios urbanos. O objetivo deste trabalho foi relatar um caso de atropelamento de Boa constrictor, pertencente à fauna nativa do campus do Itaperi da Universidade Estadual do Ceará (UECE) em Fortaleza, discutindo suas implicações quanto às estratégias de preservação da fauna. O exame post mortem foi efetuado mediante a confirmação da morte do animal, sendo colhidos fragmentos de órgãos para o exame histopatológico. Adicionalmente, foi performado um estudo ambiental do local do atropelamento, baseado em mensurações sucessivas e periódicas da temperatura de superfície em diferentes áreas. Os achados de necropsia e histopatológicos foram condizentes com a suspeita inicial de atropelamento, demonstrando sinais de politraumatismo. Dessa forma, os atropelamentos da fauna silvestre dentro do campus do Itaperi denunciam a escassa conscientização do público universitário, assim como, a necessidade da promoção de levantamentos populacionais e a implantação de medidas de segurança e fiscalização dentro do campus. A elaboração de um plano de manejo e de ações de educação ambiental por órgãos governamentais, com o apoio da comunidade científica, constituem a principal medida de proteção da fauna nessas áreas urbanas.(AU)

Road killings are frequent causes of death of wildlife in urban refuges. The objective of this work was to report a case of trampling of Boa constrictor, belonging to the native fauna of the Itaperi campus of the Ceará State University (UECE) in Fortaleza, discussing its implications about the strategies for the preservation of the fauna. The post mortem exam was performed after the confirmation of the animal death, being collected fragments of organs for histopathology. Additionally, it was performed an environmental study of the running over site based on successive and periodic measurements of the surface temperature of different areas. The necropsy and histopathological findings were consistent with the initial suspicion of running over, demonstrating signs of polytrauma. In this way, the running over of wildlife inside the Itaperi campus denounces the scarce awareness of the University users, as well as the need to promote the population survey and implement safety and surveillance measures on campus. The elaboration of a management plan and actions of environmental education by governmental organs with the support of the scientific community are the main measure for the protection of fauna in these urban areas.(AU)

Atropelamento de serpente Boa constrictor: ameaça à manutenção do ambiente selvagem no campus do Itaperi / Snake Boa constrictor running over: Threat to the maintenance of the wild environment in Campus of Itaperi

Os atropelamentos são causas frequentes de óbito da fauna silvestre em refúgios urbanos. O objetivo deste trabalho foi relatar um caso de atropelamento de Boa constrictor, pertencente à fauna nativa do campus do Itaperi da Universidade Estadual do Ceará (UECE) em Fortaleza, discutindo suas implicações quanto às estratégias de preservação da fauna. O exame post mortem foi efetuado mediante a confirmação da morte do animal, sendo colhidos fragmentos de órgãos para o exame histopatológico. Adicionalmente, foi performado um estudo ambiental do local do atropelamento, baseado em mensurações sucessivas e periódicas da temperatura de superfície em diferentes áreas. Os achados de necropsia e histopatológicos foram condizentes com a suspeita inicial de atropelamento, demonstrando sinais de politraumatismo. Dessa forma, os atropelamentos da fauna silvestre dentro do campus do Itaperi denunciam a escassa conscientização do público universitário, assim como, a necessidade da promoção de levantamentos populacionais e a implantação de medidas de segurança e fiscalização dentro do campus. A elaboração de um plano de manejo e de ações de educação ambiental por órgãos governamentais, com o apoio da comunidade científica, constituem a principal medida de proteção da fauna nessas áreas urbanas.

Road killings are frequent causes of death of wildlife in urban refuges. The objective of this work was to report a case of trampling of Boa constrictor, belonging to the native fauna of the Itaperi campus of the Ceará State University (UECE) in Fortaleza, discussing its implications about the strategies for the preservation of the fauna. The post mortem exam was performed after the confirmation of the animal death, being collected fragments of organs for histopathology. Additionally, it was performed an environmental study of the running over site based on successive and periodic measurements of the surface temperature of different areas. The necropsy and histopathological findings were consistent with the initial suspicion of running over, demonstrating signs of polytrauma. In this way, the running over of wildlife inside the Itaperi campus denounces the scarce awareness of the University users, as well as the need to promote the population survey and implement safety and surveillance measures on campus. The elaboration of a management plan and actions of environmental education by governmental organs with the support of the scientific community are the main measure for the protection of fauna in these urban areas.

Tool use in urban populations of capuchin monkeys Sapajus spp. (Primates: Cebidae)

Capuchin monkeys, Sapajus Kerr, 1792, are known for their flexible behavior, including tool use, and their ability to survive in urban forests. We observed capuchin juveniles using wood as hammer and anvil and different materials as sponges (four tool-use events) in two geographically distinct urban populations in Brazil, in 2012: two in Goiânia, Central Brazil and two in Foz do Iguaçu, Southern Brazil. In Goiânia, a male used a detached tree branch as a hammer and a buttress root as an anvil to pound a seed of Terminalia Linnaeus. Another male used a small branch with leaves as a dipping tool to access water inside a tree trunk hole. In Foz do Iguaçu, the capuchins used a small branch and a piece of bread to obtain water by dipping them into tree trunk holes. This latter event might be interpreted as a case of self-control, with a familiar food item used as a tool to reach a resource that is difficult to access otherwise. Our observations contribute to the knowledge on the tool-kit of capuchins and we propose that these urban populations should be conserved for scientific evaluations of behavioral flexibility in non-human primates.(AU)

Tool use in urban populations of capuchin monkeys Sapajus spp. (Primates: Cebidae)

Capuchin monkeys, Sapajus Kerr, 1792, are known for their flexible behavior, including tool use, and their ability to survive in urban forests. We observed capuchin juveniles using wood as hammer and anvil and different materials as sponges (four tool-use events) in two geographically distinct urban populations in Brazil, in 2012: two in Goiânia, Central Brazil and two in Foz do Iguaçu, Southern Brazil. In Goiânia, a male used a detached tree branch as a hammer and a buttress root as an anvil to pound a seed of Terminalia Linnaeus. Another male used a small branch with leaves as a dipping tool to access water inside a tree trunk hole. In Foz do Iguaçu, the capuchins used a small branch and a piece of bread to obtain water by dipping them into tree trunk holes. This latter event might be interpreted as a case of self-control, with a familiar food item used as a tool to reach a resource that is difficult to access otherwise. Our observations contribute to the knowledge on the tool-kit of capuchins and we propose that these urban populations should be conserved for scientific evaluations of behavioral flexibility in non-human primates.