Abstract The small red brocket deer, Mazama bororo Duarte, 1996 was described based on karyotypical and morphological characters. However, the original description of Mazama americana jucunda suggested that this subspecies could represent the same taxon as Mazama bororo. This assumption was based on the type locality of Mazama americana jucunda and on morphological similarities between Mazama americana jucunda and Mazama bororo. To solve this question, we obtained DNA sequences of the holotype of Mazama americana jucunda and compared it with other species of Mazama, including the holotype of M. bororo. A phylogenetic tree was obtained to verify the relationships among these taxa. The results clearly showed that M. americana jucunda and M. bororo represent the same biological entity. Therefore, the oldest name available for the small red brocket occurring in the Atlantic Forest of southern Brazil should be Mazama jucunda, remaining M. bororo as a junior synonym. We emphasise the importance of using DNA from museum specimens, especially from holotypes, in order to obtain a more accurate taxonomic identification. We also highlight the importance of application of valid names for labelling all aspects of biodiversity research, as well as for monitoring and conservation efforts.

Resumo Os mamíferos são organismos carismáticos que desempenham um papel fundamental na função ecológica e nos serviços ecossistêmicos, como polinização, dispersão de sementes, ciclagem de nutrientes e controle de pragas. O Estado de São Paulo representa apenas 3% do território brasileiro, mas detém 33% da diversidade de mamíferos. A maior parte de seu território é dominado pela agricultura, pastagens e áreas urbanas que afetam diretamente a diversidade e a persistência dos mamíferos na paisagem. Além disso, São Paulo possui o maior porto da América Latina e o maior reservatório de petróleo costeiro do Brasil, com 600 km de extensão de litoral com diversas espécies de mamíferos marinhos. Essas infraestruturas afetam a diversidade, distribuição, ecologia e o futuro dos mamíferos no estado. Aqui, respondemos cinco perguntas principais: 1) Qual é a diversidade de mamíferos silvestres no Estado de São Paulo? 2) Onde eles ocorrem? 3) Qual é o seu impacto positivo e negativo no bem-estar humano? 4) Como os mamíferos persistem em paisagens modificadas pelo homem? 5) Qual é o futuro dos mamíferos no estado? O estado de São Paulo possui 255 espécies de mamíferos nativos, com quatro espécies endêmicas, duas delas globalmente ameaçadas de extinção. Pelo menos seis espécies (dois marsupiais, ariranha, veado-campeiro, veado-cambuta e tatu-canastra) foram extirpadas do estado devido à caça e perda de habitat. O intenso uso humano da terra no estado forçou muitas espécies de mamíferos a mudar sua dieta para lidar com a intensa fragmentação e agricultura. A monocultura em larga escala facilitou a invasão de espécies exóticas, como porcos selvagens (javaporco) e a lebre europeia. Várias espécies de áreas abertas estão expandindo suas áreas de distribuição (lobo-guará, veado-catingueiro) sobre áreas desmatadas e provavelmente refletem mudanças em direção a um clima mais seco. Como o estado possui o maior sistema rodoviário do Brasil, cerca de 40 mil mamíferos de 33 espécies são mortos por ano em colisões, causando um prejuízo econômico de 12 milhões de dólares/ano. A diversidade de mamíferos está concentrada nos maiores remanescentes florestais da Serra do Mar e no interior do Estado, principalmente nas regiões de Ribeirão Preto e Jundiaí. As lacunas amostrais estão concentradas em todo o interior do estado, principalmente na região noroeste. Os mamíferos silvestres desempenham um papel fundamental em muitos serviços ecossistêmicos, mas também podem ser uma preocupação em trazer novas doenças emergentes para as populações humanas. Embora a taxonomia de mamíferos pareça ser bem conhecida, mostramos que novas espécies estão sendo continuamente descobertas no estado. Portanto, pesquisas usando tecnologias tradicionais e novas (eDNA, iDNA, drones), monitoramento populacional de longo prazo, a investigação da interface do conflito homem-vida selvagem e a compreensão do papel único no ecossistema desempenhado pelos mamíferos são um caminho futuro para promover uma paisagem verde sustentável aliada ao bem-estar humano no estado. O plantio de corredores florestais ou de cerrado, principalmente junto aos principais sistemas fluviais, no planalto, o controle da caça ilegal nas áreas costeiras, o manejo dos regimes de fogo no Cerrado e a mitigação dos atropelamentos devem ser uma prioridade para proteger essa notável diversidade de mamíferos.

Abstract Mammals are charismatic organisms that play a fundamental role in ecological functions and ecosystem services, such as pollination, seed dispersal, nutrient cycling, and pest control. The state of São Paulo represents only 3% of the Brazilian territory but holds 33% of its mammalian diversity. Most of its territory is dominated by agriculture, pastures, and urban areas which directly affect the diversity and persistence of mammals in the landscape. In addition, São Paulo has the largest port in Latin America and the largest offshore oil reservoir in Brazil, with a 600 km stretch of coastline with several marine mammal species. These human-made infrastructures affect the diversity, distribution, ecology, and the future of mammals in the state. Here, we answer five main questions: 1) What is the diversity of wild mammals in São Paulo state? 2) Where are they? 3) What is their positive and negative impact on human well-being? 4) How do mammals thrive in human-modified landscapes? 5) What is the future of mammals in the state? The state of São Paulo holds 255 species of native mammals, with four endemic species, two of them globally endangered. At least six species (two marsupials, Giant otter, Pampas deer, Brazilian dwarf brocket deer, and Giant armadillo) were extirpated from the state due to hunting and habitat loss. The intense human land use in the state forced many mammalian species to change their diet to cope with the intense fragmentation and agriculture. Large-scale monoculture has facilitated the invasion of exotic species such as wild boars (javali) and the European hare. Several “savanna-dwelling” species are expanding their ranges (Maned wolf, Brocket deer) over deforested areas and probably reflect changes towards a drier climate. Because the state has the largest road system, about 40,000 mammals from 33 species are killed per year in collisions causing an economic loss of 12 million dollars/year. The diversity of mammals is concentrated in the largest forest remnants of Serra do Mar and in the interior of the State, mainly in the regions of Ribeirão Preto and Jundiaí. Sampling gaps are concentrated throughout the interior of the state, particularly in the northwest region. Wild mammals play a fundamental role in many ecosystem services, but they can also be a concern in bringing new emergent diseases to humans. Although the taxonomy of mammals seems to be well known, we show that new species are continuously being discovered in the state. Therefore, continuous surveys using traditional and new technologies (eDNA, iDNA, drones), long-term population monitoring, investigation of the interface of human-wildlife conflict, and understanding of the unique ecosystem role played by mammals are future avenues for promoting sustainable green landscapes allied to human well-being in the state. The planting of forest or savanna corridors, particularly along with major river systems, in the plateau, controlling illegal hunting in the coastal areas, managing fire regimes in the Cerrado, and mitigating roadkill must be prioritized to protect this outstanding mammal diversity.

Abstract Deer are sensitive to stressful stimuli by handling and their reproductive physiology could be altered by these procedures, making it necessary to develop less invasive protocols for ART. Melengestrol acetate (MGA), a synthetic progestin administered orally, appears as an alternative for estrous synchronization protocols (ESP), such as reported in cattle. Firstly, we compared two MGA doses (0.5 and 1.0 mg/day/animal), which would have suppression effect in estrous behavior (EB). Eight females were randomly and equally distributed in Group 1 (G1) and Group 2 (G2), which received 0.5 and 1.0 mg/day/animal respectively for 15 days (D1 to D15). Two cloprostenol (CP) applications were performed on D0 and D11. Estrus detection (ED) was performed every day. All females from G1 displayed estrus during treatment period, whereas all females from G2 displayed estrus after treatment, suggesting a suppressive effect of 1.0 mg in the EB. Once the suppressive MGA dose (1.0 mg) was defined, we used this dose for assessing ESP. The same eight females received 1.0 mg/animal for eight days (D-8 to D-1), followed by 0.25 mg of estradiol benzoate on D-8 and 265 μg of CP on D0. Feces for fecal progesterone metabolites (FPM) measurement were collected from D0 until seven days after the last day of estrus. Seven females displayed estrus between 12 and 72 h after CP application, which was followed by a significant increase in FPM levels (except female MG6), suggesting the formation of corpus luteum. After ED, females were placed with a fertile male to assess the fertility of the protocol. Pregnancy was confirmed by ultrasound 30 days after mating in 3/6 individuals. Although the low effectiveness of MGA protocol, it should be considered as a promising alternative in deer ESP since this protocol has less stressful effect on the animal during reproductive management when compared to other ESP.

Resumo As espécies de cervídeos neotropicais tem ampla distribuição geográfica em ecossistemas vulneráveis da América Latina. A destruição do habitat e a caça excessiva limitaram as espécies de cervídeos a uma parte de suas distribuições históricas. Objetivamos aqui fornecer uma visão geral do estado atual do conhecimento da sistemática e da história evolutiva das espécies de cervídeos neotropicais e discutir seu status atual de conservação. Métodos genéticos levaram a uma reavaliação da sistemática anterior, baseada apenas em análises morfológicas, e revelaram várias espécies crípticas. As espécies de cervídeos neotropicais apresentam variação cariotípica substancial, de 2n = 32 a 2n = 70. Além disso, várias espécies com polimorfismos cromossômicos e cariótipos complexos foram descritas no gênero Mazama. A análise do gene completo do citocromo b revelou dois clados com diferentes histórias evolutivas. Mazama . Hippocamelus não são gêneros monofiléticos, e ambos incluem espécies crípticas. Pelo menos duas novas espécies de veados vermelhos precisam ser descritas e sua distribuição geográfica e status populacional avaliados. Com base na última Lista Vermelha de Espécies Ameaçadas da IUCN, 59% das 17 espécies de cervídeos neotropicais estão ameaçadas e 12% estão listadas como Dados Deficientes (DD). A contribuição de dados genéticos e biogeográficos será útil para solucionar incertezas taxonômicas e atualizar a avaliação do estado de conservação de espécies em ecossistemas latino-americanos, fornecendo dados para realizar modelos de teste de gestão e políticas de conservação.

Abstract Neotropical deer species have broad geographic ranges in vulnerable Latin American ecosystems. Habitat destruction and overhunting have limited deer species to a portion of their historical ranges. Our aims are to provide an overview of the current state of knowledge of Neotropical deer species systematics and evolutionary history, and to discuss their current conservation status. Genetic methods lead to a reassessment of earlier systematics, largely based only on morphological analyses, and revealed several cryptic species. Neotropi- cal deer species show substantial karyotypic variation from 2n = 32 to 2n = 70. Moreover, several species with chromosomal polymorphisms and complex karyotypes have been described in the genus Mazama. Analysis of the complete cytochrome b gene revealed two clades with different evolutionary histories. Mazama and Hippocamelus are not monophyletic genera, and both genera include cryptic species. At least two new red brocket deer species need to be described and their geographic range and population status assessed. Based on the latest IUCN Red List of Threatened Species™ 59% of the 17 Neotropical deer species are threatened and 12% are listed as Data Deficient (DD). The contribution of genetic and biogeographic data will be useful for solving taxonomic uncertainties and updating the assessment of the conservation status of species in Latin American ecosystems, providing data to perform models for testing management and conservation policies.

Abstract Natural history museum collections constitute an invaluable patrimony of biological diversity for analysing the taxa distribution and evolution. However, it is very common to discover taxonomic misidentification in museum collections based on incorrect data. The aim of this research was to identify brocket deer species (Mazama genus) using molecular markers. We collected 199 samples, performed DNA extraction and species identification using a specific mitochondrial marker based on a fragment of cytochrome b (Cytb) for Neotropical deer. We achieved the amplification and sequencing of 77 specimens and verified that 26% of the skulls were wrongly identified. Moreover, in the museum collections 57% of the specimens were only identified as Mazama sp, and we were able to identify them by molecular methods to the species level. Our findings clearly demonstrate the importance of integrating molecular analyses to identify Mazama species, since using only external morphology can result in a high probability of errors. We recommend the selection of non-convergent morphological characters, which together with the use of DNA collected from museum specimens should contribute to more accurate taxonomic identifications.

The genus Mazama (brocket deer) constitutes successful adaptive radiation, with a wide distribution in the Neotropical region. However, the taxonomy and systematics of its species and subspecies is still controversial. The objective of this contribution was to carry out a comparative craniometric study of specimens deposited in Brazilian museums of M. gouazoubira (Mg) and M. nemorivaga (Mn), in order to characterize these cryptic species. We performed 36 measures on 87 skulls of adult specimens (Mg = 32 females and 27 males; Mn = 14 females and 14 males). The sample was compared by analysis of variance and multivariate analysis of principal components and discriminant. In most cranial measurements, males and females of M. gouazoubira were 5% larger, with the exception of 3 measures: premolar-prosthion, basifacial axis, and least breadth between the orbits, that were larger in males and females of M. nemorivaga. This study showed significant differences between the two taxa that would validate the distinction of both species. To examine in more detail the dynamics of the variation of these two taxa it is necessary to increase the sample size in order to analyse them in a geographical and genetic context.

El género Mazama constituye una exitosa radiación adaptativa, con una amplia distribución en la región Neotropical. Sin embargo, la taxonomía y sistemática sus especies y subespecies es todavía motivo de controversias. El objetivo de esta contribución fue realizar un estudio craneométrico comparativo de ejemplares depositados en museos de Brasil de M. gouazoubira (Mg) y M. nemorivaga (Mn), con el fin de caracterizar estas especies cripticas. Se tomaron 36 medidas en 87 cráneos de ejemplares adultos (Mg = 32 hembras y 27 machos; Mn = 14 hembras y 14 machos). La muestra se comparó mediante análisis de la varianza y análisis multivariados de componentes principales y discriminante. En la mayoría de las medidas craneanas los ejemplares machos y hembras de M. gouazoubira fueron un 5% más grandes, con la excepción de 3 medidas: premolar - prosthion, eje basifacial y el ancho menor entre orbitas, que presentaron mayor tamaño en los ejemplares machos y hembras de M. nemorivaga. Este estudio permitió mostrar que existen diferencias significativas entre los dos taxa, que validarían la distinción de ambas especies. Para examinar con más detalle la dinámica de la variación de estos dos taxa es necesario aumentar el tamaño de las muestras y analizarlas en un contexto geográfico y genético.

Abstract The pampas deer (Ozotoceros bezoarticus) is close to being classified as ‘globally threatened’, with the largest population occurring in the Brazilian Pantanal. Since capture is stressful to these animals, non-invasive sampling methods such as the use of feces can provide reliable sources of DNA. The aim of this study was to use fecal samples to evaluate the genetic variability of the Brazilian Pantanal population of pampas deer. Six heterologous microsatellite markers were used to screen 142 stool specimens. Seventy-four deer were identified, of which 50 adults were used to determine the genetic characteristics of the population. The Pantanal population showed high genetic diversity (mean number of alleles per locus = 11.5, expected heterozygosity = 0.75). This is the first investigation to characterize a South American deer species using fecal DNA and demonstrates the usefulness and efficiency of this approach, as well as the feasibility of obtaining information that could not have been easily obtained by traditional DNA sampling. Our findings suggest that management strategies for this species may be much more effective if applied now when the population still shows high genetic variability.

Abstract The process of karyotype evolution in Cervidae from a common ancestor (2n = 70, FN = 70) has been marked by complex chromosomal rearrangements. This ancestral karyotype has been retained by the current species Mazama gouazoubira (Fischer 1814), for which a chromosomal polymorphism (Robertsonian translocations and the presence of B chromosomes) has been described, presumably caused by a chromosome fragility. Thus, this study has identified doxorubicin-induced chromosome aberrations and mapped the regions involved in breaks, which may be related to the chromosome evolution process. G-banding pattern showed that 21 pairs of chromosomes presented chromosomal aberrations, 60% of the total chromosome number of the species M. gouazoubira. Among chromosomes that carry aberrations, the region where they were most frequently concentrated was distal relative to the centromere. These data suggest that certain chromosomal regions may be more susceptible to chromosome fragility and consequently could be involved in karyotype differentiation in species of the family Cervidae.

Os ecossistemas florestais do Brasil abrigam um dos mais altos níveis de diversidade de mamíferos da Terra, e boa parte dessa diversidade se encontra nas áreas legalmente protegidas em áreas de domínio privado. As reservas legais (RLs) e áreas de proteção permanente (APPs) representam estratégias importantes para a proteção e manutenção dessa diversidade. Mudanças propostas no Código Florestal certamente trarão efeitos irreversíveis para a diversidade de mamíferos no Brasil. Os mamíferos apresentam papéis-chave nos ecossistemas, atuando como polinizadores e dispersores de sementes. A extinção local de algumas espécies pode reduzir os serviços ecológicos nas RLs e APPs. Outra consequência grave da redução de áreas de vegetação nativa caso a mudança no Código Florestal seja aprovada será o aumento no risco de transmição de doenças, trazendo sério problemas a saúde pública no Brasil.

Forest ecosystems within Brazil host one of the highest levels of mammalian diversity on Earth, much of which within legally required forest set-asides in private landholdings. The Legal Reserves (RLs) and Permanent Protected Areas (APPs) of the Brazilian Forest Code provide an important strategy to maintain this diversity. Yet a proposed amendment to Brazil's 1965 forestry code would reduce protection of Brazil's forests, including the Amazon and the Atlantic forest, and bring irreversible detrimental effects to mammal diversity. Mammals are key components of forest ecosystem, providing important environmental services as pollinators, seed dispersers and ecosystem engineers. The local extinction of some species will negatively affect forest ecosystem service provisioning throughout the country. Another important effect of forest conversion within private properties, should the proposed changes happen, will be the emergence of new diseases, bringing serious public health problems in Brazil.

El coatí Nasua nasua es una especie de prociónido que se distribuye en todos los biomas brasileños, algunos de los cuales son zonas amenazadas. Sin embargo, hay pocos estudios sobre el uso de hábitat, área de acción y centro de esta especie. En el bioma Cerrado de la región central de Tocantins, Brasil se determinó el uso y selección de hábitat, área de acción y centro de N. nasua. El estudio se llevó a cabo en un área de aproximadamente 20 000 has de mayo 2000 a Julio 2002. Durante 13 meses se colocaron en la zona siete trampas, tres de 11 animales capturados fueron seguidos y controlados por radio-seguimiento por un periodo de 13 meses. El monitoreo se llevó a cabo una vez al día, tres veces por semana, caminando por el área de estudio o en carro (radio-seguimiento y contacto visual). Los resultados del estudio demostraron que los tres individuos ocuparon más frecuentemente las formaciones de bosque de galería, seguido por cerrado y bosque húmedo. Las áreas de acción variaron entre 2.20 y 7.55km² para el polígono mínimo convexo (PMC), y de 4.38 a 13.32 para la media harmónica MH 95%. El área centro (MH 75%) fue equivalente a 21.29% del área de acción calculada para la media harmónica MH 95%. Este estudio provee información útil para los esfuerzos de conservación de la especie en el Cerrado brasileño, ya que proporciona nueva información sobre el tamaño del área centro y la frecuencia de uso de hábitat de dos machos adultos y un jóven de N. nasua.

The brown-nosed coati (Nasua nasua) is a carnivorous species found in all the Brazilian biomes, some of which are endangered areas. The aim of this work was to determine the habitat use and selection, home range and core area of N. nasua in the Cerrado biome, central region of Tocantins, Brazil. The study was carried out in an area of approximately 20 000ha from May 2000 to July 2002. A total of seven box traps were placed in the area for 13 months, three of 11 captured animals were followed and monitored by radio-tracking during 13 months. The monitoring was conducted once a day, three times a week using a car and walking through the study area (radio-tracking and visual contact). The results demonstrate that these three males used more frequently the gallery forest formation, followed by cerrado and wetlands. The use of gallery forest by these animals indicated an habitat selection (Proportion test, z=12.98, p< 0.01). Besides, adult males used the gallery forest more frequently (Fisher’s exact test, p<0.01) and wetlands less frequently (Fisher’s exact test, p<0.01) than juvenile males, without significant differences between animal ages for cerrado percentage of habitat use. Besides, results also showed a gallery forest selection by adult (Proportion test z= 13.62, p<0.01) and juvenile (Proportion test z=2.68, p<0.01) males, and a wetland selection by the juvenile male (Proportion test z=3.90, p<0.01). The home ranges varied from 2.20 to 7.55km² for the Minimum Convex Polygon 100% (MCP 100%) and from 4.38 to 13.32km² for the Harmonic Mean 95% (HM 95%). The smallest home range overlap occurred between the adult males (Nm1 and Nm3), and the greatest between the juvenile Njm2 and the adult Nm1. The average of the core area (HM 75%) for the three monitored animals represented 21.29% of the home range calculated with HM 95%. No overlap between core areas was observed for adult males, but, it was an overlap between the core area of the juvenile male and its band with that of the two adult males. The present study provides new data on core area size and frequency habitat use by adult and juvenile males of N. nasua in the Brazilian Cerrado, that may support conservation efforts. Rev. Biol. Trop. 58 (3): 1069-1077. Epub 2010 September 01.

O cachorro-de-orelhas-curtas Atelocynus microtis é uma das espécies mais raras de Canídeos Sul-americanos. Os relatos são muito raros e a inexistência de animais cativos também sugere distribuição limitada e densidades baixas. No período de 16 de agosto a 12 de outubro de 2006, foi realizado um monitoramento fotográfico na Floresta Nacional do Jamari, que é uma Unidade de Conservação de Uso Sustentável e possui plano de manejo com seu zoneamento ambiental definido. Os registros fotográficos de Atelocynus microtis foram obtidos nas regiões centro-oeste e noroeste da unidade, áreas formadas por Floresta Ombrófila Densa, com pontos de Floresta Ombrófila Aberta. As áreas onde foram capturadas as imagens fotográficas de Atelocynus microtis, estão em Zona de Manejo Florestal e em Zona de Mineração, por enquanto sem exploração. A partir destes fatos, a sugestão seria que o zoneamento ambiental desta Unidade de Conservação levasse em consideração este achado e fosse alterado para que a espécie fosse mais bem estudada na região antes da exploração das áreas. Como estudos relacionados a esta espécie são praticamente inexistentes, esta nota se torna importante, contribuindo com dados sobre a ecologia do A. microtis.

The Short-eared dog Atelocynus microtis is one of the most rare species of South America Canids. It is rarely reported in inventories or faunal surveys and the absence of captive animals also suggest a restrict distribution and low densities. Between August 16th 2006 and October 12th 2006, a photographic monitoring using camera traps (infrared-triggered), was carried out at the Jamari National Forest. This is a sustainable use conservation unity and has a management plan with its defined environmental zones. The Atelocynus microtis photos were captured in the Central-west and North-west areas of the Jamari National Forest, areas constituted by Dense Evergreen Forest with Open Evergreen Forest spots. The areas where the images of A. microtis were captured are in forest management zone and in mining zone, which still not exploited. Based on these facts, we suggest the management plan of this Conservation Unity took this finding into consideration and altered it, so this species could be better studied in the region, before its exploitation. As there are hardly any studies related to this species, this note becomes important, contributing to data about the A. microtis ecology.

A laparoscopia ainda é pouco utilizada como ferramenta para técnicas de reprodução assistida em cervídeos sul-americanos, não havendo informações sobre seus efeitos e protocolos anestésicos seguros para sua realização. Objetivaramse avaliar as possíveis alterações na freqüência cardíaca (FC), respiratória (FR), saturação de oxihemoglobina (SpO2) e temperatura retal (TR) durante a laparoscopia para visualização dos órgãos reprodutivos de seis fêmeas de veado-catingueiro (Mazama gouazoubira) anestesiadas com a associação cetamina (5mg/kg), xilazina (0,3mg/kg), midazolam (0,5mg/kg) e isofluorano. Cada animal, após anestesiado, foi posicionado em decúbito dorsal para realização de duas laparoscopias com insuflação abdominal de CO2 (14,2 ± 2,39mmHg; M ± EPM) com intervalo de 40 dias. Para avaliar os principais eventos da laparoscopia, esta foi dividida em três períodos: animal sem insuflação abdominal (P1), com insuflação abdominal (P2) e insuflação abdominal com os quadris elevados a 45º (P3). O controle foi realizado após 40 dias da última laparoscopia, para isto, cada animal foi novamente anestesiado e mantido em decúbito dorsal por um período de tempo igual ao tempo médio de duração das anestesias realizadas nas laparoscopias, sem que o procedimento laparoscópico fosse realizado. O tempo de anestesia dos controles foi também dividido em P1, P2 e P3, respeitando o tempo médio de duração de cada um destes períodos das laparoscopias. Para análise dos dados foi usado o teste de análise de variância (ANOVA) seguido do teste de Tukey e valores de P<0,05 considerados significativos. Não houve diferença significativa nos parâmetros estudados em nenhum dos períodos estabelecidos para o controle e laparoscopia. Porém, a FR média entre P1 (38,8 ± 4,42) e P3 (32,7 ± 4,81) e a TR média entre P1 (38,2ºC ± 0,17), P2 (37,6ºC ± 0,19) e P3 (37,0ºC ± 0,21) variaram significativamente, independente da laparoscopia. Tais dados permitiram concluir que a laparoscopia não promoveu alterações significativas nos parâmetros avaliados, embora o protocolo anestésico utilizado tenha contribuído para redução da temperatura retal resultando em risco de hipotermia durante a anestesia.

Laparoscopy is not widely used as a tool to perform assisted reproduction techniques in South American cervids; thus, scarce information in literature is available regarding its effects and appropriate anesthetic protocols to perform it. This study evaluated the effect of laparoscopy on heart rate (HR), respiration rate (RR), saturation of oxyhemoglobin (SpO2) and rectal temperature (RT) of six female brown brocket deer (Mazama gouazoubira) anesthetized with ketamine (5mg/kg), xylazine (0.3mg/kg), midazolam (0.5mg/kg) combination i.v. and isoflurane. Twelve laparoscopies were performed and each animal was used twice with a 40-day interval. After anesthetized, the animals were placed in dorsal recumbency to perform laparoscopy procedure using abdominal CO2 insufflations (14.2 ± 2.39mmHg; M ± SE). The main events of the laparoscopy procedure were divided into three periods: animal without (P1) and with abdominal insufflation (P2) and abdominal insufflation with the hips raised at 45º (P3). As a control, the animals were anesthetized again 40 days after the last laparoscopy, and were maintained in a dorsal recumbency for the same average duration of the previous anesthesia and no laparoscopy procedure was conducted. The period of anesthesia for the controls was also divided into P1, P2, and P3 considering the average duration of these periods in previous laparoscopies performed. Data were analyzed through the (ANOVA) variance analysis followed by Tukey test and values at P<0.05 were considered significant. No significant differences were observed in the parameters evaluated at P1, P2 and P3 between the animals submitted to laparoscopy and control. However, the RR mean between P1 (38.8 ± 4.42) and P3 (32.7 ± 4.81); and the RT mean between the P1 (38.2ºC ± 0.17), P2 (37.6ºC ± 0.19) and P3 (37.0ºC ± 0.21) varied significantly, independent of the laparoscopy. These data indicated that laparoscopy didn't cause any significant alterations in the cardiorespiratory parameters evaluated, even though the anesthetic protocol used can cause a reduction in the RT contributing to development of hypothermia during anesthesia.

The Brazilian dwarf brocket deer (Mazama nana) is the smallest deer species in Brazil and is considered threatened due to the reduction and alteration of its habitat, the Atlantic Rainforest. Moreover, previous work suggested the presence of intraspecific chromosome polymorphisms which may contribute to further population instability because of the reduced fertility arising from the deleterious effects of chromosome rearrangements during meiosis. We used G- and C-banding, and nucleolus organizer regions localization by silver-nitrate staining (Ag-NOR) to investigate the causes of this variation. Mazama nana exhibited eight different karyotypes (2n = 36 through 39 and FN = 58) resulting from centric fusions and from inter and intraindividual variation in the number of B chromosomes (one to six). Most of the animals were heterozygous for a single fusion, suggesting one or several of the following: a) genetic instability in a species that has not reached its optimal karyotypic evolutionary state yet; b) negative selective pressure acting on accumulated rearrangements; and c) probable positive selection pressure for heterozygous individuals which maintains the polymorphism in the population (in contrast with the negative selection for many rearrangements within a single individual).

Documenting the presence and abundance of the neotropical mammals is the first step for understanding their population ecology, behavior and genetic dynamics in designing conservation plans. The combination of field research with molecular genetics techniques are new tools that provide valuable biological information avoiding the disturbance in the ecosystems, trying to minimize the human impact in the process to gather biological information. The objective of this paper is to review the available non invasive sampling techniques that have been used in Neotropical mammal studies to apply to determine the presence and abundance, population structure, sex ratio, taxonomic diagnostic using mitochondrial markers, and assessing genetic variability using nuclear markers. There are a wide range of non invasive sampling techniques used to determine the species identification that inhabit an area such as searching for tracks, feces, and carcasses. Other useful equipment is the camera traps that can generate an image bank that can be valuable to assess species presence and abundance by morphology. With recent advances in molecular biology, it is now possible to use the trace amounts of DNA in feces and amplify it to analyze the species diversity in an area, and the genetic variability at intraspecific level. This is particularly helpful in cases of sympatric and cryptic species in which morphology failed to diagnose the taxonomic status of several species of brocket deer of the genus Mazama.

Cerdocyon thous é um canídeo com ampla distribuição geográfica pelo Brasil ocupando desde área abertas até ambientes florestados e na região central do Tocantins (Brasil) é um animal relativamente abundante. Entretanto, são poucos os dados na literatura que relatam o uso de habitat e a área de uso deste canídeo no bioma Cerrado. Desse modo, o objetivo deste estudo foi avaliar o uso de habitat e a área de uso do C. thous no Cerrado na região central do Tocantins. Após a captura e o monitoramento dos animais por rádio-telemetria pode se observar que os animais utilizaram com maior freqüência o Cerrado latu sensu e strictu sensu. As áreas de uso variaram de 2.50 a 6.72 km² para o MCP (Mínimo Polígono Convexo) e de 5.33 a 7.23 km² para MH 95% (Média Harmônica 95%). A área centro (área de maior concentração de localizações MH 75%) ocupou 44% da área de uso calculada para a MH 95%. Assim o presente estudo vem contribuir com importantes informações sobre a ecologia deste canídeo em um dos biomas mais ameaçados do mundo.

Cerdocyon thous is a species widely distributed in Brazil, in a variety of habitats ranging from open area to forests and in the central region of Tocantins (Brazil) is relatively abundant. Nevertheless, literature related to habitat use and home range of this canid in the Cerrado biome is scarce. Therefore, the aim of this study was to evaluate the use of habitat and home range of this species in the Cerrado of the central region of Tocantins. After capturing and monitoring three animals by radiotracking, we concluded that all animals spent most of their time in cerrado latu sensu and strictu sensu. Their home range varied from 2.50 to 6.72 for the MCP (Minimum Convex Polygon) and from 5.33 to 7.23 for HM (95% Harmonic Mean). The core area (area with greatest concentration of localization 75% HM) was 44% of the home range calculated for 95% HM. Thus, the present study contributes to the ecology of this canid with valuable information in one of the most threatened biomes in the world.