Diferenciación craniométrica de las especies de corzuelas pardas de Brasil

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 princi¬pales y discriminante. En la mayoría de las medidas craneanas los ejemplares machos y hembras de M. gouazou¬bira 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

Genetic diversity of the pampas deer (Ozotoceros bezoarticus) population in the Brazilian Pantanal assessed by combining fresh fecal DNA analysis and a set of heterologous microsatellite loci

<div><p>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.</p></div