NEOTROPICAL XENARTHRANS: a data set of occurrence of xenarthran species in the Neotropics

Xenarthrans – anteaters, sloths, and armadillos – have essential functions for ecosystem maintenance, such as insect control and nutrient cycling, playing key roles as ecosystem engineers. Because of habitat loss and fragmentation, hunting pressure, and conflicts with 24 domestic dogs, these species have been threatened locally, regionally, or even across their full distribution ranges. The Neotropics harbor 21 species of armadillos, ten anteaters, and six sloths. Our dataset includes the families Chlamyphoridae (13), Dasypodidae (7), Myrmecophagidae (3), Bradypodidae (4), and Megalonychidae (2). We have no occurrence data on Dasypus pilosus (Dasypodidae). Regarding Cyclopedidae, until recently, only one species was recognized, but new genetic studies have revealed that the group is represented by seven species. In this data-paper, we compiled a total of 42,528 records of 31 species, represented by occurrence and quantitative data, totaling 24,847 unique georeferenced records. The geographic range is from the south of the USA, Mexico, and Caribbean countries at the northern portion of the Neotropics, to its austral distribution in Argentina, Paraguay, Chile, and Uruguay. Regarding anteaters, Myrmecophaga tridactyla has the most records (n=5,941), and Cyclopes sp. has the fewest (n=240). The armadillo species with the most data is Dasypus novemcinctus (n=11,588), and the least recorded for Calyptophractus retusus (n=33). With regards to sloth species, Bradypus variegatus has the most records (n=962), and Bradypus pygmaeus has the fewest (n=12). Our main objective with Neotropical Xenarthrans is to make occurrence and quantitative data available to facilitate more ecological research, particularly if we integrate the xenarthran data with other datasets of Neotropical Series which will become available very soon (i.e. Neotropical Carnivores, Neotropical Invasive Mammals, and Neotropical Hunters and Dogs). Therefore, studies on trophic cascades, hunting pressure, habitat loss, fragmentation effects, species invasion, and climate change effects will be possible with the Neotropical Xenarthrans dataset

Ovo em pó na alimentação de leitões recém-desmamados Spray-dried egg for wealing pigs

Foram realizados dois experimentos para determinar a composição química, os coeficientes de digestibilidade de nutrientes e os valores de energia e proteína digestíveis do ovo em pó (OP) e avaliar o desempenho e os componentes sangüíneos e plasmáticos de leitões alimentados com dietas contendo OP. No Experimento I, foram utilizados oito leitões em um ensaio de digestibilidade. Os animais foram distribuídos em dois tratamentos e quatro repetições, sendo uma ração referência e uma teste (70% da ração referência + 30% de OP). Utilizou-se a metodologia da coleta parcial de fezes (0,5% de Cr2O3). Os coeficientes de digestibilidade aparente do OP foram de 80,81; 87,14; 82,00 e 70,55%, respectivamente, para a matéria seca, energia bruta, proteína bruta e extrato etéreo. A partir dos coeficientes de digestibilidade determinados e os valores de proteína bruta (56,53%) e energia bruta (5.897 kcal/kg), foram calculados os valores de 43,90% de proteína digestível e 5.140 kcal/kg de energia digestível para o OP. No Experimento II, foram utilizados 90 animais desmamados com 24 dias e 5,6 kg. Os tratamentos consistiram de cinco rações isonutritivas com níveis crescentes (0, 25, 50, 75 e 100%) de substituição protéica do plasma sangüíneo (PS) da dieta pelo OP. O delineamento experimental foi o de blocos casualizados, com nove repetições por tratamento. Não houve diferença entre os tratamentos para as variáveis de desempenho na fase de 1-14 dias pós-desmame. Para a fase de 15-28 dias e para o período total, foi observada redução linear do GDP e CDR, com o aumento do nível de inclusão da proteína do OP. Para as variáveis dos componentes plasmáticos e sangüíneos não foram observadas diferenças significativas entre os tratamentos. Em função dos resultados obtidos, não foi viável a substituição do plasma sangüíneo pelo ovo em pó nas dietas de leitões durante a fase de creche.<br>Two experiments were carried out to determine the chemical composition, nutrients digestibility and digestible energy and protein of spray-dried egg (OP) and to study the performance and plasma and blood components of weanling pigs fed diets containing OP. In the Experiment I, eight pigs were used for digestibility assay. The animals were assigned to two treatments and four replications/treatment. The treatments consisted of a basal diet and test diet (70% of basal diet + 30% of OP). The method was the partial faeces collection (0.5% Cr2O3). The apparent digestibility coefficients of dry matter, gross energy, crude protein and crude fat were, respectively, 80.81, 87.14, 82.00, and 70.55%. From the results of apparent digestibility coeficients and the values of crude protein (56.53%) and gross energy (5,897 kcal/kg), values of 43.90% of digestible protein and 5,140 kcal/kg of digestible energy for OP were calculated. In the Experiment II, ninety pigs were weaned at 24 days of age with 5.6 kg live weight. The treatments consisted of five dietary levels of 0, 25, 50, 75 and 100%, as a replacement of plasma (PS) protein for OP protein. Pigs were alloted to a randomized block design with nine replications per treatment. No treatment effects were observed on performance for 1-14 day post-weaning phase. For the 15-28 d phase and for the total period, linear reductions of GDP and CDR were observed, as the dietary OP levels increased. No treatment effects were observed on plasma and blood components by the inclusion of spray-dried egg. It was not recommended to replace the PS by OP in nursery diets