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

Intoxicação por Trema micrantha (Ulmaceae) em caprinos no Estado de Santa Catarina Poisoning by Trema micrantha (Ulmaceae) in goats in the State of Santa Catarina

Vinte e cinco caprinos, criados em piquetes, morreram nos cinco dias subsequentes ao fornecimento de folhas de Trema micrantha (fam.Ulmaceae), uma árvore com nome comum de grandiúva. Quatro caprinos foram necropsiados e amostras de vísceras foram coletadas para exame histológico. As principais alterações clínicas foram: apatia, anorexia, cabeça apoiada contra obstáculos, decúbito e morte. Achados macroscópicos incluíram sufusões no epicárdio e endocárdio; fígado levemente amarelado e com padrão lobular evidente e, em um caso, acompanhado de hemorragias multifocais. Na histologia observou-se necrose hepática, que variava de centrolobular a massiva, compatível com hepatopatia tóxica. No SNC havia satelitose, tumefação neuronal, edema periaxonal, perivascular. O diagnóstico de intoxicação por Trema micrantha foi baseado no quadro clínico e lesional de hepatite tóxica associado ao uso da planta para alimentação de caprinos.<br>Twenty five goats, maintained in paddocks, had died in five subsequent days after have been offered leaves, mixed in the ration, of Trema micrantha, a tree commonly called grandiúva. Four animals were necropsied and samples were collected for histopathology. Clinical signs included apathy, anorexia, head pressing against obstacles, decubitus and death. Macroscopic findings included suffusions in the epi- and endocardium, a yellowish liver with pronounced lobular pattern, in one goat, the liver presented additionally multiple visible hemorrhages. Histological examination revealed centrilobular to massive hepatic necrosis consistent with acute liver toxicosis. In the brain, satelitosis, neuronal swelling, and perineuronal and perivascular edema was found. The diagnosis of poisoning by Trema micrantha was based in the clinical picture characteristic of toxic hepatitis associated in the feeding of the plant to the goats

Efeito da utilização de farelo de girassol na dieta sobre o desempenho de frangos de corte Effect of different levels of sunflower meal in diets on the performance of broiler chickens

Foi realizado um experimento para avaliar os efeitos da inclusão de farelo de girassol em rações para frangos de corte sobre o desempenho, o rendimento de carcaça e dos cortes e a viabilidade econômica. O delineamento experimental foi em blocos casualizados com cinco níveis de farelo de girassol (0, 5, 10, 15 e 20% da dieta basal), oito repetições e 20 aves por unidade experimental. As aves e as rações foram pesadas no início e ao final de cada fase do período experimental (1 a 21 dias e 22 a 42 dias) para obtenção do consumo de ração, do ganho de peso e da conversão alimentar. Duas aves de cada repetição foram abatidas aos 42 dias de idade para avaliação da carcaça. Com a inclusão do farelo de girassol, o consumo diminuiu linearmente na fase inicial (y = 1185,1 - 2,1x; R² = 0,97), enquanto a conversão alimentar melhorou de forma linear no período total (y = 1,6404 - 0,0018x; R² = 0,62) e de forma quadrática na fase inicial (y = 1,3943 - 0,0069x + 0,0002x²; R² = 0,96). Não foi encontrada diferença significativa no rendimento de carcaça e dos cortes. Os melhores desempenhos econômicos foram obtidos quando as aves foram alimentadas com rações contendo 5% de farelo de girassol na fase inicial e 0% na fase de crescimento e no período total. A adição de 20% de farelo de girassol em rações para frangos de corte até os 42 dias de idade não prejudica o desempenho produtivo das aves.<br>A trial was carried out to evaluate the effect of sunflower meal inclusion in the broiler diets on the performance, carcass yield and cuts and the economics viability. A randomized block experimental design was used, with five treatments and eight replications of 20 birds per experimental unit. Treatments consisted of including 0, 5, 10, 15, or 20% sunflower meal in a basal diet. Birds and diets were weighed at the beginning and at the end of each experimental phase (1 to 21 days and 22 to 42 days) to determine feed intake, weight gain, and the feed:gain ratio. Two birds per replication were slaughtered at 42 days of age for carcass evaluation. Feed intake was linearly reduced in the starter phase (y = 1185.1 - 2.1x; R² = 0.97), with sunflower meal inclusion in the basal diet, and the feed:gain ratio linearly improved in the total period (y = 1.6404 - 0.0018x; R² = 0.62), whereas a quadratic effect on the feed:gain ratio was observed in the starter phase (y = 1.3943 - 0.0069x + 0.0002x²; R² = 0.96). No significant differences were observed for carcass yield and cuts. The best economic performances were achieved when the birds were fed diets containing 5% sunflower meal in the starter phase, and 0% in the grower phase and total period. The inclusion of 20% sunflower meal in the diet of broilers up to 42 days of age did not show harmful effects on performance