Mandible shape in marsupial and placental carnivorous mammals: a morphological comparative study using geometric morphometrics

We analysed mandible shape of the orders Dasyuromorpha, Didelphimorphia, and Carnivora using twodimensional geometric morphometrics, in order to explore the relationship between shape, size, and phylogeny. We studied 541 specimens, covering most of the genera of the terrestrial Carnivora (115 species) and a wide sample of marsupials (36 species). The observed shape variation had an ecological component. As an example, omnivorous carnivores have thick mandibles and large talonids in the carnassials, while hypercarnivores possess short mandibles and reduced talonids. There is also a discrimination between different taxonomic groups (i.e. marsupials and Carnivora), indicating some kind of constraint. Size explains a large percentage of total variance (large species had shorter and stronger mandibles, with anteriorly displaced carnassials), was significant when  phylogeny was taken into account with a comparative method, but not when size and shape were optimized on the phylogeny. Carnivora presents a larger disparity and variation in body size, which could be related to the difference in teeth replacement. The optimization of mandible shape on the phylogenetic tree indicates that functional aspects, such as diet, are a key factor in the evolution of the carnivore mandible, but also that there is a phylogenetic pattern that cannot be explained by differences in diet alone.Fil: Prevosti, Francisco Juan. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Oficina de Coordinación Administrativa Parque Centenario. Museo Argentino de Ciencias Naturales “Bernardino Rivadavia”; ArgentinaFil: Turazzini, Guillermo Fidel. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Oficina de Coordinación Administrativa Parque Centenario. Museo Argentino de Ciencias Naturales “Bernardino Rivadavia”; ArgentinaFil: Ercoli, Marcos Darío. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Oficina de Coordinación Administrativa Parque Centenario. Museo Argentino de Ciencias Naturales “Bernardino Rivadavia”; ArgentinaFil: Hingst Zaher, Erika. Governo do Estado de Sao Paulo. Secretaria da Saude. Instituto Butantan; Brasi

PEREGRINE FALCON FALCO PEREGRINUS IN BRAZIL: NATURAL HISTORY THROUGH THE LENS OF CITIZEN SCIENCE

Brazil is a relevant wintering area for Falco peregrinus, particularly the subspecies F. p. tundrius and F. p anatum. Using data from WikiAves, we analyzed and discussed aspects of the species natural history, such as their migratory behavior, geographical distribution, diet, and ecological interactions. Peregrine falcons can be seen in the country from October until April. Our data suggests that adults can arrive up to a month earlier than juveniles. Individuals have been recorded in all 26 states and there is no significant difference in the geographical distribution due their subspecies or age, but there is an apparent lack of records on Central region of the country. Our results shows that in Brazil peregrines prey mainly on Columbiformes and Charadriiformes. Some individuals share the same perch and engage on agonistic interactions with other bird species, usually mopping or kleptoparasitism

Butterflies (Lepidoptera: Papilionoidea) of the urban park of Instituto Butantan, São Paulo, Southeastern Brazil

Green areas in urban landscapes are under strong anthropogenic pressure, and, at the same time are fundamental to maintaining biodiversity, as they provide resources for many animal and plant species. Knowing these species is fundamental for its maintenance and conservation, and inventories are extremely important for monitoring fauna and conserving it. Therefore, the goal of this research is to inventory the butterflies species in the park of the Instituto Butantan (Ibu), located in an urban area in the city of São Paulo, southeast Brazil. The surveys of butterflies were conducted through visual censuses from August 2017 to July 2019 and recorded a total of 324 butterfly species. The most speciose family was Hesperiidae, followed by Nymphalidae, Lycaenidae, Pieridae, Riodinidae, and Papilionidae. Among the sampled species, there is Euselasia zara which is a new record for the state of São Paulo. Neither the species accumulation nor the richness estimator curves tended to reach an asymptote, suggesting that additional butterflies’ species will be recorded with more sampling effort on the site. Even with a flora composed mainly of exotic and ornamental plants, the park of Instituto Butantan exhibits a very rich butterfly community. This community exhibits a pattern of seasonally variation, with the peak of species richness related to the rainy season. When compared with Cidade Universitária Armando de Salles Oliveira (USP), another nearby urban green area, which is larger, more heterogeneous and sampled over a longer period, it is possible to notice that the Ibu butterfly community is a subsample of this larger one. These results highlight the potential that urban parks have for the maintenance and conservation of butterfly species

A contribution to the knowledge of Quadraseta brasiliensis Goff and Gettinger, 1989 (Trombidiformes: Trombiculidae), with description of the deutonymph instar

In the Neotropical region the genus Quadraseta Brennan, 1970, includes 14 species, with ectoparasitic habits during the larval stage. Quadraseta brasiliensis Goff and Gettinger, 1989, was described from larvae collected on the rodent Hylaeamys megacephalus (Fisher), cited as Oryzomys capito (Olfers). According to these authors, the holotype was deposited in the Museu de Zoologia da Universidade de São Paulo and the paratypes were deposited in three other collections: Bernice Pauahi Bishop Museum, Sam Noble Oklahoma Museum of Natural History and United States National Museum of Natural History, however, no type specimens were found in any of these museums. Here we redescribe the larva, describe the deutonymph instar obtained from field-collected larvae, and report new hosts and localities for this species in Brazil. In addition we provide sequences of the 18S ribosomal RNA gene for this species

A time with e-Natureza (e-Nature): a model of nature-based health interventions as a complex adaptive system

Discussions surrounding the positive impacts of nature on human health and strategies to enhance our connection with the natural world have been ongoing. However, a limited number of theoretical models are available to guide research and practice in this area. Therefore, there is a pressing need for a systematic framework that outlines clear steps for conducting research implementing nature-based interventions. In this study, we investigate the relationship between health and nature through the lens of Complex Adaptive Systems. This approach involves examining the dynamic interactions between multiple interconnected elements to understand the complex emergent behaviors that arise from such relationships. Our model is designed to support nature-based interventions, considering the essential interdependence between humans and nature. This perspective aims to improve both human health and biodiversity conservation in a mutually beneficial manner. The underlying interactions that drive nature-based health interventions are thoroughly explored, leading us to propose a novel intervention model named “A time with e-Natureza” (e-Nature). This model encompasses four types of experiences, drawing from scientific literature and insights from authors engaged in an interdisciplinary research group: (1) Aesthetic and emotional experience; (2) Multisensory integration experience; (3) Knowledge experience; and (4) Engagement experience. Each experience within the model targets affective, cognitive, and behavioral aspects, with a specific focus on fostering a deeper connection with nature. Distinct activities are incorporated within each experience to promote successful outcomes. The model is grounded in existing theories that address the human-nature relationship and is informed by Nursing theories that support health promotion interventions. By presenting this new model, our aim is to contribute to the effective implementation of nature-based interventions that not only enhance human well-being but also support the conservation of nature. This integrated approach recognizes the mutual benefits of human-nature interaction and offers valuable insights for future research and practical applications in the fields of nature and health

Taxonomic revision and additional comments of some bats (Mammalia, Chiroptera) reported from Bolivia, with an updated checklist based on voucher material with verified identities

We review the taxonomic identities of museum specimens of three bat species previously reported from Bolivia. We comment on some erroneously reported taxa, or taxa either not represented by voucher materials or based on insufficient data (including acoustic detections) to verify their taxonomic affinities. As result of this review, the list of bat species known to occur in Bolivia is updated to eight families and 133 species, unlike the nine families and 146 species of previous lists. Some recommendations for future research and a brief historical revision of bat inventories in the country are included

Do precocial mammals develop at a faster rate? A comparison of rates of skull development in Sigmodon fulviventer and Mus musculus domesticus

Peer Reviewedhttp://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/72993/1/j.1420-9101.2003.00568.x.pd

Size and shape variability in the skull of Pontoporia blainvillei (Cetacea: Pontoporiidae) from the Brazilian coast

The existence of sexual dimorphism in Pontoporia blainvillei has long been known, with females being larger than males. However, no study so far has explored this dimorphism separately in its size and shape components. Here we analyse sexual dimorphism present in eight linear measurements of the skulls of 56 specimens (30 females and 26 males) of P. blainvillei from several localities along the Brazilian coast. We also investigate the sexual dimorphism in size and shape using geometric morphometric techniques, employing a subsample of the specimens above consisting of 27 skulls (12 females and 15 males). The analysis was based on landmarks digitized in four views of the skull: dorsal, ventral, lateral and occipital. A PCA showed the existence of two distinct populations, thus requiring the separation of two samples for the analysis of the effects of sexual dimorphism. Results of traditional and geometric morphometrics analyses revealed no sexual dimorphism in shape. All differences observed between the sexes are size related, with females bigger than males. Shape, however, is an important factor in the differentiation of at least two populations of this species