Individual Behavioral differences and health of golden-headed lion tamarins, Leontopithecus chrysomelas

Individual behavioral differences may influence how animals cope with altered environments. Depending on their behavioral traits, individuals may thus vary in how their health is affected by environmental conditions. We investigated the relationship between individual behavior of free-living golden-headed lion tamarins (Leontopithecus chrysomelas) responding to a novel object (to assess exploration-avoidance), and their habitat use and health status (endoparasitism; clinical measures: biometric data, heart rate, respiratory frequency, and temperature; fecal glucocorticoid metabolites). As parasite transmission can be affected by individual variation in social contact and social grooming, we also evaluated whether more sociable individuals show higher endoparasite loads compared with less sociable animals. Four groups living in landscapes with different levels of human disturbance were investigated: two in degraded forest fragments in an agricultural matrix (DFAM-higher disturbance), and two in a cocoa agroforestry system (cabruca-lower disturbance) in the Atlantic forest of South Bahia, Brazil. Using a subjective ratings approach, highly correlated adjective descriptors were combined to produce z-score ratings of one derived variable ("confidence"), which was selected to characterize the tamarins' exploration/avoidance responses during a novel object test. The higher the confidence score, the longer female tamarins spent foraging for prey independent of landscape, and the greater their body mass independent of sex and landscape. Only DFAM individuals showed intestinal parasite infection. Endoparasite loads were positively correlated with the number of grooming partners, suggesting an association between social grooming and transmission (more groomers = more endoparasites). Individual behavior, including in a test situation, may thus have some predictive value for behavior in a free-living context, and for its health consequences

Toxoplasma gondii and Leishmania spp. infection in captive crab-eating foxes, Cerdocyon thous (Carnivora, Canidae) from Brazil

The zoonoses toxoplasmosis and leishmaniasis are important worldwide and also affect wild animals. Thus, the present study aimed to assess the prevalence of Leishmania spp. and Toxoplasma gondii antibodies in 52 serum samples from captive crab-eating foxes (Cerdocyon thous) kept in 17 zoos in São Paulo State, Brazil. Modified agglutination test (MAT, for toxoplasmosis) and indirect fluorescent antibody test (IFAT, for toxoplasmosis and leishmaniasis) were employed with heterologous anti-dog immunoglobulin. Antibodies to T. gondii were found in 19.2% animals, with an almost perfect concordance (kappa = 0.86; standard error = 9.31%; CI95% = 68.25-104.76%; P < 0.0001) and a strong correlation coefficient (rs = 0.87; P < 0.0001), which allows the use of heterologous anti-dog immunoglobulin to perform IFAT for toxoplasmosis in crab-eating foxes. No sample was positive for Leishmania spp. Toxoplasmosis infection occurs in wild animals from the studied Brazilian zoos, which indicates a probable environmental contamination, highlighting the importance of appropriate zoo management and the action of the parasite as a sentinel to human infection. (C) 2009 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved

Hematologic, serum biochemistry and urinary values for captive Crab-eating Fox (Cerdocyon thous) in São Paulo state, Brazil

A importância do estudo dos valores hematológicos, de bioquímica sérica e urinários de Cachorro-do-mato (Cerdocyon thous) baseia-se na necessidade de cuidados e manutenção da sanidade destas populações. Este estudo visou investigar os parâmetros fisiológicos hematológicos, de bioquímica sérica e urinários dos Cachorros-do-mato de cativeiro, comparando as possíveis diferenças sexuais e de faixa etária. Foram colhidas amostras de sangue de 52 animais, pertencentes a diversos Zoológicos do Estado de São Paulo, Brasil. Foram colhidos cerca de 7mL de sangue, que foram utilizados para se obter os valores hematológicos e o perfil de bioquímica sérica. Também foram colhidos 5mL de urina para realização da urinálise. Não se encontraram diferenças entre os valores obtidos para machos e fêmeas tanto na hematologia, quanto na bioquímica sérica. Alguns parâmetros hematológicos e de bioquímica sérica foram afetados pela idade, mostrando diferenças significativas. Os resultados da urinálise foram demonstrados apenas em forma descritiva. Os principais valores encontrados foram, hemácias 4,35+0,73 x 106 células /µL, leucócitos totais 7,72+3,66 x 103 células /µL (predomínio de neutrófilos segmentados), plaquetas 227,06+111,58 x 103 células /µL, ureia 43,06+14,28mg/dL e creatinina 1,03+0,24mg/dL. Os valores hematológicos, de bioquímica sérica e urinários obtidos neste estudo podem ser utilizados como valores fisiológicos de Cachorros-do-mato de cativeiro. Pode-se concluir que as espécies silvestres necessitam de seus próprios valores de referência com necessidade de se diferenciar animais em cativeiro de animais de vida livre.The importance of studies with hematological, serum biochemistry and urinary values of Crab-eating Fox (Cerdocyon thous) is based on the need for health care and maintenance of those populations. This paper has the objective to investigate hematological, serum biochemistry and urinary physiological parameters of the Crab-eating fox, comparing gender and age differences. Blood samples were collected in 2003 from 52 animals of different Zoos in São Paulo state, Brazil; 7mL of blood was used to obtain a complete blood cell count (CBC) and the profile of the serum biochemistry. Moreover, 5mL of urine were collected for analysis. There was no difference in values for male and female animals, as for the CBC and serum biochemistry. Some hematological and serum biochemical parameters were influenced by age, showing significant differences. Urinalysis results were just demonstrated in a descriptive form. The studied values were, RBC 4.35±0.73 x 10(6) /µL, WBC 7.72±3.66 x 10³ /µL (predominance of segmented neutrophils), platelets 227.06±111.58 x 10³ /µL, urea 43.06±14.28mg/dL and creatinine 1.03±0.24mg/dL. Hematological, serum biochemistry and urinary values obtained in this study can be used as physiological values of the captive Crab-eating Fox. It is possible to conclude that wild species need their own reference values, differentiating animals in captivity from free-ranging animals

Eimerid coccidia from capybaras (Hydrochoerus hydrochaeris) in southern Bahia, Brazil Coccídios eimerídios em capivaras (Hydrochoerus hydrochaeris) no sul da Bahia

Two eimerid coccidia are reported in a capybara (Hydrochoerus hydrochaeris) population kept in captivity in the south of Bahia, northeastern Brazil (14º 47' 57.89"S and 39º 10' 10.58" W). Oocysts of Eimeria ichiloensis are subspheroidal to ellipsoidal, 26.2 x 21.7mm with bi-layered wall, the outer yellow and sculptured and the inner, dark and smooth. Residuum is absent, but usually 2-3 polar granules are present. Sporocysts are ovoid, 12.0 x 7.6mm. Stieda body and sporocyst residuum are present. Oocysts of Eimeria trinidadensis are subspheroidal to ellipsoidal, 22.2 x 19.6mm with bi-layered wall, the outer yellow and smooth, and the inner dark and smooth. Residuum is absent, but one polar granule is present. Sporocysts are ovoid, 11.0 x 6.9mm. Stieda body and sporocyst residuum are present. Based on these descriptions and previous ones it can be concluded that these coccidea species are widely dispersed in capybaras in South America.Duas espécies de Eimeria foram relatadas em capivaras Hydrochaeris hydrochaeris cativas no sul da Bahia, nordeste do Brasil (14º 47' 57.89"S and 39º 10' 10.58" W). Os oocistos de Eimeria ichiloensis são sub-esferoidais a elipsoidais, 26,2 x 21,7mm. Apresentam parede dupla, sendo a externa amarela e esculpida e a interna, escura e lisa. Resíduo está ausente, mas usualmente 2-3 grânulos polares estão presentes. Os esporocistos são ovóides, 12,0 x 7,6mm. Corpo de Stieda e resíduo do esporocisto estão presentes. Oocistos de Eimeria trinidadensis são sub-esferoidais a elipsoidais, 22,2 x 19,6mm. Apresentam parede dupla, sendo a externa amarela e lisa e a interna, escura e lisa. Resíduo está ausente, mas um grânulo polar está presente. Os esporocistos são ovóides, 11,0 x 6,9mm. Corpo de Stieda e resíduo do esporocisto estão presentes. Baseado nestas descrições e em descrições prévias foi possível concluir que estas espécies estão amplamente dispersas em capivaras na América do Sul

FIRST RECORD OF HEMATOLOGIC VALUES IN FREE-LIVING AND CAPTIVE MANED SLOTHS ( BRADYPUS TORQUATUS

Federal University of Piaui State. Bom Jesus, PI, Brazil.Sem Afiliação.Sem Afiliação.Sem Afiliação.Sem Afiliação.Ministério da Saúde. Secretaria de Vigilância em Saúde. Instituto Evandro Chagas. Programa de Virologia. Ananindeua, PA, Brasil.Sem Afiliação.Sem Afiliação.Bradypus torquatus is a rare and endemic sloth species from the Atlantic Forest, Brazil. Due to a lack of medical information including hematologic reference parameters for the species, hematologic baseline values were determined using samples from 14 clinically healthy B. torquatus , under captive (n = 7) and free-living (n = 7) conditions in Bahia State, Brazil. Additionally, the morphology of the blood cells is presented, with a demonstration that the Barr body chromosome may assist with sex determination of the species. The Barr body chromosome was present in all seven females and absent in all males. Many erythrocytes were approximately the size of small lymphocytes, with red blood cells exhibiting anisocystosis, normochromia, and apparent macrocytosis, compared with domestic animals. This study provides the first published hematologic values and cell morphology for B. torquatus . However, further studies are suggested using an automated hematology analyzer with larger sample sizes so that reference intervals may be established and hematologic values better understood for sex, habitat type, and age cohorts

First record of hematologic values in free-living and captive maned sloths (Bradypus Torquatus; Xenartha, Bradypodidae)

Federal University of Piaui State. Bom Jesus, PI, Brazil.Sem Afiliação.Sem Afiliação.Sem Afiliação.Sem Afiliação.Ministério da Saúde. Secretaria de Vigilância em Saúde. Instituto Evandro Chagas. Programa de Virologia. Ananindeua, PA, Brasil.Sem Afiliação.Sem Afiliação.Bradypus torquatus is a rare and endemic sloth species from the Atlantic Forest, Brazil. Due to a lack of medical information including hematologic reference parameters for the species, hematologic baseline values were determined using samples from 14 clinically healthy B. torquatus , under captive (n = 7) and free-living (n = 7) conditions in Bahia State, Brazil. Additionally, the morphology of the blood cells is presented, with a demonstration that the Barr body chromosome may assist with sex determination of the species. The Barr body chromosome was present in all seven females and absent in all males. Many erythrocytes were approximately the size of small lymphocytes, with red blood cells exhibiting anisocystosis, normochromia, and apparent macrocytosis, compared with domestic animals. This study provides the first published hematologic values and cell morphology for B. torquatus . However, further studies are suggested using an automated hematology analyzer with larger sample sizes so that reference intervals may be established and hematologic values better understood for sex, habitat type, and age cohorts

Occurrence of Prosthenorchis elegans in Free-living Primates from the Atlantic Forest of Southern Bahia, Brazil

Universidade Federal do Piauí - Campus Professora Cinobelina Elvas. Bom Jesus, PI, Brazil / Ministério da Saúde. Secretaria de Vigilância em Saúde. Instituto Evandro Chagas. Programa de Pós-Graduação em Virologia. Ananindeua, PA, Brasil / Royal Zoological Society of Antwerp. Centre for Research and Conservation. Antwerp, Belgium / Saint Louis Zoo. Institute for Conservation Medicine. St. Louis, Missouri, USA.Universidade Estadual de Santa Cruz. Programa de Pós-graduação em Ciência Animal. Ilhéus, BA, Brazil.Universidade Estadual de Santa Cruz. Programa de Pós-graduação em Ecologia e Conservação da Biodiversidade. Ilhéus, BA, Brazil / Bicho do Mato Instituto de Pesquisa. Belo Horizonte, MG, Brazil/ Universidade do Estado do Rio de Janeiro. Faculdade de Formação de Professores. Departamento de Ciências. Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil.Royal Zoological Society of Antwerp. Centre for Research and Conservation. Antwerp, BelgiumUniversidade Estadual de Santa Cruz. Programa de Pós-graduação em Ciência Animal. Ilhéus, BA, Brazil.Saint Louis Zoo. Institute for Conservation Medicine. St. Louis, Missouri, USA.Universidade Estadual de Santa Cruz. Programa de Pós-graduação em Ciência Animal. Ilhéus, BA, Brazil.Parasite prevalence and abundance are important factors affecting species' conservation. During necropsies on a free-living golden-headed lion tamarin ( Leontopithecus chrysomelas ) and two Wied's marmosets ( Callithrix kuhlii ) in the Atlantic Forest of southern Bahia, Brazil, we collected a large number of adult intestinal parasites that we identified as Prosthenorchis elegans. This parasite is pathogenic for neotropical primates. Prosthenorchis spp. infestation is influenced by diet with increased risk of exposure from ingesting invertebrate intermediate hosts. The biological similarities and sympatric nature of these two nonhuman primates support that they may harbor similar infectious and parasitic agents