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

Consumo de forragem e produção de leite de vacas em pastagem de azevém-anual com duas ofertas de forragem Herbage intake and milk yield of dairy cows grazing Italian ryegrass at two herbage allowances

Avaliou-se o efeito de duas ofertas de forragem (25 e 40 kg MS/vaca.dia) sobre o consumo de forragem e a produção de leite em vacas pastejando azevém-anual. Utilizou-se o método rotacionado, em delineamento experimental de dupla reversão, com três períodos de 12 dias e dez vacas da raça Holandesa no terço médio de lactação. O consumo de forragem foi estimado pela produção fecal e pela digestibilidade da forragem ingerida e a produção de leite foi medida diariamente. A biomassa e a altura do dossel antes do pastejo não diferiram entre as ofertas de forragem. A altura pós-pastejo foi maior na oferta de forragem de 40 kg MS/vaca.dia, o que determinou desaparecimento de forragem equivalente a 49,0% nessa oferta de forragem e a 69,0% na oferta de 25 kg MS/vaca.dia. O consumo individual de matéria seca (MS) da forragem foi 11,9 e 16,6 kg/dia e a produção de leite, 18,4 e 21,1 kg/dia nas ofertas de 25 e 40 kg MS/vaca.dia, respectivamente. Vacas leiteiras em pastagem de azevém com alta oferta de forragem podem ingerir mais de 16,0 kg de MS e produzir mais de 20 kg de leite/dia. A produção de leite reduz aproximadamente 0,2 kg a cada kg de diminuição na MS de forragem oferecida.<br>The effect of two herbage allowances (25 and 40 kg dry matter/cow.day) were assessed on the herbage intake and milk yield of dairy cows grazing Italian ryegrass. A rotational grazing system was used, according to a Change Over procedure with three 12-day periods and ten Holstein cows in mid-lactation. Individual herbage intake was estimated from fecal output and the digestibility of the selected herbage and the milk yield was measured daily. Pre-grazing sward height and herbage mass at ground level did not differ between treatments. Post-grazing sward height was higher 40 kg dry matter/cow.day and the pasture disappearance rate from the initial sward was 49.0% and 69.0%, respectively. The individual dry matter intake of the herbage was 11.9 and 16.6 kg kg/day and the milk yield was 18.4 and. 21.1 kg/day at the allowances 25 and 40 kg dry matter/cow.day, respectively. Dairy cows grazing Italian ryegrass pasture, with a high forage allowance, can eat more than 16.0 kg DM/day and produce more than 20 kg milk/day. The milk yield decreased around 0.2 kg per kg of reduction in DM offer