Influência do ambiente térmico no comportamento e desempenho zootécnico de suínos

Environmental modifiers, such as the use of water blade, are often used to produce pigs in order to improve welfare conditions and consequently production. In view of this consideration, we sought to evaluate the effect of the climatic environment on the weight gain and the behavior of pigs in the finishing phase in stalls with and without access to the water blade. The work was conducted in a pig farm located in the city of Nova Porteirinha, located in the semi-arid region of Minas Gerais. In order to evaluate the thermal comfort of the animals, the Black Globe Temperature and Humidity Index (BGHI) was used to evaluate the thermal comfort of the animals and to analyze the behavior of the pigs, the number of animals performing the activity, for the period evaluated, as well as the gain of weight were observed. In the 3rd block, black globe temperature and humidity index values were higher, with lower average daily weight gain. The treatments resulted in different behavioral responses, with water blade behavior being more expressive in the afternoon. The evaluation period showed that to influence surface temperature and at high temperatures the animals presented lower daily average weight gain. The water table did not influence the animals' weight gain, however, it provided better welfare conditions.Os modificadores ambientais, como o uso da lâmina d’água, são frequentemente utilizados na produção de suínos, com intuito de melhorar as condições de bem-estar e consequentemente, a produção. Diante dessa consideração, buscou-se avaliar o efeito do ambiente climático sobre o ganho de peso e o comportamento de suínos em fase de terminação em baias com e sem acesso à lâmina d’água. O trabalho foi conduzido em uma granja suinícola localizada na cidade de Nova Porteirinha, localizada na região semiárida de Minas Gerais. Para avaliar o conforto térmico dos animais utilizou-se o Índice de Temperatura de Globo Negro e Umidade (ITGU) e para análise do comportamento dos suínos observou-se o número de animais realizando a atividade, por período avaliado, bem como, o ganho de peso. No terceiro bloco os valores de índice de temperatura de globo negro e umidade foram maiores havendo menor ganho de peso médio diário. Os tratamentos resultam em diferentes respostas comportamentais, sendo o comportamento na lâmina d’água mais expressivo no período da tarde. O período de avaliação mostrou influenciar na temperatura superficial e em temperaturas elevadas os animais apresentam menor ganho de peso médio diário. A lâmina d’água não influenciou no ganho de peso dos animais, entretanto, proporcionou melhores condições de bem-estar

Conforto térmico de equinos alojados em diferentes tipos de baias

The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of climatic conditions provided by two types of stalls on the physiological and behavioral responses of horses during agricultural exposure. The study was developed during 2014 and 2015 in an Agricultural Fair located in the semiarid region of the state of Minas Gerais, Brazil. Climatic environment, place of accommodation, physiological and behavioral variables of 114 Mangalarga Marchador horses, housed in individual metal and masonry stalls, were observed. Meteorological variables inside the metal and masonry stalls were monitored. Physiological variables were characterized by respiratory rate and body temperature. For behavioral analysis, the frequency of occurrence of defecation, urination, neigh, agitation, food and water intake were observed at 8 am, 10 am, 12 pm, 14 pm, 16 pm and 18 pm. The thermal environment was classified as thermal discomfort from 10 am. Respiratory rate and body temperature were outside ideal values. The metal stall caused greater thermal discomfort for horses.Objetivou-se avaliar o efeito das condições climáticas proporcionado por dois tipos de baias sobre as respostas fisiológicas e comportamentais de equinos por ocasião de exposição agropecuária. O trabalho foi desenvolvido durante os anos de 2014 e 2015 em Feira Agropecuária localizada na região do semiárido mineiro. Foi observado o ambiente climático, local de acomodação, variáveis fisiológicas e comportamentais de 114 equinos da raça Mangalarga Marchador, alojados em baias individuais de metal e alvenaria. Foram monitoradas as variáveis meteorológicas no interior das baias de metal e de alvenaria. As variáveis fisiológicas foram caracterizadas por meio da frequência respiratória e temperatura corporal. Para análise comportamental, observou-se a frequência de ocorrência de ações de defecação, micção, relinchar, agitação, ingestão de alimentos e água, às 8 h, 10 h, 12 h, 14 h, 16 h e 18 h. O ambiente térmico foi classificado como de desconforto térmico a partir das 10 h. A frequência respiratória e a temperatura corporal estiveram fora dos valores considerados ideais. A baia de metal proporcionou maior desconforto térmico para os equinos

Alterações fisiológicas de matrizes suínas criadas nas condições climáticas do semiárido mineiro

The swine breeding in the Minas Gerais semiarid has an initial characterization, but there are prospects for growth, however due to the high temperatures verified throughout the year, production is reduced. Therefore, the objective of this work was to evaluate the effect of the climatic environment on the physiological parameters of swine matrices before and after farrowing. The experiment was carried out in a representative swine breeding farm located in the region of the Gorutuba Project, in Nova Porteirinha city, MG. Six swine matrices housed in individual bays were used. The climatic variables, air temperature, relative air humidity, dew point temperature and black globe temperature were monitored through the use of two dataloggers. The physiological parameters evaluated were: body surface temperature, respiratory rate, heart rate and rectal temperature. The environmental and physiological variables were collected at 8am, 11am, 01pm, 03pm and 05pm. Data was submitted to analysis of variance, and when significant were submitted to the Tukey test at 5% probability for comparison between the means. With the data collected, it was observed that between 01pm and 05pm h and during the post-partum period, the animals were exposed to the thermal discomfort of the environment, being the responsible factor for the alteration in the respiratory rate, especially when associated with the ingestion of foods. The mean values (p<0.05) of body and rectal surface temperature were higher in the postpartum period, but did not express thermal discomfort of the swine matrices. The raising of these animals in the semiarid Minas Gerais is possible; however, it is necessary to adopt measures such as the use of ventilators and the use of curtains to minimize the animal’s caloric stress.A criação de suínos na região do semiárido mineiro possui caráter inicial, porém há perspectivas de crescimento, entretanto devido às altas temperaturas verificadas ao longo do ano a produção é reduzida. Diante disso, o objetivo deste trabalho foi avaliar o efeito do ambiente climático sobre os parâmetros fisiológicos de matrizes suínas antes e após o parto. O experimento foi conduzido em uma Granja representativa na criação de suínos localizada na região do Projeto Gorutuba, município de Nova Porteirinha, MG. Foram utilizadas seis matrizes alojadas em baias individuais. As variáveis climáticas temperatura de ar, umidade relativa do ar, temperatura de ponto de orvalho e temperatura de globo negro foram monitoradas por meio do uso de dois dataloggers. Os parâmetros fisiológicos avaliados foram: temperatura de superfície corporal, frequência respiratória, frequência cardíaca e temperatura retal. As variáveis ambientais e fisiológicas foram coletadas às 8:00, 11:00, 13:00, 15:00 e 17:00 h. Os dados foram submetidos à análise de variância, e quando significativos foram submetidos ao teste de Tukey a 5% de probabilidade para comparação entre as médias. De posse dos dados coletados verificou-se que entre às 13:00 h e 17:00 h e durante o período após o parto os animais ficaram expostos ao ambiente de desconforto térmico sendo este o fator responsável pela alteração na frequência respiratória, principalmente quando associado à ingestão de alimentos. Os valores médios (p<0,05) de temperatura de superfície corporal e retal foram superiores no período após o parto, porém não expressaram desconforto térmico das matrizes suínas. A criação desses animais na região do semiárido mineiro é possível, porém é necessário que sejam adotadas medidas como o uso de ventiladores e manejo de cortinas para minimizar o estresse calórico dos animais

Performance of horses of Mangalarga Marchador breed: man and animal relations

The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of the trainer and the adopted daily work on the behavior and performance of horses of the Mangalarga Marchador breed on a horse farm and in racetracks in northern Minas Gerais State, Brazil. Twenty equines and nine trainers from four farms and three competition events of the breed were observed. The experiment was divided into two stages. In the first stage, the animals were observed together with their trainer on the farm, during the daily work, and the behavior reactions were recorded based on scores. The duration of training and the behavior told by the trainer of the animal were recorded in scores. The second stage happened in three competitions of the breed in agricultural fairs. The same observations were made on horse farms, including the behavior of the animal, before and after the trial, as well as the emotional state in the same period. For data analysis, multivariate statistics were used based on the principal components and factor analysis, using the statistical software R (version 3.3.2). From the data analyzed, it was verified that the variables embouchure, behavior and voice of the presenter, and reward and incentive in the competition influenced the reactivity of the animal. Variables of human behavior in training influenced the animal behavior variables in training. The behavior of the trainer and the form of the training, as well as the fact that the trainer is the presenter, interfered in the behavior of the horses on the horse farm and in the competitions, resulting in safer animals. However, the need for time adaptation and training management is necessary for the whole man × animal relation to get better rankings in the race competition

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 domestic dogs, these species have been threatened locally, regionally, or even across their full distribution ranges. The Neotropics harbor 21 species of armadillos, 10 anteaters, and 6 sloths. Our data set 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 southern United States, Mexico, and Caribbean countries at the northern portion of the Neotropics, to the austral distribution in Argentina, Paraguay, Chile, and Uruguay. Regarding anteaters, Myrmecophaga tridactyla has the most records (n = 5,941), and Cyclopes sp. have the fewest (n = 240). The armadillo species with the most data is Dasypus novemcinctus (n = 11,588), and the fewest data are recorded for Calyptophractus retusus (n = 33). With regard 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 data sets of Neotropical Series that 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 data set. Please cite this data paper when using its data in publications. We also request that researchers and teachers inform us of how they are using these data