Assessing the taxonomic status of the Gray Brocket Mazama simplicicornis argentina Lönnberg, 1919 (Artiodactyla: Cervidae)

Mazama simplicicornis argentina is the name that was given to describe a gray brocket collected by Lönberg in 1919 in the central Chaco region of Argentina. Subsequent authors, based on morphological similarities, considered this name to be a synonym for the species Subulo gouazoubira Fischer, 1814 from Paraguay. In the absence of genetic analyses to compare the Argentinian and Paraguayan gray brockets, we aimed to clarify the taxonomy of M. simplicicornis argentina through an integrative assessment using morphological, cytogenetical, and molecular data from its holotype and a current topotype. Qualitative skull features and cranio-morphometric results of M. simplicicornis argentina showed a great similarity with the S. gouazoubira neotype characters. The diploid chromosome number of M. simplicicornis argentinatopotype corresponded with the karyotypical pattern of S. gouazoubira with 2n = 70 and FN = 70, showing a great similarity in all classic and molecular cytogenetic results and revealing the homologies between karyotypes. The phylogenetic analysis of mitochondrial genes used in this study (concatenated partial ND5 and Cytb gene) allocated the M. simplicicornis argentina specimens in the monophyletic clade of S. gouazoubira with a branch value of 100%. These results show that there is no discontinuity between the Argentinian and Paraguayan gray brockets. Therefore, the individuals originally described as M. simplicicornis argentina should be recognized as S. gouazoubira

Assessing the taxonomic status of the Gray Brocket Mazama simplicicornis argentina Lönnberg, 1919 (Artiodactyla: Cervidae)

Mazama simplicicornis argentina is the name that was given to describe a gray brocket collected by Lönberg in 1919 in the central Chaco region of Argentina. Subsequent authors, based on morphological similarities, considered this name to be a synonym for the species Subulo gouazoubira Fischer, 1814 from Paraguay. In the absence of genetic analyses to compare the Argentinian and Paraguayan gray brockets, we aimed to clarify the taxonomy of M. simplicicornis argentina through an integrative assessment using morphological, cytogenetical, and molecular data from its holotype and a current topotype. Qualitative skull features and cranio-morphometric results of M. simplicicornis argentina showed a great similarity with the S. gouazoubira neotype characters. The diploid chromosome number of M. simplicicornis argentinatopotype corresponded with the karyotypical pattern of S. gouazoubira with 2n = 70 and FN = 70, showing a great similarity in all classic and molecular cytogenetic results and revealing the homologies between karyotypes. The phylogenetic analysis of mitochondrial genes used in this study (concatenated partial ND5 and Cytb gene) allocated the M. simplicicornis argentina specimens in the monophyletic clade of S. gouazoubira with a branch value of 100%. These results show that there is no discontinuity between the Argentinian and Paraguayan gray brockets. Therefore, the individuals originally described as M. simplicicornis argentina should be recognized as S. gouazoubira

Conservação de animais e o ensino de biologia

The PROEX/UNESP Project “Taxidermia de Animais Domésticos e Selvagens” (Taxidermy Domestic and Wildlife) was proposed in order to preserve the exterior of animals through taxidermy technique and present them in schools and in events of course of Biological Sciences, Unesp, Jaboticabal. The project favored understanding of biodiversity and popularization of scientific knowledge in public schools. Also, it resulted in the educational exchange between professors of science and biology in the region, with teachers and students of FCAV, participation in scientific projects and transfer of technical guidelines. Disclosure of taxidermy technique promotes democratization of knowledge and effective participation of the university in society, favoring the improvement of the quality of education.O projeto PROEX/UNESP “Taxidermia de Animais Domésticos e Selvagens” foi proposto com o objetivo de preservar o exterior dos animais por meio da técnica de taxidermia e apresentá-los em escolas e em eventos do curso de Ciências Biológicas da Unesp, Campus de Jaboticabal. O projeto favoreceu a compreensão da biodiversidade e a popularização do conhecimento científico em escolas públicas. Possibilitou, ainda, o intercâmbio pedagógico entre docentes de Ciências e Biologia da região, com docentes e alunos da FCAV, participação em projetos científicos e repasse de orientações técnicas. A divulgação da técnica de taxidermia promove democratização do conhecimento e participação efetiva da universidade na sociedade, favorecendo a melhoria da qualidade do ensino

Perfil dos alunos de escolas da rede pública que participam do projeto Anatomia e qualidade de vida

The PROEX/UNESP project “Descobrindo a Anatomia” (Finding out about anatomy) intends to take the laboratory to the public schools that has lackness of didactic resources. Due the need to improve the students awareness about concepts of health and quality of life of the different systems of the body. In the beginning of the projects, we have applied a questionnaire to know the socio economic profile of the students and to evaluate their perception about education in these days.O projeto PROEX/UNESP “Descobrindo a anatomia” pretende levar o laboratório até as escolas públicas que carecem de recursos didáticos. Devido à necessidade da conscientizar alunos da rede municipal sobre bons hábitos de vida, atrelamos conceitos de saúde e qualidade de vida aos diferentes sistemas do corpo. No início do projeto aplicamos um questionário para levantamento de perfil sócio econômico dos alunos e para avaliar a percepção dos mesmos sobre o ensino na atualidade

Revalidation of Passalites Gloger, 1841 for the Amazon brown brocket deer P. nemorivagus (Cuvier, 1817) (Mammalia, Artiodactyla, Cervidae)

Mazama nemorivaga (Cuvier, 1817) is a gray brocket deer that inhabits the Amazon region. An assessment of previous studies revealed inconsistencies in its current taxonomic classification, suggesting the need for an update in its genus classification. A taxonomic repositioning of this species is proposed through the collection of a specimen from its type locality (French Guiana) with subsequent morphological (coloring pattern, body measurements, and craniometry), cytogenetics (G Band, C Band, conventional Giemsa, Ag-NOR staining, and BAC probe mapping), and molecular phylogenetic analysis (mitochondrial genes Cyt B of 920 bp, COI I of 658 bp, D-loop 610 bp), and comparisons with other specimens of the same taxon, as well as other Neotropical deer species. The morphological and cytogenetic differences between this and other Neotropical Cervidae confirm the taxon as a unique and valid species. The phylogenetic analysis evidenced the basal position of the M. nemorivaga specimens within the Blastocerina clade. This shows early diversification and wide divergence from the other species, suggesting that the taxon should be transferred to a different genus. A taxonomic update of the genus name is proposed through the validation of Passalites Gloger, 1841, with Passalites nemorivagus (Cuvier, 1817) as the type species. Future research should focus on evaluating the potential existence of other species within the genus Passalites, as suggested in the literature