Phylogeography and demographic history of the neotropical otter (Lontra longicaudis)

The Neotropical otter (Lontra longicaudis) is a medium-sized semiaquatic carnivore with a broad distribution in the Neotropical region. Despite being apparently common in many areas, it is one of the least known otters, and genetic studies on this species are scarce. Here, we have investigated its genetic diversity, population structure, and demographic history across a large portion of its geographic range by analyzing 1471 base pairs (bp) of mitochondrial DNA from 52 individuals. Our results indicate that L. longicaudis presents high levels of genetic diversity and a consistent phylogeographic pattern, suggesting the existence of at least 4 distinct evolutionary lineages in South America. The observed phylogeographic partitions are partially congruent with the subspecies classification previously proposed for this species. Coalescence-based analyses indicate that Neotropical otter mitochondrial DNA lineages have shared a rather recent common ancestor, approximately 0.5 Ma, and have subsequently diversified into the observed phylogroups. A consistent scenario of recent population expansion was identified in Eastern South America based on several complementary analyses of historical demography. The results obtained here provide novel insights on the evolutionary history of this largely unknown Neotropical mustelid and should be useful to design conservation and management policies on behalf of this species and its habitats. © The American Genetic Association. 2012. All rights reserved

Feeding of the Neotropical River otter (Lontra longicaudis) in the coastal region of the Rio Grande do Sul state, southern Brazil

In the coastal region of the Rio Grande do Sul State, in southern Brazil, three areas were monitored to study the feeding habits of the neotropical river otter (Lontra longicaudis) using spraint analysis. The National Park of the Peixe Lagoon was monitored seasonally between August 1995 and July 1996, in the Senandes Creek five samplings were done between June and December 1995 and in the Estiva Creek monthly samplings were done between May 1995 and July 1996. In each of these areas spraints were collected and stored. In the laboratory they were washed, separated and identified. The only area where it was possible to do a seasonal analysis of the feeding habits was the Estiva Creek. In all areas fish was the item found in the great number of spraints and crustaceans also had a considerable importance in areas with salt-water influence. The other items found were present in few samples, being them mollusks, insect, reptiles, birds and mammals. The differences observed in the feeding habits of the species between seasons and areas probably reflects the availability of different preys, agreeing the species opportunism.Se monitorearon tres áreas en la región costera del estado de Rio Grande do Sul, sur de Brasil, para estudiar los hábitos alimentarios de la nutria neotropical (Lontra longicaudis) a través del análisis de heces. El Parque Nacional de Lagoa do Peixe fue monitoreado en forma estacional, entre agosto de 1995 y julio de 1996. En el arroyo Senandes fueran realizados cinco muestreos entre junio y diciembre de 1995, y en el arroyo da Estiva fueron efectuados muestreos mensuales entre mayo de 1995 y julio de 1996. En cada una de las áreas de estudio, las heces fueron recolectadas y almacenadas. En laboratorio se procedió a lavarlas, separarlas e identificarlas. La única área en la que fue posible realizar un análisis estacional del habito alimentario fue en el arroyo da Estiva. En todas las áreas, el ítem alimentario encontrado en mayor numero de heces fueron peces, en tanto que los crustáceos tuvieron importancia considerable en algunas áreas. Los demás ítems encontrados estuvieron presentes en pocas muestras, siendo estos: moluscos, insectos, reptiles, aves y mamíferos. Probablemente la diferencia encontrada en el hábito alimentario de esta especie, entre diferentes áreas y épocas del año, refleja la disponibilidad de las presas, lo que concuerda con el oportunismo que presentaria L. longicaudis

Alimentación de la nutria neotropical (Lontra longicaudis) en la región costera del estado de Rio Grande do Sul, sur de Brasil

Submitted by Suria Alves ([email protected]) on 2011-01-13T16:05:00Z No. of bitstreams: 1 FEEDING OF THE NEOTROPICAL RIVER OTTER (Lontra longicaudis) IN THE COASTAL REGION OF THE RIO GRANDE DO SUL STATE, SOUTHERN BRAZIL.pdf: 244660 bytes, checksum: e64d6f485eaccce2688660ed3cb7b175 (MD5)Approved for entry into archive by Franciele Cruz([email protected]) on 2011-01-17T19:40:24Z (GMT) No. of bitstreams: 1 FEEDING OF THE NEOTROPICAL RIVER OTTER (Lontra longicaudis) IN THE COASTAL REGION OF THE RIO GRANDE DO SUL STATE, SOUTHERN BRAZIL.pdf: 244660 bytes, checksum: e64d6f485eaccce2688660ed3cb7b175 (MD5)Made available in DSpace on 2011-01-17T19:40:24Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 FEEDING OF THE NEOTROPICAL RIVER OTTER (Lontra longicaudis) IN THE COASTAL REGION OF THE RIO GRANDE DO SUL STATE, SOUTHERN BRAZIL.pdf: 244660 bytes, checksum: e64d6f485eaccce2688660ed3cb7b175 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2000In the coastal region of the Rio Grande do Sul State, in southern Brazil, three areas were monitored to study the feeding habits of the neotropical river otter (Lontra longicaudis) using spraint analysis. The National Park of the Peixe Lagoon was monitored seasonally between August 1995 and July 1996, in the Senandes Creek five samplings were done between June and December 1995 and in the Estiva Creek monthly samplings were done between May 1995 and July 1996. In each of these areas spraints were collected and stored. In the laboratory they were washed, separated and identified. The only area where it was possible to do a seasonal analysis of the feeding habits was the Estiva Creek. In all areas fish was the item found in the great number of spraints and crustaceans also had a considerable importance in areas with salt-water influence. The other items found were present in few samples, being them mollusks, insect, reptiles, birds and mammals. The differences observed in the feeding habits of the species between seasons and areas probably reflects the availability of different preys, agreeing the species opportunism.Se monitorearon tres áreas en la región costera del estado de Rio Grande do Sul, sur de Brasil, para estudiar los hábitos alimentarios de la nutria neotropical (Lontra longicaudis) a través del análisis de heces. El Parque Nacional de Lagoa do Peixe fue monitoreado en forma estacional, entre agosto de 1995 y julio de 1996. En el arroyo Senandes fueran realizados cinco muestreos entre junio y diciembre de 1995, y en el arroyo da Estiva fueron efectuados muestreos mensuales entre mayo de 1995 y julio de 1996. En cada una de las áreas de estudio, las heces fueron recolectadas y almacenadas. En laboratorio se procedió a lavarlas, separarlas e identificarlas. La única área en la que fue posible realizar un análisis estacional del habito alimentario fue en el arroyo da Estiva. En todas las áreas, el ítem alimentario encontrado en mayor numero de heces fueron peces, en tanto que los crustáceos tuvieron importancia considerable en algunas áreas. Los demás ítems encontrados estuvieron presentes en pocas muestras, siendo estos: moluscos, insectos, reptiles, aves y mamíferos. Probablemente la diferencia encontrada en el hábito alimentario de esta especie, entre diferentes áreas y épocas del año, refleja la disponibilidad de las presas, lo que concuerda con el oportunismo que presentaria L. longicaudis

Utilisation of resting sites and dens by the neotropical river otter (Lutra longicaudis) in the south of Rio Grande do Sul state, southern Brazil

This work was undertaken between March 1997 and February 1998 and aimed at verifying the frequency of utilisation of resting sites by the neotropical river otter (Lutra longicaudis). The banks of a creek located at the northern limit of the Taim Ecological Station (RS) were searched eight times, looking for places with signs of use (footprints, scratches, spraints, etc.). On the first field trip, sites found were marked and named according to some basic characteristic that allowed its re-identification on future field trips. During this work, thirteen resting-places were found to be used only once, whilst eight were used on more than one occasion. Of these, only one was used by the species on all field trips. No otter den was found in the area during the study. Otter spraints were found at 90% of the resting sites, footprints at 12%, and scratches at 16%. All the resting sites used more than once were above water during the whole study period and only one of them was located outside the woods, being found on a grass-covered bank. Based upon the results obtained, we could hypothesise that, even though the species uses this creek for resting activities during all year, it is probable that it is not used for reproduction.Este trabajo fue realizado entre marzo de 1997 y febrero de 1998 con el objetivo de verificar la frecuencia de utilización de lugares de descanso por la nutria neotropical (Lutra longicaudis). A tal efecto, fueron recorridas durante 8 veces, las márgenes de un arroyo situado en el límite norte de la Estación Ecológica del Taim (RS), en busca de sitios con marcas de utilización del mismo por parte de la especie en estudio (huellas, arañazos, heces, etc). En la primera salida de campo, los lugares encontrados fueron marcados y denominados en relación con alguna caracteristica que permitiese su reidentificación en las otras salidas. Durante el trabajo, trece sitios de descanso no fueron reutilizados y ocho lo fueron al menos una vez. Entre estos, só1o uno fue usado por la especie en todas las salidas. Fueron encontradas heces de nutria en el 90 % de los sitios de descanso, huellas de la especie en un 12 % y arañazos en un 16 %. Todos los sitios reutilizados permanecieron fuera del agua durante todo el transcurso del estudio y sólo uno de ellos se encontraba fuera de la vegetación, habiendo sido construido en un barranco cubierto de pasto. No fue observada ninguna cueva de nutria en el área durante el periodo estudiado. En base a los resultados obtenidos se puede verificar que a pesar de que la especie utiliza este arroyo para actividades de descanso durante todo el año, es posible que no lo utilice para la reproducción

Mercury levels in tissues of Giant otters (Pteronura brasiliensis) from the Rio Negro, Pantanal, Brazil

This research reports the first data on mercury levels found in Giant otters (Pteronura brasiliensis) from South America. Mercury concentrations were analyzed from different organs/tissues of two animals found dead floating on the water of the Rio Negro in the Pantanal, Brazil. The mean mercury concentration ranged from 2.94 to 3.68 μg/g in hair, from 1.52 to 4.3 μg/g in liver, and from 1.11 to 4.59 μg/g in kidney and was 0.17 μg/g in muscle samples. In comparison with other research, there is no evidence of contamination in these animals and mercury concentrations in tissues appeared to be at levels below those associated with toxicity. © 2004 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved

Filogeografia e genética da conservação da Lontra (Lontra longicaudis) (Mammalia, Carnívora, Mustelidae)

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