The conflict caused by large carnivore attacks on livestock constitutes a major threat to the conservation of carnivore species worldwide. The objective of this study was to determine what factors ...influence jaguar Panthera onca and puma Puma concolor attacks on cattle at a ranch in the Brazilian Pantanal. Cattle herds were monitored for 57 months, and data were collected for each recorded mortality event. The economic impact of predation was calculated. We parameterize a generalized linear model with negative binomial error distribution to model the influence of water levels of the Paraguay River, size of cattle herd and the age structure of the herd on the monthly number of cattle killed by big cats. Over half of all recorded herd mortality events were caused by large cat predation, resulting in a maximum 2.83% of the average annual herd size and representing an annual financial loss of US$22 400.00. A positive relationship was found between the frequency of monthly attacks and the water level of the Paraguay River, whereas a negative relationship was found between monthly attacks and proportion of adult cattle in the herd. Juveniles were taken more frequently than adults. Increased water levels caused the herd to concentrate on higher ground usually near forested areas, suggesting an increase in cattle vulnerability to predation. A greater proportion of adults in the herd may also increase the possibility for defensive behavior, likely resulting in greater protection of younger cattle. Understanding the factors that predispose cattle to predation by big cats contributes to the establishment of management strategies that may reduce losses and, ultimately, conflict.
Satellite telemetry is an increasingly utilized technology in wildlife research, and current devices can track individual animal movements at unprecedented spatial and temporal resolutions. However, ...as we enter the golden age of satellite telemetry, we need an in-depth understanding of the main technological, species-specific and environmental factors that determine the success and failure of satellite tracking devices across species and habitats. Here, we assess the relative influence of such factors on the ability of satellite telemetry units to provide the expected amount and quality of data by analyzing data from over 3,000 devices deployed on 62 terrestrial species in 167 projects worldwide. We evaluate the success rate in obtaining GPS fixes as well as in transferring these fixes to the user and we evaluate failure rates. Average fix success and data transfer rates were high and were generally better predicted by species and unit characteristics, while environmental characteristics influenced the variability of performance. However, 48% of the unit deployments ended prematurely, half of them due to technical failure. Nonetheless, this study shows that the performance of satellite telemetry applications has shown improvements over time, and based on our findings, we provide further recommendations for both users and manufacturers.
Abstract
The conflict caused by large carnivore attacks on livestock constitutes a major threat to the conservation of carnivore species worldwide. The objective of this study was to determine what ...factors influence jaguar
P
anthera onca
and puma
P
uma concolor
attacks on cattle at a ranch in the
B
razilian
P
antanal. Cattle herds were monitored for 57 months, and data were collected for each recorded mortality event. The economic impact of predation was calculated. We parameterize a generalized linear model with negative binomial error distribution to model the influence of water levels of the
P
araguay River, size of cattle herd and the age structure of the herd on the monthly number of cattle killed by big cats. Over half of all recorded herd mortality events were caused by large cat predation, resulting in a maximum 2.83% of the average annual herd size and representing an annual financial loss of
US
$22 400.00. A positive relationship was found between the frequency of monthly attacks and the water level of the
P
araguay River, whereas a negative relationship was found between monthly attacks and proportion of adult cattle in the herd. Juveniles were taken more frequently than adults. Increased water levels caused the herd to concentrate on higher ground usually near forested areas, suggesting an increase in cattle vulnerability to predation. A greater proportion of adults in the herd may also increase the possibility for defensive behavior, likely resulting in greater protection of younger cattle. Understanding the factors that predispose cattle to predation by big cats contributes to the establishment of management strategies that may reduce losses and, ultimately, conflict.
Our understanding of mammal ecology has always been hindered by the difficulties of observing species in closed tropical forests. Camera trapping has become a major advance for monitoring terrestrial ...mammals in biodiversity rich ecosystems. Here we compiled one of the largest datasets of inventories of terrestrial mammal communities for the Neotropical region based on camera trapping studies. The dataset comprises 170 surveys of medium to large terrestrial mammals using camera traps conducted in 144 areas by 74 studies, covering six vegetation types of tropical and subtropical Atlantic Forest of South America (Brazil and Argentina), and present data on species composition and richness. The complete dataset comprises 53,438 independent records of 83 species of mammals, includes 10 species of marsupials, 15 rodents, 20 carnivores, eight ungulates and six armadillos. Species richness averaged 13 species (±6.07 SD) per site. Only six species occurred in more than 50% of the sites: the domestic dog Canis familiaris, crab‐eating fox Cerdocyon thous, tayra Eira barbara, south American coati Nasua nasua, crab‐eating raccoon Procyon cancrivorus and the nine‐banded armadillo Dasypus novemcinctus. The information contained in this dataset can be used to understand macroecological patterns of biodiversity, community, and population structure, but also to evaluate the ecological consequences of fragmentation, defaunation, and trophic interactions.
The rate of deforestation and the number of large wildfires are increasing in the Amazon. Illegal loggers, miners, ranchers, and farmers all have contributed to this increase. Their activities have ...dramatic consequences for biodiversity, ecological services, and people. In this study, we estimated the number of jaguars affected by deforestation. We focused on the Brazilian Amazon from August 2016 to December 2019. Further, we analyzed the effects of socio‐geographic determinants of deforestation and state policies. To do so, we used deforestation data from DETER‐B satellite system. The number of jaguars within each deforested area was pulled from a previous study, which provided jaguar abundances for jaguar entire range. We assumed all jaguars within a deforested area were affected (displaced or killed). To determine the underlying causes of jaguar loss, we regressed the number of jaguars lost per state and year against the proportion of total forest area within reserves, distance to forest border, and monetary efficiency in cattle production. We estimate a total of 1,422 jaguars have been displaced/killed in recent years (2016: 488, 2017: 360, 2018: 268, 2019: 354). Only the proportion of protected area had an effect in reducing jaguar deforestation. We discuss how our work could result in near real‐time monitoring of jaguar displacement and how policies such as wood certification, more efficient cattle production, and centralizing governance may be solutions.
The occurrence of coat colour polymorphisms in populations may promote the ecological success of species by permitting a wider spectrum of use of different subsets of available resources. We ...conducted an analysis of temporal segregation by comparing night brightness with nocturnal activity of spotted and melanistic oncillas (Leopardus tigrinus). Melanistic oncillas were more active during bright nights and spotted oncillas and other species were more active during dark nights. Each colour morph occupied a temporal niche outside the confidence interval of the other colour morph, demonstrating the ecological significance of polymorphic colour patterns in this felid species.
Objective
To evaluate the basal/total ratio of daily insulin dose (b/T) in outpatients with diabetes type 1 (DM1) and type 2 (DM2) on basal-bolus regimen, by investigating whether there is a ...relationship with HbA1c and episodes of hypoglycemia.
Methods
Multicentric, observational, cross-sectional study in Italy. Adult DM1 (
n
= 476) and DM2 (
n
= 541) outpatients, with eGFR >30 mL/min/1.73 m
2
, on a basal-bolus regimen for at least six months, were recruited from 31 Italian Diabetes services between March and September 2016.
Clinicaltrials.gov
ID: NCT03489031.
Results
Total daily insulin dose was significantly higher in DM2 patients (52.3 ± 22.5 vs. 46 ± 20.9 U/day), but this difference disappeared when insulin doses were normalized for body weight. The b/T ratio was lower than 0.50 in both groups: 0.46 ± 0.14 in DM1 and 0.43 ± 0.15 in DM2 patients (
p
= 0.0011). The b/T was significantly higher in the patients taking metformin in both groups, and significantly different according to the type of basal insulin (Degludec, 0.48 in DM1 and 0.44 in DM2; Glargine, 0.44 in DM1 and 0.43 in DM2; Detemir, 0.45 in DM1 and 0.39 in DM2). The b/T ratio was not correlated in either group to HbA1c or incidence of hypoglycemia (<40 mg/dL, or requiring caregiver intervention, in the last three months). In the multivariate analysis, metformin use and age were independent predictors of the b/T ratio in both DM1 and DM2 patients, while the type of basal insulin was an independent predictor only in DM1.
Conclusion
The b/T ratio was independent of glycemic control and incidence of hypoglycemia.
Use of foot snares to capture large felids Araujo, Gediendson Ribeiro; Deco‐Souza, Thyara; Morato, Ronaldo Gonçalves ...
Methods in ecology and evolution,
February 2021, 2021-02-00, 20210201, Letnik:
12, Številka:
2
Journal Article
Recenzirano
Odprti dostop
The study of free‐living felids requires the capture of individuals from the wild to collect biological samples and to equip them with GPS‐satellite collars for telemetry monitoring. The traditional ...methods used by researchers to capture wild felids are box traps and trained hounds, both of which have disadvantages.
We present the description of the foot snare and the adaptations required for the capture of jaguars and cougars, showing its efficiency.
The foot snare consists of a combination of structures. It is composed of a thrower system, which is responsible for closing the steel cable noose on the paw of the animal; a holding system, which is responsible for securing the animal safely, after stepping into the trap; and a monitoring system, consisting of a VHF transmitter that allows remote monitoring of the snares. The snares are set on trails and roads according to the presence of tracks, scats and other evidence indicating use by the two species of large felids or as determined by monitoring camera traps.
Thirty jaguars (16 females and 14 males) and six cougars (all males) were captured. Three jaguars in the Pantanal were captured more than once, therefore totalling 34 capture events. Snares have been demonstrated to be a safe and efficient method to capture these felids.
Resumo
O estudo de felídeos selvagens de vida livre requer a captura de indivíduos da natureza para colher amostras biológicas e equipá‐los com colares com GPS para monitoramento por telemetria. Os métodos tradicionais utilizados pelos pesquisadores para capturar felídeos selvagens são armadilhas de gaiolas e cães treinados, ambos apresentando desvantagens.
Apresentamos a descrição da técnica de laço e as adaptações necessárias para a captura de onçaspintadas e onças‐pardas, comprovando sua eficiência.
O laço consiste em uma combinação de estruturas. É composto por um sistema de gatilho, responsável por fechar o laço do cabo de aço na pata do animal; um sistema de contenção, responsável por proteger o animal com segurança, depois de entrar na armadilha; e um sistema de monitoramento, consistindo em um transmissor VHF que permite o monitoramento remoto das armadilhas. As armadilhas são colocadas em trilhas e estradas de acordo com a presença de trilhas, arranhados e outras evidências indicando o uso pelas duas espécies de felídeos grandes, ou conforme determinado pelo monitoramento das armadilhas fotográficas.
Trinta onças‐pintadas (16 fêmeas e 14 machos) e seis onças‐pardas (todos machos) foram capturados. Três onças‐pintadas no Pantanal foram capturadas mais de uma vez, totalizando 34 eventos de captura. As armadilhas provaram ser um método seguro e eficiente para capturar estes felídeos.
•Absence of Cytauxzoon sp. in wild felids in a locality with the absence of the possible vector Amblyomma sculptum;.•High occurrence of Cytauxzoon spp. in wild felids infested by Amblyomma ...sculptum;.•Consolidation of the hypothesis that the jaguar is a natural reservoir of Cytauxzoon spp., related to the detection of parasitism for long periods and the absence of clinical and physiological changes.
Cytauxzoonosis is an acute and highly lethal tick-borne disease of wild and domestic cats, and is widely distributed in Africa, Asia, Europe, the USA and Brazil. So far, only two tick species present on the USA are experimentally confirmed in Cytauxzoon transmission however, in Brazil and other continents, the epidemiology of the disease remains unknown. Evidences points to Panthera onca as a possible reservoir, but there is no evidence to point the vector. Therefore, this study evaluates the presence of Cytauxzoon spp. in wild felids from areas with and without records of Amblyomma sculptum this ixodid for comparison. Overall, 53 blood samples of P. onca, Puma concolor, and Leopardus pardalis from the Midwest region (MR; region with A. sculptum) and 143 blood and/or spleen samples from Leopardus geoffroyi, Leopardus wiedii, Leopardus munoai, Leopardus guttulus, Herpailurus yagouaroundi, L. pardalis, and P. concolor from Rio Grande do Sul State (RS; without A. sculptum). Only one feline sample was negative for Cytauxzoon sp. from MR; no samples from RS were positive. In total, 507 ticks were identified from MR felids, with predominance of A. sculptum (69.23%). In RS, there were 93 ixodids, of which 90.32% were Amblyomma aureolatum. The difference in the tick fauna of the two regions studied (presence/absence of A. sculptum) reflects the results found. This study highlighted A. sculptum as a possible vector since this hemoparasite was abundantly observed in areas where it occurs, also, there was no evidence of Cytauxzoon spp. where it was absent. Additionally, the study supported the suggestion that P. onca is the reservoir for the agent in MR.
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