The Cypress Hills Formation of Saskatchewan preserves sediments of Uintan (middle Eocene) to Hemingfordian (middle Miocene) age, but the best-represented period is the Chadronian North American Land Mammal Age. The best-known site, with the richest biodiversity known for the area, is the middle Chadronian Calf Creek Locality, from which over 70 mammal and 25 non-mammal species are known. The majority of these taxa have been described in the literature, but the portion of the fauna which includes the "insectivores," members of the orders Leptictida, Apatotheria, and Lipotyphla, have not been formally described.<p> The following thesis identifies and describes the insectivores and chiropterans of the Calf Creek Locality, together with the same groups from the nearby Chadronian-aged Horse Locality. The inclusion of the Horse Locality specimens serves three purposes: (1) to begin the formal description of material from the Horse Locality, (2) to compare the two faunas to identify possible differences between the two, and (3) to allow for analysis of the implications of any faunal differences in terms of age and environment of the two sites. <p>The insectivore faunas of the two sites are found to be very similar, with the same genera and common species occurring at both localities. Six species-level differences are reported, all within relatively rare taxa; in most cases rare taxa were found at the Calf Creek but not at the Horse Locality. It seems likely that most of the specific differences result from the smaller collection size of the Horse Locality rather than from age-related species turnover. Although the non-insectivore taxa suggest that the Horse Locality dates from either later in the middle Chadronian or the Late Chadronian, an evolutionary change between the Calf Creek and the Horse localities could not be confirmed in the groups studied here.

The Cypress Hills Formation of Saskatchewan preserves sediments of Uintan (middle Eocene) to Hemingfordian (middle Miocene) age, but the best-represented period is the Chadronian North American Land Mammal Age. The best-known site, with the richest biodiversity known for the area, is the middle Chadronian Calf Creek Locality, from which over 70 mammal and 25 non-mammal species are known. The majority of these taxa have been described in the literature, but the portion of the fauna which includes the "insectivores," members of the orders Leptictida, Apatotheria, and Lipotyphla, have not been formally described.<p> The following thesis identifies and describes the insectivores and chiropterans of the Calf Creek Locality, together with the same groups from the nearby Chadronian-aged Horse Locality. The inclusion of the Horse Locality specimens serves three purposes: (1) to begin the formal description of material from the Horse Locality, (2) to compare the two faunas to identify possible differences between the two, and (3) to allow for analysis of the implications of any faunal differences in terms of age and environment of the two sites. <p>The insectivore faunas of the two sites are found to be very similar, with the same genera and common species occurring at both localities. Six species-level differences are reported, all within relatively rare taxa; in most cases rare taxa were found at the Calf Creek but not at the Horse Locality. It seems likely that most of the specific differences result from the smaller collection size of the Horse Locality rather than from age-related species turnover. Although the non-insectivore taxa suggest that the Horse Locality dates from either later in the middle Chadronian or the Late Chadronian, an evolutionary change between the Calf Creek and the Horse localities could not be confirmed in the groups studied here.

Many bat species in Europe have undergone severe population declines during the last century and one of the driving causes is believed to be the loss of roosting and foraging habitat through agricultural expansion and intensification. Modern agricultural practices have also had strong negative effects on many insect groups, such as moths, which are important components of the diets of many bat species. Agri-environment schemes (AES) have been introduced in many countries as an attempt to counteract the negative effects of intensive agriculture on biodiversity by providing financial incentives for farmers to adopt environmentally-sensitive agricultural practices. AES are potentially beneficial to bats and nocturnal insects, but the response of these taxa to their implementation had not been assessed prior to this study. Here, the potential benefits (or otherwise) that bats and their insect prey species gain from the implementation of certain AES management prescriptions was assessed using ultrasonic detectors (to assess bat activity levels) and heath light traps (to quantify nocturnal insect abundance) at 18 pairs of AES and conventionally-managed farms. In addition, the influence of the surrounding landscape on bats and insects was quantified to evaluate the relevance of a landscape-scale management approach for the conservation of these taxa. Some of the AES prescriptions assessed in this study benefited moths (and are potentially beneficial for moth-eating bats), but not Pipistrelle bats nor their insect prey. The most important factors associated with bat activity on farmland were metrics related to woodland configuration in the surrounding landscape, which suggests that conservation efforts for bats should focus on the creation and management of this habitat. Currently, some AES prescriptions aim to increase the amount and quality of woodland on agricultural land, but little is known about how woodland character relates to bat abundance and insect prey availability; therefore, recommendations for woodland creation and management rarely consider the requirements of foraging bats. Here, the influence of woodland character (e.g. vegetation structure and patch configuration) on bats and nocturnal insects was assessed. Vegetation surveys were conducted and Geographic Information Systems (GIS) were used to quantify the vegetation character and spatial configuration of 34 woodland patches within farmland. Two complementary methods (acoustic monitoring and bat trapping assisted by an acoustic lure) were used to assess the influence of woodland vegetation character, patch configuration and the surrounding landscape on bat populations. Nocturnal insect abundance at each site was assessed using heath light traps. Data presented here demonstrate that bats show species-specific associations with woodland vegetation structure and patch configuration; patterns of higher bat abundance and activity at small and isolated woodland patches suggest that bats utilize this habitat more intensively in landscapes where woodland is scarce. This thesis also shows that moths are strongly influenced by woodland character; in general, large woodland patches of compact shapes, composed of a large number of native tree species and a dense understory cover, and located close to other woodlands were associated with high moth abundance and species richness (and are potentially valuable for moth-eating bats). Other nocturnal insects (mainly Diptera) were not influenced by woodland character. This study also shows that bats and nocturnal insects are influenced by the landscape context; moths are mainly influenced by the extent of semi-natural environment (such as rough grassland and scrub) within small spatial scales (within 250 m; although effects of woodland extent were detected at larger spatial scales for woodland specialists moths). Bats are mainly influenced by woodland-related landscape metrics. Some bat species are influenced by the surrounding landscape at large spatial scales (within 3 km) and would benefit from woodland creation and management at a wide-landscape-scale. The findings presented in this thesis have important management implications for the design of agri-environment schemes. A list of management recommendations to optimize the benefits that bats and nocturnal insects gain from these schemes is presented in the final section.

Plantations are widespread throughout temperate regions, and the area of plantation land cover is predicted to get larger in the future. Interest in ensuring sustainable plantation management is also growing, as it is increasingly recognised that productive areas should play a role in biodiversity conservation. Plantation landscapes can comprise the majority of forested cover in some countries, but taxon-specific guidance can be lacking, due to plantations often being under surveyed. Therefore, despite substantial incentives existing to ensure that plantations meet various ecological criteria, plantation managers lack the information necessary to implement effective management plans. Many bat species have undergone widespread declines in recent decades, attributed to habitat loss and fragmentation, particularly of forested habitat. In many temperate countries, historical deforestation has resulted in very low native tree cover, and subsequently, considerable replanting with non-native commercial coniferous plantations has taken place. Species specific habitat surveys have often demonstrated avoidance of conifer plantations by bats, which has been attributed to a lack of roosts and low invertebrate prey abundance. Furthermore, widespread lepidopteran declines have been partly attributed to afforestation with non-native conifer, but moth associations with commercial coniferous plantations are usually only studied for pest species. Bats present a particular challenge in plantation landscapes; tree cover is important to many species to a greater or lesser extent, and in the United Kingdom, destruction of a roost site is illegal, regardless of whether it was deliberate or accidental. However, the extent to which bats associate with non-native commercial plantations is relatively unexplored. This is the first study to explicitly test bat associations with Picea sitchensis plantations (using acoustic detectors, trapping and radio tracking), and shows that, contrary to expectations, they may be an important habitat for breeding populations of Pipistrellus spp., particularly P. pygmaeus. High levels of activity were recorded for both P. pygmaeus and P. pipistrellus, despite little difference in dipteran abundance between different stand types, both species preferentially foraged in felled or less dense stands. This suggests that bats preferentially forage in areas with less acoustic and physical clutter, which will increase foraging efficiency. The impacts of felling in non-native commercial coniferous plantations on foraging activity was tested, for the first time, using a Before – After – Control – Impact experimental design. Bat activity (specifically P. pipistrellus and Nyctalus) increased after felling, particularly in smaller stands. In contrast felling had significant, negative impacts on moth abundance, species richness and diversity, and these effects remain after constraining for functional trait similarity. Reductions in richness and diversity in response to felling were similarly large for both rare and abundant species. Therefore, while bats may benefit from clear fell practices, albeit as long as the size of patches is small, moth populations could benefit from a shift towards other forestry methods, iv such as continuous cover forestry. These results also have implications for the recent, but increasing practice of siting wind turbines in commercial coniferous plantations, as pre-installation preparation involves clearing small patches of forest which may attract foraging bats; post felling monitoring should be carried out to examine potential impacts on bat populations. The presence of broadleaf trees in and around plantations significantly increased moth richness, mostly through increased occurrence of rare species. Broadleaf woodlands (defined as land spanning more than 0.5 ha, with trees higher than 5m and a combined cover of shrubs, bushes and trees above 10%), also had higher functional redundancy than plantation sites. For a diverse moth population to persist in plantation landscapes, preserving remnant patches of broadleaf trees is essential. There was little difference in bat activity between broadleaf woodlands and plantation sites. However, bat abundance, particularly that of reproductively active females, was greater in broadleaf sites compared to plantations. This was particularly true for Myotis and Nyctalus spp., very few of which were trapped in commercial plantations. Therefore, although reproductively active female Myotis bats are present in the surrounding landscape, they do not appear to associate with plantations themselves. This may reflect a lack of roost availability; both P. pygmaeus and P. pipistrellus preferentially form large maternity colonies in buildings, but for Myotis and Nyctalus spp. which roost switch regularly and often use trees, it is unlikely many suitable roosts exist within the plantations themselves. Many substantial P. pygmaeus maternity colonies were identified in and around Galloway forest, with some holding more than 500 individuals. All maternity colonies were in buildings, and most inhabited (and one uninhabited) buildings within the plantation contained a roost. Although females occasionally used old or dead deciduous trees as temporary roosts, there was no evidence of roosting in crop trees such as P. sitchensis. During this study, the Forestry Commission installed 36 bat boxes; within 6 months over 90% had been used, with a number of harems found inside. This fast uptake compared with bat use of boxes in other locations reflects the paucity of appropriate structures for either roost or harem use in commercial plantations. Twelve bats were captured while foraging, tagged with small radio transmitters, and followed for between 2 and 6 nights during 2014 and 2015. All but one tagged female preferentially foraged within the plantation, with individuals selecting equally riparian habitats and felled stands. Tagged females which roosted furthest from the plantation had the largest home ranges; one individual flew nearly 40km each night to reach foraging areas distant from her roost, suggesting that the food availability within the plantation was sufficient to render such a long journey energetically viable. v These results have important implications for bat populations in and around commercial coniferous plantations. Far from being avoided by bats, plantation landscapes may constitute an important habitat type for both P. pygmaeus and P. pipistrellus, likely due to the high abundance of nematoceran diptera in plantation woodlands. Furthermore, plantation forests support a similar richness of moth species to urban and agricultural woodlands, including a number of declining species of special conservation concern. A list of management recommendations to benefit both bat and moth populations in commercial plantations is presented at the end of this thesis.

Nas últimas décadas os estudos sobre mamíferos fósseis do Brasil aumentaram significativamente, mas ainda assim pouco se conhece sobre o registro daqueles de pequeno porte (Didelphimorphia, Chiroptera e Rodentia, Hystricognathi). Apesar destes serem registrados para onze estados brasileiros, as ocorrências são muito pontuais e fragmentárias, exceto pela fauna de Lagoa Santa, Estado de Minas Gerais. Estudou-se os mamíferos de pequeno porte de dois sítios arqueológicos com datações que abrangem desde o Holoceno inicial (± 9.400 anos AP) até o Holoceno final (± 3.700 anos AP). Os sítios localizam-se na porção nordeste do estado, nos Municípios de Montenegro e Santo Antônio da Patrulha, no limite entre duas sub-regiões biogeográficas neotropicais, a Chaquenha e a Paranaense. Além da taxonomia, também estudou-se aspectos paleoclimáticos e paleoambientais para as duas áreas. Registrou-se 24 táxons de mamíferos de pequeno porte, sendo eles: Gracilinanus agilis, G. microtarsus, Monodelphis americana, Thylamys velutinus, Thylamys cf. T. velutinus, Didelphis sp., Philander opossum (Didelphidae), Chrotopterus auritus, Pygoderma bilabiatum (Phyllostomidae), Eptesicus brasiliensis, Eptesicus fuscus, Myotis cf. Myotis ruber, Vespertilionidae aff. Lasiurus (Vespertilionidae); Tadarida brasiliensis, Molossus molossus (Molossidae), Cavia sp., C. aperea, C. magna (Caviidae), Ctenomys sp. (Ctenomyidae), Myocastor coypus (Myocastoridae), Phyllomys sp., Euryzygomatomys mordax, Dicolpomys fossor e uma nova espécie, Clyomys sp. nov. (Echimyidae). A composição da fauna de pequenos mamíferos em ambos os sítios, especialmente em relação aos Echimyidae, evidencia uma similaridade taxonômica com a fauna de Lagoa Santa. Entre os táxons registrados, pelo menos três deles estão extintos (D. fossor, E. mordax e Clyomys sp. nov), o que poderia indicar uma maior diversidade dos Echimyidae durante o Holoceno, assim corroborando a hipótese de extinções mais tardias da fauna de roedores na região mais ao norte da América do Sul do que no extemo sul deste continente. Em relação ao paleoclima, a fauna de marsupiais e roedores caviomorfos manteve-se quase a mesma ao longo do tempo em ambas as áreas, o que pode ter-se devido a mudanças climáticas mais lentas e graduais. A ocorrência de marsupiais e roedores caviomorfos de ambientes campestres e áreas florestadas nos mesmos níveis poderia dever-se a um ambiente em mosaico, mas com predomínio dos campos. A diferença temporal no início da expansão das florestas entre as duas áreas, a qual é hipotetizada pelos dados palinológicos, não pôde ser corroborada pelo registro dos mamíferos de pequeno porte, já que desde o Holoceno inicial (± 8.000 anos AP) estavam presentes em ambos os sítios animais típicos de áreas florestadas. Os Chiroptera não contribuiram para com as análises paleoambientais e paleoclimáticas devido à sua distribuição estratigráfica irregular e o pequeno número de espécimes. As inferências paleoclimáticas e paleoambientais embora preliminares, são as primeiras com vistas ao melhor entendimento do Holoceno do Estado do Rio Grande do Sul. / During the last decades, there was an increase in the studies about the fossil mammals from Brazil, although very little is known about the record concerning those of small size (Didelphimorphia, Chiroptera e Rodentia, Hystricognathi). Although these animals are recorded for eleven Brazilian states, most occurrences are isolated and fragmentary, except from Lagoa Santa, Minas Gerais State. Small mammals from two archaeological sites were studied, dating from the Early Holocene (± 9,400 years BP) until the Late Holocene (± 3,700 years BP). The sites are in the Northeast of Rio Grande do Sul State, at Montenegro and Santo Antônio da Patrulha Counties, situated at the boundary of two neotropical biogeographic subregions, Chaco and Parana. Besides from taxonomy, there were also studied paleoclimatic and paleoenvironmental aspects of both areas. There were recorded 24 taxa of small mammal: Gracilinanus agilis, G. microtarsus, Monodelphis americana, Thylamys velutinus, Thylamys cf. T. velutinus, Didelphis sp., Philander opossum (Didelphidae), Chrotopterus auritus, Pygoderma bilabiatum (Phyllostomidae), Eptesicus brasiliensis, Eptesicus fuscus, Myotis cf. Myotis ruber, Vespertilionidae aff. Lasiurus (Vespertilionidae); Tadarida brasiliensis, Molossus molossus (Molossidae), Cavia sp., C. aperea, C. magna (Caviidae), Ctenomys sp. (Ctenomyidae), Myocastor coypus (Myocastoridae), Phyllomys sp., Euryzygomatomys mordax, Dicolpomys fossor and a new species, Clyomys sp. nov. (Echimyidae). The small mammal fauna composition from the two sites, mainly that of Echimyidae, made evident a taxonomic similarity with the fauna from Lagoa Santa. Among the taxa recorded, at least three of them are extinct (D. fossor, E. mordax and Clyomys sp. nov), what might indicate a greater diversity of Echimyidae during Holocene, in this way corroborating the hypothesis of rodent extinctions occurring much later northern than in southern South America. Concerning paleoclimatic aspects, the composition of the marsupials and caviomorphs was quite the same over time in both areas, indicating that climatic changes during the Holocene were possibly slow and gradual. The occurrence of marsupials and caviomorphs of grasslands and other ones of forested areas at the same levels incates a mosaic environment, but with grasslands predominance. The temporal difference in the beggining of forest expansion in both areas, which is hypothetized by the palynological data, could not be corroborated on the basis of the small mammals, because since Early Holocene (± 8,000 years BP) forest animals were present at both sites. Data on the Chiroptera did not contribute to the paleoclimatic and paleoenvironmental analyses, because of their irregular stratigraphic distribution and small number of specimens. The paleoclimatic and paleoenvironmental inferences although preliminary, are the first contribution to a better understanding of Holocene of Rio Grande do Sul State.

Nas últimas décadas os estudos sobre mamíferos fósseis do Brasil aumentaram significativamente, mas ainda assim pouco se conhece sobre o registro daqueles de pequeno porte (Didelphimorphia, Chiroptera e Rodentia, Hystricognathi). Apesar destes serem registrados para onze estados brasileiros, as ocorrências são muito pontuais e fragmentárias, exceto pela fauna de Lagoa Santa, Estado de Minas Gerais. Estudou-se os mamíferos de pequeno porte de dois sítios arqueológicos com datações que abrangem desde o Holoceno inicial (± 9.400 anos AP) até o Holoceno final (± 3.700 anos AP). Os sítios localizam-se na porção nordeste do estado, nos Municípios de Montenegro e Santo Antônio da Patrulha, no limite entre duas sub-regiões biogeográficas neotropicais, a Chaquenha e a Paranaense. Além da taxonomia, também estudou-se aspectos paleoclimáticos e paleoambientais para as duas áreas. Registrou-se 24 táxons de mamíferos de pequeno porte, sendo eles: Gracilinanus agilis, G. microtarsus, Monodelphis americana, Thylamys velutinus, Thylamys cf. T. velutinus, Didelphis sp., Philander opossum (Didelphidae), Chrotopterus auritus, Pygoderma bilabiatum (Phyllostomidae), Eptesicus brasiliensis, Eptesicus fuscus, Myotis cf. Myotis ruber, Vespertilionidae aff. Lasiurus (Vespertilionidae); Tadarida brasiliensis, Molossus molossus (Molossidae), Cavia sp., C. aperea, C. magna (Caviidae), Ctenomys sp. (Ctenomyidae), Myocastor coypus (Myocastoridae), Phyllomys sp., Euryzygomatomys mordax, Dicolpomys fossor e uma nova espécie, Clyomys sp. nov. (Echimyidae). A composição da fauna de pequenos mamíferos em ambos os sítios, especialmente em relação aos Echimyidae, evidencia uma similaridade taxonômica com a fauna de Lagoa Santa. Entre os táxons registrados, pelo menos três deles estão extintos (D. fossor, E. mordax e Clyomys sp. nov), o que poderia indicar uma maior diversidade dos Echimyidae durante o Holoceno, assim corroborando a hipótese de extinções mais tardias da fauna de roedores na região mais ao norte da América do Sul do que no extemo sul deste continente. Em relação ao paleoclima, a fauna de marsupiais e roedores caviomorfos manteve-se quase a mesma ao longo do tempo em ambas as áreas, o que pode ter-se devido a mudanças climáticas mais lentas e graduais. A ocorrência de marsupiais e roedores caviomorfos de ambientes campestres e áreas florestadas nos mesmos níveis poderia dever-se a um ambiente em mosaico, mas com predomínio dos campos. A diferença temporal no início da expansão das florestas entre as duas áreas, a qual é hipotetizada pelos dados palinológicos, não pôde ser corroborada pelo registro dos mamíferos de pequeno porte, já que desde o Holoceno inicial (± 8.000 anos AP) estavam presentes em ambos os sítios animais típicos de áreas florestadas. Os Chiroptera não contribuiram para com as análises paleoambientais e paleoclimáticas devido à sua distribuição estratigráfica irregular e o pequeno número de espécimes. As inferências paleoclimáticas e paleoambientais embora preliminares, são as primeiras com vistas ao melhor entendimento do Holoceno do Estado do Rio Grande do Sul. / During the last decades, there was an increase in the studies about the fossil mammals from Brazil, although very little is known about the record concerning those of small size (Didelphimorphia, Chiroptera e Rodentia, Hystricognathi). Although these animals are recorded for eleven Brazilian states, most occurrences are isolated and fragmentary, except from Lagoa Santa, Minas Gerais State. Small mammals from two archaeological sites were studied, dating from the Early Holocene (± 9,400 years BP) until the Late Holocene (± 3,700 years BP). The sites are in the Northeast of Rio Grande do Sul State, at Montenegro and Santo Antônio da Patrulha Counties, situated at the boundary of two neotropical biogeographic subregions, Chaco and Parana. Besides from taxonomy, there were also studied paleoclimatic and paleoenvironmental aspects of both areas. There were recorded 24 taxa of small mammal: Gracilinanus agilis, G. microtarsus, Monodelphis americana, Thylamys velutinus, Thylamys cf. T. velutinus, Didelphis sp., Philander opossum (Didelphidae), Chrotopterus auritus, Pygoderma bilabiatum (Phyllostomidae), Eptesicus brasiliensis, Eptesicus fuscus, Myotis cf. Myotis ruber, Vespertilionidae aff. Lasiurus (Vespertilionidae); Tadarida brasiliensis, Molossus molossus (Molossidae), Cavia sp., C. aperea, C. magna (Caviidae), Ctenomys sp. (Ctenomyidae), Myocastor coypus (Myocastoridae), Phyllomys sp., Euryzygomatomys mordax, Dicolpomys fossor and a new species, Clyomys sp. nov. (Echimyidae). The small mammal fauna composition from the two sites, mainly that of Echimyidae, made evident a taxonomic similarity with the fauna from Lagoa Santa. Among the taxa recorded, at least three of them are extinct (D. fossor, E. mordax and Clyomys sp. nov), what might indicate a greater diversity of Echimyidae during Holocene, in this way corroborating the hypothesis of rodent extinctions occurring much later northern than in southern South America. Concerning paleoclimatic aspects, the composition of the marsupials and caviomorphs was quite the same over time in both areas, indicating that climatic changes during the Holocene were possibly slow and gradual. The occurrence of marsupials and caviomorphs of grasslands and other ones of forested areas at the same levels incates a mosaic environment, but with grasslands predominance. The temporal difference in the beggining of forest expansion in both areas, which is hypothetized by the palynological data, could not be corroborated on the basis of the small mammals, because since Early Holocene (± 8,000 years BP) forest animals were present at both sites. Data on the Chiroptera did not contribute to the paleoclimatic and paleoenvironmental analyses, because of their irregular stratigraphic distribution and small number of specimens. The paleoclimatic and paleoenvironmental inferences although preliminary, are the first contribution to a better understanding of Holocene of Rio Grande do Sul State.

Orientador: Luzia Helena Queiroz da Silva / Banca: Wagner Andre Pedro / Banca: Elenice Maria Sequetin Cunha / Resumo: O diagnóstico laboratorial da raiva em morcegos é realizado utilizando-se, principalmente, o encéfalo do animal suspeito. O objetivo do presente trabalho foi testar a hipótese de que o método de aspiração com pipeta plástica (tipo Pasteur) é eficaz na obtenção de encéfalo de morcegos para a realização do diagnóstico comparado com o método tradicional de abertura de crânio. Para tanto, estudaram-se quatro espécies diferentes de morcegos, Molossus rufus (E. Geoffroy, 1805), Molossus molossus (Pallas, 1766), Artibeus lituratus (Olfers,1818) e Myotis nigricans (Schinz, 1821), totalizando 200 amostras. A quantidade de massa encefálica obtida pelo método tradicional foi significativamente maior, contudo, o material colhido pela aspiração foi suficiente para a execução do diagnóstico da doença. Ambos os métodos detectaram indivíduos positivos, sendo que o método de aspiração teve a vantagem de preservar o crânio possibilitando melhor identificação das espécies. / Abstract: Rabies diagnosis in bats is usually performed using the brain of suspected animals. The main hypothesis tested by this work was that aspiration method using plastic pipette (Pasteur type) was effective in the collection of bat brain sample for rabies diagnosis when compared to the opening skull method. A total of two hundred bats of four species were studied: Molossus rufus (E. Geoffroy, 1805), Molossus molossus (Pallas, 1766), Artibeus lituratus (Olfers, 1818) and Myotis nigricans (Schinz, 1821). The proportion of brain weight compared to body weight was statistically higher when using the traditional method, although the brain mass collected by aspiration method was enough for rabies diagnosis. Results demonstrate that independently of the collecting method, both gated to detect positive samples and the aspiration method has the advantage of skull preservation, permitting the identification of the species. / Mestre

Nas últimas décadas os estudos sobre mamíferos fósseis do Brasil aumentaram significativamente, mas ainda assim pouco se conhece sobre o registro daqueles de pequeno porte (Didelphimorphia, Chiroptera e Rodentia, Hystricognathi). Apesar destes serem registrados para onze estados brasileiros, as ocorrências são muito pontuais e fragmentárias, exceto pela fauna de Lagoa Santa, Estado de Minas Gerais. Estudou-se os mamíferos de pequeno porte de dois sítios arqueológicos com datações que abrangem desde o Holoceno inicial (± 9.400 anos AP) até o Holoceno final (± 3.700 anos AP). Os sítios localizam-se na porção nordeste do estado, nos Municípios de Montenegro e Santo Antônio da Patrulha, no limite entre duas sub-regiões biogeográficas neotropicais, a Chaquenha e a Paranaense. Além da taxonomia, também estudou-se aspectos paleoclimáticos e paleoambientais para as duas áreas. Registrou-se 24 táxons de mamíferos de pequeno porte, sendo eles: Gracilinanus agilis, G. microtarsus, Monodelphis americana, Thylamys velutinus, Thylamys cf. T. velutinus, Didelphis sp., Philander opossum (Didelphidae), Chrotopterus auritus, Pygoderma bilabiatum (Phyllostomidae), Eptesicus brasiliensis, Eptesicus fuscus, Myotis cf. Myotis ruber, Vespertilionidae aff. Lasiurus (Vespertilionidae); Tadarida brasiliensis, Molossus molossus (Molossidae), Cavia sp., C. aperea, C. magna (Caviidae), Ctenomys sp. (Ctenomyidae), Myocastor coypus (Myocastoridae), Phyllomys sp., Euryzygomatomys mordax, Dicolpomys fossor e uma nova espécie, Clyomys sp. nov. (Echimyidae). A composição da fauna de pequenos mamíferos em ambos os sítios, especialmente em relação aos Echimyidae, evidencia uma similaridade taxonômica com a fauna de Lagoa Santa. Entre os táxons registrados, pelo menos três deles estão extintos (D. fossor, E. mordax e Clyomys sp. nov), o que poderia indicar uma maior diversidade dos Echimyidae durante o Holoceno, assim corroborando a hipótese de extinções mais tardias da fauna de roedores na região mais ao norte da América do Sul do que no extemo sul deste continente. Em relação ao paleoclima, a fauna de marsupiais e roedores caviomorfos manteve-se quase a mesma ao longo do tempo em ambas as áreas, o que pode ter-se devido a mudanças climáticas mais lentas e graduais. A ocorrência de marsupiais e roedores caviomorfos de ambientes campestres e áreas florestadas nos mesmos níveis poderia dever-se a um ambiente em mosaico, mas com predomínio dos campos. A diferença temporal no início da expansão das florestas entre as duas áreas, a qual é hipotetizada pelos dados palinológicos, não pôde ser corroborada pelo registro dos mamíferos de pequeno porte, já que desde o Holoceno inicial (± 8.000 anos AP) estavam presentes em ambos os sítios animais típicos de áreas florestadas. Os Chiroptera não contribuiram para com as análises paleoambientais e paleoclimáticas devido à sua distribuição estratigráfica irregular e o pequeno número de espécimes. As inferências paleoclimáticas e paleoambientais embora preliminares, são as primeiras com vistas ao melhor entendimento do Holoceno do Estado do Rio Grande do Sul. / During the last decades, there was an increase in the studies about the fossil mammals from Brazil, although very little is known about the record concerning those of small size (Didelphimorphia, Chiroptera e Rodentia, Hystricognathi). Although these animals are recorded for eleven Brazilian states, most occurrences are isolated and fragmentary, except from Lagoa Santa, Minas Gerais State. Small mammals from two archaeological sites were studied, dating from the Early Holocene (± 9,400 years BP) until the Late Holocene (± 3,700 years BP). The sites are in the Northeast of Rio Grande do Sul State, at Montenegro and Santo Antônio da Patrulha Counties, situated at the boundary of two neotropical biogeographic subregions, Chaco and Parana. Besides from taxonomy, there were also studied paleoclimatic and paleoenvironmental aspects of both areas. There were recorded 24 taxa of small mammal: Gracilinanus agilis, G. microtarsus, Monodelphis americana, Thylamys velutinus, Thylamys cf. T. velutinus, Didelphis sp., Philander opossum (Didelphidae), Chrotopterus auritus, Pygoderma bilabiatum (Phyllostomidae), Eptesicus brasiliensis, Eptesicus fuscus, Myotis cf. Myotis ruber, Vespertilionidae aff. Lasiurus (Vespertilionidae); Tadarida brasiliensis, Molossus molossus (Molossidae), Cavia sp., C. aperea, C. magna (Caviidae), Ctenomys sp. (Ctenomyidae), Myocastor coypus (Myocastoridae), Phyllomys sp., Euryzygomatomys mordax, Dicolpomys fossor and a new species, Clyomys sp. nov. (Echimyidae). The small mammal fauna composition from the two sites, mainly that of Echimyidae, made evident a taxonomic similarity with the fauna from Lagoa Santa. Among the taxa recorded, at least three of them are extinct (D. fossor, E. mordax and Clyomys sp. nov), what might indicate a greater diversity of Echimyidae during Holocene, in this way corroborating the hypothesis of rodent extinctions occurring much later northern than in southern South America. Concerning paleoclimatic aspects, the composition of the marsupials and caviomorphs was quite the same over time in both areas, indicating that climatic changes during the Holocene were possibly slow and gradual. The occurrence of marsupials and caviomorphs of grasslands and other ones of forested areas at the same levels incates a mosaic environment, but with grasslands predominance. The temporal difference in the beggining of forest expansion in both areas, which is hypothetized by the palynological data, could not be corroborated on the basis of the small mammals, because since Early Holocene (± 8,000 years BP) forest animals were present at both sites. Data on the Chiroptera did not contribute to the paleoclimatic and paleoenvironmental analyses, because of their irregular stratigraphic distribution and small number of specimens. The paleoclimatic and paleoenvironmental inferences although preliminary, are the first contribution to a better understanding of Holocene of Rio Grande do Sul State.

The fragmentation of the landscape provides, among others, the occurrence of edge habitats, implying different responses of bats in this condition. We aimed in this study to analyze the community structure of bats in edge and interior of forest environments and to characterize the activity of frugivorous species in an Atlantic Forest fragment of Sergipe, northeastern Brazil. The study was done at Refúgio de Vida Silvestre Mata do Junco (RVSMJ), municipality of Capela. The sampling occurred between November 2012 and October 2013, with monthly samples in the edge and inside the forest in two areas for three consecutive nights in each area between 1800 to 2400 p.m., using ten mist nets. With a sampling effort of 116,640 h.m² we captured 96 bats belonging to 12 species, of which Lophostoma brasiliense and Micronycteris schmidtorum represent new records to the RVSMJ and Atlantic Forest area in Sergipe. The parameters of richness, abundance and diversity did not show differences between the edge and interior. However the species composition differed between these environments and the bats had different edge-sensitivity, indicating that bats are affected by the formation of edge in the locality. Regarding the activity, the species were already active in the first hour of sampling and remained in continuous activity during the sample period. There was a high temporal overlap in activity between A. lituratus and D. cinerea (Øjk = 0,813) and between C. perspicillata and D. cinerea (Øjk = 0,734). The temporal activity pattern of the bat community at the RVSMJ showed relatively common characteristics to the activity of fruit bats, but the absence of differences between schedules and between species activities can be a reflex of the small sample size. / A fragmentação da paisagem proporciona, entre outros, a ocorrência de borda nos habitats, inferindo em respostas diferenciadas dos morcegos a essa condição. O presente estudo analisou a estrutura da comunidade de morcegos em ambientes de borda e interior e caracterizou a atividade das espécies frugívoras em um fragmento de Mata Atlântica de Sergipe, no nordeste brasileiro. O estudo foi realizado no Refúgio de Vida Silvestre Mata do Junco (RVSMJ), município de Capela. As coletas ocorreram entre novembro de 2012 a outubro de 2013, sendo amostrados mensalmente a borda e o interior da mata em duas áreas na localidade, durante três noites consecutivas em cada área entre as 18:00 e 24:00 hs, utilizando-se dez redes de neblina. Com um esforço amostral de 116.640 h.m² foram capturados 96 morcegos pertencentes a 12 espécies, das quais Lophostoma brasiliense e Micronycteris schmidtorum correspondem a novos registros para o RVSMJ e para área de Mata Atlântica em Sergipe. Os parâmetros de riqueza, abundância e diversidade não exibiram diferenças entre a borda e o interior. No entanto, a composição de espécies diferiu entre esses ambientes e os representantes deste grupo apresentaram distintas sensibilidades à borda, indicando que os morcegos são afetados pela formação de bordas na localidade. Com relação à atividade, as espécies foram ativas já na primeira hora de coleta e permaneceram com a atividade contínua durante o período amostrado. Houve uma alta sobreposição no padrão de atividade entre A. lituratus e D. cinerea (Øjk = 0,813) e entre C. perspicillata e D. cinerea (Øjk = 0,734). O padrão de atividade da quiropterofauna do RVSMJ apresentou características relativamente comuns à relatada para morcegos frugívoros, porém a ausência de diferenças entre os horários e entre a atividade das espécies pode ser reflexo do baixo número amostral.

Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior / The Caatinga is the only endemic Brazilian biome, and covers part of eight Brazilian states, mainly in the Northeast, with a total area of 735,000 km2. Its principal characteristics include a high mean annual temperatures and evapotranspiration, and a low annual precipitation, between approximately 240 mm and 1500 mm, with low relative humidity. The vegetation is composed mainly of dense, spiny shrubs adapted to the region s semi-arid conditions. The difficulties of conducting research under these conditions led to the traditional view of the Caatinga as a biome of low species diversity and endemism. However, a number of recent studies have demonstrated a relatively rich fauna and flora, including 143 species of mammals, more than half of them bats. While these animals represent three-quarters of the mammalian fauna of the Caatinga, only one species is considered to be endemic. While there have been considerable advances in the scientific knowledge on the bats of Caatinga, only 7% of its area can be considered minimally surveyed, with many data gapsfor thatregion. Data on the reproduction, systematic, diet, and distribution of bats are available for a small number of localities. In Sergipe, a total of 37 species are known to occur, although few sites have been surveyed up to now. The present study aimed to provide data on a bat community of the Caatinga in Sergipe, analyzing aspects of the ecology of this group in a relatively well-preserved habitat, with unique characteristics that have a major potential for the conservation of the region s flora and fauna. / A Caatinga é o único bioma exclusivamente brasileiro e estende-se por oito estados do nordeste e um do sudeste, cobrindo 735.000 km2. Apresenta como uma de suas principais características a alta temperatura média anual e evapotranspiração, baixa precipitação, em torno de 240 e 1500 mm, e baixa umidade relativa. A vegetação desse bioma é composta por plantas arbustivas, ramificadas e espinhosas, sendo adaptadas às condições adversas presentes nessa região. Devido a essas características estudos pretéritos apontavam a Caatinga como sendo uma área de baixa diversidade de espécies e endemismo. Entretanto, diversos estudos foram realizados e demonstraram uma alta diversidade em relação a fauna e flora. Estudos recentes reportam 143 espécies de mamíferos na Caatinga, onde mais da metade dessa riqueza é composta por morcegos. Esses animais representam 65% da mastofauna presente na Caatinga, e apenas uma espécie é considerada endêmica. Apesar do crescente avanço nos estudos com quirópteros nesse bioma, apenas 7% dessas áreas podem ser consideradas como minimamente inventariadas, havendo diversas lacunas no conhecimento desse grupo nessa área. Alguns dados relativos à reprodução, sistemática, dieta e distribuição dos morcegos foram fornecidos para poucas localidades. Em Sergipe são conhecidas 37 espécies de morcegos, onde poucas áreas foram estudadas. O presente trabalho visa contribuir com conhecimento da comunidade de morcegos na Caatinga de Sergipe, analisando aspectos ecológicos desse grupo em uma região relativamente pouco alterada, com características únicas e que apresenta um grande potencial para a conservação.