A lateralidade consiste na predominância hemisférica do cérebro e foi constada em diferentes animais: em diversos primatas e em camundongos manifesta-se na destreza manual; em baleias, no desgaste mandibular; e em cães, no abanar da cauda. Trinomys yonenagae, popularmente conhecido como rabo-de-facho, é um rato-de-espinho endêmico das dunas de areia fixas à margem esquerda do rio São Francisco (BA) e demonstra habilidade com as patas dianteiras, no manuseio de sementes, e traseiras, no comportamento de cavar. O objetivo deste estudo é verificar se existem traços de lateralidade neste roedor. Investigamos preferência motora através de teste de alcance de sementes, baseado no teste de Collins (16 e 16), e da análise post mortem da diferença entra a massa das patas dianteiras (21 e 21). A lateralidade em atividades de consumo hídrico foi verificada por meio da preferência entre dois bebedouros, conforme o teste de Richter (7 e 7). Analisamos também a preferência ao posicionar a cauda em situações solitárias (5 e 4). Adotamos o grau de lateralidade (GL) como a diferença entre os lados direito e esquerdo, normalizados ao serem divididos pela sua soma. Categorizamos como lateralidade apenas |GL|>0,05 (i.e., diferença de 5% entre os lados). A cauda das é posicionada a maior parte do tempo à direita, resultando em consistente preferência amostral de 41% a mais do que o posicionamento à esquerda. Em nota-se a preferência pelo posicionamento à direita em dois indivíduos e à esquerda em um, sendo os dois restantes sem preferência. No teste de consumo hídrico, nota-se em preferência pelo bebedouro esquerdo, sendo a diferença de preferência deste com o bebedouro direito de 51% (GL=0,51), uma assimetria consistente em 6/7 sujeitos. Em machos, entretanto, a preferência se apresenta pouco consistente, sendo a diferença de preferência entre os bebedouros reduzida a 20% (GL=0,20). Em média não há lateralidade a nível amostral na massa das patas, uma vez que, tanto em quanto em , |GL|<0,05. Ainda, a distribuição de GL na amostra corresponde a uma distribuição normal (Kolmogorov-Smirnov; sig.=0,95 para ; sig.=0,66 para ). Entretanto, em análise individual, entre as 14% apresentam preferência na pata direita e 5% na pata esquerda; entre , 19% preferem a pata direita e 14% a pata esquerda.Os experimentos de alcance de sementes não foram promissores, uma vez que os sujeitos tentam acessar as sementes com o focinho ou cavando a superfície. Concluímos que a lateralidade em T. yonenagae, quando presente, é mais consistente em do que em , sugerindo um dimorfismo sexual na dominância hemisférica da espécie. A preferência por posicionara cauda à esquerda pode atuar como sinal comportamental de gênero entre os rabos-defacho, uma vez que estes não apresentam dimorfismo sexual de massa e as fêmeas têm fase de estro muito curta, não oferecendo diferenças conspícuas entre os sexos. Finalmente, apontamos a necessidade de testes diversos que permitam a investigação da lateralidade em diferentes espécies / Laterality is the hemispheric dominance of the brain and was verified in different animals: in many primates and in mice, the laterality is manifested in the manual dexterity; in whales, there are asymmetries in jaws wear; in dogs, the side by which the tail wags means different signals. Trinomys yonenagae, popularly known as rabo-defacho, is a spiny rat endemic of fixed sand dunes on the left bank of the Rio São Francisco (BA) and presents frontal paws skills in the handling of seeds, and back paws skills in the digging behavior. The objective of this study is to search for laterality evidences in this rodent. We investigated motor preference by seed range test based in Collins (16 and 16), and by post-mortem analysis of the mass difference between the frontal paws (21 and 21). Laterality in water consumption activities was verified by the preference between two water drinkers through Richter test (7 and 7). We also analyze the preferred tail position in solitary situation (5 and 4). We adopt the degree of laterality (GL) as the difference between right and left sides, normalized by being divided by their sum. It was categorized as laterality only |GL|> 0.05 (i.e., 5% difference between the sides). The tail of is positioned most of the time at right, resulting in a sample consistent preference of 41% more than the left position (GL=0,41). In , two animals preferred to place the tail at right, one at left and the other animals do not presents preference in tail placement. In the water consumption test, 6/7 of preferred consistently to use the left drinker before the right one, with an GL mean in the sample of 0,51. The, in turn, had its mean GL reduced to 0,20, as a result of inconsistent preferences. Considering the mass of the frontal paws, there are no laterality in and in, once both| GL | <0.05. The distribution of GL in the samples of paws mass analyses corresponds to a normal distribution (Kolmogorov-Smirnov; sig = 0.95 for ; sig. = 0.66 for ). However, in individual level analyses, between 14% prefer right paw and 5% the left paw; between , 19% prefer the right paw and 14% left paw. The seeds range experiments were not promising, once the subjects attempt to reach seeds with their snout or by digging the surface. We conclude that laterality, in T. yonenagae, when present, is more consistent in than , suggesting a sexual dimorphism in hemispheric dominance of the species. The preference for place the tail on the left may act as a behavioral sign between rabos-de-facho, once they have no mass dimorphism between the sexes and females presents a brief estrus phase, offering no conspicuous differences between genders. Finally, we point out the need for different tests that allows further investigation of laterality in different species

A lateralidade consiste na predominância hemisférica do cérebro e foi constada em diferentes animais: em diversos primatas e em camundongos manifesta-se na destreza manual; em baleias, no desgaste mandibular; e em cães, no abanar da cauda. Trinomys yonenagae, popularmente conhecido como rabo-de-facho, é um rato-de-espinho endêmico das dunas de areia fixas à margem esquerda do rio São Francisco (BA) e demonstra habilidade com as patas dianteiras, no manuseio de sementes, e traseiras, no comportamento de cavar. O objetivo deste estudo é verificar se existem traços de lateralidade neste roedor. Investigamos preferência motora através de teste de alcance de sementes, baseado no teste de Collins (16 e 16), e da análise post mortem da diferença entra a massa das patas dianteiras (21 e 21). A lateralidade em atividades de consumo hídrico foi verificada por meio da preferência entre dois bebedouros, conforme o teste de Richter (7 e 7). Analisamos também a preferência ao posicionar a cauda em situações solitárias (5 e 4). Adotamos o grau de lateralidade (GL) como a diferença entre os lados direito e esquerdo, normalizados ao serem divididos pela sua soma. Categorizamos como lateralidade apenas |GL|>0,05 (i.e., diferença de 5% entre os lados). A cauda das é posicionada a maior parte do tempo à direita, resultando em consistente preferência amostral de 41% a mais do que o posicionamento à esquerda. Em nota-se a preferência pelo posicionamento à direita em dois indivíduos e à esquerda em um, sendo os dois restantes sem preferência. No teste de consumo hídrico, nota-se em preferência pelo bebedouro esquerdo, sendo a diferença de preferência deste com o bebedouro direito de 51% (GL=0,51), uma assimetria consistente em 6/7 sujeitos. Em machos, entretanto, a preferência se apresenta pouco consistente, sendo a diferença de preferência entre os bebedouros reduzida a 20% (GL=0,20). Em média não há lateralidade a nível amostral na massa das patas, uma vez que, tanto em quanto em , |GL|<0,05. Ainda, a distribuição de GL na amostra corresponde a uma distribuição normal (Kolmogorov-Smirnov; sig.=0,95 para ; sig.=0,66 para ). Entretanto, em análise individual, entre as 14% apresentam preferência na pata direita e 5% na pata esquerda; entre , 19% preferem a pata direita e 14% a pata esquerda.Os experimentos de alcance de sementes não foram promissores, uma vez que os sujeitos tentam acessar as sementes com o focinho ou cavando a superfície. Concluímos que a lateralidade em T. yonenagae, quando presente, é mais consistente em do que em , sugerindo um dimorfismo sexual na dominância hemisférica da espécie. A preferência por posicionara cauda à esquerda pode atuar como sinal comportamental de gênero entre os rabos-defacho, uma vez que estes não apresentam dimorfismo sexual de massa e as fêmeas têm fase de estro muito curta, não oferecendo diferenças conspícuas entre os sexos. Finalmente, apontamos a necessidade de testes diversos que permitam a investigação da lateralidade em diferentes espécies / Laterality is the hemispheric dominance of the brain and was verified in different animals: in many primates and in mice, the laterality is manifested in the manual dexterity; in whales, there are asymmetries in jaws wear; in dogs, the side by which the tail wags means different signals. Trinomys yonenagae, popularly known as rabo-defacho, is a spiny rat endemic of fixed sand dunes on the left bank of the Rio São Francisco (BA) and presents frontal paws skills in the handling of seeds, and back paws skills in the digging behavior. The objective of this study is to search for laterality evidences in this rodent. We investigated motor preference by seed range test based in Collins (16 and 16), and by post-mortem analysis of the mass difference between the frontal paws (21 and 21). Laterality in water consumption activities was verified by the preference between two water drinkers through Richter test (7 and 7). We also analyze the preferred tail position in solitary situation (5 and 4). We adopt the degree of laterality (GL) as the difference between right and left sides, normalized by being divided by their sum. It was categorized as laterality only |GL|> 0.05 (i.e., 5% difference between the sides). The tail of is positioned most of the time at right, resulting in a sample consistent preference of 41% more than the left position (GL=0,41). In , two animals preferred to place the tail at right, one at left and the other animals do not presents preference in tail placement. In the water consumption test, 6/7 of preferred consistently to use the left drinker before the right one, with an GL mean in the sample of 0,51. The, in turn, had its mean GL reduced to 0,20, as a result of inconsistent preferences. Considering the mass of the frontal paws, there are no laterality in and in, once both| GL | <0.05. The distribution of GL in the samples of paws mass analyses corresponds to a normal distribution (Kolmogorov-Smirnov; sig = 0.95 for ; sig. = 0.66 for ). However, in individual level analyses, between 14% prefer right paw and 5% the left paw; between , 19% prefer the right paw and 14% left paw. The seeds range experiments were not promising, once the subjects attempt to reach seeds with their snout or by digging the surface. We conclude that laterality, in T. yonenagae, when present, is more consistent in than , suggesting a sexual dimorphism in hemispheric dominance of the species. The preference for place the tail on the left may act as a behavioral sign between rabos-de-facho, once they have no mass dimorphism between the sexes and females presents a brief estrus phase, offering no conspicuous differences between genders. Finally, we point out the need for different tests that allows further investigation of laterality in different species

The Amazon rainforest harbors the planet's highest biodiversity among terrestrial ecosystems; however, the biology and ecology of most of its species are unknown. Niche partitioning is considered a key factor allowing species co-existence, especially for morphological similar species such as spiny rats of the genus Proechimys. I examined the extent to which habitat differentiation, species body mass, and diet could explain the community composition of small mammals at a site in the southeastern Amazon. Moreover, I radio-tagged sympatric species of Proechimys spp. and Mesomys stimulax (an arboreal spiny rat) to obtain detailed autoecology information, including habitat use and use of space. I found support for niche partitioning among species and associated small mammal species with distinct successional phases of gap dynamics. I also observed among Proechimys spp. a typical polygynous organization: females appeared to be territorial against females of any species of their genus; but male territories overlapped with those of several females. Mesomys stimulax showed evidence of monogamy and possible sociality, although sample sizes were small. To identify the importance of small mammals as seed disperser of Brazil nut seeds, I conduct experiments using a combination of fluorescent powder, seed exclosures, and track plates in forests with and without Brazil nut groves, and in forests with and without Brazil nut harvesting. Among small mammals, only Proechimys spp. removed, dispersed, and preyed upon Brazil nut seeds. Proechimys spp. sometimes scatterhoarded these seeds, and hence have the potential to play a significant role in recruiting new Brazil nut trees. I also trapped small mammals and measured forest structures on the same sites used for the seed dispersal experiment, to determine the ecological effects of Brazil nut harvest on small mammal communities; however, my results showed little evidence of changes associated with the seed exploitation. My results highlight the importance of habitat heterogeneity in structuring small mammal communities, and indicate that forest management practices that alter habitats, such as partial logging, also can be expected to alter small mammal composition and diversity. Proechimys spp. have the potential to play an important role in the ecological restoration of intensive exploited Brazil nut groves.

The Amazon rainforest harbors the planet's highest biodiversity among terrestrial ecosystems; however, the biology and ecology of most of its species are unknown. Niche partitioning is considered a key factor allowing species co-existence, especially for morphological similar species such as spiny rats of the genus Proechimys. I examined the extent to which habitat differentiation, species body mass, and diet could explain the community composition of small mammals at a site in the southeastern Amazon. Moreover, I radio-tagged sympatric species of Proechimys spp. and Mesomys stimulax (an arboreal spiny rat) to obtain detailed autoecology information, including habitat use and use of space. I found support for niche partitioning among species and associated small mammal species with distinct successional phases of gap dynamics. I also observed among Proechimys spp. a typical polygynous organization: females appeared to be territorial against females of any species of their genus; but male territories overlapped with those of several females. Mesomys stimulax showed evidence of monogamy and possible sociality, although sample sizes were small. To identify the importance of small mammals as seed disperser of Brazil nut seeds, I conduct experiments using a combination of fluorescent powder, seed exclosures, and track plates in forests with and without Brazil nut groves, and in forests with and without Brazil nut harvesting. Among small mammals, only Proechimys spp. removed, dispersed, and preyed upon Brazil nut seeds. Proechimys spp. sometimes scatterhoarded these seeds, and hence have the potential to play a significant role in recruiting new Brazil nut trees. I also trapped small mammals and measured forest structures on the same sites used for the seed dispersal experiment, to determine the ecological effects of Brazil nut harvest on small mammal communities; however, my results showed little evidence of changes associated with the seed exploitation. My results highlight the importance of habitat heterogeneity in structuring small mammal communities, and indicate that forest management practices that alter habitats, such as partial logging, also can be expected to alter small mammal composition and diversity. Proechimys spp. have the potential to play an important role in the ecological restoration of intensive exploited Brazil nut groves.