Se caracterizó la dieta de Leopardus colocolo en la Reserva Nacional de Junín y alrededores, en el centro del Perú, a partir del análisis de 43 heces, las cuales fueron colectadas entre agosto del 2005 y julio del 2006 e identificadas por medio de análisis del ADN de las células epiteliales intestinales adheridas a su superficie. Para el análisis de datos se utilizaron como estimadores la frecuencia de ocurrencia y biomasa relativa de los ítems alimenticios y sus valores fueron expresados en porcentaje. Además, se estimó la amplitud del nicho trófico y se describen algunos otros aspectos relacionados a sus hábitos alimenticios. Se identificaron 14 ítems alimenticios en la dieta de L. colocolo, pertenecientes a mamíferos de las familias Cricetidae (6), Chinchillidae (1) y Caviidae (1) y aves de las familias Anatidae (3) y Rallidae (2), y un grupo de aves no identificadas (1). Los resultados obtenidos muestran que L. colocolo se alimenta principalmente de roedores y secundariamente de aves, en términos de frecuencia y biomasa. Entre los ítems alimenticios identificados, el roedor pequeño Calomys sp. constituye el principal aporte a la dieta en frecuencia, pero el mayor aporte en biomasa proviene del roedor de mediano tamaño Cavia tschudii. El análisis de la amplitud del nicho mostró un nicho trófico estrecho constituido exclusivamente por vertebrados, particularmente roedores cricétidos. El análisis estacional de la dieta de L. colocolo no mostró diferencias significativas.

Se caracterizó la dieta de Leopardus colocolo en la Reserva Nacional de Junín y alrededores, en el centro del Perú, a partir del análisis de 43 heces, las cuales fueron colectadas entre agosto del 2005 y julio del 2006 e identificadas por medio de análisis del ADN de las células epiteliales intestinales adheridas a su superficie. Para el análisis de datos se utilizaron como estimadores la frecuencia de ocurrencia y biomasa relativa de los ítems alimenticios y sus valores fueron expresados en porcentaje. Además, se estimó la amplitud del nicho trófico y se describen algunos otros aspectos relacionados a sus hábitos alimenticios. Se identificaron 14 ítems alimenticios en la dieta de L. colocolo, pertenecientes a mamíferos de las familias Cricetidae (6), Chinchillidae (1) y Caviidae (1) y aves de las familias Anatidae (3) y Rallidae (2), y un grupo de aves no identificadas (1). Los resultados obtenidos muestran que L. colocolo se alimenta principalmente de roedores y secundariamente de aves, en términos de frecuencia y biomasa. Entre los ítems alimenticios identificados, el roedor pequeño Calomys sp. constituye el principal aporte a la dieta en frecuencia, pero el mayor aporte en biomasa proviene del roedor de mediano tamaño Cavia tschudii. El análisis de la amplitud del nicho mostró un nicho trófico estrecho constituido exclusivamente por vertebrados, particularmente roedores cricétidos. El análisis estacional de la dieta de L. colocolo no mostró diferencias significativas.

Felinos selvagens são importantes reguladores de ecossistema, porém estes animais vem sofrendo uma série de ameaças, entre as quais estão as doenças, o que vem tornando imprescindível o monitoramento da saúde de populações selvagens para compreender a relação natural entre hospedeiros e parasitas e, além disso, para identificar, prevenir e manejar potenciais patógenos e fatores ambientais que possam representar uma ameaça à saúde destes animais. A partir de dados obtidos de nove jaguatiricas saudáveis e três doentes capturadas no Parque Estadual do Rio Doce nos anos de 2012 e 2013, proponho em um dos artigos apresentados nesta tese que, para obter dados mais robustos sobre a saúde de carnívoros neotropicais, sejam avaliados dados clínicos, hematológicos e bioquímicos de animais capturados. Entretanto, para que os animais possam ser avaliados, a captura dos mesmos é imprescindível. Baseada nos resultados e dificuldades obtidos com a captura das jaguatiricas, proponho, no primeiro artigo aqui apresentado, que os métodos de captura de carnívoros neotropicais sejam avaliados e comparados, buscando atender os seguintes critérios: (i) alta eficiência de captura; (ii) alta seletividade; (iii) baixa taxa de lesões; (iv) alta adequabilidade da imobilização; e (v) baixo custo. / Despite the fact that wild felids are considered important ecosystem regulators, these animals have been facing many threats, including diseases. Therefore, the monitoring of wild populations health is crucial to understand the natural relationship between hosts and parasites and, moreover, to identify, prevent and manage potential pathogens and environmental factors that may threat these felids´ health. Based on results from nine healthy ocelots and three ill ocelots captured at Rio Doce State Park in 2012 and 2013, I propose in one of the articles presented in this thesis that, to obtain consistent data on Neotropical carnivores health, the animals should be evaluated through clinical, hematological and serum chemistry data. From the difficulties and results found when capturing the ocelots, I propose, in the first article, that capture methods targeting Neotropical carnivores should be evaluated and compared, aiming the following criteria: (i) High capture efficiency; (ii) High selectivity; (iii) Low injury rate; (iv) High immobilization suitability (safe for the animal, suitable to time to procedures, fast recovery and predictable effects); and (v) Low costs.

Made available in DSpace on 2015-03-26T13:46:33Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 texto completo.pdf: 332986 bytes, checksum: 266b8ef630ac7176f6d6bad826615c84 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2006-02-24 / Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior / To study the spermatogenetic cycle in ocelots, were used, three adult males, proceeding from the Centro de Triagem de Animais Silvestres the Federal University of Viçosa and two adult males proceeding from the Fundação Zoobotânica of Belo Horizonte/MG/Brazil, authorized by the IBAMA-MG. These animals were submitted to general anesthesia, weighed and its testis were measured and biopsied to obtain, representative fragments. After this, the fragments histologically processed and analyzed in light microscopy. The average value for the age of the studied animals was 5.6 years and for the body weight was 14.5 kg. Using the volumetric calculation, it was observed a testicular mass 8.5 g. The gonadosomatic index was 0.12%, the tubulosomatic index was 0.074% and the leydigosomatic index was 0.0036%. In adult male ocelots, the testicular albuginea represents 23.42% of the testicular mass. The testicular parenchyma of adult ocelots is constituted by 80.58 % seminipherous tubules and 19.39% of intertubular tissue, with volume respective 10.53 e 2.58 ml. Most of the intertubular tissue is constituted by loose connective tissue. The mean diameter of the cross section of the seminipherous tubules in the adult ocelot was 211.37 µm, while the average thickness of seminipherous tubules was 75.38 µm. The adult ocelot presents around 17.81 m of seminipherous tubules for each gram of testis. The spermatogonias of the adult male ocelot possess a bigger coefficient of mitoses efficiency and the sperm production registered between the felines already studied. However, the Sertoli cells maintain its support capacity, in the same range observed for the felines. The spermatids reserve for each cycle of the seminipherous epithelium was approximately 3.7 billions for each gram of testis, the greatest quantity already registered between the studied mammals. The Leydig cell of ocelot presented a single, rounded nucleus with a fine layer of heterochromatin near to the nuclear envelope, and only one nucleolus. Too, it was observed a variable quantity of lipofuccin in its cytoplasm. The adult ocelot presents about 33.39 millions of Leydig cells in each gram of testis. In this animal, volume of the Leydig cells 913.39 µm3. The ocelot presents a small volume of the Leydig cell but a similar number for each gram of testis as related to other studied felines. / Foram utilizadas no presente experimento, cinco jaguatiricas machos adultas, sendo três provenientes do Centro de Triagem de Animais Silvestres da Universidade Federal de Viçosa e duas da Fundação Zoobotânica de Belo Horizonte-MG, devidamente autorizado pelo IBAMA-MG. Estes animais foram submetidos à anestesia geral, pesados, tiveram os testículos mensurados e biopsiados para obtenção de fragmentos representativos, os quais foram processados histologicamente, e analisados em microscopia de luz. A idade média dos animais estudados foi de 5,6 anos, e o peso corporal médio foi de 14,5 kg. Através do cálculo volumétrico a massa testicular média foi de 8,5 g. O índice gonadossomático encontrado foi de aproximadamente 0,12 %, o índice tubulossomático de 0,074% e o índice leydigossomático de 0,0036%. Em jaguatiricas machos adultas, a albugínea testicular representa 23,42% da massa testicular. O parênquima testicular de jaguatiricas adultas apresenta 80,58% de sua massa alocada em túbulos seminíferos e 19,39% alocados em tecido intertubular, perfazendo respectivamente um volume de 10,53 e 2,58 ml. A maior parte do tecido intertubular está alocado em tecido conjuntivo frouxamente distribuído. O diâmetro da secção transversal de túbulos seminíferos na jaguatirica adulta foi em média 211,37 µm, enquanto a espessura média do epitélio seminífero foi de 75,38 µm. A jaguatirica adulta apresenta em torno de 17,81 metros de túbulo seminífero por grama de testículo. As jaguatiricas machos adultas possuem o maior coeficiente de eficiência de mitoses espermatogoniais e rendimento geral da espermatogênese registrados entre todos os felinos já estudados; porém, a capacidade de suporte das células de Sertoli encontra-se dentro da amplitude observada para os demais felinos. A reserva de espermátides nas jaguatiricas é de aproximadamente 3,7 bilhões de espermátides produzidas a cada ciclo do epitélio seminífero por grama de testículo, sendo a maior já documentada entre os mamíferos já estudados. A célula de Leydig da jaguatirica apresentou-se uninucleada, com o núcleo arredondado contendo uma fina camada de heterocromatina ao longo do envelope nuclear e, na maioria das vezes, um único nucléolo. Observam-se, ainda, montantes variáveis de pigmentos de lipofuccina em seu citoplasma. A jaguatirica adulta apresenta cerca de 33,39 milhões de células de Leydig alocados por grama de testículo, com volume unitário de 913,39 µm3. Embora as jaguatiricas possuam células de Leydig com pequeno volume unitário, o número destas células por grama de testículo é semelhante àquele dos demais felinos estudados.

Felinos selvagens são importantes reguladores de ecossistema, porém estes animais vem sofrendo uma série de ameaças, entre as quais estão as doenças, o que vem tornando imprescindível o monitoramento da saúde de populações selvagens para compreender a relação natural entre hospedeiros e parasitas e, além disso, para identificar, prevenir e manejar potenciais patógenos e fatores ambientais que possam representar uma ameaça à saúde destes animais. A partir de dados obtidos de nove jaguatiricas saudáveis e três doentes capturadas no Parque Estadual do Rio Doce nos anos de 2012 e 2013, proponho em um dos artigos apresentados nesta tese que, para obter dados mais robustos sobre a saúde de carnívoros neotropicais, sejam avaliados dados clínicos, hematológicos e bioquímicos de animais capturados. Entretanto, para que os animais possam ser avaliados, a captura dos mesmos é imprescindível. Baseada nos resultados e dificuldades obtidos com a captura das jaguatiricas, proponho, no primeiro artigo aqui apresentado, que os métodos de captura de carnívoros neotropicais sejam avaliados e comparados, buscando atender os seguintes critérios: (i) alta eficiência de captura; (ii) alta seletividade; (iii) baixa taxa de lesões; (iv) alta adequabilidade da imobilização; e (v) baixo custo. / Despite the fact that wild felids are considered important ecosystem regulators, these animals have been facing many threats, including diseases. Therefore, the monitoring of wild populations health is crucial to understand the natural relationship between hosts and parasites and, moreover, to identify, prevent and manage potential pathogens and environmental factors that may threat these felids´ health. Based on results from nine healthy ocelots and three ill ocelots captured at Rio Doce State Park in 2012 and 2013, I propose in one of the articles presented in this thesis that, to obtain consistent data on Neotropical carnivores health, the animals should be evaluated through clinical, hematological and serum chemistry data. From the difficulties and results found when capturing the ocelots, I propose, in the first article, that capture methods targeting Neotropical carnivores should be evaluated and compared, aiming the following criteria: (i) High capture efficiency; (ii) High selectivity; (iii) Low injury rate; (iv) High immobilization suitability (safe for the animal, suitable to time to procedures, fast recovery and predictable effects); and (v) Low costs.

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El Gato Andino (Leopardus jacobita) y el Gato del Pajonal (L. colocolo) son dos especies de félidos de pequeño tamaño con una estrecha relación filogenética, por lo que comparten muchas características morfológicas y ecológicas. Además el Gato Andino se encuentra, a lo largo de toda su distribución, en simpatría con el Gato del Pajonal. La UICN los categorizó como En Peligro, en el caso del Gato andino y como Casi Amenazado, el Gato del Pajonal. Ambas especies son muy poco conocidas, aunque en los últimos años la cantidad de estudios sobre ellas ha tenido un considerable incremento. Este trabajo se propone comparar aspectos básicos de la ecología de las dos especies de félidos en un área de los Altos Andes de la Provincia de Jujuy. Los objetivos principales de esta tesis son: testear un protocolo de captura, incluyendo la sedación; describir morfométricamente (características morfológicas externas) una muestra de individuos de las dos especies; determinar el tamaño de área de acción de especímenes de Gato Andino y Gato del Pajonal; evaluar el solapamiento espacial entre ambas especies y analizar el uso del hábitat por parte de ambos félidos. Para cumplir con los objetivos, las principales metodologías utilizadas durante el trabajo fueron captura de los animales, radiotelemetría y trampeo fotográfico. Mediante 148 días de trampeo se capturaron cinco individuos de Gato Andino y cuatro de Gato del Pajonal. Se utilizaron dos tipos de trampas para la captura, cepos a la pata y jaulas. La eficiencia de captura fue mucho mayor con los cepos (1,64 capturas por 100 días-trampa) que las jaulas (0,19 por 100 díastrampa). Debido a su mayor eficacia y sencillez de colocación y la ausencia de efecto negativos sobre el bienestar de los animales, por lo menos en presencia de alarmas que emitían una señal al cerrarse la trampa, se recomienda el uso de este modelo de trampa para captura viva. Se utilizaron dos combinaciones de drogas, Ketamina-Medetodomidina y Ketamina- Xilacina, ambas resultaron efectivas y no se registraron problemas. El Gato del Pajonal requirió dosis mayores que el Gato Andino. La combinación de drogas que se testeó con mayor número de capturas (Ketamina- Medetodomidina) resultó eficaz y segura. Las medidas morfométricas mostraron diferencias significativas de tamaño entre las hembras de ambas especies, siendo mayores para el Gato Andino, y entre machos y hembras de Gato Andino, siendo los machos más grandes. La morfología de las patas no presentó diferencias entre especies, contrariamente a lo encontrado por otros autores. Se colocaron radiocollares a cuatro individuos de cada especie, pero debido a fallas técnicas se obtuvieron datos suficientes sólo para 3 especímenes de cada especie. Las áreas de acción fueron muy grandes para ambas especies con respecto a lo esperado sobre la base de sus respectivos tamaños y de los resultados para otras especies similares. El tamaño promedio de las áreas de acción para el Gato Andino fue de 79,89 km2 (Mínimo Polígono Convexo 100%) y 46,89 km2 (Kernel 95%) y el del área núcleo (Kernel 45%) fue de 13,16 km2. En el caso del Gato del Pajonal estos valores fueron 20,52 km2, 14,86 km2 y 5,08 km2, respectivamente. La superposición media del área de acción, estimada mediante Kernel 95%, fue del 59,63% para el Gato del Pajonal, 58,1% para el Gato Andino y 53,98% entre especies. Con respecto a las áreas núcleo los solapamientos medios fueron de 48,9%, 45% y 45,77% para Gato del Pajonal, Gato Andino y ambas especies entre sí, respectivamente. Para el estudio del uso del hábitat, se utilizaron dos métodos; el trampeo fotográfico, para lo cual se realizaron cuatro campañas, con un esfuerzo de muestreo total de 16779 noches trampa y la radiotelemetría, mencionada anteriormente. Se pudo ver mediante el trampeo fotográfico, que hay un efecto de la rugosidad del ambiente en la probabilidad de detección. Con ambas metodologías los resultados mostraron que el Gato Andino prefirió los lugares más rugosos, más cercanos al agua y con mayor cantidad de roca; para el Gato del Pajonal también la rugosidad y la distancia al agua resultaron las características más importantes del hábitat, pero a diferencia del Gato Andino la cantidad de roca no lo fue. Los resultados obtenidos en este trabajo, sumados a aquellos ya disponibles para estas especies, refuerzan la hipótesis del gran nivel de especialización del Gato Andino, lo que lo convierte en una especie muy vulnerable a la extinción. / The Andean and Pampas cat (Leopardus jacobita and L. colocolo) are two closely related small felids sharing a number of ecological and morphological characteristics. The Andean cat shares all its distribution range with the Pampas cat and is affected by the same conservation threats within that area. The IUCN categorizes the Andean cat as Endangered and the Pampas cat as Near Threatened. Both species are poorly known, although in the last years there was an increase in the amount of studies focused on them. This study aims to compare basic aspects of the ecology of these two felids in an area of the high Andes of Jujuy province, Argentina. The main objectives of this thesis were: test a capture and sedation protocol; describe morphometrically a sample of individuals of the two species; determine the home range size of specimens of both felids; evaluate the spatial overlap between the two species and analyze their habitat use. To accomplish these objectives, the principal methodologies used in the study were live- captures, radiotelemetry, and camera trapping. After 148 days of trapping, five Andean cats and four Pampas cats were captured. Two types of traps were used (box traps and leg-hold trap). The capture efficiency was much higher with leg-hold traps (1.64 captures per 100 trap-days) than box traps (0.19 per 100 trap-days). Because of its greater efficiency, easy placement and lack of negative effects on animal welfare, we recommend the use of the leg-hold traps for the live capture of these cats. The combinations of Ketamine-Medetodomidine were used to sedate the animals; it was effective and no problems were recorded. The Pampas cat needed larger doses than the Andean cat. The morphometric measurements showed that the Andean cat was larger than the Pampas cat and that Andean cat males were bigger than the females. We put radiocollars to four individuals of each species; due to technical failures in the collars we did not obtain as many data as we should have (obtaining data of three individuals of each specie). The sizes of home ranges of both species were larger than expected on the basis of the allometric function relating this parameter to carnivore body masses. The average home range sizes for the Andean cat were 79.89 Km2 (Minimum Convex Polygon), 46.89 Km2 (Kernel 95%), and 13.16 Km2 (core area: Kernel 45%). The Pampas cat had home range sizes of 20.52 km2, 14.86 km2, and 5.08 km2, respectively. The average home range overlaps estimated by the Kernel 95% were 59.63% for the Pampas cat, 58.1% for the Andean cat, and 53.98% between species; using the Kernel 45% overlaps were 48.9%, 45%, and 45.77%, respectively. To study habitat use, in addition to radiotracking, we used camera trapping (with a total of four campaigns and an effort of 16779 trap nights). Camera trapping data showed an effect of habitat roughness on the detection probability of both species. The results of both methodologies showed that Andean cats preferred more rugged habitats, closer to water and with large proportions of rocks, while Pampas cats preferred rugged habitats in proximity to water, but the amount of rocks was not important. The results obtained in this work, added to those already available for these species, support the hypothesis of a high level of specialization of the Andean cat, making it vulnerable to extinction.

The elusive jaguar (Panthera onca) is extremely difficult to study due to its wide-ranging behavior, crepuscular activity peaks and its occurrence in low population densities in often dense forest habitats. Jaguars are also a species of concern, but our ability to provide for their survival is hampered by our inability to obtain reliable information on the status of their wild populations. This study combines innovative noninvasive research techniques such as scat detector dogs and molecular scatology to conduct the first genetic study on wild populations of Neotropical felids coexisting across fragmented forest habitats in Belize, Central America. Specifically, we analyzed multi-locus data in jaguars (Panthera onca), pumas (Puma concolor) and ocelots (Leopardus pardalis) collected from 1053 scat samples across their range in the country. First, we optimized 14 polymorphic microsatellite loci for jaguars (Panthera onca), pumas (Puma concolor), and ocelots (Leopardus pardalis), and assessed their utility for cross-species amplification. Additionally, we tested their reliability for species and individual identification using fecal DNA as he primary DNA source. All microsatellite loci examined successfully cross-amplified in the three target species, and were polymorphic. Second, to maximize PCR amplification success and genotyping accuracy rates, and to minimize genotyping error rates for fecal DNA samples, we evaluated the performance of two fecal DNA storage techniques (dimethyl sulfoxide saline solution/DET buffer, 95% EtOH) suitable for long-term preservation at remote tropical sites. Additionally, we tested fecal DNA samples collected from four different scat locations (top, side, bottom, inside). DET buffer was the superior fecal DNA preservation method and collecting fecal DNA from side and top locations of the scat resulted in the highest PCR success rates. For the main genetic study, we assessed the genetic conservation status of all three target species across the country of Belize. We examined levels of genetic diversity within different sites, (2) defined potential genetic clusters/populations, (3) and examined levels of gene flow and population structure for all three target species on a countrywide scale. Furthermore, we compared genetic diversity and gene flow levels among the three target species. Wild felids in Belize showed moderate levels of heterozygosity (HE = 0.60 - 0.70) with jaguars having the lowest genetic diversity with average expected heterozygosities of HE = 0.60 ± 0.05 and allelic richness (AR) of 4.94 ± 0.44 followed by pumas with HE = 0.65 ± 0.06 and AR of 7.52 ± 0.86 and ocelots with HE = 0.70 ± 0.05 and AR of 3.89 ± 0.23. We observed low to moderate levels of differentiation (FST = 0.00 - 0.15) and weak population structure using spatial Bayesian clustering techniques for all three target species. Although levels of genetic diversity and gene flow across the country are still fairly high, we did detect evidence of fragmentation indicating the risk of further habitat loss and fragmentation for wild felids. Felids were simultaneously monitored across all study sites by remote sensing camera traps, which allows for a comparison of density estimates obtained from two different noninvasive survey approaches. Furthermore, analytical methods for density estimation are advancing rapidly, making it difficult to choose the optimal technique. Thus, we compared a variety of density estimators including the conventional approach of estimating abundance ( ) in programs CAPTURE and MARK and dividing abundance by the effective trapping area (ETA), the recently developed spatially explicit capture-recapture (SECR) models, both the likelihood-based approach (ML-SECR) in program DENSITY and the Bayesian approach (B-SECR) in program SPACECAP, and finally the genetic-based mark-recapture one sampling occasion estimator in program CAPWIRE. Although different survey methods using various density estimators produced similar density estimates, confidence levels and coefficients of variation varied, with SECR methods resulting in the least precise estimates. Detection probabilities were generally higher for noninvasive genetic sampling than for camera trapping. Both techniques were shown to be reliable and highly efficient survey methods for density estimation of low-density Neotropical felids living in challenging environments such as the tropics. While less precise, SECR CMR models are probably a more realistic reflection of our uncertainty. They hold great promise for density estimation studies for wide-ranging and territorial carnivore species, especially if precision can be improved through study design or analysis advancements in the future. In conclusion, our results demonstrated that noninvasive sampling techniques such as molecular scatology and remote camera trapping are efficient research approaches to study multiple Neotropical felids in a multifaceted way and on a countrywide scale. We believe that the techniques and analyses developed in this study are widely applicable and relevant to the conservation and management of other elusive and difficult to study wild felids worldwide. / Ph. D.