Dois conjuntos comerciais, o \'ImmuChem Doubly Antibody Corticosterona 125I RIE\' da ICN \'Biomedicals\' e o \'Coat-a-count Cortisol 125I RIE\' da DPC foram utilizados na mensuração dos metabólitos de glicocorticóides de fezes de jaguatiricas (Leopardus pardalis) desafiadas com ACTH com o objetivo de comparar os resultados obtidos por cada um dos conjuntos. Paralelamente foram mensuradas as progestinas dos animais desafiados visando detectar fontes extra-gonadais de progesterona. Dois tipos de extração de metabólitos fecais também foram testados. O conjunto comercial da ICN provou ser mais confiável na detecção de metabólitos fecais de glicocorticóides. As duas técnicas de extração obtiveram resultados semelhantes, demonstrando ser indiferente a escolha da técnica para a extração de metabólitos de glicocorticóides em fezes de jaguatirica. Existem fortes indícios da produção de progesterona pela adrenal de jaguatiricas submetidas ao desafio com ACTH. / Two commercial kits, the ImmuChem Doubly Antibody Corticosterona 125I RIE from ICN Biomedicals and Coat-a-count Cortisol 125I RIE from DPC were used on fecal glucocorticoids measurement of ocelots (Leopardus pardalis) submitted to ACTH challenge aiming to compare the performance of both kits. In another way progestins from the same animals submitted to ACTH challenge were measured aiming to find progesterone from extra gonadal sources. Two different fecal metabolites extraction protocols were tested as well. The ICN commercial kit had better results on glucocorticoids metabolites measurement. Both extraction protocols had similar performance and this data indicates that any both can be used for this purpose. There are strong evidences of adrenal secretion of progesterone after ACTH challenge.

Dois conjuntos comerciais, o \'ImmuChem Doubly Antibody Corticosterona 125I RIE\' da ICN \'Biomedicals\' e o \'Coat-a-count Cortisol 125I RIE\' da DPC foram utilizados na mensuração dos metabólitos de glicocorticóides de fezes de jaguatiricas (Leopardus pardalis) desafiadas com ACTH com o objetivo de comparar os resultados obtidos por cada um dos conjuntos. Paralelamente foram mensuradas as progestinas dos animais desafiados visando detectar fontes extra-gonadais de progesterona. Dois tipos de extração de metabólitos fecais também foram testados. O conjunto comercial da ICN provou ser mais confiável na detecção de metabólitos fecais de glicocorticóides. As duas técnicas de extração obtiveram resultados semelhantes, demonstrando ser indiferente a escolha da técnica para a extração de metabólitos de glicocorticóides em fezes de jaguatirica. Existem fortes indícios da produção de progesterona pela adrenal de jaguatiricas submetidas ao desafio com ACTH. / Two commercial kits, the ImmuChem Doubly Antibody Corticosterona 125I RIE from ICN Biomedicals and Coat-a-count Cortisol 125I RIE from DPC were used on fecal glucocorticoids measurement of ocelots (Leopardus pardalis) submitted to ACTH challenge aiming to compare the performance of both kits. In another way progestins from the same animals submitted to ACTH challenge were measured aiming to find progesterone from extra gonadal sources. Two different fecal metabolites extraction protocols were tested as well. The ICN commercial kit had better results on glucocorticoids metabolites measurement. Both extraction protocols had similar performance and this data indicates that any both can be used for this purpose. There are strong evidences of adrenal secretion of progesterone after ACTH challenge.

Submitted by Dominick Jesus (dominickdejesus@hotmail.com) on 2016-01-27T19:41:51Z No. of bitstreams: 2 Tese_Fábio Tonissi Moroni.pdf: 16369197 bytes, checksum: d0293b3cc2eee251ef244d282739b307 (MD5) license_rdf: 23148 bytes, checksum: 9da0b6dfac957114c6a7714714b86306 (MD5) / Made available in DSpace on 2016-01-27T19:41:51Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 2 Tese_Fábio Tonissi Moroni.pdf: 16369197 bytes, checksum: d0293b3cc2eee251ef244d282739b307 (MD5) license_rdf: 23148 bytes, checksum: 9da0b6dfac957114c6a7714714b86306 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2005-01-27 / Conselho Nacional de Pesquisa e Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico - CNPq / Acari-bodó, Liposarcus pardalis (Castelnau, 1855), is amazonian armoured catfish, that is commercialized alive among native people because of the fast degradation. This fish possess an enormous potential for the technological development in its processing and use. Has a excellent acceptance in the local fish market, the meat is considered one of most flavourful, being very appreciated by the native people. The present Thesis had as the main objective to identify the causes of the postmortem alterations in the muscle of L. pardalis and the respective implications of these in the process of technological innovation for the ice stored fish and the freezing meat. The Thesis was divided in four chapters approaching the following subjects: The first chapter describes the anatomical and histological aspects of the digestive tract of the L. pardalis, characterizing the presence of hepatopancreas in acari-bodó and suggesting that the transitions zone between the stomach and the intestine is the place where initiates the proteolytic digestion. The second chapter got the necessary technological information for the muscle stored in ice, with and without viscera, from the open market of the CEASA-Manaus/AM. The gotten information had been to the centesimal composition of the components of the muscle, the edible parts and the shelf life. Was used for this end the sensorial, physical, chemical and microbiological methods for the evaluation of the loss of the quality. The results had suggested the need of the evisceration for the storage in ice of the L. pardalis . The third chapter on the changes in the activity of the components of the calpain system in the common muscle of. L. pardalis in different periods of conservation in ice and the effect of the sazonality in the development of the rigor mortis in L. pardalis muscle from the lake of the Catalão-Manaus/AM. The fourth chapter shows three technological innovations for the industrial approch of de L. pardalis muscle: fillets frozen, the composting of the fish waste and the protein hydrolysates. / O Liposarcus pardalis (Castelneau, 1855), popularmente denominado acari-bodó, é um peixe amazônico comercializado vivo porque após a morte desse animal há um rápido processo de deterioração muscular. Isso o torna um pescado de baixo valor comercial, quando comparado às demais espécies de peixes amazônicos. O objetivo do presente trabalho é identificar as causas das alterações postmortem do L.pardalis e propor novas formas de comercialização para esse pescado. Para tanto, o estudo foi iniciado pela descrição dos principais aspectos anatômicos e histológicos do trato digestivo do L. pardalis, por meio de técnicas de microscopia ótica, onde foi caracterizada a existência de hepatopâncreas no acari-bodó, e sugerido que a zona de transição entre o estômago e o intestino é o local onde se inicia a digestão proteolítica. Em seguida foram obtidas informações necessárias para o aproveitamento tecnológico do músculo do L. pardalis resfriado, sendo realizada a composição centesimal dos componentes do músculo, o rendimento da carcaça, a obtenção de cortes, o tempo-de-prateleira, em animais com e sem vísceras, proveniente da feira do CEASA-Manaus-AM, em duas épocas do ano distintas, de altos e baixos níveis dos rios amazônicos. Foram utilizados para esse fim métodos sensoriais, físicos, químicos e microbiológicos para a avaliação da perda da qualidade. Os resultados indicam que esse animal é um pescado com baixo teor de extrato etéreo, entre 0.29 % (altos níveis) e 0.19 % (baixos níveis) e elevados teores de proteína, respectivamente, 18,54% e 14.52 %, apresenta 42.06 % de partes comestíveis totais, pode-se obter dois tipos de cortes, denominados “charuto” e “tronco”, e apresentam o tempo de vida útil, quando conservados em gelo, de seis dias para animais com vísceras e doze dias para animais eviscerados, caracterizando a evisceração como uma etapa obrigatória para o armazenamento em gelo. Com o intuito de compreender as alterações proteolíticas e no metabolismo energético post mortem nesse pescado, correlacionado-as com o efeito da sazonalidade, foram estudadas as mudanças na atividade dos componentes do sistema calpaína, da degradação de nucleotídios, da geração de lactato e degradação de glicogênio no músculo em diferentes períodos de conservação em gelo e no desenvolvimento do rigor mortis no músculo de L. pardalis proveniente do lago do Catalão-Manaus-AM. Para esse fim foram realizados os seguintes procedimentos analíticos: determinação da atividade caseinolítica da m- 8calpaína, μ-calpaína e da calpastatina em diferentes períodos post mortem, determinação do índice K, determinação do índice de fragmentação miofibrilar, determinação de pH, determinação da quantidade de lactato através da redução do NAD + pela lactato desidrogenase, determinação da quantidade de glicogênio pela hidrólise com amiloglicosidase, e análise da degradação das miofibrilas por microscopia eletrônica de transmissão. As análises dos resultados indicaram que o L. pardalis apresentaram diferenças sazonais no período de duração do pré-rigor e rigor, e no período de resolução do rigor houve rompimento do disco Z e atividade máxima da m-calpaína. Logo, subsidiados pelos estudos supracitados, foram propostas três inovações tecnológicas para o processamento do músculo e resíduos do L. pardalis: os filés congelados, a compostagem e o hidrolisado protéico. Os filés congelados foram analisados por um período de estocagem de seis meses. As determinações de pH, NBV- T, solubilidade protéica, capacidade de retenção de água e análises sensoriais e microbiológicas resultaram que os filés congelados permaneceram em condições de consumo durante todo período analisado. Os resíduos compostados apresentaram relação C/N após 6 semanas de 43.90/1, podendo ser utilizado com adubo orgânico. Houve 78,17% e 135,35 % de hidrólise relativa a pancreatina, respectivamente dos músculos e resíduos incubados com o extrato bruto do hepatopâncreas de acari-bodó. Isso torna os hidrolisados úteis para alimentação humana e animal.

The Family Testudinidae (Suborder Cryptodira) is represented by 40 species worldwide and reaches its greatest diversity in southern Africa, where 14 species occur (33%), ten of which are endemic to the subcontinent. Despite the strong representation of terrestrial tortoise species in southern Africa, and the importance of the Karoo as a centre of endemism of these tortoise species, there is a paucity of ecological information for most tortoise species in South Africa. With chelonians being protected in < 15% of all southern African reserves it is necessary to find out more about the ecological requirements, status, population dynamics and threats faced by South African tortoise species to enable the formulation of effective conservation measures. The Leopard Tortoise (Geochelone pardalis) is the largest of the southern African species and has a wide distribution range, occurring in a variety of habitats. There is a paucity of ecological information about Leopard Tortoises in most of these habitats, especially arid and semi-arid regions. The broad aim of the study was to comprehensively investigate the ecology of Leopard Tortoises on farmland in the semi-arid Nama-Karoo biome, and use the ecological information to make recommendations for conservation. An investigation was made to determine the population size, sex and age distributions, density, biomass, and morphometrics of Leopard Tortoises in the Nama-Karoo. It was predicted that Leopard Tortoises would either be similar in size to Leopard Tortoises in other habitats or larger in order to buffer the effects of extreme temperatures by decreasing the surface-to-volume ratio. In addition, it was predicted that Leopard Tortoises would have a smaller population size, and occur at a lower density and biomass per hectare than those tortoises in mesic habitats. A total of 92 tortoises were caught, and 3899 observations made on Leopard Tortoises on 5500 hectares of farmland. Fourteen tortoises were radio tracked which allowed for repeated observations throughout the year. The population was skewed towards adults, and indicates a low hatchling recruitment. Female Leopard Tortoises were significantly larger than males with respect to all morphometric measurements. A male to female sex ratio of 1: 1.6 was obtained, which was not significantly different from 1: 1. A population estimate of 57.64 ± 3.99 tortoises for the 5500 ha area was obtained using a mark-recapture sampling method. Density of tortoises was extremely low at 0.017 tortoises.ha ¯¹, with a biomass of 0.002 kg.ha ¯¹. Population size, density, biomass and morphometrics were compared with Leopard Tortoise populations in other areas. Leopard Tortoises were larger in size in the semi-arid Nama-Karoo compared with Leopard Tortoises in other areas, probably a mechanism to reduce the effects of extreme temperature fluctuations, and were found at a much lower density. Knowledge of the home range size, home range overlap and seasonal change in home range is imperative to the understanding and conservation of the Leopard tortoise. Home range size, percentage overlap and mean daily distances moved were investigated for Leopard Tortoises as a function of season, gender and body mass. Home range and movement data were calculated for 36 Leopard Tortoises (22 females, 14 males), 14 of which were telemetered (8 females, 6 males), and 22 of which were recaptured 10 or more times (14 females and 8 males) over a period of two years. Mean (±SE) home range size for adult Leopard Tortoises was 205.41 ± 45.57 ha. Home range size was not significantly different between males and females, however females had larger home ranges than males. Mean home range size of males was 133.27 ± 32.90 ha, and of females was 251.32± 70.56 ha. There was a significant difference in home range size between telemetered tortoises (413.81 ± 89.46 ha), and those recaptured 10 or more times (72.79 ± 18.89 ha). It is suggested that unacceptable variation in home range size estimations occur when radio telemetry is not used to recapture tortoises throughout the year. No significant relationship between home range size and body mass was found for all tortoises or between sexes. Significant seasonal and gender variation existed in the seasonal home range sizes. Females had larger home ranges than males in all seasons except spring. Mean daily distance moved by Leopard Tortoises was 136.13 ± 8.94 m with males moving further overall daily than females (males: 161.10 ± 11.8 m; females: 117.07 ± 12.87), but not significantly so. Mean daily distance moved per season was significantly different between the sexes. Females covered the largest mean daily distance in autumn and males in spring. Considerable variation existed in the amount of home range overlap both within and between sexes. Overlap percentages ranged from 5% to 90%, with home ranges most frequently overlapping by 20%. Home range size and daily distances moved in the Nama-Karoo are larger than for Leopard Tortoises in other habitats. This has strong implications for the size of reserves needed in conservation efforts with regard to this and perhaps other, species in arid or semi-arid areas. Seasonal activity patterns of Leopard Tortoises were investigated as a function of rainfall, sex, time of day, temperature and time after sunrise. It was predicted that due to seasonal rainfall, and the subsequent increase in food available, the activity patterns of Leopard Tortoises would vary greatly between seasons, but that the primary constraint on activity levels within a season, would be ambient temperature. Type of activity, time of day that the activity was performed, and amount of time spent performing each activity, differed significantly between the seasons. There was no overall seasonal significant difference between the sexes and the level of activity, however, in certain seasons and with regard to specific activities, there were significant differences between the sexes. Activity patterns were primarily bimodal in summer and autumn, and unimodal in winter and spring, with non-thermoregulatory activities, for example walking and feeding, being performed primarily in the afternoon. There was a significant positive correlation between the number of tortoises caught and rainfall per season, but activity levels and the percentage of tortoises walking and feeding was not correlated with seasonal rainfall. The time of day that an activity was first performed in each season, was primarily a function of the time after sunrise and only secondarily of temperature. The response of Leopard Tortoise activity to rainfall, time of day, temperature and time after sunrise, is discussed. With Leopard Tortoises being ectotherms, they rely largely on behavioural thermoregulation to moderate the effects of daily and seasonal fluctuations in ambient temperature on body temperature. Extensive use is made of refuges to facilitate this behavioural thermoregulation. The Nama-Karoo experiences wide temperature fluctuations both daily and seasonally, and therefore the types and seasonal use of refuges by the Leopard Tortoise, in addition to the orientation of the exits and of the tortoises within the refuges, was investigated. A wide variety of refuges were used, but Lycium spp., Eberlanziaferox (Doringvygie), Opuntiajicus (American Prickly Pear) and grass clumps were preferred as refuges. There was seasonal variation in the use of these refuges that further depended on whether the refuges were used as forms or shelters. Leopard Tortoises in spring and winter often remained in the same refuge for the entire season, or returned to the same refuge on consecutive nights. There was seasonal and behavioural variation in a) compass direction that the tortoises were facing within a refuge, b) compass direction that exits of the refuges were open to, and c) portion of the shell of each Leopard Tortoise within a refuge that was exposed to sun radiation. Tortoises in winter and spring used these three factors to maximise the amount of solar radiation received on their carapace, while tortoises in summer and autumn used them to minimise solar radiation received. Therefore, using a combination of refuge type, exit orientation and tortoise orientation, Leopard Tortoises were able to passively thermoregulate and further control temperature fluctuations experienced in an extreme environment. Leopard Tortoises on farmland in the Nama-Karoo had lower densities, larger body sizes and much larger home ranges than Leopard Tortoises in other habitat types. This is an important aspect to take into account when planning for the conservation of Leopard Tortoises in semi-arid areas, and may hold further implications for other arid or semi-arid tortoise species. Activity patterns and patterns of thermoregulation allow for further understanding of the interactions between tortoises and their environment, habitat, and climate in the wild. In addition, it further aids in the understanding of the methods used by ectotherms to thermoregulate and manipulate body temperatures, especially when living in regions of unpredictable rainfall and extreme temperatures. / Thesis (M.Sc.)-University of Natal, Pietermaritzburg, 2001.

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.

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.

Os perfis longitudinais dos metabólitos dos esteróides sexuais, progesterona e estrógenos, e dos glicocorticóides foram analisados para 22 eventos (gestação, parto e lactação) de 8 jaguatiricas mantidas em cativeiro. Três eventos foram oriundos da Transferência de Embrião (TE) e foram comparados àquelas que gestaram por fertilização natural. As análises estatísticas demonstraram haver diferenças altamente significativas para metabólitos de progesterona na fase inicial (P<0001) e média (P< 0,007) da gestação, bem como, no período da lactação (P<0,0015). As análises descritivas sugeriram uma atividade ovariana para a espécie no período de lactação, uma vez detectado picos de metabólitos de estrógenos para alguns eventos. Foi realizado ainda, um estudo do comportamento materno de 3 fêmeas através do sistema de vídeo-monitoramento dos primeiros meses da lactação (n=3989,5 horas observadas). A espécie em cativeiro despendeu mais tempo cuidando do seu filhote e descansando durante o dia, entrando na caixa de abrigo entre 5:00h e 8:00h (61,3%) e nela permanecendo por um tempo médio de 8 horas seguidas. Outras análises comportamentais sugerem que o estresse é um fator preponderante na determinação do sucesso da criação do filhote. A variável comportamental executada pela fêmea de entrar e sair da caixa por repetidas vezes foi associada ao estresse, sendo possível avaliar a resposta da adrenal pela secreção dos glicocorticóides e realizar sua validação fisiologicamente. Espera-se desta forma, contribuir para uma mudança no quadro bastante crítico da população em cativeiro, considerando a baixa taxa de natalidade e a alta taxa de mortalidade dos filhotes, principalmente, no seu primeiro mês de vida. / The longitudinal profiles of the sexual steroid\'s metabolites, progesterone and estrogen, and glucocorticoids were analyzed for 22 events (pregnancy, birth and breastfeeding) of 8 ocelots kept in captivity. Three events came from the Embryo Transfer (TE) and were compared against the ones that were gestated by natural fertilization. The statistical analysis demonstrated that the differences were highly significative during the initial (P<0001) and middle stages (P< 0,007) of pregnancy and lactation (P<0,0015) periods for the progesterone metabolites. The descriptive analysis suggests a ovarian activity for the species during the lactation period, once detected the estrogen metabolites peaks during some events. A study was also performed, concerning the maternal behavior of 3 female through video-monitoring of the first months of lactation (n=3989,5 hours observed). The species that were kept in captivity spent more time resting and caring the puppy, entering it\'s shelter between 5:00h and 8:00h (61,3%) and there staying during 8 hours average. Other behavior analysis suggests that the stress level is a predominant fact in the success of the establishment of the puppy. A behavior variable performed by the female, by entering the shelter for a repeated number of times was linked to the stress level, being possible to assess the adrenal response by the secretion of glucorticoids and perform it\'s phisiological validation. It is expected by this means, a contribution for a change in the critical scene of the population that is kept in captivity, considering the puppies\' low birth rate and high mortality rate, specially during it\'s first months.

Os perfis longitudinais dos metabólitos dos esteróides sexuais, progesterona e estrógenos, e dos glicocorticóides foram analisados para 22 eventos (gestação, parto e lactação) de 8 jaguatiricas mantidas em cativeiro. Três eventos foram oriundos da Transferência de Embrião (TE) e foram comparados àquelas que gestaram por fertilização natural. As análises estatísticas demonstraram haver diferenças altamente significativas para metabólitos de progesterona na fase inicial (P<0001) e média (P< 0,007) da gestação, bem como, no período da lactação (P<0,0015). As análises descritivas sugeriram uma atividade ovariana para a espécie no período de lactação, uma vez detectado picos de metabólitos de estrógenos para alguns eventos. Foi realizado ainda, um estudo do comportamento materno de 3 fêmeas através do sistema de vídeo-monitoramento dos primeiros meses da lactação (n=3989,5 horas observadas). A espécie em cativeiro despendeu mais tempo cuidando do seu filhote e descansando durante o dia, entrando na caixa de abrigo entre 5:00h e 8:00h (61,3%) e nela permanecendo por um tempo médio de 8 horas seguidas. Outras análises comportamentais sugerem que o estresse é um fator preponderante na determinação do sucesso da criação do filhote. A variável comportamental executada pela fêmea de entrar e sair da caixa por repetidas vezes foi associada ao estresse, sendo possível avaliar a resposta da adrenal pela secreção dos glicocorticóides e realizar sua validação fisiologicamente. Espera-se desta forma, contribuir para uma mudança no quadro bastante crítico da população em cativeiro, considerando a baixa taxa de natalidade e a alta taxa de mortalidade dos filhotes, principalmente, no seu primeiro mês de vida. / The longitudinal profiles of the sexual steroid\'s metabolites, progesterone and estrogen, and glucocorticoids were analyzed for 22 events (pregnancy, birth and breastfeeding) of 8 ocelots kept in captivity. Three events came from the Embryo Transfer (TE) and were compared against the ones that were gestated by natural fertilization. The statistical analysis demonstrated that the differences were highly significative during the initial (P<0001) and middle stages (P< 0,007) of pregnancy and lactation (P<0,0015) periods for the progesterone metabolites. The descriptive analysis suggests a ovarian activity for the species during the lactation period, once detected the estrogen metabolites peaks during some events. A study was also performed, concerning the maternal behavior of 3 female through video-monitoring of the first months of lactation (n=3989,5 hours observed). The species that were kept in captivity spent more time resting and caring the puppy, entering it\'s shelter between 5:00h and 8:00h (61,3%) and there staying during 8 hours average. Other behavior analysis suggests that the stress level is a predominant fact in the success of the establishment of the puppy. A behavior variable performed by the female, by entering the shelter for a repeated number of times was linked to the stress level, being possible to assess the adrenal response by the secretion of glucorticoids and perform it\'s phisiological validation. It is expected by this means, a contribution for a change in the critical scene of the population that is kept in captivity, considering the puppies\' low birth rate and high mortality rate, specially during it\'s first months.