Maize-Dwelling insects omnivory in Spodoptera frugiperda (J.E. Smith) (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) egg masses

Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq)

Brycon gouldingi (Teleostei, Characidae): aspects of the embryonic development in a new fish species with aquaculture potential

Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP)

Experimental airborne transmission of Salmonella Agona and Salmonella Typhimurium in weaned pigs

This study tested the hypothesis of airborne transmission of Salmonella Agona (Trial I) and Salmonella Typhimurium (Trial II) in weaned pigs. The trials were performed using stainless-steel/glass isolation cabinets connected by air ducts to permit an unidirectional airflow from cabinet 1 (two control pigs) to cabinet 3 (two sentinel pigs), passing through cabinet 2 (two inoculated pigs). Air samples, pooled faecal samples from the floor and rectal swabs were collected daily and assessed by culture and PCR. A fumigation chamber and rubber gloves coupled to the cabinets allowed sampling without opening the system. Trials I and II lasted 15 and 19 days respectively. The recovery of S. Agona and S. Typhimurium and detection of scroconversion in sentinel pigs indicate that airborne Salmonella transmission in weaned pigs over short distances is possible. Further studies on the role of aerosols in the epidemiology of Salmonella in intensive pig production should be performed.

Protection levels of vaccinated pigeons (Columba livia) against a highly pathogenic newcastle disease virus strain

Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP)

Experimental infection of Newcastle disease virus in pigeons (Columba livia): Humoral antibody response, contact transmission and viral genome shedding

The aim of this study was to evaluate the humoral antibody response, the genome viral excretion and the contact transmission of pathogenic chicken origin Newcastle disease virus (NDV) from experimentally infected pigeons (Columba livia) to in-contact pigeon. The antibody response to infection was assessed by the hemagglutination inhibition (HI) test and the genome viral excretion was detected by RT-PCR. Viral strain induced high antibody levels, both in inoculated and in sentinel birds. The pathogenic viral strain for chickens was unable to produce clinical signs of the disease in experimentally infected pigeons, although it induced the Immoral antibody response and produced NDV genome shedding. NDV genome was detected intermittently throughout the experimental period, from 5 days post-infection (dpi) to 24 dpi. Therefore, viral genome shedding occurred for 20 days. The viral genome was detected in all birds, between I I and 13 dpi. Furthermore, the high infectivity of the virus was confirmed, as all non-inoculated sentinel pigeons showed antibody levels as high as those of inoculated birds. (C) 2007 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Occurrence of anti-Neospora caninum antibodies in Brazilian cervids kept in captivity

Neospora caninum is a coccidian parasite that causes disease in captive and domesticated animals and has been found in wild animals such as cervids. Sera from 150 cervids of the genus Mazama, were collected from 31 captive herds and 16 zoos from different Brazilian regions and analyzed by indirect fluorescent antibody test for anti-N. caninum antibodies. Positive reactions were found in 42% (63) of the samples and the titers varied from 50 to 51,200. of the 86 cervids from the captive herds, 38 (44.2%) had anti N. caninum antibodies and of the 64 samples from the zoo, 25 (39.1%) were positive. No significant difference (p > 0.05) was found for the occurrence values observed between the animals from captive herds and zoos as well as within the values documented for each one of the species analyzed. Therefore, the results indicate that the agent is prevalent from cervids in captivity in Brazil. (c) 2005 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Gastro-intestinal transit time in South American deer

The study of diet and physiological peculiarities of the digestive system of neotropical deer is not well known and the literature shows inconsistencies. To better understand the digestive system of these mammals the difference in the gastro-intestinal transit time of four species of neotropical deer (Mazama americana, Mazama gouazoubira, Mazama nana, Blastocerus dichotomus), kept ill captivity, was evaluated. Four plants (Neonotonia wightii, Morus albans, Medicago sativa, Leucaena leucocephala) were utilized and two variables were measured, mean time of the beginning of the elimination (BE) and mean time of permanence (TP). The results obtained for BE indicated similarity among the deer species, with significant differences between M. gouazoubira (mean = 13.62 hr) and M. Americana (mean = 19.25 hr). For the plants, the BE was faster with N. wightii and L. leucocephala, and slower for M. sativa. The TP results for B. dichotomus showed longer time when compared to the other species, whereas M. gouazoubira had a lower permanence. Overall, N. wightii had the highest retention time in the digestive tract of all the deer species studied. Associated with this observation, N. wightii had the highest quantity of plant fiber of the plants tested. In a similar fashion M. sativa showed the lowest TP in the digestive tract of the deer and had the lowest quantity of acid detergent fiber. The data from this study showed that, within species, the shape of the excretion curve of the plants was similar when the animals consumed N. wightii or M. sativa. Blastocerus dichotomus and M. gouazoubira had the highest and the lowest gastro-intestinal transit time, respectively. This suggests that these species characterize different abilities to digest high fiber food, and consequently, represent the two extremities in the morphophysiological adaptation within the deer species evaluated. This information is vital because it is important to know the digestive physiology to define the diet of captive animals, particularly regarding the quantity and quality of fiber. Zoo Biol 25:47-57, 2006. (C) 2005 Wiley-Liss, Inc.

Monitoring ovarian cycles and pregnancy in brown brocket deer (Mazama gouazoubira) by measurement of fecal progesterone metabolites

In the present study, pregnancy and the estrous cycle were monitored in captive brown brocket deer (Mazama gouazoubira) by measuring fecal progestagens with a commercial enzyme immunoassay (EIA), along with behavioral data. Fecal samples were collected twice a week during pregnancy and daily during the estrous cycle and post-partum period. It was possible to distinguish between inter-luteal and luteal phases of the estrous cycle. Behavioral estrus corresponded with low concentrations of fecal progestagens. Samples from two consecutive cycles were available from five hinds, and the mean estrous cycle (n = 10) was 26.9 +/- 1.7 d (mean +/- S.E.M.). However, when two extreme cycles (34 and 37 d) were deleted, the mean estrous cycle was 24.7 +/- 1.2 d. Three animals became pregnant (gestation ranged from 208 to 215 d). After fertile breeding, progestagen concentration in these hinds remained among luteal phase concentrations throughout pregnancy, with the exception of a few peaks. Within 4 d post-partum, two hinds reached interluteal phase values, while one hind maintained luteal concentrations for at least 1 week. (C) 2005 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Straw collecting behaviour by pacas (Agouti paca) in captivity

Agouti paca is both considered as a species vulnerable to extinction and recognised with the potential for domestication. In spite of this, its behaviour is poorly documented and captive breeding is mainly based on trial and error. The aim of the present research was to analyse whether different strategies of straw supply could affect the behaviour and welfare of pacas in captivity. The study was done with eight adult pacas grouped in four mated pairs, three of them with one offspring. Each group was housed separately in 10 m 2 pens and the straw collecting behaviour was recorded. The quantity of straw collected per day was measured to compare four different strategies for straw supply and nest removal, where: every day nest removal treatment (1R) = supplying 1 kg of straw every day (outside the burrow) and removing all straw from inside the burrow every day; every 3 days nest removal treatment (3R) = supplying 1 kg every day and removing after 3, 6, and 9 days; no nest removal treatment (9R) = supplying 1 kg every day and removing after 9 days; nest deprivation treatment (Dep) = supplying 1 kg every day except at days 3, 4, and 5 and removing after 3 and 9 days. Straw collecting was always performed after 17:30 h, with three behavioural acts being performed: mouthing, transporting, and depositing the straw into the artificial burrow. The straw collected per day mean of 1R was significantly higher than the means of other treatments. During the deprivation period of Dep, chips cut from the eucalyptus branches and a great quantity of fruits and manioc were found inside the burrows. The motivation to collect seemed to increase as a consequence of straw deprivation. By these we conclude that straw should be offered to pacas in captivity, giving them the opportunity to collect straw by themselves. Doing this we expect to promote an effective environmental enrichment for this species in captivity. (c) 2005 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

First Identification of Culex flavivirus (Flaviviridae) in Brazil

Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq)

Innovative molecular approach to the identification of Colossoma macropomum and its hybrids

Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq)

Ocular melanoma and mammary mucinous carcinoma in an African lion

Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq)

Epidemiology of leptospirosis at Sorocaba Zoo, São Paulo state, Southeastern Brazil

Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP)

Isolation of Salmonella enterica Serovar Enteritidis in Blue-Fronted Amazon Parrot (Amazona aestiva)

Avian salmonellosis is a disease caused by bacteria of the genus Salmonella that can cause three distinct diseases in birds: pullorum diseases, fowl typhoid, and paratyphoid infection. Various wildlife species are susceptible to infections by Salmonella, regardless of whether they live in captivity or freely in the wild. The present study verified the presence of Salmonella enterica serovar Enteritidis in three captive specimens of Amazona aestiva. The study involved a total of 103 birds undergoing rehabilitation to prepare for living in the wild, after having been captured from animal traffickers and delivered to the Centrofauna Project of the Floravida Institute in São Paulo, Brazil. This is the first report of Salmonella Enteritidis isolation in A. aestiva that originated from capture associated with animal trafficking; Salmonella was detected during the study by the serologic method of rapid serum agglutination on a plate with bacterial isolate. The antimicrobial profile exam of the isolated samples demonstrated sensitivity to ampicillin, cefaclor, ciprofloxacin, and cloranfenicol. The three samples also presented resistance to more than four antibiotics. The presence of the genes invA and spvC was verified by PCR technique and was associated with virulence and absence of class 1 integron, a gene related to antimicrobial resistance. The commercial antigen for pullorum disease was shown to be a useful tool for rapid detection in the screening of Salmonella of serogroup D(1) in Psittaciformes. New studies on Salmonella carriage in birds involved in trafficking must be performed to better understand their participation in the epidemiologic cycle of salmonellosis in humans and other animals.

Leptospiral antibodies in wild boars (Sus scrofa) bred in Brazil

In the recent years, the wild boar (Sus scrofa) trade has increased in Brazil. The present study aimed to detect Leptospira spp. infection in 308 blood samples from wild boars bred in São Paulo state, Brazil. The microscopic agglutination test (MAT) was performed using 29 serovars. Sixty three (63; 20.45%) animals tested positive against the serovars Hardjo (29/63; 46.0%), Copenhageni (11/63; 17.4%), Pomona (8/63; 12.7%), Pyrogenes (4/63; 6.3%), Wolfii (4/63; 6.3%), Autumnalis (3/63; 4.7%), Icterohaemorraghiae (2/63; 3.1%), and Hardjo-miniswajezak (1/63; 15.8%). These results indicate that captive wild boars were infected with Leptospira spp. and may represent a source of infection to humans and other animals.