Mammalian phylogeny

Living mammals can be divided into three subclasses (monotremes, marsupials and placentals) and within these, about 27 orders. Final resolution of the relationships between the orders is only now being achieved with the increased availability of deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) sequences. Highlights include the deep division of placental mammals into African (Afrotheria), South American (Xenarthra) and northern hemisphere (Boreoeutheria) super-orders, and the finding that the once considered primitive ‘Insectivora’ and ‘Edentata’ clades, in fact, have members distributed widely among these super-orders. Another surprise finding from DNA studies has been that whale origins lie among the even-toed ungulates (Artiodactyla). Our order, Primates is most closely related to the flying lemurs and next, the tree shrews. With the mammal phylogeny becoming well resolved, it is increasingly being used as a framework for inferring evolutionary and ecological processes, such as adaptive radiation.

Geologia e paleontologia de depósitos fossilíferos pleistocênicos do Rio Grande do Norte

This study deals with origin, sedimentary filling and fossil content of three tanks situated at Antônio Martins, Barcelona, Rui Barbosa, and Apodi counties, Rio Grande do Norte State. In addition, fossil materials from the Câmara Cascudo Museum - UFRN - Fundação Amigos do Lajedo Soledade - FALS, and from private ownership were investigated. The following families were identified: Megatberiidae, Gomphotheriidae, Mylodontidae, Equidae, Felidae, Canidae, Hydrochoeridae, Camelidae, Cervidae, Dasypodidae, Glyptodontidae, Macraucheniidae, Toxodontidae, and an undetermined Edentata Pilosa. The megafauna analysis indicated that herbivorc families occur mainly in tanks, whereas carnivore families occur in a vast proportion in an investigated ravine. Taphonomie analyses were limited to physical features because the vast majority of fossils were previously colleted without appropriate care for this kind of study. The main fossization processes were identified during diagenetie investigation. Permineralization is the most important process and replacement is the secondary one during fossilization. The study concluded that paleoenvironmental conditions during the late Pleistocene were more humid than the current one. Tropical savana, characterized by fields and cerrados , was the dominant vegetation

Contribuição ao Conhecimento da Distribuição Geográfica do Tatu-de-Rabo-Mole-Grande Cabassous tatouay no Brasil: Revisão, Status e Comentários sobre a Espécie

The greater naked-tailed armadillo Cabassous tatouay is one of the least-known armadillo species. Field records are rare, if not controversial, and only few specimens exist in scientific collections in Brazil. This species is listed in the Brazilian Red List of Threatened Species as well as in six official Brazilian state Red Lists. Fieldwork was performed between 2005 and 2008 to monitor wildlife in the central-western region of São Paulo State. Cabassous tatouay was registered in three opportunities, in the municipalities of Agudos, Borebi and Avare, and ecological and morphometrical data were registered. Although this species tolerates altered habitats, the scarce field records may be related to its habits and have led to the lack of basic information on greater naked-tailed armadillos. This communication provides important ecological and biogeographical information about C. tatouay.

Espécies do gênero Eimeria (Apicomplexa: Eimeriidae) em Tamanduás-bandeira (Myrmecophaga tridactyla Linnaeus, 1758) em cativeiro.

The parasitism of the two giant anteaters adults (Myrmecophaga tridactyla), one male and one female, infected naturally with Eimeria escomeli, E. tamanduae e E. marajoensis was related in the present research. In E. escomeli oocysts were 23.9 +/- 1.89 by 19.7 +/- 1.60 microm and its sporocysts were 11.47 +/- 1.25 by 6.48 +/- 0.80 microm. In E. tamanduae oocysts were 23.52 +/- 0.95 by 20.59 +/- 0.92 microm and its sporocysts were 12.19 +/- 0.65 by 7.15 +/- 0.55 microm. In E. marajoensis oocysts were 13.5 +/- 1.7 by 13.1 +/- 1.8 microm and its sporocysts were 7.4 +/- 0.58 by 5.4 +/- 0.8 microm. Eimeria escomeli was described before parasitizing giants anteater from Bolivia, and it was point out as the first time in Brazil. The presence of E. tamanduae and E. marajoensis parasitizing giant anteaters indicate the possibility of having co-infection of them among animals of the family Myrmecophagidae.

Importance of xenarthrans in the eco-epidemiology of Paracoccidioides brasiliensis

Background. Several pathogens that cause important zoonotic diseases have been frequently associated with armadillos and other xenarthrans. This mammal group typically has evolved on the South American continent and many of its extant species are seriously threatened with extinction. Natural infection of armadillos with Paracoccidioides brasiliensis in hyperendemic areas has provided a valuable opportunity for understanding the role of this mammal in the eco-epidemiology of Paracoccidioidomycosis (PCM), one of the most important systemic mycoses in Latin America. Findings. This study aimed to detect P. brasiliensis in different xenarthran species (Dasypus novemcinctus, Cabassous spp., Euphractus sexcinctus, Tamandua tetradactyla and Myrmecophaga tridactyla), by molecular and mycological approaches, in samples obtained by one of the following strategies: i) from road-killed animals (n = 6); ii) from naturally dead animals (n = 8); iii) from animals that died in captivity (n = 9); and iv) from living animals captured from the wild (n = 2). Specific P. brasiliensis DNA was detected in several organs among 7/20 nine-banded armadillos (D. novemcinctus) and in 2/2 anteaters (M. tridactyla). The fungus was also cultured in tissue samples from one of two armadillos captured from the wild. Conclusion. Members of the Xenarthra Order, especially armadillos, have some characteristics, including a weak cellular immune response and low body temperature, which make them suitable models for studying host-pathogen interaction. P. brasiliensis infection in wild animals, from PCM endemic areas, may be more common than initially postulated and reinforces the use of these animals as sentinels for the pathogen in the environment. © 2009 Bagagli et al; licensee BioMed Central Ltd.

Biological Atlas of the Arctic Seas 2000: Physical oceanography, hydrochemistry, meteorology, and plankton of the Barents and Kara Seas

Presented are physical and biological data for the region extending from the Barents Sea to the Kara Sea during 158 scientific cruises for the period 1913-1999. Maps with the temporal distribution of physical and biological variables of the Barents and Kara Seas are presented, with proposed quality control criteria for phytoplankton and zooplankton data. Changes in the plankton community structure between the 1930s, 1950s, and 1990s are discussed. Multiple tables of Arctic Seas phytoplankton and zooplankton species are presented, containing ecological and geographic characteristics for each species, and images of live cells for the dominant phytoplankton species.

Reports of the Princeton University Expeditions to Patagonia, 1896-1899 : J.B. Hatcher in charge /

At head of title: J. Pierpont Morgan Publication Fund.

Catalogus mammalium tam viventium quam fossilium a doctore E.-L. Trouessart ...

Issued in VI fasciculi, each of which has special t.-p.