Prevalence of antibodies against Toxoplasma gondii among Brazilian white-eared opossums (Didelphis albiventris)

Considering that Toxoplasma gondii is a parasite of global importance which affects several animal species including humans, the current study aimed to investigate the prevalence of antibodies against T. gondii among 72 white-eared opossums (Didelphis albiventris) from Botucatu Municipality (22 degrees 53'S 48 degrees 26'W), São Paulo State, Brazil. The investigation was carried out from January 2008 to December 2009, when the animals had their blood samples collected and subjected to the modified agglutination test (MAT); 12 specimens had brain samples bioassayed in mice. Seroprevalence was 5.5% (n = 4) and bioassays were negative. Older animals had higher prevalence of antibodies against T. gondii. Opossums in closer contact with the urban environment are likely more exposed to T. gondii than animals from the sylvatic environment. (C) 2011 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Molecular detection of Paracoccidioides brasiliensis in road-killed wild animals

Paracoccidioides brasiliensis infections have been little studied in wild and/or domestic animals, which may represent an important indicator of the presence of the pathogen in nature. Road-killed wild animals have been used for surveillance of vectors of zoonotic pathogens and may offer new opportunities for eco-epidemiological studies of paracoccidiodomycosis (PCM). The presence of P. brasiliensis infection was evaluated by Nested-PCR in tissue samples collected from 19 road-killed animals; 3 Cavia aperea (guinea pig), 5 Cerdocyon thous (crab-eating-fox), 1 Dasypus novemcinctus (nine-banded armadillo), 1 Dasypus septemcinctus (seven-banded armadillo), 2 Didelphis albiventris (white-eared opossum), 1 Eira barbara (tayra), 2 Gallictis vittata (grison), 2 Procyon cancrivorus (raccoon) and 2 Sphiggurus spinosus (porcupine). Specific P. brasiliensis amplicons were detected in (a) several organs of the two armadillos and one guinea pig, (b) the lung and liver of the porcupine, and (c) the lungs of raccoons and grisons. P. brasiliensis infection in wild animals from endemic areas might be more common than initially postulated. Molecular techniques can be used for detecting new hosts and mapping 'hot spot' areas of PCM.

Estudo populacional de gambás, Didelphis albiventris (Mammalia, Didelphidae), em um pequeno fragmento florestal

Population study of white-eared-opossum, Didelphis albiventris (Mammalia, Didelphidae), in a small forest fragment. The white-eared-opossums are habitat generalist animals and occur in high abundance in forest fragments. Therefore these animals are important to understand the dynamics of this landscape. The population of Didelphis albiventris in a 7 ha stational semidecidual forest fragment and its agricultural surroundings was studied during one year. The population abundance, age structure and sex ratio were estimated monthly. Two movements between the fragment and the surrounding area were detected. The population dynamics showed an annual pattern with a high peak during the dry season.

Molecular identification of trypanosomatids in wild animals

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

Molecular detection of Leishmania spp. in road-killed wild mammals in the Central Western area of the State of São Paulo, Brazil

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

Avaliação visceral da técnica sorológica para Leishmaniose visceral e doença de Chagas em animais silvestres e identificação molecular

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

Avaliação visceral da técnica sorológica para Leishmaniose visceral e doença de Chagas em animais silvestres e identificação molecular

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

Life-cycle and host preference of Amblyomma ovale (Acari: Ixodidae) under laboratory conditions

This study evaluated for the first time the life cycle of Amblyomma ovale in the laboratory. For this purpose, larvae and nymphs were exposed to Gallus gallus (chickens), Cavia porcellus (guinea pigs), Rattus norvegicus (wistar rats), Oryctolagus cuniculus (domestic rabbits), Calomys callosus (vesper mouse), and Didelphis albiventris (white-eared opossum). Nymphs were also exposed to Nectomys squamipes (South American water rat). Adult ticks were fed on dogs. The life-cycle of A. ovale in laboratory could be completed in an average period of ca. 190 days, considering prefeeding periods of 30 days for each of the parasitic stages. Vesper mice were the most suitable host for A. ovale larvae, whereas water rats were the most suitable host for A. ovale nymphs. Our results, coupled with literature data, strongly indicate that small rodents have an important role in the life history of A. ovale. Chickens (the only avian host used in the present study) showed to be moderately suitable hosts for subadult A. ovale ticks, indicating that wild birds might have a secondary role in the life history of A. ovale. Domestic dogs showed to be highly suitable for the adult stage of A. ovale, in agreement with literature data that indicate that the domestic dog is currently one of the most important hosts of A. ovale adult ticks in Latin America.

虎斑夜鳽分布与亚群态势研究

本世纪以来对虎斑夜鳽分布地点的新发现,表明该种从滨海到内陆漫布于中国长江以南广大地区,并向北渗透直逼东洋界北限秦岭-淮河一线;作者据此将各地的虎斑夜鳽初划为11个亚群,提出目前该种存有3个相对健康而稳定的亚群,即黄山-天目山亚群、南岭亚群和广西亚群,且每个亚群的分布范围均至少不会小于5000km2,其中以黄山-天目山亚群的记录由历史至现今相对最为长久而完整,进而提出今后在上述诸亚群范围之外还会有新的发现.文中指出,尽管近期对虎斑夜鳽分布状况有了新认识,目前仍可视该种的受胁等级为濒危.

云南鸟类种的新记录——海南■

2006年10月28日凌晨3点,笔者在位于云南省新平县哀牢山的金山丫口鸟类环志站进行夜间鸟类环志工作时,用灯光诱捕到一只鹭科鸟类,经鉴定为海南(Gorsachius magnificus),为云南省鸟类物种新记录。形态特征:头和颊部黑褐色;枕部具黑褐色的延长羽冠;有明显的白色眼后条纹,颊纹白色;眼球外凸,黄绿色的眼睑向外伸出;眼先裸露皮肤呈黄绿色;喉白,中央有褐色条纹;颈侧棕色,前端有黑色条纹,前颈具褐白斑驳的条纹,后颈黑褐色;背部、翅和尾羽褐色;第一枚初级飞羽外栗红色;胸、腹部、尾下覆羽及翅下覆羽白色,杂有褐色斑纹;上嘴黑色,下嘴嘴基黄色,嘴端黑色;虹膜褐色(中国鸟类野外手册上记载的虹膜为黄色,MacKinnon et al,2000);跗黄绿色。雌性标本量度(g,mm)如下:体重563,全长565,嘴峰72,翅长305,尾长111,跗76。海南是中国的特有种鸟类,属国家Ⅱ级重点保护鸟类。分布于中国南方的少数地区,国外仅在越南东京有过一次记录(MacKinnon et al,2000),种群数量稀少,过去曾记录于安徽、浙江、福建(Cheng,1987)、海南、广西及广东(Gao et al,200...

Roost tree characteristics determine use by the white-striped freetail bat (Tadarida australis, Chiroptera : Molossidae) in suburban subtropical Brisbane, Australia

We examined factors affecting roost tree selection by the white-striped freetail bat Tadarida australis (Chiroptera: Molossidae), a large insectivorous bat in suburban Brisbane, Australia. We compared biophysical characteristics associated with 34 roost trees and 170 control trees of similar diameter, height and tree senescence characters. Roost trees used by the white-striped freetail bat had significantly higher numbers of hollows in the trunk and branches (P < 0.003) and were more likely to contain a large trunk cavity with an internal diameter of > 30 cm (P < 0.001) than control trees. These trees also accommodated more species of hollow-using fauna (P = 0.005). When comparing roost trees with control trees of similar diameters and heights, roost trees were on average at a later stage of tree senescence (P < 0.001). None of the roost trees were found in the large forest reserves fringing the Brisbane metropolitan area despite these areas being used for foraging by the white-striped freetail bat. Although all tree locations in this study were in modified landscapes, roost trees tended to be surrounded by groups of trees and undergrowth. Roost trees provide important habitat requirements for hollow-using fauna in suburban, rural and forested environments.

The epistemology that maintains white race privilege, power and control of Indigenous Studies and Indigenous peoples' participation in universities

This paper represents my attempt to turn the gaze and demonstrate how Indigenous Studies is controlled in some Australian universities in ways that witness Indigenous peoples being further marginalised, denigrated and exploited. I have endeavoured to do this through sharing an experience as a case study. I have opted to write about it as a way of exposing the problematic nature of racism, systemic marginalisation, white race privilege and radicalised subjectivity played out within an Australian higher education institution and because I am dissatisfied with the on-going status quo. In bringing forth analysis to this case study, I reveal the relationships between oppression, white race privilege and institutional privilege and the epistemology that maintains them. In moving from the position of being silent on this experience to speaking about it, I am able to move from the position of object to subject and to gain a form of liberated voice (hooks 1989:9). Furthermore, I am hopeful that it will encourage others to examine their own practices within universities and to challenge the domination that continues to subjugate Indigenous peoples.