Fernando C. Passos

Frugivoria em morcegos (Mammalia, Chiroptera) no Parque Estadual Intervales, sudeste do Brasil

This study was carried out at the Intervales State Park, an Atlantic Rain Forest area in Southeastern Brazil. Bats were monthly mist netted over a full year, and fecal samples were collected for dietary analysis. The seeds found in each sample were identified in the laboratory under a stereoscopic microscope by comparison with seeds taken from ripe fruits collected in the study area. Three hundred and seventy one bats were collected, of which 316 (85.2%) were frugivorous. The total number of fecal samples with seeds and/or pulp was 121. Sturnira lilium (E. Geoffroy, 1810) was the most abundant species in the study area (n = 157 captures) and Solanaceae fruits accounted for 78.5% of the fecal samples with seeds (n = 56). Artibeus fimbriatus Gray, 1838 (n = 21 samples) fed mostly on Cecropiaceae (38%) and Moraceae fruits (24%), and Artibeus lituratus (Olfers, 1818) (n = 7 samples) on Cecropiaceae (57%) and Moraceae (29%). Carollia perspicillata (Linnaeus, 1758) (n = 16 samples) fed mostly on Piperaceae fruits (56,3%), but Solanaceae (31,3%) and Rosaceae seeds (12,5%) were also found in feces. Overall, seeds found in bat feces belong to eight plant families: Solanaceae (n = 67 samples); Cecropiaceae (n = 14); Piperaceae (n = 14); Moraceae (n = 8); Rosaceae (n = 3); Cucurbitaceae (n = 3); Cluseaceae (n = 1), and Araceae (n = 1). The close association of different bat species with fruits of certain plant families and genus may be related to a possible mechanism of resource partitioning that shapes the structure of the community.

Differentiation and Species Status of the Neotropical Yellow-Eared Bats Vampyressa pusilla and V. thyone (Phyllostomidae) with a Molecular Phylogeny and Review of the Genus

A systematic re-evaluation of Vampyressa pusilla warrants the elevation of V. p. thyone from subspecies to species rank based on its distinction from the allopatric V. p. pusilla. Morphological, mensural, chromosomal, and mitochondrial differences define each of these two taxa as divergent lineages. Vampyressa pusilla is endemic to the Atlantic Forest of southeastern South America and V. thyone is found allopatrically in northwestern South America, Central America, and southern Mexico. A molecular phylogenetic analysis of the mtDNA ND3–4 gene region using restriction endonuclease cut sites resulted in a monophyletic, although weakly supported Vampyressa ingroup with Chiroderma, and a clade of Mesophylla and Ectophylla as successive basal outgroup lineages. The phylogeny within Vampyressa, with the exception of V. melissa which is most similar to V. thyone based on karyotypes and morphology, had a topology of ((pusilla + thyone) + ((brocki + nymphaea) + bidens))).

Predation on Alouatta guariba clamitans Cabrera (Primates, Atelidae) by Leopardus pardalis (Linnaeus) (Carnivora, Felidae)

There are a few studies about predation on primates. Howler monkeys, being relatively large animals, were believed to be preyed on successfully only by medium to large-sized carnivores and large birds of prey. Our study took place at Chacara Payquere, which is situated in the municipality of Balsa Nova, State of Parana, Southern Brazil. Fingers and nails from Alouatta guariba clamitans Cabrera, 1940 were founded in two faecal samples from Leopardus pardalis (Linnaeus, 1758). With our documentation large howler monkey remains in faeces, the possibility of ocelot being a potential predator of all Neotropical primates should be taken into consideration.

Distributional extension of Molossops neglectus (Chiroptera, Molossidae) into southeastern Brazil

Depto. de Zoologia e Botânica Universidade Estadual Paulista, R. Cristovao Colombo 2265, Sao Jose do Rio Preto, SP

Sympatry between Alouatta caraya and Alouatta clamitans and the rediscovery of free-ranging potential hybrids in Southern Brazil

Records of sympatry between Alouatta caraya and A. clamitans are rare despite their extensive range overlap. An example of their current sympatry and the rediscovery of free-ranging potential hybrids of A. caraya and A. clamitans in the forests of the Upper Paraná River, Southern Brazil, are reported in this paper. Eight groups were observed in the study area: five monospecific groups of A. caraya, two of A. clamitans, and a group containing two adult males and two adult females of A. caraya and a sub-adult male and two adult females identified as Alouatta sp. The color of the last three individuals was a mosaic between the two species; this is consistent with previously described variations in museum specimens collected in the Paraná River in the 1940s that had been identified as potential hybrids. The results from this study emphasize the need for scientific studies in the region of the Ilha Grande National Park, one of the few regions in the Paraná River that currently harbors both howler species.

Cougar Predation on Black-and-Gold Howlers on Mutum Island, Southern Brazil1

Researchers consider predation rates by terrestrial animals to be lower in the case of arboreal primates, particularly among large-bodied species. We recorded the consumption of black-and-gold howlers (Alouatta caraya) by cougars (Puma concolor) as evidence of predation on an island of the upper Paraná River. We collected and processed fecal samples of the felid in 2004 and 2005. We identified items in the laboratory by comparison with museum specimens. We considered each species in a fecal sample as a single occurrence. Based on analysis of the cuticle scale pattern, we identified the felid as cougar. Howlers occurred in 4 out of the 8 fecal samples (40% of the occurrences). In addition to howlers, we also recorded 5 occurrences of agouti (Dasyprocta azarae; 50%) and a small unidentified sigmodontine rodent (10%). The abundance of howlers and the low forest canopy in a successional vegetation might have facilitated the predation of the large primates by a primarily terrestrial predator. The versatility of cougars is corroborated by the consumption of prey species that were abundant in the region and that were available in different forest strata, such as howlers and agoutis.

Antipredator Behavior of Brown Howlers Attacked by Black Hawk-eagle in Southern Brazil

In field studies between 2002 and 2004 in southern Brazil, we recorded antipredatory behaviors (N=9) of brown howlers (Alouatta guariba clamitans) under attack by the black hawk-eagle (Spizaetus tyrannus). We observed 2 types of behavioral responses: the descent to the understory followed by the dispersion of the group and immobility and silence. Brown howlers displayed behaviors specific to evading aerial predators, which are similar to the ones in other Neotropical primates.

Composition and dynamics of Alouatta guariba clamitans Cabrera, groups (Primates, Atelidae) on an Araucaria Pine Forest remnant on Paraná State, Brazil

Species in the genus Alouatta Lacepede, 1799 are social, and their groups display considerable variation in their age and sex composition. Little is known about the social organization of groups of Alouatta guariba clamitans Cabrera, 1940. This study was carried out between February 2002 and June 2004 in the Chacara Payquere, located in the municipality of Balsa Nova in the state of Parana (Southern Brazil). The vegetation in this area is the Araucaria Pine Forest, and this reserve is located within the Area for Environmental Protection of the Devonian Scarp. During observations, groups were identified and their sex/age composition and dynamics were recorded. Six groups were observed over the course of three years. Average composition values were 6.33 individuals/group; 1.47 adult male (AM)/group; 0.46 subadult male/group; 2.2 adult females (AF)/group; 1.13 juvenile II/group; 0.8 juvenile I/group, and 0.27 infant/group. In order to describe the sex/age composition of this species, the data obtained in the present study were combined with information on 66 additional groups of A. g. clamitans available in the literature, totaling 72 groups. Ensemble values obtained for this species are 6.25 individuals/group; 1.39 AM/group; 2.26 AF/group and 2.62 immature individuals/group. With respect to the dynamics of the groups, the following data were recorded: 11 births, 25 age class changes, 4 solitary individuals, 1 death/disappearance, and the fission of one group into two. Therefore, the current study described the the sex/age composition of A. g. clamitans groups, as well as some aspects of their dynamics.

Hábito alimentar de Alouatta guariba (Humboldt) (Primates, Atelidae) em Floresta de Araucária, Paraná, Brasil

This work was made between February 2002 and January 2003, on Payquere Farm, localized on Balsa Nova Municipality, Parana State, Brazil. The objects were: to quantify the time employee by A. guariba (Humboldt, 1812) eating leaves, fruits and flowers; as well as know the species of the plants used in Brown Howler monkey feeding, in a natural place of a Araucaria Pine Forest. In an all time used in feeding, the Bugres Howlers employed: 57% eating leaves, 41% fruits and 1,7% flowers. The Howler Monkeys feeding activity were observed in 70 trees, belonging to 34 species in 19 families, including an expressive number of pioneer species and two exotic species. These results suggest a good capability of this primate to be adapted in a partial changed place and live in new places.

Morcegos da região sul do Brasil: análise comparativa da riqueza de espécies, novos registros e atualizações nomenclaturais (Mammalia, Chiroptera)

A comparative analysis of the patterns of bat species richness in southern Brazil is presented, as well as similarity analyses among states. The highest richness of bat species is found in the state of Parana, with 64 species, followed by Santa Catarina with 46, and Rio Grande do Sul, with 40. The family Phyllostomidae plays an important role in determining this pattern. The geographical distributions of Trachops cirrhosus (Spix, 1823), Artibeus cinereus (Gervais, 1851) and Thyroptera tricolor Spix, 1823 are expanded to the state of Parana, establishing a new southern limit for these species and for Thyropteridae. In addition Myotis dinellii Thomas, 1901 is first recorded in Brazil, in Santa Catarina and Rio Grande do Sul, establishing a new eastern limit for this species. The distribution of Eptesicus taddeii Miranda, Bernardi & Passos, 2006 is extended by a new record in Rio Grande do Sul. An updated list of bats for the southern Brazilian states is presented with few nomenclatural adjustments. The importance of more intensive field efforts to survey the chiropterofauna is highlighted as a way to improve conservation efforts based on representative surveys and scientific collections.