Marcelo Oscar Bordignon

Dieta do morcego-pescador Noctilio leporinus (Linnaeus) (Mammalia, Chiroptera) em uma área de manguezal do sul do Brasil

De janeiro a dezembro de 1999, foi estudada a dieta de Noctilio leporinus (Linnaeus, 1758) em um ecossistema de manguezal, atraves da analise das fezes de morcegos capturados com redes-neblina. Das 61 amostras analisadas, a maioria continha fragmentos de peixes (90.2%), seguido de insetos (70.5%) e crustaceos (29,5%). As especies de peixes mais frequentes foram: peixe-rei Atherinella brasiliensis (Quoy & Gaimard, 1825), manjuba Cetengraulis edentulus (Cuvier, 1829) e sardinha Ophisthonema oglinum (Lesueur, 1818). Os insetos mais frequentes foram mariposas (Saturniidae) e besouros (Cerambycidae, Scarabaeidae e Coccinellidae), alem de duas especies de ectoparasitas (Streblidae). Entre os crustaceos, houve a presenca apenas de camaroes (Palaemonidae) e siris (Gecarcinidae). O consumo de peixes, insetos e crustaceos foi diferente para machos e femeas ao longo do ano.From January to December 1999, the diet of Noctilio leporinus (Linnaeus, 1758) was determined in a salt-water ecosystem, by analysing the feces of bats captured in mist nets. Of the 61 samples analyzed, most contained remains of fish (90.2%), followed by insects (70.5%) and crustaceous (29.5%). The most frequent fishes species were: silversides Atherinella brasiliensis (Quoy & Gaimard, 1825), anchovies Cetengraulis edentulus (Cuvier, 1829) and scaly sardines Ophisthonema oglinum (Lesueur, 1818). The most frequent insects were moths (Saturniidae) and beetles (Cerambycidae, Scarabaeidae and Coccinellidae), as well as two species of bat ectoparasites (Streblidae). Among the crustaceous the shrimp (Palaemonidae) and crabs (Gecarcinidae) are was present. The consumption of fish, insects and crustaceans was different for the males and females throughout the year.

First record of Leishmania braziliensis presence detected in bats, Mato Grosso do Sul, southwest Brazil

Leishmaniasis, a zoonotic disease caused by parasites of the genus Leishmania, has expanded beyond its natural range and is becoming increasingly urban. Using PCR and PCR-RFLP, we detected Leishmania (Viannia) braziliensis in two bats (Chiroptera) in Mato Grosso do Sul, Brazil, an endemic area. This is the first record of L. (V.) braziliensis in bats. It is also the first record of any Leishmania sp. in bats in the state. The animals testing positive were found in both a rural site and an urban site. These results indicate the need for further research into the viability of Leishmania in bats and could potentially have implications for public health in Mato Grosso do Sul, given the large populations of urban bats, their mobility, and their ability to roost at close proximity to humans within residences and other buildings.

Bat Diversity (Mammalia, Chiroptera) from Aporé-Sucuriú's complex, Mato Grosso do Sul, Brazil

From April to November 2004 was made a bat fauna inventory in Northern of Mato Grosso do Sul, Brazil (Jaurus Project/MMA). Eight points was sampled with mist-nets in a cerrados ecosystem and was caught 146 individuals de 28 species, distributed into six bat families. The total of species in this study just represents 30% of cerrados bat fauna. The more caught family was Phyllostomidae represented by Glossophaga soricina (Pallas, 1766) and Artibeus lituratus (Olfers, 1818). Some rare species were caught: Lophostoma brasiliense (Peters, 1866), Lonchophylla mordax Thomas, 1903 and Lionycteris spurrelli Thomas, 1913. The more abundant point sampled (0.032 bat/m2/h) shown a Simpson index of D = 3.86 and the low abundant point sampled (0.003 bat/m2/h) was D = 3.03. The preservation of water springs and forest cover in study sites are discussed.

Host characteristics do not affect community structure of ectoparasites on the fishing bat Noctilio leporinus (L., 1758) (Mammalia: Chiroptera)

Patterns of parasite abundance and prevalence are thought to be influenced by several host characteristics such as size, sex, developmental stage, and seasonality. We examined two obligatory ectoparasites of the bat Noctilio leporinus (L.) (Chiroptera, Noctilionidae) to test whether prevalence and abundance of Noctiliostrebla aitkeni Wenzel and Paradyschiria fusca Speiser (Diptera, Streblidae) are influenced by the host characteristics. During this survey, 2110 flies were collected. The total abundance was 1150 N. aitkeni and 950 P. fusca. The prevalence of both species was shown to be superior to 75% and neither host size, sex, reproductive stage nor season influenced significantly the variation of the observed values. N. aitkeni were more abundant than P. fusca in all seasons except winter. Both flies showed a significant seasonal variation in terms of abundance but host biological characteristics (host size, sex, and reproductive stage) did not play a significant role as structuring factors of the batflies component community.

Predação de morcegos por Chrotopterus auritus (Peters) (Mammalia, Chiroptera) no pantanal de Mato Grosso do Sul, Brasil

The predation of Carollia perspiscillata (Linnaeus, 1758) and Peropterix macrotis (Wagner, 1843) by Chrotopterus auritus (Peters, 1856) was registered in a cave at Urucums mountains of Corumba, Mato Grosso do Sul, Brazil. The wing fragments and cranium finded under feces deposites, in replace point of C. auritus, were comparated with colection reference material and revealed that C. auritus can eat occasionaly other bat species that inhabit in same roost.

Geographic distribution's ampliation of Chiroderma doriae Thomas (Mammalia, Chiroptera) in Brazil

The geographic distribution ampliation of Chiroderma doriae Thomas, 1891 is related in this note with a new record from Corumba City, in pantanal ecossistem of Mato Grosso do Sul State. This record extend the geographic range of C. doriae over 630 km westward in Brazil from literature last reccord.

Leishmania (V.) braziliensis infecting bats from Pantanal wetland, Brazil: First records for Platyrrhinus lineatus and Artibeus planirostris

In the New World genus Leishmania parasites are etiological agents of neglected zoonoses known as leishmaniasis. Its epidemiology is very complex due to the participation of several species of sand fly vectors and mammalian hosts, and man is an accidental host. Control is very difficult because of the different epidemiological patterns of transmission observed. Studies about Leishmania spp. infection in bats are so scarce, which represents a large gap in knowledge about the role of these animals in the transmission cycle of these pathogens, especially when considering that Chiroptera is one of the most abundant and diverse orders among mammals. Leishmaniasis in Mato Grosso do Sul, Brazil are remarkably frequent, probably due to the abundance of its regional mastofauna. The recent record of L. braziliensis in bats from this state indicates the need to clarify the role of these mammals in the transmission cycle. In this study we evaluated the presence of Leishmania parasites in the skin of different species of bats, using PCR directed to Leishmania spp. kDNA for screening followed by PCR/RFLP analysis of the hsp70 gene for the identification of parasite species. Leishmania species identification was confirmed by PCR directed to the G6PD gene of L. braziliensis, followed by sequencing of the PCR product. Samples from 47 bats were processed, of which in three specimens (6.38%) was detected the presence of Leishmania sp. kDNA. PCR/RFLP and sequencing identified the species involved in the infection as L. braziliensis in all of them. This is the first report of Leishmania braziliensis in bats from Pantanal ecosystem and the first record of this species in Platyrrhinus lineatus and Artibeus planirostris, bats with a wide distribution in South America. These results reinforce the need to deepen the knowledge about the possibility of bats act as reservoirs of Leishmania spp. especially considering their ability of dispersion and occupation of anthropic environments.

Fast and furious: a look at the death of animals on the highway MS-080, Southwestern Brazil

Several factors, such as hunting and the pet trade, are responsible for the worldwide decline of wildlife populations. In addition, fatal collisions with vehicles on highways have also taken one of the largest tolls. This study aimed to quantify the richness and abundance of vertebrate roadkill along highway MS-080 in Mato Grosso do Sul, Central-West Brazil. We compare the amount of roadkill to the distance between cities, moon phases and the flow of vehicles on the highway. Samples were collected weekly between March and September 2011, totaling 257 individuals, belonging to 32 families and 52 species, resulting in an index of 0.13 individuals hit/km. Birds were the most frequently hit taxa, followed by mammals. The most affected species was Cariama cristata (Cariamidae), followed by Cerdocyon thous (Canidae). The sections of highway closest to cities had the highest number of individual animals killed. Our observations indicate that the density of the vegetation next to the highway positively influences the amount of roadkill.

Bat (Chiroptera) assemblages in three Cerrado fragments of Mato Grosso do Sul, southwestern Brazil

Despite its high species richness and large area, the Brazilian Cerrado is a generally undervalued and under-protected biome. There are relatively few published studies of bat assemblages in this area. We surveyed for bats using mist-nets from April–November 2013 within and around Campo Grande, Brazil in an urban fragment, an agricultural fragment, and a larger fragment of continuous forest. We captured 508 individuals from 21 species representing four families: Phyllostomidae (10), Molossidae (6), Vespertilionidae (4), and Noctilionidae (1). Phyllostomids accounted for 91.73% of captures. The most common species were Artibeus planirostris (27.76%), Artibeus lituratus (21.06%), and Sturnira lilium (11.61%). There was variation between the sites: richness and diversity was highest in the continuous forest and lowest in the urban fragment. Evenness was highest in the rural fragment. The least similar sites were the urban fragment and the continuous forest; similarity was greatest between the rural site and continuous forest.

Reproduction of the greater bulldog bat Noctilio leporinus (Chiroptera: Noctilionidae) in a mangrove area in southern Brazil

The reproductive pattern of the greater bulldog bat (Noctilio leporinus) was studied in southern Brazil from January to December 1999. The morphological characteristics of their reproductive organs were recorded monthly, through histological analysis of testes and ovaries. Those data were correlated with forearm size and body mass, as well as with external reproductive characteristics. The diameter of the seminiferous tubule increased proportionately to testis mass and body weight, and larger males had greater testis mass. Sexually mature males were recorded throughout the year. Ovary histology revealed that females ovulate between July and December. Lactating females were recorded in nearly every month of the year. Noctilio leporinus has a bimodal polyestrous pattern, with an increase in the recruitment of juveniles between January and May.