Vanner Boere

Reactions to Potential Predators in Captive-Born Marmosets (Callithrix penicillata)

We describe the behavioral repertoire of captive-born black tufted-eared marmosets (Callithrix penicillata) elicited by brief exposures to three potential mounted taxidermized predators (caracara hawk, Polyborus plancus; rattlesnake, Crotalus durissus; oncilla, Leopardus tigrina), and a stuffed toy. For each of the four stimuli, we submitted the subjects to a 9-min trial divided into three consecutive intervals: a 4-min pre-exposure baseline observation, a 1-min stimulus exposure, and a 4-min postexposure observation period. We positioned stimuli in front of each subjects home cage, and video-taped trials for behavioral analysis. During exposures to the potential taxidermized predators, we heard tsik-tsik vocalization and alarm behavior. After exposures, only the cat induced these reactions. All stimuli elicited observational reaction, albeit only during exposure intervals. Further comparisons between the three trial intervals indicated a decrease in the time spent in proximity to the cat during exposures, while an increase in proximity occurred when subjects were exposed to either the hawk or snake for the same period. Taken together, the behavioral responses during and after exposures to the taxidermized oncilla suggest that this stimulus is capable of inducing strong and persistent emotional reactions in Callithrix penicillata.

Environmental enrichment for neotropical primates in captivity

Cativeiro e um ambiente de extremos nao naturais para primatas. O sucesso de uma criacao de primatas depende do manejo e de procedimentos veterinarios que devem considerar as necessidades etologicas dos animais cativos. Enriquecimento ambiental e um conjunto de tecnicas que modificam o ambiente, resultando em uma melhora na qualidade de vida dos animais, ao satisfazer as suas necessidades comportamentais. O enriquecimento pode diminuir o estresse e melhorar o bem-estar. Primatas neotropicais se caracterizam por complexas estruturas neurais e se relacionam de maneira sofisticada com o ambiente. O enriquecimento ambiental pode aumentar a qualidade de uma criacao ao adequar o manejo a padroes eticos aceitaveis, estimular o repertorio normal do comportamento, diminuir a casuistica clinica, diminuir a mortalidade, incrementar a taxa reprodutiva e maximizar a relacao custo/beneficio em uma criacao. Esta revisao relata experiencias relevantes nos procedimentos de enriquecimento para primatas neotropicais, alem de comentar as bases fisiologicas em que essas intervencoes melhoram o bem-estar dos animais cativos.

The right ear but not the left ear temperature is related to stress-induced cortisolaemia in the domestic cat (Felis catus)

Transport in containers and an unfamiliar environment are potent stress-inducing factors in domestic cats. This stress can be evaluated using cortisol concentration in serum and through other related physiological responses, such as increased glycaemia and body temperature. There is evidence that in some animal species, while subjected to psychological stress, lower right tympanic temperature is associated with emotional activation. In this study we evaluated the relationship between tympanic temperature, rectal temperature, and glycaemia and stress level as represented by cortisolaemia in domestic cats. Two groups of 18 cats were separated according to higher or lower cortisol serum levels after transportation and exposure to an unfamiliar environment. The right tympanic temperature was lower in the low cortisol group than in the high cortisol group. No significant differences in left tympanic temperature, rectal temperature, and glycaemia were observed between the low cortisol and high cortisol group. The relationship between emotional stress and tympanic temperature is in accordance with a possible emotional lateralisation in domestic cats. This functional tympanic membrane temperature technique could be an alternative method to evaluate the psychological stress in domestic cats.

Comparison between sex and age class on some physiological, thermal, and hematological indices of the cerrado's marmoset (Callithrix penicillata)*

Abstract:  There are few papers about physiological indices in Callithrix penicillata, an increasing primate model in biomedicine. We investigated levels of plasmatic cortisol, plasmatic glucose, free fatty acids, blood cells, tympanic temperature, rectal temperature in C. penicllata, under a fast restraint. Measures of body and weight were accomplished. Males and females were not different regarding any measurements. Body measurements indicated differences between adults and juveniles. Adults showed higher hematocrit and a tendency for higher free fatty acids than juveniles. Right tympanic temperature was higher in adults than juveniles. This result suggests a higher reaction metabolism in adults than juveniles under a restraint stress. Due to the short‐time of collecting the data, plasmatic cortisol did not influence physiological parameters. Therefore, we suggest that present results could be considered referential values of C. penicillata physiology.

Correlation between tympanic and rectal temperature in marmosets (Callithrix penicillata) under acute stress

In veterinary practice, tympanic temperature (TT) measurement is not very disseminated. It is surprising, because TT could have advantages compared to the rectal temperature (RT). In the present study, we investigate (Callithrix penicillata), right TT, left TT and RT. We used an infra-red thermometer to measure the temperature in marmosets of tympanic membrane, and a digital clinical thermometer for the measurement of rectal temperature. Right TT was lower than left TT and RT. There was not statistical difference between left TT and RT. Correlation between left TT and RT was stronger than correlation between right TT and both, left TT and RT. This results suggests of a regional thermal dissociation and an asymmetric cerebral metabolism and body temperature, due to the stress of contention in marmosets.

Non-human primates as a reservoir for rabies virus in Brazil: XXXX

Rabies virus (RABV) does not persist in the environment as it is a very fragile agent. The primary hosts are mammalian species in the orders Carnivora and Chiroptera. Since the late 1980s, RABV has been isolated from non‐human primates, Callithrix jacchus (the white‐tufted marmoset), in four coastal states (Rio Grande do Norte, Ceará, Piauí and Pernambuco) in north‐eastern Brazil, where this species is indigenous. The original habitat of C. jacchus consisted of two Brazilian biomes, the Atlantic Forest and the Caatinga. However, these marmosets have since adapted to other ecosystems as a result of human activities. Between 1988 and 1989, RABV isolates were obtained from white‐tufted marmosets in the state of Rio Grande do Norte, but antigenic and genetic identification studies were not conducted at that time. In the following years, three additional states reported cases (Ceará, Piauí and Pernambuco). In two of these states (Ceará and Piauí), human cases of rabies transmitted by marmosets were reported. According to Brazilian Health Ministry data, at least 19 human cases in which this species was the source of infection were registered in between 1990 and 2016. Recent findings in laboratory tests of 12 rabid samples from humans and marmosets and the regional transmission among these animals for over 20 years, together with the gradual increase in the affected geographic area, support the concept of the emergence of a new RABV reservoir. Regional tourism, the wild animal trade and the cultural practice of maintaining these animals as pets, particularly in coastal regions, appear to be major risk factors for the increase in human cases. Additional epidemiological and ecological studies are required to better understand local disease dynamics and to identify ideal opportunities for prevention and control of this fatal infection.

Há equivalência entre a temperatura da membrana timpânica e a temperatura retal em ovinos Santa Inês normotérmicos

The use of infrared thermometers to obtain the tympanic temperature in animals has become a convenient alternative in veterinarian medicine practice. In sheep, tympanic and rectal temperatures have not yet been compared enough. This study evaluated the equivalence between the tympanic and the rectal temperatures in sixteen Santa Ines sheep. During data collection, air temperature and humidity were monitored and there was no discernible correlation between these and the ovine body temperature. The analysis of the equivalence, as measured by the method of the difference amongst temperatures, resulted in lower tympanic temperature (between 35 and 36.9°C, for both ears) than the rectal temperature (between 38 and 39°C). The agreement limit of the comparisons between the rectal and tympanic temperatures was above values established previously in the literature. The anatomical site used for the temperature measurement and the type of thermometer used contributed to these temperature differences. The rectal and tympanic temperatures were independent, suggesting that there is no equivalence between them.

O tamanho do ovo não prediz o desenvolvimento físico de avestruzes (Struthio camelus) aos quinze dias de idade

O tamanho dos ovos esta relacionado com a sobrevivencia e o crescimento de filhotes de aves precociais. A inter-relacao entre ovo e filhote pode ser importante para a producao animal, fornecendo subsidios para decisoes estrategicas de economia, manejo e bem-estar animal. Este estudo analisou a relacao entre o peso dos ovos antes da incubacao e o desenvolvimento de filhotes de avestruzes (N=48) aos quinze dias de idade. Os filhotes foram criados em grupos, em bercarios, com alimentacao comercial e sem cuidado parental. Nos filhotes, mensurou-se o peso, a altura da cernelha e o comprimento do tarso-metatarso. Houve uma significativa diferenca nos pesos dos ovos, mas as medidas corporais equivalentes dos filhotes nao foram estatisticamente diferentes. Em concordância com estudos em outras especies de aves, o peso do ovo nao parece influenciar o crescimento dos filhotes de avestruzes ate os 15 dias de vida, em avestruzes.