Study on Ecology and Health of Felines - Vale.com
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Felines
Ricardo Teles
Study on
Ecology and
Health of Felines
F
or the last 40 years, RNV Atlantic Forest" (Competição, Minas Gerais), Ana Carolina Srbek
has hosted studies on the coexistência e saúde geral de de Araujo formerly worked as
fauna that are relevant for grandes felinos na Mata Atlântica a Sustainability analyst at Vale.
the existing richness in the area, de Tabuleiro), selected among the Now, she is a full professor of the
focusing on endangered animals proposals submitted in the joint call postgraduate programs in Ecology
that find, in this area, one of their for proposals between Vale and the of Ecosystems and in Animal
remaining refuges in the Atlantic Research Support Foundations of Science, both at UVV.
Forest. Ana Carolina Srbek de Araujo,
the states of Espírito Santo and Rio
a biologist at Vila Velha University As early as in the 2000s, her project
de Janeiro, in 2015.
(UVV, Universidade de Vilha Velha), aimed to define the number of
has been studying jaguars at RNV With a master’s degree in Zoology jaguars (Panthera onca) existing in
on an ongoing basis since 2005. of Vertebrates and holding a PhD the region of RNV, and to determine
Currently, she coordinates the in Ecology, Conservation, and the proportion of females and
research project "Competition, Management of Wildlife from the males in the population, as well
Coexistence, and General Health Federal University of Minas Gerais as to evaluate the distribution of
of Large Felines in the Tabuleiro (UFMG, Universidade Federal de individuals within the reserve area.
MAIS 13
Felines
Using genetic resources, she also one doctoral student. It aims to study New Phases
evaluated this population situation intra and interspecific competition
A new phase of the project,
to check if there was any loss of patterns, establishing the
genetic variability, which can occur which began in the second half of
mechanisms that allow maintenance
due to inbreeding (mating between 2018, comprises the capture and
of the populations as well as
two related individuals), for example, installation of transmitter collars
coexistence of jaguars and pumas
and the proportion. She also studied on individual animals. It will help
(Puma concolor) within Linhares-
the animals’ diet and the presence of Sooretama block, in addition to improve monitoring and study
intestinal parasites. determining the general health of patterns of territory use and
conditions of individual animals. sharing by jaguars and pumas,
As part of the results, she estimated also enabling the continuation
“We started in 2017, with the
the existence of nearly 20 jaguars
collection of fecal samples to update of the study on diet overlap
in the Linhares-Sooretama block,
the data on diet and parasitology. and general health.
a large remnant area of the forest
For that, we walked the non-paved Jaguars will be captured with the
adjacent to RNV. The population
internal roads of RNV in search
is composed of two females for help of traps conventionally used
of feces and other signs, such as
every male, with only adults being in Brazil. In the case of pumas,
considered. It is the last remaining tracks and scratches, that serve as
a technique unprecedented
population of these felines in signals of the places where jaguars
in the country will also be
Espírito Santo and one of the last are found”, Ana Srbek explains.
applied, using remote capture
in the Atlantic Forest. According to her, the update of
equipment, authorized by the
information is important to evaluate
National Center of Research and
The study also concluded that, if there has been any change in the
Conservation of Carnivorous
despite the loss of genetic patterns previously recorded that
Mammals (CENAP, Centro Nacional
variability, the jaguars in RNV still could indicate problems for the
de Pesquisa e Conservação de
have important information for the conservation of the species.
Mamíferos Carnívoros) and ICMBio.
genetic conservation of the species
due to the presence of alleles that In total, the researchers have already “Through a partnership with
have not been registered until covered 1,380 kilometers during Francisco Palomares, a Spanish
then in other populations. Genes the sampling phase, and in the first researcher from the Doñana
are made up of alleles, segments 16 months of the study, 459 fecal Biological Station – Spanish
in which specific information is feline samples were found, of which National Research Council (EBD-
contained and that may vary among 38 have already been confirmed as CSIC, Estación Biológica de
individuals. The loss of genetic belonging to large species. A portion Doñana – Consejo Superior de
variability occurs when, randomly, of each collected sample is used for Investigaciones Científicas) in
there is a reduction in the number diet analysis. Fecal samples found Seville, a device will be used to
of allele types and certain alleles fresh are divided into subsamples, allow dart sedation of animals, with
become more common. which are selected for analysis of minimum intervention required
intestinal parasites and virology for the containment of animals,
Current Study (See list on page 17). As well as fecal guaranteeing that the capture,
The current study is being carried out samples, 34 scratches and 104 places aided by biologists and veterinary
by a group of researchers (See list on with tracks or footprints of large physicians, is much less stressful for
page 15), three master’s students and felines were recorded. the jaguars”, explains Ana Srbek.
14 MAIS
The technique will only be used will also be authorized for reproductive capacity of individuals.
for pumas, because jaguars are less jaguars in the future. Once freed, they will be equipped
endangered in the Atlantic Forest with transmitter collars (provided for
Once the felines are sedated,
in comparison with pumas, and eight pumas) that will allow much
samples will be collected for an
the local population is extremely more comprehensive monitoring,
overall evaluation of their health
via satellite, of the their movements,
important. Thus, CENAP authorized condition, through the study of
both in relation to the areas they
the use of this new equipment biological parameters (hematological
move through and the times in
only for pumas. If the success is and biochemical profile) and dosage
which each of them does so. “For
confirmed for this species (with no of inorganic contaminants, oral cavity
the identification of the spatial and
additional risks for the individuals), condition and teething, endo and temporal pattern of the area used
captures using remote equipment ectoparasites, viral diseases, and the by the pumas, an analysis of the
geographic location points collected
Researchers through the transmitter collar will
be carried out. This data, along with
Name Institution Title the points at which feces, tracks and
scratches are found, will be evaluated
Ana Carolina Vila Velha
Doctor with the help of Geographical
Srbek de Araujo University
Information Systems (GIS) and will
João Luiz Vila Velha be used to identify the patterns
Doctor
Rossi Júnior University
of spatial and temporal overlap or
Fábio Ribeiro Vila Velha segregation of the individuals”, states
Doctor
Braga University the researcher.
Fernando Federal University At the end of the study, planned
Doctor
Vicentini of Espírito Santo
for 2020, with the conclusion of the
Francisco Palomares Doñana Biological laboratory analyses and the analysis
Doctor
Fernández Station, in Spain of the data from the collars, there will
Tarcízio Antônio Federal University be more accumulated knowledge
Doctor
Rego de Paula of Viçosa to use for the conservation of
the species. It will be possible, for
David Costa Vila Velha
Doctor example, to evaluate the need for
Braga University
specific measures to manage certain
Hilton Entringer Vila Velha Studying for a species that are considered key preys
Júnior University master’s degree
for the survival of large predators –
Alana Gomes Vila Velha Studying for a such as the white-lipped peccary
Ribeiro University master’s degree (Tayassu pecari), the capybara
(Hydrochaeris hydrochoerus) and
Laura Martins Vila Velha Studying for a
Magalhães University master’s degree the paca (Cuniculus paca) – or
of methods for populational
Ana Paula Jejesky Vila Velha Studying for a
supplementation through the
de Oliveira University doctorate degree
transfer of pumas from other areas,
MAIS 15Felines
so that the local populations can
remain healthy on the long term.
Balance
The project will also identify
which ecological mechanisms can
help reduce direct competition
between jaguars and pumas; it
is essential for their coexistence
in Linhares-Sooretama block and
in other fragmented areas of the
country. "These predators are key
Leonardo Merçon
to ensuring a balanced ecosystem
as they control prey populations.
Lack of such regulation creates
imbalance among the species and
may even lead to a cascade reaction
that will reduce the seed dispersal The felines are a flagship species,
in the forest," says Ana Srbek.
popular and very useful for
Furthermore, the predators
usually consume weak or sick awareness campaigns that
animals, helping to keep the we have been running
prey populations healthy too”,
Ana Srbek comments.
The study of pumas has another
to raise awareness that all the Further Information
positive impact, on education, as
researchers have contributed a lot For more information
pointed out by Jackeceli Falqueto,
to”, said Jackeceli. on research related
Environmental analyst of RNV
to the topic, read
and biologist responsible for the As someone who knows the
http://www.bibliotecadigital.
support, evaluation, and monitoring structure of the Reserve, Ana
ufmg.br/dspace/handle/
of the research projects carried Srbek emphasizes the area is
1843/BUBD-998LEE.
out in the area. “The felines are a an environmental asset that
flagship species, popular and very shows Vale’s responsibility to the
useful for awareness campaigns biodiversity conservation and
that we have been running ever enables exchanges between
more frequently, mainly directed to the company and the academic From the research carried out
the children in the region, but also world, which is beneficial for both in RNV, information has been
to adults and educators. Poaching parties and helps to ensure faster generated that contributes to
and forest fires are problems that improvement of knowledge and conservation of the flora and fauna
affect the large felines and all the innovation. “The Reserve is an not just within it, but in other areas
biodiversity, requiring an effort inexhaustible source of knowledge. too”, she comments.
16 MAISLaboratory Analysis
of Samples
T
he analyses will be done at the rectum of captured species
the Laboratory of Ecology and samples collected in the field
and Conservation of (when fresh) are evaluated for the
Biodiversity at UVV (diet and use of presence of eggs, larvae and adult
space), the Laboratory of Wildlife helminths, as well as for cysts and
Health at UVV (parasitology), the oocysts of protozoans. For this, a
Laboratory of Virology at UFES combination of sampling methods
(virology), and the Laboratory of are adopted, such as flotation
Animal Breeding at UVV (breeding). (Willis method) and spontaneous
sedimentation (HPF method).
Diet
The identification of intestinal
Valentyn Volkov
The analysis of the diet is done endoparasites (eggs, larvae, cysts,
through the identification of and oocysts) is done with the help
non-digested items (hairs, quills, of an optical microscope.
bone fragments, teeth, scales,
and many other) contained in the Virology
of positive samples for genetic
fecal samples. For this, the samples The analysis of viral infection
sequencing to identify
are washed under running water, of jaguars and pumas is done
the microorganisms.
dried in an oven, and screened to for different agents, such as the
separate and classify the content. Canine Distemper Virus (CDV ), as Breeding
The hairs, specifically, are separated well as the adenovirus, rotavirus,
according to morphotype For analysis of reproductive
reovirus, and picobirnavirus. For
(coloration, length, and thickness) capacity, the animal’s semen is
this, a swab is collected from the
and submitted to microstructural collected. The material collected
oral and nasal cavity (conjunctiva)
analysis (identification of medulla and the feces. The swabs are is placed in a solution of buffered
and cuticle), with the help of an stored in a means of transport formalin. The morphological
optical microscope. This technique and the feces are stored in and quantitative analyses of
is used to identify the prey, in the universal containers that are kept the semen are done through an
case of mammals, as well as to refrigerated in thermal containers optical microscope to identify
confirm the species of predator to be sent to the laboratory. the occurrence and frequency
(analysis of hair ingested during Viral detection is done through of the main sperm defects,
self-cleaning). the extraction of nucleic acid, considering those associated to
using the Boom method, and the spermatogenic process, to the
Parasitology later detection of viral genomes transport of sperm through the
For the analysis of endoparasites, through PAGE (RNA) and PCR epididymis and the process
the feces collected directly from (DNA and RNA), with the sending of maturation.
MAIS 17You can also read
