Estudou-se as espécies de morcegos presentes em Ponta Grossa, na região dos Campos Gerais, Paraná, com o objetivo de conhecer seus aspectos ecológicos básicos (dieta, reprodução e horário de atividade). Realizou-se coletas em quatro fragmentos florestais, onde foram empregadas 272 horas de esforço com 48 m² de redes, e em locais de repouso, totalizando um esforço de captura de 1,52.10³ h.m². Registrou-se 247 indivíduos, de oito espécies: Artibeuslituratus (Olfers, 1818), Sturniralilium (E. Geoffroy, 1810), Desmodusrotundus (E. Geoffroy, 1810) (Phyllostomidae); Tadaridabrasiliensis (Desmarest, 1819), Eumopsauripendulus (Shaw, 1800) (Molossidae); Eptesicusbrasiliensis(Shaw, 1800), Myotisnigricans (Schinz, 1821), Histiotusvelatus (I. Geoffroy, 1824) (Vespertilionidae). Phyllostomidae foi a família mais capturada. Solanaceae, Moraceae, Piperaceae e Rosaceae fizeram parte da dieta dos frugívoros; constatou-se seis ordens de insetos e a classe Arachnida na dieta dos insetívoros. Fêmeas grávidas foram encontradas nos meses de setembro e outubro; as lactantes, em novembro e dezembro. O maior pico de captura ocorreu na segunda hora e meia de coleta. Faz-se necessário preservar as áreas florestadas, mesmo as já alteradas, pois estas são importantes para a sobrevivência da quiropterofauna local.

The diet, reproduction and activity time of bat species found in Ponta Grossa county, Campos Gerais region, were studied. Collections were conducted in four forest fragments, during 272 hours, on 48 m² of nets and roosting sites; the total capture effort was 1.52.10³ h.m². Eight species (247 individuals) were registered: Artibeuslituratus (Olfers, 1818), Sturniralilium (E. Geoffroy, 1810), Desmodusrotundus (E. Geoffroy, 1810) (Phyllostomidae); Tadaridabrasiliensis (Desmarest, 1819), Eumopsauripendulus (Shaw, 1800) (Molossidae); Eptesicusbrasiliensis (Shaw, 1800), Myotisnigricans (Schinz, 1821), and Histiotusvelatus (I. Geoffroy, 1824) (Vespertilionidae). The Phyllostomidae family was the most frequently captured. Solanaceae, Moraceae, Piperaceae, and Rosaceae were found in the diet of frugivores; six orders of insects and the class Arachnida were found in the diets of insectivores. Pregnant females were found in September and October and lactating ones in November and December. The collection peak was reached in the second hour-and-a-half. Preservation of the regional forested and altered areas is required for survival of the local chiropterofauna.

Relata-se a ocorrência de um surto de leishmaniose tegumentar americana no ano de 2002, no Município de Mariluz, mesorregião noroeste do Estado do Paraná, Brasil. Das 38 pessoas investigadas, quatro tinham lesões cicatrizadas, 10 em cicatrização e 24 tinham lesões ativas. Dos 126 cães investigados, 20 (15,9%) tinham lesões sugestivas e 24 (19%) tiveram sorologia positiva. Os parasitos isolados de dois pacientes e de três cães foram identificados como Leishmania (Viannia) braziliensis serodema I. Os flebotomíneos coletados foram identificados como Nyssomyia whitmani, N. neivai e Migonemyia migonei. Considerando que a área onde ocorreram os casos é semelhante a outras de colonização antiga no Estado do Paraná, acredita-se que as alterações ambientais e as matas remanescentes propiciam a manutenção do ciclo enzoótico do parasito e a transmissão para o homem e para os animais domésticos, mantendo o caráter endêmico da leishmaniose tegumentar americana.

An outbreak of American cutaneous leishmaniasis was reported in 2002 in Mariluz, northwestern Paraná State, Brazil. Of 38 humans who were investigated, four had healed lesions, ten showed lesions in the healing process, and 24 had active lesions. Of the 126 dogs, 20 (15.9%) presented suggestive lesions and 24 (19%) had positive serology. Parasites isolated from two patients and three dogs were identified as Leishmania (Viannia) braziliensis serodeme I. The captured sand flies were identified as Nyssomyia whitmani, N. neivai, and Migonemyia migonei. Considering that the region where the cases occurred is similar to other old human settlements in Paraná State, the environmental alterations and remaining forests facilitate the maintenance of the parasite's enzootic cycle and transmission to humans and domestic animals, thereby maintaining the endemicity of American cutaneous leishmaniasis.

Relata-se a ocorrência de um surto de leishmaniose tegumentar americana no ano de 2002, no Município de Mariluz, mesorregião noroeste do Estado do Paraná, Brasil. Das 38 pessoas investigadas, quatro tinham lesões cicatrizadas, 10 em cicatrização e 24 tinham lesões ativas. Dos 126 cães investigados, 20 (15,9%) tinham lesões sugestivas e 24 (19%) tiveram sorologia positiva. Os parasitos isolados de dois pacientes e de três cães foram identificados como Leishmania (Viannia) braziliensis serodema I. Os flebotomíneos coletados foram identificados como Nyssomyia whitmani, N. neivai e Migonemyia migonei. Considerando que a área onde ocorreram os casos é semelhante a outras de colonização antiga no Estado do Paraná, acredita-se que as alterações ambientais e as matas remanescentes propiciam a manutenção do ciclo enzoótico do parasito e a transmissão para o homem e para os animais domésticos, mantendo o caráter endêmico da leishmaniose tegumentar americana.

An outbreak of American cutaneous leishmaniasis was reported in 2002 in Mariluz, northwestern Paraná State, Brazil. Of 38 humans who were investigated, four had healed lesions, ten showed lesions in the healing process, and 24 had active lesions. Of the 126 dogs, 20 (15.9%) presented suggestive lesions and 24 (19%) had positive serology. Parasites isolated from two patients and three dogs were identified as Leishmania (Viannia) braziliensis serodeme I. The captured sand flies were identified as Nyssomyia whitmani, N. neivai, and Migonemyia migonei. Considering that the region where the cases occurred is similar to other old human settlements in Paraná State, the environmental alterations and remaining forests facilitate the maintenance of the parasite's enzootic cycle and transmission to humans and domestic animals, thereby maintaining the endemicity of American cutaneous leishmaniasis.

A leishmaniose tegumentar americana (LTA) foi estudada em 143 cães da área rural no Município de Mariluz, noroeste do Estado do Paraná, Brasil, utilizando a pesquisa direta do parasito (PD), a imunofluorescência indireta (IFI) e a reação em cadeia da polimerase (PCR). Trinta e nove cães (27,3%) apresentavam lesões sugestivas da doença, 5 (12,8%) deles foram positivos na PD e PCR em tecido de lesão, e quatro foram também positivos na IFI. Dos 34 cães com PD negativa, 12 (35,3%) tiveram a PCR (lesão) positiva, e cinco desses tiveram também IFI positiva. Cento e quatro cães não apresentavam lesão, mas 17/101 (16,8%) tiveram IFI positiva. A PCR no sangue foi positiva em 10/38 (26,3%) cães com lesão e em 16/104 (15,4%) sem lesão. A associação entre PCR (lesão ou sangue), PD e IFI detectou 24/39 (61,5%) positivos entre os cães sintomáticos e 31/104 (29,8%) positivos entre os assintomáticos. A PCR foi útil para o diagnóstico de LTA, não houve relação entre presença de lesão, sorologia e PCR no sangue, e a detecção de DNA do parasito no sangue pode indicar a ocorrência de disseminação hematogênica do parasito.

American tegumentary leishmaniasis (ATL) was studied in 143 dogs in a rural area in the county of Mariluz, northwestern Paraná State, Brazil, using direct parasite search, indirect immunofluorescence (IIF), and polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Thirty-nine dogs (27.3%) presented lesions suggestive of the disease, 5 (12.8%) of which were positive in direct parasite search and PCR (lesion), and of these 5, 4 were also positive by IIF. Of the 34 dogs with negative direct parasite search, 12 (35.3%) had PCR- positive lesions, and of these, 5 were also IIF-positive. One hundred and four dogs had no lesions, but 17/101 (16.8%) were IIF-positive. PCR in blood was positive in 10/38 (26.3%) of the dogs with lesions and in 16/104 (15.4%) of dogs without lesions. The association between PCR (lesion or blood), direct parasite search, and IIF detected 24/39 (61.5%) positive results among symptomatic dogs and 31/104 (29.8%) among asymptomatic animals. PCR was useful for diagnosing ATL, but there was no correlation between lesions, serology, and plasma PCR. Furthermore, detection of parasite DNA in the blood may indicate hematogenous parasite dissemination.

A leishmaniose tegumentar americana (LTA) foi estudada em 143 cães da área rural no Município de Mariluz, noroeste do Estado do Paraná, Brasil, utilizando a pesquisa direta do parasito (PD), a imunofluorescência indireta (IFI) e a reação em cadeia da polimerase (PCR). Trinta e nove cães (27,3%) apresentavam lesões sugestivas da doença, 5 (12,8%) deles foram positivos na PD e PCR em tecido de lesão, e quatro foram também positivos na IFI. Dos 34 cães com PD negativa, 12 (35,3%) tiveram a PCR (lesão) positiva, e cinco desses tiveram também IFI positiva. Cento e quatro cães não apresentavam lesão, mas 17/101 (16,8%) tiveram IFI positiva. A PCR no sangue foi positiva em 10/38 (26,3%) cães com lesão e em 16/104 (15,4%) sem lesão. A associação entre PCR (lesão ou sangue), PD e IFI detectou 24/39 (61,5%) positivos entre os cães sintomáticos e 31/104 (29,8%) positivos entre os assintomáticos. A PCR foi útil para o diagnóstico de LTA, não houve relação entre presença de lesão, sorologia e PCR no sangue, e a detecção de DNA do parasito no sangue pode indicar a ocorrência de disseminação hematogênica do parasito.

American tegumentary leishmaniasis (ATL) was studied in 143 dogs in a rural area in the county of Mariluz, northwestern Paraná State, Brazil, using direct parasite search, indirect immunofluorescence (IIF), and polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Thirty-nine dogs (27.3%) presented lesions suggestive of the disease, 5 (12.8%) of which were positive in direct parasite search and PCR (lesion), and of these 5, 4 were also positive by IIF. Of the 34 dogs with negative direct parasite search, 12 (35.3%) had PCR- positive lesions, and of these, 5 were also IIF-positive. One hundred and four dogs had no lesions, but 17/101 (16.8%) were IIF-positive. PCR in blood was positive in 10/38 (26.3%) of the dogs with lesions and in 16/104 (15.4%) of dogs without lesions. The association between PCR (lesion or blood), direct parasite search, and IIF detected 24/39 (61.5%) positive results among symptomatic dogs and 31/104 (29.8%) among asymptomatic animals. PCR was useful for diagnosing ATL, but there was no correlation between lesions, serology, and plasma PCR. Furthermore, detection of parasite DNA in the blood may indicate hematogenous parasite dissemination.

Estudou-se quais espécies de piperáceas são consumidas por uma colônia de Carollia perspicillata (Linnaeus, 1758) localizada do Parque Municipal Arthur Thomas (82,72ha). Foram encontradas no parque: Piper aduncum Linnaeus, Piper amalago (Jacq.) Yuncker, Piper crassinervium H.B.K., Piper gaudichaudianum Kunth e Piper sp. C. perspicillata alimentou-se de todas essas espécies. Durante a primavera, o item mais abundante foi P. amalago, porém o mais consumido foi P. aduncum. No início do verão, P. crassinervium foi o mais abundante e o mais consumido. No final do verão e no outono, P. gaudichaudianum foi o mais abundante e o mais consumido, mesmo em maio, quando P. amalago foi o mais abundante. No inverno, os itens mais disponíveis foram P. aduncum, Piper sp. e P. amalago, e os mais consumidos, Piper sp., P. gaudichaudianum e P. aduncum. Os resultados mostraram que o maior consumo de C. perspicillata por infrutescências de Piper, no parque, está relacionado à maior abundância ou ao maior valor energético das infrutescências disponíveis: na primavera e no inverno, a maior procura pelas espécies mais energéticas e menos abundantes está relacionada ao ganho energético, ou seja, a espécie procura alimentos que lhe rendam maior quantidade de energia por unidade de consumo; no verão e no outono, a maior procura pela mais abundante está relacionada à economia da energia gasta na procura do alimento.

A study about the species of Piperaceae that are consumed by a colony of Carollia perspicillata (Linnaeus, 1758) in Parque Municipal Arthur Thomas (82,72 ha) was carried out. Five available species of Piperaceae were found in the park: Piper aduncum Linnaeus, Piper amalago (Jacq.) Yuncker, Piper crassinervium H.B.K., Piper gaudichaudianum Kunth and Piper sp. C. perspicillata fed on all of these species. During the spring, the most abundant item was P. amalago, but the consumption of P. aduncum was the highest. At the beginning of the summer, P. crassinervium was the most abundant and most consumed item. At the end of the summer and during the fall, P. gaudichaudianum was the most abundant and consumed item, even in May, when P. amalago was the most abundant item. During the winter, the most highly available items were P. aduncum, Piper sp. and P. amalago, and the ones that were consumed the most were Piper sp., P. gaudichaudianum and P. aduncum. The results have shown that the preferences of C. perspicillata in the park are related to the greater abundance or the higher energetic value of the available Piperaceae. The greater search for the most energetic and least abundant species, which happened in the spring and winter, is related to the energy gain, that is, the species searches for food that will provide a greater quantity of energy per unit of consumption; and the greater search for the most abundant item, which occurred in the summer and fall, is related to saving the energy used in the search for food.

Study carried out within the urban perimeter of Londrina, which is located in the North of the state of Paraná. The objectives were the identification of urban species of bats and diurnal roosts used by them and the verification of the problems they can cause to the population. The fire brigade, the Autarquia Municipal do Ambiente de Londrina (Municipal Environment Autarchy of Londrina), the Biology Department of the Universidade Estadual de Londrina (State University of Londrina) and local residents helped spot the roosts. The collections were carried out in regular intervals between April 1998 and March 1999. By the end of them, 815 bats of 23 different species had been captured. Among these, 12 were found near or inside human constructions: Noctilio albiventris Desmarest, 1818; Artibeits lituratus (Olfers, 1818); Platyrrhinus lineatus (E. Geoffroy, 1810); Eptesicus brasiliensis Desmarest 1819; Lasiurus bore-alls (Muller 1776); Lasiurus ega (Gervais, 1856); Eumops glaucinus (Wagner, 1843); Molossus rufus (E. Geoffroy, 1805); Molossus molossus (Pallas, 1766); Nyctinomops laticaudatus (E. Geoffroy, 1805); Nyctinomops macrotis (Gray, 1840) e Tadarida brasiliensis (i. Geoffroy, 1824). Roost sites comprised expansion joints, roofs, attics and parks, among others. It can be concluded that bats are treated as undesirable animals by the population due to the lack of knowledge about the subject.

A survey of bats species from Monte Alegre Farm is presented. One hundred and two bats of 14 species belonging to Phyllostomidae and Vespertilionidae were colected. Remarks about reproduction and feeding habits are included.

A study on the ecology of Chiroptera was made at the Reserve of Volta Velha on the Northern coast of Santa Catarina. This study aimed at knowing the frequency of the individuals colleeted in each season, part of their feeding diet and their time of activity as well as their breeding activity. The investigation was carried out from March, 1990 to February, 1991 by means of periodical captures which ocurred during four days each month totalizing 144 hours of net use. One hundred and thirty-five individuals belonging to 15 different species were caught. Sturnira lilium (Geoffroy, 1810), Artibeus lituratus (Olfers, 1818) and Myotis nigricans (Schinz, 1821) were captured in the highest number throughout the seasons of the year. Fruit-eating bats confirm their feeding preference for Cecropiaceae, Solanaceae. Myrtaceae and Piperaceae. The births occurred mostly in seasons other than the dry. Around 1:15 hours after sunset was the time when the highest numher of individuals were collected in the nets.

Due to the lack of information concerning mammals in the North of Paraná State, Brazil. a preliminary survey of bat species of the region of Londrina is presented. Three hundred and thirty four individuais of 18 species belonging to Phyllostomidae, Desmodontidae, Vespertilionidae and Molossidae families were collected. Data were gathered related to threir feeding habits, reproduction and time of achvity.

Resumo Foram analisadas oito espécies de morcegos (Pteronotus parnellii rubiginosus, Carollia p. perspicillata, Uroderma b. bilobatum, Uroderma magnirostrum, Chiroderma v. villosum, Artibeus fuliginosus, Desmodus r. rotundus, Molossus m. molossus) colecionados na Estação Ecológica de Maracá, Território Federal de Roraima. São fornecidas medidas externas e cranianas dos exemplares, ao lado de observações taxonômicas e sobre a distribuição geográfica das espécies.

Summary Eight species of bats from the Ecological Station of Maracá in the Federal Territory of Roraima were taxonomically analysed. The following species were treated in the study: Pteronotus parnellii rubiginosus, Carollia p. perspicillata, Uroderma b. bilobatum, Uroderma magniiostrum, Chiroderma v. villosum, Artibeus fuliginosus, Desmodus r. rotundus and Molossus m. molossus. Notes on the geographic distribution of the species are included.