RESUMO: O objetivo do presente estudo foi avaliar a exposição de pequenos mamíferos silvestres para riquétsias do Grupo da Febre Maculosa (GFM) no estado do Mato Grosso do Sul, centro-oeste do Brasil. Amostras de soro de 68 pequenos mamíferos foram submetidos à reação de imunofluorescência indireta (RIFI) frente a seis espécies de Rickettsia do Brasil. No total, 37,5% (9/24)e 6,8% (3/44) dos soros de marsupiais e pequenos roedores, respectivamente, reagiram a pelo menos uma das espécies de Rickettsia , com títulos variando de 64 a 512. Os resultados sugerem que pequenos mamíferos silvestres foram infectados por riquétsias do GFM e poderiam participar na ecologia de riquétsias no Mato Grosso do Sul, Brasil.

ABSTRACT: This study aimed to evaluate exposure of wild small mammals to spotted fever group (SFG) rickettsiae in Mato Grosso do Sul State, central-western Brazil. Serum samples of 68 small mammals were analyzed by indirect immunofluorescence assay (IFA) against six Rickettsia species from Brazil. Overall, 37.5% (9/24) marsupials and 6.8% (3/44) small rodents were seroreactive to at least one of the Rickettsia species, with end point titres ranging from 64 to 512. These results suggested that wild small mammals were infected by SFG rickettsiae, and could participate in the ecology of rickettsiae in Mato Grosso do Sul, Brazil.

We investigated the density and activity of the oncilla, Leopardus tigrinus (Schreber, 1775), a threatened small cat, in the Brazilian Atlantic Forest, using camera-trap data. We described differences in the activity of individuals occurring alone or in sympatry with larger cats. Oncilla presented low densities (7-13 ind./100 km²) and high flexibility in its activity. The oncillas were primarily nocturnal in the absence of other larger cat species - margay, ocelot and puma - but became more diurnal, with a cathemeral activity pattern, when the other cats were present. Oncilla is likely to be in a subordinate position in interactions with larger cats and changes its activity to decrease the chances for interspecific encounters. In this study, however, the presence of other cat species covaries with habitat changes (from coastal forest patches to dense evergreen forests). We also verified the highest oncilla relative abundance in an area with no sympatric larger cats, with abundance decreasing when it was in sympatry with margay, ocelot and puma. Our results, together with recent records of oncilla in other degraded landscapes of the Atlantic Forest of Brazil, provide evidence that oncillas may thrive even in harsh environments where other cats have already been extinct. This raise interesting conservation insights, as in the absence of other cats, L. tigrinus may assume a top predator role of these impoverished vertebrate communities.

A espécie exótica invasora Axis axis foi introduzida no continente americano no início do século passado e desde então se estabeleceu, ampliando sua distribuição. Este é o primeiro registro da espécie para o Brasil. No extremo sul do país, um indivíduo de A. axis foi registrado com armadilha fotográfica, no Parque Estadual do Espinilho. A área é muito próxima a divisa com Uruguai e Argentina, países onde a espécie esta estabelecida e de onde provavelmente o espécime é originário. Visto que o bioma Pampa encontra-se fortemente alterado no Brasil e que muitas espécies da fauna de mamíferos nativa estão ameaçadas de extinção regionalmente, como o veado-campeiro Ozotoceros bezoarticus, é preocupante que populações exóticas estejam ampliando rapidamente sua área de distribuição na região, como fez A. axis no Uruguai e Argentina. Possíveis implicações decorrentes dessa invasão são discutidas.

The exotic alien species Axis axis was introduced in the Americas at the beginning of last century and since then has established itself, expanding its distribution. This is the first record of this species in Brazil. In the extreme south of the country, an individual of A. axis was recorded with a camera trap in the Espinilho State Park. The area is close to the border of Uruguay and Argentina, countries where the species is established and from where this individual presumably originated. The Pampas biome is strongly disturbed by human activity in Brazil and since many native mammal species such as the Pampas deer Ozotoceros bezoarticus are threatened regionally. It is alarming that exotic populations can potentially rapidly expand their ranges in the region, as A. axis deer has done in Uruguay and Argentina. Possible consequences for this invasion are discussed.

Este estudo objetivou verificar as necessidades para a capacitação e aperfeiçoamento dos profissionais das equipes de saúde da família dos 31 municípios que compõe a 4ª Coordenadoria Regional de Saúde do Estado do Rio Grande do Sul. A coleta de dados foi realizada através da aplicação de um questionário com questões objetivas, composto de duas partes: campo e núcleo de competências. Para análise dos dados obtidos, foram utilizados testes de normalidade, qui-quadrado e teste G para as atribuições fáceis e difíceis indicadas pelos profissionais. Os profissionais mostraram menores dificuldades com atribuições genéricas, relacionadas a métodos e técnicas básicas de cada área de formação. Porém, revelaram dificuldades tais como a busca de parcerias nas comunidades, estimulação da participação popular na discussão sobre direitos à saúde e o preenchimento dos formulários do SIA/SIAB. Mesmo após doze anos da criação do Programa de Saúde da Família (PSF), observam-se ainda várias dificuldades em atuar de forma adequada e necessária a este novo modelo de trabalho em saúde. São propostas medidas que visam auxiliar e consolidar o PSF em seus diversos níveis.

This study had the aim to verify the necessities of training and improvement of the 4th Regional Coordination in Health of Rio Grande do Sul State family health teams. The data collection was carried out through the application of questionnaires with objective questions, composed by two parts: field and competence nucleus. For data analyses, Normality, Chi-Square and G tests were used as statistical procedures for Easy and Difficult attributions indicated by the professionals. Professionals have shown less difficulty with generic attributions, related with basic methods and techniques of each health area. However, they have revealed a lot of difficulties with attributions relating to the search of new partners in health inside communities, stimulation of the people participation in the discussion of health rights, and completion of the SIA/SIAB forms, and others. Even after 12 years of the foundation of the Family Health Program (PSF), several difficulties are still observed concerning the way to work with this new health strategy in Brazil. Proposals are made for the complete understanding and improvement of the PSF strategy.

Este estudo objetivou verificar as necessidades para a capacitação e aperfeiçoamento dos profissionais das equipes de saúde da família dos 31 municípios que compõe a 4ª Coordenadoria Regional de Saúde do Estado do Rio Grande do Sul. A coleta de dados foi realizada através da aplicação de um questionário com questões objetivas, composto de duas partes: campo e núcleo de competências. Para análise dos dados obtidos, foram utilizados testes de normalidade, qui-quadrado e teste G para as atribuições fáceis e difíceis indicadas pelos profissionais. Os profissionais mostraram menores dificuldades com atribuições genéricas, relacionadas a métodos e técnicas básicas de cada área de formação. Porém, revelaram dificuldades tais como a busca de parcerias nas comunidades, estimulação da participação popular na discussão sobre direitos à saúde e o preenchimento dos formulários do SIA/SIAB. Mesmo após doze anos da criação do Programa de Saúde da Família (PSF), observam-se ainda várias dificuldades em atuar de forma adequada e necessária a este novo modelo de trabalho em saúde. São propostas medidas que visam auxiliar e consolidar o PSF em seus diversos níveis.

This study had the aim to verify the necessities of training and improvement of the 4th Regional Coordination in Health of Rio Grande do Sul State family health teams. The data collection was carried out through the application of questionnaires with objective questions, composed by two parts: field and competence nucleus. For data analyses, Normality, Chi-Square and G tests were used as statistical procedures for Easy and Difficult attributions indicated by the professionals. Professionals have shown less difficulty with generic attributions, related with basic methods and techniques of each health area. However, they have revealed a lot of difficulties with attributions relating to the search of new partners in health inside communities, stimulation of the people participation in the discussion of health rights, and completion of the SIA/SIAB forms, and others. Even after 12 years of the foundation of the Family Health Program (PSF), several difficulties are still observed concerning the way to work with this new health strategy in Brazil. Proposals are made for the complete understanding and improvement of the PSF strategy.

Com o objetivo de fornecer conhecimento adicional acerca das estratégias de germinação adotadas por espécies de plantas zoocóricas da Região Neotropical, foram examinadas a dormência e germinação de sementes consumidas por marsupiais do gênero Didelphis. As sementes foram obtidas de fezes dos animais capturados em armadilhas, sendo então analisadas. As espécies mais freqüentes na dieta dos gambás (N = 13) foram testadas quanto a sua viabilidade e possíveis mecanismos de quebra de dormência pela luz (condições de luz vs. sombra vs. escuro; e sob red/far red ratio). A maioria das espécies provenientes das fezes germinou similarmente ao grupo controle, exceto por Rubus rosifolius que parece depender da passagem pelo trato digestivo para a germinação. Outros experimentos mostraram que as espécies de plantas eram principalmente pioneiras, com quebra de dormência principalmente durante a estação mais úmida e favorável ao desenvolvimento. Uma menor proporção de espécies apresentou fotoblastismo negativo ou nenhum padrão de dormência. Os resultados mostram que estes pequenos mamíferos podem ser utilizados em programas de recuperação de áreas degradadas, com enfoque na dispersão de sementes de plantas pioneiras

Seed germination in plant species consumed by opossums, genus Didelphis, was investigated in southern Brazil, in order to improve knowledge of the strategies of zoochorous plants in the Neotropics. Seeds were obtained from opossum feces. Thirteen of the most frequent species in the diet of local opossums were tested for germination rates and germination responses under different qualities (red/far red ratio) and different intensities of light. Most seeds from feces germinated similarly to the control groups, except for seeds of Rubus rosifolius, which appeared to depend on gut passage. Other experiments revealed that most seeds in the opossums' diet were of pioneer species, with most germination occurring during favorable humid conditions in the rainy season. A few species showed negative photoblastism, or no dormancy pattern. Small mammals are suggested as possible tools for area recuperation programs, through seed dispersal of many pioneer and some shade-tolerant plants, under suitable management.

Este estudo tem por objetivo registrar a ocorrência de quatro espécies de morcegos na região central do Estado do Rio Grande do Sul, sul do Brasil: Histiotus montanus, Pygoderma bilabiatum, Nyctinomops laticaudatus e Myotis ruber. Os dados foram obtidos a partir da coleção científica da Universidade Federal de Santa Maria (UFSM) e representam ampliações de distribuição para essas espécies no Estado. São fornecidas informações sobre o habitat onde as espécies foram coletadas, sendo que alguns desses são novos para essas espécies. Pode-se considerar que algumas das espécies enfocadas são raras no Rio Grande do Sul, ao passo que outras deveriam ter o seu grau de ameaça reconsiderado.

The objective of this paper is to record the occurrence of four bats species in the central of the Rio Grande do Sul State, south of Brazil: Histiotus montanus, Pygoderma bilabiatum, Nyctinomops laticaudatus and Myotis ruber. Data were obtained from the scientific collection of Universidade Federal de Santa Maria (UFSM) and represent distribution extensions for these bat species in this State. We present information on the habitat where the species were collected, showing that some of them are new for this species. Some of the studied species may be considered rare in the Rio Grande do Sul State, whereas others should have their degree of threat revaluated.

Por dos años estudiamos los escarabajos coprófagos y las hormigas que actúan en las heces de zarigüellas (Didelphis). Se dejaron excrementos en el campo para descubrir los agentes secundarios de dispersión. Una parte de cada excremento (30 %) fue analizada en laboratorio para estimar el número de semillas. Se recolectaron escarabajos del suelo (51 % de 84 excrementos dejados en el campo). También capturamos escarabajos y hormigas con trampas (N= 10). Los escarabajos coprófagos son los principales agentes secundarios de dispersión. Ruedan los excrementos o los entierran a 4-15 cm de profundidad (N= 22 túneles). Los escarabajos coprófagos de mayor tamaño fueron Eurysternus cyanescens (28.7 % en trampas), Dichotomius assifer (13.7 %) y Coprophanaeus saphirinus (sólo visto en madrigueras y directamente sobre los excrementos). Los escarabajos de menos de 10 mm fueron el 57.6 %. La hormiga Acromirmex sp. fue 25.5 % del total de hormigas capturadas en trampas. Hallamos varias especies de semillas en los excrementos, muchos de ellos enterrados por los escarabajos, y algunas fueron extraídas por las hormigas. Estos agentes secundarios ayudan a evitar los depredadores de semillas (eg. roedores) y aceleran la formación del banco de semillas, pues no las comen

A two year study of dung beetles and ants acting on scats of two species of opossum (Didelphis spp.) was carried out. Scats were left in the field in order to detect post-dispersal agents. A portion of each scat (30 %) was examined for seeds in the laboratory. Beetles were recovered from burrows (51 % of 84 faecal samples left in the field) where they either buried scats of opossums or were attracted, together with ants, to pitfalls (N= 10) baited with opossum scats. Dung beetles were the main post-dispersal agents of seeds found in scats of opossums, rolling the scats away or burying then on the site of deposition. They buried faeces at 4 to 15 cm in depth (N= 22 tunnels). The main dung beetles identified (medium to large size) were Eurysternus (28.7 % in pitfalls) and Dichotomius (13.7 %), Coprophanaeus (seen only directly on faeces), besides small-bodied beetles (<10 mm; 57.6 %). The ant Acromirmex sp. transported some seeds from scats. This species was present in 25.5 % of all Formicidae samples (pitfall). These post-dispersal agents contribute to avert scat seed predators such as rodents, and to accelerate seed bank formation. Rev. Biol. Trop. 54 (4): 1197-1203. Epub 2006 Dec. 15

As primeiras informações sobre moscas ectoparasitas de morcegos e seus hospedeiros no estado do Mato Grosso do Sul são apresentadas. Os indivíduos de morcegos e de dípteros ectoparasitos foram coletados em área transicionais de cerrado e floresta estacional semidecídua, e também em uma floresta decídua. Foram encontradas sete espécies de Streblidae e uma de Basilia Miranda-Ribeiro, 1903 (Nycteribiidae). Todos os registros são inéditos para o estado do Mato Grosso do Sul e Basilia bequaerti Guimarães & D´Andretta, 1956 é registrada pela primeira vez no Brasil.

The first information on species of bat flies and their hosts in the state of Mato Grosso do Sul is given. The specimens of bats and bat flies were collected in a transitional area of cerrado and semideciduous forest and in a deciduous forest. Seven species of streblid and one of nicteribiid flies were collected on five species of bats. All bat flies are recorded for the first time in Mato Grosso do Sul and Basilia bequaerti Guimarães & D´Andretta, 1956 is a new record for Brazil.

A study of removal of fruits of the wild tomato, Solanum granulosoleprosum Dunal (N = 5 plants), by vertebrates was carried out in an urban environment of southern Brazil from January to May 1997 and February 1998. To verify diurnal and nocturnal removals, fruits were counted in several fruit bunches, being classified by size and color. Diurnal observations were made on plants to verify bird removal. A mist net was placed among the plants from the evening to 23:00 h to verify bat consumption. Live traps baited with S. granulosoleprosum fruits were placed on the ground among plants to verify terrestrial removers. On average it was found two ripe fruits available per bunch/day, but unripe, small, fruits were dominant (70%). Nocturnal mammals and birds-diurnal mammals partitioned fruits similarly. Bats removing fruits were Artibeus lituratus (Olfers, 1818), Pygoderma bilabiatum (Wagner, 1843) and Sturnira lilium (E. Geoffroy, 1810). Birds were Saltator similis Lafresnaye & d'Orbigny, 1837 and Thraupis sayaca (Linnaeus, 1766). Terrestrial mammals were a marsupial and three rodent species. Except for rodents, these vertebrates must be promoting the seed dispersal of S. granulosoleprosum seeds in disturbed mixed forests of southern Brazil.

Use of the space by the opossum Didelphis aurita Wied-Newied, 1826 (Mammalia, Marsupialia) in a mixed forest fragment of southern Brazil. The space use of the marsupial Didelphis aurita was studied in a forest fragment of southern Brazil from February 1995 to January 1996. The method used was the 'distribution utilization' in which each trap was set in 38 x 38 m quadrats. Captures of each marked individual in each point give information on its habitat use. Food availability was searched and compared to the habitat utilization and to the food consumption of opossums. Distribution patterns of captures (aggregated to random) and spatial overlap between individuals were searched. Results showed aggregated distributions of individuals, particularly females, in the fragment. Females used exclusively the fragment during the drier season. Opossums tend to not choose the sites with highest food availability to establish home ranges. Spatial overlap was usually low between forest resident and neighbouring resident females, but much lower during the breeding season (only forest resident females) in an apparently pattern of territoriality. Hence, core areas of females decreased in size during the breeding season. Males probably searched primarily for mates during the breeding season being less opportunistic than females in feeding habits, yet their space use did not correlate to food consumption.