Abstract 26. Echinococcus vogeli originates neotropical polychistic echinococcosis, an emerging zoonotic disease in tropical countries of Central and South America. Its life cycle is adapted to a mandatory relationship between the bush dog (Speothos venaticus) and one of its main prey, the paca (Cuniculus paca), which is, in turn, one of the most consumed species as a source of animal protein in the Peruvian Amazon. The aim of this work was to evaluate the frequency of E. vogeli in pacas hunted for personal consumption by inhabitants in the high basin of the Itaya River. During 2016-2017, subsistence hunters from the communities of Melitón Carbajal, Luz del Oriente, 28 de Enero and Nueva Villa Belén collected liver and lungs of 36 pacas and the liver of a nine-banded armadillo (Dasypus novemcinctus). These organs were analyzed by parasitological, including macroscopic, microscopic-morphometric analysis. The 13.5% (5/37) of the wild mammals collected (paca n=4; nine-banded armadillo n=1) presented polycystic masses in the liver, with rostral hooks of protocystic scolices compatible with E. vogeli. This work contributes to the ecoepidemiological knowledge of new records on the distribution of E. vogeli and confirms the first record of E. vogeli in the nine-banded armadillo in the Peruvian Amazon, reinforcing the need to raise awareness, prevent, monitor, control and expand the search for neotropical echinococcosis and other zoonoses in wildlife and human populations in coexistence, from the “One Health” approach.

Resumen 22. Echinococcus vogeli origina la Equinococosis Neotropical Poliquística, enfermedad zoonótica emergente en países tropicales de Centro y Sur América. Su ciclo natural está adaptado a una relación predador-presa representado principalmente por el perro de monte (Speothos venaticus) y el majaz (Cuniculus paca), que es una de las especies silvestres más consumidas en la Amazonia. El objetivo de este trabajo fue evaluar la frecuencia de E. vogeli en majaces cazados para consumo personal por pobladores de la cuenca alta del Río Itaya, en la Amazonía peruana. Durante el periodo 2016-2017, cazadores de subsistencia de las comunidades de Melitón Carbajal, Luz del Oriente, 28 de Enero y Nueva Villa Belén realizaron la colecta de hígados y pulmones de 36 majaces y el hígado de un armadillo de nueve bandas, (Dasypus novemcinctus). Se realizaron análisis parasitológicos, que incluyó descripciones macroscópicas, microscópicas y morfometría. El 13,5% (5/37) de los mamíferos silvestres colectados (majaz n=4; armadillo de nueve bandas n=1) presentaron masas poliquísticas en hígado, con ganchos rostelares de protoescólices compatibles con E. vogeli. Este trabajo aporta al conocimiento ecoepidemiológico de nuevos registros sobre la distribución de E. vogeli y confirma el primer registro de E. vogeli en armadillo de nueve bandas en la Amazonia peruana, reforzando la necesidad de concientizar, prevenir, monitorear, controlar y ampliar la búsqueda de la equinococosis neotropical y otras zoonosis en fauna silvestre y en poblaciones humanas en coexistencia, desde el enfoque de “Una Salud”.

RESUMEN Las relaciones entre humanos y animales han sido objeto de debates profundos que indican que estas exceden lo meramente económico, implicando diálogos, acuerdos y desacuerdos. El análisis de sus representaciones desplegadas en soportes que circulaban en contextos específicos constituye una vía de entrada para explorar estos sentidos. Aquí profundizaremos una línea de indagación que se centra en un motivo zoomorfo que no había sido aún estudiado sistemática mente: los quirquinchos. El análisis realizado sobre el material Belén relevado por el Proyecto Arqueológico Chaschuil-Abaucán (PACh-A) en la región de Fiambalá (Catamarca) se orientó a:identificar las características anatómicas distintivas de las representaciones de quirquinchos;estimar su intensidad de representación; y (iii) definir los recursos plásticos y compositivos utilizados en su creación. El abordaje propuesto develó que, aunque no ocupe una posición des tacada dentro de las piezas, el quirquincho es el animal más intensamente representado dentro del repertorio estudiado.

ABSTRACT Human-animal relations have been object of deep debates which show that they exceed the economic dimension, implying dialogues, agreements and disagreements. The study of animal representations, embodied on different objects according to specific contexts, is a starting point from where to explore these meanings. In this study, we will centre our research around one kind of zoomorphic representation that has never been systematically studied before: the ‘armadillo’. Analysis done on a sample of Belén’s ceramic pottery recorded by the Proyecto Arqueológico Chaschuil-Abaucán in Fiambalá (Catamarca), had the aim to: (i) identify the distinct anatomical characteristics of armadillo’s representations; (ii) estimate the propensity of its representation; and (iii) define the artistic and compositional resources used in their creation. The approach we proposed unveils that, even if it is not in a central position in the analyzed pieces, the armadillo is the animal most intensely represented in the studied repertoire.

Resumo Microcefalia primária autossômica recessiva (MCPH) é um distúrbio do neurodesenvolvimento caracterizado por uma redução congênita do perímetro cefálico (-3 a -5 DP) e deficiência intelectual não progressiva. O objetivo do estudo foi avaliar mutações patogênicas no gene ASPM a fim de compreender a etiologia e o mecanismo molecular da microcefalia primária. Amostras de sangue foram coletadas de várias famílias em diferentes áreas remotas do Paquistão de fevereiro de 2017 a maio de 2019, que foram identificadas como afetadas com microcefalia primária. A extração do DNA foi realizada pelo método salting-out; a qualidade e a quantidade de DNA foram avaliadas por espectrofotometria e eletroforese em gel de agarose a 1%, respectivamente, na Universidade de Punjab. A análise de mutação foi realizada por sequenciamento completo do exoma do Cologne Center for Genomics, University of Cologne. O sequenciamento de Sanger foi feito na Universidade do Punjab para confirmar a natureza patogênica da mutação. Uma nova mutação de deleção de 4 bp c.3877_3880delGAGA foi detectada no exon 17 do gene ASPM em duas famílias afetadas por microcefalia primária (A e B), que resultou em uma mutação de frame shift no gene seguida por síntese de proteína truncada (pGlu1293Lysfs * 10), bem como a perda do domínio IQ de ligação à calmodulina e o domínio do tipo Armadillo na proteína ASPM. Usando as ferramentas in-silico Mutation Taster, PROVEAN e PolyPhen, o efeito patogênico dessa nova mutação foi testado; foi previsto ser “causador de doenças”, com altos escores de patogenicidade. Uma mutação relatada anteriormente no exon 24 (c.9730C > T) do gene ASPM, resultando em truncamento de proteína (p.Arg3244 *) também foi observada na família C. Mutações no gene ASPM são a causa mais comum de MCPH na maioria dos casos . Portanto, a inscrição de famílias afetadas adicionais de áreas remotas do Paquistão ajudaria a identificar ou mapear novas mutações no gene ASPM da microcefalia primária.

Abstract Autosomal recessive primary microcephaly (MCPH) is a neurodevelopmental disorder characterized by a congenitally reduced head circumference (-3 to -5 SD) and non-progressive intellectual disability. The objective of the study was to evaluate pathogenic mutations in the ASPM gene to understand etiology and molecular mechanism of primary microcephaly. Blood samples were collected from various families across different remote areas of Pakistan from February 2017 to May 2019 who were identified to be affected with primary microcephaly. DNA extraction was performed using the salting-out method; the quality and quantity of DNA were evaluated using spectrophotometry and 1% agarose gel electrophoresis, respectively in University of the Punjab. Mutation analysis was performed by whole exome sequencing from the Cologne Center for Genomics, University of Cologne. Sanger sequencing was done in University of the Punjab to confirm the pathogenic nature of mutation. A novel 4-bp deletion mutation c.3877_3880delGAGA was detected in exon 17 of the ASPM gene in two primary microcephaly affected families (A and B), which resulted in a frame shift mutation in the gene followed by truncated protein synthesis (p.Glu1293Lysfs*10), as well as the loss of the calmodulin-binding IQ domain and the Armadillo-like domain in the ASPM protein. Using the in-silico tools Mutation Taster, PROVEAN, and PolyPhen, the pathogenic effect of this novel mutation was tested; it was predicted to be “disease causing,” with high pathogenicity scores. One previously reported mutation in exon 24 (c.9730C>T) of the ASPM gene resulting in protein truncation (p.Arg3244*) was also observed in family C. Mutations in the ASPM gene are the most common cause of MCPH in most cases. Therefore, enrolling additional affected families from remote areas of Pakistan would help in identifying or mapping novel mutations in the ASPM gene of primary microcephaly.

ABSTRACT: The present study aimed to analyze the casuistry of xenarthrans treated at the veterinary hospital of the Federal University of Pará to quantify the most important cases for clinical care and identify the main species, sex, age group, origin, and destination of the animals admitted. The data were collected from January 2013 to August 2020. The variables analyzed were the number of animals by species, sex, age group, weight (kilograms), form of admission (rescue or guardianship), person responsible for the admission of the animal, origin, circumstances of admission, length of stay (days), and evolution or destination of the animal (release, captivity, death, euthanasia, or escape). Fisher’s exact test was used to determine whether disease incidence was related to sex and whether animal mortality was influenced by sex and disease. The chi-square test was used to determine whether mortality differed by age group. Ninety-two (92) xenarthrans were included: 66 Bradypus variegatus, 10 Choloepus didactylus, 15 Tamandua tetradactyla, and one Dasypus novemcinctus. The animals were mainly from the municipality of Castanhal (70%) and were acquired through rescue (88%, B. variegatus; 80%, C. didactylus; 100%, T. tetradactyla), a significant proportion of which was per natural persons (88%, B. variegatus; 80%, C. didactylus; 100%, T. tetradactyla). The most important circumstances that led to the admission of the animals were as follows: animals for examination (42%, n=39), young animals at risk (9%, n=8), hit by a vehicle (8%, n=7), respiratory disease (7%, n=6), fall from a tree (5%, n=5), and electrotrauma (5%, n=5). Release was the most common destination of animals after hospitalization (59% B. variegatus, 50% C. didactylus, and 66% T. tetradactyla). The sex of the animals did not affect the incidence of disease or mortality in any species. In contrast, mortality of B. variegatus was significantly higher in animals admitted with disease (p=0.000). Mortality in cubs of this species was higher than that in juveniles and adults (p=0.003).

RESUMO: O objetivo deste trabalho foi analisar a casuística dos Xenarthras atendidos no Hospital Veterinário da Universidade Federal do Pará (UFPA), a fim de quantificar as principais ocorrências para atendimento clínico, identificar as principais espécies, o sexo, a faixa etária, a procedência e destinação dos animais recebidos. Os dados foram obtidos entre janeiro de 2013 a agosto de 2020. As variáveis analisadas foram número de animais por espécie, sexo, faixa etária, peso (quilogramas), forma de recebimento (resgate, tutela), responsável pelo encaminhamento do animal ao hospital, procedência, circunstância de admissão, tempo de internação (dias) e evolução ou destinação do animal recebido (soltura, cativeiro, morte, eutanásia, fuga). O teste de Fisher foi utilizado para avaliar se a ocorrência de doenças estava relacionada ao sexo, bem como se a mortalidade animal foi influenciada pelo sexo e por enfermidades. O teste Qui-quadrado foi utilizado para avaliar se a mortalidade diferiu em relação à faixa etária. Um total de 92 animais Xenarthras foi admitido, composto por 66 Bradypus variegatus, 10 Choloepus didactylus, 15 Tamandua tetradactyla e um Dasypus novemcinctus. Os animais foram procedentes principalmente do município de Castanhal (70%), sendo o resgate a principal forma de aquisição dos animais (88%, B. Variegatus; 80%, C. Didactylus; 100%, T. tetradactyla), realizado em maior parte por pessoa física (88%, B. Variegatus; 80%, C. Didactylus; 100%, T. tetradactyla). O sexo dos animais não influenciou a ocorrência de doenças ou mortalidade em nenhuma espécie. Por outro lado, a mortalidade de B. variegatus foi significativamente maior naqueles animais admitidos com alguma enfermidade (p=0,000). A mortalidade em filhotes desta espécie foi maior quando comparada com as categorias jovem e adulta (p=0,003).

Resumen: Antecedentes y Objetivos: En un experimento de restauración iniciado en 2006 en un pastizal inducido, dentro de un paisaje dominado por selva tropical lluviosa en Los Tuxtlas, Veracruz, se establecieron 24 parcelas cercadas, con tres tratamientos de restauración. Nuestro objetivo fue determinar, mediante fototrampeo, cuáles especies de mamíferos terrestres medianos o grandes (≥1 kg de peso) y con qué frecuencia visitaban las parcelas, a 12 años de iniciado el experimento. Métodos: Se utilizaron cámaras-trampa, en 18 de las 24 parcelas. Se hicieron dos muestreos, uno en el periodo lluvioso de 2018 y otro en el seco de 2019. Se determinó el número de especies y de registros fotográficos independientes para cada una, en cada tratamiento (parcelas excluidas del forrajeo del ganado: a) sin adición de plantas -sucesión natural-; con plantación de árboles, b) dispersados por viento y c) dispersados por animales) y temporada de muestreo. Resultados clave: El esfuerzo total de muestreo fue de 290 días/cámara-trampa. En el periodo lluvioso se obtuvieron 12 fotografías y cuatro vídeos de tlacuache (Didelphis spp.), armadillo (Dasypus novemcinctus) y guaqueque mexicano (Dasyprocta mexicana). En la época seca se registró al armadillo en 10 fotografías y cinco vídeos. Hubo pocos registros de mamíferos medianos, en comparación con fototrampeos en la selva conservada de la zona, y en solo siete de las 18 parcelas muestreadas. En general, hubo más registros en parcelas con cualquier tipo de plantación que en las de sucesión natural y esto fue más evidente en la época de lluvias. Conclusiones: La respuesta de los mamíferos medianos terrestres a la restauración parece ser más lenta que la registrada para otros grupos faunísticos (p. ej., murciélagos). Para evaluar la recuperación de la funcionalidad ecológica que incluye los roles ecológicos que desempeñan los mamíferos medianos en este experimento, se debe continuar y ampliar el esfuerzo de monitoreo.

Abstract: Background and Aims: In an experiment initiated in 2006 in an induced pasture, within a landscape dominated by tropical rainforest, in Los Tuxtlas, Veracruz, 24 fenced plots with three restoration treatments were established. Our objective was to determine with camera trapping, which species of medium or large terrestrial mammals (≥1 kg in weight), and with what frequency, visited the plots 12 years after the establishment of the experiment. Methods: Camera traps were used in 18 of the 24 plots. Two censuses were carried out, one in the rainy season of 2018 and the other in the dry season of 2019. The number of species and the independent photographic records of each one were determined for each treatment (plots excluded from cattle: a) with no addition of plants -natural succession-; with tree plantations, b) dispersed by wind, and c) dispersed by animals) and each sampling season. Key results: The total sampling effort was 290 camera trap days. For the rainy season, 12 photographs and four videos of opossum (Didelphis spp.), nine-banded armadillo (Dasypus novemcinctus) and Mexican agouti (Dasyprocta mexicana) were obtained. For the dry season, the armadillo was recorded in 10 photographs and five videos. There were few records of medium-sized mammals, compared to photo trapping in conserved forest in the area and only in seven of the 18 sampled plots. Overall, there were more records in plantations than in natural succession, and this was more evident in the rainy season. Conclusions: The response of medium-sized terrestrial mammals to restoration seems to be slower than recorded for other faunal groups (e.g., bats). To assess the recovery of ecological functionality that includes the ecological roles played by medium-sized mammals in this experiment, monitoring effort should be continued and expanded.

Abstract Although communication capabilities are displayed by many vertebrate groups, some repertoires are poorly known, such as the case of xenarthrans, particularly armadillos, for which vocalization as a source of communicating to others remains poorly understood and relies on punctual reports of sounds. Here we provide the first description of a behavioral response associated with sound emission of two subjects of Dasypus novemcinctus. Both audio and visual registration was performed to subsequent analyses of expressed behaviors and emitted calls, which accounted for 76 vocalizations from a total of eight video recordings randomly collected from 2017 to 2019. Sound is acoustically characterized by both inhale and exhale phases composed of two vocal units, and no harmonic structure was observed. Once the subjects have always produced these vocalizations while cornered and exhibiting defensive behavior against another subject/human disturbance, these vocalizations were termed as distress. Subjects produced a hiss-purr-like sound while trying to avoid contact with another by bowing or lowering their bodies, humping, or even moving elsewhere when sound production ceased. This shows that the sound repertoire of armadillos is still to be unveiled and seems to be much more complex than previously thought.

RESUMEN En la parte occidental de la Plataforma Valles-San Luis Potosí en la localidad cerro Quemado cercano a El Temazcal, municipalidad de Armadillo de Los Infante, afloran dos secuencias: una inferior de aguas someras de la Formación El Abra del Cenomaniano medio-superior y, sobreyaciendo en discordancia, un depósito de aguas profundas del Maastrichtiano superior llamado informalmente “unidad Temazcal”. El contacto discordante entre estas dos unidades sedimentarias mostró un hiatus como resultado de un tiempo de no depósito en el registro sedimentario, combinado con la erosión y que produjo un relieve topográfico. Sobre la base de los cambios litológicos desde la caliza subyacente hacia la caliza limosa, así como del estudio bioestratigráfico detallado basado en las asociaciones foraminiferales, se ha establecido una datación precisa, haciendo posible estimar la magnitud del hiatus, que se extiende desde la parte inferior del Turoniano, incluyendo el Coniaciano, el Santoniano y posiblemente la parte inferior del Maastrichtiano.

ABSTRACT On the western part of the Valles-San Luis Potosí Platform located in Cerro Quemado near Temazcal, municipality of Armadillo de Los Infante, two sequences crop out. The lower one is the shallow-water El Abra Formation of the mid-upper Cenomanian, unconformably covered by a deep-water deposit of the upper Maastrichtian informally called here the “Temazcal unit.” The succession presents a nonconforming contact between these two sedimentary units, displaying a hiatus as the result of a time of non-deposition in the sedimentary record, showing a subaerial exposure with erosion yielding topographic relief. Based on the lithological changes from the underlying limestone toward the overlying silty limestone, as well as a detailed biostratigraphic study based on foraminiferal associations that provide an accurate dating, it has been possible to estimate the magnitude of the hiatus, which spans from the lower part of the Turonian, including the Coniacian, the Santonian, and possibly the lower part of the Maastrichtian.

Abstract The jaguar Panthera onca and the Brazilian three-banded armadillo Tolypeutes tricinctus are two threatened mammals that coexist in the Caatinga dry forests and the Cerrado savannas of Brazil. Yet, to the best of our knowledge, interactions between these species have not been reported in the literature. Here, we present the first records of P. onca predation on T. tricinctus from two different areas in the Caatinga in northeastern Brazil. We showed that P. onca can pierce the hard carapace of T. tricinctus, which may be possible due to its distinctly strong bite and associated predation behavior. We argue that P. onca may be the most adapted non-human predator to feed on T. tricinctus, and that the smaller body sizes of P. onca individuals in the Caatinga may increase their likelihood to feed on smaller prey, including T. tricinctus. Thus, the originality of our records is probably more related to insufficient research in the areas where these species coexist than to the rarity of this interaction.

Abstract The similarity between parasites communities’ decay with distance and its analysis may explain important ecological process such host dispersion. Patagonia is inhabited by two armadillo species, Chaetophractus villosus and Zaedyus pichiy. In this study we describe and analyze the variation on helminth fauna of these armadillos in Patagonia compared with northern localities described in previous studies. A total of 49 armadillos were collected in Patagonia. Quantitative descriptors of parasite ecology were calculated and community structure of helminths was analyzed following the central-satellite species hypothesis. The parasite richness in Patagonia decreases almost 50% in both armadillos. Zaedyus pichiy present the same central species in Patagonia as in northern localities. For C. villosus central-satellite species analysis could not be applied. The loss of some helminths in Z. pichiy could be the result of lower temperatures or the absence of intermediate arthropods hosts. But in C. villosus the absence of some helminths with Patagonian distribution could be explained by its recent dispersion in Patagonia. Trichohelix tuberculata still being the only helminth in C. villosus introduced population of Tierra del Fuego.

Resumen Este artículo analiza la transmisión y recepción onírica de saberes entre el armadillo Kamashrhush y la mujer sabia Diocelina como una relación humano-animal específica y altamente individual. En el contexto de una antropología del sueño dominada por la noción de viajes del alma, este artículo expone la manera pasiva y encarnada de las experiencias oníricas en Sokorpa configurada por la visita del ámbito no-humano en la vida cotidiana de las personas que están soñando. Además, destaca la naturaleza cooperativa de la relación entre Diocelina y Kamashrhush contra el trasfondo de las prácticas armadillo-humano basadas en la caza (respetuosa) y la evasión. Propone la similarización ontológica como medio para las interacciones sociales con seres no-humanos que suceden sin transformación o cruce de límites ontológicos, elementos que se consideran esenciales de la comunicación entre especies en las teorías antropológicas amazónicas.

Abstract: This paper examines the oneiric knowledge transmission/reception between the armadillo Kamashrhush and the wise woman Diocelina as a specific and highly individual human-animal relationship. In the context of an Anthropology of Dreaming dominated by the notion of soul-travels, this paper discusses the passive and embodied manner of Sokorpa dream experiences shaped by the visit from the other-than-human realm into the dreamer’s everyday life. Furthermore, it highlights the cooperative nature of the relationship between Diocelina and Kamashrhush against the backdrop of armadillo-human practices based on (respectful) hunting and avoidance. It proposes ontological similarization as a means for social interactions with other-than-human beings that go without transformation and ontological boundary crossing, elements considered as the core components of interspecies communication in Amazonian anthropological theories.

Resumo: Esse artigo pesquisa a transmissão/ recepção onírica do conhecimento entre o tatú Kamashrhush e a mulher sabedora Diocelina, como uma relação especifica e muito individual entre o ser humano e o animal. Na perspectiva de uma antropologia do sonho, dominada pela noção de viagens da alma, esse artigo trata as formas passivas e encarnadas das experiências oníricas em Sokorpa, que se formam com uma visita desde o domínio não humano à vida quotidiana dos sonhadores. Além disso, sublinha a natureza colaboradora da relação entre Diocelina e Kamashrhush no contexto das praticas entre tatús e humanos, baseadas na caça respeitosa e na tentativa de evitá-la. Igualmente, propõe uma semelhança ontológica como médio para as interações sociais com seres distintos dos humanos, que passam sem a transformação e cruzamento de fronteiras ontológicas, elementos considerados como componentes básicos da comunicação entre espécies nas teorias antropológicas amazônicas.

Resumo A densidade de populações é um parâmetro chave em conservação e ecologia, mas é uma métrica difícil de se obter para espécies raras e de hábitos crípticos. Nós desenhamos uma matriz de armadilhas fotográficas para capturar o elusivo tatu canastra (Priodontes maximus), estimamos sua densidade usando modelos de captura e recaptura espacialmente explícitos, e comparamos essa estimativa com àquela obtida em um estudo anterior de oito anos de telemetria realizado na mesma área. A densidade obtida através do levantamento por armadilhas fotográficas com duração de seis meses (7.69 indivíduos/100km2) é praticamente idêntica àquela obtida no estudo intensivo de telemetria (7.65 ind./100 km2). Nós recomendamos o uso de matrizes sistematizadas de armadilhas fotográficas, que possuem um menor custo financeiro e em termos de mão de obra, ao longo da região Neotropical para obter conhecimento sobre o status populacional de espécies elusivas e informar medidas de conservação.

Abstract Population density is a key parameter in conservation, but remains a challenging metric to obtain for rare and cryptic species. We designed a camera trap array targeting the elusive giant armadillo (Priodontes maximus), estimated densities using spatially explicit capture-recapture models, and compared these with estimates from a previous eight-year telemetry study in the area. Density from the six-month camera trap survey (7.69 individuals/100km2) is nearly identical to that from the intensive telemetry study (7.65 ind./100 km2). We recommend the use of systematic camera trap arrays, which are much less expensive and time consuming, to obtain insights on the population status of elusive species across the Neotropics and inform conservation.

Paracoccidioides spp. isolation from environmental samples is rare and hardly reproducible. Molecular techniques have facilitated the fungal detection. However, it can be still difficult. Some strategies to enhance the capacity of DNA detection have been adopted, including the analysis of soil samples belonging to the habitat of animals from which Paracoccidioides spp. have already been isolated, notably armadillo burrows. To date, the detection of Paracoccidioides spp. has not yet been reported from outbreak hotspots. Clusters and outbreaks of acute paracoccidioidomycosis (PCM), usually a more severe clinical form, have currently occurred in urban areas being associated to climate changes, deforestation, and great constructions. These occurrences potentially signalise the fungus’ environmental niche, a riddle not yet solved. The authors performed an environmental investigation in a deeply disturbed area, after a highway construction in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, where a recent outbreak of acute PCM occurred. Specific DNA sequences of Paracoccidioides brasiliensis were detected in shallow soil samples around the highway, reinforcing the association between the road construction and this PCM outbreak.

Abstract The pichi (Zaedyus pichiy; Cingulata: Chlamyphoridae) is an armadillo whose ectoparasite fauna is composed of ticks and fleas. Fleas were collected from 218 pichis in southern Mendoza, Argentina, in summer and winter of 2015 and 2016. Prevalences were analyzed and differences in the intensities of the total number of fleas related to host (age, sex, weight, size and physical condition) and environment-related (seasonality and year) factors evaluated. Phthiropsylla agenoris was the only species found. Intensities of fleas were higher in 2015, in juveniles, and in males. Individuals with poor physical condition were more parasitized than those with good or normal body condition. The main explanatory variable was sampling year. This factor was directly associated with precipitation. The extreme conditions and heavy rains during the El Niño event in 2015/2016 led to environmental changes that seem to have severely affected the life cycle of fleas.

Abstract “The armadillo, Cabassouscentralis (Cingulata: Chlamyphoridae) in a Costa Rican coffee agro-ecosystem”. Introduction: The rare Cabassous centralisarmadillo is classified as a Data Deficient species found from Mexico to northern South America). Objective: To expand the ecological distribution of C. centralis. Methods: We placed four trap cameras in strategic sites such as food sites, burrows, bodies of water and transition to the secondary forest, in San Ramón, Costa Rica. Results: We obtained a record of C. centralis in the transition between coffee plantation and secondary forest. Conclusion: This new finding near a coffee plantation adds to the list of habitats it occupies and can help in its conservation.

Resumen Introducción: El armadillo Cabassous centralis se clasifica como una especie con Datos Insuficientes que se encuentra desde México hasta el norte de América del Sur. Objetivo: Ampliar la distribución ecológica de C. centralis. Métodos: Colocamos cuatro cámaras trampa en sitios estratégicos como fuentes de alimentación, madrigueras, cuerpos de agua y transición al bosque secundario, en San Ramón, Costa Rica. Resultados: Obtuvimos un registro de C. centralis en la transición entre la plantación de café y el bosque secundario. Conclusión: Este nuevo hallazgo cerca de un cafetal se suma a la lista de hábitats que ocupa y puede ayudar en su conservación.