Few studies have focused the vertical structure of bat assemblages, and how it influences community composition. The goal of this study was to analyze the vertical structure of an assemblage of bats in a forest fragment in southern Brazil. Bats were sampled using mist-nets placed at three heights (understory, below-canopy, and canopy). Forest strata were compared with respect to their species richness and diversity. The latter was estimated using the Shannon-Wiener index (H'), and the statistical significance of differences among strata was assessed using t tests. We used an index of Constancy (C) to determine the frequency of a given species in each vegetation stratum, such that a species was considered as "frequent" (C > 50), "less frequent" (25 < C < 50) and "occasional" (C < 25). We captured 485 bats belonging to two families and 24 species. In the understory layer, we captured 173 individuals in 13 species, which resulted in a diversity index of H' = 1.981. In the under-canopy, 153 individuals were caught in 18 species and the resulting diversity index was H' = 2.509. Finally, in the canopy, 159 bats were caught, in 22 species, with the resulting diversity index of H' = 2.442. In the understory and in the canopy, only one species Artibeus lituratus (Olfers, 1818) was classified as "frequent." Four species A. lituratus, Sturnira lilium (É. Geoffroy, 1810), Anoura geoffroyi Gray, 1838, and Eptesicus diminutus Osgood, 1915 were classified as "less frequent" in the under-canopy stratum. All other species recorded in each stratum were classified as "occasional." The studied bat assemblage showed vertical stratification, with the higher strata harboring increased diversity. Our study shows how important it is to sample the upper levels of a forest fragment to obtain a more representative understanding of the use of space by a bat assemblage.

Migration is defined as a seasonal and cyclic population movement observed in all animal classes and studied mainly in vertebrates. A considerable part of the knowledge on migration comes from birds, for which migration is an important aspect of their biology. In the case of bats, females usually migrate larger distances than males in some species. The present study analyzes the seasonal occurrence of Pygoderma bilabiatum (Wagner, 1843) at different elevations, in order to test for a pattern that evidences migration, using data from the states of Espírito Santo, Minas Gerais, Rio de Janeiro, São Paulo, Paraná, Santa Catarina, and Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil. A total of 529 specimens of P. bilabiatum were captured. Pygoderma bilabiatum seems to be more frequent at intermediate and high elevations (over 80% of all captures were made above 250 m a.s.l.) and at latitudes above 22°S, where rainfall is high (over 1,500 mm) and temperatures are mild (16-23°C). Sex ratio varied with elevation; it was skewed towards males at lower elevations (N = 9, r² = 0.60, F = 12.311, p = 0.008, Sex ratio = 0.0004*elevation + 0.976), though females predominated at all altitudinal bands and in all states analyzed.

Entre janeiro de 2005 e dezembro de 2006 foram realizados estudos sobre a composição e abundância relativa dos mamíferos de médio e grande porte do Parque Estadual do Turvo. Para tanto, foram utilizados registros de armadilhas fotográficas além de visualizações e dados sobre presença e ausência de pegadas ao longo de transectos pré-determinados. No total foram registradas 29 espécies de mamíferos de médio e grande porte, das quais Dasyprocta azarae Lichtenstein, 1823 e Sylvilagus brasiliensis (Linnaeus, 1758) foram as espécies com maior número de registros. No que se refere a Carnivora, Nasua nasua (Linnaeus, 1766) e Leopardus pardalis (Linnaeus, 1758) tiveram os maiores índices de registro, enquanto Leopardus tigrinus (Schreber, 1775), Leopardus wiedii (Schinz, 1782) e Galictis cuja (Molina 1782) os menores. Entre os ungulados apenas Pecari tajacu (Linnaeus, 1758) mostrou-se freqüente, sendo a quarta espécie em número de registros. Algumas espécies comuns em outros ambientes apresentaram baixos índices de registro no Parque Estadual do Turvo, tais como Dasypus novemcinctus Linnaeus, 1758 e Didelphis albiventris Lund, 1840. Finalmente, constata-se a provável extinção local de Tayassu pecari (Link, 1795), uma vez que não foram obtidos registros de sua presença ao longo do estudo. A conservação dos mamíferos de médio e grande porte do Parque está fortemente associada à preservação do "Corredor Verde de Misiones", que provavelmente representa uma área fonte para diversas espécies.

Between January of 2005 and December of 2006, studies on the composition and relative abundance of medium and large sized mammals were carried out in Turvo State Park. Records came from camera-trapping, in addition to visualization and presence and absence data from track surveys along pre determined transects. At total, 29 species of medium-large sized mammals were listed. Of these, Dasyprocta azarae Lichtenstein, 1823 and Sylvilagus brasiliensis (Linnaeus, 1758) were the most frequently found. For carnivores, the majority of records were for Nasua nasua (Linnaeus, 1766) and Leopardus pardalis (Linnaeus, 1758), whereas Leopardus tigrinus (Schreber, 1775), Leopardus wiedii (Schinz, 1782) and Galictis cuja (Molina 1782), had the least. Among the ungulates, only Pecari tajacu (Linnaeus, 1758) showed frequent records, ranking fourth overall. Some species, common to other environments, showed few records at Turvo State Park, such as Dasypus novemcinctus Linnaeus, 1758 and Didelphis albiventris Lund, 1840. Data was suggestive of the probable local extinction of Tayassu pecari(Link, 1795) in the Park. The conservation of the medium and large sized mammals of this conservation area is strongly associated with the conservation of the "Misiones Green Corridor", which probably represents a source area for many species.

La captura de pequeños carnívoros es una práctica común para obtener datos ecológicos. Comparamos la eficiencia de cepos (trampas acolchadas) y trampas tomahawk para capturar seis especies carnívoras (Herpailurus yagouaroundi (É. Geoffroyi, 1803), Leopardus tigrinus (Schreber, 1775), Nasua nasua (Linnaeus, 1766), Cerdocyon thous (Linnaeus, 1766), Eira barbara (Linnaeus, 1758), and Galictis cuja (Molina, 1782)), utilizando carnadas vivas y muertas. Con los cepos se incrementó significativamente la tasa de captura de carnívoros (5.77%) y otros mamíferos (no-carnívoros, 11.54%). La carnada muerta atrajo significativamente mas no-carnívoros que carnívoros, mientras que con la carnada viva se capturaron más carnívoros (2.56% vs 0.77% no-carnívoros). Ambos tipos de trampas; cepos y tomahawk, causaron algunas pequeñas lastimaduras (inflamación y pérdida de garras). Hacemos algunas recomendaciones para el uso ético de este tipo de trampas y cebos.

Capturing small carnivores is often necessary for obtaining key ecological data. We compared the efficiency of box and leg-hold traps, using live and dead bait, to capture six carnivore species (Herpailurus yagouaroundi (É. Geoffroyi, 1803), Leopardus tigrinus (Schreber, 1775), Nasua nasua (Linnaeus, 1766), Cerdocyon thous (Linnaeus, 1766), Eira barbara (Linnaeus, 1758), and Galictis cuja (Molina, 1782)). The use of leg-hold traps significantly increased the capture rate of carnivores (5.77%) and non-target species (non-carnivores, 11.54%). Dead bait significantly attracted more non-carnivores than carnivores and live bait was more efficient for capturing carnivores (2.56%) than non-carnivores (0.77%). Both box and leg-hold traps caused some minor injuries (swelling and claw loss). We provide recommendations for the ethical use of these trap and bait types. Rev. Biol. Trop. 55 (1): 315-320. Epub 2007 March. 31.

Confirma-se o registro de Histiotus montanus montanus (Philippi & Landbeck, 1861) para o Estado do Rio Grande do Sul, Brasil, considerando-se que até a presente data, não era conhecida sua área de ocorrência no Estado. Os exemplares examinados são provenientes dos municípios de Bagé, Ilópolis e Pinheiro Machado o que caracteriza ampla distribuição geográfica no estado do Rio Grande do Sul.

It is registered the occurrence of Histiotus montanus montanus (Philippi & Landbeck, 1861) in the State of Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil. The examined specimens were collected in the counties of Bagé, Ilópolis and Pinheiro Machado, characterizing wide geographical distributtion in State of Rio Grande do Sul.

Delomys dorsalis is restricted to the wet tropical and subtropical forests of southern and southeastern Brazil and northeastern Argentina . The reproductive cycle of this species was studied by the histological examination of the reproductive tracts of animals caught in an area of mixed forest with conifers (29º 23' S, 50º 23' W), in southern Brazil , and from observations on a laboratory group of individuals. Fourteen expeditions were carried out from February 1997 to April 1998, during approximately 3 nights, using 140 live traps set on the ground and on branches between 1.5 and 2.0 m high. Reproductively active individuals were observed year round, although winter was marked by a reduction in breeding activity resulting from recruitment. Females showed a post-partum oestrus and a gestation time between 21 and 22 days. The litter size in captivity ranged from two to four, though pregnant females collected from the field had even five embryos. External reproductive features, frequently used as indicatives of the reproductive status of small mammals in ecological studies, were not accurate and underestimated the number of active animals in the population. Some individuals showed a remarkable scansorial ability that should be considered in future studies about population dynamics.

A detailed analysis of the interactions between Tursiops truncatus (Montagu, 1821) and the artisanal fishing of mullets (Mugil spp.) is presented at two localities in the south of Brazil: Laguna (Santa Catarina) and Inibé/Tramandaí (Rio Grande do Sul). Its behavioral strategies and the advantages of their association are re-described and quantified based on the success of the capture and on the selectivity of the prey sizes. The mullets are the main resource involved (92% to 75%) both at numerical level and as biomass. Twenty individuals of Tursiops truncatus participated in the interactions in Laguna and 9 in Imbé/Tramandaí. The participation and learning of calves is also reported.

O presente estudo foi realizado no período de julho de 1983 a dezembro de 1984, nos municípios cearenses de Russas, Palhano, Limoeiro do Norte, Morada Nova, Canindé, Quixadá e Pereiro, os quais correspondem a parte da área endêmica da tripanossomíase americana. Do total de 15 espécies de morcegos coletadas, apenas Artibeus planirostris, Phyllostomus hastatus e Phyllostomus discolor foram encontradas infectadas por tripanossomos. Os tripanossomos isolados de A. planirostris e de alguns exemplares de P. hastatus assemelham-se, por sua forma, dimensões e comportamento, a Trypanosoma cruzi. No caso das amostras isoladas de P. discolor e de alguns exemplares de P. hastatus, a forma e dimensões dos tripanossomos e o fato de não infectarem camundongos permitem identificá-los como Trypanosoma cruzi var. marinkellei.

The present research was carried out in seven different counties of Ceará State, Brazil, namely Palhano, Russas, Limoeiro do Norte, Morada Nova, Canindé, Quixadá and Pereiro, from July 1983 to December 1984. Fifteen species of bats were sampled but only Artibeus planirostris, Phyllostomus hastatus and Phyllostomus discolor infected by trypanosoma were studied. The isolated trypanosomes from studied A. planirostris and some specimens of P. hastatus are similar in shape and dimensions to Trypanosoma cruzi. In the case of strains isolated from P. discolor and also from some specimens of P. hastatus, the shape and dimensions of trypanosomes allied to the characteristic that they did not infect mice, made us to compare them with Trypanosoma cruzi var. marinkellei.

O presente estudo foi realizado no período de julho de 1983 a dezembro de 1984, nos municípios cearenses de Russas, Palhano, Limoeiro do Norte, Morada Nova, Canindé, Quixadá e Pereiro, os quais correspondem a parte da área endêmica da tripanossomíase americana. Do total de 15 espécies de morcegos coletadas, apenas Artibeus planirostris, Phyllostomus hastatus e Phyllostomus discolor foram encontradas infectadas por tripanossomos. Os tripanossomos isolados de A. planirostris e de alguns exemplares de P. hastatus assemelham-se, por sua forma, dimensões e comportamento, a Trypanosoma cruzi. No caso das amostras isoladas de P. discolor e de alguns exemplares de P. hastatus, a forma e dimensões dos tripanossomos e o fato de não infectarem camundongos permitem identificá-los como Trypanosoma cruzi var. marinkellei.

The present research was carried out in seven different counties of Ceará State, Brazil, namely Palhano, Russas, Limoeiro do Norte, Morada Nova, Canindé, Quixadá and Pereiro, from July 1983 to December 1984. Fifteen species of bats were sampled but only Artibeus planirostris, Phyllostomus hastatus and Phyllostomus discolor infected by trypanosoma were studied. The isolated trypanosomes from studied A. planirostris and some specimens of P. hastatus are similar in shape and dimensions to Trypanosoma cruzi. In the case of strains isolated from P. discolor and also from some specimens of P. hastatus, the shape and dimensions of trypanosomes allied to the characteristic that they did not infect mice, made us to compare them with Trypanosoma cruzi var. marinkellei.