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Aiming to improve our reproductive knowledge of large birds of prey, behavioral data and fecal steroids were assessed in captive pairs of Harpy eagles, a keystone species that is monogamous and resides in the Neotropics year-round. Adult individuals exhibited different reproductive outcomes and a breeding season extending beyond summer solstice (5-9 months) suggests that harpy eagles may not be absolutely photorefractory. Comparisons among breeding stages in males revealed that mean androgen levels in courtship were higher than in copulation and incubation, but no differences were detected in fecal progestagens or estrogens. Females had higher mean estrogen concentrations in courtship and copulation, whereas mean progestagen levels peaked during egg laying. Mean androgen concentrations were not significantly different among breeding stages in females. Assessment of six egg-lay cycles from three females demonstrated that fecal estrogens peaked predominantly between 31 and 18 days before oviposition (-31 to -18 days), and then remained low until 45 days after laying the first egg (+45 days). In contrast, fecal progestagens raised mostly between -20 and +1 day, lowering to baseline concentrations by +3 days. To our knowledge, this is the first study to describe in detail endocrine and behavioral data regarding reproduction in tropical eagles, which may serve in the future as a reference to developing breeding programs.

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Hemoplasmas, the erythrocyte-associated mycoplasmas, have been detected in several primates, causing mostly subclinical infection. This study aimed to determine the prevalence of hemoplasma infection in captive and free-ranging monkeys from southern Brazil, as well as factors and hematological abnormalities associated with infection. Blood samples from 40 non-human primates (NHP) were tested for hemoplasmas and coinfections. An overall of 10/40 (25.0%) NHP tested positive for hemoplasmas using PCR-based assays, including 9/14 (64.3%) black howler monkeys (Alouatta caraya) and 1/24 (4.2%) black-horned capuchin (Sapajus nigritus). Infection was not statistically associated with anemia, but wild-born monkeys and male black howler monkeys were more likely to be positive when compared with captive-born animals and female black howler monkeys, respectively. The sequences from the black howler monkey hemoplasma were similar (94% identity) to the squirrel monkey hemoplasma ("Candidatus Mycoplasma kahanei") and were phylogenetically located in a different cluster when compared to the human hemoplasma ("Candidatus Mycoplasma haemohominis").

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Hemoplasmas were detected in two apparently healthy captive South American coatis (Nasua nasua) from southern Brazil during an investigation for vector-borne pathogens. Blood was subjected to packed cell volume (PCV) determination, a commercial real-time PCR panel for the detection of Anaplasma spp., Babesia spp., Bartonella spp., Hepatozoon spp., Leishmania spp., Mycoplasma haemofelis, 'Candidatus Mycoplasma turicensis', 'Candidatus Mycoplasma haemominutum', Neorickettsia risticii, Rickettsia rickettsii and Leptospira spp., and a pan-hemoplasma conventional PCR assay. PCV was normal, but both coatis tested positive for hemoplasmas and negative for all the remaining pathogens tested. Using different techniques for microscopy (light, confocal or SEM), structures compatible with hemoplasmas were identified. Sequencing of the 16S rRNA gene identified an organism resembling Mycoplasma haemofelis and another hemotropic Mycoplasma sp., with a sequence identity of 96.8% to a Mycoplasma sp. previously detected in capybaras.

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Twenty harpy eagles (Harpia harpyja) without systemic or ocular diseases were examined to measure blood velocity parameters of the pectinis oculi artery using Doppler ultrasonography. Pectinate artery resistive index (RI) and pulsatility index (PI) were investigated using ocular Doppler ultrasonography. The mean RI and PI values across all eyes were 0.44±0.10 and 0.62±0.20 respectively. Low RI and PI values found in the harpy eagle´s pectinis oculi artery compared with the American pekin ducks one and other tissue suggest indeed a high metabolic activity in pecten oculi and corroborates the hypothesis of a nutritional function and/or intraocular pressure regulation.

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Decreasing of harpy eagle (Harpia harpyja) populations in natural environments, mainly in non-preserved areas, makes captive population management an important contribution to genetic diversity conservation. The aim of this study is to evaluate hematological parameters for captive harpy eagles maintained at the wild animals breeding center of Itaipu Binacional, Paraná State, Brazil. Fourteen blood samples from nine harpy eagles were collected from animals of both sexes, of different ages and with no clinical signs of disease. Significant variations were found in haematological values of hematocrit, hemoglobin, mean corpuscular hemoglobin (MCH), mean corpuscular hemoglobin concentration (MCHC), leukocyte, a relative number of heterophils, absolute and relative number of lymphocytes, monocytes, eosinophils, basophils and plasma protein between groups of young (less than six months old) and adult birds. Comparing males and females there was variation in the values of erythrocytes, hemoglobin, mean corpuscular volume (MCV), mean corpuscular hemoglobin (MCH) on heterophils, absolute and relative number of lymphocytes, eosinophils and basophils. There was also variation in the values of red blood cells, hematocrit, hemoglobin, mean corpuscular volume (MCV), mean corpuscular hemoglobin (MCH), mean corpuscular hemoglobin concentration (MCHC), leukocyte count, absolute number of lymphocytes, eosinophils and basophils among birds that study compared to another reference birds. Due to the limited information available on harpy eagle hematology, this study will be useful to the clinical assessment of birds maintained in captivity.(AU)

A diminuição de populações de harpia (Harpia harpyja) em ambientes naturais, principalmente em áreas não preservadas, torna a gestão população cativa uma contribuição importante para a conservação da diversidade genética. O objetivo deste estudo é avaliar os parâmetros hematológicos de harpias em cativeiro mantidas para os animais selvagens de reprodução centro da Itaipu Binacional, Paraná, Brasil. Quatorze amostras de sangue de nove harpias foram coletadas de animais de ambos os sexos, de diferentes idades e sem sinais clínicos da doença. Variações significativas foram encontradas nos valores hematológicos de hematócrito, hemoglobina, hemoglobina corpuscular média (HCM), concentração de hemoglobina corpuscular média (CHCM), de leucócitos, um número relativo de heterófilos, absoluta e número relativo de linfócitos, monócitos, eosinófilos, basófilos e proteínas plasmáticas entre grupos de jovens (menos de seis meses de idade) e adultos aves. Comparando homens e mulheres houve variação nos valores de eritrócitos, hemoglobina, volume corpuscular médio (VCM), hemoglobina corpuscular média (HCM) em heterófilos, o número absoluto e relativo de linfócitos, eosinófilos e basófilos. Houve também variação nos valores de células vermelhas do sangue, hematócrito, hemoglobina, volume corpuscular médio (VCM), hemoglobina corpuscular média (HCM), concentração de hemoglobina corpuscular média (CHCM), contagem de leucócitos, número absoluto de linfócitos, eosinófilos e basófilos entre aves que estudam em comparação com outras aves de referência. Devido à pouca informação disponível sobre hematologia harpia, este estudo será útil para a avaliação clínica das aves mantidas em cativeiro.(AU)

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Decreasing of harpy eagle (Harpia harpyja) populations in natural environments, mainly in non-preserved areas, makes captive population management an important contribution to genetic diversity conservation. The aim of this study is to evaluate hematological parameters for captive harpy eagles maintained at the wild animals breeding center of Itaipu Binacional, Paraná State, Brazil. Fourteen blood samples from nine harpy eagles were collected from animals of both sexes, of different ages and with no clinical signs of disease. Significant variations were found in haematological values of hematocrit, hemoglobin, mean corpuscular hemoglobin (MCH), mean corpuscular hemoglobin concentration (MCHC), leukocyte, a relative number of heterophils, absolute and relative number of lymphocytes, monocytes, eosinophils, basophils and plasma protein between groups of young (less than six months old) and adult birds. Comparing males and females there was variation in the values of erythrocytes, hemoglobin, mean corpuscular volume (MCV), mean corpuscular hemoglobin (MCH) on heterophils, absolute and relative number of lymphocytes, eosinophils and basophils. There was also variation in the values of red blood cells, hematocrit, hemoglobin, mean corpuscular volume (MCV), mean corpuscular hemoglobin (MCH), mean corpuscular hemoglobin concentration (MCHC), leukocyte count, absolute number of lymphocytes, eosinophils and basophils among birds that study compared to another reference birds. Due to the limited information available on harpy eagle hematology, this study will be useful to the clinical assessment of birds maintained in captivity...

A diminuição de populações de harpia (Harpia harpyja) em ambientes naturais, principalmente em áreas não preservadas, torna a gestão população cativa uma contribuição importante para a conservação da diversidade genética. O objetivo deste estudo é avaliar os parâmetros hematológicos de harpias em cativeiro mantidas para os animais selvagens de reprodução centro da Itaipu Binacional, Paraná, Brasil. Quatorze amostras de sangue de nove harpias foram coletadas de animais de ambos os sexos, de diferentes idades e sem sinais clínicos da doença. Variações significativas foram encontradas nos valores hematológicos de hematócrito, hemoglobina, hemoglobina corpuscular média (HCM), concentração de hemoglobina corpuscular média (CHCM), de leucócitos, um número relativo de heterófilos, absoluta e número relativo de linfócitos, monócitos, eosinófilos, basófilos e proteínas plasmáticas entre grupos de jovens (menos de seis meses de idade) e adultos aves. Comparando homens e mulheres houve variação nos valores de eritrócitos, hemoglobina, volume corpuscular médio (VCM), hemoglobina corpuscular média (HCM) em heterófilos, o número absoluto e relativo de linfócitos, eosinófilos e basófilos. Houve também variação nos valores de células vermelhas do sangue, hematócrito, hemoglobina, volume corpuscular médio (VCM), hemoglobina corpuscular média (HCM), concentração de hemoglobina corpuscular média (CHCM), contagem de leucócitos, número absoluto de linfócitos, eosinófilos e basófilos entre aves que estudam em comparação com outras aves de referência. Devido à pouca informação disponível sobre hematologia harpia, este estudo será útil para a avaliação clínica das aves mantidas em cativeiro...

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In this experiment, methods of total fecal collection (TFC) and internal markers (acid-insoluble ash - AIA, crude fiber - CF, and acid-detergent fiber - ADF) were compared for determination of the coefficients of apparent digestibility (CAD) for dry matter (DM), crude protein (CP), ether extract (EE), nitrogen-free extracts (NFE), and gross energy (GE) of commercial feline dry kibble for ocelots (Leopardus pardalis). Six adult animals, weighing 12.45±1.37 kg, gradually received experimental kibble in their usual diet until the beginning of the experiment and were submitted to an adaptation period ten days prior to the collection period. CAD obtained by TFC, AIA, CF, and ADF were, respectively, 73.7, 76.83, 62.01, and 46.03% for dry matter; 81.9, 84.8, 75.8, and 63.8% for crude protein; 85, 86.7, 78.5, and 69.1% for ether extract; 78.52, 79.55, 69.11, and 53.04% for nitrogen-free extracts; and 80.5, 82.2, 71.4, and 58.4% for gross energy. The AIA method showed to be efficient in determining coefficients of apparent digestibility and may contribute to investigations on the digestibility of diets for wild felines. In comparison to the items of ocelot's usual diet, the kibble used in this paper provided an adequate nutritional supply with reduced daily costs per animal.(AU)

Neste experimento foram comparados os métodos de coleta total de fezes (CT) e de indicadores internos (cinza insolúvel em ácido - CIA, fibra bruta - FB e fibra em detergente ácido - FDA) na determinação dos coeficientes de digestibilidade aparente (CDA) da matéria seca (MS), proteína bruta (PB), extrato etéreo (EE), extrativo não nitrogenado (ENN) e energia bruta (EB) de uma ração comercial de gatos-domésticos para jaguatiricas (Leopardus pardalis). Seis animais adultos com peso de 12,45 ± 1,37kg receberam gradativamente a ração experimental na dieta habitual até o início do experimento e foram submetidos a um período de adaptação de 10 dias anteriores ao período de coleta. Os CDA obtidos pela CT, CIA, FB e FDA foram, respectivamente de 73,70; 76,83; 62,01 e 46,03% para matéria seca, 81,9; 84,8; 75,8 e 63,8% para proteína bruta, 85,0; 86,7; 78,5 e 69,1% para extrato etéreo, 78,52; 79,55; 69,11 e 53,04% para extrativo não nitrogenado e de 80,5; 82,2; 71,4 e 58,4% para energia bruta. O método de CIA mostrou-se eficiente na determinação dos coeficientes de digestibilidade aparente e pode contribuir com as investigações sobre a digestibilidade em dietas com felídeos selvagens. A ração utilizada permitiu aos animais um adequado aporte nutricional e apresentou menores custos/animal/dia em comparação aos itens que compunham a dieta habitual.(AU)

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RESUMO

In this experiment, methods of total fecal collection (TFC) and internal markers (acid-insoluble ash - AIA, crude fiber - CF, and acid-detergent fiber - ADF) were compared for determination of the coefficients of apparent digestibility (CAD) for dry matter (DM), crude protein (CP), ether extract (EE), nitrogen-free extracts (NFE), and gross energy (GE) of commercial feline dry kibble for ocelots (Leopardus pardalis). Six adult animals, weighing 12.45±1.37 kg, gradually received experimental kibble in their usual diet until the beginning of the experiment and were submitted to an adaptation period ten days prior to the collection period. CAD obtained by TFC, AIA, CF, and ADF were, respectively, 73.7, 76.83, 62.01, and 46.03% for dry matter; 81.9, 84.8, 75.8, and 63.8% for crude protein; 85, 86.7, 78.5, and 69.1% for ether extract; 78.52, 79.55, 69.11, and 53.04% for nitrogen-free extracts; and 80.5, 82.2, 71.4, and 58.4% for gross energy. The AIA method showed to be efficient in determining coefficients of apparent digestibility and may contribute to investigations on the digestibility of diets for wild felines. In comparison to the items of ocelot's usual diet, the kibble used in this paper provided an adequate nutritional supply with reduced daily costs per animal.

Neste experimento foram comparados os métodos de coleta total de fezes (CT) e de indicadores internos (cinza insolúvel em ácido - CIA, fibra bruta - FB e fibra em detergente ácido - FDA) na determinação dos coeficientes de digestibilidade aparente (CDA) da matéria seca (MS), proteína bruta (PB), extrato etéreo (EE), extrativo não nitrogenado (ENN) e energia bruta (EB) de uma ração comercial de gatos-domésticos para jaguatiricas (Leopardus pardalis). Seis animais adultos com peso de 12,45 ± 1,37kg receberam gradativamente a ração experimental na dieta habitual até o início do experimento e foram submetidos a um período de adaptação de 10 dias anteriores ao período de coleta. Os CDA obtidos pela CT, CIA, FB e FDA foram, respectivamente de 73,70; 76,83; 62,01 e 46,03% para matéria seca, 81,9; 84,8; 75,8 e 63,8% para proteína bruta, 85,0; 86,7; 78,5 e 69,1% para extrato etéreo, 78,52; 79,55; 69,11 e 53,04% para extrativo não nitrogenado e de 80,5; 82,2; 71,4 e 58,4% para energia bruta. O método de CIA mostrou-se eficiente na determinação dos coeficientes de digestibilidade aparente e pode contribuir com as investigações sobre a digestibilidade em dietas com felídeos selvagens. A ração utilizada permitiu aos animais um adequado aporte nutricional e apresentou menores custos/animal/dia em comparação aos itens que compunham a dieta habitual.

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Hemotropic mycoplasmas are bacteria that infect erythrocytes and cause subclinical infections to life-threatening disease. We describe hemotropic mycoplasma infection in a free-ranging black howler monkey (Alouatta caraya). This is the first molecular detection of a hemotropic mycoplasma in a nonhuman primate from Brazil.

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Leptospirosis is a bacterial zoonosis of worldwide distribution and is endemic in tropical countries, where rodents and other wild mammals are abundant and may act as reservoirs. Leptospirosis has become a concern in captive wild animals, due mostly to their exposure to contaminated urine or environment. Although domestic cats (Felis catus) have been reported refractory to leptospirosis, serology and disease in captive wild felids is still unclear. In this study 57 adult, clinically healthy felids, including 1 Geoffroy's cat (Leopardus geoffroyi), 3 jaguarundis (Puma yagouaroundi), 17 margays (Leopardus wiedii), 22 little spotted cats (Leopardus tigrinus), and 14 ocelots (Leopardus pardalis) kept in captivity at the Sanctuary at the Itaipu Binacional hydroelectric power plant (Bela Vista Biological Sanctuary), Foz do Iguacu City, Paraná State, Brazil, were serologically surveyed for the presence of antibodies against 28 serovars of Leptospira spp. by microagglutination test (MAT). Two animals (3.5%) were seropositive: one male ocelot to the serovar Cynopteri (titer 100) and one female margay to Autumnalis (100) and Butembo (200). The captive-born, 5-yr-old ocelot had been solitary housed in an individual cage. The approximately 21-yr-old wild-caught margay was also kept individually. None of the tested animals showed signs ofleptospirosis. During a study conducted 4 yr previously in the same facility, this particular margay also tested positive for the same two serovars, among others. The present study indicates that the felids tested for Leptospira spp. by MAT were exposed to serovars, but did not demonstrate clinical signs of disease. Comparison with a previous study suggests that serovar titers may vary over time and that leptospirosis dynamics remains unclear in wild felids.

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