Autor: J.A. Oliveira

João Alves de Oliveira,João A. de Oliveira, João A. Oliveira

Non-human primates collected during and after a yellow fever outbreak in eastern Brazil: demographic data, osteological implications, and viral prevalence

, , , , ,

Between 2016 and 2019, a sylvatic yellow fever (YF) outbreak affected Southeast Brazil, prompting a large-scale response to monitor non-human primates (NHP) as sentinels of viral circulation. Here we provide detailed data on NHP specimens collected between 2018 and 2021, presenting sex and estimated age, as well as information on osteological changes and trauma, and YF prevalence in NHP in Rio de Janeiro State, Southeastern Brazil. A total of 716 NHP from six taxa were documented across 48 municipalities: Callithrix sp. (N = 672), Callithrix aurita (N = 3), Sapajus nigritus (N = 28), Alouatta guariba (N = 7), Callicebus nigrifrons (N = 2), Leontopithecus rosalia (N = 3), and Leontopithecus chrysomelas (N = 1). Of these, only 19 tested positive for YF virus, predominantly Callithrix sp. (N = 14), followed by Alouatta guariba (N = 2), Callicebus nigrifrons (N = 2), and Leontopithecus rosalia (N = 1). Most Callithrix sp. specimens—hybrids of C. jacchus and C. penicillata—originated from urban centers, particularly Rio de Janeiro and Niterói. Notably, trauma-related injuries were recorded in 160 Callithrix sp., peaking during the outbreak, likely due to human aggression driven by misconceptions about YF transmission and/or roadkill events. Additionally, among 127 Callithrix sp. and three C. aurita specimens processed as skins and skeletons, 90 revealed pathological-like changes in teeth, skull, and appendicular skeleton, including porosity, translucency, bone remodeling, darkened spots, and fractures. While not directly linked to YF infection, these findings contribute to a broader understanding of NHP pathology and population health. This study represents one of the largest and most systematically curated collections of NHP from an epizootic event, providing an invaluable resource for disease ecology and conservation research. Our results emphasize the importance of long-term specimen preservation for monitoring emerging infectious diseases and assessing anthropogenic impacts on wildlife populations.

Entre 2016 e 2019, um surto de febre amarela silvestre (FA) afetou o Sudeste do Brasil, desencadeando uma resposta em larga escala para monitorar primatas não humanos (PNH) como sentinelas da circulação viral. No presente estudo apresentamos dados detalhados sobre espécimes de PNH coletados no estado do Rio de Janeiro entre 2018 e 2021, incluindo informações sobre sexo, idade estimada, alterações osteológicas, traumas e a prevalência de FA de amostra. No total, foram documentados 716 PNH pertencentes a seis táxons em 48 municípios: Callithrix sp. (N = 672), Callithrix aurita (N = 3), Sapajus nigritus (N = 28), Alouatta guariba (N = 7), Callicebus nigrifrons (N = 2), Leontopithecus rosalia (N = 3) e Leontopithecus chrysomelas (N = 1). Desses, apenas 19 testaram positivo para o vírus da FA, predominantemente Callithrix sp. (N = 14), seguido por Alouatta guariba (N = 2), Callicebus nigrifrons (N = 2) e Leontopithecus rosalia (N = 1). A maioria dos espécimes de Callithrix sp. —híbridos entre C. jacchus e C. penicillata— originou-se de centros urbanos, especialmente Rio de Janeiro e Niterói. Lesões associadas a traumas foram registradas em 160 indivíduos de Callithrix sp., com um pico durante o surto, possivelmente devido à agressão humana motivada por concepções equivocadas sobre a transmissão da FA e/ou atropelamentos. Além disso, entre 127 espécimes de Callithrix sp. e três C. aurita processados como peles e esqueletos, 90 apresentaram alterações sugestivas de patologias nos dentes, crânio e esqueleto apendicular, incluindo porosidade, transparência, remodelação óssea, manchas escurecidas e fraturas. Embora não estejam diretamente relacionados à infecção por FA, esses achados contribuem para uma compreensão mais ampla sobre a saúde populacional dos PNH. A amostra aqui avaliada representa uma das maiores e mais sistematicamente organizadas coleções de PNH provenientes de um evento epizoótico, constituindo um recurso valioso para pesquisas em ecologia, epidemiologia e conservação. Nossos resultados destacam a importância da preservação a longo prazo de espécimes para o monitoramento de doenças emergentes e a avaliação dos impactos antropogênicos sobre as populações de PNH de vida livre.

Graphical abstract for the article “Non-human primates collected during and after a yellow fever outbreak in eastern Brazil: demographic data, osteological implications, and viral prevalence” (Cezar et al., 2025)

On the distinction and availability of the new taxa proposed by Agnolin et al. 2019

, , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Recently, Agnolin et al. (2019) described 14 new species of mammals, including 12 rodents, one bat, and one carnivore, and one new subspecies of rodent. In addition, these authors proposed several other nomenclatorial acts: some nominal forms were removed from synonymies and hypothesized as distinct species, at the time that three new genera, one subtribe, and one tribe of mammals were also named. We reviewed the merits of all nomenclatorial acts proposed by Agnolin at al. (2019) and concluded that all 14 new species and the new subspecies, as well as those forms removed from synonymies, should be treated as synonyms of already known species. We suggest the same regarding the three new supraspecific taxa presented by Agnolin et al., two of which are not available as they fail to comply with the provisions of the International Code of Zoological Nomenclature. We end this contribution criticizing the way that mammal taxonomy was approached by Agnolin et al. (2019).

Sobre la distinción y disponibilidad de los nuevos taxones propuestos por Agnolin et al. 2019. Recientemente, Agnolin et al. (2019) describieron 14 especies nuevas de mamíferos, incluyendo 12 roedores, un murciélago y un carnívoro, y una nueva subespecie de roedor. Además, estos autores propusieron varios otros actos nomenclatoriales: algunas formas nominales se eliminaron de las sinonimias y se hipotetizaron como especies distintas; se nombraron tres nuevos géneros, una subtribu y una tribu de mamíferos. Revisamos todos los actos nomenclatoriales propuestos por Agnolin et al. (2019) y concluimos que las 14 nuevas especies y la nueva subespecie, así como las formas eliminadas de las sinonimias, deben tratarse como sinónimos de especies ya conocidas. Sugerimos lo mismo con respecto a los tres nuevos taxones supraespecíficos presentados por Agnolin et al. (2019), de los cuales dos no están disponibles ya que no cumplen con las disposiciones del Código Internacional de Nomenclatura Zoológica. Terminamos esta contribución criticando la forma en que Agnolin et al. (2019) realizaron su abordaje taxonómico.

The karyotype of Noctilio albiventris (Chiroptera, Noctilionidae) from the northern Pantanal of Brazil and its taxonomic implications

, , , ,

The complete karyotype of Noctilio albiventris cabrerai is described on the basis of specimens from the northern Pantanal region of central Brazil. The G-banded karyotype comprises a diploid number (2n) of 34, an autosomal fundamental number (FNa) of 62, and respectively submetacentric and acrocentric X and Y chromosomes. Active nucleolar organizer regions (NORs) were located in pair 12. C-banding showed constitutive heterochromatin in the pericentromeric regions of all autosomes and in the X chromosome. Differences were found with respect to specimens from Honduras, referable to N. a. minor, which had a pair of autosomes with totally heterochromatic short arms, and from Colombia, referable to N. a. affinis, which had a metacentric X chromosome.

El cariotipo de Noctilio albiventris (Chiroptera, Noctilionidae) del norte del Pantanal brasileño y sus implicancias taxonómicas. Se describe el cariotipo completo de Noctilio albiventris cabrerai en base a especímenes del norte del Pantanal, Brasil. El cariotipo en bandeo G presentó un número diploide (2n) de 34, un número fundamental autosómico (FNa) de 62, el cromosoma X submetacéntrico y el Y acrocéntrico. Las regiones organizadoras del nucléolo (RONs) activas se ubican en el par 12. El bandeo C reveló bloques de heterocromatina constitutiva en las regiones pericentroméricas de todos los autosomas y en el cromosoma X. Se resumen las diferencias con respecto a cariotipos asignables a N. a. minor (Honduras), con un par cromosómico de brazos cortos totalmente heterocromático, y a N. a. affinis (Colombia), con un cromosoma X metacéntrico.

Morphometrics and cytogenetics of Gracilinanus agilis and Cryptonanus spp. (Didelphimorphia: Didelphidae) from central and northeastern Brazil

, , ,

Species of the didelphid genera Gracilinanus and Cryptonanus are morphologically and cytogenetically very similar. Several qualitative characters, some of which exhibit intraspecific polymorphisms, have been used to distinguish these genera, but more data are needed to characterize them better. Samples of G. agilis and Cryptonanus spp. from nine localities in central and northeastern Brazil were analyzed. Multivariate analyses of craniodental measurements and descriptive statistics of external body measurements indicate that G. agilis is conspicuously larger than Cryptonanus spp., and that general size is the main factor distinguishing these forms. Size differences can be combined with qualitative characters making the differentiation between G. agilis and Cryptonanus spp. easier. Cytogenetic analyses, including the first description of C-bands and Ag-NORs of G. agilis, revealed that the karyotypes of G. agilis and Cryptonanus sp. from Barão de Melgaço, Mato Grosso, are very similar, except for the fourth autosomal pair and the X chromosome.

Morfometría y citogenética de Gracilinanus agilis y Cryptonanus spp. (Didelphimorphia: Didelphidae) del centro y nordeste del Brasil. Los didélfidos Gracilinanus y Cryptonanus poseen una morfología y citogenética muy semejantes. Estos géneros han sido diferenciados por caracteres polimórficos cualitativos, pero más datos son necesarios para caracterizarlos mejor. Fueron analizadas muestras de G. agilis y Cryptonanus spp. de nueve localidades de centro y nordeste de Brasil. Los análisis multivariados de las medidas craneodentarias y las estadísticas descriptivas de las medidas corporales externas indican que G. agilis es claramente mayor que Cryptonanus spp. y que el tamaño general es el principal factor para distinguir esas formas. La variación en tamaño puede ser asociada a los caracteres cualitativos para facilitar la diferenciación entre G. agilis y Cryptonanus spp. Los análisis citogenéticos, incluyendo la primera descripción del bandeo C y las Ag-NORs de G. agilis, revelaron que los cariotipos de G. agilis y Cryptonanus sp. de Barão de Melgaço, Mato Grosso, son muy semejantes, excepto por el cuarto par de autosomas y el cromosoma X.