Camera trap surveys of Atlantic Forest mammals: A data set for analyses considering imperfect detection (2004-2020)

Camera traps became the main observational method of a myriad of species over large areas. Data sets from camera traps can be used to describe the patterns and monitor the occupancy, abundance, and richness of wildlife, essential information for conservation in times of rapid climate and land-cover changes. Habitat loss and poaching are responsible for historical population losses of mammals in the Atlantic Forest biodiversity hotspot, especially for medium to large-sized species. Here we present a data set from camera trap surveys of medium to large-sized native mammals (>1 kg) across the Atlantic Forest. We compiled data from 5380 ground-level camera trap deployments in 3046 locations, from 2004 to 2020, resulting in 43,068 records of 58 species. These data add to existing data sets of mammals in the Atlantic Forest by including dates of camera operation needed for analyses dealing with imperfect detection. We also included, when available, information on important predictors of detection, namely the camera brand and model, use of bait, and obstruction of camera viewshed that can be measured from example pictures at each camera location. Besides its application in studies on the patterns and mechanisms behind occupancy, relative abundance, richness, and detection, the data set presented here can be used to study species' daily activity patterns, activity levels, and spatiotemporal interactions between species. Moreover, data can be used combined with other data sources in the multiple and expanding uses of integrated population modeling. An R script is available to view summaries of the data set. We expect that this data set will be used to advance the knowledge of mammal assemblages and to inform evidence-based solutions for the conservation of the Atlantic Forest. The data are not copyright restricted; please cite this paper when using the data.

Noteworthy records of the ticks Ornithodoros rostratus and Amblyomma sculptum parasitizing Pteronura brasiliensis in the central-western region of Brazil, with pathogen investigation notes

A male of Pteronura brasiliensis (Carnivora: Mustelidae) was found dead on the banks of the Rio Negro, in the Pantanal wetlands of Mato Grosso do Sul state, Aquidauana municipality. Two ticks found attached to its skin were morphologically identified as a second-instar nymph of Ornithodoros rostratus (Argasidae) and a male of Amblyomma sculptum (Ixodidae). In order to complement the morphological identification, these tick specimens were subjected to DNA extraction, and tested using PCR assays to confirm the molecular identity the specimens. Also, the tick DNA samples were tested and were negative in the PCR assays for all the pathogens tested. We also examined 30 batches, consisting of 174 individuals of O. rostratus deposited in the Acari Collection of the Butantan Institute, and we found material from four Brazilian states, including one batch containing 2 males and 2 females from Aquidauana, of Mato Grosso do Sul state, collected from the soil. This was therefore the first record of O. rostratus parasitizing P. brasiliensis and the first locality record (Aquidauana). Likewise, A. sculptum is commonly found in the Pantanal and is reported here for the second time parasitizing the giant otter, which is a host little studied regarding the ectoparasites.

Amblyomma sculptum ticks on a giant otter from the Brazilian Pantanal

The giant otter (Pteronura brasiliensis) is a semiaquatic carnivore and a top predator in the trophic chain, considered a sentinel of freshwater ecosystems. Ticks are common ectoparasites of worldwide distribution and potential vectors of diseases. In this study, we report the ectoparasitism by ticks on a giant otter carcass found during monitoring activity at the Negro River, that holds a viable population of this endangered species in the Brazilian Pantanal. A total of three tick specimens were collected: two adults were identified as Amblyomma sculptum and a nymph as Amblyomma spp. There is a lack of information about the health of free-ranging giant otters and this report contributes to elucidate some of the host-parasite relationships, although much more research is needed to expand the knowledge about which kinds of pathogens are circulating in the species, especially among those transmitted by ticks.

First report of myiasis caused by Cochliomyia hominivorax in free-ranging giant otter (Pteronura brasiliensis)

Giant otters are territorial semi-aquatic mammals. It is common to find several individuals exhibiting wounds and scars due to intraspecific conflicts. Myiasis is a parasitic infestation on living tissues of vertebrates caused by dipterous larvae, that usually develops in freshly open wounds and can seriously threaten the host's health. Ectoparasites seem to be rare among giant otters and myiasis had not been recorded in this species until now. Here, is presented one record of myiasis in a free-ranging giant otter found dead in the Pantanal, Brazil. An ulcerative lesion was found in the frontoparietal region, from which 22 larvae were recovered and identified as Cochliomyia hominivorax. The low occurrence of ectoparasites in giant otters might reflect their semi-aquatic habits and their grooming behavior, which makes it difficult for parasites to remain on the skin. The injured otter probably got the larvae after an intraspecific fight. Agonistic encounters between groups of giant otters have been reported before and these fights can result in serious wounds or even death. It was hypothesized that the myiasis caused by C. hominivorax deteriorated the health of the infested giant otter, which prevented recovery and accelerated its death.

Total mercury concentration in the fur of free-ranging giant otters in a large Neotropical floodplain

The giant otter, Pteronura brasiliensis, (Zimmermann, 1780), is a semiaquatic carnivore that feeds mainly on fish. Mercury has high toxicity and high potential for bioaccumulation in tissues and biomagnification in organisms through food chains. Thus, as a top predator in the trophic chain, the giant otter has the potential to accumulate mercury by biomagnification. The objective of the present study was to measure the total mercury concentration in giant otter fur samples from an area in the southern Brazilian Pantanal. Fur samples from 19 otters from different social groups were collected from captured animals or were sampled with biopsy darts. Total mercury determination was performed by cold steam spectrophotometry. Mercury concentrations found in the giant otter fur were 7.15 ± 3.41 μg g^-1 (2.01-12.06 μg g^-1) dry weight. The values are above to the upper limit found in fur samples of otter species not exposed to contamination sources, which typically range from 1 to 5 μg g^-1. The concentrations found in the study area indicate that even in the southern Pantanal, which is approximately 475 km from gold mining activity, mercury can be considered a threat for giant otters, as well as for riverside populations. It is also important to consider that other anthropogenic sources of mercury, such as pesticides used in agriculture, could affect this population.

Giant otter diet differs between habitats and from fisheries offtake in a large Neotropical floodplain

Giant otters Pteronura brasiliensis are semiaquatic mammals that mainly eat fish, the abundance of which is affected by seasonal flooding and habitat structure. The piscivorous habits of giant otters lead to negative human perception and conflicts with fisheries. We compared giant otter feeding habits between seasons and habitats in the Southern Pantanal, Brazil, by analyzing feces collected between September 2008 and June 2011.We investigated whether habitat and season affected P. brasiliensis diet composition and prey size. We calculated the frequency of occurrence, relative frequency, and overlap of fish species eaten by giant otters and caught by fishermen. The giant otters had a more diverse assemblage of fish prey than the offtake in the fisheries. We did not find strong seasonality in otter diets, but diet composition and prey size differed between rivers and lakes. The giant otter diet had higher overlap with the offtake of sport than with professional fishermen. Although the otters’ piscivorous diet often leads to negative perceptions by humans, the low overlap between otter diet and species taken in local fisheries suggests that otters have little effect on the commercial fishery. These results indicate that educational programs could be used to reduce perceived conflict between giant otters and fishermen.

NEOTROPICAL CARNIVORES: a data set on carnivore distribution in the Neotropics

Mammalian carnivores are considered a key group in maintaining ecological health and can indicate potential ecological integrity in landscapes where they occur. Carnivores also hold high conservation value and their habitat requirements can guide management and conservation plans. The order Carnivora has 84 species from 8 families in the Neotropical region: Canidae; Felidae; Mephitidae; Mustelidae; Otariidae; Phocidae; Procyonidae; and Ursidae. Herein, we include published and unpublished data on native terrestrial Neotropical carnivores (Canidae; Felidae; Mephitidae; Mustelidae; Procyonidae; and Ursidae). NEOTROPICAL CARNIVORES is a publicly available data set that includes 99,605 data entries from 35,511 unique georeferenced coordinates. Detection/non-detection and quantitative data were obtained from 1818 to 2018 by researchers, governmental agencies, non-governmental organizations, and private consultants. Data were collected using several methods including camera trapping, museum collections, roadkill, line transect, and opportunistic records. Literature (peer-reviewed and grey literature) from Portuguese, Spanish and English were incorporated in this compilation. Most of the data set consists of detection data entries (n = 79,343; 79.7%) but also includes non-detection data (n = 20,262; 20.3%). Of those, 43.3% also include count data (n = 43,151). The information available in NEOTROPICAL CARNIVORES will contribute to macroecological, ecological, and conservation questions in multiple spatio-temporal perspectives. As carnivores play key roles in trophic interactions, a better understanding of their distribution and habitat requirements are essential to establish conservation management plans and safeguard the future ecological health of Neotropical ecosystems. Our data paper, combined with other large-scale data sets, has great potential to clarify species distribution and related ecological processes within the Neotropics. There are no copyright restrictions and no restriction for using data from this data paper, as long as the data paper is cited as the source of the information used. We also request that users inform us of how they intend to use the data.

NEOTROPICAL XENARTHRANS: a data set of occurrence of xenarthran species in the Neotropics

Xenarthrans-anteaters, sloths, and armadillos-have essential functions for ecosystem maintenance, such as insect control and nutrient cycling, playing key roles as ecosystem engineers. Because of habitat loss and fragmentation, hunting pressure, and conflicts with domestic dogs, these species have been threatened locally, regionally, or even across their full distribution ranges. The Neotropics harbor 21 species of armadillos, 10 anteaters, and 6 sloths. Our data set includes the families Chlamyphoridae (13), Dasypodidae (7), Myrmecophagidae (3), Bradypodidae (4), and Megalonychidae (2). We have no occurrence data on Dasypus pilosus (Dasypodidae). Regarding Cyclopedidae, until recently, only one species was recognized, but new genetic studies have revealed that the group is represented by seven species. In this data paper, we compiled a total of 42,528 records of 31 species, represented by occurrence and quantitative data, totaling 24,847 unique georeferenced records. The geographic range is from the southern United States, Mexico, and Caribbean countries at the northern portion of the Neotropics, to the austral distribution in Argentina, Paraguay, Chile, and Uruguay. Regarding anteaters, Myrmecophaga tridactyla has the most records (n = 5,941), and Cyclopes sp. have the fewest (n = 240). The armadillo species with the most data is Dasypus novemcinctus (n = 11,588), and the fewest data are recorded for Calyptophractus retusus (n = 33). With regard to sloth species, Bradypus variegatus has the most records (n = 962), and Bradypus pygmaeus has the fewest (n = 12). Our main objective with Neotropical Xenarthrans is to make occurrence and quantitative data available to facilitate more ecological research, particularly if we integrate the xenarthran data with other data sets of Neotropical Series that will become available very soon (i.e., Neotropical Carnivores, Neotropical Invasive Mammals, and Neotropical Hunters and Dogs). Therefore, studies on trophic cascades, hunting pressure, habitat loss, fragmentation effects, species invasion, and climate change effects will be possible with the Neotropical Xenarthrans data set. Please cite this data paper when using its data in publications. We also request that researchers and teachers inform us of how they are using these data.

Activity pattern of medium and large sized mammals and density estimates of Cuniculus paca (Rodentia: Cuniculidae) in the Brazilian Pampa

Between July 2014 and April 2015, we conducted weekly inventories of the circadian activity patterns of mammals in Passo Novo locality, municipality of Alegrete, southern Brazil. The vegetation is comprised by a grassy-woody steppe (grassland). We used two camera traps alternately located on one of four 1 km transects, each separated by 1 km. We classified the activity pattern of species by the percentage of photographic records taken in each daily period. We identify Cuniculus paca individuals by differences in the patterns of flank spots. We then estimate the density 1) considering the area of riparian forest present in the sampling area, and 2) through capture/recapture analysis. Cuniculus paca, Conepatus chinga and Hydrochoerus hydrochaeris were nocturnal, Cerdocyon thous had a crepuscular/nocturnal pattern, while Mazama gouazoubira was cathemeral. The patterns of circadian activity observed for medium and large mammals in this Pampa region (southern grasslands) may reflect not only evolutionary, biological and ecological affects, but also human impacts not assessed in this study. We identified ten individuals of C. paca through skin spot patterns during the study period, which were recorded in different transects and months. The minimum population density of C. paca was 3.5 individuals per km2 (resident animals only) and the total density estimates varied from 7.1 to 11.8 individuals per km2, when considering all individuals recorded or the result of the capture/recapture analysis, respectively.

New records of Cuniculus paca (Rodentia: Cuniculidae) in a temperate grassland dominated landscape of the Pampa region of Brazil and Uruguay

is considered locally threatened in some parts of its range mainly because of hunting pressure and habitat loss. The species is widely distributed in South and Central America. Agouti’s distribution in Brazil is broad, although there is no information on its occurrence in the Northeast region and in the western part of Rio Grande do Sul state. The species presents a marginal distribution in northeastern Uruguay. Here, we describe 16 new records of the species in the Pampa region, including the western part of Rio Grande do Sul state, Brazil and Uruguay, expanding the

Territoriality of giant otter groups in an area with seasonal flooding

Territoriality carries costs and benefits, which are commonly affected by the spatial and temporal abundance and predictability of food, and by intruder pressure. Giant otters (Pteronura brasiliensis) live in groups that defend territories along river channels during the dry season using chemical signals, loud vocalizations and agonistic encounters. However, little is known about the territoriality of giant otters during the rainy season, when groups leave their dry season territories and follow fish dispersing into flooded areas. The objective of this study was to analyze long-term territoriality of giant otter groups in a seasonal environment. The linear extensions of the territories of 10 giant otter groups were determined based on locations of active dens, latrines and scent marks in each season. Some groups overlapped the limits of neighboring territories. The total territory extent of giant otters was correlated with group size in both seasons. The extent of exclusive territories of giant otter groups was negatively related to the number of adults present in adjacent groups. Territory fidelity ranged from 0 to 100% between seasons. Some groups maintained their territory for long periods, which demanded constant effort in marking and re-establishing their territories during the wet season. These results indicate that the defense capacity of groups had an important role in the maintenance of giant otter territories across seasons, which may also affect the reproductive success of alpha pairs.

Vocal repertoire of the social giant otter

According to the "social intelligence hypothesis," species with complex social interactions have more sophisticated communication systems. Giant otters (Pteronura brasiliensis) live in groups with complex social interactions. It is likely that the vocal communication of giant otters is more sophisticated than previous studies suggest. The objectives of the current study were to describe the airborne vocal repertoire of giant otters in the Pantanal area of Brazil, to analyze call types within different behavioral contexts, and to correlate vocal complexity with level of sociability of mustelids to verify whether or not the result supports the social intelligence hypothesis. The behavior of nine giant otters groups was observed. Vocalizations recorded were acoustically and statistically analyzed to describe the species' repertoire. The repertoire was comprised by 15 sound types emitted in different behavioral contexts. The main behavioral contexts of each sound type were significantly associated with the acoustic variable ordination of different sound types. A strong correlation between vocal complexity and sociability was found for different species, suggesting that the communication systems observed in the family mustelidae support the social intelligence hypothesis.

Activity patterns of South American silver catfish (Rhamdia quelen)

The South American silver catfish (Rhamdia quelen) is a widely distributed species in Central and South America in areas east of the Andes between Venezuela and the northern parts of Argentina. The bottom dwelling species occurs in lakes and reservoirs as well as in rivers. Between June 2000 and December 2001, sixteen silver catfish were tracked during fourteen 24-h cycles in two-hour-intervals, with the aim of investigating daily movements and habitat use. Covered distances varied between 0 m/2 h and 326 m/2 h and the mean distance covered in 2 h was 25.6 m. The mean activity of individual silver catfish varied between 5.6 m/2 h and 81.4 m/2 h. The swimming activity was linearly related to the total fish length. The highest mean swimming activity occurred in the morning and at nightfall. Silver catfish concentrated in three areas of frequent use. All of them were characterized by steep banks providing shelter in the form of rip-rap or large woody debris. Vertically, silver catfish preferred the upper 2 m layer where tracked fish encountered higher temperatures and higher dissolved oxygen concentrations.

The effects of naturally occurring metabolites (L-cysteine, vitamin C) on cultured human cells exposed to smoke of tobacco or marijuana cigarettes

The effects of vitamin C on the growth of human lung cultures and of vitamin C or L-cysteine on a human breast cancer culture (SK-Br-3) were assessed with and without exposure to fresh smoke from tobacco or marijuana cigarettes. When grown in the presence of vitamin C, lung cultures exposed or not exposed to either type of smoke showed a stimulation of growth and a significant decrease in mitotic abnormalities. However, abnormalities were much more marked in marijuana-exposed cultures than in tobacco-smoke-exposed ones. Nonexposed or tobacco-smoke-exposed breast cancer cultures, when grown in the presence of vitamin C, also showed acceleration of growth of epithelial cells, significant reduction in mitotic abnormalities, and occurrence of pseudoglandular structures, indicating differentiation. These alterations not only disappeared, but the cultures also became fibroblastic when they were returned to media without vitamin C. In contrast, vitamin C did not reduce mitotic abnormalities in marijuana-smoke-exposed breast cancer cultures, but stimulated abnormal growth and dedifferentiation. In nonexposed, tobacco-, or marijuana-smoke-exposed breast cancer cultures. L-cysteine evoked an acceleration of fibroblastic growth, which was not altered when the cultures were returned to media without L-cysteine.

Protection of hamster lung cultures by L-cysteine or vitamin C against carcinogenic effects of fresh smoke from tobacco or marihuana cigarettes

Sequential morphological and cytochemical effects of L-cysteine and vitamin C were assessed on hamster lung cultures exposed to smoke from either tobacco or marihuana cigarettes.

Hamster lung cultures, when grown in normal media (Eagle-Dulbecco) without L-cysteine (NM), and exposed to fresh smoke from either tobacco or marihuana cigarettes for 1-8 weeks, displayed cytotoxic alterations, loss of lysosomes, and marked abnormalities of cell division and of DNA content of chromosomes, while cultures exposed in the same manner and grown in the same NM, but to which L-cysteine was added, showed increase of lysosomes and significantly less abnormalities in cell division and DNA content of chromosomes (P<0·005). Cultures grown in NM and exposed for 9-24 weeks to smoke (whole smoke or gas vapour phase) disclosed more and more rapid irregular growth of fibroblasts and/or malignant transformation, while cultures grown in NM with L-cysteine and exposed in the same manner to smoke resembled closely those of non-exposed controls. Non-exposed control cultures grown in NM did not show significant differences from those grown in NM+L-cysteine, except that controls with L-cysteine also showed increase of lysosomes, accompanied by a reduced growth rate.

Addition of vitamin C to NM had a similar effect on growth of control and smoke exposed cultures as L-cysteine, but the cultures were less regular and grew more rapidly than with L-cystene. There was also occurrence of multinucleated giant cells.

Cultures grown in NM which had undergone malignant transformation continued their abnormal growth during the examined period (over 2 years). However, when such transformed cultures were grown for 3 months or longer in NM with L-cysteine or vitamin C, the growth became more and more normal, and the cultures resembled closely those of non-exposed controls.

These results suggest that, in hamster lung cultures, addition of L-cysteine or vitamin C to media protects against or reverses abnormal growth and malignant transformation occurring either in aged controls (1-2 years old) or in young cultures (3-6 months old) after repeated exposure to smoke from tobacco or marihuana cigarettes. The increase of lysosomes after L-cysteine or vitamin C also points to the possible importance of lysosomes in protecting the cultures against the enhancement of carcinogenesis by smoke.

SH Reactivity of cigarette smoke and its correlation with carcinogenic effects on hamster lung cultures

After hamster lung cultures were exposed repeatedly to puffs of fresh smoke from 7 types of cigarettes containing variable amounts of particulate and gas vapour phase components, atypical growth and/or malignant cell transformation were observed within a period of 3-6 months. A positive correlation was demonstrable between high SH reactivity and high NO content of the gas vapour phase and malignant transformation. There was no positive correlation for the other analyzed components of the smoke, including tar content.

Ultrastructural studies on cells of hamster lung cultures after chronic exposure to whole smoke or the gas vapour phase of cigarettes

High levels of gas vapour phase constituents in cigarette smoke enhanced abnormal growth and tumorigenicity in primary cultures of hamster lung cells regularly exposed over long periods to the smoke from one of three types of cigarette. The ultrastructure of such cells was investigated by electron microscopy. Cells from cultures exposed to low levels of gas vapour phase constituents resembled cells from control, non-exposed cultures, and were filled with secondary lysosomes of the autophagic vacuole type. These autophagic vacuoles contained dense particles similar in size to the nucleoids of certain viruses. Cells from cultures exposed to high levels of gas vapour phase constituents and cells from tumours formed in nude mice after subcutaneous injection of transformed cultures lacked autophagic vacuoles but contained a higher number of cytoplasmic microfilaments. R-type (equals H-type) virus particles were found in the ER cisternae of control and exposure cultures at all ages, whilst A-type virus particles were found in close association with mitochondria in a transformed, exposed culture and in control cells which also formed tumours in nude mice but only after a much longer culture period.

THE INFLUENCE OF "FOLIC ACID" ON SPONTANEOUS BREAST CANCERS IN MICE

Complete regressions of spontaneous breast cancers in mice were observed in 38 among 89 animals (43 per cent.). The treatment consisted of daily intravenous injections of 5 micrograms of l. casei factor ("folic acid"). The treated animals lived longer than the controls, especially the healed mice. The incidence of the development of new tumors was decreased among the treated mice as compared with the controls.