Brazilian Journal of Mammalogy

What can camera traps tell us about reproduction and survival of a neotropical marsupial?

Mariana Silva Ferreira — 2025-05-20

In this paper, we present the first record of a female Metachirus myosuros carrying two young on her back, along with data on the species' reproduction, obtained during two wildlife monitoring studies in the state of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. The low number of young (n = 2) carried by the female compared to the average litter size (n = 8.33) suggests a high mortality rate for the species in the first months of life. This record adds to other studies indicating that early survival is a critical phase in the life cycle of marsupials.

First report of complete albinism in Ozotoceros bezoarticus (Linneaus, 1758) from Pantanal, Brazil

Marcos Fernandes Arantes de Ávila — 2025-08-24

Albinism is caused by a genetic mutation that results in the absence of melanin production and therefore all pigmentation in the hair, skin or deeper tissues of the body is absent. The specimen of pampas deer was found at Caiman Pantanal. Some factors can increase the chances for albinism, such as inbreeding among isolated populations or between closely related individuals. Since animal color is also likely to be influenced by other factors, further studies are needed to understand if the occurrence of albino pampas deer in this wetland reflects the overall low genetic diversity of this population.

Characterization of mammal fauna in a canga vegetation area in the Serra do Gandarela National Park, Minas Gerais

Maria Fernanda Regiolli Godoi — 2025-07-29

We conducted, for the first time, a survey of the terrestrial fauna of small, medium, and large mammals in two ironstone outcrops (canga) areas at the Serra do Gandarela National Park, Minas Gerais, Brazil: a degraded canga (DC) due to mining activities prior to the creation of the park and a preserved canga (PC). We recorded 13 species (DC = 10, PC = 10), distributed across eight families and seven orders (Akodon cf. montensis, Calomys tener, Cerdocyon thous, Cerradomys subflavus, Dasypus novemcinctus, Didelphis albiventris, Leopardus guttulus, Monodelphis domestica, Necromys lasiurus, Oligoryzomys rupestris, Subulo gouazoubira, Sylvilagus minensis, and Tapirus terrestris).

New Record of Collared Peccary, Dicotyles tajacu (Linnaeus, 1758) (Artiodactyla, Tayassuidae), in Furnas do Bom Jesus State Park, State of São Paulo, Brazil.

Rodolpho Goncalves da Silva — 2025-05-01

Report of a record of the collared peccary in Furnas do Bom Jesus State Park, in Pedregulho. The area has been monitored for 11 years, and in 2022 we obtained the first documented record of the species in the region. This record emphasizes the importance of protected areas for biodiversity conservation, highlighting how the park serves as a refuge against anthropogenic pressures. Continuous monitoring promotes understanding of the distribution and ecology of the collared peccary, as well as the entire community present there, reinforcing the need for ongoing conservation efforts and long-term monitoring.

Importance of the Zoological Collection of the Regional University of Blumenau for the knowledge of the bat fauna (Mammalia: Chiroptera) of the Chapecó river basin, western region of Santa Catarina

Sérgio Luiz Althoff — 2025-04-06

Chiroptera is one of the most diverse groups of mammals in the world, however, several areas remain poorly sampled. This is evidenced in the western region of the state of Santa Catarina, in southern Brazil, where the Chapecó river basin is located. In the present study, 265 specimens deposited in the Scientific Collection of the Regional University of Blumenau were analyzed and collected during environmental studies in three hydroelectric plants in this basin, which covers the ecotone between the Seasonal Forest and Mixed Ombrophilous Forest (Araucaria Moist Forest), in the lower parts, and the Mixed Ombrophilous properly, in the highest parts. 21 species, 13 genera, and three families were recorded. Some specimens of the genus Myotis could not be identified as the species, reflecting the complex taxonomy of the group. Insectivorous bats presented the greatest richness (15 species). This predominance was also observed in other studies in the western region of Santa Catarina, in areas of Seasonal Forest and Mixed Ombrophilous Forest, as opposed to areas of Dense Ombrophilous Forest in the eastern region, where the predominance of bats from the Phyllostomidae family has been recorded. This work demonstrates the importance of Scientific Collections, as identifications could not be confirmed solely through indirect data from reports delivered to environmental agencies.