DOCSLIB.ORG

(Didelphimorphia: Didelphidae), in Costa Rica Author(S): Idalia Valerio-Campos, Misael Chinchilla-Carmona, and Donald W

Total Page：16

File Type：pdf, Size：1020Kb

Download full-text PDF Read full-text
(Didelphimorphia: Didelphidae), in Costa Rica Author(S): Idalia Valerio-Campos, Misael Chinchilla-Carmona, and Donald W Eimeria marmosopos (Coccidia: Eimeriidae) from the Opossum Didelphis marsupialis L., 1758 (Didelphimorphia: Didelphidae), in Costa Rica Author(s): Idalia Valerio-Campos, Misael Chinchilla-Carmona, and Donald W. Duszynski Source: Comparative Parasitology, 82(1):148-150. Published By: The Helminthological Society of Washington DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.1654/4693.1 URL: http://www.bioone.org/doi/full/10.1654/4693.1 BioOne (www.bioone.org) is a nonprofit, online aggregation of core research in the biological, ecological, and environmental sciences. BioOne provides a sustainable online platform for over 170 journals and books published by nonprofit societies, associations, museums, institutions, and presses. Your use of this PDF, the BioOne Web site, and all posted and associated content indicates your acceptance of BioOne’s Terms of Use, available at www.bioone.org/page/terms_of_use. Usage of BioOne content is strictly limited to personal, educational, and non-commercial use. Commercial inquiries or rights and permissions requests should be directed to the individual publisher as copyright holder. BioOne sees sustainable scholarly publishing as an inherently collaborative enterprise connecting authors, nonprofit publishers, academic institutions, research libraries, and research funders in the common goal of maximizing access to critical research. Comp. Parasitol. 82(1), 2015, pp. 148–150 Research Note Eimeria marmosopos (Coccidia: Eimeriidae) from the Opossum Didelphis marsupialis L., 1758 (Didelphimorphia: Didelphidae), in Costa Rica 1 1,3 2 IDALIA VALERIO-CAMPOS, MISAEL CHINCHILLA-CARMONA, AND DONALD W. DUSZYNSKI 1 Research Department, Medical Parasitology, Faculty of Medicine, Universidad de Ciencias Me´dicas (UCIMED), San Jose´, Costa Rica, Central America, 10108 (e-mail: [email protected]; [email protected]) and 2 Department of Biology, University of New Mexico, Albuquerque, New Mexico 87131, U.S.A. (e-mail: [email protected]) ABSTRACT: Oocysts of a coccidium found in the small philanderi Lainson and Shaw, 1989, is the only intestine of a road-killed opossum, Didelphis marsupialis known eimerian, and from members of the Marmo- (Didelphimorphia: Didelphidae), are described and identi- sops, only Eimeria marmosopos Heckscher, Wickes- fied as Eimeria marmosopos. Sporulated oocysts (n 5 57) berg, Duszynski, and Gardner 1999 is known. were subspherical to spherical and measured 21.9 3 22.1 Members of the genera Philander and Didelphis are (20–25 3 20–25); oocyst wall rough and striated, yellowish known to share similar environments, and Marmo- and bilayered; micropyle, polar body, and oocyst residuum all absent, but some oocysts have a polar granule. sops dorothea apparently also is present in Costa Sporocysts were ovoidal, 9.8 3 8.7 (8–13 3 7–12), with Rica (Mora, 2000). The relative paucity of published both a conspicuous Stieda body and sub-Stieda body, but reports of coccidian parasites from D. marsupialis,1 para-Stieda body was absent. The sporocyst residuum was of the 63 species belonging to the family Didelphidae composed of 2–5 globules (1–4 wide) and several smaller in Costa Rica (Gardner, 1993; Mora, 2000), is the ones. Sporozoites (n 5 10) were comma-shaped, ,7 3 2.7 reason of the report herein. and had 1 refractile body at their wider end and a centrally Feces from a road-killed opossum were examined located nucleus. These morphological characters were for coccidian oocysts after suspension in a 0.85% compared with other Eimeria species found in related saline solution followed by placement in 2.5% genera of New World marsupials; based on oocyst aqueous (w/v) potassium dichromate (K2Cr2O7) morphology, we identified this species as Eimeria marmo- solution in petri dishes at room temperature. sopos Heckscher, Wickesberg, Duszynski, and Gardner Conventional methods for concentration, preserva- 1999. This finding constitutes both a new host genus and new geographical record for this species. tion, and description of oocysts were used (Bandoni and Duszynski, 1988; Duszynski and Wilber, 1997). KEY WORDS: Coccidia, Eimeriidae, Eimeria marmosopos, Marsupialia, Didelphimorphia, Didelphidae Didelphis mar- After sporulation, the oocysts were examined with an supialis, Atenas, Alajuela, Costa Rica, sporulated oocysts. Olympus BX41 microscope and photographed with an Olympus C-60 camera. All measurements are To our knowledge, eimerians parasitizing opos- given in micrometers (mm), with means followed by sum, Didelphis marsupialis, have not been recorded ranges in parenthesis. Morphological features were in Costa Rica or in Central America to date. The then compared with those eimerian species previous- reports of coccidia from the American opossum ly reported from members of the genera Didelphis, are rare (Carini, 1936, 1937, 1938; Joseph, 1974; Philander, and Marmosops (family Didelphidae; Lainson and Shaw, 1989; Heckscher et al., 1999; Table 1). We use the standardized abbreviations of Teixeira et al., 2007). These authors described 12 Wilber et al. (1998): length (L) and width (W) and Eimeria and Isospora species. Within the family their ratio (L/W); micropyle (M); oocyst residuum Didelphidae 7 eimerians are described from 3 genera (OR); polar granule (PG); sporocyst L and W and (Table 1). Within the genus Didelphis, oocysts of their L/W ratio; Stieda body (SB) sub-Stieda body Eimeria didelphydis Carini, 1938; Eimeria gambai (SSB), para-Stieda body (PSB); sporocyst residuum Carini, 1936; Eimeria indianensis, Joseph, 1974; and (SR); sporozoite (SZ); refractile body (RB), and Eimeria auritanensis Teixeira, Rauta, Albuquerque, nucleus (N). A 2-tailed test for the 95% confidence and Lopes 2007 have been studied morphologically. interval on the difference between the means was Within members of the genus Philander, Eimeria done for statistical purposes. Fecal samples contained sufficient numbers of sporulated oocysts to allow morphological character- 3 Corresponding author. ization. 148 RESEARCH NOTES 149 Table 1. Comparison of morphologic characteristics of Eimeria species infecting hosts of the genera Didelphis, Marmosops, and Philander (family Didelphidae). Oocyst and sporocyst features* Eimeria sp. Hosts Mean L 3 W(m) OR PG Mean L 3 W(m) SB SSB SR E. philanderi P. opposum 23.5 3 22.4 2 + 11.4 3 8.1 + 2 + E. auritanensis D. aurita 31.6 3 29.6 2 + 13.2 3 10.4 + 2 + E. indianensis D. virginiana 17.6 3 16.4 2 + 9.1 3 6.2 + 2 + E. didelphydis D. aurita 16.0 3 16.0 + 2 10.0 3 6.0 + 2 + E. gambai D. aurita 26.5 3 24.8 2 + 12.5 3 10.0 + 22 E. marmosopos M. dorothea 22.2 3 19.9 2 + 11.1 3 6.8 +++ E. marmosopos D. marsupialis 21.9 3 22.1 2 + 9.8 3 8.7 +++ * L, length; W, width; OR, oocyst residuum; PG, polar granule; SB, Stieda body; SSB, sub–Stieda body; SR, sporocyst residuum. Eimeria marmosopos Description of sporocyst and sporozoites: Sporo- (Figs. 1, 2) cyst shape: elongate–ovoidal; L 3 W(n 5 79): 9.8 3 8.7 Type host: Marmosops dorothea Thomas, 1911, (8.0–13.0 3 7.0–12.0); L/W: 1.2; SB: present (2 3 1.5) mouse opossum. as a knob-like extension of the sporocyst wall; SSB: present, L 3 W about the same width as SB; PSB: absent; Type locality: SOUTH AMERICA: Bolivia, Santa SR present; SR characteristics: 2–5 round globules Cruz. (,1.5–4 wide) and several smaller ones; SZ: elongated, Other hosts: Didelphis marsupialis Linnaeus, smooth or finely granular; L 3 W(n 5 10) 7 3 2.7. 1758, opossum. Sporulation: Exogenous, 6–7 days at 21 6 3uC. CENTRAL AMERICA: Costa Other locality: Prepatent period: Unknown. Rica, Alajuela, Atenas, 9u589510N; 84u249230E; elevation 550 m, average temperature 21uC, relative Site of infection: Unknown humidity 82%, rainfall 1,500–2,500 mm/yr. Endogenous stages: Unknown. Geographic distribution: South America: Bolivia; Cross-transmission: None to date. Central America: Costa Rica. Pathology: Unknown. Description of sporulated oocyst: Oocyst shape: spherical or subspherical; number of walls: 2; outer, Material deposited: Photosyntypes of sporulated ,1 thick, yellowish, rough and striated; inner is beige oocysts, IB-1-D-1,2 are in the Department of with a dotted appearance in optical cross section; L 3 Parasitology Research, Universidad de Ciencias W(n 5 57): 21.9 3 22.1 (20.0–25.0 3 20.0–25.0); Me´dicas, San Jose´ Costa Rica, Central America. L/W: 1; M, OR: both absent; PG: slightly elongated, Host skin and skeleton in the Museo Nacional ,3 3 2. (MNCR-432), San Jose´ Costa Rica. Figures 1, 2. Sporulated oocyst of Eimeria marmosopos from Didelphis marsupialis from Costa Rica. 1. Photomicrograph. 2. Line drawing from the feces of D. marsupialis. 150 COMPARATIVE PARASITOLOGY, 82(1), JANUARY 2015 Remarks: We compared all known Eimeria species This work was partially supported by the Universidad from 3 genera of marsupials that have overlapping de Ciencias Me´dicas (UCIMED), Ministerio de Ciencia ranges in Costa Rica, including Didelphis, Marmo- y Tecnologı´a (MICIT), and Consejo Nacional de sops, and Philander (Table 1). Our conclusion is that Ciencia y Tecnologı´a (CONICIT). We thank Juan the mensural and qualitative characters found for the Carlos Vanegas for statistical comparative analysis. species reported here correspond with those already described for E. marmosopos (Heckscher et al., 1999). LITERATURE CITED Comparative statistical analysis of our measurements Bandoni, S., and D. W. Duszynski. 1988. A plea for to those of E. marmosopos showed that there are not improved presentation of type material for coccidia. significant differences (P 5 0.0734) between them. Journal of Parasitology 74:519–523. Heckscher et al. (1999) reported on how little we Carini, A. 1936. Eimeria didelphydis n. sp. dell’intestino de know about Eimeria species in various genera and Didelphis aurita. Archivo Italiano di Scienze Mediche Tropical e di Parassitologia 17:332–335. species of the family Didelphidae, and little has Carini, A. 1937. Sur une noveulle Eimeria, parasite de changed since then.
Load more

Recommended publications
  • Two New Species of Eimeria and Three New Species of Isospora (Apicomplexa, Eimeriidae) from Brazilian Mammals and Birds
    Bull. Mus. nain. Hist. nat., Paris, 4' sér., 11, 1989, section A, n° 2 : 349-365. Two new species of Eimeria and three new species of Isospora (Apicomplexa, Eimeriidae) from Brazilian mammals and birds by R. LAINSON and J. J. SHAW Abstract. — Thirteen " four-eyed opossums ", Philander o. opossum, from Para State, north Brazil, were examined for coccidial oocysts in faecal samples. Five were infected with an eimerian, considered a new species, 2 with an isosporan which is possibly /. boughtoni Volk, and 2 with both thèse parasites. Oocysts of Eimeria philanderi n. sp., are spherical to subspherical and average 23.50 x 22.38 (21.25- 27.50 x 18.75-25.00) (xm : single polar body : no oocyst residuum. Oocyst wall 1.88 [ira, with mamillated surface and composed of two striated layers, the inner brown-yellow and the outer colourless : no micropyle. Sporocysts average 11.35 x 8.13 (10.00-12.00 x 7.50-8.75) (xm, oval to ellipsoidal, with prominent nipple-like Stieda body : residuum bulky, compact or scattered between two recurved sporozoites. Oocysts of the Isospora sp., close to /. boughtoni initially sub-spherical, 17.92 x 16.53 (16.25- 20.00 x 13.75-18.75) (xm : latterly deformed by collapse of the délicate, colourless wall : no micropyle, oocyst residuum or polar body. Sporocysts 13.35 x 9.88 (12.50-13.75 x 8.75-11.25) (xm, ellipsoidal, with no Stieda body. Two of 5 " woolly opossums ", Caluromys p. philander, were infected with an eimerian considered as a new species, Eimeria caluromydis n.
    [Show full text]
  • Journal of Parasitology
    Journal of Parasitology Eimeria taggarti n. sp., a Novel Coccidian (Apicomplexa: Eimeriorina) in the Prostate of an Antechinus flavipes --Manuscript Draft-- Manuscript Number: 17-111R1 Full Title: Eimeria taggarti n. sp., a Novel Coccidian (Apicomplexa: Eimeriorina) in the Prostate of an Antechinus flavipes Short Title: Eimeria taggarti n. sp. in Prostate of Antechinus flavipes Article Type: Regular Article Corresponding Author: Jemima Amery-Gale, BVSc(Hons), BAnSci, MVSc University of Melbourne Melbourne, Victoria AUSTRALIA Corresponding Author Secondary Information: Corresponding Author's Institution: University of Melbourne Corresponding Author's Secondary Institution: First Author: Jemima Amery-Gale, BVSc(Hons), BAnSci, MVSc First Author Secondary Information: Order of Authors: Jemima Amery-Gale, BVSc(Hons), BAnSci, MVSc Joanne Maree Devlin, BVSc(Hons), MVPHMgt, PhD Liliana Tatarczuch David Augustine Taggart David J Schultz Jenny A Charles Ian Beveridge Order of Authors Secondary Information: Abstract: A novel coccidian species was discovered in the prostate of an Antechinus flavipes (yellow-footed antechinus) in South Australia, during the period of post-mating male antechinus immunosuppression and mortality. This novel coccidian is unusual because it develops extra-intestinally and sporulates endogenously within the prostate gland of its mammalian host. Histological examination of prostatic tissue revealed dense aggregations of spherical and thin-walled tetrasporocystic, dizoic sporulated coccidian oocysts within tubular lumina, with unsporulated oocysts and gamogonic stages within the cytoplasm of glandular epithelial cells. This coccidian was observed occurring concurrently with dasyurid herpesvirus 1 infection of the antechinus' prostate. Eimeria- specific 18S small subunit ribosomal DNA PCR amplification was used to obtain a partial 18S rDNA nucleotide sequence from the antechinus coccidian.
    [Show full text]
  • Helminths of the Common Opossum Didelphis Marsupialis
    Available online at www.sciencedirect.com Revista Mexicana de Biodiversidad Revista Mexicana de Biodiversidad 88 (2017) 560–571 www.ib.unam.mx/revista/ Taxonomy and systematics Helminths of the common opossum Didelphis marsupialis (Didelphimorphia: Didelphidae), with a checklist of helminths parasitizing marsupials from Peru Helmintos de la zarigüeya común Didelphis marsupialis (Didelphimorphia: Didelphidae), con una lista de los helmintos de marsupiales de Perú a,∗ a b c a Jhon D. Chero , Gloria Sáez , Carlos Mendoza-Vidaurre , José Iannacone , Celso L. Cruces a Laboratorio de Parasitología, Facultad de Ciencias Naturales y Matemática, Universidad Nacional Federico Villarreal, Jr. Río Chepén 290, El Agustino, 15007 Lima, Peru b Universidad Alas Peruanas, Jr. Martínez Copagnon Núm. 1056, 22202 Tarapoto, San Martín, Peru c Laboratorio de Parasitología, Facultad de Ciencias Biológicas, Universidad Ricardo Palma, Santiago de Surco, 15039 Lima, Peru Received 9 June 2016; accepted 27 March 2017 Available online 19 August 2017 Abstract Between May and November 2015, 8 specimens of Didelphis marsupialis Linnaeus, 1758 (Didelphimorphia: Didelphidae) collected in San Martín, Peru were examined for the presence of helminths. A total of 582 helminths representing 11 taxa were identified (2 digeneans and 9 nematodes). Five new host records and 4 species of nematodes [Gongylonemoides marsupialis (Vaz & Pereira, 1934) Freitas & Lent, 1937, Trichuris didelphis Babero, 1960, Viannaia hamata Travassos, 1914 and Viannaia viannaia Travassos, 1914] are added to the composition of the helminth fauna of the marsupials in this country. Further, a checklist of all available published accounts of helminth parasites reported from Peru is provided. To date, a total of 38 helminth parasites have been recorded.
    [Show full text]
  • From the Lesser Seed-Finch, Oryzoborus Angolensis
    Mem Inst Oswaldo Cruz, Rio de Janeiro, Vol. 101(5): 573-576, August 2006 573 Three new species of Isospora Schneider, 1881 (Apicomplexa: Eimeriidae) from the lesser seed-finch, Oryzoborus angolensis (Passeriformes: Emberizidae) from Brazil ^ Evandro Amaral Trachta e Silva/++, Ivan Literák*, Bretislav Koudela**/***/+ Clínica Veterinária Animal, Nova Andradina, MS, Brasil *Department of Biology and Wildlife Diseases **Department of Parasitology, University of Veterinary and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Palackého 1-3, 612 42 Brno, Czech Republic ***Institute of Parasitology, Biological Centre, Academy of Sciences of the Czech Republic, Èeské Budì jovice, Czech Republic Three new coccidian (Apicomplexa: Eimeriidae) species are reported from the lesser seed-finch, Oryzoborus angolensis from Brazil. Sporulated oocysts of Isospora curio n. sp. are spherical to subspherical; 24.6 × 23.6 (22-26 × 22-25) µm, shape-index (SI, length/width) of 1.04 (1.00-1.15). Oocyst wall is bilayerd, ~ 1.5 µm thick, smooth and colourless. Micropyle and oocyst residuum are absent. The sporocysts are ovoid, 13.2 × 10.9 (15-17 × 10-13) µm, SI = 1.56 (1.42-1.71), with a small Stieda body and residuum composed of numerous granules scattered among the sporozoites. Sporozoites are elongated and posses a smooth surface and two distinct refractile bodies. Oocysts of Isospora braziliensis n. sp. are spherical to subspherical, 17.8 × 16.9 (16-19 × 16-18) µm, with a shape-index of 1.06 (1.00-1.12) and a smooth, single-layered wall ~ 1 µm thick. A micropyle, oocyst residuum and polar granules are absent. Sporocysts are ellipsoid and slightly asymmetric, 13.2 × 10.8 (12-14 × 9-12) µm, SI = 1.48 (1.34-1.61).
    [Show full text]
  • Redalyc.Protozoan Infections in Farmed Fish from Brazil: Diagnosis
    Revista Brasileira de Parasitologia Veterinária ISSN: 0103-846X [email protected] Colégio Brasileiro de Parasitologia Veterinária Brasil Laterça Martins, Mauricio; Cardoso, Lucas; Marchiori, Natalia; Benites de Pádua, Santiago Protozoan infections in farmed fish from Brazil: diagnosis and pathogenesis. Revista Brasileira de Parasitologia Veterinária, vol. 24, núm. 1, enero-marzo, 2015, pp. 1- 20 Colégio Brasileiro de Parasitologia Veterinária Jaboticabal, Brasil Available in: http://www.redalyc.org/articulo.oa?id=397841495001 How to cite Complete issue Scientific Information System More information about this article Network of Scientific Journals from Latin America, the Caribbean, Spain and Portugal Journal's homepage in redalyc.org Non-profit academic project, developed under the open access initiative Review Article Braz. J. Vet. Parasitol., Jaboticabal, v. 24, n. 1, p. 1-20, jan.-mar. 2015 ISSN 0103-846X (Print) / ISSN 1984-2961 (Electronic) Doi: http://dx.doi.org/10.1590/S1984-29612015013 Protozoan infections in farmed fish from Brazil: diagnosis and pathogenesis Infecções por protozoários em peixes cultivados no Brasil: diagnóstico e patogênese Mauricio Laterça Martins1*; Lucas Cardoso1; Natalia Marchiori2; Santiago Benites de Pádua3 1Laboratório de Sanidade de Organismos Aquáticos – AQUOS, Departamento de Aquicultura, Universidade Federal de Santa Catarina – UFSC, Florianópolis, SC, Brasil 2Empresa de Pesquisa Agropecuária e Extensão Rural de Santa Catarina – Epagri, Campo Experimental de Piscicultura de Camboriú, Camboriú, SC, Brasil 3Aquivet Saúde Aquática, São José do Rio Preto, SP, Brasil Received January 19, 2015 Accepted February 2, 2015 Abstract The Phylum Protozoa brings together several organisms evolutionarily different that may act as ecto or endoparasites of fishes over the world being responsible for diseases, which, in turn, may lead to economical and social impacts in different countries.
    [Show full text]
  • Dominance Relationships in Captive Male Bare-Tailed Woolly Opossum (Caluromys Phiiander, Marsupialia: Didelphidae)
    DOMINANCE RELATIONSHIPS IN CAPTIVE MALE BARE-TAILED WOOLLY OPOSSUM (CALUROMYS PHIIANDER, MARSUPIALIA: DIDELPHIDAE) M.-L. GUILLEMIN*, M. ATRAMENTOWICZ* & P. CHARLES-DOMINIQUE* RÉSUMÉ Au cours de ce travail nous avons voulu tester en captivité l'importance du poids corporel dans l'établissement de relations de dominance chez les mâles Caluromysphilander, chez qui des compétitions inter-mâles ont été étudiées. Les comportements et l'évolution de différents paramètres physiologiques ont été observés durant 18 expérimentations effectuées respectivement sur 6 groupes de deux mâles et sur 12 groupes de deux mâles et une femelle. Des relations de dominance-subordination se mettent en place même en l'absence de femelle, mais la compétition est plus forte dans les groupes comprenant une femelle. Dans ces conditions expérimentales, le rang social est basé principalement sur le poids et l'âge. Lorsque la relation de dominance est mise en place, le rang social des mâles est bien défini et il reste stable jusqu'à la fin de l'expérimentation. Ces relations de dominance stables pourraient profiter aux dominants et aux dominés en minimisant les risques de blessures sérieuses. Les mâles montrent des signes typiques caractérisant un stress social : une baisse du poids et de l'hématocrite, les dominés étant plus stressés que les dominants. Chez les mâles dominants, la baisse de l'hématocrite est plus faible que chez les dominés, et la concentration de testostérone dans le sang diminue plus que chez les dominés. Au niveau comportemental, les dominants effectuent la plupart des interactions agonistiques << offensives » et plus d'investigations olfactives de leur environnement (flairage-léchage) que les dominés.
    [Show full text]
  • Late Dry Season Habitat Use of Common Opossum, Didelphis Marsupialis (Marsupialia: Didelphidae) in Neotropical Lower Montane Agricultural Areas
    Rev. Biol. Trop., 47(1-2): 263-269, 1999 www.ucr.ac.cr www.ots.ac.cr www.ots.duke.edu Late dry season habitat use of common opossum, Didelphis marsupialis (Marsupialia: Didelphidae) in neotropical lower montane agricultural areas Christopher S. Vaughan1,2 and L. Foster Hawkins2 1 Regional Wildlife Management Program, Universidad Nacional, Heredia, Costa Rica. Present address: Institute for Environmental Studies, University of Wisconsin, Madison, WI 53705, USA; fax: (608)-262-0014, e-mail: cvaughan- @facstaff.wisc.edu 2 Associated Colleges of the Midwest, San Pedro de M. O., San José, Costa Rica. Received 29-I-1998. Corrected 5-XI-1998. Accepted 13-XI-1998 Abstract: Three Didelphis marsupialis were radio tracked during late dry season (23 February-26 April, 1983) in agricultural area at 1500 m elevation in Central Valley, Costa Rica. All animals were nocturnally active, sig- nificantly more so between 2100-0300 h. Fifty diurnal den site locations were found, 96% inside tree cavities in living fence rows or abandoned squirrel nests in windbreaks. Two females occupied 3.4 and 3.1 ha 95% home ranges, moving an average 890 and 686 m nightly respectively. The male occupied a 5.6 ha 95% home range for 42 days overlapping 90% of females’ home ranges. Over the next 15 days, he moved 1020 m south, establishing three temporary home ranges. During nocturnal movements, windbreaks and living fence rows were used in hig- her proportion than available, while pasture, roads and cultivated lands were used less then available within 100% home ranges. Abandoned coffee and spruce plantations, fruit orchards and overgrown pastures were used in equal proportions to availability in 100% home ranges.
    [Show full text]
  • AGILE GRACILE OPOSSUM Gracilinanus Agilis (Burmeister, 1854 )
    Smith P - Gracilinanus agilis - FAUNA Paraguay Handbook of the Mammals of Paraguay Number 35 2009 AGILE GRACILE OPOSSUM Gracilinanus agilis (Burmeister, 1854 ) FIGURE 1 - Adult, Brazil (Nilton Caceres undated). TAXONOMY: Class Mammalia; Subclass Theria; Infraclass Metatheria; Magnorder Ameridelphia; Order Didelphimorphia; Family Didelphidae; Subfamily Thylamyinae; Tribe Marmosopsini (Myers et al 2006, Gardner 2007). The genus Gracilinanus was defined by Gardner & Creighton 1989. There are six known species according to the latest revision (Gardner 2007) one of which is present in Paraguay. The generic name Gracilinanus is taken from Latin (gracilis) and Greek (nanos) meaning "slender dwarf", in reference to the slight build of this species. The species name agilis is Latin meaning "agile" referring to the nimble climbing technique of this species. (Braun & Mares 1995). The species is monotypic, but Gardner (2007) considers it to be composite and in need of revision. Furthermore its relationship to the cerrado species Gracilinanus agilis needs to be examined, with some authorities suggesting that the two may be at least in part conspecific - there appear to be no consistent cranial differences (Gardner 2007). Costa et al (2003) found the two species to be morphologically and genetically distinct and the two species have been found in sympatry in at least one locality in Minas Gerais, Brazil (Geise & Astúa 2009) where the authors found that they could be distinguished on external characters alone. Smith P 2009 - AGILE GRACILE OPOSSUM Gracilinanus agilis - Mammals of Paraguay Nº 35 Page 1 Smith P - Gracilinanus agilis - FAUNA Paraguay Handbook of the Mammals of Paraguay Number 35 2009 Patton & Costa (2003) commented that the presence of the similar Gracilinanus microtarsus at Lagoa Santa, Minas Gerais, the type locality for G.agilis , raises the possibility that the type specimen may in fact prove to be what is currently known as G.microtarsus .
    [Show full text]
  • Virginia Opossum Didelphis Virginiana
    MAMMALS OF MISSISSIPPI 1:1-8 Virginia Opossum (Didelphis virginiana) BRITTANY L. WILEMON Department of Wildlife and Fisheries, Mississippi State University, Mississippi State, Mississippi, 39762, USA Abstract.—Didelphis virginiana is a small marsupial more commonly known as the opossum. Found primarily in the eastern United States, it is a very hardy mammal that is usually gray with a lighter shade in the north and a darker shade in the south. Known for its opposable tail and its ability to feign death, this primarily nocturnal mammal prefers wooded and moist areas. Didelphis virginiana is a species of little concern, with populations expanding to the north and west. Published 5 December 2008 by the Department of Wildlife and Fisheries, Mississippi State University Virginia opossum spectrum. Weight ranges from 1.9 to 2.8 kg Didelphis virginiana (Kerr, 1792) (McManus 1974). Average life expectancy is approximately 1.5 years. The length of the CONTEXT AND CONTENT tail is relatively large compared to the body Order Didelphimorphia, Family Didelphidae, length. The tail is usually around 90 percent of Subfamily Didelphinae, Genus Didelphis. Four the body length (McManus 1974). The tail is subspecies are recognized. hairless and scale like. The ears are hairless • Subspecies virginiana and are dark gray or black in coloration. The • Subspecies californica adult dental formula (Fig. 2) of the Virginia • Subspecies pigra opossum is i 5/4, c 1/1, p 3/3, m 4/4, 50 total • Subspecies yucatanensis (McManus 1974). • GENERAL CHARACTERS DISTRIBUTION The Virginia opossum ranges in color from The Virginia opossum has been noted as one a light gray in the north to a dark gray in of the most successful mammal species in the southern part of the range.
    [Show full text]
  • Thylamys, Didelphidae) and Their Biogeographic Implications
    Revista Chilena de Historia Natural 68:515-522, 1995 Range expansion of two South American mouse opossums (Thylamys, Didelphidae) and their biogeographic implications Ampliaci6n de la distribuci6n geográfica de dos comadrejas enanas de Sudamerica (Thylamys, Didelphidae) y sus implicancias biogeognificas R. EDUARDO PALMA Departamento de Biologia Celular y Genetica, Facultad de Medicina Universidad de Chile, Casilla 70061, Santiago 7, Chile ABSTRACT The range expansion of two South American mouse opossums (Thy/amys, Didelphidae) is reported. On the basis of morphological characters it is concluded that forms identified as Marmosa karimii from the Cerrado of Brazil (State of Mato Grosso), correspond to Thylamys velutinus, a taxon currently recognized for the Atlantic Rainforests of Brazil. Additionally, thylamyines collected in northern Chile (Province of Tarapaca) and previously reported as Marmosa e/egans, represent Thylamys pallidior, a form previously thought to be restricted to the Andean Prepuna of Argentina and Bolivia. The occurrence of this Andean mouse opossum in areas of northern Chile represents a new didelphimorph marsupial for that country. The range expansions of both thylamyines are based on series of specimens collected in northern Chile and central Brazil deposited in the National Museum of Natural History, Smithsonian Institution USA. The range expansion is discussed in light of the historical biogeographic events that affected the southern part of South America during the Plio-Pleistocene, as well as the floristic relatedness of the semi-desertic biomes of the continent. Key words: Marmosa, Andean altiplano, coastal desert, Cerrado, Atlantic rainforests. RESUMEN Se presenta la ampliacion de la distribucion geográfica de dos comadrejas enanas de Sudamérica (Thylamys.
    [Show full text]
  • Didelphimorphia, Didelphidae) in North- Eastern and Central Argentina
    Gayana 73(2): 180 - 199, 2009 ISSN 0717-652X DIVERSITY AND DISTRIBUTION OF THE MOUSE OPOSSUMS OF THE GENUS THYLAMYS (DIDELPHIMORPHIA, DIDELPHIDAE) IN NORTH- EASTERN AND CENTRAL ARGENTINA DIVERSIDAD Y DISTRIBUCION DE LAS MARMOSAS DEL GENERO THYLAMYS (DIDELPHIMORPHIA, DIDELPHIDAE) EN EL NORESTE Y CENTRO DE ARGENTINA Pablo Teta1**XLOOHUPR'¶(OtD2, David Flores1 1RpGH/D6DQFKD3 1 Museo Argentino de Ciencias Naturales “Bernardino Rivadavia”, Avenida Angel Gallardo 470 (C1405DJR) Buenos $LUHV$UJHQWLQD 2 'HSDUWDPHQWRGH=RRORJtD8QLYHUVLGDGGH&RQFHSFLyQFDVLOOD&&RQFHSFLyQ&KLOH 3 'HSDUWPHQWRI%LRORJLFDO6FLHQFHV7H[DV7HFK8QLYHUVLW\32%R[/XEERFN7H[DV86$ E-mail: DQWKHFD#\DKRRFRPDr ABSTRACT Phylogenetic analysis of a fragment of the mitochondrial genome and qualitative and quantitative assessments of morphological variation suggest that, in its current conception, Thylamys pusillus 'HVPDUHVW LVDFRPSOH[RIDW OHDVWWKUHHVSHFLHV,QWKHWD[RQRPLFDUUDQJHPHQWSURSRVHGLQWKLVZRUNWKHSRSXODWLRQVLQWKH$UJHQWLQHDQSURYLQFHV of Entre Ríos and Corrientes are here referred to T citellus (Thomas, 1912), while the small Thylamys that lives in the Argentinean Dry Chaco are provisionally referred to Tpulchellus &DEUHUD ,QRXUVFKHPHThylamys pusillus is UHVWULFWHGWRWKH%ROLYLDQDQG3DUDJXD\DQ&KDFRDQGWKHYLFLQLWLHVRIQRUWKHUQ)RUPRVDSURYLQFHLQ$UJHQWLQD:HSURYLGH emended diagnosis for T citellus and Tpulchellus, together with detailed morphological descriptions and discuss their distinctiveness from other species of Thylamys,QDGGLWLRQZHLQFOXGHGQHZGLVWULEXWLRQDOGDWD KEYWORDS$UJHQWLQDPRXVHRSRVVXPVSHFLHVOLPLWVWD[RQRP\
    [Show full text]
  • Didelphis Virginiana
    MAMMALIAN SPECIES No. 40, pp. 1-6, 3 figs. Didelphis virginiana. By John J. McManus Published 2 May 1974 by The American Society of Mammalogists Didelphis uirginiana Kerr, 1792 consequently they are darker. The digits and margins of che Virginia Opossum pinnae are typically pale in northern populations and dark in southern areas. Pigmentation of the basal part of the tail Didelphis virginiana Kerr, 1792:193, Type locality, Virginia. rarely extends beyond the haired part in northern populations, but may extend as much as one-half to two-thirds the tail Downloaded from https://academic.oup.com/mspecies/article/doi/10.2307/3503783/2600356 by guest on 23 September 2021 CONTEXT AND CONTENT. Order Marsupialia, Super- length in those from the southern part of the range of the family Didelphoidea, Family Didelphidae, Subfamily Didel- species. The chest area of males often is stained, suggesting phinae, The most recent review of the systematics of the genus the presence of skin glands, the function of which needs to be Didelphis (Gardner, 1973) recognizes three species D. vir- studied. Sweat glands, if present, are apparently nonfunc- giniana, D. marsupialis, and D. albiventris, the latter two being tional (Higgenbotham and Koon, 1955). Enders (1937) pro- restricted to Middle and South America. D. virginiana is com- vided an account of the panniculus carnosus and the develop - prised of four subspecies: ment of the pouch, and a description of the mammary glands was given by Hartman (1921). Teats are usually 13, but may D. v. oirginlana Kerr, 1792, see above. range from nine to 17 <Hamilton , 1958) .
    [Show full text]