Diagnosis and monitoring of free-living capybaras - 3

• Grant number: 15/14276-3
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Scientific Initiation
• Start date: August 01, 2015
• End date: July 31, 2016
• Field of knowledge: Agronomical Sciences - Veterinary Medicine - Preventive Veterinary Medicine
• Principal Investigator: Marcelo Bahia Labruna
• Grantee: Amanda Alessandre de Lima
• Host Institution: Faculdade de Medicina Veterinária e Zootecnia (FMVZ). Universidade de São Paulo (USP). São Paulo , SP, Brazil
• Associated research grant: 13/18046-7 - Capybaras, ticks, and spotted fever, AP.TEM

Abstract

This project includes the diagnosis and monitoring of capybaras in 8 different areas, and 6 in the State of São Paulo. This present activity plan applies to one area of the state of São Paulo, in Pirassununga, a non-endemic area for spotted fever. The work to be developed by the student population involves the monitoring of free-living capybara groups. The use of different areas of the capybara groups will be estimated from the record of the sites with traces, easily detected in the field, held every two months during the study period. The population size of capybaras will be estimated from the direct counting of individuals in the field every 14 days during the study period. The observed individuals will be classified in young adult offspring. Finally, the population dynamics of the groups will be analyzed and compared between different areas. (AU)