Cytophysiology of reproduction of wild giant anteater and giant armadillo females

• Grant number: 24/00389-0
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Master
• Start date: December 01, 2024
• End date: November 30, 2025
• Field of knowledge: Agronomical Sciences - Veterinary Medicine - Animal Reproduction
• Principal Investigator: Eunice Oba
• Grantee: Ana Carolina Monteirinho Lobo
• Host Institution: Faculdade de Medicina Veterinária e Zootecnia (FMVZ). Universidade Estadual Paulista (UNESP). Campus de Botucatu. Botucatu , SP, Brazil

Abstract

The giant anteater (Myrmecophaga tridactyla) and the giant armadillo (Priodontes maximus) have been facing an acceleration in population decline, causing strong concern about their conservation. The reproductive management of populations in situ, the creation of reproduction programs and the application of reproductive biotechnologies are extremely important actions, as they can help in the multiplication and diversification of populations at risk of extinction. However, the effective implementation of such conservation strategies hinges on a profound understanding of the anatomy, biology, and physiology of these species. Currently, the reproductive activity of M.tridactyla and P. maximus remains largely unknown, particularly within free-living populations. Therefore, this study aims to elucidate and characterize different phases of the reproductive cycle in at least nine free-living adult female giant anteaters and nine adult female giant armadillos monitored by the Institute for the Conservation of Wild Animals (ICAS) team in the Cerrado and Pantanal biomes of Mato Grosso do Sul (MS), Brazil. The research involves employing diverse methodologies such as observing external signs, collecting swabs for microbiota culture and vaginal cytology, measuring serum progesterone concentration, and conducting ultrasounds of the reproductive tract. By correlating these methods, this research will contribute significantly to expanding our understanding of the reproductive biology and physiology of these endangered species.