Sentinel species for Atlantic Rainfores: epidemiological consequences of forest fragmentation in Pontal do Paranapanema, São Paulo

Author(s)

Alessandra Ferreira Dales Nava

• Document type: Doctoral Thesis
• Press: São Paulo.
• Institution: Universidade de São Paulo (USP). Faculdade de Medicina Veterinária e Zootecnia (FMVZ/SBD)
• Defense date: 2008-07-08

Examining board members

Fernando Ferreira; Adriana Cortez; José Soares Ferreira Neto; Cláudia Filoni; Ronaldo Gonçalves Morato

• Advisor: Fernando Ferreira

Abstract

The biodiversity conservation and healthy ecossistems are extremely necessary for human health and wild animal species. As a consequence of environmental stresses are emerging diseases, trofic disrupten and harmful effects in the wildlife health population and fragmented landscape ecology. The main objective of this study is to study relationships between forest fragmentation in domestic stock, white-lipped, collared peccary, wild felides in Morro do Diabo state Park and forest fragments, to determining the pattern of disease occurrence in the wildlife population. 39 collared peccaries (Tayassu tajacu), 61 white lipped peccaries (Tayassu peccari), 2 ocelots (Leopardus pardalis), 2 pumas (Puma concolor), 8 jaguars (Panthera onca), e 100 rats (Rattus rattus) as well: 782 cattle, 214 dogs, 193 horses, 108 sheeps, 97 pigs e 17 cats surrounded MDSP and forest fragments. Serological tests were conducted for wild animals and domestic stock for Leptospira spp (MAT) e Brucella spp. (rose Bengal test, standard serum agglutination test , complement fixation) and cultures for Leptospira spp e Brucella spp..Serological tests for canine distemper (SN) were conducted for dogs, wild felides and peccaries; FIV and FelV were conducted for wild felides and cats (ELISA). Among wild felides and cats were no exposure for FIV and FeLV, as well dogs, wild felides, peccaries were no positives for canine distemper, however 12 of 200 dogs tested for canine distemper were serologically positive; for brucellosis 7 white lipped peccaries, 1 collared peccary, 13 cattle, 3 dogs, 1 jaguar were serologically positive instead of pigs, horses and sheeps, were serologically negative. For Leptospira spp. 18 white lipped peccaries, 4 collared peccaries, 1 jaguar, 322 cattle, 12 sheeps, 15 pigs, 64 horses were serologically positive instead the rats were all serologically negatives. Leptospirosis and brucellosis isolation were inconclusive. These results demonstrate that wild animals and domestic animals were exposed by these pathogens. An outreach program is necessary to improve the livestock health surround the forest fragments and the state Park. High levels of exposure of leptospirosis and brucellosis found in wild animals and livestock indicates that these pathogens are in contact with the animal population. A preventive medicine work is urgent in this area. The presence of zoonosis such as leptospirosis and brucellosis in the domestic stock are a threat to human health. An outreach program must be develop in the region facing these results and should involve public health, dogs and cats population vaccination and sterilization, vaccination of livestock. The management plans for protected areas should include screening for diseases in wild animals and domestic stock, to the acquire knowledge of infectious diseases risk nearby protected areas. (AU)