Ocorrência de agentes patogênicos em fezes de bugios-ruivos, Alouatta guariba clamitans (Primates), em uma área impactada pela febre amarela

Abstract

Brown howler monkeys (Alouatta guariba clamitans) occur in the Brazilian Atlantic Forest from the states of Minas Gerais and Rio de Janeiro to Rio Grande do Sul, and in a small area in northestern Argentina. They are classified as Vulnerable in the state of Rio Grande do Sul due especially to the loss and fragmentation of their natural habitats, and also due to the deaths caused by the recent outbreak of sylvatic yellow fever (2008/2009). The intense human activities on natural habitats, besides the habitat loss, can favor the spread of pathogenic agents such as bacteria and other parasites which affect men and domestic animals, and which can also occur in wildlife animals. This study aimed at verifying the occurrence of Enterobacteriaceae and Cryptosporidium sp. in feces of free-ranging brown howler monkeys in Santa Maria, Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil, and understanding the influence of ecological and environmental factors (group size, howler population density, fragment size, distance to the nearest human settlement, distance to the nearest river and seasonality) on the richness of such organisms. The samples were analyzed at the Center for Studies and Research on Wild Animals (NEPAS / LCDPA) of the Federal University of Santa Maria. Twenty Enterobacteriaceae species were detected, and with the techniques employed, the samples were negative for Salmonella spp. and Cryptosporidium sp. None of the environmental variables had significant influence on the wealth of Enterobacteriaceae. Considering that howler populations at CISM (Campo de Instrução de Santa Maria) fell dramatically due to yellow fever, and that some organisms found in this study may interact with other factors and affect the population dynamics of the howler. We believe that it is fundamental to continue monitoring the health of these populations in order to better understand disease mechanisms, as well as conserve this species.