Search Results (4)

Gut microbiota influences host energetics, metabolic rate, and overall health. Optimising the diet, such as by increasing dietary fibre, is a key strategy for promoting a healthy microbiome and improving host energy balance. In this study, we compared the faecal microbiome of five zoo-housed golden lion tamarins (Leontopithecus rosalia) before and after a dietary fibre increase using 16S rRNA gene sequencing. Prevotella, the most abundant genus, declined significantly (FDR-corrected p < 0.05) following the introduction of a higher-fibre diet. The dietary change also significantly altered the overall gut microbial composition, including the emergence of Eisenbergiella (FDR-adjusted p < 0.05), a butyrate-producing genus whose relative abundance increased from 0% to 0.005% (FDR-adjusted p < 0.05). Given the role of Eisenbergiella in butyrate synthesis, this shift may enhance host energy metabolism and microbial interactions. Additionally, both alpha and beta diversity increased significantly (p < 0.05) after the dietary fibre intervention. A significant reduction in Desulfobacterota (FDR-adjusted p < 0.05) following dietary fibre enrichment was observed, suggesting a shift away from microbial groups that may be associated with pathogenicity or pro-inflammatory effects. Collectively, these changes represent a positive shift in the microbiome, supporting improved host energetics and metabolic health. Full article

The aim of this study was to evaluate the normal anatomy of the forearm of the golden-headed lion tamarin (Leontopithecus chrysomelas) using microcomputed tomography (micro-CT) and ultrasonography (US) and then compare the results with the results of a gross anatomy dissection of the forearm. The results of the US examination of the musculoskeletal system of the tamarin forearm were not satisfactory. US imaging enabled observation of the shape of the soft tissue and the size of muscle groups; however, we distinguished more muscles by traditional methods. In addition, in the dissection study, the assessment of the muscles was easier. Examination of the forearm bones using micro-CT provided a complete picture of the bones in this part of the body and was less time-consuming than traditional methods. Imaging allows the anatomy to be represented as a 3D image. However, some methods are not accurate; as in our study, US did not allow a complete assessment of the forearm musculature. Full article

Simian foamy viruses (SFV) infect a wide range of Old World and Neotropical primates (NP). Unlike Old World primates, little is known about the diversity and prevalence of SFV in NP, mainly from a free-living population. Phylogenetic analyses have shown that SFV coevolved with their hosts. However, viral strains infecting Leontopithecus chrysomelas did not behave as expected for this hypothesis. The purpose of this study was to determine the eco-epidemiological profile and molecular characterization of SFV in a recently captured invasive population of L. chrysomelas located in Niteroi/RJ using buccal swab as an alternative collection method. A prevalence of 34.8% (32/92) and a mean viral load of 4.7 log copies of SFV/10⁶ cells were observed. With respect to time since capture, SFV prevalence was significantly higher in the group of animals sampled over 6 months after capture (55.2%) than in those more recently captured (25.4%) (p = 0.005). Infected solitary animals can contribute to SFV transmission between different groups in the population. SFV strains formed two distinct clades within the SFV infecting the Cebidae family. This is the first study to use buccal swabs as a tool to study SFV diversity and prevalence in a recently free-living NP population upon recent capture. Full article

Linear infrastructures are a primary driver of economic development. However, they also can negatively affect wildlife by mortality and the barrier effect. In this paper, we address how paved and unpaved roads, high-tension power lines, and gas/oil pipelines affect home range size, core areas, and movement in an endangered primate, the golden lion tamarin (GLT). Location data were recorded using radio telemetry on 16 groups in two protected areas and in privately owned forest fragments. The GLT’s home range, not core area, increased in size for the groups that occupied locations far from linear infrastructures; home range was also significantly influenced by available forest size. None of the home ranges contained a road, but home ranges did contain power lines. GLTs used the surrounding landscape near all types of infrastructure. Movement analysis showed that most of the step lengths (distances between subsequent locations) were less than 100 m between two consecutive locations, but step length was longer for roads and longer for groups in fully forested habitats. Tamarins avoided paved roads when in close proximity to this type of infrastructure; this behavior increased in areas without adequate adjacent forest habitat. Our results show that linear infrastructures differ in their level of impact: roads can act as a barrier, whereas other types of infrastructure have minimal effect on movement and home range. We discuss these differences in impact in terms of structure, maintenance schedules, and edge effects of infrastructure. Full article