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Suiform Soundings

Volume 5, no. 1. September 2005


ISSN: 1446-991X Contents:
Editorial News from the hippo specialist subgroup Lowland tapir (Tapirus terrestris) and white-lipped peccary (Tayassu pecari) rangewide geographical status analysis and conservation priority setting a work in progress Efectos de la defaunacin por cacera sobre la estructura y dinmica del bosque atlntico del alto paran, Misiones, Argentina: el rol de los pecares y otros ungulados Sostenibilidad de la cacera de pecaries en el Chaco Argentino Pantanal peccaries and pigs project Registros de Catagonus wagneri de en la zona de Charata (Parque Nacional Kaa-Iya y Tco Isoso) Conteos de pecares en bosques secos de Santa Cruz, Bolivia, mediante el uso de trampascmaras Monitoreo de cacera de pecares en la Tco Isoso Uso sostenible de Tayassu tajacu en la Tco Isoso-La comercializacin de cueros Fontes naturais de suplementao mineral para ungulados no Pantanal do Mato Grosso: implicaes nas freqncias de uso por taiassudeos e relaes com a estrutura da paisagem Sentinel species: the Pontal do Paranapanema case study Ocorrncia e abundncia de Pecary tajacu registrados por armadilhas fotogrficas no noroeste de minas gerais First Visayan piglets in Rotterdam Zoo The parasites of the Eurasian wild boar, Sus scrofa, in Iran: an emerging implication for public health Critically endangered Sumatran tiger threatened by organised hunt New Bearded Pig Project Pig trop news Brief conservation news New literature on Suiformes

PPHSG Newsletter

This newsletter is electronically available at: http://iucn.org/ themes/ssc/sgs/pphsg/home.htm

Suiform Soundings
is the newsletter of the IUCN/SSC Pigs, Peccaries, and Hippos Specialist Group (PPHSG). The newsletter is sponsored by The Nature ConservancyEast Kalimantan Program and the Center for International Forestry Research

Photo front page: Camera trap photo of White-lipped Peccaries (Tayassu pecari) in Ravelo, Bolivia. Photo by WCS Bolivia

TABLE OF CONTENTS
EDITORIAL 2 NEWS FROM THE HIPPO SPECIALIST SUBGROUP 2 PECCARY SUBGROUP NEWS Lowland Tapir (Tapirus terrestris) and White-lipped Peccary (Tayassu pecari) range-wide geographical status analysis and conservation priority setting A work in progress by A. Taber, S. Chalukian and K. Minkowski 4 PECCARY PROJECT DESCRIPTIONS Presentacin de la seccin de pecares/Apresentao da seo de porcos-do-mato/Presentation of the peccary section by M. Altrichter and E. A. Moraes Jr. 5 Efectos de la defaunacin por cacera sobre la estructura y dinmica del bosque atlntico del alto paran, Misiones, Argentina: El rol de los pecares y otros ungulados by L. D. M. Varela 8 Sostenibilidad de la cacera de pecaries en el Chaco Argentino by M. Altrichter and G. Boaglio 10 Pantanal peccaries and pigs project by A. Keuroghlian and A. Desves 12 Registros de Catagonus wagneri de en la zona de Charata (Parque Nacional Kaa-Iya y Tco Isoso) by Jorge Banegas and Leonardo Maffei 15 Conteos de pecares en bosques secos de Santa Cruz, Bolivia, mediante el uso de trampas-cmaras by Andrew Noss, Leonardo Maffe, Erika Cuellar, Damin Rumiz, Rosario Arispe and Kathia Rivero 15 Monitoreo de cacera de pecares en la Tco Isoso by Rosa Leny Cuellar, Alejandro Arambiza and Andrew Noss 16 Uso sostenible de Tayassu tajacu en la Tco Isoso-La comercializacin de cueros by Rosa Leny Cuellar, Alejandro Arambiza, Andrew Noss, Damin Rumiz and Zulema Barahona 17 Fontes naturais de suplementao mineral para ungulados no pantanal do mato grosso: Implicaes nas freqncias de uso por taiassudeos e relaes com a estrutura da paisagem by L. F. B. Oliveira, M. E. de Oliveira, I. P. Coelho, J. K. Pereira de Farias, J. L. P. Cordeiro and H. Hasenack 18 Sentinel species: The Pontal do Paranapanema case study by A. Nava, C. R. L. Peterka, D. de S. Bandeira, L. Cullen Jr., F. Ferreira, P. Pedro, A. Cortez, Z. M. de Moraes, G. Oliveira de Souza, J. S. F. Neto 20 Ocorrncia e abundncia de Pecary tajacu registrados por armadilhas fotogrficas no noroeste de Minas Gerais by L. G. Vieira, A. P. Paglia, W. Lopes, F. Oliveira, A. J. M. Jnior and R. F. V. Diniz 21 PAPERS AND COMMUNICATIONS First Visayan piglets in Rotterdam Zoo by Ben Kubbinga 24 The parasites of the Eurasian wild boar, Sus scrofa, in Iran: An emerging implication for public health by S. SolaymaniMohammadi, M. Rezaian, H. Hooshyar, I. Mobedi, A. R. Meamar 26 Critically Endangered Sumatran Tiger threatened by organised hunt by FFI 29 New field project to study the effects of selective logging on bearded pigs and sun bears in Borneo by Siew te Wong and Christopher Servheen 30 A preliminary survey of bearded pig (Sus barbatus) in Malinau river forest, Bulungan, East Kalimantan, Indonesia by Titiek Setyawati, Steve Read and Graeme Coulson 31 Wearable GPS transmitter for Wild Boar (Sus scrofa) by Takeuchi M., H. Ueda and J. Nakatani 32 PIG TROP NEWS 34 BRIEF CONSERVATION NEWS (1-4) 36 NEW LITERATURE ON SUIFORMES 40

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Suiform Soundings

Editorial:
First of all, a warm welcome to all readers of this latest issue of Suiform Soundings. The number of contributions to this issue has been truly overwhelming, and I want to thank all authors and other contributors for their efforts. Compared to previous issues this is a considerable improvement, and I hope this enthusiasm will continue. Much of the increase in content is due to our new associate editors, Mariana Altrichter and Edsel Amorim Moraes Jr. Mariana and Edsel have done a great job collecting papers from South and Meso-America. Their initial effort has already resulted in more contributions than I could use in the present issue; the remainder will appear in December 2005 in issue 5(2). This is also the first time that we publish papers in other languages than English, i.e. Portuguese and Spanish and we hope to reach a large audience as a consequence. I envisage that the next step is to add French to our newsletter so we can attract more readers from Francophone Africa. Overall, I am very pleased with the way the newsletter is developing and I see a bright future ahead of us. Thanks to all of you for your essential input and support. Erik Meijaard, Samarinda, Indonesia

News from the Hippo Specialist Sub Group


Rebecca Lewison Comprehensive hippo bibliography up and running Thanks to the efforts of two Hippo Group members (R.Taylor and G.Feldhake), we are happy to announce that a comprehensive common hippo bibliography is now available on our website http://moray.ml.duke.edu/projects/hippos/ (follow the Bibliography link). Conservation status of common and pygmy hippos worsens Based on a population assessment conducted in 2003-2004, there is evidence to suggest that both hippo species have suffered population declines, habitat loss or both.

With references for hundreds of documents, this is an excellent resource for those looking for cur- Common hippos rent or historical documents on common hippos. At the time of the last complete assessment of hippo If you have an entry to add, please email re- populations in 1994, the common hippopotamus (Hippopotamus amphibius) was described as widebecca.lewison@duke.edu spread and secure, with an estimated population of at least 160,000 animals. The more recent survey found that the population could be as low as 125,000 individuals (range 125,000-148,000). The most catastrophic declines have occurred in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), where the ongoing political

The two hippo species (Hexaprotodon liberiensis and Hippopotamus amphibius) in the Johannesburg Zoo. Photo by William Oliver. Volume 5, no. 1. September 2005 Page 2

troubles have had a devastating impact. The population has been decimated as a result of unregulated hunting for bushmeat and for ivory (found in the hippo's canine teeth). From having the second highest estimated hippo population in Africa (30,000 in 1994 after Zambias 40,000), numbers have plummeted by 95%, to just over 1,000 in 2003. A 2005 census has found the population has continued its precipitous decline and may be less than 900 individuals (see link below for details)

hippos.htm, http://www.panda.org/about_wwf/ what_we_do/species/news/news.cfm? uNewsID=23191or contact rebecca.lewison@duke.edu Research highlights: A critical look at common hippo population structure

Five subspecies of hippos have been described based on morphological differences (H.a.amphibius, H.a.kiboko, H.a.capensis, H.a.tschadensis, H.a.constrictus; Lydekker 1915). Although the declines in DRC are by far the larg- However, the existence of these putative subspeest, there is evidence of similar trends in other cies had not been tested by genetic analyses. A countries, including West African countries where recent paper by Okello et al. (2005) does just that. populations were already at low densities. Given observed and reported declines, the common hippo Using mitochondrial DNA from skin biopsies will be classified as Vulnerable on the 2005 IUCN taken from 13 sampling locations, the authors consider genetic diversity and structure among Red List hippo populations across the continent. They find Pygmy hippos low but significant genetic differentiation among Far less is known about the abundance and distri- 3 of the 5 putative groups - H.a.amphibius, bution of the pygmy hippo (Hexaprotodon liberien- H.a.capensis, H.a.kiboko. If these findings are sis). Pygmy hippos, currently classified as Vulner- accurate, that would mean that common hippos in able in the IUCN Red List, is confined to four West Kenya and Somalia (kiboko), southern Africa African states: Liberia, Sierra Leone, Guinea and (capensis from Zambia to South Africa), and the Ivory Coast. In 1994, the population was estimated rest of sub-Saharan African countries (amphibius) to be at most, 3,000 animals, with a very frag- represent three distinct subspecies, with mented distribution. Logging and subsequent agri- H.a.amphibus as the ancestral group. Okello et al. cultural encroachment has continued to eat away at also find evidence that common hippos in Africa the pygmy hippos habitat throughout its range, and experienced a marked population expansion durpushed it into ever decreasing and isolated parcels ing or after the Pleistocene, which they attribute to of remaining forest. In these fragments, the animals an increase in water bodies at the end of this era. are increasingly accessible to subsistence hunters. These findings have important conservation impliPygmy hippo populations have also been severely cations. Hippo populations across the continent affected by the unrest and instability in the region, are threatened by habitat loss and unregulated which has further reduced the effectiveness of pro- hunting. In addition to addressing these common tected areas and the enforcement of logging con- threats, we will also need to preserve the genetic trols. In Liberia, for example, where most pygmy diversity of these three distinct subspecies. hippos are found, legal protection is incomplete and the level of protection poor. A key forest area, Sources believed to support substantial numbers, the Lydekker, R. 1915. Catalogue of the Ungulate Cestos-Senkwehn rivershed, has recently been Mammals in the British Museum of Natural Hiscleared and protection in the Sapo National Park, tory, Vol. 5. British Museum: London. another key area, has been suspended. At present, little is being done to protect the pygmy hippo or its habitat. As a result of the clear evi- Okello, J.B.A, Nyakaana, S., Masembe, C., dence of very low abundance, substantial habitat Siegismund, H.R. & Arctander, P. 2005. Mitoloss and lack of protection, pygmy hippos are being chondrial DNA variation of the common hippopotamus: evidence for a recent population expanre-classified as Endangered. sion. Heredity, 95: 206-215. For more information on the conservation status of hippos, see: http://www.iucn.org/themes/ssc/news/ Page 3 Suiform Soundings

PECCARY SUBGROUP NEWS


Lowland Tapir (Tapirus terrestris) and White-Lipped Peccary (Tayassu pecari) Range-Wide Geographical Status Analysis and Conservation Priority Setting A Work in Progress
Andrew Taber, Silvia Chalukian and Karen Minkowski This ongoing project follows on priority recommendations in the Action Plans for both the Tapir (TSG) and the Pigs, Peccaries and Hippos Specialist Groups (PPHSG) of the IUCN/SSC. In particular, this exercise was a key component (Action 12) of the goal of developing National Action Plans for tapir conservation and management for all range countries in the 2004-2005 TSG Plan for Action that came out of the Second International Tapir Symposium in Panama. Early in 2004, members of both specialist groups and other experts on the species met and decided to undertake a range wide status analysis and priority setting exercise jointly for both species. This approach is similar to that already applied to tigers, jaguars and American crocodiles. This decision was taken for a variety of reasons. There is a large overlap in the pool of experts for both species so that there would be a cost savings in bringing scientists and conservation practitioners together for only one workshop rather than two. In addition, (i) the two species ranges overlap enormously, (ii) as large terrestrial herbivores and frugivores they are ecologically similar, and (iii) we suspected that they face a similar suite of threats and conservation opportunities. Accordingly, we felt that by combining forces synergistically we could better prioritize, promote and strengthen conservation actions for both species. Starting in July 2004, the Tapir Country Coordinators of the TSG were contacted, as was the pool of peccary biologists, to identify and invite appropriate experts to participate in this exercise. Further contacts were made with experts at the Amazonian Wildlife Management Congress held in Iquitos Peru in September 2004. Subsequent to this, a questionnaire survey was distributed to the identified pool of specialists across the ranges of the two species. Between September 2004 and April 2005, data forms and maps filled out by the Volume 5, no. 1. September 2005 experts were compiled and merged into a geographical information system. From 3-10 April 2005, a workshop was held at the Rio Selva Ecoresort in Santa Cruz, Bolivia. Here, twenty-seven experts with knowledge on one or both of these species from throughout their ranges were brought together. Seventeen other experts in either or both species also provided data, but were unable to attend the workshop because of either cost or time constraints. The specialists included conservation scientists and practitioners, as well as graduate students, who had either previously at some point over the past twenty years, or were currently working on either or both of these species. During five hard work days at the workshop the experts reviewed and refined the following geographical data sets: (i) the historical range of the species, (ii) the areas for which expert knowledge on the status and distribution of both species were available as well as those areas for which data were lacking, (iii) all points where the presence of either species had been documented as present or absent over the past twenty years, (iv) the current distribution and local status of the species across their ranges, and (v) key areas for the conservation of Lowland Tapirs and White-lipped Peccaries. Standardized information was also checked and tabulated for all polygon and points identified. The expert group also discussed and evaluated factors to prioritize conservation areas as well as assessed the relative importance of different threats to the two species. Finally, priorities for further research, and for assessing and alleviating threats to the two species, were discussed and developed. We further took advantage of bringing the pool of experts together to arrange a series of presentations on the biology, conservation and use of both species for the benefit of the group, and two field trips were organized. Page 4

The pool of peccary biologists at the meeting also held an Ad Hoc meeting. It was felt that while there have been many advances in work on these species in recent years, the time has come to organize the peccary subsection more formally along the lines of the TSG and the Suid sections of the PPHSG. Suggestions of the group included: Establish a network of country coordinators for each of the range states. There was also a desire to produce an informal electronic newsletter. Finally, the group suggested exploring the establishment of various working committees to focus on key issues and topics. There was also much clamoring from the participants in the workshop for expanding membership in the PPHSG or, perhaps, to create an associate membership category. We are currently exploring prospects for bringing on a part time coordinator to kick start this process.

jectives of this exercise, we are continuing the process of finalizing the geographical data sets across the two species ranges with each of the experts. Once finalized, we will analyze these data and produce a detailed report on the results and priorities identified as well as at least two articles for publication in professional conservation journals. All should be completed by the end of 2005.

This exercise is being coordinated by Silvia Chalukian of the Tapir Specialist Group and Andrew Taber (Wildlife Trust) of the Pigs, Peccaries and Hippos Specialist Group. Karen Minkowski and Eric Sanderson of the Landscape Analysis unit of the Wildlife Conservation Society are providing technical support for the data compilation, GIS mapping and analysis. This exercise has been financed principally by a grant from the Gordon and Betty Moore Foundation to the Wildlife ConservaTo date, one very important outcome of this geo- tion Society. graphical status and conservation priority setting exercise has been to greatly increase connections between and within tapir and peccary researchers throughout the Americas. This will in the near future facilitate information exchange and standardization of methods and increase cooperation across international borders. In terms of the specific ob-

Peccaries and cows can be seen side by side in the Pantanal. Photo by Arnaud Desbiez Page 5 Suiform Soundings

Here we provide descriptions of some current peccary projects in Latin America. In issue 5(2), more such project descriptions will be published.

Peccary Project Descriptions (in Spanish, Portuguese, and English)


Mariana Altrichter1 and Edsel Amorim Moraes Junior2
1

School of Natural Resources, University of Arizona. 104 BioScience East, Tucson, AZ 85721, USA.

Tel.:+1-520-888-3000. E-mail: marianaalt@msn.com Biotrpicos Instituto de Pesquisa em Vida Silvestre Rua Zito Soares 22, Bairro Camargos, Belo Horizonte, MG, Brasil. CEP: 30532-260. Telefax: + 55 (31) 3362-1723. E-mail: edsel.bhz@terra.com.br / edsel@biotropicos.org.br. www.biotropicos.org.br PRESENTACIN DE LA SECCIN DE PE- tribucin a la seccin pecares del Suiform Soundings es proveer informacin actualizada de los estuCARES dios que se estn realizando con pecares o se estn En abril de 2005 se realiz en Santa Cruz, Bolivia, por empezar. Para ello hemos pedido la colaboracin el taller Lowland Tapir (Tapirus terrestris) and de los investigadores que pudimos contactar para White-Lipped Peccary (Tayassu pecari) Range- que describan de manera resumida los principales Wide Geographical Status Analysis and Conserva- aspectos de su proyecto. Afortunadamente tuvimos tion Priority Setting. En el taller participaron 27 una muy buena respuesta y recibimos varias contriexpertos de diferentes pases con conocimiento en buciones. Los investigadores enviaron resmenes en una o ambas especies. Durante este taller se reali- espaol, portugus e ingls, proveyendo informacin z una reunin informal entre los investigadores sobre: tipo de proyecto, objetivos, metodologa usade pecares, para discutir formas de fortalecer con- da, rea de estudio, resultados esperados, perodo de tactos, mejorar coordinacin y compartir lecciones estudio, financiamiento, principales problemas que aprendidas entre la comunidad de investigadores y han encontrado para realizar su investigacin, y neconservacionistas enfocados en estas especies. cesidad de asistentes. Tambin hicimos una recopilaUna de las ideas que surgi en esta reunin fue la cin de artculos sobre pecares publicados desde el creacin de un newsletter de pecares, (Tayassu 2002. Lamentablemente no tenemos acceso a revispecari, T. tajacu y Catagonus wagneri ) trilinge, tas que no estn indexadas, por lo que la lista no es y se eligieron los editores. Las discusiones sobre completa. Para publicaciones en revistas locales conel tema continuaron post-congreso, incorporando tamos con la ayuda de investigadores que nos enviaotra gente del grupo de especialistas PP&HSG. ron la informacin. Durante estos intercambios de ideas, fuimos invi- Para la prxima publicacin pedimos la colaboracin tados por los editores del Suiform Sounding para de los lectores para que nos hagan llegar informacin formar parte de su revista. De esta forma, no solo sobre revistas cientficas locales, tesis y disertaciovamos a conectar la comunidad de investigadores nes, fotos, y contactos con personas que trabajen con de pecaries del continente americano sino la co- pecares y no estn en esta lista. munidad ms amplia que abarca todos los suifor- Gracias y abrazos a todos! mes y otros continentes. La intencin de la creacin de esta seccin de pecares es que nos ayude a compartir informacin, enterarnos de lo que se est haciendo, intercambiar literatura, compartir nuestras experiencias y nuestros problemas, ayudarnos unos a otros, unir esfuerzos, etc. El objetivo para esta primera conVolume 5, no. 1. September 2005 APRESENTAO DA SEO DE PORCOS-DOMATO Em abril de 2005 se realizou em Santa Cruz, Bolivia, o seminrio Lowland Tapir (Tapirus terrestris) and Page 6
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Collared peccaries at San Miguelito Private Reserve, eastern Bolivia (photo by Rosario Arispe) White-Lipped Peccary (Tayassu pecari) RangeWide Geographical Status Analysis and Conservation Priority Setting. Nesse seminrio participam 27 especialistas de diferentes pases com conhecimento em uma ou ambas espcies. Durante este seminrio se realizou uma reunio informal entre os pesquisadores de pecardeos, para discutir formas de fortalecer contatos, melhorar a coordenao e compartilhar lies aprendidas entre a comunidade de pesquisadores e conservacionistas dessas espcies. Uma das idias que surgiu nesta reunio foi a criao de um newsletter de porcos-do-mato, (Tayassu pecari, T. tajacu e Catagonus wagneri) trilinge, e se elegeu os editores. As conversas sobre o assunto continuaram ps-congresso, incorporando outras pessoas do grupo de especialistas PP&HSG. Durante estas trocas de idias, fomos convidados pelos editores do Suiform Sounding para tomarmos parte de sua revista. Desta forma, no vamos apenas contactar a comunidade de pesquisadores de porcos-do-mato do continente americano como tambm a comunidade mais ampla que abrange todos os suiformes e outros continentes. A inteno da criao desta seo de porcos-domato que nos ajude a compartilhar informaes, interarmos do que se est acontecendo, trocar literatura, compartilhar nossas experincias e nossos problemas, ajudarmos uns aos outros, unir esforos, etc. O objetivo desta primeira Page 7

contribuio para essa seo do Suiform Soundings prover informao atualizada dos estudos que se esto realizando com porcos-do-mato e os que esto pra comear. Para isso temos pedido a colaborao dos pesquisadores que pudemos contatar para que descrevam de maneira resumida os principais aspectos de seu projeto. Afortunadamente tivemos uma resposta muito boa e recebemos vrias contribuies. Os pesquisadores nos enviaram resumos em espanhol, portugus e ingls, fornecendo informaes sobre: tipo de projeto, objetivos, metodologia usada, rea de estudo, resultados esperados, perodo de estudo, financiamento, principais problemas encontrados para realizar sua pesquisa, e necessidade de estagirios. Tambm fizemos uma compilao de artigos sobre porcos-do-mato publicados desde 2002. Lamentavelmente no tivemos acesso a revistas que no esto indexadas, por isso a lista no completa. Para publicaes em revistas locais contamos com a ajuda de pesquisadores que nos enviaram as informaes. Para a prxima publicao pedimos a colaborao dos leitores para que nos mandem informaes sobre revistas cientficas locais, teses e dissertaes, fotos e contatos com pessoas que trabalhem com porcos-domato e no esto em nossa lista. Obrigado! Abrao a todos! PRESENTATION OF THE PECCARY SECTION In April 2005, the workshop Lowland Tapir (Tapirus terrestris) and White-Lipped Peccary (Tayassu pecari) Range-Wide Geographical Status Analysis and Conservation Priority Setting was held in Santa Cruz, Bolivia. Twenty seven experts from different countries with knowledge in one or both species participated in this event. During the workshop, the peccary researchers met informally to discuss ways of strengthening contacts, improve coordination and share learned lessons among the community of researchers and conservationists focused on these species. One of the ideas that was talked about in this meeting was the creation of a trilingual peccary (Tayassu pecari, T. tajacu e Catagonus wagneri) newsletter, and the group chose the editors. Discussion on this topic continued over the following months including other members of the Suiform Soundings

Specialist group PP&HSG. As a result of these exchanges of ideas we were invited by the editors of the Suiform Soundings to form part of their newsletter. Under this modality, we will not only connect the community of peccary researchers of the American continent but we will also be connected with the wider community that encompasses all suiforms and other continents. Our goals for creating the peccary section is to have a means to share information, learn about what is happening with peccaries, exchange literature, share our experiences and problems, help each other, and unite efforts. The objective of the first contribution to the peccary section of the Suiform Soundings is to provide updated information on studies that are been carried out or are about to start, as well as on new literature.

response and we received several contributions. Researchers sent contributions in Spanish, Portuguese and English, providing information on: type of project, objectives, methods, study area, expected results, study period, funding, main problems they have experienced to carry out their research, and needs for assistance. We also made a compilation of papers published since 2002. Unfortunately we dont have access to journals that are not indexed, so the list is not complete. For publications in local journals we counted on the help of researchers to send us information. For the next publication we ask for the collaboration of the readers to send us information on papers published in local scientific journals, thesis and dissertation, pictures and contacts with people working with peccaries that are not in this issue.

To accomplish this objective we asked those who Thanks very much we were able to contact to send a short description of their projects. Fortunately, we had a very good

Efectos de la defaunacin por cacera sobre la estructura y dinmica del bosque atlntico del alto paran, Misiones, Argentina: El rol de los pecares y otros ungulados
Lic. Diego M. Varela (Investigador principal) Conservacin Argentina. Salta 117, Puerto Iguaz (N3370FSC), Misiones, Argentina. Tel: +54-3757422964 E-mail: diegomv@arntet.com.ar Departamento de Ecologa, Gentica y Evolucin, FCEN, Universidad de Buenos Aires. Orientadores: Dr. Mario Di Bitetti (Universidad Nacional de Tucumn/CONICET, Argentina), Dr. Paulo de Marco Jr. (Unversidade Federal de Viosa, Brasil). Iniciado en mayo de 2005, este proyecto de 3 aos me servir para acceder al ttulo de doctorado de la Universidad de Buenos Aires, pero con idea de establecer un proyecto de estudio a largo plazo mediante clausuras de ungulados y otros mamferos. Justificacin La disminucin o extincin local de poblaciones de pecares y otros ungulados debido a la cacera puede alterar el reclutamiento y diversidad de rboles en bosques neotropicales al afectar procesos ecolgicos importantes como la herbivora o la dispersin y predacin de semillas (Dirzo & Miranda 1991, Redford 1992, Painter 1998, Wright et al. 2000, Roldn & Simonetti 2001, Wright 2003). La Volume 5, no. 1. September 2005 meta de este proyecto es evaluar las consecuencias a largo plazo de la prdida de ungulados en el Bosque Atlantico del Alto Paran, en Misiones, Argentina. Objetivos del proyecto Evaluar los efectos de la remocin de ungulados sobre las tasas de predacin de semillas, supervivencia y reclutamiento de renovales del Bosque Atlntico; como tambin sobre su riqueza, diversidad y composicin mediante experimentos de exclusin selectiva en reas sin cacera. Comparar el tamao de los efectos de la remocin de ungulados sobre la estructura del bosque en ambientes de palmital y no palmital. Describir los patrones de visita de pecares y otros ungulados consumidores de frutos y semillas sobre 6 especies de rboles del Bosque Atlntico. Evaluar y comparar la abundancia de ungulados y la Page 8

estructura y dinmica de regeneracin en palmita- (Galetti & Fernndez 1998). El palmital es el hbitat les del Bosque Atlntico en reas con diferente in- preferido por varios de los ungulados en los perodos de escasez de alimento debido a la abundante y sintensidad de cacera en Misiones. Mis hiptesis se basan en que la disminucin de cronizada fructificacin de esta especie durante el los ungulados producir en el Bosque Atlntico un invierno (Placci et al. 1992). aumento en la densidad de renovales y una disminucin en su riqueza y diversidad debido a la alteracin en las tasas de predacin y dispersin de semillas, herbivora y pisoteo. El estudio de los ungulados que visitan los rboles frutales ser de carcter descriptivo y se realizar con la ayuda de trampas cmara. Para evaluar el objetivo d) se medirn por nica vez las mismas variables de vegetacin en parcelas de igual tamao (sin clausura) en 15 reas con diferentes intensidades de cacera. El grado de cacera se medir mediante variables cualicuantitativas como nmero de encuentros con cazadores o perros, distancia a reas pobladas, nmero de disparos odos y entrevistas a informantes clave. Se evaluarn las abundancias de mamferos en los sitios con diferente intensidad de cacera a travs del uso de trampas cmara.

Adems se espera que los efectos de la defaunacin sean ms importantes en los ambientes de palmital (Euterpe edulis) dada sus caractersticas como especie clave (Terborgh 1986, Placci et al. 1992). Y que la abundancia de pecar labiado sea el factor principal que genere los patrones de alteracin por ungulados en la estructura del bosque debido a su comportamiento gregario y de forrajeo (Kiltie 1981, Keroughlian et al. 2004, Beck et al. Se espera que este proyecto sirva para entender los 2005). efectos y las consequencias a largo plazo de la prdirea de estudio y metodologa da o disminucin de las poblaciones de pecar labiaEste estudio se desarrolla en Parque Nacional Igua- do y otros ungulados por cacera sobre la estructura y z (67.000 has.) y el Parque Provincial Urugua- dinmica del Bosque Atlntico en Misiones, y sus (84.000 has.), dos unidades de conservacin del implicancias en el manejo de reas protegidas y en la norte de la provincia de Misiones, Argentina, don- conservacin de procesos ecolgicos y la biodiverside todava conviven 5 especies de ungulados: Ta- dad. yassu pecari, Tayassu tajacu, Tapirus terrestris, Apoyos y financiamiento Mazama americana y Mazama nana. Se construirn parcelas de exclusin s en reas Este proyecto de investigacin es apoyado por el bien conservadas de ambos parques para simular la programa Education for Nature (EFN) de la WWF. defaunacin parcial de ungulados (tapir, pecares y Adems cuenta con el apoyo institucional y logstico venados). Las clausuras sern de 4,5 x 4,5 metros y de Conservacin Argentina, la Administracin de 1,2 metros de altura. Unos 20 centmetros de espa- Parques Nacionales y del Ministerio de Ecologa, cio libre en la base permitir el ingreso selectivo de Recursos Naturales Renovables y Turismo de la Promamferos de menor tamao como agutes, entre vincia de Misiones. otros. Se establecern parcelas control sin alambrado con las mismas dimensiones. En cada parcela se medir inicialmente y durante 3 aos consecutivos la densidad, riqueza, diversidad y composicin de renovales de rboles. Adems se realizarn experimentos de remocin de semillas para medir tasas de predacin y se utilizarn plntulas artificiales para evaluar el impacto del pisoteo sobre los renovales. Diez de estos bloques se instalarn en palmitales y 10 en reas sin palmitales con el objetivo de realizar comparaciones de los tamaos de los efectos entre estos ambientes. Estas comunidades se caracterizan por la dominancia de la palmera Euterpe edulis, considerada una especie clave en el Bosque Atlntico (Placci et al. 1992, Reis 1995) y de gran importancia econmica en la regin Page 9 Referencias Beck H (2005) Seed predation and dispersal by peccaries throughout the Neotropics and its consequences: a review and synthesis. En: Seed Fate (Forget P.M., J.E. Lambert, P.E. Hulme and S.B. Vander Wall, Eds). CAB International. Dirzo R, Miranda A (1991) Altered patterns of herbivory and diversity in the forest understory: a case study of the possible consequences of contemporary defaunation. In: Price PW, Lewinsohn TM, Fernandes GW, Benson WW (eds) Plant-animal interactions: evolutionary ecology in tropical and temperate regions. Wiley, New York. Fragoso JMV, Huffman JF (2000) Seed-dispersal Suiform Soundings

and seedling recruitment patterns by the last Iguaz, Argentina. Yvyraret :93-108. Neotropical megafaunal element in Amazonia, Redford KH (1992) The empty forest. Bioscience the tapir. Journal of Tropical Ecology 16:36942:412-423. 385. Reis A (1995) Dispersao de sementes de Euterpe Galetti M, Fernandez JC (1998) Palm hearts haredulis Martius (Palmae) em uma floresta ombrfila vesting in the Brazilian Atlantic forest: changes densa montana da encosta Atlntica em Blumenau, in industry structure and the illegal trade. Journal SC. PhD thesis, Universidade Estadual de Campiof Applied Ecology 35:294-301. nas, Brasil. 154pp Keroughlian A, Eaton DP, Longland WS (2004) Roldn AI, Simonetti JA (2001) Plant-mammal inArea use by white-lipped and collared peccaries teractions in tropical Bolivian forest with different (Tayassu pecari and Tayassu tajacu) in a tropical hunting pressures. Conservation Biology 15:617forest fragment. Biological Conservation. 623. Kiltie RA (1981) Distribution of palm fruits on a Wright SJ (2003) The myriad consequences of huntrain forest floor: Why white-lipped peccaries foring for vertebrates and plants in tropical forests. age near objects. Biotropica 13:141-14.5 Perspectives in Plant Ecology, Evolution and SysPainter L (1998) Gardeners of the forest: planttematics 6:73-86. animal interactions in a neotropical forest ungu- Wright SJ, Zeballos H, Domnguez I, Gallardo MM, late community. PhD thesis. University of LiverMoreno MC, Ibez R (2000) Poachers alter mampool, UK. mals abundance, seed dispersal, and seed predation Placci G, Arditi S, Giorgis P, Wuthrich A (1992) Estructura del palmital e importancia de Euterpe edulis como especie clave en el Parque Nacional in a Neotropical forest. Conservation Biology 14:227-239.

Sostenibilidad de la cacera de pecaries en el Chaco Argentino


Mariana Altrichter1 (Investigador principal) & Gabriel Boaglio2 (Investigador asistente)
1

School of Natural Resources, University of Arizona. 104 BioScience East, Tucson, AZ 85721, USA. Facultad de Ciencias Exactas, Fsicas y Naturales de la Universidad de Crdoba argentino para hacer un relevamiento general del estado de conservacin mediante entrevistas a cazadores locales, coleccin de crneos y cueros, y evaluacin en campo de seales de presencia de pecares. Para el estudio de parmetros reproductivos y estructura de edades se colectaron crneos y fetos. Se estim abundancia relativa y densidad mediante el uso de transectos, trampas de huellas, y relevamiento completo de sitios de rea conocida (conteos directos de manadas y observacin de huellas) con la ayuda de cazadores locales. Este ltimo mtodo provey los mejores resultados y parece ser un mtodo factible para el ambiente chaqueo. Se usaron varios indicadores de sostenibilidad: tendencias poblacionales, reduccin de distribucin, modelo de cosecha, estructura de edades, y patrones de cacera en reas rurales y en pueblos. Sitio de estudio: La primera parte del estudio se reaPage 10

Tel.:+1-520-888-3000. E-mail: marianaalt@msn.com


2

Tipo de investigacin: Este estudio forma parte de la disertacin de doctorado de la investigadora principal. Es una parte de un proyecto mayor de estudio de uso de recursos naturales por gente local en el Chaco Argentino, coordinado por la Direccin Nacional de Flora y Fauna de Argentina y ejecutado por la investigadora principal. Objetivos:

Estimar el estado de conservacin, abundancia y distribucin de las tres especies de pecares. Estimar el efecto de la cacera en las tres especies. Evaluar la posibilidad de implementacin de uso sostenible de pecares para la comercializacin de pieles.

Metodologa: Se recorri todo el norte del Chaco Volume 5, no. 1. September 2005

Figure 1. Distribucin de pecares en el norte del Chaco Argentino. Los grficos de pastel son reas de muestreo de 10 km de dimetro y los colores indican la presencia de las especies, basado en entrevistas y corroboraciones de campo. Los puntos rosados son sitios donde las tres especies de pecares no se han observado durante los ltimos 10 aos. Las divisiones del grafico solo indican presencia, no abundancia. Los crculos no estn en escala con el mapa. liz en el ambiente chaqueo de las provincias de Salta, Formosa, El Chaco y Santiago del Estero. La segunda parte se centraliz en el Impenetrable, ubicado en el chaco semi-rido de la provincia del Chaco. Perodo de estudio: Comenz en el 2000 y termin en el 2005. Resultados: El rango de distribucin de las tres especies ha disminuido durante las ltimas dos dcadas, sobre todo en el Chaco hmedo, posiblemente como resultado del avance de la agricultura. Sin embargo, el pecar de collar an persiste en reas degradas y con alta presin de cacera. Las otras dos especies, el pecar chaqueo y el labiado, son las ms susceptibles y han sido afectadas por la cacera y destruccin del hbitat. Su distribucin se ha reducido en ms de un 60%, y sus poblaciones continan decreciendo. Estas especies persisten en Page 11 reas con alta cobertura boscosa, baja densidad humana, escaso desarrollo, y poca alteracin del hbitat. Los pecares en la zona rural del Chaco semi-rido son una parte importante de la dieta, sobre todo de los campesinos ms pobres. La cacera por parte de los campesinos no es muy alta, sin embargo, combinada con la cacera practicada por gente de los pueblos, cazadores deportivos visitantes, y trabajadores del carbn, es insostenible. La mayora de los animales cazados son jvenes o cras menores a un ao, y la poca de mayor cacera es durante el invierno, cuando las hembras estn preadas. Las tres especies se reproducen durante el ao con un pico entre septiembre y noviembre. Incorporar la venta de cueros de pecares de collar a la economa del campesino podra ser sostenible biolgicamente, pero la comunidad no cuenta con mecanismos de organizacin para control y monitoreo, por lo que la cacera podra superar los limites sostenibles si no se controSuiform Soundings

la el acceso a cazadores que no son locales.

el uso y venta de la tierra.

Principales problemas: El chaco presenta mucha Financiadores: Gobiernos de Italia y Suiza, Idea dificultad para hacer estimaciones de densidad de Wild, y Center for Latin American Studies of the pecares. Al no existir una metodologa apropiada University of Arizona. para este ambiente, tuvimos que probar diferentes mtodos. Se requiri mucho esfuerzo de campo para obtener resultados que finalmente no son completamente confiables. Otro problema fue la dificultad para obtener informacin de las oficinas locales de gobierno acerca de la planificacin para

Pantanal peccaries and pigs project


Alexine Keuroghlian1 & Arnaud Desbiez2
1

Principal Investigator, Pantanal Project; Institute for Biological Conservation (IBC), Campo Grande, Mato Grosso do Sul, Brazil. E-mail: ewrnegro@terra.com.br
2

EMBRAPA-Pantanal, Corumb, Mato Grosso do Sul, Brazil. Durrell Institute of Conservation and Ecology (DICE), Kent University at Canterbury, United Kingdom. E-mail: adesbiez@hotmail.com

Figure 1. White-lipped Peccaries foraging at the edge of a salina (Photo by Arnaud Desbiez) Project Aims
Population density estimates of the mammalian

community within different landscapes with a parLong term comparative ecological study on white ticular emphasis on the three target species; lipped peccary (Tayassu pecari), collared peccary (Tayassu tajacu) and feral pig (Sus scrofa) in dif- Habitat use studies; ferent landscapes of the Brazilian Pantanal. Feeding ecology studies; Specific Objectives Seasonal variation in resource availability and These studies are all taking place simultaneously use; within different regions of the Pantanal: Ecological role as predators and dispersers of key Volume 5, no. 1. September 2005 Page 12

micro chips, macro and micro analysis of feces, phenology studies, fruit surveys, fruit removal ex Behavioral ecology; periments, skull collection, hunting registers, and Ecological and socio-economical impact of feral interviews. pig; Field sites Population dynamic studies of the feral pigs; Fazenda Rio Negro is dominated by large areas of Potential as disease reservoirs gallery and cordillera forests, open grasslands associated with vazantes and lakes, and is seasonally flooded by the river and rains. Study Region The Pantanal wetland is located in the central por- Fazenda Nhumirim and its neighboring ranches, tion of South America, where it occupies about one which is more dependant on rain fall for flooding, third of the Rio Paraguay hydrographic basin. It has less gallery forest, and a larger area of cerrado comprises approximately 140,000 km in Brazil. forest. The Pantanal is characterized by its low altitude, Fazenda Mangabal, Manduvi, Baia das Pedras is the slight gradient of declivity, the seasonal alter- dominated by naturally-occurring open grasslands nation between periods of flooding and droughts and large vazantes; small proportion of forest cover; and high annual thermic amplitudes. Flooding and low-impact, traditional cattle ranching practiced in topographic features strongly influence the vegeta- the region. tion, which occurs as diversified mosaics of forest, aquatic and open habitats. The composition of the UNIDERP is dominated by open grasslands and Pantanals flora and fauna is influenced by the sur- shrubs, (campo sujo and campo limpo cerrado); narrounding biomes Cerrado, Amazonia, Chaco and row strips of gallery forest associated with the uppermiddle Rio Negro; intensive cattle operations on the Atlantic Forest. neighboring farms, including recent deforestation Why study pigs and peccaries? and a predominance of exotic grass pastures. White-lipped peccaries were selected as one of five landscape species for the Pantanal (WCS Living Landscapes Bulletin, 2001) and we are finding the Examples of some results difference in densities to be useful landscape indi- Fazenda Rio Negro (started in 2000) cators. Peccaries also play an important role as Captured and radio-collared 28 white-lipped peccaseed predators and dispersers. ries, 12 collared peccaries, and 11 feral pigs; The Pantanal is excellent for comparative studies as human induced changes in the landscape are Microchips (passive identification tags) implanted in more than 100 captured peccaries and feral pigs still relatively few. Our work is being compared (newborn to adult); with the long term study conducted by Alexine Keuroghlian in the Atlantic Forest (Keuroghlian, Over 700 km of transects walked; 2003). Phenology and fruit availability study: 104 species of fruit seeds; Finally about 200 years ago domestic pigs were brought to the Pantanal, where they inevitably escaped and became feral. The hunting pressure on the peccaries in the Pantanal is diluted by the presence of feral pigs (Lourival, 1997). However as an introduced species they may have a negative ecological and economical impact particularly when their numbers are high. Potential negative impacts of feral pigs on peccaries have been suggested (Alho et al. 1988, Sicuro et al. 2002) and are being investigated. Methods fruits have been identified from monthly censuses. Fazenda Nhumirim and neighboring ranches (started 2002) Over 2,100 km of transects walked; 250 feces collected and analyzed; Hunting registers; Pig peccary and palm (Scheelea phalerata) study. Acknowledgements

We are indebted to the support provided by EarthCaptures, radio-telemetry, line transects, use of watch (EW), EMBRAPA-Pantanal, Institute for BioPage 13 Suiform Soundings

logical Conservation (IBC), Conservation Interna- Nhumirim, subregio da Nhecolndia, Pantanal de tional - Brazil / Fazenda Rio Negro, European Un- Mato Grosso de Sul: levantamento preliminar de ion project INCO PECARI, Durrell Institute for espcies. Revista Brasileira de Biologia, 48 Conservation Ecology (DICE) in particular Dr. (2):213255 Richard Bodmer, Edinburgh Zoo - Royal Zoologi- Keuroghlian, A. 2003. The response of peccaries to cal Society of Scotland, IAGRO (Mato Grosso do seasonal fluctuations in an isolated patch of tropical Sul Animal Health Department) Fazenda Rio forest. Ph.D. Dissertation. University of Nevada. Tinto, Pousada Mangabal, Fazenda Nhumirim, Reno, Nevada, USA Fazenda Alegria, UNIDERP/Pousada Ararauna/ IPPAN, Baia das Pedras, So Paulino, and Lourival, R.F.F. 1997. Analise de sustentabilidade do Fazenda Diacui. Thanks to our collaborators in modelo de caca tradicional, no Pantanal da the field: EW volunteers, veterinarian Tatiana Nhecolandia, Corumba, MS. Pp. 123-172 in C. Freitas, IAGRO veterinarians and especially Rita Valladares-Padua and R. Bodmer, eds. manejo e Paes, Ellen Wang - EW field coordinator, Maria conservacao de vida silvestre no Brasil. MCTdo Carmo, Ezidio Arruda (Baiano) and Ireido field CNPq, Sociedade Civil Mamiraua. assistants, Camila Donatti (EW Frugivore pro- Sicuro, F.L. and F.B. Oliveira. 2002. Coexistence of ject), Leandro Ines, Gomes Junior - research field peccaries and feral hogs in the Brazilian Pantanal assistant. We are also grateful to all the staff from wetland: An ecomorphological view. Journal of the different fazendas for their support. Mammalogy 83:207-217 References WCS Living Landcapes Program, Bulletin 2, SeptemAlho, C.J.R., Lacher JR, T.E, Campos, Z.M.S. & ber 2001. Gonalves H. (1988). Mamferos da fazenda

Photo of a feral pig by Alexine Keuroghlian Volume 5, no. 1. September 2005 Page 14

Registros de Catagonus wagneri de en la zona de Charata (Parque Nacional Kaa-Iya y Tco Isoso)
Jorge Banegas1, Leonardo Maffei2
1

Guardaparque, Parque Nacional Kaa-Iya del Gran Chaco, Capitana de Alto y Bajo Isoso, Casilla 3108, Calle Pocherena norte #122, Barrio Urbar, Santa Cruz, Bolivia. Telfono: +591-3-3541409/354-0063 / E-mail: dirparque@entelnet.bo Bilogo, Capitana de Alto y Bajo Isoso y WCS-Bolivia Programa Chaco, Casilla 6272, Santa Cruz, Bolivia. Telfono: +591-3-333-4513/332-8681 / E-mail: lmaffei@wcs.org

Tipo de proyecto: Investigacin puntual de guardaparque. Objetivo: Describir distribucin de la especie, prctica de capacitacin. Sitio: Campamento Charata del Parque Nacional Kaa-Iya RESUMEN: Este estudio se inici en 2003 con registros puntuales de Catagonus wagneri, registrando datos de la observacin y tomando las coordenadas para mapear la distribucin de la especie en la zona. En 2005 se est intentando conseguir fotografas con trampas-cmara en dos salitrales importantes, para confirmar el uso de los mismos. Se crear y se mantendr una base permanente de registros de la especie en el paisaje. Financiador: WCS, Parque Kaa-Iya Problemas: la densidad poblacional de la especie es muy baja, y se caza todava en la zona.

Conteos de pecares en bosques secos de Santa Cruz, Bolivia, mediante el uso de trampas-cmaras
Andrew Noss1, Leonardo Maffe1, Erika Cuellar1, Damin Rumiz1, Rosario Arispe2 and Kathia Rivero2 WCS-Bolivia, WCS-Bolivia Programa Chaco, Casilla 6272, Santa Cruz, Bolivia. Telfono: +591-3333-4513/332-8681 / E-mail: anoss@wcs.org, lmaffei@wcs.org, ecuellar@wcs.org, drumiz@wcs.org
2 1

Museo de Historia Natural Noel Kempff Mercado, Santa Cruz, Bolivia. Telfono: +591-3-336-6574 / E-mail: roarispe@hotmail.com, krivero@mail.museonoelkempff.org, gouazoubira@hotmail.com

Tipo de proyecto: Muestreos generales para mamferos terrestres empleando trampas-cmara. Objetivo: Confirmar presencia, describir distribucin de las especies. Sitio: Parque Nacional Kaa-Iya (Guanacos, Cerro Cortado, Tucavaca, Ravelo, Estacin Isoso), Estancia San Miguelito, Parque Nacional Otuquis. RESUMEN: Este estudio, iniciado en 2001, se basa en muestreos sistemticos con juegos de 25-35 pares de trampas-cmara desarrollados para jaguares (Panthera onca). Sin poder identificar individuos de Tayassu pecari o de Tayassu tajacu, solo podemos confirmar la presencia de las especies, y comparar frecuencias de captura en diferentes sitios y aos. En algunos sitios donde tenemos salitrales (Cerro Cortado, San Miguelito) o pozas de agua (San Miguelito, Ravelo), para evaluar el uso de esos recursos por ambas especies. Todava no se ha registrado Catagonus wagneri en los muestreos sistemticos con trampas-cmara, pero s se confirma su presencia en las zonas Guanacos y Ravelo por observacin directa. Tambin se ha realizado muestreos en Tucavaca, y en 2005 se planifican muestreos en la zona de la EsPage 15 Suiform Soundings

Camera trap photo of T.tajacu from Cerro, Bolivia. Photo by WCS Bolivia tacin de compresin Isoso y en el Parque Nacional Otuquis del Pantanal boliviano. Financiador: WCS, Fundacin Kaa-Iya Problemas: a diferencia de jaguares y algunas otras especies, no se puede estimar densidades de pecares porque no logramos identificar individuos y/o tropas diferentes a travs de las fotos.

Monitoreo de cacera de pecares en la Tco Isoso


Rosa Leny Cuellar, Alejandro Arambiza, Andrew Noss WCS-Bolivia, WCS-Bolivia Programa Chaco, Casilla 6272, Santa Cruz, Bolivia. Telfono: +591-3-3334513/332-8681 / E-mail: rcuellar@wcs.org, anoss@wcs.org Tipo de proyecto: manejo comunitario de fauna. Objetivo: Evaluar la sostenibilidad de la cacera, recomendar medidas de manejo incluyendo la zonificacin de la TCO Isoso. Sitio: 23 comunidades de TCO Isoso RESUMEN: Este estudio, iniciado en 1996, se basa en cazadores voluntarios de las comunidades de Isoso quienes realizan un auto-monitoreo de sus actividades de cacera de subsistencia. Evaluamos cambios de un ao a otro, diferencias entre comunidades, patrones espaciales de cacera, y su importancia en trminos de carne. En 2003 extendimos el monitoreo a unos 25 puestos ganaderos dentro de la TCO Isoso. Adems implementamos un muestreo sistemtico de hogares para poder monitorear el esfuerzo de cacera, incluyendo salidas sin suerte. Financiador: WCS Problemas: Falta de precisin en los datos de automonitoreo en relacin a esfuerzo y cacera total, por eso el nuevo nfasis en el muestreo sistemtico de hogares.

Volume 5, no. 1. September 2005

Page 16

Uso sostenible de Tayassu tajacu en la Tco Isoso-La comercializacin de cueros


Rosa Leny Cuellar1, Alejandro Arambiza1, Andrew Noss1, Damin Rumiz1, Zulema Barahona2
1

WCS-Bolivia, WCS-Bolivia Programa Chaco, Casilla 6272, Santa Cruz Bolivia, Telfono: +591-3-3334513/332-8681 / E-mail: *rcuellar@wcs.org, anoss@wcs.org, drumiz@wcs.org Asesora tcnica, Capitana de Alto y Bajo Isoso,Casilla 3108, Calle Pocherena norte #122, Barrio Urbar ,Santa Cruz, Bolivia, Telfono: +591-3-354-1409/354-0063

Tipo de proyecto: manejo comunitario de fauna. Objetivo: Generar beneficios econmicos a travs de la conservacin y del uso sostenible de la fauna silvestre. Sitio: 23 comunidades de la TCO Isoso RESUMEN: En base a los estudios de cacera, se ha propuesto un uso comercial sostenible dentro de la TCO Isoso para generar beneficios econmicos adicionales a favor de las comunidades de Isoso. Los cueros de animales cazados para fines de subsistencia actualmente se desperdician, y el programa en Per demuestra que el uso comercial puede ser sostenible y puede generar beneficios importantes. Se ha presentado al gobierno una propuesta para legalizar el uso comercial dentro de la TCO Isoso, y se estn realizando ajustes y preparativos para poder implementar ese programa. Financiador: WCS Problemas: Falta de procedimientos claros para la legalizacin, falta de capacidad tcnica de las autoridades gubernamentales para monitorear y fiscalizar el proceso.

Orphaned collared peccary kept as a pet (above); and peccary hunted for subsistence by IsosoGuaran indigenous communities (right). Photos by Andrew Noss, WCS Bolivia. Page 17 Suiform Soundings

Fontes naturais de suplementao mineral para ungulados no pantanal do mato grosso: Implicaes nas freqncias de uso por taiassudeos e relaes com a estrutura da paisagem
Luiz Flamarion B. Oliveira 1; Maria Elaine de Oliveira 2; Igor Pfeiffer Coelho 3; Jeffsiane Keyla Pereira de Farias 2; Jos Luis P. Cordeiro 4; Heinrich Hasenack 4.
1

Depto. de Vertebrados, Museu Nacional, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro,

melfo@terra.com.br; 2PGCA, Universidade Federal Fluminense, Niteri, RJ; 3Programa de PsGraduao em Ecologia, UFRGS, Porto Alegre, RS; 4Laboratrio de Geoprocessamento, Centro de Ecologia, UFRGS, Porto Alegre, RS O projeto, financiado pelo CNPq (Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Cientfico e Tecnolgico) e SESC (Servio Social do Comrcio), teve incio em agosto de 2003, com durao prevista para 24 meses. Constitui uma atividade interinstitucional, integrando o Museu Nacional, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro (UFRJ), o Programa de Ps-Graduao em Cincia Ambiental (PGCA) da Universidade Federal Fluminense (UFF), o Laboratrio de Geoprocessamento, Centro de Ecologia, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul (UFRGS) e o Instituto de Nacional de Tecnologia (INT), no Rio de Janeiro. Conta com uma equipe constituda por pesquisadores e alunos de mestrado e doutorado vinculados a essas instituies. A regio de estudo, uma rea de conservao natural (RPPN SESC Pantanal), situada no Municpio de Baro de Melgao, MT, no Pantanal do Mato Grosso (Figura 1), foi considerada recentemente

Figura 1. Localizao da RPPN SESC Pantanal (polgono vermelho) no nordeste do Pantanal do Mato Grosso (em cinza) e delimitao da Bacia do Alto rio Paraguai. Volume 5, no. 1. September 2005 Page 18

regio, sugere que o suprimento alimentar seja relativamente precrio, possivelmente vinculado deficincia de minerais na vegetao. As freqncias de ocorrncia, visualizaes, rastros, fezes ou outros sinais de uso da rea, esto sendo considerados nas observaes em campo. O uso dos barreiros avaliado com utilizao de armadilhas fotogrficas, dispostas em pelo menos 6 reas, e permanecendo ativos pelo perodo mnimo de 60 dias. Vegetao e solo so coletados nesses barreiros e em reas externas e adjacentes aos mesmos. As anlises de clcio, cobre, ferro, magnsio, mangans, potssio, sdio, zinco, enxofre, sulfato e cloreto esto sendo conduzidas no Laboratrio do Centro de Ecologia da UFRGS, Porto Alegre. O Projeto objetiva oferecer uma nova

Figura 2A. Queixadas (Tayassu pecari) uma rea Prioritria para Conservao da Biodiversidade pelo Ministrio do Meio Ambiente, em 1999. As fontes de minerais para ungulados so largamente reconhecidas no mundo como um dos fatores que atua na disposio espacial das espcies. As implicaes dessas como atrativo para componentes da fauna de ungulados so pouco conhecidas no Brasil. Menos conhecidas ainda so suas implicaes no aspecto nutricional. Os padres de uso das fontes minerais observados em outras regies sugerem que a importncia das mesmas deve ser considerada em qualquer plano de manejo sustentado da fauna. Diferentes elementos, como sdio, magnsio, mangans, ferro, clcio e cobre, presentes em barreiros, podem servir como permanente fonte de atrao para as espcies. As implicaes da atrao da fauna podem ter conseqncias positivas, quando na viabilizao de populaes, ou efeitos contrrios quando, indiretamente, atuam como fator de extino local em decorrncia da atividade humana.

Figura 2B. Borda de barreiro com armadilha fotogrfica

perspectiva para efetivao da sustentabilidade atravs do manejo dessas reas em regies remotas do pas. Uma vez conhecida a composio qumica dos barreiros, surge a perspectiva de que sistemas Queixadas (Figura 2A), caititus, antas e porcos- artificiais sejam criados para viabilizar o uso monteiros, na regio do Pantanal, criam e mantm sustentado de populaes de ungulados em regies manchas de depresses em solos midos (Figura com condies ecolgicas similares. 2B), em qualquer poca do ano. O uso dos Auxlio SESC Pantanal e CNPq (Proc. n barreiros, j observado para essas espcies na 143508/03-0 e 302663/2003-7). Page 19 Suiform Soundings

Sentinel species: The Pontal do Paranapanema case study


Alessandra Nava ; Cassio Roberto Leonel Peterka; Dbora de Sousa Bandeira; Laury Cullen Jr; Fernando Ferreira; Pedro Pedro; Adriana Cortez; Zenaide Maria de Moraes; Gisele Oliveira de Souza; Jos Soares Ferreira Neto IP - Instituto de Pesquisas Ecolgicas Departamento de Medicina Veterinria Preventiva e Sade Animal, Faculdade de Medicina Veterinria e Zootecnia Universidade de So Paulo, USP The CCM (Consortiun for Conservation Medicine) and its partner institutions are involved in a variety of ongoing research projects. For example, the CCM is currently investigating the factors that led to the emergence of Nipah virus in Malaysia and a closely related virus, Hendra virus, which emerged in Australia. Additional CCM projects include a study on the dynamics of SARS in Asian wildlife, how human and environmental factors affect the prevalence and emergence of WNV, and groundbreaking research to aid in predicting how pathogen pollution might drive future emerging diseases. In Brazil, CCM collaborates with researchers from IPE-Institute for Ecological Research in an area of western Sao Paulo State known as the Pontal do Paranapanema (colloquially simply Pontal). The region is a microcosm of many parts of South America, where modern social and environmental conflicts have raised new issues for conservation biology and conservation medicine. IPE is monitoring large cats and wild pigs in the remaining forest fragments of the Pontal. Researchers use these animals as sentinel species to gauge the overall health of the remaining Atlantic Forest that, although once constituting a continuous forest stretching along the Brazilian coast, has now been reduced to eight percent of its original area. The reduction of habitat has had a concomitant impact on the health of wild populations as contact with people, and particularly their pets and livestock, has gradually increased. Large cats such as the jaguar (Panthera onca), the puma (Puma concolor) and ocelot (Felis pardalis) are practical bioindicators of general community health since, as top predators, they funnel many environmental and pathogenic components of their habitat (e.g. Edwards et al., 1990). Pumas are particularly vulnerable to diseases of domestic aniVolume 5, no. 1. September 2005 mals because of their relative tolerance of humanaltered habitat. White-lipped (Tayassu pecari) and collared (Tayassu tajacu) peccaries are other important components of the terrestrial community: both species are effective seed dispersers, their prolific digging creates favorable soil conditions for seed germination and both are important prey for jaguars and pumas. Wild pigs are traditionally vulnerable to diseases of domestic ungulates which, of course, are the main livestock presence in the Pontal. Beginning with the severe deforestation of the midtwentieth century until the early 1980, the Pontal hosted primarily sugar cane and intense cattle culture. This system had been of low consequence to wildlife health because cattle were maintained at low densities and, because of commercial considerations, were effectively immunized and generally healthy. Thus, historically, the remnant forests and the wildlife within them had faced low extrinsic pressures vis--vis disease, and these primarily from cattle and few other types of livestock. However, a drastic change in disease dynamics in the Pontal has resulted from recent governmentsponsored agrarian reforms and the consequent increase in the settlement of previously landless families on expropriated agricultural land. This has had two main consequences for wildlife health. First, animals tend to be held in considerably higher concentrations on multi-family farm plots than they had been in the previous commercial agro-systems, thus significantly raising the risk of epidemics in domestic and, eventually, wild animals. Moreover, family plots tend to be self-sustaining, such that a more diverse animal stock is maintained, including poultry, swine, equines and a much higher concentration of pet animals (in addition to cattle). This leads to a broader range of pathogens reservoired on farms with the potential to cross into wild species. Hygienic considerations for domestic animals, such as Page 20

tion efforts on wild populations that have reached near-equilibrium in human-altered landscapes. Thus in the Pontal one concern is that the implementation of forest corridors and other strategies that increase the mobility of animals through the agricultural matrix will have the undesired consequence of also facilitating the spread of diseases between forests, whereas before they would have been relegated to single fragments. However, given the precariously low number of most large mammals in the remaining forests, this possibility is outweighed by the risks from inbreeding and low genetic variability that result from isolated forest fragments. Consequently, the emphasis here should be to encourage the maximum amount of genetic exchange between habitat The increase in human population in the Pontal has patches. This will sustain acceptable levels of gealso generated a nascent non-agricultural base in netic health, making wild populations more adaptthe few urban centers with the consequence that able to future perturbations, including disease. towns are growing with few planning regards for IPE is seeking to ameliorate conditions for both huhuman or animal sanitation. For example, several mans and wildlife by encouraging multi-use stepurban domestic cats have been diagnosed with fe- pingstone and corridor forests that promote animal line immunodeficiency virus, a pathogen that has movement and also benefit farmers. This has been been shown transmissible to wild cats. The even- particularly well-received by the landless settlers tual dispersal of such diseases into more rural set- because of the multiple benefits that these systems tings is another worry for conservation biologists offer, including improved pollination services and the potential harvesting of timber. In order to prein the region. The epidemiological research in the Pontal is rele- empt the spread of potentially devastating epidemics, vant for the reasons introduced in the sections IPE researchers are also monitoring pathogens in above, but includes another facet that has rarely several wild species before and during the planting been addressed: the impact of remedial conserva- of the steppingstones and forest corridors. immunizations and parasite control, also tend to be less rigorous from the point of view of the poor settlers. That the resettlement of thousands of families is irreversible is unquestioned, therefore IPEs focus has been on providing mitigating strategies for the region. One of these has been the monitoring of the most relevant diseases of domestic and wild animals in and around important Atlantic Forest fragments (including feline immunodeficiency virus, feline leukemia virus, brucellosis, and leptospirosis). For example, IPE research so far has ascertained the presence of leptospirosis in 25% of domestic animals tested (including cows, dogs, pigs, horses and sheep) and 78% of wild swine analyzed.

Ocorrncia e abundncia de Pecary tajacu registrados por armadilhas fotogrficas no noroeste de Minas Gerais
Leonardo G. Vieira 1, 2 ; Adriano P. Paglia 1, 3, 4; Wesley Lopes 1 ; Fernando Oliveira 1; Arton J. M. Jnior 1 & Rafael F. V. Diniz 4
1

Laboratrio de Mastozoologia e Manejo de Fauna Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais Programa de Ps-graduao em Biologia Animal Universidade Federal do Esprito Santo Conservao Internacional Centro Universitrio Metodista Isabela Hendrix ambiente natural que vem sendo gradativamente substitudo por atividades agrcolas, pecurias e de reflorestamento por espcies exticas. Neste contexto, a presente pesquisa tem como objetivo principal o levantamento e monitoramento da Suiform Soundings

2
3 4

Introduo O mais significativo impacto ecolgico decorrente da ao humana sobre sistemas naturais nos ltimos sculos parece ser a perda de hbitat. Dentro desta perspectiva encontra-se o Cerrado, Page 21

Tabela 1 Espcies registradas na FBVM, seu ndice de Abundncia Relativa (IAR) e status de ameaa *BR Brasil / MG Minas Gerais Espcies Ordem Xenarthra Euphractus sexcinctus Mymercophaga tridactyla Tamandu tetradactyla Ordem Carnivora Chrysocyon brachiurus Eira barbara Leopardus pardalis Procyon cancrivorus Lycalopex vetulus Puma concolor Ordem Perissodactyla Tapirus terrestris Ordem Artiodactyla Pecary tajacu Ordem Rodentia Dasyprocta azarae Hydrochaeris hydrochaeris Ordem Lagomorpha Sylvilagus brasiliensis Nome vulgar tatu-peba tamandu-bandeira tamandu-mirim IAR 0,37 0,37 0,37 Ameaada (BR, MG) Ameaada (MG) Status*

lobo-guar irara jaguatirica mo-pelada raposinha-do-campo ona-parda anta catitu cotia capivara

1,20 0,37 1,86 1,86 2,98 0,37 0,74 2,98 2,98 0,37

Ameaada (BR, MG)

Ameaada (BR, MG) Ameaada (MG) Ameaada (BR, MG) Ameaada (MG) Ameaada (MG)

tapeti, coelho

1,86

comunidade de mamferos de mdio e grande porte numa rea de Cerrado no noroeste de Minas Gerais por meio de armadilhas fotogrficas (ver metodologia). Este estudo vem a ser um subprojeto oriundo de um projeto de longa durao, iniciado em 1998 e ainda em andamento, denominado Fauna de mamferos do Cerrado de Minas Gerais: monitoramento da diversidade de espcies e da densidade populacional, desenvolvido em trs reas de Cerrado na regio norte e noroeste de Minas Gerais e que focava, no seu escopo original, os marsupiais e roedores, tambm conhecidos como pequenos mamferos no voadores.

rea de Estudo A fazenda Brejo, propriedade da Vallourrec & Mannesmann Florestal (FBVM), est situada no noroeste de Minas Gerais no municpio de Brasilndia de Minas. Tem como principal atividade econmica o plantio de eucalipto (Eucalyptus sp.) para produo de carvo vegetal. Possui rea de aproximadamente 36.000 hectares, onde destes, apenas 27% so explorados economicamente. A vegetao nativa predominante o Cerrado (lato sensu), incluindo matas de galeria e Veredas. Metodologia Para a coleta dos dados esto sendo utilizadas, desde maro de 2003, cinco armadilhas fotogrficas, Page 22

Volume 5, no. 1. September 2005

instaladas em locais distintos e em diferentes ambientes (eg: Campo-Cerrado, Vereda, etc.), prevalecendo uma distncia mnima de cinco quilmetros entre cada ponto amostrado. O equipamento, inspecionado mensalmente, est programado para funcionamento contnuo (24 h) e com intervalo de 20 segundos entre os disparos. So utilizados filmes negativos 200ASA de 36 poses. Para o clculo de Sucesso de Captura, consideramos um registro efetivo como sendo uma fotografia da espcie em determinada armadilhafotogrfica num perodo de 24 horas, excluindo-se os registros seqenciais de um mesmo indivduo. Para a estimativa do IAR (ndice de Abundncia Relativa) de cada espcie, multiplicamos o nmero de registros efetivos por 100 e dividimos pelo esforo amostral. Resultados e Discusso Os resultados correspondem a quatro meses de amostragem. O esforo amostral foi de 268 armadilhas-dia. Obtivemos 75 fotos com 41 registros de 14 espcies de mamferos, das quais sete esto listadas como ameaadas de extino no Brasil ou em Minas Gerais (tabela 1). O sucesso de captura corresponde a 15,3%, ou seja, um registro efetivo a cada 6,5 dias de amostragem. Dentre as espcies registradas, o catitu (Pecary tajacu) apresentou juntamente com a raposinha do campo (Lycalopex vetulus) e a cotia (Dasyprocta azarae), o maior ndice de abundncia relativa (IAR). Os porcos-do-mato foram registrados em trs dos

cinco pontos amostrados (Vereda, Campo-Cerrado, Cerrado) e tambm em pequenas reas de reserva, circundadas por talhes de eucalipto. So animais bastante abundantes e as fotografias registraram os catitus sempre em grupos, no havendo registros de indivduos isolados. Existem ainda fotografias de uma fmea adulta seguida por trs filhotes alm de indivduos jovens. Espera-se que, com a continuidade deste estudo, seja possvel identificar quantas populaes esto estabelecidas no local, estimar o nmero de indivduos e, assim, inferir acerca da viabilidade das populaes de catitu na FBVM. Uma vez que a ferramenta bsica deste projeto so as armadilhas fotogrficas, alguns fatos indesejveis ocorreram, como: i) diversas ocorrncias por problemas decorrentes de mau funcionamento do equipamento, sendo necessrio a troca do mesmo, ii) invaso de cupins em uma das cmeras e conseqente perda do equipamento por queima dos circuitos e iii) furto de uma cmera, fato registrado em boletim de ocorrncia na Polcia Ambiental de Brasilndia de Minas. Apoio O presente projeto financiado pela iniciativa privada, num convnio entre a Vallourrec & Mannesmann Florestal e o Laboratrio de Mastozoologia e Manejo de Fauna da Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais.

Collared Peccary from Tucavaca, Bolivia. Photo by WCS Bolivia Page 23 Suiform Soundings

Papers and communications


First Visayan piglets in Rotterdam Zoo
Ben Kubbinga Email: b.h.kubbinga@umail.leidenuniv.nl The dry season has ended a while ago in the Philippines, which means that many animals have been busy reproducing. The Visayan warty pigs too have produced offspring in the forests of the island of Negros. However, the Philippines are not the only spot where one can feel the will to propagate: also in Rotterdam Zoo the Visayan warty pigs seem willing to reproduce. Only recently, three piglets were born. Hopefully, the other pairs will have youngsters very soon too, as it is the highest time that the captive population starts to grow. Two breeding programs In the wild, the Visayan warty pig can be found on only two islands: Panay and Negros. Unfortunately, hardly anything is left from the natural habitat of this pig. Only three national parks still harbour Visayan warty pigs, but here too they are threatened by poaching and illegal logging. That is why a project was started in the nineties to protect and breed the Visayan warty pig in order to prevent it from becoming extinct. It is believed that the warty pigs from Panay and Negros are not completely identical (for instance, the pigs from Panay are said to have longer manes). Therefore, two different breeding programs have been set up. For the first program involving the Panay-pigs an agreement was signed in 1993 by San Diego Zoo and the Philippine government. San Diego Zoo is now collaborating with a breeding centre of Panay university. The second breeding program was initiated in 1995 when Rotterdam Zoo agreed with the Philippine government to breed the pigs from Negros. This 'European' breeding program is a joint effort together with two other breeding centres on Negros. Although the pigs have been sent to Europe and the United States, they remain the property of the government of the Philippines. Moreover, participating zoos are obliged to provide the conservation projects on Panay and Negros with financial support. Traveling pigs Whereas the zoo of San Diego has been breeding the Visayan warty pigs for quite a while now, Rotterdam Zoo has welcomed three pairs just a couple of months ago. These pigs have arrived in November after a long trip. Four males and four females were gathered in March 2004 at the breeding centre of NFEFI in the north of Negros. NFEFI is a conservation agency which is involved in breeding Visayan warty pigs, but also with other threatened animal species such as the Philippine spotted deer. Some of the pigs that were brought together originated from the other breeding centre on Negros, CenTrop. Alas, during the transport to NFEFI two pigs died due to stress. Fortunately, a second attempt proved to be more successful. In special boxes the eight pigs were moved to the airport of Bacolod City from where they flew to Europe. Before going to Rotterdam however, the pigs went to Poznan Zoo in Poland where they arrived safely. After a six month period in quarantine in the polish zoo they were transported to Rotterdam Zoo. One pair stayed in Poznan Zoo because the keepers suspected the female to be pregnant. Indeed the sow gave birth to one piglet in April this year. Soon they will join the rest of the Visayan warty pigs in Rotterdam. Future plans Now that the Visayan warty pigs are here expansion of the group is needed badly. In the States the breedPage 24

Volume 5, no. 1. September 2005

of the deer. And here too, zoo who participate have to support conservation efforts in situ. This approach seems to be very effective, as conservation agencies like NFEFI on Negros are now able to build extra shelters for the animals and educate local people, including school children and farmers. Outside the Philippines, the Philippine spotted deer are being bred in zoos in the United States, Australia and Europe. Since its distribution is almost identical to that of the Visayan warty pig, two separate breeding programs have been set up. The deer from Panay were housed in American and Australian zoos. The breeding program of the deer from Negros takes place in Europe and is coordinated by Mulhouse Zoo (France). Rotterdam Zoo is also taking part in this program: by breeding the deer and by paying the salary of an education officer at NFEFI. The elegant brown spotted deer can be seen together with the Visayan-warty pigs in the Malayan Forest exhibit of Rotterdam Zoo. The new piglets can be found inside the Asia-house tiny, light-brown and striped creatures, closely resembling piglets of the Figure 1. Drawings of Visayan Warty Pigs in Rot- common wild pig. With a little bit of luck, many will follow. terdam Zoo by Ben Kubbinga ing efforts have resulted in a large bunch of offspring. As they are living in one big group this is a great view for the visitors. Now, it is Rotterdam's turn to expand the population. One pair has already produced three piglets; the other two will probably have offspring in the near future as well. As soon as Rotterdam Zoo has enough pigs to continue breeding, other zoos in Europe will participate in the program. This will eventually bring about a large captive population which is entirely owned by the Philippine government. Once a large population is established, it might be possible to release some animals back into the wild, in order to supply the wild population (comprising ca. 100-200 individuals!) with new pigs, thus preventing the population from becoming extinct. Other Philippine projects The conservation project of the Visayan warty pig is not the only project for endangered animal species in the Philippines. Earlier a similar project was launched for the severely endangered Philippine spotted deer. Conservation agencies in the Philippines are cooperating with Western zoos whereby the Philippine government stays the official owner Page 25

Photo by Ben Kubbinga of Visayan Warty Pigs at Rotterdam Zoo Suiform Soundings

The parasites of the Eurasian wild boar, Sus scrofa, in Iran: An emerging implication for public health
Shahram Solaymani-Mohammadi 1, Mostafa Rezaian 1, Hossein Hooshyar 1, Iraj Mobedi 1, Ahmad Reza Meamar 1 Department of Medical Parasitology and Mycology, School of Public Health and Institute of Public Health Research, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, P.O. Box 6446, Tehran 14155 Iran. Email: ssolymani@razi.tums.ac.ir Introduction The European wild boar, Sus scrofa Linnaeus, 1758(Mammalia: Suidae) is distributed all over Eurasia including Iran. Among its several subspecies, S. scrofa attila Thomas, 1912 is the one that occurs in different parts of Iran. Although no accurate estimates of the Iranian wild boar population is available at present, it is evident that this animal is a frequent inhabitant of regions of dense forests in littoral regions of The Caspian Sea and Persian Gulf in north and south, respectively, as well in dense oak forests in west, north west, north east, and south west of this country owing to the abundance of diet. These creatures also are found even in desert lands of south east of the country neighboring Pakistan. Of omnivorous characteristics and high adaptation capacity, this animal includes seeds, fruits, mushrooms, reptiles, amphibians, insect larvae, birds, and their eggs, small rodents and even carrions in its diet. However, in Iran the main diet is rots, bulbs, acorns, and beech nut. Analysis of the stomach contents of wild boar in agricultural areas of Luristan in western Iran revealed that wheat, vetch, lentils, grain, and maize were the commonest food items consumed. Other diets commonly consumed by these creatures were soil, amphibians, small rodents, roots, bark and other vegetable materials. Farmers local believe that this animal does not like the farmed crops equally. They believe that boars like to attack pea and wheat fields more than other crops. In cultivated farms of cane sugar in Kuzistan in south western Iran, the sugar cane was the commonest food item, but that usually more than one type of food had been eaten. Nowadays, in absence of natural enemies, S. scrofa is considered to be the mot common important vertebrate pest, causing a wild range of damages to the cultivated farms in rural regions of Iran. These Volume 5, no. 1. September 2005 animals are usually shut by farmers to protect agricultural cops, but some ethnic minorities including Christian Armenian and some gypsy tribes hunt wild boar illegally and use its meat in preparation of a delicacy. In Iran, litter size is usually between 4 and 8 piglets and up to 10 piglets per litter are not uncommon (Etemad, 1985). Similar findings have been reported from Iraq and Armenia, both neighboring Iran, where 5 and 7-10 piglets per litter as being usual (Harrison and Bates, 1991). In contrast to its domestic derivatives, reproductive activity in S. scrofa tends to be seasonal and positively correlated with the relative availability of principal foodstuffs or related climatic factors (Oliver, 1993). For example, in tropical countries, such as Sri Lanka, peak estrus activity has been recorded during the wettest months of November and December (Santiapillai and Chambers, 1980). In cooler areas of Iran, peak estrus activity has been recorded in mid winter; in contrast in warmer regions it seems that boar mate earlier in mid fall and piglet are born in late winter. Wild boars are the definitive host of a variety of helminth and protozoan parasites from which some of them are transmissible to humans (de-la-Muela, et al, 2001; Solaymani-Mohammadi, et. al, 2003; Solaymani-Mohammadi, 2004). Wild boars have been mentioned as hosts for trichinosis in Russia and other European countries (Gari-Toussaint, et.al, 2005). Relatively little research; however, has been done on the occurrence of parasitic infections between Eurasian wild boars; nearly all of the existing information comes from studies in the European countries including Germany, Spain, and Italy. There are some limited reports on the parasites of boar in Iran, most of which are from northern and western Iran (Eslami and Farsad-Hamdi, 1992; SolaymaniMohammadi, et. al, 2003; Solaymani-Mohammadi. et. al, 2004). A total of sixteen and seven different Page 26
1.

Figure 1. Distribution of Wild Boar in Iran (indicated by black dots) helminth and protozoan species have been reported from Iranian wild boars. The direct contact of boars with farm lands, resulting in their contamination by the parasites of this animal. This may increase the chance of transmission of the parasites to humans, especially in rural areas that boar roam freely. These animals make use of different diets, and this may explain the diversity of parasites having been detected in wild boar in Iran (Solaymani-Mohammadi. et.al, 2003). Some important parasites of boar that are transmissible to humans are discussed here: nella larvae (Afshar and Jafarzadeh, 1967). There is no report of human trichinellosis in Iran due to the fact that Iranians, on religious background, do not consume wild boar meat.

Trichuris suis (Shrank, 1788) occurs in pigs, wild pigs and wild boar. It is cosmopolitan in distribution. Morphologically, it is identical to T. trichura of man. Some workers believe that the two to be identical (Soulsby, 1982). Additionally, the successful experimental transmission of T. suis of pigs to humans have been reported. In western and northern Iran, 8.3% and 4% of wild boar examined in were infected by T. suis respectively. Although the human counter Helminths: Trichinella spiralis (Owen, 1833) occurs in the part of the parasite, T. trichura is prevalent in some small intestines of pig, men, wild boar, rat and parts of this country, there is no report of human inmany other mammals. Independent sylvatic and fection by this parasite. synanthropic-zoonotic cycles of infections occur. The sylvatic cycle involves wild carnivores such Taenia solium (Linnaeus, 1785) occurs in the small as foxes, jackals, wild boars, black bears, bush intestine of man and experimentally and it has been pigs, and these animals maintain the transmission. established in the gibbons and the chacma baboons. In some parts of the world, sporadic outbreaks oc- The pigs (and wild boar) are the main hosts of the cur due to the consumption of meat of wild boars adult form. Infection is common in areas where viland warthog (Nelson et al, 1961). Although trichi- lages are not supplied with sanitary facilities and nosis frequently occurs in a wide variety of Iranian where the pigs run loose scavenging for food, with canids, but only 0.04% of boars examined in ready access to human faecal materials. According to northern Iran were found to be infected by Trichi- this, human infections have been reported in some Page 27 Suiform Soundings

countries, especially in Latin America, Mexico, Peru, and southeastern Asia, where people eat cured or insufficiently cooked pork. To date, human infections with adult worms have not reported in Iran, although infections with worm larvae, Cysticercus celullosae, have been detected frequently. This shows that, at least in some parts of Iran, the wild boar-human cycle has been established, despite the religious ban on pork consumption (Solaymani-Mohammadi, et. al, 2003). It is interesting to note that, in Iran, contrary to other countries, wild boar is the solitary reservoir host for human taeniasis solium. Macracanthorhynchus hirudinaceus (Pallas, 1781) is widespread in the world, with swine, wild boars, and peccaries serving as final hosts. A history of either accidental or intentional ingestion of arthropods, especially dung beetles, is related to human infection. Most of the several hundred infections documented in humans are from China (Leng et. al, 1983). In Iran, this acanthocephalan parasite has been frequently found in a variety of canids and in wild boars (Eslami and Frasad-Hamdi, 1992; Solaymani-Mohammadi, et.al, 2003). Dung beetles are abundant in the rural areas of Iran, especially in the warm months of late spring and summer. Although no human infections having been report from Iran, it is evident that such high prevalence in wild boars and presumably high contamination of farm land represent a human infection for farmers by accidental ingestion of infected intermediate hosts. Protozoa: Wild boars are involved in transmission of some protozoa to humans from which Balantidium coli is of great medical importance and discuss here in details. In addition, Entamoeba polecki is of less medical importance, and always is misdiagnosed as human pathogenic species Entamoeba histolytica. Balantidium coli (Malmstein, 1857) Stien, 1862 is widespread in swine, and it is likely that it will be found in any pig if an adequate examination is undertaken. The prevalence of the infection in man is much lower, and prevalences of 0.6-1% have been recorded. The pig (and wild boar) appears to be the primary hosts, and in them B. coli is generally regarded as a commensal. Occasionally infections Volume 5, no. 1. September 2005

of other animals (including dog and camel) with B. coli have been reported. This parasite has been reported from wild boars in some parts of the world including Western Europe, Japan and Iran (Nakauchi, 1999; Solaymani-Mohammadi, et. al, 2004). Human infection is a zoonosis and is usually acquired from swine through the contamination of foodstuffs, fingers, etc. with pig faeces. High rates of animals examined were in infected by this parasite, suggesting the potential role of this animal in the transmission of the disease to humans. Iran is one of the most important endemic foci of human disease in the world (Solaymani-Mohammadi. et.al, 2005). Human infections are reported from nearly all parts of the country especially in southern, western, and northern of the country. The pig husbandry is prohibited in Iran on religious background; therefore, pig can be excluded as the source of human disease. It is interesting to note that the reports of human balantidiasis correspond with the distribution of wild boars in Iran. Previously, we concluded that "wild boars are probably a source of B. coli infections in humans in Iran, especially in rural areas where wild boars are abundant and where their feces could contaminate soil and water, bringing local inhabitant into direct with this parasite."(SolaymaniMohammadi. et.al, 2004; Solaymani-Mohammadi. et.al, 2005). Entamoeba polecki is found in monkeys, pigs, and wild boars all around the world. In rare cases it has been reported to cause human infections. Gay et al. (1985) reported the presence of E. polecki for the first time from a group of eight refugees from Southeast Asia. Most infected persons are individuals, and E. polecki is considered to be non-pathogenic in humans. Although no human infections have been reported so far, this parasite is a commonly found protozoan parasite found in Iranian domestic and wild suids (Shieban, 1971). Wild boars are likely to be involved in the epidemiology of parasitic zoonoses by acting as reservoir hosts for parasites that could survive in sylvatic cycles, independent of domestic cycle. In Iran wild boar has been seen approaching human settlements in rural areas of the country, probably due to the prolonged dryness suffered in many Iranian regions in the past decade. Such close proximity may accelerate the direct contact of boars with farm lands resulting in their contamination by the parasites of the wild boar. Page 28

References: Afshar, A. and Jafarzadeh, Z. (1967) Trichinosis in Iran. Ann. Trop. Med. Parasitol. 61, 349351. de-la-Muela, N., Hernandez-du-Lujan, S., and Ferre, I. (2001) Helminths of wild boar in Spain. J. Wildl. Dis. 37, 840-843. Eslami , A., and Farsad-Hamdi, S. (1992).Helminth parasites of wild boar, Sus scrofa, in Iran. J. Wildl. Dis, 28, 316-318. Etemad, E. (1985) The mammals of Iran (in Persian), Vol. 2. Tehran, Iran Department of Environment (IDE) Press Gari-Toussaint, M., Tieulie, N., Baldin, J., Dupouy-Camet, J., Delaunay, P., Fuzibet, J., Le Fichoux, Y., Pozio, E., and Marty P. (2005) Human trichinellosis due to Trichinella britovi in southern France after consumption of frozen wild boar meat. Euro. Surveill. 1; 10(6). Gay, J.D., Abell, T. L., Thompson, J. H., and Loth,V. ( 1985). Entamoeba polecki infection in Southeast Asian refugees: Multiple cases of a rarely reported parasite. Mayo Clin Proc, 60, 523-530. Harrison, D. L. and Bates, P. J. J. ( 1991). The Mammals of Arabia (2nd Ed.). Harrison Zoological Museum, Sevenoaks, United Kingdom, xvi+ 354 pp. Leng, Y. J., Huang, W. D., and Liang, P. N. (1983).Human infection with Macracanthorhynchus hirudinaceus in Guangdong province, with notes on its prevalence in China. Ann. Trop. Med. Parasitol.77, 107-109.

Nakauchi, K. (1999) The prevalence of Balantidium coli infection in fifty-six mammalian species. J. Vet. Med. Sci. 61, 63-65. Nelson, G.S., Rickman, R. and F.R.N. Pester. (1961) Feral trichinosis in Africa. Trans. Roy Soc Trop Med Hyg 55, 514517. Oliver, W. L. R. et al. (1993) The Eurasian wild pig (Sus scrofa). In Pigs, Peccaries and Hippos: Status Survey and Action Plan (Oliver, W. L. R., ed.), pp. 112-121, Gland, Switzerland: IUCN. Santapillai, C. and Chambers, M. R. (1980) Aspects of the population dynamics of the wild pig (Sus scrofa, Linnaeus 1758) in the Ruhana National Park, Sri Lanka. Spixiana 3 (3): 239-250. Shieban, F. 1971. Studies on intestinal protozoa of domestic pigs in the Tehran area of Iran. British. Vet. J. 127: 35. Solaymani-Mohammadi, S., Mobedi, I., Rezaian, M., Massoud, J., Mohebali, M., Hooshyar, H., Ashrafi, K., and Rokni, M.B. (2003) Helminth parasites of the wild boar, Sus scrofa, in Luristan province, western Iran and their public health significance. J. Helminthol. 77, 263-267. Solaymani-Mohammadi, S., Rezaian, M., Hooshyar, H., Babaei, Z., and Anwar, M. A. (2004) Intestinal protozoa in wild boars, Sus scrofa, in western Iran. J. Wildl. Dis.40, 801-803. Solaymani-Mohammadi, S., Rezaian, M., and Anwar, M. A.. (2005) Human balantidiasis in Iran: an unresolved enigma? Trends Parasitol. 21, 160161. Soulsby, E. J. L. (1982) Helminths, Arthropods and Protozoa of Domesticated Animals. Baillier Tindall, UK.

Critically Endangered Sumatran Tiger threatened by organised hunt


FFI News release, Cambridge, UK. December 10, 2004 A Sumatran pig hunting association is planning a hunt with up to a thousand men and dogs in an area adjoining one of the most important tiger sanctuaries in the world. Although the area designated for the hunt is outside of Sumatra's Kerinci-Seblat National Park borders, Critically Endangered and protected wildlife that will be threatened includes Sumatran tigers, Asian golden cats, clouded leopards, Malay tapir, sun bears and at least four species of deer. Evidence suggests that the skins of two Sumatran tiger cubs seized recently in the area were Page 29 from animals killed by pig hunters. Porbi, a Sumatran pig hunting sports association will hold a mass pig hunt and demonstration of pig baiting with dogs at a festival to be held on the 12th December 2004. The hunt, arranged in conjunction with the Pesta Danau Kerinci festival is supported by the Kerinci district government, but has dismayed local NGOs as the festival is intended to promote the area as an eco-tourism destination. Rusdi Fachrizal, a Sumatran conservationist working on tiger conservation in Kerinci district said Suiform Soundings

"We are very unhappy about this. The case of these two tigers cubs shows that pig hunters are operating outside of the rules and without control. We do not think that encouraging big organised pig hunting and pig baiting is going to help develop nature tourism in Kerinci and for so long as the hunting groups are not supervised and do not operate within the guidelines, they are a threat to rare animals in and around the national park." Additional notes The skins of the two Sumatran tiger sibling cubs were recently seized in a joint operation between Kerinci-Seblat National Park and Kerinci District police officers based on information from an undercover investigation by the national park's tiger protection team. Examination of the skins revealed that the cubs died in a frenzied attack by five or more men armed with spears and machetes - injuries consistent with the killing being carried out by pig hunters. An eyewitness to the killing has also confirmed that this was the case. The tiger skins had been concealed in the house of a Kerinci police officer and were on sale on the black market for USD550 each. It is not known what legal action is being taken against the police officer. Sumatran tigers The Sumatran is the smallest subspecies of tiger, and is listed by IUCN (the World Conservation Union) as Critically Endangered, with less than 400 individuals now surviving in the wild. They are threatened by poaching for their skins and body parts (for use in Chinese traditional medicine), and by habitat loss, which also leads to conflict as they increasingly encounter people and their livestock. Over-hunting of their prey species by humans (such as deer and wild pigs) further increases the likelihood of conflict, as they are

forced to take livestock for food. Kerinci Kerinci district in the heart of Sumatra is famous as the site of Indonesia's biggest active volcano, Mt Kerinci (3805m), and for its spectacular scenery. It is surrounded by the Kerinci-Seblat National Park, one of the largest national parks in Asia and one of the two most important tiger sanctuaries in the world. Kerinci-Seblat National Park Kerinci Seblat National Park (KSNP) covers a total of approximately 1.35 million hectares (more than 13,000 sq. km) of forest running for almost 400km north-south down the Barisan mountain range of western Sumatra. It is the second-largest national park in Southeast Asia, encompassing areas of four provinces of Sumatra - Jambi, South Sumatra, Bengkulu and West Sumatra. Approximately 80 tigers remain within the park. Over the last three years Fauna & Flora International (FFI) has worked with the Sumatran Ministry of Forestry to prevent tiger poaching, establishing three Tiger Protection and Conservation Units (TPCUs) each comprised of one National Park Ranger and three community rangers. FFI's Tiger Protection Project found that in 2003, regular patrolling led to a significant reduction in the amount of snares discovered, suggesting an overall reduction in poaching. Over the period that the project has been active, more than 91 arrests have been made both inside and outside the borders of Kerinci-Seblat National Park, for offences including poaching and trafficking in Sumatran tiger parts and other species, possession of illegal firearms and illegal logging.

New field project to study the effects of selective logging on bearded pigs and sun bears in Borneo
Siew Te Wong1 & Christopher Servheen2
1,2

Wildlife Biology Program, College of Forestry and Conservation, University of Montana, Missoula, Montana 59812 USA. Email: wongsiew@msn.com
1

Danum Valley Field Centre, PO Box 60282,91112 Lahad Datu, Sabah, Malaysia. Email: grizz@umontana.edu A new field study on bear pig (Sus barbatus) and serve and Danum Valley Conservation Area, with Malayan sun bear (Helarctos malayanus) has com- logistics stations in Danum Valley Field Center, Samenced on March 2005 at Ulu Segama Forest Re- bah, Malaysian Borneo. The project aimed to invesVolume 5, no. 1. September 2005 Page 30

tigate the effects of selective logging on Malayan sun bears and bearded pigs by comparing various ecological parameters of bears and pigs in logged and primary forests. These ecological parameters include home ranges, activity and movement patterns, population densities, habitat selection, physical condition, food habits, and food qualities. The methods that will be use including radio tracking, camera trapping, scat analysis, and collect basic information on fruit and invertebrate production in both forest types for 24 months. During the first phase of the project (March-June 2005), three focal areas in each primary and logged forests have been identified, and a 2-km transect lines have been established in each focal area. We have been collecting fruit production information using fruit traps, fruit-on-trail, and monthly monitoring of trees phenology since March 2005. We monitor inverte-

brate abundance by setting up pitfall traps and recording the abundance of two species of beetle nightly at the center. We also collected information on animal signs, such as feeding sites, trees with bear claw marks, trees with pig rubbing signs, mud wallow, and microhabitat features to investigate habitat preference. Animal trapping has been delayed due to funding and other logistics difficulties. The next six months of fieldwork will concentration on trapping and radio-tracking animals in the study area, at the same time resume all data collection on fruits, invertebrates, and animal signs. Please feel free to contact us if you have any question regarding our project. We hope this project will catalyze more studies on these two little known species that play important roles in the rainforest ecosystem of Borneo.

A preliminary survey of bearded pig (Sus barbatus) in Malinau river forest, Bulungan, East Kalimantan, Indonesia.
Titiek Setyawati, Steve Read and Graeme Coulson Email: titieks@mail.student.unimelb.edu.au Poster abstract The bearded pig (Sus barbatus), is a large wild pig of South East Asia, the species is widespread in tropical rain forest, feeding mostly on fruits and seeds of forest trees, particularly dipterocarps. Habitat degradation through logging of dipterocarps is believed to reduce the availability of food available and the loss of habitat for foraging and breeding, although little is known about the pigs diet and habitat use in response to logging. A preliminary populations survey of the bearded pig was therefore carried out in the lowland Inhutani II Malinau forest along the Malinau River, district of Malinau, East Kalimantan, Indonesia, in the rainy season from Dec 2002 to Jan 2003. There were three study sites: forest logged conventionally in 1998/99 (CL), forest logged in 1999/2000 using reduced-impact logging (RIL) and unlogged primary forest (UL). The forest was dominated by dipterocarp species, with patches of dense shrubs and regenerating species such as Macaranga sp, Anthocephalus cadamba, and Trema orientalis in logged forest. Relative densities of pigs were estimated from tracks and other traces along line transects, and from direct sightings on reconnaissance walks. Indirect evidence and sightings of pigs were lowest in RIL and highest in UL. Reconnaissance walks proved to be easier to conduct than line transects in the difficult topography of the Malinau area, although a combination of both methods would be needed for accurate monitoring of bearded pig populations in areas of dense understorey. Note: This paper was presented in the 3rd International Wildlife Management Congress, 1-5 December 2003, in Christchurch, New Zealand. This abstract has been published in 3rd International Wildlife Management Congress, Program and Abstract: Incorporating the 16th Annual Australasian Wildlife Management Society Conference (p. 271).

RECTIFICATION: The photo titled Hunted bearded pigs in Malinau (Vol. 4(2): 47) was actually taken by Titiek Setyawati, not Douglas Sheil. Page 31 Suiform Soundings

Wearable GPS transmitter for Wild Boar (Sus scrofa) - from a poster presented at the 9th International Mammal Congress, Sapporo, Japan
Takeuchi M., H. Ueda and J. Nakatani Wildlife Management Laboratory, National Agricultural Research Center for Western Region, Shimane 694-0013, Japan. Email: MASAHIKO_TAKEUCHI@affrc.go.jp

Background and Purpose


Agricultural damage by wild boar is a serious problem in western Japan. Trapping is a measure to fight wild boar damage. But then, feeding for trap attracts wild boar to crop fields.

We scrutinize hunting activity on movement behavior of wild boar. By means of GPS tracking, but ...We must avoid current collar or harness-transmitter Misalign, scragging

because neck of wild boar is less constricted and its circumference varies 20% in size seasonally.

Volume 5, no. 1. September 2005

Page 32

New attachment for wild boar to load a GPS transmitter


The vest is processed to shirr it. Weigh 350g for 70Kg size adult wild boar A cloth is made from para-aramide fibres (Kevlar). Put cloths together with the magic cloth 15% elasticity Lightweight High tearing strength Easy installation in the field working

Manufactured by TEIKOKU SEN-I, Tokyo

Field studies
Two adult females were captured and were fitted with GPS transmitters.
56 kg female 56kgC female
25th,17h ~ 26th,7h 28th,8h ~5th,May,16h
5th,17h 5th,18h 25th,9h

73.5 kg female female 73.5kgCregnant p

24th,Apr. recapture &17h released

8th, Apr.@ captured & 17h released 9th,1h 20th,20h

5th,19h `6th,16h 7th,16h`10th,9h abandoned arable land 10thC0h 1


7th,Apr. captured & 13h released 500@ m

20th,22h ~22th,18h Use bamboo @ shoot

9th,10h~10th,5h 11th,1h~20th18h : concentrate staying

20th,19h

: concentrate staying

500@ m

Wild animals can take off (shrug off).

Now, improving.

Page 33 Page 30

Suiform Soundings Suiform Soundings

From our colleagues at Pig Trop: http://pigtrop.cirad.fr/en/index.html

This information was taken from the Pig Trop website. Actual links to ISIS and species listed below can be found at: http://pigtrop.cirad.fr/en/ inquisitive/SV_isis.htm

ISIS is a non-profit organization that maintains computer-based information systems used by the worldwide zoological community. Information in the ISIS system helps members meet increasing conservation responsibilities as natural wildlife habitats disappear or become untenable. Because less than four percent of the Earths land surface is protected from development, most zoological populations must be self-sustaining, rather than dependent on wild-caught stock. ISIS data indicates that 82 percent of new zoo mammals are now born in captivity, along with 64 percent of birds and a majority of reptile species. Unfortunately, zoo populations of many species may be all that we have left. ISIS supports coordinated captive conservation programs in several regions of the world. In numerous other cases, captive propagation in zoos and other facilities are being used to augment threatened wild populations. Find animals in zoological parks With the help of the database system, you can find animals: try the following links in Mammalia / Taxonomic Names to access information about suids: Phacochoerus aethiopicus / Desert warthog Phacochoerus africanus / Warthog Phacochoerus africanus sundevallii / Warthog Phacochoerus africanus sundevallii (Group) / Warthog Potamochoerus larvatus koiropotamus / African bush pig Potamochoerus larvatus nyasae / African bush pig Potamochoerus porcus / African bush pig Potamochoerus porcus (Hybrid) / African bush pig Potamochoerus porcus pictus / African bush pig Sus barbatus / Bearded pig Volume 5, no. 1. September 2005 Page 34

Sus scrofa vittatus / Wild boar Tayassu / White-lipped peccary Tayassu (Group) / White-lipped peccary Tayassu pecari / White-lipped peccary Tayassu pecari (Group) / White-lipped peccary Tayassu pecari albirostris / White-lipped peccary
Who can become a member of ISIS?

Zoos, aquariums, animal conservation organizations and other professionally-managed public facilities that care for captive animals are typical ISIS members. In addition, zoo and aquarium associations and associations of zoo professionals may apply for formal representation in ISIS. In limited circumstances, educational facilities may become members of ISIS.
More details http://www.isis.org

NEW PUBLICATION | Iberoamerican Swine VII the World-wide Conference on Biodiversity in Biodiversity: Characterization & sustainable use Kuala Lampur (Malaysian), that is a support of the [Biodiversidad Porcina Iberoamericana: caracteri- basic postulates but in the agreements reached in zacion y uso sustentable] 1992 in the Earth Summit of Rio de Janeiro, to restrain the loss of biodiversity and to introduce the The Latin American Program of Science and necessary measures for the maintenance and imTechnology for the Development reaches a new proves of the species. goal with the publication of the book "Latin The compilation of the different national experiences American Pig Biodiversity: Characterization and stands out in this monographic work, which allows sustainable use ", presented within the activities of to have an ample and comparative vision of the difthe Latin American Network of the Local Domes- ferent organizational models and management of the tic Animal Biodiversity for the Sustainable Devel- production, the maintenance and improves of the opment. ancestries, and that will suppose, without a doubt, a Here is a monograph made like a praiseworthy stimulus for the improvement and optimization of and commendable initiative oriented to the best the scientific and technological plans of cooperation knowledge of the history and evolution of the ge- in the Latin American countries. netic animal resources in the world; referring in This work has been possible thanks to the collaboraIbero-America it occupies an emptiness in this tion of numerous groups of scientists who welcomed matter. with interest this initiative and which they have The great importance is doubtless that the pig has made a very fruitful effort for the elaboration of the on the Latin American agrarian development, different chapters. Program CYTED, when supportsince it constitutes a protein source of high level ing the publication of this book hopes to be able to and has a great potentiality for the product obtain- contribute to the conceptual systematization and the ing with quality and elevated price, with great thorough knowledge of this problematic one in the amount of sub-operated genetic forms and with Region, with the advantages that it supposes for a production systems that can produce a great envi- suitable agrarian operation of this resource animal. The made task deserves all our gratefulness, that corronmental impact. responds of very special form to all those that, under It agrees this presentation with the celebration of the direction of Juan Thin Vicente, publisherPage 35 Suiform Soundings

Brief Conservation News


Brief conservation news (1)
Conservationist turns to pig to study pheasant ple, found lowland forest cover in the Indonesian province of Kalimantan decreased by more than 56 percent John Roach between 1985 and 2001. for National Geographic News Borneo is the world's third largest island (behind Greenland and New Guinea) and is shared by the When John Rowden asks local villagers on the countries of Indonesia, Malaysia, and Brunei. Rowden Southeast Asian island of Borneo what they said the logging in Malaysian Borneo is better than in know about the Bulwer's pheasant, the first thing Indonesia only because protected area boundaries are they almost universally tell him is "'the bird is respected. delicious,'" he said. That's not the answer Rowden is seeking. He's an ornithologist with the New York-based Wildlife Conservation Society and curator of animals at the Central Park Zoo. Since 1999, he's traveled to Borneo several times every year to learn as much as he can about the elusive pheasant. Bulwer's pheasants (Lophura bulweri) are chicken-sized birds. Males have bushy white tails and folds of brilliant blue skin on their faces. Females have folds of brown skin. The pheasants are found in the wild only on Borneo and are thought to number no more than a few Photo: Bearded Pig in East Kalimantan (by Kimabajo) thousand . Meanwhile, few of the pheasants kept in zoos around the world will breed. Rowden's trips to Bearded Pigs Borneo are part of an effort to figure out how to orchestrate better chemistry between captive Hoping to learn how the pheasants breed in the wild before the birds and their habitat disappear, Rowden pheasants. spends a lot of time asking villagers for their local According to Rowden, a new generation of cap- knowledge. After they tell him how good the Bulwer's tive pheasants would help raise awareness of the pheasants taste, they say "'if you want to find the birds, birds and the conservation crisis they face in look for [bearded] pigs,'" Rowden said. their native habitat. The bearded pig (Sus barbatus) is marked by an elonIn addition to being a delicacy for local villagers, gated head, narrow body, and abundant whiskers on its the pheasants are threatened by the rapid loss of chin. It can measure as long as 5.5 feet (1.7 meters) Borneo's tropical rain forests. A study published and weigh upwards of 330 pounds (150 kilograms). February 2004 in the journal Science, for examVolume 5, no. 1. September 2005 Page 36

According to the observations of the villagers, the pheasants follow the pigs as they forage for things like tubers and bulbs. In the process of their foraging, the pigs scare up grubs that the pheasants eat. The pheasants may also eat the scraps the pigs leave behind.

inland communities and when pig populations decline there is a hunting shift to other, more endangered species like primates," he said.

Rowden's studies in Borneo have yet to yield the magic something that compels captive Bulwer's pheasants to breed. However, he said the work has opened Erik Meijaard is an expert on wild pigs, includ- the door to a larger conservation project the he being the bearded pig, at The Nature Conservancy- lieves will help save Borneo's remaining rain forest. East Kalimantan Program. He said he's "heard "If we don't have a species to show people this is an similar stories from villagers in various parts of amazingly cool bird, that's unfortunate. But we're doKalimantan, but never actually witnessed pigs ing good work on the ground protecting habitat and and pheasants together." that's ultimately what we're fighting for," he said. Rowden said the reasons for the association are scientifically unknown, but that he and other researchers plan further studies. One hope, he said, lies with the government in the Malaysian province of Sarawak on Borneo. The government is interested in learning more about the bearded pig population status since it is a major stable in the local diet. "They want to ensure such an important [food source] is protected, there is an abundance of pigs around. So it gives them an interest in studying pigs and excuse the pun I'm piggybacking on that to get more support for the Bulwer's stuff," Rowden said. Conservation Importance Meijaard said that bearded pigs are an underrated species in Bornean conservation. "They are the Photo: Male Bulwers Pheasant most important source of animal protein in many

Brief conservation news (2)


Over 300 hippos died mystically in Uganda www.chinaview.cn 2005-04-20 16:24:01 ing that each tooth goes for 4,500 shillings (about 2.86 US dollars).

The Head of the National Task Force for fighting anthrax, Nicholas Kauta told Xinhua by telephone on Wednesday that the samples that the task force KAMPALA, April 20 (Xinhuanet) -- Controversy tested indicated that the hippos died of anthrax. has erupted over how more than 300 hippos have "It is very dangerous for one to extract teeth from a died in Queen Elizabeth National Park, some 438 hippo that has died of anthrax because the disease km west of Kampala. will definitely kill him or her," said Kauta. Local reports indicate that some of the hippos Kauta however did not rule out the possibility that were poisoned so that their teeth is sold off, add- some of the hippos were poisoned because some of Page 37 Suiform Soundings

hippos were killed since mid last year but deaths Uganda Wildlife Authority officials however insist had stopped last month. that the hippos died of anthrax arguing that if poi- Hippos are listed as endangered animals under son was used then other animals would have died as the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of wild flora and fauna.Its teeth are well. Local reports indicate that a Japanese trader based used for making bangles, bracelets and necklaces in Dubai, who wants five tons of hippo teeth could that are on high demand in Asia. Enditem the carcasses were not tested. have fueled the killing of the hippos. About 300

Brief conservation news (3)


300 carcasses buried without teeth New Vision (Kampala) April 20, 2005 Gerald Tenywa Kampala MANY of the carcasses of the hippos that were killed by anthrax in Queen Elizabeth National Park were buried without teeth. This has prompted civil society sources to say some of them were poisoned, even though the Uganda Wildlife Authority (UWA) insists that anthrax killed them. Other sources say a Japanese trader based in Dubai, who wants five tonnes of hippo teeth, could have fuelled the killing of the hippos. Hippos are listed as endangered animals under the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of wild flora and fauna. Hippo teeth are used for making bangles, bracelets and necklaces that are on high demand in Asia. Some fishermen were keeping the teeth and an unnamed trader had already bought some of them from Katungulu fishing village. They sold each tooth at sh4,500, down from sh5,000, and the fishermen gave in on the understanding that large stocks would be bought. The fishermen told this reporter, who disguised as a trader, that they could collect the teeth in about a week because they were scattered in various fishing villages. They said the largest stocks were in Katungulu and Kasenyi on the fringes of Lake George, within the park. However, Moses Mapesa, the acting executive director of UWA, said, "We know for sure that the hippos died of anthrax," adding that if poisoning was used to hunt down hippos then other animals and insects would have been killed as well. However, other wildlife officials conceded that some of the carcasses were missing teeth and vowed to mount a crackdown on their illegal possession.

Brief conservation news (4)


Pygmy Hogs are not extinct Sukhendu Bhattacharya in Assam | July 08, 2005 17:58 IST Pygmy hogs (tiny wild pigs), feared to have disappeared from forests, are not extinct. Known to be present in only two Assam wildlife sanctuaries in the whole world, the pygmy hog may be one of the prized members once again in the Bornodi wildlife sanctuary. Located near the Mangaldoi township is the sanctuary, which is otherwise known among researchers as the home of another endangered species in the world, the slow loris. Volume 5, no. 1. September 2005 Page 38

"Due to its remoteness and deplorable road condition, we have very few tourists with only people doing research, mostly from south India, occasionally visiting the park," says Mangaldoi Wildlife Division Divisional Forest Officer M Momin. Seven nests, believed to be that of the hogs, were found early this year, raising hopes of the presence of the shy tiny creatures in this remote sanctuary. Excited at the discovery, Momin claims that the forest department examined all aspects before coming to the conclusion that those belonged to pygmy hogs. Although the habitats of the wild boar and the pygmy hog look almost the same, the shrub by which the nests are made are different, he says. "Experts have also tested the droppings of the animals which have been sent to competent authorities, including the Pygmy Conservation Centre in Guwahati and veterinary institutes, to confirm the presence of the creatures," the DFO says. "We are awaiting their reply. But the findings and the sighting of two pygmy hogs by a forester, a couple of months back inside the sanctuary, has given us a lot of heart," he added. The Pygmy hog, believed to be present only in the Manas Wildlife sanctuary, a world heritage site, and Bornodi, has a tragic tale. Almost the entire species was feared to have been wiped out, forcing experts to build the conservation centre in Guwahati which has been hugely successful in captive breeding of the animal. The reason for the fast dwindling numbers was that the hogs were easily poached as they were not fast runners. Being tiny, almost like a mouse, the creatures are difficult to spot inside thick jungles leading to the assumption that they might have been totally wiped out, Momin says. Villagers setting fire frequently to forest areas was another reason for the numbers coming down but gradually with awareness increasing among people, hunting had now stopped, Momin said. "We have adopted all precaution this time to ensure that the pygmy hog stays and sought necessary help and guidance from the appropriate authorities so as to build a congenial habitat this time", he said.

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Suiform Soundings

New Literature on Suiformes


Book
The Whole Hog Exploring the Extraordinary Potential of Pigs Lyall Watson ISBN 1 86197 736 0 September 2004 Price 16.99 Hardback, 288 pp.

From: http://www.profilebooks.co.uk/title.php?titleissue_id=261 [Ed.] George Orwell was right. Pigs are unquestionably the farmyard animals most likely to succeed. But why, exactly? Science has been slow to pin down the source of their superiority. Pigs are dramatically different from their closest and more placid relatives, sheep, deer and cattle. During forty million years of evolution, they seem to have made a series of canny decisions, adapting to changing circumstances much as humans have by becoming more versatile, more gregarious and more curious. Sixteen species of wild pigs now occupy every continent except Australia and Antarctica, filling in the environmental gaps by deploying a panoply of domestic and feral forms pigs for all seasons. The Whole Hog is their story. The biologist Lyall Watson has tracked pigs in the wild, observed their resourceful and playful lives, deciphered their grunts and oinks and is convinced pigs deserve new respect. Excerpt "Pigs enrich my life in surprising ways. I know of no other animals that are more consistently curious, more willing to explore new experiences, more ready to meet the world with open mouthed enthusiasm. Pigs, I have discovered, are uncurable optimists and get a big kick out of just being. We have a lot to learn from them." A brilliant contribution to the pig cause . . . a book you can root about in and be sure of discovering unexpected ideas and delicious morsels of information. It kept me occupied for hours, snuffling and oinking contentedly. Oliver Pritchett, Sunday Telegraph Walking with these pigs, watching them through Watsons eyes, will convince anyone that the pig is a true wonder. The Scotsman More quotes for The Whole Hog at: http://www.profilebooks.co.uk/quotes.php?titleissue_id=261

Volume 5, no. 1. September 2005

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Ecology and conservation studies 1. Lee, R. J., A. J. Gorog, et al. (2005). "Wildlife trade and implications for law enforcement in Indonesia: a case study from North Sulawesi." Biological Conservation 123(4): 477-488. Abstract: Excessive hunting pressure, due in large part to commercialization, has reduced the populations of many tropical large mammal species. Wildlife over-exploitation is severe in Indonesia, especially on Sulawesi, where human resources and funding are inadequate to monitor the wildlife trade and enforce existing protection laws. In response, the Wildlife Crimes Unit program was established in December 2001 to: (i) monitor wildlife transportation into North Sulawesi and market sales; (ii) provide legal and technical support to law enforcement agencies; and (iii) promote public awareness of wildlife and protection laws. Over a two-year period, 6963 wild mammals en route to markets were encountered (similar to 8 individuals h(-1)) and 96,586 wild mammals were documented during market surveys. The trade of some protected mammals declined significantly over this period, but overall trade in wild mammals increased by 30%. High volume of trade in non-protected animals such as the Sulawesi pig Sus celebensis and large flying foxes (Pteropodidae), raise concerns about the sustainability of current harvesting. To combat this problem, we recommend that: (1) efforts are continued to reduce trade in protected species; (2) protected status is extended to heavily traded but non-protected taxa, such as flying foxes; (3) the effects of hunting on rat and bat populations, as well as its impact on forest dynamics, are quantified; and (4) work is carried out with local communities to strengthen awareness, set sustainable limits on wild mammal harvesting, and establish practical mechanisms for enforcing these limits. (c) 2005 Elsevier Ltd. All riehts reserved. 2. Cruz, F., C. J. Donlan, et al. (2005). "Conservation action in the Galapagos: feral pig (Sus scrofa) eradication from Santiago Island." Biological Conservation 121(3): 473-478. Introduced mammals are major drivers of extinction and ecosystem change. As omnivores, feral pigs (Sus scrofa) are responsible for wholesale adverse effects on islands. Here, we report on the eradication of feral pigs from Santiago Island in the Galapagos Archipelago, Ecuador, which is the largest insular pig removal to date. Using a combination of ground hunting and poisoning, over 18,000 pigs were removed during this 30-year eradication campaign. A sustained effort, an effective poisoning campaign concurrent with the hunting program, access to animals by cutting more trails, and an intensive monitoring program all proved critical to the successful eradication. While low and fluctuating control efforts may help protect select native species, current eradication methods, limited conservation funds, and the potential negative non-target impacts of sustained control efforts all favor an intense eradication effort, rather than a sustained control program. The successful removal of pigs from Santiago Island sets a new precedent, nearly doubling the current size of a successful eradication, and is leading to more ambitious projects. However, now we must turn toward increasing eradication efficiency. Given limited conservation funds, we can no longer afford to spend decades removing introduced mammals from islands. (C) 2004 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved. Taxonomic, morphological, biogeographic, and evolutionary studies 1. Gongora, J. and C. Moran (2005). "Nuclear and mitochondrial evolutionary analyses of Collared, White-lipped, and Chacoan peccaries (Tayassuidae)." Molecular Phylogenetics and Evolution 34(1): 181-189. Abstract: The three extant peccary species, the Chacoan (Catagonus wagneri), the White-lipped (Tayassu pecari) and the Collared (Pecari tajacu), are morphologically and chromosomally distinct Page 41 Suiform Soundings

and confined to the New World. There is ongoing paleontological, cytogenetic, and molecular debate about phylogenetic relationships among them. To contribute to the understanding of Tayassuidae phylogeny, three mitochondrial (control region, cytochrome b, and 12S rRNA) and five nuclear (K-casein, thyrotropin, tyrosinase, and swine short interspersed nuclear elements PRE-1 P27 and P642) peccary DNA fragments were amplified, cloned and sequenced from Chacoan, White-lipped, and Collared peccaries. Phylogenetic analyses were performed using maximum likelihood and neighbor joining methods. K-casein, thyrotropin, and tyrosinase sequences did not resolve the phylogeny, while control region, cytochrome b, 12S rRNA, and PRE-1 P27 and P642 sequences were more informative in deciphering phylogenetic relationships. When pig and warthog were used as an outgroup, Chacoan and White-lipped peccaries clustered distinct from Collared peccaries. Furthermore, control region and cytochrome b sequence variation within Collared peccaries was as extreme as that between White-lipped and Chacoan peccaries, supporting subspecific and possibly even specific variation within the widely distributed Collared peccary. This study supports the existence of two independent genera within the Tayassuidae family consisting of Collared and Chacoan/White-lipped peccaries, in contrast with classical morphological taxonomy which clusters White-lipped and Collared peccaries in the genus Tayassu or which alternatively clusters the Collared peccary in the genus Dicotyles as a related sister clade of the Chacoan peccary (genus Catagonus). 2. Li, C.-Q., Q. Chang, et al. (2005). "Phylogeography and population structure of the wild boar Sus scrofa in northeast Asia based on mitochondrial DNA control region variation analysis." Acta Zoologica Sinica 51(4): 640-649. Abstract: The wild boar (Sus scrofa), which inhabits wide areas of Asia, Europe, and North Africa, is an ancestral species of domestic pigs with 27 subspecies. Five subspecies inhabiting Northeast Asia are the Ussurian wild boar (S. s. ussuricus), the North China wild boar (S. s. moupinensis), the Japanese wild boar (S. s. leucomystax), the Ryukyu wild boar (S. s. riukiuanus), and the Korean wild boar (S. s. coreanus). Total of 144 mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) control regions of wild boars from these areas were analyzed and the phylogeographic characteristics and genetic population structure were investigated. Thirty-four wild boar haplotypes detected from the whole sequences of the mtDNA control region were analyzed using the neighbor-joining method. The phylogenetic relationship indicates that the wild boars in Northeast Asia share a common ancestor. The Japanese wild boars were more closely related to Northeast China wild boars than the others, and the Ryukyu wild boars have a closer relationship with the Northern China wild boars. Nested contingency analysis of geographical associations and the nested cladistic analysis of geographical distance for the mtDNA haplotypes of control region indicate that there is significant geographical population structure in wild boars of Northeast Asia. The results also suggest that: (1) the ancestral population had experienced a long distance movement to establish the contemporary population;(2) the Ryukyu wild boar population may descend from the continental boar, and it may have experienced allopatric fragmentation in the past;(3) the Northern China wild boar population in southern areas has higher genetic diversity than that in the northern areas, and the population has experienced contiguous range expansions 3. Gongora, J., P. Fleming, et al. (2004). "Phylogenetic relationships of Australian and New Zealand feral pigs assessed by mitochondrial control region sequence and nuclear GPIP genotype." Molecular Phylogenetics and Evolution 33(2): 339-348. Volume 5, no. 1. September 2005 Page 42

Abstract: Pigs were introduced into Australia and New Zealand in the 18th and 19th centuries, with some establishing feral populations. With few records of pig introductions into these two countries, molecular phylogenetic analysis was used to assess their origins. Mitochondrial (mt) control region sequence and nuclear glucosephosphate isomerase pseudogene (GPIP) restriction fragments were used, as distinct European and Asian domestic pig and Wild Boar control region clades and GPIP genotypes can be recognised. Feral pig control region sequences clustered with either European or Asian domestic pig sequences and both Asian and European GPIP alleles were segregating. It was not possible to distinguish direct importation of Asian domestic animals into Australia and New Zealand from indirect introgression of Asian domestic sequences via Europe. However, the clustering of three feral control region sequences of pigs from northern Australia with Asian Wild Boar implies unrecorded introduction of Wild Boar or crossbred animals into Australia. However, two of these feral pigs had European GPIP alleles. In combination, analyses of control region and GPIP markers suggest that both European and Asian pigs have contributed in similar frequencies to the origins of Australian feral pigs. 4. Lucchini, V., E. Meijaard, et al. (2005). "New phylogenetic perspectives among South-East Asian wild pig species based on mtDNA sequences and morphometric data." Journal of Zoology 266(1): 2535. Abstract: There are more taxa of wild pig in South-east Asia (SEA) than in any other comparable area in the world, but the number of species and subspecies is still uncertain. The taxonomy of some wild pig populations distributed in Malaysia, Indonesia and the Philippines, was investigated using molecular and morphometric techniques. Our results suggest the existence of two main evolutionary clades that are likely to have diverged during the Pliocene in SEA: one including wild pig populations distributed in the Philippines (Sus cebifrons) and Sulawesi (S. celebensis); the other including the Indonesian and Malaysian bearded pigs (S. barbatus), and the widespread Eurasian wild boar (S. scrofa). A possible scenario for pig speciation in SEA is developed, and the need for a taxonomic revision of bearded pigs suggested, particularly concerning the taxonomic status of S. b. ahoenobarbus from Palawan Island, and the existence a new species distributed in the Tawi Tawi Islands (Philippines). Unexpectedly, bearded pigs in the Malay Peninsula are closely related to the Bornean population, but distinct from Sumatran S. barbatus, and they should be considered as belonging to a different subspecies. 5. Jones, C. J., T. C. Santos, et al. (2004). "Placental glycosylation in peccary species and its relation to that of swine and dromedary." Placenta 25(7): 649-657. Abstract: Comparison has been made between glycans at the fetomaternal interface of two Tayassu species (New World peccaries or wild pigs) and those of swine (true pigs) and dromedary, which have similar epitheliochorial placentae. Plastic sections of near-term fetomaternal interface from Tayassu tajacu (120 days gestation) and Tayassu pecari (140 days gestation) were stained with 20 lectins and compared with those of swine (109 days) and dromedary (375 days). Both Tayassu species showed similar staining characteristics, which differed only slightly from those of the swine. Most differences were quantitative rather than qualitative, except for binding of Arachis hypogaea lectin to terminal beta-galactose which was absent in swine uterine epithelium though present in both Tayassu species, and binding of Sambucus nigra lectin to sialic acid which was absent in swine epithelium and trophoblast though present in Tayassu. Glycosylation of the dromedary fetomaternal interface showed, in contrast, significant differences compared to Tayassu and swine, particularly regarding fucosyl, sialyl and terminal galactosyl residues. Despite a divergence of between 33 million and 37 million years between true pigs and peccaries, glycosylation of the fetomaternal interface has remained similar, with most of the observed changes affecting Page 43 Suiform Soundings

terminal structures. The dromedary has an epitheliochorial placenta with a similar architecture, but different glycan expression, suggesting modification of glycosyl transferases with evolution. These data contain clues to changes of glycosyl transferase activity that accompany speciation. 6. Fang, M., X. Hu, et al. (2005). "The phylogeny of Chinese indigenous pig breeds inferred from microsatellite markers." Animal Genetics February 36(1): 7-13. Abstract: Summary: A genetic study of 32 local Chinese, three foreign pig breeds [Duroc (DU), Landrace and Yorkshire], and two types of wild boar (Hainan and Dongbei wild boar) based on 34 microsatellite loci was carried out to clarify the phylogeny of Chinese indigenous pig breeds. The allele frequencies, effective numbers of alleles, and the average heterozygosity within populations were calculated. The results showed that the genetic variability of the Lingao pig was the largest, while the Jiaxing pig was the lowest. The greatest distance between domestic pigs was found between Shanggao and DU pig and the shortest was found between Wuzhishan and Lingao pig, respectively. A neighbour-joining tree constructed from Modified Cavalli-Sforza genetic distances divided Chinese pigs into two clusters; four subclusters were also identified. Our results only partly agree with the traditional types of classification and also provide a new relationship among Chinese local pig breeds. Our data also confirmed that Chinese pig breeds have a different origin from European/American breeds and can be utilized in programmes that aim to maintain Chinese indigenous pig breeds., Copyright (C) 2005 Blackwell Publishing Ltd. 7. Larson, G., K. Dobney, et al. (2005). "Worldwide Phylogeography of Wild Boar Reveals Multiple Centers of Pig Domestication." Science Mars Express: Mapping With OMEGA. March 307(5715): 1618-1621. Abstract: Mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) sequences from 686 wild and domestic pig specimens place the origin of wild boar in island Southeast Asia (ISEA), where they dispersed across Eurasia. Previous morphological and genetic evidence suggested pig domestication took place in a limited number of locations (principally the Near East and Far East). In contrast, new genetic data reveal multiple centers of domestication across Eurasia and that European, rather than Near Eastern, wild boar are the principal source of modern European domestic pigs., Copyright (C) 2005 by the American Association for the Advancement of Science 8. Spencer, P. B. S. and J. O. Hampton (2005). "Illegal translocation and genetic structure of feral pigs in Western Australia." Journal of Wildlife Management 69(1): 377-384. Abstract: Unlike many regions in the world where wild pigs (Sus scrofa) are threatened, in Australia they are a significant invasive species. As such, the molecular ecology of feral pigs was investigated to understand their social and population genetic structure. Samples from 269 adult animals were collected over their distribution ill southwestern Australia. Using 14 highly polymorphic microsatellite markers, we identified 7 inferred feral pig populations that had moderate heterozygosity (mean = 0.580) and displayed a high level of differentiation (mean R-ST = 0.180). In revealing the genetic structure of feral pigs, we detected anomalies in the pi native origin of some individuals. Samples from these animals were collected from 2 main areas: recently colonized regions that were previously uninfested, and established feral pig populations, where animals from geographically isolated areas had been introduced. In the latter, these corresponded to areas that were in close proximity to public road access and towns. Given the large distances immigrants were found from their population of origin (from 50 to > 400 km), the generally low levels of dispersal of southwest feral pigs, and the grouping and sex of these pigs, we Volume 5, no. 1. September 2005 Page 44

suggest that these individuals have been deliberately and illegally translocated to supplement recreational hunting stocks. Additionally, we could not detect any genetic contribution in these feral pigs from domestic pig herds, suggesting that the deliberate release of domestic pigs to restock feral Populations is relatively uncommon. Our molecular data allowed some inferences regarding the Success or lack thereof of current, management practices, and offered considerable insights into the dynamics of the feral pig populations and identification of "new" approaches that may allow for better control of this highly destructive species. 9. Hopkin, M. (2005). "Phylogeny: Hippo relations." Nature February 433(7025): 474. Full text: A morphological analysis has helped to fill a large gap in the evolutionary story of the hippopotamus. The discovery also brings researchers a step nearer to closing the book on a debate that has lasted more than 150 years. Taxonomists had suggested that the nearest living relatives of hippos are pigs. But genetic analyses indicated that hippos are more closely related to cetaceans (whales, dolphins and the like). Jean-Renaud Boisserie et al. now report that hippos are the only surviving members of a group of animals known as anthracotheres and that the anthracotheres are the sister group of the cetaceans. They base this conclusion on studies of a range of animal species, including Libycosaurus, a semi-aquatic anthracothere that lived in Africa between 12 million and 6 million years ago. The link between hippos and anthracotheres, which are well represented in the fossil record, also enables the evolutionary history of hippos to be traced back through what was a frustrating 40-million-year hole in their story. Reference: Boisserie et al. Proc. Natl Acad. Sci. USA 102, 15371541 (2005) Veterinary studies 1. Rossi, S., E. Fromont, et al. (2005). "Incidence and persistence of classical swine fever in freeranging wild boar (Sus scrofa)." Epidemiology & Infection June 133(3): 559-568. Abstract: Although veterinary authorities aim to limit persistence of classical swine fever (CSF) in wild boar (Sus scrofa), to avoid potential transmission to pigs, factors influencing CSF transmission and persistence are not clearly understood. Here we analyse incidence and persistence in a CSF epidemic that occurred in the French Vosges Forest. Higher incidence was found in large forests compared to smaller isolated ones, being highest near the starting point of the epidemic, but poorly related to the local density. We hypothesize that the spatial and social structure of wild boar populations may be responsible for this variability of incidence over space. Persistence was highest near the starting point of the epidemic and where initial density was highest. We hypothesize that persistence was favoured by the abundance of young wild boar, itself encouraged by CSF. Our results allow us to propose management measures aimed at limiting CSF persistence., (C) Cambridge University Press 2005 2. Gauss, C. B. L., J. P. Dubey, et al. (2005). "Seroprevalence of Toxoplasma gondii in wild pigs (Sus scrofa) from Spain." Veterinary Parasitology 131(1-2): 151-156. Abstract: Sera collected from 507 hunter-killed wild pigs (Sus scrofa) between 1993 and 2004 from five geographic regions in northern Spain and seven regions in southern Spain were assayed for antibodies to Toxoplasma gondii by the modified agglutination test (MAT). Antibodies to T gondii were detected in 185 (38.4%) of 507 pigs with titers of 1:25 in 71, 1:50 in 111 and >= 1:500 in 3; seroprevalence was significantly higher (P < 0.05) in pigs from southern regions. Seroprevalence was density dependent; it Page 45 Suiform Soundings

was higher in pigs from high stocking per hectare and availability of forage. Statistically significant differences were not observed between T gondii seroprevalence and hunting estates (open versus fenced), sex or age. Serological results indicate a widespread exposure to T gondii among Spanish wild boars, suggesting that this population could represent a public health risk for persons that handle or consume raw or undercooked infected wild pig meat. Published by Elsevier B.V. [References: 31] 3. Ehlers, B. and S. Lowden (2004). "Novel herpesviruses of Suidae: indicators for a second genogroup of artiodactyl gammaherpesviruses." Journal of General Virology 85(857-862). Abstract: Five novel herpesviruses were identified in suid species from Africa (common warthog, Phacochoerus africanus) and South-East Asia (bearded pig, Sus barbatus; babirusa, Babyrousa babyrussa) by detection and analysis of their DNA polymerase genes. Three of the novel species, P. africanus cytomegalovirus 1, P. africanus lymphotropic herpesvirus 1 (PafrLHV-1) and S. barbatus lymphotropic herpesvirus 1 (SbarLHV-1), were closely related to known beta- (porcine cytomegalovirus) and gammaherpesviruses [porcine lymphotropic herpesvirus (PLHV) 1 and 3] of domestic pigs. In contrast, two novel species, S. barbatus rhadinovirus 1 (SbarRHV-1) and Babyrousa babyrussa rhadinovirus 1 (BbabRHV-1), were more closely related to a ruminant gammaherpesvirus, bovine herpesvirus 4 (BoHV-4), than to the porcine gammaherpesviruses PLHV-1, -2, -3, PafrLHV-1 and SbarLHV-1. SbarRHV-1, BbabRHV-1 and BoHV-4 were therefore tentatively assigned to a novel genogroup of artiodactyl gammaherpesviruses. This latter genogroup may also contain an as yet undiscovered gammaherpesvirus of domestic pigs, thereby adding a concern to their use in xenotransplantation. 4. Saikawa, Y., K. Hashimoto, et al. (2004). "The red sweat of the hippopotamus." Nature May 429 (6990): 363. Abstract: The red and orange pigments in this secretion account for its protective properties., (C) 2004 Nature Publishing Group Palaeontological studies 1. Boisseriea, J.-R., A. Zazzoc, et al. (2005). "Diets of modern and late Miocene hippopotamids: Evidence from carbon isotope composition and micro-wear of tooth enamel." Palaeogeography, Palaeoclimatology, Palaeoecology 221(1-2): 153-174. Abstract: Carbon isotope composition and micro-wear analyses of tooth enamel were used to reconstruct the diet of late Miocene hippopotamids unearthed in the Toros-Mnalla area, Chad, contemporary to the oldest known hominids. A large sample of wild modern Hippopotamus amphibius from various locations in Africa was also analysed for comparison. Isotopic analyses showed that the modern hippo, reputedly a strict grazer, has a more varied diet than usually thought, including a significant amount of C3 plants in closed to moderately open environments. Enamel formed before weaning was on average 3 depleted in 13C compared to post-weaning enamel, a pattern that could be partially explained by milk consumption. The observed micro-wear pattern of the modern hippo differs from that of other modern ungulates. We explain the very abundant fine scratches and small pits found on these hippo teeth by the preference for fresh short grasses with low silicon content. The diet of the late Miocene hippopotamid was probably close to that of the modern Hip. amphibius, but included a larger amount of C3 plants. This contradicts previous palaeoecological findings based on relative hypsodonty degree and indicates that the modern feeding behaviour of large hippos was already developed at the end of the Miocene, when C4 grass exploitation by large ungulates became much more frequent in Africa. Finally, it also inVolume 5, no. 1. September 2005 Page 46

dicates that C4 grasses were a significant component in late Miocene environments of Central Africa.

RECENT LITERATURE ON PECCARIES (2002-2005) Albert, S., Ramotnik, C., and Schmitt, C.G. 2004. Collared peccary range expansion in northwestern New Mexico. Southwestern Naturalist, 49 (4): 524-528. Altrichter M. and Boaglio G. 2004. Distribution and relative abundance of peccaries in the Argentine Chaco: associations with human factors. Biological Conservation 116: 217-225. Altrichter, M., Almeida, R., 2002. Exploitation of white-lipped peccaries Tayassu pecari (Artiodactyla: Tayssuidae) on the Osa Peninsula, Costa Rica. Oryx 36, 126. Altrichter, M., Drews, C. Saenz, J. and Carrillo, E. Evaluacin de los mtodos de barrido y focal para estudiar el comportamiento del chancho cariblanco Tayassu pecari en un bosque hmedo tropical. En prensa en Vida Silvestre Neotropical. Beck, H. 2005. Seed Predation and Dispersal by Peccaries throughout the Neotropics and its Consequences: a Review and Synthesis. In: Seed Fate (Forget P.M., J.E. Lambert, P.E. Hulme and S.B. Vander Wall, Eds). CAB International. Bosma, A.A., de-Haan, N.A., Arkesteijn, G.J.A., Yang, F., Yerle, M., Zijlstra, C. 2004. Comparative chromosome painting between the domestic pig (Sus scrofa) and two species of peccary, the collared peccary (Tayassu tajacu) and the white-lipped peccary (T. pecari): a phylogenetic perspective. Cytogenetic and Genome Research,105(1): 115-121. Carrillo E., Saenz, Joel, C. and Fuller, T. K. 2002. Movements and activities of white-lipped peccaries in Corcovado National Park, Costa Rica Biological Conservation 108: 317324 Carvalho, A.F. et al. 2003. Analise microscopica do ovario de cateto em fase gestacional. Microscopical analysis of the ovary of collared peccary in phase gestacional. Revista Brasileira de Reproducao Animal, 27(2): 278-279. Costa, D.S., Henry, M., Paula, T.A. 2004. Espermatogenese de catetos (Tayassu tajacu) Spermatogenesis in the collared peccary (Tayassu tajacu). Arquivo Brasileiro de Medicina Veterinaria e Zootecnia, 56(1): 46-51. Cullar, E. y A. Noss. 2003. Mamferos del Chaco y la Chiquitania de Santa Cruz, Bolivia. Santa Cruz: WCS, FCBC, FAN. Dubost, G., Dutertre, C. and Henry, O. 2003. Body weight increase in the two peccary species of the genus Tayassu (Tayassuidae, Artiodactyla). Mammalia, 67(1): 55-63. Ferrari, S.F. and Port, C.M. 2003. Predation of an infant collared peccary by a Harpy Eagle in eastern Amazonia Wilson Bulletin, 115(1): 103-104. Figueira, M.L.O.A.; Carrer, C.R.O. and Silva Neto, P.B. 2003. Ganho de peso e evoluo do rebanho de queixadas selvagens em sistemas de criao semi-extensivo e extensivo, em reserva de Cerrado. R. Bras. Zootec., vol.32, no.1, p.191-199. Fuller, T.K., Carrillo, E. and Saenz, J.C. 2002 Survival of protected white-lipped peccaries in Costa Rica. Note. Can. J. Zool. 80, 586-589. Gongora, J. and Moran, C. 2005. Nuclear and mitochondrial evolutionary analyses of Collared, Whitelipped, and Chacoan peccaries (Tayassuidae). Molecular Phylogenetics and Evolution, 34(1): 181189. Jones C.J., Santos T.C., Abd-Elnaeim M., Dantzer V., Miglino M.A. 2004. Placental glycosylation in Page 47 Suiform Soundings

peccary species and its relation to that of swine and dromedary. Placenta.; 25(7):649-57. Julio, B. 2003. Estudio de la abundancia de huellas de taitet (Tayassu tajacu) en poca seca. Pp. 7-9 en R.L. Cullar (ed.), I Congreso de investigadores en el Parque Nacional Kaa-Iya del Gran Chaco y zonas de influencia (La Brecha, 1-2 de octubre de 2002): Memoria. Santa Cruz: Proyecto Kaa-Iya. Keuroghlian, A., Eaton, D. and Longland, W. 2004. Area use by white-lipped and collared peccaries (Tayassu pecari and Tayassu tajacu) in a tropical forest fragment. Biological Conservation, 120(3): 411-425. Kim, K.I., Lee, J.H., Li, K., Zhang, Y.P. Lee, S.S., Gongora, J. and Moran, C. 2002. Phylogenetic relationships of Asian and European pig breeds determined by mitochondrial DNA D-loop sequence polymorphism Animal. Genetics, 33(1): 19-25. Lpez, M.T., Altrichter, M, Saenz, J. and Eduarte, E. Aspectos nutricionales de la dieta del chancho cariblanco Tayassu pecari (Artiodactyla: Tayassuidae) en el Parque Nacional Corcovado, Costa Rica. En prensa en Biologia Tropical. Maffei F., L. 2004. Age structure of two hunted peccary species in the Bolivian Chaco (Tayassu tajacu and T. pecari). Mammalia 67(4):575-578. Mayor, P., Jori, F., and Lopez, B.M 2004. Anatomicohistological characteristics of the tubular genital organs of the female, collared peccary (Tayassu tajacu) from north-eastern Amazon. Anatomia Histologia Embryologia, 33(2): 65-74. Mayor, P., Lopez, G. and Lopez, B.M. 2005. Integrating ultrasonography within the reproductive management of the collared peccary (Tayassu tajacu). Theriogenology 63(7): 1832-1843. McCowan, C., Stanley,R., Lynch,M. 2002. Transitional cell carcinoma metastatic to the eye in a collared peccary (Tayassu tajacu). Veterinary Ophthalmology, 5(3): 235-239. Milees, R.S., Terborgh, J.W. and Kiltie, R.A.2003. Population regulation of a dominant rain forest tree by a major seed predator. Ecology, 84(2): 431438. Naranjo, E., Guerra, M., Bodmer, R., and Bolanos, J. 2004. Subsistence hunting by three ethnic groups of the Lacandon Forest, Mexico. Journal of Ethnobiology, 24(2): 233-253. Noon, T., Heffelfinger, J.R., Olding, R.J., Wesche, S.L., and Reggiardo, C. 2003. Serologic survey for antibodies to canine distemper virus in collared peccary (Tayassu tajacu) populations in Arizona. Journal-of-Wildlife-Diseases, 39(1): 221-223. Noss, A.; Cullar E. & Cullar, R. 2004. An Evaluation of Hunter Self-Monitoring in the Bolivian Chaco. Human Ecology, Volume 32, Number 6, December 2004, pp. 685-702(18) Noss, A.J., S.R. Deem, and J. Ayala. 2002. Use of trained dogs to capture ungulates in the Bolivian Chaco. Mammalia 66(2):297-300. Padilla, A. y J. Banegas. 2003. Abundancia del solitario Catagonus wagneri en el bosque chaqueo. Pp. 9-11 en R.L. Cullar (ed.), I Congreso de investigadores en el Parque Nacional Kaa-Iya del Gran Chaco y zonas de influencia (La Brecha, 1-2 de octubre de 2002): Memoria. Santa Cruz: Proyecto Kaa-Iya. Paula, V.V. et al. 2003. Morfologia dos orgaos genitais femininos de catetos criados em cativeiro no semi-arido nordestino. Revista Brasileira de Reproducao Animal, 27(2): 276-277. Selmi, A.L., Mendes, G.M., Figueiredo, J.P., Guimares, F.B., Selmi, G.R.B., Bernal, F.E.M., McMannus, C. & Paludo, G.R. 2003. Chemical restraint of peccaries with tiletamine/zolazepam and xylazine or tiletamine/zolazepam and butorphanol. Veterinary Anaesthesia and Analgesia 30 (1), 24-29.

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Sicuro, F.L. and Oliveira, L.F.B. 2002. Coexistence of peccaries and feral hogs in the Brazilian Pantanal wetland: An ecomorphological view. Journal of Mammalogy, 83(1): 207-217. Silvius, K.M. 2002. Spatio-temporal patterns of palm endocarp use by three Amazonian forest mammals: granivory or grubivory? Journal of Tropical Ecology 18, 707723. Silvius, K.M. and Fragoso, J.M.V. (2002) Pulp handling by vertebrate seed dispersers increases palm seed predation by bruchid beetles in the northern Amazon. Journal of Ecology 90, 10241032. Sipos, W., Fischer, L., Schindler, M. and Schmoll, F. 2003. Genotyping of Clostridium perfringens isolated from domestic and exotic ruminants and swine. Journal of Veterinary Medicine. Series B, 50 (7): 360-362. Sonner, J.B., Santos,T.C. and Miglino, M.A. 2002. Morfologia dos testiculos em queixadas (Tayassu peccari Link 1795). Revista Brasileira de Reproducao Animal, 26(2): 83-85. Sutherland, S. Meg Campos, J.M., Cramer, C., Thorstadt, C., Morris, P. 2004. Immobilization of Chacoan peccaries (Catagonus wagneri) using medetomidine, Telazol(R), and ketamine Journal-ofWildlife-Diseases.; 40(4): 731-736 Toone, W. and Wallace, M. 2002. The giant peccary- An outstanding example of adaptation to a subtropical dryland ecosystem. Biodiversity 3: 28-31. Wyatt, J.L., and Silman, M.R. 2004. Distance-dependence in two Amazonian palms: effects of spatial and temporal variation in seed predator communities. Oecologia (Berlin), 140(1): 26-35. Zervanos, S.M. 2002.Renal structural adaptations among three species of peccary. SouthwesternNaturalist, 47(4): 527-531. Tesis y disertaciones Altrichter, M. 2005. Factors underlying the interactions between people and wildlife in the Argentine Chaco. PhD thesis, School of Natural Resources, University of Arizona. Aparcio, A.P.G. 2004. Fisiologa reproductiva y desarrollo de mtodos diagnsticos del estado reproductivo de la hembra de pcari de collar (Tayassu tajacu, Linnaeus 1758) de la Amazona. Tesis Doctoral, Universitat Autonoma de Barcelona., Facultat de Veterinria, Barcelona, Espanha. Crcamo Rojas, G. 2004. Valores hematolgicos en pecares labiados (Tayassu pecari), mantenidos en cautiverio en el Zoolgico Parque de las Leyendas, Lima-Per. Asesores: L Elas, O., Alvarado, L. y Muoz, K. Tesis para optar el grado de Mdico Veterinario, Universidad Nacional Mayor de San Marcos, Lima-Per. Jcomo, A.T.A. 2004. Ecologia, manejo e conservao do queixada (Tayassu Pecari) no Parque Nacional das Emas em propriedades rurais de seu entorno. Tese de Doutorado, Universidade de Braslia, Instituto de Cincias Biolgicas, Braslia, Brasil. Keuroghlian, A. 2003. The response of peccaries to seasonal fluctuations in an isolated patch of tropical forest. PhD thesis, University of Nevada, Reno, Nevada. Mayor, P. 2004. Fisiologa reproductiva y desarrollo de mtodos diagnsticos del estado reproductivo del pcari de collar (Tayassu tajacu) en la Amazona. Tesis para optar al grado de Doctor. Barcelona: Universitat Autnoma de Barcelona. Mendoza, P. 2005. Estudio serolgico de la prevalencia de anticuerpos contral leptospira en pecares de collar (Tayassu tajacu) en cautiverio en la Amazona Peruana. Asesores: Cspedes, M., Glvez, H. y Mayor, P. Tesis para optar el grado de Mdico Veterinario, Universidad Nacional Mayor de San

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Marcos, Lima-Per. Miserendino, R. S. 2002. Uso de Habitat y area dea ccion del taitetu (Pecari tajacu) en la zona de Cerro Cortado, Izozog (Gran Chaco), Provincia Cordillerana, Universidad Mayor de San Andres, Santa Cruz, Bolivia. Master Tesis. La Paz, Bolivia. Romero, M.S. 2005. Niveles referenciales de urea y creatinina en huanganas (pero puedes cambiar por el nombre de pecares labiados) Tayassu pecari, mantenidos en cautiverio en el Zoolgico Parque de las Leyendas, Lima-Per. Asesores: L Elas, O. Glvez, J.D., Elas, R.P., Alvarado, L. y Mayor, P. Tesis para optar el grado de Mdico Veterinario, Universidad Nacional Mayor de San Marcos, Lima-Per. Schettini, L.Z. 2004. Perfil Bioqumico Heptico y Renal en el pcari de collar (Tayassu tajacu) criado en cautiverio en la amazona peruana. Asesores: L Elas, O., Glvez, H., Montoya, E.G. y Snchez, N. Tesis para optar el grado de Mdico Veterinario, Universidad Nacional Mayor de San Marcos. Lima-Per. Mendoza, P. 2005. Estudio serolgico de la prevalencia de anticuerpos contral leptospira en pecares de collar (Tayassu tajacu) en cautiverio en la Amazona Peruana. Asesores: Cspedes, M., Glvez, H. y Mayor, P. Tesis para optar el grado de Mdico Veterinario, Universidad Nacional Mayor de San Marcos, Lima-Per. Miserendino, R. S. 2002. Uso de Habitat y area dea ccion del taitetu (Pecari tajacu) en la zona de Cerro Cortado, Izozog (Gran Chaco), Provincia Cordillerana, Universidad Mayor de San Andres, Santa Cruz, Bolivia. Master Tesis. La Paz, Bolivia. Romero, M.S. 2005. Niveles referenciales de urea y creatinina en huanganas (pero puedes cambiar por el nombre de pecares labiados) Tayassu pecari, mantenidos en cautiverio en el Zoolgico Parque de las Leyendas, Lima-Per. Asesores: L Elas, O. Glvez, J.D., Elas, R.P., Alvarado, L. y Mayor, P. Tesis para optar el grado de Mdico Veterinario, Universidad Nacional Mayor de San Marcos, Lima-Per. Schettini, L.Z. 2004. Perfil Bioqumico Heptico y Renal en el pcari de collar (Tayassu tajacu) criado en cautiverio en la amazona peruana. Asesores: L Elas, O., Glvez, H., Montoya, E.G. y Snchez, N. Tesis para optar el grado de Mdico Veterinario, Universidad Nacional Mayor de San Marcos. Lima-Per.

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DISCLAIMER with respect to content:

IUCN encourages meetings, workshops and other fora for the consideration and analysis of issues related to conservation, and believes that reports of these meetings are most useful when broadly disseminated. The opinions and views expressed by the authors may not necessarily reflect the formal policies of IUCN, its Commissions, its Secretariat or its members. with respect to geography: The designation of geographical entities in this book, and the presentation of the material, do not imply the expression of any opinion whatsoever on the part of IUCN concerning the legal status of any country, territory, or area, or of its authorities, or concerning the delimitation of its frontiers or boundaries.

The newsletter of the IUCN/SSC Pigs, Peccaries and Hippos Specialist Group (previously Asian Wild Pig News)
Contact address: Erik Meijaard The Nature Conservancy East Kalimantan Programme Jl. Kuranji No. 1, Vorvoo, Samarinda, East Kalimantan, Indonesia Email: emeijaard@samarinda.org

The IUCN/SSC Pigs, Peccaries and Hippos Specialist Group PPHSG is one of several Specialist Groups of the Species Survival Commission (SSC) developed by the IUCN to foster conservation, research and dissemination of information for species of conservation concern. It consists of a group of technical experts focusing on the conservation and management of wild pigs, peccaries and hippos. The broad aim of the PPHSG is to promote the long-term conservation of wild pigs, peccaries and hippos and, where possible, the recovery of their populations to viable levels. Pigs, peccaries and hippopotamuses are non-ruminant ungulates belonging to the Suborder Suiformes of the Order Artiodactyla (the even-toed ungulates). Within the Suborder Suiformes, pigs belong to the Family Suidae, peccaries to the Family Dicotylidae and hippopotamuses to the Family Hippopotamidae. This newsletter is electronically available at: http:// iucn.org/themes/ssc/sgs/pphsg/home.htm

Chief Editor: Dr. Erik Meijaard Associate Editors Dr. Kristin Leus Mariana Altrichter Edsel Amorim Moraes Editorial board: William L.R. Oliver Rona A. Dennis Dr. Colin P. Groves Dr. Rebecca Lewison

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