Banca de DEFESA: MARCELA NECHEL BAÊTA NEVES

FAUNISTIC SURVEY AND ASSESSMENT OF THE HEALTH STATUS OF NEOTROPICAL PRIMATES IN AN ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AREA UNDER ANTHROPIC PRESSURE IN THE MUNICIPALITY OF ROLIM DE MOURA-RO

Keywords: monitoring; PCR; zoonoses; parasites; hemoparasites.

The objective of this research was to survey terrestrial fauna and assess the health status of
neotropical primates in an environmental protection area under anthropogenic pressure in the
municipality of Rolim de Moura -RO. All research was carried out at the APA of the
Experimental campus at Km 15 of the Federal University of Rondônia – UNIR, in the
municipality of Rolim de Moura. To survey the terrestrial fauna, three points were defined,
we used sampling methodologies based on the Rapid Ecological Assessments – ERA
guidelines, using camera traps that were installed on March 4, 2022 in 3 previously selected
points, being removed on the 16th. November 2022. During the survey of terrestrial fauna, a
total of 15 species of neotropical mammals were identified. Within the 15 species recorded in
the area ofinterest of the work, we were able to identify that the highest prevalence of animals
according to diet is omnivorous. Two species were also identified and described on the
National List of Endangered Species by Ordinance MMA N. 148, of June 7, 2022, namely
Tapirus terrestrial and Leopardus wiedii. The presence of top carnivores such as L. wiedii and
large herbivores such as Hydrochoerus hydrochaeris, also recorded, suggests that this area
still has sufficient resources to ensure the survival of these animals, where carnivores can still
be regular prey populations. Thus, the survey of terrestrial fauna is extremely relevant in the
search for more appropriate forms of preservation. The terrestrial fauna survey work was
carried out simultaneously with the work analyzing the health status of neotropical primates,
where the presence of Hepatozoon spp, Cytauxzoon felis, Erlichia spp.; Anaplasma platys,
Babesia spp., Trypanosoma evansi and Leishimania spp only for primates of the genus
Sapajus. Seven non-human primates were captured using three “Tomahawk” type traps, all of
them belonging to the Sapajus genus and all males. Blood samples were then collected by
venipuncture. 14 blood smear slides were prepared for reading under a light microscope, but
no forms suggestive of any of the parasites tested were identified on any of the slides. For all
the parasites analyzed, amplification with the cPCR technique was also not identified in any
of the samples. Although the occurrence of amplification nor the verification of parasites by
smear was not verified in any of the parasites analyzed, we cannot rule out the possibility of

parasites in the studied area, however we consider it a satisfactory result, as it is a well-
preserved area.