The giant otter (Pteronura brasiliensis) is the largest existing mustelid, endemic to Latin America. The species was considered to be locally extinct in many areas of its historical distribution due to intense commercial hunting for their valuable skin. Only with the hunting ban in Brazil in 1967, did the species began to show signs of population recovery.
On November 5, 2015, CENBAM researchers carried out a tour of the municipality of Novo Airão, in order to verify the consequences of forest fires that took place on 20-22 September in a “campinarana” (meadowland) area. Due to the scarcity of data on fires in this type of environment, the researchers realized that this would be a great opportunity to collect data to quantify the impact of fire at this time of year in the metropolitan region of Manaus.
This research shows the effects of avian malaria, caused by the infection of theprotozoan of the genus Plasmodium on the social behavior of Lepidothrix coronata (Aves: Pipridae). The birds of this species, popularly known as "blue-crowned manakins” are well-known for holding exhibitions of dances to females during the breeding season. These dances are performed on dance perches located within traditional locations where the males congregate. Such aggregates, which may have between one and seven adult males are called “leks”.
Português
English
