A case study of artificial feeding of an unweaned giant otter (Pteronura brasiliensis) cub (original) (raw)
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Biology and conservation of the Giant Otter Pteronura brasiliensis
Mammal Review, 1997
The Giant Otter Pferonuru brasifiensis (Zimmermann, 1780) is endemic to South America, distributed throughout the Orinoco, Amazon and La Plata River basins and numerous localities in the Guyanas. This otter is the largest member of the family Mustelidae, clearly distinguished from other South American otter species by morphological and behavioural characteristics. Large-scale pelt hunting in the 1950s and 1960s led to the classification of the species as 'vulnerable' by the World Conservation Union (IUCN, 1990). Habitat degradation and destruction now present the largest threat to remaining populations. The current distribution of the Giant Otter is presented, emphasizing recent information collected in the Amazon Basin. Morphology, systematics, habitat, behaviour, diet, predation, competition, reproduction, development and physiology are discussed. New data on habitat use and preference, behaviour and diet in northern Amaz6nia are included, and recommendations for future conservation measures are made. Because of the decimation of the Giant Otter in its southern distribution and the habitat destruction occurring in the remainder of its range, we recommend that this species be elevated to 'endangered' status in the IUCN Red Data Book. t
Feeding Ecology of the Giant Otter, Pteronura brasiliensis1
Biotropica, 1999
I he food habits of the giant otter, Pteronura bradiensis, were determined by analyzing fecal samples collected yearround from communal latrines at Xixuah Creek (00"48'S, 61"33'W), Jauaperi River (central Brazilian Amazon) between 1993 and 1994. Communal latrines were also sampled during the low water season at Aquidauana River (19"32'S, 56"40'W), Pantanal of Mato Grosso do Sul (central Brazil). Fragments of vertebrae, mandibles, teeth, scales, and fin spines provided an estimate of the diet composition. Remains of fish were present in all of the samples. The main fish groups found at Xixuah Creek were Perciformes, represented specifically by Cichlidae (97.3% of all samples), Characiformes (86.5%) and Siluriformes (5.4%). Thc Characiformes were represented mainly by Erythrinidae (Huplias sp. 90.6%), followed by Serrasalmidae (28%). The Anostomidae occurred with a frequency of 18.7 percent, while Characinae, Bryconinae, and Cynodontidae were only observed in 3.1 percent of the Characiformes records. At Aquidauana River, the Characiformes were the most frequent fish group, represented in 100 percent of all samples, followed by Siluriformes (66.6%) and Perciformes (33.3%). The fish from the main groups identified in the diet of the giant otters prefer riverbanks, lakes, and flooded forests. The feeding habits of I'terunura brrtriliensis are probably influenced by the vulnerability and abundance of the prey consumed by this carnivore.
2011
A population of giant otters was studied in the central Brazilian Amazon at the Xixuaú Reserve, Roraima, in order to gather ecological and behavioral data. Through the period 2000-2003 14 litters were recorded, all concentrated in a few months (August-December) during the receding water and low water seasons. The reproductive peak seems to be connected to the food availability in the water river system. Litter size varied from 1 to 4 cubs with an average of 1.8 (n=12). It was confirmed that a strong positive correlation exists between group size and reproductive rate, although no evidence of the "baby-sitting" system described by other authors was found. The study supplies information on cub development and confirms that all the group members are involved in the cubs rearing.
Giant otters, once targeted by the pelt trade to near extinction, are now legally protected and have made a comeback in some parts of their range. Our state of knowledge about the behavior and ecology of this apex predator has increased substantially since the first studies in the 1970s but remains incomplete. Negative anthropogenic pressures and conflicts affecting giant otters are intensifying and now take many forms, from extensive habitat loss and degradation, pollution, ecotourism with heavy impacts, to gold mining. We review the corpus of giant otter field research and findings since 1980 and discuss new findings and our shortfall of knowledge and their implications for the long-term conservation of the species.
BREEDING BEHAVIOR OF GIANT OTTER (Pteronura brasiliensis) IN THE XIXUAÚ RESERVE, RORAIMA, BRAZIL
2011
A population of giant otters was studied in the central Brazilian Amazon at the Xixuaú Reserve, Roraima, in order to gather ecological and behavioral data. Through the period 2000-2003 14 litters were recorded, all concentrated in a few months (AugustDecember) during the receding water and low water seasons. The reproductive peak seems to be connected to the food availability in the water river system. Litter size varied from 1 to 4 cubs with an average of 1.8 (n=12). It was confirmed that a strong positive correlation exists between group size and reproductive rate, although no evidence of the “baby-sitting” system described by other authors was found. The study supplies information on cub development and confirms that all the group members are involved in the cubs rearing.
Aquatic Mammals, 1999
Food consumption, food preferences and transit time of digesta were determined in captive giant otters, Pteronura brasiliensis, at the National Institute of Amazon Research (INPA), Manaus, Brazil. Food consumption of an adult female was 0.0997 kg 1 day 1 . Giant otters showed significant and varied preferences for the single Siluriformes (catfish) and various Characiformes species offered. The adult female preferred Anostomidae and Hypophthalmus (catfish), followed by Triportheus. Myleinae (pacu) were the least preferred, and other species of Characiformes offered were intermediate between Triportheus and Myleinae but not different from one another. The subadult male preferred Psectrogaster, Potamorhina and Semaprochilodus, followed by Hypophthalmus and finally Hemiodontidae. Within species, larger fish are chosen significantly more often than smaller fish (78.7% of trials, P=0.002). Species, size and individual otter significantly affected the percentage of times fish offered were consumed completely (P<0.016). Overall, most fish were consumed completely beginning with the anterior end. Characoids were consumed completely more often than siluroids (77.8% vs. 38.6% of trials, P<0.0001), but the percentage of times different characoids were consumed completely varied (range 0-100%). Small fish (5-15 cm) are more likely to be consumed completely than medium (15-25 cm) fish (84.9% vs. 80.2% of trials, P<0.02). Transit time of particulate markers averaged 3.13 h. Captive preferences are compared to diets of wild otters in the region (central Amazônia), and implications of study results for determination of food habits in wild otters using scat analysis are discussed.