Abstract:

The cranial ontogeny of specialized mammals is relevant to the understanding of the connection of form and function in a developmental, ecological, and evolutionary context. As highly specialized carnivores, felids are of especial interest. We studied the postnatal ontogeny of the skull in Puma concolor (Mammalia: Carnivora: Felidae) using a quantitative approach. We interpreted our results in the light of a previous qualitative assessment of ontogenetic changes in the species. This represents one of the few integrative studies of skull development in any extant species of wild felids. We report patterns of multivariate allometry of 19 linear skull dimensions measured in 48 Argentine specimens. We examined the (jackknife resampled) departures from isometry as well as the interplay of isometric and allometric trends in shaping the puma skull. Both the qualitative and quantitative results indicate that the major ontogenetic changes are directly linked to cranial structures that support a developing masticatory apparatus and its associated jaw and neck musculature, which are essential for the action of canines and carnassials during the killing bite and slicing flesh. Sexual differences suggest allometric scaling (hypo- or hyper-morphosis) as key processes in the development of the puma skull.

Author affiliation: Giannini, Norberto Pedro. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico - Tucumán. Unidad Ejecutora Lillo; Argentina. Universidad Nacional de Tucumán. Facultad de Ciencias Naturales e Instituto Miguel Lillo. Programa de Investigación de Biodiversidad Argentina; Argentina. American Museum of Natural History; Estados Unidos

Author affiliation: Segura Gago, Alda Valentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Oficina de Coordinación Administrativa Parque Centenario. Museo Argentino de Ciencias Naturales “Bernardino Rivadavia”; Argentina

Author affiliation: Giannini, María Isabel. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Tucumán; Argentina. Universidad Nacional de Tucumán. Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Tecnología; Argentina

Author affiliation: Flores, David Alfredo. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Oficina de Coordinación Administrativa Parque Centenario. Museo Argentino de Ciencias Naturales “Bernardino Rivadavia”; Argentina

Abstract:

The Puma lineage is a monophyletic group that includes three living species: Puma concolor, Herpailurus yagouaroundi, and Acinonyx jubatus. It has been analysed from ecological and taxonomic perspectives, but their cranial ontogeny has been poorly studied. In this study, we assessed the cranial shape and size variation through three-dimensional geometric morphometric techniques, and explored the acquisition of definitive shape and size in relation to key life-history events. Each species occupied different locations in the shape morphospace: A. jubatus and P. concolor showed shorter and wider skulls, with more expanded zygomatic arches, than H. yagouaroundi, which presented the most divergent pattern of change. Ontogeny was more similar between P. concolor and A. jubatus than between the closely related P. concolor and H. yagouaroundi. The evolution of ontogenetic change in the lineage seems to be more influenced by size. Changes detected between juvenile and adult skulls enhanced predatory skills, coincident with the change from a diet of milk to a carnivorous diet. Change patterns suggest that the skull is not morphologically conservative in the lineage, in contrast with other carnivores such as canids and hyaenids. The enlargement of the rostrum observed in some canids and the reinforcement of the bite mechanism of hyaenids were not detected in this group.

Author affiliation: Segura, Valentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Oficina de Coordinación Administrativa Parque Centenario. Museo Argentino de Ciencias Naturales; Argentina

Author affiliation: Prevosti, Francisco Juan. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Oficina de Coordinación Administrativa Parque Centenario. Museo Argentino de Ciencias Naturales; Argentina

Author affiliation: Cassini, Guillermo Hernán. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Oficina de Coordinación Administrativa Parque Centenario. Museo Argentino de Ciencias Naturales; Argentina. Universidad Nacional de Lujan; Argentina

Abstract:

Morphology of extant felids is regarded as highly conservative. Most previous studies have focussed on skull morphology, so a vacuum exists about morphofunctional variation in postcranium and its role in structuring ensembles of felids in different continents. The African felid ensemble is particularly rich in ecologically specialized felids. We studied the ecomorphology of this ensemble using 31 cranial and 93 postcranial morphometric variables measured in 49 specimens of all 10 African species. We took a multivariate approach controlling for phylogeny, with and without body size correction. Postcranial and skull + postcranial analyses (but not skull-only analyses) allowed for a complete segregation of species in morphospace. Morphofunctional factors segregating species included body size, bite force, zeugopodial lengths and osteological features related to parasagittal leg movement. A general gradient of bodily proportions was recovered: lightly built, long-legged felids with small heads and weak bite forces vs. the opposite. Three loose groups were recognized: small terrestrial felids, mid-to-large sized scansorial felids and specialized Acinonyx jubatus and Leptailurus serval. As predicted from a previous study, the assembling of the African felid ensemble during the Plio-Pleistocene occurred by the arrival of distinct felid lineages that occupied then vacant areas of morphospace, later diversifying in the continent.

Author affiliation: Morales, Miriam Mariana. Universidad Nacional de Tucumán. Facultad de Ciencias Naturales E Instituto Miguel Lillo; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Tucumán; Argentina

Author affiliation: Giannini, Norberto Pedro. Universidad Nacional de Tucumán. Facultad de Ciencias Naturales e Instituto Miguel Lillo; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Tucumán; Argentina

Abstract:

Feline interferons (FeIFNs) are cytokines with antiviral, antitumor and immunomodulatory functions used as therapeutic agents in a variety of veterinary diseases. In this work, FeIFN-α7 and FeIFN-α7xArg containing eight residues of arginine were expressed in Sf9 cells and insect larvae. At 4 days post-infection (dpi), the concentrations of FeIFN-α7 and FeIFN-α7xArg in suspension culture were (1.28 ± 0.15) × 106 U ml−1 and (1.3 ± 0.2) × 106 U ml−1 respectively. The maximum expression levels of FeIFN-α7 and FeIFN-α7xArg were (3.7 ± 0.2) × 106 U ml−1 and (3.5 ± 0.4) × 106 U ml−1 at 2 dpi in Rachiplusia nu larvae and (1.1 ± 0.2) × 106 U ml−1 and (1.0 ± 0.15) × 106 U ml−1 at 5 dpi in Spodoptera frugiperda larvae respectively. R. nu was a better host for FeIFN-α7 and FeIFN-α7xArg expression. The 8xArg tag did not affect the biological activity of FeIFN-α7 and was useful to promote the FeIFN-α7xArg adsorption on ion exchange chromatography (IEC), allowing its purification in a single step from supernatant culture and R. nu larvae. FeIFN-α7xArg was purified from the larval extract with a yield of 70% and a purification factor of 25 free of viruses. We conclude that R. nu larvae are new low-cost hosts for the expression of recombinant FeIFN-α7.

EEA Sáenz Peña

Author affiliation: Targovnik, Alexandra Marisa. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Oficina de Coordinación Administrativa Houssay. Instituto de Nanobiotecnología. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Farmacia y Bioquímica. Instituto de Nanobiotecnología; Argentina. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Farmacia y Bioquímica. Departamento de Microbiología, Inmunología y Biotecnología. Cátedra de Microbiología Industrial y Biotecnología; Argentina

Author affiliation: Villaverde, Marcela Solange. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Medicina. Instituto de Oncología "Ángel H. Roffo". Unidad de Transferencia Genética; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; Argentina

Author affiliation: Arregui, Mariana Bernadett. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Oficina de Coordinación Administrativa Houssay. Instituto de Nanobiotecnología. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Farmacia y Bioquímica. Instituto de Nanobiotecnología; Argentina. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Farmacia y Bioquímica. Departamento de Microbiología, Inmunología y Biotecnología. Cátedra de Microbiología Industrial y Biotecnología; Argentina

Author affiliation: Fogar, Mariela Noemi. INTA. Estación Experimental Agropecuaria Sáenz Peña; Argentina

Author affiliation: Taboga, Oscar Alberto. INTA. Instituto de Biotecnología; Argentina

Author affiliation: Glikin, Gerardo Claudio. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Medicina. Instituto de Oncología "Ángel H. Roffo". Unidad de Transferencia Genética; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; Argentina

Author affiliation: Finocchiaro, Liliana Maria Elena. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Medicina. Instituto de Oncología "Ángel H. Roffo". Unidad de Transferencia Genética; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; Argentina

Author affiliation: Cascone, Osvaldo. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Oficina de Coordinación Administrativa Houssay. Instituto de Nanobiotecnología. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Farmacia y Bioquímica. Instituto de Nanobiotecnología; Argentina. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Farmacia y Bioquímica. Departamento de Microbiología, Inmunología y Biotecnología. Cátedra de Microbiología Industrial y Biotecnología; Argentina

Author affiliation: Miranda, Maria Victoria. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Oficina de Coordinación Administrativa Houssay. Instituto de Nanobiotecnología. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Farmacia y Bioquímica. Instituto de Nanobiotecnología; Argentina. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Farmacia y Bioquímica. Departamento de Microbiología, Inmunología y Biotecnología. Cátedra de Microbiología Industrial y Biotecnología; Argentina

Abstract:

In this contribution we describe the first record of Smilodon for Tierra del Fuego Island, and discuss its relevance.

Author affiliation: Prevosti, Francisco Juan. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Oficina de Coordinación Administrativa Parque Centenario. Museo Argentino de Ciencias Naturales "Bernardino Rivadavia"; Argentina. Universidad Nacional de Luján. Departamento de Ciencias Básicas; Argentina

Author affiliation: Martin, Fabiana Maria. Instituto de la Patagonia; Chile

Author affiliation: Massone, Mauricio. Ministerio de Educación de Chile. Dirección de Bibliotecas, Archivos y Museos; Chile

Abstract:

In the present work we conduct a comparative study of the cranial and dental samples of the early machairodontine Machairodus aphanistus from the Vallesian (MN 10) sites of Batallones-1 and Batallones-3 (Torrejón de Velasco,Madrid, Spain). These sites, which have yielded the most abundant and complete samples of this felid, show interesting differences in faunal composition and age, thus providing a unique opportunity for both qualitative and quantitative comparisons between two populations of the same species. The study reveals differences in a number of cranial features, and statistically significant differences in teeth size and proportions. Although probably not enough to support a separation at the species level, these observations fit well with the morphological evolution of the lineage leading towards more derived forms such as the Turolian Amphimachairodus giganteus.

Author affiliation: Fernández García, Marcos. Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Cientificas. Museo Nacional de Ciencias Naturales; España. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Mendoza. Instituto Argentino de Nivología, Glaciología y Ciencias Ambientales. Provincia de Mendoza. Instituto Argentino de Nivología, Glaciología y Ciencias Ambientales. Universidad Nacional de Cuyo. Instituto Argentino de Nivología, Glaciología y Ciencias Ambientales; Argentina

Author affiliation: Salesa, Manuel J.. Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Cientificas. Museo Nacional de Ciencias Naturales; España

Author affiliation: Antón, Mauricio. Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Cientificas. Museo Nacional de Ciencias Naturales; España

Author affiliation: Siliceo, Gema. Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Cientificas. Museo Nacional de Ciencias Naturales; España

Author affiliation: Morales, Jorge. Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Cientificas. Museo Nacional de Ciencias Naturales; España

Abstract:

Extant felids are morphologically homogeneous, probably as a result of recent radiation and constraints from their predatory specializations. The Neotropical assemblage comprises 12 of the 41 extant felid species, which occupy all habitats available, with many species coexisting locally. We studied this assemblage on the basis of 31 craniodental variables reflecting morphofunctional variation, measured from 229 specimens representing all 12 species. Multivariate patterns were summarized allowing for phylogenetic covariation. Additional factors (geographical distribution, use of habitat and stratum, and activity pattern) were coded for each species. As expected, body size accounted for most variation, covarying with membership to three deep clades and, to a lesser extent, with large-scale geographic variation. The species tend to segregate in morphospace plus one or more factors (e.g. habits) that make interspecific overlap in niche space minimal. Using dated phylogenies, biogeographic history, and the fossil record, we reconstructed the historical assembly of the Neotropical felid guild. We found a pattern of successive invasions and speciation in which new lineages occupied previously vacant areas of morphospace, or new species occupied overlapping areas but with contrasting habits. This may be general among antagonistic species of historically structured guilds, and we predict similar patterns in other continents.

Author affiliation: Morales, Miriam Mariana. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico - Tucumán. Unidad Ejecutora Lillo; Argentina. Universidad Nacional de Tucumán. Facultad de Ciencias Naturales e Instituto Miguel Lillo. Programa de Investigación de Biodiversidad Argentina; Argentina

Author affiliation: Giannini, Norberto Pedro. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico - Tucumán. Unidad Ejecutora Lillo; Argentina. Universidad Nacional de Tucumán. Facultad de Ciencias Naturales e Instituto Miguel Lillo. Programa de Investigación de Biodiversidad Argentina; Argentina. American Museum of Natural History; Estados Unidos

Abstract:

El puma (Puma concolor) es una de las especies de mamíferos más ampliamente distribuida en América. Con anterioridad a esta contribución, Entre Ríos sólo contaba con un registro reciente. Ahora damos a conocer tres registros recientes de puma en Entre Ríos. Estos registros pueden ser el resultado de que: 1) la especie estaba presente pero no había sido registrada hasta ahora; 2) los ejemplares ingresaron desde regiones aledañas (Santa Fe, Corrientes y/o Uruguay); y 3) se trata de ejemplares introducidos.

The puma (Puma concolor) is a mammalian species widely distributed across America. In this contribution we report 3 recent records in Entre Ríos province. These recent records may result from the fact that: 1) the species has been present but went undetected until now; 2) individuals recently entered from neighboring regions (Santa Fe, Corrientes and/or Uruguay) and 3) specimens were introduced.

Author affiliation: Bonnot, Guido Hernán. Municipalidad de Villa Elisa. Área Medio Ambiente; Argentina

Author affiliation: Muzzachiodi, Norberto. Universidad Autónoma de Entre Ríos; Argentina

Author affiliation: Perez, Cristian Hernan Fulvio. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Nacional Patagónico; Argentina

Author affiliation: Udrizar Sauthier, Walter. Provincia de Entre Ríos. Escuela Agrotécnica José Hernández; Argentina

Author affiliation: Udrizar Sauthier, Daniel Edgardo. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Nacional Patagónico; Argentina

Abstract:

In this paper, we study a sample of cranial, mandibular and dental remains of two species of the machairodontine felid genus Machairodus from the Early Vallesian (MN 9, around 10 Ma) site of Los Valles de Fuentidueña (Segovia, Spain): the tiger-sized Machairodus aphanistus, and the smaller and more primitive M. alberdiae; a species which is only known from this site. The fossils of these two sympatric populations are compared with the most abundant samples of M. aphanistus from the Late Vallesian (MN 10), younger sites of Batallones-1 and Batallones-3 (Torrejón de Velasco, Madrid, Spain). The results support the specific separation of M. alberdiae from M. aphanistus based on several differences in teeth size and proportions. Besides this, we observed differences among the analysed samples of M. aphanistus, indicating a differentiation between the older and more primitive form from Los Valles de Fuentidueña, and the younger and more derived one from the two Batallones sites. These differences fit well with the morphological evolution of this lineage towards the more derived Turolian Amphimachairodus giganteus. Finally, a relatively structured, patched habitat, combining the presence of open landscapes with shrubby and wooded areas, is inferred to explain the sympatric distribution of these two large machairodontines in Los Valles de Fuentidueña.

Author affiliation: Fernández García, Marcos. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Mendoza. Instituto Argentino de Nivología, Glaciología y Ciencias Ambientales. Provincia de Mendoza. Instituto Argentino de Nivología, Glaciología y Ciencias Ambientales. Universidad Nacional de Cuyo. Instituto Argentino de Nivología, Glaciología y Ciencias Ambientales; Argentina

Author affiliation: Antón, Mauricio. Museo Nacional de Ciencias Naturales; España

Author affiliation: Salesa, Manuel J.. Museo Nacional de Ciencias Naturales; España. Universidade de Lisboa; Portugal

Abstract:

The felid Neotropical ensemble has experienced important changes from the Pleistocene to the present, the extinction of sabertooth cats being the most significant. Assuming that the morphofunctional structure of the Neotropical felid ensemble was maximally expressed when machairodontines were present, we added specimens of Smilodon fatalis and S. populator to a morphological dataset inclusive of all extant species of Neotropical felids to explore the hypothetical effect of extinction of machairodontines on the perceived morphofunctional structure of the ensemble. We studied 321 specimens of 12 extant species of Neotropical felids plus S. populator and S. fatalis by measuring 123 skull and postcranial morphofunctional variables. We used Principal Component Analysis to find morphofunctional patterns of the skull, postcranium, and both combined (with and without correction for size) of both ensembles, past (with Smilodon) and present (with Smilodon lost to extinction). Canonical Phylogenetic Ordination was performed to assess the degree of phylogenetic influence on this morphospace. We also explored the effect of including homotherines in the Pleistocene guild by including specimens of North American Homotherium serum. Size was the principal factor structuring ensembles. Important morphological characters were associated to ecological performance of species. A pattern of bodily proportions was apparent: more stout species with larger skull, longer rostrum, stronger bite force, and longer pectoral crests, versus gracile, jumping species with opposing characters. The felid morphospace shrank after the extinction of Smilodon and Homotherium, but the configuration of the portion of space containing extant felids remained stable. This pattern is associated with deep phylogenetic roots.

Author affiliation: Morales, Miriam Mariana. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; Argentina. Instituto de Est.ambientales y Sociales; Argentina. Universidad Nacional de Tucumán. Facultad de Ciencias Naturales e Instituto Miguel Lillo; Argentina

Author affiliation: Giannini, Norberto Pedro. Universidad Nacional de Tucumán. Facultad de Ciencias Naturales E Instituto Miguel Lillo; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Tucumán; Argentina. American Museum Of Natural History; Estados Unidos