1
2	Presentation of Species of Study Chrysocyon brachyurus, commonly known as the maned-wolf Physical Appearance Golden-red coat Black on the muzzle, feet, and scapular regions White markings on the throat, tail, and ears Average adults stand three feet tall and weigh fifty pounds (Dietz 1987)
3	Species of Study Solitary animals by nature Males and females display “facultative monogamy” Pair bonds allow for use and protection of a shared territory that average between 4.7 and 79.5 km2 (Silveira 1999) Paired wolves will use the same territory, but individuals will not usually associate with one another outside of the breeding season (Dietz 1985)
4	Species of Study Distributed from northeastern to southern Brazil Typically found in grasslands and scrub forests (Dietz 1985) Considered endangered by the Brazilian government The International Union for the Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources (IUCN) considers the species “vulnerable” to becoming endangered (Dietz 1985)
5	Goal of Study Our goal in participating in this research was to achieve an understanding of maned-wolf ecology in an effort to raise awareness for the conservation of this species.
6	In Cooperation With... The following research was conducted as a part of an ongoing project led by Leandro Silveira and Anah Jacomo.
7	Study Area Emas National Park (ENP) Central Brazil in the southwest region of the state of Goias 132,000 hectares (ha) (326,172 acres) Habitats: 97% grassland plains, 1% shrub fields, 2% riparian forest, and marsh areas The research was conducted over part of the dry season, specifically June and July
8	Study Area The Cerrado grasslands of central Brazil have largely been converted into agricultural grounds and exotic pastures for beef cattle 38% has been converted to human use 42% is now used for charcoal and cattle production 80% of this precious natural habitat is under some form of human use (Mittermeier et al. 2000)
9	Capture Effort O-M-N-P1 Route: 26 metal traps were distributed every 2.4 km (1.5 mi) Monitored from June 4 to July 18 Animals captured were radio-collared and later radio-tracked for purposes of determining home range
10	Capture Effort
11	Setting and Baiting Traps Trap was baited with a live pigeon that was caged within the back quarter of the trap and provided with enough food (dry corn) and water to last three days
12	Setting and Baiting Traps Trigger Mechanism: Upper handle of metal door was tied with a nylon cord Cord drawn over a metal frame above the trap Opposite end of the cord was attached to a small stick Small stick was lowered through the metal barred roof of the trap toward the back of the cage
13	Setting and Baiting Traps One end of the small stick was placed in a preset wire loop attached to floor of the trap other end of small stick was held in position by a straight stick (preferably bamboo) slightly longer than the width of the trap Door was released when bamboo was moved
14	Examination of a Captured Animal Veterinarian injecting a sedative via intramuscular Sedative: Zoletil R50 (Combination of Tiletamina and Zolazepan)
15	Examination of a Captured Animal Processes Involved: Animal weighed in a net with hanging scales Initial vital signs taken cardiac rate, respiratory rate, and temperature
16	Examination of a Captured Animal Processes Cont’d 4 to 6 test tubes of blood samples Blood smears were made on two glass slides Newly captured animal, 2 smaller test tubes were also filled for the purposes of determining DNA sequences and possible genetic ties with other individuals
17	Examination of a Captured Animal Processes Cont’d Extract and place ectoparasites into a film canister half filled with isopropyl alcohol Animal’s teeth were carefully measured and photographed from all angles Complete Biometry record made for new individuals
18	Examination of a Captured Animal Processes Cont’d Female animal: vaginal smear Male: urine sample extracted by inserting a plastic catheter through the urethra of the penis and into the urinary bladder
19	Examination of a Captured Animal Radio-Collaring: Radio-collar’s frequency and function were checked with a mobile receiver before it was secured to the animal Collar was fitted and bolted around the animal’s neck
20	Radio-Telemetry Captured maned-wolves were fitted with a collar carrying an external radio-transmitter Each transmitter has a unique frequency Activity level: 3 signal characteristics “Active” suggests detected motion “Inactive” occurs when the animal is dormant “Mortality” occurs when an animal has remained inactive for two or more hours
21	Radio-Telemetry Frequencies were programmed into a receiver and heard using a vehicle-mounted receiving system
22	Radio-Telemetry Two-tower Triangulation Method: Two bearings that ideally form a 90 degree angle were taken; intersection of bearings was animal’s estimated location
23	Radio-Telemetry Location Estimation Methods: Area Map Materials: protractor, ruler, pencil, map Locate II, Version 1.82 Software
24	Home Range Estimation Home range: an “area traversed by the individual in its normal activities of food gathering, mating, and caring for young” (White and Garrett 1990) Takes into account where an animal spends 95% of its time
25	Home Range Estimation Minimum number of estimated locations n>9 Estimated locations entered into Ranges6 VI.211: comprehensive system that allows researchers the opportunity to view, edit, and analyze spatial location information (Kenward et al. 2003) Minimum Convex Polygon (MCP) Harmonic Mean
26	Diet Study Procedure: “Scats” (Maned-wolf feces) collected from field Identified by odor, diameter, and locations (termite mounds and road) Stored in plastic bags and labeled Dryed in the sun in bags Washed under running water Re-dryed on plastic plates Macroscopically analyzed
27	Diet Study Items found: Classes: Animal or plant Categories: rodent, bird, insect, snake, armadillo, and fruit Niche Breadth: is a quantitative measurement of how specialized animals or plants may be Levins´ measure of niche breadth Calculated through Ecological Methodology Version 5.1 software
28	Results June 4 to July 18: 7 individual maned-wolves were captured 27 times 2 were newly identified and collared 4 wolves were recaptured 2 or more times over the total trapping effort which lasted 44 nights
29	Home Range Results 16 individuals were located for a total of 104 points of estimated location Home range estimated through the software Ranges6 VI.211 Minimum convex polygon (MCP) Harmonic Mean models Total home range area found was 19,957.39 ha (49, 314.71 acres)
30	Home Range Results Minimum of estimated locations was set at n >9 5 of the 16 radio-collared wolves occupied 74.15% of the total calculated home range area (14,798.76 ha or 36,567.74 acres)
31	Home Range Results
32	Home Range Results
33	Diet Study Results 51 scats were collected from June 4 to July 12 Total Items: 146 Levins’ Standardized Niche Breadth: 0.341 4 of the 11 distinguished categories were found to be frequently-used resources
34	Diet Study Results 89 of the total 146 items were identified as animal (60.96%), while 57 were classified as plant (39.04%)
35	Diet Study Results
36	Discussion of Results MCP vs. Harmonic Means Comparison of methods: male maned-wolf Renas (291) 3,395.08 ha (8,389.24 acres) through MCP 27.23 ha (67.29 acres) through HM The HM is based on multiple core areas of activity and eliminates outliers MCP overestimates home range
37	Discussion Overlap of Home Ranges Tiago (150.892) and Jacira (151.252) estimated overlap of 50% Marcos (150.772) and Elisa (150.783) 100% overlap
38	Discussion Conservation The ever-increasing commercialization of the lands surrounding Emas is a constant threat to the maned-wolf’s natural Cerrado habitats Maned-wolves often use surrounding farmland Extensions of home range require highway crossings 3 prime examples Marcos (772), Tiago (892), and Jacira (252)
39	Discussion Road-kill Incidents None during this study Past data has shown that an average of five maned-wolf die due road related incidents yearly Preservation of the species requires further research on the effects of commercialization and limited natural resources
40	Discussion Manso (151.512) 1st captured 1997-recaptured 2004 No concrete data on the lifespan of maned-wolves in the wild captive maned-wolves have been documented to live up to 15 years Manso’s poor dental condition was documented in detail
41	Discussion Diet 146 total items were separated into two basic categories: animal and plant Of all items found rodent (43.82%) and lobeira (78.95%) were the highest for their respective categories Rodent and bird classes combined for a total of 80.90% of all animal prey
42	Discussion Diet cont’d: Lobeira (Solanum lycocarpum) Most frequently found item (30.82%) Primary dietary staple of maned-wolves in the Cerrado Grows and ripens year-round Reliable food source for the maned-wolves throughout both seasons
43	Discussion Diet Cont’d: Niche Breadth Diet study revealed a 0.341 Levins’ Standardized niche breadth Diet is semi-specialized Specialized Resources: rodent (26.71%), bird (22.60%), snake (8.22%), and lobeira (30.82%) Value is a quantitative measurement of specialization of diet based on a scale of 0 to 1.0 (Krebs 1999) Values closer to 1.0 indicate a generalized diet while the 0 value suggests maximum specialization in dietary needs (Krebs 1999)
44	Discussion Diet Cont’d: Classified as Generalist Carnivore Dietary Habits suggest Opportunistic Omnivore Relies on food resources as found in abundance Ability to adapt dietary needs is a crucial part of their survival in the Cerrado and surrounding areas of Emas National Park
45	Special Thanks To... MIRT Dr. Malinda Fitzgerald EarthWatch volunteers Natalia Mundim Torres Dr. Leandro Silveira and his research team (Anah Jacomo, Mariana Malzoni Furtado, Cyntia Kayo Kashivakura, and Claudia Ferro)
46