One of the most studied macroecological patterns is the interspecific abundance–occupancy relationship, which relates species distribution and abundance across space. Interspecific relationships between temporal distribution and abundance, however, remain largely unexplored. Using data for a natural assemblage of tabanid flies measured daily during spring and summer in Nova Scotia, we found that temporal occurrence (proportion of sampling dates in which a species occurred in an experimental trap) was positively related to temporal mean abundance (number of individuals collected for a species during the study period divided by the total number of sampling dates). Moreover, two models that often describe spatial abundance–occupancy relationships well, the He–Gaston and negative binomial models, explained a high amount of the variation in our temporal data. As for the spatial abundance–occupancy relationship, the (temporal) aggregation parameter, k, emerged as an important component of the hereby named interspecific temporal abundance–occurrence relationship. This may be another case in which a macroecological pattern shows similarities across space and time, and it deserves further research because it may improve our ability to forecast colonization dynamics and biological impacts.

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Visando proporcionar atividades integradas, interdisciplinares e oportunizar aos alunos a participação de ações de promoção técnico-científicas junto a sociedade, o projeto “Ação de capacitação e formação profissional junto ao Centro de Ensino e Experimentação em Equinocultura da Palma (CEEEP)” está em atividade desde o ano de 2012. O presente trabalho apresenta a experiência da capacitação e treinamento desenvolvido com os colaboradores da concessionária de rodovias ECOSUL, em relação ao bem-estar e comportamento de equinos, com objetivo de diminuir o risco de acidente na apreensão tanto por parte dos animais, quanto por parte dos manipuladores. Esse treinamento foi realizado no CEEEP, contando com a participação de cinquenta colaboradores da ECOSUL. O programa da atividade incluiu a abordagem de teorias sobre etologia e técnicas de apreensão para equinos. Foram realizadas várias demonstrações práticas de captura, utilização do reboque, e discussões onde os colaboradores puderam expor e sanar dúvidas. Observou-se que durante o treinamento prático os participantes passaram a ter mais confiança e demonstrar mais preparo pra executar os procedimentos demonstrados. O treinamento como forma de ação e capacitação profissional foi satisfatório e pode desenvolver nos participantes uma consciência de bem-estar animal, proporcionando qualidade técnica à equipe de colaboradores para atuar durante as atividades de captura dos equinos soltos em via pública.

Background: Mares are very different from other species during pregnancy, and studies on the physiological changes of this period are important. During late pregnancy, the distribution of weight and body fat are often used as indicators of adequate nutrition. This is a physiological period that results in an increase in metabolic demand. There is a tendency for the Criollo breed to have a higher body condition score that becomes more evident during pregnancy, a period when mares tend to gain more weight. The current study monitored serum cholesterol and triglyceride levels in pregnant mares during late gestation to determine a possible correlation with the distribution of fat or body weight.Materials, Methods & Results: Four body parameters of thirty-four Criollo-type mares in late gestation were evaluated: body weight measured with a weight scale, body weight using a commercial weight tape, total body fat and fat thickness and the serum levels of total cholesterol and triglycerides. The fat thickness was measured in an ultrasound device and the prediction of total body fat was calculated using an equation. According to the days prior foaling, biometric monitoring and blood collection were carried out in five periods: F-90 (± 90 days prior to foaling) n = 33; F-60 (± 60 days prior to foaling) n = 33; F-30 (± 30 days prior to foaling) n = 31; F-15 (± 15 days prior to foaling) n = 29 and Foaling (at day of foaling) n = 14. Mares were monitored daily and accompanied foaling was also performed, ensuring collection at the right time. Comparisons of means were performed between variables in addition to the Pearson correlation test. Statistical significance was established at P < 0.05. There was no difference in relation to the period in body composition measurements (P > 0.05). A strong positive correlation was observed between the average weights (P < 0.001). The fat thickness showed a correlation between the weights (P < 0.01). There was no correlation with body composition (P > 0.068). There was a strong positive correlation between weights (P < 0.001). In addition, differences in total cholesterol levels (P = 0.0016) were observed, with higher levels found in the Foaling period. The same was not observed for triglyceride levels (P = 0.443). There was no correlation between blood variables in this period (P > 0.191). There was also no correlation with the body composition (P > 0.068).Discussion: The absence of difference between the periods in relation to the weight measures and the correlations existing in these measures is related to the period in which they were collected, since the maximum relative weight of the foal is reached in ten months, causing the mare's weight stability. Interestingly, an unexplained increase in total cholesterol levels was found on the day of foaling. As the same change in triglycerides was not observed and there was no change in the diet or feeding behavior of the mares, the effects of the diet can be excluded in this case, which requires further studies to explain this result. Our hypothesis is that this increase is linked to hormones that tend to change in this pre-delivery period and that have their metabolism strongly linked to cholesterol levels. Levels of body fat and mare weight can therefore be correlated in the late gestation, allowing for their use as indicators of adequate nutritional and energy reserves.

The aims of this study were: 1) determine total specific IgG and subisotypes in serum and colostrum of pregnant mares vaccinated against Theileria equi and Streptococcus equi subspecies equi; 2) determine total specific IgG and subisotypes in foals born from these mares. In mares, the highest total serum IgG value for T. equi was at 335 days of gestation declining 30 days postpartum, while for S. equi was at 328 days of gestation remaining high up to 30 days postpartum. Transfer of passive immunity against both antigens was observed with specific IgG values in colostrum and foals’ serum proportional to mares’ values. The most detected specific IgG subisotypes were IgG3/5 and IgG4/7 for both antigens. Foals born from mares immunized with T. equi kept maternal IgG values until 2 months of age, while those born from mares immunized with S. equi kept maternal IgG values until 3-4 months of age. These results suggest that foals should be vaccinated after this period.

The aim of this study was to estimate the genetic parameters for the morphometric measurements of withers height (WH), thoracic circumference (TC) and cannon bone circumference (CBC) of Criollo horses, stratified for maternal and paternal effects. Statistical genetic design of factor crossings was used to evaluate the offspring of full siblings and half‐siblings. Fifty stallions were selected (n = 50) who had been crossed with six mares each (n = 6), to provide 300 parental pairings in which two offspring were born per mare (n = 600). WH in females and TC in males were highly influenced by additive genetic effects, while the other morphometric measures were found to be closely related to the general effects of the environment. WH had the greatest additive genetic influence on female offspring (47.06%), while TC presented the greatest additive genetic influence on male offspring (58.73%). When comparing the parental influence on the morphometric characteristics evaluated, TC and CBC had greater additive genetic influence from maternal effects, regardless of offspring sex. However, the WH in female offspring showed greater maternal additive genetic contribution, while in males this characteristic presented greater paternal additive genetic influence. For WH in male offspring, narrow sense heritability (hr2: 0.26) was more influenced by paternal effects, while for WH in females (hr2: 0.47), TC in females (hr2: 0.08) and males (hr2: 0.59), and CBC in females (hr2: 0.07) and males (hr2: 0.05) the maternal effects were the most important. Therefore, the phenotypic expression of WH in males and females and TC in males is influenced by the additive genetic effect of the genes. On the other hand, the TC in female progenies and CBC in progenies of both sexes are closely related to the effects of the environment. The results obtained in this study could be useful in the selection process of Criollo horses.

Este estudo traz a importância de ações educativas constantes aos profissionais do turfe do Jockey Club de Pelotas (JCP). O projeto de extensão “ClinEq - Grupo de Ensino, Pesquisa e Extensão em Medicina de Equino da Faculdade de Veterinária da UFPEL em parceria com o JCP realizou capacitação profissional com o objetivo de oferecer conhecimento e avaliar a percepção dos profissionais sobre boas-práticas de manejo com cavalos de corrida. Foram realizados seis encontros com exposição dos principais temas de manejo e três questionários referente a percepção dos treinadores em relação ao assunto abordado. Observou-se durante as capacitações que os profissionais demonstraram grande interesse nos conteúdos e aproveitaram todos os tópicos abordados, entendendo como um ganho na sua atuação profissional e melhorando seu entendimento sobre os conteúdos. Conseguindo durante o período que transcorreu a capacitação, colocar em prática algumas das sugestões apresentadas para melhorar as boas-práticas de manejo com os cavalos no JCP.