Hábitos Alimentares De Masupiais Didelfídeos Brasileiros: Análise Do Estado De Conhecimento Atual

Abstract

Foi avaliado o estado de conhecimento atual sobre os hábitos alimentares das espécies de marsupiais didelfídeos brasileiros, analisando as informações disponíveis com relação à composição e variação de sua dieta entre biomas e comparando os resultados obtidos a partir dos principais métodos utilizados em estudos de dieta em campo. A variação sazonal de recursos parece ter forte influência na composição da dieta para a maioria das espécies estudadas, embora a maioria dos estudos seja meramente descritiva, não avaliando diretamente a disponibilidade de recursos no ambiente. Espécies com ampla distribuição geográfica podem apresentar variações na dieta entre diferentes biomas ou habitats. Apesar do número de estudos sobre os marsupiais brasileiros ter aumentado expressivamente nas últimas três décadas, informações fundamentais sobre os hábitos alimentares para a maioria das espécies são ainda escassas ou inexistentes. Palavras-chave: Didelphimorphia; Didelphidae; ecologia alimentar; dieta. ABSTRACT FOOD HABITS OF BRAZILIAN DIDELPHID MARSUPIALS: ANALISYS OF CURRENT STATE OF KNOWLEDGE. We evaluated the current knowledge on the feeding habits of Brazilian didelphids, considering the available information on changes in diet composition between biomes. We also compared the results obtained from the principal methods used in studies of diet in the field. Seasonal variation in resource availability appears to have a strong influence on the composition of the diet for most species, although most studies are merely descriptive, not directly assessing the availability of resources in the environment. Species with wide geographical range may vary their diet between different habitats or biomes. Despite the increase in the number of studies with the Brazilian marsupials over the last three decades, fundamental information on dietary habits for most species is scarce or nonexistent.

Macroscopic and microscopic analysis of the tongue of the common opossum (Didelphis marsupialis)

“…This similarity in the lingual papillae may be due to a shared omnivorous feeding habit and does not appear to be affected by differences in habitat or food. The diet of a widely distributed species may vary between different biomes or habitats (Lessa and Geise, 2010). The distributions of the fungiform and filiform papillae observed in this study are similar to those described (Chamorro et al, 1987) 1 2 1 1 6 1 2 Zaedyus pichiy (Ciuccio et al, 2008) 1 2 2 1 2 2 2 Tayassu pecari (Watanabe et al, 2009) 1 2 2 1 2 2 2 Dasypus hybridus (Ciuccio et al, 2010) 1 2 2 1 2 2 2 Sotalia guianensis (Guimarães et al, 2011) 1 2 1 2 2 2 2 Saimiri sciureus (Branco et al, 2011) 1 2 2 1 1 1 2 Callithrix penicillata (Branco et al, 2012) 1 2 2 1 3 2 2 in species with different feeding habits, such as rabbits, cats, horses, llamas, rats, armadillos, peccaries, and primates (Abreu et al, 2006;Banks, 1991;Branco et al, 2011Branco et al, , 2012Chamorro et al, 1987;Ciuccio et al, 2008Ciuccio et al, , 2010Martinez et al, 1998;Watanabe et al, 1988Watanabe et al, , 2009 (Table 2).…”

“…D. albiventris is found in northeastern and central Brazil (Cáceres et al, 2008;Cerqueira, 1985). Although these marsupial species are common in South America, few studies have addressed their biology, ecology, and food habits (Cáceres, 2000;Cerqueira, 1985;Lessa and Geise, 2010).…”

Effects of gut passage on the germination of seeds ingested by didelphid marsupials in a neotropical savanna

“…Didelphid marsupials are small, solitary nocturnal mammals (Gardner 2008), featuring a generalist diet that varies from the consumption of invertebrates and small vertebrates to flowers and fruits in different proportions (Lessa & Geise 2010;Santori et al 2012). In the neotropics, the role of didelphids as potential seed dispersers is usually related to the consumption of a wide variety of fruits and the presence of intact seeds in their feces with generally increased germinability (Cáceres & Monteiro-Filho 2007;Raíces & Bergallo 2008;Lessa & Costa 2010;Cáceres & Lessa 2012).…”

Effect of oil palm (Elaeis guineensis Jacq.) plantations on individual-level diet variation of Hylaeamys megacephalus (G. Fisher 1814) (Rodentia, Cricetidae) in eastern Amazon Forest

“…Several small mammals are being considered as potential dispersers in the neotropics (Pimentel & Tabarelli 2004). Consumption of fruits and seeds, albeit in variable proportions, indicates a strong dispersal potential for small mammals, although information on the dietary memories of some genera may be scarce and, in some cases, associated with phylogenetically close species (Lessa & Geise 2010, Casella & Cáceres 2006, Lessa & Costa 2009.…”