Since the Amazon is an immense biome and, in general, little studied, Reconecta, in addition to being an applied conservation project, can also be an exploration project, including the discovery of species not yet described, new areas of occurrence, genetic information on population structures and pathological profiles of the Central Amazon fauna community.
Isotopic analyses
We collect hairs from roadkilled mammals for isotopic analyzes regarding diets or hormones.
Disease analysis
The human presence close to natural areas causes contact with populations of wild animals and, due to this proximity, the exchange of diseases with epidemic expansion can occur, thus establishing new relationships between hosts and pathogens, as well as new niches in the chain of diseases. disease transmission. Tissue samples (whole blood, heart, lung, liver, kidney, and spleen) and ectoparasites (fleas, lice, mites, and ticks) will be collected from roadkilled mammals. Fragments will be removed from these samples for DNA extraction and subsequent molecular detection (PCR) and sequencing of infectious agents and parasites.
Genetic analyses
The classic use of morphological traits for species identification has several limitations, especially for roadkilled animals. DNA barcoding is an important tool for species identification, identification of species that are not included in world genetic banks, or even that point to species that have not yet been described. Genetic analyzes will also be used to estimate the effective population size (Ne) of Cerdocyon thous (recent migrant to the Amazon) based on road mortality and compare the distribution of genetic diversity, evaluating the population structure of some of the species of primates and other terrestrial mammals most roadkilled.
