Characterization of traumatic lesions in wild animals from a fragmented Caatinga area

Abstract

Morphological findings of traumatic lesions in free-ranging animals from a deforested area in the state of Ceará are described. During four months, an area of approximately 400 hectares was covered in the region of Baixo Jaguaribe, Ceará, Brazil. As they were collected, the animals were sent for identification. Only animals found dead were collected and subsequently allocated into groups of pre-established injuries characterized as: single fractures; polytrauma; Traumatic brain injury; abdominal and/or pelvic trauma; mutilation; transformative cadaveric changes; without changes and others. 342 animals were found. Of these, 96,78% corresponded to reptiles, 1.46% to amphibians and 1.75% to mammals. Among reptiles, the families Amphisbaenidae (91), Teiidae (59), Dipsadidae (57) and Tropiduridae (35) were the most affected, while Amphibians (Hylidae and Leptodactylidae) and mammals (Didelphidae, Dasypodidae and Caviidae) were the least observed. Traumatic injuries accounted for approximately 54% of the injuries observed, and corresponded to fractures, mutilations and multiple traumas. Considering fractures and trauma, it was observed that approximately 80% of these categories affected the abdominal, pelvis, posterior limbs and tail regions, categorizing them as spinal cord trauma. These injuries can be observed in domestic animals resulting from being run over, however they are rarely described in wild animals and may be associated with various human activities, such as deforestation. This work can contribute to future studies on indicators of environmental imbalance. The pathological diagnosis in free-ranging animals is an important indicator of environmental changes and can help control deaths in these individuals.