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First report of a leucistic Brown Agouti (<italic>Dasyprocta variegata</italic>) in Bolivia.

Authors :
Ottenburghs, Jente
Smits, Edward
van Leeuwen, Mark
Boorsma, Tjalle
Mercado Callaú, Luz Natalia
Martinez Diaz, Miguel
van der Sleen, Peter
Source :
Mammalia: International Journal of the Systematics, Biology & Ecology of Mammals. Sep2024, p1. 5p. 2 Illustrations.
Publication Year :
2024

Abstract

Cases of anomalous coloration are regularly reported in Neotropical mammals, including the rodent family Dasyproctidae (agoutis and acouchis) where leucistic and albino individuals have been observed. Here, we document the first case of leucism in the Brown Agouti (&lt;italic&gt;Dasyprocta variegata&lt;/italic&gt;) in Bolivia. During a camera trap survey of the Barba Azul Nature Reserve, we obtained footage of a Brown Agouti with a completely white body. Additional pictures of this individual revealed that it has black eyes, indicating leucism instead of albinism. Previous observations (since 2017) of a white agouti in the area suggest that these anomalously colored individuals can survive in the wild. Rare observations of top predators suggest a relatively low predation pressure in the area. We had only one record of a South-American Puma (&lt;italic&gt;Puma concolor&lt;/italic&gt;) during our camera trap survey. Hence, leucistic individuals of a common prey species might also be indicative of the dwindling population densities of top predators in the region. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Details

Language :
English
ISSN :
00251461
Database :
Academic Search Index
Journal :
Mammalia: International Journal of the Systematics, Biology & Ecology of Mammals
Publication Type :
Academic Journal
Accession number :
179347413
Full Text :
https://doi.org/10.1515/mammalia-2024-0101