Paca
The paca (Cuniculus paca) is a large, spotted rodent of the forests of Central and South America. The family Cuniculidae has two living species in a single genus: the lowland paca and the mountain paca (C. taczanowskii).[1] In 1905 Thomas first separated the lowland and mountain forms into two groups.[2]
Classification
Pacas are grouped with cavies, capybaras and agoutis in the superfamily Cavioidea. Molecular studies estimate that the two paca species diverged about 3.5 million years ago.[3] The family was once called Agoutidae. The name was dropped after the International Commission on Zoological Nomenclature conserved Brisson's genus name Cuniculus in 1998.[3]
Description
The paca is chestnut-red to dark brown above, with three or four lines of large white spots, and white below. Its hair is coarse, sparse and short.[4]
Distribution and habitat
Pacas live in lowland forests from Mexico through Central America to most of tropical South America. They have been introduced to Cuba and the Lesser Antilles. They are found from sea level to 1,600 m.[5][1] They live in tropical rainforest, mangroves and riverside forest, usually near water.[5]
Behaviour
Pacas are active at night and live alone or in male–female pairs.[1][6] They use burrows, and can live for up to 13 years. They are mostly fruit-eaters, and as eaters of seeds they both destroy and spread them.[5] Their pairs appear monogamous, although their genetic mating system may be more promiscuous.[7] In courtship the male sprays urine on the female.[8] When aggressive they raise their hair and swing their bodies.[9] Variation in the size of their home ranges is driven by how much food is available.[10]
Hunting
Pacas are heavily hunted for their meat, which makes up as much as 8% of the wild meat eaten in some indigenous communities. Captive breeding has been proposed, and disputed, as a response.[5]
Status
Animal Diversity Web lists the paca as Least Concern on the IUCN Red List.[6]
See also
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 Ebensperger, Luis A.; Hayes, Loren D., eds. (2016). Sociobiology of Caviomorph Rodents: An Integrative Approach. Wiley-Blackwell. p. 14. ISBN 9781118846520.
- ↑ Patton, James L.; Pardiñas, Ulyses F. J.; D'Elía, Guillermo, eds. (2015). Mammals of South America. Vol. 2: Rodents. University of Chicago Press. p. 728. ISBN 9780226169606.
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 Patton, James L.; Pardiñas, Ulyses F. J.; D'Elía, Guillermo, eds. (2015). Mammals of South America. Vol. 2: Rodents. University of Chicago Press. p. 727. ISBN 9780226169606.
- ↑ Patton, James L.; Pardiñas, Ulyses F. J.; D'Elía, Guillermo, eds. (2015). Mammals of South America. Vol. 2: Rodents. University of Chicago Press. p. 729. ISBN 9780226169606.
- ↑ 5.0 5.1 5.2 5.3 Patton, James L.; Pardiñas, Ulyses F. J.; D'Elía, Guillermo, eds. (2015). Mammals of South America. Vol. 2: Rodents. University of Chicago Press. p. 730. ISBN 9780226169606.
- ↑ 6.0 6.1 Macdonald, G. (2013). "Cuniculus paca". Animal Diversity Web. University of Michigan.
- ↑ Ebensperger, Luis A.; Hayes, Loren D., eds. (2016). Sociobiology of Caviomorph Rodents: An Integrative Approach. Wiley-Blackwell. p. 258. ISBN 9781118846520.
- ↑ Ebensperger, Luis A.; Hayes, Loren D., eds. (2016). Sociobiology of Caviomorph Rodents: An Integrative Approach. Wiley-Blackwell. p. 153. ISBN 9781118846520.
- ↑ Ebensperger, Luis A.; Hayes, Loren D., eds. (2016). Sociobiology of Caviomorph Rodents: An Integrative Approach. Wiley-Blackwell. p. 156. ISBN 9781118846520.
- ↑ Ebensperger, Luis A.; Hayes, Loren D., eds. (2016). Sociobiology of Caviomorph Rodents: An Integrative Approach. Wiley-Blackwell. p. 43. ISBN 9781118846520.