Central American tree prick
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Central American tree prick ( Coendou mexicanus ) |
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| Coendou mexicanus | ||||||||||||
| ( Kerr , 1792) |
The Central American tree prick ( Coendou mexicanus ) is a mammal in the tree prick family (Erethizontidae). In connection with a taxonomic revision of the tree prickers, the species was transferred from the genus South American tree prickers ( Sphiggurus ) to the genus Greifstachler ( Coendou ) in 2013 .
features
The species reaches a head-torso length of 32 to 45.7 cm, a tail length of 20 to 35.8 cm and a weight of 1.4 to 2.6 kg. The top is covered with spines and fur. An exception is the head on which there are only spines. The spines are predominantly yellow with a black tip. The number of spines decreases from the shoulder to the rear. They are mostly hidden under the black hair at the back. In addition to the long vibrissae, there are only a few short hairs on the pink snout . The long prehensile tail is thickened at the base and becomes narrower towards the end. In its proximal area, in addition to soft hair, there are some spines. As with all tree prickers, but in contrast to all other mammals with a prehensile tail, the bare part is on the top of the tail.
distribution
The distribution area of the Central American tree prick extends from southern Mexico to northwestern Panama . The species lives in the lowlands and in mountains up to 3200 meters altitude. It lives in different habitats with trees, but avoids dense, evergreen , humid forests.
Way of life
The Central American tree prick is nocturnal and climbs primarily in trees with the help of the prehensile tail. Sometimes he wanders on the floor. Tree hollows and the dense foliage serve as resting places. The species feeds on fruits, seeds, young shoots and young leaves. Preferred fruits come from fig trees , from trees of the genus Inga , from ant trees and from trees of the genus Brosimum .
Females are likely to be ready to mate regardless of the season. At other times the adult animals live separately. During mating, the otherwise silent males and females have a rich selection of screams, grunts and moans. A litter consists of one young animal. It is generally assumed that the species resembles other tree cutters in terms of reproductive behavior.
Females kept in captivity were able to reproduce for 11 to 12 years. Some lived to be over 15 years old.
status
The Central American tree prick is hunted throughout the range. The meat serves as food and other parts of the body are believed to have healing properties in the medical science of the indigenous peoples . The skin and spines are processed as clothing and jewelry. Some individuals fall victim to traffic.
These aspects are not important for the entire portfolio. The IUCN lists the species as Least Concern .
Individual evidence
- ↑ Don E. Wilson , DeeAnn M. Reeder (Ed.): Mammal Species of the World . A taxonomic and geographic Reference . 3. Edition. 2 volumes. Johns Hopkins University Press, Baltimore MD 2005, ISBN 0-8018-8221-4 (English, Sphiggurus mexicanus ).
- ^ Robert S. Voss, Caldonia Hubbard and Sharon A. Jansa: Phylogenetic Relationships of New World Porcupines (Rodentia, Erethizontidae): Implications for Taxonomy, Morphological Evolution, and Biogeography. American Museum Novitates 3769, 2013, pp. 1-36. doi: 10.1206 / 3769.2
- ^ A b c Reid, Fiona (Ed.): A Field Guide to the Mammals of Central America and Southeast Mexico . Oxford University Press, 1997, ISBN 978-0-19-534322-9 , pp. 244–245 (English, Sphiggurus mexicanus ).
- ↑ a b c d Coendou mexicanus in the endangered Red List species the IUCN 2016 Posted by: Vázquez, E., Reid, F. & Cuarón, AD, 2008. Accessed December 7 2016th
- ↑ a b c d Micah Miller: Mexican hairy dwarf porcupine in the Animal Diversity Web of the University of Michigan Museum of Zoology. Retrieved December 7, 2016.
