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Mexican Agouti

Dasyprocta mexicana

French: Agouti du Mexique / German: Mexiko-Aguti / Spanish: Aguti de México

Other common names: Mexican Black Agouti

Taxonomy. Dasyprocta mexicana Saussure, 1860,

Mexico, probably Veracruz (= “hot zone of Mexico”).

This species is monotypic.

Distribution. SE Mexico, in the Gulf of Mexico lowlands of Veracruz, N Oaxaca, NW Chiapas, and W Tabasco states. Introduced into W & E Cuba.

Descriptive notes. Head-body 446-560 mm, tail 20-30 mm, ear 35-47 mm, hindfoot 116-127 mm; weight 2—4 kg. The Mexican Agouti is medium-sized, with an entirely black or dark brown dorsum, very grizzled with white. Rump hairs are long and entirely black, chin and throat are white, and nape hairs are long and entirely black, forming crest.

Habitat. Lowland evergreen forest, second growth forest, and wet coastal lowland rainforests at elevations of 50-600 m.

Food and Feeding. The Mexican Agouti eats fruit, soft seeds, and new growth offorest plants. In Veracruz,it eats figs, hog plums ( Spondias mombin, Anacardiaceae), and Brosimum alicastrum ( Moraceae).

Breeding. Little is known about the reproductive behavior of Mexican Agoutis. One or two young are born during the dry season. Gestation lasts 104-120 days. Young are precocious and look like small adults; they follow their mother soon after birth.

Activity patterns. The Mexican Agoutiis terrestrial and mainly diurnal, although it is sometimes observed at night. Behavior varies greatly between habitats with or without humans nearby; nocturnal activity is more common in areas where humans persecute agoutis.

Movements, Home range and Social organization. The Mexican Agoutiis seen alone or in pairs. Pairs occupyterritories of 1-2 ha. The Mexican Agoutiis agile, timid, alert, and ready to run away at any sign of danger. If alarmed,it gives a series of sharp nasal barks and stampsits feet as it runs off.

Status and Conservation. Classified as Critically Endangered on The IUCN Red List. Camera trap surveys and transect results reported the Mexican Agouti as the most abundant speciesin sites in Oaxaca (Zoque Forest in north-eastern Oaxaca) and Veracruz (Los Tuxtlas). Population size has decreased by more than 80% during the past ten years because much of its habitat has been lost due to human activity, particularly land conversion for grazing and agriculture. The Mexican Agouti is hunted for food and as an agricultural pest throughout its distribution.

Bibliography. Ceballos (2014), Coates-Estrada & Estrada (1986), Flores et al. (2014), Lira-Torres & Briones-Salas (2011, 2012), Pérez-Irineo & Santos-Moreno (2012), Reid (2009), Vazquez, Emmons, Reid & Cuarén (2008e), Woods & Kilpatrick (2005).