526.

Spy Hocicudo

Oxymycterus delator

French: Hocicudo espion / German: Paraguay-Grabmaus / Spanish: Ratén hocicudo delator

Other common names: Paraguayan Hocicudo

Taxonomy. Oxymycterus delator Thomas, 1903, “Sapucay [= Sapucai, Paraguari Department], Paraguay.” This species is monotypic.

Distribution. From NE Brazil S to E Paraguay.

Descriptive notes. Head-body 115-174 mm, tail 70-120 mm, ear 16-20 mm, hindfoot 23-31 mm. No specific data are available for body weight. See general characters of the genus under the Amazonian Hocicudo ( O. amazonicus) account. The Spy Hocicudo is a small species of Oxymycterus . Dorsum is dark to black in Paraguay and central Brazil and paler in north-eastern and south-eastern Brazil; marked patch of paler hairs is present above cheeks in most specimens. Venter is generally buffy but darkened in some regions due to visibility of slatecolored hair bases; sides of body color differs from those of dorsal and ventral parts. Tail, hindfeet, and ears are dark to black. Tail has relatively long hairs with visible scales.

Habitat. Mainly cerrado, montane grasslands, and borders between dry grasslands and wetlands.

Food and Feeding. The Spy Hocicudo is mainly insectivorous, apparently preferring some species of termites. They find termite nests by gleaning on the ground’s surface and uncovering hidden trails.

Breeding. Pregnant Spy Hocicudos with up to four embryos each were collected in November, February, and July. Males mark their territories with urine and feces and are apparently more territorial than females.

Activity patterns. The Spy Hocicudo is diurnal and terrestrial.

Movements, Home range and Social organization. No information.

Status and Conservation. Classified as Least Concern on The IUCN Red List.

Bibliography. Alho (1982), Bonvicino, Lemos & Weksler (2005), Bonvicino, Lindbergh & Maroja (2002), Borchert & Hansen (1983), Hershkovitz (1994), Oliveira (1998), Oliveira & Goncalves (2015), Patterson et al. (2016), Redford (1984).