Dasyprocta punctata Gray, 1842

Fonda, Federica, Vezzani, Liam, Mena Aguilar, Luis Ángel, Venegas-Elizondo, Carlos Andrés, Bolaños Brenes, Alexander, Lopez, Dayron Manuel, Romeo, Giuseppe, Sonetti, Dario & Dal Zotto, Matteo, 2025, Mammal diversity and tourism influence in an under-investigated region of Costa Rica, ZooKeys 1260, pp. 37-74 : 37-74

Dasyprocta punctata Gray, 1842

Fig. 2 F Central American Agouti

Material examined.

Costa Rica • Puntarenas Province, Karen Mogensen Wildlife Refuge ; 09°52'12"N, 085°03'28"W; 397 m alt.; 18.01.2018; direct observation .

Identification.

Medium-sized rodent, with a slim and elongated body. The ears are short, the tail is barely visible, and the hind feet are relatively longer than the forefeet. The fur varies in colour from reddish-brown to yellowish-brown. It can be distinguished from Cuniculus paca (see below) – another medium-to large-sized rodent widespread in Costa Rica – mainly by the lack of white spots and smaller size ( Wainwright 2007). Fairly common in the Wildlife Refuge. Recorded in every habitat type in all seasons.

Figures

Figure 2. Mammals directly observed at the Karen Mogensen Wildlife Refuge. A. Dasypus novemcinctus; B. Dicotyles tajacu; C. Cebus imitator; D. Alouatta palliata; E. Nasua narica; F. Dasyprocta punctata. Photographs by M. Dal Zotto.