Procyon cancrivorus (G. Cuvier 1798)

Smith, Paul & Ríos, Sergio D., 2024, Status and distribution of Paraguayan Procyonidae and Mephitidae (Mammalia: Carnivora), Natural History Sciences 11 (1), pp. 25-36 : 30-32

Crab-eating Raccoon Procyon cancrivorus (G. Cuvier 1798) ( Fig. 4 )

Ursus cancrivorus G. Cuvier 1798: 113 . Type locality “Cayenne”.

Procyon cancrivorus brasiliensis Bertoni (1914 : checklist, distribution); Migone (1916: parasitology); Bertoni (1939: checklist, distribution); Jover Peralta & Osuna (1952: dictionary); Gatti (1985: dictionary).

Procyon cancrivorus Rengger (1830: ecology); Schmidt & Martin (1978: parasitology); Seelwische (1980: ethnography); Pérez et al. (1987: distribution); Brooks (1993: ecology); Brooks et al. (1993: distribution); Van Humbeck & Silvera Avalos (1995: distribution); Gamarra de Fox & Martin (1996: specimens); Lowen et al. (1996: distribution); Dirección de Parques Nacionales y Vida Silvestre (1998: conservation); Gamarra de Fox et al. (1998: conservation); Taber et al. (1997: predation); Yahnke et al. (1998: distribution); Hill & Padwe (2000: mention); Villalba & Yanosky (2000: ecology, tracks); Areskoug (2001: ecology); Esquivel (2001: guide); Neris & Colman (2001: folklore, use); Neris et al. (2002: distribution); Ziegler et al. (2002: specimen); Fariña & Hosttetler (2003: checklist); Cartes (2004: ecology); Fast Schartner (2004: guide); Neris & Franco Rivarola (2005: guide); Smith et al. (2005: distribution); Guyra Paraguay (2008: distribution); Cartes et al. (2010: mortality); Cartes et al. (2011: mortality); Ramírez Pinto & Velázquez (2010: distribution); Rumbo (2010: ecology); Masi Pallarés (2011: guide); Centrón et al. (2013: distribution); Velázquez & Ramírez Pinto (2014: guide); Ortiz et al. (2016: guide); de la Sancha et al. (2017: list); Saldîvar et al. (2017: conservation); Epp (2018: guide); Ortega & Weiler (2018: mortality); Villalba et al. (2018: guide); González et al. (2019: distribution); Weiler et al. (2019: guide); Caballero-Gini et al. (2020: distribution); Weiler et al. (2020: distribution, ecology); Dacak et al. (2021: parasitology); Torres et al. (2021, guide); Zuercher et al. (2022: diet); Salinas et al. (2022: abundance, distribution); Entidad Binacional Yacyretá (undated: guide).

Procyon cancrivorus nigripes Wetzel & Lovett (1974: specimen); Seesee et al. (1981: parasitology).

Procyon carnivorus Hill & Hawkes (1983: use).

Procyon cancrivourus Proyecto Kuatiañe’ẽ (2006: dictionary).

Local names: ACHE: Bejywa (Hill & Hawkes, 1983); Mbechacramá ( Brooks et al., 1993); Mbeyuvá (Lowen et al., 1996); Bejyva (Esquivel, 2001); Mbechakrá (Villalba & Yanosky, 2000); Baejyva, Chãkrama bei, Chãkytã (Proyecto Kuatiañe’ẽ, 2006); AYOREO: Guiduja guesai (Neris & Colman, 2001); ENLHET: Alpomhajuk (Fast Schartner, 2004); GUARANÍ: Agüará Popé ( Azara, 1802);Aguarapopé (Rengger, 1830);Aguará-popé ( Bertoni, 1914); Aguara pope (Seelwische, 1980); Pópé (Lowen et al., 1996); Popé (Lowen et al., 1996); Yaguá-chinì, Yaguá-popé (Gatti, 1985); MENNONITE DIALECT: Langteeja Foss (Fast Schartner, 2004); NIVACLÉ: stsaapjatanôj (Seelwische, 1980); SPANISH: Mapache ( Areskoug, 2001); Mapache comedor de cangrejos (Esquivel, 2001); Osito lavador ( Areskoug, 2001) Mayuato (Velázquez & Ramírez Pinto, 2014).Aguara pope (current Guaraní spelling) and variations translates roughly as “fox with flat hands” (Rengger, 1830). The Spanish name Osito lavador translates as “little washing bear”, in reference to the behaviour of washing food prior to consumption.

Comments: This is the Popé of Azara (1802; Tome 1: 278) and l’Agouarapopé of Azara (1801; Tome 1: 324). He described the species as “very scarce” in Paraguay (having encountered only two individuals) and made comparisons between it and the crab-eating fox Cerdocyon thous , noting that the two species are “often confused”. He also provided a detailed literature review of the time. Rengger (1830) also describes the species as rare in Paraguay and carefully describes the differences between this species and the northern raccoon Procyon lotor (Linnaeus 1758) . The subspecies present in Paraguay is P. c. nigripes (Mivart 1885), with restricted type locality “ Paraguay ” ( Allen, 1916: 573).

Geographical distribution: A widespread species associated with watercourses across Paraguay. The presence of water is necessary for sustained presence, but the species will expand its range into drier areas during wet periods, when dry courses fill. Occurs in all ecoregions throughout the country, but especially numerous in the Humid Chaco and Pantanal ecoregions of the Paraguay River Basin. We were able to trace confirmed reports of the species in all departments except Amambay, though the species undoubtedly occurs there.

Examined specimens: “ Chaco ” (MJUF); BOQUERÓN: no locality (MNHNP 1186); Estancia La Gama (MNHNP 1039, 1040; Gamarra de Fox & Martin, 1996); Jesudi Comunidad Ayoreo (MNHNP 3062); Estancia Waldbrunner, 25 km from Neuland (MNHNP 1037; Gamarra de Fox & Martin, 1996); ÑEEMBUCÚ: 6 km east of Pilar on Ruta IV (CZPLT-M 958); 10.6 km north of Pilar (CZPLT-M 511); Estancia Santa Ana (CZPLT-M 1086, 1100); PRESIDENTE HAYES: Estancia Pozo Azul (MNHNP 782, 1194; Gamarra de Fox & Martin, 1996); Ruta Transchaco km 104 (MNHNP 783; Gamarra de Fox & Martin, 1996); Ruta Transchaco km 168 (MNHNP 1038; Gamarra de Fox & Martin, 1996).

Specimens not examined: “Paraguay” ( MLP 19.31 , 25.193, 25.359), ALTO PARAGUAY: 144 km NE of Filadelfia ( UCONN 20104 ) ; ALTO PARANÁ: Arroyo Acaray Mi ( CBMI 0024 ) ; Hernandarias ( CBMI 0015 , 0099 ) ; BOQUERÓN: surroundings of 22°32’S 59°40’W ( MTD 24887 ; Ziegler et al., 2002) ; CANINDEYÚ: 13 km north of Curuguaty by road ( UMMZ 146502 ; Gamarra de Fox & Martin, 1996) ; CONCEPCIÓN: Arroyo Tagitaya-Mi ( MHNG-MAM 1690.089 ; Roguin , 1986; Gamarra de Fox & Martin, 1996) ; CORDILLERA: NE of Emboscada, just off Ruta III ( UMMZ 178350 ) ; ITAPÚA: Capitán Meza ( MLP 47.375 ) ; PRESIDENTE HAYES: 2 km N of Pozo Colorado on the Ruta Transchaco ( TTU 80577 ) ; 2 km N of line camp, Juan de Salazar ( UCONN 16769 ; Wetzel & Lovett, 1974) ; 8 km NE Juan de Salazar ( UMMZ 146503 ; Gamarra de Fox & Martin, 1996) ; 85 km east of Loma Plata, Laguna Pora de Colonia Fernheim ( UCONN 20346 ) ; 130 km NW by road from Villa Hayes ( MVZ 145339 ; Gamarra de Fox & Martin, 1996) ; 275 km NW by road from Villa Hayes ( MVZ 145340 , 145341 ; Gamarra de Fox & Martin, 1996) ; km 75 on the road to General Díaz ( TTU 80576 ) ; Estancia Appendice, km 293 Ruta Transchaco ( MHNG-MAM 1690.067 ; Roguin , 1986; Gamarra de Fox & Martin, 1996) ; Estancia Juan de Salazar ( UCONN 15766 , 16276 ) ; Potrero Doña Cinthia, 30 km W of Villa Hayes ( MSB 57391 ) ; Waikthlatingmayalwa ( UMZC Vertebrates K 1631) ; west bank of Rio Paraguay , 4 km N of Puerto Foncierre ( UMMZ 166714 ) . Literature references: ALTO PARANÁ: Estancia San Antonio ( Brooks et al., 1993; Lowen et al., 1996); Puerto Bertoni ( Bertoni, 1914); Refugio Biológico Tati Yupi (Pérez et al., 1987); Reserva Biológica Limoy (Pérez et al., 1987); Reserva Biológica de Itabó (Pérez et al., 1987); “Itaipú area of influence” (Van Humbeck & Silverra Avalos, 1995; Gamarra de Fox & Martin, 1996); ALTO PARAGUAY: Estación Los Tres Gigantes (González et al., 2019); BOQUERÓN: Estancia Montanía (21º57’48’’S, 60º04’19’’W) (Weiler et al., 2020); Fortín Toledo ( Brooks, 1993); Gran Siete ( Areskoug, 2001); CAAGUAZÚ: Estancia Kaa’guy Rory (Lowen et al., 1996); CAAZAPÁ: Arrozal Codas (Guyra Paraguay, 2008); Parque Nacional Caaguazú (=Parque Nacional Caazapá) (Lowen et al., 1996); Estero Cabacuá (Guyra Paraguay, 2008); Reserva Privada Ypeti (=Reserva Privada Golondrina I) ( Brooks et al., 1993; Lowen et al., 1996); Reserva Tapytá (Guyra Paraguay, 2008; Velázquez & Ramírez Pinto, 2014); CAAZAPÁ / ITAPÚA: Parque Nacional San Rafael (Lowen et al., 1996); CANINDEYÚ: Estancia Jiménez (Lowen et al., 1996); Reserva de Patrimonio Aché de Kuetuvy (Centrón et al., 2013); Reserva Natural Privada Itabó ( Brooks et al., 1993; Lowen et al. 1996); Reserva Natural del Bosque Mbaracayú ( Brooks et al., 1993; Lowen et al., 1996; Hill & Padwe, 2000; Esquivel, 2001; Fariña & Hosttetler, 2003; Zuercher et al., 2022); CANINDEYÚ / CAAGUAZÚ: Reserva Natural Privada Morombi (=Reserva Privada Golondrina II) (Lowen et al., 1996); CENTRAL: Asunción ( Bertoni, 1914); Bahía de Asunción (Guyra Paraguay, 2008); CORDILLERA: Reserva Natural Privada Sombrero (Lowen et al., 1996; Guyra Paraguay, 2008); GUAIRÁ: near Villarrica (Rengger, 1830); ITAPÚA: Arroyo Tymaka (Guyra Paraguay, 2008); Estero Kuruñai (Guyra Paraguay, 2008); Estero Ñu Guazú (Guyra Paraguay, 2008); Estero San José (Guyra Paraguay, 2008); Estero de San Mauricio (Guyra Paraguay, 2008); Estero Ypyta (Guyra Paraguay, 2008); Hotel El Tirol (Smith et al., 2005); Isla Yacyretá (Gamarra de Fox & Martin, 1996, Guyra Paraguay, 2008); La Yegreña (Guyra Paraguay, 2008); San Cosme y Damián (Salinas et al., 2022); San Miguel Potrero (Guyra Paraguay, 2008); MISIONES: Campo Llano (Guyra Paraguay, 2008); Estancia La Graciela (Guyra Paraguay, 2008); Refúgio de Vida Silvestre Yabebyry (Gamarra de Fox & Martin, 1996; Lowen et al., 1996; Guyra Paraguay, 2008); Santiago (Salinas et al., 2022); ÑEEMBUCÚ: Estancia Redondo (Guyra Paraguay, 2008); PRESIDENTE HAYES: Estancia Golondrina-El Trebol (Guyra Paraguay, 2008); Estancia La Rafaela (Guyra Paraguay, 2008); Estancia Playada ( Caballero-Gini et al., 2020); Pilcomayo (Ramírez Pinto & Velázquez, 2010); Rio Negro (Guyra Paraguay, 2008).

Photographic records: ALTO PARAGUAY: Bahía Negra ( PS, FPMAM416 VI); CENTRAL: Bahía de Asunción ( SDR); Parque Guasu Metropolitano, Asunción (Aníbal Domaniczky, CON Paraguay); PARAGUARÍ: Arroyo Caañabé on the Ruta Nueva Italia to Carapeguá (Marcos Saldívar, CON Paraguay); PRESIDENTE HAYES: Estancia Aurora (R. Zotti, FPMAM410 PH); Campo María ( PS, FPMAM415 PH); Ruta Transchaco km 90 ( PS, FPMAM411 PH); Ruta Transchaco km 290 ( PS, FPMAM1006 PH) ; SAN PEDRO: Rancho Laguna Blanca ( Para La Tierra ).

Reliable observations: ALTO PARAGUAY: Carmelo Peralta (SDR); BOQUERÓN: 80km N of Mariscal Estigarribia towards Pablo La Gerenza (Nelson Pérez); GUAIRÁ: Road between Villarrica and Ñumi (Nelson Pérez); ITAPÚA: Artigas (Jose Paredes); Coronel Bogado (PS); PRESIDENTE HAYES: Montelindo, Ruta Transchaco km 212 (Nelson Pérez); Chaco Lodge (PS); Laguna Capitán (PS); Pirahu (PS).

Figures

Fig. 4 - Distribution of Procyon cancrivorus in Paraguay. Specimen examined (yellow circle); Specimen not examined (blue triangle); Literature reference (green square); Photographic record (red hexagon); Reliable observation (purple star). / Distribuzione di Procyon cancrivorus in Paraguay. Esemplare esaminato (cerchio giallo); esemplare non esaminato (triangolo blu); riferimento bibliografico (quadrato verde); documentazione fotografica (esagono rosso); osservazione affidabile (stella viola).