Procyon pygmaeus, Merriam, 1901
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publication ID |
https://doi.org/ 10.5281/zenodo.5714404 |
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DOI |
https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.5714766 |
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persistent identifier |
https://treatment.plazi.org/id/6A61FC4E-FFAA-014D-19A9-F7F96B39D44C |
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treatment provided by |
Conny |
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scientific name |
Procyon pygmaeus |
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12. View Plate 30: Procyonidae
Cozumel Raccoon
French: Raton de Cozumel / German: Cozumel-Waschbar / Spanish: Mapache de Cozumel
Taxonomy. Procyon pygmaeus Merriam, 1901 View in CoL ,
Cozumel Island, Mexico.
Recent genetic evidence suggests that P. pygmaeus is a relatively recent addition to Cozumel, in the last 50,000 years, but was likely present well before Mayans populated this region. It has always been considered a unique species because of its smaller size. Monotypic.
Distribution. Known only from Mexico (Cozumel I). View Figure
Descriptive notes. Head-body 35-43 cm, tail 22-25 cm; weight averages 3-7 kg (males), 3-3 kg (females). Cozumel Raccoons lookjust like Northern Raccoons, but are smaller. Compared with nearby raccoons from the Yucatan area, Cozumel Raccoons are 15% smaller.
Habitat. Use the mangrove and coastal wetlands on Cozumel Island.
Food and Feeding. Both isotopic data and scat analyses suggest an omnivorous diet, with crabs being the most important (more than 50%) item followed by fruits and insects. Raccoonsliving near humans are approximately 0-5 kg heavier, suggesting that they may be using anthropogenic foods.
Activity patterns. No details on Cozumel Raccoon activity have been reported.
Movements, Home range and Social organization. Nothing is known specifically about behavior; it is presumed to be similar to that of Northern Raccoons.
Breeding. Lactating females have been recorded May-July.
Status and Conservation. Classified as Critically Endangered on The IUCN Red List due to their restricted range and small population numbers. The population of raccoons on Cozumel Island is estimated to be fewer than 250 adults.
Bibliography. Cuaron et al. (2004), McFadden (2004), McFadden, Sambrotto et al. (2006), McFadden, Wade et al. (2005).
No known copyright restrictions apply. See Agosti, D., Egloff, W., 2009. Taxonomic information exchange and copyright: the Plazi approach. BMC Research Notes 2009, 2:53 for further explanation.
