Dasyprocta fuliginosa, Wagler, 1832

Don E. Wilson, Thomas E. Lacher, Jr & Russell A. Mittermeier, 2016, Dasyproctidae, Handbook of the Mammals of the World – Volume 6 Lagomorphs and Rodents I, Barcelona: Lynx Edicions, pp. 440-461 : 458

5.

Black Agouti

Dasyprocta fuliginosa

French: Agouti cendré / German: Mohrenaguti / Spanish: Aguti negro

Taxonomy. Dasyprocta fuliginosa Wagler, 1832 ,

“habitat in Brasilia versus flumen Amazonum.” Restricted by J. A. Allen in 1915 to “Villa de Borba” Rio Madeira, Amazonas, Brazil.

This species is monotypic.

Distribution. W Amazon Basin in SE Colombia, S Venezuela (S Apure and Amazonas states), W Brazil (E to Rio Negro and Rio Madeira), E Ecuador, and E Peru (N ofJunin Department).

Descriptive notes. Head-body 540-760 mm, tail 20-40 mm, ear 35-50 mm, hindfoot 120-145 mm; weight 3.5-6 kg. The Black Agouti is the largest species of Dasyprocta . Upper parts are entirely black, finely grizzled with white. Hairs over rump are black, sometimes with inconspicuous white tips and not usually overhanging rump. Nape has slight crest of longer, black hairs. Tail and feet of the Black Agouti are black, and throat is white. Some color variation occurs among individuals, with some appearing washed with orange. Black Agoutis from Venezuela have long, overhanging rump hair, with long white tips. General shape and posture of the Black Agouti is like the Common Red-rumped Agouti ( D. leporina ).

Habitat. Mature and disturbed rainforest, deciduous forest, and montane forest on eastern flank of the Andesat elevations up to ¢.1000 m.

Food and Feeding. The Black Agouti feeds mainly on fruits and nuts. It is a major disperser of seeds of Hymenaea courbaril ( Fabaceae ) in logged rainforests in eastern Peru. It is also a seed disperser and predator of the Brazil nut (Betholletia excelsa, Lecythidaceae ) on the lower Rio Purus in Brazil. When eating, it gnaws loudly on nuts.

Breeding. Reproduction and pregnancy of the Black Agouti occurs throughout the year, with the same pregnancy rate in wet and dry seasons. Average estrous cycle is 34 days, and gestation lasts 104-120 days. Litter size averages 2-1 young. Females have four pairs of mammae and lactate for ¢.20 weeks.

Activity patterns. Similar to other agoutis, the Black Agouti is primarily diurnal and terrestrial. If alarmed, it stamps its feet and gives a short series of deep grunts or whistlelike calls.

Movements, Home range and Social organization. Black Agoutis are found alone and in pairs. Little is known about the specific social behavior ofthis species.

Status and Conservation. Classified as Least Concern on The IUCN Red List. The Black Agouti is presumed to have a wide distribution and large population, and it is unlikely to be declining at the rate required to qualify for listing in a threatened category. In some areas,it is intensively hunted for meat.

Bibliography. Allen (1915a), Emmons (1997a), Gorchov et al. (2004), Haugaasen et al. (2010, 2012), Mayor et al. (2011), Munari et al. (2011), Patton & Emmons (2015a), Smythe (1978).

Figures

On following pages: 4. Roatan Island Agouti (Dasyprocta ruatanica); 5. Black Agouti (Dasyprocta fuliginosa); 6. Common Red-rumped Agouti (Dasyprocta leporina); 7. Guamara Agouti (Dasyprocta guamara); 8. Orange Agouti (Dasyprocta croconota); 9. Black-rumped Agouti (Dasyprocta prymnolopha); 10. lack’s Red-rumped Agouti (Dasyprocta iacki); 11. Brown Agouti (Dasyprocta variegata); 12. Kalinowski's Agouti (Dasyprocta kalinowskii); 13. Azara's Agouti (Dasyprocta azarae); 14. Red Acouchy (Myoprocta acouchy); 15. Green Acouchy (Myoprocta pratt).

Distribution. W Amazon Basin in SE Colombia, S Venezuela (S Apure and Amazonas states), W Brazil (E to Rio Negro and Rio Madeira), E Ecuador, and E Peru (N ofJunin Department).