Dasyprocta ruatanica, Thomas, 1901

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

4.

Roatan Island Agouti

Dasyprocta ruatanica

French: Agouti de Roatan / German: Roatan-Aguti / Spanish: Aguti de Roatan

Other common names: Ruatan Island Agouti

Taxonomy. Dasyprocta ruatanica Thomas, 1901 ,

“Ruatan Island, Bay of Honduras.”

This species is monotypic.

Distribution. Roatan I, off N Honduras.

Descriptive notes. Head-body 435 mm, hindfoot 101 mm; weight 0.6-4 kg, all measurements from the holotype (adult female). The Roatan Island Agouti is a small version of the Central American Agouti ( D. punctata ). Upper parts of the Roatan Island Agouti are uniformly yellow-brown, grizzled with black; under parts are like the back but more olivaceous. White spot occurs on chin and yellow patch occurs on middle of posterior part of belly. Limbs are the same color as body but darken distally so forefeet and hindfeet are deep grizzled brown.

Habitat. Forested regions and second growth forest in tropical scrub forests. The Roatan Island Agouti has become habituated to living in heavily impacted areas.

Food and Feeding. The Roatan Island Agoutieats a variety of plants, including tropical almonds ( Terminalia , Combretaceae ), coconuts, hibiscus flowers, and pods of Pentaclethra (Fabaceae) . In human disturbed environments,it feeds on rice, oranges, and corn kernels, which were intended for domestic species.

Breeding. There is no specific information available for this species, but the Roatan Island Agouti is probably similar to the Central American Agouti .

Activity patterns. The only study on the natural history of the Roatan Island Agouti was conducted on a resort separated from the main Roatan Island. Individuals in this study were much habituated to humans, affecting their behavior and activity patterns.

Movements, Home range and Social organization. Little is known about ecology and behavior of the Roatan Island Agouti , but a study on a highly disturbed resortisland showed that individuals preferred areas with tree cover but used all areas, including heavily disturbed areas.

Status and Conservation. Classified as Endangered on The IUCN Red List. The majority of habitat on Roatan Island has been disturbed by construction of hotels and houses. The current taxonomic validity of the Roatan Island Agouti is questionable because local people have introduced agoutis from the mainland and other Bay Islands. It has been reported that the Roatan Island Agouti is hunted for food.

Bibliography. Goodwin (1942), Lee, Hartline & Barnes (2006), Lee, Rhodes et al. (2000), Reid (2009), Woods & Kilpatrick (2005).

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. Roatan I, off N Honduras.