Black agouti

The black agouti, Dasyprocta fuliginosa, is a South American species of agouti from the family Dasyproctidae. It is found in the northwestern Amazon in southern Venezuela, eastern Colombia, eastern Ecuador, western Brazil and northeastern Peru. There is also a disjunct population in the Magdalena River Valley of northern Colombia.[1] The black agouti weighs 3.5–6 kg (7.7–13.2 lb). It is overall black grizzled white, and the throat is white.[2] Like other agoutis, the black agouti is diurnal, lives alone or in pairs, and feeds on fruits and nuts.[2]

For the Mexican black agouti, see Mexican agouti.

Black agouti
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Mammalia
Order: Rodentia
Family: Dasyproctidae
Genus: Dasyprocta
Species:
D. fuliginosa
Binomial name
Dasyprocta fuliginosa
Wagler, 1832

They are found in forests, thick brush, savannas and cultivated areas. In Peru, they are confined to the Amazonian region where they are found in all parts of the low selva zone and many parts of the high selva zone. It is found at altitudes of 2,000 metres (6,600 ft) and above. Agoutis live in close proximity to water, being found on the banks of all types of streams.

In some areas, they construct burrows among limestone boulders, along river banks or under the roots of trees.

Reproductive Characteristics

The female black agouti is capable of breeding year-round. Also, they are considered to be aseasonally polyestrous, meaning the females can go through more than one period of estrus in a single year.[3] One estrus period can last for 24 hours while the estrous cycle can last between 30–34 days.[3] Furthermore, the gestation period averages 104 days and females are able to produce two newborns per litter.[3]

References
  1. Catzeflis, F.; Patton, J.; Percequillo, A.; Bonvicino, C. & Weksler, M. (2008). "Dasyprocta fuliginosa". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. 2008. Retrieved 5 January 2009.CS1 maint: ref=harv (link)
  2. Emmons, L. H. (1997). Neotropical Rainforest Mammals. Pp. 227. 2nd edition. ISBN 0-226-20721-8
  3. Mayor, P., et al. (2011). Functional anatomy of the female genital organs of the wild black agouti (Dasyprocta fuliginosa) female in the Peruvian Amazon. Animal Reproduction Science. 123 (3-4), 249-257.
  • John F. Eisenberg and Kent H. Redford, 2000. Mammals of Neotropics: Ecuador, Bolivia and Brazil.


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