Brown-nosed coati (Nasua nasua vittata) on the Roraima tepui (Carnivora: Procyonidae)

Pages

123-130

Citation

PASCUAL, Amelia Diaz de, AUDY, Marek, ROBOVSKÝ, Jan a HAVELKOVÁ, Pavla. Brown-nosed coati (Nasua nasua vittata) on the Roraima tepui (Carnivora: Procyonidae). Lynx, new series. Prague: National Museum, 2006, 37(1), 123-130. ISSN 0024-7774 (print), 1804-6460 (online). Also available from: https://publikace.nm.cz/en/periodicals/lns/37-1/brown-nosed-coati-nasua-nasua-vittata-on-the-roraima-tepui-carnivora-procyonidae

Lynx, new series | 2006/37/1

Tepuis are geomorphologically (physically) isolated mountains in the northeastern area of South America. Their long-time isolation has promoted the evolution of a highly endemic fauna at the genus and species level. In general, the rare incidence is typical for all vertebrates, especially for mammals (there are no fishes on the tops of the tepuis). Herein we report of two independent observations of coatis (genus Nasua) in March 2002 and January 2003 on Roraima tepui (on the borders of Venezuela, Guyana and Brazil). The observed animals possess evident distinctive black and olive-brown coloration. Based on its distribution and published reports we suppose that these individuals belong to the subspecies of Brown-nosed coati (Nasua nasua vittata). Its distribution on Roraima tepui could be interpreted as a case of habitat and food source opportunism in coatis. The observation of January 2003 includes aggressive interaction between two individuals. Our observations could be added to other examples of mammal distribution on tepuis. The exact number of coatis on Roraima, their detailed feeding strategy and the potential dependence on human activity in this area remain unclear.

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