Carrion consumption by Dasyprocta leporina (RODENTIA: DASYPROCTIDAE) and a review of meat use by agoutis

Abstract

The consumption of the carrion of a tapiti by a reintroduced female Dasyprocta leporina was observed in the wild. Herein, besides describing this event, we reviewed other evidence of vertebrate consumption by agoutis. Most of the studies describing this behaviour have been carried out in captivity. The preyed animals included birds and small rodents, which were sometimes killed by agoutis. This pattern suggests that this is not an anomalous behaviour for the genus, reflecting its omnivorous habits. This behaviour can be a physiologically sound feeding strategy, so new studies should focus on the temporal variation in the consumption of this resource, possibly related to food scarcity periods or to reproductive seasons, when the need for high-quality food tends to increase.Keywords: diet, Rodentia, zoophagy, carrion. Consumo de carniça por Dasyprocta leporina (RODENTIA: DASYPROCTIDAE) e uma revisão do uso de carne por cutias ResumoFoi observado na natureza o consumo da carniça de um tapiti (Sylvilagus brasiliensis) por uma fêmea reintroduzida da cutia Dasyprocta leporina. Neste estudo, além da descrição desse evento, é feita uma revisão de outras evidências de consumo de vertebrados por cutias. A maioria dos estudos que descreveram esse comportamento foi realizada em cativeiro. Os animais predados incluíram aves e pequenos roedores, que foram mortos pelas cutias em algumas ocasiões. Esse padrão sugere que esse não é um comportamento anômalo para o gênero, refletindo seus hábitos onívoros. Esse comportamento pode trazer vantagens fisiológicas para esses animais, de forma que novos estudos devem focar na variação temporal do uso desse recurso, relacionando-o com períodos de escassez e com a estação reprodutiva dos animais, onde a necessidade de alimentos de alta qualidade energética pode ser maior.

Nutrition of Six Selected Neo-Tropical Mammals in Trinidad and Tobago with the Potential for Domestication

“…Consumption of animal matter was observed when a female agouti reintroduced into the wild was observed consuming the carrion of a tapiti ( Sylvilagus brasiliensis ) . It did so by adopting the regular posture of sitting on its haunches and using its front paws to rip away pieces of meat which it placed into its mouth [ 21 ] ( Table 1 ). The agouti eats by assuming a sitting position while using its front paws to hold food [ 9 , 12 ].…”

Dystocia in a Captive Reared Agouti (Dasyprocta leporina) in Trinidad and Tobago, West Indies

“…It was summarised that the agouti was frugivorous, herbivorous and opportunistic in its feeding behaviour. In captivity the consumption of animal matter has been documented with the agouti consuming carrion, chicken eggs and dead chicken [17,18].…”

Evaluation of Unconventional Supplements to the Diet of Intensively Reared Agouti (Dasyprocta leporina) in Trinidad, West Indies

“…The diet of the agouti in the wild and in captivity has been described as being omnivorous. These animals have been found eating animal matter such as bruchid larvae [ 10 , 11 ], carrion [ 12 ], eggs [ 13 ], insects, and in some cases young agouti (cannibalism) [ 14 ]. The agouti has a simple stomach with a functional caecum.…”