The role of tayra (Eira barbara) as predator of medium and large‐sized mammals

Abstract

Interactions between predators and prey affect their distributions and abundances, and these effects are of central importance in ecology. However, these interactions are difficult to observe in some free-ranging species due to their elusive behaviour. We describe the video-recorded observation of predation of a grey brocket deer (Mazama gouazoubira) by a tayra (Eira barbara), which is the largest prey reported for this mustelid. Additionally, we report three other wild species (Dasypus sp., Sylvilagus brasiliensis and Leontopithecus chrysopygus) predated by tayra and we present a review of tayra attacks on, and predation of, small primates and other medium and large-sized mammal prey. Surprisingly, this mustelid is capable of predating a high diversity of species, both arboreal and terrestrial. At least 20 species were seen to be predated or attacked by tayras, which are capable of predating species with up to twice its own body weight, information which may be unknown due to its elusive behaviour. Additionally, we discuss the role of tayra in a community structure and raised the question of its potential key role as a predator species. This makes this mustelid a predator with greater prey diversity than previously thought and elucidate aspects of the natural history of trophic ecology of tayra, grey brocket deer and others elusive forest species.