Use of the paca, Cuniculus paca (Rodentia: Agoutidae) in the Sierra de Tabasco State Park, Mexico

Abstract

Cuniculus paca is widely distributed throughout the Neotropics. Known as the paca, it is the largest rodent in the Mexican tropical forests, and one of the most used as a subsistence species for its meat. Since colonial times, this species has been subject of an unreported hunting pressure. For this reason, the aim of this work was to describe the use of the paca by the inhabitants of the Sierra de Tabasco State Park (STSP) using sampling areas in a matrix of vegetation with different degrees of disturbance, and different types of land use. We included both preserved areas: owing to the presence of large continuous areas of fragmented rainforest and areas that are not preserved, with smaller rainforest fragments and more isolated. To obtain information about paca use, we interviewed 176 people (>18 years old) who live in the STSP. All those interviewed had eaten paca meat, and indicated that this species is most frequently observed in the rainforest during the dry season. Hunting and trapping were the most common ways to obtain pacas, rather than gifting or purchasing, and firearms and dogs are used to hunt them. We estimated that these interviewed group had hunted a total of 488 paca in the year prior to the study.

Abundance, density and habitat use of lowland paca (Cuniculus paca, Rodentia: Cuniculidae) in the Lacandon Rainforest, Chiapas, Mexico

“…Hence, habitat types with continuous, mature cover are as important for paca conservation and management as secondary forest fragments interconnected to the first (Jax et al 2015). Habitat connectivity is fundamental for paca mobility and dispersal, improving the viability of its populations in the long term (Ahumada et al 2003;Gallina et al 2012 Appendix 1. Relative abundance indices (RAI) of Cuniculus paca, its potential competitors and predators in three habitat types of the Lacandon Rainforest, Chiapas, Mexico (2013-2014 Fruit parts consumed by pacas: C = Shell; P = Pulp; S = Seed; FC = Whole fruit.…”

“…The paca is relatively tolerant to habitat fragmentation and land use change in the tropical forests of Mexico (Cuarón 2000;Gallina et al 2012). During the second half of the twen-terion to select transect locations was the presence of paca signs (footprints, feeding sites, active burrows, and sights by residents).…”

Home range and habitat use by pacas in a montane tropical forest in Bolivia

“…Paca is the second largest rodent in the Neotropics (Pérez 1992;Queirolo et al 2008), inhabits forests from Mexico to northern Argentina (Pérez 1992) and is one of the most commonly hunted species in Central and South America (Redford and Robinson 1991;Zapata 2001;Queirolo et al 2008;Aquino et al 2009;Gallina et al 2012;Santos-Fita et al 2012). It has been surveyed extensively across its distribution, but little is known about its spatial ecology (Wallace et al 2010).…”

“…It has been surveyed extensively across its distribution, but little is known about its spatial ecology (Wallace et al 2010). Several studies have been conducted focusing on paca behavior, abundance and management in captivity (Parroquin 2010, Rodriguez andOrtega 2012), diet (Beck-King et al 1999, Zucaratto et al 2010, its exploitation by humans (Aquino et al 2009, Aspirilla-Perea et al 2011, Gallina et al 2012, and just a handful report data on home range (Marcus 1984, Smythe andBrown de Guanti 1995), with only one using radiotelemetry as a monitoring tool (Beck-King et al 1999). Finally, there is limited specific information focused on the habitat use and preference of the species (Guzmán -Aguirre 2008, Goulart et al 2009, Michalsky and Norris 2011, Huanca-Huarachi et al 2011, Aquino et al 2012.…”

Avaliação da eficiência de cal virgem na inativação de ovos de nematoides - Strongyloides sp.) parasitos de pacas - Cuniculus paca ) criadas em cativeiro

“…Atualmente a criação desses animais em cativeiro é considerada viável e pode auxiliar na conservação de suas populações naturais (Smythe e Guanti, 1995;Ribeiro e Zamora, 2008;Gallina et al, 2012).…”