Predation attempt and abnormal coat coloration of the tayra (Eira barbara) in the Brazilian Central Amazon |
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| Authors: | Tainara Venturini Sobroza André Luis Gonçalves Laynara Silva dos Santos |
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| Affiliation: | 1. Amazonian Mammals Research Group, Instituto Nacional de Pesquisas da Amaz?nia, Manaus, Brazil;2. Pied Tamarin Project, Universidade Federal do Amazonas, Manaus, Braziltv.sobroza@gmail.com;4. Pied Tamarin Project, Universidade Federal do Amazonas, Manaus, Brazil |
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| Abstract: | Predation is one of the most important interactions between species and a major selection pressure in wild mammal populations. Camouflage is a common pattern of colorations resulting from predation pressure, however, atypical coloration may appear in the wild. Both predation and atypical coloration in mammal species are difficult to observe in a natural setting but contain important biological information. Here we describe a leucistic tayra (Eira barbara) attempting to prey on a sloth (Bradypus tridactylus). The event occurred in Brazilian Central Amazon as a tayra unsuccessfully tried to kill an adult sloth in the mid-canopy of a secondary forest. |
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| Keywords: | leucism camouflage predator–prey sloth Bradypus |
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