Skip to main content
WCS
Menu
Library
Library Catalog
eJournals & eBooks
WCS Research
Archives
Research Use
Finding Aids
Digital Collections
WCS History
WCS Research
Research Publications
Science Data
Services for WCS Researchers
Archives Shop
Bronx Zoo
Department of Tropical Research
Browse By Product
About Us
FAQs
Intern or Volunteer
Staff
Donate
Search WCS.org
Search
search
Popular Search Terms
WCS History
Library and Archives
Library and Archives Menu
Library
Archives
WCS Research
Archives Shop
About Us
Donate
en
fr
Title
Tropical ungulates of Ecuador: an update of the state of knowledge
Author(s)
Tirira, D.G., C.A. Urgilés-Verdugo, A. Tapia, C.A. Cajas-Bermeo, X. Izurieta & G. Zapata-Ríos
Published
2019
Published Version DOI
https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-28868-6_11
Abstract
In Ecuador, there are 12 recognized species and 16 taxa of neotropical ungulates. The tapirs (Tapiridae) include two species: Tapirus pinchaque and T. terrestris, present in highlands and humid tropical and subtropical forest in the Amazon, respectively; traditionally, a third species of tapir was added to the Ecuadorian fauna, Tapirus bairdii; however, there are no concrete records and its presence is not supported by any form of evidence. Within the peccaries (Tayassuidae), two species are recognized: Pecari tajacu and Tayassu pecari; both are sympatric in most of their range, and niche overlap is high. The camelids (Camelidae) have three species, two domesticated and with historical presence in the country for more than 500 years: Lama glama and Vicugna pacos; and Vicugna vicugna, a species that was considered extinct in Ecuador and initially treated as reintroduced; however, there is no evidence to confirm the historical presence of this species in Ecuador. The situation of deer (Cervidae) is more complex. This family includes three genera and five species, but with several unresolved taxonomic problems. The genus Mazama is widely distributed in Ecuador, and three species have been known to occur in Ecuador: M. americana, M. nemorivaga, and M. rufina. The taxonomic knowledge of the Mazama americana sensu lato in Ecuador is still incomplete, and a detailed revision is still pending, especially for the specimens west of the Andes. The taxonomic status of Odocoileus virginianus and its subspecies is also incomplete and needs a detailed review. In Ecuador, the two recognized subspecies (O. v. ustus and O. v. peruvianus) have been treated as valid species by some authors. Finally, Hippocamelus antisensis was a species reported in Ecuador since 1851, and with a series of records in the country in the following decades. It was excluded from Ecuadorian fauna in the absence of supporting evidence.
Keywords
Behavior; Camelids; Diet; Habitat requirements; Peccaries Population; Threats
Access Full Text
A full-text copy of this article may be available. Please email the
WCS Library
to request.
Back
PUB27079