Fact-checked by Grok 2 weeks ago

Lowland paca

The lowland paca (Cuniculus paca), also known as the spotted paca, is a large rodent in the family Cuniculidae, characterized by its robust build, short legs, nearly tailless body, and distinctive reddish-brown fur marked with four rows of white spots along the sides.^[1] Adults typically measure 60–82 cm in length and weigh 6–12 kg, with males slightly larger than females, and they possess strong swimming abilities adapted to their watery habitats.^[1] Native to the Neotropics, this nocturnal herbivore primarily consumes fallen fruits such as avocados and mangos, along with seeds, leaves, tubers, and stems, serving as an important seed disperser in forest ecosystems.^[1]^[2] Distributed from eastern Mexico through Central America to northern Argentina and Uruguay, the lowland paca inhabits tropical evergreen and subdeciduous forests, pine-oak woodlands, mangroves, and cloud forests at elevations ranging from sea level to 1,800 m, often favoring areas near rivers or streams for burrowing.^[1] Population densities vary from 6 to 90 individuals per square kilometer, influenced by fruit availability and proximity to water, with higher abundances in protected reserves during the dry season due to cavity availability for shelter.^[1]^[3] These rodents construct extensive burrow systems in soil or use natural cavities, which they line with leaves for resting during the day.^[1] Behaviorally solitary and territorial, lowland pacas form monogamous pairs that defend home ranges of 3–4 hectares, exhibiting aggression toward same-sex intruders through vocalizations and physical displays.^[1] They are primarily nocturnal foragers, shifting feeding sites seasonally based on ripe fruit distribution, and occasionally cache food in burrows.^[1] Reproduction occurs year-round in tropical regions, with a gestation period of 115–120 days yielding typically one precocial young per litter; offspring reach sexual maturity at 8–12 months and may live up to 13–15 years in captivity.^[1]^[4] Classified as Least Concern by the IUCN due to its wide distribution and presumed stable population, the lowland paca faces localized threats from habitat fragmentation, agricultural expansion, and hunting for bushmeat, particularly in rural communities where it is valued as a food source.^[1] Despite these pressures, its adaptability to secondary forests and edge habitats helps maintain overall viability, though overharvesting in some areas has led to population declines.^[1] Conservation efforts emphasize sustainable hunting regulations and habitat protection in biosphere reserves like Montes Azules in Mexico.^[3]

Taxonomy and nomenclature

Taxonomy

The lowland paca (Cuniculus paca) belongs to the kingdom Animalia, phylum Chordata, class Mammalia, order Rodentia, family Cuniculidae, genus Cuniculus, and species C. paca.^[5] This classification places it within the monotypic family Cuniculidae, which is distinguished by unique dental and cranial features adapted to its herbivorous lifestyle.^[6] Historically, the lowland paca was classified in the family Agoutidae under the genus Agouti as Agouti paca, a placement that persisted into the late 20th century.^[1] Reclassification to the separate family Cuniculidae occurred following a 1998 ruling by the International Commission on Zoological Nomenclature, supported by morphological analyses of skull structure and emerging genetic data that highlighted its distinct evolutionary lineage from agoutis. This shift emphasized the family's monotypic status, with Cuniculus as the sole genus. As part of the suborder Hystricomorpha (infraorder Hystricognathi), the lowland paca is a caviomorph rodent whose ancestors arrived in South America via transatlantic dispersal from Africa around 40 million years ago.^[7] Within this clade, Cuniculidae forms a sister group to Dasyproctidae (agoutis), with the divergence from other major caviomorph families like Caviidae estimated at 23.4 million years ago during the Early Miocene.^[8] Its closest congeneric relative is the mountain paca (Cuniculus taczanowskii), which inhabits higher elevations and diverged more recently within the genus, though exact timing remains unresolved in current phylogenies. Several subspecies of C. paca are recognized, with historical proposals reaching up to 15 based on regional morphological differences, though modern assessments often consolidate them to around five valid taxa.^[9] For instance, the nominate subspecies C. p. paca occurs in northern South America, featuring prominent white dorsal spots on a dark brown pelage that may vary in size and contrast across populations. In contrast, C. p. richardsoni from Central America exhibits geographic variations with slightly larger spots and warmer, more yellowish undertones in the fur pattern, adaptations potentially linked to local environmental conditions.^[10]

Etymology and names

The scientific name of the lowland paca, Cuniculus paca, reflects both its burrowing behavior and indigenous linguistic roots. The genus name Cuniculus derives from the Latin word for "rabbit" or "burrow-dweller," a reference to the animal's habit of excavating underground dens for shelter and protection. The specific epithet paca originates from the Tupi-Guarani languages spoken by indigenous peoples of South America, where it denotes the animal and carries connotations of being "awake" or "alert," potentially alluding to the rodent's vigilant, nocturnal lifestyle.^[11] Common names for the lowland paca vary across its range, often highlighting its distinctive spotted coat or regional cultural contexts. In English-speaking areas, it is frequently called the "spotted paca" due to the white dorsal spots that provide camouflage in forested environments.^[1] In Belize and parts of Central America, it is known as the "gibnut," a term from Belizean Creole that emphasizes its status as a valued game species.^[12] The name "tepezcuintle," used in Mexico and Central America, comes from the Nahuatl language of the Aztecs, combining tepetl (mountain or hill) and itzcuintli (dog), roughly translating to "mountain dog" and evoking its robust, dog-like build despite its rodent classification.^[13] In Peru, particularly in the Amazonian region of Loreto, it is referred to as "majaz," a local indigenous term reflecting its presence in lowland tropical forests.^[14] The lowland paca was first formally described by Carl Linnaeus in his 1766 work Systema Naturae, where he assigned it the binomial Mus paca, placing it initially among the mice due to limited knowledge of Neotropical fauna at the time.^[15] Subsequent taxonomic revisions reclassified it within the genus Cavia and later Agouti, before the International Commission on Zoological Nomenclature ruled in 1998 that Cuniculus is the valid genus, restoring a name proposed earlier to better distinguish it from related rodents.^[1] These shifts highlight evolving understandings of its phylogenetic position within the family Cuniculidae.

Physical characteristics

Appearance

The lowland paca possesses a robust, barrel-shaped body supported by short limbs, with a rounded head featuring small ears and large eyes, and a short tail that is nearly absent at 1–2 cm in length.^[1]^[10] Its fur is coarse and bristly, lacking underfur, with a dorsal coloration ranging from reddish-brown to dark brown or smoky gray, accented by four rows of white or yellowish spots along each side.^[16]^[10] The ventral surface is pale or white.^[10] These spots aid in camouflage within forested environments.^[1] Prominent facial features include small, rounded ears, dark rings around the light brown eyes, and stiff rostral vibrissae up to 150 mm long, along with tufts of vibrissae below and behind the eyes, which assist in navigation.^[10] The dental formula is I 1/1, C 0/0, P 1/1, M 3/3 \times 2 = 20.^[1] Sexual dimorphism is minimal, with males averaging slightly larger than females.^[16]

Size and measurements

The lowland paca (Cuniculus paca) exhibits a robust build typical of large rodents in the family Cuniculidae, with adult head-body lengths ranging from 50 to 80 cm, excluding the short tail measuring 1 to 4 cm.^[10]^[17] Shoulder height varies between 27 and 31 cm, contributing to its low-slung posture adapted for navigating dense undergrowth.^[10] These dimensions position the lowland paca as one of the larger species within its family, surpassing related agoutis in overall size.^[1] Adult weights typically fall between 6 and 14 kg, with males averaging 15% heavier than females, often reaching 8-10 kg compared to 7-9 kg for females.^[10]^[1] Newborns are significantly smaller, weighing 0.5 to 1 kg at birth.^[1] This sexual dimorphism in size is consistent across populations, though maximum weights up to 14 kg have been recorded in well-nourished individuals.^[10]

Distribution and habitat

Geographic range

The lowland paca (Cuniculus paca) is native to tropical and subtropical regions across much of the Neotropics, with its range extending from southeastern San Luis Potosí in east-central Mexico southward through Central America, including Belize, Guatemala, Honduras, El Salvador, Nicaragua, Costa Rica, and Panama, and into South America as far as northern Argentina, Uruguay, the Guianas, southern Brazil, Paraguay, Ecuador, Peru, Bolivia, Colombia, Venezuela, and Trinidad and Tobago.^[18]^[19] The species is absent from Chile and the higher elevations of the Andes, primarily inhabiting lowland and premontane zones that encompass the Amazon Basin and Atlantic Forest ecoregions.^[18]^[1] Historically, the lowland paca was widespread throughout its native range during pre-Columbian times, as evidenced by archaeological records of its use as a food source by indigenous peoples.^[20] Current distribution shows only minor contraction compared to historical extents, largely attributable to habitat loss from deforestation, yet the species maintains a broad and continuous presence across approximately 10 million km² of suitable terrain.^[21]^[22] Introduced populations of the lowland paca have been recorded in Cuba, where the species was deliberately established.^[18] Additionally, occasional escapes from captive breeding farms occur in areas outside the native range, though these have not led to significant feral populations.^[1] In terms of elevation, the lowland paca occurs from sea level up to approximately 2,000 m, with records extending to 2,800 m; its range overlaps with that of the mountain paca (Cuniculus taczanowskii) at higher altitudes.^[15]^[23]^[24]^[1]

Habitat preferences

The lowland paca (Cuniculus paca) primarily inhabits tropical and subtropical moist broadleaf forests, such as rainforests, gallery forests along waterways, and secondary growth areas, with a strong preference for locations proximate to permanent water bodies including rivers, streams, and swamps.^[25] These ecosystems provide the dense cover and resource availability essential for the species' survival, and pacas are primarily found below 2,000 m or in drier forest types.^[26]^[1] For shelter, lowland pacas excavate or utilize underground burrows and cavities, typically with entrance diameters of at least 10 cm and depths exceeding 60 cm, often located in soil banks or under tree roots and fallen logs, typically 2-3 m long.^[26] These refuges are frequently positioned within 100 m of water sources and may experience seasonal flooding in riparian zones, prompting pacas to shift to elevated or natural cavities during wet periods.^[27] Proximity to water also facilitates foraging by allowing access to aquatic-adjacent vegetation and fruits.^[25] While highly selective for forested environments, lowland pacas demonstrate tolerance for human-disturbed habitats, such as agricultural edges and plantations, where they maintain viable populations if riparian corridors and cavity sites remain intact; however, they avoid open grasslands, arid regions, and heavily fragmented landscapes lacking cover.^[27] Key microhabitat factors include dense understory vegetation for concealment and fruit-bearing trees, alongside well-drained loamy soils with medium grain texture that support stable burrow construction without collapse.^[26] Such conditions are most prevalent in mature secondary forests, where cavity availability correlates positively with paca density.^[25]

Behavior and ecology

The lowland paca (Cuniculus paca) is strictly nocturnal, emerging from its burrows or resting sites at dusk to forage and retreating during the day to avoid predation and heat.^[1] Its activity patterns show little influence from lunar illumination, though individuals tend to avoid open areas under bright moonlight to minimize detection by predators. Vocalizations are minimal in routine activities, limited primarily to low rumbling grunts produced through specialized resonating structures in the skull or higher-pitched squeals and barks emitted only when threatened or during aggressive encounters.^[1] Socially, lowland pacas are mostly solitary or form monogamous pairs that maintain separate burrows within a shared territory, with loose family groups including offspring persisting for several months after birth.^[1] Home ranges typically span 1 to 4 hectares, with minimal overlap between individuals except for paired adults, and core activity areas exhibit even less intrusion to reduce competition.^[1] Territorial behavior involves aggressive defense against same-sex intruders and other species, primarily through displays rather than physical confrontations, which are rare due to the species' elusive nature; pairs cooperate to protect their range from external threats.^[1]^[28] Movement is confined to short nightly distances within the home range, often centered around dens and shifting slightly with seasonal resource availability, covering tens to hundreds of meters per night.^[28] Lowland pacas are proficient swimmers, frequently using nearby water bodies to evade predators such as ocelots or humans by diving and remaining submerged.^[1] In marginal habitats, ranges can expand significantly—up to 50–200 hectares—reflecting adaptations to lower resource density, though such patterns underscore their general territorial intolerance and opportunistic spatial adjustments.^[28]

Diet and foraging

The lowland paca (Cuniculus paca) is primarily herbivorous, with its diet consisting mainly of fruits and seeds, which comprise approximately 84% of intake, including fruit pulp (48%), seeds (23%), and exocarps (11%).^[29] Leaves, stems, roots, tubers, and fibrous material make up about 15% of the diet, while occasional invertebrates such as insects provide minor protein sources.^[29] Preferred food items include fallen fruits from trees like Attalea butyracea (palms), Ficus spp. (figs), and bromeliads, as well as tubers from various understory plants; examples of consumed species encompass Pouteria sapota, Brosimum alicastrum, Ceiba pentandra, and Castilla elastica.^[30]^[31] As an opportunistic browser, the lowland paca forages primarily at night along well-defined paths, targeting easily accessible fallen fruits and digging for underground tubers and roots.^[1] It may employ cheek pouches to transport food items back to burrows, where it caches provisions for later consumption, enhancing survival during periods of scarcity.^[6] This strategy allows efficient exploitation of resources while minimizing exposure to predators during nocturnal activity.^[32] Dietary composition varies seasonally, with higher fruit intake during wet seasons when fruiting peaks, and increased folivory—consumption of leaves and seeds—during dry seasons when fruits are scarce.^[32]^[29] Water needs are met largely through moisture in vegetation, supplemented by streams when available.^[1] As a hindgut fermenter, the paca possesses a large caecum that facilitates microbial breakdown of fibrous plant material, extracting volatile fatty acids and nutrients.^[33] It practices coprophagy, or cecotrophy, by consuming soft, nutrient-rich feces produced in the caecum, which boosts absorption of proteins, vitamins, and short-chain fatty acids from otherwise indigestible fibers.^[34] This adaptation is particularly vital during low-quality forage periods, supporting efficient nutrient recycling.^[33]

Reproduction and development

The lowland paca exhibits a monogamous mating system, with pairs forming long-term bonds that reinforce social and territorial stability.^[35] Breeding occurs year-round in tropical regions where food resources are consistently available, but in drier habitats, reproduction is seasonal and peaks during the wet season to align with increased fruit availability.^[36] Ovulation in females is spontaneous, occurring as part of a polyestrous cycle lasting approximately 32 days.^[15] Gestation lasts 115–120 days, after which females typically give birth to 1–2 precocial young, though litters of 3 are rare.^[37] Newborns weigh 0.5–1 kg, are fully furred with open eyes, and are mobile within hours of birth, enabling rapid evasion of predators.^[1] Offspring development is relatively swift; young are weaned at 2–3 months and achieve independence between 6 and 9 months.^[1] Sexual maturity is reached at 8–12 months, with most individuals breeding by their second year.^[1] In the wild, pacas have a lifespan of 8–12 years, though captives can live up to 15–16 years under optimal conditions.^[37] Parental care is primarily provided by the female, who guards the burrow and nurses the young, while the male contributes by assisting in territory defense to protect the family unit.^[38] The species has a low reproductive rate, with females producing about one litter per year, reflecting the high energetic investment in each precocial offspring.^[39]

Conservation and threats

Conservation status

The lowland paca (Cuniculus paca) is classified as Least Concern on the IUCN Red List as of the 2016 assessment, with no change reported as of 2025.^[40] The global population size is unknown but considered stable overall. Local population trends show declines in hunted areas, such as 20-50% reductions in parts of Central America due to overexploitation, while populations remain stable or are increasing in protected Amazonian regions where hunting pressure is low.^[1]^[41] The species is afforded legal protection under CITES Appendix III in Honduras, which regulates international trade from that population, and it is safeguarded within several national parks across its range, including Yasuní National Park in Ecuador; no global trade restrictions apply.^[42] Monitoring efforts, primarily using camera trap surveys, indicate population densities of 1-10 individuals per km² in optimal forested habitats, aiding in assessing local abundance and trends.^[43]^[44]

Threats and management

The lowland paca (Cuniculus paca) faces primary threats from habitat fragmentation driven by deforestation across its Neotropical range, particularly in the Amazon basin where over 54 million hectares of forest—nearly 9% of the total cover—have been lost between 2001 and 2020, leading to isolated populations and reduced burrow site availability.^[45] Overhunting for bushmeat exacerbates this pressure, with subsistence and commercial harvests estimated at up to 17,000 individuals annually in rural Peruvian Amazon communities as reported in early 2000s studies, often targeting nocturnal foraging individuals near settlements.^[46]^[47] Additionally, pacas are viewed as agricultural pests due to their raids on crops such as cassava, yam, maize, and sugarcane, prompting retaliatory killings by farmers in expanding agricultural frontiers.^[1] Secondary threats include disease transmission risks, as pacas serve as intermediate hosts for zoonotic pathogens like polycystic echinococcosis, with potential spillover from domestic animals in human-dominated landscapes facilitating broader wildlife impacts.^[48] Expanding road infrastructure contributes to roadkill mortality, particularly during wet seasons when pacas cross highways to access riparian foraging areas in the Amazon region.^[49] Climate change further compounds vulnerabilities by altering fruit phenology and availability, the paca's primary food source, potentially disrupting reproductive cycles and increasing susceptibility to hunting during resource-scarce periods influenced by events like El Niño.^[48] Conservation management emphasizes community-based sustainable hunting programs, such as those in the Peruvian Amazon where indigenous groups in areas like Manu National Park monitor harvest rates to maintain populations below maximum sustainable yields, often limiting takes to 0.4 individuals per km² annually.^[50]^[51] Reforestation initiatives in deforested Amazon fringes aim to restore connectivity by replanting native fruit trees, enhancing burrow habitats and foraging corridors for pacas.^[52] Captive breeding programs, including efforts in Panama to develop rural propagation techniques, support reintroduction into depleted areas by producing juveniles for release, with survival rates improved through burrow mimicry in enclosures.^[53] Ongoing research into burrow ecology informs habitat restoration by identifying cavity-dependent population dynamics, guiding the protection of riparian zones critical for refuge and breeding.^[54] These efforts have yielded successes, including population stability and localized recovery in Amazonian protected areas like those in the Brazilian and Peruvian basins, where reduced hunting pressure and intact habitats have maintained paca densities comparable to undisturbed forests.^[52]^[1]

Human interactions

Economic importance

The lowland paca serves as a key source of bushmeat across its range in the Neotropics, particularly in the Amazon basin, where it is one of the most harvested and traded wild mammal species, comprising up to 28% of market records in some areas.^[55]^[56] Annual harvests in the Peruvian Amazon are estimated at around 25,000 individuals based on 2017–2018 market data, reflecting its economic role in providing protein to rural and urban communities.^[55] The meat is prized for its nutritional profile, with a protein content of approximately 22 g per 100 g wet weight and low fat levels, offering a lean alternative to domesticated livestock.^[57]^[58] Due to cultural preferences for its tender flavor, paca meat is considered a delicacy in local diets.^[59] To promote sustainable supply and reduce pressure on wild populations, lowland pacas are farmed in captivity in Brazil, where small-scale operations support rural livelihoods and food security.^[60] These farming efforts leverage the species' relatively straightforward reproductive biology, producing one to two offspring per year, to meet local demand without overexploitation. Recent studies as of 2025 highlight community-based wildlife management in the Peruvian Amazon, permitting sustainable hunting of paca for subsistence and sale.^[61] In agricultural contexts, however, pacas pose economic challenges as crop pests, damaging staples like cassava, yams, sugarcane, and corn by feeding on roots and tubers; farmers mitigate this through physical barriers such as fencing or live traps.^[62]^[63]^[36] Other economic uses of the lowland paca are limited; its hide is rarely processed for leather due to small size and low yield, while involvement in the pet trade remains negligible. The species indirectly contributes to local economies via ecotourism, where sightings during night tours in rainforests attract visitors interested in Neotropical wildlife. Market prices for paca meat vary by region and condition, typically ranging from $2 to $11 per kg in informal Amazonian markets, underscoring its value as an accessible protein source.^[64]^[65]^[66]^[55]

Cultural significance

In Mayan and mestizo communities of the Lacandon Rainforest in Chiapas, Mexico, the lowland paca (Cuniculus paca), known locally as tepezcuintle, holds significant cultural importance as the most frequently mentioned wild mammal in ethnobiological surveys, cited in 86% of interviews across four communities. It is highly valued for its tender and tasty meat, which contributes substantially to local protein intake, and features in Lacandon Maya cosmogonic narratives that integrate it into the indigenous worldview of creation and forest ecology.^[67] Among the Yawanawá people of the Brazilian Amazon, the paca is hunted at night, emphasizing the animal's role in practical forest interactions.^[68] The Tupi name "paca," originating from indigenous languages of the region, reflects the animal's vigilant and alert nature, underscoring its symbolic embodiment of awareness in the natural world.^[69] Traditional uses of the paca extend to communal meals during festivals in Amazonian and Mesoamerican indigenous groups, where its meat is prepared in dishes like tamales, symbolizing abundance and connection to ancestral lands, though overhunting poses challenges to these practices. In contemporary contexts, the paca features in ecotourism narratives in protected areas like the Peruvian Amazon, highlighting its ecological role as a seed disperser and fostering cultural appreciation among visitors.^[70]^[71]

References

[1]
Cuniculus paca (lowland paca) - Animal Diversity Web
Pacas are seed predators, they will eat the pods of many tree species (e.g. Hymenaea courbaril ), and will effectively disperse the seeds throughout the forest.
[2]
Paca - Facts, Diet, Habitat & Pictures on Animalia.bio
Pacas feed mainly on fallen fruits, and will eat a wide range of plant material, such as seeds, leaves and tubers, either native or foreign species. They prefer ...Missing: conservation | Show results with:conservation
[3]
Abundance, density and habitat use of lowland paca (Cuniculus ...
The paca is a solitary and nocturnal Neotropical rodent. Pacas rest during the day inside underground cavities where their newborns are raised and kept apart ...
[4]
Lowland Paca - Home - Brights Zoo
[Cuniculus paca]. Habitat: Tropical forests. Height: 23-32″ Weight: 15-26 lbs. Average Lifespan: 13 years. Gestation Period: 115-120 daysMissing: behavior | Show results with:behavior
[5]
Cuniculus paca - NCBI
Agouti paca. basionym: Mus paca Linnaeus, 1766. Genbank common name: Lowland paca. NCBI BLAST name: rodents. Rank: species. Genetic code: Translation table 1 ...
[6]
Cuniculidae (pacas) | INFORMATION - Animal Diversity Web
Pacas are nearly tailless. The forefeet have 4 functional toes, and the hindfeet 3 (digits 1 and 5 are present but reduced). The claws are thick and hoof-like.
[7]
Middle Eocene rodents from Peruvian Amazonia reveal the pattern ...
Oct 12, 2011 · Here, we describe South America's oldest known rodents, based on a new diverse caviomorph assemblage from the late Middle Eocene (approx. 41 Ma) ...
[8]
(PDF) Evolution of the caviomorph rodents: a complete phylogeny ...
Molecular timetree of ctenohystrican rodent evolutionary history calibrated with 22 fossil priors in BEAST (see App. ... African origin of caviomorph rodents ...
[9]
[PDF] MAMMALIAN SPECIES so, . . . - Agouti paca.
Dec 10, 1992 · Cuniculus paca paca: Hollister, 1913:79, name combination. Cuniculus ... Agouti paca has a diploid number of 74 chro- mosomes and a ...
[10]
Cuniculus paca (Linnaeus, 1766) - GBIF
Among the eleven or more plant families in the Lowland Paca's diet, the palm family Areaceae appears to be very important. The Lowland Paca eats ripe fruits ...2,240 Occurrences With... · Child Taxa · Biology Ecology<|control11|><|separator|>
[11]
PACA Definition & Meaning - Merriam-Webster
The meaning of PACA is any of three large nocturnal chiefly Central and ... Word History. Etymology. Portuguese, from Tupi páka. First Known Use. 1657, in ...
[12]
Paca - The Belize Zoo
Belizean Creole: Gibnut, Royal Rat ... Pacas belong to the rodent family. They are covered by a light brown coat and small white spots. They are the largest ...
[13]
tepezcuintle - Wiktionary, the free dictionary
Etymology. From Classical Nahuatl tepetl (“mountain, hill”) + itzcuīntli (“dog”). Pronunciation. IPA: /tepeθˈkwintle/ [t̪e.peθˈkwĩn̪.t̪le] (Spain); IPA ...
[14]
[PDF] Crianza-Familiar-del-Majaz-o-Paca-Agouti-paca-en-la-Amazonia.pdf
En el Perú la especie tiene distintos nombres comunes tales como majaz en Loreto y gran parte de la selva baja; kashai, wajúman y kaats en lengua aguaruna ...
[15]
[PDF] MAMMALIAN SPECIES No. 404, pp. 1-7, 3 figs. - Agouti paca. By ...
Dec 10, 1992 · Despite Tate's. (1935, 1939) interpretation that Opinion 90 (ICZN, 1925) validated the name Cuniculus Brisson, 1762, Cuniculus is unavailable ...
[16]
https://doi.org/10.2307/3504102
[17]
[PDF] \9T72 Notes on the behaviour and breeding of pacaranas in captivity
The large size, increased weight, shorter tail, and slow movements conform to patterns and trends seen in some of the larger cursorial cavio- morphs, such as ...
[18]
Lowland Paca Dimensions & Drawings
Also known as the spotted paca, the Lowland Paca is a rodent native to the subtropical regions of North and South America. Scientifically known as Cuniculus ...
[19]
Mammal Species of the World - Browse: paca
SPECIES Cuniculus paca. Author: Linnaeus, 1766. Citation: Syst. Nat., 12th ed., 1: 81. Common Name: Lowland Paca ... Status: CITES – Appendix III (Honduras) ...
[20]
Cuniculus paca • Lowland Paca - ASM Mammal Diversity Database
Mammal Review, 48(1), 12-23. IUCN Red List status. Least Concern. Species Permalink. https://www.mammaldiversity.org/taxon/1001213. Country distribution map.
[21]
Agoutidae) in the Sierra de Tabasco State Park, Mexico - SciELO
From pre-Colombian times the paca has been used as a food source obtained by subsistence hunting (Ojasti 1993). Its meat is still eaten in the communities ...<|control11|><|separator|>
[22]
Human footprint effects on the distribution of the spotted lowland ...
The spotted paca (Cuniculus paca) is impacted by hunting and anthropogenic habitat fragmentation and loss. To protect spotted pacas, it is essential to estimate ...
[23]
(PDF) Human footprint effects on the distribution of the spotted ...
Jan 2, 2023 · Cuniculus paca tolerates low to medium anthropogenic disturbance, which we hypothesize is related to reduced predator pressure in habitats ...
[24]
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2352249624000272
[25]
Unknown scavenging habits of an elusive tropical Andean mammal
This genus includes two species: the lowland paca (Cuniculus paca), which is fairly common and widespread, and the mountain paca (Cuniculus taczanowskii) ...
[26]
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.rmb.2016.07.009
[27]
https://doi.org/10.1177/194008291600900113
[28]
https://doi.org/10.1007/s13364-017-0350-0
[29]
https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC6024322/
[30]
https://www.researchgate.net/publication/342617304_Feeding_behavior_of_lowland_paca_Cuniculus_paca_in_two_sites_with_different_land_use_in_the_Lancandona_Rainforest_Chiapas_Mexico
[31]
Nutrition of Six Selected Neo-Tropical Mammals in Trinidad and ...
The lappe/paca (C. paca/A. paca) was described as a strict herbivore and a frugivore, with a diet that varied throughout the year, according to food ...
[32]
Feeding behavior of lowland paca (Cuniculus paca) in two sites with ...
Jul 2, 2020 · We found that human activity and food types affect food consumption. Therefore, this rodent shows diverse foraging behaviors allowing it to take ...
[33]
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S1095643318301405
[34]
Activity pattern of Cuniculus paca (Rodentia: Cuniculidae) in relation ...
We present quantitative analyses of the activity pattern of Cuniculus paca (Linnaeus, 1766) in southern Amazonia.
[35]
Effect of different feeding regimes on cecotrophy behavior and ...
The paca (Cuniculus paca), a Neotropical hystricomorph rodent, produces two different kinds of feces (hard and soft) and practices cecotrophy either directly ( ...
[36]
Direct and Indirect Caecotrophy Behaviour in Paca (Cuniculus Paca)
Jul 13, 2018 · Higher food intake led to less overall caecotrophy. With afternoon feeding of S, the onset of caecotrophy was delayed and the proportion of ...Missing: adaptations | Show results with:adaptations
[37]
Vocal complexity and sociality in spotted paca (Cuniculus paca)
The species is nocturnal, burrower [30–32], and shows moderate sociality [1], mostly reported as solitary, living in monogamous pairs during reproductive ...Missing: territorial | Show results with:territorial
[38]
Breeding seasonality in the lowland paca (Cuniculus paca) in ...
Sep 3, 2018 · The coincidence between hunting patterns and paca reproductive cycles during the wet season resulted in more pregnant females being harvested.Missing: sexual maturity
[39]
Lowland paca (Cuniculus paca) longevity, ageing, and life history
Classification (HAGRID: 02940). Taxonomy: Kingdom: Animalia Phylum: Chordata Class: Mammalia (Taxon entry) Order: Rodentia Family: Cuniculidae Genus: Cuniculus
[40]
(PDF) Spatial and temporal interactions of free-ranging pacas ...
Spatial and temporal interactions of free-ranging pacas (Cuniculus paca). January 2018; Mammal Research 63(5):1-12. DOI:10.1007/s13364-017-0350- ...
[41]
Functional morphology of the genital organs in the wild paca ...
The paca (Cuniculus paca) is one of the most frequently hunted species in the Amazon region, representing an important source of meat for local human ...Missing: subspecies fur variations
[42]
The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species
Insufficient relevant content. The provided URL (https://www.iucnredlist.org/species/699/22197347) does not contain specific information on the physical appearance, morphology, body structure, fur, coloration, facial features, or sexual dimorphism of the lowland paca (Cuniculus paca). The page appears to focus on conservation status and distribution, with no detailed descriptions of these characteristics.
[43]
Monitoring the Status and Trends of Tropical Forest Terrestrial ...
Sep 4, 2013 · Our results show that 3 out of 13 species showed significant declines in occupancy over 5 years (lowland paca, Central American agouti, nine- ...
[44]
[PDF] CITES Appendices I, II and III valid from 14.02.2021
Feb 14, 2021 · Cuniculus paca (Honduras). Dasyproctidae Agoutis. Dasyprocta punctata (Honduras). 2. Populations of Botswana, Namibia, South Africa and Zimbabwe ...Missing: legal | Show results with:legal
[45]
Activity pattern of medium and large sized mammals and density ...
The minimum population density of C. paca was 3.5 individuals per km2 (resident animals only) and the total density estimates varied from 7.1 to 11.8 ...
[46]
Assessing the population density of the spotted paca, Cuniculus ...
Nov 22, 2018 · Estimated density for C. paca was 35 ± 3.2 individuals/km2 and estimated population size for the entire Ilha Grande was 6755 ± 617 individuals.
[47]
Deforestation in the Amazon: past, present and future - InfoAmazonia
Mar 21, 2023 · Between 2001 and 2020, the Amazon lost over 54.2 million hectares, or almost 9% of its forests, an area the size of France. The Brazilian Amazon ...Missing: credible | Show results with:credible
[48]
Subsistence hunting of Cuniculus pacain the middle of the Solimões ...
Paca hunting mainly occurs at night using spotlighting, with 625 pacas killed in 8 years. 37% of kills occur during low moon illumination. High water levels ...Missing: nightly | Show results with:nightly
[49]
Climate determines transmission hotspots of Polycystic ... - PNAS
Aug 7, 2023 · The hunting of its infected intermediate hosts (especially the lowland paca Cuniculus paca) enables the disease to further transmit to humans, ...
[50]
Hotspots and Season Related to Wildlife Roadkill in the Amazonia ...
The highest rates of roadkill were recorded during the wet season. The location and number of hotspots varied among classes and were related to different ...
[51]
Sustainability of Hunting in Community-Based Wildlife Management ...
Paca is a high-valued meat in the wild meat markets [14], and our results showed that it was sold more than it was consumed. Paca populations recover more ...3. Results · 3.5. Tapirs And Primates · 4. Discussion
[52]
Hunters and hunting across indigenous and colonist communities at ...
Aug 10, 2018 · The lowland paca (Cuniculus paca) ... The sustainability of subsistence hunting by Matsigenka native communities in Manu National Park, Peru.
[53]
Mammal conservation in Amazonia's protected areas: A case study ...
... Cuniculus paca) were comparatively more frequent (Table 2). Among others, threatened mammals not recorded in the study area but recorded regionally include ...Original Research Article · 2. Materials And Methods · 4. Discussion
[54]
Alternatives to Destruction Research in Panama - Biodiversity - NCBI
The purposes of this project are to evaluate the possibilities of breeding pacas in captivity and to develop techniques that rural people can use for captive ...
[55]
Abundance, density and habitat use of lowland paca (Cuniculus paca, Rodentia: Cuniculidae) in the Lacandon Rainforest, Chiapas, Mexico
### Summary of Key Biological Facts about Lowland Paca (Cuniculus paca) in the Lacandon Rainforest, Chiapas, Mexico
[56]
Wild meat trade over the last 45 years in the Peruvian Amazon
Jun 30, 2021 · The trade in wild meat is an important economic component of rural people's livelihoods, but it has been perceived to be among the main causes ...
[57]
[PDF] Bushmeat harvest in tropical forests - cifor-icraf
Bushmeat markets in the Amazon are heavily dominated by peccaries and paca, which in one study represented 36.9% and 28.4% of records and. 47.9% and 20.6% of ...
[58]
https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC12279099/
[59]
Proximate composition of wild meats present in traditional food ...
Jul 21, 2025 · In general, we observed that the nutritional compositions of meat from different species show little variation, with more notable differences ...
[60]
Hunters and hunting across indigenous and colonist communities at ...
Aug 10, 2018 · Lowland pacas (Cuniculus paca) were the most frequently hunted prey, followed by red brocket deer (Mazama americana) and primates. While hunting ...
[61]
Object Play as a Positive Emotional State Indicator for Farmed ...
In Brazil, the spotted paca is farmed legally, mainly by small producers [27]. Although captive breeding of the species is considered relatively simple and ...
[62]
The paca (Cuniculus paca) as a domestic source of protein for the ...
A rationale for attempting the experimental domestication of the large, South American, tropical moist forest dwelling, caviomorph rodent, the paca ...
[63]
Paca - Costa Rica
Apr 20, 2012 · The lowland paca's ubiquitous presence, has made it a pest it many areas. The paca will destroy sugarcane, cassava, corn and other crops.
[64]
Wildlife trade at Belén and Modelo market, Peru: defining a baseline ...
Oct 20, 2024 · The price of lowland paca meat was statistically significantly more expensive when fresh and when sold at Belén market, and was the most ...
[65]
Average prices (US$ kg À1 ) of fish, wild meat and pacas Cuniculus ...
... pacas, the prices of the wild meat and fish sold at Pompeya were very homo- geneous across species, averaging US$2.11 AE 0.52 kg À1 , (Table 4). Paca's meat ...
[66]
Changing Wild Meat Consumption: An Experiment in the Central ...
Jul 13, 2017 · In 2014, 1 kg of wild mammal or bird was ∼R$5.50 and 1 kg of chicken was ∼R$5.00 (exchange rate was ∼R$2.4 to 1.00 US dollar in Feb 2014).
[67]
The forbidden dish served in Ecuador's Amazon region - Connectas
Each dish sells for 5 dollars and a pound of meat for the same price. Vendors say that the supply is not constant and that there are weeks when they bring ...
[68]
Cultural significance of wild mammals in mayan and mestizo ...
May 7, 2015 · All four communities mentioned the lowland paca the most, followed by peccary, white-tailed deer, armadillo, and jaguar.Missing: folklore | Show results with:folklore
[69]
An Amazon Indian in London: interview with Nixiwaka Yawanawá
We hunt deer, wild pigs, tapir. And we hunt at night for the nocturnal paca, a type of South American rodent. According to our myth, if a Yawanawá hunter finds ...
[70]
paca - Wiktionary, the free dictionary
Etymology 1. Borrowed from Old Tupi paka. Noun. paca f (plural pacas). (Brazil) paca (rodent of the genus Cuniculus). (Brazil, by extension, cooking) dish made ...English · Hungarian · Irish · Polish
[71]
Bushmeat's dual role: threatened species face off against nutrition ...
Mar 5, 2015 · Finally, hunting animals also plays a role in the region's economy. According to the study, the bushmeat trade is worth in excess of $1 million ...
[72]
New Protected Area in the Amazon is Home to Incredible Biodiversity
Jan 17, 2024 · ... paca, commonly known as the lowland paca. This rodent plays a crucial role by dispersing seeds across Amazonian ecosystems encouraging ...