Giant peccary
The Riesenpekari ( Pecari maximus ) is a Brazilian Amazon on living representatives of the peccaries. In addition to the collared peccary ( Pecari tajacu ) it is the only member of the genus of peccaries ( Pecari ).
It was discovered in 2000 by the Dutch zoologist Marc van Roosmalen, who in 2007 first described it.
Features
The Riesenpekari reach a shoulder height of 85 cm and a length of 127 cm. The ears are about 13 cm long, the skull measures approximately 261 mm in length, while the jaw of Riesenpekaris is about 182 mm long. A tail is present only as a rudiment. The soft, pink snout of Riesenpekaris measures 5.3 × 4.0 cm. The body weight could not be accurately determined so far, but varies between 40-50 kg. With these dimensions the Riesenpekari is indeed the largest of all known living Neuweltschweine, in physique, it is - especially compared with the collared peccary - but more delicate: the legs are in proportion to the body longer and thinner, the head is smaller, however, as the snout and the ears.
Composed of thin bristles coat of the animal is brown with off-white spraying with. Along the spine runs from the ears to tail a black mane back. Although has the Riesenpekari, as well as the collared peccary, an approximately 35 cm long necklace over shoulders and chest, but this is drawn only weak and lacking in some animals even completely. The bristles of the back mane are 10.5 to 12.0 cm long, 3.6 to 4.3 cm of the collar.
Habitat
The Riesenpekari inhabited river areas of the rainforest. It is a good swimmer and is well adapted to life on the water.
Dissemination
The presumed distribution area of Riesenpekaris is in the range of rivers Amazonas ( northern boundary ), Rio Madeira ( eastern boundary ), Rio Tapajós (western border) and the Rio Guaporé (southern border). The exception is the northwestern region of this area, where open savannah and floodplains prevail. It is unclear whether even a sighting of the Rio Xapuri can be assigned to the Riesenpekari. The American Woodworker John C. Yungjohann who lived there 1906-1919, described in his book White Gold a peccary, whose behavior and appearance are consistent with those of the Riesenpekaris.
Way of life
Social behavior
Unlike the closely related collared peccary the Riesenpekari not live in large Rotten of several hundred animals. Rather, the animals move in pairs, with one or two piglets. Van Roosmalen believed that the Riesenpekari has filed typical territorial behavior such as rank fights, pack life, and the marking of the habitat in the course of its development history. This could explain why the previously examined specimens of the typical strict Pekarigeruch missing. Even the relatively unobtrusive way of life, coupled with the rather small-scale distribution area could be a reason that the Riesenpekari so long remained undiscovered.
Nutrition
The Riesenpekari feeds on seeds and fallen fruit that it finds on the ground. This, too, it is different from Collar and White-lipped Peccary ( Tayassu pecari ), with which it shares the area of distribution: they dig in the ground for roots, truffles and offspring, which is reflected in its robust snout shape.
System
The phylogenetic relationships of the Riesenpekaris face after van Roosmalen as follows:
White-lipped Peccary ( Tayassu pecari )
Chaco peccary ( Catagonus wagneri )
Collared peccary ( Pecari tajacu )
Riesenpekari ( Pecari maximus)
Inventory and risk
About the size of the population Riesenpekaris nothing is known, therefore, difficult to assess are taken with respect to the threat of this kind. However, since this peccary is confined to a particular habitat type, van Roosmalen sees a certain risk for the Riesenpekari. In particular, the progressive clearing of the rain forest, connected with the hunting of peccaries make this a risk; One Additional vulnerability arises from the fact that the Riesenpekari does not seek protection in bands, and is thus hunted as a single peccary dogs. The IUCN does not lead to as Riesenpekari own way