Observations on the natural history of Abrocoma sp. (Rodentia, Abrocomidae) in a Polylepis woodland in Bolivia

Abstract

"We report four opportunistic field observations of a species of Abrocoma in Polylepis besseri woodlands in Cochabamba Department, Bolivia. These observations suggest four significant aspects of Abrocoma sp. natural history: 1) they have arboreal activity, 2) they may be specialized herbivores that feed on Polylepis leaves, 3) they have diurnal activity, and 4) they have docile behavior. These observations represent the first descriptions of aspects of the behavior and ecology of an abrocomid in Bolivia, and also suggest that Polylepis woodlands, a threatened Andean habitat, may provide an important habitat for specialized mammal herbivores such as Abrocoma sp."