Kerodon rupestris

Taxonomy

Assessment Information

Geographic Range

Population

Habitat and Ecology

Threats

Conservation Actions

Taxonomy [top]

Kingdom	Phylum	Class	Order	Family
ANIMALIA	CHORDATA	MAMMALIA	RODENTIA	CAVIIDAE

Scientific Name:

Kerodon rupestris

Species Authority

F. Cuvier, 1825

Common Name/s:

English

–

Rock Cavy

Assessment Information [top]

Red List Category & Criteria:

Least Concern ver 3.1

Year Assessed:

2008

Assessor/s

Catzeflis, F., Patton J., Percequillo, A., Bonvicino, C. & Weksler, M.

Evaluator/s:

Amori, G. (Small Nonvolant Mammal Red List Authority) & Schipper, J. (Global Mammal Assessment Team)

Justification:
This species is listed as Least Concern in view of its wide distribution, presumed large population, occurrence in a number of protected areas, and because it is unlikely to be declining at nearly the rate required to qualify for listing in a threatened category.

History:

1996

–

Lower Risk/least concern (Baillie and Groombridge 1996)

Geographic Range [top]

Range Description:	This species occurs in eastern Brazil, from Piaui State to north Minas Gerais State, excluding coastal areas (Eisenberg and Redford, 1999). The rock cavy was successfully introduced to Fernando de Noronha in 1967 (Oren, 1984).
Countries:	Native: Brazil

Population [top]

Population:	There have been no detailed population studies; however, it is probably stable where it occurs (Lacher pers. comm.).
Population Trend:	Stable

Habitat and Ecology [top]

Habitat and Ecology:	This rodent inhabits dry rocky areas with low scrub vegetation where they shelter in crevices (Eisenberg and Redford, 1999). Its range is not restricted by elevation (Lacher pers. comm.). It feeds on leaves. The average gestation period is 75 days with an average litter size of 1.5, up to three litters of two young can be produced annually (Eisenberg and Redford, 1999). It can reproduce throughout the year in captivity.
Systems:	Terrestrial

Habitat and Ecology:

This rodent inhabits dry rocky areas with low scrub vegetation where they shelter in crevices (Eisenberg and Redford, 1999). Its range is not restricted by elevation (Lacher pers. comm.). It feeds on leaves. The average gestation period is 75 days with an average litter size of 1.5, up to three litters of two young can be produced annually (Eisenberg and Redford, 1999). It can reproduce throughout the year in captivity.

Systems:

Terrestrial

Threats [top]

Major Threat(s):	This species is heavily hunted for food throughout its range, although protected areas offer refuge from hunting for this species. There are probably no major threats throughout its range.

Major Threat(s):

This species is heavily hunted for food throughout its range, although protected areas offer refuge from hunting for this species. There are probably no major threats throughout its range.

Conservation Actions [top]

Conservation Actions:	This rodent occurs in several protected areas which have suitable habitat.

Conservation Actions:

This rodent occurs in several protected areas which have suitable habitat.

Citation:	IUCN 2008. 2008 IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. <www.iucnredlist.org>. Downloaded on 15 October 2008.
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