Use of coconuts (Cocos nucifera: Arecaceae) as nutrient source by Northern Tamandua (Tamandua mexicana: Myrmecophagidae)

José Manuel Mora; Dionisio  Paniagua

doi:10.31687/SaremNMS23.10.5

Autores/as

José Manuel Mora Carrera de Gestión Ecoturística (GEC), Sede Central, Universidad Técnica Nacional (UTN), Costa Rica. Department of Biology and Museum of Vertebrate Biology, Portland State University, Portland, Oregon 97207, USA.
Dionisio Paniagua Surcos Tours, Puerto Jiménez, Puntarenas, Costa Rica.

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.31687/SaremNMS23.10.5

Palabras clave:

Costa Rica, frutos, hormigueros, palma de coco, Parque Nacional Corcovado

Resumen

Uso de cocos (Cocos nucifera: Arecaceae) como fuente de nutrientes por parte del tamandúa (Tamandua mexicana: Myrmecophagidae). El tamandúa basa su dieta principalmente en insectos eusociales. Hemos observado a esta especie interactuando con cocos en el suelo del Parque Nacional Corcovado, Costa Rica. El tamandúa introduce su hocico en los cocos y aparentemente bebe su contenido. En algunas ocasiones, lo hemos observado sosteniendo el coco con sus garras para abrirlo por un costado y consumir su interior. Sin embargo, además de, quizás beber, no nos fue posible determinar con precisión qué más comió, si es que comió algo. El agua de coco es una fuente de elementos esenciales, incluidos hierro y selenio, de los cuales los tamandúas pueden beneficiarse.

Citas

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