New record of feeding behavior by the porcupine Coendou spinosus (F. Cuvier, 1823) in high-altitude grassland of the Brazilian Atlantic Forest

Abstract

Coendou spinosus is a rodent from the Brazilian Atlantic Forest with a cryptic behavior that hinders collection of information regarding its ecology. On October 2014, we observed an individual of C. spinosus above 2100 m of altitude, on the high-altitude grasslands of the Itatiaia National Park, feeding on the flowers of Camptosema scarlatinum. This is the highest altitude ever recorded and the first registration of vine species consumption and ground feeding behavior by the C. spinosus. Therefore, we recommend the undertaking of new studies to understand its ecological requirements and interspecific interactions.