Hence, these results do not support the ‘quick meal hypothesis’.

In agoutis that preyed upon at least one seed, the probability that they killed a seed did not differ between seeds with (0.17 ± 0.03) and without (0.20 ± 0.08) pulp. The agouti (Dasyprocta leporina) is a neo-tropical rodent with the potential for domestication. The proportion of agoutis that preyed on at least one seed was similar for seeds with (42.8% of individuals) and without (40.0% of individuals) pulp. Defense institution: Instituto Internacional de Ecologia. Since the probability of predation and hoarding were complementary, we used the probability of predation. Seeds with and without pulp were offered to agoutis and the behaviour of each individual was recorded. In this study, this hypothesis was tested using as the reference system the pulp and seeds of Hymenaea courbaril. The quick meal hypothesis states that the presence of a reward such as edible pulp will enhance the efficiency of rodents as seed disperses by satiating the animal and, consequently, reducing seed predation and enhancing hoarding. Several species of seeds cached by agoutis have an edible reward, in contrast to temperate rodent‐dispersed diaspores. KUBOTA, UMBERTO GOMES, BRUNO ZACARIAS FONSECA, RAFAEL LUÍS BOTTCHER, CLÁUDIA GALETTI, MAUROĪbstract: Red‐rumped agoutis (Dasyprocta leporina) are important seed dispersers/predators of Neotropical large‐seeded plants. We concluded that structural characteristics are similar to other mammals, although the morphology of agouti's palate differs in the amount and disposition of palatine ridges, and the conical CTC's morphology.Testing the quick meal hypothesis: The effect of pulp on hoarding and seed predation of Hymenaea courbaril by red‐rumped agoutis ( Dasyprocta leporina ) Testing the quick meal hypothesis: The effect of pulp on hoarding and seed predation of Hymenaea. CiteSeerX - Document Details (Isaac Councill, Lee Giles, Pradeep Teregowda): AbstractQuinolizidine alkaloids (QAs) are secondary compounds found in seeds of many species of plants, possibly protecting them against pathogens and seed predators. The structural and ultrastructural characteristics enable stability of the hard palate and fixation to the soft palate sides, while the soft palate center has greater mobility thus assisting in food swallowing. Near the CTCs were nerve fibers in the hard palate, and the soft palate had muscular tissue below the gland clusters.

Epithelial removal revealed CTCs with a conical shape with high density in the hard palate and the sides of the soft palate. Stratified squamous keratinized epithelium with projections of lamina propria and soft palate had gland clusters. We found nine palatine ridges in the diastema and hard palate, and a smooth surface in the soft palate. This research aimed to describe structural and ultrastructural characteristics of the palatine epithelium and the connective tissue cores (CTCs) of ten red-rumped agoutis ( Dasyprocta leporina-Linnaeus, 1758) using macroscopic, light microscopy, scanning electron microscopy, and transmission electron microscopy. Despite their name, nine-banded armadillos can have 7 to 11 bands on their armor.

The term armadillo means little armored one in Spanish, and refers to the presence of bony, armor-like plates covering their body. The palate is a fundamental region in food swallowing and presents different adaptations in species. Approximately 20 species of armadillo exist, but the nine-banded is the only one found in the United States.

Red rumped agouti defense