Brazilian team discovers new porcupine species in threatened Atlantic Forest habitat
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}This March 15, 2009 photo released on April 10, 2013 by Universidade Federal de Pernambuco, shows a new species of the porcupine "Coendou speratus," in Pernambuco, Brazil. Brazilian researchers say they found the tree-dwelling rodent in a small and isolated fragment patch of forest in the northeastern state of Pernambuco. With just 2 % of the region’s original forest habitat still standing, the new porcupine must be considered to be endangered said Antonio Rossano Mendes, a zoology professor at the Federal University of Pernambuco and part of the team who discovered the new species. (AP Photo/Universidade Federal de Pernambuco, Antonio Rossano Mendes) (The Associated Press)
Brazilian researchers say they have discovered a new species of porcupine in a small patch of the Northeastern Atlantic Forest, one of the world's most threatened habitats.
Antonio Rossano Mendes Pontes says his team identified the new species of tree-dwelling rodent in a fragmented patch of forest in the northeastern state of Pernambuco.
Pontes, a zoology professor at the Federal University of Pernambuco, has given the new porcupine the scientific name "Coendou speratus."
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}Because it shares it habitat with another, larger porcupine that lives in the upper reaches of the forest canopy, Coendou speratus lives on a lower level, feeding primarily on seeds.
It's covered with dark brown spines with reddish tips and has a long nose and tail.
The discovery appeared in the zoology journal Zootaxa last week.