FIRST RECORDS OF ALBINISM IN GREYHEADED TAYRA (CARNIVORA, MUSTELIDAE) AND OCCURRENCE IN HIGH-ALTITUDE GRASSLAND IN BRAZIL

Abstract

Tayra (Eira barbara) has been reported across its geographic range as having little natural variation in coat color, including cases of leucism. This mustelidae, the ecology of which is still unknown, can occur from sea level up to 2,400 m altitude, though it is rare above 1,200 m. We report two rare records of E. barbara. The first was obtained above 2,500 m altitude, in the high-altitude grasslands of the Itatiaia National Park. This is the highest altitude ever recorded for an observation of this species in Brazil. The second record was the first ever obtained for the albinic tayra in nature. Therefore, we recommend the undertaking of new studies to understand the species' ecological requirements at higher altitude as well as the interactions and behavior of albinic tayra.