Interspecific association between brown-nosed coatis and capybaras in an urban area of Brazil

Abstract

This study aimed to report an interspecific association between brown-nosed coatis (Nasua nasua) and capybaras (Hydrochoerus hydrochaeris) in an urban area of Brazil. We recorded N. nasua feeding on ectoparasites (ticks) attached to H. hydrochaeris, which in turns, did not show any reaction of discomfort with the situation. Thus, we report an unprecedented case of protocooperation between apparently unrelated species. Moreover, the interspecies interaction reveals other interesting scenarios as the inclusion of ticks in the diet of N. Nasua and the possibility of parasite transmission and adaptation to a new host species, a phenomenon known as ‘host switching’. We associate these new records as adaptations of wildlife to urbanization, and their effects should be further investigated from both wildlife conservation and ‘One Health’ approach.