Bioacoustic description of the alarm call of the stump-tailed porcupine (Coendou rufescens)

Researchers have uncovered the first bioacoustic description of the alarm call of the stump-tailed porcupine (Coendou rufescens) in its natural habitat within Sangay National Park, Ecuador. The study identified a repertoire of up to four distinct types of notes—ranging from chirps to nasal sounds—within the species' alarm calls, characterized by dominant frequencies between 0.34 and 2.50 kHz. These variations are likely tied to anti-predatory behaviors, suggesting a complex acoustic communication system in this rodent. The findings were based on opportunistic recordings of an adult female during capture, providing foundational data for future bioacoustic studies on the species.

Batallas, D., & Brito, J. (2022). Bioacoustic description of the alarm call of the stump-tailed porcupine (Coendou rufescens). Therya Notes, 3, 198–203. https://doi.org/10.12933/therya_notes-22-96