Reassessment of the occurrence of the kinkajou (Potos flavus Schreber, 1774) and olingo (Bassaricyon beddardi Pocock, 1921) in the northern Brazilian Amazon

Abstract

Brazil's only records of Pocock's olingo (Bassaricyon beddardi) are based on sightings from the northernmost state of Roraima, where the similar kinkajou (Potos flavus) was reported as absent. Our recent field work in the region led to the collection of two specimens and several more observations of kinkajous and a complete lack of evidence of the presence of olingos. Furthermore, the name used locally to describe the nocturnal procyonids previously treated as olingos, gogó de sola, refers to the leathery bare throat patch that we believe to be a characteristic unique to kinkajous. Thus, we conclude that previous records of olingos in Roraima represent misidentifications of kinkajous and recommend that, until supported by a specimen, B. beddardi be treated as absent from Brazil.