Part I: Evolution, Taxonomy, and Domestication14
which show sharp differentiation between the North and South
American populations (Figure 1.13A,B), like Gongora et al.’s
(2006, 2011b) two DNA lineages meeting in Colombia.
DNA and morphological data thus concur in pointing
to the occurrence of two species within the collared peccary,
one in North/Central and one in South America; they meet in
Colombia (Figure 1.13), but it is unclear whether they are para-
patric, or marginally sympatric, or if they have interbred in
the wild. In addition, it is probable that there is a third species:
Central American peccaries can probably be divided into a rain-
forest species (extending north into southern Mexico) and an
arid-zone species from northern Mexico and the southern USA.
Gongora et al. (2006) and Groves and Grubb (2011) agree in
using the names tajacu and angulatus for the South and North/
Central American species, respectively. It is evident that we
need more research about these species including comprehen-
sive sampling and gathering of morphological, reproductive,
cytogenetic, genetic, and genomic information; but of their real
existence, there is no doubt.
Species in this group according to Gongora et al. (2006) and
Groves and Grubb (2011) include the following.Pecari tajacu (Linnaeus, 1758)
South American collared peccary. The malar crest terminates
above the infraorbital foramen; the nasals are rounded in cross-
section; the anterior maxillary premolar is not molariform.
Colour is very variable, light to dark grey but always agouti-
banded, generally with a dorsal stripe, collar variably expressed.
Skull length 209–254 mm. South America, from about 5°N,
75°W, to Paraguay.Pecari angulatus (Cope, 1889)
North American collared peccary. The malar crest terminates
above the base of the canine alveolus; the nasals are pinched
or angulated; the anterior maxillary premolar is molariform,
four-cusped with intermediate tubercles; the molar enamel is
wrinkled. Skull length 221–254 mm. Colour perhaps more
black-and-white banded, head paler. Northern Mexico,
Arizona, Texas.
We provisionally propose to recognize a further species,
below; this division, however, needs more evidence.Pecari crassus (Merriam, 1901)
Central American collared peccary. The skull is like P. a n g u l a-
tus. The pelage is coarser; the light bands on the hairs are wider,
so the overall tone is lighter. The head is lighter in colour. Skull
length 227–254 mm. Southern Mexico to northern Colombia.
The proposal that arid-zone and rainforest populations of the
northern collared peccary constitute different species needs to
be more thoroughly tested.
The proposal of a further peccary species, Pecari maximus,
was made by van Roosmalen et al. (2007; see also Moravec &
Bohme 2009), but re-examination of the DNA showed that more
data are required to support the claim; the single individual used
in the study clusters within the previously recognized P. tajacu
clade from South America, in particular those from Brazil
(Gongora et al. 2011b). In addition, some of the morphological
and ecological measurements for the putative new species are
within the reported range for P. tajacu (Gongora et al. 2011b).
Based on the available data, it cannot be excluded that thisFigure 1.13 Crania of P. ta j a cu and
P. c rassus. Both photos were taken in
the Field Museum of Natural History,
Chicago. A, left, P. c rassus from Belize,
FMNH 63923; right, P. ta j a cu from
Mato Grosso, FMNH 28314. These
two specimens show very well the
most striking difference between
Northern (angulatus and crassus) and
Southern (tajacu) groups. B, two skulls
from Colombia: left, FMNH 87875
from Rio Guayapayo, with a Southern
morphology; right, FMNH 86744
from Sabeletus, Cauca Valley, with
a Northern morphology. Photos by
Colin Groves..00312:27:47