FAUNA PARAGUAY HOW TO USE THE MAMMAL HANDBOOK

Part of the ambitious FAUNA Paraguay Handbook of Paraguayan fauna project, the Online Mammal Handbook aims to give detailed information on the biology and identification of Paraguayan mammals in a readable, non-technical, style that will appeal to the interested amateur as much as the professional.
The species accounts are accessed via the links in the mammal list and the individual species image galleries. Below is an explanation of how to use the species accounts.

Scientific name (Descriptor and date) Image Gallery (links to the image gallery of the species). The presence of rounded parentheses means that the species name has changed since the original description. If they are absent the species was described with the name it retains today.
TAX: Classification and taxonomic history of the species.
ENG: English name
ESP: Spanish common name in general usage in Paraguay or Argentina.
GUA: Indigenous Guaraní name. Where information is available the tribe is also indicated with the following symbols M (Mbya apytere); A (Ava katu´ete); P (Pâi tavyterâ); Ac (Aché gatu).
DES: Begins with a description of the shape and aspect of the species, followed by information on the colour of the pelage and individual variability. CR - Craneal details and measurements. DF - Dental formula given as upper/lower I=incisors, C=canines, P=premolars, M=molars followed by the total number of teeth; CF - Chromosomal formula. Genetic information is also provided here.
TRA: Tracks and signs, tell-tale signs of the presence of the species. For footprints some or all of the following measurements are given in millimetres: FP - print of forefoot width x height; HP - print of hindfoot width x height; PA: Pace, the distance between the foreprint on one step and the hind print of the same side on the following step when an individual is walking. A stylistic image of a "perfect print" is shown in the left hand margin. Dark areas are those parts of the print that most readily leave impressions.
MMT: First a general statement about the overall size of the species compared to other close relatives. Then a sentence describing any sexual size difference. Then follow the measurements which are given as a range in centimetres - the mean first when available, then the range in brackets. Some or all of the following measurements may be given: TL - Total Length; HB - Head and Body Length not including tail; TA - Tail Length; FT - Length of hind foot; FA - Length of forearm (bats); EA - Height of ear; WS - Wingspan (bats); WT - Weight in grams; WN - Weight of newborn. If clarifying statements about the sexes to which the measurements refer are not given the measurements are for both sexes. Additional measurements are written out in full in italics.
SSP: Similar species. A paragraph distinguishing the species in question from its confusion species. Handbook accounts of confusion species are linked in the text to allow quick cross reference.
DIS: Geographical distribution both within Paraguay and globally. A list of the protected areas in which the species is known to occur is provided. A map of the species known distribution on Paraguay based on published and unpublished sources is included in the left hand margin and can be clicked to enlarge it. Green refers to the known range of the species, red to the former range of the species and white to areas where the species has likely never occurred.
HAB: Habitat preferences.
ALI: Diet and feeding behaviour.
REP: Data on the reproductive behaviour of the species.
BEH: Other behavioural aspects and useful information not covered by previous headings. This section is split into subheadings which are italicised. Activity Levels, Locomotion, Home Range, Roosts, Grooming Behaviour, Aggessive Behaviour, Defensive Behaviour, Enemies, Parasites, Longevity.
HUM: Human impact of the species, legends, beliefs, usage etc.
VOC: Vocalisations and mechanical noises produced.
CON: Conservation status both globally and nationally. Estimates of population etc. Conservation categories as classified by the IUCN are defined here and the species account links directly to the latest online Conservation Assessment of the species by the IUCN. The meaning of the Cites Listings is explained here and the species account links directly to the latest version of the CITES species database. Threat status as defined by the Centro de Datos de la Conservación of the Secretario del Medio Ambiente del Paraguay (SEAM) is also given and may be defined as followed: N1 critically endangered; N2 endangered; N3 rare or persecuted by human populations; N4 apparently secure but with potential to become threatened in the future; N5 under no threat.
Citable Reference: Handbook accounts should be cited as follows: Author YEAR - FAUNA Paraguay Handbook of the Mammals of Paraguay XX Species Name p1-Y. Update Version DATE. Accessed online DATE OF ACCESS.
References: The references referred to in the preparation of the text.

ALL COMPLETED VOLUMES OF THE FAUNA PARAGUAY HANDBOOK OF MAMMALS CAN BE DOWNLOADED IN PDF FORM HERE BY CLICKING THE LINKS BELOW:

VOLUME 1: MARSUPIALIA

VOLUME 2: XENARTHRA

VOLUME 3.1: CHIROPTERA: PHYLLOSTOMIDAE