tapir behavior- an examination of activity patterns, mother young ...

(Barongi, 1993; Cohn, 2000; Witmer et al., 1999). The Malay tapir (Tapirus indicus) is
the largest of the extant Tapiridae. The most distinctive physical difference from the
South and Central American species is a striking black and white color pattern in the
Malay tapir. The head, limbs, and front half of the body are black whereas the torso,
rump and thighs are white along with the tips of the ears; however, a rare all-black
melanistic variation does occur (Azlan, 2002; Harper, 1945; Thom, 1936). The Baird’s
tapir (Tapirus bairdii) is the largest American species and is solid brown in color. The
lowland tapir (Tapirus terrestris) is also brown in coloration but has a distinctive sagittal
crest (Eisenberg et al., 1990). The mountain tapir (Tapirus pinchaque) is the smallest of
the extant tapirs, and has a thick wooly coat to stay warm on the mountains it inhabits. Its
pelage ranges in color from black to brown to a reddish hue (Eisenberg et al., 1990). All
young tapirs are brown with white stripes and spots; this pattern aids in camouflaging the
young until they are larger and less vulnerable to predation (Eisenberg et al., 1990).
Tapirs experienced rapid divergence 20-30 million years ago (Figure 4).
Phylogenetic analysis supported the Malay tapir as a sister group to the Neotropical
species which diverged 21 to 25 million years ago. The Baird’s tapir diverged 19 to 20
million years ago from the other South American species, while the mountain tapir and
the lowland tapir are the most closely related species of extant tapirs, diverging 3 million
years ago. (Ashley et al., 1996).
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