Dwarf hutia

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Dwarf hutia
Status iucn3.1 CR.svg
Critically endangered, possibly extinct  (IUCN 3.1) [1]
Scientific classification OOjs UI icon edit-ltr.svg
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Mammalia
Order: Rodentia
Family: Echimyidae
Tribe: Capromyini
Genus: Mesocapromys
Species:
M. nana
Binomial name
Mesocapromys nana
(G. M. Allen, 1917)
Synonyms
  • Mesocapromys nanus

The dwarf hutia (Mesocapromys nana) is a small, critically endangered, rat-like mammal known only from Cuba. [2] Aside from tracks, it was last seen in 1937 and may be extinct. [1] It gives birth to only a single offspring at a time, and is threatened by habitat loss and non-native species such as rats and mongoose. The dwarf hutia belongs to the hutia subfamily (Capromyinae), a group of rodents native to the Caribbean that are mostly endangered or extinct.

Contents

Description

The hutias are heavily built guinea pig-like rodents with broad rounded heads. They have relatively small eyes and short rounded ears. The average tail and body length of this hutia is unknown. Some hutias have prehensile tails, meaning they are able to use them for gripping and climbing. [3] Unlike the larger litter sizes of many other rodents, the dwarf hutia gave birth to only a single offspring.

Conservation

The dwarf hutia became Critically Endangered due to loss of habitat and the introduction of mongooses and black rats. [4] The discovery of tracks and droppings in the Zapata Swamp gives hopes that this species has survived. It was initially described based on fossil material, but was later found to be extant. [2] This species is on Re:wild's Search For Lost Species Initiative.

Related Research Articles

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Solenodons are venomous, nocturnal, burrowing, insectivorous mammals belonging to the family Solenodontidae. The two living solenodon species are the Cuban solenodon and the Hispaniolan solenodon. Threats to both species include habitat destruction and predation by non-native cats, dogs, and mongooses, introduced by humans to the solenodons' home islands to control snakes and rodents.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Hutia</span> Rodents of the subfamily Capromyinae

Hutias are moderately large cavy-like rodents of the subfamily Capromyinae that inhabit the Caribbean islands. Most species are restricted to Cuba, but species are known from all of the Greater Antilles, as well as The Bahamas and (formerly) Little Swan Island off of Honduras.

Garrido's hutia is a small, critically endangered, rat-like mammal found in coastal mangrove forests on Cuba and nearby islands. It is rarely seen and may be extinct. It is a member of the hutia subfamily (Capromyinae), a group of rodents native to the Caribbean that are mostly endangered or extinct. The only other species in its genus, the Desmarest's hutia, is also found only on Cuba.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Jamaican coney</span> Hutia endemic to Jamaica

The Jamaican coney, also known as the Jamaican hutia or Brown's hutia, is a small, endangered, rat-like mammal found only on the island of Jamaica. About the size of a rabbit, it lives in group nests and is active at night to feed on fruit, bark, and other plant matter. It is currently endangered by habitat loss, hunting, and non-native species; it persists only in remote mountains. The Jamaican coney belongs to the hutia subfamily (Capromyinae) and is the only surviving native mammal on Jamaica.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Hispaniolan hutia</span> Species of rodent endemic to Hispaniola

The Hispaniolan hutia is a small, threatened, rat-like mammal endemic to forests on the Caribbean island of Hispaniola. It lives in burrows or trees, and is active at night when it feeds on roots and fruits. A member of the hutia subfamily (Capromyinae), it is endangered from habitat loss and introduced species, such as rats or feral dogs.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Desmarest's hutia</span> Species of mammals belonging to the hutia subfamily of rodents

Desmarest's hutia or the Cuban hutia is a stout, furry, rat-like mammal found only on Cuba and nearby islands. Growing to about 60 cm (2 ft), it normally lives in pairs and feeds on leaves, fruit, bark and sometimes small animals. It is the largest living hutia, a group of rodents native to the Caribbean that are mostly endangered or extinct. Desmarest's hutia remains widespread throughout its range, though one subspecies native to the nearby Cayman Islands went extinct shortly after European colonization in the 1500s.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ethiopian amphibious rat</span> Species of rodent

The Ethiopian amphibious rat, also known as the Ethiopian water mouse, is an insectivorous and semiaquatic species of rodent in the monotypic genus Nilopegamys of the family Muridae. There has only been one known specimen. It was found along the Lesser Abay River near its source at an altitude of 2600 m in the highlands of northwestern Ethiopia in 1928. N. plumbeus is considered to be the most aquatically adapted African murid; its unusually large brain is thought to be one consequence of this lifestyle. The species is considered to be critically endangered or possibly extinct, since its habitat has been severely damaged by overgrazing and monoculture.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Bahamian hutia</span> Species of rodent

The Bahamian hutia or Ingraham's hutia is a small, furry, rat-like mammal found only in the Bahamas. About the size of a rabbit, it lives in burrows in forests or shrubland, emerging at night to feed on leaves, fruit, and other plant matter. It was believed extinct until rediscovery in 1964, and it remains the focus of conservation efforts. The Bahamian hutia is a member of the hutia subfamily (Capromyinae), a group of rodents native to the Caribbean, many of which are endangered or extinct.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Cabrera's hutia</span> Species of rodent

Cabrera's hutia is a small, critically endangered, rat-like mammal found only in Cuba. It lives in communal shelters in swamps and coastal mangrove forests, and is threatened by habitat loss. It is a member of the hutia subfamily (Capromyinae), a group of rodents native to the Caribbean that are mostly endangered or extinct.

<i>Mesocapromys</i> Genus of mammals belonging to the hutia subfamily of rodents

Mesocapromys is a genus of rodent in the subfamily Capromyinae. The genus is restricted to Cuba and associated islands.

The eared hutia or large-eared hutia is a small, endangered, rat-like mammal found only on the Caribbean island of Cayo Fragoso, off the north coast of Cuba. It lives in coastal mangrove forests and swamps, and is threatened by habitat loss. It is a member of the hutia subfamily (Capromyinae), a group of rodents native to the Caribbean that are mostly endangered or extinct.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Black-tailed hutia</span> Species of rodent

The black-tailed hutia, also known as the bushy-tailed hutia, is a small, furry, rat-like mammal found only in Cuba. It lives in lowland moist forests and is threatened by habitat loss. It is a member of the hutia subfamily (Capromyinae), a group of rodents native to the Caribbean that are mostly endangered or extinct.

The Isla De La Juventud tree hutia or southern hutia is a subspecies of rodent in the subfamily Capromyinae. It is endemic to lowland moist forests on Isla de la Juventud in Cuba. It is threatened by habitat loss and is considered Critically Endangered by the IUCN Red List.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Prehensile-tailed hutia</span> Species of rodent

The prehensile-tailed hutia is a small, furry, rat-like mammal found only in forests on Cuba. It is the only member of the genus Mysateles. It climbs and lives in trees where it eats only leaves, and it is threatened by habitat loss. The prehensile-tailed hutia is a member of the hutia subfamily (Capromyinae), a group of rodents native to the Caribbean that are mostly endangered or extinct.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">San Felipe hutia</span> Species of rodent

The San Felipe hutia, also known as the little earth hutia, is small, critically endangered, rat-like mammal found on the small island of Cayo de Juan Garcia off the southwest coast of Cuba. It was discovered in 1970 and is possibly extinct. Little is known about the species, except that it lives in swamps and coastal mangrove forests. It is a member of the hutia subfamily (Capromyinae), a group of stout rodents native to the Caribbean that are mostly endangered or extinct.

References

  1. 1 2 Young, R.; Kennerley, R.; Turvey, S.T.; Borotto-Páez, R. (2020) [amended version of 2018 assessment]. "Mesocapromys nanus". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species . 2020: e.T13217A166518354. doi: 10.2305/IUCN.UK.2020-1.RLTS.T13217A166518354.en . Retrieved 11 November 2022.
  2. 1 2 Woods, C.A.; Kilpatrick, C.W. (2005). "Infraorder Hystricognathi". In Wilson, D.E.; Reeder, D.M (eds.). Mammal Species of the World: A Taxonomic and Geographic Reference (3rd ed.). Johns Hopkins University Press. pp. 1538–1600. ISBN   978-0-8018-8221-0. OCLC   62265494.
  3. Glenn, C. R. (2006). "Earth's Endangered Creatures" (Online). Accessed 6/23/2010 at http://earthsendangered.com.
  4. "Dwarf Hutia". EDGE of Existence.