Mesocapromys nanus

Cladus: Eukaryota
Supergroup: Opisthokonta
Regnum: Animalia
Subregnum: Eumetazoa
Cladus: Bilateria
Cladus: Nephrozoa
Cladus: Deuterostomia
Phylum: Chordata
Subphylum: Vertebrata
Infraphylum: Gnathostomata
Superclassis: Tetrapoda
Classis: Mammalia
Subclassis: Theria
Infraclassis: Placentalia
Ordo: Rodentia
Suborder: Hystricomorpha
Infraorder: Hystricognathi
Infraordo: Caviomorpha
Familia: Capromyidae
Subfamilia: Capromyinae
Genus: Mesocapromys
Species: Mesocapromys nanus

Name

Mesocapromys nanus (G.M. Allen, 1917)

Vernacular names
English: Dwarf Hutia

Status

Probably extinct ca. 1930.

References

* IUCN link: Mesocapromys nanus (G.M. Allen, 1917) (Critically Endangered)
* Mesocapromys nanus on Mammal Species of the World.
* Mammal Species of the World: A Taxonomic and Geographic Reference, 2 Volume Set edited by Don E. Wilson, DeeAnn M. Reeder

The Dwarf Hutia (Mesocapromys nanus) is known only from Cuba. It was last seen in 1930.

The Huitias are heavily-built guinea pig-like rodents with broad rounded heads. The 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.[2] Unlike the larger litter sizes of many other rodents, the Dwarf Hutia gave birth to only a single offspring.

The dwarf hutia became critically endangered due to loss of habitat and the introduction of mongooses. 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 (Woods and Kilpatrick, 2005).
References

1. ^ Soy, J. & Silva, G. (2008). Mesocapromys nanus. In: IUCN 2008. IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. Downloaded on 6 January 2009.
2. ^ Glenn, C. R. 2006. "Earth's Endangered Creatures" (Online). Accessed 6/23/2010 at http://earthsendangered.com.

* Woods, C. A. and C. W. Kilpatrick. 2005. Hystricognathi. Pp 1538-1600 in Mammal Species of the World a Taxonomic and Geographic Reference 3rd ed. D. E. Wilson and D. M. Reeder eds. Smithsonian Institution Press, Washington D.C.