Isolobodon

Isolobodon
Systematics
Subordination :	Porcupine relatives (Hystricomorpha)
Partial order :	Hystricognathi
without rank:	Guinea Pig Relatives (Caviomorpha)
Family :	Quill rats (Echimyidae)
Subfamily :	Tree rats (Capromyinae)
Genre :	Isolobodon
Scientific name
	Isolobodon
	Allen , 1916

Isolobodon is a genus of extinct rodents in the tree rat subfamily.

Presumably the genus was originally native to Hispaniola . The species reached other islands in the area with the help of the Caribbean indigenous peoples . Remains of the Puerto Rican piglet rat have mostly been discovered in rubbish heaps, suggesting that the species was hunted as a food source. She could also have been a pet. Only a few semi-fossil bones are known of the mountain piglet-rat . The cause of the extinction of the species has not yet been determined with certainty. Changes in the landscape and predatory animals introduced by Europeans were probably involved.

According to estimates, the animals had a shape and size similar to the common zaguti ( Plagiodontia aedium ). The clearest differences between the species and the Zagutis are in the structure of the teeth. In Isolobodon , the molars have a distinct ring made of root cement . Furthermore, the upper incisors are anchored in a different way in the upper jaw.

The following species belong to the genus.

Mountain piglet-rat ( Isolobodon montanus ) lived on Hispaniola and Île de la Gonâve .
Puerto Rican piglet-rat ( Isolobodon portoricensis ) was native to Hispaniola, Puerto Rico and a few other Caribbean islands.

The relationship to the actual piglet rats ( Geocapromys ) is no closer than to other tree rats .

supporting documents

↑ ^a ^b Ronald M. Nowak: Walker's Mammals of the World. 2 volumes. 6th edition. Johns Hopkins University Press, Baltimore MD et al. 1999, pp. 1709-1710, ISBN 0-8018-5789-9 .
↑ Don E. Wilson , DeeAnn M. Reeder (Ed.): Mammal Species of the World . A taxonomic and geographic Reference . 3. Edition. 2 volumes. Johns Hopkins University Press, Baltimore MD 2005, ISBN 0-8018-8221-4 (English, isolobodon ).
^ Isolobodon in the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species 2016. Accessed March 2, 2017.

[Walkers-1] Ronald M. Nowak: Walker's Mammals of the World. 2 volumes. 6th edition. Johns Hopkins University Press, Baltimore MD et al. 1999, pp. 1709-1710, ISBN 0-8018-5789-9 .

[Wilson-2] Don E. Wilson , DeeAnn M. Reeder (Ed.): Mammal Species of the World . A taxonomic and geographic Reference . 3. Edition. 2 volumes. Johns Hopkins University Press, Baltimore MD 2005, ISBN 0-8018-8221-4 (English, isolobodon ).

[IUCN-3] Isolobodon in the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species 2016. Accessed March 2, 2017.