Long-tailed hatias

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Long-tailed hatias
Mysateles prehensilis

Mysateles prehensilis

Systematics
Subordination : Porcupine relatives (Hystricomorpha)
Partial order : Hystricognathi
without rank: Guinea Pig Relatives (Caviomorpha)
Family : Quill rats (Echimyidae)
Subfamily : Tree rats (Capromyinae)
Genre : Long-tailed hatias
Scientific name
Mysateles
Lesson , 1842

The long-tailed hatias ( Mysateles ) are a genus of rodents from the subfamily of the tree rats (Capromyinae). The genus includes five species that live on Cuba and offshore islands.

General

Long-tailed hatias are similar to the Hutiaconga and were previously classified in the same genus ( Capromys ), but differ in the name-giving longer tail and details in the structure of the skull. These animals reach head body lengths of 30 to 43 centimeters, the tail is 21 to 34 centimeters long and their weight varies between 1.3 and 1.9 kilograms. Outwardly they resemble rats with a massive, rounded head. The fur is colored reddish brown or black on the upper side, the underside is lighter, often whitish or light brown.

Long-tailed hatias are forest dwellers and usually stay in trees. They are more likely to be nocturnal and feed primarily on plants.

Hunting and habitat destruction are the main threats to long-tailed hatias.

The species

  • Mysateles garridoi only lives on the Archipiélago de los Cannareos archipelago off the south coast of Cuba . It was considered extinct before two animals were caught in 1989. The species is listed by the IUCN as " critically endangered ".
  • Mysateles gundlachi isendemicto Isla de la Juventud and is considered endangered ( vulnerable ).
  • Mysateles melanurus lives in eastern Cuba and is relatively common.
  • Mysateles meridionalis inhabits the southwestern part of Isla de la Juventud.
  • Mysateles prehensilis is the largest and best-researched species of this genus. It lives in western Cuba and is also relatively common.

literature

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

Web links