Cuniculus hernandezi
| Cuniculus hernandezi | |
|---|---|
Scientific classification  | |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Mammalia |
| Order: | Rodentia |
| Family: | Cuniculidae |
| Genus: | Cuniculus |
| Species: | C. hernandezi |
| Binomial name | |
| Cuniculus hernandezi | |
Cuniculus hernandezi is a species of paca that is endemic to the Central Andes in Colombia. Individuals may weigh over 14 pounds (6.4 kg), making C. hernandezi the third-largest rodent species worldwide. The species is very similar to the mountain paca, Cuniculus taczanowskii, but analysis of its mitochondrial DNA revealed that it was a distinct species.[1] The specific epithet honors Colombian biologist Dr. Jorge Hernández Camacho.[2]
References
- ↑ Rodríguez, Elizabeth Cañas (28 April 2010). "New Discovery: Third Biggest Rodent in the World". UN Periódico.
- ↑ Castro, Jose J.; Bautista López, Juan; Becerra, Francisco (2010). "Una nueva especie de Cuniculus (Rodentia:Cuniculidae) de la Cordillera Central de Colombia" [A new species of Cuniculus (Rodentia:Cuniculidae) from the central mountains of Colombia]. Revista de la Asociación Colombiana de Ciencias Biológicas (in Spanish) (22): 122–131.