Lesser capybara

Lesser capybara
Conservation status

Data Deficient  (IUCN 3.1)[1]
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Subphylum: Vertebrata
Class: Mammalia
Order: Rodentia
Suborder: Hystricomorpha
Family: Caviidae
Subfamily: Hydrochoerinae
Genus: Hydrochoerus
Species: H. isthmius
Goldman, 1912
Binomial name
Hydrochoerus isthmius
Mones, 1991
The range of the lesser capybara

The lesser capybara (Hydrochoerus isthmius)[2] is a large semiaquatic rodent of the family Caviidae found in eastern Panama, northwestern Colombia and western Venezuela.[3] It was recognized as a distinct subspecies of capybara in 1912, and was elevated to species status in 1991. It breeds year-round, with an average litter size of 3.5.[1] Individuals may be diurnal or nocturnal and solitary or social depending on season, habitat and hunting pressure.[1] This species is reported to be common in Panama but rare in Venezuela.[1] It is threatened by subsistence hunting, the destruction of gallery forests and swamp drainage, specifically the swamp drainage of the Magdalena River.[1] Its karyotype has 2n = 64 and FN = 104.[3]

References

  1. 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 Aguilera, M., Gómez-Laverde, M., Delgado, C., Samudio, R., Emmons, L., González, J. & Pino, J. (2008). "Hydrochoerus isthmius". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. Version 2009.1. International Union for Conservation of Nature. Retrieved 11 June 2009.
  2. Hydrochoerus isthmius (lesser capybara). University of Michigan Museum of Zoology, Animal Diversity Web. Retrieved on June 11, 2009.
  3. 3.0 3.1 Woods, C. A.; Kilpatrick, C. W. (2005). "Infraorder Hystricognathi". In Wilson, D. E.; Reeder, D. M. Mammal Species of the World (3rd ed.). Johns Hopkins University Press. p. 1556. ISBN 978-0-8018-8221-0. OCLC 62265494.