Geocapromys brownii (J. Fischer, 1829)

Jamaican Hutia

Species recognized by The Integrated Taxonomic Information System external link, T Orrell (custodian) in 
IUCN Red List Status: Vulnerable (VU) external link Showing: scientific names

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Table of Contents

Morphology

Physical Description

Source and Additional Information
Supplier
Animal Diversity Web external link
Copyright
©1995-2008, The Regents of the University of Michigan and its licensors. Some rights reserved external link
Author
Erica Raffo, University of Michigan
Editor
Phil Myers, Museum of Zoology, University of Michigan
Location
Source URL
View original data object external link
Citation
Raffo, E. 2000. "Geocapromys brownii" (On-line), Animal Diversity Web. Accessed October 25, 2009 at http://animaldiversity.ummz.umich.edu/site/accounts/information/Geocapromys_brownii.html. 

 

These large rodents have a body length of 330 to 445 mm. Geocapromys brownii have short, nearly vestigial tails between 35 and 64 mm. in length (Nowak 1999). They have the shortest tails of all of the hutias. Due to their massive heads and short necks and legs, Jamaican hutias take on a stout appearance. The fur on the back is thick and coarse, ranging in color from reddish-brown to almost black. The tail is scaly with tufts of black fur on its upper surface. The feet are covered in very rough, short black hair. The whiskers or vibrassae are long and the ears short.

 

Geocapromys brownii have the largest skulls of all of the three species of hutia. The sagittal crest is fairly prominent. The jugal is also unusually wide and located far below the orbits.

 

The dental formula is 1/1, 0/0, 1/1, 3/3 (incisor, canine, premolar, and molar, respectively). The cheekteeth display a hypsodont occlusal pattern and are almost perfectly flat on their upper surfaces (Anderson et al. 1983).

 
"Geocapromys brownii (J. Fischer, 1829)". Encyclopedia of Life, available from "http://www.eol.org/pages/981564". Accessed 19 Mar 2010.