Hutias (Capromyidae)
Hutias
(Capromyidae)
Class Mammalia
Order Rodentia
Suborder Hystricognathi
Family Capromyidae
Thumbnail description
Medium to large stockily built rodents with broad rounded heads
Size
14–32 in (36–80 cm); 1.1–18.7 lb (0.5–8.5 kg)
Number of genera, species
8 genera; at least 24 species
Habitat
Forest, woodlands, scrub, cliffs, and mangroves
Conservation status
Extinct: 6 species; Critically Endangered: 6 species; Vulnerable: 4 species; Lower Risk/Near Threatened: 2 species
Distribution
Caribbean
Evolution and systematics
The Capromyidae represents a Caribbean radiation of the south and central American Hystricognath rodents closely allied to the Myocastoridae (coypu) and Echimyidae (spiny rats). Some subfamilies have been varyingly classified across all three families and the Myocastoridae is still included within the Capromyidae by some authorities.
Extensive extinction has occurred within this family and a number of additional species are known from Holocene fossil deposits. The exact extinction date of many is unclear and the possibility exists that some species believed to be extinct may still exist on small islands within the Caribbean.
The number of species is difficult to accurately assess with so many recent extinctions. Some sources cite as many as 33 species, although some of these are only known as sub-recent fossils. The status and correct taxonomic determination of many species is still unclear and the family is in need of taxonomic revision.
Physical characteristics
Hutias have many typical Hystricognath (caviomorph) features. They are heavily built rodents with broad rounded heads. They have relatively small eyes and short rounded ears. Tail length varies from around 80% of the head and body in Mysateles down to only 10% in Geocapromys. In Mysateles the tail is partially prehensile. The fur is generally thick but harsh and varies from dark, almost blackish, to very pale gray. Most species are paler ventrally.
Distribution
The entire family is endemic to the Caribbean. Many species have very restricted distributions to either a single or small group of islands. Extant species still occur on or in the cays around Cuba, Jamaica, the Bahamas, and Hispaniola. Three species are known only from their type localities, one of which, Mysateles garridoi, is known only from a single specimen. Only two species are considered to be relatively common where they occur, Capromys pilorides and Mysateles prehensilis.
Habitat
Hutias generally inhabit forested or rocky areas where they are mainly arboreal. They are known to climb well and use tree holes and rock crevices as dens. Mesocapromys auritus and M. angelcabrerai are known to build large obvious stick nests in areas of mangrove forest, some of which may be communal.
Most species are nocturnal, although Capromys pilorides is reported to be both nocturnal and diurnal. Geocapromys ingrahami occurs at densities of up to 30 individuals per hectare on East Plana Cay in the Bahamas occupying rough limestone cliffs and scrub. Very little ecological data exists on most species.
Behavior
They are generally regarded as living in social family groups, agonistic encounters are few and individuals appear
not to be territorial. Reports of a solitary social structure may result from displaced individuals or very small families. Geocapromys and Capromys are tolerant of conspecifics in captivity and will live in loose groups. Communal nesting has been reported in both Mesocapromys and Plagiodontia in the wild. Social groups frequently groom each other and a variety of low vocalisations are used.
Runs in and around natural rock crevices and fecal deposits often reveal the presence of hutias. The large stick nests of
some Geocapromys in the branches of mangrove forest can also reveal the presence of hutias in an area.
Feeding ecology and diet
Hutias are generally herbivorous feeding on a variety of bark, leaves, and fruits. They also occasionally eat lizards and other small animals. The stomach of Capromys is highly complex for a rodent, comprising three chambers each separated by a constriction. They possess open rooted molars and premolars that continue to grow throughout life.
Reproductive biology
Hutias give birth to small litters of highly precocial offspring following a relatively long gestation. The estrous cycle is normally 10 days, although in Capromys it has been reported as 16 days. Gestation in all species is between 110–150 days. A single infant is normal but litters of up to three for Geocapromys brownii or even six for Capromys pilorides have been known.
Young are highly precocial and mobile at birth, in most species weighing around 5–10% of adult weight. Breeding is probably aseasonal in the wild and up to two litters a year may be produced.
Conservation status
Hutias are highly threatened and many of the species are highly restricted island endemics. Two of the eight genera are
totally extinct and a third, Isolobodon, is known only from skeletal remains and is most likely also extinct. Of the 13 extant species, only two are considered secure and the remaining 11 are all threatened or Near Threatened. In 2002 the World Conservation Union (IUCN) considers six of these to be Critically Endangered.
The major threats are hunting for food, deforestation of habitat for agriculture, and the introduction of cats, mongoose, and black rats. Despite most hutias being protected by law urgent conservation action is required to safeguard their survival.
Significance to humans
Hutias have long been used as a food source by native peoples in the region. Indeed, several species are known from skeletal remains in kitchen middens. They were moved between islands by people and possibly even partially domesticated. Some extinctions occurred prior to the arrival of Europeans in the region although these have accelerated since this time.
Species accounts
List of Species
Cuban hutiaJamaican hutia
Hispaniolan hutia
Prehensile-tailed hutia
Cuban hutia
Capromys pilorides
taxonomy
Capromys pilorides (Say, 1822), Cuba.
other common names
None known.
physical characteristics
18–35 in (46–90 cm); 6.6–18.7 lb (3–8.5 kg). Thick fur is darker gray to black above and lighter below.
distribution
Mainland Cuba and many of the islands and cays in the Cuban archipelago.
habitat
Forest, mangrove, scrub, and rocky areas.
behavior
Mainly arboreal and diurnal, living in extended family groups, sometimes at high density.
feeding ecology and diet
Bark, leaves, fruits, and some small vertebrates.
reproductive biology
Litters of one to six young are born fully furred with their eyes open at birth. Gestation period varies from 110–140 days.
conservation status
Not threatened; the only comparatively common species of hutia.
significance to humans
Extensively hunted for food.
Jamaican hutia
Geocapromys brownii
taxonomy
Geocapromys brownii (Fischer, 1829), Jamaica.
other common names
None known.
physical characteristics
16–20 in (40–50 cm); 2.2–4.4 lb (1–2 kg). Fur is darker gray to black above and lighter below.
distribution
Jamaica.
habitat
Scrub and rocky areas.
behavior
Nocturnal and secretive, living in social groups which nest communally in the cracks and fissures in the rocks.
feeding ecology and diet
Bark, foliage, and fruits.
reproductive biology
Litters of one to three young are born fully furred with their eyes open at birth. The gestation period is around 120 days.
conservation status
Listed as Vulnerable by the IUCN.
significance to humans
Extensively hunted for food.
Hispaniolan hutia
Plagiodontia aedium
taxonomy
Plagiodontia aedium Cuvier, 1836, probably Haiti. Three subspecies have been recognized.
other common names
None known.
physical characteristics
17–22 in (43–56 cm); 2.2–3.3 lb (1–1.5 kg). Fur is darker above and lighter below.
distribution
Hispaniola, La Gonave Island.
habitat
Forested hillsides and ravines.
behavior
Nocturnal and mainly arboreal, living in pairs or small groups.
feeding ecology and diet
Leaves, fruits, and roots.
reproductive biology
Litters of one to two highly precocial youngsters born after a gestation of around 120–150 days.
conservation status
Listed as Vulnerable by the IUCN.
significance to humans
Hunted for food and agriculture has encroached upon its habitat.
Prehensile-tailed hutia
Mysateles prehensilis
other common names
None known.
taxonomy
Mysateles prehensilis (Poeppig, 1824), Cuba.
other common names
None known.
physical characteristics
22–30 in (55–75 cm); 3.1–4.2 lb (1.4–1.9 kg). Fur is darker gray to black above and lighter below.
distribution
Cuba.
habitat
Forest and mangrove.
behavior
Arboreal and partly diurnal, they climb exceptionally well and have partially prehensile tails.
feeding ecology and diet
Leaves, bark, and fruit.
reproductive biology
Nothing is known.
conservation status
Not threatened; one of only two non-threatened species of hutia.
significance to humans
Widely hunted for food.
| Common name / Scientific name/Other common names | Physical characteristics | Habitat and behavior | Distribution | Diet | Conservation status | |
| Eared hutia Mesocapromys auritu English: Large-eared hutia | Upperparts a variety of buff, yellow, red, s underparts usually paler. Coat has long, coarse guard hairs and softer underfur. Hairy tail. Head and body length 8.7– 19.7 in (22–50 cm); tail length 5.9–11.8 in (15–30 cm); weight 17.6–24.7 oz (500–700 g). | Forests or rocky areas. Seem gray, brown, and black shades; | Las Villas Province, to be basically arboreal. | Leaves, bark, fruits, Cuba. animals. | lizards, and other small | Critically Endangered |
| Dwarf hutia Mesocapromys nanus | Upperparts a variety of buff, yellow, red, gray, brown, and black shades; under-parts usually paler. Coat has long, coarse guard hairs and softer underfur. Hairy tail. Head and body length 8.7–19.7 in (22– 50 cm); tail length 5.9–11.8 in (15–30 cm); weight 17.6–24.7 oz (500–700 g). | Forests or rocky areas. Seem to be basically arboreal. | Matanzas Province, Cuba. | Leaves, bark, fruits, lizards, and other small animals. | Critically Endangered | |
| Black-tailed hutia Mysateles melanurus English: Bushy-tailed hutia | Upperparts a variety of buff, yellow, red, gray, brown, and black shades; under-parts usually paler. Coat has long, coarse guard hairs and softer underfur. Hairy tail. Head and body length 8.7–19.7 in (22–50 cm); tail length 5.9–11.8 in (15– 30 cm); weight 17.6–24.7 oz (500– 700 g). | Forests or rocky areas. Seem to be basically arboreal. May be nocturnal. | Eastern provinces of Cuba. | Leaves, bark, fruits, lizards, and other small animals. | Lower Risk/Near Threatened | |
| Bahamian hutia Geocapromys ingrahami English: Ingraham's hutia | Upperparts yellowish gray, dark brown, or blackish; underparts buffy gray or dusky brown. Short, dense fur, and short, rounded ears. | Small, semi-arid island of East Plana Key, Bahamas. Almost completely nocturnal, feeding at night. | East Plana Key, Bahamas. | Bark, small twigs, and leaves. | Vulnerable | |
| Samana hutia Plagiodontia ipnaeum | Living species of the genus have short, dense fur with upperparts brownish or grayish and underparts buffy. Likely larger than 2.8 lb (1,267 g). | Forests from sea level to 6,560 ft (2,000 m). Likely nocturnal and arboreal. | Hispaniola. | Likely vegetation and small animals. | Extinct | |
| Puerto Rican hutia Isolobodon portoricensis | Similar in size to | Plagiodontia. possibly extinct species. | No information on this islands; introduced on Puerto Rico, St. Thomas, St. Croix, and Mona Islands. | Hispaniola and offshore small animals. | Likely vegetation and | Critically Endangered |
| Imposter hutia Hexolobodon phenax | Similar in size to | Capromys pilorides. species. | No information on this extinct Gonave Island. | Hispaniola and La small animals. | Likely vegetation and | Extinct |
Resources
Books
Lawlor, T. Handbook to the Orders and Families of Living Mammals. Mad River Press, 1979.
MacDonald, D., S. Norris, and D. W. MacDonald, eds. Encyclopedia of Mammals. Facts on File, Inc., 2001.
Nowak, R. M. Walkers Mammals of the World. 6th ed. Johns Hopkins University Press, 1999.
Vaughn, T. A., J. M. Ryan, and N. Czaplewski. Mammalogy. 4th ed. Brooks Cole, 1999.
Wilson, D. E., and D. M. Reeder, eds. Mammal Species of the World: A Taxonomic and Geographic Reference. 2nd ed. Smithsonian Institution Press, 1993.
Mike J. R. Jordan, PhD