Black-tailed Hutia

conservation

Conservation: IUCN – Lower Risk (nt) as Mysateles melanurus. Locally abundant in Guisa, Gramma Prov., but uncommon in other regions of the eastern provinces (Borroto et al., 2001).

Order Rodentia - Family Capromyidae

discussion

Discussion: The author and date of publication for this species are usually given as Peters, 1864, but Varona (1974: 63), established the correct author and date as Poey, 1865. Includes arboricolus of Kratochvíl et al. (1978: 48), who placed it in the genus Mysateles, subgenus Leptocapromys. However, this specimen is considered to be a young female M. melanurus by Varona (1986: 7). We have examined this specimen, and concur with Varona. Woods et al. (2001) concluded that Mysateles was paraphyletic and that the affinities of melanurus are with taxa of the genus Mesocapromys rather than with Mysateles p. prehensilis or M. p. gundlachi.

Order Rodentia - Family Capromyidae

materials_examined

Type Locality: Cuba, Manzanillo, Gramma Prov. (Oriente region).

Order Rodentia - Family Capromyidae

activity

Activity patterns. During the day, Black-tailed Hutias hide in cavities, tree holes, or ground holes. They are strictly nocturnal, being primarily active between 22: 00 h and 04: 00 h, but they begin their nightly activity at sunset. They climb trees but appear to be less arboreal than Prehensile-tailed Hutias. They vocalize while climbing and feeding.

Echimyidae