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The insular cave rat (Heteropsomys insulans) is an extinct species of spiny rat that was native to Puerto Rico.[2] Known only from recent fossil deposits, it most likely persisted until European colonization of Puerto Rico began.
Spiny rats are a group of hystricognath rodents in the family Echimyidae. They are distributed from Central America through much of South America. They were also found in the West Indies until the 1800s. Most species have stiff pointed hairs, or a bristly coat of flat flexible spines that allow for protection. Many echimyids can break off their tails when attacked. This action confuses predators long enough for the animal to escape. Unlike lizards, however, the tail of spiny rats does not regenerate. This technique can obviously be used only once in each individual's lifetime. This species most likely did not do well in conditions of high heat and aridity and are restricted to regions with an abundant source of water.
Dietedit
These rats were almost exclusively herbivorous. Their diet most likely included fruits, nuts, grass, and sugar cane.
^Turvey, S. & Helgen, K. (2016). "Heteropsomys insulans". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. 2016: e.T10025A22205961. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2016-2.RLTS.T10025A22205961.en. Retrieved 13 November 2021.
^"Heteropsomys insulans Anthony, 1916". ASM Mammal Diversity Database. American Society of Mammalogists. Retrieved 9 September 2022.
Turvey, S.T.; Oliver, J.R.; Storde, Y.M. Narganes; Rye, P (2007). "Late Holocene extinction of Puerto Rican native land mammals". Biology Letters. 3 (2): 193–196. doi:10.1098/rsbl.2006.0585. PMC2375922. PMID 17251123.
"New fossil rodents from Porto Rico; with additional notes on Elasmodontomys obliquus Anthony and Heteropsomys insulans Anthony". Bulletin of the American Museum of Natural History. 37. hdl:2246/1335.
"Heteropsomys insulans : insular cave rat : classification". Retrieved 2012-06-15.
insular, cave, this, article, multiple, issues, please, help, improve, discuss, these, issues, talk, page, learn, when, remove, these, template, messages, this, article, relies, largely, entirely, single, source, relevant, discussion, found, talk, page, please. This article has multiple issues Please help improve it or discuss these issues on the talk page Learn how and when to remove these template messages This article relies largely or entirely on a single source Relevant discussion may be found on the talk page Please help improve this article by introducing citations to additional sources Find sources Insular cave rat news newspapers books scholar JSTOR July 2010 This article includes a list of general references but it lacks sufficient corresponding inline citations Please help to improve this article by introducing more precise citations June 2012 Learn how and when to remove this message Learn how and when to remove this message The insular cave rat Heteropsomys insulans is an extinct species of spiny rat that was native to Puerto Rico 2 Known only from recent fossil deposits it most likely persisted until European colonization of Puerto Rico began Insular cave ratTemporal range Holocene Conservation status Extinct IUCN 3 1 1 Scientific classification Domain Eukaryota Kingdom Animalia Phylum Chordata Class Mammalia Order Rodentia Family Echimyidae Genus Heteropsomys Species H insulans Binomial name Heteropsomys insulansAnthony 1916Species and description editSpiny rats are a group of hystricognath rodents in the family Echimyidae They are distributed from Central America through much of South America They were also found in the West Indies until the 1800s Most species have stiff pointed hairs or a bristly coat of flat flexible spines that allow for protection Many echimyids can break off their tails when attacked This action confuses predators long enough for the animal to escape Unlike lizards however the tail of spiny rats does not regenerate This technique can obviously be used only once in each individual s lifetime This species most likely did not do well in conditions of high heat and aridity and are restricted to regions with an abundant source of water Diet editThese rats were almost exclusively herbivorous Their diet most likely included fruits nuts grass and sugar cane References edit nbsp Puerto Rico portal nbsp Biology portal Turvey S amp Helgen K 2016 Heteropsomys insulans IUCN Red List of Threatened Species 2016 e T10025A22205961 doi 10 2305 IUCN UK 2016 2 RLTS T10025A22205961 en Retrieved 13 November 2021 Heteropsomys insulans Anthony 1916 ASM Mammal Diversity Database American Society of Mammalogists Retrieved 9 September 2022 Turvey S T Oliver J R Storde Y M Narganes Rye P 2007 Late Holocene extinction of Puerto Rican native land mammals Biology Letters 3 2 193 196 doi 10 1098 rsbl 2006 0585 PMC 2375922 PMID 17251123 Taxon profile Insular Cave Rat Retrieved 2012 06 15 New fossil rodents from Porto Rico with additional notes on Elasmodontomys obliquus Anthony and Heteropsomys insulans Anthony Bulletin of the American Museum of Natural History 37 hdl 2246 1335 Heteropsomys insulans insular cave rat classification Retrieved 2012 06 15 American spiny rat Britannica Retrieved 2012 06 15 Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title Insular cave rat amp oldid 1197758309, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,
