Supriya Ghosh (Editor)

Hydrochoerinae

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Kingdom
  
Order
  
Scientific name
  
Hydrochoerinae

Height
  
Capybara: 50 – 64 cm

Phylum
  
Chordata

Class
  
Family
  
Length
  
Capybara: 1.1 – 1.3 m

Mass
  
Capybara: 35 – 66 kg

Gestation period
  
Capybara: 130 – 150 days

Hydrochoerinae

Subfamily
  
HydrochoerinaeJ. E. Gray, 1825

Similar
  
Capybara, Rodent, Hydrochoerus, Mammal, Cavies

The Hydrochoerinae are a subfamily of Caviidae, consisting of two living genera, Hydrochoerus, the capybaras, and Kerodon, the rock cavies. In addition, a number of extinct genera related to capybaras should also be placed in this subfamily. The taxonomy of Hydrochoerinae is confused because, until 2005, living capybaras and their extinct relatives were placed in their own family, Hydrochoeridae. Recent molecular phylogenetic studies recognize a close relationship between Hydrochoerus and Kerodon, supporting placement of both genera in a subfamily of Caviidae. Paleontological classifications have yet to incorporate this new taxonomy, and continue to use Hydrochoeridae for all capybaras, while using Hydrochoerinae for the living genus and its closest fossil relatives such as Neochoerus. The taxonomy of fossil hydrochoerines is also in a state of flux. In recent years, the diversity of fossil hydrochoerines has been substantially reduced. This is largely due to the recognition that capybara molar teeth show strong variation in shape over the life of an individual. In one instance, material once referred to four genera and seven species on the basis of differences in molar shape is now thought to represent differently aged individuals of a single species, Cardiatherium paranense.

References

Hydrochoerinae Wikipedia


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