The insular cave rat (''Heteropsomys insulans'') is an
extinct species of
spiny rat that was native to
Puerto Rico
Puerto Rico (; abbreviated PR; tnq, Boriken, ''Borinquen''), officially the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico ( es, link=yes, Estado Libre Asociado de Puerto Rico, lit=Free Associated State of Puerto Rico), is a Caribbean island and unincorporated ...
.
Known only from recent fossil deposits, it most likely persisted until European colonization of Puerto Rico began.
Species and description
Spiny rats are a group of
hystricognath
The Hystricognathi are an infraorder of rodents, distinguished from other rodents by the bone structure of their skulls. The masseter medialis (a jaw muscle) passes partially through a hole below each eye socket (called the infraorbital foramen) ...
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
These rats were almost exclusively herbivorous. Their diet most likely included fruits, nuts, grass, and sugar cane.
References
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{{Taxonbar, from=Q305696
Extinct animals of the United States
Heteropsomys
Mammals described in 1916