Josephoartigasia

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Josephoartigasia
Temporal range: Chapadmalalan-Uquian
~4–2 Ma
Josephoartigasia BW.jpg
Josephoartigasia monesi reconstruction
Scientific classification e
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Mammalia
Order: Rodentia
Family: Dinomyidae
Genus: Josephoartigasia
Mones, 2007
Species

Josephoartigasia is an extinct genus of giant rodent from the Early Pliocene to Early Pleistocene, related to the living pacarana. The genus includes the largest known rodent, Josephoartigasia monesi.[1] with an estimated weight of 1,000 kg (1.0 t; 1.1 short tons; 0.98 long tons).[2]

As the first specimen was found in Uruguay, it was named in honour of José Artigas, the libertador of the country.[2]

References[]

  1. ^ "Biggest rodent 'shrinks in size'". BBC News. 2008-05-21.
  2. ^ a b Rinderknecht, Andrés (2008). "Nueva especie de roedor fósil: Josephoartigasia monesi". Museo Nacional de Historia Natural y Antropología (in Spanish). Uruguay. Significado del nombre: Josephoartigasia en honor a José Artigas y monesi por el paleontólogo uruguayo Álvaro Mones.


Retrieved from ""