Neochoerus aesopi

Neochoerus aesopi was a relatively large rodent species native to North America until their extinction about 12,000 years ago, being closely related to modern capybaras (genus Hydrochoerus). It was part of the subfamily Hydrochoerinae. Fossils of it have been found in U.S. states such as Florida and South Carolina.[2] The species was originally outlined in 1853, it weighed about 80 kg similar in size to the modern day capybara.[1]

Neochoerus aesopi
Temporal range: Pleistocene [1]
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Mammalia
Order: Rodentia
Family: Caviidae
Genus: †Neochoerus
Species:
†N. aesopi
Binomial name
†Neochoerus aesopi
Leidy, 1853
Synonyms[1]
  • Hydrochoerus holmesi Simpson, 1928
  • Hydrochoerus robustus Leidy, 1886
  • Neochoerus robustus Leidy, 1886

It has been synonymized with Hydrochoerus holmesi and several other formerly recognized extinct taxa.[1] Identification of these types of rodent fossils is an inexact science, and lines between various classifications are often questionable. Unlike extant capybaras, N. aesopi lived in North America, where its ancestors had migrated from South America during the Great American Interchange.[3]

See also

References
  1. "Neochoerus aesopi". Fossilworks. Retrieved 31 August 2022 from the Paleobiology Database.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: postscript (link)
  2. Additions to the Pleistocene Mammal Faunas of South Carolina, North Carolina, and Georgia
  3. Neogene Mammals: Bulletin 44


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