Dasyproctidae is a family of large South American rodents in the superfamily Cavioidea, comprising the agoutis, genus Dasyprocta with 11 species, and the acouchis, genus Myoprocta with 2 species, for 13 living species in two extant genera, plus extinct genera known from the fossil record reaching back to the Late Oligocene. They are herbivorous, squirrel-like in behavior, feed chiefly on fallen fruit, and cache food for later use across Central and South America.
Facts
Taxonomic Rank Member Count Band Era First Appeared Classification
Living or Extinct Sources
1. Wikidata (taxon extant/extinct status)
Wikimedia Foundation / Wikidata contributorsQ267132, descriptionView the Source 2. Wikipedia: Dasyproctidae
WikipediaIntroductionQuote, Introduction
Dasyproctidae (from Ancient Greek δασύς (dasús), meaning "hairy", and πρωκτός (prōktós), meaning "anus") is a family of large South American rodents, comprising the agoutis and acouchis.
3. Catalogue of Life (ChecklistBank): Taxon metrics for Dasyproctidae
Catalogue of Life (ChecklistBank)Taxon metrics, speciesExtantCountQuote, Taxon metrics, speciesExtantCount
"speciesExtantCount": 15
4. Paleobiology Database: Taxon record for Dasyproctidae
Paleobiology DatabaseTaxon record, first appearance (firstapp_max_ma, early_interval)Quote, Taxon record, first appearance (firstapp_max_ma, early_interval)
"taxon_name": "Dasyproctidae" ... "firstapp_max_ma": 33.9 ... "early_interval": "Rupelian"
Wikidata: Dasyproctidae
Wikidata Q267132, class allow-list match (w-wdresolver-0926)View the Source Reader Challenges (0)
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