SOUTH AMERICA 383 



the capture of two additional specimens at Academy Bay by 

 the California Academy's Expedition of 1905-6, making six 

 known examples. Though this species at present may be in no 

 danger, it is likely to disappear first if Old World murids are 

 introduced or other unfavorable circumstances intervene. 



Family MYOCASTORIDAE : Coypus 



COYPU; "NUTRIA"; " SWAMP BEAVER" 

 MYOCASTOR COYPUS COYPUS (Molina) 



Mus coypus Molina, Saggio Stor. Natur. Chile, p. 287, 1782 (Chile). 



SYNONYM: Guillinomys chilensis Lesson, Nouv. Tabl. Regne Anim., p. 126, 1842. 



ARGENTINE COYPU 

 MYOCASTOR COYPUS BONARIENSIS (E. Geoffroy) 



Myopotamus bonariensis E. Geoffroy, Ann. Mus. Hist. Nat. Paris, vol. 6, p. 81, 1805 

 (Parana River, Paraguay). 



MYOCASTOR COYPUS SANTACRUZAE Hollister 

 % 



Myocastor coypus santacruzae Hollister, Proc. Biol. Soc. Washington, vol. 27, p. 57, 

 Mar. 20, 1914 ("Rio Salado, near Los Palmares, Santa Cruz, Argentina"). 



FIGS.: Waterhouse, 1848, pi. 15, fig. 1; pi 16, fig. 1 (skull) ; Hudson, 1892, p. 12 (female 

 and young) 



The coypu, or nutria, is so important as a fur animal and has 

 in some places become so depleted that it may be briefly con- 

 sidered here. With somewhat the appearance of a large musk- 

 rat, this is a dark yellowish-brown or reddish-brown animal, 

 with longer and coarser guard hairs than a muskrat, which 

 when plucked disclose a soft velvety coat of under fur of a dark 

 slaty color. The tail is about as long as head and body and is 

 covered with coarse scales, but unlike the tail of the muskrat 

 it is round instead of compressed from side to side. The large 

 hind feet are webbed for swimming. Tip of muzzle and chin 

 white. Length of head and body, about 25 inches; tail, 17.5 

 inches; hind foot, 5.5 inches. The large incisor teeth are of a 

 deep orange-red; the cheek teeth are four in each row, with 

 three outer and one inner enamel fold in each of the upper and 

 the reverse in each of the lower series set at an angle directed 

 forward. Length of skull, 4.8 inches. 



As a species this large aquatic rodent is found in the tern- 



