Nutria

(Myocastor coypus)

Nutria

Family name : Myocastoridae

Species name: Myocastor coypus (Molina, 1782)

Synonym name: Mus coypus Molina, 1782

Common name: Nutria, Coypu

English name: Nutria, Coypu

Group: Rodentia

Year of introduction: 1900

Year of first report: 1973

National distribution area:

It has distribution in Edirne and neighbouring parts in the west and Kars and Iğdır in the east in Turkey.

Distribution details:

It is distributed on Meriç, Arda and Tunca River System in the west, on Kura River System Aras in the East

Type of introduction:

It is introduced to our country via rivers and streams.

Pathway of introduction:

It has spread all over the world from the original distribution area with fur farms.

Donor area:

South America (Argentina, Bolivia, South Brazil, Chile, Paraguay, Uruguay)

Habitat:

They usually live in shallow and reed areas of streams, rivers and lakes. It is also found in rivers, streams, lakes, ponds and bitter swamps in coastal areas.

Status:

Alien invasive

Frequency:

Not very common

Invasiveness:

Invasive

Impact:

Myocastor coypus usually digs tunnels on inclines of 45-90º. The biggest damage caused by Myocastor coypus is the feeding of the wetlands with natural vegetation that holds the soil intact. This causes soil erosion. Apart from populations with high density, the damage caused by Myocastor coypus is minimal. However, they are known to damage drainage systems, grains and natural plants. Tunnels sometimes penetrate or weaken the riverbeds that provide irrigation of the fields. Toxoplasmosis, Papillomatotis, Rabies, Eguine encephalomyeletis, Salmonellosis, Paratyphoid, Leptospirosis, Richattsia, Sarcopondiosis, Coccidiosis can be transmitted to Myocastor coypus.

Comments:

Myocastor coypus can be considered as a fur animal. As the cholesterol level of meat is very low, it is used as a source of protein in some places. It also constitutes the food of predators

References:

B. Mursaloğlu, Commun. Fac. Sci. Univ. Ankara, Ser. C, 17, 213(1973).
B. Özkan and C. Kurtonur, First Record of Myocastor coypus (Molina, 1972) (Rodentia, Mammalia) From the European Part of Turkey. Proc. 12th Natl. Biol. Cong. Edirne, Zoology Section, 1994.
İliker, A., 2009. “Iğdır ili Myocastor coypus (Molina, 1782) (Sumaymunu)’un Biyolojisi ve Ekolojisi (Mammalia:Rodentia)”. Kırıkkale Üniversitesi, Fen Bilimleri Enstitüsü, Biyoloji Anabilim Dalı, Yüksek Lisans Tezi, 1-108.
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Carter, J. and Leonard, B. P. 2002. A review of the literature on the worldwide distribution., spread of, and efforts to eradicate the coypu (Myocastor coypus) Source. Wildlife Society Bulletin. 30(1): 162-175.
Carter, Jacoby., 2007. Worldwide Distribution, Spread of, and Efforts to Eradicate the Nutria (Myocastor coypus) USGS National Wetlands Research Center
Fasham, M; Trumper, Kate., 2001. Review of non-native species legislation and guidance Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs
Genesis Laboratories, Inc. 2002. Report prepared for the Lousiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries. 155pp.
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Gosling, L. M. 1989. Extinction to order. New Scientist, 4 march 1989: 44-49.
Gosling, L. M. and Baker, S. J. 1987. Planning and monitoring an attempt to eradicate coypus from Britain. Symposia of The Zoological Society of London 58: 99-113.
Gosling, L. M., Baker, S. J. and Clarke, C. N. 1988. An attempt to remove coypus (Myocastor coypus) from a wetland habitat in East Anglia. Journal of Applied Ecology 25: 49-62.
Harper, D.M., Mavuti, K.M. and Muchiri, S.M., 1990. Ecology and management of Lake Naivasha, Kenya, in relation to climatic change, alien species’ introduction, and agricultural development. Environmental Conservation 17: 328-336.
LeBlanc, Dwight J. 1994. Nutria Prevention and control of wildlife damage. (Eds) Scott E. Hygnstrom Robert M. Timm & Gary E. Larson.
Marx, J., Mouton, E., Linscombe, G. 2003. Nutria harvest distribution 2002-2003 And A survey of nutria herbivory damage in coastal Louisiana in 2003. Unpublished report by Fur and Refuge Division, Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries.
Tatsuzawa, Shirow. Department of Regional Science, Hokkaido University, Japan.
Abbas, A. 1991. Feeding strategy of coypu (Myocastor coypus) in central western France. Journal of Zoology, London, 224: 385-401.
Borgnia, M., Galante, M. L. and Cassini, M. H. 2000. Diet of the coypu (Nutria, Myocastor coypus) in agro-systems of Argentina Pampas. Journal of Wildlife Management 64(2): 354-361.
CONABIO. 2008. Sistema de información sobre especies invasoras en México. Especies invasoras – Mamíferos. Comisión Nacional para el Conocimiento y Uso de la Biodiversidad. Fecha de acceso.
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Reggiani, G., Boitani, L., D’Antoni, S. and De Stefano, R. 1993. Biology and control of the coypu in the mediterranean area. Suppl. Ric. Biol. Selvaggina XXI: 67-100.
Willner, G. R., Chapman, J. A. and Pursley, D. 1979. Reproduction, physiological responses, food habits, and abundance of nutria on Maryland marshes. Wildlife Monograph 65: 43.
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