Acanthion Explained

Acanthion is a subgenus of Old World porcupines in the genus Hystrix. It contains two species, H. javanica and H. brachyura, the smaller species with comparatively smaller nasals. The extant species have only one black ring or coloured part on the quills.^[1]

Included taxa

• Hystrix (Acanthion) javanica F. Cuvier, 1823  - Sunda porcupine
• Hystrix (A.) brachyura Linnaeus, 1758  - Malayan porcupine
  • Hystrix (A.) b. brachyura Linnaeus, 1758
  • Hystrix (A.) b. hodgsoni Gray, 1847
  • Hystrix (A.) b. subcristata Swinhoe, 1870
  • Hystrix (A.) b. punungensis subsp. nov.

Notes and References

1. Van Weers, D. J. (2005). A taxonomic revision of the Pleistocene Hystrix (Hystricidae, Rodentia) from Eurasia with notes on the evolution of the family. Contributions to Zoology 74(3/4), 301-12.