Josephoartigasia


Josephoartigasia is an extinct genus of giant rodent from the Early Pliocene to Early Pleistocene, related to the living pacarana. The genus includes the largest known rodent, Josephoartigasia monesi. The two species would have resembled gigantic pacarana, or capybaras the size of cows, with an estimated weight of.
As the first specimen was found in Uruguay, it was named in honour of José Artigas, the libertador of the country.