Human and hutia (Isolobodon portoricensis) interactions in pre-Columbian Hispaniola : the isotopic and morphological evidence

Abstract

Highlights: Bone collagen carbon (∂13C) values of some hutia suggest commensal diets with humans. Raised carbon (∂13C) values suggest that some hutia consumed C4 plants, likely maize. There is no evidence suggesting hutia were domesticated from isotopic and morphological data. High variance in isotopic values suggests that there was no systematic feeding strategy. Hutia populations may have been bolstered by human agricultural practices.