Revision of the large Neogene porcupines (Hystrix, Rodentia) with notes on other species of the genus

Specimens of the larger Neogene porcupines, generally allocated to Hystrix pimigenia from 17 locaÌities are studied, and their taxonomic status is reconsidered. Material from one of these localities has recently been descdbed as Hystrix depereti SEN, 2001. The diagnoses of both species are revised. Tooth size and crown height are considered diagnostic characters at the species level. As a result, specimens from eight localities are allocated to H. primigenia, from eight other localities to H. depereti, and from one locality to Hystrix sp. indet. The level of specialisation of the cranial morphology of these fossil species is compared to Hystrix refossa and with extant species