Mammals of the Caribbean "Cubacyon transversidens" and "Indocyon caribensis". The small Asian mongoose ("Herpestes auropunctatus") has been widely introduced in the Caribbean from the 1870s onwards; it is known from Cuba, Jamaica, Hispaniola, Gonâve, Puerto Rico, Vieques, Saint Thomas, Saint John, Water Island, Lovango Cay, Tortola, Beef Island, Jost van Dyke, Saint Croix, Saint Martin, Saint Kitts, Nevis, Antigua, Guadeloupe, La Désirade, Marie Galante, Martinique, Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent, Carriacou, Grenada, Barbados, and Trinidad. Artiodactyls include deer, antelope, cattle, pigs, camels, and related species, as well as whales and dolphins. A small form of the collared peccary ("Pecari tajacu") is known from Cozumel. The
History of the Caribbean Kitts & Nevis (1983). In addition British Honduras in Central America became independent as Belize (1981), British Guiana in South America became independent as Guyana (1966), and Dutch Guiana also in South America became independent as Suriname (1975). It should be noted that as of the early 21st century, not all Caribbean islands have become independent. Several islands continue to have government ties with European countries, or with the United States. French overseas departments and territories include several Caribbean islands. Guadeloupe and Martinique are French overseas regions, a legal status that they have had since 1946. Their citizens are considered