Coypu described by Juan Ignacio Molina in 1782 as "Mus coypus", a member of the mouse genus. The genus "Myocastor" was assigned in 1792 by Robert Kerr. Geoffroy Saint-Hilaire, independently of Kerr, named the species "Myopotamus coypus", and it is occasionally referred to by this name. Four subspecies are generally recognized: "M. c. bonariensis", the subspecies present in the northernmost (subtropical) part of the coypu's range, is believed to be the type of coypu most commonly introduced to other continents. Comparison of DNA and protein sequences showed that the genus "Myocastor" is the sister group to the genus "Callistomys" (painted tree-rats).
Alan (given name) for him to be fleet like a deer"), Modern Welsh "elain" (plural "alanedd") "young deer" (and the plant name "alan" "coltsfoot, elecampane"), coming from a Brittonic root "*alan-" or "*elan" (also attested in Celtiberian in personal names such as "Elanus", "Elaesus", and "Ela"), ultimately derived from Proto-Indo-European "*(H)el-Hn-" "deer, hind" (perhaps denoting an animal - generally cervids - with red or brown fur). Another explanation of the name is that the modern English "Alan", and French "Alain", are derived from the name of the Alans. The Alans were an Iranian people who lived north of the Caucasus Mountains in what