Three subspecies are currently recognised: aedium (Cuvier, 1836), hylaeum (Miller, 1927) and bondi (Turvey, Hansford, Kennerley, Nuñez-Miño, Brocca, & Young, 2015) (see Turvey et al. 2015).

This species has a relatively large extent of occurrence (EOO) of 78,166 km². It appears to be dependent upon primary forest, which is being lost and degraded across large parts of its range, and is also at risk of predation by invasive mammals. It might have undergone a decline in population of around 20% over the last 30 years (three generations), and could soon approach the thresholds for qualifying for Vulnerable under criterion A. At present, this species is assessed as Least Concern, considering it has a large EOO as well as its presence in protected areas. However, its populations must be monitored; this species may move into a threatened category in future.

The species is widely distributed across the Dominican Republic in numerous protected areas including Sierra de Bahoruco National Park, Jaragua National Park, Los Haitises National Park and Del Este National Park (Turvey et al. 2014). It also still persists as a remnant subpopulation in the Massif de la Hotte in southwestern Haiti (Turvey et al. 2008) and in southeastern Haiti close to the border with the Dominican Republic (Turvey et al. 2014). It has been recorded at elevations between 15–2,019 m asl. (Kennerley 2014). A recent report of the species in the National Fiscal Reserve of Montenegro, in the province of Sánchez Ramírez, confirms its presence in the area (G. Ross pers. comm. 2019).

On a recent survey near Massif de la Hotte, Haiti, the species was not uncommon, but was only found in isolated areas where they were considered to be an agricultural pest (Turvey pers. comm. 2013). It is estimated that reductions of ~20% have occurred in the last 30 years (three generations).

The species is terrestrial and arboreal and inhabits subtropical and tropical forest, as well as rocky areas. It is known to live in rocky outcrops and dens in crevices among rocks, in family groups of between two and eight individuals. It is herbivorous (folivorous) and eats numerous plants and local crops.

This hutia is often killed as a crop pest and is opportunistically hunted for food in Haiti. Increasing habitat destruction from agriculture, both within and outside of protected areas, is a major threat. Whilst there is forest loss documented within the Dominican Republic’s protected areas (Sangermano et al. 2015, Pasachnik et al. 2016), forest cover across the country is reported to have increased over the past decade (Ministerio de Medio Ambiente y Recursos Naturales de la República Dominicana 2014). Predation by introduced cats and dogs is also likely to be a considerable threat. During surveys of several rural communities in south-west of the Dominican Republic hutias and the other island endemic non-volant mammal (Solenodon paradoxus), dogs were reported to have accounted for 73% of known deaths for both species, and attention was drawn to the role played by dogs trained to kill pests such as mongoose and feral cats. These dogs are allowed to roam freely in the vicinity of villages during day and night, and are reported to be responsible for 57% of kills, as opposed to only 12% made by dogs taken on specific hunting trips (Turvey et al. 2014). Dog faeces found in the Massif de la Selle, Haiti, were found to contain Plagidontia aedium bones (Borroto-Páez and Woods 2012).

The species is possibly still hunted for food in some areas of its range.

The species occurs in a number of protected areas such as Sierra de Bahoruco National Park, Jaragua National Park, Los Haitises National Park and Del Este National Park. As it is believed to have declined, populations, habitat change and hunting should be monitored.