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Myocastoridae
Myocastorini is a tribe of echimyid rodents, proposed in 2017, and containing the five extant genera ''Callistomys'', ''Hoplomys'', ''Myocastor'', ''Proechimys'', and ''Thrichomys ''Thrichomys'' is a genus of South American rodents in the family Echimyidae. It contains at least five species, found in Bolivia, Brazil and Paraguay. They are as follows: * Common punaré (''Thrichomys apereoides'') * Foster's punaré (''Thri ...''. Definition Myocastorini members share long upper incisor roots (except ''Callistomys''), and mid- to long-sized lower incisor roots. These five genera share either four (''Callistomys'', ''Thrichomys'') or five (''Hoplomys'', ''Myocastor'', ''Proechimys'') lophids on the lower deciduous fourth premolar, three roots anchoring the upper molars, and well-connected lophs on cheek teeth. Members display a variety of lifestyles including terrestrial (''Hoplomys'', ''Proechimys'', ''Thrichomys''), arboreal (''Callistomys''), and amphibious (''Myocastor'') ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Echimyid
Echimyidae is the family of neotropical spiny rats and their fossil relatives. This is the most species-rich family of Hystricognathi, hystricognath rodents. It is probably also the most ecologically diverse, with members ranging from fully arboreal to Terrestrial animal, terrestrial to fossorial to semiaquatic habits. They presently exist mainly in South America; three members of the family also range into Central America, and the Hutia, hutias are found in the Greater Antilles in the Caribbean. Species of the extinct subfamily Heteropsomyinae formerly lived on Cuba, Hispaniola, and Puerto Rico in the Antilles, probably until the arrival of Europeans. Characteristics In general form, most spiny rats resemble rats, although they are more closely related to guinea pigs and chinchillas. Most species have stiff, pointed hairs, or Spine (zoology), spines, that presumably serve for protection from predators. Many echimyids can Autotomy, break off their tails when attacked. Th ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Echimyidae
Echimyidae is the family of neotropical spiny rats and their fossil relatives. This is the most species-rich family of hystricognath rodents. It is probably also the most ecologically diverse, with members ranging from fully arboreal to terrestrial to fossorial to semiaquatic habits. They presently exist mainly in South America; three members of the family also range into Central America, and the hutias are found in the Greater Antilles in the Caribbean. Species of the extinct subfamily Heteropsomyinae formerly lived on Cuba, Hispaniola, and Puerto Rico in the Antilles, probably until the arrival of Europeans. Characteristics In general form, most spiny rats resemble rats, although they are more closely related to guinea pigs and chinchillas. Most species have stiff, pointed hairs, or spines, that presumably serve for protection from predators. Many echimyids can break off their tails when attacked. This action may confuse predators long enough for the spiny rat to es ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Nutria
The nutria (''Myocastor coypus''), also known as the coypu, is a large, herbivorous, semiaquatic rodent. Classified for a long time as the only member of the family Myocastoridae, ''Myocastor'' is now included within Echimyidae, the family of the spiny rats. The nutria lives in burrows alongside stretches of water, and feeds on river plant stems. Originally native to subtropical and temperate South America, it has since been introduced to North America, Europe, Asia, and Africa, primarily by fur farmers. Although it is still hunted and trapped for its fur in some regions, its destructive burrowing and feeding habits often bring it into conflict with humans, and it is considered an invasive species. Nutria also transmit various diseases to humans and animals mainly through water contamination. Etymology The genus name ''Myocastor'' derives from the two Ancient Greek words (), meaning "rat, mouse", and (), meaning "beaver". Literally, therefore, the name ''Myocastor'' means ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Myocastor
''Myocastor'' is a genus of rodent that contains the living nutria (or coypu), as well as several fossil species. Taxonomy Due to similar cranial morphology, the nutria was once considered a close relative of the Caribbean hutias and placed together with them in the family Capromyidae. Later, it was more accepted to place it in its own family, the Myocastoridae. Recent molecular studies place them in the family Echimyidae, in the tribe Myocastorini. Fossil record Kerber et al. (2013) recognize the following species as valid: *''Myocastor columnaris'' (Middle Pleistocene) *''Myocastor obesus'' (Late Miocene) *''Myocastor paranensis ''Myocastor'' is a genus of rodent that contains the living nutria (or coypu), as well as several fossil species. Taxonomy Due to similar cranial morphology, the nutria was once considered a close relative of the Caribbean hutias and placed toge ...'' (Late Miocene) Other species described but no longer considered valid include ''Myocastor minor ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Callistomys
The painted tree-rat (''Callistomys pictus'') is a species of spiny rat from Brazil, restricted to north-eastern Bahia in eastern Brazil. It is the only species in the genus ''Callistomys''. Identification With a total length of ca. 30 cm (12 in), it is a relatively large species of spiny rat. It is white with a strongly contrasting glossy-black cap, back and band down towards its forelimbs. Its long fur is dense and coarse, but not spiny, as in some other members of its family. Specimens often have brown (rather than black) markings, but as far as it is known this is caused by fading and does not occur in the living animals. Owing to its striking black-and-white pelage, it is virtually unmistakable, but could perhaps be confused with a hairy dwarf porcupine ('' Coendou spp.'') – all of which have spines and lack the distinctive pattern of the painted tree-rat. Etymology * The genus name ''Callistomys'' derives from the two ancient greek words () meaning "very beau ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Hoplomys
The armored rat (''Hoplomys gymnurus'') is a species of rodent in the family Echimyidae. It is monotypic within the genus ''Hoplomys''. It is found in Latin America, from northern Honduras to northwest Ecuador. It possesses a range of spines on its back and sides of the body. Description Adults weigh between with males weighing more on average than females. They are born with soft fur, and the spines begin growing after the first month. The thick spines on the back and sides measure up to and in diameter. The head and body measures between in length, with the tail adding another . The color of the armored rat range from black to reddish brown, and has a pure white underside. They are similar in appearance to Tome's spiny-rat, but the eyes of the armored rat are smaller and they have a longer snout. Its diet includes fruit, insects and green plant matter. The normal litter size is one to three. Habitat The armored rat is a nocturnal species, which occupies burrows. These burr ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Proechimys
''Proechimys'' is a genus of South American spiny rats of the family Echimyidae. All species of the genus are terrestrial. In the lowland Neotropical forests, ''Proechimys'' rodents are often the most abundant non-volant mammals. They are recognizable by reason of their elongated heads and long rostra, large and erect ears, narrow and long hind feet, and tails always shorter than head-and-body lengths. The dorsal pelage comprises a mixture of expanded, varyingly stiffened spines (or aristiforms) — hence the vernacular name of spiny rats — and soft hairs (or setiforms). ''Proechimys'' is the most speciose genus of the rodent family Echimyidae, with 25 species recognized, followed by ''Phyllomys'' with 13 species, and ''Trinomys'' with 11 species. Phylogeny Genus level The genus ''Proechimys'' is the sister group to the genus ''Hoplomys'' (the armored rat). In turn, these two taxa share evolutionary affinities with other Myocastorini genera: ''Callistomys'' (the painted tree- ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Thrichomys
''Thrichomys'' is a genus of South American rodents in the family Echimyidae. It contains at least five species, found in Bolivia, Brazil and Paraguay. They are as follows: * Common punaré (''Thrichomys apereoides'') * Foster's punaré (''Thrichomys fosteri)'' * Highlands punaré (''Thrichomys inermis'') * Sao Lourenço punaré (''Thrichomys laurentius'') * Paraguayan punaré (''Thrichomys pachyurus'') Phylogeny The closest relatives of the genus ''Thrichomys'' are two clades consisting of pairs of Myocastorini Myocastorini is a tribe of echimyid rodents, proposed in 2017, and containing the five extant genera ''Callistomys'', ''Hoplomys'', ''Myocastor'', ''Proechimys'', and ''Thrichomys ''Thrichomys'' is a genus of South American rodents in the fam ... genera: ''Callistomys'' (the painted tree-rat) and ''Myocastor'' (the coypu or nutria) in one clade, and ''Hoplomys'' (the armored rat) and ''Proechimys'' in the other. References Taxa named by Édouard Loui ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
