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The Dassie Rat, Petromus typicus, is an African rodent found among rocky outcroppings. It is the only living member of its genus, Petromus, and family, Petromuridae. The name "dassie" means "badger" in both German and Afrikaans, but the term may be a reference to hyraxes, which are found in similar habitats. Petromus means "rock mouse" and dassie rats are one of many rodents that are sometimes called rock rats. The family and genus names are sometimes misspelled as Petromyidae and Petromys. The Pleistocene Epoch is part of the geologic timescale. ...
Scientific classification or biological classification is how biologists group and categorize extinct and living species of organisms. ...
Phyla Subkingdom Parazoa Porifera (sponges) Subkingdom Agnotozoa Placozoa Orthonectida Rhombozoa Subkingdom Metazoa Radiata Cnidaria Ctenophora - Comb jellies Bilateria Protostomia Acoelomorpha Platyhelminthes - Flatworms Nemertina - Ribbon worms Gastrotricha Gnathostomulida - Jawed worms Micrognathozoa Rotifera - Rotifers Acanthocephala Priapulida Kinorhyncha Loricifera Entoprocta Nematoda - Roundworms Nematomorpha - Horsehair worms Cycliophora Mollusca - Mollusks Sipuncula - Peanut worms Annelida - Segmented...
Typical Classes Subphylum Urochordata - Tunicates Ascidiacea Thaliacea Larvacea Subphylum Cephalochordata - Lancelets Subphylum Myxini - Hagfishes Subphylum Vertebrata - Vertebrates Petromyzontida - Lampreys Placodermi (extinct) Chondrichthyes - Cartilaginous fishes Acanthodii (extinct) Actinopterygii - Ray-finned fishes Actinistia - Coelacanths Dipnoi - Lungfishes Amphibia - Amphibians Reptilia - Reptiles Aves - Birds Mammalia - Mammals Chordates (phylum Chordata) include the vertebrates, together with...
Orders Subclass Monotremata Monotremata Subclass Marsupialia Didelphimorphia Paucituberculata Microbiotheria Dasyuromorphia Peramelemorphia Notoryctemorphia Diprotodontia Subclass Placentalia Xenarthra Dermoptera Desmostylia Scandentia Primates Rodentia Lagomorpha Insectivora Chiroptera Pholidota Carnivora Perissodactyla Artiodactyla Cetacea Afrosoricida Macroscelidea Tubulidentata Hyracoidea Proboscidea Sirenia The mammals are the class of vertebrate animals primarily characterized by the presence of mammary...
Families Many, see text The order Rodentia is the most numerous of all the branches on the mammal family tree. ...
Families Many, see text The order Rodentia is the most numerous of all the branches on the mammal family tree. ...
Hystricognathi is a subordo of the Rodentia. ...
In biology, binomial nomenclature is the formal method of naming species. ...
// Etymology World map showing Africa (geographically) The name Africa came into Western use through the Romans, who used the name Africa terra â land of the Afri (plural, or Afer singular) â for the northern part of the continent, as the province of Africa with its capital Carthage, corresponding to modern-day...
Families See Classification Section The order Rodentia is the most numerous of all the branches on the mammal family tree. ...
Genera Procavia Heterohyrax Dendrohyrax A hyrax is any of about 11 species of fairly small, thickset, herbivorous mammals in the order Hyracoidea. ...
Suborders Mydeus Arctonyx Melogale Meles Mellivora Taxidea Badger is the common name for any animal of three subfamilies, which belong to the family Mustelidae: the same mammal family as the ferrets, the weasels, the otters, and several other types of carnivore. ...
Afrikaans is a West Germanic language mainly spoken in South Africa and Namibia with smaller numbers of speakers in Botswana, Lesotho, Swaziland, Zimbabwe and Zambia. ...
Genera Procavia Heterohyrax Dendrohyrax A hyrax is any of about 11 species of fairly small, thickset, herbivorous mammals in the order Hyracoidea. ...
Characteristics
Dassie rats are squirrel-like in appearance. Their tails are hairy, but not bushy whereas the soles of their feet are distinctly bare and have pads. Their heads are noticeably flattened. The overall coloration can be a range oy browns, greys, or almost black. The nose is yellowish and tends to stand out. They have no underfur. The teats are located on the sides of the torso, which allows the young to feed from the side when crammed in a narrow rock crevice. Genera Many, see the article Sciuridae. ...
The word tail in the English language has a number of meanings: Tail (anatomy) is used to describe the rear end of an animals body, especially when it forms a distinct, flexible appendage to the trunk; Tail can describe anything like an animals tail in form or position...
The sole of a mans foot The Sole is the bottom of the foot. ...
A cow udder with 4 teats Teat is an alternative word for a nipple or breast. ...
Natural history Dassie rats are restricted to rocky outcrops in Namibia, parts of Angola and northwest South Africa. They are famous for being able to squeeze into extremely narrow crevices. This is accomplished due to their flattened skulls and flexible ribs. Dassie rats feed primarily on grassy parts, but will sometimes eat fruits, seeds, and leaves. They have high crowned and rooted cheek teeth. A grassy swamp. ...
Fruit stall in Barcelona, Catalonia. ...
In botany, a leaf is an above-ground plant organ specialized for photosynthesis. ...
Relatives Dassie rats are the only remianing members of a once diverse family that first appeared in the Oligocene of Africa. Both morphological and molecular studies suggest the closest living relatives to the dassie rats are the African cane rats in the family Thryonomyidae. These two families along with the related fossil family †Phiomyidae represented an important early radiation of rodents in Africa. The Oligocene epoch is a geologic period of time that extends from about 34 million to 23 million years before the present. ...
Comparative anatomy is the study of similarities and differences in organisms. ...
Species Thryonomys gregorianus (Lesser Cane Rat) Thryonomys swinderianus (Greater Cane Rat) The genus Thryonomys, also know as cane rats, is a genus of rodent found in Africa south of the Sahara. ...
References - Kingdon, J. 1997. The Kingdon Field Guide to African Mammals. Academic Press Limited, London.
- McKenna, Malcolm C., and Bell, Susan K. 1997. Classification of Mammals Above the Species Level. Columbia University Press, New York, 631 pp. ISBN 0-231-11013-8
- Nowak, R. M. 1999. Walker's Mammals of the World, Vol. 2. Johns Hopkins University Press, London.
Orders Subclass Multituberculata (extinct) Plagiaulacida Cimolodonta Subclass Palaeoryctoides (extinct) Subclass Triconodonta (extinct) Subclass Eutheria (includes extinct ancestors)/Placentalia (excludes extinct ancestors) Afrosoricida Artiodactyla Carnivora Cetacea Chiroptera Cimolesta (extinct) Creodonta (extinct) Condylarthra (extinct) Dermoptera Desmostylia (extinct) Embrithopoda (extinct) Hyracoidea Insectivora Lagomorpha Litopterna (extinct) Macroscelidea Mesonychia (extinct) Notoungulata (extinct) Perissodactyla Pholidota Plesiadapiformes...
External links Animal Diversity Web site about dassie rats | Rodents | | Sciuromorpha: †Allomyidae | Aplodontiidae | †Mylagaulidae | †Reithroparamyidae | Sciuridae | Gliridae Families See Classification Section The order Rodentia is the most numerous of all the branches on the mammal family tree. ...
Infraorders Anomaluromorpha Castorimorpha Ctenodactylomorpha Geomorpha Glirimorpha Myodonta Sciurida Sciurognathi is a suborder of rodents that includes squirrels, chipmunks, beavers, and many types of mice. ...
Binomial name Aplodontia rufa Richardson, 1829 The Mountain Beaver (Aplodontia rufa) is a rodent unrelated to beavers and that is not usually found in mountainous areas. ...
Genera Many: see text. ...
Subfamilies and Genera Graphiurinae Graphiurus Leithiinae Dryomys Eliomys Hypnomys Myomimus Selevinia Myoxinae Glirulus Muscardinus Glis Dormice are a type of rodent indigenous to the eastern hemisphere comprising the family Gliridae. ...
| | Castorimorpha: †Eutypomyidae | Castoridae | †Rhizospalacidae | †Eomyidae | †Heliscomyidae | †Mojavemyidae | Heteromyidae | Geomyidae Genera â Eocastoroides â Steneofiber â Neatocastor â Asiacastor â Youngofiber â Trogontherium â Eucastor â Schreuderia â Dipoides â Boreofiber â Romanocastor â Zamolxifiber â Procastoroides â Castoroides â Paradipoides â Agnotocastor â Capacikala â Pseudopalaeocastor â Fossorcastor â Euhapsis â Propalaeocastor â Palaeomys â Palaeocastor â Hystricops Castor The family Castoridae contains the two living species of beaver and their fossil relatives. ...
Genera â Eocastoroides â Steneofiber â Neatocastor â Asiacastor â Youngofiber â Trogontherium â Eucastor â Schreuderia â Dipoides â Boreofiber â Romanocastor â Zamolxifiber â Procastoroides â Castoroides â Paradipoides â Agnotocastor â Capacikala â Pseudopalaeocastor â Fossorcastor â Euhapsis â Propalaeocastor â Palaeomys â Palaeocastor â Hystricops Castor The family Castoridae contains the two living species of beaver and their fossil relatives. ...
SubFamilies Dipodomyinae Heteromyinae Perognathinae Most Heteromyidae live in complex burrows within the deserts and grasslands of western North America, though species within the Heteromys and Liomys genera are also found in forests and extend down as far as northern South America. ...
Genera see text The pocket gophers are burrowing rodents of the family Geomyidae. ...
| | Myomorpha: †Armintomidae | Dipodidae | Zapodidae | †Anomalomyidae | †Simimyidae | Platacanthomyidae | Spalacidae | Calomyscidae | Nesomyidae | Cricetidae | Muridae Suborder Myomorpha contains nearly a quarter of all mammal species. ...
Genera 10 genera in 5 subfamilies A jerboa is a small jumping desert rodent of Asia and northern Africa that resembles a mouse with a long tufted tail and very long hind legs. ...
The Meadow Jumping Mouse has yellow/tawny coloured sides, and a brown back. ...
Genera see text Platacanthomyinae is the only subfamily in the family Platacanthomyidae. ...
Subfamilies see text Spalacidae is a family of rodents in the large and complex superfamily Muroidea. ...
Species see text Mouse-like hamsters are a group of small rodents found in Syria, Azerbaijan, Iran, Turkmenistan, Afghanistan, and Pakistan. ...
Subfamilies see text Nesomyidae is a family of rodents in the large and complex superfamily Muroidea. ...
Subfamilies see text Cricetidae is a family of rodents in the large and complex superfamily Muroidea. ...
Subfamilies See text Muridae is the largest family of mammals. ...
| | Anomaluromorpha: Anomaluridae | †Parapedetidae | Pedetidae Genera Anomalurus, Idiurus, Zenkerella The Anomaluridae or scaly-tailed flying squirrels are a family of rodents found in central Africa. ...
Binomial name Pedetes capensis (Coe, 1969) The Springhare, or Springhaas (Pedetes capensis) is not actually a hare, but a member of the order Rodentia; it is the only species in its family Pedetidae. ...
| | Hystricomorpha: †Tamquammyidae | Ctenodactylidae | †Diatomyidae | †Yuomyidae | †Chapattimyidae | †Tsaganomyidae | †"Baluchimyinae" | Laonastidae | †Bathyergoididae | Bathyergidae | Hystricidae | †Myophiomyidae | †Diamantomyidae | †Phiomyidae | †Kenyamyidae | Petromuridae | Thryonomyidae | Erethizontidae | Chinchillidae | Dinomyidae | Caviidae | Dasyproctidae | †Eocardiidae | Cuniculidae | †Amblyrhizidae | Ctenomyidae | Octodontidae | †Neoepiblemidae | Abrocomidae | Echimyidae | Myocastoridae | Capromyidae | †Heptaxodontidae Binomial name Laonastes aenigmamus (Jenkins, Kilpatrick, Robinson, Timmins, 2005) The kha-nyou or Laotian rock rat (Laonastes aenigmamus) is a rodent from the Khammouan region of Laos. ...
Genera Georychus Cryptomys Heliophobius Bathyergus Heterocephalus The blesmols, also known as mole rats, or African mole-rats, are burrowing rodents of the family Bathyergidae. ...
Genera Atherurus Hystrix Thecurus Trichys The Old World porcupines are large representatives of the terrestrial rodent mammals, distinguished by their spiny covering from which they take their name. ...
Species Thryonomys gregorianus (Lesser Cane Rat) Thryonomys swinderianus (Greater Cane Rat) The genus Thryonomys, also know as cane rats, is a genus of rodent found in Africa south of the Sahara. ...
Genera Coendou Sphiggurus Erethizon Echinoprocta The New World porcupines are large terrestrial rodents, distinguished by their spiny covering from which they take their name. ...
Genera Chinchilla Lagidium Lagostomus Chinchillas and their relatives viscachas are small, nocturnal mammals native to the Andes mountains in South America and belonging to the family Chinchillidae. ...
The pacarana (Dinomys branickii) is a rare and slow-moving South American rodent found only in tropical forests of the western Amazon River basin and adjacent foothills of the Andes Mountains from northwestern Venezuela and Colombia to western Bolivia. ...
Subfamilies Caviinae Dolichotinae The Cavy (family Caviidae) is divided in two subfamilies: Subfamily Caviinae: cavies and guinea pigs Genus Cavia, this genus is especially called cavy. ...
Genera Dasyprocta Myoprocta Agouti The Dasyproctidae are a family of South American rodents, comprising three genera. ...
Species Agouti paca Agouti taczanowskii Species Paca, Agouti paca Mountain Paca, Agouti taczanowskii Categories: Stub | Rodents ...
The tuco-tucos are members of a group of rodents that belong to the family Ctenomyidae. ...
Genera Octodon Octodontomys Octomys Spalacopus Aconaemys Pipanacoctomys Salinoctomys Tympanoctomys The Octodontidae are a family of South American rodents. ...
Genera Abrocoma Cuscomys â Protabrocoma Chinchilla rats are members of the family Abrocomidae. ...
Binomial name Myocastor coypus (Molina, 1782) The coypu or nutria (Myocastor coypus) is a large, crepuscular, semiaquatic rodent native to South America, but now also present in Europe, Asia, and North America. ...
Genera Capromys Geocapromys Mesocapromys Hutias are cavy-like rodents that inhabits the Caribbean Islands. ...
Genera Amblyrhiza Clidomys Elasmodontomys Quemsia The giant hutias are an extinct group of large rodents known from fossil and subfossil material in the West Indies. ...
| | Prehistoric rodents (incertae sedis): †Eurymylidae | †Cocomyidae | †Alagomyidae | †Ivanantoniidae | †Laredomyidae | †Ischyromyidae | †Theridomyidae | †Protoptychidae | †Zegdoumyidae | †Sciuravidae | †Cylindrodontidae | | † indicates extinct taxa | |