Rodentia is an order of mammals also known as rodents, characterised by two continuously-growing incisors in the upper and lower jaws which must be kept short by gnawing.^{[citation needed]} In scientific classification used in biology, the order (Latin: ordo, plural ordines) is a rank between class and family (termed a taxon at that rank). ... Subclasses & Infraclasses Subclass †Allotheria* Subclass Prototheria Subclass Theria Infraclass †Trituberculata Infraclass Metatheria Infraclass Eutheria Mammals (class Mammalia) are warm-blooded, vertebrate animals characterized by the presence of sweat glands, including those that produce milk, and by the presence of: hair, three middle ear bones used in hearing, and a neocortex...

Forty-percent of mammal species are rodents, and they are found in vast numbers on all continents other than Antarctica. Common rodents include mice, rats, squirrels, chipmunks, gophers, porcupines, beavers, hamsters, gerbils, and guinea pigs. Rodents have sharp incisors that they use to gnaw wood, break into food, and bite predators. Most eat seeds or plants, though some have more varied diets. They have historically been pests, eating human seed stores and spreading disease.

Rodents evolved some time around the end of the Cretaceous period c 65 million years ago.

Size and range of order

In terms of number of species — although not necessarily in terms of number of organisms (population) or biomass — rodents make up the largest order of mammals, with over 40 percent of mammalian species belonging to the order.^[1] Their success is probably due to their small size, short breeding cycle, and ability to gnaw and eat a wide variety of foods.(Lambert, 2000) For other uses, see Species (disambiguation). ... An Antarctic krill, whose species comprises roughly 0. ...

There are about 2,277 species of rodents, about 42% of all mammal species (Wilson and Reeder, 2005). Rodents are found in vast numbers on all continents except Antarctica, most islands, and in all habitats except for oceans. They are the only placental order, other than bats (Chiroptera) and Pinnipeds, to reach Australia without human introduction. For other uses, see Species (disambiguation). ... Orders Superorder Xenarthra: Pilosa Cingulata Infraclass Epitheria: Superorder Afrotheria: Afrosoricida (Golden mole and tenrec) Macroscelidea (Elephant shrew) Tubulidentata (Aardvark) Hyracoidea (Hyrax) Proboscidea (Elephant) Sirenia (Manatee, Dugong) Superorder Laurasiatheria: Chiroptera (Bats) Insectivora (Shrews, Moles) Cetacea (Whale, dolphin) Artiodactyla (Ruminants et al) Perissodactyla(Horse et al. ... “Chiroptera” redirects here. ... Families Odobenidae Otariidae Phocidae Pinnipeds (fin-feet, lit. ...

Characteristics

The capybara, the largest living rodent, can weigh up to 45 kg.

Most rodents are small; the tiny African pygmy mouse is only 6 cm in length and 7 grams in weight. On the other hand, the capybara can weigh up to 45 kg (100 pounds) and the extinct Phoberomys pattersoni is believed to have weighed 700 kg. Image File history File linksMetadata Download high resolution version (1800x1455, 602 KB) Capybara Hydrochoerus hydrochaeris at the Zona Brazil exhibit at Bristol Zoo, Bristol, England. ... Image File history File linksMetadata Download high resolution version (1800x1455, 602 KB) Capybara Hydrochoerus hydrochaeris at the Zona Brazil exhibit at Bristol Zoo, Bristol, England. ... // Binomial name (Linnaeus, 1766) Capybara range Capybara (scientific name Hydrochoerus hydrochaeris[1], known as carpincho in Spanish and capivara in Portuguese[2]) is the largest rodent still in existence in the world, related to guinea pigs, agouti, coyphillas and chinchillas. ... Binomial name Mus minutoides (A Smith, 1834) The African Pygmy Mouse, (Mus minutoides) is possibly the smallest of all rodents and one of the smallest mammals. ... // Binomial name (Linnaeus, 1766) Capybara range Capybara (scientific name Hydrochoerus hydrochaeris[1], known as carpincho in Spanish and capivara in Portuguese[2]) is the largest rodent still in existence in the world, related to guinea pigs, agouti, coyphillas and chinchillas. ... (Redirected from 1 E 1 kg) Categories: Orders of magnitude (mass) ... Binomial name Phoberomys pattersoni Mones, 1980 Phoberomys pattersoni was a rodent that lived in the Orinoco River delta approximately 8 million years BP. An almost complete skeleton of Phoberomys, discovered in Venezuela in 2000, has enabled researchers to reconstruct its size and probable lifestyle. ...

Rodents have two incisors in the upper as well as in the lower jaw which grow continuously and must be kept worn down by gnawing; this is the origin of the name, from the Latin rodere, to gnaw, and dens, dentis, tooth. These teeth are used for cutting wood, biting through the skin of fruit, or for defense. The teeth have enamel on the outside and exposed dentine on the inside, so they self-sharpen during gnawing. Rodents lack canines, and have a space between their incisors and premolars. Nearly all rodents feed on plants, seeds in particular, but there are a few exceptions which eat insects or fish. Some squirrels are known to eat passerine birds like cardinals and blue jays. Incisors are the first kind of tooth in heterodont mammals. ... Human jaw front view Human jaw left view Human jaw top view The jaw is either of the two opposable structures forming, or near the entrance to, the mouth. ... For other uses, see Latin (disambiguation). ... Tooth enamel is the hardest and most highly mineralized substance of the body , and with dentin, cementum, and dental pulp is one of the four major parts of the tooth. ... Dentin (BE: dentine) is the name of substance between the enamel (crown) or cementum (root) of a tooth and the pulp chamber. ... In mammalian oral anatomy, the canine teeth, also called cuspids, dogteeth, fangs, or (in the case of those of the upper jaw) eye teeth, are relatively long, pointed teeth. ... Incisors are the first kind of tooth in heterodont mammals. ... The premolar teeth or bicuspids are transitional teeth located between the canine and molar teeth. ... Families Many, see text A passerine is a bird of the giant order Passeriformes. ... For other uses, see Bird (disambiguation). ... Genera Periporphyrus Saltator Caryothraustes Parkerthraustes Rhodothraupis Cardinalis Pheucticus Cyanocompsa Guiraca Passerina Spiza The Cardinals or Cardinalidae are a family of passerine birds found in North and South America. ... Binomial name Linnaeus, 1758 The Blue Jay (Cyanocitta cristata) is a passerine bird and member of the crow family Corvidae native to North America. ...

Typical rodent tooth system

Rodents are important in many ecosystems because they reproduce rapidly, and can function as food sources for predators, mechanisms for seed dispersal, and as disease vectors. Humans use rodents as a source of fur, as model organisms in animal testing, for food, and even in detecting landmines.^[2] Image File history File links No higher resolution available. ... Image File history File links No higher resolution available. ... Biological dispersal refers to those processes by which a species maintains or expands the distribution of a population. ... In epidemiology, a vector is an organism that does not cause disease itself but which spreads infection by conveying pathogens from one host to another. ... For other uses, see Fur (disambiguation). ... A model organism is a species that is extensively studied to understand particular biological phenomena, with the expectation that discoveries made in the organism model will provide insight into the workings of other organisms. ... “Minefield” redirects here. ...

Members of non-rodent orders such as Chiroptera (bats), Scandentia (treeshrews), Insectivora (moles, shrews and hedgehogs), Lagomorpha (hares, rabbits and pikas) and mustelid carnivores such as weasels and mink are sometimes confused for rodents. Rodents have a carrier-immunity to the rabies virus, making them immune to the potentially infectious and lethal disease.^{[citation needed]} They are carriers for most other animal-to-human illnesses, however, and still should not be agitated.^{[citation needed]} This article is about mammals. ... Genera Tupaia Anathana Urogale Dendrogale Lyonogale Ptilocercus The tree shrews are small, squirrel-like mammals native to the tropical forests of South-east Asia. ... Families Tupaiidae Ptilocercidae The treeshrews are small mammals native to the tropical forests of Southeast Asia. ... Families Erinaceidae Soricidae Talpidae Solenodontidae The biological order Insectivora in the past was used as a scrapbasket for a variety of small to very small, relatively unspecialized, insectivorous mammals. ... For other uses, see Mole. ... It has been suggested that Echolocating shrew be merged into this article or section. ... Genera Atelerix Erinaceus Hemiechinus Mesechinus Paraechinus A hedgehog is any of the small spiny mammals of the subfamily Erinaceinae and the order Erinaceomorpha. ... Families Leporidae Ochotonidae Prolagidae (extinct) The Lagomorphs, order Lagomorpha, are an order of mammals of which there are two families, Leporidae (hares and rabbits), and Ochotonidae (pikas). ... Jack rabbit and Jackrabbit redirect here. ... For other uses, see Rabbit (disambiguation). ... Type Species Ochotona minor Link, 1795 (= Lepus dauuricus Pallas, 1776) Species See text The name pika (archaically spelled pica) is used for any member of the Ochotonidae, a family within the order of lagomorphs, which also includes the Leporidae (rabbits and hares). ... Subfamilies Lutrinae Melinae Mellivorinae Taxidiinae Mustelinae Mustelidae is a family of carnivorous mammals. ... This tigers sharp teeth and strong jaws are the classical physical traits expected from carnivorous mammalian predators A carnivore (IPA: ), meaning meat eater (Latin carne meaning flesh and vorare meaning to devour), is an animal that eats a diet consisting mainly of meat, whether it comes from live animals... For other uses, see Weasel (disambiguation). ... For other uses, see Mink (disambiguation). ...

Evolution

Wood Mouse

The fossil record of rodent-like mammals begins shortly after the extinction of the dinosaurs 65 million years ago, as early as the Paleocene. Some molecular clock data, however, suggests that modern rodents (members of the order Rodentia) already appeared in the late Cretaceous, although other molecular divergence estimations are in agreement with the fossil record.^[3][4] By the end of the Eocene epoch, relatives of beavers, dormouse, squirrels, and other groups appeared in the fossil record. They originated in Laurasia, the formerly joined continents of North America, Europe, and Asia. Some species colonized Africa, giving rise to the earliest hystricognaths. There is, however, a minority belief in the scientific community that evidence from mitochondrial DNA indicates that the Hystricognathi may belong to a different evolutionary offshoot and therefore a different order. From there hystricognaths rafted to South America, an isolated continent during the Oligocene and Miocene epochs. By the Miocene, Africa collided with Asia, allowing rodents such as the porcupine to spread into Eurasia. During the Pliocene, rodent fossils appeared in Australia. Even though marsupials are the prominent mammals in Australia, rodents make up almost 25% of the mammals on the continent. Meanwhile, the Americas became joined and some rodents expanded into new territory; mice headed south and porcupines headed north. Image File history File linksMetadata Download high resolution version (1435x1076, 769 KB) Summary Apodemus sylvaticus by Pethan October 9, 2005 The Netherlands Licensing File links The following pages link to this file: Rodent Wood mouse Apodemus Metadata This file contains additional information, probably added from the digital camera or scanner... Image File history File linksMetadata Download high resolution version (1435x1076, 769 KB) Summary Apodemus sylvaticus by Pethan October 9, 2005 The Netherlands Licensing File links The following pages link to this file: Rodent Wood mouse Apodemus Metadata This file contains additional information, probably added from the digital camera or scanner... Binomial name (Linnaeus, 1758) The wood mouse (Apodemus sylvaticus), also called the long-tailed field mouse, is a common rodent that was recognised as a distinct species in 1894. ... For other uses, see Fossil (disambiguation). ... Orders & Suborders Saurischia Sauropodomorpha Theropoda Ornithischia Thyreophora Ornithopoda Marginocephalia Dinosaurs were vertebrate animals that dominated the terrestrial ecosystem for over 160 million years, first appearing approximately 230 million years ago. ... The Paleocene, early dawn of the recent, is a geologic epoch that lasted from 65. ... The molecular clock (based on the molecular clock hypothesis (MCH)) is a technique in genetics, which researchers use to date when two species diverged. ... // The Cretaceous Period is one of the major divisions of the geologic timescale, reaching from the end of the Jurassic Period (i. ... The Eocene epoch (55-37 mya) is a major division of the geologic timescale and the second epoch of the Tertiary period in the Cenozoic era. ... Species C. canadensis C. fiber Beavers are semi-aquatic rodents native to North America and Europe. ... Dormice are a type of rodent indigenous to the eastern hemisphere comprising the family Gliridae. ... This article is about the animal. ... Laurasia was a supercontinent that most recently existed as a part of the split of the Pangaean supercontinent in the late Mesozoic era. ... North America North America is a continent[1] in the Earths northern hemisphere and (chiefly) western hemisphere. ... For other uses, see Europe (disambiguation). ... For other uses, see Asia (disambiguation). ... A world map showing the continent of Africa Africa is the worlds second-largest and second most-populous continent, after Asia. ... The introduction to this article provides insufficient context for those unfamiliar with the subject matter. ... Mitochondrial DNA (some captions in German) Mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) is the DNA located in organelles called mitochondria. ... This article is about evolution in biology. ... South America South America is a continent crossed by the equator, with most of its area in the Southern Hemisphere. ... Animated, colour-coded map showing the various continents. ... The Oligocene epoch is a geologic period of time that extends from about 34 million to 23 million years before the present. ... The Miocene Epoch is a period of time that extends from about 23. ... The Miocene Epoch is a period of time that extends from about 23. ... A world map showing the continent of Africa Africa is the worlds second-largest and second most-populous continent, after Asia. ... For other uses, see Asia (disambiguation). ... This article is about the rodent mammal. ... For other uses, see Eurasia (disambiguation). ... The Pliocene epoch (spelled Pleiocene in some older texts) is the period in the geologic timescale that extends from 5. ... This article is about mammals. ... Tribes See text. ...

Some Prehistoric Rodents

Castoroides, a giant beaver

Ceratogaulus, a horned burrowing rodent

Spelaeomys, a rat that grew to a large size on the island of Flores

Giant hutias, a group of rodents once found in the West Indies

Ischyromys, a primitive squirrel-like rodent

Leithia, a giant dormouse

Neochoerus pinckneyi, a giant North American Capybara that weighed 50 kg

Phoberomys pattersoni, the largest known rodent

Telicomys, a giant South American rodent

Species Castoroides leiseyorum Castoroides ohioensis Castoroides is an extinct genus of giant beavers that lived in North America during the Pleistocene. ... Species C. canadensis C. fiber Beavers are semi-aquatic rodents native to North America and Europe. ... Ceratogaulus was a two horned burrowing rodent. ... Binomial name Hoijer, 1957 The Flores Cave Rat (Spelaeomys florensis) lived on Flores Island, Indonesia. ... Map of Flores Island Flores (Portuguese for flowers) is one of the Lesser Sunda Islands, an island arc with an estimated area of 14,300 km² extending east from the Java island of Indonesia. ... 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. ... The Caribbean or the West Indies is a group of islands in the Caribbean Sea. ... Species (type) Ischyromys is an extinct genus of rodent from North America. ... This article is about the animal. ... Subfamilies and Genera Graphiurinae Graphiurus Leithiinae Dryomys Eliomys Hypnomys Myomimus Selevinia Myoxinae Glirulus Muscardinus Glis Dormice are Old World mammals in the family Gliridae, part of the rodent (Rodentia) order. ... Binomial name Neochoerus pinckneyi (, ) Neochoerus pinckeyi was a North American species of capybara. ... // Binomial name (Linnaeus, 1766) Capybara range Capybara (scientific name Hydrochoerus hydrochaeris[1], known as carpincho in Spanish and capivara in Portuguese[2]) is the largest rodent still in existence in the world, related to guinea pigs, agouti, coyphillas and chinchillas. ... Binomial name Phoberomys pattersoni Mones, 1980 Phoberomys pattersoni was a rodent that lived in the Orinoco River delta approximately 8 million years BP. An almost complete skeleton of Phoberomys, discovered in Venezuela in 2000, has enabled researchers to reconstruct its size and probable lifestyle. ... Telicomys is an extinct genus of rodent from South America. ...

Classification

2/3 of rodent species are in the superfamily Muroidea. The families Muridae (blue) and Cricetidae (red) make up the bulk of the Muroidea.

Image File history File links Size of this preview: 766 × 599 pixelsFull resolution (2778 × 2174 pixel, file size: 204 KB, MIME type: image/png) File links The following pages on the English Wikipedia link to this file (pages on other projects are not listed): Rodent User:Aranae ... Image File history File links Size of this preview: 766 × 599 pixelsFull resolution (2778 × 2174 pixel, file size: 204 KB, MIME type: image/png) File links The following pages on the English Wikipedia link to this file (pages on other projects are not listed): Rodent User:Aranae ... Families see text Muroidea is a large superfamily of rodents. ... Subfamilies Deomyinae Gerbillinae Lophiomyinae Leimacomyinae Murinae Muridae is the largest family of mammals. ... Subfamilies Arvicolinae Cricetinae Neotominae Sigmodontinae Tylomyinae Valid name: Muridae Illiger, 1815 [1] Cricetidae is a family of rodents in the large and complex superfamily Muroidea. ...

Standard classification

The rodents are part of the clades: Glires (along with lagomorphs), Euarchontoglires (along with lagomorphs, primates, treeshrews, and colugos), and Boreoeutheria (along with most other placental mammals). The order Rodentia may be divided into suborders, infraorders, superfamilies and families. A clade is a term belonging to the discipline of cladistics. ... Orders Rodentia Lagomorpha Glires is a proposed clade consisting of rodents and lagomorphs (rabbits, hares, and pikas). ... Families Leporidae Ochotonidae Prolagidae (extinct) The Lagomorphs, order Lagomorpha, are an order of mammals of which there are two families, Leporidae (hares and rabbits), and Ochotonidae (pikas). ... Orders Glires Rodentia Lagomorpha Euarchonta Dermoptera Scandentia Primates The Euarchontoglires are a mammalian superorder based on molecular genetic research, combining the Glires clade, which consists of the Rodentia and the Lagomorpha, with that of the Euarchonta, a clade consisting of the Scandentia, the Primates and the Dermoptera. ... Families Leporidae Ochotonidae Prolagidae (extinct) The Lagomorphs, order Lagomorpha, are an order of mammals of which there are two families, Leporidae (hares and rabbits), and Ochotonidae (pikas). ... Families 15, See classification A primate is any member of the biological order Primates, the group that contains all the species commonly related to the lemurs, monkeys, and apes, with the latter category including humans. ... Families Tupaiidae Ptilocercidae The treeshrews are small mammals native to the tropical forests of Southeast Asia. ... Species  Cynocephalus varigatus  Cynocephalus volans Colugos are arboreal gliding mammals found in South-east Asia. ... Boreoeutheria (synonymous with Boreotheria) is a clade that is composed of the sister taxa Laurasiatheria and Euarchontoglires (Supraprimates). ... Orders[1] Bobolestes Eomaia Maelestes Montanalestes Murtoilestes Prokennalestes Placentalia Superorder Xenarthra: Cingulata (Armadillos) Pilosa (Sloths, True Anteaters) Superorder Afrotheria: Afrosoricida (Tenrecs, etc. ... Subclasses & Infraclasses Subclass †Allotheria* Subclass Prototheria Subclass Theria Infraclass †Trituberculata Infraclass Metatheria Infraclass Eutheria Mammals (class Mammalia) are warm-blooded, vertebrate animals characterized by the presence of sweat glands, including those that produce milk, and by the presence of: hair, three middle ear bones used in hearing, and a neocortex... Scientific classification or biological classification refers to how biologists group and categorize extinct and living species of organisms. ... Scientific classification or biological classification refers to how biologists group and categorize extinct and living species of organisms. ... In biology, a superfamily is a taxonomic grade intermediate between suborder and family. ... The hierarchy of scientific classification In biological classification, family (Latin: familia, plural familiae) is a rank, or a taxon in that rank. ...

Classification scheme:

ORDER RODENTIA (from Latin, rodere, to gnaw)

• Suborder Anomaluromorpha
  • Family Anomaluridae: scaly-tailed squirrels
  • Family Pedetidae: springhares
• Suborder Castorimorpha
  • Superfamily Castoroidea
    • Family Castoridae: beavers
  • Superfamily Geomyoidea
    • Family Geomyidae: pocket gophers (true gophers)
    • Family Heteromyidae: kangaroo rats and kangaroo mice
• Suborder Hystricomorpha
  • Family incertae sedis Diatomyidae: Laotian rock rat
  • Infraorder Ctenodactylomorphi
    • Family Ctenodactylidae: gundis
  • Infraorder Hystricognathi
    • Family Bathyergidae: African mole rats
    • Family Erethizontidae: New World porcupines
    • Family Hystricidae: Old World porcupines
    • Family Petromuridae: dassie rat
    • Family Thryonomyidae: cane rats
    • Parvorder Caviomorpha
      • Family †Heptaxodontidae: giant hutias
      • Family Abrocomidae: chinchilla rats
      • Family Capromyidae: hutias
      • Family Caviidae: cavies, including guinea pigs
      • Family Chinchillidae: chinchillas and viscachas
      • Family Ctenomyidae: tuco-tucos
      • Family Dasyproctidae: agoutis
      • Family Dinomyidae: pacaranas
      • Family Echimyidae: spiny rats
      • Family Hydrochoeridae: capybara
      • Family Myocastoridae: nutria
      • Family Octodontidae: octodonts
• Suborder Myomorpha
  • Superfamily Dipodoidea
    • Family Dipodidae: jerboas and jumping mice
  • Superfamily Muroidea
    • Family Calomyscidae: mouse-like hamsters
    • Family Cricetidae: hamsters, New World rats and mice, voles
    • Family Muridae: true mice and rats, gerbils, spiny mice, crested rat
    • Family Nesomyidae: climbing mice, rock mice, white-tailed rat, Malagasy rats and mice
    • Family Platacanthomyidae: spiny dormice
    • Family Spalacidae: mole rats, bamboo rats, and zokors
• Suborder Sciuromorpha
  • Family Aplodontiidae: mountain beaver
  • Family Gliridae (also Myoxidae, Muscardinidae): dormice
  • Family Sciuridae: squirrels, including chipmunks, prairie dogs, & marmots

Families Anomaluridae †Parapedetidae Pedetidae Anomaluromorpha is the name given to a clade that unites the anomalures with the springhare. ... Genera Anomalurus, Idiurus, Zenkerella The Anomaluridae or scaly-tailed flying squirrels are a family of rodents found in central Africa. ... ... Genera †Eocastoroides †Steneofiber †Neatocastor †Asiacastor †Youngofiber †Trogontherium †Eucastor †Schreuderia †Dipoides †Boreofiber †Romanocastor †Zamolxifiber †Procastoroides †Castoroides †Paradipoides †Agnotocastor †Capacikala †Pseudopalaeocastor †Fossorcastor †Euhapsis †Propalaeocastor †Palaeomys †Palaeocastor †Hystricops Castor The family Castoridae contains the two living species of beaver and their fossil relatives. ... Genera †Eocastoroides †Steneofiber †Neatocastor †Asiacastor †Youngofiber †Trogontherium †Eucastor †Schreuderia †Dipoides †Boreofiber †Romanocastor †Zamolxifiber †Procastoroides †Castoroides †Paradipoides †Agnotocastor †Capacikala †Pseudopalaeocastor †Fossorcastor †Euhapsis †Migmacastor †Propalaeocastor †Palaeomys †Palaeocastor †Hystricops Castor Skull of a beaver. ... Genera †Eocastoroides †Steneofiber †Neatocastor †Asiacastor †Youngofiber †Trogontherium †Eucastor †Schreuderia †Dipoides †Boreofiber †Romanocastor †Zamolxifiber †Procastoroides †Castoroides †Paradipoides †Agnotocastor †Capacikala †Pseudopalaeocastor †Fossorcastor †Euhapsis †Propalaeocastor †Palaeomys †Palaeocastor †Hystricops Castor The family Castoridae contains the two living species of beaver and their fossil relatives. ... Species C. canadensis C. fiber Beavers are semi-aquatic rodents native to North America and Europe. ... Families †Eomyidae †Florentiamyidae Geomyidae Heteromyidae Geomyoidea is a superfamily of rodent that contains the pocket gophers (Geomyidae), the kangaroo rats and mice (Heteromyidae), and their fossil relatives. ... Genera see text The pocket gophers are burrowing rodents of the family Geomyidae. ... 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. ... Species 22, see text Kangaroo rats, genus Dipodomys, are small rodents native to North America. ... Species Microdipodops megacephalus Microdipodops palllidus A kangaroo mouse is either one of the two species of jumping mouse (genus Microdipodops) native to the deserts of the Southwestern United States, predominately found in the state of Nevada. ... Families Ctenodactylidae †Tammquammyidae †Diatomyidae †Yuomyidae †Chapattimyidae †Tsaganomyidae Laonastidae †Baluchimyinae Hystricidae †Myophiomyidae †Diamantomyidae †Phiomyidae †Kenyamyidae Petromuridae Thryonomyidae Bathyergidae †Bathyergoididae Erethizontidae Dasyproctidae Agoutidae †Eocardiidae Dinomyidae Caviidae Hydrochaeridae Octodontidae Ctenomyidae Echimyidae Myocastoridae Capromyidae †Heptaxodontidae Chinchillidae †Neoepiblemidae Abrocomidae Skull of a capybara showing the enlarged infraorbital canal present in most members of the Hystricomorpha. ... Genera Laonastes †Diatomys †Fallomus †Willmus Diatomyidae is a family of hystricomorphous, sciurognathous rodents found in Asia. ... Genera Ctenodactylus Felovia Massoutiera Pectinator Gundis (family Ctenodactylidae) are a group of small, stocky rodents found in Africa. ... Hystricognathi is a subordo of the Rodentia. ... 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  Coendou  Sphiggurus  Erethizon  Echinoprocta The New World porcupines are large terrestrial rodents, distinguished by their spiny covering from which they take their name. ... 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. ... Binomial name Petromus typicus , The Dassie Rat, Petromus typicus, is an African rodent found among rocky outcroppings. ... 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. ... Caviomorpha is an infraorder of hystricognath rodents. ... 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. ... Species Abrocoma bennettii Abrocoma boliviensis Abrocoma cinerea Chinchilla Rats are members of the Abrocoma genus that resemble Chinchillas (to which they are closely related) in appearance but have a body-structure more like a rat. ... Hutias The Bahamas Hutia - Geocapromys ingrahami, is a herbivorouss rodent until recently only found on remote East Plana Cay. ... 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. ... This article is about the species Cavia porcellus. ... 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. ... For other uses, see Chinchilla (disambiguation). ... The tuco-tucos are members of a group of rodents that belong to the family Ctenomyidae. ... The tuco-tucos are members of a group of rodents that belong to the family Ctenomyidae. ... Genera Dasyprocta Myoprocta Agouti The Dasyproctidae are a family of South American rodents, comprising three genera. ... 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. ... Genera †Cercomys †Maruchito †Paulacoutomys †Willidewu †Adelphomys †Deseadomys †Paradelphomys †Stichomys †Xylechimys Dactylomys Kannabateomys Olallamys †Boromys †Brotomys †Heteropsomys †Puertoricomys †Acarechimys †Chasichimys †Eumysops Lonchothrix Mesomys †Palaeoechimys †Pampamys †Pattersomys †Protacaremys †Protadelphomys †Sallamys Proechimys Thrichomys Trinomys Carterodon Clyomys Euryzygomatomys Callistomys Diplomys Echimys Isothrix Makalata Pattonomys Phyllomys Santamartamys The spiny rats are a group of hystricognath... Binomial name Hydrochoerus hydrochaeris (Linnaeus, 1766) The capybara (Hydrochoerus hydrochaeris) is the largest of living rodents (the long extinct rodent Phoberomys pattersoni was significantly bigger. ... // Binomial name (Linnaeus, 1766) Capybara range Capybara (scientific name Hydrochoerus hydrochaeris[1], known as carpincho in Spanish and capivara in Portuguese[2]) is the largest rodent still in existence in the world, related to guinea pigs, agouti, coyphillas and chinchillas. ... Binomial name Myocastor coypus (Molina, 1782) The Coypu (Myocastor coypus) or Nutria is a large, crepuscular, semiaquatic rodent native to South America, but now also present in Europe, Asia, and North America. ... Genera  Octodon  Octodontomys  Octomys  Spalacopus  Aconaemys  Pipanacoctomys  Salinoctomys  Tympanoctomys The Octodontidae are a family of South American rodents. ... Suborder Myomorpha contains nearly a quarter of all mammal species. ... families Zapodidae (Jumping Mice) Dipodidae (Jerboas) Dipodoidea is a superfamily of rodents that includes Jumping Mice and Jerboas. ... 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. ... Families see text Muroidea is a large superfamily of rodents. ... Species see text Mouse-like hamsters are a group of small rodents found in Syria, Azerbaijan, Turkmenistan, Pakistan. ... Subfamilies Arvicolinae Cricetinae Neotominae Sigmodontinae Tylomyinae Valid name: Muridae Illiger, 1815 [1] Cricetidae is a family of rodents in the large and complex superfamily Muroidea. ... Genera Mesocricetus Phodopus Cricetus Cricetulus Allocricetulus Cansumys Tscherskia Hamsters are rodents belonging to the subfamily Cricetinae. ... Subfamilies Neotominae Sigmodontinae Tylomyinae The New World rats and mice are a group of related rodents found in North and South America. ... For other uses, see Vole (disambiguation). ... Subfamilies Deomyinae Gerbillinae Lophiomyinae Leimacomyinae Murinae Muridae is the largest family of mammals. ... This article is about the animal. ... Species 50 species; see text *Several subfamilies of Muroids include animals called rats. ... For other uses, see Gerbil (disambiguation). ... The maned rat (Lophiomys imhausi, also called crested rat) is a long-haired and bushy-tailed East African rodent that resembles a porcupine. ... Subfamilies see text Nesomyidae is a family of rodents in the large and complex superfamily Muroidea. ... 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. ... Genera see text Zokors are Asiatic burrowing rodents resembling mole rats. ... 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. ... Binomial name (Rafinesque, 1817) The Mountain Beaver (Aplodontia rufa) is a primitive rodent unrelated to beavers and not usually found in mountainous areas. ... Dormice are a type of rodent indigenous to the eastern hemisphere comprising the family Gliridae. ... Subfamilies and Genera Graphiurinae Graphiurus Leithiinae Dryomys Eliomys Hypnomys Myomimus Selevinia Myoxinae Glirulus Muscardinus Glis Dormice are Old World mammals in the family Gliridae, part of the rodent (Rodentia) order. ... Genera Many: see text. ... This article is about the animal. ... Species 25 species Chipmunk is the common name for any small squirrel-like rodent species of the genus Tamias in the family Sciuridae. ... Species Cynomys gunnisoni Cynomys leucurus Cynomys ludovicianus Cynomys mexicanus Cynomys parvidens The prairie dog (Cynomys) is a small, burrowing rodent native to the grasslands of North America. ... Species See text. ...

Alternate classifications

The above taxonomy uses the shape of the lower jaw (sciurognath or hystricognath) as the primary character. This is the most commonly used approach for dividing the order into suborders. Many older references emphasize the zygomasseteric system (suborders Protrogomorpha, Sciuromorpha, Hystricomorpha, and Myomorpha). Look up taxonomy in Wiktionary, the free dictionary. ... The mandible (from Latin mandibŭla, jawbone) or inferior maxillary bone is, together with the maxilla, the largest and strongest bone of the face. ... Infraorders Anomaluromorpha Castorimorpha Ctenodactylomorpha Geomorpha Glirimorpha Myodonta Sciurida Sciurognathi is a suborder of rodents that includes squirrels, chipmunks, beavers, and many types of mice. ... Hystricognathi is a subordo of the Rodentia. ... In scientific classification used in biology, the order (Latin: ordo, plural ordines) is a rank between class and family (termed a taxon at that rank). ... Scientific classification or biological classification refers to how biologists group and categorize extinct and living species of organisms. ... The zygomasseteric system (or zygomasseteric structure) in rodents is the anatomical arrangement of the masseter muscle of the jaw and the zygomatic arch of the skull. ... Infraorders Anomaluromorpha Castorimorpha Ctenodactylomorpha Geomorpha Glirimorpha Myodonta Sciurida Sciurognathi is a suborder of rodents that includes squirrels, chipmunks, beavers, and many types of mice. ... Families Ctenodactylidae †Tammquammyidae †Diatomyidae †Yuomyidae †Chapattimyidae †Tsaganomyidae Laonastidae †Baluchimyinae Hystricidae †Myophiomyidae †Diamantomyidae †Phiomyidae †Kenyamyidae Petromuridae Thryonomyidae Bathyergidae †Bathyergoididae Erethizontidae Dasyproctidae Agoutidae †Eocardiidae Dinomyidae Caviidae Hydrochaeridae Octodontidae Ctenomyidae Echimyidae Myocastoridae Capromyidae †Heptaxodontidae Chinchillidae †Neoepiblemidae Abrocomidae Skull of a capybara showing the enlarged infraorbital canal present in most members of the Hystricomorpha. ... Suborder Myomorpha contains nearly a quarter of all mammal species. ...

Several molecular phylogenetic studies have used gene sequences to determine the relationships among rodents, but these studies are yet to produce a single consistent and well-supported taxonomy. Some clades have been consistently produced such as: Molecular phylogeny is the use of the structure of molecules to gain information on an organisms evolutionary relationships. ... For other uses, see Gene (disambiguation). ... Look up taxonomy in Wiktionary, the free dictionary. ... A clade is a term belonging to the discipline of cladistics. ...

• Ctenohystrica contains:
  • Ctenodactylidae (gundis)
  • Hystricognathi containing:
    • Hystricidae
    • An unnamed clade containing:
      • Phiomorpha
      • Caviomorpha

• An unnnamed clade contains:
  • Gliridae
  • Sciuroidea containing:
    • Aplodontiidae
    • Sciuridae

• Myodonta includes:
  • Dipodoidea
  • Muroidea

The positions of the Castoridae, Geomyoidea, Anomaluridae, and Pedetidae are still being debated. Families Ctenodactylidae †Tammquammyidae †Diatomyidae †Yuomyidae †Chapattimyidae †Tsaganomyidae Laonastidae †Baluchimyinae Hystricidae †Myophiomyidae †Diamantomyidae †Phiomyidae †Kenyamyidae Petromuridae Thryonomyidae Bathyergidae †Bathyergoididae Erethizontidae Dasyproctidae Agoutidae †Eocardiidae Dinomyidae Caviidae Hydrochaeridae Octodontidae Ctenomyidae Echimyidae Myocastoridae Capromyidae †Heptaxodontidae Chinchillidae †Neoepiblemidae Abrocomidae Entodacrya also known as Ctenohystrica is a taxonomic hypothesis uniting the gundis with the hystricognath rodents. ... Genera Ctenodactylus Felovia Massoutiera Pectinator Gundis (family Ctenodactylidae) are a group of small, stocky rodents found in Africa. ... Hystricognathi is a subordo of the Rodentia. ... 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. ... A clade is a term belonging to the discipline of cladistics. ... Families †Myophiomyidae †Diamantomyidae †Phiomyidae †Kenyamyidae Petromuridae Thryonomyidae Bathyergidae †Bathyergoididae The rodent infraorder Phiomorpha is comprised of several living and extinct families found wholly or largely in Africa. ... Caviomorpha is an infraorder of hystricognath rodents. ... A clade is a term belonging to the discipline of cladistics. ... Dormice are a type of rodent indigenous to the eastern hemisphere comprising the family Gliridae. ... Families †Allomyidae Aplodontiidae †Mylagaulidae Sciuridae †Reithroparamyidae Gliridae Skull of an Oriental giant squirrel displaying a sciuromorphous zygomatic system. ... 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. ... Superfamilies Dipodoidea (2 families) Muroidea (6 families) Myodonta is an infraorder of rodents that includes Jerboas, hamsters, and many types of mice and rats. ... families Zapodidae (Jumping Mice) Dipodidae (Jerboas) Dipodoidea is a superfamily of rodents that includes Jumping Mice and Jerboas. ... Families see text Muroidea is a large superfamily of rodents. ... Genera †Eocastoroides †Steneofiber †Neatocastor †Asiacastor †Youngofiber †Trogontherium †Eucastor †Schreuderia †Dipoides †Boreofiber †Romanocastor †Zamolxifiber †Procastoroides †Castoroides †Paradipoides †Agnotocastor †Capacikala †Pseudopalaeocastor †Fossorcastor †Euhapsis †Propalaeocastor †Palaeomys †Palaeocastor †Hystricops Castor The family Castoridae contains the two living species of beaver and their fossil relatives. ... Families †Eomyidae †Florentiamyidae Geomyidae Heteromyidae Geomyoidea is a superfamily of rodent that contains the pocket gophers (Geomyidae), the kangaroo rats and mice (Heteromyidae), and their fossil relatives. ... Genera Anomalurus, Idiurus, Zenkerella The Anomaluridae or scaly-tailed flying squirrels are a family of rodents found in central Africa. ... ...

Monophyly or polyphyly?

In 1991, a paper submitted to Nature proposed that caviomorphs should be reclassified as a separate order (similar to lagomorpha), based on an analysis of the amino acid sequences of guinea pigs.^[5] This hypothesis was refined in a 1992 paper, which asserted the possibility that caviomorphs may have diverged from myomorphs prior to later divergences of myomorpha; this would mean caviomorphs, or possibly hystricomorphs, would be moved out of the rodent classification into a separate order.^[6] A minority scientific opinion briefly emerged arguing that guinea pigs, degus, and other caviomorphs are not rodents,^[7][8] while several papers were put forward in support of rodent monophyly.^[9][10][11] Subsequent studies published since 2002, using wider taxon and gene samples, have restored consensus among mammalian biologists that the order Rodentia is monophyletic.^[12][13] A cover of Nature Nature is one of the oldest and most reputable general-purpose scientific journals, first published on November 4, 1869. ... Caviomorpha is an infraorder of hystricognath rodents. ... Families Leporidae Ochotonidae Prolagidae (extinct) The Lagomorphs, order Lagomorpha, are an order of mammals of which there are two families, Leporidae (hares and rabbits), and Ochotonidae (pikas). ... Phenylalanine is one of the standard amino acids. ... This article is about the species Cavia porcellus. ... Suborder Myomorpha contains nearly a quarter of all mammal species. ... Families Ctenodactylidae †Tammquammyidae †Diatomyidae †Yuomyidae †Chapattimyidae †Tsaganomyidae Laonastidae †Baluchimyinae Hystricidae †Myophiomyidae †Diamantomyidae †Phiomyidae †Kenyamyidae Petromuridae Thryonomyidae Bathyergidae †Bathyergoididae Erethizontidae Dasyproctidae Agoutidae †Eocardiidae Dinomyidae Caviidae Hydrochaeridae Octodontidae Ctenomyidae Echimyidae Myocastoridae Capromyidae †Heptaxodontidae Chinchillidae †Neoepiblemidae Abrocomidae Skull of a capybara showing the enlarged infraorbital canal present in most members of the Hystricomorpha. ... This article is about the species Cavia porcellus. ... Binomial name Octodon degus (Molina, 1782) The Degu (Octodon degus) is a small, caviomorph rodent that is native to Chile. ... In phylogenetics, a group is monophyletic (Greek: of one race) if it consists of an inferred common ancestor and all its descendants. ... A taxon (plural taxa), or taxonomic unit, is a grouping of organisms (named or unnamed). ... For other uses, see Gene (disambiguation). ...

Notes

1. ^ Myers, Phil (2000). Rodentia. Animal Diversity Web. University of Michigan Museum of Zoology. Retrieved on 2006-05-25.
2. ^ Wines, Michael. "Gambian rodents risk death for bananas", The Age, The Age Company Ltd., 2004-05-19. Retrieved on 2006-05-25.  "A rat with a nose for landmines is doing its bit for humanity" Cited as coming from the New York Times in the article.
3. ^ Douzery, E.J.P., F. Delsuc, M.J. Stanhope, and D. Huchon (2003). "Local molecular clocks in three nuclear genes: divergence times for rodents and other mammals and incompatibility among fossil calibrations". Journal of Molecular Evolution 57: S201-S213. 
4. ^ Horner, D.S., K. Lefkimmiatis, A. Reyes, C. Gissi, C. Saccone, and G. Pesole (2007). "Phylogenetic analyses of complete mitochondrial genome sequences suggest a basal divergence of the enigmatic rodent Anomalurus". BMC Evolutionary Biology 7: 16. 
5. ^ Graur, D., Hide, W. and Li, W. (1991) 'Is the guinea-pig a rodent?' Nature, 351: 649-652.
6. ^ Li, W., Hide, W., Zharkikh, A., Ma, D. and Graur, D. (1992) 'The molecular taxonomy and evolution of the guinea pig.' Journal of Heredity, 83 (3): 174-81.
7. ^ D'Erchia, A., Gissi, C., Pesole, G., Saccone, C. and Arnason, U. (1996) 'The guinea-pig is not a rodent.' Nature, 381 (6583): 597-600.
8. ^ Reyes, A., Pesole, G. and Saccone, C. (2000) 'Long-branch attraction phenomenon and the impact of among-site rate variation on rodent phylogeny.' Gene, 259 (1-2): 177-87.
9. ^ Cao, Y., Adachi, J., Yano, T. and Hasegawa, M. (1994) 'Phylogenetic place of guinea pigs: No support of the rodent-polyphyly hypothesis from maximum-likelihood analyses of multiple protein sequences.' Molecular Biology and Evolution, 11: 593-604.
10. ^ Kuma, K. and Miyata, T. (1994) 'Mammalian phylogeny inferred from multiple protein data.' Japanese Journal of Genetics, 69 (5): 555-66.
11. ^ Robinson-Rechavi, M., Ponger, L. and Mouchiroud, D. (2000) 'Nuclear gene LCAT supports rodent monophyly.' Molecular Biology and Evolution, 17: 1410-1412.
12. ^ Lin, Y-H, et al. "Four new mitochondrial genomes and the increased stability of evolutionary trees of mammals from improved taxon sampling." Molecular Biology and Evolution 19 (2002): 2060-2070.
13. ^ Carleton, Michael D., and Musser, Guy G. "Order Rodentia". Mammal Species of the World, 3rd edition, 2005, vol. 2, p. 745. (Concise overview of the literature)

Year 2006 (MMVI) was a common year starting on Sunday of the Gregorian calendar. ... is the 145th day of the year (146th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 2004 (MMIV) was a leap year starting on Thursday of the Gregorian calendar. ... is the 139th day of the year (140th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 2006 (MMVI) was a common year starting on Sunday of the Gregorian calendar. ... is the 145th day of the year (146th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ...

References

• Adkins, R. M. E. L. Gelke, D. Rowe, and R. L. Honeycutt. 2001. Molecular phylogeny and divergence time estimates for major rodent groups: Evidence from multiple genes. Molecular Biology and Evolution, 18:777-791.

• Carleton, M. D. and G. G. Musser. 2005. Order Rodentia. Pp 745-752 in Mammal Species of the World A Taxonomic and Geographic Reference. Johns Hopkins University Press, Baltimore.

• David Lambert and the Diagram Group. The Field Guide to Prehistoric Life. New York: Facts on File Publications, 1985. ISBN 0-8160-1125-7

• Jahn, G. C. 1998. “When Birds Sing at Midnight” War Against Rats Newsletter 6:10-11. [1]

• Leung LKP, Peter G. Cox, Gary C. Jahn and Robert Nugent. 2002. Evaluating rodent management with Cambodian rice farmers. Cambodian Journal of Agriculture Vol. 5, pp. 21-26.

• 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.

• Steppan, S. J., R. A. Adkins, and J. Anderson. 2004. Phylogeny and divergence date estimates of rapid radiations in muroid rodents based on multiple nuclear genes. Systematic Biology, 53:533-553.

• University of California Museum of Paleontology (UCMP). 2007 "Rodentia". [2]

• Wilson, D. E. and D. M. Reeder, eds. 2005. Mammal Species of the World A Taxonomic and Geographic Reference. Johns Hopkins University Press, Baltimore.