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Sigmodontinae

(Subfamily)

Overview

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The subfamily Sigmodontinae is one of the most diverse groups of mammals. It includes New World rats and mice, with at least 376 species. Many authorities include the Neotominae and Tylomyinae as part of a larger definition of Sigmodontinae. When those genera are included, the species count numbers at least 508. Their distribution includes much of the New World, but the genera are predominantly South American, such as brucies. They invaded South America from Central America as part of the Great American Interchange near the end of the Miocene, about 5 million years ago.1] Sigmodontines proceeded to diversify explosively in the formerly isolated continent. They inhabit many of the same ecological niches that the Murinae occupy in the Old World.

The "" from the Atlantic Forest of Brazil are generally thought to be not especially related to the "real" Thomasomyini from the northern Andes and Amazonia. The genera Wiedomys and Sigmodon are generally placed in their own tribe, and the "phyllotines" Irenomys, Punomys, Euneomys, and Reithrodon are considered incertae sedis.

The Sigmodontinae are divided into a number of tribes and genera:

ical niches that the Murinae occupy in the Old World.

The "" from the Atlantic Forest of Brazil are generally thought to be not especially related to the "real" Thomasomyini from the northern Andes and Amazonia. The genera Wiedomys and Sigmodon are generally placed in their own tribe, and the "phyllotines" Irenomys, Punomys, Euneomys, and Reithrodon are considered incertae sedis.

The Sigmodontinae are divided into a number of tribes and genera:

References

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  1. ^ Marshall, L. G.; Butler, R. F.; Drake, R. E.; Curtis, G. H.; Tedford, R. H. (1979-04-20). "Calibration of the Great American Interchange". Science (AAAS) < b>204 (4390): 272?279. doi:10.1126/science.204.4390.272. PMID 17800342. http://www.sciencemag.org/cgi/content/abstract/204/4390/272. Retrieved 2008-04-15. 

See also

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External links

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Taxonomy

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The Subfamily Sigmodontinae is a member of the Family Muridae. Here is the complete "parentage" of Sigmodontinae:

The Subfamily Sigmodontinae is further organized into finer groupings including:

Genera

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Abrawayaomys

Ruschi's Rat (erroneously Rushi's Rat), Abrawayaomys ruschii, is a rodent species found in Argentina and Brazil. Some cranial features suggest it may be an archaic relative of the Thomas's Parmo mouse (Thomasomys). The upper parts are greyish yellow with a darker head and yellowish-white underparts. Fine hairs are mixed with flattened and grooved spines that are most numerous on the back. [more]

Abrothrix

Abrothrix is a genus of rodent in the tribe Abrotrichini of family Cricetidae. It contains the following living species: [more]

Aepeomys

Aepeomys is a genus of rodent in the family Cricetidae. [more]

Akodon

Akodon is a genus consisting of South American grass mice. They mostly occur south of the Amazon Basin and along the Andes north to Venezuela, but are absent from much of the basin itself, the far south of the continent, and the lowlands west of the Andes. Akodon is one of the most species-rich genera of Neotropical rodents. Species of Akodon are known to inhabit a variety of habitats from tropical and tropical moist forests to altiplano and desert. [more]

Amphinectomys

[more]

Andalgalomys

Andalgalomys is a genus of rodent in the family Cricetidae. It contains the following species: [more]

Andinomys

The Andean Mouse (Andinomys edax) is a species of rodent in the family Cricetidae. It is the only species in the genus Andinomys. It is found in Argentina, Bolivia, Chile, and Peru. [more]

Anotomys

The Aquatic Rat, Ecuador Fish-Eating Rat, or Fish-Eating Rat (Anotomys leander) is a species of rodent in the family Cricetidae. It is the only species in the genus Anotomys. It is found only in Ecuador. Its natural habitats are subtropical or tropical dry lowland grassland and rivers. It is threatened by habitat loss. It has 92 chromosomes. [more]

Auliscomys

Auliscomys is a genus of rodent in the family Cricetidae. It contains the following species: [more]

Baiomys

Baiomys is the genus of New World pygmy mice. Together with Scotinomys, it forms the tribe Baiomyini. It currently contains two extant species: [more]

Bensonomys

[more]

Bibimys

Bibimys is a genus of new world rats. Commonly known as the crimson-nosed rats, there are three species: [more]

Blarinomys

Blarinomys breviceps, also known as the Brazilian Shrew-mouse or the Blarinine Akodont, is a rodent in the tribe Akodontini from the Atlantic Forest of eastern and southeastern Brazil. It is the only species in the genus Blarinomys. [more]

Bolomys

Necromys is a genus of South American sigmodontine rodents allied to Akodon. This genus has also been known as Cabreramys or more recently Bolomys. N. urichi has recently been transferred from Akodon. [more]

Calomys

Calomys is a genus of , also called Vesper mice. The genus is widely distributed in South America. [more]

Chelemys

Chelemys is a genus of South American rodents in the tribe Abrotrichini of family Cricetidae. Three species?Chelemys delfini, Chelemys macronyx, and Chelemys megalonyx?are known, all found in central and southern Chile and Argentina. [more]

Chibchanomys

Chibchanomys is a genus of rodent in the family Cricetidae. It contains the following species: [more]

Chilomys

The Colombian Forest Mouse (Chilomys instans) is a species of rodent in the family Cricetidae. It is the only species in the genus Chilomys. It is found in Colombia, Ecuador, and Venezuela. [more]

Chinchillula

The Altiplano Chinchilla Mouse or Achallo (Chinchillula sahamae) is a species of rodent in the family Cricetidae. It is the only species in the genus Chinchillula. It is found in Argentina, Bolivia, Chile, and Peru. [more]

Chroeomys

Abrothrix is a genus of in the Cricetidae family. It contains the following species: [more]

Delomys

[more]

Eligmodontia

The genus Eligmodontia consists of five or six species of South American sigmodontine mice restricted to Bolivia, Chile, and Argentina. Species of Eligmodontia occur along the eastern side of the Andes Mountains, in Patagonia, and in the Chaco thorn forest of South America. They can be found in arid and semiarid habitats and in both high and low elevation areas. These rodents are commonly known as gerbil mice or by their local name lauchas. Sometimes they are also called silky desert mice, highland desert mice or silky-footed mice. The closest living relatives are probably the chaco mice (Andalgalomys), the leaf-eared mice (Graomys, Paralomys and Phyllotis), and Salinomys. [more]

Euneomys

Euneomys is a genus of rodent in the family Cricetidae. It contains the following species: [more]

Galenomys

Garlepp's Mouse (Galenomys garleppi) is a species of rodent in the family Cricetidae. It is the only species in the genus Galenomys. It is found in western Bolivia, southern Peru and possibly Chile at elevations over 3,000 m in the Altiplano. [more]

Geoxus

Geoxus valdivianus, also known as the Long-clawed Mole Mouse or Valdivian Long-clawed Akodont, is a species of rodent in the tribe Abrotrichini of family Cricetidae found in the Valdivian temperate rain forests and Magellanic subpolar forests of Argentina and Chile. It is the only species in the genus Geoxus. [more]

Graomys

Graomys is a genus of rodent in the family Cricetidae. It contains the following species: [more]

Habromys

Habromys is a genus of rodent in the family Cricetidae, found in Mexico and Central America. It contains the following species: [more]

Hodomys

Allen's Wood Rat (Hodomys alleni) is a species of rodent in the family Cricetidae. It is found only in Mexico. Its natural habitat is subtropical or tropical dry shrubland. It is the only species in the genus Hodomys. [more]

Holochilus

Holochilus is a genus of semiaquatic rodents in the tribe Oryzomyini of family Cricetidae, sometimes called marsh rats. It contains three living species, Holochilus brasiliensis, Holochilus chacarius, and Holochilus sciureus, which are widely distributed in South America east of the Andes, and a fourth species from the Pleistocene of Bolivia, Holochilus primigenus. [more]

Ichthyomys

Ichthyomys is a genus of semiaquatic rodents in the family Cricetidae. It contains the following species: [more]

Irenomys

Irenomys tarsalis, also known as the Chilean Climbing Mouse, Chilean Tree Mouse, or Long-footed Irenomys, is a rodent found in Chile, from about 36? to 46?S, and in adjacent Argentina, mainly in forests. It is a large, long-tailed, soft-furred mouse characterized by grooved upper incisors and specialized molars with transverse ridges, divided by deep valleys, which are connected by a transverse ridge along the midline of the molars. [more]

Isthmomys

Isthmomys is a genus of rodent in the family Cricetidae, belonging to the tribe pecies are: [more]

Jacobsomys

Juscelinomys

Juscelinomys is a genus of burrowing mice. The name is derived from Brazilian president Juscelino Kubitschek de Oliveira who created the city of Brasilia where the Brasilia Burrowing Mouse was discovered.There are two living species: [more]

Kunsia

Kunsia is the genus of giant rats. There are two South American species, both of which are classified as vulnerable by IUCN: [more]

Lenoxus

The Andean Rat (Lenoxus apicalis) is the only species in the genus Lenoxus. It is a rodent in the tribe Akodontini found on the eastern slopes of the Andes of eastern Peru and western Bolivia. [more]

Loxodontomys

A Genus in the Kingdom Animalia.[1] [more]

Lundomys

Megadontomys

Megadontomys is a genus of rodent in the family Cricetidae, found in Mexico. It contains the following species: [more]

Megalomys

[more]

Megaoryzomys

[more]

Melanomys

Melanomys is a genus of rodent in the tribe Oryzomyini of family Cricetidae, which is distributed in northern South America and adjacent Central America. It contains three species, two of which?Melanomys robustulus and Melanomys zunigae?have limited distributions. The third, Melanomys caliginosus, is more widely distributed, but may be a species complex. [more]

Microakodontomys

Microryzomys

Microryzomys is a genus of rodent in the tribe Oryzomyini of family Cricetidae. It is closely related to Oreoryzomys, Oligoryzomys, and Neacomys. It contains two species, both restricted to the Andes: Microryzomys altissimus and Microryzomys minutus. [more]

Neacomys

The genus Neacomys, also known as bristly mice because of their spiny fur, includes several species of rodents in the tribe Oryzomyini of family Cricetidae. It is most closely related to Oligoryzomys, Oreoryzomys, and Microryzomys. Neacomys species are mainly found in Amazonia, but N. pictus occurs in Panama and N. tenuipes in montane Colombia. In Amazonia, there is a single large species, N. spinosus, and a number of smaller ones, including N. dubosti, N. guianae, N. paracou, N. minutus, N. musseri, and various others that remain undescribed. [more]

Nectomys

Nectomys is a genus of rodent in the tribe Oryzomyini of family Cricetidae. It is closely related to Amphinectomys and was formerly considered congeneric with Sigmodontomys. It consists of five species, which are allopatrically distributed across much of South America: Nectomys magdalenae in montane Colombia; Nectomys palmipes on Trinidad and in nearby Venezuela, Nectomys apicalis in the western margins of Amazonia, Nectomys rattus in much of Amazonia, and Nectomys squamipes in the Atlantic Forest of Brazil. [more]

Nelsonia

Nelsonia is a genus of rodent in the Cricetidae family, found in Mexico. It contains the following species: [more]

Neotoma

A packrat, also called a woodrat, can be any of the species in the rodent genus Neotoma. Packrats have a rat-like appearance with long tails, large ears and large black eyes. Compared to deer mice, harvest mice and grasshopper mice, packrats are noticeably larger and are usually somewhat larger than cotton rats. [more]

Neotomodon

The Mexican Volcano Mouse (Neotomodon alstoni) is a species of rodent in the family Cricetidae endemic to high elevations of the Trans-Mexican Volcanic Belt. [more]

Neotomys

The Andean Swamp Rat (Neotomys ebriosus) is a species of rodent in the family Cricetidae. It is the only species in the genus Neotomys. It is found in Argentina, Bolivia, Chile, and Peru. [more]

Nesoryzomys

Nesoryzomys is a genus of rodent in the tribe Oryzomyini of family Cricetidae, endemic to the Gal?pagos Islands. Other rodents restricted to the Gal?pagos include Megaoryzomys curioi and Aegialomys galapagoensis. [more]

Neusticomys

Neusticomys is a genus of semiaquatic South American rodents in the family Cricetidae. It contains the following species: [more]

Notiomys

Notiomys edwardsii, also known as Edward's Long-clawed Akodont, Milne-Edwards' Long-clawed Mouse, or Edwards's Long-clawed Mouse, is a rodent in the tribe Abrotrichini from southern Argentina. It is the only species in the genus Notiomys, although species of Chelemys and Geoxus were formerly included in that genus. [more]

Nyctomys

A Genus in the Kingdom unknown!.[2] [more]

Ochrotomys

Oecomys

Oecomys is a genus of rodent within the tribe Oryzomyini of family Cricetidae. It contains about 17 species, which live in trees and are distributed across forested parts of South America, extending into Panama and Trinidad. [more]

Oligoryzomys

The pygmy rice rats form a genus (Oligoryzomys) of . [more]

Onychomys

The genus Onychomys contains species commonly referred to as grasshopper mice. This is a genus of New World mouse only distantly related to the common house mouse, Mus musculus. There are three species. They are endemic to the United States and Mexico. [more]

Oryzomys

Oryzomys is a genus of semiaquatic rodents in the tribe Oryzomyini living in southern North America and far northern South America. It includes eight species, two of which?the marsh rice rat (O. palustris) of the United States and O. couesi of Mexico and Central America?are widespread; the six others have more restricted distributions. The species have had eventful taxonomic histories, and most species were at one time included in the marsh rice rat; additional species may be recognized in the future. The name Oryzomys was established in 1857 by Spencer Fullerton Baird for the marsh rice rat and was soon applied to over a hundred species of American rodents. Subsequently, the genus gradually became more narrowly defined until its current contents were established in 2006, when ten new genera were established for species previously placed in Oryzomys. [more]

Osgoodomys

The Michoacan Deer Mouse (Osgoodomys banderanus) is a species of rodent in the family Cricetidae. It is the only species in the genus Osgoodomys. It is found only in Mexico. [more]

Otonyctomys

Hatt's vesper rat (Otonyctomys hatti), also known as the Yucat?n vesper rat, is a species of rodent in the family Cricetidae. It is the only species in the genus Otonyctomys. It is named for its discoverer, . [more]

Ototylomys

The Big-eared Climbing Rat (Ototylomys phyllotis) is a species of rodent in the family Cricetidae. It is found in Belize, Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Mexico, and Nicaragua. [more]

Oxymycterus

Oxymycterus is the genus of hocicudos. They are rat-like animals endemic to South America. [more]

Paronychomys

Pearsonomys

Pearsonomys annectens, also known as Pearson's Long-clawed Akodont or Pearson's Long-clawed Mouse, is a species of rodent in the tribe Abrotrichini of family Cricetidae, named after American zoologist Oliver Payne Pearson. It is the only species in the genus Pearsonomys. It is found only in Chile. [more]

Peromyscus

The genus Peromyscus contains the animal species commonly referred to as deer mice. This is a genus of New World mouse only distantly related to the common house mouse and laboratory mouse, Mus musculus. Although superficially resembling Mus musculus, Peromyscus have relatively larger eyes, and also often two-tone coloring, with darker colors over the dorsum (back), and white abdominal and limb hair-coloring. In reference to the coloring, the word Peromyscus comes from Greek words meaning "booted mouse". [more]

Phaenomys

The Rio de Janeiro Arboreal Rat, Phaenomys ferrugineus, is a rodent species from South America. It is found in Brazil. It is the only species in the genus Phaenomys. [more]

Phyllotis

Phyllotis is a genus of rodent in the family Cricetidae. It contains the following species: [more]

Podomys

The Florida mouse (Podomys floridanus) is a species of rodent in the family Cricetidae. It is the only species in the genus Podomys, which is the only mammal genus endemic to Florida. The Florida mouse (also known as the big-eared deermouse, the Florida deermouse, and the gopher mouse) is found only in a limited area in central peninsular Florida and in one small area in the Florida panhandle. The mouse inhabits some of Florida's hottest and driest areas in the high pinelands, sandhills, flatlands, and coastal scrub. [more]

Podoxymys

The Roraima Mouse (Podoxymys roraimae) is a species of rodent in the family Cricetidae. It is the only species in the genus Podoxymys. It is found only in Guyana. [more]

Prosigmodon

Pseudoryzomys

Pseudoryzomys simplex, also known as the Brazilian False Rice Rat or False Oryzomys, is a species of rodent in the family Cricetidae from south-central South America. It is found in lowland palm savanna and thorn scrub habitats. It is a medium-sized species, weighing about 50 grams (1.8 oz), with gray?brown fur, long and narrow hindfeet, and a tail that is about as long as the head and body. The IUCN has assessed its conservation status as "Least Concern", although almost nothing is known of its diet or reproduction. [more]

Punomys

Punomys is a genus of rodent in the family Cricetidae. It contains the following species: [more]

Reithrodon

Reithrodon is a genus of rodent in the family Cricetidae. It contains the following species: [more]

Reithrodontomys

Reithrodontomys is the genus of groove-toothed New World harvest mice. [more]

Repomys

Rhagomys

[more]

Rheomys

Rheomys is a genus of semiaquatic rodents in the family Cricetidae. [more]

Rhipidomys

Rhipidomys is a genus of , comprising at least 18 species of climbing mouse: [more]

Salinomys

Scapteromys

[more]

Scolomys

Scolomys is a genus of rodent in the tribe Oryzomyini of family Cricetidae. Some evidence suggests that it is related to Zygodontomys. It is characterized, among other traits, by spiny fur. It contains two species, Scolomys melanops and Scolomys ucayalensis. [more]

Scotinomys

Scotinomys is a genus of rodent in the family Cricetidae. Together with Baiomys, it forms the tribe Baiomyini. It contains the following species: [more]

Sigmodon

A cotton rat is any member of the rodent genus Sigmodon. They are called cotton rats because they build their nests out of cotton, and can damage cotton crops. Cotton rats have small ears and dark coats, and are found in North and South America. They are primarily herbivores. The molars of cotton rats are S-shaped when viewed from above. The genus name literally means S-tooth. [more]

Sigmodontomys

Sigmodontomys is a genus of rodent in the tribe Oryzomyini of family Cricetidae. It is related to Nectomys and Melanomys and was previously included in Nectomys. It includes two species, Sigmodontomys alfari and the much rarer Sigmodontomys aphrastus, but whether these are indeed each other's closest relatives is uncertain. [more]

Symmetrodontomys

Thalpomys

[more]

Thomasomys

Thomasomys is a genus of rodent in the family Cricetidae, named after British zoologist Oldfield Thomas. Nuclear DNA sequence analysis has indicated that it is a sister taxon to Rhagomys. It contains the following species: [more]

Tylomys

Tylomys is a genus of rodent in the family Cricetidae. It contains the following species: [more]

Wiedomys

Wiedomys is a genus of South American rodents in the family Cricetidae. It contains the following species: [more]

Wilfredomys

The Greater Wilfred's Mouse, Wilfredomys oenax, is a rodent species from South America. It is found in southern Brazil and Uruguay in subtropical lowland forest. It is arboreal to some degree. It is the only species in the genus Wilfredomys. [more]

Xenomys

The Magdalena Rat (Xenomys nelsoni) is a species of rodent in the family Cricetidae. It is the only species in the genus Xenomys. It is endemic to Colima and southwest Jalisco, Mexico, where it is found in coastal lowland forests at elevations up to 450 m. The species is arboreal and nocturnal. It is threatened by habitat destruction and fragmentation due to deforestation and development. [more]

Zygodontomys

Zygodontomys is a genus of rodent in the tribe Oryzomyini of the family Cricetidae. Its closest relative may be Scolomys. It ranges from Central America east to the Guianas. It contains two species: Zygodontomys brunneus and Zygodontomys brevicauda. [more]

At least 9 species and subspecies belong to the Genus Zygodontomys.

More info about the Genus Zygodontomys may be found here.

References

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  1. ^ Marshall, L. G.; Butler, R. F.; Drake, R. E.; Curtis, G. H.; Tedford, R. H. (1979-04-20). "Calibration of the Great American Interchange". Science (AAAS) 204 (4390): 272?279. doi:10.1126/science.204.4390.272. PMID 17800342. http://www.sciencemag.org/cgi/content/abstract/204/4390/272. Retrieved 2008-04-15. 

Footnotes

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  1. http://www.ubio.org/browser/details.php?namebankID=112981
  2. http://www.ubio.org/browser/details.php?namebankID=109753

Sources

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Last Revised: August 24, 2012
2012/08/24 13:49:06