Rodents native to the Americas
The New World rats and mice are a group of related rodents found in North and South America. They are extremely diverse in appearance and ecology, ranging from the tiny Baiomys to the large Kunsia. They represent one of the few examples of muroid rodents (along with the voles) in North America, and the only example of muroid rodents to have made it into South America.
The New World rats and mice are often considered part of a single subfamily, Sigmodontinae, but the recent trend among muroid taxonomists is to recognize three separate subfamilies. This strategy better represents the extreme diversity of species numbers and ecological types.
Some molecular phylogenetic studies have suggested that the New World rats and mice are not a monophyletic group, but this is yet to be confirmed. Their closest relatives are clearly the hamsters and voles.
The New World rats and mice are divided into 3 subfamilies, 12 tribes, and 84 genera.
Classification
References
- Centers for Disease Control, 2002. "Hantavirus Pulmonary Syndrome — United States: Updated Recommendations for Risk Reduction." Mortality and Morbidity Weekly Report, 51:09. Retrieved on 2007-07-13.
- D'Elia, G. 2003. Phylogenetics of Sigmodontinae (Rodentia, Muroidea, Cricetidae), with special reference to the akodont group, and with additional comments on historical biogeography. Cladistics 19:307-323.
- Mares, M. A., and J. K. Braun. 2000. Graomys, the genus that ate South America: A reply to Steppan and Sullivan. Journal of Mammalogy 81:271-276.
- McKenna, M. C. and S. K. Bell. 1997. Classification of Mammals above the Species Level. Columbia University Press, New York.
- 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.
