Mesomys Explained

Mesomys is a genus of South American spiny rats in the family Echimyidae.

The genus name Mesomys derives from the two ancient greek words, meaning "middle of, between", and, meaning "mouse, rat".[1] [2] It refers to the fact that these rodents — literally the "middle mouse" — were considered an intermediate form between the genus Loncheres and the genus Echinomys, both of which are now known to be synonyms of Echimys.[3] [4]

Extant Species

Image Scientific name Common Name Distribution
Mesomys hispidusFerreira's spiny tree-ratBolivia, Brazil, Colombia, Ecuador, French Guiana, Guyana, Peru, Suriname and Venezuela
Mesomys leniceps Woolly-headed spiny tree-rat Peru
Mesomys occultus Tufted-tailed spiny tree-rat Brazil
Mesomys stimulax Pará spiny tree-rat Brazil.

Phylogeny

Mesomys is a member of the Echimyini clade of arboreal Echimyidae rodents.[5] The closest relative of Mesomys is Lonchothrix, reflecting the fact that these taxa have once been classified in the Eumysopinae, a subfamily now recognized as an artificial assemblage.[6] These two genera share phylogenetic affinities with several taxa and clades: (i) Echimys, Phyllomys, Makalata, Pattonomys, and Toromys ; (ii) the bamboo rats Dactylomys, Olallamys, Kannabateomys together with Diplomys and Santamartamys ; and (iii) Isothrix.[7]

Notes and References

  1. Book: Bailly, Anatole . Abrégé du dictionnaire grec français . 1981-01-01 . Hachette . 978-2010035289 . Paris . 461974285 .
  2. Web site: Greek-french dictionary online . Bailly . Anatole . www.tabularium.be . December 17, 2017.
  3. Wagner . Johann Andreas. 1845 . Diagnosen einiger neuen Arten von Nagern und Handflüglern . Archiv für Naturgeschichte . 145 . 11 . 1.
  4. Book: Palmer, T. S.. 1904. Details - Index generum mammalium: a list of the genera and families of mammals. - Biodiversity Heritage Library. 415. Washington, Govt. Print. Off.. en. 10.5962/bhl.title.39809.
  5. Book: Handbook of the Mammals of the World. Vol 6. Lagomorphs and Rodents I. Fabre. Pierre-Henri. Patton. James L.. James L. Patton. Leite. Yuri L. R.. 2016. 978-84-941892-3-4. Wilson. Don E.. Lacher. Thomas E. Jr. Mittermeier. Russell A.. Lynx Edicions. Barcelona. 552–641. Family Echimyidae (hutias, South American spiny-rats and coypu). Handbook of the Mammals of the World.
  6. Fabre. Pierre-Henri. Galewski. Thomas. Tilak. Marie-ka. Douzery. Emmanuel J. P.. 2013-03-01. Diversification of South American spiny rats (Echimyidae): a multigene phylogenetic approach. Zoologica Scripta. en. 42. 2. 117–134. 10.1111/j.1463-6409.2012.00572.x. 1463-6409.
  7. Fabre. Pierre-Henri. Upham. Nathan S.. Emmons. Louise H.. Louise H. Emmons. Justy. Fabienne. Leite. Yuri L. R.. Loss. Ana Carolina. Orlando. Ludovic. Tilak. Marie-Ka. Patterson. Bruce D.. Douzery. Emmanuel J. P.. 2017-03-01. Mitogenomic Phylogeny, Diversification, and Biogeography of South American Spiny Rats. Molecular Biology and Evolution. 34. 3. 613–633. 10.1093/molbev/msw261. 28025278. 0737-4038. free.

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