Myomorpha

Myomorpha Fossil range: Early Eocene - Recent
Acomys cahirinus
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Animalia Phylum: Chordata Class: Mammalia Subclass: Eutheria Order: Rodentia Suborder: Myomorpha Brandt, 1855
Superfamilies
Muroidea Dipodoidea

Suborder Myomorpha contains 1,137 species of mouse-like rodents, nearly a quarter of all mammal species. Included are mice, rats, gerbils, hamsters, lemmings and voles. They are grouped according to the structure of the jaw and the structure of the molar teeth. Both their medial and lateral masseter muscles are displaced forward, making them adept at gnawing. The medial masseter muscle goes through the eye socket, a feature unique among mammals. Myomorphs are found worldwide (apart from Antartica) in almost all land habitats. They are usually nocturnal seed-eaters.

Most myomorph species belong to superfamily Muroidea:

• Superfamily Muroidea
  • Family Platacanthomyidae
  • Family Spalacidae
  • Family Calomyscidae
  • Family Nesomyidae
  • Family Cricetidae
  • Family Muridae
• Superfamily Dipodoidea
  • Family Dipodidae

Historically, the definition of the suborder Myomorpha has included one or both of the following.

• Superfamily Geomyoidea
  • Family Heteromyidae
  • Family Geomyidae
• Superfamily Gliroidea
  • Family Gliridae

References

• Carleton, M. D. and G. G. Musser. 2005. Order Rodentia. Pp745-752 in Mammal Species of the World A Taxonomic and Geographic Reference (D. E. Wilson and D. M. Reeder eds.). Baltimore, Johns Hopkins University Press.

• Clutton-Brock, Juliet (ed.). 2004. Mouse-like Rodents. Pp150-159 in Animal (David Burnley ed.). London, Dorling Kindersley.

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