New World rats and mice
Encyclopedia
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 in 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 hamster
s and vole
s.
Deer mice, white-footed mice
and sigmodontine rodents
may carry hantavirus
es that cause severe illness in humans.
The New World rats and mice are divided into 3 subfamilies, 12 tribes, and 84 genera.
North America
North America is a continent wholly within the Northern Hemisphere and almost wholly within the Western Hemisphere. It is also considered a northern subcontinent of the Americas...
and South America
South America
South America is a continent situated in the Western Hemisphere, mostly in the Southern Hemisphere, with a relatively small portion in the Northern Hemisphere. The continent is also considered a subcontinent of the Americas. It is bordered on the west by the Pacific Ocean and on the north and east...
. They are extremely diverse in appearance and ecology, ranging in from the tiny Baiomys
Baiomys
Baiomys is the genus of New World pygmy mice. Together with Scotinomys, it forms the tribe Baiomyini. It currently contains two extant species:*Southern Pygmy Mouse, Baiomys musculus*Northern Pygmy Mouse, Baiomys taylori-References:...
to the large Kunsia
Kunsia
Kunsia is the genus of giant rats. There are two South American species, both of which are classified as vulnerable by IUCN:*K. fronto *K. tomentosus...
. They represent one of the few examples of muroid rodents (along with the voles
Arvicolinae
The Arvicolinae are a subfamily of rodents that includes the voles, lemmings, and muskrats. They are most closely related to the other subfamilies in the Cricetidae . Some authorities place the subfamily Arvicolinae in the family Muridae along with all other members of the superfamily Muroidea...
) 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
Sigmodontinae
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...
, 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
Molecular phylogeny
Molecular phylogenetics is the analysis of hereditary molecular differences, mainly in DNA sequences, to gain information on an organism's evolutionary relationships. The result of a molecular phylogenetic analysis is expressed in a phylogenetic tree...
studies have suggested that the New World rats and mice are not a monophyletic group
Monophyly
In common cladistic usage, a monophyletic group is a taxon which forms a clade, meaning that it contains all the descendants of the possibly hypothetical closest common ancestor of the members of the group. The term is synonymous with the uncommon term holophyly...
, but this is yet to be confirmed. Their closest relatives are clearly the hamster
Hamster
Hamsters are rodents belonging to the subfamily Cricetinae. The subfamily contains about 25 species, classified in six or seven genera....
s and vole
Vole
A vole is a small rodent resembling a mouse but with a stouter body, a shorter hairy tail, a slightly rounder head, smaller ears and eyes, and differently formed molars . There are approximately 155 species of voles. They are sometimes known as meadow mice or field mice in North America...
s.
Deer mice, white-footed mice
White-footed mouse
White-footed Mouse is a rodent native to North America. It ranges from Ontario, Quebec, Labrador and the Maritime Provinces to the southwest USA and Mexico. It is also known as the Woodmouse, particularly in Texas.Adults are in length, not counting the tail, which can add another . A young adult...
and sigmodontine rodents
Sigmodontinae
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...
may carry hantavirus
Hantavirus
Hantaviruses are negative sense RNA viruses in the Bunyaviridae family. Humans may be infected with hantaviruses through rodent bites, urine, saliva or contact with rodent waste products...
es that cause severe illness in humans.
The New World rats and mice are divided into 3 subfamilies, 12 tribes, and 84 genera.
Classification
- Family CricetidaeCricetidaeThe Cricetidae are a family of rodents in the large and complex superfamily Muroidea. It includes true hamsters, voles, lemmings, and New World rats and mice...
- hamsterHamsterHamsters are rodents belonging to the subfamily Cricetinae. The subfamily contains about 25 species, classified in six or seven genera....
s, voleVoleA vole is a small rodent resembling a mouse but with a stouter body, a shorter hairy tail, a slightly rounder head, smaller ears and eyes, and differently formed molars . There are approximately 155 species of voles. They are sometimes known as meadow mice or field mice in North America...
s, and New World rats and mice- Subfamily TylomyinaeTylomyinaeThe subfamily Tylomyinae consists of several species of New World rats and mice including the vesper and climbing rats. They are not as well known as their relatives in the subfamilies Sigmodontinae and Neotominae...
- Otonyctomys
- Nyctomys
- TylomysTylomysTylomys is a genus of rodent in the family Cricetidae.It contains the following species:* Chiapan Climbing Rat * Fulvous-bellied Climbing Rat * Mira Climbing Rat...
- Ototylomys
- Subfamily NeotominaeNeotominaeNeotominae is a subfamily of the family Cricetidae. It consists of four tribes, 16 genera, and many species of New World rats and mice, predominantly found in North America. Among them are the well-known deer mice, white-footed mice, packrats, and grasshopper mice.Neotomines are related to the...
- Tribe BaiomyiniBaiomyiniBaiomyini is a tribe of rodents in the subfamily Neotominae occurring from the southern United States to Panama. It includes the genera Baiomys and Scotinomys, with a total of four living species.Baiomys musculusBaiomys taylori-Literature cited:...
- BaiomysBaiomysBaiomys is the genus of New World pygmy mice. Together with Scotinomys, it forms the tribe Baiomyini. It currently contains two extant species:*Southern Pygmy Mouse, Baiomys musculus*Northern Pygmy Mouse, Baiomys taylori-References:...
- ScotinomysScotinomysScotinomys is a genus of rodent in the family Cricetidae. Together with Baiomys, it forms the tribe Baiomyini.It contains the following species:* Alston's Brown Mouse * Chiriqui Brown Mouse...
- Baiomys
- Tribe Neotomini
- Neotoma
- Xenomys
- Hodomys
- Nelsonia
- Tribe Ochrotomyini
- Ochrotomys
- Tribe Reithrodontomyini
- PeromyscusPeromyscusThe 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...
- ReithrodontomysReithrodontomysReithrodontomys is the genus of groove-toothed New World harvest mice.-Species:This genus contains twenty species:*Guerrero Harvest Mouse *Short-Nosed Harvest Mouse...
- Onychomys
- Neotomodon
- Podomys
- IsthmomysIsthmomysIsthmomys is a genus of rodent in the family Cricetidae, belonging to the tribe Reithrodontomyini. Species are:*Yellow Isthmus Rat *Mt. Pirri Isthmus Rat -References:...
- MegadontomysMegadontomysMegadontomys is a genus of rodent in the family Cricetidae, found in Mexico.It contains the following species:* Oaxaca Giant Deer Mouse * Nelson's Giant Deer Mouse...
- HabromysHabromysHabromys is a genus of rodent in the family Cricetidae, found in Mexico and Central America.It contains the following species:* Chinanteco Deermouse * Delicate Deermouse ...
- Osgoodomys
- Peromyscus
- Tribe Baiomyini
- Subfamily SigmodontinaeSigmodontinaeThe 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...
- RhagomysRhagomysRhagomys is a genus of South American rodents in the tribe Thomasomyini of family Cricetidae. Two species are known, found in Bolivia, southeast Peru and the Atlantic Forest of southeast Brazil. They are as follows:...
incertae sedisIncertae sedis, is a term used to define a taxonomic group where its broader relationships are unknown or undefined. Uncertainty at specific taxonomic levels is attributed by , , and similar terms.-Examples:*The fossil plant Paradinandra suecica could not be assigned to any... - Tribe OryzomyiniOryzomyiniOryzomyini is a tribe of rodents in the subfamily Sigmodontinae of family Cricetidae. It includes about 120 species in about thirty genera, distributed from the eastern United States to the southernmost parts of South America, including many offshore islands...
- OryzomysOryzomysOryzomys 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 of the United States and O. couesi of Mexico and Central America—are widespread; the six others have...
- NesoryzomysNesoryzomysNesoryzomys is a genus of rodent in the tribe Oryzomyini of family Cricetidae, endemic to the Galápagos Islands. Other rodents restricted to the Galápagos include Megaoryzomys curioi and Aegialomys galapagoensis.-References:...
- MelanomysMelanomysMelanomys 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...
- SigmodontomysSigmodontomysSigmodontomys 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...
- NectomysNectomysNectomys 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...
- Amphinectomys
- OligoryzomysOligoryzomysOligoryzomys is a genus of rodents in the tribe Oryzomyini of family Cricetidae. Many species are known as pygmy rice rats or colilargos...
- NeacomysNeacomysThe 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...
- ZygodontomysZygodontomysZygodontomys 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....
- Lundomys
- HolochilusHolochilusHolochilus 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...
- Pseudoryzomys
- Microakodontomys
- OecomysOecomysOecomys 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.-Literature cited:...
- MicroryzomysMicroryzomysMicroryzomys 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.-Literature cited:*Musser, G.G. and Carleton,...
- ScolomysScolomysScolomys 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.-Literature cited:*Musser, G.G. and...
- Oryzomys
- Tribe Thomasomyini
- Chilomys
- Abrawayaomys
- DelomysDelomysDelomys is a genus of South American rodents in the tribe Thomasomyini of family Cricetidae. Three species are known, all found in Argentina and Brazil. They are as follows:* Montane Atlantic Forest Rat...
- ThomasomysThomasomysThomasomys is a genus of rodent in the family Cricetidae, named after British zoologist Oldfield Thomas. It contains the following species:* Anderson's Oldfield Mouse * Apeco Oldfield Mouse...
- Wilfredomys
- Aepomys
- Phaenomys
- RhipidomysRhipidomysRhipidomys is a genus of rodents in the family Cricetidae, comprising at least 18 species of climbing mouse:* Southern Climbing Mouse * Cariri Climbing Mouse...
- Tribe Wiedomyini
- WiedomysWiedomysWiedomys is a genus of South American rodents in the family Cricetidae.It contains the following species:* Cerrado Red-nosed Mouse * Red-nosed Mouse...
- Wiedomys
- Tribe AkodontiniAkodontiniAkodontini is the second most speciose tribe of the subfamily Sigmodontinae. It includes at least 106 living species in 19 genera and is distributed mainly in the southern half of South America, with only two genera extending into Guyana and Venezuela . It also includes genera previously placed in...
- AkodonAkodonAkodon 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...
- BibimysBibimysBibimys is a genus of new world rats. Commonly known as the crimson-nosed rats, there are three species:*Bibimys chacoensis - Chaco Crimson-nosed Rat - found in north-east Argentina...
- Bolomys
- Podoxymys
- ThalpomysThalpomysThalpomys is a genus of South American rodents in the tribe Akodontini of family Cricetidae. Two species are known, both found in the cerrado tropical savanna ecoregion of central Brazil. They are as follows:* Cerrado Mouse...
- AbrothrixAbrothrixAbrothrix is a genus of rodent in the tribe Abrotrichini of family Cricetidae.It contains the following living species:*Abrothrix andinus*Abrothrix hershkovitzi*Abrothrix illuteus*Abrothrix jelskii*Abrothrix lanosus...
- Chroeomys
- ChelemysChelemysChelemys 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....
- Notiomys
- Pearsonomys
- Geoxus
- Blarinomys
- JuscelinomysJuscelinomysJuscelinomys 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:...
- OxymycterusOxymycterusOxymycterus is the genus of hocicudos. They are rat-like animals endemic to South America.Species listing:Oxymycterus is the genus of hocicudos. They are rat-like animals endemic to South America.Species listing:...
- Lenoxus
- Brucepattersonius
- ScapteromysScapteromysScapteromys is a genus of South American rodents in the tribe Akodontini of family Cricetidae. Two species are known, found in northern Argentina, southern Brazil, Paraguay and Uruguay...
- KunsiaKunsiaKunsia is the genus of giant rats. There are two South American species, both of which are classified as vulnerable by IUCN:*K. fronto *K. tomentosus...
- BibimysBibimysBibimys is a genus of new world rats. Commonly known as the crimson-nosed rats, there are three species:*Bibimys chacoensis - Chaco Crimson-nosed Rat - found in north-east Argentina...
- Akodon
- Tribe Phyllotini
- Calomys
- EligmodontiaEligmodontiaThe 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...
- AndalgalomysAndalgalomysAndalgalomys is a genus of rodent in the family Cricetidae.It contains the following species:* Olrog's Chaco Mouse * Pearson's Chaco Mouse * Roig's Chaco Mouse...
- GraomysGraomysGraomys is a genus of rodent in the family Cricetidae.It contains the following species:* Central Leaf-eared Mouse * Pale Leaf-eared Mouse * Edith's Leaf-eared Mouse...
- Salinomys
- PhyllotisPhyllotisPhyllotis is a genus of rodent in the family Cricetidae.It contains the following species:* Phyllotis alisosiensis* Friendly Leaf-eared Mouse * Andean Leaf-eared Mouse...
- LoxodontomysLoxodontomysLoxodontomys is a genus of South American rodents in the tribe Phyllotini of family Cricetidae. Two species are known, found in Argentina and Chile. They are as follows:* Southern Big-eared Mouse...
- AuliscomysAuliscomysAuliscomys is a genus of rodent in the family Cricetidae.It contains the following species:* Bolivian Big-eared Mouse * Painted Big-eared Mouse * Andean Big-eared Mouse...
- Galenomys
- Chinchillula
- PunomysPunomysPunomys is a genus of rodent in the family Cricetidae.It contains the following species:* Eastern Puna Mouse * Puna Mouse...
- Andinomys
- Irenomys
- EuneomysEuneomysEuneomys is a genus of rodent in the family Cricetidae.It contains the following species:* Patagonian Chincilla Mouse * Burrowing Chincilla Mouse * Biting Chincilla Mouse...
- Neotomys
- ReithrodonReithrodonReithrodon is a genus of rodent in the family Cricetidae.It contains the following species:* Bunny Rat * Naked-soled Conyrat...
- Tribe Sigmodontini
- Sigmodon
- Tribe IchthyomyiniIchthyomyiniIchthyomyini is a tribe of New World rats and mice in the subfamily Sigmodontinae. The species within this tribe share the characteristic of all being fish-eating rodents.*Anotomys - Ecuadorian Fish-eating Rat*Chibchanomys - Chibchan Water Mouse...
- NeusticomysNeusticomysNeusticomys is a genus of semiaquatic South American rodents in the family Cricetidae.It contains the following species:* Ferreira's Fish-eating Rat * Montane Fish-eating Rat...
- RheomysRheomysRheomys is a genus of semiaquatic rodents in the family Cricetidae.It contains the following species:* Mexican Water Mouse * Goldman's Water Mouse * Thomas's Water Mouse...
- Anotomys
- ChibchanomysChibchanomysChibchanomys is a genus of rodent in the family Cricetidae.It contains the following species:* Las Cajas Water Mouse * Chibchan Water Mouse...
- IchthyomysIchthyomysIchthyomys is a genus of semiaquatic rodents in the family Cricetidae.It contains the following species:* Crab-eating Rat * Pittier's Crab-eating Rat...
- Neusticomys
- Rhagomys
- Subfamily Tylomyinae