Zyzomys
Encyclopedia
Zyzomys is a genus
of rodent
s with unusually thick, long tail
s. Five species
of the genus
are known in Australia
, where they are called rock rats or thick-tailed rats. They were discovered by Michael Rogers Oldfield Thomas
in 1909.
Genus
In biology, a genus is a low-level taxonomic rank used in the biological classification of living and fossil organisms, which is an example of definition by genus and differentia...
of rodent
Rodent
Rodentia is an order of mammals also known as rodents, characterised by two continuously growing incisors in the upper and lower jaws which must be kept short by gnawing....
s with unusually thick, long tail
Tail
The tail is the section at the rear end of an animal's body; in general, the term refers to a distinct, flexible appendage to the torso. It is the part of the body that corresponds roughly to the sacrum and coccyx in mammals, reptiles, and birds...
s. Five species
Species
In biology, a species is one of the basic units of biological classification and a taxonomic rank. A species is often defined as a group of organisms capable of interbreeding and producing fertile offspring. While in many cases this definition is adequate, more precise or differing measures are...
of the genus
Genus
In biology, a genus is a low-level taxonomic rank used in the biological classification of living and fossil organisms, which is an example of definition by genus and differentia...
are known in Australia
Australia
Australia , officially the Commonwealth of Australia, is a country in the Southern Hemisphere comprising the mainland of the Australian continent, the island of Tasmania, and numerous smaller islands in the Indian and Pacific Oceans. It is the world's sixth-largest country by total area...
, where they are called rock rats or thick-tailed rats. They were discovered by Michael Rogers Oldfield Thomas
Oldfield Thomas
Oldfield Thomas FRS was a British zoologist.Thomas worked at the Natural History Museum on mammals, describing about 2,000 new species and sub-species for the first time. He was appointed to the Museum Secretary's office in 1876, transferring to the Zoological Department in 1878...
in 1909.
Taxonomy
There are five known species of rock-rat. The Central Rock Rat (Zyzomys pedunculatus) was once believed to be extinct until rediscovered in 1996.- Silver-Tailed Rock RatSilver-Tailed Rock RatThe Common Rock Rat is a species of rodent in the family Muridae. It is found only in Australia, where it lives in the rocky areas of woodlands, grasslands and low open forests, particularly on the talus, or scree, of cliff slopes. As a nocturnal animal, it spends the daytime nesting in cool...
, Zyzomys argurus - Arnhem Land Rock Rat, Zyzomys maini
- Carpentarian Rock RatCarpentarian Rock RatThe Carpentarian Rock Rat is a species of rodent in the family Muridae.It is found only in Australia.-Description:The Carpentarian Rock Rat is a small and compact conilurine rodent. Its fur is grey-brown above and pale below...
, Zyzomys palatilis - Central Rock RatCentral Rock RatThe Central Rock Rat, Central Thick-tailed Rock-rat, Macdonnell Range Rock-rat, is a species of rodent in the family Muridae. It is found only in Australia....
, Zyzomys pedunculatus - Kimberley Rock Rat, Zyzomys woodwardi