This article relies largely or entirely on a single source. Relevant discussion may be found on the talk page. Please help improve this articlebyintroducing citations to additional sources.
Find sources: "Myomorpha" – news · newspapers · books · scholar · JSTOR (May 2023) |
Myomorpha
Ypresian - Recent | |
---|---|
![]() | |
Eastern spiny mouse (Acomys dimidiatus) | |
Scientific classification ![]() | |
Domain: | Eukaryota |
Kingdom: | Animalia |
Phylum: | Chordata |
Class: | Mammalia |
Order: | Rodentia |
Suborder: | Myomorpha Brandt, 1855 |
Superfamilies | |
Synonyms | |
Murimorpha |
The suborder Myomorpha contains 1,524 species of mouse-like rodents,[1] nearly a quarter of all mammal species. Included are mice, rats, gerbils, hamsters, lemmings, and voles. They are grouped according to the structure of their jaws and molar teeth. They are characterized by their myomorphous zygomasseteric system, which means that both their medial and lateral masseter muscles are displaced forward, making them adept at gnawing. As in the hystricognathous rodents, the medial masseter muscle goes through the eye socket, a feature unique among mammals. Myomorphs are found worldwide (apart from Antarctica) in almost all land habitats. They are usually nocturnal seed-eaters.
Most myomorph species belong to the superfamily Muroidea: (hamsters, voles, lemmings, true mice, true rats, and gerbils).
Historically, the definition of the suborder Myomorpha has included one or both of:
Extant families in order Rodentia
| |
---|---|
| |
Sciuromorpha ("Squirrel-like") |
|
Castorimorpha ("Beaver-like") |
|
Myomorpha ("Mouse-like") |
|
Anomaluromorpha ("Anomalure-like") |
|
Hystricomorpha ("Porcupine-like") |
|
Prehistoric families in order Rodentia
| |
---|---|
| |
Sciuromorpha |
|
Castorimorpha |
|
Myomorpha |
|
Anomaluromorpha |
|
Hystricomorpha |
|
incertae sedis |
|
See also: Category |
Myomorpha |
|
---|
![]() | This article about a rodent is a stub. You can help Wikipedia by expanding it. |