Dactylomys


Dactylomys is the genus of South American bamboo rats They are arboreal members of the family Echimyidae.

Systematics

The genus name Dactylomys derives from the two Ancient Greek words , meaning "finger", and , meaning "mouse, rat", and refers to the middle two digits especially elongated relative to lateral ones as observed in these rodents.
The genus contains three species:
Dactylomys is a member of the Echimyini clade of arboreal Echimyidae rodents. The closest relative of Dactylomys is Olallamys, and then Kannabateomys. These South American bamboo rats share unique features and are grouped under the informal clade name of "Dactylomyines". The dactylomyines are the sister genera to Diplomys and Santamartamys. All these taxa are closely related to the genera Echimys, Phyllomys, Makalata, Pattonomys, and Toromys. In turn, these genera share phylogenetic affinities with the clade containing Lonchothrix and Mesomys, and with Isothrix.