Mesomys


Mesomys is a genus of South American spiny rats in the family Echimyidae.
The genus name Mesomys derives from the two ancient greek words , meaning "middle of, between", and , meaning "mouse, rat". It refers to the fact that this rodent — literally the "middle mouse" — has been considered as an intermediate form related both to mice and jumping rats.

Extant Species

Phylogeny

Mesomys is a member of the Echimyini clade of arboreal Echimyidae rodents. The closest relative of Mesomys is Lonchothrix, reflecting the fact that these taxa have once been classified in the Eumysopinae, a subfamily now recognized as an artificial assemblage. These two genera share phylogenetic affinities with several taxa and clades: Echimys, Phyllomys, Makalata, Pattonomys, and Toromys ; the bamboo rats Dactylomys, Olallamys, Kannabateomys together with Diplomys and Santamartamys ; and Isothrix.