Myomorpha

Myomorpha
Myomorpha
Temporal range: Early Eocene - Recent
Acomys cahirinus
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Mammalia
Subclass: Eutheria
Order: Rodentia
Suborder: Myomorpha
Brandt, 1855
Superfamilies

Muroidea
Dipodoidea

Suborder Myomorpha contains 1,137 species of mouse-like rodents, nearly a quarter of all mammal species. Included are mice, rats, gerbils, hamsters, lemmings and voles. They are grouped according to the structure of the jaw and the structure of the molar teeth. Both their medial and lateral masseter muscles are displaced forward, making them adept at gnawing. 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 superfamily Muroidea:

Historically, the definition of the suborder Myomorpha has included one or both of the following.

References

  • Carleton, M. D. and G. G. Musser. 2005. Order Rodentia. Pp745–752 in Mammal Species of the World A Taxonomic and Geographic Reference (D. E. Wilson and D. M. Reeder eds.). Baltimore, Johns Hopkins University Press.
  • Clutton-Brock, Juliet (ed.). 2004. Mouse-like Rodents. Pp150–159 in Animal (David Burnley ed.). London, Dorling Kindersley.




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Look at other dictionaries:

  • Myomorpha — My o*mor pha, n. pl. [NL., fr. Gr. my^s, myo s, a mouse + morfh form.] (Zo[ o]l.) An extensive group of rodents which includes the rats, mice, jerboas, and many allied forms. [1913 Webster] …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • Myomorpha — Myomorphes …   Wikipédia en Français

  • Myomorpha —   Miomorfos Rata …   Wikipedia Español

  • Myomorpha — Mäuseverwandte Wanderratte (Rattus norvegicus) Systematik Überklasse: Kiefermäuler (Gnathostomata) …   Deutsch Wikipedia

  • Myomorpha — noun true rats and mice and related rodents • Syn: ↑suborder Myomorpha • Hypernyms: ↑animal order • Member Holonyms: ↑Rodentia, ↑order Rodentia • Member Meronyms …   Useful english dictionary

  • Myomorpha — n. (Zoology) suborder to which belong rats and mice …   English contemporary dictionary

  • myomorpha — my·o·mor·pha …   English syllables

  • suborder Myomorpha — noun true rats and mice and related rodents • Syn: ↑Myomorpha • Hypernyms: ↑animal order • Member Holonyms: ↑Rodentia, ↑order Rodentia • Member Meronyms: ↑ …   Useful english dictionary

  • Rodent — Rodents Temporal range: Early Paleocene–Recent …   Wikipedia

  • Nagetier — Nagetiere Waldmaus (Apodemus sylvaticus) Systematik Überklasse: Kiefermäuler (Gnathostomata) …   Deutsch Wikipedia

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