Mesomys
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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 these rodents — literally the "middle mouse" — were considered an intermediate form between the genus Loncheres and the genus Echinomys, both of which are now known to be synonyms of Echimys.
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 these rodents — literally the "middle mouse" — were considered an intermediate form between the genus Loncheres and the genus Echinomys, both of which are now known to be synonyms of Echimys. ==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: (i) Echimys, Phyllomys, Makalata, Pattonomys, and Toromys; (ii) the bamboo rats Dactylomys, Olallamys, Kannabateomys together with Diplomys and Santamartamys; and (iii) Isothrix. ==References==
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