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Echimyidae
Description | Echimyidae is the family of neotropical spiny rats and their fossil relatives. This is the most species-rich family of hystricognath rodents. It is probably also the most ecologically diverse, with members ranging from fully arboreal to terrestrial to fossorial habits. They presently exist mainly in South America; three members of the family also range into Central America. Species of the extinct subfamily Heteropsomyinae formerly lived on Cuba, Hispaniola, and Puerto Rico in the Antilles, probably until the arrival of Europeans. Some authorities consider the nutria from southern and central South America to be a part of this family. From Wikipedia article at https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Echimyidae, which is released under the Creative Commons Attribution-Share-Alike License 3.0. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Source Data |
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Rank | family | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Taxonomy (GBIF,PBDB) | Life : Animalia : Chordata : Mammalia : Rodentia : Echimyidae | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Taxonomic Status (GBIF) | accepted | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Classification (PBDB,GBIF) |
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Common Name | spiny rat | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Scientific Name | Echimyidae | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Name Published In | Ann. Philos., n.s. vol.10 p.341 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Opinions (PBDB) |
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Status (PBDB) | extant | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Taxon Size (PBDB) | 86 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Extant Size (PBDB) | 44 (51%) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
First Recorded Appearance | 48.6 - 37.2 Ma Eocene | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Environment | terrestrial (based on Eutheria) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Motility | actively mobile (based on Osteichthyes) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Diet | herbivore | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Taphonomy | phosphatic (based on Vertebrata) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Primary Reference (PBDB) | R. L. Carroll. 1988. Vertebrate Paleontology and Evolution | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Common Name(s) | American Spiny Rats, Spiny Rat, Lansråttor, Spiny Rats | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Wikipedia | https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Echimyidae |
External Images
Fossil Distribution
Subtaxa
Name | Status | Common Name(s) | Fossil Occurrences | Oldest | Youngest |
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Adelphomyinae ✝ subfamily | listed (PBDB) | 16 | 33.9 Ma Oligocene | 13.8 Ma Miocene | |
Chaetomyinae subfamily | listed (PBDB) | 0 Ma Extant | |||
Dactylomyinae subfamily | listed (PBDB) | 2 | 0.13 Ma Pleistocene | 0 Ma Extant | |
Echimyinae subfamily | listed (PBDB) | 4 | 0.13 Ma Pleistocene | 0 Ma Extant | |
Eumysopinae ✝ subfamily | listed (PBDB) | 4 | 10.00 Ma Miocene | 5.33 Ma Miocene | |
Heteropsomyinae subfamily | listed (PBDB) | 14 | 48.6 Ma Eocene | 0 Ma Extant | |
Acarechimys ✝ genus | accepted (GBIF) listed (PBDB) | 31 | 29.0 Ma Oligocene | 11.6 Ma Miocene | |
Adelphomys ✝ genus | accepted (GBIF) listed (PBDB) | 3 | 23.0 Ma Miocene | 20.4 Ma Miocene | |
Boromys ✝ genus | accepted (GBIF) listed (PBDB) | 6 | 48.6 Ma Eocene | 0.13 Ma Pleistocene | |
Brotomys ✝ genus | accepted (GBIF) listed (PBDB) | 1 | 0.13 Ma Pleistocene | 0.13 Ma Pleistocene | |
Callistomys genus | accepted (GBIF) listed (PBDB) | 0 Ma Extant | |||
Carterodon genus | accepted (GBIF) listed (PBDB) | 1 | 2.59 Ma Pleistocene | 0 Ma Extant | |
Caviocricetus ✝ genus | accepted (GBIF) listed (PBDB) | 5 | 23.0 Ma Miocene | 21.0 Ma Miocene | |
Chasichimys ✝ genus | accepted (GBIF) listed (PBDB) | 5 | 11.6 Ma Miocene | 9.00 Ma Miocene | |
Clyomys genus | accepted (GBIF) listed (PBDB) | 3 | 9.00 Ma Miocene | 0 Ma Extant | |
Dactylomys genus | accepted (GBIF) listed (PBDB) | Bamboo Rat | 1 | 0.01 Ma Pleistocene | 0 Ma Extant |
Deseadomys ✝ genus | accepted (GBIF) listed (PBDB) | 3 | 29.0 Ma Oligocene | 28.4 Ma Oligocene | |
Dicolpomys ✝ genus | accepted (GBIF) listed (PBDB) | 1 | 2.59 Ma Pleistocene | 2.59 Ma Pleistocene | |
Diplomys genus | accepted (GBIF) listed (PBDB) | 1 | 0.01 Ma Pleistocene | 0 Ma Extant | |
Echimys genus | accepted (GBIF) listed (PBDB) | Spiny Tree-rat | 2 | 0.13 Ma Pleistocene | 0 Ma Extant |
Eodelphomys ✝ genus | accepted (GBIF) listed (PBDB) | 1 | 37.2 Ma Eocene | 37.2 Ma Eocene | |
Eoespina ✝ genus | accepted (GBIF) listed (PBDB) | 5 | 48.6 Ma Eocene | 37.2 Ma Eocene | |
Eosachacui ✝ genus | accepted (GBIF) listed (PBDB) | 1 | 37.2 Ma Eocene | 37.2 Ma Eocene | |
Eosallamys ✝ genus | accepted (GBIF) listed (PBDB) | 3 | 37.2 Ma Eocene | 28.4 Ma Oligocene | |
Eumysops ✝ genus | accepted (GBIF) listed (PBDB) | 72 | 11.6 Ma Miocene | 0.78 Ma Pleistocene | |
Euryzygomatomys genus | accepted (GBIF) listed (PBDB) | 1 | 2.59 Ma Pleistocene | 0 Ma Extant | |
Gaimanomys ✝ genus | accepted (GBIF) listed (PBDB) | ||||
Haplostropha ✝ genus | doubtful (GBIF) listed (PBDB) | 2 | 9.00 Ma Miocene | 9.00 Ma Miocene | |
Heteropsomys ✝ genus | accepted (GBIF) listed (PBDB) | 1 | 2.59 Ma Pleistocene | 2.59 Ma Pleistocene | |
Hoplomys genus | accepted (GBIF) listed (PBDB) | 0 Ma Extant | |||
Isothrix genus | accepted (GBIF) listed (PBDB) | Brush-tailed Rat | 1 | 0.01 Ma Pleistocene | 0 Ma Extant |
Kannabateomys genus | accepted (GBIF) listed (PBDB) | 0 Ma Extant | |||
Lonchothrix genus | accepted (GBIF) listed (PBDB) | 0 Ma Extant | |||
Makalata genus | accepted (GBIF) listed (PBDB) | 0 Ma Extant | |||
Maruchito ✝ genus | accepted (GBIF) listed (PBDB) | 2 | 17.5 Ma Miocene | 15.5 Ma Miocene | |
Mesomys genus | accepted (GBIF) listed (PBDB) | Spiny Tree Rat | 2 | 0.01 Ma Pleistocene | 0 Ma Extant |
Myocastor genus | accepted (GBIF) listed (PBDB) | 22 | 9.00 Ma Miocene | 0 Ma Extant | |
Olallamys genus | accepted (GBIF) | No associated record in PBDB | |||
Pampamys ✝ genus | accepted (GBIF) listed (PBDB) | 8 | 11.6 Ma Miocene | 9.00 Ma Miocene | |
Paradelphomys ✝ genus | accepted (GBIF) listed (PBDB) | 1 | 21.0 Ma Miocene | 21.0 Ma Miocene | |
Paramyocastor ✝ genus | accepted (GBIF) listed (PBDB) | 12 | 6.80 Ma Miocene | 3.60 Ma Pliocene | |
Pattonomys genus | accepted (GBIF) | No associated record in PBDB | |||
Paulacoutomys ✝ genus | accepted (GBIF) listed (PBDB) | 1 | 29.0 Ma Oligocene | 29.0 Ma Oligocene | |
Phyllomys genus | accepted (GBIF) listed (PBDB) | Atlantic Tree-rat | 0 Ma Extant | ||
Proatherura ✝ genus | doubtful (GBIF) listed (PBDB) | ||||
Proechimys genus | accepted (GBIF) listed (PBDB) | Spiny Rat | 10 | 2.59 Ma Pleistocene | 0 Ma Extant |
Prospaniomys ✝ genus | accepted (GBIF) listed (PBDB) | 6 | 21.0 Ma Miocene | 21.0 Ma Miocene | |
Prostichomys ✝ genus | accepted (GBIF) listed (PBDB) | 11 | 23.0 Ma Miocene | 17.5 Ma Miocene | |
Protacaremys ✝ genus | accepted (GBIF) listed (PBDB) | 7 | 29.0 Ma Oligocene | 15.5 Ma Miocene | |
Protadelphomys ✝ genus | accepted (GBIF) listed (PBDB) | 5 | 23.0 Ma Miocene | 21.0 Ma Miocene | |
Puertoricomys genus | accepted (GBIF) | No associated record in PBDB | |||
Quebradahondomys ✝ genus | accepted (GBIF) listed (PBDB) | 1 | 13.8 Ma Miocene | 13.8 Ma Miocene | |
Reigechimys ✝ genus | accepted (GBIF) listed (PBDB) | 6 | 11.6 Ma Miocene | 9.00 Ma Miocene | |
Ricardomys ✝ genus | accepted (GBIF) listed (PBDB) | 2 | 13.8 Ma Miocene | 13.8 Ma Miocene | |
Sallamys ✝ genus | accepted (GBIF) listed (PBDB) | 7 | 29.0 Ma Oligocene | 29.0 Ma Oligocene | |
Santamartamys genus | accepted (GBIF) | No associated record in PBDB | |||
Spaniomys ✝ genus | accepted (GBIF) listed (PBDB) | 15 | 23.0 Ma Miocene | 17.5 Ma Miocene | |
Stichomys ✝ genus | accepted (GBIF) listed (PBDB) | 9 | 23.0 Ma Miocene | 15.5 Ma Miocene | |
Theridomysops ✝ genus | doubtful (GBIF) listed (PBDB) | 1 | 9.00 Ma Miocene | 9.00 Ma Miocene | |
Thrichomys ✝ genus | listed (PBDB) | Punaré | 1 | 2.59 Ma Pleistocene | 2.59 Ma Pleistocene |
Thrichomys genus | accepted (GBIF) listed (PBDB) | 2 | 10.00 Ma Miocene | 0 Ma Extant | |
Toromys genus | accepted (GBIF) | No associated record in PBDB | |||
Trinomys genus | accepted (GBIF) | No associated record in PBDB | |||
Willidewu ✝ genus | accepted (GBIF) listed (PBDB) | 4 | 23.0 Ma Miocene | 21.0 Ma Miocene | |
Xylechimys ✝ genus | accepted (GBIF) listed (PBDB) | 1 | 29.0 Ma Oligocene | 29.0 Ma Oligocene |
Synonymy List
Year | Name and Author |
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1825 | Echimyidae Gray |
1850 | Echymyidae Bonaparte p. 1 |
1958 | Echimyidae Wood p. 172 |
1959 | Echimyidae Wood and Patterson |
1976 | Echimyidae Lavocat |
1982 | Echimyidae Patterson and Wood |
1988 | Echimyidae Carroll |
Year | Name and Author |
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1991 | Echimyidae Nowak |
1999 | Echimyidae Nowak |
2001 | Echimyidae Huchon and Douzery p. 246 |
2010 | Echimyidae Kramarz et al. |
2014 | Echimyidae Sostillo et al. p. 286 |
2015 | Echimyidae Upham and Patterson |
References
Data courtesy of: PBDB: The Paleobiology Database, Creative Commons CC-BY licenced. , GBIF: the Global Biodiversity Information Facility, various licences, iDigBio, various licences, and EOL: The Encyclopedia of Life (Open Data Public Domain). Because fossils are made of minerals too!