Mesomys | |
---|---|
Ferreira's spiny tree-rat | |
Scientific classification | |
Domain: | Eukaryota |
Kingdom: | Animalia |
Phylum: | Chordata |
Class: | Mammalia |
Order: | Rodentia |
Family: | Echimyidae |
Subfamily: | Echimyinae |
Tribe: | Echimyini |
Genus: | Mesomys Wagner, 1845 |
Type species | |
Mesomys ecaudatus | |
Species | |
Mesomys hispidus |
Mesomys is a genus of South American spiny rats in the family Echimyidae.[1]
The genus name Mesomys derives from the two ancient greek words μέσος (mésos), meaning "middle of, between", and μῦς (mûs), meaning "mouse, rat".[2][3] 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.[4][5]