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Home -> Kingdom Animalia -> Phylum Chordata -> Subphylum Vertebrata -> Class Mammalia -> Order Rodentia -> Suborder Hystricomorpha

Suborder Hystricomorpha
hystricognath rodents



2009/11/01 03:19:44.261 US/Eastern

By Tanya Dewey

Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Subphylum: Vertebrata
Class: Mammalia
Order: Rodentia
Suborder: Hystricomorpha
Members of this Suborder

Hystricognath rodents are a large group of rodents, with more than 230 species. Species in this group are found in North and South America and in Africa and Asia, although the vast majority of species are found in South America. This groups includes some of the largest rodents, including capybaras and American and Old World porcupines. This group also includes some of the most unusual species of rodents, such as naked mole rats, and some of the most familiar, such as porcupines, guinea pigs, and chinchillas. All species in this group are herbivorous, mainly eating plant leaves. Many species in this group are widely eaten by humans, including capybaras, spiny rats, guinea pigs, pacas, and agoutis.

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Tanya Dewey (author), Animal Diversity Web, University of Michigan Museum of Zoology.

2009/11/01 03:19:44.408 US/Eastern

To cite this page: Dewey, T. 2007. "Hystricomorpha" (On-line), Animal Diversity Web. Accessed November 07, 2009 at http://animaldiversity.ummz.umich.edu/site/accounts/information/Hystricomorpha.html.

Disclaimer: The Animal Diversity Web is an educational resource written largely by and for college students. ADW doesn't cover all species in the world, nor does it include all the latest scientific information about organisms we describe. Though we edit our accounts for accuracy, we cannot guarantee all information in those accounts. While ADW staff and contributors provide references to books and websites that we believe are reputable, we cannot necessarily endorse the contents of references beyond our control.

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