Hystricognathi
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| iHystricognaths |
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 Capromys pilorides
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Hystricidae |
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[edit] Anatomy
Hystricognathi is an infraorder of rodents. Hystricognaths are distinguished from other rodents by the bone structure of their skulls. The masseter medialis (jaw muscle) passes partially through the infraorbital foramen and connects to the bone on the opposite side. This distinguishes hystricognaths from the Myomorpha and the Protrogomorpha. The Hystricognathi also lack an infraorbital plate. This, along with the relative size of the infraorbital foramen, distinguishes hystricognaths from the Sciuromorpha.
There are 18 families within the Hystricognathi, divided into two infraorders, the Phiomorpha and the Caviomorpha. The Caviomorpha are mostly native to South America, with a few species in North America, while the Phiomorpha occur in the Old World.
[edit] Behavior
Play behavior has been obseved in seven hystricognath families. The caviomorphs chase each other, play-wrestle, and gallop. The longer-legged species chase more often than the shorter-legged species. They lso rotate their heads and body muscles as a form of play (Fagen 1981).
[edit] Phiomorphan hystricognath familiæ
[edit] Caviomorphan hystricognath familiæ
- Abrocomidae
- Agoutidae
- Capromyidae
- Caviidae
- Chinchillidae
- Ctenomyidae
- Dasyproctidae
- Dinomyidae
- Echimyidae
- Erethizontidae
- Myocastoridae
- Octodontidae
[edit] External links
http://animaldiversity.ummz.umich.edu/site/topics/mammal_anatomy/rodent_jaws.html
[edit] References
Fagen, Robert. Animal Play Behavior. Oxford University Press, 1981.
