Myomorpha
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 Acomys cahirinus
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Suborder Myomorpha contains 1,137 species of mouse-like rodents, nearly a quarter of all mammal species. Included are rats, mice, gerbils, hamsters, lemmings and voles. They are grouped according to the structure of the jaw and the structure of molar teeth: both their medial and lateral masseter muscles are displaced forward, making them adept at gnawing. The medial masseter muscle goes through the eye socket, a feature unique among mammals. Myomorphs are found worldwide (apart from Antartica) in almost all land habitats. They are usually nocturnal seed-eaters.
Most myomorph species belong to superfamily Muroidea. Families under this suborder are:
- Superfamily Muroidea
- Family Platacanthomyidae
- Family Spalacidae
- Family Calomyscidae
- Family Nesomyidae
- Family Cricetidae
- Family Muridae
- Superfamily Dipodoidea
- Family Dipodidae
Historically, the definition of the suborder Myomorpha has included one or both of the following.
- Superfamily Geomyoidea
- Family Heteromyidae
- Family Geomyidae
- Superfamily Gliroidea
- Family Gliridae
[edit] References
- Carleton, M. D. and G. G. Musser. 2005. Order Rodentia. Pp745-752 in Mammal Species of the World A Taxonomic and Geographic Reference (D. E. Wilson and D. M. Reeder eds.). Baltimore, Johns Hopkins University Press.
- Clutton-Brock, Juliet (ed.). 2004. Mouse-like Rodents. Pp150-159 in Animal (David Burnley ed.). London, Dorling Kindersley.
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