Geomyoidea
Geomyoidea is a superfamily of rodents that contains the pocket gophers (Geomyidae), the kangaroo rats and mice (Heteromyidae), and their fossil relatives.
| Geomyoid rodents Temporal range: Lower Eocene – Recent
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| Kangaroo rat | |
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| Superfamily: | Geomyoidea Bonaparte, 1845
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Characteristics
Although they do not look similar, gophers are joined with kangaroo rats into a common superfamily. This is widely agreed. Overall morphology, the fossil record, sequence analysis, and biogeography all support this relationship.
Modern geomyoids are mostly restricted to North America, but some have extended their range into South America since the Great American Interchange. Fossil taxa are known from throughout Laurasia.
Relation to other rodents
Some authorities consider the geomyoids related to squirrels, beavers, and mountain beavers.
Other authorities consider geomyoids may be related to mice, jerboas, and perhaps dormice.
References
- McKenna, Malcolm C. and Bell, Susan K. 1997. Classification of Mammals above the species level. Columbia University Press, New York. ISBN 0-231-11013-8