Rodents (Order Rodentia) are a diverse group of mammals that consist of more than 2000 species.
Classification:
- Kingdom: Animalia
- Phylum: Chordata
- Class: Mammalia
- Order: Rodentia
The Order Rodentia contains the following subgroups:- Suborder: Anomaluromorpha (scaly-tailed squirrels and springhares)
- Suborder: Castorimorpha (beavers, gophers, kangaroo rats, pocket mice, and relatives)
- Suborder: Hystricomorpha (hystricognath rodents)
- Suborder: Myomorpha (mice, rats, gerbils, jerboas, and relatives)
- Suborder: Sciuromorpha (squirrels, dormice, and relatives)
Range and Habitat:
Rodents have a worldwide range with the exception of Antarctica, New Zealand, and some oceanic islands.
References:
- Burnie D, Wilson DE. 2001. Animal. London: Dorling Kindersley. 624 p.
- Myers P. 2000. Rodentia, Animal Diversity Web. December 2, 2008.
