Tylomyinae

Nyctomys sumichrasti (right)

The Tylomyinae are a subfamily of the rodent family Cricetidae ( Cricetidae ). They are equipped with 10 species, the least species of the three groups into which the New world be divided.

Features

There are medium to large New world, reaching a body length 10-26 centimeters. The tail is a little longer than the body in general. The fur is brownish in color, gray or black at the top, the underside is lighter. The ears are often large and hairless. The hind feet are adapted to an arboreal lifestyle.

Dissemination and lifestyle

Tylomyinae occur almost exclusively in Central America, where they are distributed from southern Mexico to Panama. Only the climbing rat Tylomys Mirae is native to northwestern South America ( Colombia and Ecuador). Habitat of these animals are forests, often on rocky ground. They come up to 2000 meters altitude before.

The representatives of the Tylomyinae are almost exclusively arboreal. They are mostly nocturnal and pull during the day back in self- built nests of grasses and twigs. They live mostly solitary or in small family groups and often react aggressively to conspecifics. They are primarily herbivores, take the seeds, fruits and leaves to him.

System

The following four genera in two tribes are expected to Tylomyinae:

• Tribus Nyctomyini Vesper Rat ( Nyctomys sumichrasti )
• Yucatán vesper rat ( Otonyctomys hatti )

• Climbing rats ( Tylomys ), 7 species
• Big-eared climbing rat ( Ototylomys phylotis )

This group can be morphologically defined, yet it is uncertain whether it is in fact monophyletic. While the close relationship is controversial within the two tribes, the exact lineage relationships and systematic relations with the other Neuweltmäusen are unclear.