Muroidea

The Muroidea is a superfamily of rodents, often referred to as muroid rodents. This group is the largest of all mammalian families, encompassing over 1,383 species, primarily consisting of "true" mice and rats.12

Within Muroidea, the family Muridae is particularly significant, containing the vast majority of species. This family is further divided into subfamilies, with the largest being Sigmodontinae (New World rats and mice) and Murinae (Old World rats and mice). Other notable subfamilies include those containing voles, lemmings, hamsters, gerbils, and mole rats.1

While specialists generally agree on the classification within Muroidea, some distinct groups, like blind mole rats and bamboo rats, have historically been treated as separate families. The exact number of subfamilies and their inclusion within Muridae are subjects of ongoing scientific discussion, with some preferring to classify them as separate families under the Muroidea superfamily.1