Myomorpha
Quick Summary
Myomorpha is the largest suborder of rodents, comprising true rats, mice, and their relatives. Rodents, as a whole, are the most diverse group of mammals, with over 2,050 living species found on every continent except Antarctica and New Zealand.123
Key characteristics of rodents include:
* Upper and lower pairs of ever-growing, rootless incisor teeth.3
* A gap, or diastema, between their incisors and cheek teeth.3
* Powerful jaw muscles adapted for gnawing.3
The suborder Myomorpha includes families such as Muridae (true rats and mice), Dipodidae (jerboas and jumping mice), Geomyidae (pocket gophers), Heteromyidae (kangaroo rats and mice), and Myoxidae (dormice). These animals play significant roles in ecosystems, primarily as decomposers of dead plant material, though some are carnivorous.34
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