In Depth Erlianomys is a genus of myodont rodent that lived in Mongolia during the Eocene. Further Reading - Erlianomys combinatus, a primitive myodont rodent from the Eocene Arshanto Formation, Nuhetingboerhe, Nei Mongol, China. - Vertebrata PalAsiatica 48 (2): 133–144. - Q. Li & J. Meng - 2010.
In Depth Telicomys is a genus of very large rodent that lived in Brazil during the Miocene. At a glance, Telicomys looks very similar to genera such as Phoberomys, Josephoartigasia which also lived in South America, though a little bit after Telicomys disappeared. All of these genera are perceived to have had a similar ecological … Read more
In Depth Castoroides is another example of how back in the Pleistocene animals were just bigger than they were today. Also known as the ‘giant beaver’, Castoroides is not just the largest beaver that we currently know about, but it is the largest rodent known to have ever lived on the North American continent. At … Read more
In Depth Guiomys is a genus of caviomorph rodent that lived in South America during the Miocene. As a caviomorph mammal, Guiomys is related to modern day capybaras, chinchillas and guinea pigs. Further Reading - A new rodent (Cavioidea, Hystricognathi) from the middle Miocene of Patagonia, mandibular homologies, and the origin of the crown group … Read more
In Depth Canaanimys is one of the earliest known occurrences of the Caviomorpha, a group of rodent mammals that is best known today for including chinchillas and guinea pigs. Another genus from the same formation and named in the same year as Canaanimys is Cachiyacuy. Further Reading - Middle Eocene rodents from Peruvian Amazonia reveal … Read more
In Depth The description of an almost complete Phoberomys pattersoni in 2000 led to worldwide headlines of Ratzilla (after the Japanese kaiju Godzilla). These rare remains allowed for one of the most accurate size estimates of this genus which led to it being considered as one of the largest rodents ever to live, although despite … Read more
In Depth Omoiosicista is a genus of dipodid mammal that lived in Inner Mongolia during the Miocene. Dipodid mammals are today known as jumping mice because these rodents are capable of hopping and jumping while standing on just the hind feet. Further Reading - New material of dipodid rodents (Dipodidae, Rodentia) from the early Miocene … Read more
In Depth Kabirmys is a genus of rodent that lived in Egypt during the Eocene. Further Reading - A large-bodied anomaluroid rodent from the earliest late Eocene of Egypt: phylogenetic and biogeographic implications. - Journal of Vertebrate Paleontology 30(5):1579-1593. - H. M. Sallam, E. R. Seiffert, E. L. Simons & C. Brindley - 2010.
In Depth Originally named as an extinct species of the extant genus Holochilus, Reigomys was a Pleistocene aged relative of modern day marsh rats that live in South America. Further Reading - A new species of Holochilus (Rodentia: Sigmodontinae) from the Middle Pleistocene of Bolivia and its phylogenetic significance (subscription required). - Journal of Vertebrate … Read more
In Depth Palaeocastor is most famous for the elaborate spiral burrows (popularly known as devil’s corkscrews) that it actually dug out using its teeth instead of its claws. These burrows were discovered long before the first specimen of Palaeocastor was identified, and had previously been interpreted as being the fossilised remains of aquatic sponges or … Read more