Sciuromorpha

E40306

Sciuromorpha is a rodent suborder that primarily includes squirrels and their close relatives, characterized by specialized jaw and skull adaptations for gnawing.


Statements (46)

Predicate Object
instanceOf rodent suborder
taxonomic group
characterizedBy sciuromorphous zygomasseteric system
specialized jaw musculature
specialized skull adaptations for gnawing
class Mammalia
commonName squirrel-like rodents
contains fossorial species
gliding species
ground-dwelling species
tree-dwelling species
diet granivorous
omnivorous in some species
primarily herbivorous
distinguishedFrom Hystricognathi
surface form: Hystricomorpha

Myomorpha
distribution worldwide except Antarctica
ecologicalRole ecosystem engineers
seed dispersers
gnawingAdaptation enlarged incisors
ever-growing incisors
hasCharacteristic diastema between incisors and cheek teeth
typically well-developed cheek pouches in some lineages
hasMember chipmunks
dormice
flying squirrels
marmots
mountain beaver
prairie dogs
squirrels
higherClassification Glires
Rodentia suborders
incisorCount one pair in each jaw
includes Aplodontiidae
Gliridae
Sciuridae
jawMusculatureType sciuromorphous
kingdom Animalia
masseterMuscleOrigin extends onto rostrum
order Rodentia
phylum Chordata
recognizedBy modern mammalian taxonomists
reproduction viviparous
superorder Euarchontoglires
taxonRank suborder
temporalRange Cenozoic

Referenced by (3)

Full triples — surface form annotated when it differs from this entity's canonical label.

Rodentia hasSuborder Sciuromorpha
Sciuridae suborder Sciuromorpha
Sciurillinae suborder Sciuromorpha