Genus of mammals belonging to the spiny rat family of rodents
Phyllomys is a genus of arboreal spiny rat, geographically restricted to the forests of eastern Brazil.
The etymology of the genus name derives from the two ancient greek words (), meaning "plant leaf", and (), meaning "mouse, rat".
Phylogeny.
"Phyllomys" is the sister genus to "Echimys", and then to "Makalata". These taxa are closely related to the genera "Pattonomys" and "Toromys".
In turn, these five genera share phylogenetic affinities with a clade containing the bamboo rats "Dactylomys", "Olallamys", "Kannabateomys" together with "Diplomys" and "Santamartamys".
Systematics.
There are thirteen named species in the genus. These species have frequently been placed in the genus "Echimys".
References.
 ;templatestyles src="Reflist/styles.css" / ;