What is Geomyoidea?
{{Taxobox | name = Geomyoid rodents | fossil_range = Lower [[Eocene]] – Recent | image = kangaroo-rat.jpg | image_width = 250px | image_caption = [[Kangaroo rat]] | regnum = [[Animal]]ia | phylum = [[Chordata]] | classis = [[Mammal]]ia | ordo = [[Rodent]]ia | subordo = [[Castorimorpha]] | superfamilia = '''Geomyoidea''' | superfamilia_authority = Bonaparte, 1845 | subdivision_ranks = [[Family (biology)|Families]] | subdivision = †[[Eomyidae]] <br /> †[[Florentiamyidae]] <br /> [[Geomyidae]]<br /> [[Heteromyidae]] }} '''Geomyoidea''' is a superfamily of [[rodent]]s that contains the [[pocket gopher]]s ([[Geomyidae]]), the [[kangaroo rat]]s and mice ([[Heteromyidae]]), and their [[fossil]] relatives. == Characteristics == Although they do not look similar, gophers are joined with kangaroo rats into a common superfamily. This is widely agreed. Overall [[morphology (biology)|morphology]], the fossil record, [[sequence analysis]], and [[biogeography]] all support this relationship. Modern geomyoids are mostly restricted to North America, but some have extended their range into South America since the [[Great American Interchange]]. Fossil taxa are known from throughout [[Laurasia]]. == Relation to other rodents == Some authorities consider the geomyoids related to [[squirrel]]s, [[beaver]]s, and [[mountain beaver]]s. Other authorities consider geomyoids may be related to [[Muroidea|mice]], [[jerboa]]s, and perhaps [[dormouse|dormice]]. == References == *McKenna, Malcolm C. and Bell, Susan K. 1997. ''Classification of Mammals above the species level.'' Columbia University Press, New York. {{ISBN|0-231-11013-8}} [[Category:Geomyoid rodents]]