What is Heteromyidae?
{{Automatic taxobox | name = Heteromyids | fossil_range = {{Fossil range|Early Miocene|Recent}} | image = Dipodomys nitratoides.jpg | image_caption = [[Fresno kangaroo rat]] (''Dipodomys nitratoides'') | taxon = Heteromyidae | authority = [[John Edward Gray|Gray]], 1868 | subdivision_ranks = Subfamilies | subdivision = [[Dipodomyinae]]<br/> [[Heteromyinae]]<br/> [[Perognathinae]] }} The family of [[rodent]]s that include [[kangaroo rat]]s, [[kangaroo mouse|kangaroo mice]] and [[pocket mouse|rock pocket mice]] is the '''Heteromyidae''' family. Most '''heteromyids''' live in complex burrows in the [[desert]]s and [[grassland]]s of western [[North America]]. Some species within the ''[[Heteromys]]'' and ''[[Liomys]]'' [[genus|genera]] are also found in [[forest]]s and can be found down as far as northern [[South America]]. They feed mostly on [[seed]]s and other plant parts, which they carry in their cheek pouches to their burrows. Although they are very different in physical appearance, the closest relatives of the heteromyids are [[pocket gopher]]s in the Geomyidae family. ==Taxonomy== *'''Family Heteromyidae''' **Subfamily [[Heteromyinae]] ***Genus ''[[Heteromys]]'' ***Genus ''[[Liomys]]'' **Subfamily [[Dipodomyinae]] - ''Kangaroo rats and mice'' ***Genus ''[[Dipodomys]]'' - ''Kangaroo rat'' ***Genus ''[[Microdipodops]]'' - ''Kangaroo mouse'' **Subfamily [[Perognathinae]] - ''Pocket mice'' ***Genus ''[[Perognathus]]'' - ''Silky pocket mouse'' ***Genus ''[[Chaetodipus]]'' - ''Pocket mouse'' (uncertain where to put it) ==References== *Alexander, L. F. and B. R. Riddle. 2005. Phylogenetics of the New World rodent family Heteromyidae. Journal of Mammalogy, 86:399-379. == Other websites == *http://animaldiversity.ummz.umich.edu/site/accounts/information/Heteromyidae.html [[Category:Geomyoid rodents]]