What is Deomyinae?
{{Taxobox | name = Deomyines | fossil_range = Early [[Pliocene]] - Recent | image = Sinaistachelmaus.jpg | image_width = 250px | image_caption = ''[[Acomys cahirinus]]'' | regnum = [[Animal]]ia | phylum = [[Chordata]] | classis = [[Mammal]]ia | ordo = [[Rodent]]ia | superfamilia = [[Muroidea]] | familia = [[Muridae]] | subfamilia = '''Deomyinae''' | subfamilia_authority = Thomas, 1888 | subdivision_ranks = [[Genus|Genera]] | subdivision = ''[[Acomys]]'' <br /> ''[[Deomys]]'' <br /> ''[[Lophuromys]]'' <br /> ''[[Uranomys]]'' }} The [[subfamily]] '''Deomyinae''' consists of four genera of [[mouse]]-like [[rodent]]s. These were placed in the subfamilies [[Murinae]] and [[Dendromurinae]] until very recently. They are sometimes called '''Acomyinae''', particularly in references that predate the discovery that the link rat, ''[[Deomys ferugineus]]'', is part of the [[clade]]. Deomyinae is the older and more appropriate name. Deomyines share no [[morphology (biology)|morphological]] characteristics that can be used to separate them from other [[Muroidea|muroids]]. Subtle aspects of the third upper [[Molar (tooth)|molar]] have been suggested, though. This [[subfamily]] is united solely on the basis of shared [[genetics|genetic]] mutations. These conclusions have demonstrated good [[statistics|statistical]] support using nuclear and [[mitochondrial DNA|mitochondrial]] [[DNA]], as well as [[DNA-DNA hybridization]]. Because of the lack of physical characteristics that supportthis group, it is very possible that the [[subfamily]] as it is currently recognized could grow bigger. Many of the [[genus|genera]] currently placed in [[Murinae]] or [[Dendromurinae]] have never been included in a [[molecular phylogeny|molecular phylogenetic]] analysis. There are potential surprises awaiting when they are. All genera are found in [[Africa]], suggesting the deomyines may have originated there. The spiny mice, ''[[Acomys]]'' spp. are also found in [[Asia]]. There are currently 4 genera and 36 species included in the Deomyina