Zyzomys Temporal range: ? - Recent |
|
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The Central Rock Rat (Zyzomys pedunculatus) | |
Scientific classification | |
Kingdom: | Animalia |
Phylum: | Chordata |
Class: | Mammalia |
Order: | Rodentia |
Superfamily: | Muroidea |
Family: | Muridae |
Subfamily: | Murinae |
Genus: |
Zyzomys Thomas, 1909 |
Species | |
Zyzomys argurus |
Zyzomys argurus
Zyzomys maini
Zyzomys palatilis
Zyzomys pedunculatus
Zyzomys woodwardi
Zyzomys is a genus of rodents with unusually thick, long tails. Five species of the genus are known in Australia, where they are called rock rats or thick-tailed rats. They were discovered by Michael Rogers Oldfield Thomas in 1909.
There are five known species of rock-rat. The Central Rock Rat (Zyzomys pedunculatus) was once believed to be extinct until rediscovered in 1996.