Octodontidae is a family of small rodents restricted to southwestern South America. A member of this family is called an octodontid. Octodontids are medium-sized rodents, ranging from 12 to 20 centimetres (4.7 to 7.9 inches) in body length. They have long, silky fur, which is typically brownish in color and often paler on the underside. The name 'octodont' derives from the wear pattern of their teeth, which resembles a figure 8. Most are nocturnal, social, burrowing animals, though the degu is largely diurnal. They are herbivorous, eating tubers, bulbs, and cactuses.
There are 14 extant ochotonid species contained within 7 genera: Aconaemys (Andean rock rats), Spalacopus, Octodon (typical degus), Octodontomys, Octomys, Pipanacoctomys, and Tympanoctomys. Many extinct Octodontidae species have been discovered, with identification and classification of new discoveries still ongoing.
Conventions
Conservation status codes listed follow the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Red List of Threatened Species. Range maps are provided wherever possible; if a range map is not available, a description of the ochotonid's range is provided. Ranges are based on the IUCN Red List for that species unless otherwise noted. All extinct species or subspecies listed alongside extant species went extinct after 1500 CE, and are indicated by a dagger symbol "†".
Classification
The family Octodontidae consists of fourteen extant species in seven genera which are divided into several extant subspecies. This does not include hybrid species or extinct prehistoric species. The cladogram below is based on that produced by Kelt et al., 2007.
Family Octodontidae
Octodontids
The following classification is based on the taxonomy described by Mammal Species of the World (2005), with augmentation by generally accepted proposals made since using molecular phylogenetic analysis, as supported by both the IUCN and the American Society of Mammalogists.
References
Bibliography
