What is "myomorpha"

Myomorpha \My`o*mor"pha\, n. pl. [NL., fr. Gr. my^s, myo`s, a mouse + morfh` form.] (Zo["o]l.) An extensive group of rodents which includes the rats, mice, jerboas, and many allied forms.

The suborder Myomorpha contains 1,137 species of mouse-like rodents, nearly a quarter of all mammal species. Included are mice, rats, gerbils, hamsters, lemmings and voles. They are grouped according to the structure of their jaws and molar teeth. Both their medial and lateral masseter muscles are displaced forward, making them adept at gnawing. The medial masseter muscle goes through the eye socket, a feature unique among mammals. Myomorphs are found worldwide (apart from Antarctica) in almost all land habitats. They are usually nocturnal seed-eaters.

Most myomorph species belong to the superfamily Muroidea: ( hamsters, voles, lemmings, true mice, true rats and gerbils).

• Superfamily Muroidea
  • Family Platacanthomyidae ( spiny dormice and Chinese pygmy dormice)
  • Family Spalacidae ( blind mole-rats and bamboo rats)
  • Family Calomyscidae ( mouse-like hamsters)
  • Family Nesomyidae ( Malagasy mice and rats and African climbing mice)
  • Family Cricetidae ( true hamsters, voles and lemmings)
  • Family Muridae ( true rats, true mice and gerbils)
• Superfamily Dipodoidea ( jerboas and jumping mice)
  • Family Dipodidae

Historically, the definition of the suborder Myomorpha has included one or both of:

• Superfamily Geomyoidea ( gophers and kangaroo rats)
  • Family Heteromyidae (kangaroo rats)
  • Family Geomyidae (gophers)
• Superfamily Gliroidea (true dormice)
  • Family Gliridae