What is "sivacanthion"

Sivacanthion is an extinct genus of rodent from the Miocene of Pakistan. The build of Sivacanthion is very like that of a modern Old World porcupine, although details of the anatomy suggest that it is not a direct ancestor but a side branch of the family tree. The spines are modified hairs that act as a defensive mechanism. It belongs to a small group that are known in the Indian sub-continent - all the other phiomorphs are restricted to Africa.