Petromyscus
Encyclopedia
Petromyscus is a genus of rodent
Rodent
Rodentia is an order of mammals also known as rodents, characterised by two continuously growing incisors in the upper and lower jaws which must be kept short by gnawing....

 in the family Nesomyidae
Nesomyidae
Nesomyidae is a family of African rodents in the large and complex superfamily Muroidea. It includes several subfamilies, all of which are native to either continental Africa or to Madagascar...

. It is so distinct from other rodents that it is placed as the only genus in subfamily Petromyscinae. In previous classifications, Delanymys brooksi, has also been placed in the subfamily. They are found in southwestern Africa
Africa
Africa is the world's second largest and second most populous continent, after Asia. At about 30.2 million km² including adjacent islands, it covers 6% of the Earth's total surface area and 20.4% of the total land area...

. These animals have a sharp lower point to their V-shaped infraorbital canal. Their molars are intermediate between the ancestral cricetid style tooth and the dendromurine style tooth.

The genus contains the following species:
  • Barbour's Rock Mouse
    Barbour's Rock Mouse
    Barbour's Rock Mouse is a species of rodent in the Nesomyidae family.It is found only in South Africa.Its natural habitats are subtropical or tropical dry shrubland and rocky areas.It is threatened by habitat loss....

     (Petromyscus barbouri)
  • Pygmy Rock Mouse
    Pygmy Rock Mouse
    The Pygmy Rock Mouse is a species of rodent in the Nesomyidae family.It is found in Angola, Namibia, and South Africa.Its natural habitat is subtropical or tropical dry shrubland.-References:...

     (Petromyscus collinus)
  • Brukkaros Pygmy Rock Mouse
    Brukkaros Pygmy Rock Mouse
    The Brukkaros Pygmy Rock Mouse is a species of rodent in the Nesomyidae family.It is found in Namibia and South Africa.Its natural habitat is subtropical or tropical dry shrubland.-References:...

     (Petromyscus monticularis)
  • Shortridge's Rock Mouse
    Shortridge's Rock Mouse
    Shortridge's Rock Mouse is a species of rodent in the Nesomyidae family.It is found in Angola and Namibia.Its natural habitat is subtropical or tropical dry shrubland.-References:...

    (Petromyscus shortridgei)
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