Nephelomys information

Nephelomys
	Skull of the holotype of Nephelomys devius, a young adult female from Boquete, Panama.
Scientific classification
Domain:	Eukaryota
Kingdom:	Animalia
Phylum:	Chordata
Class:	Mammalia
Order:	Rodentia
Family:	Cricetidae
Subfamily:	Sigmodontinae
Tribe:	Oryzomyini
Genus:	Nephelomys; Weksler et al., 2006
Type species
	Hesperomys albigularis; Tomes, 1860
Species
	Nephelomys albigularis; Nephelomys auriventer; Nephelomys caracolus; Nephelomys childi; Nephelomys devius; Nephelomys keaysi; Nephelomys levipes; Nephelomys maculiventer; Nephelomys meridensis; Nephelomys moerex; Nephelomys nimbosus; Nephelomys pectoralis; Nephelomys pirrensis; Nephelomys ricardopalmai;

Nephelomys is a genus of South American oryzomyine rodents found in the Andes from Bolivia to Venezuela, with a westward extension into the mountains of Costa Rica.^[1] Its generic name is derived from the Ancient Greek word nephelê "mist", referring to the cloud forest habitat of the members of the genus.^[3]

The species in this genus have historically been placed in Oryzomys, but in 2006, Brazilian zoologist Marcelo Weksler and coworkers described it as a separate genus, because it is not closely related to the type species of Oryzomys.^[4] They are most closely related to other members of clade B, including Euryoryzomys, Transandinomys, Hylaeamys, Oecomys, and Handleyomys, with some weak evidence supporting a sister-group relationship to Transandinomys.^[5] Oryzomys appears in a different part of the oryzomyine evolutionary radiation, perhaps close to Holochilus and related genera.^[4]

Nephelomys species have yellowish- to reddish-brown upperparts, and they are variable in the coloration of the underparts, with some possessing light, nearly white, fur, which is separated from the color of the upperparts by an abrupt change in color, but others having ochraceous coloring which changes more gradually from the coloring on the back. Small patches of pure white fur may also be present on the underparts in some species. The ears are small, but the tail is long, and it is bicolored to a smaller or greater extent, depending on the species. Several pads are prominently present.^[6]

Weksler and coworkers provided detailed comparisons among Euryoryzomys, Hylaeamys, Nephelomys, and Transandinomys. Among those genera, Nephelomys is unique in its short ears; in the relatively long claw on the fifth digit of the hindfoot; and in that the anterocone, the major cusp located at the front of the upper first molar, is divided into two smaller cusps.^[7] The divided anterocone appears to be a synapomorphy of the genus.^[3] Additionally, Nephelomys species are larger than those in Transandinomys^[5] and they have additional roots on the lower first molar that Transandinomys species lack.^[3]

In 1961, all current Nephelomys species were classified under the single species Oryzomys albigularis, but subsequently, the distinctiveness of various others was recognized.^[8] In 2005, seven species were listed under the O. albigularis group.^[9] When Nephelomys was described as a separate species in 2006, six former synonyms were accorded specific status, so that a total of thirteen species are now recognized as valid.^[1]

^ ^a ^b ^c Weksler et al., 2006, p. 18
^ Bangs, 1902, p. 34
^ ^a ^b ^c Weksler et al., 2006, p. 21
^ ^a ^b Weksler, 2006
^ ^a ^b Weksler et al., 2006, p. 20
^ Weksler et al., 2006, pp. 18–19
^ Weksler et al., 2006, table 3
^ Musser and Carleton, 2005, p. 1145
^ Musser and Carleton, 2005, p. 1144

[W18-1] Weksler et al., 2006, p. 18

[2] Bangs, 1902, p. 34

[W21-3] Weksler et al., 2006, p. 21

[W06-4] Weksler, 2006

[W20-5] Weksler et al., 2006, p. 20

[6] Weksler et al., 2006, pp. 18–19

[7] Weksler et al., 2006, table 3

[8] Musser and Carleton, 2005, p. 1145

[9] Musser and Carleton, 2005, p. 1144

Nephelomys information

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Nephelomys

Nephelomys ricardopalmai

Nephelomys pirrensis

List of rodents

Oldfield Thomas

Nephelomys maculiventer

Nephelomys childi

Sigmodontinae

Nephelomys caracolus

Nephelomys pectoralis

Nephelomys auriventer

Nephelomys levipes

Nephelomys albigularis

Nephelomys moerex

Nephelomys keaysi

Nephelomys meridensis

Nephelomys nimbosus

Nephelomys devius

List of mammals of South America

Tomes

List of mammal genera

List of mammals of Peru

Sphenopalatine vacuities

List of mammals of Central America

Oryzomys dimidiatus

List of mammals of North America

Oryzomys nelsoni

Marsh rice rat

Nephelomys

Skull of the holotype of Nephelomys devius, a young adult female from Boquete, Panama.^[2]
Scientific classification
Domain:	Eukaryota
Kingdom:	Animalia
Phylum:	Chordata
Class:	Mammalia
Order:	Rodentia
Family:	Cricetidae
Subfamily:	Sigmodontinae
Tribe:	Oryzomyini
Genus:	Nephelomys Weksler et al., 2006
Type species
Hesperomys albigularis Tomes, 1860
Species^[1]
Nephelomys albigularis Nephelomys auriventer Nephelomys caracolus Nephelomys childi Nephelomys devius Nephelomys keaysi Nephelomys levipes Nephelomys maculiventer Nephelomys meridensis Nephelomys moerex Nephelomys nimbosus Nephelomys pectoralis Nephelomys pirrensis Nephelomys ricardopalmai