Coryphomys

Superregnum: Eukaryota
Cladus: Opisthokonta
Regnum: Animalia
Subregnum: Eumetazoa
Cladus: Bilateria
Cladus: Nephrozoa
Cladus: Deuterostomia
Phylum: Chordata
Subphylum: Vertebrata
Infraphylum: Gnathostomata
Superclassis: Tetrapoda
Classis: Mammalia
Subclassis: Theria
Infraclassis: Placentalia
Ordo: Rodentia
Subordo: Myomorpha
Superfamilia: Muroidea
Familia: Muridae
Subfamilia: Murinae
Genus: †Coryphomys
Species: C. buehleri - C. musseri

Name

* Coryphomys Schaub, 1937

References

* Aplin, K.P.; Helgen, K.M. 2010: Quaternary murid rodents of Timor Part I: new material of Coryphomys buehleri Schaub, 1937, and description of a second species of the genus. Bulletin of the American Museum of Natural History, (341) doi: 10.1206/692.1

* Coryphomys on Mammal Species of the World.
Mammal Species of the World: A Taxonomic and Geographic Reference, 2 Volume Set edited by Don E. Wilson, DeeAnn M. Reeder

Type species: Coryphomys buhleri Schaub, 1937

Coryphomys is an extinct genus of rats, known from sub-fossils found on Timor. Species include Coryphomys buhleri and Coryphomys musseri.[1] Archaeological research on East Timor has revealed the bones of rats weighting up to 6 kilograms = 13.2 pounds when adult. They seem to have died out between 1000 and 2000 years ago, perhaps due to large-scale forest clearance for farming.

Its name is Greek for "top-of-the-head mouse" or "summit mouse".

External links

* http://io9.com/5596239/2000+year+old-giant-rat-was-forty-times-bigger-than-its-modern-relatives
* Archaeologists Discover Biggest Rat That Ever Lived: Weight of About 6 Kilograms (Over 13 Lb)
* http://news.discovery.com/animals/giant-rat-fossil-discovered.html
* Giant, dog-sized rat documented in East Timor
* http://www.neatorama.com/2010/07/26/skeleton-of-giant-rat-discovered/
* http://www.france24.com/en/20100727-giant-dog-sized-rat-documented-east-timor

References

1. ^ K. P. Aplin & K. M. Helgen (2010). "Quaternary murid rodents of Timor part I: new material of Coryphomys buehleri Schaub, 1937, and description of a second species of the genus". Bulletin of the American Museum of Natural History 341: 1–80. doi:10.1206/692.1.