Guiara


Euryzygomatomys is a genus of South American rodents, commonly called guiaras, in the family Echimyidae. It contains two extant and one fossil species, found in Argentina, Brazil, and Paraguay. They are:

Etymology

The genus name Euryzygomatomys derives from the three Ancient Greek words , meaning "wide, or which extends in width", or , meaning "a part of the forehead or the zygomatic bone", and , meaning "mouse, rat".

Phylogeny

Euryzygomatomys is the sister genus to Clyomys. Both taxa are closely related to the genus Trinomys.
In turn, these three genera — forming the clade of Euryzygomatomyinae — share phylogenetic affinities with a clade containing Carterodon and members of the family Capromyidae.
Analyses of craniodental characters proposed that Euryzygomatomys — and also Clyomys — may be associated with Carterodon.
However, molecular data suggest the polyphyly of this assemblage of fossorial genera.