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.