Olallamys


Olallamys is a genus of Andean soft-furred spiny rat that range from Panama through Colombia and Venezuela to northern Ecuador. These species are typically found at elevations above.

Systematics

Olallamys is a taxonomic patronym honoring the Ecuadorian birds and mammals collector Carlos Olalla.
The genus Olallamys contains two species:

Phylogeny

Olallamys is a member of the Echimyini clade of arboreal Echimyidae rodents. The closest relative of Olallamys is Dactylomys, and then Kannabateomys. These South American bamboo rats share unique features and are grouped under the informal clade name of "Dactylomyines". The dactylomyines are the sister genera to Diplomys and Santamartamys. All these taxa are closely related to the genera Echimys, Phyllomys, Makalata, Pattonomys, and Toromys. In turn, these genera share phylogenetic affinities with the clade containing Lonchothrix and Mesomys, and with Isothrix.