Key to subfamilies of family Muridae

1 Dorsum is partially covered by spiny hairs................................................. Subfamily Deomyinae

- Dorsum is not partially covered by spiny hair, most with smooth hair............................................. 2

2 Tail hairy and terminates with a tuft of various shape and size (Figure 24A)...................... Subfamily Gerbillinae

- Tail with few hairs, and have annuli, tail without a tuft. (Figure 24B).............................. Subfamily Murinae