Melasmothrix Miller and Hollister 1921

Wilson, Don E. & Reeder, DeeAnn, 2005, Order Rodentia - Family Muridae, Mammal Species of the World: a Taxonomic and Geographic Reference (3 rd Edition), Volume 2, Baltimore: The Johns Hopkins University Press, pp. 1189-1531 : 1373

Melasmothrix Miller and Hollister 1921

Melasmothrix Miller and Hollister 1921 , Proc. Biol. Soc. Wash., 34: 93.

Type Species: Melasmothrix naso Miller and Hollister 1921

Species and subspecies: 1 species:

Species Melasmothrix naso Miller and Hollister 1921

Discussion: Melasmothrix Division. Member of Sulawesian Old Endemics ( Musser, 1981 c). Closely related to Tateomys as judged by morphological, ecological, and spermatozoal characters ( Breed and Musser, 1991; Musser, 1982 c). Both genera are highly specialized diurnal ( Melasmothrix ) or nocturnal ( Tateomys ) vermivores whose phylogenetic affinities have yet to be determined. However, their molar occlusal patterns ( Musser, 1982 c) are somewhat specialized versions of those characterizing Miocene Progonomys like morphologies, and the shrew rats may have evolved from one of the earliest divergences from a Progonomys like stock.