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Caviomorpha:
Caviomorpha is the name for the rodent infraorder or parvorder that unites all South American hystricognaths. It is supported by both fossil and molecular evidence.
Caviomorph rodents underwent an explosive diversification upon arrival into South America. They managed to outcompete other animals in rodent-like niches such as certain South American marsupials. Retaining a predominantly herbivorous diet, they expanded their size range to encompass a range from rat-sized echimyids to the rhinoceros-sized Phoberomys. Meanwhile ecologies included burrowing gopher-like forms such as tuco-tucos, arboreal forms such as porcupines and certain spiny rats, running forms such as maras and aquatic forms such as the capybara and nutria. Habitats range from grasslands (maras), high mountains (chinchillas and chinchilla rats), forest edges (prehensile-tailed porcupines) and dense tropical forests (pacas and acouchis). Although many species of caviomorphs have migrated into Central America since the Great American Interchange, only a single species, the North American Porcupine has naturally colonized North America. The nutria has been introduced into North America and has proven a highly successful invasive species there. |
