Thryonomyidae is a family of hystricognath rodents that contains the cane rats (Thryonomys) found throughout sub-Saharan Africa, and a number of fossil genera.

Taxonomy

Thryonomyidae was formerly more diverse and widespread, with fossil relatives found in India and Arabia as well. The extinct genus Sacaresia from the island of Mallorca off Spain may also be a member of this family, though its position remains uncertain.

Genus †Epiphiomys

• †Epiphiomys coryndoni

Genus †Gaudeamus

• †Gaudeamus aegyptius

Genus †Kochalia

• †Kochalia geespei

Genus †Monamys

• †Monamys simonsi

Genus †Neosciuromys

• †Neosciuromys africanus

Genus †Paraphiomys

• †Paraphiomys afarensis

• †Paraphiomys hopwoodi

• †Paraphiomys knolli

• †Paraphiomys occidentalis

• †Paraphiomys orangeus

• †Paraphiomys pigotti

• †Paraphiomys renelavocati

• †Paraphiomys shipmani

Genus †Paraulacodus

• †Paraulacodus indicus

• †Paraulacodus johanesi

Genus †Protohummus

• †Protohummus dango

Genus †Sacaresia?

• †Sacaresia moyaeponsi

Genus Thryonomys

• Thryonomys gregorianus

• Thryonomys swinderianus

• †Thryonomys asakomae

Former fossil members of the family include the genus Apodecter and two species of Paraphiomys (australis and roessneri), which have now been transferred to the related Petromuridae.

References