Phyllomys is a genus of arboreal spiny rat, geographically restricted to the forests of eastern Brazil.
The etymology of the genus name derives from the two ancient greek words (), meaning "plant leaf", and (), meaning "mouse, rat".
Phylogeny Phyllomys is the sister genus to Echimys, and then to Makalata. These taxa are closely related to the genera Pattonomys and Toromys. In turn, these five genera share phylogenetic affinities with a clade containing the bamboo rats Dactylomys, Olallamys, Kannabateomys together with Diplomys and Santamartamys.
Systematics There are thirteen named species in the genus. These species have frequently been placed in the genus Echimys.
Phyllomys blainvilii – golden Atlantic tree-rat Phyllomys brasiliensis – orange-brown Atlantic tree-rat Phyllomys dasythrix – drab Atlantic tree-rat Phyllomys kerri – Kerr's Atlantic tree-rat Phyllomys lamarum – pallid Atlantic tree-rat Phyllomys lundi – Lund's Atlantic tree-rat Phyllomys mantiqueirensis – Mantiqueira Atlantic tree-rat Phyllomys medius – long-furred Atlantic tree-rat Phyllomys nigrispinus – black-spined Atlantic tree-rat Phyllomys pattoni – rusty-sided Atlantic tree-rat Phyllomys sulinus – Southern Atlantic tree-rat Phyllomys thomasi – giant Atlantic tree-rat Phyllomys unicolor – short-furred Atlantic tree-rat
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