Rodentia

RodentiaBowdich, 1821

Accepted name, MR.284

"Rodentia is the largest order of living Mammalia, encompassing 2277 species as recognized herein, or approximately 42% of worldwide mammalian biodiversity. Following the mid-1900s era of uncritical application of the biological species concept and consequent obscuration of species richness, views on the size of the Order continue to appreciate substantially (1591 species—Corbet and Hill, 1980; 1719—Honacki et al., 1982; 1738—Corbet and Hill, 1986; 2015—Wilson and Reeder, 1993; 2277—this volume). Thus, ""a checklist of species"" considered valid is an appropriate taxonomic focus in the current work, as emphasized by its title and that of its predecessors (Honacki et al., 1982; Wilson and Reeder, 1993). In contrast to the period covered by the second edition (Wilson and Reeder, 1993), however, systematic research on Rodentia since 1993 has been equally as prolific, multifaceted, and informative at taxonomic levels above the species and requires introductory comment. Issues of monophyly,... [truncated]"

• Wilson, D and Reeder, D. (eds.) 2005. Mammal Species of the World. A Taxonomic and Geographic Reference. 3rd ed. -- 2142 pp. Johns Hopkins University Press.