Aplodontiidae

/ˌæpləˌdɑnˈtiaɪdi/ noun

Definition

The family of rodents that includes the mountain beaver or aplodontia, a primitive mammal group.

Etymology

From 'aplodontia' + the Linnaean family suffix '-idae'. The taxonomic family classification created to group these unique rodents together.

Kelly Says

Aplodontiidae is a 'living fossil' family—these creatures are the last survivors of a group that once had dozens of species spread across the Northern Hemisphere, making them zoological treasures!

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