Clyomys is a South American rodent genus in the family Echimyidae. It contains two species, found in tropical savannas and grasslands from circa 100 m (300 ft) to 1,100 m (3,600 ft) elevation in central Brazil and eastern Paraguay.

The term Clyomys derives from the two ancient Greek words κλύω (klúō, or clyo), meaning "to listen, to prick up one's ears", and μῦς (mûs), meaning "mouse, rat".

The Clyomys species are:

Phylogeny

Clyomys is the sister genus to Euryzygomatomys. Both taxa are closely related to the genus Trinomys. In turn, these three genera — forming the clade of Euryzygomatomyinae — share phylogenetic affinities with a clade containing Carterodon and members of the family Capromyidae.

Analyses of craniodental characters proposed that Clyomys — and also Euryzygomatomys — may be associated with Carterodon. However, molecular data suggest the polyphyly of this assemblage of fossorial genera.

Genus-level cladogram of the Euryzygomatomyinae with their relationship to Carterodon and Capromyidae.
Octodontoidea Euryzygomatomyinae Trinomys (Atlantic spiny rats) Clyomys Euryzygomatomys (guiaras) Carterodon (Owl's spiny rat) Capromyidae Plagiodontini Plagiodontia Capromyini Geocapromys Capromys (Desmarest's hutia) Mesocapromys Mysateles Fossorial genera
Octodontoidea Euryzygomatomyinae Trinomys (Atlantic spiny rats) Clyomys Euryzygomatomys (guiaras) Carterodon (Owl's spiny rat) Capromyidae Plagiodontini Plagiodontia Capromyini Geocapromys Capromys (Desmarest's hutia) Mesocapromys MysatelesFossorial genera
OctodontoideaEuryzygomatomyinae Trinomys (Atlantic spiny rats) Clyomys Euryzygomatomys (guiaras) Carterodon (Owl's spiny rat) Capromyidae Plagiodontini Plagiodontia Capromyini Geocapromys Capromys (Desmarest's hutia) Mesocapromys Mysateles
EuryzygomatomyinaeTrinomys (Atlantic spiny rats) Clyomys Euryzygomatomys (guiaras)
Trinomys (Atlantic spiny rats)
Clyomys Euryzygomatomys (guiaras)
Clyomys
Euryzygomatomys (guiaras)
Carterodon (Owl's spiny rat) Capromyidae Plagiodontini Plagiodontia Capromyini Geocapromys Capromys (Desmarest's hutia) Mesocapromys Mysateles
Carterodon (Owl's spiny rat)
CapromyidaePlagiodontini Plagiodontia Capromyini Geocapromys Capromys (Desmarest's hutia) Mesocapromys Mysateles
PlagiodontiniPlagiodontia
CapromyiniGeocapromys Capromys (Desmarest's hutia) Mesocapromys Mysateles
Geocapromys
Capromys (Desmarest's hutia) Mesocapromys Mysateles
Capromys (Desmarest's hutia)
Mesocapromys Mysateles
Mesocapromys
Mysateles
The cladogram has been reconstructed from mitochondrial and nuclear DNA characters. According to this phylogenetic tree, the fossorial genera Euryzygomatomys, Clyomys, and Carterodon constitute a polyphyletic assemblage (red bar).