Giant Atlantic tree-rat (Phyllomys thomasi) at Ilhabela-SP, Brasil
Giant Atlantic tree-rat (Phyllomys thomasi) at Ilhabela-SP, Brasil

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 φύλλον (phúllon), meaning "plant leaf", and μῦς (mûs), 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.

Genus-level cladogram of the Echimyini.
Echimyini Isothrix "Eumysopines" Lonchothrix (Tuft-tailed spiny tree-rat) Mesomys Pattonomys Toromys (Giant tree-rat) Makalata Echimys Phyllomys Diplomys Santamartamys (Red-crested tree-rat) "Dactylomyines" Kannabateomys (Atlantic bamboo rat) Dactylomys Olallamys
EchimyiniIsothrix "Eumysopines" Lonchothrix (Tuft-tailed spiny tree-rat) Mesomys Pattonomys Toromys (Giant tree-rat) Makalata Echimys Phyllomys Diplomys Santamartamys (Red-crested tree-rat) "Dactylomyines" Kannabateomys (Atlantic bamboo rat) Dactylomys Olallamys
Isothrix
"Eumysopines" Lonchothrix (Tuft-tailed spiny tree-rat) Mesomys Pattonomys Toromys (Giant tree-rat) Makalata Echimys Phyllomys Diplomys Santamartamys (Red-crested tree-rat) "Dactylomyines" Kannabateomys (Atlantic bamboo rat) Dactylomys Olallamys
"Eumysopines"Lonchothrix (Tuft-tailed spiny tree-rat) Mesomys
Lonchothrix (Tuft-tailed spiny tree-rat)
Mesomys
Pattonomys Toromys (Giant tree-rat) Makalata Echimys Phyllomys Diplomys Santamartamys (Red-crested tree-rat) "Dactylomyines" Kannabateomys (Atlantic bamboo rat) Dactylomys Olallamys
Pattonomys Toromys (Giant tree-rat) Makalata Echimys Phyllomys
Pattonomys Toromys (Giant tree-rat)
Pattonomys
Toromys (Giant tree-rat)
Makalata Echimys Phyllomys
Makalata
Echimys Phyllomys
Echimys
Phyllomys
Diplomys Santamartamys (Red-crested tree-rat) "Dactylomyines" Kannabateomys (Atlantic bamboo rat) Dactylomys Olallamys
Diplomys Santamartamys (Red-crested tree-rat)
Diplomys
Santamartamys (Red-crested tree-rat)
"Dactylomyines"Kannabateomys (Atlantic bamboo rat) Dactylomys Olallamys
Kannabateomys (Atlantic bamboo rat)
Dactylomys Olallamys
Dactylomys
Olallamys
The cladogram has been reconstructed from mitochondrial and nuclear DNA characters.

Systematics

There are thirteen named species in the genus. These species have frequently been placed in the genus Echimys.