Melasmothrix Miller and Hollister 1921

Melasmothrix Miller and Hollister 1921, Proc. Biol. Soc. Wash., 34: 93.

Type Species: Melasmothrix naso Miller and Hollister 1921

Species and subspecies: 1 species:

Species Melasmothrix naso Miller and Hollister 1921

Discussion: Melasmothrix Division. Member of Sulawesian Old Endemics (Musser, 1981 c). Closely related to Tateomys as judged by morphological, ecological, and spermatozoal characters (Breed and Musser, 1991; Musser, 1982 c). Both genera are highly specialized diurnal ( Melasmothrix) or nocturnal ( Tateomys) vermivores whose phylogenetic affinities have yet to be determined. However, their molar occlusal patterns (Musser, 1982 c) are somewhat specialized versions of those characterizing Miocene Progonomys like morphologies, and the shrew rats may have evolved from one of the earliest divergences from a Progonomys like stock.