What causes the evolutionary distance between woodrats (Family Cricetidae) and the common house rat (Rattus rattus)?

Answer

They belong to different taxonomic families, Muridae and Cricetidae

The evolutionary distance between the woodrat genus *Neotoma* and the common house rat (*Rattus rattus*) stems from their placement in entirely separate families within the Order Rodentia. Woodrats, along with voles and hamsters, belong to the Family Cricetidae, which is characteristic of many New World rodents. In contrast, the common house rat belongs to the Family Muridae, which primarily encompasses Old World rats and mice. This separation occurred much earlier in their respective taxonomic histories. The development of similar traits, such as nest building or a rat-like appearance, between these groups is attributed to convergent evolution, meaning they developed these features independently due to similar ecological pressures rather than inheriting them from a recent shared ancestor.

What causes the evolutionary distance between woodrats (Family Cricetidae) and the common house rat (*Rattus rattus*)?

Related Questions

What characteristic uniquely identifies members of the Order Rodentia?What causes the evolutionary distance between woodrats (Family Cricetidae) and the common house rat (*Rattus rattus*)?How does the tail length of the Dusky Woodrat (*Neotoma cinerea*) typically compare to its head and body combined?Which species, *N. cinerea* or *N. floridana*, is defined by having a tail often noticeably shorter than the head and body length?What is the name given to the conspicuous, large stick nests built by members of the genus *Neotoma*?Besides possessing hair or fur, what other two key shared characteristics define the Class Mammalia?What geographic area does the species epithet *floridana* in *Neotoma floridana* reference?Which subfamily contains the genera *Neotoma* (woodrats) and *Peromyscus* (deer mice)?What is the general coloration described for the Dusky Woodrat, *Neotoma cinerea*?What evolutionary process explains why woodrats developed traits similar to Old World rats despite their earlier taxonomic separation?

taxonomy animal classification rodent woodrat