Phiomorpha

family of mammals

burrowing rodent; one of only two known eusocial mammals

The blesmols, also known as mole-rats or African mole-rats, are burrowing rodents of the family Bathyergidae. They represent a distinct evolution of a subterranean life among rodents much like the pocket gophers of North America, the tuco-tucos in South America, and the Spalacidae from Eurasia.

Thryonomyidae is a family of hystricognath rodents that contains the cane rats (Thryonomys) found throughout sub-Saharan Africa, and a number of fossil genera.

The rodent parvorder or infraorder Phiomorpha comprises several living and extinct families found wholly or largely in Africa. Along with Anomaluromorpha and perhaps the extinct Zegdoumyidae, it represents one of the few early colonizations of Africa by rodents.

Petromuridae is a family of hystricognath rodents that contains the dassie rat (Petromus typicus) of southwestern Africa, the only extant member of this group.

The Phiomyidae are a family of prehistoric rodents from Africa and Eurasia. A 2011 study placed Gaudeamus in a new family, Gaudeamuridae.

Diamantomyidae is a family of extinct hystricognath rodents from Africa and Asia.