Definition

Noun: - Family Muridae: A large taxonomic family of rodents, originally native to the Old World but now distributed worldwide. Members of this family are distinguished from the related family Cricetidae (which includes hamsters, voles, and New World rats and mice) by typically lacking cheek pouches. This family includes common rats and mice.

Usage Notes

• This is a scientific, taxonomic term used primarily in biology and zoology. It is not used in everyday conversation.
• It is always used as a singular collective noun (e.g., "The family Muridae is diverse").
• The word is often italicized in scientific writing: .

Examples of Usage

• Noun:
  • The house mouse and the brown rat both belong to the family Muridae.
  • Family Muridae is one of the most successful mammalian families in terms of species diversity and geographic range.
  • Researchers are studying the evolutionary history of the family Muridae.

Advanced Usage

• In taxonomic hierarchy: The term is used to specify a rank within biological classification (order Rodentia > suborder Myomorpha > superfamily Muroidea > family Muridae).
  • The superfamily Muroidea contains several families, including the family Muridae.

Variants and Related Words

• Murid (noun/adjective): A member of the family Muridae; of or relating to the family Muridae.
  • The museum has a collection of murid skeletons.
• Murine (adjective): Relating to or affecting mice or rats (often used more broadly than the strict taxonomic family).
  • Murine leukemia virus.

Synonyms

• Murids (when referring to members of the family collectively).
• Old World rats and mice (a common descriptive name, though the family now has a global distribution).

Related Phrases

• Member of the Muridae: A standard phrase to identify an organism's classification.
  • The gerbil is a member of the Muridae.

Noun

1. originally Old World rats now distributed worldwide; distinguished from the Cricetidae by typically lacking cheek pouches