Order Rodentia - Family Muridae Author Wilson, Don E. Author Reeder, DeeAnn text 2005 The Johns Hopkins University Press Baltimore Mammal Species of the World: a Taxonomic and Geographic Reference (3 rd Edition), Volume 2 1189 1531 book chapter 0-8018-8221-4 10.5281/zenodo.7316535 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.