Glis (genus)

Glis Temporal range: Oligocene - Recent
European edible dormouse (Glis glis)
Scientific classification
Kingdom:	Animalia
Phylum:	Chordata
Class:	Mammalia
Order:	Rodentia
Family:	Gliridae
Subfamily:	Glirinae
Genus:	Glis Brisson, 1762
Species
Glis glis Glis persicus † † † † † † † † †

Glis is a genus of rodent that contains two extant species, both known as edible dormice or fat dormice: the European edible dormouse (Glis glis) and the Iranian edible dormouse (Glis persicus). It also contains a number of fossil species.^[1]

Evolution[]

The genus Glis originated in the mid-Oligocene. It did not become common until the Pliocene. Only one species, is known to have survived into the Pleistocene. This is probably likely the ancestor of the modern species, which appeared in the early to mid-Pleistocene.^[2]

One former species, Glis truyolsi, has been placed in the genus and it has been suggested that G. apertus, G. galitopouli, G. guerbuezi, G. major and G. transversus be moved there as well.^[3]

References[]