Molecular
evidence suggests that
Rattus originated in the
Late Miocene and that it experienced an exceptionally rapid burst of diversification during the
Pleistocene epoch.
Fossil species In contrast to the large number of living species, as of 2024, just four fossil species have been placed in
Rattus proper: •
Rattus baoshanensis - Late
Pliocene China •
Rattus jaegeri - Late Pliocene to Early
Pleistocene Thailand •
Rattus pristinus - Early Pleistocene China •
Rattus miyakoensis - Late Pleistocene Japan ==References==