Platacanthomyidae

Platacanthomyidae is a small rodent family in the superfamily Muroidea, representing the earliest lineage to branch off within that superfamily according to molecular studies. It contains three genera, the extinct Neocometes and the living Platacanthomys, the spiny dormice, and Typhlomys, the Chinese pygmy dormice, for a total of three living species. Despite their common name these animals are not true dormice; they lack premolars and are distinguished by the shape of the infraorbital canal and multiple openings in the skull's palate. Platacanthomys occurs on the Indian subcontinent and Typhlomys in East Asia.