Diversification rates in Ctenodactylidae (Rodentia, Mammalia) from Mongolia.

Gundis, or comb rats, are rodents of the family Ctenodactylidae. Extant gundis are restricted to Africa and represent a vestige of the diversity that the ctenodactylids attained at both palaeoecological and palaeobiogeographical levels. Here, we present an updated review of the Ctenodactylidae from the Valley of Lakes, Mongolia, based on the study of large collections now available. We have recognised 13 valid species of ctenodactylids grouped into five genera: , , , , and . The ctenodactylids show an initial burst in diversification in the early Oligocene followed by a sequential generic extinction of , , and . A maximum richness peak at the late Oligocene was followed by a profound diversity crisis. , the only surviving genus, persisted into the Miocene, joining three species. These last representatives of the group disappeared coinciding with the late Xiejian faunal reorganisation (Mongolian biozone D).