spiny rat

1. Any of certain caviomorph rodents of the family Echimyidae of Neotropical spiny rats, especially of genus Proechimys, that resemble rats and have stiff, pointed hairs, or spines.

2. Any of certain genera of family Muridae of rodents:

   Any member of two species of genus Rattus.

3. Any member of the species of genus Maxomys (sometimes considered a subgenus of Rattus).

4. A Ryukyu spiny rats (Tokudaia).

5. A Sulawesi spiny rats (Echiothrix).

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