The term rock rat has been used for several different types of rodents: Members of the family Muridae: Zyzomys, an Australian genus in the subfamily Murinae Aethomys, an African genus in the subfamily Murinae Members of the family Nesomyidae: Petromyscus, a southwestern African genus in the subfamily Petromyscinae (though these are more frequently referred to as rock mice) Members of the family Octodontidae: Aconaemys, a genus in Argentina and Chile Members of the family Petromuridae: Petromus, an African genus often called dassie rats. Members of the family Diatomyidae: Laonastes, a genus from Laos See also Rat Rock (disambiguation)