Taxonomy
The currently accepted scientific name for the hispid cotton rat is Sigmodon hispidus Say and Ord. It is a member of the family Muridae subfamily Cricetidae. Although there are currently 25 accepted subspecies including the type subspecies, the most distinct genetic subdivision within S. hispidus separates the species into two genetic lineages, an eastern lineage and a western lineage, which hybridize along a contact zone.
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