544.

Ecuadorean Akodont

Necromys punctulatus

French: Akodon pointillé / German: Ekuador-Graslandmaus / Spanish: Raton cavador de Ecuador

Other common names: Spotted Bolo Mouse

Taxonomy. Acodon punctulatus Thomas, 1894, “ Ecuador (probably Pallatanga).”

Taxonomy of N. punctulatus is uncertain; affinities of punctulatus with lasiurus, amoenus, and urichi should be revaluated. Monotypic.

Distribution. Known from a few specimens collected in the Andes of C Colombia and W Ecuador.

Descriptive notes. Head-body c.132 mm, tail ¢.71 mm, hindfoot 22 mm. No specific data are available for body weight. Species of Necromys are generalized akodontines in external morphology, with heavy bodies, medium-sized eyes and ears, short limbs and tails, and unspecialized forefeet and hindfeet that cause them to be easily confused with several species of Akodon . Tail length is always shorter than head-body length. Hindfeet in Necromys are relatively narrower than in any species of Akodon, and fifth digits are much shorter in relation to fourth digits. Claws of forefeet and hindfeet are usually large and curved. The Ecuadorean Akodont is a medium-sized species of Necromys, with short molar toothrow. Dorsum is black,finely lined with gray and yellow; cheeks, sides of neck, and flanks are olive; and underparts are dirty yellowish white. Ears are brown, small, and well-haired; tail is short and bicolored. Manus and pes are brownish white above.

Habitat. No information.

Food and Feeding. No information.

Breeding. No information.

Activity patterns. No information.

Movements, Home range and Social organization. No information.

Status and Conservation. Classified as Data Deficient on The IUCN Red List. Exact localities and distrinutional limits of the Ecuadorean Akodont need clarification before conservation assessmentis possible.

Bibliography. Pardinas, Teta, Ortiz et al. (2015), Thomas (1894, 1900d), Tirira, Boada, Weksler, Anderson & Goémez-Laverde (2008), Voss (1991b).