726.

Andean Leaf-eared Mouse

Phyllotis andium

French: Phyllotis des Andes / German: Anden-Blattohrmaus / Spanish: Raton orejudo de los Andes

Other common names: Andean Pericote

Taxonomy. Phyllotis andium Thomas, 1912, “ Canar, [Canar,]| Ecuador. Alt. 2600 m.”

Current concept of P. andium includes two nominal forms based on Ecuadorean material, P. melanius and P. fruticicolus . Monotypic.

Distribution. W & E Andean slopes from C Ecuador to C Peru.

Descriptive notes. Head-body 107 mm, tail 101-136 mm, ear 20-25 mm, hindfoot 23-27 mm; weight 22-5-55 g. Dorsal pelage of the Andean Leaf-eared Mouse is dense, long (average 13 mm over rump), and neutral gray at base; band on dorsum is inconspicuous. Ventral pelage is whitish, with short gray basal band, followed by white band; pectoral streak is present but barely conspicuous. Auricular patch is inconspicuous. Genal, superciliary, submental, interramal, and mystacial vibrissae are present; mystacial vibrissae reach posterior borders of ears when bent backward. Tail is barely longer than head-body length and dimly bicolored, dark above and pale neutral gray below. Dorsal surface of manus is covered with fine white hair, and ungualtuft is present but not very dense. Metacarpal patch is absent. Pes is slender and elongated, with white hair on dorsal surface, scarce ungual tuft is scarce, and heel is furred. Six small plantar pads are present. Metatarsal patch is absent. Chromosomal complement is 2n = 64, FN = 72,

Habitat. Andean paramos and Andean subtropical forest, including primary and secondary habitat, cultivated areas, and pastoral areas at elevations of 870-4388 m.

Food and Feeding. The Andean Leaf-eared Mouse eats seeds, tender shoots, lichens, insects, and other arthropods.

Breeding. No information.

Activity patterns. The Andean Leaf-eared Mouse is terrestrial and nocturnal.

Movements, Home range and Social organization. No information.

Status and Conservation. Classified as Least Concern on The IUCN Red List. Importantly, as currently classified, the Andean Leaf-eared Mouse includes the Western Leafeared Mouse (P occidens), Pearson’s Leaf-eared Mouse ( P. pearsoni), and the Narrownasal Leafeared Mouse (P. stenops), so updated assessments are needed.

Bibliography. Hershkovitz (1962), Musser & Carleton (2005), Pacheco et al. (2014), Rengifo & Pacheco (2015, 2017), Steppan & Ramirez (2015), Steppan et al. (2007), Tirira (2007), Zeballos & Vivar (2016d).