269.

Plateau Deermouse

Peromyscus melanophrys

French: Péromyscus des plateaux / German: Plateau-Hirschmaus / Spanish: Ratén ciervo de altiplano

Other common names: Plateau Mouse

Taxonomy. Hesperomys (Vesperimus) melanophrys Coues, 1874, Santa Efigenia, Oaxaca, Mexico.

Peromyscus melanophrys is in the melanophrys species group. Six subspecies recognized.

Subspecies and Distribution.

P.m.melanophrysCoues,1874—fromDistritoFederalandPueblaSEtoChiapas,Mexico.

P.m.coahwiliensisBaker,1952—SCoahuilaandSWNuevoLeon,Mexico.

P.m.consobrinusOsgood,1904—fromZacatecasandSanLuisPotosiStoCGuanajuato,Mexico.

P.m.micropusBaker,1952—ENayarit,extremeSWZacatecas,andCJalisco,Mexico.

P.m.xenurusOsgood,1904—SEDurangoandSWCoahuilaSintoNZacatecas,Mexico.

P. m. zamorae Osgood, 1904 — SE Jalisco, S Guanajauto, Querétaro, and W Hidalgo S to N Michoacan, Mexico.

Descriptive notes. Head-body 73-120 mm,tail 112-172 mm, ear 11-32 mm, hindfoot 24-30 mm; weight 26-58 g. The Plateau Deermouse is one of the largest species of Peromyscus, with dorsal pelage varying from ocherous to gray, brown, yellowish, or cinnamon. Variation in coloris related to substrate on which they live, being darker where dark volcanic soils are present. Venter is cream white, with plumbeous hairs showing through. Feet are white. Tail is bicolored and extremely long. Supraorbital angle is well-defined and has a smooth dorsal arch, temporal region is large, nasals are parallel, and bullae are smaller than in members of the true: species group but larger than in members of the mexicanus species group.

Habitat. Xeric scrublands, thorn forests, grasslands, and chaparral habitats at elevations of 50-2700 m. Typically, Plateau Deermice prefer interphase of arid and temperate regions dominated by yucca, cholla, cacti, ocotillo, prickly pear, and mesquite; however, they have been found in tropical valleys and coniferous forests. They prefer rocky soils and build their nests at bases of plants.

Food and Feeding. Plateau Deermice are granivores and eat seeds of many plant species.

Breeding. Reproduction occurs in February-March and June-October. Litters have 2-5 young.

Activity patterns. The Plateau Deermouse is presumably nocturnal.

Movements, Home range and Social organization. No information.

Status and Conservation. Classified as Least Concern on The IUCN Red List.

Bibliography. Alvarez (1963a), Aragon (2014), Baker (1956, 1960), Baker & Greer (1962), Baker et al. (1981), Bradley et al. (2007), Dalquest (1953), Hall (1981), Jones & Webster (1977), Matson & Baker (1986), Musser & Carleton (2005), Petersen & Petersen (1979), Ramirez-Pulido et al. (1983), Winkelmann (1962).