283.

Large Deermouse

Peromyscus grandis

French: Grand Péromyscus / German: GroRe Hirschmaus / Spanish: Raton ciervo grande

Other common names: Giant Deermouse

Taxonomy. Peromyscus grandis Goodwin, 1932, “Finca Concepcion [Alta Verapaz], Guatemala; 3750 feet elevation [= 1143 m].”

Peromyscus grandis is in the mexicanus species group. Monotypic.

Distribution. C Guatemala (between Tucuru and Purulha, Alta and Baja Verapaz departments, and Sierra de las Minas, Zacapa Department).

Descriptive notes. Head-body 132-165 mm, tail 142-160 mm, hindfoot 30-35 mm. No specific data are available for body weight. The Large Deermouse is one of the largest forms of Peromyscus and is exceeded in size only in the subgenus Megadontomys; it is about equalin size to the Chiapan Deermouse ( P. zarhynchus) but has darker and richer pelage, shorter molar toothrow, and other cranial differences. Dorsum is rich hazel, mixed with black; venter is dull white, strongly overlaid with pink-cinnamon especially in pectoral region. Feet are creamy white. Tail is unevenly bicolored, dusky above and blotched with white below.

Habitat. Mature cloud forests at altitudes of 1200-2700 m, most common along steep banks of streams and in low-lying areas with numerous tree ferns and mosses. Large Deermice have been collected in cloud forest dominated by broadleaf trees such as oaks ( Quercus crispifolia and Q. flagellifera, both Fagaceae, among others), wild avocado ( Persea schiedeana, Lauraceae), conifers, pines ( Pinus oocarpa, Pinaceae, and others), and podocarps ( Podocarpus guatemalensis, Podocarpaceae). In these areas, Large Deermice are mostly limited to mountain ridges and disturbed areas, a habitat characterized by emergent broad-leaved trees more than 30 m high; tree ferns ( Cyathea, Cyatheaceae) and palms ( Chamaedorea nubium, Arecaceae) are dominant understory plants. It is also known from secondary habitats.

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 Near Threatened on The IUCN Red List.

Bibliography. Goodwin (1932b), Hall (1981), Huckaby (1980), Matson et al. (2014), Musser & Carleton (2005), Ordonez-Garza, Matson et al. (2010), Ordoénez-Garza, Swier et al. (2013), Reid (1997).