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Friendly Leaf-eared Mouse

Phyllotis amicus

French: Phyllotis familier / German: Freundliche Blattohrmaus / Spanish: Raton orejudo amigable

Other common names: Peruvian Pericote

Taxonomy. Phyllotis amicus Thomas, 1900, “Tolon, coast district, Province Cajamarca, N.W. Peru. Altitude 100 m. ” Three subspecies are recognized.

Subspecies and Distribution.

P a. amicus Thomas, 1900 — Andean foothills from NW to SW Peru.

P. a. maritimus Thomas, 1900 — known only from the type locality in P.a. Province, WC Peru, at an elevation of 1200 m.

P a. montanus Thomas, 1900 — W Andean slopes in La Libertad and Ancash departments.

Descriptive notes. Head-body 80-85 mm, tail 100-105 mm, ear 19-25 mm, hindfoot 22-23 mm; weight 18-28 g. Dorsum of the Friendly Leaf-eared Mouse is brown, and venteris white. Ears are usually longer than hindfeet. Northernmost coastal specimens are small and brightly colored; those inland and from the south, even along coast, are larger and duller. Interorbital region is broad and flat, frequently with square or sharp edges; upper incisors are opisthodont; molar tooth rows are short (3-5—4-2 mm); and auditory bullae are large and globular. Diploid number is 2n = 38, based on individuals from Huancavelica Region.

Habitat. Arid desert, Tillandsia (Bromeliaceae) desert, and lomas, with rocky formations with sparse cacti, and dry washes from sea levelto elevations of ¢.2800 m.

Food and Feeding. The Friendly Leaf-eared Mouse eats plants, insects, and seeds.

Breeding. Friendly Leaf-eared Mouse breed year-round. Gestation averaged 24 days; captive litters had 1-3 young.

Activity patterns. The Friendly Leaf-eared Mouse is nocturnal.

Movements, Home range and Social organization. Populations of Friendly Leaf-eared Mice have low densities and high dispersal capabilities in harsh environments. Movement distances from six individuals in Lomas de Lachay National Reserve (Lima) averaged 44-5 m.

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

Bibliography. Arana et al. (2002), Correa & Davalos (2015), Eisenberg & Redford (1999), Musser & Carleton (2005), Pearson (1958, 1972), Pizzimenti & de Salle (1980), Rengifo & Pacheco (2017), Steppan & Ramirez (2015), Thomas (1900c), Zeballos & Vivar (2016c), Zeballos et al. (2001).