184.

Magdalena Woodrat

Xenomys nelsoni

French: Néotoma du Colima / German: Magdalena-Ratte / Spanish: Rata de bosque de Magdalena

Other common names: Magdalena Rat

Taxonomy. Xenomys nelsoni Merriam, 1892, between [cities of] Ciudad Colima and Manzanillo, Hacienda Magdalena, Colima, Mexico .

This species is monotypic.

Distribution. Coastal areas of Jalisco and Colima states (W Mexico).

Descriptive notes. Head-body 157-1656 mm, tail 143-170 mm, ear 22 mm, hindfoot 30-32 mm; weight 90-130 g. The Magdalena Woodrat is similar to other species of woodrats. Upperparts are fulvous or tawny, with dorsum interspersed with blacktipped hairs. Belly is creamy white to mid-dorsal line where hairs become plumbeous at bases. Tail is unicolored (umber brown). Skull is similar to other species of woodrats, but auditory bullae are greatly enlarged. Occlusal surfaces of M, are S-shaped as in Allen’s Woodrat ( Hodomys alleni).

Habitat. Coastal lowlands of tropical deciduous and semideciduous forests characterized by strong climatic seasonality at elevations ranging from sea level to elevations of 450 m. The Magdalena Woodrat is present in habitats with closed canopies and high densities of trees and woody vines that are used as arboreal runaways.

Food and Feeding. No information.

Breeding. Reproductive activity of the Magdalena Woodrat occurs late in the dry season and during rainy season from late May through November. Pregnant females were captured in August-September, and females with offspring were captured in May and August. Meanlitter size was 1-6. One female had two embryos, and another had one embryo.

Activity patterns. The Magdalena Woodrat is arboreal and nocturnal. It is active 1-1-5 hours after dusk until midnight.

Movements, Home range and Social organization. No information.

Status and Conservation. Classified as Endangered on The IUCN Red List. The endemic Magdalena Woodrat is protected in Mexico and rarely encountered. It is restricted to a narrow habitat in coastal lowlands. It is threatened by habitat fragmentation and loss due to deforestation for banana plantations and development for tourism. The Magdalena Woodrat is found in Chamela-Cuixmala Biosphere Reserve, Jalisco.

Bibliography. Ceballos (2014e), Ceballos & Miranda (2000), Merriam (1892b), Schaldach (1960).

Say & Ord, 1825