188.

Allegheny Woodrat

Neotoma magister

French: Néotoma des Allegheny / German: Allegheny-Buschratte / Spanish: Rata de bosque de Allegheny

Other common names: Appalachian WWoodrat

Taxonomy. Neotoma magister Baird, 1858, Carlisle Bone Cave, Pennsylvania, USA.

Neotoma magister is considered by some authors a subspecies of N. floridanus, but genetic evidence resulted in N. magister being reinstated as a species. Monotypic.

Distribution. Appalachian region of NE USA from extreme S New York SW to extreme NE Alabama.

Descriptive notes. Head-body 164— 241 mm, tail 147-210 mm, ear 23-34 mm, hindfoot 35-46 mm; weight 282-403 g. The Allegheny Woodrat is one of the largest woodrat species. It is similar in morphology to the Eastern Woodrat (N. floridanus), except it is larger and has longer vibrissae. The Allegheny Woodratis distinguished from the Eastern Woodrat by presence of maxillovomerine notch. Dorsum varies from gray to brownish gray; venter is white. Tail is slightly haired and distinctly bicolored.

Habitat. Hardwood forests ( Acer, Sapindaceae; Betula, Betulaceae; and Fagus, Fagaceae) of the Appalachian Mountains. The Allegheny Woodrat is almost always associated with rocky habitats and steep slopes, ranging from ledges, crevices, boulderfields, cliff faces, or talus slopes.

Food and Feeding. Allegheny Woodrats consume a variety of woody plant species. They also eat a variety of nuts and fruits seasonally.

Breeding. Young Allegheny Woodrats are born in March—-October, with 2-3 litters/ year being common. Gestation lasts 30-36 days; litters have 1-4 young. Females can reproduce within their first year.

Activity patterns. Allegheny Woodrats are mainly nocturnal.

Movements, Home range and Social organization. Home ranges ofAllegheny Woodrats average 6-5 ha for males and 2-2 ha for females. They are typically territorial, especially in defending a middensite. Middens are placed in rock crevices and along ledges and typically are constructed from bark,sticks, twigs, grasses, and root material.

Status and Conservation. Classified as Near Threatened on The IUCN Red List.

Bibliography. Baird (1858), Castleberry, Ford et al. (2001), Castleberry, Wood et al. (2002), Edwards & Bradley (2001), Hayes & Harrison (1992).