453.

Large Bristly Mouse

Neacomys spinosus

French: Néacomys épineux / German: Borsten-Stachelreisratte / Spanish: Raton erizado grande

Other common names: Common Neacomys, Large Spiny Mouse

Taxonomy. Hesperomys (Calomys) spinosus Thomas, 1882, “Huambo ... 3700 feet in altitude [= 1128 m], on the banks of the river Huambo, a tributary of the Huallaga,” Amazonas, Peru.

This species is monotypic.

Distribution. S Maranon to N Huallaga rivers in Peru, including Amazonas, San Martin, and Huanuco departments.

Descriptive notes. Head-body 75-105 mm, tail 88-122 mm, ear 13-18 mm, hindfoot 19-27 mm; weight 15-35 g. The Large Bristly Mouse is large, with reddish brown dorsum; soft hairs are dark brown with reddish orange tips, spines are white with black tips, and flanks are reddish. Venteris white, with gray on basal one-half. Genal vibrissae extend beyond posterior margin of pinnae when bent; interramal vibrissae are inserted in a basal protuberance. Hairs of ungual manus tufts extend slightly beyond claws. Fifth digits on forefeet extend beyond second interphalangeal joint of fourth digit. Metacarpal patch between second and fourth digits is large, with dark scales. Hindfeet are thick and large, almost twice forefeet length, and have metatarsal patches. Plantar squamation is restricted to pad region. Tail is long, bicolored, black above, and covered with 1-2 scales; it is whitish below and covered by two scales; and terminal pencil has scarce long hairs. Chromosomal complement is 2n = 64, FN = 68.

Habitat. Peruvian mountain cloud forests, including boundary areas between forest and open spaces in lowland regions, areas with riverine vegetation, and sandy beaches at elevations of 1127-2375 m.

Food and Feeding. No information.

Breeding. No information.

Activity patterns. The Large Bristly Mouse is nocturnal, terrestrial, and probably a climber; some individuals were captured in traps placed in cane and shrubs above the ground.

Movements, Home range and Social organization. No information.

Status and Conservation. Classified as Least Concern on The IUCN Red List. Nevertheless, a reassessment of the Large Bristly Mouse is necessary because the Pleasant Bristly Mouse (N. amoenus) was included in this classification. The Large Bristly Mouse has been recognized as endemic to Peru, with distribution restricted to mountain cloud forests between the Maranon and Huallaga rivers.

Bibliography. Eisenberg & Redford (1999), Hurtado & Pacheco (2017), Musser & Carleton (2005), Pacheco et al. (2009), Patton, Catzeflis et al. (2016f), da Silva et al. (2015), Weksler & Bonvicino (2015a).