240.

Zacatecan Harvest Mouse

Reithrodontomys zacatecae

French: Souris-moissonneuse du Zacatecas / German: Zacateca-Erntemaus / Spanish: Raton espiguero de Zacatecas

Other common names: Zacatecas Harvest Mouse

Taxonomy. Reithrodontomys megalotis zacatecae Merriam, 1901, Sierra de Valparaiso, Zacatecus, Mexico.

Reithrodontomys zacatecae was originally described as a subspecies of R. megalotis . In 1952, it was proposed that it could represent a valid species, a contention supported by chromosomal studies and DNA sequences. Reithrodontomys zacatecae is in subgenus Reithrodontomys . Monotypic.

Distribution. Sierra Madre Occidental from W Chihuahua S to WC Michoacan states (W Mexico).

Descriptive notes. Head—body 61-70 mm, tail 67-87 mm, ear 13-18 mm, hindfoot 17-20 mm; weight 9-13 g. Dorsum of the Zacatecan Harvest Mouse is reddish brown, with dark stripe down mid-dorsal line. Pelage is grizzled similar to the Western Harvest Mouse ( R. megalotis) but more intense. Venteris paler than dorsum.

Habitat. Open grasslands in pine-oak forests at elevations of 1828-2590 m. The Zacatecan Harvest Mouse occurs at higher elevations than the Western Harvest Mouse, although they are often parapatric.

Food and Feeding. Probably similar to the Western Harvest Mouse.

Breeding. No information, but the Zacatecan Harvest Mouse is probably similar to the Western Harvest Mouse.

Activity patterns. Probably similar to the Western Harvest Mouse.

Movements, Home range and Social organization. Probably similar to the Western Harvest Mouse.

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

Bibliography. Anderson (1972), Baker & Greer (1962), Bell et al. (2001), Hood et al. (1984), Hooper (1952a), Matson & Baker (1986), Merriam (1901b), Sanchez (2014e).