746.

Tapecua Leaf-eared Mouse

Tapecomys primus

French: Phyllotis de Tapecua / German: Tapecua-Blattohrmaus / Spanish: Ratén orejudo de Tapecua

Other common names: Primordial Tapecua

Taxonomy. Tapecomys primus S. Anderson & Yates, 2000, Tapecua, 1500 m, Tarija, Bolivia.

Tapecomys primus is the type species of the genus. Monotypic.

Distribution. Extreme S Bolivia (Tarija Department) and NW Argentina (Jujuy Province).

Descriptive notes. Head-body 124-155 mm, tail 143-157 mm, ear 25-27 mm, hindfoot 32-5-35 mm; weight 49-95 ¢ (mean 79 g). See general characters of the genus under Wolffsohn’s Leaf-eared Mouse (T" wolffsohni) account. The Tapecua Leaf-eared Mouse is larger than Wolffsohn’s Leafeared Mouse, with tail longer than head-body length and absolutely larger hindfeet. Pelage is brownish agouti overall, only slightly paler and with ocherous hue on venter. In contrast, tail is strongly bicolored. Manus is white on dorsal surface; pes has darker hairs at bases of toes but paler more proximally. Chromosomal complementis 2n = 56, FN = 76.

Habitat. Lower Yungas forests at elevations ranging of 1200-1500 m.

Food and Feeding. No information.

Breeding. No information.

Activity patterns. The Tapecua Leaf-eared Mouse is nocturnal. Large hindfeet, long tail, and general habitat associated with it suggest thatit could be somewhat arboreal.

Movements, Home range and Social organization. No information.

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

Bibliography. Barquez, Ferro & Sanchez et al. (2006), Diaz et al. (2009), Dunnum, Bernal & Patterson (2008), Pardinas, Teta & Salazar-Bravo (2015b), Salazar-Bravo (2015e).