277.

Naked-eared Deermouse

Peromyscus gymnotis

French: Péromyscus a oreilles nues / German: NacktohrHirschmaus / Spanish: Raton ciervo de orejas desnudas

Taxonomy. Peromyscus gymnotis Thomas, 1894, “ Guatemala.”

Peromyscus gymnotis is in the mexicanus species group. It was considered a subspecies of P. mexicanus but now is recognized as a distinct species. Monotypic.

Distribution. Extreme SE Chiapas, Mexico, S Guatemala, S El Salvador, S Honduras, and W Nicaragua.

Descriptive notes. Head-body 112-133 mm, tail 90-110 mm, ear 17-20 mm, hindfoot 24-27 mm; weight 31-50 g. The Naked-eared Deermouse is medium-sized, with dark buffy to blackish dorsum. Venter is whitish to cream, with buffy pectoral region. Tail is dark buffy and slightly shorter than head-body length. Ears and soles of feet are scantily haired. Compared with the Guatemalan Deermouse (PF. guatemalensis) and the Mexican Deermouse ( P. mexicanus), the Naked-eared Deermouse is smaller in most external measurements.

Habitat. [Lowland tropical deciduous forests, tropical subperennial forests, grasslands, coffee plantations, and secondary forests at elevations of 50-1175 m.

Food and Feeding. No information.

Breeding. Pregnant Naked-eared Deermice have been caught in March—June and August, and young and juveniles have been reported in March—-August.

Activity patterns. The Naked-eared Deermouse is presumably nocturnal.

Movements, Home range and Social organization. No information.

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

Bibliography. Chavez, J.C. (2014b), Jones & Yates (1983), Hall (1981), Huckaby (1980), Musser (1971a), Musser & Carleton (2005).