304.

El Carrizo Deermouse

Peromyscus ochraventer

French: Péromyscus d’El Carrizo / German: El-Carrizo-Hirschmaus / Spanish: Ratén ciervo de El Carrizo

Taxonomy. Peromyscus ochraventer Baker, 1951, 70 km (by highway) S Ciudad Victoria, 6 km W Pan-American Highway, El Carrizo, Tamaulipas, Mexico.

It is unclear to which species group P. ochraventer should be assigned. Early studies included it in the mexicanus species group, but DNA data suggest it should be included in the truei species group. Monotypic.

Distribution. E of Sierra Madre Oriental in S Tamaulipas and NE San Luis Potosi, Mexico.

Descriptive notes. Head-body 96— 122 mm, tail 103-129 mm, ear 16-21 mm, hindfoot 22-25 mm; weight 24-40 g. The El Carrizo Deermouse is medium-sized, with ocherous fawn dorsum and lighter shades along sides. Venter is diagnostic cinnamon buffy. Cheeks, neck, and shoulder regions are ocherous orange. Eye-rings are blackish, and ears are dark or dusky. Tail is slightly bicolored (dark above and lighter below) and has scalely appearance.

Habitat. Oak, pine-oak, cloud, and tropical subdeciduousforests typically at elevations of 200-2300 m.

Food and Feeding. The El Carrizo Deermouse eats seeds, fleshy fruits, insects, and fungi. During autumn and winter, diets are primarily acorns.

Breeding. El Carrizo Deermice breed from the end of September to mid-February. Litters generally have 2-3 young. In cloud forests, reproduction appears to coincide with production of acorns.

Activity patterns. El Carrizo Deermouse is nocturnal and may be semi-arboreal. It constructs burrows under rocks and near fallen logs.

Movements, Home range and Social organization. No information.

Status and Conservation. Classified as Endangered on The IUCN Red List.

Bibliography. Baker (1951), Bradley et al. (2007), Hernandez (2014), Hooper & Musser (1964b), Huckaby (1980), Musser & Carleton (2005).