623.

Venezuelan Oldfield Mouse

Thomasomys emeritus

French: Thomasomys du Venezuela / German: Venezuela-Paramomaus / Spanish: Raton de erial de Venezuela

Other common names: Venezuelan Thomasomys

Taxonomy. Thomasomys laniger emeritus Thomas, 1916, Montes de Escaguer, Mérida, Venezuela.

This species is monotypic.

Distribution. Venezuelan Andes (Mérida and Trujillo states).

Descriptive notes. Head-body 104-120 mm, hindfoot 23-25 mm. No specific data are available for body weight. The Venezuelan Oldfield Mouse is moderately small and distinctly brown. Fur is long, soft, and fluffy. Dorsum is brownish, sides are rufous, and belly is dull orangish, not contrasting with sides. Mystacial vibrissae are very long, extending distinctly beyond posterior margin of pinnae when bent. Post-auricular patches are whitish but not very conspicuous. Tail is slightly shorter to slightly longer than head-body length, slender, finely haired, unicolored, and without white tip. There are six mammae. Chromosomal complement is 2n = 42 and FN = 40.

Habitat. Montane cloud forest and subalpine paramo at elevations of 2090-3550 m. Venezuelan Oldfield Mice have been recorded on lichenand moss-covered boulders and in rock slides, in thick low shrubs, on the ground, at bases of trees and logs, in trees, and in a house.

Food and Feeding. No information.

Breeding. No information.

Activity patterns. No information.

Movements, Home range and Social organization. No information.

Status and Conservation. Not assessed on The IUCN Red List as a distinct species. [UCN considersit conspecific with the Soft-furred Oldfield Mouse (7. laniger), which 1s classified as Least Concern.

Bibliography. Anthony (1932), Aguilera et al. (2000), Handley (1976), Pacheco (2003, 2015b), Thomas (1916e).