413.

Black-eared Rice Rat

“Handleyomys™ melanotis

French: Oryzomys a oreilles noires / German: Schwarzohr-Reisratte / Spanish: Rata arrocera de orejas negraa

Other common names: Black-eared Oryzomys

Taxonomy. Oryzomys melanotis Thomas, 1893, Mineral San Sebastian, Jalisco, Mexico.

This species is monotypic.

Distribution. W Mexico, from S Sinaloa to SW Oaxaca .

Descriptive notes. Head—body 87-118 mm, tail 99-135 mm, ear 16-19 mm, hindfoot 24-28 mm; weight 25 g. The Black-eared Rice Rat is a moderately small species of “ Handleyomys,” with yellowish brown dorsum and white venter washed with gray; ear tips are light yellow; and tail is bicolored.

Habitat. Deciduous and evergreen tropical forests from sea level to elevations of c.2000 m.

Food and Feeding. No information.

Breeding. No information.

Activity patterns. The Black-eared Rice Rat is nocturnal and terrestrial.

Movements, Home range and Social organization. No information.

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

Bibliography. Alvarez-Castafieda, Castro-Arellano, Lacher & Vazquez (2016b), Engstrom (1984), Goldman (1918a), Téllez & Medellin (2014).