254.

Dickey’s Deermouse

Peromyscus dickeyi

French: Péromyscus de Dickey / German: Dickey-Hirschmaus / Spanish: Ratdn ciervo de Dickey

Other common names: Dickey's Mouse

Taxonomy. Peromyscus dickeyi Burt, 1932, “Tortuga Island (latitude 27° 21’ N., longitude 111° 54° W.), Gulf of California, Lower [= Baja] California, Mexico.”

Peromyscus dickeyi is considered by some to be a subspecies of P. merriami, but its species status is retained based on diagnostic morphological differences. Peromyscus dickeyi is in the eremicus species group. Monotypic.

Distribution. Tortuga I, Baja California Sur, Mexico.

Descriptive notes. Head-body 96-103 mm, tail 90-100 mm, ear 19-22 mm, hindfoot 22-24 mm; weight 23-35 g. Dickey’s Deermouse is small to medium-sized, with dusky dorsum, washed with pinkish cinnamon. Distinct ocherous lateral line is present. Venter is white, with pinkish cinnamon pectoral spot. Tail is shorter than head-body length and bicolored. Ears are dark, and hindfeet are naked. Dickey’s Deermouse resembles Merriam’s Deermouse (PF. merriami), but its auditory bullae are smaller.

Habitat. Only xeric scrubland from sea levelto elevations of ¢.300 m (maximum elevation of the island). Dickey’s Deermouse prefers rocky slopes at the southern end of the island, but some individuals have been captured in the north.

Food and Feeding. No information.

Breeding. Dickey’s Deermouse appears to reproduce in summer and early autumn. Pregnant and lactating females have been caught in October.

Activity patterns. Dickey’s Deermouse is presumably nocturnal.

Movements, Home range and Social organization. No information.

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

Bibliography. Alvarez-Castafieda & Cortés-Calva (1999), Bourillén et al. (1988), Burt (1932), Cortés-Calva & Alvarez-Castaneda (2001), Hafner et al. (2001), Mellink & Luévano (2014c), Musser & Carleton (2005).