645.

Taczanowski’s Oldfield Mouse

Thomasomys taczanowskii

French: Thomasomys de Taczanowski / German: Taczanowski-Paramomaus / Spanish: Raton de erial de Taczanowski

Other common names: Taczanowski’'s Thomasomys

Taxonomy. Hesperomys (Rhipidomys) taczanowskii Thomas, 1882, “Tambillo, 5800" [= 1768 m],” Rio Malleta, Cajamarca, Peru.

This species is monotypic.

Distribution. Andes of Ecuador and N Peru (Piura, Lambayeque, Cajamarca, San Martin).

Descriptive notes. Head—body 95 mm,tail 138 mm, ear 20 mm, hindfoot 25 mm. No specific data are available for body weight. Fur of Taczanowski’s Oldfield Mouse is soft and woolly. Dorsum is grayish, with reddish yellow ends of hairs and some dark hairs. Venter is grayish white. Tail is pale brown in top and bottom and is covered by scarce brown hairs; tip usually ends in white. Legs are white, with brownish appearance on metacarpals and metatarsals. Plantar pads are elongated and rounded. Females have six mammae: one pectoral pair and two inguinal pairs. Ears do not have hair on anterior border. Mystacial vibrissae are long and extend behind ears when they are pulled back.

Habitat. Primary and secondary montane forests at elevations of 1150-3350 m. Taczanowski’s Oldfield Mouse has been captured in bamboo forests, areas covered by mosses and lianas with small shrubs, areas with large trees, and areas close to water bodies.

Food and Feeding. No information.

Breeding. No information.

Activity patterns. Taczanowski’s Oldfield Mouse is nocturnal. This species is terrestrial, and it has been suggested that it is an excellent climber.

Movements, Home range and Social organization. No information.

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

Bibliography. Anderson (1993), Brito & Valdivieso-Bermeo (2016), Cassola (2016u), Gardner (1976), Gardner & Patton (1976), Musser & Carleton (2005), Pacheco (2003, 2015b), Salazar-Bravo & Yates (2007), Thomas (1920d), Voss (1991a).