626.

Niceforo Maria’s Oldfield Mouse

Thomasomys nicefori

French: Thomasomys de Niceforo / German: Niceforo-Paramomaus / Spanish: Raton de erial de Niceforo Maria

Other common names: Niceforo Maria's Thomasomys

Taxonomy. 7 Thomasomys nicefori Thomas, 1921, San Pedro, north of the town Medellin, Antioquia, Colombia.

Thomasomys nicefor: from Paramo Frontino on the Western Andes Range display morphological differences from the typical form, perhaps indicating a different species that needs additional taxonomic research. Monotypic.

Distribution. N parts of W & C Andes ranges of Colombia.

Descriptive notes. Head-body 154-172 mm, ear 21-23 mm, hindfoot 33-36 mm. No specific data are available for body weight. Dorsum of Niceforo Maria’s Oldfield Mouse is almost as buffy or ocherous as that of the Golden Oldfield Mouse (7. aureus), although head and foreback are less richly fulvous; underparts are also buffy and moderately countershaded. Mystacial vibrissae are very long, extending distinctly beyond posterior margin of pinnae when bent. Hindfoot is comparatively long, buffy whitish above, with small dark patches on ankles and metatarsals. Tail is long (114-136% of head-body length), uniformly brown, and covered with short hair, without terminal white tip.

Habitat. Montane forests at elevations of 1900-3810 m.

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 considers it a subspecies of the Golden Oldfield Mouse (7. aureus), which is classified as Least Concern.

Bibliography. Thomas (1921f), Pacheco (2003, 2015b).