319.

Zempoaltepec Deermouse

Habromys lepturus

French: Habromys a queue fine / German: Zempoaltepec-Hirschmaus / Spanish: Ratén ciervo de Zempoaltepec

Other common names: Zempoaltepec Crested-tail Mouse

Taxonomy. Peromyscus lepturus Merriam, 1898, “Mt. Zempoaltepec, Oaxaca, Mexico (alt. 8200 ft. [= 2499 m]).”

M. D. Carleton and colleagues in 2002 found morphologic differences between H. lepturus lepturus and H. [. ixtlani and assigned them species distinction. Molecular evidence by L. Leon-Paniagua and colleagues in 2007 and D. S. Rogers and colleagues in 2007 confirmed this. Monoic.

Distribution. Known only from Mt Zempoaltépec, Oaxaca, Mexico.

Descriptive notes. Head-body 104-116 mm, tail 103-146 mm, ear 20-23 mm, hindfoot 24-28 mm; weight 32 g. The Zempoaltepec Deermouse is a large species of Habromys, with dark ocherous buff to dark ocherous tawny dorsum and dull grayish white underparts. Ears are dark, thin, and naked; hindfeet are dark; and tail is hairy and bicolored, although it can be uniformly dark.

Habitat. Humid oak-pine forests and cloud forests at elevations of 2500-3000 m.

Food and Feeding. Zempoaltepec Deermice are probably omnivorous.

Breeding. Reproduction of the Zempoaltepec Deermouse is seasonal and occurs at end of dry season and beginning of rainy season. Average litter size is 1-9 young.

Activity patterns. Zempoaltepec Deermice are nocturnal and semi-arboreal or terrestrial.

Movements, Home range and Social organization. No information.

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

Bibliography. Alvarez-Castafieda, Castro-Arellano, Lacher & Vazquez (2008e), Carleton et al. (2002), Ledn-Paniagua & Romo (2014b), Ledn-Paniagua et al. (2007), Merriam (1898), Robertson (1975), Robertson & Musser (1976), Rogers et al. (2007).