268.

Tawny Deermouse

Peromyscus perfulvus

French: Péromyscus cannelle / German: Sumpf-Hirschmaus / Spanish: Ratén ciervo leonado

Other common names: Marsh Mouse

Taxonomy. Peromyscus perfulvus Osgood, 1945, “10 kilometers west of Apatzingan, Michoacan, Mexico, altitude 1040 ft. [= 327: 1m).”

Peromyscus perfulvus is in the melanophrys species group. Two subspecies recognized.

Subspecies and Distribution.

P.p.perfulvusOsgood,1945—C&SMichoacan,WGuerrero,andSWMéxico,Mexico.

P. p. chrysopus Hooper, 1955 — coastal Jalisco, Colima, and extreme SW Michoacan, Mexico.

Descriptive notes. Head—body 98-112 mm, tail 110-134 mm, ear 18-20 mm, hindfoot 23-25 mm; weight 25-40 g. The Tawny Deermouse is medium-sized, with diagnostic bright cinnamon rufous dorsum, mixed with thinly scattered dusky hairs. Venter is creamy white, but hairs can be plumbeous at bases (except in throat region). Face is grayish, with dark eye-rings. Ears are brownish, and hindfeet are brownish white in metatarsal areas. Tail is long and well-haired and nearly uniform in color (sepia above and slightly paler below).

Habitat. Tropical subperennial forests and riparian forests from sea level to elevations of ¢.1300 m. The Tawny Deermouse also has been found in coconut plantations, fruit trees, and fields of sugar cane. It burrows under trees and rocks and constructs spherical nests using various plant fibers.

Food and Feeding. The Tawny Deermouse eats fruits, seeds, and insects.

Breeding. Reproduction occurs primarily in summer and early autumn, coinciding with rainy season, butit can occur year-round. Litters have 1-4 young.

Activity patterns. The Tawny Deermouse is arboreal.

Movements, Home range and Social organization. Densities of Tawny Deermice are 2-14 ind/ha. Recorded movements between successive captures are 21-1000 m.

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

Bibliography. Ceballos (1989, 1990), Ceballos & Castro-Arellano (2014), Ceballos & Miranda (1986, 2000), Hall & Villa (1949), Helm et al. (1974), Hooper (1955), Musser & Carleton (2005), Osgood (1945a), Sédnchez-Hernandez et al. (2009).