566.

Lindbergh’s Grass Mouse

Akodon Lindberghi

French: Akodon de Lindbergh / German: Lindbergh-Graslandmaus / Spanish: Raton campestre de Lindbergh

Other common names: Lindbergh's Akodont

Taxonomy. Akodon lindberghi Hershkovitz, 1990, Matosa, c. 1100 m, Brasilia National Park, Distrito Federal, Brazil.

This species is monotypic.

Distribution. C & SE Brazil.

Descriptive notes. Head-body 67-93 mm, tail 49-74 mm, ear 11-16 mm, hindfoot 17-20 mm; weight 11-31 (mean 18 g). Dorsal pelage of Lindbergh’s Grass Mouse is thick, long, and lax, uniformly dark olivaceous agouti, and without distinct lateral line. Venteris vagely defined from sides, and hairs are buffy to ocherous terminally and slaty basally. Tail is dark brown above, slightly paler beneath, and thinly haired, with visible scales; hindfeet are covered dorsally by grayish or buffy hair and ventrally with exposed skin; and thick and curved claws are slightly covered by short ungula hairs.

Habitat. Grass-dominated habitats in Cerrado and Atlantic Forest, ecotonal zone between both biomes, disturbed habitats, and cultivated areas at elevations of 550-1500 m.

Food and Feeding. No information.

Breeding. Breeding activity of Lindbergh’s Grass Mouse appears to be higher during the rainy season. Captive individuals had litters of 1-4 young (mean 2:7), with size negatively correlated with birth weight. Gestation was 23 days, with postpartum estrus within a short time after parturition. Sexual maturity was reaached at 26-61 days for males and 30-56 days for females, with females mating successfully at 47-54 days old. Mortality of neonates raised by a female in without a male present was lower, suggesting that only the female is with young under natural conditions.

Activity patterns. Lindbergh’s Grass Mouse is nocturnal.

Movements, Home range and Social organization. No information.

Status and Conservation. Classified as Data Deficient on The IUCN Red List.

Bibliography. Borchert & Hansen (1983), De Conto & Cerqueira (2007), Geise et al. (1996), Hershkovitz (1990b), Machado et al. (2016), Marinho-Filho, Geise & Queirolo (2008), Pardinas, Teta, Alvarado-Serrano et al. (2015), Queirolo & Granzinolli (2009).