267.

Catalina Deermouse

Peromyscus slevini

French: Péromyscus de Santa Catalina / German: Catalina-Hirschmaus / Spanish: Ratén ciervo de Catalina

Other common names: Slevin's Mouse

Taxonomy. Peromyscus slevini Mailliard, 1924, Santa Catalina Island, 17 mi (= 27 km) NE Punta San Marcial, 25° 43’ 50” N, Baja California Sur, Mexico.

Species group affiliation for P. slevini has not been determined, butit is thought to be related to P. maniculatus . Recent debate over identification of specimens used in various studies and if P. slevini has been replaced by P. eremicus might affect interpretations of relationships. Monotypic.

Distribution. Santa Catalina I, Baja California Sur, Mexico.

Descriptive notes. Head—body 105-113 mm, tail 97-109 mm, ear 19 mm, hindfoot 25-26 mm (based only on two individuals). No specific data are available for body weight. The Catalina Deermouse is medium-sized, with pale cinnamon dorsal pelage mixed with dusky hairs. Venter is white, with mix of cinnamon hair in pectoral region. Hindfeet are creamy white, and forelegs are pale cinnamon. Tail is bicolored (dark above and white below) and shorter than head-body length. There is a distinct accessory cusp or enamel loop on M*.

Habitat. Xeric scrublands along rocky ravines and draws where sandy soils are prevalent from sea level to elevations of ¢.100 m.

Food and Feeding. No information.

Breeding. No information.

Activity patterns. The Catalina Deermouse is presumably nocturnal.

Movements, Home range and Social organization. No information.

Status and Conservation. Classified as Critically Endangered on The IUCN Red List. It has a small extent of occurrence (43 km?) and there is continuing decline in the number of mature individuals.

Bibliography. Alvarez-Castaneda & Cortés-Calva (2002), Burt (1934a), Hafner et al. (2001), Hall (1981), Hogan et al. (1997), Mailliard (1924), Musser & Carleton (2005), Ramirez (2014b).