292.

Nimble-footed Deermouse

Peromyscus levipes

French: Péromyscus agile / German: Zartful 3-Hirschmaus / Spanish: Raton ciervo de pies ligeros

Other common names: Nimble-footed Mouse

Taxonomy. Peromyscus levipes Merriam, 1898, Mt. Malinche, 8400 ft (= 2560 m), Tlaxcala, Mexico .

Peromyscus levipes 1s in the boylii species group. It was originally described as a species but later considered a subspecies of P. boylui. More recent genetic studies indicated that P. beatae was genetically distinct from P. boylii and most likely represented a cryptic species. In 1999, P. boylii ambiguus was assigned to P. levipes, resulting in recognition of the second subspecies. Two subspecies recognized.

Subspecies and Distribution.

P.l.levipesMerriam,1898—fromextremeSCoahuilaandSTamaulipasStoNPueblaandCMorelos,Mexico.

P. l. ambiguus Alvarez, 1961 — C & S Nuevo Leén and CW Tamaulipas, Mexico.

Descriptive notes. Head-body 89-105 mm,tail 91-115 mm, ear 19-22 mm, hindfoot 22-24 mm; weight 17-24 g. The Nimble-footed Deermouse is medium-sized, with rich ocherous buff to tawny dorsum; dusky hair along mid-dorsal region can form blackish stripe. Sides are ocherous to brown-orange, contrasting sharply with white to creamy white venter, and brownish pectoral patch is often present. Tail is strongly bicolored (dusky brown above and white below), at least as long as head-body length, and tufted at tip. White hindfeet are medium-sized; ankles are dusky. The Nimble-footed Deermouse may be confused with other members of the boylii species group, and genetic data often are required for accurate identification.

Habitat. Rocky habitats, arroyos, and montane regions associated with pine-oak forests, gallery forests, oak scrublands, and other tropical deciduous forests at elevations of 690-3100 m. The Nimble-footed Deermouse usually occurs in areas with few grasses and other ground vegetation.

Food and Feeding. The Nimble-footed Deermouse eats seeds, acorns, plant material, fruits, worms, crustaceans, mollusks, insects, and small vertebrates.

Breeding. Reproduction of the Nimble-footed Deermouse occurs in May-February, with most activity in July-November. Females have 2-3 litters/year; litters have 1-6 young (average four).

Activity patterns. The Nimble-footed Deermouse is nocturnal. It builds nests, using plant and other materials, between cracks in rocks, tree stumps, trunks and holes of trees, or under piles of branches.

Movements, Home range and Social organization. Densities are 16-41 ind/ha, and home ranges are 541-578 m?.

Status and Conservation. Classified as Least Concern on The IUCN Red List. Known predators include common barn-owls (7yto alba) and mottled owls (Ciccaba virgata)

Bibliography. Alvarez-Castafieda & Gonzélez-Ruiz (2009), Bradley et al. (2000), Castro-Campillo et al. (1999), Ceballos & Galindo (1984), Chavez, J.C. (2014c¢), Garcia-Estrada et al. (2004), Hernandez-Chavez (1990), Houseal et al. (1987), Merriam (1898), Musser & Carleton (2005), Osgood (1909), Rennert & Kilpatrick (1987), Romero-Almaraz et al. (2004), Romo (1993), Sanchez-Hernandez & Romero-Almaraz (1995), Schmidly et al. (1988), Smith (1990), Tiemann-Boege et al. (2000).