273.

Yucatan Deermouse

Peromyscus yucatanicus

French: Péromyscus du Yucatan / German: Yukatan-Hirschmaus / Spanish: Raton ciervo de Yucatan

Taxonomy. Peromyscus yucatanicus |. A. Allen & F. M. Chapman, 1897, “ChichenItza, Yucatan,” Mexico.

Peromyscus yucatanicus is in the mexicanus species group. Two subspecies recognized.

Subspecies and Distribution.

P. y. yucatanicus J. A. Allen & F. M. Chapman, 1897 — restricted to Yucatan, Mexico. P. y. badius Osgood, 1904 — restricted to Campeche and Quintana Roo, Mexico, and N Guatemala.

Descriptive notes. Head-body 97-102 mm, tail 84-117 mm, ear 18-22 mm, hindfoot 20-24 mm; weight 15-18 g. The Yucatan Deermouse is a small to medium-sized, with dorsal pelage from ocherous (northern specimens, subspecies yucatanicus) to dark brown (southern specimens, subspecies badius). Ventral pelage of both subspecies is yellowish white. Hindfeet are white but dark at ankles. Eye-ring is present, and ears are brown and naked. Tail is bicolored (dusky above and yellowish below), generally blotched underneath, and about as long as head-body length.

Habitat. Tropical semideciduous and semi-evergreen forests from sea level to elevations of ¢.500 m. The Yucatan Deermouse typically occurs in areas with dense understories of brush, shrubs, crop species such as maize, and dense grasses.

Food and Feeding. The Yucatan Deermouse probably eats fruits and seeds.

Breeding. Pregnant or lactating Yucatan Deermice have been captured year-round; females with three embryos have been reported.

Activity patterns. The Yucatan Deermouse is nocturnal.

Movements, Home range and Social organization. No information.

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

Bibliography. Hall (1981), Huckaby (1980), Jones et al. (1974), Lawlor (1965), Musser & Carleton (2005), Ortega & Arita (2014), Young & Jones (1983), Zarza et al. (2003).