194.

Nelson’s Woodrat

Neotoma nelsoni

French: Néotoma de Perote / German: Nelson-Buschratte / Spanish: Rata de bosque de Nelson

Taxonomy. Neotoma nelsoni Goldman, 1905, Perote, 7800 ft (= 2377 m), Veracruz, Mexico.

The last revision of Neotoma recognized N. nelsoni as a species based on morphologic characteristics, despite close genetic affinity to N. leucodon . Monotypic.

Distribution. Known only from three localities in E Mexico (E slope of Cofre de Perote Volcano and nearby area in Veracruz and Puebla states).

Descriptive notes. Head-body 195 mm, tail 154 mm, hindfoot 38 mm; weight 198 g (n = 5 specimens). Nelson’s Woodrat is large, with pale cinnamon dorsum, intensely mixed with dark brown. Cheeks are grayish brown. Ventral pelage is bicolored, with gray underfur and white tips. Tail is thick, covered with short hair and slightly darker on upper part. Nelson’s Woodrat is similar to the White-throated Woodrat (NN. albigula) but differs from it by its darker color.

Habitat. Thorn forests, ecotones of xeric scrubland and pine ( Pinus, Pinaceae) and oak ( Quercus, Fagaceae) forest, and high perennial woodlands at elevations of 950-2300 m. Nelson’s Woodrat inhabits desert plains dominated by cacti in Valle del Oriental in Perote.

Food and Feeding. No information.

Breeding. No information.

Activity patterns. Nelson’s Woodrat is presumably nocturnal.

Movements, Home range and Social organization. No information.

Status and Conservation. Classified as Critically Endangered on The IUCN Red List owing to an extent of occurrence lower than 100 km®. Few records exist. Desert region of Perote has been modified recently to fields of maize and maguey.

Bibliography. Fernandez (2014), Goldman (1905, 1910), Gonzéalez-Christen et al. (2002), Gonzélez-Ruiz et al. (2006), Hall & Dalquest (1963), Rojas (2014a).