731.

Western Leaf-eared Mouse

Phyllotis occidens

French: Phyllotis occidental / German: \Westliche Blattohrmaus / Spanish: Ratén orejudo occidental

Taxonomy. Phyllotis occidens Rengifo & Pacheco, 2015, Huarochiri, Lima, Peru.

This species is monotypic.

Distribution. Ancash to Lima depart ments, C Peru.

Descriptive notes. Head-body 106 mm, tail 115-125 mm, ear 21-24 mm, hindfoot 24-28 mm; weight 28-3-38 g. Hairs of the Western Leaf-eared Mouse are dense and long (average 13 mm over rump). Dorsal hairs are rich brown, with neutral gray bases. Venter is whitish, with short gray basal band, followed by white band; pectoral streak is present but barely conspicuous. Ears are comparatively short, with inconspicuous auricular patch. Orbicular ring is absent. Mystacial vibrissae reach posterior borders of ears when bent backward. Dorsal surface of manus is covered by fine white hair, and ungual tuft is not very dense. Metacarpal patch is absent. Pesis slender and elongates, with white hair on dorsal surface, ungualtuft is scarce, and heelis furred. Hypothenar is smaller than thenar, but both are separated by a gap. Metatarsal patch is absent. Tail is barely longer than head-body length (c.120 mm), furred, and dimly bicolored, dark above and pale neutral gray below.

Habitat. Shrubby habitats, dry scrubland, Andean scrubland, and lomas at elevations of 200-3800 m.

Food and Feeding. The Western Leaf-eared Mouse eats plant parts, insects, and seeds.

Breeding. Populations of Western Leaf-eared Mice probably can irrupt, closely tied to rainfall and showing marked seasonal reproductive activity in July-September. Pregnant females were recorded in July-October. In captivity, litters had 1-4 young, and gestation averaged 24 days.

Activity patterns. The Western Leaf-eared Mouse is terrestrial and nocturnal.

Movements, Home range and Social organization. Densities of Western Leaf-eared Mice at Lomas de Lachay National Reserve (Lima) were 0-3 ind/ha.

Status and Conservation. Not assessed on The IUCN Red List dueto its recent recognition as a species.

Bibliography. Arana et al. (2002), Cerro (2005), Musser & Carleton (2005), Pearson (1958, 1972), Pizzimenti & de Salle (1980), Ramirez & Arana (2005), Rengifo & Pacheco (2015), Steppan & Ramirez (2015), Steppan et al. (2007).