253.

Monserrat Island Deermouse

Peromyscus caniceps

French: Péromyscus de Monserrate / German: Montserrat-Hirschmaus / Spanish: Ratén ciervo de Montserrat

Other common names: Burt's Deermouse, Montserrat Island Canyon Mouse

Taxonomy. Peromyscus caniceps Burt, 1932, “Montserrate Island (latitude, 23° 38 N., longitude 111° 02° W.), Gulf of California, Lower California [= Baja California Sur], Mexico.”

Peromyscus caniceps is considered by some to be a subspecies of P. fraterculus, but uniqueness of bacular morphology supports its recognition as a distinct species. Peromyscus caniceps is in the eremicus species group. Monotypic.

Distribution. Known only from the type locality on Monserrat I, Baja California Sur, Mexico.

Descriptive notes. Head-body 80-96 mm, tail 100-124 mm, ear 16-20 mm, hindfoot 20-22 mm; weight 13-25 g. The Monserrat Island Deermouse is medium-sized, with ocherous buff dorsal and lateral pelage; head region is a contrasting gray color. Venter is whitish, washed with buff. Lateral line is not conspicuous. Tail is slightly bicolored, dusky above and whitish below. Ears are dusky to brownish.

Habitat. Rocky, xeric scrublands, from sea level to an elevation of 220 m.

Food and Feeding. The Monserrat Island Deermouse probably eats leaves, flowers, fruit, seeds, and insects.

Breeding. A lactating Monserrat Island Deermouse was captured in October, indicating that it probably reproduces in summer and autumn.

Activity patterns. The Monserrat Island Deermouse is presumably nocturnal.

Movements, Home range and Social organization. No information.

Status and Conservation. Classified as Critically Endangered on The IUCN Red List. The Monserrat Island Deermouse is endemic to a single island.

Bibliography. Alvarez-Castaneda et al. (1998), Burt (1932), Hafner et al. (2001), Hall (1981), Mellink & Luévano (2014b).