212.

Long-tailed Singing Mouse

Scotinomys xerampelinus

French: Scotinomys du Chiriqui / German: LanghaarBraunmaus / Spanish: Raton fonador de cola larga

Other common names: Chiriqui Brown Mouse, Chiriqui Singing Mouse

Taxonomy. Akodon xerampelinus Bangs, 1902, “Volcan de Chiriqui, 10,300 feet (= 3139 m),” Chiriqui Province, Panama.

This species is monotypic.

Distribution. C mountain regions of S Costa Rica and W Panama.

Descriptive notes. Head—body 71-84 mm, tail 65-80 mm, ear 12-17 mm, hindfoot 17-20 mm. No specific data are available for body weight. The Long-tailed Singing Mouse is small, similar to the Short-tailed Singing Mouse (S. teguina) in morphology and most characteristics, except that the Long-tailed Singing Mouse is larger. Dorsum is chocolate-brown, and virtually no difference can be found between back and underside.

Habitat. High-elevation wet and rainforest habitats, most common in ecotone between forests and open areas with sufficient cover. The Long-tailed Singing Mouse typically prefers well-vegetated areas with moss covered logs, rocks, and dense fern cover.

Food and Feeding. Diet of Long-tailed Singing Mice appears to be restricted to insects.

Breeding. Pregnant Long-tailed Singing Mice have been collected in January-February and May-August. They probably reproduce year-round, but data are limited. Gestation is ¢.33 days, with 2—4 young/litter.

Activity patterns. The Long-tailed Singing Mouse is almost entirely diurnal.

Movements, Home range and Social organization. Both species of Scotinomys are known for their vocalizations. Behavioral trials and removal experiments suggest that the Long-tailed Singing Mouse is behaviorally dominant and excludes the Short-tailed Singing Mouse from higher, cooler elevations.

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

Bibliography. Bangs (1902), Hooper (1972), Hooper & Carleton (1976), Pasch et al. (2013).