Peromyscus mayensis, Carleton & Huckaby, 1975

Don E. Wilson, Russell A. Mittermeier & Thomas E. Lacher, Jr, 2017, Cricetidae, Handbook of the Mammals of the World – Volume 7 Rodents II, Barcelona: Lynx Edicions, pp. 204-535 : 384

271.

Mayan Deermouse

Peromyscus mayensis

French: Péromyscus maya / German: Maya-Hirschmaus / Spanish: Raton ciervo de los Maya

Other common names: Maya Mouse

Taxonomy. Peromyscus mayensis Carleton & Huckaby, 1975 , about 7 km NW Santa Eulalia, Yaiquiche, 2950 m, Huehuetenango Department, Guatemala.

Peromyscus mayensis was in the furvus species group, but molecular data suggest it is best aligned with the mexicanus species group. Monotypic.

Distribution. Known only from the type locality and surrounding areas in WC Guatemala.

Descriptive notes. Head-body 107-125 mm,tail 102-120 mm, ear 19-23 mm, hindfoot 25-27 mm. No specific data are available for body weight. Dorsum is dark umber brown; venter is slate-gray, tipped with white producing frosted appearance. Sides do not have distinct lateral line. Dorsal surfaces of feet are dusky brown. Ears are dark brown and lined with black. Tail is blackish and only slightly darker above than below. The Mayan Deermouse closely resembles the Mexican Deermouse (FP. mexicanus ) in size.

Habitat. Pine-oak zone likely at high elevations (type locality 2950 m). Type locality of the Mayan Deermouse contained ferns, mixed-deciduous trees and pines, fallen logs, and moss-covered tree trunks.

Food and Feeding. No information.

Breeding. No information.

Activity patterns. The Mayan Deermouse is presumably nocturnal.

Movements, Home range and Social organization. No information.

Status and Conservation. Classified as Critically Endangered on The IUCN Red List.

Bibliography. Bradley et al. (2007), Hall (1981), Huckaby (1980), Musser & Carleton (2005).

Figures

245. Hooper's Deermouse (Peromyscus hooper), 246. Canyon Deermouse (Peromyscus crinitus), 247. California Deermouse (Peromyscus californicus), 248. Merriam’s Deermouse (Peromyscus merriami), 249. Cactus Deermouse (Peromyscus eremicus), 250. San Lorenzo Deermouse (Peromyscus interparietalis), 251. Southern Baja Deermouse (Peromyscus eva), 252. Northern Baja Deermouse (Peromyscus fraterculus), 253. Monserrat Island Deermouse (Peromyscus caniceps), 254. Dickey’s Deermouse (Peromyscus dickeyi), 255. La Guarda Deermouse (Peromyscus guardia), 256. Coronados Deermouse (Peromyscus pseudocrinitus), 257. Cotton Deermouse (Peromyscus gossypinus), 258. White-footed Deermouse (Peromyscus leucopus), 259. Santa Cruz Deermouse (Peromyscus sejugis), 260. North-western Deermouse (Peromyscus keeni), 261. Oldfield Deermouse (Peromyscus polionotus), 262. North American Deermouse (Peromyscus maniculatus), 264. Black-tailed Deermouse (Peromyscus melanurus), 265. Broad-faced Deermouse (Peromyscus megalops), 266. Black-wristed Deermouse (Peromyscus melanocarpus), 267. Catalina Deermouse (Peromyscus slevini), 268. Tawny Deermouse (Peromyscus perfulvus), 269. Plateau Deermouse (Peromyscus melanophrys), 270. Puebla Deermouse (Peromyscus mekisturus), 271. Mayan Deermouse (Peromyscus mayensis), 272. Stirton’s Deermouse (Peromyscus stirtoni), 273. Yucatan Deermouse (Peromyscus yucatanicus), 274. Chimoxan Deermouse (Peromyscus tropicalis), 275. Talamancan Deermouse (Peromyscus nudipes), 276. Mexican Deermouse (Peromyscus mexicanus), 277. Naked-eared Deermouse (Peromyscus gymnotis), 278. Chiapan Deermouse (Peromyscus zarhynchus), 279. Gardner’s Deermouse (Peromyscus gardneri), 280. Nicaraguan Deermouse (Peromyscus nicaraguae), 281. Salvadorean Deermouse (Peromyscus salvadorensis), 282. Guatemalan Deermouse (Peromyscus guatemalensis), 283. Large Deermouse (Peromyscus grandis)

Distribution. Known only from the type locality and surrounding areas in WC Guatemala.