Peromyscus yucatanicus, J. A. Allen & F. M. Chapman, 1897

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 : 385

273.

Yucatan Deermouse

Peromyscus yucatanicus

French: Péromyscus du Yucatan / German: Yukatan-Hirschmaus / Spanish: Raton ciervo de Yucatan

Taxonomy. Peromyscus yucatanicus |. A. Allen & F. M. Chapman, 1897 , “ChichenItza, Yucatan,” Mexico.

Peromyscus yucatanicus is in the mexicanus species group. Two subspecies recognized.

Subspecies and Distribution.

P. y. yucatanicus J. A. Allen & F. M. Chapman, 1897 — restricted to Yucatan, Mexico. P. y. badius Osgood, 1904 — restricted to Campeche and Quintana Roo, Mexico, and N Guatemala.

Descriptive notes. Head-body 97-102 mm, tail 84-117 mm, ear 18-22 mm, hindfoot 20-24 mm; weight 15-18 g. The Yucatan Deermouse is a small to medium-sized, with dorsal pelage from ocherous (northern specimens, subspecies yucatanicus ) to dark brown (southern specimens, subspecies badius). Ventral pelage of both subspecies is yellowish white. Hindfeet are white but dark at ankles. Eye-ring is present, and ears are brown and naked. Tail is bicolored (dusky above and yellowish below), generally blotched underneath, and about as long as head-body length.

Habitat. Tropical semideciduous and semi-evergreen forests from sea level to elevations of ¢.500 m. The Yucatan Deermouse typically occurs in areas with dense understories of brush, shrubs, crop species such as maize, and dense grasses.

Food and Feeding. The Yucatan Deermouse probably eats fruits and seeds.

Breeding. Pregnant or lactating Yucatan Deermice have been captured year-round; females with three embryos have been reported.

Activity patterns. The Yucatan Deermouse is nocturnal.

Movements, Home range and Social organization. No information.

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

Bibliography. Hall (1981), Huckaby (1980), Jones et al. (1974), Lawlor (1965), Musser & Carleton (2005), Ortega & Arita (2014), Young & Jones (1983), Zarza et al. (2003).

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)

Subspecies and Distribution. P. y. yucatanicus J. A. Allen & F. M. Chapman, 1897 — restricted to Yucatan, Mexico. P. y. badius Osgood, 1904 — restricted to Campeche and Quintana Roo, Mexico, and N Guatemala.