Reithrodontomys zacatecae (Merriam, 1901)

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 : 373

240.

Zacatecan Harvest Mouse

Reithrodontomys zacatecae

French: Souris-moissonneuse du Zacatecas / German: Zacateca-Erntemaus / Spanish: Raton espiguero de Zacatecas

Other common names: Zacatecas Harvest Mouse

Taxonomy. Reithrodontomys megalotis zacatecae Merriam, 1901 , Sierra de Valparaiso, Zacatecus, Mexico.

Reithrodontomys zacatecae was originally described as a subspecies of R. megalotis . In 1952, it was proposed that it could represent a valid species, a contention supported by chromosomal studies and DNA sequences. Reithrodontomys zacatecae is in subgenus Reithrodontomys . Monotypic.

Distribution. Sierra Madre Occidental from W Chihuahua S to WC Michoacan states (W Mexico).

Descriptive notes. Head—body 61-70 mm, tail 67-87 mm, ear 13-18 mm, hindfoot 17-20 mm; weight 9-13 g. Dorsum of the Zacatecan Harvest Mouse is reddish brown, with dark stripe down mid-dorsal line. Pelage is grizzled similar to the Western Harvest Mouse ( R. megalotis ) but more intense. Venteris paler than dorsum.

Habitat. Open grasslands in pine-oak forests at elevations of 1828-2590 m. The Zacatecan Harvest Mouse occurs at higher elevations than the Western Harvest Mouse, although they are often parapatric.

Food and Feeding. Probably similar to the Western Harvest Mouse.

Breeding. No information, but the Zacatecan Harvest Mouse is probably similar to the Western Harvest Mouse.

Activity patterns. Probably similar to the Western Harvest Mouse.

Movements, Home range and Social organization. Probably similar to the Western Harvest Mouse.

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

Bibliography. Anderson (1972), Baker & Greer (1962), Bell et al. (2001), Hood et al. (1984), Hooper (1952a), Matson & Baker (1986), Merriam (1901b), Sanchez (2014e).

Figures

208. Golden Mouse (Ochrotomys nuttalli), 209. Southern Pygmy Mouse (Baiomys musculus), 210. Northern Pygmy Mouse (Baiomys taylori), 211. Short-tailed Singing Mouse (Scotinomys teguina), 212. Long-tailed Singing Mouse (Scotinomys xerampelinus), 213. Yellow Deermouse (Isthmomys flavidus), 214. Mount Pirr 1 Deermouse (Isthmomys pirrensis), 215. Florida Deermouse (Podomys floridanus), 216. Volcano Deermouse (Neotomodon alstoni), 217. Short-nosed Harvest Mouse (Reithrodontomys brevirostris), 218. Darien Harvest Mouse (Reithrodontomys darienensis), 219. Slender Harvest Mouse (Reithrodontomys gracilis), 220. Mexican Harvest Mouse (Reithrodontomys mexicanus), 221. Nicaraguan Harvest Mouse (Reithrodontomys paradoxus), 222. Cozumel Harvest Mouse (Reithrodontomys spectabilis), 223. Talamancan Harvest Mouse (Reithrodontomys creper), 224. Rodriguez's Harvest Mouse (Reithrodontomys rodriguez), 225. Narrow-nosed Harvest Mouse (Reithrodontomys tenuirostris), 226. Small-toothed Harvest Mouse (Reithrodontomys microdon), 227. Costa Rican Harvest Mouse (Reithrodontomys cherrii), 228. Chiriquian Harvest Mouse (Reithrodontomys garichensis), 229. Musser’s Harvest Mouse (Reithrodontomys musser), 230. Baker’s Harvest Mouse (Reithrodontomys baker), 231. Fulvous Harvest Mouse (Reithrodontomys fulvescens), 232. Hairy Harvest Mouse (Reithrodontomys hirsutus), 233. Sonoran Harvest Mouse (Reithrodontomys burt), 234. Volcano Harvest Mouse (Reithrodontomys chrysopsis), 235. Eastern Harvest Mouse (Reithrodontomys humulis), 236. Western Harvest Mouse (Reithrodontomys megalotis), 237. Plains Harvest Mouse (Reithrodontomys montanus), 238. Salt-marsh Harvest Mouse (Reithrodontomys raviventris), 239. Sumichrast’s Harvest Mouse (Reithrodontomys sumichrasti), 240. Zacatecan Harvest Mouse (Reithrodontomys zacatecae), 242. Northern Grasshopper Mouse (Onychomys leucogaster), 243. Southern Grasshopper Mouse (Onychomys torridus), 244. Osgood’s Deermouse (Osgoodomys banderanus)

Distribution. Sierra Madre Occidental from W Chihuahua S to WC Michoacan states (W Mexico).