Neotomodon alstoni, Merriam, 1897
publication ID |
https://doi.org/ 10.5281/zenodo.6707142 |
DOI |
https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.6725830 |
persistent identifier |
https://treatment.plazi.org/id/03F06D13-FFF7-203E-0D48-186A01C0FA1B |
treatment provided by |
Carolina |
scientific name |
Neotomodon alstoni |
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216. View Plate 16: Cricetidae
Volcano Deermouse
Neotomodon alstoni View in CoL
French: Péromyscus dAlston / German: Mexikanische Vulkanmaus / Spanish: Ratén ciervo de volcanes
Other common names: Mexican Volcano Mouse
Taxonomy. Neotomodon alston: Merriam, 1898 , Nahuatzin, 8500 ft (= 2591 m), Michoacan, Mexico.
Two subspecies are recognized.
Subspecies and Distribution.
N.a.alstoniMerriam,1898—WCMichoacanEtoECVeracruzstates(CMexico).
N. a. perotensis Merriam, 1898 — restricted to limited areas surrounding the Cofre de Perote Volcano in Veracruz State (CE Mexico). View Figure
Descriptive notes. Head-body 96-128 mm, tail 78-105 mm, ear 19-23 mm, hindfoot 23-27 mm; weight 40-60 g. The Volcano Deermouse is medium-sized, similar to some species of Peromyscus . Dorsum is dark gray, and sides are yellowish ocher. Venter is white, and some specimens have a small yellowish pectoral spot. Tail is shorter than head-body length and slightly bicolored.
Habitat. Grasslands, particularly microhabitats in zacatonal (montane) grassland and shrubland and forest-zacatonal associations, and conifer and oak ( Quercus , Fagaceae ) forests at elevations of 2400-4960 m. The Volcano Deermouse is endemic to Mexico, with a distribution restricted to the Trans-Mexican Volcanic Belt (Eje Volcanico Transversal) from central Michoacan to central Puebla and Veracruz.
Food and Feeding. Diet includes stems, sprouts, and leaves of herbs.
Breeding. The Volcano Deermouse is thought to reproduce throughout the year, with a peak in April-September. Gestation lasts 25-35 days, and young are weaned in 20-30 days. Litters average 3-1 young.
Activity patterns. The Volcano Deermouse is presumably nocturnal.
Movements, Home range and Social organization. Average density is 29 ind/ha.
Status and Conservation. Classified as Least Concern on The IUCN Red List. Although the Volcano Deermouse is endemic, it does not face known conservation threats. Its distribution is relatively large, it is abundant in diverse localities, and it occurs in protected areas as Izta-Popo Zoquiapan and Nevado de Toluca national parks.
Bibliography. Chavez (2014), Martin & Alvarez (1982), Merriam (1898), Olivera et al. (1986), Rojas (1984).
No known copyright restrictions apply. See Agosti, D., Egloff, W., 2009. Taxonomic information exchange and copyright: the Plazi approach. BMC Research Notes 2009, 2:53 for further explanation.
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Neotomodon alstoni
Don E. Wilson, Russell A. Mittermeier & Thomas E. Lacher, Jr 2017 |
Neotomodon alston:
Merriam 1898 |