Cricetidae
Author
Don E. Wilson
Author
Russell A. Mittermeier
Author
Thomas E. Lacher, Jr
text
2017
2017-11-30
Lynx Edicions
Barcelona
Handbook of the Mammals of the World – Volume 7 Rodents II
204
535
book chapter
80832
10.5281/zenodo.6707142
ab66b2b7-9544-4411-bf61-5bc3651d7bca
978-84-16728-04-6
6707142
268.
Tawny Deermouse
Peromyscus perfulvus
French:
Péromyscus cannelle
/
German:
Sumpf-Hirschmaus
/
Spanish:
Ratén ciervo leonado
Other common names:
Marsh Mouse
Taxonomy.
Peromyscus perfulvus Osgood, 1945
,
“10 kilometers west of Apatzingan,
Michoacan
,
Mexico
, altitude
1040 ft.
[= 327:
1m
).”
Peromyscus perfulvus
is in the
melanophrys
species group. Two subspecies recognized.
Subspecies and Distribution.
P.p.perfulvusOsgood,1945—C&SMichoacan,WGuerrero,andSWMéxico,Mexico.
P. p. chrysopus Hooper, 1955
— coastal Jalisco, Colima, and extreme SW Michoacan, Mexico.
Descriptive notes.
Head—body 98-112 mm, tail 110-134 mm, ear 18-20 mm, hindfoot 23-25 mm; weight 25-40 g. The Tawny Deermouse is medium-sized, with diagnostic bright cinnamon rufous dorsum, mixed with thinly scattered dusky hairs. Venter is creamy white, but hairs can be plumbeous at bases (except in throat region). Face is grayish, with dark eye-rings. Ears are brownish, and hindfeet are brownish white in metatarsal areas. Tail is long and well-haired and nearly uniform in color (sepia above and slightly paler below).
Habitat.
Tropical subperennial forests and riparian forests from sea level to elevations of ¢.1300 m. The Tawny Deermouse also has been found in coconut plantations, fruit trees, and fields of sugar cane. It burrows under trees and rocks and constructs spherical nests using various plant fibers.
Food and Feeding.
The Tawny Deermouse eats fruits, seeds, and insects.
Breeding.
Reproduction occurs primarily in summer and early autumn, coinciding with rainy season, butit can occur year-round. Litters have 1-4 young.
Activity patterns.
The Tawny Deermouse is arboreal.
Movements, Home range and Social organization.
Densities of Tawny Deermice are 2-14 ind/ha. Recorded movements between successive captures are 21-1000 m.
Status and Conservation.
Classified as Least Concern on The IUCN Red List.
Bibliography.
Ceballos (1989, 1990), Ceballos & Castro-Arellano (2014), Ceballos & Miranda (1986, 2000), Hall & Villa (1949), Helm et al. (1974), Hooper (1955), Musser & Carleton (2005), Osgood (1945a), Sédnchez-Hernandez et al. (2009).