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 248. Merriam’s Deermouse Peromyscus merriami French: Péromyscus de Merriam / German: Merriam-Hirschmaus / Spanish: Raton ciervo de Merriam Other common names: Merriam's Mouse , Mesquite Mouse Taxonomy. Peromyscus merriami Mearns, 1896 , on Sonoyta River, Sonoyta, Sonora , Mexico . Some studies suggest that P. merriami should include P. dickeyi . Peromyscus merriami 1s in the eremicus species group. Two subspecies recognized. Subspecies and Distribution. P.m.merriamiMearns,1896—SArizona,USA,andWSonora,Mexico. P. m. goldmani Osgood, 1904 — S Sonora and N Sinaloa , Mexico. Descriptive notes. Head—body 89-97 mm, tail 94-126 mm, ear 17-23 mm, hindfoot 20-24 mm; weight 15-20 g. Merriam’s Deermouse is one of the smaller species of Peromyscus . It is morphologically similar to the Cactus Deermouse ( P. eremicus ) but slightly larger. Dorsum is generally ocherous buff to cinnamon-buff, washed with dusky tones; sides and head are more gray; and venteris whitish. Pectoral dark brown spot is often present. Tail is bicolored (darker above), as long as or longer than head-body length, with small tuft at end. Ears are relatively small for body size. Skull is robust, with wide zygomatic arch and large interorbital channel. Subspecies merriami has smaller body and lighter color than does subspecies goldmand. Habitat. Coastal xeric scrublands, thorn forests, and grasslands from sea levelto elevations of ¢.800 m. Some reports indicate that Merriam’s Deermouse is closely associated with mesquite ( Prosopis spp. , Fabaceae ). Food and Feeding. Merriam’s Deermouse probably eats seeds, although little information is available. Breeding. Pregnant and lactating Merriam’s Deermice have been captured yearround. Litters have 2-4 young. Activity patterns. Merriam’s Deermouse is presumably nocturnal. Movements, Home range and Social organization. No information. Status and Conservation. Classified as Least Concern on The IUCN Red List. Bibliography. Hafner et al. (2001), Hall (1981), Hoffmeister (1986), Hoffmeister & Diersing (1973), Hoffmeister & Lee (1963), Lawlor (1971a, 1971b), Mearns (1896), Musser & Carleton (2005), Osgood (1904), Quijada & Ortega (2014) .