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
544.
Ecuadorean Akodont
Necromys punctulatus
French:
Akodon pointillé
/
German:
Ekuador-Graslandmaus
/
Spanish:
Raton cavador de Ecuador
Other common names:
Spotted Bolo Mouse
Taxonomy.
Acodon punctulatus Thomas, 1894
,
“
Ecuador
(probably Pallatanga).”
Taxonomy of N.
punctulatus
is uncertain; affinities of
punctulatus
with
lasiurus
,
amoenus
, and
urichi
should be revaluated. Monotypic.
Distribution.
Known from a few specimens collected in the Andes of C Colombia and W Ecuador.
Descriptive notes.
Head-body c.132 mm, tail ¢.71 mm, hindfoot 22 mm. No specific data are available for body weight. Species of
Necromys
are generalized akodontines in external morphology, with heavy bodies, medium-sized eyes and ears, short limbs and tails, and unspecialized forefeet and hindfeet that cause them to be easily confused with several species of
Akodon
. Tail length is always shorter than head-body length. Hindfeet in
Necromys
are relatively narrower than in any species of
Akodon
, and fifth digits are much shorter in relation to fourth digits. Claws of forefeet and hindfeet are usually large and curved. The Ecuadorean Akodont is a medium-sized species of
Necromys
, with short molar toothrow. Dorsum is black,finely lined with gray and yellow; cheeks, sides of neck, and flanks are olive; and underparts are dirty yellowish white. Ears are brown, small, and well-haired; tail is short and bicolored. Manus and pes are brownish white above.
Habitat.
No information.
Food and Feeding.
No information.
Breeding.
No information.
Activity patterns.
No information.
Movements, Home range and Social organization.
No information.
Status and Conservation.
Classified as Data Deficient on The IUCN Red List. Exact localities and distrinutional limits of the Ecuadorean Akodont need clarification before conservation assessmentis possible.
Bibliography.
Pardinas, Teta, Ortiz et al. (2015), Thomas (1894, 1900d), Tirira, Boada, Weksler, Anderson & Goémez-Laverde (2008), Voss (1991b).