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 313. Nelson's Big-toothed Deermouse Megadontomys nelsoni French: Péromyscus de Nelson / German: Nelson-Grof 3zahn-Hirschmaus / Spanish: Ratdn ciervo de dientes grandes de Nelson Other common names: Nelson's Giant Deer Mouse Taxonomy. Peromyscus (Megadontomys) nelsoni Merriam, 1898 , Jico, 6000 ft (= 1830 m ), Veracruz , Mexico . Megadontomys nelsoni was recognized as subspecies of M. thomasi but elevated to species status. The validity of the genus Megadontomys 1s still much debated. Monotypic. Distribution. Restricted to high-elevations of Sierra Madre Oriental in CW Veracruz, E Puebla, and N Oaxaca , Mexico. Descriptive notes. Head-body 132-146 mm, tail 170-172 mm, ear 20-21 mm, hindfoot 32-35 mm; weight 57 g. Nelson’s Big-toothed Deermouse is large, approaching a medium-sized woodrat ( Neotoma ). It is similar in most characteristics to the Oaxacan Big-toothed Deermouse (M. cryophilus ) and Thomas’s Big-toothed Deermouse ( M. thomasi ), but there are relatively strong genetic differences among the three species. Morphologically, Nelson's Big-toothed Deermouse bridges the gap between the Oaxacan Big-toothed Deermouse and Thomas’s Big-toothed Deermouse, butit is considered closer to the latter. Habitat. Known only from cloud forests and pine ( Pinus , Pinaceae ) and oak ( Quercus , Fagaceae ) forests, with thickly vegetated areas and dense understories of vines and shrubs, at elevations of 2000-3500 m. Food and Feeding. Diet probably consists of seeds and other vegetation. Breeding. Reproduction occurs in March-November, with litters of 2-3 young. Activity patterns. Nelson's Big-toothed Deermouse is presumably nocturnal. Movements, Home range and Social organization. No information. Status and Conservation. Classified as Endangered on The IUCN Red List. Endemic Nelson’s Big-toothed Deermouse has decreasing populations. Bibliography. Bradley et al. (2007), Carleton (1989), Musser (1964), Pena & Hernandez (2014), Platt et al. (2015), Werbitsky & Kilpatrick (1987).