Nayarit mouse

Nayarit mouse
Conservation status

Least Concern  (IUCN 3.1)[1]
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Mammalia
Order: Rodentia
Family: Cricetidae
Genus: Peromyscus
Species group: P. boylii
Species: P. simulus
Binomial name
Peromyscus simulus
Osgood, 1904
Synonyms

Peromyscus boylii simulus

The Nayarit mouse or Sinaloan deer mouse (Peromyscus simulus) is a species of cricetid rodent endemic to Mexico. It was considered a subspecies of brush mouse until 1977.

Description

The Nayarit mouse is the smallest mouse within the P. boylii species group, with a head and body length of about 10 cm (3.9 in), and a tail measuring about the same again. They typically also have a shorter snout than other members of the species group. They have tawny fur, with creamy-white underparts and a poorly-defined stripe of darker, almost black, fur down the middle of the back. The limbs are dusky to sooty, with white feet. The tail is hairy, usually darker above than below, and ends in a distinct tuft.[2]

Distribution and habitat

The Nayarit mouse is found only along the Pacific coast of Mexico, from southern Sinaloa to central Nayarit.[1] It inhabits forested terrain[3] in coastal plains and river valleys below 200 m (660 ft), including mangrove swamps, acacia thickets and thorn scrub. There are no recognised subspecies.[2]

References

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 Álvarez-Castañeda, S.T., Castro-Arellano, I., Lacher, T., Vázquez, E. & Arroyo-Cabrales, J. (2008). "Peromyscus simulus". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. Version 2010.4. International Union for Conservation of Nature. Retrieved 21 February 2015.
  2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 Roberts, R.R., Schimdly, D.J. & Bradley, R.D. (2001). "Peromyscus simulus". Mammalian Species: Number 669: pp. 1–3. doi:10.1644/1545-1410(2001)669<0001:PS>2.0.CO;2.
  3. ↑ Carleton, M.D. et al. (1982). "Distribution and systematics of Peromyscus (Mammalia: Rodentia) from Nayarit, Mexico". Smithsonian Contributions to Zoology 352: 1–46. doi:10.5479/si.00810282.352.