Megadontomys nelsoni (Merriam, 1898)
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https://doi.org/ 10.5281/zenodo.6707142 |
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https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.6726453 |
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persistent identifier |
https://treatment.plazi.org/id/03F06D13-FFD8-2011-0D85-1CAF0F0EFE33 |
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Carolina |
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Megadontomys nelsoni |
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313. View Plate 18: Cricetidae
Nelson's Big-toothed Deermouse
Megadontomys nelsoni View in CoL
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. View Figure
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).
No known copyright restrictions apply. See Agosti, D., Egloff, W., 2009. Taxonomic information exchange and copyright: the Plazi approach. BMC Research Notes 2009, 2:53 for further explanation.
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Megadontomys nelsoni
| Don E. Wilson, Russell A. Mittermeier & Thomas E. Lacher, Jr 2017 |
Peromyscus (Megadontomys) nelsoni
| Merriam 1898 |