Eligmodontia moreni (Thomas, 1896)

Don E. Wilson, Russell A. Mittermeier & Thomas E. Lacher, Jr, 2017, Cricetidae, Handbook of the Mammals of the World – Volume 7 Rodents II, Barcelona: Lynx Edicions, pp. 204-535 : 520

719.

Monte Gerbil Mouse

Eligmodontia moreni

French: Eligmodonte de Moreno / German: Argentinien-Hochlandwiistenmaus / Spanish: Raton colilargo de montana

Other common names: Monte Laucha

Taxonomy. Eligmodon moreni Thomas, 1896 , “Chilecito, Prov. La Rioja, Argentina, alt. 1200 metres.” This species is monotypic.

Distribution. NW & CW Argentina ; limits unresolved.

Descriptive notes. Head—body 69-89 mm, tail 92-125 mm, ear 1621-5 mm, hindfoot 22-27 mm. No specific data are available for body weight. See general characters of the genus under the Hairy-footed Gerbil Mouse ( E. hirtipes ) account. The Monte Gerbil Mouse is small, characterized by tail much longer (c.134%) than head-body length. Fur is long and lax. Dorsum is brownish or coarsely mixed fawn and brown; underparts are white, with hairs white to bases in adults; junction of dorsal and ventral colors marked by yellowish lateral line. Tail is markedly bicolored and moderately haired, dark above and white below and on sides; terminal apical tuft is ¢.5 mm or longer. Area around mouth is white; white postocular patch is present. Hindfeet are notably large; upper surfaces of forefeet and hindfeet are covered with silvery white hair, and soles are covered by short hairs.

Habitat. Eastern slopes of the Andes in Monte Desert and pre-Puna habitats at elevations of ¢.500-3900 m. Monte Gerbil Mice have been collected in sandy areas with scattered, sparse shrub vegetation and in creosote bush scrub, mesquite woodland, columnar cactus slopes, barrens, chical, and saltbush habitats.

Food and Feeding. The Monte Gerbil Mouse in the Monte Desert was omnivorous, with a tendency toward herbivory. Most food items were plant leaves, followed by arthropods and lastly seeds.

Breeding. Reproduction of the Monte Gerbil Mouse occurs in autumn (March—May) and spring (October-November).

Activity patterns. The Monte Gerbil Mouse is terrestrial and nocturnal.

Movements, Home range and Social organization. No information.

Status and Conservation. Classified as Least Concern on The IUCN Red List.

Bibliography. Hershkovitz (1962), Lanzone (2009), Lanzone & Ojeda (2005), Lanzone, Chillo et al. (2012), Lanzone, Ojeda, A.A. et al. (2011), Lanzone, Ojeda, R.A. & Gallardo (2007), Ojeda, Jayat & Pardinas (2016), Teta, D’Elia & Pardinas (2010), Traba et al. (2010).

Figures

696. Calaca’s White-tailed Mouse (Calassomys apicalis), 697. Peruvian Vesper Mouse (Calomys sorella), 698. Short-tailed Vesper Mouse (Calomys miurus), 699. Coastal Vesper Mouse (Calomys chinchilico), 700. Arequipa Vesper Mouse (Calomys achaku), 701. Long-tailed Vesper Mouse (Calomys frida), 702. Andean Vesper Mouse (Calomys lepidus), 703. Drylands Vesper Mouse (Calomys musculinus), 704. Hummelinck’s Vesper Mouse (Calomys hummelincki), 705. Delicate Vesper Mouse (Calomys tener), 706. Small Vesper Mouse (Calomys laucha), 707. Rejected Vesper Mouse (Calomys expulsus), 708. Tocantins Vesper Mouse (Calomys tocantinsi), 709. Large Vesper Mouse (Calomys callosus), 710. Crafty Vesper Mouse (Calomys callidus), 711. Bolivian Vesper Mouse (Calomys boliviae), 712. Cordoba Vesper Mouse (Calomys venustus), 713. Cerqueira’s Vesper Mouse (Calomys cerqueirai), 714. Hairy-footed Gerbil Mouse (Eligmodontia hirtipes), 715. Andean Gerbil Mouse (Eligmodontia puerulus), 716. Bolson Gerbil Mouse (Eligmodontia bolsonensis), 717. Lowland Gerbil Mouse (Eligmodontia typus), 718. Dune Gerbil Mouse (Eligmodontia dunaris), 719. Monte Gerbil Mouse (Eligmodontia moreni), 720. Morgan’s Gerbil Mouse (Eligmodontia morgani), 721. Pale Pericote (Graomys domorum), 722. Chaco Pericote (Graomys chacoensis), 723. Otro Cerro Pericote (Graomys edithae), 724. Common Pericote (Graomys griseoflavus)

Distribution. NW & CW Argentina ; limits unresolved.