Chelemys megalonyx (Waterhouse, 1845)

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 : 507

680.

Chilean Long-clawed Mouse

Chelemys megalonyx

French: Chélémys / German: Chile-Langkrallenmaus / Spanish: Raton de unas largas de Chile

Other common names: Large Long-clawed Akodont, Large Long-clawed Mouse

Taxonomy. Hesperomys megalonyx Waterhouse, 1845 , Lake Quintero, Valparaiso, Chile.

Chelemys megalonyx 1s the type species of the genus. Alpha-taxonomy is poorly addressed, mostly because few specimens are available for study. Two subspecies recognized.

Subspecies and Distribution.

C.m.megalonyxWaterhouse,1845—CWChile(Coquimbo,Valparaiso,andMetropolitanaregions).

C. m. macrotis Philippi, 1900 — CW Chile (Bio Bio and Araucania regions); it presumably also occurs in Maule Region.

Descriptive notes. Head-body 109-118 mm, tail 55-60 mm, ear 17-18 mm, hindfoot 27-28 mm; weight 53-5-60 g. The Chilean Long-clawed Mouse is medium-sized and mole-like, with elongated front claws (more than 6 mm), thick pelage, and short tail; fur is long, soft, nearly uniform grayish brown above, and grayish white below; chest has brown mark; and tail is uniformly brown.

Habitat. Probably originally associated with arid Mediterranean thornscrub, an environment almost eliminated by human modification; reported in dense mesophitic forest and shrubby coastal areas; one individual was captured between shrub and cactus at the foot of a long steep slope. Recent records of the Chilean Long-clawed Mouse were obtained in dense thickets of the thorny bush Trevoa trinervis ( Rhamnaceae ) on eastern slope of Chilean coastal range in central valley of Chile.

Food and Feeding. No information.

Breeding. No information.

Activity patterns. No information.

Movements, Home range and Social organization. The Chilean Long-clawed Mouse is semi-fossorial and digs tunnels, preferably in humid soils, with burrow openings usually protected by rocks, shrubs, or fallen logs.

Status and Conservation. Classified as Near Threatened on The IUCN Red List. The Chilean Long-clawed Mouse occurs in a limited part ofits restricted distribution, is confined to suitable undisturbed matorral (shrubland) habitat and in fragmented and not well-conserved areas, and is increasingly affected by agricultural activities.

Bibliography. Bazan-Leon et al. (2016), Canoén et al. (2014), Chebez et al. (2014), D'Elia & Patterson (2008a), Mann (1978), Osgood (1925, 1943a), Quintana (2009), Rodriguez-Serrano, Palma & Hernandez (2008), Teta (2013), Teta, Canon et al. (2017), Teta, Pardinas & D'Elia (2015a).