Megadontomys nelsoni (Merriam, 1898)

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 : 397

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).

Figures

284. Blackish Deermouse (Peromyscus furvus), 285. Wide-rostrum Deermouse (Peromyscus latirostris), 286. Michoacan Deermouse (Peromyscus sagax), 287. Tres Marias Deermouse (Peromyscus madrenss), 288. San Esteban Deermouse (Peromyscus stephani), 289. Sinaloan Deermouse (Peromyscus simulus), 290. Brush Deermouse (Peromyscus boylu), 291. Durango Deermouse (Peromyscus schmidly), 292. Nimble-footed Deermouse (Peromyscus levipes), 293. Carleton’s Deermouse (Peromyscus carletoni), 294. Kilpatrick's Deermouse (Peromyscus kilpatricki), 295. Orizaba Deermouse (Peromyscus beatae), 296. Gleaning Deermouse (Peromyscus spicilegus), 297. Coalcoman Deermouse (Peromyscus winkelmanni), 298. Oaxacan Deermouse (Peromyscus oaxacensis), 299. Transvolcanic Deermouse (Peromyscus hylocetes), 300. Aztec Deermouse (Peromyscus aztecus), 301. Northern White-ankled Deermouse (Peromyscus laceianus), 302. Southern White-ankled Deermouse (Peromyscus pectoralis), 303. Saxicoline Deermouse (Peromyscus gratus), 304. El Carrizo Deermouse (Peromyscus ochraventer), 305. Chihuahuan Deermouse (Peromyscus polius), 306. Pinyon Deermouse (Peromyscus true), 307. Texas Deermouse (Peromyscus attwateri), 308. Northern Rock Deermouse (Peromyscus nasutus), 309. Southern Rock Deermouse (Peromyscus difficilis), 310. Perote Deermouse (Peromyscus bullatus), 312. Oaxacan Big-toothed Deermouse (Megadontomys cryophilus), 313. Nelson's Big-toothed Deermouse (Megadontomys nelsoni), 314. Xico Deermouse (Habromys simulatus), 315. Delicate Deermouse (Habromys delicatulus), 316. Schmidly’s Deermouse (Habromys schmidlyi), 317. Ixtlan Deermouse (Habromys ixtlani), 318. Chinanteco Deermouse (Habromys chinanteco), 319. Zempoaltepec Deermouse (Habromys lepturus), 320. Crested-tailed Deermouse (Habromys lophurus)

Distribution. Restricted to high-elevations of Sierra Madre Oriental in CW Veracruz, E Puebla, and N Oaxaca , Mexico.