Superregnum: Eukaryota
Cladus: Unikonta
Cladus: Opisthokonta
Cladus: Holozoa
Regnum: Animalia
Subregnum: Eumetazoa
Cladus: Bilateria
Cladus: Nephrozoa
Superphylum: Deuterostomia
Phylum: Chordata
Subphylum: Vertebrata
Infraphylum: Gnathostomata
Megaclassis: Osteichthyes
Cladus: Sarcopterygii
Cladus: Rhipidistia
Cladus: Tetrapodomorpha
Cladus: Eotetrapodiformes
Cladus: Elpistostegalia
Superclassis: Tetrapoda
Cladus: Reptiliomorpha
Cladus: Amniota
Cladus: Synapsida
Cladus: Eupelycosauria
Cladus: Sphenacodontia
Cladus: Sphenacodontoidea
Cladus: Therapsida
Cladus: Theriodontia
Cladus: Cynodontia
Cladus: Eucynodontia
Cladus: Probainognathia
Cladus: Prozostrodontia
Cladus: Mammaliaformes
Classis: Mammalia
Subclassis: Trechnotheria
Infraclassis: Zatheria
Supercohors: Theria
Cohors: Eutheria
Infraclassis: Placentalia
Cladus: Boreoeutheria
Superordo: Euarchontoglires
Ordo: Rodentiaa
Subordo: Myomorpha
Superfamilia: Muroidea
Familia: Cricetidae
Subfamilia: Neotominae
Tribus: Peromyscini
Genus: Peromyscus
Species: Peromyscus aztecus
Subspecies (3): P. a. aztecus – P. a. evides – P. a. oaxacensis
Name
Peromyscus aztecus (Saussure, 1860)
Lectotype: MHNG 510.96, mounted skin and skull, collected by Sumichrast. [designated by Osgood (1909: 157)]
Type locality: “Mexique”, restricted to “probably the vicinity of Mirador, Veracruz”, by Osgood (1909: 156).
Paralectotype: USNM 3926, skin.
Combinations
Hesperomys (Hesperomys) aztecus Saussure, 1960: 105 [original combination]
Peromyscus aztecus — Thomas, 1894: 365 [subsequent combination]
Peromyscus boylei [sic] aztecus — Osgood, 1909: 156 [subsequent combination, reduce to subspecies]
Peromyscus aztecus — Álvarez, 1961: 113 [subsequent combination, restaure to species]
References
Primary references
Saussure, H. de 1860. Note sur quelques mammifères du Mexique. Revue et magasin de zoologie pure et appliquée. Series 2 12: 3–11, 53–57, 97–110, 241–254, 281–293, 377–383, 425–431, 479–494, 4 pls. BHL Reference page.
Osgood, W.H. 1909. Revision of the Mice of the American Genus Peromyscus. North American Fauna 28: 1–285. BHL Reference page.
Template:Álvarez, 1961
Additional references
Carleton, M.D. 1979. Taxonomic status and relationships of Peromyscus boylii from El Salvador. Journal of Mammalogy 60(2): 280–296. DOI: 10.2307/1379799 Paywall Reference page.
Kilpatrick, C.W., Pradhan, N. & Norris, R.W. 2021. A re-examination of the molecular systematics and phylogeography of taxa of the Peromyscus aztecus species group, with comments on the distribution of P. winkelmanni. Therya 12(2): DOI: 10.12933/therya-21-1115 Open access Reference page.
Vernacular names
English: Aztec Deermouse
The Aztec mouse (Peromyscus aztecus) is a species of rodent in the family Cricetidae, native to southern Mexico and parts of Central America.
Description
The Aztec mouse is a typically sized member of its genus, with a total length of 20 to 26 cm (7.9 to 10.2 in), about half of which is made up by the tail. The fur is ochre mixed with black over the upper surface of the body, a brighter reddish color at the sides, and pale buff beneath. The tail is also paler on the underside, and often ends with a white tip. The feet are white, with hairs on the soles of the hindfeet, one of the features that allows it to be distinguished from the otherwise similar looking, and more widespread, brush mouse.[2]
Distribution and habitat
Aztec mice are found in three disjunct regions of southern Mexico, in southern Guatemala and Honduras, and in much of El Salvador.[1] Four subspecies have been identified:[2]
P. aztecus aztecus - the centers of Veracruz and Guerrero
P. aztecus cordillerae - El Salvador
P. aztecus evides - Oaxaca
P. aztecus oaxacensis - extreme eastern Oaxaca, Chiapas, Guatemala, and Honduras
The mice live in mountainous regions, between 1,000 and 2,700 m (3,300 and 8,900 ft) altitude.[2] Here they are found in the limits of humid highland forests, ranging from cloud forests to highland coniferous forest dominated by juniper and pine. They are also found in sugar cane and coffee plantations.[1]
Biology
Aztec mice primarily eat grasses and seeds,[2] although as much as a third of their diet may consist of insects at certain times of the year, including ants, crickets, beetles, and weevils. Although precise details of their mating habits are unknown, pregnant females have been found from May to November, and litter sizes of up to five have been recorded.[2]
Conservation status
The Aztec mouse is not a threatened species. Its conservation status is of least concern because its large distribution, a presumed large population, and its tolerance to various kinds of habitats. Since it lives in protected areas and no threat is apparent, it is unlikely to decline to levels of threatened species.[1]
References
Castro-Arellano, I.; Vázquez, E. (2016). "Peromyscus aztecus". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. 2016: e.T16651A22361906. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2016-2.RLTS.T16651A22361906.en. Retrieved 11 November 2021.
Vázquez, L.B.; Cameron, G.N. & Medellín, R.A. (2001). "Peromyscus aztecus" (PDF). Mammalian Species (649): 1–4. doi:10.1644/1545-1410(2001)649<0001:pa>2.0.co;2. S2CID 198968643. Archived from the original (PDF) on 2015-06-21.
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