| Black-eared mouse | |
|---|---|
 | |
| In Chihuahua, Mexico | |
Scientific classification  | |
| Domain: | Eukaryota |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Mammalia |
| Order: | Rodentia |
| Family: | Cricetidae |
| Subfamily: | Neotominae |
| Genus: | Peromyscus |
| Species: | P. melanotis |
| Binomial name | |
| Peromyscus melanotis J.A. Allen & Chapman, 1897 | |
The black-eared mouse (Peromyscus melanotis), or black-eared deer mouse, is a species of rodent in the family Cricetidae, native to North America. [1]
The black-eared mouse is one of the smaller species in the genus Peromyscus , measuring 14 to 18 cm (5.5 to 7.1 in) in total length, including a relatively short tail, 5 to 7 cm (2.0 to 2.8 in) long. The fur is tawny to yellow-brown over most of the body, fading from a darker shade on the back to paler on the flanks. The under parts and feet are pure white, with a clear dividing line from the tawny fur elsewhere. A narrow ring of dusky fur is found around the eyes, while the ears are dark brown to black, with white edges. The tail is furred, and has the same color as the body, being tawny above and white below. In at least some localities, the mouse has a slightly paler coat in winter than in summer. [2]
The mouse is virtually identical in appearance to the closely related species Peromyscus sonoriensis (formerly referred to as P. maniculatus ). Although subtle differences in the fur and shape of the skull occur between the species, the considerable overlap in the appearance of individuals means even these features cannot reliably be used to distinguish them. The two species can, however, be distinguished using genetic analysis. [2] and are unable to successfully interbreed. [3]
Black-eared mice are found in regions of coniferous forest and mixed grassland throughout much of the central mountains of Mexico. They occur from the Neovolcanic range through the Sierra Madre Oriental and Occidental, and across the US border into mountainous regions of southern Arizona. [1] Within this region, they may be found in rocky or marshy habitats or among forest undergrowth between 2,600 and 2,900 m (8,500 and 9,500 ft) in elevation. [2] In contrast, P. sonoriensis tends to live on lower slopes in the same region, [4] although some overlap may occur in ravines and along forest edges. [2]
Black-eared mice are nocturnal and omnivorous, [4] feeding mainly on seeds and insects. [5] Unusually, they are able to tolerate very bitter cardenolide chemicals, [6] allowing them to consume relatively large quantities of monarch butterflies. [7] They spend the day in burrows consisting of a nest chamber about 7 cm (2.8 in) across, connected to the surface by a vertical tunnel about 60 cm (2.0 ft) in length. [2] They reportedly defend the territory around their nests from other species, in particular driving away Mexican volcano mice, where the two species are found together. [5]
The mice breed throughout the year, giving birth to litters of up to five young, with three or four being typical. [2] No subspecies are recognized.
Peromyscus is a genus of rodents. They are commonly referred to as deer mice or deermice, not to be confused with the chevrotain or "mouse deer". They are New World mice only distantly related to the common house and laboratory mouse, Mus musculus. From this relative, Peromyscus species are distinguished by relatively larger eyes, and also often two-tone coloring, with darker colors over the dorsum (back), and white abdominal and limb hair-coloring. In reference to the coloring, the word Peromyscus comes from Greek words meaning "booted mouse". They are also accomplished jumpers and runners by comparison to house mice, and their common name of "deer mouse" is in reference to this agility.
The Neotominae are a subfamily of the family Cricetidae. They consist of four tribes, 16 genera, and many species of New World rats and mice, predominantly found in North America. Among them are the well-known deer mice, white-footed mice, packrats, and grasshopper mice.
Peromyscus maniculatus is a rodent native to eastern North America. It is most commonly called the eastern deer mouse; when formerly grouped with the western deer mouse, it was referred to as the North American deermouse and is fairly widespread across most of North America east of the Mississippi River, with the major exception being the lowland southeastern United States.
The brush mouse is a species of rodent in the family Cricetidae. It is found in mountainous areas of Mexico and the western United States at altitudes over 2,000 m (6,600 ft).
The Perote mouse, or Perote deer mouse, is a species of rodent in the family Cricetidae. It is found only in Mexico.
The Angel Island mouse, or La Guarda deermouse, is a species of rodent in the family Cricetidae.
Hooper's mouse is a species of rodent in the family Cricetidae. It is the only member of the Peromyscus hooperi species group, and is found only in Mexico. The species is named for Emmett Hooper, a researcher into the taxonomy of the genus Peromyscus.
The nimble-footed mouse is a species of rodent in the family Cricetidae. It is found only in Mexico.
The Tres Marías island mouse or Tres Marías deer mouse is a species of rodent in the family Cricetidae. It is found only on the Islas Marías off the west coast of Mexico. When last assessed, it was common on María Cleofás Island, but rare or absent on the other, more disturbed, islands.
The Mexican deer mouse is a species of forest-dwelling rodent in the family Cricetidae. It is found in southern Mexico and throughout much of Central America.
The tawny deer mouse or marsh mouse is a species of rodent in the family Cricetidae. It is found only in Mexico.
The false canyon mouse or Coronados deer mouse, is a species of rodent in the family Cricetidae. It is known only from Coronados Island, a small island in the Gulf of California, part of Baja California Sur, Mexico. The species is threatened by predation by feral cats, and the IUCN has assessed its conservation status as "critically endangered".
The Nayarit mouse or Sinaloan deer mouse is a species of cricetid rodent endemic to Mexico. It was considered a subspecies of brush mouse until 1977.
Slevin's mouse, also known as the Catalina deer mouse, is a species of rodent in the family Cricetidae. It is endemic to Isla Santa Catalina off the east coast of Baja California Sur, an island with an area of about 40 km2 (15 sq mi), and it is the only native mammal on the island. It is named for Joseph Slevin, a curator at the California Academy of Sciences.
Winkelmann's mouse is a species of rodent in the family Cricetidae found only in Mexico, and is named for John R. Winkelmann, who collected the first specimens.
Gambel's deermouse or Gambel's deer mouse is a species of rodent in the family Cricetidae. It is native to the United States and Mexico.
The western deermouse or western deer mouse is a rodent native to North America. It is widespread throughout the western half of the continent, mainly in areas west of the Mississippi River.
The southern deermouse or southern deer mouse is a species of rodent in the family Cricetidae. It is found in the United States and Mexico.
