Jaliscan spiny pocket mouse

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Jaliscan spiny pocket mouse
Scientific classification Red Pencil Icon.png
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Mammalia
Order: Rodentia
Family: Heteromyidae
Genus: Heteromys
Species:
H. spectabilis
Binomial name
Heteromys spectabilis
Genoways, 1971

The Jaliscan spiny pocket mouse (Heteromys spectabilis) is a species of heteromyid rodent endemic to Mexico. The specific name spectabilis means "striking", and refers to the animal's relatively bright coloration. [2] It was formerly placed in the genus Liomys, which is now recognized to be paraphyletic and has been subsumed into Heteromys . [3]

The Jaliscan spiny pocket mouse is a relatively large member of its genus, measuring 12 to 14 cm (4.7 to 5.5 in) in head-body length, with a tail about the same length again. Adult males weigh about 68 g (2.4 oz) on average, while females are significantly smaller, weighing 51 g (1.8 oz) on average. The fur is reddish brown over the back and flanks, and consists of fine soft hair beneath, and almost entirely hidden by, a dense coat of stiff spines. The flanks are also marked with a bright ochre stripe running lengthways down the body, while the underparts are white. [2]

The mouse is found only in southeast Jalisco in Mexico. It inhabits xerophytic areas and oak forest at altitudes between 950 and 1,615 m (3,117 and 5,299 ft), and is common among low brush or grass, as well as in agricultural land. Little else is known of its biology, although one captured female was observed to be pregnant with five embryos in September. There are no recognised subspecies. [2]

One of the major threats to the survival of this species is habitat loss caused by the timber extraction from the pine-oak forests in this region. Even though this species has been declared endangered and protected by the Mexican law,[ citation needed ] they are rapidly decreasing in number with a limited severely fragmented distribution. [1]

The closest living relative of the Jaliscan spiny pocket mouse is the painted spiny pocket mouse. The common ancestor of these two species split in response to changing climate, with the painted species becoming restricted to the coastal regions of western Mexico, and the Jaliscan species to the interior. [4]

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Heteromyidae</span> Family of rodents

Heteromyidae is a family of rodents consisting of kangaroo rats, kangaroo mice, pocket mice and spiny pocket mice. Most heteromyids live in complex burrows within the deserts and grasslands of western North America, though species within the genus Heteromys are also found in forests and their range extends down as far as northern South America. They feed mostly on seeds and other plant parts, which they carry in their fur-lined cheek pouches to their burrows.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Dipodomyinae</span> Subfamily of rodents

Dipodomyinae is a subfamily of heteromyid rodents, the kangaroo rats and mice. Dipodomyines, as implied by both their common and scientific names, are bipedal; they also jump exceptionally well. Kangaroo rats and mice are native to desert and semidesert ecosystems of western North America from southern Canada to central Mexico. They are generally herbivorous foragers, and dig and live in burrows.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Perognathinae</span> Subfamily of rodents

Perognathinae is a subfamily of rodents consisting of two genera of pocket mice. Most species live in complex burrows within the deserts and grasslands of western North America, They feed mostly on seeds and other plant parts, which they carry in their fur-lined cheek pouches to their burrows.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Zacatecan deer mouse</span> Species of rodent

The Zacatecan deer mouse or southern rock mouse is a species of rodent in the family Cricetidae. It is found only in Mexico, and is not considered endangered.

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.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Spiny pocket mouse</span> Species of rodent

The spiny pocket mouse is a species of rodent in the family Heteromyidae and order Rodentia. It is found in Baja California in Mexico and in Arizona, California and Nevada.

<i>Heteromys</i> Genus of mammals belonging to the kangaroo rats, kangaroo mice, and pocket mice family of rodents

Heteromys is a genus of rodents in the family Heteromyidae, commonly known as spiny pocket mice. It is the only extant genus in the subfamily Heteromyinae which also includes the extinct genera Diprionomys and Metaliomys. Heteromys was recently enlarged by inclusion of the members of formerly recognized heteromyine genus Liomys, which was found to be paraphyletic.

Goldman's spiny pocket mouse is a species of rodent in the family Heteromyidae. It has been reported to be a subspecies of Heteromys desmarestianus. It is found in Guatemala and Mexico. Its natural habitat is subtropical or tropical moist lowland forests.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Nelson's spiny pocket mouse</span> Species of mouse

Nelson's spiny pocket mouse is a species of rodent in the family Heteromyidae. It is found in Mexico and Guatemala. Its natural habitat is subtropical or tropical moist lowland forests. It is threatened by habitat loss.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Panamanian spiny pocket mouse</span> Species of rodent

The Panamanian spiny pocket mouse, also known as Peter's spiny pocket mouse, is a species of heteromyid rodent endemic to Panama. It is very closely related to Salvin's spiny pocket mouse, and has been placed in the same species group by some authors. It was formerly placed in the genus Liomys, which is now recognized to be paraphyletic and has been subsumed into Heteromys.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Mexican spiny pocket mouse</span> Species of rodent

The Mexican spiny pocket mouse is a species of rodent in the family Heteromyidae. It is native to Mexico and Texas in the United States where it is found in dry, scrubby habitats. The IUCN has assessed it as being of "least concern". It was formerly placed in the genus Liomys, which is now recognized to be paraphyletic and has been subsumed into Heteromys.

The painted spiny pocket mouse is a species of rodent in the family Heteromyidae. It is found in Mexico and the northern tip of Guatemala. It was formerly placed in the genus Liomys, which is now recognized to be paraphyletic and has been subsumed into Heteromys.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Salvin's spiny pocket mouse</span> Species of rodent

Salvin's spiny pocket mouse is a small to medium-sized rodent in the family Heteromyidae. It was formerly placed in the genus Liomys, which is now recognized to be paraphyletic and has been subsumed into Heteromys.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Pale kangaroo mouse</span> Species of rodent

The pale kangaroo mouse or Soda Spring Valley kangaroo mouse is a species of rodent in the family Heteromyidae. It is endemic to California and Nevada in the United States.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Merriam's pocket gopher</span> Species of rodent

Merriam's pocket gopher is a species of rodent in the family Geomyidae. It is endemic to Mexico, where it is found in the area of the Valley of Mexico and the Valley of Toluca at elevations from 1800 to 4000 m. Its favored habitats are the Zacatonal grassland and temperate pine-oak woodlands, as well as farmland and rangeland. Its karyotype has 2n = 36 and FN = 68.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Chihuahuan pocket mouse</span> Species of rodent

The Chihuahuan pocket mouse is a species of heteromyid rodent found in the southwestern United States and Mexico. It was formerly considered a subspecies of the desert pocket mouse, but was determined to be a distinct species in 1996, following analysis of its mitochondrial DNA.

L. spectabilis may refer to:

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Heteromyinae</span> Subfamily of rodents

Heteromyinae is a subfamily of rodents in the family Heteromyidae, commonly known as spiny pocket mice. It contains a single extant genus, Heteromys, as well as the extinct genera Diprionomys and Metaliomys. Heteromys was recently enlarged by inclusion of the members of formerly recognized heteromyine genus Liomys, which was found to be paraphyletic.

The Perote pocket gopher, or Cofre de Perote pocket gopher, is a species of pocket gopher in the family Geomyidae.

The overlook spiny pocket mouse is a species of heteromyid rodent endemic to Venezuela.

References

  1. 1 2 Álvarez-Castañeda, S.T.; Vázquez, E. (2018). "Heteromys spectabilis". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species . 2018: e.T12077A22225458. doi: 10.2305/IUCN.UK.2018-1.RLTS.T12077A22225458.en . Retrieved 17 November 2021.
  2. 1 2 3 Domínguez-Castellanos, Y.; Ortega, J. (2003). "Liomys spectabilis". Mammalian Species. 718: Number 718: pp. 1–3. doi:10.1644/718. S2CID   198125781.
  3. ↑ Hafner, J. C.; Light, J. E.; Hafner, D. J.; Hafner, M. S.; Reddington, E.; Rogers, D. S.; Riddle, B. R. (2007-10-18). "Basal Clades and Molecular Systematics of Heteromyid Rodents". Journal of Mammalogy. 88 (5): 1129–1145. doi: 10.1644/06-MAMM-A-413R1.1 .
  4. ↑ Cervantes, F.A.; et al. (1999). "Chromosomal relationships among spiny pocket mice, Liomys (Heteromyidae) from Mexico". Journal of Mammalogy. 90 (3): 823–832. doi: 10.2307/1383251 . JSTOR   1383251.
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