Panamanian spiny pocket mouse

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Panamanian spiny pocket mouse
Scientific classification OOjs UI icon edit-ltr.svg
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Mammalia
Order: Rodentia
Family: Heteromyidae
Genus: Heteromys
Species:
H. adspersus
Binomial name
Heteromys adspersus
Peters, 1874
Heteromys adspersus distribution map.png

The Panamanian spiny pocket mouse (Heteromys adspersus), 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. [2] It was formerly placed in the genus Liomys, which is now recognized to be paraphyletic and has been subsumed into Heteromys . [3]

Contents

Description

The Panamanian spiny pocket mouse is very similar in appearance to other species of its genus. Adults range from 22 to 28 centimetres (8.7 to 11.0 in) in total length, including a tail 10 to 15 centimetres (3.9 to 5.9 in) in length, with males being larger than females. The animal has chocolate to greyish brown fur, with yellowish underparts and limbs. Over the flanks and upper parts of the body, the brown fur is interspersed with darker spines and occasional orange hairs. The tail has a moderate covering of hair, and is darker on the upper than on the lower surface. [2]

Distribution and habitat

Panamanian spiny pocket mice are found only in southern and western Panama, along the Pacific coast between David and Chepo, and inland as far as the headwaters of rivers flowing into the Atlantic. It inhabits hilly scrubland, secondary forests and semi-arid savannah country below about 600 metres (2,000 ft). [1] [2]

Behaviour and biology

Panamanian spiny pocket mice are nocturnal, and feed mainly on the nuts of palm trees such as Bactris and Attalea , although they also eat other plant material and some insects. [4] They spend the day sleeping in burrows, which have multiple entrances and are also used to store seeds. They locate their food primarily by scent, and are able to carry seeds in their cheek pouches. They are solitary, inhabiting home ranges averaging just 0.56 hectares (1.4 acres). Although aggressive when kept together in captivity, in the wild they may reach population densities of up to 11 per hectare (4.5/acre), with significant overlap between home ranges. [2]

Breeding takes place between December and May, in the dry and early wet seasons. Females give birth to one or two litters of two to four pups each year. Few individuals survive for more than a year in the wild, although a maximum lifespan of eighteen months has been recorded. [2]

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">Desert pocket mouse</span> Species of rodent

The desert pocket mouse is a North American species of heteromyid rodent found in the southwestern United States and Mexico. True to its common name, the medium-sized desert pocket mouse prefers sandy, sparsely vegetated desert environments.

<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.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Tres Marías Island mouse</span> Species of rodent

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.

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

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.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Alston's brown mouse</span> Species of mammal

Alston's brown mouse, also called Alston's singing mouse, short-tailed singing mouse, or singing mouse, is a species of rodent in the family Cricetidae. It is found in Central America, from Chiapas, Mexico, to western Panama.

<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 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.

<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.

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

The dark kangaroo mouse is a species of rodent in the family Heteromyidae. It is found in California, Idaho, Nevada, Oregon and Utah in the United States.

<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">Eastern spiny mouse</span> Species of rodent

The eastern spiny mouse or Arabian spiny mouse is a species of rodent in the family Muridae. They have a wide range, having been found in Middle Eastern deserts, as well as being prevalent in riverine forests in Africa. This is the only species of spiny mouse which may have black coloration. Their diet is similar to other species of spiny mouse, consisting mostly of seeds.

<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.

<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.

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

The cloud-dwelling spiny pocket mouse is a species of rodent (Rodentia) that is endemic to the high elevations of Cordillera de Tilarán and Cordillera de Guanacaste within Costa Rica. It is contained within the Heteromys desmarestianus species complex.

References

  1. 1 2 Roach, N.; Naylor, L. (2016). "Heteromys adspersus". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species . 2016: e.T12073A22225128. doi: 10.2305/IUCN.UK.2016-2.RLTS.T12073A22225128.en . Retrieved 13 November 2021.
  2. 1 2 3 4 5 Gonzales, M.V.; et al. (2004). "Liomys adspersus". Mammalian Species. 759: Number 759: pp. 1–3. doi: 10.1644/759 .
  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. Fleming, T.H. (1970). "Notes on the rodent faunas of two Panamanian forests". Journal of Mammalogy. 51 (3): 473–490. doi:10.2307/1378388. JSTOR   1378388.