| Mexican pygmy mouse | |
|---|---|
| Conservation status | |
 Least Concern (IUCN 3.1) | |
Scientific classification 
| |
| Domain: | Eukaryota |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Mammalia |
| Order: | Rodentia |
| Family: | Cricetidae |
| Subfamily: | Neotominae |
| Genus: | Baiomys |
| Species: | B. musculus |
| Binomial name | |
| Baiomys musculus (Merriam, 1892) | |
| Synonyms | |
|
Sitomys musculus Merriam, 1892 | |
The Mexican pygmy mouse (Baiomys musculus) is a species of rodent native to Mexico.
Taxonomy
In 2021 it was determined that seven of the eight recognized subspecies formerly considered part of Baiomys musculus should instead belong to Baiomys brunneus. The Trans-Mexican Volcanic Belt and the Balsas River, form a barrier between Baiomys musculus to the west and Baiomys brunneus to the east. This species, as well as B. musculus, are likely more basal within Baiomys than the northern pygmy mouse, since they moreso resemble fossil species. This species has no accepted subspecies.
Description
The hair of this species tends to be olive-brown to dark brown on top and lighter whitish to grayish on the bottom. The body length of this species is 75.6 mm (2.98 in), with a 47.5 mm (1.87 in) tail. It is larger on average than B. brunneus. Uncharacteristically of other members in the family Cricetidae they have 14 cheek teeth instead of 12.
Ecology
Similar to Baiomys brunneus, this species likely prefers to live in grasslands. They have been found in owl pellets, and are likely preyed upon by birds of prey and small mammals. They are active in the afternoon and early evening. They feed on nuts, leaves, seeds, and fruits.
Range
This species is endemic to Mexico. It lives in the states of Michoacán, Colima, southern and central Jalisco, and southern Nayarit.
References
- Reid, F.; Vázquez, E. (2017) . "Baiomys musculus". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. 2016: e.T2465A115062118. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2016-3.RLTS.T2465A22330412.en. Retrieved 23 June 2022.
- ^ Hernández-Canchola, Giovani; León-Paniagua, Livia (May 2021). "About the specific status of Baiomys musculus and B. brunneus". Therya. 12 (2): 291–301. doi:10.12933/therya-21-1150.
- ^ Packard, Montgomery, Robert, James (1978-09-21). "Baiomys musculus" (PDF). Mammalian Species (102): 1–3. doi:10.2307/3503780. JSTOR 3503780. Retrieved 2015-11-19.
{{cite journal}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link) - Packard, Robert L. (16 June 1960). "Speciation and Evolution of the Pygmy Mice, Genus Baiomys". University of Kansas Publications. 9 (23). Retrieved 10 December 2024.
- Hooper, Emmet T. (1955-05-01). "Extra Teeth in the Pygmy Mouse, Baiomys musculus". Journal of Mammalogy. 36 (2): 298–299. doi:10.2307/1375907. ISSN 0022-2372. JSTOR 1375907.
| Taxon identifiers | |
|---|---|
| Baiomys musculus | |
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