Anastasia Island beach mouse
Anastasia Island beach mouse | |
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Scientific classification | |
Domain: | Eukaryota |
Kingdom: | Animalia |
Phylum: | Chordata |
Class: | Mammalia |
Order: | Rodentia |
Family: | Cricetidae |
Subfamily: | Neotominae |
Genus: | Peromyscus |
Species: | P. polionotus |
Subspecies: | P. p. phasma
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Trinomial name | |
Peromyscus polionotus phasma Bangs, 1898
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The Anastasia Island beach mouse (Peromyscus polionotus phasma) is a subspecies of the
Description
The Anastasia Island beach mouse has an average body length of 13.85–14.28 cm (5.45–5.62 in) including tail. The coat tends to be a pale tan color with a white underbelly. Subtle white markings can be found across the face and muzzle. Their coloration, being substantially lighter than inland members of their species, is thought to be an adaptation to help them blend into their sandy habitats and avoid
Habitat
The mouse occurs in the sandy dunes of
Behavior
Diet
The mice eat small insects and coastal plant such as
Shelter
Burrows tend to be constructed at the base of a clump of grass on the sloping side of a dune, and are occupied by either a monogamous, mating pair of mice or a female and her young. The entrance is a small hole, typically 1–2 inches in diameter, followed by a 3–4 foot tunnel of the same diameter. The tunnel leads to a main chamber, which typically has a second 'escape tunnel' leading out the back. The escape tunnel has no opening at the surface, but ends just below the sand's surface. If the mouse's burrow is invaded or disturbed, the mouse will access the escape tunnel and push through the layer of sand at the end to the surface. These burrows are used for food storage, sleeping, and nesting, as well as a refuge from predators.
Reproduction
The species is
Survival
Though the average lifespan is 9 months, mortality is high and most young survive around 4 months.
Native predators include coastal dwellers such as snakes, skunks, raccoons, and the great blue heron. Some introduced species which pose a threat to the mouse are domestic cats and dogs, as well as foxes.
Reasons for endangered status
Because of the specificity of the dune habitat, the Anastasia Island beach mouse is extremely vulnerable to environmental factors. Because of the high real estate values of the coastal habitat of the mice, major commercial and residential development is continually encroaching on the dunes they call home. Humans become a more regular part of the environment, which contributes both directly and indirectly to the endangerment of the mice. Both by visiting, directly interacting with, and subsequently contributing to the degradation of the dune habitat, as well as bringing their
In addition to direct human contributions, increasing
Conservation options
There are several conservation options, at both the governmental and the personal level, that can help preserve and recover the Anastasia Island beach mouse population.
Another option is that of
As for people who live in the vicinity of the beach mouse habitat, there are several steps they can take to help ensure the longevity of the species. First, they can become familiar with the plants that serve as anchors for the dunes' sand and make an effort not to disrupt the structural integrity of the habitat. In addition to holding the dunes in place, they also serve as food sources for the beach mouse, so to disturb these plants is to put the entire ecosystem at risk. In avoiding these plants, a good rule of thumb is to remain on paths and trails when walking on or near the beach. Another rule for beach living is to keep cats indoors as frequently as one can, and to never feed stray cats on the beach. With domesticated cats being one of the biggest predator threats to the beach mouse, humans should do nothing to encourage their presence in this environment.
References
- ^ "Peromyscus polionotus phasma. NatureServe Explorer 2.0". explorer.natureserve.org. Retrieved 20 March 2023.
- ^ a b "Anastasia Island beach mouse (Peromyscus polionotus phasma)". Environmental Conservation Online System. U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service. Retrieved 24 April 2023.
- ^ a b 54 FR 20598
External links
- US Fish and Wildlife Services Endangered Species Accounts, Endangered and Threatened Species of the Southeastern United States (The Red Book) FWS Region 4, August 1991
- Fort Matanzas National Monument Website, National Park Service
- University of Florida, Brittany L. Bird, Lyn C. Branch, Mark E. Hostetler
- Watching Wildlife with the Florida Fish and Wildlife Commission, August 2002
- NatureServe Explorer, October 2006