California deermouse

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California deermouse

Least Concern  (IUCN 3.1)[1]
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Mammalia
Order: Rodentia
Family: Cricetidae
Subfamily: Neotominae
Genus: Peromyscus
Species:
P. californicus
Binomial name
Peromyscus californicus
(Gambel, 1848)

The California deermouse or California mouse (Peromyscus californicus) is a species of rodent in the subfamily Neotominae in the family Cricetidae. It is the only species in the Peromyscus californicus species group. It is found in northwestern Mexico and central to southern California. It is the largest Peromyscus species in the United States.[2][3]

While most rodents are

monogamous and forms pair bonds,[4] making it a model organism for researchers studying the genetics and neurobiology of partner fidelity[5] and paternal care
.

Description

The California deermouse has very large ears, and its tail is longer than the head and body combined. Including the tail, which is about 117 to 156 mm (4.6 to 6.1 in) long, the mouse ranges in length from 220 to 285 mm (8.7 to 11.2 in).

manus and feet are white.[2][8][9] Adults are large enough that they can be confused with juvenile Neotoma fuscipes, a close relative in the subfamily Neotominae. The dental formula is 1003/1003.[10]

Breeding

The California deermouse is semi

arboreal, but tends to nest on the ground, under debris such as fallen logs, and they will also move into Neotoma fuscipes nests as seasonal residents.[11] Nests are insulated with coarse, dry grasses, weeds, and sticks, and fine grass is used as bedding in the center chamber.[12][13]
The California mouse forms pair bonds and the males help raise the young.[4][13][14][15] A litter usually consists of only two pups, but a pair may produce as many as six litters in a year. Gestation ranges from 21 to 25 days. Weaning occurs when the offspring are five to six weeks of age.[13][16]

Map of Peromyscus californicus distribution in the state of California, United States

Behaviour

P. californicus is more strongly territorial than

P. maniculatus, with both sexes defending the nest site. Males are also aggressive toward one another; their fighting techniques involve jumping, avoidance, and a characteristic mewing cry.[17] This male aggression often is a trade-off between parental care, for males that spend more time engaging in territorial aggression consequently spend less time providing food for offspring.[18]
The mouse communicates with other members of its species via ultrasound. The manner in which a male and female communicate changes from a more aggressive style to a more affiliative style during the development of a pair bond, and the characteristics of their vocalizations can be used to predict the stability of the pair bond.[19] California mice are mostly active at night.[20]

Diet

The mouse's diet consists of shrub fruits, seeds, and flowers, such as of

arthropods.[22]

Predators

Their main predators are weasels and barn owls.[23][24]

References

  1. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2016-2.RLTS.T16654A22361553.en
    . Retrieved 17 November 2021.
  2. ^
    JSTOR 1373853.{{cite journal}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link
    )
  3. ^ Musser, G. G. and M. D. Carleton. (2005). Superfamily Muroidea. pp. 894–1531 in Mammal Species of the World a Taxonomic and Geographic Reference. D. E. Wilson and D. M. Reeder eds. Johns Hopkins University Press, Baltimore.
  4. ^
    S2CID 7797715
    .
  5. ^ Crossland, J.; Lewandowski, A. (2006). "Peromyscus – A fascinating laboratory animal model" (PDF). Techtalk. 11: 1–2. Archived from the original (PDF) on 2008-11-20. Retrieved 2009-05-25.
  6. S2CID 62900746
    .
  7. JSTOR 1379690
    .
  8. hdl:2027/hvd.32044107348559
    .
  9. hdl:2246/752
    .
  10. JSTOR 3503909
    .
  11. JSTOR 1936186
    .
  12. JSTOR 1374549
    .
  13. ^ a b c McCabe, TT and BD Blanchard. 1950. Three Species of Peromyscus. Rood Associates, Santa Barbara, California.
  14. ^ Dudley, D. 1973. [ Paternal behavior in the California mouse] (P. californicus) (Thesis) University of California.
  15. doi:10.1163/156853962X00014
    .
  16. ^ Svihla, A (1932). "A comparative life history study of the mice of the genus Peromyscus" (PDF). Misc. Publ. Mus. Zool. Univ. Michigan. 24: 1–39.
  17. JSTOR 2422858
    .
  18. S2CID 1409147
    .
  19. doi:10.3389/fevo.2018.00125
    .
  20. JSTOR 1378878
    .
  21. ^ Meserve, PL (1972) Resource and habitat utilization by rodents of the coastal sage scrub community (Thesis) University of California, Irvine.
  22. JSTOR 1379260
    .
  23. doi:10.1093/jmammal/18.3.364
    .
  24. doi:10.1093/jmammal/18.3.360
    .
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