Darwin eared mouse
| Darwin eared mouse | ||||||||||||
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stuffed copy |
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| Systematics | ||||||||||||
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| Scientific name | ||||||||||||
| Phyllotis darwini | ||||||||||||
| ( Waterhouse , 1837) |
The Darwin eared ear mouse ( Phyllotis darwini ) is a rodent in the burrower family that is found in Chile . It is the type species of the genus leaf ear mice .
features
The species reaches a head-body length of 107 to 140 mm and a tail length of 105 to 145 mm. It has hind feet 21 to 31 mm long and ears 21 to 32 mm long. Males are heavier, with an average weight of 53 g, than females, which weigh around 42 g. The weight varies throughout the year and the greatest values are reached in winter. The fur is brown on top, a little lighter on the sides and cream-colored to white on the underside. There may be a yellow-brown stripe across the chest. The Darwin eared ear mouse has black-brown ears, white feet, and a tail that is clearly divided into a dark top and a light underside. The yellow eared ear mouse ( Phyllotis xanthopygus ) can also be found in the same distribution area . This is lighter in the region than the Darwin eared mouse, with less brown in the fur on the upper side and the ears are more hairy.
distribution
The distribution area is in Chile in the coastal strip and in the western areas of the Andes , for example from Antofagasta to Los Ángeles . In the mountains the Darwin eared mouse occurs up to 2000 meters above sea level. It lives mainly in the Matorral vegetation , which is characterized by evergreen bush formations. In addition, semi-arid areas with thorny bushes, areas with little vegetation in the vicinity of deserts as well as highlands and open forests with araucarias are visited.
Various papers divide the population into three subspecies.
- Phyllotis darwini darwini , the nominate form in the north
- Phyllotis darwini boedeckeri , in the Región del Maule
- Phyllotis darwini fulvescens , in the Región del Bío-Bío
Other works out all the forms described as synonyms .
Way of life
The species is nocturnal and can be found on the ground. It mainly eats plant seeds and leaves as well as other green plant parts. In different areas these are complemented with mushrooms and insects.
Reproduction is restricted to spring (from September) and summer (to January / February). Females generally choose the largest males to mate, but aggressive fighting also occurs between the males, resulting in deep wounds or the death of a specimen. On average, 4.2 to 5.2 offspring are born per litter. In each breeding season a female has 2 or 3 litters. Since females reach their maximum weight after just 100 days, it is believed that they are sexually mature faster than males. Male specimens are fully grown after about 200 days.
The population can skyrocket after rainfall. In one study, the number of individuals per hectare increased from 10 to 230 in connection with an El Niño event .
Danger
There are no known threats to the Darwin eared mouse and there are several nature reserves in the region. The IUCN lists the species as Least Concern .
Individual evidence
- ↑ a b c d e f g Don E. Wilson, Thomas E. Lacher Jr., Russell A. Mittermeier (eds.): Handbook of the Mammals of the World. Volume 7 - Rodents II . Lynx Edicions, 2017, ISBN 978-84-16728-04-6 , pp. 527 (English).
- ↑ a b Phyllotis darwini in the endangered Red List species the IUCN 2016 Posted by: D'Elia, G., 2016. Accessed February 9, 2020th
- ↑ Don E. Wilson , DeeAnn M. Reeder (Ed.): Mammal Species of the World . A taxonomic and geographic Reference . 3. Edition. 2 volumes. Johns Hopkins University Press, Baltimore MD 2005, ISBN 0-8018-8221-4 (English, Phyllotis darwini ).