Southern pygmy mouse explained

The southern pygmy mouse (Baiomys musculus) is a species of rodent in the family Cricetidae.It is found in El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Mexico, and Nicaragua.

Habitat

Coastal animals are larger on average. They prefer open canopy areas with grasses and less dead wood or bare ground. In general they are found in open areas with thick low vegetation.^[1] They are also found in rocky areas.^[2]

Description

The outer coat of the southern pygmy mouse varies from a reddish brown to almost black. The under belly is lighter in tone than the back ranging from pinkish buff to white. Juveniles are born with a gray coat that slowly turns brown as they mature. Uncharacteristically of other members in the family Cricetidae they have 14 cheek teeth instead of 12.^[3]

Reproduction

Breeding occurs year-round but rates are not constant throughout the year. During the winter and spring there are fewer litters born. Individuals living in grassy areas dig burrows for nesting while others in rocky areas live under rocks.

Synonyms:

• Baiomys brunneus (J. A. Allen and Chapman, 1897)
• Baiomys nigrescens (Osgood, 1904)
• Baiomys grisescens (Goldman, 1932)
• Baiomys infernatis (Hooper, 1952)
• Baiomys pallidus (Russell, 1952)
• Baiomys handleyi (Packard, 1958)
• Baiomys pullus (Packard, 1958)
• Baiomys nebulosus (Goodwin, 1959)

References

• Baillie, J. 1996. Baiomys musculus. 2006 IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. Downloaded on 19 July 2007.
• 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.

Notes and References

1. Demographic features and habitat preferences of southern pygmy mice (Baiomys musculus) in Colima, Mexico. Canadian Journal of Zoology. 2008-05-10. 0008-4301. 507–524. 86. 6. 10.1139/Z08-026. Gary D.. Schnell. Cassie J.. Poindexter. Cornelio. Sánchez-Hernández. María de Lourdes. Romero-Almaraz. Michael L.. Kennedy. Troy L.. Best. Michael C.. Wooten. Alfredo. Pérez Jiménez.
2. Baiomys musculus. Packard, Montgomery. Robert, James. 1978-09-21. Mammalian Species . 102 . 1–3. 10.2307/3503780 . 3503780 . 2015-11-19.
3. Extra Teeth in the Pygmy Mouse, Baiomys musculus. Journal of Mammalogy. 1955-05-01. 0022-2372. 298–299. 36. 2. 10.2307/1375907. Emmet T.. Hooper. 1375907.