Mexican pygmy mouse
{{Short description|Species of rodent}}
{{Speciesbox
| name = Mexican pygmy mouse
| image =
| status = LC
| status_system = IUCN3.1
| genus = Baiomys
| species = musculus
| authority = (Merriam, 1892)
| synonyms = Sitomys musculus Merriam, 1892
}}
The Mexican pygmy mouse (Baiomys musculus) is a species of rodent native to Mexico.{{cite journal |last1=Hernández-Canchola |first1=Giovani |last2=León-Paniagua |first2=Livia |title=About the specific status of Baiomys musculus and B. brunneus |journal=Therya |date=May 2021 |volume=12 |issue=2 |pages=291–301 |doi=10.12933/therya-21-1150 |doi-access=free }}
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.{{Cite journal|url = http://www.science.smith.edu/resources/msi/pdfs/i0076-3519-102-01-0001.pdf|title = Baiomys musculus|last = Packard, Montgomery|first = Robert, James|date = 1978-09-21|journal = Mammalian Species | issue=102 |pages=1–3|doi = 10.2307/3503780 | jstor=3503780 |access-date = 2015-11-19}} 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 {{cvt|75.6|mm}}, with a {{cvt|47.5|mm}} tail. {{cite journal |last1=Packard |first1=Robert L. |title=Speciation and Evolution of the Pygmy Mice, Genus Baiomys |journal=University of Kansas Publications |date=16 June 1960 |volume=9 |issue=23 |url=https://www.gutenberg.org/cache/epub/38290/pg38290-images.html#Baiomys_musculus_musculus |access-date=10 December 2024}} It is larger on average than B. brunneus. Uncharacteristically of other members in the family Cricetidae they have 14 cheek teeth instead of 12.{{Cite journal|title = Extra Teeth in the Pygmy Mouse, Baiomys musculus|journal = Journal of Mammalogy|date = 1955-05-01|issn = 0022-2372|pages = 298–299|volume = 36|issue = 2|doi = 10.2307/1375907|first = Emmet T.|last = Hooper|jstor = 1375907}}
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
References
{{Reflist}}
{{Neotominae}}
{{Taxonbar|from=Q305565}}
Category:Mammals described in 1892
Category:Taxa named by Clinton Hart Merriam
Category:Endemic mammals of Mexico
{{Cricetidae-stub}}