222.

Cozumel Harvest Mouse

Reithrodontomys spectabilis

French: Souris-moissonneuse de Cozumel / German: Cozumel-Erntemaus / Spanish: Raton espiguero de Cozumel

Other common names: Cozumel Island Harvest Mouse

Taxonomy. Reithrodontomys spectabilis |. K. Jones & Lawlor, 1965, 2-5 mi (= 4 km) north of San Miguel, Isla Cozumel, Quintana Roo, Mexico.

Reithrodontomys spectabilis 1s in subgenus Aporodon. Monotypic.

Distribution. Cozumel I, off Yucatan Peninsula, SE Mexico.

Descriptive notes. Head-body 84-89 mm, tail 121-132 mm, hindfoot 20-22 mm; weight 18-21 g. The Cozumel Harvest Mouse is one of the largest species of Reithrodontomys. Dorsum is brownish ocher, and sides are brighter in color. Venter is grayish white, with pinkish buff pectoral spot. Tail is slightly darker above than below, longer than head-body length, and scantily haired. The Cozumel Harvest Mouse is similar to the Slender Harvest Mouse (R. gracilis) and the Mexican Harvest Mouse (R. mexicanus); however,it is much bigger and darker and has more robust skull, and tail exceeds almost 34% of head-body length.

Habitat. Dense, secondary vegetation (i.e. vine covered habitat adjacent to a forested area) and mature, deciduous forests.

Food and Feeding. No information.

Breeding. Juveniles subadults, and lactating females have been caught in August;at the same time, adult scrotal males with testicles of 9-1 mm, 13 mm, and 14 mm in length were collected.

Activity patterns. The Cozumel Harvest Mouse is nocturnal and might be arboreal.

Movements, Home range and Social organization. No information.

Status and Conservation. Classified as Critically Endangered on The IUCN Red List.

Bibliography. Engstrom et al. (1989), Hooper (1952a), Jones, J. K. (1982), Jones, J. K. & Lawlor (1965), Jones, J. K. et al. (1974), Tellez-Girén & Sanchez (2014c).