Peromyscus sonoriensis
| Western Deermouse
(Peromyscus sonoriensis) | |
|---|---|
| Range | |
 | |
| Taxonomic classification | |
| Order: | Rodentia |
| Suborder: | Supramyomorpha |
| Infraorder: | Myomorphi |
| Superfamily: | Muroidea |
| Family: | Cricetidae |
| Subfamily: | Neotominae |
| Tribe: | Peromyscini |
| Genus: | Peromyscus |
| Binomial details | |
| Peromyscus sonoriensis (Le Conte, 1853) | |
Molecular studies by Bradley et al. (2019) and Greenbaum et. al (2019) indicate that Peromyscus maniculatus is a complex of multiple species. Both studies elevate some lineages within maniculatus to species status, including Peromyscus sonoriensis. However, analyses by Boria & Blois (2023) using 28,000 genome wide SNPs show Peromyscus maniculatus sonoriensis and Peromyscus maniculatus gambelii are either very recently diverged or in the process of diversification and they recommend that they should not yet be raised to distinct species. Here, we treat Peromyscus sonoriensis as a distinct species, as recommended by Bradley et al. (2019) and Greenbaum et. al (2019) and inline with the current consensus of the American Society of Mammalogists' Mammal Diversity Database. The taxonomy of the Peromyscus maniculatus species group may further change in the near future as additional studies are published. The map on the right represents the distribution of Peromyscus sonoriensis according to both Greenbaum et al. (2019) and Bradley et al. (2019). The dark green area represents the distribution according to Greenbaum et al. (2019). The light green shading covers areas that Bradley et al. (2019) included in their distribution map.
Description
From Armstrong et al. (2010): "This is a highly variable mouse, both morphologically (D. Armstrong 1972) and physiologically (Wasserman and Nash 1979). In Colorado, dorsal color ranges from grayish brown to rufous orange to pale buff. The underparts and feet are white. Juveniles are medium gray in color, darker than some adults. The ears are conspicuous but usually shorter than the hindfoot. The tail is distinctly bicolored and obviously shorter than the head and body."
External measurements
Length measurements are in millimeters (mm) and weight measurements are in grams (g), unless stated otherwise. If available, the sample size (n=) is provided. If a range is not provided and n= is not given, then the listed measurement represents an average.
| Part of range | Reference | Total length | Tail length | Hindfoot length | Ear length | Mass |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Colorado | Armstrong et al. (2010) | 135–180 | 57–78 | 17–21 | 14–21 | 14–27 |
| Nebraska (north-central) | Johnsgard (2020) | 130–164 | 50–71 | 19–25 | ||
| North Dakota | Seabloom et al. (2020) | 152 | 62 | 18 | 15 | 22 |
| Texas | Schmidly & Bradley (2016) | 170 | 81 | 20 | 18 (12–20) | 15–32 |
Color variation
This section shows some of the color variation present in Peromyscus sonoriensis. The location is provided for reference only. The individual shown does not necessarily represent the only color variant within the local population.
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Colorado, Boulder County -
Colorado, Logan County -
Colorado, Weld County -
Kansas, Riley County -
North Dakota, Stutsman County -
Washington, Skamania County, long-tailed population -
Wyoming, Park County
Skull
From Armstrong et al. (2010): "The maxillary toothrow is usually less than 4 mm long (that of the white-footed mouse is often more than 4 mm)." Additionally, "the zygomatic arches of the white-footed mouse show a slight but distinct bowing compared with the straighter arches in deer mice."
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Dorsal view of the skull of Peromyscus sonoriensis. -
Lateral view of the skull of Peromyscus sonoriensis. -
Ventral view of the skull of Peromyscus sonoriensis. -
Dorsal view of the lower jaw of Peromyscus sonoriensis.
Similar species
Peromyscus sonoriensis and Peromyscus leucopus are a pair of often co-occurring species that is notoriously difficult to differentiate in the field in certain regions of North America. Generally, Peromyscus sonoriensis has a strongly/sharply bicolored tail and a duller appearance (although it is quite variable), whereas Peromyscus leucopus has a less distinctly bicolored tail and a rich amber-brown appearance. However, these characters should be used with caution. Confidently differentiating these two species may require genetic testing. Peromyscus sonoriensis and P. leucopus can be differentiated in the lab using an AFLP-PCR (genetic) method developed by Tessier et al. (2004). A modified version that is fairly quick and inexpensive is available in the Genetic resources section.
From Armstrong et al. (2010); "The species is sometimes difficult to tell from the white-footed [Peromyscus leucopus] but usually the deer mouse has a shorter skull (greater length less than 27 mmm) and a shorter hindfoot (less than 21 mm), and the tail is more distinctly bicolored."
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Peromyscus sonoriensis -
White-footed Deermouse (Peromyscus leucopus)
Taxonomic notes
In 2019, based on mitochondrial DNA, Bradley et al. (2019) and Greenbaum et al. (2019) proposed elevating some of the monophyletic (descended from a common evolutionary ancestor or ancestral group) lineages within the P. maniculatus species group to distinct species, in addition to those species already recognized, resulting in at least 9 species within the P. maniculatus species complex. In 2023, Boria & Blois published their analyses using 28,000 genome wide SNPs, showing P. m. sonoriensis and P. m. gambelii are either very recently diverged or in the process of diversification and should not yet be elevated to distinct species.
References
Armstrong, Fitzgerald, J.P., & Meaney, C.A., 2010. Mammals of Colorado, Second Edition. University Press of Colorado.
Boria, R.A. and Blois, J.L., 2023. Phylogeography within the Peromyscus maniculatus species group: Understanding past distribution of genetic diversity and areas of refugia in western North America. Molecular Phylogenetics and Evolution, 180, p.107701.
Bradley, R. and Lindsey, L., 2019. Mitochondrial DNA sequence data indicate evidence for multiple species within Peromyscus maniculatus. Special Publications, Museum of Texas Tech University.
Greenbaum, I.F., Honeycutt, R.L. and Chirhart, S.E., 2019. Taxonomy and phylogenetics of the Peromyscus maniculatus species group. From field to laboratory: a memorial volume in honor to Robert J. Baker, 71, pp.559-575.
Johnsgard PA. 2020. Wildlife of Nebraska: a natural history. Lincoln (NE, USA): University of Nebraska Press.
Schmidly DJ, Bradley RD. 2016. The mammals of Texas. Austin (TX, USA): University of Texas Press.
Seabloom R, Hoganson JW, Jensen WF. 2020. The mammals of North Dakota. Fargo (ND, USA): North Dakota State University Press.