Microdipodops californicus
| Oregon Kangaroo Mouse
(Microdipodops californicus) | |
|---|---|
| Range | |
 | |
| Taxonomic classification | |
| Order: | Rodentia |
| Suborder: | Supramyomorpha |
| Infraorder: | Castorimorphi |
| Superfamily: | Geomyoidea |
| Family: | Heteromyidae |
| Subfamily: | Dipodomyinae |
| Genus: | Microdipodops |
| Subgenus: | Microdipodops (subgenus) |
| Binomial details | |
| Microdipodops californicus C. H. Merriam, 1901 | |
| Other resources | |
| Full taxonomic details at MDD | |
Formerly included in Microdipodops megacephalus, genetic analysis by Hafner et al. (2025) revealed that the Oregon Kangaroo Mouse (Microdipodops californicus) is a distinct species. According to Hafner et al. (2025), this species is found in "arid, sandy habitats from central and southeastern Oregon, north western Nevada and eastern California."
Description
Museum type specimens
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Holotype: USNM 080128. Oregon Kangaroo Mouse (Microdipodops californicus). Young adult male. Lake Alvord, Alvord Desert, Harney County, Oregon. Collected 18 August 1896. -
Holotype: USNM 080128. Oregon Kangaroo Mouse (Microdipodops californicus). Young adult male. Lake Alvord, Alvord Desert, Harney County, Oregon. Collected 18 August 1896.
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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Holotype USNM 080128 (Harney Co., Oregon) | Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History | 153 | 88 | 24 |
Skull
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Holotype: USNM 080128. Oregon Kangaroo Mouse (Microdipodops californicus). Dorsal view of the skull. -
Holotype: USNM 080128. Oregon Kangaroo Mouse (Microdipodops californicus). Ventral view of the skull. -
Holotype: USNM 080128. Oregon Kangaroo Mouse (Microdipodops californicus). Lateral view of the skull. -
Holotype: USNM 080128. Oregon Kangaroo Mouse (Microdipodops californicus). Dorsal view of the mandible. -
Holotype: USNM 080128. Oregon Kangaroo Mouse (Microdipodops californicus). Lateral view of the left mandible.
Taxonomic notes
Hafner et al. (2025) used genetic (karyology and nuclear and mitochondrial DNA sequencing) and phenetic (cranial morphometrics and pelage colorimetry) characters to examine differentiation within the genus Microdipodops. They found that the species referred to as Microdipodops megacephalus is actually composed of four morphologically cryptic but genetically distinct species: the Bonneville Kangaroo Mouse (Microdipodops albiventer), the Owyhee Kangaroo Mouse (Microdipodops megacephalus), the Oregon Kangaroo Mouse (Microdipodops californicus), and the Nevada Kangaroo Mouse (Microdipodops polionotus).
Hafner et al. (2025) referred to the Oregon kangaroo mouse as Microdipodops oregonus. However, Zijlstra (2026) noted that Microdipodops californicus has nomenclatural priority and is therefore the valid name under the principle of priority.
References
Hafner, JC, Upham NS, Gowen-Huang F, Light JE. 2025. Cryptic species and taxonomic revision of kangaroo mice, the rodent genus Microdipodops. Journal of Mammalogy 106(6): 1342-1371.
Zijlstra JS. 2026. Species before subspecies: the names of mammal species first named as subspecies. Journal of Mammalogy 107(4):915–918. https://doi.org/10.1093/jmammal/gyag049