Microdipodops polionotus
| Nevada Kangaroo Mouse
(Microdipodops polionotus) | |
|---|---|
| Range | |
 | |
| Taxonomic classification | |
| Order: | Rodentia |
| Suborder: | Supramyomorpha |
| Infraorder: | Castorimorphi |
| Superfamily: | Geomyoidea |
| Family: | Heteromyidae |
| Subfamily: | Dipodomyinae |
| Genus: | Microdipodops |
| Subgenus: | Microdipodops (subgenus) |
| Binomial details | |
| Microdipodops polionotus J. Grinnell, 1914 | |
| Other resources | |
| Full taxonomic details at MDD | |
Formerly included in Microdipodops megacephalus, genetic analysis by Hafner et al. (2025) revealed that the Nevada Kangaroo Mouse (Microdipodops polionotus) is a distinct species. According to Hafner et al. (2025), this species is known from "central Nevada as well as the peripheral isolate inhabiting the Mono Basin and adjoining valley regions of California and Nevada."
Description
Museum images
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Holotype: MVZ:Mamm:17031. Nevada Kangaroo Mouse (Microdipodops polionotus). Adult male. Montgomery Creek Ranch [=McKeever's Ranch] 2 mi S Benton [=Benton Station], Mono County, California. Collected 10 July 1912. Dorsal view. -
Holotype: MVZ:Mamm:17031. Nevada Kangaroo Mouse (Microdipodops polionotus). Adult male. Montgomery Creek Ranch [=McKeever's Ranch] 2 mi S Benton [=Benton Station], Mono County, California. Collected 10 July 1912. Ventral view.
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 MVZ:Mamm:17031 (Mono County, CA) | Museum of Vertebrate Zoology | 145 | 80 | 24 | 9 |
Skull
Holotype: MVZ:Mamm:17031. Microdipodops polionotus. Adult male. Montgomery Creek Ranch [=McKeever's Ranch] 2 mi S Benton [=Benton Station], Mono County, California. Collected 10 July 1912. Dorsal view of the skull. 
Holotype: MVZ:Mamm:17031. Microdipodops polionotus. Adult male. Montgomery Creek Ranch [=McKeever's Ranch] 2 mi S Benton [=Benton Station], Mono County, California. Collected 10 July 1912. Ventral view of the skull. 
Holotype: MVZ:Mamm:17031. Microdipodops polionotus. Adult male. Montgomery Creek Ranch [=McKeever's Ranch] 2 mi S Benton [=Benton Station], Mono County, California. Collected 10 July 1912. Lateral view of the skull. 
Holotype: MVZ:Mamm:17031. Microdipodops polionotus. Adult male. Montgomery Creek Ranch [=McKeever's Ranch] 2 mi S Benton [=Benton Station], Mono County, California. Collected 10 July 1912. Lateral view of the right mandible.
References
Grinnell J. 1914-04-15. A second species of the mammalian genus Microdipodops from California. University of California Publications in Zoology 12(7):301-304.
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.