Neotominae
American bush rat ( Neotoma cinerea)
The Neotominae are a subfamily of the rodent family Cricetidae ( Cricetidae ). They are one of three groups into which the New world be divided. The subfamily includes about 125 species that live in North and Central America.
Features
The representatives of the Neotominae are external mouse or rat-like rodents. You can reach head hull lengths from 5 to 35 centimeters and tail lengths of 4 to 24 inches. Weight may vary depending on the type 6-450 grams. Their fur is dense in general, depending on the type, the color varies from yellowish to reddish brown and gray to black. The underside is lighter, usually white or light gray. The ears are large, they protrude from the skin and are usually sparsely hairy. The tails are usually relatively long. From other Neuweltmäusen they differ from one another in morphology of the penis.
Distribution and habitat
Neotominae are spread from northern North America (Alaska, northern Canada ) to the USA and Central America ( Panama). They live in many habitats, including grasslands, forests, deserts and mountainous regions.
Way of life
Representatives of Neotominae are often bottom dwellers, although some species can climb well and partially live in trees. There are also some digging living representative who build underground burrows, others construct grass nests on the ground or in the branches. Depending on the type, they may be night or day active and live solitary or in groups. In many species, but little is known about the lifestyle.
These rodents are plants or omnivores. Remove seeds, fruits, stems, nuts, mushrooms and tubers, sometimes supplemented by insects and other invertebrates. The grasshopper mice have specialized in one fleshly diet.
Neotominae are often very fertile animals that can deliver several litters a year. The load times are around 20 to 40 days, the litter sizes from one to eleven, but often only two or three. The young are born blind, they open the eyes with two to three weeks and are weaned at three to four weeks.
System
The Neotominae include about 125 species that can be divided into four tribes with 16 genera:
- Tribus Baiomyini American harvest mice ( Baiomys ), 2 species
- Brown mice ( Scotinomys ), 2 species
- American bush rat ( Neotoma ), 22 species
- Magdalena Rat ( Xenomys nelsoni )
- Allen's bush rat ( Hodomys alleni )
- Small bush rats ( Nelsonia ). 2 styles
- Gold mouse ( Ochrotomys nuttalli )
- Harvest mice ( Reithrodontomys ), 20 species
- Weißfußmäuse ( Peromyscus ), 57 species
- Grasshopper mice ( Onychomys ), 3 types
- Mexican volcano mouse ( Neotomodon alstoni )
- Florida mouse ( Podomys floridanus )
- Isthmusratten ( Isthmomys ), 2 species
- Thomas Hart mice ( Megadontomys ), 3 types
- Habromys. 6 species
- Michoacán deer mouse ( Osgoodomys banderanus )