There are no reports of these mice actually damaging crops. However, human agriculture has positively affected R. megalotis, allowing it to extend its geographic range eastward.
Because of its small size and abundance, R. megalotis is an important prey species. There are many predators of the western harvest mouse, including owls, hawks, snakes, canids, mustelids, felids, and scorpions.
Because of their noctural activity, it is likely that these mice have the best opportunity of avoiding predation by nocturnal predators. These mice are most active on very dark nights, which may be a strategy for avoiding predation by animals that use vision to detect prey.
Known Predators:
This mouse is slender, long-tailed, and has large, naked ears. These mice range in length from 118 to 170 mm. The tail is shorter than the body, measuring between 50 and 96 cm. Western harvest mice typically weigh between 8 and 17 g. The upper incisors have distinct lengthwise grooves. There is no apparent difference in size or coloration between males and females.
The color of the fur on the back ranges from pale-gray to brown, and the fur on the belly ranges from white to deep gray. There is a dark stripe down the middle of the back and along the forehead. There are 3 pelages categories: juvenile, sub-adult, and adult. The juvenile pelage is relatively short and woolly, with grayish brown color. Sub-adult pelage is longer, thicker, and brighter than that of a juvenile. Adult pelage is characterized by one of two patterns. The summer pelage is short and sparse, with brown above and grayish below. The stripe down the back is not clearly demarcated in the summer pelage. The winter pelage, in contrast, is thicker, longer, and paler than the summer pelage.
Range mass: 8 to 17 g.
Range length: 118 to 170 mm.
Average length: 140 mm.
Sexual Dimorphism: sexes alike
Other Physical Features: endothermic ; bilateral symmetry
Average basal metabolic rate: 0.13 W.
Only a few individual reach at the age of 1 year. The maximum reported lifespan for this species is 18 months.
Range lifespan
Status: wild: 18 (high) months.
Typical lifespan
Status: wild: 12 (high) months.
Reithrodontomys megalotis is found in a variety of open areas, including grasslands, prairies, meadows, and marshes. It also inhabits more arid areas such as deserts, sand dunes, and shrublands.
Range elevation: -77 to 4000 m.
Habitat Regions: temperate ; terrestrial
Terrestrial Biomes: desert or dune ; chaparral ; forest ; scrub forest ; mountains
Wetlands: marsh
Other Habitat Features: urban ; suburban ; agricultural ; riparian
Reithrodontomys megalotis is found over a wide portion of the western United States of America and central Mexico. It is broadly distributed from the Great Lakes to the Pacific Coast. It occurs at elevations from Death Valley, California (below sea level), to 4000 m on the Popocatepetl and Orozaba volcanoes in Central Mexico.
Biogeographic Regions: nearctic (Native )
The primary diet of this mouse is seeds. However, it eats anything available at the time, including new growth of plants and insects (grasshoppers and moths). These animals sometimes cache food in their nests. Reithrodontomys megalotis drinks water.
Animal Foods: insects
Plant Foods: leaves; seeds, grains, and nuts; fruit; flowers
Foraging Behavior: stores or caches food
Primary Diet: herbivore (Granivore )
This species is essential to western ecosystems. It reproduces rapidly, and lives a very short time, even when removed from the threat of predation. This indicates that the species does not live long in the wild. The most likely source of mortality is predation.
As a prey species, the availability of R. megalotis likely controls the populations of many predators which rely heavily upon this species in their prey base.
Also, because R. megalotis caches seeds, it probably helps in their dispersal.
Ecosystem Impact: disperses seeds; keystone species
There is no known benefit of this species for humans. However, because they are important in the food web, many of the higher profile animals that people enjoy watching, such as hawks, owls, coyotes, and foxes, rely on them.
These mice are thought to be quite common, and not in danger. However, Canada considers R. megalotis vulnerable because it lives in grasslands. Grasslands are a threatened habitat. Also, there is little known about Canadian populations of Western harvest mice.
US Federal List: no special status
CITES: no special status
IUCN Red List of Threatened Species: least concern
Communication patterns have not been reported for these mice. It is likely that they communicate with conspecifics with a combination of olfactory/chemical cues, vocalizations, and tactile communication, as these avenues of communication are prevalent in rodents.
Communication Channels: visual ; tactile ; acoustic ; chemical
Perception Channels: visual ; tactile ; acoustic ; chemical
Reithrodontomys megalotis is a polygynous species, in which the dominant male mates with females during their estrus period.
Mating System: polygynous
Few individuals live more than a year. As would be predicted from this short lifespan, young reach sexual maturity early, at about 1 month of age, and full maturity is reached at about 4 to 5 months. This species breeds from early spring to late autumn, foregoing reproduction only in the most severe winter weather.
Females have a high reproductive potential, having early sexual maturity and short gestation period of 23 to 25 days. The average litter size varies geographically, but is around 4, and as many as 9 pups can be born at one time.
Newborns are born naked, pink and blind. Neonates weigh 1 to 1.5 g, are 7 to 8 mm in length, and are totally helpless. They have a slight coating of fur by the time they start to crawl, around 5 days of age. Their incisiors erupt around this time. The eyes and ears are open by around 11 days of age. The young are weaned by 24 days. Young are reported to leave their natal nest around 3 weeks of age.
Reithrodontomys megalotis is known to undergo a post partum estrus cycle, allowing rapid production of litters. As females reach the age of approximately 45 weeks, there is a reduction in litter size, signalling senility.
Breeding interval: Breeding interval varies geographically, with animals in mild climates breeding approximately once per month, year round.
Breeding season: Wild western harvest mice breed from early spring to late autumn, foregoing reproduction only in the worst of winter weather..
Range number of offspring: 1 to 9.
Average number of offspring: 4.
Range gestation period: 23 to 25 days.
Average weaning age: 24 days.
Average time to independence: 3 weeks.
Average age at sexual or reproductive maturity (female): 4 to 5 months.
Average age at sexual or reproductive maturity (male): 4 to 5 months.
Key Reproductive Features: iteroparous ; seasonal breeding ; year-round breeding ; gonochoric/gonochoristic/dioecious (sexes separate); sexual ; fertilization ; viviparous ; post-partum estrous
Average birth mass: 1.33 g.
Average number of offspring: 3.3.
Average age at sexual or reproductive maturity (male)
Sex: male: 80 days.
Average age at sexual or reproductive maturity (female)
Sex: female: 107 days.
Females care for their young in a nest made of grass, nursing them for up to 24 days. The young are born blind and helpless, but grow quickly. The young can leave their natal nest as early as three weeks of age. Males apparently play no role in parental care.
Parental Investment: altricial ; pre-hatching/birth (Provisioning: Female, Protecting: Female); pre-weaning/fledging (Provisioning: Female, Protecting: Female); pre-independence (Provisioning: Female, Protecting: Female)
El ratolí espiguer occidental (Reithrodontomys megalotis) és una espècie de rosegador de la família dels cricètids. Viu a altituds de fins a 4.000 msnm al Canadà, Mèxic i els Estats Units. El seu hàbitat natural són les zones mèsiques obertes dominades per plantes herboses. Es creu que no hi ha cap amenaça significativa per a la supervivència d'aquesta espècie.[1] El seu nom específic, megalotis, significa 'orella grossa' en llatí.[2]
El ratolí espiguer occidental (Reithrodontomys megalotis) és una espècie de rosegador de la família dels cricètids. Viu a altituds de fins a 4.000 msnm al Canadà, Mèxic i els Estats Units. El seu hàbitat natural són les zones mèsiques obertes dominades per plantes herboses. Es creu que no hi ha cap amenaça significativa per a la supervivència d'aquesta espècie. El seu nom específic, megalotis, significa 'orella grossa' en llatí.
The western harvest mouse (Reithrodontomys megalotis) is a small neotomine mouse native to most of the western United States.[3] Many authorities consider the endangered salt marsh harvest mouse to be a subspecies, but the two are now usually treated separately.[1]
Its range extends from southwest British Columbia and southeast Alberta continuously to west Texas, northeast Arkansas, northwest Indiana, southwest Wisconsin, and the interior of Mexico to Oaxaca.
The harvest mouse has brownish fur with buff sides, a white belly, and an indistinct white stripe on the fur along the spine. Adults grow up to 11 to 17 centimetres (4.3 to 6.7 in) in length with a tail length of 5 to 10 centimetres (2.0 to 3.9 in). Their height (from the ground to the highest point of their back) is between 1.5 and 2.0 centimeters. A mature mouse weighs anywhere from 9 to 22 grams (0.32 to 0.78 oz). There is no sexual dimorphism in this species.[4]
Similar species are the plains harvest mouse (Reithrodontomys montanus), which has a more distinct but narrower stripe on its spine, and the fulvous harvest mouse (R. fulvescens), which has a longer tail. Also similar is the salt marsh harvest mouse (R. raviventris), which has an underbelly fur that is more pinkish cinnamon to tawny. Finally, the house mouse (Mus musculus) has incisors without grooves, unlike those of the western harvest mouse. The dental formula of R. megalotis is 1.0.0.31.0.0.3 = 16.[5]
The mouse is nocturnal, with particularly intense activity on very dark nights. This mouse is particularly resourceful, making use of the ground runways of other rodents. It is also a very agile climber. Once temperatures reach a certain degree, the western harvest mouse goes into torpor, but scientists have yet to determine if it goes into true hibernation. This mouse builds spherical nests that are about 125mm in diameter. These nests can be found on the ground or under trees, logs, or plants that aid in protection from predators. Nests can also be found above ground or in burrows. There are usually one or more access points at the base of the nest.[6]
The western harvest mouse is an herbivore with a diet consisting of mainly seeds and grains from various plants. These plants include: fruits, vetch, blue grass, fescue, oats, and brome grass.[6] In preparation for autumn and winter, the western harvest mouse stores its food along runways created throughout fields that it occupies and in underground vaults.[5] Although its primary food source is seeds, springtime dining is augmented with new plant growth. In June, July and August the mouse is known to consume certain insects, especially grasshoppers and caterpillars.
Breeding nests are spherical constructions woven from grass or other plant material. A nest is approximately 13 centimeters in diameter and lined with a more downy material of fibrous plants. A nest may have one or more entrances near its base. Most commonly, the nest is built on the ground in a protected area such as within a shrub or beside a fallen tree. However, the mouse will occasionally place the nest above-ground within a shrub.
It breeds from early spring to late autumn, with reduced activity at midsummer. The gestation period is 23 to 24 days. Repeated fertilization often occurs immediately after giving birth. It is not uncommon for a female to have ten to fourteen litters per annum, with a typical litter size of two to six individuals. However, litters of up to nine offspring can occur. Thus an annual production of forty to sixty young per female is normal. Newborn mice weigh approximately 1.0 to 1.5 grams.[6]
Domestic and feral cats are a threat to the western harvest mouse.[4] On the IUCN Red List it is listed as "Least Concern" (LC). Its many predators include the fox, weasel, coyote, hawk, snake and owl species. Other predators include shrikes, squirrels, raptors, short-tailed shrews, cats, and scorpions.[6]
The western harvest mouse (Reithrodontomys megalotis) is a small neotomine mouse native to most of the western United States. Many authorities consider the endangered salt marsh harvest mouse to be a subspecies, but the two are now usually treated separately.
El ratón cosechero común (Reithrodontomys megalotis) es una especie de roedor perteneciente a la familia de los cricétidos.
Vive a altitudes de hasta 4.000 msnm en Canadá, México y Estados Unidos. Su hábitat natural son las zonas de meseta abiertas dominadas por plantas herbáceas. Se cree que no hay ninguna amenaza significativa para la supervivencia de esta especie.[1] Su nombre específico, megalotis, significa 'oreja grande' en latín.
Datos: Q531971
Multimedia:
Especies: Reithrodontomys megalotis
El ratón cosechero común (Reithrodontomys megalotis) es una especie de roedor perteneciente a la familia de los cricétidos.
Vive a altitudes de hasta 4.000 msnm en Canadá, México y Estados Unidos. Su hábitat natural son las zonas de meseta abiertas dominadas por plantas herbáceas. Se cree que no hay ninguna amenaza significativa para la supervivencia de esta especie. Su nombre específico, megalotis, significa 'oreja grande' en latín.
Reithrodontomys megalotis Reithrodontomys generoko animalia da. Karraskarien barruko Neotominae azpifamilia eta Cricetidae familian sailkatuta dago.
Reithrodontomys megalotis Reithrodontomys generoko animalia da. Karraskarien barruko Neotominae azpifamilia eta Cricetidae familian sailkatuta dago.
Reithrodontomys megalotis, la Souris occidentale des moissons ou Souris des moissons occidentale[1], est une espèce de rongeurs de la famille des Cricétidés vivant en Amérique du Nord.
Elle vit dans le sud du Canada, aux États-Unis et au Mexique. Elle préfère les habitats mésiques et ouverts, dominés par une végétation herbeuse, comme les prairies, les pâturages et les champs en jachère[2].
Reithrodontomys megalotis, la Souris occidentale des moissons ou Souris des moissons occidentale, est une espèce de rongeurs de la famille des Cricétidés vivant en Amérique du Nord.
De westelijke oogstmuis (Reithrodontomys megalotis) is een zoogdier uit de familie van de Cricetidae. De wetenschappelijke naam van de soort werd voor het eerst geldig gepubliceerd door Baird in 1857.
De soort komt voor in Canada, Mexico en de Verenigde Staten.
Bronnen, noten en/of referentiesDe westelijke oogstmuis (Reithrodontomys megalotis) is een zoogdier uit de familie van de Cricetidae. De wetenschappelijke naam van de soort werd voor het eerst geldig gepubliceerd door Baird in 1857.
Ploniarka zachodnia[3] (Reithrodontomys megalotis) – gatunek gryzonia z rodziny chomikowatych[4].
Występuje na terenach trawiastych od Oregonu po Panamę.
Ploniarka zachodnia wiedzie nocny tryb życia. Nie hibernuje[2].
Potencjał rozrodczy samic ploniarki zachodniej jest dość wysoki. Podczas badań naukowcy naliczyli w ciągu 12 miesięcy 14 miotów o łącznej ilości 58 młodych. Latem pomiędzy łodygami roślin lub w jamach budują kuliste gniazda z rozdrobnionego materiału roślinnego[2] o przeciętnej średnicy 17,5 cm, w którym po trwającej około 23 dni ciąży, samica rodzi zwykle 4 młode.
Ploniarka zachodnia ma szeroki zakres tolerancji siedliskowej. Chętnie zamieszkuje tereny otwarte porośnięte krzewami lub niską roślinnością trawiastą, w tym pastwiska, łąki i ugory. Gryzonia można także napotkać w terenach pustynnych lub bagiennych[2].
Ploniarka zachodnia (Reithrodontomys megalotis) – gatunek gryzonia z rodziny chomikowatych.
Västlig skördemus (Reithrodontomys megalotis)[2][3][4][5][6][7] är en däggdjursart som först beskrevs av Baird 1858. Reithrodontomys megalotis ingår i släktet skördemöss och familjen hamsterartade gnagare.[8][9] Internationella naturvårdsunionen (IUCN) kategoriserar arten globalt som livskraftig.[1] Inga underarter finns listade.[8]
Arten når en absolut längd av 118 till 170 mm, inklusive en 50 till 96 mm lång svans. Vikten varierar mellan 8 och 17 g. Sommarpälsen har på ovansidan en brunaktig färg och undersidan är täckt av ljusgrå till vit päls. På ryggens och huvudets topp förekommer en mörkare längsgående linje men den är otydlig under sommaren. Den är tydligare på den tjockare och ljusare vinterpälsen. På framsidan av djurets övre framtänder förekommer en ränna.[10]
Denna gnagare förekommer i centrala och västra Nordamerika. Utbredningsområdet sträcker sig från Alberta och British Columbia (Kanada) söderut till centrala Mexiko samt från västra Indiana (USA) västerut till Stilla havet. Arten vistas främst i öppna landskap som prärie, jordbruksmark, skogsdungar eller öknar med lite växtlighet.[1]
Individerna är aktiva på natten. De bygger bon av gräs och andra växtdelar som placeras i jordhålor eller andra gömställen. Västlig skördemus äter olika växtdelar och insekter. Honor kan ha upp till 14 kullar per år och det totala antalet ungar per säsong kan vara upp till 58. Arten håller ingen vinterdvala.[1] Däremot kan den tidvis falla i ett stelt tillstånd (torpor).[10]
Västlig skördemus skapar ibland ett förråd i boet. Honan är 23 till 25 dagar dräktig och sedan föds ungefär 4 ungar, ibland upp till 9 ungar per kull. Ungarna är vid födelsen bara 7 till 8 mm långa, väger 1 till 1,5 g och är nakna samt blinda. De öppnar ögonen efter cirka 11 dagar och diar sin mor ungefär 24 dagar. Könsmognaden infaller vanligen efter 4 eller 5 månader men några individer kan para sig tidigare. De flesta västliga skördemöss blir inte äldre än 12 månader. Några exemplar kan leva 18 månader.[10]
Wikimedia Commons har media som rör Västlig skördemus.
Västlig skördemus (Reithrodontomys megalotis) är en däggdjursart som först beskrevs av Baird 1858. Reithrodontomys megalotis ingår i släktet skördemöss och familjen hamsterartade gnagare. Internationella naturvårdsunionen (IUCN) kategoriserar arten globalt som livskraftig. Inga underarter finns listade.
Reithrodontomys megalotis là một loài động vật có vú trong họ Cricetidae, bộ Gặm nhấm. Loài này được Baird mô tả năm 1857.[2]
Bài viết liên quan đến họ gặm nhấm Cricetidae này vẫn còn sơ khai. Bạn có thể giúp Wikipedia bằng cách mở rộng nội dung để bài được hoàn chỉnh hơn. Reithrodontomys megalotis là một loài động vật có vú trong họ Cricetidae, bộ Gặm nhấm. Loài này được Baird mô tả năm 1857.
서부멧밭쥐(Reithrodontomys megalotis)는 비단털쥐과에 속하는 설치류의 일종이다.[2] 작은 숲쥐류 생쥐로 미국 서부 대부분의 지역에서 서식한다. 분포 지역은 브리티시컬럼비아주 남서부와 앨버타주 남동부 지역부터 텍사스주 서부와 아칸소주 북동부. 인디애나주 북서부, 위스콘신주 남서부 지역 그리고 멕시코 내륙과 오아하카주까지 이어진다. 다수의 전문가들이 멸종 위기의 아메리카멧밭쥐의 아종으로 간주했지만, 최근에는 별도의 종으로 취급한다.[1]
