- Dusky-Footed Woodrat
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Dusky-footed Woodrat Conservation status Scientific classification Kingdom: Animalia Phylum: Chordata Class: Mammalia Order: Rodentia Family: Cricetidae Genus: Neotoma Species: N. fuscipes Binomial name Neotoma fuscipes
Baird, 1858The Dusky-footed Woodrat (Neotoma fuscipes) is a species of nocturnal rodent in the family Cricetidae.[2] They are commonly called "packrats" or "trade rats" and build large, domed dens that can reach several feet in height. Coyotes and other predators will attempt to prey on these rodents by laying waste to the dens, but the sheer volume of material is usually dissuasive. Occasionally, Dusky-footed Woodrats will build satellite dens in trees. Although these animals are religiously solitary, except in the mating season (when they are most vulnerable to predation), dens are frequently found in clusters of up to several dozen, forming rough "communities". The mating system in this species appears to be variable, with promiscuity most general at high population densities and monogamy at lower densities[3]
They are similar in appearance to the common rat species Rattus rattus and Rattus norvegicus, but with larger ears and eyes, a softer coat and a furred tail. The California Mouse, Peromyscus californicus, which has similar distribution, is sometimes found living in Woodrat dens. Dens contain a nest and up to several "pantry" chambers which are used to store leaves and nuts for future consumption.
Dusky footed woodrats of California have been found to selectively place California bay leaves (Umbellularia) around the edges of their nest within their stickhouse to control levels of ectoparasites such as fleas.[4] The leaves contain volatile organic compounds which are toxic to flea larvae. Among the terpenes most toxic to flea larvae in the bay leaves are umbellelone, cineole, and cymene.[5] It is believed that the wood rats evolved this behavioral adaptation to cope with the environmental stresses posed by ectoparasites.
The species is found in Mexico and the United States.
References
- ^ Linzey, A.V. & Hammerson, G. (2008). "Neotoma fuscipes". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. Version 2009.2. International Union for Conservation of Nature. http://www.iucnredlist.org/apps/redlist/details/14587. Retrieved 04 February 2010.
- ^ Musser, G. G. and M. D. Carleton. 2005. Superfamily Muroidea. in Mammal Species of the World a Taxonomic and Geographic Reference. D. E. Wilson and D. M. Reeder eds. Pp. 894-1531. Johns Hopkins University Press, Baltimore.
- ^ McEachern, M. B., McElreath, R. L., VanVuren, D. H., & Eadie, J. M. (2009). Another genetically promiscuous 'polygynous' mammal: mating system variation in Neotoma fuscipes. Animal Behaviour, 77, 449-455. doi:10.1016/j.anbehav.2008.10.024
- ^ Hemmes, Richard "Use of California bay foliage by wood rats for possible fumigation of nest-borne ectoparasites" Behavioral Ecology http://beheco.oxfordjournals.org/cgi/content/abstract/13/3/381
- ^ Vassar College, URSI projects 2006 and 2007, Prof. Richard B. Hemmes and Edith C. Stout, Students Anna Payne-Tobin, Camille Friason, and Michael Higgins http://ursi.vassar.edu/projects/project_detail.html?id=111 http://ursi.vassar.edu/projects/project_detail.html?id=160
Categories:- IUCN Red List least concern species
- Neotominae
- Fauna of the Western United States
- Mammals of the United States
- Mammals of Mexico
- Animals described in 1858
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