Microdipodops megacephalus Merriam 1891: dark kangaroo mouse

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This section on the dark kangaroo mouse (Microdipodops megacephalus) summarizes information about the species and its subspecies. The IUCN Red List category is lower risk, least concern (LR, lc) for 13 of the subspecies, but M. m. atrirelictus is deemed “Vulnerable (VU): D2,” based on occurrence at a single site, and M. m. nexus is “Data Deficient (DD),” or to be confirmed based on genetic comparison with neighboring populations of M. megacephalus. Kangaroo mice are confined to the Great Basin of Nevada and parts of surrounding California, Oregon, Idaho, and Utah and restricted to xeric, sandy habitats, often bordering alkaline dry lakes and sinks. The dark kangaroo mouse occupies higher elevations and, more widespread, occurs in all five states. Taxonomy, conservation status, and recommended actions are summarized; the latter include surveying and monitoring to see how habitat alteration affects Microdipodops megacephalus, comparing M. m. nexus to neighboring populations of M. megacephalus to evaluate validity of subspecific distinction, and surveying appropriate habitat in the vicinity of the type locality of M. m. atrirelictus to determine population status and distributional limits and so to consider potential protected areas for this isolated subspecies.

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Reference Code: B98HAF01IDUS

Full Citation: by Hafner, D. J., and J. C. Hafner. Microdipodops megacephalus Merriam 1891, dark kangaroo mouse. Pages 79-80 in Hafner, D. J., E. Yensen, and G. L. Kirkland, Jr., compilers and editors. 1998. North American rodents: status survey and conservation action plan. IUCN/SSC Rodent Specialist Group. IUCN, Gland, Switzerland, and Cambridge, UK. x + 171 pp.

Location: ELECTRONIC FILE - Zoology