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Peromyscus sonoriensis

(LeConte, 1853)

Western Deermouse

GNRUnranked Found in 44 roadless areas NatureServe Explorer →
GNRUnrankedGlobal Rank
Identity
Unique IDELEMENT_GLOBAL.2.1310764
Element CodeAMAFF03210
Record TypeSPECIES
ClassificationSpecies
Classification StatusProvisional
Name CategoryVertebrate Animal
Endemicoccurs (regularly, as a native taxon) in multiple nations
KingdomAnimalia
PhylumCraniata
ClassMammalia
OrderRodentia
FamilyCricetidae
GenusPeromyscus
Concept Reference
Bradley, R. D., J. Q. Francis, R. N. Platt II, T. J. Soniat, D. Alvarez, and Laramie L. L. Lindsey. 2019. Mitochondrial DNA sequence data indicate evidence for multiple species within Peromyscus maniculatus. Special Publications, Museum of Texas Tech University Number 70. 59 pp.
Taxonomic Comments
Following Bradley et al. (2019), recognition of phylogroups followed by the application of the principals of taxonomic priority indicate that samples from central and western North America should be referred to as Peromyscus sonoriensis (formerly considered a subspecies of P. maniculatus). This is provisionally accepted in this database following the American Society of Mammalogists who state that the taxonomic status of P. maniculatus and the species split from it is very tentative and further research is needed to confirm the species status of P. gambelii, P. labecula, P. sonoriensis, and the undescribed form in the Yukon (ASM 2025).

Although Bradley et al. (2019) were not able to examine all of the recognized subspecies that potentially are referable to P. maniculatus, they tentatively assigned the following 15 subspecies recognized in Hall (1981) and Hogan et al. (1993) to P. sonoriensis: alpinus, artemisiase, austerus, borealis, hollisteri, inclarus, luteus, nebrascensis, ozarkiarum, pallescens, rubidus, rufinus, saturatus, saxamans, serratus, and sonoriensis.
Ecology & Habitat

Habitat

Uses a wide variety of upland and riparian habitats from open areas and brushlands to coniferous and deciduous forests. Nest sites as varied as habitat. May be placed in buildings, burrows, under logs, in thick vegetation, or in tree cavities.

Ecology

Territorial behavior is most prevalent at high population densities.

Population density generally is lowest in spring, highest in fall (sometimes up to about 30/ha; densities as high as 109 and 163 per ha have been reported, Kirkland and Layne 1989).

In Kansas, populations increased initially following grassland fire, decreased in subsequent years (Kaufman et al. 1988, Clark and Kaufman 1990). In Virginia, populations were highest in the year following a large mast crop (Wolff 1996, J. Mamm. 77:850-856).

Reproduction

Breeding season shorter in north and at high elevations than elsewhere. In the northeastern U.S., reproduction is curtailed in fall and winter. See Kirkland and Layne (1989) for information on breeding seasons in different areas. Gestation 23 days. Litter size averages 5-6 in north, 4.5 in south, multiple litters/year (1-2 in north, more in south). Young independent in about 16-25 days (varies geographically). Young of year may attain sexual maturity by 2 months, or may not breed in some areas. Some litters fathered by more than 1 male; mating system ranges from promiscuity to facultative monogamy (Kirkland and Layne 1989).
Terrestrial Habitats
Forest - HardwoodForest - ConiferForest - MixedWoodland - HardwoodWoodland - ConiferWoodland - MixedShrubland/chaparralSavannaGrassland/herbaceousDesertAlpineCropland/hedgerowSuburban/orchard
Palustrine Habitats
Riparian
Other Nations (2)
CanadaN5
ProvinceRankNative
British ColumbiaS5Yes
United StatesNNR
ProvinceRankNative
WyomingS5Yes
Roadless Areas (44)
California (4)
AreaForestAcres
Bear Camp FlatModoc National Forest2,471
ChinquapinShasta-Trinity National Forest22,040
Heart LakeLassen National Forest9,349
Orleans Mtn. CSix Rivers National Forest15,589
Idaho (1)
AreaForestAcres
PalisadesCaribou-Targhee National Forest122,002
Montana (16)
AreaForestAcres
Anderson MountainBeaverhead-Deerlodge National Forest31,501
BeartoothGallatin National Forest5,285
Big LogHelena National Forest8,954
Bmss Ra 1485Flathead National Forest334,275
East PioneerBeaverhead-Deerlodge National Forest145,082
HoodooLolo National Forest105,162
Jerico MountainHelena National Forest8,445
Lazyman GulchHelena National Forest11,614
Meadow Creek - Upper North ForkLolo National Forest6,906
Mt. Gmt Area HCuster National Forest1,335
North Big HoleBeaverhead-Deerlodge National Forest52,227
ReefGallatin National Forest2,500
Republic MountainGallatin National Forest836
Selway - Bitterroot (01067)Bitterroot National Forest114,953
Sheep Mountain - StatelineLolo National Forest37,844
West PioneerBeaverhead-Deerlodge National Forest248,631
Nevada (3)
AreaForestAcres
Pearl PeakHumboldt-Toiyabe National Forest71,405
Rose - Alum CreekHumboldt-Toiyabe National Forest853
South SchellHumboldt-Toiyabe National Forest125,614
Oregon (4)
AreaForestAcres
FairviewUmpqua National Forest7,417
TenmileSiuslaw National Forest10,818
Upper Catherine CreekWallowa-Whitman National Forest6,446
WaldoDeschutes National Forest4,973
Utah (4)
AreaForestAcres
418025Uinta National Forest32,698
Clarkston Mtn.Caribou National Forest7,099
Mahogany RangeWasatch-Cache National Forest11,409
Twin PeaksWasatch-Cache National Forest6,157
Washington (5)
AreaForestAcres
Long SwampOkanogan National Forest66,344
Madison CreekOlympic National Forest1,223
Mill Creek Watershed (WA)Umatilla National Forest16,747
Rugged RidgeOlympic National Forest4,358
Twin LakesWenatchee National Forest22,496
Wyoming (7)
AreaForestAcres
Gros Ventre MountainsBridger-Teton National Forest106,418
Middle ForkShoshone National Forest51,772
Pacific Creek - Blackrock CreekBridger-Teton National Forest24,658
PalisadesTarghee National Forest1,121
Spread Creek - Gros Ventre RiverBridger-Teton National Forest166,097
Teton Corridor TrailheadsBridger-Teton National Forest286
West Slope TetonsTarghee National Forest47,448
References (27)
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  2. American Society of Mammalogists (ASM). 2025. Mammal Diversity Database (Version 1.13) [Data set]. Zenodo. https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.10595931. Online. Available: https://www.mammaldiversity.org/
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  7. Bradley, R. D., J. Q. Francis, R. N. Platt II, T. J. Soniat, D. Alvarez, and Laramie L. L. Lindsey. 2019. Mitochondrial DNA sequence data indicate evidence for multiple species within <i>Peromyscus maniculatus</i>. Special Publications, Museum of Texas Tech University Number 70. 59 pp.
  8. Carleton, M. D. 1989. Systematic and evolution. Pp. 7-142 in Kirkland, G. L. and Layne, J. N., eds. Advances in the Study of <i>Peromyscus </i>(Rodentia). Lubbock, Texas Tech University Press.
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  20. Kaufman, G. A., D. W. Kaufman, and E. J. Finck. 1988. Influence of fire and topography on habitat selection by <i>Peromyscus maniculatus</i> and <i>Reithrodontomys megalotis</i> in ungrazed tallgrass prairie. J. Mamm. 69:342-352.
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  24. Schwartz, C. W., and E. R. Schwartz. 1981. The wild mammals of Missouri. University of Missouri Press, Columbia. 356 pp.
  25. Sullivan, T. P. 1990. Demographic responses of small mammal populations to a herbicide application in coastal coniferous forest: population density and resiliency. Can. J. Zool. 68:874-883.
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