Macrotarsomys ingens Peter 1959

19.

Ankarafantsika Big-footed Mouse

Macrotarsomys ingens

French: Kelibotra dAnkarafantsika / German: Ankarafantsika-MadagaskarGroRRfu3maus / Spanish: Raton de pies grandes de Ankarafantsika

Other common names: Greater Big-footed Mouse, Long-tailed Big-footed Mouse

Taxonomy. Macrotarsomys ingens Peter, 1959,

“ 200 metres apres le village d’Ampijoroa,” Madagascar.

The specimen named the holotype of M. ingens was found injured along a main road and probably had fallen prey to a raptor. Monotypic.

Distribution. Endemic to NW Madagascar (Ankarafantsika Forest).

Descriptive notes. Head-body 112-150 mm, tail 183-240 mm; weight 42-74 g.

The Ankarafantsika Big-footed Mouse is similar to Bastard’s Big-footed Mouse (M. bastardy) buts larger, with relatively smaller ears. Dorsal pelage is quite soft, fine, and light grayish brown. Flanks have distinct line separating back, and venter is uniform white. Eyes are proportionately large, and ears are distinctly elongated. Tail is remarkably long, brown dorsally and light gray ventrally; tip is trimmed with tuft of brown hairs. Hindlegs are elongated.

Habitat. Dry deciduous forest with sandy soils at elevations of 100-400 m.

Food and Feeding. The Ankarafantsika Big-footed Mouse is presumed to feed on seeds and fruits, as does Bastard’s Big-footed Mouse. The two species occur sympatrically in Ankarafantsika.

Breeding. Maximum litter size of the Ankarafantsika Big-footed Mouse is two young, and females have two sets of mammae.

Activity patterns. The Ankarafantsika Big-footed Mouse is nocturnal and scansorial, being able to climb on small tree branches. It occupies shallow burrows in sandy soil, with inconspicuous openings that are backfilled upon entering. These plugs can be obvious in early morning when soilis still slightly moist.

Movements, Home range and Social organization. The Ankarafantsika Big-footed Mouse is generally seen foraging alone; occasionally, two individuals have been observed in the same or nearby trees. When scared by a potential predator, the Ankarafantsika Big-footed Mouse remains motionless on the ground or on thin tree branches. It moves kangaroo-like, with bounding action on its proportionately long hindfeet and using tail as a stabilizer. It does not enter torpor or hibernate.

Status and Conservation. Classified as Endangered on The IUCN Red List. The Ankarafantsika Big-footed Mouse is dry deciduous forest-dwelling and is known from a very restricted area in north-western Madagascar. Its extent of occurrence is only ¢.250 km?, most of which is in Ankarafantsika National Park. Given continued declines in natural forests ofthis region and predation by feral dogs, cats, and Fosas (Cryptoprocta ferox) its mediumand long-term future is at risk.

Bibliography. Carleton & Goodman (2003c), Carleton & Schmidt (1990), Dollar et al. (2007), Goodman, Ganzhorn & Rakotondravony (2003), Goodman, Soarimalala et al. (2013), Lobban etal. (2014), Petter (1959a), Petter & Randrianasolo (1961), Randrianjafy (2003), Soarimalala & Goodman (2011).