California deermouse

California deermouse
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Mammalia
Order: Rodentia
Family: Cricetidae
Subfamily: Neotominae
Genus: Peromyscus
Species:
P. californicus
Binomial name
Peromyscus californicus
(Gambel, 1848)
      range in California, United States

The California deermouse or California mouse (Peromyscus californicus) is a species of rodent in the subfamily Neotominae in the family Cricetidae. It is the only species in the Peromyscus californicus species group. It is found in northwestern Mexico and central to southern California. It is the largest Peromyscus species in the United States.[2][3]

While most rodents are polygamous, the California deermouse is monogamous and forms pair bonds,[4] making it a model organism for researchers studying the genetics and neurobiology of partner fidelity[5] and paternal care.

  1. ^ Álvarez-Castañeda, S.T.; Lacher, T. (2016). "Peromyscus californicus". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. 2016: e.T16654A22361553. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2016-2.RLTS.T16654A22361553.en. Retrieved 17 November 2021.
  2. ^ Cite error: The named reference Grinnell was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  3. ^ Cite error: The named reference r1 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  4. ^ CANTONI, DEBORA; BROWN, RICHARD E (1997). "Paternal investment and reproductive success in the California mouse,Peromyscus californicus". Animal Behaviour. 54 (2): 377–386. doi:10.1006/anbe.1996.0583. PMID 9268470. S2CID 7797715.
  5. ^ Cite error: The named reference r2 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).