Cloud-dwelling Spiny Pocket Mouse

About the Cloud-dwelling Spiny Pocket Mouse

The cloud-dwelling spiny pocket mouse (Heteromys nubicolens) is a species of rodent (Rodentia) that is endemic to the high elevations of Cordillera de Tilarán and Cordillera de Guanacaste within Costa Rica. It is contained within the Heteromys desmarestianus species complex.

The cloud-dwelling spiny pocket mouse (Heteromys nubicolens) is contained within the subfamily Heteromyinae (spiny pocket mice), which represents a monophyletic grouping within the rodent family Heteromyidae. It was officially designated as a species in 2006 and is in valid taxonomic standing with the Integrated Taxonomic Information System (ITIS). This mouse gets both its common and scientific name from its range distribution within the cloud forests of northwestern Costa Rica. Nubicolens, or cloud-dwelling, is derived from the Lain nubes (cloud) and colo (dwell or inhabit).

Originally, H. nubicolens was thought to be contained within Heteromys desmarestianus. However, recent morphological, karyological, and genetic information has revealed that H. desmarestianus represents a species complex consisting of at least 11 distinct haplotype groups. Three of these haplotypes have been designated... Wikipedia →