Akodon philipmyersi
Myers' grass mouse

Akodon philipmyersi is known only from the Northern Campos biome in the southern portions of Misiones province, northern Argentina. This area is bordered, to the northeast, by the Atlantic forests of Brazil and, to the southwest, by Ibera wetland areas. (Pardiñas, et al., 2005)

Akodon philipmyersi has been found only in habitats characterized as Northern Campos in Argentina. This habitat type is made up of tall grasslands that are typically near wooded areas. Individuals were captured in areas with tall grasses (2 meters or more). This is a unique habitat type with a limited distribution, making up only 0.7% of Argentinean landcover. Endemicity in Northern Campos habitats seems to be high, indicating that it is an important habitat to target for protection measures. (Pardiñas, et al., 2005)

Myers' grass mice are typical of the genus Akodon. They are small, stout-bodied, short-limbed mice with relatively short tails. Akodon philipmyersi head and body length averages 93 mm and tail lengh 58 mm (40% of head and body length). The hind foot averages 17 mm long, without the claw, and ear length averages 12 mm. Average weight is 23 grams. The pelage is soft and somewhat long (10 mm dorsally). The dorsal pelage has agouti at the hair tips and is grayish on the hair bases. The venter is creamy, with grey on the distal 2 mm of the hairs, giving the venter a grayish appearance. The feet are covered with whitish fur and the tail is well-furred and distinctly scaled. The upper incisors are slightly opisodont and orange pigmented. (Nowak, 1991; Pardiñas, et al., 2005)

Akodon philipmyersi is distinguished from other Akodon species by the following characters: condyloincisive length less than 24 mm, zygomatic breadth less than 13 mm, maxillary toothrow length less than 24 mm, a short rostrum - with the incisive foramen length measuring 5.6 mm on average, short and wide nasals, narrow zygomatic plate, wide mesopterygoid fossa with a median palatine process on the anterior border, an interorbital constriction between 4.3 and 4.6 mm wide, medium-sized auditory bullae, a diploid number of 2n=36, and a number of molecular synapomorphies from the mitochondrial cytochrome b gene. (Pardiñas, et al., 2005)

There is no specific evidence relevant to mating systems in A. philipmyersi. Similarly, little is known about mating systems in other Akodon species. (Nowak, 1991; Pardiñas, et al., 2005)

Very little is known about reproduction in this newly described species. Reproductive condition was recorded for 12 individuals captured. Of these, 10 were reproductively active at the end of the summer season (March). Pregnant females had 3 or fewer embryos. Other Akodon species seem to have two litters per year of 3 to 4 young from August to May, although breeding seasons may vary. Akodon azarae, a related species, reproduce seasonally, giving birth to an average of 4.6 young per litter after a gestation period of 22.7 days. Delayed implantation may occur in A. azarae and sexual maturity occurred usually at 2 months. (Nowak, 1991)

There is no specific evidence regarding parental investment in this species. As mammals, females nurse and care for their young until they are weaned. Other Akodon species wean their young at 14 to 15 days old. (Nowak, 1991; Pardiñas, et al., 2005)

Nothing is known about lifespan in A. philipmyersi. It is likely that these rodents have relatively short lives, from 12 to 18 months in the wild. (Pardiñas, et al., 2005)

All known specimens of A. philipmyersi were captured at night or recovered from owl pellets. Other aspects of the life history of these mice remain to be studied. Akodon is a diverse genus, and natural history may vary substantially. Other Akodon species make small burrows including globular nests. (Pardiñas, et al., 2005)

Home range is unknown in A. philipmyersi. Akodon olivaceus individuals have home ranges that average 54 meters and population densities averaging 30 to 97 per hectare, varying seasonally. (Nowak, 1991)

Communication and perception have not been studied in this recently described species. Like most small, sigmodontine rodents, they are likely to rely extensively on hearing and olfaction in navigating the environment and in communicating with conspecifics. Their nocturnal habits also suggest that these modes of perception may be especially important.

There is no specific evidence concerning the food habits of A. philipmyersi. The related species, Akodon azarae, is reported to be mainly herbivorous, but takes animal prey opportunistically. (Pardiñas, et al., 2005)

Akodon philipmyersi was discovered during analysis of barn owl (Tyto alba) pellets and was found to represent a major proportion of barn owl prey in Northern Campos grasslands. They represented 30.7% of 182 prey items in one locality and 23% of 149 prey items in another locality. Other predators of A. philipmyersi are unknown. Although specific anti-predator adaptations are unknown in these grass mice, it is likely that they use their cryptic coloration, secretive, nocturnal habits, and vigilance to decrease their risk of predation. (Pardiñas, et al., 2005)

Myers' grass mice are likely to be primary consumers and act as important prey for larger predators, such as owls. (Pardiñas, et al., 2005)

There are no known positive effects of Akodon philipmyersi for humans, aside from their role as members of healthy, natural ecosystems. (Pardiñas, et al., 2005)

There are no known negative impacts of Akodon philipmyersi. (Pardiñas, et al., 2005)

Akodon philipmyersi is a recently described species and its conservation status has not been extensively reviewed. It is the only known mammalian endemic species of the Northern Campos grasslands. This rare habitat has been extensively converted to agriculture, especially yerba mate, tea, introduced tree plantations (Pinus and Eucalyptus), and cattle grazing. Several, large mammalian species have already been extirpated in this region (Blastocerus dichotomus, Myrmecophaga tridactyla, Panthera onca, Ozotoceros bezoarticus, and Pteronura brasiliensis). Northern Campos grasslands represent an area where northern and southern faunas mix, elevating biodiversity in this region. All A. philipmyersi individuals were captured in Northern Campos grassland areas, suggesting that they do not inhabit areas in the region converted to agriculture. With only 0.4% of Northern Campos grasslands protected, A. philipmyersi may be especially vulnerable to the effects of additional habitat destruction. (Pardiñas, et al., 2005)

Akodon philipmyersi was named in honor of Dr. Philip Myers for his contributions to the understanding of Akodon systematics and ecology. Dr. Myers is also the founder and director of the Animal Diversity Web. (Pardiñas, et al., 2005)