By Andrew Pitoniak
Geographic Range
Macrotarsomys bastardi is found throughout southern and western Madagascar. (Anderson and Jones 1984, Nowak 1999, Parker 1990, Wilson and Reeder 1993)
Habitat
Preferred habitats for M. bastardi are dry scrublands, dry deciduous forests, and grassland regions. (Wilson and Reeder 1993)
Terrestrial Biomes:
savanna or grassland 
; scrub forest .
Physical Description
(0.74 to 1.34 oz; avg. 1.04 oz)
Macrotarsomys bastardi is the smallest species of the murid subfamily, Nesomyinae, the Malagasy mice. M. bastardi is similar in appearance to gerbils. Pelage color is brownish fawn on the upper body with a whitish underbelly. Body length ranges from 80 to 100 mm and tail length from 100-145 mm. The tail has a thin tuft of elongated hair at the end. The hind feet are rather large in comparison to body size and range from 22-28 mm long. Ears are from 22 to 25 mm long. The dental formula is 1/1, 0/0, 0/0, 3/3 = 16. Incisors are opisthodont and smooth faced. M. bastardi also has a weakly developed supraorbital shelf and moderately inflated auditory bullae. (Anderson and Jones 1984, Macdonald 1993, Nowak 1999, Parker 1990)
Some key physical features:
endothermic ; bilateral symmetry .
Reproduction
M. bastardi tend to live in pairs. This species is known to have 2-3 young per litter and to breed year round. Average gestation period is 24 days. In some studies females have bitten their mates to death. (Anderson and Jones 1984, Parker 1990)
Key reproductive features:
gonochoric/gonochoristic/dioecious (sexes separate); sexual .
Behavior
These animals depend on running and jumping for locomotion. M. bastardi individuals spend most of the daylight hours in a burrow or lodge with the entrance hole sealed to keep out predators. Most activity occurs at night when they are foraging. (Anderson and Jones 1984, Parker 1990)
Key behaviors:
motile .
Food Habits
Their diet mainly consists of berries, fruits, seeds, roots, and plant stems. Little else is known about their food habits. (Parker 1990)
Economic Importance for Humans: Negative
There are no known negative affects on humans.
Economic Importance for Humans: Positive
There are no known positive benefits to humans.
Conservation Status
IUCN Red List: [link]:
Lower Risk - Least Concern.
US Federal List: [link]:
No special status.
CITES: [link]:
No special status.
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For More Information
Find Macrotarsomys bastardi information at
Contributors
Andrew Pitoniak (author), St. Lawrence University.
Erika Barthelmess (editor), St. Lawrence University.
