View source for Biology:Yellow-rumped leaf-eared mouse

{{Short description|Species of rodent}}
{{Speciesbox
| name = Yellow-rumped leaf-eared mouse
| image = Phyllotis xanthopygus.jpg
| status = LC
| status_system = IUCN3.1
| status_ref = <ref name="iucn status 16 November 2021">{{cite iucn |author=Bernal, N. |author2=Zeballos, H. |author3=Vivar, E. |author4=Pardinas, U. |author5=Jayat, J.P. |date=2016 |title=''Phyllotis xanthopygus'' |volume=2016 |page=e.T17232A22341741 |doi=10.2305/IUCN.UK.2016-2.RLTS.T17232A22341741.en |access-date=16 November 2021}}</ref>
| genus = Phyllotis
| species = xanthopygus
| authority = (Waterhouse, 1837)
| synonyms = 
}}

The '''yellow-rumped leaf-eared mouse'''  ('''''Phyllotis xanthopygus'''''), otherwise known as the '''Patagonian leaf-eared mouse''', is a species of [[Biology:Rodent|rodent]] in the family [[Biology:Cricetidae|Cricetidae]] and order [[Biology:Rodent|Rodent]]ia. It is the most widespread member of the genus.

==Description==
''Phyllotis xanthopygus'' is a predominantly greyish brown/sand-colored [[Biology:New World rats and mice|New World mouse]] that reaches around 55g in its adulthood.<ref name=":0">{{Cite journal|author=Kramer, K.|author2=Monjeau, A.|author3=Birney, E.|author4=Sikes, R.|year=1999|title=Phyllotis xanthopygus|journal=Mammalian Species|issue=617|pages=1–7|doi=10.2307/3504375|jstor=3504375|doi-access=free}}</ref> Its thick coat is typically lighter on its underside, most prominent posteriorly, exhibiting countershading that is typical for many small mammals as it aids in camouflage from predators.<ref name=":0" /> True to its name, the Patagonian leaf-eared mouse has broad triangular ears similar to other leaf-eared members that compose the genus [[Biology:Phyllotis|Phyllotis]].

The pelage of ''Phyllotis xanthopygus'' is known to differ seasonally.<ref name=":0" /> This example of [[Biology:Phenotypic plasticity|phenotypic plasticity]] contributes to its ability to camouflage in a dynamic, seasonal, environment. Blending in with the vegetation and rocky outcrops is an important characteristic as their primary predators are [[Biology:Bird of prey|raptors]]<ref name=":1">{{Cite journal|author=Kramer, K.|author2=Birney, E.|year=2001|title=Effects of Light Intensity on Activity Patterns of Patagonian Leaf-Eared Mice, Phyllotis xanthopygus|journal=Journal of Mammalogy|volume=82| issue =  2|pages=534–544|doi=10.1093/jmammal/82.2.535}}</ref> most notably owls, which rely on being able to spot their prey from the air. While not explicitly nocturnal, they are most active at night due to the correlation between light intensity, visibility, and predation risk.<ref name=":1" />

The adults of ''P. xanthopygus'' are quite large as far as the genus goes with a body mass of fifty-five grams and large ears that are normally around twenty-seven millimeters long. The throat and chin are a pale buff or a light tan with dull grey underfur. These mice boast a long soft fur with yellow brown guard hairs that are sometimes black tipped with grey bases.<ref name=":9">{{Cite journal|url=http://www.science.smith.edu/resources/msi/pdfs/i0076-3519-617-01-0001.pdf|doi=10.2307/3504375 |jstor=3504375 |title=Phyllotis xanthopygus |journal=Mammalian Species |issue=617 |pages=1–7 |year=1999 |last1=Kramer |first1=Kristin M. |last2=Monjeau |first2=J. Adrian |last3=Birney |first3=Elmer C. |last4=Sikes |first4=Robert S. |doi-access=free }}</ref>

==Distribution and habitat==
''Phyllotis xanthopygus'' occurs in South America, specifically in the [[Place:Andes|Andes]] mountain range in Peru, Argentina, Chile, and Bolivia from sea level to 5,000 m.<ref name=":1" /> While the rocky habitat of the Andes provides ample cover from predators, the high elevation environments are limited in food availability therefore restricting reproduction to the warmer months.<ref name=":2">{{Cite journal|author=López-Cortés, F.|author2=Cortés, A.|author3=Miranda, E.|author4=Rau, J.|year=2007|title=Feeding habits of Abrothrix andinus, Phyllotis xanthopygus (Rodentia) and Lepus europaeus (Lagomorpha) in an Andean environment of Chile|journal=Revista Chilena de Historia Natural|volume=80|pages=3–12}}</ref> The highest elevation the yellow-rumped leaf-eared mouse ever was found was at the summit of Volcán [[Earth:Llullaillaco|Llullaillaco]] (6739 m) and this is the highest altitude a mammal was ever found in nature.<ref>Storz, J.F., Quiroga-Carmona, M., Opazo, J.C., Bowen, T., Farson, M., Steppan, S.J., and D’Elía, G. (2020). Discovery of the world’s highest-dwelling mammal. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, 117:18169-18171.</ref><ref>{{cite web |last1=Barras |first1=Colin |title=World's highest mammal discovered at the top of a Mars-like volcano |url=https://www.newscientist.com/article/2237997-worlds-highest-mammal-discovered-at-the-top-of-a-mars-like-volcano/ |website=New Scientist |access-date=22 March 2020 |date=19 March 2020}}</ref>

Its distribution at high altitudes across the Andean plateau<ref name=":3">{{Cite journal|author=Nespolo, R.|author2=Opazo, J.|author3=Rosenmann, M.|author4=Bozinovic, F.|year=1999|title=Thermal acclimation, maximum metabolic rate, and nonshivering thermogenesis of Phyllotis xanthopygus (Rodentia) in the Andes mountains|journal=Journal of Mammalogy|volume=80| issue =  3|pages=742–748|doi=10.2307/1383243|jstor=1383243|doi-access=free}}</ref> has led to plasticity in its [[Physics:Thermogenesis|non-shivering thermogenesis]] in order to cope with the low temperatures. This thermal acclimation relies on brown adipose tissue and is often induced by ingestion.<ref name=":3" /> This adaptation is important for small mammals like ''Phyllotis xanthopygus'' that undergo [[Biology:Torpor|torpor]] because it accelerates heating during arousal events.

There is insufficient research concerning small mammalian populations south of Mendoza Argentina<ref>{{Cite journal|author=Pardińas, U.F.J.|author2=Teta, P.|author3=Sauthier, D.U.|year=2008|title=Mammalia, Didelphimorphia and Rodentia, Southwest of the province of Mendoza, Argentina|journal=Check List|volume=4|issue=3 |pages=218–225|doi=10.15560/4.3.218|doi-access=free|hdl=11336/100422|hdl-access=free}}</ref> due to the large array of species within Rodentia as well as the continuous discovery of new members.

==Diet==
[[File:Phyllotis xanthopygus etc.JPG|209x209px|thumb]]
Members of [[Biology:Cricetidae|Cricetidae]] are known for variety in their diets, for ''Phyllotis xanthopygus'' this range includes [[Earth:Herbivore|herbivory]], [[Biology:Insectivore|insectivory]], [[Biology:Seed predation|granivory]], and frugivory. This variation enables them to be opportunistic feeder:<ref name=":2" /> an advantageous trait as it permits quick and unselective foraging in open and vulnerable areas.<ref name=":1" />

Their teeth are specialized to accommodate for the diversity in their diet as they have enlarged incisors which are separated from the [[Biology:Cheek teeth|cheekteeth]] by a [[Medicine:Diastema|diastema]]. The teeth are characterized as [[Biology:Tooth|aradicular]], being that they grow continuously throughout an organism's' lifetime. This results in the incisors resembling a chisel due to rapid wear on the soft [[Biology:Dentin|dentin]] at the back of the tooth from rubbing against one another.

One study that was done with these rodents tested how their behaviors changed based on the amount of light that was allowed in their habitat.<ref name=":7">{{Cite journal|url=http://jmammal.oxfordjournals.org/content/jmammal/82/2/535.full.pdf|doi=10.1644/1545-1542(2001)082<0535:EOLIOA>2.0.CO;2 |jstor=1383733|year=2001 |volume=82 |issue=2 |pages=535 |title=Effect of Light Intensity on Activity Patterns of Patagonian Leaf-Eared Mice,phyllotis Xanthopygus |journal=Journal of Mammalogy |last1=Kramer |first1=Kristin M. |last2=Birney |first2=Elmer C. |doi-access=free }}</ref> The researchers found that the habitats with the least amount of light had the most foraging activity with the mice.<ref name=":7" /> This behavior correlates to the rodents avoiding predators by foraging in darker areas.<ref name=":0" /><ref name=":7" /> These mice rapidly increase their metabolic heat production in cooler climates by having a high metabolic rate and using non shivering thermogenesis which allows them to acclimate to their seasonal climates better.<ref>{{cite journal|jstor=1383243|title=Thermal Acclimation, Maximum Metabolic Rate, and Nonshivering Thermogenesis of Phyllotis xanthopygus (Rodentia) in the Andes Mountains|first1=Roberto F.|last1=Nespolo|first2=Juan C.|last2=Opazo|first3=Mario|last3=Rosenmann|first4=Francisco|last4=Bozinovic|date=1 January 1999|journal=Journal of Mammalogy|volume=80|issue=3|pages=742–748|doi=10.2307/1383243|doi-access=free}}</ref> In order to avoid predation these mice have been known to display an escape behavior due to large shadows rather than small raptor shadows.<ref name=":0" /> The males have also been shown to go out foraging at an earlier time than the females do.<ref name=":0" />

==References==
{{Reflist}}
*Musser, G. G. and M. D. Carleton. 2005. Superfamily Muroidea. pp.&nbsp;894–1531 ''in'' Mammal Species of the World a Taxonomic and Geographic Reference. D. E. Wilson and D. M. Reeder eds. Johns Hopkins University Press, Baltimore.
*Steppan, S. J. 1996. ''Phyllotis xanthopygus''. Tree of Life. [http://tolweb.org/Phyllotis_xanthopygus/16717] Downloaded on August 17, 2010.

{{Taxonbar|from=Q1768990}}

[[Category:Phyllotis]]

{{Sourceattribution|Yellow-rumped leaf-eared mouse}}