Neotoma lepida

Taxonomy

Assessment Information

Geographic Range

Population

Habitat and Ecology

Threats

Conservation Actions

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Taxonomy [top]

Kingdom	Phylum	Class	Order	Family
ANIMALIA	CHORDATA	MAMMALIA	RODENTIA	CRICETIDAE

Scientific Name:

Neotoma lepida

Species Authority:

Thomas, 1893

Common Name/s:

English

–

Desert Woodrat

Taxonomic Notes:

Formerly included forms now classified as N. devia. The subspecies from coastal California may be a distinct species (Patton et al. in press).

Assessment Information [top]

Red List Category & Criteria:

Least Concern ver 3.1

Year Published:

2008

Assessor/s:

Linzey, A.V., Timm, R., Álvarez-Castañeda, S.T., Castro-Arellano, I. & Lacher, T.

Reviewer/s:

McKnight, M. (Global Mammal Assessment Team) & Amori, G. (Small Nonvolant Mammal Red List Authority)

Justification:
This species is listed as Least Concern in view of its wide distribution, presumed large population, and because it is unlikely to be declining at nearly the rate required to qualify for listing in a threatened category.

History:

1996

–

Lower Risk/least concern

Geographic Range [top]

Range Description:	Arid and semi-arid areas of western United States and southward to northwestern Sonora and through the Baja California peninsula (Mexico), including the islands of Espiritu Santo, San Francisco, San Jose, Danzante, Carmen, Angel de la Guardia, and Margarita. In the US, range includes southern California, southeastern Oregon, southwestern Idaho, western Utah, and extreme western Colorado and Arizona.
Countries:	Native: Mexico; United States (Arizona, California, Idaho, Nevada, Oregon, Utah)
Range Map:	Click here to open the map viewer and explore range.

Population [top]

Population:	This species is common in suitable habitat. On islands with cliffs, it is very common, but on other islands it is considered to be very rare. Reported densities range from 1.4 individuals/ha (January in the San Gabriel Mountains) to 30 individuals/ha (June-July in coastal sage).
Population Trend:	Stable

Habitat and Ecology [top]

Habitat and Ecology:	Occurs in desert scrublands and coastal sage scrub habitats. Requires succulent vegetation, especially Opuntia and Yucca, as a source of water. Nests in these plants or in crevices of nearby rock outcroppings.
Systems:	Terrestrial

Threats [top]

Major Threat(s):	No known threats to the species. However, the Neotoma lepida complex has a number of extinct populations on the islands in the northwestern part of Mexico and many of the remaining island populations are likely vulnerable to habitat change or to introduced species, such as cats.

Major Threat(s):

No known threats to the species. However, the Neotoma lepida complex has a number of extinct populations on the islands in the northwestern part of Mexico and many of the remaining island populations are likely vulnerable to habitat change or to introduced species, such as cats.

Conservation Actions [top]

Conservation Actions:	There are no known conservation measures specific to this species. However, there are several protected areas within its range. Many of the island populations are considered endangered by Mexican law.

Conservation Actions:

There are no known conservation measures specific to this species. However, there are several protected areas within its range. Many of the island populations are considered endangered by Mexican law.

Citation:	Linzey, A.V., Timm, R., Álvarez-Castañeda, S.T., Castro-Arellano, I. & Lacher, T. 2008. Neotoma lepida. In: IUCN 2011. IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. Version 2011.2. <www.iucnredlist.org>. Downloaded on 24 May 2012.
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