Western Deermouse

The western deermouse or western deer mouse (Peromyscus sonoriensis) is a rodent native to North America. It is a species of the genus Peromyscus, a closely related group of New World mice often called "deermice". It is widespread throughout the western half of the continent, mainly in areas west of the Mississippi River. == Taxonomy == It was formerly confused with the eastern deermouse (P. maniculatus), with both species being grouped under P. maniculatus as the North American deermouse. However, due to the significant morphological variation in the species, there was always long-standing confusion over the actual taxonomy of P. maniculatus. A 2019 study found significant genetic divergence within the species and split it into two, with maniculatus representing the "eastern" group and sonoriensis representing the "western" group. == Description == P. sonoriensis is a short-tailed deermouse with a distinctive white underside and white feet. Their coat color ranges from fulvous to brownish. They can be mistaken for the eastern deer mouse, which is indistinguishable except by range, or for the white-footed mouse, which has a tail with indistinct bicoloring. Their range splits with the eastern deer mouse along the Mississippi River. They weigh between 15 and 32 grams and…