Neotoma martinensis, the San Martin Island woodrat, is an extinct species that was endemic to San Martin Island, which is offshore from San Quintin on the west coast of Baja California, Mexico. Also endemic to the islands off the coast of Baja California are the two extinct species Neotoma anthonyi and Neotoma bunkeri, and the endangered species Neotoma bryanti. These endemic island species, including Neotoma martinensis are all believed to belong to the N. lepida species group, which is found in western North America and throughout Baja California. Neotoma martinensis, Neotoma anthonyi, and Neotoma bryanti are believed to have been derived from the mainland species N. lepida when there was a land bridge between the islands and Baja California. The N. lepida species group is one of four species groups within the genus Neotoma. Based on recent research, this species group is monophyletic with two major clades that includes Neotoma species located within the regions of Arizona, California, Nevada, Utah, and Mexico. (Álvarez-Castañeda and Castro-Arellano, 2008; Álvarez-Castañeda, et al., 2008; Alvarez-Castañeda, et al., 2001; Edwards and Bradley, 2002; Lacher, et al., 2002; Orr, 1960)
San Martin Island is in the Upper Sonoran life zone where succulents, lichens and cacti are common. The island is part of a volcanic belt; there is no fresh-water on the island, but the volcanic surface created many caves, cavities, and crevices, where water could accumulate. Neotoma martinensis (and other woodrats on their respective islands) prefered rocky or mountainous areas so they could build nests within the volcanically created cavities as well as on top of cliffs. Nests were made from thorny vegetation, stones, bones, leaves, or anything else the woodrats could carry. Although Neotoma martinensis would generally build their nests on top of cliffs, some individuals would place conical nests on flat ground composed mainly of sticks and other debris. Nests were very important to their survival since woodrats have not adapted well to living in extremely hot conditions. Not much else is known regarding the habitat preference for Neotoma martinensis, but its mainland derivative, N. lepida, prefers habitats with succulents, juniper sagebrush, creosote brush, and cholla cactus vegetation, since their main water source comes from the water cached in these plants. Neotoma lepida can also be found in salt marshes, scrub of riparian zones, chapparals, Joshua tree woodlands, scrub oak woodlands, and piñon-juniper woodlands. The critical feature that identify preferred habitats for woodrats are the physical characteristics that create protection from predators (i.e. crevices, rock piles, alcoves). (Alvarez-Castañeda, et al., 2001; Goldman, 1910; Smith, et al., 2014; Verts and Carraway, 2002)
Neotoma martinensis had a dark, relatively long and tapered tail containing few hairs, which distinguishes it from N. lepida. The San Martin Island woodrat closely resembled N. anthonyi from one of the neighboring islands, but had larger ears that were a creamy buff color, purer white underparts, and different cranial characteristics. In males, the length of ears ranged anywhere from 29 - 36mm. The head of Neotoma martinensis was dark from the presence of dusky hairs, but gradiented on the sides to become lighter, becoming creamy white on the underparts of the animal. Length of the head and body ranged from 169 - 206mm, and the length of the tail ranged from 130 - 168mm. The hind legs were black on the outer sides, and the upper sides of the forelegs were dusky brown while the feet were pure white.
The skull size of Neotoma martinensis was medium and smoothly rounded with high anterior roots of the zygomatic arches. These arches narrowed out anteriorly, while the nasal bones were very long and thinned out posteriorly, past the lachrymal. Temporal ridges were indistinct and widely separated. Branches of the premaxillae reached past the nasal bones toward the infraorbital foramen. The top surface of the frontal lobe was quite flat and had under-developed lateral ridges. The auditory bullae were rather small and pear-shaped with a very large auditory canal. This large auditory canal then created a wide external opening from the skull.
These woodrats exhibited an increase in sexual dimorphism compared to the mainland species; the males had a slightly larger head and body than the females. Males averaged to be about 194 mm in length whereas females were 176 mm (head to body). (Alvarez-Castañeda, et al., 2001; Goldman, 1910; Smith, 1992)
The specific mating system for Neotoma martinensis is not known. However, males and females of N. lepida, the mainland derivative of Neotoma martinensis, are known to have multiple mates. Also, N. lepida males are not known to play a role in raising young, which is seen in most Neotoma species. (Fleming, et al., 1981; Verts and Carraway, 2002)
Nothing is specifically known about reproduction in Neotoma martinensis, although it is likely that Neotoma martinensis had similar reproductive qualities as other Neotoma species. Females in the genus Neotoma are known to produce up to five litters a year, but two litters are typically seen on average in late winter or spring. Gestation period lasts 30 to 36 days with an average of two to three offspring per litter. Once young are born, mothers will lick their newborns as a means of recognition. Newborn weight and age at which offspring are weaned depends on litter size. In the case of two offspring, it takes about 21 days to be weaned. When there are four offspring, weaning can take up to 34 days. Once young reach about two to three months of age, females are able to become sexually active again. Nesting is solitary; therefore it is believed that males are not involved in rearing young. (Brylski, 2008; Ceballos, 2014; Jameson and Peeters, 1988; Jameson and Peeters, 2004)
Parental investment is not well known for Neotoma martinensis; however, most Neotoma species demonstrate very little parental care. Males do not play a role in raising young. Females will spend about two or three months raising the young before becoming sexually active again. (Brylski, 2008; Ceballos, 2014; Jameson and Peeters, 1988; Jameson and Peeters, 2004)
Nothing is specifically known about the lifespan of Neotoma martinensis. In the woodrat species N. lepida, the mainland derivative of N. martinensis, individuals live to about 3 years in the wild and up to 10 years in captivity. In other Neotoma species, like N. micropus and N. albigula, individuals can live from 2-6 years in the wild. (Egoscue, 1957)
Nothing is specifically known about the behavior of Neotoma martinensis. Woodrats, as a genus, are very good climbers and will often place their nests in high elevations, like cliffs, mountain tops, etc., to avoid predation. They are active yearlong and mainly nocturnal, but can be crepuscular. Woodrats are not well adapted to extreme thermal conditions and most individuals will not become active until temperatures are below 105°F. When temperatures begin to increase, individuals will greatly reduce the frequency of leaving their nests. Woodrats are solitary and territorial animals. They tend to remain within their home ranges and will avoid crossing boundaries of other individuals. (Brylski, 2008; Goldman, 1910; Jameson and Peeters, 1988; Smith, et al., 2014)
There is no specific information known regarding home ranges of Neotoma martinensis. However, home ranges in woodrats are typically about 7 to 10 meters and usually revolve around succulents or cacti, which serve as the main water source for woodrats. Territories are equivalent to the individual's home range, therefore woodrats will defend any succulents in their territory from other species. Males are known to have larger home ranges than females. Seasonal changes will affect home range sizes, but females remain closest to their nests, and rarely venture outside their home range when they are nursing. (Brylski, 2008; Goldman, 1910; Jameson and Peeters, 1988; Smith, et al., 2014)
Nothing is specifically known about communication and perception in Neotoma martinensis, but the mainland species N. lepida uses scent marking prior to social encounters. Males of N. lepida will exhibit ventral rubbing, which is occasionally demonstrated by females. This behavior involves rubbing an oily, musky-smelling secretion produced by large ventral sebaceous glands on the ground in a roll and sliding motion. Females typically display a rolling behavior as a sign of estrus where the individual will dig a small depression in the ground and roll on one side of its body.
During breeding season, many species of male woodrats will often emit vocalization before, and sometimes during, copulation. In some species, males are able to produce ultrasonic vocalizations. Prior to copulation, a series of behaviors are often displayed in woodrats: there is first an approach and break-off, where one individual will move away from the other. Then there is sniffing of the head and anal-genital region. Males will engage in anogenital sniffing in response to female odors. Females will also approach and engage in anogenital sniffing of the males. One individual will then demonstrate a "boxing" behavior where he or she stands upright to face their partner and pushes them with their fore-paws. Then a simultaneous foot thumping of the hind-leg is exhibited with a side-to-side tail wag. Copulatory behavior begins with a hop-darting motion demonstrated by the female to engage the male. The male will begin to chase the female during this behavior and emit a rasp vocalization. At this point the male will approach to mount and the female will go into lordosis, where she will arch her back and extend her hind legs to prepare for intromission. (Fleming, et al., 1981; Verts and Carraway, 2002; White and Fleming, 1987)
Neotoma martinensis was the only terrestrial herbivore on San Martin Island. Woodrats in general are known to hoard food and tend to feed on grass, leaves, fresh fruit, small bulbs, bark, and cactus stems. Some woodrat species will eat nuts, dry seeds, or fungi. Similar to other members of the genus, Neotoma martinensis preferred herbs, leaves, seeds, and cacti fruit. (Ceballos, 2014; Goldman, 1910)
Woodrats in general have many predators like owls, hawks, snakes, cats, coyotes, foxes, and weasels. Neotoma martinensis ultimately met its demise from the combination of predation by owls and introduced feral cats on San Martin Island. (Alvarez-Castañeda, et al., 2001; Goldman, 1910)
Nothing is specifically known about the niche of Neotoma martinensis. In the genus Neotoma, competitors involve other herbivorous rodents. Abandoned nests are typically reclaimed by a variety of small vertebrates for shelter or refuge from predators. Woodrats have also been found to carry bot fly larvae, various species of mites and chiggers (Acarina), lice (Anoplura), and fleas (Siphonaptera), and the Whitewater Arroyo virus, an arenavirus that causes hemorrhagic fever. Woodrats act as reservoirs for this virus by inhaling fecal matter of other woodrats. Some endoparasites known to be associated with woodrats are acanthocephalans (Acanthocephala) and roundworms (Nematoda). It is possible that Neotoma martinensis may also have been parasitized by some of these species. (Brylski, 2008; Jameson and Peeters, 2004; Verts and Carraway, 2002)
There is no known positive impact that Neotoma martinensis or many other Neotoma species have had on humans. Any kind of economic benefits towards humans occurred indirectly through their niche and the ecological role they play on their environment. Although one Neotoma species, N. fuscipes has been found have some value in their feces, as it is often used for fertilizer in some parts of California.
Woodrats in general can be considered a nuisance since they are packrats, taking small objects as they see fit. Neotoma martinensis used to be controlled by burning brush and introducing cats (from Japanese fisherman that occupied San Martin Island) to hunt the woodrats. Not much else is known regarding Neotoma martinensis, but in the mainland relative, N. lepida, some individuals have been found to carry the hantatvirus, which can lead to death in humans. Most Neotoma species are potential vectors for diseases and are overall considered pests. (Alvarez-Castañeda, et al., 2001; Jameson and Peeters, 1988; Verts and Carraway, 2002)
This woodrat species was declared extinct by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) in 2008. (Álvarez-Castañeda, et al., 2008)
Angela Guajardo (author), Texas A&M University, Jessica Light (editor), Texas A&M University, Tanya Dewey (editor), University of Michigan-Ann Arbor.
uses sound to communicate
young are born in a relatively underdeveloped state; they are unable to feed or care for themselves or locomote independently for a period of time after birth/hatching. In birds, naked and helpless after hatching.
having body symmetry such that the animal can be divided in one plane into two mirror-image halves. Animals with bilateral symmetry have dorsal and ventral sides, as well as anterior and posterior ends. Synapomorphy of the Bilateria.
Found in coastal areas between 30 and 40 degrees latitude, in areas with a Mediterranean climate. Vegetation is dominated by stands of dense, spiny shrubs with tough (hard or waxy) evergreen leaves. May be maintained by periodic fire. In South America it includes the scrub ecotone between forest and paramo.
uses smells or other chemicals to communicate
active at dawn and dusk
in deserts low (less than 30 cm per year) and unpredictable rainfall results in landscapes dominated by plants and animals adapted to aridity. Vegetation is typically sparse, though spectacular blooms may occur following rain. Deserts can be cold or warm and daily temperates typically fluctuate. In dune areas vegetation is also sparse and conditions are dry. This is because sand does not hold water well so little is available to plants. In dunes near seas and oceans this is compounded by the influence of salt in the air and soil. Salt limits the ability of plants to take up water through their roots.
animals that use metabolically generated heat to regulate body temperature independently of ambient temperature. Endothermy is a synapomorphy of the Mammalia, although it may have arisen in a (now extinct) synapsid ancestor; the fossil record does not distinguish these possibilities. Convergent in birds.
parental care is carried out by females
an animal that mainly eats leaves.
an animal that mainly eats fruit
an animal that mainly eats seeds
An animal that eats mainly plants or parts of plants.
animals that live only on an island or set of islands.
offspring are produced in more than one group (litters, clutches, etc.) and across multiple seasons (or other periods hospitable to reproduction). Iteroparous animals must, by definition, survive over multiple seasons (or periodic condition changes).
having the capacity to move from one place to another.
active during the night
chemicals released into air or water that are detected by and responded to by other animals of the same species
the kind of polygamy in which a female pairs with several males, each of which also pairs with several different females.
communicates by producing scents from special gland(s) and placing them on a surface whether others can smell or taste them
scrub forests develop in areas that experience dry seasons.
remains in the same area
reproduction that includes combining the genetic contribution of two individuals, a male and a female
lives alone
places a food item in a special place to be eaten later. Also called "hoarding"
uses touch to communicate
Living on the ground.
defends an area within the home range, occupied by a single animals or group of animals of the same species and held through overt defense, display, or advertisement
the region of the earth that surrounds the equator, from 23.5 degrees north to 23.5 degrees south.
uses sound above the range of human hearing for either navigation or communication or both
reproduction in which fertilization and development take place within the female body and the developing embryo derives nourishment from the female.
breeding takes place throughout the year
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