An overview of caudal autotomy in rodents, with new records for Cricetidae and Heteromyidae
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.31687/SaremNMS25.1095Keywords:
Handleyomys, Honduras, Nyctomys, Ototylomys, tail autotomyAbstract
Caudal autotomy is a phenomenon mainly known in reptiles (e.g., Lepidosauria), but cases in mammals are scarce. Therefore, a review on caudal autotomy in rodents is presented with records of four new cases for the species: cloud forest rice rat Handleyomys saturatior (Merriam, 1901), Desmarest's spiny pocket mouse Heteromys desmarestianus (Gray, 1868), the Vesper rat, Nyctomys sumichrasti (Saussure, 1860), and the big-eared climbing rat, Ototylomys phyllotis Merriam, 1901. A total of 55 rodent species have been documented with caudal autotomy, with 72.7% being false autotomy and 27.3% true autotomy; this phenomenon is typically considered advantageous for escaping predators. It is essential to prioritize research on this defensive trait because it may contribute significantly to their adaptability and success in diverse habitats.
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