One of the least documented woodrats in Mexico, known with certainty from such a small area that barely a few specimens have been confirmed in more than a century since its description. Like other woodrats, it builds a mound of sticks and piled plant material for shelter, though the species' extreme rarity means these mounds have scarcely been recorded in the field. It lives in the mountains of Veracruz, in a forest type that has undergone considerable transformation in recent decades due to the expansion of coffee plantations and crops. Its name honours the American naturalist who also gives his name to numerous species of small Mexican mammals documented in the early 20th century.
A medium-sized rodent with a robust body, greyish-brown fur, large eyes and a moderately long, hairy tail. Confused with other woodrats in the mountains of Veracruz, where reliable identification often requires genetic or cranial analysis given the extreme scarcity of available reference specimens.
Track with 4 fore toes and 5 hind toes, the hind track 2-2.5 cm, rarely recorded given the extreme rarity of the species. Droppings rounded and elongated, 8-10 mm, presumably left near shelters of piled sticks like other members of its genus, though no recent field records confirm these details with certainty. Like other woodrats, it builds a mound of sticks and plant material that serves as a shelter, though this has scarcely been documented for the species.
Mid-elevation mountain forest with dense vegetation in the mountains of central Veracruz. Known from a very small area near the Cofre de Perote volcano, in Veracruz state, eastern Mexico.
Herbivorous, presumably feeding on leaves, tender stems, fruit and seeds like other species in its genus, though no direct data exist regarding its specific diet.
Habits poorly documented given the extreme rarity of the species; presumably solitary and territorial, like other Mexican woodrats, with nocturnal activity.
Only a handful of records of the species have been confirmed since its description, and the transformation of mountain forest into coffee plantations and agricultural land within its known range raises fears that its populations are extremely small.
Deforestation and the transformation of mountain forest into coffee plantations and crops in the central mountains of Veracruz, alongside the species' extreme geographic restriction.
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