Zoology Commons^™

Specialized Insectivory: Beetle-Eatinga Nd Moth-Eating Molossid Bats, Patricia W. Freeman

University of Nebraska State Museum: Mammalogy Papers

The structure and mechanics of insectivores have been little studied. An effort is made here to compare and contrast jaw characteristics of insectivorous bats with those of herbivores and carnivores. Further, in one particular family of bats (Molossidae) jaw modifications are such that animals that take hard-shelled insect prey can be distinguished from those that take soft-shelled insect prey. Beetle-eaters generally have thick jaws, well-developed cranial crests, and fewer but bigger teeth, whereas moth-eaters have thin jaws, little crest build-up, and more but smaller teeth.

A Study Of Nongeographic Variation In Tatera Leucogaster (Mammalia: Rodentia) From Botswana, Pierre Swanepoel, Duane A. Schlitter, Hugh H. Genoways

University of Nebraska State Museum: Mammalogy Papers

Specimens of Tatera leucogaster from six localities in Botswana were tested for variation with age, secondary sexual variation, and individual variation. Of the six age classes recognized, categories I, II, and III each formed their own group, whereas cat egories IV, V, and VI were not separable on a morphometric basis and were considered to be adults. Significant secondary sexual variation was found only in depth of braincase in which females were larger. The only character exhibiting unusually high individual variation was length of posterior palatal foramen. All other characters exhibited individual variation within acceptable limits.

A Systematic Review Of The Olive-Backed Pocket Mouse, Perognathus Fasciatus (Rodentia, Heteromyidae), Daniel F. Williams, Hugh H. Genoways

University of Nebraska State Museum: Mammalogy Papers

Geographic variation in Perognathus fasciatus Wied and the identities of specimens of P. fasciatus and P. flavescens from areas of potential sympatry were investigated. Populations of P. fasciatus from the northern Great Plains, in areas with the highest amounts of precipitation, were the darkest colored and had proportionately the smallest auditory bullae. Size varied clinally in the Great Plains, with larger mice being found in the cooler, northern latitudes. Populations from the arid intermountain basins of Colorado, Utah, and Wyoming were largest in size, had the longest tails, were the palest in color, and had the largest bullae. Two races …

Redescription And Comparison Of A Highly Fossorial Mole, Domninoides Mimicus (Insectivora, Talpidae), From The Clarendonian, Patricia W. Freeman

University of Nebraska State Museum: Mammalogy Papers

The holotype of the species, Domninoides mimicus, is based on one tooth. Described in the present report is material containing a practically complete dentition and many postcranial elements which definitely belong with the teeth. This species is closely related to Domninoides valentinensis described by Reed (1962), but some of the antemolars in valentinensis are misidentified. The tooth formulas for valentinensis and for mimicus are given. Development of the cingula on the upper and lower molars in mimicus is conspicuous. Because of similar features in the postcranial bones, the Clarendonian mole may be as fossorial as Scalopus, probably the …

Rabbits (Genus Sylvilagus) Of Nicaragua, Terry L. Yates, Hugh H. Genoways, J. Knox Jones Jr.

University of Nebraska State Museum: Mammalogy Papers

The rabbits (genus Sylvilagus) of Nicaragua are herein reviewed systematically. Geographic and nongeographic variation has been assessed based on examination of 124 museum specimens constituting 28 samples of Sylvilagus floridanus from Honduras, Nicaragua, and Costa Rica, and 15 samples of S. brasiliensis from Nicaragua and Costa Rica. Morphological features of the skin and skull were analyzed using various univariate and multivariate statistical techniques. Analysis of geographic variation in S. floridanus indicates that rabbits of this species in Nicaragua are referable to the subspecies S. f. costaricensis, rather than to S. f. hondurensis as previously believed. Based on our …

Sperm Morphology, G. Lawrence Forman, Hugh H. Genoways

University of Nebraska State Museum: Mammalogy Papers

Bishop and Austin (1957) in their study of variation in mammalian spermatozoa suggested that the sperm of each mammalian species was probably unique. Although complete volumes have been written on the ultrastructure of spermatozoa (for example Baccetti, 1970), particularly of humans and domestic animals, there is still relatively little information available on the comparative gross morphology of spermatozoa. McFarlane (1963), Forman (1968), and Forman et at. (1968) made significant contributions to our understanding of the use of sperm morphology in establishing systematic and phylogenetic relationships of birds and mammals. However, there have been very few similar studies published to this …

Morphometrics [Of Phyllostomatid Bats], Pierre Swanepoel, Hugh H. Genoways

University of Nebraska State Museum: Mammalogy Papers

In this paper, we have attempted to cite all relevant literature in which mensural
data pertaining to phyllostomatid bats has appeared. We are not so naive as to
believe this goal was reached, but we do believe most pertinent publications
are listed, including all major works relating to each species. This information
serves as a summary of what currently is known concerning morphometrics of
phyllostomatids and hopefully provides a basis for future morphometric studies
of members of the family.

Neotoma Phenax, J. Knox Jones Jr., Hugh H. Genoways

University of Nebraska State Museum: Mammalogy Papers

Neotoma phenax (Merriam, 1903)
Sonoran Woodrat

Revision Of The Antillean Bats Of The Genus Brachyphylla (Mammalia: Phyllostomatidae), Pierre Swanepoel, Hugh H. Genoways

University of Nebraska State Museum: Mammalogy Papers

Nongeographic and geographic variation have been analyzed in the genus Brachyphylla. which belongs to the Antillean endemic subfamily Phyllonycterinae of the family Phylloslomatidae. Males were found to be generally larger than females: therefore, the sexes were analyzed separately for geographic variation. External measurements except length of forearm were found to displaya high degree of individual variation. They were not used in subsequent analyses. Of cranial measurements, greatest length of skull and condylobasal length showed the least individual variation, whereas palatal length, postorbital breadth (in samples from west of the Mona Passage only), and rostral width at canines showed relatively …

Review Of The Desert Pocket Gopher, Geomys Arenarius (Mammalia: Rodentia), Stephen L. Williams, Hugh H. Genoways

University of Nebraska State Museum: Mammalogy Papers

The desert pocket gopher (Geomys arenarius), which occupies a restricted geographic range in Texas, New Mexico, and Chihuahua, was examined for morphological variation. Univariate and multivariate analyses were used to determine age, sexual, individual, and geographic variation. Significant differences were found among different age classes and between sexes. Males displayed higher individual variation than females and external measurements were more variable than cranial measurements. Two subspecies--G. a. arenarius and G. a. brevirostris--were recognized after analyses of geographic variation.

An Analysis Of Hair Structure And Its Phylogenetic Implications Among Heteromyid Rodents, Jacqueline A. Homan, Hugh H. Genoways

University of Nebraska State Museum: Mammalogy Papers

Hair morphology of 36 species of the family Heteromyidae including the genera Dipodomys, Perognathus, Microdipodops, Liomys, and Heteromys was studied using both light and scanning electron microscopy. Variables investigated included length and width of hair, imbricate scale pattern, external and cross-section form of hair, and medullary characteristics. Although the hair of individual species could be characterized with detailed study, we do not believe that hair structure will be of value in evolutionary studies of this group below the generic level. The overhair of heteromyid rodents falls into two morphological types-hair which is round to oval in …

Bats Are Beautiful, Hugh H. Genoways, Robert J. Baker

University of Nebraska State Museum: Mammalogy Papers

The thought that "Bats are Beautiful" may bring a smile to your face as you think of these ugly little creatures hanging from the ceilings of haunted houses and flying around deserted bell towers at midnight. You may also remember old wives tales such as "all bats have rabies" or "bats try to fly into women's hair." None of these things is completely true, and some of the tales have no basis in fact whatsoever.

Actually, the 875 species of bats form a unique Order of mammals (those animals possessing hair at least somewhere on their bodies), since they are …

Notes On Distribution Of Three Species Of Mammals In South Dakota, J. Knox Jones Jr., Jerry R. Choate, Robert B. Wilhelm

University of Nebraska State Museum: Mammalogy Papers

No definitive account of the mammals of South Dakota has been published and, therefore, the distribution of species occurring in that state is relatively poorly documented save for several geographically restricted faunal studies (Andersen and Jones 1971, on Harding County, Findley 1956, on Oay County, and Turner 1974, on the Black Hills, for example). Our own work in South Dakota began almost two decades ago, but in recent years has focued primarily on the unique environmental area in southern Bennett County. Three species of mammals for which we have important unpublished distributional records from the state are the eastern mole, …

A Mid-Continent Irruption Of Canada Lynx, 1962-63, Harvey L. Gunderson

University of Nebraska State Museum: Mammalogy Papers

There was a mid-continent irruption of the Canada lynx (Felis lynx) population and subsequent extensive movement into non-lynx habitats during the years 1962-1963. Lynx were found in the prairie provinces of Canada and the prairie areas of Minnesota, and North and South Dakota. They were also found in urban areas such as Minneapolis and St. Paul, Minnesota: Winnipeg, Manitoba: and Calgary, Saskatchewan, Canada. Causes for the irruption remain unknown but speculations include primarily a change in snowshoe hare population, disease, extensive forest fires and extensive spraying. Unusual behavior seemed to be most often reflected by a lack of …

Distribution Of Two Species Of Long-Eared Bats Of The Genus Myotis On The Northern Great Plains, J. Knox Jones Jr., Jerry R. Choate

University of Nebraska State Museum: Mammalogy Papers

Two long-eared species of the cosmopolitan bat genus Myotis, the long-eared myotis (Myotis evotis) and the fringe-tailed myotis (Myotis thysanodes), have been known for many years from the Northern Great Plains. Material acquired in the last decade or so, however, reveals a somewhat different distributional pattern for the two species than had been supposed on the basis of specimens obtained earlier, some of which have been misidentified in the published literature.

Bats Of Guadeloupe, Robert J. Baker, Hugh H. Genoways, John C. Patton

University of Nebraska State Museum: Mammalogy Papers

The bat fauna of the Lesser Antillean chain is of considerable interest because it is composed of a depauperate extension of the South American fauna, species that have a widespread distribution in the Antilles, and a few species that are endemic to the Lesser Antilles (Baker and Genoways, 1978). Relative to bat speciation and diversity, Guadeloupe is probably the most important island of the Antillean chain.

This report is concerned with the natural history and systematics of the 11 chiropteran species known from Guadeloupe, three of which are endemic. Comments concerning systematic relationships are based on specimens that we collected …

Bats From Southern Haiti, David Klingener, Hugh H. Genoways, Robert J. Baker

University of Nebraska State Museum: Mammalogy Papers

A collection of 450 specimens of bats from the Departement du Sud, Haiti, is described. Fifteen of the 17 species previously recorded from Hispaniola are represented, and Noctilio leporinus is reported from Haiti for the first time. Reproductive information for the months of January, May, June, August, and December is presented. Macrotus waterhousii is seasonally monoestrous, as on the mainland. The two species of stenodennines, Artibeus jamaicensis and Phyllops hailiensis, do not show bimodal seasonal polyestry as do stenodermines in Central America. Monophyllus redmani and the phyllonycterines may be seasonally monoestrous. Differences in reproductive biology between Haitian bats and …

Liomys Pictus, M. Elizabeth Mcghee, Hugh H. Genoways

University of Nebraska State Museum: Mammalogy Papers

Liomys pictus (Thomas, 1893)
Painted Spiny Pocket Mouse

Liomys Irroratus, Robert C. Dowler, Hugh H. Genoways

University of Nebraska State Museum: Mammalogy Papers

Liomys Merriam, 1902
Spiny Pocket Mice

Liomys Merriam, 1902:44. Type species Heteromys alleni Coues (=Liomys irroratus alleni).

Context and Content: Order Rodentia, Family Heteromyidae, Subfamily Heteromyinae. The genus Liomys contains five known species.

Liomys Salvini, Catherine H. Carter, Hugh H. Genoways

University of Nebraska State Museum: Mammalogy Papers

Liomys salvini (Thomas, 1893)
Salvin's Spiny Pocket Mouse

Osteoarthrosis In A Coyote X Dog Hybrid From Nebraska, B. R. Mahan, P. S. Gipson

University of Nebraska State Museum: Mammalogy Papers

Osteoarthrosis is described in a wild, 14-year-old coyote (Canis latrans) x dog (C. familiaris) hybrid shot in southeastern Nebraska. There was ankylosis of five vertebrae, the head of the left femur was absent, and periarticular osteophytes occurred throughout the skeleton. The age is significant because wild coyotes seldom live beyond 6 years and coyote x dog hybrids are considered to be less fit for survival in the wild than coyotes.

Analysis Of The Flehmen Display In American Bison (Bison Bison), Brian R. Mahan, Michael P. Munger, Harvey L. Gunderson

University of Nebraska State Museum: Mammalogy Papers

A tota1 of 873 Flehmen (lip curl) displays by bison (Bison bison) was recorded and statistically analyzed in relation to individual factors such as age and sex, and external factors such as wind speed, wind direction, temperature, humidity, and Flehmen stimulus to determine if differences between subgroups of individuals existed and if Flehmen was environmentally affected. The mean lip curl display duration for all individuals was 8.4 seconds. Statistical tests of Flehmen duration means grouped by Flehmen stimuli showed a significant difference (p < 0.05). Lip curl duration means for males (8.3 sec.) and females (9.3 sec.), "maturity classes", all age-classes, cow age-classes, and bull age-classes were significantly different (p < 0.05). Because of a marked decrease of duration means for "prime" bulls, some relationship between Flehmen duration and sexual behavior of bulls was suggested. Windspeed, humidity, and temperature were determined …

Zoogeography Of Antillean Bats, Robert J. Baker, Hugh H. Genoways

University of Nebraska State Museum: Mammalogy Papers

Analysis of the bat fauna of the Antillean Islands suggest that the most probable source of invasion of the islands by bats is by overwater dispersal. The bat fauna of ·the Greater Antilles is unique, a percentage of endemism on each island being over 50 percent except for the Virgin Islands which has 33 percent endemics.

The richest bat fauna in the Antilles is on Cuba (32 species) followed by Jamaica (23 species) then Hispaniola (17 species) and Puerto Rico (16 species). The number of species found on Cuba is probably the result of the island's proximity to Central and …

On The Notion That Insectivory Is A Specialized Condition, Patricia W. Freeman

University of Nebraska State Museum: Mammalogy Papers

Insectivory as a specialized feeding condition in mammals has not been explored as has been carnivory or herbivory. Insect-feeding, non-edentate mammals have dilambdodont teeth and modifications in the craniomandibular joint which distinguish them from other mammals such as carnivores, herbivores, and omnivores. Variation in a family of insectivorous bats, Molossidae, can be likened functionally to the kinetic-inertial and static-pressure jaw systems noted in rhipidistians, amphibians, and reptiles. Food data show that the bats with the kinetic-inertial system eat moths and ones with the static-pressure system eat beetles. Not only do these insectivorous mammals eat insects, they also are modified to …

Morphometric Variation In The Tropical Pocket Gopher (Geomys Tropicalis), Stephen L. Williams, Hugh H. Genoways

University of Nebraska State Museum: Mammalogy Papers

The tropical pocket gopher (Geomys tropicalis). which exhibits no chromosomal or genic variation, was examined for variability at the morphometrical level. Univariate and multivariate analyses were used to determine age, sexual, and geographical variation. Significant differences were found between different age classes and between sexes. The amount of individual variation was comparable with other rodents and did not exhibit the reduced variation expressed at the chromosomal and genic levels, G. tropicalis is considered to be a monotypic species.

Comparison Of Coyote And Coyote × Dog Hybrid Food Habits In Southeastern Nebraska, Brian R. Mahan

University of Nebraska State Museum: Mammalogy Papers

The recent taxonomic study by Mahan et al. (1978) documented the occurrence of coyote (Canis latrans) x dog (c. familiaris) hybrids in Nebraska. This study, and those by Freeman (1976) in Oklahoma and Gipson et al. (1974) in Arkansas show coyote x dog hybrids, though not abundant, to be numerous in some areas. The purpose of the present study was to compare the stomach contents of coyote x dog hybrids collected by Mahan et al. (1978) from southeastern Nebraska with those of contemporary coyotes.

Stomachs of 12 coyote x dog hybrids and 16 coyotes collected November 1975 …

Comparison Of Coyote And Coyote X Dog Hybrid Food Habits In Southeastern Nebraska, Brian R. Mahan

University of Nebraska State Museum: Mammalogy Papers

The recent taxonomic study by Mahan et al. (1978) documented the occurrence of coyote (Canis latrans) X dog (C. familiaris) hybrids in Nebraska. This study, and those by Freeman (1976) in Oklahoma and Gipson et al. (1974) in Arkansas show coyote x dog hybrids, though not abundant, to be numerous in some areas. The purpose of the present study was to compare the stomach contents of coyote x dog hybrids collected by Mahan et al. (1978) from southeastern Nebraska with those of contemporary coyotes. Stomachs of 12 coyote x dog hybrids and 16 coyotes collected November …

Karyotypes Of Shrews Of The Genera Cryptotis And Blarina (Mammalia: Soricidae), Hugh H. Genoways, James C. Patton Iii, J. R. Choate

University of Nebraska State Museum: Mammalogy Papers

Cryptotis parva has a diploid number of 52 and a fundamental number of 50. Blarina brevicauda in Nebraska and Pennsylvania has a diploid number of 49 or 50 and a fundamental number of 48. Blarina carolinensis in Nebraska and Kansas has a diploid number of 52 and a fundamental number of 62. The X-chromosome in all 3 species is a large metacentric chromosome. The Y-chromosome is a small acrocentric in Blarina, whereas in Cryptotis it is a small subtelocentric.

Federal Regulations Pertaining To Collection, Import, Export, And Transport Of Scientific Specimens Of Mammals, Hugh H. Genoways, Jerry R. Choate

University of Nebraska State Museum: Mammalogy Papers

The routine tasks of mammalogists whose research or curatorial activities include collecting, importing, processing, exporting, or interstate transporting of living or dead scientific specimens of mammals have become increasingly complicated by newly enacted (or more rigorously enforced) Federal regulations. These regulations were necessary largely because of the activities of non-scientists, but their provisions have had a tremendous impact on the activities of scientists (especially museum-based systematists and ecologists). Most mammalogists have expressed a willingness to comply with the regulations (although nearly all agree that administration of the permit system should be consolidated into a single office) if they can obtain …

A New Species Of Chiroderma From Guadeloupe, West Indies (Chiroptera: Phyllostomidae), Robert J. Baker, Hugh H. Genoways

University of Nebraska State Museum: Mammalogy Papers

During the course of a study of the bat faunas of the Caribbean islands we obtained a specimen of Chiroderma from the island of Guadeloupe in the Lesser Antilles. The nearest known populations of this genus occur on Tobago and Trinidad (C. villosum and C. trinitatum). approximately 550 kilometers to the south. This specimen represents a distinct new species that appears to be most closely related to C. doriae and C. villosum. This new species is named and described.