Terrestrial and Aquatic Ecology Commons^™

Mice Of The Genus Peromyscus In Guadalupe Mountains National Park, Texas, John E. Cornely, David J. Schmidly, Hugh H. Genoways, Robert J. Baker

University of Nebraska State Museum: Mammalogy Papers

Mice of the genus Peromyscus are found in virtually every habitat type in Guadalupe Mountains National Park in West Texas. Because of their abundance and wide distribution, they comprise an important component of the park's ecosystem. The first known specimens of Peromyscus from the area now included in the park were collected by Vernon Bailey in 1901 (Bailey, 1905). He collected specimens of Peromyscus boyIii in Dog and McKittrick canyons. Davis (1940) collected P. leucopus at Frijole in 1938 and P. boylii in The Bowl in 1938 and 1939. Davis and Robertson (1944) reported collecting P. pectoralis from along Bell …

Results Of The Alcoa Foundation-Suriname Expeditions. V. Noteworthy Records Of Surinamese Mammals, Hugh H. Genoways, Stephen L. Williams, Jane A. Groen

University of Nebraska State Museum: Mammalogy Papers

The occurrence of seven species of mammals previously unknown in Suriname is documented. The new taxa recorded include Didelphis albiventris, Peropteryx macrotis, Lonchorhina aurita, Micronycteris hirsuta, Vampyrodes caraccioli, Furipterus horrens, and Thyroptera discifera . Additional information is provided on several species already known to occur in Suriname, including Metachirus nudicaudatus, Peronymus leucopterus, Mimon bennettii, Tonatia carrikeri, T. schulzi, Anoura geoffroyi, Choerniscus intermedius, Mesophylla macconnelli, Neaeomys guianae, Holochilus brasiliensis, and Potos fiavus.

Karyology And Morphometrics Of Three Species Of Akodon (Mammalia: Muridae) From Northwestern Argentina, Rubén M. Barquez, Daniel F. Williams, Michael A. Mares, Hugh H. Genoways

University of Nebraska State Museum: Mammalogy Papers

Chromosomal and morphometric studies were conducted on a sample from an assemblage of Akodon spp. occurring in various patterns of sympatry from the provinces of Catamarca, Jujuy, Salta, and Tucumán, Argentina. Results showed three distinct morphometric groups based upon size. Size also varied with age, but there were no significant differences in measurements of males and females. The three morphometric groups have distinct karyotypes. Akodon caenosus Thomas is the smallest of the three, and has a karyotype of 2n = 34, FN = 40. A. boliviensis tucumanensis J. A. Allen is intermediate in size and has 2n = 40, FN …

The Section Of Mammals Of Carnegie Museum Of Natural History, Hugh H. Genoways, Duane A. Schlitter

University of Nebraska State Museum: Mammalogy Papers

The Section of Mammals at Carnegie Museum of Natural History is responsible for the care of the collections of Recent mammals, and research on these collections. "Recent mammals?!" The capitalized word "Recent" refers to the geological time period since the last ice age (about 10,000 years ago) until the present time. Mammals are that group of animals characterized by the presence of hair at least during some time of their lives, warm blood, and the production of milk. Therefore, our work really involves living mammals with which everyone is familiar; however, our work also does include study of such recently …

Demographic And Reproductive Parameters Of The Yellow-Cheeked Pocket Gopher (Pappogeomys Castanops), Michael J. Smolen, Hugh H. Genoways, Robert J. Baker

University of Nebraska State Museum: Mammalogy Papers

A population of Pappogeomys castanops simulans was live-trapped on a 3.5-ha study area in Lubbock, Texas, from September 1971 to September 1973. Seasonal and annual differences in population size were observed, with the population fluctuating between 20 and 25 gophers. Female reproductive activity began in January and continued until October, with an obvious period of recruitment lacking; however, a peak was observed in March and April. Females produced as many as three litters per reproductive season. Females born early in the year were sexually mature within the reproductive season of their birth. Females had an average survival rate of 56 …

Notes On The Natural History Of Bats From Badlands National Monument, South Dakota, John P. Farney, J. Knox Jones Jr.

University of Nebraska State Museum: Mammalogy Papers

Little has been published on the mammalian fauna of Badlands National Monument, a unique ecological area that encompasses parts of Jackson and Pennington counties in South Dakota. By way of example, although five species of bats are herein recorded from the Monument, only one has been reported previously - see Jones and Choate (1978), who listed two specimens of Myotis thysanodes pahasapensis from the Cliff Shelf area. Jones and Genoways (1976b), however, did report several other species from badland areas not far distant from the boundary of the Monument.

In 1970, under sponsorship of the Badlands Natural History Association and …

Apparent Chromosomal Heterosis In A Fossorial Mammal, John C. Patton, Robert J. Baker, Hugh H. Genoways

University of Nebraska State Museum: Mammalogy Papers

For the past decade, numerous investigators have attempted to explain the plethora of genetic polymorphism found in nature (see Ayala 1976). However, few researchers have been able to document how polymorphisms have been maintained, whether the polymorphisms were genic or chromosomal. Our investigations into the maintenance of a Robertsonian chromosomal polymorphism in the plains pocket goher, Geomys bursarius major, have revealed evidence that this polymorphism is maintained by differential viabilities of the three chromosomal morphs, with the heterozygote being favored.

Variation In Pappogeomys Castanops (Geomyidae) On The Llano Estacado Of Texas And New Mexico, Robert C. Dowler, Hugh H. Genoways

University of Nebraska State Museum: Mammalogy Papers

Nongeographic and geographic variation in the yellow-cheeked pocket gopher, Pappogeomys castanops, were analyzed in specimens collected in northwestern Texas and eastern New Mexico. Univariate and multivariate methods of analysis were utilized to assess variation in morphometric characters among 12 samples of P. castanops. Because of significant variation with age, only adult specimens were used in analyses. Adult males were significantly larger than females in all 13 characters studied. Our analyses of geographic variation reveal that those specimens previously assigned to the subspecies P. c. simulans are not sufficiently distinct to warrant subspecific designation.

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 …

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.

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 …

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 …

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 …

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 …

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 …

A New Subspecies Of Geomys Bursarius (Mammalia: Geomyidae) From Texas And New Mexico, Robert J. Baker, Hugh H. Genoways

University of Nebraska State Museum: Mammalogy Papers

As part of a study of the systematics and ecology of pocket gophers occurring on the high plains of Texas and eastern New Mexico, numerous populations of the plains pocket gopher, Geomys bursarius, were examined karyotypically. Four chromosomal races were described from this area by Baker et al. (1973). Additional studies lead us to believe that two of these races represent an undescribed subspecies of the plains pocket gopher. In addition to karyological evidence, specimens of this subspecies are morphologically distinct from those of all contiguous populations of Geomys bursarius major, the race to which they previously were assigned. …

Annotated Checklist Of Mammals Of The Yucatán Peninsula, México. Iv. Carnivora, Sirenia, Perissodactyla, Artiodactyla, Hugh H. Genoways, Robert J. Baker

University of Nebraska State Museum: Mammalogy Papers

This is the fourth in a series of papers by Jones, et al., dealing with the systematics and distributional status of mammals on the Yucatán Peninsula of México. The present contribution lists 24 native species belonging to the orders Carnivora (18 species), Sirenia (one), Perissodactyla (one), and Artiodactyla (four). Among the carnivores there are one canid, six procyonids, six mustelids, and five felids, whereas the Artiodactyla is represented by two families (Tayassuidae and Cervidae), each with two species.

The Yucatán Peninsula as treated in this series of papers includes the Mexican states of Campeche and Yucatan, and the Federal Territory …

Karyotype Of Geomys Pinetis (Mammalia: Geomyidae), With A Discussion Of The Chromosomal Relationships Within The Genus, S. L. Williams, Hugh H. Genoways

University of Nebraska State Museum: Mammalogy Papers

Summary. Four of the five subspecies of Geomys pinetis were karyotyped. All specimens examined had a diploid number of 42 and a fundamental number of 80. This karyotype was compared with the described karyotypes of other species of Geomys and was considered to be derived from an ancestoral form having a karyotype of about 70 acrocentric elements.

Bats Of Margarita Island, Venezuela, With Zoogeographic Comments, James Dale Smith, Hugh H. Genoways

University of Nebraska State Museum: Mammalogy Papers

Sixteen species of bats are reported from Margarita Island, Nueva Esparta, Venezuela. These include two species of emballonurids, one noctilionid, two mormoopids, nine phyllostomatids, one vespertilionid, and one molossid. Accounts including natural history and taxonomic comments are given for each species. The chiropteran fauna of Margarita Island is compared with the bat faunas of the adjacent Venezuelan mainland and islands off the northern coast of South America, including Trinidad and other Antillean islands. It is concluded that the chiropteran fauna of Margarita Island represents an attenuated mainland fauna.

Annotated Checklist Of Mammals Of The Yucatán Peninsula, México. Ii. Rodentia, J. Knox Jones Jr., Hugh H. Genoways, Timothy E. Lawlor

University of Nebraska State Museum: Mammalogy Papers

The Yucatán Peninsula, as encompassed in this series of papers, includes the Mexican states of Campeche and Yucatán, and the Federal Territory of Quintana Roo. This region is a low-lying plain that rises gently in elevation from north to south. It is surrounded on three sides by water and bounded on the south by British Honduras (i.e. Belize), Guatemala, and the Mexican state of Tabasco. The vegetation of the peninsula increases in height from north to south and from the coast inland. Generally, forest to the north is xerophilic, but that of the southern part of the peninsula is tall, …

Systematics And Evolutionary Relationships Of Spiny Pocket Mice, Genus Liomys, Hugh H. Genoways

University of Nebraska State Museum: Mammalogy Papers

Introduction

Spiny pocket mice of the genus Liomys are members of the rodent family Heteromyidae and together with the genus Heteromys form the subfamily Heteromyinae. Their geographic range extends from northern Sonora, in western Mexico, and southern Texas southward to the vicinity of the Panama Canal Zone. Within this area, members of the genus occur mainly in dry to arid situations being replaced in areas of rain forest and cloud forest by members of the genus Heteromys. The vernacular name for Liomys is based on the fact that many of their hairs have been modified in the form of …

Notes On Some Mammals From Jalisco, Mexico, Hugh H. Genoways, J. Knox Jones Jr.

University of Nebraska State Museum: Mammalogy Papers

The varied topography and climate of the Mexican state of Jalisco have resulted in a diverse mammalian fauna, no comprehensive account of which has been published. Significant collections of mammals from Jalisco were obtained for the Museum of Natural History, the University of Kansas, between 1949 and 1969 by field parties and individual field representatives, most notably J. R. Alcorn, R. W. Dickerman, and especially P. L. Clifton. Some of the specimens thus obtained have been recorded in systematic accounts of individual taxa or in reports on selected taxonomic groups (see for example, Choate, 1970; Genoways, 1972; Genoways and Jones, …

Bats Of Jalisco, México, Larry C. Watkins, J. Knox Jones Jr., Hugh H. Genoways

University of Nebraska State Museum: Mammalogy Papers

The fauna and flora of the Mexican state of Jalisco have received the much deserved attention of a number of biologists in recent years. Nevertheless, few comprehensive accounts of the biota of this interesting and physiographically diverse area have been published. In the period from 1949 to 1969, field representatives of the Museum of Natural History at the University of Kansas collected vertebrates in Jalisco. Among the specimens obtained from the state, the mammalian fauna of which never has been treated as a unit previously, were approximately 3000 bats, which form the primary basis for this report. In addition to …

Mammals From Southwestern North Dakota, Hugh H. Genoways, J. Knox Jones Jr.

University of Nebraska State Museum: Mammalogy Papers

The distribution of the mammals in the southwestern part of North Dakota and their ecological and taxonomic relationships have not been well documented. In addition to Vernon Bailey's (1927) survey of mammals of the state, based primarily upon field work conducted between 1912 and 1916, the only other principal studies dealing with the mammalian fauna of southwestern North Dakota were a preliminary report of the mammals of the state by Bailey et al. (1914) and the publication by J.A. Allen (1875) on mammals taken by the expedition that surveyed a route for the North Pacific Railway. Our studies, which were …

Variation And Ecology In A Local Population Of The Vesper Mouse (Nyctomys Sumichrasti), Hugh H. Genoways, J. Knox Jones Jr.

University of Nebraska State Museum: Mammalogy Papers

Vesper mice of the genus Nyctomys are relatively rare, arboreal rodents restricted to Middle America (eastern Panama to southern Mexico). Little is known concerning the biology of these secretive animals. Studies of variation of the one species, Nyctomys sumichrasti, have been limited to descriptions of new taxa (for example, see Goldman, 1916, 1937, and Laurie, 1953) and ecological observations have been confined to faunal accounts of political units (Goodwin, 1934; Hall and Dalquest, 1963) or were made coincidental to studies of other species (Lawlor, 1969; Fleming, 1970). Birkenholz and Wirtz (1965) recorded observations on the behavior, reproduction, and early …

A Multivariate Analysis Of Systematic Relationships Among Populations Of The Short-Tailed Shrew (Genus Blarina) In Nebraska, Hugh H. Genoways, Jerry R. Choate

University of Nebraska State Museum: Mammalogy Papers

The genus Blarina (Mammalia: Soricidae) is represented in Nebraska by two well-differentiated, geographically exclusive phena that generally have been regarded as subspecies. Field studies conducted along their zone of contact resulted in the collection of representatives of both phena at each of five localities. Cluster analysis of distance matrix readily separated reference samples of the phena as well as test samples from near the zone of contact. A three-dimensional projection of the specimens onto their first three principal components, together with a discriminant function analysis, served further to elucidate the degree of differentiation among the phena and to confirm that …

Notes On The Biology Of The Central American Squirrel, Sciurus Richmondi, J. Knox Jones Jr., Hugh H. Genoways

University of Nebraska State Museum: Mammalogy Papers

Additional specimens of Sciurus richmondi are reported, along with comments on variation, distribution, reproduction and molt in this little known squirrel. As presently understood, S. richmondi occurs only in the Caribbean rain forests of Nicaragua. Significant secondary sexual variation in adults was found only in zygomatic breadth, in which females are the larger. Available evidence reveals that the breeding season extends at least from February to September, and suggests two seasonal molts annually.

Harvest Mice (Genus Reithrodontomys) Of Nicaragua, J. Knox Jones Jr., Hugh H. Genoways

University of Nebraska State Museum: Mammalogy Papers

Harvest mice of the genus Reithrodontomys first were reported from Nicaragua by Oldfield Thomas (1907), who originally described Reithrodontomys sumichrasti modestus based on a single specimen from Jinotega. J. A. Allen (1908, 1910) recorded additional specimens of R. s. modestus, which still was the only species known from the country when A. H. Howell (1914) revised the genus Reithrodontomys. In his thorough review of Latin American harvest mice, Hooper (1952) added a second species, Reithrodontomys mexicanus lucifrons, to the Nicaraguan fauna, and Englert (1959) and Anderson and Jones (1960) recorded three additional kinds. The present report treats …