Considering the large number of specimens ofnoveboracensiswhich are available in comparison with the few ofoccisorit is not surprising that somenoveboracensisshould be found which exceed in size those ofoccisor. This is the case as regards the basilar length of a very old male, no. 96518, U. S. Nat. Mus., from Lunenburg, Massachusetts. Also, the skull is actually broader than any of those ofoccisor. However, this specimen is much older than anyoccisorexamined. In a female, no. 4260, Mus. Comp. Zoöl., from Liberty Hill, Connecticut, the skull is longer (but narrower) than in either of the two available females ofoccisor.
The average differences pointed out above which characterize this extreme northern population ofnoveboracensis-like weasel in comparison with truenoveboracensiswithout much question are geographic variations. Whether or not these variations are of a degree sufficient to warrant nomenclatural recognition is debatable. With equally scanty material from other regions I have not named variations seemingly as great as those shown byoccisor. The paucity of material ofoccisoris a handicap in making a decision in this instance.
Each of the adult and subadult specimens, except the one from Perry, shows malformation resulting from the infestation of the frontal sinuses with parasites.
Specimens examined.—Total number, 18, listed by counties from west to east and unless otherwise indicated in the Museum of Comparative Zoölogy.Maine.Oxford County: South Andover, 2 (Boston Soc. Nat. Hist.); Umbagog Lake, 1.Franklin County: Seven Pd. Township, 1.Piscataquis County: Grenville, [= Greenville?], 1.Hancock County: Bucksport, 10.Washington County: 3rd Mopang Lake, 1 (Acad. Nat. Sci. Phila.); Perry, 1 (Boston Soc. Nat. Hist.).Countyin question: Moosehead Lake, 1.
Specimens examined.—Total number, 18, listed by counties from west to east and unless otherwise indicated in the Museum of Comparative Zoölogy.
Maine.Oxford County: South Andover, 2 (Boston Soc. Nat. Hist.); Umbagog Lake, 1.Franklin County: Seven Pd. Township, 1.Piscataquis County: Grenville, [= Greenville?], 1.Hancock County: Bucksport, 10.Washington County: 3rd Mopang Lake, 1 (Acad. Nat. Sci. Phila.); Perry, 1 (Boston Soc. Nat. Hist.).Countyin question: Moosehead Lake, 1.
Long-tailed Weasel
Plates16,17,18,31,32and33
Mustela primulinaJackson, Proc. Biol. Soc. Washington, 26:123, May 21, 1913.Putorius noveboracensis, Baird, Mamm. N. Amer., p. 166, 1858 (part).Mustela longicauda longicauda, Dice, Journ. Mamm., 4:108, May 9, 1923.Mustela longicauda primulina, Linsdale, Journ. Mamm., 9:141, May 9, 1928.Mustela frenata primulina, Hall, Carnegie Instit. Washington Publ. 473:104, November 20, 1936.Mustela frenata, Leopold and Hall, Journ. Mamm., 26:143, July 19, 1945.
Mustela primulinaJackson, Proc. Biol. Soc. Washington, 26:123, May 21, 1913.
Putorius noveboracensis, Baird, Mamm. N. Amer., p. 166, 1858 (part).
Mustela longicauda longicauda, Dice, Journ. Mamm., 4:108, May 9, 1923.
Mustela longicauda primulina, Linsdale, Journ. Mamm., 9:141, May 9, 1928.
Mustela frenata primulina, Hall, Carnegie Instit. Washington Publ. 473:104, November 20, 1936.
Mustela frenata, Leopold and Hall, Journ. Mamm., 26:143, July 19, 1945.
Type.—Male?, young, skull and skin; no. 168006, U. S. Nat. Mus., Biol. Surv. Coll.; 5 miles northeast of Avilla, Jasper County, Missouri; May 11, 1905; obtained by Hartley H. T. Jackson; original no. 7869X.The skin lacks the distal part of the tail—the part which bears the black tip. Otherwise the skin is complete and well preserved. The teeth of the permanent dentition all are present and entire. The lower jaws are complete and unbroken. The skull is broken transversely through the interorbital region, transversely through the braincase and longitudinally through the basioccipital. Both zygomatic arches are gone. The type is judged to be a male rather than a female as stated by the original describer, Jackson (1913:123), whose measurements of hind foot, interorbital constriction, maxillary tooth-row, and mandibular tooth-row agree with those of males and are larger than those of any female seen of this subspecies.Range.—Upper and Lower Austral life-zones west of the Mississippi River in Missouri and Arkansas, the southeastern half of Iowa, eastern half of Kansas and Oklahoma, northern Louisiana and northeastern Texas. Southern and southwestern limits of range undetermined. See figure29on page221.Characters for ready recognition.—Differs fromM. f. noveboracensisin males by interorbital breadth averaging less than 24 per cent of basilar length, orbitonasal length averaging less than 34 per cent of basilar length or 64 per cent of mastoid breadth, tympanic bullae as much inflated anteromedially as posteromedially, and in females by orbitonasal length amounting to less than two-thirds of mastoid breadth, by zygomatic breadth averaging more than 21 mm., and by anterolateral margin of tympanic bulla projecting below squamosal; fromM. f. spadixby least width of color of under parts amounting to less than 40 per cent of greatest width of color of upper parts, by absence of color of underparts on hind leg below knee, and by smaller size (hind foot less than 50 in males and 40 in females; orbitonasal length less than 15.5 in males and 13.5 in females; length of tooth-rows less than 18 in males and 15.7 in females; mastoid breadth less than 25.5 in males and 22 in females); fromM. f. longicaudaby Brussels Brown rather than near (h) Clay Color of upper parts, least width of underparts less than 40 per cent of greatest width of color of upper parts, absence of color of underparts on hind leg below knee, zygomatic breadth less than 28.8 in males and 24.1 in females; fromM. f. neomexicanaby Brussels Brown rather than Buckthorn Brown color of upper parts, in absence of white frontal spot and broad white bands on sides of head, in anterolaterally rounded, rather than "square," tympanic bullae and in zygomatic breadth of less than 30 in males and 24 in females; fromM. f. frenataandM. f. texensisby absence of white facial markings and smaller size (basilar length of adult males less than 47, tail-length less than 155 in males, and hind foot less than 40 in females); fromM. f. arthuriby less evenly spreading zygomatic arches (see pls. 16, 17 and 18), greater inflation of the tympanic bullae anteromedially and more nearly straight (less convex) dorsal outline of skull.Description.—Size.—Male: Eighteen adults and subadults from Douglas County, Kansas, yield average and extreme measurements as follows: Total length, 397 (371-440); length of tail, 133 (120-147); length of hind foot, 43 (40-47). Tail averages 50 per cent as long as head and body. Length of hind foot averages less than basal length. Corresponding measurements, originally taken in inches and fractions thereof, of 9 adults and subadults from Boone County, Arkansas, are as follows: 413 (384-438); 138 (127-155); 41 (38-44).Female: Six adults and subadults from Douglas County, Kansas, yield average and extreme measurements as follows: Total length, 339 (317-355); length of tail, 107 (95-115); length of hind foot, 35 (34-37). Tail averages 46 per cent of length of head and body. Length of hind foot less than basal length. Corresponding measurements, originally taken in inches and fractions thereof, of 5 adults and subadults from Boone County, Arkansas, are as follows: 355 (332-397); 113 (101-127); 33 (29-38).The average differences in external measurements of the two sexes, in Douglas County, Kansas, are: Total length, 58; length of tail, 26; length of hind foot, 8. An adult male from Boone Co., Iowa, weighed 293 grams.Externals.—Longest facial vibrissae black or dark brown (often both colors in same specimen) and extending beyond ear; carpal vibrissae colored either like underparts or upper parts and extending to apical pad of fifth digit; hairiness of foot-soles as shown in figure20.Color.—Upper parts, in summer, Brussels Brown to near (14n) Brussels Brown, or tones 2 to 4 of Raw Umber of Oberthür and Dauthenay, pl. 301. Chin and rarely upper lips white. Remainder of underparts Picric Yellow to Primuline Yellow. In winter, color essentially the same except for smoke-gray effect in upper parts and more whitish in underparts. Tip of tail at all times black. Upper parts of uniform color except for occasional darkening of nose and mid-dorsal region. Color of underparts extends distally on posterior sides of forelegs onto antipalmar faces of toes, on medial sides of hind legs only to a point between knee and ankle. Least width of color of underparts averaging, in a series of 21 males from Lawrence, Kansas, 23 (9-35) per cent of greatest width of color of upper parts. Black tip of tail in same series, most of which are in full winter pelage, 52 (40-70) mm. long; thus longer than hind foot and averaging 39 per cent of length of tail-vertebrae.Skull and teeth.—Male (based on ten adults from Douglas County, Kansas): See measurements and plates16-18; weight, 3.7 (3.3-4.2) grams; basilar length, 44.8 (43.8-46.0); zygomatic breadth more or less (less in 80 per cent) than distance between condylar foramen and M1 or than between anterior palatine foramen and anterior end of tympanic bulla (less in 70 per cent); mastoid breadth more or less (less in 80 per cent) than postpalatal length; postorbital breadth less than length of upper premolars and, except in one specimen, more than width of basioccipital measured from medial margin of one foramen lacerum posterior to its opposite; interorbital breadth more or less (less in 70 per cent) than distance between foramen opticum and anterior margin of tympanic bulla; breadth of rostrum less than length of tympanic bulla; least width of palate less than outside length of P4 (except in one specimen); anterior margin of tympanic bulla as far posterior to foramen ovale as width of 2-1/2 to 5 upper incisors; height of tympanic bulla more (except in one specimen) than distance from its anterior margin to foramen ovale; length of tympanic bulla more than length of lower molar and premolar tooth-row and longer (except in one specimen) than rostrum; anterior margin of masseteric fossa behind or just below posterior eighth of m1.Female (based on 5 adults and subadults from Douglas County, Kansas): See measurements and plates31-33; weight, 2.2 (2.0-2.4) grams; basilar length, 38.9 (37.6-40.7); zygomatic breadth less than distance between condylar foramen and M1 or than between anterior palatine foramen and anterior margin of tympanic bulla; postorbital breadth less than length of upper premolars and except in one specimen, more than width of basioccipital measured from medial margin of one foramen lacerum posterior to its opposite; least width of palate less than greatest length of P4; tympanic bulla as far posterior to foramen ovale as width of 3 to 5 upper incisors; height of tympanic bulla more or less than distance from its anterior margin to foramen ovale; length of tympanic bulla more than length of lower molar and premolar tooth-row and longer than rostrum.The skull of the female averages 41 per cent lighter than that of the male.
Type.—Male?, young, skull and skin; no. 168006, U. S. Nat. Mus., Biol. Surv. Coll.; 5 miles northeast of Avilla, Jasper County, Missouri; May 11, 1905; obtained by Hartley H. T. Jackson; original no. 7869X.
The skin lacks the distal part of the tail—the part which bears the black tip. Otherwise the skin is complete and well preserved. The teeth of the permanent dentition all are present and entire. The lower jaws are complete and unbroken. The skull is broken transversely through the interorbital region, transversely through the braincase and longitudinally through the basioccipital. Both zygomatic arches are gone. The type is judged to be a male rather than a female as stated by the original describer, Jackson (1913:123), whose measurements of hind foot, interorbital constriction, maxillary tooth-row, and mandibular tooth-row agree with those of males and are larger than those of any female seen of this subspecies.
Range.—Upper and Lower Austral life-zones west of the Mississippi River in Missouri and Arkansas, the southeastern half of Iowa, eastern half of Kansas and Oklahoma, northern Louisiana and northeastern Texas. Southern and southwestern limits of range undetermined. See figure29on page221.
Characters for ready recognition.—Differs fromM. f. noveboracensisin males by interorbital breadth averaging less than 24 per cent of basilar length, orbitonasal length averaging less than 34 per cent of basilar length or 64 per cent of mastoid breadth, tympanic bullae as much inflated anteromedially as posteromedially, and in females by orbitonasal length amounting to less than two-thirds of mastoid breadth, by zygomatic breadth averaging more than 21 mm., and by anterolateral margin of tympanic bulla projecting below squamosal; fromM. f. spadixby least width of color of under parts amounting to less than 40 per cent of greatest width of color of upper parts, by absence of color of underparts on hind leg below knee, and by smaller size (hind foot less than 50 in males and 40 in females; orbitonasal length less than 15.5 in males and 13.5 in females; length of tooth-rows less than 18 in males and 15.7 in females; mastoid breadth less than 25.5 in males and 22 in females); fromM. f. longicaudaby Brussels Brown rather than near (h) Clay Color of upper parts, least width of underparts less than 40 per cent of greatest width of color of upper parts, absence of color of underparts on hind leg below knee, zygomatic breadth less than 28.8 in males and 24.1 in females; fromM. f. neomexicanaby Brussels Brown rather than Buckthorn Brown color of upper parts, in absence of white frontal spot and broad white bands on sides of head, in anterolaterally rounded, rather than "square," tympanic bullae and in zygomatic breadth of less than 30 in males and 24 in females; fromM. f. frenataandM. f. texensisby absence of white facial markings and smaller size (basilar length of adult males less than 47, tail-length less than 155 in males, and hind foot less than 40 in females); fromM. f. arthuriby less evenly spreading zygomatic arches (see pls. 16, 17 and 18), greater inflation of the tympanic bullae anteromedially and more nearly straight (less convex) dorsal outline of skull.
Description.—Size.—Male: Eighteen adults and subadults from Douglas County, Kansas, yield average and extreme measurements as follows: Total length, 397 (371-440); length of tail, 133 (120-147); length of hind foot, 43 (40-47). Tail averages 50 per cent as long as head and body. Length of hind foot averages less than basal length. Corresponding measurements, originally taken in inches and fractions thereof, of 9 adults and subadults from Boone County, Arkansas, are as follows: 413 (384-438); 138 (127-155); 41 (38-44).
Female: Six adults and subadults from Douglas County, Kansas, yield average and extreme measurements as follows: Total length, 339 (317-355); length of tail, 107 (95-115); length of hind foot, 35 (34-37). Tail averages 46 per cent of length of head and body. Length of hind foot less than basal length. Corresponding measurements, originally taken in inches and fractions thereof, of 5 adults and subadults from Boone County, Arkansas, are as follows: 355 (332-397); 113 (101-127); 33 (29-38).
The average differences in external measurements of the two sexes, in Douglas County, Kansas, are: Total length, 58; length of tail, 26; length of hind foot, 8. An adult male from Boone Co., Iowa, weighed 293 grams.
Externals.—Longest facial vibrissae black or dark brown (often both colors in same specimen) and extending beyond ear; carpal vibrissae colored either like underparts or upper parts and extending to apical pad of fifth digit; hairiness of foot-soles as shown in figure20.
Color.—Upper parts, in summer, Brussels Brown to near (14n) Brussels Brown, or tones 2 to 4 of Raw Umber of Oberthür and Dauthenay, pl. 301. Chin and rarely upper lips white. Remainder of underparts Picric Yellow to Primuline Yellow. In winter, color essentially the same except for smoke-gray effect in upper parts and more whitish in underparts. Tip of tail at all times black. Upper parts of uniform color except for occasional darkening of nose and mid-dorsal region. Color of underparts extends distally on posterior sides of forelegs onto antipalmar faces of toes, on medial sides of hind legs only to a point between knee and ankle. Least width of color of underparts averaging, in a series of 21 males from Lawrence, Kansas, 23 (9-35) per cent of greatest width of color of upper parts. Black tip of tail in same series, most of which are in full winter pelage, 52 (40-70) mm. long; thus longer than hind foot and averaging 39 per cent of length of tail-vertebrae.
Skull and teeth.—Male (based on ten adults from Douglas County, Kansas): See measurements and plates16-18; weight, 3.7 (3.3-4.2) grams; basilar length, 44.8 (43.8-46.0); zygomatic breadth more or less (less in 80 per cent) than distance between condylar foramen and M1 or than between anterior palatine foramen and anterior end of tympanic bulla (less in 70 per cent); mastoid breadth more or less (less in 80 per cent) than postpalatal length; postorbital breadth less than length of upper premolars and, except in one specimen, more than width of basioccipital measured from medial margin of one foramen lacerum posterior to its opposite; interorbital breadth more or less (less in 70 per cent) than distance between foramen opticum and anterior margin of tympanic bulla; breadth of rostrum less than length of tympanic bulla; least width of palate less than outside length of P4 (except in one specimen); anterior margin of tympanic bulla as far posterior to foramen ovale as width of 2-1/2 to 5 upper incisors; height of tympanic bulla more (except in one specimen) than distance from its anterior margin to foramen ovale; length of tympanic bulla more than length of lower molar and premolar tooth-row and longer (except in one specimen) than rostrum; anterior margin of masseteric fossa behind or just below posterior eighth of m1.
Female (based on 5 adults and subadults from Douglas County, Kansas): See measurements and plates31-33; weight, 2.2 (2.0-2.4) grams; basilar length, 38.9 (37.6-40.7); zygomatic breadth less than distance between condylar foramen and M1 or than between anterior palatine foramen and anterior margin of tympanic bulla; postorbital breadth less than length of upper premolars and except in one specimen, more than width of basioccipital measured from medial margin of one foramen lacerum posterior to its opposite; least width of palate less than greatest length of P4; tympanic bulla as far posterior to foramen ovale as width of 3 to 5 upper incisors; height of tympanic bulla more or less than distance from its anterior margin to foramen ovale; length of tympanic bulla more than length of lower molar and premolar tooth-row and longer than rostrum.
The skull of the female averages 41 per cent lighter than that of the male.
Compared with the skull ofM. f. noveboracensisfrom Massachusetts, that of the male ofprimulina, in dorsal view, is seen to be shorter anteriorly to the postorbital processes and to have a more marked postorbital constriction. In lateral view the dorsal outline of the skull ofprimulinais less concave in the postorbital region. In ventral view the skull ofprimulinais seen to be wider across the mastoid processes and zygomatic arches but the most pronounced difference is in the tympanic bullae. Innoveboracensiseach bulla is scooped out on the anterior part of the medial face and appears to be narrower anteriorly than posteriorly whereas inprimulinathe anterior part of the medial face is not scooped out but is moderately inflated and the bulla appears to be of uniform breadth anteriorly and posteriorly. By actual measurement the breadth of the bulla averages 59 per cent of its length inprimulinabut only 50 per cent innoveboracensis. Other respects in which the skull of the male ofprimulinadiffers from that ofnoveboracensisare as follows: Linear measurements of teeth more; relative to the basilar length, the length of the tooth-rows averages more, whereas the interorbital breadth and orbitonasal length are less.
When skulls of females are compared, each of the differences mentioned above is found to apply, except that the degree of difference is in some parts greater, for example, in the tympanic bullae. Inprimulina, the bulla is in general like that of the malenoveboracensis, whereas in the femalenoveboracensisit is less inflated, especially anteromedially, shorter, relatively narrower, and in ventral view projects little or none below the squamosal floor of the braincase. The breadth of the bulla averages 51 per cent of its length inprimulinabut only 47 per cent innoveboracensis. The bullae project below the basioccipital on the average, for a distance of 2.9 millimeters in femaleprimulinaand only 2.3 millimeters in femalenoveboracensis. Inprimulinathe temporal ridges are well developed and fuse to form a low sagittal crest, but innoveboracensisthe ridges are absent. Also, inprimulinathe mastoid processes project farther laterally beyond the braincase. The skull of femalenoveboracensisis much lighter than that ofprimulina. Average weights of the two are 1.7 and 2.2 grams. The skulls of females ofprimulinaandnoveboracensisdiffer more than do the skulls of males.
Compared with the skull ofspadix, that of the male, and the female, ofprimulinaaverages smaller in every part measured. Expressed in percentages of the basilar length, the two depth measurements of the skulls are not significantly different, but, excluding the measurements of the bullae and teeth, the other cranial measurements are less. The main difference in relative proportions is in the tympanic bullae which average only a half millimeter shorter in males ofprimulinaand one and one-tenth millimeters shorter in females. The bullae are, therefore, relative to the basilar length, longer inprimulina. The skull ofprimulina, then, differs from that ofspadixmainly in smaller size and relatively longer tympanic bullae, especially in males.
Compared with the skull ofM. f. longicauda, that of both sexes ofprimulinaaverages smaller in every part measured, except in males where the length of the tympanic bulla, and breadth and length of M1 are the same or slightly larger inprimulina. Relative to the basilar length, the length of the tympanic bullae, and in females only, the depth measurements are greater inprimulinabut all the others, in both sexes, are less. These ratios reflect the relative narrowness of the skull ofprimulina. Upon direct comparison the narrowness is especially noticeable in the interorbital region, mastoid region, tympanic bullae, and across the zygomata.
Compared with the skull ofM. f. neomexicanathat of both sexes ofprimulinaaverages smaller in every part measured. Excepting the measurements of the teeth, most of the other measurements are constantly larger. Relative to the basilar length, the length of tooth-rows and length of tympanic bulla are more, but excepting the depth measurements, the others are less. Still other differences are, inprimulina, less well-developed sagittal crest, anterolateral corner of bulla rounded rather than "square," and in males a transversely convex rather than flat interorbital region.
Compared withM. f. frenataandM. f. texensis, the skulls of males ofprimulinadiffer in being smaller in every part measured but relative to the basilar length, have longer tooth-rows, a lesser zygomatic breadth and are less constricted interorbitally.
Compared with the skull ofM. f. olivacea, those of both sexes ofprimulinaaverage smaller in every part measured, have shallower (dorsoventrally) tympanic bullae, a lower sagittal crest and slightly weaker postorbital processes on the frontals. Relative to the basilar length, the several cranial measurements are about the same.
Comparison of the skull with that ofM. f. arthurihas been made in the account of that subspecies.
Remarks.—The first specimens of this race known to have been preserved in study collections are one in the United States National Museum, taken at Bridge, Carroll County, Missouri, many years ago by J. Burbage, and less than a dozen specimens preserved before 1900 from eastern Kansas in the University of Kansas Museum of Natural History. In 1913 Hartley H. T. Jackson bestowed a name on this animal on the basis of two specimens taken by him in southwestern Missouri. Later, through the efforts of Charles D. Bunker, and his associates at the University of Kansas, nearly 100 specimens were saved from eastern Kansas, principally from Douglas County. In the course of the present study, Lawrence V. Compton obtained a topotype for the California Museum of Vertebrate Zoölogy, and with the assistance of Mr. B. G. Roberts, a good series of specimens from Boone County, Arkansas, was preserved in the same museum. In the early years of the 20th Century, the late B. H. Bailey at Coe College, Iowa, collected specimens from that state. The specimens from these several sources suffice to give a relatively clear idea of the characters of this subspecies.
Mustela frenata primulinais closely related toM. f. noveboracensis, from which, on the average, it differs in the lighter color of the upper parts of the summer coat, in the more intense coloring of the underparts, and in certain cranial features pointed out above. In the southern part of its range, however,noveboracensishas the underparts only a little less intensely colored with yellow thanprimulina. Also, the skull of the one topotype from 7-1/2 miles southeast of Carthage, a subadult male in brown, winter pelage, is almost exactly intermediate between that ofnoveboracensisfrom Massachusetts andprimulinaof Douglas County, Kansas, and Boone County, Arkansas.M. f. primulinaoften has the underparts white in winter, as does this topotype which agrees with the average ofnoveboracensisin small size of teeth and narrowness across the mastoid processes and zygomatic arches. However, it agrees withprimulinain shape and relative size of the rostrum. It is almost exactly intermediate in shape and width of the tympanic bullae.
Three other males, but no females, all in winter pelage, are available from eastern Missouri. Of the two from Silex, Lincoln County, one is nearernoveboracensisand the other nearerprimulinaon the basis of cranial characters. The third specimen, from four miles south of Lesterville, so far as I can determine by examination of individual cranial characters and tabulation of results, is exactly intermediate. Final decision on the proper allocation of specimens from the parts of Missouri represented can best be made when skulls of females are available. From the fact that the skull of the female referred tonoveboracensisfrom Golconda, Illinois, shows almost as many characters ofprimulinaas ofnoveboracensis, it is judged that females from as far west as Silex and Lesterville, Missouri, will show even more characters ofprimulinaand so be referable to that form. If this supposition be correct, the present reference of the almost exactly intermediate males, from eastern Missouri, will stand; otherwise, it may not.
Additional intergrades withnoveboracensisare available from eastern Iowa. Of five specimens from Hillsboro, Iowa, two males and a female have tympanic bullae like those ofprimulinabut the other two males have bullae like those ofnoveboracensis. The female is smaller thanprimulinaand in this small size and in general configuration of the skull, viewed dorsally, is more nearly likenoveboracensis. As a whole, the population averages almost exactly intermediate. The same is true of 3 males and one female from Muscatine. The subadult male from Keosaqua, to my eye, resemblesnoveboracensisin the greater length of the skull anteriorly to the postorbital processes, and in the relative narrowness across the mastoidal region, but otherwise is more like that ofprimulina. Two males and one female from Tipton, although in each instance variously intermediate, are as a whole nearerprimulina, No. 2865, Coe College, male adult, from Cedar Rapids, has characters of the three races,spadix,noveboracensisandprimulina. In the skull, the width suggestsspadix, the narrow mastoid region,noveboracensis, and the tympanic bullae are as inspadixorprimulina. One male, no. 12, Coe College, from Dubuque, is as narrow across the mastoid region as isnoveboracensisalthough the bullae are well inflated as inprimulina. The skull, without corresponding skin, of a female, no. 140a, Iowa State College, from Green's Island, also resemblesnoveboracensisin narrowness of the mastoidal region, and in small size of skull, but in larger teeth, broader tympanic bullae, and sagittal crest is referable toprimulina. Of two females from Vinton, one adult is typical ofprimulinabut the other, a subadult, is practically indistinguishable from femalenoveboracensis, from Ann Arbor, Michigan. Three males from Vinton agree well withprimulinaexcept that the interorbital region is wider than average and thereby suggestsspadixornoveboracensis. An adult female from New Hartford also is typical ofprimulinaexcept for the broader interorbital region. Three males from Fayette are typical ofprimulina.
Other specimens from Iowa are intergrades withspadix, or if not withspadix, with the animal of northwestern Iowa which in some ways combines the characters oflongicaudaandspadix. For example, no. 2665, Coe College, an adult male from Davenport, has the anterior part of the skull (all that is preserved) heavily ridged as inspadixand in addition, the underparts are marked with the shade of reddish displayed by topotypes ofspadixand with some yellowish as seen inlongicauda. The color pattern, however, is as inprimulina. A young male, no. C-51, Iowa State College, from Kelley, Story County, has anteriorly truncate bullae as are more frequently found in thelongicauda-spadixstock of northwestern Iowa, than inprimulina. In other respects, the animal, in so far as can be judged from the broken skull, agrees withprimulinaas it certainly does in color, color pattern, and external measurements. An adult male, no. 499a, Iowa State College, from 2 miles east of Ledges St. Park, in Boone County, in short body, size of teeth, and size of skull, in so far as the broken parts can be measured, resemblesprimulinamore closely than it does any other subspecies. The long tail, long hind foot, wide extent of the light-colored underparts, and extension of the color of the underparts onto the hind feet are more as inspadix. Other intergrades withspadixfrom Iowa are mentioned in the account ofspadix.
The specimen from Swartz, Louisiana, suggests intergradation witharthuriin that the anteromedial part of the tympanic bulla is less inflated than in typicalprimulina.
Intergrades withlongicaudaare available from Riley and Pratt counties, Kansas. No. 7182, Univ. Kans., subadult male in winter pelage, from near Winkler, has a skull of larger size as inlongicaudawith which race it seems to agree in large size of body, tail and hind foot, although the collector's measurements are lacking. Color pattern and relative proportions of the skull throughout are as inprimulina. The young male, no. 3495, Univ. Kans., from Pratt, Kansas, agrees in external measurements and large size of skull withlongicauda, but has the color and color pattern precisely as inprimulina. The teeth are smaller as inprimulina. Immaturity prevents judging of its relationships on the basis of relative proportions of the skull.
The two specimens, skins only, available from Oklahoma, are provisionally referred toprimulina. These are remarkable for the restriction of the color of the underparts and for the intensity of the yellow coloration of the underparts. The specimen from Norman has the color of the underparts entirely absent from the hind legs and not extending posteriorly to the penis. On the chest and lower throat, large spots of color of the upper parts are present and the yellow area of the underparts on the belly is narrower than in any other specimen ofprimulinaexamined. The specimen from 8 miles northwest of Stillwater has the color of the underparts only a little less restricted although this color does extend over the inguinal region almost to the knees. The skin of the posterior part of the body of a weasel is available from 10 miles south of Sulphur Springs, Texas. It, likewise, is only provisionally referred toprimulina. The coloration is about as in the specimens from Oklahoma but the distribution of the color of the underparts cannot be made out.
The dark color of the upper parts occurs far westward in animals which otherwise display characters oflongicauda. Among these intergrades, the larger size oflongicaudagenerally is combined with this dark color. This geographic behavior of the dark color of the upper parts is analogous to the condition described inM. f. spadix. Stated in another way, the dark color of the upper parts is the character, of the eastern animal, last to disappear as one goes westward across the Mississippi Valley toward the range oflongicaudawhich is a subspecies of markedly different size, shape of skull, and coloration.
Only two of 29 specimens from Kansas show infestation of the frontal sinuses. All four of the specimens from Missouri have the frontal sinuses malformed as do 9 of the 14 from Arkansas examined in this respect.
An adult female from Boone County, Iowa, bears the date May 9, 1938, and the annotation by T. G. Scott, "Fox-killed."
Specimens examined.—Total number, 131, arranged alphabetically by states and from north to south by counties in each state. Except as otherwise indicated, specimens are in the University of Kansas, Museum of Natural History.Arkansas.Boone County: 3 mi. E Bergman, 4[74]; 3 mi. SE Bergman, 1[74]; 3 mi. S Bergman, 1[74]; 3 mi. SW Bergman, 1[74]; 4 mi. SE Bergman, 2[74]; 5 mi. SE Bergman, 1[74]; 4-1/2 mi. SE Bergman, 3[74]; 5 mi. SE Bergman, 1[74]; 5 mi. S Bergman, 2[74]; 5 mi. SW Bergman, 2[74].Washington County: Fayetteville, 1[96].Crawford County: 10 mi. S Winslow, 1.Sebastian County: Fort Smith, 1[91].Iowa.Fayette County: Fayette, 3[12].Dubuque County: Dubuque, 1[12]; Green's Island, 1[65].Butler County: New Hartford, 1[12].Hardin County: Union, 1[65].Benton County: Vinton, 5[12].Linn County: Cedar Rapids, 1[12].Boone County: Worth Township, Sec. 21, 1[65]; 2 mi. E Ledges St. Park, 1[65].Story County: Kelley, 1[65].Cedar County: Tipton, 3[12].Scott County: Davenport, 2[12].Muscatine County: Muscatine, 4[12].Henry County: Hillsboro, 5[91].Van Buren County: Keosaqua, 1[65]; no locality more definite than county, 1[50].Taylor County, 1.Kansas.Riley County: near Winkler, 1.Pottawatomie County: Onaga, 1[83].Atchison County: Doniphan Lake, 1; 5 mi. NE Muscotah, 1; no locality more definite than county, 1.Douglas County: Lawrence, 8; 6 mi. NW Lawrence, 1; 1-1/2 mi. W Lawrence, 1; 6 mi. S Lawrence, 1; 7 to 7-1/2 mi. SW Lawrence, 14; 10 mi. W Lawrence, 1; Clinton, 4; Baldwin, 1; no locality more than county, 29 (2[74]).Woodson County: 1-1/2 mi. S Neosho Falls, 1[59].Greenwood County: 8 mi. SW Toronto, 2.Pratt County: Pratt, 1.Louisiana.Quachita Parish: Swartz, 1[71].Missouri.Carroll County: Bridge Creek, 1[91].Lincoln County: Silex, 1[74]; 1 mi. E Silex, 1[74].Reynolds County: 4 mi. S Lesterville, 1[74].Jasper County: 5 mi. NE Avilla, 1[91]; 7-1/2 mi. SE Carthage, 1[74].Oklahoma.Payne County: 8 mi. NW Stillwater, 1[82].Cleveland County: Norman, 1[100].Texas.Hopkins County: 10 mi. S Sulphur Springs, 1[43].
Specimens examined.—Total number, 131, arranged alphabetically by states and from north to south by counties in each state. Except as otherwise indicated, specimens are in the University of Kansas, Museum of Natural History.
Arkansas.Boone County: 3 mi. E Bergman, 4[74]; 3 mi. SE Bergman, 1[74]; 3 mi. S Bergman, 1[74]; 3 mi. SW Bergman, 1[74]; 4 mi. SE Bergman, 2[74]; 5 mi. SE Bergman, 1[74]; 4-1/2 mi. SE Bergman, 3[74]; 5 mi. SE Bergman, 1[74]; 5 mi. S Bergman, 2[74]; 5 mi. SW Bergman, 2[74].Washington County: Fayetteville, 1[96].Crawford County: 10 mi. S Winslow, 1.Sebastian County: Fort Smith, 1[91].
Iowa.Fayette County: Fayette, 3[12].Dubuque County: Dubuque, 1[12]; Green's Island, 1[65].Butler County: New Hartford, 1[12].Hardin County: Union, 1[65].Benton County: Vinton, 5[12].Linn County: Cedar Rapids, 1[12].Boone County: Worth Township, Sec. 21, 1[65]; 2 mi. E Ledges St. Park, 1[65].Story County: Kelley, 1[65].Cedar County: Tipton, 3[12].Scott County: Davenport, 2[12].Muscatine County: Muscatine, 4[12].Henry County: Hillsboro, 5[91].Van Buren County: Keosaqua, 1[65]; no locality more definite than county, 1[50].Taylor County, 1.
Kansas.Riley County: near Winkler, 1.Pottawatomie County: Onaga, 1[83].Atchison County: Doniphan Lake, 1; 5 mi. NE Muscotah, 1; no locality more definite than county, 1.Douglas County: Lawrence, 8; 6 mi. NW Lawrence, 1; 1-1/2 mi. W Lawrence, 1; 6 mi. S Lawrence, 1; 7 to 7-1/2 mi. SW Lawrence, 14; 10 mi. W Lawrence, 1; Clinton, 4; Baldwin, 1; no locality more than county, 29 (2[74]).Woodson County: 1-1/2 mi. S Neosho Falls, 1[59].Greenwood County: 8 mi. SW Toronto, 2.Pratt County: Pratt, 1.
Louisiana.Quachita Parish: Swartz, 1[71].
Missouri.Carroll County: Bridge Creek, 1[91].Lincoln County: Silex, 1[74]; 1 mi. E Silex, 1[74].Reynolds County: 4 mi. S Lesterville, 1[74].Jasper County: 5 mi. NE Avilla, 1[91]; 7-1/2 mi. SE Carthage, 1[74].
Oklahoma.Payne County: 8 mi. NW Stillwater, 1[82].Cleveland County: Norman, 1[100].
Texas.Hopkins County: 10 mi. S Sulphur Springs, 1[43].
Long-tailed Weasel
Plates16,17and18
Mustela noveboracensis arthuriHall, Proc. Biol. Soc. Washington, 40:193, December 2, 1927.Mustela frenata arthuriHall, Carnegie Instit. Washington Publ. 473:105, November 20, 1936.
Mustela noveboracensis arthuriHall, Proc. Biol. Soc. Washington, 40:193, December 2, 1927.
Mustela frenata arthuriHall, Carnegie Instit. Washington Publ. 473:105, November 20, 1936.
Type.—Male, subadult, skull and skin; no. 37515, Mus. Vert. Zoöl.; Remy, St. James Parish, Louisiana; December 15, 1926; obtained by Stanley C. Arthur.The skin is stuffed and well preserved. The skull (plates16-18) is unbroken. The teeth all are present and entire. The presence of a well-developed scrotal pouch shows the specimen to be a male. Contrary to what was stated in the original description the specimen was taken in 1926 and not in 1925.Range.—Lower Austral Life-zone of southeastern Texas, Louisiana, and into Mississippi. See figure29on page221.Characters for ready recognition (of males).—Differs fromM. f. olivaceain smaller size (adult males with hind foot and basilar length less than 45), depth of skull at anterior margin of basioccipital, ignoring sagittal crest, amounting to more than 63 per cent of mastoid breadth, and greater convexity of dorsal outline of skull in longitudinal axis (see pls. 16-18); fromM. f. noveboracensis, in males, by zygomatic breadth not less than distance between anterior palatine foramen and anterior margin of tympanic bulla and by convex dorsal outline of skull in longitudinal axis; fromM. f. primulinaby evenly spreading zygomatic arches, lesser inflation of tympanic bullae anteromedially than posteromedially, and convex dorsal outline of skull in longitudinal axis; fromM. f. texensisandM. f. frenataby absence of white facial markings and postorbital breadth more than distance between posterior borders of P4 and P2.Description.—Size.—Male: The type, a subadult male, measures (inches and quarter fractions thereof, transposed into millimeters) as follows: Total length, 390; length of tail, 113; length of hind foot, 44. Tail is 41 per cent as long as head and body. Length of hind foot less than basal length.Typical female unknown.Externals.—Longest facial vibrissae black, or dark brown (both colors in the type) and extending beyond ear; carpal vibrissae same color as underparts and extending to within 3.5 millimeters of apical pad of fifth digit. Hairiness of foot-soles in type slightly less than shown in figure20.Color.—Upper parts in summer tone 4 of Burnt Umber of Oberthür and Dauthenay, pl. 304; underparts as described inM. f. olivacea. In winter, upper parts (based on type) near (1) Brussels Brown or grayer than tone 4 of Burnt Umber of Oberthür and Dauthenay, pl. 304, darker on top of head from nose to a line connecting posterior margins of ears. Chin and posterior third of each upper lip white. Remainder of underparts white with wash of Warm Buff. Tip of tail black. Color of underparts extends distally on posterior sides of forelegs over toes but represented on antipalmar faces of feet by only a few scattered hairs. Color of underparts extends distally on medial sides of hind limbs only to knees. Least width of color of underparts amounting to 15 per cent of greatest width of color of upper parts. Black tip of tail 50 mm. long; thus longer than hind foot and 44 per cent as long as tail-vertebrae.Skull and teeth.—Male (based on type and 2 subadults): See measurements and plates16-18. As described inM. f. noveboracensisexcept that: Weight, 4.0 (3.7-4.3) grams; basilar length, 43.5 (43.3-43.6); zygomatic breadth not less than distance between anterior palatine foramen and anterior margin of tympanic bulla; postorbital breadth more than length of upper premolars; interorbital breadth more than distance between foramen opticum and anterior margin of tympanic bulla; least width of palate more or less than length of P4; tympanic bulla longer than rostrum.Female: Typical skull unknown. The skull from 12 miles east of Eagle Lake, Texas, lacks the convexity in the dorsal longitudinal axis and the skull agrees with those of larger individuals ofprimulinaexcept that the anteromedial faces of the tympanic bullae are less inflated, and the mastoid and zygomatic breadths are greater than in any female seen ofprimulina. Probably this greater breadth is the result of intergradation withM. f. frenatato the westward.
Type.—Male, subadult, skull and skin; no. 37515, Mus. Vert. Zoöl.; Remy, St. James Parish, Louisiana; December 15, 1926; obtained by Stanley C. Arthur.
The skin is stuffed and well preserved. The skull (plates16-18) is unbroken. The teeth all are present and entire. The presence of a well-developed scrotal pouch shows the specimen to be a male. Contrary to what was stated in the original description the specimen was taken in 1926 and not in 1925.
Range.—Lower Austral Life-zone of southeastern Texas, Louisiana, and into Mississippi. See figure29on page221.
Characters for ready recognition (of males).—Differs fromM. f. olivaceain smaller size (adult males with hind foot and basilar length less than 45), depth of skull at anterior margin of basioccipital, ignoring sagittal crest, amounting to more than 63 per cent of mastoid breadth, and greater convexity of dorsal outline of skull in longitudinal axis (see pls. 16-18); fromM. f. noveboracensis, in males, by zygomatic breadth not less than distance between anterior palatine foramen and anterior margin of tympanic bulla and by convex dorsal outline of skull in longitudinal axis; fromM. f. primulinaby evenly spreading zygomatic arches, lesser inflation of tympanic bullae anteromedially than posteromedially, and convex dorsal outline of skull in longitudinal axis; fromM. f. texensisandM. f. frenataby absence of white facial markings and postorbital breadth more than distance between posterior borders of P4 and P2.
Description.—Size.—Male: The type, a subadult male, measures (inches and quarter fractions thereof, transposed into millimeters) as follows: Total length, 390; length of tail, 113; length of hind foot, 44. Tail is 41 per cent as long as head and body. Length of hind foot less than basal length.
Typical female unknown.
Externals.—Longest facial vibrissae black, or dark brown (both colors in the type) and extending beyond ear; carpal vibrissae same color as underparts and extending to within 3.5 millimeters of apical pad of fifth digit. Hairiness of foot-soles in type slightly less than shown in figure20.
Color.—Upper parts in summer tone 4 of Burnt Umber of Oberthür and Dauthenay, pl. 304; underparts as described inM. f. olivacea. In winter, upper parts (based on type) near (1) Brussels Brown or grayer than tone 4 of Burnt Umber of Oberthür and Dauthenay, pl. 304, darker on top of head from nose to a line connecting posterior margins of ears. Chin and posterior third of each upper lip white. Remainder of underparts white with wash of Warm Buff. Tip of tail black. Color of underparts extends distally on posterior sides of forelegs over toes but represented on antipalmar faces of feet by only a few scattered hairs. Color of underparts extends distally on medial sides of hind limbs only to knees. Least width of color of underparts amounting to 15 per cent of greatest width of color of upper parts. Black tip of tail 50 mm. long; thus longer than hind foot and 44 per cent as long as tail-vertebrae.
Skull and teeth.—Male (based on type and 2 subadults): See measurements and plates16-18. As described inM. f. noveboracensisexcept that: Weight, 4.0 (3.7-4.3) grams; basilar length, 43.5 (43.3-43.6); zygomatic breadth not less than distance between anterior palatine foramen and anterior margin of tympanic bulla; postorbital breadth more than length of upper premolars; interorbital breadth more than distance between foramen opticum and anterior margin of tympanic bulla; least width of palate more or less than length of P4; tympanic bulla longer than rostrum.
Female: Typical skull unknown. The skull from 12 miles east of Eagle Lake, Texas, lacks the convexity in the dorsal longitudinal axis and the skull agrees with those of larger individuals ofprimulinaexcept that the anteromedial faces of the tympanic bullae are less inflated, and the mastoid and zygomatic breadths are greater than in any female seen ofprimulina. Probably this greater breadth is the result of intergradation withM. f. frenatato the westward.
Compared with the skull ofM. f. olivaceathat ofarthuridiffers as follows: Averaging smaller in every part measured; basilar length 5 mm. less; by weight a fourth lighter; relative to basilar length, interorbital breadth greater and zygomatic and especially mastoid breadth less; dorsal outline of skull more convex in longitudinal axis; tympanic bullae narrower and less inflated especially on anteromedial faces. Compared with the skull ofnoveboracensisthat ofarthurihas the zygomatic breadth equal to or exceeding the distance from the anterior palatine foramen to the anterior margin of the tympanic bulla, whereas the zygomatic breadth is less than this distance innoveboracensis. Also, inarthuri, the rostrum is relatively shorter, the braincase is more inflated anteriorly, the zygomatic arches are more uniformly spreading, and the dorsal outline of the skull is distinctly convex, both transversely and longitudinally, whereas it is transversely more nearly flat innoveboracensisand longitudinally is concave in the interorbital region.
Compared withM. f. primulina,arthurihas narrower bullae, which are much less inflated on their anteromedial faces, a less marked postorbital constriction, a braincase which is narrower across the mastoid region and broader anteriorly, and a skull, which, in longitudinal axis, has the dorsal outline markedly more convex.
Compared with the skull ofM. f. texensisthat ofarthuriis smaller in every part measured; length one-fifth less; one-half as heavy; postorbital constriction less marked; braincase relatively narrower posteriorly and tympanic bullae less inflated especially anteromedially. Compared with the skull ofM. f. frenatathat ofarthuriis smaller in every part measured; basilar length 6 mm. less; a third lighter; postorbital constriction less marked; relative to the basilar length the rostrum is broader, longer and deeper; the zygomatic expanse and breadth of the braincase across the mastoids is less; the dorsal profile of the skull is more convex in longitudinal axis; zygomata evenly spreading rather than abruptly protruding from skull posteriorly; tympanic bullae less inflated anteromedially.
Remarks.—In 1926, Stanley C. Arthur, then Director of the Division of Wild Life, for the Louisiana State Department of Conservation, obtained specimens of this weasel. Some of them were mounted and the remainder were placed in the collections of the United States National Museum and the Museum of Vertebrate Zoölogy. In 1938 to 1940 George H. Lowery saved specimens from Baton Rouge, which showed the color of the summer pelage and revealed that the size of males was more than was indicated by the original materials. In 1940 and 1941 Rollin H. Baker obtained specimens from eastern Texas which greatly extended the known geographic range.
In addition to the localities represented by specimens examined, Arthur (1928:117) has recorded specimens from Greensburg, St. Helena Parish; Braithwaite, Plaquemines Parish; Geismar, Assumption Parish; Laurel Hill, West Feliciana Parish; French Settlement, Livingston Parish; and Kentwood, Tangipahoa Parish. All these localities lie within the eastern half of southern Louisiana. A skin-only, no. 38902, Mus. Vert. Zoöl., obtained from a fur buyer by Stanley C. Arthur, was taken in Mississippi "south of Jackson." Possibly it is of the subspeciesarthuri.
Intergradation withM. f. olivaceais indicated by a specimen from Mobile County, Alabama, commented on in the account ofolivacea. Intergradation withprimulinais indicated by the shape of the anteromedial part of the bullae of the specimen from Swartz, Louisiana, that is referred toprimulina. The lack of specimens from the northern two-thirds of Mississippi and from western Tennessee, prevents any definite statement as to the limits of range ofarthuriin those areas. In comparison with animals from the type locality, the slightly larger size of the adult male from Baton Rouge, and the still larger size of the adult male ofprimulinafrom Swartz, Louisiana, suggests that theolivacea"influence" may extend farther west in the latitude of northern Louisiana than anywhere else.
None of the skulls examined shows malformation of the frontal sinuses such as results from infestation by parasites in some races. Arthur (1928:115) speaks of the ". . . cut-over swamp land, where the tupelo and cypress have been removed, . . ." as constituting suitable habitat for this animal.
Specimens examined.—Total number, 13, as follows:Texas.Colorado County: 12 mi. N Eagle Lake, 1[43]; 5 mi. W Eagle Lake, 1[43]; 3 mi. S Garwood, 1[43].Louisiana.East Baton Rouge Parish: Baton Rouge, 4[71].Livingston Parish: Springville, 1[74].Saint James Parish: Convent, 1[91]; Remy, 2 (1[74], 1[45]).Assumption Parish: near Lake Verret, 1[45].Mississippi.Harrison County: Saucier, 1[71].
Specimens examined.—Total number, 13, as follows:
Texas.Colorado County: 12 mi. N Eagle Lake, 1[43]; 5 mi. W Eagle Lake, 1[43]; 3 mi. S Garwood, 1[43].
Louisiana.East Baton Rouge Parish: Baton Rouge, 4[71].Livingston Parish: Springville, 1[74].Saint James Parish: Convent, 1[91]; Remy, 2 (1[74], 1[45]).Assumption Parish: near Lake Verret, 1[45].
Mississippi.Harrison County: Saucier, 1[71].
Long-tailed Weasel
Plates16,17,18,31,32and33
Mustela peninsulae olivaceaHowell, Proc. Biol. Soc. Washington, 26:139, May 21, 1913.Mustela frenata olivacea, Hall, Carnegie Instit. Washington Publ. 473:104, November 20, 1936.
Mustela peninsulae olivaceaHowell, Proc. Biol. Soc. Washington, 26:139, May 21, 1913.
Mustela frenata olivacea, Hall, Carnegie Instit. Washington Publ. 473:104, November 20, 1936.
Type.—Male, adult, skull and skin; no. 180802, U. S. Nat. Mus., Biol. Surveys Coll.; Autaugaville, Autauga County, Alabama; December 22, 1912; obtained by L. S. Golsan.The skull (plates16-18), although cracked at two places in the interorbital region, is in one piece and not warped out of shape. The teeth all are present and entire. The skin is exceptionally well made and in perfect condition except for the extreme tip of the tail which is broken off.Range.—Lower and Upper Austral life-zones in eastern Mississippi, Alabama, Georgia, South Carolina, and northern Florida. See figure29on page221.Characters for ready recognition.—Differs fromM. f. peninsulaein finer, softer pelage and shorter (less than 15.8 in ad. ♀) tympanic bullae; fromM. f. noveboracensis, in adult males by wider tympanic bulla which is more than rather than less than 8.5, in adult females by total length which is more than rather than less than 345, and by mastoid breadth which is more than rather than less than distance between articular faces of exoccipital condyle and glenoid fossa; fromM. f. arthuriin larger size (adult males with hind foot and basilar length each more than 45); depth of skull at anterior margin of basioccipital, ignoring sagittal crest, amounting to less than 63 per cent of mastoid breadth, and lesser convexity of dorsal outline of skull in longitudinal axis (See pls. 16-18).Description.—Size.—Male and female: External measurements of adults are available as follows:
Type.—Male, adult, skull and skin; no. 180802, U. S. Nat. Mus., Biol. Surveys Coll.; Autaugaville, Autauga County, Alabama; December 22, 1912; obtained by L. S. Golsan.
The skull (plates16-18), although cracked at two places in the interorbital region, is in one piece and not warped out of shape. The teeth all are present and entire. The skin is exceptionally well made and in perfect condition except for the extreme tip of the tail which is broken off.
Range.—Lower and Upper Austral life-zones in eastern Mississippi, Alabama, Georgia, South Carolina, and northern Florida. See figure29on page221.
Characters for ready recognition.—Differs fromM. f. peninsulaein finer, softer pelage and shorter (less than 15.8 in ad. ♀) tympanic bullae; fromM. f. noveboracensis, in adult males by wider tympanic bulla which is more than rather than less than 8.5, in adult females by total length which is more than rather than less than 345, and by mastoid breadth which is more than rather than less than distance between articular faces of exoccipital condyle and glenoid fossa; fromM. f. arthuriin larger size (adult males with hind foot and basilar length each more than 45); depth of skull at anterior margin of basioccipital, ignoring sagittal crest, amounting to less than 63 per cent of mastoid breadth, and lesser convexity of dorsal outline of skull in longitudinal axis (See pls. 16-18).
Description.—Size.—Male and female: External measurements of adults are available as follows: