Compared with that ofM. f. washingtonithe skull of the male is shorter, especially in the preorbital region and is relatively broader across the mastoidal processes and zygomatic arches. The skull of the female is longer in the preorbital region, has a less cylindrical braincase and differs less from the male skull than is the case inM. f. washingtoni. Compared withM. f. effera, the skull of the male is smaller in every part measured and relative to the basilar length is broader across the mastoids and has relatively shorter tympanic bullae. FromM. f. nevadensisthe skull of the male differs in the same way except that size is about the same. The skull of the femaleoregonensisis more heavily ridged and is relatively broader across the mastoids than that ofeffera. FromM. f. saturata,oregonensisis not surely known to differ in cranial characters. FromM. f. munda,oregonensisdiffers in having the skull of both sexes smaller, and on the average, in all parts measured, has a less marked postorbital constriction, relatively narrower interorbital region and relatively more expanded zygomata. FromM. f. altifrontalis, males oforegonensisdiffer on the average, in having larger teeth, and relative to the basilar length, a greater mastoid breadth and a shallower braincase as measured at the anterior margin of the basioccipital. Females oforegonensisdiffer in larger average size of skull, except for breadth of rostrum and interorbital breadth which, therefore, are relatively less inoregonensis, as also is the relative depth of the skull measured at the posterior borders of the upper molars and at the anterior margin of the basioccipital. However, skulls of females oforegonensishave relatively longer tooth-rows and are relatively broader across the zygomata and mastoidal processes.
Remarks.—In 1896, Merriam namedoregonensisas a subspecies of the California bridled weasel on the basis of a single specimen taken by Clark P. Streator. Three additional specimens were acquired in later years, by workers of Dr. Merriam's bureau, from near the type locality and specimens from farther north in Oregon have been accumulated at the University of Oregon. The most satisfactory material is that saved from Humboldt County by the late H. E. Wilder, which, when brought together, is adequate to give some idea of the range of variation that can be expected in a given population.
Of two specimens from Goldbeach, one shows approach toaltifrontalisin that the color of the underparts stops at the ankle, and in one, the angle of the mouth is dark colored. Specimens from Eugene and vicinity lack the white facial markings, and in this feature approach the adjoiningwashingtoni-effera-nevadensisstock. A specimen from 6 miles south of Medford shows approach tosaturatain the interruption, on the ankle and lower tibial region, of the color of the underparts. One adult female, no. 1413, Univ. Oregon, from the Rogue River Valley, 13 miles southwest of Grants Pass, stands out prominently, among the other specimens from extreme southern Oregon and northwestern California, by reason of the near (18) Apricot Yellow color of the underparts, but this same color occurs in specimens from the more northerly localities of Buchanan, Eugene, Vida Fish Hatchery, and McKenzie Bridge, as well as in no. 2178, Univ. Oregon, from Cresent Lake. The last mentioned specimen is here referred tonevadensis.
Two females referred tooregonensisfrom southern Oregon differ so greatly in size of skull that they challenge one's imagination in any attempt to provide an explanation for so wide a range of variation in one subspecies. One of these, no. 244520, U. S. Nat. Mus., is an adult female from Medford. The other, no. 224034, U. S. Nat. Mus., is a subadult female (though labeled male) from 43 miles northeast of Grants Pass. The skull of the adult from Medford has a basilar length of 41.5, upper tooth-rows, 16.1 in length, and a weight of 2.75 grams, whereas corresponding figures for the subadult are only 33.8, 12.9, and 1.4. Two other adult females are intermediate in size: No. 1413, Univ. Oregon, from 13 miles southwest of Grants Pass, Oregon, approaches the specimen from Medford in size, and the second specimen, no. 34325, Mus. Vert. Zoöl., from Carlotta, California, is smaller.
Not only is there a difference in length between the skulls of the two extremes of the females but this difference extends to all other dimensions of their skulls, and is most pronounced in the preorbital region. The differences in breadth of the braincase and other parts of the skull are relatively less than the differences in length. Differences of the same nature, although of lesser degree than found in the females, are to be seen in two males. The skull of an adult no. 51590, Mus. Vert. Zoöl., from 6 miles south of Medford, has a basilar length of 46.4, upper tooth-rows, 17.6 mm. long, and a weight of 4.0 grams, whereas corresponding figures for the subadult type specimen from Grants Pass, are only 43.0, 16.2, and 3.3.
The wide range of variation in size of skull of both sexes, together with the considerable variation in color pattern of the specimens here referred tooregonensisraises the suspicion that we are using the name in a composite sense; nevertheless, to recognize more than one subspecies with the material now available would be unwise.
A subadult female, of abnormal color, no. 47149, Mus. Vert. Zoöl., taken by Mr. H. E. Wilder at Carlotta, California, on December 20, 1930, in a region where weasels do not turn white in winter, is white, except for the black tip of the tail, but has a suffusion of orange. This specimen, discussed at greater length on page43, is instructive in that it suggests that there are separate determiners for the brown and red elements of the pelage. It is interesting also as suggesting how natural selection may tend to eliminate from the population a conspicuous color-variation of this kind. At any rate, Mr. Wilder (Ms.) states: "This specimen was picked up in a field, where it evidently had been dropped by a hawk or an owl." The braincase of the skull is crushed in three places as though by a raptor's beak. None of the several other weasels, all normally colored, saved by Mr. Wilder from this general locality gives evidence of having fallen a victim to a raptor.
Only 2 skulls of the 12 adults and subadults examined show malformation of the frontal sinuses such as results from the presence of parasites.
Specimens examined.—Total number, 29, arranged within states from north to south by counties. Unless otherwise indicated specimens are in the collection of the United States National Museum.California.Del Norte County: Requa, 1[8].Humholdt County: Eureka, 2 (1[74], 1[75]); Ferndale, 1[74]; Fortuna, 2[63]; Carlotta, 6 (3[74], 3[59]); 12 mi. E Bridgeville, 1[59]; 2 mi. W Bridgeville, 1[59].Oregon.Washington County: Forest Grove, 1.Marion County: Salem, 2.Benton County: Buchanan, 1.Lane County: McKenzie Bridge, 1[101]; Vida Fish Hatchery, 1[101]; Eugene, 1[101].Douglas County: Anchor, 1.Curry County: Gold Beach, 2[60].Josephine County: Rogue River Valley (Grants Pass), 1; 13 mi. SW Grants Pass, 1[101].Jackson County: Medford, 2; 6 mi. S Medford, 1[74].
Specimens examined.—Total number, 29, arranged within states from north to south by counties. Unless otherwise indicated specimens are in the collection of the United States National Museum.
California.Del Norte County: Requa, 1[8].Humholdt County: Eureka, 2 (1[74], 1[75]); Ferndale, 1[74]; Fortuna, 2[63]; Carlotta, 6 (3[74], 3[59]); 12 mi. E Bridgeville, 1[59]; 2 mi. W Bridgeville, 1[59].
Oregon.Washington County: Forest Grove, 1.Marion County: Salem, 2.Benton County: Buchanan, 1.Lane County: McKenzie Bridge, 1[101]; Vida Fish Hatchery, 1[101]; Eugene, 1[101].Douglas County: Anchor, 1.Curry County: Gold Beach, 2[60].Josephine County: Rogue River Valley (Grants Pass), 1; 13 mi. SW Grants Pass, 1[101].Jackson County: Medford, 2; 6 mi. S Medford, 1[74].
Long-tailed Weasel
Plates1,19,20,21,22,23,30,34,35,36and40
Putorius xanthogenys mundusBangs, Proc. New England Zoöl. Club, 1:56, June 9, 1899; Stephens, California mammals, p. 247, 1906.Mustela frenata, Audubon and Bachman, Journ. Acad. Nat. Sci. Philadelphia, 8 (Pt. 2):291, 1842 (North California about 40° latitude).Mustela xanthogenys munda, Miller, U. S. Nat. Mus. Bull., 79:99, December 31, 1912.Mustela frenata munda, Hall, Carnegie Instit. Washington Publ. 473:107, November 20, 1936.
Putorius xanthogenys mundusBangs, Proc. New England Zoöl. Club, 1:56, June 9, 1899; Stephens, California mammals, p. 247, 1906.
Mustela frenata, Audubon and Bachman, Journ. Acad. Nat. Sci. Philadelphia, 8 (Pt. 2):291, 1842 (North California about 40° latitude).
Mustela xanthogenys munda, Miller, U. S. Nat. Mus. Bull., 79:99, December 31, 1912.
Mustela frenata munda, Hall, Carnegie Instit. Washington Publ. 473:107, November 20, 1936.
Type.—Male, adult, skull, os penis and skin; no. 5459, collection of E. A. and O. Bangs, but now in collection of Mus. Comp. Zoöl.; Point Reyes, Marin County, California; June 19, 1896; obtained by C. A. Allen; original no. 931. (See comments under "Remarks," below, on places in California to which the name Point Reyes has been applied.)The skull (pls. 19-21, 30) is complete and unbroken. I1 on each side and right I2 are broken away; p2 and p3 on each side have been aborted and the only alveoli remaining are two for the right p3. Otherwise all teeth are present and entire. The skin is fairly well made and in good condition.Cranially, the type is a "runt"; its small size and the circumstance that the tympanic bulla is longer than the lower molar and premolar tooth-row and longer than the rostrum are features which differentiate the type from any other specimen seen of this race.Range.—Sea level to at least 6,000 feet (South Yolla Bolly Mountain, Trinity County, California); Upper Sonoran and Transition life-zones of the coast and Coast Range of northwestern California from the Golden Gate northward into southern Humboldt and Trinity counties. See figures29and30on pages 221 and 314.Characters for ready recognition.—Differs fromM. f. oregonensisin longer hind foot of males which is more than 50 mm., and in both sexes, larger, more prominently ridged skull (see measurements and plates); fromM. f. saturataby presence of nasofrontal white spot, larger and relatively shallower skull of males and larger skull of female; fromM. f. nevadensisby presence of well-developed, white, facial markings; absence of color of underparts on ventral face of proximal third of tail; and hind foot of males more than 50; fromM. f. xanthogenysby near (l) Sudan Brown to near (l) Antique Brown rather than Buckthorn Brown colors of upper parts and greater size, and in adult male basilar length more than 45 and hind foot more than 47; fromM. f. nigriaurisby having inside of ears same color as back rather than much darker than back.Description.—Size.—Male: Three adults and two young from Point Arena and Gualala, Mendocino County, yield average and extreme measurements as follows: Total length, 447 (434-470); length of tail, 167 (150-185); length of hind foot, 53 (50-60). Corresponding measurements of three adults from 5 and 6 miles west of Inverness, Marin County, are: 430 (420-440), 154 (141-160), 48 (48-49). Corresponding measurements of four individuals (3 adults and 1 young of large size) from South Yolla Bolly Mountain, Trinity County, are: 383 (374-400), 134 (130-138); 44 (43-44). The tail averages 60 per cent as long as the head and body in the series from Point Arena, 56 per cent in the series from Point Reyes, and 53 per cent in the series from South Yolla Bolly Mountain. In every specimen except two, length of hind foot less than basal length. The two exceptions are no. 19720, M.V.Z., male adult from Point Arena in which the hind foot is recorded as 60 (probably an error in measurement), and no. 19721, M.V.Z., from the same place, in which the skull has not yet attained its full growth.Female: One adult from Point Arena measures as follows: Total length, 383; length of tail, 134; length of hind foot, 43. Corresponding measurements of an adult from seven miles north of Laytonville, Mendocino County, are: 336, 121, 33 (= 36 on dried skin). Corresponding measurements of an adult from South Yolla Bolly Mountain, Trinity County, are, 326, 113, 37. In these three specimens, the tail is, in the order given, 54, 56, and 53 per cent as long as the head and body. Length of hind foot more than basal length.Differences in external measurements of the two sexes as indicated by the five males and one female from Point Arena, are: Total length, 64; length of tail, 33; length of hind foot, 10. Weights of 2 adult males are 265 and 221 grams and of one adult female 155 grams.Externals.—As described inMustela frenata nigriauris.Color.—Spot between eyes, narrow band or spot confluent with color of underparts on each side of head anterior to each ear, chin, lower lips, and rarely posterior third or less of each upper lip white; dark spot posterior to each angle of mouth uniformly present and of large size; tip of tail black; remainder of upper parts near (14l) Sudan Brown and tone 4 of Raw Umber of Oberthür and Dauthenay, pl. 301; occasionally, slightly darker brown on forehead, nose, and about eyes. Underparts near (atoc) Ochraceous-Buff and sometimes Orange-Buff. Color of underparts extends distally on posterior sides of forelegs over toes onto antipalmar faces of feet and wrists, on medial sides of hind limbs over antiplantar faces of toes. Least width of color of underparts averaging, in a series of 5 males from Mendocino County, 57 (46-67) per cent of greatest width of color of upper parts; 38 (35-40) in 3 males from Point Reyes, Marin County. Black tip of tail in Mendocino County series averaging 53 (46-60) mm., which is same length as hind foot and 32 per cent of length of tail. In Point Reyes males, black tip of tail averages 44 (34-52) mm., which is less than length of hind foot and 45 per cent as long as tail-vertebrae.Several specimens of the smaller, inland variant (see under "Remarks") are near (l) Antique Brown rather than near (14l) Sudan Brown above and hence do not differ in this respect fromnigriauris.Skull and teeth.—Male (based on 3 adults from Mendocino County): See measurements and plates19-23,30. As described inMustela frenata nigriaurisexcept that: Weight, 6.0 (5.4-6.3) grams; basilar length, 47.6 (46.5-48.2); length of tympanic bulla more than length of lower molar and premolar tooth-row.Female (based on no. 19723, M.V.Z., from Point Arena): See measurements and plates34-36,40. As described inM. f. nigriaurisexcept that: Weight, 3.0 grams; basilar length, 42.3.The skull of the female is 50 per cent lighter than that of the average male.
Type.—Male, adult, skull, os penis and skin; no. 5459, collection of E. A. and O. Bangs, but now in collection of Mus. Comp. Zoöl.; Point Reyes, Marin County, California; June 19, 1896; obtained by C. A. Allen; original no. 931. (See comments under "Remarks," below, on places in California to which the name Point Reyes has been applied.)
The skull (pls. 19-21, 30) is complete and unbroken. I1 on each side and right I2 are broken away; p2 and p3 on each side have been aborted and the only alveoli remaining are two for the right p3. Otherwise all teeth are present and entire. The skin is fairly well made and in good condition.
Cranially, the type is a "runt"; its small size and the circumstance that the tympanic bulla is longer than the lower molar and premolar tooth-row and longer than the rostrum are features which differentiate the type from any other specimen seen of this race.
Range.—Sea level to at least 6,000 feet (South Yolla Bolly Mountain, Trinity County, California); Upper Sonoran and Transition life-zones of the coast and Coast Range of northwestern California from the Golden Gate northward into southern Humboldt and Trinity counties. See figures29and30on pages 221 and 314.
Characters for ready recognition.—Differs fromM. f. oregonensisin longer hind foot of males which is more than 50 mm., and in both sexes, larger, more prominently ridged skull (see measurements and plates); fromM. f. saturataby presence of nasofrontal white spot, larger and relatively shallower skull of males and larger skull of female; fromM. f. nevadensisby presence of well-developed, white, facial markings; absence of color of underparts on ventral face of proximal third of tail; and hind foot of males more than 50; fromM. f. xanthogenysby near (l) Sudan Brown to near (l) Antique Brown rather than Buckthorn Brown colors of upper parts and greater size, and in adult male basilar length more than 45 and hind foot more than 47; fromM. f. nigriaurisby having inside of ears same color as back rather than much darker than back.
Description.—Size.—Male: Three adults and two young from Point Arena and Gualala, Mendocino County, yield average and extreme measurements as follows: Total length, 447 (434-470); length of tail, 167 (150-185); length of hind foot, 53 (50-60). Corresponding measurements of three adults from 5 and 6 miles west of Inverness, Marin County, are: 430 (420-440), 154 (141-160), 48 (48-49). Corresponding measurements of four individuals (3 adults and 1 young of large size) from South Yolla Bolly Mountain, Trinity County, are: 383 (374-400), 134 (130-138); 44 (43-44). The tail averages 60 per cent as long as the head and body in the series from Point Arena, 56 per cent in the series from Point Reyes, and 53 per cent in the series from South Yolla Bolly Mountain. In every specimen except two, length of hind foot less than basal length. The two exceptions are no. 19720, M.V.Z., male adult from Point Arena in which the hind foot is recorded as 60 (probably an error in measurement), and no. 19721, M.V.Z., from the same place, in which the skull has not yet attained its full growth.
Female: One adult from Point Arena measures as follows: Total length, 383; length of tail, 134; length of hind foot, 43. Corresponding measurements of an adult from seven miles north of Laytonville, Mendocino County, are: 336, 121, 33 (= 36 on dried skin). Corresponding measurements of an adult from South Yolla Bolly Mountain, Trinity County, are, 326, 113, 37. In these three specimens, the tail is, in the order given, 54, 56, and 53 per cent as long as the head and body. Length of hind foot more than basal length.
Differences in external measurements of the two sexes as indicated by the five males and one female from Point Arena, are: Total length, 64; length of tail, 33; length of hind foot, 10. Weights of 2 adult males are 265 and 221 grams and of one adult female 155 grams.
Externals.—As described inMustela frenata nigriauris.
Color.—Spot between eyes, narrow band or spot confluent with color of underparts on each side of head anterior to each ear, chin, lower lips, and rarely posterior third or less of each upper lip white; dark spot posterior to each angle of mouth uniformly present and of large size; tip of tail black; remainder of upper parts near (14l) Sudan Brown and tone 4 of Raw Umber of Oberthür and Dauthenay, pl. 301; occasionally, slightly darker brown on forehead, nose, and about eyes. Underparts near (atoc) Ochraceous-Buff and sometimes Orange-Buff. Color of underparts extends distally on posterior sides of forelegs over toes onto antipalmar faces of feet and wrists, on medial sides of hind limbs over antiplantar faces of toes. Least width of color of underparts averaging, in a series of 5 males from Mendocino County, 57 (46-67) per cent of greatest width of color of upper parts; 38 (35-40) in 3 males from Point Reyes, Marin County. Black tip of tail in Mendocino County series averaging 53 (46-60) mm., which is same length as hind foot and 32 per cent of length of tail. In Point Reyes males, black tip of tail averages 44 (34-52) mm., which is less than length of hind foot and 45 per cent as long as tail-vertebrae.
Several specimens of the smaller, inland variant (see under "Remarks") are near (l) Antique Brown rather than near (14l) Sudan Brown above and hence do not differ in this respect fromnigriauris.
Skull and teeth.—Male (based on 3 adults from Mendocino County): See measurements and plates19-23,30. As described inMustela frenata nigriaurisexcept that: Weight, 6.0 (5.4-6.3) grams; basilar length, 47.6 (46.5-48.2); length of tympanic bulla more than length of lower molar and premolar tooth-row.
Female (based on no. 19723, M.V.Z., from Point Arena): See measurements and plates34-36,40. As described inM. f. nigriaurisexcept that: Weight, 3.0 grams; basilar length, 42.3.
The skull of the female is 50 per cent lighter than that of the average male.
Compared with the skull of the male ofnevadensisthat ofmundaaverages larger in every part measured and specimens from Point Arena are nearly as heavy again, have relatively more expanded zygomata and mastoid processes but are relatively narrower anteriorly as shown by the breadth of the rostrum, interorbital breadth and postorbital breadth. Also the braincase is less inflated anteriorly, the tympanic bullae are lower and the skull is more angular. Females show the same differences although in different degree. Compared with the skull of the male ofM. f. nigriauris, that ofmundafrom Point Arena averages larger in every part measured except for the length of the upper tooth-rows. Relative to the basilar length, the skull ofmundaaverages broader across the mastoids and across the zygomata, is deeper through the braincase at the anterior end of the basioccipital, and has a greater development of the lambdoidal crest.
Remarks.—The skin and part skull, no. 536/1849, U. S. Nat. Mus., taken by Lieutenant W. P. Trowbridge at San Pablo Bay, is the first specimen known to have been saved of this subspecies. Since 1899 when O. Bangs diagnosedmundaas of small size, the weasel of the humid costal belt north of San Francisco Bay has been regarded as smaller than bridled weasels from farther south in the State. Actually, however, the weasel of the humid costal belt shares withM. f. pulchrathe distinction of being one of the two largest weasels in California.
M. f. mundamay be a composite subspecies, for the variation in facial markings, in coloration otherwise, in external measurements and in size and shape of skull is great. At one time in the course of the present study, manuscript accounts of two subspecies were prepared for the animals now all calledmundaand there is still much justification for recognizing two subspecies, one, along the coast proper, the larger, darker-colored animal with reduced white facial markings and large, wide, heavily ridged skull from Point Arena, and 6 miles south of Laytonville, Mendocino County, along with the specimens from 5 and 6 miles west of Inverness, Marin County, and the other, an inland race, which is a smaller, lighter-colored animal with more extensive white facial markings and a smaller, narrower, skull, known by specimens from Point Reyes [station?], Nicasio, 15 mi. north of San Rafael, Freestone, Vallejo, and Mount Sanhedrin. The differences between these two lots of specimens are of great degree. However, a female from Fort Bragg proves to be no larger than three females labeled as from Point Reyes. Also, a male from 2 miles south and one mile east of Stewarts Point on the coast has a skull no larger than the animal from Vallejo, whereas the skin alone of an adult female from 3 miles south of Stewarts Point is large and agrees with the specimens from Point Arena. Consequently, no logical ranges can be worked out for the two variants with the material now available.
Finally, the type specimen ofmundais a "runt," smaller than any other male seen. This specimen, purchased by E. A. and O. Bangs from C. A. Allen, who collected and sold specimens widely, was labeled as from Point Reyes. So far as this place-name is concerned, it might refer to: (1) The point of land by that name which projects out into the Pacific Ocean, (2) an abandoned ranch house bearing that name at the head of Drakes Bay, 6 miles north and 3-3/4 miles east of the actual point, or (3) the railway station by the same name at the head of Tomales Bay, 12 miles east and 4-3/4 miles north of the actual point. Allen, himself, lived near San Geronimo (then Nicasio) about nine miles southeast of the Point Reyes railway station. All these places are in Marin County, but differ markedly as regards climate and flora. The first two are treeless, windswept and have much fog, whereas Point Reyes Station is more often sunny, and is situated in a shallow valley, inland, where the open grass-covered west-facing slopes meet the east-facing wooded ones. From which one of these three places the type specimen came, I do not know. The same may be said of the three female specimens labeled Point Reyes; two of these are in the United States National Museum and one in the Field Museum.
The specimens in the Museum of Vertebrate Zoölogy from 5 and 6 miles west of Inverness and those from near the same place in the collection of John Cushing come from within a couple of miles or less of the Point Reyes represented by the abandoned ranch house. These specimens, as remarked above, agree with those from Point Arena in large size, reduced facial markings and wide skull. These are points of difference from the smaller variant suspected of being a recognizable subspecies. It is the smaller variant which the type specimen approaches in size, and with which it agrees in relatively well-developed white facial markings. This suggests that the type specimen came from Point Reyes Station rather than from either of the two other places bearing the name "Point Reyes," from one of which, as just stated, the variant of large size is known. The three females labeled "Point Reyes" also have well-developed white facial markings and are of lesser size than the female of similar age from Point Arena, Mendocino County. The presumption is that these three females also came from Point Reyes Station.
The smaller, inland variant seems to agree in size, cranial characters, and coloration withM. f. nigriauristo the southward of San Francisco Bay, but lacks the black on the head which characterizesnigriauris. The larger variant, on which the description here used formundais based, comprises animals which differ fromnigriaurisin larger size, darker color, reduced white facial markings, and larger, relatively wider skull. Both of the variants mentioned above are sharply distinct fromnigriaurison the basis of coloration of the inside of the ear which is blackish in nigriauris like the dark facial markings, and inmundais colored like the back.M. f. mundalacks the dark facial markings; an occasional specimen has at most, a trace of the markings but this does not extend back so far as the ears. This difference, blackish versus non-blackish face, persists eastward of San Francisco Bay to at least as far as the Carquinez Straits, where a specimen ofmundais available from 4 miles north of Vallejo and one ofnigriaurisfrom Glen Frazer Station on the south shore opposite Vallejo.
Fig. 30.Map showing the geographic distribution of subspecies ofMustela frenatain California
Fig. 30.Map showing the geographic distribution of subspecies ofMustela frenatain California
Fig. 30.Map showing the geographic distribution of subspecies ofMustela frenatain California
Intergradation withM. f. nevadensisand possibly withM. f. saturatais indicated by specimens from South Yolla Bolly Mountain, Trinity County. In them the external measurements and measurements of the skull are intermediate. Also the white frontal spot is much reduced in size. The white bars in front of the ears are absent in three specimens, and weakly developed in the other two. The relative proportions of the skulls as a whole are nearer those ofnevadensisorsaturatathanmunda. The skull of one of the three adult males and the skull of the adult female suggestsM. f. oregonensisin certain features; for example, the dorsal outline of the skull in longitudinal axis is slightly convex as it is inoregonensis.
None of the specimens shows malformation of the frontal sinuses such as results from infestation by parasites.
Specimens examined.—Total number, 37, arranged by counties from north to south. Unless otherwise indicated specimens are in the Museum of Vertebrate Zoölogy.California.Trinity County: S. Yolla Bolly Mt., 3[91]; 1/2 mi. S S. Yolla Bolly Mt., 1.Tehama County: 2 mi. S S. Yolla Bolly Mt., 1.Mendocino County: 6 mi. N Laytonville, 1; Mt. Sanhedrin, 1[87]; Ft. Bragg, 1; Gualala, 1; Point Arena, 5.Sonoma County: 2 mi. S and 1 mi. E Stewarts Point, 1; 3 mi. S Stewarts Point P. O., 1; Freestone, 1.Napa County: 6 mi. SSW, Napa, 1; 4 mi. N Vallejo, 1. County in question: San Pablo Bay, 1[91].Marin County: 6 mi. W Inverness, 2; 5 mi. W Inverness, 2(1[28]); Point Reyes, 4 (2[91]1[60], 1[75]); Nicasio, 2 (1[60], 1[75]); Kehoes Ranch, Pierce Point, 1[28]; Drakes Bay, 1[28]; Tomales Point, about 1/2 mi. SW White Gulch, 1; Point Reyes School, 3-3/4 mi. W Inverness, 1; 15 mi. (by road) N San Rafael, 1[52]; Hurley Ranch, 2 mi. W Tomales, 1. No locality more definite than California, 1[7].
Specimens examined.—Total number, 37, arranged by counties from north to south. Unless otherwise indicated specimens are in the Museum of Vertebrate Zoölogy.
California.Trinity County: S. Yolla Bolly Mt., 3[91]; 1/2 mi. S S. Yolla Bolly Mt., 1.Tehama County: 2 mi. S S. Yolla Bolly Mt., 1.Mendocino County: 6 mi. N Laytonville, 1; Mt. Sanhedrin, 1[87]; Ft. Bragg, 1; Gualala, 1; Point Arena, 5.Sonoma County: 2 mi. S and 1 mi. E Stewarts Point, 1; 3 mi. S Stewarts Point P. O., 1; Freestone, 1.Napa County: 6 mi. SSW, Napa, 1; 4 mi. N Vallejo, 1. County in question: San Pablo Bay, 1[91].Marin County: 6 mi. W Inverness, 2; 5 mi. W Inverness, 2(1[28]); Point Reyes, 4 (2[91]1[60], 1[75]); Nicasio, 2 (1[60], 1[75]); Kehoes Ranch, Pierce Point, 1[28]; Drakes Bay, 1[28]; Tomales Point, about 1/2 mi. SW White Gulch, 1; Point Reyes School, 3-3/4 mi. W Inverness, 1; 15 mi. (by road) N San Rafael, 1[52]; Hurley Ranch, 2 mi. W Tomales, 1. No locality more definite than California, 1[7].
Long-tailed Weasel
Plates21,22,23,28,30,34,35and36
Mustela xanthogenysGray, Ann. and Mag. Nat. Hist., 11:118, 1843.Putorius (Gale) brasiliensis frenatus, Coues, Fur-bearing animals, p. 142, 1877 (part).Putorius xanthogenys, Merriam, N. Amer. Fauna, 11:25, June 30, 1896; Bangs, Proc. New England Zoöl. Club, 1:56, June 9, 1899.Mustela xanthogenys xanthogenys, Miller, U. S. Nat. Mus. Bull., 79:99, December 31, 1912.Mustela frenata xanthogenys, Hall, Carnegie Instit. Washington Publ. 473:107, November 20, 1936.
Mustela xanthogenysGray, Ann. and Mag. Nat. Hist., 11:118, 1843.
Putorius (Gale) brasiliensis frenatus, Coues, Fur-bearing animals, p. 142, 1877 (part).
Putorius xanthogenys, Merriam, N. Amer. Fauna, 11:25, June 30, 1896; Bangs, Proc. New England Zoöl. Club, 1:56, June 9, 1899.
Mustela xanthogenys xanthogenys, Miller, U. S. Nat. Mus. Bull., 79:99, December 31, 1912.
Mustela frenata xanthogenys, Hall, Carnegie Instit. Washington Publ. 473:107, November 20, 1936.
Type.—Male, adult, skull and skin; skull no. 197a-43.6.4.55, skin no. 234a-42.11.21.4, British Museum (Nat. Hist.); from the bank of Sacramento River below mouth of Feather River, or from north shore of San Francisco Bay, California; taken in "1837 or 1838"; presented by Captain Edward Belcher.The skull (plate28) lacks the occiput, the right mandible posterior to m1, and the right pterygoid; the right zygomatic arch is fractured. The teeth are not greatly worn. The skin was originally mounted for exhibition (R. I. Pocock in Litt.) but in 1937 when I saw the skin, it was prepared as a conventional study skin. The skin is in fairly good condition; some hair is missing on the hind quarters and the skin of the tail is torn at one place.Range.—Altitudinally, less than 600 feet (Fair Oaks); Lower Sonoran and Upper Sonoran life-zones of all but southern end of the San Joaquin Valley, and probably Sacramento Valley, California. See figures29and30on pages 221 and 314.Characters for ready recognition.—Differs fromM. f. nevadensisby presence of light facial markings and Buckthorn Brown rather than near (14ntol) Brussels Brown color of upper parts; fromM. f. mundaby Buckthorn Brown rather than near (l) Sudan Brown, or near (l) Antique Brown color of upper parts and lesser size, in adult males basilar length less than 45 and hind foot less than 47; fromM. f. nigriaurisby lighter color in same way as frommundaand also by having inside of ears same color as back rather than much darker than back; fromM. f. pulchrain hind foot of males less than 46 and narrower skull, in males having breadth of rostrum less than 13.9 and mastoid breadth less than 26.0, see comparison of skulls in the account ofpulchra.Description.—Size.—Male: Three adults, from Fresno, Selma and Los Banos, measure, respectively as follows: Total length, 425, 417, 450; length of tail, 152, 154, 180; length of hind foot,—, 43, 44. Tail averages 61 per cent as long as head and body. Length of hind foot less than basal length.Female: Adults from Selma, Los Banos, and 4 mi. SW Turlock, measure respectively as follows: Total length, 357, 365, 395; length of tail, 133, 132, 145; length of hind foot, 40, 38, 41. Tail averages 58 per cent as long as head and body. Length of hind foot less than basal length.The average differences in external measurements between the two sexes, as represented by these six specimens, are: Total length, 65; length of tail, 25; length of hind foot, 3.5. One adult male weighs 274 grams and 2 adult females 182 and 214 grams.Externals.—As described inMustela frenata nigriauris.Color.—Spot between eyes, band confluent with color of underparts on each side of head extending anterodorsally anterior to each ear, and posterior half to third of each upper lip white, or whitish tinged with some shade of yellowish; chin and lower lip white; dark spot posterior to each angle of mouth of varying size but uniformly present; tip of tail black; remainder of upper parts Buckthorn Brown of Ridgway or a trifle browner than tone 4 of Brown Pink of Oberthür and Dauthenay, pl. 297. Upper parts of uniform color except for slight darkening of head-markings anterior to ears. Underparts Ochraceous-Buff to Warm Buff. Color of underparts extends distally on posterior sides of forelegs over toes onto antipalmar faces of feet and wrists, on medial sides of hind limbs over antiplantar faces of toes and sometimes tarsal region. Least width of color of underparts averaging, in 9 specimens from Fresno, Selma and Los Banos, 54 (32-74) per cent of greatest width of color of upper parts. Black tip of tail in three males (one subadult and 3 adults) averages 55 (50-60) mm. long. Thus longer than hind foot and averaging 34 per cent of length of tail-vertebrae.Skull and teeth.—Male (based on 2 adults from Fresno and one from Selma): See measurements and plates21-23,30. As described inM. f. nigriaurisexcept that: Weight 3.8 grams; basilar length, 43.7 (43.4-43.9); least width of palate more or less than lateral length of P4; length of tympanic bulla more than length of lower molar and premolar tooth-rows.Female (no. 2626 W. E. Snyder, from Selma): See measurements and plates34-36. As described inM. f. nigriaurisexcept that: Weight, 2.5 grams; basilar length, 39.4.The skull of the female is 34 per cent lighter than the average for the three males.
Type.—Male, adult, skull and skin; skull no. 197a-43.6.4.55, skin no. 234a-42.11.21.4, British Museum (Nat. Hist.); from the bank of Sacramento River below mouth of Feather River, or from north shore of San Francisco Bay, California; taken in "1837 or 1838"; presented by Captain Edward Belcher.
The skull (plate28) lacks the occiput, the right mandible posterior to m1, and the right pterygoid; the right zygomatic arch is fractured. The teeth are not greatly worn. The skin was originally mounted for exhibition (R. I. Pocock in Litt.) but in 1937 when I saw the skin, it was prepared as a conventional study skin. The skin is in fairly good condition; some hair is missing on the hind quarters and the skin of the tail is torn at one place.
Range.—Altitudinally, less than 600 feet (Fair Oaks); Lower Sonoran and Upper Sonoran life-zones of all but southern end of the San Joaquin Valley, and probably Sacramento Valley, California. See figures29and30on pages 221 and 314.
Characters for ready recognition.—Differs fromM. f. nevadensisby presence of light facial markings and Buckthorn Brown rather than near (14ntol) Brussels Brown color of upper parts; fromM. f. mundaby Buckthorn Brown rather than near (l) Sudan Brown, or near (l) Antique Brown color of upper parts and lesser size, in adult males basilar length less than 45 and hind foot less than 47; fromM. f. nigriaurisby lighter color in same way as frommundaand also by having inside of ears same color as back rather than much darker than back; fromM. f. pulchrain hind foot of males less than 46 and narrower skull, in males having breadth of rostrum less than 13.9 and mastoid breadth less than 26.0, see comparison of skulls in the account ofpulchra.
Description.—Size.—Male: Three adults, from Fresno, Selma and Los Banos, measure, respectively as follows: Total length, 425, 417, 450; length of tail, 152, 154, 180; length of hind foot,—, 43, 44. Tail averages 61 per cent as long as head and body. Length of hind foot less than basal length.
Female: Adults from Selma, Los Banos, and 4 mi. SW Turlock, measure respectively as follows: Total length, 357, 365, 395; length of tail, 133, 132, 145; length of hind foot, 40, 38, 41. Tail averages 58 per cent as long as head and body. Length of hind foot less than basal length.
The average differences in external measurements between the two sexes, as represented by these six specimens, are: Total length, 65; length of tail, 25; length of hind foot, 3.5. One adult male weighs 274 grams and 2 adult females 182 and 214 grams.
Externals.—As described inMustela frenata nigriauris.
Color.—Spot between eyes, band confluent with color of underparts on each side of head extending anterodorsally anterior to each ear, and posterior half to third of each upper lip white, or whitish tinged with some shade of yellowish; chin and lower lip white; dark spot posterior to each angle of mouth of varying size but uniformly present; tip of tail black; remainder of upper parts Buckthorn Brown of Ridgway or a trifle browner than tone 4 of Brown Pink of Oberthür and Dauthenay, pl. 297. Upper parts of uniform color except for slight darkening of head-markings anterior to ears. Underparts Ochraceous-Buff to Warm Buff. Color of underparts extends distally on posterior sides of forelegs over toes onto antipalmar faces of feet and wrists, on medial sides of hind limbs over antiplantar faces of toes and sometimes tarsal region. Least width of color of underparts averaging, in 9 specimens from Fresno, Selma and Los Banos, 54 (32-74) per cent of greatest width of color of upper parts. Black tip of tail in three males (one subadult and 3 adults) averages 55 (50-60) mm. long. Thus longer than hind foot and averaging 34 per cent of length of tail-vertebrae.
Skull and teeth.—Male (based on 2 adults from Fresno and one from Selma): See measurements and plates21-23,30. As described inM. f. nigriaurisexcept that: Weight 3.8 grams; basilar length, 43.7 (43.4-43.9); least width of palate more or less than lateral length of P4; length of tympanic bulla more than length of lower molar and premolar tooth-rows.
Female (no. 2626 W. E. Snyder, from Selma): See measurements and plates34-36. As described inM. f. nigriaurisexcept that: Weight, 2.5 grams; basilar length, 39.4.
The skull of the female is 34 per cent lighter than the average for the three males.
Compared with skulls ofnevadensisfrom the Sierra Nevada, those of the two adult males from Fresno differ as follows: M1 wider (transversely); tympanic bullae narrower; preorbital part of skull smaller. Comparison withpulchrais made in the account of that subspecies. Compared with skulls of adult males ofnigriauris, from Santa Clara County, the two skulls from Fresno are generally smaller and in basilar length, length of tooth-rows and measurements of the teeth fall below the minimum fornigriauris. Relative proportions of the skulls are approximately the same. Comparison withmundareveals essentially the same differences as does comparison withnigriaurisexcept that the difference in size is greater.
Remarks.—The nameMustela xanthogenysGray was long applied to all the weasels of the interior valleys of California and of the coast of that state south of San Francisco Bay. Gray, when he named the species and when referring to it in later accounts, never defined the locality whence the specimen came more definitely than "California." In 1896, Merriam (1896:25) gave the type locality as "Southern California, probably vicinity of San Diego" and later writers have not contradicted him. The type specimen was obtained in the course of the voyage of the British ship Sulphur, under command of Sir Edward Belcher. Examination of Belcher's (1843, vol. 1, p. 129) narrative of the voyage indicates the following places in California at which the specimen of weasel, described by Gray, could have been obtained: Fort Ross, Bodega, vicinity of San Francisco Bay and up Sacramento River to the mouth of the Feather River, Monterey, Santa Barbara, Buenaventura, San Pedro, San Juan, and San Diego.
Reginald I. Pocock has kindly compared the type specimen in the British Museum with several specimens sent for that purpose. In the first place, comparison of skulls shows that the type specimen is a member of one of the races north of San Diego. In the second place, comparison of skins shows that the inside of the ears are not blackish but similar in color to the back. In fact, Pocock writes under date of February 12, 1929, regarding the type specimen, that "It is practically uniformly colored from the snout to the base of the tail, there being scarcely a trace of the darkening of the head, or muzzle, observable in your specimens [those sent for comparison]." This character of coloration of the ear excludes all the weasels of the Coast region of California from San Francisco Bay southward, namely,M. f. latirostraandM. f. nigriauris. My own examination of this type specimen at a date later than that on which Pocock compared it satisfies me as to the accuracy of his statement above.
Accordingly, the namexanthogenyswould seem to apply to one of the two subspecies here calledmundaandxanthogenys. Perusal of Belcher's narrative of the voyage (loc. cit.) shows that little, if any, opportunity was afforded to obtain vertebrate specimens at Fort Ross or Bodega, both localities within the range of the subspecies here calledmunda. Furthermore, the type specimen is smaller than individuals ofmundafrom 5 to 6 miles west of Inverness and from Point Arena with which the animals from Fort Ross and Bodega would be expected to agree in size. Weasels from along the north shore of San Francisco Bay are smaller than those on the coast north of the bay. Possibly the type specimen ofxanthogenyscame from the north side of San Francisco Bay but probably it came from the bank of the Sacramento River and almost certainly not farther up stream from San Francisco Bay than the junction of the Sacramento and Feather rivers. The statement of Belcher (1843, vol. 1, p. 129), regarding the trip up the Sacramento River as far as Point Victoria, lat. 38°46´47" north, and return to San Francisco Bay, that "Cuyote or jackal—fox, racoon, land otter, weasel, and squirrel were obtained" lends strong probability to the idea that this type specimen was taken along the Sacramento River, possibly in the vicinity of the existing city of Sacramento. Unfortunately no specimens are available from the Sacramento Valley. If some were available, a comparison of them and specimens ofmundafrom along the north side of San Francisco Bay and Carquinez Straits with the type specimen ofxanthogenysshould determine the correct application of the name. For the present it seems best to retain the namemundaand apply the namexanthogenysto the weasels inhabiting the northern part of the San Joaquin Valley and presumably the southern part of the Sacramento Valley.
Efforts to obtain specimens of weasels from the Sacramento Valley have been in vain. A juvenal specimen taken five miles south of Fair Oaks, Sacramento County, by Mr. John Fitzgerald, Jr., in December, 1927, was examined at his home and found to agree in coloration with specimens from farther south. Geographically, this specimen probably is more nearly a topotype than any other examined.
Most of the specimens examined are immature and adequate adult cranial material has not been seen. Two adults, one of each sex, from Los Banos have skulls of large size which agree with those ofnigriauris. The same is true of one adult and one young female from 4 miles southwest of Turlock, which, unlike the animals from Los Banos, show a darkening of the head extending in reduced degree even to the inside of the ears, as innigriauris. The slightly darker than average (forxanthogenys) color on the back may indicate intergradation withnevadensis. Intergradation withM. f. nevadensisis shown by specimens, from the southern part of the Sierra Nevada, mentioned in the account ofnevadensis.
None of the skulls shows malformation of the frontal sinuses such as result from infestation by parasites.
Specimens examined.—Total number 30, arranged by counties from north to south.California.Sacramento County: Bank of Sacramento River, 1[7]; 5 mi. S Fair Oaks, 1[29].San Joaquin County: 4 mi. W Stockton, 1[74].Merced County: Tegner School, 4 mi. SW Turlock, 2; Los Banos, 4 (2[74], 1[91]1[87]).Fresno County: Mendota, 1[74]; Biola, 1[30]; Clovis, 1[55]; Fresno, 5 (1[74], 1[91], 2[55], 1[1]); 5 mi. W Fresno, 1[14]; Selma, 3 (2[50], 1[104]); 4 mi. NW Sanger, 1[55]; 5 mi. S Selma, 1[62].Tulare County: Monson, 1[74]; 1-1/2 mi. N Goshen, 1[74]; Milo, 1[91]; 2 mi. N Tipton, 1[74]; Poplar, 2[53]. No locality more definite than California, 1[4].
Specimens examined.—Total number 30, arranged by counties from north to south.
California.Sacramento County: Bank of Sacramento River, 1[7]; 5 mi. S Fair Oaks, 1[29].San Joaquin County: 4 mi. W Stockton, 1[74].Merced County: Tegner School, 4 mi. SW Turlock, 2; Los Banos, 4 (2[74], 1[91]1[87]).Fresno County: Mendota, 1[74]; Biola, 1[30]; Clovis, 1[55]; Fresno, 5 (1[74], 1[91], 2[55], 1[1]); 5 mi. W Fresno, 1[14]; Selma, 3 (2[50], 1[104]); 4 mi. NW Sanger, 1[55]; 5 mi. S Selma, 1[62].Tulare County: Monson, 1[74]; 1-1/2 mi. N Goshen, 1[74]; Milo, 1[91]; 2 mi. N Tipton, 1[74]; Poplar, 2[53]. No locality more definite than California, 1[4].
Long-tailed Weasel
Plates22,23,24,34,35,36and41
Mustela frenata nigriaurisHall, Carnegie Instit. Washington Publ. 473:95, November 20, 1936.Putorius xanthogenys, Baird, Mamm. N. Amer., 1858, p. 176 (part).Mustela xanthogenysGray, Ann. and Mag. Nat. Hist., 14(ser. 4):375, 1874 (part?).Putorius (Gale) brasiliensis frenatus, Coues, Fur-bearing animals, p. 142, 1877 (part).Putorius xanthogenys xanthogenys, Grinnel, Proc. California Acad. Sciences, fourth series, 3:292, August 28, 1913.Mustela xanthogenys xanthogenys, Miller, U. S. Nat. Mus. Bull., 79:99, December 31, 1912; Grinnell, Univ. California Publ. Zoöl., 40:102, September 26, 1933.
Mustela frenata nigriaurisHall, Carnegie Instit. Washington Publ. 473:95, November 20, 1936.
Putorius xanthogenys, Baird, Mamm. N. Amer., 1858, p. 176 (part).
Mustela xanthogenysGray, Ann. and Mag. Nat. Hist., 14(ser. 4):375, 1874 (part?).
Putorius (Gale) brasiliensis frenatus, Coues, Fur-bearing animals, p. 142, 1877 (part).
Putorius xanthogenys xanthogenys, Grinnel, Proc. California Acad. Sciences, fourth series, 3:292, August 28, 1913.
Mustela xanthogenys xanthogenys, Miller, U. S. Nat. Mus. Bull., 79:99, December 31, 1912; Grinnell, Univ. California Publ. Zoöl., 40:102, September 26, 1933.