Four juvenal specimens from Brownsville, Texas, with their dates of capture and probable age, are as follows: no. 58574, ♀, three weeks old, taken on February 15; no. 17318/24239, ♂, four weeks old, taken on March 16; no. 45899, ♀, forty days old, taken on May 21; no. 21778/36481, ♂, thirty days old, taken on October 20. In the order given, the dates of birth of these four juveniles would be approximately as follows: January 25, February 15, April 1, and September 20. The dates of birth of other specimens less than three months old as judged by the stage of development of the skull, and reckoning backward from the dates of capture, are as follows: April 1, April 30, May 25, October 12, and December 21. Thus, young appear to be brought forth at Brownsville, Texas, in the fall, winter and spring, that is to say from the latter part of September until the latter part of May.
Mustela frenata frenatais either free of the parasites that infest the frontal sinuses of most weasels, or withstands their presence remarkably well, for only one skull shows a definite pathological condition of the frontal sinuses.
Allen (1896:74) quotes H. P. Attwater, with respect to this species in Bexar County, Texas, as follows: "Not common, but occasionally met within the chaparral and cactus lands, where Wood Rats, Rabbits and Quail abound. They were frequently met with around San Antonio during the great 'Tramp Rat' [=Sigmodon hispidus texianus, see Bailey (1905:116)] invasion of 1889-90."
Specimens examined.—Total number, 63, arranged by counties, and in México by states, from north to south. Unless otherwise indicated specimens are in the collection of the United States National Museum.Texas.Bexar County: San Antonio, 2 (1[2]).Goliad County: Charco, 1.Nueces County: Corpus Christi, 1[2].San Diego County(not found), 1.Hidalgo County: La Hacienda, 1.Duval County: San Diego, 2[7].Countyin question: Lower Rio Grande, 1.Cameron County: Brownsville, 34 (3[2], 4[1], 3[93], 2[75], 1[59], 1[60], 1[4]); no locality more definite than county, 2.Nuevo León.Río Ramis, 20 mi. NW Montemorelos, 1[90].Tamaulipas.Matamoros, 6; Miquihuana (now in Nuevo León), 1[75].San Luis Potosí.Alvarez, 1[75].México: Region montagneuse des environs de Toluca, Nevada Toluca, 3200 M., 1[84]Distrito Federal.City of México, 2 (1[4]); Tlalpam, 2. No locality more definite than México, 4 (1[4], 3[7]).
Specimens examined.—Total number, 63, arranged by counties, and in México by states, from north to south. Unless otherwise indicated specimens are in the collection of the United States National Museum.
Texas.Bexar County: San Antonio, 2 (1[2]).Goliad County: Charco, 1.Nueces County: Corpus Christi, 1[2].San Diego County(not found), 1.Hidalgo County: La Hacienda, 1.Duval County: San Diego, 2[7].Countyin question: Lower Rio Grande, 1.Cameron County: Brownsville, 34 (3[2], 4[1], 3[93], 2[75], 1[59], 1[60], 1[4]); no locality more definite than county, 2.
Nuevo León.Río Ramis, 20 mi. NW Montemorelos, 1[90].
Tamaulipas.Matamoros, 6; Miquihuana (now in Nuevo León), 1[75].
San Luis Potosí.Alvarez, 1[75].
México: Region montagneuse des environs de Toluca, Nevada Toluca, 3200 M., 1[84]
Distrito Federal.City of México, 2 (1[4]); Tlalpam, 2. No locality more definite than México, 4 (1[4], 3[7]).
Long-tailed Weasel
Plates1,24,25,26,29,30,36,37and38
Putorius frenatus leucopariaMerriam, N. Amer. Fauna, 11:28, June 30, 1896.Putorius brasiliensis frenatus, Allen, Bull. Amer. Mus. Nat. Hist., 2:165, October 21, 1889.Putorius frenatus frenatus, Allen, Bull. Amer. Mus. Nat. Hist., 22:259, July 25, 1906.Mustela frenata leucoparia, Miller, U. S. Nat. Mus. Bull., 79:100, December 31, 1912; Hall, Carnegie Instit. Washington Publ. 473:108, November 20, 1936.
Putorius frenatus leucopariaMerriam, N. Amer. Fauna, 11:28, June 30, 1896.
Putorius brasiliensis frenatus, Allen, Bull. Amer. Mus. Nat. Hist., 2:165, October 21, 1889.
Putorius frenatus frenatus, Allen, Bull. Amer. Mus. Nat. Hist., 22:259, July 25, 1906.
Mustela frenata leucoparia, Miller, U. S. Nat. Mus. Bull., 79:100, December 31, 1912; Hall, Carnegie Instit. Washington Publ. 473:108, November 20, 1936.
Type.—Male, adult, skull and skin; no. 34914/47179, U. S. Nat. Mus., Biol. Surv. Coll.; Pátzcuaro, Michoacán, México; July 27, 1892; obtained by E. W. Nelson; original no. 2960.The skull (plates29and30) lacks most of the braincase; a fragment, consisting of the supraoccipital and the coalesced frontals and parietals remains. The rostrum, left zygomatic arch, palate, left pterygoid, left glenoid fossa and right postorbital process are intact. The teeth all are present and entire. The lower jaw lacks the right coronoid process and the lateral part of the articular condyle. The skin is well made and in good condition. It differs from an adult male topotype (36855, U. S. Nat. Mus.) and other referred specimens in having: the black of the head extended farther posteriorly on the neck, the maximum amount of white on the head, and a white stripe 50 mm. long extending down the middle of the nape from a point between the ears more than half way to the shoulders.Range.—Sonoran and Transition life-zones of mountains west of México (city) in Michoacán and Nayarit. See figure29on page221.Characters for ready recognition.—Differs fromM. f. goldmaniin least width of color of underparts more than 47 per cent of greatest width of color of upper parts, hind feet colored like underparts rather than like upper parts; postorbital constriction less than, rather than more than, combined length of upper premolars; fromM. f. macrophoniusby same details of coloration as fromgoldmaniand by ventrally concave rather than ventrally convex pretympanic part of squamosal; fromM. f. perotaeby least width of color of underparts more than 40 per cent of greatest width of color up upper parts; height of tympanic bulla more than three-fifths distance from its anterior margin to foramen ovale; fromM. f. frenataby white facial markings that cover half of surface of head in front of ears, by extension of black of head onto neck halfway to shoulders and by narrower (less than 7.8) tympanic bullae; fromM. f. neomexicanaby Argus Brown rather than Buckthorn Brown color of upper parts and distance from anterior margin of tympanic bulla to foramen ovale more, rather than less, than four-fifths of height of tympanic bulla.Description.—Size.—Male: Two adults and one young from Los Reyes and Pátzcuaro, Michoacán, yield average and extreme measurements as follows: Total length, 514 (510-523); length of tail, 206 (196-215); length of hind foot, 55 (52-58). Tail averages 67 per cent as long as head and body. Length of hind foot more than basal length.Female: One adult from Artenkiki, Jalisco, and one subadult from Pátzcuaro, Michoacán, measure, respectively, as follows: Total length, 412, 400; length of tail, 159, 159; length of hind foot, 41, 42. Tail averages 64 per cent as long as head and body. Length of hind foot equal to or greater than basal length.The average differences in external measurements of the two sexes are: Total length, 108; length of tail, 47; length of hind foot, 13.Mustela frenata leucopariahas a greater total length and length of tail than eitherM. f. frenataorgoldmani. The hind foot is longer than that offrenataand approximately the same as ingoldmani. Relative to the body length, the tail averages longer than that ofgoldmaniand shorter than that offrenata.Externals.—As described inMustela frenata frenata.Color.—Broad white bands on sides of head, extending anterodorsally anterior to each ear, confluent with white spot between eyes and with color of underparts; posterior third of each upper lip white; remainder of sides and top of head, and neck posteriorly to point halfway to shoulders from ears, black; no dark spots at angles of mouth; tip of tail black; remainder of upper parts Argus Brown; chin white and sometimes also chest, neck and medial sides of hind legs; remainder of underparts near (16´) Ochraceous-Buff (near (a) Ochraceous-Buff in juvenal female), which color extends distally over all of each foreleg (except its lateral face proximally from about middle of forearm) and on medial side of hind leg and over most of upper side of each foot. Least width of color of underparts averaging, in eight specimens, 54 (extremes 44-61) per cent of greatest width of color of upper parts; black tip of tail averaging, in four males, 52 (extremes 38-78) mm. long, thus averaging 25 per cent of length of tail-vertebrae.As compared withM. f. frenataandgoldmani: white facial markings more extensive; color of underparts less restricted and more extended on legs; black tip of tail relatively of about same extent as infrenataand thus much less than ingoldmani; black color of head extending farther posteriorly than infrenatabut not so far as ingoldmani.Skull and teeth.—Male (adult): See measurements and plates24-26, 29, 30. As described inMustela frenata frenataexcept that: Weight (no. 128972) 6.3 grams; basilar length, 51.2; interorbital breadth less than distance between foramen opticum and anterior margin of tympanic bulla; anterior margin of tympanic bulla as far posterior to foramen ovale as width of 4 or 5 upper incisors; height of tympanic bulla more or less than (about equal to) distance from its anterior margin to foramen ovale; anterior margin of masseteric fossa anywhere from slightly anterior, to slightly posterior, to m2.Female (based on no. 26153): See measurements and plates37-39. As described inMustela frenata frenataexcept that: Weight, 3.6 grams; basilar length, 44.5; zygomatic breadth less than distance between condylar foramen and M1, or than between anterior palatine foramen and anterior margin of tympanic bulla; tympanic bulla as far posterior to foramen ovale as width of 4 or 5 upper incisors; height of tympanic bulla not more than distance from its anterior margin to foramen ovale; length of tympanic bulla more than length of lower molar and premolar tooth-row or than length of rostrum.The skull of the female is 43 per cent lighter than that of the male.
Type.—Male, adult, skull and skin; no. 34914/47179, U. S. Nat. Mus., Biol. Surv. Coll.; Pátzcuaro, Michoacán, México; July 27, 1892; obtained by E. W. Nelson; original no. 2960.
The skull (plates29and30) lacks most of the braincase; a fragment, consisting of the supraoccipital and the coalesced frontals and parietals remains. The rostrum, left zygomatic arch, palate, left pterygoid, left glenoid fossa and right postorbital process are intact. The teeth all are present and entire. The lower jaw lacks the right coronoid process and the lateral part of the articular condyle. The skin is well made and in good condition. It differs from an adult male topotype (36855, U. S. Nat. Mus.) and other referred specimens in having: the black of the head extended farther posteriorly on the neck, the maximum amount of white on the head, and a white stripe 50 mm. long extending down the middle of the nape from a point between the ears more than half way to the shoulders.
Range.—Sonoran and Transition life-zones of mountains west of México (city) in Michoacán and Nayarit. See figure29on page221.
Characters for ready recognition.—Differs fromM. f. goldmaniin least width of color of underparts more than 47 per cent of greatest width of color of upper parts, hind feet colored like underparts rather than like upper parts; postorbital constriction less than, rather than more than, combined length of upper premolars; fromM. f. macrophoniusby same details of coloration as fromgoldmaniand by ventrally concave rather than ventrally convex pretympanic part of squamosal; fromM. f. perotaeby least width of color of underparts more than 40 per cent of greatest width of color up upper parts; height of tympanic bulla more than three-fifths distance from its anterior margin to foramen ovale; fromM. f. frenataby white facial markings that cover half of surface of head in front of ears, by extension of black of head onto neck halfway to shoulders and by narrower (less than 7.8) tympanic bullae; fromM. f. neomexicanaby Argus Brown rather than Buckthorn Brown color of upper parts and distance from anterior margin of tympanic bulla to foramen ovale more, rather than less, than four-fifths of height of tympanic bulla.
Description.—Size.—Male: Two adults and one young from Los Reyes and Pátzcuaro, Michoacán, yield average and extreme measurements as follows: Total length, 514 (510-523); length of tail, 206 (196-215); length of hind foot, 55 (52-58). Tail averages 67 per cent as long as head and body. Length of hind foot more than basal length.
Female: One adult from Artenkiki, Jalisco, and one subadult from Pátzcuaro, Michoacán, measure, respectively, as follows: Total length, 412, 400; length of tail, 159, 159; length of hind foot, 41, 42. Tail averages 64 per cent as long as head and body. Length of hind foot equal to or greater than basal length.
The average differences in external measurements of the two sexes are: Total length, 108; length of tail, 47; length of hind foot, 13.
Mustela frenata leucopariahas a greater total length and length of tail than eitherM. f. frenataorgoldmani. The hind foot is longer than that offrenataand approximately the same as ingoldmani. Relative to the body length, the tail averages longer than that ofgoldmaniand shorter than that offrenata.
Externals.—As described inMustela frenata frenata.
Color.—Broad white bands on sides of head, extending anterodorsally anterior to each ear, confluent with white spot between eyes and with color of underparts; posterior third of each upper lip white; remainder of sides and top of head, and neck posteriorly to point halfway to shoulders from ears, black; no dark spots at angles of mouth; tip of tail black; remainder of upper parts Argus Brown; chin white and sometimes also chest, neck and medial sides of hind legs; remainder of underparts near (16´) Ochraceous-Buff (near (a) Ochraceous-Buff in juvenal female), which color extends distally over all of each foreleg (except its lateral face proximally from about middle of forearm) and on medial side of hind leg and over most of upper side of each foot. Least width of color of underparts averaging, in eight specimens, 54 (extremes 44-61) per cent of greatest width of color of upper parts; black tip of tail averaging, in four males, 52 (extremes 38-78) mm. long, thus averaging 25 per cent of length of tail-vertebrae.
As compared withM. f. frenataandgoldmani: white facial markings more extensive; color of underparts less restricted and more extended on legs; black tip of tail relatively of about same extent as infrenataand thus much less than ingoldmani; black color of head extending farther posteriorly than infrenatabut not so far as ingoldmani.
Skull and teeth.—Male (adult): See measurements and plates24-26, 29, 30. As described inMustela frenata frenataexcept that: Weight (no. 128972) 6.3 grams; basilar length, 51.2; interorbital breadth less than distance between foramen opticum and anterior margin of tympanic bulla; anterior margin of tympanic bulla as far posterior to foramen ovale as width of 4 or 5 upper incisors; height of tympanic bulla more or less than (about equal to) distance from its anterior margin to foramen ovale; anterior margin of masseteric fossa anywhere from slightly anterior, to slightly posterior, to m2.
Female (based on no. 26153): See measurements and plates37-39. As described inMustela frenata frenataexcept that: Weight, 3.6 grams; basilar length, 44.5; zygomatic breadth less than distance between condylar foramen and M1, or than between anterior palatine foramen and anterior margin of tympanic bulla; tympanic bulla as far posterior to foramen ovale as width of 4 or 5 upper incisors; height of tympanic bulla not more than distance from its anterior margin to foramen ovale; length of tympanic bulla more than length of lower molar and premolar tooth-row or than length of rostrum.
The skull of the female is 43 per cent lighter than that of the male.
Comparison of the skull with those ofM. f. perotae,goldmaniandneomexicanahas been made in the accounts of those subspecies. As compared with that offrenatathe main difference is the less inflated tympanic bulla, the height of which is approximately equal to, rather than decidedly more than, distance from its anterior margin to foramen ovale.
Remarks.—The first specimen known to have been preserved is the alcoholic in the British Museum of Natural History, taken in September, 1891, on the Río Santiago in Jalisco, by D. A. C. Buller. The other known specimens of this white-faced weasel are divided between the American Museum and the United States National Museum. The two referred specimens from Jalisco were the last of several helpful ones collected in México and Central America by J. H. Batty, and these two were taken less than three months before Batty's tragic death in Chiapas (see Allen, J. A., 1906:191). The five specimens from Michoacán were taken by Nelson or Nelson and Goldman together. Merriam had only three of these when he named the subspecies and remarked (1896:29) that "This form is the poorest subspecies described in the present paper." Although the form is not strongly marked, the two additional specimens from Michoacán and better comparative material than Merriam had confirm several of the differential characters ascribed to it by him and indicate the existence of still other characters.
M. f. leucopariaoccurs in the Sonoran and Transition life-zones. No. 27258 from Los Masos, and no. 26153 from Artenkiki (see specimens examined for other spellings) approach truefrenatain coloration. Each of these specimens has a few white hairs between the ears and the white patch between the eyes is confluent on one side only with the lateral white bands on the side of the head. No. 27258 from Los Masos has a dark spot at each angle of the mouth. The 7 other specimens are relatively uniform in coloration. Each has the white spot between the eyes confluent on both sides with the extensive white areas on each side of the face. None has a dark spot at either angle of the mouth. Of these 7 specimens, the type specimen and three others have white hairs forming a median line between the ears and a fifth specimen has a white spot behind each ear.
M. f. leucopariais most likeM. f. frenata. Unlikefrenata,leucopariahas tympanic bullae that are less inflated, narrower and less projected, at their anterior margins, from the cranium. In these charactersleucopariais intermediate betweenM. f. frenataandM. f. goldmani. The latter subspecies has the least inflated, narrowest and least projecting tympanic bullae of the three. The black color of the head extends, on the average, farther posteriorly than inM. f. frenatabut not so far as inM. f. goldmani. The general color, too, is intermediate between that ofM. f. frenataand that of the much darkerM. f. goldmani. The white facial markings are more extensive than in eitherM. f. frenataorM. f. goldmani. This applies to both the white area between the eyes and the one on each side of the head between the ear and eye.M. f. neomexicana, whose range possibly meets that ofM. f. leucoparia, also has more extensive white facial markings thanM. f. frenatabut less extensive markings thanM. f. leucoparia.
On the basis of skulls alone, specimens offrenatafrom Tlalpam and those ofleucopariafrom Los Reyes can hardly be distinguished. This fact, and the circumstance that the specimens from the northern part of the range ofleucopariaclosely resemblefrenatain color, constitute sufficient evidence for regarding the two as only subspecifically distinct. The female, no. 26153 from Artenkiki, as mentioned above, approaches truefrenatain coloration. On this account it is not to be regarded as typical and it was because no other skulls of adult females were available that this one was used for comparison with females of allied races.
M. f. leucopariais, then, a subspecies of the large, temperate-zone group and is unique in possessing the maximum extent of white facial markings.
None of the seven skulls shows signs of having had the frontal sinuses infested with parasites.
Specimens examined.—Total number, 8, all from México. Localities are listed by states from north to south. Specimens from Michoacán are in the United States National Museum; one from Río Santiago is in the British Museum of Natural History; all others are in the American Museum of Natural History.Nayarit.Tepic, 1.Jalisco.Río Santiago, 1; Los Masos, 1; "Artenkiki" (J. A. Allen, 1906, p. 238, writes "Artenkikil" and, on p. 259, "Artenkiki."), 1.Michoacán.Zamora, 1; Los Reyes, 1; Pátzcuaro, 3.
Specimens examined.—Total number, 8, all from México. Localities are listed by states from north to south. Specimens from Michoacán are in the United States National Museum; one from Río Santiago is in the British Museum of Natural History; all others are in the American Museum of Natural History.
Nayarit.Tepic, 1.
Jalisco.Río Santiago, 1; Los Masos, 1; "Artenkiki" (J. A. Allen, 1906, p. 238, writes "Artenkikil" and, on p. 259, "Artenkiki."), 1.
Michoacán.Zamora, 1; Los Reyes, 1; Pátzcuaro, 3.
Long-tailed Weasel
Plates36,37and38
Mustela frenata perotaeHall, Carnegie Instit. Washington Publ. 473:100, November 20, 1936.Putorius frenatus, Merriam, N. Amer. Fauna, 11: pl. 3, fig. 2, June 30, 1896.
Mustela frenata perotaeHall, Carnegie Instit. Washington Publ. 473:100, November 20, 1936.
Putorius frenatus, Merriam, N. Amer. Fauna, 11: pl. 3, fig. 2, June 30, 1896.
Type.—Female, adult, skull and skin; no. 54278, U. S. Nat. Mus., Biol. Surv. Coll.; 12,500 feet, Cofre de Perote, Veracruz, México; May 26, 1893; obtained by E. W. Nelson; original no. 4864.The skull (plates, 37-39) lacks the right zygomatic arch. Left p2 is missing. The skin is fairly well made and in good condition except that the extreme tip of the tail has been broken off and there are two holes in the right hind leg. The underparts show the beginning of a spring molt.Range.—From 7500 (?) feet (Perote) to 13,500 feet (Popocatépetl), Upper Sonoran, Transition and Boreal life-zones of mountains along Puebla-México boundary, eastward to western central Veracruz and south into Oaxaca. See figure29on page221.Characters for ready recognition.—Differs fromM. f. frenata, its nearest relative, in extension from head of blackish onto anterior fourth of neck; restriction of color of underparts (least width of same less than 37 per cent of greatest width of color of upper parts), height of tympanic bulla less than distance from its anterior margin to foramen ovale; fromM. f. macrophoniusandM. f. goldmaniin presence of, rather than absence of, color of underparts on hind feet; upper parts (black) Brussels Brown rather than Argus Brown or darker; fromM. f. tropicalisin larger size (adult female with total length more than 400, basilar length more than 40, weight of skull more than 3 grams); postorbital breadth less than combined length of upper premolars; m1 more than 5.4 long; fromM. f. leucopariain white facial markings so restricted that spot between eyes is not confluent with white stripe in front of ear, or, if so, narrowly (less than 4 wide) confluent; color of upper parts extending onto antipalmar face of forefoot, least width of color of underparts not more than 40 per cent of greatest width of color of upper parts; height of tympanic bulla not more than three-fifths distance from its anterior margin to foramen ovale.Description.—Size.—Male: A nontypical specimen from Cerro San Felipe, Oaxaca, measures: Total length, 500; length of tail, 205; length of hind foot, 52.Female: The type specimen, measures: Total length, 418; length of tail, 160; length of hind foot, 45.In this male the tail is 70, and in the female, 62 per cent as long as the head and body. In each the hind foot is longer than the basal length.The differences in external measurements between these two specimens, representing the two sexes, are: Total length, 82; length of tail, 45; length of hind foot, 7.Externals.—As described inMustela frenata frenata.Color(based on type specimen).—Color and color pattern as described inMustela frenata frenataexcept that: blackish of sides and top of head extends one-fourth of way back to shoulders from ears; throat and breast as well as chin white; remainder of underparts near (16´c) Ochraceous-Buff; least width of color of underparts equals 36 per cent of greatest width of color of upper parts; black tip of tail equal to 28 per cent of length of tail-vertebrae.Skull and teeth.—Male (based on a referred specimen from Cerro San Felipe which certainly is nontypical): See measurements. As described inMustela frenata frenataexcept that: Weight, 4.9 grams; basilar length, 49.2; postorbital breadth more than distance between posterior borders of P4 and P2; tympanic bulla as far posterior to foramen ovale as width of 5 upper incisors; height of tympanic bulla less than distance from its anterior margin to foramen ovale; zygomatic breadth less than distance between condylar foramen and M1 or than between anterior palatine foramen and anterior margin of tympanic bulla.Female (based on type specimen, an adult): See measurements and plates37-39. As described inMustela frenata frenataexcept that: Weight 3.4 grams; basilar length, 43.5; 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 width of basioccipital measured from medial margin of one foramen lacerum posterior to its opposite; tympanic bulla as far posterior to foramen ovale as width of 5 or 6 upper incisors; height of tympanic bulla one-half to three-fifths 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 is 33 per cent lighter than that of the nontypical (and smaller than average) male from Cerro San Felipe.
Type.—Female, adult, skull and skin; no. 54278, U. S. Nat. Mus., Biol. Surv. Coll.; 12,500 feet, Cofre de Perote, Veracruz, México; May 26, 1893; obtained by E. W. Nelson; original no. 4864.
The skull (plates, 37-39) lacks the right zygomatic arch. Left p2 is missing. The skin is fairly well made and in good condition except that the extreme tip of the tail has been broken off and there are two holes in the right hind leg. The underparts show the beginning of a spring molt.
Range.—From 7500 (?) feet (Perote) to 13,500 feet (Popocatépetl), Upper Sonoran, Transition and Boreal life-zones of mountains along Puebla-México boundary, eastward to western central Veracruz and south into Oaxaca. See figure29on page221.
Characters for ready recognition.—Differs fromM. f. frenata, its nearest relative, in extension from head of blackish onto anterior fourth of neck; restriction of color of underparts (least width of same less than 37 per cent of greatest width of color of upper parts), height of tympanic bulla less than distance from its anterior margin to foramen ovale; fromM. f. macrophoniusandM. f. goldmaniin presence of, rather than absence of, color of underparts on hind feet; upper parts (black) Brussels Brown rather than Argus Brown or darker; fromM. f. tropicalisin larger size (adult female with total length more than 400, basilar length more than 40, weight of skull more than 3 grams); postorbital breadth less than combined length of upper premolars; m1 more than 5.4 long; fromM. f. leucopariain white facial markings so restricted that spot between eyes is not confluent with white stripe in front of ear, or, if so, narrowly (less than 4 wide) confluent; color of upper parts extending onto antipalmar face of forefoot, least width of color of underparts not more than 40 per cent of greatest width of color of upper parts; height of tympanic bulla not more than three-fifths distance from its anterior margin to foramen ovale.
Description.—Size.—Male: A nontypical specimen from Cerro San Felipe, Oaxaca, measures: Total length, 500; length of tail, 205; length of hind foot, 52.
Female: The type specimen, measures: Total length, 418; length of tail, 160; length of hind foot, 45.
In this male the tail is 70, and in the female, 62 per cent as long as the head and body. In each the hind foot is longer than the basal length.
The differences in external measurements between these two specimens, representing the two sexes, are: Total length, 82; length of tail, 45; length of hind foot, 7.
Externals.—As described inMustela frenata frenata.
Color(based on type specimen).—Color and color pattern as described inMustela frenata frenataexcept that: blackish of sides and top of head extends one-fourth of way back to shoulders from ears; throat and breast as well as chin white; remainder of underparts near (16´c) Ochraceous-Buff; least width of color of underparts equals 36 per cent of greatest width of color of upper parts; black tip of tail equal to 28 per cent of length of tail-vertebrae.
Skull and teeth.—Male (based on a referred specimen from Cerro San Felipe which certainly is nontypical): See measurements. As described inMustela frenata frenataexcept that: Weight, 4.9 grams; basilar length, 49.2; postorbital breadth more than distance between posterior borders of P4 and P2; tympanic bulla as far posterior to foramen ovale as width of 5 upper incisors; height of tympanic bulla less than distance from its anterior margin to foramen ovale; zygomatic breadth less than distance between condylar foramen and M1 or than between anterior palatine foramen and anterior margin of tympanic bulla.
Female (based on type specimen, an adult): See measurements and plates37-39. As described inMustela frenata frenataexcept that: Weight 3.4 grams; basilar length, 43.5; 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 width of basioccipital measured from medial margin of one foramen lacerum posterior to its opposite; tympanic bulla as far posterior to foramen ovale as width of 5 or 6 upper incisors; height of tympanic bulla one-half to three-fifths 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 is 33 per cent lighter than that of the nontypical (and smaller than average) male from Cerro San Felipe.
Comparison of the skull with that ofM. f. tropicalisis made in the account of that subspecies. Compared with the skull ofM. f.macrophonius, that of the female ofperotaeis more flattened, has the longitudinal dorsal outline distinctly concave rather than flat just behind the postorbital processes, and much wider tympanic bullae. Accordingly, the basioccipital is slightly narrower inperotae. The more marked postorbital constriction of the type specimen ofperotaepossibly is due to its relatively greater age. As compared with the skull ofM. f. leucoparia, that of the female ofperotaehas less inflated tympanic bullae, the height of each being half as great as distance from its anterior margin to foramen ovale, whereas, inleucoparia(as represented by no. 26153) the two distances are equal. As compared with that ofM. f. frenata, the skull of the female ofperotaediffers mainly in the lesser inflation of the tympanic bullae and their relative position. The height of each bulla is inperotaeonly half as much as, but infrenatamore than, the distance from its anterior margin to foramen ovale. The anterior margin of the bulla is much less projected from the floor of the braincase inperotae. The squamosal anterior to each bulla is convex ventrally inperotaebut flat or concave ventrally infrenata.
Remarks.—The type specimen and a juvenal female from the town of Perote were taken in the spring of 1893 by E. W. Nelson. Of these two, the type specimen was mentioned and figured by Merriam (1898:30, fig. 16 [= fig. 15], pl. 3, fig. 2) asPutorius frenatus. The referred nontypical specimen from Cerro San Felipe, Oaxaca, was referred by Merriam (op. cit.:29) toPutorius frenatus goldmaniwith the comment that it was intermediate ". . . both in coloration and cranial characters, between typicalfrenatusandgoldmani;. . . ." No other published references to this subspecies, or specimens of it, have been seen. In 1941 and 1942, W. B. Davis and associates took four specimens along the boundary between the states of Puebla and México.
Although the specimen from Cerro San Felipe, Oaxaca, is referred toMustela frenata perotae, to the description of which it answers best, that specimen, on account of its structural characters and geographic position relative to adjacent races, is in reality an intergrade between several of the adjacent races. Some of its intermediate characters are pointed out in the discussion ofM. f. goldmani. In the specimens from 45 and 55 kilometers ESE of México (city) the black color of the top of the head does not extend so far behind the ears as in the holotype ofM. f. perotaeand in this feature the two specimens show intergradation between the two subspecies,perotaeandfrenata.
The type specimen taken on May 26, is acquiring new hair on the belly and lower sides which appears to be the result of a normal molt.
As would be expected from its geographic position,M. f. perotaeresemblesM. f. frenataof northern México and the high mountain forms of southern México more than it does the lowland tropical forms. This is true as regards size of entire animal, proportions of its parts, and size, general angularity and major proportions of its skull. The marked postorbital constriction, convex supralacrymal face of rostrum, width of tympanic bullae and angularity of the braincase place it nearestM. f. frenataas does also the color and color pattern. The ventrally convex squamosal anterior to each tympanic bulla and the slight degree of projection from the cranium of the anterior margin of each tympanic bulla are intermediate in degree between the condition inM. f. macrophoniusand that inM. f. frenata. ThusM. f. perotaecombines several characters ofM. f. frenataon the one hand with some ofM. f. macrophoniuson the other and in some features, for instance in the size, shape and degree of inflation of the tympanic bullae, presents intermediate stages of development.
On the eastern plain below the high mountain, Cofre de Perote, there ranges the similarly colored, smaller, tropical weasel,Mustela frenata tropicalis. BetweenM. f. perotaeandM. f. tropicalisthere is marked differentiation in the skulls with much less differentiation in coloration. The differences in typical skulls of the two subspecies are so pronounced that one would, at first glance, hardly believe it possible for direct intergradation to occur between them on the sides of this mountain. Merriam (1896:30) thought that it did not. The two skulls figured by him (op. cit.:31) are a topotype ofM. f. tropicalisfrom Jico and the one which now is the type specimen ofM. f. perotae. They show the great difference in size and proportions and are females of comparable ages, not of different ages as I suspected before examining the skulls. However, despite this marked difference in the skulls, there is some, although not conclusive, evidence of intergradation furnished by a young female from Xuchil, Veracruz. This specimen is described in connection withM. f. tropicalis(see page366).
None of the seven skulls shows marked deformity of the interorbital region, but two of the three adults appear to have had these parts infested with nematodes.
Specimens examined.—Total number, 7, all from México, listed by localities from north to south. Specimens from Veracruz and Oaxaca in the United States National Museum; remainder in Texas Cooperative Research Collection.México: Monte Río Frío, 45 Km. ESE México City, 1; 55 Km. ESE México City, 1; N slope Mt. Popocatépetl, 13,555 ft., 1.Puebla.Río Otlati, 8700 ft., 1.Veracruz.Cofre de Perote, 12,500 ft., 1; Perote, 1.Oaxaca.Cerro San Felipe, 10,000 ft., 1.
Specimens examined.—Total number, 7, all from México, listed by localities from north to south. Specimens from Veracruz and Oaxaca in the United States National Museum; remainder in Texas Cooperative Research Collection.
México: Monte Río Frío, 45 Km. ESE México City, 1; 55 Km. ESE México City, 1; N slope Mt. Popocatépetl, 13,555 ft., 1.
Puebla.Río Otlati, 8700 ft., 1.
Veracruz.Cofre de Perote, 12,500 ft., 1; Perote, 1.
Oaxaca.Cerro San Felipe, 10,000 ft., 1.
Long-tailed Weasel
Plates1,24,25,26and30
Putorius frenatus goldmaniMerriam, N. Amer. Fauna, 11:28, June 30, 1896; Elliot, Proc. Biol. Soc. Washington, 18:236, December 9, 1905.Mustela frenata goldmani, Miller, U. S. Nat. Mus. Bull., 79:100, December 31, 1912; Hall, Carnegie Instit. Washington Publ. 473:109, November 20, 1936.
Putorius frenatus goldmaniMerriam, N. Amer. Fauna, 11:28, June 30, 1896; Elliot, Proc. Biol. Soc. Washington, 18:236, December 9, 1905.
Mustela frenata goldmani, Miller, U. S. Nat. Mus. Bull., 79:100, December 31, 1912; Hall, Carnegie Instit. Washington Publ. 473:109, November 20, 1936.
Type.—Male, adult, skull and skin; no. 77519, U. S. Nat. Mus., Biol. Surv. Coll.; Pinabete, Chiapas, México; February 10, 1896; obtained by E. A. Goldman (on attached label collectors recorded as Nelson and Goldman); original no. 9279.The skull (plates24and30) has the rostrum badly injured. All the right, and part of the left nasal, the upper part of the right maxilla, the postorbital process and intervening area of frontals are missing. Each zygomatic arch is broken but the parts are present and attached to the skull. The frontal and interorbital regions are greatly malformed owing to parasites that infested the sinuses. Right I2 and I3, right and left i3, and the medial parts of the paraconid and protoconid of right m1 are missing. The light facial markings are less extensive than in any of the referred specimens. These markings consist of a separate spot between the eyes and a white line, confluent with the color of the underparts, on each side of the head, that extends from the base of the ear to above the eye. The dark color of the underparts is represented at the angles of the mouth by a spot on the left side and a similar dark area, confluent with the dark color of the face, on the right side. The large size, characters of the skull, and scrotal pouch on the skin prove the specimen to be a male as stated on the label.Range.—Two thousand five hundred feet (El Cipres, Guatemala) to 9500 feet (near Tecpám, Guatemala), Upper Tropical Life-zone of mountains and western coasts of southern México, Guatemala and Salvador. See figure29on page221.Characters for ready recognition(characters based on males).—Differs fromM. f. nicaraguaeandM. f. perdaby larger size (total length of adult males more than 489), least width of color of underparts not less than 26 per cent of greatest width of color of upper parts, weight of skull of adult male more than 5 grams; fromM. f. macrophoniusby smaller size (total length of adult males less than 540), skull of male with basilar length less than 52.5 and weight less than 6 grams; fromM. f. perotae(typical specimens of same sex not available) by darker color of upper parts which are Argus Brown or darker rather than Brussels Brown; nonextension of color of underparts onto hind feet; fromM. f. leucopariain least width of color of underparts not more than 37 per cent of greatest width of color of upper parts; color of underparts not extended onto hind feet; black tip of tail two-fifths rather than one-fourth as long as tail-vertebrae; height of tympanic bulla less than four-fifths distance from its anterior margin to foramen ovale.Description.—Size.—Male: Four adults yield average and extreme measurements as follows: Total length, 508 (500-512); length of tail, 196 (185-207); length of hind foot, 55.5 (54-58). Tail averages 63 (59-67) per cent as long as head and body. Length of hind foot more than basal length.Female: Typical specimen unknown.Externals.—Longest facial vibrissae black and reaching beyond ear; carpal vibrissae wholly or in part of same color as upper parts and reaching as far as hypothenar pad; hairiness of foot-soles distinctly less than that shown in figure20on page60.Color.—Spot between eyes, band, confluent with color of underparts, on each side of head extending anterodorsally anterior to each ear and posterior third of each upper lip, white; remainder of sides and top of head and neck posteriorly to or slightly behind shoulders, black; dark spots at angles of mouth usually absent; tip of tail black; remainder of upper parts Argus Brown or near (n) Argus Brown; chin, throat and breast white; remainder of underparts near (16'c) Ochraceous-Buff; color of underparts extending distally on posterior sides of forelegs onto medial toes and on hind legs to points between knees and heels. Least width of color of underparts, in five adult males, averaging 28 (extremes 26-33) per cent of greatest width of color of upper parts; black tip of tail, in four adult males, averaging 40 per cent of length of tail-vertebrae.Skull and teeth.—Male (based on five adults): See measurements and plates24-26,30; weight, 5.4 (5.3-5.5) grams; basilar length, 49.9 (49.6-51.3); zygomatic breadth (except in no. 12523 from Salvador) more than or equal to distance between condylar foramen and M1 or between anterior palatine foramen and anterior margin of tympanic bulla. Mastoid breadth less than postpalatal length; postorbital breadth more or less than length of upper premolars and greater than width of basioccipital measured from median margin of one foramen lacerum posterior to its opposite; interorbital breadth less than distance between foramen opticum and anterior margin of tympanic bulla; breadth of rostrum less than length of tympanic bulla; least width of palate more or less than length of P4; anterior margin of tympanic bulla as far posterior to foramen ovale as width of five upper incisors; height of tympanic bulla 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 shorter than or equal to length of rostrum; anterior margin of masseteric fossa immediately behind m2.Female: Typical skull unknown.
Type.—Male, adult, skull and skin; no. 77519, U. S. Nat. Mus., Biol. Surv. Coll.; Pinabete, Chiapas, México; February 10, 1896; obtained by E. A. Goldman (on attached label collectors recorded as Nelson and Goldman); original no. 9279.
The skull (plates24and30) has the rostrum badly injured. All the right, and part of the left nasal, the upper part of the right maxilla, the postorbital process and intervening area of frontals are missing. Each zygomatic arch is broken but the parts are present and attached to the skull. The frontal and interorbital regions are greatly malformed owing to parasites that infested the sinuses. Right I2 and I3, right and left i3, and the medial parts of the paraconid and protoconid of right m1 are missing. The light facial markings are less extensive than in any of the referred specimens. These markings consist of a separate spot between the eyes and a white line, confluent with the color of the underparts, on each side of the head, that extends from the base of the ear to above the eye. The dark color of the underparts is represented at the angles of the mouth by a spot on the left side and a similar dark area, confluent with the dark color of the face, on the right side. The large size, characters of the skull, and scrotal pouch on the skin prove the specimen to be a male as stated on the label.
Range.—Two thousand five hundred feet (El Cipres, Guatemala) to 9500 feet (near Tecpám, Guatemala), Upper Tropical Life-zone of mountains and western coasts of southern México, Guatemala and Salvador. See figure29on page221.
Characters for ready recognition(characters based on males).—Differs fromM. f. nicaraguaeandM. f. perdaby larger size (total length of adult males more than 489), least width of color of underparts not less than 26 per cent of greatest width of color of upper parts, weight of skull of adult male more than 5 grams; fromM. f. macrophoniusby smaller size (total length of adult males less than 540), skull of male with basilar length less than 52.5 and weight less than 6 grams; fromM. f. perotae(typical specimens of same sex not available) by darker color of upper parts which are Argus Brown or darker rather than Brussels Brown; nonextension of color of underparts onto hind feet; fromM. f. leucopariain least width of color of underparts not more than 37 per cent of greatest width of color of upper parts; color of underparts not extended onto hind feet; black tip of tail two-fifths rather than one-fourth as long as tail-vertebrae; height of tympanic bulla less than four-fifths distance from its anterior margin to foramen ovale.
Description.—Size.—Male: Four adults yield average and extreme measurements as follows: Total length, 508 (500-512); length of tail, 196 (185-207); length of hind foot, 55.5 (54-58). Tail averages 63 (59-67) per cent as long as head and body. Length of hind foot more than basal length.
Female: Typical specimen unknown.
Externals.—Longest facial vibrissae black and reaching beyond ear; carpal vibrissae wholly or in part of same color as upper parts and reaching as far as hypothenar pad; hairiness of foot-soles distinctly less than that shown in figure20on page60.
Color.—Spot between eyes, band, confluent with color of underparts, on each side of head extending anterodorsally anterior to each ear and posterior third of each upper lip, white; remainder of sides and top of head and neck posteriorly to or slightly behind shoulders, black; dark spots at angles of mouth usually absent; tip of tail black; remainder of upper parts Argus Brown or near (n) Argus Brown; chin, throat and breast white; remainder of underparts near (16'c) Ochraceous-Buff; color of underparts extending distally on posterior sides of forelegs onto medial toes and on hind legs to points between knees and heels. Least width of color of underparts, in five adult males, averaging 28 (extremes 26-33) per cent of greatest width of color of upper parts; black tip of tail, in four adult males, averaging 40 per cent of length of tail-vertebrae.
Skull and teeth.—Male (based on five adults): See measurements and plates24-26,30; weight, 5.4 (5.3-5.5) grams; basilar length, 49.9 (49.6-51.3); zygomatic breadth (except in no. 12523 from Salvador) more than or equal to distance between condylar foramen and M1 or between anterior palatine foramen and anterior margin of tympanic bulla. Mastoid breadth less than postpalatal length; postorbital breadth more or less than length of upper premolars and greater than width of basioccipital measured from median margin of one foramen lacerum posterior to its opposite; interorbital breadth less than distance between foramen opticum and anterior margin of tympanic bulla; breadth of rostrum less than length of tympanic bulla; least width of palate more or less than length of P4; anterior margin of tympanic bulla as far posterior to foramen ovale as width of five upper incisors; height of tympanic bulla 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 shorter than or equal to length of rostrum; anterior margin of masseteric fossa immediately behind m2.
Female: Typical skull unknown.
Comparison of male skull with that ofM. f. perdamade in discussion of that form. Comparison with that ofM. f. nicaraguaeshows similar differences, some of which are more pronounced. For example, squamosals anterior to tympanic bullae more convex ventrally and these bullae project less from braincase than inM. f. perda; thus the difference in these features is greater betweengoldmaniandnicaraguaethan betweengoldmaniandperda.
As compared with the skull of the male ofM. f. macrophonius, each one of the skulls of the adult males ofM. f. goldmaniis smaller in every measurement taken, with two exceptions. The width of the tympanic bullae was more in three specimens ofM. f. goldmanias was also the depth of the same in three specimens. Relative to the basilar length all but two of these measurements average less ingoldmani; the exceptions are the zygomatic breadth and depth of the skull at the anterior margin of the tympanic bullae which average more. Relative to the basilar length, the orbitonasal length and depth of the skull at the posterior margin of M1 are less in each skull ofgoldmani. Thus, excepting the width and height of the tympanic bullae and the relative zygomatic breadth and relative depth of the braincase posteriorly, the skull ofgoldmaniis shorter and relatively as well as actually narrower and lighter throughout.
As compared with the skull of the male ofM. f. leucoparia, that ofM. f. goldmaniaverages a trifle shorter and no skull ofgoldmaniequals that ofleucopariain actual or relative zygomatic and mastoid breadths or length or height of tympanic bullae. In depth, the skull ofgoldmaniaverages actually and relatively greater. Its teeth are smaller. The squamosal anterior to each tympanic bulla is convex ventrally whereas it is concave ventrally inleucopariaas infrenata.
Remarks.—When Merriam (1896:28) named this subspecies, he had only one specimen but he called attention to the more important diagnostic characters, which additional specimens show pertain to the race as a whole.
M. f. goldmaniin typical form occurs in high mountains of the Upper Tropical Life-zone and is most closely related toM. f. frenataandM. f. macrophonius. The altitude at which the two specimens were taken, twenty miles southeast of Teopisca in Chiapas, is not known. Merriam (1896:28) states that the type specimen was obtained at "about 8200 feet." The specimen taken by Stirton in Salvador comes from 8000 feet and the one obtained by Barber in Guatemala from 9500 feet. The specimen from Dueñas, the skin alone of a young animal, is not instructive.
As regards size,goldmaniis larger than the immediately adjacent subspecies from the Lower Tropical Life-zone but is smaller thanM. f. leucopariaormacrophonius. As compared withM. f. frenata,goldmaniis longer, has an actually as well as relatively shorter tail, and a much longer hind foot.
The most outstanding difference in externals fromfrenatais the naked foot soles.
Molting probably takes place twice each year although actual proof of this is lacking. In number 133254 from twenty miles southeast of Teopisca, taken on May 12, the molt is well advanced. Another specimen from the same place still retains the winter coat.
In color,goldmaniis much darker thanfrenata, has less extensive white facial markings, longer black tip on tail, more restricted color of underparts, and lacks the extension of color of the underparts onto the hind feet.
Of the adult males from the high mountains, the type specimen from Chiapas is lightest, and the one from Salvador is darkest. This progressively darker color to the southward probably is geographic variation.
In total length and relative and actual length of tail, the specimen from Salvador is the smallest of the five adult males from the higher mountains. In addition to its darker color and smaller size, no. 12523 from Salvador shows certain distinctive cranial characters. The zygomatic breadth is less than, rather than more than, or equal to, the distance between the condylar foramen and M1 or than that between the anterior palatine foramen and the anterior margin of the tympanic bulla. This difference appears to be correlated with geographic position, since no. 15953 from Guatemala has the three distances about equal and therefore is intermediate in this respect between the specimen from Salvador and those from Chiapas, in which the zygomatic breadth is greater than the other two measurements. Also in the greater depth of the skull and smaller size of the teeth, this specimen from Salvador approaches the subspecies of the Lower Tropical Life-zone. It has, however, the longest, highest and widest tympanic bullae of any of the five specimens. The amount of ventral convexity of the squamosal in front of each tympanic bulla appears not to be greater than in the other specimens.
As indicative of intergradation withperotae,leucopariaand possiblyfrenata, there is the specimen from Cerro San Felipe, Oaxaca. The degree of restriction of the color of the underparts is intermediate between that ofgoldmaniandleucoparia. The same is true as regards the amount of projection from the braincase of the anterior margins of the tympanic bullae. The squamosal immediately anterior to each tympanic bulla is flat instead of ventrally convex as ingoldmanior ventrally concave as inleucopariaandfrenata. In accordance with the custom adopted in this paper of referring every specimen to some one subspecies, this specimen from Cerro San Felipe is referred toMustela frenata perotae, to the description of which it most nearly answers.
Possiblygoldmani, as here constituted, is a composite form. The specimens from the high mountains closely resemble one another. However, a specimen, no. 68541 from "Finca El Cipres," Guatemala, which place Mr. G. Goodwin tells me is at an elevation of 2500 feet, approximately 5 miles north of Retalhuleu, has a basilar length of 47.3 and is correspondingly small in other parts. This suggests the existence of a small, lowland race on the western side of the central divide corresponding toperdaandtropicalison the eastern side. From only a few miles away, at San Sebastian, there is available, the adult skull of a still smaller animal. This skull only, no. 41026, in the Berlin Zoological Museum, has a basilar length of 46.1, zygomatic breadth of 27.4, and other cranial measurements notably smaller than those of specimens from the high mountains. A skin-only, no. 12038, collection of Donald R. Dickey, from La Cebia, altitude 2150 feet, near the city of San Salvador, seemingly represents an animal smaller than typicalgoldmani. This specimen from La Cebia has the light color of the underparts extended distally on the hind legs to the tips of the toes as inM. f. tropicalis. However, the upper parts are darker and resemble those ofM. f. goldmani. A fourth specimen from only 3500 feet elevation, on the south side of Volcano Tajumulco, Guatemala, no. 41768, Field Museum of Natural History, a subadult male, measures only 490 in total length and has the least color of the underparts so restricted as to amount to only 22 per cent of the greatest width of the color of the upper parts. Both these features are suggestive of the lowland races.
These four specimens indicate that the lowland population on the western side of the divide is smaller than the mountain population. The juvenile from Carolina and a young male from Finca Cipres, however, both closely resemble individuals ofgoldmanifrom the higher mountains. All these animals here are referred togoldmani. More specimens may reveal an amount and a pattern of geographic variation in weasels of this region that will require application of another subspecific name.
The female, no. 68540, from Puebla agrees remarkably well with the skull of the female, no. 132528, ofmacrophonius. Differences displayed by the specimen from Puebla are its slightly narrower braincase and longer space between the foramen ovale and anterior end of the tympanic bulla. Considering the far eastern location of Puebla (just north of Río Motagua, at 89° W, according to a sketch map provided by Mr. G. G. Goodwin), this specimen might be expected to show some approach to the small lowland races. Actually, however, it displays the characters ofgoldmanibetter than does the subadult female from Volcano San Lucas, which is nearer the metropolis ofgoldmani, and I assume at a higher elevation than Puebla.
Concerning this weasel Merriam (1896:29) says: "Mr. E. W. Nelson writes me that this fine weasel is found sparingly in the forest about Pinabete, Chiapas, at an altitude of 7000 to 8000 feet (2100 to 2500 meters). The type specimen was shot in the afternoon while hunting on a heavily wooded hill slope. It was heard making long, slow leaps over the dry, crisp leaves. Coming to a log, it stood up and rested its fore feet on the log, in which position it was shot by Mr. Goldman."
The specimen taken by R. A. Stirton in Salvador comes from an elevation of 8000 feet in the rain forest of the Upper Tropical Life-zone. Mr. Stirton tells me that one morning on visiting his traps set for small rodents, he found in one the partly eaten remains of aHeteromys. Leaving these remains as found he placed a steel trap beside them and on the following morning found the male weasel in the trap.
At least three of the ten specimens had the frontal sinuses infested with parasites.
Specimens examined.—Total number, 15, listed by localities from north to south, and unless otherwise indicated in the American Museum of Natural History.México:Chiapas: 20 mi. SE Teopisca, 2[91]; Pinabete, 1[91].Guatemala: Puebla, 1; Finca Porvenir, 3500 ft., S slope Volcan Tajumulco, 1[60]; Sierra [= ? Cerro] Santa Elena, 9500 ft. (near Tecpám), 1[60]; Carolina, 1; Volcano San Lucas, 1; "Finca El Cipres," 1; "Finca Cipres," 2500 ft., 1; Finca San Isidro, San Sebastión, Dept. Retalhuleu, 1[4]; Dueñas, 1[7]; no locality more definite than Guatemala, 1[7].El Salvador: Los Esesmiles, 8000 ft., Chalatenango, 1[59]; La Cebia, 2150 ft., near San Salvador, 1[59].
Specimens examined.—Total number, 15, listed by localities from north to south, and unless otherwise indicated in the American Museum of Natural History.
México:Chiapas: 20 mi. SE Teopisca, 2[91]; Pinabete, 1[91].
Guatemala: Puebla, 1; Finca Porvenir, 3500 ft., S slope Volcan Tajumulco, 1[60]; Sierra [= ? Cerro] Santa Elena, 9500 ft. (near Tecpám), 1[60]; Carolina, 1; Volcano San Lucas, 1; "Finca El Cipres," 1; "Finca Cipres," 2500 ft., 1; Finca San Isidro, San Sebastión, Dept. Retalhuleu, 1[4]; Dueñas, 1[7]; no locality more definite than Guatemala, 1[7].
El Salvador: Los Esesmiles, 8000 ft., Chalatenango, 1[59]; La Cebia, 2150 ft., near San Salvador, 1[59].
Long-tailed Weasel
Plates24,25,26,30,37,38and39
Putorius macrophoniusElliot, Proc. Biol. Soc. Washington, 18:235, December 9, 1905.Mustela macrophonius, Miller, U. S. Nat. Mus. Bull., 79:100, December 31, 1912.Mustela frenata macrophonius, Hall, Carnegie Instit. Washington Publ. 473:109, November 20, 1936.
Putorius macrophoniusElliot, Proc. Biol. Soc. Washington, 18:235, December 9, 1905.
Mustela macrophonius, Miller, U. S. Nat. Mus. Bull., 79:100, December 31, 1912.
Mustela frenata macrophonius, Hall, Carnegie Instit. Washington Publ. 473:109, November 20, 1936.
Type.—Male, adult, skull and skin; no. 14063, Field Mus. Nat. Hist.; Achotal, Veracruz, México; January 15, 1904; obtained by Edmund Heller and Charles M. Barber; original no. 3424.The skull (plates24-26,30) is complete and unbroken. Excepting right P2, which has been aborted or broken away, all the teeth are present. The skin is well made and in good condition. As shown by the scrotal pouch, the specimen is a male.Range.—Tropical Life-zone, probably into Boreal life-zones, of mountains along eastern border of southern Veracruz. See figure29on page221.Characters for ready recognition.—Differs fromM. frenata frenataandM. f. perotaeandM. f. leucopariain lacking color of underparts on hind feet and in larger skull (skulls of adult males with basilar length more than 52.5); fromM. f. goldmaniby larger size of skull (see above) and entire animal and wider tympanic bullae; fromM. f. tropicalisandM. f. perdaby larger size (total length of adult males more than 510), postorbital breadth amounting to less than combined length of upper premolars.Description.—Size.—Male: External measurements of the type specimen, an adult, are: Total length, 598; length of tail, 246; length of hind foot, 59. Tail 70 per cent as long as body; length of hind foot more than basal length.Female: The skin, without field collector's measurements, of an adult female from Pérez, Veracruz, shows this sex to be correspondingly large. Because the skin is understuffed and because the hind feet are skinned out, reliable measurements can not be obtained from the dried skin.Externals.—As described inMustela frenata goldmaniexcept that all carpal vibrissae are of same color as upper parts and that hairiness of foot-soles is halfway between that shown in figures20and21.Color.—As in darkest individuals ofM. f. goldmani, thus, color of upper parts on posterior part of back near (n) Argus Brown. Color of underparts near (12) Mikado Orange in a juvenile, extending distally on posterior sides of forelegs onto inner toes and on hind legs to points between knees and heels. Least width of color of underparts 28 per cent of greatest width of color of upper parts. Black tip of tail 34 per cent of length of tail-vertebrae.Skull and teeth.—Male (based on type specimen): See measurements and plates24-26,30. As described inMustela frenata frenataexcept that: Weight, 6.9 grams; basilar length, 54.1; zygomatic breadth less than distance between condylar foramen and M1 or that between anterior palatine foramen and anterior margin of tympanic bulla; interorbital breadth less than distance between foramen opticum and anterior margin of tympanic bulla; anterior margin of tympanic bulla as far posterior to foramen ovale as width of 4 to 6 upper incisors; height of tympanic bulla less than distance from its anterior margin to foramen ovale; anterior margin of masseteric fossa below posterior half of m2.Female (based on no. 132528): See measurements and plates37-39. As described inMustela frenata frenataexcept that: Weight, 3.6 grams; basilar length, 43.5; zygomatic breadth less than distance between condylar foramen and M1 and more or less than (in the single specimen, equal to) that between anterior palatine foramen and anterior margin of tympanic bulla; least width of palate more or less than (about equal to) outside length of P4; tympanic bulla as far posterior to foramen ovale as width of 4 or 5 upper incisors; height of tympanic bulla less than distance from its anterior margin to foramen ovale.The skull of the female is 48 per cent lighter than that of the male.
Type.—Male, adult, skull and skin; no. 14063, Field Mus. Nat. Hist.; Achotal, Veracruz, México; January 15, 1904; obtained by Edmund Heller and Charles M. Barber; original no. 3424.
The skull (plates24-26,30) is complete and unbroken. Excepting right P2, which has been aborted or broken away, all the teeth are present. The skin is well made and in good condition. As shown by the scrotal pouch, the specimen is a male.
Range.—Tropical Life-zone, probably into Boreal life-zones, of mountains along eastern border of southern Veracruz. See figure29on page221.
Characters for ready recognition.—Differs fromM. frenata frenataandM. f. perotaeandM. f. leucopariain lacking color of underparts on hind feet and in larger skull (skulls of adult males with basilar length more than 52.5); fromM. f. goldmaniby larger size of skull (see above) and entire animal and wider tympanic bullae; fromM. f. tropicalisandM. f. perdaby larger size (total length of adult males more than 510), postorbital breadth amounting to less than combined length of upper premolars.
Description.—Size.—Male: External measurements of the type specimen, an adult, are: Total length, 598; length of tail, 246; length of hind foot, 59. Tail 70 per cent as long as body; length of hind foot more than basal length.
Female: The skin, without field collector's measurements, of an adult female from Pérez, Veracruz, shows this sex to be correspondingly large. Because the skin is understuffed and because the hind feet are skinned out, reliable measurements can not be obtained from the dried skin.
Externals.—As described inMustela frenata goldmaniexcept that all carpal vibrissae are of same color as upper parts and that hairiness of foot-soles is halfway between that shown in figures20and21.
Color.—As in darkest individuals ofM. f. goldmani, thus, color of upper parts on posterior part of back near (n) Argus Brown. Color of underparts near (12) Mikado Orange in a juvenile, extending distally on posterior sides of forelegs onto inner toes and on hind legs to points between knees and heels. Least width of color of underparts 28 per cent of greatest width of color of upper parts. Black tip of tail 34 per cent of length of tail-vertebrae.
Skull and teeth.—Male (based on type specimen): See measurements and plates24-26,30. As described inMustela frenata frenataexcept that: Weight, 6.9 grams; basilar length, 54.1; zygomatic breadth less than distance between condylar foramen and M1 or that between anterior palatine foramen and anterior margin of tympanic bulla; interorbital breadth less than distance between foramen opticum and anterior margin of tympanic bulla; anterior margin of tympanic bulla as far posterior to foramen ovale as width of 4 to 6 upper incisors; height of tympanic bulla less than distance from its anterior margin to foramen ovale; anterior margin of masseteric fossa below posterior half of m2.
Female (based on no. 132528): See measurements and plates37-39. As described inMustela frenata frenataexcept that: Weight, 3.6 grams; basilar length, 43.5; zygomatic breadth less than distance between condylar foramen and M1 and more or less than (in the single specimen, equal to) that between anterior palatine foramen and anterior margin of tympanic bulla; least width of palate more or less than (about equal to) outside length of P4; tympanic bulla as far posterior to foramen ovale as width of 4 or 5 upper incisors; height of tympanic bulla less than distance from its anterior margin to foramen ovale.
The skull of the female is 48 per cent lighter than that of the male.
Comparison of the skull with that ofM. f. goldmaniis made in the account of that subspecies. Similar differences probably exist between males ofperotaeandmacrophonius. As compared with skulls of males ofM. f. tropicalisandperda, the skull of the male ofmacrophoniusis larger in every measurement taken. The postorbital constriction is less, rather than more, than the combined length of the upper premolars. Relative to the basilar length, the following measurements are less than in any specimen oftropicalisorperda: length of tooth-rows; orbitonasal length; depth of skull at posterior border of upper molars; and depth of skull at anterior margin of basioccipital.
Remarks.—This large weasel appears to have escaped the notice of naturalists until the spring of 1903 when J. Friesser obtained an adult female and juvenal male at Pérez for the collection of the United States Bureau of Biological Survey. These specimens were tentatively referred toMustela tropicalis. In the following January, Edmund Heller and Charles M. Barber obtained the adult male that was made the type specimen by Elliot who did not see, or if he did, did not mention, the specimens from Pérez. He did, however, refer a young female from Xuchil, Veracruz, to hisPutorius macrophonius. This young female is here referred toMustela frenata tropicalis.
The extent of the geographic range of this subspecies is not well known.
Mustela frenata macrophoniusandM. f. texensisare the largest American weasels. The basilar length in the type specimen is greater by one-tenth of a millimeter than in the type specimen ofM. f. texensis. The other cranial measurements taken are greater inM. f. texensis. The skull of the female from Pérez is one of the largest skulls examined of that sex. The juvenal male has teeth as large as those of the type specimen and the skull is the largest for its age of any seen. Although the skin of the female is understuffed and hence does not provide reliable measurements, it shows that the female is also large.