Evidence of intergradation between _M. f. peninsulae_ and _M. f.
olivacea_ is provided by specimens of _olivacea_ from Gainesville,
Florida, and the Okefinokee Swamp, Georgia. These specimens, on the
average, have the color of the underparts wider, the skull larger, and
the tympanic bullae relatively larger than do specimens of _olivacea_
from farther north. In these features, approach to _M. f. peninsulae_
is shown.
Light facial markings occur in this subspecies. They are similar to
those possessed by weasels which occur at the same latitude and under
corresponding climatic conditions on the Pacific Coast. The type
specimen and one from Tarpon Springs have white facial markings. Two of
the three specimens from Apopka also show white facial markings,
although in reduced amount. One of the four specimens of _M. f.
olivacea_ from Gainesville, Florida, has well-developed light (white)
facial markings. Also of the four specimens of _M. f. olivacea_
examined from Okefinokee Swamp, Georgia, one has prominent white facial
markings. However, in it the pattern is so unusual as to suggest that
it is an instance of partial albinism rather than an outcropping of a
racial tendency, or a pattern of coloration induced by climatic
factors.
None of the eight available skulls show any infestation of the frontal
sinuses by parasites.
_Specimens examined._--Total number, 10, arranged by counties from
west to east.
=Florida.= _Pasco County_: Hudson's, 1[1]. _Pinellas County_:
Tarpon Springs, 1[1]. _Hernando County_, 1[91]. _Polk County_:
Auburndale, 1[91]; no locality more definite than county, 1[91].
_Orange County_: Apopka, 3[61]. _Volusia County_: Enterprise,
1[60]. _Seminole County_: Osceola, 1[2].
=Mustela frenata spadix= (Bangs)
Long-tailed Weasel
Plates 16, 17, 18, 31, 32 and 33
_Putorius longicauda spadix_ Bangs, Proc. Biol. Soc. Washington,
10:8, February 25, 1896; Merriam, N. Amer. Fauna, 11:21, figs.
10, 11, June 30, 1896; Cory, Mamm. Illinois and Wisconsin, p.
374, 1912.
_Mustela longicauda spadix_, Miller, U. S. Nat. Mus. Bull., 79:98,
December 31, 1912; Bailey, Journ. Mamm., 10:156, May 9, 1929.
_Mustela longicauda_, Johnson, Journ. Mamm., 11:439, November 11,
1930.
_Mustela noveboracensis_, Murie, Journ. Mamm., 16:321, November 15,
1935.
_Mustela frenata spadix_, Hall, Carnegie Instit. Washington Publ.
473:105, November 20, 1936.
_Type._--Male, young, skull and skin; no. 3265/1786, Amer. Mus.
Nat. Hist.; Fort Snelling, Hennepin County, Minnesota; June 25,
1889; obtained by Edgar A. Mearns; original no. 812.
The skull is complete although there are fractures on the top of
the braincase, on the right side of the braincase and at the
middle of the right zygomatic arch. The teeth all are present and
entire. The skin, although overstuffed, is complete, well
preserved, and in summer pelage.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
Reviews
Reviews
No reviews yet
Be the first to share your thoughts on this work.
Elsewhere in the archive
Join the Discussion
Join the discussion
Sign in to leave a comment or review.
Sign InorCreate an account