North American Jumping Mice (Genus Zapus)Krutzsch, Philip H. (Philip Henry)
Science
North American Jumping Mice (Genus Zapus)
Krutzsch, Philip H. (Philip Henry)
Zapus
SKULL.--Some of the structures useful for separating taxonomic entities
may have little or no biological significance to the animals in nature.
Characters mentioned by me are chosen simply for their significance
taxonomically. The zygomata vary in degree of lateral bowing, being
widely bowed in _Z. princeps_ and _Z. trinotatus_, and less so in _Z.
hudsonius_. Differences in zygomatic breadth owing to the degree of
bowing are an aid in differentiating subspecies. The length of the skull
from the occipital condyles to the tip of the longest nasal bone is
useful in separating _Z. hudsonius_ from _Z. trinotatus_ and _Z.
princeps_. The narrowness of the base of the zygomatic process of the
squamosal is useful in distinguishing between _Z. hudsonius_ and _Z.
princeps_, but shows no variation of subspecific worth. The shape and
dimensions of the incisive foramina provide specific and subspecific
characters. The position of the anterior margin of the postpalatal
notch, in relation to the last molars, provides subspecific characters
in _Z. princeps_. In the species _Z. princeps_ the median projection on
the inferior ramus of the zygomatic process of the maxillary is absent
in some subspecies, small in others, and large in some. Shape and
inflation of the auditory bullae, shape of the pterygoid fossae, and
shape of the nasals are useful in determining specific and subspecific
relationships.
TEETH.--The alveolar length of the upper maxillary tooth-rows aids in
distinguishing _Z. hudsonius_ from _Z. princeps_ and _Z. trinotatus_.
Nearly parallel versus anteriorly divergent upper tooth-rows is a
subspecific difference in _Z. princeps_. Variations in the dimensions of
P4 and M1 aid in estimating the relationships of species. The occlusal
pattern shows little variation and was of no use in separating species.
NONGEOGRAPHIC VARIATION
A knowledge of variation resulting from age, individual, or secondary
sexual differences, as opposed to geographic variation between two or
more populations of a single species is important in determining the
reliability of taxonomic characters.
The largest population-sample of _Zapus_ available to me for the study
of nongeographic variation was 63 individuals from various localities in
Keweenaw and Menominee counties, Michigan. Thirty-nine were females and
24 were males. It is on these specimens that this discussion is based.
Age Variation
TEETH.--The teeth provide a valuable standard for age determination in
that they wear at a measurable rate. The molars erupt in sequence from
front to back, and wear shows first on M1 and last on M3. The peglike
permanent P4, of which I have not seen the deciduous precursor, receives
wear at the same time that the molars are being worn. Wear proceeds at
approximately the same rate in the teeth of both the upper jaws and
lower jaws.
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.
Join the Discussion
Join the discussion
Sign in to leave a comment or review.
Sign InorCreate an account