Baculum: In the single specimen examined, less mature than that figured
by Hamilton (1946:384), the digitate processes are cartilaginous, the
basal tuberosities are less well developed, and the shaft is slenderer
throughout. The cartilaginous processes are of the same proportions as
ossified processes in the figure mentioned. The shaft is also convex
ventrally in lateral profile. The view of the side here considered to be
anatomically the ventral side (adjacent to the urethra) is labelled
dorsal view in Hamilton's specimen.
_Specimen examined_: One, from Reserve, Brown Co., Kansas, 72405.
Microtus (Herpetomys) guatemalensis Merriam
Figs. 42 and 43
Baculum: Stalk moderately elongate, greatest length (3.5 mm.) 2-1/3 times
greatest breadth, spatulate, flattened throughout, greatest thickness 1/3
millimeter; three ossified processes; median process having three
cornered base, curved dorsally, wider than high, 1/4 to 1/5 greatest
length of stalk; each lateral process bent at middle, as long as median
process, compressed laterally; base of stalk curved dorsally,
tuberosities marginal, hence narrow, lateral excavations of tuberous
margin not confluent medially; in end-view ventral concavity broad, no
dorsal concavity, medial constriction but slightly less than greatest
thickness (not depth); shaft wider than high throughout, at mid-point
more than 3 times as wide as high; tip of shaft slightly inflated both
laterally and dorsoventrally; lateral profile gradually sloping
anteriorly from widest point of stalk.
Specimen number 65921 (Fig. 43) differs from number 65895 (Fig. 42)
described above. Terminus of shaft of number 65921 has lateral lobes from
which arise lateral cartilaginous processes; median terminal ossification
irregular in shape, smaller, imbedded in terminally bilobate cartilage.
In the spatulate flattened stalk these two specimens are much alike. An
immature specimen, number 65908, is smaller (length of stalk 2.6 mm.)
also flattened and spatulate, has the terminal processes cartilaginous,
the lateral processes bent medially, and proportions as in the adult.
The baculum shows no noteworthy resemblance to that of any other species
of North American _Microtus_; on the other hand the differences between
_M. guatemalensis_ and some other species are no greater than the
differences between certain species included in the subgenus _Microtus_.
The baculum neither strengthens nor weakens the case for subgeneric rank
for _M. (Herpetomys) guatemalensis_.
_Specimens examined_: Three from Guatemala; 65895 (2 mi. S San Juan
Ixcoy), 65908, (3-1/2 mi. SW San Juan Ixcoy), 65921 (10 mi. E, 4 mi. S
Totonicapán).
Microtus (Arvicola) richardsoni (DeKay)
Figs. 38 and 39
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