Specimens examined averaged slightly smaller and were more variable than
those described by Hamilton (1946:382). The greater variation may be in
part geographic, as five subspecies are represented. Lateral processes
are the last to ossify. One specimen (75082) with well-ossified median
process lacks any lateral ossification. Four bacula of _M.
pennsylvanicus_ (locality not specified) studied by Dearden (1958:547)
agree in general with the description above.
One specimen shows a break, perhaps resulting from injury, in the shaft
(Fig. 14). One specimen has a posteromedian spine on the median digital
ossification (Fig. 16). Comparison with _M. agrestis_ is included with
the description of _M. agrestis_.
_Specimens examined_: Thirteen, of six subspecies; _Microtus
pennsylvanicus alcorni_, 20 mi. NE Anchorage, Alaska, 43043; _Microtus
pennsylvanicus finitus_, Laird, Yuma Co., Colorado, 68544; _Microtus
pennsylvanicus modestus_, 5 mi. N, 26 mi. W Saguache, 9500 ft., Saguache
Co., Colorado, 42306; 3 mi. N, 16 mi. W Saguache, 8500 ft., Saguache Co.,
Colorado, 42416, 42417, 42418; 1 mi. S, 2 mi. E Eagle Nest, 8100 ft.,
Colfax Co., New Mexico, 42430, 42439; _Microtus pennsylvanicus
pennsylvanicus_, 2 mi. S, 3 mi. E Ft. Thompson, 1370 ft., Buffalo Co.,
South Dakota, 42379; Vermillion, Clay Co., South Dakota, 37070; _Microtus
pennsylvanicus pullatus_, 12 mi. S, 5 mi. E Butte, Silver Bow Co.,
Montana, 57501, 57503; _Microtus pennsylvanicus uligocola_, Muir Springs,
2 mi. N, 2-1/2 mi. W Ft. Morgan, Morgan Co., Colorado, 75082.
Microtus agrestis (Linnaeus)
Fig. 18
Baculum: Greatest length of stalk (2.9 mm.) twice greatest breadth, 4-1/2
times greatest depth; stalk well developed, shaft not flattened
dorsoventrally; large median ossified process, minute lateral
ossifications in single specimen examined; length of stalk 2-1/2 times
length of median ossification which is higher than wide, slightly
decurved, sagittate in dorsal view, with three-cornered base; basal
tuberosities of stalk moderately well developed, medially joined;
posterior profile in dorsal view evenly rounded; ventral concavity
broader than, but of comparable depth to, dorsal concavity in end-view,
base of stalk wider ventrally, constriction 3/4 greatest depth; at
mid-point of stalk shaft is but slightly wider than high; pronounced
terminal inflation of shaft; lateral profile in dorsal view sloping
abruptly from widest point of stalk anteriorly onto stalk which then
tapers more gradually to terminal inflation.
From the baculum of its New World counterpart, namely _Microtus
pennsylvanicus_, my specimen of _Microtus agrestis_ and the specimen
figured by Didier (1954:239) differ in their minute lateral processes,
relatively larger median processes, and more elongate, less
dorsoventrally flattened shafts.
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