The primary ossification is in the stalk. The secondary ossification is
in the median process except in _Lagurus_ (Dearden, 1958:551) and some
individuals of _Neofiber_ (see account on page 258). Tertiary centers of
ossification are in the lateral processes. The primary ossification is
present at an early age and subsequently increases in size and solidity.
The secondary and tertiary ossifications are progressively more common in
older voles. The increase in degree of ossification of all parts
continues after sexual maturity is reached. Individual variation and
variation with age in the baculum of _Microtus pennsylvanicus_ have been
illustrated by Hamilton (1946:380). Figures 14, 15, and 17 illustrate
variation with size, which is correlated with age, and also illustrate
individual variation. The three bacula are from adult voles having testes
that measured 15, 16 and 16 mm. in length, respectively. Each vole was
trapped in late June. The total lengths in millimeters of the three voles
are 172, 167, and 181; weights are 55, 52.4, and 65.5 grams. I judge that
the greater size of the stalk and the better developed base shown in
Figure 17 than in Figure 15 are illustrative of age variation; the
difference in the size of the lateral digitate processes is, in this
case, attributable to individual variation. Differences in the distal end
of the baculum in Figures 42 and 43, show individual variation also.
Figures 35 and 36 represent two different subspecies; different
individuals of _M. mexicanus mogollonensis_, however, exhibit individual
variation of the same degree.
Hall and Cockrum (1953) list 44 species of microtines in North America.
At least twelve of these are insular or local forms perhaps derived from
some other species; for example _Microtus coronarius_, an insular form
derived from _Microtus longicaudus_; _Microtus provectus_, considered by
Chamberlain (1954:587) and by Wheeler (1956:176) as a subspecies of
_Microtus pennsylvanicus_; and _Microtus ludovicianus_, a close relative
of _Microtus ochrogaster_.
All North American genera have been studied. Of the genus _Microtus_ in
North America, all subgenera but _Orthriomys_ and all species but the
following nine, have been studied: _M. (Orthriomys) umbrosus_, the
insular _M. (Stenocranius) abbreviatus_, _M. (Microtus) breweri_, _M.
(Microtus) nesophilus_, _M._
[Illustration: FIGURES 2-13. Bacula of microtines. Unless indicated
otherwise views are (_a_) of the dorsum, (_b_) the right side, and (_c_)
the proximal end with the dorsal surface upward. Exact localities are
given in accounts of species concerned.
2. _Lemmus trimucronatus_, 50678, Point Barrow, Alaska.
3. _Dicrostonyx groenlandicus_, 50539, Porcupine Lake, Brooks Range,
Alaska.
4. _Dicrostonyx groenlandicus_, 52524, Point Barrow, Alaska.
5. _Synaptomys cooperi saturatus_, WBQ 3-C-454, 3 mi. S Demotte, Indiana.
6. _Synaptomys cooperi paludis_, 13716, Meade County State Park, Kansas.
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