Comments on the Taxonomy and Geographic Distribu

Name: Comments on the Taxonomy and Geographic Distribution of Some North American Marsupials, Insectivores and Carnivores
Author: Eugene Raymond Hall

This is a taxonomic revision paper reconciling museum specimen identifications with published records for several North American mammal groups. Eugene Raymond Hall's work resulted from mapping efforts on geographic distribution of North American mammals, funded through an Office of Naval Research contract with the University of Kansas, and involved re-examining specimens whose published identifications conflicted or seemed questionable on geographic grounds. For Didelphis marsupialis, the authors re-identify several specimens previously misassigned to subspecies (californica, etensis, tabascensis, virginiana, pigra), including specimens from Cuernavaca, El Muneco, Minatitlan, Yaruca, Sylacuga, Sycamore Creek, Deming Station, Matagordo, and Velasco. Notably, specimens from Deming Station, Texas show intergradation in foot coloration between D. m. texensis and D. v. pigra, supporting arrangement of the North American opossums as subspecies of a single species, D. marsupialis, with a full listing of subspecies (virginiana, pigra, texensis, californica, tabascensis, yucatanensis, cozumelae, richmondi, etensis, battyi, particeps, insularis) and their type localities, while noting disagreement with Hershkovitz's synonymizing of several names under californica. For Caluromys derbianus, the status of canus (Matschie) is discussed as possibly an intergrade, individual variant, or valid subspecies, tentatively placed as C. d. canus; a Honduras specimen (No. 6, Chicago museum) is tentatively assigned to C. d. fervidus; and a Puntarenas, Costa Rica specimen is reassigned to C. d. pallidus based on color. For moles, Scalopus aquaticus aereus is shown to be synonymous with S. a. pulcher, with Bangs' name taking priority; specimens from Springhill Plantation, Georgia intermediate between australis and howelli are referred to S. a. australis. For shrews, a specimen from Anchorage, Alaska is referred to Sorex cinereus cinereus rather than hollisteri; specimens from near Hardy, California are corrected to Sorex trowbridgii humboldtensis; Blarina brevicauda specimens from Tennessee/North Carolina mountains are assigned to B. b. churchi (with authors disputing Bole and Moulthrop's claim that this subspecies is notably darker); Oklahoma specimens are assigned to B. b. carolinensis rather than hulophaga; and Texas specimens are assigned to B. b. minima. The longest section addresses Spilogale (spotted skunks), particularly a detailed historical critique of A. H. Howell's 1906 revision, faulting Howell's reliance on individual specimens and disregard of intergradation and age variation under C. Hart Merriam's guidance. The authors conclude four previously separate species-level names (gracilis, leucoparia, arizonae, ambigua) all represent one subspecies, S. gracilis gracilis, with gracilis having priority; they also discuss S. g. martirensis, microdon, lucasana, and microrhina, and speculate that Spilogale putorius may eventually unite all spotted skunk subspecies pending proof of intergradation in central Texas. For Conepatus (hog-nosed skunks), filipensis, pediculus, and sonoriensis are treated as subspecies of C. mesoleucus; a Ft. Verde, Arizona specimen is assigned to C. m. venaticus; and Laredo, Texas specimens are shown to bridge C. leuconotus texensis and C. mesoleucus mearnsi, with measurement tables comparing specimens from Mason, Blocker Ranch, Langtry, Brownsville, Laredo, and Kingsville, Texas. Finally, for canids, a Costa Rica gray fox specimen is assigned to Urocyon cinereoargenteus costaricensis; the wolf name Canis lupus griseoalbus Baird is traced through a complex synonymy involving Sabine's griseus/albus, Goldman's occidentalis, and Anderson's knightii, with a Norway House, Manitoba specimen assigned to griseoalbus; and Missouri red wolf specimens from Reeds Spring are determined to be intergrades between Canis niger rufus and C. n. gregoryi, ultimately referred to C. n. rufus based on size and cranial features.

By Eugene Raymond Hall · First published 1942 · Genre: Scientific Non-Fiction, Zoology, Natural History · 10,875 words

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TITULO LARGO

In preparing maps showing the geographic distribution of North American mammals we have found in the literature conflicting statements and questionable identifications, which have led us to examine the specimens concerned with results as set forth below. Our studies have been aided by a contract (NR 161-791) between the Office of Naval Research, Department of the Navy, and the University of Kansas. Grateful acknowledgment is made to the persons in charge of the several collections of mammals consulted for permission to examine and study the specimens therein.

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Comments on the Taxonomy and Geographic Distribution of Some North American Marsupials, Insectivores and Carnivores is listed on Textopian as an article by Eugene Raymond Hall, dated 1942 CE.

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Work type: Article
Author: Eugene Raymond Hall
Date: 1942 CE
Language: English
Genres: Scientific Non-Fiction, Zoology, Natural History, Research Report, Field Guide
Length: 10,875 words
Structure: 1 section, 150 paragraphs
Reading fit: Fairly Difficult (10th-12th Grade)

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Scientific Non-Fiction — The book presents a detailed examination of the taxonomy and geographic distribution of specific North American mammals, focusing on marsupials, insectivores, and carnivores.
Zoology — The content is heavily based on zoological studies, including species identification and classification.
Natural History — The work discusses the natural habitats and geographic ranges of various species, contributing to the field of natural history.
Research Report — The book is structured as a research report, detailing findings from specific studies and examinations of specimens.