Comments on the Taxonomy and Geographic Distribution of Some North American Marsupials, Insectivores and Carnivores

University of Kansas Publications, Museum of Natural History
Editors: E. Raymond Hall, Chairman, Henry S. Fitch, Robert W. Wilson
Volume 11, No. 25, pp. 319-341 Published December 5, 1952
University of Kansas Lawrence, Kansas
PRINTED IN THE STATE PRINTING PLANT TOPEKA, KANSAS 1959
Comments on the Taxonomy and Geographic Distribution of Some North American Marsupials, Insectivores and Carnivores BY E. RAYMOND HALL and KEITH R. KELSON
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.
Didelphis marsupialis californica Bennett
From Cuernavaca, Morelos, Hooper (Jour. Mamm., 28:43, February 1, 1947) lists a specimen, as he says, on purely geographic grounds, as of the subspecies Didelphis mesamericana tabascensis . We have examined this specimen, an unsexed skull-only, which falls within the range of individual variation of Didelphis marsupialis californica and refer the specimen to that subspecies.
Didelphis marsupialis etensis J. A. Allen
From El Muñeco, Costa Rica, Harris (Occas. Papers, Mus. Zool. Univ. Michigan, no. 476:7, October 8, 1943) lists as Didelphis richmondi a specimen (♂, No. 67550 U.M.). Our examination of the specimen shows it to be within the range of individual variation of populations that have been referred to D. m. etensis from adjoining areas. We identify the specimen as Didelphis marsupialis etensis .
Didelphis marsupialis tabascensis J. A. Allen