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
From Minatitlán, Veracruz, J. A. Allen (Bull. Amer. Mus. Nat. Hist., 14:168, June 15) listed a specimen under the name Didelphis marsupialis [in the trinomial sense] instead of under the name Didelphis marsupialis tabascensis, which would be expected, on geographic grounds, to apply. The specimen is No. 78123, U.S. Nat. Mus., Biol. Surv. Coll. Our examination of the specimen reveals that it is within the range of individual variation of Didelphis marsupialis tabascensis and we identify the specimen as of that subspecies. From Yaruca, Honduras, Bangs (Bull. Mus. Comp. Zool., 39:157, July, 1903) doubtfully listed as Didelphis yucatanensis a specimen, No. 10611, M.C.Z. Our examination of the specimen indicates that it is within the range of variation expectable in Didelphis marsupialis tabascensis, known from surrounding areas, and we identify the specimen as Didelphis marsupialis tabascensis.