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 NorthAmerican Marsupials, Insectivores
and Carnivores
BY
E. RAYMOND HALL and KEITH R. KELSON
In preparing maps showing the geographic distribution of North Americanmammals we have found in the literature conflicting statements andquestionable identifications, which have led us to examine thespecimens concerned with results as set forth below. Our studies havebeen aided by a contract (NR 161-791) between the Office of NavalResearch, Department of the Navy, and the University of Kansas.Grateful acknowledgment is made to the persons in charge of the severalcollections of mammals consulted for permission to examine and studythe 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 thesubspecies Didelphis mesamericana tabascensis. We have examinedthis specimen, an unsexed skull-only, which falls within the range ofindividual variation of Didelphis marsupialis californica andrefer 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 Didelphisrichmondi a specimen (♂, No. 67550 U.M.). Our examinationof the specimen shows it to be within the range of individual variationof populations that have been referred to D. m. etensis fromadjoining areas. We identify the specimen as Didelphis marsupialisetensis.
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 Didelphismarsupialis [in the trinomial sense] instead of under the nameDidelphis marsupialis tabascensis, which would be expected, ongeographic grounds, to apply. The specimen is No. 78123, U.S. Nat.Mus., Biol. Surv. Coll. Our examination of the specimen reveals that itis within the range of individual variation of Didelphis marsupialistabascensis 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 itis within the range of variation expectable in Didelphis marsupialistabascensis, known from surrounding areas, and we identify thespecimen as Didelphis marsupialis tabascensis.
Didelphis marsupialis virginiana Kerr
J. A