Napaeozapus
Genus Napaeozapus | |
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Range | |
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Taxonomic classification | |
Order: | Rodentia |
Suborder: | Supramyomorpha |
Infraorder: | Myomorphi |
Superfamily: | Dipodoidea |
Family: | Zapodidae |
Napaeozapus is a genus of jumping mouse in North America. They are beautiful mice and easily recognized by their elongated hind limbs and remarkably long tails. A dorsal stripe of darker hairs is present in all species but varies in darkness. Side coloration ranges from dull yellow to yellowish orange depending on species and location. The tail typically has a white tip, which will separate this species from the similar-looking Zapus. Their skulls can be recognized by the presence of three cheekteeth, whereas Zapus have four. Two species are recognized in Napaeozapus: Western Woodland Jumping Mouse (Napaeozapus abietorum) and Eastern Woodland Jumping Mouse (Napaeozapus insignis).
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Western Woodland Jumping Mouse (Napaeozapus abietorum) -
Eastern Woodland Jumping Mouse (Napaeozapus insignis) -
Cheekteeth (molariform teeth) of Napaeozapus
Available taxon pages
The following species are available on WhiskerWiki for this genus:
Distribution
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Range of the Western Woodland Jumping Mouse (Napaeozapus abietorum) based on molecular analyses and niche-based distribution modeling by Malaney et al. (2017). -
Range of the Eastern Woodland Jumping Mouse (Napaeozapus insignis) based on molecular analyses and niche-based distribution modeling by Malaney et al. (2017).
Taxonomy notes
Wrigley's (1972) systematic study of Napaeozapus investigated age, individual and secondary sexual variation within populations, and analyzed clinal and nonclinal geographic variation exhibited by the species. Wrigley (1972) recognized one species and five subspecies within the genus. Recently, molecular studies have found that the taxonomy and species delineations within jumping mice are complex (Malaney et al., 2013; Malaney et al., 2017). Using genetic approaches, Malaney et al. (2017) recognized two species within Napaeozapus. The work of Malaney et al. (2017) has importantly exposed cryptic diversity and a putative new species within Napaeozapus. Further studies will be needed to fully understand new species boundaries and morphological variation.
The map below defines the subspecies boundaries recognized by Wrigley (1972) prior to Malaney et al.'s (2017) work.
References
Malaney JL, Conroy CJ, Moffitt LA, Spoonhunter HD, Patton JL, Cook JA. 2013. Phylogeography of the western jumping mouse (Zapus princeps) detects deep and persistent allopatry with expansion. Journal of Mammalogy 94(5): 1016-1029.
Malaney JL, Demboski JR, Cook JA. 2017. Integrative species delimitation of the widespread North American jumping mice (Zapodinae). Molecular Phylogenetics and Evolution 114: 137-152.
Wrigley RE. 1972. Systematics and biology of the woodland jumping mouse, Napaeozapus insignis. Illinois biological monographs; v. 47.