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Scapanus occultus

From WhiskerWiki

Southern Broad-footed Mole
(Scapanus occultus)
Range
Taxonomic classification
Order:Eulipotyphla
Suborder:Erinaceota
Family:Talpidae
Subfamily:Scalopinae
Tribe:Scalopini
Genus:Scapanus
Binomial details
Scapanus occultus J. Grinnell & Swarth, 1912

Morphometric analysis of the craniodental measurements by Yates and Salazar-Bravo (2005) found statistical differences in morphological characters between Scapanus latimanus, Scapanus latimanus occultus (a subspecies of Scapanus latimanus), and Scapanus anthonyi, supporting the recognition of Scapanus latimanus, Scapanus occultus, and Scapanus anthonyi as separate species. Phylogenetic analysis by Álvarez-Castañeda & Cortes-Calva (2021) further supported the recognition of Scapanus occultus and Scapanus anthonyi as species separate from Scapanus latimus.

Description

Scapanus occultus observed in San Bernardino National Forest, California, by Justin M. Wood
Scapanus occultus observed in San Bernardino National Forest, California, by Justin M. Wood

External measurements

Length measurements are in millimeters (mm) and weight measurements are in grams (g), unless stated otherwise. If available, the sample size (n=) is provided. If a range is not provided and n= is not given, then the listed measurement represents an average.

Part of range Reference Total length Tail length Hindfoot length Ear length Mass
California (Fresno County) Verts & Carraway (2001) females: 140–160 (n=4); males: 156–170 (n=4) females: 26–32 (n=4); males: 32–38 (n=4) females: 19–21 (n=4); males: 19–20 (n=4)
California (Los Angeles County) Palmer (1937); in Verts & Carraway (2001) females: 140–161 (n=6); males: 132–157 (n=7) females: 29–34 (n=6); males: 27–34 (n=7) females: 18–20 (n=6); males: 18–21 (n=7)
California (Mariposa County) Verts & Carraway (2001) females: 152–171 (n=7); males: 150–174 (n=11) females: 27–35 (n=7); males: 25–36 (n=11) females: 19–22 (n=7); males: 20–24 (n=11)


Similar species

Key to the species of Scapanus

Once considered a subspecies of Scapanus latimanus, phylogenetic analysis by Álvarez-Castañeda & Cortes-Calva (2021) supported the recognition of Scapanus latimanus occultus as a species separate from Scapanus latimus. From Álvarez-Castañeda & Cortes-Calva (2021): "No specimens of S. l. occultus and S. l. latimanus have been collected in sympatry and in the two areas where S. l. occultus and S. l. latimanus occur, namely the southern part of Sierra Nevada and northern portion of Santa Barbara, it appears that S. l. occultus occurs in lower altitudes, and S. l. latimanus at higher altitudes... Scapanus occultus can be differentiated from S. latimanus in its smaller size and longer and wider skull (Yates and Salazar-Bravo 2005). Some specimens have fewer than seven unicuspid teeth, but only on a single side of the mandible or maxilla."

  • Scapanus occultus observed by Justin M. Wood in San Bernardino National Forest, California.
  • Northern Broad-footed Mole (Scapanus latimanus) observed by jabbott in Willits, California.

Taxonomy notes

From Álvarez-Castañeda & Cortes-Calva (2021): "Based on our phylogenetic analysis and its morphological characteristics (Allen 1893; Jackson 1915; Huey 1936; Yates and Salazar-Bravo 2005), we support that S. anthonyi is a different species from S. latimanus. Additionally, we propose that specimens known as S. latimanus occultus (including S. l. grinnelli) from southern California and northern Baja California peninsula should be considered as a distinct species (S. occultus) different from S. latimanus from central and north California and from S. anthonyi inhabiting San Pedro Mártir. Therefore, we consider that the genus Scapanus contains five species that should be recognized as S. anthonyi, S. latimanus, S. occultus, S. orarius, and S. townsendi... We did not perform a morphometric analysis of the craniodental measurements because this previously was reported by Yates and Salazar-Bravo (2005). Yates and Salazar-Bravo (2005) reported statistical differentiation in morphological characters between S. l. occultus and S. anthonyi separated by a distance > 50 km. In addition, they found significant differences between S. l. occultus and S. l. latimanus sensus (Yates and Salazar-Bravo 2005), with S. l. occultus being smaller overall. No specimens of S. l. occultus and S. l. latimanus have been collected in sympatry and in the two areas where S. l. occultus and S. l. latimanus occur, namely the southern part of Sierra Nevada and northern portion of Santa Barbara, it appears that S. l. occultus occurs in lower altitudes, and S. l. latimanus at higher altitudes."

References

Allen JA. 1893. On a collection of mammals from San Pedro Martir region of Lower California. Bulletin American Museum Natural History 5:181-202.

Álvarez-Castañeda ST, Cortes-Calva P. 2021. Revision of moles in the genus Scapanus. Therya 12(2): 275-281. https://doi.org/10.12933/therya-21-1174

Huey LM. 1936. Notes on the moles of Lower California, México. Journal of Mammalogy 17:166-167.

Jackson HHT. 1915. A review of the American moles. North American Fauna 38:1-100.

Yates TL, Salazar-Bravo J. 2005. Revision of the Scapanus latimanus, with the revalidation of a species of Mexican mole. Pp. 489-506, in Contribuciones mastozoológicas en Honor a Bernardo Villa (Sánchez-Cordero, V., and R. Medellín, eds.). Instituto de Biología, UNAM, Instituto de Ecología UNAM. Ciudad de México, México.

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