Zapus princeps
Southwestern Jumping Mouse
(Zapus princeps) | |
---|---|
Range | |
![]() | |
Taxonomic classification | |
Order: | Rodentia |
Suborder: | Supramyomorpha |
Infraorder: | Myomorphi |
Superfamily: | Dipodoidea |
Family: | Zapodidae |
Genus: | Zapus |
Binomial details | |
Zapus princeps J. A. Allen, 1893 |
Recently, molecular studies have found that the taxonomy and species delineations within Zapus are complex (Malaney et al., 2013; Malaney et al., 2017). Malaney et al. (2017) recognized 9 species within Zapus, elevating some of the subspecies in Krutzsch's (1954) revision of jumping mice to species status. Of the 9 subspecies Krutzsch (1954) assigned to Zapus princeps, only Zapus princeps princeps was retained by Malaney et al. (2017). In the range map to the right, the dark area represents Malaney et al.'s (2017) distribution based on genetic analyses and niche-based distribution modeling and the lightly shaded area represents the former range based on earlier taxonomy-based approaches (using morphology). The work of Malaney et al. (2017) has importantly exposed cryptic diversity and putative new species within Zapus. Further studies will be needed to fully understand new species boundaries and morphological variation.
Description
A formal species description for this taxon as delineated by Malaney et al. (2017) does not currently exist. The following description from Krutzsch (1954) is provided for the subspecies that Malaney et al. (2017) retained under this taxon. The description from Armstrong (2010) remains valid for the species.
From Krutzsch (1954), describing Zapus princeps princeps from Sierra Madre, Medicine Bow, Laramie, and Big Horn mountains of Wyoming southward through Colorado into the Taos and San Juan mountains in northern New Mexico, which is the range of Zapus princeps determined by Malaney et al. (2017): "Size, medium; back dark usually with broad mid-dorsal band of black mixed with Warm Buff or Ochraceous-Buff; sides light (Warm Buff) but varying to Ochraceous-Buff, always with admixture of black hair; lateral line distinct and broad, varying from Light Ochraceous-Buff to Ochraceous-Buff; ventral surface white to base of hairs, frequently suffused with Ochraceous-Buff; tail indistinctly bicolored, tan to grayish-white below and pale brown above; hind feet grayish-white above; ears edged with white or yellowish-white; skull medium; large medial projection on inferior ramus of zygomatic process of maxillary; palate moderately long; postpalatal notch usually broadly rounded and posterior to posterior part of last molar; proximal part of inferior ramus of zygomatic process of maxillary broad; pterygoid fossae broad; auditory bullae moderately inflated.
From Armstrong et al. (2010), describing Z. princeps from Colorado: "strongly resembles the meadow jumping mouse [Zapus hudsonius]. The dorsal surface is a yellowish gray and adults have a distinct blackish mid-dorsal patch. The venter is white and there is a pronounced yellowish to buffy lateral line. The species is somewhat larger in size than the meadow jumping mouse."
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 |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Colorado | Armstrong et al. (2010) | 204–260 | 112–148 | 27–33 | 13–17 | 19–37 |
New Mexico | Frey (2007) | 214–252 (n=19) | 127–151 (n=19) | 29.5–33 (n=19) | 13–18 (n=19) | 21.2–37.0 9n=19) |
Skull
According to Jones (1981): "paracone in the M1 and M2 is attached to the body of the tooth." See the Taxonomic notes section under Zapus for how the M1 and M2 characters noted by Jones (1981) were evaluated and applied to Malaney et al.'s (2017) species delimitations.
Similar species
Where Zapus princeps is sympatric with the Northern Meadow Jumping Mouse (Zapus hudsonius) and the Southern Meadow Jumping Mouse (Zapus luteus), the species may be differentiated based on size, but this may be difficult in the field. Characters that may be useful are the color of the ear fringe and shape of M1 and M2 (upper molars).
-
Zapus princeps -
Northern Meadow Jumping Mouse (Zapus hudsonius) -
Area of sympatry for Z. princeps and Z. hudsonius -
Area of sympatry for Z. princeps and Z. luteus
Frey (2008) noted that the ears of Zapus princeps have a prominent white fringe and found it a useful character for distinguishing Z. princeps and Z. hudsonius luteus, which is now considered a distinct species, Z. luteus. After reviewing Krutsch (1954) and Malaney et al. (2017), it appears that the color of the ear fringe is useful for distinguishing Z. princeps from Z. hudsonius and Z. luteus (in the southwest). The ears of Z. hudsonius and Z. luteus (southwestern portion of range) are dark and narrowly edged with color of sides or edged with ochraceous, while the ears of Z. princeps are dark and edged with white or yellowish-white. See the Taxonomic notes section under Zapus for how the ear fringe character noted by Krutsch (1954) was evaluated and applied to Malaney et al.'s (2017) species delimitations.
Borrowed from Frey (2008): "Skins of two Z. h. luteus (bottom) from near Mora, Mora County (NMMNH 1228, 1229), and two Z. p. princeps (top) from Coyote Creek, Mora County (NMMNH 4040, 4042). Note the prominent white ear fringe, distinct blackish dorsal strip, and olive-yellow sides in Z. p. princeps, and lack of an ear fringe, overall orange coloration and indistinct dorsal strip in Z. h. luteus. Zapus princeps ears are dark and edged with white or yellowish-white. In much of their range, Zapus hudsonius lack white fringes on the ears.
Jones (1981) noted that the shape and attachment of the paracone to the M1 and M2 (upper molars) was helpful for differentiating species of Zapus. Using Malaney et al. (2017) delimitations, we find that for Z. luteus and Z. hudsonius (except for portions of Alaska, and Yukon Territory) the paracone in the M1 and M2 is isolated, while the paracone in the M1 and M2 is attached to the body of the tooth in Z. princeps. See the Taxonomic notes section under Zapus for how the M1 and M2 characters noted by Jones (1981) were evaluated and applied to Malaney et al.'s (2017) species delimitations.
-
Upper molars M1 and M2 of Zapus princeps. Note that paracone on the M1 and M2 are attached to the body of the tooth. See image of Zapus hudsonius for comparison. -
Upper molars M1 and M2 of Northern Meadow Jumping Mouse (Zapus hudsonius). Arrows point to the isolated paracones on the M1 and M2. See image of Zapus princeps for comparison.
Habitat
From Jones et al. (1981): "In Colorado Zapus princeps is almost exclusively montane and Z . hudsonius is almost exclusively restricted to the piedmont abutting the mountains; hence the zone of overlap is relatively narrow."
Taxonomic notes
Recently, molecular studies have found that the taxonomy and species delineations within Zapus are complex (Malaney et al., 2013; Malaney et al., 2017). Malaney et al. (2017) recognized 9 species within Zapus, elevating some of the subspecies in Krutzsch's (1954) revision of jumping mice to species status. Of the 9 subspecies Krutzsch (1954) assigned to Z. princeps, only Z. princeps princeps was retained in Z. princeps by Malaney et al. (2017). The work of Malaney et al. (2017) has importantly exposed cryptic diversity and putative new species within Zapus. Further studies will be needed to fully understand new species boundaries and morphological variation.
References
Allen JA. 1893-04-28. List of mammals collected by Mr. Charles P. Rowley in the San Juan region of Colorado, New Mexico and Utah, with descriptions of new species. Bulletin of the American Museum of Natural History 5(6):69-84.
Armstrong DM, Fitzgerald JP, Meaney CA. 2010. Mammals of Colorado, Second Edition. Denver (CO, USA): University Press of Colorado.
Davis WB. 1939. The recent mammals of Idaho. Caldwell (ID, USA): The Caxton Printers, Ltd.
Frey JK. 2008. Morphology and genetics of the New Mexico meadow jumping mouse (Zapus hudsonius luteus). Final Report submitted to New Mexico Department of Game and Fish, Santa Fe, New Mexico.
Hall ER. 1931. Critical comments on mammals from Utah, with descriptions of new forms from Utah, Nevada and Washington.
Hart EB, Belk MC, Jordan E, Gonzalez MW. 2004. Zapus princeps. Mammalian Species (749):1-7.
Jameson EW, Peeters HJ. 2004. Mammals of California (No. 66). Berkeley (CA, USA): University of California Press.
Krutzsch PH. 1954. North American jumping mice (genus Zapus). Lawrence, KS, USA: University of Kansas. Link
Jones GS. 1981. The systematics and biology of the genus Zapus (Mammalia, Rodentia, Zapodidae). Ph.D. dissertation, Indiana State University, Terre Haute, 569 pp.
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.
Preble EA. 1899-08-08. Revision of the jumping mice of the genus Zapus. North American Fauna 15:1-44.
Seabloom R, Hoganson JW, Jensen WF. 2020. The mammals of North Dakota. Fargo (ND, USA): North Dakota State University Press.