Skull comparisons
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Soricidae
The skull is recognized by an elongated rostrum; lack of zygomata (or zygomatic arches); first incisor enlarged; tympanic bone is a simple ring; and lack of auditory bullae (Hoffmeister, 1986). In the United States, all soricids are in the subfamily Soricinae, the red-toothed shrews. As the common name for the subfamily implies, all species of Blarina, Cryptotis, Notiosorex and Sorex have red-tipped teeth.
Blarina
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Dorsal view of the skull of the Northern Short-tailed Shrew (Blarina brevicauda), representing members of the genus Blarina. -
Lateral view of the skull of the Northern Short-tailed Shrew (Blarina brevicauda), representing members of the genus Blarina. Members of Blarina have a robust skull and coronoid process.
Cryptotis
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Dorsal view of the skull of the North American Least Shrew (Cryptotis parvus), representing members of the genus Cryptotis. -
Lateral view of the skull of the North American Least Shrew (Cryptotis parvus).
Notiosorex
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Dorsal view of the skull of the Desert Gray Shrew (Notiosorex crawfordi), representing members of the genus Notiosorex. -
Lateral view of the skull of the Desert Gray Shrew (Notiosorex crawfordi), representing members of the genus Notiosorex.
Sorex
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Lateral view of the skull of the Masked Shrew (Sorex cinereus), representing members of the genus Sorex.
Talpidae
Condylura
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Dorsal view of skull of Star-nosed Mole (Condylura cristata). Condylura cristata is also the only living member of the tribe Condylurini. -
Lateral view of skull of Star-nosed Mole (Condylura cristata).
Parascalops
Scalopus
Scapanus
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Dorsal view of the skull of a Townsend's Mole (Scapanus townsendii), representing members of the genus Scapanus. -
Lateral view of the skull of a Townsend's Mole (Scapanus townsendii).
Neurotrichus
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Dorsal view of the skull of the American Shrew Mole (Neurotrichus gibbsii), the only living member of the genus Neurotrichus. -
Lateral view of the skull of the American Shrew Mole (Neurotrichus gibbsii).
Cricetidae
Alexandromys
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Skull of the Root Vole (Alexandromys oeconomus) showing large, squared braincase, short rostrum, and wide, robust zygomatic arches.
Lemmiscus
Microtus
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Skull of the Long-tailed Vole (Microtus longicaudus) shown, representing members of the genus Microtus.
Clethrionomys
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Skull of the Southern Red-backed Vole (Clethrionomys gapperi) shown, representing the genus Clethrionomys.
Dicrostonyx
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Skull of a juvenile Nearctic Collared Lemming (Dicrostonyx groenlandicus) shown, representing the genus Dicrostonyx.
Lemmus
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Skull of the Beringian Brown Lemming (Lemmus nigripes) shown, representing the genus Lemmus. -
Upper incisors of the Beringian Brown Lemming (Lemmus nigripes) shown, representing the genus Lemmus.
Mictomys
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Upper and lower molar pattern in the Northern Bog Lemming (Mictomys borealis).
Synaptomys
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Dorsal view of the skull of the Southern Bog Lemming (Synaptomys cooperi). -
Skull of the Southern Bog Lemming (Synaptomys cooperi), showing grooved upper incisors
Arborimus
Phenacomys
Baiomys
Neotoma
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Skull of the White-throated Woodrat (Neotoma albigula), representing members of the genus Neotoma.
Onychomys
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Skull of the Northern Grasshopper Mouse (Onychomys leucogaster), representing members of the genus Onychomys. -
Upper incisors of the Northern Grasshopper Mouse (Onychomys leucogaster). Members of the genus Onychomys have smooth upper incisors.
Peromyscus
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Skull of the Brush Deermouse (Peromyscus boylii) shown, representing members of the genus Peromyscus. -
Skull of the Brush Deermouse (Peromyscus boylii) showing incisors that lacks grooves. All Peromyscus lack grooved upper incisors.
Podomys
Reithrodontomys
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Skull of the Fulvous Harvest Mouse (Reithrodontomys fulvescens) shown, representing members of the genus Reithrodontomys. -
Skull of the Fulvous Harvest Mouse (Reithrodontomys fulvescens) showing grooved upper incisors, which is characteristic of the genus.
Ochrotomys
Oryzomys
Sigmodon
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Skull of the Hispid Cotton Rat (Sigmodon hispidus), representing members of the genus Sigmodon.
Muridae
Mus musculus
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Skull of Mus musculus.
Heteromyidae
General skull description for heteromyids from Hoffmeister (1986): "interparietal reduced, auditory bullae greatly inflated, incisors thin and compressed, no post-orbital process."
Chaetodipus
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Skull of the Desert Pocket Mouse (Chaetodipus penicillatus) shown, representing members of the genus Chaetodipus.
Dipodomys
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Skull of the Ord's Kangaroo Rat (Dipodomys ordii) shown, representing members of the genus Dipodomys.
Perognathus
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Skull of the Silky Pocket Mouse (Perognathus flavus) shown, representing members of the genus Perognathus. -
Skull of Perognathus flavus showing grooved upper incisors, which is characteristic of the genus.
Microdipodops
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Skull of the Pallid Kangaroo Mouse (Microdipodops pallidus). Members of the genus Microdipodops have auditory bullae that are inflated so much so as to completely obscure the interparietal.
Zapodidae
Members of Zapodidae have grooved upper incisors. Napaeozapus have 3 cheekteeth (molariform teeth); Zapus have four molariform teeth.
Napaeozapus
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Lateral view of the skull of the Western Woodland Jumping Mouse (Napaeozapus abietorum), representing members of the genus Napaeozapus.
Zapus
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Dorsal view of the skull of the Southwestern Jumping Mouse (Zapus princeps), representing members of the genus Zapus. -
Lateral view of the skull of the Southwestern Jumping Mouse (Zapus princeps), representing members of the genus Zapus. -
Ventral view of the skull of the Southwestern Jumping Mouse (Zapus princeps), representing members of the genus Zapus. -
Grooved upper incisors of Southwestern Jumping Mouse (Zapus princeps), representing members of the genus Zapus.