CO
LI B R.AFLY
OF THE
UNIVERSITY
OF ILLINOIS
590.5
FI
v. 30
BIOLOGY
L161—O-1096
J0.5
rl
TUf
THE MAMMALS OF CHILE
BY
WILFRED H. OSGOOD
CURATOR EMERITUS, DEPARTMENT OF ZOOLOGY
ZOOLOGICAL SERIES
FIELD MUSEUM OF NATURAL HISTORY
VOLUME 30
DECEMBER 28, 1943
PUBLICATION 542
PUBLICATIONS
OF
FIELD MUSEUM OF NATURAL
HISTORY
ZOOLOGICAL SERIES
VOLUME 30
CHICAGO, U.S.A.
1943
PRINTED IN THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
BY FIELD MUSEUM PRESS
f~2T B»QU)W
. 30
THE MAMMALS OF CHILE
THE MAMMALS OF CHILE
BY
WILFRED H. OSGOOD
CURATOR EMERITUS, DEPARTMENT OF ZOOLOGY
THE LIBRARY OF THE
JAN 1 4 1944
UNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS
ZOOLOGICAL SERIES
FIELD MUSEUM OF NATURAL HISTORY
VOLUME 30
DECEMBER 28, 1943
PUBLICATION 542
;
10 t!
CONTENTS
PAGE
LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS 5
INTRODUCTION 9
ACKNOWLEDGMENTS 10
HISTORY 11
PHYSIOGRAPHY AND CLIMATE 20
ZONES AND FAUNAL AREAS 25
DERIVATION OF CHILEAN MAMMALS 32
ENDEMISM 36
INSULAR FAUNAS 37
COLLECTIONS IN CHILEAN NATIONAL MUSEUM 39
METHODS 40
LIST OF THE MAMMALS OF CHILE 42
KEY TO ORDERS OF CHILEAN MAMMALS 44
ANNOTATED AND DESCRIPTIVE LIST OF SPECIES 44
INTRODUCED SPECIES 234
SPECIES ERRONEOUSLY ATTRIBUTED TO CHILE 237
UNIDENTIFIABLE NAMES ' 239
CHILEAN MAMMALS LISTED IN THE ORDER OF THEIR DISCOVERY 242
TYPE LOCALITIES IN CHILE 245
BIBLIOGRAPHY 252
INDEX . . 263
LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS
MAPS
PAGE
1. Map of Chile showing principal localities mentioned in text ..... 8
2. Principal faunal districts of Chile 27
3. Distribution of the genus Dromiciops 51
4. Distribution of Chilean forms of the genus Ctenomys 121
5. Distribution of Oryzomys longicaudatus and subspecies 147
6. Distribution of Notiomys valdivianus and subspecies 153
7. Distribution of the macronyx group of the genus Notiomys 161
8. Distribution of Akodon olivaceus and A. o. brachyotis 169
9. Distribution of Akodon (Abrothrix) longipilis and subspecies with A.
sanborni and A. lanosus 187
10. Distribution of Phyllotis darwini and Chilean subspecies 203
FIGURES OF SKULLS
1. Marmosa elegans elegans 45
2. Dromiciops australis australis 49
3. Rhyncholestes raphanurus 52
4. Dusicyon griseus domeykoamis 69
5. Dusicyon fulvipes 74
6. Felis guigna guigna 85
7. Lutra provocax 89
8. Lutra felina 90
9. Grison cuja 92
10. Conepatus humboldti 96
11. Abrocoma bennetti bennetti 106
12. Octodon degus 109
13. Maxillary teeth of Octodon degus, O. lunatus, and O. bridgesi Ill
14. Aconaemys fuscus fuscus 112
15. Spalacopus cyanus cyanus 115
«
5
6 LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS
PAGE
16. Ctenomys maulinus brunneus 126
17. Myocastor coypus melanops 133
18. Chinchilla chinchilla velligera 134
19. Lagidium viscacia cuvieri 139
20. Oryzomys longicaudatus longicaudatvs 144
21. Notiomys valdivianus chiloensis 154
22. Notiomys megalonyx megalonyx 158
23. Akodon olivaceus olivaceus 168
24. Akodon (Abrothrix) longipilis longipilis 185
25. Akodon (Abrothrix) sanborni 195
26. Akodon olivaceus olivaceus (upper) and A. (Abrothrix) sanborni (lower) . 196
27. Eligmodontia puerulus 198
28. Phyllotis darmni darurini 201
29. Phyllotis (Auliscomys) boliviensis 210
30. Phyllotis (Auliscomys) micropus 212
31. Euneomys chinchilloides chinchilloides 215
32. Irenomys tarsalis tarsalis 218
33. Reithrodon auritus pachycephalus 222
20
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MAP 1. Map of Chile showing principal localities mentioned in text.
THE MAMMALS OF CHILE
INTRODUCTION
In December, 1922, accompanied by Mr. Colin C. Sanborn and
Mr. Boardman Conover, of Field Museum, I sailed for Chile with
the intention of making a survey of the vertebrate fauna of
that country. Mr. Conover and I, after working mainly in the
southern Province of Llanquihue, came north to Santiago and left
for Argentina in May, 1923, returning to the United States in July
of the same year. Mr. Sanborn continued in Chile until July, 1924,
covering various localities from the Province of Valdivia northward
to Tacna and Arica. The collection of birds obtained by this expedi-
tion formed the basis of a general work on the birds of Chile, by
C. E. Hellmayr, published in 1932.1 Following this, it had been
hoped to issue a similar work on the mammals, but these proved
more difficult to deal with and other responsibilities for a number
of years interfered with the prosecution of their study.
Important material was still lacking from several parts of cen-
tral Chile and from the extreme south in the vicinity of the
Straits of Magellan; therefore a second expedition was made in
1939-40 during which Mr. Sanborn and myself were again associated
in the field. On this trip we had the assistance of Mr. John M.
Schmidt, and after making brief stops in the provinces of Angol,
Maule, and Llanquihue, proceeded directly to Punta Arenas to
work in that vicinity during the months of December, January,
and February.
The mammals obtained by these two expeditions form a collec-
tion vastly larger and more varied than anything previously existing.
Aside from a very limited collection in the British Museum, from the
mostly old and imperfect mounted mammals in the National
Museum of Chile, and from scattered specimens in other institu-
tions, there is, in fact, no other collection of Chilean mammals of
any consequence. This collection is still deficient in many respects,
but it covers the principal faunal areas of Chile and probably
furnishes a fairly accurate and nearly complete picture of the
1 Field Mus. Nat. Hist., Zool. Ser., 19, 472 pp., 1932.
9
10 FIELD MUSEUM OF NATURAL HISTORY— ZOOLOGY, VOL. 30
whole mammal fauna. This may seem to be a rash statement, not
justified by experience in other fields, but the conditions in Chile
are unusual. The mammal fauna is a small one and the presump-
tion of many little-known species promoted by the large number
of names given by R. A. Philippi proves not to be justified. Many
details remain to be worked out, and these offer a promising field
for the local student, but the main facts seem to be already in hand.
Besides the collections of Field Museum, I have been able to
examine with considerable care all material in the Museo Nacional
at Santiago, including Philippi's types so far as they exist. I have
also reviewed material in the British Museum, including the Dar-
win types, now more than one hundred years old.
In the following treatment, cetaceans have been omitted, since
material is lacking for any critical study of them, and historical
accounts of them are to be found elsewhere. To record the cetaceans
of the Chilean coast would be to deal with practically all those of
the south Pacific and Antarctic regions.
For the convenience of local naturalists in Chile and in the
hope that they may be stimulated to further research on their own
fauna, identification keys and brief descriptions have been included
as well as illustrations of skulls of most of the species.
ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
During the field work of two fairly extensive expeditions many
courtesies were extended by Chilean officials and by private indi-
viduals. Without the cordial co-operation of residents within the
country the work scarcely would have been possible. In 1923 and
1924 we were indebted especially to Mr. Alan Digby Murray and
Mr. Anderson, of the Cia Industrial del Aysen, who facilitated our
trip from Puerto Aysen across the mountains to Rio Nirehuao.
Later, Mr. Sanborn received many courtesies in passing northward
through the country. Among those to whom he is especially grate-
ful are Mr. Alexander Morrison, of Concepcion; Sr. Juan Churgwin,
of Romero, Province of Coquimbo; Dr. Enrique Gigoux, of Caldera;
Mr. Thomas H. Foulkes, of Putre and Choquelimpie; and officials
of the DuPont-Nobel Dynamite Plant at Rio Loa, Province of
Antofagasta. The late John A. Wolffsohn, of Papudo, also co-oper-
ated with Mr. Sanborn in many helpful ways.
In 1939 and 1940 a preliminary trip to the Sierra Nahuelbuta
was made possible through the cordial assistance of Dr. D. S.
1943 MAMMALS OF CHILE— OSGOOD 11
Bullock and Mr. E. E. Reed, of El Vergel, Angol, and the hospi-
tality of Sr. Angel Martinez, Administrador of the Parque Nacional
de Nahuelbuta.
Field work in Magallanes in 1940, with Punta Arenas as a base,
owed much of its success to Mr. P. F. Griffin, manager for Swift
and Company at Rio Gallegos, Argentina, and Mr. John Dick, of
Punta Arenas. Through the cordiality and intelligent interest of
Mr. Dick a series of excursions was successfully organized to various
points within two hundred miles of the Straits of Magellan. On
Tierra del Fuego our generous hosts were Mr. John Goodall, of
Rio Grande; Mr. Percy Reynolds and family, of Via Monte; and
Mr. A. W. Spooner, of Cullen Station. Not only their indispensa-
ble hospitality was greatly appreciated, but perhaps even more their
obviously sincere interest in the work we were doing. On the main-
land we were similarly indebted to Messrs. William and John Fell,
of North Arm Station; Mr. McLean, of Rio Verde; Mr. Kusanovich,
of Mina Rica; and Mr. Greer, of Castillo.
Chilean officials received us with uniform courtesy during both
expeditions, and American diplomatic representatives in Santiago
met with full co-operation when they presented our requests for
free entry of equipment and other privileges. We were especially
indebted to former American Ambassador William M. Collier, to
Ambassador Claude G. Bowers, and to Secretary Edward Trueblood.
Chilean naturalists with whom we had cordial relations include
Dr. Carlos Porter, editor of the "Revista Chilena"; Director
Ricardo E. Latcham, of Chile's Museo Nacional; Dr. Rodulfo
Philippi, ornithologist; Mr. Carlos Reed, Director of the Santiago
zoological garden; Dr. Kurt Wolfhiigel, of Cayetue, Lake Todos
Santos; and Dr. Dillman S. Bullock, of Angol.
As stated elsewhere, the privilege of studying specimens in the
Museo Nacional of Santiago, Chile, was freely granted. Chilean
material has also been examined in the British Museum through
the courtesy of Mr. A. C. Hinton, Keeper of Zoology; in the Ameri-
can Museum of Natural History through Dr. H. E. Anthony,
Curator of Mammals; and in the United States National Museum
through Mr. Gerrit S. Miller, Jr., Curator of Mammals.
HISTORY
Molina. — A few notes on the mammals of Chile, especially the
larger marine forms, may be found in the accounts of voyages to
12 FIELD MUSEUM OF NATURAL HISTORY— ZOOLOGY, VOL. 30
the southern coast during the sixteenth and early seventeenth
centuries. Early writers, such as Buffon, appear to have had no
information on the region, and except the elephant seal, the domesti-
cated llama, and the guinea pig, no Chilean species is included in
the ' 'Systemas' ' of Linnaeus, published in 1758 and 1766. This practi-
cally complete lack of knowledge was suddenly changed with the
publication in 1782 of an extensive work on the entire fauna and
flora of Chile. This was the "Saggio sulla storia naturale del
Chili" of Molina, which was soon translated into German and
Spanish, then into French and later into English, and became widely
quoted in zoological literature. Molina credited Chile with thirty-
six species of mammals of which he gave formal descriptions of
twenty-five and of these he provided new names for twenty-three.
Of the thirty-six, there are five extra-limital, two domesticated, and
six unidentifiable. Fifteen of the names he proposed are now recog-
nized and cover nearly half the specific types found in the country.
His contribution to knowledge, therefore, was a very large one which
quite justifies calling him the father of Chilean natural history.
However, Molina worked under many disadvantages, and the
accounts he published, although obviously sincere and containing
much first-hand knowledge, were frequently mixed with hearsay
which has caused subsequent authors considerable difficulty in
dealing with the names proposed. He was interested in all branches
of natural history, botany as well as zoology, and, all things con-
sidered, it is rather remarkable that he covered the field as well
as he did.
Juan Ignacio Molina was born in Talca, Province of Maule,
Chile, June 23, 1737, and died at Bologna, Italy, September 12,
1829. He was educated for the Jesuit order and within it attained
to a post as librarian of the Jesuit College in Santiago. When his
order was expelled from Chile in 1767 he went to Italy and in 1774
settled in Bologna. Therefore, when he left Chile he was only thirty
years of age, and all his collecting and direct observation of Chilean
natural history must have been made before that time. His writing
for publication was done in Italy, apparently based only on notes
and even all these may not have been available to him. In the
preface to his principal work, he states (translation) : "At an early
period of life I began to turn my attention to both the natural and
the political history of Chile, with the view of publishing at some
future time the results of my inquiries. Some untoward circum-
stances, however, interrupted my progress, and I had even relin-
1943 MAMMALS OF CHILE— OSGOOD 13
quished the hope of having it in my power to carry my plan into
effect, when a fortunate accident put me into the possession of the
requisite materials, and enabled me to offer the present work to the
public." It seems probable that the "fortunate accident" may have
referred to the recovery of his notes,1 but that he had any actual
material before him when writing his descriptions seems doubtful.
Evidently he did preserve some specimens, but these probably
never left Chile and have long since been destroyed. He mentions
having collected no less than three thousand plants and in the
second edition of the "Saggio," under Mus maulinus, he says: "I
investigated it as soon as I killed it, and preserved the skin for some
time in straw." Nevertheless, the description of Mus maulinus is
wholly unidentifiable and cannot be applied to any animal known
from Chile.
Molina's descriptions are accompanied by very brief Latin
diagnoses that appear as footnotes and are evidently intended to
cover technical requirements. He says of them (translation): "In
describing objects of natural history I have avoided the use of
technical terms, as being difficult to be understood by those not
conversant with the study; but for the gratification of such as are
familiar with that science, I have given, at the bottom of the page,
the Linnaean characters in Latin, both of the known species and of
those that are new which I have discovered." In most cases, how-
ever, these Latin diagnoses would be quite insufficient were it not
for the popular accounts which accompany them. On the other
hand, having given the Latin diagnoses, it is not impossible that he
then felt free to be somewhat unrestrained in his popular accounts.
These are frequently quite extensive, with accounts of habits of the
animals and much material obviously derived from hearsay. In
some cases he begins with a good account of one well-known animal
and continues with matter applying to quite a different one. The
result makes the application of some of his names very difficult or
even impossible by any modern standards.
He confesses to having received many stories of animals which
were probably fanciful but, in his own opinion, at least, he was
able to separate the true from the false. This is evident in the fol-
lowing quotation from his preface: "In confining the number of
1 It is reported that he had his notes with him as he was about to embark
from Valparaiso, but that they were taken from him by a soldier at that time.
A witness to the seizure, a young man of means, Don Ignacio Garcia Huidobro,
bought the notes from the soldier and later during a trip to Europe delivered them
to Molina in Bologna.
14 FIELD MUSEUM OF NATURAL HISTORY— ZOOLOGY, VOL. 30
quadrupeds in Chili to thirty-six species, I have reference only to
those that are well known; but I am fully persuaded that there is
a much greater number, especially in the interior of the Andes, that
are as yet undiscovered or very imperfectly known. This opinion
is confirmed by the common traditions of the country; and I have
been informed of eight new species that have been discovered at
various times; but as the descriptions I have received of them have
been very imperfect, and the animals have been seen but by few, I
have thought them not sufficiently characterized to merit a place
among those whose economy is well known. Such, for instance, is
the piguchen, a winged quadruped or species of large bat which, if
its existence is real, forms a very important link between birds and
quadrupeds. This animal is said to be of the size and shape of a
tame rabbit and to be covered with a fine hair of a cinnamon color;
the nose sharp, the eyes round and shining, the ears almost invisible,
the wings membranaceous, the paws short and like those of a lizard,
the tail round at the root and ending like that of a fish. It inhabits
holes in trees, which it leaves only at night and does no injury to
anything but insects, which serve it for food.
"Of this kind is likewise the hippopotamus of the rivers and lakes
of Arauco, which is different from that of Africa, and in its form and
stature resembles a horse, but the feet are palmated like those of the
seal. The existence of this animal is universally credited throughout
the country, and there are some persons who pretend to have seen
the skin which, they say, is covered with a very soft and sleek hair,
resembling in color that of the sea- wolf."
Molina did not provide names for the hippopotamus or the
winged piguchen with a tail like a fish, but it is clear that much of
his information was received from others, and some of the names he
proposed must be regarded as undeterminable. It is interesting to
note, also, that in the second edition of his book, published in 1810,
there is evidence that in regard to some names even his own faith
may have been shaken. Many of the accounts are altered, and
in two cases, at least, the Latin names are omitted. These are his
Castor huidobrius, the description of which is hopelessly composite,
and Equus bisulcus, about which his information was obviously
scanty.
Adding further to uncertainty in regard to the sources of Molina's
information are several curious discrepancies. Hellmayr has noted
that among the numerous birds named by him there is no mention
whatever of those of the family Pteroptochidae, which includes
1943 MAMMALS OF CHILE— OSGOOD 15
several very common and highly characteristic Chilean birds well
known to every native. Similarly, such an important mammal as
the chinchilla receives no clear-cut distinction and under its vernac-
ular name appears such a combination of the characters of several
animals as defies disentanglement.
Usage has established a large proportion of Molina's names and
with few exceptions it seems best not to subject them now to analysis
bordering on the hypercritical. Where there is no doubt as to the
animal principally concerned, his names should be accepted even
though the descriptions may contain some contradictory matter.
Where several animals, either real or fanciful, are inextricably con-
fused, the names cannot be allocated and must be discarded. A
list of Molina's names exactly as proposed and numbered by him
and their present disposition follows:
1. L'Urigne, Phoca Lupina?=Arctocephalus.
2. II Porco marine, Phoca Porcina. Unidentifiable.
3. II Lame, Phoca Elephantina=Mirounga leonina Linnaeus 1758.
4. II Leon marine, Phoca Leonina =0taria flavescens Shaw 1800.
5. II Chinchimen, Mustela Felina=Lutra felina Molina 1782.
II Guillino, Castor Huidobrius. Composite and unidentifiable.
II Coypu, Mus Coypus=Myocastor coypus Molina 1782.
1. II Chinghe, Viverra Chinga=Conepatus chinga Molina 1782.
2. La Cuya, Mustela Cuja=Grison cuja Molina 1782.
3. II Quiqui, Mustela Quiqui=Grison cuja Molina 1782.
5. L'istrici, o sia il Porco-spino Chilesesi. No technical name.
5. II Culpeu, Canis Culpaeus= Dusicyon culpaeus Molina 1782.
6. La Guigna, Felis Guigna=Felis guigna Molina 1782.
7. II Colocolo, Felis Colocola= Felis pajeros colocolo Molina 1782.
8. II Pagi, Felis Puma=Felis concolor puma Molina 1782.
1. II Guanque, Mus Cyanus=Spalacopus cyanus Molina 1782.
2. La Chinchilla, Mus Laniger. Composite and unidentifiable.
3. II gran topo boschereccio, Mus Maulinus. Unidentifiable.
4. II Degu, Sciurus Degus=Octodon degus Molina 1782.
5. II Covur. Mentions four species of armadillos found in Cujo (= present
Province of Mendoza, Argentina).
1. II Cuy, Lepus Minimus =Cavia porcellus Linnaeus 1782.
1. La Viscaccia, Lepus Viscacia=Lagidium viscacia Molina 1782.
1. II Pudu, Capra Pudu=Pudu pudu Molina 1782.
2. La Vicogna, Camellus Vicugna=Vicugna vicugna Molina 1782.
3. Chilihueque, Camelus Araucanus. Doubtfully identifiable; probably Lama
glama Linnaeus 1758.
4. II Guanaco, Camelus Huanacus=Lama guanicoe Miiller 1776.
5. II Guemul, or Huemul, EquusBisulcus= Hippocamelus bisulcus Molina 1782.
Poeppig, Cuming, and King. — Following Molina, nothing further
was learned of Chilean mammals for several decades. From 1826
16 FIELD MUSEUM OF NATURAL HISTORY— ZOOLOGY, VOL. 30
to 1829, the German botanist Edward Poeppig made an extensive
journey in South America during which he spent considerable time
in Chile. Various notes on mammals are found in his "Reise" and
he gave names to several, only one of which is now recognized — a
bat, Histiotus macrotus. He also gave a name to Spalacopus cyanus,
already described by Molina, and published a special account of its
habits. At about the same time (1827-30), a British traveler, H.
Cuming, made large zoological collections, principally invertebrates,
on the west coast of South America, and several mammals which he
brought back to the Zoological Society of London were described
by E. T. Bennett. A few other species, also described by Bennett,
were discovered and preserved by Captain Philip Parker King, a
British naval officer engaged in surveying, principally around the
Straits of Magellan, from 1826 to 1830.
Darwin and Waterhouse. — During the famous voyage of the
Beagle, from 1831 to 1836, a great deal of time was spent in Chilean
waters, and Charles Darwin, the naturalist of the expedition, was
able to make several excursions inland. He made large additions
to knowledge of Chilean mammals. Until his time, most of the
species described had been those of medium or large size and con-
spicuous habits. Darwin, however, was obviously interested in the
small rodents and prepared to obtain them. He did not depend upon
natives but trapped them himself, as indicated by the frequent occur-
rence in his notes of the phrase "caught in traps baited with cheese."
He discovered at least ten new species which include most of the
well-marked forms now known from the region and represent seven
different modern genera. His specimens were presented to the
Zoological Society of London, and most of the new forms were
described by George R. Waterhouse in a preliminary paper in the
"Proceedings of the Zoological Society" in 1837. Later, the same
author published full accounts of them with many colored plates,
in the section on Mammalia in the "Zoology of the Voyage of the
Beagle."
Some of Darwin's specimens were preserved "in spirit" and are
now in poor condition, but most of them evidently were prepared in
the field as skins carefully formed and laid on the side. They are
now in the British Museum and in practically all cases readily
identifiable. Types were not especially designated by Waterhouse,
but in cases where more than one specimen of a species were involved
Oldfield Thomas (1927) has carefully selected and designated a single
one as lectotype.
1943 MAMMALS OF CHILE— OSGOOD 17
Bridges. — Large collections of birds and a considerable number
of mammals were sent from Chile to the British Museum by Thomas
Bridges from about 1840 to 1846. The mammals were described by
Waterhouse and include such important species as Aconaemys fuscus,
Notiomys megalonyx, and Octodon bridgesi. Bridges worked in the
provinces of Colchagua and Valparaiso. He also made an excursion
to Mendoza and another to Bolivia. In a number of cases he con-
tributed valuable notes on the habits and occurrence of little-known
mammals.
Gay.— From 1828 to 1842, the French naturalist and traveler
Claudio Gay was engaged in an extensive study of the zoology,
botany, topography, and history of Chile. He returned to France
for a short time in 1832 but altogether spent some eleven or twelve
years in Chile, during which he is said to have visited all parts of the
country, much of the time subsidized or employed by the govern-
ment. The results of his investigations were published in Paris in
a monumental work, "Historia fisica y politica de Chile," com-
prising twenty-three small octavo volumes of text and two quarto
volumes of plates, mostly colored. Eight volumes of the text and
one volume of plates are devoted to zoology, Volume I covering
mammals and birds. Various authors contributed to the series,
but the section on mammals may have been written by Gay himself,
possibly with the assistance of Paul Gervais. It is a comprehensive
account, with full descriptions of higher groups, genera, and species,
citations of literature, and notes on distribution and habits. It
presents an excellent summary of knowledge at the time and is not
wholly a compilation, but it does not contribute much in the way of
actual addition to knowledge. Three supposed new species of mam-
mals are described, all now regarded as synonyms. Sixty-seven
species are listed, including eight domesticated or introduced forms,
two fossils, and several now known to be extralimital.
Gay was the founder of the Museo Nacional at Santiago (1830).
Some of his collections were deposited there, but many others are
known to have been taken to Paris. After leaving Chile in 1842,
he traveled extensively in other parts of the world. He made a
further brief visit to Chile in 1863. He died in Paris in 1873.
Philippi. — From 1853 to 1900, the study of natural history in
Chile was dominated and greatly promoted by the German-born
naturalist Rodolfo Amando Philippi, who arrived in Chile Decem-
ber 4, 1851, at the age of forty-three, a refugee from European mili-
tarism. His education (in medicine) at the University of Berlin
18 FIELD MUSEUM OF NATURAL HISTORY— ZOOLOGY, VOL. 30
had been followed by experience as a teacher of zoology and botany
in Kassel and by independent zoological research in Italy and
Switzerland. After a voyage of 136 days, from Hamburg to Val-
paraiso, he went by sea a further twenty-one days to Valdivia where
he purchased a farm called San Juan de Bellavista, on the banks of
the Rio Bueno, near the present city of La Union. His attainments
and ability were soon recognized and on October 20, 1853, he was
called to become Director of the Museo Nacional in Santiago, which
had been sadly neglected since the departure of Gay in 1842.
With the assistance of a young French entomologist, Filiberto
Germain, Philippi immediately began to amass collections for the
museum, and thereafter for more than forty years he pursued a life
of great activity and devotion to study and travel. His interests
were practically all-inclusive, and he wrote on geology, geography,
and anthropology, as well as all branches of zoology and botany.
In Europe he had worked principally in conchology, but in Chile
he found a practically virgin field in all directions. If he had any
leading interest perhaps it was botany, to which his contributions
were enormous.
During the period from 1858 to 1900, Philippi from time to time
published papers on mammals and described a number of new species,
most of which are now recognizable. In his bibliography of more
than four hundred titles not less than thirty are devoted to mammals.
Among these were many that were evidently prepared with care
and conservatism, forming definite additions to knowledge. In
1900, however, he issued a large work entitled "Figuras i descrip-
ciones de los murideos de Chile," which is one of the most extraor-
dinary publications ever to find its way into print. In it he
describes and figures in color a total of sixty-three Chilean rodents
and proposes sixty-three new names of which no less than fifty-nine
are synonyms or quite unidentifiable. The common Akodon olivaceus
of central Chile was given fourteen different names. At this time he
had reached the advanced age of ninety-two and, according to his
biographers, was still active mentally, but his hearing had failed
and his sight was so impaired that he was obliged to depend almost
wholly upon a secretary for reading and writing. Nevertheless, the
seventy-six colored figures were drawn by himself. Most of his
supposed species were placed in the genus Mus and since there were
no collections elsewhere and since his figures and descriptions indi-
cated considerable variety, mammalogists in Europe and the United
States who received his paper were quite at a loss as to how to dis-
1943 MAMMALS OF CHILE— OSGOOD 19
pose of his names. As late as 1932, Gyldenstolpe, in his list of South
American rodents, was obliged to place most of Philippi's names in
a separate list entitled "Incertae Sedis."
In producing this remarkable paper, perhaps Philippi was
influenced by the large number of rodents being described at the
time by American and British zoologists, but it is quite evident
that the infirmities of age were chiefly responsible. The specimens,
many of which are still existing, had evidently been accumulated
during his own travels or sent to him by friends throughout the
country. In nearly all cases they were mounted for exhibition in
the museum, and many of the distinctions he drew between them
were due to the distortions of bad taxidermy, to the use of unsuit-
able preservatives, to immaturity and, in some cases, to false infor-
mation maliciously given him as to their sources.
Philippi died in Santiago, Chile, in July, 1904, at the age of 96.
He was succeeded as Director of the museum by his son Federico
Philippi, who had published a few short papers on mammals, notably
the description of Dromiciops australis. A grandson, Dr. Rodulfo
Philippi, is now practicing medicine in Santiago and is associated
with the Museo Nacional as ornithologist.
Magellanic and Cape Horn Expeditions. — At various times a few
mammals were obtained, chiefly from the Straits of Magellan and
vicinity, by expeditions organized under different national auspices
mostly for other than zoological exploration. Most important was
the French "Mission scientifique du Cap Horn" in 1882-83, pri-
marily an astronomical expedition. Members of this expedition
spent considerable time encamped at the Bay of Orange on the
Hardy Peninsula, Island of Hoste, south of Tierra del Fuego, where
they collected numerous common mammals now in the Paris
Museum and reported on by Milne-Edwards and Thomas in 1891.
A German expedition, "Hamburger Magalhaensische Sam-
melreise," obtained on Tierra del Fuego and on the Straits of
Magellan scattered specimens belonging to eight species which were
reported on by Matschie in 1*898.
At a much earlier date a very few Chilean mammals were col-
lected by R. 0. Cunningham, naturalist of the British surveying
vessel Nassau from 1866 to 1869. Small collections of mammals
were also made by Charles H. Townsend during the visit of the
United States Fish Commission Steamer Albatross to the Straits
in 1887-88. These specimens are preserved in the United States
National Museum at Washington.
20 FIELD MUSEUM OF NATURAL HISTORY— ZOOLOGY, VOL. 30
Wolffsohn and Thomas. — Soon after the death of Philippi,
Chilean mammals began to receive attention from John A. Wolff-
sohn, an English-speaking resident of Chile who had sent a few
specimens to the British Museum and later, through the encourage-
ment of Oldfield Thomas, became an active collector. Although not
a man of means or special training, Wolffsohn not only collected
but studied Chilean mammals, publishing a number of valuable
papers in the "Revista Chilena" over a period of some twenty
years, from 1908 to 1927. During this period Thomas was active
in describing South American mammals from various sources, and
among them were more than twenty now attributed to the Chilean
fauna, a considerable number having been collected by E. Budin
at localities in Argentina near the Chilean boundary.
Meanwhile, from time to time, various Chilean authors contrib-
uted notes and short articles mainly on the habits and distribution
of Chilean mammals to the "Revista Chilena," published in Santiago
by Dr. Carlos Porter.
Expeditions of Field Museum. — As stated on another page, Field
Museum has sent two expeditions to Chile, the first in 1922 and
1924 and the second in 1939 and 1940. The most interesting result
of the first expedition was the discovery of the caenolestid mar-
supial Rhyncholestes raphanurus (Osgood, 1924). Of more impor-
tance, however, was the accumulation of series of well-prepared
modern specimens of all the common mammals from selected locali-
ties representing the principal areas of the country. This material
furnishes the basis for evaluation of previous work, and it is now
supplemented by collections made by the second expedition about
the Straits of Magellan. Altogether, there are now available in
Field Museum nearly two thousand specimens of mammals from a
wide range of localities in Chile and immediately adjoining regions.
Even these collections would present many difficulties for study
had it not been possible while they were being made to visit the
Chilean Museo Nacional at Santiago and examine carefully the
numerous types of mammals described by Philippi. So far, very
little has been published since Field Museum's expeditions were
made and most of their results are incorporated in the present work.
PHYSIOGRAPHY AND CLIMATE
Chile is entirely south of the equator and essentially a temperate
country. In contrast to Peru, Ecuador, and Colombia, it includes
only one slope of the Andes and no very complicated systems of
1943 MAMMALS OF CHILE— OSGOOD 21
ranges and valleys. Its physical diversity, therefore, is mainly
correlated with its great longitudinal extent. From its northern
boundary with Peru to its southern limit at Cape Horn, it covers
nearly forty degrees of latitude, a distance of more than 2,500 miles
or as much as the distance from central Mexico to western Alaska.
Throughout this great length it is relatively very narrow. In the
northern province of Antofagasta it is about 250 miles in width
but elsewhere, except at the Straits of Magellan, it is scarcely half
that and in its narrowest parts its span from west to east is no more
than seventy-five miles. At the Straits of Magellan its boundary
turns east and extends to the Atlantic Ocean, setting off a very nar-
row area only a few miles wide on the northern shore of the Straits.
South of the Straits its line cuts south through the island of Tierra
del Fuego which it divides nearly in half, the western part and the
Cape Horn Islands being Chilean and the eastern part Argentinian.
Except in the extreme south, therefore, the eastern boundary of
Chile follows the highest peaks of the Andes, which divide eastern
and western drainage. In its northern and central parts the moun-
tains are very high and continuous, so only western slopes are
included. Farther south the same is generally true, but the aver-
age elevation is much reduced and the higher peaks are frequently
detached, so that some of the streams which drain to the Pacific
may in their windings, for at least a short distance, traverse terri-
tory that is east of the main mountain mass. Thus a few small
areas within Chilean boundaries offer opportunity for minor inva-
sions of some elements of the Patagonian fauna.
In the northern provinces of Antofagasta and Atacama, in the
nitrate district, the mountains rise almost directly from the sea
and extend inland as a high plateau, much of it well over 10,000
feet in height. Eastern and western ranges inclosing a central valley
are indicated in some parts but are not well defined. Elevated
deserts in this region occupy large areas, so arid that animal and plant
life are non-existent. South of this, in the Province of Coquimbo,
the higher elevations are farther from the coast and narrow trans-
verse valleys are characteristic, with a few spurs of the mountains
reaching the coast.
Thence southward from the vicinity of lat. 33° S., near the
principal cities of Valparaiso and Santiago, the typical topography
of central Chile begins, with the high wall of the Andes on the east
and a fairly defined low range or scattered hill masses following the
coast, with a somewhat elevated and fairly wide valley between them
22 FIELD MUSEUM OF NATURAL HISTORY— ZOOLOGY, VOL. 30
and the Andes. This central valley forms the heart of agricultural
Chile. It extends approximately from lat. 32° S. to 38° S., that is,
from the Province of Santiago to the Province of Malleco, roughly
from Santiago to Angol. With a temperate climate, abundance of
water from the neighboring Andes, and generally good soil condi-
tions, it is a highly productive region adapted to dairying, stock-
raising, and both large- and small-scale cultivation of a wide variety of
cereals, vegetables, and fruits. For about four hundred miles the valley
is fairly defined but it seldom exceeds twenty-five or thirty miles in
width and in some parts is much narrower, although it often
leads into smaller valleys, especially to the westward. The numerous
watercourses drain to the westward. Along these there is some tree
growth of native species, but open fields and low bush growth pre-
dominate, now divided by long rows of Lombardy poplars, willows,
and other introductions. Adjacent slopes of the Andes rise rather
abruptly, with scattered, mixed forest and bush, reminding much
of that found in the foothills of the Sierra Nevada of California.
Above this the forest rapidly thins out, and until the more southern
latitudes are reached the higher parts of the Andes are mostly rough
and rocky, with scant vegetation and limited fauna. West of the
valley the so-called coast range consists of a series of groups of low
mountains rather than a continuous chain, since it is cut at frequent
intervals by good-sized rivers flowing through very narrow valleys
to the Pacific. Light deciduous forest and bush are characteristic,
and elevations seldom exceed 2,500 feet.
Although there is gradual slight increase in humidity as we pro-
ceed southward, conditions are relatively uniform down to the
vicinity of lat. 37° S., at a point corresponding roughly to the first
southern incidence of the Humboldt Current on the coast. Here
there is a rather abrupt change both in climate and in topography.
The Bio Bio River, which was long the frontier between the early
colonists and the Araucanian natives, offers a convenient natural
boundary for the beginning of this change, although it is by no means
an exact one. South of this river the central valley is no longer
evident, and open fields or bushy slopes are replaced by thickly
forested hills and cool swamps. With increased rainfall there is a
greater abundance of small streams, and the higher mountains both
near the coast and inland are bathed in mist much of the time. Just
south of Concepcion, between the Bio Bio and the Bueno rivers and
adjacent to the coast, the Sierra Nahuelbuta forms a fairly defined
range rising to some six thousand feet. Meanwhile in the same
1943 MAMMALS OF CHILE— OSGOOD 23
latitude there is change in the character of the Andes, which no
longer present a solid front but are cut by the canyons of large rivers
and flanked by outlying volcanic peaks individually sharply dis-
tinguished. This leads to the famous lake region in which the Andes
are broken by deep narrow valleys holding beautiful lakes and sur-
rounded by snow-capped mountains. Low passes in several cases
lead to the eastern side of the divide into Argentina, the best-known
being that via Lake Llanquihue and Lake Todos Santos to Lake
Nahuelhuapi. Small lakes are numerous, and the larger ones are
often connected by torrential streams. The topography is compli-
cated, and considerable areas are unexplored. Some of the more
southern lakes are but little removed from arms of the sea, and it is
plain that their present condition is due to gradual elevation of the
land. In lat. 42° S. the Andes actually reach the sea, with the wide
Bay of Ancud and the Gulf of Corcovado separating them from the
large island of Chiloe which occupies the same position relative to
them as the coastal region farther north, with water intervening
instead of an open valley or broken hills. Thence southward the
heavily forested mountains stand but a short distance from the
coast and send down numerous streams, many of which debouch
into narrow fiords. Small islands form a protection from the open
Pacific but much of the country is inhospitable and difficult of access.
In recent years, at favorable points, a few hardy settlers have
pushed in, notably at Rio Aysen where there is passage to Argentina,
but most of the region is in a state of nature. As far south as
lat. 47° there is mixed forest including many of the trees found farther
north. Individual volcanic peaks, such as the great Corcovado and
Mount Mako, are heavily blanketed with snow and furnish impres-
sive views when weather permits.
From the vicinity of lat. 47° S. (Gulf of Penas) to the Straits of
Magellan similar physiographic conditions continue, but average
temperatures are lower, soil conditions are poor, and forest trees
are markedly reduced in size and number of species. In the extreme
south, small glaciers occasionally reach the sea, and mountains of
only moderate height carry perpetual snow. Timberline varies
according to local conditions, in many cases being not more than a
thousand feet above the sea or sometimes even less. Often the trees
form but a narrow fringe at the edge of the water and above them
are only open rocks among which even procumbent vegetation is
limited in amount. Although there is heavy rainfall, running
streams are few, not only on most of the islands but also for long
24 FIELD MUSEUM OF NATURAL HISTORY— ZOOLOGY, VOL. 30
stretches on the mainland. The region is quite uninhabited, and
the few aborigines who formerly hunted marine animals along the
shores have practically disappeared.
On the mainland and on some of the islands near the western
entrance to the Straits of Magellan local conditions favor a some-
what better forest growth, and even along the Beagle Channel on
the south side of Tierra del Fuego the forests are heavier and the
climate is milder than somewhat farther north. Except for the
extreme south, on the Cape Horn Islands, the region of conditions
most forbidding for life lies mainly on the coast and islands between
the Gulf of Penas and the Straits of Magellan, where practically no
zoological collecting has been done.
At the southern end of the continent and on Tierra del Fuego
general conditions are similar to those farther north, with the humid
forest of the west coast extending to the east of the mountains some-
what diminished in species and rapidly tapering to low bush and
finally to open grassy plains. On the west coast the forest is com-
posed mainly of three species of trees, the Antarctic beech (Notho-
fagus antarctica} or nire, the evergreen beech (Nothofagus betu-
loides) or coihue, and the winter's bark (Drimys winteri). Of
these N. betuloides predominates on the coast and in colder, more
elevated parts eastward. The winter's bark also is mainly a coast
tree, less numerous than the others, and the nire, N. antarctica, is
the only one that ranges far to the eastward beyond the coast
mountains. On the Straits of Magellan, trees extend slightly beyond
Punta Arenas, specifically to a point (Cabo Negro) about fifteen
miles north. On Tierra del Fuego the same conditions prevail, the
northern and eastern parts being open grassland, changing on the
northern slopes of the mountains to forest which becomes more dense
and humid on the southern or Pacific side and the neighboring islets.
Where soil and other conditions are favorable, the trees reach good
size, with maximum diameters exceeding four feet, but as they ap-
proach their eastern limits they assume small, rounded and wind-
blown shapes and reach a height of no more than ten or fifteen feet.
At a few points the grasslands of southern Patagonia or at least
treeless areas actually extend to salt water on the Pacific coast
through breaks in the mountains. A conspicuous case of this kind
is on Ultima Esperanza or Last Hope Inlet, in the vicinity of Puerto
Natales. Some of the larger islands, as, for example, Riesco Island,
are also treeless on their inner or northern sides, becoming heavily
forested on the seaward sides.
1943 MAMMALS OF CHILE— OSGOOD 25
Thus the general climatic and physiographic conditions of Chile
present a slightly blurred mirror image of those found in the north
on the Pacific coast from Mexico to Alaska. The resemblance is far
from exact, but there are many parallels. Someone has said that
Chile is "California upside down," and this carries a considerable
measure of truth. The coastal deserts of northern Chile are more
arid than any on the North American coast; the central valley of
Chile is on a considerably smaller scale than the San Joaquin of
California; and the fiords of the Magellanic region, while similar
to those of Alaska, present a somewhat different appearance due
mainly to the absence of coniferous trees.
ZONES AND FAUNAL AREAS
It is doubtful if an attempt to correlate the distributional prov-
inces of Chile with those of countries north of the equator is justified.
Although there are intrusions from the north and east, the fauna is
largely autochthonous or part of that assemblage of types which by
statistical methods has led to the recognition of a so-called Pata-
gonian Subregion. This fauna diminishes to the northward and
also to the southward and no broad distinctions can be drawn except
between the temperate regions and the alpine or puna. Excluding
the puna, therefore, practically all of Chile belongs to what probably
should be called the South Temperate zone.
TROPICAL ZONE
Hellmayr1 has regarded as tropical a narrow strip of desert coast
in the north adjoining Peru and extending into the provinces of
Tacna and Tarapaca south to the Rio Loa. This is because of the
occurrence there of certain birds characteristic of the coast of
Ecuador and Peru. Among these are Volatinia j. peruviensis, Pyro-
cephalus r. obscunts, Crotophaga sulcirostris, and Melopelia asiatica
meloda, all of which are identical with or only subspecifically sepa-
rable from forms ranging southward from Panama. It cannot be
denied, therefore, that they are truly tropical types, but it is to be
noted that they occur in company with such southern and temperate
forms as Geositta and Leptasthenura, which range still farther north
on the coast of Peru. The effect of the Humboldt Current in carry-
ing marine forms northward is well known and, although its influence
on the terrestrial fauna is less marked, it is not inconsiderable.
1 Birds of Chile, Field Mus. Nat. Hist., Zool. Ser., 19, p. 21, 1932.
26 FIELD MUSEUM OF NATURAL HISTORY— ZOOLOGY, VOL. 30
Access to this region for tropical forms is mainly or wholly from the
north, since the continuous high range of the western Andes is an
effective barrier on the east. An undiluted tropical fauna including
mammals and other vertebrates as well as birds extends from
Ecuador to the coast of northern Peru only to the vicinity of Tru-
jillo or some six degrees south of the equator. Here, for example,
are still found opossums of the genus Didelphis, and here or just
north of here many tropical birds and reptiles find their southern
limit. Beyond this the fauna is definitely reduced, with some
mixture of both northern and southern types, with Andean deriva-
tives, and with subspecies, species, and even genera regionally
differentiated. Extreme northwestern Chile falls within this region
of transition between temperate and tropical but it is not truly
tropical. A careful study of the entire fauna of the coast from
southern Ecuador to northern Chile is needed.
Aside from a few bats (e.g. Desmodus and Tadarida) there are
no truly tropical mammals in Chile. These bats which, like birds,
have powers of flight, are of little or no significance in evaluating
the faunal position of the region. Although belonging to tropical
groups, they have invaded a temperate region and adapted them-
selves to it, in a sense being comparable to the parrots and hum-
ming birds which are found throughout Chile even south to Tierra
del Fuego. Somewhat comparable to these is the mouse opossum,
of which one species reaches Chile. Although belonging to a genus
which is mainly tropical, the Chilean species falls into a section now
adapted to a temperate climate.
PUNA ZONE
The puna zone is not well-marked and detailed information in
regard to it is lacking. Actual or theoretical timberline becomes
progressively lower from the north, where it may be about 13,000
feet, to the extreme south, where it is only 1,000-1,500 feet. Exces-
sive aridity in the northern provinces is combined with relatively
high altitudes and a greatly reduced fauna, making the delimitation
of a puna zona somewhat arbitrary. The paramos or punas of
Colombia, Ecuador, and Peru have their counterparts in limited
areas in northern and north-central Chile, but southward in the
central provinces the mountains are often so rough and rocky or so
steep that there is but little life between the upper limit of trees
and the lower snow line. Farther south, below lat. 36°, the Andean
chain is not continuous and puna conditions are found only on
isolated peaks or limited ranges. Moreover, in southern latitudes
MAP 2. Principal faunal districts of Chile. Boundaries are only approxi-
mate, especially those of the puna district, the exact limits of which are either
unknown or too complicated to be shown on a map of this size.
27
28 FIELD MUSEUM OF NATURAL HISTORY— ZOOLOGY, VOL. 30
the puna fauna tends to range into arborescent vegetation more
extensively. Even on Tierra del Fuego, however, at least one bird
(Attagis) breeds only above timberline, even though this may be
at an altitude of no more than 1,200 feet. So far as known, the only
mammals ranging into the higher treeless parts of Tierra del Fuego
are also well distributed down to sea level. In recent years, a con-
siderable proportion of the guanacos left on Tierra del Fuego have
resorted to the open highlands to breed, but this is largely because of
persecution elsewhere.
The only mammal definitely characteristic of the puna zone is
the mountain viscacha (Lagidium). This ranges through the highest
parts of the Andes from the most elevated plateaus of the provinces
of Tarapaca and Antofagasta south to the district of Ultima Espe-
ranza in Patagonia, at about lat. 52° S. Other mammals that range
into this zone from the vicinity of timberline are Akodon andinus,
Phyllotis, Aconaemys, Chinchilla, Dusicyon culpaeus, Hippocamelus,
Lama guanicoe, and Vicugna vicugna. That the fauna of Bolivia
extends at least for a short distance into Chile is indicated by the
record of Phyllotis boliviensis at Choquelimpie, Tacna, at 15,000
feet. A Bolivian tuco tuco, Ctenomys opimus, also is reported from
this locality.
SOUTH TEMPERATE ZONE
Excluding the puna and a few coast valleys in the extreme
northwest, the remainder and by far the greater part of Chile has
a temperate climate and a temperate although largely peculiar
fauna. In the north, the political boundaries of the country extend
far enough to include a small area where there is contact with the
highland fauna of southern Peru1 and Bolivia. Likewise, in the
south on the north side of Tierra del Fuego and the Straits of
Magellan as well as in small discontinuous areas at the eastern base
of the Andes, the Patagonian fauna crosses the boundary and extends
for a very short distance into Chile. Aside from these intrusions of
extralimital faunas, the temperate of Chile is divisible into three
well-marked areas characterized by the differentiation of related
forms and by the presence or absence of certain generic or well-
marked specific types. These areas have a climatic basis and, except
in detail, are latitudinal. Their general extent seems fairly clear but
exact boundaries for them await further study and much more
information than is available at present. From north to south,
1 The occurrence of Phyllotis arenarius at Putre, Province of Tacna, at 11,000
feet, is perhaps an example of the intrusion of a temperate form from Peru.
1943 MAMMALS OF CHILE— OSGOOD 29
therefore, we have the following subdivisions of the temperate:
Northern Desert or Atacaman, Central or Santiagan, Humid Forest
or Valdivian, and Littoral Forest or Fuegian. The Treeless Plain or
Patagonian may be added to these, although if political boundaries
were slightly different it would not figure.
Northern Desert or Atacaman. — This district includes the arid
northern part of Chile below 10,000 feet, from the Province of Tacna
nearly to Coquimbo. It is wholly arid and treeless with many areas
quite devoid of life. Some of it is still unexplored. Scattered through
the higher parts are occasional intermittent streams and saline reser-
voirs promoting the existence of limited plant and animal life, some
of which is temperate. Although fairly extensive, this district has
scarcely any mammal fauna of its own. Here and there certain
species of the puna zone may be found in it, as, for example, the
chinchilla and the guanaco, which formerly ranged to the sea, at
least at times. A few rodents, as Akodon and Oryzomys, enter the
edges but have not become well established. Phyllotis, which is
common in the next district southward, may be found but tends to
the higher parts where it is slightly differentiated (P. darwini
rupestris). Not improbably some forms of the Peruvian coast
may also reach it, but records at present are lacking. The scattered
areas that are suitable for any mammalian life have been settled
and, in most cases, infested with house rats and mice, so whatever
native life may have existed has now disappeared.
One bat, Myotis chiloensis atacamensis, stands as a well-marked
race allied to southern forms, but it appears to range through the
highlands into Argentina and is not wholly peculiar to this district.
So far as mammals are concerned, therefore, the district has mainly
negative characteristics.
Central or Santiagan. — Occupying the most populous part of the
country, this district extends from the southern edge of the desert
in the Province of Coquimbo to the forests of Valdivia and from the
Pacific Ocean to timberline in the Andes. The majority of Chilean
mammals are found within it, and although a large proportion of the
species extends southward into the humid forest district, practically
all of these are subspecifically differentiated. Actually confined to
it are the two genera Octodon and Spalacopus, as well as a few species
such as Abrocoma bennetti and Felis pajeros (colocolo) or the bats of
tropical origin, Desmodus and Tadarida.
Representative subspecies of this district as compared with those
of the adjoining humid district are as follows:
30 FIELD MUSEUM OF NATURAL HISTORY— ZOOLOGY, VOL. 30
Santiagan
Marmoset elegans elegans
Myotis chiloensis arescens
Dusicyon griseus domeykoanus
Felis concolor puma
Felis guigna molinae
Myocastor coypus coypus
Notiomys megalonyx megalonyx
Abrothrix longipilis longipilis
Akodon olivaceus olivaceus
Oryzomys longicaudatus longicaudatus
Valdivian
Marmoset elegans soricina
Myotis chiloensis chiloensis
Dusicyon griseus maullinicus
Felis concolor araucanus
Felis guigna guigna
Myocastor coypus melanops
Notiomys megalonyx microtis
Abrothrix longipilis apta
Akodon olivaceus brachiotis
Oryzomys longicaudatus philippii
Humid Forest or Valdivian. — South of the Santiagan the Valdi-
vian district extends along the coast and through the mountains
to the vicinity of the Gulf of Penas, about lat. 47° S. There is some
interdigitation at the northern boundary where humidity increases
with altitude, but the change is fairly abrupt from a region of
moderate rainfall and relatively light vegetation to one of great
humidity and dense forest.1 In the heart of this district, vegetation
is widely varied and highly exuberant. Heavy forest growth is
combined with dense undergrowth and the numerous cryptogams
that go with an atmosphere constantly charged with moisture. As
indicated above, a considerable proportion of the specific types of
mammals of the Santiagan district continue into the Valdivian, but
in every instance there is subspecific differentiation. A better
example of climatic and faunal correlation could scarcely be desired.
The characters displayed by the subspecies of small rodents are, as
might be suspected, much the same as those shown under similar
conditions in the forests of Oregon and Washington. Saturate colors,
thickened pelage, and lengthened tails prevail.
Several generic types of mammals are wholly or almost wholly
confined to this district. These are the marsupials Rhyncholestes
and Dromiciops, the cricetine rodent Irenomys, and the ungulate
Pudu. The last-named is reported as extending southward into
the Fuegian district, and it may locally overlap into the southern
part of the Santiagan; but its center of abundance is the Valdivian,
and any deviation is not significant. The small highly adapted
rodent Notiomys valdivianus also characterizes this district, although
it has slight subspecies in Argentina. Another species is Akodon
(Abrothrix) sanborni, a dark-colored mouse of uncertain relationships.
Littoral Forest or Fuegian. — This includes the forested coast
region from the vicinity of the Gulf of Penas to the Straits of Magel-
1 Rainfall at Valparaiso 20-40 inches; at Valdivia 80-200 inches.
1943 MAMMALS -OF CHILE— OSGOOD 31
Ian and the southern or Pacific shore of Tierra del Fuego. It is
characterized by a reduced fauna and flora. The forest trees,
although often in luxuriant solid stands, are few in species, not more
than three in fact, and other vegetation is correspondingly lacking
in the diversity that prevails in the Valdivian district. Mammals
and birds are few in species and even insects and fresh-water inverte-
brates are scarce. The most characteristic small mammal is Akodon
xanthorhinus, which is excessively abundant on Tierra del Fuego and
continues northward along the coast for an undetermined distance.
At Last Hope Inlet it is still abundant and it doubtless ranges con-
siderably farther north. Less common, but occupying the same
region, is Akodon (Abrothrix) lanosus. Only one of the small rodents
of northern Chile has a subspecific representative here. This is the
Oryzomys, which is substantially differentiated in each of the prin-
cipal faunal districts, as below.
Santiagan Valdivian Fuegian
O. 1. longicaudatus O. 1. philippii O. I. magdlanicus
Aside from amphibious forms, there is one carnivore, Dusicyon
culpaeus magellanicus, only subspecifically distinguishable from a
northern form D. c. culpaeus, and on Tierra del Fuego a closely
allied insular form, D. c. lycoides.
Typically, therefore, we have in this district only three small
rodents, Akodon, Abrothrix, and Oryzomys, with one terrestrial
carnivore, Dusicyon. Several forms from the Patagonian may occa-
sionally penetrate short distances into the forests of this district,
but they are essentially interlopers not properly part of this fauna.
Such are Reithrodon and Euneomys on Tierra del Fuego and Notiomys
on the mainland.
Treeless Plain or Patagonian. — As stated elsewhere, the political
boundaries of Chile in the south include various eastern slopes and
tongues of pampa which, although scattered and of small extent,
provide access for a considerable number of mammals not otherwise
found in Chile. These include species mainly of the eastern foot-
hills and others of the open plains. Among them are Dusicyon
griseus, Conepatus humboldti, Lyncodon patagonica, Ctenomys magel-
lanicus, Reithrodon auritus cuniculoides, Euneomys chinchilloides,
Phyllotis micropus, Phyllotis xanthopygus, and Akodon (Abrothrix)
longipilis suffusa. On Tierra del Fuego the open plain is largely
within the boundaries of Argentina, but enough of it extends into
Chile to make it certain that all species of the island occur on both
sides of the line.
32 FIELD MUSEUM OF NATURAL HISTORY— ZOOLOGY, VOL. 30
DERIVATION OF CHILEAN MAMMALS
Geologists and paleontologists are mostly agreed that South
America received a primitive mammalian fauna from the north at
a very early date. The oldest fossils now found there are regarded
as Paleocene, indicating an established fauna at least as early as the
beginning of the Tertiary, and it is not impossible that forerunners
of this fauna entered during the latter part of the Cretaceous. Fol-
lowing this introduction from the north, the South American conti-
nent was cut off from the rest of the world for a long period, for
many millions of years in fact, and during this time its mammals
became differentiated into an extraordinary number of widely
varying types so different from their contemporaries elsewhere
that it became necessary to erect innumerable new genera, many
new families, and even five or six new orders to accommodate them.
No less than forty different families were represented and it was
perhaps the largest and most peculiar mammalian fauna that ever
existed.
This fauna was flourishing in the Miocene some twenty to thirty
million years ago, but in later periods most of it disappeared. All
the larger forms became extinct and many of the smaller ones also,
but a few descendants of the latter have continued into the present.
These include only the marsupials (didelphids and caenolestids) and
the sloths, anteaters, and armadillos. Late in the Miocene, while
the large fauna was still well represented, there suddenly appeared
a whole group of rodents, the Hystricomorpha, many of which in
only slightly modified form have continued into the present. These
include the American porcupines, cavies, chinchillas, viscachas, and
various octodonts of ratlike form. How and where they originated
is not certain, but a few members of the same group are now found
in Africa with some evidence of a possible ancestry in Europe.
Nothing closely resembling them has been discovered so far in the
North American Tertiary. At about this time the antecedents of
the platyrrhine monkeys also appeared, and their origin, like that
of the hystricomorphs, is still uncertain. Obviously, the record is
far from complete.
Meanwhile, just before the extinction of the great South Ameri-
can fauna, important physical changes took place, the general nature
of which is quite certain. In Pliocene times, South America and
North America again became connected at Panama and the isthmus
was then probably higher and wider than it is now, furnishing a
bridge for the interchange of northern and southern faunas. Cats,
1943 MAMMALS OF CHILE— OSGOOD 33
dogs, deer, cricetine rodents, and other familiar northern forms
poured into South America and spread over the entire continent,
perhaps having some part in the extinction of the southern types,
although doubtless other factors were involved. Southern forms
also invaded the north but in smaller numbers and mostly to limited
areas. Ground sloths and glyptodonts reached Ohio, Kentucky,
California, Nevada, and similar latitudes and there became extinct.
Opossums and armadillos now extend to the southern United States,
and in tropical Mexico there are anteaters, sloths, monkeys, and
several representatives of the hystricomorph rodents. The only
form of southern derivation which has attained a very wide range in
the north is the porcupine now covering a great part of the United
States, Canada, and Alaska.
These general features of the history of South American mam-
mals are well known, especially to paleontologists, and of course
they are responsible for the broader aspects of present-day distri-
butions, but they cover such vast periods of time and so many
elements are lacking that interpretation of details cannot be entirely
free of speculation. When applied to Chile they furnish the basis
for an immediate division of its modern fauna into one series of
southern origin and one of northern.
Those of undoubted southern origin are the following, belonging
to two orders and eleven genera:
Order Marsupialia: Rhyncholestes, Marmosa, Dromidops.
Order Rodentia: Chinchilla, Octodon, Aconaemys, Spalacopus, Lagidium,
Ctenomys, Myocastor, Abrocoma.
Of these, three are marsupials and the remainder hystricomorph
rodents. Rhyncholestes and perhaps also Dromidops are directly
derived from ancient stocks which may have occupied the same
region as these their descendants now do. Both are peculiar to
Chile and do not occur east of the Andean chain. The third marsu-
pial, Marmosa, although a primitive type, probably reached Chile
at a much later date by secondary invasion from northern and
central South America. Two genera of bats, Desmodus and Tada-
rida, are doubtfully of southern origin, but like the Marmosa they
are obviously recent introductions from tropical regions to the
northward.
Among the hystricomorphs of Chile, the majority are peculiar
to the region and only two, Ctenomys and Myocastor, have extensive
distribution east of the Andes. Moreover, although tropical types
of hystricomorphs are numerous (Proechimys, Dasyprocta, Hydro-
34 FIELD MUSEUM OF NATURAL HISTORY— ZOOLOGY, VOL. 30
chaerus, etc.), none of them have reached Chile. It is evident, there-
fore, that at some period in the history of the ancient southern types,
both among the marsupials and the rodents, they became divided,
by migration or differentiation, into two groups, one occupying
tropical parts of South America and the other the temperate. In
Chile only the temperate forms are found among the hystricomorphs
and it is easily seen that among the much fewer marsupials the one
form closely allied to tropical types is a recent invader. The north-
ward distribution of these temperate forms is very limited. Although
climatic conditions are favorable for them in the Andes of northern
Ecuador, Colombia, and even Venezuela, only the caenolestids have
reached to these limits and their northern representatives are well
differentiated from the southern. Lagidium goes no farther than
southern Ecuador, Chinchilla reaches central Peru, while Dromiciops,
Octodon, Aconaemys, Spalacopus, and Abrocoma are practically con-
fined to Chile. Abrocoma is recorded from Bolivia just beyond the
political boundaries of Chile, and in adjoining parts of Argentina
are the very local allied genera Octodontomys and Octomys.
The following mammals reached Chile from the north:
Order Chiroptera: Myotis, Histiotus, Lasiurus.
Order Carnivora: Felis, Orison, Lutra, Dusicyon, Conepatus.
Order Rodentia: Akodon, Eligmodontia, Euneomys, Irenomys, Reithrodon,
Phyllotis, Notiomys, Oryzomys.
Order Artiodactyla: Hippocamelus, Lama, Vicugna, Pudu.
These, therefore, include four orders and twenty genera, a much larger
and more varied assemblage than those of southern origin. The
proportion of endemic forms, however, is much smaller. All the
bats and all the carnivores belong to wide-ranging genera. Among
the rodents, all of which are cricetines, only Irenomys is strictly
confined to Chile, although Notiomys is essentially Chilean. The
ungulates Hippocamelus, Lama, and Vicugna extend into Bolivia and
Peru, while Pudu is supposed to be represented in Ecuador by a
rare allied form Pudella.
Of the eight genera of cricetine rodents, only one, Oryzomys, now
has continuous distribution from the north southward. All the
others, although obviously of northern origin, have become well
differentiated and are now confined to southern South America;
their immediate northern ancestors are either extinct or unrecog-
nizable among living forms. It is probable, therefore, that all or
most of these are the result of a relatively early invasion from the
north, while the Oryzomys may have come at a much later date,
1943 MAMMALS OF CHILE— OSGOOD 35
probably in the Pleistocene. The Oryzomys, in fact, can be traced
northward from Tierra del Fuego, where it is quite common, through
Chile, Peru, and Ecuador to Colombia and from there by forms
scarcely more than subspecifically different to Panama and Central
America. It has also spread somewhat into the tropics in Brazil
and elsewhere. Its distribution and relationships are not yet fully
worked out but perhaps it may offer some clue as to the route into
the south followed by the other cricetines.
Excluding bats and pinnipeds, the significance of which is doubt-
ful, there are thirty genera of mammals now found in Chile.
Of this number, seventeen are of northern origin. This high per-
centage of northern forms is interesting not only in its relation to
their past history, but is significant of the present condition, for the
process of extinction is still going on and, at least among the rodents,
it appears that the northern forms are rapidly gaining supremacy.
Among the hystricomorphs or southern forms, several of the families
and most of the genera are now monotypic, while nearly all of them
occupy very restricted areas. Already the chinchilla is practically
gone and none of the octodont rats is generally distributed. In
order to obtain specimens of all the genera of these octodonts it is
necessary to travel over most of central Chile and to visit isolated
areas, sometimes only a few square miles in extent, where they are
found in limited numbers and under conditions where slight dis-
turbance might easily wipe them out. On the other hand, the
northern forms, especially the cricetine rodents, are mostly of general
distribution and differentiated into various subspecies occupying
adjoining areas. Except where they are crowded out by the intro-
duced murines, they are abundant and flourishing. That they will
eventually have complete ascendancy over the small octodonts seems
highly probable.
Purely Palearctic or Nearctic forms are very few in South
America and none of them have reached the far south. They
include only the weasels, which extend to Ecuador and Peru, the
shrews, which extend to Ecuador, and possibly some of the squirrels,
with a slightly wider range. All the southern cricetines and at least
most of the carnivores of Chile appear to have been derived from the
so-called Sonoran Region or Subregion of central and south-central
North America. In this area certain well-differentiated groups, as
the Antilocapridae and Geomyidae, have never reached South
America, but the majority of the mammals of the southern United
States and northern Mexico have their representatives in the south
36 FIELD MUSEUM OF NATURAL HISTORY— ZOOLOGY, VOL. 30
and, at the present time, various groups are more highly developed
in the south than in the north. Such a genus as Oryzomys, for
example, must have spread southward from the Sonoran, although
now more restricted there than in the invaded regions. The sig-
nificance of the Sonoran as a zoogeographic province is thus increased
by considering its relation to South America. Besides family and
generic types peculiar to it, there are certain specific ones such as
the puma, which despite its very wide range in the south is to be
regarded as a purely Sonoran type.
The present-day mammal fauna of Chile, therefore, consists of
two major elements and two minor ones. By far the majority of
the mammals are either hystricomorph rodents of long standing in
South America or invaders belonging to several families from North
America. The minor elements are (1) the caenolestid marsupials
directly descended from the early Patagonian fauna and (2) the
mouse opossum and several bats that are doubtless recent intrusions
from tropical South America.
ENDEMISM
No less than eight genera of mammals are peculiar to Chile.
These are two marsupials, four octodont rodents, one cricetine
rodent, and one ungulate, as follows:
Order Marsupialia: Rhyncholestes, Dromiciops.1
Order Rodentia (octodont): Ociodon, Abrocoma,1 Spalacopus, Aconaemys.
Order Rodentia (cricetine): Irenomys.
Order Artiodactyla: Pudu.
This is a high percentage of the total mammal fauna. If we exclude
the pinnipeds and the five genera of bats, as well as the genera that
barely pass Chilean political boundaries and do not properly belong
to its fauna, the total number of genera is reduced to twenty-six.
Nearly one-third of these, therefore, are confined to the region,
practically all of them to middle Chile where the high wall of the
Andes most effectively shuts them in. The area in which they live
is a very small one as compared to the continent of which it is a
part and it is scarcely to be supposed that they have developed
within it. More probably they or their ancestors became isolated
at a time when physical conditions forced them into a limited area
and exterminated their near relatives elsewhere. At some time
1 Records of these genera from Argentina are such a short distance beyond
Chilean territory that their inclusion in this list seems justifiable.
1943 MAMMALS OF CHILE— OSGOOD 37
during the Pliocene much of Patagonia was under the sea, with the
Andes of the west lower than now and more limited in extent. The
marine inundation and the gradual elevation of the Andes neces-
sarily produced profound climatic disturbances the exact nature of
which cannot be traced. There was some glaciation in the southern
Andes and there are a few small glaciers there now, but there were
no great intermittent glacial periods as there were in the north.
There must have been some selective climatic influence, however,
which may have been at least partially responsible for present
distributions.
INSULAR FAUNAS
The Juan Fernandez Islands, lying some four hundred miles
west of the mainland and under Chilean sovereignty, are quite
devoid of land mammals. Otherwise, Chilean islands are strictly
continental, and the mammals found on them are only slightly or
not at all differentiated.
Off the northern and central coast there are no islands large
enough to support a mammal fauna with the exception of Santa
Maria Island, in the Gulf of Arauco near Concepcion, and Mocha
Island, a short distance farther south. No information is available
about Santa Maria, but Mocha is known to be inhabited by several
rodents, including representatives of practically all the common
forms of the neighboring mainland. Apparently all are very slightly
differentiated and their isolation is obviously of not very long stand-
ing. Mocha is about eight miles in length and is situated about
twenty-five miles offshore. It has a varied topography and sup-
ports an extensive flora with considerable forest.
Southward from Puerto Montt to Cape Horn many islands are
scattered along the entire coast. Most of them are small in size
and only a few have been visited by naturalists. As a rule they are
heavily wooded and provided with conditions favorable for small
mammals, but the limited evidence available indicates that their
faunas are small and scarcely or not at all differentiated. The large
island of Chiloe has an extensive fauna including practically all the
mammals of the Valdivian district. A few forms, as Dromiciops
australis gliroides, Notiomys valdivianus chiloensis, and Dusicyon
fulvipes, seem to be differentiated, but so far they have been com-
pared only with material from the northeast, mainly from the
Province of Valdivia. Museum specimens from the coast directly
opposite Chiloe are still lacking and when they are forthcoming it
38 FIELD MUSEUM OF NATURAL HISTORY— ZOOLOGY, VOL. 30
is not unlikely that they will bridge the distinctions now drawn
between island and mainland forms. Chiloe Island, therefore, has
only slight faunal peculiarity.
The great island of Tierra del Fuego, which is separated from the
mainland by the Straits of Magellan, is characterized more by the
absence of certain forms than by the peculiarity of those that are
present. The Straits exceed twenty miles in width throughout much
of their extent, but the narrows near the Atlantic entrance, for about
twelve miles, although some fifty fathoms deep, are less than five
miles in width, and at low tide, in places, perhaps no more than three.
It is not strange, therefore, that the majority of the mammals of
Tierra del Fuego are identical with those of the nearby mainland.
Among the small rodents, those that are common to both sides of
the Straits are the following:
Akodon xanthorhinus xanthorhinus Akodon xanthorhinus canescens
Akodon (Abrothrix) lanosus Euneomys chinchilloides chinchilloides
Reithrodon auritus pachycephalus Oryzomys longicaudatus magellanicus
Rodents possibly peculiar to the island include only Ctenomys
magellanicus fueginus and Akodon (Abrothrix) longipilis francei. In
both cases the distinction is doubtful, since the supposed characters
are very slight and based on inadequate material. Their recognition
is quite provisional and better information than we now have may
lead to the conclusion that all the rodents of Tierra del Fuego are
identical with those of the mainland.
The larger land mammals of Tierra del Fuego consist only of the
guanaco and the wolf (Dusicyon culpaeus lycoides). Of these, the
wolf appears to be somewhat peculiar in size and cranial characters,
but material representing it is scanty and comparisons so far made
are with only one or two specimens from the mainland. The guanaco
conceivably may have been transported by the aborigines.
Not yet recorded from Tierra del Fuego and doubtless quite
absent from it are a number of mammals now or formerly common
on the north side of the Straits. These are the puma (Felis concolor
subsp. ) , the huemul (Hippocamelus) , the small fox (Dusicyon g. griseus) ,
the skunk (Conepatus), and two small rodents (Notiomys and Phyl-
lotis m. micropus). Apparently the island has been populated from the
mainland quite fortuitously and at intervals when chance favored
one set of animals rather than another equally suited. This accords
well with the evidence that the island has received its fauna at a
relatively recent time subsequent to the period of glaciation or eleva-
tion. In other words, although a large share of the mainland fauna
1943 MAMMALS OF CHILE— OSGOOD 39
has reached the island, sufficient time has not elapsed for all of it
to do so. Certain birds of the mainland also are absent from the
island, notably the rhea, which is common on the northern shore of
the Straits but unknown on the other side. The only reptile of the
region, a small lizard (Liolaemus magellanicus) , is common to both
sides of the Straits.
COLLECTIONS IN CHILEAN NATIONAL MUSEUM
As far back as 1813, when Chilean independence was not yet
fully established, the idea of a national museum in connection with
the "Universidad de San Felipe" was officially promulgated. Again,
in 1822, it was considered by the great leader Bernardo O'Higgins,
but it was not until 1830, when Claudio Gay was commissioned to
make his explorations, that definite authority for a museum was
ordered; and not until 1838, when Gay's collections were placed in
a public hall later occupied by the Tribunales de Justicia, that the
museum became an objective reality. By 1851, according to report,
affairs were in a bad state and some of the collections had mys-
teriously disappeared, the remainder being located "en los altos"
of the Biblioteca Nacional.
In 1853, only two years after his arrival in Chile, Dr. R. A.
Philippi was appointed Director of the museum and Professor of
Natural History in the University of Chile. Thenceforward until
his retirement in 1897, Philippi was very active and the museum
grew rapidly. In 1866 it was removed to one of the halls of the
university and in the same year was subjected to considerable loss
through robbery, certain intrinsically valuable objects being ex-
tracted and others damaged or destroyed.
In 1876 a final move was made to an imposing and commodious
building in the Quinta Normal de Agricultura, an attractive park,
where the museum became one of the show places of the capital
city of Santiago. This building had been constructed for an inter-
national exposition in 1875 and was so large it could not be fully
occupied at once and for some years its main hall was frequently
used for public functions. In 1879, during the war between Peru
and Bolivia, it served as a hospital, and in 1888 it housed the mineral
display of another exposition. By the early part of the present
century, however, its natural history exhibits were sufficient to
require all or nearly all available space. These exhibits covered
zoology, botany, geology, ethnology, and archaeology. In later
years the building suffered somewhat from earthquakes, requiring
40 FIELD MUSEUM OF NATURAL HISTORY— ZOOLOGY, VOL. 30
considerable reconstruction, but most of the collections remain
intact.
In 1922, when Field Museum's first expedition was working in
Chile, full access to the zoological collections of the Museo Nacional
was courteously accorded by the then Director, Dr. Eduardo Moore.
Apparently they had been changed but little since the days of
Philippi. The representation of mammals and birds was large and
comprehensive, mainly Chilean, but with many important species
from other parts of the world. As was customary, especially in
European museums, all specimens were mounted and displayed,
often including many duplicates. The workmanship from the con-
temporary standpoint was most creditable. Each specimen was
attached to a wooden stand or perch, on the under side of which
was a paper label giving essential data, handwritten or, in some
cases, typewritten.
Most important were the types of new species first described by
Philippi. None of these were designated as such, but it was soon
evident that the majority of them could be identified with certainty
by the labels or more especially by the postures in which they had
been mounted by the taxidermist. These postures were in so many
cases identical with those of the figures published by Philippi that
there could be no doubt the figures were drawn from the mounted
specimens. Not all the types were found, however, and it is clear
that some of them have been extracted from the collection or lost.
Philippi, himself, appears to have sent at least a part of them to
other institutions, perhaps in exchange, and according to local
report others have found their way elsewhere in Chile.
In 1939, when a party from Field Museum was again in Santiago,
Dr. Ricardo E. Latcham, present Director of the museum, and
Dr. Rodulfo Philippi, Curator of Birds, were most courteous and
demonstrated convincingly that every care is now being taken for
the allocation and preservation of the valuable types.
METHODS
In the present account of the mammalian fauna of Chile an
effort has been made to cover the whole field, but it has proved
impractical to carry out a uniform treatment for all species. In
many cases the accounts are. quite complete, but in others it is
probable there may be more existing knowledge than is presented.
This is especially true of the larger forms, which the progress of
settlement has rendered scarce and difficult to obtain. The work
1943 MAMMALS OF CHILE— OSGOOD 41
has been subject to many interruptions, so it has been done piece-
meal from time to time over a number of years, and this has caused
some irregularity of method.
Owing to the confused state of knowledge of South American
mammals in general and the especial problems due to the loose
work of several early Chilean naturalists, it has been necessary to
devote considerable space to discussion of generic relationships,
to nomenclature, and to the identification of old types — matters
which it is hoped may clear the way for a future in which they will
no longer trouble. Although principally of interest to professional
mammalogists they are unavoidable at this time.
On the other hand, it has seemed desirable to introduce at least
some of the features of a manual such as simple keys and very brief
diagnoses, which may be helpful to anyone entering the field, and
more especially to Chilean naturalists on the ground, whose desire
to pursue the subject is unquestioned. The skulls of most but not
all species are illustrated by drawings made by Mr. John J. Janecek
from specimens in Field Museum. Distribution maps, also drawn
by Mr. Janecek, are given for certain species for which there are
sufficient data to make them significant. In other cases records
are so few and indefinite that maps are not practical.
The bibliography is perhaps not far from complete but it has
not been pursued very systematically and some omissions may be
found. As it is, there are many references of little importance save
historical exhaustiveness. With a very few exceptions, all references
have been checked with original sources.
Despite the large number of names existing, it has proved
necessary to add fifteen, mostly for slightly characterized forms
heretofore unrecognized. These are enumerated in the historical
list at the conclusion of the report (p. 242).
LIST OF THE MAMMALS OF CHILE
Order MARSUPIALIA
Marmoset elegans elegans Waterhouse
Marmosa elegans coquimbensis Tate
Marmoset elegans soricina F. Philippi
Dromiciops australis australis F. Phi-
lippi
Dromiciops australis gliroides Thomas
Rhyncholestes raphanurus Osgood
Order CHIROPTERA
Lasiurus borealis bonariensis Lesson and
Garnot
Lasiurus cinereus villosissimus Geoffrey
Myotis chiloensis chiloensis Waterhouse
Myotis chiloensis arescens Osgood
Myotis chiloensis atacamensis Lataste
Histiotus macrotus Poeppig
Histiotus montanus montanus Philippi
and Landbeck
Histiotus montanus magellanicus Philippi
Desmodus rotundus d'orbignyi Water-
house
Tadarida brasiliensis Geoffrey
Order CARNIVORA
Dusicyon culpaeus culpaeus Molina
Dusicyon culpaeus andinus Thomas
Dusicyon culpaeus magellanicus Gray
Dusicyon culpaeus lycoides Philippi
Dusicyon griseus griseus Gray
Dusicyon griseus domeykoanus Philippi
Dusicyon griseus maullinicus Philippi
Dusicyon fulvipes Martin
Felis concolor puma Molina
Felis concolor patagonica Merriam
Felis concolor araucanus Osgood
Felis pajeros colocolo Molina
Felis guigna guigna Molina
Felis guigna molinae Osgood
Felis jacobita Cornalia
Lutra provocax Thomas
Lutra felina Molina
Grison cuja Molina
Lyncodon patagonica Blainville
Conepatus chinga chinga Molina
Conepatus chinga mendosus Thomas
Conepatus humboldti Gray
Conepatus rex Thomas
Leptonychotes weddelli Lesson
Hydrurga leptonyx Blainville
Mirounga leonina Linnaeus
Otaria flavescens Shaw
Arctocephalus australis Zimmermann
Order RODENTIA
Abrocoma bennetti bennetti Waterhouse
Abrocoma bennetti murrayi Wolffsohn
Octodon degus Molina
Octodon bridgesi Waterhouse
Octodon lunatus Osgood
Aconaemys fuscus fuscus Waterhouse
Aconaemys fuscus porteri Thomas
Spalacopus cyanus cyanus Molina
Spalacopus cyanus maulinus Osgood
Spalacopus cyanus tabanus Thomas
Ctenomys magellanicus magellanicus
Bennett
Ctenomys magellanicus fueginus Philippi
Ctenomys magellanicus osgoodi Allen
Ctenomys magellanicus dicki Osgood
Ctenomys maulinus maulinus Philippi
Ctenomys maulinus brunneus Osgood
Ctenomys fulvus Philippi
Ctenomys robustus Philippi
Ctenomys opimus Wagner
Myocastor coypus coypus Molina
Myocastor coypus melanops Osgood
Chinchilla chinchilla velligera Prell
Lagidium viscacia viscacia Molina
Lagidium viscacia cuvieri Bennett
Lagidium viscacia famatinae Thomas
Lagidium viscacia boxi Thomas
42
1943
MAMMALS OF CHILE— OSGOOD
43
Lagidium viscada sarae Thomas and
St. Leger
Lagidium viscada moreni Thomas
Lagidium viscada wolffsohni Thomas
Cavia australis Geoffroy and d'Orbigny
Oryzomys longicaudatus longicaudatus
Bennett
Oryzomys longicaudatus philippii Land-
beck
Oryzomys longicaudatus magellanicus
Bennett
Notiomys valdivianus valdivianus Phi-
lippi
Notiomys valdivianus chiloensis Osgood
Notiomys valdivianus bullocki Osgood
Notiomys valdivianus bicolor Osgood
Notiomys valdivianus michaelseni
Matschie
Notiomys megalonyx megalonyx Water-
house
Notiomys megalonyx microtis Philippi
Notiomys macronyx macronyx Thomas
Notiomys macronyx vestitus Thomas
Notiomys macronyx alleni Osgood
Notiomys delfini Cabrera
Akodon olivaceus olivaceus Waterhouse
Akodon olivaceus pencanus Philippi
Akodon olivaceus mochae Philippi
Akodon olivaceus brachiotis Waterhouse
Akodon olivaceus beatus Thomas
Akodon andinus andinus Philippi
Akodon andinus dolichonyx Philippi
Akodon xanthorhinus xanthorhinus
Waterhouse
Akodon xanthorhinus canescens Water-
house
Akodon (Abrothrix) longipilis longipilis
Waterhouse
Akodon (Abrothrix) longipilis apta
Osgood
Akodon (Abrothrix) longipilis castaneus
Osgood
Akodon (Abrothrix) longipilis moerens
Thomas
Akodon (Abrothrix) longipilis hirta
Thomas
Akodon (Abrothrix) longipilis suffusa
Thomas
Akodon (Abrothrix) longipilis nubila
Thomas
Akodon (Abrothrix) longipilis francei
Thomas
Akodon (Abrothrix) sanborni Osgood
Akodon (Abrothrix) lanosus Thomas
Eligmodontia puerulus Philippi
Eligmodontia elegans morgani Allen
Phyllotis darwini darwini Waterhouse
Phyllotis darwini boedeckeri Philippi
Phyllotis darwini fulvescens Osgood
Phyllotis darwini vaccarum Thomas
Phyllotis darwini rupestris Gervais
Phyllotis darwini xanthopygus Water-
house
Phyllotis (Auliscomys) boliviensis
Waterhouse
Phyllotis (Auliscomys) micropus micro-
pus Waterhouse
Phyllotis (Auliscomys) micropus fumipes
Osgood
Euneomys chinchilloides chinchilloides
Waterhouse
Euneomys chinchilloides ultimus
Thomas
Euneomys petersoni Allen
Irenomys tarsalis tarsalis Philippi
Irenomys tarsalis longicaudatus Philippi
Reithrodon auritus cuniculoides
Waterhouse
Reithrodon auritus pachycephalus
Philippi
Order ARTIODACTYLA
Hippocamelus bisulcus Molina Lama guanicoe Miiller
Pudu pudu Molina Vicugna vicugna Molina
KEY TO ORDERS OF CHILEAN MAMMALS
Feet furnished with hoofs; upper jaw without front or middle incisor teeth.
ARTIODACTYLA (Hoofed mammals), p. 224.
Feet furnished with claws; front or middle incisor teeth present in upper jaw.
Anterior limbs with membranous adaptation for flying.
CHIROPTERA (Bats), p. 53.
Anterior limbs normal for walking or running.
Canine (corner) teeth absent; a marked space between front or incisor teeth
and molariform or hinder teeth, which are adapted for grinding.
RODENTIA (Gnawing mammals), p. 105.
Canine teeth present; no marked space between front teeth and the others,
which are adapted for cutting or tearing.
No more than three pairs of incisor teeth in front of canines.
CARNIVORA (Flesh-eating mammals), p. 63.
At least four pairs of incisor teeth in front of canines.
MARSUPIALIA (Pouched mammals), p. 44.
ORDER MARSUPIALIA
KEY TO CHILEAN GENERA
Middle pair of lower front teeth very long and procumbent, very unlike adjoining
pairs; under parts colored like upper parts Rhyncholestes.
Middle pair of lower front teeth essentially like adjoining pairs; under parts much
paler in color than upper parts.
Middle pair of upper incisors or front teeth in contact with next pair; auditory
capsules large and completely closed Dromiciops.
Middle pair of upper incisors separated from next pair by a slight space; audi-
tory capsules small and not completely closed Marmoset.
LIST OF SPECIES
Marmosa elegans elegans Waterhouse. MOUSE OPOSSUM; LLACA.
Didelphis hortensls Reid, Proc. Zool. Soc. Lond., p. 4, 1837 — Valparaiso,
Chile; nomen nudum.
Didelphis elegans Waterhouse, Zool. Voy. Beagle, Mamm., pp. 95-96, pis.
31, 35, fig. 5, a-e, 1839— Valparaiso, Chile.
Marmosa elegans Thomas, Ann. Mag. Nat. Hist., (6), 14, p. 188, 1894; (7),
10, p. 158, 1902.
Thylamys elegans Gray, List Mamm. Brit. Mus., p. 101, 1843; Matschie,
Sitzungsber. Ges. Naturf. Freunde, Berlin, p. 271, 1916.
Marmosa (Thylamys) elegans Cabrera, Gen. Mamm., p. 40, 1919.
Marmosa elegans elegans Tate, Bull. Amer. Mus. Nat. Hist., 66, p. 214, 1933.
A medium-sized mouse opossum of generally grayish or light brownish
coloration with pure white or creamy under parts and a conspicuous blackish
facial marking through the eyes. Tail finely haired throughout and frequently
incrassated or thickened. Total length 270; tail 137; hind foot 17.
44
1943
MAMMALS OF CHILE— OSGOOD
45
Range. — Central Chile, probably from Coquimbo to Concepcion;
at present known mainly from the coast ranges in the provinces of
Aconcagua and Valparaiso.
Although apparently abundant in the vicinity of Valparaiso,
records of this species from other parts of Chile are very few. It
would not be surprising, however, to find it throughout much of the
region from Valdivia northward to Coquimbo and thence north-
eastward through the mountains to connect with the very closely
related forms of northwestern Argentina and Bolivia. The treat-
ment of several of these Argentine and Bolivian forms as species
FIG. 1. Marmosa elegans elegans. F.M. No. 23869. X 1.
fully distinct from elegans and from each other, as proposed by Tate
(op. cit., pp. 209-235), is hard to accept in view of their strong simi-
larity in general characters and the high probability that further
collections will fill gaps in distribution. Even Thomas, whose
standards of species and subspecies were anything but conservative,
never intimated more than subspecific status for most of these forms.
Their general features, including coloration, approximate actual
identity, and separation must be based upon slight differences in
size and cranial peculiarities of a kind commonly useful for drawing
average distinctions between subspecies rather than species. That
such characters exist in these cases need not be doubted, but that
they signify sharp lines of differentiation seems open to question.
The mountains of northeastern Chile have not been visited by
collectors but their character is so similar to that of adjoining parts of
Bolivia and Argentina that close affinity of faunas is to be expected.
The case of Marmosa elegans in this region corresponds closely to
that of Phyllotis darwini and Oryzomys longicaudatus, both of which
are represented in Bolivia and Argentina by closely related sub-
species the connections of which are somewhat better indicated than
in Marmosa although there are considerable gaps to be filled in.
46 FIELD MUSEUM OF NATURAL HISTORY— ZOOLOGY, VOL. 30
The unusually large series of elegans in Field Museum, consisting
of thirty-four specimens from a very limited area, demonstrates the
wide range of size due to age and sex. The summer pelage is shown
by at least one specimen taken by Sanborn on December 6, in which
the color of the upper parts is practically identical with that of a
specimen of janetta from Bolivia and very close to that of a topotype
of venusta. No such series of the northern forms exists, and it is
extremely difficult to ascertain whether or not a few given specimens
are comparable. As a group, the northern forms seem to have smaller
audital bullae than elegans and there can be scarcely any question
that this character is of taxonomic importance. However, it is by
no means too much to be bridged by gradations and it is almost
covered by individual variations. Among themselves, the charac-
ters of the northern forms are very difficult to evaluate and especially
difficult to correlate with logical areas of distribution. In a broad
way it seems possible to make a primary division of the forms in
northwestern Argentina and Bolivia resulting in one series of fairly
large size and dark color and another of somewhat smaller size and
pale color. The names Cinderella and sponsoria apply to the first
series, while pallidior, and probably pusilla, apply to the second.
Apparently intermediate between them are venusta and janetta. If
it happens that venusta is intermediate in both size and color while
janetta is only intermediate in color, it only shows that all sorts of
combinations are possible and a few specimens from very restricted
areas need not be taken very seriously. That they are all closely
related to the Paraguayan marmota is evident, but they seem much
closer to pusilla and verax and, although marmota and pusilla appear
quite distinct in Paraguay, the evidence that both have repre-
sentatives in the west leaves much to be desired. Material is far
too scanty to deal satisfactorily with the eastern forms, but inter-
gradation among the western ones is demonstrable. This may be
illustrated by reference to one specimen (B.M. 21.1.2.17) from
Caimancita, Jujuy, which Tate (op. cit., pp. 227-228) listed twice,
once under Cinderella and once under sponsoria. This is no especial
criticism of Mr. Tate, for it only perpetuates in print what has
occurred in the mind of everyone who works with closely related
subspecies. A specimen from this same locality, now in Field Mu-
seum and not examined by Tate, appears in every respect exactly
intermediate between Cinderella and janetta, and this is exactly
what should be expected on geographic grounds. Of further interest
is the fact that it agrees minutely with a topotype of venusta, being
much nearer to that than to either Cinderella or janetta. If venusta
1943 MAMMALS OF CHILE— OSGOOD 47
is intermediate, then sponsoria and janetta are, also, and recog-
nition of venusta seems far enough to go. There is little except
color to distinguish such closely related animals and a much clearer
view of present knowledge appears if sponsoria and janetta are
dropped. For the present, also, it may be preferable to write Mar-
mosa elegans venusta, M. e. Cinderella, and M. e. pallidior with the
reservation that future collections may easily show that all are con-
nected with pusilla, which was the first of the group to receive a
name.1
Specimens examined. — Total 35: Near Calera, Aconcagua, 5;
Limache, Valparaiso, 4; Longotoma, Aconcagua, 1; Olmue, Valpa-
raiso, 8; Palmilla, La Cruz, Valparaiso, 5; Palos Quemados, Valpa-
raiso, 4; Papudo, Aconcagua, 7; Santiago, 1 (B.M.).
Marmosa elegans coquimbensis Tate.
Marmosa elegans coquimbensis Tate, Amer. Mus. Nov., No. 493, p. 14, 1931
— Paiguano, Province of Coquimbo, Chile. Alt. 3,300 feet.
This form, so far known only from the type specimen, is notice-
ably paler than elegans. It is also paler than pallidior, with which
its intergradation is highly probable. The name chosen for it is
unfortunate, since it may be found to inhabit only a small part of
the Province of Coquimbo, and it may range northward even to
Peru. In the southern and coastal part of the province, including
the city of Coquimbo, typical elegans is to be expected.
The occurrence of a mouse opossum at Cobija, Province of Anto-
fagasta, mentioned by Waterhouse (Nat. Hist. Mamm., 1, p. 518,
1846) on the authority of Bridges, is significant of the probable
1 The work of Thomas on this group is perhaps responsible for the presumption
of a greater number of species and subspecies than time will justify. It was his
practice to interpret almost any observable morphological difference as worthy
of recognition. His criterion of species and subspecies was mainly that of "degree
of difference" and, never having worked with large series covering wide areas,
he was unwilling to admit that fairly marked characters might be connected by
gradations. Since he dominated the South American field for so long, and since
he was such a careful observer and keen analyst, subsequent workers may be
influenced to do greater justice to his opinions than they deserve. In effect, he
seems to have tried to adopt standards of distinction such, for example, as are
applied now to California mammals, but with the tremendous disadvantage of
having only a handful of specimens from scattered localities, whereas the Cali-
fornians have not only thousands of specimens in connected geographic series,
but they also have intimate knowledge of physical conditions. When Chilean
and Argentine mammals are as well known as those of California, doubtless more
names for them will be in use than now, but some of the present ones will have
disappeared. In working toward this condition, mistakes of commission seem
more likely than those of omission, and at any given time synthesis is probably
less harmful than ultra-analysis.
48 FIELD MUSEUM OF .NATURAL HISTORY— ZOOLOGY, VOL. 30
connection between typical elegans and allies now known to inhabit
the southwestern part of Peru (Arequipa).
Marmosa elegans soricina F. Philippi.
Didelphys soricina F. Philippi, Arch. Naturg., 60, (1), p. 36, pi. 4, fig. 1,
1894— Province of Valdivia, Chile.
Marmosa elegans Wolffsohn, Bol. Mus. Nac. Chile, 2, No. 1, p. 85, 1910;
Cabrera, Gen. Mamm., p. 40, 1919.
Marmosa elegans soricina Tate, Bull. Amer. Mus. Nat. Hist., 66, p. 216, 1933.
The original type was examined in Santiago where it is still
preserved, although in rather poor condition. The skull is inside
the skin. Extensive notes on the specimen were published by
Wolffsohn, who found nothing to distinguish it from elegans.
Careful examination, however, reveals characters of at least sub-
specific importance. On removing the mounted specimen from its
wooden stand, it is seen that the under parts are darker than in
elegans, with practically all the hairs having extensive dark bases.
In elegans, the under parts are pure white and only on the sides are
there hairs with dark bases, the entire broad central area from the
chin to the tail being pure white to the roots of the hairs. In sori-
cina, the under parts are buffy, and all the hairs, except possibly a
few short ones on the chin, have dark plumbeous bases. It is evi-
dent, therefore, 'that soricina should be recognized as a subspecies of
elegans, and although no specimens except the type are at present
known, the form will doubtless be found throughout Valdivia and
adjoining provinces in southern Chile. A skull from Angol, Province
of Malleco, which may belong here, is mentioned by Tate (I.e.).
Dromiciops australis australis F. Philippi. MONITO DEL MONTE;
LLACA.
Didelphys australis F. Philippi, Verhandl. Deutsch. Wiss. Verein., Santiago,
Chile, 2, pp. 318-319, 1893; Anal. Univ. Chile, 3 pp., 1 pi., author's ed.,
1893— near Union, Valdivia, Chile.
Dromiciops australis Thomas, Ann. Mag. Nat. Hist., (9), 3, p. 212, 1919;
Cabrera, Gen. Mamm., p. 31, 1919.
A small marsupial with much smaller ears than Marmosa and the tail thickened
at the base and densely hairy except a narrow naked area on the under side at the
tip. Color brownish with alternating light and dark areas on the sides. Females
with an abdominal pouch. Mammae four. Skull with audital bullae large and
complete posteriorly as well as anteriorly.
Range. — Valdivian forest district of south-central Chile from
the higher parts of the Sierra Nahuelbuta through the lake region
to and slightly beyond the Argentine boundary.
1943
MAMMALS OF CHILE— OSGOOD
49
After two expeditions to Chile and much time spent within the
range of this interesting animal, Field Museum has accumulated
only a very small series of specimens. In 1923-24 it was found only
once, at Rio Colorado (alt. 3,000 ft.), Province of Malleco, where
Sanborn obtained two adults and four half-grown young, all succes-
sively caught in the same trap which chance appears to have placed
near a nest or runway. In 1939, four adults were caught in the heavy
humid forest on the summit of the Sierra Nahuelbuta and a fifth was
taken under similar conditions at Peulla at the eastern end of Lake
Todos Santos. Several of these were caught in traps placed off the
ground on fallen logs and, in one case, in the fork of a large tree
FIG. 2. Dromiciops australis australis. F.M. No. 22672. X 1.
some four feet up. Obviously the species is highly arboreal. Its
tail is especially provided with a prehensile adaptation and its pelage
although shorter is more dense than that of Marmosa.
A character of the genus not previously noted is the presence of
a well-developed marsupium. The lining of this pouch is deep
Cinnamon-Rufous in color in sharp contrast to the surrounding
parts as in Caluromys, to which, as suggested by Thomas, Dromiciops
may be most closely related. The female taken at Peulla, November
24, was carrying three small young in her pouch. The mammae are
four, symmetrically placed in two pairs..
The type of the species australis is still in the museum at
Santiago where it was examined and found in fairly good condition
and quite identifiable from its posture, which is reproduced in
Philippi's figure. The skull, in 1923, was inside the skin and per-
haps nearly or quite entire. Besides the type there are at least
three others in the Chilean museum, one adult and two immature.
Three specimens in the British Museum have been recorded by
Thomas (I.e.), two from Beatriz, Lake Nahuelhuapi, Argentina, and
one from Temuco, Chile. Two from Curacautin are recorded by
Wolffsohn and Porter (1908) and another from Valdivia by Wolff-
sohn (1921, p. 512).
50 FIELD MUSEUM OF NATURAL HISTORY— ZOOLOGY, VOL. 30
In Chile, the names llaca and monito del monte are in use for this
animal, although both are sometimes also applied to Marmosa.
Specimens examined. — Total 14: Cayetue, Lake Todos Santos, 1
(coll. K. Wolfhiigel); Lota, southwest of Concepcion, 1 (coll. D. S.
Bullock, Angol) ; Peulla, Lake Todos Santos, 1 ; Rio Colorado, Mal-
leco, 6; Sierra Nahuelbuta, 4; Victoria, Malleco, 1.
Dromiciops australis gliroides Thomas.
Dromiciops gliroides Thomas, Ann. Mag. Nat. Hist., (6), 14, p. 187, 1894 —
Huite, near Ancud, Chiloe Island, Chile.
During the fairly intensive trapping pursued by Sanborn and
myself on Chiloe Island, this animal was not encountered. One
imperfect specimen without skull was secured from a native at the
village of Quellon. This is noticeably darker and shorter-tailed
than specimens from the mainland, indicating at least subspecific
distinction. The under parts especially are darker, and the tail,
which in australis is usually somewhat lighter below, is wholly dark.
The type, apparently the only other preserved specimen, was taken
in 1868 by Dr. R. 0. Cunningham, who refers to it under the name
Didelphys elegans (1871, p. 362). It is now in the British Museum.
Rhyncholestes raphanurus Osgood. FAT-TAILED CAENOLESTID.
Rhyncholestes raphanurus Osgood, Field Mus. Nat. Hist., Zool. Ser., 14,
p. 170, pi. 23, 1924— mouth of Rio Inio, Chiloe Island, Chile.
A small marsupial of uniform dark brown color above and below, loose pelage,
and distinctive dentition; two median lower incisors long and slender; rostral part
of skull very narrow and elongate; no external pouch or marsupium. Mammae
five. Total length 204-215 (male), 175 (female); tail 78-87 (male), 65 (female);
hind foot 19.5-23.5.
Range. — Heavy forests of the Province of Llanquihue including
Chiloe Island. So far known from two localities only.
Although having the plain brown color and external appearance
much as in its allies Caenolestes and Lesteros, this interesting mar-
supial differs markedly from them in cranial and dental charac-
ters. Among these are the very elongate rostrum, the open palate,
the double infraorbital foramen, the bifid lateral incisors, and the
sexual differentiation of the canines, single-rooted and scalpriform
in the male, slightly notched and premolariform in the female.
Since the unexpected discovery of this animal in 1922 in the
heavy temperate forests near the southern end of Chiloe Island, it
has not been reported again. However, in 1939 Mr. Sanborn suc-
ceeded in obtaining a single specimen at Refugio on the northwest
romiciops
V 70
55
iSpecimens or records
75 70
MAP 3. Distribution of the genus Drornza'ops.
51
52 FIELD MUSEUM OF NATURAL HISTORY— ZOOLOGY, VOL. 30
side of Mount Osorno at an altitude of 3,000 feet. It was caught
under deep growth in a cool and very moist location. Subsequent
trapping in the vicinity was continued for a few nights without
further success and the species was not taken in fairly intensive
trapping on the south side of Mount Osorno and on the neighboring
shores of Lake Todos Santos. This specimen at least demonstrates
that it does occur on the mainland as well as on the island of Chiloe.
Probably it will be found, at least in suitable spots, throughout the
Valdivian forest district.
FIG. 3. Rhyncholestes raphanurus. F.M. No. 22422, type. X 1^.
Mr. Sanborn's specimen is an adult male in which the tail is not
incrassated as it was in the male from Chiloe. Except for slightly
larger size, it shows no characters by which it might be distinguished
subspecifically from the specimen previously described from Chiloe.
Its external measurements are slightly greater, its skull is some-
what larger, and its skeleton is more robust throughout, but when
these differences are expressed in figures they are not very impressive
and, since the material is so limited, even a provisional distinction of
island and mainland forms does not seem justified. The measure-
ments of the mainland specimen in comparison with the one from
Chiloe Island are as follows: total length 215 (204); tail 87 (78);
hind foot 23.5 (21). Skull: greatest length 34.8 (34); basal length
34.8 (33.3); zygomatic breadth 15 (14.7); mastoid breadth 11.8
(11.1) ; length of nasals 19.1 (18) ; greatest breadth of nasals 3.7 (3) ;
least interorbital breadth 6.8 (6.9); length of palate from gnathion
20.7 (20.3); anterior palatine foramina 7.9 (8.7); palatal vacuities
6.6 (6) ; front of upper canine to back of last molar 13.4 (13.4) ; com-
1943 MAMMALS OF CHILE— OSGOOD 53
bined length of four upper molars 5.5 (5.4) ; combined length of three
lateral incisors 3.8 (3.9); length of bone of mandible from condyle
21.5 (20); exposed length of lower incisor 6.8 (6.8).
Specimens examined. — Total 3 : mouth of Rio Inio, Chiloe Island,
2 (type and paratype) ; Refugio, Mount Osorno, Llanquihue, 1.
ORDER CHIROPTERA
KEY TO CHILEAN GENERA
Tail absent Desmodus.
Tail present.
Tail extending well beyond interfemoral membrane Tadarida.
Tail extending only slightly or not at all beyond membrane.
Upper surface of interfemoral or tail membrane densely hairy Lasiurus.
Upper surface of interfemoral membrane naked.
Ears very large, more than 15 mm. long Histiotus.
Ears moderate, less than 15 mm. long Myotis.
Lasiurus borealis bonariensis Lesson and Garnot. RED BAT.
Vespertilio bonariensis Lesson and Garnot, Voy. Coquille, Zool., 1, pt. 1,
pp. 137-139, pi. 2, fig. 1, 1826— Rio La Plata at Buenos Aires, Argentina.
Vespertilio blossvillii Anonymous, Ferussac's Bull. Sci. Nat. Geol., 8, p. 95,
1826— "Montevideo."
Nycticeius varius Poeppig, Reise in Chile, Peru und Amaz., 1, p. 451, footnote,
1835— Antuco, Chile.
Nycticeus Poepingii Lesson, Hist. Nat. Gen. Part. Mamm. Ois. (Suppl.
Oeuvr. Buffon), 5, pp. 119-120, 1836 — N. varius renamed.
Lasiurus borealis bonariensis Thomas, Ann. Mag. Nat. Hist., (7), 8, p. 435,
1901.
A small bat of bright rufous color with well-developed tail enclosed in the
interfemoral membrane, the upper side of which is densely hairy. Distinguished
from the other species of the same genus by its smaller size. Forearm 36-42.
The small red bat has been reported from central Chile by Gay,
Reed, Wolffsohn, and others. As elsewhere in South America, it
appears to be rather uncommon. The name varius is available
should a Chilean race prove distinguishable.
Specimens examined. — Total 16: Angol, 6; Concepcion, 1;
Limache, 1; Puente Alto, near Santiago, 1 (B.M.); Santiago, 4
(P.M. 2; B.M. 2); Temuco, 2 (B.M.); Valparaiso, 1 (B.M.).
Lasiurus cinereus villosissimus Geoffrey. HOARY BAT.
Chauve-souris septieme ou chauve-souris brun-blanchatre Azara, Quad. Paraguay,
2, p. 284, 1801.
54 FIELD MUSEUM OF NATURAL HISTORY— ZOOLOGY, VOL. 30
Vespertilio villosissimus Geoffrey, Ann. Mus. Hist. Nat., Paris, 8, p. 204,
1806 — Paraguay (based on Azara).
Lasiurus grayi Tomes, Proc. Zool. Soc. Lond., pp. 40-42, 1857 — Chile.
Atalapha cinerea var. o Dobson, Cat. Chiropt. Brit. Mus., p. 273, 1878.
Lasiurus cinereus villosissimus Thomas, Ann. Mag. Nat. Hist., (7), 8, p. 435,
1901; (7), 9, p. 238, footnote, 1902.
Dasypterus villosissimus Allen, Mamm. Patagonia, p. 191, 1905.
Nycteris cinerea villosissima Thomas, supra cit., (8), 5, p. 240, 1910.
Color reddish brown overlaid with whitish; upper side of interfemoral mem-
brane hairy. Forearm 50-55.
Scattered specimens of this bat, known in northern countries as
the hoary bat, have been taken in various parts of central Chile.
A female and two young in alcohol from Paiguano, Coquimbo, are
in Field Museum. One from Nahuelbuta, west of Angol, is in the
American Museum of Natural History. One from Puente Alto,
near Santiago, is in the British Museum. If a Chilean form should
prove separable from that of Paraguay it would take the name grayi.
Myotis chiloensis chiloensis Waterhouse. CHILOE BAT.
Vespertilio chiloensis Waterhouse, Zool. Voy. Beagle, Mamm., p. 5, pi. 3,
1838; Gervais in Gay, Hist. Chile, 1, p. 42, Atlas Mamm., pi. 1, figs. 3,
3a, 1847 — islets on the eastern side of Chiloe Island, Chile.
Vespertilio gayi Lataste, Act. Soc. Sci. Chile, 1, (1891), pp. 79, 81, 1892—
Valdivia, Chile.
Myotis chiloensis Trouessart, Cat. Mamm., Suppl., p. 94, 1904; Miller and
Allen, Bull. U. S. Nat. Mus., No. 144, p. 192, 1928.
A small bat of sooty brownish color above and below; tail long and enclosed
in membrane; ears narrow with a slender pointed tragus; upper incisors four.
Forearm 36-39; ear 13-15.
Range. — Humid forested region of southern Chile from the
vicinity of the Province of Valdivia southward along the coast,
possibly to the Straits of Magellan.
Typical Myotis chiloensis heretofore has been very poorly repre-
sented in museums. The small series now available from Chiloe
Island agrees fully with specimens from the Province of Valdivia
and removes all doubt that the Vespertilio gayi of Lataste is a
synonym. The color in topotypical specimens is rich dark Vandyke
Brown above and below, the bases of the hairs nearly the same. A
specimen from Curacautin, in the southeastern Province of Malleco,
is more sooty and shows greater contrast between the tips and bases
of the hairs of the under parts. Possibly it should be regarded as
intermediate between chiloensis and the form of central Chile.
1943 MAMMALS OF CHILE— OSGOOD 55
Small bats of the genus Myotis doubtless are common locally
throughout Chile, but in our experience comparatively few were
seen. Those obtained on Chiloe Island were taken from a roosting
place by Juan Vera, a native in our employ, who made a special
trip to get them. In other localities most of the bats seen flying
appeared to be Histiotus. Darwin's observation of a small bat on
Tierra del Fuego may refer also to Histiotus or perhaps to this
species, but no specimens of Myotis have yet been taken farther
south than Chiloe Island.
Specimens examined. — Total 18: Cucao, west coast of Chiloe
Island, 3 skins, 9 ale.; Curacautin, Malleco, 1 skin, 1 ale.; Mafil,
Valdivia, 1 skin, 1 ale.; Rinihue, 2 skins.
Myotis chiloensis arescens subsp. nov.
Myotis chiloensis atacamensis Miller and Allen, Bull. U. S. Nat. Mus., No. 144,
p. 192, 1928— not of Lataste.
Type from Hacienda Limache, Province of Valparaiso, Chile.
No. 24396 (skin) Field Museum of Natural History. Adult male.
Collected January 1, 1925, by J. A. Wolffsohn. Paratype (skull)
F.M.N.H. No. 23636.
Range. — Central Chile between the ranges of M. c. chiloensis and
M. c. atacamensis.
Diagnosis. — Similar in color to M. c. chiloensis, but paler, with
the tips of the hairs in considerable contrast to the bases.
Color. — Upper parts light brown about halfway between the pale
buffy of atacamensis and the deep brown of chiloensis; under parts
dull broccoli brown, the tips of the hairs grayish.
Measurements. — Type specimen: total length 96; tail 43; hind
foot 9; forearm (dry) 38; ear from meatus (dry) 13.5. Skull of para-
type No. 23636: greatest length 14.8; zygomatic breadth 9.3; inter-
orbital constriction 3.8; breadth of braincase 7.2; maxillary toothrow
5.4.
Remarks. — This is the form recognized and described by Miller
and Allen under the name Myotis chiloensis atacamensis. In the
absence of specimens from northern Chile representing typical ataca-
mensis, these authors were obliged to assume that the paleness shown
by specimens from central Chile was the same as that attributed to
atacamensis. There are three forms instead of two, however, and
although arescens is intermediate in color between typical chiloensis
and atacamensis, it is well distinguished from both of them and
56 FIELD MUSEUM OF NATURAL HISTORY— ZOOLOGY, VOL. 30
probably has a considerable range. Specimens of it are recorded
only from the vicinity of Valparaiso and Santiago, but it is not
unlikely that it will be found in all of central Chile from Concepcion
to Coquimbo.
Specimens examined. — Total 18 skins with 35 unmatched skulls,
all from Hacienda Limache, Province of Valparaiso.
Myotis chiloensis atacamensis Lataste.
Vespertilio atacamensis "Philippi," Lataste, Act. Soc. Sci. Chile, 1, (1891),
pp. 80-81, 1892; Philippi, Anal. Mus. Nac. Chile, Zool., Ent. 13a, pp. 5-6,
pi. 1, fig. 1, 1896 — San Pedro de Atacama, Province of Antofagasta,
Chile. Alt. 2,436 meters.
(!)Myotis dinellii Thomas, Ann. Mag. Nat. Hist., (7), 10, p. 493, 1902— Tucu-
man, Argentina.
Myotis atacamensis Trouessart, Cat. Mamm., Suppl., p. 94, 1904.
Myotis chiloensis atacamensis Miller and Allen, Bull. U. S. Nat. Mus., No.
144, p. 192, 1928— part.
Similar to M. c. arescens but paler in color, light ochraceous buff above and
below.
Range. — Northern provinces of Chile from Coquimbo northward
and thence to northwestern Argentina.
The small Myotis of northern Chile is a pallid form agreeing in
every respect with the description of M. dinellii from Tucuman,
Argentina. Although no comparison with Argentine specimens has
been possible, the inference is strongly indicated that dinellii is a
synonym of atacamensis. In fact, the type locality of atacamensis
is somewhat farther north than Tucuman and separated from it by
a relatively short distance, in the greater part of which physical
conditions are similar.
As stated elsewhere, Miller and Allen, who had no Chilean
material from the northern provinces, have misapplied the name
atacamensis to the form of the central provinces. Our specimens
from Coquimbo and Tarapaca, the latter quite near the type local-
ity, show very clearly that this course is not justified. Both skins
and alcoholics show the very pale color that is characteristic.
Philippi's description and figure of this bat are confused and mis-
leading. In his Latin diagnosis he states that it is "totus nigrescens"
and, in the Spanish description following, that it is "un pardo . . .
que tira amarillo en la parte superior del cuerpo, siendo aun mas
claro en la parte ventral." The colored figure is, of course, wholly
unreliable.
1943 MAMMALS OF CHILE— OSGOOD 57
Notes on the type specimen made in Santiago in 1923 are as
follows: "A specimen is in the museum with an old label on the
back of the stand, reading: '62. Vesp. atacamensis Ph. Atacama.
Febr. 1885.' ' Probably this is the type and the basis of Philippi's
figure of 1896, although the skull is inside and Philippi gives con-
siderable description of the skull and dentition. It is the only small
My otis in the collection at present, but a loose skull without jaws,
once fairly clean but now very grimy, is still preserved. It measures:
greatest length 12.2; breadth of braincase 6.2; front of canine to last
molar 4±. The first premolar is not nearly double the size of the
second, but considerably larger and higher. The mounted skin is
faded and dirty but entire. There is still great contrast between
the tips of the hairs and the under fur, the tips being quite
broadly lighter, now pale buffy brown. The under parts are similar
to the upper, but paler, now nearly clear buff. The forearm
measures roughly 32; tibia 25.5; ear from notch 9.5.
When this type was examined, its pale color was supposed to be
due, at least in part, to fading, but since specimens from the northern
provinces have become available, it seems more probable that its
color is not far from normal.
Specimens examined. — Total 36: Paiguano, Coquimbo, 3 skins,
32 ale.; near Pintados, Tarapaca, 1 ale.
Histiotus macrotus Poeppig. BIG-EARED BAT; OREJON.
Nycticeius macrotus Poeppig, Reise in Chile, Peru und Amaz., 1, p. 451, foot-
note, 1835 — Antuco, Province of Bio Bio, Chile.
Nycticeus chilensis Lesson, Hist. Nat. Gen. Part. Mamm. Ois. (Suppl. Oeuvr.
Buffon), 5, pp. 120-121, 1836— based on Poeppig.
Vespertilio velatus Philippi, Arch. Naturg., 27, (1), p. 289, 1861.
Plecotus poeppigii Fitzinger, Sitzungsber. K. Akad. Wiss., Wien, Math.-
Naturw. Cl., 66, pp. 88-89, 1872 — renaming of N. macrotus Poeppig.
Histiotus macrotus Peters, Monatsber. K. Akad. Wiss., Berlin, p. 788, pi.,
figs. 2-2e, (1875), 1876; Thomas, Ann. Mag. Nat. Hist., (8), 17, p. 273,
1916.
A medium-sized bat with very large ears connected at the base by a membrane;
color light brown above, whitish gray below. Total length 120; tail 50; hind foot
12; ear 35; forearm 50.
Range. — Central Chile, in the region west of the Andes, from
Santiago to Concepcion; exact limits unknown.
The first name applied to a big-eared vespertilionine bat from
Chile is Poeppig's macrotus, proposed in 1835. His description is as
follows:
58 FIELD MUSEUM OF NATURAL HISTORY— ZOOLOGY, VOL. 30
" N. macrotus, n. sp. — N. auriculis externis capite triple longiori-
bus, ovalibus, transversim rugosis, membrana interna gladiata;
membrana interfemorali utrinque nuda; pectore, abdomine, dorsoque
concoloribus, flavescenti murinis." This is preceded by his diag-
nosis of the genus Nycticeius in which the upper incisors are said
to be only two in number. In applying this name and description
to a bat of the genus Histiotus, therefore, it is necessary to interpret
freely the statement that the ears are three times longer than the
head and to assume that he failed to observe the pair of small outer
incisors found in Histiotus. This is essentially what was done by
Peters (I.e.) in 1876 when he referred a single specimen to macrotus
and distinguished it from montanus.
In 1916, Thomas (I.e.) recognized macrotus and mentions the
specimen recorded by Peters while stating that "we have none that
I can assign to it, unless a very large skull, without skin, sent by
Mr. Wolffsohn from near Santiago, may be referable to it." Aside
from the one specimen examined by Peters, therefore, the species
has not been recorded for the more than one hundred years since it
was first described. The characters (all of which were recognized
by Peters) distinguishing it from montanus are its larger size, larger
ears, and at least an incipient membranous connection between the
inner bases of the ears.
Among Chilean mammals which I was privileged to examine in
the British Museum, in June, 1937, is a series of nineteen bats from
Santiago that appear to represent this species. They are recorded
as collected by Professor J. W. Hislop-Harrison of Armstrong Col-
lege, Newcastle-upon-Tyne, and are preserved as skins and skulls.
It is possible that these specimens from Santiago in central Chile
may prove to be at least subspecifically separable from any that
may subsequently be taken at the type locality of macrotus, which
is a considerable distance south of Santiago. However, this locality,
Antuco, is not within the very humid region, and general probabili-
ties favor the assumption that its fauna is the same as that of central
Chile.
The specimens from Santiago are rather pale in color, the under
parts markedly lighter than the upper. Over the entire under parts
the hairs are very broadly tipped with whitish gray. The upper
parts are pale Buffy Brown. Measurements of the forearm in four
dry skins are, respectively, 49.3, 49.8, 51.1, 51.2; ears from notch
31.8, 32.8, 33, 33.3; antitragus from anterior base 11.5, 11.8, 12.8,
13.2; greatest width of tragus 4, 4.2, 4.4, 4.5. The skull, as compared
1943 MAMMALS OF CHILE— OSGOOD 59
to that of montanus, is generally similar, but larger, with particu-
larly large audital bullae and a somewhat more elevated interorbital
region. Measurements of skull (compared with montanus magel-
lanicus, F.M. No. 23621, from Mafil, Valdivia): condylo-incisive
length 18.9 (17.6); zygomatic width 11.8 (11.5); interorbital' con-
striction 4.9 (4.5); toothrow from front of canine 7.1 (6.7).
In the series of dry skins examined, the existence of a mem-
branous connection between the bases of the ears is evident, but
apparently not so well developed as in H. velatus. This membrane
was noted by Peters in the specimen sent him by Philippi and doubt-
less largely influenced him to place macrotus in the genus Histiotus
while retaining montanus in Vesperus.
Specimens examined. — Total 19 (B.M.), all from Santiago.
Histiotus montanus montanus Philippi and Landbeck.
Vespertilio montanus Philippi and Landbeck, Arch. Naturg., 27, (1), pp.
289-290, 1861— cordillera of Santiago, Chile.
Vesperus segethii Peters, Monatsber. K. Akad. Wiss., Berlin, p. 383, 1864—
Chile.
Vesperus montanus Peters, supra cit., p. 789, pi., fig. 3 (ear), 1875.
Vesperugo montanus Dobson, Cat. Chiropt. Brit. Mus., p. 189, 1878.
Vespertilio (Histiotus) montanus Trouessart, Cat. Mamm., Suppl., p. 77, 1904.
Histiotus montanus Miller, Bull. U. S. Nat. Mus., No. 57, p. 214, 1907;
Thomas, Ann. Mag. Nat. Hist., (8), 17, p. 274, 1916.
A medium-sized bat with rather large ears not connected with each other by
a membrane; color "light grayish bfown (wood brown)." Total length 115;
tail 50; hind foot 11; ear 26; forearm 46. Upper incisors four.
Range. — Central Chile, at least in the vicinity of Santiago,
probably northward to the Province of Coquimbo and southward,
perhaps, to the Bio Bio River.
A specimen which perhaps may be regarded as Philippi's type
of montanus is still preserved in the National Museum of Chile.
Notes taken from it are as follows: "Vesperugo montanus Philippi.
Several specimens labeled thus. The oldest one is No. 733 and is
labeled '54. V. montanus Ph. & L. adult Cordillera de Santiago,
Febr. 1861.' This is mounted in flying position, the tail bone
removed, but not wired. The skull may be inside but is not evident.
The ears are large and measure from meatus about 20 mm. The
tragus is fairly large and broad. The color has faded. About all
that can be said is that the hairs on the back are long, with broad
light tips. Below there is a white inguinal area. Forearm about
43."
60 FIELD MUSEUM OF NATURAL HISTORY— ZOOLOGY, VOL. 30
Except for the imperfect examples in Santiago, no specimens
fully representing this form have been examined. Three specimens
in Field Museum from Curacautin and Lake Galletue are doubtfully
referred to it since they are slightly paler than magellanicus. In
1916 Thomas (I.e.) mentions specimens received from Wolffsohn
from the Santiago region in which the color was "light greyish brown
(wood-brown), very different from the dark of H. magellanicus"
It is also to be noted that one of Philippi's original specimens, as
mentioned above, has "a white inguinal area." Hence it seems
probable that montanus is considerably paler than magellanicus.
Although specimens are now few, probably it is fairly common.
Specimens examined. — Total 6: Cordillera of Santiago, 2 (type
and topotype in Mus. Nac. Chile); Curacautin, Malleco, 2; Lake
Galletue, Cautin, 1; Temuco, 1 (B.M.).
Histiotus montanus magellanicus Philippi.
Vespertilio magellanicus Philippi, Arch. Naturg., 32, (1), p. 113, 1866 — Straits
of Magellan.
Vespertilio capucinus Philippi, supra cit., p. 114, 1866 — Chile.
Vesperus magellanicus Peters, Monatsber. K. Akad. Wiss., Berlin, p. 790, pi.,
figs. 4-5, (1875), 1876.
Histiotus magellanicus Thomas, Ann. Mag. Nat. Hist., (8), 17, p. 273, 1916.
Similar to H. montanus, but darker and more richly colored.
Range. — Humid coast of Chile from the Straits of Magellan
northward to the Province of Valdivia.
No recently collected specimens from the extreme south are
available, but the dark color shown by skins from Chiloe Island and
neighboring parts of the mainland makes them separable from
montanus of central Chile, and it is therefore assumed that they
represent magellanicus.
The supposed types of Vespertilio magellanicus and V. capucinus
were examined in Santiago and the following notes taken:
"Vespertilio magellanicus Philippi. A specimen with an old label
'61, Vespertilio magellanicus, Magallanes' may be the type. It is still
dark brown above with few and narrow light tips, the hairs being
brown to the bases. The under parts are the same brown basally
with buffy brown tips. The skull is inside and shows the lower
incisors well, 3-3, slightly trifid and set close together. Upper in-
cisors seem to be 2-2, the middle pair very much larger than the
outer pair. Forearm about 42; tibia about 19; hind foot about 8;
ear from meatus about 14."
1943 MAMMALS OF CHILE— OSGOOD 61
"Vespertilio capucinus Philippi. A specimen with an old label
'Vespertilio capucinus1 and in pencil 'Magallanes' may be the type.
The skull is inside. It is closely similar to the supposed type of
magellanicus above described and doubtless is the same species.
Forearm 44; tibia 19; hind foot 8."
In the original description of capucinus, Philippi states that he
does not know the part of Chile from which it came. Therefore, the
penciled locality, "Magallanes," which now appears on the specimen
label, was doubtless written there at a later time, and means little.
Peters (I.e. 1876) placed it as a synonym of magellanicus and, since
it cannot be distinguished, this seems the best disposition of it,
although Cabrera (1903, p. 286) gave it nominal recognition on the
basis of figures supplied him by Matschie and presumably drawn
from specimens in the Berlin Museum.
A specimen from Pico Salamanca, Chubut, Argentina, recorded
by Thomas (Ann. Mag. Nat. Hist., (10), 4, p. 36, 1909) as H.
montanus not improbably will prove referable to magellanicus.
Darwin has reported a small bat, presumably of this form, from
Tierra del Fuego and during our brief stay on the island in 1939
residents informed us that bats were occasionally seen during the
warmest part of the very short summer. We saw none, however,
and the paucity of insect life is such that the support of more than
a very small population seems improbable. On the southern main-
land, reports of bats were somewhat more numerous, but here also
it is evident that conditions are not very favorable. At North Arm
Station on the open pampa near the Argentine boundary, our
friends William and John Fell advised that bats were of fairly regu-
lar occurrence each summer during a very short period. The only
bats personally observed were several seen flying on two successive
evenings (February 23-24) at Lago Lazo near Lake Sarmiento,
some 300 miles north of the Straits. They appeared at such a late
hour that efforts to shoot them were unsuccessful.
Specimens examined. — Total 6: Mafil, Valdivia, 1 skin; Quellon,
Chiloe Island, 1 ale.; Rio Inio, Chiloe Island, 2 skins; "Straits of
Magellan," 2 skins (types of magellanicus and capucinus in Mus.
Nac. Chile).
Desmodus rotundus d'orbignyi Waterhouse. VAMPIRE BAT.
Desmodus d'orbignyi Waterhouse, Zool. Voy. Beagle, Mamm., pp. 1-3, pis. 1,
25, fig. 1, 1838— Coquimbo, Chile.
62 FIELD MUSEUM OF NATURAL HISTORY— ZOOLOGY, VOL. 30
A medium-sized bat having thin coarse pelage, a small rounded nose-leaf and
no tail; middle upper incisors and canines very large, projecting and sharp-edged.
Forearm 56-60.
Range. — Known only from central Chile from Coquimbo to the
vicinity of Valparaiso.
This form seems entitled to recognition' on the basis of the
unusually light color of the under parts shown by the few known
specimens. In large series of Desmodus from various parts of South
America, occasional specimens show rather light color on the under
parts but, as a rule, they are much darker than in the Chilean
examples. Waterhouse's description and figure indicate a specimen
with very light under parts, and a specimen in the Chilean museum
examined by the writer was found to be similar. This was especially
noted as having the entire under parts pure buffy white to the roots
of the hairs. Twenty-two specimens from Curaumilla and Papudo
have been recorded by Wolffsohn (1921, p. 523). Five from the
latter locality are in the British Museum.
A modern specimen sent by Wolffsohn and now in Field Museum
also has light under parts, but the area of self-colored hairs is con-
fined mainly to the throat. The upper parts are very dark brown
sharply contrasted with the under parts. The forearm in this speci-
men measures only 56.5 mm. and the Catapilco specimen is 62,
suggesting that the form may be characterized by a short forearm,
but this needs confirmation with a larger series of specimens.
Specimens examined. — Total 7: Catapilco, Valparaiso, 1 (Mus.
Nac. Chile); Papudo, Aconcagua, 6 (F.M. 1; B.M. 5).
Tadarida brasiliensis Geoffrey. FREE-TAILED BAT.
Nyctinomus brasiliensis Geoffroy, Ann. Sci. Nat., Paris, 1, pp. 343-347, pi.
22, 1824— Curityba district, Brazil.
Molossus nasutux Gay, Hist. Chile, Zool., 1, p. 35, 1847.
Tadarida brasiliensis Thomas, Proc. U. S. Nat. Mus., 58, p. 222, 1920.
A small brownish or blackish bat with thick leathery ears, heavy jowls, and
tail with tip projecting beyond membrane. Forearm 42-45.
This widely distributed, free-tailed bat is perhaps the most com-
mon bat of Chile. The record from Valdivia is the southernmost for
the genus and carries it into a region of definitely temperate climate.
Records from the coast of Chile north of Valparaiso are lacking, but
the species is known from Tucuman and Mendoza, Argentina, and
it may have reached Chile by crossing the northern Andes.
1943 MAMMALS OF CHILE— OSGOOD 63
Specimens examined. — Total 7: Paiguano, Coquimbo, 2; Palmilla,
north of Quillota, Valparaiso, 1; Papudo, Aconcagua, 1; Rinihue,
Valdivia, 1; Temuco, Cautin, 2.
ORDER CARNIVORA
KEY TO CHILEAN GENERA
Hind feet with four toes.
Head short and rounded; teeth not more than 30 Felis.
Head long and narrow; teeth 42 Dusicyon.
Hind feet with five toes.
Toes webbed for aquatic life; color mainly dark brown Lutra.
Toes not webbed; color grizzled or striped.
Upper parts black or brownish, striped or mantled with pure white.
Conepatus.
Upper parts mainly grizzled grayish or yellowish.
Larger; head and. body about 500 mm.; teeth 34 Grison.
Smaller; head and body about 300 mm.; teeth 28 Lyncodon.
Dusicyon culpaeus culpaeus Molina. ANDEAN WOLF; CULPEO.
cants culpaeus Molina, Sagg. Stor. Nat. Chili, pp. 293-295, 341, 1782 — Chile
(Province of Santiago by selection).
(l)Canis vulpes chilensis Kerr, Anim. Kingd., p. 144, No. 258, 1792.
Cants amblyodon Philippi, Arch. Naturg., 69, (1), p. 157, 1903 — Province of
Valparaiso.
Cants albigula Philippi, supra cit., p. 159 — central provinces of Chile.
Pseudalopex culpaeus Thomas, Ann. Mag. Nat. Hist., (8), 13, p. 357, 1914.
Pseudalopex culpaeus culpaeus Cabrera, Journ. Mamm., 12, p. 62, 1931 — type
locality selected.
Dusicyon (Dusicyon) culpaeus Osgood, Journ. Mamm., 15, p. 49, 1934.
A good-sized canid with the chin light tawny, not sharply distinguished from
other under parts; body and upper side of tail grayish, heavily tipped with black;
head mainly tawny; feet and legs bright tawny uninterrupted by black; under
side of tail dull tawny unmixed with black. Total length 900-1,150; tail 360-450;
hind foot 150-164.
Range. — Central Chile from the Province of Coquimbo south-
ward mainly in the mountainous regions, meeting the range of
magellanicus somewhere in southern Chile and Argentina.
The culpeo is the representative in central Chile of the wolflike
canid which ranges from the Straits of Magellan northward through
the Andes to Ecuador. It is decidedly larger than the chilla and
distinguished from it at a glance by the color of its chin, which is
tawny instead of black. The species reaches a length of some three
and a half feet and, excepting Chrysocyon, is the largest of conti-
64 FIELD MUSEUM OF NATURAL HISTORY— ZOOLOGY, VOL. 30
nental South American canids. It appears to be fairly common in
the coast hills near Valparaiso, but elsewhere is reported mainly
from the cordillera. It is not recorded from the coast south of
Valdivia. The southern limit of typical culpaeus is unknown, but
it may extend into Argentina to meet the range of magellanicus.
A trade skin in Field Museum from "Nahuelhuapi" shows no
important differences from typical culpaeus.
During my brief visit to the Chilean Museum at Santiago, time
did not permit a search for the types of Philippi's amblyodon and
albigula, both of which have been referred to culpaeus by Wolffsohn
and by Cabrera. That this is correct is scarcely to be doubted.
Wolffsohn (1921, p. 528) states that he himself collected the type of
amblyodon and that he is sure of its identity with culpaeus. In the
case of albigula, the name itself may be taken as sufficient evidence
that the culpeo rather than the chilla is concerned.
In Molina's original account of the species it is stated (transla-
tion) that "the name appears to be derived from the Chilean word
culpem, which signifies madness or folly and is strikingly applicable
to the conduct of this animal, which constantly exposes itself to be
shot by hunters."
Specimens examined. — Total 7: Cayetue, Lake Todos Santos, 1
(coll. K. Wolfhiigel); Limache, Valparaiso, 1; Los Agostinos, Palo-
mar, Aconcagua, 1; "Nahuelhuapi," 1 (skin only); Palmilla, La
Cruz, Valparaiso, 1; Palos Quemados, Valparaiso, 1 (skull only);
Papudo, Aconcagua, 1.
Dusicyon culpaeus andinus Thomas.
Pseudalopex culpaeus andina Thomas, Ann. Mag. Nat. Hist., (8), 13, p. 357,
1914 — Esperanza, near Mount Sahama, Oruro, Bolivia; Osgood, Field
Mus. Nat. Hist., Zool. Ser., 10, p. 174, footnote, 1914; Cabrera, Journ.
Mamm., 12, p. 63, 1931.
Cants (Dusicyon) culpaeus andinus Kraglievich, Physis, 10, p. 59, 1930.
Similar to D. culpaeus culpaeus, but color paler throughout, the head, legs,
and feet ochraceous tawny rather than tawny.
Range. — Northern Chile from the Province of Coquimbo east-
ward into western Argentina and northward to western Bolivia and
southern Peru.
This form appears to differ from typical culpaeus mainly in
somewhat paler color, the blackish dorsal area being less extensive
and the general coloration averaging paler. In most specimens of
culpaeus the dorsal coloration spreads to the sides, whereas in andinus
1943 MAMMALS OF CHILE— OSGOOD 65
the sides are often quite abruptly paler. The under parts are
scarcely different, being perhaps a trifle paler in andinus. Seasonal
variation in color is considerable and present material does not per-
mit characterization in more than general terms, but it is apparent
the two forms are definitely separable. There is some evidence
that the skulls of andinus are heavier in the rostral part and in the
dentition.
Cabrera (I.e.) mentions a specimen of this form from Cazadero,
on the west slope of Mount Aconquija, and it is altogether probable
that it ranges throughout the mountains of northwestern Argentina.
The type locality of P. inca (Thomas, op. cit., p. 361) is Sumbay,
Arequipa, Peru, at an elevation of 4,000 meters, in the region in
which andinus appears to be the common form. The published
measurements of the skull of the type of inca fall within the varia-
tion in andinus but are disproportionately large for those given for
the skin, which is said to have the markings of the griseus group.
Re-examination of this type in the light of recent knowledge would
be very desirable. Cabrera (op. cit., p. 57, footnote) is inclined to
consider it allied to D. gymnocercus, which otherwise is not recorded
from Andean localities. Recent work at Sumbay and other locali-
ties in southwestern Peru has yielded only andinus, of which speci-
mens are now in Field Museum from Hacienda Collacachi (Puno),
Hacienda Picotani (Puno), Salinas (Arequipa), and Pampa de
Arrieros (Arequipa).
Specimens examined. — Total 6: Balala, Coquimbo, 1; Bafios del
Toro, Coquimbo, 1; Guanta, Coquimbo, 1; Pica (3 miles south),
Tarapaca, 1 (skin only) ; 20 miles east of San Pedro, Antofagasta, 2.
Dusicyon culpaeus magellanicus Gray.
Canis magellanicus Gray, Proc. Zool. Soc. Lond., p. 88, 1836 — nomen nudum.
Vulpes magellanica Gray, Mag. Nat. Hist. (Charlesworth), 1, p. 578, 1837—
Port Famine, northern side of Straits of Magellan.
Cerdocyon magellanicus H. Smith, Jard. Nat. Lib., 9, p. 266, pi. 30, 1839;
Allen, Mamm. Patagonia, p. 162, 1905.
Canis (Pseudalopex) magellanicus Burmeister, Erlaut. Fauna Bras., p. 51,
pi. 26, fig. 3, 1856.
Pseudalopex magellanicus Gray, Proc. Zool. Soc. Lond., p. 512, 1868.
Canis montanus Prichard, Through the Heart of Patagonia, p. 260, 1902—
cordillera of Patagonia; preoccupied name.
Canis (Cerdocyon) prichardi Trouessart, Cat. Mamm., Suppl., p. 234, 1904 —
substitute for C. montanus.
66 FIELD MUSEUM OF NATURAL HISTORY— ZOOLOGY, VOL. 30
Pseudalopex culpaeus magellanicus Thomas, Ann. Mag. Nat. Hist., (8), 13,
p. 357, 1914.
Cants (Duslcyori) culpaeus magellanicus Kraglievich, Physis, 10, p. 69, 1930.
Pseudalopex culpaeus magellanica Cabrera, Journ. Mamm., 12, p. 63, 1931.
Very similar to D. culpaeus culpaeus, but probably averaging slightly larger;
skull with the rostral part slightly more elongate.
Range. — Southern Patagonia and the vicinity of the Straits of
Magellan; northward range undetermined.
The southern form of the culpeo is represented in Field Museum
only by a single skin without skull from the Brunswick Peninsula on
the northwest side of the Straits of Magellan. This is in full winter
pelage, very long and heavy and richly colored, the tawny markings
intense, and the body with considerable suffusion of tawny, very
similar to the colored plate published more than fifty years ago by
Mivart (Monog. Canidae, p. 52, 1890). Specimens of culpaeus from
central Chile are mostly in short coat and not comparable, but a
single trade skin said to be from Nahuelhuapi is nearly as richly
colored as the one from Brunswick Peninsula.
The animal is now relatively scarce in the extreme south where
it has been persistently pursued for the fur market in which, of
course, it commands a higher price than the smaller and more
numerous chilla or pampa fox.
The status of magellanicus as a subspecies rests mainly on the
conclusion of Thomas (I.e.) expressed as follows: "In the south the
skulls tend to get longer, especially in the muzzle, a tendency which
is carried, on the average, slightly further in Patagonian and Magel-
lan specimens than in those from central Chile, the type locality of
culpaeus. On this account we may, perhaps provisionally, recognize
an extreme southern subspecies, Ps. c. magellanicus, which gradually
passes into Ps. c. culpaeus."
Specimen examined. — Brunswick Peninsula, 1 (skin only).
Dusicyon culpaeus lycoides Philippi.
Canis (Pseudalopex) lycoides Philippi, Anal. Univ. Chile, 54, p. 542 (pp. 4-6,
author's ed.), 1896— Tierra del Fuego.
Pseudalopex lycoides Thomas, Ann. Mag. Nat. Hist., (8), 13, p. 357, 1914;
Lonnberg, Arch. Zool., 12, No. 13, pp. 1-10, figs. 1-2, 1919.
Canis (Dusicyon) lycoides Kraglievich, Physis, 10, p. 69, 1930.
Pseudalopex culpaeui lycoides Cabrera, Journ. Mamm., 12, p. 63, 1931.
This form, which is supposed to be confined to the island of Tierra
del Fuego, is thought by Lonnberg (I.e.) to be distinguished from
1943 MAMMALS OF CHILE— OSGOOD 67
magellanicus of the mainland by larger size and by certain cranial
characters among which a relatively narrow braincase is perhaps
most important.1 Material representing it is still very scanty and
its obviously close relationship to magettanicus is at best indicated
by the subspecific status given it by Cabrera. During several
weeks spent on Tierra del Fuego, Mr. Sanborn and myself could
only learn that it is now very scarce although a few skins from remote
parts of the island annually come into the fur market. A mounted
skin is in the Museo Regional Salesiano at Punta Arenas.
Dusicyon griseus griseus Gray. PAMPA Fox; CHILLA.
Cants griseus Gray, Proc. Zool. Soc. Lond., p. 88, 1836 — nomen nudum.
Vulpes griseus Gray, Mag. Nat. Hist. (Charlesworth), 1, p. 578, 1837— Straits
of Magellan.
Cants patagonicus Philippi, Arch. Naturg., 32, (1), p. 116, 1866 — Straits of
Magellan.
Pseudalopex griseus Gray, Proc. Zool. Soc. Lond., p. 512, 1868.
Cerdocyon griseus Allen, Mamm. Patagonia, p. 157, pi. 23, 1905.
P[seudalopex] griseus Thomas, Ann. Mag. Nat. Hist., (9), 7, p. 384, 1921.
Cants (Pseudalopex) patagonicus Kraglievich, Physis, 10, p. 49, pi. 146, 1930.
Pseudalopex gracilis patagonicus Cabrera, Journ. Mamm., 12, p. 66, 1931.
Dusicyon (Dusicyon) griseus Osgood, Journ. Mamm., 15, p. 49, 1934.
A small foxlike canid with a well-marked black chin; legs pale tawny, the
thighs with a transverse patch of black; under side of tail mixed pale tawny and
black. Total length 800-900; tail 300-360; hind foot 120-135.
Range. — Pampas of western Argentina from the Straits of
Magellan northward at least to Chubut; passes into Chile locally
along the eastern base of the Andes.
The occurrence of the typical pampa "fox" within Chilean ter-
ritory is attested by one specimen obtained by Field Museum's
expedition at Rio Nirehuao. Doubtless it crosses the boundary at
various localities similarly situated along the eastern base of the
Andes; in the Province of Magallanes it has a considerable range in
Chile. As judged by the single skin from Chile, griseus is consider-
ably paler than any of its northern races. The skull of this specimen
and various others from southern Patagonia seem to indicate also
that griseus has a heavier dentition and a shorter facial region than
domeykoanus. In these respects griseus agrees quite closely with a
1 Lonnberg's comparisons are made with a skull in the Stockholm Museum
"from Chile," no exact locality being mentioned, and with a figure and measure-
ments published by Mivart (Monog. Canidae, p. 55, fig. 21, 1890) of a skull which
may have been from northern Chile. Until comparisons of skulls from Tierra del
Fuego are compared with others from the mainland directly opposite, some doubt
may attach to the distinction of lycoides from magellanicus.
68 FIELD MUSEUM OF NATURAL HISTORY— ZOOLOGY, VOL. 30
skull in Field Museum from Valle Santa Morina, Catamarca, which
presumably represents gracilis. This suggests a possible general
distinction between east Andean and west Andean forms, but it
needs confirmation with large series. Gradation between eastern
and western forms, as stated elsewhere, may not be impossible in
northeastern Chile, but it is more likely to be found in the intersect-
ing valleys between the Argentine Province of Neuquen and the
adjoining Chilean provinces.
The above-mentioned skull from Catamarca, which is of normal
size, raises doubts as to the validity of Pseudalopex zorrula (Thomas,
Ann. Mag. Nat. Hist., (9), 7, p. 383, 1921), also from Catamarca.
That the single specimen upon which this name is based is more
than an exceptionally small female of gracilis seems very doubtful.
The adoption of the name patagonicus by Kraglievich and Cab-
rera on the grounds that griseus was preoccupied does not appear
to be justified. Gray's Canis griseus of 1836 was a nomen nudum
without status, and the first valid name for the species is Vulpes
griseus Gray 1837, which is not affected by the earlier Canis griseus
of Boddaert and others.
The great abundance of this animal throughout its range, and
especially in southern Patagonia, is attested by all early writers.
Old sheep men recall how "foxes" were seen by dozens at every turn,
how they surrounded camps at night, and how they pilfered and
marauded at every opportunity. In recent years there has been a
great change and, although the little dogs have by no means gone,
their numbers are greatly reduced. Although the pelt commands
but a small price, trapping, nevertheless, is carried on very actively,
since there is a long season when a considerable population is other-
wise unemployed. In 1939 about 1,000 skins, probably including a
few culpeos, were reported as being brought to market in Punta
Arenas. The range of this form is quite strictly limited to the open
grass lands and the ocean beaches, and it scarcely enters even the
foothills of the Andes. It does not extend to Tierra del Fuego,
although large parts of the island are well suited to it and although
its abundance and its littoral habits would seem to favor its making
the crossing of the Straits more easily than some other mammals
that have done so.
Specimens examined. — Total 12: CHILE: Rio Ciaike, Magallanes,
7 (skulls only); Rio Nirehuao, 1. ARGENTINA: Puerto Deseado and
Province of Santa Cruz, 4 (skulls only).
1943
MAMMALS OF CHILE— OSGOOD
69
Dusicyon griseus domeykoanus1 Philippi.
Cants domeykoanus Philippi, Anal. Univ. Chile, 108, p. 168, pi., 1901 — Prov-
ince of Copiapo, Chile.
Cants rufipes Philippi, supra cit., pp. 168, 170, 1901 — no locality.
Pseudalopex domeykoanus Cabrera, Trab. Mus. Nac. Cienc. Nat., Madrid,
31, p. 27, 1917.
Pseudalopex gracilis domeykoanus Cabrera, Journ. Mamm., 12, p. 65, 1931.
Distinguished from griseus by weaker dentition and from maullinicus by paler
color.
FIG. 4. Dusicyon griseus domeykoanus. F.M. No. 23926. X %.
Range. — Central Chile from Valparaiso northward to the south-
ern part of the Province of Atacama and southward to the vicinity
of Concepcion.
The small, foxlike chilla is very abundant in central Chile. It
even persists within the city of Santiago as I discovered by seeing
1 Named for Ignacio Domeyko, Professor of Physics and Chemistry of the
"Institute Nacional" and one of Philippi's earliest friends in Chile.
70 FIELD MUSEUM OF NATURAL HISTORY— ZOOLOGY, VOL. 30
several when walking in the evening in the parklike surroundings
of the Cerro San Cristobal. Apparently it does not extend north-
ward very far and does not range through the extremely arid parts
of northern Chile. In the south it meets the range of the darker
form of the Valdivian region and this doubtless grades into griseus
through some of the lower Andean passes. Specimens of typical
gracilis from the vicinity of Mendoza, Argentina, are not available
and just how domeykoanus may differ from gracilis cannot be stated.
Thomas (Ann. Mag. Nat. Hist., (9), 7, p. 384, 1921) has recorded
from Tucuman, Cordova, and Mendoza specimens of gracilis which
he states are "most doubtfully distinguishable" from the "foxes
from west of the Andes." Some Chilean mammals probably extend
across to the Mendoza region without change, but the chilla, being
mainly a lowland animal, perhaps does not do so and the connection
of gracilis and domeykoanus may be a southern one.
Philippi's type of domeykoanus was not examined in Santiago
although it is probably preserved there. Wolffsohn has referred to
it as the earliest of the names applied by Philippi to the chilla.
Specimens in Field Museum from Domeyko, Atacama, are con-
sidered as typical. C. rufipes, mentioned in the text of the descrip-
tion of domeykoanus, is no doubt a synonym.
Specimens examined. — Total 19: Domeyko, Atacama, 2; Limache,
Valparaiso, 13; Marquesa, Coquimbo, 2; Papudo, Aconcagua, 1;
Romero, Coquimbo, 1.
Dusicyon griseus maullinicus Philippi.
Canis maullinicus Philippi, Arch. Naturg., 69, (l),'p. 158 (middle of page),
1903 — "Nueva Braunau," west of Lake Llanquihue, Llanquihue, Chile.
Canis trichodactylus Philippi, supra cit., p. 158 (bottom of page), 1903 —
Province of Valdivia, Chile.
Canis torquatus Philippi, supra cit., pp. 159-160, 1903 — Puerto Montt, Chile.
Distinguished from griseus by weaker dentition and from domeykoanus by
darker color.
Range. — Valdivian forest region of south-central Chile, mainly
in the provinces of Cautin, Valdivia, and Llanquihue.
The chilla of the Valdivian forest region averages darker and
more richly colored than domeykoanus of central Chile. The differ-
ence between the two races is less than might be expected under
the diverse physical conditions of their respective ranges. In the
southern race the general color throughout is slightly more intense,
the rufous markings on the ears and legs are richer, and especially
1943 MAMMALS OF CHILE— OSGOOD 71
the light areas on the under parts are reduced in extent. Cranial
characters, if any, are not demonstrable with material at hand.
Philippi's names, maullinicus, trichodactylus, and torquatus, appar-
ently apply to the chilla since the distinctive black marking on the
chin is mentioned in the description of each. The measurements, as
compared with those of amblyodon and cdbigula, published in the
same paper, are inconsistent and unreliable. The localities also
have been questioned by Wolffsohn in a newspaper article to which
reference is made by Cabrera (Journ. Mamm., 12, p. 66, footnote,
1931). Thomas (Ann. Mag. Nat. Hist., (9), 7, p. 385, 1921) also
has mentioned this matter as follows: "It has been asserted — whether
rightly or wrongly — that the owners of a farm near Santiago amused
themselves by sending in to the aged Director of the museum speci-
mens of their local fox, which they labeled with various fictitious
localities in distant parts of Chili, and that these became the basis
of many of Philippi's species." It seems necessary, however, to
regard this as hearsay and to accept the localities as published.
Therefore, the name maullinicus, which has page priority, is adopted,
with trichodactylus and torquatus as synonyms. The type specimens,
if existing, have had no recent examination.
Specimens examined. — Total 15: Cabrero, Concepcion, 2 (skins
only); Cayetue, Lake Todos Santos, 8 (coll. K. Wolfhiigel); Cura-
cautin, Malleco, 3; Rinihue, Valdivia, 2.
Dusicyon fulvipes Martin. DARWIN'S Fox.
canisLagopus Molina, Sagg. Stor. Nat. Chili, p. 272, 1782.
Vulpes fulvipes Martin, Proc. Zool. Soc. Lond., p. 11, 1837 — Chiloe Island,
Chile.
Cants fulvipes Waterhouse, Zool. Voy. Beagle, Mamm., p. 12, pi. 6, 1839.
Thous fulvipes Gray, Proc. Zool. Soc. Lond., p. 514, 1868.
Cants azarae (var. fulvipes) Mivart, Monog. Canidae, p. 70, figs. 25-27 (skull),
1890.
Cants (Cerdocyari) azarae fulvipes Trouessart, Cat. Mamm., Suppl., p. 233,
1904.
Pseudalopex fulvipes Cabrera, Journ. Mamm., 12, p. 66, 1931.
A small, short- tailed and very dark-colored fox. Total length 790; tail 248;
hind foot 123.
Range. — Southern part of the island of Chiloe, Chile.
That a small, dark-colored fox inhabited Chiloe Island was
known to Molina in the eighteenth century. Its native name Payne-
guru, meaning "blue fox," doubtless caused him to record it as Canis
72 FIELD MUSEUM OF NATURAL HISTORY— ZOOLOGY, VOL. 30
Lagopus. The species was really discovered by Charles Darwin, who
obtained a specimen December 6, 1832, near the mouth of San Pedro
channel on the southern end of Chiloe Island. In his "Naturalist's
Voyage Round the World," Darwin gives the following account of
the animal's capture: "In the evening we reached the island of San
Pedro, where we found the Beagle at anchor. In doubling the point,
two of the officers landed to take a round of angles with the theodo-
lite. A fox (Canis fulvipes*) , of a kind said to be peculiar to the island
and very rare in it, and which is a new species, was sitting on the
rocks. He was so intently absorbed in watching the work of the
officers that I was able, by quietly walking up behind, to knock
him on the head with a geological hammer. This fox, more curious
or more scientific, but less wise than the generality of his brethren,
is now mounted in the museum of the zoological Society." In Dar-
win's notes published by Waterhouse is the further statement: "I
killed this animal on the sea-beach at the southern point of the
island ; it is considered extremely rare in the northern and inhabited
districts." Darwin's specimen became the type of Martin's Vulpes
fulvipes and for nearly a century was the only example of the species
known to1 be preserved.
In 1922, when Field Museum's expedition visited Chiloe Island,
our first stop was at the village of Quellon on the east coast and near
the southern frontier of the well-settled part of the island. Inquiry
among natives and settlers here elicited only negative information
as to the occurrence of any species of fox on the island. One well-
educated and well-informed Chilean, holding a responsible position
with a lumber company, produced a Spanish translation of Darwin's
"Voyage" in which he had marked the passage about the fox. This,
he insisted, was obvious proof that the great English naturalist had
no regard for the truth, first because the idea of killing a free, wild
fox with a hammer was preposterous and second, because no such
fox had since been seen on the island. He stated that he had been
especially interested and had carefully questioned many natives.
Nevertheless, it was only a short time afterward that I found fox
tracks on a sandy beach at the extreme south end of the island near
the mouth of the Rio Inio and within twenty miles of the spot
described by Darwin. I set a short line of traps along the beach,
baited them with fresh fish, and a few days later two fine foxes were
in hand, one male and one female, both fully adult. Still later I
learned, of course, that the few natives who hunt about the south
coast of the island were by no means unaware of the occurrence of
1943 MAMMALS OF CHILE— OSGOOD 73
the fox there, but the testimony from Quellon is of considerable
interest as indicating the scarcity of the animal and the restriction
of its range. Apparently it was but little more numerous in Darwin's
time, for he remarks on its rarity. The same is indicated by Philippi,
who states that he was never able to obtain a specimen.1
The two specimens in Field Museum show the same dark rich
color described for the type. In general, all dark markings are
intensified and all light ones reduced. The sub terminal light bands
on the hairs of the upper parts are narrow, and the effect is of a
finer grizzling than in related forms. The color of the basal part of
the hairs is very dark, not far from the Bone Brown and Clove
Brown of Ridgway, whereas in domeykoanus and maullinicus it is
no darker than Snuff Brown. The rufescent areas on the head, ears,
and legs are of deep, rich shades, Warm Sepia rather than Hazel or
Cinnamon Rufous. The tail is very dark and, although somewhat
grizzled proximally, the heavily black-tipped hairs predominate
above and below except for a limited light area at the base below.
The transverse dark marking on the hind legs is intense black with-
out rufescent mixture. The feet have a somewhat pied appearance
with a tendency to the development of a blackish spot above the
digits, this being somewhat connected with the body on the foreleg
but fully isolated on the hind leg. Such markings occasionally are
faintly suggested in other members of the griseus series. The light
area on the throat is whitish and continuous with a line running
along the upper lip to the rhinarium. The bases of the hairs in this
area, however, are very dark and the whitish tips narrow. The dark
grizzled areas from the sides of the neck are extensive but do not
quite meet to form a continuous dark neck-band. A dark band is
practically continuous just in front of the axillae. Light hairs with
pale brownish bases are narrowly scattered down the middle of the
thorax and connect with an expanded area of similar color on the
hind belly from which narrow but very distinct whitish lines extend
along the inner sides of the legs to the middle of the foot. The
inguinal area is dull rufescent. The dark area on the chin is well
marked on the male specimen but on the female it is less extensive
than in griseus, being bordered by a fairly marked light line around
the lower lips.
In addition to its rather marked peculiarities of color, fulvipes
has cranial characters which distinguish it quite sharply from main-
1 Two living examples have been exhibited in the zoological gardens of Val-
divia, Chile, as noted by Carl Junge (Zool. Gart., Leipzig, 6, p. 280, 1933).
74 FIELD MUSEUM OF NATURAL HISTORY— ZOOLOGY, VOL. 30
land forms. As compared with that of domeykoanus or maullinicus,
the skull is much shorter and broader in the facial region, the audital
bullae are decidedly less inflated, the dentition is slightly heavier, the
occlusion of the premolars is more nearly complete, and the angle of
the mandible is much deeper and heavier. Some of these characters
FIG. 5. Dusicyon fulvipes. F.M. No. 23815. X M-
are at least partially repeated in sechurae of northern Peru, which,
like fulvipes, is a beach fox, whereas griseus is mainly a plains animal.
It is possible, therefore, to speculate as to a former connection of
fulvipes with sechurae rather than with griseus. In its heavy angular
process and its almost complete occlusion of the upper and lower
premolars fulvipes shows some parallelism with Cerdocyon. This is,
perhaps, of no great significance, but since fulvipes is probably quite
as much a "crab-eater" in habits as Cerdocyon it cannot be wholly
overlooked.
In view of its geographical position and its agreement in most
general features with griseus and subspecies, the conclusion that
1943 MAMMALS OF CHILE— OSGOOD 75
fulvipes is an offshoot of the griseus group is certainly the most
natural and logical one. However, since it is so well characterized
and since its distribution apparently is limited to the southern end
of Chiloe Island, its status as a separate species perhaps should not
be disturbed. It is to be remembered, nevertheless, that the main-
land coasts in the latitude of Chiloe are practically unexplored zoo-
logically and if foxes should be found there it is not unlikely that
they might be much nearer to fulvipes than is maullinicus, in which
the approach to fulvipes is very slight.
The male fox collected on Chiloe had a weight of 1% pounds and
the female 5J^ pounds. External measurements are, for male and
female, respectively: total length 790, 665; tail 248, 175; hind foot
123, 100; ear from crown 77, — . Those of the skulls, with cor-
responding ones of comparable skulls of domeykoanus (in paren-
theses), are as follows: greatest length 129, 113 (131, 123.5) ; condylo-
basal length 122.5, 108.6 (127, 119) ; facio-cranial ratio1 48.1, 46.9
(48.9, 48.9); zygomatic width 68.3, 63 (63, 58.5); least interorbital
width 22.1, 20.9 (20.9, 20.2) ; median length of nasals 41.5, 35.2 (43.6,
40.8); width of braincase 43.8, 43 (42.4, 42.6); width of rostrum at
base of canines 22.8, 20.1 (18.6, 16.6) ; palatal length 66, 58.6 (71, 64) ;
length of upper carnassial 12.1, 10.6 (12.7, 10.7); combined length
of two upper molars 15.6, 13.1 (14.7, 13.2).
Specimens examined. — Near mouth of Rio Inio, Chiloe Island, 2.
Felis concolor puma Molina. PUMA; LEON.
Felis puma Molina, Sagg. Stor. Nat. Chili, pp. 295-299, 341, 1782— Chile
(vicinity of Santiago, by later selection); Merriam, Proc. Wash. Acad.
Sci., 3, p. 597, 1901 — description of headskin and skull from Santiago.
Felis concolor puma Cabrera, Rev. Chil. Hist. Nat., 33, pp. 312-320, pi. 19,
fig. A (skull), 1929; Nelson and Goldman, Journ. Mamm., 10, p. 346,
1929 — vicinity of Santiago selected as type locality.
A large, long-tailed and plain-colored cat. Total length about seven feet
(=200 cm.) including tail, which is about one-third the total length. Said to be
larger and more grayish than the Brazilian variety and to have a larger skull and
heavier teeth. Length of crown of upper carnassial in adult male about 24.
Range. — Central Chile, mainly in the cordillera. Exact limits
of range unknown; probably extending at least from lat. 30° in the
north to lat. 40° in the south.
The name puma appears to be of Peruvian origin and taken from
the language of the native Quechuas. The Araucanian name is
1 Length from posterior end of nasals to alveolus of middle incisors multi-
plied by 100 and divided by condylo-basal length.
76 FIELD MUSEUM OF NATURAL HISTORY— ZOOLOGY, VOL. 30
pagi, pagui, or pangui, but in recent times puma has become generally
used throughout Chile as well as in Peru, Ecuador, Bolivia, and
Argentina. Although well known, fairly common, and generally
distributed, the Chilean puma has usually been described only in
general terms and exact records of local distribution are but few.
It has retreated largely from the more populous parts of the country
and now appears mainly in the cordillera; as suggested by Cabrera,
it probably crosses from one side of the Andes to the other.
Preserved specimens are few. A headskin and skull from Santi-
ago have been described by Merriam and a series of skulls from
mountains near Mendoza, Argentina, assumed to belong to the same
race, have been discussed by Cabrera.
A specimen in the museum of Valparaiso collected at Cauquenes
in 1878 is recorded by Wolffsohn and Porter (1908). Two skulls are
recorded by Wolffsohn (1923) from La Chacarilla, Chilicauquen, and
Catapilco, San Alfonso.
Specimen examined. — "Santiago," 1 (skull and headskin, U.S.
N.M.).
Felis concolor patagonica Merriam. SOUTH ANDEAN PUMA.
Felis puma patagonica Merriam, Proc. Wash. Acad. Sci., 3, p. 598, 1901 —
near Lake Pueyrredon, lat. 47° 30' S., northwestern Santa Cruz, Argen-
tina.
Felis concolor puma Cabrera, Rev. Chil. Hist. Nat., 33, pp. 312-320, 1929—
part.
Felis concolor patagonica Nelson and Goldman, Journ. Mamm., 10, p. 346,
1929.
A supposed southern variety of puma said to have larger teeth than F. c.
puma. Length of crown of upper carnassial 25-27.
Range. — East base of cordillera of south-central Chile and east-
ward into Argentina, at least between parallels 48 and 44 S. lat.;
exact limits unknown.
The validity of this variety of the puma is not well established,
but since it is recognized by Nelson and Goldman after a study of
the entire concolor group, it is given a place here. Material repre-
senting it is scanty, as well as in the case of F. c. puma, but, so far
as examined, it indicates fairly pronounced increase in size of the
teeth in the more southern specimens.
Cabrera (I.e.) has expressed the opinion that patagonica is the
same as puma and has made comparisons between skulls from the
vicinity of Mendoza representing puma and one from Aysen repre-
1943 MAMMALS OF CHILE— OSGOOD 77
senting patagonica. He calls attention to the nearness of Mendoza
to the cordillera rising west of Santiago, and the probability that
the animals pass from one side of the Andes to the other, doubtless
ranging without interruption from north to south. Therefore, he
finds no obvious reason for a division of northern and southern or
eastern and western forms. In this he is at least partly correct and
his reference of the Mendoza skulls to puma is open to no question.
However, the measurements which he publishes for parallel con-
trast of adult male skulls from Mendoza and Rio Aysen do not show
complete agreement. The length of the upper carnassial in the Men-
doza skull he gives as 22.3 and that of the Aysen skull as 27. Since
one of the principal distinctions claimed for patagonica is the large
size of the carnassial, it must be concluded that the evidence adduced
is indecisive or that it even strengthens the opinions of Merriam and
Nelson and Goldman based on comparison of skulls from animals
not fully mature. At least the need for further study with more
material is indicated. In a skull of a young male from Rio Nirehuao,
obtained by myself in 1923, the upper carnassial has a crown length
of 26 and its alveolar length is 24, indicating agreement with the
type of patagonica and with the Aysen skull measured by Cabrera.
Felis puma pearsoni appears to be confined to the coast and
treeless parts of southeastern Patagonia and, so far as known, does
not reach Chile. Pumas were reported by Darwin as occurring on
Tierra del Fuego but other authors do not mention them. My own
experience on Tierra del Fuego leads to the belief that they never
occurred there, and doubtless Darwin was misinformed.
The abundance of pumas along the east base of the cordillera
has been noted by various authors. Prichard (1902) writes: "The
distribution of this animal extends over the entire country. It is to
be found in the cordillera as on the pampas. The number of pumas
in Patagonia is very great, more so than any zoologist has yet given
any idea of. During one winter two pioneers killed seventy-three
near Lake Argentine. Near San Julian immense numbers are yearly
destroyed but, lately, owing to the advent of settlers, they are
becoming less numerous."
Specimens examined. — Rio Nirehuao, Llanquihue, 2 (1 skin and
skull, 1 skull only).
Felis concolor araucanus subsp. nov. CHILEAN FOREST PUMA.
Type from "Fundo Maitenuhue," Sierra Nahuelbuta, west of
Angol, Malleco, Chile. No. 50048 Field Museum of Natural
78 FIELD MUSEUM OF NATURAL HISTORY— ZOOLOGY, VOL. 30
History. Immature male, skin and skull. Collected January 3,
1940, by Dillman S. Bullock.
Diagnosis. — A relatively small, dark, and richly colored puma.
Size not greater than in F. c. puma, considerably less than in F. c.
patagonica; length of upper carnassial in adult male about 22 mm.
Color much darker and more mixed with black or blackish than in
puma or patagonica; "red" phase predominant.
Range. — Humid forest of the Valdivian district of south-central
Chile, mainly in the provinces of Angol, Valdivia, and Llanquihue.
Color. — General color of upper parts Ochraceous Tawny heavily
mixed with black along middle line, producing a general effect of
Cinnamon Brown which becomes somewhat paler laterally; under
parts Cinnamon with restricted white areas on the inner sides of the
legs and on the chin and throat; upper side of tail like middle of
back; tip of tail blackish brown approaching pure black; ears mainly
Blackish Brown, grayish basally and on the edges and faintly so in
the middle; base of whiskers sharply blackish; sides of face and
supraorbital region grayish.
Measurements. — Skulls of adult male and female paratypes,
respectively: greatest length 193, 174; condylo-basal length 171,
158; zygomatic width 140.2, 120.5; interorbital width 39.7, 37.3;
postorbital width 52.3, 52.1; median nasal length 45.2, 40.7; length
of upper toothrow from front of canine 67.7, 55.9; length of upper
carnassial 22.2, 21.2.
Remarks. — This form is represented in Field Museum by three
skins with skulls, one skin without skull, and one skull without
skin, all obtained through the co-operation of Dr. Dillman S. Bul-
lock of Angol. The specimen selected as type is a skin with skull of
a young male apparently in its second year, but the characters of
the adult male are shown by the skull without skin.
My attention was called to the existence of this form during
several weeks spent in various parts of its range in 1939. At that
time a number of skins in the possession of local owners were exam-
ined and their uniformly dark coloration was especially noted.
At least a dozen skins were seen, including a considerable number in
use as rugs. Most of them had been taken in the vicinity of Lake
Todos Santos, which is in the heart of the humid, heavily forested
Valdivian district. At Cayetue, on an arm of this lake, several com-
plete specimens were seen in the collection of Professor Kurt Wolf hii-
gel. All of these were small and dark except one which was of very
large size and grayish coloration as in the race patagonica. Its exact
1943 MAMMALS OF CHILE— OSGOOD 79
source was not known, but it may easily have come from the Argen-
tine side of the mountains only a few miles away or, as suggested
by Professor Wolfhiigel, it may have been an accidental intruder
from that region.
The relationship of this form to F. c. puma is doubtless very
close, its principal distinction being its dark color in keeping with
the climatic conditions of its habitat where nearly all mammals are
somewhat differentiated from those of other parts of Chile. The
only available representative of puma for comparison is the skull
with headskin from the vicinity of Santiago described by Merriam
(Proc. Wash. Acad. Sci., 3, p. 597, 1901), which has been lent by
the United States National Museum. The general color of the head-
skin is much paler than in araucanus and the ears are wholly light
gray without the dark areas which are so pronounced in araucanus
and at least partly indicated in patagonica. In the Santiago skull
the teeth are all larger and heavier than in araucanus, the carnassial
being 24 mm. in length as against 22 in araucanus. Material is
insufficient to demonstrate any cranial characters.
Whether or not the distinction of patagonica from puma proves
to be justified, there seems little doubt that this dark forest form
should be recognized. Its relationship to patagonica is much the
same as that of the North American form olympus to hippolestes.
Felis pajeros colocolo Molina. CHILEAN PAMPA CAT.
felis colocola Molina, Sagg. Stor. Nat. Chili, pp. 295, 341, 1782— forests of
Chile. Province of Valparaiso here selected.
felis colocolo Molina, supra cit., ed. 2, Bologna, p. 245, 1810.
Felis colocola Desmarest, Mamm., 1, p. 234, note 3, 1822.1
Felis pajeros Gay, Hist. Chile, Zool., 1, p. 69, 1847.
Panthera Maracaya albescens Fitzinger, Sitzungsber. K. Akad. Wiss., Wien,
59, p. 232, 1869 — renaming of Felis colocolo Molina, which was regarded
"als eine der zahlreichen Abanderungen des Maracaya Panthers"; pre-
occupied name.
Felis colocolo Wolffsohn, Rev. Chil. Hist. Nat., 12, pp. 165-172, pi. 10, 1908.
Lynchailurus colocolus colocolus Cabrera, Notas Mus. La Plata, 5, Zool., No.
29, p. 12, 1940.
Lynchailurus pajeros huina Pocock, Ann. Mag. Nat. Hist., (11), 7, p. 261,
1941.
Felis colocolo Thomas, according to his identification of specimens in the
British Museum (fide Pocock, I.e.).
croyons
1 "M. Cuvier pense que le colocolla pourroit bien n'etre que 1'ocelot. Nous
ons qu'il seroit aussi possible de le regarder comme le chibigouazou."
80 FIELD MUSEUM OF NATURAL HISTORY— ZOOLOGY, VOL. 30
A moderate-sized cat with irregular markings on the back and sides forming
elongated areas of alternating fulvous and grayish white; legs with transverse
bands of brownish or blackish ; tail at least partially ringed with blackish or brown-
ish, the under side usually plain. Head and body 567-642; tail 295-322; hind
foot 118-139; ear 61-65 (fide Wolffsohn).
Range. — West-central Chile, probably from Coquimbo to Con-
ception; at present known principally from Valparaiso and vicinity.
This is the Chilean variety of the well-known pampa cat of
eastern and southern Argentina. Although common in central
Chile, few specimens have been preserved in museums. It is some-
what darker and more distinctly marked than the Argentine variety
(F. colocolo pajeros).1
Under the name Lynchailurus pajeros huina, Pocock (I.e.), who
had several specimens collected by Wolffsohn in the Valparaiso
district, states that it is "distinguished from typical pajeros by the
much darker, more varied hue of the upper side, which shows dis-
tinct pattern on the back and flanks, and by the invariably ochra-
ceous, rusty or brown hue of the pattern on the underside."
The exact relationship of this form to the several northern varie-
ties (garleppi, thomasi, budini, steinbachi) which have been described
is uncertain. An immature example in Field Museum from Co-
quimbo is paler than the one illustrated by Wolffsohn and those
described by Pocock. Another, also immature, from Putre, Tacna,
cannot be identified satisfactorily as to subspecies, but perhaps will
prove to be nearer to garleppi than to colocolo.
The name colocolo, which is here applied to it, has had an extraor-
dinary history, appearing and reappearing in literature in many
connections and being the subject of much difference of opinion.
Originally proposed by Molina in 1782, it was something of a puzzle
to early authors who knew nothing of any Chilean cats. Then in
1827 it was adopted by Hamilton Smith (Griffith's Cuvier, 2, p.
479, 1827) for a supposed species from Guiana. This animal was
described by Smith from reports received from a traveler rather
than from a specimen and his description was accompanied by a
figure having no better basis than a hunter's tale and an artist's
imagination. The Felis colocolo of Hamilton Smith, therefore, is
quite unidentifiable and if it had been so regarded from the begin-
ning much misunderstanding would have been avoided. Unfortu-
nately, it was taken up by various authors to such an extent that the
original Felis colocolo of Molina was almost forgotten. This so
1 It is not unlikely that this variety occurs occasionally within Chilean limits
on the eastern side of the Andes. In fact, Pocock (op. cit., p. 363, footnote)
mentions a skull from Last Hope Inlet, which may constitute a record.
1943 MAMMALS OF CHILE— OSGOOD 81
prejudiced the case that even down to very recent dates conclusions
in regard to it are subject to suspicion and further analysis.
The whole history has been quite thoroughly reviewed in a
recent paper by Cabrera (I.e.), who seems to be the first to
understand fully all the factors involved and who does not omit
reference to any important previous author. He finds that Felis
colocolo should either be regarded as unidentifiable or applied to
one of the two commoner small cats of Chile, namely, the one
described by Gay in 1847 under the name Felis pajeros. In this he
agrees with Wolff sohn (I.e.) who published a figure (photo) of
the animal and based his conclusion on a first-hand field knowledge
of Chilean mammals. He is also in agreement with Thomas, who
published nothing on the subject but whose views are known through
labeled specimens in the British Museum.
On the other hand, Allen (1919) came to a different conclusion
and applied colocolo to the cat named jacobita by Cornalia in 1865.
He makes no mention of Wolffsohn's important paper and his text
indicates that he had no specimens from Chile except those of Felis
guigna. He was much influenced by the action of Philippi, who in
1869 and 1870 had identified Molina's colocolo with the species which,
unbeknown to him, had been called jacobita in 1865. Philippi's
opinion, however, was deeply tinged with the pernicious influence of
the mythical colocolo of Hamilton Smith. Without this influence,
and because he was ignorant of the discovery by Cornalia, it is
probable that he would have seen the case as later authors, nota-
bly Wolffsohn, have done. In fact, Cabrera has adduced some
evidence that Philippi's earliest opinion was contrary to his pub-
lished accounts, since a cat labeled by him as colocolo and sent to
the museum of Madrid, in 1863, proves to be of the form allied to
F. pajeros.
Finally, Pocock (op. cit., p. 269) comes to essentially the same
conclusions as Allen, but he makes no mention of the papers by
Wolffsohn and Cabrera. That he had not seen them is evident,
since he proposes a new generic name Colocolo, which is the exact
equivalent of Oreailurus Cabrera.
In agreeing with Wolffsohn, Thomas, and Cabrera rather than
with Allen and Pocock, more reliance is placed upon a general study
of all Molina's work than upon arguments over details. It is known
that Molina's descriptions were usually colored by hearsay, that such
specimens as he may have seen were not in his hands at the time of
writing, and that scarcely any of his descriptions will bear close
82 FIELD MUSEUM OF NATURAL HISTORY— ZOOLOGY, VOL. 30
analysis without revealing at least slight conflict with reality. Some
of his names must be rejected as wholly unidentifiable, and others
can be accepted on the basis of the general characters indicated
without regard to minor discrepancies. This has been done accepta-
bly in other cases and should be in this one.
Having in mind Molina's shortcomings, and wholly disregarding
the confusion caused by Hamilton Smith, the case is greatly simpli-
fied. There are three spotted cats native to Chile: one of larger size,
very rare, and apparently confined to limited areas in the highlands;
the other two smaller, fairly common, and generally distributed in
the most populous parts of the country. They differ in numerous
details, but they have some characters in common and are subject
to some variation in color and markings. Molina gave names to
only two spotted cats, one of which he called Felis guigna and the
other Felis colocolo. He describes them in a single paragraph in
which they are contrasted with each other. An English translation
is as follows: "The guigna (felis guigna) and the colocolo (felis colo-
colo) are two species of beautifully pelaged wild cats which inhabit
the forest of Chile. They resemble the domestic cat, but are a little
larger, the head and the tail a little larger. The guigna is of a fulvous
color varied with rounded black spots four or five lines in diameter,
extending to the end of the tail. The colocolo is white, irregularly
spotted with black and yellowish. Its tail is annulated with black
to the tip."
The general distinctions made here are those of the two common
Chilean cats, guigna, with small rounded black spots, and colocolo,
with irregular markings of black and yellowish. So far as they go,
and especially from the contemporary standpoint, they furnish a
sufficient distinction.1 The indication that the animals were similar
in size, somewhat larger than a house cat, may be significant, but
everything else can be disregarded as due to the author's demon-
strated unreliability. The white ground color and the annulated
tail, under the broad interpretation necessary with Molina's descrip-
tions, might apply to either of the common species as well as to the
rare one (jacobitd) which it is unlikely Molina had ever seen. If he
had had any knowledge of it, he could scarcely have failed to men-
1 In his summary catalogue concluding his volume (1782, p. 341) Molina
omits reference to the annulated tail and gives Latin diagnoses of the two species
indicating what he evidently considered their most important distinctions, as
follows:
Felis guigna cauda elongata, corpore maculis omnibus orbiculatis.
Felis colocolo cauda elongata, corpore albo maculis irreg. atris, flavique.
1943 MAMMALS OF CHILE— OSGOOD 83
tion its larger size.1 It considerably exceeds both the common
species and, as Cabrera has noted, it is several times larger than a
house cat.
Molina's name guigna has always been accepted for one of the
common cats of Chile and his colocolo would almost certainly have
been used for the other except for the curse that was laid upon it by
its early misuse by Hamilton Smith. Therefore, it seems logical
now to ignore all the misunderstanding connected with this curse
and to judge the case as if none of this had happened. This is
essentially what was done by Wolffsohn (I.e.), whose knowledge
of Chilean mammals was extensive and whose opinion is very impor-
tant, but whose paper on the subject has not been widely consulted.
He describes several specimens, illustrating one with a photograph
(in which the tail shows at least five well-marked blackish rings or
semi-rings), and discusses the habits and distribution of the form.
He reports it as the most common species in central Chile, where he
found it, especially in the vicinity of Valparaiso, Santiago, and
Quillota. He expresses the opinion that it may extend southward
as far as Concepcion, but no southern specimens have been recorded.
He mentions two phases of color, one called "plomo" and the other
"anarjado."
According to Wolffsohn and Philippi, the names guina or huina
and gato montes are applied in some parts of Chile to one of the
common cats and elsewhere to the other. That the name colocolo
was in use for any cat by the natives of Molina's time is doubtful.
The Araucanian name was kudmu or kodkod, which Wolffsohn
believed was corrupted by the Spaniards to colocolo. Although not
mentioned in the original edition of Molina's work, there is indica-
tion in the second Italian edition (1810, p. 245) that the name was
connected with the proper name of the early Araucanian hero, Colo-
colo.2 The spelling colocola of the first edition is changed in the
second to colocolo, so a typographical error may be inferred. This
is mentioned by Philippi (1870, p. 41, footnote), who says: "Colo-
cola ist offenbar ein Druck odor vielmehr Schreibfehler, und ist nur
sonderbar, dass man hb'rt in Chile immer Colocolo und niemals
Colocola." He also refers to the use of the name colocolo for the
1 In his second edition (1810, p. 245) Molina plainly states that the colocolo
is about the same size as guigna and that its markings are "come quello delle
gato domestiche."
2 "II quale col suo nome rinuoya la memoria del Gran Colocolo promotore e
sostegno della liberta degli Araucani."
84 FIELD MUSEUM OF NATURAL HISTORY— ZOOLOGY, VOL. 30
mouse opossum and the singing house mouse, which Wolffsohn
thinks may have meant the coruro (Spalacopus) .
Specimens examined. — Total 3: Limache, Valparaiso, 1 (skull
only) ; Marquesa, Coquimbo, 1 (skin only) ; Province of Valparaiso,
1 (skull only).
Felis guigna guigna Molina. GUINA; GATO MONTES.
felis guigna Molina, Sagg. Stor. Nat. Chili, pp. 295, 341, 1782 — forests of
Chile; Poeppig, Froriep's Notizen, 25, p. 7, 1829; Thomas, Ann. Mag.
Nat. Hist., (7), 12, p. 240, 1903— selected type locality Valdivia, Chile.
Felis tigrillo "Poeppig," Schinz, Syn. Mamm., 1, p. 470, 1844 — Chile.
Felis guina Philippi, Arch. Naturg., 36, (1), pp. 41-43, 1870; 39, (1), pp.
8-12, pi. 2, 1873.
Herpailurus guigna Pocock, Ann. Mag. Nat. Hist., (8), 20, pp. 346-347, 1917.
Noctifelis guigna Allen, Bull. Amer. Mus. Nat. Hist., 41, p. 361, 1919.
A medium-sized cat heavily spotted with rounded blackish spots on both
upper and under parts; ground color buffy or brownish; slight tendency to streak-
ing on head and shoulders; tail narrowly ringed with blackish. Head and body
390-450; tail 195-230; hind foot 89-96.
Range. — Forested region of south-central Chile from the Province
of Cautin to the island of Chiloe and the Guaitecas.
Although fairly common in easily accessible parts of Chile, this
cat was for many years very imperfectly known, and even at the
present time well-preserved specimens are comparatively rare.
After being named by Molina as early as 1782, only one reliable
reference (Poeppig, I.e.) concerning it appeared, until a century
later, in 1873, when Philippi described and figured specimens from
Valdivia. He mentions its abundance and refers to the frequent
occurrence of melanism. In 1919, in speaking of Philippi's account,
Allen says: "So far as I am aware, no later report based on actual
material has been published." However, in 1908 Wolffsohn and
Porter (1908, p. 76) had recorded two specimens in the Valparaiso
Museum, one from Valdivia and one from the Guaiteca Islands.
Allen describes a series of eight specimens from Marquhue, Temuco,
Cautin, and remarks that there is "considerable variation in color,
some being much darker than others, possibly tending toward
melanism."
As a species F. guigna is probably distinct, being characterized
by small size, dark color, and almost wholly spotted pattern of
markings; but it is obviously very closely related to F. geoffroyi,
and Allen's recognition of the genus Noctifelis for its exclusive recep-
tion seems quite unjustified. The pattern of markings in guigna
1943 MAMMALS OF CHILE— OSGOOD 85
is essentially as in geoffroyi except on the occiput and nape where
dark lines are broken and indistinct in guigna but fully coalesced
and well defined in geoffroyi. The feet in guigna are usually un-
spotted. The skulls are similar in all general characters. In the
two specimens in Field Museum the small second upper premolar is
absent as was the case in seven skulls examined by Allen. These
FIG. 6. Felts guigna guigna. F.M. No. 24359. X H-
two specimens are from Valdivia and Chiloe Island, one being wholly
black and the other spotted.
Specimens examined. — Total 11: Cayetue, Lake Todos Santos, 9
(coll. K. Wolfhiigel); mouth of Rio Inio, Chiloe Island, 1; Rinihue,
Valdivia, 1.
Felis guigna molinae subsp. nov.
Type from vicinity of Valparaiso, Chile. No. 24369 Field
Museum of Natural History. Collected (purchased in mounted
condition) December, 1922, by Colin C. Sanborn. Orig. No. 585.
Diagnosis. — Decidedly larger than F. g. guigna; coloration prob-
ably averaging considerably paler.
Color. — Markings as in F. g. guigna; ground color in type speci-
men Cinnamon Buff to Clay Color; dark spots Snuff Brown to
Mummy Brown; forehead without stripes; feet unspotted.
Skull. — Larger than in F. g. guigna; mesopterygoid fossa narrow
and pointed in front; posterior lateral shelves of palate only slightly
86 FIELD MUSEUM OF NATURAL HISTORY— ZOOLOGY, VOL. 30
emarginate; teeth much heavier than in guigna, equaling or slightly
exceeding those of salinarum although considerably weaker than
those of geoffroyi; anterior upper premolars absent in one specimen,
present in another.
Measurements. — Paratype measured in flesh by J. A. Wolffsohn:
total length 722; tail 229; hind foot 116. Skull of type and an adult
male of F. g. guigna from Chiloe Island: greatest length 92.8, 84.6;
zygomatic width 62, 53.6; least interorbital width 17.9, 15.8; post-
orbital constriction 27.9, 25; width of braincase 41.6, 38.1; upper
toothrow, canine to molar 27.8, 24.8; length of last upper premolar
11.4, 9.3.
Remarks. — Only one skin and two skulls of this form are avail-
able, both from the vicinity of Valparaiso. The type was obtained
by Sanborn by purchase, through the assistance of J. A. Wolffsohn.
It was in mounted condition and had been in the hands of a private
owner at Vina del Mar, a suburb of Valparaiso. After receipt at
Field Museum it was dismounted and the skull previously included
in the skin was found to be entire and in excellent condition. A
second skull later received from Wolffsohn is slightly larger but
otherwise agrees closely with that of the type. This second skull
is from Hacienda Limache and its label carries the flesh measure-
ments and the notation "Skull only. Skin spoilt. This specimen
is the largest of the few I have measured."
Although the material is scanty and it is necessary to take as
type a somewhat damaged specimen, the differentiation of this form
seems so fully evident that its recognition need not be delayed.
Doubtless it ranges throughout central Chile from Coquimbo to
Concepcion in a region faunally different from that inhabited by
typical guigna.
Apparently it is less common than F. colocolo and further speci-
mens are much to be desired. Between its range and that of F.
geoffroyi salinarum there is a very wide gap, including most of north-
eastern Chile from which no specimens are known. At least in some
parts of this region it is probable that spotted cats will be found, but
whether or not they will establish a connection between molinae and
salinarum (i.e. guigna and geoffroyi) cannot be predicted at this time.
Felis (Oreailurus) jacobita Cornalia. ANDEAN HIGHLAND CAT.
Felis jacobita Cornalia, Mem. Soc. Ital. Sci. Nat., Milano, 1, No. 1, pp. 3-7,
one pi. unnumbered, 1865 — mountains near Humachaca, near Chilean
boundary, Argentina.
1943 MAMMALS OF CHILE— OSGOOD 87
Felis colocolo Philippi, Anal. Univ. Chile, 33, pi. 205, 1869; Arch. Naturg.,
36, p. 43, pi. 1, fig. 7, 1870; 39, pp. 11-14, pi. 3, figs. 1-2 (skull), 1873;
Burmeister, Descr. Phys. Repub. Argentina, 3, p. 126, 1879.
Oncifelis colocolo Allen, Bull. Amer. Mus. Nat. Hist., 41, p. 371, 1919.
Oreailurus [jacobita] Cabrera, Notas Mus. La Plata, 5, Zool., No. 29, p. 16,
1940.
Colocolo colocola Pocock, Ann. Mag. Nat. Hist., (11), 7, p. 272, 1941.
A spotted cat of larger size than F. colocolo and F. guigna, with long, soft and
thick pelage; color pale gray spotted and transversely striped with blackish or
brownish; under parts white; tail with about nine blackish or brownish rings and
a light tip. Skull with audital bullae divided into two chambers indicated by a
deep external sulcus. Head and body 600; tail 430; height 350 (ex Cornalia).1
Range. — High Andes of northeastern Chile, from the latitude of
Santiago northward to southern Bolivia and northwestern Argentina.
This is the rarest of Chilean cats and, so far as known, only five
(or possibly six) specimens are existing. These are the type, which
may be still in Milan or elsewhere in Italy; the specimen described
by Philippi in 1870 and 1873 from Infernillo, Hacienda de la Dehesa,
cordillera of Santiago;2 and three trade skins in the British Museum,
described by Pocock, two without locality, received from the whole-
sale furrier Ernest Poland, and the third labeled "Bolivia" and pre-
sented by Rowland Ward. Of these last Pocock says: "In general
coloration and coat, these specimens are reminiscent of the Snow
Leopard ( Undo), suggesting rocky hills, not jungle or forest, as
their habitat. The coat is very full and soft, about 40 mm. long on
the back and 35 mm. on the uniformly bushy tail." A possible sixth
specimen is one in the Argentine Museo Nacional, recorded by Yepes
(1929) from Sarso, western Aconquija, Tucuman, Argentina.
The only skull so far known is the one described and figured by
Philippi from his menagerie specimen. Cornalia's description does
not mention a skull and it seems probable there was none. The very
peculiar double-chambered audital bulla, shown in Philippi's figure,
combined with the external peculiarities of the animal, indicates a
high degree of differentiation doubtless warranting the generic or
1 No measurements are available except those of the original describer. In
the supposed race called neumeyeri by Matschie, the body length is given as 850
and the tail 410. Pocock's reference of neumeyeri to his "colocola," without
examination of the type, is open to question, since its locality is very distant and
climatically very different.
2 This specimen is doubtless one which is now mounted and on exhibition in
the Museo Nacional in Santiago where I saw it last in 1939. Time did not permit
its removal from the case for careful examination, but its general agreement with
Cornalia's figure was evident. It carries the number 131 and the locality "Los
Andes, Prov. Santiago." I was not then aware of the importance of the skull
and regret very much that no search was made for it.
88 FIELD MUSEUM OF NATURAL HISTORY— ZOOLOGY, VOL. 30
subgeneric separation advocated by Cabrera and Pocock. The range
of the species is one characterized by a high degree of endemism.
It corresponds roughly to that of the chinchilla and various other
markedly distinct types.
Specimens examined.— Cordillera of Santiago, 1 (Mus. Nac.
Chile).
Lutra provocax Thomas. LARGE RIVER OTTER; HUILLIN.
Lutra huidobrius of some authors, not Castor huidobrius of Molina, which is
unidentifiable.
Lutra paranensis Thomas, Proc. Zool. Soc. Lond., p. 198, footnote, 1889.
Lutra provocax Thomas, Ann. Mag. Nat. Hist., (8), 1, p. 391, 1908 — south of
Lake Nahuelhuapi, Argentina.
A good-sized otter with the upper parts rich, dark brown and the under
parts silvery whitish in considerable contrast. Total length 1,010 (male), 920
(female); tail 400 (male), 350 (female); hind foot 125 (male), 108 (female).
Range. — Rivers and estuaries of central and southern Chile, at
least from the Rio Cachapoal (Province of Colchagua) in the north
to the Straits of Magellan in the south; extending through the Andes
to western Argentina at least in the Nahuelhuapi region.
The large river otter of southern Chile, known as the huillin,
was found to be fairly common in the lower reaches of the Rio Inio
near the south end of Chiloe Island. Several were seen and one
adult male was shot by Sanborn as it swam near the boat in which
we were rowing a few miles above the mouth of the river. Measure-
ments of this specimen are: total length 1,010; tail 400; hind foot
125; circumference of neck 320; circumference of chest 390. An
adult female brought to us later by natives was also preserved.
Thomas records this species from Temuco and from the Straits
of Magellan. Wolffsohn (1921) also records it from Temuco, and
Wolffsohn and Porter (1908) mention two specimens from Valdivia.
E. C. Reed (1877) states that an otter of this species was seen at
the mouth of the Rio Cauquenes at its junction with the Cachapoal
and he expresses his belief that this river is the northern limit of the
animal's range in Chile.
Molina's name Castor huidobrius has sometimes been used for
this species, but Molina's account is so obviously composite and
contradictory that it cannot be accepted for any known animal.
The native name guillino, which he uses in connection with it,
indicates only that reports of this otter were probably among those
entering into his confused description. In the second edition of
1943 MAMMALS OF CHILE— OSGOOD 89
Molina's work are some additional statements to which Fontecilla
(1929) has called attention, with the implication that they are cor-
rections sufficient to establish the name for an otter. Careful reading
of them, however, seems to indicate as much confusion as the original
description. Molina says, in effect, that the supposed species was
placed in the genus Castor because its dentition resembled that of
the beaver, and he adds that the beaver differs in not eating fish.
FIG. 7. Lutra provocax. F.M. No. 24224. X %.
The technical name Castor huidobrius, which appeared in the first
edition, is omitted in the second, as well as reference to Molina's
friend and patron Don Garcia Huidobro, whom he had desired to
honor. This is significant of Molina's own doubt in the matter and
is plain indication of his intention to suppress the name. He refers
to the opinion of Sonnini that the animal might be an otter and he
states he would not object to this although he continues to insist
that its dentition would indicate a different genus. In other words,
he continues to confuse hearsay accounts in which otter and coypu
are inextricably combined. On the whole, therefore, I have no hesi-
tation in agreeing to the conclusion of Thomas, who says: "I am not
prepared to recognize as an otter a species described as having long
rodent incisors and unpalmated forefeet, and think that in view of
90 FIELD MUSEUM OF NATURAL HISTORY— ZOOLOGY, VOL. 30
the insoluble mixture of local names, habits, and characters con-
tained in Molina's description, the name Castor huidobrius should be
set aside as indeterminable." (Proc. U. S. Nat. Mus., 58, p. 225,
1920.)
Lesson's Guillinomys chilensis (Nouv. Tabl. Regne Anim.,
Mamm., p. 126, 1842) is merely a renaming of the unidentifiable
Castor huidobrius and, moreover, it is antedated by Mustela chilensis
Kerr 1792.
Specimens examined. — Total 5: Lake Todos Santos, Llanquihue,
3 (coll. K. Wolfhiigel); mouth of Rio Inio, Chiloe Island, 2.
Lutra felina Molina. MARINE OTTER; CHUNGUNGO.
mustela felina Molina, Sagg. Stor. Nat. Chili, pp. 284, 342, 1782 — Chile.
Mustela (Lutra) chilensis Kerr, Anim. Kingd., Mamm., p. 172, 1792 — coasts
of Chile.
FIG. 8. Lutra felina. F.M. No. 24226. X %•
Lutra chilensis Bennett, Proc. Zool. Soc. Lond., pp. 1-2, 1832 — Chile.
Lutra calif ornica Gray, Mag. Nat. Hist. (Charlesworth), 1, p. 580, 1837 — said
to be from California; probably from Chile.
Lutra brachydactyla Wagner, Suppl. Schreber's Saugeth., 2, p. 261, footnote,
1841— "West Amerika."
A small otter of nearly uniform coloration, the under parts scarcely or not at
all paler than the upper parts. Total length 910; tail 340; hind foot with claw 97.
Range. — Entire coast of Chile south to Tierra del Fuego, practi-
cally to Cape Horn; northward to the coast of northern Peru.
1943 MAMMALS OF CHILE— OSGOOD 91
This is the small brown otter which the Chileans call chungungo
or gato del mar. It appears to be mainly marine or littoral in habits
and, although it lives side by side with the larger species, it is less
fluviatile. It is especially abundant among the numerous islands
from Chiloe southward. Two specimens from the arid coast of
northern Chile at Caldera are only slightly paler on the under parts
than others from the southern islands and the distinction of a
northern form is doubtful. Should such a form prove demonstrable,
it might take the name peruviensis (Gervais, Zool. Voy. Bonite, 1,
Mamm., pp. 15-17, pi. 3, 1841) based on material from San Lorenzo
Island, near Callao, Peru.
During the voyage of the Beagle, Darwin found this otter abun-
dant, especially in the Chonos Archipelago and among the islands off
the southwestern shores of Tierra del Fuego. Since his time it has
been greatly diminished in numbers, but doubtless remains in a
fairly secure retreat on the long uninhabited coast between Chiloe
and the Straits of Magellan. In 1923, Field Museum's expedition
found it rather common about the southern end of Chiloe Island.
An adult male taken there had a weight of nine pounds.
Specimens examined. — Total 8: Ayentema, Chiloe Island, 1;
Caldera, Atacama, 2; Cucao, Chiloe Island, 2; Guaiteca Islands, 1;
Papudo, Aconcagua, 1 (skull only); Rio Aconcagua, Valparaiso,
1 (skin only).
Grison (Grisonella) cuja Molina. QUIQUE.
mustela Cuja Molina, Sagg. Stor. Nat. Chili, pp. 291-292, 342, 1782; ed. 2,
p. 242, 1810 — Chile, more in the south than in the north.
mustela Quiqui Molina, supra cit., pp. 292, 342; ed. 2, p. 242, 1810 — southern
provinces of Chile.
Galictis vittata var. Chilensis Nehring, Zool. Jahrb., Syst., 1, p. 190, 1886 —
Chile.
Grison (Grisonella) cuja Thomas, Ann. Mag. Nat. Hist., (8), 10, p. 46, 1912—
specimens from Temuco, Chile, regarded as typical.
(l)Grison furax melinus Thomas, supra cit., p. 47, 1912 — Quillota, Valparaiso,
Chile.
Grisonella melina Thomas, supra cit., (9), 8, p. 213, 1921.
A short-tailed, loosely pelaged, ferret-like musteline with the upper parts
yellowish buff or grayish mixed with black; under parts, feet, legs, and nose black.
Total length 550-650; tail 150-200; hind foot 50-60.
Range. — Central Chile from the Province of Coquimbo to the
Province of Valdivia.
92 FIELD MUSEUM OF NATURAL HISTORY— ZOOLOGY, VOL. 30
The small kiki or cuja is generally distributed in central Chile
but is nowhere common. That there is more than one Chilean
species is very doubtful. Thomas has restricted the name cuja to
three specimens of unusually small size from Temuco and proposed
the new name melinus for specimens from the vicinity of Valparaiso.
Material in Field Museum is not sufficient to be wholly conclusive,
but, so far as it goes, it supports the inference that this division is
FIG. 9. Orison cuja. F.M. No. 23441. X %.
questionable. Specimens from Papudo, although apparently quite
adult, are not so large as the type and other examples of melinus
examined by Thomas. On the other hand, a skin from Rinihue,
Valdivia, in the region assigned to cuja, appears not to differ in
color or size from more northern specimens. Unfortunately it has no
skull and no flesh measurements, but it is difficult to believe that it
represents a species different from that of more northern localities.
Variation in size and color is considerable in the small series
examined. Two immature specimens are much more heavily buff-
colored than adults, and their tails are very short and light-colored.
Comparison of Chilean specimens with others from Argentina
(huronax) shows scarcely any difference in color or size, and it is
unlikely that more than subspecific distinction is justified. It seems
probable, therefore, that the subgenus Grisonella contains but one
species for which the earliest name is Molina's cuja. The names
furax (Minas, Brazil), huronax (Mar del Plata, Argentina), ratel-
linus (San Juan, Argentina), shiptoni (Concepcion, Tucuman,
Argentina), and luteolus (Chulumani, Bolivia) are in most cases
1943 MAMMALS OF CHILE— OSGOOD 93
based on very scanty material and the characters assigned to them
are of a kind to indicate, at the most, differences of subspecific
importance.
While G. cuja reaches the northern part of the forested Valdivian
region, it does not penetrate very far and its main range seems to
be in the well-defined area between Coquimbo and Concepcion in
which faunal conditions are fairly uniform.
Probably it crosses the Andes through the passes of the lake
region to meet eastern forms. In fact, Thomas has referred speci-
mens "from Tucuman to Chubut" to his melinus, thus giving that
subspecies an interrupted range in which his cuja would stand
between melinus of Valparaiso and others regarded as the same from
east of the Andes.
Writing in 1846, Thomas Bridges states that "the native hunters
of this little animal [the chinchilla] domesticate the Quique of Molina
which they term here Huron, the Spanish for ferret; the Huron
enters the crevices and holes made by the Chinchilla, and drives
them out, when they are either killed with sticks by the hunters or
taken by the dogs trained for that purpose."
Specimens examined. — Total 16: Lake Todos Santos, 4 (coll. K.
Wolfhiigel); Paiguano, Coquimbo, 2; Papudo, Aconcagua, 6 (2 skins
with skulls, 4 skulls without skins) ; Rinihue, Valdivia, 1 (skin only) ;
Santiago, 2 (skins only); "southern" Chile, 1 (skin only).
Lyncodon patagonica Blainville. HURONCITO.
Mustela patagonica Blainville, Osteog. Mamm. Rec. Foss., Atlas, 2, fasc. 10,
pi. 12 (Mustela); text, 2, fasc. 4, p. 42 (Putois du Chili), p. 81 (Putois
du Paraguay), 1842 — Rio Negro, Argentina ("rapporte de 1'Amerique du
Sud par M. d'Orbigny").
Mustela (Lyncodon) patagonica Gervais, Diet. Univ. d'Hist. Nat., 4, p. 685,
1844.
Lyncodon patagonica Burmeister, Descr. Phys. Repub. Argentina, 3, pp. 160-
162, 1879.
A small slender-bodied musteline externally somewhat similar to Grison, but
with the top of the head creamy or white, which extends as a broad stripe to the
shoulders; dentition reduced to 28 teeth; length of head and body about 350; tail
70-90; hind foot 35.
Range. — Known from scattered localities mainly in western
Argentina from the Province of Rioja to the Province of Santa
Cruz; intrusive in Chile along the southern Argentine border.
Two specimens of this very rare carnivore are recorded by Wolff -
sohn (1921, p. 515) from Puerto Prat, Last Hope Inlet. Although
94 FIELD MUSEUM OF NATURAL HISTORY— ZOOLOGY, VOL. 30
this locality is actually on the coast of Chile the climate there is
relatively dry and conditions closely approximate those of the pam-
pas to the eastward; so it is not strange that a wide-ranging pampas
animal should be found there. The specimens, which were probably
collected by Wolffsohn himself, are said to be preserved in the Semi-
nario de San Rafael, Avenida de las Delicias, Valparaiso.
Conepatus chinga chinga Molina. CHILEAN SKUNK; CHINGUE.
viverra chinga Molina, Sagg. Stor. Nat. Chili, pp. 288-291, 342, 1782— Chile.
Viverra chilensis Link, Beytr. Nat., 1, p. 85, 1795 — Chile.
Mephitis chilensis Geoffrey, Cat. Mamm. Mus. Paris, pp. 109-110, 1803.
Mephitis dimidiata G. Fischer, Zoogn., 3, pp. 203-204, 1814 — Chile.
^ Mephitis (Thiosmus) molinae Lichtenstein, Abhandl. Akad. Wiss., Berlin,
p. 272, (1836), 1838— Chile.
Mephitis furcata Wagner, Suppl. Schreber's Saugeth., 2, pp. 192-193, 1841 —
M. chilensis of Lichtenstein renamed.
A black and white skunk with the terminal half of the tail with hairs wholly
white to the roots; dorsal white stripes narrow but continuous from the occiput
to the base of the tail.
Range. — Central Chile probably from Coquimbo to Concepcion,
mainly in the coast region.
Although Molina's description mentions white spots instead of
stripes, his general account applies wholly to the skunk and there
is no good reason for not accepting the name chinga. No exact
locality has been assigned to it, but central Chile in the vicinity
of Valparaiso is the logical choice. It appears to be not very com-
mon, and prepared specimens are scarce. Thomas has a passing
reference (Proc. U. S. Nat. Mus., 58, p. 224, 1920) doubtless based
on specimens and to the effect that C. chinga has the white stripes
reaching fully to the base of the tail. This is confirmed by the only
specimen in Field Museum, in which the terminal half of the tail is
wholly white to the roots of the hairs.
Specimen examined. — Concepcion, 1 (skin only).
Conepatus chinga mendosus Thomas.
Conepatus suffocans mendosus Thomas, Ann. Mag. Nat. Hist., (9), 8, p. 222,
1921 — Tupungato, Mendoza, Argentina.
Conepatus suffocans enuchus Thomas, supra cit., (9), 19, p. 651, 1927 — San
Martin de los Andes, Neuquen, Argentina.
Similar to C. chinga, but with the white stripes on the back usually inter-
rupted; tail with terminal white reduced to one-fourth or less.
1943 MAMMALS OF CHILE— OSGOOD 95
Range. — Western Argentina from the Province of Mendoza
southward to Neuquen and thence into Chile at least locally.
Two specimens taken by Sanborn at Rinihue, Valdivia, appear
to furnish the expected connection between C. chinga and various
forms which have been associated with C. suffocans. Their characters
closely approximate those described for C. s. enuchus, from which
they are not far removed geographically. This last, therefore, is
interpreted as intermediate between chinga and mendosus. The
Chilean skins have the white stripes extending only halfway down
the back but reappearing as two white areas on either side of the
base of the tail, reaching in one case for a few inches on the rump.
The ends of the tails are wholly whitish but not so extensively as
in chinga, although perhaps more so than in enuchus and clearly
much more so than in typical mendosus. Especially in this character
of the relative amount of white on the tail there is gradation from
chinga to mendosus. There is no apparent difference in size, but
mendosus, enuchus, and the specimens from Rinihue are collectively
distinguishable from chinga by the reduction of the white dorsal
stripes. Therefore, until specimens come in to indicate more clearly
where lines should be drawn, it seems best to throw mendosus and
enuchus together and link suffocans with chinga as a subspecies.
Specimens examined. — Total 4: Cayetue, Lake Todos Santos,
2 (coll. K. Wolfhiigel) ; Rinihue, Valdivia, 2.
Conepatus humboldti Gray. PATAGONIAN SKUNK.
Conepatus humboldtii Gray, Mag. Nat. Hist. (Charlesworth), 1, p. 581, 1837 —
Straits of Magellan; Milne-Edwards, Miss. Sci. Cap Horn, 6, Zool.,
Mamm., pp. 6-14, pi. 1 (col.), 1890; Allen, Mamm. Patagonia, pp. 144-
147, pi. 22, figs, l-ld, 2-2d, (skulls), 1905.
Mephitis (Thiosmus) patagonica Lichtenstein, Abhandl. Akad. Wiss., Berlin,
p. 275, (1836), 1838— Straits of Magellan.
A skunk of medium size and rather soft silky pelage; color blackish brown,
cinnamon brown, or even partly ochraceous buff, usually with two narrow white
stripes united on the head but well separated on the back and passing to the proxi-
mal part of the tail; tail with hairs of two lengths, very long ones wholly white,
and shorter ones broadly white at base and blackish or brownish terminally.
Total length 500-540; tail 150-180; hind foot 55-60.
Range. — Southwestern Argentina and adjacent parts of Chile
from the Straits of Magellan northward to Chubut and western Rio
Negro.
This is the common skunk of southern Patagonia, still fairly
numerous, and confined mainly to open, unforested regions. Dealers
in raw furs in Punta Arenas report handling some 15,000 skunk skins
96 FIELD MUSEUM OF NATURAL HISTORY— ZOOLOGY, VOL. 30
in the season of 1939. The species does not extend to Tierra del
Fuego and its connections in the north have not been worked out.
Allen (I.e.) mentions specimens from Santa Cruz, Rio Gallegos,
"Basalt Canyons" southeast of Lake Buenos Aires, and Swan Lake.
Thomas (Ann. Mag. Nat. Hist., (10), 4, p. 38, 1929) records others
from Alta Vista (Lake Argentine), La Concepcion, Chubut, and
Pico Salamanca, Chubut. Two adults and two young taken within
Chilean boundaries at Rio Nirehuao are in Field Museum as well
FIG. 10. Conepatus humboldti. F.M. No. 34193. X %.
as a similar specimen from Huanuluan, Rio Negro, Argentina.
These northern specimens have the dentition slightly weaker than
typical, but material is not at hand to indicate whether or not this
is a tendency toward distinguishable northern forms.
Present material is insufficient to establish connection between
humboldti and chinga, and perhaps there is none. In our northern
specimens, however, one has the white joined on the head and the
other has it narrowly divided, thus differing in the character which
Thomas (Ann. Mag. Nat. Hist., (9), 19, p. 651, 1927) has especially
mentioned as distinguishing humboldti from suffocans.
Four trade skins purchased in Punta Arenas are quite constant
as to markings but somewhat variable in color. Three have the
ground color dark Bone Brown and the fourth is much lighter, the
median under parts and head light Bone Brown, the sides Natal
Brown and the mid-dorsum bright Ochraceous Buff. An imperfect
trade skin from "Chubut" is almost without white, only a few traces
showing on the shoulders.
1943 MAMMALS OF CHILE— OSGOOD 97
Specimens examined. — Total 12: ARGENTINA: "Chubut," 1 (skin
only); Huanuluan, Rio Negro, 1. CHILE: Punta Arenas, 6 (4 skins,
2 skulls); Rio Nirehuao, 4.
Conepatus rex Thomas. ANDEAN HIGHLAND SKUNK.
Conepatus rex Thomas, Ann. Mag. Nat. Hist., (7), 1, p. 278, 1898— Tambo
Esperanza, near Mount Sajama, Bolivia.
Conepatus arequipae Thomas, supra cit., (7), 6, p. 466, 1900 — Sumbay, Are-
quipa, Peru; Proc. U. S. Nat. Mus., 58, pp. 224-225, 1920.
Conepatus chorensis Thomas, supra cit., (7), 9, p. 126, 1902 — Choro, paramos
northwest of Cochabamba, Bolivia.
Conepatus porcinus Thomas, supra cit., (7), 9, p. 128, 1902 — Cochabamba,
Bolivia.
Conepatus huntii Thomas, supra cit., (7), 12, p. 461, 1903 — Caylloma, "on the
Sumbay road," Arequipa, Peru.
A large heavily pelaged, glossy black skunk, with very broad variable white
areas on the back. The white may form two broad stripes joined only in front
on the head or may extend as a broad area across the neck and shoulders diverging
into diminishing stripes posteriorly and frequently enclosing one or more black
spots or short stripes on the neck. Usually the white extends only to the middle
of the back, but occasionally it continues as weak stripes to the base of the tail.
Tail black at base but with numerous thinly scattered white hairs on terminal
half. Total length 638 (580-720); tail vertebrae 219 (195-265); hind foot with
claws 75 (73-82).
Range. — Elevated and semi-arid regions of northern Chile,
southern Peru, and adjacent parts of Bolivia and Argentina.
That the highland Andean skunk enters Chile is attested by two
skins without skulls purchased at Arica, Province of Tacna, by Mr.
Sanborn. They were said to be from the highlands of Tacna in a
region of about the same latitude as the type locality of C. rex and
less than one hundred miles west. These skins, together with a very
fine series recently obtained by Field Museum from southern Peru,
furnish fairly conclusive evidence that various names proposed for
skunks from Peru and Bolivia should be assigned to C. rex. There
is no geographic reason for finding more than one skunk in the region
and present evidence fails to demonstrate that there is more than
one. Variation in series from several localities covers all the sup-
posed distinctions. Thomas himself (I.e. 1920) has discredited
chorensis and porcinus, placing them as probable synonyms of
arequipae. A topotype of arequipae and several others from nearby
localities are indistinguishable from rex. To these there may now
be added hunti, of which three topotypes are in hand showing three
different types of markings. One of the Tacna specimens and
various others duplicate the character supposed to define hunti, that
98 FIELD MUSEUM OF NATURAL HISTORY— ZOOLOGY, VOL. 30
is, the complete enclosure of a short black stripe on the shoulders
between the broad white stripes. C. ajax of Jujuy, Argentina, also
belongs in this series and may be recognizable on the basis of average
characters, but its description offers nothing by which to distin-
guish it. A few other names, which it is not practical to consider,
may apply to the same group.
Specimens examined. — Total 17: CHILE: Province of Tacna,
2 (skins only). PERU: Cailloma, Arequipa, 3; Hacienda Collacachi,
Puno, 8; Huacallani, Puno, 1; Salinas, Arequipa, 2; Sumbay, Are-
quipa, 1.
Leptonychotes weddelli Lesson.
Otaria weddellii Lesson, Ferussac's Bull. Sci. Nat., Geol., 7, pp. 437-438,
1826 — South Orkney Islands, southeast of Cape Horn; based on "le
leopard de mer" of Weddell.
Leptonychotes weddellii Allen, N. Amer. Pinnipeds, p. 467, 1880.
A large phocid seal without external ears and with hind limbs incapable of
being turned forward. Coloration spotted and marbled yellowish white and
bluish gray. Total length about eight feet (= 2,300 mm.).
According to Albert (1902) a specimen of this mainly Antarctic
seal was taken at Juan Fernandez Island in 1865 and Reiche (1905),
in his extensive general account of the island of Mocha, states that
the species is occasionally reported there. These records are not
substantiated by any others and it must be concluded that at best
the occurrence of the species in these waters is rare or exceptional.
Hydrurga leptonyx Blainville.
Phoca leptonyx Blainville, Journ. Phys., 91, pp. 287, 288, 1820— Falkland
Islands.
The leopard seal is given by Gay (1847, p. 79) as a Chilean species
but no actual records of its occurrence are mentioned.
Although frequently reported from the Falkland Islands, it does
not reach the continental coast and otherwise is confined to the
Antarctic. A specimen is said to have been brought from the vicinity
of Cape Horn by the French Antarctic Expedition of 1837-40.
Mirounga leonina Linnaeus. ELEPHANT SEAL.
Phoca leonina Linnaeus, Syst. Nat., ed. 10, p. 37, 1758 — based on the "Sea
Lyon" of Anson from Juan Fernandez Island.
Phoca elephantina Molina, Sagg. Stor. Nat. Chili, pp. 280-282, 341, 1782 — new
name for Phoca leonina Linnaeus 1758, regarded as inappropriate.
1943 MAMMALS OF CHILE— OSGOOD 99
Phoca ansoni Desmarest, Mamm., 1, pp. 239-240, pi. 109, fig. 2, 1820 — Juan
Fernandez Island.
Macrorhinus leoninus Allen, N. Amer. Pinnipeds, p. 466, 1880.
Mirounga leonina Allen, Mamm. Patagonia, p. 95, 1905.
Largest of the earless or phocid seals, adult males reaching a length of nearly
twenty feet (six meters ±). Snout with a short inflatable proboscis. Color plain.
The elephant seal, once common about the Juan Fernandez
Islands and southward to the Cape Horn Islands and the Falklands
seems wholly extirpated on the Chilean coast. After verging on
extinction, the species is now somewhat rehabilitated on the island
of South Georgia (see Matthews, 1929, and Kellogg, 1942) and
stragglers are reported northward on the Argentine coast, but no
recent reports have been received of occurrences in Chilean waters.
Otaria flavescens Shaw.1 SOUTHERN SEA LION; LOBO DEL MAR.
Lion marins Pernetty, Voy. lies Malouines, 2, p. 447, pi. 8, 1769 — Falkland
Islands.
Phoca jubata Schreber, Saugeth., 3, p. 300, pi. 73 (ex Pernetty), 1776 — in
part only; based on mixed references to both southern and northern forms;
later restricted to the northern sea lion.
Phoca jubata of Erxleben 1777 and many authors.
Phoca leonina Molina, Sagg. Stor. Nat. Chili, p. 282, 1782 — coast of Chile;
preoccupied by Phoca leonina Linnaeus 1758 (=Mirounga leonina).
Phoca scont Boddaert, Elenchus Anim., 1, p. 172, 1784 — in part only; based
on references to Erxleben, Buffon, Pennant and Pernetty, all except the
last having a mixed basis; hence essentially a renaming of P. jubata and
here restricted to the northern sea lion as a synonym of jubata.
Eared Seal Pennant, Hist. Quad., 2, p. 278, No. 481, 1793— Straits of Magel-
lan; based on a specimen in the Leverian Museum, apparently the one
figured with a condor by Shaw in 1792 (Mus. Leverianum, pi. opp. p. 4).
Phoca flavescens Shaw, Gen. Zool., 1, pt. 2, pp. 260-261, 1800— based on
Pennant.
Phoca aurita Bechstein, Allgem. Uebers. Vierf. Thiere, 2, p. 590, 1800 — based
on Pennant.
Otaria leonina Peron, Voy. Terr. Austr., 2, pp. 40, 55, 1816 — Falkland Islands;
antedated by Phoca leonina Molina 1782, which is preoccupied by Phoca
leonina Linnaeus 1758 (=Mirounga). First definite recognition of the
distinction of the northern and southern sea lions, the name leonina being
applied to the southern one and jubata assigned to the northern.
P[hoca\ byronia Blainville, Journ. Phys., 91, p. 287, pp. 300 (named), 419,
1820 — based on a skull now in the British Museum erroneously stated to
1 Besides those mentioned below, other names proposed for this species are:
Otaria godeffroyi Peters, Otaria guerin Quoy and Gaimard, Otaria minor Gray,
Otaria molossina Lesson and Garnot, Otaria pernettyi Lesson, Otaria pygmaea
Gray, Otaria ulloae Tschudi, and Platyrhynchus uraniae Lesson.
100 FIELD MUSEUM OF NATURAL HISTORY— ZOOLOGY, VOL. 30
be from the island of Tinian, one of the Ladrones where the species does
not occur.
Otaria chilensis Miiller, Arch. Naturg., 7, (1), pp. 333-334, 1841— Chile.
Otariajubata Allen, N. Amer. Pinnipeds, p. 208, 1880.
Otaria velutina Philippi, Anal. Mus. Nac. Chile, (1), Zool., pp. 14-17, 1892—
coast of Province of Atacama, Chile.
Otaria fulva Philippi, supra cit., pp. 17-22, pis. 2-5, 1892 — Algarrobo, Province
of Valparaiso, Chile.
Otaria rufa Philippi, supra cit., pp. 28-29, pi. 13, 1892 — no locality; probably
from Chile.
Otaria chonotica Philippi, supra cit., p. 49, 1892 — Chonos Archipelago, Chile.
Otaria byronia Allen, Bull. Amer. Mus. Nat. Hist., 16, p. 114, 1902; Mamm.
Patagonia, p. 113, pis. 20-21, 1905 — adopted for the southern sea lion
on the basis of the restriction of jubato to the northern one by Peron in
1816.
Otaria flavescens Cabrera, Notas Mus. La Plata, 5, Zool., No. 29, pp. 17-22,
1940 — chosen in preference to aurita Bechstein because better known in
literature;1 Cabrera and Yepes, Mam. Sud. Amer. Hist. Nat. Ediar, pp.
177-180, pi. 33, 1940.
A large marine mammal with small external ears and coarse pelage without
under fur. Skull large and heavy with a broad deeply excavated palate extending
far back nearly to pterygoid bones.
Range. — Atlantic and Pacific coasts of South America from the
Galapagos Islands southward along the entire Chilean coast to
Tierra del Fuego and the Falkland Islands; thence northward in
widely scattered colonies to the coast of Uruguay.
The southern sea lion has maintained itself better than the other
pinnipeds of the Chilean coast and in fact appears to be the only one
now remaining there. Its colonies, however, are small and widely
scattered. During Field Museum's expedition in 1939-40, occasional
animals were seen swimming in the channels between Puerto Montt
and Punta Arenas — not more than a dozen altogether. A small
colony of less than one hundred was observed at Cape Penas on the
north shore of Tierra del Fuego and reports were received of a some-
what larger one on the Brunswick Peninsula on the north side of
the Straits of Magellan.
1 Dr. Remington Kellogg has called my attention to Phoca flavescens Retzius
(Faunae Suecicae, Pars prima sistens Mammalia, etc., Lipsiae, p. 9, 1800), apply-
ing, at least in part, to the gray seal (Halichoerus), a name which has rarely been
quoted. Since it is of even date with flavescens of Shaw and aurita of Bechstein,
it is subject to action by a first reviser. It was not considered by Cabrera, who
made his choice only between flavescens of Shaw and aurita of Bechstein. Although
it is doubtful if further action is necessary it may now be stated that flavescens of
Shaw is preferred to flavescens of Retzius for the same reasons that caused it to
be adopted by Cabrera. Therefore, unless or until one of the three names can be
shown to have actual priority, flavescens of Shaw may be used and the other two
have a status essentially the same as they would have if antedated.
1943 MAMMALS OF CHILE— OSGOOD 101
Apparently the largest colonies now remaining are those of the
Falkland Islands, where killing has been regulated under a license
system. According to Hamilton (Discovery Reports, 7, pp. 313-314,
1934) a take of 4,563 was reported in 1930. The same author states
that "the sea-lion herd in the Falklands is very large; it is not out-
side the bounds of possibility that it may exceed 100,000 head."
Considerable numbers also remain on islands off the coast of Peru
and the Galapagos Islands. Recent reports from Juan Fernandez
and other islands off the coast of Chile are lacking.
Kellogg (1942, pp. 454^455), reviewing the former abundance
of this animal, quotes Balch to the effect "that at least 52,000 sea
lion skins were taken in 1821-22 by the shore crews of the American
brigs Alabama and Frederick on the islands of Mocha and St. Mary's
off the coast of Chile."
Cabrera's contention that flavescens of Shaw is the proper name
for this species seems well founded. Although this name was dis-
carded by Allen as "not determinable," he was obliged to admit
that it "probably =0. jubata" (North American Pinnipeds, p. 194,
1880), and "from its size, color, and habitat it is presumably refera-
ble to Otaria jubata." (p. 215.) Later (Mammals of Southern Pata-
gonia, pp. 111-112, 1905), while insisting that it is "indeterminable
from the description," he found it necessary to add: "But the local-
ity, if correctly indicated, leads to the inference that it was more
likely a sea lion than a fur seal; and this being the case, it may be
hypothetically referred to the genus Otaria, to which it has been
provisionally assigned by the majority of writers for the last fifty
years."
As shown by Cabrera, it was not even indeterminable from the
description, for the color is quite sufficient to indicate to which of
the two eared seals of the Straits of Magellan it applies. It was
based on a preserved specimen and, although the description is lack-
ing in details, it contains no contradictory matter.1
Arctocephalus australis Zimmermann. SOUTHERN FUR SEAL;
LOBO DE DOS PELOS.
Falkland Isle Seal Pennant, Hist. Quad., 2, p. 521, 1781.
Phoca australis Zimmermann, Geog. Gesch., 3, p. 276, 1782 — based on
Pennant.
1 What constitutes an indeterminable description is left by codes of nomen-
clature to individual opinion. Purely as a "reviser," Allen had no power to reject
a name of this kind and the opinions of subsequent authors are entitled to full
consideration.
102 FIELD MUSEUM OF NATURAL HISTORY— ZOOLOGY, VOL. 30
(t)Phoca lupina Molina, Sagg. Stor. Nat. Chili, pp. 275-279, 341, 1782— coast
and islands of Chile; Juan Fernandez Island here selected.
(l)Phoca porcina Molina, supra cit., p. 279, 1782 — based on a young animal
not positively identifiable.
(l)Otaria (Arctophoca) philippii Peters, Monatsber. Akad. Wiss., Berlin, p. 276,
pi. 2, A.B.C., 1865— Juan Fernandez Island, Chile.
(1) Arctocephalus philippii Peters, supra cit., pp. 393-399, 1875; pp. 505-507,
1877; Allen, Mamm. Patagonia, p. 131, pi. 16, fig. 1, pi. 17, fig. 1, 1905.
(?)Otaria (Arctophoca) argentata Philippi in Peters, Monatsber. Akad. Wiss.,
Berlin, p. 560, pis. 1-2, 1871 — Juan Fernandez Island, Chile.
(l)Otaria philippii Philippi, Anal. Mus. Nac. Chile, 1, Zool., pp. 6, 33, pis.
14-19, 1892.
(l)Otaria brachydactyla Philippi, supra cit., pp. 6, 43, pis. 13, 22, 1892 — Chonos*
Archipelago, Chile.
(l)Otaria leucostoma Philippi, supra cit., pp. 6, 46, pi. 23, 1892 — Mas Afuera
Island, Chile.
Arctocephalus australis Allen, N. Amer. Pinnipeds, pp. 193, 210, 1880; Mamm.
Patagonia, pp. 124-130, pi. 15, fig. 2, pi. 16, fig. 2, pi. 17, fig. 2, 1905.
Phoca falklandica, Otaria aurita, 0. hauvillii, O. shawii, Arctocephalus nigres-
cens, A. grayii, A. gracilis, and Euotaria latirostris of various authors.
A large marine mammal with small external ears and short thick pelage com-
posed of relatively stiff outer hairs and soft dense under fur. Skull with a short
flat palate ending about halfway between last molars and pterygoid processes;
zygomata broad and heavy.
Range. — Formerly the coasts of Tierra del Fuego, the Straits of
Magellan and northward for an unknown distance on the coast of
Chile; probably at least to the Juan Fernandez Islands; also the
Falkland Islands and the east coast of Argentina north to Uruguay;
now extirpated except on islands of Uruguay, where a small herd
is maintained under protection.
The southern fur seal which once lived in hordes from the Falk-
land Islands northward along both coasts of South America now
appears to be gone from all Chilean waters. The paleontologist,
Dr. Barnum Brown, reported (see Allen, I.e., 1905, p. 130) seeing
considerable numbers off the south coast of Tierra del Fuego in 1899.
Near Cape Hall, a herd estimated to contain 1,500 animals was seen
and several hundred others were observed south of Lennox Island.
The last reported catch of commercial sealers was of 936 skins taken
near Cape Horn and carried to Nova Scotia in 1906 by the Canadian
schooner Edith B. Balcom (Kellogg, 1942, p. 460). The following
extract from Kellogg's review of southern sealing gives some indi-
cation of the former abundance of the animal.
"From then [1793] on to 1807, the business of killing fur seals
along the Chilean coast was prosecuted with unremitting vigor, and
1943 MAMMALS OF CHILE— OSGOOD 103
at times shore crews from as many as 12 to 15 vessels had camps at
Mas Afuera Island. Gangs of men put ashore in 1798 on Mas Afuera
by three American vessels killed some 60,000 fur seals. By 1801, the
sealing fleet on the coast of Chile numbered upwards of 30 vessels.
A few of these ships carried 60,000 and one at least 100,000 fur seal
skins to the market at Canton, China, where they were exchanged
for merchandise to be sold in the United States.
"The rookeries on these islands had been so thoroughly ransacked
in a period of 15 years that sealers could no longer expect to make a
profit by going there, and by 1824 fur seals were practically extermi-
nated on both Juan Fernandez and Mas Afuera. Estimates of the
number of fur seals killed on Mas Afuera and Juan Fernandez islands
during this period range from a million to more than three million.
Although the virtual destruction of this portion of the southern fur
seal herd was accomplished at the beginning of the nineteenth cen-
tury, a few persisted for many years on inaccessible rocky ledges.
As late as 1898, fifty fur seal pelts taken on Juan Fernandez were
sold in London."
Material is not available to determine whether or not the fur
seal of Juan Fernandez is separable from that of the Falklands.
Various names have been applied to the northern one and numerous
skulls figured, mostly those of immature animals, but that any of
these skulls were "matched" with skins is uncertain. Allen in his
extensive account (Mammals of Patagonia, pp. 120-143, 1905) has
recognized a supposed northern species under the name Arctocephalus
philippii, basing his conclusions on a series of skulls from the Gala-
pagos Islands in the American Museum of Natural History which
he found to be very similar to the figures of philippii published by
Peters and Philippi. The Galapagos skulls, however, as I am
informed (in litt.) by Dr. Remington Kellogg and Mr. Gerrit S.
Miller, Jr., who have examined Allen's specimens, are referable not
to Arctocephalus but to Zalophus. They agree with skulls in Field
Museum collected by myself on the Galapagos in 1940, at which
time many of the same species were observed although no entire
specimens were preserved. The conclusion that Zalophus occurs in
Chilean waters as well as those of the Galapagos is perhaps not
justified without examination of specimens, but it is evident that
Allen's recognition of philippii is not to be relied upon, and when
conditions are favorable the whole subject should be reinvestigated.
If the fur seal of Juan Fernandez is distinguishable, as is not
unlikely, it is probable that Molina's name lupina will need serious
104 FIELD MUSEUM OF NATURAL HISTORY— ZOOLOGY, VOL. 30
consideration. Molina gave four names to seals and accompanied
them with lengthy descriptions. One of them, porcina, must be
regarded as unidentifiable since its description indicates a young
animal which may have been either a fur seal or a sea lion. The
other three, however, apply very satisfactorily to the three common
seals of the Chilean coast, the sea lion, which he called leonina, the
elephant seal, which he called elephantina, and the fur seal, which he
named lupina. The descriptions in all cases include certain inac-
curacies, but the three species are well distinguished by general
characters, and there is no serious room for doubt as to the applica-
tion of the names. In the case of lupina, the one wholly diagnostic
character is clearly given in the statement (translation): "It is
covered with two kinds of hair, one stiff, and the other soft." Else-
where it is stated that "they are common upon all the coast of Chile
and in the islands, where every year the inhabitants kill a vast
number of them with clubs."
Besides these statements, which very definitely indicate the fur
seal, there are some others, as in most of Molina's descriptions, which
do not apply to it, or, in fact, to any other seal. Thus it is declared
that "each of these [fore] feet has four toes, which distinguishes this
from the other species of phoca." A few statements indicate possible
confusion with some other seal but may quite as well be interpreted
as inaccuracies in detail, which are always to be expected from
Molina. One of these which has been seized upon by some authors
as suggesting a phocid rather than an otary is as follows: "The
head is large and round and resembles that of a dog with the ears
cut, and instead of the latter it has two margined holes (buchi
marginati) which serve for the same purpose." This might be more
serious if phocid seals were common on the Chilean coast, but with
the exception of the elephant seal, they were rare even in Molina's
time.
As a whole, Molina's description of lupina is preponderantly
applicable to the fur seal, and it is quite sufficiently contrasted with
the other common species of the region. Few, if any, of Molina's
other names which have been accepted have better claims for
consideration.
Allen, in 1880 (N. Amer. Pinnipeds, p. 430), has a passing refer-
ence to the name lupina and a parenthetical statement that it applies
to "a Fur Seal, or at least an Otary." Later, however, in a very
extensive account (1905, pp. 120-143) he is quite inexplicably silent
in regard to it. Molina's other names are allocated in his very full
1943 MAMMALS OF CHILE— OSGOOD 105
synonymies, but there is no mention whatever of lupina. More
recently, Cabrera (1940, p. 19) has referred to it with the observation
"solo puede aplicarse a un Arctocephalus o lobo de dos pelos."
ORDER RODENTIA
KEY TO CHILEAN GENERA
Size large, total length more than 600 mm.
Ears small and rounded; tail round, scaly, and nearly naked. Myocastor (coypu).
Ears elongate; tail crested and densely hairy. .Lagidium (mountain viscachas).
Size medium or small, total length less than 450 mm.
No external tail Cavia (cavy).
Tail well-developed.
Hind feet with only three developed toes, the fourth rudimentary; tail
crested; ears large and leafy Chinchilla.
Hind feet with at least four well-developed toes.
Soles of hind feet finely granulated without well-distinguished, smooth-
surfaced pads.
Front feet without vestige of a fifth toe; adult males with a naked pad
on the breast ; Abrocoma.
Front feet with a small fifth toe with a nail instead of a claw; no pad
on breast Octodon.
Soles of hind feet naked or partially hairy, with well-distinguished smooth-
surfaced pads.
Grinding teeth rootless, four in each row.
Grinding teeth crescentic, without indentation on the inner side.
Ctenomys.
Grinding teeth quadrate with a single deep indentation on both inner
and outer sides.
Color mainly brownish; indentations of grinding teeth meeting in
the middle Aconaemys.
Color mainly blackish; indentations of grinding teeth separated in
the middle by a slight space Spalacopus.
Grinding teeth rooted, three in each row.
Upper front teeth distinctly grooved on front surface.
First and fifth hind toes unequal, at least one of them reaching
beyond base of middle toes.
Tail much longer than head and body Irenomys.
Tail shorter than head and body Euneomys.
First and fifth hind toes short, about equal, not reaching to base of
middle toes Reithrodon.
Upper front teeth with front surfaces smooth, ungrooved.
Soles of hind feet hairy in spaces between pads Eligmodontia.
Soles of hind feet naked in spaces between pads.
Ears large, more than 20 mm. in length.
Tail about equal to or longer than head and body. . .Phyllotis.
Tail shorter than head and body Phyllotis (Auliscomys) .
Ears medium or small, less than 20 mm. in length.
Tail decidedly longer than head and body Oryzomys.
Tail about equal to or shorter than head and body.
106 FIELD MUSEUM OF NATURAL HISTORY— ZOOLOGY, VOL. 30
Front claws elongate, nearly or quite equaling free part of
digits Notiomys.
Claws moderate, much shorter than free part of digits.
Last upper grinding tooth more than half as large as pre-
ceding tooth and with a deep indentation on its inner
side Phyllotis (micropus) .
Last upper grinding tooth nearly round, less than half as
large as preceding tooth and without deep indentation
on its inner side . . . . Akodon.
Abrocoma bennetti bennetti Waterhouse.
CHINCHILLA RAT.
TREE RAT; BORI;
Abrocoma bennetti Waterhouse, Proc. Zool. Soc. Lond., p. 31, 1837; Zool. Voy.
Beagle, Mamm., pp. 85-86, pi. 28, 1839 — near old village of Aconcagua,
Province of Aconcagua, Chile.
FIG. 11. Abrocoma bennetti bennetti. F.M. No. 23148. X 1.
Abrocoma cuvieri Waterhouse, Proc. Zool. Soc. Lond., p. 32, 1837 — Valpa-
raiso; Thomas, Ann. Mag. Nat. Hist., (9), 19, p. 553, 1927— "Unquestion-
ably the young of A. bennettii."
Habrocoma helvina Wagner, Arch. Naturg., 8, Cl), pp. 7-8, 1842; Suppl.
Schreber's Saugeth., 3, p. 314, 1843— Chile.
Abrocoma laniger Prell, Zool. Gart., Leipzig, 7, p. 208, 1934.
A brownish gray rat with tail slightly shorter than head and body; front feet
with only four toes; soles of feet granulated; under parts mainly brownish rather
than whitish gray. Length 350-398; tail 145-166; hind foot 36-39.
Range. — Coastal hills of central Chile and inland along the
eastern base of the Andes, between lat. 32° and 34°.
Even a small series of this animal shows considerable variation
in size and cranial characters, and it is evident that as in some other
octodonts, there are growth changes in progress for a long period.
1943 MAMMALS OF CHILE— OSGOOD 107
Two large examples have the following measurements: total length
398, 393; tail 166, 161; hind foot 39, 37. The specimen from Banos
de Cauquenes has rather small ears and audital bullae, but the
departure is very slight.
Darwin says of the original specimens: "This animal was caught
amongst some thickets in a valley on the flanks of the Cordillera,
near Aconcagua. On the elevated plain, near the town of Santa
Rosa, in front of the same part of the Andes, I saw two others."
The old village has now disappeared and is represented only by a
"fundo" called Plaza Vieja. This is some five kilometers west of the
present town of Los Andes.
The species appears to be at least partly arboreal in habits.
Darwin mentions its facility in climbing trees, and E. C. Reed (1877)
calls it the "Raton de los arboles."
Specimens examined. — Total 8: Banos de Cauquenes, O'Higgins,
1; Limache, Valparaiso, 1; Olmue, Valparaiso, 5; Papudo, Aconca-
gua, 1.
Abrocoma bennetti murrayi Wolffsohn.
Abrocoma Murrayi Wolffsohn, Rev. Chil. Hist. Nat., 20, pp. 6-7, 1916; Act.
Soc. Sci. Chili, 23, p. 78, 1916 — mountains near Vallenar, Province of
Atacama.
Similar to A. b. bennetti, but averaging paler and more deeply pelaged. Total
length 382 (370-405); tail 167 (156-178); hind foot 36 (35-38).
Range. — North-central provinces of Chile west of the Andes and
up to an altitude of about 4,000 feet.
Although individual specimens of bennetti and murrayi may seem
quite distinct, the series of both now available points to gradation
between them. In murrayi the color is paler and more grayish, and
the pelage is softer and somewhat lengthened. The ears probably
average larger, but this is difficult to demonstrate from dry skins.
The skull of murrayi averages smaller and more arched, while the
audital bullae are decidedly larger, although even in this there may be
specimens closely approaching each other. The rostrum is more slen-
der, and the teeth, including the incisors, are weaker.
Two specimens from the vicinity of Vallenar and presumably
typical are practically the same in color as the large series from
farther south in the Province of Coquimbo. Two others from Pai-
guano, also in Coquimbo but at a higher altitude (3,300 ft.), are
considerably paler. The series from Romero thus stands in an
intermediate position between these pale specimens and typical
108 FIELD MUSEUM OF NATURAL HISTORY— ZOOLOGY, VOL. 30
bennetti. Two fragmentary skulls from the stomach of an owl,
taken at Ramadilla (west of Copiapo) furnish evidence of the north-
ward extension of the form.
The skins of these rats are taken in considerable numbers by
natives who obtain a very small price for them in local fur markets
where they are known as chinchilla rats or false chinchillas.
Specimens examined. — Total 20: Domeyko, south of Vallenar,
Atacama, 2; Ramadilla, Atacama, 2 (skull fragments); Paiguano,
Coquimbo, 2; Romero, Coquimbo, 12; near Vallenar, Atacama, 2.
Octodon degus Molina. DEGU.
sciurus degus Molina, Sagg. Stor. Nat. Chile, pp. 303-304, 342, 1782— Santi-
ago, Chile (St. Jago of Molina).
Myoxus getulus Poeppig, Froriep's Notizen, Geb. Nat. Heilk., 23, No. 18,
p. 278, footnote, 1829— Santiago, Chile.
Octodon cumingii Bennett, Proc. Zool. Soc. Lond., pp. 47-48, 1832 — near Val-
paraiso, Chile; Bridges, Proc. Zool. Soc. Lond., p. 130, 1843 (habits); Gay,
Hist. Chile, Zool., 1, p. 99, 1847.
Dendrobius degus Meyen, Nov. Act. Acad. Leop.-Carol., 16, pt. 2, p. 601,
1833.
Dendroleius degus Meyen, supra cit., pi. 44 and p. 610b (errata).
Octodon degus Waterhouse, Nat. Hist. Mamm., 2, p. 253, pi. 11, fig. 2 (col.),
1848.
Octodon pallidus Wagner, Arch. Naturg., 11, (2), p. 33, 1845 — probably based
on albinotic specimens. •
Octodon cummingii var. peruana Tschudi, Fauna Peruana, 1, Mamm., pp.
172-173, pi. 12, 1845-46— Quebrada de San Mateo, near San Juan de
Matucana, Peru; probably based on an escaped pet (Thomas, 1927a).
Octodon degus var. alba Fitzinger, Sitzungsber. K. Akad. Wiss., Wien, 56,
p. 131, 1867 — nomen nudum.
Octodon degus clivorum Thomas, Ann. Mag. Nat. Hist., (9), 19, p. 556, 1927 —
Puente Alto, south of Santiago, Chile.
A diurnal rodent with short leafy ears, a tufted black-tipped tail, and feet
with finely granulated soles; breast without a naked pad; forefeet with four well-
developed toes and a rudimentary fifth bearing a nail instead of a claw. Total
length 295 (284-310); tail 117 (106-130); hind foot 36 (35-38).
Range. — Central Chile mainly in the coastal region from Vallenar
to Curico; inland to Santiago and neighboring mountains to an
altitude of about 4,000 feet.
The degu has a considerable range from the southern part of the
Province of Atacama to the vicinity of Curico. Bridges (Proc. Zool.
Soc. Lond., p. 130, 1843) says: "I have seen it as far north as lat.
28°, and in south 35°, and it may probably extend further." San-
1943
MAMMALS OF CHILE— OSGOOD
109
born collected a series at Vallenar and in the vicinity of Coquimbo,
while Wolffsohn has taken it at numerous localities between Val-
paraiso and Santiago. Other records are very few. It was not seen
in the Province of Maule nor at Concepcion, so it evidently does
not reach southern Chile. There are records from slightly east and
south of Santiago, and E. C. Reed (1877, pp. 537-541) states that
it is common "baja de la hacienda" near Banos de Cauquenes in the
Province of O'Higgins but not extending higher than 100 meters.
During several days spent at the Banos, in 1923, I did not see it,
perhaps because I was mainly above its range.
FIG. 12. Octodon degus. F.M. No. 35904. X 9/10 ±.
Examination of a large series of specimens fails to disclose
any marked geographic variation in the species. Even seasonal
differences in color are slight and the coloration of the young approxi-
mates that of the adults. Slight white spots in the axillary region
are occasionally found, but the under parts are usually uniform
whereas in bridgesi and lunatus white axillary and inguinal areas
are the rule. In very old examples the size is often larger than that
of average maturity.
The name clivorum was proposed by Thomas in the belief that
a highland and a lowland form could be distinguished. This, how-
ever, is not borne out by the geography or by the specimens in
Field Museum and the British Museum, which have been re-exam-
ined in this connection. Puente Alto, the type locality of clivorum,
is but a short distance from Santiago and but little higher, so there
can be little doubt that clivorum is a synonym of degus. In case any
such separation should prove possible, it would involve the recogni-
tion of cumingi, which is from the coast at Valparaiso, rather than
clivorum, from practically the same region as degus. In fact, it is
110 FIELD MUSEUM OF NATURAL HISTORY— ZOOLOGY, VOL. 30
probable that Thomas, in proposing clivorum, intended to assign
degus to Valparaiso, overlooking the unusual action of Molina in
giving an exact locality for one of his species.
Specimens examined. — Total 46 : Buen Retire, Calera, Valparaiso,
2; Limache, Valparaiso, 6; Longotoma, Aconcagua, 2; Maipu, Santi-
ago, 1; Olmue, Valparaiso, 9; Papudo, Aconcagua, 8; Puente Alto,
Santiago, 8 (B.M.); Romero, Coquimbo, 3; Santiago, 2; Tambillos,
Coquimbo, 2; Vallenar, Coquimbo, 3.
Octodon bridges! Waterhouse.
Octodon bridgesi Waterhouse, Proc. Zool. Soc. Lond., p. 155, 1844; p. 7, 1846
— River Teno, near Curico, Province of Curico, Chile; Thomas, Ann.
Mag. Nat. Hist., (9), 19, p. 553, 1927— lectotype designated; Yepes, Rev.
Chil. Hist. Nat., 34, p. 323, 1930.
A dark grayish rat with a rounded and slightly pencilled tail which is shorter
than the head and body; forefeet with a rudimentary fifth toe; hind feet with
granulated soles; last upper grinding tooth with a deep indentation on the inner
side. Total length 344; tail 150; hind foot 40 (one specimen).
Range. — Western base of the Chilean Andes in the provinces of
O'Higgins, Colchagua, and Curico.
Although discovered many years ago, this animal is still rare
and poorly represented in museums. It has been reported by Chilean
writers, but preserved specimens are few. Yepes mentions examples
from Colchagua in the Santiago Museum. In the British Museum
are at least the lectotype and one paratype from Rio Teno, Col-
chagua, and possibly a third specimen mentioned by Waterhouse.
The one adult in Field Museum was taken by myself at Banos de
Cauquenes, Province of O'Higgins.
Octodon lunatus sp. nov.
Type from Olmue, Province of Valparaiso, Chile. No. 23204
Field Museum of Natural History. Adolescent female. Collected
May 30, 1923, by Colin C. Sanborn. Orig. No. 334.
Diagnosis. — External and general characters as in 0. bridgesi;
last upper molar with its grinding surface crescentic, quite without
indentation on its inner border.
Color. — Practically as in 0. bridgesi, but perhaps with the general
tone of the upper parts more brownish; under side of tail variable,
but often wholly or at least for half its length blackish.
Skull. — Much as in bridgesi; interorbital space apparently a little
wider; audital bullae slightly larger; anterior cheekteeth with deep
1943 MAMMALS OF CHILE— OSGOOD 111
internal indentations as in bridgesi; last upper molar of simple cres-
centic shape with its postero-external element directed outward and
its inner border with scarcely a trace of an indentation, the tooth
being somewhat longer but essentially as in 0. degus; last lower molar
also much as in 0. degus, shorter than in 0. bridgesi.
Measurements. — Average of four topotypes: total length 360
(328-382) ; tail 157 (152-161) ; hind foot 40.7 (40-42). Skull of type
and a more mature specimen: greatest length 45.8, 46.5; basilar
length 36.8, 38.3; zygomatic width 24.3, 24.9; interorbital constric-
tion 8.7, 8.5; nasals 16.8 X 5.7, 17.9 X 5.9; diastema 10.5, 10.8;
toothrow (crowns) 9.7, 10.4.
FIG. 13. Maxillary teeth of Ociodon degus (left, F.M. No. 23175), O. lunatus
(middle, No. 23204, type), and O. bridgesi (right, No. 23213). X 2.
Remarks. — The discovery of this species was somewhat unex-
pected, since specimens of it are much more numerous than those of
typical bridgesi, with which, not unnaturally, it has been confused.
It might be described succinctly by saying that it is like bridgesi in
all except its last molar, which is nearly like that of degus. That it
intergrades with bridgesi is doubtful, for the tooth distinction is a
trenchant one and no specimens have appeared from the region
between the two ranges although it is in the best known and most
populous part of Chile.
Apparently bridgesi is confined to the base of the Andes, east
of the central valley, while lunatus inhabits the coastal hills on the
other side of the valley. In each case the known range is limited to
a very small area.
A series of eight specimens from Olmue and Papudo, collected
by Sanborn, represents lunatus in Field Museum. These have been
compared with but a single example of bridgesi. That this is not ab-
normal as to its last upper molar is indicated by Waterhouse (Nat.
Hist. Mamm., 2, p. 261, 1848), who describes this tooth in the origi-
nal specimens of bridgesi and notes its distinction from that of degus.
112 FIELD MUSEUM OF NATURAL HISTORY— ZOOLOGY, VOL. 30
Aconaemys fuscus fuscus Waterhouse.
Schizodon fuscus Waterhouse, Proc. Zool. Soc. Lond., pp. 91-92, 1841; Nat.
Hist. Mamm., 2, pp. 265-267, pi. 11, fig. 1, 1848— Valle de las Cuevas,
near Volcan Peteroa, alt. 6,000 ft., near Chile-Argentine boundary, lat.
35° 15' S.
Aconaemys fuscus Ameghino, Rev. Arg. Hist. Nat., 1, Ent. 4a, p. 245, 1891;
Thomas, Ann. Mag. Nat. Hist., (9), 19, p. 553, 1927— lectotype desig-
nated; Wolffsohn, Rev. Chil. Hist. Nat., 31, p. 98, 1927.
A short-tailed, burrowing, octodont rodent of uniformly dark brown color
above and below; external ears moderately developed; front claws considerably
lengthened. Skull with a large infraorbital foramen, a wide flat interorbital space
and usually an open fronto-parietal fontanelle. Cheekteeth prismatic, presenting
an 8-shaped pattern with the inner and outer indentations meeting in the middle.
Total length 232 (217-247); tail 62 (57-73); hind foot 30.8 (30-32).
FIG. 14. Aconaemys fuscus fuscus. A.M.N.H. No. 91656. XI.
Range. — High slopes of the Andes of south-central Chile (lat.
35°-40°) and in the coastal cordillera of Nahuelbuta.
Aside from the unique type of the doubtful species porteri, this
rare octodont has heretofore been known only from the original
series taken a century ago in the Valle de las Cuevas, described by
Bridges as some six leagues from the volcano of Peteroa and appar-
ently on the eastern side of the Andes in Argentine territory, at an
elevation of about 6,000 feet. According to Bridges, it was "very
common on the eastern side of the Andes, where it completely under-
mines the face of the country, especially in dry places, making it
very disagreeable for the rider, as the horses are continually plung-
ing into the burrows."
Thomas (1917) notes that "the British Museum contains eleven
specimens of Aconaemys fuscus, received at different dates from
Mr. T. Bridges, but whether all were from the Valle de las Cuevas
where Mr. Bridges discovered the species, there is, unfortunately,
no evidence to show."
1943 MAMMALS OF CHILE— OSGOOD 113
In 1929 Dr. H. E. Anthony found the species in the Sierra Nahuel-
buta and collected three subadult specimens now in the American
Museum of Natural History. Field Museum's expedition in 1939-
40 also visited the Sierra Nahuelbuta and obtained an excellent
series of Aconaemys numbering eleven specimens. A further record
is that of a specimen from "Pinares," Lonquimai, Province of Cautin,
seen in the collection of D. S. Bullock at El Vergel, Angol. This last,
like those from Nahuelbuta, was taken in a scattered forest of
Araucarias. This association is perhaps of some significance, for
Aconaemys appears to be an ancient type now reduced to a few
small colonies and obviously on its way out, like the great trees
under which it makes its burrows.
It is still abundant in the Sierra Nahuelbuta, but only in the
higher parts of the range, scarcely descending beyond the lower
limits of the "pines." In some places the ground was honeycombed
with its burrows. These in most cases open flush with the ground
and below are divided into several diverging tunnels. They are
relatively shallow and although loose earth thrown out was often
seen it was seldom fresh and probably most of it dated from winter,
for it is evident the animals are active under the snow at that season.
One burrow was noted with a large accumulation of scats around it
apparently deposited in winter. The burrows are frequently con-
nected by runways either quite open or only covered by roots and
interlaced vegetation. The workings were always on high, jpell-
drained ground, on slopes or knolls, and frequently about rock
ledges or boulders of which there were many scattered through the
forest. Although mainly nocturnal, the animals are somewhat
active by day, as several specimens were caught during daylight.
Among the specimens taken (in early November) are several
small young but a few days or weeks old, and an old female contain-
ing two very large foetuses, each about two inches long.
There is nothing in our series to indicate any distinction from
typical A. fuscus, but this conclusion is based only on published
descriptions, since actual comparison of specimens has not been
possible. The tails, in most cases, are wholly dark brown above and
below although in several the proximal half of the lower side is
slightly paler.
Measurements of the skull of an adult male are as follows:
greatest length 40.4; basilar length 32.8; zygomatic breadth 23.3;
nasals 14.8 X 5.4; least interorbital breadth 8.3; height of infra-
orbital foramen 6.9; diastema 9.6; upper cheekteeth (crowns) 8.5.
114 FIELD MUSEUM OF NATURAL HISTORY— ZOOLOGY, VOL. 30
Aconaemys fuscus porteri Thomas.
Aconaemys porteri Thomas, Ann. Mag. Nat. Hist., (8), 19, p. 281, 1917—
received from Osorno, Llanquihue, Chile; exact locality unknown.
This is said to differ from A. fuscus in having the pelage "more
woolly" and the tail "completely bicolor, black above and creamy
whitish below for its whole length." Until its unique type is sup-
plemented by further specimens, its status must remain uncertain.
As suggested by Thomas, this type doubtless was not collected at
Osorno but in some of the mountains east of it. These mountains
are rapidly becoming more and more accessible and furnish an inter-
esting and little-known field for work by local naturalists.
Spalacopus cyanus cyanus Molina. CORURO.
mus cyanus Molina, Sagg. Stor. Nat. Chili, pp. 300-301, 342, 1782— Chile;
Province of Valparaiso by present selection.
Bathyergus maritimus Poeppig, Froriep's Notizen, Geb. Nat. Heilk., 23,
p. 279, 1829 — nomen nudum.
Spalacopus poeppigii Wagler, Isis, pp. 1219-1220, 1832 — foot of the Andes,
Chile; Waterhouse, Nat. Hist. Mamm., 2, p. 269, pi. 9, fig. 1, 1848.
Poephagomys ater F. Cuvier, Ann. Sci. Nat., Zool., (2), 1, pp. 323-326, pi. 13,
1834— Coquimbo, Chile.
Psammomys noctivagus Poeppig, Reise in Chile, Peru, und Amaz., 1, p. 166.
1835 — sand dunes on coast of northern Chile.
Psammoryctes noctivagus Poeppig, Arch. Naturg., 1, (1), pp. 252-255, 397,
1835.
Spalacopus cyaneus Wolffsohn, Act. Soc. Sci. Chile, 23, p. 64, 1913; Cabrera,
Trab. Mus. Nat. Cienc. Nat., Madrid, 31, p. 52, 1917.
A small, thickset, short-tailed, burrowing rodent wholly deep brownish black
in color; grinding teeth quadrate with a single deep indentation on inner and outer
sides. Total length 201 (195-204); tail 45.6 (43-48); hind foot 29 (28-30).
Range. — In typical form confined to the coastal region of central
Chile mainly in the provinces of Valparaiso and Aconcagua.
This very peculiar rodent, which the Chileans call coruro, is
known mainly from the coastal region extending northward at least
to the central part of the Province of Atacama and south ward 'to
Maule. This statement of range is based more upon reports than
specimens, for material representing the species is almost entirely
from one region in the vicinity of Valparaiso. Molina's name cyanus
may be restricted to the animal of this region. A southern form from
Maule appears to be distinguishable, but whether or not a northern
one can be characterized must await the acquisition of specimens.
A small series of typical cyanus from Papudo is in Field Museum,
1943 MAMMALS OF CHILE— OSGOOD 115
and others from the same vicinity are reported to be in the British
Museum. At Calera, in the Province of Atacama, Sanborn saw
numerous deserted burrows attributed to the coruro and, since
Poeppig also reported it from this region, there can be no doubt
of its occurrence as far north as lat. 27° S. Three specimens from the
FIG. 15. Spalacopus cyanus cyanus. F.M. No. 23018. X 1.
"Cordillera de Santiago" are recorded by Wolffsohn and Porter
(1908).
Specimens from localities removed from the coast are not avail-
able, but Bridges stated (Waterhouse, Nat. Hist. Mamm., 2, p. 271,
1848) that "it generally selects slopes of hills and mountains, where
bulbs are found, especially in the interior parts of the country" and
E. C. Reed (1877, pp. 537-541), in notes from Cauquenes, says:
"Se enquentra en varias partes de las faldas de la cordillera."
Wolffsohn (in litt.) states that he has found it up to 3,000 meters.
Spalacopus cyanus maulinus subsp. nov.
Type from Quirihue, Province of Maule, Chile. No. 23010 Field
Museum of Natural History. Adult male. Collected May 2, 1923,
by Colin C. Sanborn. Orig. No. 279.
116 FIELD MUSEUM OF NATURAL HISTORY— ZOOLOGY, VOL. 30
Diagnosis. — Size and color about as in S. cyanus; skull narrower
interorbitally; lambdoid crest with a pronounced, median, forward
flexure instead of being evenly transverse; bony base of upper incisors
reaching to level of middle of third cheektooth instead of only to
second cheektooth; incisors less proodont than in cyanus; cheek-
teeth decidedly weaker and with narrower surfaces than in cyanus.
Measurements. — Type and two topotypes, measured by the col-
lector: total length 185, 187, 197; tail 45, 47, 42; hind foot 30, 30, 31.
Skull of type:1 greatest length 40.5 (41.2); condylo-basal length 38
(37.7); zygomatic width 24.2 (25); nasals 14.2 X 4.6 (12.6 X 5);
least interorbital width 7.9 (9.2); diastema 11.9 (12.3); postpalatilar
length 14.5 (15); upper toothrow (crowns) 6.3 (8.1), (alveoli) 7.4
(8.8); width of first cheektooth 1.6 (2.3).
Remarks. — Three specimens from Maule differ so markedly from
typical cyanus in cranial and dental characters that a separate name
for them seems imperative. The most pronounced distinction is in
the narrow, weak cheekteeth, but several cranial peculiarities are
marked and constant. The description of S. tabanus indicates that
it differs even more from this form than from cyanus, so it needs
but scant consideration in this connection even though it was said
to come from "South" Chile.
The cheekteeth in Spalacopus appear to be subject to changes
during growth and wear which cause considerable variation in the
area of their horizontal surfaces, but these seem insufficient for the
marked reduction shown in this form.
Spalacopus cyanus tabanus Thomas.
Spalacopus tabanus Thomas, Ann. Mag. Nat. Hist., (9), 15, p. 585, 1925 —
"South" Chile.
This name is based upon a single specimen of unusually large
size from an unknown locality. That it came from "South" Chile
appears to have been an assumption without proper foundation, for
the only southern specimens from a known locality are smaller
instead of larger than typical cyanus. The published measurements2
of the type of tabanus exceed those of any specimen of cyanus exam-
ined and there is no certainty that it does not represent a different
1 Measurements in parentheses are those of an adult of cyanus from Papudo,
Aconcagua.
2 Some of these are as follows: "Skull: condylo-basal length 42; condylo-
incisive length 44; zygomatic breadth 27; nasals 14.2; interorbital breadth 8.8;
upper toothrow series (crowns) 8."
1943 MAMMALS OF CHILE— OSGOOD 117
form. It may be only an exceptionally large example of cyanus
or it may be from the northern coast where a definable form
possibly may be found. In this latter case the name tabanus would
become a synonym of ater or noctivagus. In fact, there is scarcely
more reason for recognizing tabanus than ater or noctivagus, and its
appearance as late as 1925, with a type of unknown source, is
regrettable.
Ctenomys magellanicus magellanicus Bennett. PATAGONIAN
Tuco Tuco.
Ctenomys magellanicus Bennett, Proc. Zool. Soc. Lond., p. 190, 1835 — Port
Gregory (or Bahia San Gregorio), near eastern end of north side of Straits
of Magellan, Chile; Phil. Mag. Journ. Sci., (3), 9, pp. 68-69, 1836; Trans.
Zool. Soc. Lond., 2, p. 84, pi. 17, 1841; Allen, Mamm. Patagonia, p. 34,
1905; Thomas, Ann. Mag. Nat. Hist., (10), 4, p. 43, 1929.
Ctenomys neglectus Nehring, Zool. Anz., 23, pp. 535-537, fig. 1, 1900 — Pata-
gonia.
A rather large, light-colored species, with pale grizzled grayish buff upper
parts and clear Cinnamon Buff under parts. Skull notably angular with many
sharp ridges and pointed processes. Size as in C. m. fueginus.
Range. — Extreme southern Patagonia east of the mountains, from
the Straits of Magellan northward to the vicinity of the Santa Cruz
River on the east and Lake Argentine on the west. Rare or extir-
pated over most of this area.
This animal, the first Chilean Ctenomys to be described, is now
either quite extinct or so near it that its preservation beyond a few
years is very unlikely. As late as the summer of 1927-28 when
Budin collected at Punta Arenas and elsewhere within its range it
had become so scarce that he was unable to find it except at one
locality considerably north of the Straits at Rio Perro, at the north
end of Lake Argentine, as recorded by Thomas (I.e.) who notes that
"the type, nearly a century old, is almost precisely the same colour
as Sr. Budin's beautiful fresh specimen, and matches it closely in
every respect." In 1940 Mr. Sanborn and myself made every effort
to find it at various localities but without success. Everywhere we
received reports of its former abundance and, in some cases, explicit
testimony as to its occurrence in small numbers at specific localities
within five years, but on visiting these places only abandoned bur-
rows were found. One such place was on the bay of San Gregorio,
the type locality, where it seems to have persisted until very recently.
According to report, one of the regions where it was once excessively
numerous was toward the northern end of the Straits near the bound-
ary between Chile and Argentina, on the estancia Monte Dinero.
118 FIELD MUSEUM OF NATURAL HISTORY— ZOOLOGY, VOL. 30
Practically the whole of southern Patagonia east of the mountains
is now in private ownership completely fenced and devoted to sheep-
raising. That the extinction of an animal like Ctenomys is welcomed
by the sheep owners is natural, not only because of its effect on the
forage, but because its burrows are a hazard to horsemen. The
extinction, however, has required no effort on their part, the mere
presence of the sheep being sufficient to accomplish it. It might be
supposed that the rodents would retreat into the few areas not fre-
quented by the sheep, but there is little evidence that this has
taken place with much success. During the summer season a certain
number may be trampled to death by the sheep, but the burrows,
in most cases, seem too deep to fail to give considerable protection.
In drives of sheep as many as 50,000 closely packed animals
often passed over long stretches of grassland, and, in such cases,
according to report, the pugnacious Ctenomys sometimes came out
of their burrows and actually attempted to attack the sheep. It is
related as not uncommon to see a sheep with a wriggling Ctenomys
dangling from its nose, probably to the great discomfort of the sheep
and doubtless with ultimate fatality for the rodent. No doubt the
highest mortality comes in winter and early spring when the passing
hoofs would open up the burrows sufficiently to let in snow water,
and what this did not accomplish directly would soon be finished by
alternate freezing and thawing.
Recorded specimens of the species are very few. They include
the type and several others in the British Museum, namely, two
alcoholics from Port Gregory and two skulls from Punta Arenas.
Five weathered skulls, mostly imperfect and incomplete, from the
vicinity of Punta Arenas are in the United States National Museum,
and in the American Museum of Natural History there is one skin
and skull and one imperfect skull from "30 miles south of the Port
of Santa Cruz," recorded by Allen in 1905. These and the speci-
men taken by Budin at Lake Argentine complete the list and it
seems that additions to it are not very probable.
The specimens in the United States National Museum and the
American Museum of Natural History have been lent for examina-
tion, but they do not furnish a very satisfactory basis for definition
of the species, except as to general characters. The skin from Santa
Cruz is very similar in color to specimens from Tierra del Fuego,
although taken at a different season. The under parts are a shade
paler and less vinaceous and the upper parts slightly paler, but
whether or not this is wholly due to season is uncertain. The skulls
1943 MAMMALS OF CHILE— OSGOOD 119
from Punta Arenas and Santa Cruz agree in having narrower, less
inflated audital bullae than in fueginus, and most of them have the
interorbital space wider than in any of the considerable series avail-
able from Tierra del Fuego. None of the skulls from the mainland
are equal in size to the larger examples of fueginus, but with due
allowance for age and sex, there is no clear evidence of difference in
size between magellanicus and fueginus.
A skull from Santa Cruz (A.M.N.H. No. 17444) and another from
Punta Arenas (U.S.N.M. No. 23410), both unsexed, yield the follow-
ing measurements, respectively: basilar length 42.5, 44.3; zygomatic
width 30.6, 28; diastema 14.5, 14.8; least interorbital width 9.9,
10.3; greatest width of premaxillaries 11.4, 11.3; maxillary toothrow
(alveoli) 10.3, 11.4.
Specimens examined. — Total 7. CHILE: Punta Arenas, 5 (one
nearly complete skull, three very imperfect, one pair of jaws,
U.S.N.M.). ARGENTINA: 30 miles south of Santa Cruz, 2 (one
skin and skull, one broken skull, A.M.N.H.).
Ctenomys magellanicus fueginus Philippi.
Ctenomys fueginus Philippi, Arch. Naturg., 46, (1), pp. 276-279, pi. 13, figs.
1-3, 6, 1880— Tierra del Fuego ("ostlichen Insel").
Similar in size and color to C. magellanicus of the Patagonian mainland. Skull
similar to that of magellanicus, but with audital bullae slightly more swollen and
bulbous, interorbital space wider, and rostral or antemolar part of skull broader.
Total length 304 (male), 276 (female); tail vertebrae 82, 79; hind foot 41, 37.
Range. — Northern and eastern Tierra del Fuego, now reduced
to small, scattered, and greatly isolated colonies.
Although Ctenomys were not found on the north side of the Straits
in 1940, they were discovered in some numbers at a few localities
on Tierra del Fuego. Here they have persisted longer than on the
mainland but their fate is sealed and within a very few years doubt-
less they will be gone. A small colony of some two dozen burrows
was found occupying a gravel ridge just back of the beach between
Cape Penas and Via Monte on the north shore of the island. Another
group, slightly smaller, was encountered near the road leading from
Via Monte to Lake Fagnano and about ten miles north of the east
end of the lake. Signs of considerable numbers were seen also just
west of San Sebastian on the road leading to Cullen. Otherwise,
during several hundred miles of travel on Tierra del Fuego no signs
of Ctenomys were seen. According to the testimony of residents
of the island their numbers in former years were incalculable.
120 FIELD MUSEUM OF NATURAL HISTORY— ZOOLOGY, VOL. 30
A sufficient series of specimens of this form is available to make
it reasonably certain that it merits at least subspecific distinction
from the mainland form. The very swollen audital bullae and the
narrow rostral part of the skull are constant throughout this series
but are not found in any of the few specimens of true magellanicus
that have been examined. The skulls available representing magel-
lanicus are mostly without designation of sex, which must be con-
sidered in making comparisons, since the series of fueginus shows
males to be markedly larger than females. Skulls of an adult male
and female, respectively, yield the following measurements : greatest
length 56.3, 49.9; occipito-nasal length 52, 47.2; basilar length 46.1,
41.1; zygomatic width 32, 27.7; interorbital width 11, 9.2; mastoid
width 29, 27.3; nasals 20.3 X 8, 17.6 X 6.6; diastema 16.6, 14; upper
toothrow (alveoli) 10.5, 9.7; width of upper incisors 7, 6.2.
The skull of the original type of fueginus is preserved in fair
condition in the Chilean national collection. It agrees well with
Philippi's figures, which are quite good. In the lateral view the
bullae appear too deep but the top view is natural size and essentially
as in the specimen. A mounted skin in the museum is labeled C.
fueginus but it is obviously not a Ctenomys and doubtless had a
later origin than the type, of which the skin is probably lost.
No comparisons of the skull were possible, but the following
measurements were taken: greatest length 49; occipito-nasal length
46.3; basilar length 40; zygomatic width 27; mastoid width 26; nasals
18 X 6; diastema 13.5; upper toothrow 10; width of upper incisors
6.1; width across postorbital processes 11.2; depth of infraorbital
fossa 9.5; greatest mandibular width 36.
The vernacular name coruro is universally applied to this
animal on Tierra del Fuego as well as elsewhere in the vicinity of
the Straits of Magellan, evidently having been brought there from
northern and central Chile where it is used for a different animal
of similar habits, belonging to the genus Spalacopus. In northern
Patagonia and Argentina generally the name tuco tuco is more
frequently applied to it.
Specimens examined. — Total 17: Tierra del Fuego: north coast
near Estancia Via Monte, 11; near east end of Lake Fagnano, 4; no
exact locality, 2 (mounted in Salesian Museum, Punta Arenas).
Ctenomys magellanicus osgoodi J. A. Allen.
Ctenomys robustus Allen, Bull. Amer. Mus. Nat. Hist., 19, p. 185, 1903 —
Mayer Basin, west of upper Rio Chico, Santa Cruz, Patagonia.
MAP 4. Distribution of Chilean forms of the genus Ctenomys.
121
122 FIELD MUSEUM OF NATURAL HISTORY— ZOOLOGY, VOL. 30
Ctenomys osgoodi Allen, Mamm. Patagonia, p. 191, postscript, pi. 7, figs. 2-
26, 3-36, 1905 — substitute for C. robustus, preoccupied.
Ctenomys fodax Thomas, Ann. Mag. Nat. Hist., (8), 5, p. 243, 1910— Valle
del Lago Blanco, Chubut, Argentina.
Ctenomys talarum fodax Rusconi, Anal. Soc. Arg. Est. Geog., 3, p. 243, 1928.
Similar in size and general characters to C. magellanicus, but prevailing color
much darker, brownish ochraceous rather than grayish buff. Skull also similar,
but with audital bullae narrower, more laterally compressed.
Range. — Valleys along the eastern base of the Andes from west-
central Santa Cruz, Argentina, northward to west-central Chubut,
passing locally into Chilean territory.
This form has heretofore been regarded as a species distinct from
C. magellanicus, but its obviously close relationship seems best
indicated by the subspecific status. It differs mainly and rather
markedly in color, but this, as noted by Allen in his report on the
original series of 23 specimens, is subject to some variation. A con-
siderable area, unrepresented by specimens, lies between the south-
ernmost localities for osgoodi and the northernmost ones for magel-
lanicus. Whether or not actual intergradation will be found in this
area is of course uncertain, but probabilities seem to favor it. The
skulls of osgoodi are characterized by narrow audital bullae which are
notably different from those of fueginus, but which are approached
by those in the few available skulls of magellanicus.
Although stated to be from the "Rio Chico near the Cordilleras,"
it is clear from the "Narrative of the Princeton Expeditions," quoted
by Allen himself (1905, p. 40), that the type of robustus (= osgoodi)
was taken in the basin of the Mayer River, which is somewhat
farther west. Since this river traverses Chilean territory for some
distance before emptying into a northern arm of Lake San Martin,
it is altogether probable that the species extends into Chile in this
region.
Three specimens in Field Museum collected by myself at Rio
Nirehuao (Casa Richards) in eastern Chile and one from Valle del
Lago Blanco, Chubut, the last a topotype of C. fodax, are here
referred to osgoodi. The various slight characters enumerated in
the description of fodax seem to be of a kind that may be found in
any local colony of the animals, but which have no stability beyond
the limits of effective close breeding. Such characters have been
noted frequently in the North American Thomomys and at least in
some cases have been referred to as indicating a "differentiate"
rather than a subspecies in the usual sense. In this case, some of
the characters are found in the topotype from Valle del Lago Blanco,
1943 MAMMALS OF CHILE— OSGOOD 123
but are not repeated in specimens from Rio Nirehuao, indicating
that they are very local and probably unstable.
Specimens examined. — Total 4: ARGENTINA: Valle del Lago
Blanco, Chubut, 1. CHILE: Rio Nirehuao, 3.
Gtenomys magellanicus dicki subsp. nov.
Type from Estancia Ponsonby, east end of Riesco Island, Magal-
lanes, Chile. No. 50734 Field Museum of Natural History. Adult
male. Collected February 2, 1940, by Colin C. Sanborn. Orig.
No. 2401.
Diagnosis. — Similar in general to C. m. magellanicus, but differing
widely in color, being wholly mixed blackish and buffy Smoke Gray
both above and below.
Color. — Upper parts and sides mixed buffy Smoke Gray and
black, the mixture about evenly divided anteriorly, the black pre-
dominating on the lower back; under parts scarcely lighter but with
slight brownish tone; forehead and sides of nose at base of whiskers
almost entirely black; cheeks and orbital region slightly grayer than
elsewhere; fore and hind feet largely blackish or brownish with toes
lighter; tail mixed black and gray except in apical fourth where there
is a sharply contrasted narrow white line above and below, ending in
a short white pencil.
Skull. — Essentially as in C. m. fueginus, but the audital bullae
slightly smaller and shorter; interorbital space slightly wider as in
magellanicus.
Measurements. — Adult male (type) and female respectively: total
length 290, 275; tail 80, 72; hind foot 40, 37. Skull: greatest length
53, 47.7; occipito-nasal length 48.5, 46.3; basilar length 44.3, 40.2;
zygomatic width 29.5, 26.8; interorbital width 10.7, 9.7; mastoid
width 26.5, 25.4; nasals 19 X 7.3, 17.3 X 6.9; diastema 15.6, 13.5;
upper toothrow (alveoli) 10.8, 10.2, (crowns) 9.8, 9.5.
Remarks. — This very distinct form is doubtless confined to the
eastern part of Riesco Island where it is already rare and difficult
to obtain. Although this part of the island is not forested, it has
but little open grassland, being largely covered with a heavy growth
of the "mata negra" or black brush (Chiliotrichum diffusum).
During a few days' stay in this region we were able to obtain
only two specimens, an adult male and female, these apparently
being the only occupants of a small area where about a dozen bur-
rows were found. The two specimens are essentially alike in color
124 FIELD MUSEUM OF NATURAL HISTORY— ZOOLOGY, VOL. 30
with the dark bluish black predominating but everywhere mixed
with lighter, giving them a uniform speckled appearance. It is, of
course, possible that these specimens may represent some form of
melanism, but the island habitat, the regularity of markings, and
the absence of anything of the sort in the close relatives seems to
make this unlikely. The channel separating Riesco Island from the
mainland is deep and permits the passage of vessels of considerable
size, but at one or two points it is quite narrow, perhaps not more
than a few hundred feet.
The new form is named in honor of Mr. John Dick, prominent
and well-known citizen of Punta Arenas, through whom our brief
visit to Riesco Island was made possible, and to whom we are
indebted for much other assistance.
Ctenomys maulinus maulinus Philippi.
Ctenomys maulinus Philippi, Zeitsch. gesammt. Naturw., Berlin, Neue Folge,
6, pp. 442-445, 1872— Laguna de Maule, lat. 36° S., Province of Talca,
Chile.
A medium-sized, uniformly colored, light brown (Snuff Brown) tuco tuco;
tail with a short white pencil at the tip. Skull with a persistent fronto-parietal
fontanelle, a wide flat interorbital space and scarcely evident postorbital processes;
audital bullae relatively short and swollen. Total length 275-300; tail 83-90;
hind foot 38-40. Skull length 49; zygomatic breadth 27.6; cheekteeth 10.1
Range. — Known only from the type locality.
Since Philippics description of Ctenomys maulinus, some seventy
years ago, no specimens certainly representing it had been critically
examined. Therefore, in November, 1939, Mr. Sanborn made a
somewhat hurried trip into the Province of Talca for the purpose
of obtaining topotypical material. At that time snow was still heavy
on the mountains and travel conditions somewhat difficult, but he
succeeded in obtaining three specimens, all females, on the upper
Rio Maule, two from Arroyo del Valle and one from a locality some
fourteen kilometers above the settlement of Curillanque.
The species proves to be a very distinct one not greatly inferior
in size to C. magellanicus osgoodi of northwestern Argentina, but it
shows many detailed differences making it uncertain whether or not
it should be regarded as a northern representative of the magellani-
cus series. Among these differences are its duller color, its broader
interorbital space, open fronto-parietal fontanelle and the reduction
or absence of the "petro-tympanic bulb" between the squamosal,
parietal, and supraoccipital. Although much darker in color, it is
1 Measurements are of females only, no males being available.
1943 MAMMALS OF CHILE— OSGOOD 125
possible that it may be somewhat related to C. emilianus, which is
found in the same latitude on the eastern side of the Andes.
In one of his later papers (Ann. Mag. Nat. Hist., (9), 20, p. 210,
1927), Thomas adopted the name maulinus, "on the ground of
locality," for a small tuco tuco of the mendocinus group from Chos
Malal, Neuquen, Argentina.1 Chos Malal, however, is well east of
the cordillera, open to the pampas, whereas Laguna Maule, although
in about the same latitude, is on the west side in a more or less
forested region. So far as known, the mendocinus group does not
extend into Chile at any point, being almost wholly confined to the
open pampas where it has developed numerous subspecific forms.
The one from Chos Malal, if recognizable, is thus without a name,
but it does not seem advisable to supply one until further work has
been done on the group.
The type of maulinus has disappeared, but from its published
measurements it is evident that the specimen was immature. Phil-
ippi, himself, says: "Ich muss librigens bemerken, dass nach Herrn
Medina bedeutend grossere Exemplare vorkommen." In his account
of maulinus, Philippi also reports tuco tucos from the "Termas de
Chilian" somewhat farther south than Laguna Maule.
The skull of an adult female furnishes the following measure-
ments: greatest length 49; basilar length 41.5; zygomatic breadth
27.6; interorbital breadth 9.9; nasals 17 X 8.2; diastema 13.3; upper
cheekteeth (crowns) 10.
Ctenomys maulinus brunneus subsp. nov.
Type from Rio Colorado, Province of Malleco, Chile. Alt. 3,000
ft. No. 23215 Field Museum of Natural History. Young adult
male. Collected February 5, 1924, by Colin C. Sanborn. Orig.
No. 691.
Diagnosis. — Similar to C. m. maulinus, but much darker, browner,
and more richly colored. Upper parts Cinnamon Brown to Prout's
Brown; under parts Cinnamon Rufous to Hazel; feet dull buffy
white; tail brown above, pale buffy below with a buffy white pencil
at the tip. Skull with audital bullae narrow and elongate instead of
short and swollen.
Measurements.— Two males: total length 305, 282; tail 95, 78;
hind foot 42, 37. Skull of adult male: greatest length 51; zygomatic
1 The combination Ctenomys mendocinus maulinus is used by Yepes (Rev.
Cent. Est. Cienc. Nat., 2, No. 4, p. 12, 1938).
126 FIELD MUSEUM OF NATURAL HISTORY— ZOOLOGY, VOL. 30
breadth 29.4; width across postorbital processes 12.7; least inter-
orbital width 10.4; nasals 20 X 7.7; diastema 14; upper cheekteeth
(crowns) 10.8.
This form is represented by two adults and two immatures from
a locality some two hundred miles south of Laguna Maule and on
FIG. 16. Ctenomys maulinus brunneus. F.M. No. 23214. X 1.
the same western slope of the Andes. In the intervening region
tuco tucos have been reported, but no specimens are extant. It is
decidedly darker in color than typical maulinus and, although it is
necessary to compare males of one with females of the other, the
skulls show such pronounced difference in the size and shape of the
audital bullae that further cranial characters may be expected when
adult males of both forms are available.
It is also represented by two specimens in the American Museum
of Natural History, obtained by H. E. Anthony "west of Lonquimai"
1943 MAMMALS OF CHILE— OSGOOD 127
in the Province of Cautin. Although not directly compared, these
appear the same as those in Field Museum.
Ctenomys fulvus Philippi.
Ctenomys fulvus Philippi, Reise durch die Wiiste Atacama, pp. 157-158, Zool.,
pi. 1, 1860— vicinity of Pingo Pingo, about lat. 24° S., alt. 9,000-11,000
ft., Atacama Desert, Chile.
Ctenomys atacamensis Philippi, supra cit., pp. 158-159, Zool., pi. 2, fig. 1,
1860— Tilpozo, about lat. 23° 20' S., Atacama Desert, Chile.
Ctenomys pallidus Philippi, Anal. Mus. Nac. Chile, Zool., Ent. 13a, pp. 13-15,
pi. 4, fig. 1 (col.), pi. 5, figs. 3a, 36, 3c (skull figured under name brasilien-
sis), 1896 — Breas, southwest of Antofagasta de la Sierra, about lat. 26°
3' S. and long. 67° 56' W., alt. 9,000-10,000 ft., Chile.
Ctenomys pernix Philippi, supra cit., pp. 15-16, pi. 5, fig. 5 (skull), pi. 6, fig. 2
(col.), 1896 — Aguas Calientes, near Socaire, east of Salar de Atacama,
about lat. 23° S., long. 68° 16' W., Chile.
Ctenomys chilensis Philippi, supra cit., pp. 16-17, pi. 6, fig. 1, 1896 — said to
be from Cordillera of Linares, but probably from Atacama Desert, Chile.
Similar to C. robustiis, but smaller, shorter-tailed and somewhat darker
colored especially on the head and upper side of tail. Total length 282-335;
tail 84-96; hind foot 42-46.
Range. — High altitudes in the eastern part of the Province of
Antofagasta near the Bolivian and Argentine boundaries.
Eight fine specimens taken by Sanborn near San Pedro de Ata-
cama appear to represent this species. They are the only modern
specimens from the Atacama region and have not been compared
directly with Philippi's types, but they agree in all general respects
with his descriptions and figures and the locality is in the region
from which his material came.
The species is one of large size, although smaller than robustus,
and the color is not excessively pale. The upper parts are slightly
grizzled Clay Color, the sides considerably paler than the back; the
under parts are uniform, clear Cinnamon Buff; the forehead and a
narrow line around the mouth are definitely darkened or even
slightly blackish; the tail is blackish brown above with a light
pencil; the feet are whitish buff with some darkening medially and
proximally. Flesh measurements of a good-sized male are: total
length 335; tail 96; hind foot 46.
The relationship of fulvus to later described forms from Bolivia
and Argentina remains to be determined, but such material as is
at hand seems to indicate fairly close affinity to coludo, famosus,
and johannis of Catamarca, Rioja, and San Juan, Argentina. All
128 FIELD MUSEUM OF NATURAL HISTORY— ZOOLOGY, VOL. 30
of these have relatively small feet, but it is not unlikely that they
will be found eventually to be no more than subspecies of fulvus.
The types of fulvus, atacamensis, pallidus, and pernix were found
in the museum at Santiago in a fairly good state of preservation
although all are mounted and exposed to light. No material was
available for comparison and only general notes could be taken,
the skulls in several cases being inside the skins. So far as all general
characters are concerned, however, they offer no evidence that all
are not one and the same species. Since the localities are all in the
same region, some of them quite close to each other, the only reason-
able course at this time is to unite them all under one name.
The following is a transcript of the notes made when the speci-
mens were examined :
"Ctenomys fulvus. — Type existing and identifiable from posture,
which agrees with plate. Skull inside and could be removed. Color
on back much as in plate, sides paler, more whitish. Hind foot
measures 43. Tail quite hairy as in plate but not expanded at tip,
this being because it is split. Width of upper incisors 5.5."
"Ctenomys atacamensis. — Type existing and identifiable from
posture. Skull inside. Color and all general characters as in fulvus.
Hind foot now 31. Width of upper incisors 4.5. In all probability
it is only the young of fulvus.'1
"Ctenomys pallidus. — Type existing and identifiable. Skull
removed and cleaned. It is the one mistakenly indicated as brasilien-
sis on Philippi's plate (I.e., 1896, pi. 5, fig. 36-c), which in his text
(p. 14) he indicates is his pallidus. The color is considerably like
that in Philippi's figure, though of course the feet are plain buffy
like the under parts. The color is a little darker than that of fulvus,
but the general appearance is similar and probably there is close
relationship. Hind foot 45. The skull is fairly adult but doubtless
there could be larger examples. Skull measurements : greatest length
54; basilar length 45.5; occipito-nasal length 53; zygomatic width
33.5; mastoid width 32; nasals 19 X 8; diastema 15; upper tooth-
row 11.3; width upper incisors 7.3; width across postorbital processes
14.5; depth infraorbital fossa 11; greatest mandibular breadth 47.2."
"Ctenomys pernix. — Type existing. Skull removed and cleaned.
Apparently this is the skull figured by Philippi, but more of it is
broken away now. The color is much like that of pallidus. It may
well be only the young of pallidus. Hind foot 34. Toothrow 8,
nasals 13.5 X 6, zygomatic width 25. Skull is young and lacks
postorbital processes. Philippi's figure gives entirely erroneous idea
1943 MAMMALS OF CHILE— OSGOOD 129
of the color and size. The color should be about like pallidus, shown
on preceding plate."
As to the authenticity of these types there can be scarcely any
doubt unless possibly it be in the case of pernix. All the others
coincide so precisely with the figures as far as attitude and details
of position are concerned that they are unmistakable. My notes on
the supposed type of pernix are not specific as to agreement with the
figure and the matter is complicated by Philippi's statement (I.e.,
1896, p. 15) that the specimen figured was lost. If it was not in
his hands when the description was written, doubtless the one
examined by me and now labeled pernix formed the basis of the
description and might be regarded as the type. On the other hand,
the specimen may have been only temporarily mislaid, or, if mis-
appropriated, it may have been surreptitiously returned, as I was
informed has happened in several other cases. Wolff sohn has
published a note (1921, p. 525) in which he states that the types of
pallidus and pernix were collected by a Sr. Carlos F. Rahmer who
expressed the opinion that one was the female and the other the male
of the same species. This coincides to some extent with information
which I, myself, received directly from employees of the museum in
Santiago who entertained me with what they said had long been a
stock story among themselves to the effect that Philippi had given
separate names to several Ctenomys, all of which were caught at one
burrow. So far as published records and present labels go, however,
different localities are assigned to them, but since these are all in the
same region the conclusion that all are synonyms of fulvus is not
likely to be affected.
Ctenomys chilensis offers a further complication for, although
it is said to come from the cordillera of Linares in a distant and very
different region, the unmistakable type specimen is indistinguishable
by external characters from the others from Atacama. The inference
is very strong, therefore, that Philippi was wrong in assigning this
specimen to Linares. This leads to the possibility of a transposition
in which it might be assumed that the one from Linares, if there was
one, was the specimen mentioned under pernix as lost, and the one
called chilensis is really from Atacama as its characters seem to
indicate. Obviously the specimens were mounted by taxidermists
before being described and figured, and labels, if there were any,
were subject to easy transposition. In the case of pernix it may be
best under the circumstances to disregard the figure and consider
the name based on the description and the specimens known to be
130 FIELD MUSEUM OF NATURAL HISTORY— ZOOLOGY, VOL. 30
in hand when it was written. As for chilensis, it stands or falls with
its type specimen. That it came from Atacama needs confirmation
by removal and careful examination of its skull, but until this is
done it may be regarded, like the others, as a synonym of fulvus.
The type of chilensis is mounted in a unique position with the head
greatly elevated. This position is faithfully reproduced in Philippi's
figure so the identification of the specimen is in no doubt. My notes
upon it are brief but quite conclusive, as follows:
"Ctenomys chilensis. — Type existing and readily identifiable from
posture. Skull inside. It is evidently a young animal and slightly
darker than pallidus and pernix but not nearly so dark as shown in
Philippi's figure, which is all wrong as to color. It is simply a pale
buff animal with rather long, soft fur like the northern ones and
might even be the lost specimen of pernix mentioned by Philippi.
The under parts are fulvous except a somewhat lighter patch on
the throat. The feet are whitish buff."
Specimens examined. — Total 15 : Twenty miles east of San Pedro
de Atacama, at 12,000 feet, 8; Chilean boundary near Silalo, Bolivia,
at 14,000 feet, 1; Atacama Desert, 6 (Santiago Museum, including
types of fulvus, atacamensis, pallidus, pernix, and chilensis) .
Ctenomys robustus Philippi.
Ctenomys robustus Philippi, Anal. Mus. Nac. Chile, Zool., Ent. 13a, pp. 11-13,
pi. 4, fig. 2, pi. 5, figs, la-d, 1896— near Pica, Tarapaca, Chile.
A large, short-tailed and thickset burrowing rodent of uniformly pale buffy
color. Total length 360; tail 111; hind foot 55.
Range. — Known only from moderate elevations in central
Tarapaca.
Four specimens in Field Museum from Canchones, which is in
the open plain between Pica and Noria, might almost be regarded
as topotypes, since the exact locality of Philippi's type is unknown.
The species appears to be quite distinct, of very large size, pale,
sandy, uniform coloration, and having a large, heavily ridged skull
with swollen audital bullae and broad, cuneate nasals. The pelage
is ample but somewhat coarser and harsher than in fulvus. The
largest of the recent specimens does not quite equal the type, but
its skull agrees with the figure of the type in all general respects.
Notes on the type are as follows:
"Ctenomys robustus. — Type existing and identifiable from posture.
It is mounted in a small group with another specimen which is shown
emerging from its burrow. Skull removed and cleaned and agrees
1943 MAMMALS OF CHILE— OSGOOD 131
with Philippi's figures, which are quite good except the side view,
which is confused in the postorbital region. The skin is much paler
than Philippi's figure (which is reduced size), but darker than palli-
dus, fulvus, etc., and with shorter and slightly coarser hair. Doubtless
a good species. Hind foot 48. Skull: greatest length 61; occi-
pito-nasal length 57; zygomatic width 42; mastoid width 39; nasals
23 X 10; diastema 18; upper toothrow 12.3; width of upper incisors
10.5; width across postorbital processes 21; depth of infraorbital
foramen 13; greatest mandibular width 56.6."
Specimens examined. — Total 5: Canchones, Salar de Pintados,
Tarapaca, 4; near Pica, Tarapaca, 1 (type).
Ctenomys opimus Wagner.
Ctenomys opimus Wagner, Arch. Naturg., 14, (1), pp. 75-78, 1848; Thomas,
Ann. Mag. Nat. Hist., (7), 6, p. 1900 (locality)— Sahama, Bolivia.
Pelage long and soft; general color buffy gray with the top of the head and
sometimes the mid-dorsal line blackish. Total length 295-395; tail 85-100; hind
foot 37-42.
A specimen taken by Sanborn at Choquelimpie, Tacna, at an
altitude of 15,000 feet furnishes the only Chilean record. It agrees
closely with a series from Mount Sahama.
Myocastor coypus coypus Molina. COYPU.
mus coypus Molina, Sagg. Stor. Nat. Chili, pp. 287-288, 342, 1782 — rivers of
Chili.
Myopotamus Coypus Commerson MS., Geoffroy, Ann. Mus. Paris, 6, p. 81,
1805.
Myopotamus coypu albomaculatus Fitzinger, Sitzungsber. K. Akad. Wiss.,
Wien, Math.-Naturw. Cl., 56, p. 134, 1867— Chile.
Myopotamus coypu dorsalis Fitzinger, supra cit. — no locality.
A very large heavily pelaged aquatic rodent with a long, rounded, tapering,
and thinly haired tail; middle toes of hind feet connected by a basal web; mammae
situated high on the sides near the middle line of the back rather than on the
abdomen. Total length 800-900; tail 350-400; hind foot 130-140.
Range. — Rivers and lakes of central Chile west of the Andes
from the Province of Coquimbo and the vicinity of Valparaiso to
the vicinity of Concepcion and the Bio Bio River.
The coypu of central Chile is doubtless the one to which Molina's
name coypus should be restricted. Although still found in some
numbers near populous districts, it is doubtless much less common
than formerly. Bridges (Proc. Zool. Soc. Lond., 1843, p. .130)
says: "The places where the Coypo most abounds in Chile are the
132 FIELD MUSEUM OF NATURAL HISTORY— ZOOLOGY, VOL. 30
borders of the river Maypo near Santiago, the capital of the country,
also in the lakes of Aculeo and Quintero." Specimens from this region
are lacking in Field Museum, but it seems fair to assume that they
would be at least as pale in color as those from Malleco and Cautin
which have been used to represent the typical form of the species.
Four examples from Valparaiso taken in 1880 and 1887 are listed by
Wolffsohn and Porter (1908). Wolffsohn (1923) records specimens
from Penco, Concepcion, and Cachapoal collected in 1901 and 1907.
There are also in Field Museum two specimens from Santa Cruz,
Bolivia, which obviously belong to a distinct form. These are exceed-
ingly large and dark colored, the upper parts almost wholly clear
blackish brown. At least until further information about its type
specimen is forthcoming, the name popelairi (Mastonotus popelairi
Wesmael, Bull. Acad. Roy. Sci., Bruxelles, 8, pt. 2, pp. 59-61, 1841
— Bobica, Bolivia) may be applied to this form. With this and the
dark form of southern Chile described below, the subspecies of coypus
will be as follows:
Myocastor coypus coypus Molina, central Chile.
Myocastor coypus melanops Osgood, southern Chile.
Myocastor coypus santacruzae Hollister, southwestern Argentina.
Myocastor coypus bonariensis Geoffrey, northeastern Argentina and Uruguay.
Myocastor coypus popelairi Wesmael, southeastern Bolivia.
The name Castor huidobrius of Molina and subsequent ones
derived from it (as Guillinomys chilensis Lesson 1842) must be
regarded as composite and unidentifiable. Molina's description is a
hopeless combination of the characters of coypu and otter, plainly
being derived from confused reports from natives (see under Lutra
provocax, p. 88).
Specimens examined. — Total 8: Lake Malleco, Cautin, 5; Bio
Bio River, near Concepcion, 1; Rio Andalien, Concepcion, 2.
Myocastor coypus melanops subsp. nov.
Type from Quellon, Chiloe Island. No. 24338 Field Museum of
Natural History. Young adult male. Collected January 30, 1923,
by Wilfred H. Osgood. Orig. No. 5548.
Diagnosis. — Similar to M. c. coypus, but darker and more richly
colored; top of head and sides of face mainly blackish brown (between
Vandyke Brown and Black); forelegs very dark brown; light-tipped
hairs of body and sides of neck rich Hazel or Sanford's Brown
rather than Clay Color or Cinnamon.
Skull and teeth. — Essentially as in M. coypus.
1943
MAMMALS OF CHILE— OSGOOD
133
Measurements. —Type : total length 880; tail 365; hind foot 135.
Skull of type: greatest length 115; basilar length 90; zygomatic width
67; nasals 42.5; interorbital width 24.3; upper toothrow (alveoli)
29.2.
Remarks. — A series of seven coypus taken on Chiloe Island is
uniformly rich colored in comparison with the few available speci-
FIG. 17. Myocastor coypus melanops. F.M. No. 24338, type. X
mens from central Chile. No specimens from the southern mainland
have been examined, but it seems quite probable that a dark form
may be found throughout the relatively cool, humid forest region
from Valdivia southward, perhaps even to the Straits of Magellan.
On Chiloe Island the animals were found about the mouths of
streams in brackish water and they doubtless enter salt water freely.
That the form here described is confined to the island, therefore,
is improbable. The physical conditions in southern Chile are vastly
different from those of the region inhabited by typical coypus and
if a recognizable distinction were not found it would be exceptional.
Specimens from the extreme south are not available. Some 3,000
skins are reported as marketed at Punta Arenas in 1939.
134 FIELD MUSEUM OF NATURAL HISTORY— ZOOLOGY, VOL. 30
The weight of a freshly killed adult male was found to be
pounds; of two females 1% and 8% pounds.
Chinchilla chinchilla velligera Prell. CHILEAN CHINCHILLA.
Chinchilla laniger or lanigera of various authors, not Mus laniger of Molina
which is composite and unidentifiable (see Osgood, 1941).
FIG. 18. Chinchilla chinchilla velligera. F.M. No. 44344. X 1.
Chinchilla velligera Prell, Zool. Anz., 108, p. 100, 1934 (based on the Chin-
chilla lanigera of Bennett, Gard. Menag. Zool. Soc. Lond., 1, p. 1, 1829) —
from Chile; vicinity of Coquimbo, by present selection.
Chinchilla chinchilla velligera Osgood, Journ. Mamm., 22, p. 411, 1941.
A medium-sized rodent with long, soft, and lax pelage, pale gray color, large
rounded ears, five front toes, three well-developed hind toes and a rudimentary
fourth. Length of head and body about 10 inches, of tail about 6 inches. Said
to differ from northern and eastern varieties (Peru and Bolivia) in smaller size,
longer tail, and more grayish color.
Range. — Coast hills of northern Chile from the vicinity of
Coquimbo to the vicinity of Copiapo and northeastward in the
cordillera for an unknown distance.
Although greatly reduced by continued persecution for its fur,
the chinchilla is still represented by isolated colonies which are
scattered over much of its original range. This range was in the
northern, more arid part of Chile from the southern part of the
Province of Coquimbo northward. Gay states that it was more
common in the coastal hills than in the cordillera, and its southern
limit he gives as the Rio Choapa (lat. 32°). In northern Chile,
however, chinchillas undoubtedly enter the cordillera and pass into
1943 MAMMALS OF CHILE— OSGOOD 135
Argentina and Bolivia where they are found at very high altitudes.
Records from the cordillera south of lat. 32° are lacking. Whether
these northern animals belong to the so-called Chilean variety or to
the Peruvian is doubtful, but it seems quite probable that there is
gradation between them as in the case of other mammals of the
same region. Tschudi states that the Peruvian form, in times when
it was abundant, ranged from the coast near Lima to elevations as
high as 11,000 feet. The Chilean one, therefore, may well have done
the same. A difference in size, and especially in length of tail,
between Chilean and Peruvian chinchillas was recognized by various
early authors, especially by Waterhouse (Nat. Hist. Mamm., 2, pp.
236-242, 1848), who calls the Chilean the "Smaller Chinchilla" and
the Peruvian the "Short-tailed Chinchilla." More recently Brass
(Aus dem Reich, der Pelze, Berlin, 2, p. 613, 1911) and Prell (I.e.)
have added a third variety (boliviano) and stated that all three are
commonly recognized in the fur trade. Prell states that the Peruvian
and Bolivian forms differ only slightly in color and he implies that
they may be no more than subspecifically separable, but he evidently
believes the Chilean form to be quite distinct from them. Without
well-docketed material it may not be possible to gainsay his conclu-
sions, but the distinctions made in the fur trade, while doubtless
related to definite taxonomic characters, do not furnish a sound
basis for classification. In this case, however, the animal has become
extinct over most of its original range and it is doubtful if any better
basis will ever be available.1 At least for the present, therefore, the
1 A classification used in the fur trade is indicated by the following, received
from the Pan American Chinchilla Corporation, Inc., of Calama, Chile: "Three
species of chinchillas still in existence in South America [are] trade-named Chin-
chilla boliviano,, Chinchilla cordillerana and Chinchilla costina. Without doubt a
fourth species of chinchilla had formerly existed in certain sections of northern
Chile, in southern Peru and in Bolivia, though very small in number. It was the
least prolific one in the chinchilla family with but one young (and one litter) per
year. In the old pelt trade it was trade-named Chinchilla realis, real, or fina.
None of the former fur traders or the chinchilleros have seen a Chinchilla realis
for approximately 25 years, or heard of one alive.
"Therefore the boliviano species is the finest known alive in so far as breed
and quality are concerned. This animal is exceedingly rare in captivity as well
as in the wild state, and without doubt will be entirely extinct in the Cordilleras
within a short time.
"The cordillerana is smaller in size of body, the fur very fine in texture, but
not quite as deep and dense as the fur of the boliviana. Its head is not quite as
thick and stubby as that of the boliviana, the ears slightly closer together.
"The costina presents a difference in appearance by having large, long ears,
a long tail and a very pointed head; the pelt is considerably less dense and less
deep than that of the other species. The costina exists in wild state at an eleva-
tion ranging from 4,000 to 8,000 feet; a hundred years ago it lived down to the
very sea coast of Chile (center north)."
136 FIELD MUSEUM OF NATURAL HISTORY— ZOOLOGY, VOL. 30
arrangement proposed by Prell may be accepted in which a Chilean,
a Peruvian, and a Bolivian form are recognized. These may stand
as follows:
CHINCHILLA CHINCHILLA CHINCHILLA Lichtenstein. Peruvian
Chinchilla.
Eriomys chinchilla Lichtenstein, Darst. neu. o. wenig. bek. Saugeth., 2 pages
(unnumbered), pi. 28, 1829 — no exact locality; vicinity of Lima, Peru,
by present selection.1
Chinchilla brevicaiidata Waterhouse, Nat. Hist. Mamm., 2, p. 241, 1848 —
based on the same specimen as Eriomys chinchilla Lichtenstein; evidently
a renaming to avoid tautonymy.
Chinchilla major "Burmeister" Trouessart, Cat. Mamm., nov. ed., 3, p. 628,
1897 — under Chinchilla brevicaudata; apparently a latinization of "la
variation grande" of Burmeister.
CHINCHILLA CHINCHILLA VELLIGERA Prell. Chilean Chinchilla.
Chinchilla lanigera Bennett, Card. Menag. Zool. Soc. Lond., 1, p. 1, 1829;Chin-
chilla laniger Gray, Spicilegia Zool., p. 11, pi. 7, fig. 1, 1830 — Coquimbo,
Chile.
Chinchilla velligera Prell, Zool. Anz., 108, p. 100, 1934 — based on the Chinchilla
lanigera of Bennett, from Chile, probably from Coquimbo (see Waterhouse,
Nat. Hist. Mamm., 2, p. 239, footnote, 1848).
CHINCHILLA CHINCHILLA BOLIVIANA Brass. Bolivian Chinchilla.
Chinchilla boliviana Brass, Aus dem Reich, der Pelze, Berlin, 2, p. 613, 1911 —
Bolivia.
Chinchilla intermedia Dennler, Animates Peliferos, No. 12, Buenos Aires, 1939
(fide Cabrera, in litt.) — Andes of Bolivia and Argentina.
Thus it appears, although chinchillas have been treated in literature
for more than 150 years under many names and combinations, the
Chilean form did not receive a valid specific name until 1934, the
Bolivian one was not distinguished until 1911, and the Peruvian
one retains the tautonymous name chinchilla, although it was not
the basis of the generic name. All other names involve various
combinations with or synonyms of Mus laniger Molina, which it
now appears should be rejected as unidentifiable. The nomen-
clatural tangle involved has been fully discussed elsewhere (Osgood,
1941).
The present condition of the chinchilla in Chile is a precarious
one, doubtless becoming more so from year to year. Although some
1 Palmer's suggestion (Index Gen. Mamm., p. 270, 1904) that the locality
was "probably Chile" does not accord with the characters of the specimens
described.
1943 MAMMALS OF CHILE— OSGOOD 137
local legislation has been enacted attempting protection, enforce-
ment is next to impossible. As far back as 1924, when Mr. Sanborn
was in northern Chile, he found "chinchilleros," or native chinchilla
hunters, active and boasting of ability to catch one or two animals
per month, evidently enough to make it profitable from their stand-
point. They worked in total disregard of law. At that time he
found at least one man in La Serena, Coquimbo, who was attempting
to breed the animals in captivity and had kept a small number for
as many as six years. Others in the same vicinity are said to have
been engaged in breeding experiments during the past twenty-five
years, at least some of them under government license, but such
reports as are available indicate little success.1
Two skins and skulls and two additional complete skeletons, pur-
chased from natives in La Serena, are in Field Museum. These were
said to have been taken near La Higuera in coast hills not exceeding
2,000 feet in height and about sixty miles north of La Serena.
Measurements taken by Sanborn from two freshly killed females
are as follows: total length 425, 376; tail 151, 136; hind foot 59, 57;
ear 63, 62.
Lagidium viscacia viscacia Molina. MOUNTAIN VISCACHA.
lepus viscacia Molina, Sagg. Stor. Nat. Chili, pp. 307-308, 342, 1782— Chilean
Andes; cordillera of Santiago by present selection.
Lepus chilensis Oken, Lehrb. Naturg., 3, Abt. 2, p. 836, 1816— Chile.
Lagotis criniger Lesson, Nouv. Tabl. Reg. Anim., Mamm., p. 105, 1842 —
nomen nudum; Gay, Hist. Chile, Zool., 1, pp. 92-95, 1847; Atlas, pis.
5-6, 1848 — central provinces of Chile.
Lagidium crassidens Philippi, Anal. Mus. Nac. Chile, Zool., Ent. 13a, p. 10,
pi. 3, fig. 1 (as L. peruanum), 1896— Chile.
Viscaccia viscacia Lahille, Anal. Soc. Cient. Arg., 62, pp. 39-44, 1906.
Viscaccia viscaccia Thomas, Ann. Mag. Nat. Hist., (7), 19, p. 441, 1907.
Lagidium viscaccia Thomas, supra cit., (9), 3, p. 500, 1919.
. A large rodent with dense soft pelage, elongated ears, and a long, heavily
crested tail. Total length 800; tail vertebrae 370; hind foot 112.
Range. — Andes of central Chile mainly in the provinces of
Aconcagua, Santiago, and Valparaiso.
This is the best known of the mountain viscachas of Chile, and
the one to which Molina's name viscacia very properly has been
restricted. It is characterized by fairly large size and dark, sooty
gray color. The dorsal stripe is rather short and inconspicuous and
1 For a good account of the present status of the chinchilla see Bidlingmaier
(1937).
138 FIELD MUSEUM OF NATURAL HISTORY— ZOOLOGY, VOL. 30
the tail and feet are extensively sooty. Two adults measured by
the collector have the following dimensions: total length 800, 795;
tail 370, 365; hind foot 112. The skull is of good size with a long
rostrum, premaxillae not greatly exceeding nasals, incisors ortho-
dont and faintly or not at all pigmented, cheekteeth rather broad
and heavy.
A skull labeled crassidens was found in the museum at Santiago.
It is clearly the one figured as peruanum by Philippi (I.e., pi. 3,
fig. 1) and, as appears from his text, the one which was the sole
basis of the name crassidens, Philippi mentions no locality for it
but, as already concluded by Thomas (I.e., 1919), it no doubt
belongs to the common form of central Chile. The skull is rather
larger than usual and the incisors are unpigmented. My own
measurements of it are as follows: greatest length 95; occipito-nasal
length 92; basilar length 78; zygomatic width 48; nasals 37.5 X 13;
diastema 27.5; width across postorbital processes 25.5; cheekteeth
22.5.
Specimens examined. — Total 7: Near Limache, Valparaiso, 3;
Palomar, Aconcagua, 1; Sewell, O'Higgins, 2 (B.M.); Sierra de los
Condes, Santiago, 1.
Lagidium viscacia cuvieri Bennett.
Lagotis cuvieri Bennett, Proc. Zool. Soc. Lond., p. 59, 1833 — South America
("In Peruvia?"); Tarapaca, Chile, by selection.
Lagidium lutescens Philippi, Anal. Mus. Nac. Chile, Zool., Ent. 13a, pp. 8-9,
pi. 2, fig. 2 (col.), pi. 3, fig. 5, 1896 — between Copacoya and Inacaliri,
Tarapaca, Chile.
V[iscaccia] Cuvieri Thomas, Ann. Mag. Nat. Hist., (7), 19, p. 441, 1907.
Similar to L. v. viscacia, but smaller, with general coloration buffy rather
than grayish. Total length 565-649; tail 220-265; hind foot 93-100 (three speci-
mens).
Range. — Mountains of northern Chile from northern Antofa-
gasta, through Tarapaca into Tacna; probably extending also into
adjoining parts of Bolivia.
The mountain viscacha of northern Chile is markedly different
from L. viscacia of central Chile and direct evidence of intergrada-
tion between the two is lacking, but it may take place through some
of the numerous forms named from Bolivia and Argentina. The
original type of cuvieri was without definite locality, but Thomas
(I.e.) has assigned the name to specimens from Tarapaca, doubt-
less after comparison with the type. L. pallipes is referred by
1943
MAMMALS OF CHILE— OSGOOD
139
Thomas "more doubtfully" to the same species, but this conclusion
is questionable, for the type of pallipes, supposed to be from Chile,
is in reality from Argentina, "at an elevation of 4,000 to 5,000 feet,
FIG. 19. Lagidium viscacia cuvieri. F.M. No. 24099. X %.
between Villa vicencia and Uspallata," as very definitely stated by
its collector, Bridges (1843, p. 132).
Another name for cuvieri is Philippi's lutescens, the type of which
is well preserved, both skin and skull. The skin is mounted and
identifiable by pose and color. The label states the date as 1885
and the collector as C. Rahmer. It is paler and more buffy than
Philippi's plate, and the tail is longer and more slender. The dorsal
stripe is rufous or chestnut and probably never was black. The
140 FIELD MUSEUM OF NATURAL HISTORY— ZOOLOGY, VOL. 30
under parts are bright fulvous as he shows them, but the head is
grayish buff or Isabella color, not reddish brown. The hind foot
measures 95 and the ear from notch 60. The skull of the type agrees
well with Philippi's figure (I.e., pi. 3, fig. 5).
Measurements of the skull are: greatest length 80.5; occipi to-
nasal length 77.5; basilar length 64; zygomatic width 40.5; mastoid
width 30; nasals 30 X 9.2; diastema 23; interorbital width 18.5;
upper toothrow (alveoli) 19.
Among the specimens representing cuvieri in Field Museum are
three from Silalo, Bolivia, a locality only a short distance from the
Copacoya district in Chile from which the type of lutescens came.
These serve to confirm the disposition of lutescens as a synonym of
cuvieri. A further probable synonym is V. lutea (Thomas, I.e., p.
443), since the description offers nothing to distinguish it and since
the locality (Esperanza, Sahama, Bolivia) is very near southwestern
Tacna whence Field Museum has specimens of cuvieri.
As compared with other Chilean forms, cuvieri is rather small
in size and "yellowish" in color. The hind foot is less instead of
more than 100 mm. in length and the upper parts are suffused with
the ochraceous tones which always prevail on the under parts. The
skull has a short rostrum, the premaxillae are somewhat expanded
behind and extend well beyond the nasals; the interlacrymal depres-
sion is very pronounced, the audital bullae small, the incisors unpig-
mented and somewhat proodont, and the cheekteeth rather narrow.
Specimens examined. — Total 9: Choquelimpie, near Lake Chun-
gara, Tacna, 1 (skull) ; near Copacoya, Tarapaca, 1 (type of lutescens
in Mus. Nac. Chile); 20 miles east of San Pedro, Antofagasta, 4
(skulls) ; Silalo, Bolivia, lat. 22° S., near Chilean boundary, 3 (1 skull
only) .
Lagidium viscacia famatinae Thomas.
Lagidium famatinae Thomas, Ann. Mag. Nat. Hist., (9), 6, p. 421, 1920 — La
Invernada, Famatina Range, Rioja, Argentina.
Between the ranges of viscacia and cuvieri in north-central Chile
a form is found which differs quite markedly from either. It is
represented in Field Museum by a fine adult male obtained by San-
born at Paiguano in the Province of Coquimbo. It is a large animal
with the upper parts Pale Smoke Gray, broken by a sharply defined
black dorsal stripe. Except for somewhat larger audital bullae, its
skull is essentially as in L. viscacia, but its color leaves little doubt
that its closest affinities are with some of the Argentine forms. But
1943 MAMMALS OF CHILE— OSGOOD 141
few specimens of these are at hand for comparison, so it has seemed
best for the present to refer this specimen to famatinae, the one
which is geographically nearest.
The series of names which Thomas has applied to Argentine
mountain viscachas includes vukani (Jujuy), tucumana (Tucuman),
lockwoodi (Catamarca), famatinae (Rioja), tontalis (San Juan), and
viatorum (Mendoza). This series, therefore, runs from north to
south and there is one name for every province. The physical
conditions under which the animals live in this region are fairly
uniform and one finds it difficult to accept the assumption that all
these names are well founded. At least, with the connection appar-
ently established by the Paiguano specimen here recorded, it seems
desirable to reduce all of these names to subspecific status. L.
viatorum is almost certainly a synonym of pallipes, which came
from the same region, and it would not be surprising to find that
the specimen here referred to famatinae is very close to pallipes.
Whether or not pallipes enters Chile is uncertain and further exami-
nation of its type will be necessary to establish its distinction from
cuvieri.
Lagidium viscacia boxi Thomas.
Lagidium boxi Thomas, Ann. Mag. Nat. Hist., (9), 7, p. 180, 1921 — Pilcaneu,
vicinity of Lake Nahuelhuapi, Argentina.
Some assumption is necessary for giving this form a place in the
Chilean fauna but, since the international boundary follows the
heights of the mountains and this is the very region inhabited by
Lagidium, the probabilities are entirely favorable.
According to the original description, L. boxi is closely allied to
moreni, "the colour above darker and more suffused with yellowish."
From the next-named form on the north, sarae, it is also said to
differ in its "buffy or yellowish suffusion." Ellerman (Fam. Gen.
Rodents, 1, p. 232, 1941) gives it specific rank with sarae as a sub-
species, apparently on the basis of its short ears and dark feet.
Lagidium viscacia sarae Thomas and St. Leger.
Lagidium sarae Thomas and St. Leger, Ann. Mag. Nat. Hist., (9), 18, p. 639,
1926 — Pino Hachado Pass, Argentine-Chilean boundary, lat. 38° 30' S.
This is said to be "distinguishable by its dark grey colour, short
ears, large molars, and narrow mastoids." Apparently it stands
between boxi on the south and viatorum (?= pallipes) on the north,
being more grayish than boxi and slightly darker than viatorum.
142 FIELD MUSEUM OF NATURAL HISTORY— ZOOLOGY, VOL. 30
In the southern Andes, as in the north, there is a name for practically
every locality from which specimens of Lagidium have been received.
Ranges and relationships are matters for future determination.
Lagidium viscacia moreni Thomas.
Lagidium moreni Thomas, Ann. Mag. Nat. Hist., (6), 19, p. 467, 1897 — "Chu-
but," Argentina.
In 1921 (Ann. Mag. Nat. Hist., (9), 7, p. 181), Thomas remarked
that "the exact locality of the type of L. moreni is unknown, as
'Chubut' is a province of considerable size, and there is no evidence
as to where in it the specimen was obtained." This is indeed
unfortunate, but it is doubtless safe to assume that if the specimen
came from any part of Chubut, it was from the western mountainous
part sufficiently near the Chilean boundary to justify the inclusion
of the form in the Chilean fauna. The type and only known speci-
men is said to have the "general color above silvery or pale ashy
gray, without yellowish suffusion." The name is one of the earliest
in the group and doubtless will prove to be entitled to some sort of
recognition.
Lagidium viscacia wolffsohni Thomas.
Viscaccia wolffsohni Thomas, Ann. Mag. Nat. Hist., (7), 19, p. 440, 1907 — Cerro
Palique, Sierra de los Baguales y de las Viscachas, lat. 50° 50' S., Argen-
tine-Chilean boundary.
This form, from the region just south of Lake Argentine, is the
southernmost member of the genus and quite removed from others
thus far recorded. Its published measurements indicate the size
to be about the same as in moreni and boxi, and the description of
the skull offers no unusual characters, but the color is distinctive.
It is said to be "readily distinguishable from all other members of
the genus by its large size, rich colour, long fur, immensely bushy
tail, and short black ears." It has recently been accorded full
specific rank by Ellerman (Fam. Gen. Rodents, 1, p. 232, 1941).
Two much faded mounted specimens are in the Museo Regional
Salesiano at Punta Arenas.
Cavia (Microcavia) australis Geoffrey and d'Orbigny. SOUTHERN
CAVY.
Cavia australis Geoffrey and d'Orbigny, Mag. Zool., 3, Cl. 1 (4 pp.), pi. 12,
1833 — Patagonia, south of the Rio Negro, Argentina.
1943 MAMMALS OF CHILE— OSGOOD 143
Cavia (Caviella) australis Osgood, Field Mus. Nat. Hist., Zool. Ser., 10, pp.
194-195, 1915.
Caviella australis Thomas, Ann. Mag. Nat. Hist., (10), 4, p. 44, 1929 — Lower
Rio Negro, Argentina (corrected type locality).
Microcavia australis Kraglievich, Anal. Mus. Nac. Hist. Nat., Buenos Aires,
36, pp. 67, 92, pi. 10, fig. 3, pi. 11, figs. 3-4, 1930.
A plain grayish rodent with small rounded ears and no external tail; hind
feet with only three toes. Total length 210-230; hind foot 49-52.
Range. — Pampas of central Argentina with racial representatives
extending northward to Catamarca and southward to Santa Cruz.
This typically Argentine animal doubtless crosses the boundary
line into Chilean territory at least in a few places along the eastern
base of the Andes. It was not found at Casa Richards on the Rio
Nirehuao, but some fifty miles east near the Rio Verde a specimen,
now in Field Museum, was taken by Boardman Conover. This
actual record is within a few miles of the boundary. The species is
recorded by Allen (Mamm. Patagonia, p. 26, 1905) from the upper
Rio Chico and the Mayer Basin, also but a short distance from the
boundary.
Oryzomys longicaudatus longicaudatus Bennett. LONG-TAILED
RICE RAT.
Mus longicaudatus Bennett, Proc. Zool. Soc. Lond., p. 2, 1832 — Chile (proba-
bly Province of Valparaiso; type collected by Cuming).
Mus exiguus Philippi, Anal. Mus. Nac. Chile, Zool., Ent. 14a, p. 19, pi. 5,
fig. 3 (col.), 1900 — Andes of Province of Santiago, Chile.
Mus macrocercus Philippi, supra cit., p. 30, pi. 10, fig. 2 (col.), 1900 — Province
of Colchagua, Chile.
Mus nigribarbis Philippi, supra cit., p. 31, pi. 12, fig. 1 (col.), 1900 — Talca-
regue, near San Fernando, Colchagua, Chile.
Mus saltator Philippi, supra cit., p. 32, pi. 12, fig. 3 (col.), 1900— Peine,
Province of O'Higgins, Chile.
Mus melanizon Philippi, supra cit., p. 39, pi. 16, fig. 2 (col.), 1900 — no locality.
Mus diminutivus Philippi, supra cit., p. 43, pi. 17, fig. 7 (col.), 1900 — Illapel
and Province of O'Higgins.
Mus agilis Philippi, supra cit., p. 44, pi. 17, fig. 2 (col.), 1900 — Illapel, Co-
quimbo, Chile.
Mus pernix Philippi, supra cit., p. 48, pi. 20, fig. 1 (col.), 1900 — La Ligua,
Province of Aconcagua, Chile.
Mus peteroanus Philippi, supra cit., p. 56, pi. 24, fig. 2 (col.), 1900 — Andes of
Peteroa, Curico, Chile.
Oryzomys longicaudatus Trouessart, Cat. Mamm., p. 527, 1897.
A mouse with the tail longer than the head and body, the ears small, hind
feet long; color buffy with fine lines of blackish, under parts paler, tail bicolor.
Total length 232 (218-243); tail vertebrae 131 (126-140); hind foot 28.5 (27-30).
144 FIELD MUSEUM OF NATURAL HISTORY— ZOOLOGY, VOL. 30
Range. — West-central Chile, mainly in the Province of Val-
paraiso and northward through the Province of Coquimbo to the
Copiapo Valley, Province of Atacama; extending through the Andes
into western Argentina, at least in some localities. Passes insensibly
into 0. I. philippii in southern Chile.
A single species of Oryzomys is found throughout most of Chile
except the deserts of the northwest. So far as known, no other
species of this genus has been taken in the country. It belongs to
the group of rather small long-tailed forms
which probably has continuous distribution
northward through the eastern Andes of
northern Argentina, Bolivia, Peru, and per-
haps still farther. The Peruvian form,
long known as stolzmanni, has been referred
to by Thomas as Oryzomys longicaudatus
destructor (Ann. Mag. Nat. Hist., (10), 2,
FIG. 20 Oryzomys p> 261, 1928). The group seems to be
1. longicaudatus. F.M. No. . . ' .. , .,
23895. x 1. mainly western and Andean in distribu-
tion, but its relationship to eastern forms,
such as flavescens and eliurus, remains to be worked out. These in
general are smaller, but in every series there is much variation in
size, and in the present state of knowledge individual specimens are
rather puzzling. One form, 0. delticola, of the lower Parana River,
has been definitely regarded as an eastern representative of longi-
caudatus, but it is quite isolated and its increased size may be only
a parallelism. Specimens from Chimpay, on the Rio Negro well
east of the Andes in Argentina, are scarcely distinguishable from
typical longicaudatus.
In Chile, longicaudatus divides into three principal forms dis-
tinguished mainly by average differences in color and dimensions.
The paler northern form, to which the name longicaudatus applies,
naturally is palest in the extreme north in the provinces of Coquimbo
and Atacama. Just where the line should be drawn between this
form and the darker southern one is uncertain, for at present material
is rather scanty from the provinces immediately south of Valparaiso
and Santiago. In any case, the line will be a somewhat arbitrary one
and as usual in such cases many specimens will fall so near it that
their nomenclatural disposition is of no great consequence. In dis-
posing of synonyms, localities in the provinces of Colchagua, O'Hig-
gins, and Curico have been considered as representing the northern
form and all those farther south have been assigned to the other.
1943 MAMMALS OF CHILE— OSGOOD 145
With the fairly certain knowledge that only one Oryzomys inhabits
Chile, the various names proposed by Philippi offer no great diffi-
culty whether the types are still preserved or not. Those which
may be referred to typical longicaudatus are exiguus, macrocercus,
nigribarbis, saltator, melanizon, diminutivus, agilis, pernix, and
peteroanus. At the time of my visit in Santiago, only the type of
macrocercus could be found. My notes on this specimen are as fol-
lows: "Type existing in good condition. Skull inside. Unquestion-
ably an Oryzomys of the longicaudatus group. The posture of the
mounted specimen is entirely in agreement with that of the figure.
It is labeled 'Raton. Mus macrocercus Ph. Colchagua.' Pencil
number on top of stand 204; on bottom 336. Hind foot measures
28."
A cotype of M. diminutivus evidently was examined by Wolff-
sohn (1910a, p. 101), who shows clearly that it is an immature
example of longicaudatus badly prepared and discolored by having
been immersed in alcohol before it was stuffed. Wolff sohn also
assigns nigribarbis and saltator to longicaudatus but does not indicate
whether or not the actual types were in his hands.
The types of melanizon, agilis, pernix and peteroanus seem not
to be in the Santiago museum at present, but the descriptions and
figures at least indicate nothing known except Oryzomys. The figure
of M . exiguus obviously represents an immature Oryzomys and there
seems no better disposition of the name than as a synonym of 0. /.
longicaudatus. The very differently appearing figure of M . melanizon
is less conclusive, but the proportions of the ears, feet, and tail also
point to Oryzomys, although the measurements of the text and the
figure do not agree.
Specimens examined. — Total 47 : Bafios de Cauquenes, Colchagua,
2; Buen Retire, Calera, 3; Colchagua, 1 (type of Mus macrocercus
in Mus. Nac. Chile); La Palmilla, Papudo, 4; Limache, Valparaiso,
1; Olmue, Valparaiso, 11; Paiguano, Coquimbo, 16; Quillota, 1;
Ramadilla, Atacama, 5; Rio Maule, Talca, 2; Romero, Coquimbo, 1.
Oryzomys longicaudatus philippii Landbeck.
Mus Philippii "Landbeck," Philippi and Landbeck, Arch. Naturg., 24, (1),
pp. 80-81, 1858; Philippi, Anal. Mus. Nac. Chile, Zool., Ent. 14a, p. 26,
19001— Valdivia, Valdivia, Chile.
Hesperomys (Calomys) coppingeri Thomas, Proc. Zool. Soc. Lond., p. 4, 1881 —
Madre de Dios Island, Trinidad Channel, Chile.
1 Cites "Landbeck, Anal. Univ. Chile, 14, p. 360, 1857," a reference which
has not been verified.
146 FIELD MUSEUM OF NATURAL HISTORY— ZOOLOGY, VOL. 30
Oryzomys Philippii Trouessart, Cat. Mamm., p. 528, 1897.
Mus dumetorum Philippi, Anal. Mus. Nac. Chile, Zool., Ent. 14a, p. 14, pi. 3,
fig. 1, 1900 — Province of Valdivia.
Mus commutatus Philippi, supra cit., p. 25, pi. 8, fig. 1, 1900 — Valdivia.
Mus amblyrrhynchus Philippi, supra cit., p. 36, pi. 25, fig. 1 (col.), 1900 —
Province of Valdivia.
Mus (Rhipidomys) araucanus Philippi, supra cit., p. 46, pi. 19, fig. 3 (col.),
1 900 — Concepcion.
Mus glaphyrus Philippi, supra cit., p. 51, pi. 21, fig. 3 (col.), 1900 — "Praedio
Coroney," Province of Maule.
Mus melaenus Philippi, supra cit., p. 62, 1900 — Province of Maule.
Oryzomys magellanicus mizurus Thomas, Ann. Mag. Nat. Hist., (8), 17, p. 186,
1916 — Koslowsky Valley, Chubut, Argentina.
Similar to O. I. longicaudatus, but averaging darker in color; under parts a
deeper shade of buff; under side of tail often blackish toward the tip and frequently
with a narrow median line as in 0. I. magellanicus.
Range. — Valdivian forest district of south-central Chile at least
through the provinces of Chiloe and Llanquihue and probably south
along the coast to lat. 50° S. Eastward through the mountains to
wooded parts of Argentina in the provinces of Neuquen, Rio Negro,
and Chubut.
The southern form of Oryzomys longicaudatus, to which the name
philippii applies, ranges through the southern provinces and crosses
the Andes into Argentina. It is distinguished from typical longi-
caudatus mainly by darker color. Variation in size and length of
tail is found in nearly every series and no local forms are definable.
Occasional specimens have tails longer (140-150) than in longi-
caudatus, but averages do not differ greatly. Specimens from
Chiloe Island (where it is relatively scarce) and the Guaiteca Islands
show no appreciable differences from those of the mainland and the
same is true of two from Mocha Island, although a larger series could
be desired. Specimens from Concepcion are probably somewhat
intermediate, but seem nearer philippii than longicaudatus.
The southernmost coastal locality represented in our collections
is Aysen at about lat. 45° 50' S. Between this locality and the Straits
of Magellan no specimens from the coast are known except the type
of Hesperomys coppingeri from Trinidad Channel in lat. 50° S. The
published dimensions of this specimen indicate that it has the long
tail of philippii so it seems safe to conclude that the form ranges
south at least to Trinidad Channel. Since the shorter-tailed magel-
lanicus extends northward at least to Ultima Esperanza, only two
degrees farther south, there is left but a short distance in which to
MAP 5. Distribution of Oryzomys lonyicaudatiis and subspecies.
147
148 FIELD MUSEUM OF NATURAL HISTORY— ZOOLOGY, VOL. 30
expect intergradation. Specimens are at hand representing 0. m.
mizurus from the type region and these are indistinguishable from
philippii. That the name would fall as a synonym was forecast
by Thomas himself in 1929 (Ann. Mag. Nat. Hist., (10), 4, p. 38).
Philippi's synonyms of the form which now bears his own name
are dumetorum, amblyrrhynchus, araucanus, commutatus, glaphyrus,
and melaenus. The type of melaenus was not found in the Santiago
museum and doubtless was not preserved. It is not figured by
Philippi and he states that it was received in alcohol in bad condition.
His measurements indicate an Oryzomys, and his statement that it
was entirely black in color is probably accounted for by its condition.
Types of the others were found but, as explained below, that of
dumetorum was in London and not in Santiago. The following is
an exact transcript of notes made in Santiago:
"Mus amblyrrhynchus Philippi. Type in fair condition and
identifiable by posture, which agrees with Philippi's figure. Label
'Raton. Mus amblyrrhynchus, San Juan, 1889,' to which Wolff sohn
has added 'Oryzomys longicaudatus' and 'Prov. Valdivia.' Pencil
number on stand, 175. Darker than fresh examples and hair a bit
soft from age and alcohol. Undoubtedly Oryzomys and equal to 0.
longicaudatus as concluded by Wolffsohn (Bol. Mus. Nac. Chile, 2,
No. 1, p. 97, 1910)."
"Mus (Rhipidomys) araucanus Philippi. From its posture, size
and measurements, the probable type is a specimen labeled 'Raton.
Mus peteroanus Ph. 1896, C.' on one side, and on the other (printed)
'Raton de Campo. Oryzomys longicaudatus Bennet, Obs. Sr. Muller,
Concepcion, 1892.' The posture, the measurements, and the fact
that the locality Concepcion and the collector's name Muller are
still associated with the specimen, all go to show that it is the type
of araucanus. It is obviously not the one described as peteroanus
although perhaps related to it, for it does not agree in measurements
or in posture. The name peteroanus was evidently written on its
label later and without care. It is obviously an Oryzomys and our
Oryzomys from Concepcion (No. 232, C.C.S.) are clearly of the same
common species. Its tail is curved but measures as it is 110 mm.
The hind foot is bent and not well accessible, but an estimate of its
length gives 27-28 at least. A loose skull in a paper box, labeled
Mus araucanus, seems to be of Mus musculus and is doubtless
mixed."
"Mus glaphyrus Philippi. The type is still existing but in a very
bad state of preservation. The size of the hind foot, the length of
1943 MAMMALS OF CHILE— OSGOOD 149
the tail, as well as the color, which is not totally gone, indicate
beyond reasonable doubt that this is an Oryzomys of the longicau-
datus group — merely an immature specimen. It has a typewritten
label, 'Raton, Mus glaphyrus Ph. Obs. S. Boedecker, Maule, 1895.'
A penciled number, 195, is on the stand. There is no skull."
Only one specimen bearing the name Mus dumetorum was found
in Santiago in 1923. The name is typewritten on its label but has
been lined out and overwritten Akodon longipilis. Apparently this
was done by Wolffsohn, who refers dumetorum to longipilis in his
paper of 1910 (Bol. Mus. Nac. Chile, 2, No. 1, p. 88). My own
examination of this specimen leads to the conclusion that it is not
the type of dumetorum but of trichotis (see p. 168), the latter a name
which Wolffsohn correctly refers to Akodon olivaceus but apparently
on the basis of another specimen that I was unable to find. The
existing specimen is also an example of Akodon olivaceus and can
scarcely be the type of dumetorum on account of its posture, which
disagrees markedly from that shown in Philippi's figure. A further
specimen, however, which may well be the true type of dumetorum,
is now in the British Museum (No. 11.11.17.5) among the specimens
received there from Santiago in 1911. This bears the name dume-
torum and has the tail with the terminal half missing as indicated
in Philippi's figure; the skull, which the figure shows to be inside
the skin, is present with the notation by Thomas, "Extracted here."
This specimen is an Oryzomys and careful examination of Philippi's
figure leaves little doubt it was the one used in making the drawing.
Measurements of the skull are: greatest length 23.2; width of brain-
case 10.9; nasals 7.9; interorbital constriction 3.5; palatine slits 4.2;
cheekteeth 3.6.
A second specimen of "araucanus," probably not the type, is in
the British Museum (No. 11.11.17.4). Its label, of the usual kind,
reads: "Raton. Mus araucanus Ph. Obs. S. Muller. Concepcion
92." It is a remade, discolored skin in poor condition, undoubtedly
Oryzomys. The hind foot with claws measures 27. The tail, which
is wired and not very straight, is about 101.
Mus commutatus, of which no type is available, may also be
referred here on the basis of the description and figure and especially
because Landbeck, who sent it to Philippi, considered it the same as
his philippii.
Specimens examined. — Total 145: CHILE: Angol, 2 (A.M.N.H.);
Campo Bandera, Coihoique, 2 (A.M.N.H.); Concepcion, 16 (includ-
ing type of M. araucanus in Mus. Nac. Chile); Curacautin,
150 FIELD MUSEUM OF NATURAL HISTORY— ZOOLOGY, VOL. 30
Malleco, 4; Lake Todos Santos, Llanquihue, 3 (A.M.N.H.); Mafil,
Valdivia, 19; Province of Maule, 1 (type of M. glaphyrus in Mus.
Nac. Chile); Melinka, Ascension Island, Guaiteca Islands, 6; Mocha
Island, 2 (A.M.N.H.); Peulla, Lake Todos Santos, 14; Pilen Alto,
Maule, 1; Puerto Montt, 1; Quellon, Chiloe Island, 2; Quirihue,
Maule, 2; Rinihue, Valdivia, 8; mouth of Rio Aysen, 7; Rio
Coihoique, Llanquihue, 5; Rio Maule, Talca, 2 (?approaching longi-
caudatus); mouth of Rio Inio, Chiloe Island, 5; Rio Nirehuao,
Llanquihue, 17; Province of Valdivia, 1 (type of M. amblyrrhynchus
in Mus. Nac. Chile) ; summit of Sierra Nahuelbuta, 20. ARGENTINA:
Bariloche, 1; Epuyan, Chubut, 2; Puesto Burros, near Maiten,
Chubut, 1; Yacobacci, F. C. Nahuelhuapi, 1.
Oryzomys longicaudatus magellanicus Bennett.
Mus magellanicus Bennett, Proc. Zool. Soc. Lond., p. 191, 1835 — Port Famine,
Straits of Magellan; Waterhouse, Zool. Beagle, Mamm., p. 47, pi. 14,
pi. 24, fig. 6, 1839.
Hesperomys (Oryzomys) longicaudatus Milne-Edwards, Miss. Scient. Cap
Horn, 6, Zool., Mamm., p. 27, fig. 1, 1890.
Oryzomys magellanicus Allen, Mamm. Patagonia, p. 47, pi. 9, fig. 2, pi. 10,
figs. 4-5, 1905; Thomas, Ann. Mag. Nat. Hist., (8), 17, p. 186, 1916;
(9), 19, p. 549, 1927 (lectotype designated); (10), 4, p. 38, 1929.
Similar to O. I. philippii but with the tail decidedly shorter, only slightly
longer than the head and body; tail usually with a narrow median blackish line
dividing the light color of the under side. Total length 220 (209-227); tail verte-
brae 110 (102-116); hind foot 29 (28-31).
Range. — Wooded parts of Tierra del Fuego and southern Pata-
gonia north to the district of Ultima Esperanza.
This southernmost form of the widely distributed genus Oryzomys
is distinguished from longicaudatus and philippii mainly by its
shorter tail. The interesting dark line on the under side of the tail
is Uniformly present in specimens from Tierra del Fuego but is not
always evident in specimens from the mainland. In philippii it
may or may not be present.
That magellanicus should be only subspecifically distinguishable
is perhaps an indication that the extension of Oryzomys to the tip of
the continent and across the Straits of Magellan was accomplished
within comparatively recent times. At some localities on Tierra del
Fuego it was fairly common, but in the vicinity of Punta Arenas
and northward in western Patagonia it was found with difficulty and
only in small numbers. In the forest it is associated with Akodon
xanthorhinus, but it does not follow that species into the light bush
and open pampa.
1943 MAMMALS OF CHILE— OSGOOD 151
Specimens examined. — Total 46: Eastern end of Lake Fagnano,
Tierra del Fuego, 15; Lake Yerwin, Tierra del Fuego, 13; Estancia
Via Monte, Tierra del Fuego, 2; Laguna Lazo, near Lake Sarmiento,
Ultima Esperanza, 5; Lake Sarmiento, 3; Punta Arenas, 5; Puerto
Natales, 3.
Notiomys valdivianus valdivianus Philippi. MOLE MOUSE;
RATON TOPO.
Oxymycterus valdivianus Philippi, Arch. Naturg., 24, (1), p. 303, 1858 — Prov-
vince of Valdivia, Chile.
[Acodon] valdivianus Thomas, Ann. Mag. Nat. Hist., (6), 14, p. 363, 1894.
Mus (Oxymycterus) valdivianus Philippi, Anal. Mus. Nac. Chile, Ent. 14a,
p. 21, pi. 6, fig. 1, 1900.
Geoxus valdivianus Thomas, supra cit., (9), 3, p. 207, 1919 — part.
Notiomys valdivianus Osgood, Field Mus. Nat. Hist., Zool. Ser., 12, p. 115,
pi. 10,1 figs. 4-4a, 1925.
Notiomys valdivianus araucanus Osgood, supra cit., p. 117, pi. 10, figs. 5-5a,
1925— Tolhuaca, Malleco.
A small molelike mouse with dense, short pelage, short tail and elongated
front claws. Under parts dark-colored, nearly or quite the same as upper parts.
Length 146, 139; tail 39, 40; foot 21; toothrow 3.3.
Range. — Mainland of south-central Chile in the humid, forested
region of Valdivia and adjoining provinces.
This was among the species especially sought by Mr. Sanborn in
the Province of Valdivia within the restricted area from which
doubtless came several of Philippi's types. Three specimens which
he obtained at Mafil are the only existing well-prepared examples
which represent the species in typical form.
"A single mounted specimen examined in the Museo Nacional
of Santiago is probably Philippi's type. It was compared directly
with the specimens from Mafil and found to be in substantial agree-
ment with them. It carries a typewritten label, which, of course,
is not the original one, with the following inscription: 'Mus valdi-
vianus, Ph. Obs. S. Landbeck, Valdivia.' In one corner of this label
is the penciled number, 8. On top of the wooden block upon which
the specimen is mounted is an impressed number, 117, and another,
evidently fairly recent, in pencil, 239. This last corresponds to the
number given in Quijada's Catalogue (Bol. Mus. Nac. Chile, 1, No.
7, p. 113, 1909-10). The specimen is mounted with its tail more
1 The legends on this plate for N. valdivianus and N. v. araucanus were acci-
dentally transposed. The skull figured as 4-4o is that of valdivianus and 5-5a
is araucanus.
152 FIELD MUSEUM OF NATURAL HISTORY— ZOOLOGY, VOL. 30
t
elevated than in Philippi's figure (I.e., 1900, pi. 6, fig. 1), but other-
wise its posture is similar. It is of a faded brown color considerably
lighter than in the published figure. Although described in 1858,
the continued association of Landbeck's name with this specimen
and the various numbers it has received seem to indicate that it
has been preserved for a long period, and it may well be the actual
type and basis of the name valdivianus. In any case, the application
of the name is secure, for Philippi's description and figure are suffi-
ciently accurate to leave no room for doubt."1
This was the first to be described of a considerable series of inter-
grading forms several of which are found in southern Chile, and the
remainder in Argentina. The group is a southern one and has not
been recorded north of the thirty-seventh parallel. One of its mem-
bers (/ossor) has been taken as type of the supposed genus Geoxus,
but except in size it does not differ in any important respect from
megalonyx and vestitus (Chelemys of Thomas et al.) and does not
differ from edwardsi (type of Notiomys) except in color and very
slight cranial characters.
In southern Chile it appears to be confined to heavily forested
regions and is not especially common. As indicated by its external
form, its habits are subfossorial and one collector (Budin) has stated
that it "makes burrows in the earth like tuco-tucos." Its general
appearance is often quite shrewlike, suggesting the North American
Blarina or some of the dark-colored African forest shrews of the
genus Crocidura.
Specimens from Beatriz, Nahuelhuapi, Argentina, regarded by
Thomas (I.e., p. 207, 1919) as typical valdivianus, perhaps should be
referred to subspecies /ossor. However, two specimens from Lake
Todos Santos, not far from Nahuelhuapi, seem referable to valdi-
vianus, although their skulls are somewhat more attenuate than
those from the type region. Two from the damp forest at the sum-
mit of the Sierra Nahuelbuta have very slightly paler under parts
than typical, but racial separation does not seem to be indicated.
The supposed form from eastern Malleco, described in 1925 under
the name araucanus, seems, in the light of much new material,
insufficiently characterized for recognition. Although it is slightly
paler (browner) than in typical valdivianus and its skull is somewhat
narrower, it is not unlikely that these characters are only evidence
of gradation toward the better marked form /ossor which Thomas
(Ann. Mag. Nat. Hist., (9), 19, p. 656, 1927) has recorded from San
1 Reprinted from Field Mus. Nat. Hist., Zool. Ser., 12, p. 116, 1925.
MAP 6. Distribution of Notiomys valdivianiis and subspecies.
153
154 FIELD MUSEUM OF NATURAL HISTORY— ZOOLOGY, VOL. 30
Martin de los Andes, Neuquen, Argentina, and other localities east
of the Andes. So far there are no records of fossor within Chilean
territory, but its occurrence there is not unlikely since it is found
very near the boundary.
Specimens examined. — Total 17: Curacautin, Malleco, 1; Mafil,
Valdivia, 3; Peulla, Lake Todos Santos, 2; Province of Valdivia, 1
(type in Mus. Nac. Chile); Rio Colorado, Malleco, 4; Sierra Nahuel-
buta, 2; Tolhuaca, Malleco, 4.
Notiomys valdivianus chiloensis Osgood.
Notiomys valdivianus chiloensis Osgood, Field Mus. Nat. Hist., Zool. Ser.,
12, p. 117, pi. 10, figs. 6-6a, 1925— Quellon, Chiloe Island, Chile.
Geoxus valdivianus chiloensis Gyldenstolpe, Kungl. Svensk. Vet. Akad.
Handl., 11, No. 3, p. 125, 1932.
So far as known, this form is confined to Chiloe Island and is
characterized by a slender, anteriorly compressed skull. Material
from the mainland coast in the latitude of
Chiloe would be of interest for comparison
with it. Seven specimens from Quellon and
Rio Inio, Chiloe Island, are in Field Mu-
seum. There is also a single old specimen
in the British Museum marked "unstuffed,"
that is, dismounted and remade. It was
received with others from Santiago some
V6arS ag° and beaFS E label readin8' "Mus
F.M. No. 22518. xi. valdivianus Ph. Obs.S. C.Fernandez, Chiloe."
Notiomys valdivianus bullocki subsp. nov.
Type from Mocha Island, coast of southern Chile, Province of
Arauco. No. 97742 American Museum of Natural History. Adult
female. Collected December 7, 1932, by D. S. Bullock.
Diagnosis. — Similar to N. v. valdivianus, but darker in color,
especially on the under parts, which are washed with a deeper
shade of brown; arms and shoulders tending to be darker than sur-
rounding parts; feet and tail wholly dark; skull as in valdivianus,
but rostrum and nasals averaging longer; audital bullae slightly
smaller; molariform teeth slightly larger.
Measurements. — Type measured by the collector: total length
157; tail 38; hind foot 20 (s.u.). Skull of type: greatest length 28.6;
basilar length 23.2; zygomatic breadth 14.4; interorbital constric-
1943 MAMMALS OF CHILE— OSGOOD 155
tion 5.4; breadth of braincase 13; nasals 11.1; interparietal 9.1 X
2.1; postpalatal length 10.5; diastema 7.6; upper toothrow 3.7.
Remarks. — Through the courtesy of Dr. H. E. Anthony of the
American Museum of Natural History, a series of eleven specimens
of this insular form has been available for study. In addition, two
others have been lent by the British Museum through Dr. T. C. S.
Morrison-Scott. These constitute a larger series than exists of any
of the mainland forms. Variation in this series is not great and,
although generally dark color seems characteristic, there are no
specimens which are very dark (almost black) such as are found in
several instances in valdivianus and chiloensis. The color of the upper
parts is nearly uniform rich Prout's Brown very finely speckled,
and the under parts, although showing silvery reflections, are washed
with a deeper shade of brown than that seen in mainland forms.
The teeth are indubitably larger than in valdivianus, but approach
to megalonyx does not seem indicated.
Notiomys valdivianus bicolor subsp. nov.
Type from Casa Richards, Rio Nirehuao, Chile. Lat. 45° 3' S.
No. 22517 Field Museum of Natural History. Old male. Collected
March 14, 1923, by Wilfred H. Osgood. Orig. No. 5690.
Diagnosis. — Similar to N. v. fossor and N. v. michaelseni, but
differing from both in the uniform bright brown color (cinnamon
brown of Ridgway) of the upper parts and the sharply contrasted
grayish white under parts. Feet mainly light brown; tail sharply
bicolor, cinnamon brown above, grayish white below. Skull much
as in N. v. fossor, but with longer anterior palatal slits; less elongate
than in N. v. michaelseni.
Measurements. — Type measured by the collector: total length
150; tail 38; hind foot 21. Skull of type: greatest length 26.7;
basilar length 21.2; zygomatic breadth 13; breadth of braincase
12.4; nasals 9.8 X 2.8; interparietal 6x2; diastema 6.4; two anterior
cheekteeth 2.9.
Remarks. — The single specimen forming the basis of the above
description was doubtfully referred to michaelseni in 1925 when no
specimens of either michaelseni or fossor were actually in hand.
With both of these forms now represented in Field Museum it is
clear that further division is necessary. The assumption that
michaelseni was a brownish form was derived from Matschie's
colored plate of the type specimen, which was preserved in alcohol
and probably discolored. A modern series of michaelseni shows it
156 FIELD MUSEUM OF NATURAL HISTORY— ZOOLOGY, VOL. 30
to be more grayish and dusky than brownish and the under parts
are only slightly paler than the upper parts. N. v. fossor also is
grayish with little contrast between upper and lower parts and its
slight cranial characters appear in specimens from several localities.
Apparently standing somewhat between the present form and
michaelseni are the specimens from the upper Rio Chico, Santa
Cruz (about lat. 48° S.) for which Allen used the name microtis.
At least they agree in the brown color of the upper parts if not in
the sharply contrasted upper and lower parts. The name microtis,
however, is not tenable in this connection and need not be considered.
At present there is no material from the region extending some three
degrees between Rio Nirehuao and Rio Chico, and until it is forth-
coming the southward range of bicolor will remain uncertain.
Notiomys valdivianus michaelseni Matschie.
Hesperomys (Acodori) michaelseni Matschie, Hamb. Magal. Reise, p. 5, pi.,
figs. 1, la-h, 1898 — Punta Arenas, Straits of Magellan, Chile.
Oxymycterus microtis Allen, Bull. Amer. Mus. Nat. Hist., 19, p. 189, 1903;
Mamm. Patagonia, p. 84, 1905 — upper Rio Chico, Santa Cruz, Argen-
tina.
Notiomys michaelseni Trouessart, Cat. Mamm., Suppl., p. 436, 1904; Osgood,
Field Mus. Nat. Hist., Zool. Ser., 12, p. 118, 1925.
Acodon (Chelemys) michaelseni Allen, Mamm. Patagonia, p. 80, 1905.
Geoxus michaelseni Thomas, Ann. Mag. Nat. Hist., (9), 3, p. 209, 1919.
Similar to northern forms of valdivianus, but larger, with the skull more
elongate and having a narrower braincase. Color olive brown to blackish, the
under parts slightly paler; feet pale brownish; tail indistinctly bicolored. Total
length 157 (153-162); tail 46 (39-51); hind foot 21.2 (20-22). Skull length 27.5;
breadth of braincase 12.2; upper cheekteeth 3.3.
Range. — Southern Patagonia from the Straits of Magellan north-
ward in forests along the eastern base of the cordilleras probably to
the vicinity of S. lat. 50°.
A small series of this molelike mouse was taken in February,
1940, in the forested hills lying behind Punta Arenas and within
ten miles of the city. Five out of six of these are dull olive brown in
color and the sixth is sooty blackish. As topotypes of a rare form
previously known only by the somewhat imperfect type they are of
considerable interest. Although well distinguished from northern
forms their general similarity to other members of the valdivianus
series is such and so many localities are now represented by speci-
mens that continuity of range seems fair to assume. Therefore,
michaelseni is treated as a subspecies of valdivianus, and it is thus
1943 MAMMALS OF CHILE— OSGOOD 157
brought into conformity with the other rodents found about the
Straits, nearly all of which are likewise no more than subspecifically
separable from northern forms.
It was obtained only at Punta Arenas although much trapping
was done at nearby stations and northward to Ultima Esperanza.
So far as known, it is one of the few small rodents that do not cross
to Tierra del Fuego, but it is so elusive that its capture there at some
future time is perhaps not unlikely. At certain times and places
members of this genus are caught rather readily by ordinary methods
of trapping, but usually they form only a very small percentage of
large catches. Apparently they come to the surface most frequently
in very wet ground and elsewhere are chiefly subterranean.
Specimens examined. — Punta Arenas, 6.
Notiomys megalonyx megalonyx Waterhouse.
Hesperomys megalonyx Waterhouse, Proc. Zool. Soc. Lond., p. 154, 1844 —
Lake Quintero, Valparaiso, Chile.
Oxymicterus scalops Gay, Hist. Chile, Zool., 1, p. 108, 1847; Atlas, Mamm.,
pi. 6, figs, a-b (teeth), 1848— fields ("campos") of central provinces of
Chile.
C!)Oxymycterus niger Philippi, Zeitsch. gesammt. Naturw., Berlin, Neue
Folge, 6, p. 445, 1872 — Peine, Province of Santiago.
Chroeomys(l) scalops Thomas, Ann. Mag. Nat. Hist., (8), 18, p. 340, 1916.
Chraeomys scalops Gyldenstolpe, Man. Neotr. Sig. Rodents, p. 123, 1932.
Notiomys megalonyx Osgood, Field Mus. Nat. Hist., Zool. Ser., 12, p. 121,
1925.
Chelemys megalonyx Gyldenstolpe, Kungl. Svensk. Vet. Akad. Handl., 11,
No. 3, p. 126, 1932.
A medium-sized mouse with elongated front claws, thick pelage, and tail
much shorter than head and body; upper side of feet brown; tail wholly brown;
under parts lightly washed with brownish. Length 178, 170; tail 51, 56; foot 26,
28; toothrow 4.8.
Range. — Coast of central Chile, thus far recorded only from the
Province of Valparaiso.
Present knowledge indicates only a very restricted range for
this species, since wide gaps separate it from its nearest relatives,
macronyx and vestitus. However, it is not readily obtainable except
by intensive trapping and little of this has been done. It should be
looked for in the region between the provinces of Valparaiso and
Cautin.
The name scalops doubtless should be added to the synonymy of
Notiomys megalonyx. Thomas has suggested that it might stand
158 FIELD MUSEUM OF NATURAL HISTORY— ZOOLOGY, VOL. 30
among the strikingly colored species which he has brought under the
name of Chroeomys. Modern collectors, however, have found noth-
ing closely resembling them in Chile, certainly not in central Chile.
The original description of scalops has a statement that there is a
general tinge of "rojo canelo sucio" in the body color and that the
end of the nose, the tail, and the feet are more particularly of this
indefinite color. This is followed by the qualifying statement,
"aunque sin embargo estas ultimas sean algo mas claras," which
seems to indicate that the first state-
ment was not intended to be taken so
seriously as has been the case. Meas-
urements, long claws, and locality all
point to Notiomys megalonyx and with-
out more knowledge than we now
have, scalops should be referred to that
species.1
T^TO oo \r 4- Although this is one of the larger
FIG. 22. Notiomys m. mega-
lonyx. F.M. No. 22494. x 1. species of the genus, its dentition closely
resembles that of some of the smaller
forms. The reduction of the third molar, thought by Ellerman
(Fam. Gen. Rodents, 2, p. 423, 1941) to distinguish the smaller
species, is carried almost or quite as far in megalonyx as in
valdivianus.
Specimens examined. — Total 8: Lake Quintero, Valparaiso, 2
(lectoparatypes, B.M.); Olmue, 2; Las Rojas, near Quillota, 1;
"Valparaiso Coast Hills," 3 (B.M.).
Notiomys megalonyx microtis Philippi.
Mus microtis Philippi, Anal. Mus. Nac. Chile, Ent. 14a, p. 57, pi. 25, 1900—
Province of Maule, Chile.
Similar to N. megalonyx but upper parts more richly colored (Prout's Brown
instead of Snuff Brown); hind foot smaller. Hind foot (dry, in one specimen)
24; toothrow 4.7.
Range. — West-central Chile probably from the Province of Maule
southward at least to central Cautin.
Mention of Philippi's name Mus microtis was inadvertently
omitted when Notiomys was reviewed in 1925. Its reference to
Notiomys is sufficiently attested by Philippi's description and
figure. Moreover, the type specimen is still preserved. Notes
1 Since this was written, the same conclusion has been published by Tate
(Amer. Mus. Nat. Hist., Nov., No. 582, p. 19, 1932).
1943 MAMMALS OF CHILE— OSGOOD 159
taken on this specimen are as follows: "A specimen labeled with
this name is doubtless the type, although its posture is a little more
humped than in the figure. It has the feet and claws of Chelemys
[= Notiomys] and its color is close to that of an immature specimen
[of valdivianus] taken by Sanborn at Mafil [F.M.N.H. No. 22525].
The under parts are a little paler and now are rather brownish buff.
At least part of the skull is inside. Tail measures 34; hind foot
21-22."
The name microtis of Philippi antedates and invalidates Oxymyc-
terus microtis J. A. Allen 1903, which was proposed for a Notiomys
from Patagonia, allied to michaelseni and bicolor. On the basis of
Philippi 's description and figure as well as the examination of his
type specimen, it was thought that the name might prove to be
synonymous with valdivianus. In the absence of material from
Maule, therefore, it was tentatively referred to valdivianus. Re-
cently, however, a specimen from Temuco has been found in the
British Museum (No. 8.3.1.15) indicating that the region immedi-
ately northwest of the Province of Valdivia is inhabited by a form
more closely related to megalonyx than to valdivianus. That this
form may range into Maule is not unlikely and, at least for the
present, the name microtis may be applied to it. Its skull and teeth
are notably larger than in valdivianus and little if any smaller than
in megalonyx. Therefore, it is unlikely that it represents any grada-
tion between megalonyx and valdivianus.
Sanborn made small collections in Maule at Cauquenes and
Quirihue, in 1923, but failed to obtain any specimen of Notiomys.
He reports that original conditions have been greatly changed there,
the primitive forest having been removed and the ground largely
devoted to vineyards. Evidences of recent erosion were numerous,
and house rats were present in great numbers.
Specimens examined. — Total 2: Province of Maule, 1 (type in
Mus. Nac. Chile); Temuco, 1 (B.M.).
Notiomys macronyx macronyx Thomas.
Acodon macronyx Thomas, Ann. Mag. Nat. Hist., (6), 14, p. 362, 1894 — near
Fort San Rafael, Province of Mendoza, Argentina.
Acodon (Chelemys) macronyx Thomas, Ann. Mag. Nat. Hist., (7), 12, p. 242,
1903.
Notiomys macronyx Osgood, Field Mus. Nat. Hist., Zool. Ser., 12, p. 122,
1925.
A stout-bodied, short-tailed mouse with elongated front claws and dense soft
pelage nearly concealing small ears; upper parts Buffy Brown; feet and under
parts white or nearly white; tail bicolored.
160 FIELD MUSEUM OF NATURAL HISTORY— ZOOLOGY, VOL. 30
Range. — Known from two localities only, one east of the Andes
in the Province of Mendoza, Argentina, and the other west of the
Andes in the Province of Talca, Chile.
Four specimens, two old males and two young, obtained by
Sanborn in 1939 at Arroyo del Valle, Talca, seem referable to N.
macronyx although direct comparison with the type of that species
has not been possible. They are much paler than vestitus and
although equal to it in bodily size, their skulls are somewhat smaller,
with the teeth very slightly smaller, the difference in this last respect
being scarcely more than what might be due to individual varia-
tion. So far as can be judged from the original description these
are the only important differences between macronyx and vestitus
and they do not indicate more than subspecific differentiation.
Doubtless macronyx cannot cross the Andes in the latitude of Men-
doza but it might easily do so farther south, just as vestitus does.
Therefore it seems reasonable to suppose that it ranges south from
Mendoza along the eastern base until conditions permit it to pass
westward into Chile. How far it may extend northward in Chile
is still to be learned; as yet, the genus is not known from the west
slope of the Andes north of Talca.
The type of macronyx is an old specimen collected by Bridges
in 1860, and it is doubtful if the measurements published for it are
reliable. With a head and body of 118 and tail of 47, it is said to
have a hind foot, "moistened," of 24.5. The skull length, however,
is given as 30, which would indicate an animal of somewhat larger
external dimensions. Measurements of the two adults taken by
Sanborn in Talca are: total length 190, 181; tail 66, 53; hind foot
26, 26.
Besides the four here referred to macronyx, a fifth specimen was
taken in Talca at the same time. This was apparently associated
with the others, but differs from them so markedly that its classi-
fication is doubtful. Its color is uniformly light grayish brown
(slightly darker than Wood Brown) both above and below and,
although it is an old female with worn teeth, its skull is somewhat
smaller (length 28.3) than usual in this group. The possibility that
it is some sort of mutant cannot be excluded and unless or until
more like it have been obtained it may be so regarded. A relation-
ship to megalonyx is not impossible. Sanborn reports that all these
specimens were caught underground in abandoned burrows of
Ctenomys, a further indication of the highly subterranean habits of
the genus.
MAP 7. Distribution of the macronyx group of the genus Notiomys.
161
162 FIELD MUSEUM OF NATURAL HISTORY— ZOOLOGY, VOL. 30
Notiomys macronyx vestitus Thomas.
Akodon (Chelemys subgen. n.) vestitus Thomas, Ann. Mag. Nat. Hist., (7),
12, p. 242, 1903 — Valle del Lago Blanco, Chubut, Argentina.
Chelemys vestitus Thomas, supra cit., (9), 3, p. 207, 1919.
Notiomys connedens Osgood, Field Mus. Nat. Hist., Zool. Ser., 12, p. 120,
1925— Villa Portales, Cautin, Chile.
Notiomys vestitus Osgood, supra cit., p. 123.
A mouse with elongated front claws, thick pelage nearly concealing small
ears, and a relatively short tail; feet and under parts grayish white; tail sharply
bicolor. Similar to N. macronyx, but decidedly darker; upper parts Fuscous rather
than Drab; teeth heavier. Total length 187, 195; tail 50, 56; hind foot 27.
Range. — Valleys on both sides of the Chilean- Argentine boundary
from west-central Chubut (lat. 46° S.) northward to the provinces
of Cautin and Malleco, western Chile (lat. 38° 50' S.).
In reviewing the genus Notiomys, I recorded this subspecies from
the Chilean provinces of Cautin and Malleco and gave the new
name connectens to a single specimen from the same region supposed
to represent a distinct species. Subsequent study of other rodents
from the region has led to the disconcerting discovery that I was
in this case victimized by a transposition of skins and skulls. The
skin of N. connectens, which I now designate as the unique type,
proves to be that of a somewhat immature example of N. m. vestitus,
quite like others from the same region. The skull erroneously associ-
ated with it is that of an Abrothrix and its proper skin has now been
found in the collection as well as the skull belonging with the skin
of N. connectens. In selecting the skin as the type, I am proceeding
on the principle that the skin is the primary part of the specimen
and that which originally contained the skull. Such a principle,
perhaps, could not always be followed but, other things being equal,
it seems to have general merit. In this case, it is especially desirable
in order that the name may at once sink into synonymy and cause
no further confusion.
Since the review mentioned above was issued, a few additional
records of Notiomys have appeared and two further names have
been proposed.
Chelemys angustus Thomas (Ann. Mag. Nat. Hist., (9), 19, pp.
654-655, 1927), described from a skull without skin, taken near
Bariloche, Lake Nahuelhuapi, Argentina, will require careful and
expert examination before its status can be determined. The state-
ment of Thomas that this skull resembles the one described under
the name connectens (not examined by Thomas) leads to the sus-
picion that here also we may be dealing with a skull of Abrothrix
1943 MAMMALS OF CHILE— OSGOOD 163
rather than Notiomys. The common Abrothrix of the region is
suffusa (or hirta) and in series of this form skulls may easily be found
with measurements closely approximating those given for the type
of angustus. If both Thomas and myself have mistaken skulls of
Abrothrix for Notiomys, it furnishes a striking demonstration of the
slight basis on which generic divisions have been attempted among
South American rodents. As stated elsewhere, the recognition of
Abrothrix as a subgenus is convenient at the present time, but its
proper characterization awaits a state of knowledge in which specific
and supposed generic characters are not so confused as now.
Without considering northern forms which may be related, the
opinion can be ventured that Oxymycterus and Notiomys are con-
nected with Akodon through Abrothrix. Oxymycterus contains both
short-clawed and long-clawed forms, Notiomys only long-clawed, and
Abrothrix only short-clawed. In dentition Oxymycterus shows pro-
nounced division of the anterior lamina of the first upper molar,
Notiomys shows less and this soon obliterated, while Abrothrix shows
a range of variation leading to Akodon. In one young specimen of
Notiomys vestitus examined, the lamina is clearly divided in the
molar of the right side and quite entire in the one on the left. The
infraorbital plate reaches extremes in Oxymycterus, but these are
approached in both Notiomys and Abrothrix and there is such vari-
ation in all three that this character is scarcely serviceable for more
than specific or subspecific distinction. As stated elsewhere, Microxus
is probably assignable to Abrothrix.
In view of the above, it is perhaps surprising to find Thomas
(Ann. Mag. Nat. Hist., (9), 19, pp. 655-656, 1927) still contending
for the recognition of much finer divisions as represented by Chelemys
and Geoxus, both of which it seems to me are clearly synonyms of
Notiomys. Although his knowledge of South American rodents
was vastly superior to that of any other mammalogist, his standards
for generic division were somewhat peculiar and, in many cases,
it is unlikely that subsequent workers will be inclined to follow him.
During a visit to London in 1930, unfortunately too late for personal
conference with Thomas, I had the opportunity to examine the
original type of Notiomys edwardsi as well as a modern specimen
of the same species which proved to be still more important. The
latter was recorded by Thomas in one of the last papers to come
from his pen (Ann. Mag. Nat. Hist., (10), 4, p. 42, 1929). In his
comment upon it, he makes no reference to the skull, although this
is most important in connection with his previously expressed opinion
164 FIELD MUSEUM OF NATURAL HISTORY— ZOOLOGY, VOL. 30
as to the generic position of the species. This skull, while obviously
conspecific with that of the type, shows much less departure from
the usual form in valdivianus, michaelseni, and others of that series.
It indicates that the type is somewhat extreme or perhaps abnormal
in what Thomas has called its "short, dumpy" shape and its short
broad rostrum. Notiomys edwardsi, therefore, cannot be separated
generically, although it is a very distinct species notably charac-
terized externally by its small ears and very pale and delicate
coloration.
While the subject of transposed skulls is under discussion, it
may be well to refer to another possible case, and one in which the
genus Notiomys is again involved. This is the type and only known
specimen of "Reithrodon" fossor described by Thomas in 1899 (Ann.
Mag. Nat. Hist., (7), 4, p. 280) from a skin which he states to be
"precisely similar" to that of Notiomys macronyx. He is even
emphatic in commenting that "its external resemblance amounts
practically to identity, there being absolutely no single character,
of size, proportions, or colour, which would make the keenest-eyed
'splitter' suppose that the skin of R. fossor did not belong to Akodon
[i.e. Notiomys macronyx], though in the skull the difference is com-
plete." The possibility that skin and skull were not properly
associated was mentioned in a footnote to the original description
as follows: "The skull should be taken as type if it were hereafter
shown not to belong to the skin; but it was extracted in the Museum
on arrival, so that any mistake seems quite impossible."
Such mistakes, however, are quite possible, as has been shown
in other cases and, in view of the failure of collectors to obtain the
species again during the past thirty years of activity, it seems more
than probable that the type of fossor is composite, the skin being
Notiomys and the skull Euneomys. The type is an old specimen
"presented by the La Plata Museum through Dr. F. P. Moreno"
and said to have proceeded from Salta Province, Argentina, without
exact locality. It is perhaps ungracious to discredit it without actual
examination of the specimen, but the general evidence seems very
much against it. The genus Chelemyscus, which is based exclusively
upon it, has no characters except those that might be the result of a
transposed skull; that is, Chelemyscus has no characters of its own,
its external characters being strictly those of Notiomys and its cranial
characters those of Euneomys. Unless additional specimens are forth-
coming, therefore, this genus is suspect and deserves no better posi-
tion than in a "hypothetical" list.
1943 MAMMALS OF CHILE— OSGOOD 165
What appears to be a local form of vestitus, quite restricted in
distribution, has been described from the western slope of the Andes
in the Province of Neuquen, Argentina. This is Notiomys vestitus
fumosus (Thomas, Ann. Mag. Nat. Hist., (9), 19, p. 654, 1927),
which was taken at some 6,000 feet in the Sierra de Pilpil and at
San Martin de los Andes, about 15 km. farther north. It differs
from typical vestitus in generally darker color, with the hands, feet
and forearm dusky or at least grayish instead of white as in vestitus.
Apparently vestitus ranges around it or below it for this form is
found south of it in Chubut, and north of it at least as far as
the Province of Cautin in Chile. This apparent interruption in the
distribution of vestitus may be due to some habitat preference or
factor of altitude. So far as known, typical vestitus has been found
in relatively open places in light forest or grassland, near the eastern
base of the Andes at moderate elevations. The collector of the type
series of fumosus, E. Budin, states that it was "found in the high-
lands up to the limit of snow." If this is true, it may occupy a
higher zone or a more heavily forested region than vestitus and it is
not unlikely that its range may extend into Chile, although speci-
mens so far taken are all from Argentina.
Specimens examined. — Total 29: Casa Richards, Rio Nirehuao,
Llanquihue, 8; Lake Galletue, Cautin, 2; Lonquimai, 16; Rio Colo-
rado, Malleco, 2; Villa Portales, Cautin, 1.
Notiomys macronyx alleni Osgood.
Notiomys vestitus alleni Osgood, Field Mus. Nat. Hist., Zool. Ser., 12, p. 124,
1925 — upper Rio Chico, Santa Cruz, Argentina.
Similar to N. m. vestitus, but color paler, brownish rather than sooty or grayish ;
upper parts Dresden Brown sharply distinguished from under parts, which are
creamy white; skull with the infraorbital plate somewhat shortened. Total length
173 (168-180); tail 50 (45-57); hind foot 25.3 (25-26).
Range. — East base of the Andes from lat. 48° to 51° S. on both
sides of the Chilean-Argentine boundary.
This form is considerably lighter-colored than vestitus, although
not so pale as macronyx. Thus vestitus has paler forms on either
side of it, one to the north and the other to the south.
Four specimens collected by J. M. Schmidt, in 1940, at Laguna
Lazo near the south side of Lake Sarmiento, are indistinguishable
from the original series from the Rio Chico. The range is thus
extended several degrees farther south. Conditions about Lake
Sarmiento are considerably different from those at Punta Arenas
166 FIELD MUSEUM OF NATURAL HISTORY— ZOOLOGY, VOL. 30
and the immediate vicinity of the Straits, and the extension of
this form to that region is doubtful. Thomas (Ann. Mag. Nat.
Hist., (10), 4, p. 42, 1929) has recorded three specimens from Alta
Vista, Lake Argentine.
Specimens examined. — Total 10 : CHILE : Laguna Lazo, near Lake
Sarmiento, Ultima Esperanza, 4. ARGENTINA: Upper Rio Chico,
Santa Cruz, 6 (A.M.N.H.).
Notiomys delfini Cabrera.
Oxymycterus delfini Cabrera, Rev. Chil. Hist. Nat., 9, pp. 15-16, 1905 — Punta
Arenas, Straits of Magellan.
[Notiomys?} delfini Osgood, Field Mus. Nat. Hist., Zool. Ser., 12, p. 125, 1925.
Chelemys(1) delfini Gyldenstolpe, Man. Neotrop. Rodents, p. 128, 1932.
Microxus delfini Tate, Amer. Mus. Nat. Hist., Nov. No. 582, p. 27, 1932.
So far as can be judged by the original description, this falls in
the macronyx group of the genus Notiomys. The description states
that the claws are very long, sharp, and curved, and the ears rounded
and very short. These characters apply to Notiomys better than
to any other known rodent of the region. The published measure-
ments, taken from the alcoholic type, are as follows: head and body
106; tail 63; hind foot without claw 22; ear 11. A specimen of
vestitus in Field Museum has a tail length of 62, so this measure-
ment is not discrepant. The measurement of 22 for the foot is less
than in vestitus and may be due to the condition of the specimen.
The skull length is given as 30, which is right for the macronyx
group, and which, moreover, indicates an animal likely to have a
foot somewhat longer than 22. Tate (I.e.), who refers the species
to Microxus, gives no reason for doing so and I am unable to find
any. The type was supposed to be in the collection of the museum
at Valparaiso, but it is not mentioned in the catalogue of this col-
lection published by Wolff sohn and Porter (1908) and I am informed
by its describer that it was probably destroyed or lost as a result of
one of Chile's disastrous earthquakes.
During our work in 1939-40, we did not find any member of the
macronyx group nearer Punta Arenas than Ultima Esperanza, some
200 miles to the north. Mice of this genus, however, may easily be
missed, and it is still possible that a recognizable form, to which the
name delfini would apply, may occur at Punta Arenas. On the
other hand, the type may have been brought to Punta Arenas from
considerable distance, and being preserved in alcohol, its dark colors,
which apparently distinguish it from alleni, would be accounted for.
1943 MAMMALS OF CHILE— OSGOOD 167
Akodon olivaceus olivaceus Waterhouse. OLIVACEOUS AKODON.
Mus olivaceus Waterhouse, Proc. Zool. Soc. Lond., p. 16, 1837 — Valparaiso,
Chile.
Mus Renggeri Waterhouse, Zool. Voy. Beagle, Mamm., p. 51, pi. 15, fig. 1
(col.), 1838 — substitute name, not tenable.
Acodon olivaceus Thomas, Ann. Mag. Nat. Hist., (6), 14, p. 363, 1894; (Ako-
don), (9), 19, p. 550, 1897 (lectotype designated).
Mus lepturus Philippi, Anal. Mus. Nac. Chile, Zool., Ent. 14a, p. 17, pi. 4,
fig. 2, 1900 — Peine, Province of O'Higgins.
Mus psilurus Philippi, supra cit., p. 17, pi. 4, fig. 3, 1900 — Province of Col-
chagua.
Mus trichotis Philippi, supra cit., p. 18, pi. 5, fig. 1, 1900 — Andes of Province
of Santiago.
Mus vinealis Philippi, supra cit., p. 24, pi. 7, fig. 3, 1900 — Province of San-
tiago.
Mus (Oxymycterus) Landbecki Philippi, supra cit., p. 26, pi. 8, fig. 2, 1900 —
near Illapel and Choapa, Province of Coquimbo.
Mus (Oxymycterus) senilis Philippi, supra cit., p. 27, pi. 8, fig. 3, 1900 — Valle
del Yeso, Andes of Province of Santiago.
Mus Germaini Philippi, supra cit., p. 32, pi. 12, fig. 2, 1900 — Province of
Santiago.
Mus nasica Philippi, supra cit., p. 38, pi. 15, fig. 3, 1900 — no locality.
Mus ruficaudus Philippi, supra cit., p. 40, pi. 17, fig. 1, 1900 — Province of
O'Higgins (fide Wolffsohn).
Mus macronychos Philippi, supra cit., p. 40, pi. 17, fig. 2, 1900 — central
provinces of Chile.
•
A small grayish brown mouse with whitish or brownish under parts, small ears,
and the tail about one-third shorter than the head and body. Total length 173
(166-182); tail 71 (66-80); hind foot 22.3 (22-23); ear 12-14.
Range. — Central Chile, mainly on the coast and in neighboring
valleys from Caldera in the Province of Atacama south at least to
Valparaiso and thence east to Santiago and south along the base of
the Andes at least to the Province of Talca.
The common small Akodon of Chile is divisible into several
races of which the typical one, that is, the one first discovered and
described, is the one found in the most populous part of the country.
It occupies the moderately watered and fertile part of Chile, lying
between the deserts of the north and the wet forests of the south.
Most available specimens are from coastal localities, but Philippi's
records include several from the vicinity of Santiago and southward
along the western side of the Andes. The southernmost record from
this region, where the species appears to be relatively rare, is that
of a single specimen from the Province of Talca obtained by Sanborn
168 FIELD MUSEUM OF NATURAL HISTORY— ZOOLOGY, VOL. 30
in 1939. From the central valley, where it may occur, there are no
records. In the north it penetrates a considerable distance into
relatively arid regions, but apparently its occurrence there is very
local and perhaps is due to its having followed the development of
irrigation. Southerly in the coast region it doubtless meets the
slightly smaller subspecies pencanus somewhere between the prov-
inces of Valparaiso and Maule.
Names proposed by Philippi which seem applicable to this form
are Upturns, psilurus, trichotis, vinealis, Landbecki, senilis, Germaini,
nasica, ruficaudus, and macronychos. The
type of trichotis was found and examined
in the museum in Santiago in 1923. It
bears the name Mus dumetorum, but since
it is mounted in an attitude closely ap-
proaching that figured by Philippi for
trichotis and very different from that of
dumetorum, there seems little doubt it is
FlG- 2£\.A1£donn0/n0ti~ in reality the basis of the name trichotis.
vaceus. F.M. No. 24068. T n lu • j ^ *.*.•*. j
X i. In all the types examined, the attitudes
correspond so closely with the figures that
it is practically certain the drawings were made directly from the
mounted specimens. This specimen, probable type of trichotis, is
clearly one of the common small Akodons and, although it is darker-
colored, may be synonymized with olivaceus on the basis of locality.
%
The types of lepturus, vinealis, Germaini, nasica, and ruficaudus
were studied by Wolffsohn and examination of his notes in regard
to them (1910a, pp. 89, 95, 98) leaves no room for doubt as to the
correctness of his conclusions that all belong to one and the same
common species. Wolffsohn also mentions (I.e., p. 93) Mus land-
becki as a synonym of olivaceus, but it is not clear whether its type
was available to him. His determination in this case also may be
accepted, for Philippi's description and figure clearly indicate a
small Akodon, probably one in brownish worn pelage.
The types of M. psilurus and M. macronychos were not found.
With due reference to inaccuracy in other cases, these names may
be referred to olivaceus with a fair degree of assurance on the basis
of the descriptions and figures, although these are not wholly
conclusive.
Specimens examined. — Total 42: Caldera, Atacama, 3; Coquimbo,
2 (Darwin specimens in B.M.); La Laguna, Valparaiso, 1 (B.M.);
Olmue, Valparaiso, 5; Papudo, Aconcagua, 8; Quillota, Valparaiso,
MAP 8. Distribution of Akodon o. olivaceus and A. o. brachiotis (A. o. pencanus
not distinguished).
169
170 FIELD MUSEUM OF NATURAL HISTORY— ZOOLOGY, VOL. 30
2; Quilpue, 4 (B.M.); Ramadilla, Copiapo Valley, Atacama, 2;
Romero, Coquimbo, 4; Province of Santiago, 1 (type of Mus trichotis
in Mus. Nac. Chile); Puente Alto, Santiago, 1 (B.M.); Valparaiso, 1
(lectoparatype in B.M.); "Coast Hills," Valparaiso, 8 (B.M.).
Akodon olivaceus pencanus Philippi.
Mus pencanus Philippi, Anal. Mus. Nac. Chile, Zool., Ent. 14a, p. 46, pi. 19,
fig. 2, 1900 — Concepcion, Chile.
Mus atratus Philippi, supra cit., p. 57, pi. 25, fig. 3, 1900 — Province of Maule.
Generally similar to Akodon o. olivaceus, but averaging slightly darker and
smaller in size; skull smaller with audital bullae especially small. Total length
162 (151-174); tail 65 (57-76); hind foot 21-22.
Range. — Coast region from the Province of Maule south to Con-
cepcion and the Sierra Nahuelbuta, thence westward to the Andes
in the provinces of Malleco and Cautin.
This form stands between typical olivaceus and the dark-colored
and long-tailed brachiotis of the Valdivian humid forest district. If
only a few specimens or localities were represented they might be
dismissed as mere evidences of intergradation. However, many
specimens are in hand and they cover a considerable geographic
range throughout which the same characters are maintained. More-
over, these characters are readily recognizable since they consist of
the combination in which the color of olivaceus is approximated on
the one hand and the cranial characters of brachiotis on the other.
Although it shows no approach to brackiotis in length of tail, there
is little doubt that it merges into that form. Further collecting
along the northern border of the humid forest district, therefore,
would be of interest.
Mus pencanus Philippi is represented in the museum at Santiago
by two specimens, either or both of which may have furnished the
basis of Philippi's figure (I.e., pi. 19, fig. 2). They are mounted in
similar attitudes, both very like the figure except that the tails have
been bent into new positions. They are clearly of one species and
direct comparison with other specimens from Concepcion leaves
scarcely any doubt that they are the same. They are now darker
and browner than the modern specimens, but this is probably due
to age and discoloration from fluid preservation, mounting, etc. In
both, the pelage of the under parts is still stringy from wetting.
Philippi gives a measurement of 26 for the hind foot, but this is
evidently erroneous. The feet are well preserved and now measure
exactly 22. It is to be noted also that the feet in his figure measure
only 21. His statement "cuerpo i la cabeza por encima casi negros"
1943 MAMMALS OF CHILE— OSGOOD 171
is not well borne out, for there was evidently considerable of the
"viso amarillo" which he mentions later. The specimens should be
regarded as cotypes. Both have the typewritten label, "Raton.
Mus pencanus, Ph. Obs. S. Muller, Concep., 1892." One has a
pencil number, 216, on the top of its stand and on the bottom,
rather faintly, 382. The typewritten name Mus pencanus has been
scratched and overwritten in ink with "Akodon longipilis" in hand-
writing which was not positively recognized. This identification is
obviously mistaken, although it might easily have been derived from
the description and figure. Two loose skulls labeled pencanus also
were found in the Santiago museum. These probably are the original
skulls and, although only partly cleaned, their general characters are
plainly observable.
The type of atratus was found existing in fair condition. The
tail is "telescoped" and this accounts for its supposed shortness.
Like that of trichotis, the color is darker than in typical olivaceus,
but without any other reason for denying the locality alleged by
Philippi it seems best to place the name as a synonym of pencanus.
After giving the name atratus and a diagnosis consistent with it, the
describer makes the naive "observation" that although black when
received, the specimens later turned gray.
Specimens examined. — Total 69: Angol, 4; Concepcion, 21 (includ-
ing cotypes in Mus. Nac. Chile); Curacautin, Cautin, 4; Pilen Alto,
Maule, 2; Province of Maule, 1 (type of Mus atratus, Mus. Nac.
Chile) ; Quirihue, Maule, 1 ; Rio Lolen, Cautin, 1 ; Sierra Nahuelbuta,
32; Villa Portales, Cautin, 3.
Akodon olivaceus mochae Philippi.
Mus Mochae Philippi, Anal. Mus. Nac. Chile, Zool., Ent. 14a, p. 42, pi. 17,
fig. 5, 1900— Mocha Island, Chile.
Irenomys mochae Gyldenstolpe, Kungl. Svensk. Vet. Akad. Handl., (3), 11,
p. 84, 1932.
Similar to A. o. pencanus, but tail usually unicolored, the under side nearly
or quite as dark as the upper; breast usually somewhat fulvous. Skull with audi-
tal bullae small as in pencanus.
Range. — Mocha Island, off coast of Province of Arauco, south-
west of Concepcion, Chile.
There seems little doubt that the name mochae applies to an
Akodon of the olivaceus series, although this conclusion requires some
allowance for inaccuracies in Philippi's description and figure. So
far as known, it is the only rodent found on Mocha Island to which
172 FIELD MUSEUM OF NATURAL HISTORY— ZOOLOGY, VOL. 30
the name could possibly apply, and at least its general characters
of small size and yellowish color are as indicated by Philippi.
For an important collection of mammals from Mocha Island, we
are indebted to the interest and enterprise of Dr. Dillman S. Bul-
lock of Angol, Chile. This collection (now in the American Museum
of Natural History) includes representatives of the four common
small rodents of the mainland, Akodon, Abrothrix, Notiomys, and
Oryzomys. This is what might well have been expected, and any
assumption that the island harbors some other mouse approximating
Akodon in size makes it necessary to find a mainland relative for it,
and there is none. Therefore, unless Philippi's mochae was not from
the island, it was in all probability the small Akodon which proves
to be common there.
Philippi's measurements, as published, are: head and body 70;
tail 70; hind foot 17. These agree with nothing known from Chile
and must be considered erroneous. The length of the tail is right
for the Akodon from Mocha, but the other dimensions are too small,
although they might be approached in immature specimens. The
figure agrees with the description fairly well and leads to the sus-
picion that it may have been based on the description rather than
directly on a specimen. In various cases this seems to have hap-
pened, since details are introduced which do not exist and which can
only be explained on some mental basis. Therefore, where no types
exist, application of names rests mainly on general characters and
on localities. Nevertheless, one feature of the description of mochae
seems significant and since it is italicized it may be that in this
instance Philippi stumbled on a real character of the island form,
perhaps the only one. This is the color of the tail, which he states
is "concolor, sublutea." A concolor tail appears to be at least an
average character of the form although it is blackish instead of
yellowish. It is found in five out of the seven specimens available.
The material from Mocha Island is perhaps not sufficient to
demonstrate with certainty the existence of a well-differentiated
insular form there, but at least provisional recognition seems justi-
fied. This conclusion is somewhat influenced by the fact that the
name mochae may be entitled to establishment in any case. It has
page priority over pencanus and atratus, and if the supposed char-
acters of an island form prove unstable it would replace pencanus.
No specimen purporting to be the type of mochae could be found
in Santiago during my first visit there. Since then (1930), however,
I have examined one in the British Museum which may have some
1943 MAMMALS OF CHILE— OSGOOD 173
claims. The skin of this specimen (No. 11.11.17.6) has the word
"Type" in red ink written on its label, apparently by Thomas, and it
is the only one of the entire lot received from Santiago in 1911 which
is so marked. Whether or not Thomas had some special reason for
this does not appear. He has also noted on the skin label the words,
"skull sent separate." The label is typewritten and of the style usual
on many other specimens from Santiago. The skull with it has a
very different label, handwritten, faded, soiled, and evidently very
old. It bears the number 979 and the inscription "Mus moschae isla
de la Mocha."
My notes on the skin are not very detailed and state merely that
it seems too small for the skull, that it is dirty brown without much
indication of pattern or original color, and that it has the general
appearance of a small, immature Akodon. The skull, on the other
hand, was examined closely and, to my surprise, it was found to
have the distinctly grooved incisors and simple, prismatic molars of
Irenomys. It is immature, the last molars not being erupted, but
there is nothing to distinguish it from the one known species of
Irenomys. This seemed so important that I made a penciled note
on the label which perhaps served to call it to the attention of Gylden-
stolpe, who has referred mochae to Irenomys.
That the skin and skull are improperly associated is very evident,
not only on account of their different labeling and their separate
receipt at the British Museum, but because they clearly belong to
different genera. That even the skin served as the basis of the origi-
nal description or figure is doubtful and that the skull was concerned
in any way is scarcely possible, for the long-eared, long-tailed, big-
footed and dark-colored Irenomys has not even general resemblance
to the description and figure. Comparison of the skin with speci-
mens of Akodon from the island would be desirable when opportunity
permits. The skull, however, should be relegated to the limbo of
misfits. Nothing except its label has any suggestion of Mus mochae
and a transposed skull label in Philippi's material is more probable
than otherwise. The skull may, in fact, be that of the type of
Irenomys tarsalis since there is no more authentic one; if not this,
it may be that of longicaudatus, which is also missing.
Specimens examined. — Mocha Island, 9 (A.M.N.H. 7; B.M. 2).
Akodon olivaceus brachiotis Waterhouse.
Mus brachiotis Waterhouse, Proc. Zool. Soc. Lond., p. 17, 1837; Zool. Voy.
Beagle, Mamm., p. 49, pi. 14, pi. 34, figs. 8a, 86, 1839— small island in
Midship Bay, Chonos Archipelago, Chile.
174 FIELD MUSEUM OF NATURAL HISTORY— ZOOLOGY, VOL. 30
Mus brevicaudatus Philippi, Zeitschr. gesammt. Naturw., Berlin, Neue Folge,
6, pp. 446-447, 1872— Puerto Montt, Chile.
Akodon brachiotis Trouessart, Cat. Mamm., p. 537, 1897.
Akodon brevicaudatus Trouessart, supra cit., p. 538.
Abrothrix brachiotis Thomas, Ann. Mag. Nat. Hist., (9), 3, p. 204, 1919;
(9), 19, p. 551, 1927 (lectotype designated).
Mus Foncki Philippi, Anal. Mus. Nac. Chile, Zool., Ent. 14a, p. 20, pi. 5,
fig. 4, 1900— Puerto Montt, Chile.
Mus chonoticus Philippi, supra cit., p. 24, pi. 7, fig. 2, 1900 — Chonos Islands,
southern Chile.
Mus xanthopus Philippi, supra cit., p. 41, pi. 17, fig. 4, 1900 — near Osorno,
Valdivia, Chile.
Mus nemoralis Philippi, supra cit., p. 49, pi. 20, fig. 3, 1900 — near Valdivia,
Chile.
Similar in general to A. o. olivaceus and A. o. pencanus, but differing markedly
in color and proportions. Upper parts rich dark brown (Prout's Brown). Tail
about three-fourths the length of the head and body. Skull slender with small
audital bullae and the rostral part somewhat compressed and attenuated. Total
length 178 (170-180); tail 80 (78-84); hind foot 22.2 (22-24).
Range. — Humid forested region of south-central Chile from Val-
divia through the lake region to the Argentine boundary and south-
ward through the Chonos Islands and on the adjacent mainland at
least to Aysen.
This mouse, which differs from typical olivaceus so markedly as
almost to suggest specific distinction, was found in abundance at
the mouth of the Rio Aysen in lat. 45° 30' S. at a point about oppo-
site the type locality in the Chonos Islands. No specimens are
available from points farther south, but doubtless it extends in
that direction for a considerable distance; in the extreme south
about the Straits of Magellan it appears to have no representative
other than A. xanthorhinus from which it is obviously very distinct.
Throughout the provinces of Valdivia and Llanquihue it is the most
abundant small rodent. Its characters seem best developed in
specimens from Chiloe Island, but there is considerable variation,
especially in cranial characters, among mainland specimens, and it
does not appear possible to differentiate an insular form.
Philippi's names referable to this form are brevicaudatus, Foncki,
chonoticus, xanthopus, and nemoralis. Specimens representing
xanthopus and chonoticus were found in the museum at Santiago,
and although no very satisfactory comparisons were possible, the
following notes made at the time seem fairly conclusive as to their
identity:
1943 MAMMALS OF CHILE— OSGOOD 175
"Mus chonoticus Philippi. Type existing in fair condition. Skull
inside. It has considerable resemblance to Philippi's figure. The
tip of the tail is gone. The color is chiefly brownish, the grayish or
plumbeous area being on the under parts entirely. The tail seems
to have been blackish all around. The hind foot now measures 21."
"Mus xanthopus Philippi. The probable type of this is in the
museum and labeled 'Laucha. Mus infans Ph. Osorno.' Its color,
pose, and measurements, added to the fact that it still carries the
locality Osorno, indicate that it is the original of xanthopus and not
of infans. Its hind foot is twisted and not accurately measurable,
but an estimated measurement gives 17-18. The skull is gone from
the skin, but a skull is preserved labeled with the same name and
number, about the right size, and having the occipital part of the
cranium missing, practically as in the one figured by Philippi for
xanthopus. This seems to be a skull of a young Akodon. The third
molar has not appeared, but the others are in place and have the
akodont characters. Hence I believe this is the common Akodon of
the region, although its feet are small and its color rather reddish.
It had been in alcohol before mounting, the tail vertebrae remain
inside, and it has been distorted, besides being very young. It is
much darker than Philippi's figure, but still carries a dark reddish
brown tone."
Mus Foncki, Mus brevicaudatus, and Mus nemoralis are regarded
as synonyms of brachiotis on the basis of Philippi's descriptions,
measurements, and figures, together with his statement of localities.
In none of them is the evidence wholly conclusive, but with allowance
for the author's usual inaccuracies, nothing appears which suggests
any better disposition of these names. Unless the types are found
and demonstrate something to the contrary, therefore, no alteration
of this conclusion seems possible. The short tail alleged for brevicau-
datus may be disregarded since it has been found in other cases where
the types still exist that Philippi made no allowance for the "tele-
scoping" of a tail to scarcely half its original length.
One of Waterhouse's specimens of Mus brachiotis in the British
Museum has been regarded by Thomas (1919, I.e.) as belonging to
Abrothrix rather than Akodon. He offers no explanation of this
conclusion beyond a bare statement of opinion, but I am unable to
find justification for it in Waterhouse's description and figures.
Both plate and description indicate an animal with a bicolored tail
and if any Abrothrix should be found in the Chonos Islands, it would
probably have a wholly black tail. His colored figure of the animal
176 FIELD MUSEUM OF NATURAL HISTORY— ZOOLOGY, VOL. 30
has the brownish shades of Akodon and the figures of the teeth show
them to be in a well-worn stage in which no distinction between
Abrothrix and Akodon is possible. It may be, therefore, that Thomas
was influenced by the slender muzzle which in many cases distin-
guishes Abrothrix from Akodon, but is here only one of the subspecific
characters of brachiotis in which it differs from olivaceus and pencanus,
its nearest relatives.
While passing through London in June, 1937, I made a very
hasty examination of the two specimens that formed the basis of
Waterhouse's brachiotis. Owing to the absence of good compara-
tive material, this examination was not wholly conclusive, but I
am satisfied that only one form is represented and that obviously
the common Akodon of the Chilean rain forest. Rough notes taken
at the time are as follows:
"Two lectoparatypes slightly faded brownish in color with paler
under parts and not sharply bicolored tails, the two exactly alike in
color. Laid on side well fastened. Nos. 55.12.24.166 and 55.12.
24.167. Feet light brownish or may have been lighter once. On
one (No. 166), he [Thomas] has written, 'An Akodon, not Abr.
brachiotis.' On the other he has written Abrothrix above the name
'Hesp. brachiotis Waterh.' Do not find but one skull, that of No.
167, which O.T. has marked Lectotype. The upper teeth are present
only on right side and are fairly worn, too worn to show whether first
lamina was divided or not. The nasals are rather long, longer than
in olivaceus, but there are no southern skulls here to compare. There
is no lower jaw."
Specimens examined. — Total 274: Chonos Islands, 1 (type of
Mus chonoticus, Mus. Nac. Chile); Aysen, 27; Rio Inio, Chiloe
Island, 46; islet in Midship Bay, 1 (lectotype, B.M.); islet off east
coast of Chiloe, 1 (lectoparatype, B.M.); Lake Todos Santos, 14
(A.M.N.H.); La Picada, Mount Osorno, 9; Mafil, Valdivia, 40;
Osorno, 1 (type of M us xanthopus, Mus. Nac. Chile) ; Peulla, Lake
Todos Santos, 48; Puerto Montt, 23; Quellon, Chiloe Island, 37;
Refugio, Mount Osorno, 1; Rinihue, Valdivia, 25.
Akodon olivaceus beatus Thomas.
Akodon beatus Thomas, Ann. Mag. Nat. Hist., (9), 3, p. 204, 1919— Beatriz,
Nahuelhuapi, Argentina.
Akodon arenicola beatus Gyldenstolpe, Man. Neotr. Sig. Rodents, p. 103, 1932.
A small and somewhat variable series of Akodons from the
eastern base of the Andes may be assigned to the form called beatus,
1943 MAMMALS OF CHILE— OSGOOD 177
with the description of which they essentially agree. This form was
described from Nahuelhuapi and has since been recorded from
Zapala, San Martin de los Andes, and Sierra de Pilpil, Neuquen.
If the specimens in hand are correctly referred, beatus is not especially
related to arenicola, with which Thomas compared it, but it is very
closely allied to A. olivaceus brachiotis. It differs from brachiotis
from Rio Aysen on the west coast of Chile mainly in somewhat
paler, less saturate coloration. There is less blackish on the under
side of the terminal half of the tail and in series the percentage of
specimens with wholly light under parts is greater. The skulls
seem to be indistinguishable, but in beatus there is apparently a
tendency to obsolescence of the cleft in the anterior lamina of the
first upper cheektooth. This is usually present and fairly persistent
in brachiotis, but in beatus, so far as examined, it rarely appears.
In one very young specimen it is present on the right side and absent
on the left.
That there is continuous distribution of Akodon from the mouth
of Rio Aysen on the west coast to Rio Nirehuao east of the moun-
tains I have little doubt. On the route between these points, which
I myself traversed, conditions are wholly favorable for this, but
trapping was only practical at one point, Rio Coihoique, and there
no thorough test was possible. Specimens in the American Museum
from Campo Bandera, Coihoique, are light colored and apparently
the same as those from Rio Nirehuao, but the two series have not
been actually compared. It is probable, also, that there is connection
between beatus and brachiotis in the passes between Nahuelhuapi and
Lake Todos Santos.
Specimens examined. — Total 21: Campo Bandera, Coihoique, 5
(A.M.N.H.); Rio Nirehuao (Casa Richards), 16.
Akodon andinus andinus Philippi.
Mus andinus Philippi, Arch. Naturg., 24, (1), p. 77, 1858 — high Andes,
Province of Santiago, Chile.
Akodon andinus Trouessart, Cat. Mamm., p. 535, 1897; Thomas, Ann. Mag.
Nat. Hist., (8), 11, p. 140, 1913.
Mus andinus "Ph. et Landb.," Philippi, Anal. Mus. Nac. Chile, Ent. 14a,
pp. 16, 18, 19, 22, 44, pi. 6, fig. 2 (col.), 1900.
Akodon (Chelemys) andinus Wolffsohn, Bol. Mus. Nac. Chile, 2, p. 90, 1910.
Akodon gossei Thomas, Ann. Mag. Nat. Hist., (9), 6, p. 418, 1920 — Puente
del Inca, Mendoza, Argentina.
Bolomys andinus Tate, Amer. Mus. Nat. Hist., Nov. No. 582, p. 23, 1932.
A very small mouse mainly light buffy in color both above and below; skull
with relatively large rounded audital bullae; toothrow about 3.8. Total length
155; tail 64; hind foot 20.
178 FIELD MUSEUM OF NATURAL HISTORY— ZOOLOGY, VOL. 30
Range. — High altitudes (8,000 feet upwards) of the Andes of
central Chile and thence into Argentina in the provinces of Mendoza,
San Juan (probably), and Rioja.
The probable type of this species was found in Santiago in a fair
state of preservation. The position of the tail has been changed, as
it is now bent to one side, but the head and body are posed as in
Philippi's figure. The color is light grayish suffused with brown-
ish, somewhat more brownish than the color on Philippi's plate.
The tail is definitely bicolored and the under parts are fairly dis-
tinguished, the tips of the hairs being light buffy. The tail measures
55, which is what Philippi gives. The hind foot (with claws), which
can be taken very accurately, is just 21. The longest front claw is
about 2.5. The label reads: "Raton. Mus andinus Ph. Cord. San-
tiago, 1857." If these data are correct, the specimen can only be
regarded as the type. At least, it quite certainly was the basis of
the colored figure of 1900. The description given at that time is no
more than a Spanish translation of the original one which appeared
in German and the specimen fits it fairly well.
A second specimen belonging to Philippi's material evidently is j
in the British Museum, since Thomas has mentioned it in his
descriptions of A. jucundus and A. gossei. Under A. gossei he states:
"This species has long been known to me but under the name of
andinus, Phil., for there is a young specimen of it in the small col-
lection, received, as I believe, from Dr. Philippi himself, with the
name 'Mus andinus' upon it, a determination I had hitherto
accepted." This specimen Thomas found to be smaller and browner
than andinus as described and figured by Philippi, and he, therefore,
referred it to his supposed new form gossei from Andean localities in
Argentina in the same latitude as the type locality of andinus. In
this he was right in one respect and wrong in another. Philippi's
specimens are obviously the same as "A. gossei," but as in so many
other cases his description and his specimens do not fully agree.
The color differences are negligible, since there is considerable varia-
tion, and Philippi's measurement of 23 for the hind foot may be
regarded as an error. Therefore, A. gossei becomes a synonym of
andinus.
Wolff sohn (I.e.) has a passing mention of his belief that andinus
should be referred to Chelemys (= Notiomys), but whether this
opinion was based on examination of a specimen or on Philippi's
reference to long claws does not appear. The elongation of the
claws, in fact, is very slight, far too slight to signify any near rela-
1943 MAMMALS OF CHILE— OSGOOD 179
tionship to Notiomys. It is about equal to that shown by some of
the species which have been referred to Bolomys. Among these
species, however, there is such divergence in cranial characters that
it is much to be doubted that the claws are in all cases indicative of
real relationship. The audital bullae in A. andinus are considerably
enlarged, also as in some species of Bolomys. Thomas has referred
to Bolomys the following species: amoenus (type), berlepschi, albi-
venter, orbus, and lactens (including negrito). At least two of these
are species of marked peculiarity and all of them live at very high
altitudes, but I am unable to find any important common character
by which all of them can be distinguished from Akodon. The addi-
tion of andinus to the series would perhaps be as well justified as
the inclusion of some of the others. The skull of andinus, although
smaller, has general similarity to that of albiventer, but it is widely
different from that of lactens. Apparently berlepschi is scarcely dis-
tinguishable, if at all, from albiventer. The type species amoenus is
not available to me and, until further study is possible, it seems
best to retain andinus in Akodon and to hold Bolomys for redefini-
tion especially as to its limits and perhaps also as to its validity.
Akodon andinus dolichonyx Philippi.
Hesperomys dolichonyx Philippi, Anal. Mus. Nac. Chile, Zool., Ent. 13a,
pp. 21-22, pi. 2, figs, la (col.), lc-1/ (skull, teeth, and claws), 1896— San
Pedro de Atacama, Province of Antofagasta, Chile.
Hesperomys dolichonyx cinnamomea Philippi, supra cit., p. 22, pi. 2, fig. 16
(col.), 1896 — Oasis of Leoncitos, Antofagasta, Chile.
Mus dolichonyx and Mus dolichonyx cinnamomea Philippi, supra cit., Ent. 14a,
pp. 58-59, 1900.
Akodon jucundus Thomas, Ann. Mag. Nat. Hist., (8), 11, p. 140, 1913 — Cerro
Lagunita, near Maimara, Jujuy, Argentina.
Similar to A. a. andinus, but slightly smaller and paler. Toothrow about 3.5
instead of 3.8. Total length 140 (135-143) ; tail 55 (48-60) ; hind foot 20.4 (20-21).
Range. — Arid and semi-arid mountains of northern Chile from
the Province of Tacna south at least to the Province of Coquimbo;
eastward in Argentina to central Jujuy. Found mainly at high
altitudes.
A good series of these pale, buffy mice from the vicinity of the
type locality agrees essentially with Philippi's description and
figure. Specimens of dolichonyx and cinnamomea were examined in
Santiago and notes made at the time are as follows:
" Hesperomys dolichonyx. Type or cotype existing but in rather
poor condition. Skull has been removed. Philippi's figure gives not
180 FIELD MUSEUM OF NATURAL HISTORY— ZOOLOGY, VOL. 30
such a bad idea of it, although the tail should be more tapering and
not so hairy. It is not so much larger than cinnamomea as would
appear from Philippi's plate. The front claws are slender but fairly
long. The tail is not very long and the ears are small. Hesperomys
dolichonyx cinnamomea. Somewhat smaller than dolichonyx, but
otherwise similar."
Philippi's second specimen, which perhaps should be regarded as
a cotype, is now in the British Museum (No. 11.11.17.7). The skin
has been remade and the skull is somewhat crushed.
The color in this form averages slightly paler than in a. andinus
and the size slightly smaller. The toothrow in andinus is about 3.8
and in dolichonyx about 3.5. A specimen in Field Museum from
Jujuy, Argentina, is not distinguishable from some of the series from
Chile. Therefore, A. jucundus, described from Jujuy, is regarded
as a synonym.
A single specimen from Choquelimpie, Tacna (alt. 15,000 ft.), is
a little pale and short-tailed but doubtless belongs here.
Specimens examined. — Total 25: Banos del Toro, Coquimbo,
5; Choquelimpie, Tacna, 1; Leoncitos, Antofagasta, 1 (type of
cinnamomea in Mus. Nac. Chile); twenty miles east of San Pedro
de Atacama, Antofagasta, 14; San Pedro de Atacama, Anto-
fagasta, 2 (cotypes in B.M. and Mus. Nac. Chile). Tres Cruces,
Jujuy, 2.
Akodon xanthorhinus xanthorhinus Waterhouse. YELLOW-
NOSED AKODON.
Mus xanthorhinus Waterhouse, Proc. Zool. Soc. Lond., p. 17, 1837; Zool. Voy.
Beagle, Mamm., p. 53, pi. 17, fig. 1, 1839— Hardy Peninsula, Tierra del
Fuego.
Hesperomys (Abrothrix) xanthorhinus Thomas, in Milne-Edwards, Miss.
Scient. Cap Horn, 6, Zool., Mamm., p. 28, pi. 6, fig. 1, 1890.
Mus infans Philippi, Anal. Mus. Nac. Chile, Ent. 14a, p. 41, pi. 17, fig. 3,
1900 — no exact locality.
Akodon xanthorhinus Allen, Mamm. Patagonia, p. 71, pi. 11, figs. 1-16, pi. 12,
figs. 1-la, 2-2a, 1905; Thomas, Ann. Mag. Nat. Hist., (9), 3, p. 205, 1919;
(10), 4, p. 42, 1929.
A small Akodon, with the tail shorter than the head and body; coloration
predominantly rufescent, except the under parts, which are usually light colored
and contrasted; sides of nose Ochraceous Tawny, not always but frequently con-
trasted; upper side of hind feet, at least medially, always pale or often quite
bright Ochraceous Tawny. Skull small and light, the rostral part rather elongate;
first lamina of anterior upper cheektooth with a slight notch obliterated in early
stages of wear. Total length 156 (148-170); tail 53 (48-65); hind foot 21.3 (20-22).
1943 MAMMALS OF CHILE— OSGOOD 181
Range. — Forested parts of southern and western Tierra del
Fuego and some adjacent islands; also western Patagonia from the
vicinity of Punta Arenas northward at least to the southern part
of the district of Ultima Esperanza; also possibly farther north dis-
continuously to lat. 45° S.
The most obvious character of this species is the rusty color of
the hind feet. Regardless of other variations, this seems to be con-
stant. Throughout its range it is the most abundant small mammal
and in some localities apparently the only one. During Field
Museum's expedition in 1939-40 its ascendancy over all other species
was apparent at practically every collecting station. It is so nearly
ubiquitous that a habitat preference is scarcely evident. In swampy
areas, like its northern relatives of the same genus, and in grassy
spots surrounded by forest, it is likely to be most numerous, and in
such places well-used runways, somewhat like those of northern
voles, reveal its presence. It is also to be found under logs and roots
in light forest and thence in undiminished numbers it ranges out
into the low bush beyond the forest.
In its typical form, which is rather dark and richly colored, it
does not extend far to the eastward but merges into a slightly paler
subspecies, and its northward distribution also seems to be limited
although information in regard to this is not wholly satisfactory.
In the great majority of specimens the under parts are practically
white or slightly tinged with creamy in pronounced contrast to the
upper parts, but in almost every considerable series one or more
specimens occur in which the under parts are wholly ochraceous
merging insensibly with the color of the upper parts. Occasionally
one appears showing an intermediate condition but in most cases
the distinction is abrupt. Among seventeen from Lake Fagnano,
Tierra del Fuego, only one has the colored under parts; among
twenty-five from Estancia Via Monte there are only two, and two
others are intermediate; and among twenty-five from Punta Arenas
there are as many as ten showing varying degrees of buffiness rather
than white. Apparently this is a mutation disappearing in some
localities and having fair chances of establishment in others. It
appears only very rarely in the subspecies canescens.
Philippi's name Mus infans may be disposed as a probable
synonym of A. x. xanthorhinus.1 The type specimen is not available
and doubtless has been lost, but the colored figure, with its ochra-
1 Since this was written, this action has been taken by Gyldenstolpe (Man.
Neotr. Sig. Rodents, p. 107, 1932).
182 FIELD MUSEUM OF NATURAL HISTORY— ZOOLOGY, VOL. 30
ceous ears and muzzle, its small size, etc., can apply only to this
species. Philippi did not know its source and queries the locality
(central provinces of Chile) where no other mouse of this character
has been taken. It may well have come to him from extreme
southern Chile since it is well known that he received certain mate-
rial from that region.
Specimens examined. — Total 124: Cabo Negro, near Punta
Arenas, 1; east end of Lake Fagnano, Tierra del Fuego, 17; Mina
Rica, near Punta Arenas, 13; Punta Arenas, 25; east end of Riesco
Island, 8; Rio Rubens, about lat. 52° S., 1; Rio Verde, east end of
Skyring Water, 15; Estancia Via Monte, Tierra del Fuego, 25; Lake
Yerwin, Tierra del Fuego, 19.
Akodon xanthorhinus canescens Waterhouse.
Mus canescens Waterhouse, Proc. Zool. Soc. Lond., p. 17, 1837; Zool. Voy.
Beagle, Mamm., p. 54, 1839 — Puerto Deseado, Santa Cruz, Argentina.
Akodon canescens Thomas, Proc. Zool. Soc. Lond., p. 211, 1898; Allen, Mamm.
Patagonia, p. 73, 1905.
Similar to A. x. xanthorhinus but averaging considerably paler in color, more
grayish than rufescent in general appearance.
Range. — Unf crested pampa and low bush of northern and eastern
Tierra del Fuego and southeastern Patagonia, north along the Argen-
tine coast at least to Pico Salamanca, Chubut, and inland to the edge
of the forested mountains from Ultima Esperanza to Chubut and Rio
Negro.
Allen in 1905 (I.e.) considered xanthorhinus and canescens as
wholly distinct species, while Thomas in 1929 (Ann. Mag. Nat. Hist.,
(10), 4. p. 41) stated that he was "now satisfied that A. canescens
should be united with A. xanthorhinus," denying even subspecific
distinction. In both cases it is evident that sufficient material for
sound conclusions was lacking. With large series of fresh, well-
prepared specimens, supplemented by personal field experience, it
is quite clear that two intergrading subspecies are concerned, one
occupying the relatively humid and at least partially forested areas
of Tierra del Fuego and western Magallanes, the other ranging east-
ward to the Atlantic coast over an open, unforested, and less humid
region.
Even in Tierra del Fuego, specimens from southern and western
localities in the forest are easily distinguishable from those of the
northern and eastern coast where conditions are essentially the same
as those of eastern Santa Cruz on the continent. Individual speci-
1943 MAMMALS OF CHILE— OSGOOD 183
mens may be quite similar, especially when seasonal changes are not
considered, but when series are compared a difference in shade
of color corresponding to the difference in environment is plainly
evident.
Apparently xanthorhinus in typical form ranges northward a
relatively short distance, perhaps no farther than lat. 52° S., for
practically all material from farther north is referable to canescens.
This includes our own specimens from Ultima Esperanza, the large
series from upper Rio Chico and other localities in western Santa
Cruz obtained by the Princeton expeditions, as well as scattered
specimens from Chubut and Rio Negro. The northernmost record
is from Pilcaneu, Rio Negro. A single specimen from this locality,
now in Field Museum, is unusually grayish and the hind feet are
almost wholly white. On the other hand, four specimens from
Rawson, Chubut, include one with a wholly ochraceous belly, and
two from Rio Nirehuao, where the species is rare, have similar dark-
colored under parts. It is possible, therefore, that a division of dark
and light forms may be found in the north as well as in the south,
but present material, although somewhat suggestive, is not sufficient
to demonstrate it.
It is doubtful if xanthorhinus and canescens are directly connected
by gradations with any other members of the genus, but further work
in the Argentine provinces of Chubut, Rio Negro, and Buenos Aires
will be necessary before positive conclusions are justified. Under the
name Akodon iniscatus Thomas has described a species which appears
to inosculate with canescens over a considerable area in which the
two are found together but each maintaining its distinctions. Speci-
mens in Field Museum, received from the British Museum as inisca-
tus, indicate that it is quite unlike canescens, but its relationship to
A. nucus is obviously close. Two topotypes of nucus which are at
hand are only slightly larger than iniscatus and both show the white
on the throat mentioned as characterizing the type of iniscatus but
not found on various specimens subsequently referred to it.
Specimens examined. — Total 92: CHILE: Laguna Lazo, near Lake
Sarmiento, 12; Lake Sarmiento, 8; Puerto Natales, Ultima Esper-
anza, 5; Rio Ciaike, eastern Magallanes, near Argentine boundary,
26; Rio Nirehuao, Aysen, 2. ARGENTINA: Arroyo Beta, Tierra del
Fuego, 11; Estancia Cullen, Tierra del Fuego, 15; Cape Fairweather,
1; Pilcaneu, Rio Negro, 1; Rawson, Chubut, 4; upper Rio Chico,
Santa Cruz, 2; Rio Coy, Santa Cruz, 2; Province of Santa Cruz, 3.
184 FIELD MUSEUM OF NATURAL HISTORY— ZOOLOGY, VOL. 30
Akodon (Abrothrix) longipilis longipilis Water-house.
Mus longipilis Waterhouse, Proc. Zool. Soc. Lond., p. 16, 1837; Zool. Voy.
Beagle, Mamm., p. 55, pi. 16 (col.), pi. 33 (teeth), 1839— Coquimbo.
Akodon longipilis Thomas, Ann. Mag. Nat. Hist., (6), 16, p. 370, 1895.
Mus porcinus Philippi, Arch. Naturg., 24, (1), p. 78, 1858; Anal. Mus. Nac.
Chile, Zool., Ent. 14a, pp. 22-23, pi. 6, fig. 3, 1900— Angostura, Santiago.
Mus brachytarsus Philippi, supra cit., pp. 37-38, pi. 15, fig. 2 (col.), 1900 —
Santiago (fide Wolffsohn, 1910a, p. 100).
Mus fusco-ater Philippi, supra cit., pp. 45-46, pi. 19, fig. 1 (col.), 1900 — San-
tiago (fide Wolffsohn, 1910a, p. 100).
Mus melampus Philippi, supra cit., pp. 49-50, pi. 20, fig. 4, 1900 — Cartajena,
Valparaiso.
Abrothrix longipilis Thomas, Ann. Mag. Nat. Hist., (8), 18, p. 340, 1916.
Akodon longipilis Ellerman, Fam. Gen. Rodents, 2, p. 416, 1941 — subgenus
Abrothrix.
A rather large, heavy-bodied mouse with small, thinly haired ears, long, loose
pelage, and tail not exceeding three-fourths the length of the head and body.
Color mainly light brownish rather coarsely mixed with grayish, the sides only
slightly or not at all more grayish than the back; under parts wholly gray; feet
and tail dark. Skull large and heavy, with long nasals, narrow interorbital region
without sharp edges, and a broad, nearly upright infraorbital plate. Dentition
akodont, but first lamina of anterior upper cheektooth undivided even in very
young teeth. Total length 220 (213-234); tail 91 (83-96); hind foot 29.3 (28-30).
Range. — West-central Chile mainly in the central provinces of
Coquimbo, Aconcagua, Valparaiso, and Santiago.
This mouse is easily recognized among Chilean species by its
rather heavy build, relatively short tail, large feet, and grayish
coloration overcast with rusty. The typical form appears not to be
abundant and has been taken mainly in the region between and just
north or south of Valparaiso and Santiago. Except the type, speci-
mens from the type locality are lacking, and it is probable that
Coquimbo is near its northern limit. Southward from Valparaiso
it will probably be found, at least for some distance, in the coast
region, since a closely related form occurs at Concepcion and the
differences between the two forms are nearly covered by individual
variation.
The relative scarcity of the species is attested by the small
number of synonyms for it produced by Philippi. These are brachy-
tarsus, fusco-ater, melampus, and porcinus. I was unable to find
specimens in Santiago which might be considered as types of brachy-
tarsus and fusco-ater, but such specimens evidently were examined
by Wolffsohn (1910a, pp. 97, 100), who gives measurements and
details justifying his conclusion that both are typical examples of
longipilis.
1943 MAMMALS OF CHILE— OSGOOD 185
The name porcinus was first given in 1858 and it is doubtful if
the type still exists. However, a specimen which is still pre-
served in Santiago evidently was the basis of Philippi's figure of 1900
and at least part of his description. Its label reads "Raton. Mus
porcinus, Ph. Santiago, 1857," and perhaps, since it is dated 1857,
it should be given the benefit of the doubt and regarded as the type.
It is in good condition except as to color, which is obviously quite
unreliable, being mainly reddish brown and probably due to immer-
sion in impure alcohol. In size and pro-
portions it agrees with longipilis. The
hind foot measures 29, and the tail (esti-
mated along curves) is about 90. The
pelage is quite full and thick. Philippi's
figure shows a large gray mouse fairly
representing longipilis.
No type of MILS melampus has been
found, but fortunately the description
,., 0 . , , , , , . and figure are quite diagnostic, this being
FIG. 24. Akodon I. longi-
pilis. F.M. No. 23123. xi. one of the few cases among Phihppi s
species in which this is true.
Mus dumetorum of Philippi also has been referred to longipilis
by Wolff sohn (p. 88), but the specimen examined by him apparently
was not the type and, as explained elsewhere (p. 149), it seems
probable that dumetorum was an Oryzomys with an incomplete tail.
Waterhouse's type of longipilis, collected by Darwin, is pre-
served in the British Museum. The following notes in regard to it
were made in June, 1937: "No. 55.12.24.177. Type, skin and skull.
Skin laid on side, quite faded; upper parts pale brown with little
or no distinction between back and sides. Patch of hair gone from
right side. Skull very imperfect; lacks braincase and most of lower
jaw; nasals, interorbital region, upper left and lower right teeth
present."
As early as 1837, when Waterhouse gave several generic or sub-
generic names to South American rodents, the species longipilis was
made the type of the subgenus Abrothrix. Since then it has been
most frequently referred to Akodon, but in 1916 Thomas (op. cit.,
pp. 336-340) published a synopsis of South American Muridae "com-
monly referred to Akodon" in which Abrothrix appeared as one of
seven groups proposed for recognition as full genera. Most of these
groups were monotypic or practically so and his conclusions were
admittedly based on inadequate material. Microxus was left out
186 FIELD MUSEUM OF NATURAL HISTORY— ZOOLOGY, VOL. 30
of consideration although its connection is obviously closer than
some of those included. As more material accumulates it becomes
increasingly evident that the classification proposed by Thomas
was not a natural one and will require considerable modification.
The time is not yet here for positive conclusions, but it is clear that
many species combine the characters assigned to his groups and do
not fall readily into any of them. In the case of Abrothrix, it seems
impossible to find characters which are not repeated elsewhere in
the akodont group or which, still more significantly, do not grade
almost or quite insensibly from one species or subspecies to another.
Therefore, Abrothrix as a genus seems indefensible, and even as a
subgenus its position is doubtful. For the present it may be accepted
as a subgenus at least to maintain connection with previous concepts
until thorough studies have been made.
The extensive material obtained by Field Museum's Chilean
expeditions indicates that most of the forms1 heretofore assigned to
Abrothrix are no more than intergrading subspecies of longipilis.
The connection is made through A. I. apta, described below,
which extends westward from the coast at Concepcion and passes
through the Andes into Argentina, gradually becoming more
and more similar to the forms long known from the eastern side
of the mountains. Therefore the names hirta, moerens, suffusa,
modestior, and nubila all unquestionably refer to a single species
either as synonyms of each other or as designations for subspecific
groups connected by gradations with longipilis. Belonging in the
same series and doubtfully distinct is A. francei from Tierra del
Fuego, known only from the type specimen. This means that what
was formerly thought to be a group under the name Abrothrix is in
reality only one wide-ranging and locally variable species. Its dis-
tribution coincides rather closely with' that of Notiomys and it is
possible that longipilis, as seems to be the case with Notiomys
megalonyx, is distinct from the other members of the series, but
present material seems to point to the last degree of gradation.
Specimens examined. — Total 39 : Buen Retire, Aconcagua, 1 ;
coast hills, Valparaiso, 16 (B.M.); Coquimbo, 1 (type, B.M.); La
Laguna, Valparaiso, 1 (B.M.); La Rojas, Quillota, Valparaiso, 1;
1 The only one not examined is A. illutea from Tucuman, Argentina, described
from a single specimen thought to indicate a great extension of range for the group.
It seems not improbable that this may be more closely related to Hypsimys than
to "Abrothrix." Although it has dental peculiarities, the skull of Hypsimys is
very similar to that of Abrothrix and the mention of a white chin spot, usually
present in Hypsimys but not in Abrothrix leads to the suspicion that this form has
not been properly allocated.
\ ?Jf*-" — moerens
tir
sanborni
MAP 9. Distribution of Akodon (Abrothrix) longipilis and subspecies with
A. sanborni and A. lanosus.
187
188 FIELD MUSEUM OF NATURAL HISTORY— ZOOLOGY, VOL. 30
Limache, Valparaiso, 1; Olmue, Valparaiso, 9; Palmilla, La Cruz, 1,
Papudo, Aconcagua, 4; Quilpue, 4 (B.M.).
Akodon (Abrothrix) longipilis apta subsp. nov.
Type from Piedra de Aguilas, Sierra Nahuelbuta, Malleco, Chile.
Altitude about 4,000 feet. Adult male. Collected November 4,
1939, by John M. Schmidt. Orig. No. 193.
Diagnosis. — Similar to A. I. longipilis, but smaller; color less
uniform, the sides more grayish and more contrasted with back;
under parts averaging paler and tail more frequently bicolored.
Skull with a narrower braincase and a markedly shorter infraorbital
plate; audital bullae and teeth smaller.
Measurements.— Average of ten adult paratypes: total length 224
(217-230) ; tail 95 (87-102) ; hind foot 28.4 (27.5-29). Skull of type:
greatest length 32.1; basilar length 25; zygomatic breadth 16.3;
nasals 11.2 X 4.1; interorbital constriction 5.4; antero-posterior width
of infraorbital plate 2.3; diastema 18.1; postpalatilar length 11.1;
palatine slits 7.5; width of braincase 13.7; upper cheekteeth 4.5.
Range. — South-central Chile from the coast at Concepcion south
at least to Nahuelbuta and westward through the Province of Val-
divia to the western side of the Andes in the provinces of Malleco,
Valdivia, and Llanquihue, where intergradation with east Andean
forms is variously evident.
Remarks. — This is quite well distinguished from typical longi-
pilis both in color and in cranial characters, but it seems altogether
probable that full intergradation will be found in the region between
Concepcion and Valparaiso where records of the species at present
are lacking. Apart from size, its most obvious cranial character is its
narrowed (shortened) infraorbital plate. This is quite pronounced
in the large series from Nahuelbuta but is less so in six specimens
from a little farther north at Concepcion and these, therefore, may
be significant of a more complete gradation that will be evident
when more material is obtained.
Delimitation of the westward range of this form offers consider-
able difficulty. In general all western specimens have tendencies
to smaller size and narrower braincases and especially in the western
part of the provinces of Malleco and Cautin every local series is
variable or obviously tending toward the characters of east Andean
forms (hirta, moerens, suffusa). Since material from this region is
relatively abundant and since individuals or series seldom agree in
detail with either western or eastern extremes, the impression is
1943 MAMMALS OF CHILE— OSGOOD 189
easy to form that a recognizable race is concerned. Externally this
would be smaller and paler than apta but larger and darker than
hirta. Careful examination of skulls, however, shows such variation
that confidence in the reality of such a race is not gained. A further
complication is the occurrence of occasional specimens externally
similar to apta, but with skulls so narrowed and reduced as to
approximate very closely the condition found in sanborni, which
otherwise appears to be a wholly distinct species. Four specimens
from a single locality (Rinihue, Valdivia) include one of large size
and grayish color which may be referred to apta without any vio-
lence; another which is small and glossy black falls with sanborni,
and two others with a unique dull brownish color and peculiar
skulls seem explainable only on the theory that they are hybrids.
Apparently western Malleco and Cautin include a meeting
ground for at least three faunas, east Andean, west coast, and
southern forest respectively. Intensive work in the region will
doubtless be necessary before the whole situation is fully clarified.
For the present no better course appears than to treat the majority
of these "intermediates" under apta, although in many cases their
departure from it is considerable. An attempt to suggest certain
lines of variation and segregation is indicated in the subjoined list
of specimens.
Specimens examined. — Total 128.
Typical or nearly typical: Concepcion, 6; La Picada, Mount
Osorno, 11; Rinihue, Valdivia, 1; Petrohue, Lake Todos Santos, 7;
Sierra Nahuelbuta, 36 (F.M. 32; A.M.N.H. 4).
Somewhat smaller and paler, but maintaining slender elongate
skulls, in some cases even approaching the type seen in sanborni:
Curacautin, 5; Lonquimai, 12; west of Lonquimai, 3 (A.M.N.H.);
Rio Colorado, 16; Rio Lolen, Lonquimai Valley, 1; Tolhuaca, 16.
Similar but with skulls definitely approaching the type seen in
moerens and suffusa, the braincase relatively wider, and the nasals
shorter but narrower: Lake Galletue, 9; Pino Hachado, Neuquen,
Argentina, 3.
Possible hybrids between apta and sanborni: Rinihue, 2.
Akodon (Abrothrix) longipilis castaneus subsp. nov.
Type from Mocha Island, coast of southern Chile, Province of
Arauco. No. 97735 American Museum of Natural History. Adult
male. Collected December 7, 1932, by D. S. Bullock.
190 FIELD MUSEUM OF NATURAL HISTORY— ZOOLOGY, VOL. 30
Diagnosis. — Similar to A. /. longipilis, but mid-dorsal area, from
forehead to base of tail, broadly and richly rufescent (Vandyke
Brown or slightly lighter); sides and under parts a very slightly
darker shade of gray. Skull with tendency to elongation of nasals
and rostrum; molariform teeth smaller than in longipilis.
Measurements. — Type, measured by collector: total length 215;
tail 88; hind foot (dry, with claws) 29. Average of nine adults:
total length 213 (203-215); tail 90 (82-97). Skull of type: greatest
length 32.4; zygomatic width 15.2; nasals 13.4; interorbital con-
striction 5.8; width of infraorbital plate 2.5; diastema 8.8; post-
palatilar length 11.5; palatine slits 7.4; width of braincase 13.7;
upper toothrow 4.6.
Remarks. — This is a well-marked form readily distinguished by
the broad band of rufescent which covers the entire central upper
parts and may even extend to the upper sides. In A. I. apta there
is a slight tendency to differentiation of a rufescent dorsal area but
it is much paler and less extensive.
As in the case of Notiomys v. bullocki, the principal material
representing this form has been placed in my hands through the
courtesy of Dr. H. E. Anthony of the American Museum of Natural
History. This material consists of an excellent series of seventeen
specimens and is supplemented by two additional examples lent by
the British Museum through Dr. T. C. S. Morrison-Scott.
In the collection from Mocha Island, made for the American
Museum by Dillman S. Bullock, are four species of rodents belong-
ing to the four genera Akodon, Abrothrix, Notiomys, and Oryzomys.
With the exception of the Oryzomys, which is scantily represented,
all seem at least slightly differentiated from the mainland stocks
from which they are obviously derived.
Akodon (Abrothrix) longipilis moerens Thomas.
Abrothrix suffusus moerens Thomas, Ann. Mag. Nat. Hist., (9), 3, p. 203,
1919 — Beatriz, Lake Nahuelhuapi, Argentina.
Abrothrix hirta moerens Thomas, supra cit., (10), 4, p. 40, 1929.
This form may not occur in Chile, but it is found very near the
boundary and is included here in order to indicate its position with
reference to the other members of the longipilis series, all of which
are discussed. It appears to occupy a narrow and restricted area
east of the Andes in a region where the humid forests of Chile are
extended through low passes into Argentina. In size and cranial
1943 MAMMALS OF CHILE— OSGOOD 191
characters, however, it falls with hirta and suffusa rather than with
any of the Chilean forms.
Two paratypes in Field Museum are darker in color than suffusa
and in a broad sense might be regarded as intermediate between
apta and suffusa. The differences in size and cranial characters,
however, are considerable. Perhaps it is a local form occupying
about the same area and having about the same characters as
Notiomys m. fumosus.
Beatriz, the type locality of moerens, does not appear on available
maps of Lake Nahuelhuapi and Thomas gives no information as to
its exact situation. Probably it is somewhere on the forested western
shores of the lake. The eastern part of the lake extends into the
open pampas and a specimen in Field Museum from Bariloche in
this region is clearly nearer to suffusa than to moerens. Other
material recorded from Beatriz includes Irenomys, Notiomys valdi-
vianus, and Dromiciops, all of which are otherwise known only from
forested parts of Chile. Further collecting in this region should be
of interest.
Akodon (Abrothrix) longipilis hirta Thomas.
Acodon hirtus Thomas, Ann. Mag. Nat. Hist., (6), 16, p. 370, 1895— Fort
San Rafael, Mendoza, Argentina.
Abrothrix hirtus Thomas, supra cit., (8), 18, p. 340, 1916; (9), 20, p. 201, 1927.
Abrothrix hirta hirta Thomas, supra cit., (10), 4, p. 40, 1929.
A -small light gray mouse with the central upper parts slightly tinged with
brownish; under parts and feet white; tail bicolored. Most similar to A. I. suffusa
but paler and probably averaging longer-tailed. Total length (two specimens)
188-198; tail 81-86; hind foot 24-25.
Range. — Eastern base of the Andes in the provinces of Mendoza
and Neuquen, Argentina, from lat. 34° 30' to 37° S., apparently
passing through the Andes into Chile in the Province of Talca.
Although one of the earliest forms to be described, this is still
imperfectly known and poorly represented in museums. Examples
from the type region in Mendoza have not been examined, but
specimens from Neuquen (Collon Cura and Quilquihue) were
regarded by Thomas (I.e., 1927) as agreeing with the type. A single
specimen in Field Museum from Bariloche, Lake Nahuelhuapi,
which is not far from the Neuquen localities, is only very slightly
paler than suffusa and probably this, as well as the Neuquen speci-
mens, is an intergrade. Still paler and more probably representing
the extreme characters of the form are two specimens taken by San-
born in 1939 at Arroyo del Valle, Province of Talca, Chile, on the
192 FIELD MUSEUM OF NATURAL HISTORY— ZOOLOGY, VOL. 30
western side of the Andes. In the same vicinity he also obtained
Notiomys macronyx, another form originally described from Men-
doza. It seems likely, therefore, that somewhere between lat. 34°
and 35° S. there is opportunity for the passage westward of at least
part of the Mendoza fauna.
Specimens examined. — Arroyo del Valle, Talca, 2.
Akodon (Abrothrix) longipilis suffusa Thomas.
Akodon suffusus Thomas, Ann. Mag. Nat. Hist., (7), 12, p. 241, 1903 — Kos-
lowsky, Valle del Lago Blanco, Chubut, Argentina.
Abrothrix suffusus Thomas, supra cit., (8), 18, p. 340, 1916.
Abrothrix suffusus modestior Thomas, supra cit., (9), 3, p. 202, 1919 — Maiten,
Chubut, Argentina.
Abrothrix hirta suffusa Thomas, supra cit., (10), 4, p. 40, 1929.
A medium-sized mouse with the median upper parts reddish brown and the
sides grayish; under parts and feet creamy or nearly white; tail bicolored. Similar
to A. I. apta but smaller, with the under parts and feet lighter colored; skull with
narrow but shorter nasals and relatively wider braincase. Similar to A. I. nubila
and A. 1. hirta, but with upper parts darker colored. Total length 184 (172-190);
tail 71 (67-77); hind foot 24.4 (23.5-24.5).
Range. — Eastern base of the Andes mainly in Argentina from the
Province of Neuquen southward to meet the range of A. I. nubila in
northern Santa Cruz; enters Chile at least at several points where
conditions favor.
This mouse has an extensive but narrow range in the small valleys
which connect the Andes with the pampas of Argentina. Apparently
it does not pass into the open pampas and it enters the mountains
only along valleys which cut the eastern slopes or which are directly
connected with them at moderate elevations. It was found within
Chilean borders in the region of the Rio Nirehuao, where it was the
most abundant rodent. In this vicinity it was taken at one station
on the Rio Coihoique which is actually on western drainage, but the
physical conditions there are more eastern than western and there
was no evidence that it passed into the humid coastal forests.
Its range corresponds rather closely with that of Notiomys m.
vestitus and like that form it grades into a pale form in the north
and also in the south. It is very similar in color to various specimens
from Cautin and Malleco in eastern Chile which are somewhat larger
and usually have narrower skulls, for which reasons they have been
regarded as gradients between suffusa and apta. Occasional speci-
mens from this part of Chile may be found, however, which are
quite indistinguishable from suffusa.
1943 MAMMALS OF CHILE— OSGOOD 193
Specimens examined. — Total 47 : CHILE : Campo Bandera, Coihoi-
que, 18 (A.M.N.H.); Rio Coihoique Station, 2; Rio Nirehuao, 24.
ARGENTINA: Bariloche, Nahuelhuapi, 1; Valle del Lago Blanco,
Chubut, 2.
Akodon (Abrothrix) longipilis nubila Thomas.
Akodon suffusus Allen, Mamm. Patagonia, 3, p. 76, 1905.
Abrothrix hirta nubila Thomas, Ann. Mag. Nat. Hist., (10), 4, p. 40, 1929 —
Alta Vista, Lake Argentine, Santa Cruz, Argentina.
Similar to A. I. suffusa, but averaging slightly larger and considerably paler,
especially on the back where the brownish is lighter and more diffuse. Total
length 183 (177-195); tail 75 (70-79); hind foot 25.8 (25-26).
Range. — Southern Patagonia from the coast at the mouth of the
Rio Coy westward probably along streams to the base of the Andes
and thence northward to meet the range of A. I. suffusa in northern
Santa Cruz or southern Chubut.
Series of this form taken by Field Museum's expedition of
1939-40 show it to average much paler than suffusa. The hind
foot is a little larger and the skulls are slightly more robust. Varia-
tion includes some specimens scarcely distinguishable from suffusa,
but as a geographic race it seems well founded. It was not taken in
the immediate vicinity of Punta Arenas but was encountered at Rio
Verde, at the east end of Skyring Water, only a short distance
farther north. In the district of Ultima Esperanza it was abundant
and the Princeton Expedition found it in numbers on the upper Rio
Chico. Allen records it from the coast at the mouth of the Rio Coy
but it is not an animal of the open grassland and doubtless reaches
the coast by following watercourses.
Specimens examined. — Total 38 : , Alta Vista, Lake Argentine,
Argentina, 1; Lake Sarmiento, 3; Laguna Lazo, near Lake Sarmiento,
22; Puerto Natales, 2; Rio Chico, Santa Cruz, Argentina, 2; Rio
Verde, Skyring Water, 8.
Akodon (Abrothrix) longipilis francei Thomas.
Akodon francei Thomas, Ann. Mag. Nat. Hist., (8), 2, p. 497, 1908 — Santa
Maria, near Porvenir, Tierra del Fuego, Chile.
Abrothrix francei Thomas, supra cit., (8), 18, p. 340, 1916.
Field Museum's expedition of 1939-40 did not succeed in obtain-
ing this mouse on Tierra del Fuego. The actual type locality, which
is but a few miles southeast of the port of Porvenir, was not visited
and at various other localities on the island the species was not found.
194 FIELD MUSEUM OF NATURAL HISTORY— ZOOLOGY, VOL. 30
Therefore, the name francei still rests on the unique type specimen
in the British Museum. This type, which was hastily examined in
1937, was taken in midwinter (August) and is very full-pelaged with
the under parts and feet snowy white and greatly contrasted with
the upper parts. Moreover, it was originally preserved in brine
although it has now been remade into a specimen of the usual style.
All available specimens of nubila from the mainland are in summer
pelage, so reliable comparisons are not possible.
In view of the close similarity to mainland forms of other rodents
from Tierra del Fuego it seems improbable that this one is sharply
distinguished. For the present, at least, it deserves no more than
subspecific status and it would not be surprising to find it quite
identical with nubila.
The skull length of 30.3 given for the type suggests large size as
•a possible character since a large skull of nubila measures only 29, but
the other cranial measurements are essentially alike. Also, notes on
the type skull record that it had been broken and repaired, which
may account for the excessive length.
Akodon (Abrothrix) sanborni sp. nov.
Type from mouth of Rio Inio, south end of Chiloe Island, Chile.
No. 22726 Field Museum of Natural History. Adult male, collected
January 15, 1923, by Wilfred H. Osgood. Orig. No. 5522.
Diagnosis. — A small mouse of uniform blackish brown color
including the tail and feet; tail about four-fifths the length of the
head and body. Externally somewhat similar to Akodon o. brachiotis
but more blackish in color, the ears smaller and more scantily haired.
Feet and claws as in Akodon, the fifth digit on both fore and hind
feet proportionately longer than in Oxymycterus. Skull with the
rostral part narrow and elongate, the nasals in some cases "trumpet-
shaped" as in Oxymycterus; infraorbital plate much narrowed, more
sloping than in typical Akodon, but less so than in Oxymycterus;
dentition essentially as in Akodon and Oxymycterus, the "subsidiary
ridges" (i.e. secondary parastyle and mesostyle) somewhat better
developed than usual in Akodon; anterior lamina of first upper cheek-
tooth variable, in some cases distinctly cleft as in typical Akodon, in
others faintly or not at all cleft as in A. longipilis and subspecies.
Measurements. — Average of ten adults from the type locality:
total length 180 (169-200); tail 75.8 (69-85); hind foot 24.1 (23.5-
25.5). Skull of type: greatest length 28.3? basilar length 20.8; zygo-
matic breadth 13.1; nasals 11.8 X 3.2; interorbital constriction 5.2;
1943
MAMMALS OF CHILE— OSGOOD
195
FIG. 25. A k o d o n
(Abrothrix) sanborni. F.M.
No. 22826. X 1.
width of infraorbital plate 1.8; diastema 6.6; postpalatilar length
9.8; palatine slits 6.6; width of braincase 12; upper cheekteeth 4.3.
During field work in Chile, this species was commonly referred
to as the "black mouse." It is, in fact, so dark that this title is not
undeserved, but the color is usually tinged with brownish (dark
Clove Brown) and the under parts are somewhat grayish. Uni-
formity of color is a marked characteristic, and there is no indication
of a dorsal differentiation. Apparently none of Philippi's names
apply to this species and, since it is rela-
tively scarce, probably he never received
it. During Field Museum's expedition of
1923-24, although it was taken in some
numbers on Chiloe Island, only four speci-
mens were obtained on the mainland. In
1939, at Peulla on Lake Todos Santos, a
small series was accumulated gradually,
only one or two examples being taken on
each "trap night." Here it was greatly
outnumbered by Akodon o. brachiotis but
apparently was more restricted to very dense forest. These main-
land specimens average slightly larger with somewhat heavier skulls
than those from Chiloe Island, and at some future time it may
be possible to make some separation. At present, their relations
to the longipilis series are not wholly clear1 and, since no collecting
has been done on the mainland opposite Chiloe Island, there is doubt-
less much more to be learned.
On the basis of cranial and dental characters alone there could be
no objection to regarding this as a small species of the genus Oxymyc-
terus. Except for the infraorbital plate which, although narrow,
is less sloping, practically every feature of the skull of Oxymycterus
is repeated. The differences in the structure of the feet, however,
are marked. With the feet of Akodon, therefore, and the skull and
teeth of Oxymycterus, this species provides the characters that have
had recognition under the name Microxus. Its close similarity to
Abrothrix, however, leads to the conclusion that Microxus should be
merged with Abrothrix and when this is done but few distinctions
1 An interesting character which sanborni shares with longipilis and all Its
subspecies is evident only to the field collector. This is the close adherence of
the skin of the tail to the tail vertebrae in all but immature specimens. In other
rodents of the region the tail bone slips out easily, but in these it is necessary to
use the knife all the way, the usual practice being to slit the under side longi-
tudinally. In any considerable collection of dried skins evidences of this practice
are to be seen in a large share of the specimens.
196 FIELD MUSEUM OF NATURAL HISTORY— ZOOLOGY, VOL. 30
remain between Abrothrix and typical Akodon. As stated elsewhere,
recently studied material includes specimens among the gradients
from apta to suffusa with skulls having a similarity to those of san-
borni amounting to practical identity.
The presence or absence of a cleft or division in the anterior
lamina of the first upper cheektooth has been supposed to provide
a distinction between Akodon and Abrothrix and if only the type
species (boliviensis and longipilis) are compared it does so. Among
other species, however, there is considerable variation and in many
the condition in very young teeth is unknown.
Therefore statements as to this character
often are unreliable. In the series of sanborni
from Chiloe Island there are a number of very
young examples with the teeth quite unworn.
In two of these examined there is scarcely any
indication of an anterior division of the first
upper cheektooth, while in two others the
FIG. 26. Akodono. division is quite marked. In lanosus, which
SoTon (telTx) differs from sanborni mainly in size and exter-
sanborni (lower), xl. nal characters, the division is clear in all very
young teeth and often persists in fairly late
stages of wear. On the other hand, in Akodon xanthorhinus,
which has never been supposed to be anything but an Akodon, the
division is very faint and soon obliterated or quite absent. In some
cases there is division in the tooth of the right or left side while the
corresponding one of the opposite side is entire.
It seems, therefore, that peculiarity of the anterior lamina
of the first upper cheektooth may furnish specific or sometimes
perhaps subgeneric, but not generic characters. As knowledge of
connecting forms grows, it is increasingly evident that among South
American cricetine rodents, while differentiation has been marked,
indications of a community of ancestry are still present to an unusual
degree. To express rather than to obscure this significant situation
it seems desirable to link various groups rather than to separate
them.
Since the above-described species is not even subgenerically
separable from Abrothrix and since it agrees with the usual concept
of Microxus, it appears to follow that Microxus is a synonym of
Abrothrix and that Abrothrix at most is only a subgenus of Akodon
characterized by a combination of peculiarities, recurrent elsewhere,
rather than by any unique features. However, the type species
1943 MAMMALS OF CHILE— OSGOOD 197
(mimus) of Microxus has not been examined in this connection and
since certain Peruvian species of Akodon show some approach to it,
possibly its final status is yet to be determined.1
Specimens examined. — Total 37: Peulla, Lake Todos Santos, 10;
Puerto Montt, 1; Quellon, Chiloe Island, 13; Rinihue, Valdivia, 1
(aberrant) ; Rio Inio, Chiloe Island, 12.
Akodon (Abrothrix) lanosus Thomas.
Oxymycterus lanosus Thomas, Ann. Mag. Nat. Hist., (6), 20, p. 218, 1897 —
Monteith Bay, Straits of Magellan.
Microxus lanosus Thomas, supra cit., (8), 4, p. 237, 1909.
A small, brown (Cinnamon Brown) mouse with small, thinly haired ears and
the tail about three-fifths the length of the head and body. Under parts usually
heavily washed with fulvous; feet white; tail bicolored. Skull slender and delicate
with the nasals much elongate and the infraorbital plate narrow; dentition with
the anterior lamina of the first upper cheektooth deeply cleft and the "subsidiary
ridges" persisting through early stages of wear. Total length (10 adults) 163.4
(151-168); tail 59 (53-65); hind foot 21.9 (21.5-23).
This mouse was found sparingly in or near deep forest on Tierra
del Fuego and in the vicinity of Punta Arenas where it shows pref-
erence for cool, damp habitat. In the field it was readily distin-
guished from the common Akodon of the region by its smaller ears,
its usually more fulvous under parts, and its white feet.
Two specimens of the species, compared with the type by
Thomas, have been recorded from upper Rio Chico by Allen (Mamm.
Patagonia, p. 83, 1905). These and the type itself appear to be the
only specimens heretofore obtained. The type in the British
Museum is fairly well preserved, the skin laid on its side as in most
of Darwin's specimens, and the tail vertebrae still in situ. The skull
is in good condition, the teeth being practically unworn. The
1 In 1913, 1 described orophilus and orientalis from northern Peru as subspecies
of Akodon mollis (Field Mus. Nat. Hist., Zool. Ser., 10, pp. 98-99), being misled
by their very close external similarity and by their apparent continuity of dis-
tribution. Later, Thomas (Proc. U. S. Nat. Mus., 58, pp. 239-240, 1920) named
torques as a Microxus and implied that orophilus and orientalis also belonged to
that genus rather than to Akodon. A re-examination of my original collections,
together with series of torques and much additional material, leads to the conclusion
that orophilus is specifically but not generically distinct from mollis, at least not
in northern Peru. Externally A. mollis altorum and A. orophilus are identical
and in northern Peru are separated only by the canyon of the Maranon River.
They are not "respectively lowland and highland" forms, as Thomas thought, but
forms of the western, central, and eastern Cordilleras. In central and southern
Peru the three cordilleras are not always so distinct as in the north and complicated
distributional problems are yet to be worked out. It is doubtful if the form called
surdus by Thomas is a southern representative of mollis, but torques, like orientalis,
appears to be only a slight subspecies of orophilus. In fact it is difficult to find
any external distinction between torques and orientalis and the only cranial charac-
ter appears to be the somewhat wider braincase of torques.
198 FIELD MUSEUM OF NATURAL HISTORY— ZOOLOGY, VOL. 30
braincase, as judged by notes made without comparisons, is some-
what broader than in recently collected specimens.
Apparently this species is quite distinct from A. sanborni,
especially in color and size, but its skull, although considerably
smaller, has very similar general characters. In the long stretch of
coast between the Chonos Islands and the Straits of Magellan,
where no mammal collecting has been done, it is possible that one
or the other of these species may have considerable extension of range.
Specimens examined. — Total 42 : Lake Fagnano, Tierra del Fuego,
17; vicinity of Punta Arenas, 24; "Monteith Bay," 1 (type in B.M.).1
Eligmodontia puerulus Philippi.
Hesperomys puerulus Philippi, Anal. Mus. Nac. Chile, Zool., Ent. 13a, pp.
20-21, pi. 7, fig. 1 (col.), 1896 — San Pedro de Atacama, Province of
Antofagasta, Chile.
Mus puerulus Philippi, supra cit., Ent. 14a, pp. 79-80, 1900.
A pale, soft-pelaged mouse with the under parts wholly or partly white to
roots of hairs; soles of hind feet hairy. Total length 183 (175-193) ; tail 91 (88-95) ;
hind foot 25 (24-26).
Range. — Known only from the type region.
This pretty species is doubtless closely related to E. hirtipes. It
is only slightly paler than E. elegans (specimens from Province of
Neuquen, Argentina), but that species has
a longer tail and smaller audital bullae.
One specimen has the hairs white to
the roots over the entire under parts.
The others are entirely white only on the
throat and upper breast. One specimen
has the under parts blotched with pale
ochraceous.
FIG. 27. Eligmodontia Philippi's type of Hesperomys puerulus
puerulus. F.M. No. 22321. ig preserved in Santiago in fairly good con-
dition. Extracts from my notes regarding
it are as follows: "It is not so brightly ochraceous as in Philippi's fig-
ure, and is more of a pale buff with a cinnamon-tipped effect. On the
under side, which I examined by lifting the specimen from its stand,
the hairs are white to the roots on the throat, chest, inguinal region,
and probably along middle line of abdomen. Laterally on the
abdomen, the hairs have light grayish plumbeous bases. The soles
1 On maps available, I have been unable to find the exact location of Monteith
Bay.
1943 MAMMALS OF CHILE— OSGOOD 199
of the hind feet seem to be hairy, but this is not well ascertained. Hind
foot measures 21.5. The tip of the tail is not quite perfect, but
apparently it was slightly penciled."
The small size of the hind foot in the type is the only feature
to cast any doubt upon its identity with the small series now in
hand in which the foot measures 24, 25, 25, 25, and 26 mm. Other
characters of the type, especially the pure white under parts and
general proportions, seem to outweigh this, and with a series from
the vicinity of the type locality showing these characters, the estab-
lishment of the name is amply justified.
Specimens examined. — Twenty miles east of San Pedro, Rio San
Pedro, Antofagasta, 5 (alt. 12,600 ft.).
Eligmodontia elegans morgani Allen.
Eligmodontia morgani Allen, Bull. Amer. Mus. Nat. Hist., 14, p. 409, 1901 —
Basaltic Canyons, fifty miles southeast of Lake Buenos Aires, Argentina.
A small slender mouse with the tail about equal to or slightly shorter than the
head and body; under parts with at least the chin and throat pure white to roots
of hairs; soles of hind feet mostly or entirely hairy. Total length 153 (145-165);
tail 73 (65-80); hind foot 22.5 (22-23); ear from notch 11-12.
A single specimen taken by Sanborn on a nearly bare, rocky hill-
side near Lake Sarmiento affords the only record of this mouse from
Chilean territory. In adjoining parts of Argentina it was taken in
considerable numbers by the Princeton expeditions, including locali-
ties on the east coast as far south as Rio Gallegos.
Although Thomas has remarked (Ann. Mag. Nat. Hist., (10), 4,
p. 40, 1929) that morgani "appears to be the same" as elegans, such
material as is available in Field Museum seems to indicate that it
is at least subspecifically distinguishable. A specimen from Choele
Choel, a locality southwest of Bahia Blanca and in nearly the same
latitude, assumed to represent elegans, has decidedly larger ears and
a longer tail than specimens from southern Patagonia. Since these
are the very characters mentioned by Allen in describing morgani,
it seems necessary to give it subspecific status at least until further
work on the group can be done. Actual topotypes of elegans from
Bahia are not available and specimens from western Rio Negro
seem to indicate that morgani may have a northward distribution
in that region.
Specimens examined. — Total 6: ARGENTINA: Piedra Clavada,
Santa Cruz, 1; Rio Coy, Santa Cruz, 1; Rio Gallegos, Santa Cruz,
1; Province of Santa Cruz, 2. CHILE: Lake Sarmiento, Ultima
Esperanza, 1.
200 FIELD MUSEUM OF NATURAL HISTORY— ZOOLOGY, VOL. 30
Phyllotis darwini darwini Waterhouse. DARWIN'S LEAF-EARED
MOUSE.
Mus darwinii Waterhouse, Proc. Zool. Soc. Lond., p. 28 (top of page), 1837 —
Coquimbo, Chile.
Mus darwinii Waterhouse, Zool. Voy. Beagle, p. 64, pi. 23 (col.), pi. 34, fig.
17o-6 (teeth), 1839.
Mus melanonotus Philippi and Landbeck, Arch. Naturg., 24, (1), p. 78, 1858
— Province of Santiago, Chile; Philippi, Anal. Mus. Nac. Chile, Zool.,
Ent. 14a, p. 43, pi. 18, fig. 1 (col.), 1900.
Mus dichrous Philippi, supra cit., pp. 14-15, pi. 3, fig. 2 (col.), 1900 — near
Peine, Province of O'Higgins, Chile.
Mus megalotis Philippi, supra cit., p. 15, pi. 3, fig. 3 (col.), 1900 — Province
of Santiago, Chile.
Mus mollis Philippi, supra cit., pp. 23-24, pi. 7, fig. 1 (col.), 1900 — Province
of Santiago, Chile.
Mus illapelinus Philippi, supra cit., pp. 28-29, pi. 9, fig. 1 (col.), 1900 — near
Illapel, Province of Coquimbo, Chile.
Mus segethi Philippi, supra cit., pp. 30-31, pi. 11, fig. 2 (col.), 1900 — Plain
of Peine, Province of O'Higgins, Chile.
Mus campestris Philippi, supra cit., pp. 38-39, pi. 16, fig. 1 (col.), 1900 —
Choapa, Province of Coquimbo, Chile.
Mus melanotis Philippi, supra cit., p. 39, pi. 16, fig. 3 (col.), 1900 — no locality.
Mus platytarsus Philippi, supra cit., p. 47, pi. 19, fig. 4 (col.), 1900 — La
Ligua, Province of Aconcagua, Chile.
Mus griseoflavus Philippi, supra cit., pp. 55-56, pi. 24, fig. 1 (col.), 1900 —
near La Serena, Province of Coquimbo, Chile; preoccupied name.
Phyllotis darwini Trouessart, Cat. Mamm., p. 583, 1897; Thomas, Ann. Mag.
Nat. Hist., (7), 9, p. 131, 1902; Wolffsohn, Bol. Mus. Nac. Chile, 2, No. 1,
pp. 88, 90, 93, 94, 98, 99, 1910; Thomas, Ann. Mag. Nat. Hist, (8), 10,
pp. 406-409, 1912.
A large soft-pelaged mouse with large leafy ears and the tail usually longer
than the head and body. Total length 257 (237-297); tail 127 (115-137); hind
foot 29.5 (27-32); ear from notph (dry) 23-25.
Range. — Coastal region of central Chile from the vicinity of
Coquimbo southward at least to Valparaiso, thence inland to Santi-
ago and southward on the west side of the Andes to the Province
of Talca.
In typical form Phyllotis darwini is rather richly colored and has
larger ears than most of the subspecies allied to it. The under parts
may be nearly white but often are creamy or even pale buffy rather
than white. About one specimen in twenty has a fulvous pectoral
spot. Although larger, it has a general appearance strongly sugges-
tive of the Californian Peromyscus truei.
Specimens at hand are mostly from the coastal region from
Coquimbo to Valparaiso but distribution inland to Santiago and
1943 MAMMALS OF CHILE— OSGOOD 201
southward along the western base of the Andes is indicated by speci-
mens received by Philippi from several localities in this region and
described by him under various names. This is confirmed by five
specimens taken by Sanborn in 1939 on the Rio Maule, some 19 km.
above Curillanque in the Province of Talca. These do not differ
from typical darwini in any important way. The species is recorded
from Bafios de Cauquenes by E. C. Reed (1877).
The type locality, Coquimbo, evidently is on the northern edge
of the range. Specimens from Romero, about ten miles from
Coquimbo, are relatively dark colored and in general agreement
FIG. 28. Phyllotis darwini darwini. F.M. No. 23891. X 1.
with others from farther south; but within one hundred miles of
Coquimbo northward and eastward, another form is found.
Ten names given by Philippi seem referable to d. darwini beyond
any reasonable doubt. These are melanonotus, dichrous, megalotis,
mollis, illapelinus, segethi, campestris, melanotis, platytarsus, and
griseoflavus. In his work on Chilean rodents where most of these
names were proposed, Philippi lists Phyllotis darwini and naively
remarks that the museum has not been able to secure it, so he trans-
lates Waterhouse's description and reproduces his colored figure.
The type of M. platytarsus was found in the museum at Santiago
in 1923, and my notes on it are as follows: "Skull inside. Seems to
be a rather reddish example of Phyllotis darwini. It is in that cinna-
mon phase often seen when the black tips of the hairs are not wholly
worn off but turned cinnamon in color, thus matching the next color
and increasing the general buffiness. The hind foot measures about
27-28; the ear from notch about 23." None of the others were found
at this time, but most of them were examined by Wolffsohn and
discussed in his paper of 1910. There seems no reason to doubt any
of his conclusions and most of them might well be derived from
the descriptions and figures. Types which Wolffsohn does not men-
202 FIELD MUSEUM OF NATURAL HISTORY— ZOOLOGY, VOL. 30
tion and which may have had no recent examination are those of
megalotis, melanonotus, and melanotis. In 1900, Philippi himself was
unable to find the type of melanonotus and his figure is taken from
another specimen of which no history is given.
A specimen in the British Museum (No. 11.11.17.8) received
from Santiago bears a typewritten label attached in the Chilean
museum and reading as follows: "Raton. Mus melanonotus Ph. &
Landb. Chile 1892." This is perhaps the one figured in 1900, but
the date 1892 indicates it is not the original type. It is accompanied
by a good skull and is unquestionably referable to Phyllotis d. darwini.
Specimens examined. — Total 37: Buen Retire, Las Higuelas,
Calera, Aconcagua, 5; Las Rojas, Quillota, Valparaiso, 2; La Ligua,
1 (type of Mus platytarsus in Mus. Nac. Chile) ; Longotoma, Aconca-
gua, 1; Los Agostinos, Palomar, Aconcagua, 1; Olmue, Valparaiso,
4; Palmilla, La Cruz, Valparaiso, 2; Papudo, Aconcagua, 9; Rio
Maule, Talca, 5; Romero, Coquimbo, 5; San Cristobal, Santiago, 2.
Phyllotis darwini boedeckeri Philippi.
Mus boedeckeri Philippi, Anal. Mus. Nac. Chile, Zool., Ent. 14a, p. 53, pi. 19,
fig. 2 (col.), 1900 — Coroney Ranch, near Quirihue, Province of Maule,
Chile.
Similar to P. d. darwini, but smaller and shorter-tailed; under parts slightly
more buffy. Total length 220-227; tail 104-106; hind foot 27; ear from notch
(dry) 21.5.
Range. — Known only from the type locality in the coast range
south of Valparaiso.
Three specimens collected by Sanborn in the Province of Maule
differ so markedly from typical darwini in their smaller size and
especially in their shorter tails that it seems altogether probable
they represent a recognizable race occupying the coast district
between Valparaiso and Concepcion. For this race Philippi's name
boedeckeri is available. The colored figure of boedeckeri is obviously
that of a Phyllotis and the description also is sufficient. The fact
that the skull of a house rat is figured with it needs no especial
consideration. Philippi's original measurements agree closely with
those of the recent specimens. Mr. Sanborn visited Mr. Boedecker,
whom he found still living in the Province of Maule, and his recol-
lection was that he retrieved the type specimen after it had been
caught by a hawk, and that it was forwarded to Philippi in bad
condition. It was not found in the museum at Santiago and it is
not mentioned in Wolffsohn's paper (1910a).
MAP 10. Distribution of Phyllotis darwini and Chilean subspecies.
203
204 FIELD MUSEUM OF NATURAL HISTORY— ZOOLOGY, VOL. 30
Two of the three specimens in hand are adult and the third
immature. In all three a fairly pronounced buffy ochraceous pectoral
spot is present. Such a spot is usually absent in darwini, but in rare
instances may occur. No Phyllotis are available from any of the
region between Maule and Valparaiso.
Specimens examined.- — Total 3: Pilen Alto, 8 miles west of Cau-
quenes, Maule, 1; Quirihue, Maule, 2.
Phyllotis darwini fulvescens subsp. nov.
Type from Sierra Nahuelbuta, west of Angol, Malleco, Chile.
Altitude about 4,000 feet. No. 50550 Field Museum of Natural
History. Collected November 8, 1939, by Wilfred H. Osgood. Orig.
No. 7072.
Diagnosis. — Size about as in P. d. boedeckeri; smaller and shorter-
tailed than in P. d. darwini; darker and more richly colored than
either; upper parts ochraceous buff thickly mixed with dusky, the
sides brighter; under parts from the breast backward heavily washed
with fulvous (between Ochraceous Buff and Ochraceous Orange) ; chin
and throat paler, dull creamy thinly concealing the Blackish Mouse
Gray undercolor; a lateral line of pure color rather well developed
from the sides of the face to the hips, with a somewhat expanded area
in the axillary region bright Ochraceous Buff approaching Orange
Ochraceous; an irregular blackish eye-ring, somewhat expanded on
the lower side; ears blackish; tail sharply bicolored; feet white.
Skull about as in P. d. boedeckeri; smaller and lighter than in P. d.
darwini.
Measurements.— Total length 227, 246; tail 104, 118; hind foot
27, 28; ear from notch (dry) 19.3, 19.5. Skull of type: greatest
length 30; zygomatic breadth 16; interorbital constriction 4; nasals
13 X 4.2; palatal slits 7.2; diastema 8.2; upper cheekteeth 5.4.
This form, although quite well characterized by its saturate colora-
tion, is perhaps confined to the araucaria forest in the cloudlands of
the cordillera of Nahuelbuta. In this region it appears to be rare
and only two specimens so far have been taken, one by Dr. H. E.
Anthony for the American Museum of Natural History, and one by
Field Museum's expedition of 1939-40. In a week's intensive col-
lecting, with three lines of traps out, only the single specimen (the
type) was obtained and this not in a mouse trap, but in a steel trap
set at the burrow of Aconaemys. The exact locality was near the
high rock called Piedra de Aiguilas near the summit of the Sierra
1943 MAMMALS OF CHILE— OSGOOD 205
directly west of Angol. Dr. Anthony's specimen, which fully agrees
with ours, evidently was taken in the same vicinity.
Phyllotis darwini vaccarum Thomas.
Phyllotis darwini vaccarum Thomas, Ann. Mag. Nat. Hist., (8), 10, p. 408,
1912 — Las Vacas (Punta Vaca), Transandine Railway, Argentine slopes
of cordillera opposite Mendoza, Argentina. Alt. 2,500 meters.
Range. — East base of the Andes from the Province of Mendoza,
Argentina, southward to the Province of Neuquen; passing into
northern Chile in the provinces of Coquimbo and Atacama.
This form seems to differ from typical darwini mainly in decidedly
paler color and somewhat smaller ears. The large series from Pai-
guano, which is about sixty miles east of Coquimbo, although pale
in color, has rather large ears, nearly or quite equaling darwini,
and in this respect perhaps should be regarded as intermediate.
Three specimens of vaccarum from the type locality are indis-
tinguishable from Chilean specimens except for their slightly smaller
ears, and there is little doubt that the form ranges from one side of the
Andes to the other. Its southward extension along the east side of
the Andes to lat. 37° in Neuquen is indicated by specimens taken by
Budin for the British Museum (see Thomas, Ann. Mag. Nat. Hist.,
(9), 18, p. 635, 1926). One of these, received in exchange by Field
Museum, shows no tangible difference from typical vaccarum.
Another from the same locality (Chos Malal) although rather long-
tailed, has the under parts somewhat as in xanthopygus and appears
to indicate a gradation from vaccarum to xanthopygus.
Specimens examined. — Total 52: CHILE: Banos del Toro, Co-
quimbo, 2 (approaching darwini); Domeyko, Atacama, 2; Paiguano,
Coquimbo, 43 (approaching darwini). ARGENTINA: Chos Malal,
Neuquen, 2 (approaching xanthopygus); Punta Vaca, Mendoza, 3.
Phyllotis darwini rupestris Gervais.
Mus rupestris Gervais, Voy. Bonite, Zool., 1, pp. 51-53, 1841; Gay, Hist.
Chile, Zool., 1, pp. 115-116, 1847— part; Atlas, pi. 6, figs. 1, 2, 1848—
high mountains near Cobija, Antofagasta, Chile.
Mus capita Philippi, Reise durch die Wiiste Atacama, pp. 159-160, Zool., pi.
2, fig. 2 (col.), 1860; Anal. Mus. Nac. Chile, Zool., Ent. 14a, p. 10, pi. 1,
fig. 2 (col.), 1900 — Hueso Parado, near Taltal, Province of Antofagasta,
Chile.
Hesperomys glirinus Philippi, supra cit., Ent. 13a, p. 19 (top of page), pi. 7,
fig. 3 (col.), 1896— San Pedro de Atacama, Chile. .
206 FIELD MUSEUM OF NATURAL HISTORY— ZOOLOGY, VOL. 30
Akodon rupestris Trouessart, Cat. Mamm., p. 535, 1897; Tate, Amer. Mus.
Nat. Hist., Nov., No. 582, p. 26, 1932 (position queried).
Hesperomys lanatus Philippi, supra cit., Ent. 13a, p. 19 (bottom of page),
pi. 7, fig. 2 (col.), 1896— San Pedro de Atacama, Chile.
Mus glirinus Philippi, supra cit., Ent. 14a, p. 59, 1900.
Mus lanatus Philippi, supra cit., Ent. 14a, pp. 59-60, 1900.
Similar to P. d. darwini, but color paler, ears and tail shorter. Total length
213 (194-229); tail 106.6 (93-118); hind foot 20.3 (19-21).
Range. — Arid parts of northern Chile in the Province of Antofa-
gasta and adjoining regions; probably extending into Bolivia and
Argentina.
In northern Chile the darwini series of Phyllotis is represented
by a subspecies for which the name rupestris is available. The tail
in this form is considerably shorter than in P. d. vaccarum, and the
ears average slightly shorter. Corresponding to the external ears,
there is a slight reduction in the size of the audital bullae. The color
is pale, practically as in vaccarum. The series from the Province of
Antofagasta agrees essentially with material from Bolivia and
Argentina, indicating a range across the Andes. Specimens in the
British Museum, especially those from Lipez, Bolivia, and Casa-
bindo, Jujuy, Argentina, referred by Thomas to ricardulus, seem to
belong with the Antofagasta form. The type and topotypes of
ricardulus, however, are considerably darker and suggest a possible
gradation toward wolffsohni. A small series in Field Museum from
Tacna (alt. 11,600 ft.) also appears to belong here.
The application of the name rupestris to this form seems well
justified although heretofore it has been assigned to Akodon. The
external characters were unknown to Gervais, who based his some-
what detailed description on "un squelette inutile", mais dont la
tete et les dents sont bien conserves." No illustration accompanied
the original description, but a few years later Gay, who worked with
Gervais in the Paris Museum, published excellent figures of the speci-
men described by Gervais. Gay compared it with a specimen from
Chile which he believed to be the same species and which he also
figured not only as to its dentition but as to its external appearance.
The colored plate of this animal obviously represents a Phyllotis,
probably P. d. darwini or P. d. vaccarum. The dentition shown on
another plate (pi. 6, fig. 2), supposed to be of the same animal, does
not suggest Phyllotis, however, but is more like Akodon. In any
case, whatever Gay's Chilean specimen may have been is unimpor-
tant, since it did not receive a new name, but was merely referred
1943 MAMMALS OF CHILE— OSGOOD 207
to the rupestris of Gervais. The figures of the actual type of rupestris
are themselves fairly conclusive. The dentition agrees with that of
Phyllotis especially in the position of the loops of the upper molars
directly opposite each other, the even figure 8 pattern of the second
molar, and the elongate rather than rounded pattern of the last
molar. The skull, shown in side view, has a short rostrum and a
zygomatic plate vertical or slightly concave in front. The mandible
is short and deep as in Phyllotis rather than long and slender as in
Akodon. The external capsule of the base of the lower incisor, so
well developed in Phyllotis, is distinctly indicated.
The locality Cobija (formerly included in Bolivia) is on the arid
coast of Chile between the well-known ports of Antofagasta and
Tocopilla. Sanborn visited the place in 1923 but obtained no mam-
mals, since conditions were very unfavorable. He reports an abrupt
rocky coast devoid of vegetation and rising to a lifeless nitrate
plateau extending inland for a long distance. Beyond this, how-
ever, and in nearly the same latitude he found Phyllotis common on
the Rio San Pedro, a tributary of the Rio Loa which comes through
to the coast a short distance north of Cobija. It is extremely
probable, therefore, that the mouse obtained by Sanborn is the
same as the one described by Gervais from "un trou de rocher des
hautes montagnes de Cobija." The only other small rodents
obtained in the region were Eligmodontia puerulus and Akodon a.
dolichonyx, neither of which is large enough to be considered in this
connection.
Philippi's name Mus capita is obviously based upon an immature
example of the Phyllotis darwini series. The description, measure-
ments, and colored figure all point to this conclusion. The type
appears not to exist, and for the present it seems best to associate
the name with the mountain form of Antofagasta. No specimens
are available from the vicinity of the type locality which is on the
coast and somewhat south toward the region where P. d. vaccarum
is found. Sanborn, while collecting at Caldera, still farther south,
failed to obtain Phyllotis but examined a specimen there in the pos-
session of a local naturalist; so there is no doubt of the coastal dis-
tribution of the species in this region. In case specimens from the
type locality should prove to belong to the southern form, capito1
might replace vaccarum.
1 The name Mus(l) capito was used as a nomen nudum in 1815 by Illiger
(Abhandl. K. Akad. Wiss., Berlin, 1801-1811, p. 108) and by Schinz in 1821
(Das Thierreich, 1, p. 288, footnote).
208 FIELD MUSEUM OF NATURAL HISTORY— ZOOLOGY, VOL. 30
Philippi's names glirinus and lanatus also apply here. The speci-
mens of both are stated to have been captured in the village of
Atacama (San Pedro de Atacama) which is directly south of the
Rio San Pedro and in a region of wholly similar conditions. Both
are clearly members of the darwini series. Philippi himself notes
their close resemblance and in comparing them makes no distinctions
except slight differences in the measurements of the tail and ears.
He also mentions their similarity to his Mus mollis, which is a
synonym of P. d. darwini. The type of glirinus was not found in
Santiago, and probably it no longer exists. Its description and
measurements conform in detail, although the color shown by
Philippi's figure could scarcely have been derived from a normal
adult specimen of the species. The inaccuracy of the color in many
of Philippi's figures is demonstrated, and in this case he remarks
that the specimen when fresh had a different color. The propor-
tions of the figure in this case and especially the large ears could
apply only to one species.
The type of H. lanatus, which is described following glirinus, on
the same page, is preserved and was examined in 1923. Extracts
from notes made at that time are as follows: "The label is 'Raton.
Mus lanatus Ph. Atacama, 1885.' A pale, soft-haired and rather
short-tailed Phyllotis. At present the hind foot measures 24.5 and
the ear from notch 19.5. A broken skull labeled M. lanatus may
belong to the skin. At least it seems to be a Phyllotis. It measures:
Occ.-nas. length 31; nasals 12.6 X 4; palatine foramina 7.25 X 2;
upper toothrow 5.3. The mounted specimen is much paler and more
buffy than in Philippi's figure, and the dark patches are where hair
came out, showing the under color." The artist evidently followed
the imperfections of the mounted specimen, as in other cases, and
thus all uncertainty is removed as to the specimen which was the
basis of the figure.
Specimens examined. — Total 25: Putre, Tacna, 7; San Pedro de
Atacama, Antofagasta, 1 (type of Hesperomys lanatus in Mus. Nac.
Chile); twenty miles east of San Pedro, Rio San Pedro, Antofa-
gasta, 17.
Phyllotis darwini xanthopygus Waterhouse.
Mus (Phyllotis) xanthopygus Waterhouse, Proc. Zool. Soc. Lond., p. 28 (middle
of page), 1837 — Santa Cruz, Patagonia.
Mus xanthopygus Waterhouse, Zool. Voy. Beagle, Mamm., p. 63, pi. 22, pi.
34, fig. 16, 1839.
1943 MAMMALS OF CHILE— OSGOOD 209
Phyllotis xanthopygus Trouessart, Cat. Mamm., p. 534, 1897; Allen, Mamm.
Patagonia, p. 58, pi. 13, fig. 1, pi. 14, figs. 2-3, 1905; Thomas, Ann. Mag.
Nat. Hist., (9), 18, pp. 635-636, 1926.
Most similar to P. d. vaccarum, but averaging slightly larger and shorter-
tailed; coloration darker, the upper parts browner and the under parts wholly
and heavily washed with Ochraceous Buff; skull larger and heavier; dentition
averaging slightly heavier.
Range. — Southern and western Argentina from eastern Santa
Cruz to the base of the Andes and thence northward at least to the
southern part of the Province of Neuquen about lat. 39° S. Crosses
the boundary into Chile at a few points.
Two adults and four young taken near Lake Sarmiento by Field
Museum's expedition of 1939^0 furnish the only definite Chilean
records of this form. Very probably they also indicate the southern
limit of the range of the subgenus Phyllotis.
The suspicion that xanthopygus is only subspecifically separable
from the darwini series was expressed by Thomas in 1926 (I.e.), and
is borne out by material now in Field Museum. Included in this
are several topotypes of vaccarum and specimens from several locali-
ties in Neuquen received in exchange from the British Museum. Of
two specimens from Chos Malal, Neuquen, regarded by Thomas as
xanthopygus, one is quite indistinguishable from vaccarum and the
other differs from it only in having the under parts slightly more
fulvous. In the color of the upper parts all specimens from Neuquen
agree closely with vaccarum rather than with xanthopygus. Even
specimens from Chubut are somewhat paler than the only available
examples from the extreme south. It appears, therefore, that while
xanthopygus may have no direct connection with typical darwini,
it grades insensibly into subspecies vaccarum, which doubtless ranges
down the east side of the Andes from Mendoza to Neuquen.
As between typical darwini and typical xanthopygus some dis-
tinctions can be drawn but even these are somewhat variable and
elusive. Most obvious is the color of the under parts, which is
creamy or nearly white in darwini and wholly ochraceous buff in
xanthopygus. In darwini the ears and tail are longer, the dentition
averages weaker, and the infraorbital plate slopes backward less
and its front edge is more frequently concave, sometimes forming a
hooked process or at least a sharp angle at the top. Otherwise there
are no evident cranial characters that hold through any considerable
series.
Apparently xanthopygus is mainly a rodent of the open pampa
or of low brush along watercourses within it. In the south it extends
210 FIELD MUSEUM OF NATURAL HISTORY— ZOOLOGY, VOL. 30
to the coast of Santa Cruz and in the west records seem to indicate
that it does not penetrate far into the mountains. It was not found
at Rio Nirehuao, although it is recorded from Chubut only a short
distance east. The Princeton expeditions obtained it in considerable
numbers and their records include the following localities: Basaltic
Canyons, mouth of Rio Coy, upper Rio Chico, Swan Lake.
Specimens examined. — Total 12: ARGENTINA: Huanuluan, Rio
Negro, 1; Collon Cura, Neuquen, 1 (approaching vaccarum); Pil-
caneu, Rio Negro, 3; Tecka, Chubut, 1. CHILE: Laguna Lazo,
near Lake Sarmiento, 6.
Phyllotis (Auliscomys) boliviensis Waterhouse.
Hesperomys boliviensis Waterhouse, Proc. Zool. Soc. Lond., pp. 9-10, 1846 —
"a few leagues south of Potosi," Bolivia.
Phyllotis boliviensis Trouessart, Cat. Mamm., p. 534, 1897; Thomas, Ann.
Mag. Nat. Hist., (7), 1, p. 280, 1898; (7), 6, p. 467, 1900.
P[hyllotis (Auliscomys)] boliviensis Osgood, Field Mus. Nat. Hist., Zool. Ser.,
10, p. 191, 1915.
Euneomys (Auliscomys) boliviensis Thomas, Ann. Mag. Nat. Hist., (8), 17,
p. 143, 1916.
Phyllotis (Auliscomys) boliviensis boliviensis Ellerman, Fam. Gen. Rodents,
2, p. 455, 1941.
A stout-bodied mouse, with very large ears, long lax pelage, and tail shorter
than head and body. Color buffy with creamy white under parts and a tuft of
contrasted bright ochraceous hairs at the anterior base of the ears. Total length
215; tail 90; hind foot 28; ear from notch 22-24.
A small series of seven specimens of this species was taken by
Sanborn at an altitude of 15,000 feet at Choquelimpie, Tacna. They
have the long lax pelage, large ears,
and large audital bullae as described
for typical boliviensis. Geographically
they stand between boliviensis and its
slight subspecies flavidior and do not
wholly agree with either. Doubtless
the species will be found elsewhere in
northern Chile at high altitudes. It
is an intrusive form belonging to the
Bolivian rather than the Chilean fauna
and so far is recorded only from the
puna zone. It is now represented in
Field Museum by large series from the highlands adjacent to Lake
Titicaca in southwestern Peru.
FIG. 29. Phyllotis (Aulis-
comys) boliviensis. F.M. No.
22696. X 1.
1943 MAMMALS OF CHILE— OSGOOD 211
Phyllotis (Auliscomys) micropus micropus Waterhouse.
Mus micropus Waterhouse, Proc. Zool. Soc. Lond., p. 17, 1837; Zool. Voy.
Beagle, Mamm., p. 61, pi. 20, pi. 34, fig. 13, 1839— "Interior plains of
Patagonia, in latitude 50°, near banks of the Santa Cruz" River, Pata-
gonia.
Phyllotis micropus Allen, Mamm. Patagonia, p. 60, pi. 12, fig. 13, pi. 14, fig. 1,
1905; Osgood, Field Mus. Nat. Hist., Zool. Ser., 10, p. 190, 1915.
Euneomys (Auliscomys) micropus Thomas, Ann. Mag. Nat. Hist., (8), 17,
p. 143, 1916.
Euneomys micropus alsus Thomas, supra cit., (9), 3, p. 202, 1919 — Maiten,
Chubut, Argentina.
Phyllotis (Auliscomys) micropus Ellerman, Fam. Gen. Rodents, 2, p. 455,
1941.
A fairly large, heavy-bodied, and dark-colored mouse with rather small ears
and the tail shorter than the head and body. Skull with narrow interorbital
space, slightly concave, with its borders forming incipient ridges; maxillo-
premaxillary suture nearly vertical; posterior palate with a blunt median spine
and with its lateral pits shallow and practically confluent with the parapterygoid
fossae; front of incisors smooth, quite without grooves. Total length 249 (239-
258); tail 102 (93-108); hind foot 31 (28-32).
Range. — Eastern base of the Andes, mainly in Argentina, from
the Straits of Magellan northward to lat. 38° S., and thence in small
numbers passing into Chile via the Nahuelhuapi region and the
provinces of Malleco and Cautin westward to the Sierra Nahuelbuta.
Represented by a slightly characterized race on Chiloe Island.
This mouse has an extensive range within which no well-estab-
lished variations are definable. Although not previously recorded
so far south, it was found in 1939-40 to be abundant in the wooded
hills but a few miles from Punta Arenas. With the exception of the
much smaller Akodon xanthorhinus, it is the most numerous and
most successful rodent of the region, but so far as known it has not
reached Tierra del Fuego. Throughout its range in Argentina and
southern Chile, it seems everywhere to be abundant, but in the
north, where it crosses the Andes into central Chile, it is rare and
difficult to obtain. On Lake Todos Santos, where several hundred
small rodents were collected at Peulla in 1939, only two specimens
of this species were taken. In the Sierra Nahuelbuta during the
same season it was also scarce. Apparently it is a recent immigrant
to this part of Chile and, although there is some suggestion of differ-
entiation, it seems too slight for definition on the basis of present
material. The specimens from Lake Todos Santos have somewhat
larger molars than is typical, and those from Nahuelbuta, which
have normal molars, are externally marked by slightly pale under
212 FIELD MUSEUM OF NATURAL HISTORY— ZOOLOGY, VOL. 30
parts, somewhat as described for E. m. alsus, but in this case as in
that of alsus, the difference is fully covered by variation elsewhere.
Locality records for this species in the literature include the
following: Rio Chico, Alta Vista, and Lago Argentina, Santa Cruz;
Epuyen, Leleque, Mai ten, and Tecka, Chubut; and Quilquihue, San
Martin de los Andes, and Sierra de Pilpil, Neuquen.
The generic position of this species is a matter of considerable
difficulty since it does not fall readily into any well-defined group
but offers a combination of characters pointing in various directions.
According to the grouping made by Thomas, in 1916, it was regarded
FIG. 30. Phyllotis (Auliscomys) micropus. F.M. No. 23263. X 1.
as a member of the subgenus Auliscomys within the genus Euneomys.
The same grouping was made by Ellerman, in 1941, but Auliscomys
was placed under Phyllotis rather than Euneomys. Material now in
hand seems to justify this as a much more natural arrangement,
although micropus is still somewhat anomalous in company with
boliviensis and sublimis, to which its external resemblance is slight.
In characterizing Auliscomys in 1915, I considered it to occupy
a connectant position between Phyllotis and Euneomys but, on
account of lack of material representing it, did not give much
attention to the species micropus which, because of its smooth
incisors, was then regarded as a Phyllotis. Nevertheless, I was
inclined to place Auliscomys as a subgenus under Phyllotis, where
I still believe it belongs, although I do- not now think it has any
especial affinity to Euneomys. Thomas has referred micropus to
Euneomys, has expressed the opinion that Auliscomys is nearer to
Euneomys than to Phyllotis, has raised Auliscomys to generic rank
and has added two further names Galenomys and Chelemyscus, both
based on single specimens. In the course of this he has referred one
species (xanthopygus) first to Phyllotis, then to Euneomys, and then
back again to Phyllotis. The history is well set forth, with references,
by Tate (Amer. Mus. Nat. Hist., Nov., No. 541, pp. 1-21, 1932).
1943 MAMMALS OF CHILE— OSGOOD 213
From the foregoing, it may well be concluded that the distinc-
tion of genera of South American rodents is no easy matter and the
suspicion is aroused that the methods employed may be faulty.
What seems to have taken place is an attempt to apply to an imper-
fectly known fauna standards of distinction which are only workable
with a thoroughly known fauna. Before all the species of a group
are known, it may easily happen that specific and generic characters
are confused, and under these circumstances conservatism, if it
could be maintained, would unquestionably lead to the best results.
However, it never has been maintained and probably cannot be, so
we pass from one provisional classification to another, including
some which delay rather than advance knowledge of the actual
relationships.
In the group under consideration a present policy involving
something of compromise may have some advantages. Disregard-
ing the grooving of the incisors, there are common characters by
which Auliscomys (i.e. pictus, sublimis, and boliviensis) and the
species micropus may be separated from Phyllotis. These, there-
fore, should be brigaded in some fashion, doubtless best as a sub-
genus under the name Auliscomys as has been done by Ellerman.
The characters are most extreme in micropus, but are at least
partially evident in the other forms which apparently stand some-
what between micropus and typical Phyllotis. Most important are
the development of the anterior outer lobe (parastyle) of the middle
upper cheektooth and the somewhat more oblique pattern of all
the grinding teeth in which the outer lobes are flexed forward rather
than directed at right angles to the axis of the skull. The parastyle is a
variable element in the entire group allied to Phyllotis. Thus it is
well developed in Andinomys and appears also in Graomys but is not
evident in Chinchillula. It is almost non-existent in Euneomys, being
only faintly suggested in unworn teeth; it is quite slight in typical
Phyllotis; it is fairly developed in the smaller forms of Auliscomys;
and it is quite pronounced in the species micropus. Not only in
dentition, but also in various cranial characters, including its palate
and its maxillo-premaxillary suture, micropus agrees closely with
Phyllotis rather than with Euneomys, clearly indicating that its close
association with Euneomys cannot be defended.
In the very large series of micropus now available, there is one
specimen (from Punta Arenas) in which the left upper incisor is
distinctly grooved, the right being smooth as usual. • Whether this
is significant of relationship to other groove-toothed forms or not is
214 FIELD MUSEUM OF NATURAL HISTORY— ZOOLOGY, VOL. 30
conjectural, but if any inference is to be drawn from it, it should be
favorable. In pictus, slight grooves seem always to be present; in
sublimis, faint grooves are often found, but in many specimens none
are evident; in boliviensis and flavidior, even faint grooves have not
been detected.
Specimens examined. — Total 71: ARGENTINA: Bariloche, Nahuel-
huapi, 3; San Martin de los Andes, Neuquen, 1; Sierra de Pilpil,
Neuquen, 1; Valle del Lago Blanco, Chubut, 2. CHILE: Casa
Richards, Rio Nirehuao, 23; Laguna Lazo, near Lake Sarmiento,
Ultima Esperanza, 8; La Picada, Volcan Osorno, Llanquihue, 1;
Peulla, Lake Todos Santos, 2; Lonquimai, Cautin, 1; Puerto Natales,
Ultima Esperanza, 1; Punta Arenas, Magallanes, 20; Rio Coihoique,
1; Rio Lolen, Cautin, 1; Sierra Nahuelbuta, Malleco, 6 (A.M.N.H.
3; F.M. 3).
Phyllotis (Auliscomys) micropus fumipes subsp. nov.
Type from Quellon, Chiloe Island, Chile. No. 23292 Field
Museum of Natural History. Subadult male, collected December
23, 1922, by Wilfred H. Osgood. Orig. No. 5459.
Diagnosis. — Similar to P. m. micropus but upper side of hands
and feet darker, somewhat brownish or sooty instead of whitish.
Color. — Practically as in micropus except that the hands and feet
are darker.
Skull. — As in micropus.
Measurements. — Type: greatest length 214; tail 90; hind foot
29.5. Skull of type: greatest length 29.7; zygomatic width 16.9;
width of braincase 13.8; cheekteeth 5.7.
Remarks.— Four specimens of this mouse taken on Chiloe Island
constitute the only existing representatives of it. All of them are
somewhat immature, and it is possible that a series of adults would
show greater distinction from the east Andean form. They were
not recognized in the field on account of their superficial resemblance
to other rodents, so no especial effort was made to secure larger
numbers. The small number of specimens, however, indicates
comparative rarity.
Specimens examined. — Total 4: Quellon, Chiloe Island, 1; mouth
of Rio Inio, Chiloe Island, 3.
Euneomys chinchilloides chinchilloides Waterhouse.
Reithrodon chinchilloides Waterhouse, Zool. Voy. Beagle, Mamm., p. 72, pi.
27, pi. 34, fig. 20, 1839— south shore (i.e. Tierra del Fuego) of the Straits
1943
MAMMALS OF CHILE— OSGOOD
215
of Magellan, near eastern entrance; Milne-Edwards, Miss. Scient. Cap
Horn, 6, Mamm., p. 29, pi. 3, 1891 — Orange Bay, Tierra del Fuego.
Reithrodon (Euneomys) chinchilloides Coues, Proc. Acad. Nat. Sci. Phila.,
p. 185, footnote, 1874.
Euneomys chinchilloides Trouessart, Cat. Mamm., Suppl., p. 429, 1904.
A heavy-bodied, short-tailed mouse with dense, soft pelage, rich coloration,
and rather small ears. Skull broad and heavy; infraorbital plate with front border
nearly straight, slightly inclined backward; posterior palate with marked lateral
pits separated from parapterygoid fossae by a high ridge; lower half of maxillo-
premaxillary suture extended forward to a point more than halfway between the
cheekteeth and the incisors; front of upper incisors deeply grooved; cheekteeth
hypsodont and with markedly oblique pattern. Total length 237; tail 81; hind
foot 32; ear from notch (dry) 19.3.
Range. — Island of Tierra del Fuego and adjacent mainland in
the western part of the Province of Magallanes, Chile.
A single adult male of this rare species was taken by Sanborn
December 30, 1939, in the forest at the southeastern end of Lake
Fagnano, Tierra del Fuego; and two
immature examples, apparently of the
same species, were taken by J. M.
Schmidt near Punta Arenas in February
and March, 1940. These are the only
existing modern specimens, the type and
other recorded examples mostly having
been preserved in alcohol or otherwise
being in bad condition. The adult speci-
men indicates that the species is some-
what larger than has been supposed and
it may be concluded that the type was not a fully mature animal.
Our adult specimen has the head, back and sides uniformly
Cinnamon Rufous lightly mixed with dusky; the under parts are
clear Cinnamon Rufous nearly concealing the under color, which is
Dark Mouse Gray; the hands and feet are white; and the tail is
sharply bicolor, brownish above and whitish below. Very charac-
teristic is a narrow area of pure white surrounding the rhinarium
and extending a short distance along the upper lips. The immature
examples are considerably more blackish than the adult, the general
effect of their upper parts being deep Fuscous. They furnish no
evidence pointing to distinction of island and mainland forms and
until more specimens are available it seems necessary to consider
them the same as the adult.
The skull of the fully adult specimen furnishes the following
measurements: greatest length 34.8; basilar length 28.4; zygomatic
FIG. 31. Euneomys c. chin-
chilloides. F.M. No. 50736.
216 FIELD MUSEUM OF NATURAL HISTORY— ZOOLOGY, VOL. 30
breadth 21.1; interorbital constriction 4.1; nasals 16 X 5.1; palatal
slits 9.1; diastema 9; upper cheekteeth 5.9.
The type locality of this species as given by Darwin, "South
Shore of the Strait of Magellan, near the eastern entrance," is not
wholly definite, but in 1940 our party worked at one locality which
is doubtless only a few miles from it. This was at the Arroyo Beta
on the northeast coast of Tierra del Fuego some fifteen miles north
of Rio Cullen. Here we found a heavy growth of "black brush" in
which Akodon xanthorhinus was excessively abundant, but no larger
mice such as Euneomys or Reithrodon were obtained, although old
signs indicated that they may have been present the previous year.
Specimens examined. — Total 3: Lake Fagnano, Tierra del Fuego,
1; Punta Arenas, 2.
Euneomys chinchilloides ultimus Thomas.
Euneomys ultimus Thomas, Ann. Mag. Nat. Hist., (8), 17, p. 185, 1916 — St.
Martin's Cove, Hermite Island, Cape Horn Islands, south of Tierra del
Fuego.
Since a specific name has been given to the Euneomys of the Cape
Horn Islands, perhaps it should be allowed to stand until sufficient
and suitable material makes proper comparisons possible, but its
distinction is very doubtful. At present it cannot be characterized
in any way, since it was described only on the basis of supposed
larger size and, as shown by our specimens from Tierra del Fuego,
it is fully equaled by typical chinchilloides. It is recorded from Hoste
Island as well as Hermite Island. The few known poorly preserved
specimens are in the Paris Museum with the exception of one imma-
ture example sent in exchange to the British Museum.
Euneomys petersoni Allen.
Euneomys petersoni Allen, Bull. Amer. Mus. Nat. Hist., 19, p. 192, 1903 —
upper Rio Chico, Santa Cruz, Argentina; Mamm. Patagonia, p. 68, pi. 13,
fig. 4, pi. 14, figs. 6-7, 1905.
Euneomys dabbenei Thomas, Ann. Mag. Nat. Hist., (9), 4, p. 127, 1919 —
Lago Viedma, Santa Cruz, Argentina.
Similar to E. chinchilloides, but smaller and paler; white marking bordering
upper lip broadly extended through base of whiskers to form a short facial stripe;
skull similar in general, but smaller and lighter throughout. Total length 193-201 ;
tail 58-68; hind foot 27-28; ear from notch (dry) 17-18.
Range. — Eastern base of the Andes from the district of Ultima
Esperanza about lat. 51° S. northward at least to lat. 48° S. and
possibly to 45°.
1943 MAMMALS OF CHILE— OSGOOD 217
A small series taken near Lake Sarmiento is so much smaller
and paler than chinchilloides and the distance from this locality
to the Straits is so short that probabilities favor the assumption
that petersoni and chinchilloides, although closely related, are dis-
tinct species. There is a slight break in climatic and floral condi-
tions near the point where these specimens were taken, and it seems
unlikely that the species will be found farther south. At the same
locality Eligmodontia and Phyllotis xanthopygus were obtained, both
being forms apparently reaching their southern limit in this vicinity.
A single specimen lent by the American Museum of Natural
History through Dr. H. E. Anthony, who collected it at Campo
Bandera, Coihoique, Chile, about lat. 45° S., also seems referable
to petersoni although it shows paler under parts than the majority
of our series. E. dabbenei from Lake Viedma, lying in the region
between the upper Rio Chico and Lake Sarmiento, is obviously a
synonym. Skull measurements of a fully adult female, compared
with those of the type of petersoni (in parentheses) are as follows:
greatest length 30.7 (30.5); zygomatic breadth 18.8 (17.5); inter-
orbital constriction 3.8 (3.5); width of braincase 14.3 (14); length
of nasals 13.5 (14); palatal slits 7.6 (8); diastema 8.2 (8.5); upper
cheekteeth 5.4 (5.2).
Specimens examined. — Total 18: Campo Bandera, Coihoique,
Llanquihue, 1 (A.M.N.H.); Laguna Lazo, near Lake Sarmiento,
Ultima Esperanza, 17.
Irenomys tarsalis tarsalis Philippi.
Mus tarsalis Philippi, Anal. Mus. Nac. Chile, Zool., Ent. 14a, pp. 10-11, pi. 1,
fig. 3, 1900-near La Union, Province of Valdivia.
Irenomys longicaudatus Thomas, Ann. Mag. Nat. Hist., (9), 3, pp. 200-201,
1919 — recorded from Beatriz, Lake Nahuelhuapi, Argentina.
A mouse of fairly large size and thick pelage; tail rather hairy and distinctly
penciled at the tip, much longer than head and body; ears of moderate size,
blackish in considerable contrast to rufescent body color; skull with long braincase,
large inter parietal, slender rostrum and constricted interorbital space; upper
incisors deeply grooved; molars with a simple lozenge-shaped pattern and deep
inner and outer re-entrant angles. Total length 300 (290-326) ; tail 172 (162-188) ;
hind foot 31.3 (30-32).
Range. — Temperate forested region of south-central Chile from
the Province of Valdivia northwestward nearly or quite to the coast
in the Province of Malleco and southeastward through the lake
region to Lake Nahuelhuapi in Argentina.
After the rediscovery of this rare mouse by Thomas in 1919, it
is interesting to have at hand ample material confirming his main
218 FIELD MUSEUM OF NATURAL HISTORY— ZOOLOGY, VOL. 30
conclusions based on a single immature example. It was found in
1939 in considerable numbers in the deep forests surrounding Lake
Todos Santos, and a single specimen was also taken near the crest
of the Sierra Nahuelbuta in the Province of Malleco. Although all
specimens were caught in traps set on the ground, it is evident that
the animal is largely arboreal in habits. During an excessive abun-
dance of small rodents about Lake Todos Santos, supposed to be due
to the flowering the previous year of the bamboo called quila, this
species was reported to be one of the
most numerous, and according to native
accounts it was seen frequently climb-
ing about in the trees.
Since the species has never been
adequately characterized, it may be
described as follows: General external
appearance strongly suggesting Rhipi-
domys; tail much longer than head and
body, well clothed with hair, slightly
penciled at tip; feet large and broad;
ears medium-sized, densely haired.
Color of upper parts grayish Cinnamon
Rufous with fine dusky lines; ears
brownish black rather contrasted, oc-
casionally with an indistinct whitish
spot just below them; fore and hind feet mainly whitish, sometimes
with dusky mixture medially; toes white; tail blackish brown all
around, sometimes lighter on the under side for a short distance
proximally; under parts heavily washed with pinkish Cinnamon
Buff not fully covering plumbeous under color.
Skull with general form much as in medium-sized species of
Rhipidomys; braincase very large and full; interparietal large; inter-
orbital region much constricted; nasals rather flat, ending nearly
even with premaxillae; anterior palatal foramina long, ending about
even with second lamina of first upper molar; bullae of good size.
Upper incisors deeply unisulcate; molars strongly hypsodont and
laminate, the series slightly divergent anteriorly and posteriorly;
grinding surfaces of laminae in unworn teeth diamond-shaped, of
quite regular form. Measurements of the skull of an adult are:
greatest length 32.4; basilar length 24.4; zygomatic width 16.3; least
interorbital width 3.5; nasals 11.3 X 3; width of braincase 13.6;
interparietal 10 X 4; diastema 8.3; palatine slits 8; upper toothrow 5.4.
FIG. 32. Irenomys t. tar-
salis. F.M. No. 50568. X 1.
1943 MAMMALS OF CHILE— OSGOOD 219
Philippi's name, Mus tarsalis, which has page priority over
Reithrodon longicaudatus, seems clearly to apply to this species.
The description of tarsalis makes no mention of the skull or of the
distinctive characters of the dentition, but the colored figure and
other considerations seem conclusive. This figure is quite superior
to the others published with it and, as explained in the text, was
drawn from a fresh specimen, not from a poorly stuffed example in
the museum as was the case with most of the others. Its agreement
with our immature specimens is complete, and a better representation
could scarcely be desired. The type of tarsalis, now apparently lost,
came from "mi fundo San Juan," near La Union in the Province of
Valdivia. Although considerable collecting was done by Mr. San-
born in this and adjoining provinces, the species was not obtained,
but in view of its probable arboreal habits, this is not strange.
Moreover, no other mouse even remotely resembling Philippi's
figure was taken in this region. Phyllotis, which occurs rarely in
the humid forested part of southern Chile, is somewhat similar but
it has a much shorter and less hairy tail. Lake Todos Santos, where
most of our specimens were taken, is about the same latitude as
Valdivia and no doubt the species ranges throughout the forested
region of this part of Chile. A specimen recorded by Thomas was taken
by Budin on Lake Nahuelhuapi in Argentina but in the same forest.
Our single specimen from Nahuelbuta has much lighter under parts
than others but further material is required to substantiate the
existence of a local race in that region.
Specimens examined. — Total 16: La Picada, Mount Osorno, 1;
Petrohue, Lake Todos Santos, 1; Puella, Lake Todos Santos, 13;
Sierra Nahuelbuta, Malleco, 1.
Irenomys tarsalis longicaudatus Philippi.
Reithrodon longicaudatus Philippi, Anal. Mus. Nac. Chile, Zool., Ent. 14a,
pp. 64-65, pi. 11, fig. 1, 1900— Melinka, Guaiteca Islands, lat. 44° S.,
Chile.
Very similar to /. tarsalis, but color of under parts somewhat paler, clear
Cinnamon Buff rather than Cinnamon or Pinkish Cinnamon.
Range. — Guaiteca Islands and Chiloe Island.
The recognition of this as a separate form rests upon a small
series, mostly immature, taken at the southern end of Chiloe Island
during Field Museum's expedition of 1922-23. Nearly all were
caught by Mr. Sanborn about an abandoned cabin at the edge of
the forest, and regular lines of traps set through the forest yielded
220 FIELD MUSEUM OF NATURAL HISTORY— ZOOLOGY, VOL. 30
scarcely any, probably a further indication that the animal is
arboreal.
Comparison of this series with that from Lake Todos Santos
representing true tarsalis is not wholly satisfactory because one
series contains only adults and the other only immatures. In two
of the southern specimens, which apparently have attained the
coloration of maturity, the shade of the under parts is slightly less
"pinkish" than in the northern ones, while in five others, quite imma-
ture, the under parts are very light colored, scarcely darker than the
Cream Color of Ridgway. Whether this slight distinction will be
borne out by further material is doubtful, but for the present two
forms may be admitted, especially since they have some geographic
basis.
The mounted type of Philippi's Reithrodon longicaudatus is still
preserved in the Santiago Museum, but the skull has been removed
and apparently lost (possibly associated erroneously with Mus
mochae, see p. 173). The skin agrees fairly well with the original
description and figure except that the color is somewhat more
brownish, and the end of the tail is missing. The hind foot measures
approximately 31 mm. The skin is mostly dark brownish with
whitish buff under parts. The tail is blackish all around and quite
hairy. The typewritten label gives "Melinca" for locality, although
Philippi publishes only "Habitat in litore occidentali Patagoniae."
Melinka is on one of the small islands of the Guaiteca group, just
beyond the south end of Chiloe Island, where our specimens
were taken, so it may be assumed with considerable reason that this
is the actual type locality of longicaudatus. Mr. Sanborn trapped
for a few days at Melinka but did not obtain the species there.
Specimens examined. — Total 8: Mouth of Rio Inio, Chiloe Island,
7; Melinka, Guaiteca Islands, 1 (type in Santiago).
Reithrodon auritus cuniculoides Waterhouse.
Reithrodon cuniculoides Waterhouse, Proc. Zool. Soc. Lond., p. 30, 1837;
Zool. Voy. Beagle, Mamm., p. 69, pi. 26, 1839 — Santa Cruz, Patagonia;
Allen, Mamm. Patagonia, p. 63, 1905.
A short-tailed, loose-pelaged, and heavy-bodied mouse with rounded ears,
the inner surfaces of which are densely hairy and light colored; inguinal region
and inner side of thighs frequently white. Upper incisors distinctly grooved;
anterior border of infraorbital plate deeply emarginate. Total length 242 (231-
257); tail 95 (90-103); hind foot 34.6 (33-36).
Range. — Treeless coast of southern Patagonia from the eastern
end of the Straits of Magellan northward at least through the
1943 MAMMALS OF CHILE— OSGOOD 221
Province of Santa Cruz, Argentina. Enters Chilean territory near
the Argentine boundary at the Straits of Magellan and westward
in treeless regions to meet the range of R. a. pachycephalus near the
base of the Andes.
Although several names have been applied to Reithrodon from
southern South America, only two races seem distinguishable, a paler
form from the east coast and the treeless region extending inland and
a darker form from the edge of the forested region along the base of
the Andes. The species was taken by Darwin at Port Desire, San
Julian and Santa Cruz, and Waterhouse's type of cuniculoides was
from Santa Cruz, so this name now applies only to the pale form.
The only record of this form from Chile is furnished by a single
immature example collected by J. M. Schmidt, in 1940, at North
Arm Station, Rio Ciaike, just west of the Argentine boundary.
Specimens from Arroyo Aike, in the Basaltic Canyons, "one
hundred and fifty to two hundred miles northwest of St. Julian and
Santa Cruz," referred by Allen to cuniculoides, are scarcely darker
than the few specimens available from the coast, evidently indicating
that this form ranges across all of southern Patagonia to meet the
range of pachycephalus in or near the wooded parts of the mountains.
Specimens examined. — Total 9: ARGENTINA: Arroyo Aike,
Basaltic Canyons, Santa Cruz, 7 (A.M.N.H.); mouth of Rio Coy,
Santa Cruz, 1 (U.S.N.M.). CHILE: Rio Ciaike, Magallanes, 1.
Reithrodon auritus pachycephalus Philippi.
Mus pachycephalus Philippi, Anal. Mus. Nac. Chile, Ent. 14a, p. 42, pi. 17,
figs. 6, 6a, 66, 1900 — Straits of Magellan (Punta Arenas by present desig-
nation).
Reithrodon cuniculoides obscurus Allen, Bull. Amer. Mus. Nat. Hist., 19,
p. 190, 1903— Punta Arenas, Chile.
Reithrodon haicheri Allen, supra cit., p. 191 — head of Rio Chico, Santa Cruz,
Argentina.
Reithrodon cuniculoides Wolffsohn, Bol. Mus. Nac. Chile, 2, No. 1, p. 101, 1910.
Reithrodon cuniculoides flammarum Thomas, Ann. Mag. Nat. Hist., (8), 10,
p. 411, 1912 — Spring Hill, northern Tierra del Fuego.
Similar in all general characters to R. a. cuniculoides, but color averaging
darker, the upper parts more heavily mixed with blackish and the under parts a
slightly darker shade of ochraceous buff.
Range. — Tierra del Fuego and western Patagonia from the Straits
of Magellan northward near the base of the Andes at least through
the territory of Chubut, grading into auritus in the east and evae
222 FIELD MUSEUM OF NATURAL HISTORY— ZOOLOGY, VOL. 30
in the west; enters Chile near the international boundary at least in
lat. 45° S.; also in the vicinity of Punta Arenas.
The Reithrodon of western Patagonia from northern Chubut to
Magallanes and across the Straits to Tierra del Fuego is uniformly
somewhat darker than cuniculoides from the east coast of Santa
Cruz. Further subdivision, as judged by fairly ample material now
in hand, does not seem justified and the conclusion is forced that the
several names given to specimens from this region apply to one form
only. Excluding cuniculoides, the earliest of these names is Philippi's
pachycephalus. No type of this could be found in Santiago in 1924,
FIG. 33. Reithrodon auritus pachycephaliis. F.M. No. 23258. X 1.
but one evidently was examined by Wolffsohn, and there seems no
reason to disagree with his conclusion that it was a Reithrodon.
Philippi's description and figure also indicate this, although his
specimen was obviously quite immature. The locality given for it
was simply "Freto Magellanica," and the exact locality may be
assumed to be the vicinity of Punta Arenas, then as now a Chilean
city with regular communication with Valparaiso and Santiago.
The names obscurus and flammarum, both based on single speci-
mens, are evidently synonyms of pachycephalus. So also is hatcheri,
although in its case the possibility that it may be somewhat inter-
mediate between cuniculoides and pachycephalus is not wholly
excluded. Several specimens from the original series of hatcheri,
kindly lent by the United States National Museum, prove to have
the upper parts quite as dark as in pachycephalus, but the under
parts are a trifle lighter.
A small series from Tierra del Fuego shows no differences in
size, color, or cranial characters from a similar series from Skyring
Water, a short distance north of Punta Arenas. These in turn are
quite like others from farther north, including a number from Rio
1943 MAMMALS OF CHILE— OSGOOD 223
Nirehuao on the Chilean side of the line at about lat. 45° S., where
the species was found to be abundant in 1924.
A review of the literature, supplemented by examination of a
considerable series of specimens, is fairly convincing that Reithrodon
is monotypic, consisting only of a single species divisible into several
subspecies which differ from each other mainly in shade of color or
in the extent of hairiness on the feet. As compared with typicus,
pachycephalus and cuniculoides show certain cranial characters which
doubtless are valid, but none which might not easily be bridged by
intergradation.
That light and dark forms corresponding to those found on the
mainland may at some time be distinguished on Tierra del Fuego
is perhaps not impossible but it seems highly improbable. Our
specimens from Tierra del Fuego are mostly from the edge of the
forest, whereas the type locality of flammarum, Spring Hill, is on
the north coast in a treeless region. In the vicinity of Spring Hill,
however, there is much heavy brush of the kind called mata negra,
furnishing exactly the same habitat in which we found Reithrodon on
the mainland.
Names given to supposed northern forms are the following:
Reithrodon a. auritus Desmarest; south of Buenos Aires.
a. pampanus Thomas; northwest of Bahia Blanca.
a. marinus Thomas; Mar del Plata, Buenos Aires,
a. typicus Waterhouse; Maldonado, Uruguay.
a. currentium Thomas; Goya, Corrientes.
a. caurinus Thomas; Otro Cerro, Catamarca.
a. evae Thomas; Zapala, Neuquen.
Of these, those most likely to have permanent recognition are
auritus, typicus, and caurinus. Most of the others are open to serious
question and doubtless will prove to be either quite indistinguishable
or intermediate in character. R. pampanus already has been elimi-
nated as a synonym of auritus by Thomas (Ann. Mag. Nat. Hist.,
(9), 5, p. 474, 1920). Next is marinus, which is based on two speci-
mens that had been kept in captivity and which must remain in
doubt until good material representing it is obtained. R. currentium
was based on the assumption that typicus is dull-colored, this being
the case in the faded type specimen. A modern series of typicus
from Uruguay now in Field Museum, however, is bright colored
as described for currentium, so that name is probably a synonym of
typicus. The form called evae is represented in Field Museum by a
specimen from Huanuluan, Rio Negro, which is definitely paler than
cuniculoides. It is thus somewhat intermediate between cuniculoides
224 FIELD MUSEUM OF NATURAL HISTORY— ZOOLOGY, VOL. 30
and the still paler form caurinus, although it is not unlikely that
three forms may be distinguished.
During the season of 1939-40, when our field work was done in
the south, Reithrodon was very scarce, although reports and indica-
tions were to the effect that at times it has been very abundant.
Apparently it was near the low point of a cycle. In only two locali-
ties, one on Tierra del Fuego and one on the mainland, was it found
in sufficient numbers to provide a fair representation. In many
other places, slightly weathered droppings and runways of a large
mouse, probably Reithrodon, were found in great numbers, appar-
ently indicating that within two years, at most, it had been numer-
ous. In most cases these signs were in open country away from the
forest, usually in the low brush known as mata negra, whereas the
localities where specimens were taken were at the edge of the forest
or in openings within it. The excessive abundance of Akodon
xanthorhinus which prevailed at the time was possibly connected
with the scarcity of Reithrodon, but since it is a much smaller animal
it is hardly to be supposed that Reithrodon retreated before it.
Specimens examined. — Total 36: ARGENTINA: Alta Vista, Lake
Argentine, 1 ; Estancia Via Monte, Tierra del Fuego, 1 ; north end of
Lake Fagnano, Tierra del Fuego, 4; upper Rio Chico, Santa Cruz,
4 (U.S.N.M.); Valle del Lago Blanco, Chubut, 1. CHILE: Campo
Bandera, Coihoique, 2 (A.M.N.H.); Casa Richards, Rio Nirehuao,
16; Rio Verde, east end of Skyring Water, Magallanes, 7.
ORDER ARTIODACTYLA
KEY TO CHILEAN GENERA
Pelage long, soft and loose; upper lips widely cleft; feet with long pads behind
hoofs; no accessory hoofs or "dew claws"; horns absent in both sexes.
Size larger; no especial elongation of hairs from brisket; lower incisors with
closed roots; antorbital vacuity large Lama.
Size smaller; hairs from brisket elongated to form an "apron" reaching nearly
or quite to "knees"; lower incisors with persistently open roots; antorbital
vacuity almost or quite closed Vicugna.
Pelage smooth, crisp, and rather short; no long pads behind hoofs; accessory
hoofs or "dew claws" present; males with horns.
Size large; height at shoulder more than 50 in.; males with forked horns.
Hippocamelus.
Size smaller; height at shoulder less than 50 in.; males with straight unbranched
horns Pudu.
Hippocamelus bisulcus Molina. HUEMUL.
equus bisulcus Molina, Sagg. Stor. Nat. Chili, pp. 320-322, 343, 1782 — high
Andes of Chile.
1943 MAMMALS OF CHILE— OSGOOD 225
Camelus equinus Treviranus, Biol. Phil, lebend. Natur Naturf. Aerzte, 2,
pp. 179, 225, 1803— E. bisulcus renamed.
Hippocamelus dubius Leuckart, Dissert, inaug. de Equo bisulco Molinae,
p. 23, 1816 — E. bisulcus renamed.
Auchenia huemul H. Smith, Griffith's Cuvier, Anim. Kingd., 5, p. 300, 1827 —
E. bisulcus renamed.
Cervus (Cervequus) andicus Lesson, Nouv. Tabl. Reg. Anim., Mamm., p. 173,
1842 — E. bisulcus renamed.
Cervus chilensis Gay and Gervais, Ann. Sci. Nat., Paris, (3), 5, pp. 91-93, 1846;
Gay, Hist. Chile, Zool., 1, pp. 159-160, 1847; Atlas, Mamm., pis. 10-11,
1848— Chile; Philippi, Anal. Mus. Nac. Chile, Zool., pp. 1-9, pi., figs.
1-6, 1892; pp. 8-10, pi. 1, fig. 1, 1894.
Capreolus leucotis Gray, Proc. Zool. Soc. Lond., pp. 64-65, pi. 12, 1849 — Port
Famine, Straits of Magellan.
Manama bisulcus Lydekker, Deer of All Lands, p. 296, 1898.
Hippocamelus bisulcus Thomas, Proc. Zool. Soc. Lond., p. 212, 1898; Lydek-
ker, Cat. Ungulate Mamm., 4, p. 193, 1915.
A large yellowish brown finely speckled deer with coarse, brittle pelage; horns
in the male usually with one simple fork and two points on each side; females
hornless; feet with well-developed accessory hoofs or "dew claws," tail short and
inconspicuous. Total length 160-170 cm.; height at shoulder 80 cm.
Range. — Southern and western Argentina nearly or quite to the
Straits of Magellan and Chilean Andes north to the Province of
Colchagua about lat. 34° S.; now rare or extirpated in parts of its
former range.
The huemul appears to be a mountain animal that lives by pref-
erence near the upper limits of timber. In central Chile it is confined
to the higher Andes and southward it is not usually found in the
coast forests but occurs principally near the international boundary
where conditions are most favorable to it, on the eastern or Argentine
side of the mountains. Nevertheless, it has been reported from Port
Famine, Magallanes, and, according to information received from
Mr. Junius Bird, on the authority of Mr. Lucas Bridges, it has been
found on Wellington Island and on the Peninsula of Taitao. In
mountains near Lake Sarmiento (lat. 51° S.) in 1940 I picked up a
shed horn doubtless only a few years old, but residents of the region
reported that none of the animals had been seen there for some time.
Its northern limit on the Chilean side is or was in the vicinity of
the sources of the Rio Cachapoal between lat. 33° and 34°. Both
Philippi (I.e., 1892, 1894) and E. C. Reed (1877) mention specimens
taken here in the Province of Colchagua and records from farther
north are lacking. In Patagonia it is mainly western in distribution,
but early reports state that it once occurred in hills near Port Desire
on the Atlantic coast.
226 FIELD MUSEUM OF NATURAL HISTORY— ZOOLOGY, VOL. 30
Various writers have given accounts of the hunting of the huemul,
among the best being those of Prichard (1902) and Hatcher (1903).
All agree in testifying to an unusual lack of wariness on the part of
animals encountered on open hillsides in regions where they had not
been subjected to much pursuit. My own experience with them,
although limited to a few days' hunting in a single locality, was so
extraordinary in this respect that a full account of it extracted from
my personal journal may be of interest. The locality was Pico
Richards, a mountain opposite Cerro Mano Negra at the head of
"Rio Richards," a small southern tributary of Rio Nirehuao. About
its base the mountain is well wooded with roble and other deciduous
trees, and, although the summit at 4,000-5,000 feet is sandy and
treeless, its sides have alternating forest clumps and open grassy
or rocky slopes.
Under date of March 6, the entry in the journal is approximately
as follows:
"The first evening I climbed up the side of the mountain just
behind camp in the heavy woods for a short hour, and was unable
to find the slightest sign of huemules and I came in with the feeling
born of other experience that I was in for much hunting but no game.
The next day with the peon Paulino, however, and only fifty yards
beyond where I had been the night before, we came on an old track
and soon after found a fresh one and with it the track of a leon which
evidently had followed the huemul and perhaps had put it to flight.
We followed this track until it led out on an open, practically tree-
less slope of the mountain, when Paulino suddenly beckoned and
calmly said 'Alii esta uno/ as if it was what was to be expected.
Sure enough, there was a huemul standing conspicuously on a slight
promontory on the open side of the mountain far below us and a full
quarter of a mile from any adequate cover. That it had taken this
position after being chased by the puma was accepted by Paulino as
a fact, but of course it was by no means certain. It appeared hope-
less to get nearer to it without being seen, so I decided to try a long
shot and await developments. I fired and it failed to move, although
the bullet must at least have whistled by or clipped the rocks near
it. I fired again and it continued standing still. I began to doubt
its identity and to fancy it might be only the shady side of a rock
with deceiving outlines, but shortly I distinguished a slight move-
ment. Meanwhile Paulino had been urging me to go forward
without attempt at concealment, since, he said, huemules were always
'muy manzos' and 'nunca disparen.' So I began sliding down the
1943 MAMMALS OF CHILE— OSGOOD 227
loose rock from one of the few scrubby trees to another until I got
within some three hundred yards at the very last point of conceal-
ment between me and the game. I was exposed to view repeatedly
and any other animal would have sighted me and cleared out, but
the huemul remained standing almost motionless in the one spot.
.... Taking a rest, I fired from the new position and the animal
dropped and rolled over an embankment out of sight.
"Preparing the specimen and getting it back to camp occupied
several hours so it was not until three in the afternoon that we were
again on the open mountain side. With the glasses I made out a
single deer far down toward the western end of the mountain and,
although it was late in the day, I again instinctively refused to take
Paulino's advice to advance directly on it and chose to drop down
to concealment and make a long circle through the trees. On getting
nearer, a second deer was noted feeding leisurely with the first and
just beyond, on the side of a small gully, were five guanacos scattered
about. A most unusual place for guanacos, I thought, and a very
exceptional experience in South America to see two kinds of large
game -at once.
"As we went on, the huemules moved about a bit, but kept to the
same general vicinity. We could not avoid exposing ourselves now
and then and at half a mile away the guanacos saw us and started up
the mountain on the run. The huemules were nearer, but if they saw
us, gave no signs of it. At about six hundred yards the game was
in full sight and nearer approach seemed impossible, but just then
we saw four other huemules farther on where they were on a grassy
slope beyond an outcropping rocky butte to which I could crawl
without being seen. On reaching this place I found the animals still
some 250 yards away. They were quite at peace, one lying down and
three others feeding. Picking the largest one, I fired and missed, at
which they all turned and stood at attention. A second shot dropped
one of them in its tracks, but the other three did not offer to run and
merely stood about in a dazed sort of way. One of them sniffed
at its dead companion and walked slowly around it. The others
stood in their original positions some fifty feet away. Then I showed
myself and walked directly toward them across the wholly open
slope, but they paid no attention to me. I continued, expecting
them to run at any minute, but they only walked about stiffly and
the most that could be said was that they edged slightly up the
hillside. Finally I reached the carcass of the dead one and tied a
handkerchief on it before turning to the others. They had their
228 FIELD MUSEUM OF NATURAL HISTORY— ZOOLOGY, VOL. 30
heads up and their eyes stared with looks of astonishment and curi-
osity, but they showed no fear or panic. The dead one was a very
old female and doubtless their leader. The others were two younger
but full-sized females and a young buck with small knobs of horns.
Their nervousness was principally evinced by the stiffness with which
they slowly stalked back and forth raising their legs in deliberate
and measured fashion that produced a ridiculous effect quite sug-
gestive of a goose-step. I walked toward the nearest one and he
flicked his tail quickly, but would not retreat. Being less than
thirty feet from him, I picked up a pebble and threw or rather tossed
it at him and even this would not put him to flight. As we left, the
three were slowly and reluctantly edging up the slope but still
within 100 yards.
"Even Paulino, who had been repeating that huemules were very
tame, said this was more than he had seen before. He was beside
me all the time and had been especially interested in some 'baguaules'
or wild cattle, about 100 of which had come out to feed in the dusk
on a river flat below us, nearly a mile away. At the first shot they
had put for the woods pell mell in a wild panic-stricken rush. Mean-
while the guanacos had long since disappeared via the open top of
the mountain. The difference between these and the huemules was
striking."
It was a unique experience with a hoofed animal, but fully cor-
roborates what has been reported by others. The next day other
huemules were found in numbers in the same vicinity evidently
undisturbed by the shooting of the day before. At this time I
secured a fine adult male which was solitary and a trifle more alert,
but stalking him to a range of only 75 yards among scattered trees
was accomplished without great difficulty. This animal and the
two females were preserved as specimens. The male was in especially
fine condition, quite fat and in good coat. His weight was estimated
at not less than 200 pounds. His antlers were four-pointed as usual
in the species. More than this number is said to be quite rare,
although the natives report heads with as many as nine points.
Measurements of adult male and female are, respectively: total
length 1,680, 1,570; tail 125, 130; hind foot 470, 430; height at
shoulder 790, 780.
Pudu pudu Molina. PUDU.
capra puda Molina, Sagg. Stor. Nat. Chili, pp. 308-309, 343, 1782 — southern
provinces of Chile.
1943 MAMMALS OF CHILE— OSGOOD 229
Copra pudu Molina, supra cit., ed. 2, p. 255, 1810.
Cervus humilis Bennett, Proc. Zool. Soc. Lond., p. 27, 1831.
Cervus pudu Gay, Hist. Chile, Zool., 1, p. 158, 1847; Atlas, Mamm., pis.
9-10, 1848.
Coassus (Pudu) Pudu Gray, Proc. Zool. Soc. Lond., (1850), p. 242, 1852.
Pudu chilensis Gray, Cat. Ungulata Brit. Mus., pi. 36, fig. 1, 1852.
Pudua humilis Garrod, Proc. Zool. Soc. Lond., p. 18, 1877.
Pudu pudu Pocock, Proc. Zool. Soc. Lond., p. 967, 1910.
A very small deer of rich rufescent coloration and simple unbranched horns
not exceeding three inches in length.
Range. — Valdivian forest region of south-central Chile and the
island of Chiloe; southward along the coast nearly to the Straits of
Magellan.
The pudu has the distinction of being the smallest of American
deer. Although having a slight general resemblance to the brockets
of northern and eastern South America, it is very distinct from them.
It is exclusively Chilean in distribution, although a supposed ally
(Pudella), very rare and local, has been found in Ecuador. Accord-
ing to Gay, it ranged "desde la provincia de Cauquenes hasta la de
Chiloe." At present it may not extend quite so far north, but is
fairly common in the provinces of Valdivia, Cautin, Arauco, and
northern Llanquihue. On Chiloe it is probably confined mainly to
the southern and uninhabited part of the island. In early accounts
and many later ones based on them, it is usually spoken of as an
animal of the cordillera, but this appears not to be the case since it
is actually recorded only from heavily forested regions either near
sea level or at very moderate elevations. According to Reiche
(1903), it formerly occurred on Mocha Island but has been extirpated
there. In the higher parts of the Sierra Nahuelbuta it was not found,
although common at lower levels. In the lake region, as, for exam-
ple, at Lake Todos Santos, it is numerous in the deep forest near the
water, but it is not reported from the heights above. The southward
distribution of the pudu is uncertain, but it probably may be
found, at least in scattered colonies, along the whole length of the
Chilean coast nearly or quite to the Straits of Magellan. Apparently
reliable reports indicate that it has been seen or taken on the western
side of Riesco Island as far south as lat. 50°, but no specimens from
this region have been preserved. Trustworthy information emanating
from Mr. Lucas Bridges is to the effect that it has even penetrated to
the east side of the mountains along the Rio Baker in about lat. 47° S.
During our work on Chiloe Island, it was evident that time
spent in hunting the pudu would be largely if not wholly wasted, for
230 FIELD MUSEUM OF NATURAL HISTORY— ZOOLOGY, VOL. 30
the forest is very dense and the animals are shy and skulking. Tracks
were seen occasionally in the forest and, in a few instances, at the
inner edge of sandy beaches at the south end of the island. Only
once did we catch a glimpse of the animal itself, and this was from a
boat when one appeared momentarily at the edge of a small opening
on a hillside as we were rounding a promontory near the mouth of
the Rio Inio. By enlisting the services of native hunters and dogs,
however, a number of specimens were obtained. Their method of
hunting was simple and effective. The dogs were put ashore in any
promising situation, along a bay or inlet, while the men remained in
a boat listening and watching. After a short chase, the little deer
would take to the salt water and the boatmen in their chalupa would
soon overtake it. The pudu's powers of resistance being compara-
tively slight, it was merely lifted out of the water and usually brought
to us alive. Young animals were easily tamed, but full-grown males
evinced very high spirits and indomitable objection to captivity.
One which was brought to our camp was tied to a stake, where it
struggled to the point of exhaustion and then sank panting to the
ground. After lying prostrate for a time, it renewed its frantic
efforts to escape and repeated the process until nightfall, when we
thought it would become quiet. At intervals during the night,
however, it was heard thrashing about and the next morning it was
lying quite dead, with no external sign of injury. Young fawns, on
the other hand, were very confiding and tractable, readily taking
milk in a saucer, following us about the camp or cuddling in our
arms to sleep.
Our specimens, taken in January, which is the season of midsum-
mer, show wide differences in coloration probably representing two
different pelages. One of these might be called a rufous pelage or
phase and the other a dark brown one. The first has a broad band
from the top of the head to the tail bright clear Hazel or Cinnamon
Rufous, the sides being paler and finely speckled by reason of sub-
apical dark bands on the hairs. The legs and feet are pale, nearly
clear Cinnamon Rufous. In the other phase, which appears to be a
fresh coat, the dorsal band is less defined and its color is deep Burnt
Umber or Vandyke Brown inclining to blackish. The sides are only
slightly lighter, owing to numerous hairs with narrow light tips.
The feet and lower legs are hazel with a slight mixture of blackish
in front.
The fawns of the pudu have a row of spots on either side of the
back, running from the shoulders to the base of the tail. Below
1943 MAMMALS OF CHILE— OSGOOD 231
these on the sides is a double row of spots. In addition, there are
several spots on the shoulders and three parallel rows of four to five
spots each on the flanks. The color of the fawns is dark Vandyke
Brown along the mid-dorsal line and somewhat paler, more rufescent
on the sides. The chin, throat, feet, and legs are Tawny or Ochra-
ceous Tawny.
Two of the largest males obtained on Chiloe Island had weights
of twenty-one pounds and twenty-four pounds respectively. Meas-
urements of two males are: total length 830, 867; tail 35, 42; hind
foot 200, 205; ear from crown 88, 86; height at shoulder 405, 410;
shoulder to hip 460, 430. A male from the mainland at Petrohue
on Lake Todos Santos is somewhat smaller; it measured: total
length 795; tail 43; hind foot 205; height at shoulder 385.
Specimens examined. — Total 21: Cayetue, Lake Todos Santos, 7
(coll. K. Wolfhiigel); Chiloe Island, 8; Petrohue, Lake Todos Santos,
1; Pitrufquen, Cautin, 1; San Pedro, Concepcion, 1 (skin only);
Santa Juana, Arauco, 1 (skin only) ; Vega Blanca, Sierra Nahuelbuta,
1; Valdivia, Valdivia, 1.
Lama guanicoe Miiller. GUANACO.
Camelus guanicoe Miiller, Natursyst., Suppl., p. 50, 1776 — Patagonia.
camelus Huanacus Molina, Sagg. Stor. Nat. Chili, p. 3, 1782 — Chile.
Lama huanachus Thomas, Proc. Zool. Soc. Lond., p. 387, 1891.
Auchenia Guanaco Meyen, Nov. Act. Acad. Leop.-Carol., 16, pt. 2, p. 552,
pi. 40, 1833.
Lama guanaco Gay, Hist. Chile, Zool., 1, p. 153, 1847.
Auchenia Lonnbergi Ameghino, Sinops. Geol.-Paleont. Patag., Suppl., p. 6,
1899 — Rio Gallegos and Ultima Esperanza, Patagonia.
Lama guanicoe Osgood, Journ. Mamm., 2, p. 39, 1921; Aranguren, Anal. Soc.
Cient. Arg., 109, p. 106, 1930; Cabrera, Rev. Mus. La Plata, 33, p. 116,
1932.
A large ungulate allied to the camels, having a long slender neck, long legs,
and feet with broad flat pads behind widely divergent "hoofs." Pelage long and
thick; inner and outer sides of hind legs with a narrow naked space; lips highly
mobile, deeply cleft in front; tail heavy and moplike; horns never present; ears
long and pointed; lower incisors with short closed roots in adults.
Range. — Southern Patagonia, Tierra del Fuego and Navarin
Island ; northward in western Argentina and in the cordillera (mainly
on the eastern side) of Chile to Bolivia, descending to the coast of
Chile to some extent north of Valparaiso.
In Chile the guanaco is mainly an animal of the high cordillera.
Gay speaks of its abundance, at least at certain seasons, in the
Province of Concepcion, but it is no longer found in that part of
232 FIELD MUSEUM OF NATURAL HISTORY— ZOOLOGY, VOL. 30
Chile, and even in the last century its occurrence there may have
been unusual. North of Valparaiso it still comes to the coast or to
the adjacent hills at various points. Writing in 1877, E. C. Reed
states that it was then "bastante comun en la cordillera," Province
of Colchagua. Along the eastern base of the Andes in valleys
connecting with the open pampas it occurs with regularity but in no
great numbers. In my own experience with it in the vicinity of Rio
Nirehuao in 1923, small herds were to be found at intervals both
to the eastward on the pampa and in the mountains rising on the
west. They were quite wary and would dash away at sight of a
hunter. One was killed by Mr. Conover a short distance east of
our station at Casa Richards.
In southern Patagonia and on Tierra del Fuego guanacos are
still found in considerable numbers but are more and more confined
to the less accessible parts of the region. On the large island of
Navarin, south of Tierra del Fuego, and just across the Beagle
Channel they are well established, perhaps by introduction, but
exact information with regard to this is not at hand. Among local
hunters it is believed that those of Tierra del Fuego are darker in
color than those of Navarin Island and also darker than those of the
Patagonian mainland. No direct comparison of skins has been made,
however, and a series of skulls from Tierra del Fuego shows no
distinction from those of the territory of Santa Cruz.
In traversing most of the unforested part of Tierra del Fuego
in 1940, Field Museum's expedition observed a total of scarcely
more than fifty guanacos, most of them at one locality near the bay
of San Sebastian. Elsewhere they were absent, and report is to the
effect that they have retreated to higher parts of the mountains, to
reach which they have passed through partially wooded regions.
The practice of killing the new-born young to obtain skins for the
beautiful robes called "capas" is continued with little or no restric-
tion, and it is rare that an immature animal is seen. The full-grown
animals are not especially valued and are seldom hunted. Among
the sheep men, it is commonly believed that all the guanacos now
living are very old and that the time is not distant when a sudden
heavy mortality may be expected.
Vicugna vicugna Molina. VICUGNA.
camellus [sic] vicugna Molina, Sagg. Stor. Nat. Chili, pp. 313-315, 342, 1782—
Andes of provinces of Coquimbo and Copiapo, Chile.
Lama vicugna Thomas, Proc. Zool. Soc. Lond., p. 387, 1891.
1943 MAMMALS OF CHILE— OSGOOD 233
Vicugna vicugna Miller, Proc. U. S. Nat. Mus., 66, Art. 8, pp. 1-2, pi. 1, 1924;
Aranguren, Anal. Soc. Cient. Arg., 109, p. 121, 1930; Cabrera, Rev. Mus.
La Plata, 33, p. 116, 1931.
A cameloid allied to the guanaco but smaller and having somewhat finer
pelage; a conspicuous white or whitish apron depending from the brisket; hind
legs without lateral naked spaces; lower incisors very long, slender, and with
persistently open roots.
Range. — Andes of northeastern Chile northward and eastward
into Bolivia and Argentina, meeting the range of the supposed sub-
species mensalis^ in Bolivia or southern Peru.
Sanborn received some general reports of the vicugna while in
the northern provinces, and near Putre, Tacna, he himself saw three
specimens at large. It is probable that the animal is now confined
to rather remote parts of the higher Andes. Its range corresponds
closely with that of the chinchilla and, like that animal, it has
suffered much persecution.
Although Molina's description of the vicugna is detailed and
accompanied by the statement that the animal is common in
mountains of the provinces of Coquimbo and Copiapo, it is not
unlikely that his information was second-hand. Gay, who usually
quoted Molina, makes no mention of the vicugna and apparently
had no knowledge of its occurrence in Chile. If he believed it to
be the same as the guanaco, it is strange that he should omit all
reference to it in his rather full account of that animal. Philippi
(Reise durch die Wiiste Atacama, p. 160) mentions having had a
near view of vicugnas in the desert of Atacama, but he was unable
to obtain specimens and regarded them as quite rare in comparison
with the guanaco. In San Pedro de Atacama he found skins offered
for sale and at Rio Frio near lat. 25° S. he obtained an imperfect
skull. This last, if properly identified, appears to be the only actual
record of a Chilean specimen. Philippi refers to the localities in
Coquimbo and Copiapo given by Molina and adds: "Ich kann
nicht sagen, ob er darin Recht hat or nicht."
On the whole, it appears that knowledge of this animal in Chile
is very scanty and the southern limits of its range are much in doubt.
A specimen from Catamarca, Argentina, recorded by Thomas, is
perhaps the only preserved specimen typical of the species.
The generic separation of the vicugna proposed by Miller fol-
lowed by Cabrera seems well justified on the basis of its peculiar
lower incisors. In the guanaco these teeth are relatively short and
1 Thomas, Smiths. Misc. Coll., 68, p. 3, 1917.
234 FIELD MUSEUM OF NATURAL HISTORY— ZOOLOGY, VOL. 30
the roots wholly closed in the adult animal. In the vicugna they are
very long, slender, and persistently open. In a Bolivian specimen
in Field Museum a middle lower incisor is 77 mm. (more than three
inches) in length, of which only one-fourth is exposed. Numerous
minor characters are to be seen in the skull, the most notable being
in the preorbital vacuities, which are always large and open in the
guanaco but very small or entirely closed in the adult vicugna.
INTRODUCED SPECIES
Aside from domesticated animals, most of which are generally
distributed,1 .there are a number of introduced mammals in Chile.
Detailed information about their origin and spread is lacking in
most cases.
Euphractus sexcinctus Linnaeus.
Dasypus sexcinctus Linnaeus, Syst. Nat., ed. 10, 1, p. 51, 1758 — Para, Brazil.
The six-banded armadillo or peludo appears to be established in
central Chile. Mr. Carlos Reed, Director of the Zoological Garden
in Santiago, states that in recent years he has examined more than
twenty specimens from various localities.
Zaedyus pichiy Desmarest.
Loricatus pichiy Desmarest, Nouv. Diet. Hist. Nat., 24, Tab. Meth. Mamm.,
p. 28, 1804 — northeastern Argentina.
The common small armadillo of the Argentine pampas has
occasionally been brought into Chile and is believed to be existing
there in a wild state, at least in several localities. It is recorded
from the Province of Nuble by Carlos Schneider (1935a, p. 514),
who had examined several specimens and had reliable reports of
others. Gay stated in 1847 that it was frequently brought from
Argentina to Chile and kept as a house pet.
Rattus norvegicus Erxleben.
Mus norvegicus Erxleben, Syst. Regni Anim., p. 381, 1771 — Norway.
Mus lutescens Gay, Hist. Chile, Zool., 1, pp. 118-119, 1847; Atlas, Mamm.,
pi. 6, fig. 3, pi. 7, fig. 2, 1848— central provinces of Chile.
1 An exception is the llama, which is numerous in the nitrate district of
northern Chile but is not seen farther south except as a curiosity. The Yaghan
dog of Tierra del Fuegp (see Lonnberg, 1919, p. 10) is now extinct. A mounted
specimen is preserved in the Salesian museum in Punta Arenas. The domestic
cavy, to which Molina's name Lepus minimus applies, is found mainly in the
north.
1943 MAMMALS OF CHILE— OSGOOD 235
Mus Simpsoni Philippi, Anal. Mus. Nac. Chile, Zool., Ent. 14a, pp. 29-30,
pi. 10, fig. 1, 1900 — San Domingo Island, western Patagonia.
Mus cauquenensis Philippi, supra cit., pp. 61-62, 1900 — Quirihue, Maule,
Chile.
Excessively abundant throughout Chile and frequently leaving
cities and towns to invade the woods and fields. In many localities
it is so numerous that native rodents are entirely crowded out. In
the Province of Maule, for example, Sanborn found house rats so
omnipresent that trapping for smaller forms was almost hopeless.
The same was true of various localities in the central valley. Chile's
long coast line, with numerous ports, and the relatively small area
between the coast and the high Andes furnish conditions under which
rats have almost unlimited opportunity for ingress but somewhat
restricted areas in which to spread, with the result that they have
become inordinately numerous.
Philippi's names simpsoni and cauquenensis appear to refer to
this species, although the latter may have been a brown phase of the
rattus group. The type of simpsoni is still preserved in the museum
at Santiago. It has no skull associated with the mounted skin. The
color is bright brown with none of the grayish of Philippi's figure.
The hind foot measures 35.
Gay's name lutescens undoubtedly applies to a house rat. His
colored figure is a good representation of the Norway rat and there
is nothing in his figures of the skull and teeth which might not have
been derived from the same species. His comparison with Mus
brasiliensis (= Holochilus) has caused some authors to express uncer-
tainty about the name, but this does not seem to be justified. No
Holochilus occurs in Chile or even near Chile, whereas Rattus is very
abundant. In regard to this name Wolffsohn (1910a, p. 96) quotes
Thomas as follows: "Mus lutescens Gerv. is neither more nor less
than one of the grey forms of Mus rattus. I have seen the type in
Paris." Gay's plate, however, shows a bright rufous rat rather than
a gray one, and its short tail points to norvegicus rather than rattus.
Rattus rattus Linnaeus.
[Mus] rattus Linnaeus, Syst. Nat., ed. 10, 1, p. 61, 1758 — Sweden.
Mus aethiops Philippi, Anal. Mus. Nac. Chile, Zool., Ent. 14a, pp. 9-10,
pi. 1, fig. 1, 1900— Province of Santiago, Chile.
Mus subrufus Philippi, supra cit., p. 45, pi. 18, fig. 3, 1900 — Chile.
Mus saltuum Philippi, supra cit., pp. 50-51, pi. 21, fig. 1, 1900 — Andes south
[sic] of Puerto Montt, Chile.
236 FIELD MUSEUM OF NATURAL HISTORY— ZOOLOGY, VOL. 30
Mus coquimbensis Philippi, Anal. Mus. Nac. Chile, Zool., Ent. 14a, p. 52,
pi. 22, fig. 1, 1900 — La Serena, Coquimbo, Chile.
Mus cyaneus Philippi (not Mus cyanus Molina 1782), Verhandl. Deutsch.
Wiss. Verein. zu Santiago, 3, p. 9, 1895; Anal. Mus. Nac. Chile, Zool.,
Ent. 14a, pp. 53-54, pi. 23, fig. 1, 1900— Province of Constitution, Chile.
Mus osorninus Philippi, supra cit., pp. 56-57, pi. 25, fig. 1, 1900 — Osorno,
Chile.
Both black and brown types of this species occur and since they
doubtless interbreed they cannot well be distinguished. In many
localities their numbers are appalling. Apparently competition with
the larger Norway rat has little effect on them. They were not seen
in the extreme south, but they abound in the cool forests of the lake
region as well as in warmer parts farther north.
No less than six of Philippics names apply to this species, as plainly
evident from his descriptions and figures. None of the types were
found in the museum at Santiago.
Mus musculus Linnaeus.
[Mus] musculus Linnaeus, Syst. Nat., ed. 10, p. 62, 1758 — Sweden.
Mus leptodactylus Philippi, Anal. Mus. Nac. Chile, Zool., Ent. 14a, pp. 48-49,
pi. 20, fig. 2, 1900— Valparaiso, Chile.
The house mouse is common throughout Chile, ranging south
to the Straits of Magellan and for the. most part being confined to
human habitations and settlements. Where rats are not overabun-
dant, it seems to offer no serious competition with native species.
Oryctolagus cuniculus Linnaeus.
[Lepus] cuniculus Linnaeus, Syst. Nat., ed. 10, p. 58, 1758— Germany.
The European rabbit was not seen in central Chile, although
reports indicate that it may be present in some localities. It was
seen in small numbers on Tierra del Fuego near the port of Porvenir
and also on the mainland in the vicinity of Punta Arenas. Accord-
ing to reports from Chilean naval officers, who have cruised through
Beagle Channel and among the Cape Horn Islands, rabbits are
established in parts of this region, notably on Lennox Island.
Lepus timidus Linnaeus.
[Lepus] timidus Linnaeus, Syst. Nat., ed. 10, p. 57, 1758 — Sweden.
The European hare, which has spread rapidly over the greater
part of central and southern Argentina, is common in adjoining parts
1943 MAMMALS OF CHILE— OSGOOD 237
of Chile east of the Andes. In 1940 it was seen frequently in the
vicinity of Punta Arenas and in the district of Ultima Esperanza,
especially near Lake Sarmiento, it was noted in great numbers. It
furnishes much sport for local hunters and its skins are marketed in
large numbers. According to a newspaper report seen in Punta
Arenas, 50,000 skins of hares and rabbits were sold there in 1939.
SPECIES ERRONEOUSLY ATTRIBUTED TO CHILE1
Lasiurus caudatus Tomes, Proc. Zool. Soc. Lond., pp. 42-43, 1857—
Pernambuco, Brazil.
Under the above name, which applies to a species of Dasypterus,
there is mention of a "specimen in bad state in spirit from Chile."
No further record of this specimen has appeared and, without con-
firmation, the occurrence of Dasypterus in Chile, although perhaps
not improbable, is scarcely to be regarded as established.
Stenoderma chilensis Gay and Gervais, Hist. Chile, Zool., 1, pp.
30-31, 1847; Atlas, 2, pi. 1, fig. 1, 1848— Chile (=Sturnira
lilium Geoffrey).
Although fully described and figured in Gay's great work on the
natural history of Chile, this bat has not since been reported from
Chile and its occurrence is very doubtful. Gay's account merely
states "Este murcielago es muy escaso en Chile" without giving
evidence of any actual records.
Canis fulvicaudus var. chiloensis Gray, Proc. Zool. Soc. Lond., p. 511,
1868.
This was said to be from Chiloe Island, but Thomas has stated
(Proc. Zool. Soc. Lond., p. 236, 1903) that it was "wrongly localized."
Cabrera (Journ. Mamm., 12, p. 58, 1931) regards it as a synonym of
Lycalopex vetulus, a species which does not reach Chile.
Ursus ornatus F. Cuvier, Hist. Nat. Mamm., 5, livr. 50, unpaged
text and col. pi., 1825.
In naming this species, Cuvier remarks: "II avait &£ ramen£ en
Europe par un des vaisseux du Roi que en avait fait 1'acquisition au
Chili meme; ainsi son origine ne peut etre douteuse." A few years
later, however, Tschudi (Fauna Peruana, pp. 91-92, 1844) threw
1 Several armadillos reported by Molina were not really attributed to Chile
as at present bounded, since they were said to inhabit the district of Cujo now
included in the Province of Mendoza, Argentina.
238 FIELD MUSEUM OF NATURAL HISTORY— ZOOLOGY, VOL. 30
doubt on this statement as follows: "Ein lebendes Exemplar von
U. ornatus wurde in Jahr 1825 nach Europa gebracht und kurze
Zeit im Jardin des plantes in Paris lebend erhalten. F. Cuvier
Mamm. fasc. 50 gab eine Abbildung von diesem angeblich aus
Chile stammenden Baren. Wir haben aber alle Ursache zu ver-
muthen, dass das Thier in Nordperu, und zwar in Truxillo, an Bord
genommen wurde; denn dieser Hafen ist der einzige an der ganzen
Westkuste, nach welchem lebende Baren aus dem Innern zum
Verkaufe gebracht werden." In 1902 (Ann. Mag. Nat. Hist., (7),
9, p. 215), Thomas, apparently influenced by the unequivocal nature
of Cuvier's statement,1 took issue with Tschudi, saying: "F. Cuvier's
specimen was said definitely to have come from Chile, and there
seems no sufficient authority for Tschudi's suggestion that it was
obtained at Trujillo."
From experience and information gained by Field Museum's
expeditions in both Peru and Chile, it seems that Tschudi was right.
The spectacled bear is still common in mountains near Trujillo,
Peru, but there is no recent evidence even suggesting its occurrence
in Chile. It may be that Cuvier's type was obtained by the French
ship at a Chilean port but, if so, it had doubtless reached there by
coasting vessel from Peru.
L'istrici, sia il Porco-spino Chilesesi Molina, Sagg. Stor. Nat. Chili,
pp. 292-293, 1782.
Histrix chilensis Anonymous, Geog. Nat. Civil Hist. Chili ("Trans-
lated from the original Italian by an American Gentleman"),
1, p. 205, 1808; p. 242, 18092— "northern Andes of Chili"
where no porcupine occurs (=Coendou prehensilis Linnaeus
1758).
Apparently Molina's report of a porcupine in Chile and the name
based on it in English translations of his work were without any
justification. No porcupine occurs there or even near there.
Viscaccia americana Schinz, Thierr., 4, pp. 429-431, 1825 (=Lagosto-
mus maximus Desmarest).
Schinz states that "Dieses Thier lebt in Brasilien und Chili."
His description, however, applies wholly to the well-known Argentine
viscacha which does not reach either Brazil or Chile.
1 Perhaps also to strengthen his assumption that a different subspecies (majori)
was found in Ecuador.
2 A different edition under the same title "to which are added Notes and
Appendixes by the English Editor," these being signed by the initials "E.E."
1943 MAMMALS OF CHILE— OSGOOD 239
Mus pusillus Philippi, Arch. Naturg., 24, (1), pp. 79-80, 1858; Anal.
Mus. Nac. Chile, ZooL, Ent. 14a, p. 19, pi. 5, fig. 2, 1900.
A specimen examined in the Santiago museum in 1922 is evidently
the basis of Philippi's figure published in 1900, but that it is the
specimen described in 1858 is doubtful. At the time it was examined,
it was thought probable that something like it would be found in
Chile and it was not given especial attention. However, nothing
closely related to it has been obtained in Chile during subsequent
collecting and the question arises as to whether or not it may have
been brought in with freight from Argentina or otherwise accidentally.
Notes on this specimen are as follows: "Possible type in museum
labeled 'Raton. Mus pusillus, Ph. Cord. Santiago, I860.' The
description was published in 1858, so if this really was the type, it
could not have been collected in 1860, but the label is not original
and was doubtless put on many years later. In fact, it is type-
written and, of course, there were no typewriting machines in Chile
in those days. It is a small, soft-haired, grayish mouse with a white
belly. The skull is inside and could be removed for positive identifi-
cation. The ears have been shriveled by preservative, and probably
were larger than in Philippi's figure. Only one remains and this
measures about 11 mm. in present condition. The hairs of the chin
and upper throat are practically all white; those of chest have dark
bases. The hind foot in good condition is 21."
The description published by Philippi in 1900 does not differ
from that of 1858, being only a verbatim translation from German
to Spanish, but there is added a paragraph of speculation as to a
possible relationship to the Argentine "Mus" laucha. In this it
may be that Philippi was more nearly right than usual, although his
assumptions appear to have been based entirely on literature.
On the basis of the description alone it would be difficult to
dispose of this name, but if the specimen figured in 1900, and
apparently collected at a very early date, be considered the type
it is not unlikely that reference to the modern genus Hesperomys
would be justified. That the species belongs to the Chilean fauna
is more than doubtful.
UNIDENTIFIABLE NAMES
Canis vulpes chilensis Kerr, Anim. Kingd., Mamm., p. 144, No. 258,.
1792.
Regarded by J. A. Allen (Bull. Amer. Mus. Nat. Hist., 7, p. 188,.
1895) as "not determinate. "
240 FIELD MUSEUM OF NATURAL HISTORY— ZOOLOGY, VOL. 30
Phoca porcina Molina, Sagg. Stor. Nat. Chili, pp. 279-280, 341,
1782.
The basis of this name is a description obviously derived from a
young animal which might have been either a sea lion or a fur seal.
Allen says of it in 1902 (Bull. Amer. Mus. Nat. Hist., 16, p. 114):
"The Phoca porcina of Molina (1782) is recognizable merely as an
eared seal, but whether referable to Otaria or Arctocephalus cannot
be determined from Molina's very imperfect account of it." There
seems to be no reason to disagree with this conclusion. The name
can be disposed of by regarding it as a synonym of P. lupina, which
has page priority and a full description.
Mus chilensis Giebel, Verzeichn. Zool. Mus. Univ. Halle- Wittenberg
Aufgestellt, Saugeth., 2te. Ausgabe, p. 29, 1866.
As cited above, this is a nomen nudum without nomenclatural
status, but its possible earlier publication in a work which is not
available is suggested.
Mus maulinus Molina, Sagg. Stor. Nat. Chili, pp. 302-303, 342, 1782.
The supposed animal described under this name is the most
fanciful of any to which Molina actually applied a Latin designation.
Scarcely any subsequent author has even hazarded a guess as to
what it might be. It was called "II gran topo boschereccio," or
great wood mouse, and was said to be more than twice the size of a
marmot, which it resembled in color, and its teeth were the same in
number and arrangement as those of the common mouse. The
Latin diagnosis is as follows: "Mus cauda mediocri pilosa, auriculis
acuminatis, pedibus pentadactylis."
Mus laniger Molina, Sagg. Stor. Nat. Chili, pp. 301-302, 1782.
This name, adopted by many authors for the chinchilla, proves
to have a composite basis involving the characters of several different
animals among which it is impossible to make a choice. Therefore,
the name is regarded as unidentifiable and it is proposed that its use
be suppressed (see Osgood, 1941).
Castor huidobrius Molina, Sagg. Stor. Nat. Chili, pp. 285-287, 342,
1782.
Although frequently applied to the river otter of central and
southern Chile, this name rests on an unsound basis. Its case is
well stated by Thomas (Proc. U. S. Nat. Mus., 58, p. 225, 1920),
who says: "I am not prepared to recognize as an otter a species
1943 MAMMALS OF CHILE— OSGOOD 241
described as having long rodent incisors and unpalmated forefeet,
and think that in view of the insoluble mixture of local names,
habits, and characters contained in Molina's description the name
Castor huidobrius should be set aside as indeterminable."
Guillinomys chilensis Lesson, Nouv. Tabl. Regne Anim., Mamm.,
p. 126, 1842.
A renaming of the unidentifiable Castor Huidobrius of Molina;
therefore unrecognizable and without status.
!Mus(l) dasypus Philippi, Anal. Mus. Nac. Chile, Zool., Ent. 14a,
p. 61, 1900 — Province of Santiago, Chile.
Among the numerous names given to Chilean rodents by Philippi,
this is the only one for which the species cannot even be conjectured.
Apparently the brief description was taken from memory of a
decayed and mutilated mouse brought to the author by a local hunter
and then doubtless thrown away. Philippi says of it: "Tiene el
caracter mui notable, que ambas extremidades son cubiertas hasta
la base de los dedos del mismo pelaje largo i tupido que el resto del
cuerpo," probably indicating either an abnormal condition of the
specimen or some vagary of the author's recollection.
CHILEAN MAMMALS LISTED IN THE ORDER
OF THEIR DISCOVERY
1758 Mirounga leonina Linnaeus.
1776 Lama guanicoe Miiller.
1782 Arctocephalus australis Zimmermann.
Conepatus chinga Molina.
Dusicyon culpaeus Molina.
Felis concolor puma Molina.
Felis guigna Molina.
Felis pajeros colocolo Molina.
Grison cuja Molina.
Hippocamelus bisulcus Molina.
Lagidium viscacia Molina.
Lutra felina Molina.
Myocastor coypus Molina.
Octodon degus Molina.
Pudu pudu Molina.
Spalacopus cyanus Molina.
Vicugna vicugna Molina.
1800 Otaria flavescens Shaw.
1801 Lasiurus cinereus villosissimus Geoff roy.
Hydrurga leptonyx Blainville.
1824 Tadarida brasiliensis Geoffrey.
1826 Lasiurus borealis bonariensis Lesson and Garnot.
1832 Leptonychotes weddelli Lesson.
Oryzomys longicaudatus Bennett.
1833 Lagidium viscacia cuvieri Bennett.
Cavia australis Geoffroy and D'Orbigny.
1835 Ctenomys magellanicus Bennett.
Histiotus macrotus Poeppig.
Oryzomys longicaudatus magellanicus Bennett.
1836 Dusicyon culpaeus magellanicus Gray.
1837 Abrocoma bennetti Waterhouse.
Akodon longipilis Waterhouse.
Akodon olivaceus Waterhouse.
Akodon olivaceus brachiotis Waterhouse.
Akodon xanthorhinus Waterhouse.
Conepatus humboldti Gray.
Dusicyon fulvipes Martin.
Dusicyon griseus Gray.
Phyllotis micropus Waterhouse.
Marmosa elegans Waterhouse.
Phyllotis darunni Waterhouse.
Phyllotis darwini xanthopygus Waterhouse.
Reithrodon auritus cuniculoides Waterhouse.
1838 Desmodus rotundus d'orbignyi Waterhouse.
Myotis chiloensis Waterhouse.
1839 Euneomys chinchilloides Waterhouse.
Akodon xanthorhinus canescens Waterhouse.
242
1943 MAMMALS OF CHILE— OSGOOD 243
1841 Aconaemys fuscus Waterhouse.
Phyllotis darwini rupestris Gervais.
1842 Lyncodon patagonica Blainville.
1844 Notiomys megalonyx Waterhouse.
Octodon bridgesi Waterhouse.
1846 Phyllotis boliviensis Waterhouse.
1848 Ctenomys opimus Wagner.
1858 Akodon andinus Philippi.
Notiomys valdivianus Philippi.
Oryzomys longicaudatus philippii Landbeck.
1860 Ctenomys fulvus Philippi.
1861 Histiotus montanus Philippi and Landbeck.
1865 Felis jacobita Cornalia.
1866 Histiotus montanus magellanicus Philippi.
I 1872 Ctenomys maulinus Philippi.
1880 Ctenomys magellanicus fueginus Philippi.
1892 Myotis chiloensis atacamensis Lataste.
1893 Dromiciops australis Philippi.
1894 Dromiciops australis gliroides Thomas.
Notiomys macronyx Thomas.
Marmosa elegans soricina Philippi.
1895 Akodon longipilis hirta Thomas.
1896 Akodon andinus dolichonyx Philippi.
Ctenomys robustus Philippi.
Dusicyon culpaeus lycoides Philippi.
Eligmodontia puerulus Philippi.
1897 Akodon lanosus Thomas.
Lagidium viscacia moreni Thomas.
1898 Conepatus rex Thomas.
Notiomys valdivianus michaelseni Matschie.
1900 Akodon olivaceus mochae Philippi.
Akodon olivaceus pencanus Philippi.
Phyllotis darwini boedeckeri Philippi.
Irenomys tarsalis Philippi.
Irenomys tarsalis longicaudatus Philippi.
Notiomys megalonyx microtis Philippi.
Reithrodon auritus pachycephalus Philippi.
1901 Dusicyon griseus domeykoanus Philippi.
Felis concolor patagonica Merriam.
Eligmodontia elegans morgani Allen.
1903 Akodon longipilis suffusa Thomas.
Ctenomys magellanicus osgoodi Allen.
Dusicyon griseus maullinicus Philippi.
Notiomys macronyx vestitus Thomas.
Euneomys petersoni Allen.
1905 Notiomys delfini Cabrera.
1907 Lagidium viscacia wolffsohni Thomas.
1908 Akodon longipilis francei Thomas.
Lutra provocax Thomas.
1910 Akodon longipilis moerens Thomas.
244 FIELD MUSEUM OF NATURAL HISTORY— ZOOLOGY, VOL. 30
1912 Phyllotis darwini vaccarum Thomas.
1916 Abrocoma bennetti murrayi Wolffsohn.
Euneomys chinchilloides ultimus Thomas.
1914 Dusicyon culpaeus andinus Thomas.
1917 Aconaemys fuscus porteri Thomas.
1919 Akodon olivaceus beatus Thomas.
1920 Lagidium viscada famatinae Thomas.
1921 Conepatus chinga mendosus Thomas.
Lagidium viscada boxi Th'omas.
1924 Rhyncholestes raphanurus Osgood.
1925 Notiomys macronyx alleni Osgood.
Notiomys valdivianus chiloensis Osgood.
Spalacopus cyanus tabanus Thomas.
1926 Lagidium viscada sarae Thomas.
1931 Marmosa elegans coquimbensis Tate.
1934 Chinchilla chinchilla velligera Prell.
NEW FORMS ADDED IN THIS PUBLICATION
1943 Myotis chiloensis arescens.
Felis concolor araucanus.
Felis guigna molinae.
Octodon lunatus.
Spalacopus cyanus maulinus.
Ctenomys magellanicus dicki.
Ctenomys maulinus brunneus.
Myocastor coypus melanops.
Notiomys valdivianus bullocki.
Notiomys valdivianus bicolor.
Akodon longipilis apta.
Akodon longipilis castaneus.
Akodon sanborni.
Phyllotis darwini fulvescens.
Phyllotis micropus fumipes.
TYPE LOCALITIES IN CHILE
Names are given as originally proposed followed by the present
generic name when this is different. Names of recognizable species
and subspecies are printed in boldfaced type.
ACONCAGUA
Abrocoma bennetti Waterhouse.
Lynchailurus pajeros huina Pocock (Felis).
ANGOSTURA (Province of Santiago)
Mus melanonotus Philippi (Akodori).
Mus porcinus Philippi (Akodori).
ANTOFAGASTA (Province of; oasis of Leoncitos)
Hesperomys dolichonyx cinnamomea Philippi (Akodori).
ANTUCO (Province of Bio Bio)
Nycticeius macrotus Poeppig (Histiotus).
Nycticeus poepingii Lesson (Lasiurus).
Nycticeius varius Poeppig (Lasiurus).
Nycticeus chilensis Lesson (Histiotus).
Plecotus poeppigii Fitzinger (Histiotus).
ATACAMA (coast)
Otaria velutina Philippi.
ATACAMA DESERT
Ctenomys atacamensis Philippi; Tilpozo.
Ctenomys chilensis Philippi.
Ctenomys fulvus Philippi; Pingo Pingo.
Ctenomys pallidus Philippi; Breas, southwest of Antofagasta de la Sierra.
Ctenomys pernix Philippi; Aguas Calientes, east of Salar de Atacama.
Hesperomys dolichonyx cinnamomea Philippi (Akodori).
BAGUALES (Sierra at boundary between Chile and Argentina)
Viscaccia wolffsohni Thomas (Lagidium).
CARTAJENA (Province of Valparaiso)
Mus melampus Philippi (Akodori).
CHILOE ISLAND
Akodon sanborni Osgood; Rio Inio.
Canis fulvipes Martin (Dusicyon).
Dromiciops gliroides Thomas; Huite, near An cud.
Lycalopex fulvicaudus Gray (Dusicyon).
Myocastor coypus melanops Osgood; Quellon.
Notiomys valdivianus chiloensis Osgood; Quellon.
Phyllotis micropus fumipes Osgood; Quellon.
Rhyncholestes raphanurus Osgood; Rio Inio.
Vespertilio chiloensis Waterhouse (Myotis).
CHOAPA (Province of Coquimbo)
Mus campestris Philippi (Phyllotis).
245
246 FIELD MUSEUM OF NATURAL HISTORY— ZOOLOGY, VOL. 30
CHONOS ARCHIPELAGO
Mus brachiotis Waterhouse (Akodon); small island in Midship Bay.
Mus chonoticus Philippi (Akodon).
Otaria brachydactyla Philippi (Arctocephalus) .
COBIJA (Province of Antofagasta, mountains near)
Mus rupestris Gervais (Phyllotis).
COLCHAGUA (Province of)
Mus macrocercus Philippi (Oryzomys).
Mus psilurus Philippi (Akodon).
Rio COLORADO (Province of Malleco)
Ctenomys maulinus brunneus Osgood.
CONCEPCION
Mus araucanus Philippi (Oryzomys).
Mus pencanus Philippi (Akodon).
CONSTITUTION (Province of)
Mus cyaneus Philippi (Rattus).
COPIAPO (Province of)
Canis domeykoanus Philippi (Dusicyon).
COQUIMBO
Camelus vicugna Molina (Vicugna); mountains of Coquimbo and
Copiapo.
Chinchilla velligera Prell.
Desmodus d'orbignyi Waterhouse.
Mus cyanus Molina (Spalacopus).
Mus darwini Waterhouse (Phyllotis).
Mus longipilis Waterhouse (Akodon).
Poephagomys ater Cuvier (Spalacopus).
CURICO (vicinity of)
Octodon bridges! Waterhouse.
HERMITE ISLAND (Cape Horn Islands)
Euneomys ultimus Thomas.
ILLAPEL
Mus agilis Philippi (Oryzomys).
Mus diminutivus Philippi (Oryzomys).
Mus landbecki Philippi (Akodon).
Mus illapelinus Philippi (Phyllotis).
JUAN FERNANDEZ ISLAND
Otaria philippii Peters (? Arctocephalus).
Phoca ansoni Desmarest (Mirounga).
Phoca ansonina Blainville (Mirounga).
Phoca elephantina Molina (Mirounga).
Phoca leonina Linnaeus (Mirounga).
LAKE LLANQUIHUE (west side at "Nueva Braunau")
Canis maullinicus Philippi (Dusicyon).
LA LIGUA (Province of Aconcagua)
Mus pernix Philippi (Oryzomys).
Mus platytarsus Philippi (Phyllotis).
1943 MAMMALS OF CHILE— OSGOOD 247
LA SERENA (Province of Coquimbo)
Mus griseoflavus Philippi (Phyllotis).
LIMACHE (Province of Valparaiso)
Myotis chiloensis arescens Osgood.
LINARES (Cordillera)
Ctenomys chilensis Philippi.
MADRE DE DIGS ISLAND (Trinidad Channel)
Hesperomys coppingeri Thomas (Oryzomys).
MAGELLAN (Straits of)
Cants griseus Gray (Dusicyon).
Cants magellanicus Gray (Dusicyon) ; Port Famine.
Canis patagonicus Philippi (Dusicyon).
Capreolus leucotis Gray (Hippocamelus); Port Famine.
Conepatus humboldtii Gray.
Ctenomys magellanicus Bennett; Port Gregory.
Mephitis patagonica Lichtenstein (Conepatus).
Mus magellanicus Bennett (Oryzomys) ; Port Famine.
Oxymycterus lanosus Thomas (Akodon); Monteith Bay.
Phoca flavescens Shaw (Otaria).
Reithrodon chinchilloides Waterhouse (Euneomys); south shore near
east entrance.
MAS AFUERA ISLAND
Otaria argentata Philippi (?Arctocephalus).
MAULE (Province of)
Mus atratus Philippi (Akodon).
Mus boedeckeri Philippi (Phyllotis); Coroney Ranch.
Mus glaphyrus Philippi (Oryzomys) ; Coroney Ranch.
Mus maulinus Molina (unidentifiable).
Mus melaenus Philippi (Oryzomys).
Mus microtis Philippi (Notiomys).
MAULE (Lake; Province of Talca)
Ctenomys maulinus Philippi.
MELINKA (Guaiteca Islands)
Reithrodon longicaudatus Philippi (Irenomys).
MOCHA ISLAND
Akodon longipilis castaneus Osgood.
Mus mochae Philippi (Akodon).
Notiomys valditrianus bullocki Osgood.
NAHUELBUTA (Sierra)
Akodon longipilis apta Osgood.
Felis concolor araucanus Osgood.
Phyllotis darwini fulvescens Osgood.
NIREHUAO (Rio)
Notiomys valdivianus bicolor Osgood.
O'HiGGiNS (Province of)
Mus ruficaudus Philippi (Akodon).
OLMUE (Province of Valparaiso)
Octodon lunatus Osgood.
248 FIELD MUSEUM OF NATURAL HISTORY— ZOOLOGY, VOL. 30
OSORNO
Aconaemys porteri Thomas.
Mus osorninus Philippi (Rattus).
Mus xanthopus Philippi (Akodon).
PAIGUANO (Province of Coquimbo)
Marmosa elegans coquimbensis Tate.
PEINE (Province of O'Higgins)
Mus dichrous Philippi (Phyllotis).
Mus lepturus Philippi (Akodon).
Mus saltator Philippi (Oryzomys).
Mus segethi Philippi (Phyllotis).
Oxymycterus niger Philippi (? Notiomys).
PETEROA (Cordillera in Province of Curico)
Mus peteroanus Philippi (Oryzomys).
PICA (Province of Tarapaca)
Ctenomys robustus Philippi.
PINO HACHADO PASS (Chilean-Argentine boundary)
Lagidium sarae Thomas and St. Leger.
PUENTE ALTO (Province of Santiago)
Ododon degus clivorum Thomas.
PUERTO MONTT
Canis torquatus Philippi (Dusicyon).
Mus brevicaudatus Philippi (Akodon).
Mus fonckii Philippi (Akodon).
Mus saltuum Philippi (Rattus).
PUNTA ARENAS (Province of Magallanes)
Hesperomys michaelseni Matschie (Notiomys).
Mus pachycephalus Philippi (Reithrodon).
Oxymycterus delfini Cabrera (Notiomys).
Reithrodon cuniculoides obscurus Allen.
QUILLOTA (Province of Valparaiso)
Felis pajeros huina Pocock; near Lake Catapilco.
Orison furax melinus Thomas.
QUINTERO (Lake; Province of Valparaiso)
Hesperomys megalonyx Waterhouse (Notiomys).
QUIRIHUE (Province of Maule)
Mus cauquenensis Philippi (Rattus).
Spalacopus cyanus maulinus Osgood.
RIESCO ISLAND (Est. Ponsonby)
Ctenomys magellanicus dicki Osgood.
Rio COLORADO (Province of Malleco)
Ctenomys maulinus brunneus Osgood.
SAN PEDRO DE ATACAMA (Province of Antofagasta)
Hesperomys dolichonyx Philippi (Akodon).
Hesperomys glirinus Philippi (Phyllotis).
Hesperomys lanatus Philippi (Phyllotis).
Hesperomys puerulus Philippi (Eligmodontia) .
Vespertilio atacamensis Lataste (Myotis).
1943 MAMMALS OF CHILE— OSGOOD 249
SANTIAGO (Province of)
Mus brachytarsus Philippi (Akodon).
Mus dasypus Philippi (unidentifiable).
Mus fusco-ater Philippi (Akodon).
Mus germaini Philippi (Akodon).
Mus megalotis Philippi (Phyllotis).
Mus melanonotus Philippi and Landbeck (Phyllotis).
Mus mollis Philippi (Phyllotis).
Mus vinealis Philippi (Akodon).
Myoxus getulus Poeppig (Octodon).
Sciurus degus Molina (Octodon).
SANTIAGO (Cordillera)
Canis culpaeus Molina (Dusicyon).
Felis puma Molina.
Lepus viscacia Molina (Lagidium).
Mus aethiops Philippi (Rattus).
Mus and in us Philippi (Akodon).
Mus exiguus Philippi (Oryzomys).
Mus senilis Philippi (Akodon) ; Valle del Yeso.
Mus trichotis Philippi (Akodon).
SERENA (Province of Coquimbo)
Mus coquimbensis Philippi (Rattus).
Mus griseoflavus Philippi (Phyllotis).
TALCAREGUE (Province of Colchagua)
Mus nigribarbis Philippi (Oryzomys).
TlERRA DEL FUEGO
Akodon francei Thomas; Santa Maria, near Porvenir.
Canis lycoides Philippi (Dusicyon).
Ctenomys fueginus Philippi; "ostlichen Insel."
Mus infans Philippi (Akodon).
Mus xanthorhinus Waterhouse (Akodon); Hardy Peninsula.
Reithrodon chinchilloides Waterhouse (Euneomys) ; near eastern entrance,
Straits of Magellan.
Reithrodon cuniculoides flammarum Thomas; Spring Hill.
TALTAL (Province of Antofagasta)
Mus capito Philippi (Phyllotis); "Hueso Parado."
TARAPACA (Province of)
Lagidium lutescens Philippi; between Copacoya and Inacaliri.
Lagotis cuvieri Bennett (Lagidium).
TOLHUACA (Province of Malleco)
Notiomys valdivianus araucanus Osgood.
UNION (Province of Valdivia)
Didelphys australis Philippi (Dromiciops) .
Mus tarsalis Philippi (Irenomys).
VALDIVIA (Province of)
Canis trichodactylus Philippi (Dusicyon).
Didelphys soricina Philippi (Marmosa).
Felis guigna Molina.
Mus amblyrrhynchus Philippi (Oryzomys).
250 FIELD MUSEUM OF NATURAL HISTORY— ZOOLOGY, VOL. 30
VALDIVIA (Province of) — continued
Mus commutatus Philippi (Oryzomys).
Mus dumetorum Philippi (Oryzomys).
Mus longibarbus Philippi (Akodon).
Mus nemoralis Philippi (Akodon).
Mus philippii Landbeck (Oryzomys).
Oxymycterus valdivianus Philippi (Notiomys).
Vespertilio gayi Lataste (Myotis).
VALLENAR
Abrocoma murrayi Wolff sohn.
VALPARAISO (vicinity of)
Abrocoma cuvieri Waterhouse.
Canis amblyodon Philippi (Dusicyon).
Didelphis elegans Waterhouse (Marmosa).
Didelphis hortensis Reid (Marmosa).
Felis colocola Molina.
Felis guigna molinae Osgood.
Mus cyanus Molina (Spalacopus) .
Mus leptodactylus Philippi.
Mus longicaudatus Bennett (Oryzomys).
Mus olivaceus Waterhouse (Akodon).
Octodon cumingii Bennett.
Otaria fulva Philippi.
VILLA PORTALES (Province of Cautin)
Notiomys connectens Osgood.
No EXACT LOCALITY
Auchenia guanaco Meyen (Lama).
Camelus huanacus Molina (Lama).
Canis albigula Philippi (Dusicyon) ; central provinces.
Canis vulpes chilensis Kerr (?Dusicyon).
Canis rufipes Philippi (Dusicyon).
Copra pudu Molina (Pudu).
Cavia minimus Molina.
Cervus chilensis Gay and Gervais (Hippocamelus).
Cervus humilis Bennett (Pudu).
Conepatus laticaudata Geoffroy.
Cricetus chinchilla Fischer (unidentifiable).
Equus bisulcus Molina (Hippocamelus).
Eriomys pellionum Van der Hoeven (unidentifiable).
Grison vittata chilensis Nehring.
Guillinomys chilensis Lesson (unidentifiable).
Habrocoma helvina Wiegmann (Abrocoma).
Lagidium crassidens Philippi.
Lutra californica Gray.
Lutra chilensis Bennett.
Mephitis dimidiata Fischer (Conepatus).
Mephitis fur cata Wagner (Conepatus).
Mephitis molinae Lichtenstein (Conepatus).
Mus coy pus Molina (Myocastor).
Mus fusco-ater Philippi (Akodon).
Mus infans Philippi (Akodon).
Mus laniger Molina (unidentifiable).
M us macronychos Philippi (Akodon) ; central provinces.
1943 MAMMALS OF CHILE— OSGOOD 251
No EXACT LOCALITY — continued
Mus melanizon Philippi (Akodori).
Mus melanotus Philippi (Phyllotis).
Mus nasica Philippi (Akodori).
Mus philippii Landbeck (Oryzomys).
Mus subrufus Philippi (Rattus).
Mustela cuja Molina (Grisori).
Mustela felina Molina.
Mustela quiqui Molina (Orison).
Myopotamus coy pus albomaculatus Fitzinger (Myocastor).
Octodon cumingii Bennett.
Otaria chilensis Miiller.
Otaria chonotica Philippi.
Otaria leucostoma Philippi (? 'Arctocephalus) .
Otaria rufa Philippi.
Oxymycterus scalops Gay ( Notiomys) ; central provinces.
Phoca chilensis Kerr (?Mirounga).
Phoca lupina Molina (? Arctocephalus).
Phoca molinaii Lesson (unidentifiable).
Phoca porcina Philippi (unidentifiable).
Phoca tetradactyla Schinz (? Arctocephalus).
Psammoryctes noctivagus Poeppig (Spalacopus) .
Sciurus degus Meyen (Octodon).
Spalacopus poeppigii Wagler.
Spalacopus tabanus Thomas.
Vespertilio capucinus Philippi (Histiotus).
Vesperus segethii Peters (Histiotus).
Viverra chilensis Link (Conepatus).
Viverra chinga Molina (Conepatus).
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7, pp. 278-308.
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pp. 15-16.
Description of Oxymycterus delfini.
1911. Catalogo sinonimica de los Felidae sudamericanos. Rev. Chil. Hist.
Nat., 15, pp. 40-54.
Notes on nomenclature of Chilean species.
1929. Notas sobre los pumas de la America austral. Rev. Chil. Hist. Nat.,
33, pp. 312-320, pi. 19.
Regards Felis p. patagonica as synonym of F. p. puma, and F. p. pearsoni
as recognizable.
1940. Notas sobre carnivoros sudamericanos. Notas del Museo de la Plata,
5, Zool., No. 29, pp. 1-22.
Subtitles: La identidad de "Felis colocola" de Molina.
Tres nuevos generos de carnivoros.
El nombre especifico del lobo marino de un pelo.
— and YEPES, JOSE
1940. Mamiferos sud-americanos. Historia Natural Ediar. 370 pp., 78 pis.
Buenos Aires, Compania Argentina de Editores.
CORNALIA, EMILIO
1865. Descrizione di una nuova specie del genere: Felis. Mem. Soc. Ital. Sci.
Nat., 1, pp. 1-6, pi. col., author's ed.
Felis jacobita.
CUNNINGHAM, ROBERT O.
1868. Letter to Professor Huxley. Proc. Zool. Soc. Lond., pp. 184-187.
1871. Notes on the Natural History of the Strait of Magellan and West Coast
of Patagonia. Edinburgh, pp. ix+517.
Passing notes on the larger mammals.
254 FIELD MUSEUM OF NATURAL HISTORY— ZOOLOGY, VOL. 30
DABBENE, ROBERTO
1902. Mamiferos y aves de la Tierra del Fuego e islas adyacentes. Anal. Mus.
Nac. Buenos Aires, (3), 1, pp. 341-405.
Three pages devoted to general notes on mammals.
DARWIN, CHARLES. See WATERHOUSE and DARWIN.
DENNLER, J. G.
1934. Mamiferos peliferos susceptibles de criar en Chile. Rev. Chil. Hist. Nat.,
38, pp. 27-37.
1939. Beitrage zur Kenntnis der Chinchilla. Deutsche Pelzthierzuchter, Miin-
chen, 14, pp. 288-290.
FISCHER, G. M.
1940. Contribucion a la anatomia de los Octodontidos. Bol. Mus. Nac. Hist.
Nat., Santiago, Chile, 18, pp. 103-124.
1942. El Encefalo de los Octodontidos. Bol. Mus. Nac. Hist. Nat., Santiago,
Chile, 19, pp. 83-106, figs. 1-18.
FONTECILLA, ARTURO
1929. Comentarios sobre el huillin del Abate Molina. Rev. Chil. Hist. Nat.,
33, pp. 552-555.
FURSTENBERG, PAUL
1906. Dr. Rudolph Amandus Philippi. Sein Leben und seine Werke. Ver-
handl. Deutsch. Wiss. Ver., Santiago, 5, pp. 1-39.
With portrait and bibliography.
GAY, CLAUDIO
1847-48. Historia fisica y politica de Chile. Zool., 1, pp. 19-182; Atlas,
pis. 1-11.
Gay lists sixty-seven species of mammals, including seven domesticated
forms, two extinct species, and several introduced and extralimital. The
exact date of publication of the plates is uncertain (see Zimmer, Field Mus.
Nat. Hist., Zool. Ser., 16, pp. 237-238, 1926). There are eight colored plates
of mammals and three in black and white showing osteological details.
and GERVAIS, PAUL
1846. Remarques sur le Copra pudu et I'Equus bisulcus de Molina. Ann.
Sci. Nat., Paris, (3), 5, pp. 87-94.
GERVAIS, PAUL
1891. Mission scientifique du Cap Horn. Zoologie, 6, Anatomie comparee,
pp. M3-M62, 5 pis. Paris.
GIGOUX, ERNESTO E.
1929. El huemul. Rev. Chil. Hist. Nat., 33, pp. 573-582, fig.
History and habits.
1935. Zoologia del Aysen: Mamiferos. Bol. Mus. Nac. Chile, 14, p. 59.
GOTSCHLICH, BERNARDO
1904. Biografia del Doctor Rodulfo Amando Philippi. pp. i-vi, 1-185,
Santiago, Chile.
With bibliography of 414 titles.
GRANDIDIER, G. See NEVEU-LEMAIRE and GRANDIDIER.
GRAY, J. E.
1830. Spicilegia Zoologica, p. 11, pi. 7, fig.
Includes one of the earliest descriptions and figures of the chinchilla.
BIBLIOGRAPHY 255
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pp. 496-499, figs.
Xenelaphus huamel gen. et sp. nov.
1872. On the Guemul Huamela leticotis. Ann. Mag. Nat. Hist., (4), 10,
pp. 445-446.
1873. Further Remarks on the Guemul of Patagonia, Huamela leucotis. Ann.
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HATCHER, J. B.
1903. Reports of the Princeton University Expeditions to Patagonia, 1896-
1899. 1, Narrative and Geography, pp. xvi-314, 50 figs., map.
Includes notes on mammals, especially the larger ones, from localities not
far from the Chilean boundary.
HELLMICH, W.
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HOUSSE, R. P. RAFAEL
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KKIEG, H.
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Zeitsch. Morph. Okol., Berlin, 3, pp. 169-176, 3 figs.
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pp. 685-701, 2 figs.
1925a. Ibid. VII. Notiz iiber einen Bastard zwischen Hund und Pampafuchs
nebst Bemerkungen iiber die Systematik der Argentinisch-Chilenischen
Fuchse. Zeitsch. Morph. Okol., Berlin, 4, pp. 702-710, 3 figs.
LAHILLE, F.
1899. Ensayo sobre la distribution de los mamiferos en la Republica Argentina.
Congr. Cient. Lat. Amer., Buenos Aires, 3, pp. 165-206, map.
Colored map includes Chile.
LANDBECK, LUDWIG. See PHILIPPI and LANDBECK.
LATASTE, FERNAND
1891. Etudes sur la faune chilienne. II. Note sur les chauves-souris (Ordre
des Chiropteres). Act. Soc. Sci. Chile, 1, pp. 70-91.
Includes twelve species of Desmodus, Sturnira, Nyctinomus, Vespertilio,
Atalapha, and Vesperugo.
LONNBERG, E.
1919. Remarks on Some South American Canidae. Arch. Zool., 12, No. 13,
pp. 1-18, figs. 1-4.
Subtitles: I. On the Affinities of Pseudalopex lycoides Philippi.
II. The Dog of the Yaghan Indians, Tierra del Fuego.
1920. Nagra ord om sydamerikanska hunddjur. Fauna och Flora, Uppsala,
15, pp. 7-14.
Tierra del Fuego.
LYDEKKER, R.
1899. Specific Characters of the Chilean Guemul. Proc. Zool. Soc. Lond.,
pp. 917-919, pi. 61 (col.), 1 fig.
256 FIELD MUSEUM OF NATURAL HISTORY— ZOOLOGY, VOL. 30
MAHAN, S. A.
1937. El Octodon Cumingii como animal de laboratorio. Rev. Chil. Hist. Nat.,
pp. 43-45.
MARTIN, W.
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fulvipes). Proc. Zool. Soc. Lond., pp. 11-12.
MATSCHIE, PAUL
1898. Hamburger Magalhaensische Sammelreise, Saugethiere. Hamburg.
29 pp., 1 pi.
Includes a compiled list of the mammals of southern South America, a
discussion of faunal areas, and a bibliography.
1912. Ueber Felis jacobita colocolo und zwei ihnen ahnliche Katzen. Sit-
zungsber.-Gesells. Naturf. Freunde, Berlin, No. 4, pp. 256-259.
MATTHEWS, L. HARRISON
1929. The Natural History of the Elephant Seal. Discovery Reports, 1, pp.
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MILNE-EDWARDS, ALPHONSE
1891. Mission scientifique du Cap Horn. 6, Zoologie, pp. A3-A30, pis. 1-8.
Account of rodents by Oldfield Thomas.
MOLINA, GIOVANNI IGNAZIO
1782. Saggio sulla storia naturale del Chili. 8vo, pp. 1-368. Bologna.
1786. Versuch einer Naturgeschichte von Chili. Ubersetzt von J. D. Brandeis.
Leipzig.
1788. Compendio de la historia geographica, natural y civil del Reyno de
Chile. Madrid. Spanish translation by Domingo Joseph de Arquellada
Mendoza.
Imperfect title: book not seen by the author.
1789. Essai sur 1'histoire naturelle du Chili, pp. 1-352. Paris.
"Traduit de 1'Italien, enrichi de notes, p. M. Gruvel, D.M."
1808. The Geographical, Natural and Civil History of Chili. 2 vols. Middle-
town, Connecticut. Printed for I. Riley, with notes from the Spanish and
French versions and an appendix.
"Translated from the original Italian by an American gentleman."
1809. The Geographical, Natural and Civil History of Chili. 2 vols. London.
Longman, Hurst, Rees and Orme.
"Translated from the original Italian ... to which are added Notes and
Two Appendixes by The English Editor." Footnotes signed with initials
"E.E." Translated text identical with American edition; map and typogra-
phy different. A footnote (p. xiv) refers to the "Amer. Trans.," but the
same also appears (p. ix) in the American edition.
1810. Saggio sulla storia naturale del Chile, sm. 4to. Seconda edizione.
Bologna.
Includes considerable revision and an excellent portrait of the author.
NEHRING, A.
1886. Uber Furcifer antisiensis. Sitzungsber. Gesells. Naturf. Freunde,
Berlin, pp. 17-18.
1895. Uber Furcifer antisiensis d'Orb. und Cervus brachyceros Philippi. Sit-
zungsber. Gesells. Naturf. Freunde, Berlin, No. 2, pp. 9-18, figs. 1-2.
NEVEU-LEMAIRE, M. and GRANDIDIER, G.
1907. Les Cervides de la cordillere des Andes. Assoc. Frang. 1'Avanc. Sci.
C. R., 35me sess., pp. 482-494.
BIBLIOGRAPHY 257
OHDE, F.
1929. El chingue (Conepatus chinga). Rev. Chil. Hist. Nat., 32, pp. 164-166.
OHLIN, AXEL
1896. A Zoologist in Tierra del Fuego. Some account of the Swedish Expedi-
tion 1895-96. Nat. Sci., 9, pp. 172-181.
Brief notes; maps.
OSGOOD, WILFRED H.
1924. Review of Living Caenolestids with Description of a New Genus from
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Rhyncholestes raphanurus.
1925. The Long-clawed South American Rodents of the Genus Notiomys.
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1941. The Technical Name of the Chinchilla. Journ. Mamm., 22, pp. 407-411.
PETERS, WILHELM
1875. Uber die mit Histiotus velatus verwandten Flederthiere aus Chile.
Monatsber. K. Akad. Wiss., Berlin, pp. 782-785.
PHILIPPI, FEDERICO
1886. Reise nach der Provinz Tarapaca. Verhandl. Deutsch. Wiss. Ver.,
Santiago, 1, pp. 135-136, maps.
1893. Ein neues Beutelthier Chile's. Verhandl. Deutsch. Wiss. Ver., Santiago,
5, pp. 318-319.
Didelphys australis Philippi (=Dromiciops).
1893a. Un nuevo marsupial chileno. Anal. Univ. Chile, pp. 1-6, 1 pi.
1894. Beschreibung einer dritten Beutelmaus aus Chile. Arch. Naturg., 60,
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1909. Historia del Museo Nacional de Chile. Bol. Mus. Nac. Chile, 1, pp.
1-30, 3 pis.
Includes portrait of R. A. Philippi.
PHILIPPI, R. A.
1857. Description de una nueva especie de rata, procedida de algunas obser-
vaciones jenerales. Anal. Univ. Chile, 14, p. 513.
Mus philippii "Landbeck."
1857a. Ueber den Guemul von Molina. Arch. Naturg., 23, (1), pp. 135-136.
1858. Beschreibung neuer Wirbelthiere aus Chile. Arch. Naturg., 24, (1),
pp. 303-305.
Oxymycterus valdivianus (=Notiomys).
1860. Reise durch die Wuste Atacama auf Befehl der chilenischen Regierung
im Sommer 1853-54 unternommen und ausgefiihrt von R. A. Philippi. 4to,
pp. x+192+62, map, 27 pis. Halle. Preface dated "Santiago, August 29,
1858."
1860a. Viaje al Desierto de Atacama hecho de orden del gobierno de Chile
en el verano 1853-54 por R. A. Philippi. Publicado bajo los auspicios de
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Preface dated September 3, 1858.
1866. Ueber ein paar neue Chilenische Saugethiere. Arch. Naturg., 32, (1),
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Vespertilio magellanicus and Cam's patagonicus.
1867. Comentario critico sobre los animales descritos por Molina. Anal.
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1867a. Sobre una nueva especie de foca o lobo marine del mar chileno descrito
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Otaria philippii.
258 FIELD MUSEUM OF NATURAL HISTORY— ZOOLOGY, VOL. 30
1869. Ueber einige Thiere von Mendoza. Arch. Naturg., 35, (1), pp. 38-51,
pi. 3.
Includes a note on "Canis fulvipes" from Puerto Montt.
1869a. El colocolo de Molina. Anal. Univ. Chile, 32, p, 205.
1870. Ueber Felis colocolo Molina. Arch. Naturg., 36, (1), pp. 41-45.
1870a. Eine vermeintliche neue Hirschart aus Chile. Arch. Naturg., 36, (1),
pp. 46-49.
Remarks on Anomolocera leucotis Gray.
1872. Drei neue Nager aus Chile. Zeitsch. Gesammt. Naturw., Berlin, Neue
Folge, 6, pp. 442-445.
Ctenomys maulinus, Oxymycterus niger.
1873. Sinonimia del huemul. Anal. Univ. Chile, 43, p. 717.
1873a. Ueber Felis Guina Molina und iiber die Schadelbildung bei Felis
Pajeros und Felis Colocolo. Arch. Naturg., 39, (1), pp. 8-15, pis. 2-3.
1880. Ctenomys fueginus Philippi. Arch. Naturg., 46, (1), pp. 276-279, pi. 13,
figs. 1-6 (skull).
1888. Berichtigung der Synonymic von Otaria Philippii Peters. Arch. Naturg.,
54, (1), p. 117.
1889. Rectificacion de algunos errores con respecto a las focas o lobos de mar
de Chile. Anal. Univ. Chile, 75, p. 61.
1892. Las focas chilenas del Museo Nacional. Anal. Mus. Nac. Chile, Zool.,
sec. 1, pp. 1-48, pis. 1-23.
1892a. El guemul de Chile. Anal. Mus. Nac. Chile, Zool., sec. 1, pp. 1-9,
pi., figs. 1-6. Author's edition?
1892b. Einige Worte iiber die chilenischen Mause. Verhandl. Deutsch. Wiss.
Ver., Santiago, 2, pp. 173-176.
1893. Der Guemul der Chilenen. German edition. Leipzig.
1893a. Comparacion de las floras i faunas de las Republicas de Chile i Argen-
tina. Anal. Univ. Chile, 84, Ent. 15, pp. 529-555.
1894. Beschreibung einer dritten Beutelmaus. Arch. Naturg., 60, (1), p. 36.
Didelphys soricina (=Marmosa).
1894a. Neue Thiere Chile's. Verhandl. Deutsch. Wiss. Ver., Santiago, 3,
pp. 9-13. Original not seen.
Mus cyaneus Philippi (=Rattus).
1894b. Cervus antisiensis, chilensis, brachyceros. Anal. Mus. Nac. Chile,
Ent. 7, pp. 1-16, pis. i-iv.
1896. Dos animates nuevos de la fauna chilena. Anal. Univ. Chile, 94, p. 541.
Canis lycoides Philippi.
1896a. Description de Ips mamiferos traidos del yiaje de esploracion de Tara-
paca por Federico Philippi. Anal. Mus. Nac. Chile, Zool., Ent. 13a, pp. 1-24,
pis. 1-7.
?Date. Ueber die Veranderungen, welche der Mensch in der Fauna Chile's
bewirkt hat. pp. 1-19. Only author's edition seen.
Discussion and list of introduced animals.
1900. Figuras i descripciones de los murideos de Chile. Anal. Mus. Nac.
Chile, Ent. 14a, Zool., pp. 1-70, pis. 1-25.
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Ipl.
Canis domeykoanus Philippi.
1903. Einige neue Chilenische Canis-Arten. Arch. Naturg., 69, (1), pp.
155-160.
Canis amblyodon, C. maullinicus, C. trichodactylus, C. albigula, C. torquatus.
BIBLIOGRAPHY 259
-and LANDBECK, L.
1858. Beschreibung einiger neuen chilenischen Mause. Arch. Naturg., 24,
(1), pp. 77-82.
Mus andinus, M. porcinus, M. melanonotus, M. pusillus, M. philippii.
1861. Neue Wirbelthiere von Chile. A. Mammalia. Arch. Naturg., 27, (1),
pp. 289-290.
Vespertilio montanus.
1861a. Description de una nueva especie de murcielago. Anal. Univ. Chile,
18, p. 730.
Vespertilio montanus.
— and PETERS, W.
1871. Ueber Pelzrobben an den sudamerikanischen Kiisten. Monatsber. K.
Akad. Wiss., Berlin, pp. 558, 566.
POCOCK, R. I.
1941. The Examples of the Colocolo and of the Pampas Cat in the British
Museum. Ann. Mag. Nat. Hist., (11), 7, pp. 257-274.
POEPPIG, E.
1835. Reise in Chile, Peru und auf dem Amazonenstrome wahrend Jahre
1827-1830. 4to. pp. xviii+466. Leipzig.
1835a. Ueber den Cucurrito Chile's (Psammoryctes noctitagus Poepp.). Arch.
Naturg., 1, (1), pp. 252-255.
PORTER, CARLOS E. See WOLPFSOHN and PORTER.
PRELL, H.
1934. Die Chinchilla-Arten. Kleintier und Pelzthier, Leipzig, 10, pp. 309-314,
3 figs.
1934a. Die gegenwartig bekannten Arten der Gattung Chinchilla Bennett.
Zool. Anz., 108, pp. 97-104.
1934b. Ueber Mus laniger Molina. Zool. Garten, Leipzig, 7, pp. 207-209.
PRICHARD, H. H.
1902. Field Notes upon Some of the Larger Mammals of Patagonia. Proc.
Zool. Soc. Lond., pt. 1, pp. 272-277.
Huemul, puma, guanaco, cavy, armadillo.
1902a. Through the Heart of Patagonia, pp. i-xvi, 1-346, 39 pis., 3 maps,
etc. New York. D. Appleton and Company.
Many notes on natural history and illustrations of animals based on
observations in Argentina, frequently near the Chilean boundary.
QUIJADA, BERNARDINO
1909. Principales rasgos de la jeographia animal de Chile. Only author's
edition seen.
1910. Catalogo ilustrado i descriptive de la coleccion de mamiferos vivientes.
Bol. Mus. Nac. Chile, 1, No. 8, pp. 135-268.
RAHMER, CARLOS F.
1909. El chingue. Rev. Chil. Hist. Nat., 13, pp. 176-180.
REED, CARLOS S.
1928. Los vertebrados autoctonos chilenos que aun viven en libertad dentro
del recinto ocupado por el Jardin Zoologico Nac. de Chile. Ministerio de
Fomento, Santiago, pp. 1-11.
REED, EDWYN C.
1877. Apuntes de la zoolojia de la hacienda de Cauquenes, provincia de Col-
chague. Anal. Univ. Chile, 49, pp. 537-541.
260 FIELD MUSEUM OF NATURAL HISTORY— ZOOLOGY, VOL. 30
REICHE, CARLOS
1903. La Isla de la Mocha. Anal. Mus. Nac. Chile, Ent. 8, pp. 1-104, pis. 1-12.
Chapter X (pp. 46-48) has some notes on mammals, principally marine
species.
1905. La distribucion geographica de las compuestas de la flora de Chile.
Anal. Mus. Nac. Chile, Ent. 17, pp. 1-44, 2 maps.
The colored phytogeographic maps may be of interest to zoologists.
RENGIFO, ROBERTO
1917. Apuntes sobre el puma. Act. Soc. Sci. Chile, 25, pp. 97-116.
"Tal vez donde mas abunda en Chile es en la Cordillera de Nahuelbuta."
RUSCONI, C.
1928. Dispersion geographica de los tuco-tucos vivientes Ctenomys, en la region
neotropical. Anal. Soc. Arg. Est. Geog., 3, No. 1, pp. 233-250, pi., map.
SCHNEIDER, CARLOS OLIVER
1919. Sobre la distribucion geografica del Dromiciops australis. Act. Soc. Sci-
Chile, 27, livr. 3.
1926. Lista preliminar de los mamiferos fosiles de Chile. Rev. Chil. Hist.
Nat., 30, pp. 144-156.
1935. Mamiferos fosiles de Chile. Rev. Chil. Hist. Nat., 39, pp. 297-304.
1935a. La presencia del Zaedyus pichiy (Desm.) en Chile. Physis, Buenos
Aires, 11, p. 514.
1936. Notas mastozoologicas. Com. Mus. Concepcion, 1, No. 6, pp. 102-105.
SCLATER, P. L.
1871. Notes on Rare or Little Known Animals Now or Lately Living in the
Society's Gardens. Proc. Zool. Soc. Lond., pp. 221-240, figs.
Illustration (plate) of Pudu.
1873. Remarks on Cervus chilensis and Cervus antisiensis. Ann. Mag. Nat.
Hist., (4), 11, pp. 213-214.
1875. The Huemul and Its Allies. Proc. Zool. Soc. Lond., pp. 44-47, figs.
THOMAS, OLDFIELD
1881. Account of the Zoological Collections Made During the Survey of
H.M.S. "Alert" in the Straits of Magellan and on the Coast of Patagonia.
Proc. Zool. Soc. Lond., pp. 3-6.
1894. On Micoureus griseus, Desm., with the Description of a New Genus and
Species of Didelphyidae. Ann. Mag. Nat. Hist., (6), 14, pp. 184-188.
Dromiciops gliroides.
1907. On a Remarkable Mountain Vizcacha from Southern Patagonia, with
Diagnoses of Other Members of the Group. Ann. Mag. Nat. Hist., (7), 19,
pp. 439-444.
Viscaccia wolffsohni et al.
1908. Partial reprint of above. Rev. Chil. Hist. Nat., 12, pp. 13-14.
1908a. A New Akodon from Tierra del Fuego. Ann. Mag. Nat. Hist., (8), 2,
pp. 496-498.
Akodon francei.
1912. Small Mammals from South America. Ann. Mag. Nat. Hist., (8), 10,
pp. 44-48.
Subtitle: "The grisons of Chili and Argentina."
1916. Notes on Argentine, Patagonian and Cape Horn Muridae. Ann. Mag.
Nat. Hist., (8), 17, pp. 182-187.
Subtitles: The Cape Horn Euneomys.
The Oryzomys of the Extreme South of South America.
The Cape Horn Akodon.
BIBLIOGRAPHY 261
1917. A New Species of Aconaemys from Southern Chile. Ann. Mag. Nat.
Hist., (8), 19, pp. 281-282.
Aconaemys porteri.
1919. On Small Mammals Collected by Sr. E. Budin in Northwestern Pata-
gonia. Ann. Mag. Nat. Hist., (9), 3, pp. 199-212.
Includes Chilean species of Nahuelhuapi region. Irenomys, Geoxus, new
genera.
1921. A New Mountain Vizcacha (Lagidium) from N. W. Patagonia. Ann.
Mag. Nat. Hist., (9), 7, pp. 179-181.
Lagidium boxi.
1925. On Some Argentine Mammals. Ann. Mag. Nat. Hist., (9), 15, pp.
582-586.
Subtitle: "A second species of Spalacopus" from Chile.
1927. A Collection of Lectotypes of American Rodents in the Collection of the
British Museum. Ann. Mag. Nat. Hist., (9), 19, pp. 545-554.
Includes many Chilean species.
1927a. The Octodon of the Highlands near Santiago. Ann. Mag. Nat. Hist.,
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Octodon degus clivorum.
TOWNSEND, CHARLES H.
1910. A Naturalist in the Straits of Magellan. Pop. Sci. Monthly, July, pp.
1-18 (author's ed.).
Popular account of experiences with U. S. Fish Commission Steamer
Albatross.
WATERHOUSE, G. R.
1837. Characters of New Species of the Genus Mus, from the Collection of
Mr. Darwin. Proc. Zool. Soc. Lond., pp. 15-21, 27-32.
Includes Mus longipilis, M. olivaceus, M. micropus, M. brachiotis, M.
xanthorhinus, M. canescens, M. darmnii, M. xanthopygus, Reithrodon
cuniculoides, Abrocoma bennettii, A. cuvieri.
1841. On a New Genus of Rodents Allied to the Genera Poephagomys, Ctenomys,
etc. Proc. Zool. Soc. Lond., pp. 89-92.
Schizodon (= Aconaemys).
1844. On Various Skins of Mammalia from Chile, with Notes Relating to Them
by Mr. Bridges. Proc. Zool. Soc. Lond., pp. 153-157.
Hesperomys megalonyx, Octodon bridgesii.
— and DARWIN, CHARLES
1839. The Zoology of the Voyage of the Beagle. Part II: Mammalia, pp.
1-97, pis. 1-35 (32 col.). London.
Brief field notes by Darwin.
WlTTMANN, O.
1938. Die biogeographischen Beziehungen der Sudkontinente. Zoogeogra-
phica, 3, pp. 27-65.
WOLFFSOHN, JOHN A.
1908. Contribuciones a la mamalogia chilena — I. Sobre el Felis colocolo
Molina. Rev. Chil. Hist. Nat., 12, pp. 165-172, pi. 10.
1909. Sobre un nuevo roedor de la Tierra del Fuego classificado por Oldfield
Thomas. Rev. Chil. Hist. Nat., (1908), 12, p. 227.
1909a. Contribuciones a la mamalogia chilena — II. Sobre la Lutra huidobria
(Mol.). Rev. Chil. Hist. Nat., 13, pp. 101-103.
1910. Notas sobre el huemul. Rev. Chil. Hist. Nat., 14, pp. 227-234.
Extensive list of references.
262 FIELD MUSEUM OF NATURAL HISTORY— ZOOLOGY, VOL. 30
19lOa. Revision de algunos jeneros de marsupiales i roedores chilenos del
Museo Nacional de Santiago. Bol. Mus. Nac. Chile, 2, No. 1, pp. 83-102.
An important paper discussing the types of species named by Philippi.
1911. Extractos de un diario de viaje. Rev. Chil. Hist. Nat., 15, pp. 60-66.
Habits of mammals, especially of Tierra del Fuego.
1913. Resena de los trabajos publicados desde 1895 por autores nacionales y
extranjeros sobre la mamalogia chilena. Act. Soc. Sci. Chile, 23, pp. 57-79.
1913a. Contribuciones a la mamalogia chilena: Apuntes sobre los marsupiales.
Rev. Chil. Hist. Nat., 17, pp. 74-88, pis. 3-7.
Dromiciops, Marmosa.
1916. Description of a New Rodent from Central Chile. Rev. Chil. Hist.
Nat., 20, pp. 6-7.
Abrocoma murrayi.
1921. Catalogo de craneos de mamiferos de Chile colectados entre los afios
1896 y 1918. Rev. Chil. Hist. Nat., 25, pp. 511-529.
An important list of fifty species with many records of exact localities.
1923. Medidas maximas y minimas de algunos mamiferos chilenos colectados
entre los anos 1896 y 1917. Rev. Chil. Hist. Nat., 27, pp. 159-167.
1925. La vizcacha y su caza. Rev. Chil. Hist. Nat., 29, pp. 20-23.
1925a. Sinopsis de los quiques (Orison) de Chile. Rev. Chil. Hist. Nat., 29,
pp. 138-140, fig. 21.
1926. Los especies chilenas del genero Notiomys. Rev. Chil. Hist. Nat., 30,
pp. 11-12.
Review of OSGOOD, 1925.
1927. Los octodontidos de Chile. Rev. Chil. Hist. Nat., 31, pp. 97-101.
Descriptive.
1927a. Los octodon de las alturas cerca de Santiago. Rev. Chil. Hist. Nat.,
31, pp. 118-120.
Review of papers by Thomas.
1927b. Observaciones sobre los octodontidos de Chile. Rev. Chil. Hist. Nat.,
31, pp. 176-181.
Habits.
— and PORTER, CARLOS E.
1908. Catalogo metodico de los mamiferos chilenos existentes en el Museo de
Valparaiso en Diciembre de 1905. Rev. Chil. Hist. Nat., 12, pp. 66-85, 1908.
List of twenty-six species.
YEPES, JOSE
1929. Notas sobre algunas de los mamiferos descriptos por Molina, con dis-
tribucion geografica en Chile y Argentina. Rev. Chil. Hist. Nat., 33, pp.
468-472.
Fourteen species.
1930. Los roedores octodontinos con distribution en la zona Cordillerana de
Chile y Argentina. Rev. Chil. Hist. Nat., 34, pp. 321-331.
List of thirty-six forms.
1940. Mamiferos sud-americanos. See CABRERA and YEPES.
YUNGE, D. C.
1935. Contribuciones al conocimiento de la fauna de Chile. Rev. Univ.
Santiago, 20, pp. 837-841.
INDEX
Current names in roman type, synonyms and secondary references in italic
type, new names in bold-faced type.
Abrocoma bennetti, 106
cuvieri, 106
laniger, 106
murrayi, 107
Abrothrix, 184
illutea, 186
modestior, 192
Acodon michaelseni, 156
Aconaemys fuscus, 112
aethiops, Mus, 235
agllis, Mus, 143
Akodon andinus, 177
apta, 188
beatus, 17.6
brachiotis, 173
canescens, 182
castaneus, 189
dolichonyx, 179
francei, 193
gossei, 177
hirta, 191
jucundus, 179
lanosus, 197
longipilis, 184
moerens, 190
mochae, 171
nubila, 193
olivaceus, 167
pencanus 170
sanborni, 194
suffusa, 192
xanthorhinus, 180
alba, Octodon, 108
albescens, Panthera, 79
albigula, Canis, 63
albomaculatus, Myopotamus, 131
alleni, Notiomys, 165
amblyodon, Canis, 63
amblyrrhynchus, Mus, 146
americana, Viscaccia, 238
andicus, Cervus, 225
andinus, Akodon, 177
Dusicyon, 64
ansoni, Phoca, 99
apta, Akodon, 188
araucanus, Felis, 77
Mus, 146
Notiomys, 151
Arctocephalus australis, 101
philippii, 102
arequipae, Conepatus, 97
arescens, Myptis, 55
argentata, Otaria, 102
atacamensis, Ctenomys, 127
Myotis, 56
ater, Poephagomys, 114
atratus, Mus, 170
AucheniaGuanaco, 231
huemul, 225
lonnbergi, 231
Auliscomys, 211
aurita, Phoca, 99
australis, Arctocephalus, 101
Cavia, 142
Dromiciops, 48
Bathyergus maritimus, 114
beatus, Akodon, 176
bennetti, Abrocoma, 106
bicolor, Notiomys, 155
bisulcus, Hippocamelus, 224
blossvillii, Vespertilio, 53
boedeckeri, Phyllotis, 202
boliviana, Chinchilla, 136
boliviensis, Phyllotis, 210
bonariensis, Lasiurus, 53
boxi, Lagidium, 141
brachiotis, Akodon, 173
brachydactyla, Lutra, 90
Otaria, 102
brachytarsus, Mus, 184
brasiliensis, Tadarida, 62
brevicaudata, Chinchilla, 136
brevicaudatus, Mus, 174
bridgesi, Octodon, 110
brunneus, Ctenomys, 125
bullocki, Notiomys, 154
byronia, Phoca, 99
californica, Lutra, 90
Camelus equinus, 225
Huanacus, 231
campestris, Mus, 200
canescens, Akodon, 182
Canis albigula, 63
amblyodon, 63
chilensis, 63, 239
chiloensis, 237
montanus, 65
patagonicus, 67
prichardi, 65
rufipes, 69
torquatus, 70
trichodactylus, 70
capilo, Mus, 205
Capreolus leucotis, 225
capucinus, Vespertilio, 60
castaneus, Akodon, 189
Castor huidobrius, 240
caudatus, Lasiurus, 237
263
264 FIELD MUSEUM OF NATURAL HISTORY— ZOOLOGY, VOL. 30
cauquenensis, Mus, 235
Cavia australis, 142
Cervus andicus, 225
chilensis, 225
humilis, 229
Chelemys, 156
chilensis, Canis, 63, 239
Cervus, 225
Ctenomys, 127
Guillinomys, 241
Histrix, 238
Lepus, 137
Aftts, 240
Mustela, 90
Nycticeus, 57
Otaria, 100
Pudw, 229
Stenoderma, 237
Viverra, 94
chiloensis, Canis, 237
Myotis, 54
Notiomys, 154
Chinchilla boliviana, 136
brevicaudata, 136
chinchilla, 136
intermedia, 136
lanigera, 136
major, 136
velligera, 134, 136
chinchilla, Chinchilla, 136
chinga, Conepatus, 94
chonotica, Otaria, 100
chonoticus, Mus, 174
chorensis, Conepatus, 97
cinnamomea, Hesperomys, 179
clivorum, Octodon, 108
colocola, Colocolo, 87
/eZis, 79
Colocolo colocola, 87
colocolo, Felis, 79
commutatus, Mus, 146
Conepatus arequipae, 97
chinga, 94
chorensis, 97
enuchus, 94
humboldti, 95
huntii, 97
mendosus, 94
porcinus, 97
rex, 97
connectens, Notiomys, 162
coppin^en, Hesperomys, 145
coquimbensis, Marmosa, 47
Mus, 236
coypus, Myocastor, 131
crassidens, Lagidium, 137
crimper, Lagotis, 137
Ctenomys atacamensis, 127
brunneus, 125
chilensis, 127
dicki, 123
/odax, 122
fueginus, 119
fulvus, 127
magellanicus, 117
maulinus, 124
neglectus, 117
opimus, 131
osgoodi, 120
pallidus, 127
pernix, 127
robustus, 130
cuja, Orison, 91
culpaeus, Dusicyon, 63
cumingii, Octodon, 108
cuniculoides, Reithrodon, 220
cuniculus, Oryctolagus, 236
cuvieri, Abrocoma, 106
Lagidium, 138
cyaneus, Mus, 236
Spalacopus, 114
cyanus, Spalacopus, 114
dabbenei, Euneomys, 216
darwini, Phyllotis, 200
dasypus, Mus, 241
degus, Octodon, 108
delfini, Notiomys, 166
Desmodus d*orbignyi, 61
dichrous, Mus ,200
dicki, Ctenomys, 123
Didelphis hortensis, 44
dimidiata, Mephitis, 94
diminutivus, Mus, 143
dinellii, Myotis, 56
dolichonyx, Akodon, 179
domeykoanus, Dusicyon, 69
d'orbignyi, Desmodus, 61
dprsalis, Myopotamus, 131
Dromiciops australis, 48
gliroides, 50
dubius, Hippocamelus, 225
dumetorum, Mus, 146
Dusicyon andinus, 64
culpaeus, 63
domeykoanus, 69
fulvipes, 71
griseus, 67
lycoides, 66
magellanicus, 65
maullinicus, 70
elegans, Marmosa, 44
elephantina, Phoca, 98
Eligmodontia morgani, 199
puerulus, 198 .
enuchus, Conepatus, 94
equinus, Camelus, 225
Euneomys dabbenei, 216
petersoni, 216
ultimus, 216
Euphractus sexcinctus, 234
exiguus, Mus, 143
INDEX
265
famatinae, Lagidium, 140
felina, Lutra, 90
felis colocola, 79
Felis araucanus, 77
colocolo, 79
guigna, 84
jacobita, 86
molinae, 85
patagonica, 76
puma, 75
flammarum, Reithrodon, 221
flavescens, Otaria, 99
fodax, Ctenomys, 122
Foncki, Mus, 174
francei, Akodon, 193
fueginus, Ctenomys, 119
fulva, Otaria, 100
fulvescens, Phyllotis, 204
fulvipes, Dusicyon, 71
fulvus, Ctenomys, 127
fumipes, Phyllotis, 214
furcata, Mephitis, 94
fusco-ater, Mus, 184
fuscus, Aconaemys, 112
Galictis vittata, 91
gayi, Vespertilio, 54
Geoxus, 156
Germaini, Mus, 167
getulus, Myoxus, 108
glaphyrus, Mus, 146
glirinus, Hesperomys, 205
gliroides, Dromiciops, 51
gossei, Akodon, 177
grayi, Lasiurus, 54
griseoflavus, Mus, 200
griseus, Dusicyon, 67
Grison cuja, 91
melinus, 91
Guanaco, Auchenia, 231
guanicoe, Lama, 231
guigna, Felis, 84
Guillinomys chilensis, 241
Habrocoma helvina, 106
hatcheri, Reithrodon, 221
helvina, Habrocoma, 106
Hesperomys cinnamomea, 179
coppingeri, 145
glirinus, 205
lanatus, 206
Hippocamelus bisulcus, 224
dubius, 225
hirta, Akodon, 191
Histiotus macrotus, 57
magellanicus, 60
montanus, 59
Histrix chilensis, 238
hortensis, Didelphis, 44
Huanacus, camelus, 231
huemul, Auchenia, 225
huidobrius, Castor, 240
Lutra, 88
huina, Lynchailurus, 79
humboldti, Conepatus, 95
humilis, Cervus, 229
huntii, Conepatus, 97
Hydrurga leptonyx, 98
illapelinus, Mus, 200
illutea, Abrothrix, 186
infans, Mus, 180
intermedia, Chinchilla, 136
Irenomys longicaudatus, 219
tarsalis, 217
jacobita, Felis, 86
ju-bata, Phoca, 99
jucundus, Akodon, 179
Lagidium boxi, 141
crassidens, 137
cuvieri, 138
famatinae, 140
lutescens, 138
moreni, 142
sarae, 141
viscacia, 137
wolffsohni, 142
Lagotis criniger, 137
Lama guanicoe, 231
lanatus, Hesperomys, 206
Landbecki, Mus, 167
laniger, Abrocoma, 106
Mus, 240
lanigera, Chinchilla, 136
lanosus, Akodon, 197
Lasiurus bonariensis, 53
caudatus, 237
'grayi, 54
villosissimus, 53
leonina, Mirounga, 98
Phoca, 99
leptodactylus, Mus, 236
Leptonychotes weddelli, 98
leptonyx, Hydrurga, 98
lepturus, Mus, 167
Lepus chilensis, 137
timidus, 236
leucostoma, Otaria, 102
leucotis, Capreolus, 225
longicaudatus, Irenomys, 219
Oryzomys, 143
longipilis, Akodon, 184
lonnbergi, Auchenia, 231
lunatus, Octodon, 110
lupina, Phoca, 102
lutescens, Lagidium, 138
Mus, 234
Lutra brachydactyla, 90
californica, 90
felina, 90
huidobrius, 88
provocax, 88
266 FIELD MUSEUM OF NATURAL HISTORY— ZOOLOGY, VOL. 30
lycoides, Dusicyon, 66
Lynchailurus huina, 79
Lyncodon patagonica, 93
macrocercus, Mus, 143
macronychos, Mus, 167
macronyx, Notiomys, 159
macrotus, Histiotus, 57
magellanicus, Ctenomys, 117
Dusicyon, 65
Histiotus, 60
Oryzomys, 150
major, Chinchilla, 136
maritimus, Bathyergus, 114
Marmosa coquimbensis, 47
elegans, 44
soricina, 48
maulinus, Ctenomys, 124
Mus, 240
maulinus, Spalacopus, 115
maullinicus, Dusicyon, 70
megalonyx, Notiomys, 157
megalotis, Mus, 200
melaenus, Mus, 146
melampus, Mus, 184
melanizon, Mus, 143
melanonotus, Mus, 200
melanops, Myocastor, 132
melanotis, Mus, 200
melinus, Grison, 91
mendosus, Conepatus, 94
Mephitis dimidiata, 94
furcata, 94
molinae, 94
patagonica, 95
michaelseni, Acodon, 156
Geoxus, 156
Notiomys, 156
micropus, Phyllotis, 211
micro tis, Notiomys, 158
Oxymycterus, 156
Microxus, 196
Mirounga leonina, 98
mizurus, Oryzomys, 146
mochae, Akodon, 171
modestior, Abrothrix, 192
moerens, Akodon, 190
molinae, Felis, 85
Mephitis, 94
mollis, Mus, 200
montanus, Canis, 65
Histiotus, 59
moreni, Lagidium, 142
morgani, Eligmodontia, 199
murrayi, Abrocoma, 107
Mus aethiops, 235
agilis, 143
amblyrrhynchus, 146
araucanus, 146
atratus, 170
brachytarsus, 184
brevicaudatus, 174
campestris, 200
capito, 205
cauquenensis, 235
chilensis, 240
chonoticus, 174
commutatus, 146
coquimbensis, 236
cyaneus, 236
dasypus, 241
dichrous, 200
diminutivus, 143
dumetorum, 146
exiguus, 143
Foncki, 174
fusco-ater, 184
Germaini, 167
glaphyrus, 146
griseoflavus, 200
illapelinus, 200
infans, 180
Landbecki, 167
laniger, 240
leptodactylus, 236
lepturus, 167
lutescens, 234
macrocercus, 143
macronychos, 167
maulinus, 240
megalotis, 200
melaenus, 146
melampus, 184
melanizon, 143
melanonotus, 200
melanotis, 200
moHis, 200
musculus, 236
nasica, 167
nemoralis, 174
nigribarbis, 143
osorninus, 236
pernix, 143
peteroanus, 143
platytarsus, 200
porcinus, 184
psilurus, 167
pusillus, 239
Renggeri, 167
ruficaudus, 167
saltator, 143
saltuum, 235
segethi, 200
senilis, 167
Simpsoni, 235
subrufus, 235
trichotis, 167
vinealis, 167
xanthopus, 174
musculus, Mus, 236
Mustela chilensis, 90
mustela Quiqui, 91
Myocastor coypus, 131
melanops, 132
INDEX
267
Myocastor popelairi, 132
Myopotamus albomaculatus, 131
dorsalis, 131
Myotis arescens, 55
atacamensis, 56
chiloensis, 54
dinellii, 56
Myoxus getulus, 108
nasica, Mus, 167
neglectus, Ctenomys, 117
nemoralis, Mus, 174
niger, Oxymycterus, 157
nigribarbis, Mus, 143
noctivagus, Psammomys, 114
norvegicus, Rattus, 234
Notiomys alleni, 165
araucanus, 151
bicolor, 155
bullocki, 154
chiloensis, 154
connectens-i 162
delfini, 166
macronyx, 159
megalonyx, 157
michaelseni, 156
microtis, 158
valdivianus, 151
vestitus, 162
nubila, Akodpn, 193
Nycticeius chilensis, 57
Nycticeus poepingii, 53
varius, 53
obscurus, Reithrodon, 221
Octodon alba, 108
bridgesi, 110
clivorum, 108
cumingii, 108
degus, 108
lunatus, 110
pallidus, 108
peruana, 108
oliyaceus, Akodon, 167
opimus, Ctenomys, 131
Oreailurus, 86
ornatus, Ursus, 237
Oryctolagus cuniculus, 236
Oryzomys longicaudatus, 143
magellanicus, 150
mizurus, 146
philippii, 145
osgoodi, Ctenomys, 120
osorninus, Mus, 236
Otaria argentata, 102
brachydactyla, 102
chilensis, 100
chonotica, 100
flavescens, 99
fulva, 100
leucostoma, 102
philippii, 102
rufa, 100
velutina, 100
Oxymycterus microtis, 156
niger, 157
scalops, 157
pachycephalus, Reithrodon, 221
pallidus, Ctenomys, 127
Octodon, 108
Panthera albescens, 79
patagonica, Felis, 76
Lyncodpn, 93
Mephitis, 95
patagonicus, Canis, 67
pencanus, Akodon, 170
perwiz, Ctenomys, 127
Mws, 143
peruana, Octodon, 108
peteroanus, Mus, 143
petersoni, Euneomys, 216
philippii, Arctocephalus, 102
Oryzomys, 145
Otaria, 102
Phoca ansoni, 99
aurita, 99
byronia, 99
elephantina, 98
jubata, 99
leonina, 99
lupina, 102
porcina, 102, 240
scowi, 99
Phyllptis boedeckeri, 202
boliviensis, 210
darwini, 200
fulvescens, 204
fumipes, 214
micropus, 211
rupestris, 205
vaccarum, 205
xanthopygus, 208
pichiy, Zaedyus, 234
platytarsus, Mus, 200
Plecotus poeppigii, 57
Poephagomys ater, 114
poepm^ii, Nycticeus, 53
poeppigii, Plecotus, 57
Spalacopus, 114
popelairi, Myocastor, 132
porcina, Phoca, 102, 240
porcinus, Conepatus, 97
Mtts, 184
prichardi, Canis, 65
provocax, Lutra, 88
Psammomys noctivagus, 114
Pseudalopex zorrula, 68
psilurus, Mus, 167
Pwdtt chilensis, 229
pudu, 228
pudu, Pudu, 228
puerulus, Eligmodontia, 198
puma, Felis, 75
268 FIELD MUSEUM OF NATURAL HISTORY— ZOOLOGY, VOL. 30
pusillus, Mus, 239
Quiqui, mustela, 91
raphanurus, Rhyncholestes, 50
Rattus norvegicus, 234
rattus, 235
rattus, Rattus, 235
Reithrodon cuniculoides, 220
flammarum, 221
hatcheri, 221
obscurus, 221
pachycephalus, 221
Renggeri, Mus, 167
rex, Conepatus, 97
Rhyncholestes raphanurus, 50
robustus, Ctenomys, 130
rufa, Otaria, 100
ruficaudus, Mus, 167
rufipes, Cants, 69
rupestris, Phyllotis, 205
saltator, Mus, 143
saltuum, Mus, 235
sunborni, Akodon, 194
sarae, Lagidium, 141
scalops, Oxymycterus, 157
scont, Phoca, 99
segethi, Mus, 200
segethii, Vesperus, 59
senilis, Mus, 167
sexcinctus, Euphractus, 234
Simpsoni, Mus, 235
soricina, Marmosa, 48
Spalacopus cyaneus, 114
cyanus, 114
maulinus, 115
poeppigii, 114
tabanus, 116
Stenoderma chilensis, 237
subrufus, Mils, 235
suffusa, Akodon, 192
tabanus, Spalacopus, 116
Tadarida brasiliensis, 62
tarsalis, Irenomys, 217
timidus, Lepus, 236
torquatus, Canis, 70
trichodactylus, Canis, 70
trichotis, Mus, 167
ultimus, Euneomys, 216
Ursus ornatus, 237
vaccarum, Phyllotis, 205
valdivianus, Notiomys, 151
varius, Nycticeius, 53
velatus, Vespertilio, 57
velligera, Chinchilla, 134, 136
velutina, Otaria, 100
Vespertilio blossvillii, 53
capucinus, 60
gayi, 54
velatus, 57
Vesperus segethii, 59
vestitus, Notiomys, 162
Vicugna vicugna, 232
vicugna, Vicugna, 232
villosissimus, Lasiurus, 53
vinealis, Mus, 167
Viscaccia americana, 238
viscacia, Lagidium, 137
vittata, Galictis, 91
Viverra chilensis, 94
weddelli, Leptonychotes, 98
wolflfsohni, Lagidium, 142
xanthopus, Mus, 174
xanthopygus, Phyllotis, 208
xanthorhinus, Akodon, 180
Zaedyus pichiy, 234
Zalophus, 103
zorrula, Pseudalopex, 68
UNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS-URBANA