a
A National Museums National Museum
CNE } of Canada of Natural Sciences
a) FR Ottawa 1975
Fes tO Publications
in Zoology, No. 10
Mammals of the
Yukon Territory
Phillip M. Youngman
Publications
de Zoologie, n° 10
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du Canada des Sciences naturelles
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Mammals of the Yukon Territory
National Museum of Natural Sciences Musée national des Sciences naturelles
Publications in Zoology, No. 10 Publications de Zoologie, n° 10
Published by the Publié par les
National Museums of Canada Musées nationaux du Canada
Staff editor
Bonnie Livingstone
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Chestnut-cheeked vole, Microtus xanthognathus
(adult female, left; adult male, right; 88 per cent of
life size). Collected at Hungry Lake, Yukon
Territory, July 1965. Painted from life by Richard
Philip Grossenheider.
Mammals of the Yukon Territory
Phillip M. Youngman
© Crown copyrights reserved
National Museum of Natural Sciences
National Museums of Canada
Ottawa, Canada
Second quarter 1975
Catalogue No. NM95—-10/10
Available by mail
from the
National Museum of Natural Sciences
Ottawa, Ontario
K1A OM8
P0987654321
Y798765
Printed in Canada
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Musées nationaux du Canada
Ottawa, Canada
Deuxiéme trimestre 1975
N° de catalogue NM95-10/10
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adressées au
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Ottawa, Ontario
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Imprimé au Canada
Contents
List of Figures, 6
List of Maps, 7
List of Tables, 11
Résumé, 14
Summary, 15
Pe3rome, 16
Biographical Note, 17
Acknowledgements, 18
Introduction, 19
History of Mammalogy in the Yukon, 21
Materials and Methods, 23
Environmental Influences, 25
Geography, 25
Climate, 26
Vegetation, 27
Cenozoic History, 28
Discussion, 30
The Beringian Refugium, 31
Southern Unglaciated North America, 32
Influences from Other Refugia, 33
Checklist of the Mammals of the Yukon, with Page
Numbers for Locating Species and Subspecies, 35
Key to Orders of Recent Yukon Mammals, 39
Accounts of Species and Subspecies, 41
Hypothetical List, 175
Type Localities of Mammals in the Yukon, 177
References Cited, 179
Index, 190
List of Figures
Frontispiece
Chestnut-cheeked voles, Microtus xanthognathus
1
The Arctic Coastal Plain, 25
2
The Arctic Mountains province, British Mountains, 26
3
The northern plateaus province, Ogilvie Mountains, 26
4
Ventral views of auditory ossicles of three specimens of Sorex, 40
5
Old mounds of Spermophilus parryii plesius, near Tagish, 71
6
Hay pile (Hedysarum sp.) of Microtus miurus, 104
7
Skull of Rangifer tarandus caribou, 164
8
Skull of Rangifer tarandus groenlandicus, 164
List of Maps
1
Physiographic provinces of the Yukon, 25
2
Retreat of Wisconsin ice, glacial maximum, ca. 1 700-1500
years B.P., 29
3
Beginning of deglaciated corridor between Cordilleran glacial
complex and Keewatin glacier, ca. 12,300 B.P., 29
4
Deglaciated corridor open between Beringia and region south
of drift border, ca. 12,200 B.P., 30
5
Wide deglaciated corridor open, ca. 9500 B.P., 31
6
Approximate ranges of nine postglacial immigrants with
limited ranges in the Yukon, 32
Distribution Maps
7
Serex cinereus, 42
8
Sorex arcticus arcticus, 45
9
Sorex tundrensis, 45
10
Sorex obscurus obscurus, 50
11
Sorex palustris navigator, 50
12
Microsorex hoyi intervectus, 52
13
Myotis lucifugus pernox, 53
14
Ochotona princeps collaris, 55
15
Lepus americanus dalli, 57
16
Eutamias minimus borealis, 62
17
Marmota monax ochracea, 64
18
Marmota caligata caligata, 66
List of Maps
19
Spermophilus parryii, 70
20
Tamiasciurus hudsonicus preblei, 73
21
Glaucomys sabrinus sabrinus, 77
22
Castor canadensis canadensis, 77
23
Peromyscus maniculatus, 79
24
Neotoma cinerea occidentalis, 83
25
Clethrionomys rutilus dawsoni, 86
26
Phenacomys intermedius mackenzii, 88
27
Microtus pennsylvanicus drummondii, 89
28
Microtus oeconomus macfarlani, 93
29
Microtus longicaudus vellerosus, 97
30
Microtus xanthognathus, 98
31
Microtus miurus, 102
32
Ondatra zibethicus spatulatus, 106
33
Lemmus sibiricus, 107
34
Synaptomys borealis borealis, 112
35
Dicrostonyx torquatus, 115
36
Zapus hudsonius hudsonius, 119
37
Zapus princeps saltator, 119
38
Erethizon dorsatum myops, 120
List of Maps
39
Canis latrans latrans, 126
40
Canis lupus, 126
41
Vulpes lagopus lagopus, 129
42
Vulpes vulpes alascensis, 132
43
Ursus americanus americanus, 133
44
Ursus arctos, 136
45
Ursus maritimus maritimus, 139
46
Martes americana actuosa, 140
47
Martes pennanti columbiana, 143
48
Mustela erminea, 143
49
Mustela nivalis eskimo, 146
50
Mustela vison, 147
51
Gulo gulo luscus, 150
52
Lontra canadensis pacifica, 152
53
Felis concolor, 153
54
Felis canadensis canadensis, 153
55
Odocoileus hemionus hemionus, 160
56
Alces alces gigas, 161
57
Rangifer tarandus, 163
58
Oreamnos americanus columbiae, 168
10
List of Maps
59
Ovibos moschatus moschatus, 169
60
Ovis nivicola, 170
List of Tables
1
Probable refugial origins of Recent Yukon native terrestrial
mammals, 31
2
Postglacial immigrants from the south, having extensive ranges
in the Yukon and Alaska, 32
3
Postglacial immigrants from the south, having limited ranges in
the Yukon and Alaska, 33
Cranial Measurements
4
Sorex cinereus, 43
5
Sorex tundrensis and Sorex arcticus, 46
6
Sorex obscurus obscurus and Sorex palustris, 49
7
Microsorex hoyi intervectus, 52
8
Myotis lucifugus pernox, 54
9
Ochotona princeps collaris, 56
10
Lepus americanus dalli, 58
11
Eutamias minimus borealis, 63
12
Two species of Marmota, 65
15
Spermophilus parryii, 68
14
Tamiasciurus hudsonicus and Glaucomys sabrinus, 74
15
Castor canadensis canadensis, 78
16
Peromyscus maniculatus, 80
17
Clethrionomys rutilus dawsoni, 84
18
Microtus pennsylvanicus drummondii, 90
11
NZ
List of Tables
19
Microtus oeconomus macfarlani, 94
20
Microtus longicaudus vellerosus, 96
21
Microtus xanthognathus, 99
22
Microtus miurus, 103
23
Ondatra zibethicus spatulatus, 105
24
Lemmus sibiricus, 108
25
Synaptomys borealis borealis, 113
26
Two species of Zapus, 118
27
Erethizon dorsatum myops, 121
28
Canis lupus and Canis latrans, 127
29
Vulpes vulpes and Vulpes lagopus, 130
30
Ursus americanus americanus, 134
31
Ursus arctos, 137
32
Martes americana actuosa, 141
33
Mustela erminea and Mustela nivalis, 144
34
Mustela vison, 148
35
Gulo gulo and Lontra canadensis, 151
36
Felis canadensis canadensis, 155
37
Alces alces gigas, 162
List of Tables
38
Rangifer tarandus, 165
39
Ovis nivicola, 172
13
14
Résumé
La présente étude de 64 espèces de mammifères de l'époque
récente, signalés au Yukon (Canada), est avant tout taxonomique.
Elle a pour but de retracer l'origine immédiate d'espèces terrestres
des zones arctique et subarctique du nord-ouest. On y trouvera
des données écologiques sur certaines espèces et des cartes indi-
quant les aires de répartition de toutes les espèces terrestres
indigènes.
Soixante pour cent de celles-ci, au Yukon et en Alaska, pro-
viennent du principal îlot de l'Amérique du Nord qui n'a pas
subi la glaciation et qui se situait au sud de la calotte glaciaire
continentale. Trente-cinq pour cent sont venues d'une région qui
englobe la siérie, l'Alaska, le Yukon et les Territoires du Nord-
Ouest, connue sous le nom de “Béringie” et qui a également
échappé à la glaciation; les autres, proviendraient d'autres petits
réfugia ou seraient des espéces introduites.
Summary
This primarily taxonomic study of the 64 species of Recent mam-
mals recorded from the Yukon Territory of Canada attempts to
discover the proximate origins of terrestrial species in the north-
western Arctic and Subarctic. Ecological data are included for
some species, and distributional maps are provided for all native
terrestrial species.
Sixty per cent of the Yukon and Alaskan terrestrial mammals
originated in the main unglaciated portion of North America to
the south of the main continental glaciers, and 35 per cent of the
fauna in the unglaciated region in Siberia, Alaska, the Yukon and
the Northwest Territories known as “Beringia”. The remainder are
thought to have been derived from other small refugia, or are
introduced species.
15
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Biographical Note
Phillip M. Youngman received his M.A. in Zoology at the Univer-
sity of Kansas. He has worked as a marine biologist in the West
Indies, and as a mammalogist with the United States Army in
Korea. He has taught at the University of Tampa, Florida, and at
St. Patrick’s College, Ottawa. Among the scientific papers that he
has contributed to various journals are studies on the ecology of
Korean rodents, the systematics of pocket gophers, the system-
atics and distribution of arctic mammals, the systematics of insu-
lar populations of voles, and the serology of arctic ground squirrels.
A member of several scientific societies, Mr. Youngman was
Associate Editor (Mammalogy) of the Canadian Field Naturalist
from 1961 to 1970. He was Curator of Mammals from 1960 to
1972 at the National Museum of Natural Sciences, Ottawa, and
is currently supervising the production of loan and mobile exhibi-
tions for the Museum.
17
18
Acknowledgements
For the loan of specimens or for permission to examine specimens
in their care | am grateful to: S. Anderson, K. Koopman and R. G.
Van Gelder, of the American Museum of Natural History, New
York; R.L. Rausch, Arctic Health Research Center, College, Alaska;
R. T. Orr, California Academy of Sciences, San Francisco; D. A.
Smith, Carleton University, Ottawa; J. C. Moore, Field Museum of
Natural History, Chicago; |. M. Cowan, Department of Zoology,
University of British Columbia; B. Lawrence and C. Mack, of the
Museum of Comparative Zoology, Harvard University; S. B. Benson
and W. Z. Lidicker, Jr., of the Museum of Vertebrate Zoology,
University of California; E. R. Hall and J. K. Jones, Jr., of the
Museum of Natural History, University of Kansas; W. R. Burt, E.
Hooper and G. Musser, of the Museum of Zoology, University of
Michigan; R. R. Grant, Jr., Academy of Natural Sciences of Phila-
delphia; R. L. Peterson, Royal Ontario Museum, Toronto; C. O.
Handley, Jr., D. H. Johnson, R. H, Manville, and J. L. Paradiso, of
the National Museum of Natural History, Washington; and C. J.
Guiguet, British Columbia Provincial Museum, Victoria.
For logistical support, collecting permits, and many kindnesses
| am indebted to G. Bidlake, G. Cameron, J. Classen, J. B. Fitz-
gerald, R. Flanagan, J. Langevin, D. F. Merrill, D. Nowlan, and A.
Reeve of the Yukon Territorial Government, and to Arthur Ellis,
Monty Alford, Lou Green, Owen Hughes, Elizabeth Phillips, and
Victor Prest, of the Canada Department of Energy, Mines and Re-
sources. Maps 2 to 5 were derived from Prest (1969).
During the course of this study many persons from the Yukon
extended friendship, hospitality and assistance. | owe many thanks
to Alfred and Palma Berger, Chris Boland, Sue Cerny, the Rudy
Burian family, Grace Chambers, Charlie Peter Charlie, Don Christie,
Ron Connolly, Tom and Shirley Connolly, Philippe Dicquemare,
John Dumas, Sara Frost, Steven Frost, Chester Henderson, Joe
Kay, Mr. and Mrs. Al Kapty, Ed Krish, Roy Lambert, Effie Linklater,
Peter Lord, Neil Macdonald, Len and Rhona Millar, Danny and
Erica Nowland, Arthur M. Pearson, Louis Pospisl, Jim Robb,
Howard Truman, Lorna Walmsley, Alan and Iris Warner, Tony
Worbets, and Fred Whitlinger.
A number of persons assisted me in the field, prepared speci-
mens and collected the data that have been used in this report.
Members of field parties, with dates, are as follows:
19617 and7962 P.M. Youngman, G. D. Tessier, R. Chambers
1963 P.M. Youngman, G. D. Tessier, R. A. Fortier, W. Baker
7964 P.M. Youngman, G. D. Tessier, A. Peter, |. Sterling, N. Warn
7965 P.M. Youngman, G. D. Tessier, N. Olsen
1966 W. Butler, N. Olsen
1968 D. A. Gill, R. W. Wrigley
1969 D. A. Gill, D. Campbell.
À. E. Porsild kindly identified many specimens of plants. | am
grateful to Richard Philip Grossenheider who contributed the
frontispiece. Edward Hearn drew part of Map 1 and Maps 2 to 4;
Robert Thomson the base for the distribution maps, Charles H.
Douglas Figures 7 and 8; and David A. Gill and Thomas L. Pickett
assisted with lists of specimens examined and the distribution maps.
| wish to thank Irwin M. Brodo, Robert L. Rausch, Donald E.
McAllister and Andrew McPherson for their critical reviews and
comments on the manuscript. | have also benefitted from many
discussions with W. E. Godfrey.
Introduction
In 1960, when | joined the staff of the
National Museum of Canada, and was con-
sidering possible areas of research, Dr. A. W.
F. Banfield, then Chief Zoologist, suggested
several regions in Canada where the mam-
mals were poorly known. | chose the Yukon
Territory because it was probably the least
known, and because of its unique glacial
history as part of a great unglaciated land
mass connecting Asia with North America
during the Ice Age.
During the Pleistocene epoch, glaciers
covered much of northern North America
except for a region in Alaska, the Yukon
Territory, and District of Mackenzie—the
“Beringia”’ of Hultén (1937)—a few areas
in Greenland, parts of the Arctic Archipelago,
the Queen Charlotte Islands, and a few
other driftless areas, notably the Rocky
Mountains and the Mackenzie Mountains.
Mammals now occupying the formerly gla-
ciated regions were derived entirely from
Beringia or other northern refugia, or from
refugia south of the margins of the glaciers,
as was much of the fauna of the remainder
of North America.
What began as a faunal study of the
mammals of a political region gradually de-
veloped into a search for Holarctic relation-
ships and an attempt to discover more about
the origins of the Recent mammals now oc-
cupying Beringia.
Numerous authors have pointed out that
much can be learned about the effects of
glacial isolation on plants and animals by
studying the distribution, fossil record, geo-
graphical variation, and genetics of Recent
species. Many studies on mammals relating
to the Beringian concept have demonstrated
Holarctic taxonomic relationships of single
species (Zimmermann 1942; Rausch 1953;
Kurtén and Rausch 1959; Banfield 1960;
Rausch 1964). Unfortunately North Ameri-
can mammalogists have been slow to accept
these concepts. Other studies have been
based largely on the fossil record (Simpson
1947; Repenning, Hopkins and Rubin 1964;
Repenning 1967; Guthrie 1968a, 19685).
Some authors have suggested refugial
Origins for certain species and subspecies of
mammals based on taxonomic, distribution-
al, ecological, and biogeographical grounds
(Peterson 1952; Rand 1954; Banfield 1960;
Dillon 1961; Macpherson 1965; Hoffmann
and Peterson 1967). Notable among these
studies are those of Peterson (moose) and
Banfield (caribou), who based their conclu-
sions on their own extensive taxonomic re-
visions.
Rand (1954) emphasized the importance
of studying geographical variation, intergra-
dation, introgressive hybridization, and the
evolution of semispecies as means of under-
standing the effects of isolation by glaciers
and also for postulating refugial origins. His
paper gave several examples.
Macpherson (1965) plotted the distribu-
tion of Canadian arctic mammals and ap-
plied some of Rand’s methods in analyzing
the distribution of 17 species of mammals
that he considered to be tundra specific. To
these he assigned probable places of origin
including Beringia, Peary Land, and “south”.
His valuable study utilized evidence derived
chiefly from older studies of geographical
variation and from distributional patterns.
My study, in addition to utilizing some
ecological, geological and palaeontological
data, attempts to clarify the distribution and
taxonomic status of the mammals involved,
especially as they relate to the Beringian
concept.
| have relied heavily on the theory of ref-
ugial origin to explain speciation in arctic
and subarctic mammals. Several colleagues
have pointed to the possibility that the spe-
ciation that | attribute to refugial isolation
may have occurred postglacially in response
to climatic change and the expansion of
habitat in previously glaciated regions. |
recognize that divergence has occurred in
such postglacial immigrants as Marmota
monax and Microtus pennsylvanicus. How-
ever, the present study shows that there are
fewer endemic subspecies even among
postglacial immigrants than was previously
thought. Furthermore, | do not believe that
postglacial speciation can explain the origin
of the majority of strongly differentiated
species such as Sorex arcticus and Sorex
tundrensis, nor that of the strongly differ-
entiated polytypic species such as Spermo-
philus parryii, Lemmus sibiricus, Dicrostonyx
torquatus, Mustela erminea, Mustela nivalis,
Mustela vison, Rangifer tarandus, and Ovis
nivicola.
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History of Mammalogy in the Yukon
A number of early arctic explorers, such as
Sir John Franklin, Peter Dease, Thomas
Simpson, and Lieut, W. J. S. Pullen, passed
along the coast of the Yukon. Other than a
few comments on occasional sightings of
“reindeer, whales and seals, they contrib-
uted little to knowledge about the mammals
of the region. In the interior of the Territory,
in 1843, Robert Campbell, Hudson’s Bay
Company Factor at Glenlyon House, Frances
Lake, commented on some of the nearby
mammals (Elton 1935). However, it was
not until 1860, 1861 and 1862 that the first
trained zoologist, Robert Kennicott, and his
followers collected specimens from the
vicinity of Lapierre House on the Bell River
in the northern Yukon, for the Smithsonian
Institution (James 1942). B. R. Ross of the
Industrial Museum of Scotland and W. H.
Dall of the United States Biological Survey
also collected some specimens from the
Yukon at this time.
In 1894, Frank Russell travelled between
the Mackenzie River and Herschel Island
and collected some specimens for the State
University of lowa (Russell 1898).
Wilfred H. Osgood, an assistant in the
U.S. Biological Survey, made the greatest
contribution to knowledge of the mammals
of the Yukon. In June and July of 1899 he
and Louis Bishop travelled by boat from
Bennett Lake in the southern Yukon,
through Tagish and Marsh lakes, and down
the Yukon River into Alaska, collecting
along the way (Osgood 1900). In early July
of 1904, Osgood returned to the Yukon
Territory, accompanied by Charles Sheldon
and Carl Rungius. The party made sub-
stantial collections in the western edge of
the Ogilvie Mountains of the west-central
Yukon until August 11 and then collected
in the Macmillan River region from August
21 to October 9 (Osgood 19095).
Between 1906 and 1913 the boundary
between Canada and Alaska was surveyed
by representatives of both countries. Nu-
merous specimens were collected along or
near the 141st meridian for the Smithsonian
Institution and for the National Museum of
Canada.
The biologist E. A. Preble did not visit the
Yukon, but he summarized information on
specimens of mammals from the northern
Yukon (Preble 1908).
In 1912, the National Museum of Canada
purchased an important collection of mam-
mals from the southern Yukon from Clement
Lewis, a trapper, who lived at Teslin.
Rudolph Martin Anderson traversed the
coast of the Yukon for the American Museum
of Natural History in 1909, and again as
Chief of the Southern Party, Canadian Arctic
Expedition, in 1914 and 1916, but he ob-
tained few specimens.
In 1921, Copley Amory collected on the
Firth River, Joe Creek, and Old Crow River
for the Smithsonian Institution.
O. J. Murie collected specimens on the
Porcupine and Old Crow rivers for the U. S.
Biological Survey during the summer of
1926.
In 1943, C. H. D. Clarke made a survey of
the central and southwest Yukon, collected
a few specimens, and produced a mimeo-
graphed report on the status of many mam-
mals.
During the summer of 1944, a field party
from the National Museum of Canada com-
posed of A. L. Rand, A. E. Porsild, W. H.
Bryenton and A. Breitung obtained impor-
tant specimens along the Canol Road in the
southeastern Yukon Territory and adjacent
areas of the Northwest Territories (Rand
1945a). The following year Rand published
Mammals of Yukon, Canada (Rand 19456),
based on his fieldwork, on the literature, on
early collections, and on specimens in the
National Museum of Canada.
J. R. Alcorn, assisted by his wife and son,
made important collections along the Alaska
Highway in the southern Yukon during parts
of the summers of 1947, 1948, and 1951.
Specimens obtained during 1947 and 1948
were reported upon by Baker (1951).
In 1949, W. Earl Godfrey, Colin Thacker,
lan V. Allen and C. Waterson collected mam-
mals in the southwestern Yukon for the
National Museum of Canada (Cameron
1952).
During 1957, F. S. L. Williamson collected
mammals in the northern Yukon, mostly
from the vicinity of Old Crow. Most of this
collection is in the National Museum of
Natural Sciences, Ottawa (Youngman 1964).
Several collections were made under the
auspices of George P. Holland, Entomology
Research Institute, Canada Department of
Agriculture, by collectors R. Leach, J. E. H.
Martin, P. J. Skitsko, and J. R. Vockeroth,
mostly from the central and northern Yukon
(Youngman 1964).
My own studies on the mammals of the
21
History of Mammalogy in the Yukon
Yukon Territory began in 1961. Each year
thereafter through 1965, | was accompanied
by Gaston D. Tessier on field parties to vari-
ous parts of the Yukon and adjacent North-
west Territories. Others who accompanied
us, at various times, were Robert Baker, Ron-
nie Chambers, Robert Fortier, Neil Oslen,
Abraham Peter, lan Stirling, and Nicol Warn
(Youngman 1964, 1968).
During the summer of 1966, W. H. Butler
and Neil Olsen collected under my direction
in various parts of the Yukon.
From 1961 through 1967 the National
Museums purchased many specimens from
trappers in the Yukon, notably Rudolph M.
22
Burian, Grace Chambers, and T. O. Con-
nolly.
During the summer of 1968, David A.
Gill and Robert E. Wrigley collected under
my direction in the central Yukon, and dur-
ing the summer of 1969, D. A. Gill and
David Campbell made a small collection on
the Yukon coast.
Others who have collected specimens in
the Yukon, or have contributed significantly
to the knowledge of the mammals, include
A. J. Stone (1900), H. S. Swarth (1926),
George G. Goodwin (Youngman 1968),
W. W. Judd (1950), M. Y. Williams (1925),
and A. W. F. Banfield (19614).
Materials and Methods
For this study | examined 7,273 specimens
of mammals from the Yukon, and approxi-
mately 2,500 specimens from Alaska, Alber-
ta, British Columbia, the Northwest Terri-
tories, and Siberia. Approximately 4,800 of
these specimens are in the National Museum
of Natural Sciences, Ottawa, and the bulk
of the remainder is in the National Museum
of Natural History, Washington.
The checklist of mammals of the Yukon is
followed by a key to the orders of mammals.
Keys to the species, adapted from various
sources, precede the accounts of species
and subspecies.
The phylogenetic arrangement largely fol-
lows Hall and Kelson (1959). The contents
of the species and subspecies accounts are
arranged as follows:
1 The scientific name of the species.
2 The suggested vernacular name of the
species.
3 The trinomen here assigned to the speci-
mens under discussion, followed on the
same line by the name of the authors.
4 The synonymy, in which the first citation
is to the original description, followed by the
type locality, The second citation is to the
first use of the name combination used here,
followed, in chronological order, by citations
in the literature pertaining to Yukon speci-
mens or to a precise locality of occurrence.
The word “‘part’’ appears in parenthesis after
a name that was applied only in part, in any
combination, with reference to the Yukon.
5 Geographical distribution in the Yukon.
6 Measurements. External measurements,
in millimetres, were copied from labels in
the following order, unless otherwise noted:
total length, length of tail, length of hind
foot, weight. Cranial measurements, in milli-
metres, were taken with dial calipers, or
ocular micrometer. Means, extremes, and
standard deviations from, and standard er-
rors of, the mean are listed in tables of
measurements or in the text.
7 The Remarks are primarily taxonomic,
with some comments on Pleistocene distri-
bution, ecology, and economic importance.
The use of the abbreviation n.o. refers to
joint non-overlap as expressed by the Coef-
ficient of Difference (Mayr, Linsley and
Usinger 1953). Capitalized colour terms are
those of Munsell (1954). Colour measure-
ments were standardized by the use of
Munsell colour charts and by a Macbeth
“Superskylight’’ (Macbeth Corp., Newburgh,
N.Y.) that provided 7400°K at better than
200 foot-candles.
8 Records of occurrence includes ‘’Speci-
mens examined” and “Additional records”.
Both categories pertain only to specimens
or observations from the Yukon, but records
from the 141st meridian (Alaska—Yukon
boundary) are included here as Yukon Ter-
ritory records. Under ‘Specimens examined”,
the total number | examined is given, fol-
lowed by a list of the localities from which
the specimens came, and the number ex-
amined from each locality. Localities are
listed from north to south. If two or more
localities have the same latitude the west-
ernmost is listed first. In “Additional records",
the manuscripts cited consist largely of field-
notes and correspondence on file in the
National Museum of Natural Sciences, Ot-
tawa.
Most of the place names cited can be
found in the Gazetteer of Canada: North-
west Territories and Yukon (Canadian Board
of Geographical Names, 1958, and supple-
ments) or on maps available from the Map
Distribution Office, Surveys and Mapping
Branch, Department of Energy, Mines and
Resources, Ottawa. The most useful maps
are the following: Yukon Territory (1963),
MCR 47, 1:2000,000; the National Topo-
graphic Series, 1:50,000, 1:250,000, 1:
5000,000; and World Aeronautical Charts,
ICAO, National Topographic Series, 1:
1000,000.
Unless otherwise noted, specimens ex-
amined are in the National Museum of
Natural Sciences, Ottawa. The names of
institutions where specimens are stored are
represented by the following abbreviations:
AHRC Arctic Health Research Center,
College, Alaska
AMNH American Museum of Natural
History, New York
ANSP Academy of Natural Sciences of
Philadelphia
BCPM British Columbia Provincial Mu-
seum, Victoria
CAS California Academy of Sciences,
San Francisco
CU Carleton University, Ottawa
DMNH Denver Museum of Natural History
FMNH Field Museum of Natural History,
Chicago
KSU Kansas State University, Man-
hattan
23
Materials and Methods
KU
MCZ
MVZ
MZ
NMNH
ROM
UBC
24
Museum of Natural History, Uni-
versity of Kansas, Lawrence
Museum of Comparative Zoology,
Harvard University
Museum of Vertebrate Zoology,
University of California, Berkeley
Museum of Zoology, University of
Michigan, Ann Arbor
National Museum of Natural His-
tory, Washington
Royal Ontario Museum, Toronto
Department of Zoology, Univer-
sity of British Columbia, Van-
couver
Distribution maps accompany most of the
species accounts. Localities in the Yukon
from which specimens have been collected
are marked with black dots. Marginal rec-
ords, unverified by specimens, are repre-
sented by white dots. Each dot is approxi-
mately fifteen miles in diameter in relation to
the scale of the map; therefore, a dot often
overlaps one or more localities. In these
instances only one locality is plotted on the
map; additional localities covered by the dot
are printed in italics in the lists of ‘“Speci-
mens examined” and ‘Additional records”.
A shaded overlay shows my estimate of the
area in the Yukon in which the species
occurs provided suitable habitat is available.
Approximate natural worldwide distribution
of the species is shown in a small inset map.
Environmental Influences
Geography
Yukon Territory — 207,076 square miles of
mountains, glaciers, forests, tundra, rivers,
and lakes, located in northwestern Canada
— is bounded by the Beaufort Sea to the
north, Alaska to the west, British Columbia
to the south, and the Northwest Territories
to the east. It became a provisional district
of the Northwest Territories in 1895, a judi-
cial district in 1897, and a separate territory
in 1898.
The population of the Yukon is estimated
ate 17,000 (1970) of which 2,350 are
Indians. Whitehorse, the capital, has 4,771
residents (1966).
The unpaved Alaska Highway traverses
the southern Yukon, and a connecting road
links Whitehorse with Dawson to the north.
Other smaller roads, notably the Cantung
Road in the southeast and the Dempster
Road to the north of Dawson, penetrate
short distances from the main roads. Most
of the Territory, however, is accessible only
by air, water, tracked vehicle, or dog team.
Bostock (1948) and Wahrhaftig (1965)
have treated the physiography of the Yukon.
The following outline is largely derived from
Map 1
Physiographic provinces of the Yukon
their accounts. Numerous publications on
the geology of the Yukon are available in the
Memoirs series published by the Geological
Survey of Canada, Department of Energy,
Mines and Resources, Ottawa.
Two of the major physiographic divisions
of North America extend into the Yukon and
Alaska—the Interior Plains and the North
American Cordillera (Map 1). The Arctic
Coastal Plain is a continuation of the Interior
Plains in the Yukon Territory and Alaska.
The North American Cordillera, which in-
cludes most of the Yukon and Alaska, con-
sists of three major subdivisions—the Rocky
Mountain system, the Intermontane Pla-
teaus, and the Pacific Mountain system.
The Arctic Coastal Plain (Figure 1) is a
narrow, smooth plain bordering the Arctic
Ocean to the north and gently rising to meet
the foothills of the Arctic Mountains in the
Rocky Mountain system to the south.
The Rocky Mountain system may be
further divided into the Arctic Mountains
province and the Mackenzie Mountains
province. The Arctic Mountains are eastern
extensions of the Brooks Range, and consist
of the British Mountains (with peaks to
5,500 feet) in the northwest (Figure 2),
and in the northeast, the Richardson Moun-
tains (with peaks to 6,500 feet), which
separate the Intermontane Plateaus from the
Arctic Coastal Plain, and also separate the
Pacific and Arctic Ocean drainages. The
Mackenzie Mountains province is located
Figure 1
The Arctic Coastal Plain, 4 mi. WSW mouth Blow
River, 68°57'/137°05’, 5 August 1964. Evidence
of a previous large population of Dicrostonyx
torquatus was found here. Microtus oeconomus
and Lemmus sibiricus occurred on low ground.
Spermophilus parryii occupied the ridges, and A/ces
alces and Ursus americanus were found along
stream banks.
25
Environmental Influences
Figure 2
The Arctic Mountains province, British Mountains,
20 mi. SE mouth Joe Creek, 68°47'/140°14’,
7 August 1962. Dicrostonyx torquatus habitat in
foreground.
mostly in the Northwest Territories, with
only a small portion, the Peel Plateau,
located in the northeastern Yukon.
The Intermontane Plateaus are divided
into the northern plateaus province, com-
prising most of the Yukon, and the central
plateaus province in the southwestern
corner of the Territory. The northern plateaus
province varies in relief from gently rounded,
unglaciated ridges and mountains (such as
the Klondike Plateau south of Dawson)
to the rugged glaciated peaks of the Ogilvie
Mountains. Prominent in this province is
an arc of precipitous mountains extending
from the Selwyn Mountains in the south-
eastern Yukon (peaks to more than 9,000
feet) to the sharp crests, precipitous slopes,
and deep valleys of the Ogilvie Mountains
(peaks to more than 7,000 feet) (Figure
3). Much of the region to the north of the
Ogilvie Mountains has relatively little relief,
being composed mostly of widely spaced,
rolling hills, but this region also includes
some mountain ranges, the Porcupine
Plain and Old Crow Flats. The latter is a
great flat basin dotted with oriented thaw
lakes and ponds, meandering streams, ox-
bows, and soil polygons. The gently rolling
Hyland Plateau in the southeastern Yukon
(see Youngman 1968 for description) is
included in the central plateaus province.
The Pacific Mountain system is an arcuate
chain of high peaks bordering the Pacific
Ocean. Generally, the system consists of
the northerly Alaska—Aleutian Province
(Kluane Ranges) and the more southerly
26
Figure 3
The northern plateaus province, Ogilvie Mountains,
20 mi. S Chapman Lake, 64°35’ /138°13’, 29
August 1964. Type locality of Dicrostonyx
torquatus nunatakensis on slope lower left centre.
Pacific border ranges (St. Elias Mountains),
separated by the Coastal Trough (Duke
Depression). Wahrhaftig (1965) described
the St. Elias Mountains as, “probably the
most spectacular mountains of North
America”, with ‘massive isolated blocklike
mountains 14,000—19,000 feet in altitude”.
All parts of the range gentle enough to hold
snow are covered with glacial ice. The ex-
treme southwestern portion of the Pacific
Mountain system is the northernmost ex-
tension of the rugged Coast Mountains. The
Pacific Mountain system is an important
barrier to climatic influence from the Pacific
Ocean and to faunal interchange between
the coastal Gulf of Alaska and the interior
Yukon.
Climate*
The climate of the Yukon Territory is charac-
teristically subarctic continental. The St.
Elias Mountains, with many summits over
15,000 feet, and the Coast Mountains of
southeastern Alaska and southwestern Yu-
kon form a strong barrier to the maritime
influences from the Pacific. To the east, the
Mackenzie Mountains form a barrier against
extreme winter cold-waves from the North-
west Territories.
In winter the countryside is covered with
snow and ice, and rivers are frozen several
feet deep, but only in the uplands is there a
*This section is largely paraphrased from Kendrew
and Kerr 1956.
Vegetation
deep snowfall. The days are short, and the
sun is at a low angle or absent (at Old Crow
the sun disappears about December 9 and
reappears about January 3). The sky is clear,
the air usually calm, clear and dry.
Anticyclonic conditions dominate the
weather. Wide variations in winter tempera-
ture may result from control either by modi-
fied maritime air from the North Pacific or by
intensely cold air from the frozen Beaufort
Sea. Thus, the region records both the
highest and the lowest winter temperatures
in arctic North America. Mean January
temperatures are 5°F at Whitehorse and
—16°F at Dawson. Snag holds the low
temperature record for North America,
—81°F. Other records are —62°F at White-
horse, —63°F at Teslin, and —74°F at
Watson Lake. Winter precipitation is usually
associated with frontal activity, but because
of the low absolute humidity, snowfall is
generally light and fairly uniform, 40 inches
or less on the arctic coast, rising to 60 inches
in the southwest and considerably more in
the St. Elias Mountains.
By March there are signs that winter is
ending; the mean temperature rises and the
days lengthen. But spring is elusive in the
North, a rapid transition between winter and
summer. Mean temperatures rise from 28°F
to 57°F between mid-April and mid-June
in Dawson.
Summers (June, July, August) are short
but pleasantly warm. The midnight sun
hangs high in the sky, and, on adequate
soils, plant growth is rapid in the warmth of
24 hours of possible sunshine. Late in the
summer, brilliantly coloured skies dominate
the evenings. The mean summer circulation
is featureless, the day-to-day weather often
consisting of a succession of shallow dis-
turbances passing eastward. The summer
cyclones bring thick clouds and often
thunderstorms with exceptionally heavy
rain, July and August being the wettest
months. In summer, mean temperatures
remain above 50°F throughout the Territory.
Both Dawson and Mayo have recorded
95°F, but frost has occurred in all months.
Autumn comes in September with snow
in the uplands and ice on the ponds. The
days shorten by six minutes a day (lat.
62°N). The fall colours of the tundra are as
spectacular as the profusion of spring
blooms. By October the land is in the grip of
snowdrifts, and all the lakes are freezing.
Vegetation
The flora of the Yukon Territory has been
treated by Porsild (1951, 1966), Rowe
(1959), and Hultén (1941-50, 1967, 1968).
Four main phytogeographical regions
occur in the Territory: boreal forest, subarctic
taiga, alpine tundra (Figure 2), and arctic
tundra (Figure 1).
The boreal forest, a closed-canopy, pri-
marily coniferous forest, occupies the lower
altitudes throughout all but the Arctic
Mountain region, and the Arctic Coastal
Plain. White spruce (Picea glauca) on well-
drained soils aiid black spruce (P. mariana)
in the muskegs are characteristic species.
Other important species are larch (Larix
laricina), alpine fir (Abies /asiocarpa),
lodgepole pine (Pinus contorta), white
birch (Betula papyrifera) and poplars (Pop-
ulus tremuloides and P. balsamifera). Fire is
an important influence in the boreal forest
(Hardy and Franks 1963; Lutz 1963) and
may affect the distribution and geographical
variation of certain mammals (Guthrie
1967):
The subarctic taiga, or lichen-woodland,
is altitudinally and latitudinally intermediate
between the boreal forest and the tundra. It
is characterized by open, parklike stands,
usually of low black or white spruce, with a
caribou lichen (C/adonia spp.) ground-
cover. Wooded and unwooded boggy sites
are common. Larch is common on peat fens,
and balsam poplar follows river banks. The
altitudinal tree-line is usually sharper than
the latitudinal tree-line in areas of low relief.
With increase in altitude, the lichen-
woodland gives way to alpine tundra at the
tree-line, and with increase in latitude,
the lichen-woodland blends into the arctic
tundra that, in the Yukon, covers most of the
Arctic Slope and Coastal Plain. Arctic and
alpine tundra differ in origin but are similar
floristically. Tundra vegetation is composed
of low, dwarfed, often mat-like herbaceous
and shrubby forms. Characteristic plants in-
clude Labrador tea (Ledum procumbens),
arctic white heather (Cassiope tetragona),
mountain cranberry (Vaccinium Vitis-Idaea),
crowberry (Empetrum nigrum), cottongrass
(Eriophorum vaginatum), arctic poppy (Pa-
paver radicatum), arctic lupine (Lupinus
arcticus), and sweet coltsfoot (Petasites
frigidus). Sedges and grasses also occur as
part of the ground cover.
27
Environmental Influences
Cenozoic History*
During the early and middle Tertiary period
the Old and New Worlds were connected by
land across the Bering Strait, thus enabling
a relatively free exchange of land mammals
across this Bering Land Bridge. A marine
transgression of the land bridge occurred in
late Miocene time. The land connection was
again restored for much of the Pliocene
epoch, but Bering Strait was reopened again
near the end of the Pliocene, 3.5 to 4.0 mil-
lion years ago.
The drying and progre: ive cooling of
world climate during the Ter. ary period cul-
minated in a time of major climatic fluctua-
tions known as the Quaternary period. Dur-
ing this time, continental glaciers stored
large quantities of water, causing the sea
level to fall as much as 150 metres below
the present shoreline during the Illinoian and
Wisconsin glacial intervals and thus expos-
ing a broad land connection between Siberia
and Alaska. During interglacial periods the
glaciers waned, causing the sea level to rise
perhaps. as much as 100 metres above its
present level and thus breaking the land
connection. The Quaternary period included
at least four major glacial periods (Nebras-
kan, Kansan, Illinoian, Wisconsin) and three
interglacials (Aftonian, Yarmouth, Sanga-
mon), besides the one we live in today.
During early Wisconsin time, the sea
level lowered 115 to 135 metres, exposing
a land bridge approximately 1,500 kilometres
wide. Oscillations of sea level produced an
exposed land bridge 20,000 (—120 metres),
13,000 (—50 metres), and 11,000 (—50
metres) years ago. A transgression about
10,000 years ago inundated the Bering
Land Bridge for the last time, and isolated
St. Lawrence Island from the mainland.
Later minor regressions may have briefly re-
established land connections between the
Alaskan mainland and St. Lawrence Island.
During the Illinoian and Wisconsin peri-
ods of maximum glaciation, ice sheets cov-
ered much of northern North America in the
form of the Laurentide ice sheet and the
Cordilleran glacier system that merged in
the Rocky Mountains. At this time, the
Bering Land Bridge was part of a larger un-
glaciated region in Alaska, the Yukon and
the District of Mackenzie, which was known
*The following account is largely after Hopkins 1967.
28
as Beringia (Hultén 1937). This region acted
as a northern refugium for many species of
plants and animals. An ice-free corridor
opened between Beringia and central North
America during periods of mild climate,
functioning as a valve allowing certain spe-
cies that had crossed the Bering Land
Bridge to penetrate central North America,
and permitting certain southern species to
penetrate Beringia.
Various other Wisconsin glacial refugia
have been postulated, including: northeast-
ern Greenland or ""Pearyland” (Gelting 1934),
Kodiak Island (Ball 1963), sections of the
Mackenzie Mountains (Hammer 1955; Cal-
der and Savile 1960; Ball 1963; Calder and
Taylor 1968), part of the Queen Charlotte
Islands (Osgood 1901; Calder and Taylor
1968), Vancouver Island (Heusser 1960),
nunataks within glaciated areas of Beringia
(Youngman 1967), parts of the Cascade
Mountains and the Olympic Mountains, as
well as areas in southern Alberta and south-
ern Saskatchewan (Calder and Taylor 1968;
Prest, Grant and Rampton 1967), portions
of the Atlantic Coastal Plain (Youngman
1968), and parts of the southern periglacial
region (Rand 1954; Dillon 1956).
From Oligocene through middle Miocene
times there was little pronounced zonation
of climate in Beringia. A mixed mesophytic
forest stretched from Japan through Alaska,
the Yukon, British Columbia and Oregon.
Broad-leaved conifer deciduous forests were
present at high altitudes.
The first opening of the Bering Strait, 12
to 15 million years ago, in the late Miocene,
was accompanied by a decline in summer
temperatures that resulted in the divergence
of the boreal forests in northeastern Asia and
northwestern North America. Climatic deteri-
oration apparently prevented the rejoining
of Asian and North American boreal forests
on the Bering Land Bridge.
By the beginning of the Quaternary period,
the flora of Beringia had become similar to
the modern arctic flora. During glacial oscil-
lations, the summers were cooler and shorter
than at present. The arctic climate of Berin-
gia during the IIlinoian and Wisconsin times
caused an eastward retreat of the tree line
(on the Land Bridge) and an altitudinal
lowering of the tree line of about 400
metres. At this time the Bering Land Bridge
supported a herbaceous tundra with per-
haps a more steppe-like aspect than now
possessed by high-Arctic tundra.
Cenozoic History
In addition to the tundra and reduced
boreal forest in Beringia during Wisconsin
time, there is also evidence of the existence
of grasslands, or steppe, that supported an
extensive fauna of large grazing mammals
(Guthrie 19685).
Wisconsin glaciation ended with climatic
warming, glacial recession, and an expan-
sion of forests. The rapid changes in vege-
tation reduced the available grazing land,
perhaps causing the dramatic mass extinc-
tion of an entire fauna of large grazing mam-
mals.
The glacial recession that began approx-
imately 15,000 years ago rapidly opened an
unglaciated corridor between Beringia and
the region south of the drift border (Map 2),
permitting an exchange of mammals be-
tween the two regions. The corridor began as
an invagination of the glacial margin in what
is now Alberta (Map 3). Recession pro-
ceeded more rapidly along the southeastern
extremity of the corridor, causing it to be-
Retreat of Wisconsin ice, glacial maximum, ca.
1700-1500 years B.P.
come funnel-shaped. By 12,300 B.P. the
eastern edge of the base of the corridor was
located east of the Mississippi River, and its
northern extreme was located in the Peace
River drainage. By 12,000 B.P. the narrow
unglaciated corridor was complete (Map 4).
By 10,500 B.P. a wide, funnel-shaped cor-
ridor existed between Beringia and the re-
gion east of the Rocky Mountains while the
Cordilleran ice had receded but little. Prob-
ably this factor accounts for the eastern
affinities of most of the postglacial immi-
grants to Beringia. By 9500 B.P. much of
the lowlands in the Cordilleran region were
free of glaciers, and a wide unglaciated cor-
ridor stretched from the coast of Labrador
through the Great Plains to parts of the
Arctic Archipelago (Map 5).
The postglacial movement of mammals
was mostly from the southern unglaciated
region into Beringia, with only a few Berin-
gian species moving very far south along the
unglaciated corridor. However, several spe-
fie
D
ea Tl (fl
Map 3
Beginning of deglaciated corridor between
Cordilleran glacial complex and Keewatin glacier,
ca. 12,300 B.P.
29
Environmental Influences
cies moved east and occupied the recently
deglaciated tundra and taiga of Mackenzie
and Keewatin districts. Presumably the re-
maining depauperate Beringian fauna was
heavily tundra or taiga-specific, and as the
climate ameliorated a large number of boreal
niches became available to immigrants
from the south.
Discussion
The species density of the terrestrial mam-
mal fauna of the Yukon Territory and Alaska
reflects the large range of seasonal environ-
mental fluctuations and the generally low
productivity of the arctic ecosystem. The
taxonomic composition of the mammalian
fauna reflects the complex glacial history of
the region, with the imprint of the last (Wis-
consin) glaciation the most evident. The
proximate origins of many of the Recent
terrestrial mammals of the Yukon, Alaska,
and nearby portions of the Northwest Terri-
Map 4
Deglaciated corridor open between Beringia and
region south of drift border, ca. 12,200 B.P.
30
tories and British Columbia may be inferred
by utilizing geological, taxonomic, and bio-
geographical evidence.
Approximately 33 per cent of the terres-
trial mammal fauna of the Yukon are Berin-
gian in origin, whereas about 6 per cent are
postglacial immigrants from the south. The
remainder are thought to be from other refu-
gia, or are introduced species.
There appear to have been two principal
refugia from which Yukon and Alaskan
mammals were derived (Table 1). These are
Beringia (in which | include several more-
or-less isolated centres of speciation) and
the main unglaciated portion of North Amer-
ica. Other regions that have contributed to a
much lesser degree to the Yukon mammal
fauna are: a Rocky Mountain refugium, a
high-Arctic (Peary Land?) refugium, Banks
Island (including part of the now-submerged
coastal shelf), and the southwest coast of
Alaska.
= row ow - er.
Map 5
Wide deglaciated corridor, open ca. 9500 B.P.
The Beringian Refugium
The Beringian Refugium
Most of the species here considered to be of
Beringian origin (Table 1) are well docu-
mented as such, but the status of Mustela
vison is less certain. The distribution and
divergence of Mustela vison ingens point to
the probability of its being of Beringian
origin, although a more complex postglacial
origin for both subspecies of mink might be
postulated.
Geographical variation in a number of
species suggests several centres of specia-
tion other than Beringia proper. The Arctic
Slope of Alaska, isolated from most of the
remainder of Beringia by the glaciated
Brooks Range, appears to be the centre of
radiation for Sorex cinereus ugyunak, Mar-
mota broweri, Spermophilus parryii parryii,
Dicrostonyx torquatus alascensis, perhaps
Microtus miurus muriei, and possibly others.
The Ogilvie Mountain—Mackenzie Moun-
tains region appears to have been the cen-
tre of speciation for Dicrostonyx torquatus
nunatakensis a local deme of Microtus
miurus muriei; and Spermophilus parryii
plesius. This region was, at various times,
probably isolated from Beringia proper by
extensive valley glaciers in the Ogilvie, Wer-
necke, and Selwyn mountains. Porsild (1951)
arrived at similar conclusions regarding the
plants of this region.
Table 1
Probable refugial origins of Recent Yukon native terrestrial mammals
(subspecific names used where a species is thought to have been isolated
in more than one refugium)
Beringian Refugium
Sorex cinereus ugyunak
Sorex tundrensis
Ochotona princeps collaris
Spermophilus parryii parryii
Castor canadensis
Clethrionomys rutilus dawsoni
Microtus miurus
Microtus oeconomus
Lemmus sibiricus trimucronatus
Dicrostonyx torquatus
Ursus arctos horribilis
Ursus maritimus
Mustela erminea arctica
Mustela nivalis eskimo
-Mustela vison ingens
Gulo gulo
Alces alces gigas
Rangifer tarandus groenlandicus
Ovis nivicola dalli
Canis lupus ssp.
High-Arctic (Peary Land?) Refugium
Rangifer tarandus pearyi
Rocky Mountains Refugium
Lemmus sibiricus helvolus
Ovis nivicola stonei
Southern Immigrants
Sorex cinereus cinereus
Sorex arcticus
Sorex obscurus
Sorex palustris
Microsorex hoyi
Myotis lucifugus
Lepus americanus
Eutamias minimus
Marmota monax
Marmota caligata
Spermophilus parryii plesius
Tamiasciurus hudsonicus
Glaucomys sabrinus
Peromyscus maniculatus
Neotoma cinerea
Phenacomys intermedius
Microtus pennsylvanicus
Microtus longicaudus
Microtus xanthognathus
Ondatra zibethicus
Synaptomys borealis
Zapus hudsonius
Zapus princeps
Erethizon dorsatum
Canis latrans
Vulpes vulpes
Ursus americanus
Martes americana
Martes pennanti
Mustela vison energumenos
Lontra canadensis
Felis concolor
Felis canadensis
Odocoileus hemionus
Rangifer tarandus caribou
Oreamnos americanus
oi
Environmental Influences
Several small unglaciated regions in the
southwestern Yukon were probably the
centre of subspeciation for Microtus miurus
cantator. Porsild (1966) theorized that un-
glaciated mountain refugia existed above the
5,000-to-6,000-foot level in this region.
The relationships of amphiberingian spe-
cies are among the most fascinating and
vexing problems for mammalogists and
palaeontologists alike. | hope that in the near
future scientists from the Union of Soviet
Socialist Republics and North America can
cooperate on the study and collection of
mammals on both sides of the Bering Strait.
Southern Unglaciated North America
Most Recent Yukon and Alaskan mammals
were derived from the region to the south
of the main glacial systems. These post-
glacial immigrants, which have penetrated
Beringia during the past 12,000 years,
are primarily boreal forest species. However,
a few (Sorex obscurus, Marmota caligata,
Neotoma cinerea, Microtus longicaudus,
Zapus princeps, Oreamnos americanus) are
western montane in origin.
Many postglacial immigrants have ranges
extending over much of Alaska (Table 2)
and are either medium or large size, highly
mobile species.
The ranges of some other postglacial im-
migrants (Table 3, Map 6) extend only as
far as 65° latitude. Either their ranges
do not extend into Alaska or their distribu-
tion there is limited. The factors limiting the
spread of these species are largely unknown.
Table 2 Postglacial immigrants from the
south with extensive ranges in the Yukon
and Alaska
Sorex obscurus
Microsorex hoyi
Lepus americanus
Tamiasciurus hudsonicus
Microtus pennsylvanicus
Microtus xanthognathus
Ondatra zibethicus
Erethizon dorsatum
Canis latrans
Vulpes vulpes
Ursus americanus
Martes americana
Lontra canadensis
Felis canadensis
92
Many may be relatively recent immigrants to
the Yukon and Alaska (Marmota monax,
Neotoma cinerea, Sorex arcticus, Martes
pennanti, Zapus princeps). The northern ex-
tent of the ranges of most species in this
group coincides fairly closely with the 25°F
mean annual isotherm and the southern
limits of widespread permafrost in the dis-
continuous permafrost zone.
Some postglacial immigrants (Sorex cine-
reus cinereus, Spermophilus parryii plesius,
Clethrionomys rutilus gapperi, Lemmus sibir-
icus helvolus, Mustela erminea richardsonii,
Mustela vison energumenos, Canis lupus
ssp., Rangifer tarandus caribou, Alces alces
americana, Ovis nivicola stone/) met intra-
specific competition from Beringian popula-
tions. Some immigrants (C/ethrionomys ruti-
lus, Canis lupus, Ovis nivicola) intergraded
broadly with their Beringian counterparts,
whereas others (Lemmus sibiricus, Spermo-
philus parryii, Mustela erminea) have rela-
Approximate ranges of nine postglacial immigrants
with limited ranges in the Yukon (Sorex arcticus,
Eutamias minimus, Peromyscus maniculatus,
Neotoma cinerea, Phenacomys intermedius, Martes
pennanti, Felis concolor, Odocoileus hemionus).
The lower margin of the patterned overlay approxi-
mates the 25°F mean annual isotherm, and the
southern limits of widespread permafrost.
Influences from Other Refugia
tively narrow zones of intergradation. A few
immigrants, originally from the same stock
as their Beringian counterparts, apparently
diverged to the species level (Sorex arcticus),
or appear to have nearly reached this status
(Mustela vison energumenos).
The Beringian and southern isolates of
Ochotona princeps have not rejoined during
postglacial time, nor is there adequate evi-
dence that the Beringian and southern popu-
lations of Mustela nivalis have met yet.
The study of postglacial secondary inter-
gradation, or what in some instances may
be allopatric hybridization, will certainly be
one of the most interesting facets of future
research on Beringian problems.
At least 65 per cent of the postglacial
immigrants to the Yukon and Alaska show
subspecific taxonomic affinities to eastern
North America. This is not surprising con-
sidering the speed with which the Keewatin
ice sheet retreated from the Interior Plains.
The postglacial immigrants that originated in
the western montane region probably utilized
the more mountainous route north with the
retreat of the cordilleran glacial complex.
Good (1966) gave interesting data on the
sequence of mammalian occupancy of a
recently deglaciated area at Muir Inlet,
Table 3 Postglacial immigrants from the
south with limited ranges in the Yukon and
Alaska
Sorex arcticus*
Sorex palustris
Myotis lucifugus
Eutamias minimus *
Marmota monax
Marmota caligata
Spermophilus parryii plesius
Glaucomys sabrinus
Peromyscus maniculatus *
Neotoma cinerea*
Phenacomys intermedius *
Microtus longicaudus
Zapus hudsonius
Zapus princeps *
Martes pennanti*
Mustela erminea richardsonii
Felis concolor*
Odocoileus hemionus *
Rangifer tarandus caribou
Oreamnos americanus
Ovis nivicola stonei*
*An asterisk marks the names of species with
ranges that end in the southern Yukon.
southeastern Alaska. Sorex obscurus and
Peromyscus maniculatus invaded new ter-
rain about 25 years after deglaciation, Micro-
tus oeconomus invaded about 30 years
after, and Sorex cinereus and Clethrionomys
rutilus invaded about 100 years after degla-
ciation. The distribution patterns of southern
immigrants suggest that many factors—
such as sequence of occupancy, availability
of species to the deglaciated corridor, plant
succession, temperature, climate, availabil-
ity of niches, physiological requirements,
competitive interaction, the presence of
glaciers, permafrost, postglacial lakes, and
tundra—have influenced, and continue to
influence, the present limits of the ranges
of these species.
Influences from Other Refugia
Species derived from other refugia constitute
only a small part of the Yukon—Alaska mam-
mal fauna.
The existence of a Rocky Mountains ref-
ugium has been postulated by some authors
(Calder and Taylor 1968), and there is geo-
logical evidence of at least one driftless area
in the Okanagan Range of the Similkameen
district in southern British Columbia. The
present distributions of Lemmus sibiricus
helvolus (Map 33) and Ovis canadensis
stone/ (Map 60) would seem to argue for
the existence of such a refugium. The pres-
ent distribution of Spermophilus parryii ple-
sius (Figure 5) could indicate origin in the
Mackenzie Mountains region of the Berin-
gian portion of the Beringian refugium. How
ever, its ectoparasitic complement points to
origin in a Rocky Mountains refugium or ina
more southern periglacial region (Holland
1958; Nadler and Youngman 1969).
Interestingly, the areas of intergradation
of Lemmus sibiricus helvolus with L. s. tri-
mucronatus, and Ovis nivicola dalli with
Ovis n. stonei, follow the margin of the glacia-
ted—unglaciated areas in the Yukon and the
Northwest Territories. This suggests that
these areas of intergradation are the result
of the northward movement of southern
populations and their meeting and inter-
grading with their Beringian counterparts.
A species that may be a Peary Land (or
other high-Arctic) derivative, the diminutive
Peary caribou (Rangifer tarandus pearyi),
occasionally wanders into the northern
Yukon. Large brown bears (Ursus arctos
middendorffi) wander occasionally into the
33
Environmental Influences
southwestern Yukon from the Gulf of Alaska
coast, but like the Peary caribou are not
permanent residents.
The varying lemming (Dicrostonyx tor-
quatus kilangmiutak) is intermediate be-
tween the grey, high-Arctic derivative, D.t.
groenlandicus, and the brilliant red-and-
black D.t. alascensis from the Arctic Slope
of Alaska. Dicrostonyx t. kilangmiutak ap-
34
pears to have been derived from Banks
Island, and the adjacent exposed continental
shelf, which was not glaciated during the
Wisconsin but which may have had a heavy
snow cover at times, thus possibly making
the connection between the high-Arctic
subspecies and the Arctic-Slope subspecies
a late-Wisconsin or postglacial event.
Checklist of the Mammals of the Yukon
The 64 species (74 subspecies and mono-
typic species) of Recent mammals that have
been recorded from the Yukon represent 8
orders, 20 families, and 45 genera. Of 3
Recent species that are extinct in the Yukon
(marked by a dagger), 2 have been reintro-
duced (marked by an asterisk). However,
one introduction was unsuccessful. The
resident native mammal fauna is composed
of 58 species (53 terrestrial, 5 marine). The
remainder are probably regular wanderers to
the Yukon (Ursus arctos middendorffi, Ur-
sus maritimus, Callorhinus ursinus, Rangifer
tarandus pearyi) and a commensal intro-
duced by man (Mus musculus).
A list of 11 species that have not been
recorded in the Yukon, but may occur there,
follows the Accounts of Species and
Subspecies.
Order INSECTIVORA —
Family Soricidae —
Sorex cinereus cinereus Kerr
Sorex cinereus ugyunak Anderson and Rand
Sorex arcticus arcticus Kerr
Sorex tundrensis Merriam
Sorex obscurus obscurus Merriam
Sorex palustris navigator (Baird)
Microsorex hoyi intervectus Jackson
Order CHIROPTERA -— Bats
Family Vespertilionidae — Vespertilionid bats
Myotis lucifugus pernox Hollister
Order LAGOMORPHA — Pikas and hares
Family Ochotonidae — Pikas
Ochotona princeps collaris (Nelson)
Family Leporidae —
Lepus americanus dalli Merriam
Order RODENTIA — Rodents
Family Sciuridae — Squirrels and allies
Eutamias minimus borealis (J. A. Allen)
Marmota monax ochracea Swarth
Marmota caligata caligata (Eschscholtz)
Spermophilus parryii parryii (Richardson)
Spermophilus parryi plesius Osgood
Tamiasciurus hudsonicus preblei A. H. Howell
Glaucomys sabrinus sabrinus (Shaw)
Family Castoridae —
Castor canadensis canadensis Kuhl
Insectivores
page
Shrews 41
} Masked shrew 41
44
Arctic shrew 44
Tundra shrew 45
Dusky shrew 48
Water shrew 51
Pygmy shrew 51
53
53
Little brown bat 53
55
55
Pika 55
Hares 57
Varying hare 57
60
62
Least chipmunk 62
Woodchuck 64
Hoary marmot 66
Arctic ground squirrel 67
7
Red squirrel We
Northern flying squirrel 76
Beavers 77)
Beaver Wi
35
Checklist of the Mammals of the Yukon
Family Muridae — Murids
Peromyscus maniculatus algidus Osgood
Peromyscus maniculatus borealis Mearns
Neotoma cinerea occidentalis Baird
Clethrionomys rutilus dawsoni (Merriam)
Phenacomys intermedius mackenzii Preble
Microtus pennsylvanicus drummondii
(Audubon and Bachman)
Microtus oeconomus macfarlani Merriam
Microtus longicaudus vellerosus J. A. Allen
Microtus xanthognathus (Leach)
Microtus miurus cantator Anderson
Microtus miurus muriei Nelson
Ondatra zibethicus spatulatus (Osgood)
Lemmus sibiricus helvolus (Richardson)
Lemmus sibiricus trimucronatus (Richardson)
Synaptomys borealis borealis (Richardson)
Dicrostonyx torquatus kilangmiutak
Anderson and Rand
Dicrostonyx torquatus nunatakensis Youngman
Mus musculus ssp.
page
Deer mouse
Bushy-tailed wood rat
Red-backed vole
Heather vole
Meadow vole
Northern vole
Long-tailed vole
Chestnut-cheeked vole
Singing vole
Muskrat
Siberian lemming
Northern bog lemming
Varying lemming
House mouse
Family Zapodidae — Jumping mice
Zapus hudsonius hudsonius (Zimmermann)
Zapus princeps saltator J. A. Allen
Meadow jumping mouse
Western jumping mouse
Family Erethizontidae — Porcupines
Erethizon dorsatum myops Merriam
Order CETACEA — Whales
Porcupine
Family Monodontidae — Monodontids
Delphinapterus leucas (Pallas)
White whale
Family Balaenidae — Right whales
Balaena mysticetus Linnaeus
Bowhead whale
Order CARNIVORA — Carnivores
Family Canidae — Canids
Canis latrans latrans Say
Canis lupus ssp.
Vulpes lagopus lagopus (Linnaeus)
Vulpes vulpes alascensis Merriam
36
Coyote
Wolf
Arctic fox
Red fox
79
72
82
83
84
88
89
93
97
98
101
102
104
107
110
102
114
116
1107
117
il ir
118
120
120
122
122
122
123
123
124
125
125
128
129
182
Checklist of the Mammals of the Yukon
Family Ursidae — Bears
Ursus americanus americanus Pallas
Ursus arctos horribilis Ord |
Ursus arctos middendorffi Merriam
Ursus maritimus Phipps
page
Black bear
Brown bear (Grizzly
bear)
Polar bear
Family Mustelidae — Mustelids
Martes americana actuosa (Osgood)
Martes pennanti pennanti (Erxleben)
Mustela erminea arctica (Merriam) ;
Mustela erminea richardsonii (Bonaparte)
Mustela nivalis eskimo (Stone)
Mustela vison energumenos (Bangs) }
Mustela vison ingens (Osgood)
Gulo gulo luscus (Linnaeus)
Lontra canadensis pacifica (Rhoads)
Family Felidae — Cats
Felis concolor ssp.
Felis canadensis canadensis (Kerr)
Marten
Fisher
Ermine
Least weasel
Mink
Wolverine
River otter
Cougar
Lynx
Order PINNIPEDIA — Seals and walrus
Family Otariidae — Eared seals
Callorhinus ursinus (Linnaeus)
Northern fur seal
Family Rosmaridae — Walrus
Rosmarus rosmarus ssp.
Walrus
Family Phocidae — Earless seals
Phoca vitulina ssp.
Phoca hispida hispida Schreber
Erignathus barbatus barbatus (Erxleben)
Harbour seal
Ringed seal
Bearded seal
Order ARTIODACTYLA — Artiodactyls
Family Cervidae — Cervids
t*Cervus elaphus canadensis Erxleben
Odocoileus hemionus hemionus (Rafinesque)
Alces alces gigas Miller
Rangifer tarandus caribou (Gmelin)
Rangifer tarandus groenlandicus (Borowski)
Rangifer tarandus pearyi J. A. Allen
Red deer (Wapiti)
Mule deer
Moose
Caribou
133
133
136
138
139
140
140
142
142
144
146
147
149
150
152
153
153
154
156
156
156
156
156
157
157
157
158
159
1159
159
160
161
163
166
167
37
Checklist of the Mammals of the Yukon
Family Bovidae — Bovids
t*Bison bison bison (Linnaeus)
Oreamnos americanus (Blainville)
tOvibos moschatus moschatus (Zimmermann)
Ovis nivicola dalli Nelson
Ovis nivicola stonei J. A. Allen
38
page
Bison
Mountain goat
Musk-ox
Mountain sheep
167
167
168
169
170
174
Se
Key to Orders of Recent Yukon Mammals
Lines moition<stlleetétes ac <r @ G cielerd bv aape aceite wee vevreweraw ci pw ierce)aiiesene
EIMBPSIMOUMOCIICCLASHINPMBENS ER Gis 6 ccc sw se ng esse se bas we eee wane
Hind limbs absent externally; tail modified as a horizontal fluke. . .CETACEA, p.
Hind limbs present externally; tail not modified as a
RONZOmtaliflUKGrreMen EERE a à ua due à eue ele es PINNIPEDIA, p.
Rorelimbs mOGITIGdlaS WINGS)... sities «62s s- neces ee an. os - CHIROPTERA, p.
MORENIMOS NOMOEUTNETASMMINAS ete cae .....,.,..,,..4 owen eaten sees
EcetimoditiedaSs OO SR M as <i cane ccs mews ARTIODACTYLA, p.
Feet not moditied:as/noots, foes Wwithiclaws. .....,...,........,....,..,...,.
Canines present; anterior and posterior teeth not separated by adiastema.....
Canines absent; anterior and posterior teeth separated by adiastema.........
Pannes nolargenthanineiISOrs « ace ec Gis Fe ewe same pu INSECTIVORA, p.
Seanimes larger than incisors), 2 anes NR Peed CARNIVORA, p.
Incisors 2/1, the second small and located immediately
ITR ETES GS bos 6 Boole, 08 tay EE Lin UE. © LAGOMORPHA, p.
MCTSOTSAIV Alo 2% cea sata 6 800 RER PET RODENTIA, p.
41
124
55
60
39
40
Figure 4
Ventral views of auditory ossicles, X 30 natural size
a) Sorex arcticus, No. 25006, Rennie, Man.
b) Sorex tundrensis, No. 24369, Tuktoyaktuk, N.W.T.
c) Sorex arcticus, No. 33419, Yukon Crossing,
Yukon Territory.
Accounts of Species and Subspecies
Order INSECTIVORA — Insectivores
Key to Yukon Soricids
1 Only 3 upper unicuspids easily visible in lateral view, the third and fifth small
SO RIC ous tere LG à una à à à our Microsorex hoyi, p. 51
y lid At least 4, usually 5, upper unicuspids easily visible in lateral view........... 2
2 Post mandibular foramen present; upper unicuspids lack pigmented ridge from
Ree ACLU TARA AT RE une te Aya walldic) «carder says) aed ohagugeyeiat opoes iene ©)
2’ Post mandibular foramen absent; upper unicuspids with pigmented ridge from
NON Sh, ES LEE ge AGM. rule el, Dés. sg S
3 Tail short 25-36 mm; maxillary tooth-row 6.0-6.7 mm; condylobasal length
17.0—18.4 mm; lateral margin at union of head of malleus with slender process
ON (AUST [OH oy TR 8 EE Sorex tundrensis, p. 45
S Tail long 36-44 mm; maxillary tooth-row 6.8-7.8 mm; condylobasal length
18.5—20.3 mm; lateral margin at union of head of malleus with slender process
meaamnaented (Figs. 4a amd 40)... UN. ie we . Sorex arcticus,p. 44
4 Hind foot more than 18 mm and fimbriated; pelage greyish. ..Sorexpal/ustris,p. 51
4’ Hind foot less than 18 mm and not fimbriated; pelage brownish............ 5
5 Third upper unicuspid not smaller than fourth; maxillary breadth less than
ALS [ATER 65S 8, NS ORNE NE EME RTE) : Rens. Sorex cinereus, p. 41
5h Third upper unicuspid smaller than fourth; maxillary breadth greater than
ROME UP rte tee re lee ba LATE DNA, Sorex obscurus,p. 48
Family Soricidae — Shrews
Sorex cinereus — Masked shrew
Sorex cinereus cinereus Kerr
Sorex arcticus cinereus Kerr, 1792:206; type locality,
Fort Severn, Ont.
Sorex cinereus cinereus, Jackson 1925:56; Jackson 1928:40;
Rand 1945a:24; Baker 1951:92; Cameron 1952:178;
Banfield 1961a:128; Youngman 1964:1; Youngman 1968:73.
Sorex personatus streatori, Osgood 1900:44.
Distribution the subspecies had an average weight of
Occurs in all but the extreme northern part
of the Yukon (Map 7).
Measurements
Average (and extreme) measurements of 16
specimens from the Canol Road area in the
southern Yukon are 94 (87-101); 38 (36-
41); 12 (11-13).* Eleven specimens from
the Dawson—Mayo area measured 90 (83—
98); 34 (34-37); 11 (11-12). The weights
of 9 specimens from the southern Yukon
averaged 4.3 (3.1-5.1) g. Twelve speci-
mens from the northern part of the range of
*Measurements are in millimetres throughout.
3.5 (2.6—4.6) g. For cranial measurements
see Table 4.
Remarks
Shrews of this subspecies become smaller
in a cline from the central Yukon to the
northern part of the Territory where they in-
tergrade with the smaller S. c. ugyunak.
Sorex cinereus cinereus may be distin-
guished from S. c. ugyunak by its greater
total length and tail length, and by its darker
coloration. In summer pelage, many speci-
mens of S. c. cinereus tend to be somewhat
tricoloured like S. c. ugyunak, but the sides,
back, and underparts are all paler, and the
tail is much darker dorsally. In winter pelage,
41
Accounts of Species and Subspecies
S. c. cinereus lacks almost all traces of the
side stripes that are especially contrasting
in S. c. ugyunak in comparable pelage. In
winter, the upper parts of S. c. cinereus are
darker than those of S. c. ugyunak, and the
differences in tail coloration are prominent.
In both pelages the light fur of the under-
parts of S. c. ugyunak extends higher on the
head, often including the region of the ex-
ternal ear.
Masked shrews have been collected be-
tween 800 and 4,100 ft in almost every hab-
itat, from stabilized talus slope to a wet,
mossy area. Two females collected in July
and August had 6 and 7 embryos respec-
tively.
Records of occurrence
Specimens examined, 179: Old Crow, 4;
Rampart House, 4; Hungry Lake, 65°39’/
135°59’, 2; Ogilvie Mountains, 48 mi. NE
Dawson, 1; North Fork Pass, Ogilvie Moun-
tains, 1; North Fork Crossing, Mi. 43 Aklavik
Road [= North Fork Crossing, Dempster
Highway, Mi. 43], Ogilvie Mountains, 1;
Bonnet Plume Lake, 6; Chandindu River, 1
(NMNH); Dawson, 3 (1 NMNH); Benson
Map 7
Distribution of Sorex cinereus
1 S.c. cinereus
2 S.c. ugyunak
42
Creek, 28 mi. ENE Dawson, 5; 74 mi E
Dawson City, 8; Klondike Keno [= 1 mi. S
Wernecke], 4; Gravel Lake, 58 mi. E Dawson
City, 1; 6 mi. N Mayo, 1; 4% mi. N Mayo,
1; 2 mi. NNE Mayo, 1; Keele Lake, 13; Stew-
art River settlement, 1; Macmillan Pass,
Canol Road, Mi. 282, 1; forks Macmillan
River, 1 (NMNH); south fork Macmillan
River, Canol Road, Mi. 249, 1; She/don Lake,
Canol Road, Mi. 222, 3; 50 mi. below Fort
Selkirk, 1 (NMNH); Snag Creek, 20 mi. NE
Alaska Highway, Mi. 1188, 1; Yukon Cross-
ing, 10; 7 mi. NNW Carmacks, 1; % mi.
NW Carmacks, Dawson—Mayo Highway, 1;
1 mi. WSW Carmacks, 1; 11 mi. WSW Car-
macks, 1; Lapie River, Canol Road, Mi. 132,
8; Little Hyland River, 128 mi. N Watson
Lake, 4; Edith Creek, 1 (ROM); 7epee Lake
4 (ROM); Rose River, Canol Road, Mi. 95,
4; 5 mi. N Burwash Landing, 1; Burwash
Landing, Alaska Highway, Mi. 1093, 1
(MCZ); Kluane Lake, 2 (CU); Lake Laberge,
1 (NMNH); head Kluane Lake, 1; Alaska
Highway, Mi. 1054, 2 (CU); 6 mi. SW
Kluane, 1 (KU); Hungry Lake, 60°59’ /138°
70’, 2 (MCZ); Nisutlin River, Canol Road,
Mi. 40, 5; 38 mi. NNW Watson Lake, 1;
Kathleen River, 7; Kathleen Lake, Haines
Road, Mi. 142, 1; Haeckel Hill, 1; Me/ntyre
Creek, 2 (KU); W side Lewes River, 2 mi. S
Whitehorse, 2 (KU); Dezadeash River, 3 mi.
S Champagne, 1; Camp 9-W [= Canol
Road, Mi. 9], 1 (MVZ); Dezadeash Lake, 4;
SW end Dezadeash Lake, 5 (KU); SW end
Dezadeash Lake, Haines Road, Mi. 124, 6;
North Toobally Lake, 2; NE shore Little
Atlin Lake, 2 (KU); Little Atlin Lake, 6 mi.
SSE Jakes Corner, 1; Little Atlin Lake, 8 mi.
SSE Jakes Corner, 1; Tagish River, 13 mi.
SW Jakes Corner, 1; Chooutla Lake, 4 mi.
ENE Carcross, 1; Carcross, 2; Caribou Cross-
ing [= Carcross], 3 (NMNH); 7 mi. S Car-
cross, 3; 5 mi. SE Dalton Post, 3; 7% mi.
S and 3 mi. E Dalton Post, 10 (KU); Alcan
88E Teslin [= Alaska Highway, 88 mi. E
Teslin], Upper Rancheria, 1; Alaska High-
way, 313 mi. N Nelson, B.C. [near lrons
Creek], 1.
Insectivora
Table 4
Cranial measurements of Sorex cinereus
Number of
specimens averaged
or catalogue number,
and sex
29853 9
29854 ©
29855 ©
29857 ?
Average 11 (8 0%, 2 9,1 ?)
Max.
Max.
Average 20 (8 0’, 8 9,47?)
Max.
24445 9
29856 ©
Least
Condylo- inter-
basal Cranial orbital Palatal Maxillary Maxillary
length breadth breadth length breadth tooth-row
Sorex cinereus cinereus
Old Crow
155 2.8 6.2 4.1 Bei
3.0 6.3 4.1 5.6
16.0 7.6 3.0 6.5 4.1 5.8
15.2 Wolf 228) 6.2 4.1 5.8
Dawson—Mayo region
15910 Voll 2.910 6.5 4.09 5.8
16.3 8.0 3.0 6.8 4.2 6.1
155 7.4 2.8 6.2 89 5.8
0.31 0.16 0.08 0.15 0.10 0.13
0.93 0.05 0.03 0.05 0.03 0.04
Keele Lake
11579 71%) 2292 6.5 4.15 59
16.1 8.0 3.0 6.7 4.2 6.0
15.6 Vail 2.8 6.4 4.0 59
0.22 0.12 0.07 0.10 0.09 0.05
0.09 0.05 0.03 0.04 0.04 0.02
Canol Road region
15.8 229 6.513 4112 5igis
16.0 3.0 6.6 4.2 6.0
ls 2.8 6.3 4.0 57
0.14 0.09 0.12 0.06 0.13
0.04 0.02 0.03 0.02 0.03
Sorex cinereus ugyunak
Tuktoyaktuk, N.W.T.
14.818 7.418 2.8 6.1 4.119 5.519
15 7.6 3.0 6.4 4.2 5a
14.5 7.0 273 5.9 329 52
0.24 0.14 OS 0.13 0.09 0.12
0.06 0.03 0.03 0.03 0.02 0.03
Head Point, near Herschel Island
15.6 8.2 3.0 6.3 4.2 55
Driftwood River, 60 mi. NE Old Crow
3.0 6.2 4.5 LE7/
Accounts of Species and Subspecies
Sorex cinereus ugyunak Anderson and Rand
Sorex cinereus ugyunak Anderson and Rand, 1945b:62;
holotype from Tuktuk (Tuktuyaktok) [=Tuktoyaktuk], NE side of
Mackenzie River Delta, S of Toker Point, District of Mackenzie,
N.W.T.; Youngman 1964:2 (part).
Sorex cinereus cinereus, Youngman 1964:1 (part).
Distribution
Extreme northern part of the Yukon (Map 7).
Measurements
A male from Driftwood Creek, 60 mi. NE
Old Crow, and a female from Head Point
near Herschel Island measured respectively
92, 87; 31, 26; 11, 10. No weights have
been recorded for specimens from the
Yukon. For cranial measurements see Table 4.
Remarks
For differences between Sorex cinereus
ugyunak and S. c. cinereus, see the sub-
species account of the latter. The two speci-
mens of S. c. ugyunak from the Yukon are,
cranially, slightly larger than specimens
from Tuktoyaktuk. In this way they resemble
specimens from the southern slope of the
Brooks Range, Alaska (Bee and Hall 1956:
15). Otherwise, the Yukon specimens close-
ly resemble topotypical specimens. In col-
our, the Yukon specimens show little evi-
dence of intergradation with S. c. cinereus.
Sorex arcticus — Arctic shrew
Sorex arcticus arcticus Kerr
It is interesting to note that Sorex ciner-
eus cinereus exists at Aklavik, in the wooded
region of the Mackenzie River Delta (Young-
man 1964: 1), while S. c. ugyunak occurs
approximately 96 miles to the northeast at
Tuktoyaktuk.
Macpherson (1965) postulated a Berin-
gian origin for Sorex cinereus ugyunak. This
seems especially likelyif Stroganov’s (1957)
identifications of Sorex cinereus from Ana-
dyr and Yakutsk, Siberia, are correct. Hoff-
man and Peterson (1967) also claimed a
Beringian origin for some populations of
Sorex cinereus that resulted in the evolu-
tion of Asian populations, and of S. c. ugyu-
nak and S. c. hollisteri (?) on the North
American mainland, and of Sorex pribilo-
fensis and S. c. jacksoni on St. Paul Island
and St. Lawrence Island respectively.
Records of occurrence
Specimens examined, 2: Head Point, near
Herschel Island, 1; Driftwood Creek
[= Driftwood River], 60 mi. NE Old Crow, 1.
Sorex arcticus Kerr, 1792:206; type locality, settlement on
Severn River, Hudson Bay, now known as Fort Severn,
Kenora District (55°59’ /87°38’), Ont.
Distribution
Known only from Yukon Crossing (Map 8).
This species should be looked for in wooded
portions of the southern half of the Yukon.
Measurements
No external measurements are available
from the specimen from the Yukon. For
cranial measurements see Table 5.
Remarks
Sorex arcticus, in the Yukon, is represented
by only one skull collected by Mrs. Sue
Cerny from Yukon Crossing. This skull is
larger than that of any specimen of Sorex
arcticus known to me from North America.
A comparison of this specimen with a series
44
of Sorex arcticus arcticus from Edmonton,
Alberta, shows that the probability of ex-
ceeding the observed value of ¢. is much
smaller than .001 for all cranial measure-
ments.
Conclusions based on a single specimen
must necessarily be tentative, but there is
nothing about the Yukon Crossing specimen
to suggest that it is abnormal in size. The
large size of this specimen indicates that it
may represent an undescribed subspecies of
Sorex arcticus.
Record of occurrence
Specimens examined, 1:
vicinity, 1.
Yukon Crossing
Insectivora
Sorex tundrensis — Tundra shrew
Sorex tundrensis Merriam
Sorex tundrensis Merriam, 1900a:16; holotype from St. Michael,
Alaska; Jackson 1928:72; Osgood 1900:45; Osgood 19096:58;
Rand 19456:11; R. M. Anderson 1947:16.
Sorex arcticus tundrensis, Bee and Hall 1956:22;
Hall and Kelson 1959:44; Youngman 1964:2.
Distribution
Known only from the northern half of the
Yukon (Map 9).
Measurements
A male from the Firth River, a female from
Old Crow, and a female from near Chapman
Lake measured respectively 98, 97, 115;
S029, 36; 19), 13, 13; 5.8 g, 5.6 g, —. For
cranial measurements see Table 5.
Remarks
Jackson (1928:72) described Sorex tun-
drensis as differing from Sorex arcticus in
colour and in being smaller, with a shorter
tail, smaller skull, smaller and lower rostrum,
shorter mesopterygoid space, smaller post-
glenoid processes, shorter palate, and small-
er teeth. He stated further, “In none of the
specimens of S. tundrensis has anything
been observed that can be construed to be
an approach toward S. arcticus. Although S.
tundrensis occurs at Fort Anderson, North-
west Territories, and S. a. arcticus at Fort
Norman, only a comparatively short dis-
tance away, the two forms retain their
characters and do not differ appreciably
from specimens from their respective type
regions.”
Bee and Hall (1956:22) considered Sorex
tundrensis to be conspecific with Sorex
arcticus since they could find no difference
in length of mesopterygoid space or size and
height of rostrum, and indicated that palatal
length and length of maxillary tooth-row
differed by only one-tenth of a millimetre.
| agree that the length of mesopterygoid
space and size and height of rostrum do not
appear to differ (these are difficult characters
to measure), nor can | find a difference in
Map 8
Distribution of Sorex arcticus arcticus
Map 9
Distribution of Sorex tundrensis
45
Accounts of Species and Subspecies
Table 5
Cranial measurements of Sorex arcticus and Sorex tundrensis
Number of Least
specimens averaged Condylo- inter-
or catalogue number, basal Cranial orbital Palatal Maxillary Maxillary
and sex length breadth breadth length breadth tooth-row
Sorex tundrensis
St. Michael, Alaska
Average 15 NMNH (49,8 9,3?) 18.0'° SE 3.414 7.4 5.06 6.6
Max. 18.4 9.3 3.5 Tall 5.2 6.9
Min. 17.7 8.9 3.2 Tal 4.8 6.4
SD 0.25 0.14 0.07 0.16 0.13 0.13
SE 0.08 0.05 0.02 0.04 0.05 0.03
Northern Alaska (Umiat; Bettles)
Average 7 NMNH (5 @’, 2 ?) 117.0 9.05 3.57 ESS 5.05 6.5
Max. 18.3 oS 3.6 Ud 5.1 6.6
Min. 17.5 8.8 3.3 7.0 4.8 6.3
SD 0.26 0.19 0.09 0.21 0.13 0.10
SE 0.11 0.08 0.03 0.08 0.06 0.04
Northeastern Alaska (Eagle — Circle — Charlie Creek area)
Average 13 NMNH (607,72) 17.9 9.1 3.5 7.3 5.111 6.6
Max. 18.5 9.4 3.6 ED 572 6.8
Min. 17.2 8.7 3.4 7.0 4.9 6.4
SD 0.33 0.22 0.09 0.13 0.13 0.12
SE 0.09 0.06 0.02 0.04 0.04 0.03
Aklavik, N.W.T.
Average 13 (7 o,6 ©) 17.8 9012 3.6 7.4 5.29 6.6
Max. 18.4 9.4 3.8 7.8 5.2 7.0
Min. UE 8.5 3.4 Vet, 5.1 6.5
SD 0.27 0.26 0.08 0.22 0.05 0.15
SE 0.07 0.07 0.02 0.06 0.02 0.04
Tuktoyaktuk, N.W.T.
Average 42 (13 5,29 ©) 17.537 8.934 3.549 7.139 5.0 6.5
Max. 18.0 9.5 S7 715 522. 6.7
Min 17.0 8.6 32 6.8 4.8 6.0
SD 0.23 0.21 0.12 0.13 0.11 0.14
SE 0.04 0.03 0.02 0.02 0.02 0.02
Old Crow
33695 9 18.1 9.0 3.7 7.4 5.0 6.6
20 mi. S Chapman Lake
29384 9 17.9 9:3 3.5 7.4 4.9 6.6
Forty Mile
147392 NMNH, © 18.2 9.4 3.5 eS 4.8 6.5
Insectivora
Number of
specimens averaged,
or catalogue number,
and sex
33419 ©
Condylo-
basal Cranial
length breadth
20.3 10.4
Average 4 (3 AMNH, 1 NMNH) 18.9
Max.
Min.
110048 NMNH, ©
110050 NMNH, ©
110062 NMNH, 9
133751 NMNH, ©
133758 NMNH, ©
115829 NMNH, ©
107040 NMNH, ©
Average 24 (9 5,11 9,4?)
Max.
Min.
SD
SE
1972
18.7
18.7
18.8
18.3
19.3
18.6
Sorex arcticus arcticus
Least
inter-
orbital
breadth
Yukon Crossing
Fort Norman, N.W.T.
9.4
9.5
9.1
25 mi. S Fort Rae, N.W.T.
She!
Se
8.9
Fort Simpson, N.W.T.
9:5
9.4
4.1
3.5
3.6
3.4
3.5
3.4
S15)
3.6
3.5
Palatal
length
8.6
8.0
7.8
Slave River, 10 mi. below Peace River, N.W.T.
ES
G2
118925
19.4
18.5
0.26
0.05
Swampy Lake, N.W.T.
9.6
Vicinity Edmonton, Alta.
9.422
9.6
9.1
0.13
0.03
3.4
3.4
3.4
3.6
3:3
0.09
0.02
8.0
8.0
Te
8.1
Wh?
0.20
0.04
Maxillary
breadth
5.5
522
5:2
5.3
SITE
5.3
5.1
0.06
0.02
Maxillary
tooth-row
7.8
7.0
7.0
7.0
ON
© © =
7.0
7.0
7.6
Tal
7.1
Tes
6.8
0.13
0.03
47
Accounts of Species and Subspecies
the size of the postglenoid processes. How-
ever, when specimens of Sorex arcticus
from Edmonton, Alberta (which do not differ
significantly from specimens from other
provinces in Canada) are compared with
specimens of Sorex tundrensis from Tukto-
yaktuk, N.W.T., all external measurements
except length of hind foot, and all cranial
measurements except least interorbital
breadth and maxillary breadth differ greatly
(92-100 per cent joint non-overlap).
Specimens of Sorex tundrensis from the
Eagle—Circle—Charlie Creek areas of Alaska,
and specimens from the central Yukon, all at
the southern edge of the range of the spe-
cies, average slightly larger than specimens
from Tuktoyaktuk. Nevertheless, these
southern specimens of S. tundrensis differ
greatly from the series of S. arcticus from
Edmonton, approaching them only in cra-
nial breadth ( > 75 per cent joint non-over-
lap) in addition to the previously men-
tioned measurements of hind foot, least in-
terorbital breadth, and maxillary breadth.
Thus, contrary to the situation in Alaska
(Bee and Hall 1956:23), specimens of Sorex
tundrensis become larger in the southern
portion of their range—the Yukon and east-
ern Alaska—whereas if the specimen of
Sorex arcticus from Yukon Crossing is rep-
resentative, S. arcticus becomes larger in the
northwestern (Yukon) part of its range.
In addition to the differences in size be-
tween Sorex arcticus and S. tundrensis, the
unicuspids average 38 per cent of the tooth-
Sorex obscurus — Dusky shrew
row in the former, but 35 per cent in the
latter (significant at the .01 per cent level).
The auditory ossicles of the two species
also differ. In ventral view, the union of the
head of the malleus with the slender process
of the malleus in S. tundrensis is incised,
while in S. arcticus the margin is more grad-
ually curved (Figure 4).
| agree with Rand (1954:32) that the
distribution, ecology, and divergence of
Sorex tundrensis and Sorex arcticus suggest
Beringian and southern origins respectively.
The present distribution of S. tundrensis
is completely within the boundaries of
Beringia, while S. arcticus occurs in the
boreal forest in areas previously covered by
Wisconsin glaciers. Sorex arcticus is also
known from Pleistocene deposits from sites
in Oklahoma and Virginia (Guilday 1962:98).
A specimen from 20 mi. S Chapman Lake
was collected in alpine tundra at 5,500 ft
(Figure 3), in association with Dicrostonyx
torquatus, Microtus oeconomus, Clethrion-
omys rutilus, and Sorex obscurus. A speci-
men from the Firth River, 15 mi. S mouth
Joe Creek was in tundra at 1,560 ft in asso-
ciation with Microtus miurus and Microtus
oeconomus.
Records of occurrence
Specimens examined, 7: Firth River, 15 mi.
S mouth Joe Creek,1; Summit Lake, 67°43’ /
136°29', 3; Old Crow, 1; 20 mi. S Chapman
Lake, 1; Forty Mile, 1 (NMNH).
Sorex obscurus obscurus Merriam
Sorex vagrans similis, Merriam 1891:34; holotype from
Timber Creek, 8,200 ft, Salmon River Mts. [now Lemhi Mts. ]
10 mi. W Junction [near present town of Leadore] Lemhi County,
Idaho.
Sorex obscurus, Merriam 1895:72, a renaming of S. vagrans similis.
Sorex obscurus obscurus, Osgood 1900:45; Jackson 1928:117;
Rand, 1945a:24; Rand 19456:12; R. M. Anderson 1947:18;
Baker 1951:93; Youngman 1968:73.
Sorex vagrans obscurus, Findley 1955:43.
Distribution
Probably occurs throughout the Yukon
(Map 10).
Measurements
Average (and extreme) measurements of 20
males and 20 females from southeastern
48
Yukon are respectively 109 (100-115), 111
(100-120); 44 (41-48), 43 (39-50); 13
(12-14), 13 (12-14).
An adult male from Old Crow, and 2
adult males from Little Hyland River, 128 mi.
N Watson Lake, weighed 5.8, 6.6, and 7.5 g.
Two nonparous adult females from Keno
Insectivora
Table 6
Cranial measurements of Sorex obscurus obscurus and Sorex palustris
Number of Least Alveolar
specimens averaged Condylo- inter- length of
or catalogue number, basal Cranial orbital Palatal Maxillary maxillary
and sex length breadth breadth length breadth tooth-row
Sorex obscurus obscurus
Old Crow
29858 © 17.6 8.8 3.6 Th? 5.1 6.7
2 mi. S Chapman Lake
29396 © 1729 8.7 3.8 728 5:5 6.6
29397 9 1723 8.6 SHT/ 7.0 Gif! 6.5
33696 9 17.6 8.7 67 7.4 5.0 6.7
SW Yukon
28518 KU, © 16.7 8.8 3.4 6.9 6.3
18184 0 16.2 8.7 3.6 6.8 4.9 6.0
29402 © 17.4 8.5 3.7 7/02 5.0 6.5
29403 © 07/7) 8.8 3.8 7.3 5.0 6.7
28524 © 17.5 8.6 SD 7.5 4.9 6.6
SE Yukon
Average 19 © 17.0 8.616 3.6 Te} 5.018 6.5
Max. 17.4 9.0 3.8 7.4 5.3 6.8
Min. 16.2 8.1 3.5 6.7 4.8 6.0
SD 0.28 0.23 0.08 0.18 0.13 0.18
SE 0.06 0.06 0.02 0.04 0.03 0.04
Average 14 © 17.2 8.610 3.6 7.1 5.1 6.613
Max. 17.5 9.1 3.9 7.4 5.3 6.8
Min. 16.8 8.2 3.4 6.9 4.9 6.4
SD 0.21 0.28 0.13 0.15 0.12 0.13
SE 0.06 0.09 0.04 0.04 0.03 0.04
Sorex palustris navigator
Southern Yukon
Average 16 (10 &,6 ©) 19.7 9.815 3.8 8.5 5.815 7.6
Max. 20.2 10.2 4.0 8.9 6.1 8.0
Min. 18.6 9.4 3.7 8.0 5.5 7.3
SD 0.41 0.25 0.11 0.23 0.17 0.18
SE 0.10 0.06 0.03 0.06 0.04 0.04
49
Accounts of Species and Subspecies
Summit and Little Hyland River, 128 mi. N
Watson Lake, weighed 5.4 and 6.3 g. For
cranial measurements see Table 6.
Remarks
The dusky shrew is remarkably constant in
colour and size throughout its range in the
Yukon.
Although the northernmost specimen
from the Yukon is from Old Crow, a record
from Tuktoyaktuk, N.W.T. (Banfield 1960)
suggests that this species also inhabits the
extreme northern Yukon.
| agree with Findley (1955:23) that Sorex
obscurus is a postglacial immigrant to
Alaska, Yukon Territory, and the Northwest
Territories, from the south. Good (1966) has
shown that S obscurus in southeastern
Alaska was one of the earliest invaders of
recently deglaciated terrain.
The dusky shrew has been trapped in
moist habitat in grass, deep moss, and dwarf
alder between 1,300 and 6,400 ft.
Nine and 10 embryos were found in 2
females in mid-June in the southeastern
Yukon.
Map 10
Distribution of Sorex obscurus obscurus
50
Records of occurrence
Specimens examined, 92: Old Crow, 1; 20
mi S Chapman Lake, 3; Bonnet Plume Lake,
18; 14 mi E Dawson, 1; junction Klondike
River and North Klondike River, 1; Keno
Summit, 1; Klondike Keno [=7 mi. S
Wernecke], Keno Hill, 2; Keele Lake, 1;
Macmillan Pass, Canol Road, Mi. 282, 2;
south fork Macmillan River, Canol Road, Mi.
249, 5; Sheldon Lake, Canol Road, Mi. 222,
8; Ida Lake [=McPherson Lake], 60 mi.
W Glacier Lake, N.W.T., 4 (AMNH); Little
Hyland River, 128 mi N Watson Lake, 5;
Rose River, Canol Road, Mi. 95, 10; Bur-
wash Landing, 1; Christmas Creek, Alaska
Highway, Mi 1048, 1 (CU); K/uane range,
25 mi. SSE Destruction Bay, 2; Nisutlin
River, Canol Road, Mi. 40, 9; Haeckel Hill,
8 mi. NW Whitehorse, 1; Haecke/ Hill 1;
Mcintyre Creek, 1 (KU); Canol Road, Mi. 11,
5; Dezadeash Lake, 2; SW end Dezadeash
Lake, 1 (KU); North Toobally Lake, 3; 1%
mi. S Carcross, 1; Teslin Post, near Teslin
Lake, 1; 1% mi. S and 3 mi. E Dalton Post,
1 (KU).
Map 11
Distribution of Sorex palustris navigator
Insectivora
Sorex palustris — Water shrew
Sorex palustris navigator (Baird)
Neosorex navigator, Baird 1857:11; holotype from near head
Yakima River, Cascade Mts., Wash.
Sorex palustris navigator, Merriam 1895:92; Rand 1945a:25;
Rand 19456:12; Baker 1951:94; Cameron 1952:1 78;
Hall and Kelson 1959:39.
Distribution
Southern Yukon Territory (Map 11).
Measurements
Average (and extreme) measurements of 16
specimens (10 males, 6 females) from the
southern Yukon are 151 (143-163); 72
(67-76); 20 (19-21). A male from 2 mi.
S Carcross weighed 11.2 g. For cranial mea-
surements see Table 6.
Remarks
Three specimens from Nisutlin River, Canol
Road, Mi. 40, collected in late July, closely
resemble topotypes and near topotypes of
Sorex palustris navigator (Black, Munsell
value 2). Two specimens from Carcross are
Microsorex hoyi — Pygmy shrew
considerably lighter (Black, Munsell values
P27) EInol B45).
Water shrews have been collected from
only a few localities in the Yukon. Further
collecting in the southern part of the Terri-
tory, along streams, edges of lakes, and
marshes, may show that the species ranges
slightly farther north.
Records of occurrence
Specimens examined, 22: Nisutlin River,
Canol Road, Mi. 40, 3; McIntyre Creek, 3 mi.
NW Whitehorse, 11 (KU); SW end Deza-
deash Lake, 2 (KU); Carcross, 1; 7 mi. S
Carcross, 1; 1% mi. S and 3 mi. E Dalton
Post, 4 (KU).
Microsorex hoyi intervectus Jackson
Microsorex hoyi intervectus, Jackson 1928:125; holotype from
Lakewood, Oconto County, Wis.; Rand 19446:35;
Rand 1945a:25; R. M. Anderson 1947:22; Hall and Kelson
1959:51; Youngman 1964:2, 1968:74.
Distribution
Known only from the southern half of the
Yukon (Map 12).
Measurements
Measurements of 2 males and 2 females
from Dezadeash Lake are respectively 92,
Sumas, oo 30) 29) 26, 29: 19, 11/M0, NA
nonparous female from 6 mi. N Mayo mea-
sured 71; 28; 10; 4.2 g, and a male from 14
mi. E Dawson measured 88; 31; 10; 5.3 g.
For cranial measurements see Table 7.
Remarks
Specimens of Microsorex hoyi intervectus
from most of the Yukon closely resemble
those from the type locality both cranially
and in colour (mass effect of upper parts
Very Dark Brown, 7.5YR 3/2). The speci-
men from 14 mi. E Dawson has a slightly
more grizzled appearance than others from
the Yukon probably because it was over-
stuffed. The previously published cranial
measurements for this specimen (NMC
30646) are incorrect (Youngman 1964:2).
The correct measurements are given in
Table 7. As previously pointed out (Young-
man 1964), the cranial measurements of
this specimen are larger than those of all
others from the Yukon, perhaps indicating
intergradation with M. h. eximius in Alaska.
Microsorex hoyi eximius is, however, a
weakly defined subspecies. Further studies
might show that M. h. eximius is merely at
one end of a slight cline in size and colour.
Records of occurrence
Specimens examined, 15: 14 mi E Dawson
City, 1; 6 mi. N Mayo, 1; Sheldon Lake,
Canol Road, Mi. 222, 3; Lapie River, Canol
Road, Mi. 132, 3; Frances Lake, 1; Deza-
deash Lake, 4; Liard Valley, Alaska High-
way, 313 Mi. N Nelson, B.C. [near lrons
Creek], 2.
51
Accounts of Species and Subspecies
Table 7
Cranial measurements of Wicrosorex hoyi intervectus
Number of
specimens averaged
or catalogue number,
and sex
30646 ©
Average 6 (1 ©, 3 Q, 2 ?)
Max.
24116
Average 4 (2 #,2 9)
Max.
Min.
Map 12
Distribution of Microsorex hoyi intervectus
92.
Condylo-
basal
length
15.1
Canol Road (Lapie River and Sheldon
14.35
14.5
14.0
0.20
0.09
Least
inter-
Cranial orbital
breadth breadth
14 mi. E Dawson
Te 62
672 3.0
6.9 Sul
6.5 2.8
0.10
0.04
Frances Lake
229
Dezadeash Lake
3.0
3.0
29
Palatal
length
5.7
Lake)
Maxillary
breadth
Maxillary
tooth-row
5.0
4.9
Chiroptera
Order CHIROPTERA — Bats
Family Vespertilionidae — Vespertilionid Bats
Myotis lucifugus — Little brown bat
Myotis lucifugus pernox Hollister
Myotis pernox Hollister, 19116:4; holotype from Henry House,
Alta.
Myotis lucifugus pernox, Crowe 1943:395.
Myotis lucifugus, Osgood 1900:45.
Myotis lucifugus lucifugus, Miller and Allen 1928:47;
Rand 19456:14; Cameron 1952:179; Hall and Kelson 1959:161.
Distribution
The southern half of the Yukon at least as
far north as Dawson (Map 13).
Measurements
Average (and extreme) measurements of 7
specimens (4 males, 3 females) from % mi.
E Mayo are 92 (89-100); 42 (39-48); 11
(10-12); 14 (13-15); forearm, 38 (36.5—
40.1); weight, 9.1 (7.9-9.6) g. A male and
nonparous female from Nordenskiold River,
1 mi. NW Carmacks, measured respectively
84, 96; 33, 37; 10, 11; ear, 11, 16; forearm,
38.4, 38.5; weight, 9.3, 11.0 g. For cranial
measurements see Table 8.
Remarks
Specimens of Myotis lucifugus pernox from
the Yukon Territory closely resemble the
holotype, a topotype, and near topotypes
both in colour and measurements. Speci-
mens from the Yukon average larger than
specimens of M. /. Jucifugus and M. 1.
alascensis in all cranial measurements.
The range of Myotis lucifugus pernox
extends from western Alberta, south-central
District of Mackenzie, the Northwest Terri-
tories (Salt River, NMC 6291) and northern
British Columbia (Lower Post; Screw Creek,
10 mi. S 50 mi. E Teslin Lake, Yukon Terri-
tory; NE end Muncho Lake) through the
southern half of the Yukon into interior
Alaska.
Bats are not conspicuous in the northern
part of their range in the Yukon during the
bright nights of early summer. Most speci-
mens were shot in late summer at dusk, or
were found roosting in cabins and caches
during the daytime. On one occasion |
watched a bat fly into a cabin in the bright
light of dawn.
Owing to the severe winters and the al-
most complete absence of caves, bats may
not overwinter in the Yukon. On 14 August
1965, a cache at Kathleen River, at the foot
of Kathleen Lake, held only 4 bats (including
animmature, not able to fly), the main breed-
ing colony of several hundred having left
several days earlier.
Records of occurrence
Specimens examined, 61: Mayo Landing, 1;
% mi. E Mayo, 39; Stewart River, 5; 50 mi.
below Fort Selkirk, 1 (NMNH); Norden-
skiold River, 1 mi. NW Carmacks, 3;
Kathleen River, 1; Haines Junction, Alaska
Map 13
Distribution of Myotis /ucifugus pernox
53
Accounts of Species and Subspecies
Highway, 1; Kathleen River, foot Kathleen Additional records
Lake, 8; near Teslin Lake, 1: Caribou Cross-
ing [ = Carcross], 1 (NMNH).
Dawson, 1961 (seen, P.M. Youngman, MS);
North Toobally Lake, 15 July 1961 (seen
P.M. Youngman, MS); Rancheria River,
(Rand 1945b:14).
Table 8
Cranial measurements of Myotis /ucifugus pernox
Catalogue number,
and sex of specimens
35280 9
35281 ©
35284 ©
34793 9
34791 ©
34792 ©
99363 NMNH, ©
34787 ©
34784 ©
Greatest Maxillary
length of Zygomatic Breadth of Length of breadth
skull breadth braincase tooth-row at M3
% mi. E Mayo
15.0 7.9 6.5 5.6
15.6 9.4 8.2 6.0 6.0
1152 9.5 7.9 6.7 6.0
Nordenskiold River, 1 mi. NW Carmacks
15.9 9.4 8.2 6.9 6.4
151 92 8.0 6.7 5.8
15.0 Wall 6.7 57
Caribou Crossing [= Carcross]
15.0 UL 6.6 57
Kathleen River, foot of Kathleen Lake
15.4 9.5 8.2 6.8 6.0
15.0 9.0 7.8 6.4 DZ
Lagomorpha
Order LAGOMORPHA — Pikas and hares
Key to Yukon Lagomorphs
1 Hind legs scarcely larger than forelegs; hind foot less than 37 mm; nasals
widest anteriorly; no supraorbital process on frontal; 5 cheek-teeth on each
BIGOT OOVE ris « idly eee Ne iat, on
1‘ Hind legs notably larger than forelegs; hind foot more than 40 mm; nasals
widest posteriorly; supraorbital process on frontal; 6 cheek-teeth on each
SIGCLETAD OVC ial rte TN Mer en BF lave
Ochotona princeps, p. 55
Lepus americanus, p. 57
Family Ochotonidae — Pikas
Ochotona princeps — Pika
Ochotona princeps collaris (Nelson)
Lagomys collaris Nelson, 1893:117; holotype from near head of
Tanana River, Alaska.
Ochotona princeps collaris, Youngman 1968:74.
Ochotona collaris, Osgood 19096:56; A. H. Howell 1924:34;
Rand 1945a:47; Rand 1945b:72; R. M. Anderson 1947:94;
Baker 1951:95; Hall 1951a:126; Banfield 1961a:131;
Youngman 1964:2, 1968:74.
Distribution
Mountainous areas throughout most of the
Yukon (Map 14).
Measurements
Average (and extreme) measurements of
total length, hind foot, and ear of 6 males
and 9 females from several localities in the
Ogilvie Mountains are respectively 175
(155-190), 170 (154-187); 31 (30-35), 31
(29-34); 21 (19-22), 21 (19-24). Average
weights of 8 males and 6 nonparous fe-
males from various localities in the Yukon
are respectively 150 (142-156), 146 (138-
154)g. For cranial measurements see Table9.
Remarks
On the basis of morphology, behaviour, and
habitat, Broadbooks (1965:332) suggested
that Ochotona princeps and O. col/laris might
be conspecific. Characters previously used
to separate Ochotona collaris from O. prin-
ceps (Hall 19512; Hall and Kelson 1959;
A. H. Howell 1924) can be summarized as
follows: (1) underparts of O. co//aris are
creamy white, lacking the buffy wash of
O. princeps; (2) O. princeps \acks the dis-
tinct greyish “collar” on the shoulders of
O. collaris; (3) the interpterygoid fossa of
©. collaris is “broader and more spatulate,
its sides not parallel, but expanding slightly
near anterior end and constricting pos-
Map 14
Distribution of Ochotona princeps collaris
55
Accounts of Species and Subspecies
Table 9
Cranial measurements of Ochotona princeps collaris
o
12]
oO
a ae)
° o
tS
Number of aes E =
specimens averaged, 9 > D ®
and sex © © Nika
Central Yukon (Wernecke Mountains, Ogilvie Mountains)
Average 14 (7 ©, 7 ©) 43.513 Doe
Max. 44.6 22.6
Min. 41.2 21.6
SD 0.89 0.33
SE 0.25 0.09
Southwestern Yukon (Keele Lake, Canol Road)
Average 16 (8 o, 8 9) 44.515 22.4
Max. 45.7 23.5
Min. 43.1 2175
SD 0.88 0.54
SE 0.23 0.13
=
S = d E>
ES fs he ri ER
qo} (© +» OT £8 5 oa?
35 58 33 2% SES
om 5 J£5 2s Sis ate &
17-892 5.6 2.5 13.413 8.5
19.4 6.1 2.6 14.0 8.9
16.6 5S 272) 1257 8.1
0.86 0.25 0.13 0.36 0.22
0.25 0.07 0.03 0.10 0.06
18.1 5.6 215 13.6 8.8
19.3 6.0 2.8 14.0 9.4
16.3 5.4 22) 13.0 8.3
0.84 0.24 0.22 0.29 0.29
0.21 0.06 0.05 0.07 0.07
teriorly” (A. H. Howell 1924:35); (4) the
skull of O. co//aris is relatively broad; (5) the
tympanic bullae of O. co//aris are large.
The underparts of Ochotona collaris are
whiter than any subspecies of O. princeps.
However, this condition is approached by
some specimens of the similar O. p. princeps
and, to a lesser degree, by O. p. fennisex.
The greyish collar of O. co//aris is duplicated
to some extent by specimens of O. p.
fennisex from British Columbia, but it is
largely lacking in the other subspecies of
O. princeps. These characters are, at best,
useful only at the subspecific level.
The only cranial character separating
Ochotona collaris and O. princeps is the
large bullae of the former, but differences of
greater magnitude may be found between
subspecies of O. princeps. Compared with
specimens of O. princeps from Hanceville,
B.C., specimens of ©. collaris from various
parts of the Yukon do not have broader
skulls, the nasals are not significantly
shorter, there are no differences in the in-
terpterygoid fossa. Ochotona collaris is,
therefore, considered conspecific with O.
princeps and should be considered as a sub-
species of the latter.
Gureev (1946) considered Ochotona
princeps, O. collaris and the Eurasian O.
hypoborea (Pallas) to be conspecific with
O. alpina (Pallas). However, the diploid
chromosome number for both O. princeps
(Adams 1971) and O. co/laris (Rausch and
Ritter 1973) is 68, whereas the diploid
chromosome number of O. hypoborea is 40
(Vorontsov and Lyapunova 1969). Voront-
sov and lvanitskaya (1973) suggested that
the obvious close relationship is between
O. princeps and the Eurasian plains—steppe
species ©. pusilla (Pallas) (also 2 n = 68).
Ochotona princeps collaris occupies the
largest area of any subspecies of pika in
North America and shows no geographical
variation. This indicated to Broadbooks
(1965) that O. p. co/laris owes its origin to
isolation in Beringia. It is separated from the
nearest known populations of ©. p. princeps
by 500 miles of country in which pikas are
not known.
Pikas have been collected in the Yukon
between 2,300 and 6,000 ft, usually in talus,
but often in exposed fractured rock. A speci-
men collected by Miss H. Tinker near the
shore of Cultus Bay, Kluane Lake, had a
burrow just above water level under six-inch
willows in grass and horsetail (H. Tinker,
fieldnotes).
Few pregnant pikas have been collected
in the Yukon. Two lactating females were
Lagomorpha
collected in the Ogilvie Mountains, one on
12 June 1961, the other on 16 July 1963. A
female collected at Haeckel Hill, 8 mi. NW
Whitehorse, 4 June 1963, had 4 embryos.
Records of occurrence
Specimens examined, 77: Richardson
Mountains, 16 mi. NE Lapierre House, 1;
Richardson Mountains, 13 mi. NE Lapierre
House, 1; head Coal Creek, 64°47'/139°54’,
4 (NMNH); 13 mi. S Chapman Lake, 9;
Ogilvie Mountains, 52 mi. NE Dawson, 14
mi. S Lomond Lake, 1; Ogilvie Mountains,
48 mi. NE Dawson, 6; Dempster Highway,
Mi. 51, 2 (AHRC); North Fork Pass, Ogilvie
Mountains, 1; Dempster Highway, Mi. 43,
Family Leporidae — Hares
Lepus americanus — Varying hare
1 (AHRC); Bonnet Plume Lake, 2; Keno
Summit, 3: Klondike Keno [=1mi. S
Wernecke], 1; Keele Lake, 15; Macmillan
Pass, Canol Road, Mi. 282, 2; 138 mi. N
Watson Lake, 5 mi. E Little Hyland River, 3;
Little Hyland River, 128 mi. N Watson Lake,
3; Ida Lake [ = McPherson Lake], 60 mi.
W Glacier Lake, N.W.T., 2 (AMNH); Edith
Creek, 2 (ROM); Tepee Lake, 3 (2 ROM);
Rose River, Canol Road, Mi. 95, 8; Cultus
Bay, Kluane Lake, 1 (CU); Haeckel Hill, 8
mi. NW Whitehorse, 2; Canol Road, Mi. 11,
2; near Teslin Lake, 1; Conrad, 1.
Additional records
Upper White River (Osgood 1900:39).
Lepus americanus dalli Merriam
Lepus americanus dalli, Merriam, 1900a:29; holotype from
Nulato, Alaska.
Lepus americanus macfarlani, Merriam 1900a:30; Nelson
1909:98; Osgood 1909b:56, 80; Rand 1945a:48; Rand 1945b:74;
Baker 1951:96; Hall 1951a:175; Cameron 1952:183; Hall and
Kelson 1959:275.
Lepus americanus americanus, Coues and Allen 1877:304.
Lepus saliens, Osgood 1900:39.
Distribution
Found throughout the Yukon where suitable
habitat exists (Map 15).
Measurements
The mean (and extreme) measurements of 5
specimens from several localities near Old
Crow are 447 (420-472); 38 (33-42); 143
(140-150). The mean (and extreme) mea-
surements of 14 specimens from several
localities in the southern Yukon are 462
(417-505); 31 (23-41); 138 (130-148). For
cranial measurements see Table 10.
Remarks
In his revision of the hares and rabbits of
North America, Nelson (1909:100) ac-
knowledged that Lepus americanus macfar-
lani was a weakly defined subspecies differ-
ing from L. a. da//i primarily by its “‘slightly
darker color and larger size” and that the
rostrum of L. a. dalli tapered ‘’much more
rapidly to a narrow, rounded muzzle, giving
a sharply pointed form contrasting with the
broader and more flattened muzzles of
macfarlani.”" Nelson had only two specimens
of L. a. da//i in summer pelage, and his table
Map 15
Distribution of Lepus americanus dalli
57
Accounts of Species and Subspecies
Table 10
Cranial measurements of Lepus americanus dalli
Alveolar
Number of Inter- length of
specimens averaged, Basilar Zygomatic Breadth of orbital Nasal maxillary
and sex length breadth rostrum breadth length tooth-row
Northern Yukon (several localities)
Average 7 © 60.8 39.4 19.6 16.4 31.8 1573
Max. 63.2 40.8 21.8 18.8 3879 11578
Min. 58.6 7/5 1725 14.3 29.9 14.0
SD 2.42 1.28 1.41 1.66 1.38 0.61
SE 0.91 0.52 0.53 0.63 0.52 0.23
Southern Yukon (several localities)
Average 13 © 61.5 39.1 19.8 1) Z/oll 31.0 15.4
Max. 66.0 41.3 22.2 18.7 3879 16.2
Min. 59.0 38.0 18.1 15% 28.9 14.1
SD 2.04 0.98 1.29 1.07 1.38 0.74
SE 0.57 0.28 0.36 0.30 0.40 0.20
Average 7 © 62.4 39.4 19.7 16.0 32.4 15.4
Max. 68.2 40.4 20.5 11747 34.6 16.0
Min 61.3 38.0 19.0 14.4 30.6 14.4
SD 2.94 0.87 0.53 0.99 1.38 0.59
SE dit 0.33 0.20 0.38 0.52 0.22
of measurements shows no significant
difference between the two subspecies. All
of the specimens of L. a. macfarlani that |
have examined fit well within the colour
range of L. a. dalli. Comparison of 30 skulls
from Pelly River, Yukon Territory, 5 from
Fort Anderson, N.W.T., 4 from the Macken-
zie Delta region, N.W.T., and others from
various localities in the Yukon and the North-
west Territories, with 30 specimens from
Nulato River, Bethel, and Koyukuk River,
Alaska, fails to confirm any of the cranial
differences mentioned by Nelson (1909).
The Coefficients of Differences for the
majority of cranial measurements show that
less than 75 per cent of the Alaskan sample
differs from less than 75 per cent of the
specimens from Pelly River and, in the
measurement of tooth-row, from less than
80 per cent of the Pelly River sample. All of
these differences are well below the level of
conventional subspecific distinctness, there-
fore L. a. macfarlani is here considered a
synonym of L. a. dalli.
Lepus americanus dalli is the largest,
darkest and greyest subspecies in western
North America.
The hare population in the Yukon was at
a high in 1961 and in 1963. Eleven pregnant
females collected in May and June had an
average of 3 (2-4) embryos.
The sequence of moult is poorly known
for varying hares in the Yukon. At Rampart
House (lat. 67°25’) specimens collected 24
and 25 April 1951 are in white pelage, while
specimens collected May 17 are mostly in
summer pelage. Similarly, specimens col-
lected 5 mi. SE Dalton Post (lat. 60°07’)
19 May 1965 are mostly brown, and by
May 24 are all brown. The fall moult is less
well known. Specimens from near Teslin
Lake collected October 2 and 3 have some
white in the pelage, whereas by October 10
and 16 specimens are mostly white.
Records of occurrence
Specimens examined, 353: Old Crow River,
at Timber Creek, 1 (NMNH); SE Crow Base
[Crow Base = 68°13' /141°00'],1 (NMNH);
Old Crow River, mouth Black Fox Creek, 2
(NMNH); 60 mi. SE Crow Base, 1 (NMNH);
Old Crow River, 79 mi. N Old Crow, 7 mi.
N mouth Johnson Creek, 1; Johnson Creek,
7 mi. from mouth, 17 mi. N Old Crow, 1; 70
Lagomorpha
mi. SE Crow Base, 1 (NMNH); mouth Crow
River [=mouth Old Crow River], 3
(NMNH); Rampart House, 4; Bell River, 1
mi. SW Lapierre House, 3; 25% mi. S
Chapman Lake, 1; North Fork Crossing,
Aklavik Road, Mi. 42 [=WNorth Fork
Crossing, Dempster Highway, Mi. 42],
Ogilvie Mountains, 1; Forty Mile, 1 (NMNH);
Forty Mile, Yukon River, 2 (MVZ); Benson
Creek, 28 mi. ENE Dawson, 2; Russell
Mountains, near forks Macmillan River, 1
(NMNH); south fork Macmillan River, Canol
Road, Mi. 249, 1; Sheldon Lake, Canol
Road, Mi. 222, 1; Macmillan River, 4
(NMNH); Selkirk, 4 (NMNH); near Fort
Selkirk, 1 (NMNH); Tantalus, 1; Pelly River,
230 mi. from mouth, 41 (NMNH); Ross
River area, 5; Pelly River, Ross River, 1
(NMNH); Lapie River, Canol Road, Mi. 132,
8; Thirty Mile River [ = Yukon River, be-
tween Lower Laberge and Teslin River], 2
(NMNH); Kluane Lake, 3 (MCZ); head
Kluane Lake, 2; head Lake Laberge, 1
(NMNH); Haecke/ Hill, 8 mi. NW White-
horse, 2; Louise Lake, 7% mi. W Whitehorse,
1; west side Lewes River, 2 mi. S White-
horse, 1 (KU); Nisutlin River, Canol Road,
Mi. 40, 2; Hootalinqua River [ = Teslin
River], near Teslin Lake, 13; Hoot River
[ = Zeslin River], 1; 5 mi. W Teslin River,
16 mi. S and 53 mi. E Whitehorse, 1 (KU);
37 mi. ENE Tagish, 2; 15 mi. N Teslin Lake,
5; near Teslin Lake, 11; Settlin River
[ = Nisutlin River] near Teslin Lake, 8;
Nisutlin Bay, Teslin Lake, 1; Eagle Bay, near
Teslin Lake, 3; Teslin Post, near Teslin Lake,
MS MIMENTACISN EEE NCA Cross 2
Carcross, 1; Caribou Crossing [ = Carcross],
between Lake Bennett and Lake Tagish, 1
(NMNH); Little Atlin Lake, 8 mi. SSE Jakes
Corner, 1; 5 mi. SE Dalton Post, 7.
Localities not plotted
Pelly River, 146 (NMNH); Pelly River,
mouth Indian Creek, 24 (NMNH); Pelly
River, Steamboat Island, 7 (NMNH).
Additional records
lrons Creek camp, Mile 313 [ = Alaska
Highway, 313 mi. N Nelson, B.C.] (Rand
1944b:47).
59
Accounts of Species and Subspecies
Order RODENTIA — Rodents
Key to Yukon Rodents
1
2.
122%
60
Infraorbital canal not transmitting any part of medial masseter muscle (or at
least not modified for transmission of the muscle) ......................
Infraorbital canal transmitting medial masseter muscle and enlarged for that
DUTPOSE. a. 4 da ce de DR DE TR EE CET
Tail broad, flat, scaly; toes of hind feet webbed........ Castor canadensis, p.
Tail not broad, flat, scaly; toes on hind feet not webbed.
Membrane present between foreleg and hind leg; modified for gliding; zygo-
matic plate low, slightly tilted upward. ............ Glaucomys sabrinus, p.
Membrane not present between foreleg and hind leg; not modified for gliding;
zygomatic plate (usually) tilted strongly forward.......................
No antorbital canal, the antorbital foramen piercing the zygomatic plate of the
LIL SCL) RoR ee cere a ee ae Re Shits aren Gray Eutamias minimus, p.
Antorbital Canal present... da. à ons menait spore faim ce CCC ee
Zygomatic breadth more than 43 mm; anterior lower premolar with a para-
Conuülid. : . .. 53 220860 Ae eaeebe os à eves EP RER eee
Zygomatic breadth less than 43 mm; anterior lower premolar without para-
COonUlId esis. Le ede Sw RE CPE TEE EEE
Upper tooth-rows parallel; 8 mammae (only 1 pair abdominal) ............
Re a tn ru de Oo o no buc Marmota monax, p.
Upper tooth-rows divergent anteriorly; 10 mammae (2 pairs abdominal) .....
eu ce cece chor rancid 4.00.0 Marmota caligata, p.
Zygomata not parallel, but converging anteriorly with anterior part twisted
toWard'ahorizontalDIane oo Re Spermophilus parryii, p.
Zygomata nearly parallel and nearly vertical throughout, not twisted ........
SE EN nd OS I ST RE PE CE DES Tamiasciurus hudsonicus, p.
Infraorbital foramen greatly enlarged............... Erethizon dorsatum, p.
Infraorbital canal moderately enlarged except in Zapodidae...............
Hind legs much elongated; infraorbital foramen much enlarged; cheek-teeth
DC ee ee ee oe Oe Ru pc à
Hind legs not greatly elongated; infraorbital foramen moderately large; cheek-
CONS... aies de ass cae eee gee due à ee a Eo oye, ok nike eee PRESSE
Skull small; incisive foramina shorter than 4.6 mm; condylobasal length
averaging less than 20 mm; length of maxillary tooth-row averaging less
TI: Se ZANE be Se cure STORE ces key CP eee ee Zapus hudsonius, p.
Skull large; incisive foramina longer than 4.7 mm; condylobasal length more
than 21 mm; maxillary tooth-row averaging more than 3.8 mm ............
saone ee erin me er ET Zapus princeps, Pp.
Cheek-teeth tuberculate, occlusal surfaces not composed of lakes of dentine
surroundediby enamel 1%. 42 MR see wee eee se CE
Cheek-teeth flat-crowned, comparatively angular and sculptured; occlusal
surfaces composed of lakes of dentine surrounded by enamel.............
Molar teeth with tubercles arranged in 3 longitudinal series. . Mus musculus, p.
Molar teeth with tubercles arranged in 2 longitudinal series or if not tubercu-
late, prisms not arranged as alternating triangles. ......................
2
8
77
76
4
62
117
7
Rodentia
13
13’
14
14’
15
15’
16
16”
17
eA
18
18°
19
Oy
20
20°
21
216
22
a2
23
23°
Upper cheek-teeth specialized, their normal tuberculate pattern not apparent
at any time; molars prismatic and flat-crowned......... Neotoma cinerea, p.
Upper cheek-teeth not markedly specialized, the tuberculate pattern usually
apparent; molars usually not flat-crowned....... Peromyscus maniculatus, p.
Lower incisors usually lingual to molars, and terminating in horizontal ramus
mnposite Orin frontOtadalveGlusOnmMos: M Te AO ec ee es sous
Lower incisors passing from lingual to labial side of molars between bases of
roots of m2 and m3 and ascending behind molars in termination within or near
CONAMIANDIOCESS ewig nn ne sein cu sutese ng wre cen ee ors
Cheek-teeth longitudinally complex (many loops); inner and outer salient
angles approximately equal in size; m1 with 7 closed triangles between ter-
minal loops; supraorbital ridges strong but not fusing in interorbital region... .
Re 0 a RENE cae CCS = re at ae eee Dicrostonyx torquatus, p.
Cheek-teeth longitudinally simplified (few loops); inner salient angles of upper
molars and outer angles of lower molars smaller than those of the opposite
sides; m1 with 3 closed triangles between termination loops (or with 2 trans-
verse loops if closed triangles absent); supraorbital ridges fusing in adults,
TOnmMiin GimecdlansonbitaliGnestnun akin ere on ere tel tebe
Posterior palate not terminating as simple transverse shelf; upper incisors
strongly grooved; tooth-rows not, or less widely divergent posteriorly; soles
of feet almost hairless and ungual phalanges not noticeably lengthened;
glanasiiocatedionitlanks PR er - ae Nees CRE Synaptomys borealis, p.
Posterior palate terminating as simple transverse shelf; upper incisors not
grooved; tooth-rows widely divergent posteriorly; soles of feet almost con-
cealed by hairs and ungual phalanges noticeably lengthened; sebaceous
glandiiocatedionmumprm PE CE Sieee oe e cen er Lemmus sibiricus, p.
Gheekcteethtrootedtinradultse RETENU
External form modified for aquatic life in that tail is laterally compressed, and
swimming fringes on hind feet conspicuous; basal length of skull more than
SOIN MEME ES RUN EE te aon oat Soe ee Ondatra zibethicus, p.
External form not modified for aquatic life; basal length of skull less than
SO) TROT ce es SAM cd COMME MISE à ME ee a, SOL Ve en ae à
Posterior palate terminating as a simple transverse shelf; lower molars with
inner reentrant angles little if any deeper than outer reentrant angles ........
5 of tad rau PAR aso RRQ à dE Re Clethrionomys rutilus, p.
Posterior palate terminating with a median spinous process converted into a
sloping septum between posterolateral pits; lower molars with inner reentrant
angles deepersthamouten. 2. st. s TT eee Phenacomys intermedius, p.
Skull long and narrow, cheeks yellowish; tail less than 28 mm.............
à 6260 PNR petite ae eh Me tek RO Ao AP RCE Microtus miurus, p.
Skull not so long and narrow, cheeks not yellowish, tail more than 28 mm.
Tail averaging 1/3 or more of totallength......... Microtus longicaudus, p.
iailtaveragingilessithan' 1i/Sofitotallengths.......4 «ss .ced. oc loam oases
Cheeks reddish... 8. Weer a: «cent BOS Microtus xanthognathus, p.
M2 with 4 closed angular sections and a rounded posterior loop; postero-
lateral sebaceous glands absent.............. Microtus pennsylvanicus, p.
M2 with 4 closed angular sections and no posterior loop; posterolateral
sebaceous glands located onhips............... Microtus oeconomus, p.
83
79
15
17
114
16
11122
107
18
20
104
20
84
88
101
97
22
98
23
89
93
61
Accounts of Species and Subspecies
Family Sciuridae — Squirrels and allies
Eutamias minimus — Least chipmunk
Eutamias minimus borealis (J. À. Allen)
[Tamias asiaticus] var. borealis J. A. Allen, in Coues and Allen
1877:793; holotype from Fort Liard, District of Mackenzie, N.W.T.
Eutamias minimus borealis, A. H. Howell 1922:183;
Youngman 1968:74.
Eutamias caniceps Osgood, 1900:28, 1909b:77.
Eutamias minimus caniceps, A. H. Howell 1922:184, 1929:58;
Rand 1945a:37; R. M. Anderson, 1947:114; Baker 1951:100;
Cameron 1952:180; Hall and Kelson 1959:300.
Distribution
Southern half of the Yukon (Map 16).
Measurements
Average (and extreme) measurements of 9
specimens (4 males, 5 females) from Kluane
Lake are 207 (178-215); 91 (69-98); 33
(30-34). Average (and extreme) measure-
ments of 9 specimens ( 1 male, 8 females)
from 138 and 128 mi. N Watson Lake are
208 (191-232); 94 (80-112); 33 (31-36).
The male weighed 48.1 g and 6 nonparous
females averaged 54.1 (43.4-65.8) g. Aver-
age (and extreme) measurements of 10
specimens (6 males, 4 females) from the
south-central Yukon are 205 (194-216);
Map 16
Distribution of Eutamias minimus borealis
62
88 (81-94); 33 (32-35). For cranial mea-
surements see Table 11.
Remarks
Osgood (1900), in his description of Euta-
mias caniceps, thought that specimens from
the Yukon were greyer than £. m. borealis
and that the skull had a slightly more inflated
braincase and larger bullae. Howell (1929:
58) referred specimens from northern British
Columbia, the ‘‘Nahanni River Mountains”,
District of Mackenzie, N.W.T., and the
Yukon, to £. m. caniceps. Comparing these
specimens with specimens of £. m. borealis,
he listed the distinguishing characters as
“Similar to Eutamias minimus borealis, but,
head more grayish (less ochraceous); sides
slightly paler; upper parts averaging more .
grayish in general tone; tail much paler
beneath; hind foot larger.” A comparison
of cranial and hind-foot measurements of
specimens from the Yukon with measure-
ments of specimens from near the type
locality of £. m. borealis fails to show any
significant differences. There may be a
tendency toward greyness in chipmunks
from the Yukon but as most specimens in
collections are in the grey winter pelage, or
have only partially moulted into the brighter
new pelage, it is difficult to make a detailed
colour comparison. If a colour difference
exists it is very slight, and considering the
overall geographical variation within this
species, it is not significant at the subspecif-
ic level.
Records of occurrence
Specimens examined, 164: Bonnet Plume
Lake, 4; Dawson, 1 (UBC); Keele Lake, 5;
Macmillan River, 2 (NMNH); Sheldon
Mountain, Canol Road, Mi. 222, 1; Rink
Rapid, 4 (NMNH); 7 mi. NW Carmacks, 2;
5% mi. NW Carmacks, 1; Nordenskiold
River, 1 mi. NW Carmacks, 6; % mi. NW
Rodentia
Table 11
Cranial measurements of Eutamias minimus borealis
Number of Least Alveolar
specimens averaged inter- length of
or catalogue number, Greatest Zygomatic Cranial orbital Length of maxillary
and sex length breadth breadth breadth nasals tooth-row
Kluane Lake
173240 & 34.1 19.1 16.0 7.0 10.5 5.6
202280 © 33.6 18.0 6.9 9.8 5.5
20226 9 381 185 15.5 7/10) 9.9 55
South-central Yukon
Average 10 (5559) 32.7 18.59 14.69 6.8 10.02 55
Max. 33.6 191 15.8 VA 10.7 5.6
Min. 32 18.1 14.2 6.5 9.1 53
SD 0.47 0.36 0.48 0.20 0.46 0.11
SE 0.15 0.12 0.16 0.06 0.15 0.04
North of Watson Lake
Average 10 (1891?) 32.85 18.37 14.37 6.67 9.85 sy
Max. 33.9 18.7 14.6 6.8 10.3 5.6
Min. 31.8 tad 14.0 6.4 8.7 5.2
SD 0.68 0.40 0.21 0.17 0.62 0.19
SE 0.28 0.15 0.08 0.06 0.25 0.09
Carmacks, 2; % mi. NW Carmacks, 4; 138 mi.
N Watson Lake, 5 mi. E Little Hyland River,
9; Little Hyland River, 128 mi. N Watson
Lake, 1; Lapie Valley, Canol Road, Mi. 136,
1; Lapie River, Canol Road, Mi. 132, 10; Ida
Lake [ = McPherson Lake], 1 (AMNH);
Semenow Hills [= Semonof Hills], 1
(NMNH); Burwash Landing, 2; K/uane Lake,
6 (4 MCZ, 2 CU); Frances Lake, 1; Lake
Laberge, 14 (NMNH); W Sheep Mountain,
E Sheep Creek, near old Alaska Highway,
Mi. 1061, 1; head Kluane Lake, 4; E side
Kluane Lake, 4; (CU); S end Kluane Lake,
Alaska Highway, Mi. 1054, 9 (CU); Nisutlin
River, Canol Road, Mi. 40, 4; Mclntyre
Creek, 3 mi. NW Whitehorse, 2 (KU); 2 mi.
NNW Whitehorse, 1 (KU); W side Lewes
River [ = Wside Yukon River], 2 mi. S White-
horse, 1 (KU); 6% mi. SW Whitehorse, 2;
Haines Road Junction, 1; Squanga Lake,
1; 5 mi. W Teslin River, 16 mi. S and 53 mi.
E Whitehorse, 3 (KU); Alcan Highway
[ = Alaska Highway], Johnsons Crossing,
1 (MZ); Lake Marsh, 5 (NMNH); 7 mi NE
Tagish, 1; 2% mi. NE Tagish, 1; 5 mi.
W Tagish, 1; 70 mi. E Tagish, 1; Little Atlin
Lake, 8 mi. SSE Jakes Corner, 2; SW end
Dezadeash Lake, 15 (KU); North Toobally
Lake, 2; near Teslin Lake, 5; /ndian village,
near Teslin Lake, 1; Teslin Post, near Teslin
Lake, 4; Carcross, 2; Caribou Crossing
[ = Carcross], 4 (NMNH); 5 mi. SE Dalton
Post, 1; 7% mi. S and 3 mi. E Dalton Post, 5
(KU); Rancheria River, Mi. 708, [Alaska
Highway], 2 (ROM).
Additional records
Watson Lake, 1 July 1963 (seen, G. D.
Tessier, MS).
Accounts of Species and Subspecies
Marmota monax — \Noodchuck
Marmota monax ochracea Swarth
Marmota ochracea Swarth, 1911:203; holotype from
Fortymile Creek, Alaska.
Marmota monax ochracea, À. H. Howell 1915a:34; Rand 1945a:35;
R. M. Anderson 1947:106; Hall and Kelson 1959:323.
Distribution
Spotty distribution in southern half of the
Yukon (Map 17).
Measurements
There are no specimens with external mea-
surements available from the Yukon. For
cranial measurements see Table 12.
Remarks
Marmota monax ochracea is a _ weakly
defined subspecies, intergrading with, and
more closely resembling, M. m. canadensis
to the east rather than M. m. petrensis to the
south.
Cowan and Guiguet (1965) referred
specimens from near junction Liard and
Trout rivers, and from Lower Liard Crossing
(Mi. 213, Alaska Highway), B.C., to this
but |
subspecies, have examined these
: 1 « LA | diy
oh 07 re : Nr MP
Ops Rn NS SEE
aA. A Vo =: LO
ANSE
nl
REC Z
Map 17
Distribution of Marmota monax ochracea
64
specimens and refer them to M. m. petrensis.
Thus M. m. ochracea is confined to east-
central Alaska, southern Yukon Territory and
extreme northwestern British Columbia
(Atlin).
Only 4 woodchucks have been collected
in the Yukon, and there are few recorded
sightings. In the early 1960’s some wood-
chucks occupied a small cave in a rocky
cliff on the outskirts of Dawson and at
various times they have raided gardens in
the Dawson area.
Records of occurrence
Specimens examined, 4: Nisutlin River,
Canol Road, Mi. 40, 3; Thirtymile Mountain
[ =Thirtymile Range], near Teslin Lake, 1.
Additional records
Hunker Creek (Judd 1950:361); Dominion
Creek (seen by J. Langevin, G. D. Tessier,
MS, 30 June 1965); Ross Post (Rand
1945a:35); Takhanne River, 5 mi. ESE
Dalton Post, 17 May 1963 (seen, P.M.
Youngman, MS); Liard Crossing (reports,
G. D. Tessier, MS, 15 July 1965).
Rodentia
Table 12
Cranial measurements of two species of WMarmota
5 M
oO T Oo —
Fe) + = i z
Number of © a & “ ae = S. = 6
specimens averaged as es es £ à £ = 520 Vo =
or catalogue number, aS Ae ley aD ee © cc DO 808 ae
and sex O 2 a © a © 3% NS Gine eQissursc
Marmota caligata caligata
Chapman Lake region
29474 o 103.3 58.4 39.8 42.3 46.7 25.5 23.2
29473 9 94.4 52.7 357 39.7 61.4 42.6 23.5 22.0
Head of Coal Creek
135163 NMNH, © 100.3 57.4 37.6 42.5 62.0 44.4 23.8 23.1
135162 NMNH, © 93.5 54.3 34.0 41.6 63.4 44.7 2231 20.9
135161 NMNH, © 94.1 53.7 35.7 38.2 62.3 43.1 2377 21.9
Ruby Creek
34504 MCZ, 2 92.6 53.0 34.3 36.7 60.1 42.0 23.5 22.8
34507 MCZ, © 97.0 54.4 3722. 39.8 62.8 43.3 23.1 22.1
Keno Hill
35343 © 100.1 57.4 37.4 43.7 66.5 44.7 24.8 23:0
35342 9 100.8 57.8 38.0 44.2 67.1 45.4 24.3 23.9
31241 9 95.8 54.8 37.1 43.8 64.7 45.1 24.7 21.8
Teslin region
1942 ¢ 99.7 57.0 36.5 40.6 65.0 42.7 235 22.9
1946 © 95.8 54.6 36.0 41.3 24.2 23.1
1951 © 101.2 57.0 42.9 62.4 44.9 24.7 22.6
1926 © 96.2 54.6 36.9 40.2 61.9 41.3 22.8 22.4
1936 9 98.8 57.0 42.4 62.2 45.5 22.4 22.6
1941 9 93.2 53.0 34.8 39/7. 59.6 42.4 237 21.6
1948 9 94.3 52.8 35.8 40.9 60.6 44.9 23.0 21.0
Marmota monax ochracea
Thirtymile Mountains, near Teslin Lake
1924 9 68.0 40.6 23.7 25.9 44.8 33.1 15.9 18.3
Accounts of Species and Subspecies
Marmota caligata — Hoary marmot
Marmota caligata caligata (Eschscholtz)
Arctomys caligatus Eschscholtz, 1829; type locality, near
Bristol Bay, Alaska.
Marmotta [sic] caligata, J. A. Allen 1903:539.
Marmota caligata, Osgood 19096:55; Cameron 1952:180;
Youngman 1968:74.
Marmota caligata caligata, A. H. Howell 1915a:59 (part);
Rand 19456:45; (part); Hall and Kelson 1959:327 (part).
Marmota caligata oxytona, À. H. Howell 1915a:64 (part);
Rand 1945a:35; Rand 19456:45 (part); R. M. Anderson
1947:108 (part); Miller and Kellogg 1955:186 (part);
Hall and Kelson 1959:329 (part).
Distribution
Recorded as far north as the headwaters of
the Porcupine River, perhaps farther north in
the Mackenzie Mountains (Map 18).
Measurements
Two males and 2 females from the Ogilvie
Mountains (Chapman Lake region and Coal
Creek) measured respectively 740, 715,
655, 675; 230, 218, 182, 190; 102, 91/87,
95. A male and female from Keno Hill mea-
sured respectively 700, 750; 170, 180; 92,
97; 12, 15 Ib. For cranial measurements see
Table 12.
Map 18
Distribution of Marmota caligata caligata
66
Remarks
Specimens from the vicinity of Teslin Lake
and the Canol Road, Yukon Territory, have
been referred to as intermediates between
Marmota caligata caligata and M. c. oxytona
(holotype from head of Moose Pass, branch
of Smoky River, Alta.), with most authors
referring them to the latter subspecies.
In his revision of the North American
marmot, A. H. Howell (1915a) characterized
Marmota caligata oxytona as differing from
M. c. caligata in being blacker and in having
a larger and relatively narrower skull.
Howell’s own measurements (1915a) do
not confirm these and other supposed
cranial differences. The colour of specimens
from Teslin Lake, and the Canol Road, ~
Yukon Territory, and Jasper, Alta., differs
little from near topotypes of M. c. caligata
from Alaska. A number of study skins from
the Teslin Lake region, Yukon Territory,
from British Columbia, and from Fort Liard,
and Fort Good Hope, N.W.T., referred by
A. H. Howell (1915a) to M. c. oxytona, are
greasy and dirty and are therefore darkened
specimens.
Specimens from various localities in cen-
tral British Columbia such as the Sustut
Mountains (56°N/126°W) and Thutade
Lake (56°N/126°W) belong to a dark sub-
species (M. c. raceyi?), but specimens from
McDame Creek (59°N /129°W), Dease Lake
(58°N /130°W), and Cassiar (59°N /129°W),
in northern British Columbia, are referable
to M. c. caligata.
Porsild (1945:14) reported a possible
sight record of a hoary marmot from the
Richardson Mountains (“Black Mountain,
southwest of Aklavik’’); R. M. Anderson
(1947:107) and Rausch (1953:120) dis-
cussed the possibility that Warmota caligata
broweri [ = Marmota broweri, Rausch and
Rodentia
Rausch 1965] might be the form occurring
there. My own fieldwork in the Richardson
Mountains in 1962 and 1965, and that of
David A. Gill in 1968, produced no evidence
of the existence of marmots. Neither botanist
J. A. Calder, who collected in the Richard-
son Mountains in 1962, nor geologists
working in the same area in the same year,
saw any evidence of marmots (personal
communications).
Ognev (1947:261) and Ellerman and
Morrison-Scott (1951:513) thought that
Marmota caligata and M. camtschatica from
Kamchatka, eastern Siberia, might be con-
specific. Rausch (1953:117) supposed
Marmota caligata to be conspecific with
Marmota marmota, but later Rausch and
Rausch (1965:621) considered this concept
to be erroneous.
Rausch and Rausch (1965) considered
Marmota caligata to be a postglacial invader
of the northwest on ‘’zoogeographic evi-
dence and by the fact that certain parasites
are not shared with palaerctic species.”
To explain the present distribution of
Marmota caligata, Hoffman and Taber
(1967:162) offered alternative hypotheses
of either a Beringian origin or a southern
periglacial origin, but favoured the latter
theory. Their premise is that the present dis-
tributions of Marmota caligata and the
mountain goat, Oreamnos americanus, re-
sult from a common refugial origin. They
also cited the occurrence of an undated
Pleistocene specimen from Montana provi-
sionally referred to M. caligata, the present
absence of M. caligata from the Brooks
Range, Alaska, and the absence of vicariant
Or conspecific species in northeastern
Siberia, as other reasons for postulating a
southern periglacial origin. That there are no
Beringian subspecies of Marmota caligata
lends further weight to the theory of south-
ern origin.
Records of occurrence
Specimens examined, 59: head Coal Creek
64°47'/139°54’, 4 (NMNH); 14 mi. S
Chapman Lake, 3; 73 mi. S Chapman Lake,
1; 20 mi. S Chapman Lake, 5; Dempster
Highway, Mi. 57, 4 (AHRC); Keno Summit,
1; Klondike Keno [ = 1 mi. S Wernecke],
Keno Hill, 2; Ruby Creek, 63°46’ /139°16’,
6 (MCZ); Canol Road, Mi. 268, 1; Mount
Selous, North Macmillan River, 1; Mount
Sheldon, Canol Road, Mi. 222, 1; Ida Lake
[ = McPherson Lake], 60 mi. W Glacier
Lake, N.W.T., 6 (AMNH); 6 mi. S Lapie
Lakes, Canol Road, Mi. 105, 1; Rose River,
Canol Road, Mi. 95, 3; Slims River, 2;
Nusetlan River Mountains [ = Thirtymile
Range], near Teslin Lake, 5; Misetlin Moun-
tains [ = Thirtymile Range], near Teslin
Lake, 3; Mountains, 40 mi. NE of NW end
Teslin Lake [ = Thirtymile Range], 3; Wolf
Lake, near Teslin Lake, 60°38’ /131°40’, 2;
English Creek Mountains [ = Englishmans
Range], near Teslin Lake, 2; near Teslin
Lake, 1.
Localities not plotted
Yukon Territory, 2.
Additional records
Keele Lake, 10 and 16 August 1966 (sign
seen and whistling heard, W.H. Butler, MS).
Additional records not plotted
Mountains about headwaters Porcupine
River (Preble 1908:161).
Spermophilus parryi — Arctic ground squirrel
Spermophilus parryii parryii (Richardson)
Arctomys Parryii Richardson, in Parry 1825:316; type locality,
Five Hawser Bay, Lyon Inlet, Melville Peninsula, Hudson Bay.
Citellus (Colobotus) parryi kennicotti, Preble 1908:164.
Citellus parryii parryii, A. H. Howell 1938:95; Rand 1945b:46;
R. M. Anderson 1947:110.
Spermophilus undulatus kennicottii, Bee and Hall 1956:46.
Distribution
Known only from the northern Yukon, north
of the Porcupine River. Southern limit not
defined (Map 19).
Measurements
Average (and extreme) measurements of 5
females from the northern Yukon are 361
(325-390); 104 (93-120); 59 (55-64).
Three of these individuals weighed respec-
67
Accounts of Species and Subspecies
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Accounts of Species and Subspecies
tively 590.7 g, 321.4 g, 614.1 g. For cranial
measurements see Table 13.
Remarks
This subspecies differs from Spermophilus
parryii plesius in being larger externally and
cranially, and in having the spots of the
dorsal pelage correspondingly larger and
often fewer in number.
Bee and Hall (1956:46) applied the name
Spermophilus undulatus kennicottii (Ross)
to specimens from Fort Anderson, N.W.T.,
west as far as Point Hope, Alaska, since they
thought these specimens were lighter in
colour than specimens (S. parryii parryi/)
from the eastern Arctic. Bee and Hall
(1956) thought that the dark colour of
specimens from northeastern Alaska, north-
ern Yukon Territory, and northwestern
District of Mackenzie was due to their
having been salted in the field and restuffed
at the National Museum of Natural History,
Washington. However, specimens in the
National Museums of Canada from the
northern Yukon and western District of
Mackenzie that were prepared in the field
without the use of any preservatives average
Map 19
Distribution of Spermophilus parryii
1 S.p. parryii
2 S.p.plesius
70
as dark as specimens in similar pelage from
several localities in the eastern Arctic.
There is some geographical variation
within the subspecies Spermophilus parryii
parryii. There is an east-west cline in size,
both externally and cranially, with the
largest specimens in the eastern Arctic.
There is also an east-west cline in tail
colour. Specimens from the eastern Arctic
have darker tails dorsally.
Various authors (Rausch 1953; Hall and
Kelson 1959; Nadler and Youngman 1969)
have applied the name Spermophilus un-
dulatus to North American and eastern
Siberian arctic ground squirrels. However
Gromov et al. (1965) considered S. undula-
tus to be restricted to southern Siberia, the
Amur region, Mongolia, and northern and
northeastern China, whereas S. parryii
occupied northeastern Siberia, and parts of
arctic and subarctic North America. Also,
Vorontsov and Lyapunova (1969) have
shown major morphological and numerical
differences between the chromosomes of
Spermophilus undulatus from west of the
Lena River, U.S.S.R., and Spermophilus
parryii from east of the Lena and from arctic
and subarctic North America.
The cheek pouches of a specimen from
the northern Yukon (Firth River) contained
the following plants: Tofieldia pusilla
(Michx.) Pers. (entire inflorescences of
almost mature capsules, some with ripe seed
—about 90 per cent of the total cheek-
pouch contents), S//ene acaulis L. (almost
mature capsules with seed), Oxytropis sp.
(stems, leaves, and seeds), Pedicularis
lanata Cham. & Schlecht. (fragments of
capsules and seeds), Potentilla sp. (few
seeds), Luzula? parviflora (Ehrh.) Desv.
(few seeds), Hedysarum Mackenzii Richards
(one segment of legume), Carex spp.
(achenes of at least six species), and Dryas
sp. (a few achenes).
Records of occurrence
Specimens examined, 83: Firth River, [near
mouth], 1; Alaska—Yukon boundary, 69°20’,
10 (NMNH); A/aska-Yukon boundary,
69°10', 2; Joe River [ = Joe Creek], 17
(NMNH); 4 mi. WSW mouth Blow River, 7;
Firth River, 13 mi S mouth Joe Creek, 1;
Firth River, 15 mi. S mouth Joe Creek, 7;
British Mountains, 20 mi. SE mouth Joe
Creek, 5; Emmerman Creek, Firth River
[ = 68°46’ /140°45’], 1 (NMNH); “U”
[ = You] Creek, 90 mi. N Rampart House,
Rodentia
141 °W, 2 (1NMNH); A/aska—Yukon bound-
ary, Firth River, 5; Alaska—Yukon boundary,
80 mi N Porcupine River, 1 (NMNH); Old
Crow River, 50 mi. above Timber Creek, 3
(NMNH); O/d Crow River, 15 mi. below
Timber Creek, 1 (NMNH); O/d Crow River,
20 mi. above Black Fox Creek, 1 (NMNH);
Crow Base [ = 68°13’ /141°00’],1 (NMNH);
Old Crow River, Black Fox Creek, 2
(NMNH); O/d Crow River, 19 mi. N Old
Crow, 19 mi. N mouth Johnson Creek, 3;
Johnson Creek, 5 mi. from mouth, 1 mi.
NNE Old Crow, 3; Old Crow Mountains, 1;
Old Crow River, Shafer Mountain [ = Mount
Schaeffer], 1 (NMNH); O/d Crow, 1; mouth
Old Crow River, 1 (NMNH); Richardson
Mountains, 16 mi. NE Lapierre House, 1;
Richardson Mountains, 13 mi. NE Lapierre
House, 1; Rampart House, 4 (2 NMNH).
Spermophilus parryii plesius Osgood
Spermophilus empetra plesius Osgood, 1900:29; holotype from
Bennett City, head of Bennett Lake, B.C.
Spermophilus parryii plesius, Banfield 1961a:130.
Citellus plesius, Osgood 1909b:53.
Citellus plesius plesius, R. M. Anderson 1947:110.
Citellus parryi plesius, Rand 1945a:36, 19456:46; Baker 1951:98;
Cameron 1952:180.
Spermophilus undulatus plesius, Hall and Kelson 1959:343;
Youngman 1968:75.
Distribution
Approximately the southern three-quarters
of the Yukon. Northern limit not defined
(Map 19).
Measurements
Average (and extreme) measurements of 6
females from various localities in the Ogilvie
Mountains are 336 (327-360); 86 (78-97);
54 (52-58). Measurements of 4 males from
the same locality are respectively 359, 368,
364, 340; 104, 94, 111, 90; 58, 58, 59, 50.
For cranial measurements see Table 13.
Remarks
For comparison with Spermophilus parryii
parryii see account of that subspecies.
| have not seen any intergrades between
Spermophilus parryii plesius and S. p.
parryii, (although S. p. plesius intergrades
with S. p. ab/usus in Alaska the latter, in
turn, intergrading with S. p. parryii). | be-
lieve this suggests different refugial origins
for the two subspecies with limited, if any,
postglacial contact.
Nadler and Youngman (1969) showed
Spermophilus parryii plesius, S. p. parryii,
and S. p. ablusus to be characterized by
remarkably constant protein differences, and
postulated a southern refugial origin for S. p.
plesius.
On some sandy soils in the southern
Yukon, the mounds of arctic ground
squirrels have a profound effect on the
microrelief and plant succession (Figure 5).
Records of occurrence
Specimens examined, 264: head Coal Creek,
64°47'/139°54’, 15 (NMNH); 13 mi. S
Chapman Lake, 4; 20 mi. S Chapman Lake,
11; Ogilvie Mountains, 48 mi. NE Dawson,
2; Dempster Highway, Mi. 51, 3 (AHRC);
Coal Creek, 64°29'/140°26’ 2 (1 NMNH,
1 FMNH); % mi. NE Bonnet Plume Lake, 1;
Bonnet Plume Lake, 22; Keno Hill Summit,
2; Keele Lake, 5; Macmillan Pass, Canol
Road, Mi. 282, 2; Sheldon Mountain, Canol
Road, Mi. 222, 3; Donjek River, 1 (NMNH);
Rink Rapid, 1 (NMNH); 7antalus, 1;
Nordenskiold River, 1 mi. NW Carmacks, 1;
% mi. NW Carmacks, 1; Carmacks, 2; 3 mi.
WSW Carmacks, 1; Pelly Lake, 1 (NMNH);
Figure 5
Old mounds of Spermophilus parryii plesius, near
Tagish, 24 May 1963. Mounds were 6 to 10 in.
high, and 2 to 3 ft in diameter. In a little over an
acre, 150 were counted.
71
Accounts of Species and Subspecies
Pelly River, Lapie River, 6 (NMNH); Ross
River Post, Pelly Valley, 2; Lapie River,
Canol Road, Mi. 132, 20; 138 mi. N Watson
Lake, 5 mi. E Little Hyland River, 4; Ida
Lake [= McPherson Lake], 60 mi. W
Glacier Lake, N.W.T., 16 (AMNH); peak E
Lapie Lake, Canol Road, Mi. 105, 1; Rose
River, Canol Road, Mi. 95, 3; Wolverine
Creek, head Donjek River, 1 (NMNH);
Burwash Landing, 2 (1ROM); K/uane Lake,
1; Livingstone, 1 (FMNH); Frances Lake, 1;
Mount Wood, 1 (AMNH); Lake Laberge, 2
(NMNH); Kluane Lake, Alaska Highway, Mi.
1064, 4 (MCZ); head Kluane Lake, 3; S end
Kluane Lake, Alaska Highway, Mi. 1054, 12
(CU); Kluane, 1 (MCZ); 6 mi. SW Kluane,
1 (KU); Kluane Range, 25 mi. SSE Destruc-
tion Bay, 6; Alaska Highway, Mi. 980. 1;
Haeckel Hill, 8 mi. NW Whitehorse, 6;
Haeckel Hill, 3; McIntyre Creek, 3 mi. NW
Whitehorse, 1 (KU); 2 mi. NNW White-
horse, 1 (KU); 7 mi. NE Whitehorse, 1
(KU); % mi. W Whitehorse, 1 (KU); Fifty
Mile River [ = Yukon River], 1 (NMNH);
Lewes River [ = Yukon River], Whitehorse,
1; Louise Lake, 7% mi. W Whitehorse, 2;
Miles Canyon, 1 (NMNH); 6% mi. SW
Whitehorse, 1; Kathleen River, 3; Haines
Road Junction, 1; 30 mi. N Teslin Lake, 1;
mountains, 30 mi. NE Teslin Lake, 1; 30 mi.
NE Teslin Lake, 2; Surprise Lake, near
Teslin Lake, 3; 2 mi. W Teslin River, 16 mi.
S and 56 mi. E Whitehorse, 7 (KU); 37 mi.
ENE Tagish, 3; mountains, 40 mi. NE of N
end Teslin Lake, 1; near Whitehorse, Alaska
Highway, Mi. 879, 1; Lake Marsh, 6 (4
NMNH, 2 AMNH); mountains NE Teslin
Lake, 1; near Teslin Lake, 5; Nisutlin River,
near Teslin Lake, 2; SW end Dezadeash
Lake, 6 (KU); 5 mi. SE Dalton Post, 9;
Carcross, 2 (1 MVZ, 1 NMNH); Caribou
Crossing [ = Carcross], 4 (NMNH); 7 mi.
S Carcross, 2; Lake Bennett, Yukon River,
1 (NMNH); Atlin Trail, near Teslin Lake, 6;
1% mi. E Tatshenshini River, 1% mi. S and
3 mi. E Dalton Post, 3 (KU); Rancheria,
3 (AMNH); Alcan 88E Teslin [ = Alas-
ka Highway, 88 mi. E Teslin], Upper Ran-
cheria, 1.
Localities not plotted
Alaska Highway, 1.
Tamiasciurus hudsonicus — Red squirrel
Tamiasciurus hudsonicus preblei A. H. Howell
Tamiasciurus hudsonicus preblei A. H. Howell 1936a:133;
holotype from Fort Simpson, District of Mackenzie, N.W.T.;
Rand 1945b:49 (part); R. M. Anderson 1947:120 (part);
Baker 1951:98 (part).
Sciurus hudsonicus, Osgood 1900:26 (part), 1909b:54, 77.
Tamiasciurus hudsonicus columbiensis, Rand 1945a:38,
1945b:49 (part); R. M. Anderson 1947:118 (part); Baker
1951:97 (part); Hall and Kelson 1959:399 (part).
Tamiasciurus hudsonicus petulans, Rand 19456:49 (part);
Anderson 1947:119 (part); Baker 1951:97 (part);
Cameron 1952:181; Hall and Kelson 1959:402 (part);
Banfield 1961a4:130.
Tamiasciurus hudsonicus, Youngman 1968:75.
Distribution
All but the northern Coastal Plain (Map 20).
Measurements
Average (and extreme) measurements of 19
specimens (9 males, 10 females) from Old
Crow are 317 (270-338); 123 (92-140);
51 (48-54). Average (andextreme) weights
of 9 males are 231.5 (211.9-250.0) g. Av-
erage (and extreme) measurements of 7
specimens (1 male, 6 females) from the
southwestern Yukon (Klukshu, Dalton Post,
Kluane Lake, Kathleen River) are 324
72
(313-333); 127 (117-135); 49 (46-52).
Average (and extreme) measurements of 19
specimens (7 males, 12 females) from the
southeastern Yukon (North Toobally Lake,
128 mi. N Watson Lake, and 38 mi. NNW
Watson Lake) are 317 (272-350); 122
(105-135); 49 (43-54). For cranial mea-
surements see Table 14.
Remarks
Hall and Kelson (1959:399) expressed
doubt about the taxonomy of red squirrels
and generally followed the classification of
Rodentia
R. M. Anderson (1947). The present cursory
study of red squirrels in the northwest em-
phasizes that this hesitancy was not without
foundation. Part of the confusion has re-
sulted from an apparent lack of recognition
by many authors that red squirrels in this
region have an erythristic phase, the pro-
portions of which may vary at different
times (Preble 1908:169).
There is little doubt that the red squirrels
from the Yukon do not belong to the nomi-
nate subspecies. The oldest applicable
name, Jamiasciurus hudsonicus preblei
(A. H. Howell 1936a:133), was originally
applied to all red squirrels from the Yukon
except those from the southern part of the
Territory, which Howell (1936a:135) as-
signed to 7. h. columbiensis (type locality,
Raspberry Creek, about 30 miles SE of
Telegraph Creek, B.C. Howell (1936a)
described 7. h. columbiensis as differing
from 7. h. preblei in having a smaller skull;
shorter tail; upper parts in winter pelage
darker, more olive and less buffy; feet tawny,
rather than grey; tail darker; and upper parts
in summer pelage buffy brown or olive
brown, rather than tawny olive mixed with
fuscous.
Near topotypes of 7amiasciurus hudsoni-
cus columbiensis that | have examined do
not have a shorter tail or smaller skull than
T. h. preblei. | interpret the slightly darker
colour of these specimens as indicating
intergradation between 7. h. preblei and
T. h. petulans. Red squirrels from areas in
the Yukon that A. H. Howell (1936a:135)
assigned to 7. À. columbiensis do not differ
in external or cranial measurements, nor in
colour, from topotypes and near topotypes
of 7. h. preblei.
Specimens from the southwestern Yukon
assigned to 7. h. petulans by various authors
(on supposed geographical grounds) show
no relationship to that Dark Red (2.5YR 3/6)
subspecies. Some specimens in the erythris-
tic phase from the vicinity of Teslin Lake are
dark, perhaps indicating intergradation with
T. h. petulans, but these are old, somewhat
soiled specimens. More collecting is needed
in that region.
No more than 4 embryos have been
found in females from the Yukon although
One specimen was collected with 5 uterine
scars.
Records of occurrence
Specimens examined, 352: Old Crow, 18;
Porcupine River, 20 mi. NE Old Crow, 1;
11 mi. NE Lapierre House, 1; 70 mi. NE
Lapierre House, 1; Bell River, 10 mi. NE
Lapierre House, 3; Richardson Mountains,
73 mi. NE Lapierre House, 3; 4 mi. W
Lapierre House, 8; 3% mi. SW Lapierre
House, 1; Bell River, 7% mi. SW Lapierre
House, 1; 7 mi. SW Lapierre House, 6;
2% mi. SW Lapierre House, 2; Porcupine
River, mouth Berry Creek, 1; Rampart
House, 13; head Coal Creek, 64°47'/
139°54’, 1 (NMNH); Coal Creek, 64°29’ /
140°26’, 5 (4 CAS, 1 NMNH); Forty Mile,
17 (5 CAS, 2 NMNH, 10 MVZ); Bonnet
Plume Lake, 1; Benson Creek, 28 mi. ENE
Dawson, 15; Dempster Highway, Mi. 70,
3 (AHRC); Fort Reliance, 4 (NMNH); Keno
Hill Summit, 1; Klondike Keno [ = 1 mi. S
Wernecke], 5; 6% mi. N Mayo, 4; Sixtymile
Creek [ = Sixty Mile River], Yukon River, 1
(NMNH); Sixtymile Creek [ = Sixty Mile
River], 1 (NMNH); Stewart River settle-
ment, 3; Stewart River settlement region,
39; Russell Mountains [ = Russell Range],
near forks Macmillan River, 1 (NMNH);
forks Macmillan River, 4 (NMNH); mouth
White River, 2 (NMNH); south fork Mac-
Map 20
Distribution of 7amiasciurus hudsonicus preblei
73
Accounts of Species and Subspecies
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15
Accounts of Species and Subspecies
millan River, Canol Road, Mi. 249, 2; 72 mi.
above Sheldon Lake, 1; Sheldon Lake,
Canol Road, Mi. 222, 4; Macmillan River, 1
(NMNH); 20 mi. W Fort Selkirk, 1 (NMNH);
Pelly River, 100 mi. downstream from Ross
River, 1; Yukon Crossing, 6; 7 mi. S Yukon
Crossing, 2; Rink Rapid, 1 (NMNH); Wor-
denskiold River, 1 mi. NW Carmacks, 4;
Nordenskiold River, 2 (1 NMNH); Lewes
River [ = Yukon River], near Carmacks, 1;
% mi. NW Carmacks, 2; 12 mi. SSE Car-
macks, 1; Ross River, near Pelly River, 1;
Ross River area, 1; Lapie River, Canol Road,
Mi. 132, 11; Little Hyland River, 128 mi. N
Watson Lake, 3; Lapie Lake, Canol Road,
Mi. 105, 2; Rose River, Canol Road, Mi. 95,
3: Burwash Landing, 1; K/uane Lake, 1;
Frances River, 1 mi. S Frances Lake, 1;
Lake Laberge, 2 (NMNH); head Lake
Laberge, 4 (NMNH); Kluane Lake, Alaska
Highway, Mi. 1064, 4 (MCZ); head Kluane
Lake, 4; near Kluane, 5 (MCZ); 6 mi. SW
Kluane, 2 (KU); N side Slims River, 1;
Nisutlin River, Canol Road, Mi. 40, 4; 38 mi.
NNW Watson Lake, 3; Alaska Highway, Mi.
980, 1; Kathleen River, 6; McIntyre Creek,
3 mi. NW Whitehorse, 1 (KU); 4% mi. W
Whitehorse, 1; 4% mi W Whitehorse, 1;
Whitehorse, 1 (PAS); Lewes River [ = Yu-
kon River], 1 (NMNH); Louise Lake, 7% mi.
W Whitehorse, 2; W side Lewes River [ = W
side Yukon River], 2 mi. S Whitehorse, 1
(KU); Squanga Lake, 1; Lake Marsh, 2
(NMNH); 2 mv. E Tagish, 1; NE shore Little
Atlin Lake, 2 (KU); Little Atlin Lake, 8 mi.
SSE Jakes Corner, 2; Tagish Lake, 4
(NMNH); North Toobally Lake, 33; 2 mi.
NW Klukshu, 1; 5 mi. SE Dalton Post, 3;
7% mi S and 3 mi. E Dalton Post, 2 (KU);
Teslin Lake, 1; near Teslin Lake, 19; Settlin
River [ = Nisutlin River], near Teslin Lake,
7; New Settlin River [ = Nisutlin River],
near Teslin Lake, 3; 1 mi NE Carcross, 1;
7 mi. N Carcross, 1; Caribou Crossing [ =
Carcross], 2 (NMNH); 7 mi. S Carcross, 2;
Lake Bennett, 1 (NMNH).
Localities not plotted
Porcupine River, 1 (NMNH).
Glaucomys sabrinus — Northern flying squirrel
Glaucomys sabrinus sabrinus (Shaw)
Sciurus sabrinus Shaw, 1801:157, a renaming of Sciurus
hudsonius Gmelin 1788; type locality, mouth of Severn River, Ont.
[Glaucomys] sabrinus, A. H. Howell 19156:111.
Sciuropterus yukonensis, Osgood 1900:25.
Glaucomys sabrinus yukonensis, A. H. Howell 1918:41;
Rand 1945a:39, 19456:50; R. M. Anderson 1947:127;
Cameron 1952:181; Hall and Kelson 1959:411 (part).
Glaucomys sabrinus zaphaeus, Baker 1951:100; Hall and
Kelson 1959:411 (part).
Distribution
Wooded portions of the Yukon (Map 21).
Measurements
Average (and extreme) external measure-
ments of 5 specimens from several locations
in the southern Yukon are 325 (307-339);
144 (130-158); 42 (41-45). For cranial
measurements see Table 14.
Remarks
Cowan and Guiguet (1965:158) referred
specimens from northern British Columbia
to Glaucomys sabrinus alpinus (Richard-
son), but | have been unable to distinguish
between G. s. alpinus and G. s. sabrinus.
There is a slight cline in skull length from
Ontario to British Columbia and the Yukon,
76
but | can find no trenchant characters for
the recognition of G. s. a/pinus.
Sciuropterus yukonensis was named on
the basis of two specimens. It was described
as being larger than both G/aucomys sabri-
nus sabrinus and G. s. alpinus, and was said
to possess a long tail. The large external size
of the holotype published in the description
was probably obtained from measurements
of the study skin. A. H. Howell (1918:41)
listed large foot size and a larger skull as
additional characters separating G. s. yukon-
ensis from G. s. sabrinus. Measurements of
the dried feet of the holotype, topotype, and
near topotypes do not support foot size as a
decisive character. Thecranial measurements
of specimens from the Yukon are slightly,
but not significantly, larger than specimens
Rodentia
from Ontario. Thus the small number of
specimens available from the Yukon and
Alaska do not support the subspecific dis-
tinctness of these populations.
Records of occurrence
Specimens examined, 18: Camp Davidson
[ = 64°40'51"/140°54'31"], 2 (NMNH);
Coal Creek, near Forty Mile, 1 (MVZ); S side
Family Castoridae — Beavers
Castor canadensis — Beaver
Mayo Lake, 1; 6 mi. W mouth Stewart River,
1; 3 mi. W mouth Stewart River, 3; 2 mi. W
mouth Stewart River, 1; 5 mi. S mouth
Stewart River, 1; Fort Selkirk, 1; Lapie River,
Canol Road, Mi. 132 1; east arm Frances
Lake, 1; Kathleen River, Haines Road, 3;
Louise Lake, 7% mi. W Whitehorse, 1; 1%
mi. S and 3 mi. E Dalton Post, 1 (KU).
Castor canadensis canadensis Kuhl
Castor canadensis Kuhl, 1820:64; type locality, Hudson Bay.
Castor fiber canadensis, Youngman 1968:75.
Distribution
All of the Yukon (Map 22).
Measurements
A subadult male from 138 mi. N Watson
Lake and 5 mi. E Little Hyland River, and a
subadult female from mouth Waters River,
% mi. WSW Lapierre House, measured re-
spectively 920, 924; 260, 308; 160, 173;—,
31 lb. For cranial measurements see Table
15.
140° 135" 130° 125°
Map 21
Distribution of Glaucomys sabrinus sabrinus
Remarks
Freye (1960) considered Castor fiber and
Castor canadensis to be conspecific. How-
ever, Lavrov and Orlov (1973) showed
karyotypical and craniological differences
between the two species. Taylor (1916)
indicated that Castor canadensis belugae
probably occupied the area from central
mainland British Columbia “to the Alaskan
Mountains on the North”, thus inferring that
C. c. belugae occurred in the Yukon Terri-
Map 22
Distribution of Castor canadensis canadensis
714
Accounts of Species and Subspecies
Table 15
Cranial measurements of Castor canadensis canadensis
=
D
— fe cs.
= = £ 2 3 253
ns © ic Teh fe 5 © D > ER
LES ES os SE lcs Que a ae
Catalogue number, BD 93 28 20e 2 > ® 8 ® Es
and sex of specimens © © Ÿ 5 = 5 RES Zo Oe toe
Stewart River settlement
31754 1125 65.0 23.6 49.9 22.4
31756 105.4 86.3 59.6 2173 44.7 Aiket/ 28.1
138 mi. N Watson Lake and 5 mi. E Little Hyland River
31300 105.3 84.0 60.0 22.9 42.9 20.9 28.5
Little Atlin Lake, 8 mi. SSE Jakes Corner
31294 110.2 63.2 23.5 42.1 21.6
31295 © 86.4 232 43.8 22.9 28.5
Teslin Lake
1962 115.7 89.5 63.4 21.4 46.8 21.8 29.9
1957 107.9 57.6 21.0 42.2 22.0 Dei
Atlin Lake, 33 mi. SE Tagish
31297 © 110.4 89.8 61.9 48.4 22.5 29.0
31298 9 112.4 90.3 62:2 23 46.7 21.4 28.4
tory. Benson (1933) restricted the range of
C. c. belugae “from the Cook Inlet region of
Alaska south along the coast of southern
British Columbia” and stated, ‘the range of
Castor canadensis canadensis Kuhl probably
meets that of (C. c.) sagittatus in the Rocky
Mountains.”
In a range map, R. M. Anderson (1934:
4074) showed Castor canadensis belugae
inhabiting most of Yukon Territory, but later
(1947:133), he indicated that C. c. cana-
densis occurred in the northern Yukon and
that C. c. sagittatus probably occurred in
parts of the southeastern Yukon. Rand
(1945a, 19455) and Hall and Kelson (1959)
referred records from the Yukon to C. c.
belugae although apparently none of these
records were substantiated by specimens.
Benson (1933:324) was correct when he
said, “Among the described races of beaver
in western North America differences in
color and size between geographically ad-
jacent races are slight, although races far
78
distant from one another may differ greatly
with respect to these characters.” My as-
signment of beavers from the Yukon Terri-
tory to C. c. canadensis is somewhat arbi-
trary. Cranially, they are intermediate be-
tween the described subspecies, canadensis,
sagittatus, and belugae, but in my opinion
there is little justification for recognizing
many of the subspecies of beaver in North
America. The majority of characters that
have been used to describe them vary
greatly in individuals. The areas of inter-
gradation between the nominal subspecies
in northwestern North America are probably
larger than the actual ranges, if they exist.
Records of occurrence
Specimens examined, 37: mouth Waters
River, 2 mi. WSW Lapierre House, 1; Bon-
net Plume Lake, 1; 8 mi. N mouth Stewart
River, 1; Stewart River settlement, 3; mouth
Stewart River, 2; 4 mi. S Stewart River, 1;
8 mi. S mouth Stewart River, 1; 30 mi. up
Rodentia
from mouth Stewart River, 1; 28 mi. SW
Stewart River, 1; 35 mi. SW Stewart River,
1; Macmillan River, 1 (NMNH); 138 mi. N
Watson Lake, 5 mi E. Little Hyland River, 1;
mouth Ross River, 4 (NMNH); Champagne,
Dezadeash River, 1; Wolf Lake, near
Teslin Lake, 60°38’/131°40’, 1; Robinson,
1 (NMNH); Little Atlin Lake, 8 mi. SSE
Jakes Corner, 2; Atlin Lake, 33 mi. SE
Tagish, 5; Teslin Lake vicinity, 3; Shallow
River, near Teslin Lake, 3; Fat Creek, near
Teslin Lake, 1.
Family Muridae — Murids
Localities not plotted
Yukon Territory, 1.
Additional records
Summit Lake, 67°43’/136°29’, 15 August
1968 (seen, D. A. Gill, MS); Be// River, 70
mi. NE Lapierre House, 25 July 1964 (seen,
P. M. Youngman, MS); Keele Lake, August
1966 (seen, W. H. Butler, MS); Koidern
River (Banfield 1961a:131); pond W Tepee
Lake (Banfield, 1961a:131); North Toobally
Lake, 15 July 1961 (seen, P. M. Young-
man, MS); 1 mi. S Carcross, 1 September
1966 (sign seen, W. H. Butler, MS).
Peromyscus maniculatus — Deer mouse
Peromyscus maniculatus algidus Osgood
Peromyscus maniculatus algidus Osgood, 1909a:56; holotype
from head of Bennett Lake (site of Bennett City), B.C.;
Rand 19456:54 (part); R. M. Anderson 1947:136 (part);
Baker 1951:101 (part); Cameron 1952:181; Hall and Kelson
1959:613 (part); Banfield 1961a:130.
Peromyscus oreas, Osgood 1900:32 (part).
Peromyscus maniculatus arcticus, Osgood 1900:33 (part).
Distribution
Coast Mountains in the southwestern Yu-
kon (Map 23).
Measurements
Average (and extreme) measurements of 19
males and 22 females from the Carcross—
Marsh Lake region are 174 (163-191); 86
(73-100); 21 (18-23). Four males averaged
26.1 g and 6 nonparous females averaged
26.7 g.Forcranialmeasurementssee Table16.
Remarks
This subspecies differs from Peromyscus
maniculatus borealis by having a longer tail
(averaging over 85 mm in series exam-
ined). Osgood (1909a:56) described P. m.
algidus as being a weakly defined subspe-
cies differing from P. m. arcticus ( = P. m.
borealis) by its longer tail, less dusky color-
ation, larger skull, and larger teeth, My anal-
ysis of external measurements confirms the
longer tail of P. m. algidus, but | have not
been able to confirm the colour difference,
nor the size difference in skull and teeth
(Table 16). None of the specimens from
the Yukon have as long tails as do speci-
mens from the type locality at Bennett, B.C.,
and they are considered to be intergrades
with P. m. borealis.
= 40
se
>
Map 23
Distribution of Peromyscus maniculatus
1 P. m.algidus
2 P.m. borealis
79
Accounts of Species and Subspecies
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81
Accounts of Species and Subspecies
Records of occurrence
Specimens examined, 178: Lake Laberge,
14 (NMNH); Fifty Mile River [ = Yukon
River], near Lake Laberge, 1 (NMNH);
Haeckel Hill, 6; McIntyre Creek, 3 mi. NW
Whitehorse, 6 (KU); 2 mi. NNW Whitehorse,
2 (KU); Fifty Mile River [ = Yukon River], 3
(NMNH); Lewes River [ = Yukon River], 1
(NMNH); Whitehorse Rapids, 5 (NMNHI);
W side Lewes River [=W side Yukon
River], 2 mi. S Whitehorse, 16 (KU); Alaska
Highway, Mi. 1035, 6; Pine Creek, Alaska
Highway, Mi. 1079, 1 (MCZ); Experimental
Farm, Alaska Highway, Mi. 1019, 1; Kath-
leen River, 10; 3 mi. S Champagne, Deza-
deash River, 1; Dezadeash Lake, 2; SW end
Dezadeash Lake, 25 (KU); Lake Marsh, 9
(NMNH); J7agish, 1; 2 mi. E Tagish, 1;
Tagish River, 13 mi. SW Alaska Highway,
Mi. 866, 1; Chooutla Lake, 4 mi. ENE Car-
cross, 2; 7 mi. N Carcross, 10; Carcross, 11;
Caribou Crossing [ = Carcross], 2 (NMNH);
Tagish Lake, 4 (NMNH); 1 mi. S Carcross,
16; 7% mi. S Carcross, 6; 1% mi. S and 3 mi.
E Dalton Post, 15 (KU).
Peromyscus maniculatus borealis Mearns
Hesperomys leucopus arcticus Mearns, 1890:285; holotype from
Fort Simpson, District of Mackenzie, N.W.T. Not Hesperomys
arcticus Coues, 1877 [=Hesperomys maniculatus Wagner].
Type locality, Labrador.
Peromyscus maniculatus borealis, Mearns 1911:102, a renaming
of arcticus Mearns; Rand 1945a:40, 1945b:54 (part);
R. M. Anderson 1947:138 (part); Baker 1951:101 (part);
Hall and Kelson 1959:619 (part); Youngman 1964:2, 1968:76.
Peromyscus oreas, Osgood 1900:32 (part).
Peromyscus maniculatus arcticus, Osgood 1900:33 (part),
1909a:49 (part), 1909b:77.
Peromyscus maniculus algidus, Osgood 1909a:56 (part).
Distribution
Dawson and Mayo south in all but the
south-central portion of the Yukon (Map
23):
Measurements
Average (and extreme) measurements of 11
males and 10 females from Little Atlin Lake
are 164 (150-182); 72 (63-85); 21 (17—
24). Eleven males averaged 22.7 (20.2-
25.5) g. For cranial measurements see
Table 16.
Remarks
For comparison with Peromyscus manicu-
latus algidus see account of that subspecies.
Despite the comparatively large number
of specimens of Peromyscus maniculatus in
collections from the Northwest Territories,
the Yukon, and British Columbia, only a
small fraction of these have adequate tail
measurements; thus the distribution of sub-
species presented here is tentative and needs
further clarification.
Records of occurrence
Specimens examined, 345: Dawson, 3 (1
UBC); 74 mi. E Dawson, 7; 16 mi. E Daw-
son, 2; junction Klondike and North Klon-
82
dike rivers, 1; 4% mi. N Mayo, 3; 2 mi. NNE
Mayo, 3; Pelly River, mouth Macmillan
River, 1 (NMNH); Yukon Crossing, 2; Rink
Rapid, 2 (NMNH); Nordenskiold River, 1
mi. NW Carmacks, 5; % mi. NW Carmacks,
1; % mi. NW Carmacks, 5; Lapie River,
Canol Road, Mi. 132, 17; Donjek River,
Kluane Park, 1 (ROM); 5 mi. N Burwash
Landing, 2; Kluane Lake, Gladstone Creek,
1 (CU); Kluane Lake, 58 (54 CU); Frances
Lake, 8 (1 NMNH); Cultus Bay, Kluane
Lake, 13 (CU); Sheep Mountain, Alcan
Highway [ = Alaska Highway], Mi. 1067,
1; W Sheep Mountain, E Sheep Creek, near
Old Alaska Highway, Mi. 1061, 7; Christmas
Bay, Kluane Lake, 1 (CU); Kluane Lake,
Alaska Highway, Mi. 1064, 4 (MCZ); head
Kluane Lake, 2; Silver City [ = Kluane],
Kluane Lake, 13 (CU); S end Kluane Lake,
Alaska Highway, Mi. 1054, 47 (CU); delta
Silver Creek, 1 (CU); Kluane Lake, Alaska
Highway, Mi. 1053, 3 (CU); 6 mi. SW
Kluane, 10 (KU); Christmas Creek, Alaska
Highway, 1 (CU); Kluane Lake, island near
mouth Slims River, 12 (CU); Nisutlin River,
Canol Road, Mi. 40, 13; 38 mi. NNW Wat-
son Lake, 4; 2 mi. W Teslin River, 16 mi. S
and 56 mi. E Whitehorse, 8 (KU); W side
Teslin River, 16 mi. S and 58 mi. E White-
Rodentia
horse, 24 (KU); E side Teslin River, 16 mi.
S and 59 mi. E Whitehorse, 7 (KU); North
Toobally Lake, 1; 12 mi. E Tagish, 1; NE
shore Little Atlin Lake, 2 (KU); Little Atlin
Lake, 6 mi. SSE Jakes Corner, 1; Little Atlin
Lake, 8 mi. SSE Jakes Corner, 21; near
Teslin Lake, 9; /ndian village, near Teslin
Lake, 5; Teslin Post, near Teslin Lake, 11;
Alaska Highway, 313 mi. N Nelson, B.C.
[near lrons Creek], 1.
Neotoma cinerea — Bushy-tailed wood rat
Neotoma cinerea occidentalis (Baird)
Neotoma occidentalis Baird, 1855:331—33; holotype from
Shoalwater [=Willapa] Bay, Pacific County, Wash.
Neotoma cinerea occidentalis, Osgood 1900:33.
Neotoma cinerea saxamans, Rand 1945a:40, 19456:54;
R. M. Anderson 1947:143; Hall and Kelson 1959:705.
Distribution
The southern half of the Yukon (Map 24).
Measurements
A male from Lapie River, Canol Road, mea-
sured 407; 170; 46. Cranial measurements
of the Lapie River specimen and a male
from Wolf Lake, near Teslin Lake, are re-
spectively: basilar length, 46.7, 47.9; zygo-
matic breadth, 27.4, 28.6; interorbital breadth,
5.6, 4.9; nasal length, 20.6, 22.1; length of
incisive foramen, 13.1, 13.1; length of pala-
tal bridge, 9.1, 9.9; alveolar length of maxil-
lary tooth-row, 10.8, 10.8.
Remarks
The wood-rat habitat described by Rand
(1945a:40) as “Rocky outcrops in the rather
barren hillside” characterizes all of the areas
occupied by wood rats that | have seen. The
nests are made of twigs.
| agree with Cowan and Guiguet (1965:
195) that Neotoma cinerea saxamans is an
invalid subspecies. Veotoma c. occidentalis
is a dusky subspecies, especially in coastal
British Columbia. It intergrades with /V. c.
drummondi in northern British Columbia
and perhaps in the eastern Yukon.
Records of occurrence
Specimens examined, 9: Keele Peak, Sel-
wyn Range, 275 mi. NNE Whitehorse, 1
(MZ); Lapie River, Canol Road, Mi. 132, 2;
N Cultus Bay, Kluane Lake, 1 (CU); Wolf
Lake, near Teslin Lake, 60°38’/131°40’, 1;
Liard Divide, near Teslin Lake, 1; near Teslin
Lake, 1; 7es/in Post, near Teslin Lake, 1;
Morley River, near Teslin Lake, 1.
Additional records
Little Atlin Lake, 6 mi. SSE Jakes Corner,
25 May 1963 (sign, P. M. Youngman, MS).
Map 24
Distribution of Neotoma cinerea occidentalis
83
Accounts of Species and Subspecies
Clethrionomys rutilus — Red-backed vole
Clethrionomys rutilus dawsoni (Merriam)
Evotomys dawsoni Merriam, 1888:650; holotype from
Finlayson River, 3,000 ft, (61°30’/129°30’), Yukon Territory;
Osgood 1900:34; Preble 1908:181; Osgood 19096:55.
Clethrionomys rutilus dawsoni, Rausch 1950:134; Baker
1951:103; Manning 1957:1; Banfield 1961a:131;
Youngman 1968:77.
Evotomys rutilus, Coues and Allen 1877:136.
Clethrionomys dawsoni dawsoni, Orr 1945:70;
R. M. Anderson 1947:154; Cameron 1952:182.
Table 17
Cranial measurements of C/ethrionomys rutilus dawsoni
=
FE Ba
5 £ g o oO n < Ss =
_© © a D = = & = ©
Number of Se FS BE SE 2p EE Ee
specimens averaged, co > & e358 a9 5% 2 De QES
and sex Oo NS SR, PS A © a is tse
Lapierre House Region
Average 14 (907, 5 9) 24.1 182 3.9 14.5 8.9 7.4 7.5 5.1
Max. 25.9 13.6 4.0 11.9 9.1 WT 7.9 5.6
Min 23.3 12.6 37] let 8.7 6.9 7.0 4.8
SD 0.66 0.33 0.10 0.27 0.14 0.23 0.28 0.21
SE 0.17 0.09 0.03 0.07 0.04 0.06 0.07 0.06
Old Crow Region
Average 26 (165,109) 24.3 13 426 > 32925 11.6 8.923 75 Wei ES
Max. 25.0 1422) 4.1 12.2 9.2 8.0 8.3 55
Min. 23.2 1125 3.6 122 8.5 7.0 7.0 4.7
SD 0.43 0.51 0.13 0.25 0.22 0.21 0.34 0.21
SE 0.08 0.10 0.02 0.05 0.04 0.04 0.07 0.04
Rampart House
Average 13 (8,2 9,3?) 23.7 13.3 4.0 11.3 8.6 72 725 brs
Max. 24.7 13.9 4.1 11.6 9.0 Well 9.3 57
Min. 22.9 1237 3.9 10.9 8.4 6.7 7.1 5.0
SD 0.48 0.32 0.06 0.20 0.24 0.30 0.35 0.23
SE 0.13 0.09 0.02 0.05 0.07 0.08 0.10 0.06
Hungry Lake
Average 7 (4,39) 25.1 13.9 4.0 12.0 9.1 Voll 7.8 5.2
Max. 255 14.4 4.1 1223 9.3 8.0 8.3 545)
Min. 25.0 13.6 3.9 er 8.7 725 Uo? 5.0
SD 0.19 0.31 0.07 0.23 0.21 0.16 0.36 0.18
SE 0.17 0.12 0.03 0.86 0.08 0.06 0.14 0.07
84
Rodentia
Distribution
The entire Yukon (Map 25)
Measurements
Average (and extreme) measurements and
some weights of adults from various locali-
ties are listed below. Lapierre House (14
specimens), 135 (128-144); 33 (29-39);
19 (16-21). Old Crow region (22 speci-
mens), 138 (127-149); 35 (29-39); 19
(16-21); 28.8 (22.1-35.0) g (13 males).
Rampart House (13 specimens), 126 (118-
135); 29 (27-30); 20 (18-20). Hungry
Lake (6 specimens), 144 (136-149); 32
(25-36); 20 (19-21). Dawson—Chapman
Lake region (20 specimens), 147 (131-—
166); 36 (31-44); 19 (17-21). Stewart
River (8 specimens), 137 (131-140); 32
(30-34); 18 (17-20). Carmacks region (6
specimens), 145 (136-159); 35 (28-40);
19 (18-20). Southeastern Yukon (50 speci-
mens), 136 (125-151); 33 (27-43); 19
(17-22); 25.3 (23.5-27.4) g (10 males).
For cranial measurements see Table 17.
Remarks
| consider this Holarctic species to be con-
specific with C/ethrionomys gapperi. James
Bee (Bee and Hall 1956:117) also suggested
that the two are conspecific.
The red-backed vole is, for the most part,
constant in size and colour throughout the
Yukon, but the specimens from Rampart
House are small in external and cranial
measurements, and in the latter measure-
ments, resemble C/ethrionomys rutilus platy-
cephalus Manning (8 mi. S Tuktoyaktuk,
N.W.T.). However, the restricted geograph-
= =
oO [e)]
F2 ze c>
2 É RUE © ses
£& = = Ach fe = o ais =
Number of = ES PE: os £ 3 2g = 3 a oe
specimens averaged, cD o © 85% 89 0 © 8 crc SES
and sex GS NS SE cine as a SS aoe
Bonnet Plume Lake
Average 5 (2 5,39) 24.3 13:37 4.0 11.8 9.0 UV 7.6 5.3
Max. 25:2 13:9 4.2 12.2 9.3 15 7.8 bid
Min. 2357 12.8 3.9 als} 8.7 6.9 VP 5.2
SD 0.58 0.53 0.13 0.33 0.22 0.23 0.25 0.13
SE 0.26 0.26 0.06 0.15 0.10 0.10 0.11 0.06
Dawson—Chapman Lake region
Average 24 (9 9,159) 24.8 13.9 3.9 11.8 8.9 7.6 8.1 52
Max. 25.8 14.4 4.2 12.4 9.6 8.4 8.6 5.5
Min. 24.1 Ses 37 le Tell U2 7122 4.6
SD 0.53 0.35 0.12 0.34 0.48 0.26 0.36 0.22
SE 0.11 0.07 0.02 0.07 0.10 0.05 0.07 0.05
Mayo region (Keno Hill; Mayo)
Average 9 (3 &,6 ©) 24.4 13.6 3.9 11.6 8.9 nS Yall 52
Max. 24.7 14.0 4.1 1222 9.4 79 8.1 5.6
Min. 24.0 13.3 87 ‘el 8.6 723 7.5 4.5
SD 0.26 0.28 0.13 0.34 0.22 0.18 0.23 0.35
SE 0.09 0.09 0.04 0.11 0.07 0.06 0.08 0.12
Southeastern Yukon (N Watson Lake, Canol Road; N Toobally Lake)
Average 57 (33 o%,24°) 24.054 13 6081956 11.685 9.154 7.456 7.755 bil
Max. 25.1 14.3 4.1 12A 9.5 7.8 8.3 5.6
Min. 232 12.8 3.6 11140) 8.7 6.9 7/40) 4.8
SD 0.42 0.31 0.11 0.23 0.19 0.22 0.30 G}117/
SE 0.06 0.04 0.01 0.03 0.25 0.03 0.04 0.02
85
Accounts of Species and Subspecies
ical origin of this one series, and the fact
that all specimens were collected in the
spring of 1951, point to the probability that
this sample owes its small size either to
having been born in late fall or winter (Bee
and Hall 1956:115), or to phase polymor-
phism in the microtine cycle (p. 111).
Manning's (1957) revision of C/ethrio-
nomys rutilus in Canada raised some inter-
esting questions. He described a subspecies,
C. r. platycephalus, from near Tuktoyaktuk,
N.W.T., that he thought resembled speci-
mens of C. rutilus jochelsoni from eastern
Siberia more closely than it resembled nearby
Canadian subspecies. To explain the origin
of this subspecies he postulated accidental
introduction from Siberia by whaling vessels,
but he thought it was more probable that
C. r. platycephalus was a remnant of a pre-
glacial or interglacial population that sur-
vived glaciation in a nearby refugium. Isola-
tion by glacial tongues and by the changing
shoreline of the unglaciated shelf portion of
the Beringian refugium could account for
this variation. An alternative to Manning's
theories is that this population sample may
represent a morphological stage in the mi-
crotine cycle since most of the hypodigm
Map 25
Distribution of Clethrionomys rutilus dawsoni
86
for the subspecies is composed of speci-
mens collected only during 1951 and 1952.
Manning (1957) made little comment on
the possible orgin of C/ethrionomys rutilus
washburni (type locality, Perry River,
N.W.T.). Its unique distribution, surrounded
by C. r. dawsoni, suggests that it may have
been isolated by encroaching boreal forest
during the Hypsithermal period.
Bolshakov and Schwartz (1962), who
were not aware of Manning’s revision
(1957), attempted a minor revision of Cle-
thrionomys rutilus in North America. They
were impressed by the resemblance of speci-
mens of C. r. washburni to specimens of
Clethrionomys rutilus from Yamal, Siberia,
and they attributed this resemblance to con-
vergent evolution.
The series of 7 specimens from Hungry
Lake are large cranially, approaching Cle-
thrionomys rutilus washburni in many mea-
surements. However, | think that this small
collection also reflects the stage of the cycle
of the population.
Red-backed voles have been collected
up to 6,000 ft in all habitats, from dry arctic
tundra to a floating bog, and thus have the
widest range of any species in the Yukon.
They reach their greatest density in dwarf
willow, alder, and dwarf birch, or in over-
grown talus.
The greatest number of pregnant females
were taken in July and August. Forty-seven
pregnant females averaged 5.4 embryos.
A red-backed vole collected at Porcupine
River, 16 mi. W Old Crow had its mouth full
of seeds of northern flax (Linum Lewisii
Pursh). Flax-seeds are especially rich in oil.
Records of occurrence
Specimens examined, 1,079: 4 mi. WSW
mouth Blow River, 3; Firth River, 13 mi. S
mouth Joe Creek, 7; Firth River, 15 mi. S
mouth Joe Creek, 11; British Mountains, 20
mi. SE mouth Joe Creek, 1; Old Crow River,
at Timber Creek, 4 (NMNH); O/d Crow
River, at Black Fox Creek, 1 (NMNH); 19
mi. N Old Crow, 1 mi. N mouth Johnson
Creek, 14; Old Crow River, 19 mi. N Old
Crow, 7 mi. N mouth Johnson Creek, 1;
Old Crow River, Johnson Creek, 67°50’ /
739°46",2 (NMNH); O/d Crow River, 50 mi.
below Black Fox Creek, 1 (NMNH); Old
Crow River, 18 mi. above mouth, 1 (NMNH);
3 mi. NW Old Crow, 8; Old Crow, 67 (7
AHRC); Summit Lake, 67°43’ /136°29’, 19;
77 mi. NE Lapierre House, 3; Richardson
Rodentia
Mountains, 13 mi. NE Lapierre House, 1;
Bell River, 10 mi. NE Lapierre House, 3;
Driftwood Creek [ = Driftwood River], 60
mi. NE Old Crow, 1 (AHRC); Porcupine
River, mouth Berry Creek, 17; Porcupine
River 16 mi. SW Old Crow, 13; 4 mi. S
mouth Berry Creek, 5; Rampart House, 19
(1 NMNH); Lapierre House, 7 (1 MCZ);
4 mi. W Lapierre House, 6; Bell River, 7 mi.
SW Lapierre House, 7; 1 mi. SW Lapierre
House, 32; Bell River, 2 mi. SW Lapierre
House, 5; 2% mi. SW Lapierre House, 15;
Hungry Lake, 65°39'45"/135°59", 24; head
Coal Creek, 64°47'/139°54’, 2 (NMNH);
13 mi. S Chapman Lake, 9; 78 mi. S Chap-
man Lake, 1; 20 mi. S Chapman Lake, 34;
North Fork Crossing, Mi. 42, Aklavik Road
[= North Fork Crossing, Dempster High-
way, Mi. 42], Ogilvie Mountains, 7; Forty
Mile, Yukon River, 3 (MVZ); Swede Dome,
34 mi. W Dawson, 1; % mi. NE Bonnet Plume
Lake, 1; Bonnet Plume Lake, 66; 32 mi.
ENE Dawson, 1 mi. S Pea Soup Creek, 2;
Benson Creek, 28 mi. ENE Dawson, 36; 14
mi. E Dawson City, 5; junction Klondike
and North Klondike rivers, 1; Yukon River,
Chandindu River, 3 (NMNH); Chandindu
River, 5 (NMNH); Dempster Highway, Mi.
70, 1 (AHRC); Dawson, 24 (7 NMNH, 1
UBC); 3 mi. NNE Dawson, 11; Dempster
Highway, Mi. 48 1 (AHRC); Klondike
River, 5 mi. E Dawson, 1; 16 mi. E Dawson,
1; Keno Hill Summit, 6; K/ondike Keno
[=7 mi. S Wernecke], 79: 6 mi. N Mayo,
1; 4% mi. N Mayo, 12; Gravel Lake, 58 mi.
E Dawson City, 1; 2 mi. NNE Mayo, 2;
mouth Sixty Mile Creek [ = mouth Sixty
Mile River], 2 (NMNH); Keele Lake, 73;
Stewart River settlement, 38; Russell Moun-
tains [ = Russell Range], near forks Mac-
millan River, 5 (NMNH); Macmillan Pass,
Canol Road, Mi. 282, 1; Macmillan River,
Canol Road, Mi. 249, 3; Sheldon Lake,
Canol Road, Mi. 222, 19; Macmillan River,
2 (NMNH); Selwyn River, 3 (NMNH); Fort
Selkirk, 4 (NMNH); Ross Lake [ = Lewis
Lake], Ross River, 3 (NMNH); Donjek
River, 1 (ROM); Snag Creek, 20 mi. NE
Alaska Highway, Mi. 1188, 1; Yukon Cross-
ing, 10; Rink Rapid, 14 (NMNH); 7 mi.
NNW Carmacks, 3; 5% mi. NW Carmacks,
4; 3% mi. NW Carmacks, 5; Nordenskiold
River, 1 mi. NW Carmacks, 19; % mi. NW
Carmacks, 6; % mi. NW Carmacks, 2; 11 mi.
WSW Carmacks, 18; 138 mi. N Watson Lake,
5 mi. E Little Hyland River, 3; Little Hyland
River, 128 mi. N Watson Lake, 19; Lapie
River, Canol Road, Mi. 132, 20; junction
Grafe and Edith creeks, 2 (KU); 7epee Lake,
1 (ROM); Lapie Lake, Canol Road, Mi. 105,
3; Rose River, Canol Road, Mi. 95, 4; Fin-
layson River, 1; Frances Lake, 1; Burwash
Landing, Mi. 1093, 3 (MCZ); Burwash
Landing, 1; Gladstone Bay, Kluane Lake, 4
(CU); Kluane Lake, 9 (CU); Cultus Bay,
Kluane Lake, 16 (CU); Lake Laberge, 2
(NMNH); W side Sheep Mountain, near
Kluane Lake, 1 (CU); Kluane Lake, Mi.
1064, 2 (MCZ); Kluane, 1; head Kluane
Lake, 1; Alaska Highway, Mi. 1054, S end
Kluane Lake, 5 (4 CU); 6 mi. SW Kluane,
4 (KU); £ side Kluane Lake, 9 (CU); Kluane
Lake, Alaska Highway, Mi. 1055.5, 1 (CU);
Christmas Creek, Alaska Highway, Mi. 1048,
2 (CU); Quiet Lake, camp 62, 1 (MVZ);
Nisutlin River, Canol Road, Mi. 40, 7; 38 mi.
NNW Watson Lake, 6; Alaska Highway, Mi.
1035, 2; Pine Creek, Alaska Highway, Mi.
1019 2 (MCZ); Kathleen River, 4; Haines
Road Junction, 1; Haeckel Hill, 8 mi. NW
Whitehorse, 1; Haecke/ Hill, 4; Fifty Mile
River [ = Yukon River], 2 (NMNH); 2 mr.
NNW Whitehorse, 1 (KU); W side Lewes
River [= W side Yukon River], 2 mi. S
Whitehorse, 6 (KU); Whitehorse Rapids, 1
(NMNH); Lewes River [ = Yukon River,
between Marsh Lake and Lake Laberge], 2
(NMNH); Canol Road, Mi. 11, 1; Johnson
Crossing, Alcan Highway [ = Johnson Cross-
ing, Alaska Highway], 1 (MZ); 37 mi. ENE
Tagish, 1; Camp 9-W [ = Canol Road, Mi.
9], 2 (MVZ); SW end Dezadeash Lake, 34
(KU); North Toobally Lake, 13; Little Atlin
Lake, 8 mi. SSE Jakes Corner, 1; Little
Atlin Lake, 17 mi. E Tagish, 13 mi. S Jakes
Corner, 2; Teslin Lake, 1; Tes/in Post, near
Teslin Lake, 3; 1 mi. N Carcross, 4; Carcross,
2; 1 mi. S Carcross, 6; 5 mi. SE Dalton Post,
1; 6 mi. SE Dalton Post, 1; Liard Valley,
Alaska Highway, Mi. 313, N Nelson, B.C.
[near lrons Creek], 1.
87
Accounts of Species and Subspecies
Phenacomys intermedius — Heather vole
Phenacomys intermedius mackenzii Preble
Phenacomys mackenzii Preble, 1902:182; holotype from
Fort Smith, Slave River, District of Mackenzie, N.W.T.
Phenacomys intermedius mackenzii, Crowe 1943:403; Rand
1945a:41; Baker 1951:104; Hall and Cockrum 1953:398;
Hall and Kelson 1959:720.
Phenacomys ungava mackenzii, R. M. Anderson 1947:151.
Distribution
Known only from the southern part of the
Yukon (Map 26).
Measurements
Two males from Lapie River, Canol Road,
Mi. 132, measured respectively 135, 137;
28, 30; 18, 19. A female from Haeckel Hill,
8 mi. NW Whitehorse, measured 129; 30;
19; and weighed 26.9 g. Cranial measure-
ments of 2 males from Lapie River, Canol
Road, Mi. 132, and a female from Haeckel
Hill, 8 mi. NW Whitehorse, are respectively:
condylobasal length, 25.2, 25.0, 24.6; length
of nasals, 7.8, 7.7, 7.5; zygomatic breath,
13.2, 13.9, 13.9; least interorbital breadth,
3.0, 3.0, 3.2; lambdoidal breadth, 11.0, 11.6,
11.3; incisive foramen, 4.4, 4.5, 4.3; alveolar
length of maxillary tooth-row, 6.1, 6.0, 5.9.
Map 26
Distribution of Phenacomys intermedius mackenzii
88
Remarks
Adult specimens from the Yukon closely re-
semble specimens from Fort Smith, District
of Mackenzie, on which the name mackenzii
was based.
Rand (1945a) reported two specimens
from Lapie River, Canol Road, Mi. 132, and
one from Lapie Lakes, but there are no speci-
mens or records of specimens from the
latter locality in the National Museums of
Canada. There are, however, two specimens
collected by Rand's party but not reported
by him, from Sheldon Lake, Canol Road,
Mi. 222.
This boreal, Nearctic species apparently
reaches the northwestern extremes of its
distribution in the southwestern Yukon, al-
though it should be looked for in south-
eastern Alaska. Heather voles have been
collected in mixed spruce-fir forest and at
the edge of spruce forest and grassland
(Rand 1945a:41). Near Whitehorse, on 6
June 1963, a female in winter pelage with
7 embryos was collected at 4,800 ft in
stunted fir, lodgepole pine, and juniper.
Records of occurrence
Specimens examined, 8: Sheldon Lake, Ca-
nol Road, Mi. 222, 2; Lapie River, Canol
Road, Mi. 132, 2; Christmas Bay, Kluane
Lake, 1 (CU); Haeckel Hill, 8 mi. NW White-
horse, 1; SW end Dezadeash Lake, 1 (KU);
5 mi. SE Dalton Post, 1.
’
Rodentia
Microtus pennsylvanicus — Meadow vole
Microtus pennsylvanicus drummondii (Audubon and
Bachman)
Arvicola drummondii, Audubon and Bachman 1846:166;
holotype from “Valleys of the Rocky Mountains” probably in the
vicinity of Jasper House, Alta.
Microtus pennsylvanicus drummondii, Hollister 1912:23;
Osgood 1909b:55, 79; Rand 1944a:119, 1945a:42;
R. M. Anderson 1947:155; Baker 1951:108, (part); Cameron
1952:182; Hall and Cockrum 1953:408 (part); Hall and Kelson
1959:724 (part); Youngman 1964:3, 1968:78.
Microtus drummondi, Bailey 1900:23.
Microtus pennsylvanicus alcorni, Baker 1951:105.
Distribution
Occurs throughout most of the Yukon (Map
27).
Measurements
Average (and extreme) measurements of
24 males and 6 females from the south-
eastern Yukon (Little Hyland River) are 152
(140-168); 38 (31-44); 20 (18-22).
Twenty-four males from the same locality
averaged 34.4 (26.8-39.5) g. For cranial
measurements see Table 18.
Remarks
Ellerman (1941:593) considered Microtus
pennsylvanicus to “represent” the Palearctic
M. agrestis in North America, and others
(Ellerman and Morrison-Scott 1951:702;
Klimkiewicz 1970:662) suggested that the
two species are conspecific. However, the
karyotypes of the two species differ mark-
edly. Microtus pennsylvanicus has 46
normal chromosomes while MV. agrestis has
50 chromosomes, including giant sex chro-
mosomes (Matthey 1952:114). Johnson
(1968:26) has also shown serological differ-
ences. Frank (1959:92) made several un-
successful attempts to cross the two species
and also noted ethological differences.
Most authors admit to the possibility of
common origin.
A revision of the meadow vole is long
overdue. My examination of a large number
of specimens from Manitoba, Saskatchewan,
Alberta, British Columbia, the Northwest
Territories, Alaska, and the Yukon leads me
to agree with Rand (1944a:120) that Micro-
tus pennsylvanicus drummondii is variable
in colour and, to a lesser degree, in cranial
characters, throughout its range. However,
little can be gained from nominal recogni-
tion of these demes.
The name Microtus pennsylvanicus al-
corni was given by Baker (1951:105) to
specimens from the southwestern Yukon
and Alaska as far south as Haines because,
compared with M. p. drummondii, they
averaged larger in all measurements except
lengths of tail and hind foot. The upper
parts were slightly paler and greyer; the
underparts were paler, and the zygomatic
arches heavier, shorter, and rounder. The
skull of 1. p. alcorni was more massive, and
the maxillary teeth were heavier and lower
crowned. | agree that some specimens from
the Kluane Lake region are slightly paler
ARS RS Ste == aie
AG
Map 27
Distribution of Wicrotus pennsylvanicus drummondii
89
Accounts of Species and Subspecies
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91
Accounts of Species and Subspecies
dorsally (but not ventrally) than many speci-
mens of M. p. drummondii from various
parts of its range, but other specimens are
indistinguishable from specimens from
Jasper, Alta. Specimens from the Kluane
Lake region average slightly, but not signifi-
cantly, larger than series of M. p. drum-
mondii from the type locality and other areas
in the Yukon, in total length, zygomatic
breadth, nasal length, and length of maxil-
lary tooth-row. The measurement showing
the greatest difference from topotypes and
near topotypes of VW. p. drummondii is
zygomatic breadth, and in ti s measurement
there is considerably less thn 75 per cent
joint non-overlap. Specimens from Haines,
Alaska, assigned by Baker (1951) to M. p.
alcorni, are darker than M. p. drummondii
and may represent a valid subspecies. The
specimens from the southwestern Yukon
represent a slightly distinguishable deme,
but considering the overall variability of the
species it seems unwise to afford it nominal
recognition.
In general, athough the specimens from the
Yukon here assigned to Wicrotus pennsylva-
nicus drummondii have a slightly more
grizzled appearance than a series of speci-
mens from the type locality, the similarities
are strong. Some specimens of /Microtus
pennsylvanicus drummondii from the vicin-
ity of Dawson are slightly darker than
specimens from elsewhere in the Yukon,
perhaps indicating intergradation with the
dark MV. p. tananaensis to the west in
Alaska. Some specimens from Carcross and
Marsh Lake are slightly reddish, possibly
indicating intergradation with MV. p. rubidus
to the south in British Columbia.
Both the meadow vole and the northern
vole (Microtus oeconomus) occur in wet
areas. Often they are taken in the same run-
ways, especially in wet grassy meadows,
and in dwarf willow, dwarf birch, and alder,
near the edges of lakes and streams.
Pregnant females were found between
mid-May and mid-August. The frequency
of pregnant females was greatest between
July 15 and August 15. Seventy-six re-
corded pregnancies had a mean of 5.3
(2-10) embryos.
Records of occurrence
Specimens examined, 742: Old Crow River,
at Timber Creek, 5 (NMNH); Old Crow
River, 19 mi. N Old Crow, 1 mi. N mouth
Johnson Creek, 11; Old Crow, 24; % mi. E
92
Old Crow, 1; Porcupine River, 16 mi. SW
Old Crow, 7; 11 mi. NE Lapierre House, 5;
Bell River, 70 mi. NE Lapierre House, 8;
Lapierre House, 13; 1 mi. SW Lapierre
House, 9; Bell River, 1 mi. SW Lapierre
House, 3; Porcupine River, mouth Berry
Creek, 4; 4 mi. S mouth Berry Creek, 1; 12
mi. S Johnson Creek, Porcupine River,
66°41'/137°59’, 1; Yukon—Alaska bound-
ary, Yukon River, 4 (NMNH); Forty Mile,
mouth Coal Creek, 1 (NMNH); 18 mi. S
Chapman Lake, 6; 20 mi. S Chapman Lake,
1; Bonnet Plume Lake, 22; Yukon River,
Chandindu River, 1 (NMNH); Dawson, 48
(1 NMNH); Dempster Highway, Mi. 4.8, 1
(AHRC); Benson Creek, 28 mi. ENE Daw-
son, 5; 74 mi. E Dawson, 26; 16 mi. E
Dawson, 2; Klondike Keno [=1 mi. S
Wernecke], 3; 10.8 mi. N Mayo, 2; 6 mi. N
Mayo, 4; 4% mi. N Mayo, 7; 1 mi. SE Mayo,
12; Dominion Creek, head Indian River, 1
(NMNH); Sixty Mile Creek [ = Sixty Mile
River], 1 (NMNH); Keele Lake, 56; Stewart
River settlement, 17; Russell Mountains
[ = Russell Range], near forks Macmillan
River, 3 (NMNH); south fork Macmillan
River, Canol Road, Mi. 249, 6; Sheldon
Lake, Canol Road, Mi. 222, 12; Macmillan
River, 3 (NMNH); Fort Selkirk, 3 (NMNH);
Yukon River, 50 mi. below Fort Selkirk, 1
(NMNH); Snag, 1; Yukon Crossing, 3; Rink
Rapid, 6 (NMNH); 7 mi. NNE Carmacks,
1; 5% mi. NW Carmacks, 9; 4% mi. NW
Carmacks, 2; 3% mi. NW Carmacks, 7; 2%
mi. NW Carmacks, 1; Nordenskiold River,1
mi. NW Carmacks, 41; % mi. NW Carmacks,
11; % mi. NW Carmacks, 1; 11 mi. WSW
Carmacks, 6; 6 mi. WSW Carmacks, 1; 138
mi. N Watson Lake, 5 mi. E Little Hyland
River, 5; Little Hyland River, 128 mi. N
Watson Lake, 29; Lapie River, Canol Road,
Mi. 132, 16; Ida Lake [ = McPherson Lake],
60 mi. W Glacier Lake, N.W.T., 16 (AMNH);
Donjek River [at Alaska Highway], 3 (1
CU); Yukon River, Thirty Mile River, 3
(NMNH); Rose River, Canol Road, Mi. 95,
13; Burwash Landing, 1; 2 mi. S Burwash
Landing, 1; Kluane Lake, 23 (20 CU);
Cultus Bay, Kluane Lake, 6 (CU); % mi. N
Frances Lake, 1; Lake Laberge, 5 (NMNH);
Christmas Bay, Kluane Lake, 3 (CU); Silver
Creek, 617°02'/138°24', 1 (CU); Alaska
Highway, Mi. 1054, 17 (CU); 6 mi. SW
Kluane, 15 (KU); E side Kluane Lake, 9
(CU); Nisutlin River, Canol Road, Mi. 40,
10; Haines Road Junction, 2; Fifty Mile
River [ = Yukon River], 6 (NMNH); 6% mi.
Rodentia
SW Whitehorse, 3; mountains, 40 mi. NE
Teslin Lake, 1; Dezadeash Lake, 2; SW end
Deazdeash Lake, 3 (KU); SW end Deza-
deash Lake, Haines Road, Mi. 124, 1;
Marsh Lake, 22 (NMNH); 72 mi. E Tagish,
3; Tagish River, 13 mi. SW Jakes Corner, 1;
North Toobally Lake, 47; Teslin Lake, 1; near
Teslin Lake, 3; Teslin Post, near Teslin Lake,
7; Caribou Crossing [ = Carcross], 16
(NMNH); 7 mi. S Carcross, 5; 5 mi. SE
Dalton Post, 8; 7% mi. S and 3 mi. E Dalton
Post, 3 (KU); 88 E Teslin [ = Alaska High-
way, 88 mi. E Teslin], Upper Rancheria, 1.
Microtus oeconomus — Northern vole
Microtus oeconomus macfarlani Merriam
Microtus macfarlani Merriam, 1900a:24; holotype from
Fort Anderson, Anderson River, District of Mackenzie.
M{icrotus]. oec[onomus]. macfarlani, K. Zimmermann 1942:187.
Microtus operarius endoecus, Osgood 1909b:55.
Microtus operarius macfarlani, Rand 1945a:42; R. M. Anderson
1947:157; Cameron 1952:183.
Microtus oeconomus macfarlani, Baker 1951:110; Hall and
Cockrum 1953:425; Hall and Kelson 1959:735; Paradiso and
Manville 1961:81; Youngman 1968:78.
Distribution
Probably occurs throughout all but the ex-
treme southeastern part of the Yukon (Map
28).
Measurements
Average (and extreme) measurements of 32
males and 17 females from the Old Crow
region are respectively 150 (130-171), 158
(137-173); 36 (29-43), 39 (33-47); 19
(16-20), 19 (16-21). Sixteen males aver-
aged 39.4 (345-51.7) g. Nine females
averaged 40.5 (29.7-59.4) g. For cranial
measurements see Table 19.
Remarks
Specimens of Microtus oeconomus from the
Yukon are quite uniform in external and cra-
nial measurements, and in colour (fresh
summer pelage averaging Dark Reddish
Brown, 5YR 3/2). Specimens from the
Yukon are smaller than specimens from
Bettles, Alaska (Paradiso and Manville
1961:81), and Umiat, Alaska (Bee and Hall
1956:126).
Northern voles occur mostly in wet sedge
meadows, but were also collected in mossy
muskeg, in a floating bog; and in Sphagnum
in moist soil polygons. Often Wicrotus oeco-
nomus and VW. pennsylvanicus occurred
together utilizing the same runways.
Sixteen pregnant females taken in July
averaged 6.1 embryos, and 24 females taken
in August averaged 5.2 embryos.
Records of occurrence
Specimens examined, 481: Herschel Island,
Pauline Cove, 26; Firth River, 6; mouth
Firth River, 9 (MCZ); 4 mi. WSW mouth
Blow River, 17; Firth River, 15 mi. S mouth
Joe Creek, 49; Old Crow River, 15 mi. above
Timber Creek, 3 (NMNH); O/d Crow River,
65 mi. above Timber Creek, 3 (NMNH) Old
Map 28
Distribution of MVicrotus oeconomus macfarlani
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Accounts of Species and Subspecies
Crow River, Timber Creek, 4 (NMNH); O/d
Crow River, Black Fox Creek, 2 (NMNH);
Old Crow River, 19 mi. N Old Crow, 1 mi.
N mouth Johnson Creek, 12; O/d Crow
River, Johnson Creek, 67°50'/139°46', 6
(NMNH); O/d Crow River, 50 mi. below
Black Fox Creek, 1 (NMNH); 78 mi. above
mouth Old Crow River, 1(NMNH); O/d Crow
43 (6 AHRC); Summit Lake, 67°43’ /136°29’,
4; Driftwood Creek [ = Driftwood River], 60
mi. NE Old Crow, 1 (AHRC); Porcupine
River, 20 mi. NE Old Crow, 1 (AHRC);
Porcupine River, 16 mi. SW Old Crow, 6;
Porcupine River, mouth Berry Creek, 8;
4 mi. S Berry Creek, 1; Rampart House, 26;
Lapierre House, 5; 7 mi. SW Lapierre House,
2; head Cold Creek [ = head Coal Creek,
67°47'/139°54'], 13 (NMNH); Yukon Riv-
er, Alaska—Yukon boundary, 1 (NMNH); 13
mi. S Chapman Lake, 1; Ogi/vie Mountains,
52 mi. NE Dawson, 14 mi. S Lomond Lake,
1; 78 mi. S Chapman Lake, 2; 20 mi. S
Chapman Lake, 54; North Fork Pass, Ogilvie
Mountains, 2; North Fork Crossing, Mi. 43
Aklavik Road [= North Fork Crossing,
Dempster Highway, Mi. 43], Ogilvie Moun-
tains, 23; Bonnet Plume Lake, 3; 1 mi. from
Canadian Customs, Taylor Highway, 1;
Dawson City, 2 (AHRC); Keno Hill Summit,
20; Keele Lake, 27; Stewart River settle-
ment, 2; Macmillan Pass, Canol Road, Mi.
282, 8; 138 mi. N Watson Lake, 5 mi. E
Little Hyland River, 13; Little Hyland River,
128 mi. N Watson Lake, 3; Ida Lake [ =
McPherson Lake], 60 mi. W Glacier Lake,
N.W.T., 20 (AMNH); junction Grafe and
Edith creeks, 1 (KU); Donjek bridge [on
Alaska Highway], 2; Lapie Lake, Canol
Road, Mi. 105, 1; Rose River, Canol Road,
Mi. 95, 16; Burwash Landing, 1; 2 mi. S
Burwash Landing, 1; Kluane Lake, 6 (1
NMNH); Cultus Creek, head Cultus Bay,
Kluane Lake, 1 (CU); W end Sheep Moun-
tain, E Sheep Creek, Alaska Highway, Mi.
1061, 1; Christmas Bay, Kluane Lake, 1
(CU); head Kluane Lake, 2; Alaska High-
Table 20
Cranial measurements of Microtus longicaudus vellerosus
Number of Least Alveolar
specimens averaged Condylo- inter- length of
or catalogue number, basal Zygomatic Nasal orbital Mastoidal maxillary
and sex length breadth length breadth breadth tooth-row
Richardson Mountains, 13 mi. NE Lapierre House
33950 © 26.8 14.5 8.0 3.9 1n57 6.7
Benson Creek, 28 mi. ENE Dawson
29640 9 26.9 15.6 7.7 97 123 6.6
Sheldon Lake, Mi. 222, Canol Road
18019 Dipl 15.0 8.3 3.8 12.6 6.6
18039 © 27.8 15.8 8.4 3.8 12.6 6.5
Little Hyland River, 128 mi. N Watson Lake
Average 8 © 26.7 15.1 TUE 3.7 12.4 6.4
Max. 28.2 15.6 8.3 3.9 13.0 6.7
Min. 257 14.8 U2 3.6 12.1 6.2
SD 0.80 0.31 0.48 0.11 0.36 0.16
SE 0.28 0.11 0.24 0.04 0.14 0.06
Average 79 27.0 1151 7.5 3.8 1222 6.5
Max. 27.5 15.4 8.0 3.9 12.6 6.7
Min. 26.5 14.8 eS 3.6 a ez/ 6.4
SD 0.31 0.21 0.23 0.11 0.32 0.97
SE 0.12 0.08 0.09 0.04 0.13 0.04
96
|
|
Rodentia
way, Mi. 1055, S end Kluane Lake, 1;
Alaska Highway, Mi. 1054 3 (CU); 6 mi.
SW Kluane, 2 (KU); Kluane Range 25 mi.
SSE Destruction Bay, 3; Haeckel Hill, 8 mi.
NW Whitehorse, 1; Canol Road, Mi. 11, 1;
Camp 9-W [=Canol Road, Mi. 9], 1
(MVZ); SW end Dezadeash Lake, 1 (KU);
5 mi. SE Dalton Post, 3.
Microtus longicaudus — Long-tailed vole
Microtus longicaudus vellerosus J. A. Allen
Microtus vellerosus J. A. Allen, 1899a:7; holotype from
upper Liard River, British Columbia.
Microtus longicaudus vellerosus, Anderson and Rand 1944:20;
Rand 1945a:44, 1945b:66; R. M. Anderson 1947:159;
Baker 1951:109; Youngman 1964:3, 1968:77.
Microtus mordax, Osgood 1900:35.
Distribution
Known from all but the Coastal Plain (Map
29).
Measurements
Average (and extreme) measurements of 22
females and 14 males from Dalton Post and
SW end Dezadeash Lake are respectively
180 (160-198), 63 (49-77), 21 (18-23);
171 (160-190), 60 (51-73), 20 (19-21).
Average (and extreme) measurements of 8
females and 8 males from 138 mi. N Watson
Lake and 5 mi. E Little Hyland River are
176 (167-185), 59 (54-64), 22 (20-23);
176 (168-189), 57 (51-63), 21 (19-22).
Average (and extreme) weights for 4 non-
parous females and 8 males from the same
locality are respectively 37.1 (38.3—41.8) g,
38.0 (30.4-47.6) g. For cranial measure-
ments see Table 20.
Remarks
Microtus longicaudus is remarkably uniform
in colour and cranial measurements through-
out its range in the Yukon.
Matthey (1955:178) and S. Anderson
(1960:202) have pointed to the many simi-
larities, including chromosome number, be-
tween Microtus longicaudus and the Old
World species M. nivalis, and M. roberti. |
am especially impressed by the similarity
between VW. nivalis and M. longicaudus,
although the location of the centromeres is
different in the two species (Matthey 1955).
Long-tailed voles are found in a wide
range of habitats, from low, wet, spruce
woodland to high mountains, but they are
most commonly found in rocky situations on
mountainsides. Pregnant females have been
collected in June, July, and August. Nine
pregnant females had an average of 3.7
(2-5) embryos. One female had 7 recent
embryo scars.
Records of occurrence
Specimens examined, 235: Summit Lake,
67°43’ /136°29’, 2; Richardson Mountains,
74 mi. NE Lapierre House, 1; Richardson
Mountains, 13 mi. NE Lapierre House, 1;
4 mi. S mouth Berry Creek, 1; Rampart
House, 2; 1 mi. SW Lapierre House, 1; North
Fork Pass, Ogilvie Mountains, 1; North Fork
Crossing, Aklavik Road [ = Dempster High-
way] Mi. 42.7, 4; Swede Dome, 34 mi. W
Dawson, 4; 2 mi. beyond Canadian Cus-
Map 29
Distribution of Microtus longicaudus vellerosus
97
Accounts of Species and Subspecies
toms, Taylor Highway, 2; Benson Creek, 28
mi. ENE Dawson, 1; Dawson, 4; Keno Hill
Summit, 1; Klondike Keno [ = 7 mi. S Wer-
necke], 13; Keele Lake, 25; Macmillan Pass,
Canol Road, Mi. 282, 3; Sheldon Lake,
Canol Road, Mi. 222, 5; Rink Rapid, 1
(NMNH); Wordenskiold River, 1 mi. NW
Carmacks, 3; 138 mi. N Watson Lake, 5 mi.
E Little Hyland River, 6; Little Hyland River,
728 mi. N Watson Lake, 13; Lapie River,
Canol Road, Mi. 132, 3; Rose River, Canol
Road, Mi. 95, 1; Kluane Lake, 3 (CU);
Christmas Bay, Kluane Lake, 2 (CU); Alaska
Highway, Mi. 1054, 5 (CU); 6 mi. SW
Kluane, 2 (KU); E side Kluane Lake, 1 (CU);
Lake Laberge, 2 (NMNH); Nisutlin River,
Canol Road, Mi. 40, 1; Haeckel Hill, 1;
McIntyre Creek, 3 mi. NW Whitehorse, 11
(KU); Dezadeash Lake, 2; SW end Deza-
deash Lake, 59 (KU); Lake Marsh, 1
(NMNH); Little Atlin Lake, 6 mi. SSE Jakes
Corner, 2; Teslin Lake, 1; near Teslin Lake,
8; Teslin Post, near Teslin Lake, 2; 1 mi. S
Carcross, 5; 7% mi. S Carcross, 2; 5 mi. SE
Dalton Post, 3; 6 mi. SE Dalton Post, 5; 1%
mi. S and 3 mi. E Dalton Post, 19 (KU).
Microtus xanthognathus — Chestnut-cheeked vole
Microtus xanthognathus (Leach)
Arvicola xanthognathus Leach, 1815:60; holotype from
Hudson Bay; Coues and Allen 1877:197.
M{icrotus]. xanthognathus, Miller 1896:66.
Microtus xanthognathus, Bailey 1900:57; Williams 1925:71;
Hail and Cockrum 1953:434; Hall and Kelson 1959:741.
Distribution
Known at present from the northern half of
the Yukon (Map 30).
Measurements
Average (and extreme) measurements of 30
adults (7 males, 23 females) from Hungry
LE 140" 135° 130" 125° 120"
Map 30
Distribution of Microtus xanthognathus
98
Lake are 194 (183-209); 43 (38-50); 24
(23-27). Average (and extreme) weights of
6 males and 13 nonparous females are re-
spectively 87.0 (83.2-92.4) g; 87.2 (78.5—
96.7) g. One pregnant female weighed
119.5 g. For cranial measurements see
Table 21.
Remarks
Hall and Kelson (1959:741) commented on
the possibility that Wicrotus xanthognathus
and MV. chrotorrhinus might be conspecific,
but the two species differ considerably cyto-
genetically (Youngman MS), morphologi-
cally, ecologically, and ethologically.
The only fossils of Microtus xanthogna-
thus from the Beringian region are an un-
dated mummy from Chicken Creek, Mayers
Fork, Forty Mile region, Alaska (AMNH
180252), a single tooth dated at about
6,800 years from central Alaska (Repen-
ning, Hopkins, and Rubin 1964:195), and a
single tooth from a postglacial deposit also in
central Alaska (Guthrie 19686:233). Speci-
mens of Microtus xanthognathus from the
Pleistocene age have been found in Virginia
and Pennsylvania (Guilday and Bender
1960).
The present distribution pattern of Mi-
crotus xanthognathus suggested a Beringian
origin to Guthrie (19686:239) but without
an Asian counterpart (also noted by
Guthrie), and without definite Wisconsin
fossils except in southern regions. It appears
Rodentia
Table 21
Cranial measurements of Wicrotus xanthognathus
= =
© Lx i D
8 2 mp 2 SEs
£ Src MM 2 Gs ©
Number of eas ES = £ ae 25% 85 Bes ce
specimens averaged S > as 9 © 9 D 2 5 9 ES $9 SEs
and sex. O © Ÿ Zo Zs Sea EE à 5 <o ©
Hungry Lake (adults)
Verde SON o 28 9) 32.328 18.3 9828 3.628 35 143291022276
Max. 33.4 19.8 10.1 4.0 3.9 11573 10.9 8.1
Min. 31.4 17.3 8.7 2.9 2.9 13.9 9.7 73
SD 0.55 0.55 0.35 0.21 0.19 0.33 0.27 0.18
SE 0.10 0.10 0.06 0.04 0.03 0.06 0.05 0.03
to me that this species may have had a
southern origin, and closely followed the
retreating glaciers northward.
During the summer of 1964, | described
this vole to a number of residents of the
village of Old Crow, some of whom sug-
gested that they irrupted every twenty years
or so, ruining muskrat “sets”. Others com-
mented that at times they became so numer-
ous that dogs became ill from eating them.
Mr. Peter Lord had seen them in early spring
at Little Crow Flats and at Cadzow Lake
where they ‘’swam like little muskrats” (also
see Lensink 1954:259). The last irruption
that Mr. Lord recalled was in 1945. It is not
known positively that these reports con-
cerned Microtus xanthognathus since none
were collected.
On 25 March 1965, Mr. Abraham Peter
of Old Crow captured and prepared a study
specimen of an adult Wicrotus xanthogna-
thus at Hungry Lake (65°39'45"/135°59).
The specimen was sent with a letter urging
me to visit the locality as soon as possible
since there were so many voles that he did
not know how long the high numbers
would last.
On 30 June 1965, G. D. Tessier, N. A.
Olsen and | flew to Hungry Lake. The area
surrounding our camp at the lake edge was
riddled with old burrows and runways, but
there were no signs of recent activity. The
following day we saw and heard chestnut-
cheeked voles on mineral soil in a hilly, pre-
viously heavy-wooded area that had been
burned an estimated 20 years before. The
charred spruce trunks were still standing
and there was a light overstory of young
spruce. A small fast-running stream ran
through the area and dense Sphagnum
covered much of the adjacent moist ground.
Other plant cover included the following
species: Cladina arbuscula (Wallr.) Hale and
Culb., A/ectoria sp., Equisetum sylvaticum
L., Larix /aricina (Du Roi) Koch, Picea
glauca (Moench), Picea mariana (Mill.)
B.S.P., Calamagrostis canadensis Michx.,
Carex canescens L., Carex lugens Holm,
Eriophorum vaginatum L., Salix planifolia
Pursh, Betu/a glandulosa Michx., Betula
papyrifera Marsh., Rumex arcticus Trautv.,
Rumex occidentalis Wats., Stellaria caly-
cantha (Ledeb.) Bong., Ranunculus lappo-
nicus L., Rosa acicularis Lindl., Rubus Cha-
maemorus L., Spiraea Beaverdiana Schneid.,
Empetrum nigum L., Epilobium angustifo-
lium L., Epilobium palustre L., Chamae-
daphne calyculata (L.) Moench., Ledum
groenlandicum Oed., Oxycoccus microcar-
pus Turcz., Vaccinium uliginosum L., Vacci-
nium Vitis-Idaea L., Pedicularis labradorica
Wirsing, Petasites hyperboreus Rydb.
Chestnut-cheeked voles were most nu-
merous in the wet riparian habitat where
surface runways and burrows abounded in
the thick Sphagnum. Burrow entrances
ranged from 50 to 70 mm in diameter; run-
ways measured approximately 50 mm
across. In several areas, large mounds of
earth had been thrown up around burrows.
Three mounds that we excavated had a net-
work of underground passages and a nest-
chamber with a nest of dried sedge. One
mound, heaped around the base of a tree,
measured 139 cm in diameter. Older mounds
Accounts of Species and Subspecies
were covered by plants such as fireweed
(Epilobium angustifolium).
Chestnut-cheeked voles are colonial like
the singing vole (Microtus miurus) and, like
that species, are quite vocal, often facing the
source of a disturbance and emitting high
pulsating squeaks. Chestnut-cheeked voles
were active day and night and could often
be seen darting along runways.
Plants found in the mouths, or stored in
the nests, of voles and assumed to be food
species include Sphagnum sp., Calamog-
rostis canadensis (Michx.) Beauv., Salix
planifolia Pursh, Rubus Chamaemorus L.,
Epilobium angustifolium L., Petasites hyper-
boreus Rydb., and the berries of Vaccinium
Vitis-Idaea L., and Vaccinium uliginosum L.
A second colony of Wicrotus xanthogna-
thus was found on a small island in Hungry
Lake. Here, mounds occurred along the
shoreline, and food plants included the
berries of Arctostaphylos rubra (Rehd. &
Wils.) Fern. and Viburnum edule (Michx.)
Raf., and the mushrooms, Lactarius cf. au-
rantiacus Fries., Russula cf. turci Bres. and
Hebloma sordidlilum (Pk.) Sacc.
The only other small mammals known to
inhabit the area and use the same runways
were Clethrionomys rutilus, Sorex cinereus,
Synaptomys borealis, and Lemmus sibiricus.
The only predator seen was a Hawk Owl
(Surnia ulula Linnaeus).
Specimens collected between July 2 and
7 were either adults that had overwintered,
or young less than a month old. A second
collection made between August 20 and 24
produced mostly two-to-three-month-old
subadults of the year.
Data from a captive colony indicate a ges-
tation period of 21 days, predictable almost
to the hour.
Bailey (1900) reported the occurrence of
flank glands on male chestnut-cheeked
voles, and Quay (1968:439) recorded that
they were difficult to detect externally. How-
ever, flank glands are easily demonstrable
on all adults of both sexes collected at Hun-
gry Lake. Sexually active males were ob-
served to scratch the flank glands with their
hind feet. Sexually active females sniff the
males’ flank glands quite often, whereas
males seem more interested in the genital
area of the female. The chase prior to copu-
lation is accompanied by considerable vo-
calization by both sexes. The male gives a
low-pitched, chirping call while following
the female.
100
Eleven pregnant females collected in early
July averaged 8 (7-10) embryos. None of
the young voles collected in late August
were pregnant. This may support data from
the laboratory showing that young females
of the year do not breed. Twenty-eight
young averaged 3.5 g (2.7—4.2) at birth,
and measured: total length, 50 (45-53);
tail, 7 (6—9); hind foot, 6 (6—7). The average
daily weight gain was .80 g for the first 28
days. The eyes opened at 14 days (12-17)
and the post-juvenile molt was nearly com-
plete at about one month, by which time
the young were usually weaned.
Two male chestnut-cheeked voles col-
lected on August 21 were infested by botfly
larvae (Cuterebra cf. grisea Coquillett). This
is the fourth report of parasitism by botflys
on the genus Microtus (Maurer and Skaley
1968:773). Fleas collected from voles were
Amphipsylla sibirica pollionis (Roths.), Am-
alarous penicilliger cf. dissimilis (Jord.),
Megabothris groenlandicus (Wahlgr.), and
Megabothris calcifer gregsoni Holland. These
are the first fleas reported from chestnut-
cheeked voles.
After summarizing some of the published
information on the habitat of Wicrotus xan-
thognathus, Guilday, Martin, and McCrady
(1964:165) concluded that the species
shows wide adaptability to various habitats
in the boreal forest. However, certain simi-
larities among published and unpublished
habitat descriptions make it advisable to re-
examine the record, which | summarize
below:
[1] “young mixed woods bordering a marsh
... burrows... in dry ground in the woods
or shrubbery . . . runways . . . only rarely
reaching wet or even damp ground”.
[2] “Contrary to their usual habit, the indi-
viduals of this colony had extended their
runways into a wet sphagnum swamp”.
[3] “deep mixed woods on the summit of
the hill”.
[4] “At the foot of a limestone cliff at
Crooked Rapid”.
[5] “A cabin near the foot of Boiler Rapid”.
[6] “on the bank of the River”
[7] “poplar woods”
[8] “on the Athabaska ..
area”. [Preble 1908]
[9] “swampy region sparsely covered by
cut-over spruce”. [Dice 1921:24]
[10] “On a little stream... occupying anold
log jam, part of which had become embed-
. heavily wooded
¥
Rodentia
ded in a matrix of sand and mud and over-
grown with weeds”. [Osgood 1900:36]
[11] “thin boreal forest, mostly of black
spruce with a few scattered larch’ [Lensink
1954; 259]
All of these habitat descriptions suggest
sites in the boreal forest region displaying
wide ecological amplitude, in almost all
cases recently disturbed and close to min-
eral soil. This is supported by inferred habi-
tats at many localities where only a locality
name is known. Richardson (1829:123) said
that this species ‘‘shews no disposition to
enter the houses of the traders”, thus im-
plying that the chestnut-cheeked voles were
found in the immediate disturbed vicinity of
such places as Fort Franklin. The same can
probably be said for Lapierre House, where
the surrounding area had been logged off
for building materials and firewood (Young-
man MS), and for Fort Smith (Preble 1908),
Fort Good Hope, Nelson River, Fort Chur-
chill, Fort Resolution, Fort Liard, Fort Mc-
Pherson, and Fort Anderson (Coues and
Microtus miurus — Singing vole
Allen 1877:201). Early gold-mining activi-
ties stripped the woods at Dominion Creek,
Yukon Territory (NMNH 10327—28).
A study of the ecological requirements of
Microtus xanthognathus suggests that fire
and glacial movement, by altering forest
succession, may have greatly determined
the distribution of this species.
The population explosion at Hungry Lake
must have occupied a large area at its maxi-
mum. Although in 1965 some voles were
found on dry hillsides, it was obvious that
the last stand of the species was along the
Sphagnum-covered edge of the stream.
Many of the previously mentioned locality
records suggest a riparian habitat.
Records of occurrence
Specimens examined, 81: Yukon—Alaska
boundary at 69°20’, 2 (NMNH); Lapierre
House, 2 (NMNH); near Bern Creek, inter-
national boundary and Arctic Circle, 1; Hun-
gry Lake, 65°39'45" /135°59’, 74; Domin-
ion Creek, head Indian River, 2 (NMNH).
Microtus miurus cantator Anderson
Microtus cantator Anderson, 1947:161; holotype from near
Tepee Lake, 61 °35’/140°22’, N slope St. Elias Range, Yukon Territory.
Microtus miurus cantator, Hall and Cockrum 1952:312, 1953:442;
Hall and Kelson 1959:745.
Microtus miurus, Youngman 1964:4.
Distribution
Extreme southwestern portion of the Yukon
(Map 31).
Measurements
External measurements of 2 males and 2
females from the southwestern Yukon are
15249150 1492.29) 28, 2925521, 19;
18, 18. For cranial measurements see Table
22.
Remarks
For a comparison of this subspecies with
Microtus miurus muriei, see account of that
subspecies. Rausch (1964:348) indicated
that M. m. cantator intergrades with M. m.
oreas and WV. m. miurus in southeastern
Alaska, but the relationship of these sub-
species with 17 m. murie/ is not well under-
stood at present.
Porsild (1966) suggested that numerous
arctic and alpine plants survived in ungla-
ciated mountain refugia in the southwestern
Yukon during later phases of the Pleistocene
(Fig. 5). It is probable that these small refu-
gia within the Beringian complex were the
centres of speciation of Microtus miurus
cantator.
Ognev (1950) considered Microtus miu-
rus to be conspecific with M. gregalis, but
Rausch (1953) disagreed. Later, in a more
detailed study, Rausch (1964) concurred
with Ognev. But Fedyk (1970) showed
that Microtus gregalis major from Siberia
have a diploid number of chromosomes of
54 compared to 72 for M. miurus (Rausch
1964).
Records of occurrence
Specimens examined, 33: Tepee Lake, 2;
Steele—Surge Glacier [ = Steele Glacier], 4
(CU); Kluane Lake, 2 (CU); Sheep Moun-
tain, Mi. 1061, Alaska Highway, 5; Sheep
Creek, Mi. 1061, Alaska Highway, 3; head
Kluane Lake, 2; Kluane Range, 25 mi. SSE
Destruction Bay, 15.
101
Accounts of Species and Subspecies
Microtus miurus muriei Nelson
Microtus muriei Nelson, 1931:311; holotype from Kutuk River,
Endicott Mountains, Alaska.
Microtus miurus muriei, Hall and Cockrum 1952:311.
Microtus miurus, Youngman 1964:4.
Distribution
Probably occurs in suitable habitat in moun-
tainous areas in the northern half of the
Yukon. Known at present only from the
Ogilvie and British Mountains (Map 31).
Measurements
Average external measurements and weights
of 9 males and 9 females from the Firth
River are respectively 148 (135-156), 142
(134-147); 24 (22-27), 22 (15-26); 19
(14-22), 19 (18-20); 41.2 (33.4-44.7) g,
36.3 (30.7-39.9) g. For cranial measure-
ments see Table 22.
Remarks
This subspecies differs from Microtus miurus
cantator in being Very Pale Brown (10YR
7/4) ventrally rather than Light Grey (10YR
Map 31
Distribution of Microtus miurus
1 M. m. cantator
2 M.m. muriei
102
7/2), with less of the grey basal portion of
the fur showing, and in being paler and
more yellow red dorsally (less grey), espe-
cially noticeable in the facial region, sides,
base of tail, and, in males, in the bright
patch of fur covering the flank glands.
The skull of this subspecies differs from
M. m. cantator in being less depressed in
the interorbital region when viewed laterally,
in having a lower, wider, more flattened
cranium, especially when viewed posteriorly,
in having greater development of the sagit-
tal crest, and in having the zygomatic arches
more flattened, less curving ventrally, espe-
cially noticeable when viewed anteriorly.
As Bee and Hall (1956:137) showed,
there is an east-west cline in intensity of
brown (yellowish red) in Microtus miurus
muriei in Alaska. The Yukon specimens of
this subspecies are at the less intense, east-
ern end of this cline.
Microtus miurus andersoni Rand from
District of Mackenzie, N.W.T., is represented
in the National Museums of Canada collec-
tion by 4 specimens of the original series
and by 12 specimens collected at the type
locality in 1968. Considering overall geo-
graphical variation within Microtus miurus
these specimens are barely recognizable as a
local deme. Cranially, and in pelage colour,
these specimens should be assigned to
M. m. muriei.
Microtus miurus muriei was the predom-
inant species on the Firth River in the north-
ern Yukon, and was found in association
with Microtus oeconomus, Clethrionomys
rutilus, and Sorex tundrensis. Singing voles
were found several hundred feet from the
Firth River on a well-drained knoll in other-
wise moist habitat. Burrow entrances were
among lichen-covered rocks. Food plants
included Equisetum sp., and Oxytropus sp.
Hay piles were first noted on August 6
(Figure 6).
At 20 mi. S Chapman Lake, Microtus miu-
rus occurred from 3,000 to 6,500 ft, but
were most numerous on the lower slopes.
The habitat was well-drained and near run-
ning water. The colonial nature of the bur-
row system was especially noticeable. The
population of voles in 1961 was dense and
Rodentia
Table 22
Cranial measurements of Wicrotus miurus
Number of
specimens averaged
or catalogue number,
and sex
Average 9 ©
Average 4 ©!
Max.
Min.
Average 69
Condylobasal
length
27.4
28.4
26.5
0.67
0.22
26.6
272
25:3
0.79
0.26
26.4
27.2
27.7
28.2
2811
29.0
27.3
27.6
28.9
26.2
10.0
0.41
Zygomatic
breadth
Microtus miurus muriei
Northern Yukon (Firth River and British Mountains combined)
15.2
15.7
14.1
0.50
0.17
14.08
14.2
13.5
0.22
0.08
Least
interorbital
breadth
3.3
3.5
3.2.
0.11
0.04
3.2
3.5
3.0
0.17
0.06
Length
of nasals
7.4
8.3
6.9
0.47
0.15
6.9
Tai
59
0.58
0.19
Chapman Lake Region
13.9
15.0
14.5
15.3
3.1
3.3
3.2
3.5
6.7
7.0
6.8
7.0
Microtus miurus cantator
Southwestern Yukon
14.1
14.6
13.8
14.3
15
13.4
0.59
0.23
3.0
3.2
2.9
3.0
3.2
2.8
0.19
0.08
7.7
8.1
Tce
7.3
8.0
7.0
0.36
0.14
Palatilar
length
13.3
14.1
12:3
0.59
0.20
1229
13.2
12.4
0.43
0.14
12.6
13.5
13.3
13.8
18:92
14.3
13.5
13°2
13.9
12:5
0.56
0.23
£
ee
= 223
ae BRE
ae BEE
© © ye)
Sto too
12.48 6.4
12.7 6.5
11.9 6.0
0.27 0.19
0.09 0.06
11.7 6.2
12.2 6.4
11.1 6.0
0.40 0.11
0.13 0.04
6.1
12.5 6.3
12.0 6.0
12.4 6.2
11.6 6.4
11.8 6.6
11.4 6.2
11.75 6.4
12.1 7.0
11.4 6.0
0.32 0.36
0.14 0.15
103
Accounts of Species and Subspecies
Figure 6
Hay pile (Wedysarum sp.) of Microtus miurus,
Firth River, 15 mi. S mouth of Joe Creek,
68°49'30"/140°33", 6 August 1962.
burrow entrances were close to one another.
Any intruder near the colony caused the voles
to emit their usual high-pitched pulsating
squeaks, which followed the intruder as it
made its way through the colony. It is pos-
sible that in this way a colony of singing
voles can keep track of the movements of a
wolverine, bear, or any other alien as it moves
through. The high-pitched, pulsating nature
of the calls suggests echolocation.
Hay piles were first noticed on 30 July
and 16 August 1961. The bulk of these piles
was composed of Hedysarum alpinum L.,
with some H. Mackenzii Richards and Draba
sibirica (Pall.) present.
The odour of the flank glands is similar to
that of Lemmus sibiricus and Microtus xan-
thognathus, but stronger, and reminiscent
Ondatra zibethicus — Muskrat
of Friars Balsam. Sexually excited males
scratch these glands with their hind feet
when the glands become hypertrophied dur-
ing the breeding season. Males appear to
determine the breeding condition of females
by smelling the perineal region, whereas
females appear to make the same determi-
nation by smelling the flank glands of the
male.
Observations of a captive colony in Otta-
wa indicated a gestation period of 21 days.
Postpartum estrus occurred often.
Seventeen young averaged 2.29 (1.65—
3.0) g at birth. The young gained .86 g per
day of the first 18 days, .60 g per day be-
tween 36 and 60 days. The eyes opened at
approximately 12 days. One male was sex-
ually active at 24 days and several were
active by the age of 34 days. One female
was sexually active at 41 days. No females
were known to have given birth before 6
months of age.
Circadian rhythm was noted in the use of
exercise wheels, with the greatest activity
centred around midnight, and with a lesser
peak of activity at noon.
Locomotion and posture in this species is
pika-like, as is the construction of hay piles
and, to a lesser degree, the manner of vocal-
ization.
Records of occurrence
Specimens examined, 145: Firth River, 15
mi. S mouth Joe Creek, 79; British Moun-
tains, 20 mi. SE mouth Joe Creek, 14; 14 mi.
S Chapman Lake, 3; 73 mi. S Chapman
Lake, 22; Ogilvie Mountains, 52 mi. NE
Dawson, 14 mi. S Lomond Lake, 1; 20 mi.
S Chapman Lake, 26.
Ondatra zibethicus spatulatus (Osgood)
Fiber spatulatus Osgood, 1900:36; holotype from Marsh Lake,
Yukon Territory.
Ondatra zibethica spatulata, Miller 1912:231, Osgood 1909b:56,
79; Rand 1945a:44; R. M. Anderson 1947:165.
Fiber zibethicus spatulatus, Hollister 1911a:23.
Distribution
Probably occurs throughout the Yukon (Map
32):
Measurements
Average (and extreme) external measure-
ments of 4 males and 2 females from the
Old Crow region are 516 (503-545); 224
104
(210-241); 74 (71-75). Weights of 3 males
from Old Crow are 854.8g, 896.3g,1,121.0g.
À male and 2 females from the vicinity of
Chapman Lake measured respectively 507,
554, 551; 240, 254, 230; 73, 74, 75. Aver-
age (and extreme) measurements of 2 males
and 4 females from the extreme southern
Yukon are 540 (517-560); 251 (240-265);
Rodentia
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Accounts of Species and Subspecies
73 (72-75). À male from Tagish weighed
1,067.5 g. For cranial measurements see
Table 23.
Remarks
| tentatively follow Hollister (1911a:23) in
assigning muskrats from the Yukon to Onda-
tra zibethicus spatulatus. The taxonomy of
this species is in obvious need of revision.
There is some evidence that a north-south
cline in size exists in the Yukon (Table 23),
since the specimens from the southern part
of the Territory average larger than those
from the northern part. Although there is no
large series of specimens from the northern
Yukon, 18 specimens from the Mackenzie
River Delta, Northwest Territories, agree
closely with the specimens from Old Crow
in size.
Muskrats have been collected between
750 and 6,000 ft altitude in the Yukon. A
female from 14 mi. S Chapman Lake, col-
lected 27 July 1961 had 5 embryos.
Map 32
Distribution of Ondatra zibethicus spatulatus
106
Records of occurrence
Specimens examined, 93; Old Crow Flats,
International Boundary, 65 mi. N Porcupine
River, 1 (NMNH); 30 mi. SE Crow Base
[Crow Base = 68°13’ /141°00’], 1 (NMNH);
Old Crow River, near Timber Creek, 4
(NMNH); 38 mi. SE Crow Base, 1 (NMNH);
Old Crow River, near Black Fox Creek, 1
(NMNH); Johnson Creek, 5 mi. from mouth,
19 mi. NNE Old Crow, 2; Old Crow River, 19
mi. N Old Crow, 1 mi. N mouth Johnson
Creek, 2, Old Crow, 3 (1 AHRC); Porcupine
River, 20 mi. NE Old Crow, 3; Rampart
House, 1; 8 mi. S Chapman Lake, 1; 74 mi.
S Chapman Lake, 1; 13 mi. S Chapman Lake,
1; Stewart River settlement region, 6; Shel-
don Lake, Canol Road, Mi. 222, 5; Rose
River, Canol Road, Mi. 98, 5; Lower Hoot
River [ = Lower Teslin River], near Teslin
Lake, 2; Hutshi Lake, 50 mi. NW White-
horse, 1; Kloo Lake, 1 (MCZ); Lower White-
horse, 1; Hootalinqua River [ = Teslin River],
near Teslin Lake, 11; Hoot River [ = Teslin
River], near Teslin Lake, 2; Upper Hoot
River [ = Upper Teslin River], near Teslin
Lake, 2; Lake Marsh, 2 (NMNH); Little
Atlin Lake, 8 mi. SSE Jakes Corner, 6; Tagish
Creek, 1; Carcross, 1; Teslin Lake, 5; near
Teslin Lake, 3; Beaver Creek, near Teslin
Lake, 10; Nisultin River, near Teslin Lake, 5;
Nisultin Bay, near Teslin Lake, 1; 30 mi. S
Teslin Lake, 1.
Additional records
Near Tent Island (R. M. Anderson 1913b:
513); Lapierre House, 25 July 1964 (seen,
G. D. Tessier, MS); Bonnet Plume Lake,
23 July 1966 (seen, N. A. Olsen, MS); Keele
Lake, 16 August 1966 (old dens seen, W. H.
Butler, MS); Little Hyland River, 128 mi. N
Watson Lake, 24 June 1963 (seen, G. D.
Tessier, MS); North Toobally Lake (seen by
R. Chambers, P. M. Youngman, MS, 14 July
1961).
ve
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Rodentia
Lemmus sibiricus — Siberian lemming
Lemmus sibiricus helvolus (Richardson)
Arvicola (Lemmus) helvolus Richardson, 1828:51 7; holotype from
near headwaters of the southern tributaries of Peace River, or
between there and the Jasper House region, Alta. (Preble
1908:82).
Lemmus sibiricus helvolus, Rausch 1953:127; Youngman 1968:76.
Lemmus yukonensis, Osgood 1900:37.
Lemmus helvolus yukonensis, Osgood 19096:80.
Lemmus trimucronatus helvolus, Davis 1944:22; Rand 1945b:59
(part); R. M. Anderson 1947:147; Hall and Cockrum 1953:473;
Bee and Hall 1956:113; Hall and Kelson 1959:760.
Lemmus trimucronatus alascensis, Hall and Cockrum 1953:473
(part).
Lemmus trimucronatus trimucronatus, Hall and Kelson
1959:760 (part).
Distribution
The southeastern portion of the Yukon (Map
So).
Measurements
Average (and extreme) measurements of 22
males and 11 females from the Little Hyland
River region are respectively 136 (127-152),
133 (124-151); 14 (8-17), 16 (11-21); 19
(18-22), 19 (18-20); 53.6 (42.4-59.8) g,
2 nonparous females weighed 66.1 and 43.0
g. For cranial measurements see Table 24.
Remarks
This is a well-marked subspecies in a species
that has few strong subspecies. Lemmus
sibiricus helvolus differs from L. s. trimu-
cronatus in averaging much brighter and
paler (sides Yellowish Red, 5YR 5/8 to
Reddish Yellow, 5YR 6/8, rump Red, 2.5YR
4/6), with more yellow.
The four specimens from the vicinity of
Teslin Lake are old and worn. The colour on
parts of these specimens is unlike that found
on any recently collected specimens, per-
haps owing to the effect of a chemical pre-
servative used on the skins. Nevertheless,
| assign these specimens to L. s. helvolus on
the basis of the general brightness of the
pelage colour. Specimens from Tantalus,
Rink Rapid, and Dominion Creek, head
Indian River, are old, poorly prepared speci-
mens, and may show some intergradation
with L. s. trimucronatus (as perhaps does
the well-prepared specimen from forks Mac-
millan River). However, these specimens
show much of the brightness of pelage,
especially on the flanks, that is characteristic
of this subspecies.
Rausch (1963b:35) considered that Lem-
mus sibiricus was confined to Beringia dur-
ing Wisconsin time, but Macpherson (1965:
169) suggested a southern origin for L. s.
helvolus. Considering the pattern of distribu-
tion, and divergence of this subspecies, |
agree with Macpherson.
Map 33
Distribution of Lemmus sibiricus
1 L.s. helvolus
2 L.s.trimucronatus
107
Accounts of Species and Subspecies
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109
Accounts of Species and Subspecies
Records of occurrence
Specimens examined, 49: Dominion Creek,
head Indian River, 3 (NMNH); forks Mac-
millan River, 1 (NMNH); Rink Rapid, 5
(NMNH); 7anta/us, 1; 138 mi. N Watson
Lake, 5 mi. E Little Hyland River, 1; Little
Hyland River, 128 mi. N Watson Lake, 33;
Haeckel Hill, 8 mi. NW Whitehorse, 1; Nisut-
lin Mountains, near Teslin Lake, 1; near
Teslin Lake, 1; NE Teslin Lake, 1; Eagle Bay,
near Teslin Lake, 1.
Lemmus sibiricus trimucronatus (Richardson)
Arvicola trimucronata Richardson, in Parry 1825:309; holotype
from Point Lake, District of Mackenzie, N.W.T.
Lemmus sibiricus trimucronatus, Rausch 1953:126.
Lemmus trimucronatus alascensis, R. M. Anderson 1937:110;
Rand 1945b:59 (part); R. M. Anderson 1947:147 (part); Hall and
Cockrum 1953:472 (part); Porsild 1945:15.
Distribution
The northern and southwestern portion of
the Yukon (Map 33).
Measurements
Average (and extreme) measurements of 6
specimens (2 males, 4 females) from Hungry
Lake area 152 (140-167); 16 (13-18); 21
(20-22). Two males weighed 92.4 and 55.7
g, and a female with 6 embryos (20 mm)
weighed 94.2 g. For cranial measurements
see Table 24.
Remarks
For a comparison of this subspecies with
Lemmus sibiricus helvolus, see the account
of the latter subspecies. The specimens from
Keele Lake, and some specimens from 13
mi. S Chapman Lake, are slightly brighter
than other specimens of L. s. trimucronatus,
perhaps indicating intergradation with L. s.
helvolus.
North American mammalogists have been
reluctant to recognize that Nearctic and
Asian lemmings are conspecific (except
True 1885; Rausch 1953), although von
Middendorff (1853), Hinton (1926:193),
Ellerman (1949:893), Ellerman and Morri-
son-Scott (1951:655), and Sidorowicz
(1960:72) implied such a relationship. Also,
Ognev (1948:408) and Sidorowicz (1964:
223) came to the more positive conclusion
that the Siberian and North American lem-
mings are conspecific. The latter author con-
cluded also that these two forms are con-
specific with the Norwegian lemming, Lem-
mus lemmus. Krivosheev and Rossolimo
(1966) agreed that the Siberian and North
American lemmings are conspecific, but re-
jected the poorly substantiated theory that
Lemmus sibiricus and Lemmus lemmus are
conspecific. | agree with the latter authors.
110
Although | concur with Sidorowicz (1964)
that Lemmus lemmus and Lemmus sibiricus
are indistinguishable cranially, and that they
may be conspecific, | do not think that Sid-
orowicz has made a convincing argument.
Geographical variation in the Siberian
lemming in North America is not well under-
stood. A brief history of the taxonomy of
Lemmus sibiricus from the mainland of North
America will show some of the problems
that have arisen. The first name for the lem-
ming in North America was Arvicola trimu-
cronata Richardson, 1825, from central
Mackenzie District. The next-named form,
Arvicola (Lemmus) helvolus Richardson,
1828, was based on a specimen from the
Rocky Mountains, probably in British Colum-
bia. Using colour as the main indicator of
geographical variation, there is no doubt
that these names represent two distinct sub-
species. The next identifiable names, Lem-
mus alascensis Merriam, 1900, and Lemmus
yukonensis Merriam, 1900, were applied to
specimens from northern coastal Alaska
(Point Barrow), and inland Alaska (Charlie
Creek) respectively. Finally, Lemmus minis-
culus Osgood, 1904, was based on imma-
ture specimens from the base of the Alaska
Peninsula.
The validity of Lemmus yukonensis was
first questioned by R. M. Anderson (1937:
110) who pointed out that the described
differences between L. yukonensis and L.
alascensis resulted from comparing speci-
mens in different pelages. In a concise re-
vision of Lemmus in North America, W. B.
Davis (1944:21) concurred with Anderson
and relegated L. yukonensis to the synonymy
of L. t. alascensis. Bee and Hall (1956:109)
described L. t. subarcticus from the Brooks
Range and part of the adjacent coastal plain
of northern Alaska, compared the new sub-
Rodentia
species with both L. {. a/ascensis and L. t.
yukonensis without commenting on the
conclusions of Anderson and Davis, and
implied that L. t. alascensis was larger than
L. t. yukonensis. Among other characters,
mainly cranial in nature, L. {. subarcticus
was described as being 6 per cent smaller
than L. t. alascensis and 4 per cent smaller
than L. t. yukonensis.
Hall and Kelson (1959) omitted mention
of the conclusions of Anderson and Davis,
and also omitted the well-documented oc-
currence of Lemmus on Banks Island, Vic-
toria Island, Prince of Wales Island, King
William Island and Bylot Island, N.W.T.
It has been shown that some small mam-
mals, notably Soricidae and Microtinae,
vary in body weight and skull size seasonally
(Dehnel 1949: Borowski and Dehnel 1952;
Schwartz et al. 1964; and Manning 1956).
Others have shown that, in addition, ‘’cy-
clic’ microtines exhibit a phase poiymor-
phism in which adults develop to larger size
during peak populations (Chitty and Chitty
1962; Kalela 1958; Krebs 1963; K. Zimmer-
mann 1955; Krebs 1964). In some instances,
the differences between means of many
measurements of described subspecies of
Lemmus sibiricus are remarkably close to the
differences between means of adults from
the low and peak stages of the lemming
cycle (Bee and Hall 1956, Krebs 1964).
Sidorowicz (1960) and Krivosheev and
Rossolimo (1966) noted a slight reduction
in size of body and skull in a continuous
clinal nature from north to south in the Pale-
arctic, not in accordance with variation in
colour. As more material becomes available,
this may be found to hold true in North
America, especially in the western arctic.
Colour is a good taxonomic character in
Lemmus sibiricus, but its use is somewhat
confounded by the presence of from 6 to 11
pelages (Bee and Hall 1956:102, 103). It is
not surprising that specimens in different
pelages have been compared in the descrip-
tions of new taxa.
There is a slight colour difference between
specimens of L. s. alascensis from Point
Barrow (paler) and L. s. trimucronatus (dark-
er) from the eastern arctic, but the cline in
this character is so gradual and continuous
that it is impossible to define the limits of
the two demes.
Considering all continental populations of
Lemmus sibiricus in North America, L. s.
trimucronatus and L. s. helvolus are the best
defined, and perhaps the only valid sub-
species. However, Sidorowicz (1964), after
examining specimens only from Point Bar-
row, Alaska, concluded that a// Lemmus
from the Nearctic are consubspecific.
An interesting zoogeographical corollary
is that Krivosheev and Rossolimo (1966)
recognized only the nominate subspecies
and L. s. chrysogaster in the Palearctic. My
comparison of a few specimens of L. s.
chrysogaster from eastern Siberia with spec-
imens from northern Alaska shows the pos-
sibility that the two populations may be
consubspecific.
Records of occurrence
Specimens examined, 128: Herschel Island,
Pauline Cove, 23; Herschel Island, 12 (3
AMNH, 8 MZ); 4 mi. WSW mouth Blow
River, 2; Old Crow River, 65 mi. above
Timber Creek, 1 (NMNH); O/d Crow River,
Timber Creek, 2 (NMNH); Old Crow River,
Johnson Creek, 67°50’ /139°46’,3 (NMNH);
Old Crow Mountains, 2 (1 AHRC); Ram-
part House, 1; 2% mi. SW Lapierre House, 1;
Hungry Lake, 65°39'45"/135°59",6; 13 mi.
S Chapman Lake, 13; 78 mi. S Chapman
Lake, 6; 20 mi. S Chapman Lake, 5; North
Fork Crossing, Mi. 43, Aklavik Road [ =
North Fork Crossing, Dempster Highway,
Mi. 43], Ogilvie Mountains, 1; Bonnet
Plume Lake, 3; Swede Dome, 34 mi W
Dawson, 1; Keele Lake, 43; Christmas Bay,
Kluane Lake, 2 (CU); S end Kluane Lake,
Alaska Highway, Mi. 1055, 1 (CU).
Accounts of Species and Subspecies
Synaptomys borealis — Northern bog lemming
Synaptomys borealis borealis Richardson
Arvicola borealis Richardson, 1828:515; holotype from
Fort Franklin, District of Mackenzie, N.W.T.
Synaptomys borealis, Osgood 1907:49.
Synaptomys borealis dalli, A. B. Howell 1927:9; Osgood
1909b:56, 79; Rand 1945a:40, 19456:59; R. M. Anderson
1947:145; Baker 1951:103; Hall and Cockrum 1953:478;
Hall and Kelson 1959:764; Youngman 1964:4, 1968:76.
Synaptomys dalli, Osgood 1900:37.
Distribution
Probably occurs throughout the wooded
part of the Yukon (Map 34).
Measurements
Average (and extreme) measurements of 18
males and 6 females from the southeastern
Yukon are: 123 (112-133), 127 (110-130);
20 (17-23), 19 (17-22); 19 (17-19), 19
(17-20). Four males from near Carmacks
weighed 28.4, 32.7, 32.4, 34.1 g. Two non-
parous females from the same _ locality
weighed 28.8 and 26.9 g. For cranial mea-
surements see Table 25.
Map 34
Distribution of Synaptomys borealis borealis
112
Remarks
A. B. Howell (1927:25) referred specimens
from Alaska, northern British Columbia, and
the Yukon to Synaptomys borealis dalli
since he considered them to be paler than
specimens of S. borealis with “slightly lon-
ger rostra, wider brain cases, wider incisive
foramina, and shorter pterygoid fossae”,
but he also remarked, “there is little average
cranial difference.” | agree that specimens
from these areas are slightly paler than
topotypes and near topotypes of S. b. bore-
alis, but this colour difference is very slight,
and not of equal weight with the colour
differences separating most subspecies of
S. cooper’. A comparison of cranial mea-
surements of four topotypes of S. b. borealis
(NMNH) and other specimens from various
localities in the Northwest Territories
(NMNH, AMNH, NMC) with numerous *
specimens from Alaska and the Yukon
(NMNH, AHRC, AMNH, NMC) shows no
significant cranial differences in either the
measurements mentioned by Howell or in
any other measurements.
There is no fossil record of Synaptomys
borealis in the Alaska—Yukon region. Guthrie
(19686:239) could not derive a clear indi-
cation of the Pleistocene zoogeography of
Synaptomys borealis from the present dis-
tribution pattern, but thought that the sep-
aration of the genus into northern (S. bore-
alis) and southern (S. cooper’) suggested
that S. borealis speciated in a northern refu-
gium. However, he also cautioned that since
Synaptomys has no Eurasian counterpart it
could be argued that it is a postglacial im-
migrant. Wetzel’s (1955:1) review of the
fossil record of the genus suggests that
Synaptomys borealis may have had a west-
ern, but not necessarily a Beringian origin.
The lack of a well-differentiated northwest-
ern subspecies leads me to suspect that
Synaptomys borealis speciated in a south-
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113
Accounts of Species and Subspecies
western refugium, and is a postglacial im-
migrant to the northwest.
Northern bog lemmings have been col-
lected in the Yukon between 800 and 6,000
ft mostly in bogs and marshes. Ten preg-
nant females averaged 4.4 (3-6) embryos.
Records of occurrence
Specimens examined, 105: Summit Lake,
67°43’ /136°29’, 1; Old Crow, 4; Rampart
House, 1; Bell River, 3; % mi. SW Lapierre
House, 2; Bell River, 2 mi. SW Lapierre
House, 4; Hungry Lake, 65°39’ 45” /135°59’,
1; mouth Coal Creek, 64°29'/140°26’, 1
(NMNH); Forty Mile, 1 (NMNH); North Fork
Crossing, Aklavik Road, Mi. 43 [ = North
Fork Crossing, Dempster Highway, Mi. 43],
Ogilvie Mountains, 4; Bonnet Plume Lake, 9;
Chandindu River, 1 (NMNH); Dempster
Highway, Mi. 4.8, 3 (AHRC); Keele Lake, 1;
forks Macmillan River, 5 (NMNH); south
fork Macmillan River, Canol Road, Mi. 249,
8; Sheldon Lake, Canol Road, Mi. 222; 12;
Rink Rapid, 1 (NMNH); 5% mi. NW Car-
macks, 6; % mi. NW Carmacks, 1; 11 mi.
WSW Carmacks, 6; 138 mi. N Watson Lake,
5 mi E Little Hyland River, 1; Little Hyland
River, 128 mi. N Watson Lake, 1; Lapie
River, Canol Road, Mi. 132, 7; Thirty Mile
River [ = Yukon River], 1 (NMNH); Bur-
wash Landing, 1; Steele Glacier, 1 (CU);
Lake Laberge, 2 (NMNH); Alaska Highway,
Mi. 1056, 1 (CU); Squanga Lake, 1; North
Toobally Lake, 15; Little Atlin Lake, 11 mi. E
Tagish, 13 mi. S Jakes Corner, 2.
Dicrostonyx torquatus — Varying lemming
Dicrostonyx torquatus kilangmiutak Anderson and Rand
Dicrostonyx groenlandicus kilangmiutak Anderson and Rand,
1945:305; holotype from De Haven Point, Victoria Island, N.W.T.
Dicrostonyx torquatus kilangmiutak, Rausch 1953:1 28.
Dicrostonyx rubricatus, G. M. Allen 1919:518 (part).
Dicrostonyx groenlandicus rubricatus, Anderson and Rand
1945a:305 (part); Hall and Cockrum 1953:484 (part); Miller and
Kellogg 1955:560 (part); Hall and Kelson 1959:767 (part);
Manning and Macpherson 1958:23.
Distribution
Probably restricted to the Richardson Moun-
tains, the Coastal Plain, and the British
Mountains (Map 35).
Measurements
A subadult male from the British Moun-
tains, 20 mi. SE mouth Joe Creek, measured
123; 13; 18; and weighed 41.1 g. Cranial
measurements of this individual and an un-
sexed specimen from Herschel Island are
respectively: condylobasilar length, 25.6,
27.4; nasal length, 7.8, 8.4; nasal breadth,
3.5, 3.6; zygomatic breadth, 16.8, 19.5;
lambdoidal breadth, 13.0, 14.5; least inter-
orbital breadth, 3.7, —; alveolar length of
maxillary tooth-row, 6.5, 8.8.
Dicrostonyx torquatus kilangmiutak dif-
fers from Dicrostonyx torquatus rubricatus
in having the anterior upper parts pale red
rather than dark red, and in having a pale-
grey rump rather than a dark-grey or brown-
ish rump. Specimens from the northern
Yukon are obviously intergrades between
Dicrostonyx torquatus rubricatus and D. t.
kilangmiutak.
114
Remarks
A revision of Dicrostonyx in North America
is badly needed. At least four species of
varying lemming may exist in North America
—Dicrostonyx torquatus, D. unalascensis,
D. richardsoni and D. hudsonius. In cross-
breeding experiments Rausch and Rausch
(1972) failed to breed the F1 progeny of
crosses of D. unalascensis (Umnak Island)
X D. t. exsul (St. Lawrence Island), D. un-
alascensis X D. torquatus nelsoni (Seward
Peninsula), D. unalascensis X D. richardsoni
(near Churchill, Man.), and D. unalascensis
X D. t. rubricatus (Point Barrow, Alaska),
whereas the F1 progeny of D. t. nelsoni X D.
t. exsul were fertile. They found the diploid
chromosome number varied from 30 to 35 in
D. t. exsul, D. t. nelsoni, D. t. rubricatus, and
D. unalascensis, while the diploid number
for D. richardsoni was 44 and 42. The breed-
ing experiments seem to show that D. un-
alascensis is a good species, while the
diploid number of D. richardsoni seems to
confirm its specific distinctness.
Rausch and Rausch’s assignment of vary-
ing lemmings from the Seward Peninsula to
Rodentia
Dicrostonyx torquatus nelsoni may be in-
correct. Specimens from the Seward Penin-
sula are greyer, less buff in colour than
topotypes of D. t. nelsoni and probably
represent an undescribed subspecies.
In my opinion, Dicrostonyx unalascensis
Merriam (holotype from Unalaska Island)
and D. unalascensis stevensoni Nelson are
consubspecific. D. t. nelsoni Merriam (holo-
type from St. Michael, Alaska) and D. t.
peninsulae Handley (holotype from Urilla
Bay, Unimak Island, Alaska) appear to be
well-defined subspecies, but more specimens
from both populations are needed. Speci-
mens of D. t. exsu/ G. M. Allen (holotype
from St. Lawrence Island, Alaska), when
compared with D. t. nelsoni and D. t. rubri-
catus (Richardson), are pale and show
cranial differences. Varying lemmings from
the Seward Peninsula are a uniform dull-
grey lacking the grizzled black and dark-red
colouring found on the anterior upper parts
of specimens of D. t. rubricatus, a popula-
tion that extends at least from Cape Sabine,
Alaska, on the Arctic coast, east almost to
the Canadian border. D. t. rubricatus and
D. t. kilangmiutak Anderson and Rand (holo-
type from Victoria Island, N.W.T.) intergrade
Over a narrow zone in the northern Yukon.
D. t. nunatakensis Youngman (holotype
from Ogilvie Mountains, Yukon Territory)
lacks the reddish coloration of D. t. kilang-
miutak. D. t. groenlandicus (Traill) (holo-
type from Jameson Land, Greenland) is a
distinctive bright grey. | consider D. t. clarus
Handley (holotype from Mould Bay, N.W.T.)
to be consubspecific with D. t. groenlandi-
cus. | believe D. t. lentus Handley (holo-
type from Lake Harbour, Baffin Island), a
dull-grey subspecies, occurs over entire
inhabitable Baffin Island, Southampton Is-
land, and into northeastern District of Kee-
watin as far as King William Island and Ade-
laide Peninsula in the north, and Baker Lake
in the south. Although intergradation be-
tween D. t. kilangmiutak and D. t. lentus
Occurs Over a narrow zone, there are no ob-
vious intergrades between these two sub-
species and the brownish D. richardsoni
Merriam (holotype from Churchill, Man.).
The nominal species D. hudsonius differs
from the other species in that the first and
second upper cheek-teeth lack the acces-
sory fold at the posterointernal corner. How-
ever, 13 specimens of D. richardsoni from
18 mi. S of Eskimo Point, Keewatin District,
N.W.T., show slightly similar characteristics.
The cyclic nature of varying lemming pop-
ulations was well demonstrated in 1964
when G. D. Tessier and | examined a small
segment of the Yukon Coastal Plain on the
Beaufort Sea. No lemmings were seen or
trapped, but there was evidence that a large
population had occupied the area during
the previous year (Figure 1). Arctic-fox
scats and owl pellets contained nothing but
the remains of varying lemmings, and aban-
doned runways and burrows were numerous.
In Alaska, the Yukon Territory, and the
Northwest Territories, varying lemmings
have been collected in two radically differ-
ent tundra biotypes—either in high alpine
tundra, or in valley bottoms and coastal
tundra (also see Guthrie 1968b:236). At
any one locality, varying lemmings may be
found in one of these biotypes, but they
have not been found in both simultaneously.
On the Coastal Plain, varying lemmings
occur in tundra a few feet above the sea
level (Figure 1). In the British Mountains of
the northwestern Yukon, they occurred in a
sparsely vegetated dry heath at 2,700 ft ona
Map 35
Distribution of Dicrostonyx torquatus
1 D.t. kilangmiutak
2 D.t. nunatakensis
115
Accounts of Species and Subspecies
barren, rock-strewn mountainside (Figure 2),
but not in the adjacent low tundra. At Horn
Lake, N.W.T., in the Richardson Mountains,
near the Yukon border, they were found at
1,000 ft in low, poorly drained, Eriophorum
meadows and not in the adjacent alpine
tundra. In the Ogilvie Mountains, north of
Dawson, Dicrostonyx torquatus nunataken-
sis was found at 5,500 ft, in a rocky heath at
the edge of a glacial cirque (Figure 3).
It is tempting to hypothesize interspecific
competitive dominance as the reason for
this species’ occupancy of two different
ecotypes. In the Ogilvie and the British
mountains—both areas where Dicrostonyx
was confined to alpine heath—/Wicrotus
miurus was the dominant species occupying
the low hillsides. In the spring of 1972
Microtus miurus was not found in the val-
leys in the Ogilvie Mountains. However, a
single specimen of Dicrostonyx t. nunata-
kensis was collected in a valley and there
was evidence that a large population of
Dicrostonyx had occupied the valley bot-
toms the previous fall.
Records of occurrence
Specimens examined, 38: Herschel Island,
Pauline Cove, 21; Flanders Point, Herschel
Island, 1 (AMNH); Herschel Island, 9 (7
AMNH); British Mountains, 20 mi. SE
mouth Joe Creek, 7.
Dicrostonyx torquatus nunatakensis Youngman
Dicrostonyx torquatus nunatakensis Youngman, 1967:31,
holotype from Ogilvie Mountains, 20 mi. S Chapman Lake
(64°35'/138°13’), 5,500 ft.
Dicrostonyx torquatus, Youngman 1964:4.
Distribution
Known only from the type locality and an
adjacent peak in the Ogilvie Mountains of
north-central Yukon Territory, but probably
occurs in the Wernecke and Selwyn moun-
tains (Map 35).
Measurements
External measurements of the holotype, fol-
lowed by those of a young adult male are
129, 128; 12, 11; 16, 17. Cranial measure-
ments of the same specimens are: condylo-
basilar length, 25.3, —; nasal !ength, 6.6,
7.8; nasal breadth, 3.2, 3.5; zygomatic
breadth, 16.6, 17.9; lambdoidal breadth,
12.4, —; least interorbital breadth, 3.7,
—; alveolar length of maxillary tooth-row,
6.5, 6.8.
Remarks
This subspecies differs markedly from Di-
crostonyx torquatus rubricatus and D. t.
kilangmiutak in being overall pale grey-
116
brown dorsally rather than having the upper
parts washed with dark red anteriorly, with
a grey rump, and paler underparts. Speci-
mens in immature pelage are greyer and less
yellow than comparable specimens of D.t
rubricatus and D. t. kilangmiutak.
Dicrostonyx torquatus nunatakensis oc-
curs in rocky alpine tundra at the base of a
glacial cirque, at 5,500 ft, and in adjacent
valleys in the rugged southern Ogilvie Range
of the Ogilvie Mountains, approximately 250
miles from the nearest records of Dicrosto-
nyx from Fort Yukon, Alaska (G. M. Allen
1919) and the Richardson Mountains,
N.W.T. A subfossil from Sixty Mile River,
mouth of Miller Creek, Yukon Territory, is
provisionally assigned to this subspecies.
Records of occurrence
Specimens examined, 11: Ogilvie Moun-
tains, 52 mi. NE Dawson, 2; 20 mi. S Chap-
man Lake, 9.
Rodentia
Mus musculus — House mouse
Mus musculus ssp.
Mus musculus Linnaeus, 1758:62; type locality Upsala, Sweden.
Mus musculus, Baker 1951:111.
Distribution
Known only from the vicinities of White-
horse and Dawson.
Measurements
Average (and extreme) measurements of 5
females from Dawson are 180 (175-186);
90 (88-94); 17 (17-18); 16 (14-19). The
weights of 3 nonparous females are 22.2,
20.4, 20.3 g. Average (and extreme) cranial
measurements of 5 females from Dawson
are: condylobasal length, 20.7 (20.0-21.4);
zygomatic breadth, 11.2 (11.0—11.5); inter-
orbital breadth, 3.7 (3.7—3.8); nasal length,
Family Zapodidae — Jumping mice
8.0 (7.7-8.6); incisive foramen, 5.1 (5.0—
5.4); maxillary tooth-row, 3.6 (3.5-3.8).
Remarks
In the Yukon, this introduced mammal has
been collected under a deserted building, at
a city dump (Baker 1951:111), and in the
food cupboards of a house.
Records of occurrence
Specimens examined, 20: Dawson, 17;
Mcintyre Creek, 3 mi. NW Whitehorse, 2
(KU); 2 mi. NNW Whitehorse, 1 (KU).
Zapus hudsonius — Meadow jumping mouse
Zapus hudsonius hudsonius (Zimmermann)
Dipus hudsonius Zimmermann, 1780:358; type locality,
Hudson Bay, Canada.
Zapus hudsonius, Coues 1875:253.
Zapus hudsonius hudsonius, Baker 1951:111; Krutzsch 1954:443
(part); Hall and Kelson 1959:773 (part); Youngman 1964:5,
1968:79.
Zapus hudsonius alascensis, Rand 19456:69; Krutzsch 1954:436
(part); Hall and Kelson 1959:773 (part).
Distribution
Occurs in the southern half of the Yukon
(Map 36).
Measurements
A male from North Toobally Lake measured
270; 125; 30. Five females from Dezadeash
Lake averaged 223 (216-232); 136 (132-
138); 30 (29-32). A male from Carmacks
weighed 20.2 g. A nonparous female from
Mayo weighed 21.0 g. For cranial measure-
ments see Table 26.
Remarks
No adequate series of specimens exist, for
statistical analysis, from any single location
in the Yukon.
Krutzsch (1954) considered two speci-
mens from the southwest end of Dezadeash
Lake to be intergrades between Zapus hud-
sonius hudsonius and Z. h. alascensis, and
assigned them to the latter subspecies. He
noted that they resemble Z. 4. hudsonius in
the shape of their auditory bullae, but indi-
cated that otherwise they more closely re-
semble Z. h. alascensis. A comparison of
these and four additional specimens from
the same locality with topotypes of Z. A.
alascensis and near topotypes of Z. h. hud-
sonius, shows that they most closely resem-
ble Z. h. hudsonius cranially and in colour.
Records of occurrence
Specimens examined, 28: 14 mi. E Dawson
5: 4% mi. N Mayo, 1; 7 mi. SE Mayo, 1; forks
Macmillan River, 1 (NMNH); 7 mi. NNW
Carmacks, 1; 3% mi. NW Carmacks, 1; Nor-
denskiold River, 1 mi. NW Carmacks, 2;
Carmacks, 1; Lake Laberge, 3 (NMNH);
Mcintyre Creek, 3 mi. NW Whitehorse, 3
(KU); SW end Dezadeash Lake, 3 (KU);
SW end Dezadeash Lake, Haines Road, Mi.
124 3; North Toobally Lake, 2; Tagish River,
13 mi. SW Jakes Corner, 1.
Dee
Accounts of Species and Subspecies
Table 26
Cranial measurements of two species of Zapus
c oO ow —
Catalogue a 8 = = = S- ë ‘Sg iG ae
number, Sc Sc Ex Ses os T ws £Sé SE
and sex Be FS 88 83 88 #5 SS) 22a.
of specimens 6 Oo © NS £5 =5 peg a © SE STE
Zapus hudsonius hudsonius
14 mi. E Dawson
30797 ©! 22.6 20.3 10.9 4.1 10.4 2.3 10.0 4.2 3.8
30793 9 22.5 20.3 11.0 3.9 10.0 2.9 10.0 4.2 3.7
30796 Q 22.7 19.9 10.9 4.1 10.4 2.6 9.9 4.0 3.6
1 mi. SE Mayo
31726 © 23.2 20.9 11.6 4.2 10.9 2:5 9.9 4.5 3.5
Carmacks region
35128 ©’ 23.1 20.3 10.7 4.3 10.3 2.7 9.8 4.3 3.8
3512780 23.3 20.7 11.2 4.2 10.5 2.7 9.8 4.2 SET
35129 9 2272) 20.5 112 3.8 10.3 2.5 9.5 4.0 os
McIntyre Creek, 3 mi. NW Whitehorse
21654 KU,c 21.5 19.3 10.6 4.2 10.1 225 9.5 3.6
21656 KU, 21.0 19.4 10.5 4.3 9.9 2.5 9.4 3.6
SW end Dezadeash Lake
29080 KU, 9 23.8 21.3 1168 4.5 10.7 2.8 10.4 4.5 319
43129 KU, © 23.1 20.8 11.2 4.4 10.5 2.6 10.2 4.2 3.9
36140 © 22.6 19.8 11.4 4.4 10.6 2.4 9.9 4.5 4.2
36141 © 22.6 20.1 11.4 4.4 10.5 27 9.6 4.4 3.9 |
North Toobally Lake |
|
29826 © 21.6 19.7 10.9 4.1 9.9 25 9.4 4.2 3.9 }
Zapus princeps saltator |
Rose River, Canol Road, Mi. 95 |
17844 © 235 22.0 1172. 4.4 2.5 10.4 5.4 4.3
17858 © 1222 4.2 2.6 10.8 5.5 4.3
Rodentia
Map 36 Map 37
Distribution of Zapus hudsonius hudsonius Distribution of Zapus princeps saltator
Zapus princeps — Western jumping mouse
Zapus princeps saltator J. À. Allen
Zapus saltator J. A. Allen, 1899b:13; holotype from
Telegraph Creek, B.C.
Zapus princeps saltator, Hall 1931:10; Rand 1945a:45, 19456:70;
R. M. Anderson 1947:170; Krutzsch 1954:418; Hall and Kelson
1959:776.
Distribution Remarks
Southern Yukon (Map 37). The only 2 specimens from the Yukon are
those collected by Rand on the Canol Road.
Measurements
Two males from Rose River, Canol Road, Records of occurrence
Mi. 95, measured respectively 232, 237; Specimens examined, 2; Rose River Canol
143, 146; 32, 33. For cranial measurements Road, Mi. 95, 2.
see Table 26.
119
Accounts of Species and Subspecies
Family Erethizontidae — Porcupines
Erethizon dorsatum — Porcupine
Erethizon dorsatum myops Merriam
Erethizon epixanthus myops Merriam, 1900a:27; holotype from
Portage Bay, Alaska Peninsula, Alaska.
Erethizon dorsatum myops, Anderson and Rand 1943:302;
Rand 1945a:45, 19456:70; R. M. Anderson 1947:1 73;
Baker 1951:112.
Distribution
All of the Yukon (Map 38).
Measurements
Three males from the southeastern Yukon
measured respectively 890, 860, 735; 260,
260, 190; 120, 126, 95. Average (and ex-
treme) measurements of 5 females from the
same region are 711 (705-745); 191 (170—
222); 99 (88-107). A pregnant female (1
foetus) from Rampart House weighed 13 Ib
8 oz. A male from Bonnet Plume Lake
weighed 23 Ib. For cranial measurements
see Table 27.
Map 38
Distribution of Erethizon dorsatum myops
120
Remarks
This subspecies is generally paler, with more
yellow hairs than Erethizon dorsatum dorsa-
tum, from which it also differs in cranial
characters (Anderson and Rand 1943). Ere-
thizon dorsatum myops and E. d. nigrescens
seem to form a western subspecies group
that can be distinguished from the eastern
subspecies primarily by the long nasal bones.
Rand (1945a:45) found some porcupines
on the Canol Road in 1944 and reported
evidence indicating that many porcupines
had frozen to death during the cold winter
of 1942-43. It is well known among resi-
dents of the southern Yukon that porcupines
became scarce in the mid to late 1940s.
Louis Pospisil, at Liard Crossing, reported
that there had been many deaths and an
emigration of porcupines in 1947. Porcu-
pines were still scarce in 1965.
Records of occurrence
Specimens examined, 35: Joe River [ = Joe
Creek, 69°05’ /140°26’], 2 (NMNH); Salm-
on Cache, 75 mi. up Porcupine River from
Old Crow, 1; Rampart House, 1; Bonnet
Plume Lake, 3; Chandindu River, 1 (NMNH);
head Parent Creek, Duncan district, 1;
Keele Lake, 1; Macmillan Pass, Canol Road,
Mi. 282, 1; Lapie Lake, Canol Road, Mi.105,
1; Rose River, Canol Road, Mi. 95, 6; White-
horse, 2; Hootalinqua River [ = Teslin River],
near Teslin Lake, 1; Surprise Lake, 1; 2 mi. W
Teslin River, 16 mi. S and 56 mi. E White-
horse, 1 (KU); Dezadeash Lake, 1; 16 mi.
SW Robinson, 1 (NMNH); Teslin Lake, 5;
near Teslin Lake, 2; Nisutlin River, near
Teslin Lake, 1; Fat Creek, Teslin Lake, 1;
Teslin Bay, Teslin Lake, 1.
Additional records
Firth River [near Herschel Island] (Ander-
son /n Stefannson 1913:514); Richardson
Mountains, 16 mi. NE Lapierre House, 27
July 1964 (old work seen, P. M. Youngman,
MS); 5 mi. SE Dalton Post, 17 May 1963
(old barking seen, P. M. Youngman, MS).
Rodentia
Table 27
Cranial measurements of Erethizon dorsatum myops
Least Alveolar
Catalogue number inter- length of
and sex Basal Zygomatic Length of orbital Width of maxillary
of specimens length breadth nasals breadth rostrum tooth-row
Bonnet Plume Lake
35864 98.2 72.2 41.5 27.4 21.1 27.8
Keele Lake
35867 © 94.0 ile? 40.1 27.8 Pai \ a 26.6
Southern Yukon (Canol Road; Teslin Lake)
17793 © 74.3 40.7 33.4 25.9 25:9
17794 0 108.0 73.5 43.0 28.9 257 2779
17842 © 96.0 7957. 36.8 28.9 2} 167! 2573
1979 © 96.5 42.3 23.0 28.2
1967 © 98.2 71.5 3779 23.0 23.8
17800 © 92. 71.4 36.1 31.3 24.2 28.1
17801 © 95.6 64.3 38.2 30.6 24.6 24.1
18121 © 94.0 67.7 36.2 21129 22.1 26.1
17663 © 94.0 69.0 38.4 31.5 25.3 26.9
121
Accounts of Species and Subspecies
Order CETACEA — Whales
Key to Yukon Cetaceans
1
Cleft of mouth not curved. Teeth always present in the lower jaw and often in
upper; no baleen; rami of lower jaw united by bony denticulations on symphy-
seal ‘surfaces: blowhole single . i 2.2620. ..08.7.5 EE
Cleft of mouth curved. Teeth absent after birth; upper jaws furnished with plates
of baleen; rami of lower jaw united by only fibrous tissues and not by bony
denticulations:blowWhole doubDIe <2 <= ay cue su-esicrciene ee eee ercuieie nee nee
Dorsal fin absent. Teeth usually fewer than 10.................
Dorsal fin present. Teeth usually more than 10..........................
Colour everywhere white; back with a hump. Males and females without
Spirally TWiIStEdIUSK EL LS aes saat eg Delphinapterus leucas, p.
Colour above dark grey, below white, sides and back mottled with grey; back
without a hump. Males with spirally twisted tusk (occasionally 2) projected
anteriorly; females usually not showing tusks externally. (Not recorded from the
COAS AL YUIKOI heen cc oor a ck ee rei ss. ay ecg ee Monodon monoceros, p.
Dorsal fin more than 250 mm in height; total length of males more than 8
(20-30) ft; black of sides contrasting with white of belly, white extending up
on sides posteriorly; no dark line from corner of mouth to pectoral flipper.
Teeth 10 to 13. (Not definitely recorded from coastal Yukon.) . . Orcinus orca, p.
Dorsal fin less than 250 mm in height; total length of adults less than 8 (4-6)
ft; black of back not contrasted with white of belly; dark line from corner of
mouth to flipper. Teeth 16 to 26. (Not recorded from coastal Yukon.)........
Ms ono ou ob n de Phocoena phocoena, p.
Head less than 1/3 length of animal; 2 to 4 longitudinal folds on throat; pec-
toral fin enclosing 4 fingers; annual mottled grey (sometimes blackish). Baleen
coarsely fringed, 14 to 18 in. long; cervical vertebrae free. Spouts quick and low.
(Not recorded from coastal Yukon.)..............Eschrichtius gibbosus, p.
Head more than 1 /3 length of animal; no longitudinal folds on throat; pectoral
fin enclosing 5 fingers; annual uniformly black or greyish brown. Baleen finely
fringed, about 30 in. long; cervical vertebrae united. Spouts long and high.....
eRe ae: Se? Ss EE eee TRUS. Sips tierce Re nee mite Balaena mysticetus, p.
Family Monodontidae — Monodontids
Delphinapterus leucas — White whale
Delphinapterus leucas (Pallas)
Delphinus leucas Pallas, 1771:85; type locality, mouth of Obi
[Obl] River, northeastern Siberia, U.S.S.R.
Dfelphinapterus].leucas, Cuvier 1812:13.
Delphinapterus leucas, R. M. Anderson 1937:101; Rand
1945b:89.
Distribution Remarks
Coastal waters.
Measurements
No measurements, external or cranial, are
175
175
175
123
R. M. Anderson (1937:101) refers to White-
fish Station, between Tent Island and Escape
available from the Yukon. a good summer.
122
Reef as a well-known hunting area for
white whales, with as many as 200 taken in
Cetacea
Shingle Point is the only area on the
Yukon coast where any whaling is done
today.
Records of occurrence
Specimens examined, 1: Herschel Island,
Pauline Cove, 1.
Family Balaenidae — Right whales
Additional records
30 mi. W Herschel Island, 15 August 1909
(seen, R. M. Anderson, MS); Herschel Is-
land (Porsild 1929:30); Niakonak [near
Shingle Point] (Stefannson 1913:35); White-
fish Station, between Tent Island and Es-
cape Reef (R. M. Anderson 1937:101).
Balaena mysticetus — Bowhead whale
Balaena mysticetus Linnaeus
[Balaena] mysticetus Linnaeus, 1758:75; type locality,
Greenland seas.
Distribution
Waters of the Beaufort Sea.
Measurements
No measurements are known from specimens
from the Yukon.
Remarks
Formerly, Eskimos, in skin-covered umiaks,
used hand lances to hunt the bowhead
whale along the Yukon coast. Every part of
the animal was utilized. The flesh was eaten
by the men and dogs. The skin, or muktuk,
was a delicacy; the blubber was eaten
and used for fuel; the bones were used for
sledge runners, house frames, net sinkers,
and other implements.
In 1888, the first commercial American
whaler to travel east of Point Barrow ar-
rived at Herschel Island, Yukon Territory.
Other ships followed in later years, and dur-
ing the peak years of 1893-1895 fifteen
whalers, with about 800 men, wintered at
Herschel Island.
During the early years of western arctic
whaling, both the oil and whalebone were
utilized, but during later years the whales
were hunted chiefly for the whalebone or
baleen, which might bring $10,000 per
whale. After 1907 the whaling industry de-
clined. By 1912 the last major whalers left
the waters (largely after R. M. Anderson
1987);
In addition to increased trade, whaling
brought many changes to the Yukon Eski-
mos, including venereal disease and other
epidemics. Now, except for an occasional
fishing camp, the old whaling centres are
deserted. For further information on this
interesting subject the reader is referred to
Hinton and Godsell (1954:113-31), and to
R. M. Anderson (1937:100).
Records of occurrence
Specimens examined, 1: Herschel Island,
Pauline Cove, 1.
Additional records
Herschel Island (Preble 1908:127, Porsild
1945:21); near King Point, 27 August 1909
(sightings, R. M. Anderson, MS); off Sabine
Point, 31 August 1912 (specimens, R. M.
Anderson, MS); between Shingle Point and
King Point, 10 September 1914 (seen, R. M.
Anderson, MS).
123
Accounts of Species and Subspecies
Order CARNIVORA — Carnivores
Key to Yukon Carnivores
124
Digitigrade; longitudinal septa in tympanic bullae.....................
Plantigrade or subplantigrade; no longitudinal septa in tympanic bullae......
Four digits on forefoot; entepicondylar foramen of humerus lacking; 3 lower
io) ie a emo NE NE
Five digits on forefoot; entepicondylar foramen of humerus present; 1 or 2
lover MOIArS 2.2 EI OO I eA LA NN EEE EE
Postorbital processes thickened and convex dorsally; upper incisors prom-
inently lobed; condylobasal length usually more than 170 mm............
Postorbital processes thin and concave dorsally; upper incisors usually not
prominently lobed; condylobasal length usually less than 161 mm..........
Nose pad 1 in. or less in diameter; heel pad less than 1% in. in diameter;
relatively large brain case, slender rostrum, and small narrow teeth; maximum
width of brain case in region of parieto-temporal suture; frontal shield not
tilted up; distance from outer border of M1 to base of paracone less than dis-
tance from this point to inner margin oftooth............. Canis /atrans, p.
Nose pad more than 1 in. in diameter; heel pad more than 1% in. in diam-
eter; relatively small brain case; massive rostrum, and large teeth; maximum
width of brain case usually at the roots of the zygoma; frontal shield tilted up;
distance from outer border of M1 to base of paracone greater than distance
from this point to inner margin of tooth................... Canis lupus, p.
Ears short and rounded; rostrum measured at a point opposite cone of P2
more than 18 per cent of condylobasal length; teeth of rami relatively closely
SpPacedhan 2588 Be, SARE ES POR LR Er Vulpes lagopus, p.
Ears long and pointed; rostrum measured at a point opposite cone of P2 less
than 18 per cent of condylobasal length; teeth of rami relatively widely
SPACE LENS niet cre ee ee nS fo OC ne Vulpes vulpes, p.
Tail more than % length of body; premolars 3/2........... Felis concolor, p.
Tail less than % length of body; premolars 2/2........... Felis canadensis, p.
Alisphenoid canal present; 3 lower molars; entepicondylar foramen in hu-
merus absent; length of head and body more than 41 in. in adults; length of
tail vertebrae less than 14 per cent of total length.......................
Alisphenoid canal absent; 2 lower premolars; entepicondylar foramen in hu-
merus present; length of head and body less than 41 in. in adults; patel of tail
vertebrae more than 14 per cent of total length.
Always entirely white; combined length of M1 ane M2 (es Ger mane
Wide eee RCS Me MCE tiie ec One ns kat meee eet, kc Ursus maritimus, p.
Never entirely white; combined length of M1 and M2 never less than palatal
Wide sas we. Sie de Soka ay aS ee eee cat Rete TRES
Front claws approximately same length as hind claws; m1 with broad open
cuspless valley medially between metaconid and entoconid; p4 without
medial accessory cusps or anteroposterior sulcus on posterior part; M2 broad-
est at a point approximately halfway between anterior and posterior margins
dau oio on cpu Droit Ursus americanus, p.
Font claws longer than hind claws; m1 with one or more cusplets medially in
valley between metaconid and entoconid; p4 with median accessory cusps
and a median anteroposterior sulcus on posterior part; M2 broadest at anterior
ENORME UE ee OT A RS NE oy God Qe Ursus arctos, p.
125
128
129
139
133
136
EEE
Carnivora
DR TarOlals:4i/4. DAMON scan ZEN]. ~ CON ROM ee ae). VA RG BOON 11
nae Fremolarstewer than mm, DOUX. RU M we ccc ere 12
1 Tail more than 290 mm; outside length of P4 more than 9.5 mm; length of m1
cie Ein PTS dE A iiets 6 e-8 au ere oes Martes pennanti, p. 142
A1” Tail less than 290 mm; outside length of P4 less than 9.5 mm; length of m1
A ISERE ou ot avec ee à 8 à exons Martes americana, p. 140
12 Fleshy part of tail so thickened at base that tail merges gradually with body;
toes of 4 feet webbed at least as far as terminal phalanx of each toe; infra-
orbital canal large and visible in ventral view; P2 almost as wide as long, M1
rectangular, both adapted for crushing............... Lontra canadensis, p. 152
12’ Fleshy part of tail not so thickened at base as to cause tail to merge gradually
with body; toes of 4 feet not webbed so far distally as terminal phalanx of each
toe; infraorbital canal small and not visible in ventral view; P2 much longer
than wide, M1 short and wide, both adapted more for shearing............ 13
13 RS EE IPL) co oer Cana ts warp Ew Sane eh lee wa Gulo gulo, p. 150
13° LOS MEN Re PR RE GS aye a US, Saw Aes 14
7 Length of upper tooth-row less than 17 mm. ......................... 15
14’ Length of upper tooth-row more than 20 mm............ Mustela vison, p. 147
15 Tail without black tip, barely extends beyond outstretched hind feet........
+ 0-0 van auf CARRS Dab. aa eGR uaa meee IR PE nee SA PRE Mustela nivalis, p. 146
15° Tail with black tip, extends considerably beyond outstretched hind feet. .....
Nr UE vo ke him laos Mustela erminea, p. 142
Family Canidae — Canids
Canis latrans — Coyote
Canis latrans latrans Say
Canis latrans latrans Say, in James 1823:168; type locality,
Engineer Cantonment (=approximately 2 mi. E Fort Calhoun),
Washington County, Nebr.
Canis latrans incolatus, Hall 1934:369; Rand 1945a:33,
1945b:35; Baker 1951:112; Jackson 1951:266; Cameron
1952:179; Hall and Kelson 1959:844.
Distribution ada, | conclude that a panmictic population
Probably occurs throughout the Yukon(Map
39).
Measurements
No external measurements are available for
specimens from the Yukon. For cranial
measurements see Table 28.
Remarks
The characteristics purported to separate
Canis latrans incolatus from C. /. latrans and
C. |. lestes have primarily to do with the
dorsal outline of the frontal region being
more “‘dished”, the relatively short rostrum,
and relatively little black on the forelegs.
All of these characters are highly variable
and subjective. From an examination of sev-
eral hundred specimens from western Can-
exists.
Rand (1945a:33, 19456:36) cited evi-
dence showing there were no coyotes in
the Yukon prior to 1912; Armstrong (1937:
209) alleged that there were no coyotes in
the Yukon a few years prior to 1925. Cairnes
(1909:31), however, reported the presence
of coyotes in the southern Yukon in 1908,
and Clarke (1944) said, “So far as could be
ascertained the coyote is an ancient inhabi-
tant of the parkland of southwestern Yukon.”
In the northern Yukon, where coyotes have
occurred sporadically, there is a word for
coyote in the Vanta Kutchin vocabulary
(zotsil, little wolf), and some of the older
Indians in Old Crow recall hearing stories
about coyotes from their parents.
To my knowledge there are no valid
125
Accounts of Species and Subspecies
Pleistocene records of Canis /atrans from
Alaska or the Yukon. This may indicate that
this species is a postglacial migrant to this
region.
Records of occurrence
Specimens examined, 24: Snag, 1; Yukon
Crossing, 1; lower Ross River, Canol Road,
1; near Tepee Lake, 1; Kluane Lake, 2;
25 mi. NW Whitehorse, 1 (KU); Alsek River,
Champagne Landing [ = Champagne], 1
(AMNH); Teslin Lake, 1 (MVZ); Grouse
Creek [between Atlin and Teslin], 1 (MVZ);
Atlin Lake, 38 mi. SE Tagish, 1; Yukon—
British Columbia boundary at 132°, Teslin
Lake, 1 (MVZ).
Localities not plotted
Yukon River, 4 (3 ROM, 1 MVZ); White
River, 8 (7 ROM, 1 MVZ).
Additional records
Old Crow (seen by C. P. Charlie, P.M.
Youngman, MS, 2 July 1964); Sixty Mile
Creek [ = Sixty Mile River] (Rand 19455:
36); near Russell Creek (Armstrong 1937:
209); White River, near Yukon—Alaska
boundary (Cameron 1952:179); North Too-
bally Lake (Youngman 1968:79).
Map 39
Distribution of Can/s latrans latrans
126
Map 40
Distribution of Canis /upus
Carnivora
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Accounts of Species and Subspecies
Canis lupus — Wolf
Canis lupus ssp.
Canis lupus Linnaeus, 1758:39; holotype from Sweden;
Youngman 1968:79.
Canis lupus pambisileus, R. M. Anderson 1943a:391 (part);
Goldman 1944:422 (part); R. M. Anderson 1947:57 (part);
Hall and Kelson 1959:851 (part).
Canis lupus occidentalis, Goldman 1944:427 (part); Hall and
Kelson 1959:851 (part).
Canis lupus columbianus, Rand 1945a:34 (part); Hall and
Kelson 1959:847 (part).
Distribution
Occurs throughout the Yukon (Map 40).
Measurements
A female from 11 mi. S Chapman Lake
measured 1,610; 463; 275. For cranial
measurements see Table 28.
Remarks
Jolicoeur (1959) studied geographical
variation in wolves in northwestern Canada,
and concluded that variation in Nearctic
wolves suggests an incompletely panmictic
population rather than subspecies. Rosso-
limo and Dolgov (1965) came to much the
same conclusion for wolves in the U.S.S.R.
Since a more comprehensive study of geo-
graphical variation is needed for all of
North America, it makes little sense to
attempt to apply the many available names.
Most of the wolves | have seen in the
Yukon were grey-black or near black, even
in the north.
Many persons in the Yukon hunt wolves
with some fervour, either as a method of
predator control or to obtain the handsome
large hides for trophies. Since there is a
$25.00 bounty on wolves in the Yukon,
many animals are shot from cars or actively
sought after by professional trappers. For
some time, the Yukon Game Commission has
conducted a wintertime control campaign
against wolves, largely in the name of con-
serving the dwindling caribou herds, by drop-
ping strychnine baits from airplanes onto the
frozen surfaces of lakes. As a result, many
non-target species are killed, including Bald
Eagles, Ravens, foxes, lynx, ermine, coyotes,
marten, and wolverine. It is questionable
whether these measures save as many cari-
bou as are illegally killed by hunters.
Most residents of the Yukon do not fear
confrontation with wolves except in the
winter, when prey may be scarce.
128
Records of occurrence
Specimens examined, 57: 40 mi. SE Crow |
[Crow Base = 68°13'/141°00'], 3 |
Base
(NMNH); 6 mi. N Rampart House, 1
(NMNH); mouth Bluefish River, 11 mi.
WSW Old Crow, 1; mouth Bell River, 1;
11 mi. S Chapman Lake, 1; Yukon River,
mouth Rosebute Creek, 4 mi. S mouth Sixty
Mile River, 1; Henderson Creek, 4; Stewart \
River settlement region, 3; mouth Stewart \
River, 2; mouth White River, 2; 8 mi. S |
mouth White River, 1; Stewart River, mouth
Barker Creek, 2; north fork Macmillan River,
2 (NMNH); Riddell River, Pelly-Macmillan
country, 1 (NMNH); Pelly River, mouth
Tummel River, 1 (NMNH); Pelly Lakes, 6
(NMNH); vicinity Big Salmon, 4; Hoole
Canyon, 1 (NMNH); Hoole River, 1
(NMNH); Lapie River, Canol Road, Mi. 105,*
1; Kluane Lake, 1 (MCZ); K/uane, 2 (MCZ);
17 mi. N Canon [=17 mi. N Canyon], E
side Aishihik River, 1 (KU); Marshall Creek,
3 mi. N Dezadeash River, 1 (KU) Hungry
Lake, near Kluane, 1 (MCZ); near White-
horse, 1; SW end Dezadeash Lake, 1 (KU);
W side Atlin Lake, 2.
Localities not plotted
White River, 8 (6 ROM, 2 MVZ).
Additional records
Bell River, 10 mi. NE Lapierre House, 27
July 1964 (sign seen, P.M. Youngman,
MS); Richardson
Lapierre House, 27 July 1964 (scats seen,
|. Stirling, MS); Bonnet Plume Lake, 12
July 1966 (sign seen, W. H. Butler, MS);
Keele Lake, 14 August 1966 (sighting
reported, W. H. Butler, MS); 138 mi. N
Watson Lake, 5 mi. E Little Hyland River
(sighting reported, P. M. Youngman, MS,
14 June 1963).
Mountains, 13 mi. NE |
|
|
Carnivora
Vulpes lagopus — Arctic fox
Vulpes lagopus lagopus (Linnaeus)
Canis lagopus Linnaeus, 1758:40; type locality, Lapland.
Vulpes lagopus, Bogdanov 1873:247.
Alopex lagopus innuitus, R. M. Anderson 1947:51.
Distribution.
Mainly coastal. Travels occasionally as far
south as the Porcupine River (Map 41).
Measurements
No specimens with external measurements
are available from the Yukon. For cranial
measurements see Table 29.
Remarks
The taxonomy of arctic foxes is in obvious
need of revision. Five nominal sub-
species have been recognized for the
Nearctic. Tsalkin (1944) recognized only
the nominate subspecies of arctic fox in the
continental Palearctic. My examination of
several hundred skulls of North American
and Eurasian specimens leads me to con-
clude that the continental Holarctic region
is occupied by a panmictic population. The
several insular subspecies are not con-
sidered here.
The characters used by Merriam (1902:
170), to distinguish V. /. innuitus from
V. I. lagopus—'‘braincase broader and more
pyriform, and tapering much more abruptly
behind broadest part; nasals much broader”
—are variable in both Nearctic and Pale-
arctic specimens, and direct comparison
does not substantiate V. / innuitus as a
valid subspecies.
The arctic fox has been placed in the
genus A/opex by most North American
mammalogists, but Bobrinskii, Kuznetsov,
and Kuziakin (1965:127) considered A/opex
a subgenus of Vu/pes. Hildebrand (1954:
452) emphasized the similarities between
Alopex and Vu/pes and implied that they
were identical, saying, ‘These foxes are so
strikingly different in distribution, habits,
and external appearance that it is conve-
nient to assign them to different genera, but
their skulls are similar, and the postcranial
skeleton of A/opex is more like that of
Vulpes fulva than is the skeleton of Vu/pes
macrotis; the arctic fox skeleton also re-
sembles that of the red fox more closely than
the skeletons of the two species of gray fox
resemble each other.”
Records of occurrence
Specimens examined, 7: Herschel Island,
Pauline Cove, 3; Old Crow River, at Timber
Creek, 1 (NMNH); O/d Crow Flats, 1;
Porcupine River, mouth Berry Creek, 2.
Additional records
Warren Point [ = King Point] (Russell 1898:
244); 4 mi. WSW mouth Blow River, 5
August 1964 (scats seen, G. D. Tessier, MS).
Map 41
Distribution of Vu/pes lagopus lagopus
129
Accounts of Species and Subspecies
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Number of
Vulpes lagopus lagopus
Old Crow Flats
8.4
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120.1
31196 ©
Porcupine River; mouth Berry Creek
7.8
725
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9.4
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57.8
34107
131
Accounts of Species and Subspecies
Vulpes vulpes — Red fox
Vulpes vulpes alascensis Merriam
Vulpes alascensis Merriam, 19006:668, holotype from
Andreafski, about 70 mi. above delta of Yukon River, Alaska.
Vulpes vulpes alascensis, Rausch 1953:107.
Vulpes fulva alascensis, Rand 1945a:33; Hall and Kelson
1959:856 (part).
Vulpes fulva abietorum, Baker 1951:113; Hall and Kelson
1959:855 (part).
Distribution
Occurs throughout the Yukon (Map 42)
Measurements
No external measurements are available
from the Yukon. For cranial measurements
see Table 29.
Remarks
The differences between Vulpes vulpes
abietorum and Vulpes vulpes alascensis
emphasized by Merriam in the original
description were that the former possessed
a longer skull, a longer and narrower
rostrum, slightly larger bullae and carnas-
sials, and a more slender M1.
Map 42
Distribution of Vu/pes vulpes alascensis
132
Since a comparison of the skulls of 14
topotypes of V. v. ab/etorum with 18 topo-
types and near topotypes of V. v. a/ascensis —
fails to reveal these or any other significant
differences, | consider V. v. ab/etorum to be
a synonym of V. v. a/ascensis.
Churcher (1959:516) compared red foxes
from Alaska and Eurasia and found differ-
ences in size of the skulls, the basioccipital,
the bullae, the postorbital constriction and
the dentition. Therefore, | infer that sub-
species differences exist in red foxes on
either side of the Bering Strait. No recent
taxonomic study of the red fox has been
made in North America, but Churcher
(1959) has shown that Alaskan red foxes
differ from eastern North American foxes in
that “they are larger, have heavier rostra,
some inflation of the frontal region above
the orbit, a more developed frontal saggittal
sulcus, a more prominent infraorbital fora-
men, larger teeth, and larger and more inflated
bullae.”
Records of occurrence
Specimens examined, 103: Herschel Island,
Pauline Cove, 2; Firth River, 15 mi. S mouth
Joe Creek, 1; Crow Base, 68°13’/141°00’,
3 (NMNH); Old Crow River, at Timber
Creek, 1 (NMNH); 40 mi. SE Crow Base, 1
(NMNH); Old Crow Flats, 1; 60 mi. SE
Crow Base, 11 (NMNH); Johnson Creek,
5 mi. from mouth, 19 mi. NNE Old Crow, 1;
Old Crow, 2; 5 mi. S Old Crow, 1; Salmon
Cache, 75 mi. up Porcupine River from Old
Crow, 4; Rampart House, 3 (2 NMNH);
Lapierre House, 4 (NMNH); Ruby Creek,
63°46’ /139°16’, 3 (MCZ); 14 mi. N mouth
Stewart River, 1; 6 mi. N mouth Stewart
River, 1; 5 mi. N mouth Stewart River, 1;
4 mi. up Henderson Creek, 1; Henderson
Creek, 6; Stewart River settlement region,
7; vicinity Stewart River, 5; mouth Stewar.
River, 1; Stewart River settlement, 4; 5 mi.
W mouth Stewart River, 1; 4 mi. W mouth
Stewart River, 1; 2 mi. W mouth Stewart
pee
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Carnivora
River, 1; 70 mi. W on White River, 1;
8 mi. S mouth Stewart River, 2; 1 mi. W
mouth White River, 1; mouth White River,
4; 8 mi. S mouth White River, 1; Pelly River,
Canol Road, 1; Ross Post, Canol Road, Mi.
141, 2; Hootalinqua, 1 (NMNH); Rose
River, Canol Road, Mi. 95, 2; Kluane Lake,
5 (4 MCZ); S end Kluane Lake, Alaska
Highway, Mi. 1054, 1; 6 mi. SW Kluane, 1
(KU); Slims River, 1 (MCZ); Hungry Lake
[near Kluane], 1 (MCZ); Marshall Creek,
3 mi. N Dezadeash River, 6 (KU); Cham-
pagne, N side Dezadeash River, 3 (KU);
Family Ursidae — Bears
Ursus americanus — Black bear
5 mi. W Tagish, 1; 1% mi. E Tatshenshini
River, 1% mi. S and 3 mi. E Dalton Post,
1 (KU).
Additional records
Kay Point, 18 August 1914 (seen by Chip-
man, R. M. Anderson, MS); 10 mi. N
Watson Lake, 1 July 1963 (seen, G. D.
Tessier, MS); Alaska Highway, Mi. 685,
9 June 1963 (seen, P. M. Youngman, MS);
Carcross, 1 and 3 September 1966 (sign
and tracks seen, W. H. Butler, MS).
Ursus americanus americanus Pallas
Ursus americanus Pallas, 1780:5; type locality, eastern
North America; Osgood 1900:41, 1909b:81; Rand 19456:16.
Euarctos randi Anderson, 1945:19; R. M. Anderson 1947:38 (part).
Euarctos americanus randi, Miller and Kellogg 1955:693 (part).
Ursus americanus randi, Hall and Kelson 1959:869 (part).
Euarctos hunteri Anderson, 1945:22 (part); R. M. Anderson
1947:38; Miller and Kellogg 1955:695 (part).
Ursus americanus hunteri, Hall and Kelson 1959:868 (part).
Ursus americanus emmonsi, R. M. Anderson 1945:29 (part);
Hall and Kelson 1959:868 (part).
Distribution
Occurs throughout the Yukon (Map 43).
Measurements
R. M. Anderson (1945:24) gives the mea-
surements of a male from Nisutlin River,
Canol Road, 24 mi. from Johnsons Crossing
as 1,390; 80; 235. For cranial measurements
see Table 30.
Remarks
Euarctos randi was described as being the
smallest Canadian black bear with especially
small molariform teeth, whereas Fuarctos
hunteri was described as being one of the
largest American black bears, with large
molariform teeth. When 27 skulls of Ursus
americanus from the Yukon and Nahanni
region of the District of Mackenzie are
arranged according to age by Rausch's
method (1961:86), the holotype of F. randi
falls within Rausch's class VII (seventh or
eighth summer), the holotype of F. Aunteri
falls within class IX (twelfth to twentieth
summer), and four specimens assigned to
hunteri by Anderson fall within either class
IX or X (twentieth to thirtieth summer). The
Cranial measurements also reflect these age
Map 43
Distribution of Ursus americanus americanus
133
Accounts of Species and Subspecies
Table 30
Cranial measurements of Ursus americanus americanus
Catalogue number Rausch's Condylobasal Zygomatic
and sex age class length breadth
Old Crow River
34109 © VIII 241 152
Klondike Region
15004 IX 247
Stewart River settlement
31765 VII 258
Base Mount Selous, 1 mi. N of South Macmillan River
30874 © VII 148
30875 © V 139
30877 © VI 252 142
Mount Sheldon, Canol Road, Mi. 222
17958 © VII 258 149
17959 © VIII 252 157
17970 © VII 262 154
Pelly River, Canol Road, Mi. 139
17790 IX 247 152
Upper end Hootalinqua
1842 © VII 256 148
Haines Road, 12 mi. N Dalton Post
19598 © IX 260 166
Nisutlin River, Canol Road, 24 mi. from Johnsons Crossing
117858 ci IX 271 178
Northeast side Teslin Lake
1826 © VI 252 154
1834 © VIII 235 147
1836 © VIII 260 160
1841 © IX 249 152
1844 © X 281 185
Mountains off Bennett Lake, 10 mi. from B.C.
1905 X 173
134
Carnivora
classes (Table 30). Thus the name E. randi
was applied to young animals, while the
name £. hunteri was applied to considerably
older animals.
The single specimen from mountains
back of Bennett Lake, 10 mi. N British
Columbia boundary (NMC 1905) referred
to Ursus americanus emmonsi by R. M.
Anderson (1945:29) is Dark Reddish Brown
(5 YR 2.5/2) with some Light Yellowish
Brown (2.5 Y 6/4) hairs on the back and
rump, giving the animal a silver-tipped
appearance. Cranially, this specimen does
not differ from other black bears from the
Yukon. Hall (1928:234) pointed out the
vast individual variation in colour in black
bears, including blue, white, and brown. He
concluded that U. a. emmonsi was not dis-
tinguishable by colour alone, but that the
name emmonsi also applied to subspecies
of bears occupying the mainland of south-
ern Alaska. These subspecies are character-
ized by a long anteriorly inflated rostrum,
small upper molars, and wide mastoidal and
zygomatic breadths. Since the specimen in
question does not show any of these char-
acters, | conclude that it should be referred
to U. a. americanus. This brown “'silver-tip”
coloration of the black bear is fairly com-
mon in parts of the Yukon and is responsible
for the myth that black and grizzly bears
interbreed.
Records of occurrence
Specimens examined, 126: Old Crow River
at 140°00’, 1 (NMNH); Old Crow River,
15 mi. below Black Fox Creek, 1 (NMNH);
Old Crow River, 19 mi. N Old Crow, 3 mi.
N mouth Johnson Creek, 1; 55 mi. E
Rampart House, 1 (NMNH); Rampart
House, 1 (NMNH); Ogilvie Range, 1
(NMNH); Fortymile River, Forty Mile region,
1 (MVZ); Fortymile Creek [ = Fortymile
River], upper Yukon, 4 (NMNH); Fort
Reliance, 2 (NMNH); Klondike region, 1;
Stewart River settlement, 2; forks Macmillan
River, 1 (NMNH); 1 mi. N South Macmillan
River, base Mount Selous, 4; lower Pelly
River, 2 (NMNH); 150-175 mi. up Mac-
millan River, 1 (NMNH); She/don Lake,
Cano/ Road, Mi. 222, 1; upper Ross River,
1 (NMNH); Mount Sheldon, Canol Road,
Mi. 222, 3; Selkirk, 2 (NMNH); Jay River
[= Tay River], Pelly River, 1 (NMNH);
Glenlyon Range, 12 (NMNH); Pelly River,
50 mi. below Ross River, 1 (NMNH); Five
Fingers [ = Five Finger Rapid], 1 (NMNH);
Nordenskiold River, 1 (NMNH); Little
Salmon Lake, 1 (NMNH); Little Salmon
River, 4 (NMNH); Lapp River [ = Lapie
River], 4 (NMNH); Ross River, 2 (NMNH);
Pelly River, Canol Road, Mi. 139, 1; mouth
Ross River, 3 (NMNH); Lapie River, Canol
Road, Mi. 136, 1; Rose Mountains, upper
Pelly River, 5 (NMNH); Big Salmon River,
1 (NMNH); near Big Salmon 1 (NMNH);
Kluane River, 1 (NMNH); Army Road
[ = Canol Road], vicinity Mi. post 112W, 1
(MVZ); 5 mi. SW Camp 108 W [=5 mi.
SW Canol Road, Mi. 108], 1 (MVZ); Little
Arm [= Brooks Arm], Kluane Lake, 3
(NMNH); Gladstone Creek, 1 (NMNH)
Kluane Lake, 2 (NMNH); Lake Laberge,
upper Yukon, 1 (NMNH); Hooche
[ = Hutshi], 1 (NMNH); head Nisutlin
River, 1 (NMNH); Wisutlin River, Canol
Road, Mi. 40, 1; Duke River, Duke Glacier,
1 (NMNH); Takhini River, 2 (NMNH);
Whitehorse, 13 (NMNH); near Whitehorse,
1 (NMNH); € Whitehorse, 2 (NMNH);
Champagne, 2 (NMNH); Champagne Land-
ing, 1 (NMNH); 50 mi. W Whitehorse, near
Champagne Landing, 1 (NMNH); Jarvis
River, 1 (MCZ); Nisutlin River, Canol Road,
Mi. 24, 24 mi. from Johnsons Crossing, 1;
25 mi. up WNisutlin River, 3; upper end
Hootalinqua River [= upper end Teslin
River], 1; mountains back Teslin Lake, 1;
mountains back Teslin Post, 3; 75 mi. NE
Teslin Lake, 1; Teslin Lake region, 1; Haines
Road, 12 mi. N Dalton Post, 1; 5 mi. NE
Tagish Lake, 1 (ANSP); mountains off Lake
Bennett, 10 mi. from British Columbia
boundary, 1.
Localities not plotted
Pelly River, 1 (NMNH); White River, 1
(NMNH); upper Yukon River, 1 (NMNH);
Yukon Territory, 2 (NMNH).
Additional records
Shingle Point (Harrison 1908:151); Trout
Lake, 68°49’/138°44’, 1963 (sightings re-
ported, P. M. Youngman, MS, 9 August
1964); Richardson Mountains, 13 mi. NE
Lapierre House, 27 July 1964 (seen, i.
Stirling, MS); 138 mi. N Watson Lake, 5 mi.
E Little Hyland River (seen by drivers,
P. M. Youngman, MS, 14 June 1963);
118 mi. N Watson Lake, 15 June 1963
(seen, P. M. Youngman, MS); Black River
(Williams 1925:72).
135
Accounts of Species and Subspecies
Ursus arctos — Brown or grizzly bear
Ursus arctos horribilis Ord
Ursus horribilis Ord, 1894:291; type locality, Missouri River,
a little above mouth of Poplar River, northeastern Montana.
U[rsus]. arctos horribilis Rausch, 1953:105.
Ursus internationalis Merriam, 1914:177.
Ursus kluane Merriam, 1916:141.
Ursus pallasi Merriam, 1916:149.
Ursus rungiusi sagittalis Merriam, 1918:50.
Ursus pulchellus Merriam, 1918:55.
Ursus oribasus Merriam, 1918:56.
Ursus pellyensis Merriam, 1918:82.
Ursus crassus Merriam, 1918:90.
Ursus horribilis, Rand 1945a:27, 19456:18 (part).
Ursus arctos, Youngman 1968:80.
Distribution
All of the Yukon (Map 44).
Measurements
A male and female from the Ogilvie Moun-
tains measured respectively 1,675, 1,422;
75, 110; 203, —. A female from Little Hy-
land River measured 1,530; 150; 260. For
cranial measurements see Table 31.
Map 44
Distribution of Ursus arctos
1 U.a. horribilis
2 U.a. middendorffi
136
Remarks
The above synonymy includes only citations
of original descriptions and a few pertinent
recent usages. The author of most of the
names that have been applied to North
American brown bears obviously had a dif-
ferent concept of the species than that now
held by most biologists.
| tentatively follow Rausch (1963a:33)
in applying the name Ursus arctos horribilis
to all brown bears from the Yukon, except
for a few very large individuals that wander
into the southwestern part of the Territory
from the coast (see account of U. a. midden-
dorffi).
Since there are no pre-Wisconsin fossil
grizzlies from North America (Erdbrink 1953;
E. Anderson 1968), the present distribution
is thought to be a result of postglacial ex-
pansion of range from Beringia (Kurtén
1968).
In my opinion, grizzly bears should re-
ceive more protection in the Yukon than
they do at present. À number of factors, not
least their popularity as a trophy, point to
early extinction for this species unless strong
conservation measures are taken.
Female grizzlies probably do not mature
sexually until they are at least 6 or 7 years
old. In the Yukon, their litters rarely exceed
2 cubs, and there is apparently a 3-year
pause between litters. Thus a female may
produce 6 young, or less, during her lifetime
of 15 to 20 years.
Records of occurrence
Specimens examined, 213: Alaska—Yukon
boundary at 69°30’, 1; Old Crow River, 15
mi. below Black Fox Creek, 1 (NMNH); Old
Crow, 1; Salmon Cache, 75 mi. up Porcu-
Carnivora
Table 31
Cranial measurements of Ursus arctos
Number of
specimens averaged
or catalogue number, Condylobasal Zygomatic Interorbital
and sex length breadth width Length M2
Ursus arctos horribilis
Northern Yukon
1763 © 293 203 78 36.2
36172 333 227 81 34.5
36170 © SiS 173 70 38.3
36171 ©’ 325 205 78 37.6
Central Yukon
30237 © 311 189 69 38.2
29830 © 288 175 63 36.2
35868 66 34.7
Southern Yukon
Average 40, (20 ©, 10 9,107?) 29137 117/7/ 7439 35.938
Max. 354 233 88 44.7
Min. 238 134 61 29.1
SD 22.9 20.6 7.4 237
SE 3.8 3.3 tle 0.4
Ursus arctos middendorffi
Donjek River region; Kluane Lake
19205 ANSP (382)
pine River from Old Crow, 2; head Coal
Creek, 64°47'/139°54’, 2 (NMNH); Ogilvie
Range, 1 (NMNH); 25% mi. S Chapman
Lake, 1; 44 mi. NE Dawson, 1; Bonnet
Plume Lake, 2; Ogilvie Range, headwaters
Klondike River, 1 (NMNH); 50 mi. E Daw-
son, south fork Hydroelectric Power Canal,
1; Stewart River, 1 (NMNH); head North
Macmillan River, 5 (NMNH); Macmillan
River, between north and south forks, about
75 mi. E forks, 1 (NMNH); 150-175 mi. up
Macmillan River, 4 (NMNH); Donjek River,
4 (NMNH); Divide, White Glacier and Tan-
ana River, 1 (NMNH); Glenlyon Range,
Pelly River, 1 (NMNH); G/en/yon Range, 1
(NMNH); Pelly River, near head, 1 (NMNH);
upper Pelly River, near head, 1 (NMNH);
upper Pelly River, 3 (NMNH); Nisling River,
1 (NMNH); Dawson Range, approximately
50 mi. NW Carmacks, 1; Tay Lake area, 1;
upper Pelly River, head Orchay River, 2
(NMNH); Ross River, Canol Road, Mi. 177,
240
2; upper Little Salmon River, 1 (NMNH);
Little Salmon River, 4 (NMNH); Norden-
skiold River, 3 (NMNH); Carmacks, 3
(NMNH); Yukon River, 10 mi. below mouth
Little Salmon River, 1 (NMNH); upper Pelly
River, near Ross Lakes [Pelly Lakes ?], 1
(NMNH); Lapie River, 1 (NMNH); upper
Pelly River, Ross River, 2 (NMNH); Ross
River, 4 (NMNH); Lapie River, Canol Road
Mi. 132, 1; upper Pelly River, Ketza River,
1 (NMNH); Ross Mountains, 1 (NMNH);
headwaters Nisling River, 2 (NMNH); be-
tween Ross River and Little Salmon River,
1 (NMNH); Ida Lake [ = McPherson Lake],
60 mi. W Glacier Lake, N.W.T., 2 (1 AMNH);
Kluane River, Donjek River, 12 (NMNH); Sz.
Claire Creek, 3 (NMNH); Little Hyland River,
128 mi. N Watson Lake, 1; White River, 30
mi. E Mount Natazhat, 2 (NMNH); head
White River, 1 (NMNH); Jenerk River ( =
Generc River), 1 (NMNH); Pelly River, near
Hoole Canyon, 4 (NMNH); Pe//y River above
137
Accounts of Species and Subspecies
Hoole Canyon, 2 (NMNH); Ketza Divide,
Pelly Mountains, 1 (NMNH); Pelly Banks
( = Pelly River, 31 mi. above Hoole Canyon),
1 (NMNH); Mi. Post 112W ( = Canol Road,
Mi. 112), 1 (MVZ); Lapie River, Canol Road,
Mi. 105, 1; Pelly Mountains, 4 (NMNH);
Pelly Mountains, between Pelly River and
Nisutlin River, 1 (NMNH); Hootalinqua, 1
(NMNH); Lower Laberge, 1 (NMNH); Big
Salmon River, near Pelly divide, 4 (NMNH);
Little Arm [ = Brooks Arm], Kluane Lake,
3 (NMNH); Long Arm [= Talbot Arm],
Kluane Lake, 4 (NMNH); Kluane River,
Duke River, 4 (NMNH); Donjek River
region, Kluane Lake, 4 (ANSP); K/uane
Lake, 4 (NMNH); Aishiak [ = Aishihik]
Lake, 2 (NMNH); Big Salmon Lake, 1
(FMNH); Quiet Lake, 1 (NMNH); McCon-
nell River, 3 (NMNH); Bighorn Creek, 1
(NMNH); Hoochi [ = Hutshi], 1 (NMNH);
E side Aishihik River, 17 mi. N Canyon, 1
(KU); Fourth of July Creek, 2 (MCZ); head
Kluane Lake, 1; Kluane, 5 (NMNH); Hoota-
linqua River [ = Teslin River], 1 (NMNH);
Tahkeena ( = Takhini), 1 (NMNH); WahA/te-
horse, 1 (NMNH); near Whitehorse, 1
(NMNH); £ Whitehorse, 6 (NMNH); Deza-
deash River, 1 (NMNH); Haines Junction,
1 (UBC); Champagne, 6 (NMNH); Cham-
pagne Landing, 5 (NMNH); Whitehorse,
near Champagne Landing, 1 (NMNH); Wolf
River, 50 mi. NE Teslin Lake, 1 (FMNH);
Wolf Lake, Teslin Lake region, 60°38’ /131°
40',1; Wolf Lake, 50 mi. NE Teslin, 60°38’ /
731°40', 1; Alsek River, 6 (1 MCZ, 5
NMNH); W Haines Road, Dezadeash Lake,
1; Dezadeash Lake, 1 (NMNH); K/luk Shoo
[ = Klukshu], 1 (NMNH); Marsh Lake, 1
(NMNH); Watson River, 1 (NMNH); 8 mi.
W Robinson, 1 (NMNH); Lake Arkell [ =
Kusawa Lake], 2 (NMNH); Nisutlin River,
3 (NMNH); Zes/lin Lake, British Columbia
boundary, 4 (NMNH); between Klukwan
[ = Klukshu] and Dalton Post, 1 (NMNH);
Unahini [ = Klukshu] River, 5 mi. N and 1
mi. E Dalton Post, 1 (KU); Unahini [ = Kluk-
shu] River, 5 mi. N and 7 mi. E Dalton Post,
1 (KU); Unahini [ = K/ukshu] River, 3 mi. N
and 7 mi. E Dalton Post, 2 (KU); Dalton
House [ = Dalton Post], 5 (NMNH); K/uk-
shu River, 1 (NMNH); Canyon River [ =
Canyon Creek], 1 (NMNH); upper Liard
River, near British Columbia boundary, 1
(NMNH).
Localities not plotted
Pelly River, 1 (NMNH); White River, 2
(NMNH).
Additional records
North shore Herschel Island, 69°37'/138°
58’, 16 July 1969 (seen, D. Campbell, MS);
Summit Lake, 67°43'/136°29’, 16 August
1968 (seen, D. A. Gill, MS).
Ursus arctos middendorffi Merriam
Ursus middendorffi Merriam, 1896a:67; holotype from Kodiak
Island, Alaska; Rand 1945b:21.
Distribution
Occasional wanderers, from the coast, in
the southwestern Yukon (Map 44).
Measurements
A specimen from junction of Kaskawulsh
and Dezadeash rivers, skin length 3,048 mm
(10 ft); length of skull 457 mm (18 in)”
(Rand 19455).
Remarks
| tentatively follow Rand (19456:21) in
assigning the name Ursus arctos midden-
138
dorffi to the brown bears from coastal
Alaska. The great size of some specimens
collected in the southwestern Yukon leads
me to agree with Rand that these are wan-
derers from Alaska.
Records of occurrence
Specimens examined, 1: Donjek River re-
gion, Kluane Lake, 1 (ANSP).
Additional records
Junction Kaskawulsh and Dezadeash rivers
(Rand 1945b:21).
«
Carnivora
Ursus maritimus — Polar bear
Ursus maritimus Phipps
Ursus maritimus Phipps, 1774:185; type locality, Spitzbergen,
Norway.
Distribution
Coastal; wandering south occasionally in
winter (Map 45).
Measurements
No specimens with external or cranial mea-
surements are available from the Yukon.
Remarks
There are several records of polar bears
having been seen south of the Coastal Plain,
but none are as interesting as the account
given by Charlie Peter Charlie of Old Crow.
While returning from the Old Crow Flats with
his family by dog team, in early spring, Mr.
Charlie saw two ‘white bears” rapidly ap-
proaching. Up until this time he had no first-
hand knowledge of polar bears and thought
that these might be white (albino) grizzlies,
and as such he had no great fear of them.
In the next few moments it became obvious
that the bears would attack, so Mr. Charlie
sent his family ahead with the team and he
waited for the bears. Mr. Charlie’s rifle was
not in good condition and he only had a
few shells in his pocket, so he waited until
the lead bear was within 100 feet before he
shot it. The second bear continued towards
him and although shot at fifty feet, it did not
collapse until it was almost on top of him.
Mr. Charlie, an excellent hunter, was still
not especially bothered by the incident. It
was only a month later, while talking to an
Eskimo, that he learned how much the Eski-
mos fear polar bears. Only then did he feel
shaken by the ordeal.
Records of occurrence
Specimens examined, 2; Herschel Island,
1; Herschel Island, Pauline Cove, 1.
Additional records
Old Crow Flats, 67°55’/140°15’ (seen by
C. P. Charlie, P. M. Youngman, MS, 2 July
1964); O/d Crow Hills [ = Old Crow Range]
(Leechman 1954:10); headwaters Porcu-
pine River (Leechman 1954:10); Johnson
Village, near confluence Little Porcupine
River and Porcupine River, about 1946
(killed by C. P. Charlie’s father, C. R. Haring-
ton, MS, 7 November 1968).
Map 45
Distribution of Ursus maritimus maritimus
139
Accounts of Species and Subspecies
Family Mustelidae — Mustelids
Martes americana — Marten
Martes americana actuosa (Osgood)
Mustela americana actuosa Osgood, 1900:43; holotype from
Fort Yukon, Alaska; Osgood 1909b:83.
Martes americana actuosa, Miller 1912:93; Youngman 1968:80.
Distribution
North, almost to tree-line (Map 46).
Measurements
No specimens are available from the Yukon
with external measurements. For cranial
measurements see Table 32.
Remarks
Hagmeier (1961:133) asserted there was
little reason to apply the subspecies con-
cept to marten because of discordant and
clinal variation. However, he also stated
(1958:7), “If a single character, size (and
possibly a second, colour) is used as a cri-
Map 46
Distribution of Martes americana actuosa
140
terion however, a fair fit to variation as de-
scribed by subspecies results”. Dillon (1961),
using five characters from Hagmeier's (1958)
data, studied the present distribution of
each character with relation to Wisconsin
and post-Wisconsin events and concluded
that four, and perhaps five, of the seven
named members of the americana group of
subspecies, including M. a. actuosa, are
valid subspecies. | follow Dillon in this
decision.
Brandt (1855), Coues (1877), Baird
(1857), and J. A. Allen (1876) could find
no external differences between Asian and
North American martens or sables. Rhoads
(1902) considered Gray's (1865) separation
of the Old and New World martens, based
on differences in the shape of M1, to be
warranted. Rhoads also indicated that Mar-
tes martes and M. zibellina resemble M. am-
ericana more closely than they resemble M.
foina. He found that specimens from Kam-
chatka, U.S.S.R., were slightly larger than
specimens from Alaska and the District of
Mackenzie, but he noted, “In both size and
proportions . . . these crania of zibellina are
remarkably like actuosa of Alaska and bru-
malis of Labrador. But when the dental
characters are examined there is a distinct
separation between them, based .. . on the
great size and peculiar asymmetric saddle
shape of the upper posterior grinder of zibel-
lina as contrasted with the rectangular, trans-
versely elongate shape of that tooth in
americana. The... relative size and the inner
tuberculation of the lower sectorial . . . is
also a decided feature."
On the other hand, Hagmeier (1958,
1961) suggested that M. americana may be
conspecific with Martes zibellina, which
may be conspecific with Martes martes
since intergradation between the two forms
occurs in the Ural Mountains (Pavlinin
1963). Rausch (19636:39) excluded M.
zibellina from this relationship, ‘since it
differs significantly from the other two in
the form of the penile bone (Novikov
1956). However, my comparison of several
bacula of Martes americana from Alaska
Carnivora
Table 32
Cranial measurements of Wartes americana actuosa
Number of
specimens averaged
or catalogue number,
and sex
34112 a
36097 &
36098 ©
31199 #7
36099 ©
Average 27 ©
Lingual
Condylobasal Canine Rostral length Bulla
length width width of M1 length
Northern Yukon
82.9 16.0 16.5 3} 72 19.2
85.2 16.6 ite 4.8 17-5
83.8 16.1 16.5 4.8 18.8
83.8 15:6 16.9 5.1 17.5
77.0 15.2 15.9 4.5 17.3
Central Yukon (vicinity of Stewart River settlement)
83.525 16.0 16.8 4.8 17.1
88.1 16.9 17/7 5.3 18.4
81.2 1573 16.0 4.1 15.8
1.48 0.45 0.47 0.31 0.56
0.29 0.09 0.09 0.06 0.11
757 14.218 14.9 4.1 16.1
Tis 15.0 15:9 4.6 17.1
74.0 13.6 14.1 3.8 1152
1.09 0.41 0.55 0.22 0.42
0.25 0.10 0.13 0.05 0.10
and the Yukon, with bacula of Martes zibel-
lina from Kamchatka and the middle Urals
shows no fundamental difference.
Hagmeier (1961:129) said, ‘there is
greater similarity between crania of M. mar-
tes, M. zibellina, and M. melampus and the
caurina section of M. americana than there
is between the crania of the caurina and the
americana group.” This is true to some ex-
tent, but specimens of M. zibellina from
Kamchatka resemble VW. americana from
Alaska and the Yukon more closely crani-
ally than they resemble the caurina group in
all characters except the shape of M1, which
is more like the caurina group.
Considering the apparent hybridization of
Martes zibellina and M. martes (subspecies
groups z'bellina and martes?) and the inter-
gradation of the North American subspecies
groups caurina and americana, as well as
the many similarities between M. zibellina
and M. americana, there is a possibility that
the latter two forms may be conspecific.
However, considering that the two popula-
tions have presumably been separated for a
comparatively long geological time (since
the Bering Land Bridge was forested), and
in the absence of a more detailed study, |
use the conservative nomenclature here.
Records of occurrence
Specimens examined, 169; 1 mi. N Old
Crow, 1; Old Crow, 3; Gordie Creek, near
Old Crow, 2; 5 mi. S Old Crow, 1; 13% mi.
SE Old Crow, 2; Porcupine River, mouth
Berry Creek, 1; Sa/mon Cache, 75 mi. up
Porcupine River from Old Crow, 2; Forty
Mile, 7 (3 CAS, 4 MVZ); 4 mi. N mouth
Stewart River, 1; 4 mi. W mouth Stewart
River, 1; Stewart River, 1; Stewart River set-
tlement region, 36; mouth Stewart River, 1;
vicinity Stewart River, 3; 3 mi. W mouth
Stewart River, 4; 10 mi. W mouth White
River, 1; 10 mi. S mouth Stewart River, 1;
mouth White River, 5; Macmillan River, 48
(NMNH); Pelly River, 30 mi. above Selkirk,
7 (NMNH); mouth Ross River, 10 (NMNH);
Little Hyland River, 128 mi. N. Watson Lake, 6.
Localities not plotted
Porcupine River, 8 (UBC); Pelly River, 3
(NMNH); Ross Lakes, 14 (NMNH).
141
Accounts of Species and Subspecies
Martes pennanti — Fisher
Martes pennanti pennanti (Erxleben)
[Mustela] pennanti Erxleben, 1777:470; type locality,
eastern Canada [= Ouebec].
Martes pennanti columbiana, Youngman 1968:80.
Distribution
Southeastern Yukon (Map 47).
Measurements
No specimens with external measurements
are available from the Yukon. The cranial
measurements of a male from Morley Lake
are: condylobasal length, 115.9; zygomatic
width, 72.3; upper tooth row, 42.2; mastoid-
al width, 55.5; palatal length, 62.1; rostral
width, 23.1; upper molar width, 11.4.
Remarks
A number of investigators (Grinnell, Dixon,
and Linsdale 1937; Rand 1945a; Hagmeier
1959) have indicated that geographical vari-
ation in fishers is slight. Hagmeier (1959)
found that the nominal subspecies of fisher
differ in some cranial characters from each
other, but these differences were slight com-
pared to the Coefficient of Variation of each
population. Also, most differences varied in
Mustela erminea — Ermine
an east-west cline, and therefore Hagmeier
concluded that there was little value in rec-
ognizing subspecies of fisher.
| agree that Wartes pennanti columbiana
should not be recognized since northwestern
fisher differ from eastern fisher mainly in
their slightly larger size, and this size differ-
ence is clinal. Even if the presence of the
cline is ignored, the Coefficient of Differ-
ence between eastern and northwestern
populations is well below the conventional
level of subspecific difference.
The present distribution and ecology of
the fisher suggests that it is a postglacial
immigrant to the Yukon.
Records of occurrence
Specimens examined, 4: 35 mi. NW Liard
Crossing, 1; 36 mi. W Watson Lake, 1; N
end Morley Lake, 1; Morley Lake, 25 mi. SE
Teslin, 1.
Mustela erminea arctica (Merriam)
Putorius arcticus Merriam, 18966:15; holotype from
Point Barrow, Alaska; Osgood 19096:57.
Mustela erminea arctica, Ognev 1935:31; Rand 19456:26;
Hall 1951:102 (part); Hall and Kelson 1959:906 (part).
Mustela erminea, Ross 1862a:138.
Distribution
Approximately the northern half of the
Yukon (Map 48).
Measurements
An adult male from Benson Creek, 28 mi.
ENE Dawson, and an adult female from
Kamarkak ( = Komakuk Beach) measured
respectively 337, 282; 91, 73; 49, 41. For
cranial measurements see Table 33.
Remarks
This subspecies may be distinguished from
Mustela erminea richardsonii by the follow-
ing characters (Hall 19516): Interorbital
breadth greater than distance between glen-
oid fossa and posterior border of external
auditory meatus; skull larger in all dimen-
142
sions except tympanic bullae; length of
tooth-rows more than length of tympanic
bulla; zygomatic breadth greater than dis-
tance between last upper molar and jugular
foramen; breadth of rostrum more than 30
per cent of basilar length; proximal two-
thirds of underside of tail coloured the same
as underparts (Summer pelage).
Ermine from the southern half of the
Yukon are intergrades between Mustela er-
minea arctica and M. e. richardsonii. Speci-
mens were assigned to M. e. arctica if they
showed more than half of the above-men-
tioned characters.
Macpherson (1965:164) has suggested a
Beringian origin for Mustela erminea arctica,
and a southern origin for M. e. richardsonii.
The distribution and degree of divergence
Carnivora
between the two subspecies leads me to
agree.
Records of occurrence
Specimens examined, 88: Kamarkak [ =
Komakuk Beach], 1; Herschel Island, 2 (1
MCZ, 1 AMNH); 69°00’'/141°00’, 1
(NMNH); Old Crow Flats, 4; 1 mi. S Old
Crow, 2; 73% mi. SE Old Crow, 1; Salmon
Cache, 75 mi. up Porcupine River from Old
Crow, 1; Rampart House, 4 (1 NMNH);
Lapierre House, 2 (NMNH); Schaeffer Lake,
2; head Coal Creek, 64°47'/139°54’, 1
(NMNH); 13 mi. S Chapman Lake, 2; Forty
Mile, 12 (6 MVZ, 6 CAS); Bonnet Plume
Lake, 2; 28 mi. ENE Dawson, 1; Fort Reli-
ance, 1 (NMNH); 6 mi. N mouth Stewart
River, 2; 3 mi. N mouth Stewart River, 1;
Stewart River settlement region, 33; vicinity
Map 47
Distribution of Martes pennanti columbiana
Stewart River settlement, 1; 5 mi. W mouth
Stewart River, 1; 2 mi. W mouth Stewart
River, 1; mouth Stewart River, 2; 9 mi. W
mouth White River, 1; mouth White River, 2;
forks Macmillan River, 1 (NMNH); Yukon
River, 20 mi. W Fort Selkirk, 1 (NMNH); Sel-
kirk settlement [ = Selkirk], 2 (NMNH).
Localities not plotted
Alaska—Yukon boundary, 1 (NMNH).
Map 48
Distribution of Mustela erminea
1 M.e. arctica
2 M.e.richardsonii
143
Accounts of Species and Subspecies
Mustela erminea richardsonii (Bonaparte)
Mustela Richardsonii Bonaparte, 1838:38; type locality, possibly
Fort Franklin, N.W.T.
Mustela erminea richardsonii, Hall 1945:77; Rand 1945a:30,
19456:26; Hall 19516:118 (part); Cameron 1952:179; Hall and
Kelson 1959:907; Youngman 1968:80.
Putorius Richardsonii, Ross 1862a:138; Ross 18626:273.
Putorius arcticus, Osgood 19096:82 (part).
Distribution
Approximately the southern half of the
Yukon (Map 48).
Measurements
Two males from Lapie River, Canol Road,
and Sheldon Lake, Canol Road, measured
respectively 331, 321; 91, 81; 47, 48. A
female from 1 mi. S Carcross weighed 77.1
g. For cranial measurements see Table 33.
Remarks
The characters used to separate M. erminea
richardsonii from M. e. arctica are given
under the account of W. e. arctica. Hall
(19516:102) assigned specimens from Slims
River near Kluane and from head of Lake
Laberge to M. e. arctica. Additional speci-
mens from the southwestern Yukon show
proportionally more characters of M. e.
richardsonii, but Hall was essentially correct
Table 33
Cranial measurements of Mustela erminea and Mustela nivalis
Number of
specimens averaged Inter-
or catalogue number, Basilar Lengthof Breadthof orbital Mastoidal Zygomatic
and sex length tooth-rows rostrum breadth breadth breadth
Mustela erminea arctica
Northern Yukon (Rampart House; Old Crow; Old Crow Flats; Herschel Island)
Average 9 © 42.5 15.4 14.7 Aided 225i 26.4
Max. 44.2 15.9 155 12.5 24.3 28.0
Min. 40.7 14.7 13.6 10.6 21.8 24.6
SD 1.34 0.42 0.58 0.69 0.78 1.05
SE 0.45 0.14 0.19 0.23 0.26 0.40
Stewart River settlement region
Average 29 ©’ 42.0 15.0 14.0 11.4 22.6 25.9
Max. 44.0 16.1 15.6 12.5 24.2 28.4
Min. 38.2 13.0 11.9 9.3 19.5 22.8
SD 1.24 0.66 0.68 0.66 0.93 1.78
SE 0.23 0.12 0.13 (0}1172 0.17 0.33
34603 © 33.4 1127 11.0 8.5 17.8 20.0
30937 © 34.3 21.1 10.5 8.4 17.6 18.9
30939 9 35.0 12.3 10.9 9.1 18.4 20.1
Mustela erminea richardsonii
Southeastern Yukon (Little Hyland River; Canol Road)
2173810 41.2 14.7 151 Aller 222) 25.6
18021 © 40.8 14.0 12.4 9.9 20.6 23.5
31734 © 40.7 14.2 12.3 9.8 2172 23.6
144
Carnivora
in that this is an area of nearly complete in-
tergradation between the two subspecies.
The specimen from head of Lake Laberge is
too fragmentary for certain subspecific as-
signment but | include it in W. e. richardsonii
on geographical grounds.
Records of occurrence
Specimens examined, 48; Macmillan Pass,
Canol Road, Mi. 282, 1; south fork Macmillan
River, Canol Road, Mi. 249, 1; Sheldon
Lake, Canol Road, Mi. 222, 1; Lapie River,
Canol Road, Mi. 132, 1; Ida Lake [ = Mc-
Pherson Lake], 60 mi. W Glacier Lake,
N.W.T., 1 (AMNH); Little Hyland River, 128
mi. N Watson Lake, 1; Pelly River, Hoole
Canyon, 1 (NMNH); Frances Lake, 2; Klu-
ane Lake, 2; head Kluane Lake, 3; Slims
River, near Kluane, 1 (MCZ); head Lake
Laberge, 1 (NMNH); Nisutlin River, Canol
Road, Mi. 40, 2; 30 mi. NE Teslin Lake, 1;
Wolf Lake, near Teslin Lake, 60°38’ /131°
40’, 6; Thirty Mile River [ = Thirty Mile
Creek], near Teslin Lake, 1; 30 mi. N Teslin
Lake, 1; Nisutlin Flats, near Teslin Lake, 2;
Nisutlin Mountains, near Teslin Lake, 3;
Wolf River, near Teslin Lake, 1; Teslin Lake,
2; near Teslin Lake, 1; Nisutlin River, near
Teslin Lake, 1; Eagle Bay, Teslin Lake, 1;
Teslin Post, near Teslin Lake, 2; Morley Bay,
Teslin Lake, 2; Haines Road, Mi. 113, 4; 1
mi. S Carcross, 1.
Localities not plotted
Pelly River, 1 (NMNH).
Number of
specimens averaged Inter-
or catalogue number, Basilar Lengthof Breadthof orbital Mastoidal Zygomatic
and sex length tooth-rows rostrum breadth breadth breadth
Vicinity Kluane Lake
31074 © 40.2 14.7 12.9 11.1 22.0 26.3
31075 © 35.9 125 10.8 8.8 18.3 20.9
20259 9 353 12.8 10.8 8.6 18.5
34172 MCZ, © SES 12.8 11.6 9.4 22.0 22.1
Carcross
35872 9 32.1 es) 10.1 7.9 16.3 18.0
Vicinity Teslin Lake
2040 © 42.0 14.6 13.0 11.4 22.8 26.0
21231c 40.6 14.3 ed 9.9 21.4
2086 © 40.5 14.1 12:9 10.6 21.3
Mustela nivalis eskimo
Firth River, 15 mi. S mouth Joe Creek
30622 © 271 9.1 7.9 6.7 14.0 16.3
Old Crow
34111 © 26.2 8.5 6.6 5.6 1222
Porcupine River; mouth Berry Creek
34110 © 26.8 9:3 7.8 6.2 14.9 14.6
145
Accounts of Species and Subspecies
Mustela nivalis — Least weasel
Mustela nivalis eskimo (Stone)
Putorius rixosus eskimo Stone, 1900:44; holotype from
Point Barrow, Alaska.
Mustela nivalis eskimo Reichstein, 1958:169; Hall and Kelson
1959:1082 (addenda).
Mustela rixosa rixosa, Rand 1945a:30, 19456:25.
Mustela rixosa eskimo, Hall 19516:181.
Distribution
Probably occurs in all but the southeast
corner of the Yukon (Map 49).
Measurements
An adult male from Firth River, 15 mi. S
mouth Joe Creek, measured 159; 14; 23;
and weighed 51.3 g. For cranial measure-
ments see Table 33.
Remarks
The taxonomy of the small, short-tailed
weasels of Europe, Asia, and North America
has fluctuated for some time. G. M. Allen
Map 49
Distribution of Mustela nivalis eskimo
146
(1933), Hall (19516) Siivonen (1968), and
Kurtén (1968) thought that Mustela rixosa
occurred allopatrically with M. nivalis in
North America as well as in Europe and
Asia. However, Ognev (1935); Ellerman and
Morrison-Scott (1951); and Bobrinskii, Kuz-
netsov, and Kuziakin (1965) regarded M.
rixosa as probably conspecific with /.
nivalis. After studying geographical varia-
tion, primarily in Europe, Reichstein (1958)
concluded that M. rixosa was conspecific
with M. nivalis. Hall and Kelson (1959) ten-
tatively followed this arrangement.
Mustela nivalis eskimo has been charac-
terized by Hall (19516) as being large in
size, light in colour, and as having a broad
skull and short tail. Some specimens from
the Arctic Slope of Alaska are indeed large
(Hall 19516:183), perhaps indicating geo-
graphical variation, whereas specimens from
the Brooks Range (Rausch 1953:113) and
more southern localities in Alaska are not
especially large, nor do they have a large,
broad skull. There are too few specimens
from the Yukon and northern Mackenzie
District to adequately establish the average
size of specimens from this region, but an
adult male from Peel River, 26 mi. S Aklavik,
N.W.T. (NMC 15432) approaches the Alas-
kan specimens in size.
Specimens of Mustela nivalis eskimo ex-
amined in this study have 11 caudal verte-
brae and a short tail not extending beyond
the outstretched hind feet in study skins.
Specimens of M. n. rixosa and other sub-
species have 14 to 16 caudal vertebrae, re-
sulting in a longer tail extending beyond the
outstretched hind feet in study skins.
A specimen (CAS 7445) from 15 mi. E
Atlin, B.C., referred by Hall (19516: 186) to
rixosa has a short tail, which | consider to be
a strongly diagnostic feature, and therefore
| refer it to M. n. eskimo.
Only further collecting can show whether
the hiatus between the southernmost speci-
mens of Mustela nivalis eskimo and the
northernmost specimens of M. n. rixosa
Carnivora
actually exists. It is probable that M. n. eski-
mo and its very close (perhaps consubspe-
cific) Palearctic relative, W. n. pygmea Allen,
occupied Beringia during the Wisconsin,
and it is possible that in North America, the
Beringian and southern periglacial popula-
tions have not yet occupied the intervening
previously glaciated area. If the Beringian
populations intergrade with M. nivalis in the
Palearctic, but not in the Nearactic, then
perhaps the short-tailed Beringian forms
occupying Alaska, the northwestern North-
west Territories, the Yukon, and extreme
southwestern British Columbia should be
referred to as M. nivalis, while the long-
tailed southern periglacial forms occupying
much of the remainder of North America
Mustela vison — Mink
should retain the name Mustela rixosa.
Several of the specimens from the Yukon
were trapped in “Museum Special” mouse-
traps placed in the runways of voles near
holes. Several specimens were taken in tun-
dra, and two were taken in taiga near cabins.
A specimen from Old Crow, captured 19
August 1964, was lactating.
Records of occurrence
Specimens examined, 10: Herschel Island,
Pauline Cove, 1; Firth River, 1; Firth River,
15 mi. S mouth Joe Creek, 1; Summit Lake,
67°43’ /136°29’, 1; mouth Berry Creek, 1;
Old Crow, 1; Lapierre House, 1 (NMNH);
Little Kalzas Lake, 1; Ross River, near Shel-
don Lake, 1; Klotassin River, 1 (NMNH).
Mustela vison energumenos (Bangs)
Putorius vison energumenos Bangs, 1896:5; holotype from
Sumas, B.C.
Mustela vison energumenos, Miller 1912:101; Rand 1945b:28;
Baker 1951:115; Hall and Kelson 1959:618 (part);
Youngman 1968:80.
Distribution
North, approximately to the Porcupine
River (Map 50).
Measurements
A young adult male from Louise Lake, and a
female from Sheldon Lake measured re-
spectively 515, 485; 196, 155; 68, 59. The
male weighed 1,052.3 g. For cranial mea-
surements see Table 34.
Remarks
A comparison of measurements of Mustela
vison aniakensis Burns and M. v. melam-
peplus (Elliot), both from Alaska, with M. v.
energumenos from the Yukon and British
Columbia, leads me to tentatively conclude
that they are consubspecific.
Mustela vison energumenos differs from
M. v. ingens in averaging significantly
smaller in condylobasal length (83 per cent
joint non-overlap), zygomatic breadth (90
per cent n.o.), breadth of rostrum (87 per
cent n.o.), and interorbital breadth (87 per
cent n.o.). Specimens of M. v. energumenos
seldom have as well-developed sagittal
crests as do specimens of M. v. ingens. In
addition, M. v. energumenos is smaller in
external measurements and has paler and
shorter fur, as well as less dense underfur.
Map 50
Distribution of Mustela vison
1 M.v. energumenos
2 M.v.ingens
147
Accounts of Species and Subspecies
There is some indication that M. v. energu-
menos may have a smaller baculum.
Records of occurrence
Specimens examined, 51: 5 mi. S Old Crow
1; 70 mi. S Old Crow, 2; 13% mi. SE Old
Crow, 1; head Coal Creek, 64°47'/139°54",
5 (NMNH); Forty Mile, 6 (MVZ); 8 mi. N
mouth Stewart River, 1; 7 mi. N mouth
Stewart River, 1; 5 mi. N mouth Stewart
River, 1; 3 mi. N mouth Stewart River, 2;
3 mi. down Yukon River from Stewart River,
1; Stewart River settlement, 6; Stewart
River settlement region, 1; Yukon River,
vicinity Stewart River, 2; mouth Stewart
River, 2; 2 mi. S on Stewart River, 1; 2 mi. S
mouth Stewart River, 1; 6 mi. W mouth
White River, 1; 3 mi. S mouth White River,
1; Sheldon Lake, Canol Road, Mi. 222, 2;
Ross Post, Canol Road, Mi. 141, 1; Little
Hyland River, 128 mi. N Watson Lake, 2;
Hoole River, 1 (NMNH); Frances Lake,
2 mi. up East Arm, 1; Kluane Lake, 3; Louise.
Lake, 7% mi. W Whitehorse, 1; Nisutlin
River, near Teslin Lake, 3; Fat Creek, near
Teslin Lake, 1.
Table 34
Cranial measurements of Mustela vison
Number of =
specimens Œ is o ex —
averaged 8 5 = D iS e 3 2 © È fe fe
or catalogue = Es os 8: sé == 55 Ex ries ae
number, cD > & 2 9 es 8 à DS 5 $ PS Sa gem
and sex 68 NS 25 S28 ae Ss £5 9 Sicl@miomena
Mustela vison energumenos
5 mi. S Old Crow
33431 © 65.5 39.8 34.6 231 18.5 liver 14.6 3.8 La) -7/ 7.4
10 mi. S Old Crow
33553 ©! 66.5 38.3 33.8 2377) 18.1 16.8 14.9 3.8 6.1 7.4
Stewart River region
Average 19 & 68.3 39.618 34.9 24.2 18.917 17.2 15: 015,42 6.418 7.6
Max. 70.0 40.8 36.3 26.7 20.5 18.6 16.2 5.0 7.5 8.7
Min 66.3 37.5 32.6 22.7 ide 16.2 14.2 3.6 5.8 Thal
SD 11€, 0.88 0.98 0.84 0.74 0.73 0.54 0.33 0.41 0:33
SE 0.31 0.21 0.22 0.19 0.17 0.17 0.13 0.08 0.09 0.08
31042 9 59.6 34.9 29.8 21173 16.8 16.6 135 3.5 5.4 6.7
31037 © 59.9 34.5 29.7 21.5 16.3 15.8 1872 £\7/ 5.6 6.6
31038 © 61.1 35.3 3102 21.8 17.1 15.4 13.8 37 5.9 6.9
34671 © 60.2 34.5 30.8 21.6 16.7 15.0 13.1 3.4 5.8 TES
Frances Lake
21954 © 69.2 39.9 35.4 25.3 20.5 17.4 16.0 4.5 6.6 745
Carnivora
Mustela vison ingens (Osgood)
Lutreola vison ingens Osgood, 1900:42; holotype from
Fort Yukon, Alaska.
Mustela vison ingens, Miller 1912:101.
Distribution
Extreme northern Yukon (Map 50).
Measurements
No specimens with external measurements
are available from the Yukon. Average (and
extreme) measurements of 10 males and 10
females from Fort Yukon and _ Beaver,
Alaska, are respectively 620 (570-661),
560 (524-612); 192 (167-203), 180 (163-
201); 69 (64-73), 63 (58-70). For cranial
measurements see Table 34.
Number of
Remarks
For comparison with Mustela vison energu-
menos, see account of that subspecies.
Mustela vison ingens is the largest sub-
species of living mink in North America.
The difference in size and the lack of clear
intergrades between it and M. v. energu-
menos make me suspect that there may be
reduced fertility between the two forms.
M. v. energumenos occurs north at least to
Old Crow, while M. v. ingens occurs on
Old Crow Flats, only some 30 to 50 miles
away.
o
specimens % ia 0 © — =
averaged a = = Bas de os =
or catalogue = Es os ot = E £5 55 Es $e S +
number, so as 89 os SE 25 88 oS SS Sa
and sex Oo Mas “Ss Se mre, So CE. es ae aS
Kluane Lake
31076 & 68.9 42.0 617/41 24.1 19.0 18.2 15.5 4.4 6.6 7.9
31078 © 65.6 42.2 34.7 23:3 19.6 17.0 15.0 4.1 6.3 Teil
Mustela vison ingens
Old Crow Flats
Average 5 © 74.0 44.4 38.7 26.0 20.9 18.1 16.5 4.7 7.0 8.2
Max. 76.2 47.0 39.9 26.6 21P7 19.2 17.4 5.2 7.5 8.5
Min. 72.1 42.3 37.0 25.5 20.1 1722 15:7 4.4 6.6 7.9
33433 © 66.2 39.7 33.4 24.0 19.4 lize 14.9 4.0 6.3 7.5
33558 2 67.7 40.0 35.4 23.2 19.7 16.9 16.0 3.3 5.8 7.1
Fort Yukon and Beaver, Alaska
Average 11 © 72) 43.64 38.2 25.6 20.8 18.2 16.7 4.3 6.7 7.9
Max. 74.9 45.6 39.9 26.9 22.4 19.3 18.2 4.8 7.0 8.2
Min. 67.1 41.6 35.3 23.6 19.1 16.7 15.4 4.1 6.1 7.4
SD 2.54 1.50 1.48 0.92 0.93 0.80 0.96 0.22 0.30 0.25
SE (0),7/7/ 0.50 0.44 0.28 0.28 0.24 0.29 0.07 0.09 0.08
Average 119 65.9 38.5 34.8 23.319 18.8 16.8 14.8 37 6.0 7/0)
Max. 68.2 40.5 39.0 24.0 19.3 17.5 15.7 4.0 6.4 723
Min. 63.9 35.4 332 22.4 18.4 16.1 14.1 3.3 5.7 6.8
SD 1.62 1.41 1.62 0.58 0.52 0.44 O51 O0 21 0218019
SE 0.49 0.43 0.49 0.18 0.16 0.13 0.15 0.06 0.06 0.06
149
Accounts of Species and Subspecies
To my knowledge there is no dated fossil
record of Mustela vison for Beringia, and as
Mustela vison does not now occur in the
Palearctic, there is little evidence of a
Beringian origin for M. v. ingens. The diver-
gence between M. v. ingens and the other
North American mink, as well as the lack of
intergradation, suggest, however, that M. v.
Gulo gulo — Wolverine
Gulo gulo luscus (Linnaeus)
ingens owes its origin to isolation in
Beringia or other nearby refugia.
Records of occurrence
Specimens examined, 9: 40 mi. SE Crow
Base 68°13’/141°00’, 1 (NMNH); Old
Crow Flats, 8.
[Ursus] luscus Linnaeus, 1758:47; type locality, Hudson Bay.
Gulo gulo luscus, Degerbol 1935:2.
Gulo luscus, Osgood 1900:44, 19096:83; Swarth 1926:147;
Banfield 1961a:30.
Gulo luscus luscus, Rand 1945a:32, 19456:29; Cameron
1952179};
Distribution
Probably occurs throughout the Yukon
(Map 51).
Measurements
A subadult male and subadult female from
20 mi. S Chapman Lake measured respec-
tively 940, 840; 210, 173; 170, 160. For
cranial measurements see Table 35.
Map 51
Distribution of Gu/o gulo luscus
150
On several occasions, | have called wol-
verines to within 50 ft of me by “squeaking”
on the back of my hand.
Two wolverines collected in the Ogilvie
Mountains had fur and the entire palmar
and plantar pads from hoary marmots in
their stomachs. On this occasion, 19 August
1961, three subadult wolverines, probably
littermates, were travelling together.
At several localities in alpine tundra |
found what must have been temporary
feeding dens of a wolverine. These dens,
usually among rocks, were all in exposed
sites that afforded an excellent view of the
surrounding countryside. All contained the
splintered skeletal remains of such prey as
sheep, caribou, and marmots.
Records of occurrence
Specimens examined, 41: Salmon Cache,
75 mi. up Porcupine River from Old Crow,
1; 20 mi. S Chapman Lake, 2; 25 mi. N
mouth Stewart River, 1; 72 mi. N mouth
Stewart River, 1; 5% mi. N mouth Stewart
River, 1; Henderson Creek, 1; 3 mi N
mouth Stewart River, 2; Stewart River
settlement, 8; vicinity Stewart River settle-
ment, 3; 5 mi. W mouth Stewart River, 1;
3 mi. W mouth Stewart River, 1; mouth
Stewart River, 1 (NMNH); 7 mi. S mouth
Stewart River, 1; 5 mi. W mouth White
River, 1; mouth White River, 1; 2 mi. S
mouth White River, 1; 10 mi. up Stewart
River from mouth, 1; Stewart River, mouth
Maisy May Creek, 1; Snag, 1; Kluane Lake,
1; Sheep Mountain, Alaska Highway, Mi.
7067, 1; Slims River, 1; Hungry Lake
60°59'/738°10' 1 (MCZ); Whitehorse, 1
Carnivora
Table 35
Cranial measurements of Gu/o gulo and Lontra canadenis
Number of
specimens averaged Condylo- Inter- Length of
or catalogue number, basal Zygomatic orbital Mastoidal maxillary
and sex length breadth breadth breadth tooth-row
Gulo gulo luscus
Salmon Cache, 75 mi. up Porcupine River from Old Crow
33692 © 147.1 107.3 39.0 90.0 53.7
Stewart River region
Average 14 © 146 102 41 90 52
Max. 150 107 44 93 53.8
Min. 140 98 59 84 50.2
SD 2.66 3.04 1.50 2.67 1.10
SE 0.71 0.81 0.40 0.71 0.29
31056 © 134 90 37 47 47.5
317749 138 103 39 84 48.9
STD € 136 92 35 81 47.4
317789 185 91 37 84 48.8
Atlin Lake
35180 © 144 101 40 84 50.4
Slims River
20335 © 145 100 41 50.6
Lontra canadensis pacifica
13% mi. SE Old Crow
33411 © 115 71 24 67 38.0
20 mi. N mouth Stewart River
31060 © 114172 78 27 68 36.8
Thistle Creek, 8 mi. above mouth White River
31814 © 1185 76.7 23.4 68.8 36.9
6% mi. SW Whitehorse
31744 © 107.1 MES 23.4 65.7 36.5
Hungry Lake (60°59°/138°10')
34164 MCZ, 9 122 73.6 36.2
Beaver Creek, Teslin Lake
1969 © HSS 79.5 2775 69.9 SA
151
Accounts of Species and Subspecies
(UBC); 60 mi. W Carcross, 1 (MVZ); N end
Atlin Lake, 1.
Localities not plotted
Pelly River, 2 (NMNH); Yukon Territory,
1 (MCZ); Thirty Mile River, Teslin Bay, 1.
Lontra canadensis — River otter
Additional records
Lapierre House, 25 July 1964 (sign, G. D.
Tessier, MS); 138 mi. N. Watson Lake, 5 mi.
E. Little Hyland River, 13 June 1963 (seen,
P. M. Youngman, MS); Cantung [ = Cana-
dian—Tungsten] Road, Mi. 61 (seen by D.
Christie, P. M. Youngman, MS); Blanchard
River (Cameron 1952:179).
Lontra canadensis pacifica (Rhoads)
Lutra hudsonica pacifica Rhoads, 1898:429, holotype from Lake
Keechelus, 3,000 ft, Kittitas County, Wash.
Lontra c.[anadensis] pacifica, van Zyll de Jong 1972:81.
Lutra canadensis yukonensis, Goldman 1935:180 (part);
Rand 19456:31; R. M. Anderson 1947:71; Hall and Kelson
1959:946 (part).
Distribution
Occurs throughout most of the Yukon
(Map 52).
Measurements
No external measurements are available
from specimens from the Yukon. For cranial
measurements see Table 35.
Map 52
Distribution of Lontra canadensis pacifica
152
Remarks
| concur with van Zyll de Jong that neither
Lontra canadensis preblei, Goldman (type
locality, near McTavish Bay, Great Bear
Lake, District of Mackenzie) nor Lontra
canadensis yukonensis Goldman (type lo-
cality, Unalakleet, Norton Sound, Alaska)
are valid subspecies.
Specimens from the Yukon have been
difficult to obtain. The dried carcasses left
by trappers are valuable. They should be
shipped, with as much data as possible to:
Curator of Mammals, National Museum of
Natural Sciences, Ottawa.
Records of occurrence
Specimens examined, 11: 13% mi. SE Old
Crow, 1; 20 mi. N mouth Stewart River, 1;
2 mi. up White River from mouth, 1;
Thistle Creek, 8 mi. above mouth White
River, 1; Pelly River, mouth Macmillan
River, 1 (NMNH); Hungry Lake, 60°59’ /
138°10’, 3 (MCZ); 6% mi. SW Whitehorse;
2; Beaver Creek, Teslin Lake, Yukon—
British Columbia boundary, 1.
|
|
|
Carnivora
Family Felidae — Cats
Felis concolor — Cougar
Felis concolor ssp.
Felis concolor Linnaeus, 1771:552; type locality, Cayenne region,
French Guiana; Youngman 1968:81.
Distribution
Irregular occurrence in the southern half of
the Yukon (Map 53).
Measurements
No specimens are available from the Yukon.
Remarks
Youngman (1968:81) recorded a sight
record of a cougar from the Alaska High-
way, 36% mi. W Watson Lake. There are
also numerous other, poorly documented,
sight records for the Yukon. Most of these
records included the phrases “big cat” and
“long tail”. Many, if not most, of these
records are probably legitimate. On one
occasion, two sightings along the Dawson
Road came within a day or two of each
other, indicating that the same animal was
making northerly progress.
Map 53
Distribution of Felis concolor
The few cougar in the southern Yukon
probably prey on mule deer and an occa-
sional caribou.
Records of occurrence
Specimens examined, none.
Additional records
70 mi. W Alaska Highway, Mi. 1054, early
June, 1964 (seen, P. Upton, MS, 9 May
1968); near highest point Kaskawulsh—
Donjek divide (Wood 1967: 36); Kathleen
Lake, 18 July 1955 (seen by F. Mikusch,
T. Kjar, MS, 30 April 1956); Tobally
[ = Toobally] Lake (Rand 19446:40); 3 mi.
N Carcross, 27 July 1955 (seen by G. Rose,
T. Kjar, MS, 30 April 1956); 36% mi. W
Watson Lake (Youngman 1968:81).
Map 54
Distribution of Fe/is canadensis canadensis
153
Accounts of Species and Subspecies
Felis canadensis — Lynx
Felis canadensis canadensis (Kerr)
Lynx canadensis Kerr, 1792:157; type locality, eastern Canada
[= Quebec]; Rand 1945a:35; R. M. Anderson 1947:75;
Baker 1951:116.
Felis canadensis, Youngman 1968:81.
Distribution
The entire Yukon (Map 54).
Measurements
A female from 37 mi. NE Selkirk, and a fe-
male from Takhanne River, 5 mi. ESE Dalton
Post, measured respectively 880, 850; 115
—; 267, 240. For cranial measurements see
Table 36.
Remarks
Various authors (Bobrinskii, Kuznetsov, and
Kuziakin 1965; Ellerman and Morrison-
Scott 1951; Rausch 1953; Kurtén and
Rausch 1959) considered Felis canadensis
to be conspecific with Fe/is /ynx. However,
the last-named authors compared Fennos-
candian lynx with Alaskan l;nx, and despite
their tentative conclusion that the two forms
are conspecific they admitted that specific
differentiation could not be finally settled on
the basis of the material available to them.
Also Kurtén (1968:83) reversed his earlier
conclusions and considered them related
species.
A 12-pound adult female lynx collected
37 mi. NE Selkirk, 11 July 1965, had in its
stomach 2 masked shrews, 6 meadow voles,
one long-tailed vole, and a Savannah Spar-
row.
Felis canadensis is known from the Pleis-
tocene fossil assemblage from Alaska (Re-
penning 1967:306), but so far as | know is
not definitely known as a fossil from the
southern periglacial region. Its present dis-
tribution may have resulted from postglacial
immigration from Beringia.
Records of occurrence
Specimens examined, 329: Old Crow, 4;
Salmon Cache, 75 mi. up Porcupine River
from Old Crow, 1; Ruby Creek, 63°46’/
139°16’, 2 (MCZ); 30 mi. N mouth Stewart
River, 1; 25 mi. N mouth Stewart River, 1;
15 mi. N mouth Stewart River, 1; 70% mi. up
Henderson Creek, 1; 77 mi. up Henderson
Creek, 1; 72 mi. up Henderson Creek, 2;
74 mi. up Henderson Creek, 1; 70 mi. up
Henderson Creek, 1; 70 mi. N mouth Stew-
154
art River, 2; 9% mi. N mouth Stewart River,
1; 9% mi. up Henderson Creek, 2; 9 mi. N
mouth Stewart River, 3; 8 mi. N mouth
Stewart River, 8; 8 mi. N Stewart River, 1;
7% mi. N mouth Stewart River, 2; 7 mi. N
mouth Stewart River, 2; 7 mi. N Stewart
River, 1; 7% mi. up Henderson Creek, 1;
7 mi. up Henderson Creek, 1; 6% mi. N
mouth Stewart River, 1; 6 mi. N mouth
Stewart River, 5; 8 mi. NW mouth Stewart
River, 1; 6 mi. up Henderson Creek, 2; 5 mi.
N mouth Stewart River, 7; Yukon River, 5
mi. W mouth Stewart River, 1; 5 mi. N
Stewart River, 2; 5 mi. up Henderson Creek,
1; 4 mi. up Henderson Creek, 1; Henderson
Creek, 32; 4 mi. N mouth Stewart River, 1;
2 mi, N mouth Stewart River, 6; 7 mi. N
mouth Stewart River, 1; Stewart River set-
tlement, 2; Stewart River settlement region,
7; vicinity Stewart River, 16; vicinity Stew-
art River settlement, 1; Karison Creek, vicin-
ity Stewart River, 1; 9 mi. W mouth Stewart
River, 1; 7 mi. W mouth Stewart River, 1;
6 mi. W mouth Stewart River, 1; 5 mi. W
mouth Stewart River, 1; 4 mi. W mouth
Stewart River, 3; 3 mi. W mouth Stewart
River, 2; 2 mi. W mouth Stewart River, 2;
Stewart River, 5; mouth Stewart River, 3;
2 mi. E mouth Stewart River, 1; 2% mi. E
Stewart River, 1; 3 mi. E Stewart River, 2;
4 mi. E mouth Stewart River, 1; 5 mi. E
mouth Stewart River, 1; 2% mi. S mouth
Stewart River, 1; 3 mi. S mouth Stewart
River, 2; 4 mi. N mouth White River, 1; 5 mi.
S mouth Stewart River, 2; 6 mi. S mouth
Stewart River, 1; 7 mi. S mouth Stewart
River, 2; 7 mi. below mouth Stewart River,
1; 9 mi. S mouth Stewart River, 1; 12 mi.
E mouth Stewart River, 1; 18 mi. up
Henderson Creek, 2; 76 mi. up Henderson
Creek, 2; 17 mi. up Henderson Creek, 1; 5
mi. W mouth White River, 1; mouth White
River, 11; 3 mi. S mouth White River, 1; 5
mi. S mouth White River, 1; 8 mi. SE mouth
White River, 1; 8 mi. SW mouth White
River, 1; 6 mi. S mouth White River, 1; 70
mi. SW mouth White River, 1; 7 mi. S mouth
White River, 4; 9 mi. S mouth White River,
1; Macmillan River at 62°55’/135°, 2
Fu
Carnivora
Table 36
Cranial measurements of Fe/is canadensis canadensis
7
©
= Oo © S = T 6 =
Number of s = = 2 me i 5
specimens averaged Ss © = £ = 5 = 5 5 2 5 = 2
or catalogue number, oD os & & os 9 8 9 oe 6
and sex oo S45 NS £5 ieee EM A ne =
Stewart River settlement region
Average 75 © 131 56 91 29 5873 4074 41
Max. 1937 59 98 32 65 44 44
Min. 121 51 87 26 52 36 39
SD 3.18 151 2.24 1.18 2.65 11574) 1.08
SE 0.37 O7 0.26 0.14 0.31 0.21 0.13
Average 33 © 125 54 89 Zea SOE 39 3x8)
Max. 130 57 93 30 59 42 41
Min. 121 52 85 26 54 S7 38
SD 237), etl 7/ 1.87 1.15 1.45 1.43 0.92
SE 0.41 0.20 0.33 0.20 0.27 0.25 0.16
(NMNH); Pelly River, Kalzas Creek [ = Kal-
zas River], 48 (NMNH); 37 mi. NE Fort
Selkirk, 1; Snag, 1; Pelly River, 230 mi. from
mouth, 8 (NMNH); 50 mi. up Ross River, 1
(NMNH); Pelly River, Lapie River, 7
(NMNH); Pe/ly River, Canol Road, 1; Lapie
River, Canol Road, Mi. 132, 1; Pelly River
Ketza River, 1 (NMNH); Pe//y River, Hoole
Canyon, 7 (NMNH); Pelly River, Starr
Creek, 1 (NMNH); Pelly River, Hoole River,
2 (NMNH); Hootalinqua, 6 (NMNH); Klu-
ane Lake, 4; K/uane Lake, Cultus Creek, 1
(CU); Kluane, 1 (MCZ); Marshall Creek, 3,
mi. N Dezadeash River, 1 (KU); 1 mi. S Car-,
cross, 1; Takhanne River, 5 mi. ESE Dalton
Post, 1.
Localities not plotted
Pelly River, 30 (NMNH); Pelly River, below
Rives”? River, 3 (NMNH); Pelly River,
Steamboat Island, 1 (NMNH); Pelly River,
mouth Indian Creek, 6 (NMNH).
Additional records
138 mi. N Watson Lake, 5 mi. E Little Hy-
land River (seen by drivers, P. M. Young-
man, MS, 14 June 1963); Watson Lake
area, 1 July 1963 (seen, G. D. Tessier, MS).
155
Accounts of Species and Subspecies
Order PINNIPEDIA — Seals and walrus
Key to Yukon Pinnipeds
Hind limbs capable of rotating forward; alisphenoid canals present. ......... 2
Ai" Hind limbs incapable of rotating forward; alisphenoid canals absent......... 3
2 Pinnae absent; upper canines enlarged forming tusks; postorbital processes
absent 5 SRE Re NO TE Rosmarus rosmarus, p. 156
2’ Pinnae present, small; upper canines not enlarged; postorbital processes
DICSENC sad aw adle bee eee a mele RO DORE CRE TE Callorhinus ursinus, p. 156
3 First and second digits of manus longer than third; jugal bone long, narrow
(depth of jugal less th n half its length); mammae 2..................... 4
3) Third digit of manus loiiger than first two; jugal bone short, deep (depth of jugal
not less than half its length); mammae4............. Erignathus barbatus, p. 158
4 Cheek-teeth large, length of P2 6.8 mm or more; colour usually of dark spots
on paleribackground |... «cc. a8 °s.42 + 0.08 Re ER re eee Phoca vitulina, p. 157
4’ Cheek-teeth small, length of P2 less than 6.8 mm; colour usually of whitish
spots with dark centres............
Family Otariidae — Eared seals
Re il Phoca hispida, p. 157
Callorhinus ursinus — Northern fur seal
Callorhinus ursinus (Linnaeus)
Siren cynocephala Walbaum, in Artedi 1792:560; type locality,
North Pacific Ocean, south of Alaska Peninsula, at approximately
53° N, 155° W (Stejneger 1936:278) (Based on the sea ape of
Steller; see Stejneger 1936:285).
Callorhinus ursina cynocephala, Hall 1940:76.
Callorhinus ursinus, McEwen 1954:44; Scheffer 1958:83,
Radvanyi 1960:277.
Distribution
Rare, along the coast.
Measurements
A male from Tent Lake measured: total
length, 46% in; tail, 2 in; ear, 1% in; weight,
54 Ib. No cranial measurements are available
from the Yukon.
Remarks
Specimens of the northern fur seal have
Family Rosmaridae — Walrus
Rosmarus rosmarus — Walrus
Rosmarus rosmarus ssp.
been reported from Point Barrow, Alaska;
Barter Island, Alaska; Letty Harbour, N.W.T.
(69°50’/124°24") (Radvanyi1960:277);and
from Tent Lake, Yukon Territory (McEwen
1954:444). These wandering individuals
may be more common than is generally sup-
posed.
Records of occurrence
Specimens examined, 1; Tent Lake, 68°48’ /
{| 4.
Rosmarus rosmarus Linnaeus, 1758:38; type locality,
Arctic regions.
Distribution
Coastal waters.
156
Measurements
14 ft., 2,200 Ibs., tusk 14 in.” (Harington
1966:508). No cranial measurements are
available.
Pinnipedia
Remarks
Sightings of walrus from coastal Yukon
Territory have been summarized by Haring-
ton (1966). These and records from Alaska
and the Northwest Territories indicate that
walrus probably occur in Yukon waters
fairly regularly, but not in large numbers.
Since no specimens have been collected
from the coastal Yukon, subspecific deter-
mination cannot be made.
Family Phocidae — Earless seals
Phoca vitulina — Harbour seal
Phoca vitulina ssp.
Records of occurrence
Specimens examined, 1: Herschel Island,
off Avadlek Spit, 1.
Additional records
West shore Herschel Island (Harington
1966:508); Herschel Island (R. M. Ander-
son 1937:102, Porsild 1945:14); off Stokes
Point (Harington 1966:509); between Stokes
Point and Kay Point (Harington 1966:509);
King Point (R. M. Anderson 1937:102).
[Pkoca] vitulina Linnaeus, 1758:38; type locality, European seas.
Phoca vitulina richardii, Porsild 1945:13; R. M. Anderson 1947:78;
Dunbar 1949:9; Scheffer 1958:92.
Distribution
Coastal waters.
Measurements
None available from the Yukon.
Remarks
The occurrence of this seal in the Yukon
waters rests on the undoubtedly correct
Phoca hispida — Ringed seal
identification of A. E. Porsild, who saw
several that had been taken at Herschel
Island in the fall of 1927.
Records of occurrence
Specimens examined, none.
Additional records
Herschel Island (Porsild 1945:13).
Phoca hispida hispida Schreber
Phoca hispida Schreber, 1775; type locality, coasts of
Greenland and Labrador.
Phoca hispida beaufortiana, R. M. Anderson 19436:25.
Distribution
Coastal waters.
Measurements
A male and female from Herschel Island
measured respectively 1,308, 1,187; 107,
114; 241, 279. Average (and extreme)
cranial measurements (followed by the
Standard Error of the mean) of 21 specimens
(12 7, 9 ¢) are: condylobasal length,
159, 274 (139.1—177.3); mastoidal
breadth, 98 + 1.03 (88.8-106.5); least in-
terorbital breadth, 5.6 +0.20 (3.8-7.7);
palatal length, 65.4 +1.36 (53.6-76.4);
nasal length, 35.2 + 0.95 (28.5-449);
nasal width, 10.9 + 0.18 (9.5-12.2); occip-
ital condyles, 52.8 + 0.62 (49.5-56.9);
post-canine series, 33.9 + 0.45 (29.7-
37.5); zygomatic breadth, 93.6 + 1.61
(80.0-105.4).
Remarks
R. M. Anderson (1943b:25, 26), on the
basis of 15 specimens, described Phoca
hispida beaufortiana (type locality, Cock-
burn Point, Dolphin and Union Strait,
N.W.T.) as differing from P. h. hispida by
the following cranial characters: braincase
not so rectangular, dorsal surface of brain-
case more flattened, heavier interorbital
bridge, nasals less spreading anteriorly,
distance between lateral edges of occipital
condyles greater, palate slightly longer,
palate more deeply and acutely notched,
bullae larger, more pointed anteriorly and
less rounded ventrally, mastoid portion of
bullae longer and more massive, parietal
ridges more distinct, size averaging larger.
My comparison of 39 specimens from
Alaska, the Yukon Territory, and the ex-
treme western Northwest Territories, with
157
Accounts of Species and Subspecies
22 specimens from the eastern Arctic, re-
veals a difference in only one of these
characters. The braincase of P. h. beaufor-
tiana does appear to be less rectangular
than that of P. h. hispida. Also, in P. h.
beaufortiana, the angle between the inter-
orbital septem and posterior margin of the
temporal foramin is more rounded than in
P. h. hispida. À number of measurements
were compared by scatter diagrams and
other conventional statistical methods, but
no significant differences could be found.
| conclude that there is considerable
individual variation in Phoca hispida and
that there are no trenchant characters that
separate the eastern and western Arctic
population at the subspecific level.
Erignathus barbatus — Bearded seal
Harington (1966:511) pointed out that
the eastern Arctic and western Arctic are
separated throughout the year by solid ice
in M'Clure Strait, Viscount Melville Sound,
M'Clintock Channel, Victoria Strait and
Queen Maud Gulf. The slight differences
between the eastern and western demes of
Phoca hispida are of the magnitude that
might be expected in a panmictic popula-
tion, with a slight restriction of gene flow
caused by the pack ice.
Records of occurrence
Specimens examined, 90: Herschel Island,
29 (6 UBC); Herschel Island, Pauline
Cove, 61.
Erignathus barbatus barbatus (Erxleben)
[Phoca] barbata Erxleben, 1777:590; type locality, coasts of
Scotland, or southern Greenland or Iceland.
Erignathus barbatus, Gill 1866:12.
Distribution
Coastal waters.
Measurements
A male from Herschel Island measured 78 in;
4% in; 15 in. The cranial measurements
(in mm), of the same specimen are: con-
dylobasal length, 216; mastoidal breadth,
143; least interorbital breadth, 25.5; palatal
length, 100; nasal length, 58.2; nasal width,
22.8; maxillary tooth-row, 57.7.
Remarks
R. M. Anderson (1930:99) considered the
western subspecies Erignathus barbatus
158
nauticus (Pallas) to be synonymous with
E. b. barbatus, but Manning and Mac-
pherson (1958:64) indicated that western
specimens are more brachycephalic than
eastern specimens. | have compared a
series of eastern and western skulls and
agree that some differences exist, but
pending a revision of the species | consider
these differences to be below the sub-
specific level.
Records of occurrence
Specimens examined, 2: Herschel Island,
1; Herschel Island, Pauline Cove, 1.
Artiodactyla
Order ARTIODACTYLA — Artiodactyls
Key to Yukon Artiodactyls
1 Frontal appendages (horns) not deciduous, present in both sexes; lacrimal
Sasa ATMO WN. M nn. lou ailes. On oe Rees 2
114 Frontal appendages (antlers) deciduous, absent in females of some species;
ÉSchnealnotaltiCDlating WItMMASAN es soc ccs ue ee doe wre a Beek met ene en + « 5
2 Total length more than 2,000 mm; length of skull more than 350 mm; length of
ma xillalhy tOOeM-fOW MOLE THAN UZOMUMIM fe sconce ats eins muting arte wk 3
2’ Total length less than 2,000 mm; length of skull less than 350 mm; length of
iaxiiiany tOOth-Trow less thant d 2OUMIM Sts ihe. oh us en ee ee 4
o Horns smooth, conical; accessory column on inner side of molars not reduced:
paroccipital processes widely separated from condyles........ Bison bison, p. 167
a Horns rugose, flattened at base; accessory column on inner side of molars
reduced; paroccipital processes not widely separated from condyles .........
ee ee Pi ee a re ET Ovibos moschatus, p. 169
4 Tail longer than 150 mm; lacrimal pits absent; horns less than 150 mm in cir-
CUmierenceatibases nt sackets à @ aasly. layesive vue Oreamnos americanus, p. 168
4’ Tail shorter than 150; lacrimal pits present; horns more than 150 mm in cir-
cumierence ca DOSS. 45 sr ste agri soe eee ee MOINE Ovis nivicola, p. 170
5 Antlersimore OFICSS palmater rin Scie. AA men OMR Con. aoe ey à 6
if Etiersthonpalmate. Rss ee OP NT nn TT DES. ae ; ré
6 Antlers strongly palmate; length of skull more than 500 mm. .... Alces alces, p. 161
6’ Antlers slightly palmate; length of skull less than 500 mm. . Rangifer tarandus, p. 163
7 Posterior narial cavity divided by vomer............ Odocoileus hemionus, p. 160
a Posterior narial cavity not completely divided by vomer..... Cervus elaphus, p. 159
Family Cervidae — Cervids
Cervus elaphus — Red deer or wapiti
Cervus elaphus canadensis Erxleben
[Cervus elaphus] canadensis Erxleben, 1777;305; type locality,
Quebec.
Distribution Records of occurrence
Takhini River valley and vicinity of Hutshi Specimens examined, none.
Lakes in the southwestern Yukon.
Additional records
Measurements Nordenskiold Valley, Hutshi Lakes area,
No measurements of the introduced herd are
available.
Remarks
In 1951, 19 red deer were introduced (from
Elk Island Park, Alberta) in the vicinity of
Braeburn Lake, and in 1954, 30 more were
released. The herds spread and reproduced
in the subsequent years, but overall produc-
tion has been poor. In 1967, there were only
an estimated 43 animals in the Takhini River
valley and in the vicinity of Hutshi Lake
(A. M. Pearson 1967).
17 December 1963 (35 animals seen, A. M.
Pearson, MS, 20 April 1965), 4 March 1965
(34 animals seen, A. M. Pearson, MS, 20
April 1965), 27 January 1966 (34 animals
seen, A. M. Pearson, MS, 22 April 1966),
2 March 1966 (16 animals seen, A. M.
Pearson, MS, 22 April 1966), 18 April 1966
(41 animals seen, A. M. Pearson, MS, 22
April 1966), 14 April 1967 (27 animals seen,
A. M. Pearson, MS, 1967); Takhini River,
Ibex River area, 26 January 1963 (5 ani-
mals seen, A. M. Pearson, MS, 20 April
1965), 4 March 1965 (12 animals seen,
159
Accounts of Species and Subspecies
A. M. Pearson, MS, 20 April 1965), 11
September 1965 (8 animals seen by hunter,
A. M. Pearson, MS, 22 April 1966), 27
January 1966 (16 animals seen, A. M.
Odocoileus hemionus — Mule deer
Pearson, MS, 22 April 1966), 30 November
1966 (9 animals seen, A. M. Pearson, MS,
1967).
Odocoileus hemionus hemionus (Rafinesque)
Cervus hemionus Rafinesque, 181 7:436; type locality, mouth of
Big Sioux River, S. Dak.
Odocoileus hemionus hemionus, Youngman 1964:5, 1968:81.
Odocoileus hemionus sitkensis, Rand 19456:76; R. M. Anderson
1947:176; Miller and Kellogg 1955:799.
Dama hemionus sitkensis, Hall and Kelson 1959:1007.
Distribution
Southern half of the Yukon (Map 55)
Measurements
There are no specimens with external mea-
surements available fromthe Yukon. Cranial
mastoidal breadth, 86; maxillary tooth-row,
hofen Island, Lake Laberge (Youngman
1964:5) are: basilar length, 262; length of
nasals, 36; greatest width of nasals, 36;
zygomatic breadth, 114; orbital width, 80;
mastoidal breadth, 86; maxillary tooth-row,
88; palatal breadth, 50; greatest and least
Map 55
Distribution of Odocoi/leus hemionus hemionus
160
widths of anterior process of jugal below
lacrimal, 20 and 10.
Remarks
Adney (1900:445) recorded having seen
deer tracks at Miles Canyon near Lake
Laberge, and near Big Salmon in the fall of
1897. He reported that 10 years prior to that
time deer were thought not to occur east of
the coastal mountains.
Clarke (1944) recorded secondhand re-
ports of sightings “in the Teslin and Little
Atlin regions of southern Yukon Territory,
as far north as Nisutlin River”. He also
stated, “| consider it certain that Mule Deer
have occurred in the Yukon territory, in the
Beaver, Smith, and perhaps Coal River
Valleys, and that they will continue their
present spread and increase.”
Youngman (1964, 1968) reported the
first known specimen from the Yukon and
listed additional sight records.
There are reliable sightings of mule deer
as far north as Dawson, but most of the
records are from the southern Yukon,where
they occur in the greatest numbers.
According to Youngman (1968), mule
deer build up in numbers during favourable
years, but wolves seriously deplete the herds
during severe winters.
Records of occurrence
Specimens examined, 1: Richthofen Island,
Lake Laberge, 1.
Additional records
Hunker Creek, 1950 (seen by C. Henderson,
P. M. Youngman, MS, 30 June 1964); be-
tween Jackfish Lake and Ketza River, 1961
(reported sighting, T. O. Connolly, MS, 20
March 1962); Carmacks, 1964 (sighting
reported, P. M. Youngman, MS, 18 June
|
|
Artiodactyla
1964); 15 mi. downstream from Ross River
(Youngman 1964:5); Pelly Plateau (Young-
man 1968:81); McPherson Lake (Young-
man 1968:81); headwaters Frances River
(Youngman 1968:81); 120 mi. up Liard
River from Liard Crossing (Youngman
1968:81); Takhini River area, near White-
horse (sighting reported, J. B. Fitzgerald,
MS, 12 April 1962); about 2 mi. N Johnsons
Crossing (Youngman 1964:5); Alaska High-
Alces alces — Moose
Alces alces gigas Miller
way, S Atlin cutoff (sighting reported, J. B.
Fitzgerald, MS, 12 April 1962); 45 mi. W
Watson Lake (Youngman 1968:81); Tarfu
Lake area, just E Atlin Road (Youngman
1964:5); Atlin Lake, 33 mi. SE Tagish, 1963
(tracks seen by Indians, P. M. Youngman,
MS, 27 May 1963); Atlin Road, immediately
N British Columbia border (sighting re-
ported, J. B. Fitzgerald, MS, 12 April 1962).
Alces gigas Miller, 1899:57; holotype from N side Tustumena
Lake, Kenai Peninsula, Alaska.
Alces alces gigas, Lydekker 1913—16:237; Peterson 1952:21
(part).
Alces americanus gigas, Osgood 19096:72; Rand 1945a:49;
R. M. Anderson 1947:177.
Alces americana andersoni, Peterson 1950:1 (part).
Alces alces, Youngman 1968:81.
Distribution
Found throughout the Yukon (Map 56).
Measurements
A male from British Mountains, 20 mi. SE
Joe Creek, and a female from 13 mi. S
Chapman Lake, measured respectively
2,680, 2,805; 100, 150; 830, 820; 260, 270.
For cranial measurements see Table 37.
Remarks
Prior to 1950, three subspecies of moose
were generally recognized in North America,
Alces americana americana (Clinton) in the
eastern range of the species as far west as
northeastern British Columbia and District
of Mackenzie, the larger A/ces a. gigas in
Alaska and Yukon Territory, and Alces a.
shirasi Nelson in the Rocky Mountains of
Wyoming, Idaho, Montana, and south-
eastern British Columbia.
Peterson (1950:1) gave the name Afces
a. andersoni to the population occupying
the area from northern Minnesota, Michigan,
and western Ontario, westward to north-
western British Columbia and eastern Yukon
Territory. Peterson (1955:14) theorized that
these four nominal subspecies represented
populations that had been restricted to four
different refugia during the Wisconsin gla-
ciation. | agree that A/ces alces gigas was
isolated in Beringia while the remaining
populations were pushed south, but it is my
opinion that A. a. andersoni is an intergrade
population. The majority of features given by
Peterson to separate A. a. andersoni from
the adjacent subspecies are ratios of various
cranial measurements, many of which vary
in an east-west clinal pattern.
Map 56
Distribution of A/ces alces gigas
161
Accounts of Species and Subspecies
Table 37
Cranial measurements of A/ces alces gigas
55
1 ° oO
ee ss
: SN a els
Catalogue number, Bc — Je Ex os 5 5 = o> SE
and sex of 2 © 3 © Ss as aS gas 8
specimens © © mo 5 =5 sj © S\2.9) Wiora
Northern Yukon (British Mountains; Porcupine River)
34113 © 605 538 247 177 144 69 246
30623 © 623 553 222 169 147 65 239
Central Yukon (Chapman Lake region)
29839 © 665 602 225 187 147 69 240
29837 © 625 556 200 155 147 61 218
Southern Yukon (Teslin Lake area)
2240 © 596 530 214 170 152 63 231
1829 & 632 555 215 171 145 63 227
1871 © 607 542 218 164 142 65 240
2244 ©. 582 524 202 144 158 51 206
2242 9 588 538 201 151 148 63 214
2251 591 532 213 160 145 61 220
Records of occurrence
Specimens examined, 53: British Mountains,
20 mi. SE mouth Joe Creek, 1; Porcupine
River, 8 mi. N mouth Bell River, 1; mouth
Bell River, 2; 6 mi. S Chapman Lake, 1;
13 mi. S Chapman Lake, 2; 15 mi. S Chap-
man Lake, 1; Fortymile Creek [ = Fortymile
River], 10 mi. above station, 8 (MVZ);
Macmillan River, 3 (NMNH); Ross River,
Canol Road, 1; Lapie River, Cano! Road,
Mi. 120, 1; Harris Creek, head White River,
1 (NMNH); Rose River, Canol Road, Mi.
95, 1; 30 mi. down Hootalinqua River
[ = 30 mi. down Teslin River], 1; 20 mi. N
Teslin Lake, 1; 6 mi. down Hootalinqua
River [ = 6 mi. down Teslin River], 1; Teslin
Lake, 2; Tes/in district, 19; Teslin Lake, 20
mi. from N end, 3.
Localities not plotted
Sheep Mountains, E Atlin Lake, 1 (FMNH);
Yukon Territory, 2.
162
Additional records
Richardson Mountains, 13 mi. NE Lapierre
House, 28 July 1964 (sign seen, |. Stirling,
MS); Bern Creek (Williams 1925:71);
Bonnet Plume Lake, 14 July 1966 (seen,
W. H. Butler, MS); Keele Lake, 8 August
1966 (seen by hunters, W. H. Butler, MS);
Macmillan Pass, [Canol Road,] Mi. 282
(Rand 1945a:50); valleys Pelly River and its
tributaries, Mackenzie Mountains (Keele
1910:24); Yukon—Northwest Territories
boundary, Canadian—Tungsten Road, 11
June 1963 (seen, P.M. Youngman, MS);
North Toobally Lake, 11 July 1961 (trails
seen, P.M. Youngman, MS); Smith River
inlet to South Toobally Lake (Youngman
1968:82); 5 mi. SE Dalton Post, 17 May
1963 (tracks seen, P. M. Youngman, MS);
Swift River, summer 1944 (seen, C.H.D.
Clarke, MS).
Artiodactyla
Rangifer tarandus — Caribou
Rangifer tarandus caribou (Gmelin)
[Cervus tarandus] caribou Gmelin, in Linnaeus 1788:177; type
locality, eastern Canada [ =Quebec City].
Rangifer tarandus caribou, True 1885:592; Banfield 1961b:88
(part).
Rangifer montanus osborni, Osgood 1909b:74,.
Rangifer ogilvyensis Millais, 1915:263.
Rangifer mcquire/ Figgins, 1919:1.
Rangifer arcticus osborni, Murie 1935:81; Rand 1945a:50;
R. M. Anderson 1947:179 (part); Hall and Kelson 1959:1020
(part).
Rangifer arcticus stone/, Murie 1935:76; R. M. Anderson
1947:179 (part).
Rangifer montanus selousi Barclay, 1935:306.
Distribution
Southern part of the Yukon intergrading, at
times, with À. t. groen/andicus in the central
Yukon (Map 57).
Measurements
A female from Rose River, Canol Road, Mi.
95, measured 1,870; —; 575. Figgins (1919)
gives measurements of a male from Kletsan
Creek as 2,472; 224; 659. For cranial mea-
surements see Table 38.
Remarks
Rangifer tarandus caribou differs from A. t.
groenlandicus in having longer nasals;
longer tooth-rows; longer, more gently
tapering rostrum; less protruding orbits,
with resulting shallower preorbital pits;
longer lachrymal vacuities; antlers shorter
and heavy, rather than long and rangy;
beams flattened and usually brown rather
than cylindrical and ivory coloured; large
body; rump mirror, socks, and white on
belly reduced (Figures 7 and 8, and Banfield
19616: 43, 70).
Not all specimens of Rangifer tarandus
caribou can be differentiated by any single
character from A. t. groenlandicus, but most
can be separated by an aggregate of external
or cranial characters. Some of the characters
used by Banfield (19616) to separate A. t.
caribou from A. t. granti (= R. t. groenlan-
dicus), notably the measurements of the
posterior nares and the arched or flattened
condition of the nasal bones, did not prove
diacritical in the present study.
Living woodland caribou are large
“horsey’’-looking animals with a long face,
relatively subdued coloration, and short,
heavy antlers with flattened beams.
The woodland caribou of Kamchatka, the
Okhotsk coast, and Transbaikalia, U.S.S.R.,
resembles the woodland caribou from north-
western North America (Banfield, 19615:
99), but is apparently a smaller subspecies.
Insufficient specimens have been available,
however, for adequate comparison.
Banfield (19616) estimated 1,000 wood-
land caribou in the Yukon. With ever-in-
Map 57
Distribution of Rang/fer tarandus
1 A.t. caribou
2 R.t. groenlandicus
3 A.t. pearyi
163
Accounts of Species and Subspecies
Figure 7
Skull of Rangifer tarandus caribou, Teslin District,
1912. No. 2264, 9 NMC. Reduced to 6.5 per cent
of natural size.
creasing accessibliity to those herds, their
numbers are seriously endangered.
Records of occurrence
Specimens examined, 42; Stewart River, 1
(NMNH); near mouth White River, 3
(NMNH); Pelly River, Little Kalzas Lake, 2
(NMNH); Macmillan River, 1 (NMNH);
fork Riddell Rivers, 2 (NMNH); Little Hy-
land River, 128 mi. N Watson Lake, 2;
McEvoy Lake, 1; St. Clair [ = St. Clare]
Creek, head White River, 1 (NMNH); K/et-
san Creek, tributary White River, 4 mi. E
Alaska—Yukon boundary, 1 (DMNH); Rose
River, Canol Road, Mi. 95, 1; Rose River,
164
Figure 8
Skull of Rangifer tarandus groenlandicus, Old
Crow, 1963. No. 35135, co’ NMC. Reduced to 6.5
per cent of natural size
Canol Road, Mi. 78 1; Hootalinqua
[ = Teslin] River, 1 (NMNH); Stoneaxe
Lake, 1; Wolff Lake, NE Teslin Lake, 1;
Wolf Lake, 100 [?] mi. E Teslin Lake, 2;
(FMNH); upper Hootalinqua [= upper
Teslin] River, 1; English Creek, Wolf River,
N Teslin, 1; Teslin district, 18; Pike Lake,
75 mi. SE Whitehorse, 1.
Additional records
Mountains between forks Macmillan River
(Barclay 1935:306); Mountains S south fork
Macmillan River (Barclay 1935:306); Wat-
son Lake (signs seen, Clarke 1944); Swift
River (signs seen, Clarke 1944).
Artiodactyla
Table 38
Cranial measurements of Rangifer tarandus
Number of
specimens averaged
or catalogue number,
and sex
Average 5 ©
Max.
Min.
SD
SE
36090 ©
36091 ©
36092 9
22778 ©
Average 5 ©
Max.
Min.
SD
SE
33435 ©
Average 5 ©
Max.
Min.
SD
SE
17816 9
146360 NMNH, ©
Greatest
Basal orbital Nasal
length breadth length
Rangifer tarandus groenlandicus
Old Crow region
346° 167 1S
348 174 135
344 159 102
222 6.3 1277
0.6 2.8 5.2
297 148 105
306 157 106
306 155 99
Dawson region
362 170 104
331 1159 106
339 167 11117
325 155 97
5.2 5.9 9.6
23 2.7 4.3
Rangifer tarandus pearyi
Old Crow
272 140 93
Rangifer tarandus caribou
Southern Yukon
382 117 131
417 188 160
358 163 103
22.5 1.0 217.
11.4 4.5 9.7
332 110
347 174 105
Length of
maxillary
tooth-row
92
96
107
91
6.5
2.9
95
93
Diastema
130
131
129
140)
0.4
113
112
113
141
125
131
118
5.9
2.6
94
146
166
132
16.6
7.4
128
135
165
Accounts of Species and Subspecies
Rangifer tarandus groenlandicus (Borowski)
Cervus groenlandicus Borowski, 1784:72; type locality,
Greenland.
Rangifer tarandus groenlandicus, Lydekker 18986:47.
Rangjifer arcticus, Osgood 19096:49.
Rangifer arcticus stonei, Murie 1935:79 (part).
Rangifer tarandus granti, Banfield 19616:59.
Distribution
West-central and northern part of the Yukon
(Map 57).
Measurements
A male from Porcupine River, 11 mi. N
mouth Bell River, measured 1,930; 164;
558; 138; 250 Ib. A female from 20 mi. S
Chapman Lake, 64°35'/138°13’, measured
1,760; 165; 550. Osgood (19096) gave
measurements for a male from Coal Creek:
1,830; 140; 565. For cranial measurements
see Table 38.
Remarks
For comparisons with Rang/fer tarandus
caribou and A. t. pearyi see Figures 7 and 8,
and accounts of those subspecies.
| agree with Banfield (19616:59) that the
definition of the taxonomic status of the
caribou from the Alaska Peninsula north-
ward in Alaska and the northern Yukon is a
difficult problem. There are relatively few
specimens extant. The amount of intergra-
dation with domestic Siberian reindeer in
southern Alaska is problematical (Banfield
19616) as is the amount of intergradation
with woodland caribou. Banfield (19615)
assigned Alaskan and Yukon barren-ground
caribou to A. ft. granti, stating that “tundra
caribou of the Alaska Peninsula and the
Brooks Range of northern Alaska resemble
each other closely. Although granti is gen-
erally slightly larger the differences are not
statistically significant.” However, he also
said, “Subsequent statistical analysis indi-
cated that the Brooks Range population
could not be separated adequately from
groenlandicus, and the southern groups
could not be separated from granti. . . .
caribou populations in Alaska and Yukon
Territory indicate a broad belt of intergrada-
tion between the woodland caribou, cari-
bou, and the tundra reindeer, groen/andicus.
Since the only statistically valid Alaskan
race is grant/ of the Alaskan peninsula, one
is faced with the possible choice of referring
to all central and northern Alaskan popula-
tions as granti intergrades.”
166
My interpretation of these statements is
that, although Alaskan and Yukon barren-
ground caribou show some evidence of
intergradation with woodland caribou, they
are statistically inseparable from A. t. groen-
landicus. However, Banfield chose to regard
these populations as intergrades between
R. t. caribou and RA. t. groenlandicus, to
which he applied the name A. t. granti (al-
though he referred to the specimens that he
examined as “‘Intergrades between granti,
groenlandicus, and caribou”).
| compared cranial measurements of
specimens from the northern Yukon with
Banfield’s measurements (19616:128—129)
of Rangifer tarandus groenlandicus and
found the difference well below the con-
ventional level of subspecific difference
(C.D. less than 75 per cent n.o. in two
measurements; less than 58 per cent n.o. in
three measurements).
Records of occurrence
Specimens examined, 52: Firth River, 15 mi.
S mouth Joe Creek, 1; Old Crow River, 40
mi. above Timber Creek, 1 (NMNH); Old
Crow, 10; Porcupine River, Rampart House,
2 (NMNH); Porcupine River, 11 mi. N
mouth Bell River, 1; head Coal Creek,
64°47’ /139°54’, 2 (NMNH); 20 mies
Chapman Lake, 1; Forty Mile, 3 (2 MVZ, 1
KSU); Fortymile River, 16 (15 MVZ, 1 KSU);
Dawson, Clinton Road, Mi. 5, 1; Fortymile
Creek [ = Fortymile River], 10 mi. above
station, 5 (MVZ); Dawson, Forty Mile Road,
Mi. 42, 3; Dawson, Forty Mile Road, Mi.
40, 2; Dawson, Forty Mile Road, Mi. 35, 1;
McQuesten Lake, 1; Dawson, Forty Mile
Road, Mi. 15, 1.
Localities not plotted
Yukon—Alaska boundary, 1 (NMNH).
Additional records
30 mi. W Herschel Island, 14 August 1909
(seen, R. M. Anderson, MS); shoal water,
S Herschel Island (Russell 1898:226); SE
Fitton Mountain, 3 August 1964 (herd seen,
P. M. Youngman, MS); Summit Lake,
Artiodactyla
67°43'/136°29’, 16 August 1968 (drop-
pings, tracks, shed antlers seen, D.A. Gill,
MS); Richardson Mountains, 13 mi. NE
Lapierre House, 27 July, 1964 (tracks seen,
I. Stirling, MS).
Rangifer tarandus pearyi J. A. Allen
Rangifer tarandus pearyi J. A. Allen, 1902:409; holotype from
Ellesmere Island, 79° N, N.W.T.
Distribution
Occasionally migrates at least as far south
as Old Crow (Map 57).
Measurements
None available for specimens from the Yu-
kon. For cranial measurements see Table 38.
Remarks
Rangifer tarandus pearyi can be distin-
guished from A. t. groenlandicus by its small
size, near-white winter pelage, and slate-
coloured summer pelage.
Banfield (19616:63) commented on a
specimen collected at Cape Dalhousie,
N.W.T., from a herd that crossed Amundsen
Gulf during the winter of 1951-52. Peary's
caribou were also sighted during that same
winter at Baillie Island, N.W.T., and on the
mainland near Herschel Island, Yukon Terri-
tory (Manning and Macpherson 1958:67).
An adult female from Old Crow (NMC
33435) collected by Richard Nukon during
the winter of 1963-64 is referred to A. t.
Family Bovidae — Bovids
Bison bison — Bison
Bison bison bison (Linnaeus)
peary/ on the basis of its small cranial mea-
surements. When the measurements of this
specimen are compared to measurements of
R. t. groenlandicus and R. t. pearyi by the
“t’ test method of comparing a single
specimen with a sample (Simpson, Roe,
and Lewontin 1960:182), the Old Crow
specimen shows a closer similarity to A. t.
pearyi in four out of five measurements, and
a closer similarity to the Dolphin and Union
herd of intergrade pearyi and arcticus
[ = groenlandicus] (Manning 1960) in the
remaining measurement (length of nasals).
Hunters from Old Crow have often com-
mented on the occasional occurrence of
small caribou, mixed with herds of larger
animals (personal communications).
Records of occurrence
Specimens examined, 1: Old Crow, 1.
Additional records
Mainland near Herschel Island (Manning
and Macpherson 1958:67).
[Bos] bison Linnaeus, 1758:72; type locality, ancient
“Quivera’’, central Kansas.
B[ison]. bison, Jordan 1888:337.
Distribution
Last seen in the Nisling River Valley. Prob-
ably extirpated.
Measurements
No measurements from the introduced herd
are available.
Remarks
A number of Pleistocene species of bison
formerly occupied the Yukon (Skinner and
Kaisen 1947) perhaps including the wood-
land bison (Bison bison athabascae Rhoads).
In 1951 the Canadian Wildlife Service
released five bison (Bison bison bison)—
three cows and two bulls—in the Braeburn
Lake area of the Yukon (gift of the United
States Government, introduced from Alaska,
originally from Montana). One of the bulls
was shot illegally in 1958. Since their
release, the bison have wandered widely,
remaining for some time in the Nisling River
Valley. So far as | can determine, no bison
have been seen since 1963. There is incon-
clusive evidence that the herd may have
bred.
Records of occurrence
Specimens examined, none.
167
Accounts of Species and Subspecies
Additional records
Nisling River valley area, autumn 1953—
7 animals seen; July 1955—5 animals seen;
winter 1961—4 animals seen; 31 May 1963
—4 animals seen (A. M. Pearson, MS,
20 April 1965).
Oreamnos americanus — Mountain goat
Oreamnos americanus (Blainville)
Oreamnos americanus americanus (Blainville), 1816:80; type
locality, Cascade Range near Columbia River, Oregon or
Washington.
Oreamnos americanus columbiae, Rand 1945b:86:
R. M. Anderson 1947:186; Hall and Kelson 1959:1027.
Aploceras montanus, Ross 1861:442.
Oreamnos americanus, Youngman 1968:82.
Distribution
Southern Yukon (some unconfirmed sight-
ings from the Ogilvie Mountains) (Map 58).
Measurements
No external measurements are available
from Yukon specimens. Cranial measure-
ments of a male from the southern Yukon
are: greatest length, 301; zygomatic breadth,
106; greatest orbital breadth, 125; nasal
length, 107; alveolar length of maxillary
tooth-row, 74; length of diastema, 86;
palatal breadth at M3, 49.
Map 58
Distribution of Oreamnos americanus columbiae
168
Remarks
Cowan and McCrory (1970) have shown
that the northern population of mountain
goats differs from the two southern popu-
lations more than the latter differ from each
other. These authors postulate a Beringian
refugial origin for the northern population
to explain the divergence. There is little
evidence to support this thesis (see Hoffman
and Taber 1967), but Oreamnos may have
been an early migrant to Beringia.
The distribution of mountain goats in
some of the rugged mountains of the south-
ern Yukon is well documented, but only
sight records exist for more northern areas
in the Yukon. Sight records for Carmacks
are probably correct. Records for the Ogilvie
Mountains, NE of Dawson, are open to
suspicion, since the area has been hunted
for some time without producing a speci-
men. Nevertheless one of the observers was
an experienced game guide.
MacNeish (1959) found bones of Oream-
nos in a postglacial archaeological site (est.
4000 B.P.) in the extreme northern Yukon.
Whether Oreamnos has occurred in the
northern Yukon within historical times is
open to question.
Various authors have uncritically accepted
Ross’s record (1861:442) of three speci-
mens from Lapierre House. These specimens
are not known to be still in existence, but
admitting that they once existed is not suf-
ficient to document a recent northern
Richardson Mountain distribution for Oream-
nos, since the specimens could have been
obtained by trade from Indians far to the
south. Lapierre House is very near mountain
sheep range and it is quite possible that the
specimens were fragmentary remains of
sheep.
Artiodactyla
Records of occurrence
Specimens examined, 6: Ida Lake [ = Mc-
Pherson Lake], 60 mi. W Glacier Lake,
N.W.T., 1; Teslin Mountains, 1 (NMNH);
Bullion Creek, Slims River, 1; mountains off
Lake Bennett, 10 mi. from British Columbia
border, 3.
Additional records
Williams Creek, 62°23’ /136°37’, 1939 (killed
by J. Brown, P. M. Youngman, MS, 21 July
1961); Yukon valley [near Carmacks], 1928
(killed by H. LePage, P. M. Youngman, MS,
21 July 1961); between Carmacks and
Selkirk (two sighted by S. Bates, P. M.
Youngman, MS, 21 July 1961); head Na-
hanni, Hyland, and Pelly rivers (NMC 1821—
1823, not found); Dezadeash Mountains,
30 July 1943 (seen, Clarke 1944); moun-
tains near Lake Kathleen and Dezadeash
Lake (Lake 1945:29); Lake Arkell [ = Ku-
Ovibos moschatus — Musk-ox
sawa Lake] (NMC 1507, not found); around
glaciers, Saint Elias Range, draining to-
wards Alsek [River] (“patches of abun-
dance,” Clarke 1944); Little Windy Arm,
Lake Tagish (Rand 19456:86); Swift River
area (seen by C. S. Lord, Clarke 1944).
Additional records not plotted
Hills around the [McDougall] Pass (Ogilvie
1890:66); Lapierre House (Ross 1861:442);
near Sheep Mountain (Ogilvie 1890:53);
11 mi. S Chapman Lake (seen by H. Tru-
man, P. M. Youngman, MS, 23 July 1961);
near Tombstone Mountain, 13 July 1964
(seen, D. R. Harrison, MS, 14 July 1964);
near Tombstone Mountain and Wolf Creek
(seen by T. Worbets, P. M. Youngman, MS,
18 August 1961); lower Bonanza [Creek],
1949 (seen by C. Henderson, P. M. Young-
man, MS, 30 June 1964); near Wolf Lake
(Rand 19456:86).
Ovibos moschatus moschatus (Zimmermann)
Bos moschatus Zimmermann, 1778:86; type locality, between
Seal and Churchill rivers, Man.
Ovibos moschatus, Desmarest 1822:492; Hone 1934:7;
Rand 1945b:83.
Distribution
Extinct in the Yukon. Possibility of wander-
ers from Alaskan herd. Probably formerly
occurred along the entire coast (Map 59).
Measurements
None available for specimens from the
Yukon.
Remarks
The recent occurrences of musk-oxen in the
Yukon has been based on reports of a skull
found on Herschel Island in 1908 (Stefann-
son 1912; R. M. Anderson 1913a). Richard-
son (1829:276) learned from Indians that
musk-oxen inhabited the barren grounds
west of the Mackenzie River, and Russell
(1898) commented on the former range
between the Mackenzie River and Bering
Strait as evidenced by skeletal remains.
On 22 July 1969, David A. Gill and Peter
Goenard flew from Herschel Island to Inu-
vik, N.W.T., in a Cessna 185 piloted by Leon
Goenard. At 8:30 p.m. all were astonished
at sighting two musk-oxen on the Yukon
coast, four miles west of King Point. Some
time after the sighting, Eskimos were report-
Map 59
Former distribution of Ovibos moschatus moschatus
169
Accounts of Species and Subspecies
ed to have killed both animals, a sad ending
for what might have been the nucleus of a
Yukon herd. Both animals evidently came
from the Arctic Slope of Alaska opposite
Barter Island, some 150 miles away, where
52 animals were introduced from Nunivak
Island, Alaska, on 11 April 1969.
Ovis nivicola — Mountain sheep
Ovis nivicola dalli Nelson
Records of occurrence
Specimens examined, 1: Herschel Island,
Pauline Cove, 1.
Additional records
Joe Creek, Firth River (MacNeish 1959:51).
Ovis montana dalli, Nelson 1884:13; holotype from mountains
S of Fort Yukon on west bank of Yukon River, Alaska.
Ovis n (ivicola). dalli, Nasonov 1923:124.
Ovis dalli, Osgood 19096:51.
Ovis dalli dalli, Cowan 1940:525 (part); Rand 19456:84 (part);
Hall and Kelson 1959:1034 (part); Youngman 1968:82.
Ovis dalli stonei, Cowan 1940:532 (part), Hall and Kelson
1959:1035 (part).
Distribution
The northern, southwestern and southeast-
ern parts of the Yukon (Map 60).
Map 60
Distribution of Ovis nivicola
1 On. dalli
2 O.n. stonei
170
Measurements
A male from 20 mi. S Chapman Lake, mea-
sured 1,375; 97; 410. Two males from the
Yukon—N.W.T. boundary, 19 mi. SW Horn
Lake, measured respectively 1,370, 1,410;
119, 122; 102, 96. For cranial measurements
see Table 39.
Remarks
This subspecies differs from Ovis nivicola
stonei in being almost pure white, (as op-
posed to near black) and in averaging
smaller in a number of cranial measure-
ments (Cowan 1940:526). The range of
O. n. dalli as shown in Map 60 has been
drawn at a theoretical halfway zone between
the broadly intergrading ranges of O. n.
dalli and O. n. stone. Thus some dark sheep
are found in the region allocated to O. n
dalli and some nearly pure-white sheep are
found within the indicated range of O. n.
stonei (for further discussion of intergrada-
tion see Sheldon 1911:299-322; and Cowan
1940:527).
Varying opinions have been expressed on
the systematic status of North American and
Siberian sheep (Chernyavskii 1962). Most
North American authors (J. A. Allen 1912;
Seton 1927; Cowan 1940; R. M. Anderson
1947; Miller and Kellogg 1955; Hall and
Kelson 1959) have considered that there are
two species of sheep in North America
(Ovis dalli and O. canadensis), neither being
conspecific with Asian sheep. However,
Rausch (19636:31) considered O. nivicola
and O. dalli as probably conspecific. Many
Old World authors (Lydekker 1898a; Tsalkin
Artiodactyla
1951; Pfeffer 1967; Ellerman and Morrison-
Scott 1951; Heptner, Nasimovic, and Banni-
kov 1966) considered eastern Siberian and
North American sheep to be conspecific, the
name Ovis canadensis having priority. Others
(Nasonov 1923) considered O. nivicola and
O. dalli to be conspecific, with O. canadensis
occurring only in North America. A third
group (Severtsov 1873a; Chernyavskii 1962)
considered ©. nivicola in eastern Siberia,
and O. dalli and O. canadensis in North
America, to be separate species. Chernyav-
skii (1962) concurred with Cowan (1940)
that Ovis nivicola, Ovis dalli and Ovis cana-
densis are separate species. However, Chern-
yavskii thought that Ovis nivicola and Ovis
dalli more closely resemble each other than
either resembles O. canadensis, although
Cowan (1940) thought that O. nivicola and
O. dalli differ from each other as greatly as
the latter differs from O. canadensis. Cowan
(1940:509) considered that the short, wide
skull, the small size of the rump patch, and
the smoother horns of Ovis nivicola are
enough to separate it, at the species level,
from O. dalli and O. canadensis. Chernyav-
skii (1962) compared his own measure-
ments of ©. nivicola with Cowan’s mea-
surements (1940) of O. dalli and O. cana-
densis. He pointed out that the length of the
nasal bones of O. canadensis noticeably ex-
ceed those of O. da//i and O. nivicola, but he
agreed with Cowan that the orbital width of
©. nivicola is significantly greater than in the
two North American forms, the ratio of orbi-
tal width to basal length averaging 49.2 per
cent in ©. nivicola, and in ©. dalli and O.
canadensis only 44.9 and 44.5 per cent.
Chernyavskii also showed that the rostrum
and occipital regions of the skull in O. nivi-
cola are relatively broader than in the North
American species, and the white rump patch
in O. nivicola does not extend onto the back
above the base of the tail. However, Chern-
yavskii disagreed with Cowan’s observation
that the surface of the horns of O. nivicola
is smoother than in ©. dalli My own obser-
vations generally agree with those of Chern-
yavskii.
My measurements of O. nivicola, how-
ever, show a wide range in the ratio of orbital
width to basilar length. Four males of O. n.
kenaensis in the National Museum of Nat-
ural History, Washington, average 46.6 per
cent, and seven males of O. n. stone/ in the
National Museums of Canada average 45.7
per cent. Some individuals of ©. nivicola
from Siberia have ratios as low as 45.7 per
cent and some individuals from North Am-
erica have ratios as high as 48.4 per cent.
Thus the ranges of orbital width—basilar
length ratios for Siberian and North Ameri-
can specimens overlap, with the means sep-
arated by four or five mm. Also, the Siberian
specimens have a slightly smaller rump
patch (NMNH 242245). These characters
are of the magnitude that could be expected
in mammals the size of sheep separated by
a relatively short time-span at the Bering
Strait, and in my opinion, are at the sub-
specific level.
Various explanations have been given for
the origin of native sheep in North America.
Severtsov (1873a,b), Nasonov (1923), and
Sushkin (1925) argued for a double migra-
tion between Asia and North America across
the Bering Land Bridge, the ancestors of
Ovis ammon being early migrants that split
into northern (O. nivicola) and southern
forms (O. canadensis). The northern form
later crossed the Bering Land Bridge to pop-
ulate eastern Siberia.
Cowan (1940) suggested that Ovis cana-
densis and Ovis dalli were more recent and
specialized descendants of Ovis nivicola. He
proposed a single migration of the ancestors
of Ovis nivicola to North America in late
Pliocene or early Pleistocene, and a separa-
tion of the immigrants into northern and
southern segments during glacial times, giv-
ing rise to Ovis dalli in the north and Ovis
canadensis in the south.
Stokes and Condie (1961:608) believed
that the fossil Great Basin sheep (Ovis
catclawensis) is more closely related to
Ovis ammon than to Ovis canadensis. They
believed that it evolved into ©. dalli in
northwestern North America, and O. cana-
densis in western North America, thus sub-
stantiating Severtsov’s theory rather than
Cowan's.
Stock and Stokes (1969), however, re-
examined the fossil Great Basin specimens
and concluded that they most closely re-
semble Ovis canadensis, rather than O.
ammon, thus supporting the single migra-
tion theory. They mentioned “considerable
differences” between Ovis nivicola, and
Ovis dalli, and noted that the subspecies of
O. canadensis geographically closest to O.
dalli (O. c. canadensis) is the least like O.
dalli, while the remaining subspecies bear
greater resemblance to O. dalli and O. nivi-
cola. They also noted the resemblance be-
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Accounts of Species and Subspecies
tween the eastern subspecies of Ovis am-
mon and O. canadensis.
As | have suggested previously, | do not
agree that there are great differences be-
tween Ovis nivicola and Ovis dalli. The
cranial and colour differences are minor. If
we were dealing with rodent-size animals,
even a modern ‘splitter” would hesitate to
rank them as full species.
The present distribution and divergence
of Siberian and North American sheep sug-
gest to me a single migration with the sub-
sequent splitting off of Siberian populations
(O. n. nivicola, etc.), Beringian populations
(O. n. dalli, O. n. kenaensis), a southern
Rocky Mountain isolate (O. n. stone/), and
southern populations (O. n. canadensis, etc.).
At the end of the Wisconsin, as the ice-
free corridor opened between the Cordilleran
and Keewatin glaciers, the dark-coloured
stonei moved northward, intergrading with
O. n. dalli in northern British Columbia and
southern Yukon. The region of intergrada-
tion is almost entirely within the previously
glaciated area immediately to the south of
the boundary of unglaciated Beringia. Most
of the sheep that occur within the unglaci-
ated region are white.
| tentatively follow Lydekker, and others,
in considering Siberian and Northern Am-
erican sheep to be conspecific.
Records of occurrence
Specimens examined, 48: Firth River, Joe
River [ = Firth River, Joe Creek], 2 (NMNH);
Yukon—Northwest Territories boundary, 19
mi. SW Horn Lake, 2; Ogilvie Range, 2
Ovis nivicola stoner J. A. Allen
(UBC); head Eagle Creek, 40 mi. NE Eagle
River, Alaska, 1 (NMNH); head Coal Creek,
64°47’ /139°54’, 8 (NMNH); 20 mi. S Chap-
man Lake, 1; Dawson, 2 (1 AMNH, 1
NMNH); Dawson City, Northwest Territor-
jes [ = Dawson], 1 (BCPM); Klondike River,
1 (NMNH); Mayo Lake, upper Stewart
River, 1 (NMNH); 275 mi. NNE Whitehorse,
Selwyn Range, Keele Peak, 1 (MZ); Mac-
millan River, opposite Husky Dog Creek, 5
(NMNH); north fork Macmillan River, 1
(NMNH); Yukon—Alaska boundary, White
River, 3 (NMNH); Wolverine Creek [head
Donjek River], 1 (NMNH); Kluane Lake, 1
(NMNH); Congdon Creek [near Kluane}, 1
(MCZ); W flank Sheep Mountain, near
Sheep Creek [near old Alaska Highway], 1;
Donjek Valley, 5 (AMNH); head Donjek
River, 2 (FMNH); Slims River, 2 (MCZ);
Yukon-British Columbia boundary, head
Tatshenshini River, Haines Road, 1.
Localities not plotted
Yukon Mountains, 3.
Additional records
British Mountains, 15 mi. from Arctic coast
(International Boundary Commission 1918:
281); Joe Creek, latitude 68°56’ (Interna-
tional Boundary Commission 1918:281);
ranges between Porcupine and Black rivers
(International Boundary Commission 1918:
281); near Tatonduk River (International
Boundary Commission 1918:280); northern
slopes Mount Saint Elias (International
Boundary Commission 1918:280).
Ovis stonei, J. A. Allen, 1897:111; holotype from Che-on-nee
Mountains, headwaters Stikine River, B.C.
Ovis n[ivicola]. stonei, Nasonov 1923:125.
Ovis dalli stonei, Osgood 19096:77; Cowan 1940:525 (part);
Rand 1945b:84 (part); Hall and Kelson 1959:1034 (part).
Distribution
The south-central
(Map 60).
portion of the Yukon
Measurements
No external measurements are available for
specimens taken in the Yukon Territory. For
cranial measurements see Table 39.
Remarks
For comparison of this subspecies with
O. c. dallisee account of that subspecies.
174
Records of occurrence
Specimens examined, 45: Pelly River, Lapie
River, 8 (NMNH); Lapie River, Canol Road,
Mi. 132, 2: 16 mi. W Robinson, 1 (NMNH);
Cassiar Mountain region, 6 (NMNH); Twelve
Mile River [ = Twelve Mile Creek, 60°15’/
134°28'], 4 (AMNH); Carcross, 2; Tow-we-
oh, vicinity Teslin Lake, 1; 7es/in Lake re-
gion, 12; head Watson River, 50 mi. W
Robinson, 2 (FMNH); head Morley River,
30 mi. SE Teslin, 7.
Hypothetical List
These species have not been collected as
specimens nor are there satisfactory sight
records documenting their occurrence in the
Yukon Territory.
Myotis volans (H. Allen)
Swarth (1936:400) recorded the northern-
most specimens of the long-legged bat from
the south end of Atlin Lake, B.C., approxi-
mately 60 miles south of the Yukon—British
Columbia boundary.
Eptesicus fuscus (Palisot de Beauvois)
Reeder (1965:332) collected an adult fe-
male big brown bat from near the crossing
of Shaw Creek and the Richardson High-
way, 64°15’/145°50" in east-central Alaska,
approximately 150 miles west of the Alaska—
Yukon boundary.
Lepus othus othus Merriam
Bee and Hall (1956:34) listed records of
Alaska hares from as far east in Alaska as
the Kuparuk River, 149°02'00"/70°16'30".
Lepus arcticus andersoni Nelson
Howell (19366:328) recorded a specimen
from as far west as Fort Anderson, District
of Mackenzie. Porsild (1945) reported,
“Signs probably of this species were seen in
the Richardson Mountains west of Aklavik
in July, 1933, and, on gravel ridges in the
foothills between the delta and Shingle
point.” The absence of arctic hares and
Alaska hares from the Arctic Slope of the
Yukon Territory may reflect different refugial
Origins for the two forms.
Monodon monoceros Linnaeus
Huey (1952:496) records a specimen of a
narwhal from the mouth of the Colville
River, Alaska, and Bee and Hall (1956:160)
list other records from Point Barrow, Alaska.
Orcinus orca Linnaeus
Bee and Hall (1956:162) listed records from
as far east as Point Barrow, Alaska. Hinton
and Godsell (1954:116) recorded a killer
whale taken off Herschel Island. However,
the alleged stomach contents of this speci-
men are suspiciously close to those reported
by Eschricht (1866:159). Killer whales un-
doubtedly occur in Yukon waters.
Phocoena phocoena (Linnaeus)
Bee and Hall (1956:164) recorded two har-
bour porpoises collected at Elson Lagoon,
156°20’00" /71°21'30” and other more west-
ern records from the Arctic Slope of Alaska.
Eschrichtius gibbosus (Erxleben)
Bee and Hall (1956:165) recorded grey
whales from Point Barrow, Alaska.
Phoca fasciata Zimmermann
Ribbon seals have been reported from Point
Barrow, Alaska, by various authors (Bee and
Hall 1956:226).
Phoca groenlandica Erxleben
Porsild (1945:13) recorded a harp seal
taken at Aklavik, District of Mackenzie, in
1926.
Cystophora cristata (Erxleben)
Porsild (1945:13) recorded the killing of a
hooded seal at Herschel Island in 1931.
Although Porsild did not see the animal, he
believed that there was conclusive evidence
backing the identification. Porsild also re-
corded a hooded seal killed at Tuktoyaktuk,
District of Mackenzie, in 1941-42.
175
. + “OR
soi] iar re 4%
LAILE | p
> @'% Oy a
Oo) Tt
Peary
Type Localities of Mammals in the Yukon
The original name combination is followed
by the type locality as cited in the original
description. Emendations and coordinates,
where added, are enclosed in brackets.
Lepus saliens, Caribou Crossing, between
Lake Bennett and Lake Tagish, Northwest
Territory, Canada [ = Carcross, 60°10’ /134°
42’, Yukon Territory].
Eutamias caniceps, Lake Lebarge, North-
west Territory, Canada [ = Lake Laberge,
Yukon Territory].
Sciuropterus yukonensis, Camp Davidson,
Yukon River, near Alaska—Canada bound-
ary [ = 64°40'51"/140°54"31"].
Evotomys dawsoni, Finlayson River, a north-
ern source of Liard River, N.W.T. [ = Yukon
Territory 61°30’/129°30’; altitude, 3,000
ft]
Microtus pennsylvanicus alcorni, 6 mi. SW
Kluane, 2,550 ft elevation, Yukon Territory,
Canada [ = 61°01’ /138°31’].
Microtus cantator, tundra slide above timber-
line on mountaintop near Tepee Lake on
north slope of St. Elias Range. Tepee Lake is
at head of Harris Creek, which runs west-
northwest into Genero [ = Generc] River,
which runs north into White River, a tribu-
tary of Yukon River; about 21 miles east of
Alaska—Yukon International Boundary, about
latitude 61°35’, longitude 140°22’; about 18
miles southeast of Canyon City (on White
River); about 18 miles northeast of Mount
Constantine and Klutlan Glacier; and about
45 miles northwest of northwest arm of
Kluane Lake.
Fiber spatulatus, Lake Marsh, Northwest
Territory, Canada [ = Marsh Lake, Yukon
Territory].
Dicrostonyx torquatus nunatakensis, Yukon
Territory: 20 mi. S Chapman Lake (64°35’ /
138°13’), 5,500 ft.
Euarctos randi, Sheldon Mountain, Canol
Road, mile 222, Yukon Territory, Canada;
latitude about 62°30’ north, longitude 131°
west; altitude, about 4,000 ft.
Ursus rungiusi sagittalis, Champagne Land-
ing, southwestern Yukon [ = Champagne,
60°47’ /136°29'].
River,
Ursus crassus, Macmillan
Yukon.
upper
Ursus internationalis, Alaska—Yukon Bound-
ary about 50 miles south of Arctic Coast
(lat. 69°00’30”).
Ursus kluane, McConnell River, Yukon Ter-
ritory
Ursus oribasus, Upper Liard River, Yukon,
near British Columbia boundary.
Ursus pallasi, Donjek River, southwestern
Yukon Territory.
Ursus pellyensis, Ketza Divide, Pelly Moun-
tains, Yukon.
Ursus pulchellus pulchellus, Ross River,
Yukon Territory, Canada.
Rangifer montanus selousi, mountains
south of South Fork of Macmillan River,
Yukon Territory, 5,000 ft.
Tarandus rangifer ogilvyensis, Ogilvy Moun-
tains, just north of Dawson, Alaska [ = Yu-
kon Territory].
Rangifer mcguirei, Kletson [ = Kletsan]
creek, a tributary of the White river, four
miles east of the Alaska—Yukon boundary.
Ovis fannini, Dawson City, N.W.T. [ = Daw-
son, 64°04’ /139°25', Yukon Territory].
177
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Index
Alces
alces, 161-62
alces gigas, 161-62
Alopex (see Vulpes lagopus)
Artiodactyla, 159-74
Balaena
mysticetus, 123
Balaenidae, 123
bat, little brown, 53-54
bear, black, 133-35
bear, brown, 136-38
bear, grizzly, 136-38
bear, polar, 139
beaver, 77-79
bison, 167-68
Bison
bison, 167-68
bison bison, 167-68
Bovidae, 167—74
Callorhinus
ursinus, 156
Canidae, 125-33
Canis
latrans, 125-26
latrans latrans, 125-26
lupus, 128
caribou, 163—67
caribou, barren-ground, 166—67
caribou, Peary, 167
caribou, woodland, 163-65
Carnivora, 124—55
Castor
canadensis, 77—79
canadensis canadensis, 77-79
Castoridae, 77—79
Cervidae, 159-67
Cervus
elaphus, 159-60
elaphus canadensis, 159-60
Cetacea, 122-23
chipmunk, least, 62-63
Chiroptera, 53-54
Clethrionomys
rutilus, 84-87
rutilus dawsoni, 84-87
cougar, 153
coyote, 125—26
deer, mule, 160—61
deer, red, 159-60
Delphinapterus
leucas, 122—23
Dicrostonyx
torquatus, 114-16
torquatus kilangmiutak 114-16
torquatus nunatakensis, 116
Erethizon
dorsatum, 120-21
dorsatum myops, 120-21
190
Erethizontidae, 120—21
Erignathus
barbatus, 158
barbatus barbatus, 158
ermine, 142—45
Eutamias
minimus, 62-63
minimus borealis, 62-63
Felidae, 153-55
Felis
canadensis, 154-55
canadensis canadensis, 154-55
concolor, 153
fisher, 142
fox, arctic, 129
fox, red, 132-33
Glaucomys
sabrinus, 76-77
sabrinus sabrinus, 76—77
goat, mountain, 168—69
Gulo
gulo, 150-52
guloluscus, 150-52
hare, varying, 57-59
Insectivora, 41-52
Lagomorpha, 55-59
lemming, northern bog, 112—-14
lemming, Siberian, 107—11
lemming, varying, 114-16
Lemmus
sibiricus, 107-11
sibiricus helvolus, 107-10
sibiricus trimucronatus, 110-11
Leporidae, 57-59
Lepus
americanus, 57-59
americanus dalli, 57-59
Lontra
canadensis, 152
canadensis pacifica, 152
Lutra (see Lontra)
Lynx (see Felis)
lynx, 154-55
Marmota
broweri, 66
caligata, 66-67
caligata caligata, 66-67
monax, 64
monax ochracea, 64
marmot, hoary, 66-67
marten, 140-41
Martes
americana, 140-41
americana actuosa, 140-41
pennanti, 142
pennanti pennanti, 142
Index
Microsorex
hoyi, 51-52
hoyi intervectus, 51-52
Microtus
longicaudus, 97-98
longicaudus vellerosus, 97-98
miurus, 101—04
miurus cantator, 101
miurus muriei, 102—04
oeconomus, 93-97
oeconomus macfarlani, 93-97
pennsylvanicus, 89-93
pennsylvanicus drummondii, 89-93
xanthognathus, 98-101
mink, 147—50
Monodontidae, 122—23
moose, 161—62
mouse, deer, 79-83
mouse, house, 117
mouse, meadow jumping, 117-18
mouse, western jumping, 119
Muridae, 79-117
Mus
musculus, 117
musk-ox, 169—70
muskrat, 104—06
Mustela
erminea, 142—45
erminea arctica, 142—43
erminea richardsonii, 143-45
nivalis, 149-47
nivalis eskimo, 146—47
vison, 147-50
vison energumenos, 147-48
vison ingens, 149-50
Mustelidae, 140—52
Myotis
lucifugus, 53-54
lucifugus pernox, 53-54
Neotoma
cinerea, 83
cinerea occidentalis, 83
Ochotona
princeps, 55-57
princeps collaris, 55-57
Ochotonidae, 55-57
Odobenus (see Rosmarus)
Odocoileus
hemionus, 160-61
hemionus hemionus, 160-61
Ondatra
zibethicus, 104—06
zibethicus spatulatus, 104—06
Oreamnos
americanus, 168—69
Otariidae, 156
otter, river, 152
Ovibos
moschatus, 169—70
moschatus moschatus, 169-70
Ovis
nivicola, 170-74
nivicola dalli, 170-74
nivicola stonei, 174
Peromyscus
maniculatus, 79-83
maniculatus algidus, 79-82
maniculatus borealis, 82-83
Phenacomys
intermedius, 88
intermedius mackenzii, 88
Phoca
hispida, 157-58
hispida hispida, 157-58
vitulina, 157
Phocidae, 157-58
pika, 55-57
Pinnipedia, 156—58
porcupine, 120—21
Rangifer
tarandus, 163-65
tarandus caribou, 163-65
tarandus groenlandicus, 166-67
tarandus pearyi, 167
Rodentia, 60—1 21
Rosmaridae, 156—57
Rosmarus
rosmarus, 156—57
Sciuridae, 62—77
seal, bearded, 158
seal, harbour, 157
seal, northern fur, 156
seal, ringed, 157-58
sheep, mountain, 170—74
shrew, arctic, 44
shrew, dusky, 48—50
shrew, masked, 41—44
shrew, pygmy, 51
shrew, tundra, 45—48
shrew, water, 51
Sorex
arcticus, 44
arcticus arcticus, 44
cinereus, 41-44
cinereus cinereus, 41—43
cinereus ugyunak, 44
obscurus, 48-50
obscurus obscurus, 48-50
palustris, 51
palustris navigator, 51
tundrensis, 45-48
Soricidae, 41-52
Spermophilus
parryii, 67-72
parryii parryii, 67—71
parryii plesius, 71-72
squirrel, arctic ground, 67-72
squirrel, northern flying, 76-77
squirrel, red, 72—76
on
Index
Synaptomys
borealis, 112-14
borealis borealis, 112-14
Tamiasciurus
hudsonicus, 72—76
hudsonicus preblei, 72—76
Ursidae, 133-39
Ursus
americanus, 133-35
americanus americanus, 133-35
arctos, 136-38
arctos horribilis, 136-38
arctos middendorffi, 138
maritimus, 139
Vespertilionidae, 53-54
vole, chestnut-cheeked, 98-101
vole, heather, 88
vole, long-tailed, 97-98
vole, meadow, 89-93
vole, northern, 93-97
vole, red-backed, 84-87
vole, singing, 101—04
Vulpes
/agopus, 129
lagopus lagopus, 129
vulpes, 132—33
vulpes alascensis, 132—33
walrus, 156—57
wapiti, 159-60
weasel, least, 146—47
whale, bowhead, 123
whale, white, 122—23
wolf, 128
wolverine, 150—52
woodchuck, 64
wood rat, bushy-tailed, 83
Zapodidae, 117—19
Zapus
hudsonius, 117-18
hudsonius hudsonius, 117-18
princeps, 119
princeps saltator, 119
192
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