A revision of the genus Calomys (Rodentia: Muridae).
Item
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Title
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A revision of the genus Calomys (Rodentia: Muridae).
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Identifier
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AAI8820886
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identifier
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8820886
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Creator
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Olds, Nancy.
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Contributor
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Advisers: Sydney Anderson | Max K. Hecht
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Date
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1988
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Language
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English
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Publisher
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City University of New York.
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Subject
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Biology, Zoology
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Abstract
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The genus Calomys (Muridae: Sigmodontinae) includes ten species, C. bimaculatus, C. callosus, C. hummelincki, C. laucha, C. lepidus, C. murillus, C. musculinus, C. sorellus, C. tener, and C. venustus. These species are separable on the bases of pelage characters, overall body size, tail length, cranial structures, and, in some cases, karyotypes. Diagnoses are given for the genus and all species. Descriptions, comparisons, and summaries of the taxonomic history for the genus and species are presented.;Age was found to be more important in intraspecific cranial variation than sex. Samples of two species, C. sorellus and C. callosus, show significant size changes with age. Young adults and juveniles are smaller than older adults, and very old adults are often smaller than middle-aged adults. An explanation for this is lacking at this time.;The fossil genus Bensonomys is not included in the genus Calomys. A comparison between the dentition of Bensonomys and Calomys is given. A close relationship is possible between these two genera, but further study, including a broad survey of all North and South American Recent and fossil Sigmodontinae is necessary before conclusions on the significance of Calomys in the diversification of the South American Sigmodontinae can be drawn. Necromys, a fossil genus of Sigmodontinae known from South America, is not included in Calomys, either.;Relationships within the genus Calomys are still uncertain; however, three species groups are postulated: C. callosus, C. venustus, and C. tener; C. laucha, C. bimaculatus, and C. hummelincki; and C. murillus and C. musculinus. Calomys lepidus and C. sorellus do not fit in any of the above groups or with each other.;Calomys is most similar cranially and dentally to the phyllotine genera Eligmodontia, Andalgalomys and Graomys. A closer relationship to Eligmodontia and Andalgalomys is proposed.
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Type
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dissertation
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Source
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PQT Legacy CUNY.xlsx
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degree
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Ph.D.
