Broad-footed mole
| Broad-footed mole | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Scientific classification | |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Mammalia |
| Order: | Eulipotyphla |
| Family: | Talpidae |
| Genus: | Scapanus |
| Species: | S. latimanus |
| Binomial name | |
| Scapanus latimanus (Bachman, 1842) | |
 | |
| Broad-footed mole range | |
The broad-footed mole (Scapanus latimanus) is a species of mammal in the family Talpidae.[2] It is found in Baja California in Mexico and in California, Nevada and Oregon in the United States at elevations up to 3000 m above sea level.[1]
Description
The broad-footed mole can be distinguished from other species of Scapanus by its dark brown to silvery fur, and 40-44 unevenly spaced unicuspid teeth.[3][4] Adults range from 14 to 18 cm in total length on average, with males slightly larger than females. Populations in more humid environments also tend to have larger individuals than those from southern, drier areas.[3]
Its karyotype has 2n = 34, FN = 64.[2] As with most moles, it requires moist, friable soils, where it eats earthworms, insects, other invertebrates and some plant matter.[5]
Classification
Up to 12 subspecies of S. latimanus have been recognized,[3] but a taxonomic revision published in 2004 recommended the southernmost subspecies, S. l. anthonyi (Anthony's Mexican mole) be elevated to full species, and recognized only 5 subspecies of S. latimanus.[4] Anthony's Mexican mole is the smallest species (or subspecies) in the genus Scapanus and differs from S. latimanus in dental and cranial characteristics.[4]
References
- 1 2 Matson, J.; Woodman, N.; Castro-Arellano, I. & de Grammont, P.C. (2008). "Scapanus latimanus". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. Version 2009.2. International Union for Conservation of Nature. Retrieved 9 February 2010.
- 1 2 Hutterer, R. (2005). "Order Soricomorpha". In Wilson, D.E.; Reeder, D.M. Mammal Species of the World: A Taxonomic and Geographic Reference (3rd ed.). Johns Hopkins University Press. p. 302. ISBN 978-0-8018-8221-0. OCLC 62265494.
- 1 2 3 Verts, B. J. & Leslie N. Carraway (2001). "Scapanus latimanus" (PDF). Mammalian Species. 666: 1–7. doi:10.1644/1545-1410(2001)666<0001:sl>2.0.co;2.
- 1 2 3 Yates, Terry L. & Jorge Salazar-Bravo (2004). "A Revision Of Scapanus latimanus, with the Revalidation of a Species Of Mexican Mole". In Sánchez-Cordero V. & Medellín R.A. Contribuciones Mastozoológicas En Homenaje A Bernardo Villa (PDF). Instituto De Biología e Ins Tituto De Ecología, Unam, México. pp. 479–496.
- ↑ http://sibr.com/mammals/M018.html