Melanistic Tundra Voles, Microtus oeconomus, from Central Yukon

Colour aberrations are not commonly observed in voles (e.g., Microtus and Myodes); thus, individual observations are of interest. We report two observations of melanism in Tundra Voles, Microtus oeconomus, collected from central Yukon. These are the second and third records of melanistic Tundra Voles, and the first reports from non-insular populations

First Records of the Southern Red-backed Vole, Myodes gapperi, in the Yukon

Twenty Southern Red-backed Voles, Myodes gapperi, were collected in July 2004 in the LaBiche River valley of southeastern Yukon. Specimens were identified using morphological characteristics and analysis of cytochrome b gene sequences. These are the first records of this species in the Yukon. No Northern Red-backed Voles, M. rutilus, were collected and it is not known whether the two species are sympatric or parapatric in the Yukon. Further survey work is needed in southeastern Yukon to better delineate the extent of the northwestern range of this species and the extent, if any, of introgression with M. rutilus

First Records of the Northern Long-eared Bat, Myotis septentrionalis, in the Yukon Territory

Three adult male Northern Long-eared Bats, Myotis septentrionalis, were captured in mist nets in July 2004 in the LaBiche River Valley, southeastern Yukon. These are the first records of M. septentrionalis in the Yukon. Further survey work is needed to delineate the extent of the range and population structure of this and other species of bats in northwestern North America

Canadian Canadian Cataloquing Cataloquing in in Publication Publication Data Data

i “Wildlife Working Reports frequently contain preliminary data, so conclusions based on these may be subject to change. Working Reports receive little review. They may be cited in publications, but their manuscript status should be noted. Copies may be obtained, depending upon supply, from th

Northern Range Extension of the Pygmy Shrew, Sorex hoyi, in the Yukon

A Pygmy Shrew, Sorex hoyi, was captured in a pitfall trap on the Blackstone River (65°04.6'N, 138°10.8'W) in central Yukon. This represents a northern range extension of about 110 km for S. hoyi in the Yukon

New records of the Ogilvie Mountains Collared Lemming (Dicrostonyx nunatakensis) in central Yukon

The Ogilvie Mountain Collared Lemming (Dicrostonyx nunatakensis Youngman, 1967), reported only from the Ogilvie Mountains of central Yukon, is among the least known mammals in Canada. It was first discovered in 1961 and, since then, only 13 specimens had been collected, all from one mountain, in central Yukon. We conducted a targeted survey to determine the distribution of the species by trapping areas of apparently suitable habitat on 12 mountains within 40 km of the known location. Many of our traps were disabled by other mammals; however, we captured three Ogilvie Mountain Collared Lemmings on two mountains 25.9 km and 29.6 km from the original location. Our findings suggest that this lemming may be more widely distributed than indicated by earlier specimens. We suggest further surveys to delineate the range of the Ogilvie Mountain Collared Lemming