Cytogenetic Evidence for the Specific Distinction of an Alaskan Marmot, \u3ci\u3eMarmota broweri\u3c/i\u3e Hall and Gilmore (Mammalia: Sciuridae)

Cytogenetic studies based upon somatic cells (bone marrow) have disclosed that the marmot hitherto designated Marmota caligata broweri Hall and Gilmore, occurring in the Brooks Range of Arctic Alaska, differs from M. c. caligata (Eschscholtz) in number of chromosomes (2n=36 as compared with 2n=42 in M. caligata) and in proportions of chromosomal types. Typical karyograms for the two species are presented. It is concluded that the Brooks Range marmot is specifically distinct from M. caligata, the applicable name being Marmota broweri Hall and Gilmore. Also determined were diploid chromosome numbers for two other Nearctic species of marmots, M. flaviventris (Audubon and Bachman), with 42, and M. olympus (Merriam), with 40. It is suggested that M. broweri survived the last (Wisconsin) glaciations in the amphi-Beringian refugium, and that its closest affinities may be with one of the Eurasian species of Marmota

Taxonomy and Zoogeography of \u3ci\u3eLemmus\u3c/i\u3e spp. (Rodentia: Arvicolinae), with Notes on Laboratory-Reared Lemmings

Lemmings of the genus Lemmus Link, 1795, have long attracted interest because of the high numerical densities attained at intervals by their populations. In earlier times, in northern Europe, such events seemed so remarkable as to be explained by some as a consequence of the animals\u27 having fallen from the sky (HaGSTROM 1749). During the last 25 years, lemmings have been the object of intensive ecological investigation in Eurasia and North America, although there has been no consensus concerning their taxonomic relationships. In 1959, a colony of brown lemmings from arctic Alaska was established in our laboratory, primarily to provide experimental animals for the study of zoonoses indigenous to arctic and subarctic North America. A colony of lemmings from Fennoscandia was similarly established in 1964. The lemmings proved to have advantages as laboratory animals, and at the same time the existence of the colonies permitted observations to be made on their biological characteristics and comparisons of chromosomes to be undertaken for the two forms and their hybrids. The results of these observations and comparisons, with a review of the zoogeography of Lemmus, are reported in the present paper

Taxonomy and Zoogeography of \u3ci\u3eLemmus\u3c/i\u3e spp. (Rodentia: Arvicolinae), with Notes on Laboratory-Reared Lemmings

Lemmings of the genus Lemmus Link, 1795, have long attracted interest because of the high numerical densities attained at intervals by their populations. In earlier times, in northern Europe, such events seemed so remarkable as to be explained by some as a consequence of the animals\u27 having fallen from the sky (HaGSTROM 1749). During the last 25 years, lemmings have been the object of intensive ecological investigation in Eurasia and North America, although there has been no consensus concerning their taxonomic relationships. In 1959, a colony of brown lemmings from arctic Alaska was established in our laboratory, primarily to provide experimental animals for the study of zoonoses indigenous to arctic and subarctic North America. A colony of lemmings from Fennoscandia was similarly established in 1964. The lemmings proved to have advantages as laboratory animals, and at the same time the existence of the colonies permitted observations to be made on their biological characteristics and comparisons of chromosomes to be undertaken for the two forms and their hybrids. The results of these observations and comparisons, with a review of the zoogeography of Lemmus, are reported in the present paper

Cytogenetic Evidence for the Specific Distinction of an Alaskan Marmot, \u3ci\u3eMarmota broweri\u3c/i\u3e Hall and Gilmore (Mammalia: Sciuridae)

Cytogenetic studies based upon somatic cells (bone marrow) have disclosed that the marmot hitherto designated Marmota caligata broweri Hall and Gilmore, occurring in the Brooks Range of Arctic Alaska, differs from M. c. caligata (Eschscholtz) in number of chromosomes (2n=36 as compared with 2n=42 in M. caligata) and in proportions of chromosomal types. Typical karyograms for the two species are presented. It is concluded that the Brooks Range marmot is specifically distinct from M. caligata, the applicable name being Marmota broweri Hall and Gilmore. Also determined were diploid chromosome numbers for two other Nearctic species of marmots, M. flaviventris (Audubon and Bachman), with 42, and M. olympus (Merriam), with 40. It is suggested that M. broweri survived the last (Wisconsin) glaciations in the amphi-Beringian refugium, and that its closest affinities may be with one of the Eurasian species of Marmota

Studies on the Helminth Fauna of Alaska. XXVII. The Occurrence of Larvae of \u3ci\u3eTrichinella spiralis\u3c/i\u3e in Alaskan Mammals

In 1948 much interest in trichinosis in arctic regions was aroused, particularly by the findings of Thorborg et al. (1948), who investigated serious outbreaks occurring among the Eskimo of West Greenland during 1947. Consequently, with the founding of the Arctic Health Research Center in the autumn of 1948, a study of trichinosis in Alaska was the first project to be initiated by the Zoonotic Disease Section (formerly Animal-borne Disease Section) of this Center. Field work was begun in January, 1949, and a preliminary note on trichinosis in Alaskan mammals was published by Brandly and Rausch (1950). The subject of trichinosis in arctic regions was reviewed by Connell (1949). The survey to determine the prevalence of T. spiralis in mammals in Alaska was terminated in the spring of 1953; this paper reports the results of this work

\u3ci\u3eHeligmosomoides johnsoni\u3c/i\u3e sp. nov. (Nematoda: Heligmosomatidae) from the Heather Vole, \u3ci\u3ePhenacomys intermedius\u3c/i\u3e Merriam

Heligmosomoides johnsoni sp. noy. is described from the cecum of the heather vole, Phenacomys intermedius Merriam, from the Olympic Mountains, Washington. The absence of longitudinal cuticular ridges dorsally separates H. johnsoni from species of Heligmosomoides other than H. hudsoni (Cameron, 1937), which occurs in varying lemmings, Dicrostonyx spp., and from which H. johnsoni is distinguished by its longer spicules, form of the dorsal ray, and other characters. Both Phenacomys and Dicrostonyx have a specialized cecum, with long villi around which the nematodes are found tightly coiled. The zoogeography of heligmosomid nematodes in Phenacomys is briefly discussed. French abstract: On décrit Heligmosomoides johnsoni sp. nov. parasite du caecum du rongeur néarctique, Phenacomys intermedius Merriam, des Montagnes Olympiques de Washington. L\u27absence de crêtes cuticulaires sur la face dorsaIe sépare H. johnsoni des autres Heligmosomoides à I\u27exception d\u27H. hudsoni (Cameron, 1937) qui se trouve chez Dicrostonyx spp., et duquel H. johnsoni se distingue par ses spicules plus longs, par la forme différente de la côte dorsale et par d\u27autres caractères. Phenacomys et Dicrostonyx ont un caecum spécialisé, muni de villosités allongées, autour desquelles les nématodes s\u27enroulent étroitement. La zoogéographie des nematodes héligmosomes chez Phenacomys est discutée

The Somatic Chromosomes of Some North American Marmots (Sciuridae), with Remarks on the Relationships of \u3ci\u3eMarmota browerii\u3c/i\u3e Hall and Gilmore

Karyotypes are defined for two nearctic species of marmots, Marmota olympus (2n = 40) and M. vancouverensis (2n = 42), and supplemental information is included on the karyotypes of M. flaviventris, M. monax ochracea, and M. marmota. The six North American species of Marmota (NF = 66) comprise a distinct group as compared with the middle Asian species (NF = 70) for which the karyotypes are known. Karyologic findings and zoogeographic evidence based upon the distribution of two nearctic species of host-specific cestodes indicate that M. broweri, in northern Alaska, is a pre-Würm relict. Its affinities appear to be with the North American caligata-group rather than with the northeastern Siberian M. camtschatica. The occurrence on M. broweri of the Asian flea, Oropsylla silantiewi, has not been explained. Some ecological and behavioral characteristics of M. broweri are briefly described and compared with those of other species. Family groups of M. broweri hibernate together in single winter dens that are plugged at the entrance; copulation takes place before the animals emerge from the winter den, near mid-May; face-glands are utilized in marking of territory. French abstract: Les auteurs définissent les caryotypes de deux espèces néarctiques de marmottes, Marmota olympus (2n=40) et M. vancouverensis (2n=42), et donnent des précisions sur les caryotypes de M. flaviventris, M. monax ochracea et M. marmota. Les six especes de Marmota (NF=66) d\u27Amérique du Nord forment un groupe distinct des espèces d\u27Asie centrale (NF=70) dont Ie caryotype est connu. Les données caryologiques et les preuves zoogéographiques basées sur la répartition de deux espèces néarctiques de cestodes spécifiques de I\u27hôte démontrent que M. broweri, dans l\u27Alaska septentrional, est une relicte du pré-Würm. Elle semble avoir plus d\u27affinités avec Ie groupe nord américain de caligata qu\u27avec M. camtschatica du nord de la Sibérie. La présence sur M. broweri de la puce asiatique, Oropsylla silantiewi, n\u27est pas expliquée. Quelques caractéristiques écologiques et éthologiques de M. broweri sont décrites brièvement et comparées avec celles d\u27autres espèces. Les groupes familiaux de M. broweri hibernent dans un meme terrier dont l\u27entrée est bouchée; la copulation à lieu avant que les animaux sortent de leur abri hivernal, it la mi-mai ; ils se servent de leurs glandes faciales pour marquer leur territoire

The Chromosomal Complement of the Yellow-Cheeked Vole

The karyotype of Microtus xanthognathus (Leach) is described, based on material from one female and one male vole. The diploid chromosomal number was found to be 54, and the fundamental number 62. The metacentric X-chromosome was of medium size and averaged 6.6% of the haploid complement. The designated Y-chromosome was near acrocentric. The specific distinction of M. xanthognathus and Microtus chrotorrhinus (Miller) was confirmed by the recognition of major differences in karyotype and differences in fundamental number. The distributional history of M. xanthognathus is briefly discussed

Observations on Chromosomes of \u3ci\u3eDicrostonyx torquatus stevensoni\u3c/i\u3e Nelson and Chromosomal Diversity in Varying Lemmings = Untersuchungen an den Chromosomen von \u3ci\u3eDicrostonyx torquatus stevensoni\u3c/i\u3e Nelson und chromosomale Unterschiede bei Halsbandlemmingen

English abstract: The cytogenetic characteristics of the varying lemming, Dicrostonyx torquatus stevensoni, (2n = 34), were investigated, and diploid chromosomal numbers were reported for four other nominal subspecies (exsul, nelsoni, richardsoni, and rubricatus) of the torquatus-group in North America. The diploid complements ranged from 30 to 44 chromosomes, and the fundamental number from 50 to 55. Chromosomal polymorphism was observed in all forms. In cross-breeding experiments, the mating of F1 progeny was not productive. The findings support the zoogeographic concept that populations of Dicrostonyx became fragmented or displaced southward during Würm time, with relict stocks persisting in unglaciated refugia or periglacial tundra. Speciation in the isolates led to chromosomal evolution, with the result that populations spreading from refugia in post-glacial time are reproductively isolated. The torquatus-group in North America appears to be a superspecies. German title: Untersuchungen an den Chromosomen von Dicrostonyx torquatus stevensoni Nelson und chromosomale Unterschiede bei Halsbandlemmingen German abstract: Die cytogenetischen Merkmale des Halsbandlemmings, Dicrostonyx torquatus stevensoni, (2n = 34) wurden eingehend untersucht, und für vier andere nordamerikanische Unterarten der torquatus-Gruppe wurden die somatischen Chromosomensätze festgestellt. Die Chromosomenzahl der untersuchten Populationen schwankte zwischen 30 und 44, der NF (Nombre Fondamental) zwischen 50 und 55. Zuchttiere der verschiedenen Populationen wurden erfolgreich gekreuzt, aber Sterilität der F1 Unterartbastarde war typisch. Die Halsbandlemminge wiesen Karyotypenverschiedenheiten auf, die sich durch Variationen des Robertsonschen Typus, Deletionen oder möglicherweise durch perizentrische Inversionen erklären. Die Ergebnisse sprechen dafür, daß das ursprüngliche Verbreitungsgebiet von Dicrostonyx in Nordamerika durch die letzte (Würm) Vereisung getrennt wurde, und daß die Reliktpopulationen die letzte Glazial-Phase in eisfreien Refugien oder in periglazialer Tundra überlebten, wo Karyotypevolution durch lokale Anpassungsbedürfnisse gefördert wurde. Die in der Postglazialzeit aus den Refugien sich verbreitenden Populationen von Dicrostonyx scheinen reproduktiv isoliert zu sein. Die torquatus-Gruppe in Nordamerika gilt also als Superspecies

Observations on Chromosomes of Dicrostonyx torquatus stevensoni Nelson and Chromosomal Diversity in Varying Lemmings

Volume: 37Start Page: 372End Page: 38