Coll.; Elk River, Sherburne County, Minnesota; November 1, 1925;
obtained by Bernard Bailey, original no. A 606.
The skull is complete and the teeth all are present and entire.
The skin is well made and in a good state of preservation.
_Range._--Southern Manitoba, northeastern North Dakota, the whole
of Minnesota, Wisconsin and Michigan and northern Iowa. See figure
25 on page 95.
_Characters for ready recognition._--Differs from _M. e.
richardsonii_, in that, in both sexes, least width of color of
underparts averages about a third, instead of two-fifths, of
greatest width of color of upper parts, and in that skulls of
males are a fifth or more lighter, basilar length averaging less
than 40; from _M. e. cicognanii_, in that hind foot more than 40
in males, averaging 32 versus 30 in females, and in larger skull,
depth of skull at plane of molars being 11.4 versus 10.0 in males
and 9.1 versus 8.6 in females.
_Description._--_Size._--Male: Twelve adult and subadult males
from Aitkin, Minnesota, yield average and extreme measurements as
follows: Total length, 316 (291-341); length of tail, 87 (70-101);
length of hind foot, 43 (40-44). Two adults from Aitkin each weigh
170 grams.
Four adult and subadult females from Elk River and Fort Snelling,
Minnesota, yield average and extreme measurements as follows:
Total length, 249 (240-260); length of tail, 61 (55-65); length of
hind foot, 32 (30-33).
_Color._--As described in _Mustela erminea richardsonii_ except
that, least width of color of underparts averaging, in males from
Minnesota, 32 (19-51) per cent of greatest width of color of upper
parts. Black tip of tail in 12 male topotypes in white winter
pelage averaging 52 (45-58) mm. which is 60 (53-66) per cent of
length of tail-vertebrae.
_Skull._--Male (based on adults from Aitkin): See measurements and
plates 2-4. As described in _Mustela erminea richardsonii_ except
that: Weight of 2 adults from Aitkin, 2.2, 2.3 grams (9 subadults
from T. 61 N, R. 26 W, average 1.95 grams); basilar length, 39.7
(38.5-40.7); length of tooth-rows rarely more (usually less) than
length of tympanic bulla.
Female (based on adults from Minnesota as listed in table of
cranial measurements, which see): See plates 9-11. As described in
_Mustela erminea richardsonii_ except that: Weight, of a subadult
from T. 61 N, R. 26 W, 0.91 grams; basilar length, 32.8
(31.8-33.6); breadth of rostrum rarely equal to as much as 30 per
cent of basilar length.
From _richardsonii_, topotypes of _bangsi_ differ in that cranial
measurements in males are approximately 7 (5-9) per cent less, linear
measurements of teeth are 10 (9-11) per cent less and the skull is a
fifth lighter. In relation to basilar length the tympanic bullae of
_bangsi_ are longer. Skulls of females are individually
indistinguishable, those of _bangsi_ averaging approximately 1 per cent
less in linear measurements. Comparison with the smaller cicognanii is
made in the account of that subspecies.
_Remarks._--Before the subspecific name _bangsi_ was proposed,
individuals of this subspecies ordinarily were recorded in the
literature as _Mustela cicognanii_. The best single lot of material is
in the zoölogical collection of the University of Wisconsin. The late
naturalist Albert Lano preserved a large share of the material from
Minnesota. The large series from Elk River of that same state was
mostly collected by Bernard Bailey although his Aunt, Anna (Bailey)
Mills, and her brother the late Vernon Bailey, at an earlier time saved
some specimens from Elk River. The name _bangsi_ was proposed in
recognition of the superior work done on American weasels by the late
Outram Bangs.
From the range of _M. e. invicta_ in the Rocky Mountains, that of
_bangsi_ is separated by the Great Plains from a large part of which
region the species is unknown. _M. e. bangsi_ differs from _invicta_ in
greater degree of sexual dimorphism in size, and in each sex by larger
size, narrower light-colored underparts, and deeper braincase as
measured at the anterior margin of the basioccipital. In _bangsi_ the
braincase is deeper relative to the length of the skull as well as, of
course, actually deeper.
Of the two subspecies whose ranges do meet that of _bangsi_, it more
closely resembles _richardsonii_ than _cicognanii_. From
_richardsonii_, especially from southeastern populations of the same in
which the skull is of the same size as in _bangsi_, the latter differs
in longer hind feet. This is an average difference and by one
interpretation the animals here referred to _bangsi_ might be lumped
with some of the populations from the southeastern part of the range of
_richardsonii_ and the whole lot treated as intergrades between
_richardsonii_ and _cicognanii_. Nevertheless, the animals here
referred to bangsi are not geographically intermediate between
_richardsonii_ and _cicognanii_ and this consideration had much to do
with the decision to recognize as a separate subspecies the animals
here named _bangsi_.
Within the range of the subspecies there is some geographic variation;
the hind feet of animals from Iowa average slightly shorter than those
of animals from Minnesota and Wisconsin but are nowhere nearly so short
as in _cicognanii_ at the same latitude in the eastern United States.
It is noteworthy that the few specimens seen from Isle Royal have the
long hind feet of _bangsi_ and not the short hind feet of _cicognanii_
which occurs all along the northern mainland.
Because an oft cited record of occurrence even though erroneous, has a
way of being repeated in later works, attention is here called to the
alleged occurrence of this ermine in northwestern Ohio at New Bremen.
Henninger (1921:239) published the original account of the supposed
occurrence but as I pointed out in 1937 (p. 304), the specimen
concerned proved upon examination to be a female of _Mustela frenata
noveboracensis_. Henninger was misled probably by the short tail; the
end of the tail had been lost and healed over before the animal's
death. The present study has revealed that _M. erminea_ everywhere east
of the Cascade Mountains assumes a white winter coat. Had this been
known when Henninger obtained his specimen he probably would not have
wrongly identified the animal from New Bremen which was in the brown,
winter pelage.
_Specimens examined._--Total number, 222, arranged alphabetically
by provinces and states and, arranged from north to south, by
counties in each state. Unless otherwise indicated, specimens are
in the University of Wisconsin Museum of Zoölogy.
=Iowa.= _Dickinson County_: W side Lake Okobogie, 1[48].
_Winnebago County_: Lake Mills, 7[65]. _Worth County_: Northwood,
1[65]. _Clay County_: "Dewey's Pasture, near Ruthven," 1[76].
=Manitoba.= Aweme, 4[47]; Red River Settlement, 1[91].
=Michigan.= _Isle Royal_: Tobin Harbor, 1[76]; Bell Isle, 1[76];
Washington Harbor, 3[76]. _Ontonagon County_: Ontonagon, 2 (1[76],
1[14]); T. 51N, R. 43W, S. 17, Porcupine Mts., 1[76]. _Gogebic
County_: Little Girls Point, 5[76]; Ironwood, 1[76]. _Iron
County_: no locality more definite than county, 1[76]. _Luce
County_: Tahquamenon River Falls, 1[91]. _Chippewa County_: Sault
Ste. Marie, 2[76]. _Emmet County_: Wilderness State Park, 2[76].
_Cheboygan County_: Univ. Mich. Biol. Station, 1[76]. _Washtenaw
County_: Ann Arbor, 1[76].
=Minnesota.= _Kittson County_: no locality more definite than
county, 1[2]. _Roseau County_: Deer Township, 1[14]; Falun
Township, 2[14]. _Marshall County_?: Moose River, 5[93]; Warren,
definitely in Marshall County, 1[93]. _Cook County_: Grand Marais,
3 (2[76], 1[14]). _St. Louis County_: 2 mi E Babbitt, 14[93];
Burntside [= Burnside] Lake, 1[91]. _Itasca County_: T. 61N, R.
26W, 23. _Clay County_: Moorhead, 3[9]. _Aitkin County_: Aitkin,
13 (11[60], 1[7], 1[4]). _Otter Tail County_: Arthur, 3[60]; Ten
Mile Lake, 1[76]; Parkers Prairie, 2[75]. _Chisago County_: North
Branch, 1[60]. _Sherburne County_: Elk River, 42 (16[91], 5[14],
20[59], 1[74]). _Hennepin County_: Lake Minnetonka, 1[75];
Minneapolis, 1[91]; Fort Snelling, 5 (4[2], 1[60]).
=North Dakota.= _Pembina County_: Walhalla, 1[91]. _Nelson
County_: Stump Lake, 1[91]. _Eddy County_: Brantford, 2[76].
=Wisconsin.= _Douglas County_: T. 44N, R. 13W, 1; Gordon, 1.
_Bayfield County_: Brinks Camp, Washburn, 1[2]; "near Cable," 1.
_Ashland County_: Bear Lake, 2. _Iron County_: Fisher Lake, 4;
Mercer, 5. _Vilas County_: Mamie Lake, 16[91]; Ox Bow Lake, 1[91].
_Oneida County_: Tomahawk Lake, 1[60]. _Langlade County_: T. 34N,
R. 11E, 3. _Rush County_: Ladysmith, 1. _Dunn County_: Colfax, 2.
_Door County_: Mink River, Ellison Bay, 1[76]. _Dodge County_: Fox
Lake, 1[50]; Beaver Dam, 12[50].
=Mustela erminea invicta= Hall
Ermine
Plates 2, 3, 4, 9, 10, 11 and 41
_Mustela erminea invicta_ Hall, Journ. Mamm., 26:75, February 27,
1945; Hall, Journ. Mamm., 26:180, July 19, 1945.
_Putorius cicognanii_, Preble, N. Amer. Fauna, 27:230, October 26,
1908.
_Type._--Male, subadult, skull and skin; no. 101122, Mus. Vert.
Zoöl.; Benewah, Benewah County, Idaho; October 24, 1926; obtained
by William T. Shaw.
The skull has a hole in the right squamosal bone on the floor of
the braincase, and lacks the hamular process of the left
pterygoid. The postmolar part of the right lower jaw is missing.
The teeth all are present and entire. The skin is in white, winter
pelage, well made, and in a good state of preservation.
_Range._--Central Rocky Mountain region from Jasper Park south
over Alberta, southeastern British Columbia, Washington east of
the Cascades, and north and central Idaho and northwestern
Montana. See figure 25 on page 95.
_Characters for ready recognition._--Differs from _M. e.
richardsonii_, in males, by skull lighter than 1.9 grams, mastoid
breadth less than 19.9, depth of skull at anterior margin of
basioccipital less than 12.4, in females by corresponding
measurement of depth less than 10.1, and weight of skull less than
one gram; from _M. e. fallenda_, in both sexes, by upper lips
white (not brown), in males by skull averaging longer (37.0 versus
35.7), in females by breadth of rostrum less, instead of more,
than 30 per cent of basilar length; from _M. e. streatori_,
_gulosa_, and _muricus_ by hind foot more than 36 and basilar
length more than 35 in males and by hind foot more than 29.5 and
basilar length more than 30.5 in females; further distinguished
from _streatori_ by white (not brown) upper lips and from _gulosa_
by black tip of tail more than half length of tail-vertebrae.
_Description._--_Size._--Male: Ten adults and subadults from
central Idaho County yield average and extreme measurements as
follows: Total length, 291 (272-328); length of tail, 86 (75-100);
length of hind foot, 39.9 (38-44).
Female: Five adults and subadults from the same locality yield
average and extreme measurements as follows: Total length, 255
(245-270); length of tail, 71 (68-76); length of hind foot, 32.3
(32-33).
_Color._--As described in _Mustela erminea richardsonii_ except
that underparts in summer Marguerite Yellow or more whitish; least
width of color of underparts averaging, in four females from Idaho
and Montana, 38 (33-43) per cent of greatest width of color of
upper parts. Black tip of tail in same specimens 38 (31-42) mm.
which is 57 (52-65) per cent of length of tail-vertebrae.
_Skull._--Male (5 adults from Idaho County): See measurements and
plates 2-4. As described in _Mustela erminea richardsonii_ except
that: Weight, 1.5 (1.4-1.7) grams; basilar length, 37.0
(35.8-39.8).
Female (illustrated by adult and 4 subadults in table of cranial
measurements, which see): See plates 9-11. As described in
_Mustela erminea richardsonii_ except that: Weight, 0.72 (0.7-0.9)
grams; basilar length, 32.2 (31.6-32.8).
From _fallenda_, _invicta_ differs in that the skull of the male has a
relatively narrower rostrum and relatively shallower braincase. Females
show the same differences but the degree of difference is about as
great again as in males. The teeth are almost exactly the same size in
the two subspecies. The weight is the same in males but in females
_invicta_ is 18 per cent heavier.
From _streatori_, _invicta_ differs in that males average larger in
every measurement taken except that the anteroposterior diameter of the
inner moiety of M1 is less; 36 per cent heavier; linear measurements of
the skull are about 5 per cent larger and those of the teeth, with the
one exception noted, about 6 per cent larger; relative to the basilar
length the tympanic bullae are longer and the rostrum is relatively
narrower. In females, measurements of the skull average 8 per cent more
and those of the teeth 7 per cent more except that, as in males, the
inner lobe of M1 is actually shorter. Females of _invicta_ are 12 per
cent heavier; relative to the basilar length the skull is narrower
throughout and the tooth-rows are shorter than in _streatori_.
From _gulosa_, _invicta_ differs in that males average larger (about 12
per cent) in every measurement taken, excepting the anteroposterior
diameter of M1 which is the same; 50 per cent heavier; relative to the
basilar length the length of the tooth-rows and interorbital breadth
are less. In females the inner lobe of M1 is smaller but every other
measurement taken of the skull and teeth is more, _invicta_ averaging
about 8 per cent larger and 22 per cent heavier; relative to the
basilar length, the tooth-rows are shorter and the skull is narrower
interorbitally, through the rostrum and across the zygomata.
From _murica_, _invicta_ of corresponding sex differs in being larger
in every measurement taken; males average 17 per cent larger in cranial
measurements, 13 per cent larger in dental measurements and are 83 per
cent heavier; corresponding percentages for females are 11, 9 and 20.
Exception must again be made for the anteroposterior diameter of the
inner lobe of the last upper molar which is less in females, and only
slightly more in males. In males of _invicta_ the tympanic bullae are
longer in relation to the basilar length.
From the geographically remote _cicognanii_, skulls of both males and
females of _invicta_ are to me individually indistinguishable. There
is, nevertheless, an average difference not apparent to the eye between
skulls of males. If the length of the tooth-rows be taken as a standard
(100 per cent), the rostrum, of _invicta_, as measured across the
lacrimal processes is broader (89 rather than 84 per cent) but the
width across the fourth upper premolars is less, 94 rather than 97 per
cent of the length of the tooth-rows.
Since the skull of _invicta_ closely resembles that of _cicognanii_, it
follows that _invicta_ differs from _richardsonii_ and _bangsi_ in
about the manner described in the account of _cicognanii_.
_Remarks._--Animals of this subspecies in advance of the present study
generally were recorded in the literature under the name _Mustela
cicognanii_. The difficulty in distinguishing individual specimens of
_invicta_ on morphological grounds from those of the geographically
remote _M. e. cicognanii_ should not be taken to indicate that the
populations do not differ appreciably. Actually they differ in several
characters although in no one of these is the degree of difference
sufficient to allow of using it alone as a certain means of diagnosis.
In _invicta_, as compared with _cicognanii_, the light-colored
underparts are wider in relation to the dark-colored upper parts and
the tail is longer by 4 per cent relative to the head and body. Given a
population of each of the two subspecies, in which the skull is of the
same mass, the hind feet are longer in _invicta_, there is more sexual
dimorphism in size, and the anterior part of the skull differs in some
particulars as just described in the comparison of the skull of
_invicta_ with other forms. Nevertheless, each of these differences is
of an average sort. Therefore, and because overall size is about the
same in the two subspecies concerned, one or a few specimens from, say,
central Idaho, can be distinguished from animals from western
Pennsylvania only with difficulty, if at all. The close resemblance of
skulls of _invicta_ and _cicognanii_ may be a function of their living
at approximately the same latitudinal position in a climate that has
marked seasonal variation.
Intergradation with _richardsonii_ is complete and gradual; in one
sense _invicta_ is but little more than a small _richardsonii_.
Intergradation with _fallenda_ is shown by several specimens. These two
races differ in large degree in color, and in size and shape of the
skull of females. Although the geographic area where intergradation in
color occurs is fairly wide, the area in which intergradation in
cranial characters in females occurs, appears, from the inadequate
material available, to be much narrower. Intergradation occurs freely
in Washington with _streatori_ but with _muricus_ so far as known only
in the Bitterroot and nearby mountains of northwestern Montana. The
Snake River Plains and low country along much of the Columbia River
appears to be uninhabited by weasels of the species _erminea_ and hence
there is opportunity for intergradation only in the mentioned area of
Montana.
_Specimens examined._--Total number, 177, as follows. Arranged
alphabetically by provinces and states then by localities from
north to south in each province and by counties from north to
south in each state. Unless otherwise indicated, specimens are in
the United States National Museum.
=Alberta.= Jasper House, 4[77]; Shovel Pass, 2[77]; Jasper Park,
10[77]; head of Smoky River, 9; Henry House, 2 (1[77]); Blindman
River, 1[2]; forks of Blindman River and Red Deer River, 2 (1[60],
1[75]); "near Red Deer, Red Deer River," 1[77]; Red Deer River, 2
(1[2], 1[60]); Red Deer, 2[60]; Rosebud, 2[77]; Prairie, 3000 ft.,
1; Didsbury, Little Red Deer River, 1; Canadian Nat'l Park, 1[60];
Canmore, 1; Banff, 1[60]; High River, 1[86]; "Waterton Lake Park"
in Alberta, 6[77].
=British Columbia.= Grand Forks of Fraser River, 1; Canoe River,
1[77]; Field, 1; Glacier, 1[58]; E side Beaverfoot Range,
4000-4500 ft., 6 mi. SE Fraser Creek, 8[74]; Wentworth Lake,
1[31]; Revelstoke, 2 (1[77], 1[60]); Spillimacheen[e]en River,
2[2]; Sicamous, 2; Albert River, 7000 ft., 1[2]; Lumby, Creighton
Valley, 1[31]; Okanagan, 4 (2[75], 1[94], 1[2]); Kettle River
Lake, Gold Range, 4000 ft., 1; Crows Nest Station, 1[74]; Yale
District, 3; Fort Hope, 1; Chilliwack Lake, 1[77]; Skagit, 2
(1[77], 1[31]); Skagit Valley, 1[77]; Skagit Summit, 1[77];
Lightning Lakes, 2 mi. N International Boundary, 3;
Osoyoos-Bridesville Summit, 2; Westbridge, 1[77]; Rossland, 5[77];
Creston, mouth Goat Creek, 3[77]; Yahk, 4[77].
=Idaho.= _Bonner County_: Coolin, 4. _Benewah County_: Benewah,
1[55]. _Idaho County_: "Pete Kings, Lochsa River," 1[97]; 2 mi.
SSE Selway Falls, 1900 ft., 1[8]; 4 mi. SW Selway Falls, 5800 ft.,
3[8]; Newsome Cr., 12 mi. above jct. with S Fk. Clearwater River,
2[74]; Iron Mt., to 14 mi. W thereof, 24[74]; Pilot Cr., 3/4 to
2-1/2 mi. above Newsome Cr., 4[74]; Sawmill Cr., 1-1/4 mi. W
Newsome, 1[74]; between Selway River and S. Fk. Clearwater R.,
4[74].
=Montana.= _Teton County_ (of old arrangement of counties): Many
Glacier, 4900 ft., 1[74]; Duck Lake, 6 mi. NE St. Marys Lake, 1;
St. Marys, Glacier Park, 1[76]; Lower St. Marys Lake, 1[2].
_Flathead County_: Stanton Lake, 5. _County_ in question: Bitter
Root Mts., 1. _Ravalli County_: Tin Cup District, 1[74]; Bass
Creek, 6800 ft., NW of Stevensville, 1; Capitan Peak, 7000 ft., 1;
Darby, 2[74]; Girds Creek, 1[74]; Charlos Heights, 2[74].
=Washington.= _Whatcom County_: Twin Lakes, Winchester Mts., 3
(1[10]); Chilliwack River, 2600 ft., 2; Cooper Creek, near head,
4500 ft., Hannegan Pass, 1; Cooper Cr., 4300 ft., Hannegan Pass,
1[10]; Beaver Creek (2500 ft., and at McMillan Ranch, 1700 ft.),
2; Barron, Bornite Mine, 5000 ft., 1. _Okanogan County_: Tungsten
Mine, 6800 ft., Bauerman Ridge, 4; Hidden Lakes, 4100 ft., 1; West
Fork Pasayten River, 4700 ft., 1. _Stevens County_: Orin, 1[51].
_Pend Oreille County_: Ione, 2[51]. _Chelan County_: Lake Chelan,
1[46].
=Mustela erminea alascensis= (Merriam)
Ermine
Plates 2, 3, 4, 9, 10 and 11
_Putorius richardsoni alascensis_ Merriam, N. Amer. Fauna, 11:12,
pl. 2, figs. 2, 2a, June 30, 1896.
_Putorius cicognanii alascensis_, Miller, U. S. Nat. Mus. Bull.,
79:96, December 31, 1912; Swarth, Univ. California Publ. Zoöl.,
7:140, January 12, 1911.
_Mustela erminea alascensis_, Hall, Proc. Biol. Soc. Washington,
57:36, June 28, 1944; Hall, Journ. Mamm., 26:180, July 19, 1945.
_Type._--Male, adult, skull and skin; no. 74423, U. S. Nat. Mus.,
Biol. Surv. Coll.; Juneau, Alaska; August 22, 1895; obtained by
Clark P. Streator, original no. 4806.
The skull shows malformation of the frontal sinuses due to
parasites and lacks osseous tissue where the parasitic infestation
was localized. The left exoccipital condyle and adjacent region is
less developed than the right and the posterior part of the skull
is bent slightly to the left. Otherwise the skull is unbroken. The
teeth all are present and entire. The skin is in the brown summer
coat, fairly well made and in a good state of preservation. A few
white hairs persist where the proximal line of the black hair of
the tip of the tail meets the distal line of the brown hair.
_Range._--Mainland of southeastern Alaska from Lynn Canal south to
include Mitkof, Zarembo, Wrangel and Revillagigedo islands. See
figures 25, 26 on pages 95 and 134.
_Characters for ready recognition._--Differs from _M. e. arctica_
and _haidarum_, in both sexes, by proximal two-thirds of under
side of tail colored same as upper parts rather than same as
underparts and interorbital breadth less, instead of more, than
distance between glenoid fossa and posterior border of external
auditory meatus; from _M. e. salva_, in males, by overall depth of
braincase including tympanic bullae less than 89 per cent of
orbitonasal length, females not individually distinguishable but
averaging shallower through the braincase; from _M. e. initis_,
_celenda_ and _seclusa_ by interorbital breadth less than distance
between glenoid fossa and posterior border of external auditory
meatus (females of _initis_, _celenda_ and _seclusa_ unknown);
further from _initis_ by total length less than 317 and black tip
of tail less than 57 per cent of length of tail-vertebrae; further
from _celenda_ by chest white, not mostly covered by brown patch.
_Description._--_Size._--Male: Eight adults from Windham, Alaska,
yield average and extreme measurements as follows: Total length,
298 (288-315); length of tail, 88 (84-94); length of hind foot,
41.3 (37-44).
Female: Two adults from Juneau and Helm Bay measure, respectively,
as follows: Total length, 258, 258; length of tail,----, 76;
length of hind foot, 32, 34.
_Color._--As described in _Mustela erminea richardsonii_ except
that least width of color of underparts averaging, in five
females, 42 (35-53) per cent of greatest width of color of upper
parts. Black tip of tail in same specimens averaging 36 (30-40)
mm. which is 49 (48-53) per cent of length of tail-vertebrae.
_Skull._--Male (based on 8 adults from Windham): See measurements
and plates, 2-4. As described in _Mustela erminea richardsonii_
except that: Weight, 1.8 (1.5-2.6) grams; basilar length, 37.5
(36.5-38.9); length of tooth-rows more or less than (about same
as) length of tympanic bulla.