Lab 3 Orders Didelphimorphia, Soricomorpha, Chiroptera Need to know: Terms: hallux, calcar, uropatagium, tragus Didelphimorphia Didelphis virginiana ID based on skin or skull, n. history Soricomorpha Sorex spp. ID based on skin or skull, n. history Talpidae spp. ID based on skin or skull, n. history Chiroptera Tadarida brasiliensis ID based on skin, n. history Antrozous pallidus ID based on skin, n. history Corynorhinus townsendii ID based on skin, n. history Eptesicus fuscus ID based on skin, n. history Lasionycteris noctivagans ID based on skin, n. history Lasiurus borealis ID based on skin, n. history L. cinereus ID based on skin, n. history Myotis spp. ID based on skin, n. history 1
Order Didelphimorphia, Family Didelphidae American opossums Virginia opossum Didelphis virginiana 1) Dental formula = I5/4 C1/1 P3/3 M4/4 2) Prominent sagittal crest (jaw strength) 3) Fenestrated palatines 4) Angular process medial from mandible 2
Opossums are marsupials: what infraclass is this? 3
Marsupials are weird» Size/lifespan outliers (Speakman 2005) Opossums live 1-2 years» r/k outliers (lots of babies)» Weird junk Bifurcated penis and vagina (dual uterus)
Order Soricomorpha, Family Soricidae shrews 1) Lack zygomatic arches, auditory bullae, and postorbital process 2) Teeth can be tipped with red or black (not always) 3) Dilambdodont dentition (insectivores) 4) Bicuspid upper incisors 4
Fun Shrew Facts Extremely fast metabolic rates Estruscan shrew: 1500 heartbeats/minute (faster than a hummingbird) Makes some species hard to live-trap Some are venomous Saliva has paralytic agents for immobilizing prey What is the difference between venom and poison?
Sorex palustris 5
Order Soricomorpha, Family Talpidae moles 1) Complete zygomatic arches (contrast with Soricidae) 2) No dark tips on teeth 3) Dilambdodont dentition (insectivores) 6
Scalopus aquaticus 7
Bats: Order Chiroptera Almost 1 in every 5 mammal species is a bat 187 genera, 950-1,200 species Megabat/Microbat controversy They are not blind and very few are rabid Bats can live much longer than other mammals of the same size more than 20 years Many species delay fertilization after mating Bats eat lots of insects (Cleveland et al 2006) Dilambdodont dentition (or not vampire/fruit bats) Bats use echolocation to hunt But the bats don t always win
Bat wings are modified arms http://www.ucmp.berkeley.edu/vertebrates/flight/bats.html
Antrozous pallidus (pallid bat) Typically found in dry, desert habitats Roosts in cliffs, typically 1) Light-colored pelage 2) Large, broad ears with long tragus 3) Pig-like snout 8
Corynorhinus townsendii (Townsend s big-eared bat) Moth specialist Curls ears over back of head while sleeping (and when angry) Roosts in caves/mines 1) Brown or brownish-gray pelage 2) Huge ears with long tragus 3) Conspicuous bumps anterior to nostrils 9
Tadarida brasiliensis -Migrate to SW US/Mexico for winter -Huge colonies: 20 million, Bracken Cave, TX -Pest control (Cleveland et al 2006) -Roosts in caves -Free-tailed: tail extends past uropatagium -Ears broad, don t extend forward past muzzle -Wrinkled/creased lips
Eptesicus fuscus (big brown bat) Name means house flyer : often roosts in eaves, but also trees, rocks, etc Packs on an extra 1/3 of its bodyweight for hibernation 1) Brown or brownish-gray pelage 2) Keeled calcar 3) Forearm >43 mm 10
Lasionycteris noctivagans (silver-haired bat) Migratory Frequently killed by wind turbines Roosts in tree cavities 1) Dark pelage w/ silver tips 2) Dorsal fur on uropatagium 3) Short, rounded ears 11
Lasiurus borealis (Eastern red bat) Copulate mid-flight Typically forage in open habitats Roosts in foliage In WY, usually near cottonwoods 1) Reddish pelage 2) Entire uropatagium furred 12
Lasiurus cinereus (hoary bat) Roosts in foliage Can cover 24+ miles in a single night Forages above canopy One of the longest-migrating bats females leave a month earlier than males Many killed by wind turbines Large bat: 30+ g 1) Grayish, grizzled pelage 2) Entire uropatagium furred 13
Myotis spp. (mouse-eared bats) Myotis lucifugus Some weigh ~ 4g (penny) Susceptible to white nose syndrome Common and widespread genus Most North American bat spp. 1) Brown pelage 2) Forearm length < 43 mm 14
WY Myotis spp. (western spp. unless otherwise stated)» M. lucifugus widespread in US, forages near water, often roosts in houses (but also in rocks and trees), 7-10 g, no defining characteristics» M. septentrionalis federally Threatened, eastern species, roosts in tree cavities, Black Hills, 6-8 g, long ears (~17 mm), sharp tragus» M. volans roosts in trees and rocks, furry armpits, short round ears, 6-9 g» M. ciliolabrum roosts in rocks, dark face/ears, pale pelage, 4-6 g» M. thysanodes roosts in rocks (typically), dark face/ears, pale pelage, 6-9 g, fringed uropatagium» M. evotis roosts in rocks, dark face/ears, pale pelage, long (>20mm) ears, 7-9 g» M. yumanensis SW WY, forages near water, roosts in houses, 4-8 g Hard to tell from M. lucifugus» M. californicus SW WY, forages near water, roosts in rocks, 4-6 g Hard to tell from M. ciliolabrum» Perimyotis subflavans eastern spp., E WY, roosts in foliage, tri-colored fur, 4-6 g
For quiz: Identify family based on skulls Know what order each species belongs to Know natural history facts for each species Know the new vocab terms (Slide 1) Spelling counts for Latin names (and always underline) Remember the next quiz covers Lab 3 and Lab 4