Mammalogy Lab Study Guide

Flashcards covering key characteristics and facts about Michigan species of Rodentia and Lagomorpha, focusing on their definitions, scientific names, and distinguishing features.

Didelphis virginiana

Virginia Opossum; the only marsupial in Michigan, with 50 teeth.

Dasypus novemcinctus

Nine-banded Armadillo; has 9 bands and is not present in Michigan.

Neotamias minimus

Least Chipmunk; found only in the Upper Peninsula with a skull size less than 34 mm.

Tamias striatus

Eastern Chipmunk; stripes end before tail, skull size greater than 34 mm.

Marmota monax

Woodchuck / Groundhog; known for its large, blocky skull and heavy zygomatic arches.

Ictidomys tridecemlineatus

Thirteen-lined Ground Squirrel; noted for its 13 stripes and a skull size less than 40 mm.

Sciurus carolinensis

Eastern Gray Squirrel; characterized by 5 upper cheek teeth and a skull size less than 60 mm.

Sciurus niger

Eastern Fox Squirrel; recognized by having 4 upper cheek teeth and a skull size greater than 60 mm.

Tamiasciurus hudsonicus

Red Squirrel; has a short rostrum and a skull size ranging from 40–50 mm.

Glaucomys volans

Southern Flying Squirrel; has white belly fur and is found in the LP and west central UP.

Castor canadensis

American Beaver; known for its large skull and found statewide.

Ondatra zibethicus

Common Muskrat; characterized by a rectangular skull and partially webbed hind feet.

Synaptomys cooperi

Southern Bog Lemming; recognized for its very short tail and found statewide.

Ochotona princeps

American Pika; a small alpine species with rounded ears.

Myodes gapperi

Red-backed Vole; identifiable by a reddish dorsal stripe and found in the UP and northern LP.

Order Rodentia

Characterized by one row of upper incisors, evergrowing incisors, and a diastema between incisors and cheek teeth.

Order Lagomorpha

Defined by two rows of upper incisors, with a second small peglike row behind the first.

Scientific name root: leuco

Means 'white'.

Scientific name root: volans

Means 'flying'.

Scientific name root: minimus

Means 'smallest'.

Scientific name root: tridecem

Means 'thirteen'.

Scientific name root: canadensis

Means 'from Canada'.

Scientific name root: americanus

Means 'American'.

Scientific name root: novem

Means 'nine'.

Scientific name root: Zapus

Means 'jump'.