Department
Biology
Degree Name
Master of Science (MS)
Abstract
Both Sorex cinereus and Sorex haydeni have been reported and mapped as occurring on the northern and central Great Plains. However, these species are difficult to distinguish and commonly are misidentified. Moreover, comments by various authorities on their geographic distributions and preferred habitats have resulted in confusion. I conducted discriminant function analysis to ascertain the identity of long-tailed shrews in North Dakota, South Dakota, Nebraska, and Kansas. I used genetically identified individuals as reference specimens. Discriminant function analysis revealed that the characters I measured cannot be used with confidence to distinguish between the species. Based on genetically identified specimens, S. cinereus and S. haydeni occur sympatrically in North Dakota and South Dakota, but only S. cinereus occurs in Nebraska and Kansas.
Keywords
Biology
Advisor
Jerry R. Choate
Date of Award
Spring 2007
Document Type
Thesis - campus only access
Recommended Citation
Bartels, Brian C., "Identification and Distribution of Sorex Cinereus and Sorex Haydeni on the Great Plains" (2007). Master's Theses. 3013.
DOI: 10.58809/MDEX8148
Available at:
https://scholars.fhsu.edu/theses/3013
Rights
© The Author(s)
Comments
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