Aquatic and semiaquatic Heteroptera of the Grand Canyon (Insecta: Hemiptera)

The aquatic and semiaquatic Hemiptera from 12 localities in Marble Canyon and Grand Canyon are reported, along with those from 1 locality in the Escalante Canyon. Fourteen species are recorded and compared to the water-bug fauna of the southwestern United States and western Mexico. Ochterus rotundus n. sp. is described from the Grand Canyon and the mountains of western Mexico.     

Spotted bats ( Euderma maculatum ) from Mt. Taylor, New Mexico

The spotted bat ( Euderma maculatum ) is an elusive and rarely captured species in western North America. In the United States, it is known from 12 western states. In New Mexico, few individuals have been reported in recent years, and multiple individuals are known from 9 of 12 capture sites. This study reports on additional captures of E. maculatum from Mt. Taylor (Cibola County) for 2 consecutive summers and includes evidence of a reproducing population in the area. On 30 June/1 July 2006, I captured 4 individuals of E. maculatum , including a lactating female, and on 5 June 2007, I captured a nonreproductive female. The flight of this species was directional and deliberate; I captured 5 of 6 spotted bats that came low over the earthen pond. This study demonstrates how human-made sources of water in an arid region provide opportunities for many species of bats to drink.     

Physiological, Morphological, and Environmental Variation Among Geographically Isolated Cottonwood (Populus Deltoides) Populations in New Mexico

The ability of a plant population to respond and eventually adapt to environmental stress ultimately determines that population's survival. This becomes especially significant in environments where important plant resource levels have radically decreased. Southwestern riparian areas have numerous plant species that are experiencing radical changes in water availability due to construction of dams, and thus their ability to respond to such changes is critical. One such species likely to be greatly affected by these hydrological changes is Populus deltoides var. wislizenii (cottonwood) because it relies heavily on both groundwater and river surface volume as primary water sources. Both water sources have been extremely impacted by impoundments along southwestern rivers. To understand how New Mexico populations of cottonwood may respond to environmental changes, we quantified environmental differences and characterized physiological and morphological variation among 4 cottonwood populations. Significant differences among study sites in water availability were indicated by both soil and groundwater salinity. The northernmost site, at Abiquiu, had the highest salinity levels in both soil and groundwater, followed by Bernardo, while San Antonio and Corrales sites had the lowest soil salinity. As expected, variation in physiological and leaf morphological characters existed among and within the tree populations, most likely in response to environmental factors. Midday xylem pressure potentials indicated that Abiquiu individuals suffered the greatest water stress and they also had the highest transpiration levels. Because of high specific leaf weights and high photosynthetic levels, cottonwoods at Corrales may better mitigate lower water availability. Such physiological and morphological trait variability among populations is ecologically important and may be of use in present reclamation and conservation efforts in these areas.     

Karyotypes of the long-tailed vole ( Microtus longicaudus ) in isolated mountain ranges of the American Southwest

The long-tailed vole ( Microtus longicaudus ) exhibits karyotypic variation in western North America. In the American Southwest, the species has a disjunct, relict distribution. However, karyotypes obtained from 20 specimens in 5 isolated mountain ranges (White Mountains, Arizona; Mount Taylor and the Sangre de Cristo, Jemez, and Mogollon mountains, New Mexico) exhibited no variation. These and previously reported karyotypes from the region had a diploid number (2n) of 56 and fundamental number (FN) of 84, which is the most commonly reported karyotype for the species.     

Local floras of the southwest, 1920–1980: an annotated bibliography

Local floras, that is, plant lists for relatively small areas, are widely scattered, often unpublished, and difficult to locate. Over 100 local floras from the southwestern United States (Arizona, Colorado, Nevada, New Mexico, and Utah) are listed and briefly annotated.     

Mayfly fauna of New Mexico

An inventory and analysis of the mayfly (Insecta, Ephemeroptera) fauna of New Mexico, based on the published literature and study of extensive materials from diverse collections, indicated the presence of 12 families, 37 genera, and 81 species. Of these, 25 represent new state records: Acentrella turbida, Ameletus falsus, A. sparsatus, Baelis adonis, B. bicaudatus, B. flavistriga, Baetodes deficiens, Caenis latipennis, Callibaetis fluctuans, Cinygmula par, Ephemera simulans, Hexagenia bilineata, Isonychia sicca, Labiobaetis propinquus, Lachlania saskatchewanensis, Leptophlebia bradleyi, Leucrocuta petersi, Neochoroterpes nanita, Paraleptophlebia debilis, P. heteronea, Procloeon conturbatum, Rhithrogena plana, R. robusta, R. vita, and Thraulodes gonzalesi. Baetodes deficiens represents a new USA record. For 37 of the 56 previously reported and confirmed species, 124 new county records are provided. With respect to continental affinities, 34 species are wester, 27 southwestern, 13 widespread, 1 is a southern USA species, and 1 eastern. Of the major drainage systems of the state, the Gila system is the most species rich with 48 species, followed by the Rio Grande (46), Pecos (39), Candadian (28), and San Juan (25). Relationships between drainage systems and between New Mexico and broadly adjoining states are discussed. Lachlania dencyannae , the only endemic species in New Mexico, occurs in the Gila system and is rare and endangered. Certain other species from the Gila system are also noted as being at risk. From other drainages, B. Adonis, Ephemerella mollitia, and L. petersi also are of some concern at the national level. Additional species that are rare in New Mexico and are of concern at least at the state level include Ametropus albrighti, C. fluctuans, Il. bilineata, L. bradleyi, N. nanita, P. conturbatum, and R. hageni .     

New distributional records of the red squirrel ( Tamiasciurus hudsonicus ) in western New Mexico and evidence for its extirpation from the Zuni Mountains

In the American Southwest, the red squirrel ( Tamiasciurus hudsonicus ) occurs as disjunct populations in coniferous forests on mountaintops. There is a paucity of information concerning the species’ distribution and habitat in western New Mexico. I report new records that document and verify the occurrence of red squirrels in additional montane areas in west central New Mexico, including the Mangas Mountains, Canovas Rim, Turner Mountain, Tularosa Mountains, Elk Mountains, Bearwallow Mountain, and Pinos Altos Mountains. I also report observations of red squirrels from an atypical habitat—low-elevation riparian forests. These new records suggest that the geographic distribution of the species in west central New Mexico is broader than indicated by existing records. However, I also document the apparent extirpation of red squirrels from the Zuni Mountains in northwestern New Mexico. The red squirrel is one of several avian and mammalian species associated with mixed coniferous forests that have become extirpated in this mountain range.     

Status of Thamnophis sirtalis in Chihuahua, Mexico (Reptilia: Colubridae)

This is a study of the populations of Thamnophis sirtalis that occur in Chihuahua, Mexico, and the adjoining U.S. state of New Mexico. Reference is made to previous studies dealing with geographical and systematic relationships. Additional data are provided for the New Mexico subspecies ( dorsalis ), and the relationship of T. s. parietalis to the New Mexico population is discussed. The Chihuahua population is described as a new subspecies.     

Range expansion of the collared peccary in New Mexico: potential for interactions between historically separate subspecies

The collared peccary ( Tayassu tajacu ) is undergoing range expansion in the southwestern United States. Here we report sightings of the collared peccary from locations outside the known ranges of either of the subspecies, T. t. sonoriensis and T. t. angulatus , in south central New Mexico. Sightings include multiple individuals of different ages. This indicates that the collared peccary is expanding into previously unoccupied areas between the documented ranges of the 2 subspecies. We suggest that the possibility of gene flow between the 2 historically separate subspecies may have important evolutionary consequences.     

Invertebrate faunas and zoogeographic significance of lava tube caves of Arizona and New Mexico

A field survey in caves near Grants, New Mexico, and Flagstaff, Arizona, found only an exceptionally poor fauna of 14 species with no strong patterns of cave restriction. The faunal poverty is judged to be correlated with and influenced by the similarly impoverished boreal forests in nearby mountains. Species of flightless arthropods, suitable for cave colonization and restricted to cool-moist litter of boreal (Hudsonian-Canadian Life Zone) forests, are apparently not now present in suitable, nearby mountain habitats. They may not have dispersed to all available montane sites from the Southern Rocky Mountains during glacial conditions. Either the forests did not exist as continuous dispersal corridors for the litter arthropods, or the fauna could not track the rate of spread of the forests.     

Diversification within the Mexican vole ( Microtus mexicanus ) and the role of post-Pleistocene climate change

Normal 0 false false false MicrosoftInternetExplorer4 st1\:*{behavior:url(#ieooui) } /* Style Definitions */ table.MsoNormalTable {mso-style-name:"Table Normal"; mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0; mso-tstyle-colband-size:0; mso-style-noshow:yes; mso-style-parent:""; mso-padding-alt:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; mso-para-margin:0in; mso-para-margin-bottom:.0001pt; mso-pagination:widow-orphan; font-size:10.0pt; font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-ansi-language:#0400; mso-fareast-language:#0400; mso-bidi-language:#0400;} To examine the partitioning of genetic variation within the Mexican vole ( Microtus mexicanus ), we analyzed variation within the cytochrome b (cyt b, ca. 953 bp) from 44 samples of the Mexican vole from the mountains of the southwestern United States and Mexico. Phylogeographic analyses demonstrated strong support for a western clade and an eastern clade, corresponding to the Sierra Madre Occidental and mountains of the southwestern United States (western clade) and the Sierra Madre Oriental and the Sierra Madre del Sur (eastern clade). Levels of genetic distinctiveness among vole populations in Mexico and the southwestern United States support recognition of the Mogollon vole ( Microtus mogollonensis ). Estimates of lineage divergence suggested an older divergence for populations in Mexico and a more recent divergence for the presumptive M. mogollonensis. Ecological analyses demonstrated a distinct climate niche between vole lineages in the Southwest and Mexico, which indicated the possible role of environmental variation in diversification of the Mexican vole. A similar pattern of climatic separation was also demonstrated between clades of the codistributed taxa Sigmodon hispidus, Neotoma mexicana, and Peromyscus truei, suggesting a broader role for climatic variation in the origin and maintenance of the region’s biodiversity. Para examinar la distribución de la variación genética en el metorito mexicano, analizamos la variación en el citocromo b (cyt b, c. 953 pb ) en 44 muestras del metorito mexicano de las montañas de México y del suroeste de Estados Unidos. Los análisis filogeográficos demostraron fuerte apoyo para un clado occidental y un clado oriental, correspondientes a la Sierra Madre Occidental y las montañas del suroeste de Estados Unidos (oeste) y la Sierra Madre Oriental y la Sierra Madre del Sur (este). Los niveles de diferencia genética entre las poblaciones de metoritos en México y las del sur de Estados Unidos apoyan el reconocimiento del metorito Mogollon ( Microtus mogollonensis ) como especie. Las estimaciones de divergencia entre linajes indican una divergencia más remota para las poblaciones en México y una más reciente para el presunto M. mogollonensis. Los análisis ecológicos demuestran nichos climáticos distintos entre los linajes de metorito en el suroeste de Estados Unidos y en México, lo cual indica el posible papel de la variación ambiental en la diversificación del metorito mexicano. Un patrón similar de separación climática fue también demostrado entre clados de los taxones codistribuidos: Sigmodon hispidus, Neotoma mexicana y Peromysus truei, sugiriendo que la variación climática tiene un mayor papel en el origen y el mantenimiento de la biodiversidad de la región.     

Numeric analysis of the lizard genus Sceloporus with special reference to cranial osteology

Phylogenetic relationships among Sceloporine genera are briefly discussed. Species relationships within the genus Sceloporus are analyzed, and evolutionary lines of descent are proposed. The genus Sceloporus is composed of three monophyletic groups: Group I, the most primitive, probably developed from Sator - like ancestral stock in Miocene times. This group speciated from stock similar to Sceloporus gadoviae in southern Mexico to S. merriami in the North and contains 7 species in 3 species groups. We propose that these species be included in the genus Lysoptychus Cope. Group II arose from Group I and evolved from centrally located Sceloporus pictus in all directions throughout Mexico. This intermediate group contains approximately 19 species in 5 species groups. Group III also arose from the primitive stock of Group I and radiated from several desert refugia created by Pleistocene glaciation. Evolution of this group in Mexico was generally from north to south with Sceloporus malachiticus extending as far south as Panama. This group contains approximately 33 species in 5 species groups.     

Evolution of the sceloporine lizards (Iguanidae)

Phylogenetic relationships among Sceloporine genera are briefly discussed. Species relationships within the genus Sceloporus are analyzed, and evolutionary lines of descent are proposed. The genus Sceloporus is composed of three monophyletic groups: Group I, the most primitive, probably developed from Sator - like ancestral stock in Miocene times. This group speciated from stock similar to Sceloporus gadoviae in southern Mexico to S. merriami in the North and contains 7 species in 3 species groups. We propose that these species be included in the genus Lysoptychus Cope. Group II arose from Group I and evolved from centrally located Sceloporus pictus in all directions throughout Mexico. This intermediate group contains approximately 19 species in 5 species groups. Group III also arose from the primitive stock of Group I and radiated from several desert refugia created by Pleistocene glaciation. Evolution of this group in Mexico was generally from north to south with Sceloporus malachiticus extending as far south as Panama. This group contains approximately 33 species in 5 species groups.     

New synonymy and new species of American bark beetles (Coleoptera: Scolytidae), Part VII

New synonymy of American Scolytidae is proposed as follows: Coccotrypes cyperi (Beeson) ( = Thamnurgides indicus Eggers), Pityophthorus attenuatus Blackman ( = Pityophthorus pusillus Wood), Pityophthorus digestus LeConte ( = Pityophthorus aplanatus Schedl), Pseudohylesinus sericeus (Mannerheim) ( = Pseudohylesinus yasamatsui Nobuchi), Xyleborus mutabilis Schedl ( = Xyleborus meridensis Wood). New names are proposed to replace junior homonyms as follows: Pityophthorus indigus for Pityophthorus indigens Wood, 1977 (nec Wood 1976), and Xyloborus devexulus for Xyleborus devexus Wood, 1977 (nec Schedl, 1977). The following species are named as new to science: Conophthorus echinatae (Missouri), Lymantor alaskanus (Alaska), Pityophthorus delicatus (Mexico), P. rubidus (Arizona and Mexico), P. vesculus (Panama), Scolytodes comitabilis, S. crinalis, S. crinitus, S. decorus, S. genialis, S. habilis, S. libidus, S. perpussilus, S. semipunctatus (Venezuela).     

Spring and winter records of the eastern pipistrelle ( Perimyotis subflavus ) in southeastern New Mexico

Eastern pipistrelles ( Perimyotis subflavus ) were first documented from South Dakota, western Texas, and New Mexico during recent years, suggesting that the distribution of this species is expanding westward across central parts of North America. In New Mexico, only 2 records of P. subflavus previously were known—one from summer and one from autumn. Here we report on 3 new records of P. subflavus from southeastern New Mexico, including the first 2 records from winter and the first record from spring. One individual in winter was observed hibernating in a cave in Chaves County. Our records and previous ones from autumn and summer suggest that this species is resident throughout the year in New Mexico.     

Additional records of the spotted bat ( Euderma maculatum ) from California

Additional records of the spotted bat ( Euderma inaculatum ) from Inyo County and Shasta County, California, are reported. The latter record represents the northernmost locale for this species in California.     

Two new Mastigodiaptomus (Copepoda,Diaptomidae) from southeastern Mexico,with a key for the identification of the known species of the genus

Two new species of the freshwater planktonic copepod genusMastigodiaptomus—M. maya and M. reidae—are described from material collected in southeastern Mexico. This neotropical genus is known to be distributed mainly in the southern part of the United States, Mexico and Central America, and now embraces eight species. Of these, six occur in Mexico. Both new species seem to be closely related to M. texensis and M. albuquerquensis. It is probable that this group of Mexican species represents a northwards radiation from the Proto-Antilles-Central America region into the continent, eventually reaching North America. A key for the identification of the known species of the genus is provided.     

Recurrence of Mexican long-tongued bats ( Choeronycteris mexicana ) at historical sites in Arizona and New Mexico

The Mexican long-tongued bat ( Choeronycteris mexicana ) is a nectar-eating species that seasonally inhabits the southwestern United States. Since 1906, fewer than 1500 individuals of C. mexicana have been documented throughout the range of the species. We conducted a field survey in Arizona and New Mexico during summer 1999 to check historically occupied areas for recurrence of C. mexicana . We observed C. mexicana occupying a majority (75%, n = 18) of visited sites. Multiple individuals were observed at many sites, including young-of-year. Choeronycteris mexicana roosted in lighted areas close to entrances within mine adits, abandoned buildings, wide rock crevices, and caves. All occupied sites in Madrean evergreen woodlands or semidesert grasslands where species of Agave were present. Most sites were located near a water source and, with the exception of a single site, near areas of riparian vegetation. Sites at which we did not encounter C. mexicana were frequently disturbed, difficult to search, or historically occupied by single individuals. Based on the relatively high rate of bat recurrence, we do not believe that populations of C. mexicana in the region have declined dramatically over the past several decades.