Part 29

Color.--As described in Mustela erminea richardsonii except that upper parts about tone 3 of dark Chocolate Brown of Oberthür and Dauthenay, pl. 342; lower throat and chest covered by a large patch of same color as upper parts; color of underparts extending to toes but in interrupted fashion on both fore-and hind-feet; least width of color of underparts averaging, in four males from Prince of Wales Island, 41 (38-49) per cent of greatest width of color of upper parts. Black tip of tail averaging, in 8 males in winter pelage, 65 (59-78) mm. which is 84 (69-92) per cent of length of tail-vertebrae.

From its geographic neighbors alascensis and initis, celenda differs in darker color of upper parts, presence rather than absence of patch of dark color on lower throat and chest, and longer black tip on tail. From haidarum, celenda differs in darker color of upper parts, presence rather than absence of patch of dark color on lower throat and chest, narrower light-colored under parts, black tip of tail averaging less rather than more than nine-tenths of length of tail-vertebrae and ventral face of tail colored like upper parts rather than like underparts.

Skull.--Male (illustrated by 5 adults): See measurements and plates 5-7. As described in Mustela erminea richardsonii except that: Weight, 2.3 (2.2-2.5) grams; basilar length, 39.5 (38.9-40.7) mm.; length of tooth-rows more than length of tympanic bulla; breadth of rostrum measured across lacrimal processes more than a third of basilar length; interorbital breadth more than distance between glenoid fossa and posterior border of external auditory meatus; zygomatic breadth more or less than (about equal to) distance between last upper molar and jugular foramen.

Female.--Complete skull of adult unavailable.

Differences from richardsonii are indicated in the formal description just given. Additional to differences therein noted, celenda differs from initis in larger interorbital and preorbital parts of the skull although dimensions of other parts of the skull and the teeth are about the same or even less. From salva, celenda differs in larger average size in every measurement taken, except for the inner moiety of M1 which is about the same. The skull of celenda is 35 per cent heavier. In relation to the basilar length the skull of celenda is wider, especially in the interorbital and preorbital regions. In comparison with alascensis the tympanic bullae are of approximately the same length; otherwise essentially the same differences obtain as are noted in comparison with salva and the zygomatic breadth is relatively more in celenda. From seclusa, in which the teeth are of comparable size, celenda differs in that every cranial measurement is more and the skull is 28 per cent heavier. Because the skull of celenda is so much longer, its dimensions in other planes are less in relation to the length than in seclusa. M. e. celenda is larger in every part measured than haidarum, 21 per cent heavier, and in relation to the basilar length the interorbital, and preorbital, parts of the skull are smaller, the braincase is shallower, and the skull is relatively wider across the zygomata and mastoid processes. In comparison with kadiacensis, differences are: 26 per cent lighter, skull shorter; in relation to the basilar length, braincase shallower as measured at the anterior end of the basioccipital, tooth-rows shorter but orbitonasal length more. In comparison with arctica all parts measured of the teeth and skull of celenda are smaller and its skull is 34 per cent lighter. In relation to the basilar length, the interorbital breadth of celenda is only slightly less but its skull is narrower across the rostrum and zygomata, the tooth-rows are shorter, and the braincase is shallower.

Remarks.--The late George Willett in the course of his work in Alaska collected most of the known specimens of this strongly differentiated subspecies. In both coloration and cranial characters the distinguishing features are so well marked that the zoölogist could with reason accord full specific rank to celenda. Nevertheless it obviously is an ermine. Also, races from other islands of southeastern Alaska tend to bridge the gap, as regards cranial features, between celenda and the mainland ermine. The specimen from Dall Island agrees in all respects with topotypes. The specimen from Howkan on Long Island is in white winter pelage and the skull has suffered shrinkage from some chemical solution; the reference of this specimen to celenda is tentative.

Specimens examined.--Total number, 25, as follows: Arranged by localities from north to south. Unless otherwise indicated, in U. S. National Museum.

=Alaska.= Prince of Wales Island: Craig, 18 (10 in Mus. Vert. Zoöl., and 8 in Los Angeles Mus. Hist. Art and Sci.); Kasaan Bay, 2; no locality more definite than the Island itself, 3; Dall Island, Otter Harbor, 1 (Los Angeles Mus. Hist. Art and Sci.). Long Island, Howkan, 1 (Field Mus. Nat. Hist.).

=Mustela erminea seclusa= Hall

Ermine

Plates 5, 6 and 7

Mustela erminea seclusa Hall, Proc. Biol. Soc. Washington, 57:39, June 28, 1944; Hall, Journ. Mamm., 26:181, July 19, 1945.

Type.--Male, adult, skull alone; no. 31232, Mus. Vert. Zoöl.; Port Santa Cruz, Suemez Island, Alaska; March 24, 1920; obtained by George Willett.

The skull (plates 5-7) is complete and unbroken. Of the upper incisors only right I3 is present. Otherwise the teeth are present and unbroken.

Range.--Known only from the type locality. See figures 25, 26 on pages 95, 134.

Characters for ready recognition (only the male known).--Differs from M. e. celenda in basilar length less than 38.2, from M. e. salva, initis and haidarum in zygomatic breadth more than distance between last upper molar and jugular foramen.

Description.--Size and Color.--No external measurements or skins available.

Skull.--Male: See measurements and plates 5-7. As described in Mustela erminea richardsonii except that: Weight, 1.8 grams; basilar length, 34.3; length of tooth-rows about the same as length of tympanic bulla; breadth of rostrum measured across lacrimal processes more than a third of basilar length; interorbital breadth more than distance between glenoid fossa and posterior margin of external auditory meatus; zygomatic breadth more than distance between last upper molar and jugular foramen.

Female.--Skull not available.

From alascensis and salva, seclusa differs in larger teeth, shorter skull, much larger preorbital and interorbital regions, actually as well as in relation to basilar length. Excepting the teeth, which are of about the same size, the same general differences obtain in comparison with initis which, however, is 29 per cent heavier.

From celenda, seclusa differs in smaller skull in all parts measured, being 22 per cent lighter. The teeth are about the same size. In relation to its length the skull of seclusa is much broader and deeper. From haidarum, seclusa differs in: teeth larger; skull shorter and more convex in dorsal outline along median longitudinal axis; in relation to basilar length, skull broader, deeper and braincase relatively shorter.

Remarks.--The characters shown in the one available skull are far outside the limits of individual variation for other known subspecies. Other specimens are much to be desired to ascertain what the "average" individual is like and to learn the characters of the female.

Specimen examined.--One, the holotype.

=Mustela erminea haidarum= (Preble)

Ermine

Plates 5, 6, 7, 11, 12 and 13

Putorius haidarum Preble, Proc. Biol. Soc. Washington, 12:169, August 10, 1898.

Mustela haidarum, Miller, U. S. Nat. Mus. Bull., 79:97, December 31, 1912.