Biology ETDs

Publication Date

10-6-1966

Abstract

Pour species of desert rodents were studied 1n the Rio Grande Valley of New Mexico in an effort to detect the factor or factors excluding each one from areas north of their ranges. Their distributions were analyzed in relation to climate, vegetation, soil texture, and biotic competition.

The cactus mouse (Peromyscus eremicus) and rock pocket mouse (Perognathus intermedius} seem to be limited by temperature. Each is saxicolous and inhabits rocky outcrops as far north as certain isotherms for average annual maximal temperature, these being 71 F for£. eremicus and 69 F for~. intermedius. Occasionally the former inhabits nonrocky sites, but the lack of mesquite (Prosopis Ju11fiora) seems to prevent this animal from occupying such areas as far north as the 71 F isotherm.

Both Merriam's kangaroo rat (Dipodom.ys merr1am1) and the southern grasshopper mouse (Onychomzs torridus) may be limited by 1ntragener1c, interspecific competition. Each species has an affinity for a habitat characterized by compact soils and certain kinds of vegetation. Areas of such habitat become increasingly less abundant from the southern to the northern parts of the ranges of the two species. In these northern areas, Ord's kangaroo rat (Dipodomys ordi) excludes Merriam's kangaroo rat from most choice sites, and the northern grasshopper mouse (Onychomys leuoogaster) excludes the southern grasshopper mouse from sites with suitable habitat.

Language

English

Document Type

Dissertation

Degree Name

Biology

Level of Degree

Doctoral

Department Name

UNM Biology Department

First Committee Member (Chair)

James Smith Findley

Second Committee Member

Loren David Potter

Third Committee Member

William Clarence Martin

Fourth Committee Member

Clarence Clayton Hoff

Download

Included in

Biology Commons

Share

COinS