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Tennessee Naturalist Program Tennessee Mammals Creatures of Habitat Enhanced Study Guide 12/2015

Tennessee Naturalist Program study guides... · • Mammals of North America, Fourth Edition (Peterson Field Guides), Fiona Reid * • Mammals of North America, Second Edition, (Princeton

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Page 1: Tennessee Naturalist Program study guides... · • Mammals of North America, Fourth Edition (Peterson Field Guides), Fiona Reid * • Mammals of North America, Second Edition, (Princeton

TennesseeNaturalistProgram

TennesseeMammalsCreaturesofHabitat

EnhancedStudyGuide

12/2015

Page 2: Tennessee Naturalist Program study guides... · • Mammals of North America, Fourth Edition (Peterson Field Guides), Fiona Reid * • Mammals of North America, Second Edition, (Princeton

TennesseeNaturalistProgramwww.tnnaturalist.org

InspiringthedesiretolearnandshareTennessee’snature

Thesestudy guidesare designedto reflect and reinforcetheTennesseeNaturalist Program’scoursecurriculumoutline,developedandapprovedby the TNPBoardofDirectors, for use byTNP instructorstoplanandorganizeclassroomdiscussionandfieldworkcomponents andbystudentsasameaningfulresourcetoreviewandenhanceclassinstruction.

ThisguidewascompiledspecificallyfortheTennesseeNaturalistProgramandreviewedbyexpertsinthisdiscipline.Itcontainscopyrightedworkfromotherauthorsandpublishers,usedherebypermission.

NopartofthisdocumentmaybereproducedorsharedwithoutconsentoftheTennesseeNaturalistProgramandappropriatecopyrightholders.

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Page 3: Tennessee Naturalist Program study guides... · • Mammals of North America, Fourth Edition (Peterson Field Guides), Fiona Reid * • Mammals of North America, Second Edition, (Princeton

TennesseeMammalsCreaturesofHabitat

ObjectivesPresentanoverviewofmammalsincludingcharacteristicsparticulartothisclassofanimalsandthedifferentgroupsofmammalsfoundinTennessee.Exploretheirbehavior,physiology,andecology,relatingthesetohabitatneeds,environmentaladaptations,andecosystemroles,includinghumaninteractions.

TimeMinimum4hours–2inclass,2infield

SuggestedMaterials(*recommendedbutnotrequired,**TNPflashdrive)• MammalsofNorthAmerica,FourthEdition(PetersonFieldGuides),FionaReid*• MammalsofNorthAmerica,SecondEdition,(PrincetonFieldGuides),RolandW.Keys

andDonE.Wilson• TennesseeMammalsEnhancedStudyGuide,TNP**• TWRABoneBox

ExpectedOutcomesStudentswillgainabasicunderstandingof1. thediversityanddistributionofmammalsinTennessee,includingrarespecies2. themajorgroupsofmammalsandtheirsystematicrelationships3. thedistinguishingcharacteristicsofallmammalsandgeneralcharacteristicsofeachmajor

group4. mammalbehavior-breeding,feeding,shelter,hibernation,andrange/territory5. mammalphysiologyandmorphology-environmentaladaptations,functions,species

identification6. mammalecology-habitatneeds,ecosystemroles7. animaltracksandsigns8. animalandhumaninteractions

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MammalsCurriculumOutline

I. Mammals A. Classcharacteristics

II. MammalsofTennessee A. Diversityanddistribution B. CommonmammalOrders,theirrelationshipsanddifferences 1. opossums 2. molesandshrews 3. bats 4. rabbits 5. rodents 6. carnivores 7. hoofedmammals C. Nonnativespeciesandtheirimpacts D. Rarespeciesandtheirconservationconcerns

III. MammalBehavior A. Feeding B. Breeding C. Nesting,territory,homerange D. Hibernationandwintersurvival E. Defensivestrategies

IV. MammalPhysiologyandMorphology A. Environmentaladaptations B. Functions C. Identification 1. skins,pelts 2. skulls 3.teeth

V. MammalEcology A. Habitatvarietyand‘home’needs B. Ecologicalrole 1. foodweb 2. predators 3. keystonespecies C. Diurnal,crepuscular,nocturnal

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VI. ObservationsintheWild A. Tracks B. Signs C. Scat

VII. WildMammalsandHumanInteractions A. Habitatloss,fragmentation,andencroachment B. Managementconcernsandstrategies 1. populationmonitoringandmeasuring 2. trappingandtagging C. Hurt,capturedororphanedanimals

VIII. Resources A. Publications B. Organizations C. Internet

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I.MammalsIntroduction

Thereareover5,400speciesofmammalsworldwide.Ofthese,nearly25percentarethreatenedandatriskofextinction.TheUnitedStateshasover410speciesand80areontheendangeredspecieslist.Tennessee’smammals(currentandhistorical)number86(Kennedyetal.2012),representingadiversityfromnorthernspeciesinthemountainstowesternspecies.

Commonmammalcharacteristics Asaclass(Mammalia),mammalsexhibitseveralcommoncharacteristicsthatseparatethemfromothervertebrateanimalgroupspossessinganinternalskeletonwithabackbone.Allmammalssharethethreeasterisked(*)characteristics;exceptionsmaybefoundfortheothers.

• hairorfuronthebodyatsomepointduringlife*(mosthavehairtheirentirelives)• generallyendothermic,producingbodyheatinternally,andhomeothermic,maintaining

constanttemperature• givebirthtoliveyoung(egg-layingexceptionsnotfoundinTennessee)• milkproducingmammaryglandstofeedyoung*• threemiddleearbones(hammer,anvil,stirrup)*

Inaddition,mostmammalshaveasinglebonelowerjaw,four-chamberedheart,highlydevelopedbrain,secondarypalateseparatingairandfoodpassagesinthemouth,musculardiaphragmbetweenthethoracicandabdominalcavities,internalfertilization,andseparatesexeswithembryosexdeterminedbythepresenceofaYortwoXchromosomes.

Differences Differencesamongmammalspeciesinphysicalmorphology,physiology,behavior,ecology,etc.,formthebasisforidentification.

• anatomy--hard(skeleton,particularlyskulls)andsofttissue• teeth--differentiatedtoothtypes;alsogivecluestodietandhabitat• embryonicdevelopment--placental,marsupial,andegglaying(notinTennessee)• morphologicalextremes--diversityofforms,bodiesdesignedforflying,running,

hopping,burrowing,climbing,gliding,orswimmingandvastsizedifferences• activetimeofday--nocturnal(night),diurnal(day),orcrepuscular(dawnanddusk)

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Habitat Tennesseehasagreatdiversityoflandtypes.Therefore,habitatsalsovarywidely.Withinthesehabitats,differentmammalspeciesfindhomessuitedtotheirlifehistorystrategies.Therearefourmainhometypeswithlocalexamplesofeach.

• arboreal--squirrels,goldenmouse• aquatic--beaver,muskrat• homeseekers(lookforshelterincaves,logsormanmadestructures)--bats,bobcat• homeless(beddowninadifferentplaceeachnight)--deer,elk

Eachspeciesisadaptedtospecifichabitats.Problemsarisewhenhabitatsarealtered,whetherbyloss,fragmentation,disease,ortheintroductionofexoticspecies.

Non-nativespeciesinTennessee• roofrat• brownrat(Norwayrat)• housemouse• nutriaorcoypu• domesticdoganddomesticcat• wildhog(Europeanboar)

ExtirpatednativespeciesinTennessee• snowshoehare• NorthAmericanporcupine• graywolf• redwolf• cougar

ExtirpatedandreintroducednativespeciesinTennessee• fisher• elk• bison(captiveherds,notfreeroaming)

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TennesseeMammals:QuickFacts

VirginiaOpossum(1sp.)OrderDidelphimorphia onlymarsupialinTN(relatedtothekangarooofAustralia) pouchrunsfronttoback,bearsupto13youngthatcrawlfromvaginatopouch coarse,grizzledgrayishfur,nakedtailandears,pinktoesandnose opposablethumbsonhindfeet relativelydiseasefree 50teeth,morethananyothermammalinTN sometimes‘playpossum’(feigndeath)whenthreatened youngcanhangbytail,adultsareabittooheavy earsandtailcangetfrostbitten rangemovingnorth

Shrews(9spp.)andMoles(3spp.)OrderSoricomorphaShrewshavemuskglands,stink voraciouspredatorwithinsatiableappetite,musteat2-3timesweightdaily insectivores,alsoeatsmallermammals,aggressiveattackers brown-tippedteethandtinyeyes shrewsarehardtoidentifytospecies acoupleofspeciesecholocatefood oneispoisonouswithneurotoxintowardprey somespeciesprefergrasslandhabitats,somewoodland pygmyshrewisoneofthesmallestmammalsintheworld EastTennesseehasmorespeciesofshrews

Moles:easternmolestatewide,star-nosedandhairy-tailedmoleslimitedanduncommonhairstandsonend,unidirectionaltorepeldirtregardlessofanimalsdirectionsourceofVictorianpowderpuffs

tunnelsusingbroadforepaws,whiteteeth voraciouseaters,insectandworm fossorial(spendmosttimeunderground) incisorssmall,tinyeyes,noexternalears skullsdistinctiveamongthreespeciesofmoles predatorsincludecoyotes,hawks,owls,foxes,andhousecats

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Bats(15spp.)OrderChiroptera(hand-wing) eveningbats--tragus(smallpointedstructure,partofexternalear)IDcharacter TNhassmallbats,largerfruit-eatingbatsarenotinTN easternredbat,perhapsmostcommonspeciesinTN easternpipistrelle,smallest,ofteninhouses,cancarryrabies lessthan1%(0.5%)ofthebatpopulationhaverabies echolocateinsects,shutdownearsduringcryandopenagaintohearecho 8-15criespersecondnormally,suddenmovements150-200cries/sec nestincaves,trees(underbark),buildings mostgointotorporinwinter,LittleBrownBatisatruehibernator twolistedendangeredspecies batsaresensitivetotheirenvironment WhiteNoseSyndrome,afungaldiseaseofcavebats,resultsinhighmortality

Armadillo(1sp.)OrderCingulata Dasypus(hairyfoot)novemcinctus(ninebanded) non-native,butrelativelybenign,movingnorthandeastofhistoricrange backiscoveredinskinplates bornwithplates,hardenastheymature pegteeth,eatinsects,ants,andtermites(includingfireants) clawsfordigging,reducedteeth inreproduction,theeggsplitstoformfourgeneticallyidenticalyoung movefastandjumpwhenscared,whichiswhycarskillsomany called‘possumonthehalfshell’ coyotesarepredators carryleprosyandareusedinresearch

Rabbit(4spp.)OrderLagomorpha easterncottontail,swamprabbit(WTN),Appalachiancottontail(BlueRidge) snowshoehareextirpated fourincisorsareclusteredintwopairs,onebehindtheother skulldifferencesseparatespeciesinidentification youngarealtricial,bornblindandhairless[Haresareprecocial] swamprabbitspooponlogsinwetlands eatpooptogleanallnutritionfromfood(coprophagia) reliesonearlysuccessionalhabitats,weedy,meadows“rabbitat” populationdeclinescanoccurfromhabitatlossduetolandusechanges

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Rodents(31spp.)OrderRodentia rodentshavelongincisorsthatneverstopgrowing,mustchewtowearthemdownSquirrels(7spp.) treesquirrels(5spp.)--graysquirrel(mostcommon), foxsquirrel(largest,darkcolor),redsquirrel(“boomer”BlueRidge), flyingsquirrels(southernandnorthernspecies,latteronlyinspruce-firforests)

populationofalbinosquirrelslivesinKenton,TN(GibsonCountyinWestTN)chipmunkorgroundsquirrel(westernprairiedogsaregroundsquirrelstoo)woodchuckorgroundhog,alsocalledwhistlepigorlandbeaver(amarmot) burrowsintheground woodchucksaretruehibernators

Beaveraquaticwithwaterprooffur,nictatingeyemembrane,andear,noseandthroatvalveschestnutbrownfur,flatscalytail,andwebbedhindfeetbuildlodgesandmodifylandscapeforownpurposeliveinfamilyunitseatcambiumlayeroftrees,usesticksandsmallbranchesforlodgeeatpooptogetallnutrition,coprophagiacastorsacsfluid(castoreum)usedinexpensiveperfumesforleatheryscent

Nativemice,rats,voles,lemming,muskrat,jumpingmice(18spp.) havelighterbellies,seedeaters woodrat(largest)toharvestmouse(smallest) woodlandvolehasashorttail,isapestinyards deer,cotton,andwhite-footedmicehavebigeyesandbigears hispidcottonratiscommoninoldfields,coyoteslovethem goldenmousebuildsitsnestuphigh,littlecondowithroofonit muskratisaquaticandalongwithbeaveramongthelargestofourrodents jumpingmicehavelongtailsandlonghindfeet,andbroaddarkstripeonback oneofthefewmammalsinTNthattrulyhibernate

Non-nativerodents(4spp.) roofrat(blackrat)andhousemouse(beadyeyes,smallears,scalytail)areallgraywith uniformcolor Norwayrat(brownrat)isfoundalloverworld nutria(coypu)isaquatic,lookslikeabeaverorgiantmuskrat,prolificandinvasive; harmswetlandmarshesaffectingwaterfowlandmuskrathabitat;nativetoSouth America

PorcupineshavebeenextirpatedfromTennessee.Therearehistoricalreportsofthespeciesfromearlysettlementbeforestatehood.

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Carnivores(18spp.)OrderCarnivoraCanine(6spp.) tails--dogs’areoftenheldup;coyotetailshelddown;foxtailsheldstraightout canineclawsarenotretractable,pawprintswillhaveclawmarks

redandgraywolveshavebeenextirpatedfromTN attemptstoreintroduceredwolvestotheSmokiesfailedgrayfoxissizeofbobcat(15lbs),grayishbodywithreddishsidesandlegs blackpatchesonsidesofmuzzle,blacktipandupperstripeontail

canclimbtrees,likesdeeperwoodsverysusceptibletocaninedistemper

redfoxisanedgespeciesreddishfurwithblacklegs,feet,ears,whitetipontailshedfurandbecomemangyinsummerpopulationstendtodipinthepresenceofcoyotessusceptibletocaninedistemper

coyotesmovedintoTNby1960s,goodpopulationsestablishedby1980spopulationdensity-dependentreproductivepatterncoyoteisanedgespeciesbutadaptabletovarioushabitatsneedskulltoID,especiallyupperjawsolitary,notcommunalwithalphamaleslikewolvesmateinpairs,raiseyoungwhodispersefollowingyear30poundsistypicalvariousfurcolorationblonde,off-white,gray,rustybrownprimarilycarnivoresbutalsoeatvegetablematter,basicallyomnivorousdogskullshaveapronounceddiptothesnoutandwiderpalatecoyotesskullsfollowastraighterpathtothesnoutwithaskinnypalatecoyotesdon’tliketomatewithdogs,TNdoesn’thavemany“coydogs”coyotescangetparvovirus

BlackBear omnivorous--fruits,nuts,insects,carrion tolerantofdifferentenvironments historicrangewasstatewide,currentrangeisexpandingfrommountains,with individualsfoundaroundstate CumberlandPlateauisnextsiteforstablepopulations mateinJuly,givebirthinmidwinter cubsoftenborninpairs,remainwithmother18months don’ttrulyhibernate,justlongperiodsofsleep mayleavedenbrieflyduringwarmspellsinwinterorifdisturbed

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Raccoon relatedtobears ringedtails usedhistoricallyforfood,fur,otheritems nowmoreofaproblemspeciesaroundhumanhabitation rabiesinraccoonsisaconcern,inoculationeffortscreateanimmunitybarrier

Mustelids(5spp.)--riverotter,weasels,mink,fisher notoftenseen,verysecretive odorousglands riverottersareaquatic,minksaresomewhataquatic weaselsandfishersareterrestrial ottersmayposeproblemsaroundfishpondsorhatcheries fishersreintroducedonCumberlandPlateau,successisnotcertain weaselsareferocious,meanSkunks(2spp.) spottedskunks(employhandstandposeasthreat) stripedskunks(sprayfromraisedtail) stripedskunkgenusMephiticmeansbadodor

stripedskunksmaynotalwayshavedistinctivestripes, mightjusthavewhitespotonheadandblackbody spottedhasdistinctbehaviordifferences,fastandnervousdisposition cangetcaninedistemperandrabiesandthereforecannotbetranslocated

Cats(3spp.) catshaveretractableclaws,pawprintswillnothaveclawmarks cougarsextirpated westernspeciesrangeexpandingintotheMidwestwithrecentsightingsinKY/TN bobcatsonlynativewildcatinTN actuallyalynx,oftenwithaspottedcoat verysecretivebutcommon formidablepredator,cankilldeer

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Ungulates(4spp.)OrderArtiodactyla--even-toed,clovenhoovesWildhog(Europeanboar) introduced,invasive,destructive darkfur,longnose,leaneranimalwithtusks damagesoil(rototiller)andplants tuskmarksontrees,dirtwallows verysmart,prolificreproduction,impossibletoeradicate produceabaseball-sizedknotofpoop illegaltotransportblack/whitehybridpigs,theyreverttowildspeciesgenerationally hybridsintroducingdiseases TWRAusedtopromotethemasbig-gamespeciesbutdoesn’tanymore usedforhunting,peoplemovethemandworsenthesituation TWRAneedsbackingofagriculturecommunitytoaddressproblem

Elk reestablishedintheSmokiesandnorthwestofKnoxville bugleinOctober bullsshedantlersinearlyspringWhite-taileddeer buckstypicallyshedantlersinwinter antlersarefastestgrowingtissueknown anantlerconsistsofonemainbeamwithpointscomingoffit rodentschewonshedantlers popularforhunting

Bison historicallyoccurredinpre-settlementprairiehabitatsinTN reintroductionsarecaptivepopulations,notfree-roaming

Fallowdeer,Eurasianexoticonhuntingpreservessometimesescape aresmallersized,spottedasadultsandjuveniles,withstraighterback

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II.AnnotatedChecklistoftheMammalsofTennessee

Kennedy,MichaelL.;Kennedy,PhyllisK.;Warr,EdwardL.;Wyatt,RobertL."Pete"June1,2012JournaloftheTennesseeAcademyofScience[Reprintedherewithpermissionoftheauthors.]

Abstract

ThisinvestigationpresentsanannotatedchecklistofthelivingmammalsreportedtooccurinTennesseeaswellasrecentlyextirpatedspeciesandreintroducedtaxa.Datawereobtainedfromfieldcollections,literaturerecords,andselectedmammalcollectionsinNorthAmerica.Speciesincludedinthechecklistrepresent8orders,23families,and86species.Theworkprovidesinformationrelatingtodistribution,habitat,andconservationstatusofeachspeciesandshouldbeusefulinplanningmanagementandconservationprogramsinTennessee.

Introduction

AspointedoutbyKennedyandHarvey(1980),informationrelatingtomammalsinTennesseeisscattered.However,severalworkshavecontributedtoourunderstandingofthemammalianfaunaofthestate.Forexamples,seeRhoads(1896),KomarekandKomarek(1938),Kellogg(1939),Calhoun(1941),GoodpasterandHoffmeister(1952),HowellandConway(1952),ConwayandHowell(1953),BeasleyandSeveringhaus(1973),SeveringhausandBeasley(1973),GravesandHarvey(1974),Smithetal.(1974),Hall(1981),Kennedyetal.(1984),Kennedy(1991),andLinzey(1995).Overall,thespeciesrichnessofmammalsinTennesseeishigh,yetithasnotbeensummarizedinmanyyears.Therefore,thepurposeofthisinvestigationwastoreviewavailableinformationconcerningmammalsinTennesseeandprovideanannotatedchecklistofthespeciesoccurringwithinthestate.Ourchecklistincludesspeciescurrentlyresidingwithinthestate'sboundariesthatwerepresentwhenEuropeansfirstarrived,aswellasintroduced,extirpated(includingextirpatedandreintroduced),andexoticspecies.Additionally,weprovideinformationrelatingtodistribution,habitat,andconservationstatusforeachtaxon;suchinformationshouldbeusefulinplanningmanagementandconservationprograms.

MaterialsandMethods

ScientificandcommonnamesemployedinthechecklistarethoseusedbyWilsonandReeder(2005).Ineachaccount,anattempthasbeenmadetoprovidethereaderwithabriefunderstandingofthetaxon'sdistributioninTennessee,generalhabitat,andconservationstatus.Wherethereisanofficialstate[TennesseeDepartmentofEnvironmentandConservation(TDEC),http://www.tennessee.gov/environment/na/orTennesseeWildlifeResourcesAgency

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(TWRA),http://www.tn.gov/twra/pdfs/endangered.pdf,http://www.tn.gov/twra/pdfs/wildlifeinneed.pdf]orfederal(UnitedStatesFishandWildlifeService,http://www.fesgov/)listingofataxonforprotectionorconcern,thestatelistingisgivenfirstintheaccounts(Conservationstatus)followedbyfederallisting.Thestaterankingsystememployedwasasfollows:S1--extremelyrareandcriticallyimperiledinthestate(oftenwithfiveorfeweroccurrences)orveryfewremainingindividuals,orbecauseofsomespecialconditionwherethespeciesisparticularlyvulnerabletoextirpation;S2--veryrareandimperiledwithinthestate,sixto20occurrences,orfewremainingindividuals,orbecauseofsomefactor(s)makingitvulnerabletoextirpation;S3--vulnerable,rare,anduncommoninthenationorstateduetoarestrictedrange,relativelyfewpopulations(often80orfewer),recentandwidespreaddeclines,orotherfactor(s)makingitvulnerabletoextirpation;S4--uncommonbutnotrare,andapparentlysecurewithinthestate,butwithcauseforlong-termconcernduetodeclinesorotherfactors;S5--demonstrablycommon,widespread,andsecureinthestate.Thefederal(global)rankingsystemusedwasafive-tiersystemranking(G1-G5)todescriberarity,fromG1(extremelyrare)toG5(widespread).Arankrange(e.g.,S2-S3;G3-G4)denotesuncertaintyinrarity.T#referstoasubspecifictaxonrankatthegloballevel.Endangered(stateandfederallevels)referstoanyspeciesorsubspeciesofwildlifewhoseprospectsofsurvivalorrecruitmentisinjeopardyorislikelytobecomesowithintheforeseeablefuture."DeemedinNeedofManagement"referstoanyspeciesorsubspeciesofnongamewildlifewhichTDECorTWRAbelieveshouldbeinvestigatedinordertodevelopinformationrelatingtopopulations,distribution,habitatneeds,limitingfactors,andotherbiologicalandecologicaldatatodeterminemanagementmeasuresnecessaryfortheircontinuedabilitytosustainthemselvessuccessfully(analogoustoSpecialConcernutilizedinsomestates).Referencestoabundanceorcommon/uncommonintheaccountsreflectourassessmentofthespecies'statusbasedonthenumberofpublishedrecordsandnumberofmuseumspecimensavailableincollectionsandgeneralobservationsmadebytheauthors.Aconservationstatusofnonereflectsthatnoconservationmeasureisinplaceatthistimetoprotectthespecies.

Thelistofspeciesinthepresentreportisbasedpartlyonvoucherspecimensinthefollowingmuseumcollections:AustinPeayStateUniversity;CarnegieMuseumofNaturalHistory;FieldMuseumofNaturalHistory;LouisianaStateUniversity,MuseumofNaturalScience;NationalMuseumofNaturalHistory;UniversityofCalifornia,Berkeley,MuseumofVertebrateZoology;UniversityofIllinois,MuseumofNaturalHistory;UniversityofKansas;TheUniversityofMemphisMuseumofZoology;UniversityofMichigan,MuseumofZoology;UniversityofOklahomaSamNobleMuseumofNaturalHistory;UniversityofTennesseeatMartin,UniversityofTennesseeatKnoxville,DepartmentofBiologicalSciences.FollowingBeasleyandSeveringhaus(1973)andSeveringhausandBeasley(1973),westernTennesseeisdefinedasthatpartofTennesseewestoftheTennesseeRiver.OtherregionsofTennessee(middleandeastern)followCorgan(1976).Inthelistofspecies,referencestothestatusoftaxaascommonoruncommonandtoabundanceofindividualspeciesarebasedonthenumberofpublishedrecordsandnumberofmuseumspecimensavailableincollectionsandonfieldcollectionsandgeneralobservationsmadebytheauthors.

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Discussion

WepresentanannotatedchecklistofmammalsforTennesseethatincludesnativespeciescurrentlyresidingwithinthestate'sboundariesorthatresidedwithinthestate'sboundarieswhenEuropeanmanfirstarrived.Additionally,wehavenotedintroduced,extirpated(includingextirpatedandreintroduced)andexoticspecies.Intotal,thesetaxarepresent8orders,23families,and86species.Thisiscomparableto95speciesreportedforsevensouth-centralstatesbyChoateetal.(1994).TherichnessofspeciesinTennesseeislikelyassociatedwithitsdiversityinphysiographicregionsthatrangefromtheMississippiRiverValleyinwesternTennesseetotheUnakaMountainsintheeasternpartofthestate(seeMiller1974).

Kennedy(1991)notedthatmanyspeciesofmammalsinwesternTennesseehadnotbeenstudiedindetail,especiallymanyofthenongamespecies.Thisalsoisthecaseforthestateasawhole.Fewdistributionalrecordsexistformanytaxa.Generally,themammalianfaunaofTennesseeneedsadditionalinvestigation.Futurestudymayaddafewadditionalspeciestothelistofmammalsknownforthestate.ThefollowingspecieshavebeenreportedinproximitytoTennessee:Geomysbursarius(plainspocketgopher),Reithrodontomysmegalotis(westernharvestmouse),R.fulvescens(fulvousharvestmouse),andTaxideataxus(badger).SpecimensofT.taxusareknownfromwesternTennesseebutarethoughttorepresentcaptiveanimalsthatescapedorwerereleased;breedingpopulationsareunknowninthestate.Untilstatewideinventoriesarecompleted,thestatusanddistributionofanumberoftaxawillremainuncertainHowever,theannotatedchecklistlistpresentedwithinthisreportshouldprovidemanagersofnaturalresourcesusefulinformationforplanningprocesses.

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SpeciesAccounts

OrderDidelphimorphia--PouchedMammals

FamilyDidelphidae(Opossums)

Didelphisvirginiana(Virginiaopossum).Statewideindistribution;utilizesavarietyofhabitatsbuttypicallyfoundinwetterareasassociatedwithstreamsandrivers.Conservationstatus:none;commoninmosthabitats.

OrderSoricomorpha--Insectivores

FamilySoricidae(Shrews)

Sorexcinereus(Cinereusshrew).FoundthroughouteasternTennesseewithperipheralpopulationsinmiddleTennessee;habitatvariesfrommoistwoodlands(especially,woodlandswithdecayingstumpsandlogsassociatedwiththickleaflitter)toopenfieldsandmarshyareas.Conservationstatus:DeemedinNeedofManagement(TDEC;TWRA).S4,G3;canbelocallyabundant.

SorexIongirostris(Southeasternshrew).Statewideindistribution;occupiesanumberofhabitattypesincludingriverfloodplains,oldfields,sandyriverbluffs,andforestedges.Conservationstatus:DeemedinNeedofManagement(TDEC;TWRA).S4,G5;widespreadindistributionbutneverfoundinlargenumbers.

Sorexpalustris(Americanwatershrew).KnownonlyfromthemountainsofextremeeasternTennessee,mostoftenfoundinassociationwithpermanentwater(e.g.,streams,rivers,lakes,andbogs)andhabitatsthatincludecold,fast-flowingmountainstreamswithoverhangingbanks,rocks,androots.Conservationstatus:DeemedinNeedofManagement(TDEC;TWRA).S2,G5;uncommonthroughoutitsdistributioninthestate.

Sorexfumeus(Smokyshrew).OccursineasternandmiddleTennessee;habitatismoistwoodlandswithdecayinglogsandthickleaflitterassociatedwithmoss-coveredrocksinbothconiferousanddeciduousforest.Conservationstatus:DeemedinNeedofManagement(TDEC;TWRA).S4,G5;canbelocallyabundant.

Sorexdispar(Long-tailedshrew).KnownonlyfromafewsitesinthemountainsofeasternandmiddleTennessee;habitatincludescoolandmoisttalusslopesinforestedareas;somecaptureshavebeenassociatedwithrockyareascoveredwithmossesandlichens.Conservationstatus:DeemedinNeedofManagement(TDEC;TWRA).S2,G4;uncommonthroughoutitsdistributioninthestate.

Sorexhoyi(Americanpygmyshrew).ReportedineasternandmiddleTennesseewestwardtotheTennesseeRiver,occursinavarietyofhabitatsthatincludebothwetanddryareas;anareawithfallentreesandtreestumpsinaforestclearingassociatedlargelywithbeech,maple,buckeye,andhawthornistheonlyreporteddescriptionofhabitatforthespeciesinTennessee.

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Conservationstatus:DeemedinNeedofManagement(TDEC).S2,G5;uncommonthroughoutitsdistributioninthestate.

Blarinabrevicauda(Northernshort-tailedshrew).OccursinmiddleandeasternTennessee;occursinavarietyofhabitatsthatincludeforest,forestandfieldedges,grasslands,andmarshyareas.Conservationstatus:none;maybecommoninpreferredhabitat.

Blarinacarolinensis(Southernshort-tailedshrew).Statewideindistribution;mayoccurinavarietyofhabitatsthatincludeswoodlands,grasslands,marshyareas,andrelativelydryareas.Conservationstatus:none,maybelocallyabundant.

Cryptotisparva(NorthAmericanleastshrew).Statewideindistribution;habitatprimarilyearlysuccessionalareas(e.g.,fields,meadows,weedyfencerows,andgrassyroadsides).Conservationstatus:none;widespreadindistributionbutneverfoundinlargenumbers.

FamilyTalpidae(Moles)

Parascalopsbreweri(Hairy-tailedmole).OccursinthemountainsofeasternandmiddleTennessee;habitatincludesforests,pastures,gardens,lawns,andotherareaswithloose,well-drainedsoils.Conservationstatus:DeemedinNeedofManagement(TDEC;TWRA).33,G5;uncommonthroughoutitsdistributioninthestate.

Scalopusaquaticus(Easternmole).Statewideindistribution;inhabitsavarietyofhabitats(usuallyassociatedwithrelativelylight,well-drainedsoils).Conservationstatus:none;acommonfossorialspecies.

Condyluracristata(Star-nosedmole).KnownonlyfromeasternTennessee;prefersdampandmuddysoilsassociatedwithforests,bogs,swamps,andmeadows.Conservationstatus:DeemedinNeedofManagement(TDEC;TWRA).S2,G5;uncommonthroughoutitsdistributioninthestate.

OrderChiroptera--Bats

FamilyVespertilionidae(VespertilionidBats)

Myotislucifugus(Littlebrownmyotis).OccursineasternandmiddleTennessee(eastoftheTennesseeRiverValley);primarilyinhabitscavesandbuildings.Conservationstatus:none;anuncommonspecies.

Myotisaustroriparius(Southeasternmyotis).Distributioninthestateisuncertain;appearstobeprimarilywestoftheTennesseeRiverValley;habitatincludestrees,caves,andbuildings.Conservationstatus:DeemedinNeedofManagement(TDEC).S3,G3-G4;relativelycommonwestoftheTennesseeRiver.

Myotisgrisescens(Graymyotis).KnownineasternandmiddleTennessee(eastoftheTennesseeRiverValley);knownincavesorcave-likehabitats.Conservationstatus:EndangeredSpecies.S2,G3.

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Myotisseptentrionalis(Northernmyotis).OccursineasternandmiddleTennessee(eastoftheTennesseeRiverValley);habitatprimarilyincludescaves,mines,orsimilarshelters.Conservationstatus:none;anuncommonspecies.

Myotissodalis(Indianamyotis).ReportedineasternandmiddleTennessee(eastoftheTennesseeRiverValley);onlyonespecimenisknownfromwestoftheTennesseeRiver(ShelbyCounty;GravesandHarvey1974);occursincaves,mines,orsimilarsites;insummer,maternitycoloniesareformedinhollowtreesandbehindlooseslabsofbarkinforestedareas.Conservationstatus:EndangeredSpecies.S1,G2.

Myotisleibli(Easternsmall-footedmyotis).OccursineasternandmiddleTennessee(eastoftheTennesseeRiverValley);habitatincludescaves,rockfissures,abandonedmines,bridges,andbarns.Conservationstatus:DeemedinNeedofManagement(TDEC;TWRA).S2-S3,G3,relativelyrareandhasaspottyoccurrencethroughoutitsdistribution.

Lasionycterisnoctivagans(Silver-hairedbat).Statewideindistribution;primarilyinhabitsforestassociatedwithwatercourses.Conservationstatus:none;largenumbersofthisspeciesareunknownforthestate;anuncommonmigratoryspecies.

Perimyotissubflavus(Tri-coloredbat).Reportedstatewide;occursintrees,caves,andbuildings.Conservationstatus:none;commoninpreferredhabitat.

Eptesicusfuscus(Bigbrownbat).Knownstatewide;foundinanumberofhabitats(e.g.,oldbuildings,caves,hollowtrees,underbridges,anddeepcrevicesinrockycliffs).Conservationstatus:none;commoninsuitablehabitat.

Lasiurusborealis(Easternredbat).Occursstatewide;aforestspecies.Conservationstatus:none;commonbatthatroostsintrees.

Lasiurusseminolus(Seminolebat).Statewideindistribution;habitatisprimarilyforestassociatedwithwatercourses.Conservationstatus:none;anuncommonspecies.

Lasiuruscinereus(Hoarybat).Statewideindistribution;atree-dwellingspecies.Conservationstatus:none;anuncommonspecies.

Nycticeiushumeralis(Eveningbat).Reportedstatewide;habitatincludesforestandoldbuildings.Conservationstatus:none;acommonbat.

Corynorhinusrafinesquii(Rafinesque'sbigearedbat).Occursstatewide;habitatincludestrees,caves,andbuildings.Conservationstatus:DeemedinNeedofManagement(TDEC;TWRA).S3,G3-G4;anuncommonspecies.

FamilyMolossidae(Free-tailedBats)

Tadaridabrasiliensis(Brazilianfree-tailedbat).InTennessee,thespeciesisknownfromonlytworecordsinmiddleTennessee(abuildinginMontgomeryCoandtheAustinPeayDunnCenter);habitatforthespeciesinthesouthernUnitedStatesisprimarilybuildingsbutithasbeenrecordedinhollowtreesandsimilarhabitats.Conservationstatus:unknown;furtherstudyneededtoverifythestatusofthespeciesinthestate.

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OrderCingulata--Strange-jointedMammals

FamilyDasypodidae(Armadillos)

Dasypusnovemcinctus(Nine-bandedarmadillo).KnownstatewideexceptinthemosteasternpartofTennessee;occupiesavarietyofhabitatsthatincludesforestedbottomlandsanduplandwoodlands.Conservationstatus:none;acommonspeciesinsuitablehabitat.

OrderLagomorpha--Hare-shapedMammals

FamilyLeporidae(HaresandRabbits)

Sylvilagusfloridanus(Easterncottontail).Statewideindistribution;occursinavarietyofhabitatsthatincludesoldfields,brushyedges,andotherhabitatswithamixtureofherbaceousandshrubbyplants.Conservationstatus:none;maybeacommonspeciesinsuitablehabitat.

Sylvilagusobscurus(Appalachiancottontail).OccursinmountainousregionsofeasternandmiddleTennessee;habitatmostoftenassociatedwithdenseforestandborealenvironments.Conservationstatus:none;anuncommonspeciesthroughoutmostofitsdistribution.

Sylvilagusaquaticus(Swamprabbit).KnownthroughoutwesternTennesseeandmayoccurinpartsofmiddleTennessee;habitatincludeslowlandswampsandotherwetlands.Conservationstatus:none;maybecommoninpreferredhabitat.

Lepusamericanus(Snowshoehare;Extirpated).FoundwithinhistorictimesinthemountainsofextremeeasternTennessee;primaryhabitatincludedforestassociatedwithbrushyareasandareaswithsecondarygrowth.Conservationstatus:none.

OrderRodentia--GnawingMammals

FamilySciuridae(Squirrels)

Tamiasstriatus(Easternchipmunk).Occursstatewide;foundinavarietyofhabitatsinbothrural andurbanareas(e.g.,forestedge,logpiles,woodedbanks,pilesofstones,aroundstonewalls,undersidewalks,andoldoutbuildings).Conservationstatus:none;acommonspecies.

Marmotamonax(Woodchuck).Statewideindistribution;foundinwoodlands,roadsidehabitats,andfields.Conservationstatus:none;acommonspeciesinmanypartsofthestate.

Sciuruscarolinensis(Easterngraysquirrel).Statewideindistribution;inhabitsforestsofruralandurbanareas.Conservationstatus:none;acommonspecies.

Sciurusniger(Easternfoxsquirrel).Statewideindistribution;foundprimarilyinhardwoodforests.Conservationstatus:none;acommonspeciesinmanypartsofthestate.

Tamiasciurushudsonicus(Redsquirrel).OccursineasternTennessee;habitatisprimarilyforest(athigherelevations).Conservationstatus:none,commonspeciesineasternpartofthestate.

Glaucomysvolans(Southernflyingsquirrel).Statewideindistribution;habitatisprimarilyforest.Conservationstatus:none;thespeciesmaybelocallyabundantinavarietyofforestedhabitats.

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Glaucomyssabrinus(Northernflyingsquirrel).KnownonlyfromthemountainsofeasternTennessee;habitatincludesbothconiferousanddeciduousforestathigherelevations;subspeciesoccurringinTennesseeisG.s.coloratus;afederallylistedendangeredsubspecies.Conservationstatus:EndangeredSubspecies.S1-S2,G5T1.

FamilyCastoridae(Beavers)

Castorcanadensis(Americanbeaver).Reportedstatewideindistribution;inhabitsavarietyofaquaticsites.Conservationstatus:none;acommonmammalinwetlandhabitats;locallyabundantinmanyareas.

FamilyCricetidae(Cricetids)

Oryzomyspalustris(Marshoryzomys).Statewideindistribution;foundinavarietyofhabitats(especiallymarshesandwetmeadows).Conservationstatus:none;acommonspeciesinsuitablehabitat.

Reithrodontomyshumulis(Easternharvestmouse).Statewideindistribution,habitatincludesoldfields,meadows,andthickets.Conservationstatus:none;anuncommonspeciesrarelyfoundinanylargenumbersatindividualsites.

Peromyscusmaniculatus(NorthAmericandeermouse).Statewideindistribution;ashort-tailedform(P.m.bairdii)isfoundinthewesternpartofthestateandinhabitsprimarilyopenhabitats(e.g.,meadows,pastures,cultivatedfields,andalongfieldbordersandfencerows),along-tailedform(P.m.nubiterrae)inhabitsforestsofeasternTennessee.Conservationstatus:none;P.m.bairdii,uncommon;P.m.nubiterrae,common.

Peromyscusleucopus(White-footeddeer-mouse).Statewideindistribution,foundinavarietyofhabitatsthatincludeswoodedareasandforestedgeassociatedwithbrushpiles,grassyareas,oldfields,andfencerows.Conservationstatus:none;commoninsuitablehabitat.

Peromyscusgossypinus(Cottondeermouse).Statewideindistribution;usuallyfoundinmoist,timberedareas(e.g.,swampsandriverbottoms)andincavesandcrevicesaroundrockybluffs.Conservationstatus:none;locallyabundantinsomeareas.

Ochrotomysnuttalli(Goldenmouse).Statewideindistribution;habitatincludeswoodlands,forestedges,moistthickets(withvinesanddenseunderstory),andmid-successionalfields.Conservationstatus:none;anuncommonspecies;widespreadindistributionbutneverfoundinlargenumbersatindividualsites.

Sigmodonhispidus(Hispidcottonrat).Statewideindistribution;occursingrassyfields,bordersofcultivatedfields,alongroadsidesindense,grassyovergrowth,andotherearlysuccessionalhabitats.Conservationstatus:none;acommonspeciesinsuitablehabitat.

Neotomafloridana(Easternwoodrat).DistributionincludeswesternandportionsofeasternTennessee(absentinmostofmiddleTennessee);inthewesternpartofthestate,N.f.illinoensisoccursintimberedareasbutmostcommoninlowlandhardwoodforest;mayoccupyoldbuildings;intheeasternportionofTennessee,N.f.haematoreiaoccupiesbrushpilesinforestoratforestedge,cavesinlimestonebluffsorcrevicesofrockyoutcroppings.Conservation

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status:DeemedinNeedofManagement(TDEC;TWRA).N.f.illinoensis,S3,G5T5;N.f.haematoreia,S2,G5T4Q;bothsubspeciesareuncommonthroughoutmostoftheirdistribution.

Neotomamagister(Alleghenywoodrat).KnownfromthecentralpartofTennessee;occursinavarietyofdisjunctforestedhabitatsthatincludetalusslopes,clifffaces,rockoutcrops,boulderfields,andcaves.Conservationstatus:DeemedinNeedofManagement(TDEC).S3,G3-G4;thespeciesisuncommonbutmaybelocallyabundant.

Myodesgapperi(Southernred-backedvole).OccursineasternandmiddleTennessee;habitatincludesprimarilymesicareasofwoodlandsandmoss-coveredbouldersaswellaswetmeadows.Conservationstatus:none;commoninpreferredhabitat.

Microtuspennsylvanicus(Meadowvole).Foundintheeasternpartofthestate;habitatincludes moistfieldswiththickvegetationmainlyofgrassesandsedges,speciesmaybelocallyabundant.Conservationstatus:none;commoninpreferredhabitat.

Microtuschrotorrhinus(Rockvole).KnownonlyfromextremeeasternTennessee;primaryhabitatincludesforestclearingsassociatedwithearlysuccessionalvegetationandmoss-coveredbouldersinmountainousareas.Conservationstatus:DeemedinNeedofManagement(TDEC;TWRA).S2,G4T3;uncommon.

Microtusochrogaster(Prairievole).RangesthroughoutTennesseeexceptintheextremeeasternportion(mountains)ofthestate;primaryhabitatisgrassyfields.Conservationstatus:none;maybelocallyabundant.

Microtuspinetorum(Woodlandvole).Statewideindistribution;commoninavarietyofhabitats(e.g.,fieldsadjacenttowoodedareas,inorchards,alongfencerows,andinthicketsalongforestedges).Conservationstatus:none;maybelocallyabundant.

Ondatrazibethicus(Commonmuskrat).Statewideindistribution;inhabitsmanyaquatichabitats(e.g.,lakes,ponds,swamps,streams,andrivers).Conservationstatus:none;maybelocallyabundant.

Synaptomyscooperi(Southernboglemming).Statewideindistribution;habitatismainlymarshymeadowsandlow,wetareas.Conservationstatus:DeemedinNeedofManagement(TDEC;TWRA).S4,G5;uncommon.

FamilyMuridae(Murids)

Rattusrattus(Roofrat;Introduced).Statewideindistribution;associatedwithhumanhabitation;usuallyupperstoriesofbuildings.Conservationstatus:none;maybelocallyabundant.

Rattusnorvegicus(Brownrat;introduced).Statewideindistribution;foundinmanyhabitatsbutusuallymostcommonnearhumanhabitation.Conservationstatus:none;commoninsuitablehabitat.

Musmusculus(Housemouse;Introduced).Statewideindistribution;inhabitsavarietyofhabitats,whichareusuallyassociatedwithhumans.Conservationstatus:none;commoninsuitablehabitat.

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FamilyDipodidae(JumpingMice)

Zapushudsonius(Meadowjumpingmouse).Statewideindistribution;habitatincludesopengrassyfieldandotherearlysuccessionalvegetation.Conservationstatus:DeemedinNeedofManagement(TDEC;TWRA).S4,G5;widespreadindistributionbutanuncommonspecies.

Napaeozapusinsignis(Woodlandjumpingmouse).KnownfrommountainousareasofeasternandmiddleTennessee;habitatincludesmoistareasintheforestorneartheforestedge.Conservationstatus:DeemedinNeedofManagement(TDEC;TWRA).S4,G5;widespreadinsuitablehabitatbutneverfoundinlargenumbersatindividualsites.

FamilyErethizontidae(Porcupine)

Erethizondorsatum(NorthAmericanporcupine;Extirpated).Inhistorictimes,thespecieswasknownineasternTennessee;primaryhabitatwaslikelyforestedareas.Conservationstatus:none.

FamilyMyocastoridae(CoypuorNutria)

Myocastorcoypus(CoypuorNutria;Introduced).ReportedonlyinwesternTennessee;habitatis primarilyfreshwatermarshes,streams,andrivers.Conservationstatus:none;increasinginnumbersanddistributionspreadingeastward.

OrderCarnivora--Flesh-eatingMammals

FamilyCanidae(Dogs,Foxes,andAllies)

Canisfamiliaris(Domesticdog;Introduced).Feralorfree-rangingdogsareknownstatewide;foundinmostruralandurbanhabitats.Conservationstatus:none;maybelocallycommon.

Canislatrans(Coyote).Statewideindistribution;foundinavarietyofruralandurbanhabitatsbutmostcommoninbrushyareas,forestedge,andopenfarmland.Conservationstatus:none;maybelocallycommon.

Canislupuslupus(Graywolf;Extirpated).Inhistorictimes,thespeciesprobablyoccupiedmuchofeasternandmiddleTennessee;foundinavarietyofhabitatsthatincludeduplandandbottomlandforest.Conservationstatus:none.

Canislupusrufus(Redwolf;Extirpated).Inhistorictimes,thetaxonprobablyrangedovermuchofwesternTennessee;habitatincludeduplandandbottomlandforestaswellascoastalprairiesandmarshes.Conservationstatus:none.

Vulpesvulpes(Redfox).Statewideindistribution;inhabitsbordersofforestedareasandadjacentopenlands.Conservationstatus:none;maybelocallycommon.

Urocyoncinereoargenteus(Grayfox).Statewideindistribution;inhabitsnumerousforestedareasandopenbrushland.Conservationstatus:none;maybelocallycommon.

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FamilyUrsidae(Bears)

Ursusamericanus(Americanblackbear).Knownintheeasternandmiddlepartsofthestate;inhabitswoodedandswampybottomlands.Conservationstatus:none;thoughttobeincreasinginnumbersacrossthestate.

FamilyProcyonidae(Raccoons)

Procyonlotor(Raccoon).Statewideindistribution;foundinawidevarietyofruralandurbanhabitats;mostabundantinbottomlandhardwoodforestassociatedwithwater.Conservationstatus:none;maybelocallyabundant.

FamilyMustelidae(WeaselsandAllies)

Lontracanadensis(NorthAmericanriverotter).Statewideindistribution;inhabitsrivers,streams,lakes,swamps,andpondsoftenborderedbyforest.Conservationstatus:none;maybe locallyabundant.

Martespennanti(Fisher;Extirpated,Reintroduced).Inhistorictimes,occurredinnortheasternTennessee;reintroducedinCumberlandCo.in2002;habitatisprimarymixedforest.Conservationstatus:none.

Mustelanivalis(Leastweasel).OccursineasternandmiddleTennessee;primaryhabitatincludesforestedareaswithtalusslopesbutmayoccuringrasslandsandedgehabitats.Conservationstatus:DeemedinNeedofManagement(TDEC).S2,G5;uncommon.

Mustelafrenata(Long-tailedweasel).Statewideindistribution;foundinavarietyofhabitats(e.g.,forestedges,streambanks,brushland,andfencerows).Conservationstatus:none;anuncommonspeciesinmanyareas.

Neovisonvisors(Americanmink).Statewideindistribution;habitatincludeslakes,ponds,rivers,streams,swamps,andotherareaswithpermanentwater;additionally,foreststandsadjacenttowaterareutilizedbythespecies.Conservationstatus:none;maybecommoninsuitablehabitat.

FamilyMephitidae(Skunks)

Spilogaleputorius(Easternspottedskunk).OccursineasternandmiddleTennessee;habitatincludedruggedterrain(rocksandcliffs)aswellasfencerows,brushyfields,andfarmlands.Conservationstatus:none.S3,G5;uncommon.

Mephitismephitis(Stripedskunk).Statewideindistribution;occursinavarietyofhabitats(eg.,forests,fields,forest/fieldedges,rockyoutcrops,fencerows,pastures,andcultivatedsites)inruralandurbanareas.Conservationstatus:none;maybelocallyabundant.

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FamilyFelidae(Cats)

Feliscatus(Domesticcat;Introduced).Feralorfree-rangingcatsareknownstatewide;theyoccupymostruralandurbanhabitats.Conservationstatus:none;maybelocallyabundant.

Pumaconcolor(Cougar;Extirpated).Inhistorictimes,thespeciesoccurredstatewide;occupiedawiderangeofhabitatsthatincludedbottomlandsandroughmountainousareas.Conservationstatus:none.

Lynxrufus(Bobcat).Statewideindistribution;occursinavarietyofruralandurbanhabitatsthatincluderiverbottoms,rockyoutcrops,andforestedareaswiththickunderbrush.Conservationstatus:none;maybelocallyabundant.

OrderArtiodactyla--Even-toedHoofedMammals

FamilySuidae(Pigs)

Susscrofa(Wildpig;Introduced).Statewideindistribution;inhabitsavarietyofhabitats,doeswellinuplandandbottomlandhardwoodforest.Conservationstatus:none;maybelocallyabundant.

FamilyCervidae(Deer)

Cervuselaphus(Reddeerorelk;Extirpated,Reintroduced).FoundonlyineasternTennessee;reintroducedpopulation;habitatmainlyamixedopenandwoodlandlandscape.Conservationstatus:none;populationsustainingitself.

Odocoileusvirginianus(White-taileddeer).Statewideindistribution;commoninavarietyofruralandurbanhabitatsthatincludesforestandfields.Conservationstatus:none,maybelocallyabundant.

FamilyBovidae(Bovids)

Bisonbison(Americanbison;Extirpated;Reintroducedincaptivity).Captiveherdsonly;agrasslandspecies.Conservationstatus:none;nofree-roamingpopulations.

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Acknowledgments

Wethankthemanystudents,personneloftheTennesseeWildlifeResourcesAgency,TennesseeDepartmentofEnvironmentandConservation,TennesseeValleyAuthority,USFishandWildlifeService,USForestService,NationalParkService,USDepartmentofDefense,AmesPlantation,MilanArmyAmmunitionPlant,andnumerousindividualswithinthecommunitywhocontributedtobuildingthecollectionofmammalshousedatTheUniversityofMemphisandothersites.AppreciationisextendedtothecuratorsoftherespectiveinstitutionslistedunderMaterialsandMethodsforaccesstotheircollections.

LiteratureCited

Beasley,L.E.,andW.D.Severinghaus.1973.AsurveyofthecricetinerodentsofWestTennessee.JournaloftheTennesseeAcademyofScience49:106-112.

Calhoun,J.B.1941.DistributionandfoodhabitsofmammalsinthevicinityoftheReelfootLakeBiologicalStation.JournaloftheTennesseeAcademyofScience6:177-225.

Choate,J.R.,J.K.JonesJr.,andC.Jones.1994.HandbookofMammalsoftheSouth-centralStates.LouisianaStateUniversityPress,BatonRouge,Louisiana.

Conway,C.H.,andJ.C.Howell.1953.ObservationsonthemammalsofJohnsonandCartercounties,Tennessee,andAveryCounty,NorthCarolina.JournaloftheTennesseeAcademyofScience28:53-61.

Corgan,J.X.1976.VertebratefossilsofTennessee.Bulletin77.TennesseeDepartmentofConservation.Nashville.Tennessee.

Goodpaster,W.W.,andD.F.Hoffmeister.1952.NotesonthemammalsofwesternTennessee.JournalofMammalogy33:362-371.

Graves,F.F.,andM.J.Harvey.1974.DistributionofChiropterainwesternTennessee.JournaloftheTennesseeAcademyofScience49:106-109.

Hall,E.R.1981.TheMammalsofNorthAmerica.RonaldPressCompany,NewYork.

Howell.J.C.,andC.H.Conway.1952.ObservationsonthemammalsoftheCumberlandMountainsofTennessee.JournaloftheTennesseeAcademyofScience27:153-158.

Kellogg,R.1939.AnnotatedlistofTennesseemammals.ProceedingsoftheUSNationalMuseum86:245-303.

Kennedy,M.L.1991.AnnotatedchecklistofthemammalsofwesternTennessee.JournaloftheTennesseeAcademyofScience66:183-185.

Kennedy,M.L.,andM.J.Harvey.1980.Mammals.Pp.C1-050inTennessee'sRareWildlife.Vol.1:TheVertebrates(D.C.EagarandR.M.Hatcher.eds.).TennesseeDepartmentofEnvironmentandConservation.Nashville.Tennessee.

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Kennedy,M.L.,P.K.Kennedy.andG.D.Baumgardner.1984.FirstrecordoftheSeminolebat(Lasiurusseminolus)inTennessee.JournaloftheTennesseeAcademyofScience59:89-90.

Komarek,E.V.,andR.Komarek.1938.MammalsoftheGreatSmokyMountains.BulletinoftheChicagoAcademyofScience5:137-162.

Linzey,D.W.1995.MammalsofGreatSmokyMountainsNationalPark.TheMcDonaldandWoodwardPublishingCompany,Blacksburg,Virginia.

Miller,R.A.1974.ThegeologichistoryofTennessee.TennesseeDivisionofGeologyBulletin74:1-100.

Rhoads,S.N.1896.ContributionstothezoologyofTennessee.No.3.Mammals.ProceedingsoftheAcademyofNaturalSciencesofPhiladelphia48:175-205.

Severinghaus,W.D.,andL.E.Beasley.1973.AsurveyofthemicrotineandzapodidrodentsofwestTennessee.JournaloftheTennesseeAcademyofScience48:129-133.

Smith,C.K.,J.Giles,M.E.Richmond,J.Nagel,andD.W.Yambert.1974.ThemammalsofnortheasternTennessee.JournaloftheTennesseeAcademyofScience49:88-94.

Wilson,D.E.,andD.M.Reeder,2005.eds.2005.MammalSpeciesoftheWorld:ATaxonomicandGeographicReference.316ed.JohnsHopkinsUniversityPress,Baltimore,Maryland.

MichaelL.Kennedy,PhyllisK.Kennedy,EdwardL.Warr,andRobert(Pete)L.Wyatt

EcologicalResearchCenter,TheUniversityofMemphis.Memphis,TN38152(MLK,PKK)

TennesseeWildlifeResourcesAgency,WildlifeManagementDivision,POBox40747,Nashville,TN37204(ELW)

TennesseeWildlifeResourcesAgency,RegionIVOffice,330WildlifeWay,Morristown,TN37814(RLW)Presentaddress:500NilsonCourt,Nashville,TN37211(ELW)

Copyright2012TennesseeAcademyofScienceCopyright2012Gale,CengageLearning.Allrightsreserved.

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III.MammalSkulls

ToothTypesandDiets

Teethstab,tear,slice,grind,crush,andchopfoodinhundredsofdifferentways,andmorecanberevealedaboutanimals’lifestylesbyexaminingtheirteeththanbyanyothersinglephysicalcharacteristic.Thisisbecausetoothsize,shape,andarrangementinthemouthareimportantdeterminantsofthetypeoffoodananimalcanobtainandconsume.Itsdietandmethodoffeedingare,infact,closelyrelatedtoitsdentition(asinnumber,kinds,andarrangementofteeth).Infact,dentitioncanbeusedtoidentifyananimaltotype.

MammalianToothTypes

Incisorsaretheflat,chisel-shapedteethatthefrontofthemouth(behindthelips)thatareusedinbiting,cutting,nibbling,andstripping.[3pairs]

Caninesarebehindtheincisors,andarelocatedonthecheek-sideofthemouth.Theyarecone-shaped,andmayevenbedagger-like.Theyareusedforseizing,piercingandtearing.[1pair]

Premolarsaretransitionalteethlocatedbetweenthecaninesandthemolarsattherear.Theyhave1ormorecusps(points)andaregenerallyusedforgrindingandcrushing,buttheymayalsobeusedinslicingfood.[4pairs]

Molarshavemanymajorcuspsandarelocatedinthebackofthemouthonthecheekside.Molarsfunctioningrindingandcrushing.[2pairs]

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DietTypes

Animalscangenerallybeassignedtooneoffourmajorgroupswithrespecttodiet. Carnivore(meateater) Herbivore(planteater) Insectivore(insecteater) Omnivore(ananimalthateatsavarietyoffoodsincludingmeatandplants)

Carnivoressharespecialadaptationsforlifeaspredators.Mostnotably,theyhavelargegrasping(holding)preyandslicingcanines.Alloftheirteethhavelongroots.Thefourthupperpremolarandfirstlowermolarcarnivoresarecalledcarnassialteeth.Thesearethelongestandsharpestteethinthecarnivore’smouthandarespecializedforcuttingflesh.Thecuspsonacarnivore’smolarsarealsohighandpointed.Eventheseteethinthebackofthemouthareusedintearingflesh.Carnivoresalsohavefrontfacingeyes,heavyskulls,andjawsthatarestrongbutthatcanonlyopenandshut,notmovesidetoside.

Herbivoreshavetallmolarteeththatareverybroad.Thesemolarshaveflatuppersurfacessometimeswithridgesonthemtohelpgrindplantmaterial.Associatedwiththegrindingtoothstructure,manyherbivoresareabletomovetheirjawsfromsidetoside.Thisincreasestheabilityoftheherbivoretogrindplantmaterialbetweenthesurfacesofthemolars.Manyherbivoreslackcaninesentirelyastheseteetharespeciallyadaptedtotearingflesh,andherbivoresfeedonlyonplants.Theincisorintheherbivoreisnotdagger-like,butrathermaybeclipper-like,foruseincuttingoffplantstems.Inmanyherbivores,theincisorsgrowcontinuously.Cuttinghardplantmaterialwearsanherbivore’sincisorsdown,socontinuoustoothgrowthkeepsthematanoptimallengthforthiswork.

Insectivoreshaveamouthfulofsharplittleteeththataresimilarinsizeandshape.Theseareusedinseizingandcrushinghard-shelledinsectsandothersmallanimalslikeworms.Theyuseincisorsforslicingandpremolars.

Omnivoresaregeneralistsandhaveallfourtoothtypes.Theyhavesharp,longcaninesforpuncturingandgrabbingontoanimalprey.Widemolarteethwithlowbumpycrownsareoftenpresenttohandleboththechewingofmeatandgrindingofplantmaterial.Greatervariabilityintheshapeofdifferentteethisthekeytothistypeofanimalgivenitsbroaddiet.

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DentalFormulasandSkullDescriptions

Dentalformulastellthenumberofeachtypeoftoothofaspecies.Thishelpsbiologistsidentifyspeciesusingtheirskulls.Thefollowingdentalformulasareforonesideofthemouth,toprowreferencingtheupperjaw,bottomrowthelowerjaw.Multiplybytwotogetthetotalnumberofteeth.Key:Iincisor,Ccanine,Ppremolar,Mmolar.

ThedentalformulaforHomosapiensis:

I=2C=1P=0M=2=20Deciduous I=2C=1P=2M=3=32Permanent 2102 2123

Humansgetalloftheirpermanentteethbytheageof21.Allbutthethirdmolars(thewisdomteeth)haveeruptedbytheendofadolescence.

DentalformulasandskulldescriptionsofsomecommonTennesseewildmammals

Opossum(Didelphisvirginiana) TheopossumhasmoreteeththananyotherNorthAmericanmammal. Adultshave50teeth. Skullshavealargesaggitalcrestandasmallbraincase.

I=5C=1P=3M=4=504134

AmericanBeaver(Castorcanadensis) ThelargestrodentinN.America,theAmericanbeaverhasalarge,heavyskull. Theauditorymeatusiselevatedtoaccommodateanaquaticlifestyle. Thefrontsurfaceoftheincisorsisorange.

I=1C=0P=1M=3=201013

Raccoon(Procyonlotor) Theraccoonskullistriangularinoutlinewithashort,broadrostrum,longspreading zygomaticarchesandalargebraincase. TemporalridgesformaV.

I=3C=1P=4M=2=403142

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Domesticcat(Feliscatus) Auditorybullaearelarge,ovalandinflated.

I=3C=1P=3M=1=303121MountainLionorCougar(Felisconcolor) Mountainlionshavealarge,roundedskullwithashort,broadrostrum. Carnassialsarelongandblade-like. Theeyeorbitsofcougarsarelargeandforwardfacingtoprovideexcellentbinocularvision.

I=3C=1P=3M=1=303121

White-tailedDeer(Odocoileusvirginanus) Deerskullshavealong,slenderrostrum. Deeralsolackupperincisorsrequiringthemtoripthevegetationwhentheybrowse.

I=0C=0P=3M=3=323033

EasternCottontail(Sylvilagusfloridanus) TheEasterncottontailisintheorderofanimalscalledLagomorphs. Lagomorphshave4upperincisors,onepairbehindtheother. Theforwardpairofincisorsisgroovedandrodent-like. Thesecondpairisreducedandpeg-like.

I=2C=0P=3M=3=281023

BigBrownBat(Eptesicusfuscus) AllbatsinTennesseeareinsectivores. Theyhavedifferenttypesofteeth,butalloftheteetharesimilarlooking. I=2C=1P=1M=3=323123

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SkullGlossary

Auditorybullae--Thehollowbulbousstructuresatthebackoftheskullthathousestheinner andmiddleearAuditorymeatus--EarholesCarnassials--Largeteethfoundinmanycarnivorousmammalsusedforshearingfleshand bone.Inthecarnivores,thecarnassialsarethemodifiedlastupperpremolarandthe firstlowermolar.Lagomorphs--Theorderofmammalsconsistingofhares,rabbitsandpikas.Rostrum--SnoutSaggitalcrest--Raisedridgethatrunsalongthecenterofthebackportionoftheskull.Divides thebackoftheskullintorightandleftsidesTemporalridges--Raisedridgeofskullthatrunsalongthesidesofthebackportionoftheskull.Zygomaticarches--Cheekbones

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SkullKeytoCertainOrdersofMammals

1.a.Homodont–orteethabsent………………………………………………………………………………..101.b.Heterodont–differentteethpresent…………….................................……………………...2

2.a.Upperincisorspresent…………………………………………………………………………………………..32.b.Upperincisorsabsent,orifpresent(pigsandpeccaries)caninesalmosttriangular incrosssection………………………………..Artiodactyla(even-toedungulates,i.e.deer)

3.a.Diastema(space)presentbetweenincisorsandcheekteeth.………………………………43.b.Diastemaabsentbetweenincisorsandcheekteeth…………………………………………….6

4.a.Upperincisors6;noincisorsenlarged……………………………………………….Perissodactyla (odd-toedungulates,i.e.horses)4.b.Upperincisors2or4;twoupperincisorsmuchenlarged…………………………………….5

5.a.Upperincisorsintwopairsonebehindtheother………………...Lagomorpha(rabbits)5.b.Upperincisorsonepaironly……………………………………………………..Rodentia(rodents)

6.a.Diastema(space)presentbetweenupperincisors..……………………..Chiroptera(bats)6.b.Diastemanotpresentbetweenupperincisors..…………………………………………………..7

7.a.Enlargedcanineteethpresent,zygomaticarchwelldeveloped..………………………….87.b.Canineteethnotenlarged,zygomaticarchslenderorabsent ……………………………….. ………………………………………………………………………………...Soricomorpha(insectivores)

8.a.Angularprocessofmandiblebentintowardmidline,skulllessthan6cm.long…….. ………………………………………………………………….Didelphimorphia(pouchedmammals)8.b.Angularprocessofmandiblenotbentintowardmidline(exceptinsomePinnipedia, thenskullover6cm.long)………………………………………………………………………………..9

9.a.Allmolarsuniformlyconical,somewithprominentaccessorycuspsinsymmetrical patternofthrees..……………………………………………..…..OrderCarnivora(carnivores) SuborderPinnipedia(fin-footed,i.e.seals)9.b.Molarsnotuniformlyconicalornotasabove..……………………………...OrderCarnivora FormerSuborderFissipeda(mostcarnivores)

10.a.Lacksincisorsandcanines,teethpeg-like,nostrilsopenonfrontendofskull..…….. ……………………..…………..OrderCingulata(strange-jointedmammals,i.earmadillos)10.b.Nostrilopening(1or2)locatedontopofskull……..……Cetacea(marinemammals)

FromUniversityofTennessee,Knoxville1982MammalogyClass–Forestry,WildlifeandFisheriesDepartment,Dr.MichaelPelton.EditedbyPandyEnglish,2015

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IV.MammalTracksandSigns

MammalTrackingStation

Trackscanbeusedtodetectthetypesofanimalsthatuseanarea.Atrackingorscentstationcanbebuildtorecordthesetracks.

1) Findanareathatappearswelltraveledbyanimals,possiblywithexistingpathsorfootprints.These“travellanes”areoftenlocatedatthewood’sedgeorwherethereiscoverforescape.Alsocheckdrainageareas,rockwallsandwoodpiles,especiallyforsmallermammals.

2) Clearanapproximate2-footradiuscircle,removingallvegetation.Thisareawillneedtoremainclear,requiringoccasionalweeding.

3) Covertheareawithfinesandsuchasmasonryorplaysand.Wetthesandwithamistbottle.

4) Takeatonguedepressororapopsiclestickandsplittheend.Inthesplit,placeasmallcottonballsoakedindropsofsardineoilorcatfood.Placethislureinthecircle’scenter.

5) Setthelureinlateafternoonorevening.Returnthefollowingmorningtoinvestigateanycluesrevealingthenight’sactivities.Lookuptracksinafieldguidetoidentifyovernightvisitors.

Scent

Animalsuseodorsfromurineorscentglandoilstomarkterritory,andoftenattractotheranimalswiththesesmells.Ifoneanimalmarksacacheorfoodsupply,otherscanfollowtheirnosestoafreelunch.Someanimalsarejustcurioustoknowwhoisintheneighborhood.Thesesmellsprovideimportantavenuesofcommunicationwithinthebiologicalcommunity,indicatingananimal’shealth,dominance,andfertility.Wildlifelures,suchassardineoil,tuna,andcatfood,maybeusedtomimicthesestrongodorsandattractanimalstoatrackingstation.

OtherCommonlySeenSigns

Besidestracks,othersignsindicatethepresenceofmammals:scat,rubbings,clawmarks,burrows,dens,nests,andtunnels.Lookcarefullyatscat.Signsoftheanimal’sdietmaybefound,suchasseedsfrompawpaworpersimmon.Ifitbelongstoacarnivore,itwilloftencontainfurfromarecentmeal. Maledeermayoftenleaverubbingsfromtheirantlersonsmalltreesaswellasurine.Abobcatmayleaveclawmarkingsonthetrunksoftrees.However,catsretracttheirclawswhenwalking,andpawprintswithclawimpressionsindicateacaninenotacat.

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V.Resources

FieldGuideswillhelpdistinguishonemammalgenusfromanother,buttodistinguishatthespecieslevelrequiresmorein-depthexaminationoftechnicalreferencematerialsandliterature.

Booth,ErnestS.HowtoKnowtheMammals.LiteraryLicensing,2012.

Elbroch,Mark.AnimalsSkulls:AGuidetoNorthAmericanSpecies.StackpoleBooks,2006.

Elbroch,Mark.MammalTracksandSign.StackpoleBooks,2003.

Kays,RolandW.andDonE.Wilson.MammalsofNorthAmerica,2ndEdition.PrincetonField Guides.PrincetonUniversity,2009.

Levine,Lynn.MammalTracksandScat:Life-sizeTrackingGuide.HeartwoodPress,2008.

Reed,FionaA.AFieldGuidetoMammalsofNorthAmerica,4thEdition.PetersonField Guides.HoughtonMifflinCo.,2006

Schwartz,CharlesW.andElizabethR.Schwartz.TheWildMammalsofMissouri,2ndEdition. UniversityofMissouri,2002.

Wilson,DonE.andDeeAnnM.Reeder.MammalSpeciesofTheWorld,3rdEdition.John HopkinsUniversityPress,2005.(primaryauthorityfortaxonomyandnames)

AdditionalReading

Blackman,HadenW.FieldGuidetoNorthAmericanMonsters:EverythingYouNeedtoKnow aboutEncounteringover100TerrifyingCreaturesintheWild.ThreeRiversPress,1998. (mythology)

Dunn,Rob.EveryLivingThing:Man’sObsessiveQuesttoCatalogLife.HarperPerennial,2010.

Online

AnimalDiversityWeb,UniversityofMichiganMuseumofZoology http://animaldiversity.org/accounts/Mammalia/

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VI.ReviewQuestions

1.WhichofthefollowingstatementsisTRUEaboutmammals? a.Mammalsareectothermicanimals. b.Mammalshavemilk-producingglandsandhair. c.Mammalsthatapproachhumansareusuallyfriendly. d.TherearenotruehibernatorsamongTennessee’smammals.

2.Marsupialscompriseonegroupofmammals.Tennesseehas a.nomarsupialspecies b.onemarsupialspecies(opossum) c.twomarsupialspecies(opossumandraccoon) d.severalmarsupialspecies

3.InTennessee,thecurrentestablishedrangeofblackbears a.isshrinking b.remainsrestrictedtoSouthernAppalachiancountiesalongtheNorthCarolinaborder c.isexpandingwestwardontotheCumberlandPlateau d.extendsstatewide

4.Deerandelkareconsidered“homeless”mammalsbecause a.theybeddownindifferentplacesatnight b.theirnaturalhabitatshavedisappeared c.theypreferurbanenvironments d.theydependonhumansforfood

5.Thebeaverisdistinguishedbywhichofthefollowingfeatures: a.earandnosevalves b.polygamouslifestyle c.lightbrown,coarsehair d.along,narrowandscalytail

6.WhichstatementisTRUEaboutTennessee’sbats? a.AllTennesseebatspeciesaretruehibernators. b.WhiteNoseSyndromeisnotaffectingbatsinthisarea. c.Tennesseehasmainlylarger,fruit-eatingbats. d.Approximatelyhalfof1%ofthebatpopulationhaverabies.

7.Crepuscularmammals a.haveopposablethumbs b.aremostlyactiveatdawnanddusk c.havepowerfulhindlegsforrunningandjumping d.areactiveduringtheday

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8.Thismammaluttersahighpitchedwhistlewhenalarmedwhichearneditthecommonname‘whistlepig.’ a.wildhog b.muskrat c.chipmunk d.woodchuck

9.WhichstatementisFALSE? a.Wildlifescentsonlyservetomarkterritory. b.Ascentmarkingfromonespeciesmayattractindividualsofdifferentspecies. c.Strongscentslikesardineoilcanbeusedaslurestoattractwildlife. d.Scent,scat,andurinecancommunicateananimal’shealthandsex.

10.Matchthedescriptiontothecorrectanimal. a.rich,darkchestnutbrownfur b.predominantlygreyorrustybrownoroff-whitewithablack-tippedtail c.coarse,grizzledgrayishfur d.rusty-redorreddishyellowcoat;blacklegs,feetandears

_____ redfox _____ beaver _____ opossum _____ coyote

11.TwoextirpatednativespeciesthathavebeensuccessfullyreintroducedtothewildinTennesseeare a.fisherandelk b.bisonandsnowshoehare c.porcupineandelk d.redwolfandelk

12.Rabbitsandbeaverseattheirexcrementtoextractadditionalnutrients.Thisbehavioristermed a.cephalagia b.narcolepsy c.dysphagia d.coprophagia

13.Rodents’_________keepgrowingandmustbeworndowntoavoidproblems. a.frontclaws b.incisorteeth c.canineteeth d.molarteeth

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14.Todistinguishcaninetracksfromcattracks,note a.thepresenceorabsenceofa‘fifth’toe b.theshapeofthecenterfootpad c.thepresenceorabsenceofclawmarks d.thewidthofthetoepads

15.WhichstatementregardingelkanddeerantlersisFALSE? a.bucksshedtheirantlersinwinter b.bullsshedtheirantlersinspring c.antlertissueisthefastestgrowingmammaltissue d.shedantlersremainuntouchedforyears

16.Muchcanbelearnedaboutamammal’slifestylebyexaminingits a.teeth b.feet c.skull d.tail

17.Herbivoresoftenlackthistypeofteeth. a.incisors b.canines c.premolars d.molars

18.Rabbitteeth a.arecomposedentirelyofsimilarsizedincisors b.arecharacterizedbytwopairsofcanines c.featuretwopairsofupperincisors,onesetbehindtheother d.arereplacedannually

19.Thismammal’sskullhasalargesaggitalcrestandsmallbraincase. a.Americanbeaver b.raccoon c.opossum d.white-taileddeer

20.Indicatewhetherthefollowingtraitsaretrue(T)orfalse(F)regardingcoyotes. ____ solitaryanimalsthatmoveinfamilyunitsduringsummertoraiseyoung ____ feedonlyonveryspecificfoods ____ abletoadapttoandexploitalmostanyhabitat ____ holdtheirtailsup

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AnswerKey

1.b 2.b 3.c 4.a 5.a 6.d 7.b 8.d 9.a 10.d,a,c,b

11.a 12.d 13.b 14.c 15.d 16.a 17.b 18.c 19.c 20.T,F,T,F

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AppendixA:MammalsofTennesseeSpeciesList

CommonName ScientificNameVirginiaOpossum Didelphisvirginiana

Cinereusshrew Sorexcinereus

Southeasternshrew SorexIongirostris

Americanwatershrew Sorexpalustris

Smokyshrew Sorexfumeus

Long-tailedshrew Sorexdispar

Americanpygmyshrew Sorexhoyi

Northernshort-tailedshrew Blarinabrevicauda

Southernshort-tailedshrew Blarinacarolinensis

NorthAmericanleastshrew Cryptotisparva

Hairy-tailedmole Parascalopsbreweri

Easternmole Scalopusaquaticus

Star-nosedmole Condyluracristata

Littlebrownmyotis Myotislucifugus

Southeasternmyotis Myotisaustroriparius

Graymyotis Myotisgrisescens

Northernmyotis Myotisseptentrionalis

Indianamyotis Myotissodalis

Easternsmall-footedmyotis Myotisleibli

Silver-hairedbat Lasionycterisnoctivagans

Tri-coloredbat Perimyotissubflavus

Bigbrownbat Eptesicusfuscus

Easternredbat Lasiurusborealis

Seminolebat Lasiurusseminolus

Hoarybat Lasiuruscinereus

Eveningbat Nycticeiushumeralis

Rafinesque'sbigearedbat Corynorhinusrafinesquii

Brazilianfree-tailedbat Tadaridabrasiliensis

Nine-bandedarmadillo Dasypusnovemcinctus

Easterncottontail Sylvilagusfloridanus

Appalachiancottontail Sylvilagusobscurus

Swamprabbit Sylvilagusaquaticus

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Snowshoehare;Extirpated Lepusamericanus

Easternchipmunk Tamiasstriatus

Woodchuck Marmotamonax

Easterngraysquirrel Sciuruscarolinesis

Easternfoxsquirrel Sciurusniger

Redsquirrel Tamiasciurushudsonicus

Southernflyingsquirrel Glaucomysvolans

Northernflyingsquirrel Glaucomyssabrinus

Americanbeaver Castorcanadensis

Marshoryzomys Oryzomyspalustris

Easternharvestmouse Reithrodontomyshumulis

NorthAmericandeer-mouse Peromyscusmaniculatus

White-footeddeer-mouse Peromyscusleucopus

Cottondeer-mouse Peromyscusgossypinus

Goldenmouse Ochrotomysnuttalli

Hispidcottonrat Sigmodonhispidus

Easternwoodrat Neotomafloridana

Alleghenywoodrat Neotomamagister

Southernred-backedvole Myodesgapperi

Meadowvole Microtuspennsylvanicus

Rockvole Microtuschrotorrhinus

Prairievole Microtusochrogaster

Woodlandvole Microtuspinetorum

Commonmuskrat Ondatrazibethicus

Southernboglemming Synaptomyscooperi

Roofrat;Introduced Rattusrattus

Brownrat;Introduced Rattusnorvegicus

Housemouse;Introduced Musmusculus

Meadowjumpingmouse Zapushudsonius

Woodlandjumpingmouse Napaeozapusinsignis

NorthAmericanporcupine;Extirpated Erethizondorsatum

CoypuorNutria;Introduced Myocastorcoypus

Domesticdog;Introduced Canisfamiliaris

Coyote Canislatrans

Graywolf;Extirpated Canislupuslupus

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Redwolf;Extirpated Canislupusrufus

Redfox Vulpesvulpes

Grayfox Urocyoncinereoargenteus

Americanblackbear Ursusamericanus

Raccoon Procyonlotor

NorthAmericanriverotter Lontracanadensis

Fisher;Extirpated,Reintroduced Martespennanti

Leastweasel Mustelanivalis

Long-tailedweasel Mustelafrenata

Americanmink Neovisonvisors

Easternspottedskunk Spilogaleputorius

Stripedskunk Mephitismephitis

Domesticcat;Introduced Feliscatus

Cougar;Extirpated Pumaconcolor

Bobcat Lynxrufus

Wildpig;Introduced Susscrofa

Reddeerorelk;Extirpated,Reintroduced Cervuselaphus

White-taileddeer Odocoileusvirginianus

Americanbison;Extirpated,Reintroducedincaptivity

Bisonbison

Kennedy,MichaelL.;Kennedy,PhyllisK.;Warr,EdwardL.;Wyatt,RobertL."Pete"JournaloftheTennesseeAcademyofScienceJune1,2012

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