Mexican fox squirrel (Sciurus nayaritensis)

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  UngulateNerd92

• 4 Apr 2020

@Giant Eland I was glad to be standing right there next to you viewing this animal while you took this shot. I was greatful to have the opportunity to see a Mexican fox squirrel (Sciurus nayaritensis) myself.

 

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  UngulateNerd92

• 4 Apr 2020

Considering their scientific name, I am wondering if the type locality for this species is the Mexican state of Nayarit.

 

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  Chlidonias

• 4 Apr 2020

@UngulateNerd92 - the type locality was in the Sierra de Valparaiso, which is in Zacatecas (the next state over from Nayarit). However the name originally given was Sciurus alstoni which was already in use, so it was given the new name Sciurus nayaritensis.

For interest's sake, the type locality for the subspecies chiricahuae was Cave Creek - which is where the above photo was taken.

 

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  Giant Eland

• 4 Apr 2020

@UngulateNerd92 Yes was such a pleasure to meet you and spend a couple days together searching for animals!

 

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  UngulateNerd92

• 4 Apr 2020

@Chlidonias ah thank you so much! I really appreciate it. Did you get this information from Mammalian Species?

 

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  UngulateNerd92

• 4 Apr 2020

@Giant Eland likewise! I am glad you had the opportunity to see new species in my neck of the woods.

 

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  UngulateNerd92

• 4 Apr 2020

@Chlidonias would you happen to know what museum holds the holotype specimen of ssp. chiricahuae?

 

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  Chlidonias

• 4 Apr 2020

@UngulateNerd92 the U.S. National Museum (which I think is what is now the Smithsonian?). Collected by E. A. Goldman on 16 August 1932.

Edit: yup, I just checked the Smithsonian collection. It is specimen number 244124. Skin and skull.

 

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  UngulateNerd92

• 4 Apr 2020

@Chlidonias ah thank you so much!