450 University of California Publications in Zoology — (Vou. 17 
observed variations, as at present recognized, falling within the limits 
of a single genus. 
D. HABITS OF APLODONTIA 
Aplodontia is herbivorous, colonial, nocturnal, and fossorial. A 
considerable degree of humidity and an abundant supply of food 
plants seem to be necessary conditions to its existence. Situations well 
sheltered by a tangle of vegetation are usually chosen for its burrows. 
Its nest is made underground, in an enlarged chamber. Attention 
has been called to a hay-making instinct. The “‘hay’’ consists simply 
of green plants of various kinds eut up and spread out as if to dry 
and to be used later. Sight and hearing are apparently defective; 
but smell and touch, particularly the latter, appear to make up for 
any deficiencies in these respects. 
Little is known of the animal’s breeding activity. Young have 
been taken throughout the summer season. It has been asserted that 
Aplodontia has a shrill ery. Among its enemies are weasels, skunks 
of two genera, wildeats, mink, gray foxes, golden eagles and great 
horned owls. Other potential enemies are coons, badgers, and fishers. 
Although locally Aplodontia does some damage to man’s interests, 
its habitat is such that for the most part it is of no economie signi- 
ficance. It burrows holes in ditch walls along the line of the Southern 
Pacific in the Sierra Nevada in California; in Oregon it undermines 
government trails, causing them to be washed out ; and Lantz (1917, p. 
16) reports that in western Washington considerable complaint has 
been made of their depredations on crops, particularly small fruits. 
The skins are of little or no value. 
The habits of Aplodontia have recently been studied by Anthony 
(1915, pp. 53-63). The most complete paper on this subject to date 
is that of Mr. Charles Camp, now in press in this series of publications. 
EK. PRESENT SYSTEMATIC STATUS OF APLODONTIA 
1. THe Faminy APLODONTIIDAE 
Prensiculantia (part) Minding (1829), p. 86. 
Muridae (part), Bonaparte (1831), p. 20. 
Sciurina (part), Bonaparte (1831), p. 20. 
Cunicularia (part) Wagner (1843), pp. 357, 395. 
Pseudostomides (part) Gervais (1854), p. 364. 
i = 
