106 



NORTH AMERICANi FAUNA 66 



Microtus pennsylvanicus nigrans Rhoads 



Microtus pennsylvanicm nigrans Rhoads, Proc. Acad. Nat. Sci. 

 Phila., 49 : 307, 18 June 1897. 

 Type locality. — Currituck, Currituck County, N.C. 



General distribution. — Near the coast from southeastern Maryland to north- 

 eastern North Carolina. 



Distribution in Maryland. — Southern Eastern Shore section at least 

 as far north as Cambridge, Dorchester County, and southeastern 

 Western Shore section in Calvert and probably St. Marys Counties. 

 This subspecies intergrades with Microtus p. pennsyVoanicus in the 

 central portion of the Western Shore section and in the northern part 

 of the Eastern Shore section. 



Distinguishing characteristics, — Similar to Microtus p. pennsylva- 

 nicus except that it is somewhat larger and has a darker coloration, 

 almost black in some pelages. 



Figure 38. — Distribution of Microtus pennsylvanicus pennsylvanicus and M. p. 



nigrans. 



Measurements. — External and cranial measurements of seven adults 

 from Drum Point, Calvert County, are as follows: Total length 173.1 

 (168-184) ; tail 47.8 (42-52) ; hind foot 22.6 (22-23) ; ear 14.3 (12- 

 16) ; condylobasal length of skull 29.1 (28.1-30.5) ; zygomatic breadth 



