Distribution of Synaptomys cooperi 
165 
than previously believed (Paradiso 1959, Lee 1987), and records 
reported here demonstrate a similar distributional pattern for 
Synaptomys cooperi. 
Although we were unable to make a subspecific determination 
from the National Forest sample of S. cooperi , further taxonomic 
investigation is warranted. Eight of the 13 cranial measurements 
used by Wetzel to distinguish the S. cooperi subspecies did not 
show significant differences between stonei and helaletes. The un- 
clear subspecific identity of the specimens reported here could be a 
result of a wider and more southern distribution of S. c. stonei in 
the past. Individuals captured in southeastern North Carolina might 
be a relict population of that race, or represent an intergrade be- 
tween S. c. stonei and helaletes. 
CONCLUSIONS 
In general, the new records of S. cooperi, along with the 
recent captures of other small mammals in eastern North Carolina 
that were once thought to have narrower distributions, emphasize 
the need for more small mammal investigations in wetlands and 
associated habitats. Considering the wide variety of early succes- 
sional habitats that S. cooperi has been captured in, and the abun- 
dance of those habitats in eastern North Carolina, it seems reasonable 
to expect that S. cooperi is widespread there. Based on the Na- 
tional Forest trapping results and other studies, it appears that 
populations in this region are disjunct. 
More specimens of S. cooperi are needed to better understand 
the taxonomy of these disjunct populations. Future surveys for S. 
cooperi should include trap methods other than snap-trapping and 
should encompass a variety of both natural and managed early suc- 
cessional communities. 
ACKNOWLEDGMENTS — Field studies were conducted in part 
to fulfill the requirements for graduate degrees pursued by M. S. 
Mitchell and K. S. Karriker at North Carolina State University un- 
der the guidance of committee members R. A. Lancia, E. J. Jones, 
and K. H. Pollock. Funding, by Weyerhaeuser Company and the 
National Council of the Paper Industry for Air and Stream Im- 
provement (NCASI), was administered by M. A. Melchoirs and T. 
B. Wigley. Croatan National Forest employees, in particular Warren 
Starnes, helped with stand selection and provided numerous other 
services. We thank D. Drake, C. Jordan, M. Lusk, L. Sadler, and 
R. Stanley for assistance with mammal trapping. We also thank D. 
S. Lee, R. K. Rose, and an anonymous reviewer for their many 
helpful comments. 
