Mensural discrimination between sympatric Peromyscus leucopus and P. maniculatus in southern Illinois

摘要: A total of 383 Peromyscus was collected from southern Illinois to determine morphological characteristics useful in identifying individuals as either P. leucopus (Rafinesque, 1818) or maniculatus (Wagner, 1845). Polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis salivary amylase used positively identify all specimens. No univariate character accurately discriminated between the two species because a high degree intraspecific variation. Stepwise discriminant function analysis external characters correctly classified 97.9% subadults species. The most important tail length/body length ratio. This ratio also factor discrimination adults; 98.6% individuals. Considering skull measurements adults, 9 cranial were needed differentiate species, with correct classification 98.9%. For old specimens using 5 characters. There no fast, easy, accurate method discriminate these 100% time field.