Date of Award

7-1964

Degree Name

Master of Arts

Department

Biological Sciences

First Advisor

Dr. Thane S. Robinson

Second Advisor

Dr. Jean McVay Lawrence

Third Advisor

Dr. Edwin Steen

Access Setting

Masters Thesis-Open Access

Abstract

Introduction

The meadow vole Microtus pennsylvanicus (Ord) and the prairie vole, Pedomys ochrogaster (Wagner) are two species of grassland-dwelling, slightly fossorial rodents which are very similar in appearance and general body size and proportions. The objective of this study was to prepare a detailed description of the muscles of the pectoral girdle of M. pennsylvanicus and to compare them to P. ochrogaster. It was hoped that the study might indicate similarities and dissimilarities in the ways in which the two species have adapted to their mode of life and show whether or not they share common adaptations of the pectoral girdle. Although the study is primarily morphological, it was hoped that the results might give some insight into the ecological and taxonomic relationships of the two species.

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Biology Commons

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