Mammals of the

University of Kansas Field Station

Thirty-nine species of mammals have been recorded (confirmed) from the University of Kansas Field Station (KUFS) since 1948. A hypothetical list of species that may have occurred, or may still occur, on KUFS areas has 14 additional species including 5 that were extirpated in Kansas in the late 19^th century (Black Bear, Gray Wolf, Mountain Lion, Bison, and Wapiti), six wide-ranging bats (Big Brown Bat, Evening Bat Hoary Bat, Silver-haired Bat, Brazilian Free-tailed Bat and Eastern Pipistrelle), two semi-aquatic species known to live in the general area (Mink and Otter) and one species typical of shortgrass plains that also has been found nearby (Black-tailed Jackrabbit). Humans, as well as their domesticated (and feral) livestock and pets (especially dogs and cats), have not been included in this list even though their activity can have significant impact on the areas.

Several types of small live-traps have been used for mammal sampling at KUFS, with hundreds of thousands of "trap nights" accumulated since 1948 (one trap set for one night = one trap night). Relatively little sampling has been done with bat nets. Information on mammal species larger than rabbit size is based mainly on sight records, tracks and other sign.

This checklist is intended to provide the reader with an overview of the mammal community of KUFS. General information on ecology and abundance of species occurring on KUFS, and the region, can be found in Bee et al. (1981), Mammals in Kansas. Likewise, broader information on mammal abundance and natural communities in the region can be obtained by contacting the Kansas Biological Survey. Detailed information on the local ecology of many of these species can be found in scores of scientific publications reporting research at KUFS. Specific questions as to abundance and ecology of mammals at KUFS and current emphasis of ecological research can be obtained by contacting the KUFS administrative office. A small synoptic collection of small mammals is maintained at the KUFS field laboratory and extensive research collections of mammals are housed at the Natural History Museum on the main campus of the University of Kansas.

The following list is presented in phylogenetic sequence, and scientific and common names follow Jones et al. (1986), Revised Checklist of North American Mammals North of Mexico. A generalized key to abundance of each species on KUFS provides coarse information on occurrence at KUFS. Codes for abundance are as follows: a=abundant; m=moderately abundant; r=rare; x=extremely rare, only a few records; h=historical records but now extremely rare; t=transitory; and i=introduced species with no extant population. Acknowledgements to Henry S. Fitch and Norman A. Slade for revising and updating this information.

Checklist of KSR Mammals  

Marsupialia (Marsupials)
Didelphidae
Didelphis virginiana	Virginia Opossum	a
Insectivora (Insectivores)
Soricidae
Blarina hylophaga	Elliot's Short-tailed Shrew	a
Cryptotis parva	Least Shrew	a
Talpidae
Scalopus aquaticus	Eastern Mole	a
Chiroptera (Bats)
Vespertilionidae
Myotis lucifugus	Little Brown Myotis	t
Lasiurus borealis	Red Bat	t
Lagomorpha (Lagomorphs)
Leporidae
Sylvilagus floridanus	Eastern Cottontail	a
Rodentia (Rodents)
Sciuridae
Tamias striatus	Eastern Chipmunk	r
Marmota monax	Woodchuck	r
Spermophilus franklinii	Franklin's Ground Squirrel	x
Spermophilus tridecemlineatus	Thirteen-lined Ground Squirrel	i
Sciurus carolinensis	Gray Squirrel	m
Sciurus niger	Fox Squirrel	a
Glaucomys volans	Southern Flying Squirrel	x
Geomyidae
Geomys bursarius	Plains Pocket Gopher	m
Castoridae
Castor canadensis	Beaver	r
Cricetidae
Reithrodontomys megalotis	Western Harvest Mouse	a
Reithrodontomys montanus	Plains Harvest Mouse	r
Peromyscus leucopus	White-footed Mouse	a
Peromyscus maniculatus	Deer Mouse	a
Sigmodon hispidus	Hispid Cotton Rat	a
Neotoma floridana	Eastern Woodrat	a
Microtus ochrogaster	Prairie Vole	a
Microtus pinetorum	Woodland Vole	r
Ondatra zibethicus	Muskrat	m
Synaptomys cooperi	Southern Bog Lemming	r
Muridae
Rattus norvegicus	Norway Rat	r
Mus musculus	House Mouse	m
Zapodidae
Zapus hudsonius	Meadow Jumping Mouse	m
Carnivora (Carnivores)
Canidae
Canis latrans	Coyote	m
Vulpes vulpes	Red Fox	r
Urocyon cinereoargenteus	Gray Fox	r
Procyonidae
Procyon lotor	Raccoon	a
Mustelidae
Mustela frenata	Long-tailed Weasel	r
Spilogale putorius	Eastern Spotted Skunk	h
Taxidea taxus	Badger	x
Mephitis mephitis	Striped Skunk	m
Felidae
Felis rufus	Bobcat	r
Artiodactyla (Even-toed Ungulates)
Cervidae
Odocoileus virginianus	White-tailed Deer	a

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Last modified  8 October, 2009 .