Mammals of the University of Kansas Field Station and Ecological Reserves

 

Thirty-nine species of mammals have been recorded (confirmed) from the University of Kansas Field Station and Ecological Reserves (KSR) since 1948. A hypothetical list of species that may have occurred, or may still occur, on KSR areas has 14 additional species including 5 that were extirpated in Kansas in the late 19th 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 KSR, 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 KSR. General information on ecology and abundance of species occurring on KSR, 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 KSR. Specific questions as to abundance and ecology of mammals at KSR and current emphasis of ecological research can be obtained by contacting the KSR administrative office. A small synoptic collection of small mammals is maintained at the KSR 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 KSR provides coarse information on occurrence at KSR. 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.

November 24, 1997

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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© Copyright 1999 Kansas Biological Survey
Last modified 16 January, 2002.