A New Subspecies of Wood Rat (Neotoma mexicana) from Colorado

by Robert B. Finley

"A New Subspecies of Wood Rat (Neotoma mexicana) from Colorado" by Robert B. Finley, Jr. is a scientific publication that was released in the early 1950s. This document presents a detailed study concerning the identification and description of a previously unnamed subspecies of wood rat, known scientifically as Neotoma mexicana scopulorum, found in eastern Colorado. The work is aimed at contributing to the field of mammalogy, specifically expanding knowledge about the biodiversity and distinct characteristics of wood rats in that region. In this publication, Finley discusses the morphological differences between Neotoma mexicana scopulorum and other known subspecies, highlighting unique cranial features, size variations, and coloration traits that distinguish this new subspecies from its relatives, such as N. m. fallax and N. m. inopinata. The text includes comprehensive measurements and descriptions, along with habitats and ecological observations based on field and museum studies. Finley provides data collected from various locations in Colorado and New Mexico, presenting a rigorous and methodical approach to documenting this significant discovery in the study of North American rodents.