The Baculum in the Chipmunks of Western North America

by John A. White

"The Baculum in the Chipmunks of Western North America" by John A. White is a scientific publication written in the early 1950s. The book focuses on the baculum, the bony structure found in the male reproductive anatomy of chipmunks from the subgenus "Neotamias". It explores the variations in the baculum's morphology across different species of chipmunks in Western North America and assesses its utility for taxonomic classification. In this publication, White meticulously details the anatomical differences in the baculum among various species of the "Eutamias" genus. He provides descriptive accounts and scientific illustrations for each species, including morphological measurements and comparisons. The paper also discusses the implications of baculum structure in relation to existing classifications based on other physical characteristics like skull and skin features. Ultimately, the research underscores the baculum as a crucial taxonomic tool, providing insights into the evolutionary relationships and ecological adaptations of these small mammals.