Karyotypes of 15 species of African Chiroptera (Epomops jranqueti, Epornophorus crypturus, E. gambianus, E. wahlbergi, Nycteris thebaica, Hipposideros caffer, Rhinolophus hildebrandti, R. darlingi, R. denti, Pipistrellus nanus, Eptesicus hottentotus, E. capensis, Scotophilus nigrita, Tadarida bivittata, and T. fulminans) were studied. An XO male sex chromosome system was discovered in E. crypturus and E. gambianus. Distinctive marker chromosomes occurred in 14 species. [Karyotypes; Chiroptera; Africa; Kenya; Rhodesia] Introduction-Data on chiropteran karyotypes were reviewed by Baker (1970) and Capanna and Civitelli (1970). Nonetheless, karyotypic data for African Chiroptera are few. Our purpose here is to describe the chromosomes of 15 species of African bats representing six families and briefly to compare results with known karyotypic data of related species (Table 1). The karyological material was obtained by the senior author during field studies in Kenya and Rhodesia in 1972. Materials and Methods-Slides of somatic chromosomes were prepared using the in vivo bone marrow technique described by Baker (1970). Although some slides were stained in the field, most were stained in the laboratory. Metaphase spreads were photographed with Kodak High Contrast Copy film 5069 using a Reichert Zetopan photomicroscope at a magnification of 630 x under oil immersion. To determine the diploid number (2N), a minimum of 12 spreads was counted for each specimen. Nomenclature for chromosomal morphology is that of Patton (1967). Fundamental number (FN) is defined as the number of autosomal arms. Metacentric, submetacentric, and subtelocentric chromosomes are assigned a value of two, and acrocentrics a value of one. Because chromosome morphology may vary in metaphase spreads as a result of different degrees of chromosome contraction, karyotypes presented in the figures may not correspond exactly to descriptions in the text. The descriptions of karyotypes and fundamental number of each species were based on photographs of a minimum of four but

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The Royal Ontario Museum, 1980 100 Queen's Park, Toronto, Canada M5S 2C6 PRINTED AND BOUND IN CANADA AT THE ALGER PRESS measurements, information on weight, sex, age, date, reproductive data, habitat description, and a precise locality description, including latitude and longitude, are stored on magnetic tape. Other institutions with major mammal collections have also begun to use similar computer systems and it is possible that in the future most museum catalogue records may be stored in a central data bank. To utilize fully the potential of these cataloguing systems, collectors should provide the maximum amount of data for specimens. With an increasing concern for the conservation of mammalian species and the additional restrictions being placed on collectors, it is most important that a reasonable and responsible collecting policy be followed. Collecting ethics and collecting laws are discussed in section 2. The recent proliferation of import/export regulations for scientific specimens is another area of concern for collectors. Canadian and US import/export regulations are discussed in some detail in section 7. Collectors are urged to read these two sections carefully before collecting specimens. 2. Collecting Policy 2.1 Collecting Laws In recent years there has been a great increase in the number of collecting laws and endangered species acts that directly affect the scientific collector. These laws may be complex and ambiguous and obtaining the necessary permits for collecting in an area may involve considerable bureaucracy. Nevertheless, the collector has an obligation to learn and comply with these laws and regulations. It is essential that permits be obtained prior to any field collecting. Mammals that are protected under endangered species legislation should not be disturbed or collected except under special permit. Canada In Canada, a Scientific Collector's Licence issued by the various provincial and territorial governments is needed. Fur-bearers and game species are usually regulated under provincial Game Acts and Regulations and special permission may be necessary for collecting these species. Additional permits may be needed to work in a provincial park. In Ontario, for example, collectors who plan to work in provincial parks must have their research proposal approved by the District Manager and the Director of the Parks Branch, Ministry of Natural Resources. Permission from the federal government is required for collecting in national parks. Some provinces and territories also require permits for salvaging dead mammals or parts thereof (carcasses, bones, shed antlers). For more information, consult the appropriate provincial or territorial governments. Although Canada has no federal endangered species act, Canada has signed the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (see section 7.2). Ontario and New Brunswick have passed provincial endangered species legislation. United States The US laws are complex and involve state and federal authorities. Generally, wildlife is regulated by th...

Age variation and secondary sexual dimorphism in three external and 27 cranial characters of wild-taken deer mice, Peromyscus maniculatus Wagner, from the United States and Canada were analyzed statistically. Specimens were classified as subadults, young adults, middle-aged adults, and old adults based on pelage colour and tooth wear. Variation among the four age-classes was evident. Significant secondary sexual dimorphism between sexes of the same age-class was not evident. Univariate and multivariate phenetic analyses using specimens of the comparable age-classes are necessary to clarify the systematic status of P. maniculatus.