Date of Award:

5-1-1969

Document Type:

Thesis

Degree Name:

Master of Science (MS)

Department:

Biology

Department name when degree awarded

Zoology

Committee Chair(s)

Keith L. Dixon

Committee

Keith L. Dixon

Abstract

The patterns and timing of molt of a heteromyid rodent, Dipodomys ordii, and a cricetid rodent, Reithrodontomys megalotis, were plotted. Repeated observations were made on 55 captive individuals, with additional examination of 1,437 museum specimens. D. ordii and R. megalotis differ in molt pattern and timing on both an interspecific and intraspecific basis. The majority of individuals of both species molted in a cephalad to caudad direction. Kangaroo rats acquired the adult pelage with the postjuvenal molt and underwent one annual molt thereafter. Harvest mice molted three times the first year, with two molts in each succeeding year of life.

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