J. Knox Jones

“ Additional relict populations likely will be found in the eastern Great Plains.
The new subspecies is intermediate in some features between paludis and gossii. The type locality is separated from that of paludis (14 mi. SW Meade, Meade County, Kansas) by a distance of approximately 220 miles over habitats largely unsuitable for bog lemmings. The nearest locality of record for S. c. gossii to the east of the type locality of relictus is at Hunter, Mitchell County, Kansas (see Cockrum, Univ. Kansas Publ., Mus. Nat. Hist., 7:196, 1952) , approximately 200 miles distant. ”

“ This relict population is, therefore, here given subspecific recognition.
Synaptomys cooperi relictus, new subspecies
Type.—Adult female, skin and skull, University of Kansas Museum of Natural History no. 51617, from Rock Creek State Fish Hatchery, 5 mi. N, 2 mi. W Parks, Dundy County, Nebraska; obtained November 1, 1952, by J. Knox Jones, Jr., original no. 995.
Distribution.—Known only from the type locality.
Diagnosis.—Size large for the species, both externally and cranially; dorsal pelage dark; nasals broadly flared anteriorly (especially broad in relation to nasal length) ”

“ Skull averaging smaller in all cranial measurements except rostral length and breadth of upper incisors, which are approximately the same, and breadth of nasals, length of incisive foramina and length of molariform tooth-rows, which measure more ”