College - Author 1
College of Science and Mathematics
Department - Author 1
Biological Sciences Department
Degree Name - Author 1
BS in Biological Sciences
Date
3-2012
Primary Advisor
Francis Villablanca
Abstract/Summary
The following study examines the use of ear length as a diagnostic field character for differentiating between species of Kangaroo rats in San Luis Obispo County. Data was taken from a study of Kangaroo rats in the Guadalupe-Nipomo Dunes National Wildlife Refuge, as well as various collections under the supervision of Francis X. Villablanca, Ph. D. and California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo. An ANOVA was used to compare subspecies within Dipodomys heermanni and t-tests were used to compare ear lengths between Dipodomys heermanni and Dipodomys venustus. The analysis shows a statistically significant difference and supports the hypothesis that ear length can be used to differentiate species. Further testing was completed at the subspecies level within Dipodomys heermanni but did not prove to be significant. This experiment is evidence that confirms the identification of Dipodomys venustus outside of its known range.
URL: https://digitalcommons.calpoly.edu/biosp/16