Sigmodon Taxonomy

Nature Talk
1

Hello, I was looking up two Cotton rat species on iNatiralist, the Toltect and Montane Cotton rat and I noticed in the photo gallery for each species page that there was one photo that appeared in both observation pages. At first, the Cotton rat in question was identified as belonging to S. Toltectus, but then it was put into the species category of the Montane Cotton rat. It looks like the categorization of the photo in question has not been resolved. I would like to know (if this is the proper forum for this of course), to know what the Cotton rat in the photograph’s taxonomy is. Whether or not it belongs to S. Toltectus or the Montane verity. Thank you in advance.

2

I’d post a flag for curation on the species pages for both taxa, to draw attention to this. Both are still recognized as distinct separate species, to my knowledge.

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3

Yes, they are recognized as such based on skull measurements and genetics such as chromosomal numbers etc. I will do that. How exactly do I flag them?

4

There’s a button for Curation on the species page, to the right above the map (at least on my screen).

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5

Thanks!

6

I just flagged each duplicate photograph on the main species information page.

7

Thanks again for your assistance.

1 Like
8

see flags