Ursus americanus

• Main Authors: Don E. Wilson, Russell A. Mittermeier
• Format: Other/Unknown Material
• Language: unknown
• Published: Lynx Edicions 2009
• Subjects: Biodiversity; Taxonomy; Animalia; Chordata; Mammalia; Carnivora; Ursidae; Ursus; Ursus americanus; Newfoundland; Alaska
• Online Access: https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.5714779; http://treatment.plazi.org/id/039D8794F66DC761959176EDF5EBFB6E

6. American Black Bear Ursus americanus French: Ours noir / German: Baribal / Spanish: Oso negro americano Taxonomy. Ursus americanus Pallas, 1780, eastern North America. Genetic comparisons among the various purported subspecies have not been performed, except in a few cases. Recent genetic evidence indicates that luteolus, formerly thought to occur only in Louisiana, extends northward to Arkansas, and also may not be differentiated from floridanus in Florida, Alabama, and Mississippi. Sixteen subspecies presently recognized. Subspecies and Distribution. U. a. americanus Pallas, 1780 — Alaska to E Canada and E USA. U. a. altifrontalis Elliot, 1903 — Pacific coast USA and Canada (S British Columbia). U. a. amblyceps Baird, 1859 — SW USA. U. a. californiensisJ. Miller, 1900 — SW USA (interior California). U. a. carlottae Osgood, 1901 — W Canada (Queen Charlotte Is). U. a. cinnamomum Audubon & Bachman, 1854 — Rocky Mts of Canada and USA. U. a. emmonsu Dall, 1895 — SE Alaska. U. a. eremicus Merriam, 1904 — E Mexico. U. a. floridanus Merriam, 1896 — SE USA (Florida). U. a. hamilton: Cameron, 1957 — E Canada (Newfoundland). U. a. kermodei Hornaday, 1905 — W Canada (coastal British Columbia). U. a. luteolus Griffith, 1821 — S USA (Louisiana). U. a. machetes Elliot, 1903 — W Mexico. U. a. pernigerJ. A. Allen, 1910 — Alaska (Kenai Peninsula). U. a. pugnax Swarth, 1911 — islands of SE Alaska. U. a. vancouver: Hall, 1928 — SW Canada (Vancouver I). Descriptive notes. Head-body 120-190 cm, tail less than 12 cm. Weights vary regionally and seasonally, adult males are heavier (60-225 kg, rarely up to 400 kg) than adult females (40-150 kg, but occasionally more than 180 kg). Straight facial profile, from forehead to nose, distinguishes this species from the partially sympatric Brown (Grizzly) Bear. Muzzle color is usually tan, with short hairs. Sometimes a small tan circular mark occurs slightly above each eye. Eyes are often blue at birth, but turn brown during the first year. Body hairs are rather uniform in length, but ...