Myogale cutaneus subsp. maximus

WHIDDEN, HOWARD P., 2000, Comparative Myology of Moles and the Phylogeny of the Talpidae (Mammalia, Lipotyphla), American Museum Novitates 3294, pp. 1-53 : 28

M. cutaneus maximus

ORIGIN: As a large dorsal sheet and a smaller ventral sheet. The dorsal sheet arises from the deep surface of the dorsal integument from the base of the tail forward into the neck region, including both the dorsal and ventral surfaces of the hindlimb, and the ventral sheet arises from the deep surface of the integument of the chest region.

INSERTION: The dorsal sheet on the lateral half of the pectoral process, adjacent to M. pectoralis abdominis, and the ventral sheet on the pectoral crest, lateral to M. pectoralis superficialis posticus.

REMARKS: This muscle has the same general form in the 11 study taxa, although it is particularly well developed in Parascalops , Scalopus , Scapanus , and Talpa . Campbell (1939) incorrectly reported that the ventral portion is absent in Neurotrichus and Urotrichus ; presumably he was also wrong in reporting it absent in Mogera , as it is well developed in Talpa . Where Mm. platysma and cutaneus maximus are in contact, M. cutaneus maximus is deep.