Geomys arenarius
| Desert Pocket Gopher
(Geomys arenarius) | |
|---|---|
| Range | |
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| Taxonomic classification | |
| Order: | Rodentia |
| Suborder: | Supramyomorpha |
| Infraorder: | Castorimorphi |
| Family: | Geomyidae |
| Subfamily: | Geomyinae |
| Tribe: | Geomyini |
| Genus: | Geomys |
| Binomial details | |
| Geomys arenarius Merriam, 1895 | |
| Other resources | |
| Full taxonomic details at MDD | |
Similar species
From Williams & Baker (1974): "Geomys arenarius most closely resembles G. personatus and G. tropicalis morphologically (Alvarez, 1963). These three species differ from other Geomys in having a rostrum that is wider than the length of the basioccipital. Externally, G. arenarius is a medium-sized gopher with a relatively long tail and pale coloration. The pelage is drab-brown dorsally, with finely scattered black-tipped hairs. This color pattern continues laterally and onto the venter where it may or may not blend with the white hair on the abdomen, chest, and feet. Most of the tail is covered with hair (Merriam, 1895). The configuration of the zygomatic arch is the most easily recognized cranial feature that sets G. arenarius apart from other species. The occurrence of a prominent knob on the end of the squamosal arm of the zygoma is characteristic of G. arenarius and G. tropicalis. The zygoma of G. arenarius differs from that of both G. tropicalis and G. personatus in having parallel sides in contrast to sides that converge posteriorly. Geomys arenarius also differs from these two species in having a subquadrangular interparietal and no sagittal crest (Alvarez, 1963). Additional salient cranial features, noted by Merriam (1895), are: posteriorly bulging occiput; jugal shorter than basioccipital; palatopterygoids normally abruptly narrowed and with parallel sides; prominent, separated, and nearly parallel temporal ridges; heavy mandible."
References
Alvarez T. 1963. The Recent mammals of Tamaulipas, Mexico. Lawrence (KS, USA): University of Kansas publications, Museum of Natural History 14:363-473.
Merriam, C.H. 1895-01-31. Revision of the pocket gophers, family Geomyidæ, exclusive of the species of Thomomys. North American Fauna 8:1-262.
Williams SL, Baker RJ. 1974. Geomys arenarius. Mammalian Species (36): 1-3.