Pocket Gophers Flashcards
What are the two genuses of pocket gophers? How many species does each genus include?
Geomys - Eastern pocket gopher, 8 species
Thomomys - Western pocket gopher, 9 species
How defined are species boundaries in the genera Geomys and Thomomys?
Poorly defined. Varying degrees of hybridization between geographically differentiated pocket gophers.
Describe the pocket gopher.
Stout bodies, large skulls for burrowing, and short, naked tails. Small ears and eyes, well-developed lacrimal glands supplying a thick fluid to clear the cornea of dirt while burrowing. Two external fur-lined cheek pouches. Shorts legs with five strong diffing claws. Lips can be closed behind the curved incisors so animal can gnaw dirt while burrowing.
Where are pocket gophers found?
Western: West of Rocky Mountains. Deserts, prairies, open forests, and meadows
Eastern: East of Rocky Mountains. Loose, sandy soil in open and sparsely wooded areas.
Where do pocket gophers spend most of their life?
Fossorial, so spend most of their life underground, surfacing to gather food for storage.
What type of tunnels do pocket gophers dig?
Long, winding shallow tunnels to obtain roots and tubers from above. Deep tunnels for shelter with chambers for nests, food storage, and fecal deposits.
How are pocket gophers primarily utilized in research?
Aspects of molecular evolution, including the influence of geographic isolation or speciation and coevolution of parasite-host relationships.
For what research purposes are pocket gophers considered a sentinel species?
Health and environmental impact studies of heavy metals, radionucleotide waste, and other soil contaminants. Fossorial behavior results in high contact and ingestion of soil contaminants.
Do pocket gophers hibernate? Are they social?
Do not hibernate, but may become inactive during winter. Solitary animals that will fight viciously, unless it is during the breeding season.
Describe reproduction in pocket gophers.
Promiscuous, with female choice at its base.
Western: Monestrous with one litter per year. 18-19 day gestation with litter from 1-10 pups.
Eastern: Northern regions have one litter per year, species in southern regions have two litters per year with smaller average litter size.
Describe weaning and transition to independent life for pocket gophers?
Wean at 4-5 weeks, remain in mother’s burrow for 1-2 months. Reach adult weight at 5-6 months.
When are pocket gophers sexually mature? What is an exception?
The following breeding season. Exception is Geomys pinetis in which females reach sexual maturity at 4-6 months.
How are pocket gophers housed in the lab?
Attempts at housing in single cages with strictly soil substrate resulting in death from exhaustion due to continuous digging behavior. System of three polycarbonate cages connected with PVC piping. Cages contained pine wood chips, hay, and topsoil.
How are pocket gophers provided water?
Do not drink free-standing water in the field. Water needs met by washed vegetables.
What is a signficant health issue of captive and wild pocket gophers?
Parasitism - Roundworms, Eimeria, nematodes, biting lice.
