Tropical pocket gopher

The tropical pocket gopher (Geomys tropicalis) is a species of rodent in the family Geomyidae. It is endemic to Mexico. Its natural habitat is hot deserts. It is threatened by habitat loss.

Tropical pocket gopher
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Mammalia
Order: Rodentia
Family: Geomyidae
Genus: Geomys
Species:
G. tropicalis
Binomial name
Geomys tropicalis
Goldman, 1915

Description

The tropical pocket gopher is cinnamon to brown on its back and head. Its underparts have white fur, and its tail is mostly naked. They have large front feet, along with small eyes and a thick body.[2] Males are on average larger than females.[3]

Distribution and habitat

The distribution of the tropical pocket gopher is restricted to a small area near the Southeastern tip of Tamaulipas, Mexico.[4]

Genetics

The tropical pocket gopher has a diploid number of 38. This is low compared to similar species. This could help them adapt to their restricted habitat. Since their numbers are low there is a high risk of them losing too much genetic variability to survive.[5]

References
  1. Roach, N. (2018). "Geomys tropicalis". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. 2018. Retrieved 16 July 2018.CS1 maint: ref=harv (link)
  2. Goldman, E.A. 1915. Five new mammals from Mexico and Arizona. Proc. Biol. Soc. Washington 28:133-137.
  3. Alvarez, T. 1963. The recent mammals of Tamaulipas, Mexico. Univ. Kansas Publ. Mus. Nat. His. 14:363-473.
  4. Field parties from Texas Tech. University
  5. Davis et al. 1971. Chromosomal studies of Geomys. Jour. Mammal.52:617-620.


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