Geomys arenarius Merriam 1895
Creators: name: Don E. Wilson
name: Thomas E. Lacher, Jr
name: Russell A. Mittermeier
Publisher: name: Lynx Edicions
Year: 2016
Subjects: Biodiversity
Taxonomy
Animalia
Chordata
Mammalia
Rodentia
Geomyidae
Geomys
Geomys arenarius

description: 16.
Desert Pocket Gopher
Geomys arenarius
French: Gaufre du désert / German: Wiistentaschenratte / Spanish: Tuza de desierto
Other common names: Sand Pocket Gopher; Rio Grande Pocket Gopher(arenarius), Tularosa Pocket Gopher (brevirostris)
Taxonomy. Geomys arenarius Merriam, 1895,
“El Paso, [El Paso Co.], Texas,” USA.
Considered a subspecies of G. bursarius by D. J. Hafner and K. N. Geluso in 1983, but resurrected to species status by T. W.Jolley and colleagues in 2000. Two subspecies recognized.
Subspecies and Distribution.
G.a.arenariusMerriam,1895—upperRioGrandeValleyinSCNewMexicoandWTexas,USA,andNEChihuahua,Mexico.
G. a. brevirostris Hall, 1932 — Tularosa Basin of SC New Mexico, USA.
Descriptive notes. Head—body 130-220 mm,tail 50-105 mm; weight 195-255 g (males) and 165-207 g (females). Male Desert Pocket Gophers are usually larger than females; this is especially pronounced in populations with larger average body size. It is average size for the genus. It has a fusiform body shape typical of all pocket gophers, and it possesses fur-lined cheek pouches that open external to the mouth. Most individuals are pale brown dorsally and lighter ventrally. Specimens of the subspecies brevirostris are slightly darker brown dorsally than specimens of the subspecies arenarius. Anterior surface of each upper incisor has a large medial groove flanked by a smaller groove located along the inner margin of the tooth. Molecular studies show the Desert Pocket Gopher to besister to the Jones's Pocket Gopher (G. knoxjonesi). Chromosomal complement has 2n = 70 and FN = 88-102.
Habitat. Sandy, desert habitats where soils are loose and deep. Desert Pocket Gophers are found commonly along riverbanks, around ponds, and nearirrigation canals. The subspecies brevirostris occurs in sand dune habitat in the Tularosa Basin of New Mexico, USA.
Food and Feeding. There is no specific information available for this species, but all pocket gophers that have been studied eat predominately underground roots and tubers and a limited amount of surface vegetation. The Desert Pocket Gopher readily invades cultivated fields and is considered an agricultural pest wherever it occurs in contact with humans. As in all other pocket gophers, the burrow system is a series of shallow feeding tunnels radiating spoke-like from a deeper, central network that contains one or more nest chambers and several smaller chambersfor storage of food or fecal pellets.
Breeding. Breeding season of the Desert Pocket Gopher spans warmer months of the year (generally May—September), with females having 1-2 litters/year and each litter containing 4-6 young.
Activity patterns. There is no specific information available for this species, but the Desert Pocket Gopher is probably active at any hour of the day, with periods of peak activity around dawn and dusk. It does not hibernate and is active year-round.
Movements, Home range and Social organization. The Desert Pocket Gopheris solitary and aggressively territorial. Because it rarely leaves its burrow system, its home range is defined by size and extent ofits burrow system. Individual burrow systems may have 20-30 surface entrances (most indicated by mounds ofsoil on the surface), all of which are plugged with soil when not in use.
Status and Conservation. Classified as Near Threatened on The IUCN Red List. The Desert Pocket Gopher is common where it occurs, but it is restricted to a small geographical area where suitable habitats are threatened by changes in land use and periodic droughts.
Bibliography. Chambers et al. (2009), Hafner & Geluso (1983), Hafner, Timm & Lacher (2008a), Jolley et al. (2000), Patton (2005b), Williams, S.L. (1999a), Williams, S.L. & Baker (1974).
description: Published as part of Don E. Wilson, Thomas E. Lacher, Jr & Russell A. Mittermeier, 2016, Geomyidae, pp. 234-269 in Handbook of the Mammals of the World – Volume 6 Lagomorphs and Rodents I, Barcelona :Lynx Edicions on page 242, DOI: 10.5281/zenodo.6603807