Townsend's pocket gopher
| Townsend's pocket gopher | |
|---|---|
| Scientific classification | |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Mammalia |
| Order: | Rodentia |
| Family: | Geomyidae |
| Genus: | Thomomys |
| Species: | T. townsendii |
| Binomial name | |
| Thomomys townsendii (Bachman, 1839) | |
Townsend's pocket gopher (Thomomys townsendii) is a species of pocket gopher endemic to the northwestern United States.[2]
Description
Townsend's pocket gopher is a relatively large gopher, measuring 22 to 29 cm (8.7 to 11.4 in) in total length, including a tail 6 to 10 cm (2.4 to 3.9 in) long. Adults weigh between 190 and 380 g (6.7 and 13.4 oz), with males being significantly larger than females. Like other pocket gophers, they have a large head, a short, muscular neck, small eyes and ears, and short legs. The forefeet are large with powerful digging claws, while the hindfeet are stout, with flat soles. There is a fur-lined cheek pouch on either side of the mouth, from which the name "pocket gopher" derives. Females have eight teats.[3]
The fur is greyish in color over most of the body, but a richer tan on the underparts. There is a patch of white fur on the chin, and some individuals also have white markings on the head. The tail is almost entirely hairless.[3] Melanistic individuals have also been reported, being almost entirely black in color, apart from white spots on the chin or feet.[4]
Distribution and habitat
Townsend's pocket gopher is found in disjunct populations across southern Idaho, northern Nevada, southeastern Oregon and northeastern California.[1] They inhabit land with deep, moist soils close to rivers and lakes, occasionally as high as 1,980 m (6,500 ft), but more usually in lower valley bottoms. They may also be found in high numbers in artificially irrigated cropland. Their expansion into neighboring areas may be limited by absence of saltgrass, or by competition with Botta's pocket gopher.[3]
Two subspecies are currently recognised:[2]
- Thomomys townsendii townsendii - Idaho, Malheur River and tributaries in Oregon
- Thomomys townsendii nevadensis - throughout the remainder of the range
Biology and behavior
Townsend's pocket gopher feeds largely on the root-stalks of saltgrass, but also eats other grasses, alfalfa, and other large rooted plants, including agricultural crops such as potatoes. Common predators include barn owls,[5] and the gopher is also considered to be the primary host of the chewing louse Geomydoecus idahoensis.[3] Breeding probably occurs around January or February, and litters average seven young. Mating is promiscuous, and based on female choice.[6] Hybrids between Townsend's and Botta's pocket gophers have been reported.[6]
Like other pocket gophers, Townsend's species spends most of its adult life underground. Burrows are 10 to 12 centimetres (3.9 to 4.7 in) wide, and are marked on the surface by numerous mounds of excavated earth. The entrances to the tunnels are normally kept blocked with earth to prevent access by predators. Individuals are solitary outside of the breeding season.[3]
References
- 1 2 Linzey, A.V. & Hammerson, G. (NatureServe) (2008). "Thomomys townsendii". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. Version 2008. International Union for Conservation of Nature. Retrieved 15 March 2009. Database entry includes a brief justification of why this species is of least concern
- 1 2 Patton, J.L. (2005). "Family Geomyidae". In Wilson, D.E.; Reeder, D.M. Mammal Species of the World: A Taxonomic and Geographic Reference (3rd ed.). Johns Hopkins University Press. pp. 869–870. ISBN 978-0-8018-8221-0. OCLC 62265494.
- 1 2 3 4 5 Verts, B.J. & Carraway, L.N. (2003). "Thomomys townsendii" (PDF). Mammalian Species: 1–6. doi:10.1644/719.
- ↑ Rogers, M.A. (1991). "Evolutionary differentiation within the northern Great Basin pocket gopher, Thomomys townsendii. I. Morphological variation". Great Basin Naturalist. 51 (2): 109–126.
- ↑ Maser, C.; et al. (1980). "A note on the food habits of the barn owl in Malheur County, Oregon". The Murrelet. 61 (2): 78–80. JSTOR 3535038.
- 1 2 Patton, J.L. & Smith, M.F. (1993). "Molecular evidence for mating asymmetry and female choice in a pocket gopher (Thomomys) hybrid zone". Molecular Ecology. 2 (1): 3–8. doi:10.1111/j.1365-294X.1993.tb00093.x.