Evolution and Classification of the Pocket Gophers of the Subfamily GeomyinaeRussell, Robert J.
Science
Evolution and Classification of the Pocket Gophers of the Subfamily Geomyinae
Russell, Robert J.
Pocket gophers
The upper incisor of _Geomys_ is bisulcate as in _Pliogeomys_ and
_Zygogeomys_; the deeper grove is medial and the shallower grove lies
near the inner border of the tooth. The premolar, above and below, is
bicolumnar; and two columns are joined at their mid-points (deep
re-entrant angles separate the columns at the sides). A permanent
enamel plate protects the anterior face of the anterior loph, and
enamel bands outline each of the re-entrant folds. In p4 a complete
enamel plate covers the posterior surface of the posterior loph. All
of the enamel bands are interrupted by tracts of dentine, except in
the initial stages of wear of the occlusal surface of the newly
erupted tooth. For a short time in living _Geomys_, the enamel bands
are continuous as observed in juveniles of _Geomys bursarius major_
(KU 5628, 8531, and 41540). But, the enamel cap is thin and the
dentine tracts, which are high on the sides of the tooth, are soon
revealed by a minimum of wear on the crown. Therefore, the adult, or
final, pattern characterized by interrupted enamel plates emerges
early in life and remains throughout the life of the individual.
Evidence from fossil _Geomys_, especially from specimens from early
and late Pleistocene deposits, suggests that the final adult pattern
appears later, ontogenetically, than in Recent specimens. Some of the
fossil premolars in initial stages of wear have continuous and
uninterrupted bands of enamel. _Geomys quinni_ of the late Pliocene
and early Pleistocene has the interrupted pattern seen in late
Pleistocene and Recent _Geomys_. Also, in late Pliocene and early
Pleistocene species, the re-entrant folds diverge laterally and form
"open" angles. In later taxa (middle Pleistocene to Recent) the folds
are compressed and parallel-sided, and the "open" folds are found only
in the early stages of wear.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
Reviews
Reviews
No reviews yet
Be the first to share your thoughts on this work.
Elsewhere in the archive
Join the Discussion
Join the discussion
Sign in to leave a comment or review.
Sign InorCreate an account