The Pocket Gophers (Genus Thomomys) of Utah: University of Kansas Publications, Museum of Natural History, Vol. 1 No. 1Durrant, Stephen David
Science
The Pocket Gophers (Genus Thomomys) of Utah: University of Kansas Publications, Museum of Natural History, Vol. 1 No. 1
Durrant, Stephen David
Pocket gophers -- Utah
Intergradation was noted in still other cranial details. In the heavy,
relatively straight zygomatic arches, a majority of the skulls resemble
those of _planirostris_, although some show the elongated zygomatic
processes of the squamosals that are characteristic of _virgineus_.
Some skulls show a tendency toward _birdseyei_ in the widely spreading
posterior regions of the zygomatic arches. The nasals for the most part
are as in _planirostris_. Intergradation between all three subspecies
is shown in the extension of the premaxillae posterior to the nasals.
Some skulls show the lateral concavity of the jugals which is
characteristic of _virgineus_. The tympanic bullae are variable but on
the average are intermediate between those of _planirostris_ and
_birdseyei_, but more as in the latter. The size of the pterygoid
hamulae is like that of _planirostris_, but the shape of the
interpterygoid space is more like that of _birdseyei_. The size of the
molariform teeth is as in _birdseyei_. The incisors are intermediate
between those of _planirostris_ and _birdseyei_, but more like those of
_birdseyei_.
Eighteen specimens from St. George and its environs, on the north side
of the Virgin River, agree with the twenty-six specimens just
described, except that they show more evidence of intergradation with
_birdseyei_ in slightly darker color, length of hind foot, length of
nasals and alveolar length of the upper molar series.
One specimen from three miles south, two from two miles southwest,
another from four miles southeast of St. George, and four immature
animals from Short Creek Road south of the town of Virgin, all on the
south side of the Virgin River, are darker than topotypes of
_planirostris_ and show intergradation with _trumbullensis_ to the
south. In size they are likewise closer to the latter race. They
intergrade with _trumbullensis_ in the size and shape of the zygomatic
arches and tympanic bullae. In the majority of cranial details,
however, they are like _planirostris_ to which they are here referred.
One specimen, a skin only, from Danish Ranch, 5 miles northwest of
Leeds, north of the Virgin River is an intergrade in size and color
between _birdseyei_ and _planirostris_, but referable to the latter.
Three specimens from the East Entrance, and three from near the east
entrance to Zion National Park are much darker than topotypes of
_planirostris_. All of these animals are in worn pelage, thus allowing
a great amount of the black underfur to show, which gives a markedly
darker color. The unworn hair is only slightly darker than that of the
topotypes. The cranial details prove these animals to be intergrades
between _planirostris_ and _trumbullensis_. They resemble
_trumbullensis_ in size of tympanic bullae, extension of the
premaxillae posterior to the nasals and shape of the nasals. The
majority of the cranial details are as in _planirostris_ to which they
are here referred.
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