Faculty Publications

Cryptic Species In The Mexican Pocket Gopher Cratogeomys Merriami

Document Type

Article

Keywords

Chromosomes, Cratogeomys, Mitochondrial DNA, Morphology, Nuclear DNA, Pocket gophers, Systematics

Journal/Book/Conference Title

Journal of Mammalogy

Volume

86

Issue

6

First Page

1095

Last Page

1108

Abstract

A study of chromosomal variation in the Mexican pocket gopher Cratogeomys merriami revealed differences in diploid number that correspond to 3 major genetic and morphological clades within the species. Each of these 3 clades is diagnosable based on multiple characters, including chromosomal diploid number, quantitative and qualitative morphological characters, and mitochondrial DNA. Accordingly, we restrict the name C. merriami (Thomas) to include only pocket gophers of this genus from the states of México, México D.F., northern Morelos, and west-central Puebla. We resurrect the species name C. fulvescens Merriam to represent members of this genus from southern Tlaxcala, east-central Puebla, and parts of west-central Veracruz. Finally, we resurrect the species name C. perotensis Merriam to represent members of this genus from southern Hidalgo, northern Tlaxcala, north-central Puebla, and parts of west-central Veracruz. Based on the observation that differences in diploid number usually signal reproductive isolation between populations of pocket gophers, we hypothesize that C. merriami, C. fulvescens, and C. perotensis are reproductively incompatible. We provide synonymies and descriptions for these 3 species, along with a key to the C. castanops species group to which these species belong. © 2005 American Society of Mammalogists.

Department

Department of Biology

Original Publication Date

12-1-2005

DOI of published version

10.1644/05-MAMM-A-064R1.1

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