Merriam's pocket gopher

Merriam's pocket gopher (Cratogeomys merriami) is a species of rodent in the family Geomyidae.[2] It is endemic to Mexico, where it is found in the area of the Valley of Mexico and the Valley of Toluca at elevations from 1800 to 4000 m.[1] Its favored habitats are the Zacatonal grassland and temperate pine-oak woodlands, as well as farmland and rangeland.[1] Its karyotype has 2n = 36 and FN = 68.[3]

Merriam's pocket gopher
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Mammalia
Order: Rodentia
Family: Geomyidae
Genus: Cratogeomys
Species:
C. merriami
Binomial name
Cratogeomys merriami
(Thomas, 1893)
Range
Synonyms

Pappogeomys merriami

Until 2005, what are now considered the separate species C. fulvescens and C. perotensis were included within this taxon. They were split off due to clear molecular, chromosomal and morphological differences. All three species are part of the C. castanops species group.[3]

The species is named after American mammalogist Clinton Hart Merriam.[4]

Although its distribution is patchy, it is not thought to be threatened.[1]

References
  1. Álvarez-Castañeda, S.T.; Lacher, T.; Vázquez, E. (2016). "Cratogeomys merriami". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. 2016: e.T16028A22217011. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2016-2.RLTS.T16028A22217011.en.CS1 maint: uses authors parameter (link)
  2. Patton, J. L. (2005). "Family Geomyidae". In Wilson, D. E.; Reeder, D. M. (eds.). Mammal Species of the World: A Taxonomic and Geographic Reference (3rd ed.). Johns Hopkins University Press. p. 861. ISBN 978-0-8018-8221-0. OCLC 62265494.
  3. Hafner, M. S.; Light, J. E.; Hafner, D. J.; Brant, S. V.; Spradling, T. A.; Demastes, J. W. (2005). "Cryptic Species in the Mexican Pocket Gopher Cratogeomys merriami". Journal of Mammalogy. 86 (6): 1095–1108. doi:10.1644/05-MAMM-A-064R1.1.
  4. Beolens, B.; Watkins, M.; Grayson, M. (2009-09-28). The Eponym Dictionary of Mammals. The Johns Hopkins University Press. p. 272. ISBN 978-0801893049. OCLC 270129903.


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