A New Species of Pocket Gopher (Genus Pappogeomys) From Jalisco, México

Name: A New Species of Pocket Gopher (Genus Pappogeomys) From Jalisco, México
Author: Robert J. Russell

By Robert J. Russell

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Nature/Gardening/Animals Science - Biology

About This Book

The author reports three pocket gopher specimens collected by J. R. Alcorn in the isolated Sierra del Tigre of Jalisco and recognizes them as a previously undescribed species, Pappogeomys alcorni. He documents diagnostic traits including medium size with a short naked tail, plumbeous-to-cinnamon pelage with a conspicuous cinnamon-buff nasal patch, short rounded anterior palatine foramina, broadly truncate nasals, and slender bowed zygomata. A striking dental feature is near-total reduction of the enamel plate on the posterior wall of the first upper molar. Skull and body measurements are presented and compared with Pappogeomys bulleri, and the restricted high-elevation range and consistent differences justify species status and the chosen name.

About the Author

Robert J. Russell

Robert J. Russell is a notable figure in the field of mammalogy, particularly recognized for his extensive research on pocket gophers. His works, such as "A New Species of Pocket Gopher (Genus Pappogeomys) From Jalisco, México" and "Evolution and Classification of the Pocket Gophers of the Subfamily Geomyinae," contribute significantly to the understanding of these small burrowing rodents. Russell's studies often focus on geographic variation and classification, providing valuable insights into the diversity and evolutionary history of pocket gophers in Mexico. His scholarly contributions have helped shape the scientific discourse surrounding these unique mammals.