A Reassessment of Morphological Specializations for Digging in Pocket Gophers

Abstract

An analysis of structural variation of the digging apparatus in pocket gophers of the genera Geomys, Thomomys , and Cratogeomys shows various degrees of specializations for tooth and claw digging. Thomomys is relatively more specialized for tooth digging, whereas Geomys specializes in claw digging and Cratogeomys is intermediate. It is suggested that claw diggers are restricted to sandy soils, whereas modifications for tooth digging allow exploitation of a broad range of soil types.