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1 December 2005 CRYPTIC SPECIES IN THE MEXICAN POCKET GOPHER CRATOGEOMYS MERRIAMI
Mark S. Hafner, Jessica E. Light, David J. Hafner, Sara V. Brant, Theresa A. Spradling, James W. Demastes
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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.

Mark S. Hafner, Jessica E. Light, David J. Hafner, Sara V. Brant, Theresa A. Spradling, and James W. Demastes "CRYPTIC SPECIES IN THE MEXICAN POCKET GOPHER CRATOGEOMYS MERRIAMI," Journal of Mammalogy 86(6), 1095-1108, (1 December 2005). https://doi.org/10.1644/05-MAMM-A-064R1.1
Accepted: 1 May 2005; Published: 1 December 2005
KEYWORDS
chromosomes
Cratogeomys
mitochondrial DNA
morphology
nuclear DNA
pocket gophers
systematics
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