STRECKER'S POCKET GOPHER
Geomys streckeri Davis 1940

Order Rodentia : Family Geomyidae

DESCRIPTION. This is a cryptic species of the Texas pocket gopher, formerly recognized as a subspecies of G. personatus (see "Remarks"). Morphologically, Strecker's pocket gopher is significantly smaller, both externally and cranially, than the Texas pocket gopher, but careful study of genetic characteristics and parasites is required to distinguish the two unambiguously. Color similar to that of G. personatus but slightly darker; ventral coloration largely plumbeous, with patches of white along the midline. Dental formula: I 1/1, C 0/0, Pm 1/1, M 3/3 × 2 = 20

DISTRIBUTION. Restricted to Dimmit and Zavala counties in the vicinity of Carrizo Springs and Crystal City in South Texas.

SUBSPECIES. Monotypic species.

HABITS. Geomys streckeri appears to occupy the fluvial deposits along the watercourses and the deep Carrizo sands on a western tributary of the Nueces River. It is separated from the nearest populations of G. personatus by about 40 km (25 mi.) of unsuitable soils along the Nueces River. The habits of streckeri are probably similar to those of G. personatus.

POPULATION STATUS. Uncommon. Strecker's pocket gopher is known from only two localities in South Texas. Similar to other species with restricted ranges, this may appear to be locally abundant but its overall status is questionable.

CONSERVATION STATUS. The IUCN lists Strecker's pocket gopher as a subspecies of the Texas pocket gopher (G. personatus); therefore, it is treated as a species of least concern, and it does not appear on the federal or state lists of concerned species. Obviously, there is a need to document its full range and ascertain its population status. It should be carefully monitored because of its rarity and limited geographic range.

REMARKS. In 2000 and 2006, Phil Sudman (Tarleton State University), Rodney Honeycutt (Pepperdine University), and Ted Jolley, Ryan Chambers, and RDB (Texas Tech University) used gene sequencing to verify the specific distinctness of G. streckeri. Previously, other geneticists had reported streckeri to be the only personatus-type gopher in South Texas to have a diploid number of 72. Also, streckeri is unique in hosting the louse Geomydoecus truncatus, which has not been discovered in populations of personatus, which hosts two other species of Geomydoecus.

 

From The Mammals of Texas, Seventh Edition by David J. Schmidly and Robert D. Bradley, copyright © 1994, 2004, 2016.  Courtesy of the University of Texas Press.