A New Pocket Gopher (Thomomys) and A New Spiny Pocket Mouse (Liomys) from Michoacán, Mexico

In the highlands south of Pátzcuaro, a modest expedition uncovered a handful of tiny mammals unlike any cataloged before. Detailed measurements of skulls, fur color and dental patterns revealed a distinct subspecies of pocket gopher, marked by its darker coat, a uniquely shaped lambdoidal crest, and a shorter, whitish tail. Alongside this newcomer, the team also identified a spiny pocket mouse whose features set it apart from its relatives across the region.

The discovery sheds light on a surprising underground community where two very different rodents share the same terrain at different depths. The smaller gophers carve shallow tunnels just a few inches below the surface, while a larger cousin dwells deeper, creating a literal two‑storey burrow system. Listeners will be drawn into the careful fieldwork, the subtle anatomical clues, and the broader implications such hidden diversity holds for understanding Mexico’s mountain ecosystems.