Four New Pocket Gophers of the Genus Cratogeomys from Jalisco, Mexico

A meticulous taxonomic survey of the pocket‑gopher genus Cratogeomys uncovers surprising diversity in central Jalisco, Mexico. The author’s fieldwork, supported by a national science foundation grant, brought back rare specimens that had long evaded collectors, allowing a detailed look at two known species and their regional variations.

The paper introduces four previously undescribed subspecies—two of C. gymnurus and two of C. zinseri—each distinguished by subtle differences in size, coloration, and skull morphology. Extensive measurements and comparative notes highlight how these new forms differ from their nearest relatives, from the length of their tails to the shape of their molar rows. Readers will hear the careful reasoning behind each classification, illustrated with precise anatomical descriptions that bring these hidden rodents to life.