Nutritional ecology of a fossorial herbivore: protein N and energy value of winter caches made by the northern pocket gopher, Thomomys talpoides

1985 ◽  
Vol 63 (5) ◽  
pp. 1101-1105 ◽  
Author(s):  
Miki M. Stuebe ◽  
Douglas C. Andersen
Keyword(s):  
Stomach Contents ◽  
Nutritional Ecology ◽  
Negative Energy ◽  
Soil Conditions ◽  
Pocket Gopher ◽  
Pocket Gophers ◽  
Plant Parts ◽  
Thomomys Talpoides ◽  
Balance Analysis ◽  
Adverse Environmental Conditions

Northern pocket gophers (Thomomys talpoides) are fossorial herbivores that excavate belowground plant parts for food. In subalpine areas during autumn and winter, pocket gophers hoard plant parts in caches placed in or under snow. We examined the size and composition of 17 nival caches and tested the hypotheses that (i) cached food can provide complete energy and protein N sustenance during typical periods when burrowing is precluded by soil conditions, and (ii) cached food is a random sample of items encountered by burrowing gophers during tunnel excavation. Our data indicate that caches provide substantially more energy than protein in terms of a pocket gopher's daily maintenance requirements. Nevertheless, quantities stored are sufficient to allow individuals to endure commonly encountered adverse environmental conditions without entering negative energy or protein balance. Analysis of stomach contents and a comparison of cache composition to availability of plant species suggests that gophers consume high-protein items as they are encountered, and store low-protein items in caches.

scholarly journals Characteristics of Pocket Gopher Populations in Relation to Selected Environmental Factors in Pelican Valley, Yellowstone National Park

1979 ◽  
Vol 3 ◽  
pp. 133-137
Author(s):  
C. Youmans ◽  
R. Moore
Keyword(s):  
Environmental Factors ◽  
Yellowstone National Park ◽  
National Park ◽  
Ursus Arctos ◽  
Water Levels ◽  
Specific Information ◽  
Pocket Gopher ◽  
Pocket Gophers ◽  
Thomomys Talpoides ◽  
Ursus Arctos Horribilis

Several important environmental factors which affect the dynamics of pocket gopher populations have been identified: water content at peak snowpack and depth of snow in spring (Hansen and Ward, 1966; Reid, 1973); weather and Its influence on annual food supplies and cover (Howard and Childs, 1959); production of annual and perennial forbs (Keith et al., 1959; Tietjen et al., 1967); and ground water levels and snow depths (Ingles, 1949; Hansen, 1962). A need for specific information on pocket gophers in Pelican Valley, Yellowstone National Park arose from interest in interactions between grizzly bears (Ursus arctos horribilis) and northern pocket gophers (Thomomys talpoides). Mealey (1975) and Graham (1978) suggested that pocket gophers and their caches may serve as seasonally important food items for grizzlies in Yellowstone National Park.

scholarly journals Long-tailed Weasel, Mustela frenata, Movements and Diggings in Alfalfa Fields Inhabited by Northern Pocket Gophers, Thomomys talpoides

2005 ◽  
Vol 119 (2) ◽  
pp. 175
Author(s):  
Gilbert Proulx
Keyword(s):  
Home Range ◽  
Cognitive Map ◽  
Pocket Gopher ◽  
Pocket Gophers ◽  
Thomomys Talpoides ◽  
Straight Line

Little is known about the movements of Long-tailed Weasels (Mustela frenata) in alfalfa (Medicago spp.) fields inhabited by Northern Pocket Gophers (Thomomys talpoides). In central Alberta, I intermittently followed the movements of Long-tailed Weasels during two consecutive winters. Three types of movements were observed: straight-line movements across the fields; sinuous movements along the edges of the field; and arc movements within the field, over concentrations of Northern Pocket Gopher burrow systems. Arc movements were 0.6-28-m-wide at their base, and extended from 6 to 45 m into the field. Movements of Long-tailed Weasels into the fields were accompanied by fresh diggings in Northern Pocket Gopher burrow systems, which became inactive thereafter. This study suggests that Long-tailed Weasels may have a cognitive map of the distribution of Northern Pocket Gophers in their home range.

scholarly journals Body Weights of Adult and Juvenile Northern Pocket Gophers, Thomomys talpoides, in Central Alberta Alfalfa Fields

2005 ◽  
Vol 119 (4) ◽  
pp. 551
Author(s):  
Gilbert Proulx
Keyword(s):  
Late Summer ◽  
Pubic Symphysis ◽  
Adult Males ◽  
Pocket Gopher ◽  
Individual Values ◽  
Pocket Gophers ◽  
Thomomys Talpoides ◽  
Body Weights ◽  
Early Fall ◽  
Males And Females

In an effort to recognize adults from juveniles in late summer and early fall, carcasses of Northern Pocket Gophers (Thomomys talpoides) captured from April to October 1994 in a pure alfalfa (Medicago spp.) field in Camrose and a mixed alfalfa-orchard grass (Dactylis glomerata)-dandelion (Taraxacum spp.) field in Lacombe, in central Alberta were analyzed. Mean weights of adult males and females were significantly (P < 0.05) larger than those of juveniles with near-adult body sizes in late summer and early fall. On the basis of the limits of 95% confidence intervals for individual values in Camrose and Lacombe, live-captured males weighing < 130 g could be classified as juveniles; those that are > 180 g would be adults. Males weighing between 130 and 180 g could be either juveniles or adults. Live-captured females weighing < 110 g would likely be juveniles. With larger animals, the pubic symphysis should be used to distinguish young females from adults. Given the variability of body weight in Northern Pocket Gophers, it is suggested that criteria for aging based on weight be derived for local populations in specific habitat types. On average, Northern Pocket Gopher males and females from Camrose were significantly (P < 0.05) heavier than those of Lacombe. Animals from both fields were, on average, heavier than those previously studied in natural-vegetation communities. Differences in the food nutritional quality may explain the observed variation in body weights among populations.

A Case Study in Faunalturbation: Delineating the Effects of the Burrowing Pocket Gopher on the Distribution of Archaeological Materials

1984 ◽  
Vol 49 (4) ◽  
pp. 785-790 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jon M. Erlandson
Keyword(s):  
Soil Conditions ◽  
Pocket Gopher ◽  
Pocket Gophers ◽  
Thomomys Bottae ◽  
Downward Displacement ◽  
Vertical Distributions ◽  
Archaeological Materials ◽  
Site Chronology ◽  
A Site

Excavation of a small single-component prehistoric campsite in the coastal southern California foothills has provided evidence concerning the patterns and approximate rates of redistribution of archaeological materials caused by the burrowing pocket gopher, Thomomys bottae. Investigation of bimodal vertical distributions of both historic and prehistoric archaeological materials shows a close correspondence to the burrowing habits of pocket gophers in coastal California. Comparison of these bimodal distributions with a site chronology based upon diagnostic artifacts and C-14 dating suggests that, under certain soil conditions, downward displacement of archaeological materials may occur at rates averaging over 5% per century. The broader implications of the effects of faunalturbation upon the interpretation of archaeological assemblages are briefly discussed.

scholarly journals Evaluation of Physical Barriers to Protect Ponderosa Pine Seedlings from Pocket Gophers

1999 ◽  
Vol 14 (3) ◽  
pp. 164-168 ◽  
Author(s):  
Michael J. Pipas ◽  
Gary W. Witmer
Keyword(s):  
Pinus Ponderosa ◽  
Ponderosa Pine ◽  
Seedling Mortality ◽  
Pocket Gophers ◽  
Thomomys Talpoides ◽  
Pine Seedlings ◽  
Physical Barriers ◽  
Growth Of Seedlings ◽  
Medium Weight ◽  
Better Than

Abstract A 2 yr study on the Rogue River and Mt. Hood National Forests in Oregon evaluated physical barriers for protection of Pinus ponderosa seedlings against damage by Thomomys talpoides. Seedlings protected with one of three weights of: (1) plastic mesh tubing (Vexar®) or (2) sandpapertubing (Durite®) were evaluated against control seedlings. On the Rogue River sites, Vexar® seedlings had the highest survival (62.6%), followed by the controls (59.1%), then Durite® seedlings (17.9%). Gophers were the primary cause of death for the Vexar® seedlings, versus desiccation for the Durite® seedlings. On the Mt. Hood sites, heavyweight Vexar® seedlings had the highest survival (35.4%), medium-weight Durite® seedlings the lowest (2.7%). Seedling mortality caused by gophers was highest for controls (70.2%), followed by light-weight (62.2%) and heavy-weight (53.9%) Vexar® treatments. Overall survival was low (Rogue River = 42%, Mt. Hood = 19.8%). Growth was greatest for the control seedlings but only significantly greater than growth of Durite® seedlings on the Rogue River sites. Growth of seedlings was not compromised by the Vexar® tubing. Although neither type of tubing was highly protective, Vexar® tubes performed better than Durite® tubes. West. J. Appl. For. 14(3):164-168.

Scales of heterogeneity in prairie and forest

1999 ◽  
Vol 77 (3) ◽  
pp. 370-376 ◽  
Author(s):  
Heather R Kleb ◽  
Scott D Wilson
Keyword(s):  
Species Composition ◽  
Small Scale ◽  
Light Penetration ◽  
Pocket Gopher ◽  
Available N ◽  
Litter Mass ◽  
Thomomys Talpoides ◽  
Mixed Grass ◽  
Below Ground ◽  
Aspen Forest

Few studies have compared scales of heterogeneity among plant communities. We predicted that differences in the sizes of dominant species should allow us to detect small-scale (<256 cm) heterogeneity in mixed-grass prairie but not in adjacent aspen forest. We examined light penetration, soil moisture, available N, elevation, species composition, and plant mass at 10 locations in prairie and forest in both spring and summer. Variables were measured in 1-cm2 plots arranged in pairs separated by 0-256 cm. Several variables in prairie (elevation, litter mass, light penetration, and species composition) showed significant evidence for scale within the range examined. In contrast, only one variable in forest (light penetration in summer) showed evidence for scale in the same range. The scale of heterogeneity in prairie was consistent with the scale of two possible causes, species composition and elevation variability due to northern pocket gopher (Thomomys talpoides Richardson) activity, both of which varied significantly in prairie but not in forest. Whereas some aboveground factors (light and litter mass) varied within the range examined, belowground factors (water and N) did not, suggesting that the scale of heterogeneity differs between above- and below-ground factors. In total, the results suggest that differences in the scale of heterogeneity between prairie and forest reflect the relative sizes of the dominant plants.Key words: aspen, forest, heterogeneity, light, nitrogen, prairie, scale, soil, water.

scholarly journals The impact of attractants on pocket gopher trapping

2014 ◽  
Vol 60 (4) ◽  
pp. 472-478 ◽  
Author(s):  
Roger A. Baldwin ◽  
Ryan Meinerz ◽  
Steve B. Orloff
Keyword(s):  
Pest Management ◽  
Direct Effect ◽  
Previous Investigation ◽  
Peanut Butter ◽  
Agricultural Systems ◽  
Pocket Gopher ◽  
Pocket Gophers ◽  
And Gender ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Capture Rates

Abstract Pocket gophers (Geomyidae) have an extensive impact on both natural and agricultural systems. Trapping is a technique often used to sample and manage these populations. The identification of an attractant that increases capture rates of pocket gophers would greatly assist researchers and pest management professionals alike. Therefore, we tested the attractiveness of four attractants (peanut butter, anise, grapefruit attractant, and carrot) plus a control (no attractant) using uncovered and covered trap sets to determine what impact they have on visitation and capture rates of pocket gophers. We also determined how the impact of cover status and attractants differ across varying weights and gender of pocket gophers. We found no direct effect of any attractant on visitation and capture rates of pocket gophers, nor on the gender of captured individuals. However, when no attractant was used, the number of pocket gophers captured per 100 trap nights was greater when trap sets were uncovered vs. when covered, and capture rates were generally high and consistent when using peanut butter as an attractant. Additionally, we noted that covered trap sets that were baited with peanut butter yielded heavier pocket gopher captures than uncovered trap sets using this same attractant. This is key, given the difficulty associated with capturing older, more experienced individuals. Combined with data from a previous investigation, this suggests that there is no advantage to using any attractant when utilizing uncovered trap sets, but there is likely some benefit to using peanut butter in covered trap sets [Current Zoology 60 (4): 472–478, 2014].

On the Characters of the Pocket Gopher Thomomys talpoides couchi Goldman

The Murrelet ◽  
1939 ◽  
Vol 20 (2) ◽  
pp. 38
Author(s):  
E. Raymond Hall ◽  
Walter W. Dalquest
Keyword(s):  
Pocket Gopher ◽  
Thomomys Talpoides
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