Identity
Unique IDELEMENT_GLOBAL.2.103532
Element CodeAMAFC02040
Record TypeSPECIES
ClassificationSpecies
Classification StatusStandard
Name CategoryVertebrate Animal
IUCNLeast concern
Endemicendemic to a single nation
KingdomAnimalia
PhylumCraniata
ClassMammalia
OrderRodentia
FamilyGeomyidae
GenusGeomys
Other Common Namessoutheastern pocket gopher (EN)
Concept ReferenceWilson, D. E., and D. M. Reeder (editors). 1993. Mammal species of the world: a taxonomic and geographic reference. Second edition. Smithsonian Institution Press, Washington, DC. xviii + 1206 pp. Available online at: http://www.nmnh.si.edu/msw/.
Taxonomic CommentsThis species has a complex taxonomic history at the species and subspecies level (see summary in Chambers et al. 2009). Multiple phylogenetic analyses have found populations of G. pinetis on either side of the Apalachicola-Chattahoochee-Flint River basin to be genetically distinct, and the authors suggest the populations east and west of that basin to be recognized as distinct forms (Sudman et al. 2006, Chambers et al. 2009, Soto-Centeno 2013, Duncan et al. 2024). All other formerly recognized forms (austrinus, colonus, cumberlandius, floridanus, fontanelus, goffi) have been synonymized with the nominate form, resulting in a single species with two subspecies: G. pinetis pinetis and G. pinetis mobilensis (Williams and Genoways 1980, Humphrey 1981, Laerm 1981, Jolley et al. 2000, Sudman et al. 2006, Chambers et al. 2009, Soto-Centeno 2013, Duncan et al. 2024). G. p. mobilensis may warrant full species status (Sudman et al. 2006, Chambers et al. 2009, Soto-Centeno 2013, Duncan et al. 2024). Also see Bradley et al. (2023) for a broad systematic reevaluation of the three genera of pocket gophers occurring in Texas and surrounding areas.
Conservation Status
Rank Method Rank calculation - Biotics v2
Review Date2024-10-02
Change Date2024-10-02
Edition Date2024-10-02
Edition AuthorsGundy, R. L. (2024)
Threat ImpactHigh - medium
Range Extent200,000-2,500,000 square km (about 80,000-1,000,000 square miles)
Number of Occurrences81 - 300
Rank ReasonsThis species is found in sandy upland habitats of the Southeastern Coastal Plain of the United States in Alabama, Florida, and Georgia. The population has been declining for decades due to development, agriculture, silviculture, road-building, and fire exclusion. Several extirpations have been documented throughout the range.
Range Extent CommentsThis species is found in the Southeastern Coastal Plain of the United States from the Mobile River basin in southwestern Alabama eastward to the Savannah River in Georgia, and extending southward into peninsular Florida (Merriam 1895, Pembleton and Williams 1978, Hall 1981, Duncan et al. 2024). Using Global Biodiversity Information Facility (GBIF 2024) records from 2000-2024, range extent is estimated to be approximately 268,000 km².
Occurrences CommentsApplying a 3 km separation distance to GBIF (2024) records from 2000-2024, 152 occurrences are estimated.
Threat Impact CommentsThe primary threats to this species are destruction of habitat and degradation of habitat. Habitat destruction occurs in the form of conversion to agriculture, urban development, and suburban development. Habitat degradation occurs in the form of conversion to dense pine plantation and from fire exclusion (Humphrey 1981, Trani et al. 2007, Bennett et al. 2020, Duncan et al. 2020, Parsons et al. 2022). Fire exclusion allows hardwood encroachment, a decline of herbaceous plant species, and canopy cover to increase (Bennett et al. 2020, Duncan et al. 2020, Parsons et al. 2022). Compounding these losses is the common view that pocket gophers are agricultural, silvicultural, and residential pest and, hence, are sometimes exterminated. Additionally, even narrow roads have been shown to be a major deterrent to movement in small mammals, and roads greater than 30 meters clearance are rarely crossed (Oxley et al. 1974).