Habitat Characteristics within a Zone of Separation Between the Ranges of Two Species of Pocket Gophers

Abstract

Abstract Gaps between distributions of closely related species have been noted in the literature but little empirical research exists to explain these patterns. One hypothesis is poor habitat quality occurs within the gaps and therefore prevents species from inhabiting these areas. Multiple examples of gaps between species distributions can be found among different species of pocket gophers. The objective of this research was to analyze a zone of separation between Geomys bursarius and Cratogeomys castanops in southwest Kansas. Habitat suitability maps were produced using Maxent (3.3.2) for each species throughout the study area. Values of habitat suitability and important habitat variables were compared between locations within the zone of separation and presence localities. The most important variable for predicting habitat suitability for G. bursarius was percent sand, while both percent sand and clay were important for C. castanops. Habitats within the zone of separation were significantly less suitab...