Use of External Characteristics for Rapid Identification of Gender of Pocket Gophers

Abstract

Abstract. Pocket gophers are of great importance both for their function in ecological systems and for their impact on anthropogenic environments. Managing pocket gopher populations requires a fundamental understanding of population demographics, specifically sex ratios; yet quick and reliable techniques for visually identifying gender of pocket gophers are lacking. We developed a visual identification method based on external characteristics of genitalia and mammae that allows for rapid, yet correct assessment of gender in pocket gophers. This approach was particularly accurate (>99%) for visual identifications in the field. Our approach was also accurate (>98%) for frozen specimens, although care must be taken when identifying gender of frozen, immature pocket gophers. Although our results pertain specifically to Thomomys talpoides and Thomomys bottae, we believe that our methodology can be broadly applied to additional pocket gopher species.