Vagility and Local Movements of Pocket Gophers (Geomyidae: Rodentia)

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Abstract
A 2 yr live-trap study in the Davis Mountains of Texas [USA] was conducted in a zone of sympatry between Pappogeomys castanops and Thomomys bottae. T. bottae demonstrated low levels of vagility. P. castanops demonstrated high levels, particularly in adult males and subadult females. Individual movements of P. castanops showed a significant directional trend toward the population of T. bottae. Individual movements of T. bottae showed no distinct directional trends. T. bottae is generally restricted to areas of high soil moisture, while P. castanops is not restricted by this factor. The population size and structure of P. castanops and flood erosion of T. bottae habitat may further contribute to the replacement of T. bottae by P. castanops. Although other factors may allow the replacement of these pocket gophers, major displacement may be the result of severe environmental conditions in the form of intense flooding or aridity.