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Root cropping by pocket gophers
Veronica Selden1, Francis E Putz1
1Department of Biology, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL 32641, USA.
Current Biology : CB
|July 12, 2022
Summary
Pocket gophers (Geomys pinetis) consume roots growing into their tunnels, a novel food source. This discovery helps explain how these fossorial rodents meet high energy demands in their grassland habitats.
Area of Science:
- Ecology
- Zoology
- Animal Behavior
Background:
- Pocket gophers (Geomys spp.) are solitary, fossorial rodents native to North and Central American grasslands.
- They are known root-eaters with extensive tunnel systems, requiring significant energy due to costly burrowing behaviors.
Purpose of the Study:
- To identify novel food sources for southeastern pocket gophers (Geomys pinetis).
- To quantify the energetic contribution of these novel food sources to pocket gopher daily requirements.
Main Methods:
- Investigated root presence and accessibility within pocket gopher tunnels at a sandy soil study site.
- Quantified the potential caloric contribution of tunnel-inhabiting roots to pocket gopher energy budgets.
Main Results:
- Roots growing into pocket gopher tunnels represent a significant, previously undescribed food source.
- These roots can supply an average of 21% and up to 62% of daily basal energetic needs for Geomys pinetis.
Conclusions:
- Tunnel-inhabiting roots are a crucial dietary component for southeastern pocket gophers.
- This finding helps explain how pocket gophers sustain high energy requirements in environments with scarce surface food resources.
