1. Evolutionary trends in Florida Pleistocene pocket gophers (genusGeomys), with description of a new species
- Author
-
Kenneth T. Wilkins
- Subjects
Geomys pinetis ,Retromolar fossa ,biology ,Pleistocene ,Enamel paint ,Paleontology ,Zoology ,biology.organism_classification ,Genus Geomys ,stomatognathic diseases ,Upper dentition ,stomatognathic system ,Extant taxon ,visual_art ,visual_art.visual_art_medium - Abstract
There is an extensive Pleistocene record, from early Irvingtonian to present, of pocket gophers (genus Geomys) in Florida. Evolutionary trends include the widening of lower cheekteeth and the expansion of the retromolar fossa; these changes resulted in progressively more efficient mastication. Other trends in dental characters include the loss of enamel from the posterior face of P4 and a change in the occlusal shape of M3 from elongate and bilophate to subtriangular. Mandibular and dental features distinguish early and middle Irvingtonian samples from late Irvingtonian to modern samples, which are referred to the extant Geomys pinetis. The new species may be diagnosed both quantitatively from mandibular characters and qualitatively from characters of the upper dentition.
- Published
- 1984
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