About Gopherus evgoodei Edwards, Karl, Vaughn, Rosen, Meléndez-Torres & Murphy, 2016
Taxonomic History
Gopherus evgoodei, formally published by Edwards, Karl, Vaughn, Rosen, Meléndez-Torres & Murphy in 2016, can be distinguished from the related species Gopherus morafkai and Gopherus agassizii by several consistent physical traits.
Shell and Limb Traits
It has a flatter overall shell profile, rounded foot pads, and multiple enlarged spurs on the radial-humeral joint.
Coloration and Sexual Traits
It also shows orange coloration in both its skin (integument) and shell, and males of this species have a distinctly shallower concavity on the plastron than males of the two related species.
Habitat Preferences
This tortoise inhabits hills and low mountains, where it favors sloped terrain, boulders, and rock outcrops.
Burrowing Behavior
Similar to Mojave and Sonoran desert tortoises, Gopherus evgoodei digs burrows in soil, though it prefers to excavate these burrows underneath boulders.
