21.

Tucuman Tuco-tuco

Ctenomys tucumanus

French: Tuco-tuco de Tucuman / German: Tucuman-Kammratte / Spanish: Tuco tuco de Tucuman

Taxonomy. Ctenomys tucumanus Thomas, 1900,

“Tucuman [San Miguel de Tucuman], Altitude 450 m,” Departamento Capital, Tucuman, Argentina, 26°49’ S, 65°13’ W.

Based on biogeography, C. tucumanus belongs to the Chacoan group, but based on mtDNA, it belongs to the tucumanusspecies group. Chromosomal complement is 2n = 28 and FN = 52, and sperm is symmetric. Monotypic.

Distribution. N Argentina, known only from the type locality in San Miguel de Tucuman and surroundings.

Descriptive notes. Head—body 172 mm, tail 71 mm, hindfoot (with claw) 30-5 mm (all measurements from the holotype, an old male). No specific data are available for body weight. The Tucuman Tuco-tuco is small to medium-sized. Dorsum 1s brownish fawn, with faint reddish suffusion; under parts are pale buff, with gray bases of hairs. Midline of face is blackish, but cheeks are brownish fawn. Hindlegs are almost naked, with some white hair; tail has some whitish hair forming slight ridge in tip. Skull is broad and flat, with nasal tapering evenly back and finishing behind level antorbital bridge.

Habitat. Humid soil in piedmont and borders of forests in Tucuman.

Food and Feeding. There is no information available for this species.

Breeding. There is no information available for this species.

Activity patterns. There is no information available for this species.

Movements, Home range and Social organization. There is no information available for this species.

Status and Conservation. Classified as Data deficient on The IUCN Red List.

Bibliography. Bidau (2006), Ortells (1995), Parada et al. (2011), Reig & Kiblisky (1968), Reig et al. (1992).