Ctenomys dorbignyi, Contreras & Contreras, 1984

Don E. Wilson, Thomas E. Lacher, Jr & Russell A. Mittermeier, 2016, Ctenomyidae, Handbook of the Mammals of the World – Volume 6 Lagomorphs and Rodents I, Barcelona: Lynx Edicions, pp. 498-534 : 521

23.

D’Orbigny’s Tuco-tuco

Ctenomys dorbignyi

French: Tuco-tuco de d'Orbigny / German: D'Orbigny-Kammratte / Spanish: Tuco tuco de D'Orbigny

Taxonomy. Ctenomys dorbigny J. R. Contreras & A. N. C. Contreras, 1984 ,

“Paraje | Mbarigtii, Departamento Beron de Astrada, Provincia de Corrientes, a 27°33’ de latitud Sur y a 57°31" de longitud oeste,” Argentina, 54 m.

Ctenomys dorbignyi is now considered as belonging to the torquatusspecies group. Regarding taxonomic information and genetic structure of populations, there is some incongruence between C. dorbignyi C. perrensi , and C. roigi , because there are many cases of hybridization among populations and species. Chromosomal complementis 2n = 70 and FN = 80 to 84, and sperm is symmetric. Monotypic.

Distribution. NE Argentina, patchily in Esteros del Ibera and Pampa regions in Corrientes and Entre Rios provinces.

Descriptive notes. Head-body 190-224 mm (average 206 mm), tail 86-99 mm (average 91 mm), hindfoot (with claw) 38-7-43 mm (average 40-4 mm); weight 269-376 g (average 331 g). D’Orbigny’s Tuco-tuco is relatively large. Dorsum is brown and fairly uniform overall. Venter is light, and there is no evidence of a collar. Skull is robust and moderately long, and rostrum is slightly enlarged and expanded. Upper incisors are moderately proodont. Compared with species of Ctenomys from Chaco, interorbital width of constriction and zygomatic breadth of D’Orbigny’s Tuco-tuco are proportionately smaller, and tympanic bullae are more developed.

Habitat. Sandy patches distributed among forests.

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

Breeding. Litter size of D’Orbigny’s Tuco-tuco averages 1-3 young.

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

Movements, Home range and Social organization. D’Orbigny’s Tuco-tuco is solitary, with some suggestion of semi-sociality. Densities are higher in the southern part ofits distribution. Populations are affected by cycles of annual rainfall.

Status and Conservation. Classified as Near Threatened on The IUCN Red Lust.

Bibliography. Bidau (2015), Cook & Salazar-Bravo (2004), Garcia et al. (2000), Gimenez et al. (2002), Mirol et al. (2010), Ortells (1995), Ortells & Barrantes (1994), Ortells et al. (1990), Parada etal. (2011), Reig et al. (1992), Vitullo & Cook (1991).

Figures

23. D’Orbigny’s Tuco-tuco (Ctenomys dorbignyi), 24. Ibicui Tuco-tuco (Ctenomys ibicuiensis), 25. Lami Tuco-tuco (Ctenomys lami), 26. Minute Tuco-tuco (Clenomys minutus), 27. Pearson’s Tuco-tuco (Ctenomys pearsoni), 28. Perrens’s Tuco-tuco (Ctenomys perrensi), 29. Roig’s Tuco-tuco (Ctenomys roigi), 30. Collared Tuco-tuco (Ctenomys torquatus), 31. Pundt’s Tuco-tuco (Clenomys pundit), 32. Talas Tuco-tuco (Ctenomys talarum), 33. Flamarion’s Tuco-tuco (Ctenomys flamarioni), 34. Mendoza Tuco-tuco (Ctenomys mendocinus), 35. Cinnamon Tuco-tuco (Clenomys porteousi), 36. Rio Negro Tuco-tuco (Ctenomys rionegrensis), 37. Dune Tuco-tuco (Ctenomys australis), 38. White-bellied Tuco-tuco (Clenomys colburni), 39. Coyhaique Tuco-tuco (Cienomys coyhaiquensis), 40. Lago Blanco Tuco-tuco (Ctenomys fodax), 41. Patagonian Tuco-tuco (Ctenomys haigi), 42. Magellanic Tuco-tuco (Ctenomys magellanicus), 43. Silky Tuco-tuco (Ctenomys sericeus)

Distribution. NE Argentina, patchily in Esteros del Ibera and Pampa regions in Corrientes and Entre Rios provinces.