Carterodon sulcidens (Lund, 1841)

Don E. Wilson, Thomas E. Lacher, Jr & Russell A. Mittermeier, 2016, Echimyidae, Handbook of the Mammals of the World – Volume 6 Lagomorphs and Rodents I, Barcelona: Lynx Edicions, pp. 552-604 : 558

11.

Groove-toothed Spiny-rat

Carterodon sulcidens

French: Rat-épineux du Cerrado / German: Furchenzahn-Stachelratte / Spanish: Rata espinosa de dientes con surcos

Other common names: Owl's Spiny-rat

Taxonomy. Echimys sulcidens Lund, 1838 ,

“bassin du Rio das Velhas.” Amended by P. W. Lund in 1841 as “Rio das Velhas Floddal,” Lagoa Santa, Minas Gerais, Brazil.

Carterodon sulcidens has been formerly classified in genera Echimys , Nelomys , and Aulacodus. Monotypic.

Distribution. C & W Brazil, from Minas Gerais, through Goias and Distrito Federal to Mato Grosso and Mato Grosso do Sul.

Descriptive notes. Head-body 135-250 mm, tail 656-92 mm; weight 92-195 g. Dorsum ofthe distinct, medium-sized Groovetoothed Spiny-rat is covered with dense and soft hairs (setiforms), intermixed with soft spines (aristiforms). Body is adapted to semi-fossorial habits; it has short limbs with long and powerful claws, short ears, and very short tail ¢.50% of head-body length. Tail is covered with short hairs partially covering scales. Overall pelage is predominantly brownish and grizzled, with black aristiforms on dorsal surface and pale brown hairs on throat and abdominal surface, showing gradual color transition on sides. Skull of the Groovetoothed Spiny-rat is broad, and rostrum is short and wide. Anterior projection of premaxillary bone is well developed. Auditory meatus is medium-sized, with partial contact between ectotympanic and squamosal, restricted to posterior part of dorsal margin of ectotympanic, and forming cleft between these two bones. Incisive foramina are short and oval. Sphenopalatine foramen and sphenopalatine vacuities are well developed. Upper incisors are large and grooved, which is a unique feature among extant echimyids. Maxillary cheekteeth are unilateral hypsodont and nearly parallel to palate. Upper and lower premolar and molar surfaces are semicircular and have three distinctive transverse lophs/lophids. A fourth lophid may be visible on unworn lowerteeth.

Habitat. Tropical savanna and grasslands at elevations of 250-1100 m. Most specimens of Groove-toothed Spiny-rats with associated habitat data have been collected in open areas of the Cerrado ecoregion. It has wide distribution but is represented by specimens from only twelve localities. Given its rarity, it might be associated with a specific microhabitat, and thus its area of occupancy might be small and patchy.

Food and Feeding. The Groove-toothed Spiny-rat is strictly herbivorous from direct observations and tooth morphology.

Breeding. Pregnant and juvenile Groove-toothed Spiny-rats were collected during dry (August) and wet (December) seasons. Litters with 1-2 embryos have been reported at Serra do Roncador, Mato Grosso, Brazil. Grass nests 30 cm deep within burrows have been recorded at Lagoa Santa, Minas Gerais, Brazil.

Activity patterns. There is no information available for this species, but the Groovetoothed Spiny-rat is probably nocturnal.

Movements, Home range and Social organization. The Groove-toothed Spiny-rat is semi-fossorial. It is preyed on by the American barn owl (7yto alba furcata), which is mainly nocturnal.

Status and Conservation. Classified as Data Deficient on The IUCN Red List. Nevertheless, a recent study suggested that the Groove-toothed Spiny-rat should be listed as Vulnerable based on an estimated extent of occurrence of less than 20,000 km?, severely fragmented distribution, and current presence at no more than ten localities. Most of these localities are highly impacted by agricultural activities, urbanization, and hydroelectric dams.

Bibliography. Bezerra & Bonvicino (2015a), Bezerra et al. (2011), Bishop (1974), Eisenberg & Redford (1999), Lund (1841), Moojen (1952b), Woods & Kilpatrick (2005).

Figures

1. Hispaniolan Hutia (Plagiodontia aedium), 2. Jamaican Hutia (Geocapromys brownu), 3. Ingraham’s Hutia (Geocapromys ingrahami), 4. Desmarest’s Hutia (Capromys pilorides), 5. Cabrera’s Hutia (Mesocapromys angelcabrerai), 6. Eared Hutia (Mesocapromys auritus), 7. Black-tailed Hutia (Mesocapromys melanurus), 8. Dwarf Hutia (Mesocapromys nanus), 9. Prehensile-tailed Hutia (Mysateles prehensilis), 10. Garrido Tree Hutia (Mysateles garridoi), 11. Groove-toothed Spiny-rat (Carterodon sulcidens)

Distribution. C & W Brazil, from Minas Gerais, through Goias and Distrito Federal to Mato Grosso and Mato Grosso do Sul.