40.

Lago Blanco Tuco-tuco

Ctenomys fodax

French: Tuco-tuco du Lago Blanco / German: Lago-Blanco-Kammratte / Spanish: Tuco tuco del Lago Blanco

Taxonomy. Ctenomys fodax Thomas, 1910,

“Valle del Lago Blanco, Cordillera region of Southern Chubut, Patagonia (about 46° S., 71° W.).” Restricted by U. F. J. Pardinas and colleagues in 2007 to “Estancia Valle Huemules, Departamento Rio Senguer, Chubut, Argentina (46°57" S, 71°31 W, 575:m).”

Based on biogeography, C. fodax was initially classified in the Patagonian group and later in the magellanicusspecies group, based on mtDNA. Chromosomal complement is 2n = 28 and FN = 38, and sperm form is simple asymmetric. Monotypic.

Distribution. Patagonian Argentina (SW Chubut Province).

Descriptive notes. Head-body 260 mm, tail 98 mm, hindfoot (without claw) 40 mm (all measurements from the adult male holotype). No specific data are available for body weight. The Lago Blanco Tuco-tuco is one of the largest species of tuco-tucos. Pelage is soft; dorsum is usually cinnamon. Skull is large and bowed; nasals are wide in front, resulting in large rostral appearance, extending posteriorly to fronto-premaxillary processes. Auditory bullae are visible from above; interparietal is longer than wide, commonly divided by median suture.

Habitat. Restricted to the Patagonian steppe. The Lago Blanco Tuco-tuco is recorded only in the type locality and surroundings and in Estancia Valle Huemules, Rio Senguer Department, Chubut (45°57" S, 71°32’ W) at elevations of 575 m.

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 Lust.

Bibliography. Bidau (2015), Contreras & Bidau (1999), Montes et al. (2001), Ortells (1995), Parada et al. (2011), Pardinas et al. (2007), Reig et al. (1992).